Gifts for All {Open}

[Antonio Madrigal]

Antonio had done his fair share of exploring since arriving here, but of course of all of the places in this vast Park, found the Animal Kingdom the most intriguing, with its wide range of animals to talk to! Just as Sisu had said!

He had arrived just near Christmas it seemed as the amount of decorations attested to and one of the Cast Members had even given him a peppermint stick one day, Moana asking about his family having put him on a list and now that they were aware of him some of them wanting to make sure he was both welcomed and included in the celebrations of the time.

That or they handed every kid that passed them peppermint.

Assuming the former, it brought up a good point. Who was making sure the animals had things this holiday season?

Antonio had already seen that the animals about the Savannahs here were well cared for by the Cast Members, and as Conservation Station even proved with it's glimpse into the vet area and such, but...not actually speaking to them they couldn't be expected to think of them in the same way as the guests and Special Guests, as those who arrived were apparently called.

So Antonio made it his mission to help where he could!

He had dropped off some more vegetables for the goats, llamas and sheep of the petting zoo before making his way from Affection Station to the Savannah portions once more. "Parce, you stay there", he said told his jaguar as he got closer to the giraffe section, "I want to give some of the rest of this to Maple and Zella and you make their mom, Lily, nervous".

Small wonder, the little baby giraffes had only come shortly before he had he heard and were still very new though of course following the mom around by now.

The jaguar laid down on the edge of the open section of Savannah (happy to leave the testy new mom at a safe distance) as the toucan, Pico, flew on ahead and Chispi paused chew on some of the nearby vegetation, leaving Antonio rushing off across the Savannah with his bucket, mostly unattended by his animal companions.

This mission was about as many animals as he could give things too, though, so as he passed a nearby tree he stopped and set the bucket down to attach one of the feeders of extra treats for the Savannah animals. This one should be at a good gazelle height and he would see if Lily would help him put some up for the other giraffes too.

[Sgt. Tibs]

Sgt. Tibs prowled through the underbrush, making as little noise as possible, as was befitting a soldier on patrol. And a cat, if it came to that. He disliked this area particularly, as it smelt of wild things, creatures he had never seen before and could not begin to name. But they made the hackles on his neck stand up.

Still, it was his duty to reconnoitre the area as much as possible. And he had no other orders and hence, nothing else to do.

As the feline peered through a clump of fern, cautiously, in case there was something dangerous about, he spied a child, a human child, in close proximity to some very wild creatures!

[Deleted]

Nick Wilde had been finding ways to keep himself active when he wasn't active. With the holidays coming around, those days were becoming a bit more frequent as they figured those like him should probably spend time with others. He was free today, but he wasn't doing nothing. The fox took it upon himself to do some exercise every now and then, jogging through a select park until he had a good workout. Today, Nick decided to be a little daring. There were places out on the savannah where guests would go for the special tours, bringing them close to the animals. For Nick? This was good to make sure his skills were sharp.

The fox had just finished such run as he stopped at the edge of the savannah. He had left his usual green shirt behind at the lodge, instead opting for a blue t-shirt with matching shorts. The fox took out a stop-watch from his pocket and pushed the button to stop the timer. "15 minutes. Not bad Wilde. Not bad," He congratulated himself. Of course Judy would do better, he thought to himself. With the open savannah ahead of him, he'd pocket the stop-watch and exchanged it for sunglasses.

It was serene here. Peaceful. No trucks out, though that will change in due time. The animals were going about, doing what ever thing they had in mind. Nick still found it weird at times, seeing them. He was far used to seeing animals like him walking around on their hind-legs, looking at the papers and drinking a cup of joe. He did accept the fact that this world was different, and as such he begun to saw these animals as just that. Animals. No ability to talk, their minds focused on eating, drinking, sleeping, and whatever their species do. It was like a modern person, looking back at their ancestors.

"The more I stay here, the more I am used to these things," He muttered to himself, "Guess that's how it always will be."

The fox would start to make his way back, opting to keep to the savannah and enjoy it's tranquility. As he did, the fox soon stopped as he eyed something that didn't belong. It was a young boy, human (another thing he has grown used to). He was setting up a bucket at one of the feeders. The kid was alone out here, yet he wasn't scared. The opposite of that. Nick pulled his sunglasses down a bit and arched a brow. Did one of the cast members bring their kid to work?

Wilde decided to investigate. The kid had set up a bucket for the gazelles (the animals, not the singer, he thought to himself). And as Wilde approached, he saw that while there were already some food for the animals, the kid was giving some extra. Generous. "Well, what's a kid like you doing out here?" Wilde asked as he approached, his tone of voice more friendly as to not scare the kid off, "Feeding the animals I take it?" 

[Antonio Madrigal]

As Antonio worked at attaching the feeder, the one of his companions left near him, Pico, kept an eye on things, just from the tree. The toucan was incurably curious, as perhaps only Antonio knew best, though he had shown some of it when following Mirabel about.

He liked to be in the midst of the action, if it was at all interesting, but was anything but reckless. So, he was very glad to be high in the tree, and with Antonio (whom the two nearest creatures wouldn't bother in the least) between him and the two predators as he saw what and who was prowling about.

Knowing he was safe gave him a sense of boldness even at sight of the cat and fox, and the toucan hopped out along the branch into sight cocking his head and squawking a greeting.

Understanding what his bird said ("Hi. You can't get me from here, he won't let you. Why did you steal someone's pants?"), Antonio turned to see who he greeted and...yes that was a fox wearing a shirt and pants and walking upright! Interesting. He knew of foxes though they weren't native to Colombia and was happy to see one, even such an unusual one.

The fox was also the one to walk up on said hind legs, though Antonio spotted the cat in the brush as well. "Hello" he greeted, before realizing that...wait the fox wasn't making noise he could understand, he was...talking talking, like Rosabella and Sisu had.

He would have thought it was something all of the animals around here did if he hadn't also met those like Lily and the other 'normal' animals who did need his help to communicate what they said. Antonio wouldn't say he was worried about this gift...but he was also...glad to still be useful. An understanding of what it must be like was how he had felt so bad for Mirabel before.

Around these thoughts, he realized an actual question had been asked in the fox's normal words. He smiled and nodded. "Yes, I know the caretakers around here do a really good job, but...it's Christmas I figured the animals about should get things too". But wait, what did that mean the fox thought he was?

Antonio wasn't sure...but felt it was rude to not give him something, though he also got that the fox wouldn't want anything from his feeders and buckets.

"Uh...I put some beef jerky in here in case the lions get tired of steaks, they don't actually let them eat the zebras wandering around, which is good, and it makes a good gift for anybody, I'd eat it", Antonio rambled a bit as he dug in a pack he'd brought and came up with a whole unopened package of beef jerky and a tape-on bow!

Slapping the latter on the former he held it out with a smile, "Merry Christmas".

He then bent and beckoned to the normal, not dressed, cat. "Don't worry, I see you too. Um...I have food, but also some other stuff". He pulled a plush mouse out of his bag and held it out to the cat.

[Sgt. Tibs]

While Tibs observed, another figure approached. Although this one did possess fur, the cat registered him as, not an animal like himself, but a human, or near enough. They were all civilians, anyway.

The child seemed to have an affinity of sorts with the wild creatures. That bit of intel might prove useful at some point.

Don't worry, I see you too.

There was nothing more mortifying to a cat than to be seen when he thought he was perfectly concealed. And to a soldier on reconnaissance, it was positively shameful. Dereliction of duty, to say the least. But there was nothing for it now.

Tibs emerged from the underbrush and stood before the child. "I wonder if you would consider...not telling my commanding officer about this." It never occurred to him to pretend he'd meant to be seen.

Um...I have food, but also some other stuff

At the mention of food, the feline's ears perked up. Food could be difficult to obtain for a non-commissioned officer. "Er, what sort of...stuff?"

[Deleted]

Walking up, he heard a squawk. Wilde looked up, seeing a toucan perched on a branch. The fox arched a brow as he was curious as to why a bird of that sort was doing out here. Did it get out of the show in Asia? Whatever the case, it's squawk did alert the boy to his presence. The boy told him that since it was Christmas, he figured the animals should get something too. A real generous kid, Nick thought to himself. Though, the kid did have some beef jerky he was planning on giving to the lions in case they got tired of the steaks, the boy did offer him a bowl of them with a bow on it.


"Well, that's a generous gift," He said as he took it, "I'll be honest though, I am not sure if I'm going to eat it. In case you couldn't tell, I am not exactly like the other animals here. Walking on two legs, speaking English... You can say that I'm from a world where animals act like humans, as some might call it. And well...." He shrugged, "It's a good gift. But living in a society where predators and prey have equal rights means it would be a bit awkward eating it... if you get what I mean."

The fox soon smiled, "Don't worry though. I think I know someone who might enjoy it. What's your name kid?"

Then, there was a cat. Nick had to cement it into his head that there are smaller, friendlier versions of some of the creatures here. Apparently something about humans domesticating certain animals, which made them very friendly to them. Of course the concept was very foreign to him, but he wasn't offended by it. Humans were the dominate species here and as such they had to find ways to overcome certain restrictions that animals, like foxes and wolves, can overcome.

Though the cat did speak English as well. Another thing with the magic in the parks, as Nick knew. Though the cat mentioned a commanding officer...which perked Wilde's interest.

"Commanding officer? Your a soldier, kitty cat?"

[Antonio Madrigal]

The fox cleared up Antonio's curiosities on where to place him, stating he was more like the people around than animals and that did make sense, though the cat also didn't seem to be meowing but was still an actual cat...

Due to this, Antonio wasn't sure if the fox had heard the secret on the cat having been discovered when he didn't wish it, but just in case he nodded and held a finger to his lips to state he would keep it, even going so far as to not speak it out loud now.

What else did he have?

Antonio searched his bag again, noticing how the cat had perked up as he said the word food. "Um...well food, I have...some of those little cheese wheels", he brought out some and unwrapped them from their wax coating to further aid the cat, "And a can of stinky fish", he smiled as he brought out a tin of anchovies, "If you like it, you can take that whole thing".

After setting the food before the cat he reached over to try for a tentative scratch, if he didn't mind.

The fox avoided insulting anyone by what he ate. That sounded hard if all the people were still animals. "So...you don't eat any meat? Then what do you eat?".

He could still use the jerky, he said. Antonio happily handed it over. "Here you go! Merry Christmas again".

"My name's Antonio", he answered, glancing back to the cat as the fox asked if he was a soldier. He was curious about that too and since he had said Commanding Officer.

[Sgt. Tibs]

Your a soldier, kitty cat?

Well, he needn't have asked it with such incredulity in his tone. But Tibs wasn't proud, though he'd never been called 'kitty cat' before. Well, not since his escape from that dreadful pink human girl's death trap.

In answer, Tibs snapped to attention, though he did not salute the civilians; that would go against military protocol, thank you very much. "Sergeant Tibs, Her Majesty's 44th regiment, at your service," he called out loud and clear.

Then the child placed several things on the ground. Tibs's nose told him they were cheese. Cheese! It had been an age since he'd tasted cheese, or so it seemed. "Thanks awfully," he remembered to say before digging in.

The cat made short work of that cheese, and very nice it was, too. But the next item was a bit more bewildering. "Fish, you say?" Oh, Tibs loved fish. But this hard-as-a-rock thing...he batted it with one forepaw, wondering when the fish came on deck.

Tibs's pondering was interrupted by the most delightful sensation of having one's head scratched. It was almost better than food, and he couldn't help but raise his head for a better scratch.

[Deleted]

As with the World Showcase, the Animal Kingdom's depiction of "Africa" (a full, rich continent with many varied countries and cultures) was, well, a theme park. Accurate in an overall sense, perhaps, but not remotely close to the full experience.

Still, Xanatos mused to himself, it wasn't as if he hadn't considered some of those same ideas himself in weaker moments. He could have made a mint offering tours of Castle Wyvern when the gargoyles first resided there.

Hmm. That might actually be something to discuss when he returned. Goliath might not object to such a gesture of connection and goodwill in public relations.

For the moment, he wandered through the park amiably, having already sampled their impressive safari attraction and the Tree of Life.

Voices began to carry, and he observed a small boy with curly hair talking to and corralling animals, seeming to understand what they could say.

Then a small upright fox with handcrafted clothes and a slightly bedraggled cat approached.

What marginally surprised Xanatos was that he could understand these fellows.

The conversation turned to food, and Christmas presents.

He let it carry on for a while.

"Sergeant Tibs, Her Majesty's 44th regiment, at your service,"

Curiouser and curiouser.

He stepped forward. "You serve the current Queen, then, Sergeant? I've had a number of edifying conversations with her."

A glance toward the boy, Antonio, his voice gentle. "You have quite a remarkable gift, young man."

[Deleted]

Nick chuckled as the kid welcomed a Merry Christmas to him once more. Cute kid. "Thank you. And Merry Christmas to you as well." He took hold of it, "As for what we're allowed to eat...well, supplements. Plant based proteins and bugs, mainly. I often have to order a special non-meat based meal while here, or one of those special 'impossible' burgers that is all the rage now."

It was...difficult getting such food here. Bug burgers were a thing that was compared to the burgers of this world. And while there was also the possibility of eating fish, there was a little bit of a debate on whether or not that should be a thing. Here? It was different. Humans, being omnivores and the only species that can talk and all, didn't have such restrictions. He remembered being assaulted by the smells of cooked meat. It took all his willpower not to dig in. Thankfully the cast members learned to keep alternative foods on hand.

The cat, Tibs, was a Sergeant. Her Majesty's 44th Regiment...which Nick Wilde didn't know about until a human approached the group and asked if Tibs served the Queen. So, not United States. Got it. As Tibs was scratched behind the ear by the boy, the kid would introduce himself as Antonio. Nick would nod, "Nick Wilde. Officer Nick Wilde, currently working in the parks as security. I am off-duty though, so just call me Nick."

[Antonio Madrigal]

If there was one thing Antonio's insight into animals along with his gift gave him, even when said animals could talk to everyone else, he could tell when they wanted to be taken seriously. So the boy tried to control his smile as Sergeant Tibs saluted and gave his rank. It was adorable! But he could tell Tibs didn't think he was adorable. "Wow, that sounds important" he praised.

Antonio had only set the sardine tin down to see if Tibs was interested, as he bat at it, the boy laughed, "Hold on, sorry". He reached over and pulled the tab, opening the can and setting it back down before the cat. The poor cat could probably do with a lot of the food he had. Speaking of which.

"Is your...regiment", Antonio had to remember the word, "...here? I was gonna say you could stay with me and us if you want". He gestured to Pico on the branch and where the capybara, Chispi, was still just visible rooting about.

Speaking of which, and almost on cue of an offered new arrival, Parce came further out of the tree cover to sit and stare at the group, the jaguar just keeping a quiet eye on Antonio and mostly the human male more so than the other two animals.

The man mentioned a queen. "Oh, do you mean Queen Elsa? Yeah I met her. I know Moana, who lives with her a bit more, she put me on the list of arrivals and they keep an eye on me but I also have Parce, Chispi and Pico for that", he gestured to the watchful jaguar and yet mentioned the others again also.*

Antonio smiled as the man next said he had a remarkable gift. "Thanks! It's...something my family just has, each of us something different". And it still worked, Antonio realized, even if he wasn't sure if Casita was around here. Probably not since he hadn't run into his family.

"Wow you're both officers, that's cool", Antonio said this seriously, though impressed, but not making fun as Nick gave his rank also.

{*Sage approved where I needed Sage approval ^^}

[Sgt. Tibs]

You serve the current Queen, then, Sergeant?

Tibs was slightly taken aback at the question. "Well, ah, I should say so. That is, yes." He knew the proper name for his regiment, but not precisely what it signified. Ours is not to question why, and all that.

I've had a number of edifying conversations with her

The cat raised a couple of eyebrows. To have met the queen, this human must be someone of some importance, for a civilian. A diplomat, perhaps, or an ambassador.

While this conversation went on, the boy, Antonio, opened the tin and what a heavenly scent escaped from it! Sgt. Tibs wasted not a moment before diving in, figuratively speaking, not coming up for air until the tin was licked clean.

do you mean Queen Elsa?

"No, that doesn't sound right," he said more to himself than to the others.

[Deleted]

So the fox was law enforcement, a career that might have carried over from his place of origin. Perhaps he worked on this 'task force' that Sisu had mentioned. "A pleasure, Nick. David Xanatos, at your service."

That they had this level of organization already was promising. Order and bureaucracy were easy to infiltrate if one knew how to play the game. And he'd had a lifetime to do so.

He laughed, short but genuine. "Queen Elizabeth the second, to be precise. A remarkable woman, and quite formidable for her advanced age. I've met her at a number of English galas I was fortunate enough to attend thanks to my station."

Though he noted internally that he was uncertain if they had a 44th regiment at the moment, much less that they employed cats.

Antonio's tale intrigued: a whole family of magic users.

"Were you born with these powers, or did something grant them to you? In my experience, it's one or the other."