A/N: Here, have a shameless self-insert.

Also Idk geography, Spanish, nor history. Seriously all I know is the Filipino words I use and even then I don't understand much of my own language. So feel free to correct me if I get anything wrong.

This story is cross-posted from ao3.

Disclaimer: I don't own Encanto.

The boat sways and Blessi is once again reminded of why she hates anything to do with the ocean. She bears with it and tries her best not to empty her stomach on the wooden boards.

The last stop has already passed and America isn't too far away.

She had already made preparations to flee, money was placed in every hidden stitch and a change of clothes in her bag. All of her precious things were there as well as tools to help her earn money. There was also another bag inside just in case it was identified.

There was no such thing as being too cautious. Especially if it involved running away.

But the wait is getting to her. It's gone on for too long that she's second-guessing her decision.

Something unpleasant curls in her gut at the thought of going to a country that colonised hers. Besides, wasn't there a war going on over there? Or was that a decade ago? Even if her Ama was the kindest person she has ever met, she couldn't say that the rest of his family are equally as kind, having never met them. It didn't help that she was born different in all aspects of her identity.

Perhaps America is worse, there are civil wars there too, no?

Not for the first time she wishes she had paid more attention to her history classes.

As she quietly brooded it was announced that they had arrived at their last stop before Spain. She perked up in response and she slipped away from her guard, heart beating frantically.

Adrenaline coursed through her as she mixed in with the people bustling to and from the boat.

Even if she looked at her reflection she would've struggled to see if her pupils had dilated but she was sure they were as wide as they could be.

Quickly, she walked further from the port and to a safe looking secluded alley.

There she changed into a dress and went out just as quickly.

She waved down a kariton and got on.

"Hola Señorita! Where might you be heading?" The man asked her.

"The nearest railway station to Colombia please Señor." She replied tersely, still jittery from actually managing to run away from her escort.

Colombia was the place her dart landed on. It was embarrassing how little she planned on it now that she thought about it.

The man replied but she was too distracted to hear what was said, although soon enough she arrived at her destination. What she was thankful for in this time period was that peso was also used in South America. And luckily she was rich coming from nobility.

'Or well, used to anyway.' She thought moodily. Parts of her clothes weighed heavily with money.

Looking out the window, she began counting trees to pass the time on the train.

Her mind is oddly quiet and countenance serene. A sense of new beginnings rose within her chest in sync with the sunrise the next day.

Hope ignited the candle inside of her that was previously snuffed out.

This time she'll make the best out of her life. She promised once more just like when she first became aware in her youth. It was another start after all.

A/N:

Ama is Filipino for Father

Kariton is wagon