DATE: September 8 - October 7, 2001 CAST: Anna, Basil, Paco and Walter Paco's Apartment Though the main room of this apartment is fairly small, someone has taken a considerable amount of time to furnish it nicely, giving the room and cozy and welcoming atmoshpere. Even a few paintings adorn the cardboard walls, and long blue curtains decorate two windows across the room. A tall doorway leads into the small kitchen, while a long curtain made of small wooden beads hangs from another doorway leading into the dining room. Paco's eyes widen considerably as he is dragged inside his apartment, "AY!" His wings buzz into action to keep him from stumbling across the room. "Que-" Anna grabs a startled Paco by both arms and begins shaking him, interrepting whatever he's trying to say as she erupts into machine gun-Spanish. "Tengo pagar la renta! Dame-el-denero! La cucaracha me esta acechando!" [ translate ] Basil watches intently as both mosquitos discuss what ever it is they are bantering about. "Uh..." Is muttered, but nothing else. Either the two bugs are getting into one serious fight, or maybe the family pet is loose. Either seems just as likely since it is clearly unknown what is being discussed. This is shown by Basil's agape axpression, wondering if he should assist, or run. Now Walter takes a step backward, unnerved by the commotion--especially since he can't even begin to guess the reason for it. He glances left and right in consideration of the hallway, perhaps considering taking one of those directions if it turns out that this is a bad time to be dropping in for food. While Basil and Walter seem to slightly fazed, Paco just breaks into song. "La cucaracha, la cucaracha!" Erm...he blanks for a moment, then finishes cheerfully, "Da da da da da da da!" Does *anyone* know the rest of that song? He presents the money in his hand, aka the rent money, to Anna with a grand flourish. "Toma!" Anna snatches the bills from her grandson's hand and kisses them quickly, briefly thrusting them up into the air. "Gracias!" is heaved with relief, though whether she's speaking to Paco or whatever higher being there may be is uncertain. Apparently she gets rather agitated when the rent is due and she doesn't have it. Now that she does, though, she seems to notice the two strangers in her home for the first time. The little mosquito regards Walter and Basil curiously...then eyes shift to Paco for an explanation. Okay, so the 'fight' as it were seems to have been abated. But after the Paco and Anna are at peace, and the deeply appreciation for the income is shown, Basil notices the female mosquito's expression. A weak smile is forced, much in help to the dissipation of any conflict. "Uh, hello," is softly expressed. It would seem that he and Walter might be in a difficult situation again. Well, it's nice that whatever the problem was seems to have been resolved... though Walter almost wishes the squabble would resume, now that attention seems to be focused on them--and perhaps allow time to make an exit. But such a strategy is out of the question now, and so he remains awkwardly standing in place. "Oh!" Paco straightens quickly, now that he must use his best manners. The mosquito grins sheepishly, and he gestures to the two ants as he addresses Anna. "Mama, dese are my friends, -and coworkers- Basil and Walter." He's just as cheerful as he turns to his friends, and continues the introductions, "Guys, dees ees my grand-mother, Anna." He beams. Anna's countenance seems to undergo a great transformation as the introductions are made, all and any irritation vanishing from her expression completely. What replaces it is a wide smile. "Ay, hello!" She responds sweetly, clasping her hands together in front of her. Relief. This is finally felt as the introduction is made by Paco, and the warm welcome is shown by Anna. Basil relaxes his defensive posture, and a smile draws across his face as well. "Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you." Is offered sincerely. A look is then passed to Walter, one in hopes to calm his troubled nerves. Basil's become acutely aware of Walter's heightened state of concern as of late. Walter's posture relaxes slightly at the friendly reception -- slightly. "Hello," comes the simple greeting. He even manages to summon up a small smile in return, though the tightness of the expression discloses that not all concern has been banished just yet. Hmm...food... That's all that's on Paco's mind at presently, now that he can spare a moment to take a whiff of the aroma coming from the kitchen. Food, food. He does continue smiling, for the ants' sake. Anna continues smiling sweetly as if all is right in the world. If she notices Walter's slight discomfort, she doesn't show it - in fact, her cheerfulness matches Paco's as she greets her guests. "Wayl-come too our home. Joo'r stayee for dinner?" ^_^ Food? Oh, yeah, the central subject, the reason Paco invited them in the first place. "Sure, sounds great. Thanks." Basil suddenly shows a great deal of exhilaration, and now that his attention has turned toward the complete emptiness of his stomach, which lets out a barely perceptible growl. The offer is graciously accepted. "That is most generous of you." He then nods to further demonstrate his appreciation. Dinner. Yeah. That was the whole idea to begin with, wasn't it. "We'd love to--" and then Walter quickly amends, "If, if we aren't imposing." Although his stomach is no less empty than Basil's, Terry is still an ever present alternative for food, regardless of its variety or lack thereof. At this, Paco shakes his head, just in case his grandmother has some trouble understanding Walter's remark. "Eet's nothing, don' worry." He responds cheerfully, and grins. "Joo not bothereeng." Anna blinks momentarily as Walter speaks, her English not being quite *that* advanced. Upon hearing Paco's response, however, she perceives that Walter is asking if it's okay to stay, and waves her hand in dismissal. "Ees okay." The female mosquito smiles widens a little. "Sientete...seet, joo makee joorself at home. Dinner ready soon, okay?" With that, she turns and begins clack-clacking her way back towards the kitchen - her wings don't see much use these days. Basil smiles deeply at the generosity as well as the accent used by Anna as she adds reassurance to Walter, and he himself at the offer for dinner. He can't help but be taken aback at the unique language, and surroundings, then at the so welcoming nature of these two bugs. So much different than Enzo. Basil begins to contemplate that there are a few bugs that are kind to ants in the city, and perhaps an extended stay in the city, having no choice of their own, might just be bearable after all. He then awaits for Paco to direct them to the dining area. Slightly relieved, Walter watches as Anna leaves before another glance is aimed about the room curiously--for he hadn't paid too much attention to the surroundings inside this apartment until now--and inhales deeply. Whatever is being prepared in the other room must be good, or so the scent would indicate. Whew. Paco yawns slightly and stretches his arms, licking his lips at the prospect of dinner ready soon. The young bug makes his way over to a large footrest, intending to sit down. He's...bushed? Bushed! His abdomen barely touches the seat before the louder than necessary call of "FRANCISCO!" is heard from the kitchen. The mosquito jumps back up on his feet, eyes rolling slightly as he determines the source of the sound. "I gayss I have to -haylp-." Paco sighs, slumping and trudging in the direction of the kitchen doorway, arms hanging limply at his sides. "Dining room's over dere," he offers to Basil and Walter as he trudges along, lifting his arm briefly and pointing towards a doorway covered by a bead curtain. Tired? No kidding. Basil's feeling more fatigued that usual. Lugging rather large items, and working extra hours to get a little extra income. Watching Paco attempt to rest, the rather loud summons coming from the other room causes his eyes to widen, antenna boinging up noticeably, and he takes half a step back. After the exhausted mosquito leaves to help, Basil passes a glance to the dining room, then a look to Walter followed by a bemused expression and a soft chuckle. "Yeah, reminds me of my mom. Not so loud, but quite insistent on help with dinner." The smile weakens a little, and the deep blue eyes of the ant drift off a bit. "I mean West River, not Ant Island," is added, as if such info really makes much difference. Basil is essentially resigned as a permanent resident of Bug City. Walter takes advantage of the brief interval of silence to look around, without really seeing his surroundings. There is a sense of distance -- as in the mind being distant from the body, anyway. Then it's back to reality as the yell from the kitchen startles him into his senses. The ant watches from the corner of his eye as Paco answers the call; when the mosquito is quite gone his tense posture loosens fractionally, and he looks at Basil steadily as the other ant speaks. Actually the extra information has some significance to him, inasmuch that he is far from content with the idea of staying in the city indefinitely. Walter glances off musingly. "This probably isn't the best time or place to ask," he says, "but how were you able to get from one colony to another?" Attention refocuses upon Walter as his question reaches Basil's antennae. A soft swallow and a weak smile are returned following a few moments of contemplation. He would just assume tell the same story as was portrayed to virtually everyone in the colony, not feeling too terribly worried about it getting back to them, the possibility still exists. "Well..." is stated in a rather shaky voice, followed by a hand massaging the base of his right antenna, "Apart from nearly drowning in a rainstorm, chased relentlessly by a bird, running out of food and water, and collapsing in the heat of the day two weeks later, I honestly do not know." Basil shakes his head slowly as his eyes glance toward the floor. Perhaps *this* might explain why he's so resolute in staying in Bug City against his will. Walter frowns broodingly at the reply. Gradually he recalls Basil saying something like this on the plantation... while there's some discrepancy he can't quite figure out, he chooses not to dwell on it. "Sounds like ants' fear of the wilderness isn't unfounded," he observes. Then the small, unhappy smile of one who has just discovered irony in something tragic finds its way on his visage. "Still. If we'd left Lakeside like we thought about doing--" Walter cuts himself off, as if it occurs to him that he might be saying too much, or else blundered into a subject he'd rather forget. He turns and heads toward the dining room suddenly. Basil releases a soft exhale in response to Walter's take on ants fear of the wilderness. It's true, a discrepancy has occurred. Mainly because he remembers telling Walter how long he traveled from one colony to the other, having been made in an attempt to keep his friend from departing the city. The true story being dramatically different than the one related back on Ant Island. Attention is then gained as Walter mentions something about escaping Lakeside colony, but chooses not to inquire, fearing that Walter might query more information on the reason for Basil's departure from *his* colony. He too then walks over to the dining area, but at a slower pace. Upon finding himself in the dining room, Walter pauses to regard the table and chairs, hesitating. Household rules vary; maybe it's the sort of house where you're not supposed to sit at the table until the hostess tells you to? But he doesn't deliberate long before his tired legs finally win out over the question of protocol, and he takes a seat. He leans slightly against the table wearily, eyes half-lidded in troubled contemplation. Basil saunters into the dining room, and after a quick glance at Walter, follows suit and pulls out a chair to sit upon. A deep exhale is delivered, as exhaustion has taken it's toll on him as well. Truth be know, Basil would just assume lay his head upon the table and take a little nap, but he knows enough about proper etiquette and table manners to not do such. Walter's troubled expression becomes apparent, but "Um..." is simply muttered. Walter continues to sit in silence, hardly paying Basil any attention. He props his chin on the heel of one hand and taps on the surface of the table with the other. Finally he looks at the other ant bleakly. "So as it stands, there's no way we'll be leaving this city, then." There is nothing in the factual tone of voice that suggests emotion on the matter, but his expression says it all: It's the last thing he wants. Antenna droop noticeably as the lethargic Basil stares blankly to the wall across the room. As his head drops down lower, it would seem he's on the verge of drifting off, then his head jerks up as Walter's inquiry is heard. "Well..." Yawns Basil deeply then looks at the quite readable expression. "As much as I hate to stay here as you do, the city still seems better than risking life and limb out there." A thumb is tossed to nowhere but intended for the 'great outdoors'. Walter glances away at the response, his own antennae wilting from more than just exhaustion. For a while he says nothing, staring silently at the wall opposite of him. The hopeless expression slowly evolves into a glare. "Well, darn it, Basil, then how the heck did Willow and the rest make it out of here, huh?" suddenly erupts from him. "I've half a mind to go find out for myself." He looks ready to jump to his feet and make good on his word, but seems to remember where he is, and remains seated--though resentfully. The wall certainly seems to be at the center of attention, but that soon changes as the outbursts cause a riveting of his focus firmly. The first question is one that has crossed Basil's mind several times. "I really wish I knew, Walter. I was taken from the colony before I could find out." However the next declaration is met with a near panic, but Basil decides to not return the action with like kind, hoping to keep the situation steady. This does, however, put his mind on high alert, hoping Walter won't act on his intentions. Now the table's surface is starting to look interesting. In any event, that's where Walter directs his attention whilst his eyes are narrowed. At first Basil's statement has no visible affect on him. At length, he leans back and shakes his head in disgust. "Unbelievable..." A steady shaking of the head is given, with a blank expression showing while Basil looks at nothing. "I understand. It's like every effort has been made to keep us from leaving here. Well, except a lack of self preservation." A sudden feeling of the grumbling in his stomach take his attention thankfully away from the dreadful situation. Hopefully dinner will be on soon. Food. It's quite dropped out of Walter's mind by now. Arms stiffly folded, he continues leaning back in his chair, offering no further reply, no sign that he even heard Basil. The ceiling now becomes central to his attention, while his frustrated, almost desperate expression gradually rearranges itself into a seemingly resigned one, as if he's finally made up his mind to calmly accept the situation. But appearances can be most deceiving. [END LOG] Next Log: The Cloaked Figure Return to: Muted Identity logs.

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