"I hate boys! They are all evil!" A little girl, no older then seven complained loudly as she was covered in dirt and scrapes.
"Angelina." A beautiful woman smiled amused as she sat down. "You can't judge all boys on one boys actions." she informed her.
"Why not?" Angelina asked in a pout. "They are all the same!"
Esperanza smiled amused then shook her head. "Sweety, it might be easy to think that. But the world is more complicated than that. That is kind of scary, but it's also really wonderful."
"That doesn't make any sense." Angelina stated looking up and Esperanza smiled.
"When I was just a girl, and people came from Blakeney. I hated them, I hated them all." Esperanza admitted. "In my eyes they were all the same. Evil killers out to steal our land but then I saw it… What they were able to build and grow, things I had never seen before. Or could even have imagined by myself." she breathed. "I realized, they could help us, and many of them wanted to. Like your father." she smiled. "The land back then was nothing like it is now, but Francesco, he helped me to see that it didn't have to be that way, we could make something. Something beautiful, almost like an entirely new world. His skills and my own! Brought together and we made something new, just look at it Angelina!" she beamed in such a warm smile that truly went all the way to her eyes in sheer pride and happiness. "But none of it would have happened if I just kept on blindly hating everyone." she smiled amused bopping Angelinas nose. "Build bridges don't burn them sweetheart." she instructed. "There are times in your life when you have the choice. To either build or destroy. You must never choose destroy, it never leads to anything good. Only so much death." She exhaled deeply. "Even when it's heart, even when you don't understand right away. You must take your time to listen, to see things from a lot of different ankles. Learn from each other! And build new things together. Don't fight."
"But… What if there is no choice?" Angelina asked with wide eyes.
"Hopefully that will never happen." Esperanza replied a little sadly. "I don't ever want you to find yourself in such a situation. How-ever if that happens… Follow your heart sweety, do the right thing." she said and then glanced away, her eyes clouded with sadness and regret though as she turned back she was smiling again and her eyes shining. "Look to the future darling! The future is in your hands, so build something good."
It seemed like forever ago that this conversation had taken place between Angelina and her mother, and yet it played through Angelinas mind clear as day as she climbed over the roof of the military head quarters dressed in red wearing a mask.
What she was doing there she wasn't entirely sure about, there didn't seem to be anything the fox could do at this stage. The Captain finally had his damming evidence to make a case against her family.
As long as Ann Marie was willing to speak out, there wasn't much there could be done and Scarlet closed her eyes.
Below her she could see the soldiers on guard that night, sitting around, playing cards, a yellow light came from the Captains office and Scarlet could just see the shadow of his frame inside, quietly and stealthy as a cat did Scarlet make her way to above that window and laid down as she heard voices.
"Keep a close eye on the Pulidos. If it seems like they are making a move to flee, arrest them at ones." Monstrasio asked.
"Yes sir." replied Garzia in a defeated tone.
"And I suppose I don't have to remind you to keep a lookout for that damned Fox. It should be evident by now she has a fondness for the Pulidos she aided them enough times." Monstrasio grumbled. "Must because they are friends with the Akapakis."
"That does make sense. The Scarlet Fox does seem to advocate for corporation between Blakeneys and Akapakis. And a family like the Pulidos would be a quite the vital mean to achieve such a goal." Garzia replied. "You really believe they will attempt to flee?" he asked.
"I am unsure." Monstrasio admitted. "On one hand I got no doubt Francesco and Lolita Pulido would want to fight for their land, on the other hand. Francesco Pulido is very protecting of his daughters, they are his achilles heel. He would do anything to ensure their safety, even give up the land. Keep an eye on those two, they are his weakness."
"Yes sir, you are correct sir." Garzia replied. "You didn't manage to get Angelina Pulidos corporation though?" he asked.
"Not quite." Monstrasio frowned a little annoyed. "It would be favorable to have her being corporative, but she still seems faithful to her family."
"I suppose that makes sense." Garzia exhaled deeply. "When do you wish to make the final arrest then?" he asked.
"In just a few days I would imagine." Monstrasio nodded. "I still wish to see if something more can be done with Angelina Pulido. even if Francesco is to be arrested, it would be nice to have a bit of leverage in her. He has known to be quite troublesome even when he is down."
"And don't forget Lolita Pulido." Garzia injected. "She's quite capable on her own as well."
"Yes… Lolita Pulido." Monstrasio sounded annoyed by that name. "Yet another woman whom needs to learn her place." he grumbled. "You have your orders sergeant, keep a close eye on them. If you see any trouble, arrest them at ones."
"Yes sir." Sergeant Garzia stated, then Scarlet heard a few foot steps and a closing door indicating he was gone.
Biting her lip did Scarlet laid on her back looking up at the dark sky above her… What was she going to do?
If she made any trouble now things would only be that more dangerous, she had nothing to bargain with except.
At that Scarlets eyes widened… She had one bargaining chip, just the one… Herself.
And such early the next morning a young Angelina in her white dress with her mute handmaid behind her met up at the military head quarters knocking at the door, she let herself be guided to the captains office and faced him again as he looked questioning at her.
"Captain, I thought about what you said." Angelina then stated. "This land is indeed plagued by savages and wilderness. To bring any culture we really must get that kind of people under control. So I decided to give you my support!" she stated. "please tell me what I can do for you, then perhaps you would also reconsider the arrest of my family."
At that Monstrasio grinned, his mouth broadened so he almost looked like the chesire cat and Angelina had to fight the shiver emerging as she felt like some kind of trap was closing around her.
