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]

[Doesn't stop Antonio from trying to understand!]

I think I heard something about that? I learned it from school about how their skin helps them to live in the wild? Kind of like how geckos can change their skin to blend in with everything?

[He said before giving a small frown.]

But I never thought that tigers having white fur would help them to hide in the snow better. I thought they could easily fight any animal.

[ooc: sorry for the late! School and work killed me.]

[missingache]

The animals they hunt don't see colors like how we or how tigers do. Their orange fur? Looks gray to the deer. Weird, right?

[No need to explain cones in the eyes to a child. That's for later in life.]

Tigers are pretty strong and can jump really high, but even they have to be careful. Some of them live around bears or wolves, or get too close to where people live. So hiding is important.

[speaksanimal]

That makes sense, it would help them to have their fur change with the area to help them hide! I didn't know that the orange fur would help them hurt too! So thank you for that information uh...

[He said before leaning a little closer.]

What is your name again?

[missingache]

[.... okay, he snorts softly at that.]

Roxas.

[Are all kids this precious?]

I go to school for art, so helping another artist out just seemed right.

[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!

[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.

[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!]

[missingache]

Tigers are just big cats. Some cats love being in groups, and some like being alone. Lions are in groups because it makes hunting and taking care of babies easier, but tigers live in a way different place. They do okay on their own when it comes to hunting.

[Very diverse types of cats.]

And they're not always hunting. Tigers likes to sleep in the sun like small cats do, and they go swimming.

[speaksanimal]

I see. So I guess that makes sense why they would be that way.

[He said before looking at the tiger and then back at Roxas.]

By the way, the tiger said that he was impressed you know so much!

[missingache]

[........ what?]

Uh... The tiger said something?

[Did he hear that right?]

[speaksanimal]

Yeah, it did! I can talk to him a little!

[Totally normal!]

[missingache]

... have you always had that power, or is it new?

[Why can't he talk to animals??? That's not fair...]

[speaksanimal]

[With that, he shook his head.]

No, I didn't. It was something I had when I uh...

[He said before glancing downward. He wasn't sure if he would believe him but...]

Had an app on my phone?

[missingache]

Oh.

[WAIT]

..... how old are you?

[speaksanimal]

I'm five years old.

[Beat]

Why?

[missingache]

You have a phone already... at five...

[That's super early, what the hell.]

I didn't get one till my last year of middle school.

[speaksanimal]

Is that a bad thing?

[He said as he looked downward toward the phone in his backpack.]

I know my parents gave it to me because they just wanted to keep me safe. [And you know. For their lack of parental involvement in his life too.]

[missingache]

It's not bad, just kinda weird that you got a phone already.

[And this kids has to be super bright for his age with how well he speaks and problem solves. Roxas... feels like an idiot compared to a child.]

Are they here with you?

[speaksanimal]

[You see that? There was a long pause before Antonio glanced downward. Try as he may, he cannot lie.]

N-No, they think I'm walking home from school.

[That is the look of shame coming from the boy.]

[missingache]

[Sighing, Roxas has a small smile on his face.]

Yeah, I've done that, too... It's just a lot more dangerous since you're so young.