[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

[saisdoesmatter]

Oh yeah it was totally a riot at that time... *it was not*

*he laughs* I dunno; sometimes I feel like we're all just whatever strange thing Mikey would have dreamed up sometimes... *this might be the tired talking but his brother always came up with weirdo shit for giggles*

[purplexing]

I am pretty sure Mikey wouldn't be dreaming of us changing horrifically into weird creatures.

[He has to pause and consider.]

-or at least not the one I know anyway.

[They'd already experienced enough of that back home that if anything, it'd only prompt unwanted nightmares.]

[saisdoesmatter]

I meant my version of him. He's got a crazy imagination.

*but he considers that too, using Dee's shoulder as a resting spot for the time being*

Mmm, but yeah, he wouldn't do it to be mean. He's not like that.

[purplexing]

[Donnie lifts his hands.]

I mean, I didn't think he would. But regardless, it is pretty exhausting going back and forth between yourself and something else.

[saisdoesmatter]

Mmmn... considering how often others have changed back and forth, you included, that isn't surprising that it'd wear you the hell out.

I figure this is why we're super hungry after?

[purplexing]

Part of it, certainly. I think there's definitely some influence on one's metabolism, especially depending on what sort of creature you become.

Honestly, I have been kind of starving ever since after that stupid warp hit the city and it's a wonder I haven't torn into anyone. Guess snacking's helped take off the edge, but it's not the same.

[His tail starts flicking again, pausing only because he remembers he's still holding the radio, which he carefully sets down.]

[saisdoesmatter]

*that was news to him, but he had been busy with other things than to follow his brothers around the city whilst they explored it*

Do you need to hunt?

[purplexing]

I... Actually that was my intention when I was out here before I heard your transmission.

[Donnie glances around again, perhaps hoping to sight something in the near distance.]

[saisdoesmatter]

*he chuckles softly, trying to sit up more on his own so Donnie doesn't have to be a pillow, especially if he needs to leave to go feed*

I haven't...seen much but I think anything that gets too close to the city gets blasted.

M'sure there's something that might be tasty and crunchy with ketchup out here for ya.

[purplexing]

[He makes a face at that.]

Yeah, area's pretty clear around the city. I might just have to wait until we head out again.

[Going back in the direction they'd come from isn't an option he's eager to entertain.]

[saisdoesmatter]

Given the way that it's protected from the city trying to blast Rock off his bike when we got here? You might have to. I'd scout further but...was mainly just out here to see if there was anything else we should look into before we bail.

*though he yawns really hard, showing off the sharper teeth he has*

Ugh... at least...I think this crap is done?

[purplexing]

Not exactly the sort of warm welcome we would have hoped for.

[Donnie tilts his head at him.]

Your bike should make it back to the city fine once the autopilot kicks in. I can take you back first. At least then you can actually sleep somewhere.

[saisdoesmatter]

Definitely not, given the whole...tryin' to get us here bullshit... but m'not surprised, either.

*he slow blinks at that before oh-ing*

...man, I always forget that they can do that. Handy trick.

I'm so going to crash... *though he shivers as the wings flick, their revitalization nearing completion* ...still a little bummed it's not like, cooler wings. Just had to be bug with my luck.

[purplexing]

Well, just think of them as some other type of wings. I mean...don't those pixie things from movies have wings like that too?

[Although as soon as he says it he has to try very hard not to laugh. Raph may not be thrilled to be a pixie-turtle either.]

[saisdoesmatter]

*he normally wouldn't be thrilled about that either, but given the fact that he's exhausted now, that's going to make him laugh*

Pink is not my color, Dee! If that happened, I'd be so sad at not being able to use my sai with them being iron.

[purplexing]

Is that a thing? Huh. -but who says you have to stick to pink? I'm sure you'd be stunning in red camellia petals.

[Well if Raph's going to laugh then there's nothing keeping Donnie from snickering.]

Anyway, if you're up for it, let's get you back to the city.

[saisdoesmatter]

*that just makes him laugh* I am not a delicate flower; I can't see it.

*but he smiles and nods*

Yeah, I think I can manage. *he says, shifting his weight and trying to get his legs under him. He's a bit unsteady still, given how wracked his form is from the transformation, but he pushes through it to at least try*

[purplexing]

[Donnie lets out a cackle at that image. Clearly he can see it.

But as Raph tries to get up, he also moves to do likewise, if only to keep level with the other turtle to better steady him.]

I'm not sure that in-...pixie wings are for gliding, otherwise I'd just say to keep them open. But I shouldn't have any problems carrying you back either way.

[saisdoesmatter]

*Raph would give you a playful shove if he wasn't using you as a crutch, Donatello, but he takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. There's nothing he can do about the change, so he'll have to get used to it. At least he doesn't have to LOOK at them*

Okay, lemme just... test it.

*this is the hard part for him - accepting it for what it is... but the wings respond, fluttering a few times as they are multilayered and he's testing it like a muscle. It aches some still, yet he manages to keep them open and unfurled*

*he doesn't look at them though* ...am I doing it?

[purplexing]

Hmm...

[Donnie glances behind Raph, nodding.]

Yeah, more or less. Can you move them? You were doing it a moment ago. I think these sorts of wings operate more like... a helicopter. Constant motion to stay afloat.

-but we can work on that once you get some rest. I'll handle the piloting for now.

[He makes sure Raph is balanced before he hops up, wings flapping. With it he pulls in the winds, causing them to swirl around them to help keep him aloft so he can come about and over the other turtle to hook his arms beneath Raph's.]

[saisdoesmatter]

I think so? It feels...weird, but that's to be expected.

*he gives it a shot, thinking about how the back muscle would work, given how the shell isn't there in the ways it used to be. Sure enough, the wings flutter a few times, but he gives a whuff-sounding exhale and stops*

Did that...work? *another yawn escapes him as he just feels so weary now* Oh, yeah, definitely...I don't think I could keep doing it right now if I wanted to.

*he gives Donnie a nod that he can stay upright, letting the other turtle do what needs to be done to help get them home. The wind feels nice even with how they pull to keep Donnie upward, but he keeps his new wings open and outstretched like Donnie asked him to as he gets snagged - ready to tuck his legs up if he needed to be smaller for the flight home*

[purplexing]

It's weird, right? I think it's one of those things you just end up doing better when you're not focusing too hard. But I think it's a good start.

[He laughs.]

Trying now would probably end up with you headfirst in the ground or the city wall.

[His wings fully unfurled, Donnie beats them more purposefully to carry them both upwards, letting the winds do the rest once they're high enough. Raph doesn't need to be doing any compacting as there's not a whole lot to be running into around here, especially not this high.

It doesn't seem like they're traveling terribly fast, but flying certainly covers distances so much easier than on the ground. Donnie can't help but smile when he's way up high like this, one of the few enjoyments he can find in this world.]

[saisdoesmatter]

That's a fair point. I'm sure it'll get easier to roll with after I get used to it a little bit more. Really get used to the stretch like with training.

*another laugh*

I don't need a concussion on top of everything else, no. Best not to try right now.

*once Donnie has him and they're going up, he notes that he doesn't have to ball up or anything, just kind of letting the winds take them. Luckily there is not anything that they really have to worry about on the way back to the city. With how high up they are, Raph looks about, since it's a different way to scout. But he glances up and sees Donnie's smile, finding it easy to do the same even up here*

[purplexing]

[On occasion he gives another beat of his wings to keep them at level, but when you're high enough, there's little need for him to control the winds.

It's just a shame that the area below is so barren, not much save for rocks and shrubbery to mark the land around the city, and Nirvana itself isn't difficult to sight.

Donnie starts to descend gradually once they're closer, circling the city so he can come around for a landing where the rest of the Convoy is, carefully setting Raph on his feet before lands behind him to make sure he won't fall over.]

[saisdoesmatter]

*he almost wishes that there was more to look at, but given the fact that the city is nearby and most of the nearby surroundings were just rocks and not much else. But there's something freeing about being able to be up in the sky - it reminds him of how when he first got here. Sure, it was a bit scary there when Donnie was almost killed, but they were goofing off and he got to fly with his brother back to camp after*

*a nice little memory even after the changes*

*so he enjoys the flight for now, especially since he doesn't have to worry about his bike getting back to the convoy. Eventually they return to the convoy and Donnie starts his descent, giving Raph time to get his feet under him and back on the ground before he's let go. He wobbles a bit, but with his brother looking after him, he doesn't flop over*

Mnh, thanks, Dee.