Neophyte

Garden

The day continued, and Metztli never felt awkward in her life; being in the same room as Valentina was tense. Valentina lay on her bed briefly after their conversation with Toypurina; Metztli did the same. However, she wanted to explore more of the Mission to see more of it since she was bored. Two hours later, Valentina left the room without saying a word, leaving Metztli alone. It suited her fine since she didn't want to face the awkward silence. She turned and noticed the sun slowly going down. "Mariana did mention about having dinner. Maybe having a nice walk in the Mission shouldn't be too bad. I could bump into her."

Metztli got off her bed and walked out of the room. It was silence, and she wondered if the workers were returning home or preparing for tonight's dinner. The young woman slowly walked while looking at her surroundings. There was a part of her that everything was a nightmare and would go back to normal, but Metztli couldn't help but feel that her brain was slowly accepting the fact of possible time travel.

"I guess I will have to find out by tomorrow morning after a good night sleep. Maybe when I wake up, I will be back to my regular life and all of this will be forgotten." Metztli kept on walking until, at the corner of her eye, she saw the small garden. It was different from the garden she was used to in her time. There weren't many flowers since the garden wasn't well cared for. When getting closer, the young woman saw growing cactuses, poppies, hibiscus, and some other small trees.

Metztli felt at ease while looking at the plants; it reduced her stress, but it saddened her that the flowers looked like they would die soon with the lack of water and proper planting style. She looked around her to see if there was anyone in sight. To her luck, she was alone. "Maybe I can fix them to bring some liveliness to the place I have always known."

Meanwhile, candles flickered in a particular room, giving light for the night's arrival. Padre Federico was in his room and office. He and the other Padres had finished having dinner and having a short siesta. It was time to do paperwork about their duties, which was tiresome. Padre Federico was tired of the strict regime of the Mission; it was a boring life. Sometimes, he wondered if deciding to become a Padre to save his life was worth it. The Padre finished his paperwork and lay his back on his wooden chair while looking at the window. 

The night was coming, and it was his only time of reprieve, but he had to wait until the last bell rang to inform everyone in the Mission that it was time to pray before going to sleep. Sometimes, he didn't pray but would immediately go to sleep. Padre Federico believed praying was worthless.

"If praying ever worked, I would have had everything I wanted." Padre Federico sighed as he was about to stand up from his desk until something, no, someone caught his eye. He saw Metztli walking on the other side of his room and saw her going to the garden. No one was allowed to go to the garden without his permission since the garden was for the Padres for leisure. It was a good excuse for him to let out steam, but the urge to punish wasn't strong when he saw that it was Metztli and not the others. 

He was intrigued. 

Padre Federico couldn't believe that he held any regard for any Natives. The Padre had seen many beautiful Native women, but Metztli had a rare beauty, even among Spanish women. Federico stood from his seat and slowly walked out of his room, ensuring no one else was in sight. He remembered that the Bishop permitted the Natives to have dinner outside the Mission and for them to practice their traditions, which meant that there would be no one in sight. Also, the Padre couldn't help but become curious about Metztli. He walked toward the gardens, and upon arrival, he saw Metztli kneeling before the gardens, fixing some of the poppies by aligning them and fixing the soil. She then got a small wooden cup of water and watered the poppies. "Watering the flowers, I see."

Metztli gasped and flinched, almost making her slip onto the flowers. She immediately turned and looked up; her eyes widened when she saw Padre Federico. Mariana's words slowly echoed, "Do not get close to Padre Federico." Mariana looked serious when she told Metztli. The young woman wanted to heed her elder's warning, but acting indifferently to the Padre could bring her more strenuous situations. "Just be respectful and keep a distance," she told herself. Metztli slowly stood up and took the dirt from her hands. "P-Padre. Padre Federico, right?" 

"Indeed, may I ask why you are in the gardens? Only the Padres and the Natives with special permission are allowed to be here."

"Oh, uh, so sorry about that. I-I'm learning more of the rules of the Mission. I will leave and-"

"You know how to plant flowers?"

The young woman was surprised that the Padre asked her simple questions with such seriousness. Metztli believed in the possibility of trying to know more about her or being cautious. Still, she didn't want to raise any suspicions. "Y-Yeah. I am an herbalist, and my mother taught me how to plant and the functions of various plants."

"Interesting, herbalists are very valuable, especially in times such as these. Will you be staying within the Mission?"

Metztli nodded. "Bishop Victoriano believed that I would be safer here."

Padre Federico slightly smirked. He would see more of Metztli, but he was still confused about why he would care. Metztli's beauty entranced him; Federico wanted to know more about her. It gladdened him that she would stay in the Mission; if other men gazed upon her beauty, they would do anything to have her. "Bishop Victoriano was wise on making the decision. It was I who suggested the idea."

"You did?" Metztli thought it odd that Padre Federico would suggest that she stay in the Mission. They barely knew each other, and she wondered if Padre Federico had thought of the idea out of the kindness of his heart or for something else.

The Padre noticed her questionable expression; Metztli looked uncomfortable. He didn't want to create distrust so soon. Federico knew that he had to convince her that there was no ill will with his idea. "I thought of the idea because it would be dangerous for a young woman like yourself. I do not know if you know what has been happening in the nearby towns and villages. There have been complaints of soldiers...raping Native women. It has been creating tension where Bishop Victoriano and the other Bishops have been trying to descilate the situation."

Metztli gasped. "I-I didn't know that was happening. That is awful!" Metztli was dumbfounded to hear the situation, and the reality of being taken to the past was getting to her. Either way, while attending school within the MIssion, she wasn't entirely taught the dark truths of what happened within and outside the Mission. 

"I do not know how much you know but it has been happening more than ever. So please believe me that it was for your safety."

"Well...I appreciate your concern."

"Metztli." The two flinched and saw Mariana close to the garden's entrance. Padre Federico and Mariana eyed one another. "I see that you two are having a conversation. I was looking for Metztli to take her to gathering, Padre."

The Padre nodded. "Well, I mustn't keep you both. Enjoy your gathering." Federico nodded at Metztli, walked past the older woman until he reached his room, and then closed the door.

"Metztli, you shouldn't have left your room unattended. I was looking all over for you."

"Sorry, Mariana. I was just bored and I saw the garden so-"

The older woman entered the garden and put her hands on Metztli's arms. "What did he say to you?"

"Padre Federico? He just told me a little more about what was going on outside the Mission. You know, about what was happening to the women. He also told me that was one of the reasons why I was staying here."

Mariana looked grim, and it was noticed that she didn't speak or deny whether what Padre Federico said was true. This also made Metztli feel grim. "Please promise me that you will not leave outside this Mission without permission or without a chaperone. Understood?" She let go of Metztli. Also, do not be alone with Padre Federico. Keep things short and make any excuse to be away from him. Now, let us go. The others await us."