Put to the Test
Rated: K+ for minor language.
Disclaimer: I gaze into my crystal ball...I see money, a tall dark stranger.But nowhere do I see ownership of the TMNT.
Author's note: This was supposed to be a one shot, but I had almost five thousand words, and only about the middle of the story and decided to turn it into a couple of chapters for easing reading. Ramica.
Kali glanced at her mother and older cousin, a look of sheer desperation in her face, and a note of panic in her voice, " Dad is getting curious, I'm sure he knows and...ohhh, but how are we ever going do this?" she wondered, " I need help please."
Rama arched an eye ridge, and shook her head, " I have no idea Kali, it's not exactly something I've come across, nor am I likely too." She muttered ruefully, " I'm afraid I have nothing to offer in the line of assistance in this."
" Oh, come on Ramiela, you have planned and pulled off a lot of practical jokes and wild stunts in your time," Kaliann accused, " You can't deny it!"
" Sure, I can. It might not do me any good to deny it, but I can still do so." Rama replied.
The older girl sighed wistfully, she had hoped that by the time she reached twenty she would have a boyfriend, and she had, it just didn't work out because her and Devon lived how many worlds apart from each other. To top it off when Splinter had died earlier that year, Master Leonardo had decided that she was not to use mental teleportation, or try to reach the boy she loved and had promised to marry. Now, she was back to being single, with no prospects for the future beyond that of future jonin. ' But I want to have a family of my own. I don't want to die a virgin.' She mused, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy that her cousin Kali had managed to find a young man who loved her.
Kaliann was only fifteen, and had met her guy earlier that year, before Splinter's demise, but then the family had always said she'd have no problem catching a guy. Kaliann, had shoulder length curly blond hair, large blue eyes, fringed with eye lashes, a human mouth and nose set into her turtle face, and such light green skin it was hard to notice the green in it, except if she held her arm against her mom's and then you could see the faint tinge of colour to her flesh.
Karena smiled, " I'm sure your father just wants to meet this Mark and find out about him, since you two seem to be quite the item," She assured her daughter. " It wasn't exactly that he was ignorant to the fact when you started to go out with Mark, but you were only fourteen then and I suppose he wasn't expecting it to last more then a month. It has been almost eight months now and he just wants to check this guy out."
" Master Leonardo isn't that protective, at least he's not like dad who keeps insisting that I am never to marry." Ramiela spoke up cheerfully, " Course I know how protective he is of the family, and how strict he is with you, I'm glad he's not my father. I have trouble enough pleasing him as just his student."
" It is going be hard enough on Mark, without forcing him to deal with the whole family all at once, what if it scares him away, mom?" Kaliann inquired, " I'm sure dad will be interrogating him and posturing like crazy too, if only to shake Mark." Kaliann scowled, crossing her arms over her chest, " Because I'm sure dad doesn't believe for one instant that his intentions are honourable. He says that I'm young and might not be thinking clearly, and at my age my hormones could be misleading me." She grouched, then growled, " I don't care what dad says I don't think he was ever young, not the way he acts."
Rama chuckled, seeing how nervous Kaliann was at the moment, amused her to no end, but at the same point she could relate because she had trouble enough telling her dad about Devon. ' I'm going have to find myself another guy just so I can stop thinking about him. Yeah, and the odds of that happening any time soon is...well a snowball has a better chance staying cold in hell I think.' She turned to Kaliann, " Maybe we can arrange a private dinner somewhere on a roof top, for you and your parents. Less pressure for Mark, and I'm sure Aunt Karena can make sure that Master Leonardo doesn't get ...too...well intimidating."
"I'll do my best but Leo can intimidate with a look, he doesn't have to draw a weapon," Karena pointed out.
" I'm well aware of that." Rama muttered, too many times she had felt humbled and frightened of Leo, even before he became her Master. She recalled times of when he seemed no more then her uncle, but those times seemed few and far between for he was the Sensei, and he had been chunin and now he was jonin, such roles in life didn't give him much chance to release that Uncle side of him. Raised to be a leader, Leonardo was calm, unflappable and had developed ways of frightening the enemy, putting an underling in their place or bolstering the troops in an effective manner.
Kali considered, the suggestion, " All right but nothing too fancy or romantic. I don't think dad will like that, more casual like."
Rama sighed, "All right roasted chicken for four, potatoes and veggies. Maybe a dessert too," She added, " It is up to you to get your dad to go. I'll care for the food."
Karena glanced at Ramiela, " Making sure Leo is there is no problem considering he wants to meet Mark. I can help you with the food though Rama, you do have other duties to tend to, Kali just has to make sure Mark gets there. Leo won't think much if he gets off on the wrong foot and we all know how punctual he is."
"That is the problem mom, dad is such a stickler for things, and I know he'll be expecting a good first impression and..." Kali groaned, " I'm worried he'll tear Mark to pieces."
"Kali, your father is not that bad." Karena admonished.
Kali glanced at Rama, whose smile curled up just a little more at those words 'Oh, yes he is! And we both know it don't we Kali, he is a hard one to impress and has such a charismatic serene aura that he can put so many at unease.' Rama said mentally, ' Making it far too difficult to make a good first impression.'
Kali nodded, she didn't want her guy to be found lacking in her father's eyes, but she was sure somewhere that Mark would somehow fail, or fall short and then her dad might decide that she ought not to see him again, but she loved Mark and he loved her. She enjoyed every chance she could to be with him. While there were times she loved his kisses and caresses she had never gone all the way with him. For she knew her father would be very disappointed, and Kali had always done her best to please her dad.
Kali had always looked up to him, her father was her hero, strong powerful, reassuring, and while her brother Aiden tried to shirk the whole idea of being another Leo, Kali felt that there was nothing wrong in emulating the great man their father was. She knew her father trained hard, and so did she. She had been thrilled when she had learned that her and her twin brother were going be chunin, to Rama's jonin. Though Aiden griped and complained about the added responsibilities and work. Aiden, she knew just wanted to find his own identity and it was hard for him when he looked so much like his dad, and lived forever in their father's shadow.
" I'll do everything I can to prepare Mark for this. So, when do we do this? You have to give me a few weeks at least." She begged.
XXX
Karena smiled at her husband, "Promise you won't scare the boy off, Kali is quite smitten with him." She sat on their bed, staring admiringly at his wet glistening body, a towel wrapped round his waist, he had just stepped from the shower, and he was the sort of man any woman would spare more then a second glance at, and not just because of the fact that he looked like a turtle. His muscles rippled and flowed with each graceful move, he moved with the balance and precision of a dancer, or a martial arts expert.
" I don't bite Karena, if the boy is frightened of me, then his intentions towards Kaliann might be questionable to say the least."
" I don't think Mark's intentions lead quite that way Leo, or I'm sure he would have been pressuring Kali long before now, and if she had lied to us about how intimate they have been, I'm sure you would know it."
Leo turned to face his wife, a small smile played across his beak, " If that was the case the boy wouldn't be here now. But I'm glad Kali arranged this, I have been wanting to meet with him." Karena had grown a little heavier around the middle after bearing four children, of course the first two had come together and three years after their birth had come Jeff, then Tiffany. There were a few more lines in her face too, it was a hard and difficult life living in the sewers, a lot of worry and stress about family and loved ones and it was this, as well as the joy and laughter that showed clearly the marks of time. She had blond slightly curly hair, and green eyes that Leo wished a few more of their kids had inherited.
"Yes, I know dear, but I believe Kali was a little reluctant to have Mark come down and face a throng of warrior turtles. The clan is rather large, it is a lot of names and faces to remember all at once. Not to mention the distractions. " Karena pointed out kindly as she watched Leo whip the towel off and start to dry the rest of his body. She bit her lip wanting to take him to bed instead, he turned and smirked at her.
" I love you too Karena." He assured her. "But that wouldn't be fair to Kali, even if it would be more interesting."
She flushed, slightly, after all this time one would think that she'd be used to how quickly her husband could pick up on such things.
"How did such a nice girl like you get such a dirty mind, you've been hanging around Sara too much I think" Leo reflected.
Karena got up off the bed walking over to hug him from behind, " No you just have a way of bringing it out in me." She murmured, " And of course your brothers are not a contributing factor, especially Raph, and Mike the original naughty turtle." She teased.
Leo chuckled, " Very good Karena. Touché." He stated casually as he turned to hug her close to him.
XXX
Kali met her beau at the arranged spot. Mark was five nine in height, taller then her by five inches. He was only eighteen and going to the University taking various business courses. He was slender, and though he went for jogs around the park to keep in shape, he didn't sport much noticeable muscle. He had a head for numbers though, there was a bad scar on his right cheek giving him a roguish look, with sandy brown hair, and brown eyes.
He had been jumped in the park early one winter evening when she and Aiden had been on patrol. During the scuffle she had dropped her jo staff and had almost forgotten it there, she had left Aiden to go retrieved her weapon cursing her own stupidity, only when she got back she had spotted Mark holding her weapon. " Please, that's mine." She had informed him, " Could you please give it here."
" Only if you let me see who you are. You have a nice voice." he had returned.
" I can't. I..." She knew she had to keep the secret and with ninja speed she could knock him down grab her weapon and be gone. " I'm not really like you at all. I'm different." She replied cautiously. She didn't feel like using her ninja skills to get her weapon back because he had been, well almost the victim, in the matter. But she knew Aiden would come looking for her if she didn't return quickly. " Just hand it over okay." She held out a hand.
She had been taken by surprise when he placed the staff in her hand grabbed her and hauled her out in the open where he could see her. Shocked he released her and Kali had scrambled for safety only for him to call after her that he hadn't even known her name. She had told him who she was and he begged to see her again, of course she had been leery of that. Rama had been held in a lab after all, but finally she relented if only so she could go meet her brother before too much time past. Of course she hadn't gone alone she had asked her Uncle Raphael and he agreed to stay out of the way but keep watch for funny business.
The only funny stuff Raph had spotted was Aiden about to cause trouble and Raph had given his nephew a good talking too and a stern warning.
Course that seemed so long ago now. Kali smiled and gave Mark a quick kiss, " The most important thing with dad is be very polite with him. He doesn't mind people with a different opinion willing to debate him, so don't feel that he wants you to agree with him. But do be very honest, if he catches you in a lie, or even a half truth he will suspect you are up to something."
" Relax Kali, it will be fine." Mark soothed as he hugged her close.
" I just want you to make a good impression, because dad really feels I'm too young to be serious about any one yet," Kali explained, " He feels I shouldn't be so involved at such a young age, especially when I have other responsibilities at home to attend to."
" You really care what he thinks don't you?" Mark asked arching an eye brow.
" Of course I do," Kali declared, " You see something wrong with that Mark?" She wondered, then shrugged, " My brother doesn't want to be like dad, and I well, just want to know that he approves of my choices in my life. He's taught me to think for myself, but there are times I guess..." She paused bit her bottom lip, " Dad is like no body I know. He has such a calm commanding air about him, he isn't much like Master Splinter was, he 's just..." She smiled a little, " Well you'll see for yourself come on." She took his hand in hers and cut down the back alley.
She paused at the fire escape, " Dad will shake your hand if you offer it. But if he happens to bow to you, just make sure you bow in return and lower then he does." She instructed him, "The bow is a form of respect and the one who bows lower is conferring more respect. So if you don't bow back he will think you don't respect him, and therefore might not respect me. If you keep the bow above him, or on the same level then it means you think you are as good as he is. Give him respect."
Kali didn't have time to teach Mark the proper way to bow, but that wasn't important her father would be impressed if he simply bowed in return, he wouldn't be looking for the proper bow of respect that she had been schooled in since she was only three years of age. She took a deep breath, glancing over Mark, he looked sharp dressed in dark slacks and a white shirt, not his usual dress, for she knew he preferred to be more casual. But he had at least taken the initiative to dress up for dinner.
"Oh, and one more thing wait until he is served before you even start to dish up food." She warned him.
She climbed the metal rungs quickly to the roof top hearing the sound of Mark's shoes following her upward. He was not silent, but he was not ninja. It was a taller building, one of the largest buildings in the area, with an excellent view of Central Park, though at this time of evening one couldn't see much of the park anyways, with night closing in. Kali was glad that Mark did at least run, but as they climbed higher she could tell by his quickened breathing that it was pushing his limits.
" Couldn't we have gone for a shorter building?" He panted, slightly in exasperation.
" And risk being seen, oh no..." Kali shook her head, " we are almost there." She encouraged him. She wasn't about to tell him that her father had picked this spot, and she knew as soon as she heard, that he had a reason for it. Of course she had tried to protest but her father remained firm, on the basis they were ninja and had to stay hidden, even while out in the open. Kali grimaced as she recalled her dad's stern look and words.
"Kali, if this guy can make you forget the simplest of lessons of our very life then I must question how well you keep yourself hidden when with him." He had arched an eye ridge then, staring at her as if expecting some answer.
She had managed to give a satisfactory reply, but she knew in her heart that her dad hadn't just picked this building on the basis of keeping them safe.
She heard a wearied groan behind her, as she reached the top, she knew that her mom also had to make the journey, though she had a feeling that her dad had carried her mother for a better part of it, and knowing him he probably hadn't even broken a sweat.
A small circular plastic table was set up on the rooftop, the table was covered in a red tablecloth, and set with dishes, and meal. There was a vase with some carnations in it and, a few candles for lighting. Her mom and dad were sitting, side by side, on the collapsible chairs set around the table.
" Ah, you made it. I was beginning to wonder." Leo said as he stood up, " And this young man of yours, is where?"
" He'll be here quickly." Kali answered, daring to shoot a withering glare at her father before glancing down at the fire escape, and offering her hand to Mark to assist pulling him up.
Leo chuckled softly at his daughter's sharp retort before going and pulling Karena's chair back and offering her his arm, she took it rising with ease and with their arms linked went to meet this young man.
"Mark, this is my mother Karena." Kali gestured slightly, with flowing gestures of her arm.
" Pleased to meet you Ma'am."
" Call me Karena, Kali has told me a great deal about you Mark. I'm glad to finally meet you." Karena assured him sweetly.
" Mark, this is my father, the head of our family, and leader of our clan Master Leonardo."
" Sir," Mark offered his hand, " it's an honour."
Leo smiled, " That remains to be seen," he remarked cryptically. He took the proffered hand and felt the firm hard grip of the young man. It was a good grip, but Leo felt that he had to prove a point because, this was his daughter after all, and he was protective of his family,returned the hand shake squeezing a pressure point in the hand ever so slightly to cause a tingling sensation. Leo saw Mark's eyes widen and his arm jerked slightly back.
Leo released Mark's hand, " I haven't heard as much about you as others have. I have a feeling Kaliann is trying to put you in an impressive light" Leo stated,as he cast a glance towards his daughter. He noted Mark looked a little worse for wear from the long climb, though not bad, all things considered, he at least had some stamina. Leo bowed to Mark, dipping down to about chest level, conferring some respect but not a great deal.
Mark recalling Kali's hastened advice, bowed in return, he made sure to bow deeper down to waist level but he did not hold it very long and jerked slightly on the way back.
Leo noted this as well, 'It is clear he does not know all he should about the bow.' He mused to himself. But showed no outward sign, though he saw Kali bite her bottom lip expectantly, " Come, dinner is waiting join us, " he offered, turning and gesturing to the waiting table. He turned on his heel so fluidly and glided, more then walked to the table.
" My pleasure." Mark agreed, rubbing his hand where it still tingled. He had felt the power in the hand shake, and even with it, he had the impression that Kali's father was holding back, for he was sure that the Master could break numerous bones in his hand and wrist simply by applying more pressure. He glanced nervously at Kali, suddenly realizing why she had been so worked up. His eyes locked on the turtle with the blue bandana, noting that his movements gave the impression he was floating, and of course seeing him from the back showed all too easily the twin swords housed in the scabbards.
' What have I got myself into? Mark wondered.
Kali sidled closer, " It's okay Mark, he's trying to shake you up." She whispered softly, though was quite aware that her father could probably still hear it. 'Oooh! He's all ready being difficult.'She huffed silently. But she felt that she had to give Mark an edge in this game, her dad had clearly decided to play. This was strategy, and she was fully aware of what the Master of the clan expected of her, and he was clearly playing that role right now. A role meant to intimidate an outsider, not so much with words or actions, but more with a display of subtle hints and the things that were left unsaid. " He will want me to serve him, after that you can dish up your food, but don't eat it." She had no time to explain why as they had all ready reached the table.
TBC