Chapter Text
Mateo was taking the tassel hounds on a walk when he noticed that Davi was a bit restless and not as enthusiastic compared to usual.
“What’s wrong Davi? Are you tired already?” Mateo asked. “I know that there isn’t much to see in this void but we have to make due with what we have.”
‘Wait, didn’t Curt and Rod say something about a similar world to our original one? Maybe I could take the hounds on a walk there. It would be good for them to have grass to run on.’ Mateo considered.
A few days later, Mateo hopped through the portal to Home World with the tassel hounds following close behind him. He stepped out into an open park where he proceeded to let the hounds roam free for a bit.
“Don’t go too far!” Mateo called before the hounds started to run off, playing with each other in the park. Davi was among them, enjoying his time playing in the open once again without seeing only white.
Mateo was happily watching his hounds play when suddenly, he heard a cry for help. He looked around trying to spot the person calling for help before realizing that it was coming from the alley way close by.
He ran as fast as he could, sliding to a stop as he spotted a child, crying and slowly moving closer to the dead end at the end of the alley. In front of the kid was an angry dog that was snarling, slowly getting closer to the child.
‘Oh no! I need to help her… but how? What am I supposed to do?’ Mateo thought as he panicked. Seeing the dog getting ready to pounce, Mateo switched into his physical form and dove to shield the kid at the last second.
Closing his eyes, he waited for the attack.
But it never came.
Mateo slowly opened his eyes to see the dog staring at him, confused.
“Uhh… good doggy. s-sit. There’s no need to fight” Mateo said hesitantly.
As soon as Mateo said sit, the dog immediately sat, obeying the command even though it still seemed confused. Seeing that it was working, Mateo moved forward to approach the dog until the dog was within an arm’s reach. He slowly went to pat the dog on the head. The dog relaxed under his hand.
“Hey mister? Is the scary dog a nice dog now?” the child said. Mateo froze.
‘Oh no, oh no. I wasn’t supposed to reveal myself! What should I do?’ Mateo panicked. ‘No the child comes first. I can get in trouble later.” He took a deep breath and turned towards the kid.
“Hey, are you alright? Are you hurt?” Mateo asked. He scanned over the child. Now that the danger was gone he was able to get a better look at the kid. She had dirty long black hair with a heavy bag draped over her shoulders. She was only wearing a t-shirt and shorts despite the colder weather.
She shook her head.
“What’s your name, little one?” Mateo asked. “Where are your parents? Are they nearby?” He squatted down to meet her at her eye level.
“My name is Ava. I, um, my parents are…” She paused. She looked at her feet for a moment. Mateo tilled his head to the side. Her eyes started watering. Then she blurted “I- I ran away!”.
Mateo was surprised, then concerned.
“Ava, do you know how dangerous that is?” Mateo asked calmly, trying not to alarm the almost crying child. He then proceeded to sit down against the wall, gesturing at Ava to do the same. She looked at him wearily and sat down next to him. The stray dog after calming down ran off.
‘She’s shivering’ He thought, then with a wave of his hand he created a light blue blanket with a cloud pattern on it. He drapes the blanket over her shoulder as she stares in shock.
“Are you a wizard, mister? Is that how you also appeared out of nowhere?” Ava asked. Clutching the blanket around her.
“Let’s just go with that. Say, would you be willing to share why you left?” Mateo questioned.
“Mom and dad always stop me from going outside to explore. I decided that I will just go myself if they don’t let me” Ava said, sniffling.
“Well they likely did that for your own safety. It’s dangerous to explore outside alone. That dog earlier could have seriously hurt you.” Mateo said. “Though it may be upsetting that they only want to protect you.
Ava thought for a moment before nodding her head.
“You are right, mister wizard… maybe this wasn’t the best choice and I miss my family.” Ava admitted quietly. She stood up, whipped her tears with her hand and began to move forward before stopping and turning around again.
“Thank you mister! But.. will I see you again?” Ava asked.
Mateo stood up as well, walking closer to Ava before patting her on the head.
“As long as you have this blanket, I will always be there when you need help. I promise” Mateo smiled and tapped the blanket while talking about it. Mateo then felt a surge of power from within him as the blanket glowed for a second before fading.
Mateo suddenly felt as if he could pinpoint the location of this specific blanket much clearer than the rest in this universe. Maybe he could find it even outside of this universe.
A while ago the objects found out that they could hide in and appear from any object that is within their domain of influence quite like how it was at the original house. But Mateo’s new found power made this specific blanket much easier to differentiate from the others.
‘Huh, seems destiny decided that this promise is one that I would always keep’ Mateo smiled.
“Woah magic blanket? Amazing” Ava said, starstruck.
“Ava! Ava! Please come back!” a distant female voice called along with rapid footsteps.
“I think your mom is trying to find you. I suppose this is goodbye for now. Take care of yourself, alright?” Mateo said prepared to shift forms.
“Bye! Mister! Thank you!” Ava called.
“Ava! There you are! Are you alright? You made us so worried!” Ava’s mom exclaimed.
“I’m fine. Mister wizard helped me and gave me this fluffy blanket.” Ava replied. She turned to introduce her mom to her new friend but when she looked behind her, he was no longer there.
Mateo returned to the House with the tassel hounds and the new stray that he found playing with them.
“Today’s been a long day, Let’s go get some rest at the house.” Mateo said to the hounds who barked in response.
As they went through the door, Parker was nearby, seemingly investigating something.
“I smell a rule breaker… huh I guess I imagined it” Parker shrugged and walked off. Mateo breathed out in relief.
He later told Phoenicia about his discovery of a new ability, later named 'Object Marking', telling her about his encounter and asking her to spread the news on his behalf. She then shared it with everyone… but, excluding the story, as Phoenicia doesn’t want Mateo to be in trouble, using the stray dog in place of the girl.