Neophyte

Guillermo

The women walked away from the Bishop's chambers. Valentina was silent, but it was noticeable that she was seething. Mariana then focused on Metztli, who looked around the Mission; the young woman looked confused. "I believe it would be best to show you around the Mission first before taking you to your room. Please ensure that you stay beside me and Valentina."

"Is it that dangerous? I thought that the Missions were safe for everyone."

Valentina rolled her eyes as she scoffed. "Hah! Is that what you heard from the outside? Whatever good things you have heard about this Mission are nothing but lies. The Mission and Padres lie just to lure in more of my people just to convert them and use them for labor." Valentina stopped walking, as did the other women. "Look around you, do the people here look happy being here?"

Metztli looked at many of the Tongva people who worked inside the Mission. Many of them were middle-aged and elderly; they looked exhausted and gaunt. She couldn't help but feel pity for them. "My parents always told me that our family has been part of this Mission, and it has done so much for us. The Mission and those who work within it always try to bring the community together."

Mariana sighed; her daughter was difficult, but her words were true. The older woman was once a slave within the Mission, but thanks to Victoriano, she didn't suffer. "Forgive my daughter, Metztli. I will not deny that the Mission may not have the best reputation, but everything has become peaceful since the Bishop came into power."

"The Bishop does look like a kind man."

The older woman smiled. "Valentina will never admit it, but the Bishop cares deeply about our people. He never agreed with the abuses that the Padres practiced."

"Abuses?" Metztli's parents or teachers never mentioned abuses within the Mission's past. It was mentioned that many people of her tribe died of illness due to the diseases brought by the Spaniards.

Mother and daughter looked at one another. Valentina raised an eyebrow, but when looking at her mother, she knew it was best to be silent. Since she and Metztli were going to be roommates, there was more opportunity to tell her about the dangers within the Mission. 

"Madre, hermana (Mother, sister)," said a masculine voice.

The trio flinched and looked before them. It was a twenty-year-old man; what surprised Metztli was that he looked identical to Valentina. Their height and the young man's short black-trimmed hair were the only differences. He also wore a white alb over a black cassock and surplice."Wow, he looks so much like Valentina. Could it be that they're twins?" thought Metztli. She saw the young man and Mariana hug, and when he tried to go to Valentina, she moved back, avoiding his hug. "Hmm, I wonder if they have a strained relationship?"

The young man then noticed Metztli, and his eyes slightly widened. A slight blush came across his face. "¿Quién es ella? ¿Es nueva en la Misión? (Who is she? Is she new to the Mission?)"

"Oh, I guess you could say that. The name is Metztli De La Cruz, and you must be...?"

Guillermo raised his eyebrows. "You speak English!? That is very rare! You look like a Mestiza. Where are you from?"

"Hijo (son)! Do not be rude!" snapped Mariana. She then looked at Metztli. "Forgive my son. He has a loose tongue."

Metztli smiled while noticing Guillermo's embarrassment. "It's okay. If I can be frank, I am fully Indigenous; I guess you can say that I don't go out in the sun too much."

"Ah, I see. Well, you are very light to be of our people. So, will you be staying here in the Mission?"

"It would seem so. Bishop Victoriano believed it would be better and safer for me to stay here. I am also an herbalist so I can help many people here." Metztli smiled, but deep down, she was worried. Many questions plagued her as she still didn't know how to be in a different time. "Am I in another time? Have I become insane?" Metztli pinched her arm, making her flinch. "What am I doing? I have spoken with all these people, so I am not insane."

Mariana cleared her throat. "I assume you have finished with the usual mass. You should bathe and rest, hijo mio. I have to give Metztli a tour around here before taking her and your sister to their room."

Guillermo raised an eyebrow as he looked at his sister, who looked displeased. "Valentina is staying here in the Mission? She despises it here."

The older woman was about to respond, but Valentina walked forward. "Go and bathe, brother. Mother and I have to show this herbalist around." She walked forward without waiting for her mother and Metztli.

"What is happening with my sister? Is something troubling her?"

"You know how your sister is. It would not be wise to anger her further."

Guillermo frowned. "Mother, is there something that you are not telling me? I have noticed how tense Valentina has become for the past couple of weeks. I know that she would not stay here voluntarily unless the Bishop forced her to."

"Hijo, please. It would be best not to ask too many questions now." Mariana looked at Metztli, who looked uncertain. She gently patted her son on the face. "I will tell you in another time. Metztli and I must leave. I will stay here for the night and we will all have dinner with the others. Go and rest." The older woman motioned Metztli to follow her, which she did so. Before following Mariana, Metztli smiled and waved Guillermo farewell. The duo walked on until they were far from Guillermo. "Forgive my children. Although they are twins, they differ extensively."

"Yeah, I have noticed."

"I will show you around and introduce you to many occupants here. They will be cautious, but once they have the chance to get to know you, they will eventually accept you." Mariana then stopped. "Before moving forward, there is something I must tell you: a warning." She eyed Meztli and said, "Do not get close to Padre Federico. He may look like a decent man, but not everything is what it seems. Am I understood?"

The young woman nodded and followed Mariana. However, Metztli couldn't help but wonder what was wrong with Padre Federico.