Fortress Gorlan: Ratty Ceremony.

"and I am very glad you did, the princess needed to assurance, me too, thank you for visiting." Bebe grins moving slowly around behind Don, slowly, listening to him and the curious excitable toddler.


"maybe most because of being Genio innocuo -but definitely honoured guest." sensing his stopping himself and grinning, "carapace, plastron and carapace,does this have a name too?" voice softer under the boys and she was starting with firm foam buffer, starting at the marginal top edges and not lingering to long on sections just buffering enough to bring up the brown and green, fingers briefly brushing his bridging.


Little guy was ooooohing and watching Don talk fascinated by his words mouthing newer ones silently, " be EEE LL eh butt butt onnnn, breeeasssstsss. Ummmm biiil .... iliiii cusssss-" oh that was a fun word ! " ummmmm biiiilicusssss... Oooh I had eeegg !" so happily nuzzling.


" hehehehe he is so cute." Bebe grins.

"Then... you're welcome. I'm glad I could help."

There's sort of a soft huff at the admission that it's okay mostly because of the Genio Innocuo thing. He still thinks that's ridiculous. At the same time, it's the response he expected.

Don had been about to answer her question when she brushed her fingers along his bridging.

"Mwrrrrp?!" It was a completely undignified noise, and he practically jumps out of his shell! In addition... He's pretty sure it was loud enough to have been heard in the other room... Don did manage to pull Liam closer against him instead of dropping him in the water. And he does recover before falling.

"Sorry!" He had not meant to do that! "I'm sorry! We call it bridging... and uh... I'm kind of ticklish there..." He's slightly flushed again, definitely embarrassed... and really hoping she doesn't think he's mad. He's not!

A grin, finally relaxing again in Don's presence all the way, " very much, the princess aced her last practice this morning before being whisked away for primping.... you revamped her excitement and the dreams of having her prince." she giggles and - then hops away a little as Don reacts that way - watching him, a slow sort of grin...


" ooooh I'm sorry I... will try not to tickle you too much - you and Liam okay?" amusement in her tone this time and her hands lightly on his carapace just resting there whilst Don recovers before she starts again on the buffering. Admiring the patterned green and brown.


~~~


" you okay Don?" came Inaba's voice half way back to the bathroom.

" I can't WAIT for my turn!" Mikey yells happily, Leon sort of blushes harder.

Liam merely breaks off in the middle of tickling his plastron where he had no belly button and muttering the word and ummmm biiiillliiicus in his learning tone - and laughs!


Trusting to Don, his Dad, so much by now he hadn't feared the slight butterflies, he'd laughed and threw his arms up and feet went out tail wagging in a short woooo of delight. And giggling nuzzling into Don.

Princess might be somewhat disappointed when she finds out where they live...

Oh jeez... Don snuggles the wiggly, giggly child in his arms mostly to partially hide the deep brown blush on his cheeks.

”Fine.” Great, his voice cracked on that one. Meeeeh... He gave a soft cough. “We’re okay. Just bruised my pride.” Jooooke! Mostly. And he does smile at her briefly, making sure he shows no hard feelings!

If it was possible, he blushed harder when Inaba called out to check on them. Liam is getting all sorts of what probably seems like nuzzles!

“We’re fine. Thank you, Inaba.”

His face still buried in Liam’s shoulder, he changes the subject by asking a question that’s been bothering him.

“Where does this water go when you let it out?”

Because, yes, these are things he spends an inordinate amount of time thinking about.

She is working lightly as she is amused but not pointing out further Don's fluster, his shell coming up nicely slowly getting lower. A soft giggle at the wilhara's voice, watching the delight of the small boy in his arms. " I'll be careful not to pay too much attention with the buffer over your bridging." she promises from behind him and in tones and that comfortable sort of way that definitely means he'd regained that ground they started on when he showed up on the balcony quiet suddenly and surprised the two gals.


blinking at the question as she reaches past, slowly not sure if Don would be mad or how the little boy would react and brushes his little blue bald head with her fingers. " it washes through the privies and everything goes out to the fields to be reinterred into the ground for crops, all by smooth pipes?" she wasn't away the word she wanted was aqua ducts. Partly why the fortress is situated high ground so it all runs down hill and the smell with it."[/color]

“Thank you.”

He is relaxing again, and really, it’s hard not to with the shell buffing. The larger Donatello was right. It’s... pretty great.

Don actually shifts aside slightly so Bebe can brush Liam’s head, so he doesn’t mind so long as Liam doesn’t, and the little guy is surprisingly social given his history. And for that, Don is grateful.

And he listens to the response to his question politely.

“Aqueducts, huh? So I take it that clean water is something of a luxury? Especially for the lower classes?” Question is asked politely, but there might be a trace of disapproval in his tone.

Liam doesn't realise his behavious is extremely good for his upbringing... mind some of it still rooted in deep seated fear of punishment. Though it was slowly becoming his wish to imitate dad - in everyway possible and that included being good for everyone. A loud churr nuzzling Don back, he'd thoroughly enjoyed returning the nuzzles from Don and now the soft touch feeling his dad relax and his tail is making its own waves! hehehe



Bebe giggles and draws her hand back, moving lower of the shell almost towards the lower edges. A gentle sort of grin at his question, " it is endearing how much you think of the people-" she often had thought of herself somewhere half between the lower class and higher so just called everyone when out of hearshot. She hums a little, " all the time, see a long time ago, one of Svengal's fathers father and father or something didn't have the aquaducting and didn't care for fresh water being accessible so their was disease and stench.... some of the staining of the cobblestones are from those days. The Maester of the time said water quality had a lot to do with it and of course removal of refuse so the system was built the farms placed where the refuse could be recycled and kept away from fresh water that goes to the wells and bath houses of the Reinigen... I hear other Maesters similarly else where have implemented same sorts of things. Maesters are supposed to do that kind of thing."

Don chuckles softly at Liam. That little waggy tail is just... too cute.

He's content at the moment thanks to the combination of the shell buffing and the child in his arms, though he strongly feels this Svengal guy a fool.  The guy probably couldn't guess that the larger turtle could run circles around the Maester under most circumstances. Including water treatment. Don would guess the guy is just as familiar with New York's systems as he is. And some of it is technical and complicated, but other measures are pretty simple.

But Don's pretty sure this Svengal guy is more interested in social standing than his people anyway. He probably shouldn't think that about someone he hasn't actually met, but there it is.

He does sort of turn toward Bebe slightly, confused by her statement about it being endearing that he thinks about the people. Don's just not quite sure how to respond to that. But eventually he gives her a slight smile.

"Heh... I... think about a lot of things..." That much at least is absolutely true.

And he listens patiently to the explanation of the creation of the aqueducts.

"Yeah... bacteria from your intestines doesn't belong in your stomach. And aqueducts are a good start."

And for now, he leaves it at that.

Bebe was not familiar with the word bacteria, and sounds it out a few times as she begins on the lowest scutes and lowest marginal schutes, a little harder to judge when they were completed in the water but she kept the light circular sort of motions to the same time it takes per section and figures if she is unhappy with anything when they get out she'll ask a moment of patience and correct it. " mmmm hmmm and best thing everyone gets clean water at least."

Watching the two of them a smile growing, " ... it is cool you do think a lot - um not sure how I'll do your um plastron..." she blushes a little and was that the right word she was sure, " around this little guy." she reaches around tickling one of the small blue feet giggling a little at the boys chuckles.


Liam beams up at Don, the smile huge and all over his face, shifting to reach the water line as he giggles from the ticklign and blowing bubbles there.

Don sends a somewhat curious glance back to Bebe, hearing her repeating the word 'bacteria' as though it was unfamiliar. He vaguely wondered if the Maester knew about bacteria or if he just knew ways to treat illnesses that actually worked.

Maybe the other Donatello knows. Surely it would have come up while Don was sick.

"They're sort of bugs that are too small to see. Some can make you sick. In fact, it was probably bacteria in the swamp that made me sick and started this- ...whole thing." He had caught himself before referring to today's coming events in a more... derogatory manner.

Don nodded at her pronunciation of 'plastron,' it was correct. And he smiled gently at her being unsure about how to get around Liam. Don then snugged the boy gently, kissed the little blue head and set Liam down on a step.

"Don't jump off into the water for a bit, okay? I'll let you do it before we get out, but not yet." He's not sure if the child understood or not, but... he's going to say it and see. And if Liam does try to jump, Don will try to gently stop him before the boy actually jumps.

Bebe oooohs a little trying to imagine butterflies and dragonflies and stick insticts and other bugs smaller that an eye could see. And she is puzzled a little and also it comes with wonderment -


" huh... maesters might know of that thing, their like the top top healers... maybe..." and she is pleased she got plastron right, itshows as a bloom of that smile as easy as it had come the first night and she watches Don put the little guy down. " I should have encouraged you to start on him when I was doing your ...cara pace?" again a little hesitancy over the word but pretty sure she had it right as she shows Don was she was using, like a punice stone almost though she wasn't aware of it, and partially like a sponge, " their a type of moss grown in the jungle islands, different ages mean different firmness and roughness, these ones are fairly new so they will shine and smooth nails and claws and ... carapaces and plastrons without scratching or injuring." she gestures to the boy " though his ... carapace and plastron are already very shiny so if you prefer we not do anything to them... I am happy to say it probably wont be necessary." offering him one of the sponges to study if he liked whilst she moved in closer to eye his plastron before she would being the motion.

Don is going to have to find something with some calcium in it... While Bebe was working, she found a couple of sensitive spots on his carapace. He's pretty sure they're not soft yet, and with what he's eaten (or hasn't eaten) lately... he really isn't surprised.  But that's just a mental note for later.

There's a soft chuckle at the look on Bebe's face as she tries to imagine teeny tiny bugs. He can't know what she's thinking, but he has a pretty good guess.

Don just barely manages to school his features as Bebe starts lamenting that she didn't have Don start on Liam while she was working on his carapace. He doesn't know what may or may not cause Liam to show off his wings. And... he's not really interested in inviting that risk. But she moves on to talking about the moss she was using, and he gets a short reprieve!

"It's sort of like a pumice stone where I'm from. Though that's a special kind of volcanic rock. Though this feels a little more spongy. It's nice."

And his words come a little too fast in regards to buffing Liam.

"Might be best to just leave it then."

Liam didn't understand it all but he got the notion to stay on the step and he could swim in a moment! ooooh he was looking forward to it! Hopping about excitedly - even though at first he'd try to cling to Don and nuzzle more - now he is on the step and happily watches the too shuffling to the edge hanging on and leaning - leaaaaning reaching blue fingers out... out ...


Aha! he had one of the pumice things! and giggling in triumph he bounces back in the water to sit and eye his prize -


Another giggle when a small toot with bubbles escapes him.

She flutters her water logged wings a little and is still trying to imagine mini bugs when she looks at Don and smiles a little curious about the volcanic thing and nodding, " I think we have the same similar stones... but it gets called lavastone.... I here the fae folk that used to be in those areas were particularly weird but powerful once upon a time." she rambles a bit and his beginning over Don's plastron from the top corner working downward slowly a grin as he too quickly jumps on not doing the same to the little guy - who now had his own stone and was playing with it.


" it's okay... I don't mind and I wont get in any trouble about it, kids are given more leeway on the whole celebration as far as being spruced up and he looks fine without it - you all do as far as I'm concerned but alas have to be shiny.... um I'm sorry if a brushed or will brush ticklish spot I promise not to like on them too long.' she adds smiling over at the little guy and then at his dad giggling at the fart.

Don chuckled as Liam tried to hold on just a little longer.  He did give the boy one more nuzzle as he pried him off. There’s another chuckle as Liam acquires his prize. He sees no reason to stop him on that front.

“Where I’m from, lava rock is heavy and coarse, pumice is very light weight and makes a good buffer, and obsidian is black, semi-transparent, and if you flake off pieces, extremely sharp. For generations it was used for knives and arrowheads. Weird how?” It was perhaps a little of his own rambling, and really, explaining this sort of thing is hard to resist! Especially since she’s sort of standing right here in front of him now. It was a little easier to disassociate when she was behind him.

“I understand, and appreciate it. It’s... not as bad if I’m expecting it...” He will likely still wiggle a bit on the ticklish spots, but he probably won’t yelp this time!

And a chuckle and shaking his head at the fart. ”Classy, Liam. Way to show we beling here.” He poked his son in the belly. There was some sarcasm in the tone, but he also felt there was some truth in the statement. They didn’t belong here.

bebe absorbs the rambling with a sort of ooooooh face, " that's... wow... I'm honoured to learn about... all of that, interestingthe way ours worlds are sooo very different" The fea girl is not aware how very much so their worlds were different still assuming like all he was a genio innocuo of the nexus, and she also isn't aware why he is rambling and she doesn't mind it all told enjoying the knowledge and thinking over his question, " just weeeird I think I have heard that type of fae are loners, most other fae prefer companions. And their a little aggressively territorial... maybe a bit alarming cause their magics had a lot to do with fire." she explains.


Liam just beams at Don, giggling and trying to catch the poking fingered hand, kicking his little feet happily and after a moment of chewing on his prize he begins pretending it was a fish and was swimming about in the water on the step.

The 'you have nooooo idea' that crosses his mind regarding how different their worlds are does not cross his lips. Instead he just gives Bebe a slightly sad smile as she works.

Don looks purposefully over at Liam. His playing the the little buffer moss is just too darned cute... Though it's a little sad that he's pretending it's a fish. Don sort of wonders if there are any toys around for the child. He hasn't really seen any... He'll have to do something about that...

And he's actually impressed by the imagination that Liam is showing at the moment. Shell he loves that little boy... He chuckles at the little guy and just... sort of watches him play for a moment.

He latches onto the description of the fire fae and how they're loners. "Desiring solitude makes them weird? Though I suppose fire can be alarming."

Bebe wonders at the sad smile and tries to make it a more content smile by lightly brushing her non busy fingers over Don's lips and cheek, just a friendly sort of touch not to firm or lingering too long to be invasive. And shrugging a bit, " weird comparatively to most fae I know of, maybe it's a trait shared by other fae living in remote and intense unusual places like the ice lands and or in the deserts.... maybe?" she smiles.


She of course was a little unsure of the word solitude. Simply because she and the princess had never ever really had a chance to have solitary moments, they had for as long as each other known had the princesses retinue of carers, maids, cleaners and guards and of course Bebe herself. The girls even slept in the same bed most of their lives. Bebe was meant to be the closest carer, be a companion and friend and wet nurse should it come to it, a distraction for a bored and or needy husband. To take the beatings meant for the princess should the husband be abusively inclined. And to pleasure the princess too should she need it.


So Bebe didn't really have the concept of solitude. Just felt it was a little strange.



Liam is happy as a pig in poop, though maybe testing his boundary a little by slipping closer to the next step down... not quiet on it but closer and making his fish swim in the deeper water, mimicking the fishie swimming down to 'nose' about on the step to find food, like he'd watched the fish in the ponds do.


bit of a giggle, ' very alarming, I would be scared... mmmm you are one proud papa." she had watched his face as he watched the boy, watching for a sign she should be careful or was right to continue over the mid way of his plastron. And it was all over his face.

Maybe not quite a contented smile just yet, but Bebe definitely has his attention. He is a little confused by the gesture, and is quietly watching her for a moment, just observing. He lets the silence drag a little before responding.

“So, perhaps... merely misunderstood?” Sure, if he met one, he would likely be cautious, but... he doesn’t like ‘weird’ in this context. Though he can understand where it came from, and is patient with its usage.

”Perhaps to them, spending most of their time with a companion or in large groups would be weird or scary.” Just... quietly challenging her world view. He will probably do it again whenever it strikes him to do so.

He and his brothers had been sheltered in a different way. They had always been able to see the world go by, but had been forbidden to interact. Here? Bebe and probably the Princess too, had been able to interact, but they didn’t seem like they had really been able to see those beyond their walls.

And yes, he was contentedly watching Liam play again.

“Hmm...?” It took a moment to drag himself back and realize what she had said. And he chuckled softly, giving her a slight smile. “Yeah...  I guess I am...”

And he’s okay with that, if still somewhat shocked by it.

Bebe pauses in the middle of her stroking and looks contemplative, and her large round dark eyes widen, " I.... neeeeeeeeeeever thought of it like that.... innnnndeed." she looks again amazed and wondering and smiles at Don, " you make me think more deeply about things than I've ever tried to before -" well it's never been required of her to do so.


" I like that..." she decides with a resumption of moving over his lower plastron like all the other edges she is careful to not tickle as much as possible but to press and buff enough to make the surface shiny and smooth as can be.


He fingers now and then stopping to brush over the dents and or scars in his plastron marvelling at them wondering what caused them but not asking. giggling even at his agreement glancing at the happily playing little turtle.


Who by now had found a lump of old soap and was pretending he now had a fish and a frog. Tail wagging and swishing in the water as he moved from his step to the next one down and back again in his play imaginings of two aquatic critters going about their daily lives, maybe singing a bit that frog song Mikey taught him, " gaaaa lumph wen de widdle gween frog one day - gaaaa lumph went the widdle gween frog... gah lumph wen da liddle gween frog one day and he says lumph lumph lumph.... but we now frogs go... laaaa deee daaa deee blububububu1' becoming bubbles as he lowers himself into the water to blow em.


And Bebe is trying not to go eeeeee and giggle all girly like moment of ohhh my kuwaaaiii cuteness... and probably failing but hey she is trying to focus!

There's a soft smile at Bebe admitting that he's sort of forcing her to think a little differently.

When the Leo's start their thing again, Don relaxes into it slightly. He can't really take the time to respond to them at the moment, but he feels them, and opens himself to their connection as much as he can without actually sitting down to meditate.

He makes a note of her sort of hovering over some of his scars. It takes him a little while to decide on an explanation.

"We're warriors. It's... sort of an occupational hazard." Not typically a term he would choose to describe himself, but he's not sure how this society feels about ninja. Certainly the Daimyo doesn't mind, but these smaller areas may not have the same sort of open minds. So a generic term will do.

When he felt Mike's searching presence, he does respond, brushing back slightly against his brother, letting Mikey know he's okay. Again, he can't do much more than sort of brush his brother without actually taking the time to meditate on his own.

That is, until he is distracted by his son's song. Unencumbered by another immediate task at hand, he allows himself to enjoy the song. Enjoy that little voice singing those silly words.  He isn't actually squeeing at the adorable little guy, but it's still pretty clear on his face.

Yes, Liam definitely has Don wrapped around his little finger.

" truly incredible - warrior and dedicated dad... and quiet a soft spoken sort of mister.' Bebe smiles brushing the sponge stone over the lowest edge of plastron smiling and glad for his claming presence and that he made her reconsider a lot of her assumptions based upon what she'd been told or read.


She steps back in the water a big to place up her handful up and smile at him, "and patient with me, thank you, did you want me to go and let you two have a little time... or stay and give you a hand with him?" sorta hoping to stay if only to watch the little guy in play for some time longer -he seemed quiet happily playing his game of sing song about the frog and with his 'fish'.



Which he was, and though he maybe tested his limits a little by playing on the second step down and the first but he wasn't going past there and when he spies Don watching he grins widely his tail splish splashing a bit in the water and pointing eagerly into the water, " swiiiins?"

Keeping still and well behaved is difficult as she works on the lowest edge of his plastron, buuuut between Liam being right there and every turtle in the Nexus currently in his head... well, he manages fine.

There is a quiet, embarrassed chuckle at her description of him, that at least further proves the soft spoken part of her assessment.

“You’re welcome. And Thank you. I don’t think my shell has been this smooth since I was his age...” He gestured toward Liam. Maybe younger. Growing up in the concrete tunnels, and roughhousing as kids had probably scuffed their shells far more than Liam’s life in the lab... He couldn’t imagine the humans had alloas much active play as Master Splinter had encouraged.

The freshly buffed shell feels good, but also sort of strange. He shifted slightly, just to sort of feel the slight differences a bit more before smiling at Bebe and her question.

“Oh, I’ve got it, but you may stay if you like.

He then turned to Liam, giving the little guy some space to jump. “Yes, you can swim now. Even if you did sneak down a step.” He didn’t mind the sneaking down one step, as Liam was still above water and had clearly shown a turtle’s instincts in that regard. But had he tried to go any farther, Don would have stopped him. “We can’t play very long though, I don’t think Mikey will be put off from the shell scrubbing of a lifetime much longer.”

Bebe grins, " reaaaaallllly? it looks good all shiny like that. I - I I would give you the shiny shell in that gentle way any time you want me to - was kinda a calming enjoyable sort of task." she is moving to the side of the bath to be out of their way as Liam gives a happy shout and scrambles, splashing to the top stair again and moves to the edge - tail wagging the entire way and she though he would over, but the boy had all the confidence in the world Don would catch him and let him down into that deeper water! the turtle in him eager for the swim! and the lower end of his plastron unable to stay still with his wagging tail.


" yes! glad you don't mind... daaaawwwwww he is adorable!"


And his big blue eyes are on Don's as he grins and shows his 'fish' " fiiish nee swiiins ... um moorrre." yeaaaaah entirely why he was creeping slowly down the stairs - well okay yes mostly why.

Yeah... shiny shelled is a little weird. Don takes his time to consider his response, even as he keeps tabs on Liam scrambling about on the steps.

"Thank you, I appreciate that. I really do, but... it... kinda stands out. And it's typically important for us to be able to blend in..." And he gives her a bit of a smile.

He did enjoy the scrubbing, but... he's not exactly eager to have it done again. It's not that he didn't appreciate it, or even enjoy it. He did. But Don is ninja, and ninja can't hide well if they're shiny! In fact, he's already fighting the part of him that really wants to either cover up the shiny shell or scuff it back up so it doesn't stand out so! He will ignore that urge, but he can't deny it's there.

"Oh yes, of course. The fish needs to swim more. Uh huh... His tone is dripping with playful sarcasm, though he's pretty sure Liam wouldn't know what that is. "Nice try, you sneaky, sneaky little boy, but you're caught." And he holds out his arms for Liam to jump.

Bebe chuckles a bit, understanding, and hummmed, "well you's might score some cloaks as part of the bride gifts the groom's family get too so maybe can still hide once ceremony is over?" in fact she might hint at it.


Liam sees the arms and jumps fearlessly into them ! Giggling once there! " liiikes be cat by you Daddyyy!" rather joyously of course tail wiggling away his hand still holding the pumicer. Making the bathtime companion nawwww, yes Liam didn't mind at all being caughted!!

Oh for cripes sake... He doesn't have a clue what is going to be going on today, and while he understood the individual words she has said, he's struggling with the concepts. Frankly, he doesn't want anything from these Reinigen. He just wants to leave. The whole mess has left something of a sour taste in his mouth.

While he does appreciate the knowledgeable help that they were able to acquire here, he's put off by the whole royalty treatment thing and even moreso by this ridiculous marriage. But Don is well behaved, and keeps his feelings on the matter buried.

Never mind that they don't really wear clothes anyway... Mikey would probably appreciate a cloak though. He has enough costumes in his pockets that Don's pretty sure the goofy guy would be able to find a use for it.

He doesn't really respond to the statement about cloaks though because he just doesn't know how. He's also finding it hard to think with the slight brushes of his brothers that he's feeling every so often. So he just says, maybe...? Though his tone may be hard to read. None of what has happened is Bebe's fault nor any of these other servants, nor the princess's for that matter. No... he needs to be careful to direct his ire solely at Svengal. "I really don't want or need anything else from the Reinigen." Not so much because of the individual Reinigen, but he definitely doesn't want anything that might somehow have come from Svengal. He is careful to keep his tone gentle. None of the snark he might be feeling inside is allowed to show in the statement.

Don spins in the water, dragging Liam around careful of the edges. His own comfort moving in the water makes it look easy. He then pulls the boy in for a snuggle and boops his nose. "Just make sure I'm looking, first, okay?"

And honestly, even if Don wasn't looking he'd probably notice and be quick enough to catch the child, but he's going to discourage the behavior anyway. One more snuggle, Don adds a brief churr that is serving two purposes. It's soft for Liam, and also a brief, brushed response to the other turtles he can feel though they're so very far away.

Liam weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee's looooudly and his lack of toys doesn't phase him - only cause he really has no idea what he's missing on that front. he is having a blast! and in the water he is giggling at the boop making a raspberry sound and nodding eagerly, " you sees me... I is see." he agrees... and adds to Bebe noting she still there...


And was not caring much he gives her his best and decidedly charming toddler grin all big blue eyes - that move back to Don, nuzzling back against him all of his little body hugging Do back, the legs wrapped about him, arms about neck and shoulders hands holding shell edge... feeling and hearing those big churrs his own bursting forth like a kitties purring in comparison.

Bebe is unsure what to make of his hesitancy, her wings flutter a little in the water and she giggles watching the little excited turtle.


And chews her lip a little, she can hear the others, they were about ready to hurry Don and Liam out of here so Leon and Mikey could bathe... " welllll if that's not to your taste there is always weapons... books... ooooooh toys..." brightening a little as that little kids grin just about made her melt and become a floating blob in the water. She is moving to the steps and climbing up to let herself drip dry a little giving her bedraggled wrinkled looking wings a flap to dry them and help the wrinkled look to them go away.

Don chuckles at Liam's excitement at the opportunity to swim, especially in this nice warm water. He continues his own churr for the child as the boy nuzzles him, and he returns them. But he can tell they really need to be moving along. He sets his son on the step once more.

"That's right. Make sure you're seen. One more jump. I'm going to let you swim a little this time before I pick you up."

He listens to Bebe's words, and gives her a polite smile.

"Like I said, I have what I need." His tone is gentle, and he wouldn't refuse whatever was foisted upon him, because he knows in many circles it's rude, but... he really doesn't want anything. "Honestly... I just want to get on our way again." They still have a long way to go. And they've been here quite long enough.

"Alright, Liam. You've got this. Jump!"

Liam giggles he danced about on the step a little waiting - when the offer comeshe happy squeals and jumps into those arms with a happy yell " Daaaad!" enjoying it made some of the water splash!


Bebe watches them, she sits on the edge of the bath holding towels ready for the pair of them smiling abitat Don, she was still obligated to whisper some ideas for bride gifts that could be passed along to the groom and his family... and well Don didn't want anything... but maybe if there was something he could make use of?


And toys for the boy?


But she seems to let it go for now, " okay but you must let me know if you think of anything, I am after all obligated as part of my task here to make sure yous get.... your bride gifts that will be useful to you all." her wings were all but dry and now back to their original state she watches them still relaxing where she was seated.

Don let Liam land in the water and gave him a chance to take a few swimming strokes before he pulled him up again. He is letting the little guy be a turtle for a moment. Use some of those too long dormant water instincts!

Once again, he spins Liam around, and pulls him close, chuckling as he does so then moving to get out of the tub with Liam in his arms.

He sighs at Bebe’s words. Clearly there is a problem understanding ’No, thank you,’ here. This is so frustrating! But he does his best to keep it to himself. He doesn’t want her to get in trouble. Okay, fine. Useful items to get them to the capitol.

”I understand you are just doing your job... Okay... how about detailed maps of or books on the savannah lands and surrounding regions. Um... we’re strangers here. Maybe books on local species and customs we may need to be aware of. Maybe plant identification.”

He doesn’t like this, any if this. And the shiny thing... part of him wants nothing more than to go roll in the dirt and scuff up his shell again. This is... wrong. But he will behave for the time being. So for now, he’s out and holding Liam, waiting to be told what to do next.

As far as weapons... he’s kind of picky about what would be worth carrying along. While he is capable with almost anything he might find laying around, that’s an entirely different scenario.

Bebe looks sheepish and apologetic, standing to hand them the towels.

Well towel, sort of hopefully holding the other hoping the little guy would denign to allow her a cuddle! She had enjoyed watching their play and the joy the boy took in just being with with dad and playing, swimming, being snuggled.


"sooo sorry wish I could give no as an acceptable answer ... and thanks I'll look into it." she assures.

And booooy did Liam relish the swim! So much so his limbs were still a going when Don lifted him! His breath still held nostrils squeezed shut and nictating eyelids up! He still wasn't very coordinated as far as swimming went his limbs working out of sync but he had the basics down!



Weeeeeeeee ing again and a giggling happy mess of a kid at the snuggles and nuzzles his tail a wagging away and half limp as they exit the tub a limp happy giggling boy.


He sees the open arms and lazily leans that way but no rush enjoying Don's hold. And he'd be closer to touch her wings... if she'd let him!

Don chuckled at the flailing little limbs continuing their attempts at swimming in the air. And there's another nuzzle and soft churr for Liam as they're getting out of the tub.  

He nods an understanding. While it doesn't make the situation less frustrating, Don understands that she's just the help. There's nothing she can really do to change the situation, but she could get in trouble if he's difficult. "You're welcome," is soft, but easy enough to hear.

And when Liam leans over toward Bebe, Don allows it. He accepts the towel, and hands Liam to the fairy.

Eeeee! he was letting her hold the little guy - or um allowing it cause the little guy decided to allow it... she eeeps a little in surprise though and her eyes are wide as she wraps the towel about the little genio innocuo. " eeeeee he is heavier than he looks." of course it's said in the air of a compliment, and she wasn't yet aware the shell on the boys back would make him a little heavier than those of his age and size comparatively... though he was lighter than an actual mutant turtles his age and height would be, both due to not having quiet caught up yet with the proper toddler chub just yet, though he was getting closer. Annnnd his bones were flight ready.


Still for her it was a surprise and she is happy to give Don is towel and begin drying the ... rather playful little boy in her arms, he is not making it easy to dry him - or hold him for that matter! Wriggling and giggling and trying to climb up her body.

Don accepts the towel and chuckles at Bebe's surprise at Liam being heavier than she'd expected. He tapped his own plastron with his knuckles a couple times. It's a solid, slightly hollow sound since he had done it over his lungs.

"Yes, well... That is one of the side effects of wearing part of our our skeletons on the outside."

Don quickly dries off himself, not bothering to hide his amusement at Liam making Bebe's task more difficult.

Once he's dry, he drapes the towel over one shoulder. He's not quite ready to admit that he's actually a little chilly after getting out of the nice warm water, but he is. The towel helps with that a bit.

"That's probably good enough." Don commented of the mostly dry tot. "We actually need to be a little damp every so often. I can take him back if it's uncomfortable for you." Definitely not forcing her, just an offer.

Bebe giggles and nods and is fascinated of course, " annnn actual part of your skeleton?... wooooooow..." though distracted at once cause Liam had climbed so high he was eye level with her - and she smiles.


" me tuuuuuuuuuu rtle!" yep cause that's mostly what he was! and happily to her as if that explained everything, though of course he was not entirely sure what the big people were talking about he cups her face in his hands, " caaaan tooous you wiiiiin? pweaaase? wings?" and partly why'd he'd climb up her and now was awkwardly held by her he had no fear of being dropped - mostly because dad was riiight there!


And well he was sure she wouldn't in any case.


And she was valiantly managing not to - though the towel was dropped and fluttered to the ground. She was not sure what the little guy meant but iis caught and... so nods slowly. " sure... okay..." a grin over at Don and nods, ready for him to reclaim the toddler if he wanted too - a bit of a squeak an shiver when Liam moves with a yaaaay and hangs over her shoulder happily reaching and stroking her delicate clear wing with the very liiiightest touch a toddler could manage.

Don chuckled at her awe. "Sort of..." That was at least the simplest way to describe it.

When the towel falls, he collects it and puts it with the one he had just used.

Liam is absolutely correct. Don is right there, and won't let him fall. At least not far. Even though he's standing there looking relaxed, he's still more than capable of reaching and catching the boy if he does tumble. He smiles at the child nicely asked permission to touch the wings then was so very gentle with them. And... he's quietly in awe of the child once again.

"That was very nice and gentle, My Son." Don smiled first at Liam then turned it to Bebe.

He then moves close enough to take Liam and snuggle the boy.

Bebe flutters the stroked wings, a little surprised too, " woooow most kids just grab and yank and... well most of the Reinigen have claws so it's usually less than fun..." She is kid free and moves forward using a foot to drag her tunic off the floor and pull it back over her head, " Such a good kind little fellow and sweet Dad.' she in not much of a kisser, cause it's not a way to express affection really between Reinigen and she doesn't recall what fae do, instead there is a brief touch of her nose to Liam's snout now the boy is back in Don's arms then a soft touch for Don too - her wings fluttering again this time to find the opening in the back of her tunic to poke through.


Liam beams he at once gets cuddly snuggling back into Don and nodding, " I dids goood? sooof... sooof Mimi and Leon says tooous Inaba furr soooof... nooo pull Lea hair... and small things sooof. Sooof wid baaabies" he had been fascinated by the sight of children smaller than himself, and had worried his watchers during Don's down time he would be rough. " will says to brudders beeee sooof." oh yes he will!

Don chuckled. "We definitely do not have claws, but I do understand how that might be less than fun. And I can see how Uh... Reinigen claws could be painful." He just stops himself from telling her about Master Splinter being a 'Reinigen.'

Don is a little confused by the snout touch, but doesn't really do anything to stop her or show much of the confusion she caused. It's been a distressingly familiar feeling since he woke up now that he takes a moment to think about it.

"You did wonderfully, My Son. And that's right. You need to be soft and gentle with all of those things."

Don shifts slightly so the towels stay where he had put them and nuzzles the child in his arms.

Bebe grins a little she is about to lead them out when an over eager all measured up Mikey comes barrelling past with Leon - protesting the whole way over his shoulder -


" put me down you lunatic!" yells - but it lasts no longer the orange clad cackling demon of a turtle naked now with no bindings or belt cannon balls into the tub with Leon - water goes everywhere.


Bebe squeaks and dodges behind Don just in time to not be drenched again - blushing when Mikey pops back to the surface with a waggle of brows her way, " can I get a buffing now too pretty lady?" Leon coming up and muttering about crazy Mikey's.



Liam however had found this hilarious, at first he'd been mmm hmmmming in Don's hold to his dads words and promising to be gentle... to be soooft... returning the nuzzles, now he is a giggling kid, clap at the display tail wagging and of course he and Dad got wonderfully re drenched![/color][/color]

Don isn’t shocked, or even vaguely surprised by any of this. This is allll Mikey. This is the sort of thing he expects from any Mike. He shifts slightly to help shield Bebe from the massive splash Mikey created with a reluctant Leon.

He brushes the water off his face with ine hand, but doesn’t worry about anything else. Don chuckles and shakes his head at both Mikey’s excitement and Leon’s muttering.

He shifts the excited child on his hip.

“He got you, huh, Leon?”

" The rat guy had just finished measuring my shell and next thing I knew there was this stinky whirlwind -"


Mikey grins at Don and is making the pretty cute waggly brows at the fae female, " Hey he who smelt it dealt it duuuude... come on I needs to be shiny too!" he is having to turn the water on to refill the tub thanks to his own splashing but he finds it a worthy cause.


Bebe is giggling and hesitating, she should answer that summons and if he wants her attention on his shell she should answer it - unless Don had any more use for her, as now like Donatello he was free to wait until they were dressed and lead off to the ceremonial gardens and hall.


Liam finds this all hilarious and is hooting with giggles finding some water on Don's skin and blowing bubbles there!


" Heeeey man you knocked out the poor stylist with that smell!"



Donatello's voice floats down there way. " he's fine!"


Leon is unable to stop the goofy grin and laugh, " hahaha next thing I know I am being carted down here to get buffed... and I am sure Mikey is not meaning the naughty way."


Mikey gives Leon a sly cheeky look, " duuuuuuuude I am not... fussy about my partners - ack!' and thus a wrestling match starts...


Bebe is definitely ducking back behind Don.

Don chuckles through the explanation and the call out from Donatello.

As it descends into wrestling, Don sighs a deep, mostly fake, put upon sigh. He offers Liam to Bebe again.

“Usually I would just let them sort this out, but places to go, people to see. No worries, I’ve got this.” As if this sort of thing happens all the time. And... yeah, it sort of does.

Once Liam is settled either with Bebe or on the ground, he carefully slips back into the tub, and Moves to snag the tussling turtles each by a pressure point in the shoulder. It’s one of Master Splinter’s favorites, and he taught Don where it was as a child to give him a way of getting out of his brothers’ wrestling matches when he didn’t want to be involved. If he catches them, the hold is painful, but won’t do damage beyond possibly a temporary dead arm. He will speak whether he catches them or not.

“Gentlemen, have we forgotten that today is a special occasion? Also, I believe you are frightening the lady. What do you have to say for yourselves?”

Donatello has Elena in arms and wonders over to watch the crazy unfold amused and slightly tease his counterpart. " warned you guys MamaDon will sort you's out." churring and chuckling , Inaba joining him in the door way and giggling her nose twitching and ears standing up straight.


the reaction on Mikey is a little moooore he acks and like what happens when pressure pointed in that area he sort of seizes up - but is no danger of drowning of course he is a turtle... and thanks tot he way Don caught him is on his shell floating.


Leon is pouting a bit but it's all fake and he rests back, " yeah ya warned us... sorry Bebe."


Liam is snuggling the fairy - well sort of he'd climbed back up her body sharing his damp self all over her annnnd reaching again to stroke her wings - lightly his tail wagging.


Bebe smiles - she is a little awed and wondering what Don just did... " what... what'd you do? that was... incredible - uh it's fine... I mean yeah it's cool." she smiles guessing the sort of mumbled something from Mikey was an apology too.


Donatello is not hiding his chuckling enjoying the crazy moment. Yep not his brothers but still the same crazy fun. " handled perfectly Mama Don."

Don holds the pair just a moment longer, making sure that they're quite finished and they have actually apologized. Once assured that they're ready to behave, he nods and releases them.

He chuckles at Bebe's questioning and again at his counterpart's words. "And here I thought you were the momming one." He doesn't actually stick his tongue out at the larger turtle for the 'mama' remark, but the smirk on his face is pretty close to it. And he chuckles, knowing it's a tease.

Once he's out of the water, he turns to Bebe and her question.

"It's a pressure point." He starts to dry off, just using his hands to brush off the water. It's a fairly effective technique on their skin. And being a little damp is kind of nice. Especially since he knows it will dry off soon. As he brushes away the water, he goes on to explain.

"It's a specific spot that if you hit it, a very small amount of pressure can cause a lot of pain. Some can basically make your body stop functioning properly. The one I used on them just hurts and might make their arms tingle for a little while."

Once mostly dry, he stands straight again and offers to take Liam again. And he will give the damp child the same treatment, brushing away any excess water that might be left.

"I was probably just a little older than Liam when my father taught me that particular pressure point." He chuckled, remembering a couple of wrestling matches he had gotten out of by using just the threat of that pressure point. His brothers hadn't learned it until they were a bit older.

Mikey grumbles a bit but his tail is wagging " Spoil spooort" he complains with all the force of a butterflies wings and he and Leon now leaaan against each other.


The small pudgy blue bandana turtle however is a grin and thumbs up at Don, " thaaanks for the save mamaDon" adding to the tease but he is definitely glad to be rescued from the wrestling match. Even if it had felt good to be playing!


Donatello is still chuckling, " I am MomDonatello , you are mamaDon" amused by the different mutterings of the two now quiet settled turtles. "be quick you two I hear we are about to be dressed up and be heading out shortly."


Mikey grins - eyeing the fairy - "well I am ready.... come buff meeee!"


Bebe grins at Don, she was relaxing again, and looking more at home among them once more with a flutter of her wings which the little boy over her shoulder keeps brushing and touching so gently. And we'll she couldn't refuse Mikey buuuut she could make a bit of a game of it and as reluctant to hand back the little guy, but a last snug and she does and then slips off her tunic again, climbing down into the tub, slooooowly... Reclaiming the the buffers annnnd


Beginning on Leon's shell making Mikey oooooooohhhhhh squeak indignately.


A burst of laughter at that and Donatello who gives Don a smiiiirk, "I was thinking of telling your Leo where on my brother's bodies he can touch to make them a puddle of turtle goo but by now he's probably worked it out. You needed the pressure points too sometimes huh to escape the rambunctious loud smelly brothers too huh?"


Liam loves wet Don! And finds some remain moisture to liiick! Giggling still and reaching over to tug Elena's tail end.