Interlude House Guests.

Mikey wrote:" and so he made it in about twenty minutes - and recalling the kids on the other side entered the lair without his usualy whirlwind of noise but all his usual haste and bustle moving towards their dad - "Master Splinter... Sensei..." whispering, looking at the little pile of turtles, they had barely moved, if not for the rise and fall of their plastrons Mikey would have freaked...

" what is it Michelangelo?" splinter whispers hearing his footfalls approach rabidly.

Mikey wrote:[color=#FF4500]" We ran into a little hiccup on patrol, we are going to have some visitors - a couple of girls, one about our age the other a kid... not sure how old... and well... nah I might leave that one a surprise - but you will be surprised."

Splinter twitched his whiskers and looks at his usually excitable son, and hummms a little. He sighs and nods, " I will make tea..."

Closing slowly in on the lair Raph looked over his shoulder and nodded, " yeah... that is unusual for humans, or well mutants that look all human in this case to not have a freak out over us in some manner." eyeing the girl.

The smaller one in his hold still and he'd managed not to wake her in the walking, shifting or with the chatter. Kid was really out of it!

Just as the tea is ready, Leo opens the door, allowing his brothers and their house guests entrance.

"Home Sweet Home."

He follows them in. Thankfully the little guys are still asleep. He hopes they remain that way, but there are an awful lot of people in the lair now, and even if everyone is quiet, that's a lot of activity. He puts a finger to his lips, one more reminder for everyone to be quiet, and tries to usher everyone into the kitchen.

Erica had shrugged with a grin, a sort of mysterious one, trying not to give away anything more than she should. " I have... um... some unusual friends already so a couple more... even bipedal talking turtles I guess I was sort of prepared for." she gasps a little seeing their home for the first time not sure what she expected.

Some sort of bachelor pad.

But it was spacey and tidy and she goes with Leo's urging into the kitchen area.

Don is afraid to ask what she means by that statement. And since they had just entered the lair, he keeps quiet for now.

When Don comes in, he looks at Leo and moves past him to the boys. He checks on them quickly. Almost but not quite touching Liam's head before jumping up and moving to the kitchen. He leans against the counter in the far corner of the room out of the way. Only once everyone has gathered in the kitchen does he continue the discussion as though it had never paused.

"How do you mean?"

Master Splinter wrote:" My sons... I believe introductions and explanations first. And some tea." He had just finished putting out the exact number of tea cups for them all and was fillign them, speaking calmly but eyeing the new comers.

The older girl was indeed as old as his teens, the child in Raphael's arms could not be older than five he looks at Raphael, "tanke her to rest my son, little ones grow and grow strong with rest." he encourages gently. And it would free up Raphael's arms.

the other ... Donatello he eyes curiously but waits patiently for fillings.

Donnie agreed with Don with a chuckled, " Even my April screamed at me first when I caught her. Hah she made me scream too - in a manly wa- ... Master Splinter..." A sort of pained sounding tailing away wonder.

He had suspected there was one in this world, he'd been preparing for it all the way... but it turns out you couldn't prepare...

And the lance of pain of the loss of his own stabbed into his plastron again. Especially when the aged, much smaller rat than his own greeted his interdimensional brothers in that tone, with 'my sons' in it...

He stands just inside the kitchen - he'd meant to look around but for the moment he was caught up in just, for a seconds pretending it was his own fathers voice and with that word.

Just a moment. Moving forward to offer the grey rat a bow like he had Leo.

Oh Raph didn't want to miss that about Erica's other friends but... but...

He nods at Splinter and makes his way out of the kitchen and over to the babies. Smiling at them for a moment then kneeling and carefully putting the little girl on the cushions ... maybe curious what would happen he placed her just close enough to feel Liam's arm.

by the time his brothers arrived Mikey was beginning to color in his drawing of the girl - bold orange background and her soft pale skin toned, keeping face clear of any makes up and hair silky and black he had meat to go long... but felt s he was coloring with the pastels she would have it cut short.

grinning at the others as they joined them -

And curiously watching the scrawny Donnie.

Erica ...

she watched Raph leave her sight with her sister and admittedly she had tired to see those little boys... but was distracted by Don and smiles at him uneasily not sure what she should say then chewing her lip decides to trust him further with secrets not hers to say really.

Oy she hoped Lilo and Haley forgave her.

" I have a couple of close girl friends, one lives in Hawaii but she is over here for school and
... her dog... he's not a dog... he's an alien. And the other friend... well.. she... can shapeshift." looking over the orange clad turtle and watching his hands for a moment.

Boys remained asleep... but there was a whole lot of warmth radiating off the little girl... so in sleep they shuffle and reorganise themselves closer to that little chirps and churrs and all very deeply asleep.

Leo cocks his head to the side when he sees the other turtle's reaction to Master Splinter. It wasn't the reaction Leo had been expecting. The counterpart sure didn't look alright, and Leo had a sneaking suspicion he knew why. He gave the guy a moment before speaking. He wasn't sure about the counterpart, but he knew that his own brother would have appreciated interference.

"Master Splinter, Donatello here came from another dimension in search of the Kraang. While we were out, we discovered that Erica and her sister Elena are evidently some sort of mutants, and the Purple Dragons were hunting them tonight. We were hoping you could give them safe haven while we go with Donatello to learn more about the Kraang."

Splinter listens eyeing the young looking thin and tall Donatello, "I see, then your arrival here is well timed. We would appreciate any help. Mmmmm, the girls, how um unusual they don't look like mutants... Fine we can look after them for a time, and for now they will be safe here. Then finish your teas my sons if you'd are going back out into the cold." Nodding it was probably the best they could do for now.

Aware there was pain in this other Donatello, patting his clasped hands after bowing back. " don't be too sad - you have lost him I sense... but things we loose have a way of returning to us. Only not in the way we expect."

Donnie is grateful for the interference and is somewhat comforted by this smaller Splinters words, " Yes... my Master Splinter. My dad was killed. I do hope so very much Master Splinter... I do hope so... voice soft and forlorn, sounding younger in his emotional moment, but he was reiging it in and straightening up and he idly picks up a tea. It was something herbal he could tell.

And he was more of a coffee drinker anyways. But he sips in any case if the Sensei was telling them to drink up before a mission it was probably something to boost their energy and warm them.

He sensed some ginger in the flavors.

" Thanks by the way." To both Splinter and Leo.

Raphael rejoined the kitchen mob quietly arms child free and grinning amused, " you guys should see the cute happening out there...." fighting a siiigh at the mention of tea. He knew it was no doubt pep them up and be good for the hour or so ahead they had but still he preferred a cold beer or juice or soda.

Still he picks one up too and sips.

Looking over at Don and the girl, then Leo, the stretched don taking in the sadness, their dad seemed on it though and he missed what the teen had said about his own so he turns his attention to Mikey's drawing and smiled, their brother was a talented artist. And could focus real hard when he was at it. " That's looking good Mike -"

Mikey wrote: Mumbled mumble thanks and mumble missing the talk himself so focused for the moment and only a part of the page done. Sipping the tea with distracted grimaces and ready to go if jolted from his art but focused and gasp horror quiet.

Don leaned against the counter, sipping his tea. One of Splinter’s restoring blends. Don knew how to make it, and had on several occasions. It’s a distinct flavor, and definitely an acquired taste. Despite practically living on it for almost a year some time back now, it’s a taste he never quite acquired. Still, he knows it’s a wise decision to drink it at the moment.

Erica’s secret is safe with him. He’s a giant bipedal turtle. Who’s he going to tell?

”There may be a reason you have made the acquaintance of so many of these friends.”

He frowns at his counterpart’s reaction to Master Splinter, and the resulting conversation. They had been lucky. Don knew it. And was still thankful for every day. This counterpart was young. He didn’t say anything though.

He is listening to the conversation, and hopefully they’ll be on their way soon. But Mikey seems to have uncovered something. But the kitchen is crowded, and he doesn’t move to see what he drew.

”What is it, Mikey?”

If he wasn't so focused. his tongue stuck out and all he would have nawwww'd and jumped up and snugged the slightly younger leaner Don. As it was he nawwww'd and kept coloring his dragon girl picture.

Hearing Raph and grinning, then Don and lifting so Don could see - he'd finished the girl, and was mostly done with the orange background. " the little guys dragon mum... she's younger than I thought she was going to be when I first said I saw a human face and then Splinter asked me to sketch her." He was pastelling right over other corrections he had made regarding this dragon girl in any case.

Leo puts a hand on the younger turtle's shoulder.

He then takes a look at Mikey's picture and frowns at it. That's the face, alright. And it's so familiar...

"It's an inherited memory though, right? So maybe it's biased by the way she saw herself?"

Leo knew from guided meditation with Master Splinter over the years, that his Sensei would often appear younger and more spry in his mind than Leo saw him in the physical world.

They're getting distracted. They need to focus on the Kraang, so they can get this other turtle home.

"If everything here seems alright and everyone has finished their tea. We should get going." He's looking to Master Splinter, making sure this is okay. They're leaving him with an awful lot of charges. Though he anticipates Erica to be more help than hindrance.

Splinter moves to gather up cups, and nods at Leonardo's look. "We will be fine Leonardo and if not I can always hail Casey or April for a hand." He reassures that look moving to put cups in the sink having a feeling he won't have to tell the girl to join him here and do the dishes with him.

He didn't anticipate problems with the children or Erica. He pats the young Donatello's shoulder, " you are welcome. And thank you for coming to help out. Be causeful out there my sons. All of you, mine and interdimensional ones please."

Leo bows and starts herding turtles out of the kitchen, through the main room where the children still slept and back out into the sewers! They can worry about Liam's inherited memories of his mother later.

"Come on, guys. Let's get moving."

Don is lingering. He still has his cup of tea and is waiting for the others to leave. There's a silent look to Leo that he'll be along.

Lingering... washing his own cup while waiting for the others to leave the room... before hugging Master Splinter tightly. After hearing his counterpart, he needed it.

Afterward, he slips away to catch up with the others.

Donnie really had to force his feet to follow, he really did, he felt the desire to stay and hear that once more. It was not his Master Splinters voice, not his Master Splinters smell or face...

But he'd felt comforted. He nods though and drawing out his tracker again he sets and turns it back onto the last search.

Mikey laid the picture back onto the table and tilted his head as the others prepared to leave and he then shakes his head following, " I guessss.... but I don't feel it I really feel that is her...." He was sure. But uncertain why he was.

And follows Donnie, " So... if your Master Splinter is gone does that mean -?" He didn't even want to jinx it and put the thought into the universe, they had come close to loosing their father, and thanks to Don and the internet thing had managed to reclaim him. But only just. And if they had not Leo would be head of the Splinterson clan now. And he wasn't sure he wanted to know for sure, but curious and trying to keep his tone light even if it was a little insensitive if he was honest with himself.

Raph glances back towards the sleeping babies, they all seemed solid for another several hours at least and he was amused by their fathers comment, tempted to tell him to invite Casey and April over just to video record their reactions to the new ones and Erica.

Hah! but well that could be another day and he was being ushered out by Leo.

And lightly smacks Mikey up side the head. " Miiiikey!" half a growl as they move, syncing up behind Leo, if he let the younger Don lead then Raph would follow, if not... he'd still foloow.

Her silent thanks to Don. of course he could tell his brothers her secrets if he liked and even the interdimensional one...

oy her life had just taken a swan dive off strange and unusual to twilight zone.

And yet... she was content with it.

She followed the rat and gently shooed him away fromt he dishes when Don hugged him, taking over and beginning to hum when she placed hands in warmish but sopay water. it was obviously the last of dinner or supper dishes and the tea cups, aside Don's cause he washed his own.

She liked to think it was more than just luck that brought Lilo and Stitch. And Haley into her life, and these turtles. Maybe Don was right.

Either way she would do what she always did and make the best of the new direction her life took.

Donnie wasn't sure if they were going underground or topside, either way he was highlighting potential routes and keeping pace with Leo until he had a heading and heard Mikey behind him.

He was grateful for the comfort offered, by Splinter and Leo.

And decided not to let the question from Mikey bother him. " yes it means that Mikey - um... my Leonardo has taken over as Sensei, and I sensed I would be seeing a splinter I just... didn't think it would hurt so bad. I'm sorry if I made it awkward." they had to move quiet a distance for this beep.

" Do not fret my son, I have time yet." He was not ready to say goodbye and squeezed Donatello back understanding the feelings learning about Donnie's father might have stirred up.

He was more than happy to allow Erica to take over washing and when the hug ended he listened to the retreating crowd of turtles and moved to dry and put away the few dishes being done, and settled in to get to know this girl.

Don gave Master Splinter a sad smile and a nod before running out of the kitchen after the others. There's a slight wave to both left in the kitchen. He catches up just in time to hear his counterpart.

"Don't be sorry. It's understandable.

[ OOC: https://maskedmayhem.forumotion.com/t142p50-kraang-hunting#2554 }