Neophyte

Tranquil

Metztli ate her beef and bread slowly; they lacked flavor. However, she was grateful to have food. Guillermo was a chatterbox but sometimes made speaking difficult for anyone. Esteban chuckled now and then but knew that Guillermo wouldn't stop if he weren't told to. After swallowing a beef, he intervened, "My friend, I believe it would be best if you let the lady speak. You tend to get carried away."

Guillermo noticed Metztli trying to refrain from laughing; a blush came across his face. "Oh, dios mio. Perdon (Sorry), I tend to talk a lot since I get into the conversations."

"What conversation? You were the one conversing."

Metztli laughed, and Esteban did the same, making Guillermo look away in embarrassment. "It's quite alright, Guillermo. I can see that you're filled with energy; I don't come across with many people like that." In her era, people relied on social media and tended to live online rather than in reality. People in her time forgot how to become a community and know how to communicate with others. Guillermo and tonight's dinner reminded Metztli how life should be: togetherness.

"Really? You mentioned about being a traveler. You are brave to do such a thing. I imagine that you met many people from different walks of life."

"I have, but many tend to keep to themselves, and others are jolly. Sometimes I enjoy looking at nature; it soothes the spirit. Anyway, have you always been a part of this Mission?"

Guillermo nodded as he sipped water. "My sister and I were born in Jachivit Village, which is not far from here. Our mother wanted us to have a good education and future and to be converted. Bishop Victoriano, who was still a Padre at the time, taught children the Spanish language and other skills. However, he and my mother were friends before were born. The Bishop once told me that my mother saved his life from an illness."

"Wow, Bishop Victoriano sounds like a kind man. He taught you how to speak English, right?"

"He did. Bishop Victoriano became a father-figure to me and my sister since our father was killed. I became a Neophyte because of him. Valentina, however..." Guillermo took a glance at his sister, who was speaking with Toypurina. "...believes that the Padres and Spaniards were the cause of our father's death. She refuses to learn the ways of the Mission, but still took advantage of being educated."

Metztli noticed Valentina sitting far from the rest and looked to speak with Nicolas and Toypurina. "So, Valentina hates the Spaniards and the Mission because they were the cause of your father's death? That makes sense. Since you became a Neophyte, Valentina probably thinks you support the people who..." She stopped when she saw Mariana eyeing her; Guillermo became serious. "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have."

"Don't worry; you speak about what you see. My sister and I were very close, but as we got older and chose our paths, we didn't always see eye to eye. Valentina views me as a traitor to our people, but I still speak our language and respect our traditions."

"I'm so sorry to hear that." Metztli then turned to Esteban, who ate quietly. "What is your story, Esteban? Were born in this land?"

Esteban shook his head. "I was born in Seville, Spain, to a family of merchants. I had eight brothers, and I was the youngest. My parents wanted to put me into the priesthood, but I wanted to be a traveler, so I ran away. However, due to my financial circumstances, I became a soldier. When I heard about this place needing Soldados de Cuera, I took the opportunity since it gave me the opportunity to fulfill my love for travel. Now I am here."

"Are you happy being a Soldado de Cuera?" There was no response. Metztli believed that being a Mission defender had its perks. However, remember what she was taught: Soldados had their fair share of complaints about their positions. "Hmm, maybe that's why he didn't look too thrilled about speaking of his position."

The soldier sighed as he took a sip of his drink. "It has its privileges but everything is not what it seems." He cleared his throat and called upon Mariana. "What do you think of having music and singing? It has been a while since we had such enjoyments?"

Mariana smiled as she motioned two men who took out 6-string guitars, flutes, and other instruments. "I had the same idea. It has been a while since we played music together. Please play!"

Meanwhile, Padre Federico heard the faint echoes of the festivities. It made it difficult for him to sleep. He sat up, put on his wooden sandals, and left his room. "Cursed these savages! I cannot believe that the Bishop would allow them too much freedom. He approached the festivities, and the cheers and laughter got louder.

A woman was heard finishing singing, and the people clapped and cheered. The woman sang in the Tongva language, forbidden in the Mission. However, since they were out, they couldn't be punished. "Do you know how to sing, Metztli?" asked Guillermo. Federico stilled as he stood by the brick-muddy wall and listened.

"Oh, uh, I have sung when I was in the choir, but it has been a while."

"Come now, give it a try. It will be a while when we all can be together. Besides, everyone will get to know what you can do!"

The Padre noticed Metztli's hesitation, but he couldn't deny his curiosity about whether or not she knew how to sing. He slowly walked by the wall's opening, but he took a quick peek at the outgoings. 

"Well, I guess I could try. Maybe I can bring back the voice I thought I lost. May I borrow one of the guitars? I want to play a song I know how to play." One of the musicians stood and gave her the guitar; all eyes were on her. Metztli felt nervous, but she had experience singing in the choir and on her own time when motivated.

She loved one song that gave her strength in the most challenging times, especially when her father was facing his illness. She played the strings and began singing, 'Gracias a La Vida (Thanks to Life).'

Everyone became silent as they listened. The sound of her voice and the guitar made almost everyone quiver in awe. Esteban and Guillermo listened as Metztli sang beside them. She sang. Her voice was soft and gentle so that it could touch the soul. Mariana put a hand over her chest as she felt her heart beating with emotion. The older woman had heard many people sing, but Metztli sang with gentleness and innocence.

Nicolas, Toypurina, and Valentina sat and listened. Toypurina's eyes softened when looking at Metztli. "She sings beautifully," she whispered.

Nicolas nodded in agreement but said nothing. Valentina listened and hated admitting that Metztli sang better than many women of her tribe or anyone she heard. "She thinks she is better but is mistaken.

Padre Federico stood still while listening to Metztli sing. Her voice entranced him like a siren, and his mind went in circles. No one ever made him feel in such a way; his heart skipped a beat. Eventually, Metztli finished singing, and everyone clapped and cheered. Federico decided to return to his room; he couldn't bring himself to stop the festivities. It was as if he didn't want Metztli to think lowly of him.

He stopped midway as he turned, looking at the bonfire light from afar. Although the singing was done, Metztli's voice echoed in his mind. "Dios mío, ¿qué me está haciendo? ¿Es esto parte de tu testamento (My god, what is she doing to me? Is this part of your will)?" Federico eventually continued until he was inside his room with the door closed. Sitting on his bed, he looked forward, where a wooden cross was nailed. Even within the darkness, Federico knew where it was. "Why does she affect me? Well, I will soon find out more tomorrow."