[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.
Puritans are prone to a lot less cool names. Their most edgy names are usually weird virtues. They'd never use Slagathor.
Turtle tank is absolutely Leo is throwing us as many bones as he can. Also its the turtle tank, if he's putting stuff in there I'm not allowed to grab, he's being a fool.
[He pulls out a ninja star.] These are ninja stars. Great for throwing.
Maybe you two can go halvsies on 'em? [ He'll look to Donnie for the confirm on that. He doesn't know if the undefined plan that is going to age him five hundred years requires specific ninja star splitting. ] I already got more stuff than I'd pack for any other big fight.
[ Considering half his fighting style is "get thrown." ]
[ Hunter drifts after Donnie, practically trailing sparkles in anticipation of getting some of the COOLEST WEAPONS EVER!!
Then Donnie reminds him that. Oh yeah. They should plan. ]
He’s going to try to hurt both of you. Whatever you’re picturing, double the viciousness factor. You need to be prepared for him making it as horrible as possible.
… he’s manipulative too. He may try to get into your head, or convince you to do what he wants.
[ Bringing up the rear for security purposes like man, you guys were already picturing stuff?
Raph has his point A and he has his point B and he was gonna streamline once he saw what they were working with. Not that it doesn't help to be more prepared. Big fan. ]
[There is a pause.] In my efforts to emotionally connect to Leo when I thought he was just depressed, I said some things to him. [He's looking at Raph.] He may use that to get to you. So just....ignore whatever he says about me. If it's anything worrying, it can be a future talk.
I'm fairly good at just ignoring his attempts on me as long as I know it's him.
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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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Turtle tank is absolutely Leo is throwing us as many bones as he can. Also its the turtle tank, if he's putting stuff in there I'm not allowed to grab, he's being a fool.
[He pulls out a ninja star.] These are ninja stars. Great for throwing.
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This is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen.
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He's adorable. ]
Maybe you two can go halvsies on 'em? [ He'll look to Donnie for the confirm on that. He doesn't know if the undefined plan that is going to age him five hundred years requires specific ninja star splitting. ] I already got more stuff than I'd pack for any other big fight.
[ Considering half his fighting style is "get thrown." ]
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Ah, always the in close and personal with you.
I'm also double checking both of you bleed normal after this. Leo's blood looked goopy, I think.
Come on, we'll hoard the ninja stars, Hunter. [Definitely no ninja stars required to this plan, or at least not a lot.]
[Leads the way into the tank to get said stars.] Any other parts we want to go over ahead of time?
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Then Donnie reminds him that. Oh yeah. They should plan. ]
He’s going to try to hurt both of you. Whatever you’re picturing, double the viciousness factor. You need to be prepared for him making it as horrible as possible.
… he’s manipulative too. He may try to get into your head, or convince you to do what he wants.
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Raph has his point A and he has his point B and he was gonna streamline once he saw what they were working with. Not that it doesn't help to be more prepared. Big fan. ]
Yeah, that tracks.
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[There is a pause.] In my efforts to emotionally connect to Leo when I thought he was just depressed, I said some things to him. [He's looking at Raph.] He may use that to get to you. So just....ignore whatever he says about me. If it's anything worrying, it can be a future talk.
I'm fairly good at just ignoring his attempts on me as long as I know it's him.
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Are we ready to go, then?
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Tune out bad guy speeches. Well, he's extremely angry at him, so that shouldn't be too hard. Hopefully. ]
I think so. [ One day he WILL simply build a blanket nest and attempt to sit on everyone like a dragon hoarding siblings. One day. ]
You need somethin', let me know. I'll get there.
[ Possibly in bigass mystic gundam form. ]
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Remember, the goal is get rid of the puritan with all of us free of possession attempts. Self sacrifice is just us kicking the problem down the road.
Let's go save our brother.
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