[Donnie is purposefully not being quiet in his search for Leo, just so the other turtle isn't scared more. But yeah the tapping does get his attention and what surprises him more is just where it's coming from, as he looks upwards and squints. Trying to see if he can spot Leo in the cluster of pipes.
He has no luck in spotting his brother, especially when the tapping stops, but he's going to stay where he is and look up at the pipes.]
Leo, it's okay. You're safe, I promise.
[The words feel hollow, because if Leo can backslide like this over a movie what else is going to set the other turtle off?]
[There is some movement from above. The older turtle resituating himself. He is absolutely still now, quiet. His mind is spinning with too many thoughts and no way to be sure he's safe. He hasn't seen The Big One anywhere nearby, but where is here? What is here? It can't be real. He presses his hands against his face, breathing unsteadily.
The attempt at stealth is ruined by the low sound he's making. It isn't really a growl, or a hiss, just something strange. Almost warbly. A warning.]
[The movement catches his eye, and he focuses on that, finally spotting Leo.
He considers his options, especially considering the strange noise Leo is making now, he could stay down here or try and get up there and get closer to his brother.
Donnie decides to risk it, as he's moving to find his own way up into the pipes. Not using his battle shell to do so, as to not scare Leo more, so having to rely more on his own skills and abilities without the tech help.
Once he's up there just going to say quietly, while still giving the feral turtle space;]
[He doesn't expect someone to join him. He startles a little, plastron clanking loudly against the pipes in the process.
He warbles back, a more nervous sound now. He scrabbles back, his breathing getting more uneven. He pats at his hip as if searching for something. Old memories of surviving on the fringes of the dimension are clearer than memories of home.
His gaze lands on Donnie, but there is not a hint of recognition there. The warmth and familiarity from earlier in the day before the movie is gone.
Now it's just an animal wearing his brother's skin.]
[He's doing his best, at least he hopes. But from that lack of recognition in Leo's gaze? He knows he's got his hands full.
He can't help but mutter something about how Mikey would probably be better at this than him, as he just... Scoots a little closer, reaching out with a hand towards Leo.]
Leo, come on. You're safe, you're with your treasure. Remember?
[Maybe if he keeps talking it will help. He hopes it helps, even as he's trying his best to be careful while approaching Leo.]
[The feral turtle just ends up trying to make himself smaller. Donnie gets closer, much too close.
Once the and is within range, the red-eared slider snaps out biting the hand. Unlike the bites Raph received, this is more of a warning graze of teeth.
He kicks off from the pipe, with no hint of grace. He hits the ground hard enough to cry out.]
[At the warning graze he pulls his hand back with a slight hiss, sure Leo has bitten him before but he thought they were past this. Then again with how he bit Raph earlier? Donnie should have expected this.
And then Leo goes down and cries out, so then Donnie follows after him. A bit more graceful in his landing than Leo, while still trying to give the feral turtle space. Getting the hint from the warning bite.]
Leo, are you okay? [That crying out has him concerned but also, needs to give space too.]
[The landing wasn't the worst one he's ever had, but the older feral turtle is disoriented at this point. His mind keeps flipping rapidly through his thoughts. He knows that voice, he wants to hold onto that sound, but he isn't sure just what is going on.
He just curls into himself, tensing up and readying himself for something. He shields his face and head with his arms. He whines quietly.
He keeps expecting the Big One to start beating him. If he holds still, the feral turtle knows it will be over sooner. He just needs to endure.]
[This is not good, Donnie almost thinks about shouting for the others but he knows that adding more people to this will probably just make things worse for Leo. So he's approaching the curled-up turtle carefully.]
Leo, come on... Don't. [Don't what Donnie? He doesn't know what to say as he gets closer, reaching out to just gently touch his brother now. To try and be reassuring, to just... Get Leo back.
No harsh words, just quietly going to repeat Leo's name in what he hopes is a calming manner.]
[The red-eared slider tenses under Donnie's touch, but doesn't lash out. He's deathly still. He slows his breathing as if trying to feign death. The slight shaking under Donnie's hand is sign enough he's still alive.
The lack of any blows, shouts, or anything being thrown at him is enough to start the slow process of the turtle coming back into himself.
Donnie's familiar quiet tone also helps immensely. A repeated sound the older turtle can latch onto is easing. It takes a few minutes, but the feral turtle lowers his arms cautiously.
He looks at Donnie and the recognition is back.] prrrble?
[Just what happened to Leo in the prison dimension? Part of Donnie wishes his brother was able to tell them, but another part feels like none of them would be able to accept the truth either. Considering how Leo is, the shaking just makes an angry feeling bubble up in Donnie's chest. Not at Leo but at whatever was done to his brother.
He'll just keep repeating Leo's name, and saying it's okay, not moving his hand from where it is on the older turtle.
That is until he sees the look from him and he speaks once more.]
[The feral turtle exhales slowly, just laying more comfortably against the ground. The almost goofy happy smile he's become more prone to wearing rises to the surface. There is raw relief in the way he regards Donnie.
Yeah, you bit me and Re--Raph. But it's okay, no one's mad at you.
[He means it. They all know that they have to be careful with Leo, and today was just learning another thing they have to be careful about. No more action movies until they're sure something like this won't happen again.]
[This is really as much context as Leo has given any of them. Earlier attempts at questioning just seemed to fly over his head or not earn a verbal answer.
Now he seems to be trying to offer something.]
Angry. Him. Big One... [He mimes a punch, and a clawing gesture close to strangling.] Wanted Pest... [he chirrups somewhat needing to breath.] gone.
Still. [A part of Donnie gets that being alone forever is a horrible thing, but a part of him wants to get back at the Krang for what happened to Leo. The angry part is winning him over, emotionally, even though revenge like that is basically impossible.
He does, though, try to gather himself and not show the anger he's feeling. Especially with Leo tapping himself while explaining the not dying part.]
[The feral turtle finally shifts to sit up properly, feeling strong enough to move on his own again. He rubs at his face a little.] Safe, safe now.
Got there- soon as could. [He's still figuring this out.] Only... [He pauses trying to quantify time. He hasn't really thought about how long he was there. Time had blurred together. He hadn't really been able to explain things to any of them.] Three, three year.
[This is the first time an actual time for how long Leo was in there is given, considering everything. So the slightly shocked look on Donnie's face at the fact it was three years for his brother should not be a surprise. Especially since it wasn't that long for them outside of the prison dimension.]
I... God, Leo... I'm sorry.
[What else can he say? It's not like he can get that time back, or make it so they saved Leo sooner. But still, there is guilt.]
[He makes an agreeable noise at that. He isn't sure he can handle that level of movie right now.
There is no real shame for the moment, he's just present enough to be able to communicate, but not yet to obfuscate his feelings yet.]
mmmovie? Ju-piterrr? [Every other time the family put on a movie, the feral turtle hasn't had any kind of preference. He was just happy to sit amongst them, watching them more than the movie.
Actually asking is another decent sign even with the backslide.]
[The lack of shame is nice? At least it makes Donnie settle a little since Leo seems fine with the idea of no-explosion movies.
At the question though, he can't help himself. He has to tease his brother a little.]
A Jupiter Jim movie? I'm sure everyone would like that, we can watch your favourite one. Pluto Vacation IV. [Oh he knows that's not Leo's favourite Jupiter Jim film, but he feels like the situation could use some lightening up?]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
He has no luck in spotting his brother, especially when the tapping stops, but he's going to stay where he is and look up at the pipes.]
Leo, it's okay. You're safe, I promise.
[The words feel hollow, because if Leo can backslide like this over a movie what else is going to set the other turtle off?]
no subject
The attempt at stealth is ruined by the low sound he's making. It isn't really a growl, or a hiss, just something strange. Almost warbly. A warning.]
no subject
He considers his options, especially considering the strange noise Leo is making now, he could stay down here or try and get up there and get closer to his brother.
Donnie decides to risk it, as he's moving to find his own way up into the pipes. Not using his battle shell to do so, as to not scare Leo more, so having to rely more on his own skills and abilities without the tech help.
Once he's up there just going to say quietly, while still giving the feral turtle space;]
It's okay, you're home you're safe.
no subject
He warbles back, a more nervous sound now. He scrabbles back, his breathing getting more uneven. He pats at his hip as if searching for something. Old memories of surviving on the fringes of the dimension are clearer than memories of home.
His gaze lands on Donnie, but there is not a hint of recognition there. The warmth and familiarity from earlier in the day before the movie is gone.
Now it's just an animal wearing his brother's skin.]
no subject
He can't help but mutter something about how Mikey would probably be better at this than him, as he just... Scoots a little closer, reaching out with a hand towards Leo.]
Leo, come on. You're safe, you're with your treasure. Remember?
[Maybe if he keeps talking it will help. He hopes it helps, even as he's trying his best to be careful while approaching Leo.]
no subject
Once the and is within range, the red-eared slider snaps out biting the hand. Unlike the bites Raph received, this is more of a warning graze of teeth.
He kicks off from the pipe, with no hint of grace. He hits the ground hard enough to cry out.]
no subject
And then Leo goes down and cries out, so then Donnie follows after him. A bit more graceful in his landing than Leo, while still trying to give the feral turtle space. Getting the hint from the warning bite.]
Leo, are you okay? [That crying out has him concerned but also, needs to give space too.]
no subject
He just curls into himself, tensing up and readying himself for something. He shields his face and head with his arms. He whines quietly.
He keeps expecting the Big One to start beating him. If he holds still, the feral turtle knows it will be over sooner. He just needs to endure.]
no subject
Leo, come on... Don't. [Don't what Donnie? He doesn't know what to say as he gets closer, reaching out to just gently touch his brother now. To try and be reassuring, to just... Get Leo back.
No harsh words, just quietly going to repeat Leo's name in what he hopes is a calming manner.]
no subject
The lack of any blows, shouts, or anything being thrown at him is enough to start the slow process of the turtle coming back into himself.
Donnie's familiar quiet tone also helps immensely. A repeated sound the older turtle can latch onto is easing. It takes a few minutes, but the feral turtle lowers his arms cautiously.
He looks at Donnie and the recognition is back.] prrrble?
no subject
He'll just keep repeating Leo's name, and saying it's okay, not moving his hand from where it is on the older turtle.
That is until he sees the look from him and he speaks once more.]
Yeah, it's me. Purple.
no subject
Then it flattens to something more thoughtful.]
Bit-? Purrble, red?
no subject
[He means it. They all know that they have to be careful with Leo, and today was just learning another thing they have to be careful about. No more action movies until they're sure something like this won't happen again.]
no subject
Sssorry. [He struggles to try and get his word together. He taps at his throat, as if trying to implore it to let him say something.]
Loud- [He clicks his beak closed. He is trying to remember how to structure sentences.] Splosion- not liked. Not... favorite?
Happened with Him. Lot. [That's a sentence, right?]
no subject
Donnie does tilt his head to one side at Leo's explanation though. Him, something to do with the prison dimension perhaps?]
Did the Krang hurt you? [He doesn't want to assume, but it's kind of becoming obvious that things weren't nice for Leo at all.]
no subject
Now he seems to be trying to offer something.]
Angry. Him. Big One... [He mimes a punch, and a clawing gesture close to strangling.] Wanted Pest... [he chirrups somewhat needing to breath.] gone.
no subject
And him calling himself Pest again, just does not sit well with Donnie either.]
The prison dimension is too good for that... That, asshole. [The hand he wasn't touching Leo with is clenched into a fist now.]
no subject
As far as the red-eared slider is concerned, being trapped alone in that dimension would be worse than having someone you hated there.]
Can't die. Only live, forever. [He taps at himself for emphasis.]
no subject
He does, though, try to gather himself and not show the anger he's feeling. Especially with Leo tapping himself while explaining the not dying part.]
We should have gotten you out sooner.
no subject
Got there- soon as could. [He's still figuring this out.] Only... [He pauses trying to quantify time. He hasn't really thought about how long he was there. Time had blurred together. He hadn't really been able to explain things to any of them.] Three, three year.
no subject
I... God, Leo... I'm sorry.
[What else can he say? It's not like he can get that time back, or make it so they saved Leo sooner. But still, there is guilt.]
no subject
Happy be here, be with... treasure. [He starts to push himself up, rubbing at his side vaguely.
It wasn't a terrible landing, but he hadn't been doing much jumping around since he started settling back in.] mmmovie?
no subject
We're happy to have you here too. [Ah getting up, although he notes that side rubbing as he also gets up.
As to the question about the movie.] I don't think we'll keep watching that one, at least for now, Leo.
no subject
There is no real shame for the moment, he's just present enough to be able to communicate, but not yet to obfuscate his feelings yet.]
mmmovie? Ju-piterrr? [Every other time the family put on a movie, the feral turtle hasn't had any kind of preference. He was just happy to sit amongst them, watching them more than the movie.
Actually asking is another decent sign even with the backslide.]
no subject
At the question though, he can't help himself. He has to tease his brother a little.]
A Jupiter Jim movie? I'm sure everyone would like that, we can watch your favourite one. Pluto Vacation IV. [Oh he knows that's not Leo's favourite Jupiter Jim film, but he feels like the situation could use some lightening up?]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)