Neophyte

Secrecy

Metztli, Mariana, Esteban, and Valentina were at the festivities.

There were many wooden tables and wooden benches filled with plates and bowls of food. The sight reminded Metztli of the events held in the San Gabriel Mission during her time. People from the community came together when there were festivals and other celebrations. It comforted her that the Mission didn't change much in that aspect.

Everyone got plates where they served themselves food, and a plate for Juvencio. While getting a plate for Juvencio, visitors went to Metztli, where they praised her voice. She thanked everyone who gave her kind comments. There were a couple of men who tried to flirt with her, but she would kindly reject them or give an excuse to not continue their flirting.

As she was about to finish serving her food, she heard Mariana speak, "¿Qué quieres ahora, Pascual? (What do you want now, Pascual?)"

Metztli turned around and saw Pascual with some of his men behind him. She then noticed Esteban became firm in his stance.

Esteban walked forward and said, "Pascual, ahora no es el momento de crear problemas (Pascual, now is not the time to create problems)."

Pascual chuckled as he raised his hands. "¿Quién dijo que quiero crear problemas? Sólo vine a expresar mi asombro por el canto de tu amiga. Ella estuvo magnífica (Who said I want to create problems? I just came by to express my awe at your friend's singing. She was superb)." He looked at Metztli, smirking at her.

"Gracias. Ahora, si nos disculpan, tenemos cosas que hacer (Thank you. Now, if you shall excuse us, we have things to do)," Metztli snapped.

Pascual raised an eyebrow, and he crossed his arms. "Tienes el descaro de hablarme así, Mestiza. ¿Crees que el obispo Victoriano podrá protegerte a ti y a los demás para siempre? (You have the nerve to speak to me like that, Mestiza. Do you think Bishop Victoriano can protect you and the others forever?)"

Mariana and Valentina glared at Pascual, while Esteban never took his stare away from Pascual. Metztli put down the plates and slowly walked toward him; Esteban tried to stop her, but she motioned his hand away. "Debes pensar que eres tan poderoso porque tienes dinero. Debes sentirte poderoso para abusar de tu poder sobre los impotentes. Cuando un hombre débil finalmente tiene poder, abusa de él para sentir el poder que nunca sintió (You must think you are so powerful because you have money. You must feel powerful to abuse your power on the powerless. When a weak man finally has power, he abuses it to feel the power he never felt)."

Esteban, Mariana, and Valentina looked at Metztli, who stood her ground—many who were close by listened to the conversation while pretending to mind their business. Pascual tried to maintain his smirk, but his anger was slowly getting the better of him.

His men from behind tried hard to maintain their chuckles and laughter.

"Mira. Incluso tus hombres, piensan que es gracioso porque saben que trabajan para un hombre feo y cobarde que persigue a mujeres que no lo quieren (Look. Even you men think it's funny because they know they work for a cowardly, ugly man who goes after women who do not want him)."

Valentina and others who heard the conversation chuckled, while others softly laughed. Esteban and Mariana were shocked, but Pascual looked beyond furious. His body trembled as he raised his hand and arm, looking like he would strike her, but Metztli caught on. Before Pascual could land a strike, she moved away and did a roundhouse kick on his face so hard that Pascual fell to the ground.

Onlookers gasped, and many people stopped what they were doing when they noticed what had happened. Metztli was in a defensive stance; her gaze never left him. Pascual put a hand over his nose as blood slowly dripped. He ordered his men to get Metztli, but Esteban stepped forward and asked for backup from the other Soldados de Cuera, who had arrived by their lieutenant. Esteban stepped forward and stood beside Metztli, who slowly walked behind him. "Sería mejor que te fueras. No querrás avergonzarte más, ¿verdad? (It would be best if you left. You wouldn't want to embarrass yourself any further, would you?)"