Neophyte

Federico

Bishop Victoriano motioned Padre Federico into his study, and the door was closed once he entered. The Padre stood in the center of the room while the Bishop went to his desk and sat upon it. Victoriano eyed the Padre with a calm demeanor who did not dare look at his superior in the eye. "I wished to speak with you in private regarding concerns that reached me."

"What concerns, Bishop?"

The Bishop got some paperwork and read some of it, which was about the number of deaths of the Tongva people. "As you know, the other Bishops are concerned about the dwindling population of the Natives. I also know they have seen more of them to be captured to work for the Mission. However, that is not my only concern." Victoriano's soft expression changed to a serious one. "I have been told that you and the other Padres have been making couples reproduce in front of you to ensure that they can conceive." Even though Federico was expressionless, Victoriano could tell his breathing changed when the topic was mentioned.

"I assure you, Bishop. You were clear when you spoke of your disdain for the act that I and other Padres have done to ensure more births of the Natives. However, you must understand the pressure that was put upon us by the other Bishops; we were blamed for the deaths."

"Yet, did they lie? I have told you and the others not to abuse and punish the Natives so severely. It is bad enough that we don't have enough good food for them; they mustn't suffer."

Padre Federico felt angry that he was being questioned in such a manner. He wondered who told the Bishop of the secret breeding rituals. It was tiresome to get blame for every wrongdoing of the Natives. The Bishops and other Padres took vows of poverty, but the money was still kept in the Mission's treasury. Padre Federico knew there was corruption within the Mission and heard stories that the other Bishops would sometimes take money for their pleasures. It would anger him that the Bishops believe they could get away with their wrongdoing due to their rank.

"I admit that sometimes our ways can be a bit cruel. However, I feel that you do not understand our positions, Bishop. You and the other Bishops run this Mission, but we Padres carry more of the heavy burden to ensure that the products are made and to teach these Natives the way to god. I also know that deep down these Natives should fear us to keep this place upheld." Padre Federico noticed how Victoriano's face suddenly became emotionless; he knew the Bishop was angered. The Padre bowed. "I assure you that the breeding rituals have not been happening. Whoever has told you is mistaken, and there is also the possibility that someone wishes to ruin me. You know as well as I do that everyone here is out for themselves."

The men remained silent, and Victoriano still looked emotionless. "Let this be a warning to you, Padre. There are certain things I will not tolerate in this Mission, even if the other Bishops do. If I find out that you have disobeyed my orders, I won't hesitate to tell the judge that you will no longer be a Padre and will be asked to leave this Mission and you will not be recommended to work in another. Am I understood?"

Although he didn't show, Federico was enraged to the core. Federico didn't like to be threatened. However, Bishop Victoriano not only had a higher rank, but he always kept his threats. If Federico were to be let go and would be like a dog in the streets. The Padre had nothing in his name, and those he wronged would try to find and kill him. It was a stalemate, and nothing else could be done but obey. The Padre bowed his head. "Fully, Bishop. I have not forgotten my place."

"You may leave." Victoriano watched Federico walk out of his study, and once alone, he sighed again. He dealt with many difficult Padres, but Federico was one of the few on his list. Ever since Federico arrived at the Mission, Victoriano knew the young man never wanted to be in the priesthood. His eyes were filled with greed and lust for power, but his desires got Federico into trouble, henceforth his punishment. The Bishop knew that Federico was dangerous, so he closely watched him. Then, his thoughts trailed back to Metztli, and he remembered how Federico immediately intervened to keep her in the Mission. Victoriano found it strange that The Padre would do such a thing and for a woman no less. The Bishop didn't know why, but he couldn't help but feel sick. 

Meanwhile, Padre Federico walked into the small halls of the Mission, still seething from his meeting with the Bishop. What made him even angrier was that someone told the Bishop that he and other Padres were secretly still doing the breeding rituals to make Native women conceive children. If he had anyone to suspect, it was the possibility that one of the Natives was forced to participate. "I need to find out who it is and eliminate them." 

As the Padre continued walking, he saw someone entering the Mission through the small gardens. It was someone he knew very well. "Valentina!" The guest who entered was a twenty-year-old Native woman with long raven hair in two braids decorated with tiny seashells. Her eyes were black and hard as stone; her skin was dark tan due to the constant sun exposure. Her face looked slightly masculine, but there was also a hint of femininity and innocence. She wore a dark brown dress with some red-shaped decoration on the bottom parts, along with handmade jewelry. Usually, anyone who wore or tried to practice their culture in the Mission would earn lashes. However, Valentina was protected by Bishop Victoriano's insistence. 

The young woman, Valentina, heard her name being called. When she noticed it was Federico, she still, and her expression changed into disdain. Valentina refused to go to the Padre, which made him go to her. When Federico got to her and stopped, Valentina scoffed. "Federico."

"You know as everyone that I am to be addressed as Padre Federico."

"Yet, you and everyone here know that I don't call people the formalities they have not earned. You became a Padre due to your crimes that you try to 'teach' that are against the laws of your god."

Federico bit his lower lip as he had the urge to slap Valentina, but he contained his rage and slowly smiled. "Hm, yes, it's true that I have done crimes in my past. Yet, my god is loving and forgiving. It isn't easy to accept that my god and people were able to prevail over your people and gods." Federico noticed a small vein appearing on the side of her neck. "Your people grovel beneath us and our god. Yet, your gods and spirits do nothing as they hear their children cry. I may have done sins in the past but unlike you and these savages, I do not quiver in the dirt."

It was quiet between the two, and the Padre felt satisfied and was about to leave, but Valentina said, "Cowards and sinners manipulated my people. Your people use your god's name in vain for your gain and pleasure. Your supposed god knows all and sees all. You can feel powerful, but how will you be judged when it is time?" Valentina smirked as her eyes never left Federico. "You and these filthy Padres speak for your god, but be careful. In your book, your god says, 'The prophets prophesy lies in my name; I didn't send them, neither have I commanded them, neither spoke I to them: they prophesy to you a lying vision, and divination, and a thing of nothing, and the deceit of their own heart.'"

Federico's smirk slowly dwindled. "My, my, for a heathen who is supposedly against our god, you know, read the bible. It seems your brother is trying to convince you of the right path."

"I read the book not for its hypocritical pleasures but to remind the supposed 'holy men of god' of their sins. Now, I must go to my mother." 

Valentina then walked away, leaving Federico alone. He slowly turned as he watched Valentina go into the infirmity. "Cursed heathen. You and your mother believe that you are different from these heathens, but I promise that you both will kiss the dirt like your people."