Chapter Text
A cage.
That's what Isabela Madrigal had been in since the moment she got her gift.
Isabela wasn't blind, she could always see and tell that Abuela always favored her much more than her hermana's and primos, heck even favoring her over her own children. And it wasn't just Isabela that could see it, everyone knew that Abuela favored her more than everyone else in the family.
The golden child. The perfect eldest grandchild. The apple of Abuela's eye
It should be great!...right?
...well, it wasn't
It was horrible and Isabela hated every second of it.
She was forced into a cage against her will, believing that it was what was 'best' for the family. Because that's what Abuela had told her and demanded of her, of course, she didn't scream at Isabela to make her point but Isabela knew from personal experience that when her voice is firm that it's what's expected of her and you no longer have a say in whether or not you want to.
Because you're afraid of what will happen if you say anything against her of what will happen if you tell her a simple 'no'
Now, it wasn't that Abuela was a...bad person
But she had made some questionable decisions. She wanted to protect her family but in wanting to do so ended up creating many cracks that ultimately destroyed their Casita and the magic. She made mistakes, big mistakes may she add seeing as how most of the family members(especially the grandchildren) had issues that grew from her, but she was trying to fix them.
And Isabela appreciated that, she really did...but-
She wasn't sure if she would ever forgive her
It wasn't that Isabela would hold it against Abuela and treat her like she was the villain in their story. No, Isabela wasn't going to hold it against her but...she certainly wasn't ready to forgive her Abuela.
None of them were, to be honest.
Her mama and tia Pepa had already talked to her, as did her Tio Bruno but it was clear that it would take more than just an apology to heal the cracks that had been in the family for so long.
Mirabel already had her time to shine when she amazingly stood up to the one person to who nobody in the family had the confidence to stand up and deny her.
The others hadn't spoken to Abuela but it was clear that they were trying to get used to this new better Abuela.
But Isabela couldn't and hadn't talked to Abuela.
Because she didn't have the confidence to and she would probably never have it in her to actually talk to her Abuela.
Because Abuela had taken the one thing that Isabela longed for a long time: Her freedom
The other grandchildren, despite having to work and deal with the pressure had their freedom, especially Mirabel, could actually go out into town and do what they wanted to do. Mirabel sang and danced. Camilo acted for the people in town. Dolores would normally be seen in the town library while keeping a close ear on everything. Luisa would normally be seen helping people and later on eating fruit whenever she had a rare break. They had their freedom
Isabela didn't and she envied them for that for many years, going as far as to say that she was jealous of them and that she hated them for it.
Because Isabela couldn't sing and dance as Mirabel could, she couldn't act for the town, she couldn't be in the library, heck she couldn't even eat fruit. She had to remain by Abuela's signs and be the perfect golden child.
Perfect smile.
Perfect hair.
Perfect personality.
Perfect dress
God, that damn dress
She hated every second of it and the scars of what she had to do, of the role she had to play had not gone away. Yes, now she could be herself and yes, she no longer had to pretend to like the hideous colors that were pink and purple.
And her family was happy with how she had changed and accepted her for it
All except one: Abuela
She could tell just from the look in her eyes that she wasn't happy with the new change, still foolishly believing that Isabela would not be the free spirit she always longed to be. And Isabela was getting so sick of it.
The others? They tried to comfort her but she could tell they were making excuses for her
"She'll come around, sis" -Luisa said once with a gentle smile on her face
How do you know she'll actually come around
"She'll get over it"-Camilo said with a lazy shrug
You know she won't so stop lying to my face
"Mi Amor, it'll be fine" - Her mama said with a caring look in her eyes
How do you know?
"I think she's gotten used to it. Hm!" -squeaked Dolores
Oh? Did you actually hear her say it? or are you just saying this for my sake?
The only one who ever actually understood her was Mirabel because she herself knew how difficult it was to be herself and for Abuela to not approve of it and Isabela loved her for it.
"It won't get any easier, Isa. It never did for me."- Said Mirabel as the two of them sat together underneath a tree. It was one of the few days where they would go, just the two of them, to hang out. For sisterly bonding
"What can I do?" - Isabela had whispered back, desperate to get out of the cage she had thought she had broken out of after Casita's collapse only to realize she had never gotten out of it in the first place
"Talk to her. Stand up for yourself and finally open her eyes. Abuela...is stubborn and she won't understand if you don't make her. I mean, it took the collapse of Casita and our argument for her to finally see just how broken and cracked our family is"-her little sister said. When did she get so wise?
"What if I can't?"-She sounded so pathetic
"Then we'll be there for you. We'll help you gain the courage and then you can finally do it yourself and finally move on from the past, which I don't blame or hate you for by the way"- Mirabel responded softly, a knowing look in her eyes
"How should I start?"-She had asked
"Start by getting rid of that ugly dress. Like, I get that Abuela and the townspeople like it but DIO'S the thing is ugly"-Mirabel said with a serious voice
Isabela laughed in response back then
But now she realized that she might actually have to get rid of the dress.
It was the one thing that was a reminder of the past, of the cage she was still in and if she got rid of it she might actually be brave enough.
But Isabela didn't just want to put it away or stop wearing it. No. Isabela wanted it completely gone
...burn it
Isabela needed to burn the dress and finally see it turn to dust.
Only then would she finally start to feel like she was breaking free.
0Oo
Now she had to find someone who would help her burn it
Isabela hadn't done anything like that before, she probably would have if she was going, to be honest, if not for her role as the golden child she used to be of course.
The first person that came to mind was Mirabel and Isabela was going to ask her. But...she had bothered her enough, besides, this was her problem, not hers. She didn't need Mirabel wanting to fix this one as well.
The next person who came to mind was Camilo. He was the prankster of the family, so he obviously knew a thing or two about it. Not to mention that he had gone to some parties where there were bonfires. But Isabela found him...what's the word? Ah, yes, annoying. He would want something in return and this was a serious issue, she didn't need Camilo blackmailing her when she actually had an issue at hand.
The last person that came to mind was her Tio Felix. And Isabela really didn't want to ask him. It's not that Isabela didn't like him or trust him but...he had a habit of telling Pepa things and she really didn't need her Tia questioning her as to why she burnt her dress. It would be tiresome to deal with her and give an explanation.
Isabela sighed as she leaned back on a tree
She was all out of ideas.
And there wasn't a single person she could ask for
It's not to say she didn't trust the other family members but...they had a bit of running their mouths, especially Dolores. So she didn't really have any other options.
She sighed again
...
wait
She sat up fully and looked towards casita, specifically at the tower that belonged to a certain family members
She did have someone she could count on
"What?"
Isabela sighed as she stared at her Tio Bruno "I need your help with burning...this" she gestured to the ugly dress she was wearing "You're the only person who I can count on...and you're the only one who could actually not tell anyone about me doing this"
Bruno blinked at her and gestured to a table and chairs that were in his new room "Let's talk about this more." a pause "And No, Dolores can't hear us, the sand prevents her from doing so" he added as he noticed Isabela's hesitation
Isabela relaxed and nodded, sitting down and smiling as her Tio offered her a glass of water
"So...you wanna tell me why you want to burn the dress. It's pretty"
"It's ugly" Isabela deadpanned "Besides, the pollen that dyed it is not...comfortable to be in"
Bruno blinked and gave a nervous smile "I guess"
There was an awkward silence after that
Isabela sighed
"I want to get rid of it to see if it'll make me feel better"
Bruno blinked "Feel...better?" he asked in confusion
Isabela flinched "This dress" she looked down at it and glared at it "It's just a reminder of how much I...haven't changed. I mean I've changed but...I'm still trapped in this cage that surrounds me"
A pause
"The people in town assume I had the best life. I was the golden child of the family, I was perfect. But I wasn't happy. Far from it." Bruno listened in close, nodding as he began to understand what his sobrina was asking of him
"I was always in a cage and...I still am" she looked down at the dress "I need to fully get rid of this so that I can finally, maybe, get the courage to talk to Abuela"
"Mama? Why?" Asked Bruno
"You know why" Isabela shot back as she looked at him in disbelief, there was no way he didn't know. At his confused look she sighed "Abuela still isn't okay with this new side of me. I can tell by just looking at her eyes and I need to make it clear that I'm not going to be the golden child anymore, I'm not going to be the apple of her eye. I'm going just be Isabela and that's all I'll ever be. I want to move on and be someone new"
Bruno smiled "I understand"
"You do?" Isabela asked in shock
Bruno chuckled "Yeah. I do, I really do" he sighed "Did you know that before Julieta, I was the golden triplet?"
Isabela gaped at him "Really?!"
"I know, you wouldn't expect it seeing how people react to me and my visions, huh?" Bruno smiled "But Yeah. I was the golden triplet, I was their guide, I was their seer...but I didn't want to be"
"Just like me," Isabela said
"Hm," Bruno nodded and then said "But unlike you, I wasn't meant for the part and I got put to the side where I had to play the role of the black sheep member" he frowned "Even though I never wanted to end up that way"
Isabela frowned "Tio..."
A pause "I'll help you with this"
"Seriously?" Isabela blinked
he nodded
"Oh thank you Tio Bruno!" she grinned "Really, I can't thank you enough for this"
He smiled "It's nothing sobrina" a pause "Now shouldn't you get going? I'm sure they're probably worried about you and wondering where you are. Don't wanna worry Julieta, now do we?"
"But wait, when are we doing this?"
"We'll do it today when everyone is asleep so they won't hear anything," Brunk said with a knowing look in his eye
Isabela smiled "Right! See you tonight Tio Bruno!"
Bruno smiled and waved as she jumped out of his room with the use of her vines, he stopped smiling as a realization came to him.
The realization that he and Isabela were much more alike than he first thought.
He hummed and looked down at his Ruana...maybe it was time for him to move on as well
0Oo
Isabela was buzzing with excitement as she leaped out of her room to where her Tio Bruno was.
In her hand was the horrid dress she was going to finally get rid of. Isabela now wearing black pajama pants and a dark blue shirt. She looked around and spotted a small rat beneath her, it had what seemed to be a green scarf around its tiny neck as it squeaked and began to lead her deep into the forest
...huh
well you don't see that every day
She followed after it and quickly spotted her Tio in front of a hand-made bonfire. He had his Ruana in hand as he was preparing the fire, she paused and tilted her head. Why did he take off his ruana?
"Ah, Sobrina. You're finally here" he smiled
He looked so weird without his ruana on
"Yeah! you look...different" she said with a smile on her face
He chuckled "Not used to seeing me without it, huh?"
She gave a bashful nod
"It's alright" he waved his hand and then paused "I'm going to burn my ruana as well"
...
"WHAT?!" she jumped back
He smiled and patted the ground beside him, the two sitting down and staring at the blazing hot fire that was crackling in the background.
"So...why are you burning your ruana?"
"Other than the fact that it's old and it's going to fall apart at any minute?" a pause "also the fact that most of our family members wear the exact same clothes as we did when we were younger"
"Really? I didn't"
"Camilo and I have worn the exact same style of clothes since our gift ceremonies." Bruno deadpanned "I just think it's about time I listened to Pepa and changed my style a bit"
Isabela smiled "Right" a pause "So what style are you going for?"
"I don't know. I guess I'll just have to wait and see, huh?" he smiled at her
"I guess"
There was a long silence
But it was comfortable.
"You wanna know why I want to burn it?"
"Hm?"
"Because I'm like you Isabela"
She turned to look at him
"I and you are two sides of the same coin. You got what some would consider a happy life and I got what people see as a life of failure. But our roles, the parts we had to play, don't define us Isabela"
He turned and looked at her "You want to be free of the expectations people put on you and want to be yourself, and I want to escape from the title people think defines me and be someone better than who I used to be"
"But...you were a good man"
"Yes...but I was also a coward sobrina" he said bitterly "I could never say no to Abuela. I could never have the confidence to tell Pepa that it was a mere joke and not a vision. I never had the confidence...to defend Mirabel and stand by her side for all these years in person and not just as a 'ghost' or as the estranged Tio who disappeared into nowhere"
"I was a bitch"
He turned to her, his eyes wide
"I hated Mirabel and everyone else," Isabela said "For the freedom that they carried" a pause "For the freedom I never got to experience and have ever since I got my gift"
There was a rustle nearby but the two ignored it and continued to talk
"I did everything for Abuela. And despite her seeing the error of her ways I don't think...I'll ever be able to forgive her." Bruno nodded "I won't hold it against her. It's just hard to see her and not remember everything she made me do and think I had to do, what she did to you and Mirabel and what she did to everyone."
she sighed "She's complex. She loves us but...sometimes I have a difficulty in seeing that love. Sometimes it just seems like we have to earn that love"
...
"You know, I thought about running away once"
"Huh?!" he stared at her with wide eyes
"Yeah" she smiled "Run away and never come back was my plan. I couldn't handle the pressure anymore and I...I wanted to kill myself" a pause "Not that I ever would but...sometimes, sometimes, I got those thoughts and they wouldn't go away" she smiled bitterly "Because I realized that I had forgotten who 'Isabela' was. What color does she like? What's her favorite food? I just...didn't know how to be 'me' anymore and that broke me slowly"
"Would you have done it?" asked Bruno
...
"No" she didn't have the heart to tell him that she had actually tried once.
"Why not?"
"Because I would have broken the family. They didn't take you leaving very well...they wouldn't handle my death any better" said Isabela before she sighed "But this isn't about that, this is about me finally just...being tired of it" she stood up, her dress in her hands "I'm tired of feeling thorns being pressed into my heart to the point where I can't live anymore Tio"
"I want to be 'Isabela' again, I want to be 'me' again. I want to learn and figure out who I am" she said before she looked at her Tio Bruno "Just how you want to show everyone who 'Bruno' really is"
He smiled at that and stood up too, his ruana in hand
"Two sides of the same coin Sobrina"
She snorted "You already said that"
"I know. But I just wanted to repeat it"
a pause
"Once we do this we won't be getting them back," Isabela said
"Hm" Bruno nodded
Bruno turned to her "Are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be" responded Isabela as the two gently threw the pieces of clothing onto the bonfire
Both watched as the clothes were consumed by the flame, slowly burning. Isabela breathed a sigh of relief while Bruno, who was slightly sad to see his ruana go, relaxed and closed his eyes
"Shall we go back sobrina?"
...
"Nah. Let me enjoy this small bit of freedom for a bit" she said "It's the first time I've felt it in years"
He smiled "Alright"
So the two stayed there, under the night sky
Isabela felt the cage begin to open and smiled, she still needed to talk to Abuela...but now she had confidence in being able to actually do it.
...Unbeknownst to the two of them, four specific grandchildren looked at each other in both relief and worry after what they had just learned.
Isabela couldn't help but blink and look down at Mirabel, who was currently clinging to her like a Koala and ask: "Do I even want to know?"
She said nothing in response
She glanced at Luisa who was hugging her and hiding her face in her shoulder "Lu?"
Nothing
She sighed and took a sip of her coffee
"Sis?" Luisa asked gently
"Hm?"
"Your awesome and really strong"
....
"Where is this coming from?"
"Nothing. Just wanted you to know"
"Hm"
...
"Sis?"
Isabela groaned internally "Yeah?"
Mirabel squeezed her "We love you for who you are, no matter who you become"
.
.
.
"You were listening weren't you"
"Hm"
"I assume it wasn't just you two"
"Hm"
...
"Am I about to be jumped by Dolores and Camilo too?"
"Maybe"
..."This conversation isn't over, is it?"
"Hm"
"You're going to tell Mama aren't you?"
"Hm"
Isabela sighed
She really should have expected this
Isabela stepped out of the kitchen and just like she thought she would, Dolores and Camilo hugged her gently and said comforting words to her
She pretended to be annoyed but she smiled as Luisa and Mirabel let go of her and continued to comfort her in their own way. Isabela relaxed and smiled at them, she glanced up and stared at Abuela.
She sighed internally
She still needed to do something else before she truly burned away the past and made way for her future