#maldo

(Say hello to Andie and Sam, created and designed by statigtigers. The website has been updated to replace the older version of this comic that had Boyfriend and Girlfriend.)

Imaginary Friend 📚

I’m so tired.

It doesn’t matter, though. I have an obligation to fulfill. Quickly.

I’m gonna be late to Cici’s if I don’t hurry up and throw something decent on. I can’t believe I almost forgot about this tonight.

“Are you feeling well enough to…” "Well enough?" Good god. The fact he even had to ask that about an activity so basic is… what the hell am I doing to make him think that? I’m finally getting back to some normalcy, I thought it’d be obvious.

Clearly I’m worrying them. I need to convince them I’m fine before they start asking more questions. Stress isn’t good for them.

Just shove the jacket over there…

When’s the last time I wore a different outfit? I don’t even know. Not important right now. Ugh… maybe that’s why she asked. I wouldn’t be surprised. Just pat down the hair and get the hell out. Tristan is waiting on you. 

Phone, keys, wallet… phone, keys, wallet…

_

“So what brings Bambi here so often these days?” Maldo asks me in a cheerful tone.

“You know, I'm not actually sure!” I say precisely as rehearsed, leaning back in the booth seat to distract myself from my heart racing at the question. “I don’t really know what goes on in his head, but I'm glad he's spending more time with Tristan, ‘cus he sure is getting a kick out of it, aren'tcha?” 

“Mmfgkfgh!” Tristan is utterly destroying his pizza. He hurriedly swallows his bite. “Yeah!!!” 

“Slow down, kiddo! We're in no rush!”

“I knoooww…”

I couldn’t possibly ask for a better goofball of a son. I can’t help but smile. He’s so much like myself.

“It’s been wonderful having him here,” Maldo says, happily closing his eyes. “I’ve always wanted to talk to him more to understand him better.”

Ah. Shit. My ‘project’. I completely forgot.

“Yeah… he still doesn’t seem to do that much with you, does he?”

“Not yet!”

I’m baffled that Bambi still isn’t aware Maldo is sapient - at least, that’s our best guess as to why he doesn’t interact with them, seeing he isn’t the type to be prejudiced. Artificial sapience is a lot to ask someone with even an average understanding of technology to believe in (much less the not technological reason for Maldo having it), but Bambi is not like most people. I have no idea what he would think about the concept, if he’d even understand it. 

Mm. Once again, my lack of information about Bambi is problematic. I need to start that research as soon as possible. Eugh, don’t call it research. It’s “getting to know your friend”, weirdo. He’s not an alien.

“Well, hopefully he’ll come around to you soon enough,” I interrupt my thoughts.

“I can do that!” Tristan chimes in. “I’m really good at explaining things!”