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Mirabel awoke to the world of darkness as usual. Feeling around for her glasses she placed them on her face bringing vision to her world. Sitting up with a grunt straw fell from her hair. "Another day in my amazing life." she said with heavy sarcasm. Soon as they noticed her up the donkeys began braying for their breakfast. "Yeah yeah I'm coming you dumb beasts." wiping straw off her clothes, lately she hasn't even been bothering to change into her nightgown instead just sleeping in the purple ruana she had become so fond of after grabbing a bucket she began scooping grain out the storage bin. For the past five years this had been her morning routine. Get up, feed the donkeys, collect the food Julieta or Pepa would leave her, leave yesterdays empty basket, maybe have some breakfast herself then figure out how to entertain herself for the day.
She glanced out the barn window just in time to see Julieta dropping off her daily delivery of food. Looking up Julieta spotted her daughter through the window. Julieta looked both ways before blowing Mirabel a kiss and mouthing 'I love you Mira.'.
Mirabel just ducked out of sight pretending she didn't see, it was too painful. To have her mamá be so close but not being able to touch or talk with her. It amazed her Alma couldn't see her own cruelty. Feeding each of the donkeys she exited the barn to collect her food, looking up she saw Julieta in the distance looking back towards the barn. Mirabel slightly hesitated before blowing a kiss to her mother before quickly darting back in the barn.
Closing the barn door behind her, Mirabel carried her food basket to small table she had set up and plopped it down with a sigh. Sliding into the chair she rested her chin on the table. "This...this...is...just..UGH." she rose her head and turned to face out a window. Bad move. She greeted by the distant sight of Casita up the hill. Growling under her breath she clutched the ends of the table until her knuckles turned white. The barn door opening startled her and she swung around nearly tipping the chair over "Whose there?"
"Just me." Señor Pérez answered "I saw Señora Julieta drop off your basket. It's all very hard on her"
"Hard on her?" Mirabel scoffed "She's not the one whose living in a barn. Away from the ones who are supposed to love her. All because a candle is protected more than her!" she pointed to her scars "And she's not the one who the town treats as a monster. I'm blind not deaf I hear what they say."
Señor Pérez placed a hand on her shoulder which was immediately shaken off "I know Mirabel but do try and keep your chin up. Bitterness will get you nowhere. You'll make them see your true worth one day" without another word he lead a donkey of it's stall and out of the barn leaving Mirabel alone with her thoughts.
"Make them see..I'll make them see alright." Mirabel stood up ignoring the food and pulling the hood of the ruana over her head she decided to might as well head to town. Head bent low she arrived in the main market place, seeing Juileta had already set up for table for the day. Seeing two familiar figures walking in her direction she ducked around a corner just as Alma and Isabela came into view.
"We must talk more about you marrying Mariano." Alma said firmly her arm around Isabela "I'm sure you're looking forward to it."
"Of course...Abuela." Isabela smiled but something was off.
Mirabel held back a smirk, seems there was trouble in paradise for Señorita Perfecta. Not being able to resist Mirabel followed at a distance listening as Alma went on about good it was this will be for the family.
"I know you'll make me proud, Isabela and keep our miracle strong." the elder woman hugged the younger.
Is that all she cares about? Mirabel thought to herself as she stopped and leaned against a wall "We must keep the miracle strong" Mirabel said in mocking impression of Alma. With a scoff she walked out into the open head down-smack. "Who on earth.." Mirabel grumbled looking up an instant scowl spread across her face "Well if isn't my dearest perfect sister Isabela. How lucky are we for the perfect princess herself to come here and mingle with us mere peasants." Mirabel spoke in a sarcastic tone as she moved around so Isabela was trapped between her and the wall.
"YOU! ABUELA-" Isabela began only to be cut off when Mirabel put a hand over her mouth.
"What's wrong? Scared of your own hermana? Don't you just want have a nice warm hug like we used to?"
Isbaela backed of now right against the wall "You're not my sister! You're a monster! You should be lucky you can still live in the Encanto..if Abuela knew you were even speaking to me..she'll..."
Mirabel laughed "Oh Isabela, poor poor Isabela. You are naive. I don't have to do what Abuela says. Unlike you. While she is still around, you'll never be truly free." she stepped aside to let Isabela pass "Oh look at me keeping you when your admirers are awaiting you. Better run along now. Those flowers won't grow themselves. Or wait they would..but nonetheless you better scurry. Oh and it's best this remains our little secret. What would Abuela think if she knew you spoke with me."
Isabela gave her a look mixed of anger and fear and without a word she brushed passed Mirabel and ran towards the safety of the crowded market place.
Satisfied with herself Mirabel gave a small chuckle "Well that spiced up my day already.". She wasn't sure if Isabela would run telling or not. And really she didn't care. Leaning back against the wall she listened to the villagers going about their daily lives, she might not have Dolores's super hearing but she could still gather some things. Some could be used to her advantage, a little bit of blackmail in exchange for some goods every now and then never hurt anyone. And she had become pretty good at hiding in plain sight..well mostly if people knew she was nearby they would make comments but not approach her. Comments Mirabel had heard a million times by now.
There was an air of anticipation today, Mirabel noted. Was today some sort of holiday that she forgot? No thats not it. What is it?
"You going to the gift ceremony tonight?"
"Of course, it's been a long time the last was that Miirabel and we all know how that one turned out. Tragedy"
Ah yes, such a tragedy for you. My heart just breaks. I was up crying in my room and all you care about is not getting a stupid party. Mirabel crossed her arms as she listened to the details. Now she remembered, today was Antonio's fifth Birthday. Today he would get his gift. Today was the also the fifth anniversary of her life getting destroyed. No better way to rub it in than some big party at the Casita.
Hearing enough she stormed back to the barn, chuckling at the sight as she passed Luisa once again gathering the donkeys. "Oh my looks like I forgot to close the barn door again." she said to herself "Silly me." part of her did feel a twinge of guilt when she did that and adding to Luisa's already large workload but it sure did entertain her. Entering the barn she took off her hood and pulled out a maracuyá from her basket, grabbed her bag she kept her embroidery supplies in and headed down her spot by the river.
Settling under her favourite tree she pulled out her latest project and put her whole focus on that with practiced proficiency. Stitch stitch cut. Stitch stitch cut. Least she was left at peace here, everyone else would be to worried about tonight to worry about her. At least thats what she thought.
"Señorita Mirabel! Señorita Mirabel!'
Mirabel groaned knowing that voice-Antiono.
"Señorita Mirabel! I get my gift today!" the excited five year old plopped himself in front of her.
"Oh that's today?" Mirabel asked in a forced cheerful tone "Time has sure flown by." she paused to cut her thread and looked over "You must be nervous, the whole town will be there..looking at you. And if you mess it up everyone will know." she patted the boy on the shoulder "But I'm sure you'll be fine. Another magical Madrigal. Doña Alma will be very pleased."
Antonio's happiness was replaced with fear "The whole town?" he asked as if he just realised.
"Of course, you didn't know? They'll all be there to see you get your gift...or not. But I wouldn't worry if I were you. It's gone right more than it's gone wrong. Tonight you'll be sleeping in your brand new room. I am jealous."
"Has the magic ever failed?"
"Oh yes, once there was a Madrigal. She didn't get a gift and so they no longer loved her."
"What happened to her?"
Mirabel looked in the distance towards to Casita before looking back to Antonio "Well they kicked her out, threw her away. She was a stain on the perfect family picture. A born Madrigal without a gift is worthless."
Antonio jumped to his feet "No! That never happened thats just a story you made up."
"Oh no, it's true. They are just so ashamed they never talk about her." pulling Antonio back down "But like I said, I'm sure you'll be just fine. But if the worse happens. You're more than welcome to join me in the barn, the donkeys won't mind." rubbing his head with a chuckle "Now run along, I'm sure Doña Pepa is looking for you."
Nodding Antonio slowly stood up and began to walk off before stopping and turning around "Señorita Mirabel? You know how you said the whole town will be there?"
"Mmhm."
"Does that include you?"
Mirabel looked up startled, if she was honest she didn't even think about it before he mentioned it. She hasn't been let in Casita for five years. But with so many people..who would notice her among them? This was the chance she was waiting for "Of course, you might not see me in crowd but I'll be there. Just don't tell anyone, okay?"
"Why?"
"Because...I want to surprise everyone."
Antonios face lit up as he nodded in understanding "I understand. I won't spoil your surprise. Goodbye Mirabel!" he ran off to in the direction of Pepa calling his name.
Leaning her back against the tree watched him go. This day was getting more and more interesting. Tonight she'll return to her old home. She was startling to realise Alma held control over everyones lives, if she could shatter that she could destroy Alma from the inside. Use Alma's own family against her.
Standing back up she stared at the house in the distance "Enjoy it while it lasts Alma Magridal. You ruined my life with and now you'll lose it all. Lets see how you feel when it's you the family is turning against."
Tonight she will start her revenge.
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Review responses:
KaliAnn: I do agree with you, and thats the message the movie is giving. In the end Abuela realises the true miracle is not some magic gifts but her family. And we will be finding out more on just how the candle works as we go on. Well my opinion on how it works anyway.
Z-King: They would side with the family in fear of angering them they depend on them too much for that.
Avian: Trust me, they will be regretting it.