Chapter Text
Mirabel stared down at her hand. It had been bleeding hours prior, now there wasn’t even a scar. Today was her little cousin’s gift ceremony. While it was nice to have her own space again, the nursery felt strange and empty without Antonio there. She sighed, but sleep wouldn’t come for a long time. Too much was on her mind. Between the cracks, and Abuela yelling at her for telling everyone, but also apparently believing the cracks and asking her late husband for help in the middle of the night, Mirabel was a tad stressed. She sighed and closed her eyes. Deep breath in. Deep breath out. Tomorrow she would ask Dolores for help. If she wants to save the miracle, she couldn’t do it without sleep.
It would be a while before sleep finally claimed her, but eventually it would, and that would mean everyone was asleep. Casita knew it had to work fast. It was breaking and knew it didn’t have much time left. Casita couldn’t stand to see the family breaking apart as it was, and maybe, just maybe, it could fix it.
***
Mirabel opened her eyes, ready to start the day. She would find what was happening to the miracle and fix it. She looked around at her room and-
she wasn’t in her room. Which is weird because she’s pretty sure she fell asleep there. In her shock, she fell out of the chair she had been in. Scrambling to her feet, she adjusted her glasses. The room held her entire family, most of which were still sleeping in other chairs, all the same charcoal color. The room was dark, with black floor, black walls, with a large black screen attached to the wall in the front. Light enough to where she could make out the shapes of her family, but she couldn’t tell where the light was coming from. Mirabel felt the ground beneath her move, causing her to look down. “Casita? What is this? What’s going on?” She whisper-shouted. Casita simply rattled once again, creating a louder noise.
“What is going on? What is this place? I’ve never seen this room before.” A tired but concerned voice sounded from behind Mirabel. Clearly awake, but sleep still hung heavy in her Voice. She turned to see her mother standing up.
“I don’t know, I just woke up. Casita brought us here, for some reason. Should we wake the others?”
Julieta gave a hesitant nod, and with that they began to wake the rest of the family. Slowly, questions and confused shouts filled the air.
“Quiet, everyone!” Abuela’s booming voice sounded. Quickly the room quieted down. Mirabel noticed Dolores sigh in relief before turning to Abuela. “Casita, would you let us out? What is the meaning of this?” She asked, looking around.
Casita gave no answer for a few seconds, leaving the family in a panicked silence. Abuela opened her mouth to speak again before a white light came from the screen. Numerous people winced and shielded their eyes before they adjusted to the brightness. Soon, all eyes were attached to the screen. On it, in a clear, black font, words began to appear.
Last night was the beginning of something horrible.
You have all been brought here today in hopes of changing the future for the better.
You will be shown a movie, showing you where this began, and where it will be going.
It is up to you to prevent the bad and embrace the good.
You have the ability to pause this whenever you like.
Take a seat, and remember that this is not yet set in stone.
When you are ready, you will begin.
For a moment no one spoke. “That’s it? You gave me a heart attack so we could watch a movie?” Camillo complained, sticking his arms out in exasperation. He looked around at the others to gauge their reactions.
“We’re here to ‘fix the future,’ Can you not read?” Isabela questioned.
“I can read!” Antonio said, proud of himself.
“… good job Antonio-“
“Can we just get this over with?” Asked Mirabel. “Just start the movie.”
Before anyone could get another word out, the screen faded to black. In the absence of light, the family turned to look at the screen. On it, in plain white text, was written
You will now watch Encanto.
Please get comfortable.
That seemed to shut everyone up. Eyes were glued to the screen as the words faded away and they settled in their seats. There was a smelling creaking noise from the back wall that most seemed not to notice, and the one who did ignored it.
”Abre los ojos. Open your eyes.” Came a familiar voice as younger Mirabel faded into view.
“This is where our magic comes from?” Mirabel asked, looking up at Abuela in wonder.
Julieta cooed at the sight of her. She looked between her youngest daughter on screen and her currently. She was so cute when she was little. The rest of the family seemed to either be having the same thought, or teasing Mirabel.
“Awwwww, look at you, Mirabel! How adorable is that?” Camillo asked, a wide grin on his face as he teased his younger cousin.
Mirabel sunk into her chair and covered her face in embarrassment
“This candle holds the miracle given to our family.” Abuela said, looking down at the child.
“How did we get a miracle?”
“Long ago, when my three babies were just born, your abuelo and eye were forced to flee our home. And though many joined us, hoping to find a new home, we could not escape the dangers. And your abuelo… was lost.”
Abuela looked away from the screen uncomfortably. She had not been prepared to confront her late husband's death this early in the morning. Thinking about it was one thing, but seeing it hurt even more. She hadn’t known that was possible.
Her daughters watched the scene with a mixture of sadness and curiosity. They had never known their father, and while they had a picture of him, it was something else to see him moving around. Mostly, however, they felt grief.
“But. In our darkest moment. We were given a miracle. The candle became a magical flame that could never go out. And it blessed us with a refuge in which to live. A place of wonder.” She continued.
”An encanto!”
“An encanto. The miracle grew. And our house, our casita itself, came alive to shelter us! When my children came of age the miracle blessed each with a magic gift to help us. And when their children came of age-“
“They got magic too!”
The family watched this scene with interest. Maybe Some affection as well. But not Mirabel. She watched this with growing dread. She remembered exactly what happened next, this memory burned into her mind, a freshly reopened wound from last night’s gift ceremony. Mirabel took in a steady breath to calm herself. She didn’t want to be reminded of this day, but she wanted to embarrass herself in front of her family once again even less.
“That’s right! And together, our family’s gifts have made our new home a paradise. Tonight this candle will give you your gift, Mira. Strengthen our community, strengthen our home. Make your family proud.”
“Mirabel nodded. “Make my family proud.” Fireworks sounded from outside.
A tense air filled the room. Everyone knew where this was going. Eyes drifted to Mirabel. She looked down at her hands.
Casita rolled an alarm clock over to Abuela and Mirabel. “Yes yes, Casita, we’re going!” The older said. Mirabel’s shoes were bumped over towards her by the house, and she put them on, giggling.
“What do you think my gift will be?” She asked. She grasped Abuela's arm as they began to walk.
“You are a wonder, Mirabel Madrigal. Whatever gift awaits, will be just as special as you.” She said, looking down at the child.
Mirabel reached out to touch her doorknob, but before he saw what happened next, it was zoomed out to show the title.
As the music played, everyone remained quiet.
“The day someone doesn’t bring up my failed ceremony is the day the world ends, amirite?” Mirabel asked in an attempt to ease the tension. The joke didn’t seem to land as the looks everyone gave her turned even more sympathetic. She laughed awkwardly.
“Mira-“
“Wow, the movie really hasn’t even started yet. We sure have a lot to get through, right? Come on, pay attention.” She said, trying to dodge any pitying remarks or questions. Her family looked at her for a few more seconds before they slowly realized she wouldn’t budge and turned their eyes back to the screen. She heard her mom give a sigh before returning her attention to the movie.
Unheard by most of the family, the wood on the back wall creaked slightly once more. Bruno leaned in even closer, staring at the screen through the seemingly intentional gaps made by Casita. He felt a tug at his heart. He longed to be with his family, to comfort Mirabel, to tell her she was just as good as the rest of the family even if she didn’t have a gift, but he knew that he couldn’t do that. For the good of the family. He sighed but otherwise stayed quiet. He was interested in where the movie was going.