Thirty-First Theory [Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[The last thing they remember, they were warm in bed with their other brothers. Now they are two, and for reasons beyond their comprehension they are waking up in a snowbank.

The sun is bright, the snow is wet, and the frigid air seeps into their bones.]

Raphie, I'm - I'm cold.

C-c’mon, Donnie. [He latches onto his brother’s hand and starts pulling him out of the snow.] We n-need a better hidin’ spot.

Okay.

[The two tiny Turtles climb out of the hollow in the deep snow and, huddled against one another, strike out in search of shelter.]

((Five-ish-year-old Turtles, no conscious memories of Luceti. Replies will come from tinytechturtle and saidontmatter. April will threadjack eventually to take her little guys home, but initial rescuing is open to any kind soul who doesn't want to see a pair of young reptiles freeze to death. Have at, kind souls of Luceti.))

Comments

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

Renaissance artists? I'm afraid we don't have anything like that in Amestris.

[after-march.livejournal.com]

Well you don't need to use actual Renaissance artists. I mean, you could just use a book of famous people from your world--Amestris. Famous Amestrians.

Or you could be really original and name him after the month he's born in.

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

Right, right. I'd still have to get that passed my husband, you know.

[after-march.livejournal.com]

[Ah, so they ARE indeed MARRIED...]

Winry--these turtles need to be warmed up a bit more. [April pulls her shoes off, peels back the covers, and climbs into bed beside Raphael.] They, uh--they like body heat.

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

Do you mind if I don't join you? I'm afraid like this I might scare them when they wake up.

[after-march.livejournal.com]

I--I don't think there's enough room, anyway. [Staaaaaaaaaare.]

Were they awake when you found them out there?

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

They were. In fact, they both accused me of eating someone.

[after-march.livejournal.com]

...............Yeah, okay, you better go then, because I in no way want to have that talk with them right now. Unless you already tried?

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

I did. That's when Raphael started muttering to himself and Don passed out.

[after-march.livejournal.com]

[April is getting considerably more worried now. She cuddles the two as best she can, hoping that somehow the increasing warmth of the room and her body temperature will help revive them.]

I hope they weren't exposed for too long. Oh, God.

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

No, since they were awake when I found them I think they might be alright. They're still breathing, aren't they?

[after-march.livejournal.com]

Yes, but they're so little. I wish Master Splinter were here...

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[Don't worry, April. It's about then little Raphael starts to stir, just enough to reach out and cling to April's shirt, whimpering softly. He's cold, and his head hurts, but at least Master Splinter is there. He's the only one he knows that's so warm.]

[tinytechturtle.livejournal.com]

[Donatello wakes slowly. The bed is soft and he had the strangest dream...

He cuddles up to the big warm body next to him, and sighs in contentment.]

Mm... Father...

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

How cute.

[after-march.livejournal.com]

They think I'm a giant elderly rat. [She whispers to Winry. But she dutifully cuddles them back, because...yeah, they're flippin' CUTE is what they are, poor little things.]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[Raphie snuffles a little in his sleep, frowning. That didn't sound like Sensei, and the smell isn't right either. Neither is the bed. It's way too soft.]

[tinytechturtle.livejournal.com]

[Oh. Wait. Something here is not right.

Donatello opens his eyes and there's a human in the bed.

He tries to push away but his arms don’t seem to be working very well.]

Ahhh...

[after-march.livejournal.com]

Shhhhhh---Donnie, it's okay, honey. [Honey?]

[saidontmatter.livejournal.com]

[There's that voice again. And now Donnie's squirming. Raph scrunches his eyes closed tighter, still clinging to April's shirt. It's nice and warm here, and Master Splinter will protect them. He doesn't want to wake up, so he kicks nudges Donnie with his foot to make him shut up.]

[tinytechturtle.livejournal.com]

[Hiding. This can't be happening. In another minute he'll wake up for real and -

Ow. Raphie, you kick hard and your feet are cold.

And the human is still there.]

Who are you??

[after-march.livejournal.com]

Donatello--it's April. [She shifts around clingy Raphael in order to get more comfortable.] I'm your friend. You don't remember me?

[saidontmatter.livejournal.com]

[The panic in his brother's voice jolts him awake, and his eyes open to a scene of pure terror. That wasn't Master Splinter, that was a human.

He tries to scream, tries to shy away but he's weak and sluggish from the cold. He only manages to push away from April enough to cling to his brother, his scream only a moan that quickly dissolves to tears.

They're too little to fight this big human all by themselves, and he doesn't want to die.]

Go 'way!

[tinytechturtle.livejournal.com]

[His too-heavy arms are suddenly full of Raphael, and he blurts out:] It's December and I don't know you! [Not even the right month, but the cold makes it hard to keep track of these things.]

[after-march.livejournal.com]

[Okay, O'Neil. You gotta calm these kids down.

Very gently, April lays a warm palm against Raphael's cheek and takes Donatello's hand reassuringly with her other.]

Shhhh...I'm friends with Master Splinter. Your father, he asked me to look out for you. I'm not going to hurt you...I'm just trying to get you warm. And I can also make you something delicious to eat, if you're hungry...