Quiet Lair.

Again she hovered, again she hesitated between wanting to scoop one up or not... unsure...


She didn't want to wake them any more than any one else.


And oh boy did she look around in surprise when Splinter spoke to her, listening. " yes... I mean... yes... please - I can? really? I'd- I would really love to..." glancing back at Leo then back to the little ones. " I'd really... really like to."


Glancing up and seeing Don, Donnie and Raph sitting closer smiling at them all then more hopefully at Splinter and Leonardo.

"Of course." Leo confirmed as he stood and offered Haley a hand up. It is time to get this night moving along. And they probably do still have time to get out to check on those blips.

From the look on Don's face and what he's pretty sure he just heard go down in the kitchen, it might be best to get the Mikeys out of the lair for awhile anyway. Still, he's not going to make that call tonight.

"If you want to stay in, we can. Otherwise... we still have time to check out those blips. I'll leave that call to you. And we can set you up... probably in with Erica for the evening if you like. Otherwise, we can take you home, and we'll come get you in the morning."

Don was messing with his shoulder again, trying to loosen it back up. It had been mostly okay in the kitchen. Now that the moment seems to be wrapping up, he stops and approaches Raph. He speaks softly, in part to keep from waking the kids, but also because he's still off after the goings on in the kitchen.

"I know you were planning to get to bed early, but I was wondering if you could take the Battle Shell to the junk yard and empty it. Just in case this thing with HAILI is complicated... It's boxed up pretty well, and shouldn't take long" He fully expects that Raph will understand that if the Hauler is out of commission they may need the older vehicle.

"Donnie and I were going to check on HAILI and get into some of the data from the other night." Just so Raph knows that he's not just dumping everything on him.

Haley chewed her lip, not about being in with Erica thing, she and Erica and Elena had shared beds and tents and sleeping places before.


" I am fine with being in with Erica tonight - yes please. many pleases and thanks... yes lets get that blip seen too I want to stay but I am still curious about that and it's my job." she takes the offered hand and the help up squeezing the larger three fingers hand in her own in thanks.


To Splinter as she in turns offer shim a hand up. " thank you... a lot... your right I should stay after this run. See them in the morning.'

" fine... it'll make the getting to bed bit easier to do so unusually early for me." Raph didn't have to think of it long.


He did sort of click then that they may need the Battle Shell. " I'll do a bit of hunting and see if there are any bits of bed for the boys." he adds thoughtfully, it would take one thing off the list in any case. And he then adds with a grin straightening to full height and stretching a little, " and Elena of course." Deciding not to ask about the kitchen or why the Mikes now coming over looked so guilty.


" that means I'll be out for an hour at least as possible back up Leo." He says lightly tapping Leo's shoulder in a punch and patting Dons, extra lightly cause he was messing about his shoulder.

oooooh


he wasn't sure why an annoyed girl made him more nervous that an angry Leo who had pointy swords - and a devious sort of mind. But it did.


So he was eager to beat a hasty retreat with Mikey and a hurried apology to the girl when she looked back at them after locating the cookie jar and placing the last of them in there.


And sort of mumble - shuffling his feet. " sorry Don."


Glancing at Haley and Leo and nodding, now a little less guilty faced and the eagerness of earlier reawakening.

Mikey had been around more girls - and definitely felt his tail tuck tighter against him.


And was happy to scurry away after Mike, " yeah man, just teasing - but sorry..." less mumbled that Mike to Don, looking at the others thumbs up at Leo and Haley with a totally over doing it eager grin, " so we're going blipping hunting yeah?"

Donnie grins and moves closer a bit.


Just as Raph adds to Don, " I got the Battle Shell tonight Don." reassuringly.


And he nods at his Mikey, " you should be, you know better than to make a girl unhappy." now partially teasing him. But also a sort of warning for his brother to behave for Leo and Haley, listen to directions.


glancing at his counterpart and noting the shoulder, they had better make some sort of start and head way then Don wash up so Donnie could check on that and disinfect again maybe.

Leo is actually glad that Haley has opted to stay with Erica for the night. It's probably going to be late by the time they get in, and even though he can function fine on a ridiculously small amount of sleep, he'd prefer get a few more minutes!

Leo hides a frown, seeing Don still messing with his shoulder. Though his brother looks tense which is probably not helping. Apparently the Mikeys' teasing had crossed some line. Don had a bit of that 'done peopleing' look again. So whatever had been said probably hadn't been much. Likely just ill timed.

When Raph offers that he's available for backup for about the next hour, Leo nods and allows the light punch to the shoulder, giving with it slightly and grinning. "Thanks, Raph. I have you on speed dial." Leo hopes they don't need backup, but it's good to know it's available.

He smiles slightly as the Mikeys apologize to Don, who muttered an acceptance of the apologies.

"Yes, we're going blip hunting."

Leo then considers his options. There aren't many left. The Hauler is out of commission and Raph has the Battle Shell.

"Don, is the Slider functioning and available?" Leo's pretty sure it is, since Don just took Duncan out recently, but you never quite know with Don's vehicles. Their status can change quickly, and the only one who ever knows for sure is Don. And occasionally Raph.

"Thanks, Raph." Don noted the pat instead of the punch and while he appreciates it, he's mildly annoyed at himself for letting his ouch show that much. He doesn't dwell on it though. It's an old issue.

When the Mikeys apologize, Don mutters a soft "It's fine." as they get ready to head out to hunt the blip.

And he turns to Leo when he hears his name.

"You might take out the seat Duncan was in, but other than that, it should be fine." The seats in the slider are easy to change, and Don has shown all of his brothers how to do it. Don can do it faster than any of them, though Raph is a close second, but Mike and Leo should also be able to manage changing the configuration.

Erica watches from the kitchen.


She couldn't hear what was being said.


And was still not certain about the kitchen, blushing a little. She quietly slips away to the bathroom for now.

Raph grins at his brother and shoves the two Mikey's a little, " good job you two - lets go I have a tip run to make and the Don's work to do and Leo and Haley and yous things to hunt. I won't be long dad." a glance behind at the kids, missing the girl moving about -


Not a ninja but she was quick and quiet.


And he was shunting the Mikes ahead of him. " great - come on Leo I'll give yas a hand... I am probably the second quickest at changing seats around."

Donnie grinned at his brother apologizing, then as Raph is steering the two orange clad turtles away he points out. " yous should probably properly apologize to Erica too, your teasing unintentionally hurt and confused her a little -" glancing about and noting with a bit of surprise the girl was gone - though he supposed not far and adds, " maybe tomorrow."


Standing there for a moment then eeeping and making sure he had the sweets still he makes his way after them - after all he and Don would be working in there. And Donnie less chatty than he had been.


Both because he sensed the done peopleing - and because he was yes very much so missing his own gal.

Splinter hid his amusement, and worry and his wondering peaking behind them all to watch the young woman head off into the bathroom. " be careful and quiet out there Leonardo. And be safe. Raphael you are going alone so doubly so." he watches as Raph goes with the Mikes and feels the usual worry.


" I will be in bed when you get home Leonardo so please quiet. Glad your staying around Haley. Be safe out there and welcomed to our home, it is always a delight to see our clan grow. Donatello my son I will have a special tea ready for you, I suggest all of yous try to be out not much longer than Raphael tonight if only because it is better to be out in numbers." A firm suggestion given them all a chance at proper rest.


Then a glance after Raphael he moves to head to the kitchen and set a tea for Donatello, he knows since his mutation Donatello is less fond of anything but his teas and cautious about medications so he makes a tea to induce relaxation and more importantly a bit for pain and bit for warding off infection.

Ooooh daaarn yeah they probably should have.


Mikey still felt bad -


But allowed himself a tentative smile at Don's 'it's fine' and a ooof at Raph then was being steered away and heard Donnies words.


Yeah he should have, well next time.


Going wherever the red masked turtle was steering him and his counterpart, and well eager too to get a look at this sewer slider - cool name.

Mike grins at the new closeness between Raph and Leo, it was always good to see the older brothers on the same page. Blinking at Donnie and nodding in agreement.


Sounds like his own counterpart had missed it, and Don had left the kitchen but yeah he did see some hurt and confusion and so yeah the Donnie was right.


Some time tomorrow - for now being steered away he calls back, " alright dad - see ya in the morning... come on Haley - Leo ya slow turtles lets get going.' eagerly and now he didn't need to be hurried along he was eagerly moving.

Thanks, Raph. Leo is really liking the new Raph. He then hurried after the Mikeys, making sure that Haley was following. “We’ll be careful.” He promised Master Splinter. He knew their father would worry. Probably more so, since Don was already hurt tonight.

As they got to the Sewer Slider, he stated out of Raph’s way as he removed the seat Don had used for Duncan. Leo was amused by the seat, remembering the original purpose of the seat being for a monster container. He liked the new purpose better.

Don saw Erica go, and he watches her sadly. He feels bad for hurting her feelings. He hadn't meant to... And frustrated, because even now, he still doesn't know how to have gotten out of the situation in the kitchen! And... what does he do now...?

He's vaguely aware of conversation around him, but he's not paying attention to it, and only barely noticed when Master Splinter said his name. He nodded automatically before realizing what had actually been said.

"May I finish what we were going to work on tonight, then brew it myself, please, Master Splinter?" Because he's pretty sure it will contain a 'relaxant' at this point, and Don doesn't want that just yet.  "I want to be alert until they get home. Just in case..." He doesn't anticipate trouble they can't get out of on their own, but he doesn't want to be in a drugged sleep while they're out either.

It's probably not the first time he's made this request with Master Splinter's teas. If it's blended and ready for him, he'll brew it later when he's ready for bed. He doesn't want to lose the privilege so even when he doesn't want the tea that's 'offered', he has obeyed and been good about taking it on his own. He has passed out in the shower more than once after drinking one of Master Splinter's teas intended to help him sleep. Unfortunately, it took him awhile to figure out what the cause had been. There were also a couple of other episodes when he woke up in strange places that he suspects his father or Leo slipped him something, but he has never been able to confirm that.

Haley stops after a few steps and back tracks to Don grinning. " know what? you and Erica should go alone later tomorrow and visit the storage unit where stuff that wouldn't fit in the unit is stored. Take a bag, tell her to bring back a photo or two." wink, cause after the apartment burnt down Erica might need a little time among some not lost family stuff. It wouldn't replace the sentimental value only stuff she kept at the apartment but still...


And if just them no chance for brothers or interdimensional ones to make it awkward for them for a little while.


And that said she grins and hurries after Leo just as he checks shes following, beaming at him and as she catches up, " they are sooooo cuuute." then blinking and wowing at all the stuff in the garage. " these...a re all sooo cool"

And as he is removing it Raph pauses and looks at the seat.


Blink.


" We are going to need childs seats huh? Especially if Don plans to give joyrides more often..." Another thing he might keep an eye out for doing the trash run. He might be able to find something tonight they can use.


but for now it's clear for Leo and the Mikeys and Haley, when Mikey tried to seat himself behind Leo's driver seat Raph bodily lifted him and placed him back a seat, " that's for the lady man."


A pointed look at his Mike too on that score climbing out of the way for Leo and Haley and Mike scooping the seat off the ground where he popped it and moved to put it back on the hodge podge home made shelves along the back wall.


He'll give them a head start before heading out in the Battle Shell.

Mike watches Raph then grins at Haley. " I wanna say all my bros and I do all the work in here but Don's the master mind... Raph's the mechanic... Leo and I do some of the heavy lifting though now and then... and we aint to shabby with the paint work." and sometimes some easier maintenance work for the vehicles.


Sometimes cause Don and Raph usually do it.


He chuckling at Raph's words and nods, " yes Raph... yes we are... at least one per kid... hold long do they have to be in child seats now?" he asks. Of course he and his brothers followed enough human rules on the road to draw the least attention. But in regards to their sudden small horde he was certain they would.

" aaaaaawwwwww man..." Mikey pouts as he is moved seats back, he was eager for a ride! but his frowny pout was short lived and he settles in the seat ready.

Splinter pauses, eyeing Donatello for a moment then smiling, " Very well Donatello but I will pop a few ingredient on the bench I'd highly recommend you put in your tea. Mmmm Haley's idea is a pretty good one you know."And then he was tapping away to go boil the kettle and take a few packages out for Don to choose from, honey, camomile for taste adding some mild ouchies relievers and anti infections.


What Don would choose to put in his tea would be up to himself.


And Splinter moves to knock on the bathroom door. " I need to visit in there before I go to bed young woman, can I please have the room after you?" he calls gently smiling. Youth!

" sorry! - after all that baking I definitely needed a wee... hang on.." Erica eeeeps and hurriedly finishing her hands and a little less powedered sugar coated she leaves the bathroom bowing to Splinter on the way out. " enjoy Master Splinter."


Smiling over at Don before moving to the guest room.

Leo smiles, hearing Haley's suggestion to Don, and her declaration that the boys are cute.

"Of course they are." Leo smirked as he moved just ahead of her into the garage, where she commented on the toys. This time Leo chuckled before responding to Raph.

"and it would be nice to take them to the farmhouse someday. I don't know how old they have to be. I'm sure it's not that hard to find though." They just have to do it. And it's one of those obscure bits of information they thought they could never possibly need that Don might actually already know.

"Thanks, Raph." Leo says again once the seat is out. He climbs into the driver's seat. "Alright, Mikey. Think you can get me close to that blip in the tunnels? Then Haley will lead the way." He starts the rig, waiting for everyone to be seated before pulling out into the tunnels. Once out of the garage, he converts the Slider to it's hover mode. It's not as slick as the Hauler's hover, as the Slider is much older and predates their 2105 experience, but it's effective ...And really fun to drive.

(And Leo and Crew are off to Trolls!)

Donnie chuckles watching Mikey getting rearranged then still amused glad he didn't miss it he moves off to the computers area - much like his own computer it was a collection of complied hardware and screens.


It was cool!


He'd noted it all the other day but had been distracted by the mutagen.

((ooc: probably under a bridge hehehe ))

"Thank you, Master Splinter." He's sincere, and he will be good, and will probably use all of the ingredients that Master Splinter sets out, though likely less of the chamomile and anything else that might induce sleep in addition to their primary purposes than Master Splinter would.

His position, and the way he's leaning on the piece of furniture he's against suggest that he's distracted and there's a bit of wallowing. He told the Mikeys it was okay, but... Don's not.

Don is a little surprised by Erica's smile, and brightens at it. Part of him wants to follow and say... something. But what, aside from 'sorry,' he just doesn't know. He sighs once she's in her room and moves over to the computer with his counterpart.

He pulls up HAILI's programming, and sees that she's completed her diagnostics, and they look clean. Setting up the computer to allow Donnie to pull up the data from the lab, Don pulls out his Shell Cell and taps into HAILI's line, leaving the phone on a quiet speaker setting.

"I am see your diagnostics are complete. How are you doing, HAILI?"

"All is well, Donatello. May I come home now?"

Well, that certainly sounded more like HAILI than she had earlier in the evening. At least she was responding to voice commands.

"How is your 'pet'?

"His attempts at my system were halted, and reprogramming is complete. He is in sleep mode on Leo's seat."

"Is Leo's seat still intact?"

"Mostly."

Uuuugh. What does that mean?

"I'm the one who has to replace that stuff, you know." Don scolded lightly.

"Like you replaced my hover generator?"

Because of course she would bring that up. Actually, that convinced him that she was fine, and whatever she had been dealing with was taken care of.

"What is your pet, HAILI?"

"He is a nanite."

"...and where did he come from?" Don is a bit concerned by this.

"He arrived with someone just before the EMP. I am not sure exactly, as his language skills and understanding are somewhat limited."

Great...

"How well controlled is your pet, HAILI?"

"Very well controlled. His memory core has been wiped and replaced with the drone programming."

Well... that should do it, and the drone code is Don's so at least HAILI wasn't writing her own... Don glances at his counterpart with a silent 'what do you think?' He's inclined to call HAILI home, but... there's still a nanite, and he's unsure.  Normally he would ask Leo who would probably say no, but Leo's not here.

He's setting up his tablet and t phone checking to ensure Mikey's blips are still working from his tphone then moving to begin unzipping and resetting the files he could start on to video files.


Listening to Don and Haili and raising an eye ridge, " who did the nanite ride in on Haili?


Smiling at Don and sort of slowly slides an address on a piece of paper towards him. "I over heard Haley... should probably put the storage unit she mentioned under another name so it's not auctioned off. And it's not a bad idea - aha some files are ready for viewing... I think the earliest ones." eyes flicking to his pad and then turning it to Don so he could watch or save.

"I am not sure, Dee. He has little understanding of surroundings beyond his GPS coordinates."

Don is pretty well convinced.

"Alright, HAILI. I trust you. So long as you're sure you're not being tracked or controlled through your little pet there, come on home."

"I am sure, Donatello."

"Alright. Come on home, street mode only. And test your hover generator once you reach the garage. Forward results to my phone please."

"Of course, Donatello."

"Thank you, HAILI."

Don frowns at the piece of paper then nods, pulling up a chair to the computer.

"Give me a minute... I want to be sure I can fully focus on that..."

He hacks into the storage facility to show that Erica's account closed out at the end of the last payment cycle and the unit was then rented out to Donovan Henson, an alias that Don has used for banking and occasional job purposes. Don's good though, and it only takes a couple minutes.

Oh... he knows he's not going to like what he's about to watch. He's really dreading it, but he feels like he has to. He take a deep breath before moving to where he can see the tablet and the video files.

Donnie watches the hacking bit curiously. Wondering at the name but deciding to ask another time.


Especially as the focus came to the tablet.


He hesitates a moment longer himself partially thinking over Haili's words. Partially curious still and mostly now a little worried what they might see.


this earliest video though was quiet...


So he didn't quiet know what to expect when there was a scientist on screen. Not particularly dangerous looking or sinister for that matter a slim middle height middle aged human male stating his name and field of expertise in this case bio genetics, and describing the eggs.


Doubting they were dragons eggs but hey you know in the pursuit of science willing go out on a limb. Moving on to show vials of an unknown blood source, these carefully introduced to the eggs shells through tiny drilled into the shells.


First blue and red then the purple and gold.


More chatter about not expecting any results as the dealer had looked a shady character.


Donnie watched in fascination even if there was not much to this one. But really!? he had no idea of course Haley had told Leo and Erica that dragons eggs didn't particularly need sperm to become viable.


Now though he was becoming aware of that!

With a small list of stuff in mind Raph watches the Sewer Slider leave, then glances around, moving to the garage doors to peek about and see the Dons at work. Grinning when he spies Master Splinter now relieved toddling off towards his room.


A grin and the red masked turtles returns to the battle shell flicking it on and listening to the engine a bit, he and Don had a bit of work they could probably do on this rig too.


Then he rolls up the windows and heads out.

Don takes a deep breath as the video starts. He's emotionally distancing himself from what he's looking at before it even starts. It's not unlike when he has to treat one of his brothers after an injury. Even though the first video is turning out to be relatively innocuous, he's doing what little he can to keep himself separated, knowing that it's going to be bad later.

He was hoping that the first video would be a little more enlightening about who had been involved, but there's not really anything there to go by. The lab is decidedly generic, and doesn't look like it belongs to any of the entities that Don is used to dealing with. The first video is relatively innocuous, It's actually... almost special to see how the kids were fertilized. Still, Don already despises Mr. BioGenetics. And blood? Blood fertilized the eggs?

“Clearly dragons don't play by the normal baby making rules... Where on Earth did they get the blood from?” The question is rhetorical, he doesn't actually think that Donnie might have an answer. He's just voicing something that he hopes will come up in a later video... Still, it doesn't make sense. A full vial is not the sort of thing that one could pick up at the scene of a battle. It would have to have been collected somehow. But by who? Foot? Bishop? Neither make sense. They would do the experiment themselves.

Don pinches the space between his eyes. So far there's only more questions.

Donnie shrugs a little, " I am guessing by the tone and the bore tone and almost automatic way this guy is going about this he actually doesn't think anything will happen."


Donnie actually felt a little uneasily about watching the few first files as if he was viewing something meant for these turtles alone. though he wouldn't leave unless Don told him to -


Be here supporting as he opens the next just finished configuring video piece.


The same man.


But he was clearly more excited.


Donnie turned up the volume a little.


" This is unbelievable. Should not have been possible. But the eggs... are incubating." The man stood, clearly excited, moving out of frame and they were staring at the white wall before the view shook and shifted as the man disconnected the camera from its tripod probably and leaves the small boring white room into a similar boring white hallway -

Edits were easy to pick out even for novices, the blurring of labels and rooms names as the camera is taken by the man - and faces of his colleagues at least half a dozen were also blurred, voices were not altered though.


They enter a last room where a hastily erected lamps shone down upon eggs. Not just blue, but iridescent and like a milk stone had swirls of darker blues and whites across it, red had a smokey sort of gleam with maroons and burgundy, purple splotches of indigo and lilac, whilst gold looked like liquid honey.


" I thought it ridiculous a pointless exercise, and waste of perfectly good blood samples collected by the EPF whilst it had been under one Agent John Bishops control, and the boss of our boss of BioTechnologies. the paperwork around them was highly redacted so I cannot say what their from, samples had been label, named, after Renaissance Artists. I'll be given parts of the code names to the eggs now they are developing...but look, look here..." There in view a hand reaches over to turn the lamp, bend it's neck down so it's beam hit the back of the blue egg and - illuminated the confines -[/color]


And Donatello finds himself already having gasped at the familiar name but having to remind himself Bishop of this world was not like his own - and now he is gazing at the table intot he eggt seeing what excited the scientist. Liam.


At that point barely a oddly shaped embryonic if Donnie had to guess gestational age, Liam. the movements he knew were nothing but nerves being crafted and shaped but it was incredible.


And the camera moves, the lamp is moved to shine in on Randal and then Duncan and Malcolm. The scientists babbling about the impossibility and what he thought had been a ludicris imperative from his superiors to form the secret unit take the eggs and blood samples and do this experiement and blah blah blah it all became to Donnie for a few moments as he looks sideways at his counterpart. " ummmm did... did you want me to um pause this and just convert the others so you and your brothers can watch this... together... maybe with Haley?"


He thought he better ask now before immersing to much further on as the scientist on the video is exclaiming and explaining the possible medical and military applications... or what he understood of them given the secretive nature of his directions. And on screen the scientist filming as he scrawls on each egg shell in white board marker the code name he was given them.

Blue, DaVinci. Red, Sanzio. Purple, Bardi and Gold, Simoni.

Erica leaves her room - moving to check on the young ones - in time to catch a just about ready to cry Malcolm, he'd wriggled and sat up and pouted - she could see he was still half asleep and she grins, reaching in to pick up him up - snuggling.

Feeling him squirm even as he tried to sleep and she figured what was on his tiny mind. " come on then little turtle... it's okay - good boy for not peeing the bed." she whispers, praises, carrying him away - She didn't bother with making him stand, just sat him carefully on the loo and held him in place as he went, barely awake.


So it was a juggling act when he was done to then go and wash his hands. by now he was again a dead weight.


Giggling and half her shirt see through thanks to water Erica left the loo padding quietly back across the lair, pausing to wonder at what the Dons were doing but not daring to interrupt - especially not with the limp toddler in her arms...


She heads back towards the forte to put him back.

Despite his best attempts, Don finds himself hissing at Bishop's name. It's brief and he controls it quickly, but it happened. He should know better than to allow himself to get too emotionally involved in the videos, as he had at the beginning of this one. Don looks over toward the kids, hoping the sound hadn't woken them. And only to find Erica had been there for his little outburst. Still, Donatello is a very angry turtle hearing that Bishop is involved, but with their blood samples, how could he not be? What else had Bishop done with the blood samples though? Had he altered them beyond their original state? Hard to say, if they were going to paired with dragon eggs.

There are a thousand questions racing through Don's mind, and he grits his teeth against them, arms folded tight against his body. He closes his eyes a moment, and takes a deep breath. When he opens his eyes again, the 'Doctor Don' look is back, and the tension is stowed away. It's the look that he could probably beat Master Splinter at poker with, but he's never done it without good reason. It's hard to maintain, watching the embryonic Liam. That is amazing, and it's one good thing about having found the videos. There are probably videos of the kids hatching. While he would like to allow himself the high seeing Liam in the egg, he knows he won't be able to manage the roller coaster if he acknowledges too many of his emotions as he goes through the tapes. Better to lock it down now and keep it that way. When he speaks, his tone is bordering on emotionless, but there's a hint of resignation there.

"Please convert them, and if you could flag this one as important for my brothers, I would appreciate it. I will go through the rest." It's fairly standard procedure for him, though a task he's not looking forward to. He's often slogged through the boring and worst information, flagging the important stuff for his brothers. He'll often start videos, watch just enough to decide if they should all watch it, flag it and save actually watching it for later. It's only the ones that he doesn't think they all need to watch together that he will watch all the way through.

Oh... he doesn't want to do this... Three years worth of these videos... Hopefully there are long periods of nothing... Don knows he's going to be a wreck...

Did he wake anyone? He needs to be himself again if he did... Not closed off and emotionless. Another breath and he allows himself back.

Another look toward Erica and the kids. He manages a slight smile to Erica.

" Sure Don..." a hesitant nod, he'd rather be a support beam, but also understood it was probably easier to view this objectively.


though he wouldn't be able to, he himself was a stubborn turtle, and could work himself to near exhaustion. " I'll set them to converting.... and there will be a notification tweet when one is finished." as he works to sort it out, a glance behind him, the girl was there and he grins a little, slipping the paper with address of her storage unit out of sight - no need to give that away.


Wondering if she would come over here. " hmmmmm how long ago was that mutant outbreak of yours do you think?" eyes turning back to the nattering scientist on screen who was again prattling about the eggs and blah blah blah...

She'd tucked the little boy back in with his brothers.


And wondered about Don's hiss.


But not about his slight smile - wondering how to make it a little bigger, a little brighter if only for a moment. She couldn't see what they were and wouldn't intrude on the moment without indication she should.


But she recalled the look Don had on her face when she bridged before and grins rather cheekily with a wink at the slight smile the purple banded turtle gave her, shifting her stance and taking the bridge further, easily leaning back slowly flipping legs - one at a time and split all the way until she was split legged on the ground -


making no effort to hide she was only doing it to bring a bigger smile with her taaa daaaaa arms.


and well it was an excuse to stretch!


Also in doing so she made it clear she would stay here near the boys, or could come closer if needed to.

Don is back to 'doctor' and watching the scientist prattle on. This part doesn't seem relevant. Maybe he'll cut this one so they don't have to slog through the blabbering together.

He response to his counterpart's question in that objective, almost emotionless tone.

"About three and a half years ago. The outbreak itself had probably just started about the same time this is going on. It... lasted several months..." Don hadn't been infected until a bit later, and it didn't present for several months after that, so he wouldn't have been on Bishop's radar until much later. "But we had had several interactions with him prior to that." He sighs and looks away from the videos. His injury is starting to burn... Don rubs his shoulder. He should probably go get cleaned up so they can take care of it. He is about to say as much when he's distracted.

By Erica, and... he's staring until she's finished.

"Oh... that is unfair..." He's still carrying the weight of knowing that he's going to have to go through all those videos, but he does brighten a bit. He still has his hand on his shoulder and turns to Donnie.

"Hey, this is starting to burn. While those convert, I need to go clean up so this can be taken care of." Before it's a bigger problem than he can take care of with topicals and teas...

While also capable of working himself to exhaustion, he has learned in the past year or so that most of the time, it's just not worth it. And this is one of those times.

Donnie nods and smiles and stands, to go through his pockets leaving the tablet to do it's thing. " huh... well maybe he'd originally intended to use the little ones as bait for you guys - ah well sure the videos will have it among there somewhere... whatever you do don't watch them alone - share them with your brothers. I... think it'd be fitting if the worst marathon ever."


Because he didn't want his counterpart to shoulder this burden.


And well... the little ones were all their sons.


He is dragging his kit from his belt. " want me to do this here or over one of those teas? and I think I might spend tonight back home - see what we have learned to share with you guys another time." grinning and noting the distraction, holding back a snigger - it was a good distraction and the young woman was definitely trying to lift Dons spirits and was.


He was actually hoping there was no swelling he'd hate to have to - " actually I have a better idea, your brothers are going to need you fighting fit for whatever is ahead. I'll give you a number for the pain then go bathe and relax... may I send my Leo over to have a look at the injury and help if he can?"

Don does not promise he won't watch them alone, but he's listening. He doesn't want to watch them himself, but he doesn't want to make his brothers watch them either. His arms are folded and he's looking at the desk frowning.

He then nods at Donnie going home for the night. The other turtle had been here for quite a while, and Don already felt bad for keeping the guy.

"Please no numbing agent. It's not that bad. Don't worry about it. Especially if your Leo's busy." And Don's sure he is. He then smiles. "Raph should be back soon anyway. Go see your April. I know you've been missing her. And thank you for all the help.

"Oh, do you want some of that 'super mutagen' to work on at home?" Because Don doesn't want to deal with that stuff, and really, it's sort of a silly reason to keep dragging his counterpart back here.

Donnie sees the frown and guesses, " I know you don't want to... But... DaVinci? Sanzio? Bardi? Simoni... aside from some spelling and I am guessing pronunciation these are this world's versions of the artists we are named after. That means the Mikey's are right the little guys are, if mostly coincidentally color coded to you four... These are your brother's sons too and it's only fair they share whatever burdens lie within the viewing. As my Leo would put it a burden shared is a burden halved. Or some other Splinterism." trying to encourage his counterpart.


And amused by the word Splinterism... He was going to have to recall that one.


A nod and he smiles "fine no number but pleeeeeeeeease if my Leo is not busy can we try? He might not be able to do much but easy the swelling or ache .... but will make it feel a bit better."


Realising his chatty mood is back and trying to modulate himself to a more methodical pattern. "would I? You wouldn't mind? I'd share everything I learn but yes please -" stopping himself as he babbles excitedly.

Glancing at Erica patiently not doing anything in particular and half way between them and the forts. "I do miss April." maybe his counterpart found his own 'April' and had felt some of that himself being out and about?


But unlike his Mikey he wouldn't tease or pry.

She was pretty sure her playing ploy to distract and uplift worked a little. Even momentarily - so stays where she is half way between the forte and the Dons.


Humming...


She thought she found in the old volume Haley gave her a old poem or song or as least the words of what is known as chicken scratch to her for now just... spaced like a song, or poem and as she stood half between the spaces she felt most drawn to she thinks about it, Don's smile, humming and foot tapping a little. A little...

“Bishop is involved, it’s not entirely coincidence. He merely took advantage.” In fact, with Bishop involved... it may be less coincidental than they realize. Don sure wouldn’t put it past him.

Don listens to the rest, but of his brothers, is probably the least swayed by Splinterisms, despite how much he loves his father. He may or may not heed the advice however good it may be..

”Alright, but it’s really not a big deal.” Don agreed to whatever it is that Donnie’s Leo might do to his shoulder. He seemed to recall a comment about that Leo using chi for healing. Which was fine with him.

He chuckled as Donnie got excited again.  

”I know you would. Please take it. You’re better equipped for analyzing it anyway.” And Don doesn’t like working with mutagen.

Don smiled at the missing April bit, and put a hand on Donnie’s shoulder and gave him a light push toward the garage. “Then what are you doing, lolligagging around here for? Let’s pack up that mutagen and get you home” He laughed as he said it. And gave Erica a silent promise that he’d be right back before hurrying up to the garage for the mutagen.

She was humming a strange tune. And he wasn’t sure he had a word for how it felt. Which, for Don, is saying something.

" awesome - awesome... yes lets rouse my Leo and see if he can help a bit -" Donnie was eager about that - if anything because maybe his Leo could show their Leo. Or one of them. Who knew? in any case he did want his counterpart to feel better. And sides can hug and snuggle better with two functioning not painful arms!


So he let Don steer him away grinning and waving at Erica, " Not sure what that tune is - sounds mystical sort of..." wonderingly but letting himself be steered away. " I will be back, as far as I could tell from what little Leo has shared your world has the greater Kraang activity and we feel responsible for ending the last of the danger they pose to other worlds."


As they move texting his Leo to see if he could come over and help out for a bit. The text would also appear on this worlds Leo's phone - and his own Leo's response.

She watched them go, smiling, and hoping the lean one could help Don she could see his shoulder was bothering him.


Humming low and soft and tapping her foot turning back towards the forte to keep eyes on the kiddies.


But it appeared Malcolm had been the only needed to goer at the moment.

Don unlocked the fridge and pulled out half of the mutagen vials. He'd hold onto the other two for now, though he didn't really intend to do anything with them. They were safe enough locked in the fridge, and you never know what might come up.

He handed the vials to Donnie.

"This is going to sound cynical, but if it wasn't the Kraang, it would be someone else. It's not your fault the Kraang are what they are. And if you need anything, you know how to contact us."

Donnie grins and tucks the vials away into his belt carefully. " thanks, and your right of course... we just feel bad, we should have handled it, though our Bishop disagrees and says really it should be up to the x dimension utroms... but same difference I suppose."


He makes sure the vials are secure before his hands came back out and reads the text Leo sent through. then before his counterpart could stop him gives him a one armed and carefully aimed hug, so he was on the uninjured side and light. Drawing back. " cooooool Leo's gonna come..."


He texts as he reaches over to activate the portal the little piece of tech hovering and the triangular shape opening up in front of them. His Leo waited on the other side peering in curiously.

Leo12 wrote:" everything alright Donnie ... and Donnie?" a grin seeing the both of them.

" as far as I know yes, though I need to use my lab for a while... and see my lady - annnnd Don here was hurt... was wondering if you'd be willing to try Healing Hands on him?" moving closer to step through the purplish but transparent haze of the portal door.

Leo waits, then the blank purple swirling nothing ness resolves itself into dimension to third earth and he grins seeing them, asking for the status.


Listening when Donnie speaks, nodding. " sounds good Donnie -" then blinking a little and blue eyes searching Don's face, " sure I wouldn't mind helping out a interdimensional brother - are you okay with that Donnie?" to Don as he offers a hand through to help his Donnie step through the haze of door way. Making sure before he stepped through and tried it out.