{If you don't know what reality shifting is go back to the author's note. I put a bit of information about what is shifting and the meaning of some terms used in this story.}
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"That's it! I did it!"

 

You looked around the unfamiliar but familiar place and noticed everything was like in the movie. But real this time. You could feel the humid and chill floor beneath your feet, you could smell a refreshing morning air with notes of brewed coffee, and you could hear people inside Casita  getting ready for the day or heading towards the bathroom. The single bathroom this whole family shared. Your heart was filled with much thrill and you were slow to notice that, everything seemed huge. "Funny... Why is everything so big?" You thought as you looked curiously around. "Maybe I did something wrong? Perhaps I had to put on my script everything was normal size?" You gave a light shrug and still decided to go ahead and explore.

You took your first step but felt an unfamiliar pressure on your hind site that made you look back to see if there was something holding you back. At first it looked like there was a thread that led to you however in closer inspection the appendage was part of your body. Your heart beat faster as you slowly started realizing and taking in the rest of your body. Your feet had little claws as well as your hands and your body was all furry. However there was the last test... you needed to touch your ears to confirm what it all seemed like.

You lifted your trembling hands and touched your ears. They were large and round, definitely not the small ones you were used to. "I'M A RAT!??!?" The surprise and disappointment was evident in the high pitched squeaks your mouth emitted as you fought with this reality and the universe. "WHY!? I definitely! DEFINITELY did something wrong!? How do I go back to a human!?" It wasn't long when you were starting to get surrounded by similar looking friends and honestly, it was terrifying. Even when they were just looking at you curiously and could feel they came with peaceful intentions.

You slowly backed away but with each step you took back they took one towards you with their still eyes glued to you. As you observed them you noticed they were bigger than you. And it clicked, they were the rats. "I'M A MOUSE! I am a mouse!" You whined and complained again.

"So that's what you are." One rat commented.

"Yup, so small. So fragile." A rat to your right agreed.

"Did you come to visit us, friend?" Another one asked.

"Maybe they're lost, we should tell daddy."

"I'll go!"

"Me too!"

Shit... This was too much. Besides of having shifted into the wrong body you now understood what the rats were saying. Too much. It was just too much and you needed peace. You took a dash on all fours to be away from the fellow rodents. But your steps were clumsy, slow even, but you still tried. You needed to regain control of them, better yet, you wanted to just wake up and shift back in to a normal human being. Being human was indeed a treasure, a blessing that us humans sometimes took for granted. Now that everything seemed lethal for a small body you could appreciate it more.

There was a drawer near the wall and you hid under it. You stopped to breathe and to think a plan but you saw the rats approaching and surrounding you again. "What's up them? Can't they just leave me alone?" However someone approached. He spoke gently to the rats almost lovingly and they all went away. Then, he lowered himself and placed his hand on the floor. The only thing you could see.

"I know you're in here, little amiga. Come on. Quiero ayudarte. (I want to help you.)"

His voice was familiar and tender, and it made you drop the fear and sneak your head out to look up at the man who wanted to meet you. And it was a dream to be able to meet him. Bruno. The man you decided to shift for and ended up being a mouse in his reality. When he noticed you, you were able to see the warm smile he offered. Carefully you climbed up on to his hand and he lifted you up to get a better look at you.

"Hi. Are you lost amiguita?" He gave you a gentle pat on the head. "Oh you're a mouse. Don't worry. I will take good care of you, Mousy." He chuckled. 

You looked up at him, happy that all in all you were able to meet him that same day. He gently put you on his shoulder and you gripped his ruana.

Bruno was on his way towards his room but once he reached the second floor he saw Antonio getting out of his room. "Ey Toñito. Buenos días." He greeted his nephew as he approached him. Antonio offered his Tío a smile and a small yawn.

"Look! I want you to meet the newest member of our family." There was a hint of excitement in Bruno's voice. Then he gently took your small body with one hand and stretched it out for Antonio to see you. You looked up at the kid, and even though you were able to tell he was indeed a kid, 7 years at most, with your tiny frame he looked like a giant. The surprise caught you off guard and squeaked it out loud. "He's so big!"

A kiddy like laugh escaped from Antonio as soon as he heard you. "I'm not so big yet." He replied to you. This shocked you. He could understand! Of course!! How could you forget? There was a way to present yourself and explain the odd situation and it was with the gift of the youngest Madrigal.

You hopped on to Antonio's shirt and climbed until you reached his shoulder. Bruno and Antonio only stared at you expectantly. Once you were safe on his shoulder you stood in your hind legs and spoke. "It is a pleasure to meet you Antonio. I'm Y/N."

"Nice to meet you too Y/N." Antonio replied.

"Could you help me translate a message for your tío?" You asked

"I'm all ears." Replied Antonio while smiling.

Bruno was staring at you both with a happy yet intrigued look.

"Bruno... it is a pleasure to meet you. I'm Y/N. Thank you for letting me stay with you but I need to tell you that I... actually come from another place but got stuck in the body of a rodent. Maybe I'll even be a mouse for a time but perhaps someday I will return to human form." An odd introduction but it was the truth after all. 

Antonio translated every word and you could see Bruno's reaction as it change from intrigue to just plain awe.

"So, what you're saying is that, you are actually a human inside?"

Since you didn't need any translation to understand either of them you nodded. "Perhaps I will be able to explain in greater detail in the future but basically yes."

Antonio translated just as surprised.

Bruno placed his hands near you and you hopped on to them. He took you to him and looked at you curiously.

"I guess we have a really special guest in Casita." Bruno said to both you and Antonio. "It's good to meet you too Mousy, no! S-sorry! Y/N."

"Mousy is okay." Luckily Antonio translated and you could see Bruno smile and nod at you. He then carefully put you on his shoulder. And said his good byes. "See ya around kid."

Before Bruno started walking away you squeaked really loud towards Antonio. "Thank you!!" But to the common ear it was heard as a double squeak.