[Audio] Just A Lil Buggy...

[saisdoesmatter]

*with the whole hitting up Nirvana thing and it NOT being the actual end of the road trip from hell, there were still lots of things to do. While others poured over information and the like, Raph braved the roads when the storms around the area weren't too bad. His bike was strong enough to take it and he had a feeling there was more to discover on the outskirts before they all moved on*

*even if he didn't have much luck, he parked at one point to radio in, since the winds made chattering to the rest of the convoy difficult at times*

Not much luck finding anything worth looking at within the agreed upon scouting range. I'd keep going but I know we're going to leave in the next few days so we'll be going further out anyway.

I'll be doublin' back in a few since I need a break.

I swear the terrain out here is trying to rattle me right outta my she--

*right in the middle of his report back, there's a sickening CRUNCH that cuts him off, following only with a scream of pain as the radio goes quiet for now as he dropped for the time being as another new monster form decided to sneak up on him*



[OOC: I promised I'd get this up before next event but Raphie's got double trouble coming his way. He'll pick up the radio to answer people who audio's back at him after he catches his breath but this boy's getting his scarab wings! :D Which means his shell's cracking to accommodate it. Otherwise you can come find him if you want.]

Comments

[purplexing]

[While it's nice to be somewhere that (outside of what the moon warp had brought) has allowed them something of a reprieve from the outside world, Donnie's been getting a little antsy because of the lack of anything to hunt around the city. At least nothing's restricted him from flying.

He's out looking for something to chew on before he gets too restless within the walls when he hears Raph's voice come up on the radio. It's not all surprising to hear that his alter-elder brother is out scouting.

That sound however? It's kind of alarming, especially when Raph cuts off abruptly from it.]

Raph..?

[There's something familiar about that sound, but Donnie can't quite place it. He grabs for his radio, even as he scans the area below. Where had he gone?]

-Raph? Hey- can you hear me? What happened??

[saisdoesmatter]

*it takes a few minutes before the squelch of the radio starts back up again - mainly since he had to drag himself back to it after dropping*

--Dee? *he asks right back, though it's through gritted teeth* --something's wrong-- I thought somethin' sniped me but there's nothing out here but me...

[purplexing]

[Donnie lets out a breath, relieved to hear any response from Raph at all.]

Which direction from the city did you head? I'm out here but you're going to have to give me something to narrow it down so I can find you, brother.

[saisdoesmatter]

I went north; I figured start with the cardinals to see if there was anything that might be of note before we bail.

*he hisses as the pain in his back isn't lessening* Ow...jeez what the hell...

[purplexing]

North, got it.

[There's the sound of the wind as it cuts around him, and his wings flapping as he veers around to head back in the other direction.

He scans the grounds below, figuring it can't be nearly as hard to pick out a turtle around here.

Hopefully.]

audio;

[faceguy]

[Well that sounded... bad.

Leo hops on his radio from where the tank, where he's been holed up while the last of the sun sinks below the horizon. Now that it's getting dark outside, though, he can move more freely.]

Raph? Hey, doing okay, buddy?

[He'll head for his shellhog, just in case.]

[saisdoesmatter]

*it takes a few minutes before the squelch of the radio starts back up again - mainly since he had to drag himself back to it after dropping*

--Leo? *he asks right back, though it's through gritted teeth* --something's wrong-- I thought somethin' sniped me but there's nothing out here but me...

[faceguy]

Sniped!?

[Did he get shot or something? Ough boy...]

You're sure there's nothing? Hang on, I'm-

[The rest of his sentence is drowned out by the revving of his motorcycle.]

[saisdoesmatter]

Somethin' definitely hit my shell--I'm not far from the city but I should be away enough that their defenses didn't mistake me for something...

*the rippling pain is getting worse* --shit; be careful if you're comin--

[faceguy]

Of course I'm comin', bro; I can't just leave you hanging.

[He takes off in the direction Raph went in, though it may be a bit before he manages to find him. He keeps up the radio chatter as he drives.]

Do you see anyone? Or hear anyone?

action;

[propatriamori]

Edward hadn't been listening to the radio when he got a bolt from the blue through the hive mind. He sits ramrod straight as the sudden pain and fear floods his mind, someone calling out for help through their linked minds. It only takes him a few moments to place who it is; there are very few people in the convoy who can reach out to him using it, and this is not Root or Donnie.

That leaves Raph, and him using the hive mind, even unconsciously, means one thing. He's having changes like he did at the carnival, and he must be terrified.

Edward drops what he's doing--dislodging a cucco from his lap--and runs to his motorcycle. He's on it and gunning his way up the mountain within minutes, the hive mind leading him. As he rides, he reaches out to Raph, trying to infuse the hive mind with as much calm and reassurance as he can.

I'm on my way, Raph. I'll be there as quickly as I can.

Thank goodness he was in his human body when he got the distress call and didn't have to waste time shifting from spider to man.

[saisdoesmatter]

At first he thought he'd been hit by some sort of defense that he didn't see, or possibly a monster, but when his shell keeps cracking down the spine, the realization hits that it's like the carnival all over again.

He's alone and vulnerable, though not restrained this time, so the panic isn't fueled by complete desperation to escape something that snagged him. But it's definitely not great, considering his fear of bugs and apparently Revan had more transformations for him even after the demon side.

The fear spikes, but he swears he hears Edward, the feeling of calm from his friend slipping through him as the armor protrudes at his joints and his shell makes terrible sounds in the wake.

"Ed...?" he asks, half glancing toward the dropped radio. No, it didn't come from there. In his head? Again?

Did that mean he had that connection again to his friend?

I--don't know if there's threats out here--be careful...

[propatriamori]

Edward can't describe the relief that floods through him when Raph answers, even more so that he feels well enough to be concerned about Edward's welfare over his own.

Don't worry, I won't crash before I reach you. I'll be there as soon as I can. Keep talking to me.

Although that's probably easier said than done, when Raph is going through some painful changes. It's fine, Edward can blather for a bit as he careens up the mountain.

Did Leo tell you we're planning a movie night? He's never seen a film called Star Wars, and he's going to ask Donnie if he has anything from their world on his phone. Would you like to join us?

[saisdoesmatter]

Despite the fact that he's in pain, he wasn't about to be bait for someone to pick off his friends from the convoy, as the mantle of protector is still ingrained in him even now.

O-okay...I...don't--know why this is--happening? There's no warp--

The distraction helps somewhat, though the calm that he feels is skewed when another CRACK jostles the connection as it HURTS, but he tries to answer.

N-No, he didn't--how the hell has he not seen Star...Wars with Donnie being his brother...?

[propatriamori]

Sometimes it just does, and there's no rhyme or reason to it. Ask Donnie about the time my second pair of arms grew out, and how much warning we had, when we're back in the convoy.

Edward can't hear that crack, but he feels it, which is somehow worse. He winces, his bike skidding a bit to the side, as he feels a phantom bolt of pain rip across his spine. He manages to keep their connection calm and placid, but it's a near thing.

I don't believe Star Wars exists in their world. You've seen it, though? You should definitely join us for movie night.

The idea that anyone wouldn't want to watch Star Wars multiple times is completely lost on Edward. Yes, he's become one of those fans.

He has also closed the distance between them, and as soon as he can feel Raph in the vibrations, he yanks his bike to an abrupt stop and leaps off it. The bike crashes to the ground, but Edward ignores it, going down on one knee at Raph's side and holding his arm.

"I'm here now. It's okay, I'm here, I won't let anything hurt you while you're changing."

[undyingcrow]

...What happened?

[That was an unpleasant sound. Was it a transformation? An attack? Either way, it has Akechi's attention.]

Either way, I appreciate the report. It's good to have a rough idea of what to anticipate.

[saisdoesmatter]

*it takes a few minutes before the squelch of the radio starts back up again - mainly since he had to drag himself back to it after dropping*

Akechi? *he asks right back, though it's through gritted teeth* --something's wrong-- I thought somethin' sniped me but there's nothing out here but me...

[undyingcrow]

...Are you perhaps undergoing a transformation?

[That would explain the pained sound of his voice, but Akechi shouldn't assume...]

[saisdoesmatter]

---aw hell, maybe? I haven't had to go through one in awhile--?

[undyingcrow]

They tend to come unexpectedly. Not to mention, some simply manifest themselves as we travel, whether they remain or are merely temporary...

[It's difficult to discern through audio alone, but... hm.]

If you are in pain, I advise remaining close to the Convoy. If you can, find somewhere comfortable. Perhaps hydrate as well.

[AUDIO];

[rockitforme]

[Oh crud.]

[Rock couldn't believe his audial receptors. All he could do was widen his eyes in horror as he slowly began to register what had just happened to Raph. Eventually, silence has begun to fall onto him before Rock immediately proceeds to shatter it afterwards.]

R-Raph? Are you still there?

[Whatever just happened to him, Rock needs to get over there and help stat.]

[saisdoesmatter]

*it takes a few minutes before the squelch of the radio starts back up again - mainly since he had to drag himself back to it after dropping*

--Rock? *he asks right back, though it's through gritted teeth* --something's wrong-- I thought somethin' sniped me but there's nothing out here but me...

[rockitforme]

[Rock couldn’t help but curl his face in disgust upon hearing that squelching noise echo out through the line.]

[Thank goodness that he’s OK … or at the very least, partially so. Rock couldn’t help but grow increasingly concerned when he hears the clear strain in Raph’s voice. Upon hearing the word “sniped”, Rock quietly transforms into his armor and shifts one of his hands into the Mega Buster.]

You think someone must’ve snuck inside the premises to attack you, right?

[Rock then shifts to his hooves, about to scout out the entire perimeter.]

Whatever you do … stay hidden until I tell you it’s OK to come out. I’m going to look around and see if whoever shot you is still here. I’ll see if I can deal with them accordingly. See if you can find a first-aid kit and cover those wounds up, OK Raph?

[saisdoesmatter]

Not sure--I'm doin' some scoutin' fer the convoy before we leave so we don't try to leave and basically find somethin' of note just north of the place.

Mnh--alright, I think I got water in my pack--

[rockitforme]

[Goodness, what a relief. Rock's side of the line falls quiet as he began to search around the Convoy, checking every single nook and cranny to make absolutely sure that there wasn't some secret assassin out to get Raph or the other Drifters. Once that was done, Raph would hear a muffled noise before Rock finally speaks up at last.]

OK, Raph. I just searched around the perimeter, and from what I was able to see so far, I don't think there was anyone inside or even outside of the Convoy. Not even a single footprint could be spotted, so I'm assuming that ...

[Rock then looks up at the sky, now squinting at the shining moon before turning his gaze away from it.]

How long were you out when the moon showed up? Are you still currently outside or not?

[He's heard of the moon warps, and it's no surprise that Raph might've stumbled across one if the small squelching noises were anything to go by. Either way, Raph could be at risk of falling into a horrific frenzy if this starts to keep up.]