Trip to Chinatown

Unlike Leo, whose presence fills space unless he's trying to hide, Don disappears in it. If you're not paying attention, you might forget he's even there. And he's okay with that.

Crawling on the walls, Stitch might notice a handful of sensors and cameras, but they're well hidden. Humans are unlikely to notice even if they're searching for them.

He makes a couple of turns before reopening a conversation. "If you ever approach the lair without one of us, it's best to have a shell cell. Uh... our phones, like Leo lent you. I'll get you some. And please, do what you can to ensure you're not followed."

Don takes a moment to listen before finally answering the question Lilo asked back in the lair.

"And yes, I engineered and built most of our tech. Mike is good for ideas, and really helpful for GUI design, and Raph is really helpful when it comes to maintenance and overhauls. Particularly of the vehicles, but he's done a lot of camera and sensor placement, helping with plumbing. Things like that. He's good with his hands."

And if the last could come across as dirty, he either doesn't realize it, or at least doesn't intend it that way. 

"And April is great for bouncing ideas and troubleshooting."

Unless someone actively encourages a conversation, he's content to show the way in silence.

The girls shifts so their either side of Don as they walk along,following his words and keeping quiet - and even when he says their in the clear and when they giggle at the almost dirty words and his lack of knowing about it they are soft of tone and soft of voice. There was a serious look from both young women, " will never give you guys or my sons away Don."" promise to be extra vigilant Donatello." back to him, message recieved and taken seriously. Then they are bright warm smiles at him.


" Shell cell huh? neat name and well it really is all cool - you would do really neat things when Jumba shares some tech... and he will cause he likes to have a brain bounce buddy. April a bit of a engineer too?" she wonders curiously and with a smile, " I have learned a little from Jumba and Stitch but it's not my forte when they are working on something I generally just pass around tools."


" hah more than me, I would get the tools wrong." bit of a giggle at that. Both young women though just happy to speak to Don about his works in the lair, or Erica, anything make him at ease around them both they hoped. Sides their friend had said behave. So they were and he seemed cool to chatter too as well! " soooo can I hear too what really happened that day with Ruebin and Erica, the first time we all met and she went to do that errand for us? I mea an uhif you wanan hear Don too..." cuase now she was made curious!

Slightly concerned he had come off wrong. 

"Sorry, I didn't mean to imply you would. It's just... we've all accidentally brought home an occasional... uh... unwelcome houseguest."

There's a slight, apologetic smile. He hadn't meant to offend, it's just that moving sucks. Especially when he's the one who has to bring a new lair online. Electricity and plumbing can be problematic, and that doesn't even begin to address security or TV and Internet that they've gotten used to having. 

And a little brighter at Lilo's words. And a chuckle at Haley. 

"Thanks. And I look forward to it. Alien tech is amazing. They're always so different from each other, and what we have... Even in 2105."

And a smile at the talk of April. He definitely loves the woman who they have come to see as a sister. Don is really looking forward to seeing her and Casey tonight. They have an awful lot of new family to introduce. He is sort of dreading it too though. Because really, the lair is crowded already!

"April's amazing. She was our first human friend. I think she's more interested in Math, but yes. Quick to help troubleshoot and a great second pair of eyes. We're trying to finalize a patent on some of the audio video tech I used in Erica's phone. Mike has it too."

That should come through any say now, and yes, he's excited!

"And yes, please. I am curious about what happened. Especially if she's going to see if she can figure out her echolocation."

The young women one on each side giggle, grin and bump shoulders lightly against him, " it's alright I get it'd be hard to move.'


A deeeep sigh from Lilo, " never moved but have had to rebuild my house plenty of times thanks to mishaps with Stitch, Uncles Jumba and Pleakley, and the other six hundred and twenty seven genetic experiments."



Haley giggles a bit as Lilo nods, enthusiasitically, hey she wasn't a engineer but she enjoyed the fun and convenience some of the tech had provided her over the years. " ooooh yeah and even better it's not just one sort of tech, it's at the very least a few dozen species from the Galactic Federation. A little out side our milkyway that is." she definitely appreciated his excitement. Hers and Haley's smiles becoming gentle.


Haley sighing a bit, " she sounds amazing, like that cooler older friend half sister you know you can trust with anything and she has your back no matter what - can't wait to meet her."dding eagerly.


Lilo then pouts a little in thought as she recalls the information Ruebin gave her. " Ruebin is experiments six two five. Has almost all of Stitch's powers but is... lazy hehehe a total foodie can cook anything but dedicates himself to sandwiches. Any ways he went with Erica that day to help her and I know better than to ask a non local to go into our waters without back up, Ruebin stayed on the small dock that jetty's out over the reef that is part of Pudge's territory. Erica didn't seem nervous she had said she was fine in pools ... and pond and lake... Any ways Pudge comes up to the surface as he does - how he knows what day it is and what time to expect his sandwich I have never figured out. And Erica slips in - it seemed okay for a min she gave him the sandwich and he swam off. Then Ruebin says ... it looks like she was shedding all her skin, there was some blood and he could have sworn her legs were fusing - but she was screaming and in pain and he got her out of the water and freaked out - but as she dried off the reaction, or whatever stopped and she seemed fine, skin back to normal her legs no longer half melted into each other. Took her a little while to come around and then they came back to us. she's been frightened of water she can't see the bottom of ever since though i personally think it's just the ocean water that does it to her."

Don half smiled at Haley understanding moving would be hard.

"That does sound chaotic. Rebuilding is almost as bad. Let's just say... there's a reason we have a separated garage... He chuckled there. Shaking his head at the memory of the original Battle Shell rampaging around the lair..  "And for the record, it was totally not my fault. But at least I didn't have to reroute drinking water and waste lines." Oh... that had not been fun. At all.

Don sort of chuckled at the name of the alien group. "That sounds amazing. I really look forward to getting the chance to talk to them. And... there's one project I could sure use a geneticist's input on... And he probably won't say anything else about what that project might be. Instead he chuckles. Though, I sincerely hope it is a different Federation than the one I have had the misfortune of having had dealings with...They were... rather warlike. At least at the time."

He smiled.

"Her husband Casey is cool too. He's just more... uh... Raph's friend." Might be a diplomatic way of putting it.

Don frowns listening to Lilo's story. Fusing...?

"Haley, didn't you say that shifting into your dragon form hurts...?"

Lilo laughs a little touching her nose a little in 'gotcha' sort of gesture. " Something or someone went on a rampage through the lair?" oh yeah she felt him, of course she didn't do much of the heavy lifting as far as pipes and electricity went but she put in her fair share of painting and wood working at least.


" In my case it was me - Once when my brothers best friends were babysitting and trying to help me loose my first dragon tooth - turns out it's tough as nails unless ready to fall out on its own and next time I trashed the place under the influence of a potion hidden in cupcakes." she admits sheepishly, thankfully her parents had very good insurance really.


" nah think of this Galactic Federation as... a Star Wars like one built upon rules, most of their fights and wars are all in long drawn out panel talks. The Galactic Highness is very very fussy. But I like her." another amused sort of giggle and the young women are glad the Don seems more relaxed about them. She nods, " Jumba is definitely the alien to speak to about anything to do with genetics alright. Been a while since he's had any work to do on that side of the field so he would welcome and enjoy the challenge." inviting Don to share what the project is in tone, but making it clear he does not have to of course and she wont pry further if not ready or wanting to share.


Looking toward Haley as her friend bobs her head and nods. " Oh yeah, I am glad it seems our sons do not have to endure the switch between turtle and dragon, instead they are a blend of both... and yeah it is easier to endure the better one gets at transitioning from one to the other form. But the shift itself involves organs shifting and growing or being reabsorbed, ligaments and tendons doing the same. Bones as well. It hurts like the dickens and I was a early bloomer so had to learn to deal with the pain early on and also after some time ancient inherited magics kick in so some of the pain is lessened. Unlike that experience by other shifters like werewolves which is the same thing but no ancient magics in their blood to dampen the pain as they get better at the shift."


Both the young women eye Don - Lilo with a little, " always thought Erica's story sounded like a shift but she's never gone back to ocean water of any type to test it and I don't really blame her. And barely goes near other water to swim. Huh recall after the week after that she refused to shower terrified it would happen again. Became dehydrated and in hospital with Haley and I. Needless to say we discovered fast normal treated tap waters, normal pool water and other fresh water bodies don't bring it on. She still gets very nervous about water she can't see to the bottom of. So it's cool to see her swim today. With you.'

Don is relaxing, Erica was right. They're nice. And Leo was probably right to send him. Stuck alone with just the two of them, it sort of forces him to interact with them one on one rather than being able to keep hiding from them.

"Heh... yeah, the first Battle Shell. I installed an automatic recall function. Mikey played with the remote before it was finished. Ohh... that does sound like a mess. Are there many potions that can do things like that?"

He nods at the information about Jumba. Even if it's been awhile it's still an extra set of eyes if nothing else. And maybe Donnie would be interested in the guy's expertise too. He'll have to mention that when he contacts him next. And it sounds like Jumba has actual training, not just a mutant or two alone trying to figure it out as he goes.

Don looks more bothered by Haley's explanation than he probably should be. He doesn't remember a whole lot about his secondary mutation. What he does remember is sort of like recalling a dream... or a nightmare. But he does remember pain. A lot of it. And it sounds like Haley's transformations go even a step farther than what he experienced. In the end, he nods at the information.

He frowns at the information about the aftermath of Erica's incident in the ocean.

"We're on a peninsula, and most of New York is on islands. There's a lot of salt water around us, and the systems we access aren't necessarily treated. That pond isn't always freshwater. Storms can change it. Occasionally an exceptionally high tide. Actually... if the echolocation thing hasn't happened before, I wonder if we weren't getting just a little saltwater incursion." Things to discuss with Erica.

Lilo sniggers a bit and ooooh maaaaaans at the information there was a runaway vehicle one on the loose, " and I am guessing Battle Shell is an accurate description of the damage the machine wrought through the lair." hahaha oh brothers for sure huh? She says that bit silently and listens a little puzzling and hmmmming allowed a little then nodding slowly.


" it could have been some sea water or perhaps the fact the little guys and you all were making the sounds. Maybe a little of both. I've always wondered if the reaction was an incomplete trasnformation. Never delved much into it or suggested it because well until you Erica wasn't very interested in trying to find out what went wrong. I figured she'd come around eventually of course but wasn't going to rush it. It's cute she over came the fear to be with you int he water though. Probably would jump into after any of the kids too of course." a grin at him. No tease, just self affirmation of the closeness between one of her besties and the bright mutant guiding them in the dark tunnels, glad that she sorta sensed the dude was relaxing with them. Stitch clicky clacking along the wall to the roof to trek above them feeling the vibrations and rumbles of maybe traffic, maybe subway.

A thoughtful hum of her own about their musings, and some giggling about the lair and Battle Shell, oh man that would have been a mess!


Answering Don after Lilo correctly also imagines the kind of destruction a vehicle labelled BattleShell would cause. " There are a few potions yes, but not only that different beings react differently to the mix, specifically the base ingredients. That day myself and a bunch of humans were hit with the mix and had similar transformations but mine was a little more pronounced given I am a dragon based shifter, the smae potion would have little effect on a say Nyx or Werewolf whose transformations are based on monthly cycles of the moon."


then listening again, " never put much thought itnot it myself... but it sounds like it could have been a half transformation and those can be very terrifying and painful if you don't know what you are doing or indeed changing into. Think there was any sea water present today Don?" curiously and enjoying the time spent with this turtle man!

Don chuckled.

"Well, it was an armored truck before I got my hands on it. Heh... Mike had to convince me to 'trick it out.'"

And... Mike created something of a monster that day... The garage was testament to that.

He listens patiently to the information about potions. "That sounds... mildly terrifying." This is coming from a guy who has struggled with side effects of medications and the occasional tine they were drugged. 

He blushed slightly. He's glad Erica came into the water, but he hadn't realized what sort of past she had!

"I'm sure she would jump in for the kids. Though having heard this now, I sort of feel bad for encouraging her to get in."

He frowns as he nods at the comment about incomplete transformations you aren't expecting being painful and scary, and it's almost pointed that he's responded to it.

Don shrugged at the question of saltwater. "We haven't had a storm recently, but I would have to check the tide tables to say for sure."

Haley and Lilo giggle imagining the fun taht had gone into tricking out an already armoured truck. " and that's when the up cycle bug bit huh? So many cool gadgets and rides in that garage" Haley guesses with a grin and they both let their shoulders bump against Don's lightly.


Lilo shaking her head, " don't feel bad... it's a beautiful things she trusts and wants to be beside you even at the risk of what happened last time. And this could be good for her fear. And she's never been this way about a guy before." lightly - proud of her friend, pleased for Don.


Haley also adds with a little sad tone but also pleased, " and the only way it will get better for Erica now I think this is a transformation - if she learns to control it and make it happen faster it does help with the pain. Who knows it's probably part of her mutation. Yes don't feel bad. Our bestie enjoyed her time with you and them kids and thats most important."

"Oh, I've been upcycling since I was five." Don chuckled. "It was definitely the beginning of us having vehicles though. And Thanks. I like them." Oh yeah, caught that bug hard...

He listens to Lilo, and his response is a bit hesitant. "I guess..." And he makes a somewhat uncertain face at the comment about Erica never liking a guy before. He pretty much felt the same, with the possible exception of Jhanna, but even that had been different. Mild in comparison.

He listens to Haley's information, and while he agrees... "That's up to her."

He stops at a ladder and looks up a moment before hurrying up and checking the alley. It's deserted, and he's not surprised.

"Well, this is our stop. It's daylight, so you're on your own from here. It's an alley, you should be fine. Good luck."

He jumped back down.

"Call or text when you're finished and we'll come get you from here. And if anything comes up... we can be here faster." Basically the same lecture Leo already gave. And probably the same one any of them would have repeated.

Lilo grins, " Stitch has to go fix up his um.... naughty behaviours today whilst we are travelling about, we'll bring back some alien ech for you to play with on the way back the small hover car we used to get here, pretty rad. Might be enabling more of the mechanical engineer in ya but seriously the garage is full of cool rides." she winks and offers a quick hug when the turtle comes back down, " thanks Don, for the walk and talk, and makin our bestie so happy." she lets go and crosses her heart again, " promise if there are any problem we will be in touch... actually probably be sending up dates as we go." wink and she starts up the ladder with a chuckling Stitch.



A snigger, " thanks Don, we'll be careful, and be in touch..." echoing the sentiments that she was pleased for him and Erica too in a more reserved kinda way but offering a light quick hug too.


Both young women definitely enjoyed his company on the trek and let him know it fully. And would most certainly be in touch, the pair calling down. " be careful on -"" the way back Don." Stitch putting the man hole cover back in place once they were out of the sewer and with a few grumps resumes the role of weirdly deformed but cute and fluffly doggo.

Don chuckles softly at Stitch needing to clean up his mess.

"Sorry we worried you. We probably would have done similar if it had been our friends missing though.  Well... maybe without the property damage..." Mostly...

He grinned at the mention of the hover car.

"Thanks. That's not even everything. The tunneler, helicopter and half rebuilt Triceraton cruiser are kept elsewhere. They wouldn't fit..."

He had gotten stuck on the cruiser, there were parts that just couldn't be recreated with Earth technology. Even with what he learned in 2105. The materials just didn't exist, and he hadn't found an appropriate alternative. He curious to see if this gover car has an acceptable alternative! 

He hesitated at the hugs, but accepted them in the end.

"You're welcome, sounds good, and you be careful up there too."

Leo already gave them the Kraang lecture. He leaves it at that.

He chuckled at them finishing each other's sentences. And again at Stitch's grumbling. He couldn't really blame the guy.

' forgiven... many times - we'll catch up soon Don." Lilo called down and their footsteps would be retreating a bit.


' we'll be very careful Don." Haley adds and the girls at first with a curious Stitch who did feel the desire to go and make mayhem resurface in his body, but he ignores the urge falling in beside the girls as they started off along the china town shops.

Once the manhole cover was in place, Don waited just another moment then turned back toward the lair. He walked a short distance before breaking into a jog. Leo said be warm, and he will be. For now it's just a jog. In another couple blocks, he'll start using some of the tunnel features for a light bit of parkour before getting back to whatever Leo has in mind.

It's not a long distance, but it's plenty for a quick warm up.

Double ping right behind Erica's vid sms a picture one, self - two pretty girls in a china town store trying on oriental garments making the duck face. Well sort of, all in play -


but Lilo and promised to send updates.

Don looks down, as his phone vibrates twice in quick succession. First is the video from Erica, and the picture from Lilo is right behind.

The picture loads first though when he open the messages. He's not sure what he thinks of this one. Will have to pass it on to Leo and Raph later. But for the moment, he doesn't give it too much thought... He supposes it technically counts as checking in...

And the video from Erica he actually laughed out loud. He had to stifle it quickly. What? Leo pulling another Mikey card today? What was up with big brother? He chuckled silently to himself and tucked the phone away once more. He's almost to the beginning of the secured area.