𝒮𝑒𝑒 𝐹𝑜𝓇 𝒴𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈𝑒𝓁𝒻 <<Bruno Madrigal>>>

Chapter 7

Julio glances at his sister as she struggled with a ribbon to tie her hair while keeping a pandebono sunk between her teeth. She's been such a nerve wreck lately, and he thought it was because of the whole pressure of marrying from their mother. Honestly, their mamá just can't handle the thought of not seeing a grandchild of her own while others are already having at least one in the family. He couldn't care less of any of that for Carina, but as her younger brother— which she's usually so sweet to— is not having his daily dose of sibling affection, and for once he became worried that she is going through something troublesome.

"Carina," the woman glances her eyes towards his direction while still facing the mirror, "are you okay? Not that I care at all, but... you seem off lately."

"Nope. Nothing's wrong," she shakes her head and grabs the bag, which he knows is full of pandebono. "Tell mamá I'm at the forest collecting herbs... Oh, and worms!"

"....Worms? What do you need worms for?"

Carina laughs nervously, inching herself through the exit, "Well, I've discovered something that can be made with their cocoon, so I'm going to be bringing it to the seamstress later on once I've done my thing with it."

'Worms have cocoons? Doesn't she mean caterpillars?' he never heard of anything like that from the village teachers.

"I'll be back for dinner later," and with that, Carina had already rushed off to who knows where. 'And just on cue,' she hides behind their neighbor's building right as her mamá, along with a mother and son turns to the street.

"She's as wild spirited as her father, even until now. Carina's charming personality will sure liven up her future family," those are most of the phrases used by Haidi to attract at least the similarly marriage seeking parents of the males. Next move will be to pass by her home to introduce Carina to someone she most definitely know, and that is why this woman rushed off as early as now.

She sneaks between the tight space and runs off to the forest, the usual beeline she'd have up to the mountain.

Up there is where Angelo stayed, or at least what she and Bruno assumes he's set on staying for a while. The young man was stubborn, almost begging Carina to let him be there where he knows some people are nearby in case he's dragged away by bounty hunters. Now the case here was that they'd at least have to bring him food every three days as a deal to not go near them— or in hidden term, the village— and not cause unnecessary problems.

Now, Bruno wouldn't know about it, but Carina often sneaked up there to have a little chat. All marriage things aside on her personal life, her aim would be to know as much about the world outside Encanto as soon as possible and encourage Bruno to come with her when push comes to shove. Eloping would be the last option in her list, since she still hadn't actually tried to come clean with her feelings and whom she wants to marry. So far, she's learned about the culture from simple stories and explanations given by Angelo. While that doesn't exactly differ from what they have, she still learns something new, like the silk threads from an insect known as bombyx mori. (Although Carina still can't determine which is which on the worms she encounter)

"Oh, you're here again," Angelo says as he fans himself. Technically the little cliff was made into a tent with a blanket serving as it's roof, thanks to Bruno who most generously donated it for him after a little persuasion from her. "Won't Bruno go looking for you?"

"Why would he?" she crawled to the little space beside him, setting the bag aside for his later meals, "We're not related in any way."

He laughed quietly, "Figures."

"Though it would be nice if we were," Carina mumbles. She instantly livens up with a curious smile on her face, "So this village north from here that you're telling me yesterday, how long do you think it'd be if I walk all the way there?"

He raises his brow, feigning innocence for who knows what, ".... Why would you wanna go out there? It's safer to be in a much more secure place like yours."

"I'm already 25, but I feel so....restricted," this could be a little selfish on her part considering that she's practically allowed to wander off more than any other girls in the village, but Carina wanted more than to be forced and tied down to anyone she doesn't wanna be with. "I've never tried, but I always feel like I don't have a say in anything. I wouldn't wanna cause trouble either, so I'm thinking 'why not just... disappear', you know?"

Angelo frowns, contemplating on the words he should say.

Bruno quietly listened, holding Pito in his shaking hands. He might have arrived at the wrong time, to check how the outsider is coping up, only to find Carina already there and talking about leaving Encanto. 'Is she planning to go with him? But that's just too fast, it's not even a week since that Angelo got here. Is this...... a soul mate instinct?' Bruno shakes his head to push the thought away, 'No no no, Carina isn't an easy person. She's not blindly falling for a guy she just met.'

"Besides, I can't just choose both sides. It's high time I do things my way, don't you think? How about you escort me to that village, then come back here as fast as we could," Carina says rather cheerfully.

Bruno accidentally squeezes the life out of the rat, making Pito squeal. It slips out of his hold to hide on his back. "Sorry! Sorry, Pito," he whispers to it. It's too late to hide now, they've probably heard him already. Bruno takes the bucket of water and comes out to the other side of the mountain with a forced grin, "Hey, Angelo. And Carina, you're here too. Here's water supply for you."

"Oh... thanks, Bruno. I appreciate it," he nods with a kindest smile.

"Did any bounty hunters pass by?"

"Not really. I palm-predicted that I still have two lucky days left. Perhaps I'll be going away soon," says Angelo.

Carina frowns, "Already?"

"Well, I can't be here.... endangering you both. You've already done so much for me," he gleams at the woman to his left, taking her hand in his, "For what it's worth, I'll be telling more stories of my world for you. But please, no funny ideas."

Carina laughs, shaking his hand, "Yeah, yeah, no funny ideas."

It's an odd feeling for Bruno to see her happy like that while confiding on someone else, but he doesn't have a choice but to take her word for it. After all, what can he do against fate?

This man is the one in his vision, the one she'll be with throughout her love's journey. The least that Bruno can do for her is to keep her safe until this man can do so in his place.