G'd Morning!

Puzzled as Splinter hummmmed thoughtfully also parking himself to study the maps and the GPS logs. " The weekend trips, perhaps something needed to use the deeper waters off that area." he offers. Pointing out where the smaller boat was on those days and that coincided with the bigger boat beginning to hone in on the little one.

Raphie didn't think about that, he was thinking of the one signal not being a boat. " The sister?" he puts to Donnie, and glances at their dad, huh yep hadn't thought of that.

Wriggle - streeeeeetch -

Phhhhhbbbbt!

It's short not smelly but definitely loud and makes Raphie snort with laughter and move to hop up and watch cause surely little girl toots will wake big bro. Offering hands to help Donnie and Splinter up.

They had much to tell Leo when he was at least half way through a tea.

Don considers the question of something needing the deeper water that the small boat visited on the weekends.

"Possibly... Something on that boat had some serious claws. But I have no idea what could have made them." At least not yet. There's a bit of a frown at the marker being the sister. That doesn't make sense if they're humans. But something on that boat definitely wasn't! Finally he shrugs, just as Elena rips one!

Donnie accepts the hand up and slips over to Leo's room, peeking in!

~~

Leo does awaken to a fart that he had initially attributed to Mike. He shifts slightly, swatting Mike's arm, but there was something else between him and his brother too!

He knew Mike was here. That's not uncommon. But there's also something else. Mammal warm. And waaaay too big to be Klunk! A slightly strangled gasp as he realizes it's a human child! He only barely managed not to cry out upon this discovery! Leo is definitely startled, but he is doing his best not to alarm the little girl.

For a long moment, Leo is actually just laying there with a legitimately shocked expression on his face! Donnie has a picture!

Splinter considers he knows over breakfast there will be explanatios as to why Raphael and Donatello are why he felt the need to make energizing tea and will insist all turtles have a cup, but also why there is a small girl snuggled between Michelangelo and Leonardo, so with all that in mind he doesn't ask, thinks over what he hears to add to talk over breakfast or teas if Leonardo insists on eating first which Splinter might encourage himself, but he is curious about the excursion two of his sons took..

He laughs softly behind his fresh cuppa hot refreshing energizing tea, and peaks at the photos Donatello is taking, pretty sure Raphael is doing the same.

Oh yes! Perfect!

Once he has gotten Donnie and dad to their feet Raphie is glad to see he is not the only turtle to catch a picture of the shocked Leo face!

It turns into outright laughter as a swatted awake Mike sits up with a -

" It was me!" probably taking ownership of a fart that wasn't his or contextually could be taking ownership of the little girl stretching and blinking blue eyes open to see Leo

And her at first fearful and a little pained face, her arm after breakfast would required her to have some Panadol of some sort - became a bright wide smile, " G'Dmooooorning!" she chirps in delight! " new Ottis friend! I am Elena!" brightly! Over her rumbling belly!

Well his laughter is probably giving away that he and Donnie had something to do with the little girl being there, but hah! He can't help it!

When Raphie's amusement shifts to outright laughter, even Don is laughing. Though much more softly than Raphie is! Though he's almost certain that Mike is actually innocent this time.

This time. Rare, but it happens!

There is definitely a moment of Leo staring dumbfounded at the little girl in his arms. Donnie got a picture. There's proof. For a long moment, Leo just isn't sure if he's awake or not.

"...Good morning, Elena. I'm Leo." Because really, even if he's asleep and this is some weird dream, introductions are just the polite thing to do.  

Don had noticed that moment of pain that Elena showed.

"Good morning, Elena. I hope you slept well. I have another painkiller for you. Then we'll show you where the bathroom is, and we should get you some breakfast."

When Leo is absolutely certain that Elena is looking elsewhere, there is a quick glance to Donnie and Raphie. Oh, Leo is certain they had something (everything?) to do with this! Mike, strangely, seemed an innocent bystander like himself! And... by now he's pretty sure he's actually awake. Red and purple wearing brothers have some explaining to do!

It's pretty much confirmed by the way Donnie is grinning in response to the look.

Leo - well thanks for being a good sleep buddy... I was safe!" little girl beams and snuggles this Ottis friend again for a moment, then hears that friendly, kind voice, " Ottis friend Donnie! - Mooing! And I ... sleepies good! Haven't done that since home!" and she begins to wriggle off Leo, pausing, wriggling back, pecks his cheek and then continues on her way to the edge of the bed and ... Shyly arm up for Donnie! But eagerly!

Raphie laughs louder when Donnie joins in, then smothers it at Leo's glance but his shit eating grin that is there whilst the little girl isn't looking will be all the definitive proof Leo needs to know yep it was him and Donnie responsible for Leo's snuggle buddies.

Mike and Elena!

So he teases! " Ottis heard you needed a sleep aid, mentioned her name and so we brought her to you." nope not the true story at all but it is a tease and a way to ask round about if Leo got that rest he needed at least a little? And a sort of reassurance they will answer his questions over breakfast.

Mikes belly rumbles and he hips up. " Donnie is right lil lady, grand toru for you, annnnnd breakfast for us all!" hurrying off to dibs loo first!

Splinter will wait until Donnie has the child, she certainly looked at him all trustingly and hopefully! And awwww, " And I am Splinter young one, I will meet you properly over breakfast in a bit." and all questions he assume will be covered there... And he will make sure everyone has tea... even the girl though hers just a sweet milky tea not the strong refreshing herbal stuff his sons have.

Raphie will linger a bit to just fuss, or um playfully rib Leo to disguise he is watching their brother closely for a moment.

Somehow matching shit eating grins from Raphie and Donnie is more than a little terrifying... but he is certain that they are the ones responsible for his snuggle buddies last night.

"I'm glad you slept well." Leo commented gently for the girl. He sounds better than last night. More himself after an actual good night's sleep.

Clearly something had happened to her. In addition to what is clearly Donnie's handiwork on her arm, there's the fact that his brothers felt it necessary to bring her home.

He doesn't know the reason, but can only assume it was a good one. Tucking her into his arms when he was too out of it to notice? That had probably just been a bonus. And honestly... he's not surprised they took advantage of the opportunity. He had clearly slept unusually hard!

He somehow manages not to ask who Ottis is until Elena heads off with Donnie.

Donnie does come in and pick up Elena when she holds her arm out to him. He hugs her then shakes his head at Mike.

"I would say 'Ladies first,' but since he's already run off, Mike will just have to make breakfast!" He calls after his brother.

He gives her another painkiller.

"After you've used the loo and washed your hands, I'll check your bandages, then show you around and we'll get breakfast."

" where ever you maybe, let your pee flow free!" Mike sing songs from the loo not paying much attention it seems to Donnie but in a way he is and that song was his answering 'sure bro!' to doing breakfast!

~

Raphie chuckles hiding a nawww as Elena beams as Donnie scoops her up, little girl puts her head on his shoulder for a moment and just sighs happily. And having held Ottis now Raphie knows aside from being the first non human friendly to talk to her and help her Donnie is closest in color to her stuffed toy. Even the eyes!

He lingers as and amused Splinter, talking Donnie and Elena begin heading up after a now singing Mike... Oy vie. He smiles at Leo it's less shit eating and more worry from the previous night. " we'll explain her over breakfast, how's about you? Looks like you got a good sleep for once."

He doesn't know far away a little bit and his brothers have been awoken and for the moment to busy to try reaching for Leo.

That they like him had slept, bundled together with the new cleaner, captive like themselves cleaned and guarded them all night.

Nope entirely unaware but definitely aware Leo looks a lot less stressed for the moment, tired, worn and stressed. " Ottis is Elena's stuffed toy, a turtle sort of like us." or as anthropomorphic as a stuffed green sea turtle could look like one of them.[/color]

~

Elena is in his arms! She rests a moment and happy sighs, listening to Donnie and even if the painkiller tastes funny she takes it or if it's a rub that smells funny makes a face but doesn't touch. Hearing the word breakfast her belly rumbles hard and she looks at Donnie sheepishly. " Goooooo ummmm verrrry hungry -" She lowers her voice conspiratorially, " Sissy says breakfast the most imported meal of the day... I fiiiink she just rumbly belly like me in da morning!"

And like when she is in Erica's arms being carried her hand finds it's way to Donnie's bandana and her fingers play with the tails, railing the cloths like they would do if it was her sisters long dark hair.

It was a chewable for now. Yes, he does keep child doses around. They work fine for him on the rare occasion he actually takes something like that, and they're easier on his system. Breaking the adult ones in half usually works too, but it's difficult when one is in pain. He will add a numbing rub on the arm after she cleans up a bit.

He hugs her and responds to her comment about breakfast as they wait for Mike, not minding when she twirls his bandanna tails.

"Well, she's absolutely right. But I'm sure you are too. Your belly is rumbling for a reason. When you sleep all night, your blood sugars get all used up and are low by morning. Your body needs those to function right. Your muscles and brain can't work right without them. So skipping breakfast means you don't get the energy and nutrients your body needs to have a good day." Yup! Good morning lecture!

Don then sighs and shakes his his head at Mike's song. It's a typical sort of thing Mike would do.

"Don't worry. If "Where ever he may be" isn't directly in front of the toilet, and he leaves a mess in there for you, I'll clean it up." Donnie gets a conspiratorial grin on his face and winks at Elena. "With his tooth brush."

~~

Aww... The little girl was awfully cute as she cuddled into Donnie's shoulder as he took her off to another space leaving Raphie and Leo to talk.

Leo looks to Raphie. He does not have the usual Leo morning perkiness, but he is awake and plenty functional. This is a nice change after the past few mornings where he was clearly dragging.

"I did, thanks." He knows his brothers had been worried, and he does recognize a fussy Raphie. He will mostly let his brother fuss.

"Something was different last night. This seems strange, but I think someone else was there helping calm him. And someone put him with his brothers which helped."

He does appreciate the explanation of Ottis! "That's... sort of cool." It is sort of neat that the little girl had a stuffie of one of them. And apparently that was why she had trusted them so easily. It wasn't often they got that sort of reaction from humans, though kids were usually more accepting.

Elena's fingers pause and she wriggles in his arms to watch his face after a surprised squeak of " Me too?-" so one had told her very often that she is right too!... okay her sister does sometimes!... but its special from her new friend! and she is definitely amazed face as Donnie explains, though she does look puzzled, and amazing! " Are yoooou saying Sissy was right, I right... but also she wrong - annnndsugar is good!" excitedly - cause maybe she could argue that for the count crocular cereal!... if she remembered!

Then grins back and lowers her giggles to sniggering and whispers, " eeeeeeeewwww but funny! and I is put tooth paste in the center of his oreos...!" she is not sure if Mike has oroes... but Donnie said toothbrush so thats where her mind went! and she is attempting her best conspiratorial evil grin back!

~

So when Mike walks out he sees their faces and gives them the side eye. " Hey! I see those faces - no pranking Raphie without me!" before skipping off to the kitchen to get they're boxed cereals down and the milk out and bowls and some toast going.

~

Raphie is fussy! and he knows Leo prefers to make his bed so he steps over to help - a sure sign Raphie was in fact very worried for Leo this last week, and as he steps over to help he grins at Leo's face, " yeah it's cute, she just about climbed all over Donnie last night. Poor little dear, she was just hurt and scared... Ottis is in the washing machine, we'll give you the full story over breakfast but we managed to find him, and needs a bit of patchwork but he looks a bit like we did when we were kids.' he chuckles.

Then he is listening and bliiiinks a little, " That's... very specific Leo before it was vague... I mean we knew it was something but you said he and identified brothers and something else... is Mikey close to the truth are you some sort of super Jedi? or been training with those monks of moooog without telling us?" sort of teasing but also amazed because yeah that was an awful lot!

Though it's possible Leo just picked up more getting some sleep.

Don nods as Elena works her way through what he said. He did say that both of them were probably right, that much was true.

"Well, just because you are both right doesn't necessarily mean that either of you are wrong." Slight grin, he will leave her to puzzle that one out!

He laughs at her declaration that sugar is good!

"Blood sugar isn't necessarily the same thing... Your body breaks most of your food down into sugar to give you energy. Buuuut sugar, with some moderation, definitely tastes good."

There's a conspiratorial grin on his face when Mike comes by too! Because "I think I like your idea better." is whispered just before Mike shows up! Don does have white tooth paste... And Mike there are, indeed, Oreos in the lair!

Don doesn't even bother to hide the grin when Mike pops by!

"Wouldn't dream of it!" Absolutely straight faced, and no hint of a lie there! Because, technically, Don's not lying! He wouldn't dream of keeping Mike out of a prank intended to trap Raph!

As Mike skips off, he turns back to Elena. "I think that probably means the bathroom's free." And he gives her a gentle nudge that direction. He's pretty sure she's old enough to take care of that on her own.

~~

For the most part, Leo lets Raphie fuss. He understands that his family had been worried about him. He even accepts the help making his bed. Even if Leo really likes the corners tucked in a little more than Raphie has ever managed. And the blanket is just a little askew. It's really not a big deal, so he does actually accept the job as 'good enough.'

Occasionally, he bumps against Raphie. It's a gesture to say thank you, and that he understands that Raphie had been worried. Reassuing him that Leo's okay now.

Or at least much better than last night before he got some actual sleep.

He smiles at the information about Elena. Little gurl was pretty cute, and ht does sound like she had been adorable last night when they met her. "Sounds good." He will definitely appreciate more information about what they were doing out last night though!

There's a chuckle at the teasing.

"Noooo, no Monks of Moog, though I would probably take the opportunity if it were presented." Leo admitted with a soft laugh.

Then he shrugs at the actual comment of concern.

"I don't know... maybe since it was first person last night, I was sort of inserting myself into the connection. But even if I did... last night was different. I don't know if he's getting stronger, or if me being that tired let him in more easily, or what."

Even if Leo did insert himself into the contact and is incorrectly identifying the contact, he is still referring to it as 'he'.

Elena has to think about the sugar thing - well really all of it! - and when Mikey is there and Donnie agrees with her idea she plays up the ooooh so innocent face! Fingers back in those bandana tails, " Yeeeeeeah no dreams it! be sure to have sugar... but not toooo much for breakfast!" She is pretty sure that was the gist of Donnie's explanation

Giggling when Mike very gently chucks a knuckle against her chin and grins totally buying into Donnie's reassurances. To be fair Mike usually forgets that its probably true that Donnie would never leave him out of a prank on their rough brother. He isn't considering

He skips off and Donnie reminds her indeed aside from her rumbling belly she is wriggly because of a deep need. A nod at the nudge and a reluctant letting go of Donnie and his bandana tails, even more so going into the loo. " All good Donnie! No splish splash!" little girls calls out loudly and goes about doing her thing singing about unicorns and looooving them to cover the awkward that sometimes comes with going wee wees!

~

Mike leans out of the kitchen hearing her singing. ' Shoooould I call April and Casey to bring Shadow down this afternoon?" If they head out tonight carrying on whatever Donnie and Raphie got up to - and Leo will want to so they won't bring home more stray children hahaha! " Or maybe earlier? Elena does need a bath...' he adds the kettle whistling and he has just finished setting the table! He moves into the lounge past their Sensei to place a cushion on a chair for Elena.

Splinter is making his way over to the table " I vote earlier, if anything just so any further care your brother needs to give the girl can be done as soon as possible." but there is a glance over at Donatello and then shared over to Raphael and Leonardo when they turn up to settle at the table.

~

For a guy who sleeps in a hammock and making his bed amounts to bundling it all up he is not even aware he hasn't exactly got things as spot on as Leo usually has it, and is pleased with the quiet moments of contact between them and the way Leo is moving and talking. He looks and sounds much better.

He is fascinated with what Leo is describing and is aware Mike would be making notes... bah Leo will probably have to retell the moment around the table, " I think in the future Dad mentioned they were an ancient order so maaaaaybe the Ancient one or the Tribunal know about them..." he offers to snigger a bit, their dad still made them all do harder katas if they reminded him of the unintentionally embarrassing him in front of the Monks of Moog.

And that done he bumps back against Leo with a deeper churr than the soft brief happy ones from before. It's half a knuckle-to-knuckle knock and sort of a shouldering. But all light, friendly ways. " sounds liiiike its probably a bit of both the contact growing a bit more used to it and stronger and you being so tired." he agrees and nods for Leo to lead the way out of his room and over to the table, looks like their brothers wont be long and Splinter was going there too. He hears the question and response from Splinter and thumbs up, " Earlier, I am all for hanging with our niece. and Elena needs to know not all humans are bad." The earlier she meet them and trusted them the better!

and whether or not Leo is heading to loo to go after Elena and Donnie Raphie is definitely heading there and chuckling as he hears the little girl singing... about unicorns...

Donnie will definitely use the big words until someone asks him to use smaller ones! Even with Elena. Though she seems smart enough that once he tells her what they mean, she'll have it.

"That's right." He agrees on the topic of sugar. "And I suspect there will be some sugar for breakfast." Especially with Mike getting it ready.

He manages to remain convincing at least long enough for Mike to head out of the room. Then there's a chuckle when Elena calls out that Mike had left the bathroom in an appropriate state!

"Oh good. I didn't really want to clean it up." He admitted, calling back!

~~

A little sleep can work wonders! Leo will still probably try to sneak a nap in at some point today. It's not a normal behavior, but he's definitely running on a sleep deficit still. He is willing to make an exception. Especially since it sounds like they might be heading out for a mission tonight.

He is curious about what Raphie and Donnie learned while they were out. And just how they managed to find and bring home a small, human child. It's harder to do when Casey and April come by, and even more of a trick with Shadow, but he still has a little hope!

Leo chuckled at Raphie's comment about the Monks of Moog. "Yes, but with as many aliens as will be around... Do you suppose the Tribunal and The Ancient One know similar groups on other planets?" It's rhetorical. He doesn't actually expect Raphie to have an answer. He's mostly just musing.

Then a slight nod of agreement when Raphie suggests that both the contact getting better, and Leo being tired could have contributed to the new level of the contact last night. It certainly had crossed Leo's mind too. Though he really did not appreciate being that tired! Maybe if he welcomed the contact a little more, instead of resisting it like he has in the past, it would help? Maybe. Migh be worth a try.

As for the question of Shadow. "Earlier is fine, but I call dibs on her nap time." Because Leo wants to nap too, and a baby on the chest is the best sleep aid ever!

A snort, and maybe just musing but the question makes Raphie huuuuh and pause a little to think it over, shrugging after a moment of thoughtfulness. A sort of 'probably' shrug. Those mystical masters probably have a lot of knowledge about everything.

Raphie laughs and lightly pokes Leo out of his room and off towards the bathroom to go either slipping before Donnie if he is not going after Elena or lining up to wait for their turns, sniggering a bit at the girls' callout and Donnie's answer. " Donnie and I were most the rest of the morning - I think only Mike got any real sleep so nap time will be happening for all I think if we intend to head up tonight - good call on the dibs though." Oooh yeah it was a sleep aid to have a sleepy Shadow!

A raised eye ridge at Donnie, silently asking if all is good, amused by the little girl half singing about loving unicorns, wanting a pet one just to pet one, and the way she will stop to inform Donnie she is finished but must wash her hand - and that the sink was too high for her... but she thinks Mike might have splashed all over the vanity top in washing his hands cause she can reach water!

" Hahaha hey I can wipe that up after, much prefer that to splash back on the loo lid or miss firing on the floor." and moving so Donnie can open the door if he is next, or goes in to help the girl, otherwise, he or Leo might. Unless Leo headed for the kitchen first.

~

She is washing her hand in that little splash!

Leo sort of nods at the shrug. He pretty much agrees with Raphie on that front. He honestly wouldn't be surprised either way.

Leo's chuckle joins Raphie's at Elena's call, and Donnie's response, though he's pretty sure there's more to the story than only what they just heard.

It definitely sounded like Leo isn't the only one who's going to need a nap today. Hopefully Elena and Shadow give them an opportunity! At least at some point during the day. Though if Elena hasn't slept well lately, maybe she'll be tired shortly too, now that she's somewhere she feels safe.

Which, if her singing is anything to go by... She does.

"Mike's peepee song this morning was 'where ever you may be, let your pee flow free!' Don explained to his brothers.

Then he chuckled and called back to Elena. "Do you want some help reaching?" Only if she invites him in will he enter the room, and pick her up enough to reach the sink. Then he will take his turn before leaving the room to Leo and Raphie. Don was in line before them!

And Shell... Mike's song is stuck in his head.

His light sniggering turns into a bark of a laugh and he nudges Leo a bit - because he should take this moment to actually go turn on the washing machine so that his brothers can go pee - or in Donnie's case help the little girl whose happy chattering about using one of Mike's splash puddles becomes slightly alarmed, " Ummmm! yes, please! I I is making a bigger mess!" voice a bit squeaky, well she had been grubbing about in the tunnels and probably leaving grimy hand marks.

Raphie is very amused, " At least it rhymes?... maybe?... Wait perhaps we shouldn't tell him that because of course he'll compose a whole Ballard around it huh?" but grinning because yep he can definitely picture Mike doing that!

Even more so if the little girl or any of them found it funny!

He nudges Leo in a friendly bump of shoulder to shoulder moving politely to the end of the loo cue for the moment to go to the washing machine he had prepared earlier to turn it on.

Mike dialed April and waits, it is a bit of a lucky dip these mornings on who will answer the phone! So he waits and even without the encouragement he is already thinking up a few more lines at least for his pee song!

Leo is also laughing at the song, though there is a bit of a shake of his head with the amusement.

There is another chuckle as Elena calls Donnie in for some assistance.

"You are wraaaapped, Little Brother."

"Shush."

Donnie then moves into the small bathroom and will carefully lift Elena so she can wash her hands.

"Don't worry about the mess. I'll clean it up. ...With.a rag, not a tooth brush." Promising her so she knows her toothbrush is safe!

Leo chuckles at Raphie's comment about Mike and his song.

"Do you seriously think he's not already composing three more verses?" Because Leo's pretty sure he is.

And is Donnie humming Mike's song?!

The way the humming cuts off, tells him that it had definitely been Mike's song!

Once Elena's hands are clean, Donnie will point her toward the kitchen where Mikey and Master Splinter are waiting. Otherwise, she can hang out just outside teh door with Leo and Raphie while he takes his turn to pee!

Raphie is back in time to hear Leo and Donnie and sniggers a soft, " Ever since she took the candy from his hand..." he adds to the wrapped tease, but pretty much! And like any of them are ones to talk, Shadow has had her green hard-shelled unlikes all goo in her little hands even before those little hands were fully developed!

Especially Raphie.

Yes for her he knows he is but a marshmallow puff ball of a turtle.

He considers Leo's retort about Mike and umms - pauses listening to Donnie's brief humming of the song and laughs softly,
" Your right, of course, we are all gonna be hearing it all day no doubt." he is behind Leo now in line, but that makes it all the more a good spot as Elena comes out finally and smiles up at them.

~

In the bathroom she had waited with a half-worried and half-anxious face for Donnie, and when he is there, all smiles, of course, its all one hand print in various brownish grim puddles and she has to giggle at the reassurance, her face a bit naughty, " Buuuuut we can always think of it for other weird song Mike makes?" oooonly playfully ebil as she can make it face and well now with Donnie's help only one hand will be nice and clean!

She will need a bath sometime today!

And she can't help but hug him a bit head on his shoulder briefly once his hand is washed, " Shanks Donnie! I check on dem make sure linen up good!" she informs, happy to head out and

~

That was the smile up at Leo and Raphie, " Oooooh yous are good lines!" cheerfully and loudly so Donnie knows she did indeed check on them!

Mike hears that and laughs, calling over, " Indeed, and now come to get some breakfast shortie, they'll join us soon!" he calls over.

And Elena hesitates a moment wanting to wait, but Raphie, if Leo doesn't first will give the child a nudge to go that way, go get some good food in her belly!

"Mm hmm... Though, a week at least." Leo corrects Raphie's comment that they were going to be hearing the song all day! All day, he has no doubt!

Leo is amused by this whole morning. He is not his usual perky morning self by any means, but he is much more awake and himself than he has been lately, and is thoroughly amused by this mornings shenanigans.

Though he had been shocked by the little girl in his bed this morning, he did have to admit that he could see the amusement in the situation now! And even without the added benefit of managing to prank Leo, he could see why Donnie and Raphie had tucked Elena into his bed when they went back out.

And after last night, Elena has herself four hard-shelled protectors, just like Shadow does.

When Mike calls Elena over, he gives her a gentle nudge toward Mike.

"Donnie won't be long. Go ahead." He promised her,

~~

While Donnie would definitely prefer that Elena have both hands nice and clean, and will make an effort toward that end, he will take what he can get. Especially with the second arm wrapped up like it is. She definitely needs a shower, but they can worry about that after breakfast.

He chuckles at her words. "Absolutely." Definitely something to keep in mind! And once her hand is clean, he sends her out to Leo and Raphie.

"Perfect. Thank you." He responds when she says she'll make sure Leo and Raphie stay in line nicely! So amused.

Donnie is pretty quick. It takes the time that it takes, but he definitely doesn't dawdle. This isn't the first time it has crossed his mind that they really need a second bathroom...

When he does come out, hands still slightly damp from having been washed, he chuckles at how Leo and Raphie are still lined up.

"Wow, you guys are good at that." He chuckles when Leo swats his arm, then hurries to catch up with Elena and joins her, Mike and Splinter for breakfast.

It was Casey who answered Mike's call. Though, the greeting was more of a grunt than a hello.

Mike can probably hear him pouring two cups of coffee in the background. Cursing briefly, (and quietly for him!) when he clearly either overflowed a cup or poured some on himself.

He wipes up the mess and stumbles back toward their room and April with the cups and the phone on Speaker.

Mike sniggers at the answer, he is waiting patiently as the little miss hesitates, takes Leo's hand for a brief moment to take comfort in his words and the nudge, then she is coming his way - " Goooood Morning!' he chirps brightly into the phone, amused wondering if Shadow had been difficult during the night?

Sort of confirmed by the way a sleepy voice of April can be heard uh huhing the statement that it is a good morning. He can hear her thanking Casey for the coffee though -

Ah soooo thats what CaseMan had been up to, getting some energy juice - he is amused and puts his phone on loudspeaker. " Hey you guys wanna come over and we can all wear out the little miss and have an nap together?"

~

Yep she had hesitated, not sure what to make of Splinter more than anything, and briefly took a hold of Leo's hand. Its just to take the encouragment in the nudge and she smiles hearing Donnie wont be long, glad for that.

And little shoulders set she heads over to where Mike was waving her over but talking on the phone so she is quiet out of habit, nodding when the furry rat man came around and asked to see her hands, as best she could showing him one then the other. And by now Donnie was indeed coming! She beams up at him and gives the shuuuush signal pointing at Mike and the phone! But goes arms up eagerly bouncing a bit on the spot for Donnie to pop her on the chair with the cushion! oh plllleeeease!

Splinter chuckles having done the Ratpa job of making sure little hands and faces were clean and ready for breakfast he sits back down, adding a polite good morning after Michelangelo makes the very enticing sounding offer of the others coming over.

~

Raphie can vaguely hear the phone call and is eager to hurry over there once Donnie and Leo were done, smothering the squeee at the cute way the little girl seemed to borrow a bit of Leo's courage and then headed over to the table to eat. Oh, he knows the feeling of taking encouragement from his big brother! And there is a grin at Donnie's joke, flexing his muscles, " I know right? fantastic form and patiences yeah?" bit of a laugh and a nudge on Leo, hurry up!

"Thought it was Leo that's too perky in the mornin' like that." Is grumbled over the phone at Mike's chipper greeting. Though Casey does know that lately. Leo hasn't been his usual morning self.

He still has to razz Mike for this one. Even if he is barely half awake.

Before he answers the question from Mike, he hands April her coffee and takes a gulp of his own.

"I gotta go into the shop for a bit. Probably just a half a day this afternoon. Got a tricky one if Don and Raphie want in on it though." One of the perks of finally owning his own autoshop was choosing his own hours, and being able to give his friends a bit of work for good pay. Since he found long ago that they typically don't accept hand outs. He knows that it won't ever be what O'Neil Tech will become, but it keeps the bills paid for now, and lets April focus on getting O'Neil Tech off the ground.

Though Casey occasionally steals her silent business partner.

~~

Leo squeezes Elena's hand gently when she seeks some encouragement. Then chuckles at Don and Raphie's banter. He hurries Don off to the kitchen where he knows Elena is waiting for him. Then sends Raph into the bathroom first.

"I... keep smelling vomit." Speaking of, when Raphie's load of clothes is done, Leo needs to wash his sheets. There's not much on them, but just knowing... yeah. Wash.

His brothers had done a pretty good job of cleaning him up in the middle of the night last night, but Leo really needs a shower. He's not quite as quick as Don can be, but he will be there in less than 5 minutes. And will be much more comfortable eating breakfast.

He'll miss most of the phone call, but not much else.

~~

"Well, now you're out of order." Donnie dodged a swat from an older brother and laughted as he hurried off toward the kitchen.

Once there, he makes a silent sign of buttoning his lips shut so as not to interrupt Mike's phone call to April and Casey! Then he picked up Elena, hugged her, and lifted her over the back of the chair like she was flying and tucked her into the table before taking the seat next to her.

April cracks a smile, it's for Casey first and she kisses those big hard working knuckles in thanks silently accepting her coffee and like her hubby taking a massive gulp, feeling the liquid life giving energy buzzing through her.

There in the middle of their sleep spots Shadow stretched, at eight months sure some of the earlier harried months were over but now the little girl with her father's mop of unruly shiny black hair was cutting her incisor teeth and having some sucky nights, last night nothing but then and the stuffed toy octopus made of a scrap of Splinters robe and her uncles older spare bandanas making its tentacles.

And somehow the coffee, Casey's grump, Mike's chipper voice and the cute little stretch of their daughter made the rough night worth it. A nod at Casey. " I wouldn't mind a breakfast with yous, if we nap early Casey can steal away Don and or Raphie and I might be able to read over some long emails this afternoon." the rubbing shoulders and kissing butts part of getting O'Neil Tech off the ground.

Does make it a bit easier she and Casey are spoiled for choice with childcare. So that was one expense they didn't have to worry about usually. So a coffee and chance to pack up their daughter for a breakfast out? She grins pretty sure Casey would be happy about that too!

Despite the bit of grump that Casey is still showing outwardly, now that he has coffee in his system, and a bit of a plan for the day, he is also finding that bit of joy in the morning. Even with the lack of sleep.

April and Shadow slowly waking is always a treat. Even if Shadow kept him up all night or April stole all the covers.

There is also a bit of coffee in his system now, and he takes another sip before chuckling.

"Boss says we're coming." He added. And absolutely the plan for the day sounded great.

If April is dealing with the long emails at the lair, Leo is also around. He might not understand the technical end of things, and he isn't the fastest typist, but he is pretty good at scheduling and schmoozing, even if it is in writing. Traits that April is welcome to take advantage of as well as the free child care!

April chuckles with Mike and waggles her eye brows at Casey whilst reaching past him, " Boss says give us twenty minutes. The team has awesome coffees to finish." pressing the call end button and in this position rested against Casey's back she can kiss his cheek. " thanks for that by the way." the coffee and agreeing to head to the Lai.

Indeed there might be chance for a rest, bad tasting but energizing tea, he can gather up some extra hands to get some jobs knocked out over the afternoon and she fully intended to have Leo's help, he just had a way with words. Mike had the logo to finish too.

It was a family effort. Sure it was her and Donnie getting it up off the ground but in that they both had realised how much other work and hands they needed help with. And the side projects like Mike's birthday parties and Casey's own garage it took to bring in the funds to keep normal life going.

Well normal for them all that is.

~

Mike laughed and well he guessed whatever happened last night will probably be told over the table once Casey and April got there.

So he sets up the high chair.

Raph had grinned at Donnie, swatted playfully intending to miss at him - and given Leo a sniff making a face, " agreeeed need to wash that off for sure." and so when Leo makes room for him to go first he takes full advantage of it.

He will join the table as he hears April's last words and the beep, cool - hurrying to find their mugs out of the cupboard and a sippy cup for Shadow. Splinter will want to make them a tea, and Leo too.

He ives Donnie a teasing look, that says something similar to the whipped comment Leo had made. But hah like they can talk!

And the way Elena covered her mouth with her good hand to muffle her giggles and wriggled her cushion closer to Donnie's side when chose a seat beside her, Raphie probably would be whipped too!

Is whipped!

Annnnnd when their humans do turn up for the breakfast it turned out a good move to be close to the girl.

Elena has no idea she is being given half a bowl of cereal at a time. Give her time to finish as she try to stuff down a huge bowl full and make herself sick after not much to eat the last couple of night save for a lolly from Donnie - she had juuuust finished her first bowl, relaxing into and giggling at the play between her new Otto's friends, her new friends and Ratpa!

Raphie checked the security when it dinged, knowing it was Casey, April and Shadow... And bumping a clean Leo to come with him to help them in, April had laptop and nappy bag whilst Casey had the kid and groceries. A glance at Donnie to either offer his lap to Elena.

After all she might still be wary of other humans!

Thoooough there is hopes that Shadow being there and by the looks of the security camera very bubbly and smiley would ease these introductions.

Mikey is busy doing a few bits of toasts for everyone.

Don is sniggering as he slips away from his brothers still there by the bathroom door. Even with the tease from Raphie. As if Raphie is one to talk. He does hurry his way to the kitchen, catching the some of Mike's phone call to April and Casey, but not interrupting.

He does scoot his chair a little closer to Elena's than he normally would with one of his brothers. She seemed to want him close, and he wants the lair to be as comfortable as possible for her.

Leo swats at Raphie for the comment, also intending to miss. He knows. And Raphie wouldn't be Raphie if he didn't razz Leo about it. So Leo actually welcomes the tease. He is quick in the shower and efficient about getting cleaned up. He joins the group at the table about the time Elena is first getting her cereal.

When Casey and April arrive, Leo is already getting up with Raphie to help. He greets Casey and April warmly with a hug as he takes April's bags and puts them away. Not far, but up high enough that neither Shadow nor Elena can get into them. The greeting is in part to help show Elena that they trust these particular humans. Hoping that will help her trust them too.

"Yo, Guys. A little help here?" Though Raphie is already there, it really hasn't stopped Casey from this sort of call out before, why would it start now?

Donnie does scoot back a bit and make his lap available to Elena if she needs it, though she is already practically sitting against him, so maybe that will be enough. ...maybe?

"Hi, April! Hi, Casey!" Another bright, warm greeting. This time from Donnie, though he doesn't get up and leave Elena.

Casey is too busy wrangling Shadow and groceries to notice the new, little face in the lair!

Lil gal is cute as telling Donnie all about how good it was to have cereal, this kinda awesome tasty cereal that is, usually her sister and she ate the Vita Brix and wheat biscuits and other mostly oatmeal types of cereal that her sister managed to get through food banks.

Awww Mike makes sure she gets a bit of extra toast and as the kiddo sort of had Donnie trapped making sure he gets toast too!

Haha!

No way Donnie would set a bad example and not eat with the girl right?
!

" Heyo! Come come just in time for toast rounds!" also brightly catching what Leo and Donnie and Raphie were trying to do and adding to it.

Elena does pause in the middle of describing how her sister sometimes makes her have a piece of toast cold and hard cause it's good for you with a bit of mar mite on it for the intense vitamins in it... when new faces! She does at first notice Donnie had shifted buuuut a glance told her his lap was open and clear and free and she shuffles that way, slloooooowly so he can put her off him if he must!

" yeah yeah, dawww c'mere you!" cause Shadow a happy kicking bundle of energy she sapped from her parents waved fists and giggled in delight seeing her Uncles! A spit bubble hanging on her lip and hair, that had been tamed now a wonderful mess! He carefully scoops niece into his arms and hugs her lightly! Making her laugh as he blows raspberries carrying her to the table and her high chair -

Yep leaving groceries Casey has in his hold!

Splinter chuckles " G'Morning to you both." Slapping Michelangelo with his tail tip making him go help Casey unload -

Just as April fresh from a refreshing and welcomed hug from Leo spots the new face peering at them from Donnie's lap, the small girl had even hugged his harm and half hidden her face behind his bicep. " Hi guys, thanks for the call over, toast sounds great - whoooose our new friend?" a grin over at Donnie.

So far, Donnie has not been setting a great example for Elena. For the most part, he is drinking his tea and listening to her happy babble. And is not eating cereal.

The toast though... that is harder to ignore. Especially with that look he caught from Mike. Don does eat his toast.

When April and Casey arrive, and Elena is definitely uncomfortable, Donnie pulls her into his lap, making space for her, and pulling her toast back in front of her. He'll let her have that comfort for the moment. He does know she's nervous about humans.

"Oh, yeah, Thanks, a LOT, Raph. Take the cute one."

But there's no real heat there. Actually, Casey is pretty sure Shadow just messed her diaper...or it might have been a massive fart.

Yup, "Uncle Waphie" just took her, he can deal with that!

Leo sneaks a boop to Shadow's nose when he comes back from putting April's bags away for the moment.

"Good morning, Sweet girl."

Casey is still grumbling about grocery bags, and Leo moves to take some of them, and helps get everything put away.

Don smiles warmly at April, and hugs Elena who seems nervous. He doesn't get up to hug April with Elena in his lap, though he normally would. He'll get his hug later. For now though, he's here to keep Elena calm and comfortable.

"Good morning! This is Elena. Elena, these are April, Casey and the little one is their daughter Shadow. They're part of our family."

It was the pause, the moment Leo came and Shadow tried to catch his bopping finger, giggling her big green eyes like Aprils watching her Uncle Leo's face!

That Raphie noticed that there was a smell... Oh dear... So when Leo moves to help Casey and Mike

So his almost at the high chair becomes a skittering towards the spare room making Shadow squeal giggle the whole way! Then there is a " OhFrogsPoonami!" And a noise from Shadow that is close to a

'taaaaaaaa daaaaaaa!!'

April smothers laughter and sits beside Donnie on this side. Mike, laughing at Raphie's predicament moves to put some toast down for her. " Awww hi Elena."

Mike grins and gestures for Casey to join in, toast for him and fresh coffees soon by the boiling pot. " thanks for the groceries guys, much appreciated... Got me some chippies?" maaaaybe just to make Casey grumble a bit more about groceries!

Splinter hopes up to stop coffees and instead do some energizing teas for the couple. It won't be as yummy but will relax, and calm and help with stress.

Coffee later!

And well might as well make one for everyone! Except Elena and Shadow!

Mike and Leo can handle the putting away of groceries.

April winks at her hubby, patting a seat beside her as toasts come his way too, taking a bite of hers. She isn't aware the story of Elena being here will be told over the breakfast probably when they all, including Raphie and Shadow get back. Her look asks Donnie though and she smiles kindly at the young face watching her and Casey worriedly.

But in a way that was her thinking face too, the small chew on her lower lip and thumbs both twiddling a little.  And she manages a sort of squeaked hi, double checking with a look up at Donnie and a whisper of, " sooooo they be Ottis friends too?"[/color]

Leo and Don are chuckling slightly when Raphie skitters off with Shadow for the poonami!

Casey is much more obviously sniggering. He throws the chippies at Mike. It's moooostly playful. Their human friends know the guys well!

Since the girl is nervous, Casey doesn't actually greet the guys as roughly as he usually does, and even has a hug for Mike, Leo and Master Splinter after the groceries are put away. April has forced him to bathe more frequently than he used to, so he actually is fairly clean.

"You look better." Casey commented as he hugged Leo. They'd been worried about him for awhile now.

"I got some actual sleep last night for a change. Not a ton, but enough to function." Leo admitted. He does feel better, though he's pretty sure he'll need a nap later today.

"No fair." But it's all tease. Casey might not have slept much last night, and he's had his share of sleepless nights, but he and April had managed to at least take shifts during the worst nights. And had even called in the guys for help a couple of desperate times.

"Hey, Elena." Casey greets gently. He noticed that she was nervous, so he has actually modulated his tone down as he takes the seat next to April.

At April's questioning look, Don sort of nods in the direction that Raphie had gone. They'll happily explain once Raphie is back.

Don hugs the nervous girl in his lap as she asks if April and Casey are Ottis friends too.

"You know... I'm not sure if they've met yet, but I think Ottis would like them. They've helped protect us many times, just like Ottis protects you."

April accepts the gesture giggling still at Raphie's wonderful morning present from Shadow and of course at the teasing going on between Casey and Leo, patting her hubby's hand when he sits too smiling and keeping it all light and calm for the nervous kiddo sitting on Donnie.

She grins at Leo though as Mike makes sure there is a pile of toast for those who want more, mostly him and stuff to put all over it! And Splinter their teas! " made any progress figuring out what or who it is disturbing you?" she wonders to the leading brother.

Annnd tries her best to hide laughter as Raphie complains loudly that he just put a fresh nappy there! And Shadows adorable giggling! -

Clearly she just went wee wees all over a night clean diaper! Hahaha

And also not giggle at the cute way Donnie's new little friend takes a moment to consider his answer, April is sure the question of who Ottis is will be answered then too...

The way that small not wrapped up clearly by Donnie hand finds the bandana tails and she rests head on his plastrons edge near shoulder watching him.

Awwww it's an adoring sort of face he is getting from the little girl.

Elena Tink's hard, she is preeeett sure that means that yes Ottis would like these humans too if his fellow turtles did! She decides and looks as serious as a small kid could with a nod and then leans shyly out of Donnie's hold to give them both a shy sort of, " Allo, April... Casey... Annnd Shadow..." and there is a small giggle -

Raphie is carrying back a happy clean and empty shadow to her seat, she is waving her little arms and hands about eagerly making the act of putting her in high chair a bit of a struggle but Raphie gets there in the end and she just melts the usually easily frustrated turtle uncle with a big green eyed green!

And he a melty guy goes to wash his hands then come back to the table and slip into his chair.

Mike dodges a lazy swat cause he calls him a marshmallow! Mikey plops the other side of Casey, " Sooooo where do we start with last night?" a glance at Leo and Raphie maybe cause blue boy awoke and red boy got there first!

And yes he doesn't intend to tell of his embarrassing call to Faraji but Raphie does!!

Casey smiled back gently at the little girl when she returned the greeting. He doesn't push her for anything more than that at the moment though.

"Well, Mike. I think we should probably start at the beginning. Actually, we might have gotten a little information." Leo smiled at April's question. Finally!

"Whatever happened last night was much less nebulous than the previous contacts, and... I think whoever it was is really young and--"

Donnie clearly has theories he is unwilling to state just yet. But he butts in before Leo can finish the sentence. This is unlike him.

"Leo was able to draw something he saw. I texted it to you lst night figuring you'd find it sometime today." There's a silent begging quality to his expression. April probably recognizes the look on his face. He really doesn't want to force Elena to see the logo again.

April can check the message at her leisure, but Donnie is moving quickly through their evening. It has a hint of feeling like his old science babble from years ago, before it had been trained out of him, but he is definitely sort of purposely stopping some of the others from commenting. Once the sort of babbling had sounded easy, now it's almost forced like some part of him forgot how.

He will let Raphie comment a bit, trusting him to know enough about Elena to not say anything to upset her, but Mike and Leo are definitely spoken over, not allowed to get a word in edgewise. Leo isn't entirely sure what to do or make of this behavior.

Don explains the decision to go down to their homeless friends and see if any of them knew anything. Where they had found Elena.

He spends a little too long on her injuries and cleaning them up.

"Elena and a couple of our friends had some leads for us that we followed up on after making sure Elena was safe. I have quite a bit of data from the second outing in particular that needs a little more analysis before we head out tonight to follow up again."

Mostly, he wants to follow that final tracker tonight. Hoping it will lead to Elena's sister, and the lab from Leo's contact. But he's not sure how much they wayt to say about it to Elena. At least not at breakfast when she's first meeting April and Casey.

In fact it takes them all by surprise, Donnie usually didn't talk over his brothers unless they were describing something or telling a story with terrible pronunciations and or verbal.

So for a moment even Raphie is clearly unsure of what brainy brother is trying to do, because they had said they would speak over breakfast about the night.

Then Raphie got it.

In the middle of chuckling as a shy Elena is treated to a not shy at all Shadow waving a piece of toast at her.

Elena.

Donnie was protecting the kiddo from the conversation.

He will subtly knock a knuckle against Leo's when there is a moment and nod to the kiddoes now giggling together - awwwww

And leaves it to Leo, pretty sure he will understand to make sure Mike got the hint too.

Buuuuuuut Raphie will also know as they wanted to chat over breakfast he and a curious April checks her phone in a moment Donnie is describing the helping Elena and her arm -

And the way the little girl helped with this part of the story, she even recalled what Donnie described he had been doing, some words of course she couldn't pronounce but she gave it a good go and she got the procedure mixed up a bit but the story telling and being on Donnie's lap was helping her relax she is my Ching from there and every now and then will poke Don to eat some of his toast too! Hah! Cute! He leans over to tickle Shadows cheek, she was kicking away and calling out Dodododododo, Don and Dad were pretty close in pronunciation and eagerly trying to talk Shadow loved the D sound! " when you ladies are finished Uncle Raphie will help yous get the tv first before Ratpa so it's cartoons not stories okay?" amused by Splinters very real looking but entirely fake glare his way.

April had nodded briefly at Don's look and will look when she can, apologizing she hadn't seen it yet. And ooohing softly. And guessing like Raphie knew that the kid was the reason for Donnie being a bit out of character and talking over his brothers.

Soooo she plays along though the explanation needs more. A smothered in tea giggle at Splinters look to Raphie, but grateful, she supposed once the kids are in the clean the whole story will come out and she is so curious!

And also. " You are smitten." whispered tease to Donnie, but it is a gentle and pleased sort it is good to hear, even if sporadically moments like this when he babble or rambles like he used to and she had been trying to get his brothers and father and Don himself to start doing again.

As Don sees some of his brothers clue in on what he's doing, he will let them speak a little. Raphie was first, which didn't surprise Don. Raphie would know more about Elena than Mike or Leo did.

Leo seemed unsure about what exactly he's supposed to avoid, but he did catch Raphie's clue about what Donnie's strange behavior was for, and Leo stopped trying to really ask questions. Instead, he just listened to what Donnie felt was safe material that the girl in his lap wouldn't mind. April too caught on. Then Mike and Casey.

When Don corrects Elena's pronunciation of a difficult word, he's much gentler than he is with his brothers. Elena gets praised just for attempting some of those long words! And he miiiiight have let one pass because it was cute. And actually made more sense than the original.

As Donnie becomes more sure that his brothers won't say something that might upset Elena, he actually does accept her (repeated) offer of toast. He gives her a gentle hug as he actually takes his breakfast.

"Maybe we should make getting Donnie to actually eat his meals your job, Elena. You're better at it than we are."

Don stuck his tongue out at Leo.

There's a grateful look to Raphie when he suggests the kids sneaking in to watch cartoons instead of Splinter's stories! That's a perfect way to tell what they need to, while also keeping Elena from having to relive whatever happened that let her recognize the logo from the lab in Leo's contacts.

And maybe sliiiightly deep in the headlights look when April calls Don out!

Okay, maybe he is.

"She needed help, and she trusted me. I couldn't just ignore that."

Annnnd Splinter gets in on the joke, he doesn't mind at all if the kids beat him over there to watch cartoons, but gotta make it fun! So he gasps and gives his best playfully serious face, " Oh never shall you beat me to my stories!"

This making a Elena who had already straightened up and gave Leo her best salute and serious nod, " I will Leo promise! - muuust eat Donnie and I give all the hugs for it!" she announces at Don squeezing him back in the hug and beaming oh she will take her job seriously! And then Splinter! She oh no you don'ts! And is hurrying to eat, but in a refine way! Cause she a lady!

Shadow squeals and laughs no knowing what Splinter said but enjoying the play from Ratpa all the same.

Oh her heart April giggles at Don's look and winks at him. "sounds like a good reason to me." giggling at their daughter and nudging Casey when Elena shouts she is finished, kisses Don's cheek with a milk mustached and Splinter fakes himself struggling to catch up, Shadow is not finished but Raphie winks at Don and slips Shadow out of her high chair toast and all, takes a giggling Elena's good free hand and hurries the giggling girls to the lounge all three claiming victory real loud!

Splinter relaxes back, he had no intention of winning, cause he does want the whole story and now small ears are safe...

April does check her phone and shows Casey to, actually it takes a moment to click and she gasps, but will check with a glance at Don that he is satisfied little earholes are safe. She assumes something in their talk might upset Elena and Donnie didn't want that, to spare the girl. So she checks.

"So not fair." Don comments, mostly directing the comment at Leo using the little girl to mKe sure Don actually eats at meal times. But there's no heat in it as he hugs Elena and chuckles as she takes off towards the TV with Raphie and Shadow.

Leo can't help but chuckle as the kids are rushed away to watch some cartoons, which should let the rest of them have a moment to talk. As long as they're mostly quiet, they should be able to speak freely.

Don does give a clearance for April to speak.

"I sort of recognize the logo, but I can't place it. Elena definitely recognized it, and was afraid of it. It was bad enough that she was even scared of our homeless friends and wouldn't let them care for her arm. Apparently she bit one of them." So a little more reason why they brought her home instead of taking her to a human

But clearly April did recognize it. And Hopefully she has some useful information!

April lightly elbows Casey cause she is smothering some giggles as Raphie collasped onto the couch and the two girls sprawled on his plastron. He was a very big turtle plenty of room for two little girls.

And it's cute!

The nudge is a gentle reminder to get pictures of his fellow rough and tumble turtle turning into a teddy bear!

She gasps a little, " kids bite... Oh dear is that why she was shy of us too? Did someone..ummm hurt her... more than the arm?" oh pllllease say no she is hoping not... not that awful sort of kiddo abuse...of course her friends had come across that once or twice... And she hates that for them. And it's sort of a plea to start from the start including a recap of Leo's week glancing at him, along with her tapping the picture of the symbol and explaining her gasp. " It's been a while since I saw that symbol, I mean when I interned for Baxter, he was more engineering than bio genetics like InGen, they were doing fascinating work, glow in the dark fish and small mammals, sweet smelling slime moulds, see through frogs... That kind of thing... Well the branch Baxter had business with trying to design a mouser that will dig and retrieve biological samples from fossils and possibly in future deep sea."

Oh please tell them everything! He will definitely tell she is eager, and if Splinter consent to watching Shadow maybe she and Casey might come out on their patrol! Maybe!

If they get a good nap!

Mike is eager too to hear the story in full his gaze sort of zoning during April's talk so he misses that and watches Raphie and kiddies chuckling a bit. But snapping back when April finishes!

Splinter hums a bit, ready for more but at least April knows a little. The word mousses still made his skin crawl, they were fascinating works of genius but creepy!

Don frowned at April's question.

"I... I don't know. I mean... I don't think she was hurt like you're thinking... but based on the maps that Raphie and I found on the ships last night, I think the research vessel was pursuing them for some reason."

So not the sort of abuse that April was thinking of, no. But... something. And Don isn't sure what that something is just yet.

"Sweet smelling slime mold...? Why?" The others were weird, but Leo could see them being vaguely useful.

Don catches onto the sort of work that April is talking about with InGen. "I've read about some of that work." Don added after April's explanation. "Most of those features aren't really the what they're looking for. Those features are actually a result of a process used to help imbed a useful gene into a species. Unfortunately, the useful genes are hard or impossible to see. The glowing cats, for instance, they were trying to insert a gene that can block the feline immunodeficiency virus that causes the feline version of AIDS. But they can't tell if the gene was successfully inserted. So you attach that useful gene to another one that does something obvious, in this case, make the cat glow in the dark. Now there's an actual, observable feature. If the cat glows, then the FIV fighting gene is also present. It's fascinating work." Then he sort of realizes that he is saying this of the company that had hurt Elena, and has some connection to a young... probably turtle.

"When used properly..."

Leo sort of bit his tongue before asking Donnie to slow down. He's giving himself a moment to sort of process what his brother said. And he does catch on that glowing cats can't get cat-AIDS.

"And that's bad...? It didn't sound bad. It sounded good!

"Well... like I said, when used properly. In the case of the glowing cats, the intention is to help develop cures for diseases. Which is great, but even with that there are ethical issues. And the same gene insertion can be used for any other sort of gene insertion. Probably not unlike the SuperSoldiers that Bishop tried to develop."

That explained the problems well enough for Leo.

"Anyway... the beginning." Leo felt April was right, and they needed to get everyone on the same page.

"You know I've been having trouble sleeping lately. At first it was sort of a combination of a nebulous combination of pain, anxiety and hunger."

Leo goes on. He hadn't realized it had even been a contact for the first couple of days, the feeling had been so subtle. Subtle or not, it had been more than enough to prevent him from sleeping. As the days (and long, long, sleepless nights) passed, Leo was becoming more sure that it was some sort of contact, but he couldn't really reach the source in a way that could get a response. He hadn't understood at first.

It hadn't been until a couple days ago that he sort of felt that maybe the contact was very young or very untrained. Yesterday he was sure about young. And last night...

Last night had been completely different. He had seen the facility his young contact was in. After throwing up the energy bar in the youngster's extreme anxiety. He had seen the room, and a lab coat with the logo he had sketched.

"And evidently after that, Don sent you the picture, and he and Raphie went off to investigare more. I helped calm the contact, and we finally went to sleep, but something changed during the night. There was... someone else making him comfortable."

Don sort of looked between Splinter, April and Leo. Leo had been about to continue, but Donnie cut him off.

"I... I think it's probably a young mutant, and most likely related to Leo."

Whatever Leo had been about to say has caught in his throat and he's frozen. What Don just said feels... right. But... what? No way. What?

Donnie is squirming under Leo's shocked stare.

April had grabbed her hubby's hand when Donnie answered, breathless. And relaxing now just holding. Okay good. The kid had been hurt. By other human people given her nervousness, but not like that. Phew.

She wasn't the only one, Splinter too gave an unheard and seen sigh of relief his ears dropping a tiny bit indicating that.

April went to answer Leo but Donnie got there and she grins nodding, " Fascinating work, even if in this case it seems that InGen might have nefarious purposes to their work but fascinating."

Because yeah the work and applications are fascinating but what happened to Elena.. April is a bit puzzled by the bigger vessel pursuing the smaller, what did a pair of girls have that they wanted?

Mike muttered he wanted glow in the dark fish, fish night lights!

But April and Splinter and probably the others shushed him as Leo filled in entirely what had been going on. She and Casey knew a bit and he'll understood a whole lot better restlessness and sleeplessness thanks to their adorable little Shadow.

Currently baby babbling with some almost words as much as a almost tott can at a verrrrrry interested Raphie as a Elena tried to figure out how to braid two bandana tails.

Haha!

A moment of fish face when Leo gets to where he began to understand he was being contacted.

Then a gasp -no where near as melodramatic as Mike's of course - and she too, a gasp.

Mike is excited... After a moment of brain fartery silent gaping at Leo, slooooow turn of his head to a squirmy Donnie" like a kid? A kids that's Leo's? A Leo kiddo?!... but why only contact now?"

April shocked laughs, [color=#B8860B]" Young Mikey, very very young.

Leo is also glad to hear that Elena hadn't been hurt that way. Relieved! Even if it means they don't know what they girls had been running from.

Don ignores Mike's comment about the glow in the dark fish. Technically one could buy fluorescent fish in New York, but... he does not need to tell Mike that. And they don't really glow in the dark. They fluoresce in black light. That's different. Really, it's best for all of them if Mike doesn't know.

There's a shrug at April's wonderings about why the larger vessel had been pursueing the smaller one. "I don't know yet. I haven't had a chance to look into the data from the ship yet, other than the navigation logs. So far, we just have more questions than answers."

And squirming under a variety of stares! Even Casey is shocked and staring at him!

"Leo's got a kid??"

"I said 'relative'." Don mutters. It seems a weird distinction to make. Since it does sound pretty much like Leo does have a kid out there somewhere.

"Donnie... how...?"

"You're the one who said you saw a lab. How many enemies and entities out there have our blood."

Leo frowns. It was a lab, and... well... a kid does sound right with what he's been feeling from the little guy in his 'dreams.' Leo is pretty sure Don's right. He puts a hand on Donnie's shoulder to help his brother try and relax.

"All the more reason to find that lab then."

Leo's tone is... weird. Either conflicted or sort of weirdly empty. Honestly, at this point, Leo's not entirely sure what to think. But he does know they have to find that lab and his little contact.

And as Leo calms Donnie's adorable squirmies, Mike lightly brushes against Leo, it seems he is just bringing Splinters tea closer to Leo once the dad shares it out as the story is going to move from Leo's to Donnie's night.

It's a brush of comfort sensing either shock or maybe just a 'OMG' how could I not have known?' energy from Leo, and wanting to try comforting the big bro. Their hear if he needs to just... Something.

Whatever that is!

And Splinter obviously sensed something to as he is bringing tea over, Raphie's is left on the bench. " Very young to not have been able to reach out or be felt before this.. there is no way we could have guessed." doesn't make it better of course, but understanding why they might not have picked up on some one so young and known earlier is better than only self recriminations and blame.

He is settling back in as an April reaches over to offer Leo a squeeze of his big hand. And a small nudge against Casey. "Definitely sounds like it... We have got to be a part of the crew that heads out tonight." She nods even if she is on the monitoring here in the lair home! And with that she is turning attention to Donnie and nods. " We can go through ships data when ready, but how did that part go?" catch them up! She is eager! And knows this is an energizing tea Splinter is sharing around. Enough to get them through the morning to a lunch and nap before afternoon work for Casey and probably Raphie and all Donnie.

"What else did you find?"

Donnie sighed, but he does continue.

"More questions than answers, really. The research ship had been pretty well emptied out. I think they found what they were looking for and are getting ready to return it.  I pulled what I could from the computers, and the GPS logs. I also toon the data card from a hydrophone. That's an underwater microphone." Before anyone can even ask!

Don is thorough about this sort of thing. He lays the TechTab on the table so everyone can see the maps.

"There are three signals. The two ships, and a third, different signal. You can see the small boat that Elena and her sister lived on followed a pretty reliable schedule. The researchers were using a search pattern At first, then we see the third signal join.

Donnie pointed to a convergence of all three signals.

"As best I can tell, this is where Elena and her sister were attacked.  The two ships are still together, but here's the interesting bit.

He pointed to where the third signal was when he took the records.

"This is inland. And I think it's a tag. The sort of tracker they put on animals in the wild." No, he doesn't really know what that means. "Though it seems far fetched that they'd use something like that on a human. We found some scratches on both vessels. Something has some serious claws.  I collected data and some gear, but haven't had a chance to look at it yet. On the boat that seemed to be Elena's home, we collected things we thought she might need or want."

There is a pause, because he left something out.

"And... on the Research ship, we found remains of at least four eggs." This part is softer. And he cues up the video of that discovery. With the exception of gold in place of orange, the colors are very, very familiar.

"That would explain the siblings I am pretty sure were placed nearby last night." Leo had accepted the brush and light touches from his family. He does understand that this is probably the soonest they could have sensed the child... children(?!) that are apparently out there somewhere.

Leo's going to need a moment to process this conversation. As are all of them, he's sure. In their own ways.

Splinter feels the quiet that follows the last of last night's wondering won't last long. He hmmmms loudly, it's to draw attention to himself, as he could tell by the amazed, intrigued and wondering faces that there is questions.

And to be fair Donnie haaad told them there would be more questions!

So he decides to distract and redirect for now. Once he has attention he clears his throat for extra affect. " sounds like a little more investigation might be in order tonight and if April and yourself Casey are up for it we would welcome the extra eyes and hands on the matter. It appears Raphael and yourself brought home the eggs shells. So Michelangelo once Donatello has all the samples for him and April will need from those you will gather the pieces up as much as you can and settle down to Kintsugi please." suuuure Mikey would have to use whatever adhesive he can find and or has and thinks will work rather than gold lacquer traditionally used to piece shards together again, creating a more beautiful object through the acts of breaking and repair... But still

And it would keep a creative Michelangelo busy and out of Donatello and April way if they pursue a little more of the rest of the evidence gathered.

" Raphael has the young ones handled, so I suggest the rest of us occupy ourselves a little for a couple of hours then nape, then lunch and I am guessing Casey you would like a little help later today."

Mike doesn't even worry about he is the only one actually tasked with anything mind already on what materials he had that would work best with egg shells.

April makes a soft sound in her throat, loooud enough that they all probably know if her swallowing her eager questions. Splinter indeed hides a grin and nods at Leo. " We can make up on training tomorrow or use tonight to do a little, for now, maybe a little meditation?"

April is managing not to burst and she had reached over to offer Donnie a bit of a knee pat when his oice got soft, concerned and also part of why she swallowed her questions. She and he cooooould go over the footage and stuff if he wants or do some other chore he has to attend to whilst they have Mike free time. Casey would come in handy too but if she and Donie are going through more of the footage and what he picked up off the signals, logs and hydrophone Casey might hang with Raphael and the two little girls.

Raphie is having a very serious discussion with a babbling Shadow and eager Elena over the dance move the wiggles are doing! And yes it comes with demonstrations from all three of them!

Donnie has told pretty much everything he knows at this point. As he said, more questions that answers. He will definitely need some time to do a little more research.

While Mike is the only one who had been assigned a task, but Donnie already had one, and Raphie had already taken the task of keeping an eye on the girls. Leo will make sure that the kitchen and dining room are cleaned up after breakfast, and will probably use Casey to help with that.

Then Leo will sort of pop around to see where he can help. He will probably turn up to help Mike with the egg shells for awhile, then see if April and Donnie have any new information before helping with the kids for awhile.

He considers the question about training. He's definitely all for a meditation session today. There's been a lot to process this morning, and that might help.

"Well, it looks like there will be plenty for us to deal with tonight. But try to get in a little individual practice during the day sometime." Because he has to suggest that anyway.

Don just looks at where April pat his knee for a moment, processing what has been said and suggested.

"I could use some help going through data." It's quiet. Like he used his word quota for the day already.

Casey can also make himself useful in the work space or with the kids until this afternoon. By then, the car problem will probably be a welcome break from everything else going on!

Splinter nods at Leo and so in agreement, they both will definitely encourage or more directly force at the very least half an, and a grin at the young April and Casey. It was going to be a lot to process, it will take time, but having them both here, and Shadow among them today will help! " It's wonderful to have the girls and extra hands on today." A turn of his ear toward Leo as he begins to gather up breakfast. Showing he will help and be there with him and Casey to help clean up the kitchen then if Leo wants to meditate before nap time get to that.

Raphie will call out playfully at the beginning of a new cartoon to come to make a deciding 'vote' on a show - really it's just to hang with his bud and little niece and also help Elena relearn that most people were okay. Not cooool as Casey Jones, but okay.

So there is Splinter shuffling to get up and Raphie calling over for Casey to hurry and come over to help settle this debate - hah! a debate at most five-year-old and crawley several months old - lol

And Mike is at least helping to clear the table so he can then spread old newspapers about before going to retrieve the box with eggshells and the materials he would need for bonding and varnishing and also something to sit the project on and in whilst being worked on and when finished.

April smiles at Don and nods, she winks at Casey and offers Leo a gentle look, she could only guess this was going to be a rough information and or discovery mission - sooo if he needs to rant she and or Casey are there. " I'm very eager to help go through the data when your ready Donnie, you choose the space." and she can guess they may be at least somewhere Elena can look over and see that Donnie is about, and smile over at him - as she has done several times event hough clearly enjoying her time with Raphie and Shadow. Lead the way Donnie!

Casey calls out with a response to the cartool poll that Raphie is conducting.

"Definitely Bluey!" Though he doesn't actually know what other options had been presented.

Leo shoos Casey off. He can finish this up just fine. He's... doing about as well as could be expected at the moment. Between the discoveries this morning, and the lack of sleep of late, he could definitely use a meditation session, but he will finish washing the dishes first. Though since Casey ran off, Leo could use a hand drying.

Then definitely sneaking away to meditate for awhile.

Donnie had caught the glances their direction from Elena, at least several of them. When he does catch her look, he waves slightly back at her, letting her know he noticed and is aware of where she is. He's not concerned about the situation in the lair right now and there's a vibe of safety.

"The station off the main room should work." Don gets up as Leo takes his actually mostly clear plate. This location is a little smaller, and slightly slower to access his mainframe, but it's big enough for Donnie and April to work side by side, and it's closer to where the kids are watching TV.

Though the computers are a little slower from here, that isn't an issue for things like the research they're doing now. They're not going to be trying to get into any other systems, so this more visible station is perfect.

As Don oves to the computers, he checks in on Elena quickly.

"Are you and Shadow beating up Raphie?" Though they seem to be doing okay at the moment.

If April wants to move on ahead, she can probably find the data from lsat night pretty easily. It's still cued up from last night before he went to bed.

Splinter waits until it's mostly himself and Leo at the dishes, but doesn't broach anything, just a soft flick of ears and spread of whiskers if Leonardo wants to talk about it between themselves quietly.

Even a noisy setting his work station up and adding some crafts to the table for the girls if they come over and want to join him there won't over hear them easily. Especially as he is humming to himself and clattering away.

~

Raphie grins and playfully punches Casey's shoulder when he joins them, " didn't even think of that one!" making a bit of room so his best bud can sprawl with him here on the couch, and the girls are on his plastron!

Shadow babbling happily at her dad blinking her big green eyes and clearly baby describing the debate up toil now with Uncle Raphie and her new friend! It's very exciting has much emphasis and hand waving!

Elena giggles , and when Donnie comes over she reaches to catch one of his much bigger hands with her good one. " Annnd now Casey too!" He was close and she was content to stay here, Casey seemed nice if loud, not like those bad ment that took her sister away.

April is settling into place and starts the footage and play back whilst setting up the card reader to this main room for looking at the memory cards, things that don't require trying to hack any systems for now. Also opening internet tabs to find the boogle maps to locate the third and last GPS signals last coordinates.

Honestly... Leo doesn't even know where to begin with this one. He'll definitely need his father's advice later, but right now he's still a little shell shocked by what he learned last night and this morning.

"I feel like I've been so tired for so long that I'm not sure what's waking and what's a dream or contact anymore."

But he has a task, and he is actually sort of focusing on the feeling of the water, and the dishes he's cleaning. Focusing on what he can feel. It's a sort of meditation tactic. He's sure he's awake.

Leo doesn't really expect any sort of response to this. It's just a lot that he'll need a moment to process.

~~

Casey is absolutely acting like he understood everything Shadow is saying. He's almost alarmingly good at this. It has occasionally caused Don to question how well Casey understands the adults he speaks with.

But Casey sprawls on the couch with Raphie and the girls.

Don chuckles in response to Elena's comment.

"Good. It keeps them humble." Don chuckled.

When the show is over, they'll have to get Elena into the shower to clean up a bit more, but he doesn't want to break the moment of peace for her just yet. So he smiles and ruffles her hair slightly instead.

Well, enjoy your show. I'm going to be right over there doing a bit of work." Nope, he won't be far.

Then Don moves toward April and the computer stations to see what she's found. Since she's on the GPS side of things, he will start pulling up some of the data he pulled from the computers.

He doesn't say anything, just getting to work.

Shadow is a chatter box -

Gets it from Uncle Mikey!

And even more so when she has her dad's undivided attention and that he got it! He truly did! There is emphasis on burbles and squeaky chitters and babbling that is allllmost getting as fast as Uncle Donnie's excited rambling.

Raphie is very amused and hiding sniggers. He often has to double check his friend understands it all. So he will ask again when kiddoes attention is on the bright coloured tv shows!

Elena beams, " Muuust do that!" she is not sure what it means but absolutely they must! And she grins playfully tring to catch his hand with her good one and if successful she will cling to the much larger fingers for a moment until Don assures he will just be over there, the grin and relieved slump of shoulders is small but there and she is content to give him a thankful, " Yay! I can wave and you see it there?" happily and letting go.

But there is a glance that makes April chuckle a bit when Donnie joins her and she pauses what she is doing. She has the GPS and is moooostly marking where on the routs and when some bits of other infor seems to be picked up. Like the audio recordings, hopefully still on the hydrophone memory card Donnie got. But hey it's after the audio the GPS shows the bigger vessel hunting the smaller. She points at the pictures she has found on Donnie's recordings of his and Raphael's investigations of the boats. "know what made those? And they were on both boats?" curious. This was just a slim through on the info Donnie has, as she and he go through it more thoroughly her tentative timeline of the two boats and informations will probably change with whatever was left on any of the logs Don managed to find. But those claw marks interest her.

~

Splinter nods, but there is a tiny chuckle. "guess you can say you are already ahead on the sleeplessness that is parenthood..." but it's a softly delivered joke.

And yeah sometimes to Splinter it all feels like a dream. Even now as his sons have just begun the journey of young adult hood. And a soft joke so Leonardo knows he can talk more if he wants to.

Behind them as they work, Michelangelo is busy at first separating shell bits by color.

Casey is absolutely convincing! He doesn't understand a word Shadow is saying, but as long as she thinks he does, he's happy! And based on what's going on, he actually can pick up quite a bit from what she's pointing at. So... maybe he sort of does understand her. And she absolutely does have his undivided attention, which is probably more important anyway. She's adorable! He snuggles her and sits next to Raphie.

Casey is also rather convincing about telling his buddies what Shadow is saying. She can't much tell them otherwise yet! Though based on what she's been doing, he can actually make a pretty good guess.

"She says she's showing Elena where all your tickle spots are, Uncle Raphie." And Casey miiiight have a sliiiightly evil look on his face. There miiiiight be a light tussle after the show, but they're used to Shadow getting in on the game now, so will be careful of both girls.

~~

Don squeezes the small hand that catches his own. It's gentle, but warm for the little girl. And smiles at her when she makes sure that she'll be able to see him.

"Absolutely. But for now, enjoy your show, and don't let Casey and Raphie break anything. I don't want to fix it again." Mooooostly teasing with the last bit.

Don makes his way over to April and peeks at what she's doing before answering her question. The glance is enough to give him some ideas where he can start to make the most efficient progress through the data. It's a familiar dance.

"None. Like I said, more questions than answers..." Don admitted. "Other than it was definitely on both boats. I'm hoping some of the files I pulled might have something."

Even as he's answering April's question, Don is pulling up data from the ship. This time what he pulled from the computers and the hydrophone. Digging through files first, skimming them.

~~

Leo frowns at the comment.

"I get that... kind of." Leo glances toward Shadow in the main room. "But... I don't know. I guess I just have a bad feeling about this." Nothing he can explain, and maybe it's just the stress of knowing he (all of them if those colored eggs are anything to go by??) probably has a kid out there, somewhere in a lab. He can't help but shudder.

"We need to go find them, get them out, but...I guess I just wish we knew more."

He needs to meditate for a bit and calm down, or he'll hover over Donnie and April all day and drive them crazy.