Sarina sits on the couch, hands folded in her lap. She looks to the dojo every ten seconds on the dot, stares for three seconds, then returns to watching nothing. Splinter and Donatello have been conversing for ages, or at least that's how she feels about it. She can't put her finger on it, but not being around the purple-masked turtle for this long of a period is making her feel off.

She feels a rush of wind as someone sits next to her and when she looks, she finds Michelangelo grinning at her. "Waddup, girl?" he greets.

"Hello Michelangelo. You seem happy," she observes.

"I am happy!" he responds. His face grows almost serious for a second. "And you're not. You don't know what happy is, and that's heartbreaking."

She blinks, her eyebrows furrowing slightly. "I am hurting you? I apologize."

He shakes his head, laughing a little. "Nah, I'm just being dramatic. My point is that I want to do whatever I can to help you learn emotions." He scoots closer to her with excitement brimming in his baby blue eyes. "So? Want my help?"

She nods. "I would appreciate that, although...Donatello already offered, so you don't have to if it's too much trouble."

Michelangelo's face falls for a split second, but he hides it away swiftly. "Honestly, I don't think Donnie's gonna be up for teaching you happiness anytime soon," he admits. Before she can inquire as to what he means, he changes the subject. "Personally, I find happiness is one of the easiest things to feel. I eat pizza, I'm happy. I play video games, I'm happy. I go on patrol with my bros, I'm happy." He grins. "See? Even just talking to you is making me happy!"

Her eyes flash and a warm feeling sparks in her chest, then fades. "Oh," she breathes. "That is different."

"Huh?"

"I felt something inside my chest," she explains, touching the spot. "I am...grateful for your acceptance of me." She looks down and her eyes flash yet again. "Most find me eerie, and I suppose that is one of the reasons why the Kraang kept me locked away. It feels..." She ponders for a second as a short sequence of flashes goes off. "...lonely."

Michelangelo frowns and he wraps his arms around her, making her slump against his plastron. She doesn't stiffen, nor does she return the hug. She stays in a slanted, seated position as her expression floods with confusion.

"Why are you squeezing me with your arms?" she inquires.

He grins at her, still holding her close. "It's called a hug. When people feel sad, hugs can make them feel better. In my opinion, they're the best way to cheer someone up." He leans closer. "Especially Des and Donnie," he whispers. "They may not look like it, but hugs can really help lift their spirits. Makes them feel less alone, y'know?"

"Oh, that is a wonderful tidbit of information. I thank you," she says. Another flash comes and goes and her shoulders drop slightly. "I apologize for all the eye flashing. I am learning so much, it can't be helped."

"That's okay, Sarina," he chirps, finally releasing her from the hug.

She glances to the dojo yet again, but when there's still nothing, she returns her attention to Michelangelo. "I am feeling another emotion, but I can't explain it because I don't understand the cause and effect," she says. "It isn't pleasant, but I quite enjoyed that...hug. Could I have another?"

His entire face lights up like a Christmas tree. "You like my hugs?"

"They are warm and strong, much like the feeling of Donatello holding my hand, but on a larger scale," she says, looking down at her palm. "I do not remember ever being held or treated in such a way. It is confusing, yet..." Her fingers suddenly curl inwards and she inhales sharply. "I suppose I crave contact."

"You were never hugged as a child?!" he exclaims. "Time for you to catch up!"

He engulfs her in another snuggly hug, her head tucking beneath his chin as he nuzzles his cheek against her head. She shuts her eyes and focuses on the warmth, the contact, and she confirms that she has never felt anything like this. The same spark ignites in her chest.

"Michelangelo, is a warmth in my chest always reminiscent of love?" she asks.

He seems surprised. "I think so, but sometimes just being around friends can make you feel warm and fuzzy inside." He smiles proudly. "But, I get that way around pizza too."

"Oh...I understand," she whispers. "I am feeling friendship, yes?" She cuddles closer to him. "Is that the correct term for feeling a platonic connection to another living being?"

"Yup." He nods. "But, I'd ask Donnie if you really aren't sure. I'm not the smartest guy to ever live."

It's like someone snuffed out a candle, but the candle is Michelangelo's smile and the someone is his own thought. Sarina picks up on this and hesitantly snakes her arms around his shell as she straightens up, returning the gentle hug that he's been giving her.

"There there," she says mechanically.

He laughs as their noses nearly brush. "I thought Destiny was the weirdest mutant I had ever met, but you win now," he says. She blinks and he pats her head. "Oh, and in this family, weird is compliment."

She shuts her eyes yet again. "You are the most interesting group of beings that I have ever met." A long, slow breath leaves her and her movements starts to slow. "I am...so...relaxed. Everything here...is so...hmm..." There's another gentle whirring noise as her voice starts jittering. "Low...l-l-low...powerr...shutting dowwwnnn..."

She slumps over and her eyes go dark. Michelangelo makes a squeaking noise as he grasps her shoulders, starting to shake her.

"Sarina? Dudette? Sari?" he asks. She's unresponsive, only serving to make him more nervous. "Aw, dude..."

----------

"That should have everything covered," Splinter says as both him and Donatello emerge from the dojo. "Since you've checked her for trackers and have found nothing, then I suppose it's fine if she stays." He smiles lightly. "She is homeless now, after all. I couldn't imagine sending a child out on their own, much less..." He pauses. "Well, much less someone with her lack of experience in the real world."

"Thank you for understanding, Sensei," Donatello says.

The rat's russet gaze travels to the living room and a look of faint surprise crosses his features. "Michelangelo," he calls. "Are you alright?"

Donatello follows his father's gaze as Michelangelo jolts to his feet, hands up as if surrendering. Sarina lays on the couch, still as a log. "I didn't do anything! I swear, it was all her!" he exclaims.

"What are you talking about?" Donatello asks. He starts towards his brother, finally noticing the cyborg. He stops as his eyes widen. "What happened to Subject?"

"Actually, she's Sarina now," Michelangelo says, "but that's not the point! We were talking, then her voice got all wonky and she completely passed out!"

Splinter wanders closer as Donatello kneels next to Sarina. Her dimmed, unblinking eyes stare straight through him, making a tingle run up his spine as he reaches over to check for a pulse. Michelangelo hovers, fidgeting with his fingers.

"Is she okay? Did I hug her too hard?" he asks.

"What?" Donatello asks. He shakes his head. "No! It looks like she powered down, like...she fell asleep." Michelangelo exhales heavily as Donatello checks his t-phone. "And no wonder, too, it's really late. We should all get to bed."

"And what about Sarina?" Splinter asks. "Do you have any idea where she is going to sleep?"

Donatello's shoulders hunch. "Uh..."

"She looks pretty comfy here, dude," Michelangelo says. "Get a pillow and a blanket and she'll be all good." He drags out the "all", making a smooth hand gesture with it.

Splinter hums, stroking his beard. "That will do for now. Donatello?"

"Yeah, I've got it," the turtle says with a nod.

"Good." Splinter's eyes flutter as he takes a very slow breath in and out, like a subtle yawn. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get some sleep."

He takes his leave back to the dojo, leaving Donatello and Michelangelo to retrieve the needed blanket and pillow for Sarina. Michelangelo watches his brother tuck the pillow beneath Sarina's head and drape the blanket over her, a small smile on his face. Donatello tries to ignore the constant staring, but he doesn't last long.

"Mikey?" he asks with a sigh as he closes Sarina's eyes for her. "Is something wrong?"

"Hm?" Michelangelo blinks, then his smile gets a little softer. "Oh, nothing, I was just thinking..."

"Yeah?"

"You actually looked happy today," he continues. "Like...'I haven't thought about April in hours' kind of happy."

Donatello's expression slackens, then droops. "Oh," he breathes, a hitch sounding at the very end and nearly making him cough.

Michelangelo reaches out and pats his shoulder. "I'm really glad you decided to save her," he adds. "She's so curious about everything and she's smart! She could end up being, like, your best friend! You need a best friend, dude."

Donatello stares up at the orange-masked turtle, his chest feeling very constricted. "I didn't think of that," he manages to say. It's like there's a zipper that's slowly closing his throat, making his eyes water and his breaths quick. "Hah..."

"Yeah, that's just what I noticed. Goodnight!"

Michelangelo bounces off to his room. Donatello stays on his knees next to Sarina, hand hovering near the corner of the blanket. He sniffs heavily and drags his forearm across his eyes. Next to him, there's a small buzz and Sarina's eyes open. The blue colour has returned but it's still dim and her eyelids stay drooped.

"Dona...tello..." she drones.

He coughs, swivelling to face her. "Sarina, hey," he says. "Don't worry, you can go back to sleep."

She blinks a few more times, slower and slower with each one. "All...right..." she murmurs. In a few more seconds, she's fast asleep.

Donatello rubs his eyes again as he stands up and trudges back to his room.