"How can I know who I am if I don't know who I was?"
- Jack Frost (Rise of the Guardians)
"So...what's this?"
Bobo looked up from the cards he'd been dealt to glance at his new companions hand. When his eyes landed on the cards held there, he scowled. "That's a royal flush..."
"That's good right?"
Bobo considered lying, it wouldn't have been hard either considering Rex would believe anything he said, but he liked the kid. He wasn't going to lie to him and risk losing the friendship that had grown between them. They had become partners in crime over the weeks they'd known each other. With a sigh, he set his cards down and nodded. "Yeah, that's a good hand. Beginners luck." the last part he muttered to himself, frowning as the cheering preteen scooped up the potato chips they'd been using to make bets, popping a few in his mouth.
"This game is awesome!" Rex was about to deal another hand, but was stopped when Bobo put up a hand.
"Hold up, kid, if I keep playing I won't have anything for lunch. That was my last bag of chips. There isn't any more in the kitchen, either."
Rex considered that, "Well we could always go out, I've seen lots of these machines with all sorts of chips and sodas and candies and stuff when I go out on missions. We could get some from there."
"Yeah we could, we could use the back entrance and then... Wait no!" Bobo shook his head. "Listen, I'm all for being a bad influence, but it ain't right to do it to you when you don't know any better."
"Hey, I know plenty!" Rex protested.
The chimp rolled his eyes, "Of course you do, but you don't know nothing about the world outside. Here you can take the food you want cuz most of its there for ya, but the outside ain't like that."
"I don't follow."
Bobo had to resist the urge to smack his face in frustration. It was like talking to a three year old, but without all the poop and mess. Frankly he might have preferred it that way. "it's like this, outside we have to /pay/ for things. Just like how you have to pay to get your first deal in poker."
"So we have to gamble for it?"
"No, that's not what I'm saying... Ok you see how all these people around Providence are working here everyday?" the ape received a nod affirmatively. "Ok, so they work for money, so they can buy food and homes and stuff for their family."
"Family? That's like moms and dads right?"
That stopped Bobo short. He rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment and uncomfortableness. How had a simple talk about chips come to be about such a sore subject? Already, he could see the sadness creeping into those big brown eyes. "Um...yeah that's right."
Rex nodded, digesting this new information. "Do you know where your family is?"
The ape shrugged. "Last I saw them they were in the jungle, not even sure which jungle. I was captured because I was an EVO and taken here before I could find out where I was really from. Doesn't really matter though, they kicked me out of the group because I was different, not very family like."
"At least you knew them, you know where you came from. How can I know who I am if I don't know where I came from? Who I was?" Rex put down the cards he'd been absently shuffling, staring off into space as he thought about his predicament, a frown settling on his young features.
Bobo scratched his chin, trying to find the best way to comfort the teen. "Look, you don't need to know about your past. It would be nice, but there is no point in dwelling on something you can't change. So you don't know where you came from, so what? You have people here who care for you, a roof over your head, and food in your stomach. That's more than I had before I came here, and more than a lot of folks have. Way I see it: if you're happy then that's all that matters."
Rex smiled, shoving the ape playfully. "it's almost if you care. You're not going soft on me, are you?"
Bono grumbled, but didn't protest against the statement. He couldn't deny the warmth he felt now that the sad look was gone. "I may be going soft, but at least I'm not the one without lunch."
"I'm not- hey!" Rex was interrupted when his friend snatched the chips he'd won and dashed out of the door. "You get back here with those!"
A/N: A conversation between Rex and Bobo after a poker game. Hopefully that is clear. The setting is supposed to be vague, imagine it wherever you want: in Rex's room, in the kitchen, in the Zoo, anywhere you like ^.^
Also, remember that unless stated, it's best if you keep each oneshot separate in your mind. Otherwise there is going to be a lot of repeated conversation topics and a whole bunch of angst that should have been resolved. Where would the fun be if I don't get to explore angst with every character?
Thank you to: Thereal13thfirewolf, YellowAngela, and Winter Coma for all your love and support!
be sure to send in any thoughts of things you want, ok?
