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[Without even missing a beat, Rue nods.]

Always, my love. What is it?

Well... their future selves were my family, and I lost them, and now they're my family again, kind of? But it's not the same. Of course I love them, I wanna see them as much as I can... but I think maybe I shouldn't live with them. At least not until I get better at forgetting how things used to be. They don't deserve to be my ghosts.

[How is it possible to be so intensely proud of one young teenager?]

I think that's a very mature way of viewing the situation. And truth be told, I am relieved because I agree that it might be unfair all around. None of you deserve to feel that way. [Their paw squeezes around his hand.] But if you and Hunter would not mind living with Hob and I, as a somewhat different kind of family, we would be so happy to have you.

[A home of their very own, where they could all be unhidden and free, with access to the rest of their family with just a few magic spells.

It sounds so perfect.]

I... think I'd like that, yeah. A place for all of us. We can all be a little weird and outside of society [god knows none of them know how to exist in the human side of it yet] but still be close to everyone else.

[A pause, and then,] But we would have to have wifi or Donnie will never visit us.

[immediate PANIC]

Donatello will be able to set up the internet connection, won't he? We'll still be able watch all of our favorite television programs, yes?

[Cheerfully:]

I don't know!

[He absolutely knows. There is zero chance Donnie wouldn't hook them up.]

[Rue's son is a menace!! (affectionate)]

Well! If not, I will simply make the three of you reenact my favorite shows every evening.

[Because that's always going to be the most important part, that the four of them are together. (but also please donnie, mom needs their stories....)]

[He laughs at that, returning to his spot finally, far more relaxed and back to normal again. Feels good to have that settled.]

Does that mean we'll finally have to watch period dramas?

You'll simply have no choice now! Who knew all I needed to do was bully you and Hunter into living with me!

[But it's so obvious that the weight that had been settled across their broad shoulders is just gone, a new ease to their expression as they smile over at their son.

The promise to face this together makes it seem so much less daunting. Not that Rue is quite in a hurry to leave this place just yet, but knowing just where they are headed, it brushes away so much of the uncertainty that's been twisted up within Rue for months now. They could not be happier.

Rosie returns with their meals as a few more customers begin to finally come in as everyone else begins to wake up with the sunrise.

Rue thanks her and then waits for Rosie to bustle away to another table before continuing their conversation.]

The only thing I remember of New York - besides this awful history museum we visited - was that there was a city there called Buffalo who was so strangely proud of it's name.

[Doomed, he is doomed. At least until Donnie scoffs at their lack of tech and hooks Mom up with every amenity imaginable, all to lord over them all and earn (deserved) praise for the trouble.

Once the food arrives Casey wastes no time drenching his pancakes in syrup. Look at him, he learns. He's even eating at a mostly reasonable pace! (Though that is in part because he has to pause to talk.)]

What's so great about buffalo?

[Is not sure he knows what a buffalo even is.]

I haven't a clue! But their gift shop was atrociously Buffalo-themed.

[Rue pulls out their old cellphone, scrolling back through albums of photos before turning one in particular to Casey. It's a picture of Hob in what could arguably be the worst t-shirt ever made.]

I still do not understand it. And no one there could explain it! Perhaps I should ask Leo.

[Oh no. Poor Hob. That's genuinely hilarious. He leans in to peer at the photos, grinning at the absurdity.]

Definitely ask Leo! What the heck is a Buffalo voice?

[Ridiculous!]

To this day, I do not even know!

[Rue maybe looks at the picture just a half second longer, softly admiring their dear husband before tucking that phone away and turning to the buffet they have laid out before the two of them.

They pinch a piece of bacon between two talons, nibbling at one end.]

An accent, I suppose, or a very specific dialect of that single city. Pray, I wonder what city Leo and the others are from and if they have their own city voice!

Edited 2024-01-13 08:18 (UTC)

I've haven't thought much about accents before. Some of the yokai and mutants from home had different accents, but they were rare. Most people didn't talk about where they came from because either they were local or those places didn't exist anymore.

[He considers a moment, then shrugs.]

I think we all kind of sound like a mix between parts of New York and the TV shows they grew up watching.

To me, that makes perfect sense. Growing up, one can not help but seek influences out in those that have influenced them. And I know how greatly media shaped them all.

[They see the way their eyes light up at the mention of their favorite movies, how excited they get to share them. Rue would watch anything to get all of their boys to look so young and uncontrollably thrilled again.]

I can not wait to see the world they are from. My time in Massachusetts certainly soured me towards America, but they say it is entirely unlike our stay with ADI.

I'm excited to see it, too. I only really saw it overnight, and most of that was spent running around or fighting. There's still so much I never got to experience. And considering how much they love New York, it can't be anything like that ADI place.

[He may not have experienced it firsthand, but he grew up on the stories. Every time the brothers spoke of home, there was some form of fond nostalgia underlying their commentary. New York was a hot mess but it was their mess, and they would always fight for it. Even if the city was in ruin, it was home.]

[Rue finishes off their slice of bacon, politely wiping their claws on a napkin, before gently nudging their plate closer to Casey, offering to share some of their breakfast potatoes.]

I think I am even more excited to experience it all with you, my darling. You and Hob and Hunter.

I feel a lot better now, knowing we have a plan. And a place, kind of.

[Just gonna pop a few of those into his mouth, thank you. As promised, the perfect size to toss in, no fuss. He does pause then, looking... somewhat? Uncertain? At least thoughtful.]

There's one more thing you should know. That portal to visit the Feywild you want to find... we'll be looking for one for the Boiling Isles, too. So Hunter can go to his world.

I am as well. Just to have an idea of our future, it makes it feel so much more real.

[And since he's so kindly demonstrated, Rue will politely pinch a few potatoes between their talons before tipping their head back and tipping them into their beak. They are an immediate believer in breakfast potatoes, holy fuck.

But Casey shifts the subject back to Hunter and Rue has a feeling they know where this may go.]

He told me the same. That the Boiling Isles were his responsibility. I may not completely agree with that, but you know that I would anything for him.

[Breakfast potatoes are gifts from the gods okay, never doubt.

Casey admittedly looks more nervous now, mostly because he doesn't entirely agree with the sentiment either, and he knows it's going to be dangerous and he's telling Mom, but...]

I said I'd go back with him, to see his world. And to save it. He said he didn't want me to at first, but... he was really relieved, in the end. He doesn't want to go alone. So I have to follow through.

[Do not panic. Do not panic. Do not panic.

Carefully, slowly, not at all panicking, Rue soft asks,]

What does such a thing even entail?

[Mom please do not panic.]

We're not sure yet. There's a lot we still need to figure out. But first we'd find his old friends, try to rebuild some bridges. That's the most important part about building up a resistance: getting a team together, then figure out some plans once you know all the help you've got on your side. I'm sure I know stuff that would be useful to them.

[Casey, that is a lot to ask of them over breakfast!

Finding people, building a resistance, getting a team together - that does not sound at all like a quick visit. It does not sound very safe either.]

I... [a gentle little huff of breath through their beak] I do not doubt that. Of course, you and your knowledge would be a great asset to them.

[Honestly, he knows. He's halfway regretting it, poking a bit of drenched pancake around his plate.]

Sorry, I'm sorry. I know this- it isn't a great time for it. But we're making all these great plans for New York and I didn't want to blindside you with it later. [Does that help? It probably doesn't help.] It's just... his world may not be his responsibility, but he still loves it. I didn't love my world and it still felt awful to lose it. I don't want him to have to feel like that. Not if I can help.

[It feels a little bit like having the promise of a happy, easy life dangled in front of them just to have it ripped away. But that isn't an unfamiliar feeling to Rue, not after Massachusetts. They can manage it with more grace this time, at least.

They'll just focus on their coffee for now.]

Of course not, I wouldn't want him to lose that either. If it can be prevented, then it must be done. But I hope you understand that I will still worry. [and missing them will feel like they are missing a piece of themself.]

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