saisdontmatter | (no subject)

(no subject)

[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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[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)

[Did he just say... food? Just the idea of a real bakery, of muffins makes his stomach growl hungrily. His expression falls flat. Indecisive, he shifts nervously from foot-to-foot, not letting go of his grip on his brother's arm.

This has to be a trap. But he's so hungry he almost doesn't even care.]

[Conflicted, Leo's brow knits. Food... real food, not the soggy, half-rancid junk they've been sifting through all day. Not even the cold, bland rations he and Master Splinter usually end up dragging home on their scavenging runs. Actual food, like the humans eat - maybe a little stale, but by the sound of it, otherwise largely intact. His stomach clenches with sharp hunger pains just thinking about it.]

[At the same time, they've been warned about this, too. Humans promising them things in an attempt to lure them away, and then kidnapping them. They might have shaken hands, and Leo really does think this guy might not be all that dangerous, but those human horror stories urge caution all the same. He's not their friend just yet.]

[Leo crosses his arms over his plastron, trying to look firm.]

Go there and bring something back. If you're telling the truth, we'll go with you, Mr. Professor. [It's rather bold to make demands of someone doing you a favor, but as far as Leo's concerned, this is the best way to figure out if he's really trustworthy or not. Besides, if it's just a few blocks down, it's not like it would be a huge hassle for him, right?]

Of course. [It really isn't a hassle. Walking two blocks in order to find a gift for fascinating new friends (as well as food for starving children) is no problem at all. He only wishes to gain their trust in hopes to learn more about them, what they are, where they came from, and how they came to be.

He stands up slowly, groaning at the ache in his stiff back and knees.]

Wait here, children. I'll return in a few minutes.

[When the old man disappears into the street, Raph just stands there, dumbstruck, his mouth watering and his grip slowly slackening on Leo's arm. What just happened?]

You really think he's coming back?

I don't know. [he admits quietly, watching the Professor round the corner and disappear into the gray afternoon light. Then, grabbing Raph's fingers, he gives a gentle yet urgent tug to disengage his hand from Leo's arm.] Look, go wait at the bottom of the manhole, okay? I'll hide up here until I see him coming back. And if I tell you to run, you start running.

[He doesn't want to tell Raph that he's afraid the human might come back with a weapon, or even worse, some more "friends". Until those baked treats are in his family's hands, he's not assuming anything.]

[And that's what Raph is really afraid of. The old man's gonna come back with more humans, tell them who they are and where he found them, and they'd be caught and killed for sure. The idea makes him visibly shake.]

No! I'm not luh-luh-leaving you, okay? I'm not s-scared 'a that fat old man.

[But the threat of tears behind his eyes is enough to prove otherwise. Though his hand, now extracted from his brother's arm, winds into a fist. Another flash of anger storms across his face.]

He wants to catch us, we'll kick their butts!

We can't 'kick their butts' if there's a whole group of them, doofus! [There's no bite behind the name-calling; he just wants Raph to understand that getting into a fight is the last thing they want right now.] We have to make sure one of us can get away. If we both get into trouble, who's going to get help?

I'm not a doofus, stupid! [He grabs onto Leo's arm again, because he doesn't want to split up. He doesn't went to be alone, and he doesn't want to leave his brother no matter what. Pretending he's tough enough to kick their butts makes him feel a little less terrified. That's all. If Leo won't let him pretend, he'll just be stubborn. Jaw set, hovering on the edge of tears, he's not gonna let go. He's not gonna let Leo split them up.] I'm not going down there!

[Leo hisses when Raph latches onto him again with enough desperate force for it to hurt. But his grip, along with the wet sheen of tears skating along the edges of his eyes, makes one thing very clear to Leo: Raph is scared out of his mind. Splitting up would do way more harm than good with his little brother this terrified.]

[Relenting, Leo grabs his brother's arm in turn, pulling the both of them towards the fire escape even as he stares nervously towards the mouth of the alley.] Fine - you can stay up here with me, all right? Let's just hide before he gets back!

Fine! [He trots over to their hiding spot, still scared, but feeling much better now that he doesn't have to split up from his brother.

Getting up on the fire escape is hard. The dumpster below it is rain-slicked and slippery, but they manage, jumping for the rusty ladder and hauling themselves up.

There, they sit together and wait. It's still raining out, the drops sounding almost musical tip, tip, tapping against the old iron railing. Crouched side-by-side, shoulders just barely brushing together, their breath coming in misty clouds in the damp chill air.

Raph shivers, both from fear and from cold, wiping his beak on his arm. But he's not crying, he swears. It's just an illusion.]

[They cram into the fire escape and press up against the wet brickwork, their shells scraping quietly as they get settled. Leo does his best not to look at Raph, knowing that he'd be embarrassed if Leo saw him crying; instead he peers down into the street, towards the alley's opening. He can see much better from up here. But then he makes the mistake of looking straight down.]

[With a quiet gasp, he jerks back against the building wall, going rigid. He's not afraid of heights; not anymore. They still make him a little uncomfortable, but that's all. And this fire escape isn't even all that high up off the ground. But it feels a lot different topside than it does underground, and for a moment, his head whirls around without the rest of his body.]

[It only lasts a couple seconds. Leo takes a calming breath and huddles closer to his brother, for both Raph's comfort and his own. Nothing wrong with that, right? Right. Satisfied, Leo turns and watches the gray streets.]

[No, there's nothing wrong with that.

As they wait, a police car zips by the alleyway, lights and sirens blaring. A train blows its whistle in the distance. People shout at each other across the street.

A few minutes in and Raph's teeth start chattering. A few more minutes and he's starting to give up the dream of cakes and muffins.

Then, a familiar figure appears from the street, a cloth rucksack in one hand. The Professor wanders in alone, looking from side to side, calling to them.

Hello?

Raph glances over at Leo, his eyes all fear and excitement. He came. It sounded too good to be true, but he came.]

[Leo returns Raph's glance, his own eyes filled with equal anticipation. He did! Then he turns his gaze back to the alley, watching studiously for any signs of more bodies entering the alley.]

[A heartbeat passes. Two. Four. The large man is still alone, calling out to them. Leo swallows, feeling strangely warm despite the chill running up and down his arms. This is it. Either there's really food in that sack, or it's a fake and the alley is going to be swarmed with people the minute they reveal themselves.]

[Leonardo looks at his brother and taps one finger against the metal paneling of the fire escape. The order is firm in his eyes - stay here. Leo will go out first, and then Raph can come if it's safe. This is non-negotiable; he only hopes that his brother will listen.]

[Then, while the Professor is turned away, Leo slides to the railing. Pointedly avoiding looking straight down, he hops back down onto the dumpster, the slight whump of his feet hitting the lid barely a whisper that floats through the alley, and scurries out into the man's field of view.]

You came back. [His voice is equal parts amazed and uncertain. If they were to attack... now would be the time.]

[The man visibly startles as Leo scurries into view. There's actual fear in his expression, but his only reaction is not to fight, but to hold the rucksack close to his chest. He smiles in relief when he realizes it's just the little reptile creature again.] But of course. I always keep a promise, my friend. Come, see if I've found anything you might like.

[Raph manages to wait while Leo goes ahead, keeping close watch over the side of the platform, crouched with both hands wrapped around the fire escape's wet metal bars.

It's fear that keeps him lagging, but it's hunger and curiosity that has him landing on the dumpster lid a few minutes later, trying to peer into the man's offered bag without having to come down.]

[Leo almost frowns when he sees the momentary fear flicker across the man's face. What has such a big human got to be afraid of? He doesn't dwell on it, though, especially when the Professor lowers the sack for Leo to investigate.]

[Hesitantly, the young turtle edges forward, trying to glimpse inside before he even gets within reaching distance; he's so focused, in fact, that he doesn't even notice his brother breaking orders. He eventually comes close enough to reach up and pull the edge of the sack closer with one hand, peering at the contents inside.]

[What he sees instantly brightens his face.]

Whoa.

The best pastries in Manhattan, my little reptilian friends. [That might be a bold statement, but the Professor never has any problem with a little embellishment. Inside his sack is a bunch of two day old apple fritters and some pumpkin spice muffins.] Take whatever you like, eat. There are far more in the dumpster three streets over.

[Raph can't take it anymore. The idea of food in that sack, of sweets, is driving him crazy. Raph may be meek and sensitive about almost everything, but stick some food in front of him and he becomes a ravenous dog, fighting whoever it takes to get his share and then some.]

Move over!

[In a flash he scrambles off the dumpster, shoves Leo out of the way and plunges a hand into the bag, pulling out a lumpy-looking fritter. It's sticky and smells like cinnamon and he doesn't even ask or care what it is before he crams it in his mouth. So what if it might be poison? He's too hungry to care, and it tastes like heaven.]

Mmmm!

Edited 2013-09-22 07:35 (UTC)