TMNT RPG Thread

I squeak with fear; cats don't like fire, and I wasn't any different. My self-control slips away, and I find myself jumping over the ledge, right inbetween the turtles. I land on all fours, happily thinking in the back of my mind, how lucky I was to be mostly cat.

With fear still pounding through my veins, I glance upward at the four faces around me.

I sigh, putting the fire away. I quickly go over to them and watch as they spring up, ready for a fight. I step in between them and Lila. "Hey, if your gonna get mad at anyone, get mad at me. I didn't know she didn't like fire."

I stand up and put a paw on Crystal's shoulder. "No," I say softly. "The fault is mine. Fire isn't my favorite, but I should have stayed put, rather than fleeing like a kit." She looked at the mutant turtles, Crystal's brothers who didn't even know her. "Don't yell at them."

"I'm not yelling at them," I said, kindly. I looked at my brothers. It hurt to know that they didn't reconise me. I tried not to show it on my face, but I failed. "Why don't we start fresh?" I asked, extending my hand to them. "I'm Crystal and this is Lila." I said smiling.

"I'm Leonardo," I smiled, bowing my head to be polite. I could see Crystal was trying to be casual, but she couldn't hide the pain that she felt inside from me. I didn't know who the shell she was, but something in her eyes told me that she was disappointed in us, as though she had expected more of us. I frowned, "Is there something bothering you, Crystal?"

I stared at the four figures in front of me. They were taller than me, but then almost everyone I met so far was taller than me. Because I didn't know them, I shrunk back behind Crystal, keeping her body between them and me.

I should have known that Leo would be so observant. "Uh, no," I lied. "I'm fine."

I gave Crystal a small smile, "I may not know who you are, but even I can tell that something is bothering you. Master Splinter says a problem halved is a problem solved, so share it with me."

I took a step forward, still not rising to my full height. I was more comfortable on my four paws, than on two legs, because it meant I could bolt away faster. I craned my neck upwards so I could look into Crystal's face, to see what Leo was seeing. I knew her secret, but I wasn't going to be the one to give it away.

I held up my hands and forced a smile onto my face, "Guys, can everyone just stop!" When everyone had their attention on me, I continued, "You all say that you're our friends, or family," I added, casting my eyes to Crystal in particular, "And I know I have a strong bond with each of you. But if you are all going to keep secrets from me and my brothers, then you aren't going to gain our trust." I don't want to speak to them like this, but we aren't getting anywhere. "Someone start by explaining themselves."

I was about to ask how Leo knew that I was family, but I knew better. I simply took out a picture of my brothers and I from when we were younger and handed it to Leo. "I've lived with you guys ever since I was three," I said.

I smiled at her, "I thought as much. It's the way you looked at me... It was with the love one gives to their sibling. Now, who's next? Xile? Lila?"

I was startled onto my hind paws. "Huh?" I asked. "What do you mean?" My heart started racing in my chest, and my mind screamed at me to run, but common sense prevailed and I didn't move a muscle.

Not sure what to say anymore, I sunk down onto the armchair. I took a deep breath before saying, "Whatever happened, me and my brothers don't have any recollection of who you all are, and what link you have with us. It would be helpful if you enlightened us on who you are." I paused, waiting for them to answer.

I leaned against the wall. "Well, I know I come from a different dimension," I said. I slid down the wall until I was sitting. "Other than that I really don't know where to begin."

"I . . ." I begin, but shrink back again, afraid of all the eyes on me. I wasn't used to this many people, nekosapiens or not.