ANGSTBLOOD II: THE QUICKENING

[Leonardo]

Sorry for the subject heading, I have no idea what the title of this should be. I promise Steven Segal won't be starring in it.

ANYWAY

TIMING: Should we time this as being several weeks later? Or should we pick up RIGHT where we left off? I'm in favor of the former, but let me know what you think.

Here's where they're at--could you all reply please and let us know where your characters are at mentally/physically/emotionally?

Leonardo: Broken arm, bad head wound, stabbed shoulder, and various cuts and slashes and bruises, which are all healing if we start this weeks later.

The head trauma has caused him to go blind from a condition called retinal detachment, which is reversible but needs special surgery to fix. And since they don't have access to special surgeons....yeah. It COULD possibly be fixed through magic, but they're in New York, right? What kind of magic is here? No magic. Grit, grime, and man's inhumanity to man. That's it. SUCKITUPSALLY.

By the way, can we assume that Don can figure out that this is the problem? I'm fine with it. He can surely put two and two together and see bad head wound + blindness = retinal detachment.

Hell, I put it together, and I can't even take bandaids off myself. I leave them on for weeks or until they fall off in the shower, whatever comes first.

Where was I?

Ah. Emotionally, Leonardo is confused.

1) His feelings about Karai are complicated, although if you ask him he'll tell you she is their mortal enemy and should die. That wasn't how things worked out on Roosevelt Island, though.

2) He's also going to be ousted from his leader position by Raphael on Splinter's orders. Splinter wants Leo to recuperate and also thinks it will be a good experience for Raphael, I think. But Leo is taking this HARD. He's pissed about it.

3) He's frustrated by his blindness, although he has been trying not to make a big deal out of it. He wants the others to see him as a strong turtle who can contend with all challenges, but secretly--or not so secretly--it's making him crazy. He's otherwise healing and has been training like mad, thinking he can "earn back" his leadership role this way. Splinter you sadistic rodent, you.

Donatello: (Don will be picking this back up for me! YAY!) Don was loyal to Leo in part one, not questioning his brother's orders or judgment. This might partly be due to denial: Don does not like the family boat to be rocked. He likes the world to run like the Swiss watch it isn't. He felt compassion for Karai because he can be a sucker for a pretty face, and because he knows she helped his beloved brother; however, he also knows that this strange alliance is likely doomed. He still hadn't noticed Leo's blindness by the end of Part I.

In Part I, Don also built an awesome three-wheeled motorcycle that can go Very Fast.

Donny, do with this what you will lad!!!! GODSPEED WITH YOUR DIAL-UP.

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The Enemy: Amun and Panhsj were ancient Egyptian mummies sent to destroy the turtles by their mistress, Queen Hatshepsut. Their weapons wounded Leonardo and Karai. They can only hunt at night, are strongest and invisible at midnight, weaken and become more vulnerable toward morning, and will fade to dust if abroad after sunrise. Yeah, I watched "Night at the Museum" recently--SUE ME. ;D

They can also be injured only by their own weapons, because it's ironic in a trite sort of way. Recycling old plots = win.

The Queen is actually Winters's ex-wife. Her body has been stored in the basement of Winters Tower and was awakened during the mysterious alignment of the stars. She woke up cranky and wanted revenge on Winters for ditching her back in the 18th Dynasty of Egypt. (Living well wasn't enough for Hatshepsut, apparently.)

She witnessed from the wings the turtles' role in banishing the Monsters and ending Winters's immortal life. Now her boiling feelings of rage and vengefulness are directed at them instead, and she has vowed to kill the ones who have deprived her of her vengeance. (Like how it ties in with the site theme?)

April and Casey are also fair game, as they aided the turtles in getting rid of the monsters and Winters. She also might be a little jealous of April's red hair. She's vain that way.

Personality: Haughty. Commanding. Proud. Vain. Domineering. Strong. Intelligent. Clever. Hatshepsut knows very little about the 21st century, which will likely be a weakness. Her other weaknesses--they'll just have to figure that out.

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IDEAS THAT WERE THROWN OUT FOR PART II:

• The mummies' weapons had some kind of taint that affected Leo and Karai: It could draw the undead, or give them some kind of mind link that allows them to hear each others' thoughts. SO AWKWARD. YET SASSY. VERY, VERY SASSY.
  
  
• This link could just be flickers of each others' thoughts or perhaps flashes of what each other are seeing.
  
  
• The weapons could have tainted them by gradually taking over their minds and bringing them to the enemy's side.
  
  
• ...bringing up the question of loyalty and where it lies, which has been a theme throughout Part I.
  
  
• If we do decide to go with this "brainwashing" one, Leo and Karai could both be drawn to Winters Tower without knowing why. It could become an obsession. They start building it with their mashed potatoes.
  
  *cough*CLOSEENCOUNTERSOFTHETHIRDKIND*cough*
  

[Karai]

You crazy! Organized crazy...In any case, I'm all for picking it up a few weeks after the incident. That'll give Leo and Karai enough time to actually be able to move around. Plus, that's time for things to fester and get iiiinteresting.

Noow...I seriously love these ideas. I think the hearing each others thoughts is hilarious, and while suitably angsty could also be amusing too! If we want to go darker, the brainwashing one would fit that that to a T. I can't choose!

As for Karai: The cut on her shoulder was nothing to worry about, and is quick to heal, whereas the abdomen wound is another story. She was lucky in that it didn't hit any vital organs, and the loss of blood was the biggest worry for awhile. Unfortunately for the turtles, she's pulled through. She's a bitch like that.

Mentally, she's stressed and the Foot Clan is more worked up than ever, despite her best efforts to keep control. Without the emotional and mental knocking she took in her fight with the enemy, she might have stormed through the mess, but now the cracks are showing.

Emotionally she's swinging between seething anger, at the Clan, herself, the council and most of all...Leo. And then there's guilt. She feels the turtles are just trying their best to be honorable and all that jazz, and go by what they were taught, in which case they're not so different. Naturally, she's confused considering they didn't kill her, and now feels she owes a debt. Not a good position to be in. Lastly, she's tired. Feeling somewhat defeated and definitely not up to scratch. She'd not ready to step down, but she almost feels she ought to. Serious self doubt happening.

Basically. Karai's got issues!

[Donatello]

Not that I have much of a say in the matter since Puppetmaster Leo had to fill in for me last time, but I really like the idea of Leo and Karai being drawn to Winters Tower. If Leo isn't already ousted from his leadership position from the start, an unnecessary incident at the tower could be Splinter's breaking point. It may be a run in with some more of the Queen's goons or it may be the initial clash of the turtles and the Foot after part one.

I also like the brainwashing and mind link ideas.

That's just my two cents while my pirated wireless holds out.

[Leonardo]

I would love to see some turtle/foot clashing! ooooh maybe we could open with a scene of clashing. And that could be where Leo and Karai realize what's happening with the mind link thing. I'm interested in what Raph thinks of when the ouster should take place, since he'll be the one taking over and will be puppeting Splinter.

...

The phrase "puppeting Splinter" still really bothers me for some reason, but nevermind.

...

Karai, Would you like to expand more on why the Foot clan are giving you such problems in the beginning of this thread? Ha, what if the turtles had to save her from her own mutinous underlings? OH THE SHAME.

I also realized that the Queen should be pissed at the Foot clan too, since they were also there when Winters vamoosed.

[Raphael]

You're disturbed by the idea of puppeting Splinter because Splinter, was in fact, a puppet. *stuffs hand up his butt and hangs him out of the club car window* Ah, my Sons, Indeed, I am only half a rat or I would leave this steel prison to embrace you! COME TO ME MY SONS!!! EMBRACE ME!!!!!!

It's terrifying, really.

Ahem, yes. So, I like the idea of them being drawn to the tower and sort-of brainwashed in a 'i can't trust my own thoughts and judgment' kind of way. That can make for all sorts of mistrust within the family which is always good for angst points. RAPHAEL GETS TO BE IN THE RIGHT FOR ONCE!!! WOOH WOOH!!! So
I'm good with whatever there. Could always make the mind link more subtle too, like have them share dreams or something. Weirdos.

As to where Raphael's at.

Physically he's just dandy. Peak form and all, sustaining no major injuries during the skirmish with the undead dudes.

Mentally it's more complicated. It's troubling for him to see Leonardo in a semi-helpless state. He's going to be perceiving Leonardo quite differently while he's blind. Likely, he'll treat him with kid gloves to begin with, which has to be a strange experience in itself. He'll see his brother as truly disabled until he sees otherwise, and likely show more patience than normal, though it will be condescending.

Over time, he'll come to miss having someone to butt heads with, as he'll feel it's somehow cheap to continue their relationship as it was while his brother is so incapacitated.

Though he hates what was done to Leonardo, and will want to seek vengeance, there is a part of him that will relish taking control. And a part of him that will absolutely not want to give it up. His leadership style will probably include a lot less planning and a lot more demands, than Leonardo's did, but in some ways he'll flourish under the responsibility. He will be extremely angry and combative if his leadership isn't taken seriously by his other brothers.

Hmm that's all I've got for now. Splinty the puppet is ready for a trip to the farm, but we'll deny him that for now. He will still have faith in Leonardo, but also know that relinquishing the role of leader could be as good for him as giving the power to Raphael will be, for a time. He also wants Leonardo to realize his limitations, because only then will he be able to overcome them. And to trust in his brothers and find the unity as a team they never seem to quite manage. Relying on each other's strengths and complementing each other's weaknesses.

And that's what we've got boo.

[Karai]

As if she hasn't been shamed enough already! But I'm all for character torture.

Anyhoo, as I take it, Karai's a wee bit young to really be guiding the New York section of the Foot Clan, but due to Shredders unusual and somewhat introverted way of running things, Karai was one of the few that actually had experience leading them. So the higher ups have allowed her to take the wheel, but are keeping a close watch. And perhaps hoping she's more of a figurehead to puppet rather than someone who'll attempt to actively interact with the Clan.

Karai knows this and is constantly torn between doing what she knows the council wants her to be doing, and wanting to take the Foot in a different direction. In the last movie, she had them working for clients, and while a wee bit sketchy, it certainly wouldn't be classified as 'The Carrying Out Of Crimes!'. Yet, there isn't exactly a massive market for that kinda thing.

So yes, despite her best efforts at remaining steely, decisive and in command, there are always a few that would be that much happier if she were to step down. Showing weakness really isn't an option and having turned up in the state she did with a less than believable story, like vultures descending on a wounded gazelle, she's under attack. People are prodding, questioning and riling up the Clan. It's getting to a point where she can't trust anyone within the ranks. Not that she's the type to trust without reason.

[Leonardo]

HUZZAH I THINK WE MIGHT BE READY TO START

Erm. You want me to start? Someone else want to start? Any further thoughts or suggestions before we start?

RAPHAEL DO YOU WANT TO START?

[Karai]

So what exacty is the plan with the taint/brainwashing/loveydoveysharing?

[Raphael]

RAPHAEL CAN START BUT HE HAS TO TAKE A SHOWER AND GET SOME LUNCH FIRST, DAAAAAMN.

Yes, I too would like to know the plan. And I wanted to clarify, that while he'll be treating Leo with kid gloves...these are Raphael kid gloves. There'll still be plenty of yelling and arguing, he just won't see Leo on the level anymore. Awww....

[Leonardo]

I think we should do the link! We just have to feel it out and see how to proceed with it.

[April O'Neil]

Erm--let me know what April can do as well. She does have a shop full of Old Things, and although she is not AnthropologistNinja!April (instead she is more in the mode of Judith Hoag's April from Movie 1), she might have some insights. Also, she's got the apartment, a shoulder to cry on, and time on her hands. She could be sort of a minor side-character who could come in when needed.

[Raphael]

Raphael being leader and master of his brothers means he'll need a lady to rule at his side, eh? Eh? EH!? WHAT'D YA THINK, APRIL!?

[Leonardo]

Hey, I NEVER GOT A LADY. NOT FAIR!

[Karai]

What? No! April! Join the dark side! Those boys can't handle you!

[April O'Neil]

The Dark Side does look tempting sometimes. *rolleyes at Raphael and Leo*