So after many hours spent in the land of Hyrule - we go on with the show.

I'm worried about Tuli, Bruno has given himself a hangover, Pepa's getting to be quite the cook, Mirabel is still attracting strangers, Napkin folding is apparently a thing, and I've let another OC wander in... Really gotta stop doing that.

Note: There are references to suicide by both a living character and one I made up much earlier in this fic. Heads up for that.

Chismes Armados

(Weaponized Gossip)

'I look ugly' Tuli thought as she looked at herself in the mirror in Isabela's bedroom. The light-yellow shirt and brown pants fit really well, but now she wanted to cry. She closed her eyes and took a step back to keep herself from hitting her reflection. She thought about the dress Isabela had brought, just in case Tuli changed her mind. She opened her eyes and looked over at it. The dress was draped over the foot of the bed, and it was so beautiful, and she realized it was a lot like the dress she'd seen on one of the flower statues Isa had shown her earlier. She grabbed her locket, though she didn't want her Tío to be angry, the stress of hiding was just getting too much to bear. The more she thought about it, the more she thought if her Tío did see her in these clothes, the more likely he'd keep calling her Paola and that made Tuli just a touch angry.

Tuli looked over at Isa and wondered. She had said that she'd had to pretend to be someone she wasn't either, and Tuli wondered if she was pretending now. Probably not, all the Madrigals were such good people, they'd all been so very kind. No one demanded she stop being who she was, and just that thought gave her some peace as she looked at her reflection again. She could see nothing but her frown and came to a decision. She was tired of being sad and ashamed all the time, and she would no longer hide who she really was. Mirabel had shown her that hope. It was so tiny... but then Bubo said it was okay for her to be her. Maybe her Tío would find a way too. But that was only if she could stay here with the Madrigals. It could happen, she thought, even if everyone around her told her it was wrong. Even if they hated her, she was going to be the girl she knew she was. This self-admission calmed her, and a small smile crept onto her face.

Isabela, who had been sitting at the desk on the other side of the room, was watching her. She'd already put away the journal she'd been writing in and had closed the large book of plants she'd been reading. After they'd cleaned up, Isa put on the clothes that Tuli had seen her in the day before, and strangely did not look at all uncomfortable in the pants and shirt. But Tuli suspected that Isa was one of those people who was always comfortable. Her hair was no longer in that long braid but was wound up on the top of her head and was being held in place with a pretty green and yellow scarf, like the kind her prima Dolores wore. Isabela told her she was actually jealous of Dolores's curls and wished she could have hair like hers. Tuli thought it was cute and wondered what she would look like if she tried something like that.

"Isabela?"

"Yeah, Tuli?" Isa replied.

"I changed my mind. Can you please help me?"

"Of course," Isabela said and came over behind her. She leaned in and asked the Tuli in the mirror, "Would you like me to fix up your hair?"

Tuli smiled and let go of her locket as she replied, "Yes, like yours, please."

Isabela gave her shoulders a squeeze and said, "Great, I'm gonna run to Mira's room and get another scarf. I bet she has one that will match your eyes, be right back." She went out the door and Tuli felt strangely calm because she knew in her heart that if she did have to go back to Bogotá, she would never make it there. She was going to stay in this place, one way or the other.

After speaking to his Tío, Bubo took a really deep breath. He noticed Mariano waving to him and started in that direction. He really wanted to know what his friend had planned for that evening. Just thinking about it was making him a bit more nervous than he anticipated, but he was stopped by one of his Tío's companions. Rodrigo Iguarán, was one of Bubo's many cousins, and he asked in almost a whisper, "Bubo, is there really magic in this town?"

"Yes, there really is."

"So amazing, even after our Abuelas stories, I never thought I'd come across such a place."

"I know how you feel, Rodrigo. It is an unusually peaceful place considering everything going on in the country."

Rodrigo nodded and said, "Maybe I'll stay for a while once we're done with all this. I'll have time since the University is closed."

"They closed it?" Bubo asked, remembering that Mirabel said her sisters were planning to go to school in Bogotá. He would need to tell Señora Julieta about this.

"Yes, and they haven't given a date for reopening. So when you do go back, you may have to go to the University in Cartagena. That is still open and accepting students displaced by the violence in Bogotá. But the thing I wanted to tell you, Bubo, is that José has been dropping hints that he may be moving to Barranquilla."

"Really, when?"

"Not sure, but I heard he's gotten a job offer from the El Heraldo newspaper to work as a columnist and reporter."

"That's amazing," Bubo said.

"He'll do well," Rodrigo said, "It's what he's been working toward."

"But, I'm guessing, that's on hold."

Rodrigo nodded. "Tuli's disappearance really threw him for a loop. He was angry for about a half a minute, then called a bunch of us and immediately began the search, but Tuli just up and vanished."

Mariano came over then and Bubo introduced him and explained that Rodrigo was from his hometown. That he was a third or maybe second cousin, but Bubo couldn't remember which it was, and that he had always been a friend of his Tío.

"It's third cousin," Rodrigo said after ticking something off on his fingers, "There are a lot of the Márquez and Iguarán family in Aracataca. Believe me, it can get confusing. Gabi... I mean, José is no exception to that," his eyes wandered toward his own group. Someone waving caught his eye and he added, "Ah, it seems I am being summoned. It was a pleasure meeting you, Señor Mariano. I'll put in the good word, Bubo," he said, then turned and went over to where his group was gathered.

Mariano waited until Rodrigo had moved out of earshot and said, "Thought I'd fill you in about what Camilo and Dolores told me about a few of the more interesting people in this group," Mariano then proceeded to say that most of the folks were from a small-town outside of Bogotá. There were a few displaced farmers, but when he told him about Señora Vargas and her son Miguel Rodriguez, Bubo became concerned for Tuli. This was the last thing he needed, but realized his Tío probably already knew about this, and he relaxed a little, then tensed up again, remembering his prior outburst. His thoughts were interrupted when Mariano asked, "So, do you think you were able to sway your uncle?"

"Maybe. What I really wish is that I could take back the nonsense that came out of my mouth earlier."

"What's done is done, Bubo. It'll work out," Mariano said.

"For Tuli's sake, I truly hope so."

Bruno started awake from a dreamless sleep to find Pepa sitting beside him. She was sorting through some old photos, making piles on the small table next to her. He flicked aside his blanket, and this set his hammock to gently rocking. Bruno fought the urge to go back to sleep and took a deep breath. Creating that many vision tablets was just stupid. He'd been so careful, up to now, not to do that. He sighed and said, "Pep, where's Tuli?"

"In Isabela's room," Pepa replied as she smiled at the photos. She turned to him and asked, "How are you doing?"

"I'm better," Bruno said, then tried to sit up and immediately laid back, squeezing his eyes shut and added, "or not." The stabbing pain behind his eyes was making even small head movements very problematical.

"You're not going anywhere, hermanito," Pepa said as her cloud formed briefly then winked out. "Why did you do that? You know what it does to you."

"I don't have a good answer for that," Bruno said. He wasn't really in the mood to be scolded but Pepa would just keep asking, so he added, "I lost track of what I thought I was trying to do and just kept doing it." He felt something moving at his feet, followed by several squeaks. He noticed Tino, Fura and Maria waiting at the end of the hammock. The other rats were arranged in their cubbies, strangely silent. Like they were at a funeral.

"Which one is this?" Pepa asked as she pointed out the rat that was hanging higher on the ropes.

"That's Tino, why?"

"Thought so, Tino is the one Dolores said came for Toni. He's been in and out several times since you laid down."

Bruno waggled a finger at the rat and said, "So Toni's keeping tabs on the situation, Tino?"

The rat let out an almost happy squeak as Pepa nodded and said, "On the quarter-hour."

Fura came forward and set about scolding him as she groomed his beard, and Pepa said, "This one's been a nervous wreck since you didn't wake up when she was pulling at your hair. Thankfully, she's also been keeping your rat army at bay while you slept."

Bruno looked at the rat. Fura was squeaking up a storm, and Bruno smiled, "I'm sorry if I worried you, Fura." He said as he stroked the top of her head. Maria squeaked, and Bruno reached out and pet her as well. "You too, Maria. I'm better now, guys." The clock chimed, and Bruno noted that Tino was gone. He looked over at Pepa and said, "Same for you, Sis. Juli didn't happen to leave any of her secret sauce, did she?"

Pepa reached over to the windowsill and picked up one of the small bottles there and handed it to him. "Agustín dropped these off a little bit ago since Julieta is still in town helping Mamá with the new people. Definitely an interesting bunch."

He took the bottle, pulled the tiny cork, and downed the whole thing. There was an immediate and significant drop in the pain, and he was able to at least sit up. Fura let out a squawk as he swung his legs over the edge of the hammock. Bruno looked at the floor, it wavered, making him dizzy. He needed to get up, but was a little afraid to try and stand at this point. "How long… " Bruno started to ask, then glanced at the clock, "Wow, only two hours?"

Pepa held out her hands and helped him out of the hammock and over to the armchair and said, "I think it's wonderful you're up and around already. I was expecting to be here a lot longer, since this is the first time you've done this many actual visions. Almost miraculous since you've been dealing with non-stop spontys since this all started." Bruno settled himself and realized his sister hadn't rained on him at all as she continued, "I got a look at that," she pointed to the broken tablet on the desk, "It is an unusually vague one, all of them were. Not sure why, but it made me think of Jorge. Is that why you made so many of them?"

Bruno shrugged. In the past, this would be all the information he would have given his sister. He knew he needed to do better as he sighed then nodded and replied, "I always wondered if there was more I could have done. That and I have to admit, there is always the urge, no, the need to keep doing it, even as it sucks the life out of me."

Pepa nodded, "Well, I had Dolores tell Isa not to leave Tuli by herself. Just in case." Bruno looked at the desk and Pepa added, "You do a lot of mumbling in your sleep, Brunito."

"Has Bubo turned up yet?"

"No, he's still in town," Pepa replied as she placed the photos in a cloth lined box.

"That's good, cause I need to talk to Isabela first," Bruno said as he moved to get up, and he immediately sunk back down.

"Why do you keep trying to get up, Bruno?" Pepa asked as she pushed the ottoman toward his feet. She reached over and picked up a tray with a small, covered bowl of something that she held out until he took it. "Eat, I'll go fetch her."

"Fine," Bruno said and put his feet up and settled the tray in his lap, "Can you grab my sketchbook and a pencil?"

Pepa did, and again admonished him to eat as she walked out the door. Bruno stared at the bowl and gently lifted the cover. The smell of ajiaco wafted up and Bruno could not help but smile. This was the latest recipe that Pepa had learned. It was different from Julieta's because Pepa added extra guasca, she said because it added to the flavor. Bruno sighed and set the book on the arm of the chair; he took to sketching what he'd seen in his earlier sponty in between small sips of the soup. He noticed then that Tino had returned and was now sitting in his chosen nook, watching him. Bruno waved to the rat. Tino squeaked and hopped onto the ottoman. Fura appeared on his legs and chittered at Tino. Tino stopped and looked at Bruno for help. He tapped Fura gently, and she looked back at him. Bruno pointed to the other arm of the chair and Fura hesitated then moved aside.

Bruno again waved to Tino, and the rat came to sit by his hand. He was never really sure if the rats that lived with him understood anything he said, but they always paid attention to him when he spoke. Putting up with his idiosyncrasies and telenovelas. Antonio could definitely understand them. Tuli had learned to as well. It made him wonder if Bubo was able to, and if so, where did they learn to do that? Well, he'd wonder about that later, since he planned to corner Bubo at some point and ask.

"Tino," Bruno said and lifted the rat to eye level, "since you're Antonio's main spy, tell him I don't need watching and ask him to have his friends keep an eye on Tuli for me." The rat tilted his head, but let out a small squeak, then hopped from his hand and into the small tunnel that led out of his room. Fura, moved back to his lap, looked up at him, waiting, so Bruno added, "Fura, if you're up to it, go stay with Tuli. I don't want her to be alone right now." Fura hesitated, then she too left. There was a gentle knock and Isabela slipped inside, and she said, "You wanted to see me, Tío?"

Bruno waved at her to sit. She looked unusually anxious, and Bruno was almost afraid to ask what she was thinking. "You look worried," Bruno said as Isa sat down.

"Do I?" Isa answered.

Bruno nodded, "Nervous about your date with Bubo?"

"Not really... okay, maybe just a little."

"Guess it's different when you actually want to go. Anyway, the reason I asked you to come is that I'm stuck in this chair, and I've had a number of conflicting spontys that I thought you might be able to shed some light on." Bruno turned his sketchbook and continued after flipping back a few pages. He'd already looked at them both dozens of times, and it irked him that he was not seeing what the difference between the two were. "This is the one I had last night that you helped me with." He showed her the series of sketches and Isa looked confused for a second, then took the sketchbook. She paused briefly on the one of Bubo and his Tío arguing then flipped back and forth from the first sketch with the oak tree and the last and said, "Oh, that's right… "

"What are you seeing, Isa?"

"This tree," she said as she turned to the first, "is the oak tree in the plaza." She then turned back to the other, "This is the oak tree… I… sort of accidentally grew near the edge of the forest by Casita."

Bruno took the sketchbook back and looked at them both and asked, "How do you know that?"

"Shoes… I'm not wearing any in the second, and Tuli doesn't have her flower crown."

"Shut the front door, how did I not notice that?" Bruno muttered, then added, "When did this happen?" he asked as he tapped the second sketch.

"Just before me and Tuli got back from the Jimenez farm. Tuli was telling me she wanted to change into something else before her Tío saw her."

"Really?"

"Yeah, but she changed her mind again, so I gave her one of my old dresses to wear."

Bruno was still looking at the sketch and said, "That must be a pretty big tree, Isa."

"I told you it was an accident," Isa said, sounding mildly irritated.

"Not saying that's a bad thing, but thanks for helping me sort that out," he said, not looking up as Isabela got up to go. She stopped at the door and turned back. She hesitated then asked, "Tío, may I ask you a question?"

"Sure," Bruno replied as he lifted the bowl to drink the rest of the soup.

"Is the reason Tía Pepa asked me to not leave Tuli by herself, what I'm thinking?"

Bruno choked a little, set down the bowl, then looked up at her and asked, "What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking that if she's told she can't stay, Tuli will never make it to Bogotá. She may not even make it out of the Encanto. You've seen the fear and sadness that she tries so hard to hide. Like this morning, I had my hair in a long braid, I noticed she kept looking at it and there were times it would make Tuli so sad, and it's so intense she would stop moving, like Mira's been doing." Bruno nodded and Isa continued, "Anyway, she said something I think is worrying."

"Oh?"

Isabela nodded and sat back on the sofa and said, "I don't think she meant to say it out loud… but earlier I had told her about the shoemaker's funeral... " she paused seeing the look on his face and added, "I know I wasn't supposed to ever know the 'why' about that, but everyone seems to forget that Dolores really does hear everything. She knew that Jorge hung himself and that you were the one who found him."

"I see," Bruno said, but in his head, he was opening that shed door behind the shoe shop, eyes slowly wandering up. Bruno scratched the arms of the chair with his fingernails to help dispel the image as Isa continued, "Doli told me what people were saying, and I think she just needed to tell someone who wasn't an adult and would believe her. What we didn't know or understand then was that Jorge had been born a girl, and that's why folks wanted to put him in a dress for the funeral. We pieced that part of it together eventually."

Bruno asked, "Have you talked to anyone else about this?"

"Just Dolores, but I really think Bubo needs to know."

Bruno nodded and asked, "So, what did Tuli say?"

"Once I finished with her hair, she was admiring the dress she was wearing in the mirror and while I was putting the other clothes away, Doli heard her whisper, 'I'm finally ready to meet Jesus'."

Mirabel and Camilo left the larger group and were walking toward Casita. Camilo suggested it when it became apparent that her being there was more than a little distracting for the new folks. He said he would walk her home, but Mirabel knew he was just trying to get out of having to help move things. Abuela cocked an eyebrow at her grandson, but did not insist he stay. Mirabel wondered if her Abuela was concerned she'd be stopped on the way back. Her mother seemed to share this concern, but just tilted her head and told them they might as well start supper when they got back. Either way, it was nice to have company. As they neared Casita both stopped and stared at the giant oak that now stood at the edge of the forest.

"Wow," Camilo said, "Gotta admit, that is an impressive tree."

"Yeah, but why grow it there?" Mirabel wondered.

Camilo nudged her arm and asked, "Didja, consider she didn't do it on purpose?"

"You think?"

"She did overuse her Gift yesterday, twice. I had to carry her back to her room last night."

"Oh, I didn't know about that. She seemed okay at breakfast. I hope she and Tuli had a good day then."

He shrugged and said, "Or you could just ask."

"Sure, if I want my head bit off," Mirabel said.

"You realized that would not have stopped you in the past."

"Your point?"

"You've gone all wishy-washy, Mirabel Madrigal."

Mirabel did not want to admit that to her primo so just shrugged and started to drift toward the tree. It reminded her of the oak on the mountain. She stopped in front of it and looked up into its branches. Mirabel watched the leaves as they fluttered above her, and she thought they had an almost glow to them that she was not sure others could see, and that made Mira smile. She turned her attention to the trunk and was studiously examining the bark when Camilo came up next to her.

"What are you doing, Mira?" Camilo asked.

"Just wanted to get a better look at it. It looks familiar for some reason," she replied.

"Mira, it's a tree. They do tend to look alike."

Mirabel hadn't touched it, remembering what had happened with Tuli's flowers the day before, but the urge to do so was strong, so she turned from the tree and started toward the house as she said, "Don't be a jerk, Cam. Anyway, I'm sure it'll come back to me at some point."

Camilo followed and proceeded to shift into various folks that had just arrived. They were not near enough to the town for anyone to have seen what he was doing, and Mirabel wondered if he was doing it because he wanted to or if he needed to. When he shifted to Miguel, Mirabel cringed a little and took a step away. She'd only seen him at a distance and was actually glad of that. Camilo remained in that shape all the way back to Casita. Using the man's nasal voice to tell her random jokes. While the jokes were kinda funny, Mirabel just couldn't laugh and finally said, "Seriously, you need to lose that face."

Camilo chuckled as he shifted back to himself and asked, "It's actually pretty hard for me to replicate. Anyway, whatcha making for supper?"

"You mean, what are 'we' making," Mirabel retorted and waved to Casita as they approached the door.

"Yeah, about that. I really need to get back to my studying. So, is there any chance I can just… do that instead?"

Mirabel paused in the doorway and sighed. She'd actually forgotten about that and said, "Sure, but help me get some stuff out before you disappear?"

"You got it," Camilo said and indicated she should lead the way. As they approached the kitchen, they heard voices talking and laughing. Her Tía Pepa, Dolores, Isa and Tuli were all busy doing various things. Mirabel stopped; she couldn't recall if she'd ever seen her Tía in an apron before. She turned to her primo and said, "Guess you're off the hook, Cam."

"Awesome, see you at supper," he said as he turned and headed for the stairs before anyone could ask him to do something. Mirabel entered the kitchen and Dolores looked up and said, "Hi Mira."

Tuli looked up and dropped the cheese she was grating on the counter as she jumped off the stool. She froze and looked back at Isa who smiled as she picked up the cheese and shooed her off. Tuli came around the worktable and glomped onto Mirabel's arm and asked, "Did you talk to him?"

Mirabel thought for a moment and replied, "Your Tío?" Tuli nodded and Mira shook her head. Tuli's expression flipped from hopeful excitement to angst and Mirabel could feel her cheese covered fingers as they tightened slightly on her arm, so she added, "I didn't, but your primo did."

"Tío didn't yell at him?"

"No, but I think it helped that Bubo had a good long nap on the way back."

Tuli let go of her arm and knotted her hands up in her apron, "I'm sorry, I kept waking him up last night… I didn't mean too."

"I know, and I'm sure Bubo knows that too. So, what were you doing that I interrupted?" Mirabel asked in an attempt to change the subject. She looked over to Isabela, who said, "She's grating the cheese for the pandebono."

"Oh, nice," Mirabel said and looked back at Tuli while taking her hand, "best bread ever." She walked her back over to her stool and Tuli climbed back up.

Isa handed Tuli the cheese and in perfect imitation of their mother said, "Almost done, just need you to fill up this cup a few more times." Tuli nodded and returned to her grating. Mirabel noticed Isa smiling in a way she seldom did, and she did not seem embarrassed when she looked over to Mirabel and winked. While she was really curious about that tree, she knew she couldn't ask until later, so picked up a towel and wiped the cheese off her arm. Mira heard her Tía growling behind her, so turned and asked, "Anything I can help with Tía?"

Her Tía waved her over to the stove and asked, "Can you keep an eye on the corn and sausages?"

Mirabel nodded and grabbed one of the aprons and got to work.

Dolores finished with the juice and got up to start setting the table. She was only keeping a part of her attention on the folks settling in, and most of that was devoted to listening to Mariano as he spoke to random newcomers. She loved the sound of his voice, and now that they were engaged, she found she could find it quite readily. He hadn't told her what he'd planned for later, and Dolores thought it was a wonder he was ever able to surprise her with anything. As he became more familiar with her Gift, he'd found ways. She touched the broach at her throat and thought, 'You didn't know about this, now did you.' Of course, he had gotten it before the magic returned, but what she'd not known until recently was that it was his mother's broach. It was a keepsake she'd received as a gift from Mariano's father. She'd given it to him, so he could have something special to give her at the party when Casita was finished. Dolores had to admit that she'd grown rather fond of Señora Guzman. While she used to think of her as a bit of a prude, she found that since the breaking, she was a lot more relaxed, and Dolores enjoyed spending time with her even without Mariano being there.

She was getting the dishes down when her Tía Julieta said there would be five more for supper and named them off. Bubo, his Tío, someone named Rodrigo as well as Señora Vargas and her son Miguel. Since she wasn't upstairs, she couldn't respond, and Dolores found that to be a little irksome. She knew that was silly, since she'd gone over a decade without being able to do that. She pulled her mother aside and told her what her Tía said, and her mother immediately looked over at Tuli, nodded, set down the rice she'd taken off the stove and went upstairs.

Tuli had finished grating the cheese and was helping Isa shape the dough balls. She almost looked happy, but occasionally, she would look out the window and her expression would change to one of fear. Dolores had to give Isa credit because she would notice and would gently pull Tuli's attention back to the task at hand until they put the trays in the cold box. Mirabel was also looking out the window in between turning the sausages and corn. Casita clattered some tiles and Mirabel said, "No, just thinking. Did everyone have a good day?" Casita shifted its tiles and Mirabel let out a sort of giggle snort then said, "Well there is that rule about not running in the house." More tile shifted and Mirabel said, "I'm good Casita."

Dolores wondered what Casita had said. Though she understood the house better than some, she knew that since re-awakening Casita used an almost dialect when it was speaking just to Mira. Something only she and the house understood. Mirabel didn't seem to notice this, and that made Dolores a little curious. She brought the dishes and cutlery to the table and waited a moment for Isa and Tuli to finish laying out the tablecloth before setting them down. Isabela saw the stack and said, "Extra people?"

"Yes, Bubo, his Tío, a man named Rodrigo and… " Dolores paused. She'd almost said, 'the nosy one and her kid' instead she added, "Señora Vargas and her son Miguel."

Isabela crinkled her nose, Dolores had filled her in about the last two and said, "There goes the neighborhood."

Dolores couldn't help but let out a giggle and almost spilled the juice she was carrying. "I know, right?"

"All I'm saying is, don't forget the wine, Doli."

"Definitely."

Both she and Isa realized too late that Tuli was listening when she asked, "Who is Señora Vargas?" She had paused her napkin folding, and Dolores realized Tuli had perfectly recreated the flower napkins Mira had put on the table for breakfast.

"Oh, she's one of the new people," Isabela replied.

"Is she important, like my Tío?"

"Sort of, she was one of the people leading the group along with your Tío."

"Oh… " Fura popped up and gave a squeak" as Tuli said, "Does she know about… me?"

"What? That you can talk to the rats?" Isa asked, "Probably not."

Tuli tilted her head, then smiled as she nodded. Fura gave another squeak, that made Tuli's smile deepen, and even let out a little giggle. Everyone turned when Luisa came into the kitchen with a platter of neatly stacked cocadas which she set on the sideboard. They looked absolutely delicious, and Dolores wandered over and snatched one. On the other side of the kitchen, her Mamí and Tío Bruno came in, and Dolores noted her Tío was moving somewhat stiffly. She hadn't expected him to come down for supper after what Isabela told her. Antonio was also with them, and he made a beeline for Tuli.

"Good evening, Tío." Dolores said, and Mirabel turned from her cooking and smiled and waved. Isa and Tuli also sent salutations and her Tío said, "Good evening, ladies. What wonders of culinary excellence can we expect tonight?"

Her Mamí finished settling her Tío in a chair, then said, "Bandeja Paisa." She poured her Tío a cup of coffee, then went back to the rice she set aside earlier.

Antonio sat next to Tuli and asked her where she learned to make the napkin flowers. Tuli matter-of-factly explained she'd watched his prima make them at breakfast. Fura squeaked and Antonio nodded. "Yeah, that is pretty neat. Wish I could learn stuff that fast."

"Toni, you can talk to just about anything," Tuli said.

"Yeah, but I didn't have to learn how to, I just do, so it's not the same. Show me how to do this."

"Sure…"

Dolores lost track of the conversation when she heard the members of their family that were in town walking toward the door. She headed to the courtyard and waited. She used to be able to tell who was coming by how they walked. She'd gotten rusty, so she would practice that little trick now whenever she could. There were two extra sets of footsteps that were lost in the sound of all the others. They were not speaking, and that made Dolores just a little more curious.

One a man's and the other… the door opened, and Dolores smiled, seeing Mariano and his mother. He winked at her, and set the heavy basket of something off to the side of the door. This changed how his steps usually sounded, so Dolores filed the sound away.

Alma came into the dining room with Julieta and saw Tuli and Antonio sitting at the end of the table. Tuli was wearing one of Isabela's old dresses from when she was that age. The light blue material matched Tuli's eyes and was as girly as they come, but Tuli did not look at all like she should be wearing something else. After a moment, she realized Tuli was showing Antonio how to fold the napkins into flowers. A task that had nothing to do with his Gift, and she wondered why he would want to learn that. Being a boy, it was not something she would have expected he'd want to learn. He was concentrating and following along to Tuli's instructions. He almost got it right but said it wasn't perfect and made Tuli stop and show him again. While Alma had hoped her youngest grandchild had escaped her previous attitudes regarding all things Madrigal should be perfect, she could see it had still filtered down. She went over and asked the pair what they were doing, and Antonio said, "I'm learning to make flowers like Isabela."

Tuli just looked at him and said, "Isa makes real flowers, Toni. These are just napkins."

"I know that, Tuli," Toni said, then waved his napkin at the one Tuli was working on. "You're going too fast, now we have to start over."

"You have to start over. I am almost done, and you're taking too long."

"You said you'd show me," Antonio said, sounding just a bit angry.

"And you said you'd learn."

The argument between the children was escalating quickly and Alma touched Tuli's shoulder just as Fura, who had been sitting quietly out of sight on Tuli's other shoulder, jumped down onto the table and let out a sharp squeak that made Antonio sit back. He glared at the rat and said petulantly, "This is stupid anyway."

Fura then turned back to Tuli and let out another squeak that was just as sharp as the one she'd aimed at Antonio. Tuli's expression changed, and she now sat unmoving staring at the napkin in front of her, and said, "I'm sorry, Toni."

"Whatever, I didn't really want to learn that anyway," Antonio said as he pushed the napkin away and started to get off the chair. Alma stopped him and said, "Tonito, I'm sure you'll get the hang of it. Give it a little time and remember it does not need to be perfect." She sat and to Tuli she said, "From the beginning?"

Tuli nodded and Antonio let out a sigh as he unfolded his napkin to try again. Alma wondered if the rat would be staying for dinner... probably. She looked over at Bruno, who she realized was watching her and the goings-on between sips of his coffee. Pepa was behind him, and both were smiling and though she wanted to say something about the rats, she considered who was coming to supper, so why not. She'd actually gotten used to at least one rat being with Bruno at all times, so decided to leave it alone and nodded to her children.

The only real problem Alma could see would be Señora Vargas and her son Miguel. They had a small group of others that fawned after her, and Alma knew they were the type that would weaponize gossip. Julieta had handled them so well when they demanded they be allowed to stay in Casita, and this was after they'd been rude to Félix. They were lucky Pepa had not witnessed that. Chances were that Dolores had let her mother know what she'd heard, and she was thankful that explanations about the magic did not have had to happen sooner. That was the only reason she was allowing them to come to dinner. Alma was also able to determine that they were not, in fact, related to her. Which was actually a relief.

Bruno had assumed his first sponty had focused on Señora Vargas, but perhaps it was someone with her. Alma decided that someone in that group must be related to one of her sisters. She thought about Bruno's sketch and remembered there was one likely candidate in the form of a young man. He had been standing very near the Señora Vargas and was interfering with another whose face was not visible. Alma decided that must have the sour - faced son, Miguel Rodriguez. Rodrigo Iguarán was another leader of the group and looked to Alma, much like her father. She'd not had a chance to speak with him while getting the new folks settled, but she would make a point to speak with him during supper. It was also ironic that this person was also a cousin to Señors José and Bubo Márquez.

Alma thought about all the coincidences that seemed to swirl around Tuli and decided none of it could be. That child had been brought to them for protection from the wider world. Mirabel was finished with her cooking and her mother had taken her aside to update her on the situation. Mirabel was nodding but did not look overly nervous about what was coming. Things were all in hand, so Alma refocused her attention on the children as they finished making the napkin flowers. Antonio's was still not perfect and Tuli's looked just a little off center, and Alma said, "They look beautiful, thank you both for your hard work."

Walking toward their small group of tents, Rodrigo was a little surprised by the number of shops and restaurants in the little town. He wondered how many people were in the original group and was amazed that so many had survived. These people had built something truly amazing out here in the middle of nowhere. So many different folks from what seemed from all corners of Colombia. There was no real formality, and almost everyone was helpful and kind as the families were led to their respective tents.

The Madrigal family and the townsfolk treated everyone equally. Paying little to no attention to the demands of certain members of their party. He really liked Señora Julieta. It was clear she was used to telling people things they did not want to hear. The angry glares she got when telling them that because their group was so large, families with the smallest children and the indigent would be given priority choice of the small amount of housing available. There were whispered remarks about how unfair this woman was, but Señora Julieta simply nodded and smiled while keeping them away from her mother. If you didn't know better, you'd think someone had warned them ahead of time about them. Doña Alma and a group of older women spent their time assisting the mothers with babies, explaining that the tents were temporary. Giving the children wrapped sandwiches from the basket she was carrying.

Señora Vargas was appalled to learn that the gentleman helping them, Señor Félix Madrigal, was also a son-in-law to Doña Alma. It was well known within their group that the Señora had some very racist views regarding people with darker skin. Her treatment of some of the people within their own group was bad enough, but to not even allow him to assist her moving her gear, was ridiculous. Rodrigo worried that lot would end up getting them shut out of the hospitality of these people. Félix just set the items down and walked away, then went over and started helping Señor Arturo, who, once he got his laughter under control, called to a group of young men that were loitering about and set them to work. He then walked with Félix to the donkey cartman, and he too began laughing. The townsfolk nearby that were helping the other folks noticed this and did not stop what they were doing to take over either. Everyone had their assignments and did not respond to Señora Vargas's attempts to get them to halt what they were doing to help her. It appeared she'd found the fast track to being ignored.

Eventually, Señora Vargas and her son were the only ones that had not taken to their tents. In the end, she made Miguel move their things into the only two tents still open, and those were the smallest and furthest from town. The townsfolk dispersed back to their homes and everyone else got down to the business of settling in. He found his cousin Bubo talking to his friend Mariano, they were discussing their plans for later that evening when he was approached by Señor Julieta and Doña Alma. They extended an invitation to supper to Jose, himself, as well as Señora Vargas and Miguel. Julieta asked if he could let them know. Rodrigo agreed and went to talk to José. He found him near a large oak tree at the center of the plaza. He looked very thoughtful, and Rodrigo told him about the invitation. He nodded, and together they headed for Señora Vargas's tent.

"So, Gabi, what do you think of this place so far?"

"You should stick to calling me José while we're here."

"Oh right, sorry, José, what do you think?"

"It's much larger than I was expecting, and the people are unusually unified in their purpose. After the last few years. I was expecting something less. Did you know Señor Aguilar came here with Bubo? I spoke with him for a while to try and get a feel for where we are headed. He's a fishmonger, and I was surprised to find out he is on the town council. When I asked which party he was affiliated with, he just laughed and said those did not exist here. Let's hope it remains that way."

"So is it just me, or does the name Madrigal remind you of something?"

José looked at him and said, "It does, but I can't recall where I've heard it before. I'm thinking there was a poet by that name. He published a book of poems, but that was years ago." They were silent for a time as José looked up at the early evening clouds. There was the sound of a tiple being played, accompanied by an accordion and tambora. After a time, he said, "This place makes me miss Aracataca."

"Yeah, it does, I was telling Bubo I might hang around her for a while."

"You abandoning school as well, Rodrigo?"

"No, my father would kill me. No, just thinking a break from all the craziness might be good for me."

"Can't argue with that."

"Anyway, not to change the subject, but how likely are you to make Tuli go back?" Rodrigo asked.

José did not respond right away and stopped before reaching the center of their camp and said, "For the longest time, I believed my sister was making a mistake by allowing Tuli to continue believing as he does. Her letters always spoke of Tuli as they saw themselves, and that her husband's disappearance was because of that. Joe wasn't that great a husband anyway, and as Tuli's father he was worse. Anyway, Maria said the reason she eventually stopped contradicting them was the conviction of Tuli's belief, and she could see their happiness was tied to that one thing. She always said I would understand once I had children of my own, though I'll admit I was surprised to hear Joseph turned up after Maria's death, but not surprised our abuelos brought Tuli to live with them less than a few months later. Abuela never questioned Tuli's pronouncements, and Abuelo just said there was enough room in our family for someone just a little different."

"And what do you believe?"

"Looking back, I guess it was foolish of me to think I could change that."

"Márquez stubbornness is legendary."

"I never thought Tuli would run away, and I feel responsible for her ending up with that child smuggler. I really do want what's best for them."

José started forward again, and Rodrigo said, "I don't believe this is as complicated as you think, José. If anything, the circumstances of Tuli coming here, seem almost miraculously fortuitous."

"Yes, and here I thought this would be easy once I located him. But now I'm thinking that Bubo makes a very good argument for her staying."

"Santa Maria…"

"What?"

"You said 'her'."

"Did I?"

Rodrigo nodded.

They had almost reached Señora Vargas's tent but did not approach as they heard the Señora speaking harshly to someone inside. A moment or two later, the tent flap opened, and Miguel came out. Since they were off to the side, he did not notice them as he stood a few feet away from the tent, hands clenched in fists at his sides. This was not the first time they'd come upon such a scene. Miguel then walked away without looking back toward the town, probably in hopes of finding himself a good stiff drink.

Once gone, Rodrigo said, "I feel like now would be an inopportune time to ask about dinner."

José nodded but said, "Even still Rodrigo, you agreed we would pass on the invitation."

"I hate when you get all technical on me, José."

"Perhaps it won't be as bad as you're thinking," José said, and rapped on the wooden pole that held the cloth door in place.

The tent flap was whipped aside as Señora Vargas said, "Miguel, I told you not to come..." she stopped when she realized who was actually standing there.

"Good evening, Señora Vargas," José said and waited as she cleared her throat and responded.

"Good evening, Señor Márquez, Señor Iguarán."

"Doña Alma has extended an invitation to supper this evening, shall I tell them to expect you?"

Her embarrassment was clear as Señora Vargas looked at him like he'd sprouted another head and said, "No, I am weary from travel and will have to forgo the invitation, but please send my regrets."

"As you wish, Señora," José replied, as she abruptly turned and closed the flap.

As they moved back through the camp, they found Miguel sitting on an outcropping near the river. Rodrigo told him his mother had already declined the offer and let him know about his own invitation. They could see the hesitation, but then he nodded and asked if he could join them. José agreed and after a short time, the three men headed toward the large house that stood, just on the edge of town.