notapancake | Folkmore IC contact

[Caduceus doesn't have a spell for languages, and even if he did, it's only for written. Still, those words resonate as Leonardo passes the power of his ninpo along, and it feels familiar nonetheless. He closes his eyes briefly, allowing it to flow within and replenish some of the reserves that he'd drained over the course of the day so far. It doesn't give back the magic he's already used, but he does feel more stable than before, and a confidence that the next attempt will be stronger than usual. That's... good. That'll help. They want to be certain that this time, nothing escapes to threaten a single other person in this world. And he'd very much like to protect this family going forward, starting now.

A power borne from love... it's wonderful, a warm and soothing sensation that he'll admit he hasn't felt to this extent since he was pulled from his world, and severed from his normally-deeper connection to the Wildmother. It's not quite the same, but it's so close to the gentle warmth of her godly embrace, he feels a clenching in his chest, a lump in his throat he has to swallow back down. His eyes mist. It isn't her, but... it helps him remember what it was like. And not just her, either. His mother's strong, callused hands over his, pressing down into the soil of the graveyard, her soothing encouragements a promise to always be there. "Would you like some help?"

It's been so long, now.

His staff thunks heavily against the floor, one tap, two. And when his eyes open again, flashing a bright, brilliant silver like before (but stronger, now, more intense and unmuffled), the casting of Destroy Undead ripples out from his space into every inch of the workshop they're standing in. Like a warm spring breeze it washes over everything, carrying with it the scent of sweet greenery, twisting vines and fresh cut grass and petals in the wind. It dissolves the tiny puddles of undead Belos goo left on the ground, the stains of corruption that lingers, even anything leftover inside Donatello after Belos's possession attempt (not the Krang infection though, that's not undead and not a problem he's solving). It pours through the area in a handful of intense, unrelenting waves, before the effect begins to fade.

He takes a deep breath, feeling... nothing. It's gone. There should be nothing left, now.]

[Leonardo doesn't understand what the reaction even is on Donnie's part. He yields to the tug, blinking tiredly as he tries to gauge what his twin is hissing about. He isn't sure what is making Donnie disgusted? Magic?

Not that his attention lingers on his brother long, he glances back at Caduceus, relieved the ninpo is helping. Even if it isn't perfect, it is something. A boost after burning for so much.

It works. It is almost beautiful in a way as nature takes over what once was corruption. The magic that unfurls around them helps Leonardo feel like he can start to relax. Some of his tension dropping away. It certainly helps that he finds comfort in Caduceus spell work. This is his friend. An ally. Someone Leonardo loves, who is protecting his family. It is a comfort.

Having his twin within reach and Cad here helps. Eases the heavy weight in his chest. The grief won't disappear, but it can be lightened with people you love.]

You alright, Dee? Still hurting-? [He reaches out to rest a hand against his brother's shoulder. Concern easy enough to see in his face.] You wanna get home?

[It's pure annoyance and anger that is keeping him from actually expressing anything like grief right now. But home sounds good, especially if it's without certain people.]

I'm fine, like I kept saying. [Not giving any credit to Cad, will never give credit!!!]

But yeah, home would be wonderful.

[Wow, he can smell the attitude from here. Sounds like the two of them have a few things to work out, still... easy to think about the conversation he'd had with Leonardo earlier. Caduceus purses his lips, debating for a moment, then turns back towards them both.]

I take it your power's drained at this point? [His gaze shifts briefly to Leonardo's hand, pointed and observant as ever. He'd seen the state of it before they returned to the lair that first time.] Let me get us a ride to the train. It'll take us all back quickly enough. You two... stay here and talk, in the meantime.

[He doesn't need to be told his presence is unwelcome in the moment, and in truth, he isn't offended. Donatello is known to him as a private, sometimes prickly person at any age. This moment should be shared between family, and he's fine with giving them that privacy.]

[The attitude can be seen from space at this rate. Leonardo just squints at his brother disapprovingly before his attention shifts again.]

Maybe a little. Probably need a break by now. [He self-consciously curls his bandaged hand into a slight fist. Leonardo doesn't regret giving Caduceus a boost to cleanse things. If he had control over how much he could give, he would have offered more. For now, this worked out for them.

He nods a little at the offer, clearly thankful.] Thanks, Caduceus. I appreciate it.

[He will hunker down next to his brother, not caring if he sits on the floor. He's got a lot of good floor sitting left in him.]

[He just lets out a scoff at Cad's offer, and he's not sitting until the other man is gone. Once it's all clear, well a lot of tenseness leaves him and he's almost falling onto the ground next to Leo.

Who he is going to punch in the shoulder.]

I told you I was fine, dumdum. You didn't need to bring your new fling.

First of all, you shot yourself. Second of all, he's not 'my new fling'. He's my friend, you idiot. [He's more carefully punching Donnie's shoulder back.]

He also can cleanse the undead junk completely on top of healing your dumdum shell, so maybe be a little thankful?

Uh huh, then what the fucking hell was that you just did?! I didn't need the help, and you know it.

[He's not dumb, he saw what Leo did. He knows what Leo did.]

And... He's going to be another Usagi, only worse.

Says the guy who shot himself, but sure.

He's been using magic all damn day, I gave him a boost. [Leonardo argues back, starting to frown back at his twin now. He's not even sure why this has Donnie so riled.]

Shut up. [He says sharply back.] If you're going to be an asshole, don't you bring Usagi up.

It was that or let that thing destroy Casey's work, sorry that I value that over...

[He gestures in the direction Cad went.]

I'm being an asshole? I'm not the one bringing not family into things that don't involve them, and you know this is going to be worse. Because he can go back to his world, without you. In fact he'd probably enjoy that.

What is wrong with you!? [Donnie always seems to know how to press every button so effortlessly. Leonardo can't stop his own reaction, hurt, angry, upset all broiling over at once.

Leonardo has to take a deep breath before he can even speak again. Trying to be calm. Desperately trying to be calm.]

Cut the shit, Donnie. Stop trying to fight me over this.

What's wrong with me?! What the hell is wrong with you?! [He is going to jam a finger at Leo now, to make his point.]

There wouldn't be a fight if you left him out of this, or maybe didn't decide on your own to shove your newest obsession that's going to end badly into our ninpo!

[Leonardo grits his teeth, tension coiling tight in his shoulders. The relief he had been feeling has evaporated. His hands curl into fists in his lap.

Not a damn thing is something he can do right. Nothing. He couldn't save Casey, he can't even apparently help his brother correctly. He had started to come down from his freak-out earlier, thinking he had overreacted.

Maybe he hadn't?]

Are you jealous that I have a friend, Donnie? Is that why you're being so god damn weird about this? [It feels like a fair shot in the dark. Not that it matters. Donnie will keep spinning around this. Digging his heels in. Being stubborn.

Leonardo doesn't even notice his hands are shaking in his lap.]

Is this really what you're focused on? This?

A friend? You're really going to keep lying about it?!

[And now he's just going to get up, ignoring the dizzying rush from the movement he gets. Sure the healing helped, but blood loss is still blood loss.]

And better this than falling apart over something that's not anyone's fault.

[And he is going to start heading out of the lab.]

Go have fun doing... Whatever the fuck that bullshit is, I'm going home.

[Leonardo is stunned for a moment, just staring at his brother. He manages to pull himself up to his own feet.

He can't even process what is happening. Leonardo knows he's moving to follow Donnie.]

You're fixated on this?! [He tries to grab onto Donnie to stop him from just running off.

His voice breaks as he continues. The words feel terrible coming out of his mouth. ] My fucking son died, Donnie. [He hates this, he hates this-] And you're angry about this?

[He clings to his brother's arm, trying to keep him there. I need you, you're my brother, I love you, please don't leave-] This is your priority? Out of everything? Berating me for trying to come help you? Asking for help?

[He's mad and he just wants to leave and now he's being touched and he doesn't want to be touched and Leo's going on about shit he already knows. He's just going to try and jerk his arm out of Leo's grasp.]

I already said I'm not going to break down over this, maybe if you actually listened to me but no. You don't fucking listen, it's always gotta be how Leo wants things. Bringing people into things that don't concern them, and why? Because you want to make googly eyes at him?!

[If he gets his arm free, well. He is trying so damned hard to not cry, he can cry when he's alone about Casey. He doesn't need Leo for that any way.]

Just leave me alone, for once in your stupid life do that much for me.

[He withdraws from his hold on his twin Anger, frustration, and discomfort are sharp on his face.] Do you think that is my priority!? Staring at a guy!? What the fuck, Donnie! I made an informed decision to bring in back up to a situation I only had audio confirmation on.

I didn't want to chance losing you too. I can't- I can't keep losing people. I can't fucking keep doing this. [And he's crying again. Leonardo hates that much, hates the feeling. He just wants his family. He just wants to be happy-]

You lost me two years ago. [The words just come out of him, and to him? It is the truth.

Leo has two years without him, and well. He can't do anything about it, can he?]

[Leonardo physically recoils from Donnie at that. He had done his mourning. The death wasn't new, but there would always be a wound. This doesn't help with the threat of tears.]

Why are you doing this...?

I'm not doing anything, you brought this on yourself. [He spits right back, and since Leo isn't holding onto him anymore?

He's leaving, before he does something he'll regret.]

[Leonardo doesn't try to chase his twin. Just this once, letting Donnie leave. When has chasing Donnie ever fixed anything the last few months?

He always chases, and always gets hurt in the process.

The older man moves to just heavily sit down on a stool loose in the lab. Just covering his face with his hands. He's so tired of crying. So tired of this jagged edge of grief that cuts through him.

A few pitiful tears escape, but Leonardo is mostly... vacant.]

[It isn't long after that Caduceus returns, having missed Donatello's departure through the convenience of timing, and is confused when he finds the other alone.]

Leonardo?

[He found a sled, but... maybe it won't be necessary after all.]

[Leonardo manages to sit up at the firbolg addressing him. Blinking back into focus.

He coughs into his hand, trying to clear his throat.]

Looks like, it's just you and me headed back. Donnie- decided to make his own way back.

...Ah. [Yeah, even someone with less insight and observation skills than Caduceus could probably deduce how things went wrong, here. He'd heard some of the conversation before, and Donatello had made his opinion quite clear once they'd arrived.] He really doesn't like me.

[Leonardo rises from his seat on the stool. The turtle is wrung out emotionally, but trying to shake it off. It is obvious on his face for a moment. Before Leonardo firmly places an emotional mask back in place. Enough of one to function.] He's convinced himself I'm picking you over him. When that wasn't even a question.

I think, he just needs time to cool down. [He's trying to offer his brother a semblance of grace.]

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