Goodbye Swamp, Allo Araluen.

Bebe's eyes are watery Mikey notes - but he doesn't ask about it yet. He doesn't know the fairy had a little bit of a breakdown when Yua tried to remind her that she was no longer her servant. Afraid she had displeased her mistress somehow and was being sent away -


Or had missed the wedding and was going to be punished by Donatello -


Or something dreadful...


and it had taken a while for her to quietened when Yua relented and said its okay here - brush my hair! and the fairy was now for the moment dutifully down her duty and combing the long read locks in that way she had mastered at her tenth name day!


Oh Donatello was a wreck on the inside but he smiles at the two and especially the smaller Don catching what Mikey is doing and nudging them gently towards the carts inside bench so that Mikey could sit and Don could still be hanging onto shell and have Mikey between himself and the rest of them if he wanted to -


hard to noticed that call Liam made distressed all off them - and he nods his head a little at Leon - whom makes a sad face that he hopes no one sees and scoops the little boy carefully up, vanishing within a heart beat next it seemed with a soft call of " potty break!"


Donatello sighs - what was he going to be able to explain to a three year old behind on verbal communicationa nd starved of love up until now that he lost a dad... but had three still and two eager to have ...


Don back... oh this was going to be hard and he had wanted to cry a lot today, relief, worry - now this much younger Don and Liam's soon to be heartbreak he was definitely struggling a calm turtle.


But he manages.


Mikey shrugs a little. Oh the noise had made him want to scoop Liam up - Yua actually started but Elena was in her lap and she couldn't reach, Inaba was keeping the beasts on task... " Liams... sad... like you and scared, he makes that sound because of it. Leon and a potty break might help - here you should drink something at least and I have some pain meds... its a tablet though sorry its not syrup." he does feel about in his pocket for drinks... nodding at the brazzier in the center of the cart.


Donatello nods back and gets the little fire going again and putting the little pot back on the hot coals and little flames to warm up some water again for tea or whatever Mikey has pulled out of those magic pockets. A smile at the other too, " what happened to the arm? need me to see?" a offer aware by the tape that Mikey might have already dealt with it but a way to try making the young Don feel comfortable that no one meant him ill here. " then I'll go see if Leon needs a hand, the little guy is probably doing what toddlers do and refusing to potty." that was not true but its a way to legitimately swap places with him and try to explain to Liam...


something...


Elena smiles from Yua's lap waving her wing at Don. " Allo Allo!" brightly and cheerfully, oh man she too wondered where Don had gone! but was keen to get to know this neeeew Don too!


So many new little friends!

Donnie isn't paying the girls much mind. He is far more concerned about the other turtles in the cart. They are the ones that seem more of a potential threat. Though he is trying to pay some attention to them because Master Splinter says to always be aware of all surroundings. It's really not enough to notice that Bebe's eyes are wet, or that she seems distressed about this situation too.

Everything here is so strange though! He doesn't know what's normal and what's not! So for now, he is still clinging to Mikey's shell. Though once they're sitting, he does let himself slide down to the bench, and huddles at the larger turtle's side.

He wants Master Splinter. But that doesn't seem to be an option, and he tucks in close to this Mikey instead.

There's a frown at the information about Liam before he nods, accepting it. It makes sense, and he doesn't question anyone. He assumes Liam woke up here away from his family too. But GAH that noise felt like a hot poker being jammed into his brain and poking around. Like it's trying to scratch at or poke holes in some sort of wall.

There's a soft siiiiiigh at being told to drink something. He doesn't want it. Though, he is used to Master Splinter forcing tea on him when he's upset like this.   Donnie is torn about the painkiller. He does want that, and can manage a tablet, but he's still feeling unsure about this group. And in the end, shakes his head for now.

And he looks uuuuuuup at his counterpart. Fidgeting for a moment before he answers.

"I fell." He is still huddled against Mikey, but sort of offers the injured arm. He's lucky he didn't break it.

Don has very few scars of any real consequence. His knees have been skinned a time or two, and small things that are likely just boys playing rough or training scars, but nothing that would suggest he's ever been in a real fight.

He stares at Elena and her greeting for just a moment before managing a response. It's just a slight wave. "Hello..." Though he shows no interest in leaving Mikey's side.

Donatello kneels so he is not so tall and hmmms a little he may have big hands but he is light of touch, " wellllllll hard to tell if broken, but maybe over extended or sprained I think at worst, mmm maybe sling it for a while and if no pain meds then perhaps a little pain relief goop from the local plants here, won't be as strong but might make you comfortable." he is mostly thinking outloud.


Mikey grins, " enough fussing man, I'll help the arm you go make sure Leon can get Liam to go." and sitting comfortably back and reasonably still so Don can stay close as much as he wants, smiling as Elena came over and crawled up on his other side. He is again reaching into his pockets for the first aid kit and drawing it out as the Billy begins to simmer and Donatello lingers just long enough to make sure Mikey would be fine before slipping away to try and do something about Liam.


And Leon comes back in a moment beaming, " if you have that Mikey I'm check on our progress and see how far away from the pirate ship we are." digging out the map and stones weighting down the corners and showing all of Nexus and their progress marks over the weeks. Concentrating on Raph and Donno and Mikey Mikey with three stones in his hand, dropping one by one and letting our a yelp of happy when all three roll to a spot in the middle of the river that separated the largest continent with the desert from the second largest above. Closer than they had been last checking! Just thrilled! The distance was closing!


Mikey grins but is focused on getting Don's arm settled and grinning at him. " Inaba over there showed us how to make a numbing paste that helps with aches, would you like a bit of that instead of a tablet?"

Donnie is watching as his counterpart examines his arm. He doesn't pull away, but he is huddled against Mikey. He looks up worried when the possibility of having broken it comes up! But when Donatello settles on an overextention or sprain, he relaxes a little. He is listening, intensely watching what the older turtle does. There is definite fidgeting as Donnie listens to his options. He won't fight the sling, and considers the salve, eventually deciding it sounds like what Master Splinter would do and nodding a soft "M'kay..."

He looks at Elena as she climbs up, but still doesn't seem ready to leave Mikey's side. Donnie does accept the salve.

He watches Leon curiously, though still definitely not leaving Mikey, but curiosity is definitely piqued.

"What are you doing?"

Maaaaaybe ready to scoot just a touch away from Mikey to see what's going on.

Donatello had been gentle, he had been caring, and gave Donnie a small head rub, " you should heal up okay it will just be sore a while -" now he wished he had something to tell Liam that he would understand and wouldn't make those big blue eyes fill with years and the little boy slump and look at the ground.


Between glances of hopefulness around them as I'd Don would suddenly be there back as a sixteen year old dad who remembered this little guy. He had opted just try being honest as he could with Liam as much as Liam could understand. Don was not here right now, but could be back. He would miss Liam. He loved Liam.


Donatello doesn't know how much the three year old understood. But the heartbreak was all obvious. And worse, so was the hopeful looks the little boy cast around.

Oh he felt like the lowest sludge pond. And gently prodded the little boy to pee. He did. Without any of his usual curiousity over the plants he watered.


And he let Donatello pick him up and just hung on, head on his shoulder, a deep siiiigh, a sound so wrong for a little tott. And Donatello did what he knew sixteen year old Son would want him to do, and what he wanted to do, snuggled that baby, nuzzling him and churring and began returning to the cart.


~


Meanwhile in the cart Mikey was slinging that sore arm and tracing alone of salve that would cool and sooth as he did along the muscles of the arm, slimmer than Don's had been of course missing a couple of years growth and rigorous ninja training. He grins as Elena flops over his lap to beam at Donnie. "you another Don, and so cool too! you ninja too?!" excitedly and clapping as she can see Donatello coming back with a small blue friend on his shoulder.


Leon glances up at Donnie's question and gestures. " oh me? Scrying, I am scrying for my brother's and look there they are... want to try to do so for yours?" he offers to this younger Donnie smiling. "some magic I don't understand..."



Behind them Bebe was busying herself making the warm sweet tea drinks humming, content to be preparing her mistresses super, and the others!


Donatello caught up to the cart and leapt into it carefully and gently, slowly encase the boy didn't want to be put down lowered the little blue turtle to the cart floor, watching as Elena bounced in Mikey's lap eagerly waving at her friend gesturing at the new Don!


"look Liam we has new fen!" happily.


Liam looks over and his tail does wag a little, but also he glances about hopefully, there are familiar scents also the new one smelled familiar, but lacked something the older Don had. And maybe back?! He looks around the cart... Looks around out into the passing scenery. Moving to the spot Don had been last and waits.


Waits.


Leon reaches over and touches Liam's little shoulder. "wanna show young Donnie here how we look for our brothers?"


Liam nods and for a few moments brights at the word brothers moving into Leon's lap and eagerly waiting for the stones, he was a old hat at this now and takes one stone closes his hand around it and his eye concentrating suuuuper hard. " Randel!" he squeaks and drops the stone it rolls away to the wilds of the valleies far away on the map.


Leon smiles at Donnie, "ever since we got here we have been using this map and the stones to track ours and our brothers progress trying to meet up." he explains.

Donnie wriggled and swatted at the head rub with his good hand, much as he would when Raphie gives him a noogie. But he is smiling afterwards, and slightly more relaxed than he was.

Elena's is a lot. She's sweet enough, but Donnie isn't quite sure what to make of her. He's never been around someone younger than him.

"Um... I guess..." Nothing she said sounded wrong, just strange.

He is watching what Leon is doing, and his expression goes from vaguely dubious to scrunched, and clearly disbelieving and almost annoyed at this being magic.

"You're throwing rocks on a map." Definitely not convinced this is anything that can give them real information. Donnie has not yet experienced the challenge to his views of magic that Don had in the last three years.

He does look over as Liam comes back, and Elena excitedly announces his presence.

"Hi, Liam." Polite, you're supposed to say hi in these situations, right?

Donnie watched as Liam threw the rock on the map. And he cleeaaarrrrly has doubts about this whole thing.

"You're throwing rocks... on a map..." Pretty sure he already said this, and he clearly doesn't believe it will work, but whatever. He does accept the opportunity to try.

"Leo."

Except... Donnie is looking for a 13 year old Leo. And that does not exist in the Nexus. Donnie doesn't know that his brothers are 16 now. Nor had Donnie really been concentrating that hard, having serious doubts about this working. It is sort of a self fulfilling prophecy. The stone rolls onto the map, but doesn't move to Leo's position. It just lands wherever it lands.

Donatello recalled that as he lets himself relax - he maybe is not the happiest tall guy in the Nexus right now - but he'd been honest as he could with Liam. And well Don doesn't look as scared as he had been and the arm looked okay at the moment not swelling or appearing too sore for the young fellow to give it a go with the scrying rocks. Donatello holds his breath and huhs when it doesn't work, reaching over as Yua makes her way over to him and sits leaning against his side, and the feel is comforting so settles his many thoughts and worries some. " sorry Donnie not sure why that didn't work, usually works for us." he hummms and gives it a go with this rock, focusing on his Leo who is with Donnie's Leo... and the stone bounced and rolled back to where it had been before.


Elena giggles flopping on her belly to watch them.


Mikey had laughed at Donnie's confusion, " yeah sort of that dude, only the magics make the stones bounce and roll to where every in the Nexus your target is, though... oh!" it clicked and he hummmed watching Donatello retry it and then looked at Donnie and picked up another rock for him. " it works best if you believe and also not focus on what your target looks like, more on how they feel familiar and what it feels like to be around them." well no he doesn't know it that is true at all but if the stones couldn't pick up on the focuses cause Leo wasn't a thirteen year old any more maybe just thinking of what Leo is like would be enough to draw the stone to the right spot.


Maybe?


Bebe is humming happily bringing around tea for all.


Except Elena and Liam she makes them just warm lightly powdered milk.


Leon nods, " yeah so yep we are dropping stones on the map but scrying stones. Magic stones, see here we have tracked the travel off as we have moved." noooot giving away how long they had been travelling.


Liam smiled shyly, touching the little stone that indicated where his brothers were...

Uuuuuuuuuugh! They're all crazy!

"But magic isn't reeaall!"

And yet, he's very much aware that Master Splinter is firm on not everything is as it seems. Which Donnie doesn't really understand yet, but he respects his father and has heard this many times. So... okay, he'll try.

And also, oh, he's supposed to actually focus and not just say the name? Okay...

He still thinks this is dumb, but there's a lot that Master Splinter makes him do that he thinks is dumb. And if he's really honest with himself, this actually does seem like one of those things. So he sighs and picks up the stone again. He actually takes a moment this time, focusing on Leo, and how he feels when his big brother is around. And he tosses the stone again.

And it works! The stone travels back to the same spot it had been in for the others! Whoa!

"How does it do that?" Yes, yes, he's been told magic, but he isn't accepting that answer!

The little guy patting the rock is cute... and gosh, he reminds him of Leo! Donnie finds himself patting the little guy on the head.

And he has the weirdest feeling of deja vu. There's a slight, confused frown as he tries to figure out whyyyy this feels familiar.

When Bebe comes around with the tea, he sort of glances at Mikey. Donnie doesn't want the tea, but has a feeling refusing will at least be frowned upon.

And wasn't she brushing the rat lady's hair earlier? Why was she doing that? And serving tea now? Weird.

Whole group is weird.

Or... maybe Donnie is. It wouldn't be the first time someone said he was the weird one.

That felt like Don! And the little guy looks happy for a moment eyes closed and tail wagging and his happy to be with fave big turtle on his face. Then the scent - it's like Don but... not and he opens his eyes, churring a little but tail drooping, a glance hopefully around them again.


Donatello tries not to watch Liam, he instead just smiles at Don and chuckles, " for turtles of science it's hard to believe... but magic moves those little stones. Something about the auras of specific people I guess." he tries to recall all Inaba had said but she mostly could only give the run down on what they were and how they worked not much beyond that how the magic actually worked!


Bebe beams and hands out teas and yep delighted to give one to Don too! - he could refuse and she would accept but Mikey encouraged with a gentle you need to drink something man.


Liam just holds his half cup of Luke warm milk not very interested in it.


Elena meanwhile drank voraciously and eagerly held up her cup to Bebe for more! "ploooooose?!" oh please!!


Mikey checks where the rocks are and waves back Inaba to look. Yua oooohs as Inaba hurries back to look at the map. " wow they must be moving we will probably see them all tonight, before the moon's make their trek across the sky." she gives her best guess and wooooow now she can see Don up close he looks so well, and much more innocent! But she tries not to stare and just smiles a bunny Friendly smile and Mikey woops nudging Don in the side lightly.


" hear that? Sooooon!" oh he gets to see DonnieBoy!

Donnie isn't sure what to make of the little turtle's reaction. He's pretty sure it was weird. And he wishes Leo or Mike was here with him now. They'd know. Donnie isn't as good at reading this sort of thing. Though... he sort of feels the little guy's reaction is more genuine than what he's getting out of the bigger turtles.

Every once in awhile he feels like he's being lied to. Maybe not a straight up lie, more like... maybe just... not telling him something? Those sort of sideways glances where the others are checking on him. Some weird pauses like they're not sure how to say something.

Donnie is getting suspicious.

But he has noooooo idea what's wrong. Just... more and more sure that they're not telling him something. Maybe the fairy girl... He has a question for her, but will wait until maybe the others aren't staring at him quite like that. Hopefully sometime soon things will calm down and he can pull her aside a little.

There's a huff at Donatello's words. It sounds like something Master Splinter would say. Well... not quite, but the content seems similar.

Another huff, paired with an eye roll when he's definitely expected to take the tea. He 'sips' at it. He's not actually drinking it. It has been accepted though. If allowed to forget that he's acting like he doesn't want it, he will might wind up sipping at it soon. Really though, he doesn't want it any more than Liam wants his milk.

When Inaba is trying not to stare, Donnie's sure. Something happened that the others aren't telling him. And he doesn't like it!

But he plays along for now. And he does want to see his brothers, and this is the only choice he has at the moment.

"I heard." And sort of torn hopeful! Because he doesn't feel like they're lying about that, but... there's something! But also, "Moon...s?" As in plural??

Not suspicious enough that it can't be overridden by curiosity yet!

Donatello siiiiighs hugely.


Inaba nods, "yep one every moon cycle for a few days there is the second moon, rest of the time it's there but behind the bigger one so not really seen." she explains and then eyes Donatello he looked serious. Friendly and kind but serious.


Like with Liam... It didn't feel right to ... Lie like this, even if it is by omission. He shifts a bit. " Donnie. No one wants to lie or leave you out of things annnnnnd we have had a great shock, all of us, you mostly.. I want to tell you everything and I just ask you keep an open mind and try not to ask too many questions until I finish okay? Because your brothers, your father may be... different then what you recall and you different than they are expecting. Bebe I need you to pay attention too. Please?" he will wait for the good ahead and both their full as young teens can give him attentions.


Mikey gives Donnie and encouraging side bump, he is here. Right here! And Leon smiles in a friendly way, explaining would make it a little less... Awkward he felt.



Liam just pouts and offers Elena his milk, she awwwws and hugs him and well has no trouble finishing her second one and his.



She may need to pee soon.

And he is actually listening very attentively to Inaba! And ooooooh!! That's so cool!

"Will they both be out tonight?"

That sounds amazing! Two moons! And seeing both would be just the sort of celestial event that Donnie would love a chance to see more often! But living underground in New York City is not conducive to star gazing.

But he is sort of pulled away from pursuing that conversation farther by Donatello. If he was moderately suspicious of this group before, he is more suspicious now. Though... information is always good. And maybe it will explain what he's feeling off the others.

He glances over when Mikey gives him that side bump. Donnie sighs.

"Alright, alright, fine. I'm listening, and won't interrupt."

He did not promise an open mind, but he will do his best. And perhaps a little dubious since he's just been told his father and brothers won't be who he remembers! When it's really required, he does have a pretty good attention span for a 13 year old though, mostly thanks to Master Splinter's insistence on self discipline. His hobbies also require pretty focused attention too, but it's a bit different.

Donatello eyes him for a moment, seriously - he doesn't worry that Donnie wont understand him at any time. He doesnt even worry that Donnie would think he was crazy - because heck Donatello knows if he was on the other end he would too. He nods after a moment and treats Bebe to the same gaze.


After blushing a bit and sputtering out a " p p please Bebe you don't need to call me My Lord. Donatello is fine." because she had come over and knelt in the prime proper way and bowed and greeted him as she should being he was her ladies husband.


And once he was sure he had her attention too he explains this crazy adventure - starting off with, " Donnie, Bebe - magic has cause you both to revert to a younger age.... thirteen, fourteen -" after a moment of studying and a glance at Yua and she nods, yes aside the wings and the purple hair with blue tips and blue eyes this was her servant. her slave... her best friend at fourteen name day time. " When we arrived here -" and he turned this bit over to Leon whom explains arriving about the same moment as Don, but being found by a then sixteen year old Don and a very emaciated Liam. Describing his travel here through a portal as best he could and the moment Don got pulled underwater, escaping, but thats when the issues - probably a walking pneumonia on top of worsening but long term and probably slowly worsening asthma as far as Donatello figured - had started.


Finding Inaba and joining her, Mikey being found sometime after - the fights and freeing Donatello -


And not only do they have an incredible story - they have some photos and pictures on two phones in any case that are dangerously low on battery but still able to flick on enough to show Donnie and Bebe some of those very first weeks ones, a sick but older Don and a stick figure tott becoming very close. And many of the little guy doing things for the first time.


The story moved onto the way Don's health spiralled, and Donatello took the drastic measures to marry to get him some care. The arranged marriage for the hand.


Again a few photos.


Liams first time exposing his wings, so lovely but again it's easy to see how far the child has come, those fist wings were crumpled and the colors dull and the pattern a weak faint one and the muscles non existent to being just bones. And an very unwell but alert and with them Don. An older Don.


pausing to let Donnie check through the photos here in the story - a longer look not just a brief glance, as long as he liked.


Pausing because they had reached the part of the story where they are fleeing the Stronghold. Just to let this first part sink in. Not said out loud is that Donnie's brothers like the Don it the pictures on occassion with the little fellow are older...


Liam does crawl over and he smiles in that excited way seeing the pictures of Don! and pats the pictures at times, tail would wag. " Dad!" he would chirp happily and then look expectantly about for said fave turtle.

Donnie does not understand Bebe... Not one little bit. And it is very much showing as she bows like that and calls Donatello My Lord. Also her bow is different from what Donnie is familiar with.

There's a pretty clear huff when Donatello says that magic caused their age to revert, and he very nearly lost Donnie's attention right there! But he did promise to listen and not interrupt, so a pointed glance from anyone is enough to halt the objection. He does mutter a soft, "thirteen," since there had been a slight sort of hesitation over their age. And he does know his age! He doesn't elaborate on being close to fourteen, which actually took restraint on his part.

There is another near interjection at the walking pneumonia on top of slowly worsening asthma. He almost, so very nearly insists that he doesn't have asthma! But he stops just before the words fall out of his mouth because...

Goodness, mild asthma would explain a lot... The respiratory illnesses that his brothers just don't seem to get. Not like he does. The days, here and there, all his life when he was just winded for no real reason anyone could see. The days that at least in his head, his brothers made fun of him for being weak. He doesn't know that actually his brothers were just worried about him. The days when Master Splinter would pull him out of training and give him that ginger based tea. There were several things in it, but Donnie's not sure of them all yet.

"I-- I have asthma...?" Oops... He's not supposed to talk. He shuts up, and looks adorably chastised, even if no one actually said anything. There's a slight fidgeting that is done in a manner that suggests he's trying very hard not to fidget, but just can't quite help it! Not being able to breathe in the sorts of fights Master Splinter insists on preparing them for would be a death sentence...

He listens, even if he clearly thinks the older turtles are crazy. But... they have pictures.

Which he is very much aware could be faked, but...

It takes a lot of computing power. A lot of energy. It's definitely not something they could have done on these nearly depleted phones. And if they've been here for any real length of time, well... There are just too many pictures. A whole lot of them are with the little blue child. Who's apparently a dragon?!

The older members of the group can probably see the moment where the defiance that had been in Donnie's eyes for the early parts of the story dies. The moment that he realizes that... shell, it feels true. It's not a feeling he can explain or describe, but it's there all the same. Master Splinter has occasionally spoken about gut feelings. Donnie had always sort of thought it was indigestion. But right now, for the first time, he understands what his father is talking about in those moments.

He does make the jump on his own, that if he had been sixteen when he arrived here that... are his brothers 16 now too? He had been about to ask when Liam had chirped out recognizing his dad in the photos! And--

Almost a panicked look to Mikey, Leon and Donatello. A silent 'Does he mean ME!?'

But Donatello had said magic had done this. And he clearly hasn't gotten there yet. And somehow... some way, Donnie manages to bite his tongue, and hold on, waiting to say anything for at least another moment. He is at least listening though, and is no longer looking at the older traveling companions like they're crazy. He is more than mildly distraught, but he's so far managing to keep it mostly to himself. He's Actually more upset about his brothers and the asthma than the dad thing. Shocked about the last, but that hasn't really sunk in yet.

Donatello knows he can't expect total silence. It is a long convoluted crazy story!


So he had paused briefly with a soft thanks for the correction on ages. And took pauses for Donnie and Bebe to think things over.


Nodding again at the question about asthma. " it was the only conclusion we end on that made any long term sense. And it became really bad during the duration of this trip. Probably a mix of the pneumonia and no real strong antibiotics to treat it and the Hodge podge attempts to help without the correct medications specific for reptiles and strength." and other factors.


He waits for the news about Liam to sink in and whilst Mikey bumps the smaller turtle again lightly in an 'its okay' and Leon nods he explains, " yeah that's Dad Liam... I told Liam dad is not... with us right now... that he maybe again one day and that he loves Liam." in other words no pressure to try being 'Dad' at this age or stage, and well what else could he say to a three year old?!


So he waits until it's settled again and moves on with the story of travelling and the moments of trying to help then sixteen year old Don and the astral visits and just really Don's health declining. And the worries on mental health that would have on him. The desperate decision to get Bebe to attempt a spell, even with her fledgling fairy skills-


Reciting the spell carefully neutral of tone and keeping hands away from Donnie or Bebe or Liam. " spell she cast was

"Fill this good heart with Fae warmth, light, life,
to heal body and mind, and weather strife - and that has cause you and Bebe here to deage. But not Liam even if he did have some part in the strength or connection of the spell." puzzled hasn't really affected the little guy who was there now and looking pouty cause his dad was not there!


"as Donatello said it had been a shock for all of us as much as yourself." friendly and gentle because yeah they were all adjusting.

Bebe shifts on the spot the inner panels of her wings fluttering with confused greens and excited yellows and pinks. Thinking over the story and keeping her head down. Demure as she should be to her lady's husband.

Donnie has finally decided that no one here is trying to lie to him, and no one means him harm. He is finally listening. During the explanation about his asthma, and how bad it got, he is listening quietly and trying not to fidget while Donatello explains. He waits patiently for the explanation to pause.

"What is 'hodge podge'?"

Yup. He understood everything in the explanation except that. And even then, he has a decent guess from context.

It all still sounds insane. The astral visits, the asthma, that he agreed to be dad to this tiny Leo! And whyyyyyy does the kid look sooooo much like Leo anyway? More like Leo than this other Leo here does!

He doesn't ask yet, he's sort of overloaded as it is. He is not ready to hear the answer to that question. He is definitely not ready to hear that Liam has a brother out there that is his blood!

And he is listening quietly when Donatello explains about Liam.

Yes, Donnie is afraid to take on that dad role. He's thirteen! Not ready at this stage! But... he does feel bad for the little guy. Donnie misses his own dad too. Especially lost in a strange world like this. He can't do anything about missing his own dad, but seeds are planted, and he is thinking. Before he says or does anything though, he needs a little bit of time.

He watches a bit curious, pretty sure Donatello actually backed away from him, Bebe and Liam when he repeated the spell. Donnie supposes he can understand why. And he looks down at the sparkles on his chest. He actually does remember what Mikey said about why they're there, even though he had still been pretty panicked at the time.

"And you think she made me a fairy too?"

Fairy girl is still weird. Part of him wants to poke her shoulder and see if she reacts normally. He might not be sure what a normal reaction would be, but pretty sure he'd know it if he saw it. He does manage to refrain though. For now.

Liam's little shoulders slumped when no Don just suddenly reappeared and he made the saddest little sound - but


and to Donatello, Mikey's and Leon's dismay... he didn't cry.


There was that behavior a familiar sort of shaking and the little guy just clams up. Not that wailing he did in the fortress knowing Don was there - just beyond him.


No... no... Donatello nods at Donnie's questions, he scoops the little boy close and rubs his shell. Come on don't regress lil guy.


And he takes a deep breath as he holds the three year old. Elena crawling over to his lap and sitting watching her little friend in concern, rubbing his shell. A smile at her, and at Yua who moves closer to him, and he takes a breath to continue, well no to answer Donnie's questions, and explain a little more... and sort of for Liam too, gently nuzzling as he talks.


Leona nd Mikey move closer to Donnie and Mikey nods a bit of a grin, " not all bad right? I mean a few extra years life and cool fairy powers to boot?" sort of whispered to the younger turtle, " and no one will force you to be DadDon, you can be the fun UncleDonnie everyone needs one of them right?"


" Yes Bebe gave you powers, made you a Fairy I don't know but perhaps a little, and hodge podge... yeah not my best work, here..." he hands over the puffer that had just been getting Don by, and high. " Liam I know your worried and afraid... it's okay, DadDon is just... away for a while - you will have DadMike and DadLeo soon." He churrs, that heart beat sound nuzzling just to stop the way the little guy shivered and stuffed a blue fist into his own mouth and stilfed any sad sounds he was making. Back to Donnie he also answers the sort of unasked question. " I know its a lot and I thank you for your patience and trying to understand even though I am aware all this sounds utterly insane... we have all come to think, in the astral visits... these little turtles are ... related to you guys, from your universe... so now we just gotta get you and Liam to your big brothers, his dads... you both need them so much right now."


Bebe fidgets a little, but she dare not question anything her lord said, merely looks at Donnie and smiles, " and it's soooooooooo a preeeety look on you/" she tells him, then looks worriedly at Donatello - would he punish her for speaking out of turn? And to her lady?


Yua smiles and shakes her head.


Leon nudges Donnie and sips some of his tea, encouraging Donnie to also.

Oh, that little sound is heartbreaking! Even though Donnie isn't really sure why the little guy is doing that instead of crying, he does recognize it as being strange, like it's not what an emotionally healthy kid would do. He almost made half a move to pick up Liam too, but Donatello was there first. So instead he listens, and sort of watches what's going on with Liam.

He honestly doesn't know the difference between fairy powers and being a fairy, but accepts the information with a grace borne of being completely overwhelmed. There's a lot to unpack, and it's going take him a bit of time.

He looks at Leon, a bit unsure. Especially with the baby doing... whatever that is, Donnie is a bit distracted. He doesn't know what Liam is doing, but it hurts to watch. Especially since Donnie understands that he's sort of the reason the little boy is so upset!

"I- I guess..." Maybe not entirely convinced. The little guy sure looks like he needs his dad! And... Donnie doesn't feel like he can be that yet. Even if the older turtles are telling him no pressure, he absolutely feels pressure.

Donnie accepts the little puffer and looks at it, turning it over in his hands carefully. He wasn't sure that this actually answered his question, but it does appear a sort of strange combination of tech, and... is that grass? Or a reed? What is that?

He was still investigating the puffer when Donatello went on to explain that the kids were actually from Donnie's universe! And puffer is mostly forgotten. Now it is open staring at the larger turtle!

And he is broken out of this by Bebe's words! Startled, he managed to spray himself in the face with the puffer! Shocked gasp! He inhaled plenty to have knocked Don for a loop! He should probably have said something like 'thank you,' but he is decidedly distracted by the medication in the face!

"Uh... sorry. Here." Offering the little device back before he breaks it or something. Fiiiiiidget. Oh, he feels like an idiot! He blushes and looks at the floor of the cart.

"Hodge... podge..." to tentatively use the new word! "Perhaps, but it works..." But despite taking a dose to the face, he seems okay. Maybe ever so slightly affected, but it wouldn't show just sitting here like this, despite being notably smaller now.

Well, now he's made a total fool of himself, glances over at Leon nudging him to drink the tea, sighs, and Donnie does actually drink some. He's not really interested in it, but it's at least something to sort of hide behind for a moment.

It was sort of working, Liam at least stopped making the soft muffled sad sounds. And the shivering lessened.


Mike reached into his pockets and fumbled about finding Cookie, still nestled in it's carry pouch and though he chuckled at Donnie's spraying himself in the face it had been a slightly nervous chuckle but one none the less, " maybe should have warned you which end sprays so you could keep it from your face huh?' playing tease and he has dug Winy out of his pocket too handing one to Elena whom giggled and hugged her toy eagerly. Cookie he holds out to Liam.


The little guy does reach for the stuffed toy, and after a moment cuddles it to him and into Donatello's plastrons and the sad muffled sound fades and his little hands are not in his mouth muffling him but he is not a happy boy.


Donatello sighed a little rubbing the little shell again, still churring that churr, even if he manages a chuckle at Donnie and shrug taking back the puffer and watching, listening for the signs the poor overwhelmed kid was going to be high. Thaaaaaaaaaaaat would have been just great return Donnie to his brothers high as a kite annnd a fairy annnnd younger!


He reaches over and pats Bebe's hand lightly, " you don't need to worry about me hurting you in any way - I wont I promise - and its okay to talk without waiting for my permission. And yeah this puffer maybe at best rudimentary and mostly relies of a small build up of pressure of air that releases the medication into someof inhaling at the right moment... but your right it did do the job, though the medication made you unwell most the time - not reaaaaally a medication right for reptiles I'm afraid, and I think it'd be okay now if you wanted to pull it apart and have a closer look, I think Bebe sharing Fairy power or fairyhood with you has at least made your asthma a milder form, and abolished that walking pneumonia." he smiles glad that Donnie was listening and seemed less afraid of them and suspicious... and he is opening up the invitation to chatter, ask them questions in his light chatter -


If anything just to try distracting Donnie from looking upset about Liam, there is not much he could do, he smelled like Don sure, similar but was missing something, and looked very different, sounded different... its not his fault Liam is just a little young to understand more than Don is not here right now, can't be with him right now.


Hopefully Cookie and Elena will help him settle a little, even if it didn't look like he really wanted to play with her or their dolls, just cuddle his own.


Mike is now finding some food in his pockets. Pizza!


A smile at Donnie as he starts sipping his tea, eyes widening at the sight of the pizza! mmmmm!


Bebe has to think on this - she is not sure what to make of Donatello's words, or Donnie spraying himself in the face, and sooort of testing the tall guys words, also watching him a little nervously she watches Donnie, " are you okay? that got all up your nose and in your mouth and... is it in your eyes?" she wonders.

Donnie had managed to close his eyes, and the white on his mask did a fair job of protecting him from the errant spray. He did a couple of quick huffs to try to rid his nose and mouth of at least some of the smell of the medication.

"I... I don't think it's in my eyes."

His eyes are definitely not stinging, but if there's a numbing agent in the medication it's possible that he wouldn't feel it.

His mask isn't quite fitting right at the moment anyway, and once he's handed the puffer back, he takes it off. It does have the medication on it. He tries to rub it off his face, but without even the minimal gear they wear at the moment, he is mostly just spreading it around. Nothing about his movements or what he's doing suggests that he's high at all. If anything, it's very slight sort of buzzed, floaty feeling, but it is definitely not obvious at the moment. He is probably more liable to make poor decisions, but given that he is 13 now, and extremely overwhelmed at the moment, this was probably something for the others to pay attention for anyway.

"I mean... only one end has a hole in it, so it's kinda obvious..." He actually had picked up on which end sprayed, but hadn't been paying attention to the small device in his hand at the time.

He frowns at the information that the medication had made him unwell somehow.

"I feel okay now..." At least nothing that he would obviously attribute to the puff to the face. He's still overwhelmed and upset, and just wants to curl up somewhere with a blanket. "What is it meant for if not reptiles?" Mostly curious, especially as he's sort of wiping it all over his face and arm now. If he were in his home dimension, he probably wouldn't even ask, assuming it for humans, but there is a humanoid bunny, and a rat, and a fairy in the cart with them right now. "I still don't get how a spell did... all this." Though his tone does suggest that maybe he's not as adamant about magic as he had been not long ago. And if what he heard about the astral visits were right, he's apparently had some sort of chi and or dragon magic for awhile too. Who knew?

But like the scars that faded when he deaged, so to did the physical and genetic injuries from the Outbreak virus. He has no idea how thrilled his brothers will be about that.

Donnie is tempted to pull the little device apart. That's what he does! But for some reason he's hesitant this time. He is at once fascinated with the strange, little device and wary of it. He doesn't know why he's wary. For now he shakes his head, leaving it intact at least until this trip is over. Just in case.

And he looks over as the pizza comes out!

"You have pizza here?" Shocked! And this is probably the first time any of his traveling companions have actually seen him excited about food! Or interested in it at all, really. And wait, did he see what he thought he saw? Pretty sure he did. "Hoooowwwww did you get that in your pocket?"

Leon chuckles a little and when it seemed Liam at least was calm for the moment, he - slowly cause a big protective Donatello was still churring that gentle way - slips the little fellow closer to Donnie, if only so the kid might find something familiar and comforting being around Donnie he tucks him close to his plastron and rubs the little head. " UncleDonatello is right lil man, come on chin up - and say hi to a new friend, UncleDonnie." brightly... for both the little blue tott and Donnie.


For he is pretty sure the little guys reactions were as disturbing too all of them, and even Donnie so reintroductions might do the pair good.


Liam is squeezing Cookie in his arms and eyes Donnie curiously, burying face against his toy, " E'llo." from somewhere there.


Elena watches her friend go - and as Donatello and or Mikey had opened mouths to answer she pipes up with a waggle of her tail and flutter of wings. " Fae be much magic!" in her best way to describe fairies being quite magically gifted.


Donatello gently prods the puffer in Donnie's hands as his lap empties and Elena moves about, chuckling and placing on hand on her back and patting it. " it's a sturdy little device, if you want to pull apart to have a look thats fine, and can only slot back together a certain way, just be careful of the rest of the powdered medication in there... it was originally for humans I did the best with what I had in my tech pack to make it more broad spectrum..." he explains to the younger Donnie smiling at him - chuckling at his amazement and well the heavy important things were said and out there and he didn't feel terrible for trying to lie by omission anymore...


Now was a good moment to enjoy a bit of comforting pizza and let it all sink in until they reach the ship.


" Fae are quite magically powerful, very rare in our world in the last few generations, Bebe is one of the last as far as I know of the savannah fae... and Liam helped a little, also you too in a way when the spell was cast so it was probably more a dragon powered than Fae." she tries to explain as best she could to Donnie.


Bebe smiles and flutters her wings - then eeps a little when there is a bubbling bright yellows and pinks sort of starting at the spot her wings connected with her back and radiating out towards the blue and purple stained tips.


Inaba moves to join them after slowing the beasts to a slow stroll for a bit, a rest for them and chances for them to snatch some grass to graze and water in a moment, and a moment for herself to eat too and drink. Having heard most with her long ears. " Your wings do that Bebe... show your emotions through color, and the way the color presents itself... Donnie, Bebe there is a fairy book and a dragon one if you want to read those."


Mikey grins at Donnie, " you wont like the answer man... but."\ he was going to switch off his tphone, but instead as he carefully puts the pizza box down and gestures for the others to grab a slice he flits through the photos until he finds Shinigami and the others talk with Donnie trying to answer his questions as best they could, then finding the witching girl sitting in a picture he turns it to Donnie when he has a moment. " Magic! hehehe this is Shinigami, she is a witch and she is one of my Leo's, Lee's, mates - and she gave my brothers and I belts with pockets enchanted to fit heaps of stuff in them... but also if food and drink keep them just perfect as they went in... is so cool!"

It took a little encouragement for Donnie to accept the puffer. He does continue to look at it for a moment, pretty sure that spacer is a reed now. He does nod at the note to be careful about the medication.

He does want to take it apart at some point, especially with the added urging, but at the moment? There's still a lot going on. And his belt doesn't fit anymore. None of his gear does. Donnie doesn't have any pockets to put it in at the moment. He just holds onto it for now.

Donnie watched as Leon brought Liam over. He did want to meet the little turtle, but is also sort of tense about this whole situation. He still feels bad for not being the 16 year old the little guy needs now. Even if the older turtles told him it's okay.

“Hello, Liam. Rough day, huh?” He brushes Liam's head, and gives him a chance to respond if he chooses, but he continues after a moment whether he gets one or not. “Me too.”

And it was. This world is so strange, and it's so very bright above ground! He knows sunlight is good for reptiles, but he's not used to it! His brothers and father are gone, and apparently they're older than he is now! And this is all because he was apparently horribly sick with pneumonia complicating asthma?!

Oh, AND magic is not only real, but he himself is now a combination of magical critters... “much magic” critters. It's... a lot.

AND he's the reason the little boy is so desperately sad.

Today definitely sucks. He's gentle though, and has on a brave face, as he rubs Liam's head. He wouldn't mind holding the little guy if Liam seems to want it, but he's not going to push it. Kid's been through enough.

Donnie was also mildly startled by Bebe's wings, which Inaba quickly explained. Though it was actually sort of pretty.

"I'd like to see the books sometime." Not now. Certainly not now. He has enough to unpack at the moment. But if he has to be a magic critter, he might as well learn all he can about it.

Donnie sighed at Mikey's warning that he won't like the answer.

“Oh, come on, not more...”

He does look at the pictures as expected though, as he picks up a piece of pizza.

“More magic. But it is cool, I guess.”

He is clearly not thrilled about all the magic in this discussion. He's not happy about it at all! It was a bit of a blow to his world view, and it will take him a little while to process it all. At least he's not adamantly objecting to it anymore though. He will come to accept it soon, but it's still a lot at the moment.

Liam is not sure what is being asked, but he is listening and it is comforting to be rubbed on the head and he does smile shyly, even if it is followed by a deep siiiigh and a squish of his teddy in his arms. "yesth... belly hursss. Head hurrrsss." is how he can managed to describe his aches at the moment.


Maybe it is a loss driven by a worry, little guy KNOWS DadDon had not been well, had been struggling - even if he is far to young to understand what it was and why.


Mikey awwwws and turns off his phone to save the minimal power it had left for now and gestures to Don, " want me to stitch up some of your gear so it fits properly?"


Donatello smiles, it was best the little fellow was sad for now, Donnie had a different scent that his older self, similar but different as for a long time young smell mostly like their folks or fairly ambient to be hidden from predators, its when hormones for sexual maturity really rev up that there is distinct individual scents, used to highlight to potential mates that their genes are worthy to take on, even if like humans they don't consciously pick up on those scents. But sometime the ache would lesson or maybe being a Leo kid the little fellow will just learn patience as is famous among Leo's. one day Donnie will grow into Don again - prehaps with a few less ptsd moments but will be him again. " That will go in time too Liam, only in time." and maybe a glance at Donnie yeah he got it, it feels awful, but only time could help on that end too. " but I think thats all of everything that has happened since landing here Donnie, anything else your brothers will have to fill you in on and we will get to them as soon as possible - for you, for Liam, a couple of his brothers are with yours. And mine. One of Mikey's and all of Leon's. For now eat and relax." he is putting on the front of being chilled out and relaxing and especially so that Donnie can just... process all this so very overwhelming stuff. But he is alert.


Another reason to encourage a clam seated together pizza munch, so he can listen and watch around them, even the sky - just...


that kind of magic might have been felt and they might be followed!


he knows this, he has to be ready for a fight -


Leon rubs Liam's little shell, smiling at least the worst of the mini meltdown was passed for now. " you should introduce Uncle Donnie to Cookie properly yeah? tell him all about Cookie."


Elena grins and bounces out of Donatello's lap and lands near Donnie excitedly, " I'll help! cause I have Windy!" so cheerfully and totally missing she shocked Bebe - who was still shocked flat out that her wings made different colors and as she was startled fire work shaped sparks of yellow orange bloomed randomly.

“I- I'm sorry, Little Guy. I'm so sorry I'm not who you need anymore. But yeah... me too.” He rubs the little head again.

Shell, he wishes things were different for the little boy! But yeah, he definitely gets feeling sick over his family being gone. He's never been away from home before. Not that he remembers anyway, and certainly never without his family! Donnie at least understands that he'll have some of his family back soon though. The toddler? He doesn't even have that.

“I kinda feel like this is enough for one day...” While part of him does want to hear more about what has happened between what he remembers and now, what he's already heard has certainly been hard enough. He almost forcibly pushes aside the question of how old Liam is. Realizing that Liam and his brothers would have already existed as tiny hatchlings in Donnie's 'now' is more than he can handle at the moment. He might look okay on the outside, but he's barely keeping it together as it is. That is a realization best left for when he at least has some brothers around.

He was tucking the puffer into the sling his arm is in for the time being when Mikey asked about the gear.

“I guess... Please? Pockets would be really nice. Um... I mean, just normal ones.”

He is mostly hesitant because he doesn't want to be a bother, but... he really wants a pocket again. Just some place to put the puffer or small items. Even now, he's used to having a couple shuriken on him at least. Carrying a weapon is sort of a part time deal for him at the moment. He's still learning how to keep it from getting caught on everything. And he does get it caught. On everything. His brothers likely wore theirs full time from the moment they were allowed, but Donnie is a reluctant ninja at best, and is easily frustrated by getting hung up on a stupid stick.

Donnie does sit and eat his pizza while listening. He stays near Leon and Liam, even sort of half scooting up against the pair. Ready to listen if Liam does decide to tell him about Cookie.

Part of him agrees with Liam. Just absolutely sick about what just happened and what he's been told. But he also feels like he hasn't eaten in a month! And apparently that's actually sort of true. He is only particularly interested in that single slice though. He's just young enough that he hasn't hit the bottomless pit teenage boy stage, small enough that the single piece was plenty, and yes, a little sick over being separated from his family. Even if he understands they'll be together soon.

Donnie laughs softly as Elena bounds over and startles Bebe into having those firework-like splotches on her wings! And he settles against Leon and Liam a bit more.

"I'd like that." Oh yes. Hearing about Cookie and Windy would definitely be a nice distraction. And even if it's not his brother, the physical contact with another turtle is sort of comforting.

Donnie is oblivious to Donatello's concerns, though a critter that can track the magic used might ping his instinctual radar. He wouldn't know why, but he would be twitchy and more on edge if something got too close Though with as overwhelmed as he already is, it might be a tough one to notice!.

Leon doesn't mind the closeness, he shifts so Elena had space in his lap and to lightly encourage Liam closer to Donnie - " quite a good story about the dolls, and not nearly as confusing at the rest of our stories of today for sure." he chuckles a bit of a tease but also commiseration with the younger turtles, it all had to be crazy overwhelming.


On the other hand, no more need to hide anything from him. And that just felt better, didn't suite him any better than Donatello to just... leave things out.


And well maybe, their relationship for now was not what they'd had, for either of them, and all could tell and hear in Donnie's voice it bothered the young one, almost as much as the sudden loss bewildered and hurt the little boy. But for now, if they could have something it would probably help both of them - though it wasn't doing anything to make Liam eat, he just shakes his head and is looking up at Donnie squishing his doll. The head rubbies is comforting, a little.


Elena grins, trying to encourage her little friend and pointing at Mikey as he makes a 'its cool' gesture at Donnie and pulls out his patching up kit as he calls it, hand out next, indication Donnie's belt, " Uncle Mikey made the dollies for us to play with, and snuggle with! -"


And she begins a mooooostly true story about long hiking and Mikey creating the rough clearly made from a poncho dolls and their little carry pouches, with occasional and encouraged out of him comments from Liam time to time, he is mostly snuggling against Leon as and Donnie's sides and snuggling Cookie - but at least he offers a little more excitement in telling about naming their toys.


Donatello eyes Liam, the earliest... from what Don had told him that their blood might have been collected was their earliest exploitations in their New York, one of their first few months of being street side...


It would mean Liam was the young side of three. perhaps about to turn three iiiiif Don and his brothers were edging in at seventeen and this younger Donnie closer to his fourteenth. But it was hard to tell. And he'd never really directly asked how old Don was had he? mostly guessed. Donatello and his brothers were nineteen, almost twenty, almost, and their shed had happened once this year meaning they were slowing down in growth.



These thing she pondered as the others and he try to make the cart ride... distracting and relaxing. There was much to think over and feel... and more when they all caught up with the pirates.


He was also using the moment of relaxing to try feeling, and scenting and listening and on the odd now and then glancing about for anything hinting at incoming trackers from the sky or the horizon...


Inaba grins at Donnie and is marking their map progress before moving it away from the pizza as another comes out and she goes to get the water skins, followed by a trying to gather herself together and yet spinning on the spot when she sees color in her wings, young fae. hehehe oh the sheepish look the fairy had given Donnie when he laughed at her reaction to the sudden nose and bustle of the little Terror child.


Whom Bebe had called 'LilLady Elena' which the bunny understood came from being a servant all her life for all the fairy knew but was still sort of unusual. Inaba shook her head and gently shooed Bebe back to Donnie's side.


And she sat, awkward feelign she should be picking up the food bits for the Princess... no now Lady being married and all and giving them to her, fetching hers and the guests water! but she fidgets beside Donnie her wings shimmering in the soft pinks of happy and yellows of excitments and greys of uneasiness... and blinks at the food... " never had pizza..." she realises out loud... mispronouncing pizza, come out more as pissah.

When Leon shifts so that Elena can have some space in his lap, Donnie does make space for Liam in his. He doesn't actually pull Liam out of Leon's lap, but does sort of scoot so the little guy can almost be between them. And he nods at Leon's words about this story being less confusing.

"Oh good..." It's soft, and genuine. Sort of a light relief. Because Donnie is definitely not sleepy, but he is edging on mentally and emotionally exhausted after trying to follow the story of everything that's led him to this point!

He is definitely glad he heard the story. He appreciates it, but... it's a lot. And the simple story of how the kids got their dollies is definitely a welcome distraction from trying to digest all he's just heard.

The soft churr is definitely a child's churr similar to a comforting one he might use with Mike... or would have... when Mike was his little brother... shell that's a weird thought... This is a churr that in a year or two will deepen into the comforting one Liam is familiar with. Though the churr is really as much for himself as it is for anyone else. He's overwhelmed, and the little, reptilian purr helps. The kids and their story about the dolls helps. Being sort of curled up here with Leon and Liam helps. The colors and spinning and sheepish look on Bebe's face helps.

When Mikey requests the belt, Donnie picks it up and hands it to him. That's definitely the most important one as far as he's concerned, though in a real fight like they're likely to come up against at some point here, he'll want the pads and guards more than he realizes.

When Liam looks up like that, Donnie sort of cocks his head slightly the first time. Not quite sure what to do, then he nuzzles the little guy.

Don actually did explicitly tell Donatello that he was 16 back in the fortress. Though Don has a somewhat unique way of determining age. He counts days he has experienced rather than date of mutation to today.

Don's count includes three weeks spent in space while hours passed on Earth. Almost three months in the late cretaceous in the time it took April to get to the lair from the Natural History Museum, and just over four months spent in 2105. It does not count about 18 months that had passed in their time from the day they first fell into the time window, to the day they had managed to return. He would have teased April for her definition of a year had he been in any fit state of mind for any such tease upon their return.

So where Don said 16 almost 17, Raph can just as legitimately claim 17 near 18 by counting day of mutation to today's date, which allows time for the kids to be three after they first went topside. Leo will likely at least have a gist of how Don counted their age, but Donnie does not.

Donnie shows absolutely no interest in the second pizza. He is relaxing after everything that just happened, but he's still working through it. It's a lot. He will accept water or tea, but he's not hungry anymore. He does smile when Bebe says she's never had "pissah."

"For starters, it's 'peet-sah.' Pissah is..." He pauses there, because all he can come up with on that front is something he heard from a Brooklyn alley while he had been in the tunnels scavenging with Master Splinter. And he probably shouldn't equate pizza with a dude taking a leak behind a dumpster... "Uh... it's something else. Pizza is good though. You should really try it." And if she doesn't already have some, he will grab a slice for her, while being careful not to dislodge Liam. Because pizza is awesome! Even if he's finished eating for now. "Sometimes on really special occasions, we'll have soda with it too." Pizza is actually not that common for Donnie. They have it from time to time, but it's more of a rare treat. He's not actually interested in any soda, it's just his way of saying that pizza is sort of a special thing for his family, not a common thing.

((ooc: Ooooh thank goodness I couldn't recall if Don had said anything and guessed - and then fell asleep midway trying to find it hahaha))


Donatello is still puzzling - but then well lets it go completely. Facts were he should just ask Donnie's Leo. And if Liam is three its no matter who could guess how long he incubated for? who knows how long dragons incubate for? Well it was a curiosity for another time he could think over - for now he is stretching himself out a little more to relay to the group just relaxing. But in the stretch he is focusing. Feeling... just trying not to get caught out. Watching Inaba's ears - and Yua's nose for anything.


Chuckling fondly at Elena's excited and determined not to let her sad little friend not participate Elena as she tells her story - and snorting a little, the battling shadow beings with their dolls was imaginary. Or maybe to her indeed their battle to escape the fortress had seemed like that.


But it was a good story!


Liam at least responding when she drew breath or poked him eagerly. She was trying.


And he was at least responding for now. Hadn't eaten and was a little shy patting Donnie's lap, indicating at least he wouldn't mind being held, even if he wasn't sure who Donnie was, he does feel safe around him, and there is a familiarity if not quite the one he is looking for, it is close.


Leon grins and in the middle of faking a dramatic gasp at Elena's descriptive and mostly now made up Dolly creation myth he lightly bumps Liam a little further into Donnie's lap and interrupts the lap patting, but also it is for Donnie too as he chooses another piece of pizza and he is amused a few of the slices were all vegetable, which Inaba was mostly eating looking amazed!


Yua snuggling in as Donatello stretches out.


Bebe listens to Donnie... makes an unsure face, but all the others were enjoying the food so she - with green and white in her wings in faint and brief nervous waves takes a piece and - " peeee t aaahhhh" amending her mispronounication not picking up there probably is more to explain and learn there but taking her first bite -


Mikey laughs, pretty sure the literal bubbles of rose pinks and bright sunflower yellow and orange... oranges burst through her wings in random ways... and thanks Donnie and gets to waok measuring the smaller lithe turtle about his shell at 'waist' area with randon ribbon he had and begins adjusting the belt to fit him. It's fairly easy. It's a cared for piece of material and has been previously adjusted for the opposite, for growth so returning it to a previous size is fiddly but mostly simple. Not much he could do for padding... unless DonnieBoy had some spare in his pockets that could be adjusted. " that was literal my reaction to tasting pizza the first time - it was mind blowing." he agrees amused.


Bebe cant talk, she is trying to suck in cheese strings and doing her best to do it neatly, primly, but failing.

((OOC: It's in the infirmary shortly after he wakes up. Back when we thought they were in season 3 before Ninja Tribunal etc. but they morphed! A little convoluted, but I think Donatellos in general would be particular like that!))

Donnie keeps sort of glancing at Leon. He thiiiiiinks Elena's story has switched to fiction, but with everything he just heard, he is definitely not sure! It's definitely getting a little crazy again, and if it is true, it's sort of more than he can handle at the moment! If it's fiction, he can manage! There's sort of a begging quality to the look. Please be fiction? Please let the shadow things be fiction!

He does take the lap pat from Liam as an invitation, and slips the little guy away from Leon, snuggling him. It's... weirdly comfortable. Almost a deja vu feeling, but not quite.

Though he is mostly oblivious to Donatello's puzzling and reaching out his senses, especially with Liam in lap, Donnie is instinctually attuned to magic that might follow them. He does not know this though! Just like he doesn't know he made the plants move out of his way or thwack at Mikey!

He is still sort of amused by the attempted correction.

"Close enough." At least a pita is food.

Donnie had been about to tell Bebe that pizza is not meant to be eaten neatly, but Mikey arrived to measure his waist. Donnie squeals and is giggly and wiggly! Snuggling Liam close as he simultaneously tries to stay still so Mikey can do what he needs to, while also trying to get away from those brushing fingers! For the most part, he is failing miserably at staying still!

"That tickles!" Soooooo very ticklish on his bridging in particular! That won't go away entirely, but at thirteen he is still especially ticklish! Once Mikey is off the bridging, he calms down, but very slightly puffed from the wiggle giggle fit

((OOC: bwhahaha ooooh man I got soooo close, I gave up and snoooozed far too quickly! but yes Donatellos are a bit like that !))


Leon laughs at the looks he is getting, but quietly when after the first moment Elena gave him a cute fish eye sort of grumpy face and shoooshed him - but over her head when she turns her eager story back to Donnie he makes sure to nod when something real happened, and shakes head at the fake bits. And thankfully there is not too much more story before the little terror flops over in his lap snuggling her Windy, " annnd thats how Mikey made them and we named them!" she sighs sooo dramatically.


Liam in the mid of snuggles heaves a similar sort of sound - amusingly, as if he'd just made an epic escape of scary shadows chasing them until they found a friendly cart and beasts to ride away from them all in! - but also when Mikey makes Donnie wriggle and giggle like that - he swats playfully as Mikey's hands -


Noooot making his task any easier! neither of them!


but he is just happy to see some life in the little guy and Donnie! and so he makes a game of it - maaaaybe oh noing a few times and oooh melodramatically he complains the wriggling cause him to need to remeasure again and again and a third time before relenting!


giving them both a break, " hahahaha well that was a task and a bit - alright let me fix this belt and theeeeen I will do those bandana holes and we'll see what I have for padding." he laughs and gets to work!


Leon laughs with them - and when its over he grins down at Donnie, " well thats good to know, never know when one might need to know ticklish spots of their companions." he teeeeeases -


Donatello snorts softly, " preferable to people knowing your spots." he is amused and relaxing and finding as he does relax more and more he can at least, or feels like he is listening further, scenting more of the warming breeze that blows from the Savannah and the strange cool breeze from the other side as they got closer to and travelled along side the wide river so wide looking to the far bank, so far it was like staring across a bay or straight rather than just a river! " bareely preferable... but yeeep." smiling and well whilst the little Leo is looking oh so fierce in his snuggles as Donnie tries to regain his breath he offers more pizza at the little guy - and is disappointed but will take the win that Liam is in Donnie's arms and hugging him, the lack of interest in drinking and eating he will worry about if it doesn't improve when back among the Leos. And there is still a droop to the little turtles tail, it's not wagging as it usually did.


Oh so much to worry about... and was that a folk of startled birds or bats, pale in color and like a vapor cloud the way they burst from the landscape around them and flew a frantic whirly wind away - but what drove them up there? a small predator? something charging their way following magic trail? oooor just a whim of a flock of birds... or bats? or large insects?...


He can't tell but he chooses to keep that direction in his mind in his alert status.


Bebe mmmmmmmmmmmmms and beams at Donnie her wings fluttering and nodding pointing at the pizza cause her mouth is stuuuuuffed!

Oh, Donnie is so very grateful for Leon's assist on when Elena's story is true, and when it's made up! That was definitely helpful, and he definitely needed it! Especially for some of the parts where he wasn't sure just because there had been so many unbelievable, yet true apparently stories already today.

There is almost a soft laugh as Elena then Liam heave those melodramatic sighs at the end of the tale.

Donnie had almost been starting that comforting, little churr again for the snuggly little boy in his lap when Mikey brushed his bridging and set off the giggle fit. Definitely not making the task of measuring his waist easy! Though at least his belt is designed to be tied, so there is some 'wiggle room' in the measuring!

Which is probably a good thing given Donnie's doing exactly that! He is smaller than Mikey would probably expect of Don at nearly 14 as Donnie claims! If you were to stand him next to Bebe, she is actually taller! Fae and dragon influence corrected unhealed or partially healed damage done by the Outbreak virus, and for now it definitely shows in his small, definitely fae-like build. Thanks to intense training, and maybe a hint of the dragon influence, he is wiry, and stronger than he looks. Perhaps someday the dragon will take over, but for now it is mostly dormant and the fae is very obvious in his build.

Mikey is reading his audience perfectly. One more 'attempt' at trying to measure, and the tickling wasn't going to be fun anymore. But Mikey stopping when he did leaves Donnie giggly and happy as he catches his breath!

Donnie just nods at Mikey's list of tasks. He's calming down, but there is still an occasional residual giggle! And he sticks out his tongue at Leon for that crack!

Though Donatello's comment was somewhat confusing. Huh?

"What spots?" What's he talking about?

He doesn't blame the little guy for not being hungry! Donnie's not really as hungry as he should be either.

Donnie assumes that the slight shiver is a result of the giggle fit, and nothing more. He has no idea that it was pretty closely corresponds with the startled flock of birds. He resettles himself, snuggling the little boy in his lap! ...or at least he tries to settle. It doesn't last long. He's restless, but chalks it up to being separated from his family. He tried one of the breathing exercises Master Splinter says should help if they're worried. It's just the slightest little touch of a meditative state. But... he's pretty sure it actually made the feeling worse. That's strange, but he doesn't think much of it, and just snuggles Liam.

Donatello is uneasy - he is trying to focus, and the way the giggling slowed helped a little, mostly cause it was making him grin and distracting him from being more watchful, listening his hardest, trying to get a sense of the land and what's going on and he figures a demonstration would help with this explanation to the spots question -


" Not entirely sure what they are but your older self and I have previously discussed what they could be, residual clumps of nerve endings in a cluster from our mutations perhaps but when they appear to be as far as we can tell sooo far is one spot on our bodies -" pausing and reaching over to stroke a very unsuspecting Leon's spot, just above his adams apple bump, and causing the slightly pudgy Leo to gasp, churr deeply, his tail flopping out of hiding and wagging in the laziest way possible, melting sideways to lay prone with a ridiculously happy peaceful churry purry look on his face. " sorry Leon, but thats what happens when we are stroked on theses spots. Or single spot..." he does his best to explain trying to go back and recall the titles that he and Don had thought up for the acronyms... meh he will recall sometime!


probably when not as distracted watching Inaba's ears and Yua's nose now and then, glancing at Don and Mikey from time to time, Don had the training he knew and Mikey a strange six sense so maybe if they act odd he will be more than sure something was up - and coming their way.


Mikey sniggers beside them immersed in the stitching and making sure his lines are straight and neat and stitches tight as well as doubled because their ninjas being rough on their equipment and ppe was a occupational hazard!


Leon just happy mumbles.


Inaba giggles but her ears do turn around as she thinks she hears something a ways off but seems to not fit into the usual savannah sounds of droning insects, rustling dry sort of leaves and scrubs and the sounds of critters moving about. Just something she is not sure what yet.


Liam manages a chuckling being snuggled and returning it and trying to stroke his own neck like that but - well its not the same when your doing it to yourself - his little friend sees what he is up to and reaches over to help - and yeeeeep like a Leo, Liam flops against Donnie's snuggling to churr and purr and waggy his little tail with the same relaxed dopey happy look on his face. This Elena finds hilarious - just as she had Leon's collasp.

Donnie had calmed down from the giggle fit, though he is being a liiiiittle protective of his sides where Mikey had been tickling him! Even as he sort of settles down to snuggle Liam.

The younger turtle is listening intently as his counterpart explains what the spots are, and Donnie starts when Donatello just casually strokes Leon's spot, causing the guy to suddenly bliss out on the floor of the cart! Wide eyed for a moment!

Whaaaaat? That's sort of cool. Donnie patpats Leon's head when he goes down all churry purry.

"Whoa... are they all the same?" Because he definitely heard plural spots earlier!

He can't help a slight giggle at Leon's waggy tailed bliss! And Donnie is laughing softly again when Liam tries to do it to himself, and Elena helps him out, leaving the little guy a puddle of goo to! While it's tempting to try it himself, and that would normally be his first inclination, something is telling him 'no.' He's too on edge. He doesn't want to be in a state like that. He doesn't know why, because that looks really tempting right now. Instead, he cuddles the blissed out tot in his lap.

While Donnie is well trained, and actually is trying to pay attention the way Master Splinter says he should at all times, he's not fully aware of everything he's picking up just yet. He doesn't realize that the on edge nervousness is something pinging just the very farthest reaches of his senses. Nor does he realize that those senses are boosted by the dragon and fae magicks as well as some of 16-year-old Don's knowledge and training that 13-year-old Donnie can only subconsciously access at the moment!

So something is bothering him, but he has no idea what, and keeps trying to push the feeling aside. It could be as simple as a deer foraging, but he doesn't have the control to tell whether it's a real threat or just a critter. Donnie isn't actually recognizing it for anything other than nerves. He assumes it's just being separated from his family, and he's trying very hard not to complain about that.

"How long are they going to be like this?" Maybe a little nervous?

Whatever is pinging the edges of senses he doesn't understand, and is maybe trying to deny, is causing him to glance the same direction that Inaba's ears have twitched every so often.

Mikey answers from beside Donnie, noting the tension but still stitching, even for a moment not watching but his gingers were guiding his stitching as he looks up at Donnie, " depends on the stroke and when it is made, like now a surprise one, Leon will recover fairly quickly, when theirs like been exercising or arousal involved the puddle state can last a looong time." he says and then adds, " Okay I knooow I am not the only one feeling creep vibes right?"


Leon waaaaaaaas slowly managing to tuck his tail back into hiding and the churring was slowing, and he does manage a grin at the pat pating -


Liam just happily churrs on - hard to be a sad worried little guy right now! -



Inaba mmmmms a little, " I thiiiink I can hear something - that way... maybe... I can't be sure but I think so?" and Yua nods a little lifting her snout into the air a bit and scenting, trying to decide what the smells were, faint and because the breeze was blowing sort of across ways from that direction she was getting it but also sort of muffled by other smells too.


" definitely creeped out vibes... um Inaba, Yua tell us about beings that can track... magic and maybe working for Draco? And is there any way to foil or throw off a trail?" He is glad Mikey answered the other question - he hadn't meant to not answer just he got more and more worried, aware their fighting numbers were down one - unless they can slow a pursuer and get back up in the form of Donnie's brothers and his own! oh man... " Donnie you and Bebe must keep Liam and Elena safe, and with yous and close at the moment, but also - move up to the front of the cart with Yua and try to coax more out of those beasts Leon, Mikey and I will defend the back here, Inaba I you must guard their backs and alert us if there is a frontal assault." he is gently poking to get folks moving to spots, to do as he says as there is a sort of crashing a distances off... heading their way...

Donnie is trying very hard to listen to Mikey's explanation. He had asked the question after all! He very, very clearly had more questions, but he's having a difficult time paying attention. Every so often, he's looking away. His attention drawn to something in the distance.

When Mikey asks about anyone else feeling creep vibes, Donnie looks to him quickly! Another wide-eyed look! "No, you're not..." Definitely feeling creep vibes!

And listening to Inaba, he nods. He agrees on the direction.

Just pleeeaaaaaase don't ask how he knows. Because he has no idea. He just does!

"You can track magic?!" Really? That's a thing? Stupid magic.

After a moment though, he realizes that was sort of a stupid question. Magic involved energy, and energy can be sensed. If you can sense it, you can track it. And there's a niggling, little thought that insists that he's probably tracking magic too without realizing it.

He is definitely listening to Donatello though, and nods at the order. "Okay." Donnie's got it. The order is accepted just as readily as he would take one from Master Splinter if they were out in the tunnels and something happened. He'll do what he can to protect the kids.

When Donatello is nudging people into position, Donnie sort of takes control of guiding Bebe and Elena. It's a little tricky with Liam still in his arms, but he's pretty sure they still have a little time, and he hugs the little guy. He'll give the little boy to Bebe when he has to, but not until then. Untested though it may be, he does have training, and he is pretty sure that Bebe does not.

Truth be told, he feels better with someone to hug, even if it is the toddler. He is also close to the two girls. Donnie is scared, but trying very hard to push it aside. He knows that if he gives himself to the fear, that he won't be able to help anyone.

Their moving into position - Inaba calling out. " Very few can track magic -" she is afraid but is keeping the kids close and Yua and driving the beasts to move! " A Shade was a magic user, a sorcerer possessed by a spirit or spirits, becoming a new creature, they may have started out Fae, Goblin, Dwarf, Elf or Urgal, once possessed they adopted similar traits, such as extreme strength and magic proficiency, tracking and speed - vulnerable to dragon fire, Fae nature magics, ice dragon frost breath..." she explains as best she can as they race ahead of whatever is coming. " no real way to throw it off the trail..."


Donatello siiiighs and nods, well.... they had to get to the pirate ship sounded like they needed the back up!


He had smiled at Donnie, patted his shoulder in a big brotherly sort of 'You got this' way and is now absorbing Inaba's callout and well he doesn't like it but he glances at the two fae they had, considering his new found skills too - and reaches for that ' something' for his air power - unpracticed he will make the best he could.


" alright we don't know when this creature will catch up, everyone be ready to call out once you see something close enough to strike. Mikey, Leon reach for your avatars... you may need them." he adds thoughtfully as he reached for his.


Leon nods and is focusing, the my little pony shape slipping over him.


Mikey was carefully tucking the stitching away and closes his eyes briefly, focuses... stops for a moment - waves away the image of IceCreamKitty and her meow - and focuses again this time managing to find the fox!


Bebe waits nervously with Donnie, picking up Elena, blinking a bit in surprise... could she and Donnie really help in a fight with... fae magic? she is not sure how to use it!

Donnie is frowning as he listens to the description from Inaba. Those creatures sound crazy! How could they fight--

Oh...

So, turns out, if the stories he had heard are true that the Shade is very susceptible to Don's abilities.

But Donnie doesn't know how to use the fae magicks! Or how to access his dragon! He takes a moment to remove the sling on his arm, just in case. Sure, he probably shouldn't move too much. But better to move the injured arm than die because he can't!

He looks over when Donatello squeezes his shoulder. He appreciated the support. But...

Donnie doesn't like that glance from Donatello. The one that sort of seemed in response to the fae magic comment! He looks over at Bebe too, meets that questioning look with a shrug. Worth a try? His own expression is trying to be hopeful! But he became a fae only hours ago! He has nooooo idea how to use that magic!

...At least not consciously.

And staring as the other turtles avatars present in that ghostly manner!

"Whoa! How'd you do that?!"

Nope. Nooooo idea that he was the one who taught them! And if they know how, maybe they could drag him into touching his own avatar! Maybe?

Donatello grins over at Donnie - beside him an alarmed looking Bebe was cuddling Elena. " why yoooou taught us Donnie - I don't know if you still can do it -" a glance around and poised, the window around them seemed to be sort of whistling in a soft eye of the storm just around them,, gathered to Donatello - he looks at Leon and Mikey and gestures with his head -


Kitsune Mikey bounced over to Donnie and he gestures - sit, siiit with him, trying the very same thing Don had for him some time ago!


They might need Donnie's dragon after all if it was still there but just like his fae magics, perhaps at this young age he might not be able to use it at full power - either way he was going to try.


Bebe watches them and offers her free arm out for Liam whom was still a little floppy and tail waggy and churry and limp noodley. " buuut - we don't know... how?" she worries and so frightened by what she is hearing - a Shade! a Shade was after them! her wings fluttered and had dark misted stormy mix of greys, whites and greens.


Donatello gives her a small smile, trying to think of something Master Splinter would say in this instance, " try not to over think, lean into the tingle and feel of your magics, react with it as best you can, sometimes our instincts can help guide us, but I get it, I too am still learning this wind power thing - and noooo Mikey now is NOT the moment for fart jokes." catching the immediately mischievous look on Mikey's face and well stomping all over that as fast as he could for now!


Mikey poooouts but focuses on encouraging Donnie.


Donatello focus is taken again by watching around them - narrowing in on a dust column that hints at something travelling at a great speed to catch up to them! Oh man they needed the Leonardos!

While Donnie does understand that a Shade is a powerful magic thingie, that's about where his understanding ends. He doesn't have scary stories to pull from. He literally knows only what Inaba just told them. It really doesn't mean a whole lot, but he does understand 'bad.'

Donnie sort of cocks his head when Donatello says that Don taught them! He's hopeful at that! But there's definitely a bit of a silent 'oh...' as he sort of takes it to heart that he won't be able to access the dragon anymore. The sparkles on his shell dim slightly. Not gone, but affected as he takes a hit to his confidence. He is definitely young enough to be very impressionable.

But Mikey seems eager to teach, and maybe more hopeful that Donnie can do it. Okay, he might as well try. Can't hurt. And some of the sparkles come back. Donnie nuzzles Liam one more time before giving him to Bebe.

Don did mention once that each time he has connected with Liam that his chi and dragon seem easier to access, and this last time was probably the most intensive contact yet! As long as he thinks he can reach it, he probably can! Whether or not he's old enough to breathe fire...?

He huffs a sigh at Donatello's words about not thinking too much. Awfully familiar. He's getting better, but it's definitely one of the more common criticisms he receives, especially in the dojo.

There is a chuckle at Mikey being scolded that it's not time for fart jokes, and as he relaxes, a few more of the sparkles brighten. Okay, as ready as he is going to be, Donnie settles facing Mikey. He takes a breath like Master Splinter always has them do before meditating, and starts to clear his mind to do what Mikey is trying to show him.

Donnie's Master Splinter is adamant about their spiritual training, and Donnie is actually pretty good at following. He was also the first of his brothers to touch and use his chi. Even at 13, he is capable of reaching at least his chi state, but he doesn't know how at the moment!

Following Mikey though, Donnie is very close to reaching his chi, bringing on those glowing lines! He's not quite there, but so very close!

Mikey grins, his pout fading, " Don't be too worried or think it too hard, you can bet thats what big brain there is doing now - fretting and thinking and over thinking, you got this Donnie, and he knows that, so do we." he says encouragingly, Leon nods from his spot and thumbs up, also turns to look at Inaba and hold his hands up.


" we have face difficult and unusual enemies before, we'll be okay." he sooths, more for the confidence of Donnie as well as himself. But also to stop those that were sort of near panicking from going full blown hysterical.


Donatello smiles and glances over his shoulder at them nodding also, " oh absolutely." he didn't like the dimming of those sparkles. He did however enjoy the chuckling at his warning to stay on task to Mikey. That was good. And he hopes the encouragements and Leon's calm is a little infectious because it was probably best for Donnie's concentration and their own and the in coming fight to be as calm as possible.


Liam tries to stay in Donnie's hold, maybe not his Don right now but the scent is similar and the little guy has picked up on the fear, but its fading, still he wants to be close to that familiar!


oooh he is cuuute! and maybe she is struggling a bit with two kids in arms but she snuggles them both - her wings losing some of the fearful white and greens and sparkling with yellows and pinks in the middle of the whites greens and greys.


ooooooooooooh Donatello would be happy to just watch emotions play out on those wings, and watch now as Donnie tried to relearn what he taught them. But right now he is gathering the wind to him! focusing.


Mikey waits until Donnie is focusing , as much as a thirteen year old could and he nods making his own avatar a little more solid, " As far as I know about chi and stuff it feels like inwardly grasping a ... um its sort of a feeling but also knowledge and when you have it you know... and hanging on, imagining forcing that... to your skin into your hands to use sort of like bringing your weapon to bear." he tries to describe in his most serious and monotoned meditation voice, the one Lee would sometimes use to bring up his chi, but pre the chant.

Donnie is paying attention to Mikey, and he nods almost too quickly. He is not near hysterical, but he is afraid so Leon's words are helpful. They do have the intended affect of helping bring a little more confidence and calm. And Donatello sounds pretty sure too, so Donnie nods and accepts the words. Okay. This isn't really okay, but... it will be. Hopefully...

The nuzzle before handing Liam off probably felt familiar too. Donnie is almost as reluctant to hand over the little boy as Liam is to go, but Donnie understands that he needs to do this! He really does.

"I have to try this if I'm going to help. Bebe will hold you." Just one more bit of attention before he finally hands Liam off to Bebe. He doesn't really take a moment to watch her wings though he did notice the greys and greens, and sort of wishes that he had a better idea what the colors meant. Though he assumes those are at least worried.

As a thirteen-year-old's focus goes, Donnie's is actually pretty good. He is listening to Mikey's explanation, as well as recalling Donatello's words from when he had been sort of hoping that Bebe or Donnie might be able to maybe instinctively use their fairy magic. And who knows, maybe it would still work.

Donnie is also responding well to Mikey's tone. If Mikey is paying attention to Donnie, he might be able to tell that Donnie is actually brushing against that chi state that might be able to pull out his avatar. He's not quite glowing, but one in spiritual contact with him could probably tell that he's right there, all he has to do is actually grab onto it!

It's sort of a strange feeling. It's like he knows this. But at the same time, he doesn't. Though he has never had this experience, it's not unlike running into someone at the grocery store who knows you, but whose name you cannot remember. You know you know them, but not who they are or where you met them.

There's a brief moment of hesitation, but Mikey said to grasp it, and pull it to the surface...

As Donnie actually, fully touches his chi the bright purple, iridescent lines activate. Drawing them out as Mikey had said to is harder.

At the same time... it feels weirdly familiar. He lets that familiarity lead, and the ghostly dragon presents. He doesn't know that there had been a slight reminder, and boost from an approaching dragon brother's roar.

He will need a little more of a kick to actually morph with his avatar, but the ghostly dragon is there.

Liam is pooooooooouting!


And he slups on Bebe's shoulder for a moment looking miserable - though he can touch her wings! - blinking cause DadDon always told him to ask first -


And becoming distracted as Bebe squeals, Inaba wooo hooos, Yua wooooows -


Leaning out of Bebe's arms! desparately trying to nuzzle that familiar if not as big as before dragon! eager little chirp chirp chirp sounds coming from him and tail going crazy! wings opening and flopping all over the place. Including Bebe's face! So when Inaba and Yua's gasp in fear and back away or - well sort of scrunch down she misses moment the Shade swept up their trail like a bad hurricane -


"Bauerschwein!" Yua couldn't help yelping.



Wellllllll Donatello is supposing that is the name for the critter that appears before them rushing their way on Donatello extends his staff and leaps from the cart swirling around as he does collecting the force of wind and kicking it out towards the -


pig


it looked like a domestic pig on its hind legs, a gross white color, offish and greyish and the smell! from the beast was kicked up by Donatello's windstrike which causes a somewhat stagger but the beast just snorts and laughs coldly striking back at Donatello with a purple streak of something that both sliced and felt like a burn as the tall turtle is not quite fast enough to dodge it - growling Donatello air slices at the piggy again!


Leon rushes into the fight not sure what his avatar can do!


Mikey is ignoring the sounds of beginning battle behind him, even if it is loud and Leon and Donatello are now battling - " The dragon is you Donnie, become it - put it on like a skin! And he wouldn't mind nuzzling the little guy." cause if all else fails maybe the light touch from the little dragon boy will spark the recognition in bringing the avatar to full corporeal for Donnie. Worth a shot. A roar - he hopes that is rescue.