Maybe I've Been Partly Cloudy

[thepurpleone]

WHO: Donnie and you?
WHERE: Agrii Ship
WHAT: Just trying to keep up with things and question gift choices
WHEN: During the New Tick stuff
WARNINGS: N/A



I. No Rainchecks Allowed
The party seems poorly timed for all that he and Leo had been talking about throwing one once they were out of the depths. Donnie's hardly in the mood for a celebration, much less being surrounded by moist, fuzzy pink, clingy aliens. It says a lot when all he wants to do is lie in bed and sleep.

If this was the universe's way of telling him to get more rest, Donnie felt that it could have taken less extreme measures.

But even with the lingering brain fog, the details of the color gangs that have become more prominent around the Agrii ship are not lost on him. That's not something he looks forward to having to deal with. He tries to avoid Agrii contact in general (there's only one whose company he'd welcome, really), trying not to come off as too irritable but he's still recovering from being trapped in a burning building. Too many overeager Agrii is still too much when he's still prone to shortness of breath, and he's always been picky about his personal space.

Maybe you catch a strange spark of fuchsia light, crackling noiselessly in the air, or maybe you notice a small throng of Agrii swarming the poor purple turtle who looks on the verge of a panic attack. Save him?


II. Party of Two (For Leo)
Leave it to ninja to find somewhere secluded and out of the way to hide. They hadn't lingered long once the gifts had been passed out, neither turtle feeling up to socializing very much. Considering the bulk of some of the gifts, slipping away had been an interesting challenge. In a way it reminded Donnie of when they were younger and trying to avoid being caught by their father after poking about sewer tunnels that were farther than they were allowed to explore. ...not that it seemed to matter much as Splinter never questioned where Donnie'd come up with some of the appliances or parts used to fix things around their home.

It's funny how much more comfortable a sewer can be to a large alien ship. Ensconced behind a few large crates in the hangar, the boys have made do, sitting on the floor with a few plates of food for their own little private party. They're teenagers, they're not turning down food- and that it doesn't taste like peanut butter is an absolute plus!

Donnie sighs, leaning against a crate, feeling better having something solid at his back with the absence of his battle shell, but he hasn't been able to repair the shoulder clasp on it yet, not to mention his own shoulder is still sore. A hoodie and jacket suffices for the time being.

He chews on a decidedly vegetarian pizza as he eyes their strangely shaped packages. "Well...it definitely can't be another phone," he finally puts forth. The orange-wrapped one definitely looks much too obvious for what it should be, and yet Donnie could see no reason why it should.


III. Work-a-Holic
Once the main festivities begin to settle some, Donnie feels a little better about wandering. He knows better than to waste an opportunity, and the times they've been able to come aboard the Agrii ship are too far and few. He has diagnostics to run, data to check, new things to contemplate. Maybe he can get another tablet from the Agrii while he's at it.

Of course, things would be easier if he were operating at 100%. Staring at screens starts to give him a headache after a while, forcing him to note where he's left off so he can rub at his eyes and stare at a wall until the pain recedes. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Comments

Party time!

[faceguy]

Even a few weeks ago, the New Tick celebration would have been exciting for Leo. A huge party, with food and gifts, where they’re all treated like revered heroes? And it’s in space? Leo should be having the time of his life!

Now, the idea of it just makes Leo’s skin crawl. He’d needed no convincing from Donnie to ditch as soon as they weren’t being forced to stay, packages and plates of food balanced in his arms.

He feels even more strung out than he had when they made it to the mines, and he hadn’t thought that was possible. He’s on a tightrope, fighting to keep his balance against the wind, and he doesn’t know what is going to come along and throw him off.

He’s trying not to show it, of course. Donnie got hurt, again, and Leo is determined to stay strong for him. Even if he feels like the fun Leo he always tries to be, the person who tries to make everyone laugh, to keep things from getting too serious, is a million miles away and can’t be found.

At least there’s food again. Being hungry all the time hasn’t helped the situation.

He’s munching on his own pizza, wishing it weren’t veggie but being happy enough that it is at least recognizably pizza (and doesn’t taste like peanut butter) when Donnie makes his observation. He’s a bit bummed that his own packages are also too big to be a phone, but it just adds to the pile of things he’s sad about and he barely feels it.

“Wanna rock-paper-scissors for who opens first?” he asks.

[thepurpleone]

It's weird, the things you realize, subtle as they might be. Leo's not a machine in need of a tune-up, but something's been off, and certainly hasn't improved. Donnie can't even say for sure what exactly is wrong since his brother masks it so well, not that people are particularly his strong point. Maybe it has to do with 'gut instinct', whatever that is. Or maybe it's just that it has to do with family.

How does he fix this? Lock himself away so he won't get caught in life-endangering situations so Leo won't worry about him seems to be the best thing Donnie can think of.

He blinks as he realizes he's finished off his slice of pizza, for a moment scrambling to rewind Leo's question in his head. The other packages do have him curious. Presents are presents, after all.

"Sure," he says, wiping off his fingers. At least their matches don't go as predictably as Mikey and Raph's, and while he doesn't particularly mind who goes first, trying to have a little fun with it is what counts.

[faceguy]

Donnie seems to lose track of the conversation (if you can even call it that) for a moment, and Leo can feel his anxiety inch up that much more. It’s probably just the lingering effects of smoke inhalation… he hopes.

Leo nods when the answer finally comes, then licks off his own fingers and shuffles closer, fist balled up over his palm and ready. He pulls on a grin, like he always wears when he’s preparing to beat his brothers at something, though today it doesn’t seem to fit quite right on his face.

“Alright. Rock paper scissors shoot!”

He’ll go with scissors.

[thepurpleone]

What is it about that grin? It's a Leo grin, on Leo's face. Maybe it's just his imagination, but Donnie knows somehow that it isn't simply that.

He tries to push the nagging thoughts aside, lifting his own hands to mirror Leo's, smirking back. It's been ages since they did anything so simple as this. He bounces his fist in hand several times until it's called, splaying his fingers open; paper.

"-knew I should've played a Raph," he mutters, but the smile he pulls on his face after that is much more natural as he sweeps his hand out towards the small pile before them. "Well, you're up then, 'nardo."

[faceguy]

Despite the circumstances and his current mood, Leo can't help but grin a little bigger, some of his normal cockiness peeking through. A little thrill at getting the win, even if it's for something so pointless in the long run.

"Sometimes it pays not to think so much," he says, giggling to himself as he reaches over and pokes Donnie's forehead with one of the prongs of his "scissors". Then he scrambles back before he can face retaliation, reaching for one of the pink and purple gifts first. He grabs the smaller package, because he's at the age where smaller usually means better.

He gives it a little shake as he lifts it, like he can hear what's inside. The package doesn't make much noise at being shaken, though; all he hears is some shifting around.

"Ooooh, what have we here?" he asks, trying to sound like it's a normal Christmas morning. He rips open the paper with little care, then opens up the box, and...

Stops for a moment, eyes going wide.

Then he reaches in and wordlessly pulls out a Jupiter Jim comic, holding it carefully in his fingers. He didn't expect this.

No rainchecks

[unclenotapervert]

Madoka is also not especially willing to experience crowds. He usually has Keiichirou around for these sorts of things. But that doesn't stop him from identifying a panic attack when he sees one. That poor turtle definitely has it worse than he does right now, with or without his own reasons.

Save the turtle(s)!

Madoka is quick to reach in and try and grab a hand on the poor guy's shell, pulling him along to get somewhere more private; outside, if possible. Listen. They can both use the space.

"Hang on, I've got you."

[thepurpleone]

It might be a little surprising to find that his shell isn't the hard sort, but soft- leathery.

Donnie gasps, clearly startled by being suddenly grabbed, but it's not the hand of an Agrii, and thankfully those that had been around him don't seem inclined to follow, looking somewhat confused and unsure as to how to respond.

The turtle teen still seems like he might fight Madoka away if not for the words of reassurance that break through his rising panic. A rescue, then. He sighs raggedly, sagging a little as he stops fighting and allows himself to be led along.

"Y-you can let go now. Please."

[unclenotapervert]

It certainly is surprising. But also one of the last things on his mind as he tries to get Donnie out of the fray of attention.

And, as soon as he's prompted to let go, he does. He gives Donnie a smile.

"There we go. You looked like you were having a rough time, there. Not a fan of crowds?"

It's meant to be empathetic, but it might come acrost more as humoured. He doesn't seem to be worried about having grabbed Donnie's shell in the first place, after all.

[thepurpleone]

"Not particularly. Especially not when they can be so...grabby." That's the worst part really, the Agrii not having much of a concept of personal space. Donnie tries to pull in a few breaths, as full as he can manage- maybe too much too soon as he breaks off coughing a bit.

"-thanks, by the way," he says once he clears his throat. He tugs at the hoodie he has tied around his waist, moving to pull it over. The ship's not too cold because the Agrii prefer controlled temperatures, but he feels better having something over his bare shell.

III

[tempredmental]

Keith had been keeping a very low profile since they'd gotten on the ship, really only coming forth for food and any of the Agrii-required things that were happening. But, he was also going to check on the others who'd been involved with him during the fire incident, and that meant checking on the turtles at some point.

Still limping and wearing a brace on his left knee, Keith finally managed to track down Donnie. He had his hands in his pockets when he finally found him, so there were no other real visible signs that Keith had been trapped in that building.

However, seeing Donnie staring at the wall like that was mildly concerning.

"Hey," he said, announcing his presence. "Not overdoing, I hope?" Haha... pot meet kettle. Though, keeping himself under the radar had actually been helping him with not pushing himself too hard on his injured leg.

[thepurpleone]

Donnie still jolted in his seat at the sudden voice, snapping back to attention from wherever his thoughts had been drifting. He shook his head, glancing over before his expression softens as he sees who it is.

"Not really," he said, even as his eyes dropped away, a most obvious tell if ever there was any. He only picked up his gaze again as he looked back at Keith. "You?"

[tempredmental]

Keith shrugged.

"I've been trying to take it easy," he said. "I get restless." He shifted one of the crutches out from under his arm, spinning it with his hand as he looked at it. "Only a few more days of these, though... I hope." He was wearing a knee brace on the leg that had been pinned, and there was some minimal bandaging on his hands, but he looked okay other than that. Just tired.

But, like normal, he was also fully dressed, so any burns under his clothes wouldn't be visible at the moment.

"I just... I wanted to check in with everyone, you know?" he said quietly, slipping the crutch back under his arm.

[thepurpleone]

"Heh, I get that." He didn't even like taking it easy on days when he wasn't recovering from smoke inhalation.

"How bad is it?" Donnie only vaguely remembered Keith's leg being injured, but he'd been too out of it to really grasp how serious it was. He nodded, blinking before he moved to nudge the next chair over out for Keith to sit if he wanted. His own bandages peeked out from under his sleeves.

"Thanks, I guess. Oh, and for back there too," he added. Things would have been a lot different without Keith's help.

Work-a-Holics Unite

[plate_builder]

Many people were probably enjoying themselves. Hell, Reeve probably should have been as well. But no, here he was, also wandering the ship. There was a tension here that was leaving him tense and uncomfortable. And when that happened, he tried to walk to get it out of his system, Mini darting after him with concern on his surprisingly expressive face.

So of course, in due time, he comes across the straining young turtle.

"So the holiday spirit doesn't call to you either."

[thepurpleone]

Donnie's in the middle of mashing his palms into his eyes when Reeve comes in. He drags his hands down his face before letting them drop into his lap as he tilts his head to glance over at Reeve.

"That obvious huh?"

[plate_builder]

"Given you're here and not with your brother or the others, yes, quite."

The older man approaches and tilts his head in silent question of whether he might look at what Donnie is working on.

[thepurpleone]

"We weren't feeling much in a party mood so we had our own," Donnie admits. "But I figure since we never know when the next time will be that we'll get to be here, I better make use of the time to see if there's been any big system changes or information that's been sent out or received." Pause. "Especially since our trip through those mazes."

He leans back in his seat, gesturing loosely for Reeve to go right ahead.

No Rainchecks Allowed

[agrii]

Saving indeed comes, but in the form of an Agrii's voice moving through the air. An edge of quiet command comes with the guttural language and Agrii do indeed move apart, revealing the speaker.

Te Mi is a bit taller now, a bit older looking, but not my too much. Still, the wide eyed wonder seems to have faded, perhaps gone along with donning of a sash of blue in the same shade as his eyes. The youth steps forward, holding a hand out to his friend.

"They are excited. And scared. You look hurt still from the great fire. You should sit. Come with me. I know a quiet place."

[thepurpleone]

It takes Donnie a moment, mostly to gulp a few breaths. He's relieved to see a familiar face, maybe even a little surprised to see how Te Mi's sprouted up some, and while there are questions, Donnie holds them back, reaching out for the Agrii's hand.

He sighs in relief at the offer, giving Te Mi a nod. No words yet, he's still trying to pull himself together.

[agrii]

No words are needed yet. Clearly Donnie is upset and stressed. And Te Mi watches Donnie closely. This is his friend after all. So he thinks he knows what to do. He guides Donnie down a hall until he reaches a door, and opens it. Opens it into an Agrii's private chambers. Given the pictures on the wall, the fake toy light saber, and a purple bandana hanging up that looks like Donnie's, it's probably Te Mi's.

The Agrii releases Donnie's hand and goes to get a chair to pull over for him to use. Then, noticing the problem the back might present, he frowns, puts it back, and starts pulling cushions off of a couch to lay down on the floor for Donnie to sit there if he prefers.

[thepurpleone]

It looks like he's able to finally relax once they're in a separate room, closed off from anyone else trying to intrude into his personal bubble. Donnie still stands near the door once inside, arms pulled tight against himself as he looks around once Te Mi releases his hand to set things up.

He tries to remember his breathing in the meantime, his heart still thudding hard behind his plastron, but the quiet and the space helps. With the cushions placed on the floor, Donnie sinks down to sit on them, letting out another sigh. He pulls his knees in, draping his arms over them as he drops his face into them.

"...thanks, Te Mi," he says after a while, muffled by the material of his sleeves.

IV. For the Ship AI

[thepurpleone]

Computer AIs with a sense of morality. ...well, Donnie supposes he can't be mad at that. Maybe the Agrii could have learned some from the computer in regards to respecting privacy. Of course, it's still annoying when crap like this happens, but at least Donnie knows the available footage is there, just not 'viewed' somehow.

He's already ensconced himself at a terminal to set to work in pulling up video feeds from the timeframe he's seeking, running it through his modded tablet so he can save it for later perusal. He has a feeling it's going to take time and between the headache he's been living with and the potentially limited time they might have on the ship, he wants to squeeze every second he can out of it in productivity.

"Okay then, maybe you can help explain this then. And since you value our privacy so much, might even understand my concerns in this," he says, addressing the AI- what did it say its name was again?

"The data points. It never occurred to me to try and figure out how they're programmed, but given that touching them triggers an automatic information upload, it makes them difficult to study up close. What information do you have on them?"

[trpmods]

If only all of the Agrii were truly interested in learning from the Ship's AI. Though Tony might have some things to say about flaws in the system he was responsible for awakening to this level of awareness. DumbAI no longer.

As for name, well, at the moment it was going by Marigold. Who taught it that word? Who knows.

"The datapoints are a creation by the Atroma, for quick education. It was an modified attempt to counteract troubles experienced with implant systems with the Fleet. Information is uploaded via..."

And then of course it goes onto a long rambling explanation that would require a lot more medical and neurology knowledge for one to truly understand. But it definitely involves stimulation of neurons to create artificial memories.

[thepurpleone]

One might be surprised at what all Donnie's studied on his own in regards to medical information. Maybe his dreams of being a doctor might have been a phase, but studying such things has been no less interesting. Not that his brothers ever let him practice medical procedures.

He has an even more impressive grasp of neurology than one might think, too, considering he'd built a machine to amplify his brothers' minds so they'd be as smart as him. ...which worked too well and he ended up having to reverse, because the world simply cannot have more than one Donnie. Or at least he can't.

"...wow, that's...actually very fascinating..." He murmurs as he jots down notes. "Clever, really. But also kind of concerning. Artificial memories...so it isn't simply an information transfer, it's making you think you knew something all this time- which would make sense given we don't actually know the full scope of what we gain from touching a data point until a specific situation might occur where such knowledge might be needed."

He frowns. "Backtrack a bit. What about implant systems? What did those do and what sort of trouble did they cause?"

[trpmods]

"I appreciate how knowledgeable you are in this field," the ship said. "It makes the explaining more fulfilling. Thank you. As for the fact that they are artificial memories, this makes sense. All knowledge is effectively storage of memory. The memory of learning, of memorization, of facts. To encode in this manner is most efficient and, as you said, reduces the overwhelming nature. As for implant systems, I am less aware of those."

Still, it has some ideas.

"They were used by the Fleet to provide similar information for the participants, I believe. Hero Keith and Hero Winter Soldier should still possess theirs. However they do not properly interface with the datapoint system. The fact that previous Heroes did not suffer desync with knowledge or migraines is promising, as this was a risk of the systems."