tushanshu_logs | It's Christmas!

[A quick smile lights his face and then it's gone, the youngster's concerned and Kyle — Kyle doesn't like the idea of a foreign influence anywhere near him. He slides off his ring, for safety, and slips it into his pocket, before gingerly petting the turtle.]

[It only takes a glance at Damian to see how worried he is. Kyle steps forward, nonverbally requesting that they close the distance between them as much as they can, publicly.]

Yeah, you don't say.

[It's reading me.]

When — ? [did it hatch? He can't really articulate, the sheer wonder he feels at witnessing this is incredible, especially since Damian was warned they could be something else.]

Yesterday.

[ Of all things, Kyle's reaction makes Damian focus, makes him calm down a bit. Makes him start register things fully, again, where he's been going on reactions for the last day or so. ]

I believe they all hatched yesterday. They have been ...

[ So, so much softer. ]

It has been very confusing.

[ And, just like that, there is a wave of love, and cheer, from the hatchling. In answer to his uncertainty. Damian just. Raises his eyebrows. See? Also, it has probably been reading him since before hatching. ]

[The hesitant patting becomes steadier as Kyle gets accustomed to the sensation. Yeah, he's uncertain too. He can't help it. He doesn't like surprises.]

They've been getting around.

[He finishes the sentence, trailing off, the fingers of his free hand curling in slightly where he'd reached out to steady himself instinctively when it had nudged him. In response, the turtle chirps pleasantly in his mind, and he smiles again.]

Hey there.

[His expression is soft, as he brushes his fingers over the turtle.]

How're you doing, huh? Don't mind your daddy over there, he's a worrier.

>Tt.<

[ Well, at least for a moment, the reaction is pure Damian, before he has to let the irritation level go, and, well. Turtle. ]

... you would worry, too.

[ Mild, mild grump. But there's a bit of a smile, when Kyle gets the turtle to chirp, and. Wow, knowing that it's happy, (she's happy?) makes so much about the world seem right. It's simply not ... right. GAH. ]

[Kyle laughs, utterly delighted, and the turtle nudges him again, pleased that its tactics are working.]

I would. [I have.] And then get a construct flying monkey of appropriate size: every kid deserves at least one go on the Air Express to Oz.

[ There's a slight questioning nudge from the hatchling at the last phrase. Before he considers it, Damian builds a quick image, of flying and of Oz. ]

[ Suddenly, there is a very, VERY excited wave of I WANT THIS from the baby turtle. ]

... I do not think we can get to Oz from here, little one.

[ Softly, and with far less exasperation than Damian would even usually have used, just a little sadness that he can't give it to the baby. Though he does eye Kyle speculatively. Oz might be impossible, but the other part of the image - the flight... hmm. ]

[Momentarily bowled over, he takes a few moments to gather himself.]

Yeah, no. For starters, we need a yellow brick road.

[He casts a worried look at Damian. Flying's fine, sure, but a turtle, flying? This soon after they've hatched? Do they get motion sick? Are they afraid of heights?]

[ Damian shrugs. It doesn't have to be high or far, to begin with, and they can see from there. ]

... if you talk about munchkins, I will consider giving you more drilling in our next training session.

[ That's a far better threat than 'I'll hit you,' okay? ]

[Jim rounds the nearest corner with his hands full of coffee, and he promptly stops dead at the sight. There is no great eloquence here, no witty or intelligent commentary. He just blurts out holy shit and takes a step back as the turtle bowls him over with telepathic affection and loud, echoing queries about what it is exactly he's holding and whether or not the cups are edible.]

[Kyle shoots Damian a knowing smile, and instead of retorting, he stands and moves next to Jim, taking one of the cups so he doesn't drop it.]

Incredible, huh? Apparently they hatched yesterday.

[In addition to the turtle there's a quiet, steady affection touching Jim's mind that's all Kyle.]

[ No. Not food. Damian's information is firm, but very, very gentle, at the same time. He doesn't even bother with wondering if she's hungry again, just points towards one of the nearby shops which sells foodstuffs. I will bring you food. ]

[ And more emotions. Damian's barely gotten to the point where the words thank you mean something to him - the barrage is just. A lot. He sighs to himself, and places his hand on the turtle's leg, trying to send affection back. He knows it's partly a mistake, because what's coming to him will intensify, but it doesn't seem fair to isolate the hatchling. ]

Rayner, Kirk. This is Taraja.

[ Of course, in his mind, the full names form, the way they usually do when he is referring to somebody. And, of course, the extra warmth towards Kyle. He can't help it, yet; he also suspects that it might be a bad idea to try and cut off much of the information stream, right now. Too much like what was done to him. ]

[The affection makes him raise an eyebrow, but he doesn't comment. Instead, he steps forward - watching Damian's body language for a sign it's not okay - and holds out the hand lately relieved of its coffee cup for the turtle to sniff at. That's what you do with dogs, right? How different can it be?]

Taraja. Nice to meet you?

[And this is the story of how the turtle butts its head against Jim's leg hard enough to knock him back into Kyle, whoops.]

[Kyle replies via the telepathic bond that's now connecting all of them, hosted by the hatchling: he selects joy, peace, and warmth, sends it in a quick, direct burst towards Taraja. While the turtle's mind is nowhere near Asti's or Mogo's, the method of communication works without any hiccups. He smiles when it's received, and reciprocated.]

[Except Jim just has to be Jim and luckily Kyle's close enough to catch him. There's a flare of concern, which quickly gives way to exasperation as Kyle steadies Jim and lets go so he can stand.]

They are young, but they are neither small nor frail.

[ And, now, the connection is saturated, briefly, with deep concern. Most of it for Taraja, but a trickle towards Jim, until he's sure Kyle has steadied him. The concern towards Jim is followed by something more intense - less controlled - from the baby, and Damian turns to her again to calm her down. ]

Compared to us, at least. Be careful.

[ In an attempt to be back to him-normal, at least for a moment, his eyes crinkle up at the adults. ]

I believe both my and Stark's suites will need thorough refurnishing. Somehow, she is more mindful of the treehouse.

[There's something familiar about that first emotion, and Jim steadies himself with a hand on Kyle's arm and a slight tilt of his head. Some - most - of the emotion is radiating off the turtle, but something else is along for the ride like one of those migratory birds that hitches rides on its distant kin. The concern - from... everyone, really - is oddly touching, and Jim doesn't quite know how to react.

Instead, he rubs at the back of his neck.]

Sorry, Damian. If I'd known you were gonna be here I'd have brought you something to drink.

[He's still not sure what to make of the kid - he likes him, that much is true (and a little of that easy affection bleeds into the telepathic bridge Taraja's maintaining between them all) - but he knows that he needs to handle him carefully. Call it an instinct.]

[In answer to the unspoken question, Kyle, out loud, but quietly, so that only Jim can hear, says:] I'm not holding back.

[He's not wearing the ring and he's sure Jim's noticed; without it, there's a lot less pressure to concentrate, or focus, or restrain himself. He's not about to open up all his emotions and let them run loose through the metaphorical telepathic field like some rookie, and it's not the complete no-holds-barred that he'll need, someday, but right now it's enough.]

[He taps Jim's mind, in curiosity, but more so he can recognise which one of the sensations is coming from Kyle, and which from the others. At present it's a distant, gentle breeze, barely touching Jim at all, but very much there. He tugs Jim's sleeve then lets go, sits down near the turtle.]

You can have mine if you want.

[In contrast to Jim's caution, Kyle's mind, to Damian, is open, the affection there fiercer but not overwhelming: they have the turtle to intensify that and Kyle doesn't intend to overload the kid the first time he's experiencing something like this. Yet, firmly, he asks, When was the last time you slept?]

[ Damian is way past overwhelmed, actually. The connection that most people feel - the carers are in for more, and just about all the time. But it's barely been a day, by now; he can manage, he thinks. And he's keeping anger and spite as firmly locked away as he can, as well as pain. Where the latter doesn't quite work as well, so he's getting extra love, making the overwhelming even worse. He'll deal with it. ]

[ But, for now, he looks up at Jim and nods. ]

It was not by plan, but I am not in need of anything, thank you.

[ Calmer, even friendlier than he would usually sound. Even around Kyle. But the warmth isn't fake, even if it feels awkward - it's just. Not something he's done much, before. ]

[ But he kind of flinches at the question, and for a moment there is the mental image of packing up the last of the presents. It's not too bad, then - two days ago maybe? But it's not something he'll get any ~~approval~~ praise for. ]

[ His reaction results in curiosity/confusion from the hatchling, and he sighs. ]

I will try to get rest when Persson takes over. She is - responsible.

[ 'Unlike Stark' is something he doesn't even think - it just goes without saying. ]

[Wow, hold up. They can actually hold telepathic conversations. This is so cool, and there's a bit of excitement and jubilation about something new being right in front of him for the taking. He dumps a bunch of warmth and love in Kyle's general direction the way someone might dump a blanket on someone complaining of cold, keeps his reaction to Damian pleasantly friendly (he doesn't know if he'd appreciate being privy to how Jim feels about Kyle) and then he tries the mental avenue,

Una, right? Yeah, she's great.]

[Wow Jim excuse you!! Kyle shifts adjusting to the sudden sensation, and elbows him mentally, but returns the emotion far more carefully, uncertain how much Damian or Taraja can sense. He's more sensitive to Damian's emotions right now anyway: he's trained Jim in enough mental warding that he's.. actually not worried. Jim's learnt a lot about restraint.]

You do that.

[The turtle prods him, reminding them all that it's hungry, and adds a few juicy details about the kid's schedule. Kyle pets it, quietly says nobody likes a tattler, but he has the good sense to look appropriately annoyed at Damian, even if he's glad this is... opening him up. Seeing Damian without the outward hedgehogness is just weird.]

— maybe sooner rather than later, she's hungry. You know what she eats, right?

[ He'd so be giving a miffed glare right now - if he wasn't making sure he's not scarring the hatchling. As it is, he gives a sigh, and shakes his head at both of them. It's less that Damian can sense the interaction between Jim and Kyle, mentally, but Taraja is amused at their interplay, which tells him there is some, and. Well. Better not focus on it. Instead, he mentally pictures Una, yes, and offers that up among all of them. It results in a fresh wave of excitement and love from the baby, and a question, when. ]

[ Damian smiles a little. Soon. ]

[ And, to Kyle's question. ]

She will eat almost anything that seems like a possibility. But, knowing what Asti does eat, I usually get her greens. If you will watch her for two minutes, I shall do so presently?

[ Small nod to the nearby veggies shop. He's really still going to keep an eye out, but he knows Taraja can move pretty fast, when she wants to, so he'll be a tad less worried with other people keeping an eye. ]

Done deal.

[Jim spares a fond look after Damian as he heads to gather greens, and then he drapes himself over the side of the turtle. He has to stand on the tips of his toes to do it properly, and he pats his hands against its shell. It's weird - a little humbling, almost - to be present for this whole thing happening. Like being the first person to set foot on a planet.

Quietly, to Kyle, he's a good kid, huh.]

[It's funny, and kind of weird, Kyle thinks, to know someone that well that you can understand what kind of look or emotion they're feeling towards you when they don't even know it themselves. He can't help the way he is around Jim - so he simply muted that, for Damian's benefit.]

[He's babysat the turtle before, and thus, when requested to again, nods. She was still in her egg, then, and he conveys his agreement and excitement at watching her - even if it's just for two minutes - putting himself as close to her as he physically can, in a different place from where Jim is, but maintaining eye contact with him.]

[Taraja is warm. Kyle barely feels the cold as his mind rests against hers, she conveys love and he returns it with protection. They're the only hope for this world and hope - choosing it is so difficult and easy at the same time.]

[To Jim: One of the best. And then, he tilts his head, questioningly. He finds purchase on the mental plane and anchors himself. Hey, can you feel this? and sends a short stream of unrestrained affection, a powerful wave.]

[Jim reaches, touches the inside of Kyle's wrist in a motion that is perfectly accidental and more the product of a languid stretch across the turtle's shell than anything that could have possibly been planned for.

That said, it's not acting that he twitches away from him the second that affection smacks him in the brainpan, it's overwhelming in all the best and worst ways, like drowning, like freefall, and Jim actually has to remind himself to breathe.

Yeah, he manages, and he hopes his mental voice isn't as shaky as he knows his real one would be. Kyle's not wearing the ring, but Jim half-wishes he were just for the brief respite of momentary invisibility he could request.]

[Kyle smiles at him, playful. In the Dream plane they weren't connected this closely: there were images and less emotion, the force of a mind far less close. What Taraja's hosting is something Kyle's much more familiar with and the joy of it is something he never realised he even missed.]

[Want the whole thing? he prods, gently. Jim's not used to it. Hell, Jim's not used to unconditional affection period: even these days when alone together Jim sometimes gives him an affectionate but bewildered look, like a deer caught in the headlights.]

[Jim cocks his head to one side, listening for something just outside the frequency of human hearing, and then he nods once. No words.]

It's Christmas!

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