Daylight

Pretzels

Donnie sneaks through the streets of New York. Even though it's night, sounds of cars, barking dogs, and annoyed people fill the air.

"Pretzels! Get your pretzels!"

Pretzels-

He looks over to see a wrinkly, short lady standing at a pretzel cart.

"Mustard on your pretzel!"

The turtle slinks over to the grandma.

Shame I didn't bring any money.

A gust of wind sends some papers the lady had in her purse flying away. "Oh no-" While she's distracted, Donnie snatches a salty snack, taking a big bite before heading off to help her.

He throws on his hoodie, finishing his pretzel just as he reaches her. "You need help there?" He says, picking up her papers.

"Oh, thank you, dear- eh-"

"Hm?"

"You have mustard on your face- which is oddly green. Are you okay?"

"Oh- it's uh-"

Shit.

"Face paint, there was a thing at my school today. My skin totally isn't green all the time, it's not like I'm a- heh- turtle or something. That would be ridiculous, I mean-"

"Okay, okay-" She looks like she's trying not to laugh. "I get it, face paint. Thanks for helping me with my papers!" The lady took them out of his hand before turning on her heel and walking away. "Feel free to come by for pretzels!"

"Huh," Donnie breathes while wiping the mustard off his face. He shakes his head, "Sweet, silly lady." Then goes off to the library.

--

Pages are whirling all around him.

Words and words and words, he wishes he had time to read them all.

The turtle flops down on the floor of the mystic library. His eyes light up. Donnie heads over to talk to the librarian, a massive bat yokai sitting atop her pedestal. Climbing up, he sees all the bats on the ceiling.

I love this place.

Donnie arrives at the top, the librarian flipping through a book of her own. "Salutations!"

"Shhhhhhhh."

All of the bats look down at him.

"Right," whispering now, the turtle continues, "I am here to look for a book on mystic abilities." "Turtle."

"Mmmmm?"

"Don't think I've forgotten the trouble you and your brothers caused while you were here."

"That doesn't sound like me."

"You got sent to the kiddie room?"

"Nope."

"Your brother tore up my ibis tapestry?"

"Doesn't ring a bell."

"And left me to clean up the mess?"

"I've no idea what you're talking about. Now if you would kindly point me in the direction of-"

"Why would I tell you where your information is when you are banned from my library?"

Banned? Now that definitely doesn't sound like me.

As the turtle sits there in thought, the bat continues, "So if you would kindly get out, that would be brilliant."

"What can I do to make it up to you?"

"Nothing."

"But-"

"No ifs, ands, or buts."

Dammit.

He had come here to learn how to amplify his mystic abilities, and now he was getting kicked out.

Aha.

"But just think! I'm here to learn about my mystic abilities." The yokai raised a brow. "I recently used them to stop the- y'know-"

"The krang."

Donnie flinched at their name.

"What if that type of situation pops up again?"

He hates the thought, but he has to do something to avoid getting kicked out.

He looks up at the librarian.

She's actually considering it.

"Fine," The turtle grins, "But if you make a mess of my library again, you're permanently banned. My bats won't hear you out next time."

"Thank you!" The yokai points over to her right. "Over there. See those moving staircases? Right past those you'll find what you're looking for."