Title: Destinations – Sequel to 'Moth and Flame'
Author: Jayde
Summary: This picks up a couple of months after 'Moth and Flame'.
Disclaimer: I do not now, nor have I ever, owned the turtles. No harm intended.
Credits: Big thanks to ReluctantDragon for the beta reading.
Chapter 4:
"Wow."
Rachel's awed whisper was barely heard above the chatter and crash of the departure lounge. Leo led the way for his family, threading between humans and aliens of all sizes and descriptions. He had packed light for the trip, and the bag over his shoulder did not slow him down.
"Never been here before, huh, kid?" Raphael noted, trailing behind the others to walk with Rachel. She was still moving a little slowly. A large red alien lumbered into their path, and Raph moved protectively in front of Rachel. When the creature had passed, Raphael looked around for the others. They were nearly to the last checkpoint. After that, only he and Leo could go on to the Transmat.
"It's amazing," Rachel replied, craning her head around to look at everything. There were so many strange beings here. She heard languages she couldn't begin to guess at. A small flock of yellow, leathery aliens were talking rapidly and wildly gesturing. One of them was spinning about, taking pictures of its companions from all angles. Rachel smiled. Some things about tourism were universal.
"Did you bring a camera with you?" Rachel asked, and Raphael snorted in response. They skirted the yellow aliens, and found Mike and Juliet anxiously waiting for them.
"Come on," Juliet said urgently. "It's almost your departure time."
"I'm comin'," Raphael responded. He hefted his pack up onto his shoulder a little more, and saw Leo at the gate with their travel permits. Being friends with the Utroms had paid off in one way – they had a lot less rigmarole to go through before leaving the planet.
"Hey," Mike said, laying his hand on Raph's arm. Raphael glanced at his brother. "Take care of yourself." Raphael grinned. "And take care of Leo."
"Leo doesn't need a babysitter," Raph stated, but they all knew why he had decided to go. He had a bad feeling about it – like something was going to go wrong. Like if he didn't go, then Leo might not come back.
And Leo was coming back, because he wasn't about to run the school with Mike.
"Have a good trip," Juliet said, giving Raphael a quick hug. He returned it with his free arm, and then found himself embraced on either side.
"Have fun, Uncle Raph," Noelle enthused.
"Bring me back a souvenir," Rachel demanded in a bratty tone, but then she grinned and kissed his cheek. "Be careful," she added in a quieter voice. The girls stepped back as Leo joined them. Noelle wrapped her thin arms around one of Leo's as though she wouldn't let him leave.
"Time to go," Leo said softly. He would miss these people – his family. They stood in a little knot as a sea of life swirled and dodged around them.
"See you soon," Mike said firmly, his expression one of the most serious Leo could ever recall seeing.
"Count on it," Raphael confirmed.
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Two years ago on Maora 2 …
There was only one place in the city that they could meet – only one place that was safe from her mother. Cho had found it years ago. A little bookstore, crammed between the shops of a seamstress and a calligrapher. Inside, it smelled of dust and paper and some kind of fragrant tea. Very little light penetrated from the overcrowded front windows.
Moving to the back, you almost felt you would disappear only to find yourself in another world. The noisy street and teeming city seemed to belong to another universe. Sen loved the place, and came often, even if she wasn't meeting Cho.
Footsteps approached, and a narrow face nearly overwhelmed by a pair of large black eyes peered around the corner of a shelf. "There you are," Cho greeted happily. Sen smiled in response. "The chairs are empty," Cho said, tilting her head to the left.
The chairs were two poorly repaired wooden stools in the back of the shop. There, the two could sit and talk undisturbed. Cho went first, and brushing her wings to one side, she perched on one of the rickety seats.
Sen approached and sat down. "How have you been?" she asked. Cho shrugged, and responded with a mischievous smile.
"Fine. I've been doing research," Cho said, biting her lip. She looked as though she had a fabulous secret that she was dying to tell. "Go on, ask me what kind of research."
Sen, playing along with her friend's whimsy, inquired. "What kind of research?"
"Earth!" Cho reported triumphantly. "Since the Utroms opened the planet for travel, there are a lot of opportunities there."
"Earth," Sen repeated, a frown on her face as she tried to place the name. Cho reached out and put a hand on her friend's knee.
"Think about it," Cho said rapidly. "A new planet. We could go there."
"Why?" Sen questioned. She didn't want to dampen Cho's fun, but this wasn't a rational idea. Why would they travel to a new, and possibly dangerous, planet?
"We could open a business there," Cho continued, her eyes alight. "Oh, think about it Sen! We could get away from here. You could be free."
Closing her eyes, Sen let the word wrap around her. Free. She didn't even dare to hope it. "What kind of business?" Sen asked instead, trying to be practical.
"What about a bookstore?" Cho offered, knowing her friend's heart. "Sen, we could be really happy doing that, and we'd be together. No more sneaking around just to talk. We could …" Cho waved her hands helplessly. "Please, Sen. Think about it."
"There are permits for travel, arrangements, funding," Sen listed reasonably, keeping her eyes on the floor. Leaving would mean a fight with her mother … and her mother would argue vehemently against any plan that involved Cho.
"Permits for travel take a couple of months," Cho explained, ticking off the points on her slender fingers. "I've already got a contact who can get us a space for the store. I have some funds saved …"
"I can get money," Sen noted and she looked over at Cho. Her winged friend nodded. Of course Sen had the necessary capital – and now that she was of age, she had access to it. "It is madness," Sen added, but the idea had infected her. If she lived somewhere else – somewhere so far away – her mother could no longer interfere in her life. She could choose her own destiny. Her days might be spent in peace and happiness.
"Of course it is," Cho readily agreed. "One more adventure, before we settle down. I think that's appropriate."
"Speaking of settling down," Sen said, a new worry crossing her mind. "What about Oki? Won't he object to you moving off-world?"
Cho shook her head dismissively and patted Sen's knee. "No, we've only been together a short time. Who knows if he's even serious about me?" Cho laughed, the sound high and gleeful. "Sen, we're going to Earth!"
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As the brilliant blue glow faded, Raphael twisted his neck until it popped. No matter how many times he made that transfer, he would never get used to it. There had to be something wrong with getting split up into little pieces and shot across the universe. Who knew if they put everything back right?
Leo stepped down off the platform, Raphael right behind him. Leo's eyes scanned the somber, gray room. No one was in the arrivals area, save guards and various beings that had just transferred. Following the arrows, Leo hoped they could locate Sen. He had sent a message to let her know they were coming, but he had no way of knowing if she received it.
The corridor they were walking down narrowed dramatically, and the brothers found themselves joining a line to pass through some kind of customs check. Getting to the desk, Leo faced an alien like Sen dressed in a dark purple uniform.
"Fruits, vegetables, livestock, alcohol, tobacco, firearms, personal watercraft or chewing gum," the creature rattled off in a bored drone.
"Uh, no," Leo said hesitantly.
"Next," the official muttered. Leo moved forward and Raphael stepped up to the desk.
"Fruits, vegetables, livestock …"
"No," Raph interrupted.
"Alcohol, tobacco, firearms …" the uniformed creature continued, ignoring Raphael's answer.
"I already said no," Raph stated, getting irritated.
"Personal watercraft or chewing gum." The official ended his recitation and glanced up at the turtle.
"What if I have chewing gum?" Raphael asked, curious. Leo slapped a hand to his own forehead as the uniformed alien's eyes widened.
"Chewing gum is illegal," the alien said anxiously. He had his hand back at his side now, and Leo wondered if he was going for a weapon. All they needed was to get into a brawl …
"I don't have any gum," Raph said, but he was smiling just a little.
"You … don't have any gum," the official repeated, easing down a bit now. Two other guards who had appeared in the background stopped in their tracks.
"No gum," Raph reassured as Leo grabbed his arm and started to tug him away.
"Are you trying to get us deported?" Leo muttered, leading his brother past the checkpoint as the official called for the next person in line. "We just got here!"
"Remind me never to go on vacation with ya," Raphael groused. "You don't got a sense of humor."
Now in an open area that appeared to be outside security, Leo once again began to search for Sen. There were any number of beings who were obviously of her species. Blue skin was everywhere, but then he spotted her. She was walking quickly towards them, turning sideways to slip between a bickering couple. Leo stepped forward and they met in a reasonably open spot free of traffic. He looked up at her and noted with dismay the dark circles under her eyes. What has been happening to you here? Leo wondered. He could not miss, though, the smile of welcome that lit up her face.
Without hesitation, Sen clasped Leo's hands in hers. "I'm so glad you are here, Leonardo," Sen said emphatically, her voice choked with emotion. "So glad."
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Less than one year ago, on Earth …
Fate is a funny thing. That is what she thought later. At the time all she could think about was what she was going to do about her immediate problems.
The morning had started off well enough with a pleasant walk to the store. The last of her stock was expected in today, and opening each box and putting the books on the shelves was a singular pleasure. True, it would have been more fulfilling if Cho were with her, but that was not how it would be. Her friend had decided to stay behind – pleading fear of the natives as a thin excuse.
Sen knew the real reason. Oki had given an ultimatum – stay or he would drop Cho. And Cho, now so smitten with him, had acquiesced to the demand. Sighing as she recalled their last exchange, Sen hoped that all would go well for her friend.
"I can't go!" Cho wailed.
"Because of him," Sen added, signing her name on the form. She was at a moneychanger, making last minute preparations for her departure. She struggled not to feel irritated with Cho, but this was very late notice.
"He needs me," Cho insisted.
For what? Sen thought, but did not say. It would have been cruel, but Sen had her doubts about the wonderful Oki. He had narrow and vacant eyes: Eyes that might fix on anything, wanting it, only to discard it when it no longer amused him.
"You could stay. Your mother …," Cho started.
"I'm seeing it through," Sen interrupted, rudely for her. She had flinched at the mention of her parent – memories of the daily skirmishes with her mother a reminder of why she wanted to leave.
And so she had come here. Sen had been on the planet for less than two weeks, and this morning … She halted only steps from the front door to her establishment. Orange words screamed from the windows.
Go home freak.
Sen stood still, her heart pounding and a sick feeling in her stomach. Blinking back tears, she used her key with shaking fingers to open the door. No damage to the inside of her small shop, but that was not a comfort. She could still see the huge letters of the message from this side of the glass.
Turning on the lights, she tried to think what to do next. Clean off the graffiti? Call the police? Run? Hide? Sen put a hand to her forehead, feeling panicked. Perhaps her mother had been right. Perhaps she was not strong enough to do this. She startled at a knock on the door. Taking a deep and steadying breath, Sen screwed up her courage and opened it. Standing before her was a familiar creature – one of those who operated the martial arts school across the street.
"May I help you?" Sen asked softly, her nerves still jangling. She looked down into clear, blue eyes surrounded by a brilliant green face.
"No, but I thought maybe you needed some assistance," he responded. His voice was calm and almost comforting. "I saw the vandalism …"
Sen nodded and stepped back to let him in. He moved inside and studied the interior curiously. She felt briefly embarrassed over the mess. She had not finished her unpacking the previous day.
"You own the martial arts school?" Sen questioned, promptly feeling a little silly. Of course he did. She had seen him before. Why had she asked such an absurd question?
"I'm sorry. I should have introduced myself immediately," he stated, offering her a polite bow. When he straightened a smile tugged up the corners of his mouth, revealing white teeth. Sen found herself helpless but to return his smile. "I am Leonardo."
"I am called Sen," she offered, returning his gesture of respect as she chastised herself for behaving like a schoolgirl. "I would offer you some refreshment, but …" Sen glanced over at the windows. A pall fell over her spirit again as she re-read the words. Go home freak. "I am having some difficulties today," she said, shrugging her shoulders. She could feel the tears threatening and fought them down.
"Would you like some help?" Leonardo queried, raising a hand to indicate the window. "Cleaning it off?"
"It is not your problem," she responded promptly, placing proper distance between them. Truly, Sen could not imagine why he would want to involve himself in her predicament.
"No, but I offer my assistance just the same."
Sen studied Leonardo for a few moments. There was something about him – something that told her she could put her faith in him, and it would be rewarded. Something that spoke of kindness and strength combined.
"Yes," Sen said at last. "Your aid is appreciated."
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