Beginnings

Subject: Re: Beginnings Sun Dec 13, 2015 6:17 am

For a few seconds Mikey felt they were little kids again - those times he'd hide in the bathroom out of fear after being spooked from his own space but a noise or a shadow - Raph or Leo or Donnie would come talk to him and promise the others two were scaring off what ever it was that spooked him.

It helped... though he always ended up sneaking in a brothers 'nest' to sleep. Leo he recalled protested the least, usually just let him in. Donnie would a little but eventually just sigh and give him space. Raph he recalled would grumble and grouch but at the same time let him have just enough room to join him.

It had taken him the longest to get used to sleeping on his own.

... because here he was again hiding in the bathroom out of fear of what he might do to the girl here. She not taller or larger than his sexy lil Ally.

He shifts from foot to foot eyes sad and round as they looked at his brother. "I... nothing is right... I mean we've stopped... many times - what I tried to do to ... I never thought I could -" His blue eyes searched his brothers golden ones and face. "You sure it wasn't... me?... that I'm not some ... some..." He hesitates looking for the words.

How many times had they on patrols broken up attacks on females humans in the dark streets, and sometimes on the odd male or too and once or twice ... the worst or the worst children.

And yet hours ago their brainy brother had to jump in to prevent him from degrading Ally in such a manner. "I mean - you shoulda seen her Raph bites that bled, bruises, in dads arms, shaking like a leaf, cheeks tear streaked... cloths torn... Bruised... Donnie too... I think she tried to stop me from running away - but I couldnt... I dont recall a lot of what happened during the ... attack - but seeing her after... oooh she's so small and fun and pretty and accepted me as the turtle I am... even wanted the date... and I repay her by... losing it?... by hurting her!" He was not still even as he spoke frightened of what his brother may say now - but also needing comfort, needing to be reminded he was still Mikey... not just a - "I feel like a monster..." whispered, blue eyes seeming to widen and grow even more blue as they got watery. "And a terrible brother - now knowin you ... went through this... and we were not there..."

Subject: Re: Beginnings Sun Dec 13, 2015 11:39 pm

Knowing that his innocent little goof-ball brother had gone through a familiar ordeal... yeah. It broke the usually tough Turtle's heart. What made it worse was that Mikey actually really liked this girl. Whereas with his own incidents, he hadn't had time to really know Mikko, and had loathed Love entirely. Neither 'intimate' circumstances would have occurred if not for those damn instincts and an uncontrollable sexual drive once aroused. Indeed, it had been scary for him, and left him feeling slightly used after. Not to mention, guilty. For inflicting injury, though deep down, he now felt Love deserved it. He tried to stop her, but she pushed him to the point of no return. Still, he would have taken back both incidence is opportunity presented itself.

Still, he considered Mikey's situation worse, because hit little innocent didn't deserve any of these guilty feelings. Out of all of them, Mikey had been the most accepting of what they were. Turtles. He embraced their 'uniqueness', but now instinct and a mode he couldn't control had him feeling like Raph had felt al along. A monster. A beast....

...No. This wouldn't do....

Taking a deep breath and wishing there was a way to put his brother at ease, he shook his head. "Yer not a monster, Mikey. We're mutants but... we're still Turtles. We still have those instincts, and you couldn't help being triggered. But, it sounds like Ally forgives you, so that means she understands..." At least he hoped that was the case. If she had tried to call him back, then she didn't blame him. "Yer not a monster, and I know you can make it right with 'er..."

Raph had never been much of a hugger but, seeing his little brother in this much pain, grief reflecting in those big innocent blue eyes... yeah. He buckled a bit, carefully rapping his arms around his little brother, squeezing ever so gently. "But, there's hope... Erica.. she says there's ways to control it. She's friends with Leatherhead.." He told him, slowly releasing him from his hold. "Apparently we have 'trigger' spots that can calm us- bring us back from 'beast mode'..."

Subject: Re: Beginnings Mon Dec 14, 2015 12:09 am

She had found the baking dish a make shift lid - a brownie tray- to keep Raph's pasta bake nice and hot, and placed it on the table on the chopping board a small pile of plates beside it and utensils -

now she was clearing up the little bit of cooking mess made - turning the radio to a reggae sort of channel and singing along to what ever happened to be playing - not loud enough to be a nuisance to the brothers in the bathroom of course. And Bob Marley was now on singing 'Three Little Birds' Erica joining in ...

Quiet the optimistic tune it was. "Woke up this morning smiled at the rising sun. Three little birds. Pitched by my doorstep. Singing sweet songs of melodies pure and true. Saying This is my message to you oooo oooo ooo - Dont worry. about a thing. cause every little thing's gonna be allright. Don't you worry-" scrubbing the few dishes made.

Subject: Re: Beginnings Mon Dec 14, 2015 12:28 am

Like the typical younger brother Mikey of course hung onto Raph's reassurances he was not some mindless monster ready to - to... do what he almost did at any given opportunity.

The hug he did not draw back from returning the squeeze. "I will make it right .... make it up to her Raphael... some how - I will." He was more of vowing it to himself but he meant it - he would find a way to make this up tot he incredible hot lil blond that saw more than just his turtliness.

"Thanks..." He heaves a deep sigh, comforted and again reminded guiltily that none of there had been there for Raph in this situation either. "I'm sorry bro." He said from somewhere on Raph's plastron squeezing his brother back. It was gentle for them - but to a human would have been more bear like he guessed. "We... when... this happened to you - we should have been the kinda brothers you could come too... ya know?" He admits his own guilt and squeezes again churring a little. So different to the churr of arousal or happiness or content. It was meant to comfort Raph as much as himself. "I'm sorry you had to go through this too - I hope you spoke to April about it though... had someone..."

And then looks up his watery gaze hopeful. "yeah we saw her on vid chat... cant believe she's here now - prettier than I thought." He adds - yeah he was scared, and guilty and all but he did not fail to notice that - he never failed to note a pretty girl. Not as smoking hot as the little blond bombshell he owed like a thousand apologies for what he had tried to do but pretty none the less. "She - she can help us?" He asks Raph... he could hear her - singing... not loudly like he would have.

Subject: Re: Beginnings Tue Dec 15, 2015 6:00 am

Rp Chat wrote:: Log.

Erica "Smiled at the rising sun.. Three little birds Pitched by my doorstep. Singing sweet songs of melodies pure and true -" whilst scrubbing a little bit of stubborn cheesy sauce left in in the saucepan.

Raphael allowed the hug to linger for as long as his little bro needed, gently squeezing, soft reassuring churrs matching those of his brother. "Yeah, I know you'll make it up to 'er, and she sounds willin' to be there to hear it.." And that was a luxury that Raph never had with Mikko. Of course she had been there a short time after, but quickly found out that being with a mutant wasn't what she wanted. And Love- well that was a mistake all together. He never would have touched either girl if in his right mind, and this is why he felt cheated. "An' it's okay.. its not like you knew..." Of course Leo could have been a little nicer. All they knew was he seemed 'different' after Mikko, and instead of questioning or trying to understand, Leo just lashed out at him.. and even Mikey, but.. .they didn't know. They could only know after going through this for themselves. "Yeah, I had April to talk to.. an'.. Erica.." And he gave a nod."Yeah, I think she can help us. She's defused Leatherhead... if that big guy can be controlled, maybe there's hope for us, too.." And normally Raph wasn't the hopeful type, but if it could cheer his little brother up, he would give him that glimmer. The heavenly aromas, coupled by the soft singing of Erica was inviting, and he was sure the lure of food would eventually trigger an appetite from his usually hungry hippo brother, but he would stay here, willing to listen for as long as his brother needed him...

Mikey squeezed tighter - tail wagging a bit in content as his troubled thoughts and mind for a moment was soothed and quietened down a lot. It was rare for him to be this still. Even in sleep his brothers loved to reminded him he would wriggle and worm about, getting tangled in bedding and sometimes ending up on the floor. But for the moment sharing the comfort Raph gave him back to his brother now having an understanding he was still. "Still... I'm sorry - for... what I said... and all.. and not being there." And he meant it - fervently. Making a mental note to himself to never ignore his brothers again. (poor them) He breaths deep the smells and sighs the added combination of the girls singing, the smells and Raph making him forget his fear of venturing beyond the bathroom. "That's great - Leatherhead... is huge.. made Leo and Don nervous... if she can tame him... perhaps your right and she can help us too... or help Ally learn ways to stop me..." he seized on the hope Raph gave him and imagination of course took off with it.

Finally the cheese came off and she could drain and clean the sink - looking at the time and encase April would be home soon shifts to fill and put the kettle on texting her grandmother to let her know where she was and would be - possibly most of the night.

[/b]Yeah. Most definitely the stillest he'd ever seen his little brother, and normally it would be a good thing, but Raph knew how much his brother was hurting. "Eh, it's okay, Mikey. We all say shit sometimes..." And Raph was the worst. God, he couldn't recount the times that he'd said extremely hurtful things to his brother. Of course, most of the time he didn't mean it, but sometimes reflecting hurt him worse than who they had been intended for. "I forgive ya." Another tight squeeze and rubbed his carapace. "I'm sure she can teach Ally... it'll be like Mutant 101 or somethin'.." Yeeeeah, his lame attempt at a joke, but his brother needed it.

"I guess sooo," Mikey murmurs his own hands lightly patting where they rested on his brothers shell - this was a loooooong hug for brothers and he knew they'd have to pull away... well no he was content to hug for ages, he always was the most easily affectionate of them all. But he knew his brothers individual comfort zones and they'd surprisingly well exceeded Raph's. Then again this was both a reconciliation snugging as much as comforting now. Mikey took a moment to catch the joke and snorted in amusement finally shifting and letting the snuggling drop away slowly with much manly shell pounding and a low appreciative "Thanks Raphie..." chuckling and his usual grin finally back in it's place. "I'd like to see the lesson plans for that." He chuckles bending to pick up the bathroom rug he dropped and hang it back up... he glances at Raph, "think she would be willing to help us... help Ally?"
[/b]

Erica setting the table for four places encase April was home soon Erica placed the pasta bake on the table on a chopping board keeping it hot by placing a temp lid over the baking dish - a brownie tray, still humming away with whatever was on the radio.

Exceeded for sure, but Raph was content, knowing his brother needed this... and maybe he did, too. It had been awhile since he'd spent any amount of time with his brothers and it was rare when he could help out on this level. Finally, the hug dropped and he managed a lop-sided grin at his brother, glad he was feeling better. Glad to see that smile again. "Yeah, I know she'd be willin' to help Ally. I mean, I jus' met 'er, but just seems to be her personality." A light, affectionate fist to the shoulder. "You hungry?"

Actually Mikey's usual self was sliding back into place no his fears had been alleviated and lifted. Not entirely mind, some where in the back of his mind he was still wary of that 'beast' but for most the part his part of the ordeal was mostly forgotten, and his curiosity was coming back He grins and swats at the lightly fist, "Starved, feel I could actually eat a horse." He admits and shifts from foot to foot, "whatever that is - smell's great... pasta something right?" Mikey had a knack for culinary pursuits. Even if his earlier and sometimes still experimental side was a little too much for his test subjects. Usually his brothers. "Just met her? how long ago? I met her the other day over vid - and Ally too come to think of it." He says thoughtfully and bends to retrieve his bandana feeling less naked the moment it was in place but forgoing the rest of his equipment and 'cloths' for now... and even if he was virtually back to his cheerful self felt it was best Raph lead the way back out to join the girl.

Erica waiting patiently for the brothers, texting April next to tell her dinner was cooked, so she'd not pick up anything on the way home.

Good. Appetite was there, it meant he was back on track. Not that he had even known Mikey to go off food. "Yeah- pasta.. fry? No, bake.. or whatever.." Giving a shrug. Yeeeah, he wasn't that great with food names, but they fried or baked or cooked.. something! "Yeah, just met.. but she's cool." Because he couldn't tell anyone how he really felt. Not yet. Crushing? That was probably the correct description. It felt much like how it did with April. "Well let's go feed ya, then.. cuz we're fresh out of horses.." And with that, he led the way back into the kitchen, mindful to stay between Mike and Erica for now....

"Cool huh?" Mikey gave a smothered giggle, cool was a term applied only to Angel or April normally - Casey was the nutcase. Also he was amused with Raph's food naming. "Ah pasta bake... mmmm sounds good." He would have been entirely shocked - and was in for one - to hear Raph virtually cooked it himself with nothing but guidance from the girl they were now approaching near the big table. "Dawww what no rib rack from a ass? how disappointing." He jokes in regards to no actual horses on the menu. He failed to note Raph was staying between him and Erica and bounced closer to her - sort of how he might approach the April. His belly was rumbling loud and he was eager to get to and set his teeth into the bake.

Glancing up as the turtles returned Erica first gave Raph a small grin, and head nod to Mikey, he looked much more relaxed and happier and so do you her look with the sort of half raised eyebrow said as she gestures to the table. "Just messaged April, she is on her way home." She tells them. "I'll make coffee - you guys want anything?" She chuckles noting Mikey came closer to her this time - and was not worried about it.

It took him a moment to get Mike's joke, and noogied him lightly as they entered the kitchen. He became slightly worried when Mike ventured closer to Erica, but tried to comfort himself in knowing if he had a reaction, at least he was close and fast and could intervene. He was glad to hear that April would soon be joining them. Helping with whatever was left, then took a seat at the table after helping himself to one of Casey's stored beers. "Nah, got my beverage covered right here..." Because he'd never been much for coffee. Honestly, he wasn't sure how Donnie drunk the stuff...

"um any soda in the fridge?" Mikey asks hopefully as he parks himself on a seat over from his brother - the space between them obviously meant for the girl. He sniffs hopefully at the bake making deep happy mmmm sound as the strong cheesy scent filled his nostrils. "Ya know April too?" He asks surprised even if he should not have been - of course she did, she was here with the same easy familiarity and at homeliness that he and Raph were.

"I think so -" Erica chuckled at Raph's answers and deciding last she would forgo a coffee of her own and be a little naughty and have one herself. "Whose beer is this and would they mind if I sneak one? - of course I'll put one back at a later time." She asks the brothers from the fridge, though if she had put two and two together and figured it was Casey's beer she knew he'd not mind too much. She makes a coffee for April and brings over a orange crush for Mikey, stepping to her seat between the brothers but refrains from sitting for the moment first dishing out for them big helpings of the pasta... bigger than her own. "Your brother cooked this - looks great huh?" she says to Mikey sparing Raph a grin of praise.

"Casey's. and nah, he won't mind." And he would completely take the blame if that wasn't the case. Good, she liked booze.. little mental notes on likes and dislikes. And she seemed to know his brother's favorite drink.. wow! When she announced that he had been the chef, he gave a lop-sided sort of smile.. "Yeah, and I didn't burn the house down... a miracle.." Large helpings was a good idea because he was starving, but tried to remember to not make a pig of himself...

He'd already scooped in a great mouthful and was munching with a delighted moan about to thank the girl for the soda and the food... Now mid chew he blinks in surprise - then swallows with a gulp. "Raph cooked?!" He asked with way more surprise than he had honestly meant to... and he corrects himself, "Sorry that was rude...uh sorry Raph made this?" And his tone was more normal... and appraising. "Mmmmmm its good! - and thanks." he adds watching his brother and Erica curiously, she reminded him a lot of Ally, well the being on the petite side of things...

Smiling and adding pieces of the toasted spaghetti garlic breads Erica added one to hers and from the fruit bowl in the middle of the table which April always stocked she found a lime and finally sat to cut it into slices, ready to slip into the top of the beer - when she could undo the top! She nods at Mikey. " He did - very well... grrr" She adds a grunt still fighting the beer for access. "oh right forgot about Casey... hehehe bah he wont mind indeed."

Sending a little look at Mikey as if to warn, but of course still soft considering what his brother had been through- playful almost. "Yeah, I ...cooked. Or threw stuff in a pan and it came out okay..." And he takes the bottle from Erica and pops the top with the greatest of ease, handing it back to her with a little wink.."

Mikey grins between mouthfuls of the last two fork fulls of his, then using the yummy toasties to scrape the saucy cheesy goop up. "It's good... I need to get you in our kitchen more often." He says through a the mouthful, quiet a happy turtle now - and eating with his usual gusto and eager ness. And this focus spared him catching the winkies - and or noticing the beer top popped his way and bounced off his head.

Erica had not expected the hand but was grateful and lets her cool lime juicey fingers squeeze his fingers around the bottle as she accepts it back with a mouthed 'thanks' slipping her slice of lime into the bottle neck before taking a sip - and noting Mikey was almost done reaching to scoop him a second helping, plonking it in his bowl, at last stating on hers moaning herself softly in appreciation. "It is good.

Pffft, of course the bottle top would bounce off Mikey's head.. he would often tease his little brother that it was big enough, everything seemed to gravitate towards it. "Fat chance." He told his brother, knowing that spending time in the kitchen preparing meals was something he wouldn't normally go for. Still it was.. enjoyable with Erica. And yeah. He had not failed to notice the way her fingers squeezed his as she took the bottle, once again causing his cheeks to flush- man, why did she have this effect on him? He spared her a little lop-sided smile and dug into his grub, hoping it would take less focus off his flushed cheeks. "It's a lil spicy.." Okay, so not really .. but anything for a cover-up!

Mikey had just been reaching to get more for himself when Erica beat him to it and more appeared! yay! he sets to eagerly finishing it too and giving Raph the famous 'puppy eyes' - "Oh coooome on, pleeeease? Don and Leo are great in the kitchen and all but Don's far too much too the exact method stated - dude has no culinary sense of adventure and Leo is no better... this... this shows some promise." Okay Mikey was a total fuss pot about cooking. It was something he delighted in and tried to make his brothers join in from time to time. Though to be fair anything Donnie cooked was fine and edible and filling and Leo had a habit of burning things... but he just discovered a brother that could join him in the galley! "I will show you things in food you didn't even know you could do.."

Sipping her beer Erica smothered a snicker eating - mostly listening to the brothers. And forcibly smothering a giggle at Raph's covering up with a polite little cough... she blinks at Mikey. "... my grandmother would love me to have that excitement in the kitchen and around cooking." Erica enjoyed cooking, she loved the comfort of home cooked food and was immeasurable glad her grandmother made sure she knew how to cook... and well.... but Mikey sounded a lot like her grangran when talking of cooking... there was a passion and adjective gleam of pleasure in the blue eyes that gave his brother a very good puppy eyed pout - Erica again smothered a noise... a soft squee... smiling at Raph to see his reaction to that look - finding she was beginning to see why April had enjoyed that brekky so much.

Raphael Phew. It seemed that Mikey had not noticed the blushing- close call! Then again he was so wrapped up in his excitement about possibly having a buddy in the kitchen, even giving him 'the eyes' which he quickly averted. "Fine... but only sometimes... maybe..." Rarely, if ever. But who knew!

April oooh dinner was cooked! April was definitely putting on the speed now to get home! she let herself into the shop on the ground floor and leaned her bike inside the door before heading up the steps and into her apartment - realizing at once even if the message Erica had sent had hinted the girl was still here, that indeed she was one of her most worn jackets hanging up inside the door. "Hey all." She beams after kicking off her boots and heading towards the table in socks. Sniffing the arm. "mmm that smells great..." And a coffee! she made a bee line for it at once dropping her stuff all onto the bench. "How was everyone's days?" She asks - intensely curious sitting on Raph's other side. "Hey Mikey." Glad to see him here.

Mikey made a triumphant fist pump and grins. "Yes Chef Mikey finally has a casual Kitchen hand!" He beams and it only grows wider as April joined them. "Aprrrriiil." He greets cheerfully around mouthfuls of pasta - a third helping - "It... was okay." He hedged about his day - later maybe he would tell April.

Erica did not bother hiding the soft giggle when Raph looked away from the great big heartrendingly blue puppy eyed look and agreed placatingly with not real conviction but it mollified Mikey completely. She let her free arm rest on the table so her elbow bumped Raph's gently, "it is rewarding work." She whispers just for his ears and just in time to see April join them. She beams and waves at her standing to dish up a plate for April as she joins them at the table. "The day has been one of the best I can recall in a long time." Erica says honestly sitting back down to her half finished plate.

Raphael Of course Mikey took it as an optimistic 'yes'. No way was he crushing his little brother's dreams. Then finally April returned home and Raph greeted her with a grin, finally finishing his own heaping helping. Mikey was putting him to shame. "Hey Ape.." He greeted and scooted over a bit to give her more room. And hearing Erica's reply earned a small grin. He liked to think he was part of that. "It's been good..." Would have been great if not having to witness Mikey's heartbreak, but fortunately his little brother was back on the right track. "Yers?"

April thanked Erica and sat with a deeeeep sigh of relief. "It was-" She hesitates, she had anxiously awaited a visit of the military man, she had been preoccupied with how things here were going, imagining scenarios... and had been on small broadcasts all morning. "It was long." She finally admits smiling and trying not to be obvious as she looks from the big grin Mikey to Raph and Erica whom looked ridiculously small between the two big turtles. She wanted to ask Mikey where Leo and Don were but sense it was not a question for the now. "thanks for... coming over today Erica... I know I asked a lot." And she may have just given away completely she had sent her over on purpose.

Mikey missed this entirely as he scraped his latest plateful clean - burping in content and pleasure at the full comforted feeling in his belly - though he could have gone for more but figured he best let the girls at least finish one and his brother too encase he wanted more.

Grinning back at Raph Erica listened to April noting the hesitation and pondering it. She noticed Raph's being closer meant she brushed against him from time to time as she shifted once more this time offering Raph another helping of his cooking her own still a third left on the plate. "No worries April - I am ... glad to have helped." And the older woman had just confirmed to Erica her own suspicions April had sent her here on purpose, she was meant to meet Raphael today.

Normally a lover of personal space, Raphael didn't mind the closeness to Erica, or when she brushed against him. The awkwardness of being in such close proximity had long since past. And yeah, he had totally caught on that April had kind of set this up. He stopped mid-chew of his second helping, giving April a shifty-eyed sort of look, but he would have to thank her, in his own way, later..

Subject: Re: Beginnings Tue Dec 15, 2015 6:23 am

April made sure to return that shifty look with a sort of grin back at the red clad turtle brother - and covered her mouth with a hand in the pretense of being polite as she tried her first mouthful of pasta - squeeeing a little but hoping it would just pass off as a appreciative noise.

And then came the surprise when Erica informed her Raphael actually cooked. This made April enjoy it even more. And eventually join the two in a beer as dinner wound down and Erica cleaned up - insisting on this so Raph, April and Mikey could and did go make themselves comfortable in the lounge area - Mikey telling April why he was here.

Aside from his intent to visit Raph in any case it had come about earlier than he thought because of his own first encounter with the more bestial side of his turtle nature. As she had with Raphael and with him close by she had comforted Mikey assuring him like Raph had he was not to blame Hugging him too, being the big sister, mother she always was to them.... And letting Raph know with the occasional subtle hand squeeze she was glad one of their brothers was here and now understood and commiserated with him. Even if she wished deep down it had not been happy go lucky Mikey... Erica would join them on the couch some time after that the four of them lounging together watching -

Subject: Re: Beginnings Tue Dec 15, 2015 6:37 am

How to Train your Dragon, cause probably still trying to ensure he was cheerful April and Raph let him select the movie.

He felt warm and content and happy - if marred a little that Leo and Don were not here to share the moment and fervently wishing they were, they needed to be together in moments like this.

Though still he was happy April half nestled against him her feet across Erica whom Raphael it was finally noted by Michelangelo let nestle in his usually reserved only for the gravelly sick, sad or Angel, April 'close' and over in Raphael's lap and vice versa for Erica her small feet across April's and his lap. There was popcorn and more of Casey's beers having been demolished. Erica had even helped after the movie ended come up with a song of apology for Ally. He was looking forward to finding her and making good use of it.

and the hours of evening wore on to night - watching something of Raph's choosing now - one of the Fast and Furious flicks... cuddling warm little April - a bit of vics vapor rub on his nose cause he'd been wary of the usual closeness of big sis until his sense of smell was entirely blocked - he was blinking tiredly and felt April's slow rising and falling breaths unawares she'd drifted off, and he was following with low contented churrs

Subject: Re: Beginnings Tue Dec 15, 2015 7:03 am

Later that night Erica had looked away from the movie to Mikey and April and then nudged Raph - they had gone fast asleep. The big turtles response was to show her the nifty trick with the couch and push it out into a bed, Mikey and April staying fast asleep and curled up on their sides.

Erica shifted away from the nestled spot to get the throw to cover them in when her phone rang and she was called into work. Surprised when upon informing him she had to go Raph had stated he might as well hit the rooftops too - things to do bad people to stomp.

She saw him to the kitchen window, fingers lightly fiddling with the trinkets on his dew rag promising to close the window but not lock it behind him, and lock the doors when she left, her fingers brushing very very close tot he 'Spot' as she shifted her hands to the sink edge to press a peck to his cheek - though he moved and she got half his mouth -

Cheeks flame but a giggle and pleased expression on her face Erica whispers. "Good luck out there Raphael, please be careful." and next moment in the second it took her to let go of the bench edge and back a step he was gone - so silent despite his size she could not tell if he was gone or just stepped out of her sight. She smiles none the less and as promised closed the window turning and leaving April's apartment as quietly as she could manage locking the door behind her sending a text to inform April where she and Raph had gone, as she headed down stairs and out into the street - with one glance up to the rooftops - for the subway to catch a late one to work.