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

[suzume_odori]

Oh....

[That part...wellllllll...she turns the camera around, and hey!

There's some lady busy tidying the rest of what looks like a small apartment.]

That's Nanny, she's from Zodiac... I stay here and she does stuff that Haha normally did...so that probably helps.

[Hooray!]

[prontissimo]

I-I dunno! I'm just asking questions!

[ He gives an exaggerated shrug, splaying his hands out in the air for emphasis. ]

I've never met someone who can talk to animals... Why? How'd you find out?

[ Curiouser and curiouser... Alberto's on the hook now, Antonio. ]

[speaksanimal]

It's nice to meet you, I'm Antonio!

[With that, he gave his hand out toward him. After all, it was the polite thing to do!]

And I would like any help I can get! I want to make the best art that I can make for the tiger! Especially when I know he could use a friend!

[speaksanimal]

[In response, Antonio raised an eyebrow.]

Zodiac? Isn't that a bad thing that she is a part of them? Even if it's things that uh...Haha did, wouldn't you be a little nervous?

[Because mother or not, it's still a little scary having someone who you don't know take care of you.]

[speaksanimal]

Just a few days ago when I asked him if he was lonely!

[He said before pointing to the tiger nearby.]

I think it had something to do with this app I got and it's making me get all these powers.

[Although, he lowered his head before giving a pout. He wasn't sure if Alberto would be one of those people who didn't believe him. However, it was worth a try to see if he would.]

[camaleonico]

[ Camilo's face melts into a weak, apologetic smile, raising an eyebrow at the boy. Relief. Preemptive relief. It's something. ]

You like tamales? My aunt makes the best tamales in the world. We've got a bunch at home — if you wanna come over for an afternoon "sorry-I-scared-you" snack, eheh...

[ A-Awkward joke. He's trying... Camilo was never given the "don't take candy from strangers" talk. The Encanto is small. No one would dare cross the Madrigals. What is stranger danger? ]

[suzume_odori]

[Eh!? Eh!?]

...Why's Zodiac bad...?

[That's. Her big question. Is Zodiac supposed to be bad? She didn't think it was bad. It's just where she ended up going, since there wasn't anyone else, so.]

Mn...I'm not scared, I have...Hoshi, and Muland...I'm definitely safe.

[speaksanimal]

Because aren't they the ones who made all this weird stuff going on?

[Because those who make all this happen has to be bad, right?]

But that's good! If you are feeling scared, let me know. I want to help out too.

[speaksanimal]

Tamales? What are those?

[He said before tilting his head to the side. While there were various snacks he heard of, this was one he did not.]

But I wouldn't mind coming over for some! I just need to talk to my parents and see if that's okay though.

[After all, he can't go over to someone's house without telling his guardians!]

[wedonttalkabout]

[Oh no, this is adorable and on par for Antonio. ]

Well, I know a lot about rats? I have rat friends. They're actors.

[suzume_odori]

[?

???]

...No....?

[Why would they be?? Suzume blinks.] ....they just have stuff only magic eyes can see...so...if you see magic stuff, you see the phone stuff...

[prontissimo]

Huh...!

[ He has no idea still what "app" means, he's still calling his cellphone a "Magic Everything Machine" so he's not so savvy with the lingo yet... But that doesn't dampen his amazement at all, looking clearly both bewildered and impressed. It gives him pause, then another spike in energy shoots up, as he smiles brightly again, and slaps Antonio gently on his shoulder, waving him along once more as he takes an exaggerated step forward, leg straight out before he sets off with a bounce in his step. ]

C'mon! Tell me about the other animals! What about those guys? What're they talking about?

[ He points to... some ducks. Just normal ducks that are not part of any exhibit, only here for food and a pond nearby that is an exhibit. So are just wandering around the pathways like any free bird, quacking amongst themselves quietly. Buuut Alberto's never seen a duck, either — or a zoo in the first place — so how would he know.

He wasn't even expecting to be in a zoo, he just was wandering and managed to bypass the attendants at the entrance. You get away with so much sneaking when you don't realize you're sneaking; you don't seem suspicious when you exude confidence and nonchalance, people just assume you're in the clear, don't even notice. Still almost always guarantees trouble, of course — just delays it a bit. ]

[missingache]

[A handshake offer from a small child... He returns the gesture, making sure not to squeeze too hard.]

A friend? Maybe this one does, but in the wild, tigers like to be solitary. They can have pretty bad tempers. Though that guy is probably zoo born and raised, so he wouldn't be as grumpy as the wild ones.

[pan_acea]

Ah, Mrs, please. My husband would be so upset to hear I'm back on the market. [She laughed, winking.] It's very nice to meet you, Antonio.

If you don't mind my asking, are your mamá or papá somewhere nearby? [He didn't come out here ALONE did he?]

[speaksanimal]

Actors? How are they actors?

[Hear that? That is the voice of a very confused but excited boy.]

Do they get to act out in front of a camera?

[speaksanimal]

But that would be bad, right?

[And here, Antonio just keeps on being just as confused as she is!]

Since they're the ones starting it?

[speaksanimal]

Are the wild ones really that grumpy? I know they like to be alone a lot but it doesn't make any sense when they're always hunting for food! It would be better to work together!

[Just saying!]

[camaleonico]

Oh. R-Right. ...Right. Um. Can you, uh— You wanna call them, or...?

[ A nervous hand reaches to rub at his own neck as he stands to his full height at last, throwing his gaze askance awkwardly. "His parents..." This is the most bizarre thing to ever happen to him. Way more bizarre than his wild labyrinth. This hurts. His mind is reeling. But— whether this kid is Antonio or... not...? He's still just a kid. Camilo's gotta keep it together. ]

[speaksanimal]

Ah, okay then Mrs. Julieta!

[He said with a chuckle before giving a small frown.]

Well, no, they aren't. I came here right after school so they don't know I'm here. [With that, his head sank into his shoulders. He was going to be in a lot of trouble, wasn't he?]

[speaksanimal]

[Antonio should say something but he doesn't. If Camilo was suppose to be his brother, wouldn't it make things awkward already if he called his 'parents'? As he got out his phone and then looked back at him, it was almost as if he was asking for permission to call.]

I could but... [He knows he should but he didn't want to upset his friend (brother??)]

[wedonttalkabout]

They do now! They didn't back home but here, sure! I have a whole telenovela for them and everything. They're very serious about their roles.

[camaleonico]

[ The hesitation does draw an uncontrollable look of pain on Camilo's face, but he quickly (and poorly) tries to disguise it with an apologetic smile. ]

...They'd wanna know you'll be home late — i-if you're going to— a friend's house... [ He takes a sharp breath, forcing an uncomfortable smile even further. ] I— Heh, uh, I know my parents would wanna know.

[suzume_odori]

[Another head shake.]

...how does having...mn...How does having the phone thing for magic people...mean they're causing the magic?

[speaksanimal]

Telenovelas?

[What have you done, Bruno? You have just opened a whole new world for him!]

You mean you're the one who made all those episodes? That's so cool, it must have really difficult to make all those shows by yourself!

[speaksanimal]

[Again, all Antonio could do was just stare before looking down at the phone. While it hurt to see Camilo look so sad, he was right. He definitely needed to call his parents. With a mumble or two, that's when he called.]

Um...m-mom? It's me, Antonio? My friend said he wanted me to play with him for a little bit?

[He said before giving the teen a worried look.] I promise I'll be back home by 5!