When night fell over New York City, a whole new city seemed to emerge from the shadows and consume the vibrant city. Rather than suffocating the life out of the usually vivacious city, it just transformed the life into something more mysterious, almost magical.
Nightlife.
All kinds of people emerged from the shadows to inhabit is new city. All of the outcasts, the freaks, and the darker members of society. It was also when a certain teenage mutant ninja turtle would steal away from the safety of the lair and emerge onto the darkened streets. Using his ninja skills, he would steal his younger brother's trench coat and fedora to disguise his hulking figure as best as possible. Being a six foot two ninja turtle had its disadvantages.
Fortunately, this particular turtle had experience roaming the streets of the night and among the crowds of nightpeople he was not questioned or feared by anyone. Despite his size he moved with grace and determination as he carefully weaved through the crowds of people. Despite feeling secure among the nightpeople, the turtle walked with a purpose and an aura that said 'don't bother me'. He was not disturbed on his trek.
After a few minutes of walking, he found himself standing in front of the steps of and abandoned apartment building in Harlem. There was a glowing sign advertising the club below known as Misté.
All around him people were laughing and walking along the streets. Music and loud voices filtered from every club in the neighborhood, but the turtle ignored them and walked down the steps to the basement entrance of the club. Jazz exuded from the doorway and the bright windows. And the turtle's tense shoulders relaxed. He knocked and a slot appeared in the door, inquisitive green eyes examining him.
"Hey Charley." The turtle said softly, his deep voice resonating over the music despite his whisper. The eye brightened and the door was wrenched open by a young African American boy with one arm and a huge grin. His slim face was decorated by an elegant but simple green mask the fit his face perfectly and curled at the ends.
"Leo!" He crowed happily and held out his hand for the turtle's jacket. Leo shed them with a contented sigh and handed them to Charley.
"Maman will be so happy to see you." He smiled and looked Leo over. "Wow, Maman did good."
Leo had shed his usual garb in favor of black dress pants that were tailored to accommodate his shell. He was also wearing a simple white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Custom black gloves covered his large green hands and he had on a black and gold tie. The most extravagant part of his simple garb was his mask. Half was pure white, the other black, and the two colors met to wrap around his eyes and then trail down to his cheeks where they were met by gold lightning. His electric blue eyes glinted from behind the mask. Unlike Charley's mask, Leo's covered his entire face to further conceal his identity.
"I'm just as excited to see her." He said and through his tone one could hear the smile that could not be seen. Leo walked further into the smoky club to a table in the back. A special iced tea was dropped of by a plump waitress seconds after he sat down.
"Thank you Beatriz." He said and took a sip of the drink. Perfect, as usual.
Leo leaned back and closed his eyes as he took a deep, calming breath. The smell of cigars and fresh rain filled his senses and automatically he felt the weight of leadership and being the eldest and most responsible son melt off of his shoulders. Leo took another sip of his tea and surveyed the room with his piercing gaze. He recognized many of the patrons as regulars, but among them were a few newer faces that Leo did not recognize. He hadn't been able to make it to the club in a month because of the reconstruction of the lair. Their little family would spend the day working hard and then collapse into a deep sleep for the rest of the night. Leo had felt himself beginning to crack under his facade and he knew that he had to escape to his little safe haven. It wasn't that he didn't love his family, on the contrary he loved them maybe too much, but he couldn't feel comfortable sharing this portion of his life with him.
Leo caught sight of a figure pushing her way through the crowd and stood in preparation to embrace her. Determination colored the aged features of the old woman as she finally made it to Leo and did her best to wrap the large turtle in her embrace. Her warmth against his body made Leo feel an overwhelming sense of belonging and he quickly reciprocated the hug.
"Maman." he sighed happily and she finally looked up at him. He dark skin was wrinkled from years of smiles, but her green eyes glinted with mischievous vivacity that was young in itself.
"Leonardo. Where have you been honey?" she ushered him back to his seat and fussed over his clothes. Leo didn't get a chance to answer her query before she was talking again. "The bones said that you were in a great battle. Are you alright? Why didn't you come see me?" she demanded as she adjusted his clothes and repositioned his mask.
Leo reached back and stilled her flitting hands by capturing them in his own. His hands swallowed hers whole, but his firm and gentle grip succeeded in calming her down. "I missed you too Maman." he whispered and kissed her cheek.
"I'm glad you're safe honey." she said as he released her hands and she patted his cheek.
"So is there any new talent around this old joint of yours?" he asked teasingly and she immediately rose to his challenge.
"You watch your mouth." she snapped playfully and Leo just chuckled. "As a matter of fact we have a new bass player and a wonderful saxophonist. You are going to love her!" she clapped her hands.
"I'm sure she's very nice," he said neutrally. Women were a touchy subject between him and Maman.
"She's perfect! And you are going to play with her tonight to celebrate your return." she poked his chest forcefully and the look in her eye to Leo that he didn't have a choice. He sighed and relented.
"Okay okay." he sipped his tea. "I'll be here. Just let me know when." Maman opened her mouth to reply when there was a commotion in the kitchen and the sound of breaking dishes. Maman stiffened and her relaxed demeanor changed to show her anger.
"Hey! Ou idyo te gen pi bon pa dwe detwi kwizin mwen! Mwen pral gen tèt ou!" She screeched in Creole as she stormed to the kitchen. Leo shook his head and laughed at her antics. He leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. The smooth notes of jazz music washed over him, and with them they brought a peace that was unrivaled.
Leo waited and waited for Maman to summon him to his special piano, but as the night wore on he relaxed, thinking that she had forgotten about his promised performance.
When midnight hit, the club was in full swing and Leo was preparing to leave. Now that the dojo had been repaired, 7 am morning practices had resumed and he needed to be up at 6 am for his morning meditation and warm up. Because he was the leader, Leo practiced more than his brothers, going into the dojo early and leaving late. He could not afford the luxuries that his brothers enjoyed. To his brothers and his master Leo's life was ninjutsu, and it was, but what they didn't know is that this club, the music that he played, was Leo's soul.
Leo was putting down money for his drinks when Maman's voice came on the microphone.
"Hello and welcome to Misté! Tonight we have a very special treat for you all. We are celebrating the return of a very young and talented musician as well as the emergence of another young and talented musician. Tonight they will play for you…. Love's Silhouette." the crowd murmured in interest and Leo sighed. Once again Maman had caught him before he could leave.
"I would like to welcome Leonardo and Harper to the stage." she stepped aside as the crowd clapped. When Leo hesitated Maman shot him a warning look that made him hurry up to the stage. He played a few chords on the piano to warm it up and then turned on the stool to see his partner.
The woman who stepped onto the stage was stunning. Leo felt like his heart had stopped in his chest when he saw her. Her mocha skin was flawless and looked so soft that Leo's hand ached to touch it. Her smooth ebony hair was cut in a bob that barely brushed her shoulders. Her eyes were a soft hazel littered with flecks of green and brown. Her full lips were pulled into a shy smile that was directed at him. She was wearing a long black skirt that flowed with her every step and draped across her shapely hips perfectly. Her top was a golden wrap that hugged her torso and displayed her ample chest with some modesty. In her arms she cradled a golden saxophone that glistened in the stage lights. Her eye-mask was pure white with golden swirls whirling all around the edges.
"Hello." she said in a soft, musical voice.
"Hello." Leo barely choked out in his smooth baritone. She smiled at him once again and Leo handed her the sheet music.
"Oh. No, thank you, I know this song by heart." she turned to the crowd and Leo felt his heart flutter again. This song was one of his favorites. The rest of the band took their places on the stage and began playing the opening to the song. Leo watched Harper sway slowly to the beat as she waited for her part. Leo flexed his fingers and laid them on the keys in preparation for his solo.
He closed his eyes and the music seemed to flow from his fingers as they flew across the keys. The song came to him naturally and he played as the rest of the band joined once more and Harper joined with her sax. She played beautifully with his piano parts and as Leo moved into his second solo he saw her in his minds eye. He always kept his eyes closed during a performance in order to preserve the magic of the moment.
As the song continued on, Leo felt his heart thumping hard in his chest and his fingers shook slightly as they flew over the keys. He hadn't been this nervous to play well since his first performance. The song ended slowly and as his fingers hit the last chord he looked up and opened his eyes. There she was, standing next to him with a slight sheen of sweat on her skin from the lights and vibrant grin gracing her face.
She mesmerized Leo and he stared at her as the crowd clapped and crowed. Leo no longer cared that it was past his usual time to leave; the only thought that was running through his head was how to get closer to Harper. He rose from his seat and she looked up at him as he towered over her, despite her heels. She gave him a shy smile as he stepped down from the stage and offered her his hand to help her down. She blushed and took it with a smile. Another song began as they stood on the dance floor, her hand still clasped in his hand.
Before Leo could say anything she spoke, "You gonna dance with me sugar?" she put her free hand on her shapely hip and Leo felt himself blushing furiously under his mask. He had never been more grateful for it than in this moment.
He cleared his throat, "Of course my lady." he spun her around and put a big arm around her waist, clasping her hand in his left. They swayed slowly and Leo concentrated hard on not stepping on her feet. He was usually very graceful, but something about this curvy goddess had him on edge.
"I'm not so sure about me being a lady" she joked and smiled at him, placing her free hand on his shoulder.
The danced in silence for a while and after a few minutes her hand trailed down to his exposed right forearm. "Nice tattoo." she smiled at him and Leo's heart jumped to his throat. His green skin was exposed for the whole club to see.
He quickly pulled away and rolled down his sleeves so that they were hiding his skin. He glanced at the clock and then back at her. "I um…I'm sorry I have to go." he said and gave her a quick little bow before hurrying towards the door.
She grabbed his hand and pulled him to look at her. "Did I do something wrong? I'm sorry." she looked hurt and nervous as she gazed up at him, her firm grip on his arm keeping him in place. He could easily overpower her, but she seemed to have some kind of power over him. He couldn't resist her. "No…no. I just have to go."
He turned to her and as he gazed down at her he heard Maman's voice in his head. "Take a chance for once honey."
Leo turned back to Harper, shifting nervously. "I'll see you tomorrow night?" he whispered and Harper's face broke out in a brilliant smile.
"You definitely will sugar." she stood on her tiptoes and kissed the cheek of his mask, leaving a big red lip mark on his mask. Leo turned bright red and pulled back from her quickly. His cheeks felt like they were on fire.
Leo walked over to Charley and retrieved his coat and fedora. He slid on his coat and put on his hat. He glanced at Charley and gave him a tentative smile.
"You picked a good one Leo. Give her a chance to get to know the real you. The man inside of the turtle." he gave him a thumbs up and Leo shrugged. He turned to look back at Harper and found her watching him with a soft smile. He tipped his hat to her before hurrying out into the night.
Harper watched him go and then turned to find Maman. She jumped in surprise when she found the woman right next to her. "Thank you ma'am for giving me this opportunity-" she began but Maman cut her off with the raise of her hand.
"First rule. Call me Maman. I may be old, but I'm never old enough for ma'am." she spit out the word as if it would leave a bad taste in her mouth. Harper laughed and nodded in understanding.
"Yes Maman." she winked and Maman led her to the bar where she poured her a glass of water. Harper accepted it gratefully and watched as Maman fiddled with the liquor and wiped glasses.
"Next. You be gentle with my Leonardo's heart. He is fragile and does not fall in love easily. He has been hurt many times by the stupid people of this world. You have to be willing to see beyond the surface." Maman said seriously, and fixed Harper with her steady gaze.
"I'm not sure if I would say I'm in love just yet Maman. I just met him tonight and I have to be very careful with my heart as well." She looked down and swirled her water morosely as a shock of fear rippled through her body. She looked up when Maman's hand covered hers comfortingly.
"That boy is better than any other man I have ever met. He may treat you with caution now, but the moment that you get through his walls he will treat you like gold." she flipped Harper's hand and began tracing her palm and muttering to herself. After a few moments she stepped back and gave Harper and encouraging smile.
"You have been through much pain honey but it is not over yet. Before the end there will be more but it will be tempered by a great love. Your heart is pure and you are a good girl for my boy." she patted Harper's cheek and then glanced at the clock.
When Harper saw the time she got up and gathered her instrument and her bag. She hurried out of the club as Maman called for last call and the last song came on. As harper walked along the streets she couldn't stop humming the song that she and Leo had played on stage. She spun around and laughed gleefully. She hadn't been this happy since before moving to New York. She hummed the tune and made her way to the bus stop.
She sat down to wait and looked around cautiously. New York was a dangerous place at night and she fingered the pocketknife in her bag. Suddenly she felt a feeling of comfort and safety wash over. For some reason she was no longer afraid of what lurked in the dark, because somehow she knew that someone was watching out for her and would come save her. She settled on the bench and pulled out her mystery novel.
Above the bus stop, on the roof of a nearby building, Leo watched her diligently. He found that he couldn't return to the lair until he was sure that she got on the bus safely. From there she should be safe and although Leo's protective instincts screamed for him to follow her all the way to her home he reined them in. To be honest, these feelings scared him. He barely knew Harper and already he felt a deep emotional connection with her. The bus pulled up to the stop with a hiss of the breaks and Leo watched avidly as Harper boarded it. Leo stood at the edge of the roof and watched the bus drive away until he could no longer see it. With a sigh he turned away from the street and headed toward an alleyway where he could find an entrance to the sewers.
Harper felt the presence drift away as the bus drove towards her flat. When she got to her stop she paid the driver and walked down the street to her modest apartment. She trudged tiredly up the steps to her landing and stood in front of her door wrestling with her keys and her saxophone, trying to get the key into the lock. A scruffy white man with five-o-clock shadow and graying hair wrenched the door open. His serious face was furious but Harper just pushed past him and set her keys in a bowl and her bag on the couch. The man slammed the door and stormed after her as she moved towards her room. He opened his mouth to scold her, but was startled as she slammed the door in his face and locked it.
"Save it Henry." she called from behind the door as she began shedding her clothes in preparation for bed.
"Harper! Where have you been? What were you doing? Who did you talk to?" he thundered and she wrenched the door open, dressed in a Starry Night pajama set.
"If you really must know." she huffed in annoyance, "I was at an underground jazz club. The only people I talked to were the owner and this guy named Leonardo." She once again brushed past Charley and made her way to the kitchen to start boiling water for her nightly tea.
Henry followed, hot on her heels. "You talked to a guy?! You didn't tell him anything did you." Harper said nothing as she poured the hot water into her mug.
"Respond Harper!" he yelled and she spun around, the tea in her hand.
"Yeah sure Henry I use my background story to attract men. I can just see it! 'Oh and by the way I am in Witness Protection because a crazy witch doctor and her cult are trying to kill me!" she screamed back at him. "No Henry I did not say anything because I am not an idiot!" she glided out of the kitchen, her hips swaying and her head held high. She slammed her door and Henry winced at his tactless words and the sound of the door. He sighed and scrubbed his face with his hand before shuffling over to Harper's door.
"Harper." he said softly, "I promised your father that I would protect you. You know that's all I'm trying to do." he leaned his forehead against the door.
"I know Henry I just need some space to live my life okay? I really like this guy. And for that reason he can never know about my past." she said from inside her room, her words muffled through the door.
"Goodnight." Henry sighed and moved to the couch where his makeshift bed was laid out.
Harper was seated on the bend by her window, sipping her tea and gazing up at the stars. She finished her tea and reluctantly dragged herself to bed. As she lay under the covers, she felt herself drifting to sleep, her dreams filled with a large shadow with piercing blue eyes that hypnotized her soul.
