metalogs | I want to be blinded from this dull today

Entry tags:

I want to be blinded from this dull today

Who: Leonardo

faceguy, Donatello

purplexing, Accelerator

levelshift
What: Three children commit light B&E and felony theft.
When: Late May. Probably after that Fantastic announcement, what timing.
Where: An electronics recycling facility in Central.
Content Warnings: Kids committing crimes, body horror, psychological horror, blood, sensory overloading. These kids have trauma, thanks nightmare floor! Will update as necessary.

[With everything going on in Central City - the flooding, the lockdown, Fantastic taking over the Alliance - the smart thing to do would be to delay this whole mission. Or even better - call it off, because even though it should be a (mostly) harmless crime for the benefit of Donnie, stealing equipment meant to be recycled is still illegal. But no, they've made plans, scoped the place out, trained. Dropping things now would be putting all that time and effort to waste, and besides, it should be a simple stealthy in-and-out mission, right? It's a recycling facility, how bad can the security be?

Besides, it'll be fun to stick it to Fantastic. A heist (albeit, a small one) happening right after he becomes head of the Alliance? Now that's fantastic.

Accelerator isn't too sure what to expect. He's been in a recycling facility before, back in Academy City, and the security was incredibly lax. This is a different city - different universe, with different rules. He's a little cautious, since this was originally his idea, and he's the one with only thirty minutes of power to work with. Otherwise he's a weaker-than-normal high school student relying on two very capable ninjas.

It's fucking weird to be relying on other people. He kind of hates it, and he isn't totally sure why, though he can't exactly overthink it right now like he usually would. He's trying to stay focused on breaking into the facility and not fucking anything up for Donnie and Leo. He's even made something of an effort for tonight, with a duffle bag to store equipment (a smaller backpack is inside for stuff he'll grab for the Society's cut) and a black hoodie in case he needs to hide his hair (he isn't sure, white hair just doesn't seem very stealthy).

So far it's going smoothly. With Leo's planning and leadership and Donnie taking care of the security system they're able to sneak in and avoid the paths of the security guards. In fact, it's going so well that it sort of seems like they might be able to get in, grab what they need, and get out with no incidents whatsoever.

Of course, it's absurd to throw all caution out the window simply because things are working out right now. Especially when they run into their first obstacle.

After dodging a few more guards, the trio will come to a long hallway, the only path to their goal without having to pass directly several security stations. Spread through the length of the hall are little red lasers, arranged into one very elaborate grid meant to ward off would-be thieves such as themselves. It's like something out of a spy movie, and it's unclear whether these are the kinds of lasers that will cut a limb off or simply sound an alarm if tripped. Maybe it's both.

Accelerator leans heavily on his crutch, looking thoroughly irritated with this obstacle. His reflection might be actively detrimental here.]

This is fucking ridiculous.

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[As much as Donnie won't feel completely clear until they've all made it back to the apartment, they hadn't all been at 100% even before they left, and that adrenaline rush is wearing off. But they're far enough now that he doesn't feel like anyone's noticed them, and as he sees Accelerator slow, he does as well, turning to just make another quick sweep of their surroundings as he steps over towards the esper.

Stopping is probably worse because now all the exhaustion has a chance to flood back, but with Accelerator working on a time limit, Donnie's not about to say anything there. He grimaces slightly at the obvious changes once that choker's turned off, but he remains away from the wall because he has a feeling if he lets himself relax now, he won't want to move.

He looks ahead after Leo, moving to heft up one of the bags over his non-injured shoulder. ...yep, definitely bumping up scraping together a new method of transportation on his list.]

[Leo moves ahead to make sure they’re in the clear that way, before he comes back to where Accelerator is resting. His adrenaline is still up and he doesn’t want to lose it yet, so he bounces a little on the heels of his feet to keep his blood moving.

Leo has always had a lot of energy and it’s one of the things working in his favor tonight.

Like Donnie, he grabs one of the bags and tosses it over his shoulder. He can grab a second if he really needs to.]

Well… that was… surprisingly easy. Wow! [He gives Donnie an elbow nudge.] Maybe we should consider changing careers!

[Leo is, of course, joking. He’s good on heists for a long time now.]

[This suuuucks so much. He's acutely aware of how much battery time he has left. Most of it was spent in the facility, and while he does have time left he needs to weigh walking back on normal mode or making his life infinitely easier with esper mode and risk running out of battery entirely.

It isn't an easy decision.]

Tche. [Even if they were successful these two are still too nice to be villains....]

How far away is your place? Would going over the rooftops be faster?

[Donnie smirks at the suggestion.]

Not that it'd be that big a leap. But that was a pretty smooth getaway. Nicely done.

[He's not really sure he wants to do this again any time soon, especially now that they know magical security is a thing. Hiss.]

The high road would definitely be faster. We'd have a more direct route to travel.

[He's going to assume Accelerator can manage across rooftops if the esper's the one bringing it up, and while he's not sure if it would make a difference usage-wise for his choker, they'd cover more distance quicker this way.

Donnie looks to Leo then.]

[It’s a good suggestion, so Leo nods.]

Rooftop travel is always the best, that’s what I say. Accy, will your choker hold out? If we move fast and straight I think we can be there iiiin… ten minutes or so.

[They’ll have to keep it moving though.]

[Ten minutes.... He does a few quick calculations in his head, plus there's the desire to get back to his apartment (and his bed), and he nods.]

Should be fine. I'll have about three minutes of esper mode left, which should be five hours of normal time before this thing dies.

[He'll be relying a lot on normal mode, though six hours is more than enough of a buffer. Still, that means esper mode is ticking down, so with that said he's hitting the switch on his choker. There's a bursting noise and four small tornado-esque whirlwinds are exploding from his back and he's shooting upwards to the rooftops.

His legs are tired, he's going to fly.]

Edited (I did the math wrong lol) 2023-05-31 01:11 (UTC)

[Donnie blinks as Accelerator goes up ahead of them before grinning as he reaches for one of the other bags.]

I think he has the right idea.

[Because Donnie's not going to jump when he can use his battle shell! His legs are tired too!

Rotors unfold and lift him up, do at least all he has to do is hang onto the bags.]

Oh, so we’re back to showing off, huh?

[Leo was just going to jump, but he feels like he can’t let himself be outdone here. It’s still not the easiest thing for him to do, but if he just concentrates…

Leo chucks his katana as hard as he can at the roof of the building. There’s a flash like blue lightning, and then he’s grabbing his katana out of the air and landing just on the solid side of the edge.]

Don’t think you’re going to beat Neon Leon!

[It totally isn't showing off, it's just a more efficient of travel!

... That looks really cool. Really, between tornado wings, a jetpack and literal teleporting they have "cool modes of transportation" covered.

Once he's up in the air Accelerator will let the other two lead start in whatever direction they're supposed to head in, then he kind of sort of might be going just fast enough for this to maybe be a bit of a race. Maybe. He will deny it forever. His legs are grateful for the break and the breeze up at rooftop level is brisk, so this is almost relaxing.

Almost. No longer having the stress of getting in and out of the recycling facility gives his brain time to start wandering back to the nightmare room.]

'Neon Leon'? Really?

It's been his thing.

[He can't really give Leo too much grief about the name given his own favorite handle, but he can still smirk about it.

Really, he's just glad to see Leo making more casual use of his portals. It's definite progress. Donnie knew his brother had it in him, and being able to pull it off after all that speaks volumes so far as he's concerned.]

"Beat", though? It's not like we're racing.

[Although the slight curl at the corners of his lips suggests he is not above it. Mostly because he just wants to get back so he can put this load down.]

[He’s probably not going to be able to pull off more on the way home, exhausted as he is both physically and mentally, but maybe Leo is a little proud of himself for managing it, too.

Even if he’s stuck running from now on, he doesn’t mind it so much. Leo is fast and he likes running, especially across rooftops with the wind rushing by. If he moves quickly he can outrun the exhaustion.]

Aren’t we? [He says this to Donnie, a grin stretching over his face. Challenging, a little cocky. It’s easier to pull this on than dwell on what happened. At least until later.

He runs faster, making an easy leap to the next building.]

Hmm. [It's ridiculous. But then, from what he's seen, all of Leo's nicknames are ridiculous.

Accelerator is a tiny bit disappointed he doesn't get to see more teleporting, because it is a lot cooler looking than esper teleportation. Still, he isn't going to complain.]

Tche, who cares? The sooner we get back the better.

[He's sounding bored as usual, like having a whole race across the rooftops of the city at night and flying is really dull.]

[A race seems a reckless way to round things off when they're all pushing their limits, but if it gets them home with all their loot and in one piece, who's Donnie to argue? Besides, it serves to stoke a second wind, and for the while, he can mostly ignore the strain of what he's carrying.

It's not like it's that heavy compared to airlifting all of his brothers anyway.]

Don't feel too badly when I beat both of you.

[With that, he puts on the speed to push ahead.]

Oh, we’ll see about that!

[It would be easier if Leo were also flying, but he’s doing a decent job of keeping up with the two of them on foot, even with the bag. The only thing slowing him down is some of the bigger gaps he can’t as easily jump straight across, so he has to detour.

He’s determined to win, though, now that it is a race, so he puts on speed and tries to overtake them.]

[Accelerator gives a small sigh and starts weighing seeing how fast he can go (he's never actually checked) versus how much of a scene he wants to cause. The answer to the second question is, obviously, no scene at all, since they're technically running from a crime.

So nothing that's going to result in him blasting through billboards and stuff. And nothing that will cause any friction booms or roars (as cool as they are).

He does a few calculations, then blasts forward, straight past Leo and Donnie.]

[Donnie's not too surprised that Leo can keep up. They've been running rooftops for years!

Seeing Accelerator suddenly burst past them startles him. Impressed? Maybe. Not that he's going to say as much.

Besides, he's starting to lag behind and that is not allowed.]

[Oh, that's pretty cool. Leo is impressed - but he isn't going to let himself be outdone!

Their apartment is close, now - Leo can see their balcony when he jumps to the next building. At this rate, the others will definitely get there before him, and he's not going to let that happen.

As he nears the edge of the roof he's running toward, he throws his katana one more time, and with another flash he reappears above the balcony, dropping about four feet but landing upright with only a minor thud.]

Hah! Yes! I win! [He drops the bag, raising his fist in the air.] Le-o! Le-o! Le- oooooh wow, headrush.

[He stumbles and then sags against the balcony door, holding his temple with his free hand. His teleportation takes a lot more energy since he's come here, and maybe he didn't have enough left to fully fund that last jump.

(Still worth it, though.)]

[It's a really dumb idea to race a teleporter, even when it's a teleporter who isn't at full power. Accelerator is approaching the building with no idea which balcony is theirs but whatever, he's won this anyways so he'll just wait for them to catch u -

Aaaand then Leo is appearing on one of them in a flash. Fucking rude.

There's a frown on his face as he comes to a quick stop and lands, the little tornadoes attached to his back dissipating. As much as he doesn't want to, as soon as his feet touch the ground he's putting the bag of Donnie's stuff down and extending his crutch, then hitting the switch on his choker.

Uuuugh there's a whole wave of pain and exhaustion and he's feeling like Leo looks. His legs are wobbling and he's leaning hard on his crutch, grateful for the additional stability the four feet it has offers.]

It wasn't a race. [It was totally a race and Leo won.]

[If he felt like he could manage it, Donnie would conjure up some extra rocket boosters. But he has precious cargo and isn't sure how well he'd be able to maneuver at any higher speeds, tired as he is.

Still, it is with great annoyance- mixed feelings, really- after all, Leo's been able to use his portals multiple times tonight without much concern- that he watches that familiar blue light appear at their balcony.

Of course.

Donnie's not long in touching down after Accelerator. At least his own legs have been given a rest so he's not collapsing immediately, but he glances at the esper before giving Leo a flat look. He shakes out his arms and flexes his fingers once he's released the bags before stepping over to get the balcony door open.

If Leo falls inside that's his problem, but at least Donnie will drag him in the rest of the way.]

Sounds like something a looooser would say.

[Leo throws that at Accelerator, but then Donnie is opening the door and Leo does, in fact, fall inside, hitting the floor with a solid clunk on his shell.

Rude!

He just lays there a bit, blinking like he's not sure when and why his center of gravity shifted, and then he crosses his arms with a huff.]

Is that any way to treat your champion?

[He should definitely move but he's so tired. (It was still totally worth it though!)]

[Leo will be receiving a very sharp glare in return for that sass. He'd threaten him, but he's too tired to bother.

At least Donnie gets it. Admitting it was a race, especially when they both lost, is not part of the cool bad boy image.

He'll leave the bag there (it's probably fine) and step over to the doorway, waiting for the two of them to sort out Leo's whole situation. In the meantime, he's pulling his phone out and turning it back on.]

Tche.

[Not acknowledging defeat, perfectly mature.

Donnie drags Leo over by the couch, gives him a dry look, and then goes out to haul the bags in because he's not leaving those out there for someone to see. In and out a couple times. His arms want to fall off.

He comes back out onto the balcony and stares at Accelerator a moment before ushering him inside too.]

Just get in here already.

[Leo doesn't fight the dragging, just giving an amused smile in return for the dry look. He doesn't feel bad for not helping with the bags.

But after lying still for a minute he stops feeling lightheaded, and he thinks maybe he should drink something? Yeah, drinking something is probably a great idea right now.

He gets up slowly into a sitting position, and when that doesn't knock him out he levers himself the rest of the way to his feet.

To the kitchen!

He pulls a Gatorade out of the fridge for himself, followed by a flavorless juice that he tosses on the counter for Donnie. Then he leans back out so he can see Accelerator.]

Pick your poison, Accy, we got Gatorade and water. [He doesn't bother offering the juice because who other than Donnie drinks that?]

[Just brother things, he assumes.

He's totally loitering on the balcony until Donnie shuffles him inside, which he will do without complaint (albeit with a bit of an awkward look). However, once he's inside he isn't kicking off his shoes or anything - he's heading straight for the front door.]

I'm just gonna call an Uber and go. [He jabs a finger at his neck.] I have to charge this piece of shit before work in the morning.

[And spend a few hours curled up in a ball in bed. Normal things.]

[Donnie's snatching the phone out of Accelerator's grasp in passing.]

Yuck, you're still going to work in the morning? Call in sick or something- that's how it works, right? Anyway, it's not going to kill you to chill a while, is it? We've been practically going nonstop since we left that place.

[He reaches up to disengage his battle shell, letting it drop to the floor as he rolls his shoulders. All he wants to do is faceplant somewhere but he steers himself towards the kitchen to grab the drink Leo's fished out for him. Right. Good idea.

Donnie puts Accelerator's phone on the counter, practically folding over the counter himself as he leans there to guzzle down that delicious flavorless juice.]

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