thepurpleone | Cyberformed [] Inbox

"Wow, thanks. You really are a great friend Donnie." She gives him a playful bump on the shoulder as she laughs.

"Really? I mean alternate versions is one thing, but same but different? That must have been extra freaky. What was the other Mikey like, compared to yours."

He cackles a bit at that. It's officially on his To-Do list now.

"I mean, it's like with the Cybertronians. They have same names and general appearances but there's still a lot of differences, yet enough similarities for you to know who they are." Donnie frowns a bit, scratching his head.

"Other Mikey was...well, he looked different. Wasn't as wiry as our Mikey. Different species. And somehow more...mellow? Which was weird? Our Mikey is like... off the walls and has a short attention span, can't really explain his thought process a lot of the time. But they both do crafty things I guess, and generally like a lot of the same things."

"Fascinating. It's interesting to think about how much has to change before you're just... a different person and not just the same person from different circumstances."

It was the sort of thing her master liked to have her think about, but sometimes it was a lot to think about. She supposed that was the point, a way of training herself not to feel too overwhelmed. She's not sure how well it worked.

"Yeah... But I guess technically, from our individual perspectives, we're just...us. Under normal circumstances we wouldn't even consider the potential of an entirely different version of ourselves- this is all very abnormal to begin with."

Donnie wonders how his other iterations would be. Would they have handled things here better or worse than he has? It doesn't really seem like something to compare and contrast with so far as he can figure. The other turtles of other universes seem to have different experiences, and from what he's seen, he can already figure there's at least two other different versions somewhere out there.

"That sure is life, huh. This place has you thinking about a lot of stuff. I don't think it's a good idea to compare too much, as interesting as it is. Nature versus Nurture and all that."

Of course she had considered what it would be like to meet another version of herself. One that got to grow up on the planet where she was born, with her parents, without all the Jedi training.

Sounds kind of nice. But would she want it over the life she has now? That's the hard part of the thought process. There was no guarantee it would have been any better or worse.

"I mean, I don't really have any complaints about things. Anyway, I don't know if the other turtles can say their dad is a cool martial arts film star!"

So Splinter's method of 'nurturing' may leave much to be desired, but Donnie still wouldn't trade his dad or his brothers for other version. Their life has been for the most part, good. Sure, some of the things he's learned will happen later sound a bit distressing, but...they've still managed to get through things. He's sure the other turtles must be able to do so too, in their own ways, with whatever they've had to deal with.

"If anything, I'd just be curious about what the differences are, and the similarities. Comparing and exchanging notes. For science."

She grins. "For science. Definitely. I wonder if there is another version of me who isn't a Jedi."

Her face lights up a little with an idea. "Do you think there's a version of you that isn't a turtle? Do you think that would still count? For science, how far do you think you can push the differences before it doesn't count as a different version of you?"

"Have you ever wondered? Like...what you would have done if you weren't? Or...Well I guess maybe it's possible you wouldn't, if you were satisfied with being a Jedi and stuff."

Donnie blinks, tilting his head in thought. "Huh. I don't know. I mean...being a turtle seems kind of pivotal, considering how we came to be in the first place. But I guess it's not impossible? I mean, anything seems to go, for alternate universes."

"Sometimes. I like to think that I would have grown up with my parents. I wonder what they were like. I think about it more since I've arrived here though."

Anila pulls out more snacks from her pockets and quietly eats as she contemplates.

"But I've also considered what it would have been like if I was born a slime so..." She pauses. "Jedi training could be very boring at times."

She chews a minute and then asks, "If there were 5 characteristics that were essential to establish another person as Donatello, no matter what universe they came from, what would they be?"

"Oh..." That explains a lot that he hadn't really figured, while simultaneously bringing up so many questions. But Anila doesn't seem really torn up about it. It sounds like she'd never really gotten to know her parents to begin with, though.

Donnie's expression falters with the follow-up. Why though? "Surely it has to be more interesting than being a slime."

Ah, but that's an interesting question put forth. He strokes his chin.

"That...is an excellent question. And since I haven't met any other Donatellos to get a baseline, best I can do is from what I've observed of my brothers' counterparts. I believe the purple color-coding would be fundamental, and perhaps use of a bō or similar. Ah, but I believe the other Michelangelo did mention that his Donnie was a science-oriented, tech person, so perhaps those too."

"See, that's why it's interesting. There's so little to being a slime, it's hard to imagine being so... simple."

"I think if there was another Anila out there... I don't know. So much can change a person." Would her Jedi training be an important distinction? Would it count as a version of herself without it. "I think the sense of humor is essential though. Stick in the mud is definitely a different person entirely."

"Guess it also depends on how sentient a slime we're talking about, here." No, Donnie does not look that intrigued enough to try imagining life as a slime himself.

"Penchant to snack during any occasion?" he proposes, grinning crookedly.

"Well obviously you have to be sentient enough to recognize yourself as a slime, otherwise it just doesn't work," she says matter-of-factly.

The tholothian looks down at the back in her hand and then grins. "You got me with that one," she chuckles with a playful nudge to his shoulder. She pours the remaining crumbs into her mouth and then crumples the bag back into her pocket.

"Do you though?" Donnie counters. "I'm sure amoebas aren't aware of what they are, they just kind of...eat and split."

He smirks. "If I find crumbs around here I know who the culprit is. At least my brothers keep their messes to the kitchen and rec center."

"No no, you're missing the point. The thought exercise is that you're a sentient slime so that you're aware of being a slime and what it's like. Otherwise there isn't a point."

She snorts. "Maybe now I just know where to eat my snacks. Or I can teach your brothers to broaden their horizons."

"...I don't get it."

Donnie snorts then. "If that's a volunteer for vacuuming duties then by all means, Anila Bean."

Anila shakes her head, tentacles swaying. "Nuh-uh! I'll clean up my own messes but I'm not here to be you--" She pauses suddenly and tilts her head at him, a little confused.

"Anila Bean? My name is Mana... Anila Mana."

"-I only realize now that I have never actually known your family name," Donnie blinks. "But that's besides the point, I was referring to spice that's often used to flavor sweets, called vanilla bean, and it rhymed with Anila so- ah, forget it..."

There is a long moment where Anila stares at him as he rambles a little. Then she breaks out in a smile.

"You gave me a nickname??? That's so sweet Donnie!" She says gleefully. "I've never had someone give me a nickname before."

That staring is starting to make him feel awkward. He scratches the back of his head, smiling shyly then once it clicks.

"Wait, really? My brothers and I have so many nicknames between us. But I guess that's mostly because saying our full names is a mouthful, at least for three of us."

"Guess they weren't as popular at the Temple. Some of the other padawans had nicknames for each other. But I never got one. Don't think there was ever a need."

She gives a gentle laugh. "But I can see how your full names would lend to a need for them. Michelangelo in particular is not a quick name to say."

Donnie laughs. "Exactly. But there are oh so many shorter variations. Mikey, Angelo, Miguel, Michael...."

Anila grins along with him. "You really do have a list of them. I don't think my name ever really needed it. It's short and easy enough as is. But we also didn't have... What did you called it? Danila beans? Back on Belecaat."

"Oh, anyone can get a nickname. Sometimes they're longer than the person's actual name. Raph's only got three syllables but on occasion I will call him Raffaello, as is the technically correct Italian," Donnie explains, before correcting, "-vanilla beans. If I find an equivalent flavor or like plant, I shall have to introduce you."

Anila claps her hands together once. "I would love to try it! Vanilla Beans." She repeats the words to solidify in her mind.

Maybe she should come up with a nickname for Donnie in return? Would that be the nice thing to do? But he already said he had so many so it would probably just get lost in the mess. Not like she had a good one anyway. Certainly nothing to match Anila Bean.

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