Despite his known hate for physical labor Camilo did consider himself athletic. There was a difference in sports and actual physical labor. In Camilo's opinion, everyone was simply exaggerating the physical labor part. In the best of health, Camilo could go hours playing football in the village square. He'd trip or miss a couple of times. Well, more than a couple of times. Camilo was still getting used to playing with others rather than with Casita gentle throws Camilo was still athletic. He was good at running, jumping and dodging.
As Camilo chased Dolores, he questioned how good he actually was.
Before the chase began, Camilo spent a long time showering the sand off. Finally alone, he let himself think of all that was happening. The cracks. The mysterious vision. When Camilo let himself think of the loss of the gifts (something he tried to avoid.) a sudden sharp, cold filled his chest. Only for a split second. Enough to startle him. He got out of the shower. Camilo then followed Julieta's request. He went to talk to Isabela's room with Dolores. The conversation with Isabela did not end well. Outside Isabela's room there was a tiny crack. Small. Barely an inch. Still there. Camilo felt goosebumps spread across his arms. The siblings made their way back to the dinner room. Dolores suddenly stopped in her tracks.
'HM! I know!' Dolores whispered. They were in front of the Abuela door. Camilo's heart pounded at the idea Dolores knew about the keys. Which would have not been a surprise based on her gift. She probably already knew everything Camilo and Mirabel were up to.
Camilo followed Dolores' gaze. She was looking straight at the nursery. The door was open. Whatever Mirabel and Agustín had been talking about, they were in frozen shock from being caught. Dolores ran off.
Camilo looked at Mirabel for some sort of clarification. Mirabel looked away.
First she yells at me. Then she doesn't show me the vision. Now, she won't even look at me. What did I even do?
Mirabel remained silent. Dolores looked ready to burst from whatever was said in the nursery. Camilo settled his chances of getting information out of his sister.
Dolores was fast. Camilo never knew just how fast his sister was. She made a quick circle around the balcony. Then towards the stairs. Félix came out of the nursery seconds later. Mirabel's mochila in hand. Félix chased after Camilo and Dolores. Camilo was spooked.
I'm in trouble. Whatever Mirabel told him. I am in BIG BIG trouble!
Camilo chased Dolores. In circles. Up and down the stairs. Around corners. Felix did just the same with both of his children. The siblings soon joined forces to avoid their dad completely. Felix was silent through the chase. Whatever Félix was chasing them for, it had to be real bad for him to do it in silence. Felix stopped for a moment to catch his breath.
In a sudden motion, Casita tiles moved. Casita pushed the three towards the center of the house. Dolores and Camilo struggled. They held onto furniture and each other. In the end, the three slammed into each other. Casita pushed the three into the bathroom. The door clicked shut.
The mochila Félix held fell to the floor. Illuminating emerald glass spilled across the bathroom floor.
Dolores squeaked at the sight. She tried to open the door. Casita kept it locked.
Casita was forcing a confrontation.
Félix rapidly put the green glass in the mochila. Camilo picked up a piece. Due to the sharpness Camilo scratched an area of his hand. Not enough to bleed. Camilo turned it.
Is this Tio Bruno's vision? Why does Pa have the Vision?
Before Camilo could make out a detail, Félix went to grab the piece. Camilo jumped out of reach. He almost tripped in the bathtub.
"Camilo. Give it back. Porfavor." Félix said.
Camilo shook his head.
"No Pa. I have something to get off my chest before I get in trouble. Me and Mira-"
"You and Mirabel went to Bruno's room without permission. You found Bruno's last vision." Félix finished the sentence. Yep. That summed it up. How much more did Mirabel tell Félix?
Camilo let in a deep breath. There was more to get off his chest.
"Whatever is in the vision, I swear it's not my fault." The conversation Camilo had with Mirabel resurfaced. Mirabel had said 'Camilo' when he asked what was in the vision. Camilo did not know why he would even be in the vision. Still, Camilo must have been in it somehow for Félix to chase him.
"It's not your fault but you shouldn't be putting the blame on Mirabel." Félix replied.
There was deep confusion.
"Why would I blame Mirabel?" Camilo asked.
"You don't know what's in the vision?" Félix raised an eyebrow.
No. Camilo did not know what was in vision. Apparently it was sooooooo bad, Camilo was not allowed to see it. Yet, Félix and Agustín - both who told their wives everything - saw it before Camilo. Camilo who had risked getting in trouble by stealing the keys. Camilo who almost killed himself by climbing half the tower in a damn binder like an idiot. (Well…Mirabel may have forgotten Camilo was even wearing it. He forgotten that you weren't supposed to exercise in it too.) Most importantly, Camilo who was actually kinda good at secrets.
Yes, Mirabel was clever and much more motivated than Camilo ever was. Mirabel still had almost died three times in Bruno's tower.
I don't want there ever to be a fourth time.
Camilo has gotten angry at his cousin in the past. Never over something this serious. Camilo never wanted to be angry with Mirabel. Still, Camilo felt a new strange type of emotion rise in him. He didn't like it one bit
"No." Camilo settled on a response before he bursted into much ruder words. Camilo looked at Dolores. She remained silent.
"Please, Papi. Can I at least know what's in it? Mirabel said she was going to show me anyway." Camilo did his best puppy eyes.
Félix turned the door handle. It opened. Félix looked around the halls to make sure no one was around.
"Venga." Félix whispered.
Camilo did not know where Félix would lead them. He didn't think it would be his own room. Camilo's room was still a mess. The walls were foggy, gray. The patterned details were unmakeable. There was ash on the floor.
Wait, why is my favorite shirt burnt? Oh…I'm an idiot for not cleaning my room. They know about the fireworks I stole.
"What I'm going to show you does not leave this room. Promesa." Félix Said.
"Promeso."
Félix poured the green glass on the unmade bed. He was having a bit of trouble piecing the vision on his own. Camilo joined in. Camilo wished for a reality where he did this with Mirabel. Not with his dad because Casita forced them. Dolores may not have been helping them but she was part of this willingly or not. Camilo hoped Dolores not running off meant she was here willingly.
The vision was finished.
Mirabel in front of a cracked Casita.
"Shit." Camilo cursed.
Camilo now understood why Mirabel freaked. To see she had something to do with it with the cracks. The fading gifts. Camilo broke out into cold sweat.
"Well this isn't good." Camilo said.
"I would say watch your language but I said the same thing. I hate to sound like your abuela but we have to let this dinner go perfect. Then we all group up, point fingers and discuss what to do from there." Félix told Camilo.
The proposal had to go perfectly. Dolores and Camilo looked at each other. The conversation with Isabela repeated in their minds.
Félix patted the bed. A signal for Dolores and Camilo to sit down. Camilo didn't want to sit because he couldn't stay still. Camilo followed the request. He sat. Dolores did too. Félix knelt down to the level of his kids. He took both of his children's hands. He may not have been aware just how tight his clutch was.
"I won't lie to you. You are old enough for me to be honest. There is a high chance something is going to happen. To Casita. To your gifts. In the end, I'm going to be there for you both in whatever happens. Antonio and your Mami too. Everything is going to be okay in the end. I'll fight anyone to make sure it does. Even someone as old as Abuela. Lo juro." Félix said in a soft voice.
Camilo's heart pounded. The usual conversations with his dad usually were not serious. Mostly full of Camilo finding new ways to annoy his dad. When they were serious, it was always when Camilo felt at his worst. Félix must have noticed just how bad the nerves were. Camilo's eyes watered. Camilo wiped his tears. He wasn't going to cry.
I'll ruin the dinner table by coming covered in snot.
Félix was wrong. The proposal was going to go well. They would solve the mystery. Casita would not crack. The gift would not fade. The random coldness Camilo felt before was just his Mami weather gift. Everything was going to wrap up in a merry bow.
Félix was still being a realist. True to his kids. There was a high chance their lives were going to crumble. They may face a bad change and they need to prepare. As a dad, Félix reminded his kids that they had each other. Especially him.
Camilo felt the embrace from two people. Dolores and Félix were hugging him. Camilo had begun to cry. Why did this all have to happen now? Yes, they had eachother but why couldn't it happen in like seventy years for the next generation to deal with.
Great, now I'm definitely coming to the table covered in snot.
Dolores pulled away .
"Marco gave Pa something for you. Maybe that will cheer you up." Dolores said in her usual whispered tone. A smile on her face. The waver in her voice, proof she was on the verge of tears.
Marco? Camilo had not heard from Marco in a while.
Félix dug through his pocket. He forgot about the letter. The envelope was crushed. Camilo didn't mind. He needed good news.
Dolores stopped Camilo from opening it.
"Maybe it's better to open after dinner. Marco didn't want Pa hearing it." Dolores smiled.
Félix cursed under his breath. He wanted to know what it said. Félix would make it a new life mission to know. It only motivated Camilo to never tell.
"What are we going to do about the vision? We can't just have it lying around." Camilo said. The vision felt much brighter against the bright red blanket.
"This is actually why I came here. I want you to hide it in the maze." Félix suggested.
Camilo's room was big but normal for the most part. Drawers, a big bed, a stage with rows of seats, and a bookshelf. The wallpapers seemed to be the only real magic part but that made most people too dizzy to enter. What really showed Camilo's gift was the door that led to a maze of mirrors. It may have been to test just how accurately Camilo could shapeshift without a perfect reflection. It became more of a maze he went through when bored. The kids during ceremonies liked to enter the room because of it. They would always get lost. Camilo was the only one who could navigate it properly. Camilo nodded. He knew where he would hide it.
Camilo hid Bruno's vision in the center of the maze.
It took a good five minutes for Camilo to exit. Félix and Dolores stood by the door. Dolores passed Camilo a tissue to blow his runny nose. She dabbed the mascara that was running down her face.
Did Dolores start crying when I left?
"I always have extra mascara if you need it." Camilo smiled.
"You mean the one you stole from me?" Dolores smiled back.
"I don't know what you're talking about. You know my room randomly manifests copies of things."
"Strange how I never heard of that before now and I hear everything." Dolores pointed at her ear.
Félix took both his children by the shoulder and led them outside.
"You can tear eachother apart about the mascara later. It's time for dinner!"
Before entering the actual dinner area, Félix huddled the three in a circle.
"We are going to sit next to each other. I'll get Agustín and Mirabel with us too. Let the others do the talking. Enjoy the food. Right now, I could care less about this proposal. I care more about you two. Let's keep out of trouble."
When Félix ran off to chase his kids the sounds of loud footsteps pacing back and filled the air. Surprisingly, no one else heard. Maybe the other family members did but guessed the kids were having fun with their dad. It would have been a funny sight to witness if not aware of the given situation.
Casita's tiles dragged the three to the bathroom. The door lock clicked. They either closed it or Casita trapped them in
"You think everything is going to be okay in there?" Mirabel asked Agustín.
Agustín nodded. He finally let go of Mirabel's shoulders. Agustín's had not realized his clutch was tight due to his nerves. Mirabel rolled her cramped shoulders. In the action Mirabel became very aware of the sweat that covered her. The chores took longer than expected. Mirabel was surprised that Félix and Agustín were not drenched in bodies were probably used to the chores. Maybe they did have a gift after all. Mirabel hoped to stop for a quick shower. Now Camilo, Dolores and Félix were locked in the bathroom against their wills.
"How long do you think they will be in there?" Mirabel voiced her concern. She silently cursed at Casita.
The door opened about three minutes later. Félix looked around corners. He then guided his children across the hall. They disappeared into Camilo's room.
He's going to show them the vision.
Mirabel felt dizzy. She excused herself. Agustín asked if everything was okay. Mirabel nodded. Mirabel knew everything was not going to be okay for her. Mirabel could only hope the rest of the familia would be okay.
Mirabel went to shower. She was finally alone. She could finally let herself think about what was happening in peace.
While on the balcony, Camilo made eye contact for a split second. His emotions were always easy to read. Ever since they split ways, it became hard. It made Mirabel question a lot of Camilo's previous reactions in general. He was always good at acting. Camilo was also a very true person.
Was Camilo mad about not piecing the vision together as promised? Mirabel did not forget the promise. In the spur of the moment, Mirabel let Agustín and Felix be the first to see. Mirabel feared their reactions. There was a moment of regret. In the end it proved to be a smart move. Agustín and Félix were set in protecting the both of them. The cousin needed all the back up they could get. They needed more family members willing to acknowledge what was happening.
What were they acknowledging exactly though?
Casita was going to break
The gifts may fade.
Mirabel right in the center of it all. The blame would all be placed on her.
Mirabel felt a burning heat in her chest that spread. A panic filled her.
Mama told me not to focus on the cracks. Maybe she was right.
No!
Mirabel Valentina Rojas Madrigal! You are saving the miracle! Camilo and you are best friends. Well…not as close as before to say best friends but We. Are. Friends. Camilo would never turn on you. Papa and Tio Félix are on your side. Tio Félix would keep Dolores mouth shut.
The water turned off. Casita signaled that the dinner was to start soon.
The clothing Mirabel usually wore was covered in sweat. There was no time to wash and dry it. Mirabel would have to wear something else for the dinner. Mirabel changed into the cleanest and well scented clothing she had. A simple white shirt, blue skirt and orange jacket she had gotten from Agustín. Mirabel didn't like how simple the outfit was. It was better than stinking at the dinner table.
Everyone was already seated at the table when she walked in the room. Mirabel already ruined the perfect night by being late. Of course it would be her of all people.
Mirabel took a second to look at everyone at the table. The elaborate clothing that showed off the family members' gifts. Mirabel helped the village tailor design the outfits. Mirabel worked hard on her own outfit too. She wanted to show just how proud she was of her amazing family. How much she loved them. Mirabel also wanted to stand out. The embroidery in her clothes were done by hand all on her own. It took weeks of little to no sleep. The tailor would kick Mirabel out of the shop multiple times. Mirabel's fingers were now scarred and crooked from working on both her familia's clothing and her own. In the plain clothes, Mirabel still stood out. She was the outsider in plain clothing. Mirabel let go of the long conflicted feeling.
An open seat near Abuela was the only one left. Mirabel's heart dropped. What saved it was that everyone who knew about the vision was on the same side of the table.
Mirabel sat down. Abuela and Senora Guzmán were the ones to lead the conversations. There was input from Mariano. Simple two word responses from Isabela. It became apparent how silent Mirabel's side of the table was. Not a single word out their mouths.
Camilo (who usually finished his food first. Then asked for seconds) had not touched his food. He was sitting on his hands to stop fidgeting. Still, Camilo's leg bounced up and down. It was noticeable.
Dolores nervous tip tap of her nails on the glass of wine were much to loud.
Félix and Pepa were having some sort of invisible conversation. Pepa's face showed confusion on why her husband and kids were on the other side of the table. Far away from her. Félix pointed at Camilo. Félix tried to imply he was making sure Camilo didn't act up at the dinner table. Camilo in return gave his dad an accusing look. Camilo looked at his mom and waved. A mischievous smile on his face. Camilo reaction set the tone he had a prank to play during the dinner. Thankfully, Félix found out. He was being a responsible dad. It was not a valid excuse why they all separated from her. A cloud formed. Pepa never stormed at Félix.
"Pepa! You have a cloud." Abuela's usual statement towards her daughter.
Pepa soothed her ponytails. The motto 'clear skies ' repeated a couple of times. Pepa managed to calm herself. The temperature was still chilly. Even in her jacket, Mirabel shivered. Her soup became cold.
'Sorry' Félix mouthed.
Pepa took a big sip of Julieta's wine.
Senora Guzmán did not mind the soup being cold. It was her prefered temperature. She went to take another sip. Senora Guzmán let out a loud scream that made everyone jump. In her soup, a giant beetle.
"Oh that's where the beetle was! I was wondering the whole time." Antonio spoke for the first time during the entire dinner. He radiated with happiness at the discovery.
The beetle walked across the table. It avoided the food. Yet because it was in the soup the table did get wet. It climbed into Antono's hand.
"It was playing hide and seek. Telling me to find it the whole time."
The beetle began to ooze.
"Oh, it says it's having babies. Where do babies come from?" Antonio said with confusion in his voice.
Everyone pushed their plates away. Appetite completely lost.
"Toñito. Maybe you can put your new friend elsewhere." Abuela said between her teeth. Abuela was losing her patience. The dinner was going downhill.
Antonio nodded. He muttered quiet words to the beetle. He stood up to take it outside. Dolores shot up saying she would watch over him. Pepa stood seconds later to help.
"NO!" Mirabel shouted.
Everyone looked at Mirabel
"Noooo…..way we should let that ruin the proposal." Mirabel added onto her statement.
"Well! We were hoping to finish the food. Then my Mariano wanted to begin with a song." Senora Guzmán looked at her son with pride.
"Yes. We all lost our appetite because of the lovely experience of childbirth. Maybe we can hurry that song. Right dad?" Mirabel bumped her elbow at Agustín.
Nerves took over Agustín at Julieta's stare.
Don't burst. Don't burst. I'm already worried for Dolores and Tia Pepa.
"Yes! A song!" Was all Agustín could manage to say.
Julieta appeared upset at the response. Agustín took a big sip of his own wine.
Mirabel heard something. Small but enough that it overwhelmed her senses. Mirabel looked down. There was a crack next to Agustín's feet.
"Maybe you're right! Luisa! Bring over the piano please." Senora Guzmán clapped in excitent.
Luisa whimpered.
Weird. Luisa hasn't picked up or drank from her juice…NO! There is no way she lost her gift now out of all time!
"Why don't you play an instrument yourself? Isn't that so romantic." Camilo finally spoke. Camilo pretended to swoon but the words sounded like acid on his tongue.
Julieta looked at Camilo with a frown. Isabela glared at Camilo.
Why?
Mirabel noticed something close to Camilo. Another crack. Camilo followed her gaze. He noticed the crack too. Camilo began to shapeshift super quickly from Mirabel to Bruno. Luckily the Bruno form was fast enough no one noticed who it was. Camilo ended up with a lopsided face. The Guzmáns were horrified.
"Camilo. Fix your face." Félix said.
Camilo shook it away. His face returned back to normal.
"Dolores has like a million instruments in her room. I should steal one from her." Camilo shot up from his seat. A big smile on his face that showed his gap tooth.
"No stealing Camilo. We are just being our honest selves here." Abuela said.
The words made the smile on Camilo's face drop.
"He's just joking Alma. Lighten up." Mariano said.
Abuela did not lighten up.
Camilo left the dinner table to get the guitar.
Pepa is outside with Dolores. Camilo is outside now. This isn't going to end well.
About fifteen minutes passed when Camilo returned with Dolores behind him. No Pepa or Antonio. The siblings were visibly pale and upset. Whatever happened during those fifteen minutes. It had not been good.
Dolores was hesitant to hand her guitar over to Mariano. Mariano strummed the guitar to get used to the feel. A horrible unpitched tune followed
"This sounds like the worst moment to admit this but I don't know how to tune a guitar." Mariano admitted with an awkward laugh.
Dolores snatched the guitar from Mariano. It appeared she was going to return the guitar to her room before Mariano damaged it. Maybe she actually did. Still, Dolores sat down to tune the guitar herself.
The horrible pitch turned into a perfect melody. Dolores strummed a lovely little song to make sure it was completely tuned. It filled the silence of Casita with calmness. What was needed. Everyone clapped. Dolores shifted in her seat from the sudden attention.
"Where did you learn to play like that?" Mariano broke the silence.
"It helped differentiate the types of sounds." Dolores pointed at her ears.
"You're very good at it. You should probably give lessons. I'd love to have one." Mariano continued his praise.
"I enjoy playing instruments but I don't think I can handle as many people at once." Dolores whispered.
"It doesn't have to be all at one. You can always start sma-"
There was a cough from Senora Guzmán. The conversation could happen after the proposal.
Mariano took the guitar from Dolores. He began to strum a lovely melody. Not as beautiful as Dolores but enough to draw everyone in. Everyone expected a beautiful voice to follow. A screeching horrible singing voice came from Mariano. He sang of flowers, birds and his love for the perfect Isabela. Everyone in the room resisted covering their ears. A forced smile on their faces. Abuela looked horrified. There was forced clapping in the end. False compliments how talented Mariano was. Senora Guzmán was the only one amazed by her son's talent.
Mariano knelt down onto one knee. He pulled out the wedding ring.
"Isabela. The most perfect of flowers. The most graceful. Will You. Marry. Me?"
There was a long moment of silence. All breaths held in.
Isabela's smile became so big it looked like it hurt. Isabels let out tears.
"I do!" Isabela hugged Mariano. Always a hug. Never a kiss. It was like Isabela was saving it for marriage.
From the outside someone opened the window. As if they had been eavesdropping the whole time.
A crowd with a banner of the same words yelled out "Felicidades !"
The dinner had been chaotic but the proposal was a success. They were spared from the vision for one more night.
Seconds later the window frame fell from it's handle
A/N : I guess this is where the story truly takes a turn. Im also on archive of our own by the user enchanto. If you want to comment on the story there I can reply to the comments with more insight on the story. Though no spoilers. Only small hints.
Comments are really appreciated because they keep me going. More aware of what others think so I can take the story in a better direction.