saisdontmatter | (no subject)

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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 reaches out and takes the pillowcase, dragging it over the side until it flops down at his feet in the garbage. He opens it, staring into the wide mouth. They should be able to fit a bunch in here! Plenty for Don and Mike, and then some. He glances up at the Professor once more, and though he's smiling again, this one is quiet and thoughtful.]

Sensei says that some humans have good hearts. [A bit clumsily, he folds his hands together and bows; it's not very ceremonious, what with him balanced in a pile of pastries with a stained pillowcase hanging from one fist, but it's with all of the wholehearted sincerity only a child can summon.] I know you have to be one of them. We'll never forget your kindness, Professor.

[The Professor can hardly handle the amount of kindness he sees in the little boy at that moment. What he's done is nothing more than being a decent human being, he believes. But he supposes that is all these children needed, an example of humanity that isn't quite so brutal.

Still, he finds himself getting a little flustered at the child's gratitude. He waves off the thank you as if clearing smoke.]

It is nothing, I insist. If there is anything more you need, please, let me know. My people and I don't have much to offer, but we have shelter, and we have warm clothes. I'm sure that my comrades would be more than happy to help.

[His grin widens, gesturing upward as if pointing to the thoughts gather around him like moths to a flame.]

There are many lessons that must be learned quickly when living on the street. One is knowing that judging people by their character is far more important than judging them by their appearance. Another is that we all must take care of one another, share resources, and depend on one another to survive.

[But obviously, these small children have no one to trust, no one to count on. They need people to lean on.]

We have a settlement below ground in one of the subway tunnels not far from here. I vow that your family will be safe there.

[As the Professor speaks, Raph listens, wrinkling his snout like something stinks. Is the human telling them to go with him? And is he really trying to make them think that they all live underground? That has to be a lie. This has to be a trick. Master Splinter said that some humans were good, but he thought he was just talking about Master Yoshi, not some homeless guy. Sure, he just led them to the best time of his life, but that doesn't mean they should trust him!

He scrabbles up to his feet, slipping a little on a slick of buttercream frosting to peer over the dumpster himself, that sour look not leaving his face.]

No way. [He shakes his head vigorously, fear sinking its cold fingers into his chest with each passing second.] We're not going with you! Nuh-uh!

[He doesn't want to move out of the den. He doesn't want to go live with humans!]

[Leo puts his hand on his brother's shell, shaking his head. Of course they're not going with him. It's a nice offer, and he's far more willing to trust this man than he had been previously, but it could just never happen.]

[Unlike Raph, Leo doesn't doubt his story - it sounds weird, sure, but they fought a giant white alligator in the sewers once. Humans would be among the least weird things living underground. He's never heard of a community like the Professor is describing, but it sounds kind of nice. Helping each other, staying together, sharing what they have... it sounds like a family. And Leo already has one of those.]

[He smiles again at the Professor, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes. The truth of the matter is that they'll probably never see him again, much less meet his people. Sensei would never allow it. As much as Leonardo is encouraged by the idea of so many kind humans living together, it doesn't mean he wants to pack up and go live with them.]

Thanks for the offer, but... we already have a home. [He pauses, eyes dropping to his hands as they fiddle with the pillow case, then looks up and gives a firm, decisive nod.] That's where we belong.

[Not with humans, however nice. With each other and Sensei. That's all there is to it.]

[Raph is overwhelmed with relief when his brother refuses the offer. Not that he really believed Leo would just go with this man, but it feels good to hear it out loud. Nice as it sounds, he could never trust humans like that. And their den is all he's ever known. He's too afraid to change it. Sometimes the little world inside their den, his family... it's the only thing in the world that doesn't scare him.

Feeling overstuffed and overwhelmed, he moves behind his brother's shell, pressing against him for safety. He's starting to wish he hadn't eaten so much, now. If he had to run or fight, he'd definitely throw up.]

I wanna go back.

[He says it to his brother, but it's meant for the Professor to hear, too.]

[He had a feeling his offer would be declined, but it's disappointing all the while. It would be fascinating to build a relationship with these creatures, to learn their story. But alas, for now it isn't meant to be. The children are stuffed to the brim and ready to go home to something familiar, someplace safe. He can only hope he will be lucky enough to stumble upon them again.]

Of course. I'm sure you both are eager to return. Fill your bags, take as much as you need, and I can take you back to where we came from.

[He gives the Professor another nod of thanks. To be honest, he wants to go home too - he's not looking forward to explaining all of this to Master Splinter, but he needs to think about some stuff, too. The things he's seen and heard today... he has no idea how he's supposed to feel about humans and the outside world anymore.]

[Suddenly things don't seem so black and white.]

[Carefully he turns to his brother, disengaging him from his shell, and hands him the pillowcase, spreading the mouth open wide for him to take.]

Come on, let's hurry and fill this up.

[Raphie still doesn't trust humans. He doesn't even completely trust this guy, no matter how nice he's been. Maybe this human is one of the rare, nice ones like Master Yoshi. But most humans are like the ones who killed their sensei's master and would kill them too, no matter how nice they seem. He knows that, and he hates humans because of that.

Being topside, talking to this guy, taking in all these new experiences and eating this much food has made him tired and cranky and more than ready to go home and take a nap. He's only barely thinking of what they're gonna tell Master Splinter. But he's really too full and tired to care.

So he stands and holds the bag as Leo fills it, staying oddly quiet because he feels like if he bends over or even opens his mouth he's gonna throw up. ]

[Meanwhile, the Professor patiently waits for the little creatures to finish their scavenging, still holding open the dumpster lid. Every now and then he points to something, a Boston creme, doughnut, another apple fritter, guiding the little one to put the best ones in his bag.

When the sack is full, he offers to hold the bag as they climb out.]

Are we ready?

[His time with them is growing short, it seems. And with it goes the opportunity to learn more about who these strange, fascinating children were, about their kind, their family, where they lived and how they came to be. But now, he feels, is not the time to ask the thousands of questions tickling his brain. Not now, when he's finally gotten them to trust him this much. No. These children need his help, not someone to scare them away with questions. And possibly, he hopes that some day their paths will cross again. Until then, he supposes, the rest will have to remain a mystery.]

That is quite a magnificent haul. I'm sure your... sensei, as you said, will greatly appreciate it.

[Leo smiles thinly, trying his best not to let his worry show. He's positive Master Splinter will be hugely grateful for these rations, but... not without asking some hard questions he doesn't have answers for. And they both suck at lying. He just hopes they won't be spending the next year straight doing flips.]

Yeah... I'm sure he will, too.

[Ugh... flips. He'd yack all over the dojo floor if he had to do one right now.]

[Climbing out of that dumpster feels like one of the hardest things he's ever done. His body feels like it's made out of lead, and the pressure on his gut as he pulls himself over the edge makes him feel like he's gonna explode. He hopes Splinter and Mikey and Donny like the stuff they're bringing. He's halfway between wanting to keep dipping into that sack of goodies and getting sick at just the smell. It's one of the weirdest feelings he's ever felt. And being tired and full is making him feel really whiny.]

Can we go now?

[All of this is great, but he really just wants to go home. They can do more topside exploring when he isn't saddled with the task of digesting a week's worth of cake.]

[He wants to help the children scramble out of the garbage bin, as sluggish as they are after their adventure, but the Professor knows that touching them will only startle them. It would be a shame if this was the last he ever sees of these astounding little creatures, that this may be his last opportunity to know their secret world beneath the streets. But he can't keep them here. They're tired and it's wet and cold, and he wants to do everything he must to help them, to ease their obvious struggles, and to learn everything he can.

Maybe another day, perhaps. For now, he can only take it slowly, patiently, and honestly. As they pile out of the dumpster, he stands and holds open the lid.]

We're on our way. I'm sure your family will be worried.

[Once they're out, the taller of the two protectively hugging the sack of pastries tight to his chest, he offers them the coat again, holding it open for them to come inside.]

But I'm sure they will be very excited when you deliver your treats.

[Yeah... they probably are pretty worried. Especially Mikey, who gets really whiny and clingy when he isn't feeling well. He's probably been asking where they are for the past two hours. And now they have food. The thought of actually having food to bring back for them makes his insides soar, which would probably be a much better feeling if his stomach wasn't all gross-feeling right now.]

[They're gonna be grounded for life, but it'll be worth it.]

I hope so. [He tries to sound blasé about it, but there's no hiding the quiver of anxiety and pride in his tone as he bunches the sack's opening and ties it off into a knot. Raph clutches his tight to his chest, and then Leo gently pulls him along so they can wriggle into the giant coat again. It's a little bit easier the second time, even if human clothes are just plain weird.]

[Once they're all bundled up, they follow the Professor back out into the alley in the direction they came from, eyes peeled for other humans as they shuffle along.]

[They travel in silence, Raph trying not to dwell on his growing stomach ache. At least inside the jacket it's warm, and he has the food. It's a very important job, he thinks. And Splinter will be proud. He has to be. They barely had any food left this morning, and sensei won't leave them to scavenge until his brothers are feeling better. But it makes him sad when they don't have food, and Raphie doesn't like it much either.

But they're gonna be in so much trouble for going topside. He can only hope that Splinter will be so blown away about the food that he'll forget to give 'em a spanking...

Under the coat, he shivers against his brother, cuddling next to him as much as he can while still walking. Still, he clutches the sack of food against him for dear life, peering through a thin gap between the jacket's buttons as the old man escorts them back into the alley. Back towards home.]

[And the Professor leads them on, not saying a word, doing his best not to draw any attention to their odd procession. Now, his goal is to keep these children safe, to bring them back to familiar ground without harm and hope that someday, somehow, they will get the chance to meet again.

When they reach the mouth of the alley, he ushers them in, glancing over his shoulder for any sign of suspicious onlookers. Thankfully, there are none to be seen.

Then, he crouches low, unbuttoning the coat away from their odd little reptilian faces, their young, eerily human eyes peering at him through the folds of the jacket.]

You can keep the jacket if you like. [He arranges the folds of the coat around them closer, and the taller of the two still flinches away from his touch.] It's warmer underground, but it's still quite cold.

[He removes his hands, offering them one last warm smile.] It was good to meet you, Leonardo and Raphael. I do hope we get the chance to meet again, and to possibly become friends.

My comrades and I live in the tunnels beneath 6th and Broadway if you're ever in need of any help. Can you remember that?

6th and Broadway...

[He surprises himself when he echoes the Professor's words. Becoming friends with a human... would that even be possible? Leo has never been sure what to feel about humans, other than what he's gleaned from Splinter's stories - inherently good people who all to often fell prey to the evil in their hearts. His head is still spinning from meeting one for the first time. The Professor is nothing like Leo ever imagined - there were no knives, no ugly, fleshy faces twisted into horror and disgust, no cages or trucks. Only a dark-skinned human and his warm smile, generosity, and kindness.]

[Leo doesn't know what to think. With his brother drawn close for comfort, he pulls him closer in turn, receiving just as much as he gives. Humans were always scary before he met the Professor, but now he's scared of something else entirely, and he can't even figure out what it is.]

Uh-huh. I'll remember. [He doesn't know why he's promising something he'll never be able to act on, but it feels important. He feels like he should.]

[He looks back to the manhole, still uncovered, water pooling at the edges and slowly trickling down into the mouth of the sewers. He can't believe it, but he almost doesn't want to go.]

[But he has to. So he turns to the large, strange human one last time, and, unable to bow through the thick folds of the coat, gives him a somber nod.] I'll remember. Thank you again, Professor. We won't forget this.

[Something in him soars when the little one agrees. He can only hope that he truly will remember. But until then, he will never forget this strange encounter.

What a wonderful, fascinating world of unending mysteries.]

Then I'll be looking forward to our paths crossing again. [He straightens, stepping aside so they can climb down, and waits until they disappear.] Until next time, my friends.

[Somehow they make it down the ladder without dropping the food into the flowing water underfoot. Leo is the first to wriggle out of the coat, and he gives one last look to the circle of light overhead, watching it slowly crescent, then choke away completely as the manhole cover is pulled back over the opening.]

[Until next time, he repeats in his head. He tells himself he doesn't believe it.]

[The long folds of the coat are dragging in the muck, and it'll only slow them down more and more as they go on. So he pulls it all the way off and folds it up as best as he's able, slinging it around his shell like a kind of scarf. Oof, it's heavier than it felt a little while ago. But they could really use something like this back home, so there's no way he's leaving it to rot away in the sewers.]

[He looks at Raph again, and then down both ends of the tunnel. Crud... he hopes he can remember how to get home.]

Come on. This way.

[Raphie's getting tired. His tummy's full to the point of exploding, and they'd been wandering around for hours in the cold topside. At least it's a little warmer (and a lot safer) underground.

Hugging the bag of treats close to his plastron, he trudges through the mud at the bottom of the runoff tunnel, not bothering at all with be quiet. In fact he's purposely stomping around, the slap of his feet in the muck echoing through the tunnels as they walk.

All he wants is to go snuggle in his bed with Brown Bear. He just wants to be warm and sleep and digest the huge meal that feels like it's expanding inside him. But he knows Splinter's gonna put them in time out for being gone so long. Maybe they can at least just say they found the bag in the sewers.

Though for now, all he can do is whine, kicking at an old tin can that skitters noisily down the tunnel.]

Are we close yet?

[Leo tries to keep an even pace, but his stomach is getting weirder and grosser, almost like it does when they've eaten something that wasn't as safe to eat as they thought it was. This sucks. They finally get really good food, and it makes them sick, too. Maybe he's just not used to sweet stuff, because it's the taste in the back of his throat that makes him feel queasy whenever he lingers on it for too long.]

[He can tell from the way Raph is moving that he's not feeling too hot, either. Oh boy. When they get home... he hopes Splinter won't be too rough on them. This was all Leo's idea anyway. Raph shouldn't have to get in trouble just because Leo couldn't keep his mouth shut.]

I... think so. [He comes to a halt at a sewer junction, adjusting the coat around his shoulders. He peers down one tunnel, and his face visibly brightens, though he's too exhausted to inject any real enthusiasm into his voice.] Yeah, I think we're on Sinter and Abbey. It's only a few more minutes.

Okay. [He breathes, something between a sigh and a groan. He feels like his stomach is pushing on his lungs, and he has to force himself to take deep breaths.

If he wasn't so determined to get the sack full of food home to his brothers, he'd ditch it right there in the sewers. Just the thought of what's inside is making him queasy.

All he can do is follow his brother's lead, not really caring about anything but going home.]

[Those minutes seem to pass all too slowly, but finally they make it to the caved-in section of the tunnel, sealed off by slabs of concrete and tightly packed mud. Leo shuffles up the mound, his feet squelching in the patches of moss covering the rubble, and wedges his hands behind a plywood board stuck between the wreckage and the sewer wall. Swollen from the moisture, it scrapes loudly against cement as he finally tugs it away, revealing an opening for them to scurry through.]

Let's go. [He groans, trying to keep himself from bending over and puking right there. The lair is just on the other side, and he bets Splinter would hear him from there.] And let... let me do the talking, okay?

And what would the purpose be of this 'talking'?

[Splinter was already approaching them, having heard them from a distance. He takes stock of them--the bag and the coat, as well as their faces that are greener than usual. He can already smell the reason why.

He's suspicious. His eyes are narrowed. Splinter stares down at his sons who had been gone for too long, waiting to see what sort of excuse they would have.

Pastries did not simply end up in the sewers without being helped.]

[Finally, they're home! It felt like they were never gonna get back. Raphie's almost relieved until bam!, there's Master Splinter. He lets out a startled squeak, eyes wide and way too innocent, ducking behind his brother with the bag of pastries held close to his chest. Better start talking now, Leo.]

[Leo whirls back around so fast it takes his vision an extra second to catch up with him, and the extra weight from his brother clinging to his shell only makes things worse. He ulps loudly, clutching the coat to his chest and hoping to god his stomach isn't burbling as loudly as he feels like it is.]

[he's not gonna puke he's not gonna puke he's not gonna puke]

S-sensei! We were... uh... we went out scavenging like you said and got some... [he trails off and winces] ...stuff.

[great talking there leo.]