Next in line after we bust him outta mind jail. [ Get ready to get so validated, Leo. The rest makes... a complex emotional mix. Many emotions. Mostly sympathy and relief, which is a weird combo on its own. ] That sounds really rough. I'm glad you and Leo kinda got in touch? But sorry you saw that.
[ Raph is hittin' that library. Time and travel are illusions bent to our will. He doesn't bother with the books because he's learned nothing from any of this, he's straight-up just doing a noise to get bat-swooped. ]
[He hums.] I mean...at least SHELLDON is okay now. [60 percent okay. It takes time to rebuild the 40 he couldn't recover.] And Leo is still reaching out on some level.
[Raph, pls, ur bro is dying from being misunderstood.]
[Also making sure the comm channel is just to Raph.]
[ Doing a controlled breath on main, because he doesn't like mysterious stuff that he's gonna hate. Especially stuff that requires this kind of preface.
Donnie is asking for whatever he's asking for for a reason. If it's this big, it's important.
[ Ah! Raph was not prepared to reach this depth of hating the thing being asked of him.
One fear. Huge fear. In the top rankings list of fears. This is not ideal. ]
I do trust you. [ And that's true, and he means it, sincerely, but--
But!!!!! ] Donnie I've never not worried about you guys in my life. I can maybe manage everything on that list except for 'not worry.'
[ He's the big brother, that is basically the point of him. Worrying and shielding and giving very powerful hugs and making sure everyone brushes their teeth and stuff. ]
To clarify, the emotions are fine. What I need is for you to not act on them. Whatever I'm doing, I need you to focus on everything else that will be happening. Keeping Hunter safe, dealing with everything else Belos will be throwing at us, efforts to help Leo. Chances are, for my plan to work, I'm going to be doing things you absolutely don't want to happen, but I'm going to need to do.
I know that isn't an easy ask. I know that isn't a fair ask. I'm asking you to do something that's so counter intuitive that its maddening. Even my emotional dense self understands how you must hate that with every fiber of your being.
But that's why this is a cliff dive, Raph.
I'll never ask this of you again, but this time...
[ PLEASE HOLD WHILE RAPH DISCONNECTS TO HAVE A QUICK KNOCK-DOWN, DRAG-OUT FIGHT WITH HIMSELF
Multiple battlefronts. Mostly verbal. It's a little about making himself make room to add this one last thing to his "push down to deal with Later and focus on what's in front of him now" pile from the last few days. It's a lot just the vicious yet predictable overprotective instinct versus already knowing full well he's gonna agree cycle.
He is sitting on the mental suitcase. It's staying shut. It's fine. He'll be with Donnie and Hunter in a couple minutes and he'll feel a little better by default. ]
Always. If that's-- if that's what you need. I'll. I'll figure it out.
[ Somehow. He'll figure it out somehow. ]
You know you're not lower priority. This wouldn't be such a big ask if you didn't know that.
[ Which won't make him feel less guilty about it, but it kinda helps to reaffirm that Donnie knows he's important. Like, at least there's that. ]
[The silence does worry him. He doesn't think his plan is impossible if Raph doesn't agree, it will just be a whole lot harder and probably more traumatizing for all involved.]
[He's pacing the tank, waiting for Raph to reply or to appear in the area.]
[And relief when he finally responds.]
I know. This isn't...this isn't about me thinking Leo deserves to be saved more than me. The exact opposite, really. This isn't a martyr play. If it goes how I believe it will, we'll both get out alive, free of outside influences, and ideally in one piece. [He can't be sure on that last point, but He Hopes.]
But getting that outcome will be hard, so thank you. For letting me do this.
I'll let you do any and all big brother fussing you wish for the next week, after we have Leo back. No protests and minimal complaints.
[ He wants to have more words for this, wants to make it clear he's not mad, convey big support, the whole kit and caboodle, but that's a tough resource to scrounge up in the moment. He's gotta work on that before they all make their move. Mostly he has a pit of dread in his stomach that he's not about to offload on someone right before a boss fight.
Extra punching fuel, is what it is. It'll turn into fussing fuel decently enough later on. Probably. ]
Incoming.
[ Is a superhero landing still cool when it happens in gross goop? Not really. It's Raph's preferred way to land, though, so he does it anyway. ]
Don't stay in the goop, don't explain the thingy. Got it.
[ At least the narration saw his cool stunt. And also a lot of gross eyeballs.
Raph dutifully holds out a hand to Receive Items. He also gives Hunter a thumbs up. Love when a headcount is quick and easy. ]
How we feelin'? If one of you is hurt and I don't hear about it until later I'm gonna have such a firm talk with you. [ and the way their days have been going lately he might cry during that talk, and obviously no one wants that on their conscience. ]
[Definitely nothing cagey at all about the collar.]
[He hands over the items. He's not sure he could utilize the collar, but he figures Raph can call if turnabout is fair play.]
The glass vial is a healing potion. There were four and I took one already. It wasn't a bad injury, just enough to be willing to test that was what I thought it was. [So one each right now in the metal supply packs for everyone.]
Honesty noted and appreciated. Hunter, just use that heal if we get in there and you need it, alright? I'll save mine, too. I'm built for takin' damage.
[ Which like, fine, maybe he is grateful to Draxum for that feature considering how much he puts it to use.
Raph doesn't add to the team inventory because he didn't grab any stuff. He took that hiking trail "take only memories leave only footprints" approach. ]
I was about to say. Raph is mister take a stab wound and still carries three people like they weigh nothing. [He is just! Saying!!] He takes damage like a boss.
But more importantly, Leo isn't going to take them if you're messed up so if you're hurt bad, heal yourselves. I'm already wondering how there's magical healing in here, it gets a little trippy, but there's every possibility it wouldn't work ON Leo if Leo is making it. We'd do better trying to do something ourselves after Belos is taken down.
Oh, an aside, I'm in favor of referring to Belos as demon not because I think demons are bad, but specifically because he thinks they're bad and it gets under his skin. But if that's uncomfortable for you, Hunter....
He is that, demon just starts hitting into his self justification issues for genocide. As would witch.
[A pause.] You know, it only occurs to me now it would be very peculiar for a family to name one kid Caleb and the other Belos. A fake name is so obvious in retrospect.
Do you guys want to raid for anymore weapons? There were ninja stars. [He has grabbed some ninja stars, because he would.]
One: if Slagathor's not as cool as their name is, don't tell me.
[ He'll just imagine someone awesome. He'll make room in his heart specifically to imagine someone awesome, and it'll be a fun little thing he can look forward to doing after this is all over. ]
Two: I'll raid if you guys wanna raid. I don't think there's anything I'd grab, but we are not splittin' up again.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ Raph is hittin' that library. Time and travel are illusions bent to our will. He doesn't bother with the books because he's learned nothing from any of this, he's straight-up just doing a noise to get bat-swooped. ]
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[He hums.] I mean...at least SHELLDON is okay now. [60 percent okay. It takes time to rebuild the 40 he couldn't recover.] And Leo is still reaching out on some level.
[Raph, pls, ur bro is dying from being misunderstood.]
[Also making sure the comm channel is just to Raph.]
....Raph, I need to ask you for...something big.
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Ominous. ]
Does "something big" mean "Raph's not gonna like it"?
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But this is me asking you for a cliff dive.
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Donnie is asking for whatever he's asking for for a reason. If it's this big, it's important.
Raph trusts him. ]
I'm listening.
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Protect Hunter, stop Belos, whatever you can to protect Leo.
But I need you to let me do what I'm going to do. I need you to trust me and trust Leo.
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One fear. Huge fear. In the top rankings list of fears. This is not ideal. ]
I do trust you. [ And that's true, and he means it, sincerely, but--
But!!!!! ] Donnie I've never not worried about you guys in my life. I can maybe manage everything on that list except for 'not worry.'
[ He's the big brother, that is basically the point of him. Worrying and shielding and giving very powerful hugs and making sure everyone brushes their teeth and stuff. ]
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I know that isn't an easy ask. I know that isn't a fair ask. I'm asking you to do something that's so counter intuitive that its maddening. Even my emotional dense self understands how you must hate that with every fiber of your being.
But that's why this is a cliff dive, Raph.
I'll never ask this of you again, but this time...
This time, let me. Believe in me.
1/2
Multiple battlefronts. Mostly verbal. It's a little about making himself make room to add this one last thing to his "push down to deal with Later and focus on what's in front of him now" pile from the last few days. It's a lot just the vicious yet predictable overprotective instinct versus already knowing full well he's gonna agree cycle.
A whole process. ]
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Okay.
Right.
He is sitting on the mental suitcase. It's staying shut. It's fine. He'll be with Donnie and Hunter in a couple minutes and he'll feel a little better by default. ]
Always. If that's-- if that's what you need. I'll. I'll figure it out.
[ Somehow. He'll figure it out somehow. ]
You know you're not lower priority. This wouldn't be such a big ask if you didn't know that.
[ Which won't make him feel less guilty about it, but it kinda helps to reaffirm that Donnie knows he's important. Like, at least there's that. ]
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[He's pacing the tank, waiting for Raph to reply or to appear in the area.]
[And relief when he finally responds.]
I know. This isn't...this isn't about me thinking Leo deserves to be saved more than me. The exact opposite, really. This isn't a martyr play. If it goes how I believe it will, we'll both get out alive, free of outside influences, and ideally in one piece. [He can't be sure on that last point, but He Hopes.]
But getting that outcome will be hard, so thank you. For letting me do this.
I'll let you do any and all big brother fussing you wish for the next week, after we have Leo back. No protests and minimal complaints.
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[ He wants to have more words for this, wants to make it clear he's not mad, convey big support, the whole kit and caboodle, but that's a tough resource to scrounge up in the moment. He's gotta work on that before they all make their move. Mostly he has a pit of dread in his stomach that he's not about to offload on someone right before a boss fight.
Extra punching fuel, is what it is. It'll turn into fussing fuel decently enough later on. Probably. ]
Incoming.
[ Is a superhero landing still cool when it happens in gross goop? Not really. It's Raph's preferred way to land, though, so he does it anyway. ]
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Those eyes are watching all three of you now.]
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Get out of the goop. There's more weapons in the tank, but at least have a blade for cutting goop away.
And.
[He's pulling out a very familiar collar and ring.] Don't say what it is. It's fifty fifty it might take effect.
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[ At least the narration saw his cool stunt. And also a lot of gross eyeballs.
Raph dutifully holds out a hand to Receive Items. He also gives Hunter a thumbs up. Love when a headcount is quick and easy. ]
How we feelin'? If one of you is hurt and I don't hear about it until later I'm gonna have such a firm talk with you. [ and the way their days have been going lately he might cry during that talk, and obviously no one wants that on their conscience. ]
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[He hands over the items. He's not sure he could utilize the collar, but he figures Raph can call if turnabout is fair play.]
The glass vial is a healing potion. There were four and I took one already. It wasn't a bad injury, just enough to be willing to test that was what I thought it was. [So one each right now in the metal supply packs for everyone.]
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[ He clings to the potion protectively. ]
And - I have one teleport coin to get someone out.
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[ Which like, fine, maybe he is grateful to Draxum for that feature considering how much he puts it to use.
Raph doesn't add to the team inventory because he didn't grab any stuff. He took that hiking trail "take only memories leave only footprints" approach. ]
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But more importantly, Leo isn't going to take them if you're messed up so if you're hurt bad, heal yourselves. I'm already wondering how there's magical healing in here, it gets a little trippy, but there's every possibility it wouldn't work ON Leo if Leo is making it. We'd do better trying to do something ourselves after Belos is taken down.
Oh, an aside, I'm in favor of referring to Belos as demon not because I think demons are bad, but specifically because he thinks they're bad and it gets under his skin. But if that's uncomfortable for you, Hunter....
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Well then I won’t get hurt. Easy. Then he can’t feel bad taking my potion.
[ A pause. Shrugs! HE’S not at all uncomfortable about calling Belos names. ]
I don’t know what he’ll react to any more. Demon might work, yeah. Or witch. Or Phillip.
He’s a monster no matter what we call him.
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I'll leave the label warfare stuff to you guys. 'cause I assume he's also gonna be a monster no matter how hard I punch him.
[ Maybe he's big brother intolerant and they'll be very effective punches. A turtle can dream. ]
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He is that, demon just starts hitting into his self justification issues for genocide. As would witch.
[A pause.] You know, it only occurs to me now it would be very peculiar for a family to name one kid Caleb and the other Belos. A fake name is so obvious in retrospect.
Do you guys want to raid for anymore weapons? There were ninja stars. [He has grabbed some ninja stars, because he would.]
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It’s normal enough in the Boiling Isles. I know someone named Gus, but also someone named Slagathor. Not siblings. But.
[ That’s just the vibe man. He brightens, though, at the offer. ]
What’s a ninja star?
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[ He'll just imagine someone awesome. He'll make room in his heart specifically to imagine someone awesome, and it'll be a fun little thing he can look forward to doing after this is all over. ]
Two: I'll raid if you guys wanna raid. I don't think there's anything I'd grab, but we are not splittin' up again.
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