Neophyte

Night

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. A short time later, Valentina left the room without saying a word, leaving Metztli alone. 

It suited Metztli 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. Having a nice walk in the Mission shouldn't be too bad." Metztli got out of bed and walked out of the room, moving slowly as she looked around. She 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. Cacti, poppies, hibiscus, and other small trees were growing. "Maybe I can fix them to bring some liveliness to the place I have always known."

Unknown to her, Metztli was being watched from afar.

Padre Federico had finished his duties for the day. Usually, Padres had to do prayers, but he believed it was a waste of time. He decided to take a walk, and then he noticed Metztli in the gardens.

He was intrigued. 

Padre Federico had seen many beautiful Native women, but Metztli had a rare beauty, even among Spanish women. He walked inside the gardens, seeing Metztli kneeling before them, aligning some of the poppies and tending the soil. "Tending to 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." 

 "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 neophytes 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?"

"Y-Yeah. I know a bit about herbalism and gardening."

"Interesting. Will you be staying within the Mission?"

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

Padre Federico smirked slightly. It gladdened him that she would stay in the Mission; if other men gazed upon her beauty, they would do anything to have her. Catching his thoughts, he still couldn't believe his intrigue for Metztli. It was dangerous for a Padre to be attracted to a woman. "It is not like I am the only one. I have heard stories of Padres breaking their vows of chastities to lay with women." He gathered his composure. "Bishop Victoriano was wise on making the decision. It would be dangerous for a young woman to go alone unaccompanied."

"So I've been told."

"I do not know if you know what has been happening in the nearby towns and villages. There have been complaints of soldiers raping Tongva women. It has been creating tension where Bishop Victoriano has been trying to defuse the situation."

Metztli gasped. "I-I didn't know that was happening. That is awful!" Metztli was dumbfounded until she realized that she was in a more dangerous predicament. She was no longer safe in the past, since women didn't have many rights. 

"I do not know how much you know, but it has been happening more than ever. I hope you feel safe here.."

"Well, I appreciate your concern."