It's Christmas!

[alderwood]

Characters: Baby turtles and you!
Date: December 25/26/27!
Location: All over Keeliai!
Situation: The baby turtles are hatching, and Christmas spirit comes with them!
Warnings/Rating: Please include warnings in comment subject lines, otherwise have at!

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GIFTS

[alderwood]

The Emperor, before her untimely death, amassed presents for the Foreigners, and had them delivered to everyone's doorsteps! Perhaps there was a mix-up and someone got a gift labelled for someone else? Or maybe someone is going around mischievously swapping presents and/or trying to steal them? Or maybe characters are trying out their new charms?

open??? just felt like replying

[strategisch]

Armin wasn't aware that today was "Christmas", but the warm and pleasant feeling that was suffusing Tu Vishan was not lost to him. He lounged around his suite in only his civilian clothing, content to lay about and do nothing, unable to string together the usual never-ending train of thought that chugged it's way loudly through his mind. Normally relaxation was something that just didn't happen to him: instead he'd wind around and around and around until he got tired, and that would have to do.

So a relaxed Armin ends up looking like a very sleepy Armin, as he lays face-down on the couch and contents himself not to move. He didn't know the difference between the two feelings.

He spends most of the day like this, until he hears a knock on the door. It takes some effort on his part to gather the willpower to simply get up and see who it is.

Or whoever it was. They're gone by the time he reaches the door. However, they left an ample gift on his stoop. Armin stooped down to sort through candied fruit, cookies, tea (those came from someone else, although he wasn't aware) more juulan than he'd ever possibly need, being a tightwad, and...

A knife?

Not just any old knife though. This was a combat knife. A good combat knife, with a solid hilt and a supple leather sheathe. It would fit well in his boot, or maybe attach to his gear. When he tested its sharpness against the back of his arm, it drew a tear of blood before he felt the blade's bite.

Who on earth left such a fine weapon at his doorstep? He didn't think it was a threat, considering what it came with (seriously, consider how you'd feel if you got a fruit basket with a knife in the middle of it), but... Armin shook his head and gathered all the gifts to bring inside.

HATCHLINGS

[alderwood]

Baby turtles have hatched and are exploring the entirety of the city! They are the size of a minivan and probably several times as heavy, and they are going where they can and making holes in buildings when they can't. They will be talking to everyone telepathically and spreading joy and cheer wherever they go! If they come across a character that's sad or upset they will redouble their efforts to try and cheer them up. FEEL FREE TO NPC THE BABIES AS NECESSARY. If you need information on how one of them would react to a specific circumstance, feel free to PM ironwood for any clarification.

They will begin to emerge from their shells in the wee hour of December 25th, and will be active from that point onward. Enjoy, and Merry Chelomas!

Turtle Hatching! (open to Chekov and Leonardo)

[bindsthedead]

[Somewhere, in a room with walls saturated with months' worth of protective magic designed to make sure no one but the egg's three caretakers could get in or out, (given the nature of Malicant, Sabriel felt such paranoia was entirely justified), Sabriel looks up from her reading as she felt her connection to the egg twitch- and then gasped as she saw cracks begin to spread over the shell.]

Midday on the 25th, OPEN

[relentlesstide]

[It's like Christmas came early for the Atlantean, except it's. Technically right on time. But he also doesn't care about Christmas when something momentous and joyous like this happens instead. Luckily he's delivered his small and impersonal presents early, otherwise the recipients wouldn't get them at all - there's so much more on his mind, namely a massive telepathic infant turtle scuttling around like a curious and precocious child.

It's a little like watching his son learn and grow, if his son were about eight feet long and weighed more than most large cars.

The baby's size doesn't seem to deter the sturdy Atlantean at all, and they can be found all over Water Sector when it isn't with its other caretakers. Arthur seems to enjoy spending time with it, and his smiles come much freer as he tries to keep the massive turtle from doing too much property damage, riding on its back as it slips around happily in the snow, and talking to it in earnest, both telepathically and out loud.

About mid-afternoon, he manages to coax it into taking a lunch break in an open plaza of the Water Sector, bringing some large melons for it to try, but it seems more interested in munching on one of the large potted decorative shrubs.] C'mon, little one, try some real food, huh?

[definingfuture]

[So Bruce got a dog, which was interesting for him considering he holed up in the Stark labs almost as much as the Banner Tony knows. But Christmas is a great time for companionship and it's not that surprising that people want more during the season. He just didn't expect Arthur to pick a giant turtle.

It takes a minute for him to realize that the new baby must have come from Arthur's egg, mostly because he's just shocked by the size of the hatchling. He approaches the pair on foot, dressed warmly and wearing a curious smile.]

I was just going to find you. I have something for you, but I didn't realize you were going on a birthday walk.

[spiderkid]

[Miles wasn't there when it hatched, but he felt the wave of psychic emotions get so much stronger all of a sudden, so he ventures over to Water Sector to try to find his "co-parents" and the egg.

He spots Arthur and-- whoa, that's a massive turtle!-- walking about and heads over, grinning.]

Hey! The egg hatched, huh? [Way to state the obvious, Miles.]

[iguanasolution]

[What the f-]

That turtle is enormous. Has it really just hatched?! [Frank wasn't sure what he was expecting, the egg was already giant-sized. And the "little" things are to grow up to Asti's size if everything goes well, so of course the "babies" would be also... Asti-sized.

But logically knowing that doesn't change the fact that it's the biggest damn baby turtle he's ever seen.]

night of the 25th at Arthur's suite maybe?

[cowled]

[Bruce doesn't do Christmas. In fact, it's one of his least favourite holidays, at least publicly. Privately... it's one of few days in Gotham that has a chance of being quiet and the closest thing to crime-free his city ever is. He hates the parties, the social expectations, but he remembers Jason coming downstairs the morning Bruce had tucked the adoption papers under the tree, and all the other times he's spent with his family.

But the expectations of his station are... lessened, in Keeliai. He's been here a year and a half, and like it or not he has changed. Enough to appreciate the day for what it means - spending time with friends and family - more than what it's too often meant (too many masks).

He makes the rounds slowly, bringing or leaving presents for his... (he doesn't want to say 'friends') acquaintances. Arthur's is the exception, it's a living creature and not something Bruce can just abandon on his doorstep. So. Here he is. Knocking on the door to his suite, a brightly coloured betta in a plastic bag. He'd rescued it from a vendor that was angling to turn it into a shishkabob and lacking any other fishbenders to choose from, has brought it to Arthur.]

The 25th-Open

[parallels]

[It's been a quiet few weeks for Clara. After the death of the emperor and subsequent mourning period, she'd felt increasingly upset over being distant from her family over Christmas. It's funny. She'd have done anything to get out of it back home but now she wanted nothing more than to curl up with some hot cider and listen to her old gran tell stories.

And now she's starting to hear voices in her head. She shakes her head with a sniff and rubs at an eye. Perhaps the isolation is getting to her. Then suddenly something hits her hard in the chest and sends her flying into the snowy ground. She coughs and tries to catch her breath as she looks wildly around for her attacker.

Only to find herself staring into the face of an adorable baby turtle that's most definitely calling her "mum". Or thinking it anyway.]

You've hatched. Hello there.

[Clara says it more to herself than anyone else as she reaches up to stroke the turtle's nose and it subsequently tries to nuzzle her causing her to laugh for the first time in what feels like weeks.]

walks in three weeks late with starbucks

[langsyne]

[Scott is sans a turtle today, largely because he's currently unaware that any type of hatching is scheduled for today, even if he does feel oddly optimistic and in good spirits this morning. That erroneous frame of mind is quickly corrected when he catches Clara, opens his mouth to say hello, and then watches as she gets bowled over by a turtle the size of a monster truck.

The smile drops immediately off his face and he makes a mad run to where she is, about to loudly ask if she needs a doctor when she laughs and reaches up to pet the turtle.

Well, then.]

Looks like someone's really glad to see you. [Scott slows as he approaches, smile back on his face, and he offers a hand.] You okay? It's not every day you get turned into a human bowling pin.

CLOSED | 26th

[imaginate]

→ DAMIAN + JIM

[His Christmas Day had been spent in Jim’s company, and contrary as it sounded it had been quiet and... nice, especially after Jim had surprised him that morning with a hand-carved easel. Kyle had been looking forward to getting a fresh start on paintings since he had none left: they’d either been sold or burnt.]

[Except Jim being Jim had insisted on a walk outside first, to enjoy the fresh air. Kyle, in that halfhearted, exasperatedly fond way one indulges Jim, agreed to it, because it was a beautiful day and hell if he was going to spend it indoors being a grouch. The moment he’d stepped outside and made it to a nearby square a turtle had butted its head gently against his leg.]

[Kyle’d jumped, more out of shock at the unexpected telepathic contact than any fear of the creature itself, and after a few seconds of staring curiously, reaches out a hand to touch it, tentatively.]

Hi...?

→ KORRA

[He hasn’t gone back inside or even thought to stop much to eat or drink something. He’s been running across turtles all day, and stopping to talk to them even if they are committing wanton property destruction and he should probably be trying to report them instead of overlook it. His face hurts from the smiling, but he keeps going; and finally come evening collapses on a few steps, only to be approached by yet another turtle. Laughing, he pets it, lavishing as much affection on it as it’s giving him: the sensation of complete serenity; that he’s needed and craved for so long.]

Hey little guy. Where’re your parents?

[demon_brat]

[ Damian's not very far behind. At first glance, he looks put-together as always. It only takes a further look to notice his eyes are a little wide, and that he's sticking waaay too close to the turtle. ]

Rayner.

I... think it reads far more of me than I expected it would...?

[ In other words, the turtle knows Damian likes the lantern. ]

[alphatar]

[Taking her eyes off the new baby turtle for just a second was an incredible mistake. Thankfully, Naga made it easy to track down that large little guy.]

There you are. You're worse than Meelo. [Not even close to a scold, this is her little turtle and she's as fond of it as the air kids. But she wasn't expecting to see the Lantern.]

Kyle, hey. We were just going around town. [With her having to patch up what she could in the turtle's wake with some earthbending.]

Jack & Damian;

[wintershepherd]

After being privately contacted by Damian a short while ago, Jack and Baby Tooth headed over to the 3A block of the Fire Sector. He noted absently that it seemed as though all four of the suites showed signs of inhabitance now, like his own quad now was. Despite the disappearances, there still seemed to be more people arriving to Keeliai than leaving it. He didn't see any overt holes in the walls as seemed to be the hatchling's specialty, so he hoped that was a good sign as he landed on the stoop and knocked.

"Damian...?"

[demon_brat]

No, Damian had actually managed to convey to the hatchling that a hole such as that would make him and Bean and Dick really uncomfortable - cold - and had complied with her requests to go out, so the walls had survived.

The inside, however - as soon as Damian opened the door, Jack would be able to see that the usually orderly, neat interior had been turned upside down, half of it broken.

But that wasn't what was making the boy frazzled.

"Frost. Come in." He'd close the door after him, and point closer to the fireplace, where the turtle is currently contentedly munching on something green. Not furniture. "Baby Tooth."

He ran a hand back through his hair, eyes returning easily to the too-young creature.

"Meet Taraja. She will likely talk in your mind." Loud and clear, if in baby speech.

And with lots and lots of love, as soon as their approach alerted her to the new presences.

"She enjoys meeting new people. And... she eats small things, especially if they are bright, so, Baby Tooth, you might want to make sure you stay out of reach of her mouth."

[survival_isnt_living]

a) Closed to Rapunzel and Midii:

[Septimus had been working. He generally is, these days, especially since Eshai's death. The plans for the hospital keep him focused and avoiding considering his nightmares--which had briefly subsided, but were spiking again. (Thankfully no one had tried to wake him in the middle of one again.)

Despite his total apathy toward company in general, however, yesterday he had sent a message to Rapunzel and Midii to come over for lunch. He hadn't exactly thought about the message, not really. Certainly he hadn't considered why he'd sent it.

As such, when the near-constant watercrafted monitoring of the egg (partly for the emotional calm it helped him find) pulled his attention rather forcefully, he sat still for several moments before he heard a slight crashing noise and thump. At that, he laughs in unmitigated delight as he moves for the door to the egg's room. Of course, that movement is rendered utterly inconsequential when--having determined the wall was actually quite hardy--she opted for simply crashing through the door instead. It took a deliberate effort of earthcrafting for him not to get knocked over.]

Better be careful with the girls, little one. [He laughs again.] They're not quite as constructed for being tackled as I am.

[...Yeah, baby is too ebullient to care.]

---

b) OPEN

[After a little family reunion, the baby turtle decided rather forcefully that it was time to run outside and play. (Septimus was already pondering how to make repairing doors in his suite sturdier and being thankful he'd spent months reinforcing the walls.) She also seemed to love exploring and the constant eagerness and joy in her has rather effectively pulled him out of his seclusion, and brightened his mood. Partly knowing she's having that effect on him, he stays near her most of the day.

Whether it's at home in Water Sector or wandering through one of the others, or on the outskirts playing in the snow, he can be found with her. Under other circumstances he might have spent a little more time just watching with amusement, giving her a chance to play with the children... but hey, who needs maturity.

So it's probably pretty easy to catch him playing and maybe grabbing a ride now and again.]

[unetrustworthy]

[The thought of helping to care for a tiny creature, surprising to those who might know her, was hardly an issue. Midii had grown up taking care of her little brothers, practically raising the youngest on her own, and a baby Turtle--even if it was quite large--sounded much easier than a baby human.]

[It was the strange sensations that swept over her each time she went near the new hatchling that gave her pause. Warmth. Love. Security. She recognized them for what they were. Unrestricted emotion. Something she had little personal experience in.]

[Yet, she wasn't going to let that stop her. She wasn't alone, and while the two individuals whom she shared this responsibility with were near strangers, for some reason...particularly when they were together, the four of them...she wasn't afraid.]

When you said "little", I hope you were being ironic.

(B)

[imaginate]

[People Kyle doesn't expect to see today? Septimus. The man's been holed up.. somewhere after Eshai's death and while Kyle didn't connect the two at first, he knew when someone preferred to be by themselves. Things he doesn't expect Sep of all people to be doing, however? Riding a turtle.]

[So of course he has to go say hallo.]

Save some for the rest of us!

open to Dick and Natasha

[doc_holi]

[Holiday had been constantly observing the egg when she realized that the movement and reactions within the shell were rising. It was going to hatch... While she still desperately wanted to continue with her nanites, Holiday instead turned her attentions to the turtle. She could wait, but the baby was going to.]

[Of course, she couldn't help the baby out. He (or she) had to do it all by his (or her) self. So, when cracks started appearing in the shell, she stayed back from the egg. Yet, she found herself talking to it.]

Hey... It's okay. You can do it.

Re: open to Dick and Natasha

[bludhavenknight]

[It was a rotation they did, making sure that the egg wasn't ever left alone. Holiday was with it, but that emotion... Dick couldn't have stayed away even if he tried.

And he didn't want to try. So he was there, not in a flash (because he isn't one), but as fast as humanly possible.]

I didn't miss it, right? [What do you even bring to a baby turtle birth? He had no idea.] He's still working on it?

[He's a father now, he's allowed to assume it's a boy, even if it doesn't end up being one.]

Korra, Mark | 25th

[dracobin]

[It is halfway through Temeraire's shift when he hears the first crack, and it is so sudden and quiet he thinks for a moment he must have misheard it. But then there is a sudden spike in the egg's thoughts, and then there is another crack, and another, and Temeraire only just has the presence of mind to send a message--Come quick, come quick, it is hatching--to his fellow egg parents before he all but flies to the egg's side.

It is a slower process than a dragon hatching: the baby turtle chips away steadily at the shell, and when Korra and Mark arrive, they will find the door unlocked and Temeraire sitting intently by the hatching egg, wings furled tight against his sides.]

[alphatar]

[Korra wastes no time getting there once she was told the egg’s hatching. Thanks to her glider, she reaches Temeraire’s suite without stopping and pokes her head in his doorway. Her eyes widen when she sees bits of shell being broken off.

Instantly she’s running over to sit next to it, using Temeraire’s tail to lean her back on so she’s looking up at the beak that occasionally presents itself. They all took care of this baby and now she actually gets to see it, when she’s not wiggling back and forth to see what spot it’s going to break through next.]

12/26 - closed to cassie

[langsyne]

[It's the day after Christmas and Scott is bundled up in three layers and a scarf and trying (not very hard) to prevent his turtle baby from eating the shrubbery out front. 'Baby' being a relative word because the thing is about five Dragon Mans in size and six times more energetic.

It's a little odd, being called 'dad' by something not covered in blonde hair and washable marker, but he finds he doesn't really mind, especially since his biological daughter has been dragged out with him to greet this very exuberant new addition to the family.]

I guess this is me making up for not ever letting you get a dog, huh?

[werethatgood]

Or a little brother?

[ Cassie teases, yes, but she's pretty sure that that the turtle is much cleverer than even the smartest dog. He just. Looks different. Plus, Cassie just might be basking in all the love - since, after the first surprise, she's been fond of the big young creature, and, sensing that, the turtle has sent love to her. And maybe possibly magnified the sensation of Scott's love for her, not that she doubted that part, ever. ]

[ She strokes under the creature's chin, then also tries, gently, to keep him away from the shrubbery, too. ]

Do you think we should get him something to eat again? What haven't we tried, yet?