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

[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.

[neverbreaks]

[ She stiffens, her eyes widening as she sucks in a breath. ]

What? You...You don't -

[ How...How could that be? ]

You don't...recognize me? You don't...know who Mirabel, or Dolores, or Camilo are? We're...We're your family.

[speaksanimal]

[He shook his head as he kept his eyes downward. He really shouldn’t have said anything and look what happened now. He made her sad! And yet…!]

No, I don’t. And I do have my family, I have my mom and dad! They’re just not on the app.

[He couldn’t lie either. As he mumbled to himself, he was scared. He didn’t know what her next reaction would be nor did he know what to do.]

[neverbreaks]

[ She is about to ask if that means that Pepa and Félix were here too, but somehow she feels that he won't know those names either. And while she's still trying to figure out what in the world is going on, she's also beginning to realize that he is becoming afraid.

Given her appearance and strength, one of her biggest worries is accidently doing something to cause people to fear her. She'd always tried to be careful, tried to be friendly and agreeable so that people had no reason to be scared of her. And while she's sure - or hoped - that she presented herself in a way that people felt they could approach her, she had always kept a careful eye out for any signs that she had frightened someone.

And so, seeing those signs of fear in her little cousin - or at least, someone who looked a lot like her little cousin - truly troubled her. As much as she wanted to figure this out and help him understand, she knows that if she scared him too much, he could shut down and in a way, she'd still lose him.

So, taking a breath, she leans back a little, putting a bit more distance between them and hoping it would help him feel a bit more comfortable. ]

I, uh...sorry, I...I must have confused you with...someone else. You just...remind me a lot of my cousin.

[speaksanimal]

[As Antonio keep on looking at the woman, he wanted to say something. He didn't know what but he could see the look on her face. It said that she too was scared. If that was the case, then it told him that she wasn't that bad of a person. Why would someone be so afraid of mistaking him for someone else? It doesn't make any sense why she would act that way.

Instead, he took a step forward and gave his hand out to her. Stranger or not, it would be rude to just not say hello to someone.]

No, it's okay.

[He said with a pause before looking down at the ground. He really should say something but once again, he didn't know what. With a deep breath in, he finally spoke up.]

If I remind you of someone, then it's important that I introduce myself right? My name is Antonio, what is your name?

[neverbreaks]

[ He just feels so much like the Antonio knows, and it makes her heart ache a little. But she tries not to show it as she smiles, and gently takes his hand. He's so much smaller than she is, and she doesn't want to hurt him. ]

My name's Luisa. It's nice to meet you. I'm sorry if I frightened you.

[speaksanimal]

[As she took her hand, he gave a smile before lightly shaking it.]

It's nice to meet you, Luisa, and it's okay! I'm happy now that you're happy! [Because at least she wasn't sad anymore, right? The important thing was to cheer her up!]

You're not sad anymore, right?

[neverbreaks]

[ She is still sad, because he's just so much like their Antonio that it hurts that he doesn't know how they are. But she doesn't want to show him that, because it would only confuse and probably upset him more, and he doesn't deserve that. ]

Right, I'm not sad.

[ Leaning back a bit more, she then glances at the tiger that he had been talking to earlier. ] So you like animals, huh?

[ It can't be a coincidence...right? ]

[speaksanimal]

[If she's not sad anymore, then it was important to keep on talking to her right? The more he talks, the happier she would be!]

Mhmm, I do and especially when they seem to understand when I talk to them!

[Even before gaining the powers to talk to them, he still enjoyed their company.] They always know when I'm feeling sad and how they always are willing to give me a hug.

[neverbreaks]

[ Luisa can't help blinking for a moment. ] They can...understand you? Do you understand them too?

[speaksanimal]

Mhmm, I found out I can talk to them a little a couple of days ago!

[He said before showing her said picture of a tiger.]

That's why I wanted to show him a picture of a tiger so he can understand that I can talk to him now! I hope that he knows how much I want to be his friend!

[neverbreaks]

[ ...okay, that really can't be a coincidence. ]

Oh...wow! That's amazing! I'm sure he likes your drawing and would love to be your friend.

[speaksanimal]

I hope so because he always seems pretty sad when he's in the cage. I know there isn't a lot I can do but after I found out I can talk to them? I want to be there for him!

[He said with a chuckle or two.]

Especially when it means that I can make even more friends than before!

[neverbreaks]

[ He's just so sweet, there is no way that this could be any other Antonio. ] Well, I bet he really appreciates that. And I'm sure the other animals would appreciate you talking with them too.

Have you had a chance to make friends with any of the others?

[speaksanimal]

With any of the other animals? No, not yet! I haven't tried because the tiger looked the saddest.

[With that, he looked around the area.]

Do you want to come with me and help me befriend them?

[neverbreaks]

[ She is actually a bit surprised that he still wanted her to come along, all things considered. But she's also glad, because she's not entirely ready to let him out of her sight just yet. ]

Sure, I'd love to. Although I can't talk to animals myself, so I don't know how much help I'll really be.

[speaksanimal]

That's okay, I can talk to them from what you said!

[He said before gesturing his head toward the tiger.]

Hi there, she said hello and she wants to be your friend too! Would you like that? [In response, the tiger merely looked at the woman before looking at the boy. Of course, he didn't say anything but gave the both of them a curious look.]

See? He wants to know you too! [Which may or may not be accurate.]

[neverbreaks]

[ She isn't really sure if the tiger's response matched what Antonio said, but she'd have to take his word for it. ]

Okay, great. Well, uh...[ She glances back over at the tiger. ] It's nice to meet you. I'm Luisa.

[ Might as well introduce herself, right? ]

[speaksanimal]

[In return, the tiger continued to look at Luisa before curling up and closing its eyes. With a yawn, it clearly wanted to take a nap.]

Huh, I guess he must be really tired. I guess I can introduce you to the other animals here? And maybe we can draw some pictures to make them happier?

[neverbreaks]

[ With a smile, she nods. ] Sure, I'd love to meet them. And I bet they'd love some drawings to cheer them up.