pyrighteous | [PSL] Hunter in New York

[That gets both the brothers' attention, Leonardo and Mikey both whipping their heads to look at each other.

After some kind of silent conversation between them, Leo steps closer and just. hovers a hand over Hunter's shoulder without touching. Still a little nervous about that staff but not quite as much now that he's gotten a better picture of what's going on.]

Okay. So. Mystic portals is definitely not my thing, and it's only barely Mikey's thing. But we know a guy who may can help you out. He's like. Our Mystic Information Speeddial.

No idea where he's at now, so he may take a while. Think you could wait out?

[ Hunter immediately lights up at that. ]

R-really? I mean - I know a lot about portals, I had to help my uncle rebuild the one we used, so I could definitely at least work with someone if they know what they're doing -

[ That's a yes. ]

Whoa whoa whoa, you built a portal?

Oh Donnie's gonna love this. Uh. Yeah, this guy doesn't really like. Build portals so much as he just. Can make them. So I think once he gets here you'll be fine.

(And-) [Mikey comes back to the tables, setting down plates of pasta and sauce, bread, and drinks.] (In the meantime, eat up. Everyone else'll be here in a second.)

I - I mean. I was just assisting him. But I also did most of the grunt work so.

[ That counts, right?? It has to count. Especially if this guy seems confident his friend can help ...

Hunter finally relaxes just a little. Right before the food comes out and makes him jolt, anyway. ]

Wait, what? You're feeding me? This is food??

[ He recognizes the bread, but those wordles are not nearly wriggly enough. ]

Edited 2022-10-09 11:50 (UTC)

(It sure is, best pasta you'll taste in New York City, baby!)

[Mikey is so proud, and honestly Leonardo's just glad what happened didn't hamper his little brother's hands too badly. But that sweet smell is enough to lure everyone else out. Raphael and Splinter coming in with Donnie a good two minutes behind. Either that, or Mikey texted them food was ready.]

Okay, we've got the rest of the fam here, big guy is Raphael. The annoyed looking one is Donnatello, and [he kneels down gesturing to Splinter] this little guy is our Pops.

And we are all hungry so please just grab a plate and find somewhere to sit and eat.

[ Oh. Oh Titan. Hunter was warned, of course, but going from two turtle (demons?) to four, plus a rat demon is kind of overwhelming?? Especially Raph, who is like twice Hunter's size at least.

His eyes just sort of flick wildly from the food, to Mikey, back to Leo, and then finally rest on Splinter. He winds up drawing back from the table just long enough to get down on one knee in front of Splinter. ]

Thank you. For providing me with food and shelter, sir.

[Splinter watches the boy taller than him (not that it's difficult). His eyes flick to Leonardo who nods, before back to Hunter and he nods himself.]

(Of course. You are welcome to stay.)

As long as he needs... [Leo supplies. Splinter doesn't look exactly pleased by it, but he suspects an explanation will come later.]

(Yes. As long as you need.)

[ Hunter hesitates, not ENTIRELY understanding this back and forth? Why is the clear adult looking towards the clear child for approval here,

But. Okay. He can work with this. He gets back up and finally sits down at the table for real this time. ]

It won't be long. I just - need a night to figure out what I'm doing next.

[While Hunter looks unsure, Mikey is handing him a plate and glass of water, Splinter is sitting with the boys for now. Donnie's giving him a raised drawn-on-eyebrow before going to eat at the counter.]

Sure, sure. We'll help if we can.

... But you barely know me. You met me fifteen minutes ago, and it could have been a fight!

[ He's eying the food like he thinks it might still come to a fight. ]

So? You look lost, and you're looking for your friends.

[Raphael swallows his almost-full plate in a couple bites.] (Wouldn't be the first stray we took in off the street. We got you.)

I-I'm not a stray! I'm -

[ Whatever he was going to say, it's cut short by him finally taking a bite of his pasta. And. Uh.

It's amazing? He stares at the food with awe before immediately shoveling like half of it into his mouth. ]

[Mikey was watching for that moment and practically beams, radiating pride at that before digging into his own. Leonardo, for his part, just watches him a little relieved before taking a bite of his own.]

So- Hunter. How many friends are you looking for?

Mmph - umh -

[ He swallows and clears his throat. CLEARLY debates ignoring the question in favor of shoving more food in his mouth before deciding he probably shouldn't be RUDE. ]

F. Four. Three witches and a human. And their palismen.

[Where Hunter can't see, Donnie's entire posture tenses up. He CLEARLY wants to say something, but Mikey jumps in first, all enthusiasm.]

(Witches?! Like mystic magic?)

Of course mystic magic! What other kind of magic would it be?!

[ Speaking of which, the staff he was clutching shifts to a little red bird, who comes to peck at the pasta. Yum, snack. ]

[Leonardo finds his food very interesting for a second. But Raph and Mikey's eyes get big watching that little cardinal come into existence.]

(Mikey, did you see-)

(Yes, oh me gosh. It's so cute.)

My brothers and I deal with some weird stuff, don't worry about them. You were saying?

[ Noodle in beak, Flapjack flutters over to Raph and Mikey for more attention. Yes, please tell him how cute he is all of the time.

Anyway, Hunter treats this as totally normal and keeps eating. ]

Yes witches. We're all witches. Except Luz, who's a human. And she SHOULD live somewhere around here.

[Yeah the oldest and youngest brother are finishing their food so they can focus on ADORABLE MAGIC BIRD. Raph's hand is big enough to be a bird bath for Flapjack.

Leonardo meanwhile thinks. Luz sounds like a human enough name, could be from anywhere. Splinter is just staying quiet for the moment, enjoying that food. But the way his ears flick, it's clear he's listening too.]

And you're sure you aren't from the Hidden City. Man... Okay. We'll hit up some places we know tomorrow. Ask around.

[ Best. Bird-brother bonding is go!

Anyway, Hunter is still awkward and tense, but at least he's opening up. Flapjack making friends is making Hunter way less terrified, at least. ]

I still don't fully understand what the Hidden City IS.

(It's a city that's hidden.) [Raphael booms from his side of the dining room.]

Hidden, specifically, under New York City, filled with youkai. No humans. Usually.

Usually?

Sometimes humans find their way down there.

[Don't mind Splinter focusing very intently on his food for the moment.]

Sometimes April comes with us, but not usually.

Oh. So ... kind of like Luz, then.

[ He takes another bite of pasta. Titan, that's so good. ]

It's worth checking. Maybe there's a way back from there.

Yeah. Our guy who can make portals is down there, so we can probably just go to him instead of waiting for him to come back up here.

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