INBOX // ROUTE 666

[purplexing]

You're conversing with Donatello-

Juuuust not this exact second. Please rank your call by number of priority and I'll get back to you accordingly.

1 - A technical emergency

2 - General inquiry

3 - Miscellaneous

Comments

[purplexing]

Oh no...

[propatriamori]

Yes. It is... less than ideal.

[purplexing]

Which leg? Did...did they catch you?

[He's been determinedly avoiding the main tents as much as possible but it hadn't necessarily meant he'd been safer. Any thought of going even near the place makes him feel almost sick.]

[propatriamori]

The right back leg.

I was… escaping. I had someone on my back, and passed him through a gap in the top of the cage. Then when I climbed through, the lid slipped and caught my leg.

It… ripped.

[purplexing]

Right back leg...

[Mentally he's trying to picture which one, wincing at Edward's explanation of what had happened.]

Ohhh that sounds horrible.

[If it sounds muffled it's because he's covering his mouth with a hand.]

[propatriamori]

It wasn't one of my better days.

[He is trying to stiff upper lip this so hard. He doesn't want to burden Donnie with more of the gory details than necessary.]

For the time being, I'll be stuck in my spider body. I'm able to move with only three legs, but I'm slow and awkward.

[As in, extremely vulnerable.]

Something that would let me still use the fourth leg would be tremendously helpful.

[purplexing]

[It's difficult trying to picture which portion of Edward's many legs needs replacing, not without his mind wandering towards the scenario in which it occurred. He shakes his head, trying to keep himself focused, but that's been difficult in general these days.]

I-I don't have access to the materials or Jayce's forge. Or my tools. Not right now.

[They can escape this. They can get away, find their vehicles, he has to believe that.]

But once I do, I can build something. I have more than enough parts. I already have a lot I can repurpose from the cyborgs limbs I've collected.

I'll need to study your legs and get some measurements for it.

[propatriamori]

[He's not doing a very good job of explaining it, in all fairness to Donnie. He doesn't know the technical names for spider parts.]

Thank you.

[There is deep, sincere gratitude in Edward's voice.]

And of course. Whatever you need.

[purplexing]

[To be fair, neither does Donnie, but he knows that to certain degrees all creatures share the same basic structure. Off the top of his head he can't quite recall how many additional joints Edward's legs have after the patella, so there's a lot he'd rather work out in person.]

I'll get you up and running to full capability again. I just...need to not be here. We, sorry. None of should be here.

[propatriamori]

[Edward is prepared to sacrifice spider ankle flexibility to be able to not stumble around everywhere. He knows how damn vulnerable he is right now and hates it.]

Thank you. And yes, we all need to be away from this place.

[A pause.]

Have there been... any plans, to that effect? I have been a bit uninformed lately, dealing with my injury.

[He's been hiding in rafters to not attract attention, is what he means.]

[purplexing]

[Unacceptable. Donnie won't rest until Edward gets ultimate mobility because that's just how he is.]

...I don't know. I haven't heard anything, and it seems so hard staying in contact with anyone once I do find someone I know. So many things keep happening, the whole place is distracting. A-and then I change and it's harder to remember anything, much less how to change back.

Leo said this place is probably doing that on purpose. Keep us unbalanced, force us to take on new changes...

[propatriamori]

[At that rate, Edward might ask for a human leg prosthetic too. As much as he enjoys the spider body, being stuck in it until it molts and his leg grows back (hopefully) isn't a great time.]

I don't doubt it. If we're divided, separated, and confused, we're easier to control and manipulate.

Are you doing all right, Donnie? And your brothers?

[purplexing]

[Oh, he hasn't even thought about how the lost leg would affect his actual legs, or if it was one of his original legs. He's usually better at this.]

I...don't know how to define "all right." I've avoided being in a cage again for some time. Leo found me. I-I think that's all right as I can expect.

Raph...we were together for a while. He didn't like his changes...

[propatriamori]

[It's a very strange set of circumstances, and Donnie can't be faulted for not thinking of everything! He's never seen Edward transform and doesn't know how his human legs split to become the spider legs.]

I'd say staying out of the cages can be considered a win.

[Look what happened to him when he got caught again.]

I know. I helped Raph as much as I could with his changes, but I imagine it will take some time to fully adjust.

[purplexing]

[He might be a bit thankful to be spared that knowledge...]

Yeah...

[It's hard to remember how many times he's been in and out of cages. He can barely recall the in-betweens.]

He doesn't seem fond of insects.

[propatriamori]

[Edward can show him if he wants a demonstration!]

He's not. They terrify him.

[Which Donnie should know, and that he doesn't sends a spike of anxiety through Edward's heart.]

Did you change further? You had started to grow fur the last time we saw each other.

[purplexing]

[Nnnnn...]

O-oh. That explains a lot.

[He falls silent again at the question. It's difficult to approach because he's still not entirely sure how it works.]

I did. ...into a completely different species. I turn into...a three-headed dog... Except sometimes it's like I'm stuck half way between the bird part of me.

Something else changed too... I think I might kind of be like Leo, somehow...

[propatriamori]

[Wait... did Raph tell Edward about his bug phobia and not his brothers? Edward isn't sure whether to feel honoured or horrified, since it was his own monster form that no doubt pushed the issue.]

Oh, Donnie...

[There's a deep, simple sadness in Edward's voice. Donnie is one of the few people around who, like Edward himself, seems to be adapting fairly well to his transformation, if not even enjoying it sometimes. To hear he's been changed is a blow.]

I take it you don't mean the unicorn parts.

[purplexing]

[Donnie hadn't realized it was that extreme of a thing, and given the rate that Raph had changed, entirely understandable why he'd freak out about turning into a giant turtle-bug. But it also really isn't surprising for Donnie to overlook the depths of such details.

What he doesn't like about being able to have a better grasp of his thoughts, of himself, is that it also means those awful, annoying emotional things can really sink in. His voice catches in his throat, something to Edward's tone piercing deep, even in just two words.]

...no.

[It's the quietest little breath of a "no" but it speaks volumes. It's not even that he's particularly hung up about the dead part, maybe it's just easier accepting being dead than...something else, he's not sure. His opinions must certainly be skewed.]

[propatriamori]

[Yes, it definitely speaks volumes, and Edward sighs softly, immediately followed by the soft sounds of him skittering down from wherever he's hidden himself away.]

Where are you?

[Whether they meant to or not, they've uncovered Emotions(tm), and that needs to be dealt with. Donnie once comforted Edward when he felt like he was breaking down; it's time to repay the favour.]

[purplexing]

[He hates it. It's a gnawing feeling that just seems to sink its teeth even more now that he's realized just how much he hates what's happening, and the fact that he can't do anything about it. He can't help himself, he can't help his friends, he can't even help his brother and this place is robbing him of what he's always prided himself in being able to offer.

The fear's always been there, what with the slow changes, but all too recently everything's proven capable of being turned on its head, that he can lose it all in an instant.

Something that sounds dangerously close to a sniffle precedes his cautious response.]

...behind the game stalls.

[It's dark and not nearly high enough for his liking but it's not quite boxed in that he won't get anxious, a little hideaway he and his brother have found.]

[propatriamori]

Ah, that's close to where I am. I'll be there in a few minutes. Can you tap your foot, please, to make yourself easier to find?

[Normally he wouldn't suggest that, but Edward doubts anyone else here is using vibrations to scout out sad turtles. His range is limited by the injured leg, and it would take him forever to find Donnie without some cues that are easier to pick up.]

[Whether Donnie taps or not, Edward tracks him down. When he shows up, he looks as rough as the poor kid likely feels, his shirt tattered and blood-stained, his face paler than normal and sporting dark circles under his eyes. The most noticeable difference is his right back spider leg, which cuts off abruptly below the knee joint. As such, Edward didn't walk over; he crawled over the walls and roofs, so he could bend forward and use his hands as additional support.]

[He doesn't say anything about his leg or his own appearance, though, crawling into the little nest and settling himself down beside Donnie.]

I have to say, this has certainly been my least favourite stop on this journey. I'd take the meat building again over this nonsense.

[purplexing]

[That means putting some effort into doing something, but it's little enough. Donnie's talons scrape against the ground a bit as he loosens himself from his curled position, tapping a sharp toe against the ground.

Nothing prepares him for Edward's state of appearance, even if he were to try anticipating the worst of what this place could do- not that he wants to. A tiny gasp escapes him as he takes in his friend's status, and he swallows at the sight of the missing portion of leg.

While Edward can't see Donnie, he might have been able to make out some of the differences, the lack of warmth from a living body, for one, and perhaps the extra gaping holes carved deep in his leathery shell might make for some alterations in vibrations.

That he doesn't move away when the other deposits himself beside him says much, although he does breathe out the faintest attempt of a laugh. Ah, the meat building. It seems like so long ago, and had by far ranked the top spot for places the turtle never wants to visit again. Until now.]

Same.

[propatriamori]

[Edward certainly notices how Donnie is cold like Leo, and the holes in his shell. If he didn't know better, he'd think he was sitting next to the other brother.]

It seems as though we're both a bit worse for the wear of it.

[He gestures towards Donnie's shell with one hand.]

I'm happy to wrap that, if you'd like it covered.

[purplexing]

[With a soft shell it's less jagged edges and more just...gouges. Particularly there's a matching set of furrows, already old and sunken in, like some huge creature had raked its claws into him. They'd match the old, faint scars he'd had before, suddenly impossibly opened.

Donnie shakes his head, face still half buried in his arms.]

What's the point?