There is nothing I can do but watch silently, Samuel's confidence sparks the interest of everyone present, including myself.
The Mapuche next to him gives him a friendly elbow on the arm— Stop the mysteries and tell us what you have come to offer.
— What I propose Tahiel is that they rebuild their society, the Mapuche culture must resurface.
— It's not the first time we've been promised something similar —the old woman says.
— Wait Inara —Tahiel interrupts— let him explain to us how he plans to achieve that.
— Thank you —Samuel answers, I am surprised that someone so aggressive knew that word— we are aware that the indigenous reductions were not the correct measures.
— What were not the correct measurements? —The Mapuche in ripped pants slaps his leg— his policies destroyed our society, forced us to move to lands that only deliver pain and disappointment —he moves his index finger pointing at Samuel, I have the feeling that if he could reach him his finger would break it, but he looks serene, like the sea before the storm — your people knew they were delivering us.
— Enough Yaco — Tahiel tries to keep control of the situation— we did not come to discuss the past, but to improve the future.
— Nothing is going to improve if they take us out of where we are —he answers, then faces Samuel again— Where are you planning to throw us now?
— You and I will live in the Chiloe areas.
— Are we going to Tierra del Fuego? —Yaco is not convinced— What do the Aonikenk think?
— The Tehuelches? — Samuel clarifies— we have to negotiate with them too, but we will not propose something to them without knowing that you support the idea.
— We will not take away their lands — Yaco says to Tahiel— then they will leave us killing each other for a square meter of land to graze as before.
Except for Tahiel, it seems that everyone agrees.
— They don't need to fight for land —Chief Supplicium insists— there will be enough room for everyone.
— What will they do with our lands? — Asks the young woman.
— We have no plans for them.
I don't know about that either, although I don't understand his idea of bringing them all together in that place.
— So —the old Inara settled into her chair— what's the point of gathering in that place?
— We will create a mini animano society —Samuel says with certainty— we will show that the lives of the animanos are enviable, you will have the best benefits, you will be the reference for the people of this country.
Neither seems convinced, rather they look at each other, it gives me the feeling that they would prefer to talk privately about whether to accept the proposal or not.
— We will go out to talk —From what I see, Samuel intuited the same thing.
We both left the house, we moved away from the house, I notice a certain security in Samuel.
— What did you think of the first round? He asks me as he looks at the other houses, the residents are watching us through the window or, most likely, they are watching me.
— First round? Will we have more?
— Of course they're going to see, they won't say that if first - he gives me a push in the arm - negotiating and fighting is similar - he throws blows that stop near my face - you will always be beaten in fights, it is inevitable to lose something in the negotiations, you just have to reduce it the loss.
I recoil restlessly, at any moment he will hit me in the face— What do you think they will reject?
He keeps his hands in his pockets— No idea, but I don't care, in the end we will win this fight.
— Just promise me this won't get out of hand —The landscape has no place to hide soldiers, and it doesn't have landlines to call.
— You think I'm a bully? —He sounds offended.
— What? —I take a step back when I feel him advance.
— You think I'm a bully? What do I spend my day looking for people to fight with? —Answer me, come on, this is a conversation between two adults.
— Of course I think so —my whole body stiffens, prepared for an attack— all you've done is attack people.
He takes me by the shoulders— Of course I spend my time looking for a fight — he makes it sound like it's a good thing— you may be twenty years older, but you do have things to learn, in fights you learn the character of the people.
I take his arms off me— With such confidence you should be careful, the higher you are, the harder the fall.
My comment doesn't seem to scare him— The day this entire country falls, it will shake.
I take his arms off me— With such confidence you should be careful, the higher you are, the harder the fall.
My comment doesn't seem to scare him— The day this entire country falls, it will shake.
Tahiel calls us from the door to return, as we enter, the seven Mapuche representatives stare at us while Tahiel stands in front of them— We have reached a verdict, we do not wish to be transferred to the extreme south of the country.
I glance at Samuel, he looks undaunted, he doesn't even give a verbal response, I want to speak, but something tells me to keep quiet.
— Even so —Tahiel continues— we want to be part of the new society, we consider that the animanos are an opportunity to change things in this country, allow us to transform ourselves, you don't need to give us something in return.
— Are they aware that by not moving they will be exposed to possible attacks by humans?
— Nothing different from what happens with us on this day's —answers the old woman— our people have been mistreated and despised for centuries by a part of the population.
— But we know how to defend ourselves —Yaco clarifies— we have always been able to overcome persecution and discrimination —the man looks at me— having an animal head is not a problem for us.
I look back at Samuel who now looks satisfied, apparently a second round was not necessary, but the idea of founding an animan city seems less and less likely.
— Then we will make the preparations —says Samuel— we will need at least 70% of people over 18 to be vaccinated, it is important that it be made clear to them that the transformation generates sterility —he slaps me on the back —my partner here is present, will give news about when and where the process will take place.
I look at him waiting for an authorization to speak, when I notice that he nods I open my mouth— We assure you that once you join our society you will have all the support you require, even if right now you do not see that you need it.
After saying goodbye to each one of them, we returned to the car that brought us, as we drive away I can see that Samuel looks more and more happy.
— If you explain what you are thinking, I could share your joy.
He looks at me askance— We have achieved it Eusebio, the first animana community in this country.
— But they will be separated, that makes them vulnerable, they will need protection.
He surrounds the back of my neck with his arm, as if we were accomplices in some crime—And as soon as they are in danger, we will come as knights in shining armor —He slaps me on the cheek—The segregation is about to begin.