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Mirabel watched the sunset from the hayloft of the barn, it'll be starting soon. She was forming in a plan in her mind, if this was going to work she needed a strategy. Something effective but not too obvious. Going straight for the candle wouldn't work she realised that now so she had to find another way. The family was used for their gifts..it was their work that kept the miracle burning. But what if they were to rebel? One by one convince them that it's wrong, convert them to her side. Make them realise what the miracle is really doing to them.
Really they should all thank her, she's doing them all a favour. Freeing them from their enslavement, ending the curse once and for all. They'll be free, free to be whatever they want to be. Their lives were decided for them, they didn't get a choice. Any other dreams they might have had are gone once they open that door. Mirabel wondered what her life would of been like if she did get a gift, would she just be another slave catering to the whims of the whole town? Mirabel do this, Mirabel do that. Couldn't anyone in this town function by themselves?
Looking out she saw people where starting to head towards Casita, looks like it was time. Slowly she made her way down from the loft and headed out pulling her hood over her head. Don't stand out just blend in. Thats what she kept telling herself. Just blend in. Slipping in amongst the crowd she entered Casita unnoticed. For Mirabel it was like stepping back in time, back to that night. The night that changed everything. Everything was the same, from the way the bunting was hung to the way the town was gathered. Gathering herself she found a place to stand where she had full view but no one would see her.
"Welcome everyone to Antonio Madrigal's gift ceremony. This is an exciting day for us all." Alma called from the stairs "Tonight our miracle will grow stronger."
Mirabel didn't join in with the cheering of the crowd, instead keeping her gaze fixed on where she knew Antonio would be entering. She hoped for his sake tonight went well, despite her plans to destroy the magic he should be spared from the same treatment she got. He'll understand once the magic is gone it's for the best.
She watched as Pepa,Félix, Camilo and Dolores filed past all wearing matching yellow clothing. Not long now. Mirabel couldn't help notice how uncomfortable Dolores looked. Ah, the noise Mirabel thought tonight will be quite the overload my dear prima. You won't last till the end. That's when it hit Mirabel, she knew at some point Dolores would step out and go to her room once the sound gets too much. That would be her chance. Wait, follow her out for a little chat. Plant that doubt in her mind about if the miracle is really helping them.. Make her question if her gift really is a gift. Dolores she knew from her observations was the vulnerable element in the family.
A hush fell over the crowd as Antonio entered, standing there he gulped when he saw just many people were waiting. He looked around at the gathered people his face lighting up when he caught sight of Mirabel.
Shoot hope he doesn't give me away Mirabel thought. Thinking quickly she placed a finger on her lips telling him smiling as he did it return. Giving him two thumbs up she nodded for him to go. Hurry before they look and see me.
"Antonio come up." Alma called waiting by the glowing door.
Mirabel watched as he made his way up, she couldn't help but picture it in her mind. Herself walking up there, seeing the love on Alma's face, touching the candle, reaching out for that door...
Snapping back to reality she watched as Antonio grabbed his doorknob and turning it. Mirabel felt a pang of jealousy as instead of fading it glowed more. A toucan landed on Antonio's shoulder and squawked.
"Uh huh, I can understand you." more squawking "Of course they can come!"
Mirabel jumping back startled as more animals surged past and up the stairs. Antonio's name appeared on top of the door alongside the the image of Antonio surrounded by animals. It worked. It was just her.
"We have a new gift!" Alma cried with relief, now she could prove it was just Mirabel. The magic is fine. It was Mirabel that had something wrong with her.
The gathered townspeople began to follow the family to see the new room, Mirabel wasn't originally planning on going in but she had to admit she was curious. Entering the room she wouldn't lie was impressed. The room was a whole rainforest , a private sanctuary just for Antonio's animal friends with a waterfall and everything. It was a far cry from the old donkey stall she was forced to sleep in though that wasn't hard even the nursery was better than that. Mirabel seethed at the injustice of it all. It wasn't fair..it wasn't fair. To rub it in further she watched as the family gathered for a picture each showing off their gifts.
"Let's celebrate!"
Mirabel hung back as everyone else began dancing. Waiting, she scanned the room searching for Dolores. Finding her she noticed her cousin slowly edging further away from the people and closer towards the door.
"What is wrong Dolores?" Pepa asked.
"It's...to much..." Dolores answered placing her hands over his ears "I need to step out a moment."
"Of course. Go to your room for a bit, I'll come check on you later."
Now was Mirabel's chance. She wasn't going to hurt anyone she was just going to have a chat with her cousin, that's all.
Mirabel followed Dolores out of the room the same way she entered-unnoticed.
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Dolores was alone in the courtyard, at least thats what she thought as she slowly made her way to her own room aware of the figure trailing behind her. Entering her room and closing the door she sighed with the instant relief. With everything so quiet she couldn't not notice her door open. Turned to look she was startled to see a purple hooded figure enter head down "Who-"
Mirabel lowered her hood down and rose her head meeting Dolores in the eyes "Hello my dear prima. It has been a while hasn't it?"
"Mirabel what are you doing here? You know you're not supposed to be anywhere near the Casita." Dolores hadn't been this close to Mirabel since that breakfast all those years ago, her sudden appearance left her shocked.
"The invitation was for the whole town wasn't it? Am I not included in that? I wanted to see my primo get his gift. No harm in that surely? Talking to animals what a wonderful gift. I am happy for him really I am."
"Have you been here this whole time?"
Mirabel gave a satisfied nod "And I haven't been thrown out have I? If Casita wanted me out I would of been out that door and back at the barn by now. But let's not talk about that. I'm here to talk about you."
"Me?"
"Of course." Mirabel sat down on Dolores's bed pulling the older girl down with her "I couldn't help but notice all that noise was really getting to you. I came to see if you were okay." putting an arm around her in comfort "No one else seemed to care, they would rather have fun even if it's at the expense of your comfort in your own home."
Dolores didn't know how to respond to that shifting slightly feeling Mirabel's touch "I-I'm fine." she lied.
"No,no you're not. It's okay you can be honest with me. You're miserable ain't you? No one understands you do they? They think the gift of super hearing it's wonderful but they don't understand, do they? If you want peace to have to isolate in your room so you don't have to hear the floor being swept on the other side of town."
"Everything is so loud...all the time. Some days I just want to hide away and not come out. But Abuela wouldn't stand for it." Dolores admitted, she never expected to have this one on one with Mirabel of all people but she was so relieved to have finally found someone who knows what she really felt.
"And Abuela only acknowledges you when she needs your gift doesn't she? When was the last time she told you she loved you? Spent time with you just bonding?"
"She..spends all her time focusing on Isabela."
Mirabel tutted "I see, Isabela gets it all while you're on the side digging for the scraps. You'll never be good enough for her, you'll be always living in the shadow of Señorita Perfecta. You deserve so much more than what you got." she stood up "But that's just my thoughts on the matter, if you're happy being nothing more than Abuela's gossip source than who am I telling you how to live your life."
Something in Dolores's eyes broke, Mirabel knew she had hit a nerve "I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you-" she forced back the smile that was forming.
"No...it's..fine.." Dolores forced out.
"Are you sure? I sure do feel bad. Well if you ever need to vent you know where you can find me." she began walking back towards the door stopping with her hand on the knob "Actually, Dolores. I want one small favour from you."
Dolores's eyes widened "If you want me to try and get you back in here just so you know I can't-"
Mirabel laughed "Oh no no, nothing like that. I am just hoping you can go get my mother. I just want to see her, just for a couple minutes while everyone else is distracted."
Dolores knew Mirabel was playing a dangerous game by sticking around, she also knew if Alma found out Dolores knew Mirabel was here and didn't say anything the elderly woman's fury would make one of Pepa's storms look like a gentle breeze. "But..you know what Abuela thinks of you..are you sure?"
"What Abuela doesn't know won't hurt her. Besides she wouldn't dare cause a scene in front of everyone. She's too prideful for that."
Dolores took a deep breath "Ok...I'll get Tía Julieta as long as after tonight you never come back."
"Thank you, prima. Tell her I'm in the nursery. And make sure she isn't followed of course."
Dolores watched stunned as Mirabel left the room. What was she doing here? Was she up to something? Not that she minded her being here she missed her so much before Mirabel's ceremony they were so close Dolores would never admit it aloud but while she loved all her primas she had a special spot in her heart for Mirabel and her banishment from the family devastated her. And here she was a little child no longer but Dolores knew Mirabel's appearance meant she wanted something. She knew it was time.
Sighing she stood up from her bed and returned to the party where she found Julieta talking with one of their guests "Tía Julieta? I need to speak with you for a moment. It's urgent."
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Julieta rushed towards the nursery, she couldn't believe it when Dolores pulled her aside and informed her that her daughter was waiting for her. Half of her wanted to lecture Mirabel for doing something so reckless like this and the other half just wanted to scoop her up and hide her away in her room, never let her go again. Reaching the nursery she called out "Mirabel?"
Mirabel had her back turned, at the sound of the voice she turned around a genuine smile on her face "Mamá" she whispered as Julieta threw her arms around her "I missed you Mamá."
"I missed you too mi mariposita, more and more everyday." Julieta sobbed into her daughters hair "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you."
"It wasn't your fault, Mamá. I know you tried to fight for me."
"Not enough, maybe if I fought harder you would still be here with me." Julieta's tears had turned into full sobs.
Mirabel closed her eyes "Limpia tus lágrimas, Mamá" could no one else see the suffering the magic causes? Don't worry Mamá I won't just destroy the miracle for me, but for you too. I'll do it for you Mamá I'll set you free.
"Oh my baby...you're so thin..you need proper meals..oh I'm so sorry I can't do more."
Mirabel shook her head "You help me eat that's the main thing, I don't starve."
Julieta caressed her daughters cheek "You sleep in that barn..are you warm enough in there of a night? Do you need me to bring you some more blankets?"
"I'm fine, Mamá. The Pérezs treat me well."
"I'm glad." Julieta pulled a piece of straw out of Mirabel's hair "But it's not right..it's just not right...you shouldn't even be out there."
Mirabel sighed "It's all because of Abuela and her stupid candle-"
"Julieta!"
Mirabel and Juileta pulled apart startled.
"Julieta! Where did you go?"
"Tía Pepa is coming. I should go now. Te quiero, Mamá" Mirabel gave her mother one final hug.
"Yes, you better go quick." Juileta planted a kiss on Mirabel's forehead "Te quiero."
Mirabel didn't want risk going out the window, it was a long drop and she wasn't sure if Casita would help her or just let her plummet to her death. She pulled her hood back up and darted out the door only to run smack bang into Pepa.
Pepa stopped in shock "Mirabel? What are you...how did you.."
The sound of cracking made both turn, they watched as cracks spread along the walls.
A cloud was forming as Pepa whirled back to Mirabel "What did you do?! You here to ruin my baby's night? Get out! Never come back! You..you..demonio!"
Without a word Mirabel sprinted down the stairs and out of the doors of Casita. She pushed her luck too far. But still she got a precious few moments with her mother. She paused at the bottom of the hill and looked back, she did accomplish something tonight. She gave Dolores something to think about at least. Dolores wasn't stupid she'll realise soon enough and Alma will be forced to watch as one by one she lost control.
She blindly stumbled back to the barn cursing her awful vision under her breath and thanking the fireworks that lit up her surroundings briefly enough to know she was on the right path. Relieved once she finally entered the barn doors safely she retreated to her blankets a smile on her face.
The only thing on her mind was the downfall of Alma Madrigal.
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"Pepa..please.." Juileta begged "I just wanted to see her."
"You knew she was here! You knew that monster was here and you expect me to keep your little secret?" Pepa had dragged Julieta into her room after she came running out of the nursery as Mirabel was fleeing.
Juileta was in tears "She's not a monster, she's my daughter. She wasn't here to ruin Antonio's night she was here to see me. Please Pepa I beg of you, I just gave her a hug and told her I loved her. That's all she was leaving when she ran into you."
Pepa paced the room hands in the air "Honestly, Juileta the whole point of sending her away was the keep her away. Not have her wander around the house. Did you see the cracks? She caused that! Crack by crack she will destroy us!"
"What if it was Dolores that was sent away? Or Camilo or Antonio? Would you not want the same? Please Pepa, I'm begging you as your hermana. As a fellow mother. Let me have this moment."
Pepa folded her arms and stamped her foot "Fine. I'll keep your little secret just this once it's too late to turn back anyway-BUT." she pointed a finger at Juileta "If Mamá finds out, you're on your own. You made the bed, you lay in it."
"Gracias, Pepa. Mamá won't find out, why would she?"
Pepa placed both hands on Juileta's shoulders "Just be careful Juli, I don't want you to get hurt." in her heart Pepa understood. Mirabel was Julieta's daughter but when Pepa saw Mirabel all she could feel was fear. The cracks..Mirabel had returned and cracks were forming. Was this it? The beginning of the end?
"Mirabel would never hurt me." Juileta replied firmly "All she ever wanted was to be loved and this family failed her." without another word she left the room.
Shaking her head Pepa followed as she caught up "Listen, we must return to the party. Mamá will suspect something if she notices you missing. If she hasn't already."
"I know...let's go."
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Review Responses:
KaliAnn: Can't really blame Antonio for not believing it. He sees the family as warm, loving and happy. The town sings their praises. Mirabel's story is the complete opposite of all that.
Luiz4200: Mirabel does feel kinda bad knowing she plans to take all the magic away, but she really does believe it's for the best and everyone will be happier in the end.
idle. ermine: I agree that's why I was so interested in taking it and putting my own twist on it. I stumbled across it randomly. I'm doing some things different than the original creator as I don't want to exactly copy.