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You never hurt a madrigal!
Mirabel isn’t entirely sure where it starts.
The Madrigal family was taking a trip to the market. Life was fun! Life was Easy!
But then some people start staring at her Tia and cousin a certain way. Some start whispering. Others laugh and mock their carefree stims.
This must have overwhelmed her poor cousin, and Then Tia got super distraught. Which caused thunder. And as she knew, a thunder turned into a drizzle. And a drizzle into a sprinkle! And now their both having panic attacks while the rest of the family runs full force at the tormentors.
She swear it had been a normal day.
But logically, the rule had been broken. So Mirable couldn’t do anything about it now.
You NEVER, hurt a madrigal.
Maybe Mirabel should take it from the beginning? It only seems fair to have some sort of explanation for why her family’s currently mauling a group of seemingly innocent passerby.
Let her just say that for One, they are not innocent. They made a grave mistake. That was on them.
The rest? The facts were a bit blurry. So bare with her.
It all started with a seemingly typical trip to the market
“Come on come on!” Antonio squealed, riding ahead on his pet cheeta.
“Huf, huf, S-slow down tonito!” Camilo panted from behind. Stoping to regain his breath.
Mirabel nudged him with a smirk, “Getting tired?”
He puffed out his chest, “Never!”
Isabella rushed forward on one of her vine slides, turning to look at them with a wink and a hair toss.
“No one likes a show off!” Mirabel called out.
“Your just jealous cause I’m faster!” She replied smoothly.
Mirable scowled, “No I’m not!”
Who was she kidding she totally was!
Camilo and her shared a look, before grinning and breaking into a full on sprint. Each trying to beat the other.
Behind them, Luisa was carrying the trays of Arepas Mirabels mom had made for the town. Followed by all of the Adults and Dolores. Who was silently talking with her mother.
Mirabel and Camilo were neck and neck, that is, until Camilo shifted their arm so it was longer. Touching the first stand in sight.
“WHOO! I win!” He cheered, jumping up and down.
“Hey not fair!” Mirabel crossed her arms, irritation sparking, “You used gifts! I can’t do that!”
“Oh! Meirda, your right,” he sheepishly looked at the ground, “Lo Siento Prima. You deserve the win.”
She decided to take mercy on him,
not liking to be a bummer anyways.
Besides, Mirabel knows he truly is apologetic, so that helps.
“It’s fine y’a goof!” She giggled slightly, nudging her cousin with her hip.
He brightened, donning his typical curious look, “Do you think Mr. Garcia will let us test some of the cakes?”
Mirabel snorted, “Only if we get their before the customers!”
-“Mirabel!!!”
The teen winced, looking back to see her mother’s knowing look, “I know you weren’t about to go pester Seniõr Garcia for free food?”
Pepa stood next to her sister, unamused.
“Ay! Camilo! I told you to stop doing that! You’ll eat the whole thing and still be hungry!”
Camilo shuffled in place, chuckling weakly, “Ay, Sorry Mama! Te amo?”
“¡La adulación no funcionará conmigo, señor!” She rolls her eyes fondly, giving a more loving smile afterwards, “Ay, yo también te amo.”
Camilo preens, while Mirabel hides a smirk. Her cousins were such Mamas boys/girls.
But Ay, so was she. They all were! With a family this close, it was hard not to be anything but loving 24/7.
She glances up at the sky, making a noise of contentment at the beautiful weather. A perfect breeze hung through the air, offering cool refreshment.
It seemed her Tia was in a good mood today!
“I need a little help with the stand!” Julieta called out to the gaggle of children.
“Mama! I’ve got this.” Luisa rushed to help, being cut off by a wagging finger.
“Uh, uh uh,” Her mom clucked, “What’s today My sweet?”
Luisa sagged a bit, “Luisas day off?”
Mami smiled warmly, cupping her middle child’s face, “That’s right Cariño, you’ve been working hard all week. You need your rest.”
Luisa frowned, looking awkward and unsure. It hurt Mirabels heart to see. She knew her Sister had been putting too much pressure on herself, but after recent events, their mom made an effort to give her at least one day off per week.
“Come on sis,” she guided softly, “Let’s go play with Antonio.”
“O-ok.”
Juillet smiled great fully at Mirabel, and it always made her stand a bit taller to see her mother so proud.
Isabella and Camilo stayed behind to help with the stand, while Dolores and Tia went over to the fabric section.
Mirabel grinned to herself.
Over time she learned Dolores loved fabrics. Loved to rub her hands all over the different textures. And giggle in the most endearing way when she found one she liked.
Tia Pepa on the other hand liked to spin, the clenched fabric making arching waves of colors and designs.
Since she was very young, her mother had always mentioned that Tia and Dolores acted a bit different. But it didn’t mean they were weird, and were to be treated the same as any loved one.
Mirabel didn’t understand too much when she was little, just thought it was fun when her older cousin played the squeaking game with her.
She grew more aware of her surroundings with age, but that didn’t stop her love for them. And she saw them no different. It saddened her to think their was people in the world who did.
Mirabel jerked back to reality by a squeal of laughter. upon seeing Luisa Running around with Antonio. Holding him high in the air as if he was flying.
“Mira! Mirabel!” He squeaked, “Are you looking? I’m flying!!!”
She made a noise of impressiveness, “Oh I do see Toninto! You sure flight isn’t your gift?”
Antonio giggled as he was set down every so gently, “Nooo, are you silly! I talk to animals!”
“What animals? I don’t see any?” She pretended to search, her results null.
The little boy giggled again, sticking two fingers in his mouth and whistling deafeningly loud.
Instantly, thrush of animals came forth. Surrounding him like he was a god amongst mortals.
They heard a pained grunt in the background, and turned to see Dolores’s face covered in a grimace. One hand to her ear.
“Oh! Lo siento Dolo!” Antonio cried, “I forgot how loud that was!”
“It’s ok, don’t worry Tonito.” Dolores smiled tenderly, and after a quick ear rub, went back to ogling over fabrics with Tia Pepa.
The littlest madrigal still looked guilty, so with a quick nod to Luisa, he was launched back up in the sky. His mood instantly brightening.
“Higher! Higher!”
While Luisa plays with Antonio, Maribel drifts back to her family’s stand, deciding to drop a few feet away and crawl the rest. With every intention on sneaking a few home made Arepas.
“Mirabel, I know that’s you sneaking around. So theirs no point in trying.” Julieta hums pleasantly.
Mirabel pops up with a whine, “Mooom! How do you always know its me?!”
Her mom smirks, “I know my daughter. Your as sneaky as a bull in a China shop. With the mischievousness of a slippery little otter.”
She slumps over, walking with exaggerated disappointment. Its totally unfair! All she wants is one little Arepa! And she’s hungry on top of that!
Julieta rolls her eyes, “You slump any more and you’ll get stuck that way.”
“Sureee, cause that’s totally a thing.”
“It is!” Mama pokes her in the stomach, jostling a giggle, “And you know the rules. This food is for the town, and anyone injured lol
“Oh noo, I’m in horrible agony ?” She remarks humorously. Knowing it wouldn’t work, but trying nevertheless.
Her mother raises a brow, “Now don’t you jest me Mirabel.”
She smiles softly, quickly dodging Julietas arms for a hug.
She squeezes gently, inhaling the comforting scent of peprika and olive oil.
Mirabel truly loves her parents more then anything. They’ve always done everything they could for her. And don’t hesitate to drop what their doing to spend time.
It’s just nice to take a second and really enjoy that.
“Oh! Now this better not be a new trick to getting free Arepas,” Mami teases, but is fast to reciprocate the gesture, “Ay, I’m just teasing. Te Amo Hija.”
“Y yo a ti, Mama.”
Julieta stiffens rapidly, and Mirabel pushes away in concern.
“Mama? Is everything ok?”
Her mother’s face is terse. Glancing at something behind her she can’t see.
Mirabel jerks her head, doing a quick family check in her mind.
Antonio, playing with Luisa. He’s ok.
Her dad, with Tio Felix. Their laughing together. Their ok.
Isabella, talking to that girl she likes. She’s good.
Camilo, he’s with Abeula. He’s ok.
Bruno, playing with his pet rats by the cheese booth, he’s good.
Dolores, and Tia-
Oh.
Mirabel frowned. Tia Pepa and Dolores were just enjoying themselves. Her cousin squeaking happily, and her aunt spinning in circles.
It wasn’t them that was the problem.
It was the people around them who was.
People were staring. And it wasn’t in the nice way.
“Por favor aparta la mirada de ellos. por favor, lord, déjalos mirar hacia otro lado.” Her mom prayed silently under her breath.
It was definitely weird to see her mother so shaken about an event, only emphasized the seriousness of what was happening.
“Mama, what’s going on?” She whispered, even though she most likely already knew.
“She’s my sister,” Julieta murmured, turning with a expression of uncertainty, “I shouldn’t interfere yet, right Hija? She’d say if she wants help?”
Mirabel flounders, not knowing how to answers. It’s clear her mom isn’t her usual calm and in control self. Which she understands, but still.
The stares have gotten more ravenous, and theirs a low rasp of ill intended laugher. People whisper to each other, and some, who think their invincible, blatantly mock and imitate one of her familias stims.
Dolores notices first. Mirabel can see it in a harsh jolt. Nose scrunching and hands flying to block out the symphony of judgement.
She whimpers slightly, Mirabel hears it from here, and her mom visibly flinches at the sound.
More of her family members have caught on to what’s happening. Turning to glare in worry and rising anger.
Pepa eventually realizes somethings off, spinning coming to a slow stop.
She’s always been a slight bit slower to process her surroundings, at least when she’s not in a anxious spiral.
“Dolores? Mi Coriño?” She worries softly. Placing a hand on her daughters back.
“T-their too loud,” her prima stutters out, “Why do they keep laughing.”
“Laughing?” Theirs a line between her Tia’s eyebrows, as she glances around, really taking in her surroundings, for the first time.
Her face both pales and reddens simultaneously. And her hands rush to cross over her chest.
It’s a habit she had picked up when she was younger, Julieta had mentioned in hushed whispers. After a traumatic event, it’s instinctive for her to do so when people laugh at her.
Mirabel didn’t know what traumatic event it was, but she hates it all the more.
“S-stop laughing.” Pepa mumbles out. Eyes glazed over from all the people.
It’s then she remembers her daughter once again, immediately throwing away all embarrassment and stepping between the small crowd and Dolores.
“oye mi pequeña gota de lluvia, no las escuches, escúchame. Por favor, concéntrate en mí?”
It’s not working, Dolores becomes shaky, palms grinding into her ears as much as she can. She is squeaking, whimpering, and promptly buries her face into Pepas chest with a whine. Even though it won’t block out much sound wise.
Julieta has apparently had enough, “I know when my sister needs me, Mirabel.”
And need her Pepa did, her attempts to comfort her daughter were failing. And the laughter and whispers of the passerby were getting just as overwhelming. So in turn, angry clouds started to form above her. Thundering with anxiety, as her breath started to pick up.
“Clear skies, clear skies.” She whispers manically, one hand all but tearing at her braid, while the other one remains a shaky touch on Dolores’s back.
It’s starts to go a little to fast for Mirabel to process.
She stares and watches, Jaw agape, as her family slowly stalks the crowd. Like lions toying with their prey.
The people haven’t noticed the Madrigals yet, which should work in their favor.
Pepa is hugging Dolores tightly, rocking back and on her heels. She doesn’t know if it’s for her, or her prima. But Mirabel supposes it could be for both.
Her Tias breath has picked up rapidly. The thunder turning to a drizzle, and that drizzle turning to a sprinkle. Weathering worsening with her mentality. As soon she starts to exhibit signs of a panic attack.
Julieta is their now, thankfully, both acting as the peacemaker, and the distraction, so the rest of her family can move in.
“Pepa, Pepa it’s me Julieta, Pepa it’s ok,” she shakes her sisters shoulders slightly, brows worrying as she starts to choke on unshed sobs, “Pepa you gotta take a slow breath.”
Pepa can’t hear her, or is at least too deep in the thralls of her panic to snap out of it. She’s gripping Dolores like a security blanket, whom is still whimpering, suffering from extreme overstimulation to the ears.
The rain has started to pour. Soaking the three as Pepa sobs, yanking violently on her braid.
“Hey, hey, no you can’t do that.” Julieta is full of concerned as she carefully pries Pepas grip off her poor hair.
Her Tia just wails in response, holding Dolores all the more tighter.
Thankfully, Dolores seems to relish the right pressure, or else she would have most likely tried to escape by now.
Her mom stares at her distraught family with a essence of helplessness, heart aching as she’s so close, but still can’t soothe her sisters heart.
Julieta nods, makes a grimace, and stands up slowly. She jerks to the small crowd, arm raising to the air.
Silence immediately takes hold of the people. Some looking scared, and others curious. Wondering what she was about to do.
Mirabel felt a bit proud in the fact, that even though her gift was literally to heal, her mami could still control an audience with an iron hand.
Her mother smirks, low and angry, and with a battle cry, screams something totally unexpected.
“MADRIGAL FAMILY! PROTECT YOUR OWN!”
Mirabel stifles a squeal, just as shocked when her family emerge within the crowd. Some seemingly coming out of walls, or appearing out of nowhere. And then their charging fully force, each with their own scream of rage.
She sighs, wondering how it all got to this.
She swore. It had been a normal day. Just a basic visit to the market.
And now it’s a fully out brawl, as Luisa hurtles people on top of roofs, and Isabella yanks people into the air by their feet with a carefully cultivated Vine. Even Camilo is in their, disguising himself as a tormentors friend before decking them in the face.
Mirabel mulls the scene over in her head. Wondering how to take everything.
And then her eyes land on her Cousin and Tia. Both shaking and terrified. And something snaps inside.
Looking around, she picks up one of her mother metal ladles, glancing at the crowd with a mediocrely threatening grimace.
“You NEVER hurt a madrigal! FOR THE FAMILYYYYY!…” the Latina breaks into a fully sprint. Waving around the utensil like a maniac.
Admits the chaos of the crowds she can’t help but smile, dodging one Bruno’s Rats he was chucking at people-
-“YOU DONT HURT MY SISTER AND GET AWAY WITH IT! YOU GET A RAT! AND YOU GET A RAT! EVERYONE GETS A RAT!”-
Mirabels grinning madly herself after wacking one of the tormentors in the kneecaps.
At least she knows, that no matter what, her family would have her back if she needed it.
-Oh, and apparently they could pull of story level type of wars. That also deemed important.