First thing what was required from Raphael was to bathe. However he didn’t know how, so he just stood there staring the bath tub and shower in turns. Only way of bathing, to him, always had been using a cloth and rainwater from barrel.
Cherry peeked inside the room, smiling.
“Hey!”
Raphael jumped, turning to look at the young woman who was now carefully approaching him with a smile.
“Need any help?”
“N-No! I’m fine.”
She giggled as she stopped next to blushing turtle.
“It doesn’t look like that. You’ve been staring them like 30 minutes already.”
Raphael didn’t looked too pleased as he snorted to young girl.
“Ya spying on me?”
“Only because I was ordered to make sure you will be okay. But here, I teach you how to use these.”
She took a hold of Raphael’s hand, but she wasn’t prepared for turtle’s reaction. Raphael pulled his hand free with a growl, lifting his hand in the air. Cherry’s eyes widened when she realized Raphael was going to hit her, unspeakable fury shining in turtle’s eyes. However, those wide bronze colored eyes with fear, made Raphael realize what he was doing – stopping him.
Shaking he lowered his arm, sealing it against his chest with his other hand, taking a step back.
“I’m… I’m sorry. I… I’m not used of being touched. Sudden grab on my hand like that… It has never lead on anything good.”
Looking away in shame Raphael whispered his apology again. He knew she would tell about this to Leonardo and therefor Raphael knew he would be in trouble.
Young woman in blue dress stood still a moment, then bravely walked right in front of big turtle, carefully placing her hand on Raphael’s.
“It’s alright. I can’t and won’t blame you. Your reaction is understandable. Besides I’m as much to blame since I didn’t even stop to think how you would react to my hold.”
Eyeing the woman from the corner of his eye Raphael looked like a puppy who had been hit.
“Ya… Gonna tell Leo?”
“I have to. He is expecting a report.”
Cherry watched how Raphael closed his eyes with trembling sigh. She also noticed how Raphael’s body was trembling under her hand.
“Hey, you have nothing to fear. I won’t let him kick you out.”
She meant good, but her words didn’t comfort worried turtle at all. But a warm bath would. Cherry managed to get Raphael’s attention after a while, teaching him how to use the bath and shower. Raphael watched silently and nodded when Cherry looked at him, asking is he following.
She stood there watching when Raphael sat inside the tub, sighing deep closing his eyes. Such luxury what he had never felt before. It was weird but so pleasant.
“Will you be alright now? You remember what to do when you are done?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me.”
Raphael sighed opening his eyes, looking at the smiling girl beside the tub.
“I will sit here and enjoy my bath. Then I will get out and rinse the tub. Then I go to shower and wash myself there. And yes, I remember how to use it. You taught it to me well.”
Cherry chuckled. “Well I exactly didn’t teach you to bathe that way, but -”
“Am I not allowed to do that?” There was irritation in Raphael’s voice.
“Of course you are. Bathe in a way what suits you the best.” She said, keeping her cool despite the fact she was feeling nervous around him. “I will be going now.”
Raphael knew what that meant so he just nodded while playing with the foam and bubbles. He was not smiling tho. Cherry exist the room, heading in Leo’s office where she found her boss sitting in front of the desk.
“Ah, Cherry. I assume you took care of Raphael as I ordered?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And how did it all went?”
Cherry sighed as she sat on the chair across the desk, telling everything. She had tried to lie to Leonardo in the past, but Leonardo was smart and owned sharp eyes. He could tell it right away if she tried to lie.
**
Raphael was standing in the bathroom after bathing, nervously playing with his fingers. He didn’t know where he could or should go so he stood still, waiting that perhaps Cherry would come to get him. He, however, doubted that. He had scared that poor child bad…
Two knocks came from the door before it opened, Leonardo entering the room.
“Ah, good! You are ready. Follow me, I will show you something.”
Swallowing Raphael said nothing as he went after other turtle, following him on long hallways before stopping behind Leonardo.
“Raphael, this is your room.”
Leonardo opened a door, stepping out of the way so that Raphael could step inside. The room was huge! It was like one house! In awe Raphael walked inside, looking around. He was stunned. Big closet for clothes, big comfy bed, lots and lots of pillows, luxury bathroom, beautiful big carpet on the floor, cabins… He had never had this much anything in his life. Some things he didn’t even know what they were, like TV, but he was stunned still.
“You are free to live here as you like, but I also wish you keep this room clean. I don’t want to clean after your mess.”
“No worries, I’ll be good.”
Walking by the bed, Raphael softly pressed his hand on the mattress. It was… like a cloud – even that he really didn’t know how clouds felt like, but it still was something he had never felt.
“May I?” He asked while looking his savior. Nodding Leonardo gave his permission. Raphael pressed both hands on the mattress, climbing on the bed, stopping on all fours for a moment. The feeling was amazing.
“Lay down.” Leonardo said smiling as he walked closer. Watching Raphael lay down, cover himself with the blanket and surround himself with all the pillows made Leonardo smile. He could hear how Raphael was giggling to himself, repeating he couldn’t believe it how he had so wonderful bed, so many pillows.
Curling under the blanket Raphael placed many pillows behind his shell, taking one in his arms and one under his head. Gosh, it felt like if he was inside a safe nest. And the warmth. It made him feel sleepy.
His eyes were slowly closing, but Leonardo’s voice called him. Sitting up Raphael looked at the other turtle who, now, had a bit more concerned and serious look on his face as he sat on the edge of the bed.
“Try to stay awake since we need to talk. This won’t take long, depending on your answers.”
Raphael swallowed since he knew what was going to come.
“Cherry told me everything.”
Taking deep and fast inhale Raphael opened his mouth to defense himself, but Leonardo’s hand signal stopped him.
“Let me finish first. Like I said she told me everything. Even the fact you did apologize. However, I need to be one hundred percent sure that you will NOT harm any of us, especially my girls. So; I know you are safe here with us, but are we safe here with you?”
Raphael’s eyes were slightly wider and teary, but Leonardo could understand it all. After all Raphael, most definitely, was afraid of losing his safe place.
“Ya all are safe with me.”
“Honest?”
“Yes.”
“You can control your fear and not try to hit any of us if we, by accident, scare you or something? Because, Raphael, I KNOW what you have done in the past. I know you don’t have cleanest hands.”
“What I did was for my own good! A self-defense!”
“Raphael, no need to panic or raise your voice here. Calm down.”
Pulling a pillow in his arms Raphael hugged it tight, breathing faster. Was his history and his earlier reaction going to ruin everything?
“Look at me.” Leo’s voice was soft which made Raphael look at him.
“As long as you are sure we are safe here with you and you can control yourself, everything is fine. But I wish I will not have to hear about another moment like this from any of my girls. Because then we have an issue, Raphael. I can stand up against you, but my girls can’t.”
“… I know.” Raphael softly whispered against the pillow, lowering his gaze. “I don’t wanna hurt ‘em.”
Sitting silently a moment Leonardo smiled at the other turtle.
“I know you must be feeling very messy at this moment, but I’m sure we can help you recover and get used of us and sudden touches. It takes time and effort, a lot, from you – just like it will from us too – but I’m sure we can make it. You are not alone.”
“… If I make even one bruise on any of the girls, I’m out, right?”
Leonardo sighed deep. “All I can say is that I really wish it wouldn’t come to that. Ever.”
Standing up Leonardo turned to look Raphael once again.
“Try not to worry or overthink this too much. Get some rest, you need it. Food will be ready later.”
Leonardo watched Raphael lay down and curl back under the blanket. It didn’t take long when he heard heavy breathing. Silently leaving the room and closing the door, Leonardo went to search his maids. They were gathered on one long hallway, dusting.
“All of you ladies, with me!” Leonardo shouted from further away, not waiting them to catch up with him. He stood in the middle of small room where old desk and lots of other stuff were stored long time ago. When last of the maids entered the room, Leonardo spun around.
“Ladies. I have come to conclusion that for everyone’s safety it’s best to keep distance on Raphael until he has settled in here better, realizing he has no reasons to fear here. However if you must approach him, ALWAYS make sure you make a noise, a sound, call him or approach him from direction where he can see you. I don’t want any of you to sneak on him and then he, in panic, would hurt you. Do not touch him either. All touched what he has experienced in his life have been bad or leading to something bad. He doesn’t know there can be good touched too. So safety first. Am I being clear?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. One other thing is that he might won’t be all that socialized so that too can add stress to him. He might be our most challenging rehab mutant yet.”
**
Margaret was the oldest maid around her 60’s. She kept her hair as a bun on top of her head under her little maid’s hat. She wore long black dress with white apron, her skin was slightly wrinkled and despite the fact she was quite tall and skinny, she had strength to lift heavy stuffs.
Margaret had prepared dinner and set the table. She informed girls to go wash their hands while she would go get their master. Whenever Leonardo’s office’s door was open it was a sign to come it, he was not doing anything too important. If the door was closed it was better not to bother him.
Door was slightly open so Margaret stopped to knock before entering. She bowed slightly as Leonardo turned to look at her in his chair.
“Dinner is ready, master.”
“Ah, good. Perfect timing also. I was starting to get little hungry.”
Standing up with a smile on his face Leonardo noticed how Margaret looked at him. She seemed to be a bit… unsure.
“Master, will all respect, what about Raphael?”
Realizing the reason behind the question, Leonardo instantly replied; “I can go wake him up. There’s no reason for you to put yourself at risk since none of us knows how he reacts on being waken up.”
“Thank you, master. I’m sorry, master.”
Leonardo placed his hand on old woman’s shoulder, sighing lightly with a smile.
“Don’t apologize or worry. All is good. And this is what we all agreed on. If you have any hesitation about approaching Raphael or concerns about your safety when dealing with him, then I naturally step in and do the task. I will not risk any of you.”
“I appreciate your words and gesture, master. I just feel a bit ashamed.”
“There’s no reason to. You are doing the right thing.”
Now she smiled at the turtle, obviously relaxing. She had been working with Leonardo the longest and they had this warm bond between them. Maybe perhaps not as close as mother-son kind of bond, but more like grandmother-grandson kind of bond.
Tapping her shoulder gently Leonardo encouraged her to join the girls and keep her eyes on them. They, in the past, had got too wild and started a food fight while waiting their master. Naturally Leonardo hadn’t been happy about any of the mess, wasting food and girls’ behavior. He had lectured them all good.
Leonardo himself went up the stairs all the way up to third level where Raphael’s room was. Knocking on the door Leonardo waited, but heard nothing. He knocked again – louder this time, but still nothing. Entering the room he noticed it instantly that Raphael was still sleeping under the blanket.
“Raphael?”
No response. Leonardo walked closer slowly, calling Raphael louder this time. A groan and movement.
“Raphael? Are you awake?”
There was another groan and more movement, Raphael’s head finally popping out under the blanket. Leonardo greeted him with a smile, still keeping his distance for safety reasons.
“You okay?”
“Hmm...” Rubbing his eyes Raphael yawned. “Tired.”
“Sorry for waking you up, but food is ready. You would need to dress up and come to eat downstairs.”
“Hmm.”
“You will be okay by yourself?”
“Yeah.”
“Good, I will go downstairs. We will wait you so don’t take too long. Cold food isn’t all that pleasant to eat.”
Raphael laid still while he listened Leo to leave. After small click from the door Raphael stretched, blanket sliding off on his body. Shit, the room felt colder after sleeping hours under warm blanket. Sitting up Raphael looked around, first feeling confused until he realized where he was. Damn, this all was still so weird… It would take so much time for him to get used to to all of this.
Getting up on the bed Raphael headed to his closet, looking inside. There were clothes which Raphael felt uneasy about. He never hadn’t been wearing clothes so now, suddenly, he was demanded to wear them – at least pants. Taking a pair of hakama styled pants Raphael put them on. They seemed to fit him well so he would do his best to bear with them.
Raphael made his way in the dining room, suddenly feeling nervous. He stopped at the doorway, looking the big table and how full of food it was – but what really made his heart beat in a bad way was the fact how closely everyone sat to one another…
“Raphael, come sit here. This is your place.”
Leonardo, who sat at the end of the table, tapped chair nearest him on the other side of the table. Raphael hesitated a moment, feeling so uneasy when all maids were staring at him too…
“Raphael.”
Leonardo said once again, more firmly this time. Obviously smaller turtle had noticed Raphael’s uneasiness. Tapping the chair again few times finally got Raphael on the move and he came to sat on his chair.
Margaret stood up, starting to fill everyone’s plates with food, sending them forward to the eaters. When everyone had their plates in front of them, people started to eat with their turtle leader. Raphael watched the plate in front of him.
There was big piece of meat – it smelled like chicken, fresh peas, some salad, potatoes and sauce. Raphael hesitated. He lifted his head up looking around, noticing how everyone used those weird little things to eat. Not knowing what they were or how to use them, his breathing quickened and Leonardo by his side noticed this.
“Raphael?”
Facing blue eyes Raphael’s eyes were screaming of uncertainty. Placing fork and knife down Leonardo nodded to his maids as a sign to keep eating while he would focus on Raphael who, once again, was staring his plate.
“What’s going on?”
“I… I don’t know… how to eat this. I never haven’t use those weird little things ya all use.” Looking at his hands Raphael whispered; “I always been using my hands to eat.”
Leonardo understood this perfectly. He was sure poor families hadn’t had money to buy forks, spoons or knives. Instead families used that money on food. Slowly and carefully Leonardo lifted his hand, placing it softly on Raphael’s shoulder. Other turtle jerked slightly, but nothing more followed.
“If you want to eat by hands, that’s fine with all of us. The main point is that you can eat something in some way. However, I think it would be good for you to learn to use fork, spoon and knife someday in the future.”
Raphael looked the other turtle slightly unsure.
“Will learning it help me stay safe?”
Leonardo was stunned and silent a moment. He had not expected such question and apparently none of the girls hadn’t either since they stopped eating for a second.
“Well, it may not, but it will show good manners. And it’s less messier too.” Leonardo chuckled softly as he pulled his hand back. “But, please, eat now before food goes cold. We can talk later.”
Raphael watched in silently as Leonardo went back on eating, turning to look at his own plate. Slowly he lifted his hands, taking firm hold on the chicken, biting a piece out of it. It was the most juiciest and delicious chicken what Raphael had ever eaten.
Pleasant smile spread on Leo’s face as he watched Raphael eat, becoming more brave with it, but at the same time Leonardo knew Raphael needed help and guidance about eating. He needed to be taught to use fork, spoon and knife just in case. Teaching him to cook too would be good as well.
**
After dinner everyone went on their separated ways. Some maids stayed in the kitchen to clean, some went to clean the rooms or yard, Leonardo went in his office do some paper work while Raphael found himself in big library room.
He had never seen so many books in his life! Taking nearest blue covered book in his hands Raphael opened it, grunting. Nope. This wouldn’t do. Closing the book Raphael put it back, reaching for another book. No, this wasn’t interesting either. It took him a long time before he found a book what he liked.
Sitting on the chair in front of small table Raphael placed the book on it, slowly turning the pages. He was smiling after a long time. He was so deep into the book that he didn’t hear Leonardo who had come in the room now too.
Walking past Raphael from safe distance Leonardo smiled as he saw Raphael smile. Tho he also was curious to see what book Raphael had chosen. But first his own task. Finally finding the book what he needed Leonardo approached Raphael from the front, Raphael hearing his approach.
“Hey.”
Lifting his head up Raphael gave small smile to another smiling turtle.
“Hey.”
“It’s nice to see you here. I thought you would had go back to your room.”
“I thought of that, to be honest. But I wanted to do little exploring.”
“And I see you found something. What are you reading?”
Leonardo didn’t hesitate when he moved right next to Raphael, looking at the book what Raphael moved towards him. For a short moment Leonardo was quiet as he eyed the book. He had assumed Raphael to be reading a textbook of any kind, but it was actually a comic book.
“You like comics?”
“Yeah.” Raphael smiled as he pulled the book back in front of him. “I like watching the pictures.”
“… So you don’t read them?”
“No. It’s boring.”
Taking a chair Leonardo sat down, keeping his blue eyes on another turtle who kept turning the pages after eyeing the images for a moment.
“So you think comics’ plots are boring? I could give you something better and more exciting to read. Hold on a sec.”
Getting up Leonardo left, soon returning back with one thick book. He placed it near Raphael’s hand.
“I personally like this fantasy story book. I read it a lot when I was a kid. I’ll show you my favorite part.” Leonardo, perhaps, got a bit too excited and it made Raphael slightly uncomfortable, but he allowed other turtle do whatever he was doing.
Opening the book from marked part Leonardo opened the book fully, turning it in front of Raphael.
“Here, this part.” He pointed with his finger. “Please, read it. I want to hear what you think of it.”
Raphael eyed the text, ending up pushing the book away.
“Maybe later.”
“Why not now?”
Raphael sat still and silent, his head hanging down.
“… ‘Cause I can’t read.”
Leonardo’s eyes widened in surprise. But before he got to ask anything, since he now wanted to know more, Raphael continued.
“I can’t write either. Not even my own name. I know how to say it, but writing. No.”
“… … You were never taught to read or write?”
“No. I have faint memories of being in preschool of some sort, but… I never learned. Eventually teacher gave up on me. Said I would never learn so she didn’t waste any more time on me, focusing on others instead.”
Leonardo couldn’t believe his ears. How that kind of person ever had become a teacher if they hadn’t patience and time for a child who seemed to be struggling with learning?
“How about counting? Numbers?”
Raphael’s eyes clearly teared up as he swallowed before whispering, showing his hands.
“Six only. Because of my fingers. Other kids were kind enough to teach me even that during plays.”
Leonardo sighed silently as Raphael sniffed once wiping his eyes, clearly calming down. Letting Raphael take his time Leonardo sit still, waiting. Eventually bright eyes turned to look at him.
“If I learn to read, write and count – will they keep me safe in outside world with the stamp?”
Leonardo changed his pose a bit in his chair.
“Stamp is the only thing which will keep you safe, you know that, but everything else is just a huge plus on top of the stamp. And when the day comes for you to leave and go live your own life, it’s good to be able to read, write and count. It will help you to have a job.”
Leonardo said with soft voice while smiling gently. However Raphael didn’t look all that relaxed.
“I need to leave?”
Leonardo chuckled as he rested his hand on Raphael’s. A flinch.
“Not in a long time. We have so much work to do with you first. What do you say if I will start to teach you to read, write and count?”
Raphael’s expression brightened so much.
“Yes. Yes! I would like that a lot!”
Smiling Leonardo stood.
“Good. Let me go finish my own work first. After I’m done, I will come here to teach you. I will bring some supplies with me as well.”
Raphael only nodded as he watched after Leonardo. He was feeling so excited! He finally would learn! That is if Leonardo wouldn’t get tired of him too and give up on him…
