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[mnt_raph]

Deep in the belly of the ship, past where the stores of salted meat and ale are kept, there's a secret alcove in the maze of the stacked cargo crates in the hold. It's here that Raph's door between Milliways and Tortall is located, and it's here that he makes his stealthy entrance.

If his math is correct it should be well after nightfall, though there's no taking into account the plasticity of time when it comes to doorways. Raph skulks his way towards the upper decks, taking great care to keep to the shadows.

Comments

[mnt_raph]

"I got a birthday comin' up," he reminds her as he waves away her compliment.

"Better'n you, that's for damn sure. Aside from that though, things been quiet. Mike an' Splinter send their love. So you know, there's that. Gimme your hand."

[the_lioness]

"Old man," she mumbles, obeying without any argument.

That alone should tell him how she feels.


"Quiet? At the bar?" Her eyebrows go up.

[mnt_raph]

"You ain't wrong," he says taking her hand in his and applying a strong amount of pressure to a particular point on her palm. It's supposed to help settle the stomach, but if nothing else it'll at very least distract her.

"Not like in a biding its time kind of way. Just...you know, the usual level of crap."

There's a pause before he offers: "My father's courtin' Sallie Reynolds."

[the_lioness]

Alanna stares down at her hand and starts to breathe in and out at a steady, less shaky rate.

"Ah."

Beat.




Um.

Oh, yes. He's human now.

"Good for them. How is everyone taking that turn of events? Mal? Mike?" A sly grin. "Does he have to listen to them when they are together?"

[mnt_raph]

"Mal an' I bonded over the fact that neither of us really wants to know. An' with that in mind I don't ask Mike nothin'. Not that he's got time for much in the way of sit down chats these days. He's trainin' with X. Splinter's orders."

[the_lioness]

Training with X?

One moment, the Lioness is busy choking out a laugh and trying not to spit ginger beer all over her small cabin.



"Has she stabbed him yet?" she asks gleefully, feeling much better.

[mnt_raph]

That's more like it.
Raph returns her control of her hand, and busies himself with opening the other ginger beer.

"Not that I've heard, but I think at this point it's a matter of pride. Besides, it's still bitchin', so he can't be hurt all that bad."

[the_lioness]

Voices, faint but increasing in volume as if someone is approaching, capture Alanna's attention for a moment. She frowns and says a quick spell, sending purple light to seal all the cracks in the door and room.

There, total privacy.

"I wish I could see them," she says, smiling again. "Better yet, I wish I could help. I know he hasn't been the most dedicated ninja these past few years."

[mnt_raph]

Please to be ignoring the fact that Raph flinches when Alanna uses her gift. Even after all these years that crap freaks him out.

"That's what retirement does to ya'," Raph says attempting to shrug his way through his discomfort. "Maybe when he ain't grounded, an' providin' X don't kill him first, he'll come back for a visit. You can hand him his ass then."

[the_lioness]

Another beleaguered sigh.

"Not for awhile, I'm afraid. This mission to Carthak is too important for distractions." She sulks at her ginger beer for a moment, until inspiration strikes. "Still grounded? Has he talked to Abigail again? You know, since Sven?"

Even the name makes her laugh.

[mnt_raph]

"Only through me. Splinter won't let him leave Milliways. That's the other half of his punishment."

[the_lioness]

Well, that stinks.

"Surely Splinter would want him to apologize?" A shrug. "X could... escort him there. Make it some sort of lesson."

She takes a drink.

"How not to be captured and transported by a mutant, for example."

[mnt_raph]

"I'm sure he does, but any time I try to get more information or offer my own opinion he gives me the look. So I'm just lettin' it be."

Splinter Looks are serious indeed.

"Last thing that flat needs is more tension. 'Specially since Mel's back."

[the_lioness]

"I could write a letter, perhaps. He can't give me a look. Well, not me me. The other me, Alan, might be in range."

Her eyes snap to Raph's face.

"Is she?"

[mnt_raph]

Raph nods.

"Moved out. Far as I know they haven't said word one to each other."

[the_lioness]

"That's upsetting."

She frowns.

"Is Mike okay?"

How could he be? He'd loved Mel so much, she'd always thought.

[mnt_raph]

"He's fine," says Raph giving Alanna a significant look. No one who ever says they're fine is actually fine.

"He's just real focused on his training, that's all."
Raph's worried.

[the_lioness]

So is she. Worried and so helpless feeling here, stuck on a bloody ship.

"He needs Abigail. I'm writing to Splinter," she decides, nodding once and getting up to look for paper and a quill, though how she'll get the ink not to spill is a mystery. There are always spells, but there are also other options. "Do you have a pen in that bag of yours?"

[mnt_raph]

He looks cagey all of a sudden.









"...no."

[the_lioness]

Uh huh.

Alanna holds out her hand. Her fingers snap, then motion for him to cough it up.

"I'll write him either way, but this way will be with less ink spilled on you."

[mnt_raph]

So long as she isn't mad...
Raph fishes the pen out of the bag, and hands it over.

"Oh well, when you put it that way."

Not that anyone would see the ink on his all black outfit anyway...

[the_lioness]

Not at this, no. She needs the pen, and they are technically well out of Tortall.

And a pen is not a gun. Or worse, MIB tech.

She pulls paper from the satchel at the foot of her bunk and looks back at Raph.

"Has anyone tried talking to Mel?"

[mnt_raph]

"Splinter did. I been givin' her a wide berth. Last time we had it out 'bout Mike she nearly took my block off, an' I put a sai through her foot. 'Course that was like ten years ago so," he shrugs.

[the_lioness]

Quietly, "I'm sorry I can't help."

Alanna swallows and bends over her letter, leaving Raph a few moments to look around, stretch, take a nap. Whatever he can find to do.

There are some rolled-up maps of Carthak in the corner. Mid-sentence, Alanna waves the pen at them as if to suggest he take a look.

[mnt_raph]

A nap would be nice, but Raph thinks that closing his eyes right now would reduce him to Alanna's previous condition. And since he's out most of his stash of ginger beer...

His eyes follow the gesture and his eyes come to rest on the rolls of parchment. Raph grumbles something under his breath about, more homework, but all for show. Any extra Intel is important. After wiping his hands on his pants he reaches for the maps and begins the process of unrolling them and giving them a once over.