RPG: DIA DE LOS MUERTOS -->CONTINUATION WEEK from HELL &

[Vespera Blaze]

*Venus pouted a little* Now, I know you're confused. Its understandable. You've been under so much stress lately. I want what I've always wanted. You.


*Donatello could barely believe what he was hearing. All of this, just to get Leo to KISS AND MAKE UP? She was insane.*


*Michaelangelo traded glances with Raph. They couldn't really see what was happening from the back, but the conversation was clear.*


*Venus pulled out the handcuff keys, and tossed them to Leo.* Well, do you stay and send home two people who'll be fine with a bit of first aid, or do you TAKE home a pair who're trapped in their worst nightmares, and let them stay there until the day they die?

[kyabetsu]

Leo took the keys, and ignoring Venus, He resheathed his blade. He knelt down next to Vespera and undid the handcuffs. He passed the keys to donnie and rubbed Vespera's hands gently to encourage circulation back into her fingers. The light of hope in her eyes at odds with the bruising and bleeding that Venus had gouged into her beautiful face. The smart self-assured woman he'd fallen in love with was missing from those eyes. That's what hurt worst of all.

L(internal) I WILL NOT let this continue.

L: you have my word. I will stay. Help them. Let them go.

[Vespera Blaze]

*Donatello uncuffed Kya from the radiator, careful of the one hand. It looked like something had been dislocated at the very least, possibly broken. He'd check it as soon as he got her home. Gently, he stroked her hair back from her face. He heard Leo trade himself for the two of them.* Leo....

*He didn't know what to say*



*Venus grinned hugely* Deal. *She laid a hand on Vespera's hair, and spoke a word in chinese.*


*Vespera swam back to herself, clawing her way out of the strange dream that had held her. She looked up into Leo's eyes. Why was she on the floor? She didn't remember falling, and her head hurt. Alot.* Leo? What...?


*Venus turned away and did the same for Kya*

[kyabetsu]

Leo smiled as her eyes filled with HERSELF again.
L; (quietly for her ears alone-- as he brushed some of her hair back from her face. the few strands that weren't spiked with blood actually stayed back.) I love you Vespera. never forget that. (He scooped her from the floor and spoke in normal tone) Raph. Take her home. Keep her safe.

Raph accepted the armfull of Vespera with a nod of his head. He turned and left the room.

Leo felt his insides unwind. She was safe now. He was ready for anything Venus could through at him. He knew where his heart lay.



kya came back to herself in a drift. the prayers on her lips getting louder and less slurred as she recalled the bathroom and the radiator and THAT BITCH....

Her head snapped up and her eyes narrowed as she took in Venus. Keeping her eyes on the PUTA, she groped infront of her for SOMETHING, ANYTHING to hit her with. Venus wasn't looking and her hand closed around the handcuffs that had held her to the radiator. She slipped them back over the fingers on her right hand. She'd missed that bitch's EYE the last time, but not again.

kya: (quietly) Beto, prometo que nunca sucede otra vez....



(((trans: Beto, I promise it will never happen again.)))

[Vespera Blaze]

*Vespera was confused. Leo had told his brother to take her home? Where was she that she had to.... It came flooding back in a rush. That weird female turtle, the pain, being cuffed under the sink, the DREAMS.... she started to struggle weakly.* No! He can't stay.... she'll hurt him too.., damnit, put me DOWN!



*Donatello wasn't getting a response from Kya. He reached down to pick her up. He'd take her to the van. He didn't know what else to do.*



*Venus ignored everyone else in the room. She stepped up to Leo, and caressed the side of his face.* You agreed to stay. You don't know how HAPPY that makes me love. Or how many of your defenses it lowers. *She held eye contact with him.* Dream... *Unlike the spell used on the girls, this one was slightly different. She wasn't looking for his worst nightmare to drag him into. Instead, she wrapped him in layers of dream where there was only room for HER in his thoughts.* My love, you are mine. *she kissed him.*

[kyabetsu]

Raph made for the elevator. He hated being exposed, but he didn't want to risk climbing with her. He'd need BOTH hands for that and she was struggling. He didn't want to explain to Leo that he'd DROPPED her.
on the whole he ignored her protests, but in the elevator headed down, he spared her one word.

Raph: hush.


Leo felt her spell wash around him and he struggled to retain everything he thought of as himself. But her words flooded over him and washed out his foundations. He was standing on sand. Then he was gone.



kya tensed and sprang. This time no one cryed out. This time that BITCH wasn't expecting ANYTHING. This time her target wasn't facing her. Kya cracked Venus with a wild swing that caught her at the corner of her jaw.

[Vespera Blaze]

*Leonardo was moving as Kya wound up for a second shot. He caught her wrist, fingers going to the nerve endings, causing her hand to spasm and drop the cuffs.* Don, take you're girlfriend home. *His voice was cold, and distant*


*donatello hadn't been expecting Kya to move that fast. He didn't think she COULD be the violent. She'd completely slipped past his grasp. He had a good idea where Venus got that FIRST bandage though. He took her from Leo, much more gently.* Leo, are you...

L: Out. Both of you. *He looked between him and Mike before turning back to Venus.* Are you alright love?

*Mike was at a complete loss for words. He had Kya's bag. Leo was staying? He'd sent Vespera away? What did he do now? Out of other options, he followed what Leo said, and headed towards the door.*


*Don held Kya firmly. She wasn't going easily, but Leo had made a trade, and it was up to the rest of them to make sure that it was met. He couldn't meet Leo's eyes as he left.*



*Vespera didn't cry. She REFUSED to cry. She was too GODDAMNED ANGRY to cry. It was obvious Raphael wasn't letting go, and she had about as much chance of MAKING him as a snowball in hell. The rest of the ride down the elevator was in stony silence*

[kyabetsu]

Raphael could feel himself shaking.
R(internal) FVCKIN" HELL, LEO!! Of all the MUTHERFVCKIN' GODDAMN ****-FACED STUPID-ASS THINGS TO DO!! TO FVCKIN GIVE YERSELF TO THAT PSYCHO BITCH... LEO...

It didn't help Raph's rage to know that Leo hadn't really had a choice. It didn't help that Vespera's protests had mirrorred Raph's own gut feelings. It didn't help that Raph thought he was doing the best he could right now.

Raph packed all his rage and frustration down into a tight wad as he set Vespera into the van. He'd come back. He'd take Vespera home, just like he said he would. But he'd come back and (the ball of rage throbbed in his temples) Venus would learn to cast spells through the hole in her throat.




Kya clung to her fury as someone pulled her away from her target. She struggled as best she could. She had to get free and go back. That THING was still standing. It would hurt her family WORSE if she let it go. All her writhing came to naught and she cried out in frustration as she found herself outside the building and inside the van.

Deep in her mind, Kya knew that the anger wouldn't last forever, and when it gave way, the memories of that DREAM were lying in wait to catch her and pull her under.




Leo felt like he'd slept too long. He opened sore eyes and didn't recognize his surroundings. Fog. All around. He pushed himself upright, and the sandy ground gritted under his legs and hands.

The glow of a cigarrette butt floated in the fog in front of him. A short shower of ash fell from its tip.

Dragon: good mornin' Sleepin' Beauty.

[Vespera Blaze]

*Don and Mike got in the van, Don with Kya into the back, and Mike into the drivers seat. Raphael was a palaple ball of rage, and Vespera suprisingly enough wasn't far behind. Mike had the wheels turning before the back door was shut.*

*Damnit Leo, now what do we do? You're the ones with the plans. What happens when we're looking for you, bro? Mike just drove. Splinter could figure out what happens next.*

*Don was trying to get Kya to aknowledge his presence. She'd gone from the dream into that attack with seemingly no transition. She was STILL trying to fight her way out of the van. He was sure she didn't even know they were moving.* C'mon Kya, you're gonna hurt yourself.... its ok, its done now.


*Vespera sat and stared out the window for a several minutes. Finally she spoke, not turning away from the window* So who the hell IS she, anyways? She said she was your sister, right before she hit me with something the size of a buick.



*Venus was swearing in a low monotone. AGAIN that witch had managed to hit her. Leonardo hovered, eyes glassy, but the rest of his expression concerned.* Are you alright love? She didn't hurt you too badly did she?




*Splinter watched Kameko pace. It had been hours since they left. There had been no word. Splinter had looked for them, but there was no traces of Venus' magic that he could detect besides a fading signature around the liar itself. His sons would have to find them through detective work, he could not help from here.* Kameko, would you please put the water on for tea? I think a cup would help calm all of our nerves.

*Before Kameko could answer Splinter raised his head sharply and gestured to Kali and Kameko.* Something is happening!

*The far wall of the lair rippled like a reflection in a pond, there was an impression of trees on the other side, and someone stepped through into the living room. They couldn't see her face, although she was obviously female. She was clad head to toe in fantastic armor, enamelled and engraved in blues and golds. In one hand she carried a long incredibly thin sword with a fancy hilt, and her face was obscured by her helm.* Where IS SHE?

[kyabetsu]

Leo squinted up into the haze and fanned his hand back and forth a bit to swirl the smoke and the mist away from him. It clung like cobwebs and eddied around him.

Drag: (the glow of the cigarette higher in the air than it hand been.) you'll never clear the air THAT way.

Leo peered upwards toward the faint light and the voice.
L(internal) ... my dragon is... growing?

Dr: *snorts and the cigarrette glows brighter for a second* NO. your dragon is smart enough to go to HIGHER GROUND.

Leo pushed himself to his feet. The fog choked his breath and make his chest feel tight, but he concentrated on moving his feet and approached the dragon's voice. Hearing its talons scrape stone, he still was only mildly prepared to find the beast clinging to the side of his ONE remaining tower. The haze was thinner here close to the tower, though the top of it was lost to the low cloud that blanketed all of Leo's mind.



The van rounded a corner and Kya slumped into her seat: a puppet whose strings had been cut. The building had vanished, and her fight vanished with it. Drained, she stood rooted in the middle of the hollow its absense made in her mind. The edges of her surrounding thoughts were dark, and bad things were hiding in them.



Raph was wrapped in his thoughts.
R(internal) I'll go back-- this time she had FVCKIN" hostages. NEXT TIME is different. SHE"S STILL GOT A HOSTAGE! HOW IS THAT DIFFERENT?! because she won't DARE kill Leo. ..... and if it came down that way, i know Leo'd rather be dead than be her meat-puppet. either way. She DIES.






Kameko went into a defensive crouch the instant the wall began to ripple. Her chucks were firnly in her grasp now, but would be firmly in the attackers face if it tried ANYTHING.

She blinked in surprise when a woman-shaped Fabrege Egg stepped through the glassy patch in the lair, but she did NOT relax.

[Vespera Blaze]

*Mike looked up. Raph was still wrapped up in his own thoughts, and Don was completely absorbed in Kya. Neither one of them was going to answer Vespera.* She's Venus. *There was no recognition in Vespera;s eyes.* Leo didn't tell you about her? They, had a thing. When it ended, Venus didn't want to let go. Not to long ago, she hurt kali pretty badly, blaming her for the break up....

*Vespera blinked.* Lemme get this straight. Leo has an obsessive ex girlfriend with a PROVEN track record of hurting people he likes. And none of you assholes thought to WARN ME ABOUT THIS? *She was breathing hard through her nose.*


*Donatello had his head resting on Kya's hair, and his arms loosely around her when she went limp. He was whispering constantly in her ear. Apologizing for letting it happen, promising it wouldn't ever happen again, not really paying all that much attention to what was going on.*




*Splinter held the womans gaze, completely ignoring the sword in her hand.* Where is who?

Shiv: My DAUGHTER. Vespera. Someone has her hidden with magic. I want to know WHO and WHERE. *her voice left little doubt about what would happen when she caught up with them*



*Venus sat up, and patted Leo's cheek possesively.* I'll be fine lover. Just let me fix the windows before it gets to cold in here, and we can catch up. It'll be just like old times.

Leo: Yes Venus.

[Kali]

*Kali had pulled the throw blanket around herself. Her worry had formed a heavy ball in her stomach. And after thinking about the situation for awhile, guilt had joined it. She had no doubt this was partially her fault, however overboard Venus took it. And now she possibly wouldn't see any of her friends again because of a stupid past mistake.*

*She watched silently as the woman appeared in the lair. And she only raised her eyebrows slightly when she claimed to be Vespera's mother. But still, she kept quiet, since Splinter obviously had the situation in relative control.*

[kyabetsu]

Raph slid a pointed glare over towards Vespera's side of the van.
R(flatly.) no. we didn't.

If kya registered anything around herself, she didn't show it.


Vespera's mother was clearly on a short fuse. Kameko was quick to pipe up, hoping to extinguish the flashing rage that threatened to set her off at any moment.
Kameko: My brothers are out looking for her right now.
Only after she spoke did it occur to her that the woman had been addressing Splinter, not her.




Leo took a few deep breaths standing right next to his tower. The air was relatively clear here and it eased the tightness in his chest. The fog walled the tower away from the flat, endless expanse that cradled his inner self. If he squinted he could see the vague shadows of two other toppled towers in the mist.

Drag: (from above) you just gonna stand there?

Leo: huh? oh. right. higher ground.

He turned and reached high, his fingers seeking seams to grip. He clung for a moment but the tower was slippery with a clammy layer that could only have come from the clouds that obscured all but the dragon's cigarrette.

L: How bout lending a hand or something? You're the one with the built in climbing gear.

Drag: Yes. I've got claws, but I'm afraid it doesn't work that way. It's simple physics really. You can't pick yourself up.

[Vespera Blaze]

*Vespera lapsed into silence. She wasn't really angry at them. She couldn't be. One thing kept playing over and over in her head. I love you Vespera. Never forget that. His eyes had said he'd meant it, but it was the other words in his eyes that she didn't want to accept. Good bye. Thats what she was angry about, and whether it was at him for staying, HER for making him, or herself for putting him in a position where he had to in the first place, she couldn't tell. She would NOT leave him there. She was going back and bringing him home even if she had to walk all the way back. She knew she was outgunned, but that didn't matter. If you don't like the rules, don't play the game... what can I do to even the odds? New game. She's got me outclassed at magic, at least until I get trained. Trained. MOTHER. Can I get mother to help me? If not a new game, lets change the players.*

*Donatello was awash with guilt. He'd PROMISED her she'd be safe. It didn't matter that it wasn't Beto who had gotten her. She'd still been hurt. He'd said he'd protect her, and he'd failed. Miserably. Less than a day after he'd made the promise in the first place.* God, Kya... I am so sorry. *He whispered.*

*Michaelangelo drove in silence. No one wanted to talk anymore. His own thoughts were chasing themselves around inside hid head, trying to decide what to do. They WERE going back for Leo. Just, HOW were they supposed to do this? He flashed back to his brother ordering him from the apartment, eyes unfocused, brain in neutral. He clenched his teeth and drove faster.*




*Splinter nodded the affirmative.* As my daughter has said, they are looking for her now. We are waiting for word on how their search is going. Would you care to join us for tea? *He spoke as if she was not fully dressed for battle blades drawn.* My name is Splinter. I believe you met my son Leonardo the other day?

*Shivawn stared down at Splinter. Abruptly, she sheathed her sword.* You are offering me guest-right? *she sounded as if she didn't quite believe her ears.*

[kyabetsu]

Kameko relaxed only a hair when the Elf put up her blade.
Kameko: (internal) okay. ANY second now, he's gonna tell me to go make flippin' tea...
Until then, Kameko kept her weapons ready. They'd left HER to defend the lair. She wasn't going to stand down until Splinter said to.


Raph was opening the van before Mike had finished pulling it into the garage. Leo wanted Vespera home and safe. Raph'd gotten her home. There'd be a brief pause to make sure she'd be safe. Then Raph was heading back to the city. He reached over and undid her seatbelt.


Kya had shut her eyes. Through her parted teeth and over bloody lips, the breathy rhythm of silent prayer rolled steadily.



Leo gaped up as the glow of the cigarrette butt fell towards him. The glowing paper, burnt down to the filter, landed next to his foot. A match scraped in the haze above him and the dragon puffed another cigarrette to life.

Dr: what's the hold up? thought you were self-reliant.

Leo grit his teeth and latched onto the tower again.
L: i AM.

[Vespera Blaze]

*Vespera didn't wait to be lifted again. She slid out of the van with slight wince when she jarred something. She gripped the doorframe as her legs got used to holding weight again and looked at Raphael.* She hit my face, not broke my knees. I can walk.

*Donatello carefully lifted Kya, and carried her towards the lair. The sooner he got the rest of the injuries tended to, the sooner he could try and pull her out of this and go back for his brother.

*Mike was out of the van and into the lair. He had to talk to Splinter. The others had the girls to take care of, so that left him to fill Leo's spot and report. He hoped this would be the LAST time he ever had to do something like this. He rounded the corner into the living room* Sensei we... *He stopped dead as his brain recognized STRANGER.* He dropped into a fighting stance on shear instinct.

*Shivawn had been about to seat herself when a turtle came tearing around the corner. She reached for her sword, but stopped. Guesting-right. It wasn't her place to respond, but if these were the "brothers" the fierce child was speaking about, then... they knew where her daughter was.* Where is Vespera?!

*Splinter interrupted.* Calmly, please. Michaelangelo, this lady is a guest in our home. She's Vespera's mother. Were you successful in finding them?

[kyabetsu]

Raph watched impatiently as Vespera dragged herself from the van. When she paused against the doorframe, he gave up on patience and scopped her up anyways.

R: Glad to hear you ain't broke, but we don't got TIME for you to learn to FVCKIN WALK again.

He bore her away after Donnie and would have run too, except that Donnie blocked the hallway.




Kya was a horriblr horrible person. Her mother stared at her from the window of the dream, but worse were the memories of her mother that HADN'T been part of that nightmare. kya'd sinned so badly against her mother and against God, she couldn't recall ALL of her transgressions if she spent the rest of her life trying. Her thoughts reeled independent of her will, showing her all the reasons why Beto was right to punish her. She exhaled her prayers in a steady pulse, but not her usual supplication for protection. No, she didn't deserve protection. Tonight she prayed for forgivness.

Kyadesparate whisper) >>spanish<< O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. .....




Kameko rounded the corner with a tea tray balanced in her hands, and nearly spilled it on Mike.
Kameko: DIDJU FIND"ER?!



Leo breathed throucgh his teeth as he followed in the dragon's wake. While it had refused to lift him, the holes its claws left in the side of the tower made helpful, if widely spaced hand holds.

Drag: unseasonable weather, wouldn't you say?

Leo didn't repond. Now that he'd started climbing, he didn't dare stop. Momentum alone made it possible for him to reach the next set of holds.

[Vespera Blaze]

*Donatello went right by the living room. He didn't stop, look up or even notice the stranger in there with Splinter, Kali and Kameko. He booted the door open with one foot, and set her down carefully on one of the cots. She was still out of it. Talking out loud, but it was in spanish, and he didn't have the first clue what she was saying.* I need to take a look at your hand Kya, and I'm sorry... its going to hurt. Damnit, I hope you can hear me in there, I'm sorry, but I HAVE to....

*Carefully he started manipulating her wrist and thumb, attempting to determine the severity of the damage.

*Vespera glared at Raph.* I'm going to HAVE to take the time to walk before I go back for him! Its not like I can deal with that bitch sitting.... MOTHER???!!!

*They had passed the living room on their way to the infirmirary, and Vespera gaped at the woman in armour. She KNEW who it was, regardless of the helm hiding her face.*

*Mike was confused, he was being inundated with questions from all sides. He straightened out of the crouch at Spliners reassurance.* We got them.. they're here, but....

*Splinter heaved a sigh of relief. They were back, safe.* Very good my son, I...

*Vespera's amazed voice broke through, and he looked up sharply. What is Raphael doing carrying her? Where is Leonardo? A sick feeling took up residence in his gut.*

[kyabetsu]

Raph had tunnel-vision. He'd filtered out most of her words and distilled the meaning out.
R: You ain't goin' back. She'll take you hostage AGAIN. And I promised Leo to keep you safe.
He walked right past the livingroom, ignoring her excalmation of "mother." He assumed she was using it the same way he always did: as a prefix to "fvcker." He plunked her down on the cot next to Kya.



Kya's eyes bugged from her face as Donnie probed her hand. Her expression was still distant, but her voice rose a bit. Maybe god just hadn't heard her say she was sorry.



kameko set the tea tray down. Donnie had Kya. Raph had Vespera.
Kameko: where's Leo?




Leo pressed his weight onto his fingers as he moved his feet up another set of notches on the tower. The DARKNESS that surrounded him bothered him almost as much as the fog that undoubtably caused it.

[Vespera Blaze]

*Vespera hit the cot, and moved over to get off the other side of it as soon as he let go.* Yes I am, and no she won't.

*Shivawn had left the living room without a backwards glance, and followed them into the infirmirary.* Vespera? Are you alright?

V: Mother, what are YOU doing HERE?!

Shiv: Looking for you. When I couldn't find you, I came here. This is where you've been spending most of your time recently, and I thought they might know. What happened?

V: Um, Leo has an ex. She's a bitch. Kidnapped me, and Kya, wanted him in exchange. He did it, I'm here, he's there. Mother, I need your help, she's got some sort of magic, and I need you to counter her.

Shiv: No.

*Vespera didn't really have an answer to that. She had NOT expected her mom to flat out refuse her.*


*Donatello frowned at the hand. he put it down gently and quickly prepared a cortizone shot. It didn't look broken. The thumb was out of joint, and her tendons were a mess, but that could be fixed. First, kill the pain so he could pop it back into the joint. Then the anti-inflamitories and finally immobilize it. He slid the needle beneath her skin and gave her the injection.*



*Michaelangelo rubbed his head. Kameko had asked, but he directed his answer at Splinter, because the same question was in his eyes as well.* She didn't want Vespera or Kya. She wanted Leo. It was some sick game to her... we got there, and she offered a trade. Them for him. He's still there, wrapped in some sort of spell. Its like they never broke up or something. Sensei, what do we DO?!