October-November 2025 Test Drive Meme

[folkie]

October-November 2025 TDM

Introduction

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This Test Drive meme is open to all.
Welcome to Folkmore's monthly Test Drive Meme! Please feel free to test drive any and all characters regardless of your intent to apply or whether you have an invite or not.

All TDMs are game canon and work like "mini-events". For new players and characters, you can choose to have your TDM thread be your introduction thread upon acceptance or start fresh. Current players are also allowed to have in-game characters post to the TDM so long as they mark their top levels ‘Current Character.’

TDM threads can be used for spoon spending at any time by characters accepted into the game.

Playing and interacting with the TDMs will allow characters to immediately obtain a canon item from home, especially weapons or other things they may have had on their person when they were pulled from their worlds! There will always be a prompt that provides some sort of "reward" to characters who complete certain tasks.

Current players are always encouraged to tag new people on the TDM!


🦊 New Star Children meet the Fox still in their worlds, and she brings them into the new realm of Folkmore. As you follow her, your body begins to change and new characteristics emerge. These may stay for a while, or perhaps they will hide away after. And during all of this, the Fox explains to you where you will be going: to Folkmore.

and then... you fall like a shooting star, falling to the land in a burst of starlight.


🦊 Experienced Star Children are already familiar with this time of the month. There are shooting stars all across the sky, and some fall to the land, which means the Fox has brought new arrivals. These newly arrived Star Children will face some tests, but Thirteen wants the more seasoned residents to participate as well.

Perhaps you follow the falling stars on your own, or perhaps the Fox simply teleports you there, but it appears you too will be part of this.

[ Prompt One ★ Prompt Two]

Over the Garden Wall . ★

Content Warnings: N/A

Drizzly Willow is where newly arrived Star Children touch down, touching down gently in the soft moss beside a grand lake, or a babbling brook. The leafy strands of weeping willow trees flow gently in the breeze. All would seem calm, and yet, something prickles the back of Star Children's necks. Goosebumps erupt along skin and a sense of unease settles in the pit of the stomach. Some sort of invisible tension pulsates through Willow, and the closer one comes to the border shared with Exile, the worse it gets. It's almost as if something foul is drifting in from the neighboring marsh lands, affecting Leshy and Talaria in particular. Still, if one were to cross this border and enter Exile proper, all the tension dissipates. If one were to ask Baba Yaga, the iteration of Thirteen who rules over these marshes, she'll smile mysteriously and shake her head before vanishing.

Curious.

Amrita, the one in charge of Willow, has a plan to be rid of these uncomfortable vibes infiltrating her domain. All along the border shared with Exile, within walking distance of both Leshy and Talaria, Amrita has set up communal gardens. Not only are there wide, open spaces of freshly dug soil, there are a few lavish greenhouses. The glass panes are all squeaky clean and any sunlight to pass through almost seems to be filtered, removing any harsh glare and leaving only a pleasant glow. A warmth, almost. Within these greenhouses, that nasty prickle wafting in from Exile cannot be felt at all.

Veteran Star Children, the ones who would normally have no reason to visit Willow, are extended an invitation through their Relic to help tend to the gardens. Not only will it cleanse the area of that curious tension and be a valuable learning experience regarding agriculture, a small reward may be in it for those who participate!

Step right up, dear children! Pick up a spade or a watering can, there are more than enough to go around. More importantly, there are seeds, sprouts and bulbs of all types of plants. Fruits, vegetables, grains, certain spices… And yes, even flowers. Greenhouses and fields are both available, though one may need to do a little research on which option would be best for which plant. Either ask a friend, or consult one of the few books on gardening on loan from Amrita Academy.

Getting these gardens up and running isn't as simple as planting a seed in the correct location and watering it, though. No, instructions from Amrita are quite clear: Once planted, the seed (or sprout or bulb) must be watered with a watering can that's been infused with Lore. Only then will the plant grow at supernatural speeds, poking up through the soil and transforming rapidly into its full potential. A large pumpkin, an apple tree, a colorful rhubarb… Or maybe a banana tree? Or a patch full of potatoes, ready for eating! For those curious about the reward Amrita mentioned, this is it: delicious, fresh, homegrown food. Anything grown here won't go bad for a good long while, either. All fruits of labor will retain their size and hardiness for a whole month, if not longer, so harvesting need not happen any time soon.

The more plants grown in these gardens, the more the strange tension from Exile will decrease, almost as if the air is being purified by the flora.

Watering with Lore-infused tools isn't as easy as it sounds, though. It never is, as veteran Star Children will be able to guess. With these gardens being communal, the focal point to get the watering cans powered up is talking to others about community. What makes a community, or even just a team? What does it take to feel accepted by others? Reminiscing about communities one has been a part of in the past works just as well, of course.

• New Star Children land in Willow. Veteran Star Children are sent an invitation by Amrita (Willow's Thirteen) to come tend to gardens.
• Amrita has set up several communal gardens, fields and greenhouses near Talaria and Leshy with all the necessities to get started.
• Special watering cans powered by Lore can have plants grow to full size immediately. In order to invoke this Lore, Star Children must have conversations about the concept of community.
• Meanwhile, a strange, uncomfortable tension seems to be seeping out from Exile. The plants from the gardens absorb this tension to cleanse it. When entering Exile itself, the tension can no longer be felt.

Attack of the Killer Pumpkins . ★

Content Warnings: Violence

After a few successful days of gardening, the outer rim of Willow is decked out with lush fields and fully-populated greenhouses. The assortment also includes a few patches that play host to huge pumpkins, rutabagas, turnips and other such big roots and gourds, perfect for carving in this fall season. And wouldn't you know it, there's tables nearby with carving kits, all set up and ready to go. From the child-friendly kind to the extra sharp tools for skilled adults, there's a kit for every preference. Star Children who look upon these kits feel a strange inclination to use them, even when they normally wouldn't bother with this.

They take hold of a small saw, a paring knife or even a gutting spoon and get to work on carving a pumpkin, or any other root vegetable that strikes their fancy. The mood becomes intense, like it's a competition. A battle with great stakes. A sour tang is in the air. Chunks of pumpkin begin to fill up the little waste buckets.

But wait! Any pumpkin (or other gourd or root vegetable) that's received a finished face comes to life. It grows until it's larger than the average Star Child, thick roots and vines springing to life along its bottom to serve as limbs. Whatever emotion its expression was originally meant to convey makes no difference; the newly born plant creature is angry. Like Frankenstein, being the creators of these monstrosities does not shield Star Children from hatred and hostility, making them instant targets. Vines attempt to wrap around arms and legs to keep Star Children in place, and don't you regret putting so many sharp angles in their mouths now? If given the chance, these plant monstrosities will attempt to 'eat' whoever they get a hold of. They won't get very far, since they don't have a digestive system, but being forcibly pulled into an enormous, wet pumpkin maw is still not a good time.

As if sensing the need for them, weapons begin to sprout from the ground nearby, similar to ripe carrots. Swords, pitchforks, spears… Even weapons a Star Child may recognize from home. These are free for the taking, and will be a helpful asset when fighting the overgrown, living gourds.

Squash those squashes!

• Willow's communal gardens soon hold patches with huge pumpkins, other gourds and root vegetables. Tables with carving kits appear near them.
• Star Children who look upon these kits feel a strange inclination to use them
• Any pumpkin (or other gourd or root vegetable) that's received a finished face comes to life and attacks.
• The living plants can't actually digest anyone, but they will try to 'eat' Star Children by stuffing them into their mouths anyway.
• Weapons (local and from home) sprout from the ground to help fight the plants off.

Comments

[von_ryan]

"Magic." he says, quietly, but there's obvious distaste when he does. "Sufficiently advanced quantum sciences, while incredible, are not magic. Whatever abilities this Thirteen has may be outside of my understanding for now but it is just that. For now."

Focusing on scientific things can hold him together only for so long. Othello is standing here, looking at a face he hasn't seen in half his lifetime. One that, some days, he despaired of ever seeing again. His brows furrow together and he searches Leonardo's face with a desperation he doesn't realize is showing.

"I am not the same, either." he says, simply, after a moment. He swallows again. Keep it together, Othello.

"I would have given anything to have you piss me off or break into the lab on Draconus." he murmurs, voice thick. Yup, totally keeping it together. His hands bunch into fists. Focus on something else quick!

"How old are you?"

[grabaslice]

Leonardo manages to not snort at the clear disdain present at magic. Some things truly never change with Donnie. He's glad he kept the reaction down, given the desperation on the other man's face. There was an old grief there that hadn't been eased or softened with time. A grief that lingers, a poison that eats away at the other man's heart.

"Forty." He says simply enough. "You look close to my Donnie's age. Can't be sure, though." He would rather know than just guess.

He raises his arm again, an open gesture for a hug. "C'mere, if you can handle being touched anyway."

[von_ryan]

A part of Othello knows damned well he isn't going to be able to hide from Leonardo. He has never, in all their lives together, been able to hide things from his twin. Not for very long, anyways. He's still going to damned well try and hold on to himself, though. For as long as possible.

"Thirty." he answers back, quiet and even. Older than him, then. Another discrepancy. Not the Leonardo from his home world but Leonardo all the same.

Mismatched eyes blink at the offer of a... hug. A hug. Othello stiffens at it, immediate and harsh, spine suddenly ramrod straight. He hasn't... His gaze flashes over the older turtle furiously fast, like he's measuring. Seeking and analyzing.

When his eyes meet the slider's again, the old agony in them is probably painfully clear to Leo.

Othello's movements are stiff and awkward, approaching Leonardo like he doesn't quite know what he's doing. It's much like dealing with an unsure animal. It only lasts as long as it takes for one of Othello's hands to come in contact with Leo's side.

He's real. Solid and real and before the soft shell can process with his logical mind what is going on, he's pressed himself in against Leo's plastron and his arms have whipped up to wrap around the larger frame. His fingers dig into the familiar but not texture of the shell beneath them and he presses his face into Leonardo's shoulder.

He's real.

[grabaslice]

"Thirty, a good age. You got a lot to do still."

Leonardo has learned patience with time. War and loss have taught Leonardo many things. One of them being steadiness as people come to their own conclusions. He smiles gently back at Othello, letting the younger man set the pace. This isn't an easy day for him. Leonardo isn't about to rush something that needs that time to come together.

He can't give the full hug experience, but once Othello steps into the hug, Leonardo wraps his arm around the other turtle. He's careful around the soft shell turtle's shell out of ingrained instinct.

"I'm right here, it'll be okay." He offers softly back. A few years of being a father means he's got a practiced hand at comforting. "One step at a time."

[ I should have prepared for this with HUG ICONS lkdfjsdf ]

[von_ryan]

The smile from Leonardo undoes him. Deeply. It helps him finish taking that step in so that he can press himself in against his twin and grab hold. The pain in his chest is harsh. It bites and slices in deep, down to places Othello has tried to bury and lock up tighter than any security system he's ever built.

Of course a Leonardo would have a universal key to it.

Only one arm wrapping around him and Othello doesn't care. It's still Leonardo. Taller. Different. From another plane of reality. But still Leon. His Nardo. His infuriating, annoying, clever, caring, unstoppable, irreplaceable twin brother.

His breath hitches violently in his chest and his hands grip harder at the shell beneath them.

"... I have been turning the universe upside down hunting for you..." he whispers.

turtle hugs always get you outta nowhere

[grabaslice]

"Not too surprised." He admits simply enough back, giving his brother as much of a squeeze as he can offer. He only really misses his prosthetic for this. Gardening he'll gladly half ass, hugs? No.

"You set your mind to something, Dee, and you do it." There is easy belief there, trust that if anyone can accomplish something, it is Donatello. "I'm sorry you've been alone for so long."

[von_ryan]

Having the simple short nickname used on him again sends a jolt so harsh through the soft shell that he actually twitches from it. It's been so long... so long! He even got Draconus to call him Othello rather than his real name! It didn't feel right to use it anymore.

Now suddenly it's being used again. To say it's making Othello emotional would be an understatement.

"All of you are missing." he says, his voice low and trembling, "We were separated and scattered to the vastness of the universe. April and Father left on Sol-Terra. I have been trying so hard to re-unite us all."

[grabaslice]

The twitch is a little concerning, but Leonardo doesn't have a chance to dwell on it.

"That's- way different than what happened back in my corner of the universe." He surmises, wondering just how that all came to be. Aliens aren't a surprise to him, but he has an uncomfortable feeling about the possibility of krang getting involved.

"You wanna sit down with me and talk about it? Or we could just watch people fail at gardening?" He's trying to give the other turtle a chance to breath, a reprieve from all the big emotions he's probably feeling. If there is one thing Leo knows, it's the fact Donnie doesn't exactly like emotions.

[von_ryan]

Othello is having a difficult time getting himself to let go of Leonardo now that he's got him. This Leon is older, so either there have been time shenanigans or this is his twin from another dimension and not the exact one he's been searching for.

To Othello's aching heart, that doesn't mean a gods damned thing.

When Leo offers to either go sit and talk or stay and watch people, Othello becomes painfully aware of just how much he's showing in a public place. Almost immediately, he's straightening up and nodding. He's very reluctant to let go of Leonardo, though, and it's obvious in his hesitation before he finally brings his hands down to adjust his skin suit top slightly, instead.

"Ahem. Yes... yes, discussing things would be beneficial." he says, his voice careful as he works to keep the stampede of emotion in check. To someone like Leo, though, his heterochromic gaze is probably screaming those same emotions, though.

"I would prefer to not do so around strangers, if at all possible."

Especially because he doesn't know what Leonardo is going to tell him. Nor even how his twin will react to learning about things in Othello's own dimension. There is... a lot.

[grabaslice]

As they part, Leonardo pats the other man's shoulder gently. The older turtle is glad to lead his twin from another universe away from the open area they were in. He can tell Donnie isn't going to hold it together too much longer. Leonardo takes them away, to the fringes of the green houses and gardening.

"Think this should work, yeah, Dee? Only the horrors of nature nearby to overhear." He jokes idly back, offering the other turtle a hint of a smile. "Can't promise a tree won't gossip later, but, not many people ask them questions."

[von_ryan]

When Leo cracks the joke, Othello nearly cracks with it. So many times he wished he could hear his twin do that, again. He curls his hands into furious fists to try and keep it in check. Takes a long slow breath in through his nose and then exhales it slowly as he keeps the storm of emotion held tightly in his rib cage.

"Satisfactory enough." he says, evenly, looking around, before he turns his gaze on Leonardo again. It's intense and sharp but also hurting.

"I am presuming, then, that you and our other brothers did not wind up captured and sent to an off-planet Battle Nexus." he asks. If he focuses on collecting data, he can keep himself held together better.

"Though, given certain physical cues, you have obviously seen many and violent battles even still."

Kind of hard to miss all the scars and damage. And, y'know, the lack of an entire arm.

[grabaslice]

Data Collection Donatello behavior isn't a surprise. The older turtle just reaches out to pat Donnie's shoulder reassuringly.

"Yeah, more than a few battles for me. Considering being here my retirement." It was still strange to think about the fact he had that as an option.

"For my world, dimension- no idea what to settle on-" Leo shrugs a little as he presses on. He doesn't want to weigh Donnie down with more horrors, but he can't be too light about this either. "We had an alien invasion kick off. Foot clan unleashed some interdimensional aliens on earth. Things went sour a lot faster than any of us would have liked."

[von_ryan]

The feel of Leo's hand on his shoulder pulls harshly at the emotion storm in Othello and it's really only his sheer amount of willpower that keeps him from crumbling into clinging to the older turtle all over again. As much as the tiny, aching part of him wants to do it, the rest of him refuses. That's far too much emotion to show.

"Alien invasion." he echoes, and his gaze is sharp as Leo describes it so simply and almost casually. His mouth turns down just a fraction in a frown.

"The Foot wasn't content simply unleashing the Shredder, then. Typical. I assume they guaranteed their own destruction with such an attempt?" he asks. There's a pause and he hums.

"The aliens you faced. What race were they?" He asks with the air of someone who has a vast knowledge base of different races and wants to correlate Leo's answer with that.

[grabaslice]

"Seems like it, after the war kicked off, I only saw what was left of Foot ninja's bodies being puppeted around." He says this with a vague shrug. People being subsumed by the Krang was unfortunately a normal enough occurrence.

"They called themselves the Krang. Dominated other planets, apparently." He was wondering how much this Donnie actually knew about the Krang. Leonardo wasn't the scholar on the subject, not by a long shot. He had picked up things as time went on during the war. "They were pink, had a whole hivemind thing going on."

[von_ryan]

Othello doesn't seem even slightly phased by what Leo just said, giving a faint nod.

"The fate of many who meddle with powers they can't possibly comprehend." he says. When Leo tells him who the aliens were, though, Othello blinks. He stares for a second, in obvious surprise, brows lifted.

"The Krang!?" he echoes, almost sharply, "They were legendary! There are countless records and stories of their conquests across all sectors. They devoured entire solar systems! At least up until they vanished, very suddenly, without a trace. No one even knew what world they had been en route to. They simply disappeared, leaving a long trail of devastated planets behind them. They were after Sol-Terra?!"

[grabaslice]

"So, they weren't blowing smoke up our asses, good to know I guess. The leaders liked yapping too much." The turtle muses with a chuckle, miming talking with his hand vaguely to go along with the joke. Always good to know Donnie has the info Leo was lacking. He's happy for more information now, even if he couldn't quite use it.

"They were after earth, yeah." New nickname for earth unlocked. "We held them off for a couple decades. I was the leader of the last New York colony. Made the pink bastards fight us for it."

[von_ryan]

"Indeed, they weren't. The Krang have many names in many different sectors and they're always spoken of with horror. That you were able to hold them off for decades is... astounding."

There's a moment, there, where Othello completely understands the implication behind Leo's words. I was the leader. Made the pink bastards fight us for it. This version of his twin was brought here either on or following the brink of final disaster. Othello can feel his heart and stomach both want to twist and he carefully pushes the emotion down again.

"You must have incredible battle and tactical knowledge to be able to pull off such a feat." he says, instead, carefully dodging around the rest. "Your prowess had already grown exponentially, the last time I saw you, I can only imagine what your skills are like now."

A little quieter at the end. Wherever his own Leonardo is, he has no doubt his twin is still alive and still fighting. How similar would he be to this one that fought for the fate of the planet for so long?

[grabaslice]

"You know how it is, Dee. We're a pretty stubborn family. We dug in and protected who we could, where we could."

Even with Leonardo's attempts to side step the obvious, well, he can't get that far. For him, it's an easy past tense. A time he's no longer a part of. He failed to stop the Krang. It will be something he has to live with for a good while.

"While I'd like to showboat, it wasn't a solo show. The teams I worked with did a lot more of the leg work than I did." He offers back, genuinely meaning as much. With age came humility and clarity he didn't have as a child. He could gladly brag about himself when needed, but... the war was a group effort to save their home. "You gotta know how to make your team the best they can be."

[von_ryan]

Othello nods, though his heart gives another and different twist at how easily Leo uses the nickname. Part of him wants to protest it. That he hasn't earned the right to that name back. The smaller part of him that's desperate to have his twin back keeps him silent.

"Absolutely. I would expect nothing less. However, going by their reputation, you may well be the only ones who have opposed them that successfully for that long. No small feat, by any means."

There's a moment where the hunter just blinks at Leo in quiet surprise. The way the slider so easily and even eagerly passes the credit to the rest of his team. Seeing that level of humility from the twin who would sometimes even sabotage missions just to show off is startling. But then... so much time has passed. So much has happened to this version of Leo. Othello's gaze seems to soften, just a fraction, at the foreign sort of aching emotion that sends through him. He's grown. They've both grown.

"A good and strong leader knows where and who their power truly comes from." he agrees, quietly. There's a pause where Othello looks Leo over before he looks away and out over the fields around them. Quiet and serene, the sort of place he hasn't seen the likes of in what amounts to a lifetime. He takes a slow deep breath, more to center himself again than anything.

"I have missed hearing your voice." he says, almost blurts, and his hands clench afterwards. That's not finding your center, Othello! But it's out there, all the same.

[grabaslice]

"New Yorkers won't go down without a fight, so." He shrugs a little, laughing briefly at how... silly it feels to say that. There is still a grief under the surface. It was not the future he wanted, but, he couldn't change that. He has a chance to grow and live here at least. Given the chance, Leonardo would gladly brag about the teenage versions of themselves, at least. How those kids deserve real praise for saving the world

Right now?

It waits for just a little bit.

"If we're not careful, we're both going to start sounding like Raph. Gonna hear 'hero' come out of us every other sentence." He won't push the conversation too hard, well aware the other man is still trying to adjust. Leonardo needed the peace to take it all in, too.

That sentiment does a fair job of taking Leonardo by surprise. The older man pauses, feeling tongue-tied for a moment. He and his own twins' relationship had been... so up and down recently, the softness of that just feels jarring.

He hadn't realized this was something he wanted to hear. Maybe even needed to hear. A mutual sense of missing one another when being apart.

"I missed you too, you know." He says softly back. "Even if... we're not the matched set for each others' universe, I'll always miss my twin."

[von_ryan]

The comment about sounding like Raphael makes Othello's chest tighten up, sharply. The rush of emotion pushes at the back of his throat and, for a moment, those mismatched eyes unfocus slightly at the smash of imagery. The memories are faded, like tattered and well loved photographs, but he remembers how often he would roll his eyes at their eldest brother as he went into yet another spiel about being heroes. Protecting the city. Fighting bad guys and doing what's right. Being the Mad Dogs.

"He was on to something with that, though." he says, quietly, "Some days all that kept me going was the drive to be the hero and rescue you all."

Oh, that was almost vulnerable. Othello sets his jaw a little against it, against the emotion that's running through him. More than he's felt in what feels like forever. He hadn't once thought about what actually finding Leonardo would do to him. All he thought about was finding him. That was all that mattered. Here and now, with this Leo, he realizes he isn't remotely prepared for the sheer level of intense feeling it wants to dredge through him.

There's a moment where he almost apologizes. He may still fail at a lot of subtleties and cues but he's had to adapt and learn in many ways and he can see how he's caught Leo with his admittance. It isn't a lie. Othello is still absolutely miserable at that. But maybe he can--

Mismatched eyes whip up when Leo says it back to him. They're widened, staring at the older turtle for a moment as he's taken by surprise in turn. The roll of emotion is violent and Othello's nervous system suddenly feels like it's vibrating so hard it's going to rattle itself apart. His brows furrow together, slowly.

"That does not require a quantifier." he says. Almost rasps. His voice is low and giving hints at the storm of feelings the hunter is struggling with. He swallows against it, furiously, but it doesn't help in the slightest.

"No matter the universe, we will always be a matched set. You are Leonardo. And I am... am..." his voice gives out, unable to say the name. The emotion is too strong and it jams harshly in his throat. There's wetness, all of a sudden, on his cheek, and he blinks, reaching up to touch the track of it at the edge of his mask, almost looking confused.

[grabaslice]

The sharp shift is a surprise in itself as much as it... isn't. From what Othello has told him, the other turtle has been away from his family for a very long time. He had to grow into a different man to try and find them again.

It has been long enough, the other man can't help the emotional whirlwind he is probably feeling. The upheaval of just surviving instead of living. Finally having to stop and think, to feel, is scary.

Leonardo is still coming to terms with it occasionally. Even with peace, there is always that terror of having to go back into survival mode.

"You're Donnie." Leonardo finishes gently, he steps into Othello's bubble easily enough to offer the other turtle another hug. Something meant to be comforting amongst the maelstrom of feelings the other man is like lost in. "That won't change, and I'm glad for it."

So much grief and loss means Leonardo finds it easy to love. To open himself to hold onto what he has desperately. Even if this Donnie doesn't need him much after this, he won't hesitate to offer a hand.

You are not alone.

[ This boy needs hug icons sldjkfsdl ]

[von_ryan]

He isn't intending to crack like this. In fact, it's the last thing he wanted to do. The trouble with emotion, though, is that it does what it likes. Even with his vast knowledge of science, even the ultra sciences of other worlds now, there is nothing that can stop it. Well... nothing tasteful, at least. While Othello longs for the ability to simply turn his emotions off with the press of a button, he also isn't really interested in fundamentally changing who he is as a person.

Leo says it so easily. Calls him Donnie and how that won't change. Othello's chest seizes, violently, and there's barely even any hesitation in him when the older turtle offers another hug.

Part of him is mortified how easily he crumbles into the hug, grabbing at Leo all over again with shaking hands. The hunter he has become is furious over the show of weakness, the show of emotion.

Donatello just clings harder.

Because all of a sudden, he feels more like Donatello Hamato than he has since he put the name in a box and became The Purple Dragon. His shoulders tremble, harshly, his eyes scrunched, his snout crinkled as he fights the urge to actually sob. He might be letting more than he ever wanted show but he has limits and that would be too much.

"... I have not gone by that name since I began my search..." he says, voice thick, "None speak it. I--"

He cuts himself off before he can admit that he feels he doesn't deserve to hold it. That he has failed his family so utterly he can't wear it until he's restored them again. That's too vulnerable. He has a sinking suspicion that, of anyone out there, Leonardo will put the pieces together there all too easily.

"... but it has not changed who I am. I am ever and always your twin. No matter the world, no matter the timeline." He takes a sudden harsh breath (it's just a breath, damnit, it's not a sob!) and straightens a bit, though his hands are still holding to Leo's sides as he does. Mismatched eyes are fiery.

"I hope you will rely on me just as you always have before." he says, because it's easier to stand on his abilities, not his rampant and unruly emotions.

[grabaslice]

Leonardo remains steady as the other turtle emotionally begins to crumble. Othello needed this, he needed this pretty damn badly. Leonardo just holds the younger turtle close as he speaks, cutting himself off amidst the threat of tears. Clinging physically to Leo as much as he was to a sense of composure.

The older turtle pats his shoulder gently, trying to be steadying without making Donnie feel too confined in the hug while he's emotionally unraveling like this. Leo manages a gentle smile as Donnie stands up a little.

The assurance makes Leonardo's heart hurt in a way. An ache that hasn't quite healed over, even with Tello trying to mend the bridge. His own struggles with his twin have left him feeling less surefooted about where he stands with his own brother. I love you, I miss you, please don't go- are things left unsaid but felt between him and his own twin. Hearing that returned feels like a relief as much as a heartache.

"Hey, as long as you rely on me too, Dee. It's a two way street here." He says gently back, his mind wandering to his own Donnie's... problems. How being ill made any progress they had backslide so rapidly.

"You don't need to be useful to be loved or just... here. Just be Donnie, alright?"