Report 010 [Action/Voice]

[semper_cogitans]

Comments

[Action]

[honorthecode]

[It's been three weeks. Three weeks since Raph had gone home. Leo and Don have been working on clearing out Derek's old room, finding a temporary place to store the humans belongings until he came to get him. Robert was moving in, and they couldn't keep the two rooms sealed up forever after all. Life had more or less returned to normal, even if their brother was gone, Something they'd need to adjust too, since he might never return. Then a couple of days ago, they woke up to Mikey gone too. No forewarning, no notice, no anything. It's just like they were never even there. The news wasn't spread this time, despite the family knowing Mikey had a lot of friends.

Despite knowing they were fine at home, away from the dangers of Luceti. Mikey's disappearance has Leo in a bad mood. He's been more temperamental, more moody lately. Currently he's back in Robert's room, spot dusting with a swiffer-duster. Despite the fact that the room is spotless already. He'll head back to the living room at what he thinks is a noise by the front door though

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[And indeed, the noise happens to be made by this particular scientist, lugging in one of the many plastic boxes he'd deposited near the front door. Its brethren sit in a cluster outside, almost forlornly, as if waiting to be taken inside.

He pauses at seeing Leo. Even if Robert doesn't know him as well as he knows Don, he can tell the general malaise. Of course, he assumes it's just from Raph being sent home... he doesn't know about Mike yet.]

... Ah... h-hello, Leonardo.

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I see you made it. [He'll glance out the door, checking to see if Robert was followed. Once clear he'll step outside, and pick up one of the boxes to carry it inside.]

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With... s-surprisingly little trouble, yes. Though I, er, attracted something of a crowd.

... Nobody particularly dangerous, though. [... Except maybe Eggman. But Robert's never really sure what to think about him, and is biased because he's a fellow scientist.]

Is, er, there anything I can do to assist you...?

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[honorthecode]

I noticed. [Some ways he's surprised, other ways he isn't. Not like Robert could just pack up a moving truck here. Somebody carrying boxes across the village is bound to draw attention.]

The rooms are clean. I was just getting the last stubborn bits of dust.

[Action]

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[... A moving van would probably cause more attention, even. But yes, Robert is not inconspicuous at the best of times.]

Ah... I u-understand. Certainly something I have done many times myself.

[... It occurs to Robert that he doesn't hear Mike anywhere.]

... Is... is everybody else home, r-right now?

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[But it would have gotten him here faster. He sets the box he had on a second one and carries both inside, closing the door with his foot.]

They sat untouched for almost seven months, there's still some lingering spots.

[He'll lead down to the hall toward the rooms. The question makes him stop though, face growing darker with a bit of a growl in hios voice, though it's not directed at Robert.]

They sent Mikey home.

[Sorry Robert, it's short and to the point. Obviously still a bit of a sore spot.]

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[For a long moment, Robert's silent.

He knows it's irrational, but he's guilty. Part of him feels almost like it's his fault that the two were sent home - because it was uncomfortable to be here with them there, because they hated him so much. Or at least disliked him.

But gods, it hurts.

Finally:]

... I... I apologize, L-Leonardo. I did not know...

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[honorthecode]

[He glances over his shoulder for a moment.]

It's not your fault.

[The Malnosso are to blame, bringing the family together, then apparently slowly tearing it apart again. His voice still has an edge to it, he's not in a comforting mood. Sorry Robert.]

Donatello and Master Splinter are still here.

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[... Robert doesn't even want to know how he'd feel if Don left. But instead...]

... Perhaps I could... do something for you. Such as, er, make you and the rest of the family tea, perhaps...?

... I have... p-picked up skill for it, from Helios.

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[honorthecode]

[Leo doesn't want to think about it either. But he does. It'll be a while before he goes completely to sleep. But the house does seem distinctly larger. Even though they only lost two family members, and with Robert moving in.]

Once we get the boxes in.

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[With the quietness of Mike gone, everything probably seems emptier...

Robert goes to pick up another box to carry it into the room after Leo.]

Certainly. This... this is an important j-job, after all.

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What kind of tea do you make?

[Of course, since the boxes are all sitting out there in view. Even if they are behind the barrier. He'll find a place to set the boxes down in one of the rooms. He'll leave putting the contents places, up to Robert. This is his room after all.]

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[Yes, the organization can wait - as much as Robert'd like to do it immediately, tea does sound really nice right now.]

Well... I have experimented with d-different varieties of teas... many of them are loose-leaf h-here, and those tend to be the most aromatic when brewed...

[Thoughtfully:] I am quite partial to v-vanilla chai. It is... Helios' favourite.

[... He hadn't been able to drink it for almost a month, when Helios wasn't talking to him, without feeling bad.]

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I didn't have much choice for tea back home. [There really wasn't at all. Especially not any more fancy flavors.]

They have quite a variety here. I don't think I've had that.

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I have my b-boxed variety loose-leaf teas, if you wanted to try some...? [It's in one of the boxes that Robert has yet to organize - though he could find it easily, as he's practically mentally indexed the contents.]

At home, most teas were... synthetic. Much of the tea crop was d-destroyed... and though a few varieties have been revived, they have been altered for hydroponics purposes...

... They t-taste different. Less... robust.

[It comes from losing a lot of genetic diversity.]