Iluka Islands. Many sea faring peopls a major township in this collection of tropical islands.

Raph is relaxing, there’s a grin at the affection from Lilo, and he takes the opportunity to stop and wait in this small cave to wrap an arm around her. It’s a liiittle playful, and he miiiight take advantage of the opportunity to tickle her side.

Raph is also smirking at Big Blue and maybe a brief one at Little Blue, who actually seemed to be okay with this particular teasing. Though... he had a pretty girl in his arms standing up for him, so... he probably actually came out on top this time.

“Hunh... Well, I suppose that gives Blues some sort of explanation at least... doesn’t explain Michelangelo though.

It’s a little unfortunate that there’s no Mikeys here to defend themselves, but he’s already taken a shot at the big Raph.

Leo is pretty content for the moment. He has Duncan and Addy close, and continues that comforting churr for them. Duncan seems to be switching from scared to curious, and Leo finds himself nuzzling the little guy's head.

"Thank you, Addy." Leo is almost chuckling when she defends him. He doesn't really mind this teasing. It's pretty tame, and sort of amusing. Besides, he cares more about her feelings about his scent than he cares about any Raphael's.

He still thinks Leonardo smells like a wet wildebeest. Though that miiiight be an alpha's interpretation of another alpha's odor. Actually, he's pretty sure it is.

Even with his churr, he's reaching out to their surroundings, searching. Most of what he's feeling, he's pretty sure is run of the mill jungle storm noise, but there's one sound... No, it's several similar sounds made by different individuals.

"Addy, what's that singing?" It's not something he's really worried about. Actually... it's pretty. Sort of relaxing.

" Whatever Donatello would say about it, I knooow it's not that bad - definitely not as bad as the Michelangelo." Leonardo only playfully boasts with all the indignation he could fake, as he was mostly amused, if a little exasperated at the chatter and teasing, definitely a lot more amused. " All my ...um...clients love it."


Tilting his head to listen to the singing, unusually, a little eerie in the rain but in a delightful sort of way. And he listened curiously for Addy's answer ready when they all were to move on, the rain didn't look like letting up any time soon.

Oooooh she enjoyed being held!


Giggling at the talk and wrapping her tail loosely around Raph's shell her head resting on his shoulder listening and watching the rain and the turtles around her teasing and playfully mock. She hums her sort of purring hums content with the waiting it out as much as possible for now and the fact that it was raining but it was not cold for now.


Hearing Leo's question and smiling a little, " Jungle Nypmhs. Their sort of like fae folk."


She of course had lived with this sort of singing all her life. " It's pretty but be careful they are tricksters and sometimes their song is for hunting. Luring with that sweet sound into their trap. Especially the females."

" yeah yeah whatever ya say Lam a nerdo - still need less sword play." a poke of his tongue and a snigger, agreeing with a, " hahaha yep Donatello is often flummoxed by Michelangelo smell. He is some weird sewer hippy who believes bathing is optional." hahaha all fun and games to talk about until your the one facing the smelly twerp in the sparing.


He blinks a little at Lilo. " what about the male nymphs... do they sing?'


The happy monkey snuggled close to Raph nods. " for mates yep."



" oooooh for the ladies, I get that."

Addy was only half paying attention to the teasing this time, content and ears half drooped in clear indication of that tail curled low and sort of about Leo's leg watching Duncan slowly relax and begin to explore Leo's nuzzling further encouraging and pleased him. Shechuckled at the chatter even so and supposed had she not been interested elsewise she might have also found Leonardo's scent as alluring. As it was she wasn't as receptive in his direction. Though she wasn't going to say any of that out loud right now.


She purrs and hears Lilo respond as she does -


" Nymphs -" a grin and just encase Leo  or others began worrying she adds, " though we are usually too big to be of interest to the nymphs." A silent snigger at Raphael's understanding about singing for the ladies. " do yooou sing for the ladies Raphael?"

Water! he was pleased he'd made this connection! and sucked at his fingers before reaching back out for more! and he could hear the singing but wasn't sure what to make or it though he did hum a little and chur feeling Leo's nuzzling his tail resuming its wagging the last of his fear beginning to fade.


Instead of cringing he looks up into the patches of the thick cloud they could see in through the canopy and ooohs a bit when there is lightning. and begins to enjoy this! oohing again when the thunder rumbled.

"Yes, well, bathing is optional probably covers it..." Raph huffs. His own Mike is probably not as fastidious about bathing as he could stand to be either. Well... Raph himself could probably stand a few more showers too, but he's not as bad as Mike!

He laughs as Addy asks his counterpart about singing for the ladies. And Raph absolutely piles on. "Maybe a little Eric Clapton? Oh! I know. Elton John. Barry Manilow?"

Raphael rolls his eyes, but admittedly, " That cause those ladies haven't yet smelled me Leonardo," a grin at Leo and slight nudge of body to body, not enough to be rough but playful, " at least ya lady loves the Leo lion musk yeah? that's all that matter.' chuckling and gaze turning towards Lilo and then Raph raising an eyeridge.


' well those names do sound vaguely familiar if different, but your not thinking deep enough voices, I am the base of the beat boxing man orrrr the deep voiced crooner." He tries to think of some crooners, " you know Dean Martin, Roy Orbinson. Tom Jones."

Leo miiight have rolled his eyes as the list of singers starts. Though it's certainly better than talking about how they all smell. Leo had been biting his tongue when his counterpart had said his clients love his smell. The comment that had crossed Leo's mind had drifted across the line from teasing to just mean. And he knew that it was Alpha/Alpha nonsense that he wasn't going to reduce himself to.

"Perry Como? Rudy Vallee?"

"Going on about crooners, and you two yahoos leave out the original master? I'm disappointed in both of you. You can't leave Bing Crosby out of that list." It's playful. He'll join in this one.

Leo looks down at Duncan, who seems to be handling the storm better than he was. He chuckles softly and nuzzles the child. Then Leo looks out toward the storm that doesn't seem to be letting up at all.

"Duncan, are you ready to go on Addy's back for awhile? I think it's about time we get moving."

Duncan missed all the chatter and most of it wouldn't make sense to him just yet. And he is busy realising something. The lightning looked like a massive sized spark he could make with the end of Leo's bandana by rubbing it against the fabric of the sling.

So when Leo speaks to him he is half paying attention holding the end of the blue bandana and looking utterly amazed.


He blinks at Leo's draw on his attention and has to think really hard on it...then a wide grin, " Oookay... but looook, daaaaaaad look Dad looo looo look it look it - I mades..." he points and does it again! rubbing the two fabrics and causing the static electricity he generated there to pop and spark. And points excitedly at the flash of lighting spiking it's way across the clouds. But he is ready, the grip of his knees easing and he is not fighting as Addy is slowly pulling free enough to turn around.

Leonardo smiles, " can't go past the classics.... or the classic as it were the name sounds familiar but like it might be spelled a little differently.mmmmm for me I prefer a somewhat more modern and lady crooner Lana Del Ray.... thooose are some sweet vocals." Amused and somewhat going with the teasing whilst also admitting a fave sort of music he'd listen to.


He grins at the little boys discovery, hmmmm pretty close, listening to the singing, " what if some one sang back?" he wonders to the ladies. Not willing to tempt such a thing but curious. And ready to go when they were.

Addy doesn't understand what the kid is doing but she nuzzles him, nuzzles Leo and turns.


Raphael meanwhile is ummming a bit and then nodding, " fairrrr point I guess though if we're doing tunes I nominate the Leo's first." a grin at his counterpart, bit of a smirk at the Leos. Interested himself in the answer.


Like Addy Lilo only understood half the references andnames but she was chuckling and enjoying the teasing none the less humming a little and giggling at Leonardo's question. " You may have them come looking for you." all giggles, kissing Raphs shoulder.

Raph laughed at Big Blue’s contribution. And again at his counterpart’s suggestion.

“Now that’s something I’d pay to hear. Come on, Big Blue. Call the nymphs. Let’s hear some Lana.” Absolutely taunting. Daring the big, deep voiced Leonardo for a tune.

And hey, big guy probably wouldn’t mind if a nymph came a visiting.

He chuckles as he’s kissed on the shoulder again and pulls Lilo a little tighter for a moment and gives her a brief nuzzle in response. Still using his expression to taunt Big Blue for a tune!

Leo is amazed that Duncan has figured that out already. And there's a brief moment of open mouthed staring at the child before he manages to find his tongue.

"Whoa! Great job, Duncan! That's static electricity! And you're right. It does look like tiny lightning, doesn't it?" Oh... he hopes he's not asked for more than that. Because Duncan has already exhausted his knowledge on the matter...

Leo holds Duncan and will help get him in the sling, even as he watches the conversation between the others. He's actually a little amused by the turn this has taken. He doesn't really want the nymphs seeking him out, but it might be amusing to see if his counterpart actually does try to sing back to them. Hopefully, appearing to focus on getting Addy and Duncan ready to move will prevent any actual attempts to make him sing. He can at least carry a tune, it came along with learning to mimic voices and he's pretty good at that. He just doesn't really want to, and he definitely doesn't want to deal with nymphs seeking out him in particular.

A laugh and lightly shoving Leonardo grinning at Leo and Raph, " yeah come on fearless leader belt out a tune for the ladies... and or gent nymphs out there." his tone is playful. His shove however is daring and challenging.


Raphael knows how to get his big blue wearing brother to sing. Guy was fairly good at it actually. " though not Lana, hows about some Fred Parris? or The Mavericks? or something oldie goldies... The Platters?"

A happy soft hoot and she is happy to slip arms about Raph's shoulders squeeze him in the brief hold, letting go to draw back a little and though she was maybe a little eager to hear this song. Ready to move on with the group!

Sensing the challenge, the more subtle ones from Raph and Leo, the overtly so from Raphael the expectations of Lilo - and even Addy even if she was maybe flirting a bit with Leo Leonardo could see with her back to him and unable to help much with this part of getting Duncan into the sling she was teasing Leo a little with her soft tail.


Well he was not one to back down from a challenge and Raphael's suggestions brought to mind a favourite song. It appears to the untrained eye he has vanished and reappeared, ninjas might have seen the slip out into the rain and find a space, he is quiet adept at throwing his voice, and pretty decent in terms of singing he is knows.


"
Heavenly shades of night are falling
It's twilight time
Out of the mist your voice is calling
'Tis twilight time
When purple colored curtains
Mark the end of the day
I hear you my dear at twilight time"


He is not aware of the other singers stopping to listen.


"Deepening shadows gather splendor
As day is done
Fingers of night will soon surrender
The setting sun
I count the moments darling
Till you're here with me
Together at last at twilight time"


He is however very aware of the nymphs, some blue, some green, a variety of markings, like petite slim little women gathering in the various shadows. Oh dear, well he is committed now -

"I'm disappointed it's not Lana." He's kidding. Actually quite amused by Big Blue actually singing for the nymphs. Even if it isn't the singer he had mentioned.

Raph chuckles softly and leans back as the nymphs respond to Leonardo's song. He keeps an arm around Lilo.

"So... Big Blue, you gonna do something 'bout that?" All grins.

Though he has a feeling it's going to be a little bit before they move on again...

Maybe they should have waited to put Duncan up on Addy's back... Leo sort of hesitates as his counterpart does actually go out to sing. He chuckles slightly at the playful tail and at one point briefly tries to catch it as it gets close to his face.

As the nymphs come out of the forest, Leo is clearly curious about them. Despite the curiosity, he sidles closer to Addy and Duncan, positioning himself as to be clearly associated with them. Leo slips one arm around Addy. He is, however, slightly awed by the creatures he only knows from mythology books. It is, however, Leo. And Leo plays things close to the vest. So his awe is mostly concealed.

Leonardo is sizing up the nymphs... and his back to his travelling companions no one but a fellow adult male turtle would know he was allowing his tail to drop into view, without wearing pants he was free to be a little naughty, showing of the muscles of his legs and arms a little and mostly subtly, his tail... not so much that he wagged slowly, it was long and maybe hinting at what he only brought out for play time or peepee and he could see a couple of nymphs were definitely picking up his display.


It amused Leonardo to think had he been a peacock mutant he might have displayed all his ass eyes. As it was he only had his deep voice, muscles and that tail.


Answering Raph over his shoulder, " I want to but we are ready to move...." he is eyeing the nymphs again, he really would like to do something about their interest... but maybe once they were done with this? he rejoins them....


One nymph gathering her courage and following the huge genio innucou - literally a frog green shadow.

Duncan is still much to happy happy and proud of himself and happily playing with Leo's bandana tails and making more sparks to pay much attention, he'd been delighted with Leo's reactions and wasn't sure how to ask more about this thing he discovered just yet. Though he is thinking about it!


Blinking when the singing starts and ooooohing, a lot less nervous about the nymphs than he had been about the storm, giggling when Addy's tail teases his dad and trying to help Leo catch the curling soft end.

Raphael is so very amused, " hahahah hahaha you want to do something though..." huge exasperated sigh, he did pick up on his brother showing the tail off for the nymphs. And it looked like it worked the critters were not leaving as Leonardo comes back to them. Though they must have been shy - well most of them one was following Leonardo.


" hahah you made a friend." a glance at Lilo and Raph then Addy and Leo, mostly to see if the girls had any more nymph info.

Lilo is totally not ooposed to waiting a bit before they move on, Raph's arm about her and the opportunity to just spoil him with more of her pleased soft hums in is ear hole her tail about him, " Lana next time?" to Leonardo from Raph's shoulder and giggling at Raph's words, eying the nymphs around Raph and a little uneasy with her, though wildermann were not the usual prey of nymphs and her nerves were mostly cause she'd never been this close to a nymph. " Hiiiii." to her.


" unusual for one to leave come this close to a group of us, their usually a bit shy. Hence the singing to lure prey, or communicate with other they were about. So to have one brave enough to slip among them was something new.


And she was clearly at unease, but determined to stay near Leonardo. " A lot of them also don't speak the traders tonue but she miiight."

Addy feels Leo is closer, and Duncan's happy sort of sounds between trying to repeat the words static electricity and Addy is reciprocate slipping an arm about Leo her tail going the other way, as a Klaustreich luckily she was regarded with a little wariness so even though the nymphs are looking from a distance with interest now Leonardo clearly created interest And one even came over - she is purring and brushes Leo's shoulder with her cheek and whiskers watching the nymph that followed Leonardo over.


" Hello..." smiling welcomingly whilst eyeing the nymph curiously a chuckle when Leonardo offered a hand to the bright green nymph and she took it eagerly speaking in the soft almost musical clicks and hums that Nymphs do. Addy does not know any of their language but says slowly, "Scandian." the name given to the traders talk the majority of the Nexus spoke.


Nymph pouts thoughtfully, tries it, she knew some but her command of the language is limited. " i.... Kovu." touching her chest.


A small grin Addy gives, at least they had a name and at least knew she had some words. Or at least enough to say her name.

Leo chuckled softly as Duncan joined in trying to catch Addy’s tail. He was enjoying the moment.

Oh, Leo caught the naughty, he has some mixed feelings about it that he will keep to himself, but he’s not surprised, and it definitely worked, so... whatever.

“Wow...” It’s soft, the creature that followed is incredible. His counterpart initiated the interest, Leo will allow him to determine how to proceed from here with the nymph. He is a little awed by the creature. It’s something out of a fantasy novel.

Leo does add in a “Hello.” His interest in the nymph is not unlike his interest in the dolphins leaping near the boat when they were sailing near the reef. It’s cool to get to meet one.

There is a vague gesture toward his counterpart. Sort of a silent handing of the reigns with a 'You brought her over, do whatever you're going to do,' look. He rather hopes that whatever is about to happen doesn't take hours, but he can see little added harm in waiting out more of this storm. And who knows, maybe there could be some benefit from getting to know this nymph.

Leo definitely does not leave Addy’s side, and has absolutely no interest in doing so. He stays right where he is, still holding Duncan. He sort of cocks his head at the name of the language they’re speaking. Interesting that they call it something else. He's not going to step on any introductions to comment on it though.

Raph is enjoying Leonardo's singing. And he chuckles into Lilo's shoulder at her asking for Lana next time. "Dude's a bass! He can't pull off Lana. Now... Little Blue..."

"I'm going to stop you right there. I've never heard of her."

Well, poo. Though to be honest, neither had Raph. Still, now he wanted to hear Little Blue sing! Though he had a feeling it would be harder to coax a song out of him than Big Blue.

He gives the nymph that followed Big Blue back to the group a slight wave of greeting. And he manages to filter just enough of his thoughts to not confuse the nymph. He leaves it at the wave.

" Kovu," voice as smooth as melt dark chocolate, Leonardo grins a little at Leo's gesture, dude really should relax and at some point make out his pretty catgirl sometime - but the teasing does not even make it onto his face as he is turning his attention to the nymph, " Kovu... would you like to help us?" voice slowly and letting her think over the words as he says them not sure what she might or might not understand/ but giving her time, and well they could always use more eyes and ears and hands on this mad crazy mission to plunder and splunk a bunch of caves inhabited by trolls, goblins and spinotods and possibly many more nasties besides.


Kovu is smiling, nervous but so far as she expected the Genio Innocuo were all nice, and surprisingly the Klaustreich female even if she was clearly marking that Genio Innocuo as her own though Kovu wondered if that would keep her fellow nymphs from trying to seek him out? Probably not.


And the wildermann was likewise showing mine signs.


though she understood some of Leonardos words and nods eagerly - she'd come over after all, she'd follow him everywhere! " heeelp... hellllp.... yes = they - wait." pointing at the other nymphs more hidden now and unlike her not ready to come into the open.


Leonardo smiles at her she beams back, " thank you." a grin at the others... looks lik ehe'd just possibly scored them a back up. " we doing this? and I might not sound tooo bad doing some Lana songs, tell you what will think on it."

" your a leo though you gotta have some eclectic choices in music dude, pelt out a tune of your favourite." the Raphael slightly challenges the Leo rolling his eyes at Leonardo, " typical one half a song and you have all the ladies here... and a few guys." Though he is certainly not denying that could come in very very handy.


" yeah come on Leos lead on lets get this stuff and go." cause even with all the wonderful distraction of the teasing and the company - ooooh he saw a few look his way! he makes muscles flex - fact was he knew they were near those spinotods and his skin was crawling!

"I would rather not.

"Yeah, Little Blue! Sing out, Dude!"

Leo looked between the two Raphs as he started actually getting Duncan into the sling. "Nooooo."

"Big Blue did it. Afraid?"

"No!" Shell. For a long moment, Leo tires to ignore Raph and his comment. He fails. Uuuuuugh!

"Fine." When Leo starts, he's not trying to call out to the nymphs. It's much softer. Intentionally so. And not knowing just how killing dragons would be taken here, Leo will just leave out that part. Duncan is secured by now, but Leo keeps his hands on Addy's shoulders. He doesn't exactly stop her from turning around, but he's not encouraging it either. In fact, if she does... he's sort of afraid he won't finish.

"Dreamers have mountains they will climb
There are dreamers who don't believe in time
Only dreamers have worlds where they can fly far away

Dreamers have shooting stars they chase
There are others with nightmares they must face
Sometimes dreamers are forced to leave their dreams far away

And there are people who don't dream at all

Sometimes you need to take the time
To find treasures and mountains we can climb
And maybe we dream to change the way that we feel
'Cause to dreamers the real world can be unreal"

If there are nymphs or turtles or anyone else looking, Leo doesn't particularly care. There are select few he's willing to acknowledge at the moment. He feels a bit like he overshared the song he heard long ago through a storm drain that for whatever weird reason stuck with him. Typically, he won't even let his brothers hear him hum it. There's a slightly sarcastic hope that the Raphs are happy, that while unstated probably shows on his face slightly when he looks up at them.

"Yeah... let's go."

" whooooooooaaaaa man deeeep.... that was all feels. Well done." Leonardo says ahead of them, Lilo had draaged Raph to the front to be side her Addy assumed when they enter the caves - or maybe away from the Nymphs who had not left and scooted closer, eyeing Leo with interest now -


" yeah man nice pipes."


Addy was not sure why Leo didn't want any eye contact during the singing and she listened to the song, and though back to their moment when he cut away from finishing after Addy, I.... she lets the others go ahead, wondering if Leo would pick up more in the looks from the bigger turtles then she did... and she smile Duncan was laa laaa laaaing - cause Leo had sung hahaha that was adorable. She hears the yeah lets go and the others turned to start off, she swings her tail between Leo and the open side of the out cropping, slowing so he didn't have to let go of her shoulders but she could find his eyes she hoped over her shoulder briefly, smiling " that did sound good... dreams of sailing are usually spectacular." of course he had been sailing with her so he knew the real stuff was better. And she didn't want him to feel he might have overstepped some boundary with the song though she wasn't entirely sure if the share was for her or the interdimensional brothers.

Laaaa laaa laaaing now -


At first he's just sort of not comprehending all the words but enjoying it none the less and watching Leo in some awe distracted from his discovery.


Now he'd thought he'd try! and was in the sling happily laaaa laaa laaing.

Lilo nuzzles Raph's cheek enjoying the chuckles and grins a little, wowing as Leo takes is turn wondering at the choice in song and missing the underlying messages from Leonardo and Raphael - whispering to Raph as she draws him along at the lets go and go to start them off along the narrow bridging cover of outcropping rock towards the closest cave, noting the nymphs all remained close, Kovu the only one still among them and looking impressed at Leo's singing. And amused by Duncan.


" hows about you and Raphael warrior?" a bit playful and a bit nudging.

There's a slight grunt at the comments from Leonardo and Raphael. Even the little Raph seems appreciative, though Leo is sort of off put by the soft, slow clap. He's sort of stubbornly not looking at them at the moment, so the looks are lost. If anything, he slips a little closer to Addy, maaaayyyybe resting his chin very briefly on her shoulder seeking... something...? It's at least under the guise of checking the sling and nuzzling Duncan. It's extremely brief and he releases her arms and he's pulled himself away again. The motion borders on forceful on his part, but only on him, not on her. He's gentle with any contact with her.  He's still standing next to her, still close enough to brush against her as they move, but definitely pulled back from whatever he had been looking for. It's "Addy... I--" all over again, but without the physical distance this time.

He smiles at Duncan's singing and looks at Addy as she speaks. Another slight smile, but it doesn't quiiiiite reach his eyes. "I'm sure they are."

Leo is torn. So... so torn. He wants to throw something. He doesn't give in to the desire. He holds it at bay. Once more, Leo's a hot mess. There's a sliiiight glance to his counterpart. Also torn there. He knows what the guy will say. Leo wants someone else's advice... But he knows darned well that all his options here will say the exact same thing. He finds himself missing Raph... His Raph. Raph would probably say the same thing too... but at least he'd know where Leo's coming from...

Who'd have thought he'd be wishing for his Raph to be a voice of reason...

Raph laughed when Lilo wanted him to sing.

"I am an instigator, not a singer."

Though he does feel a little bad... it looks like it all might have at least confused Little Blue... He pushes that aside though as he follows Lilo.

"Besides, you want all those nymphs looking at me like they're looking at them now?" He sort of vaguely gestures to the two Leos.

Raph is not, however, immune to peer pressure, and if his counterpart takes a stab at a song, he will probably wind up being convinced to try too.

They were toward the front of the group, and Raph slips ahead of Lilo as they come up on the narrow bridging.

Raphael sighed, really what was on Leo's mind and seriously didn't he trust them at all to be more original if he wanted to try talking to either him or Leonardo again...


He hears Raph and sniggers, " maybe after we get some goodies and are on our way again you can sing a tune then mmmmeee I wanna impresss some nymphs too! flexing his muscles now for Kovu, she grins but ducks in closer to Leonardo. " see need a shadow that cute!"

This time the draw back touches on insecurities Addy really tried her best to ignore. What if the 'Addy... I," was more a I like you but not like that? or something along those lines and she was again being to in his personal space?


Though she supposed for the moment it was a good thing keeping the interested nymphs at bay. Still the smile, not smile was not exactly encouraging and she almost sort of doesn't maintain her own - then they were in the cave and she was glad because she could focus. Focus on items that would be pricey that would draw interest and buyers and maybe help them help her find a new long boat.


She wanted to move ahead but she had Duncan and whilst his singing was definitely help her not get too distracted with negativity right now she reaches back to his foot and squeezes lightly, " that is pretty young one buuuut shhhhh now we don't want to wake meanies.' No if they could avoid it at all for most the part they would.


the nymph among them excited and frightened and shy sticking close to Leonardo's shell, then she must have began getting a sense of what they were looking for and begins to lead a little a tad more familiar with the cave system here that them all.

His two big people were good at keeping worries from Duncan, he happily sang until Addy made shhh sounds he puts finger to lips and sssshhhhs too.


Ahead of the and giggling a little glancing back to the opening they were leaving and he vague shapes of nymphs there she shakes her head, " I guess I wouldn't like that.... mmmmm just for me then?" she grins hearing Raphael and nods back at him. " yes yes just encase we have to fight our way out of here.... and flee." she agrees glancing back at Addy and Leo and Duncans smiling watching Kovu move a little ahead pointing excitedly huh as least some one new the way.

Leo wishes he could allow himself to indulge in dreams like that. He notices the change and with a soft, barely there sigh and whispered "sorry..." He sadly allows her some space. He still wants to sail with her forever, to follow her wherever she might lead him. Never in his life has he wanted to follow someone else like he wants to follow her.

She's doing a much better job of not being distracted by negativity than he is. And that's dangerous. He can't allow himself to be distracted like that. He stops walking for a brief moment to recenter and refocus. Leo picks up a small rock and throws it. Uphill. Into a small grassy space so it lands softly. It's the only hint of actual release he allows himself. His glance to Addy is longing, but he doesn't allow it to be more than a glance. One more deep breath to refocus, and he hurries to catch up.

There's another glance to the larger, older Leonardo, with the nymph sticking close to his shell, and though Leo doesn't actually trust him to be more creative than some variation on 'just bang her, already,' Leo knows he needs help. Maybe once they get a chance to stop again...

Okay... a plan. Sort of. At least something to work with. He takes a deep breath and opens his senses again, reaching out to see what's around. Focused, keeping an eye on the group.

He's grinning. Being cheeky again. "Hmm... I dunnoooo. Maybe those things are warm too..." There's a teasing smirk as he looks to Lilo.

"Pretty sure the whole language barrier thing would be a deal breaker though. Wouldn't get my jokes."

And Raph noticed that Kovu seemed to be leading the way now instead of Lilo. And his next whispered comment is much softer, and actually serious.

"How far are you going to come with us?"

Kovu blinks a little not entirely understanding all the words, but picking up enough to get the gist of this genio innocuous question. She assumed the colored bandanas meant the two red and two blue were brothers. And the girls mates - maybe?


She slowly gets the question as she gestures for her followers to slow they slid down intot his tunnelling and a bit of light ahead indicated an low opening, set further back then the one they came in and there was the sweetish sort of musty smell that she knew heralded a spinotod nest. " where... he ... wants... me goes..." she answers a little haltingly. And yep she was ready to follow Leonardo to wherever he lead her, and if he left her somewhere she would stay."[/color]

Duncan is happy, unawares still his big people are not, though he is eyeing Leo concerned and trying to rouse a smile because he could sense something was bothering him. Waving and making faces but careful to remain quiet whilst doing so knowing Addy told him to shhhhhh.

A bit of a shy grin at Leo and shake of her head, sort of silently apologizing herself for any sort of line crossings she had maybe forgotten about. And she certainly wasn't mad at Leo, so a teasing flick of her tail to reassure him of that and a silent laugh she couldn't see Duncan but she felt his movements and had to wonder what the kid was up to.


She is wondering a bit where the Nymph was leading them but when she paused them in a narrowish sort of tunnel she knew, she could scent it... " that smell... that's the scent that a spinotod nest gives off, the combination of the venom and spit and other things used to mix with the silk that makes the hardened egg sacks to protect the eggs.... I image now and then when willing to risk it the nymphs probably steal a few for food." a bit of a grin that the nymph was willing to follow or stay wherever Leonardo left her. Whatever the guy did with his tail and the song certainly won this one over.

" dawwwwww bro sounds like ya have a girlfriend.' Raphael teases Leonardo and grins back at Leo and Raph, barely seeing them in the dark of the tunnel they were in now but knowing where they were thanks to scent and the feel of them near by, Leo and Leonardo gave off the sense they filled the small tunnel... or any space they were in, his own brother maybe a slight more so because he was bigger in body and so echoed across in that weird way.


Raph gave off a feeling of similarity most likely cause he was a counterpart. Raphael was holding back a dry heave when he heard they neared nests and that dust mite old granny smell was due to that iiiick... " suddenly now I am glad you smell fantastic  Addy... cause that is an unpleasant scent."

Lilo is giggling and her tail playfully strokes the center of Raph's plastron, " pfffft I am warmer." she is pleased with the language thing and nods somewhat seriously, " that would be tragic." voice softer as they slowed and were in the dark, she sniffs... oh right yep that was the smell... " ewwww."


Not a unpleasant smell really but... eeeeewwwww.

Raph laughs softly, almost silently, but honestly as Lilo responds confidently to his teasing. Oh yeah. Girl is awesome. He's grinning like a fool. Very briefly he nuzzles her before turning his attention back to where they're going.

"I know, right?"

Raph had really been more interested in making sure Lilo was going to stick around now that she wasn't the primary guide, but he's curious about this Kovu nymph girl too.

He whistles lowly at her response.

"Wow, Big Blue. What'd you-- uuuugh." And spinutod stench is effective at shutting Raph up.  Well... mostly...

"What do you suppose the chances are that this is the nest of the one that Big Guy already killed...?" Because not having to fight more of those would be a nice switch...

Lilo bluerghs a little, and shakes her head. " sadly no... that female was too high up to have a nest down in here." In fact she hadn't thought of leaving with the group until... until now and her eyes widen a little in the dark and she eyes the nymph, a shy creature, they live half solo half group lives and barely leave their homes. Like Wildermann. But... Lilo glances at Raph and at the nymph again.


then back to Raph and she catches a hand and squeezes, annnnd finally understanding that question had been for her.... even though the nymph answered, she waits until there is a glance in the dark at her and nods. The whole concept frightened her to be honest but she'll continue with them too. " Yes."

Hearing Kovu's response to Raph's words Leo realizes that Leonardo's little naughty back there had been exceptionally effective. He's not sure how he feels about that.

And Leo can't help but chuckle silently at Duncan's antics. And Leo knows what that tail flick means! He stifles a soft noise as he hurries closer to them again and rubs goofy, little guy's head. Leo also retakes his spot near Addy and Duncan. He desperately wants to talk to her, but now is definitely not the time. He is instead repositioning himself slightly for better coverage in their current surroundings. Leo is also working to bunch the group up a little more. Closing some of the space between himself and the other turtles as much as possible.

Leo glances over as Addy explains the odor of the cave. He wrinkles his snout at it slightly but doesn't say anything.

There miiiiight have been a glower at Raphael commenting on Addy's scent, but it's controlled quickly. Leo has other things to worry about. Like where the usual occupant of this cave is at the moment. Leo reaches out as much as he can. Searching for any other presences that might be in the cave.

Addy smiles, her tail brushing over Leo's arm in an comforting sort of way, friendly and light and of course it was all dry now so extra fluffy from the cleaning she had had. She was interested in Kovus response and can't help, Leonardo had not been overly forthcoming as to what he had done to elicit such a reaction.


She elbows the big turtle he had been quiet so far and Addy was assuming he was doing the Leo thing and searching their surroundings, listening, sniffing and watching so hadn't wanted to push and distract him but Leo was closer to her and Duncan again and she feels emboldened to poke the bicep of the bigger blue wearing turtle and ask, " soooo what did you do?" must have been something and it made her intensely curious. Even if they were in the dark facing a possible raid with an active mother on watch.


And the said beastie was there, some distance off wrapping a kill but there.

Duncan happily wriggles, and he couldn't squeal having been told to shuuuush but he did put all his self into catching Leo's hand and mumbling Daaaaad in a delighted way pleased to see the chuckling and nuzzling into the large but with him always gentle hand.


Annnnnd he was avoiding the smell by burying his snout into that bigger hands.