Teenage Mutant Pizza Fail

[hellfire_empath]

What did one feed a boy who could turn into various turtles? Brooke Wyngarde wasn’t all that sure, but internet research had pulled up many different things that a turtle ate or could eat - including greens, shrimp, cuttlefish, and pellets and flakes specifically created for the diet of a turtle. Dairy products, though, apparently weren’t one of the healthiest things you could give a turtle.

It was with this list that Brooke had created a pizza that she was sure would get Pete Eastman to open up to her, minus any of the empathic manipulation that Rachel Grey-Ramsey had expressly forbidden her to use on Pete. She looked down distastefully at the shrimp and cuttlefish mixed with butter lettuce, pellets, and calcium powder, and pushed the box away.

She’d already sent a missive an invitation for Pete to meet her in the kitchen, and was patiently waiting for him in what she considered to be one of her most approachable outfits.

Certainly the green would put them on some sort of even standing, no?

Comments

[hellfire_empath]

Oh, Brooke felt it. But she couldn't reach out and manipulate it.

She'd promised Rachel, and for some ridiculous reason, she actually found herself respecting Rachel.

Still, she could discuss things. That's what she was there for. "You know I'm an empath, right? That means that I can feel and sense emotions?" She leaned back in her seat and studied the turtle. "I feel calmness and nervousness. Those are...two very opposing emotions."

[fourshelled]

There was a little surprise in the calmness now.

"Struth?" He managed after swallowing a bit. "I am unfamiliar with many of the powers wielded by people in this shire."

He set his almost finished sandwich down for a moment. He took in a breath and summoned his chi. He tried to bulk up his defenses to block being read. "Did that work?"

[hellfire_empath]

Brooke reached out with her powers again. Indeed, the readings of nervousness had died down. But she knew they were there, she'd felt the emotion, and now she knew what she was looking for.

Still, it all went unmanipulated.

"Yes. Though now I know what I'm looking for. How's the sandwich?"

[fourshelled]

He picked the sandwich back up to finish eating it.

"It is delicious, lady Wyngarde. Thank you for this repast." He went back to calmly eating his sandwich. Though this time he kept his chi defenses up so Brooke would not get unsightly emotions all over her senses.

[hellfire_empath]

"You're welcome." And then, without any segue, "Let's talk about those mixed emotions."

[fourshelled]

The turtle tilted his head quizzically at the un-segue.

"My emotions are steady," he noted. He had had a natural progression while seated with her in the kitchen. However, he couldn't feel Pete's emotions like Brooke could.

[hellfire_empath]

"Yes. Yours are. But there's another emotion there, and though you're masking it, I can still suss it out. Is that Pete?" She wasn't beating around the bush here.

But she also wasn't being her usual bitchy, tactless self.

Be proud, Rachel. Be proud!

[fourshelled]

He nodded. "That would be Young Master Eastman, aye."

She was being forthcoming and polite, so he did not see why he couldn't as well. He did not know how the mechanics of his being went, but it seemed no one else did either.

[hellfire_empath]

"Can you feel what he feels as well? Or is it just what you feel?" She paused. "I'm sorry, I'm just curious about the nature of your being. I have to admit, as an empath, it's very intriguing."

[fourshelled]

The turtle shook his head. "Nae. I know only what I feel."

He patted his belly.

"And that is no longer famished thanks to your graces. And questions are no vexation."

[hellfire_empath]

"Good. I'm glad you found that moderately edible. Because I'm not much of a cook," she smiled. "I'd grown up with my nanny-slash-maid having done everything for me, always." She shrugged, then, and added, "Not that I'm going to - I want to make that clear - but has anyone ever forced one of your personalities in and forced another out?"

[fourshelled]

He scratched his chin as he did not point out she did not actually put anything to flame and thus, did not cook. Silence was the better part of diplomacy here.

"Mm. Not that I know. August personages have conversed us into letting go. Whoever is strongest takes over however."

[hellfire_empath]

"Have you ever considered, I don't know, going into some sort of therapy? I mean, not that there's a mental issue here, but...just to figure this out? Each of you is missing out on a huge chunk of life living like this. And the fact that you all are fighting to be the strongest...I'm not sure that it would be healthy in the long run."

[fourshelled]

He squinted at her a little. "I am of sound mind, and my existence is what it is. It is Young Master Eastman who holds the keys to the castle."

The turtle shrugged and stopped his miniscule squinting.

[hellfire_empath]

Brooke leaned forward a little and studied the turtle closely.

"And yet, it doesn't seem as though he's the dominant personality."

[fourshelled]

He raised a scaly brow. He couldn't lean away without falling out of the chair. "Mayhap we don't think of ourselves as 'personalities.' Mayhap we are tenets to Young Master Eastman's lord of lands."

[hellfire_empath]

"I'm not sure I quite follow," Brooke asked. "What do you mean by that?"

[fourshelled]

"Thou thinkest us mere parts. We consider ourselves whole under one castle." He crossed his arms in front of his chest. Then he tilted his head to take in Brooke a little more.

[hellfire_empath]

Brooke's mouth dried a little under that gaze.

"Oh, no. Is this the part where you say some deep insightful something about me? Because I get plenty of that from Rachel, thank you."

[fourshelled]

"Why would I poach in Her Majesty's wood? Nay, I am not the priest." He was a little amused under his very slight offense and larger curiosity.

"Dost thou need anything else of me?"

[hellfire_empath]

"A chance to speak to Pete?" It was a shot in the dark, but the empath had to try. After all, that was why she was here in the first place. To talk to Pete himself, and help him figure things out.

And bring him out of what Brooke was realizing was a very literal shell, indeed.

[fourshelled]

He took a deep breath and sat there for a thoughtful moment. She had fed him. He considered the debt owed for that.

"I can release my hold, but I cannot swear it will be Young Master Eastman who surfaces."

[hellfire_empath]

"As long as it's not a sixth personality calling herself Milady de Winter, I think we'll be okay," Brooke smiled. "In any case, I would like to acquaint myself with all of you."