lucetilogs | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

Who:

semper_cogitans and

gaijin_ninja at first, with

i_speak_softly ,

the_mikester ,

honorthecode and

ninjacane probably joining in afterwards
What: Robert desperately needing his butt rescued
When: Backdated to yesterday (March 23), after the events of this thread
Where: Near the riverbank of the stretch of river between the bridges near Community Building Four. Will probably move to House 55 later
Summary: After an extremely short sprint away from Yuber (thanks to Litchi), Robert's pretty much passed out on the riverbank. Then he has a rather unlikely knight-in-shining-keratin come to rescue him. Shenanigans follow.
Rating: Gods, I have no idea. Tentatively saying R because Raphael is involved and things will likely get awkward later, but it'll most likely only be for language and/or violence - two things you can't really avoid with the TMNT

Robert is not doing well at all, by anybody’s standards of “well”.

Sprawled out on the ground with his forearms streaked with mud from where he’s collapsed on the sodden riverbank, shaking with utter exhaustion and terror; fear’s still coiling in his gut and driving him to get up – except he can’t, because he is so totally demolished physically from even the short sprint from the fountain’s perimeter to the riverbank. Adrenaline spikes through him even now, enough to make his hands tremble – but he still can’t will himself to get up. It’s useless. He’s useless. Litchi is there, in front of the angry Yuber – possibly even dying for his sake, dear gods - and he’d been too useless, he had needed to run...

He sobs softly, losing himself to the feeling of panic that threatens to overwhelm his rationality, even when it still sits there in his mind, quietly, coldly; surveying the situation, making notes. Yuber wasn’t attacking before I left. I sent out that message on the journals.

The question is... had anybody actually heard that message?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Robert was about to clarify what Raphael said to Leonardo, and therefore answer Leonardo's question, when he hears the unmistakable voice of his purple-mask-wearing pseudo-boyfriend.

Okay, screw being passed out. Robert makes a move that is probably an attempt to pull himself up - oh, wait, he forgot how exhausted he was. That fails in short order, and he collapses backwards with a weak little noise of frustration. Still, he manages to call out softly, "D-Donatello...?"

All he can rationally think of is that this is the worst possible moment for him to meet Donatello's family.

Something is terribly wrong with that voice. He sounds like he's dying.

Better stay down, Robert, because Donatello is coming to you the quickest way he can. That is, by vaulting over the couch. He lands with a light pat of feet and a heavier thump of knees, and it should be immediately apparent that he is not wearing his purple mask, or anything else.

"Robert?" He reaches out, not touching yet but searching visually for the cause of this worrying state. "What happened?"

"Donnie!"

Donatello's sudden movement breaks Mike out of his horrified reverie and he follows his brother as quick as he can, grabbing onto his arm in an attempt to hold him back.

"Don, I don't think that's Robbie!"

Robert would have normally jumped at something like that - as it is, the concern Donatello obviously has, the relief of Donatello's presence - he makes me feel safe - and the fact he's feeling... steady enough to focus his gaze on the turtle who isn't wearing anything and is wet like he just came out of non-muddy water and - okay, why is Michelangelo grabbing onto his arm like that?

Never mind. The explanation is the most logical thing.

"Nu... w-was attacked in the central plaza... I... a-attempted to give her medical assistance... But, I was a-attacked by Yuber..." He pauses to breathe slowly, to reduce that panic in his chest at the memory of those sharp stabbing implements pointed directly at his vulnerable, slender chest. "... D-Doctor Litchi Faye-Ling... i-intervened on my behalf... and... she... t-told me to get away..." He stops, clearly bothered by this.

Michelangelo's panicked sentence cuts into the fog of his mind a moment later.

"... what...?" Seriously, what? He is indeed Robert. Isn't it obvious who he is? Is there anybody else who looks and acts anything like him?

Mike, all you get is a flabbergasted look. You haven't even met Robert before; what makes you think you're qualified to identify him?

After that his attention is entirely on Robert. Nu and Yuber he doesn't know, except by reputation, and Dr. Faye-Ling he only met once (under similarly distressing circumstances, as it happens). Not being familiar with the participants, he focuses instead on their actions - attacking - and asks the logical question.

"Where are you hurt?"

"Don, listen to me!" For once in your life. "Whatever this is, it's not Robbie. I know it looks like him and sounds like him, but... but it can't be him." Mike gives Don a look of barely contained panic, and then realizes he has to say it. Out loud. "He- It. Doesn't have any chi. None. At all."

Ignoring Mike at first - "I... w-wasn't attacked directly, though... Y-Yuber was about to, I assume... h-he had these... bladed metal implements out and was definitely threatening me with them... but... I-I had to run, and..." Well, that was enough, obviously. Even the mere act of fleeing, combined with the panicking, had been enough to destroy him.

Then, at that completely illogical diatribe from the other turtle, he turns to Mike.

Robert may be utterly exhausted, still bruised on his legs and arms from where he collapsed on the ground, smeared in mud, soaked from the thighs down, shivering, cold and terrified...

But this? This earns Mike his best Skeptical Scientist Face.

"... What is chi and why exactly should I have it?"

"Chi can simply be explained as the life-force that flows through all things, from the largest of whales to the smallest of pebbles." Splinter speaks from the edge of the room; how long he had been there, he gives no indication.

However, he has been there more than long enough. This Yuber, whomever he was, sounded like a danger to his family. Enough that it put him on edge. That edge awoke his senses, enough that he could feel what Michelangelo had about their 'guest'.

"A true master of ninjutsu can sense the chi around him during battle, and there are those that sense it the same as breathing," He continues to speak as he walks forward, fixing Robert with his gaze, "Everything, and everyone, has chi."

His eyes narrow. "Except you."

Edited 2011-03-25 02:31 (UTC)

The whole Yuber thing had him on edge and tense. He briefly shoots looks at the door and windows. But sees nobody so far. Roberts lack of Chi isn't helping either. Leo moves to put a hand on Mikey's shoulder, when he sees the panic building.

"Mikey's right, there's nothing there." Here's there, he can see him, but he can't feel him. He looks up at Master Splinter's voice, as their Sensei confirms it. He's eying you Robert. Who was this guy?

Raph folds his arms, feeling suddenly like there's a ghost in the room. His family's anxiety is creeping into his nerves, and he doesn't like it one bit.

"I knew there was somethin' off about him."

He did, he knew it. He's never been as sensitive to this stuff as the others, but he definitely felt something was wrong. At first he wrote it off as just Robert's general weirdness, or the way he broadcasts his pathetic weakness to everyone. But this makes a lot of sense too.

What is he, some kind of demon?

Robert's head swivels to catch the foreign new voice. From a logical reduction of possible sources... "M-Master Splinter?"

His tone is respectful despite the exhaustion. Or so he hopes. There's no way he's sitting in any special manner for him right now, though - he can't even sit upright.

Donatello had said not to argue with him. But... but, what exactly is "arguing" in this context? What Splinter was saying... made no sense. Not to any logical sort of physics. Not to Terran physics. There was no such thing as a "life-force". Unless he was talking about nerve impulses...? But that didn't make sense either, because Robert's brain cells certainly had that or he would be dead.

And then Robert remembered the experiment with Helios, and suddenly everything made perfect, logical sense.

In as clear a voice as he can muster, he replies, "That may b-be true for your universe's physics, Master Splinter, sir... b-but, I assure you, my multiverse is a f-far different place." He shifts cautiously; he's recovered enough to sort of tiredly sit up, bracing himself against the back of the couch. It's slightly more dignified than nearly falling over, at least. "I-In my world, chi - as you d-describe it - does not exist for anything, just like the m-magic of many Lucetians' worlds does not exist in my world. It is... m-merely my physics, and I cannot h-help those any more than you can help having chi in yours." His voice is surprisingly clear for somebody who's in such terrible shape, but he's busy expostulating. "I-I... could prove this for you via an experiment with a magic-using friend of mine, were you to ever wish for me to demonstrate it." He would, too. And he's sure Helios would be willing to help him on this point.

"B-But... I mean n-no harm from these differences..." He looks down then, submissively, remembering what Donatello said about being quiet... surely an explanation was alright, though? Even if it wasn't, Robert thought it could hardly worsen the situation.

When Robert sits up, Donatello puts a hand on his knee - a steadying gesture for both of them. He's been silent, listening to the accusations, listening to Robert's reply. Being chi-blind, there's little of any value he could add to the debate.

So he simply says, in a soft voice: "Master Splinter, everyone -- This is Robert."

It's both an introduction and a declaration. This is Robert. Physically weak, socially awkward, prone to monologuing, and apparently devoid of chi - the man on the couch is what he is, and he is the person Donatello has fallen in love with.

There is no doubt in his mind about that.

How can it be possible--an entire universe without Chi? It is the energy that binds everything together. A universe without Chi... He glances away from Robert.

Perhaps the energy is simply different from what he can normally sense. Yes, that must be it. Any other possibility is impossible in Splinter's mind, and this "realization" seems to calm him somewhat. Even if Robert says that he can prove it doesn't exist by experimentation, Splinter would rather not go down that path. Everything in the multiverse has chi. It means nothing if they are searching for the wrong thing and not finding it. Or so he tells himself.

His stands straighter, hands resting on his cane, and regards Robert less intensely. Which really isn't all that much less, but it is at least not a death stare anymore. You'll have to start with baby steps, Robert.

It also helps that the man is physically exhausted and obviously physically weaker than any of them. It is therefore his mind and not his body that is the only immediate threat to his family. That will be what Splinter will gage.

But now is not the time for that. As much as he does not trust the man, he is still not one to "kick them while they're down", as they say. It is not honorable, nor is it respectful to a guest in their house.

"We will discuss the particularities of Robert's condition later," Splinter states, not looking at Robert directly but instead looking at Donatello, acknowledging the introduction with a barely there nod. "Keep him resting. He is in no condition to be exerting himself."

And then, to his sons as a whole. "Who is this Yuber, and is he a danger to our family?"

At Splinter's words, Mike relaxes just a bit. Splinter isn't freaked out. Splinter doesn't even seem that concerned with Robert, just assessing the most immediate and biggest threat like the hole of a person sitting there on the couch doesn't even show up on the radar.

Perhaps unadvisedly, with the curiosity of a cat, Mike sends out a tendril of energy and just barely touches the edge of the void.

It disappears.

Mike can't help letting out a squeak.

What the hell kind of world doesn't have chi? For Raph, this isn't such a big deal, though. Being chi-blind on top of spending a year in Luceti's made him very apathetic. Sure it's weird. Sure it makes the guy feel a little "off", but he's got plenty of other contributing factors for that. Still, he'll be keeping a close eye on him, because he can't help being suspicious.

Raph's mouth draws into a hard line when he realizes the attention's been turned to him, and he has to think a moment before answering.

"Some demon guy that goes around killin' people sometimes. Don't know much about him other than he's evil. None of us've ever had a problem with him."

Splinter's words have the affect of making Leo relax a little too. He's still on edge, though. Roberts a big threat, but there's the possibility of a bigger threat out there. He turns to Raph at his explanation of Yuber. He speaks to his brothers and Sensei as a whole.

"He's still a potential threat. To us and to Robert." As creepy as Robert's lack of Chi was, the man was here. They couldn't just throw him back out there. What was stopping this...demon from coming after Robert? "We need to stay alert and prepared if this Yuber comes here. Whether we've had past problems with him, or not."

Now that Robert is focusing better - marginally - he can see Splinter for what he is; that is, an anthropomorphic rat. Rattus norvegicus, perhaps? Not like Robert cares, to be sure; another species of non-human sapient doesn't seem too far-fetched now, if Donatello's world already has himself and his brothers. Still, it's interesting to note.

The rest is more important. He listens, quietly, to the diatribe about Yuber. Even if Yuber had been aggressive, he hadn't actually attacked.

"I suspect Yuber will... n-not come here," Robert continues. "He was... obviously concerned about Nu's safety. I believe his primary objective was her, so likely he... w-will not do anything beyond tending to her wounds... but of course I cannot g-guarantee this statement. I know... v-very little about Yuber."

He shifts a bit against the couch, noting the soft squeak of fear from Michelangelo. He looks over at Mike, curiously, at that, but doesn't question it. For now he's just... trying to reassure the Hamato clan that his presence isn't inherently horrifying.

Splinter calms a bit when his sons mostly seem to calm down a bit themselves. It helps that Robert looks half-dead, and so it is easier to regard him as not a direct, immediate threat. Once he recovers, however, that might be a different story.

Splinter is barely able to sense what Michelangelo is attempting to do, and for the most part ignores it, other than to quickly tap him with his cane without looking. Manners, Michelangelo. Don't mess with the guest.

However, at Leonardo's confirmation that this man may still be a threat, Splinter goes back to high alert. He won't risk being caught by surprise, not when his family is concerned. Even if Robert says that he likely won't come, Splinter discounts his testimony over the words of his son. He believes his family first and foreigners second. Demons never boded well, especially ones that go around killing people. As much as he did not like Robert at the moment, he, like Leonardo, feels that they cannot throw him to the demon's mercy.

Which left only one option.

"Even if he does not come to engage us, we must be prepared," Splinter states, glancing to Leonardo. "We cannot allow him to take us by surprise."

As far as Splinter was concerned, it was time to come up with a plan.

Mike lets Splinter nudge him with the cane. He deserved it. Still. So weird.

He settles for observing the guy with the senses left to him.

Extremely scrawny, damp and dirty, and utterly exhausted. Glasses, lab coat, slight accent. Threat level: extremely minor, subject to change.

Utterly unremarkable.

What does Don see in him?

Don lets the conversation turn. Guarding against danger is something his family knows how to do. In some ways, being under attack is safer for them than confronting their brother's love life. It's familiar. They're good at getting through it.

Don knows nothing about Yuber, but coming up with plans isn't really his strong suit anyway. For now, he'll keep quiet, not draw attention to himself, and do what he's told to do.

Raph sighs, trying to release at least some of the tension in the room. He can't do anything to make the Robert thing better, but he knows Yuber will probably leave them alone if they don't provoke him. He and Don have lived here all this time without a problem, and he doesn't see why they'd start having a problem now.

But he knows Splinter will take any and every excuse to be paranoid, and Raph will fight him tooth and nail for their freedom. It's something he's gotten used to, and he's not ready to give it up.

"Me and Don've been livin' here forever, and none of us've ever had a problem. He's got his beef with certain people, and we just stay out of the way. The guy's too powerful for any of us to fight. We'd all wind up dead. Best we can do is keep our head low and go about our business."

That's right. Raph's encouraging people to keep their head low and not fight for a change. For the newly arrived members of his family, it's probably like someone kidnapped Raph and switched him with a defeated, pacifistic clone version of himself. But Raph has his reasons for thinking the way he does now. Much as he'd love to, you can't just go around picking fights with whoever you want around here. Do that and you'll wind up dead or worse. And Raph's been through the worse plenty of times before.

To his credit, Leo's listening to Raph. His brother knows more about this guy than he does. Even if it does sound like the opposite of what Raph would usually do. So they had to pick their fights, only fight the ones that they can win.

Leo really doesn't want his family to wind up dead or worse. Whether they'll come back or not.

"For now, we'll stay alert and be careful when we go out. Only going out when we need to."

He gives Don and Raph a look at that, knowing those two had been here for a while. The freedom was nice, but this was something they couldn't get used to. Especially with Karai and other threats out there. They needed to start treating it more like they were at home.

Edited 2011-03-29 21:14 (UTC)

Robert doesn't know anything about strategizing. He doesn't know anything about fighting at all, other than - in his mind - it is horrible. Were the Hamatos to throw him out to Yuber, he would stand there and let Yuber kill him, and not even lift a finger to try to prevent it.

But a small - tiny - but growing part of him is wondering if he would allow that to happen to Don. Or any of his other friends. Or any of Don's family.

Still, he doesn't really know how to effectively deal with Yuber. Yuber apparently was dangerous enough that even Raph didn't want to engage him.

"... Y-Yuber only really has any reason to attack me. None of you have threatened him before... unless he has a history of attacking at random. Hopefully, y-you should be safe enough..." And Robert shudders, thinking of Yuber attacking people randomly.

He doesn't even know that Karai is here. It would be best for somebody to inform him sooner rather than later...

"Being careful" and "only going out when they need to" clearly mean that Robert will stay with them for a while. Don won't let it be otherwise, especially since the scientist is the one most likely to be attacked and the one least able to defend himself.

"Robert staying with them for a while" sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

Don will quietly not point that out. Maybe having enemies again will put his relationship status in perspective, and his family will stop giving him such a hard time about a human who isn't trying to kill them all.

"Guys, I think we're missing the point," he says. "Karai is here now and she will come after us. Yuber was just a misunderstanding."

Edited 2011-03-30 01:37 (UTC)

Karai. The thought of her sparks an angry fire in his stomach, but he swallows it down, his hands instinctively traveling to the tsuka of his sai.

"We can handle Karai. Not like she's got her goons here anyways. Don't see the point in stayin' trapped in here if we keep on our toes. Not like it's all that hard findin' where we live anyways. All you gotta do is go around lookin' in windows."