Storyteller (Encanto X OCish Reader)

CHAPTER 36 - Jumbled

It went silent for a second before everyone laughed. You joined them. Honestly, it felt more homey than you expected. Of course, you had eaten at the Madrigals' before but then it was always with your family. Now that they were missing, you expected to feel more... like they were missing.

"Abuelo?" you knocked on the door beside yours

"Oh, Y/n!" he said, cheerfully opening the door. "Come in, come in!"

His room was... interesting to say the least. It was an organized mess, papers everywhere, three walls lined with bookshelves and a globe on his huge desk which was also placed under the window. You looked around confusedly before spotting a ladder which reached high above the floor where was a... hammock?

"Pretty cool," you nodded approvingly at his room. "Makes you seem like a crazy professor."

He looked at you with a grin, a glint in his eyes. "What makes you think I'm not one, eh?"

You nodded in a 'that's fair' manner. "You know I'm starting to understand where all my craziness," you made wild gestures with your hands, "comes from."

"Yeah, it's in your blood," he agreed before walking over to a bookshelf. "Do you want to see something cool?"

"I'm always up for an adventure," you shrugged, walking next to him.

"Knew you'd say that!" he beamed before pulling on a book. The book didn't come out but tilted a bit. The bookshelf shifted.

"Woah," you gasped.

"Don't 'woah' yet," your grandfather chuckled. "The real stuff's inside."

You followed him inside and it was true. It seemed like you were standing on and in total darkness except for rectangular shapes floating through the air, surrounded by golden glow.

"What are those?" you asked with astonishment.

"Memories," your grandfather smiled as he caught one of the rectangles, showing it to you. The rectangle had Lily's picture on it. "Of different people. For example, these are your sister's. Not all the memories, no. All memories she had at the moment when I last had physical contact with her."

"Wow," you smiled.

"Yeah, that's the 'wow' time," he said, letting Lily's rectangle float back. "I can even see the memories that the person has forgotten. I help people remember."

"That's a humble job," you hummed.

"Also kind of entertaining," he grinned. "I like to spend time browsing through random people's embarrassing memories. The other day I saw someone take the wrong kid from daycare. The kid didn't realize either."

You huffed a laugh.

"And if rumors speak the truth, the 'wrong parent' is now the kid's godfather and babysitter," he finished.

"Really?" you asked. "That's pretty cool actually."

"Yeah," he smiled softly. "Of course, I also see disgusting and sad stuff but I tend to erase my own memories of those."

You laughed lightly. "So you remember exactly how much you want. No more, no less?"

"That would be correct, kid," he said, ruffling your hair. "Now c'mon, let's get outta here."

"Why?"

"Before you get infected by the memories," he said matter-of-factly although you could tell he was hiding a grin. "You probably already are a bit. I've grown immune."

"What do you mean?" you furrowed your brows, stepping towards the bookshelf-door.

"You'll see," he sighed.

You stepped out of the room and you instantly felt the 'infection' - everything kinda just jumbled up in your brain. "Mean do you this?" you asked, words slurring together.

"Yeah," he nodded. "The ultrasonic waves coming from other people's memories can mess with the mind of one who's not accustomed to it. C'mon. Let's get you some water."

"Tell didn't me you why, Abuelo?"

He laughed. "It's funny."

You glared at him. "From Aiden where his know I rudeness from gets."

"You're the same way," he pointed out.

You huffed. "When it off does wear?"

"Water neutralizes it," he informed and you two stepped in the kitchen. To your surprise, everyone was there, preparing for dinner.

"Oh, hey," Pepa greeted before going back to chopping the carrots. "Did you need something or do you want to help?"

You looked at your grandfather for help but he zipped his mouth with a smug grin. You sighed. "Need water I."

"Huh?" she asked, stopping momentarily. "Do you need water?"

You nodded, glaring at your grandpa. "Planned this you," you hissed.

"Sure did," he laughed. "Be glad most of them haven't heard you speak in that state."

"Oh, hi," Camilo chirped from behind you. Your grandfather smirked before walking away to help with laying the table. "Y/n, are you feeling well? You're oddly quiet," Camilo asked.

You nodded quickly.

"You sure?"

"Jumbled talk, can't words up," you explained quickly before Pepa handed you a glass. You nodded a thank you before gulping it down. "Much better," you sighed. "Thank you for the water."

"Welcome. But what was that all about?" Pepa laughed. "Seemed like you lost the ability to talk properly for a second."

"An evil plan is what it was," you said, wrinkling your nose while side-glancing at your grandpa. "Nothing more, nothing less."