[open catch-all]

[duelkatana]

Characters: Leonardo (duelkatana) and OPEN
Date: throughout the month of May
Location: various
Situation: various
Warnings/Rating: none yet; subject to change

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{ooc; If you'd like me to write up a header for you or otherwise plot, feel more than free to PM me or catch me at throesofangels. Or you can tag in with your own starter! This month Leo will spend much of his time rooftop-hopping in the Fire Sector, lingering as near to Tu Vishan's head as he can get away with, and keeping a self-imposed vigil near damage control spots throughout the city. Brackets or prose both welcome!}

Comments

[i_speak_softly]

His brothers and cousin have all made friends with girls who can fight. Meanwhile, Don made friends with a girl who can interface directly with a hard drive. Somehow this isn't at all surprising, but he can't decide whether to be thrilled or disappointed with his own lot.

For now, he doesn't say anything, but listens with interest.

[duelkatana]

"And then..." Leo's expression darkens for a moment, overtaken by a flurry of doubt that takes a second to settle. "... there was Monet."

The last time he told a brother of the strange, dangerous woman he met, things didn't end well. He tries hard not to let his mind run away with this one, because he's had enough of it for a lifetime. But he still leaves it hanging there a breath longer than normal, gaze pushing past Donatello to somewhere far beyond. "She was my 'contact'."

[i_speak_softly]

Oh. A girl. (Why are there so many girls in his brothers' lives?) Don would have half-believed "Monet" was another Turtle from some alternate universe with slightly different characters.

"The one who left," Don clarifies quietly, recalling an earlier turn of the conversation. The one who, apparently, brought Leo most of his intel about Keeliai. Don isn't sure whether that was a strategic move - getting someone else to do the running around and deliver information in a neatly consolidated package - or if Leonardo's paranoia simply made it too difficult for him to talk to more than a handful of people directly. Maybe Don will find out, eventually.

[duelkatana]

"Raph never trusted her," he says by way of confirmation. That's not saying much, of course, but it's as close to acknowledging her similarities to Karai as he's willing to get. "But I did. She came through for me more than once."

Leonardo shifts in his chair a little - folds his arm over the backrest and leans back. He's had just about enough of reminiscing for one day, he thinks. He'd prefer to move on. "You arrived here not long after she left."

[i_speak_softly]

That's not an unusual disagreement for Raph and Leo to have, and Don plans to remain agnostic on who was right or wrong.

"That explains a lot," he says simply, by which he means Leo's mood over the last several weeks, and the generally tense air in the household. And then: "Thanks."

Leo doesn't open up easily, even to Don's gentle prying, and showing a little appreciation when he does is always a wise investment towards the next time.

[duelkatana]

Leo allows himself a small smile. The meaning behind his brother's words isn't lost on him, and more than anything, he appreciates Don looking out for him. Leonardo is just thankful that he's filled in what blanks nestled across that one-year timespan he could.

"Keep me updated on the radio system." He leans back forward and starts lining up the chess pieces. "Otherwise... I'll let you get back to your icebox."

It may be a dismissal, but there's a teasing edge to it that should say everything he doesn't.

[i_speak_softly]

"Refrigerator," Don corrects, because referring to his projects as though they're already done is just one of his many endearing habits.

Having settled that, he heads back to the kitchen to get himself covered in dust and grease again. He may have lost the chess game, but he considers the conversation a victory, and he fully intends to defeat all the electrical appliances ranged against him.

He just hopes his brothers can stay out of trouble long enough for him to get anything done.