Raphael crossed his arms, as he listened to Charlie point out the beauty of the city. If he only could walk out more during the day, he could get by unseen. But you know, it seemed that only nighttime was his only ally to bring him cover for his disguise. He didn't say anything, but rather gave a grunt, as he nodded in agreement to her statement. "I would, but, you know, the humans seem smarter during the day. The light doesn't exactly work in our favor for cover", he said, having to continue looking at the cars going by, and the people walking. Taking a sai from his waist, he tapped the metal with his finger, before skillfully twirling it in his hand, carefully evading his fingers on handling such a weapon.

"I know what you mean. I had to start swimming at night because someone saw me in daylight. Thankfully it was written off as a hoax and they never found me." She said before sighing softly. "Humans are so quick to turn on what they don't understand."

She looked over at Raph as he started twirling his sai, watching his movements that must have taken years to perfect.

It was an awkward silence between the two of them, even as he was twirling the sai in his hand. Raphael was looking between the weapon, and back to the window. It took him a few seconds, before he started to speak again. "So, what's the deal with the...fish thing?", he asked, not exactly looking at her, but rather at the corner of his eye.

Charlie jumped a little as he spoke, the words breaking the silence between them. She sighed softly before fiddling with her bracelet but didn't take it off. "I helped my dad out with marine animals, he's a marine biologist who works not too far from here near the water. I was closing up the place by myself when I slipped, falling into this strange glowing green ooze."

"My lower half was covered in it, along with my right hand and bracelet. When I tried getting up, I slipped again, falling into the tank with some fish. My bracelet must have caught on something because I didn't have it on after I fell. I...I don't know how to describe what happened next. I don't fully recall myself. All I remember is I had a fish tail. It only appears when I take off my bracelet."

Raphael stopped twirling his weapon of choice, and grunted, shaking his head. Not really in response to what Charlie, but it was a confirmation to his own thoughts. There were individuals besides them that were different -- unique and gifted -- after all. There were outcasts, like them, living out in the city, this whole time. It felt strangely comforting, like a bunch of bricks have been lifted from his troubled shoulders.

"Do you mind if me and Charlie stayed the night, in case those guys come looking for you?", Jennifer asked April, who gave the question some thought, before giving the Asian teen a tender smile. "'Course you can. It would be safer for the both of you".

"And, speaking of which, we better get going", Raphael heard his older brother say, before he could say anything to the girl. It was kind of disappointing, really. They just managed to find others that were like them. A part of him didn't want to leave, but Splinter would be wondering what was taking them. "Will we ever see you guys again?", Jennifer asked.

"That depends on how fast April stocks her pizza", the answer made her chuckle. Raphael departed last, albeit reluctantly, having to give a small wave back to the females, before making their disappearance.

Charlie glanced at him, taking in his silent brooding composure. So he was the silent type, not so much a guy of words but rather actions. Something she admired about him. Sure, the others were interesting too, but something about him drew her to him. Perhaps...Perhaps because they both didn't fit into the world. No one understood them really.

She looked over as Jennifer asked if they could stay the night before the brothers took their leave. She chuckled at their response of seeing them again, smiling at Raph before he left, waving back. She let out a little sigh, feeling sad they had to go.

Jennifer sighed, once April closed the door to her apartment. What a day. First, they get jumped by a strange group of men; the next, they meet others that were kind of like them; others that actually shared similar feelings with them. It was a shame they had to leave now, since they were just getting to know them. It was a shame, really. The woman went back to go get blankets and pillows from the other room, shortly before walking back to the sofa to pull out the futon.

Jennifer took some time to help put the blankets in place, before putting the pillows down. It wasn't long until there was a knock on the door again. Confused, April walked back to the door, and found the turtles back again, but this time, seemingly distraught. "What's wrong?"

"Splinter..."

Charlie helped Jennifer set up the futon before making herself a place to sleep before hearing the door. She froze, unsure of who was behind it. Friend or foe? Upon seeing the turtles, she thought it was fast they returned before hearing something that made her heart sink. She could see the sorrow in their eyes, the hint of anger within Raph's.

She carefully walked over to him. "Hey...if you want to talk or need a shoulder to cry on...I'm here. Okay?" She said softly, not wanting to push him especially during this tough time.

Jennifer didn't expect them to come back, even when they just left. What they said too made her heart sink. Was Splinter dead? Missing? From their reactions, it was that of lost children separated from their parent. She couldn't exactly relate, but she knew the feeling of losing someone dear. The instinct to comfort was strong. "I'll get some more pillows and blankets. Where do you keep them, Miss O'Neil?", she asked, with April pointing her to where they were.

Raphael shook his head, having to try on keeping his own anger under wraps, even when he heard Charlie's offer. Giving a frustrated sigh, he relented and looked at her, albeit hesitantly. "Thanks guys", Mikey yawned, before the brothers allowed themselves to settle in on the floor, since the girls were able to take the futon.

"We'll find him. He has to be out there somewhere." Charlie assured him even though she wasn't sure if Splinter was still alive. They had to have hope he was. It was obvious how close he was to the turtles, especially being their father figure. She gave him a little encouraging smile before getting ready for bed.

Around the middle of the night, she got up, being careful not to step on the turtles as she headed towards the bathroom. Just because she couldn't leave because of the Foot didn't mean she couldn't at least have a dip in the tub. She filled it up before getting in, thankful her clothes could go in the dryer in the morning as she took off her bracelet. She let out a little sigh, gently flicking her tail.

Around time that Charlie woke up, Raphael was still awake, having to listen to her footsteps go all the way into the bathroom. Having to hear running water, he wondered whether if she was taking a shower, or simply taking a moment. It was none of his business, but then, she was in there longer than she should, and so, the red-bandanaed turtle silently got up from his sleeping spot, and approached the door. As trained as he was, Raphael made his pursuit, unannounced. He didn't open the door, but rather knocked on it with the handle of his sai.

Charlie jumped up hearing the knock, her tail flicking water everywhere in her fright. "Crap." She muttered as she sat up before looking over at the door. She was completely defenseless if it was the Foot or someone else. Her bracelet was too far for her to reach at the moment.

"Who is it?" She asked, worried who it could be.

Grunting softly, Raphael wasn't sure if he should answer back. But, he figured that she needed to know who was at the door, really to find out if it was friend or foe. So, if it made her feel better, he finally spoke. "It's me", he was quiet, but it was loud enough for Charlie to hear.

Charlie sighed softly in relief upon hearing Raph's voice. "Scared me half to death. Did you need something?" She asked him as she shifted in the tub, water sloshing a little. If he needed the bathroom, she didn't mind grabbing her bracelet and drying off.

Raphael was leaning against the wall, near the bathroom, looking down at the floor, as he listened to the girl's words from inside. He didn't mean to scare her, since it was indeed late in the night, and that they had to be cautious. Whoever took Splinter may as well be looking for them too. "No. No, I didn't", he said softly, shaking his head. "I just...wanted to...make sure you were okay".

A faint blush appeared on her cheeks, a little surprised he was concerned about her. They'd only met hours ago after all. "I'm okay. Just...using the bathtub as a pool. I didn't want to risk being seen and bring those guys back here, ya know?" She replied, tail flicking lazily.

"Are you okay? I understand if you don't want to talk about it." She said softly.

Raphael didn't say anything, even after he heard her speak, but rather continued looking at the floor, and twirled the sai in his hand, once more; a compulsive childhood habit, whenever his thoughts decided to race. Why was he feeling this way? What was this instinct? It was similar to how he would be protective over his family, but this...this was new. Hearing her question, the rebel didn't answer right away. Taking a deep breath, he answered back, just as soft. "It's fine. It's just...I'm not used to talking to those outside my own, ya know?"

"Yeah. I know how that is. After my incident, it was Jen and I for the longest time until we found you guys. Even before that I was all alone. I didn't have anyone to relate to who knew how I felt. Then I met Jen and after a while we both found out about our differences. Then we met you guys. For you, all you had to talk to is your brothers and..." She said before trailing off, remembering Splinter was missing.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring him up. I know it's still a sensitive topic for you." She said.

He listened intently, when Charlie started explaining her side of the story, having to slowly raise his head on the spot. It was a similar one that Raphael could say as well, since he too felt alone in the world with his family, until they finally met someone that was experiencing the same things. It didn't even phase Raphael when she started to go down the line of sensitive information. "No, that's...", he trailed off, giving a sigh, as it was indeed hard to take in.

"You guys must really miss him." Charlie said softly. "I know I miss my dad. It was hard for me to leave him so he wouldn't find out." She sighed softly, letting silence hang between them for a while. "He's out there somewhere, Raph. We'll find him."