Work Text:
The Royal Amphitheatre was full of people. The first rows were occupied by children and their families, but the farther you got from the front the more shady the spectators were. Behind the bleachers, many strange people were sitting on the ground, going in and out, or leaning nonchalantly on the columns. Their clothes were dark, worn and all their belongings would probably fit in their torn pockets. Many of these people won't stay until the end of the concert and even more Avalorans would probably come home without their wallets, but it didn't worry Elena very much right now. More and more she was feeling proud looking at this shady gathering. Normally, all those people cared about was to live for one day longer, but they had still come to the amphitheatre.
She let go of the curtain she was peering behind and turned to the musicians getting ready backstage. Most of these musicians didn't look much better than the spectators from the back rows. The ones who applied to perform earlier got some new clothes and could use the baths in the palace but most of them only came today, not sure if they could trust the royal family at first.
Elena didn't blame them for that. Most of them were living on the streets, on the move, or in the suburbs at best. Music had been their only source of income; the only legal one, anyway. This show was an attempt to do something about this.
Elena turned towards one very short man in a very large sombrero who was one of the first people she thought of when organizing this in the first place. He was adjusting his boots so they would cover the magic shackles that kept him in the city. With a normal guitar instead of a silver one he didn't look so threatening. He noticed her stare and gave her a confident smile, though Elena was sure that it was actually to hide his desperation. If anyone had a one chance to prove they've changed, it was this man.
Elena quickly turned away and went to check on the progress with Naomi. Soon, everything was ready.
She approached the curtains, taking a deep breath and adjusting her crown, which still felt too heavy compared to her old tiara. With a big flourish she came forth to the scene and loudly announced.
"People of Avalor, friends and guests! I have the joy and honor to welcome you to the first ever Francisco Flores's Music Festival!"
The bleachers erupted in an uproar of applause. The loudest coming from the royal box. Elena kept smiling, keeping herself from looking in that direction, afraid she wouldn't be able to hold back tears if she did.
"Please welcome our first performer, Tito Sánchez!"
When the first notes of guitar came sounding through the air, and she was walking to her seat, she raised her eyes to the sky and whispered quietly.
"Felíz cumpleaños, abuelo."