Neophyte

Proposition

Metztli sat deep in thought on a wooden bench for hours, unmoved. 

Rain fell upon the ground and the gardens, giving them a tranquil sight. 

She couldn't stop thinking about her meeting with Juvencio. Seeing him calm was unexpected since Juvencio had lost his family; he was used to the trauma.

 It was difficult for her to wrap her mind around everything she had witnessed and what she had been taught since childhood. She received her education from the San Gabriel School and wasn't taught the dark realities of the Padres and the Mission. 

Metztli then remembered the protests outside the church that day. 

People protested against Junipero Serra's canonization. The more she stayed in the past, the more she understood. Junipero Serra founded many of the Missions of California and passed down the belief to his successors. He created places where many abuses and deaths occurred. Metztli watched the flowers drenched with rain and then questioned her faith.

She wanted to hold her rosary, but still couldn't find it. The one that Mariana had looked exactly like hers.  

"May I sit beside you?"

Metztli flinched out of her thoughts, looked to her right side, seeing Toypurina. 

"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure."

Toypurina slowly sat next to Metztli and said, "The rain soothes the mind and spirit, don't you agree?"

"You could say that. I have always seen the simple beauty of rain. Rain brings life and comfort."

"It could also bring destruction," Toypurina added while she noticed Metztli tense up. "Mother Earth can be generous but also cruel. Like us. However, even in destruction, hope grows."

 "I-I have been raised about the concept of God and of Catholicism. I was raised to believe certain things, but after being here for long periods of time, now I am starting to question everything I was raised in."

Toypurina crossed her arms while focusing on the rain. "It is normal for all of us. Now that you have seen some of the cruel realities, what do you wish to do now?"

"I...I just want to help, to make a difference."

"And if you can't?"

Metztli stood up from her seat and looked at Toypurina. "Try again. People who do nothing only contribute to their suffering." Toypurina raised an eyebrow, surprised by the response. "Now, if you shall excuse me, I have to go. Tomorrow will be the day when Pahave Fermin arrives." 

Toypurina watched her walking away and then continued looking at the rain. "Intriguing one she is."

Meanwhile, Metztli wondered if she should help with the preparations, but since many didn't have to work due to the rain, everything would be prepared. She decided to go to her room and try to sing; she noticed someone ahead. "V-Valentina?"

Valentina stopped in her tracks. "Huh?"

"A-Are you okay?"

"Hn..." Valentina toward their room. 

Metztli knew something was wrong. She followed her to their room. "Valentina." Valentina didn't stop. She walked toward her bed and lay upon it, her back turned. Metztli closed the door, walked, and sat on her own bed. She wanted to break the tension between them. "Valentina, you don't need to look or speak to me, but at least hear me." When there was no response, Metztli continued. "I have been hearing about this Pascual, and I must imagine you are frightened, even though you are trying to hide it."

Valentina slowly turned around and sat up, glaring at Metztli. "You think you know everything? You-"

"I know how you feel. I was in a similar predicament." Metztli noticed Valentina flinch and was intrigued, but she also expressed doubt. "You may not believe me, but I am about to tell you a truth I don't like talking about." She took a deep breath. "In my community, we don't live in the best area, and many of us face many dangers, especially women. Women in my community go through a lot, especially with sexual violence. A man once approached me when I was walking alone from my studies." A shiver went down Metztli's spine. She felt the experience had just been yesterday since it had impacted her. "The man was old enough to be my father, and I knew he had bad intentions. I ran but was caught."

Valentina's eyes widened as she put her hands together. "D-Did he-?"

"I was taken to a remote location, and he was going to rape me. I never felt so scared that I thought everything would be taken away from me. There was the possibility that he was going to kill me after he did the deed. I knew that it was now or never. So I fought back. I was able to escape his clutches, and when my attacker was about to get me, I got a heavy rock and bashed it on his head."

"Y-You did? What happened afterward? Did you get punished for your crime?"

"I told the authorities and reported it. Luckily, I didn't get punished since I immediately reported the action."

The women were silent until Valentina sat on the edge of her bed. "So, you got away from-"

"Look, it's not a crime when you haven't started the action. It's self-defense; everyone has a right to defend themselves when someone else tries to harm them. Look, I know it's not my business, but I can't ignore what you are going through, especially since I have been through it. I-I want to help you."

"You, help me? Even the Bishop cannot do much. How can you-?"

"I can teach you how to defend yourself. Ever since that incident, I have been taught fighting skills, and if you want, I can teach you some moves."

Valentina's eyes widened. "You were taught how to fight?"

"Yeah, it's more of self-defense moves. Although I can teach you under one condition."

"Which is?"

Metztli smiled. "If you teach me your language. I want to learn."

The proposition came as a surprise. Valentina was surprised that Metztli wanted to learn the Tongva language. She didn't fully trust her, but the proposition didn't ask for much. Valentina didn't want to admit she was nervous, but if she learned some self-defense skills, it would put her at ease. "I still don't like you or fully trust you, but I accept your proposal."

Metztli sighed in relief and smiled. "I expected as much."