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

[tinytechturtle.livejournal.com]

[... That's true.]

[He lowers his head to nudge his snout against his brother's. Don't cry, Raphie...]

Where - where is he?

[after-march.livejournal.com]

He's not here, Donnie. [Raphael is just about breaking her heart.] You two have to be brave without him. And I can protect you, okay? I won't let anyone hurt you.

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[Raphie sniffles miserably, nuzzling his brother back.]

I w-want Sensei.

[He said humans are bad. Why aren't you bad?]

[tinytechturtle.livejournal.com]

[That didn't really answer the question. But being brave? He can do that.]

[This is his brave face.]

[after-march.livejournal.com]

Wow! You must be the bravest turtle in the world, Donnie!

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[Raphie frowns at that, a touch of jealousy before he mirrors his brother's expression. He can be brave too!]

[tinytechturtle.livejournal.com]

[Aw, go on.]

[Donnie wiggles around, trying to extricate himself from his brother and the blankets. Brave turtles don't lay around in bed; they get up and face the world.]

[after-march.livejournal.com]

And Raphael! I didn't realize you were so brave!

[April slowly climbs out of the bed, trying not to make any sudden moves.] And with a red bandanna, too. That's the color of courage.

[saidontmatter.livejournal.com]

[He puffs up a bit, but doesn't seem all that hasty to leave the nest. He just wriggles to his knees and scoots over to the warm spot April left behind, smiling.]

[tinytechturtle.livejournal.com]

[Nope, getting out of bed now. He wanders around the room, looking up at all the sharp and shiny things on the shelves.]

Wow... Raphie, look.

[after-march.livejournal.com]

Okay--okay, doing alright so far...

April smiles at Don.] You two are really young, but--has Sensei taught you how to use these yet? And did you know that he's started teaching me, too?

[saidontmatter.livejournal.com]

[Okay, that's just too cool for him to pass up. He untangles himself out of the blankets and shuffles over to look, still sluggish compared to a normal five year old's scamper.

He looks up at the pretty things on the shelves and goes on tippy toes to try to reach them.]

[tinytechturtle.livejournal.com]

We're not allowed to touch them. [A statement to April; an admonishment to Raphael.]

[He looks April up and down. Does Sensei secretly teach this human ninjutsu when he's out at night?] When? [Interpret that any way you want.]

[after-march.livejournal.com]

Okay, Raph--I guess that's a "no" on the weapons, then. For now. You'll...probably be able to use them later.

Uh--when? Oh, you know---when he's not busy with you kids.

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[Stupid Donnie, ruining his fun. He pouts for a moment before reaching over to pinch his brother's arm.]

[tinytechturtle.livejournal.com]

Hey! [Donnie slaps Raph back, forgets what he was talking to April about, and patters out of the room to see what other neat stuff is in this place.]

[after-march.livejournal.com]

H-hey! Donnie, wait up! Raphael, I saw that pinch you know. You're instigating.

[saidontmatter.livejournal.com]

[Raphie just pouts harder, dashing after his brother to try to smack him back. He doesn't know what "instigating" means. All he knows is Donnie ruined his fun and it's not fair.

But when he gets out of the room, he's a bit floored by all the bright and open space. Not as scary as outside, but pretty shocking none the less.

He stands outside the bedroom doorway looking uneasy.]

[tinytechturtle.livejournal.com]

[Donnie glances nervously up and down the hall, then ducks into the room opposite.

This turns out to be a very good decision indeed. Someone incredible must live in this room.

Donatello just stands there with his mouth open, trying to take in all the cool stuff scattered across the room's surfaces.]

[after-march.livejournal.com]

[April places a reassuring hand on Raph's shoulder and guides him toward Donatello's room.] Wow, Donnie--I guess you're never going to grow up to be the neatest turtle, huh? What a mess.

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[He latches onto April's hand more out of instinct than anything. He's used to always having somebody nearby to latch onto. Her hand feels weird, but he's decided he likes this human, so it isn't so bad.]

[tinytechturtle.livejournal.com]

[Donnie picks up some loose parts, to see if maybe they can be put back together. He's allowed to touch this, right?]

Are these yours?

[after-march.livejournal.com]

Yes! [Lie, but so what? This has to be an experiment, right? He has to grow up again soon, right? He'll thank her later.] But you can have it.

[She squeezes Raph's hand, meanwhile.] You're not hungry, are you?

[saidontmatter.livejournal.com]

[His eyes light up.] You gots food?

[tinytechturtle.livejournal.com]

[That's a sufficiently distracting suggestion.]

I'm a little hungry...