7896/City Fall: A Meeting of Mutant Minds

City Fall: A Meeting of Mutant Minds
Date of Scene:	16 June 2019
Location:	Turtle Lair
Synopsis:	The Turtle Lair gets a little more crowded.
Cast of Characters:	Leonardo, Alopex, Pippi, Splinter
Tinyplot:	City Fall

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Leonardo has posed:
A meeting, topside, not far from the way the turtles go to get back home. The targets: Alopex and Pippi. It had not been planned that way, but after explaining the situation to Splinter it was determined this would be the best course of action. It was going to involve a fair amount of trust, but these were times where a little of that could lead to something bigger, something better. All it takes sometimes is a little faith, a willingness to try.

"Sorry, but we have to do it this way to be safe. We shouldn't have to do this again if it all works out the right way," Leonardo explains, holding up a pair of blindfolds and a small vial of anise oil. It will keep them from seeing where they're going, and they won't be able to smell anything particular either. Even with their agreement, they'd still be led to the Turtle Lair in a roundabout way, one that doubles back on itself a couple times. Even if they have good directional skills, this should throw them off.

Alopex has posed:
    After the way they would get to the lair is explained, Alopex accepts the blindfold and would even put it on herself, if permitted. She would understand if they did it themselves. The oil, however, she wasn't looking forward to. Still, once it's applied and she's recovered from flinching at it, she'd be ready to go. "At your leasure, Leonardo," she offers, having arrived with absolutley no weaponry. They were trusting her and Pippi, she would trust them.

Pippi has posed:
    The smaller red-and-white canine mutant is a little more hesitant about being blindfolded, her ears had flicked back at the idea, but she had permitted the blindfold, and the oil dabbed at her nose. She was a bit more unsteady than the ninja fox walking with two of her senses gone, but had given her trust over to Leonardo to keep them from harm, and even had a few half-hearted attempts at conversation on the way down int he form of 'soo how's the weather down here?'s. Small talk.

Leonardo has posed:
For this, the other Turtles were busy on other projects away from the Lair. While it would probably have been fine for Donatello or Michelangelo to be around, Raphael was enough of a wild card who still needed some convincing, and it was determined his focus being elsewhere with his other brothers would be safest...this time.

Splinter could explain things later, if it all went well.

"Just keep a hand on my shell, and I'll tell you where to watch your step." Leonardo explained. He'd lead them to the Lair that way. Even his katanas were left behind, a further sign of a willingness to see this out.

Eventually, and it's really no more than about ten minutes of leading them along, they reach the hidden doorway that can be used to enter. He slides it open, guiding them further, until he says, "All right. You can take them off now." When they do, they'll find themselves in the home of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Splinter has posed:
The interior of the lair is dark upon arrival, and the smell of bitter incense is in the air. A single candle is lit, shedding its light and illuminating the smoke-wreathed form of the rat, Hamato Yoshi -

He sits, cross-legged, in front of the candle, and its light reflects in liquid black eyes when he opens his eyes. He beckons Leonardo to a mat in front of him, and then looks up at the newcomers.

Without a word, he begins to pour cups of fragrant green tea. Finally, with a flick of his whiskers, he says, "Good evening."

Pippi has posed:
    For the smaller mutant who had a smattering of training and no where near as sure of her footing?

    She flicks her ears forward, and slips up her blindfold, wiping the back of a hand feverishly at the oil at her nose, h er muzzle wrinkled until she gets the chance to look around. Different smells, different people, and of course the florals of the tea and the scent of the aged master.

    She keeps her surprised gaze on Splinter, her shoulders drawing up as she peers curiously, and then rubs the back of her neck absently and gives an embarrassed sort of smile.

Alopex has posed:
    Given permission, the fox moves to take off her blindfold and rather quickly wipes at her muzzle. Having both those senses numbed was disorienting for her, she can't imagine how it is for Pippi. She offers the bit of cloth back before taking a look around, taking in the sight of the lair, despite the dim conditionts. The sight of Splinter keeps her from actually speaking.

    After Leonardo is addressed, and both Alopex and Pippi are greeted, the fox gives a formal bow to the turtles' master. She wouldn't move an inch closer until she was invited to do so. "Good evening, sir. You have a very nice home, here," she offers.

Leonardo has posed:
"You see the need for secrecy," Leonardo explains matter-of-factly when the place is revealed to them, and while things are not well-lit at the moment, there's enough to make out a few main sections of the place they've come to call home.

Approaching Splinter, he offers the rat a formal bow. "Here they are, Father," he says with a gesture toward the two. Following this, he takes up a kneeling position on the mat indicated, doing so in a fluid and natural enough way to show he's used to such a position.

Splinter has posed:
Splinter gives Leonardo a cup of tea, and then gestures to the others. "Come here."

He looks up at Alopex first. "I know why you are here. You may think it is anger. It is not. You may think it is out of a desire for vengeance. It is not."

"You are here because you are a TRUE practitioner of Ninjutsu, seeking to develop mastery of the eighteen skills and so find mastery of *yourself.* And you know you will never attain that mastery under Oroku Saki, because he will never allow it. Have some tea. It's lipton green, with matcha. Quite lovely, actually."

Alopex has posed:
    Given permission, Alopex would calmly step forward and settle down at the table in a similar position to the others, save only for the different setup with her legs. Still, both low and formal, once she's settled, she is all ears to everything that is said. She can feel disagreement forming in the back of her mind, but she lets it stay there for now. Offered some tea, she'll have a sip to allow her to form what she wants to say. When she does say something, it's short and to the point. "I did not agree with his jounin initiation."

Pippi has posed:
    As Alopex steps forwards and sits herself, Pippi steps forward, awkwardly, and seats herself just a little behind Alopex. She gives an unpracticed bow, imitating the fox, and then she sits down, her legs trying for the kneel. Her ears flick this way and that, listening to everything in the lair going on, vigilant, as she accepts the tea, but lets Alopex do all the talking.

    She holds the tea cup very, very gently.

Leonardo has posed:
Leonardo accepts the tea with practiced grace, holding it respectfully even if it is just a regular store brand. That doesn't mean it can't be good. The blue-masked, eldest turtle leaves things to Splinter for the moment, as this is his show. He is there for the presence he provides, acting as Splinter's second, and the one who has guided their visitors here. His head tilts in Alopex's direction to see her reaction to the belief shared by his sensei.

Splinter has posed:
    "I believe you." Splinter says. "But the truth is, Oroku Saki is possessed of an insatiable need to dominate, to control everyone and everything around him. You realized this during your initiation, and rebelled. Perhaps not consciously, but you realized it just the same." He sips his tea. "Control is a lie. Domination is a lie. The only thing you can TRULY control is yourself and your responses. You can manipulate, you can oppress, you can even create an illusion of control so potent that others believe it... but it is ONLY an illusion."

"Leonardo obeys me out of his own sense of filial duty and love for me from a son to his father. Leonardo, my son -- do I control you?"

Alopex has posed:
    The opposite pair have Alopex's full attention. Even if Leonardo may not speak, just his presence and reactions are as important as her own reactions likely are to them. The tea is sipped at again as she listens. It's clear that the sensei of the turtles is wiser than she had been aware of. It's clear in every well chosen word he says. "For a time, I thought there would be no escape. There was something different about the night that your sons went to rescue their friend at the museum. It was how he spoke of family when he took mine away. I may not have ever been able to return to them in my current form, but they had done nothing to cross him. I cannot forgive him for it."

    Sip. "Since then, I have acted against him. I have provided information to anyone I found that fights against him. I have found allies. I .. decided to try to make amends with your family. I know that does not come easy, but I appreciate the step we are all taking tonight. It is why I'm unarmed. I brought my friend, Pippi, with me so she could meet your family as well, not out of a sense of being outnumbered," she explains before looking to Leo. She's quite interested in what his response will be.

Pippi has posed:
    Oh. Pippi was mentioned directly. Her ears go back, her eyes go wide and her shoulders draw up. She shifts her weight, her tail giving the slightest wag, but she chooses to remain quiet, because 'Hi, I'm Pippi!' just doesn't seem like the right thing to say just at this moment.

    Instead, the white and red mutant dog lets her ears limp, and takes a sip of the tea.

Leonardo has posed:
Leonardo studies the reactions of both Alopex and Pippi as he has no doubt been taught to do by Splinter. In between sips of the tea, he cuts a figure not unlike that of a statue. The matter of control has him studying the newcomers more than the rat himself, though he turns his gaze toward the man at the question posed to him.

"As much as it sometimes feels like it, Father, most of that is just your way of teaching us lessons to take into things later," he explains, adding, "At least, you haven't had to ground /me/ for anything lately."

Splinter has posed:
"My sons are grown. As their master, I compel their obedience. I do my best to teach them what they need to know." Splinter says. "And they obey. But it will not be that way forever." Then he looks to Pippi, and his expression softens. He sighs, and says "...It is a difficult thing, to have no home. To have no family. To be filled with that yearning emptiness. To that end, I have made a decision -- to trust. That gives me power the Shredder will never possess."

"You must always remember that the secrecy of this place is paramount. If the Shredder finds this place, he will come to take it from us. You very presence here is a risk. You must not be seen coming or going. Your training is incomplete -- I will finish it."

"Leonardo, you will prepare a place for Alopex and her friend to reside, here. ...There is an important initiation that must be undertaken before this is done, though."

Splinter sips his tea, slowly.

Alopex has posed:
    For a very brief moment, Alopex seems amused by Leonardo's reaction. She calmly moves to hide such an expression by sipping at her tea, but this is something that's refreshing for her to see. Splinter, Leonardo, his brothers, they are a -family- and that exchange proved it. It isn't tyranical domination of a clan from the top down, it's a father and son. She was so, so wrong about all of them. It's a painful realization, but as she said, that's why she's there. To try and make right what was set wrong in the past.

    It's as Splinter speaks, and seems to pick up on exactly what Pippi is, that Alopex truly is impressed. This man is a far, far better master then The Shredder could ever be. And his explination as to why he is, is perfect. The invitation, however, is entirely unexpected. "... You honor us both, Master Splinter. I'm sure I speak for us both when I say we will accept this offer, but I will also note that we do in fact have a place we are able to call our own. In order to ensure suspicion is not drawn to your home, we can continue to reside there, and find a secure way to travel between the two places for training and the like, if that is satisfactory with you. Whatever it is you will have me, or us, do, I will see to it that it is done."

Pippi has posed:
    Pippi's ears rise up as Splinter looks to her, adn she blinks. She holds the cup carefully in her hands, using her fingertips, and as the discussion goes on, and she feels a twist in her stomach, she drops her gaze to the floor, and the ceramic of the cup gives a soft creak in danger before she lightens her grip.

    Her ears remain back and limp, though, and the younger mutant quiet as she raises her eyes to Pex, shoulders tightening and drawing up, she seems genuinely surprised by everything going on.

Leonardo has posed:
A briefly surprised expression shows in Leonardo's face as Splinter takes the immediate step of telling them they will be allowed to move in here to continue training, and while he no doubt wonders how wise this is right now, there are things going on topside that may make it a better fit than it would otherwise be. Still, he squints at the rat, as if something has him wondering what exactly is going on.

"Where you are now, it's not very safe if Shredder finds you. He's had the Foot looking for us before, but nobody has ever figured out we're here even if they have an idea we live underground. Going from one place to the other increases the chance of being caught and Shredder forcing answers from you, or worse."

After Leo's said this, he glances back toward his mentor, though not until after adding, "Perhaps your secret agent friend will visit here sometime soon as well. He seems like he can be trusted."

Splinter has posed:
"Indeed so. It can be painful to abandon the home you've built for yourself, but as your sensei -- you will reside here." Splinter says. "My sons will help you retrieve your belongings and transfer them here."

"Now for your initiation." Splinter says. "Leonardo. Bring me the blue and black dry erase markers and the chore board so that I may assign these two their share of the household tasks. I think it's best that I do this, lest your brothers try to burden them with the most arduous chores." He sighs. "Michelangelo will not escape the responsibility of cleaning the bathroom so *easily*."

Alopex has posed:
    And... surprise number 2. Her initiation is getting assigned a portion of the chores among the group. She nearly drops her tea cup once she realizes this. Nearly. She regains her composure enough to keep hold of it, sip at it, then reply in a calm manner. "I understand. Sensei Winter was kind enough to give me and Pippi a home when we had none, I will never forget his kindness, and I'm sure he will not forget us should we ever need assistance. However, as you have deemed it, so it shall be. We do not have very much, to be honest, but any assistance we get will be appreciated."

        This. Is. So. Unexpected.

Pippi has posed:
    "Agent Cody's a good guy." Pippi pipes up from behind Alopex, her tail giving a slight wag.

    But then she balks a moment, and she glances down, then to the side and then rubs the back of her neck -- mindfully setting the teacup down, and she turns to Alopex, then Leonardo, then back to Splinter, and she takes a deep breath, as if she's going to say something, and then lets it out in a nervous little puff of air.

    "I'm not very good with dusting things." she admits, her eyes wide as she tries to find something good to say.

Leonardo has posed:
"The chore board?" Leonardo asks, raising a brow behind the mask, but he rises to go grab it without further question. It only makes sense that if they're to stay here, they do their share of things to keep it tidy. "Ah, yes. I remember the last time you needed Mikey to clean the bathroom. What was it you told him was buried in there? Some pizza, or his favorite fighting game?" It happens enough that it's easy to forget what it was a particular time.

Whover Sensei Winter is - and Leo gives Alopex a closer look at the mention of the name - nothing is asked as of yet. Perhaps another time soon. For now, the board and markers are brought over to Splinter, handed to him, then Leo waits to see what comes next.

Splinter has posed:
Splinter studies the board, and begins contemplating what chores to reassign. He perks one furry eyebrow at Leonardo.

"Go, prepare a room for them." He begins erasing and rewriting chores.

"When I need Michelangelo to clean the lair, I take the video game he's playing or the magazine or book he's reading. Then, when he's almost finished, I hide it in the last place he needs to clean. I've been doing it since he was seven. He has not yet realized I do it. His brothers all think it's quite funny."

Alopex has posed:
    Currently... the fox is still in a state of bewilderment, but, well, this is all a very positive thing, so, she'll just roll with it! "Again, thank you." Beat. "... That's genius."

Pippi has posed:
    Pippi just seems a little shocked at the turn of events, though her tail is sweeping the floor behind her pretty handily. She breathes out in a snuff, and rubs the back of her head a moment before she hops to her feet. "I can help move stuff." she offers to Leonardo, giving a slight smile.

Leonardo has posed:
"It looks like she's already working on cleaning," Leonardo remarks as he takes note of Pippi's tail in motion, but he also looks amused at the further clarification of the tactics with Michelangelo. Imagine that not having much of an effect on someone like Leo, in comparison.

Having lingered a moment beyond what he probably ought to have, Splinter's reminder gets him back to the here and now. "Of course, Father. It isn't much, but we do have a smaller area that will work for sleeping in." He returns another bow before disappearing to tend to that.

How the others react to this turn of events ought to be of interest, especially where Raphael is concerned.