3398/Return to innocence

Return to innocence
Date of Scene:	17 September 2020
Location:	Turtle Lair
Synopsis:	Leonardo returns home after two weeks in Japan, speaks with Donnie and April. It's good to be home.
Cast of Characters:	Leonardo, Donatello, April O'Neil

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Leonardo has posed:
It isn't /that/ late, at least not by Ninja standards, but with most of the brothers off doing their individual things it might well seem like it.

Leonardo has been gone for weeks. Splinter was aware, because Splinter is always aware, but Leo hadn't left any notes except with their father. Now the lair was quiet where once they had all sat around laughing long into the night.

-Two days ago-

Leo sat in the training area with his legs folded beneath him eyes closed. His hands sat gently upon his knees, his katanas laid crossed.. braced on the square guards upon the bamboo shoot mat he was seated on.

In his mind he could hear them all laughing.

It hadn't even been that long ago.

In his mind he could also see himself becoming colder. Harsher. He never wanted to be a taskmaster... never wanted to quell his brothers. When it became clear to him that he was becoming that person, he stepped away.

A charter to Japan, sent on a sojourn by their father.

-Today-

Leo, carrying his swords in a canvas sack slung over his shoulder, steps into the lair on quiet feet. Bending his head in to see if any of the others were home, wearing a backwards Pittsburgh Steelers hat on his head. "Hey, anybody here? Master? Donnie? Mikey? ... Raph I guess?" Just a smidge of humor in his tone.

Donatello has posed:
    Not /that/ late, no, but the Turtle Lair is dark and quiet for the most part. There are no signs of rats or turtles, though the bedroom doors are closed. It would seem that everyone is enjoying a rare treat -- a good night's rest. Well, almost everyone. The area of the Turtle Lair unofficially known as Donatello's work area has seen better days. Instead of the usual sense that the chaos was under control, his desk and workbench are covered in rubbish. Emptied energy drink cans, fast food wrappers, and paper plates all gather to tell a story: Donnie had been pulling a lot of all-nighters recently. There seems to be a lot of projects going on. His computer's fans have been running full-speed for hours now, with thousands of lines of code flying past on the screen. Nearby, a old iPod -- several generations behind the current models -- sits lifeless on a blue mat that protects against static discharges. The lights are off in that corner, but its easy to see the mess from the light given off by the computer screens. With Leo gone, Donnie hadn't worried too much about the mess.. He had bigger things on his mind.

    A loud yawn can be heard from the kitchen area. The sound of leathery feet can be heard padding against the floor. Another yawn. It's Donnie returning to work with a fresh energy drink clutched in his hand. The canvas wraps that Donatello normally wears to protect his knuckles are especially tattered tonight, discolored from large spots of dried blood soaked into the material. Pttshhhh. The can's metal tab is opened and Donnie begins to dump the contents into his mouth, not waiting to get back to his work area. It's just about that time when the prodigal leader steps into the lair and starts calling their names.

    "Leo!" Donnie whispers in surprise. He turns to continue his movement towards the door, approaching his brother. "Where the heck have you been?" he asks in lowered tones. Donatello looks especially tired -- the bags under his eyes indicate a pretty substantial lack of sleep.

April O'Neil has posed:
April is making her way toward the lair out in the tunnels, taking the wonky-route as she usually does to make sure she's not tailed. She's become ever-diligent about this. With a backpack on her shoulders, and a bike helme ton her head, April is gliding along the smooth pavement parts of the tunnels via the use of a little silver skateboard, you know the ones, with the handle bars!

She rolls up to the door of the lair and steps off of the board, then moves to knock and peak inside. "Anyone hoooome?" She asks, now stepping on inside. She's wearing a white tshirt with a 'Cobra Kai' logo on the chest, blue jeans and black & yellow sneakers as she enters and sets her ride against the wall. "I brought foooood, and it's not pizza this time. Chinese food!"

Leonardo has posed:
-A Week Ago, Mt. Yae Japan-

Leo had missed the Blossoms by several months, but the grandure of Nakijin Castle was still a welcoming one. Seated on a bamboo mat beneath one of the skeletal trees with a tea set beside him, he worn a happi rather than his usual leather. A Kabuto hat obscuring his appearance from the infrequent tourist who happened to come by this late in the season. His swords rested against the trunk of the tree behind him, his mind elsewhere. Drifting beyond the framework of his consciousness to look backwards into his own history... find the seeds of his shifted perspective.

His sojourn had brought him all the way to Okinawa. Stopping in the older villages where the elders still held firm beliefs in guardian spirits and would not look unfavorably upon the sight of a turtle come to live amongst them temporarily. Working in the open, to some degree or another.. some vain attempt to give himself a sense of humility, he accept any job offered. Be it as a guard or a custodian.

-Today-

Leo grinned when he saw his brother, but it was darkened by the state of the purple brothers work station. The canvas back that contained his swords is laid against the wall as he crossed the lair as if he might well attack the other.. but the expression on his face said other wise. Short, just barely, of a full bear-hug, the alwasy reserved Leonardo, instead, claps Donnie on the shoulder.. "Are you and Mikey in a competition to see who can be the most filthy?" As subtle an opening to fill him in as any.

Since the sound of April's arrival has him turning sharply towards the entrance, "April!" Leo had been gone for weeks... since the 25th. None but Splinter knowing where he'd gone... and now his eyes settle upon the Cobra Kai logo... mock narrowing his eyes. "How dare you wear the brand of the enemy.. You know.. Master Miyagi was from a village not far from Splinter?" Said with a thick finger tapping his temple, "Food for thought, traitor." Said all in good fun, teasing.

Donatello has posed:
    The look on Leo's face, earned by his pig stye, does not go unnoticed by Donatello. Here it comes. The chicken has come home to roost. As Leo comes bounding towards him, Donatello raises a hand in a defensive gesture, as if to start a rehearsed speech to explain himself. But then...

    Donatello stands there, dumbfounded, as his brother's arms go around for the quick hug and shoulder pat. Confused, Donnie gives Leonardo's own shoulder a little bit of a delayed pat with his free hand. He squints his eyes slightly -- a recent habit picked up from Raphael -- just utterly unsure of who just walked in the door. The commend about his workstation, however, seems to bring some comfort. Donnie opens his eyes and takes a breath -- this was the Leo he was used to, though somehow...different? It's true. Donnie's little area of the Lair had been truly a sight to be ashamed of. But, tied with Michelangelo? Was it really that bad?

    "Uh, sorry, Leo," Donnie begins, moving swiftly towards his workbench. "I'll clean it up." April's entrance interrupts the turtle's attempts to gather up some of the empty cans. He comes walking over, balancing a small collection of garbage between his hands. "Hey, April," he greets, giving Leo a brief glance before allowing his eyes to settle on the Cobra Kai logo. Miyagi? Donnie looks over at his computer screen, where green lines of code scroll past. The real Miyagi. Donatello's eyes linger on his brother. How did he know about the Miyagi project? Was this a test? Donnie's brow forms a slight frown. Raph was right. Leo always knows. But what else does he know? Gulp.

April O'Neil has posed:
April strides in to the room to see Leoardo welcoming her first. She smiles at the sight of him and walks toward him only to pause at his mentioning of her shirt. She glances down at it and then uses one hand to pull it out a bit so she can see the logo better. "Wait, really?" She asks as she looks up again and unpinches her shirt. "Miyagi was a real person?" She asks, sounding utterly lost. "I didn't know that..." She starts to pull her backpack off as she looks over to Donnie and smiles at him too. "Heya, Donnie."

She moves toward their kitchen table to set her backpack down. "I got this at a press screening of the second season last year. It was like, one of the first things I did with Channel Six, they hadn't even technically hired me yet. I got this /from/ Johnny Lawrence himself. he was handing them out to us." She smiles softly then as she pulls out the Chinese food boxes from her bag.

She glances over to Leo again then. "Where have you been, anyway?" She asks of the Blue adorned turtle.

Leonardo has posed:
-Thirty hours ago-

Leo made his way towards the makeshift airport where he'd chartered a plane to return to the states. There was a lot of cash that had to be exchanged for disgression, a wealthy man whose privacy was of the utmost importance at the expense of comfort. The pilot hadn't asked a lot of questions when his passanger hadn't introduced himself, arrived with his identity hidden behind a kubaki hat, and had kept to himself for the 16 hour flight.

-TODAY-

"No...no he was not." Leo assures April, "BUT!" Lifting a finger to accentuate his point, "He was from Okinawa in the film. They went there in the second movie.. Which both of you should absolutely know." It's sometimes hard to know when he's joking, but nobody would ever question Leonardo's popculture references... not unless they like being embarrassed.

"Suffice to say. Now we have to duel to the death." From Donnie's work station where he's helping clean up some of the mess rather than letting his younger brother do it all himself. He may have made it, but they're a family.

What is to one, is to all.

Besides, there has to be a reason.

Leo just doesn't know it yet, even if Donnie doesn't know he doesn't know.

Keep people unsure, that's the Leonardo way.

"Japan." In answer to where he's been. "I needed to get away for a few weeks.. try to come to terms with some things that had been plaguing me." Which means, at least could mean, that he's done that now. Since Leo rarely does anything based on impatience. "I brought everyone a gift." Pointing with one hand while the other balances paper-plates and cans in his upturned palm.

April O'Neil has posed:
"No dueling." April says without looking at either of them. "I won't allow any duels to death for at least another month." She idly adds as she piles out the Chinese food boxes and sets them to the center of the table. She's brought one of everything, so it seems, her streaming career and podcasting is doing really well these days!

As she drops down in to one of the kitchen table chairs, she turns to put her feet up on the other one beside her and reaches for the Orange chicken box, and a pair of chopsticks that she takes out of the paper wrapping.

"The second movie is my favorite one." April says up to Leo with a smile. "It has a better romantic feeling to me, and isn't solely about... like, boring American high school drama. Plus, it has the best music." She says as she looks down to the food and samples some with the chopsticks.

"Aaaand, the third season of the show is going /back/ to Japan, did you know /that?/" She asks Leonardo, pointing a piece of Orange Chicken at him before she pops it into her mouth and smiles around it at him.

Leonardo has posed:
"Did I /know/ that.. who do you think is working as consultant for their fight choreography, hmmmm?" Leo dumps the trash in one of the bens and moves towards the table dusting his hands off by patting them together in alternating up/down fashion. At the table he removes his METS cap and tosses it over to the side as he slips into one of the chairs not occupied by April's butt or feet, "That's the real reason I went to Japan, you see. Soul searching? Sojourn discovery and self reflective spirit quest? Pssssh.. no." Reaching out for the dumplings, sliding the whole container over infront of him. "I just want that money."

His dry sense of humor really isn't meant for standup comedy or comedic storytelling, but somehow that probably makes it more funny? Because he commits.

Grinning around one of said dumplings going into his mouth after dipping it in the sweet and sour sauce. "I think you're right though.. about the romantic story being more appealing in the second film. From an objective outside perspective, high school romances rarely work out long term, so at the expense of great legal trouble that comes with some of the antics Daniel engages in throughout the film... there's no real sense that there's a lasting attraction. Which I blame expressly on the writing.." Finishing his dumpling before continuing.

"Since it certainly isn't Ralph Macchio or Elizbeth Shue.. both of them have exceptional acting talent, though I question Macchio's credentials in romantic roles.." Shrugging indecisively, he grins across the table at April.

April O'Neil has posed:
April is enjoying her food while she sits up when Leo sits down, since Donnied wandered back to his lab. This leaves her with just the Leader of the pack. She turns to face him in her chair then and just grins at what he says of the movies.

"You're pretty good at that." She tells him. "Have you considered doing a movie reivew channel on Youtube?" She asks, because well, she's plugged in to that stuff, it's like her thing. From makeup videos to full on reports about criminal operations in abandoned warehouses, April O'Neil's Youtube presence is diverse in its audience and appeal....

"But, I guess that'd take you away from your new job as a fight choreographer ... " She spears her chopsticks into her box of food and just smiles at him. "Does this mean you're gonna leave us behind and move off to Hollywood? I hear they're making another Matrix movie, maybe you can be in it?" She grins at him some more, just teasing him of course.

Her eyes move to scan about the turtle lair then. "Where's this present you said you got me?" She asks. "We need more cheer around here, after everything that's gone on..." Though she still feels a bit odd trying to be happy, after what happened.

Leonardo has posed:
There's the thing.

Leo smirks right up to when April mentions it and continues conversing as if there's any real possibility that he might abandon his family for the sake of fame and fortune. "Oh, you've no idea the amount of offers I've got thrown my way over the last two weeks.." His chopstick work is almost as good as his joke skills are bad, clamping down some Lo Mein to push in his mouth. As with everything, there's a preciseness about the way he eats. Nothing touches his face, no rogue noodles hanging to slurp up into his mouth.

Joking all aside, his expression grows a little more serious when April shifts gears. "Mm." Inclining his head, eyes cast down upon the take-away container in his grip now angled in his direction as if something extremely important lie within.. While he had not abandoned them, he wasn't there when his brothers needed him.

Eyes glance to the side, then the other, just to make certain none of the trio were behind him before asking... "What's happening?" Nobody can ever know he didn't know.

Reputation is everything.

April O'Neil has posed:
April sits forward when she realizes that Leo hadn't even been told yet. She puts her food aside and puts her hands on top of her knees as she levels her gaze at him. "You didn't hear about the attack in Metropolis and the... Titans, going in to space?" She asks.

Her hands move up to simultaneously push her dark hair back behind her ears. "Leo." She glances to her left to make sure none of the others were around, she leans forward on to her elbows to lower her voice to him.

"Some of the Titans didn't come back from their mission, their half of the fight. My cousin, Terry, was one of them." Terry having met-- and befriended --at least Mikey and Raph to some degree, but Leo likely not. "My cousin is--" Is she supposed to say 'awas' now? Fuck that, that's too hard! "--one of the Titans. You knew that, didn't you?" She glances away then, before back to him. "Anyway, yeah, the others are busted up about it. Mikey was even /there/ in Metropolis. He took the /Van/ and drove out there, and particiapted in the fight. I saw footage of him, in the middle of some kind of sci-fi version of a Lord of the Rings battle, Leo. Space aliens, and the entire army of the Themyscirans, clashing... Braveheart style..." So many references.

Leonardo has posed:
Leo listens to April explaining and it's... a lot worse than he could have imagined. The expression on his face is stoic, however. He knew some of those people, at least knew of them, and to hear about their possible demise? That's heart breaking. Especially given April's famalia with one of them. He may not have met Terry personally, but if he is kin to April? As good as kin to Leo.

"I'm truly sorry, April." Said in a quiet voice. Pushing his flat lips together in a line across his wide face. "Good on Mikey." He murmurs under his breath, "I'd have expected it from Raph.. maybe Donnie if Raph was there.. but..." There's an oddity to his praise for the youngest brother.

It's likely that if either of the others had done what he had, there would have been a reckoning... perhaps not in this particular situation? It's complicated, for sure, when the fate of the world is in jeopardy. But Mikey? Showing such strength of character and desire to help others?

THAT is heart warming.

Something beautiful in the great sadness that is such heavy loss at the price of survival.

"It's unfortunate that I missed it. I would have gladly stood beside such honorable warriors to protect the world we share." A subtle smile. Nodding... but most definitely not mentioning Terry beyond what has already been said. Adding only, "The true warrior must take risks and live life completely, fully and intensely." Quoting the bushido code with a bow of his head, "If your cousin has passed, April, I would like to honor him in some way for his bravery. Not many would rise to the challenge has he has, and with full knowledge to the possible outcome of his decision... His bravery should be an inspiration and his sacrifice celebrated, not mourned." Reaching out at the same time to rest his hand upon hers.

April O'Neil has posed:
April continues to just lean there on her elbows with her hands together and her eyes on leonardo as they share this information a bit 'hush hushed' so as not to draw attention from the others if they're dropping eaves.

"That's just the thing, Leo." She says, her blue eyes glancing away, then back at him. "Terry's powers, if he passes, are supposed to... transfer... to his closest family member. Which, we think, would either be me, or his mother. And by all accounts, he mother is still just on Facebook talking like she normally does, or, well, she was, until Gar went to see her. But still. What I mean is, I don't have the powers either. So that means, he's not dead, right?" She sure isn't sure! She sits up straighter then and just leans over on to the back of her chair with her right arm, her right hand going up into her dark hair to the side of her face to hold it there.

"So I don't nkow what to do, grieve, or wait in hopes to see him again soon?"

Leonardo has posed:
Leonardo sets down the take away box and sits upright in his chair. The notion that he's always stiff is wrong, he slouches just like any teenager, but when he actively does it... where as most people actively make themselves sit up straight? Leo pretends to be a kid. It's a weird counter dynamic.

"mm.. how certain is everyone that the powers transfer upon his death?" He wonders, not for the sake of being obtuse about her cousins demise, but for clarity. "Perhaps distance plays some part, but... I don't know? At least not where it comes to the metaphysical transferance of mystical powers, anyways. What I /do/ know is-"

And to this point he leans forward onto his forearms against the edge of the table, "You are a very intelligent woman, Apes. And you're skills at deductive reasoning are the catalyst for your great success as a journalist with your podcast and other news ventures... which is to say, if someone were to tell you that there was a story, buried beneath layers upon layers of evidence to the contrary.. would you believe the obvious or would you seek the truth?" Deliberately using the name of her show.

April O'Neil has posed:
Leo gives her a lot of things to think about with everything he just said to her, and April just leans there on the back of her chair... considering it, running it through her mind quickly, and planning to chew on it more later.

In the now though, she reaches her right foot out and toe pokes his shin with it. "You've gotten so wise. Traveling to Japan seems to have refueled your jets too, so to speak." She smiles at him then before she glances toward the living area of the lair.

"Come on. Grab some of the food." She moves to stand up and reach for her box of chicken. "I'm gonna school your butt in some MarIo Kart before I head back. I don't wanna be out of the house too long, or I'll find Harley sleeping in my bed wearing my clothes, pretending... to 'be me' or something. I'm not sure, she explains it wweird."

April cracks a grin to Leo and starts to move to the sofa area.

Leonardo has posed:
"I was always wise." Leo says, grabbing several containers as he stands and moves towards the couch to join April infront of the gaming system of choice. "Maybe my time away was sufficient that the rest of you have grown up enough to understand the wisdom. But no, nobody ever thinks /they're/ the problem." He is absolutely and obviously joking. Grinning over at her as he sets out a couple of randomly selected boxes and gets the game powered up.

"School me at Mario Kart... as if. You realize that the Mario Kart Grand Prix was last Thursday in Tokyo?" Which reminds him... he pops up and vaults over the couch to head towards his bag, returning with a small box which he roll down his fingers and up flicks into April's hands/lap.

Inside is a single Cherry Blossom pedal. They only bloom once a year and it ended in May.

"I found one in a frozen lake. It had travelled for almost a hundred kilometers down a stream to a small ice embankment in Fukushima. Preserved for months." Smiling over at her, he also hands over one of the two controllers. "Ready to get your heart broken?"