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[When sickness hit the Hamato household, it swept through like wildfire. And ever since Splinter found himself with two sick little turtles on his hands, he was determined to keep the other two as germ-free as possible. So as soon as they woke and they ate their meager breakfast, he shooed Raphael and Leonardo out of the den, hurriedly telling them to bring back anything they found of use before being pulled away by his sick ones' alarmed whimpers.

Raphie was more than happy to leave the den. It stank like throw up in there, and being hungry made it even worse. Ever since Donnie and Mikey got sick, Splinter hasn't been able to go topside for food, and splitting a can of tuna fish and a couple slices of stale bread with Leo left him feeling hollow inside. He'd been growing a lot lately, way more than his brothers, and it was making him feel hungry all the time. Maybe they'd be able to find some cool stuff while they were out, or even some more food.

The only problem is, he has no idea where to look. Splinter doesn't usually take him out on scavenge runs. It's because he's too noisy and doesn't listen, but his brothers tell him it's because he cries too much. But that's because they're stupid and Splinter doesn't take them either! No one gets to go except for Leo, because he's a daddy's boy and the favorite. And a stupid idiot, but that's besides the point.

So. That leaves two nine year old turtles and one mission. Raphie looks at his brother, shrugs, and starts shuffling off to wherever his feet take him. Because there's no way he's gonna let Leo tell him where to go. He'll just walk until he finds something.]

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[Leo sighs, compliantly retreating his hand. It looks like there's no calming Raph down, and if he keeps trying, he'll probably make him break into tears. Maybe Leo can take him back home and then come back out looking on his own. He's never been scavenging alone before, but at least he wouldn't have to babysit -]

[The sound of scuffing shoes against pavement makes him freeze in his tracks. Leo tenses, eyes swerving to the opening of the alleyway, ignoring his brother's outburst completely in favor of the approaching echo.]

[He stays like that for a second. Then, without warning, he seizes his brother's arm with one hand, clamps the other over his mouth, and gives him a forceful shove towards the shadows.]

[Raph squwaks under his brother's hand, stumbling into the shadows before he even knows what's happening. It only takes him a second of indignant struggling before he sees the shadow of a man pour into the alleyway.

It makes everything inside him go cold as ice. He holds his breath, shell scraping against the wet brick wall.]

[Leonardo's reaction is instinctual - as Raph goes still with comprehension of the situation, Leo huddles tightly in front of him, pushing the both of them against the wall with insect-like scritching sounds on the brickwork. His own shell facing out into the open alley, Leo cranes his neck to watch with intensity as the shadow spills over wet asphalt, drawing closer and closer like a growing pool of liquid.]

[His stomach jumps straight into his throat, and he presses into Raph a little more, trying to squish them both against the wall as much as possible. No way is anyone gonna get him, and especially not his brother.]

[Every day is a new experience and a new adventure. So goes the life of a free man, a philosopher, one human soul against the countless drones of the like-minded. The people on the streets are cattle, blind and deaf to the rhythm of the city, to the magnificent wonders happening all around them.

Henry C. Jacobs has been on the streets since he was twenty five, chasing a life of true freedom, true knowledge, true liberation from the hive-minded masses. Being a free man means he takes time not to become one of the horde of cattle, but to observe, to see and listen.

That is why today he has been intrigued by the sound of children's voices coming from a sewer grate. And now, from an alleyway not too far away.

There are many theories about things that lurk in the city's underground, terrible beasts, gargantuan creatures who were once mere victims of human ignorance, now long forgotten, growing more aggressive in the dark amidst the refuse.

Though he has a theory of his own about these children. Not human children, no... He had caught a mere glimpse of them through the grate before they disappeared. An intriguing flash of green, so much more than the ghosts of mere abandoned childhood pets.

Slowly, he makes his way into the alleyway, holding his hands in a peaceful gesture. Palms up. Keeping his voice and footsteps gentle.]

Hello? Is there anyone there?

[They seem to have disappeared again. How interesting. Though his curiosity is insatiable enough to keep him trying.]

Children? I'm not going to hurt you.

[Getting the life crushed out of him by Leonardo when he's already feeling more than a little claustrophobic being cornered in an alleyway by a human triggers something inside Raphael that's new and foreign and strange.

It makes him mad. Mad enough that he's not even scared anymore. Mad enough that he can hardly think about anything but kicking this guy's stupid old butt.

His hands wind into fists, crouching low in the small space behind his brother with a growl rumbling in his throat.

If today's taught him anything, it's proved how much he hates humans. Hates them so much he wants to rip this old guy's face off.]

[Leo tracks the human as it enters the alley, hoping that his heartbeat really isn't as loud as it sounds in his head. It's a big man with a dark complexion - and he's homeless, Leonardo realizes with a start, judging by his old, frayed jacket, the ragged scarf hanging around his plump neck, and even the gloves with the fingers cut out. Homeless people aren't as scary, mostly because they don't seem to have anywhere to hold the turtles captive, but often they smell horrible and drink out of nasty beer bottles. Leo doesn't particularly like them, even if they don't seem as dangerous as other humans.]

[What surprises him is when Raphael lets out a low rumble that vibrates through Leo's chest just as much as his own. Leo's gaze flits to him briefly, but he doesn't have time to react any more than that, because the human starts talking again. He instantly recognizes the voice; it's the guy from the grate. He followed them after all.]

[Swallowing, Leo pushes away from Raph and creeps closer to the shadow's edge for a closer look. He's not as scared anymore, but he's being cautious all the same.]

[No, maybe they are gone. Maybe he's just an old fool chasing dreams again. But this old fool is if nothing a stubborn one. He must explore all theories, glean all knowledge there is to glean, gather all facts. There were indeed children's voices, and an upturned trash can sits in the middle of the path...]

If you are hungry, I can find you something to eat.

[For food is the equalizer. As they say, breaking bread with your enemy will soon earn you a friend. And they obviously must be hungry to be going through these trash bins.

He just hopes it will work. He would so much love to see them with his own eyes, these green children of the sewers. He feels as though he's Odysseus, exploring strange creatures in far-off lands.]

[Every inch of him screams to attack. This guy is baiting them, like when Master Splinter sets traps to catch pigeons. This human is going to lure them out with food, then snatch them up and kill them. Break their necks like brittle pencils. Then their head will hang in weird ways and their eyes will go milky just like the pigeons.

Leo dares to go to the edge of the shadows, but Raph feels like a prowling tiger. He needs that dark. He'll spring out of the shadow and kick this guy's butt. He doesn't want his help or his food. Even if he is starving. Even if they've been eating the same loaf of stale bread for a week. No matter how bad Mikey and Donnie and Master Splinter need it.]

[The man's offer doesn't sway him. Sensei says that not all humans have evil in their hearts, but that it can often be impossible to tell one's true nature until it's too late. As much as Leo wants food.. as hungry as he is, as hungry as his whole family is, there's no way he's going to go out and talk to a human just to get it. Even the thought of it seems ridiculous.]

[He lies in the dark shadows, pressed down against the ground as he watches the man in predatory silence. If they're lucky, he'll give up and go away. If they're lucky... the thought trails away from him as he shivers, blinking in surprise at the involuntary action. He's just now noticing how cold and clammy his skin is getting beneath the rain. Donnie's babbling about thermo-regu-whatever seeps into his brain like an unwelcome visitor - he doesn't know the details, but he knows the gist of it, and the gist of it is "getting cold is very bad". He shifts slightly, trying to work some heat back into his limbs. He's hoping Raph isn't getting cold, too; they'd really be in trouble.]

[Shell. He's suddenly a lot more worried about their ability to wait this guy out.]

[A movement in the shadows by the dumpsters catches his eye, and he smiles warmly in its direction.]

Ah, there you are. I assure you, friends. I am quite--

[There's only a blur of green before he finds himself sprawled flat on his back on the wet pavement, gasping for breath. And the shadow - small, green, and eyes full of fury - is standing over him like a predator.

During his time on this earth, he has asked many questions, pushed the boundaries of knowledge and philosophy, gone to great lengths a lesser man would never dare to go. But curiosity, it seems, can sometimes be a curse. And today, it may very well kill this old street cat.

But he will leave this world in awe.

For a moment, all he can do is gape up at this beautiful, this terrible creation of nature.]

My god. You're magnificent.

Edited 2013-09-14 22:56 (UTC)

[He doesn't know what happened. First, he's crouching in the shadows, thinking of how much he'd love to hurt this stupid homeless guy. This human. Next, he's standing in the middle of the alley, wet and panting, standing over the guy like he's about to go in for the kill. As the black filters from his vision, the man's eyes are wide and scared. But there's something else he sees in those eyes - wisdom and kindness he tries to pretend he doesn't see. The guy doesn't even try to fight back. It makes him uneasy, makes him shake with his own fear and ebbing adrenaline.]

Leave us alone, you dumb old guy!

[A whirl of motion, something whipping out of the shadows beside him faster than he can process. He seizes up, eyes tracking the blur as it hurls into the homeless man, knocking them both to the ground. It takes Leonardo a moment to realize that the blur is his brother, but the moment he does, he leaps to his feet and darts out into the alley.]

Raph! What are you doing?!

[Has Raphael gone crazy? The homeless guy isn't fighting back, but all Leo is processing is that look of wonder and awe on his face, and he doesn't like it. Leo makes a grab for Raph, trying to push his brother behind him while snarling possessively at the man with as much fierceness as a nine-year-old can muster.]

No, he's not! You can't have him! Go away!

[Two of them. Two of the most amazing, the most horrible creatures he has ever had the pleasure of seeing. He's heard the tales, yes. The stories told by the firelight of oil barrels, spun by fellow free men who have seen so much of the world and her mysteries. Giant rats, crocodiles that walk on two legs, and the men and women who have been shunned from society, whether by birth or consequence. He has seen much in his long life, but this... yes, it's terrifyingly magnificent.

But they're scared, just children. He can see it in their eyes... yes. Those strangely human eyes gleaming from their reptilian faces.

He sits up slowly, retrieving his kufi cap and dusting himself off. Strange and magnificent as they are, he knows better than to gawk. He has seen and made good friends with many possessing deformities of mind and body, but they are all just people. Just souls bound to mortal flesh, one under the same stars.

He keeps his tone jovial, steady. Keeps his smile kind.]

Have him? My, what would I do with him?

[He hates this guy. He hates him trying to be nice. He hates him coming into their spot. He hates him for making him this mad.

Leo forces his way in front of him, but not without some effort. Even behind his brother, his hands are wound into fists, ready to strike.]

Break our n-necks. Cut us up into little pieces. But don't even try it 'cause wuh-we'll kick your butt!

[Leo doesn't get what's going on with Raph - he's always having tantrums and getting upset, sure, but he's usually a scaredy-cat when it comes to humans. He feels Raph tensed behind him, wiry muscles coiled as though ready to strike. It makes him nervous. This human is a lot bigger up close... and while he thinks they can probably handle him, he doesn't share Raph's sentiment that it would be an easy fight.]

[His imaginations aren't quite as wild as Raph's, either. But he still knows what the humans are capable of. He spreads his arms wide, eying the man with quiet intensity and taking a cautious step back.]

Edited 2013-09-14 23:59 (UTC)

Barbaric! [What a ghastly thing for this poor creature to say. Being a black man, being a free man, even being a philosopher has brought upon him many hardships, but never could he imagine the fear running through these poor boys' minds.] I'm a mere professor, a teacher. I could never imagine inflicting such atrocities. Forgive an old fool his curiosity if it has made you believe me capable of such.

[He takes a moment to straighten his jacket.]

And I assure you, my young reptilian friends, my derriere has already been thoroughly kicked.

[Raph takes a reflexive step back, his face screwed up in a grimace as the guy yammers on. This is not how he imagined humans would be. He must be crazy. He's just sitting there, calling them his friends and talking in gibberish.]

What are you, crazy or somethin'? He doesn't even speak English!

Edited 2013-09-15 06:44 (UTC)

[Leo's snout crinkles. This guy talks like Donnie used to back in his 'I'm so smart, look at all these new words I'm learning' phase. Leo had always thought that was incredibly annoying, but it doesn't sound as snooty on an adult. It just... confuses him.]

[A lot of things are confusing Leo right now. This human is big, but he doesn't seem very mean at all. Maybe... just... maybe he's not all that bad? Leo chews on his tongue, eyes nervously flitting from the man to the dumpster and back. If there's a chance he doesn't want to hurt him, they can't just beat him up.]

[Aw, shell. What does he do?]

We're not friends. [He tips his chin up, trying to make himself seem taller, but even he winces at the obvious note of hesitation in his voice. He's not trying to be mean, but he doesn't sound as firm as he'd hoped he would.]

[Obviously the children are terrified of humans, but to no fault of their own, he's positive. He's seen how society treats those who are different. Living on the streets has exposed him to people with every kind of handicap, every kind of religion and background, people who have come to live amongst the detritus not only because of their choices, but because they are different. And these creatures, these terrifying, strange, and fascinating children... they are far more different than anything he has ever seen.

The one in blue, most likely the older of the two, still has so much fear written in his eyes. But there's an attempt at boldness there that only betrays his innocence.

Though even that is a breakthrough. And as much as sitting on the concrete puts an ache in his backside, he's afraid to move from his spot and startle this magnificent experience away.]

No, I suppose not. Not without a proper introduction. [He offers another warm smile, extending a gloved hand in the boy's direction.] My name is Henry C. Jacobs the third, but most prefer to call me the Professor.

Edited 2013-09-22 00:48 (UTC)

[What is wrong with this guy? Shouldn't he be trying to eat them or something?

At the proffered hand, he takes a weary step back, visibly bristling at the idea of even touching a human. But otherwise he stays silent, his old fear slowly trickling back in as the heat of the moment cools his angrier thoughts.

This isn't right. This isn't how it's supposed to be. Why is he being so nice?]

[Leo stares at the hand in front of his face, practically balking at the notion. Touch a human? Before today he's barely even glimpsed them up close from below sewer grates, and now one wants him to shake his hand?]

[Every bit of him is screaming to run away, grab Raph and dive back down into the sewers and never think about this weird guy again. But there's another part of him, somewhere deeper, that wants to believe that most humans aren't really as bad as Sensei says they are. He's always wondered if they were, but it had always seemed like taking Splinter's word for it was just smarter. It still does. But while his head is telling him one thing, but his heart is telling him something completely different.]

[Leo doesn't step back like his brother. He stares at the gloved hand, at the dark, sausage-like fingers poking out from ratty cloth. Then, hesitantly, he lifts a hand, his eyes dashing to the man's, and slowly presses his palm into the Professor's.]

[He can't help the quiet intake of breath; the hand is so different from what he knows. It's startlingly warm, like Sensei's, but there's no scritchy brushing of fur against his skin. Even through the fabric stretched over his palm, Leo can feel it radiating from him like he's a furnace. There are other details too, all catalogued within moments - size, texture, even the number of digits - but the warmth is a fixation for the most reptile-brained part of him.]

[Leo swallows, trying not to show how surprised or terrified he is by touching a human for the first time. He squares his shoulders and sets his mouth in a thin line, and admirably, his voice doesn't even shake when he speaks.]

Leo.

[The Professor shakes the little reptile's hand once, carefully, trying to train the unbridled amazement out of his expression. So he has a name. A human name, even. How wonderfully unexpected.]

It is good to meet you, Leo. [Then his eyes trail to the other one, the obviously more feral one. There's a wild, cornered animal quality to his eyes as they dart back and forth between him and his companion, his mouth hanging open in disgust.] And who is your friend, if you don't mind me asking?

[Raph feels nothing but object horror as his brother actually shakes the human's hand.]

Are you stupid? Don't touch him! [He squeaks, his newly deepening voice cracking enough to hit an awkwardly high pitch. His hand clamps down hard on his brother's bicep, but he doesn't pull, just hangs on with every ounce of fear he has.

He wants to just run away, but Leo's staying, and there's no way he's gonna chicken out if Leo isn't. He's not a baby.] A-and don't tuh-tuh-tuh-tell him my name!

[Except babies don't stutter like babies, but right now he's too horrified to even care.]

Edited 2013-09-22 02:15 (UTC)

[He grunts as Raph's finger dig into his bicep, sending him a sharp look that immediately softens when he realizes how scared his brother is. He raises his free hand to settle it on his brother's, murmuring lowly.]

He's not gonna hurt us, Raphie. I don't think he's like the others. [His gaze then slides to the human's in an expression that is both a challenge and a plea for affirmation. He's never relied on blind faith like this before, and it's scary. Even still, he stands even straighter, trying his very best to project an air of confidence for both the man in front of him and his younger sibling.]

This is my brother. [It seems like a fair compromise between the two requests; moreover, there's an edge of fierce protectiveness to it. It's crystal clear where this young turtle's concerns lie.]

It is a pleasure to meet you both. [And an honor, really. He never in his life thought he would meet such astonishing creatures. He had theories about their existence, about the things that lurked in the dark below and in corners of the great unknown. But to actually meet them.]

And I certainty would never think to hurt you. [He glances at their faces, one terror-stricken, the other more hesitant. But something else strikes him about their features. As round and solid as they're built, their eyes are sunken, their frames more angular than a healthy human child's. Their young muscles stand out like wiry ropes under tight reptilian skin.

It doesn't take a professor to know they're hungry. It must be the reason they've come scavenging in the alleyway in the first place.

The thought gives him an idea.]

Now, you must be hungry. Allow me to show you one of my favorite foraging spots, in honor of new friendship. There's a bakery just a few blocks away that often throws out its expired goods. Their blueberry muffins are especially delightful.

Edited 2013-09-22 03:37 (UTC)