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]

[Taking a deep breath in, at least he knew that he didn't have to worry about having to remember anyone else. While he knew that his "brother" meant well, it was just a relief that he wasn't forced to continue with this. As Antonio sighed too, he lets go of his head as he wondered just want to say. All of these pent-up emotions were just too much as he didn't understand what it was all supposed to mean.]

N-No, it's fine, I know that you wanted me to remember. It's...confusing. I don't understand what is going on.

[And yet, he still didn't meet Camilo in the eyes. After all, how could he talk to him directly when he didn't know what he was supposed to feel.]

[camaleonico]

[ Ouch, his feelings. Even with whatever is going on— Antonio is so nice. So empathetic. His Gift with animals never surprised Camilo for that reason — he's always been a softhearted kid. And knowing that at least that much, that deep truth about his personality, hasn't been corrupted, by whatever is going on, is just as reassuring as it is painful. Camilo's a great actor, but— even he has his limits. ]

...I don't, either.

[ He doesn't take his hand from his shoulder yet, staying crouched down to be eye level with him, though he lets his own gaze drift away again, too. It's a candid admission, but— what more can be said to any of this...? He lets a pregnant pause settle for a moment, fumbling for words inside, grasping at straws. ]

Um— ...do you— Uh. ...Are you hungry...?

[ A rather strange question to follow all this up with...? Though not as strange as everything that came before it, so, well, why should the strangeness end. ]

[speaksanimal]

[Despite everything, the last thing Antonio wanted was to make someone sad. Try as he might, he couldn't remember anything outside of this strange woman he called his mother. In fact, he didn't even know how this person could change into different people with ease. Was it a part of him being on the app? He didn't know, he just wanted to figure out why all of this was happening.

As he looked at his "brother", he didn't say anything at first as he was still sorting out all of his emotions. Giving a small sigh, he nodded his head.]

Y-Yeah, a little. I haven't eaten anything since lunch. .

[Maybe he should eat. Food usually makes things a little better, right? Especially after a moment like this, he really could use anything as a pick me up.]

[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? ]

[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!]

[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]

[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??)]

[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.

[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!

[camaleonico]

[ Camilo listens awkwardly to the phone call, and shoves his hands in his pockets to keep from fidgeting, averting his gaze. All of this is bizarre. He has no idea what he's supposed to do, what's going on, how he's supposed to act... He's secretly just hoping that either seeing Casita or eating Julieta's food will fix everything.

When Antonio gets off the phone, Camilo inclines his head toward the exit. As they set off, Camilo pauses uncomfortably, but is quick to strike up conversation again, awkward as it is to try and smooth that over, wow... How do you continue from such an introduction? ]

...So, uh. You've never had tamales?

[speaksanimal]

[As Antonio looked at the phone and then back at Camilo, he really didn't know what to do. While his parents agreed to let him stay over to a friend's house, he wasn't surprised by their reaction. They were always busy and barely had enough time for him.

If he was at someone else's house, it probably would make it easier for them. With a mumble or two, he slowly pondered if this was a good idea or not. As they walked toward the exit, he really didn't know what to say. When the teen spoke up, Antonio simply shook his head.]

No, I never had them. Are they good?

[camaleonico]

[ Oh, this is so surreal. What does he say now? ]

...Yeah. They're really good.

[ He started this topic! Get it together, Camilo! He strengthens his nerve a bit, feigning more comfort than he really feels, starting a good pace they can walk in stride with each other in. Though he keeps his hands in his pockets as they walk, just to have somewhere to put them... ]

...They're really good, actually, heh~ Tía— eheh, ah...— My, uh— my auntie, Julieta— She said she'd make a bunch for lunch today. She makes the best tamales. It's hard to describe if you've never had one. They're soft and full of meat and beans and cheese and stuff — I think Tía Julieta made these ones with pork. They're wrapped in a corn husk — but you don't eat that part, heh. That just keeps it all together. Trust me, it's delicious. You're in for a treat~

[ Playing it very casual, yup... Not weird at all that Antonio doesn't know what a tamale is and Camilo needs to call Julieta by name for clarity's sake. He's fine. This is fine. It's fine. He's fine. ]

[speaksanimal]

[As he continued to follow Camilo, he raised an eyebrow at him.]

Meat, beans, and cheese? Wrapped in a corn husk? It sounds like it would be a wrap or whatever you call those things!

[Granted, his reference point was mainly from his own background. Although, now that he thought about it, he never really questioned the food he ate. How interesting, he thought to himself.]

But it sounds like it would be really good. But wouldn't it upset your stomach? I heard that if you eat too many beans or cheese, it can make you go to the bathroom a lot.

[camaleonico]

[ Camilo's taken by surprise at that comment, snorting out a laugh suddenly and looking at Antonio incredulously, but obviously amused. Oh, kids... ]

Haaaah...! Nah. Not my Tía's food. My Tía has magic — all the food she makes heals you... It can never make you sick.

[ A nice segue. Camilo's not gonna go into finer details than that, but he's still pretty amused inwardly by that hot take. ]