Goodbye Swamp, Allo Araluen.

Donatello gave his counterparts shell a little bit of a shove and sort of a tap grinning, a silent, gooo on - and further encouraging by wading and moving into the deeper part of the water, which only came to the top scutes of his plastron and began to slow down the children excited swimming and playing by asking if they could out float him.


Leon of course yelp she sooo can and floooooats.


Elena maybe had a bit of an advantage over Liam here, she spread her wings giggling and just floooated -


Liam had never tried... and was sort of rolling only and over... making a frustrated sound - the perfect time for his dad to join them and play with game of being floating dead fish.


Uh...


turtles...

And the floaty blue bandana wearing turtle must have been some what listening and thinking along the same lines, and a little over what happened in the astral plane. " Ya guys think maybe one or more of yous could actually go full dragon and scare the living beeejeeebus out of some of our enemies?!"


" is that possible?!" squeaked Yua.


Bebe was not sure if she was doing this flirting thing right but as she sits she grins and will wait until later to read this wing color bit off to them. Equally looking a bit alarmed at that and it showed in flashes of orange along her wings. Mingling with her happy pink bubbles and also pink blush splodges.


Sopping wet and chuckling Inaba waits trying to help Liam but she doesn't know the trick to getting him to flot with his shell and all.

Don glanced over at the shove. He gave his counterpart a slight smile. Still nervous, but alright, alright, he's going! And knowing the others have his shell is encouraging.

He moves into the water and rubs Liam's head, helping stabilize him a little. "Breathe out a bit." Don exhaled himself, showing Liam what he meant. A full breath of air made shells a little extra wobbly. Don actually still finds being on his shell uncomfortable. Awkward at the very least, and he has forced down a feeling of distress at the position more than once. His brothers don't seem as bothered as he is, but he really couldn't say that for sure. Maybe they just hide it as he tries to. "And make yourself as long and wide as you can." Encouraging him to stretch his legs and arms out as he considers Leon's question. He almost chuckles on the startled responses from the ladies, but managed to stop himself and smile instead.

"Sure, we can become our avatars. Well... we've done it once before, anyway." And he's certain he could do it again, because as he mentioned to Donatello once before, he feels like his chi is actually stronger here than it was with the amulet.

"We're small dragons though. Really small, and barely children by dragon standards. They're ancient creatures, and extremely long lived. I highly doubt normal dragons would be much concerned by the sight of any of us. Though..." He trails off there a bit, thinking back to that final battle with the ancient demon Shredder and his dragon. Considering how to word his next sentence.

"We were also able to sort of... join together? And draw forth or become the spirit of Master Yoshi. Um... sort of." Don is certain they had done things as Yoshi that even Yoshi himself could never have done. He sort of knows how they did it, and especially if his brothers are feeling their chis as strongly as he is, he's certain they could do it again, maybe without the near death experience would be nice though...

The Ninja Tribunal had never quite seemed to truly understand that Don and his brothers were stronger together than they could ever be individually. Sure the Tribunal understood operating as a team, but not the strength of the brotherhood that the turtles shared.

Donatello grins, he would probably do this, Leon or Mikey when he woke and was not in too much paaain from his tail but yeah he could imagine all three doing this as much as possible, that is using every moment to have his shell but get him out and moving, hoping to exercise those lungs and encourage movements, anything to try help building Don's endurance slowly.


And of course they would have his shell.


And it was adorable listening.


Especially as those frustrated little sounds that Liam had been making became happy chirp and a beam up at DaddyDon, and then focusing, that I will get this right, serious face in place and doing, copying Don breathing out slowly and lying back slowly, slowly because he was eager to nuzzle up into Don's hand on his head. But he is doing so and managing to keep relaxed.


Inaba woooow and then shrugged a little, " we don't have any really old dragons we know of currently that are gigantic sizes, like the genio innocuo the existence of the really big ones is mostly myth and legend." And that was definitely making the entire genio innocuo seem all the more as the myth and legends painted them.


Yua wooows thinking that too, " is your... joined together one... much larger than the individual?" curiously.


Bebe is listening very much in awe.

Don is unaware of his counterpart's thoughts. Yes, he does need to get moving again slowly. At the same time, he is afraid to, knowing that it will likely cause another attack, and force him to take that reliever again. It all seems a vicious cycle.

But for now, he's focusing on playing with Liam and considering the conversation around him. That happy chirp is met with a comforting churl. He smiles at that familiar determined expression and dips his hand back close to the water as Liam nuzzles into it, further encouraging the little guy to stretch out and float.

Don isn't really sure what to do with this awe he's picking up off the girls, and shuffles ever so slightly under it. Though it's mostly hidden in the water. He takes a moment to carefully consider Inaba's words. There's no hubris in his tone, just an attempt to answer the question as honestly as possible. "Myth and legend, perhaps, but like you said, so are genio innocuo. And... at the very least... there's an Eldunari out there." He'd felt it when Leo had briefly opened that cask. And he had seen it through Duncan's eyes during that contact with Liam.

Another frown at Yua's question. He is taking his time to honestly consider the question.  "You know... I'm not sure. I suppose so. No, I'm pretty sure it was. Just... spatial awareness was... ah... a little skewed at the time. The glance and slight smile is almost embarrassed for not being more sure about his response.

Donatello is relaxed, a turtle true to the at least semi aquatic lifestyle of a box turtle, happy and listening and waving a hand. " even if they can't no doubt manifesting themselves would be awfully horrifying for those that consider us foes. Especially Draco." amused and still plotting many small excursions like this and chuckling with Leon as -


Liam is finally understanding, spreading out and floating and nuzzling at that hand maybe propelled in lazy floated circles because his tail was wagging away because he was floating and happy chirpy chirping at his dads noise, and stretching so far out his tail stilled and farted making bubbles and the other turtles chuckle.


Even a sleepy Mikey chuckled and mumbled in his sleep, " hahaha count it..." happy snore.


Ladies giggle Inaba moving to climb up on shore away from Yua and Bebe so as she sets her paws and gives herself a ear rattling shake all over she doesn't wet the book. " that is certainly true, we will be back with some of your brothers soon Don or at least one but perhaps two if the desert crew found Leo's lot... we should check map later."


They had adjusted to find their way to the edge of the largest river, the one that split the continents. And if the brothers could mind speak suggesting they find each other along there.


Bebe smiles at Don from where she was as Yua nods and agrees, she could see that, and she is mulling over her husbands words. The fae meanwhile is still in awe, " and either would be... So... scarily awesome."

Don is not chuckling at his counterpart's words, but he's clearly amused by something said.

"I honestly don't know what powers Draco seems to think he has, but last time we dealt with him, he was pretty convinced we didn't have any."

Then thinking for a moment.

"Actually, I don't know how we'd pull it iff, but it would sure be nice to get some insight on that matter..."

He wants that dragon book when there's a chance. Though he doesn't say it at the moment.

Again, Don doesn't chuckle when Liam farts, but he is smiling. Amused, but afraid to laugh. He absently rubs his chest.

And he's smiling again at the possibility of seeing his brothers soon. He is definitely looking forward to that. There's a soft, slightly embarrassed 'heh' at Bebe's awe, and he's shuffling in the water again, blushing slightly. Bebe is probably not doing the flirting thing wrong, Don is just that clueless. So focusing on Liam for a moment before responding to Inaba!

"My last contact with Leo, I was high... He's probably pretty worried..." Their father too... Leo and Master Splinter had helped him through that one.

Yua makes a face, " there were powers among the dragon types, most have gone now, plant growing, luminating patterns on their scales, future visions... that kind of thing, I think Faes were the only ones rumoured to still have natural magic's. But Draco might have gained some it is possible with some potions or talismans or objects of power. "




Donatello notes the not laughing but really that was to be expected and he understood and it just makes him more determined to make sure they get to other Dons and somehow make a oreventir, it will help immensely for Don to start regaining more control and regaining his strength and endurance. He might never be at the peak with his brothers but he will be close. And that was wonderful considering where he had started. He chews his lip in thought over his wife's words stretching out his floaty self to encourage her in, take his hands. " we should try and get in touch with your brother and father and aside from the dragon hide book we do have at least astral access to a dragon soul maybe if we can speak with it sometime we will learn more."



" what more about Draco can we learn too would be helpful." the happily being plastron rubbed Inaba Leon mumbles happily.


They would have to get going soon.


But for the moment... happy turtle bliss.

Don considers Yua's words.

"Are we sure that Draco himself is a Nexus native and not a transplant?" Don asked. He doesn't really know where Draco is originally from. Only that he had once been a contender in the Battle Nexus Tournament. That didn't actually mean he was from the Nexus.

And if he's not from the Nexus, it could really be anything.

"Though... from having met him, I'm sort of inclined to think you're right and he's somehow acquired this power through potions and objects. Otherwise, I can't imagine why he would need the War Staff or Time Scepter so badly."

Unaware of his counterpart's internal undertaking, Don is coughing again. Glad he's in the shallows, because he stood up and moved a bit closer to shore. At least until he brought the attack mostly under control. He's breathing, but it's more work than it should be. Still, he sort of resettles in the water. Content enough to stay just a moment more.

Don nods regarding getting in contact with Leo and Master Splinter again. The trick is finding a moment to do it. The same with the book... "I"d like to take a look at that book when I can... And I think Leo was concerned about trying to touch something as powerful as an Eldunari by himself. He might be okay if Mike and I are there, but... I'm betting he wants Raph too." Because they're a group of four! "Maybe we could reach Raph astrally and that would be enough?" Just Don sort of thinking out loud. He doesn't really expect a response this time.

He is also silently agreeing with Leon. And it occurs to him that he's pretty sure Master Splinter and Usagi are in the Capitol. They might be positioned to get information about Draco. But Don will never, ever suggest that. That sort of mission would put the two in a sort of danger that Don is not willing to be responsible for. So for now... just enjoying the water a moment longer. Though he's wearing out. It's going to be time for him to rest soon.

Yua smiles at Don, " drakes and damonfeuers have a structured society like Reinigen. Only the power is held by females generally, the most beautiful and biggest females, have heard of Drake, he was the last son of a large noble drake family, high enough to have money but not enough for him to ever be considered for a higher marriage. I could imagine that and his place in the society miiiight have lead to him stepping out of the life and looking for more some where." nodding agreeing yes it would be ideal for a power hungry lessor drake to go for such items.


Bebe listens and frowns trying to think of whether she had ever heard of Draco as a noble families son. Nope but then there was plenty of lessons Yua had without her.


This might have been one of them, memorising other families of note across the Nexus. Probably for situations like the one that landed her the kind Donatello now helping her sit back on the edge of the water and beginning to attend to her feet.


Donatello had noted she limped a little and figured it was best to deal with it, but as far as he could find when carefully looking over them whilst listening to Don it was just the usual aches and pains one got from actually being out and about and active. He was proud of her, no more pampered and princess.


Elena wriggled about to follow them, he smiles more and scoops her up to snug, nuzzle and then pop her in Yuas lap when the rat lady reached for her. He returned to massaging the delicate little master splinter like pink rat feet.


" thaaaat does make sense, with dragon avatars maybe reading the book, and communicating with the dragon soul needs your forms?"


" definitely..." mumbles a sleepy Mikey stumbling from the cart in a weird duck waddle and flumph on the moss beside Yua, making her start a little and Elena giggle and Donatello actually look sternly at him for a moment but relaxing when Mikey showed his swollen but thankfully not as badly now tail and no longer cock hanging all out tail.


Donatello made Mikey shuffle to the lower moss so water puddled between the legs and took a moment to check the deflated tail a bit. Returning to Yuas feet from there.


Liam is floating and yawning a bit wiggling his little toes and fingers blinking up at Don, just happy to listen and watch his dad, huge grin on his face.

Don listens politely to Yua's explanation.

"Yeah... that does line up with my impression of him." Definitely could see that being how Draco became who he is.

And honestly... what he had sort of feared Yua might be before they got to know her. He does not say that though, just smiles a thanks for the background information. It's helpful.

He listened to Donatello and nodded.

"Bebe mentioned she didn't recognize the language in the dragon book. I can't promise anything, but it's worth a shot, and for the soul..."

Don frowned slightly. Concerned about the Eldunari.

"It's... it's a lot. It's incredibly powerful. If it can modulate itself, that's fine, but just incase it can't, or doesn't want to... I wouldn't want to approach it on my own either. I mean... touching Liam is difficult enough to channel, and he's only half dragon."

Don is definitely wearing out though, and he saw that little yawn from Liam. He scooped up the child and moved to the shore. He snuggles the little boy, and for now, sits near Bebe and her book.

A grin and Liam snuggled, settling his head on Don's shoulder and reaching out his wet hand to Bebe once they are close enough brushing damp fingers over her.


He is a content little guy, and he is not much of a thumb sucker but every now and then like now he sort of chews on his nails, though as ever when he spots this and sleep or not Mikey reaches into his pockets to give him something nicer to chew on, in this case a nice chunky quarter slice of carrot.



Elena was likewise snuggling on Yua's shoulder and Donatello was satisfied the princesses feet were going to be fine and that the discomfort would be lessened and fade pretty quick with rest in the cart. He grunts softly. " welllllllll those are good plans, it probably is worth the shot, I mean Liam does a lot on instinct perhaps the language of the dragons will be known instinctively to your dragon avatar... and yeah we all felt an scho of the power through you guys, probably right to want to approach it with all four of yous." he wondered if Draco was using dragon hybrids of some sort also or intended to if he didn't already have a elundari in his grasp... well thoughts for another time as he whispers to Yua to go get comfortable with Elena in the cart, moving to do one more check over Mikey's tail. " I'd say have a small splash whilst you can, wash your tail carefully, and leave untucked, but all in all it is going down and that is a relief." maaaybe teasingly a little toward Leon who pokes out his tongue.


" what can I say magic touch? nooow the dude owes me ... when ever you guys try... I think... its probably also have all of us in attendance for more support." and he watches Don smiling, because it was possible like the book none of them would actually understand anything spoken between dragons, avatars or spiritual buuut to be there for strength and closeness was just what mutant ninja turtles did!


Bebe smiled and didn't mind Liams touch moving closer and playfully battering her wings against his little snout the yellows and pinks all softening for him, and a different happy loving pink swirling through them just for him. A smile at Don and she opens the book to what she is ready, something about the solors being a reflection of strong emotion and created by magic obtained as the wings grew larger, and the faes magical abilities stronger. And there was a chart, but maybe a little faded due to age she might need to touch up the colors but most still had a small amount of the original color there.


Donatello grins as Mikey slips past to have a little bathing swim, he watches Don and Bebe and Liam" if yous want to join Yua to get comfy its cool Leon and I can watch his lover boy here." tease making Leon blow a raspberry at him and Inaba actually laugh she was shaking water out of her furr and especially off her fluffy tail.

((OOC: HAHAHAHAHAA!! Link: Was the nail biting with this in mind? ))

Don smiles when Liam reaches over to Bebe, and he tries brushing some of the water off the little hand just to make sure it doesn't drip on her book! He snuggles the little guy, just enjoying the moment with Liam. And he smiles when Bebe sort of brushes Liam with her wings. Even with the conversation around them, he's sort of looking over Bebe's shoulder at the book, and gives her a smile. Don thanks Mikey when he offers the carrot for Liam. And he squeezes the smaller turtle's shoulder briefly, sort of a 'feel better' and a 'thanks' combined.

Even with the bit of conversation going on Don is fading fast. Despite that it was minimal, that short session and the shorter walk to the water has definitely taken it out of him. He is droopy as he listens to Donatello and Leon's responses.

And he nods agreement. Even if it doesn't work, they have nothing to lose if he attempts to read the dragon book. And even without his avatar, Don learned quite a bit in the Ninja Tribunal library about older languages, so if he can find any sort of primer he might be able to glean at least a little information.

Heck, even pictures might be useful.

But the fact remains, that there's no harm in trying. The worst that can happen is it they're back where they started.

And yeah, having all the turtles in the Nexus connected to touch the sort of power they felt from the Eldunari would probably be best. He nods agreement, but he's fading fast. It's time to rest, and breathing is getting progressively more difficult.

While Donatello and Leon banter, Don sort of chokes on a yawn. He gets through it, and it's followed by a frustrated grunt.

Fine. He is frustrated as he gets up and heads to the cart. Don is doing his level best to keep his feelings on this matter to himself, but he's definitely frustrated. And the slight stumble half way to the cart does nothing to help. He is glowing faintly as he changes his course and moves to Donatello.

If he's going to try to sleep, now is as good a time as any to take that inhaler. Hopefully if he does it now, he can sleep better and rest through the worst of the effects.

((ooc: thats the one!! only with more lazy and less on the edge of ones seat movie stare ))

Don smiles when Liam reaches over to Bebe, and he tries brushing some of the water off the little hand just to make sure it doesn't drip on her book! He snuggles the little guy, just enjoying the moment with Liam. And he smiles when Bebe sort of brushes Liam with her wings. Even with the conversation around them, he's sort of looking over Bebe's shoulder at the book, and gives her a smile. Don thanks Mikey when he offers the carrot for Liam. And he squeezes the smaller turtle's shoulder briefly, sort of a 'feel better' and a 'thanks' combined.

Even with the bit of conversation going on Don is fading fast. Despite that it was minimal, that short session and the shorter walk to the water has definitely taken it out of him. He is droopy as he listens to Donatello and Leon's responses.

And he nods agreement. Even if it doesn't work, they have nothing to lose if he attempts to read the dragon book. And even without his avatar, Don learned quite a bit in the Ninja Tribunal library about older languages, so if he can find any sort of primer he might be able to glean at least a little information.

Heck, even pictures might be useful.

But the fact remains, that there's no harm in trying. The worst that can happen is it they're back where they started.

And yeah, having all the turtles in the Nexus connected to touch the sort of power they felt from the Eldunari would probably be best. He nods agreement, but he's fading fast. It's time to rest, and breathing is getting progressively more difficult.

While Donatello and Leon banter, Don sort of chokes on a yawn. He gets through it, and it's followed by a frustrated grunt.

Fine. He is frustrated as he gets up and heads to the cart. Don is doing his level best to keep his feelings on this matter to himself, but he's definitely frustrated. And the slight stumble half way to the cart does nothing to help. He is glowing faintly as he changes his course and moves to Donatello.

If he's going to try to sleep, now is as good a time as any to take that inhaler. Hopefully if he does it now, he can sleep better and rest through the worst of the effects.[/quote]


Inaba ooohs and gives Leon a shove - the pudgy Leo hops on the spot and hurries over as Donatello smiles sympathetically and withdraws the puffer for Don to have, Leon bumping against them because he didn't slow in time as he joins them, " Inaba thought it would feel less like teleportation if we did a quick sweep of the map and then showed where we are planning to be." he huffs grinning and eagerly so. Well he kinda liked the idea, of course it wont replace the actual distance covered in sleep buuut hopefully make it a bit easier to transition.


" huh not a bad idea at all... alright go - go check it out... but you and I should keep eyes on Mikey."


Said orange clad turtle had managed an 'anytime and thanks dude... I sure hope sooo - soo uncomfortable!' sort of face in return and was slipping further into the water to wash and cool the tail as Donatello suggested as the girls were getting out and dried.


Save Bebe she was still so and her lips had brush cheek's of both Liam and Don for being gentle, and careful with her and the book, happy to show Don the colors - and not noting she reflected in soft pastel smudges the colors described for feelings of happiness and love and attraction. Now turning a mix of the pinks and greys for the slight worry around the edges. All brighter when the others were not so close to her.


" just Don's brothers for now - and as their grouped with variants of our own we can update the map as to where everyone is."

Don blinked at the light kiss. He smiled slightly embarrassed because... he still doesn't know what to do with this. And even having Bebe's attraction almost literally spelled out for him on her wings is not helping him know what to do with the information. But he does smile, and he is enjoying the information from the book, and the mostly quiet moment right here.

That is... until his lungs rebelled.

Don hesitates at Inaba's suggestion. He doesn't use the puffer just yet. He likes this idea, it's at least some frame of reference for when he wakes up again, even if it's not going to solve his main problem, it is something! And right now, having something small to help is better than his current situation. He nods, agreeing. Please. He is wearing out fast though, so either they need to be quick or wait until he's up again.

Taking a dose from the puffer would probably buy him waking minutes, but he won't remember much from them. Not that he can promise he'll remember so close to taking the reliever, but it's worth a try. If Leon or Donatello can manage from the group contacts, that's fine, but if they want Don to scry, he's not going to be able to manage that after he uses the puffer. And so he's being as patient as he can be, waiting for them to decide if they want to try it now, or if he's stuck teleporting one more time. He is still managing, but he can't keep this up much longer.

Inaba smiles and nods and well rushed this part, but for the moment as Donatello patted his counterparts shoulder and Leon settles the map into place as she grabs the stones and quick tosses one for herself, it landed on the map past the swampy place and out into the savannah.


And Leon knowing Don's time was limited for the moment of at least mostly coherent thoughts tossed a stone onto the map after Inaba's knowing some of his brothers and there for Don's Mike were travelling towards his Raph and Don's Leo, and spying the stones path trekked to the edge of the lower large continent and stopped right by the waters and his second stone cast stopped there too he let out a whoop, all three of his brothers were either together or about to be. And that meant surely two of Don's brothers were either close or together and he looks at his bunny lady happily.


She nods, keeping voice low as he was clearly keeping his mostly tones off but his bounces are excited - so as not to excite the little boy in Don's arms who looked like chewing on that carry was going to put him to sleep. Yua came over to watch after having folded out one of the benches in the cart for Don to bed down on with Liam. There was another but left up for the moment.


Bebe's wings were still mostly greyish with the pink twinges as she watches, but there is more sunflower yellow curiosity and some excited yellow sparks as Inaba's fluffy tail fluffles and the bunny points along the wap as they wait for Don to cast too. " we will travel along this cut path more, there are smaller rougher ones that cut south and we can get down to the Serpents Pass river here to either wait for your brothers or meet them along here somewhere the river looks small on the map relative to the continents buuuut it is wide and deep and fed from the mountain range back in the vallies..." she traces her finger to show where.


This made the happy pinks bubble across Bebe's wings, because she imagines this is good news and is happy for them. For Don.

Oh, Don desperately wants to lay down! He's so tired, and breathing is so very hard at the moment. He desperately wants to give into sleep. But he also really wants to know where his brothers are, and where his traveling group is going to be heading. Even if he may not actually remember it when he wakes up. There's a chance he will! And he wants to try!

He is thrilled when Leon's casting shows that Leo and Mike are probably either together, or about to be! But he doesn't whoop or even give an excited laugh. He can't right now. But he is definitely glad to see they're together!

Don isn't even willing to risk speaking at the moment. Afraid it will cause another coughing fit and prevent him from finding out where they're going, but he does give Yua a slight bow of thanks for folding down the bench for them.

When it's his turn to cast, he tosses the stone searching for Raph, trusting that Leo and Mike are still with Leon's brothers. Raph should be the last group. They're still  so very far away.

But at least Leo and Mike are probably together, and Don will take that for now. He's a little bleary as Inaba explains where they will be heading, but he's mostly following the information. Not much for him to go on when he wakes up, but it's better than nothing.

He takes just a moment to really focus on that information before he uses the puffer and returns it to his counterpart. Then, as his head clouds and his lungs clear, he makes his way to the cart and that folded down bench to curl up with Liam and rest.

[quote="Donatello2003"]Oh, Don desperately wants to lay down! He's so tired, and breathing is so very hard at the moment. He desperately wants to give into sleep. But he also really wants to know where his brothers are, and where his traveling group

Liam is pretty much out of it happily chewing on the carrot and snuggling into Don, so when Daddy takes him to bed the little guy had teeth sunk into the root vege and drooling a little but hecked if he was going to let go of it now!


Even in sleep.


Leon chuckles and well he felt he had earned some snooze time moves into the cart to join the two in a nap.


Donatello grins, he is waiting calmly for Mikey to finish washing himself and waves a hand at Inaba and Yua, " I think we may have to try napping when Don does and alternating watches whilst at it to keep time with him, make this teleportation more fair." and so they can hang when he is up and Kara's or light walking or whatever else they can find and think up on the trek to find a place along the river side to meet some of Don's brothers.



Inaba chuckles and nods, "not a bad idea... sides been a long couple of days, buuut one of us needs to be up to point out the trail off to the river side."


Mikey groaned a little his tail still felt just too fat and floppy and bug... " I am down for that, hopefully this weird post DonnieBoy dental work will fade..."


" hahaha better than the alternative, so rest..." he help the very Mikey guy up onto the cart, nudging Bebe, she was sort of fiddling with the page edge and her wings were a strange mix of that worried clouded greys, a tinge of blue and still some smudges of pink. " you can share some more of that with me on the way, Yua you up with us a little?" he asks.


Yua nods but first she is unsure but, surely it would be safe, and she can tuck Elena in beside Liam and a soft chuckle when the little guy definitely does not mind the extras cuddles.


She then goes to sit and listen when Bebe goes back some pages to the start to read what she already had for Don, slowly. Inaba snuggling in with Mikey and Leon.


And even Donatello would allow himself, Bebe and Yua when they turn off onto a more wild trail, and they can tuck the huge cart off the track let the beasts be tethers long on trees and graze and sip at a smaller puddle pond of water. Not quite as far as long as they predicted with the the map but close to.

Normally, Don would be concerned about Liam choking on that bit of food. He would have at least kept an eye on that carrot until Liam was completely out and he could remove it from the child's mouth once he reached liquid baby state. As it is... that's definitely not going to happen.

Actually, it will take just a little bit of luck for Don to lay down without falling on top of Liam. And at least that much luck is on his side as he half flops down on his side with the little boy in his arms. When Elena is added to the mix, Don half curls around her too.

And especially high like he is? Well, Don is all for a turtle pile is Mikey is close enough. Though he does not have enough sense or awareness at the moment to stay away from sore tails, so... at your own risk...

Don settles quickly though. He's out like a light and after several minutes will be floppy like the kids get in sleep. And just as hard to wake!

For the most part, Don sleeps soundly as they travel. There are no dreams this time, his physical exhaustion overriding even any drugged astral traveling or contacts.

When he finally does wake up, it's slowly. Most of the worst of the drug's effects have faded from his system, though his head is still slightly foggy, and his balance is not quite where it usually is.

Liam woke with a little bit of a whining chirp -


but it woke Bebe -


it was her turn to watch over the cart whilst Donatello snoozed Yua against his plastron resting, ont he other folded out bench snuggled Leon and Inaba, Mikey splayed over the floor their four large Heftigauroch beasts, like Jersey only black and white colored and shorter filed down horns grazed in wide circles around the trees they were tethered -


and she was - " I'm awake!" bit of a squeak nd a almost lie, she was... barely conscious! and buzzing her wings with their bright spots of surprised yellow wondering what that sound was... she blinks and gazing about spies Liam wriggling about, nuzzling his dad - with carrot drool face!


hehehe she stands and windes her way past the other snoozers to lean over, not aware Don was sort of waking too to smile at Liam. Elena was sprawled int he curled up space snoozing still. Despite her friend wriggling. " hey buddy... whats wrong?"[/clor] soft whisper and reaching for the carrot but drawing back when Liam nooopes his head and hugs it to him!


Taking a bite to chew on and blinking at her Liam announces brightly, " needs pee!" still cuddling his dad happily. Tail had been wagging beating at his friends wings but now stilled.

For the first time since he flopped down onto the folded out bench, Don is actually dreaming. And in his dream, he is swimming. At times he is following some sort of strange, brown, dolphin-like mer-person... thing... He has no idea what it is, and is juuuuust high enough that he doesn't care. He will happily assume it is some weird Nexus creature.

Don almost, sort of, maybe opened one eye when Bebe startled at Liam's movement.

Somehow... as he's pretty sure he's waking up, the dream isn't ending... And that he is just sober enough to find strange. The sea creature was gone, but he was still...

Oh... drool. Quite a bit of it at that. His neck and upper plastron are damp. Which sort of explains the dream, but not the critter in it.

Don half nuzzles into Liam's happy cuddling. And he's trying to wake up a little more, but it's slow going. Waking up is hard! He wouldn't mind taking Liam to pee, and actually, he rather needs to go himself at this point. He is shifting slowly, but is going to need a minute before he's ready to actually stand up and move.

He is awake enough that he recognizes that Bebe is there talking to Liam. He is awake enough to know that if Liam is removed from his arms that it's just Bebe, and he won't attack her.

Yua wriggles her tail curling lazily on Donatello's left leg, the long lean turtle snorts a little in his rest but continues to breath evenly for now, comfortable and warm.


Leon is further spooned by Inaba and make a happy churry sound.


Mikey flips over like a pancake - in a move that further makes Bebe start as she considers how best to slip Liam free of Don.


She missed his sort of eye open and could see he was nuzzling into his son, she didn't want to move Liam, but also didn't want Don covered in pee... She giggles though at the cuteness of the kiddo picking up where he had left off snacking on his carrot. " come on then... ooooh hehehe poor Elena, you coming too/?" to the little terror giggling a bit and the amused raspberry pink bubbles bubbling over her wings as Elena wakes thanks to the little movements and whacking of Liam's tail and tries to ignore him, though she opens an eye when it stops.


Elena nuzzles Don too as she stretches, and nods sleepily, sort of still asleep but yes now she was half awake she does need a pee too.


" okay, just be quiet the others are still resting too and Don shouldn't be rush... uuuh." managing not to ewwww as she realises he is covered in drool, oooh after a pee she should probable help him with that - or as least place a soft rag for him in reach on his shoulder for the wiping off as she slowly and carefully lifts the hugging his dad little guy out of the snuggle to the cart floor, grunting a little, she was a small fae and Liam was a heavy lil fellow... to her anyways. In the best 'he's a big boy!' way! and then she carefully scoops up Elena too.


" ready?" waiting for nods and offering her hands.

Don responded to Elena's nuzzles too, just barely. He's just not awake enough to manage more than a slight shifting before stilling again.

Even though he had sort of been expecting it, Don makes a very soft questioning sound when Liam is removed from his care. This time the half open eye is a little more obvious. He is not attacking though, so is accepting of Liam being moved.

But with the kids heading off to go to the bathroom, Don sprawls on his plastron on the bench. Usually he sleeps sort of curled up on his front, but he's been on his side with Liam, and the arm that was under the little guy is hurting a bit. Though he's not sure if it's the position he had been in or the sort of general trying to get moving again ache he's feeling.

By the time the kids are back, he might actually be sitting up. He is groggy and just a little out of it though. He'll be able to follow a conversation, just... moving a little slowly.

If he were... basically any other Donatello, one might assume that he just hadn't had his coffee yet.

The others squirmed and shifted but none waking yet and this time Bebe is sure she saw something of a eye flicker and whispers softly amidst the placing the little ones on their feet, " we will be very careful Don I promise, stay among the carriage pullers for cover and duck low in the pushes and be quick." she is not really sure he heard her attempt to reassure him she wont let the children be spotted easily or hurt or wonder off, and would have them back quick as she could.


The she is shooing them off the cart, having to hop down to lift them off and as promised heading for the clump of bushes amongst the massive shapes of their beasts of burden and ducking inside, " come on, and Liam I should keep a hold of your carrot until you have washed your hands just encase." giggling as Elena squeaked in delight dug herself a small hole and crouched like a third earth cat tail up and all proceeded to do her business.


Liam pooouted but naaawww oookayed and aimed, or tried to, Bebe turning away politely but keeping him and Elena in her side views to make sure they were okay and well with her wings she is sure to draw all the attention anyways so hopefully their safe.


Mikey was wriggling about and stretching and waggling his tail and peeking out barely open eyes, " mmmmm I need to do that soon too." not sure if he was the only big one awake aside from Bebe or he had not imagined a sort of post drugged up Don sort of awake too.

There is a barely there, half churred acknowledgement of Bebe's words. He heard. Well, he heard enough to understand that the kids should be okay anyway.

And he is still slowly waking up. Mikey's comment does draw a soft "mm hmm..."

Because, yes. Don definitely needs to pee too by now. And finally, slowly, he's trying to sit up to do so. There's a brief bit of disorientation as he does manage to sit up. His sense of balance still just a little wonky from the drug, and ninjas like Mikey could probably spot it as Don manages to get himself upright. The ladies... far less likely. They would probably just assume that he's still tired.

He is tired, but there's a little more to it than that.

But upright! That's progress! And he is definitely sober enough at the moment to know better than to pee where he is. He sort of pokes at the drool on him for a moment before finding the cloth that Bebe left and starting to clean up the dampness a little. The moment of focus will hopefully help him wake up and actually focus a little more!.

Mikey bounces to his feet, yep from the lazy stretchy painful tail mess he was to upright and on his feet - startling a Yua awake, maybe by the soft thunk sound he made or the whoosh of his movement speed.


Yua bliiinks but her jerk had made Donatello churr loudly - like a dirt bike almost sort of loud he rumbled and nuzzled her shoulder, a bit longer, he can hear the others moving and smiles but does not reach for his glasses yet just leans a bit more back as Yua relaxes under the nuzzling and the large hands light on her hips and shoulders patting gently.


Leon grumbled on the other hand and rolled more tighter around Inaba and ignored the orange clad turtle entirely -


Mikey also ignored the reactions moving closer to Don to watch what he was doing for a moment and then helping dabbing at the drool patches on Don, " Giant old cheese smelling banjo playing spiders taught me a new song last night... oooh but must pee first right - should we just stand and let loose over the edge?" And yep he's not at all shy about the fact Bebe might see it in action with that plan!"[/color]


Bebe is mindful of the little ones, helping them cover up their little piddle patches with loose dirt. " well done you two that went well. no Liam don't poke at unknown insects they might bite, and no Elena no eating them either." because the kids were waking to full ready to explore and play statues!

Don is awake and aware enough that he's not exactly startled by Mikey jumping up like that. He is not aware enough to avoid being mildly surprised.

He is vaguely aware of the others reactions. His attention is briefly drawn to Donatello with the loud churr, barely a glance at Leon's groan.

And Mikey is not getting an answer to his question.

Don is busy trying to decide if Mikey actually said what he's pretty sure he heard... and if so, is this Mikey real or a hallucination? Is he still higher than he thinks...?

How good is his brain at hallucinating anyway? Can you smell hallucinations? Because he can smell Mikey. Unless Mikey is just somewhere nearby.

By the time Mikey is helping with the drool, Don is maybe pretty sure Mikey is probably real, and just being his extra Mikey self. Unfortunately, Don has forgotten that he was asked a question.

" not over the edge maaaan." grumbles Leon from partway under Inaba whom giggles and flops her ears back over after they had sprang up to dead straight.


Yua is mostly entirely relaxed again and Donatello kept his eyes closed but laughs softly, " yeaaaah Mikey you seem full of beens go and pee in the bushes. Why would you suggest over the edge of the cart?" just curious and by the bushes rustling cloe by sounds like Bebe and the kids were returning.


And they were, Mikey posing a little for the fae and waggling eyeridges, " ooooh I though I could show off a little - hands free and strong stream - ack!" cause Leon threw a flour bag or something like at him and it poofed against his plastron. Leaving some on his body armor as it fell, thankfully as Mikey was showing off and not when he was helping Don. " hehehe there ya with us Don?" squeezing the guys shoulder. Mostly this was the reason he offered to pee over the edge of the cart, encase Don was not feeling up to exiting and returning to it so soon after just post haze waking. And his balance, like Mikey's was a bit off, Mikey's cause his tail still hurt but at least it was not swollen.


Bebe bluuuushes all the way out to her wings a yellow startled pinkish wash of it through her wings and a brown blush on her cheeks, " thats oooaky but thanks... I think?" she is amused is a little embarassed and helps a bouncing Liam and Elena back into the cart Liam hurrying over to Don with a stick insect in hands.


Thankfully no the spider he'd wanted to grab!

Don had chuckled when Leon caught Mikey on the plastron with the bag. It's followed by coughing, but whether it was the chuckle, or residual flour is open for debate.

Either way, Don's not happy about it!  He's not even fully sober yet and he's coughing! Once it passes, he offers Bebe a slight smile. A silent 'don't mind him.'

It takes Don a moment to respond to Mikey's comment.

"Mm hmm..." It's not terribly convincing, but it is there, and it is technically a verbal response. Sort of.

Balance is definitely questionable, but he smiles when Liam returns with his bug. Don kisses the little guy's head.

"Cool bug." He doesn't really trust himself to say much more at the moment, but he does give Liam a chance to show off the little ctreature he found.

But Don's starting to get a little more desperate, and since they're not peeing off the edge, Don does start moving. It's slow going. Bebe and the kids should be fully back on the cart before he manages to get too far.

"Shtay." Aw, man. Did he slur that? Pretty sure he did. Whatever. Moving. It had been intended to be gentle for Liam, and he didn't trust himself to say much more.

And that was actually going alright.

Don did opt to sit on the edge of the cart to get down, rather than just jumping off. This was probably wise, because he tumbles off the back of the cart, and grunts as he hits the ground. Luckily it wasn't far or particularly hard, so he's okay. Just a little dizzy.

And angry.

Mikey's pee off the edge idea probably doesn't sound so silly anymore!

He is slowly getting back to his feet, and clearly wants to do it himself.

On the bright side, the adrenaline in his system now has stilled the coughing and eradicated the sleepy feeling. So he actually is a little more stable than he had been before the fall.

Ooooh he is just pleased with himself Liam is and with his now Dad dubbed CoolBug he hurries over to poke poke poke at the Inaba and Leon until eyes were at least open and he could hold up the insect to show them with a massive grin and waggy tail.


Elena giggling and following him over to watch them.


Though Liam does shove the CoolBug at her when his dad tumbles off the cart, barely managing not to chirp and look over the edge.


Donatello and Leon both sort of sit up rigid and worried, Inabas ears up again and listened Yua sort of half startled once more and Bebe - still mid happy pinks and more bubble yellowed wings and a grinned moved close as Don got up slowly and Mikey tumbled his way off the cart too, but it was a controlled and expected fall and still a face plant. " you alright Don?" a soft question as he gets back to his faat the rest of the group pretended they had not just been worriedly watching and relaxing once more.

" 'm fine." The words are slightly growled out. He's embarrassed mostly. Just hurt his pride. Though he's sort of feeling like there wasn't much of that left to injure. And that somehow hurt worse.

Frustrated, oh so very frustrated. Ignoring the looks he knows the others were hiding when he fell. He's not looking up at Bebe or Mikey, or anyone else. He doesn't trust himself too.

But he makes it to his feet and is sort of barely stable as he makes his way to an appropriate place to do his business.

He's more sure footed, and more awake on the return trip. Though he'll probably have a bit of a crash as he comes down off this adrenaline spike. Still, he sighs as he returns to the group in the cart. He is also marginally calmer. It hadn't been very long, and he certainly hadn't gone far, but it was just a moment to cool down.

They were doing their best not to fuss.


So once there was frustrated reassurance if some type and Mikey bouncing after Don to scrape him self out a shallow dirt bowl to fill at the base of a bush he is only to happy to call out to Don on the way back in a brotherly teasing manner. " heeeey you didn't send me a post card," looking entirely innocently indignant and his voice sounded it -


Making Bebe turn from the sort of worried grey and some spots of grey blue on her wings to a yellow again blinking obviously not sure what a post card is.


Donatello however caught on and into the way Mikey was trying to cheer Don back up a little with some light hearted ribbing. Instead of motherly fussing. " yeah man, nice trip?" it's lame, the puns are bad and well it does sound a little flippant maybe and that's why Yua and Inaba both raise eyebrows and Bebe's wings have that confused orange tints but she is in and well if it makes Don feel a little less helpless and maybe they get a shuddup or middle fingered response so worth it.


Leon bwhahas softly and cause Inabas look as he adds, " best trips are always in the fall." he actually has no experience in this matter but it seemed to fit with the fall and tripping over theme.

Don sort of stared at Mikey. He wasn't sure how he felt about the tease.

As the others pile on, he looks at each in turn. Not really showing much. The look on his face is hard to judge, and still in the post-high daze, it's possible the meaning isn't getting through.

Except, it is. He knows what they're trying to do. He does! Part of him wants to laugh with them!

Ninjas don't fall like that. It's funny! And he gives them that. An almost playful

"Oh, hush."

Accept the joke. Accept the play. Just like he did that first night he'd been allowed back out of the lair after Leatherhead had returned him to himself.

Because he does love his traveling companions. They've done so much already. He wants to be okay for them. Maybe if he can convince them that it's alright, he can convince himself...?

~

But buried far underneath it...

He doesn't feel very ninja-y lately. It's like he lost that in the swamp water. And the idea of being that again feels...

...Impossible.

Part of him wants to cry.

Shell... he hurts so much, and no relief on the horizon! His brothers are so very far away, even if they're slowly getting closer. The aching burn in his chest never goes away. He's barely sober anymore, and every moment he is is a struggle just to breathe! The last time he was this heavily drugged for this long, he was literally a monster.

And if that incident hadn't happened, he probably wouldn't be affected by the reliever the way he is.

So part of him is angry. There is the briefest flash of a Raphael worthy temper tantrum in his eyes before Don quashed it. He keeps his emotions to himself for now. He's not sure how much longer he can keep them buried. Sooner or later, he's going to snap.

But for now? For now, he crawls back onto the bench he'd been sleeping on, shell to the cart.

Liam hesitates, watching, and his little fingers worry, they sort of flop about in his lap as he wonders about emotions he can't quite grasp yet.


Mikey however...


He could just sense - just seeeense there was a painful aching boil that needed to be given a lancing. It needed to explode all it's pus everywhere -


Donatello tensed a little his hand still on Yua and his churrs dimming, then dying away at the sort of 'oh this needs to happen' mischievous look on Mikey's face. But you know what he has come to learn if A Mikey thought something needed to be poked... then it was probably either entirely unnecessary and he was going to regret this or it was entirely necessary and he was going to regret it anyways.


Leon was shifting, getting up then offering a hand to Inaba to help her up so they could go do the bathroom run.


Mikey bounced over to Don and sat where he could be shoved right off the bench. " hah at least your not as clumsy as my DonnieBoy and he don't have no icks or recovery - he's just all camel legs and flutter brained." he says so chirpily that usually grated on DonnieBoy's nerves the easiest when he was already past crouchy at something and was a hairs away from popping and splurting everyone within bo staff distance with grooooossness. " Liiiike don't walk through a field of mushrooms - its a tripping hazard - hah!" he knows Don would know exactly what he is doing, he has a Mike of his own. And probably Donatello toooo and Leon... but none were telling him to hush... Leon was getting clear with Inaba quickly though.

((OOC: Mikey is simultaneously disgusting and hilarious!))

Don can't see the look on Mikey's face. And even if he were facing the cart rather than the wall, he has his eyes closed anyway. There's no sleep to be had. He's just... moping. It's a useless endeavor, laying here feeling broken like this, and angry at the world and himself. He knows he's being ridiculous. But he can't bring himself to do anything else at the moment either.

He defeated that swamp squid. He sent it off. He kept Leon and more importantly Liam safe! And yet... he definitely feels like he lost that fight.

'Your brothers wouldn't have.'

Dammit!

He does hear his counterpart's churring fade out though. Don's perhaps a little curious, but not enough to turn around. He's not curious enough to move. Even curiosity can't override the anger and sadness he's feeling.

Don definitely sensed Mikey coming. He knew what was going on the moment that Mikey sat down. While Don does sort of knows what Mikey is trying to do, so far... it's sort of a strange way of going about it...

Which is sort of par for the Mikey course come to think of it.

Don sort of feels for his counterpart. He's had his share of clumsy moments. It's only really been in the past couple years that he has gotten over most of them and started to finally catch up with his brothers--

Correction. HAD reached a point where he could be their equal. Past tense. Dammit.

Don opens one eye and twists just a bit to look at Mikey. It's clearly a slight glare, slight silent 'I don't know where you're going with this, but I'm not going to let you get to me!' Don's definitely close to his limits though he doesn't know he's a tougher mark than his counterpart is in this sort of matter. He's also desperately trying to keep his emotions in check. He doesn't want to say anything that might hurt anyone's feelings.

Donatello tilted his head a little to watch this go down.


Leon felt he should intervene but for the moment was sort of stuck.



Mike grins at Don and props himself up on his knees giving Don a shake by his shell edge eagerly, " Lee's knee is pretty fudged up after our first invasion of NewYork, aparently Lee tried to fight all the foot and other mutants and then the Shredder on his own - maaaaaan we barely escaped - thought Dad was dead... and Karai missing we were so very saaaad and Lee was down for nearly all of winter, when he woke up he... his voice was changed - took some time getting used to I can tell you that and he was depressed most of the time... and yet that first night back, weak and with a leg prety much useless at that time he managed to save us from a moss monster created from Lee's mutagen medicine puke... he even turned Raph into a moss plant! and Raph to this day still needs more baking than any self respecting turtle! Lee's leg still pains him sometimes, his girlfirends sometimes massage it, sometimes he heals hands on it himself... sometimes he just glares at it..."


And it doesn't stop now Mikey in on a roll! " ooooh oooooh and and and... there is the fact DonnieBoy is deaf on the left side... from multiple things we thiiiink... possibly even from the face grabbing but might have been for longer seeing as he is always a bit prone to clutiness and inner ear bones affect balance... I know I shouldn't but sometimes think I am to blame cause whilst hanging out with him in his lab the toy shel fell apart... I caught everything and put it all back then he came in and it fell apart again and he got splash with mind controlling serum he was trying to make an antidote for and his mind regressed to like six years old! it..." completely ignoring the sort of hoorified Leon and Donatello looks as he describes his poor Brainy brother sinking into a kind of deep weed state and the shenanigans that followed, possibly not helped that Donnieboy was, if right already deaf at that time...


But Donatello understands what Mikey is drivingt at, aside from prodding trying to annoy Don enough to just get it all out - he was also subtextually trying to hint as ninja -


they adapt.


Liam is watching and listening in fascination. He'd sat where he was beside Bebe, the two of them not sure what to make of the tension. Or the stories.

Don still doesn't know where this is going. Some of it is post high daze. Some of it is a little willful. He isn't willing to listen right now.

Hearing, but not really accepting it yet. It will sink in eventually, but he's resistant at the moment.

As Mikey tells about Lee's knee, Don is maybe slightly protective of his right arm, twisted and shattered, elbow and shoulder dislocated by the battle in space with the Utrom Shredder. The Utroms had done amazing things to repair it, and certainly better than anything he could have managed on his own, but... yeah, he got what Mikey was saying there.

That's different though!

Or at least that is what he will insist at the moment. He grunts softly. It's a 'you are annoying' noise.

And he miiiiight be listening to the bit about Raph being mutated into a plant. Extra sun baking as the only side effect? Maybe a little jealous.

Or at least that's what he's showing. He is definitely jealous! His own side effects suck! Though, he would never wish a second mutation on anyone. Not even an enemy.

And maybe muttering through some of Mikey's tale.

"Aren't we a crew. One's deaf, one's blind. One can't breathe." Definitely referring to himself and his counterparts. "How do you suppose the other one's broken?"

Bitter? Yes. Very much so at the moment. Trying to contain what he's feeling enough that it's affecting his breathing, yes. Is he interested in listening about adapting? Not yet. He is being stubborn. He just can't see how it would be possible from where he is at the moment. A part of him has given up in a way he hasn't given up on anything since he was small. Back then, he struggled so hard to keep up with his brothers who made what Master Splinter asked of them look so easy.

They all struggled after the space battle. He fought his way back after his secondary mutation. Mostly. And had been clawing his way back after his self-inflicted damage of negligence while searching for Master Splinter's data bits.

He's tired in ways he didn't think possible. He doesn't feel like he has it in him anymore to do it again.

Don actually sits up as the story of the mind control serum. He is, so far, mildly horrified.

Mikey is barely pausing for breath and he outright ignores the grunt, ooooh he knows what it means, but he is on a mission he wants to annoy!


Because its needed -


He looks with delight from horrified face to horrified face and nods melodramatically slipping a bit more against Don, still flopped upon him soooo elegantly and launches into the full story about that time DonnieBoy was definitely not himself.


From Donnie using the broom upsidedown to calling him Raphael and the shenanigans he pulled out and about - hahaha I like french fries! - and the randomness around the lair, even pulling off the bigger brothers bandanas and running away with them -


And how at the same time the creep had returned and made a son of snake weed and they began taking over the city and turning all people into fertilizer -


And no pause launching into describing - with random words what he put together to help DonnieBoy - and his brother just drinking it.


Becoming even dumber for a time and then coming to their rescue restored and seemingly even brighter than before.


But still deaf in the ear and Mikey wasn't done - until Don exploded he was going to keep telling his stories he had sooo many!



Donatello muttering just loud enough for Don to hear. " almost blind, without my glasses completely yes... and I suspect with proper medication or more healing hands you will be able to breath more comfortably." And over Leon mumbling he was pretty sure nothing was broken with any of the Dons.


And wondering what story Mikey was planning on launching into next -


" ooooooh oooooh you should hear when Leo was still damaged - not broken -" firmly a stern look at Don. Nope he wont allow Don to just call himself that. " after we defeated creep and then speed demon and now were faced with a turducken! - ahem a Chimera! with a bliiind but seeing through it's eyes April and a bung leg Leo had to come again to our rescue cause the bird thing snatched me, Casey, Raph and DonnieBoy and carried us away to it's nest!" annnnd so he launches into this story - he will eventually get to Spirit Quest, because it was important! but for now just happy to rant and ramble over all the times even not completely whole or hurt or depressed or not together they, and thus Don, had to not give up and keep going...


And being entirely annoying whilst doing so.

"Is there a point to this continued poking fun at your brother for something that - if I'm not very much mistaken - you caused?" Hard to say for sure, Mikey stories could be difficult to follow on a good day, and Don is still a bit dazed. Still, it did sort of sound like Mikey had been the cause of the splash.

Maybe a little pointed. Mikey is definitely annoying, and Don is reaching a point where he's poking back with some sharper barbs to try and make it stop.

"You are one lucky little shell head, you know that?" Growling at the random ingredients. Mikey is definitely poking close to a mark with this.

Between the remaining haze, Mikey's carrying on, and how horrible he's felt for so long, Don's at a point where he has one nerve left.

And Mikey is standing on it!

His expression at Donatello's words is mostly neutral, but there's definitely some skepticism there. Leon's words are met with a glower. Don is clearly not convinced. "Just turtle luck running true to form."

And the story about Lee taking on the Chimera? It's sort of a relief. At least not treading quite so close to his triggers. All the same... Don shoves Mikey off him at the broken correction and lays back down, to try to ignore this one. A soft growl as the incessant talking continues though!

"Why are you doing this? You're not helping." Don's running out of tricks, he's resorting to begging. It's strained, slightly growled begging though. Just... stop... make it stop...

" cause there is a big black head that needs pulling Don, it needs to pop - a good sueeeeezing as it grows and grows and fills with seabum and pus and blood just waiting to be picked at so it goes -" and he makes graphic sound here after all those descriptors =


entirely missing that Leon went green than normal after avoiding Don's glower. And making Donatello gringe a bit as he had sort of shrugged.


The girls perhaps have the greater reactions - Bebe's wings drooped and went a lime green...


Inaba folded her ears down and Yua covers her mouth a little.


" I am not just lucky - I... and your brothers have the best brother in the world... a Don!" and yep he is still up close and in personal space and happy to find other gross stories to tell Don - jumping from time frame to time frame on purpose to not only stand on that last nerve but dance on it - " and our DonnieBoy is to these stories - and i am gettign to vision quest - its important! but I am not sure if I need you to hear it before mutagen man or after speed demon or perhaps when we went hunting for Karai through new york and I actually ate her shed scales.... I should not be able to describe my older adopted sister and brothers lover tastes like sour cream and chiiiives - especially when I am waiting for a massive boil to explode over all of us!" another descriptive explosion sound.


Leon blllllluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuushes and looks even green seeing as he experienced one form of explosion earlier.

If it was possible to turn simultaneously paler and greener at Mikey's description, Don managed it. Not that it would take much for the guy who's just recently capable of eating solid foods again to throw up.

Thankfully the last time he ate was awhile ago now, and he manages to keep his stomach under control.

Barely.

He's shaking his head as his color shifts again, probably enough that Donatello is concerned Don's about to pass out. He miiiiight have been able to recover from the scale eating, "Mikey, I can't--" if it hadn't been followed by another boil.

Don tried to turn to at least face out of the cart, but wound up half trapped by Mikey, instead throwing up at the smaller turtle's feet. He nearly follows it, but just barely catches himself.

The groan pitches to a growl, and Don surges up to his knees, rounding on Mikey. He had tried to get to his feet, but hadn't managed that yet. He is upright though, and that's a step forward. When he speaks it's a near hiss.

"Is this what you wanted? Are you happy now?" He's still on one knee, but has managed to get one foot underneath him and is almost stable.

Well, guess what? I don't need to hear about your stupid stories of stupid stuff you've done that could have gotten you or one of your brothers killed, but hey! It's cool! You solved it all, not because you actually did any work, not because you actually made sure it was safe, or even almost, kind of payed any attention to that at all, but because you were a lucky, little idiot!"

He's not yelling, it's close quarters, and his lungs wouldn't let him yell at Mikey right now anyway. The sort of growled and hissed words are all he can manage. It's probably almost worse. However, the boil Mikey was poking has clearly popped. And he's angry, and while he might say some horrible things about Mikey or the others... None of them are the turtle he really hates right now.

"Just doing things with no regard for what consequences there may be! Just like Bishop and Stockman and their stupid, fake aliens. No foresight, the mutagen destroyed lives all over the city! Human, animal, it doesn't discriminate! He's lucky Leatherhead and Stockman were able to piece together a cure! Just like you're lucky that someone managed to clean up your mess!"

No foresight, just like how he got Master Splinter decompiled.

Don's starting to shake.

"You can't just do things without thinking and hope it will turn out for the best! It doesn't work that way!"

Caught up needing a rescue? Oh, so many times.

He lowers one hand, it's close to the floor in case he loses his balance, and he's feeling like he's close to that.

And falling into some of the worst consequences he's suffered for failing to pay attention. For failing to think it through.

"You know how that ends? That ends getting your shell trapped and taken up to the Triceraton ship and having your damn brain scrambled! That ends with Master Splinter getting decompiled, scattered about the Internet. It ends with nearly being eaten by a swamp squid! It ends with nearly blowing yourself to bits if the Utroms hadn't come along when they did! It ends with watching ALL. YOUR. BROTHERS. DIE! From YOUR STUPID PLAN! Because you couldn't be bothered to think things through!  That ends with that creature's sting double mutating you into a monster. Because Bishop had to use your existence to get more funding."

And his tangents have tangents when he's ranting like this. Okay, his tangents have tangents most of the time, they're just not usually verbalized.

"Power and money, all for that. Because he used you again to get help to fix his mess! Using you to get power he never should have had in the first place. Bigger, badder enemies because someone had to use you! Or destroy you because 'power and money.' Some monster of a being stealing your DNA to create new things to use and abuse! Someone dragging you here... Shell, I don't even know why. To fight their war. A war you wanted nothing to do with to begin with! Because Draco wants power and money! A war that actually has nothing to do with you! But can you be left alone? Noooo! You exist, so they drag you and your brothers out of their dimension with a dozen others." Well... a dozen other fighters.

And here he turns to Yua. He doesn't actually approach her, just clearly addressing her.

"And for what? Power and money? Just like the sorry excuse for a rat that calls himself your father. Same thing. Power and money!" Don gestured wildly toward his counterpart. "He could run mental circles around your best maesters if you let him. And for a little help, I would have, gladly! And I'm willing to bet that he knows water treatment as well as I do. What he could do for your PEOPLE is incredible! Aqueducts are great, but that's only a first step."

"But NO! Can't help the masses when there's social standing to be had! Instead BUY my brother's body and SELL your child is the best he can do?! What the Shell?! That's despicable! And you know what? I'd rather have died than be used for that."

Perhaps paradoxically... he would have made the same choice as his counterpart had roles been reversed. If he'd been told that's what had to happen to save a brother's life? He would have done it without hesitation too.

"Probably why the fortress was attacked too. I'll bet word of a royal wedding gets out.

It's possible that Donatello or the others had been followed, but... he suspects it's more likely that word went around about the princess being married off to a Genio Innocuo.

"But that's what happened. So when I go home, I'm not going to tell my family about the wonderful Reinigen who helped me. I'm not going to go to my father and tell him that there's this wonderful place that could maybe use our help to rebuild. I'm not going to tell him that there are good people, and maybe he could find someone other than my brothers and I to share his life with. I'm not telling him ANY of that! I'm not going to be inclined to help them again. I'm going to go home and say how the USED the fact that I was sick for social status! Of all the stupid reasons to buy and sell people. And that doesn't even get into the slavery!"

He can't breathe well, and it's showing. His color is shifting again. He's flushed, lost in his raging explosion, and he's fast running short of oxygen all riled up like this. He falls forward, barely catching himself on his hand.

"Every time we try to help, it bites us in the tail. Every. single. time. And I'm tired... and I'm tired of fighting... I never wanted--"

He never wanted to fight to begin with. Master Splinter's reluctant student. The one who learned solely because it was necessary to help his family.

This is definitely not how one behaves with uncontrolled asthma and when they've been as sick as Don has for as long as he has. He catches himself on his hands, barely. Oh, he doesn't feel good, and he's definitely struggling to breathe. He somehow misses the mess as he lays down. It's more of a semi-controlled collapse. Don is giving into his body's limitations.

Oh shell... what did he just say...?

Mikey had time to take a breath, to let it all wash over him like Raph's fury and grief in the first time they lost their father. He'd owned his failings and mistakes.


He didn't care there was puke, all he cared about was his hurting brother, not brother, and he kneels, right there in the sick and like he did with Raph shuffled close and wrapped his arms about Don, squeezing him, rubbing his shell, churring, breath with me, just focus, with me...Your brothers are here, it's okay..." nope he couldn't feel that all over the Nexus Don's brothers felt the eruption, or that it would make them join them, but he knew it.


And he didn't care there was a furious blue bundle of protective toddler charging from under the seat where he had gone to hide in his shell, trembling before seeing his dad collapse and come out to save him!


He didn't react to the little wings beating at his hell or the angry Tasmanian devil like screeches of anger that one day might be roars that made the earth shake. He just smiles, so protective, loved his new daddy so, and what was that Strang hissing?


Liam's attempts further were hampered by Donatello who carefully hugged a hunched over Yua, she was not O blame for her society, or her father and Donatello whispered Don knew that, he moves to join the hug. Leon scrambles over to as a frightened, as shown by her bright fluoro green wings Bebe moves to Yua and hugs her Inaba joins them watching as Leon finds a spot to hug too!


Those three, even Mikey in this form could not feel or see the ghost Splinter rest his cool hands on Don, further encouraging him to just, breath, with the other turtles.


Elena hides under the seat curled up under wings and with tail wrapped tight around her.

Mikey's words were barely enough to cut through the haze in Don's mind. At first, Don is shaking his head at Mikey. He hears, but he can't breathe with the smaller turtle. His attempts coming as harsh, sharp wheezing. Part of him wanted to cry after all that, but he can't. He can't get a full enough breath to consider it.

He has definitely overdone it.

Slowly, oh so very slowly, other things are breaking through into Don's consciousness. Liam's screeching and angry thrashing was next. He could hear the child, but couldn't bring himself to open eyes to see him. There are sort of vague attempts to brush or catch and hug the little dragon.  Don isn't even registering that the weird hissing is coming from Liam at all. The screeching the only sound able to rip it's way through to Don's consciousness.

He is less aware of physical touches, and his breathing continues to be harsh wheezing until there's that familiar yet so very different presence encouraging him to breathe with the brothers here. Don slowly relaxes under that cool, different, but fatherly touch. Focused inward as he is at the moment, he is surprisingly aware of the spectral touch.

Slowly, painfully slowly, he's starting to breathe with Mikey, with the others. He's starting to recognize their presence, their arms around him. Relaxing and following their lead. As he does so, he's less able to hold himself up, just letting himself droop into their hold.

He wants to apologize for the scene he just made... but he's not capable of it right now. He wants to just go curl up in the corner, but getting there would take energy he doesn't have. He's wiped out, physically and emotionally spent. A soft whimper as he regains control of his breathing.

Mikey feels the other brothers not brothers join them, the comfort and weight and strength of them close and their now familiar not the same but familiar scents and closeness. He whispers for Don still, just soft words. Not loud and just there, feeling finally Don relax and now he could rest head on his shoulder and just be a slow breathing turtle. Listening as Don's breaths slowly eased too.


Oh he hoped that gushing fontain of pus was out and would help Don at least have that weight now shared among them and not all bottled up inside him.


And funnily enough his words echoed almost what he couldn't hear his ghost dad, and a far away but in Nexus Master Splinter and even further away barely a voiced echoed Splinter of the bug eyes turtles and barely a whisper but there for all his self trained attempts a small would look amusingly small and delicate against his mountainous sons Splinter. "it's okay Don... we all made good, bad, stupid and... sometimes the only choices we can. You don't have to fight on." because they all had, but even so his brothers had not always been kind but always there for him and Mikey didn't doubt at all for one moment that Don's brothers had similar situations and similar choices and regrets and angers at themselves and that they would always be there for Don, even if only in spirit or through the strange proxy collected around Don now.


GhostSplinter shuuuushed the struggling turtle gently, felt the guys actual father's astral stroke reach more warm and brush him. [color:6fa4=CD853F]" I am sorry you are struggling Donatello, remember mistakes are made, and sometimes situations leave us damaged and sometimes it feels like it will never be good again... but it will, and you don't have to fight on if you are tired you have gone above and beyond all anyone could expect of a young and new dad of a young man. Be kinde"r to yourself, be patient as you heal, you are not behind nor would your brother's let you be there alone..." Splinter, Don's Splinter could feel the other him all over, he had had to tell Usagi something was wrong and allow the samurai to find them a quiet spot for him to sink down and reach for his son wondering what was wrong, and now feeling the ice cold of a Splinter gone, and others even further away then he! And had no idea his more alive warmer tone and touch replaced that of the other. That they had the same loving reminder for the brightest son to just let himself rest, heal, breath, forgive himself for all perceived failures or flaws or worries about his ninjitsu, it was true! None of them let Michelangelo fall behind, they wouldn't go ahead or leave Donatello behind either. Thankful the young Michelangelo here and the other Donatello, the Leonardo all rallied, so readily and eagerly and proving indeed Don's brothers would do the same.


And he reaches behind to try soothing the little energetic bundle of unbridled childish fury.



It takes a while and Liam stops trying to set Mikey on fire, he clambered closer to Don nuzzling that hand that had reached, murmuring, and occasionally casting his best scary glare at Mikey.



Which was just adorable and made the others nawwww softly and not improve his little grumpy mood!!


Donatello shifts them he glanced at the girls just watching, he will have to comfort Yua later, she looked a mix of some defiance but shame too and sadness. But her society was not her doing. What it can be might be though.


Bebe's wings where a dreary blue and dropped and she wasn't looking at them.


Inaba gave them an unsure small smile.


Elena crawled over belly to the cart and iiick through the mess of vomit but Donatello doesn't mind he smiles and scoops her up to snuggle her under an arm the other still around the other turtles.


Leon rubbing Don's shell just lightly. If Don wanted to sleep or needed to readjusted they will help him get comfy.

Slowly, oh so very slowly, other things are breaking through into Don's consciousness. Liam's screeching and angry thrashing was next. He could hear the child, but couldn't bring himself to open eyes to see him. There are sort of vague attempts to brush or catch and hug the little dragon.  Don isn't even registering that the weird hissing is coming from Liam at all. The screeching the only sound able to rip it's way through to Don's consciousness.

He is less aware of physical touches, and his breathing continues to be harsh wheezing until there's that familiar yet so very different presence encouraging him to breathe with the brothers here. Don slowly relaxes under that cool, different, but fatherly touch. Focused inward as he is at the moment, he is surprisingly aware of the spectral touch.

Slowly, painfully slowly, he's starting to breathe with Mikey, with the others. He's starting to recognize their presence, their arms around him. Relaxing and following their lead. As he does so, he's less able to hold himself up, just letting himself droop into their hold.

He wants to apologize for the scene he just made... but he's not capable of it right now. He wants to just go curl up in the corner, but getting there would take energy he doesn't have. He's wiped out, physically and emotionally spent. A soft whimper as he regains control of his breathing.[/quote]

Don isn't really responding to those physically around him. All he can really do is exist and breathe. Just about everything else is beyond his physical capabilities at the moment. He is aware of them though as he lays there, limp in their arms.

He is breathing though, slow and steady, following the others as they requested. His breathing is shallower than would be ideal, but with the arrival of astral family members, Don is dropping into something close to a meditative state. It's not a true one, as he doesn't have the energy for that, but the touch of the others does draw him in, and he doesn't resist that pull.

~

Leo arrived slightly before his own Master Splinter, but hadn't yet approached Don. He hasn't met this other Master Splinter before, but he doesn't break the contact or the moment. This other Splinter was definitely helping, and he didn't dare break into that. So Leo is pale, but present, and he turns his attentions elsewhere.

Instead of interrupting, Leo takes a moment to gently brush the small, angry, protective hybrid that seems to be trying to burn Mikey to a pile of ash. Thankfully unsuccessfully at the moment. Don won't be able to rest if Liam is not calm. Leo is gentle and warm and reassuring. A gentle praise for protecting his daddy, tempered by a reminder that Mikey is their friend, and wouldn't hurt Don. Trying to convince the child that his daddy will be okay. Encouraging the boy to go curl up against Don instead of trying to attack Mikey.

Only once Don's breathing is calmed, and their own father has fully stepped into the situation, and Liam has relented in his attack on Mikey does Leo join in. As he approaches Don, his projection brightens, dipping into what little energy he has left for his brother, and perhaps accessing a potential he isn't even aware of just yet.

But his brother needs them, and Leo will find a way. He will find a way to offer his brother just a little bit of strength. And he offers his brother a little help breathing, just making that a little easier while he's here.

~

As Don continues to come down, he's receptive to the contacts from the other Master Splinter, and when that is replaced by his own father, Don sort of melts into it. He is so very, very tired, and even if it's only astral, he is relishing the brief moment of being able to sort of curl up in his father's arms. Even Don isn't entirely sure who he's responding to with the soft "m'kay." If Mikey is listening closely, he might hear the barely there words, and astral and spectral visitors would definitely be able to hear it. This should not be confused with him actually taking everything to heart, but... he will take the break, the chance to stop fighting, if only for a moment.

Don felt brothers starting to join, but it's taking him a moment to separate which presences they might be.

His astral being is ghostly as he curls up against Master Splinter and into any present brothers, accepting the moment to just... rest. Part of him knows it won't last long, but for now he relishes the short moment of peace.

Raphie joins them like a crashing wave hitting a rocky outcrop his well rested pleasured after glowy strength washing through them and over them and he is wrapping them all close -


Mike nuzzles, he is also not tired, but Leo is, so he is poking his big brother, " let Raphie... let me be the battery.... just be here..." because he and Raphie were still energized, Raphie more than him! the force of him joining them was quiet incredible! " if I feel like this post smoochies I am soooo meditating as much as possible afterwrds to share it!"


Raphie grunts there and trying to give Don as much of his feel goods and strength as he possibly could their fathers warm familiar presence there. " it is... incredible no?" usually he would verbally or physically slap Mike for that kinda comment... but he was not wrong. what a sweet and strong warm strength sharing it was. Especially as the little blue bundle of energetic fury cooled under Leo's guidance and touch and snuggled in close far away he could image a small tot much like Randal snuggling into Don, nuzzling.

And finally he was just behind Leo, moving towards Don only when their father - whoa who was the other with? the giant turtles?! - had slipped into place and was holding Don whispering softly, and hah! oooh the adorableness of the little bundle of blue that needed soothing!


Leo helped though and soon they were close to Don.


And Raphie crashing into them, joining them his energy like a blaze of heat and warmth and oooh if felt good and Mike laughs when Raph teases back instead of wapping at him. Mike knew how tired Leo was and was encouraging him to take this moment to just rest too.


Bask in the strength Raphie was sharing, and well Mikey after telling Leo to lean on them some more focuses and shares his too!!

Liam stops trying to burn Mikey - and actually feels a guilt he doesn't understand... he didn't understand he had reacted without thought and felt terrible... if he'd had the maturity Mikey would be seriously hurt...


The young mind didn't know but he does feel bad and it will be a lesson he remembers all his life... he does though snuggle against his dad, nuzzling and churring and maybe throwing Mikey a very fierce glare -


which just is not menacing at all!


Indeed the worried and unsure girls all eeeee softly.

There's a gentle sort of feeling of 'that's better. You don't really want to hurt Mikey.' for Liam as the child curls up against and nuzzles Don. Still, Leo keeps the lesson warm. Liam is young yet, and thankfully can't actually burn anyone. The time to learn the control is now, and that the little guy does seem to sort of understand is good. And he leaves Liam with a little of that warmth and calm before moving his attentions to Don.

Oh, Donnie...

It's a testament to how tired Leo actually is that he does almost immediately acquiesce to letting Mike and Raphie be the batteries. Leo does mostly follow the suggestion, as he doesn't try to supply Don with any more energy at the moment.

He does sort of help open and maintain channels, guiding energy and supporting Mike and Raphie and helping to smooth transfers and moderate any surges from Mike's or Raphie's strengths. Leo guides some of his brothers' energy to help relieve a little more of the breathing issues. It won't last forever, but hopefully when they eventually leave, Don will at least have a little while before he's struggling to breathe again.

"Guys..." It's soft, just a gentle reminder why they're here. Leo himself is actually sort of amused by Raphie and Mike's conversation. And, well... they're not wrong! What Raphie is exuding is pretty incredible! Even if the knowledge of what Raphie did - and more importantly who it was with - to reach this state is still a bit weird... Still, Leo's pretty sure Don wouldn't want any part of the discussion, even if he isn't really listening to them. If Don's focused on anything at all, it's Master Splinter.

He lets his brothers offer their own love and warmth, but Leo guides as much of their excess energy as he can toward physical healing. For now, he will let Master Splinter focus on Don's mental state. And Leo might not be offering strength and energy at the moment, but he does offer the same sort of love and warmth that Don is getting from the others, letting it come from all directions.

Don is not, in fact, paying attention to much of anything. He will probably notice if Master Splinter has something to say to him, but for the most part, Don is accepting his break.

He's not really aware of Leo guiding Mike and Raphie's energy to help him breathe, he only knows that for the moment, existing isn't as hard. He's not fighting for every single breath. He's not struggling to walk or move or keep food down.

For just a moment, he can just be while his family does what it can for his flagging body and spirit. It probably feels forever for his brothers, but after a short time of not moving, or even really responding, Don half nuzzles into the astral touch. Oh so tired still, but ready to at least acknowledge those around him.

Master Splinter took a moment to just let his son hold him, just hold and be held by the many Splinters and the little boy who was definitely thinking over what Leonardo's presence made him feel and think.


Splinter waits until the strength of Raphael and Michelangelo are sharing to be absorbed for Donatello's breathing to ease then he shifts and lowers himself to meet his son's eyes. " Try not to let all the what ifs and burdens of the past weigh on your mind Donatello, we cannot change the past, but yous have learned. And your not required to do more than rest, heal, and whatever you wish regarding this current situation." he reassures softly. Lowly.


He trusted Usagi had them safe and would join when he could. He could sense Leonardo's exhaustion. Raphael's bliss. Michelangelo's delight in being here with his brothers and that they were all awake and alive and for now breathing!


" We'll be there soon Donnie, we swear, Leo and I that is we are coming for you... Raphie?" He was glad Leo had not argued about them providing the energy because he knew his brother would push and push and that won't help no one if he was asleep for a week because of that!


Raphie smiled, though it is rueful, " as soon as I can little brothers - " promising especially for Don here and in a low voice even if moments before he had been making a face at Leo for that breaking up the fun talk, man he wished Don would just join in sometimes, can't he feel how incredible the thrum of post pleasure energy was?


But now was not the time to try tempting his brother or teasing him about his puppets. Now was just for reassuring he was on his way as soon as he could. " Lee has a plan to end the slave trade central..." he whispers for them only and nuzzling his brother. " as much fun as I am having with the crazy Lee about I do wish he was there for you instead Donnie. I do."


Splinter smiles just rubbing Donatello's head and shoulders, that would be interesting to tell Usagi.


Raphael is not as good at channelling but he is trying to offer some to Leonardo which makes Splinter just all pleased tingly with joy.