Mundubbera Valley follow the stream.

Aha! Don!! He grabs andholdsbutthe hugs just that - a warm astral hug, so very relieved, if Don wants to tell him anything Raphie will help with staying connected, if not just hang on and snuggle for a bit.


Oh he had worried, would still worry, but Don is here!!

Still not visible, but that warm, astral hug is really something. Don could sure use his big brother right now. Sure, he'd managed to make it through the last two hikes, and the second one though short was uphill with Liam on his back. But he had struggled through every moment, and as much as he has come to care for his traveling companions, they're not the brothers he grew up with.

They're not Raph. Who... oddly enough is the one that Don is most willing to show how much he hurting. Don will make a concerted effort to keep Alpha Leo from worrying, as well as put on a brave face for Omega Mike. But his fellow beta? Fellow Beta is sometimes allowed to see what he tries to hide from the others. Especially that fellow beta who is also a protective big brother.

For example, Don is pretty sure Mike still doesn't know about the asthma. Unless Raph or Leo told him. And Leo only knows because Don had needed help, and Leo had been the one who could provide it. Don told Raph willingly.

This contact seems like it had been mostly a big brother checking in, and Don appreciates it. Realizing earlier that he hadn't been able to feel his brothers had been a little startling. So to be here with Raph now is something he had needed more than he'd fully realized.

~I really miss you guys.~

A protective growl and he grips the spectral feel of his brother all the tighter, not scared here he was too rough as there was no worry he might break bones or squeeze the breath out of his brother and he churred as obnoxiously loud as Mike and drawing it on!


~"I miss you little brother, too much... I am enjoying my counterparts company and enjoying exploring whatever Lee and I have, and bonding with Randall is... Incredible. But.... man missing my brothers so very much." ~ to his fellow beta he is not afraid to get immensely real, very raw and real. But then again Raph did that to everyone - when he wanted to express himself he did. No holds back.


He muzzles in, ~" Lee has moved out pace a bit he is gonna get this army man.. We'll be there as soon as possible." ~ amused. ~"and our little brother is planning on making more little hybrids." ~ play grump. Inwardly a tad impressed by the fearlessness on the matter.

Don is sort of nodding in agreement. Especially as Raph mentions bonding with Randal. Don is completely and utterly wrapped around Liam's little finger. He definitely gets that.

~Yeah... the group here is great, and Liam's amazing. Just... they're not you guys.~ So this contact with his brother is very welcome, and he's sort of relaxing to Raph's churr.

~Sounds good.~ He commented of Lee's faster pace, and their army. It might be very, very necessary. ~We're... Actually... I have no idea where we're going.~ This is actually a very strange thing for Don to say. But this time? He's been way too out of it lately. ~Not sure why I think this, but I feel like we changed directions.~ He trusts his traveling companions, but he's almost certain they're not actually headed toward the capitol city anymore. He was pretty sure they'd been fairly close.

And a soft chuckle at Mike's plans.

~You sound surprised by this.~ Don's not. Mike's definitely one to jump into something like that. Especially since they have the toddlers with them now. Amused at Raphs' grump and tone.

~" mmmmm hmmmmm not my brothers, just more brothers. but not mine... will probably miss them when we all get home. Father will realise where we are eventually and probably seek out Nexus..."~ another reason to make this meditation attempt regularly to be in touch with the father when he gets there and be reassured about the presence. ~" I really really hope Lee and all are right here, I mean I can see it, but they say and showed me a photo of Randal being absolutely Raphie... so... hopefully he is our world when we get home. i... am afraid of losing him ya know?"~ he squeezes his brothers essence and nuzzles it. ~" I... think Lee is determined to get back to his brothers as much as he is determined to get BigM back to his and me back to you guys so it wont be too much longer Don. and well we know what our Leo is like."~ bit of a fond grin.


~" your a Don you like to know - can always ask them to show you a map of where you guys have been and where yous are headed."~ chuckling cause Dons do like to know things especially his Don.


And shrugs, ~" not really surprised... just... think its possible?"~ curiously.

Don nods, agreeing. He will definitely miss his traveling companions when they all go home. And he sort of 'looks up' hopefully at Raph when he says Master Splinter will probably seek them out in the Nexus.

That hadn't even crossed Don's mind.

Though to be fair, he's been a little preoccupied... ir unconscious.

~You think so?~ Sort of excited about that prospect, but also concerned. Draco had hated Master Splinter before he ever knew about the rest of them. And if Master Splinter came through in the capitol, it would be awfully close to where Draco is!

Losing the kids was another thing Don hadn't really thought about. Again, he hasn't really had time. And if he's honest, he doesn't want to think about it. He's quiet as Raphie talks. Just listening, enjoying being with his brother. But he smiles at the talk of Leo.

~Relentless.~

If it weren't thought speak, it wouldn't be understood. It would have been too quiet. Because Raphie is absolutely right... and yet... Don hasn't been able to make himself care where they're headed.

~When I think about it... I can't breathe well enough to ask.~ Not something he wanted to admit.

As for hybrids... Don shrugged. A month ago he would have said no.

~Randal and his brothers exist.~

" heheh hehehe hehehe Raphael a pretty lady buuuuuug." sleep mumbles BigM happily.

A grin, ~" yeah man after all he diiiiiid track us down in the tribunal and help out, no doubt the wiley ol rat will find his way here, figure out we are here and cause mischief in the capitol or head out into the surrounds. He's clever our old man." Raphie brags and well tries to comfort Don, yep no doubt the rat will show up sometime and be smart enough to keep his head down.


He fidgets then nodding, ~" yeah... that's one way to look at it, well... suppose we'll just have to wait and see huh? the damonfeuer is definitely getting ready if her eating a fair bit is any indication...I hope the teams with two Don's per team have an idea how to track down the kiddies if we go back to where we was before this all started and not with them any more, not sure I could stand being away from Randal long... I know you haven't been well and up about much and remember if you feeling down reach out to Mikey - he will no doubt reach out to his Lee and beg for that help again."~ They were here for Don anytime in otherwords. And Raphie was grateful the turtles with his brother have been doing all they can for him. Not that he expected anything less. Having been getting close to Lee and spending time with Raph and BigM. ~" relentless... and there are four of them here!... and a mini one!"~


Just chattering to hang with Don some and well it was good for Dons to have a puzzle to work on. And he missed his brainy bro, his fellow beta and though he reached Mike was preoccupied for the moment as is Leo.

Don sort of hummed an affirmative. Yes, their father did have a way of finding them against all odds, and a way of slipping away from trouble.

Knowing that won't stop Don from worrying. Especially not since the whole data bits thing.

"Got a couple ideas... if he loses a tooth, make sure you keep it." Hopefully the tooth would come through in their pockets just like the items they had when they arrived, rather than going back with the kids. Might not work, but worth a shot. Don's a bit unconvinced, and hasn't given it much thought. This is really just... well... keep anything you can that might help.

He's listening, appreciating the chatter, not really objecting to Mike's attempt at more hybrids. Just... enjoying being here with Raphie. But he's starting to drift off a bit.

Honestly, Don's too tired to do much with the puzzle Raphie is trying to give him.

Raphie squeezes Don a little tighter, he doesn't want to let go - but, " I know we will all worry regardless, but dad will be okay Don, and so will you, over time... you know with... the um breathing..." he tries to reassure nuzzling the presences and just hovering until Don fades, the presence will always remain evening sleep. " I'll do what I can do to get my lot trained in spiritual arts more..." And on his side Lee had some serious grounding in the art, not as much as they but some good founding so there was that.


" I will check in as much as possible bro, know Leo and Mike will too, so very worried." and he is sort of hoping the change of direction Don has picked up on is getting Don closer to Leo or Mike or him! one of them! preferably a Leo. [color=#FF0000]" and sure man will keep anything the little guy loses.


Reaching to see in a Mike or Leo will join them briefly. But not too surprised if they didn't Don was tired and so was he.

Don is not convinced... especially regarding his breathing, but he is listening. There's that at least. He did make the hike today, and up the hill with Liam, so... maybe?

~Same... Couldn't feel you guys... earlier.~ He will also try to help with spiritual training for his group, but... the trick is going to be finding time he's awake enough to do it, that they're not also traveling. Maybe in the mornings before they move?

Don is definitely starting to fade a bit. Sleep calling and making the contact even more difficult. He doesn't respond in words to the rest of Raphie's comments. Just sort of being there, with his brother... just a moment more before fading and returning to his physical self.

A squeeze, trying to remind Don to give himself a break, just let himself heal as much as he could and take the recuperation from there. If he had the time and forethought of wasn't falling asleep himself the red clad brother might have insisted on reminding Don or things he always told them when he was nursing their injuries, that it took time and patience to heal and even more to be back to close of a hundred percent.


Maybe not always right back to the hundred but close.


Well he will just tell Don sometime in the flesh.



For now as Don slips away from his grasp he too was slipping away from the astral sleep plane. But went with some comfort of having been with Don there and at least having reaffirmed to Leo and Mike he was thinking of them even if he wasn't able to hold out for the pair of them to join them.


~


And he doesn't wake, like Raph spreading himself out to touch his snuggle buddies and the partner and brothers and little ones he has found to be the surrogate family here in Nexus.


Chainsaw snoring beginning to rev up.


Erica rolls in her sleep curling a little around the group. Lee was perhaps sleeping the deepest for the first time in some days, and he needed it. But he would be ready to get out and exercise a little.

It's dueling snoring in the small cart as Raph shifts a bit, and starts snoring away too. He doesn't mind the snoring, he has to sleep through his own.

Raph is actually sleeping very well too, having had that healing hands treatment just before nodding off. And each one is lasting longer and longer. Hopefully he won't beed them anymore soon!

And after so ling as a drugged prisoner, Raph is eager to turn Lee's training into a brawl.

It was maybe the height of the early morning snores - now a rather impressive trio of sounds and the mini rev of Randall that stirred Lee.


To his amazement both snuggled kiddos and Erica were asleep through the sound, but he does smile and briefly reach out to wake her to whisper if she didn't mine double checking where the horsey folks of the Plains were and point him that way or be ready to guide them.


Erica nods and it's still predawn in that deep dark that she slips away and flies off. Lee watching her leave concerned and hating he used her like that but it would be much quicker.


And he doesn't wake his companions, but listens to them breath, waiting for kiddos to be the first to stir and mostly likely cause they would need the bathroom.


Only when Chompy starts to get wriggly and make his soft snuffling sounds and Randal is squirm does Lee pat Raphs plastron to make sure his brother felt and heard the waking.


Soon after a quick cold rationed bite to eat and long drink they will head off.

Raph bats at Lee's hand, but the action was enough that it got his attention and his noticed Chompy shuffling and squirming.

Uuuuuugh... okay. Fine. He doesn't want to be peed on.

Though it would hardly be the first time the little fire turtle had done so in desperation in the morning after failing to actually wake Raph in time. You would think he would learn, but so far this has not been the case.

Thankfully, usually Mona or Lee is there to wake him before Chompy is too desperate.

He grumbes something at Lee that miiiiight be his early morning equivalent of a 'thanks' as he puts Chompy on his shoulder. And while he's at it, he gathers up Randal as well, squeezing his counterpart's shoulder. Don't need him snapping awake ready to take off heads like Raph would.

Grumbling and stumbling to take the kids to pee!

A bit of a chuckle, [color:f07b=0066ff]" thanks Raph, little guys were getting desperate, should be able to pee over the edge of the cart." and smiling watching his brother go and moving to prepare some slings as he and Raphie have had to learn to do so they can tuck the kids in and head out early, as soon as Erica came back with a heading for them.


And hah if he took the kids the likely hood of a brawl might be mitigated a little until Lee had to hand Randall off to share carrying the tot about.


BigM and Raphie were still snoring, Raphie had growwwl almost until Raph squeezed his shoulder.

Grunt.

Yeah, he knows the drill. He understands that the kids were desperate. Though the message to have them pee off the side is received. He helps hold them so they don't fall as they do that.

Raphie's almost growl is mostly ignored. Raph was taking his kid, he gets it. Growl away. Especially since it stopped when Raph squeezed his shoulder. Don't need a brawl in the cart this early in the morning. At least not one over the kids.

That's an unpleasant way to wake up.

So, he helps the kids then tucks them back into the cart and pees off the side himself. Mostly because he's there. Oh, trees. He tries to tag them. Then flops back into the cart. He hadn't truly been awake anyway. Though now that he's sort of awake it wouldn't take much.

Randal yawns, his piddle was quiet a good one, he all but sagged in relief!


Chompy equally so! Happy squeaking, and when the kids are back in the huddle with Raph they snuggle together and into him.

Erica flew back, the group had quite a run but it wasn't too far. She lands only after Raph had gone back in and smiles seeing Lee still the most awake one the others resting, " when you's are ready I can lead up in the air. I won't fly too close though as the mares might get skittish about their foals, even with a small damonfeuer in the sky."

Raphie grumbles and tries to ignore goings on, aside from he kiddies being returned that he rolls into and snugs and flat out tries to ignore Lee and Erica's voices and just snore on. LOUDLY.

Raph is also snuggling back down, definitely cuddling Chompy, and going back into his sprawl.

And if he happened to kick Lee in the course of his sprawling if his blue-wearing brother spoke and made noise, well... so be it. Though he would never do something like that to Erica. Lee, however? Fair game. Hush, bro. Sleep time still.

He rejoins the chorus of snoring.

Eeeep Lee ooof's then chuckles and well as Raphie wriggles in closer under the sprawled Raph and BigM churrs out a happy sort of snore at the weight and closeness of them all Lee rolls his eyes, fine a bit longer then guys. " any chance the herds will move on much before we can get moving to catch up with them?"


Erica giggles soundlessly and watches Lee give Raph a playful sort of jostling as he settles back among them, she shrugs, " they like to graze so a bit but not too far. maybe into the next valley." she answers moving closer onto the pile encase the babies wanted a milky drink come morning.

SSSNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRREEEEEE!!!!

He will definitely take advantage of five more minutes! Especially with a turtle pile like this. And the kids are a wonderful addition. Raph snuggles into the others.

SSSNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRREEEEEE!!!!


Yeeeesth he is relaxed and the kids and turtle pile is close, he can scent and hear and feel them all - he is a content turtle!


especially given the few more moments to snore on!!

Raph's snores are growing a little softer. He's actually getting closer to a point that he might not wake up a complete grouch.

Still a little grouchy, it's still morning after all, and Raph is not a morning turtle, but less so.

At least a woke up on his own grouch, and not a ready to tear someone's shell off for waking him grouch.

Still sleeping, but definitely a little shifting going on.

Lee jolted awake a little confused about the weird dream he had, but well...


He can puzzle over familiar like dragons, and kitsune and his own weird blue glow...


Later, for now he is letting himself wake fully after the brief nap thinking over what he has heard about the horse like folks he was seeking out and how best he can convince them to take an active part of ensuring their lives and home is not destroyed by Draco. Or more over Those that are seeing an opportunity to be the worst sorts of folks whilst Draco is in power.


He makes no effort not to nudge and shift and prod the sleeping turtles to get into kneeling meditative state, it was slowly time for them to stir too. Slowly let him plot and plan a little.

Gruuuummble...

Raph shifts and searches for Chompy, snuggling the little guy momentarily before peeking one eye open at the brother who had disturbed him.

"Too early."

Well... okay, it probably is about time to get up, but he's going to complain anyway. And as complaints about having to get up go, this one is fairly mild.visions

Unlike Lee, Raph doesn't give the dream he's had much thought. He's had a lot of weird dreams lately. Usually his brothers weren't glowing and other types of animals... but his brain has recently enough come up with Ozzy Manilow the crooning, heavy metal singer cockroach. So colored, weird creature brothers...? Not that much of a stretch. Heck, it's comforting even after the bug nightmares. Nope, he has no problems with his dreams last night, and maybe even a little comforted by them.

Lee laughs and he is poking Raphie - who snuggles Randal close with one arm and swats at him with the other. "oh come on bro it's not that early - and you two can nap laters..."the swat had slapped BigM on the snout and disturbed him too, Erica was already wriggling and up and moving away from the main hugging. [color=#0066ff]" sides gotta give ya guys some exercise, looking pudgy.'


Tease!


But well they did need a bit of a run after being chained up and well down sorta mostly these last couple of days.


BigM is rubbing his snout -


Raphie grunts, " ya eyes need check-in man... pudgy... puhhh." scoff and yawn stretching and waking up even if he doesn't want to.

"Is that early. Bugger off." But there's no heat behind it. It's just one of those things Raph says. But he is wriggling and sort of waking a bit more.

He grumbled a bit before responding to the pudgy crack.

"Been eatin' dirt for a week. Take ya pudgy and shove it."

But like his counterpart, he is also slowly getting up.

Raphie grunts and is up! " you will pay for that one later Lee, in some way." he warns but there is a playing note under the growl and well he is awake and stretching and grinning at Raph's response chuckling watching the happy little alien baby squeak in delight chirpy and nuzzling back against Raph eagerly, little tail waggling the big purplish eyes watching his daddy happily - and in the way that meant he was hungry!


And hah Raphie hears Randal's belly growl too - and sniggers as the little boy, who was trying to cuddle back into BigM and ignore daddyLee's attempts to coax him awake -


Erica coos and well - why not she is there so Raphie tugs the hiding himself away toddler out from under BigM making him nawwww and pout, which Raphie ignores entirely and gently sits up Randall nodding to Erica, [color=#FF0000]" think the little guys could have some milk? it would be easier than unpacking a whole heap of food and repacking anything left over before we do whatever is on Lee's mind.


Lee grins, but he is still mostly meditative state and heck doesn't mind the taunts he gave maybe offered revenge returns from the two Raph's sometime today, and feels Leo's brush, returning it with a light heyo sort of feel.


Erica nods and well she doesn't force it, but does bring the sleepy tott closer, letting him decide if he wants milk, which he does and happily lays back into her cuddle to have his fill. She waits until he is comfortable before glancing at Raph to see if he wanted the same for his wee guy too.

Raph can't help but chuckle at Chompy's chirping and nuzzling. "Aww... you hungry, Little Guy?" He had just been about to look for something for Chompy to eat when milk came up.

Well... as good as anything. Probably better than most things, actually...

He shrugged and helped Chompy closer to Randal where the little guy could get access.

If Raphs' going to be awake, he might as well be doing something. Hopefully it will make the faint edginess left over from the withdrawals fade without the drug or Lee's Healing hands. And just to be a turd, he pokes at meditating Lee.

"Well, ya woke us up. I assume it wasn't just for fun. Whatcha want?"

Lee withdrew from the astral state, eyeing Raph once back, "it was for funsie - off!" Raphie shoves him so he laughs and rolls his eyes, " aleight! alright hahaha we are going for a run, so quick eat the cold rations and if Erica is okay with it leave the toddlers with her we will travel faster without them and we will set off..."


He grins and pokes through the sacks for some bread and cheese and cold oickle spread of sorts and shares it around as well as water. He is offering some around and wil do a healing hands to top them off before they take off, Raphie definitely hungry grunting a thanks and getting into it. BigM farting first and then helping himself.


Raphie glares at him.


Both babies are gluttonous but getting Erica licks and nuzzles so it seems a happy arrangement.

Raph grumbles a bit, but is also sort of interested in the run. It's been awhile since he did that last. Hard to run when chained to a bird... camel... thing... Especially when you're drugged out of your mind.

He hits BigM in the arm for the fart. Hard enough for the big guy to feel it, probably not hard enough for it to actually hurt at all. Brotherly punch in the arm.

Afterward, he goes ahead and accepts some of the breakfast. It's not great, but he's definitely had worse. Most of his child hood meals were 'worse'... This is food though, and he doesn't complain.

And he will definitely accept some healing hands before they take off.

" what? better out than in Raph.1' laughs the large turtle and he is as yet entirely unawares of his astral ability he barely sort of felt in the astral assembly and doesn't note Lee looking at him speculatively as he explains his letting his wind roam free to Raph.


Raphie shrugs, sharing around the cold meat, pickles bread and cheese and sipping the water. " I'm down for anything - as long as there is cuddling later.1' he grins at the kiddies - they sort of slumped off of their first breakfast what Raph can only assume is a milk haze, Randal burping contentedly and Chompy farting too - Erica doesn't seem to mind and just snuggles them.


" what a life, milk bar on tap, snugs and naps - mmm yeah thanks for that.." about the food taking some and passing it along as the items came around.


Lee turns his attention to all of them and rubs his hands together just about having inhaled his food so he could start this. " just a little healing hands first..." And maybe he was gonna push a bit onto BigM to try and force the guy to feel that... inner thing that/ but the guy had to learn... connected him to the fire - great mike with a fire what could possibly go wrong right

"Yeah. Better OUT of the tiny, full cart than IN it!" Okay, maybe treating this giant Mikey a little like he would his own. But... well... BigM deserved it! Like BigM, he doesn't notice Lee's speculating look. Raph is distracted by the 'wind.' He's finally going back to his breakfast, but he's still grumbling about it.

The continued grumbling might be a sign that he's hurting more than he's admitting to, or... it might just be Raph is a Raph mood.

Hard to tell with Raph.

Raph is still grumping at the comment about the kids life. "An' they do NOT appreciate naps nearly enough." Well, at least Chompy doesn't. He probably shouldn't speak for Randal. Kid seemed practically an angel so far.

Grunting when Lee starts the Healing Hands thing again. Yes, it is very much appreciated, but he's annoyed that he still needs it.

"hahaha I'd say adds to the ambiant smells of all these dudes in such a small space." Big M laughs, and grins well what he wouldn't give for hot left over pizza, or cereal or anything but these cold rations but heck it's food so he hops into the portion Lee had shoved his way and the water too.


" so this run not just a run what are we hunting for?" curious and well they would have to know so he was curious and chuckles watching the kiddos, " oh hell yeah they will miss those nap times."

Erica chuckles and is snuggling both little guys, they were not really tired just relaxing off the gut full of milk and she felt relieved too.


She hears the question and cannot help saying, " you are looking for the Nuckelavee's central herd."

Raph growled, mostly to himself. If it had been his own Mikey he would have wapped him. As it is... this Mikey is huge. So he just growls.

And he looked up at the strange word for what they're looking for.

"I'ma a assume that ain't as dirty as it sounds. But... let's pretend we ain't from around here and don't know what that is."

He maybe vaguely recalls something about horse people? Maybe?

Erica giggles and shakes her head, she had been taught by a Mikey what 'dirty' was used colloquially for among these genio inoocuo and is amused.


Annnnd boys are starting to recover from the liquid breakfast and where teasing each other clearly moments away from a play Chompy swapping Randall with his tail and Randal chuckling and batting away the tail lightly. hahah they are cute!


Raphie eyes Lee and Erica with an raised eyebrow - but does snort at BigM's chuckling at Raph rolling his eyes, " I think he is enjoying having a smaller pair of Raphael's to annoy." cause they both saw the size of BigM's Raphael.


Lee laughs and pats Raph's knee fondly. " exactly man, it's the name of the horsey folks of the plains, of course there are more scattered among the world of Nexus but according to Erica most still live mostly in the plains in wandering nomadic herds with a lead male, serval of his females with a lead lady and their kids, often a tagalong group of bachelor sons and daughters too and if we can get to the central leading group we might be able to get the stallion to convince the others or perhaps encourage the bachelors to join the fight... Erica saw as she flew over troops of some sort of lizard folk heading for the capitol so Drako is forming his armies and we will need these folks to fight for their lands and homes as much as keep them busy so we can get at Drako or open the way for Leo to lead the charge against the Drako." Lee explains the name and their plans for the army but more importantly their plans for this morning. [color=#0066ff]" so when yous are finish eating and having a good drink and a cuddle of the babies we should head out.

Grunt. Yeah, BigM did seem to be enjoying having smaller Raphs around a little too much. Though Raph is pretty sure he could outmaneuver BigM, it IS a Mikey... so hard to say for sure. Mikeys are quick.

He list interest in what Lee was saying after the first bit. Sure... he did listen, but not without objections.

"Blah, blah, blah! You're as bad as DonnieBoy. Horsey people. Plains. Got it."

He is paying attention again at the wnd when Lee is talking about lizard people and the incredibly tentative plan about getting the horse people to fight for their lands. That's pertinent.

Raph has come to understand that he would not be a good leader. He is not long-term-strategy-guy. He is tell-me-what-to-hit guy. Lee is strategy guy.

And that speculative look is back again.


And this time Raphie sees it but you know what he blah blah blahed softly too and doesn't care much as he is scooping a reviving from boobie bar hangover Randall into his arms to nuzzle the boy and hug him, just take in that wonderful scent he still had, he was going to have to ask Don what that was, it smelt... familiar but at the same time not in the most awesome way that was attractive in a loving way.


Lee is passing healing hands around - this time it did not take him long to reach it and most of the hand motions were only half, he did most of the rest by force of his mind alone. And he touches Raph lightly against forehead and chest to chase out some more of that addiction, for a bit. " yes and Erica here has found a rough bit of terrain so as much as I encourage a little roughhousing on the run please be aware you will have to work at the run so do not over exert yourselves." and he would be observing his brother, lover and the BigM on the run, get a sense of the big turtle and how far along his brother was on the run.


And he can sense others in the astral plain and if Raphie wants to try it he wont stop him but it's time to go, he is moving closer after brushing healing hands to BigM and moving closer to Raphie and Randal to snuggle and nuzzle them, mutter to the happy little guy that daddy's loved him - and uncle loved Chompy too, snuggling him in the hug briefly before offering him to Raph for the snuggles before they took off.

Raph picked up and snuggled Chompy as Randal was scooped up by Raphie. He had been cooing and speaking baby talk to the little guy when Lee started the Healing Hands. There's a sigh of relief as Lee eases most of the withdrawal symptoms. He gave up on the baby talk after that and just snuggled the tiny turtle.

And he doesn't hide that he's rolling his eyes at the take it easy and don't roughhouse too much on the run.

Raph is not good at pacing himself, even if he did spend a week drugged and being half dragged around the Nexus. Though he rarely lets that be a problem. He is more than willing to push his limits, and this sure wouldn't be the first time. He will pretend he's fine. Even if he's not.

All the same, could probably use a couple reminders along the way. Or better yet, fake stopping to listen here and there.

And before they go, Raph does accept Randal for snuggles, offering Chompy  to get a few more snuggles before they go.

Randall churrs in delight his tail going Cray and trying to hold and nuzzle his dads with noisy smooches! And especially at Raph when he gets a hug from him too!


Giggling he will be pouty when they leave but for the moment, smooches!!


There is a happy squealing from Chompy at the hugs, and his tail waggle are all Raphs though there is happy chirps for Lee and Raphie too when it is their turn. And next BigM!

Randall and Chompy sort of gaping at the big turtle first when he first sneaks them from their hugs for his, then giggles and squeals and wriggling when BigM blows raspberries on their plastrons.


Lee grins, and as their snuggling is sort of rounded off by BigM he is standing and gives Erica a polite bow. " remember should something happen to all of us, take our little ones to the nest nearest genio innocou, they will be safe and cared for until such time we can return." he doesn't say the other out come, because he doesn't want to put it out there as some jinx but its instruction for Erica for Chompy and Randalls care. The army he is confident will march on as it is. And fall into another Leo's leadership out there or possibly a Raph. Or a Don - or even a mike so he is unconcerned.


And now it is time to tap his brothers shoulders, those that are here and begin encouraging them up. It was time to move.


Raphie glares at BigM for thriving the boys but its also sort of an naaaaaw cause their having fun.

There's a slight glare, but it turns to a chuckle when BigM swiped the kids for snugs and play. He couldn't really blame the guy. And the kids seemed to be enjoying it.

Speaking of the kids, Raph is a little hesitant to leave them, but he does trust Erica. She got Chompy this far after all. Surely she could get him to another group of turtles if it was necessary. Though he sure hopes it isn't necessary.

"You say that like you're expecting to run into something other than horse people." Or perhaps just not sure of the greeting they'll receive?  Still. Curious what Lee thinks they might run into. This is still an entirely new world for Raph. He hasn't really been mentally present for most of his time here.

But Raph is getting up, and is ready to move!

" I.... I am hoping we run into nothing but who we want but your first week here show that there is the possibility of that and things going pear shaped fast is always around the corner... luck favors the prepared and what not. Come on, thanks Erica - take care of our boys -" a grin and glad to see the relief on Raph's face, BigM took barely any note so he must mostly be over the withdrawals entirely.


But it's time to go and Raphie is antsy so he chuckles and last rubs to the kids heads as BigM flirtatiously waggles brows and moves closer to Erica to place the kiddies back beside her, she sort of shows him with her tail, chuckling though. And Raphie is hopping on the spot hand in first, " meh he's just being a nervous nelly - lets hit the dirt, The sooner we do the run  the sooner we can get back here to our little ones." he reaches down to offer Raph a hand up as BigM nods and stands making the cart wobble a bit, and Lee was on his feet barely making the wood and wheels shift at all.


" good luck and yes there are dangerous critters, taxxons and deep streams with gar fish and Raz'ac that eat flesh - they swoop from the skies," Erica is glad to have the little ones back. Nuzzling them, she would protect them alright.

Raph quirks an eye ridge at that stutter. He's not convinced.

He is, however, up and ready to move. He'll follow his brother down this path. His fellow Raph is willing enough to get this done, and really, he's right. Get started so they can finish!

Raph does pause to listen to Erica's list of things that could kill them.

"...awesome." It's dripping sarcasm.

He's ready. He'll follow, and he does accept the hand up from Raph. If they're going to do this, then get it done. The healing hands treatment is fresh, and he's ready to move!

Raphie claps them on the shoulder, one after the other and their off with a soft laugh and the disappointed sound of Chompy and Randal behind them, it takes everything for the young dad not to turn right back around and return to the little turtles sad sounds. They were kids, barely toddler and alien baby it was natural for them to be sad when their Dads and Uncles take off. " meh we're the baddest Raphs and we have a giant Mike and a somewhat deranged Leo we'll handle anything."


Lee almost mistepped at that - a soft hey indignantly - and oy vie he wanted to turn this four turtle crew around and snuggle the little ones, but no! they were out and moving, quiet and yep Erica had picked a course that was like par kour it would take all their best ninja to travel across the ground and down into the first valley. " deranged? - oh cooome on - you will pay for that later." threats!


Raphie grins at Raph - hehehe already sort of ruined the Lee's attempt to make this a serious run.


The large Mikey could sense that too and laughed, its silent but a out loud sort of way, thumbs up behind the lees shell, and mouthed.

Raph does pause to listen to Erica's list of things that could kill them.

"...awesome." It's dripping sarcasm.

He's ready. He'll follow, and he does accept the hand up from Raph. If they're going to do this, then get it done. The healing hands treatment is fresh, and he's ready to move! [/quote]

Raph heard those sad, little sounds. He's used to having to go anyway, but... yeah. That doesn't get any easier. He picked up the pace to hurry out of earshot before he lost his will and turned around.

Raph laughed at the teasing. That's a good way to start a run. Lee needs to be knocked down a peg or two once in awhile, and that was a good one. He bumped his counterpart's arm, sniggering at the comment.

"Why, Lee? I mean, he ain't wrong." He then turned and threw a playful, brotherly punch to Lee's arm.

Oh, the run and parkour feels good. It's been awhile since Raph has had an opportunity to move like this. Really move! It's refreshing!

" hah! ooowwww - only slightly deranged." only sort faking the ow and grinning - sure he has been on the move since coming here, but he is still... just thrilled to be out here and moving and its a great time! The ground is mostly rocky grassy valley side with some patches of loose stones they have to be careful down but its great and he is watching closely all of them, Raphie looks entirely fine, no hold ups and BigM looked  little slow at first but mostly just laziness now he was moving as fast as any of them and that alarming fast for a turtle his size.


Raphie laughs and chases after them a bit faster there was a muddy creek snaking its way through the valley floor coming up so if they could do a bit of rough housing there before running on - totally be awesome!!


He laughs and can sense they are picking up their pace and excitement has crept among them!

For the moment, Raph is doing great! As they near the creek, he doesn't know that he's thinking the same thing as Raphie. Definitely interested in a little roughhousing before they get going.

Still, he's liable to push it farther than he should while roughhousing. Especially since he's feeling pretty good at the moment! Raph is definitely a work hard, play hard turtle, he doesn't have a half way setting for this sort of thing! All or nothing! So perhaps keeping the roughhousing short would be wise! Even though he will object and say he's fine.

Even if he does overdo it, it wouldn't really stop him from continuing the run, but he would definitely not be on his A-Game. Still, he is very much ready for a little roughhousing before continuing their run!