001

[speaksanimal]

WHO: Antonio Madrigal
WHERE: Network, Around the Park
WHEN: March 1, Late Afternoon
WHAT: Small little boy wants to befriend people but it's awkward. Also, small boy shows tiger questionable tiger art.
WARNINGS: N/A

A. Network: Video; un: antonio

[If one were to look at the network, one could see a small little boy mumbling to himself. He wanted to say something, but he isn't sure what. As he looked down at the ground and shifted his weight, he took a huge breath in. If one can hear clearly, one could hear him say "You can do this."]

Um...I don't know what's going on but I think there's a lot of things I need to know. With the sky look weird and me having new powers, there's something I'm not getting.

[He said before looking around in his room. As he looked toward the door, it was as if he was waiting for someone to come in.]

I know mama and papa said I shouldn't talk to strangers online, but I hope we can talk to each other. Because I want to know if I can make some friends here.

B. Around the Park

[What is a small little boy doing out in the park without his parents? Who knows but that doesn't stop him from venturing into the zoo in search of some animals! Looking around the area, it appears that nobody was around him. As his gaze turn toward a tiger, he couldn't help but smile brightly at it!]

Hey, how are you doing? I hope that you're doing okay! I wanted to show you a picture I drew! I worked really hard and I hope you like it!

[He said before flashing the questionable tiger art to the animal.]

Comments

[bendyandthepinkmachine]

I'm sure he'd like one. But isn't it kind of hard to be friends with someone when we're so far away? Why do they keep Earth animals locked behind... some kind of barrier?

[nonmagical]

Tia Pepa and Tio Felix are with you? That's - that's great! I mean, not great that you're here, but-!

[God she has no idea.]

Your siblings are here too! They're gonna be so happy to see you!

[speaksanimal]

[Once again, Antonio kept on looking at the screen trying to figure out just what she was trying to say. He might not get a good idea but he didn't want to be rude.]

So I just have to look for someone with a lot of rats? And someone who has a lot of black birds and cherries on his ears?

[Pause] Why would he have cherries on his ears? Is he someone who can grow fruit out of his ears? [Because that's a pretty cool ability!]

[speaksanimal]

[As Antonio looked at the picture and then back at Usagi, he decided to hand said picture to her.]

Can you help me? What else do you think I should add to the picture? If it's supposed to be a rough draft then maybe we can work on it together.

[speaksanimal]

[There were so many things running through Antonio's mind as she said those words. Again, he didn't want to be mean and say something. However, he also didn't want to keep on lying.

Mumbling to himself, he looked at the ground before looking back up at the screen. Again, he took in a deep breath before speaking up. He can do this!]

Um...I'm sorry but what do you mean? I don't know who Pepa or Felix are. [Pause] And I don't have any brothers and sisters either?

[speaksanimal]

It's supposed to keep us safe. I always thought that people were scared of big animals and they don't know what to do.

[Pause]

And most people don't know how to talk to animals either.

[speaksanimal]

[There was something amiss. This person acted as if he knew him and yet, why didn't Antonio know him? He was trying to remember if he knew any of the names mentioned but nothing seemed to ring a bell. How odd, why didn't he know them? Did he forget meeting them? He wasn't sure but he also knew that he should say something. While it was mean to speak up to someone who was being nice to him, it was also equally mean to pretend that he knew this strange person.

Sinking his head into his shoulders, he mumbled a little. He didn't say anything directly to Camilo as he looked at the ground.]

I'm sorry but who are they again? [He said with hesitation. He really didn't want to make him mad but he couldn't keep on lying!]

[suzume_odori]

[Not even her classmates are immune....Not even her classmates...

At least he probably knows that 'haha' and 'jiji' just mean 'mom' and 'grandpa' now. It's one less thing to be baffled about!]

Yes, he has lots of them, one is big and purple. [So, Bruno will be easy to catch. Maybe.] But Mister Blackbird probably only has one big 'raven' with him...

Don't worry about the cherries though, they're fake cherries, [she carefully intones, as if such a matter is one of the most vital details possible. The reality is, they're just novelty earrings. If Antonio ever sees Tenmei's ears, he'll definitely see what Suzume meant by cherries.]

[camaleonico]

[ Okay, something's starting to seem really weird... Camilo's brow furrows, casting a discerning eye over his little brother, still wearing his image... but not an expression Antonio would normally wear. ]

Who're who?

[ It's not even registering that Antonio is referring to the list of names Camilo just rattled off. That's so far from a possibility in his mind, it does not occur to him that that could ever be what Antonio meant. He's certain he's just... missing something here, somehow... But a vague, disconcerting feeling is growing in his gut steadily, and it draws his voice a little tauter than the friendly, energetic vibe he's served so far. ]

[eternalfuture]

You know what I think? I think he needs some friends. Some birds, or even other tigers. Maybe a lion buddy?

[speaksanimal]

[See that? There is a small smile slowly forming!]

I think that would be a good idea! But how can we do that? I don't think he can make friends when he's in a cage.

[speaksanimal]

The names you mentioned. Who are they?

[As he said those words, Antonio was scared. He didn't know how this stranger would react to not knowing him nor any of the names mentioned. Would he get mad or sad that he couldn't even remember?

Again, there was hesitation in his voice as he continued on.]

I...don't remember any of the names you said.

[speaksanimal]

Why would he have fake cherries on his ears? Wouldn't hurt to have them on?

[And wouldn't they be heavy? There were so many questions running through his mind as he gave a frown.]

But if they're people who I can trust, I'll have to talk to them one day. [Pause] I just want to know that I can go talk to them when things get bad.

B.

[pan_acea]

[Julieta was adjusting her jacket and paused when she saw Antonio, her eyes widening. Her littlest nephew was here! She nearly ran up to him to scoop him into her arms and hug him and hold him and kiss him, but he seemed to be talking to the tiger. Oh, Antonio and his animals! She wasn't surprised. She crouched down beside him and smiled warmly.]

So, what does the tiger think of your drawing, hm? Does he think it's a masterpiece too?

[neverbreaks]

[ Luisa can't help a small frown. His words confuse her a little bit, but there's something else. She knows her cousin can be soft-spoken on a good day, even around the rest of the family, but this was...different.

So she kneels down so they can be on a closer level, and she can look him over a bit better. ]

You sure? You're not hurt or anything?

[camaleonico]

[ His blood chills, and face falls agape for a moment, before narrowing into another discerning, confused look of concern. In a split second and a flash of a spin, he resumes his own image, revealing himself as himself fully, and immediately kneels down to be eye-level with Antonio, still turning a clearly hurt and nervous gaze on him again. ]

...Antonio— are you okay? Did you get hurt in your maze? What do you mean you don't remember? I mean— ...y-you recognize— me... right?

[ Even as the words slowly slip from his mouth... Camilo knows the answer, and his tone deflates as he finishes the saddest question he's maybe ever asked? Something pleading grows in the corners of his eyes, subtle and gentle, but he has no idea what could even possibly be an explanation for Antonio not remembering his family's names, unless Antonio got a head injury or something on his own. And that's just as scary a thought as— whatever else is happening right now... ]

[speaksanimal]

[There were so many thoughts running through his mind, He knew it, he should have pretended that he knew this person. He really shouldn't have said anything and now look what happened. He should be amazed at what seeing his person transforming back into his original self but that wasn't on his mind. Instead, he kept on staring at the teen before shaking his head.]

No, I don't.

[He felt terrible but he seemed so insistent that he knew him. Was there something Antonio didn't understand?]

I'm sorry but how do you know me? [Because he sure doesn't remember.]

[speaksanimal]

Mhmm, I am.

[And yet, he still didn't meet her in the eyes. As much as he wanted to say something, he didn't know what to say. Sinking his head onto his shoulders, he took in a deep breath in.]

Why do you ask?

[speaksanimal]

[When the boy saw the older woman, he was surprised that she didn't think anything of it. He could have sworn she would have thought talking to animals would be strange. Was she one of those people that were part of the app?]

He thinks that it's really good! But I think I could have done a lot more. Maybe I should have drawn him some more animal friends in the background.

[wedonttalkabout]

[Oh, he immediately hates all of this. ]

No, I meant came here to the city? Like...from home?

[This isn't sitting right. A part of him (the nasty self-loathing part) thinks maybe he doesn't want Bruno specifically to come get him. But he was fine with him when they went to use his room, he's a good kid, trusting and kind to an uncle he never met and only heard the worst of stories about beforehand.

...No. Something is wrong here.]

Castia is here, we can bring you back. Your parents aren't here but the rest of us are.

[speaksanimal]

No, my parents are here! They just don't believe me that I have this app.

[Something wasn't right. Why did it sound like he knew him? Again, the boy kept on staring at the screen as he was trying to figure this out.]

And what do you mean by the rest of us? [Pause] I don't think I understand.

[suzume_odori]

He just likes cherries I think. They're the same color as his hair...

[Perhaps.....that is why.... ...Ahem.]

You can talk to them about other things too! Then you'll really know who can help the most when you need it...

[It's important, she feels, to know who is Absolutely Useless at helping. Very important.

(Helping by her definition may not be helping, but rather encouraging,)]

[neverbreaks]

[ The question has her frowning even deeper. More and more, something was feeling...off, but she couldn't figure out what it is. ]

Why wouldn't I? I just want to make sure you're okay.

[ Maybe he's just tired. So she'll let that drop for now and tries to smile. ]

Well, if you say so. I'm glad you're not hurt. Have you run into the others yet? Dolores, Camilo, and Mirabel will especially be happy to see you.

[ Of course she was happy to see her youngest cousin as well, but Dolores and Camilo were his siblings, and Mirabel was really close to him. ]

[speaksanimal]

[In return, all the boy could do was tilt his head to the side.]

No, I don't think so. Those names don't sound familiar so I'm pretty sure I haven't seen them.

[With that, he stared at the ground before looking back up at her. He wanted so badly to say something but again, he just couldn't. The last thing he wanted was to make her upset! Bitting both of his lips together. he took in another deep breath before he said it.]

And I don't think I know you either.

[speaksanimal]

I guess he just really likes the color red.

[Although, he's not sure why anyone would wear fake cherries but people can be strange sometimes.]

When I need the most help, huh? Then what about you? Do you know what's going on? Why do we have this app anyway?