Blue Flames and Black Candles

This is My Emotional Support Chaotic Dumbass

"Give that back!" Mirabel bolted out the door, delicious arepa in hand, being violently pursued by Tas, who just had his arepa stolen. Adella stood in the doorway laughing and trying not to fall over. This is what happens when addicts don't have enough to share! Tas had grabbed the last arepa and Mirabel in a fit of desperation leapt over the table, grabbed the arepa, and took off running.

The two dodged around confused villagers and cheering children. Mira was almost home free when she tripped, taking Tas down with her, and almost dropping the treat they fought over. She managed to take a bite before Tas snatched it out of her hand, though she did retaliate by shoving him off her. He held the arepa out of reach of Mira with a cocky smirk.

"I got it back!"

"Oh hey, thanks!" Bruno plucked it out of his hands and took a bite, ignoring the scandalized looks on Tas and Mira's faces. "These must be homemade because they're amazing! Almost as good as Julieta's!"

"That was mine, I stole it fair and square!"

"Yeah, from me! So it was actually mine!"

The three continued to bicker over the arepa as Abuela walked up with a disappointed look on her face. Of course Adella was having none of that. She walked up to the group of squabbling individuals and knocked each of them on the back of the head with a fond smile.

"I will make more arepas later, for now you three will be with me today. I want to collect honey from the wild bees behind our casita. Well, hop to!"

The three scrambled to follow the deceptively scary woman. Though Mirabel and Tas both tripped Bruno as they walked, Bruno dragged them down with him. Eventually the group were at the casita and getting ready to collect honey. They were each given a basket filled with glass jars, cloth, and twine. They were led to the back of the house and into the trees. It wasn't hard to find the beehives made amongst the trees.

Each person took a small section and carefully collected the honey. Mirabel had been hesitant at reaching in and taking large globs of honeycomb and honey with so many bees buzzing around, especially considering her father's allergy to bees and wasps. One bee, a fat honey bee with pollen stuck all over it, brushed over her hand and caused her to flinch back.

"They won't sting you. They're used to me and Mama, but they still won't sting. Here," Tas gently grabbed her hand and pressed it into the small hive, bees bumped against her and landed on her hand, but never reacted violently. Tas helped her scoop out some honey comb and place it in one of the jars, also picking out any stray bees that went into the jar as well. The shaky feeling that plagued her had lessened as she scooped some honeycomb out by herself this time.

After some time, they each had a full basket and Bruno had somehow gotten honey in his hair. The walk back to the house was spent with small talk between Bruno and Adella, on how best to care for rats and mice. Mira and Tas were walking behind them, trying not to draw attention to the tiny flame Mira was trying to keep lit above her fingers. She had managed to keep it alight for about three minutes. She was focusing intently on it, her tongue poking out of the corner of her mouth, and her eyes squinting. Tas was mimicking her expression teasingly, trying to break her concentration.

"I may have been born at night, but it wasn't last night. Flame out, Mira." Adella called back to the two, breaking both their concentrations. The two looked at the woman, who hadn't even turned around to stop them, in awe. "I'm a mama, I have eyes in the back of my head."

They were back in the village after a few minutes and placed the jars of honey, save for two that were given to Mira and Bruno. They had the rest of the day free to enjoy, so the two teens decided to kidnap one of Mira's cousins for a bit of fun. And who better than Camilo?

The boy was sitting on the edge of a roof and was regaling a captivated audience of children about the time he fought a dragon by himself. Puffing himself up and doing silly voices to get laughter from his audience. The children were on the edge of their seats listening as Camilo weaved his tale as skillfully as a master poet.

"I raised my espada as the great beast reared back to swallow me whole! Before I could even think of swinging, the dragon snatched me up in its mouth and swallowed!" There were gasps and cries from the children as they mourned for the supposed hero who sat before them. "But, before the beast's stomach acid could do me in, I slashed through its belly! The beast was killed and everyone lived happily ever after!"

Amid the cacophony of clapping and happy shrieks from the children, Mira and Tas slipped through the crowd. With a mischievous grin, Mira latched onto her cousin and yanked him down from his perch. He fell with a small yelp, but was caught by Tas before he could hit the ground. The two each grabbed one of the boy's arms and dragged him away.

They only stopped once they got to their clearing, letting the boy go, and laughing at the frazzled expression he wore. The two collapsed against the log still giggling at Camilo's lost expression.

"Well, are you going to come sit down, Mr. Hero?"

"Shut up, Mirabel!" His face had flushed badly at the teasing from Mira. "Why did you drag me here?"

"We got bored! You're super fun to hang out with, so we stole you!"

"Ok. What do you want to do?"

"That's why we brought you here! You usually have an idea on something fun to do."

"Actually, I have a great idea! We might get in a bit of trouble though!" Tas's eyes held a wicked gleam that caused both Camilo and Mira to grin. "You know Mariano? He wants to propose to Isabela! So, let's help out shall we?"

"Eep!"

The three whirl around to find Delores looking at them. She paled at the looks they were throwing at her. Before she could run, she was tackled by Mira and Camilo. She attempted to get help from Tas, but he merely watched them pin her.

"Alright, Delores, you're my sister and I love you, but if you tell anyone that we're planning something, then I will have to get rid of you and take your place. You know I could do it!"

"I won't tell anyone! Can I...can I help?"

The three grinned impishly before beginning to plan. Delores would start by telling Isabela about what Mariano wants in their marriage. Camilo would shapeshift into the man in front of him and make him a little uncomfortable. Mira and Tas would give him weird advice on how to make relationships work and last. Overall, they wanted this night to be extra special! After all, Isabela and Abuela had been ever so nice to Mirabel in the past few days. Tonight, they were going to pay back all that special treatment!