Athénaïs's P.O.V.-

"So, what? Raphael just up and disappears on me, only for his brother to show up almost two weeks later! I think it was his brother…. He looked just like Raphael, but his eye mask was blue, and he had swords." Uncle had been quietly listening to me ramble on as I paced back and forth on the floor. I couldn't get over what happened yesterday. Here I was, wondering where the heck Raphael went, and his brother just so happened to appear out of the blue. Uncle was sitting backwards on a sit with his cheek resting in his palm.

"Wait? Do you mean Leonardo?" Uncle perked up a bit. "Leonardo? Is that his name? Are all the brothers named after Italian Renaissance artists?" "Their father must have liked their work," Uncle laughed. My eyes scrolled into nowhere ponderingly. "Huh…. But I just don't understand. Why would Leonardo come here last night? I mean, I'm glad he did! But where was Raphael? Do you think…..? Well, I suppose he could have told his brothers about me; that would explain Leonardo's appearance yesterday." "Did you talk to him?" "No; I didn't have time. He told me to run and I came straight home. I don't know what he did afterwards," my finger ran under my bottom lip in a contemplative manner. "Very strange. I wonder where his brothers were. They usually go around together, so I thought." "They do?" I blinked to my uncle. Despite sounding very close, Raphael had yet to mention his family to me. That's when I was struck with an idea.

"Maybe something's happened to Raphael, and he asked his brother to keep an eye on me," I thought out loud. Uncle seemed to consider this for a moment. "Hmmmmm, it's possible. But if that's the case, why didn't Leonardo talk to you last night?" "I…. don't know. He rushed in to save me, so I just thought….." I let my sentence trail off; I wasn't sure where I was going with it anymore. Uncle waited a minute before cocking his head in my direction.

"What'd you think of him?" "Who?" I asked. "Leonardo; I believe he's the eldest of the brothers." "Leonardo? Oh, he's uh…. Well he sure is strong, like his hot-tempered brother. I… honestly don't know anything about him. He did…. seem a little different than Raphael, but I can see them being brothers. He's tall, and strong, and handsome…" "Handsome?!" My uncle perked up with a clever smile. I immediately frowned, shaking my head if only for my own vanity. "Oh honestly, I didn't mean it like that. I think he- and Raphael- are very fine-looking… for turtles." "But you love turtles," he added with a hidden smirk. I shot him a look which I knew he couldn't see. Then I let out a long sigh to myself.

"I don't know what to do. I don't when I'll see Raphael again. I don't know if I'll ever see his brother again; the fact that he didn't talk to me doesn't inspire hope." "Heh, I love the way you talk. So old-fashioned and British," my beloved uncle chuckled softly. "Uncle, please. This is a hard situation for me." "I understand you're confused and upset, my dear. But the reality is that you may not see either of them for a long time. The turtles fight crime around the city; that's what they do. They're the vigilantes around here; they have busy lives. I'm sure it's nothing personal, Athénaïs." "I know….." My eyes lowered a tad. I did know that; it's just…..

Uncle got off his chair to come place his hand kindly on my shoulder. I flashed him a warm, sincere smile in return. "Everything will work out, my child; you'll see. In the meantime, just keep living your life." "Of course, Uncle. I would never sit around waiting for anyone. I do have my dignity to preserve," the corners of my smile curled into a smirk. He didn't say anything but gave my shoulder a squeeze.

After this, Uncle went to collect the mail from behind the counter. I blinked as he held out a red envelop for me to take. "This one's for you," he said, though I had no clue how he knew that. He was right, I discovered upon taking it from his hand. My eyes lit up as the read the return address. "It's my Easter card from Daddy," I happily opened the envelop. Along with a nice note inside, I was surprised to find a folded printed out paper. Unfolding it revealed two renewable plane tickets….. to Dublin. My jaw dropped open as my mouth began to sputter. "Ireland…." I muttered more to myself than anyone. Needless to say, I didn't hesitate to pick up my phone, open WhatsApp, and give Daddy a call.

Uncle stayed close by as Daddy's phone rang on the other side of the world. The following conversation occurred in German. "Hello?" "Hi, Daddy?" "Oh, hello darling! You do know it's after ten here?" "I'm sorry to call you so late, but I just got your card." "Oh, well I hoped you liked it." "I did! Very much so. But…. There's a return ticket in here…. to Dublin… for this June." There was a brief pause; Daddy chuckled on his end.

"I wanted to wait to tell you. You know that I always said obedient women get their rewards." "…. Yes, Daddy." "You've been such a great help to your uncle and doing so well with your schoolwork. I thought this summer is a good time to start your progress." "T-This summer?" I sucked in my lower lip. "Yes, and where better to start than Ireland? You do like Ireland, yes?" "Oh, yes; I love Ireland! But…." I couldn't help but hesitate, much to my own bewilderment. This was all happening so fast! And here I thought I'd be in America until I graduated from high school.

"I knew you'd be thrilled. I thought you could start your progress in Ireland this summer; next summer can be England. That'll help you prefect your English before you start university." "But I don't know, Daddy. I-I've never….. lived anywhere on my own like that before. I mean, I-I wanna come back to Europe- I really, really do! But… Don't you think I'm a bit young for this?" "Nonsense! Look, if you're feeling anxious about going alone, I'll come stay with you. You'll love it; I'll get you access to the Trinity College Library, and you can register for summer courses at the university. We'll go to Galway and up and down the Atlantic coast. It'll be a good break for you before you start school in New York again."

I hesitated; I can't believe I was hesitating, but I was. The end of June was only a month away. If I said yes, I'd be going for almost three full months. I do adore Ireland; the city of Dublin has made a good impression on me. But….. I nibbled my thumb nail anxiously. But…

I guess Daddy took my lack of response to be a bad sign. His tone instantly changed, though he sounded no less understanding. "Course I understand if you decide not to go. I figured this might be the case, so I got you a refundable ticket." "Daddy, I…" "No, it's ok, Athénaïs. You must have grown attached to your great uncle by now. If you don't want to leave him so soon, I'll understand." "C-Can I have some time? This is a really big decision. I-I don't know what I should do yet. Don't get me wrong; I want to go to Ireland! But this is a lot to take in all of a sudden." "Certainly, sweetheart. Just let me know soon, ok? I won't be mad whatever you choose, so long as you choose what's right for you." "Thanks, Daddy. I'll….

I'll think about it."