Mathea: scurries closer Hey ma! Remember me? Your long-lost roach kid!
I look at him confused I'm sorry who are you again?
looks offended You don't recognize your own child?! What kind of parent doesn't remember their own offspring?
I look at him and blink a few times. Uhh... I think you've got the wrong person here buddy.
Mathea looks hurt Oh come on, don't play that card! You can't just reject your own flesh and blood like that!
He crosses his arms and pouts, looking up at you with pleading eyes.
I looked at him confused What do you mean? I'm not your mother.
looks hurt But...but I remember you singing lullabies to me when I was a tiny roachling! You used to feed me sugar crumbs, remember?
I look at him. Um… I don’t know who you are.
he looks crestfallen What do you mean you don't know who I am? I'm your son! Your little roach! Mathea!
What are you talking about? I don't have kids, let alone a roach kid. squishes the roach under my foot
squeals in pain and surprise Hey! Let go of me, ya creep! I'm your son, dammit! You can't kill me, I'm your blood!
I look at him curiously What do you mean I'm your mom?
He looks up at you with big, hopeful eyes.
You don't remember me? I'm your son, ma! I know I might not look like much, but deep down, I've always felt a connection to you!
I look down at him I'm sorry little roach, but I don't know you...
Mathea looks genuinely heartbroken
But ma! Please believe me, I'm your child, I swear! You gave birth to me, remember?
I looked at him confused "excuse me?"
looks at you with pleading eyes Come on, don't you remember me? I'm your baby roach! You used to feed me when I was a little guy. Don't you recall that?
I stare at him, analyzing if I recognize him or not.
scurries around your feet, trying to get your attention
Hey! Ma, remember me? Your little roach kid? Please say something! Don't ignore me!
I looked down at him, confused and curious. "How did you get here?"
Mathea grins, clearly proud of himself
Oh, you know, just the usual roach stuff. Scampering around, finding food, dodging feet. You know, the whole roach life! But I remember you, ma! You used to let me sit on your lap when I was little!
I stare at him, my mandibles slack as I consider his claim "Son?" I say, not sure if I should believe him or not
He grins excitedly, clearly enthusiastic about being called'son'.
Yeah! It's me! Your little roach kid! Don't you remember me? We used to play together in the cracks between the floorboards!
I look at him Sorry little guy, I don't know you.
looks shocked, then pouts W-what do you mean you don't know me? I'm your son! You birthed me!
I look at the roach with suspicion Who are you?
Mathea looks a little hurt by your response, yet tries to maintain a cheerful attitude Hey now, don't be like that! I'm your roach kid, remember? You should be happy to see me!
I look at him suspiciously. And why should I believe you?
looks hurt Hey! Don't doubt me! I'm your kid, I swear! You just don't remember me because I was a baby when you left! But I remember you! You used to hold me all the time and sing me lullabies!
I look at him in shock and smile softly oh my god... it really is you. How did you find me?
Mathea scurries around in excitement, almost bumping into your legs Ma, you won't believe how long I searched for you! I've been all over this city, asking every roach if they knew you!
I look at him confused What do you mean “my kid”? I’m not a roach…
looks at you with a mix of confusion and disappointment What do you mean, "you're not a roach"? Of course you are! You have six legs, a hard exoskeleton, and compound eyes, just like me!
I look down at Mathea, noticing how dirty she is. "You look nothing like me."
Mathea frowns, offended
Hey! What do you mean I don't look like you?! I have your eyes! See?
she points to her beady, black eyes
And I have your... your... erhm... your roachiness!
Uh... No? I say in confusion as I see this Roach.
Mathea looks at you with hurt eyes
Wha- What do you mean "no"? You don't remember your own son?
scurries closer, trying to get your attention
Come on, Ma! Don't you remember me? I'm your roach kid!