"-Although, that could have worked just as well."
"Maybe, but if it didn't it could have ruined the whole mechanism again."
"That's true. I suppose we'll just have to-"
"-See what happens, I agree."
The two men spoke back and forth as they made their way down the street. A relatively empty street, with very few skeletons out and about, though it still bustled with activity as it was made up of store fronts and sale carts.
"I don't think Imelda is going to be so happy with what we're bringing back, Oscar." The one on the right spoke, voice wavering slightly as he glanced toward the bag held in his right hand, which clattered with various knick-knacks and parts as he walked. His twin was a mirror image, holding a bag equally packed bag in his left hand.
"I think you're right, Felipe." He spoke, voice low. "Perhaps we can sneak this all straight into the basement?"
Felipe grimaced. "We told her we were going out for supplies. You don't think she'll ask about that if we come in empty handed?"
Oscar mulled it over before shrugging. "Hmm…" He hummed, nonchalant. "Either way, it's not like we said we were going out for anything else?"
Out of the corner of his eye his twin nodded. Suddenly Felipe left his vision completely, and Oscar paused to glance back, finding Felipe stood still with his brows furrowed deeply.
" Hermano ?" Oscar leaned toward him, confused.
"Wait…" Felipe mumbled, his eyes searching across the ground for a moment. His gaze snapped up toward his brother in a sudden panic. "Today! What is today?"
Oscar frowned, shaking his head slightly. "Friday, Hermano ."
"No, no, the date. What's the date today?"
Oscar's jaw worked for a moment, his mouth widening to speak. His eyes widened and they both stared at each other in panic.
"Tomorrow!" Oscar yelled.
"Rosita's birthday!" Felipe confirmed, voice cracking with worry. Oscar slapped his free hand to his forehead, nearly throwing his hat off his skull.
"Oh, how did we forget?" He groaned as he glanced about, fingers curling into his hair under the hat.
"We said we'd get her flowers, right? Her favourites- ."
"-Roses." Oscar nodded.
"Sí. Red and pink?"
"I think she likes the yellow ones as well?"
"We'll worry about the colours later." Felipe waved it off, adjusting the bag in his grasp and taking a few hurried steps onward, "Maybe we should actually find somewhere we can buy them first."
Oscar quickly caught up to his gemelo's pace, "Good idea. We'd better get looking."
"There has to be one nearby…" The two glanced about, frantic. Side by side they continued a steady, hurried pace down the street, at some point accidentally bumping shoulders with a few strangers in their search.
They nearly always got Rosita flowers for her birthday. Well, the only occasions when they hadn't was when they had tried to do more, but that 'more' involved upgrading some of her favourite cooking appliances, which had ended up more… Broken, than they had been before.
It was just a few miscalculations on their part, but after a particularly bad mess Imelda had the heel of her boot up to their faces, swearing that if they pulled something like that again she'd ban them from tinkering with anything in the house again. Now, technically Imelda never said they couldn't take things out of the house and tinker with them there. But they were sure Rosita, as grateful as she insisted she was, ended up very distressed about the damage done to her beloved kitchen space.
The hassle that came from that incident was enough to convince the two to keep the gift simple the next few years and this one around.
Although, maybe they could take another look over the blueprints and faults for birthdays in the future?
They reached the curve of the street's end, coming down into a flatter space where the shops began to space out a touch. The road was built so cars and various vehicles could travel down, but people were freely walking about in the road at leisure paces indicated it wasn't something to be too concerned about.
After a few meters, Felipe jabbed Oscar's ribs with his elbow directing his twins attention toward the other side of the street.
It took Oscar a moment, but his eyes landed on the building his brother was pointing toward, primarily the shop space squeezed between a decently sized garage and a stairway that led to a cosy, two story living space spread atop it and the garage.
From their place across the street both brothers could see the words ' VERA FLORES ' clearly printed to the right side corner of the window.
He and Felipe shared a look, mirrored expressions and sighs of relief, before making their way across the street toward the building, keeping an eye out for any people walking past.
Oscar gave the building another once over.
A metal fence stood around the top part of the garage, creating a small terrace with a door leading back into the house. Like most buildings in the land of the dead there were spots of lights at the edges of the roofs, unlit in the evening light. Most of the building was coloured a very soft violet, the exception being the shop which was beige.
Flora burst from the front in flurries of green and coloured specks, some plastic, some metal and some paper, though Oscar almost forgot they couldn't be actual, living plants for a moment. Now closer, he could see the tell-tale plastic reflection shine on a succulent potted by the rouge doorway.
The window paved view to a shop full of even more plants along the window pane, near the corner of the window and close to the doorway hung a list of weekdays and beside them the opening and closing times of the shop.
Oscar leaned in to read over the times as Felipe shift over to the opposite side of the door way, inspecting a hanging plant in a woven basket just above his eye level.
From Monday to Friday the times were the same, the shop appearing to close a few hours earlier on Saturday while Sunday was the only day listed as closed.
Double checking the times, he glanced up at the time listed beside Friday. 8:30AM - 5:30PM.
From his pocket he dug out an old watch, one he and Felipe had fixed many years ago, flipping the lid open to look at the current time.
4:03PM.
He glanced back up as he resealed the lid of the watch and pushed it back into his pocket, glancing over just as Felipe jumped at the sound of the lid sealing, fingers retracting from a leaf hanging from the overhead basket as his back straightened, shoulders rising.
Oscar glanced toward the doorway, frowning. A small sign hung in the top window of the rouge door, reading OPEN in careful, large letters.
Oscar rubbed his fingers over his moustache. He smiled, leaning closer to Felipe who had shuffled over until they were shoulder to shoulder, his hands clasped together in front of his chest.
" ¿Hermano? "
"Hm?"
"Do you suppose they're open?" He glanced toward Felipe with a knowing smirk, nodding toward the clear lettering on the door. Felipe looked to the sign before turning to Oscar with a mirrored smirk.
"I'm not sure. If only they had a clearer indication."
"A sign, perhaps?" Oscar shrugged.
"Would make things-"
"-Far easier, agreed."
They chuckled to themselves before remaining where they were. Both were suddenly quiet.
"Well." Felipe muttered, uncertain.
"Well." Oscar parroted. "...We should go in, sí?"
"Sí, We should."
Again, neither twin moved. Another moment passed and Oscar side eyed Felipe, who side eyed him back with a nervous glance.
Oscar rolled his shoulders, shaking off the small twinge of anxiety that had settled in his ribcage. Neither he nor Felipe were fond of new places, but it was easier for him to take the lead. He knew Felipe's nerves would get the better of him if he didn't go first, so Oscar was willing to push down the discomfort to make things a little easier for the both of them.
He approached the door, entering the shop.
A small bell chimed as the door was opened and Felipe glanced up toward it as he ducked into the shop after his twin, their shoe heels clicking against the polished wooden flooring. When the door closed, both could hear faint noises drifting out into the shop from further in the building.
There were various plants stacked on shelves on the wall opposite the entrance, mostly succulents with varying shapes and sizes. Closer to the right hand corner shelf, the leaves from a plant hung down toward the various flowers grouped in colours and types displayed by the wall. At the left end of the room was a counter with a glass window underneath, displaying small empty vases and pots, behind the counter along the wall and stacked on shelves were more in varying sizes, meant for larger bundles of flowers than the ones under the counter.
Oscar stepped further into the shop, walking around and analysing a display in the centre of the room. Felipe was looking over the roses displayed by the large window, nearly bumping his head against one of the hanging baskets just overhead of the display.
A gleam at the counter caught his attention and he walked over, curious. Felipe joined him as they both of their attention was drawn to the small silver bell on the counter. Oscar glanced at the empty spot behind the desk, looking toward the open archway in the wall. He leaned over the counter ever so slightly to see if he could see anything beyond the doorway, but he could only catch a glimpse of grey, worn down walls and the very edge of... Well, the plastic look made him think of a heavy bag but he couldn't risk leaning further without possibly going over the counter.
Felipe's shoulder bumped his roughly and Oscar yelped, slapping his hands against the counter to stop himself from falling over, accidentally hitting the bell.
Both men stilled as the metallic sound rang, echoing around them. As the sound thinned, they hastily pushed themselves up, the sound of something heavy clattered further in the shop past the doorway behind the counter.
"Lo siento." Felipe whispered. "I lost my balance."
"We were probably going to need to ring it at some point anyway." Oscar grimaced.
He gently clasped the edge of the bell which was near enough off the counters edge and slid it back to where it had been, moving his fingers away delicately to not further disturb it.
Both men stiffened, jumping at the sound of something thudding against the floor and the humming noise halt. Oscar only realised something had been making the low, mechanical hum since they entered the shop, but he'd only noticed when it had been silenced. He tilted his head, trying to listen a bit harder. He swore he could hear muttering, but he wasn't able to decipher much when his mind was also trying to focus on the soft music muffled through the walls. It sounded filtered. He only knew that it was noise and music, but nothing really beyond that.
Oscar's thoughts were paused by a figure hurrying through the doorway in the corner of the room behind the counter.
" ¡Lo siento! I hope I didn't keep you waiting." The woman smiled apologetically, the yellow petal patterns under her cheekbones scrunching slightly on her thin skull. Felipe jumped at the sudden movement and straightened himself next to Oscar as the woman hurriedly took her place behind the desk.
As she stopped she cleaned her fingers on the green apron draped over her front, before reaching up to push up her square glasses, thumb pressing against the bridge before placing her hands down on the desk in front of her, smiling up at them.
"Welcome, Señores . Is there anything I can help you with today?"
Felipe looked at Oscar. Oscar looked at Felipe, silently waiting for a cue for the other to speak as they shuffled away from the counter, seeming to be more aware of just how close they had been.
"Well-" Felipe began slowly, not looking away from his twin.
"-We have a birthday coming up." Oscar continued, turning his head to glance at the woman who nodded. "We were hoping to get flowers, since-"
"-She's very fond of them!"
" ¡Sí! We were thinking primarily roses? Red, or even-"
"-Or pink? Perhaps-"
"-Even yellow? I'm certain she would like yellow as well.." Oscar glanced back to Felipe for confirmation as his brother nodded. Both turned their attention back to the florist as she giggled, muffled behind the edge of her fingers. She pushed her glasses back up, glancing between them as she stood taller.
"Flowers for a birthday, ¡Qué maravilloso! " Her hands clapped as she pressed them together in front of her chest, smiling broadly and voice brimming with delight.
Felipe instinctively pressed closer to Oscar, shoulder pressing against his, as the florist stepped around the counter, making her way toward the roses on display by the window. Oscar watched the fake flowers in her hair bounce a touch with her quick steps. The back of her head was a bursting bundle of yellow, red, white and pink. He could only make out touches of hair underneath the petals, hinting at the idea her hair might be braided at the back, but he honestly couldn't be sure.
At first glance, it was obvious she at least liked flowers...
"So, roses, sí ? Did you have an idea on sizing?"
The twins glanced between one another, Oscar reached up to twirl his moustache as he thought.
"I suppose all we really need is…?"
"A medium sized bouquet?" Felipe finishes. He shrugs toward the florist. "How, uh…?"
"How big would that be?" Oscar asked.
"Oh! Medium sized…" She trailed off a little as she turned and walked back behind the desk, bending down briefly out of view with a hum and coming back up with a decently sized bundle of flowers, various species arranged together. "Well, this is medium arrangement on hold for another customer so, this would be around the same size. Is that all right?"
"That's nice." Felipe nodded, looking toward Oscar who nodded approvingly. The arrangement was put back out of view and she was by the roses once again, steps dainty and quick.
"When's the birthday date?" She asks casually, as she brushes her fingers against petals and picks out various red, yellow and pink roses.
Oscar grimaced a little, watching as Felipe mirrored his expression when they caught each other's eyes.
"Tomorrow." Oscar mumbled, looking back toward the florist who blinked at him, appearing taken back.
"Ah." Her voice deadpanned a touch. Oscar didn't need to look at Felipe to know he was sharing the same amount of embarrassment. Words built in his throat as he wanted to defend himself, because of course they'd never forget a family member's birthday! They were just… Well-
"Well, flowers are always a lovely gift." The florist offered. Oscar blinked at her as she turned to face them. "I mean, the closer you get them to the date, the nicer they look." She paused, smile dropping a touch, and blinked. "I mean, they're not real here so they don't wilt but… You know, plastic can get dirty and sometimes the colours fade? The paper ones tear a lot as well, actually. So I suppose the same logic applies…?"
She tapped her chin, in thought, her words mumbling as she trailed off. Her gaze snapped back to them as though they had suddenly appeared, eyes wide like a deer in headlights. With a short, nervous laugh, she shrugged helplessly and quickly turned back to the roses, head ducking a touch more than before.
She seemed to hurry in picking out the necessary amount of roses needed for the arrangement, pausing every other second to glance over the ones in her grasp.
Oscar and Felipe stood awkwardly by, uncertain of what to do with themselves. Felipe's fingers gently tapped out a rhythm against his leg as Oscar shift the bag he was holding, metal rattling deep with in it.
The florist briefly glanced back toward them at the sound, gaze flickering to the bag for a brief moment before she turned back to the flowers.
She stopped, holding out the roses bundled in her hands and inspecting them. She looked at them, brows knitted in focus. She smiled, satisfied and turned to them with the flower arrangement.
"Okay, so we've got yellow, red and pink- " She paused, fingers pinching stems and moving them about tenderly. "- and a medium sized bouquet for a birthday!" She smiled up toward them, holding up the flowers a touch for the twins to see.
"If this is all good with you two I can get these wrapped up right away?"
Felipe's shoulder pressed into Oscar's as they both looked over the bouquet. Of course, neither of them were florists (quite frankly, they'd never had good fortune with plant handling in the living world.) but the arrangement looked neat and pretty. Perfect for a gift.
The twins shared a quick smile, before turning back to the florist.
Oscar nodded.
"It looks great." He said, Felipe's own voice joining in perfect sync.
She was back behind the counter in a moment, gingerly placing the roses onto the white counter.
Oscar and Felipe walked closer to the front of the counter. Felipe looked just below it at the small, empty ceramic pots and glass vases lined along behind the glass of the counter, eyes skimming the prices as Oscar watches the woman quietly. There's a clatter as she opens a draw behind the desk.
"Are these handmade?"
Felipe breaks the quiet, and the florist blinks up in the middle of her search. "Hm?" she hums questioningly, head tilting a little.
Felipe asks again and she glances down toward where he's looking.
"The vases are brought in." She explains, "But everything ceramic is handmade."
"Just by you?" Oscar adds, somewhat nonplussed.
She glances toward the wall, smiling shyly.
"I have family and friends who help."
"Ah…" Felipe nods, still looking over the various pots. The florist ducks her head as she coughs briefly before going back to her search, eyes averted as she speaks again.
"Is there any specific colour you'd like for the ribbon?"
Oscar blinked and Felipe straightened himself out next to the other, clearing his throat.
"I guess… Ah.."
Both looked toward each other, equally stumped and uncertain.
"Um… What would-?"
"-You recommend?"
She was pulling the flowers into a golden wrapping, shifting roses gently as she hummed with thought.
"White." She considered the roses carefully. "There's plenty of colour already, it would make a lovely contrast."
"White is fine, then." Felipe said. Oscar nod.
As she gathered the flowers into the wrapping, securing the whole thing with a bow, Oscar glanced down at the pots and vases, their prices labelled in small tags in front of them.
He nudged his brother to get his attention and directed a hand vaguely in the direction of white coloured pot, with subtle swirls of gold painted onto it, big enough to hold the roses.
Felipe spotted what his brother was directing to and raised a brow at Oscar, who smiled a little in return.
Felipe nodded knowingly as the woman muttered "There.", proudly securing the bow.
"Excuse me -" Oscar interjected as she lifted the bouquet.
"Could we-"
"-also buy a pot? For-"
"-The flowers?" She glanced between them as they spoke, and Oscar was somewhat surprised at how she seemed unfazed by how perfectly they could continue and finish the others sentences.
Most people outside of the family found it odd and distracting.
" Sí , of course. Is there anything there you'd like, specifically?"
"The white one-"
"-With the golden swirls-"
"-Near the front left, Por favor ." She delicately pulled the pot out, setting it down on the counter.
"Is that one you made?" Oscar found himself asking as he glanced over the golden swirls. A quick glance at the woman's face and his eyes were drawn to the colour of her markings, laces of golden yellow and fuchsia.
She smiled fondly as she placed the flowers into the vase, adjusting the ribbon and flowers with gentle touches.
" Mi primo made it, actually. Such a creative boy." She gushes, smiling proudly.
"It's very well-made. He should be proud of his work" Oscar nods, feeling his mouth tug into a smile at the corner.
The florist titters, fingertips covering her mouth. She beams at Oscar.
"I'll be sure to let him know that, Gracias ."
The necessary money was exchanged and Oscar's fingers curled around the base and side of the pot, accidentally brushing past the woman's fingers as she focused on making sure the pot and flowers wouldn't fall.
Oscar swallows, unable to not glance over her skull patterns once again. The small, nearly invisible flowers that were dotted across her chin that he wasn't sure he'd ever notice at a quick glance. The bloom of yellow around her sockets. He thought he caught a glimpse of colour behind her side swept fringe but he was already pulling away with the flowers before he could dwell on it.
" Gracias, señora -" He trails off, both nervous and unsure of whether to leave the sentence there. She waved her hand dismissively before pushing up her glasses again, smiling bashfully.
"Oh, just Leonor is fine."
"Ah.. Leonor, then. Gracias , Leonor." Oscar nodded, stepping back and holding the flowers carefully close as Felipe adjusted the handle of the bag of supplies in his left grasp, heading toward the door.
" De nada . I hope it's a lovely birthday, ¡adiós! "
They mumble their goodbyes as Felipe opens the door for Oscar and they both step out one after the other, leaving the bell to jingle as the door closes.
Leonor sighs and carefully brushes her hand against the clear counter. She watches the sunlight filtering through the window, casting soft shadows around the once again still shop.
She sways there for a moment, lost in thought. She blinks and startles, then hurries back through the door behind the counter, rouge skirt swaying with each step.
Oscar had been left with an odd, lingering feeling.
He and Felipe talked back and forth over everything and nothing at once as they continue down the streets, stepping in sync with one another, knowing they would have to face Imelda's wrath if they stayed out longer and worried her.
As they marked out various plans on how to sneak the flowers past Rosita, Oscar quietly noted the surroundings, a small thought in the back of his mind wondering if he'd need to remember his way to the flower shop in the future.
He had doubts about that. There were probably flower shops much closer to where they lived. They just so happened to be closest to the one they went into today.
But still…
The service had been good. It was a lovely little place, and keeping the shop in consideration wouldn't be a bad thing, he supposed, as his thumb brushed past a stray leaf while he adjusted it more securely in his arms.
Felipe and Oscar both yelped as Rosita pulled them into a powerful hug. Felipe glanced over the flowers in the shorter woman's hair to smile weakly at Oscar, who winced as he balanced the roses in his free hand. Felipe was almost sure one of his ribs had snapped, but it was worth seeing Rosita this happy.
The joyful squeal emitting from Rosita as she jostled them was a sure confirmation.
"Oh, you two!" She coos before releasing them.
The two staggered back as her grip loosened, smiling through wheezing breaths. She gingerly took the potted roses from Oscar's hands, admiring the careful crafting of a yellow rose.
"They're gorgeous! Muchas Gracias ."
Oscar and Felipe grinned, sharing another proud glance as they stood a little taller.
"We're just glad-"
"-You like them, Rosita."
"Are they from Dona Garcia's floristería ?" Victoria asked, tilting her head to glance over the flowers, adjusting her glasses.
"Ah, no, actually." Oscar scratched his chin, briefly glancing toward Felipe. "We found another shop-"
"-A bit further up, actually." Felipe caught Imelda raise one brow at them behind Rosita, pursing her lips ever so slightly. He glanced away, already sure she had caught onto how late they may have gotten the gift. Neither he nor Oscar really wanted to admit to such a thing.
His sister didn't say anything on the subject, and merely nodded approvingly at the plants as Rosita spoke.
"They'll look lovely on my window sill." She set them down on the kitchen table and with another elated giggle pulled them back into a tight hug that somehow knocked the air out of their non existent lungs.
"Gracias, both of you!" As she pulled away she gently pat their cheeks and turned as Hector addressed her.
The two men shared a relieved look with matching proud smiles.
It wasn't too much longer when the Rivera's soon found themselves huddled in the living room. It wasn't a spacious room, but the family was all able to comfortably fit together.
"You'll have to show me the floristería you got them from sometime." Rosita addressed the twins as she sat next to Hector on the carpeted floor, a guitar with beautiful rose patterns printed onto it balanced in her lap.
"We'll be more than happy to." Oscar nodded.
"It would be a nice excuse for you to see the florist again." Felipe muttered, low enough for Oscar to hear, who shot him a frown.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Felipe shrugged. "You seemed to like her."
"I don't know her."
"A benefit of going back." Felipe grinned. "You can talk to her more and get to know her."
Oscar rolled his eyes, shoving his elbow against his twin's arm.
"Are you sure you're not looking for an excuse to go back and talk to her yourself?"
Felipe went to counter when Imelda cleared her throat from her spot next to them on the sofa. She stitched into a small cushion she was fixing up. She didn't look at them, but both dropped it. They didn't need petty arguments on a relaxing day.
They would occasionally just tease each other about such things, as expected. Felipe had only mentioned Oscar liking the florista just to get a small rise out of him. He wasn't sure if anything could actually come out of being acquainted to her.
He turned his attention back to the room.
Rosita was gently strumming the guitar under Hector's guide, occasionally reaching over to show where Rosita's fingers were to go for a chord.
Julio and Coco were seated together by the window. After settling in his seat, Julio had taken to reading through an old newspaper, which was now starting to slip from his fingers as he drifts into a small sleep.
Coco glanced over at a slight snore, Victoria paused her part of the conversation, settled on the floor beside her Mama's chair, leaning against the arm. The white haired woman smiled, tenderly reaching over to pull the paper from her husband's hands and leave a kiss against his cheek. Julio's mustache lifted a touch as Coco pulled away, eyes still closed.
"What were you saying, mija?" Coco asked as she turned back to Victoria and fold the paper up in her lap. Victoria continued to talk about the book she had open in front of her, only playfully rolling her eyes at her parents.
Felipe reached forward, grabbing one of the two glasses up from the coffee table in front of them. As he sat back up he tilt the empty glass, eyeing it for a moment before standing and making his way to the doorway, stepping over Oscar's legs as he went.
He shuffled into the kitchen, soft sound of conversation and guitar strums quieting a touch as he found himself in the surprisingly still room. It wasn't often that no one was in at least one room, but birthdays often had the family together in the front room, so it wasn't too surprising. The quiet was only just a touch jarring. It wasn't too early or too late, but the street outside the Rivera's home wasn't a loud one that bustled too much, especially on Saturday. Felipe made his way over to the sink, filling the glass with water. He shut the tap off, looking out the window for a moment and out toward the street, gaze not focused on anything in particular.
A thud against the window nearly sent the glass in his hands over his head.
Felipe fumbled with the cup as water splashed over his arm and against his front. He huffed, glancing down in annoyance before snapping his attention back toward the window at a small scratching noise on the glass.
He squints against the glare of light, placing the cup down into the sink and leaning forward a touch to see what was making the noise.
A shimmer of turquoise suddenly wriggled over his head, slipping in through the open part of the window and shooting past his head, sunlight bouncing off coloured scales.
Felipe ducked with a quick yell, clasping at his hat.
After a short pause he rose, peeking over toward the top of the kitchen table.
Felipe stared, wide-eyed.
It peered back, navy blue eyes unblinking.
An alebrije.
Small, roughly the size of his hand sat there. Something akin to a gecko and a chameleon, rounded spikes trailed down the back of its head and neck. It lay there as though it belonged to the scene, it's body slightly tilt up on its front legs, silvery dragonfly wings lowering and rising in sluggish movement, catching light in fractured patterns.
Felipe cringed as a yellow tongue suddenly rolled out and over it's left, open eye before disappearing back into its mouth with a wet noise.
With wary movements Felipe stood with his bones rattling a little, and glanced around the kitchen, uncertain. Of all the times for the kitchen to be devoid of anyone else, it had to be now, didn't it?
He frowned, turning back to fully face the alebrije, hands close to his chest. It was tiny. Hardly a threat at all, it should be easy to shooed out, surely.
He began approaching with careful, slow steps.
He paused, stiffening when the alebrije's wings gave a noticeable twitch.
A moment passed, and the alebrije remained still.
Felipe winced, but continued moving closer. He swallowed, leaning closer to the table and frowned at the small intruder, fully intending to shoo it back out with a hand wave and a stern voice.
He jumped back with a high scream when the alebrije was suddenly in the air, inches from his face, wings buzzing. He bumped back into a chair, nearly knocking it over on the way as the flying creature swept at his head and he ducked, arms up, to avoid the attack. He glanced up as the buzz faded, only to again see it twist in the air back towards him.
A slight weight lifted on his head and his hand reached up to push his hat back into place, only to flatten his palm onto his skull and hair. The sound of footsteps approaching elsewhere in the house was briefly lost on him, and Felipe gawked at the sight of his hat hovering near the window, rim caught in the maw of the alebrije.
"¿ Que? No! No, no wait!" He scrambled to his feet, lunging himself toward the flying creature.
His palms slammed against the open window, pushing it closed as the tip of alebrije's tail disappeared.
Felipe stared for a moment, bewildered, trying to process exactly what had just happened as he pressed his palms down against the sink's edge as someone bustled into the kitchen doorway, skirts rustling loudly.
He blinked, watching as the alebrije hovered just above the street, not far from the house. It seemed only just able to hold up the hat, and it wasn't moving as fast as it had been.
Maybe if he was quick, he could-?
"Felipe?! ¿Qué estás haciendo-?" Imelda just about avoided Felipe's mad scamper past her as he ran for the front doorway, pausing to shove his shoes on.
"I'll explain in a bit! I need to go!"
Imelda gaped at him, watching as he flung the front door open and dashed out, leaving it to slowly swing close. Oscar approached out of the living room doorway, frowning. He watched the front door gently hit the doorway and slowly open again, before turning to Imelda who frowned at the empty space, stunned beyond words.
"I… What happened?" He asked quietly.
Imelda shook her head, sighing in exasperation.
Felipe winced as he pushed further down the street.
Everything felt odd! He was usually faster than this, and he knew it, but every beat of his shoes hitting the ground felt wrong.
His shoes felt too tight, and that in itself was wrong. He'd been wearing these shoes for years. They fit him perfectly and they always had, just like any Rivera made shoe!
But checking them was out of the question when he couldn't lose sight of the alebrije further down the street.
Thinking even more he realised how silly it all was. It was a hat! Was it worth chasing a small alebrije over?
The creature slowed nearer the end of the street, the burst of energy suddenly rushing out and leaving him to leap on his long legs.
Hardly anyone else was about on the street, which he was grateful for. He could at least be spared the embarrassment of too many people watching him chase an alebrije.
He came to a pause, when he finally noticed a woman walking up the street. Hands buried in the pockets of her leather jacket, she glanced at the buildings, not paying any mind to the street ahead of her.
Felipe watched, a wave of dread washing over him when the alebrije suddenly swooped, flinging the hat against the woman's skull. She yelled out a muffled curse, hands fumbling out of her pockets to grab the hat. Felipe swallowed, pushing himself back into a run that bridged the distance down the street, slowing as he approached the woman.
She gripped the rim of his hat in her skeletal fingers and tugged it from her face with a gasp and a furious head shake.
"¡Ay!" She breathed heavily. She glanced to her left, brows furrowing into a glare as they settled on the creature hovering in the air beside her, the buzz of it's wings reaching Felipe's nonexistent ears over his own heavy breaths.
" ¡Dios mío, Lupe! " She cried, cradling the hat in her hands as she lowered it away from her face.
Felipe approached, head low and hands clasped together, unnoticed by the short woman. "What do you think you're-?"
"Um…" Felipe cleared his throat, trying to rid the nervousness suddenly rooted there. His neck felt tight, despite the lack of muscles, when she glanced up at him. Her scowl was gone in a blink, a surprised and slightly confused gaze taking its place.
A wavy piece of her short, dark brown hair curled and fell slightly over the right side of her skull, nearly covering her the eye on that side. He could see her bones tense together under the open black jacket and off-shoulder blue dress, moving to grip the hat by the rim closer to her chest again.
She gave him a glance over from his feet to his head. She glanced down at the hat, then back toward him.
A nervous smile lifted the dark blue heart dotted on the left of her mouth, and she held the hat out toward him.
"Let me guess. Is this yours?" Her voice wavered with a hint of uncertainty near the end.
Felipe smiled nervously, nodding a little. " Sí, sí , It is. Um… Gracias ." He managed out. He reached to carefully take the hat from her.
Her bones visibly separated as she sighed, shoulders lowering. Lupe plopped itself down onto her shoulder, claws settling into the leather with a rubbery noise. She side-eyed the alebrije with a huff and bounced her shoulder, the lizard let out a 'meep' of agitation.
" Lo siento, señor ." She looked up at him sincerely, and Felipe clutched his hat against his chest a little tighter, nerves starting to creep back into his chest as he suddenly felt lost at what to do with himself, and trying to not stare too much at the woman, alternating between her and the alebrije.
"This little nuisance -" She didn't try to cover the fondness in her voice, "- does things like this sometimes… Comes back with whatever she can carry." She reached over and scratched a finger under Lupe's chin before smiling over apologetically.
"She wasn't giving you too much trouble was she?"
"I- Ah- No." Felipe stammered and shook his head. "Not- Not too long actually." He let out a nervous chuckle, head ducking as his eyes flickered to the floor, then back to her. "She only just… Took my hat? Um..." He trailed off, looking over her face again.
Felipe was almost sure he'd at the very least seen her before. Certain he'd seen the same tufts of curls, the same off shoulder dress. He really couldn't say for sure though.
"Do I know you?" He blurted out, skull warming as she tilts her head at him. "I mean… I feel like I've seen you before?"
Her gaze pierced him for a moment. Her gaze flickered from his skull to his chest before she shook her head.
"You don't know me, no. I do walk this way sometimes. You might have seen me passing by?" She offers with a shrug.
"Ah, sí, perhaps..." Felipe's fingers dig a little further into the rim of his hat, tugging at the fabric as the woman shift on her feet. She stands a little taller, her hands raising to rest on her hips.
"Really, I can't tell you how embarrassed I am. On her behalf, of course." The alebrije chirped, a suddenly climbed up into the woman's hair. "Either way," She huffs, blowing away a stand of hair curling over her face and frowning when it only shift by a touch, "I'm sorry about my alebrije's intrusion." She motions toward his hat. "And the whole… Hat thing…"
Felipe huffs a small laugh, nervously drumming his fingers against the hat's rim clutched to his chest.
"It's alright… I'm sorry you had to get hit in the face with my hat."
She snorted, covering her cheek with one hand with a grin.
"Well, I wasn't expecting that to happen today, that's for sure." She laughed.
"I suppose it would be odd if hats falling on you was a common occurrence." Felipe smiled, his shoulders loosening further when she giggled.
"It wouldn't be too odd. Not if we're considering this little trouble, here." She reached up and gently scratched Lupe's head. The alebrije let out a confused chirp, head lifting from the woman's curls.
She lowered her hand and began to move, walking around him. Felipe turned, blinking as he fixed his hat back onto his head in a fumbled movement.
"Are - Uh- Are you heading up that way?"
"Mm-hm." She smiled back at him. "I'm gonna guess your going this way too?"
"Oh, Sí. I am. You don't mind if I walk along with you, do you?"
She raised an eyebrow at him. "I don't mind. I mean, If I really didn't want you to, you'd know."
He tilts his head. "What do you mean?"
She smirked. "You can't walk far on broken legs, you know?"
Felipe felt himself pale a touch, a small knot of fear twisting in the base of his ribcage. He eyed the leather jacket, before his gaze flickered back to her face. Her expression softened and she laughed, holding her hands up.
"I'm kidding! I'm kidding. You seem like a nice enough guy. I'd just tell you to get lost."
"Ah." His arms lowered back to his sides, and he let out a small, relieved laugh. "Right."
A thought then occurred. Even if they were only walking a short distance, wouldn't it be polite to at least be on a first name basis?
"I'm- I'm Felipe." He held out a hand. Her gaze flickered briefly between his hand and face, looking a little taken aback. Felipe faltered for a moment, uncertain. She reached forward and took his hand, shaking it heartily.
"Valeria. Nice to meet you, Felipe." She nods her head, the alebrije chirping irritably at the movement. "You've met Lupe."
He chuckled. "So I have."
As they began to walk the discomfort in his feet returned. It must have shown. Valeria glanced over toward him, gaze flickering to his feet then back to his face. "Um… You alright?" She asked. "You're looking a little wobbly."
"Ah, sí. My feet just feel odd, for some reason?"
"Yeah? Is it your shoes or something?"
"I doubt it." Felipe rolled his shoulders back, huffing. "I mean… They've always been a perfect fit but... They've never felt so uncomfortable."
"Hmm…" Valeria let out a small noise, something akin to a snicker. "It… Might be because they're on the wrong feet."
"I… ¿Qué? " He looked down, really looking at his feet for the first time. Sure enough, his shoes really were on the wrong feet. No wonder he'd been having trouble running in them earlier.
Valeria snort, fist coming up as she coughed to hide it, amusement practically glowing from her skull. "Uh, yeah. I kind of noticed earlier. There wasn't a good time to say anything, though." She shrugged. "Wasn't sure if it was by choice either?"
Felipe frowned. "Who'd wear the wrong shoes on the wrong feet by choice?"
Valeria held her hands up. "Hey, I ain't here to judge. I mean… It's weird and I would judge a bit, but i'm not gonna say anything." She paused. "You... Wanna take a pause and get your shoes sorted? It doesn't look comfy."
"I'd… Appreciate that."
"Does anyone recognise her?" Hector spoke up, voice hushed with confusion.
Most of the Rivera's were now huddled in the kitchen, trying to discreetly peer out of the window. Victoria stood by the table, arms folded as she watched Hector, Oscar, Rosita and Coco huddled closest to the window. They weren't trying to be seen, but she didn't see the point in hiding, especially when they weren't doing a good job at it. Her mama was a bit more central in the window, arms resting on the sink's edge, Rosita huddled next to her, giddy as her hands were clasped together against her cheekbone. Victoria could almost feel her Tía beaming as she watched Tío Felipe talking to a woman outside.
They had progressively moved into the kitchen after Imelda came into the living room, clearly exasperated and muttering about Felipe disappearing with Oscar trailing behind her, his hands clasped nervously behind his back.
"He'd better explain himself once he returns." Imelda said after informing the family she would wait in the kitchen for her younger brother to return, an edge of threat in her tone. Everyone knew it was more out of concern than actual anger though.
Oscar and Imelda had returned to the kitchen to wait, and eventually the rest of the family had found themselves filtering into the kitchen along with them. Victoria had been one of the last in the living room, neatly putting away her book before taking her time to enter the kitchen. Everyone had mostly huddled around the kitchen in discussion as she slipped past, glancing out the window.
She had paused, leaning as she squint to look out the window. She remained there for a second before fixing her glasses, speaking evenly as she continued to watch out the window.
"It looks like tío Felipe's walking with someone."
The chatter behind her came to a halt.
"Someone?" Oscar asked slowly, getting up from his place at the table to stand by the window, hands resting behind his back.
Victoria hummed, watching as the two figures had approached further up the road. By the time they stopped short of the house's front gate, the rest of the family had found themselves at the window to look at what was happening. Victoria had stepped back, closer to Mama Imelda.
It was around then Hector piped in with his question.
A few glances were thrown toward Oscar, who was watching out the window. After a moment he turned, catching a glimpse of the stares pointed his way. He shrugged.
"I don't know. I've never seen her before."
"Tío Felipe's never… Mentioned anyone?" Rosita asks. There's a hint of hopefulness laced in her tone.
Oscar looked back out the window as the woman in front of his brother laughed, loud enough that the sound just reached through the closed window, her eyes closed in mirth. Oscar caught a glimpse of something colourful resting on her shoulder, a bright contrast against the leather jacket.
He shook his head. "No. Not really."
"He might have just met her." Coco offered. "It looks like they're having fun."
The woman gently bumped her elbow against Felipe's, grinning as she spoke. Felipe seemed to chuckle, eyes closed with mirth.
Rosita hummed, contemplative
"Aye, would you all get away from the window, already?" Imelda sighed, waving a shooing motion at Oscar and Hector as the women stepped back from the window. She glanced out the window herself, head tilt up a touch as the woman outside gently punched Felipe's arm as she began moving past him, grinning broadly. Felipe smiled, head ducking as he held his hat against his chest. As she walked on up the road his gaze trailed after her for a moment. He shoved his hat back onto his head and moved to open the small gate, a small smile still lifted on his mouth.
Imelda blinked when she realised Oscar and Hector were glancing over her shoulders, close enough that they were practically hovering over her, watching.
She waved them off irritably.
"I told you to stop it!"
"You were doing the same thing!" Oscar countered.
"Irrelevant. I'm going to talk to Felipe."
Oscar rolled his eyes, arms folded, as Imelda strode toward the kitchen doorway, the sound of the front door creaking open.
Valeria smiled, huffing a bit, as she looked back down the street toward Felipe. He was closing the gate behind him as his glances up, catching her eye. She grins when his head ducks in embarrassment, and shuffles down the path toward the front door. She turns back, continuing to walk on. Her alebrije shifts on her shoulder, claws scratching against leather.
"That was terrible of you, Lupe." She tuts under her breath. The alebrije chirps tiredly in response.
Valeria shakes her head, pausing to look at the lizard creature. "You're una pequeña diabla, you know that right?"
Lupe yawned, body stretching then curling back up, face burrowing into the lapels of the jacket. A small, delighted noise rose behind her closed mouth. She quickly scoffed, rolling her eyes as she continued to walk.
At the end of the street the rest of the route was automatic to her. Walk past her favourite cantina, a quick jog to catch a departing train trolley and she found herself bumping elbows and shuffling between the slightly crowded vehicle to stand at the open back, arms folded and leaning against the rail as it lifts from it's platform and into the sky. Lupe was well awake at this point, and reemerged from a hidden pocket inside the jacket she had moved into before they boarded.
Valeria let out a sharp huff, shifting irritably on her feet. She glared down at her shoes, willing them to stop pinching against her bones. It was stupid. There's no skin to irritate anymore, no muscle to get sore. So the fact that her feet were both sore and uncomfortable was stupid.
They weren't even her favourite shoes. They had too much of a heel, and she'd never mastered running in heeled shoes really.
Her favourite shoes had been built to be run in, and she'd ended up running them from the living world into this. It was only last year that they'd become way too threadbare to wear anymore.
They'd lasted a long time at least, but still…
"Think I might need some new shoes soon, Lupe." She muttered.
Lupe scampered down her shoulder and onto the railing.
Valeria winced, and placed a skeletal hand over the small alebrije before pulling her hand back to fold her arms.
She glanced about, a few structures starting to knit closer together. Some rooftops and ledges passed close by, and Valeria felt a twitch in her shoulders. The trolley rides were nice, but there was always the urge to leap out and onto any ledges that passed by. She wasn't going to do that when she had somewhere to be, but the urge itched in the back of her mind. She'd look at the drop and her stomach would sink, almost to a sickening feeling. That's when she'd want to go, channel it into an adrenaline rush.
She stood, making her way back into the trolley with her hands shoved into her pockets to prepare for her stop and Lupe flung herself onto the woman's back, scampering into the jacket through the back of the neck. She was thankful it was her stop soon. Despite the excited energy bundling deep in her chest, she wasn't in the mood to be free diving off trolley. Or getting banned from specific trolleys for jumping out of them.
She'll just find some trees to climb up tomorrow.
Leonor flipped the sign on the window around to CLOSED. She went to open the shop door, before pausing. Her hand hovered close to the handle for a moment before she swung around and stepped across the room, moving behind the front desk.
She muttered to herself as she flipped through ribbons, papers and nick-knacks that didn't really belong there, but she had yet to really place them somewhere appropriate. At the very least she knew where they were, so what was the harm?
Her hand paused over the roll of white ribbon left over from yesterday. She sighed, sincerely hoping whoever received those roses enjoyed them. Nothing made her happier than thinking about how something as simple and sweet as flora could make a person's day.
In life, her family home had always smelled of pan dulce, sweet and warm. It was to be expected from a baker's family.
But the smell of the garden? The fresh crispness of the air, the calm stillness away from the busy bustle inside the home. The day she had properly grown sunflowers was the day she knew she had to be a florista. Maybe not an amazing achievement, but a big one to her nonetheless.
She didn't miss the difference the Land of the Dead gardens and parks had to the living counterparts. The living worlds fresh openness was something she found herself missing dearly, especially in such a bustling city structure...
A flighty knock sounded from the door and Leonor glanced toward it, confused and slightly irritated.
She flipped the sign to CLOSED, right? So why would anyone think-?
She caught sight of the skull peering through the window. The figure grinned and waved enthusiastically as their eyes locked.
A relieved sigh escaped Leonor and she motioned for the figure to enter, then turned her attention back to sorting the mess in the draws.
As soon as there was a gap in the doorway, a small lizard-like alebrije zoomed in, swiftly twisting in the air and plopping itself onto the unruffled florist's head, tail whipping back and forth happily.
Leonor giggled and reached up to scratch a finger under the alebrije's chin as a short woman with dark brown curls in a blue, off-shoulder dress scoffed in annoyance at the creature exclaimed a short, "Lupe!" as she settled on Leonor's head.
The woman let the door close behind her, hands going back into the leather jackets pockets. Leonor smiled at her warmly.
" Hola , Valeria. How was your day?"
The shorter woman, Valeria, groaned, rolling her eyes and dragging herself over to the desk.
"Tiring." She drawled as she pressed her back against the desk, elbows resting on it. "José still can't catch a hint."
Leonor winced. "Still?"
Valeria shrugged. "He's not creepy or anything. It's just… I don't know, he's dropping too many one-liners for me to think he's joking now. But he's not being direct either." She shook her head. "I don't know. Maybe I can just tip-toe around this until… I dunno, he finds someone else?"
"That might be hard, given you're on the same Course." Leonor observed, the corners of her mouth turning a little when Valeria heaved a sigh out between her teeth, leaning further against the desk.
"I know…" She drawled, sinking further against the wooden surface. "Then again, we won't be on the same course forever." She paused. "I mean, I hope not anyway."
Leonor hummed in response. Valeria grunt, pushing herself up and resting her elbows on the surface. "But anyway. How was your day, amiga ?"
Leonor closed the draw, and brushed her hands down against the front of her green apron.
"Uneventful really. I briefly saw Paola in the morning, but you know what she's like. Pet and fed and she's off who-knows-where."
"Yup, sounds like Paola." Valeria nod, thoughtful
"Is that common in Alebrije?" Leonor asked.
Valeria shrugged. "I dunno." She replied plainly. The taller woman tut, crossing her arms.
"Valeria, your studying Alebrije care. Surely behaviour's come up at some point?"
"I can't remember at the moment." Valeria smirked. "I'm not obligated to remember things right now."
"Hm. Well, other than that, a few regulars, a few new faces. Nothing truly notable. I think I missed a call from Tía Graciela, so I'd best leave her a message when I can." Her voice trailer into a mumble near the end of her sentence as she pushed her glasses up a touch.
"You gonna be looking after Silvio sometime this week?"
"Sí, I think that's what she wanted to discuss."
Valeria stood, walking toward and hanging plant and flicking one of the leaves nonchalantly. "He's a nice kid."
" Sí he - Val, don't do that - He is." She strode forward and gently slapped the shorter woman's hand away from the plant. Valeria grinned, hopping out of Leonor's way as she continued over toward the plants on the other side of the room. Valeria watched as Lupe chirped, and fluttered down onto Leonor's shoulder.
Leonor cooed a quiet greeting and scratched a finger under the lizards chin. Lupe's eyes squinted as she lifted her head up ever so slightly, emitting a high, twittering purr.
"Don't praise her too much." valeria warned, a playful scowl on her face. " Señorita trouble here has been out and stealing again."
Leonor gasped theatrically, tilting her head and glaring disappointingly toward where the alebrije jolted, disturbed by the sudden movement. "Lupe!" She scolded playfully. Valeria snorted as Lupe's glassy wings fluttered.
"Yup… I thought a nice walk on a path I don't usually go would be a nice end to the day. And you know how she was this morning, she wouldn't leave me alone for one second when I was trying to get ready, so I figure 'hey, maybe she just needs to stretch her wings?'" Valeria said, shifting on her feet as her hands motion wildly.
Leonor adjusted some plants on the shelves nodding. " Bien, bien …" She mumbled in reply.
"That's all fine, she's lovely and quiet for the whole day. Then the walk back comes up and before I know it! Zoop! " Valeria's fingers snapped across her face, "-She's off, and then I suddenly have some guys hat thrown in my face!"
" ¡Oh, dios! " Leonor pulls herself away from the plants, placing a hand to her cheek, a small smile lifting on her skull. Lupe, upset by the movement, launched herself into the air, snuggling herself between two yellow potted plants, her colours shifting in small swirls before mixing into colours identical to her surroundings, beady eyes blinking slowly. Leonor fixed her disturbed hair as Valeria crossed her arms.
"Right? He seemed pretty cool over the whole thing though." She shrugged, turning her face away a little. "You should've seen him, Leonor. He looked like such a nerd. Complete dork."
Leonor slowly faced her friend, a brow raising high as her mouth pursed. She held her gaze on Valeria for a moment. Valeria shift awkwardly under the look. Her head ducked and she muttered. "He was, uh… Lindo ."
Leonor beamed, smile widening.
"Oh, really?"
Valeria huffed, fists shoved unceremoniously deep into her pockets as she kicked the floor a bit, expression flustered.
"Look, I thought so, okay?" She shrugged. "He was cute and tall, and he had big, nerd glasses." She shot a playful glare Leonor's way. "There, that's all out the way, and we never have to talk about it again."
Leonor sighed, glancing at her friend over her glasses as she pushed them up, with a brow raised knowingly. "Whatever you say, Vally."
Valeria huffed. "Anyways, are you nearly done? I'm gonna head upstairs soon, I'm hungry."
"Oh, I'm just closing up now," Leonor fumbled with the green aprons tie. "I just need to get this away and lock up."
"Hmm.. Hey, do you have some of that cake you made yesterday left over?"
Leonor sighed, shaking her head with a gentle smile. "If you haven't finished it, then there should be some left."
" Qué Padre. "
As the two women converse as Leonor checks over the plants and desk one last time, Lupe shifted in her spot, wings flickering gently as her gaze moved from Valeria, to the window.
A white, pink-polka dotted tongue slapped against one of her eyes before sliding back into place.