(no subject)

[mnr_splinter]

On one of the furthest edges of the Lake, beyond the Willow and the Caribbean outlet, there is a outcropping of rocks that reach from the sandy shore into the deep dark water. From this vantage point one can easily view the many islands that dot the waters, a vast majority of the shore line, as well as Milliways herself.

It is here that Splinter has sought refuge.
To meditate.
Ruminate.
And seek peace from prying eyes.



Which is really just a fancy ninja way of saying that he's hiding.

Comments

[cutting_edgex23]

What about a prying nose?

X -- working on what she still insists on calling 'aquatic maneuvering', even if it really just means swimming -- hauls herself out of the water, toweling off and slipping back into her clothes when she pauses, tank top just dropping down over her midriff.

There's a scent in the air, somewhat familiar and somewhat not. And since people do not often come out here --

She slips quietly in that direction, still-sopping hair leaving vast wet marks on the back of her shirt. And when she's made her way farther over to the outcropping and out --

X pauses, studying the face of what should be a stranger.

"Hello."

[mnr_splinter]

Seated with his eyes closed and in as close to a full lotus position as his new legs will allow, Splinter doesn't notice X's approach until she speaks.

And then he startles.

"Oh! Oh...oh hello, Ms X. I did not see you there."

Or smell you, or hear you.
Stupid average human senses.

[cutting_edgex23]

X blinks.

Twice.

"X is okay. Ms is not necessary."

She pauses.

"You are from the future? Or an alternate reality?"

These would cover the most obvious options -- well. Anywhere but in Milliways.

"Or it is Cubefall."

She had almost forgotten.

[mnr_splinter]

He bows his head in acknowledgement of her request.

"It is Cubefall," he confirms.

"Am I to take it that you recognize me regardless of my current form?"

Because clearly his manner of dress, mannerisms, and speech patterns aren't a dead give away.

[cutting_edgex23]

"It is confusing," X offers, after a moment.

"A little."

The face is very much the least of it. X's other senses are the ones she relies on far more often.

"You do not smell right. But you do not smell wrong, either."

[mnr_splinter]

"That is good to know."
Splinter's expression shifts for a moment, from stoic to almost sadness. He quite misses his heightened sense of smell.

"I am not occupying a spot you wished to utilize, am I?"
He so hates to be in the way.

[cutting_edgex23]

"No," X says, very simply.

She does not sit down.

"You were meditating?"

[mnr_splinter]

"Unsuccessfully, but attempting none the less. Please join me, I could do with some distraction."

[cutting_edgex23]

"Okay," X says, moving a little closer before dropping down to sit.

And only then does she ask what, for other people, might have been the obvious question.

"You are okay?"

[mnr_splinter]

He's not entirely sure how to answer that, and so he looks from her to the Lake. His vision better now than it has ever been, which somewhat compensates for his other senses which have dulled.

"Yes, my child. I am okay. Conflicted, but okay."

[cutting_edgex23]

X tilts her head, studying him carefully.

Then, after a few moments of silence --

"I am allowed to ask?"

She is not always sure.

[mnr_splinter]

"If you wish."

[badinlatin]

Mal's out with Tequila. It's not the hardest of rides for him, but it's been long enough that he dismounts to work out the muscles of his thighs. "Ugh," he grumbles to himself. "I'm out o' ruttin' practice."

Curving around the lakeside with Tequila's reins in one hand, he comes across the man perched on the rocks. Mal wouldn't want to disturb, but it's not healthsome to sneak up on people around here. "Wèi. Just passin' through."

[mnr_splinter]

Splinter thought he felt the hoof falls of a horse, but it wasn't until he heard Mal's voice that he knew for certain that there was a person behind him.

Mal's voice.
Of all of the voices...

"You are not a disruption to me, Mister Reynolds, though I thank you for the warning."

[badinlatin]

Uh. What?

"Splinter? Wo de ma, someone took Cubefall to heart, huh?" Mal turns to Tequila for a minute to unhook his bridle and steps closer to him.

"Taking after your boys?"

[mnr_splinter]

With some effort he rises to his feet to greet the Barman's son.

"It would appear so. I hope that my appearance has not startled you."

[badinlatin]

"Surprised. Wouldn't say startled so much. How've you been? Mike been keeping you busy?"

[mnr_splinter]

"I have been well, thank you very much for asking. And yes, training with Michaelangelo has been a much needed adjustment to my daily routine."

He gives the horse a glance.

"May I?"
Uh...pet the horse? Approach the horse? LOOK at the horse?

[badinlatin]

"Shi a - he's gentle as anything. I think living here's been softenin' him up too much, ain't that right, dong wu?" Mal nearly coos that last part towards Tequila's face, who would eyeroll if he deigned to react at all.

"Suppose horses weren't really a thing for you, as you usually are. Maybe that's something you can learn about."

[mnr_splinter]

"perhaps," he says under his breath as he raises a tentative hand and reaches out to touch the horse's nose. His movements are slow and deliberate, as he's had a history of spooking horses in the past.

"They never were quite sure what to make of me, a common reaction."

[badinlatin]

"Common sure, but it ain't universal."

Mal digs around in a pocket for the bag of apple slices he brought.

"Feed 'im one. It's an odd feeling if you've never done it but promise he won't bite ya."

[mnr_splinter]

Splinter raises a wary eyebrow, but does as he's directed to do...and is surprised at the results. SO much so that he even laughs.
It's a nice laugh.

"What is his name?"

[badinlatin]

"Tequila. 'Tequila Halo' officially, but everyone just shortens it. Blame Lilly Kane."

[mnr_splinter]

"I will do no such thing," he says primly. "The line for that honor would be far too long."

He thinks he's funny.
Then Splinter bows slightly to the horse.

"It is a pleasure to have met you, Tequila."

[guppy_sandhu]

In the garden, Guppy is sitting on the lawn, and his two small kids are pottering around.

Coral is bouncing around pretending to be a bee, and Fry is going to all the plants looking at them.