#leo the familiar

[keijansmind]

Is anybody picking up what I’m putting down

[hitwiththetmnt]

Based on @butterfilledpockets B.E.N.T. au of the future turtles.

P1 (I have some more to post)

P2

I’m definitely not fully versed in the details and personalities for each bad ending turtle, but I imagine this would definitely be a conversation they have because everyone misses good food

[aroaceleovaldez]

in your most recent tyson post, you said something about leo being distinctly autistic-coded and I was wondering if you could elaborate on that? it sounds really interesting (sorry if you've already posted something on this, I couldn't find anything though)

Of course! I do have a specific tag for talking about Leo's autistic-coding/traits - [here], and [one for Nico as well].

The main aspects with Leo being autistic-coded actually have a lot to do with Nico being autistic-coded, because it's the comparisons between the two that most clearly indicate Leo is autistic-coded rather than it just being his ADHD or etc.

So with Nico being autistic-coded, it's very clear in the Titan's Curse that he's intended to be autistic. First, the first series has a repeating pattern of secondary characters being very distinctly neurodivergent-coded in different ways (Annabeth's adhd/dyslexia, Tyson's down syndrome-coding, Nico's autism-coding). With Nico's introduction, he's pretty stereotypically autistic and we're given a lot of descriptors about him that are notably not attributed to him being ADHD, like it would be for other demigod characters. He doesn't register social cues such as people getting annoyed at him, he's asking/making inappropriate or impolite questions/comments, he gets particularly upset about change (such as Bianca joining the Hunt) and generally gets emotional, and one of his most notable traits he's introduced with is the fact that he has a special interest (MythoMagic) - and we're shown that this special interest particularly colors how Nico navigates the world. While ADHD has hyperfixations, we don't really get much acknowledgement of hyperfixations with demigods usually - Annabeth gets a little, but most others don't and it's not nearly as focused-in on as Nico's is.

Then as the series continues we see these traits stick with him and him start to show or voice more traits that similarly indicate he's autistic: He regularly mentions how he doesn't understand living people and prefers the company of the dead (social issues). He has more notable stims than other demigods (twisting his ring, fiddling with bones, etc). He's indicated to have strong sensory preferences (usually wearing mostly black/aversion to bright colors, usually wearing layers/his coat, multiple times he's described as wearing loose/baggy clothing or clothes too big for him). He has specific comfort items (his ring, likely his jacket(s) as well). We later get even more information about his special interests (Mythomagic/mythology/history and an older interest in pirates - the latter he specifically notes likely heavily influenced his feelings towards Percy). He struggles with emotions and facial expressions and tone. He struggles particularly with ostracism and feeling like he doesn't fit in and has something distinctly different about him from the people around him (who notably, all have ADHD, which indicates it isn't the ADHD that's making him feel that way), and other characters regularly describe him as being off-putting because of his strange behaviors - again, different from specific ADHD traits they recognize. And that last point is kind of notable because we have Hazel and Bianca for comparison - we know people are off-put by both Nico and Hazel because of being children of Hades/Pluto and their powers/aura, but other characters get past that general feeling of discomfort way faster with Hazel. And even after characters get past the death stuff with Nico, there's a second thing that they aren't moving past that isn't a factor with Hazel (Nico's autism).

So that brings us to Leo - Leo is paralleled to Nico a lot. And there's some very specific traits about him that we know are autistic-coding because of how they're used with Nico: He similarly struggles with social cues/etc, and in a very similar parallel to Nico describes how he prefers the company of machines to people because machines make more sense to him. He has similar types of clothing/sensory preferences (again some stuff with layers but also - pockets! He likes having pockets and things to put stuff in! He's even introduced as having a jacket with lots of pockets), and he has a distinct special interest (machinery) that we specifically know heavily influences how he views and navigates the world (constantly comparing things to machinery, describing things with machinery metaphors/terminology, etc etc). He even describes his entire general worldview to Hazel and it's a machine metaphor. He also similarly struggles with ostracization like Nico does, the only difference being that Leo specifically puts on a persona to compensate for areas he knows he's lacking in and very explicitly describes it as a means to make people like him, because without it he normally struggles to fit in (He's masking!). We also see notes of characters describing that similar discomfort with Leo's behaviors that they do with Nico, except without the aura of death this time. And when we're in Leo's POVs we see a very stark difference between his masking and his actual personality/behaviors such as his internal dialogues or how he behaves when he's alone. Also, like Nico, he stims more than other demigods, though for Leo it's more attributed to his ADHD. Leo also, more often than most, similarly struggles with tone and reading the room, such as making misplaced jokes/comments or etc.

But yeah! It's really interesting. Also it's just a fun thing that ADHD/dyslexia and autism have comorbidity, so it makes sense that we see demigods who are also autistic. It's also really fun to look at how other characters are coded in the series, what coding looks like in the riordanverse specifically (usually it's tied into the mythological stuff - like Chiron being in a wheelchair but he's actually a centaur, Grover being introduced as having a muscular disease but he's actually a satyr, demigods having adhd/dyslexia, Tyson being coded as having down syndrome but he's a cyclops, etc etc - it's a lot of specific metaphor stuff that I've talked about a bit before), and to look at how characters are compared to one another.

[lactoseintolerentswag]

The Spotlight Effect

Maybe someone else has pointed this out before but I'd still like to talk about it!! Something really interesting to me about Leo (rottmnt) as a character is his inherent charisma, and how he draws in people with grand and dramatic speeches. Visually this is shown by something I like to call the "spotlight effect".

Season 1 Episode 2 "Origami Tsunami"

Originally the mentioned effect was used as a bit/gag. Here Leo is trying to hype up the boys to go on a junior-level "safe" hero adventure, and does succeed in getting them excited. Throughout the episode he's shown to drag them place to place, one inspirational speech after the other.

Season 2 Episode 1 "Many Unhappy Returns"

In season 2 we see this effect return. In "Many Unhappy Returns", in which Leo is initially a figure of comedic relief to ease tension in the return of the Shredder. This backfires a little bit, as it mostly annoys his family despite good intentions (which are not clearly communicated). It's not until he proves that he's taking this situation seriously--and ramping the team up with another one of his on-point speeches about everyone's strength of character--that he becomes a point of inspiration. The scene above takes place after Raph questions Leo, who in turn responds with "trust me".

Season 2 Episode 2 "Todd Scouts"

Again we see the "spotlight effect" used as a gag; however, there is still an interesting point here made in this scene. Leo calls himself something along the lines of the master at apologies, and something I believe that contributes to the effectiveness of such apologies is that charisma that draws people in. Which is shown visually for us via this effect!!

Season 2 Episode 5 "Air Turtle"

Another apology of Leo's after his dismissive and competitive behavior when playing basketball with his brothers. It also serves as a motivation point in this episode, for them to go against the mysticly beefed up basketball players.

Season 2 Episode 9 "Bad Hair Day"

I'm tentatively counting this as part of the phenomenon I've pointed out because while Leo is Put under the spotlight as a potential suspect to the thieving in this episode, Leo takes full advantage of it to wrap people around his finger. The hair doesn't not help either.

--

And now for one of the most Blatant and emotionally impacting examples.

The Rise Movie, the moment when they think their brother is lost, and when Leo begins to finally start listening to his team.

He unites them under his hope and confidence. I mentioned in this post that Raph is their center of responsibility, well in comparison Leo would be their center of inspiration. His competitiveness rubs off on his brothers (encouraging to put their all in the silliest of things), his playful encouragement keeps the baby of the team from being too babied, and his speeches tie everyone together to one goal. Hope is a ninja's greatest weapon, and while he may not realize it until Casey Jr. quotes that famous phrase, he's been using it this entire time.

[tizeline]

I just know sep leo is ECSTATIC for sonic 3 coming out featuring Keanu reeves as shadow the hedgehog 💞💞💞💞💞💞💞

BRO Shadow Generations being released AND those animated shorts that came out right before that game AND the 3rd Sonic live action movie now introducing Shadow?

Yeah Leo would absolutely be freaking out about all the attention Shadow has been getting lately, holy moly!

Leo is absolutely one of those people who's gonna be screaming and cheering in the cinema when Maria gets shot 😭 he's absolutely insufferable about this

[madmutts]

so that dream I mentioned

brothers! it's funny cuz. they dont look like that fhdsjfdsjfs like wtf

[intotheelliwoods]

WELL ITS NOT REALLY A PEEPAW AU IF YOU DONT HAVE HIM MOURN HIS DEAD BROTHERS NOW IS IT.

(the recent post in question)

---

Ok so, he already feels horrible enough that his younger self lost an arm because of him, so if you had that arm loss at AN EVEN YOUNGER AGE???? An age so young that the little Leo cannot even properly express or understand forgiveness? Hes never mentally or emotionally getting over that oops

[onejellyfishplease]

SnapDonnie, Confusion, Part 2

Oop,

things are getting a bit more intense!

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[lesbianleonardo]

sooo normal about this (lying)

[leoizus]

matchy as always !!!

[ficoandleo]

What if I pspsps Leo cat without actually saying pspsps it's more of just mouthing the sound and rubbing my fingers together so I don't startle him

He can kind of hear you rubbing your fingers together, but it's definitely not as sharp of a sound as the pspspsps would be. His ears perk up a little in curiosity and then press down against his head again. But he is looking at you now!

You! He knows you!!!! You're that simp!!! It's harder to tell because he is much, much smaller than before and the angle is different and he doesn't really know how you smell, but he gradually recognizes you as one of the few mostly tolerable people on campus so far. But the little pinpricks of his pupils dilate a tad. He's still uncomfortable and overstimulated, but if you're gonna be quiet for him. . . .

He creeps over, belly low to the ground as if anticipating a threat, and sniffs your fingers. He's no bigger than a two month old kitten, being pretty small as a human.

(Somehow he's strapped his phone to his back in one of those little arm band holders. He may not be able to hold it yet but he refuses to leave without it!!)

[paintedkinzy-88]

Ohh April gave Leo a penguin.. poor Leo, I wonder what he did with it, he couldn't reject a gift from his favorite human but I'm sure he wouldn't like the reminder

Or maybe he keeps it as a reminder that despite not being able to fly his friends and family love him

(I love the penguin detail so much. It's so genius with the parallels and. Aaaa. Now it's my headcanon that Leo loves the Penguins of Madagascar movie(s??) Too, maybe after he accepts his winglessness though)

Leo likes penguins! Not so much for hoarding reasons, but one of his favorite movies as a tot was Happy Feet. XD Now he likes em in a… bittersweet kinda way. But he appreciates everyone thinking about him, even if it is as the “penguin” of the family. Aka, flightless birb that swims.

Plus, it’s a good cover… can’t have people knowing he doesn’t feel the same need to have penguins in his hoard. They’re birds too, why wouldn’t he want a certain kind of bird? What makes them different from the others? Why do bats count, but penguins don’t? That would sound many more alarms for Mikey, I’m sure. Wouldn’t want him snooping beyond the bats and finding the butterflies, moths, and even flying squirrel related items he has hidden away under that bed. 😬

[mouriros]

Jaiden whose only constant on the island is cucurucho, a high level federation employee hated by a large portion of the island vs leonarda whose only constant on the island is her dad, foolish, a high level federarion employee misunderstood by a large portion of the island

LIKE IM NOT CRAZY FOR THIS EITHER I KNOW IM NOT

Cuz they Do get along and we do know that most of the island residents tend to forget leonarda/dislike him cuz hes different and spoiled and a little weird but not Jaiden. Jaiden who's leo's dad's partner in crime Jaiden who was once platonic partners with Leo's brother (Roier) Jaiden who's always up for leo's antics and silliness. Jaiden who is always alone and leo who keeps everyone at arms length because no one's proven that they can be nice to them. Like you dont GET it theyre PARALLELS theyre Red and Blue and yet both are Purple and they both only have their dads' hands to hold onto and theyre both in the federation By Default and dont really have any Solid option of their own on it.... i know im just rambling out of my ass but tia jaiden&leonarda is such an underrated duo and i cant wait to see more of them

[abbeyofcyn]

Started this project but don't think I will finish. 21 key frames were already too much lol

Meant to start at 1.47 min. into the song. Skip the solo and continue till 4.05

[sunnshinneee]

just a lazy caturday with my best boy 🧡

[danieyells]

Some part of me likes to think that Romeo and Taiga were a lot like Sho and Leo a few years ago

Romeo was the ~helpless pretty boy~ who used his wiles deceptively, and Taiga was his muscle who helped and protected him throughout their activities. Their schemes were more equal, but Romeo selfishly relied on and used Taiga until living together in Sinostra drew a rift between them. Suddenly Taiga was too much, because he got to see how Taiga really was and he didn't understand it and couldn't control it.

But Taiga still made a casino for him to profit off of.

Taiga still asked if he wanted him to kill someone to get them money.

Taiga shrugs off his disagreements and smiles and laughs and says "you're right, Lulu, you're always right" even if he doesn't intend to follow his instruction to the letter--because he knows he can do it his way and get the end result, he just damns the consequences.

Taiga still does Romeo's bidding and praises him when he's around and gets comfortable with him even though they don't connect anymore.

Romeo knows they're estranged. Everybody knows they're estranged. People are relieved to see them back together even if it's by force of probation.

I think Romeo secretly is too. Because I think he does care about Taiga, and wants to understand him, but he can't. And what he does understand, he doesn't like.

And I think Romeo sees Leo and Sho and wants to keep Leo from going the same way he did. Yes, be selfish and proud, you've earned that right through beauty and intellect but

You have to be careful not to let go of that person who's been by you this whole time. Don't only reach out when you need him to do something. Try and understand him and reconcile when you fight. Try and work together. There's a reason he's been your protector for so long.

Don't lose the only person who really cares just because you were too busy looking in the mirror to see that they weren't by your side anymore.

He just doesn't want Leo to end up like him--all followers and no real friends.