#encanto timeline

[pepa-brainrot]

Revamping her

Originally a bruno love interest, I find it much more interesting to have her as a friend to him. Especially as I personally hc him as Aro/ace

[ruffboijuliaburnsides]

article I just saw about Encanto going on about how the displacement Alma and Pedro and their town was a reference to the thousand days war, and the technology, fashion, etc all seem to be from the 50s, so Encanto is set in the 1950s.

And then me here thinking about how every Colombian response to this film I’ve seen has brought up La Violencia (1948-1958) rather than the thousand days war, and also how if their fashion and technology fit in the 50s, that would’ve been bc it was the 50s when they CAME to the Encanto, since it’s a whole plot point that they’ve been hidden away and cut off from the rest of the world since then, which means it’s technically taking place in the 2000s.

Anyway let’s assume it’s 2003 because now the path out has been reopened and they can do things like get cell phones (even if they don’t always have *service*), and basically what I’m saying is in 10 years when Antonio and Mirabel are 15 and 25 (respectively) they’re fully going to start making Vines of their family that everyone thinks are special effects but still pop off.

[thefourchimes]

thinking of the encanto undertale au

and every single time i consider the kids having their gifts as they go through the underground, i just imagine isabela absolutely destroying flowey once he reveals his intentions

so yeah, probably no gifts as they go through the underground 💀😅

[teawizard]

I am bored at work so I figured why not post some more sketches, right? Welcome to the part 2 of my 'sketches I did in a span of roughly a month'

This one is primarily inspired by the latest chapter of The Jorge Situation by @foggyfanfic and features their amazing ocs!

[addaxus]

I’m back with another “update!” This is just the timeline of everything leading up to the actually story. Everything here is just the barebones/main points we want to emphasize that would have been the chapters.

Once Upon A Time In The Wild West

1856 (Birth)

Pedro Madrigal and Alma cross paths in the American West. Pedro, a bottom-feeding bandit, and Alma, a painted lady (prostitute), are both Colombian immigrants who have found themselves in difficult positions. They marry and have three children: Julieta, Pepa, and Bruno.

Soon after their children are born, Pedro goes on a heist with his gang—which he betrays—stealing the loot to give his new family a better life. In the hopes of evading reprisal, the Madrigals move towards Mexico. They join a group of travelers who are also attempting to cross the border. However, as they cross the Rio Grande River, Pedro's former gang members follow and attack them. Pedro makes the ultimate sacrifice to give the party ample time to depart. His death and Alma's anguish imbue the Miracle Candle with magic, repelling the intruders before building Encanto, a mystical haven reminiscent of their home country of Colombia bordered by high mountains.

Alma is left with a strong urge to safeguard their magic above everything else in the aftermath of Pedro's death.

1861 (Age 5)

Julieta, Pepa, and Bruno are given wonderful gifts from the Miracle Candle when they reach the age of five. Bruno's gift of foresight is revealed when he has a vision of an evil figure appearing in their home years in the future.

Alma instills in her children the importance of using their Gifts for the community. But, while Julieta and Pepa are adored and appreciated, Bruno is gradually vilified and scapegoated.

Small families have found their way to Encanto throughout time. It's an occurrence that no one can explain. They claim to have been guided there by golden butterflies. The residents of Encanto, on the other hand, come to accept these newcomers because they, too, are looking for a safe haven to live away from the cruelty and anarchy of the Wild West. Alma feels the magic is responsible, and while they may not understand it, they should have faith in it.

[elijones94]

🌻 Young Pepa 🌼

[lariskapargitay]

In a modern world at the height of OUAT popularity, Pepa and Julieta absolutely go as these two for Halloween.

[avatarvyakara]

Not a resolution, not by a long shot. But there’s a few things I’d like to get finished by the end of 2024, and these are some of them:

Finish the first and second drafts of Edge of the Echo (my fantasy story), ready for publication.

Finish the first draft of a story from Timeline-1001—be that the Foggy adventures of Dugan Quirk, the story of the Last Crusade, or something new.

Finish Part II of Tiles on the Roof.

Finish Strands of Webbing.

Become a lawyer.

Find a job with the Foreign Service.

Lose some weight.

Get to know my city better.

Not the worst in the world, is it?

[needs-to-stop-looking-at-valves]

Can we get a fluffy fic about pepa reacting to her daughter's first period? Like how she found out, and how dolores reacted herself.

Oh my god it's gonna be better than MINE- i had mine at peter piper pizza, and now I cannot go back to that place.

Pepa made sure her humming was extra quiet today. Dolores had complained yesterday that she wasn't feeling that well, and given that she hadn't woken up today, she could assume she still wasn't feeling well. It was why she was currently making her a tea, as well as one for Félix, who seemed more worried than she was, oddly enough.

"Félix, we all have days where we don't feel well."

"I know, I know. But Pepa, that's my baby girl! Of COURSE I'm worried!"

Pepa chuckled, putting the tea on the table, and kissing his forehead.

"Ya, relax. She's eleven, not five. Drink your tea, and breathe. Nothing is wrong."

"You're right. You're absolutely right. Gracias, Pepi. I-"

"MAMI!!"

Camilo ran into the kitchen, nearly slamming himself into the walls of the Casita.

"Oye, relax! Do you want to get hurt-"

"I checked in on Dolores! She won't get up and she's bleeding!"

Whatever calm Pepa had, was absolutely thrown out the fucking window. Her and Félix ran up the stairs as quickly as they could, and immediately ran into the room, to 'backstage', where Dolores's actual bed was. Pepa immediately shook her, scaring the poor thing awake.

"W-whats going on?!"

"Mija, are you okay? Camilo told us you weren't getting up and there was blood!"

Camilo pointed to the sheets, and sure enough, as Dolores pushed away the sheets, there was blood, smeared against all of her covers. Félix looked at Dolores, and sighed in relief.

"Oh por dios-I was TERRFIED."

Dolores groaned in disgust as she grabbed her dad's arm, kicking the sheet away.

"Ew...papi? Why is there blood on the sheets? Am I dying?"

Félix chuckled as he patted her little head.

"No baby. You know that thing that happens to mami sometimes? When she gets a bit more cranky than usual? Thats her on her period. And when you're on your period, you bleed."

Dolores didn't look surprised, but rather, extremely uncomfortable with this information.

"How long till it's over?"

Pepa started to gather her sheets as Félix helped her to her feet.

"For a week. Then it'll start again next month."

"Wait, so my prima isn't dying?"

"No mijo, she's just fine!"

Camilo pouted.

"Aw. I wanted her stuff."

Dolores stuck her tongue out at him, before Félix chuckled and seperated them by lightly smothering their faces with his hands.

"Ya, enough. Camilo, you be nice to your sister, ESPECIALLY right now."

Camilo pushed his hand away, looking upon it with disgust.

"Why? She's not dying."

"Because she doesn't feel well. Your sister is going to be bleeding for a while-"

Dolores winced as she held onto her tummy, clearly feeling a cramp.

"Ow ow ow...it hurts."

"Those are cramps, mija. Don't worry, you'll feel better after a nice shower. Then, you can have whatever you want for breakfast."

"W-she gets to eat whatever she wants for breakfast? Just for being a girl?!"

Camilo turned into Dolores, and faked what looked like a tummy ache. Félix looked displeased by this, and even Pepa had to admit that was inappropriate.

"Camilo. Be a good little hombre for me, stop making fun of your sister. Get me the laundry basket."

Camilo pouted as he obeyed, and Pepa chuckled as she stuffed the basket full. They all walked Dolores to the bathroom, and Pepa pushed Bruno away from entering the bathroom.

"Pepa what the hell-"

"Someone just started her period today, she's going to take a shower. As long as she needs."

Bruno leaned over to look at Dolores, giving her a thumbs up.

"Hey! The big period! Well good for you! Growing up, right before our eyes! Has Pepa told you about her period story?"

Pepa glared at him, the thunder serving as a warning for him to shut the fuck up.

"Bruno. Don't. You. Dare."

She knew that shit eating grin. No stopping him, even if she was going to beat his ass.

"It happened around your age! We were having a sleep over in my room, and we all slept in my bed. We woke up- we were all just covered in her blood! Like it was all over my sheets and our clothes-it looked like the horse scene in the Godfather. You dunno what that is yet, but trust me it's a lot."

"BRUNO."

"For like, two years I was convinced she was a werewolf, and was using the period as a cover up-okay okay I'm done I'm done!"

Bruno yelped as one of her lightning bolts almost hit him. Dolores covered her ears from the noise, but all three of these shit heads were chuckling along with Bruno. Pepa pushed him away, scolding him for being a dumbass, and only relaxing when Félix lightly patted her back.

"Hey, this is the first time Dolores smiled today. Be happy about that."

She sighed, the clouds poofing away as she nodded.

"Fair point. Dolores, mija, I'm going to help you with something while your papi gets you breakfast."

"What do you want for breakfast?"

Dolores thought about it for a second. She could only imagine how crazy her thoughts must be going in her little head.

"Mmm...I want arroz con leche."

"Then that's what you'll get, mi little buho. I'll take Camilo with me, you handle it from here?"

Pepa nodded, and after sharing a smooch with her husband, took Dolores to the bathroom. Pepa had her sit on the toilet, as she knelt down to her level.

"Now, mi amor. There's a few things I should tell you about how to handle your period, okay?"

"Uhm...okay?"

"Great. Now, first things first. You get your heavy bleeding from me, so you need to wear a cloth on your underwear."

"Like...a diaper?"

Pepa shrugged.

"Sort of. It's worth it though, else you'll get blood on everything, and you'll just genuinely be uncomfortable."

"Is there...something else?"

"Oh si-I use these sometimes, they're tampons!"

Pepa had some on hand, actually, for emergencies. She let Dolores hold one, but she looked...not so comfortable.

"Okay. And how do these catch the blood?"

"Oh you push this, and it goes inside of you. Then, once you need to change it, you pull the string and-"

"Papi!!!"

Dolores covered her ears as she screamed. And immediately, Félix poked his head into the bathroom, brow raised.

"What's wrong?"

"Can mami go instead? I don't wanna hear about stuff going places."

Pepa huffed, feeling a cloud form over her head. How dare she? Her own daughter, trying to get rid of her? She huffed, standing up, thrusting the tampons into Félix's hands, and taking the basket of laundry.

"Fine. YOU deal with it. Clearly I'm not wanted."

Pepa walked past them to the laundry room, where Julieta was, trying to get stains out of clothes, alongside Isabela.

"Pepa! What do you need me to...You're thundering."

"No, I thought I was raining glitter."

She replied, sarcasm laced in her voice. Julieta grabbed the clothes from her, and chuckled upon seeing the mess.

"Oh, Pepa! How cute! Is that why she was feeling unwell? I thought you'd be happy!"

"I was. Then she decided I wasn't good enough to explain tampons to her. Félix has ALWAYS been her favorite. Tonto."

Isabela looked up at the sheet, curious.

"What's going on with Dolores?"

"She had her period, it means she's becoming a woman."

"W-I'm older! I should becoming a woman! I want my period!"

Julieta chuckled, patting her head before getting to work.

"It'll happen when it happens, mija. I didn't have mine till I was thirteen, but I've heard a few getting it at fourteen."

"Is it bad?"

"In...some cases. Like Pepa's was-"

"If I have to hear about how bad my first period was, I'm going to hurricane."

"Ah, Bruno huh?"

Julieta chuckled, much to her frustration.

"You know what, I'm going to the market, let out some clouds. And Dolores says she wants arroz con leche for breakfast."

"Have fun. And be easy on your little girl, she's probably just really uncomfortable right now."

Pepa scoffed as she walked out of the laundry room, and into town. Maybe she was just a bit hard on her. Maybe she just wanted to be there for her, someone she wished she had when SHE was bleeding. Oh well.

At least she knew HER brother wouldn't call her a werewolf for two years.

[roxyfoxgamer150]

Hollow Julieta stared at the child infront of her, and scooped them up.

The ten months old Mirabel loomed at her, square in the face, tongue out in a derp.

Hollow holds the child to her shoulders and proceeds to walk forward, to her own tavern/bar.

"Where to?" She simply asked. Earning a "Ma!" Fron the baby.

"Hmm yes, we will go to my building and give you baby food. Even though it is full of liquors not meant for children, except for a few. Would you like almond?"

"Yah!" The infant answered. "Alo!"

"Okay." Hollow simply stated.

——♠︎◆♠︎◆♠︎——

"Uh... Hollow? Is that a mini-Mirabel?" Scrappy Mirabel asked, pointing at a two-year-old Mirabel, who was holding onto her hand.

Hollow only blinked. "She is from a neglected AU." She instantly held her up, "Would you like to hold her?" She asked.

"Hollow how the hell are you going to work like this—" "Ah, don't worry, I already simplified what my job is, so I tell her to cover her eyes and ears."

——♠︎◆♠︎◆♠︎——

A week later, a five-year-old Mirabel was with Hollow, said Mirabel was crying as the adult hugged her tightly.

Observer Mirabel sputtered. "Wh— Hollow for fucks sake DON'T MAKE HER GET ATTACHED TO YOU!" She yelled.

The bloody woman shook her head, "I'm afraid I cannot, she is from a Neglected AU."

"Oh, makes sense."

——♠︎◆♠︎◆♠︎——

Hollow clicked her tongue.

"I sadly cannot explain what happened—"

"Hollow she's already fifteen, you're covered in dust, your left eye was gouged out, and your ribcage is broken." Observer deadpanned.

The AU Madrigals stared in shock, even Mirabel, who looked close to crying.

Hollow simply regenerated her body while shrugging. "My apologies everyone. I had to step in so Mirabel could be taken care of sometimes."

[youhaveadamproblem]

Annual rewatch™ Part 2:

So I wondered when Encato takes place.

The first thing I notices was the Alarm clock Casita uses to tell the Family to Hurry Up.

Pretty obvious, right? Well, according to Wikipedia, the first documented alarm clock belonged to Plato (428-348 BC), and the first alarm clock like this ("American Alarm Clock") is from 1787, but they got way more popular during the industrial revolution (~1942).

The SECOND thing that i recognised was Camilos High Five.

Wizards of Waverly Place may tell you the High Five was invented/got popular in 1777, BUT according to the High Five Wikipedia Article, it may originated from the African-American low five, which has been part of their culture since the 1920s. According to the German Wikipedia Article for Colombia, it's entirely possible that the Madrigals are african-americans or their ancestors were.

Roughly translated it says:

"A Costeño is a person from the Caribbean coastal region of Colombia who is mostly of African descent. The Costeños are characterized as a happy and noisy people. This subculture is particularly pronounced in the areas around the cities of Cartagena, Barranquilla and Santa Marta. The foods common to this area, bananas, coconut, rice and fish, are characteristic of the Costeños. Their accent is recognized by the fact that the 's' at the end of the word is not pronounced and is suppressed when followed by a consonant (example: cohta instead of costa)."

This means that it's absolutely realistic that Camilo did the High five years before it got popular!

But when does the movie play then?

Well, according to the Fan-Wiki in the early 20th century, sometimes between 1910 and 1960, the chance being that Pedro died in the civil war between 1899 and 1902. The Wiki also mentions the colored photographs of the characters.

So, what do we learn from that?

Not only is Encanto surprisingly accurate with the timeline, you can also spend a lot of time reading Wikipedia Articles around alarm clocks instead of skipping right to the Fan-Wiki.

And Camilo invented High Fives.

[so-sures-blog]

Madrigal Granchildren Timeline

Okay, so I recently grew obsessed with my timeline from my headcannons with my last Encanto post, and I wanted to pan it all out, name my oc’s and maybe flesh out the itty bitty backstories? Link for the headcannons down here.

[hannahhook7744]

Invisible truth timeline;

94 years ago= Pedro Madrigal was born.

93 years ago= Alma Botero was born.

91 years ago= Catalina Botero was born.

89 years ago= Alejandra Botero-Yee and Raimi Emmanuel Botero were born.

74 years ago= Alejandra leaves home and eventually finds her way to the Botero siblings' original village. Where she met her future husband, Raimi.

73 years ago= Raimi finds out about Alejandra's ancestral gift and Alma meets Pedro.

71 years ago= Raimi and Alejandra marry. Not long after their first daughter, Miranda, is born.

70 years ago= Alma and Pedro marry, and Félix's parents move to town shortly after his birth.

68 years ago= Beatrice is born followed by the triplets a month later.

 The village is attacked. 

Pedro and Alejandra die. 

Raimi, his kids, and Catalina are separated from the group. 

And the Encanto is born.

67 years ago= Agustín is born outside of the Encanto in Bogotá.

63 years ago= The triplets get their gifts. Pepa meets Félix not long later.

53 years ago=  Félix  starts courting Pepa.

50 years ago= Agustín leaves home, eventually stumbling upon the Encanto where he  meets Julieta after needing to be healed by her. They start courting not long after.

48 years ago= Félix and Pepa marry.

45 years ago= Agustín and Julieta marry.

39 years ago= Isabella, Mariano, and Dolores are born inside of the Encanto while Bubo is born outside of it.

37 years ago= Luisa is born in the Encanto and Ryder Nattura is born in the Enchanted Forest. 

34 years ago= Miguel Rivera is born in Mexico. Isabella and Dolores get their gifts.

33 years ago= Camilio and Mirabel are born in the Encanto, and Mina Prepon is born in the Kuzcoian Empire. 

32 years later= Luisa gets her gift.

28 years ago= Camilio gets his gift, Mirabel doesn’t, and Bruno gets his vision and leaves.

23 years ago= Antonio is born. 

22 years ago= The isle is formed.

21 years ago= Rick Ratcliffe is born on the isle of the lost.

19 years ago= Claudine Frollo is born on the isle of the lost and Isabella meets Bubo. 

They start dating shortly before the events of Encanto. 

18 years ago= Rachel Ratcliffe is born on the isle of the lost and the events of Encanto take place.

Mirabel gets her own room and meets Miguel Rivera soon after. 

Months later, Mina and Camilio meet while the family is on vacation. 

17 years old= Isabella and Bubo end up having Miguel Jr, who is named after Miguel after Miguel helps deliver him.

 That same year Camilio and Mina start dating, and Isabella and Bubo marry. 

Catalina, Raimi, and Raimi’s two adult children end up finding the Encanto at long last shortly before the year is over. 

Dolores and Mariano start dating.

16 years ago= Zoey is born to Isabella and Bubo exactly nine months after her brother. 

Rory Ratcliffe is born on the isle of the lost three months later. 

Bruno gets a visit and surprise adopts the Ratcliffe siblings, Claudine, and the Ratcliffes three pugs and Claudine’s rats and mice. Much to the surprise of everyone.

Rick gets his gift on his fifth birthday—the day they make it back to the Encanto.

The Taxidermied animals are hung up and come to life—able to speak.Much to everyone’s horror.

15 years ago= Dolores and Mariano get married. A few months afterwards, their daughter, Princesca, is born.

Oh and Isabella discovers that she can make sentient plants and food. Much to everyone’s horror. 

Camilio and Mina end up having twins—Ameila and Sophia—and after the scolding of a lifetime, they get married. 

14 years ago= The Encanto reveal themselves, Ryder and Luisa meet, and the pair starts dating towards the end of that year.

Dolores and Mariano’s second daughter, Fuega is born shortly after.

Claudine gets her gift.

13 years ago= Rachel gets her gift.

Luisa and Ryder get married.

12 years ago= Dolores and Mariano’s daughter, Leta, is born and Miguel Jr gets his gift. 

Luisa and Ryder have Belinda.

Mina and Camilio have their third child, Hugo.

11 years ago= Zoey and Rory get their gifts. 

10 years ago= Luisa and Ryder’s last child, Silvia, is born. 

Mirabel and Moguel get married.

Princesca gets her gift.

9 years ago= Camilio and Mina’s last child, José, is born. 

Fuega gets her gift. 

7 years ago= Belinda, Hugo, and Leta get their gifts.

6 years ago= Mirabel and Miguel Sr have their first child, Vera.

5 years ago= Mirabel and Miguel Sr have their last child, Renata.

Silvia gets her gift.

4 years ago= José gets his gift.

1 year ago= Dolores and Mariano have twins—Javier and Juan. 

Vera gets her gift.

Present day= Renata gets her gift. 

The LeGume, Bimbette, and LePrince children stumble upon the Encanto.

Lefou Deux starts working at a toy store.

The Gaston twins become handymen for hire and have their friends (Harriet and their crew) over.

Claudine meets and falls for LeFou Deux ‘Lee’ LePrince.

And Rick meets and falls for Mad Maddy. 

[greenvillainredemption]

What if one of bruno’s rats grew up to be master splinter would that be fucked up or what

[nellycanwrite]

Chapter 60: Missing

Alma had spent the night thinking in a daze.

Her darling son had told her that the vision would most likely be ready in the morning. After all, it was such a big fortune that he had to foretell. It always took him time to conjure up any sort of foresight as significant as this; he needed all the space and time that he needed, he always explained. Despite her impatience, she knew it was inevitable. Plus, she could understand his sentiments.

As the seer of the Encanto, Alma had always relied on Bruno for future dangers—to make sure that there were no imminent threats that would compromise their way of living. She was afraid that she had given such a toll on him when he was a child; to be meek and nervous at the anxieties that ate up on her son at a possible thought of heartless mercenaries that would somehow find them in their refuge despite the magic that had kept them hidden away in this corner of the world. Yet her thoughts would drift to the miracle, then to the future generations that would inherit the gifts. The sacrifices of Bruno’s visions were things that assured a prosperous future for their descendants. She had to make sure that everything was safe. Perfect. 

For the family.

Alma hadn’t noticed that she fell asleep while sitting, her head laid uncomfortably on her arms whilst she slept facing the candle on the windowsill. It was barely the start of dawn, the fog of early morning still obscuring the rays of sunshine that peaked above the mountain refuge. Casita has waved the window frames in greeting—a habit that the sentient house had developed whenever the matriarch awoke from her slumber. She felt her bones creak and protest as she slowly stood, the shawl that wrapped around her shoulders slipping ever so slightly at the slightest jostle. She hastily wrapped it around her again and shook her head; how careless could she be to have fallen asleep in the midst of her lonely thoughts?

She was getting old.

“Ay, Pedro,”  she whispers, ever so gently picking the locket that contained her husband’s portrait and kissing the faded frames. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Give me strength for the family. For the Encanto.”

There was something off with the ambience of this particular morning—maybe it was because of Mirabel’s failed gift ceremony, maybe it was because of her worries for the candle’s flames—but she couldn’t quite tell. There was a tension that hung in the air that weighed on her chest and made it hard for her to breathe. She knew in herself that she was getting impatient, especially with the time Bruno had to take to procure such an important vision, but this far from the anxieties that ate up at her as she stayed up all night to think. 

She was getting more and more worried. 

Whilst she trudged her way across her room to prepare for the morning’s activities, a hasty knock rapped on the wood. She jumped at its urgency, raising a brow in question as she breathed out and wrapped her shawl closer to herself. Who on earth would be knocking so early? It wasn’t even six in the morning yet. 

“Settle down,” she ordered as she twisted the cold metal of her doorknob. Alma blinked in confusion at her eldest daughter, Julieta, already clothed with her everyday wear and her apron, her fingers fiddling with the herbs taken from her pocket. She stood taut and frazzled, her eyes blinking in rapid succession as she looked at Alma, then to the direction of the nursery, then settling back to her mother’s eyes. The matriarch frowned in worry; Julieta was never the one to panic. That was Pepa and Bruno’s job. “Ay, Julieta,  calm down. Why are you in such a rush,  mi vida?”

“I—” she started, but her words got stuck in her throat as she tried to speak. There was a raw fear that made itself known in her eyes, a look that Alma found oddly familiar. “I—I woke up early to ask Bruno about Mirabel and…and—” 

“Breathe,” Alma put a hand on Julieta’s shoulder, her heart racing at her eldest daughter’s panic. “Go right to the point.”

“It’s Bruno’s door!” She finally exclaimed, eyes wide and wavering. Alma had to blink and process the information; what was wrong with Bruno’s door?

“What is it about Bruno’s door?”

“It’s—it’s dim!”

“Dim?” Alma’s voice was quiet, like the squeak of a mouse. 

“The magic! There’s no magic on the door!”

Without a second thought, Alma had tightened the shawl around her shoulders and practically raced out of the door, Julieta right in her heels. There was no reason for Bruno’s room to be dim. There was no reason for her own son’s magic to be dwindled into nothing but cold wood! Her thoughts raced with her frantic steps; was Bruno alright? Did he procure the vision?  What was happening to the magic?  

She gasped and stumbled, her feet glued to the ground whilst she held the wall to support her own weight. Up the stairs leading to Bruno’s room, where the foreboding image of her son stared down at her with a frown from above, was dim.

“H-how could this be?” She asked. Julieta did not answer. Alma stomped her way towards the door with urgency. When she opened Bruno’s room, she could see the cracks that lined the rock, as well as the sand that overflowed in a tide from the hourglass archway. The matriarch gripped her shawl in worry—heart sinking, stomach falling, her world slowly turning gray and sporadic. Unpleasant thoughts swirled in her mind at every harrowing scenario, making Alma hastily approach the falling curtain of sand that divided them and Bruno’s tower. “Bruno?! Bruno!”

“Watch out!” Julieta had to hold back Alma from running headfirst into the sand. There were no more stairs that led down the steps; just a steep drop to a pile of sand that fell precariously from the ceiling. As Alma peered down the drop, she was sure she would’ve gotten a few broken bones if Julieta hadn’t stopped her. And considering her old age, she was sure no amount of magical healing would snap her back in shape. Julieta’s voice shook as she tried to hold back her worries; she was the eldest sister, after all. There was no time for pointless panic. “H-he’s not here, mamá. I tried for an hour. There’s no one here.”

“This cannot be!” Alma exclaimed. Despite her fruitless struggles, Julieta had a firm grip on her. What if something happened to her precious son? What if he was all alone up his tower without aid? What if he was alone and scared without his mother to protect him? How could she live with the guilt of not trying hard enough to look for her when he could be in danger? She had lost too much, she was never going to lose another loved one again!

Alma needs to know if Bruno was okay. 

“I need to know if  mi Brunito  is alright! His door couldn’t just go dim without reason!”

“Mamá! You can’t go down there; it’s too dangerous of a drop!”

“I don’t care!” 

“W-what’s going on?” Pepa’s voice rang through the desolate room. She was still dressed in her nightgown with her hair loose and unkempt. Although the traces of sleep still lingered on her face, she was on full alert; brows furrowed in utmost worry, shoulders raised at the sight of the dim door, breath hitching at the sight of her usually stoic mother in the verge of hysteria—held together by the thread of forced sanity that was Julieta. From Pepa’s head sprouted a cloud. A gray cloud. It wasn’t a good sign. “Why is Bruno’s door…”

“We don’t know,” Julieta answered, her tone strained. Forced. “And we can’t find Bruno anywhere.”

“Let go of me, Julieta!” Alma wailed, struggling against Julieta’s hold. Pepa stepped back in surprise, the cloud above her head getting bigger by the second. There was a cold draft in the room that passed them by and gave them shivers, the signs of a fruitful dawn now reduced to a gloomy drizzle. Alma paid no mind to the subtle change of temperature—something she would have nitpicked on Pepa’s control over her powers—and continued to try and pry away the hands that held her in place. “Your brother might be in danger! He still must be up in his vision cave!”

Amidst the ruckus, Alma didn’t realize that Felix and Agustín had joined Pepa near the entrance to peer into the commotion that was her own panic. They watched as the embodiment of grace, poise, and authority herself had succumbed to the turmoil of paranoia; of the assumptions that stemmed from a dimmed wood of her only son’s door. Agustín was the first to act as he went up to help Julieta hold Alma in place. He blocked the older woman from the sand curtain, almost slipping down himself as he did so. Felix went to his wife’s aid and reminded her to calm down; the clouds above the Casita had rapidly spread across the Encanto and covered the sky in a blanket of gray showers. Julieta grabbed Alma’s hands to try to steady her, to ground her from her escalating thoughts. 

“Mamá, I told you, it’s dangerous to go down! And his room is unstable, who knows what would happen if we climb up!”

“That is my son!  I need to find my son!”

“What’s going on?”

Everyone turned quiet. Deathly quiet.

Alma had ceased her reckless attempts to leap into the sand and slowly turned, eyes widened in absolute terror. How can she explain all this to you? You, who had stared into the cold, dull wood with great confusion, who had stood with shaking knees as you shivered from the cold that came from Pepa’s cloud, who gawked at the sight of your mother-in-law—eyes pleading, breath hitching, stomach churning—as your lips quivered when you asked again;

“What’s happening?”

“I—” Alma started, but her throat tied itself in a knot. She had to look away as you stepped closer. 

“Answer me. Please,” Your voice was low. It brought chills up everyone’s spines. Your grip on Bruno’s wedding ring tightened, the metal burning in your hand. “Why are you all in our room? And why isn’t the door glowing?”

“Have you seen Bruno?” Julieta was the first to speak up. She had to wince when the sound of her voice had cut through the room—the tension was so thick that any type of noise would cut through like a knife in the air. You shook your head. 

“He wasn’t there when I woke up. I was about to look for him, but then…” You paused to divert your attention at Alma, her back still turned to you. Yet, for some reason, you didn’t think you were looking at your mother-in-law. Her back was hunched, chin held down, and her arms were wrapped around herself as if to find comfort. This wasn’t the woman you knew; this was someone else entirely.

“Mamá, please. Answer me. What’s happening?”

Alma took a deep breath—the only indication that she had heard you—but she made no such signs to answer. So you tried again, this time, more desperately.

“Mamá…”

She still didn’t answer.

“Hermana,  I don’t think—”

“Answer me!”  Everyone winced and stepped back in shock, yet Alma remained undisturbed. You had to hold back the choked sobs that started to wrack your body as you took a step forward. You held the ring closely to your chest whilst you controlled your breathing. 

Felix stepped forward to put a hand on your shoulder. “Calm down—”

“No,”  you slapped his hand away. “I woke up alone in the nursery—Bruno never leaves the bed without me! He left his ring behind so I had to go find him to give it back, and now I find out you’re in our room while his door is dimmed out and all of you are here screaming your asses off! So don’t tell me to calm down!”

“Hermana!”  Julieta tightened her grip on Alma’s shoulders. Whether or not it was an act of self-comfort or a reassurance for the older woman, Alma didn’t know. You were always so quiet when you talked with her. So meek and obedient. Yet in the face of your husband’s disappearance, all of that was thrown out of the window. The room turned colder, the clatter of Pepa’s teeth as she shivered at the eye of her own drizzle already seeping into her clothes. Yet she nor Felix did no such actions to move. Their eyes, along with Julieta’s and Agustín’s, were fixed on your shivering gait that dared anyone to challenge you and your outburst to the head of the household.

Alma drew in a deep breath. How could she lose her composure when there were signs of imminent danger? Mirabel’s failed gift ceremony, Bruno’s sudden disappearance, his dimmed door—why had she spiraled into a panic first? Was she not the leader of the refuge? Was she not the matriarch that foresees every affair in the Encanto?

For a moment, Alma had descended into a mad dive into her grief. Yet she needed to be strong; for the people, for her familia …

For the Encanto.

She breathed in again, this time steadier. She shook Julieta's hands off her, regarded Agustín with a firm stare, and turned to you with her chin up and her back straight—just like the many lessons that she would have drilled into you at every second of every day. 

“I apologize for the unsightly display,” Alma said while gripping her shawl tighter around her chest. She locked eyes with you and frowned. “Control your temper. We’ll get to the bottom of this. There’s no use panicking. Bruno must be around here somewhere.”

Her control over her emotions was something to be praised, you thought. No one would have recovered from almost keeling over in grief and suddenly becoming poised. It was as if her outbursts were non-existent in the first place. 

It amazed you. But it terrified you at the same time. 

You stayed silent, your head now bowed and fists clenched until your knuckles turned white. The metal of Bruno’s ring sunk to your hand painfully, but you were numb at physical afflictions at this point. Although you knew Alma made sense, you still couldn’t hold down that disgusting feeling in the pits of your stomach. It was waiting to be released. To be freed from its chains and out for the world to see in full display. You never wanted to lash out to your godmother, never wanted her to be disappointed. To be mad. 

But you were awfully close to screaming at her face in frustration. 

“I have to go find him.” You marched past Alma and went face to face with the curtain of sand. There were no more steps to aid you in your descent, so you slid Bruno’s wedding band on your finger—just on top of your own—and got ready to jump. However, two pairs of arms held you back and nearly hoisted you into safety. 

“It’s too dangerous to go down, you know that,” Agustín told you. He leaned forward and whispered silently into your ear. “Calm down.”

“Let go of me!” You struggled against their grip, but they had a firm hold on you. Felix and Agustín dragged you back to safety; away from the dangerous drop below. You felt the wind pick up in speed and the air growing colder by the minute. 

“Enough of this,” Alma said as you struggled. “Do not let your impulses get to your head.”

‘Like you’re no better.’  You desperately wanted to snap. But you held your tongue.

“Mamá, please! I need to find him, make sure he’s okay! He’d never leave his ring behind!”

“We’ll wait it out until the evening. He might just be somewhere in the house.”

“There’s no time for waiting!”

“Easy there—” You didn’t let Felix finish when you grabbed his arm and intertwined his legs with yours. With one swift motion, you managed to sweep his feet off to disturb his balance and managed to throw him entirely off of you to the side. You heard everyone in the room gasp as you continued to do your work with Agustín; grabbing hold of his sleeves and using his own height to his disadvantage as you ducked down low and flipped him with you. He managed to hold on tighter than you expected, so you elbowed him on the gut and threw him off of you with more force than you had expected. He landed on his back with a painful  thud.  

“I’m sorry, Felix, Agustín,” you muttered. Julieta ran past you to nurse them to health. Pepa did the same and tried to help her husband up whilst muttering calming mantras to herself, yet this served to be futile when the cloud above her head grew and started to thunder.

“Y/N!”  Alma bellowed, her voice commanding. You flinched when you heard it, but you continued your way past her in strides. “You have to think rationally! Control your emotions! We do not know what has happened to Bruno’s room nor do we know the extent of how dangerous it is inside. You must think before you act—do not let your emotions get the better of you!  This is not what I have taught you. ”

You stopped in your tracks just as you were ready to jump off. You stood still and unmoving, your toes barely passing the edge of the hourglass archway. Your heart pounded against your chest as you thought of your darling husband. He was just with you the night before. He shared with his deepest fear, the vision of Casita’s ruin, even made love to you to ease both of your fears. It was odd for you, that time. But now, as you thought of the way you had woken up that morning—cold, frightened, and alone with nothing but his ring on your hand—you had feared for the worst.

It felt like an unspoken goodbye.

That scared you beyond words imaginable. 

You gathered that it might’ve looked strange to them; to see you so frantic despite your usually calm demeanors. They didn’t know your fears, didn’t know the burden of knowing something that would cause a rift in the family, they didn’t know your deep-rooted fear of the possibility that your husband might have… might have—

“Mamá,” you started. There was a tremble in your voice as you spoke. You grazed the metal of Bruno’s ring on your finger; it was warm to the touch, but it felt incredibly empty. “I know you taught me how to think things through. You taught me control over my whims, you taught me how to be a proper lady; someone who would take over the reins of leadership when you’re not around. I know you’re holding yourself back from going down this pit and running up there yourself. I always admired you for that, I really do.”

You heard her approach, the weak shuffle of her feet a clear indication of her stress. “Then come. Let us wait for Bruno to come back. There’s no reason for you to endanger yourself any further.”

Just as you felt the soft touch of her hand on your shoulder, you brushed it off and turned to lock your eyes with hers. You felt rogue tears escape your eyes when you shook your head. You always followed Alma’s every order, always abided to her rules. But now—

“I’m sorry, Mamá. But I’m not like you. I’m not as strong as you.”

This will be your first time disobeying your godmother. 

Then you jumped. 

The sand that dropped from above you pelted your skin unpleasantly, the fine grains blinding you the moment you tried to make sense of the harsh tumble you experienced from the fall. Luckily, there was already a big enough pile to cushion you from your fall. But it didn’t prevent the way it grazed your knees until you felt that familiar tingle of crimson from your wound. You heard the cries of the people above you as you ran forward without a thought past the signs of Bruno’s statues and into the winding steps of his rundown tower. You felt tremors shake the earth as you went up and up and up the stone, all crumbling at your feet as you passed them in a hurry.

Bruno had to be okay. He  should  be okay. 

Up you go through the cracks and the crumbling stone.

Bruno had to be okay.

Your foot slipped. You felt the sting from another wound of your ankle as the jagged ledge cut flesh. 

Bruno wouldn’t leave you.

Echoes of a fallen sandal resonated in the tower. You felt the cuts and scrapes on the soles of your left foot. 

Bruno would never leave you.

The grazes on your elbows stung as you clumsily tripped over your own feet. But you got back up and ran again. The pain from your wounds was nothing compared to the one in your heart. It suffocated you as you huffed and puffed. You never did stop running. It felt like you swallowed the bright embers of fresh charcoal.

Your breath was short—labored, frantic—almost manic, in a sense. He had to be up there. He had to. Bruno would never leave you. Bruno wouldn’t leave his children. Bruno loves his family, and he won’t do anything to abandon you. He should be there. He’d be sitting in his silly red chair while reading the ridiculous novelas your father lent him. He’d be mumbling to himself and scratch his chin at a phrase he couldn’t quite get. He’s perk up when you’d open the door, stretch his arms wide for you to take, and you’d crash into his arms and dance the night away. Just a few more steps up. He’ll be there like usual. He’d be there.

Bruno would never—

Your whole world stopped as you reached the peak.

It was silent in this space of solitude; where the cold wind bit into your bruises and froze your fingertips into shards of piercing ice. You dropped to your knees like a sinner in the feet of their prosecution, eyes blankly staring ahead at the missing bridge of your salvation. There lacked the wobbly rope that connected you to your only hope of ever finding your husband, left only with the wooden posts that once held up a path to the vision cave.

And there you felt the sting of tears that slid down your face in uncontrollable amounts. It gushed without regard to your desperate attempts to control your emotions. Yet you found the action futile. There, laid before the witness of a crumbling tower, was a woman of despair. You clawed your throat at the invisible chokehold that rendered you painfully breathless, fisted your hair in attempts to wake yourself from this horrible nightmare, and pounded on your chest and begged to the Lord in the Father’s Prayer for mercy.

Bruno left you.

He left you. 

You curled into a ball with silent cries while kissing his ring in a desperate attempt to call him back.

But you knew it was a fool’s errand.

And you cursed yourself for being a fool and ignoring the signs. 

[addaxus]

Part four of the Unforeseen timeline!

Return of Bruno

1889-1891 (Age 33-35)

El Ojos Diablos' health has deteriorated severely by this point. As his misdeeds yield less profit, fewer outlaws are willing to ride with him. He'd rather spend his days drinking, sleeping, talking to his rats, caring for his horse Two-Socks, and shooting those who irritate him. He has nothing worthwhile to offer anymore.

Diablos' few remaining men have had enough of him and decide to simply give him over for the bounty on his head. However, they are unaware of his habit of sleeping under his bed rather than on it. This quirk works in his favor and he manages to turn the tables on them. The darkness works against both sides as they shoot wildly at one another. A fire breaks out in the process, engulfing the entire hideout in flames.

El Ojos Diablos, injured in the shootout, rides unknowingly into Oklahoma Territory. Maria Morricone and her brother Alonzo discover him. Bruno has a vision of Maria's future in which she has a child. This astounds the duo, and they decide to assist him. They return to their family homestead just outside of Sergio, where El Ojos Diablos is confined for four months due to his failing health and harsh winter conditions.

The outlaw opens up to Maria while in her care. He finds her easy to talk to, and she listens in genuine silence, offering her own words of empathy. Her compassion and understanding reach the lonely, bitter youngster buried deep within.

El Ojos Diablos recovers by the end of the winter, but he chooses to express his real gratitude by working as a ranch hand for the Morricone siblings. This practically means he has forsaken his life as an outlaw and has returned to being Bruno. A mutual attraction gradually develops between Bruno and Maria. The two do eventually marry with Bruno choosing to take on Maria's maiden name.

That same year, Isabela and Dolores both receive their own wonderful Gifts. Isabela is endowed with the ability to conjure and control plants, while Dolores gains super-hearing. Alma is especially proud of Isabela's Gift, but she is concerned when Dolores' Gift becomes too much for her. Her reaction reminds her of He Who Must Not Be Mentioned. Alma, concerned about what her granddaughters might become, shows them both a book with articles and scraplets describing Bruno's numerous crimes. This serves as a warning to both granddaughters to always be grateful for their Gifts and to never be hesitant to serve the community, lest they end up like their monstrous uncle.

Bruno Morricone became well-regarded by the town of Sergio. Everyone recognises him for his abilities and patience with animals. Because of their love and concern for Maria, he and Alonzo have created a strong brotherly bond.

Maria develops morning sickness. A trip to the town doctor reveals that she is pregnant. When Maria breaks the news to Bruno, he panics and has a vision. He envisions their child, revealed to be a girl, killing someone with a double-barreled shotgun. Maria quickly reassures her husband, telling him that instead of fearing the worst, they should focus on raising their daughter to be a decent person. This calms Bruno down a little, but he's still nervous.

On her fifth birthday, Luisa Madrigal receives her gift of super-strength. Alma shows her the book of El Ojos Diablos. Has about the same effect it had on Isabela and Dolores.

Richie Spait, a wounded and on-the-run bandit, bursts into the Morricone home one night and takes a visibly pregnant Maria hostage. He demands everything valuable in their home, as well as a horse. Richie has no idea whose house he broke into. The house rats divert his attention long enough for Maria to flee and Bruno to strike. Spait tries to flee, but Bruno shoots him with a shotgun. The outraged husband and soon-to-be father strangles Richie to death before flinging his body to Alonzo’s hogs. The experience disturbs him because of how swiftly he reverted to his old behaviors. He sees parallels between his circumstances and Richie's. Bruno realizes that if he hadn't been so vulnerable when the Morricone siblings discovered him, he would have killed them.

Mirabel Morricone was born in the month of March, 1891. Camilo Madrigal, Felix and Pepa's second child, is born around the same time.

A sinister force stirs within Bruno's sealed tower.

1896 (Age 40)

Bruno has kept his distance from Mirabel for the previous five years due to his anxieties about the prophecy he had regarding her. He believes that being around her will bring about the future he predicted. Mirabel spends most of her time with her mother, but she longs for her father's attention as well.

Mirabel is nicknamed Mira-Boo by Alonzo. She responds by referring to him as Bud Bear, a nickname bestowed upon him by a Native American Shaman and which Maria teased him about in their youth, much to his dismay.

In the days leading up to Mirabel's fifth birthday, Bruno worries about whether or not his child will receive a Gift like he did.

Mirabel witnesses her Papa having an uncontrollable vision. She inquires if he is a witch. Bruno reluctantly informs her about his Gift. Naturally, the little girl becomes very excited. Her father does not share this sentiment.

Mirabel receives no Gift on her fifth birthday. Her door, unbeknownst to the Morricones, appears within Casita. The Madrigals are reasonably perplexed by this, considering the door shows a spectacled girl and the doorknob has a 'M' on it. Eventually, the door vanishes without a trace. Nonetheless, the Madrigals are left wondering who that child was.

Mirabel spends the next few days looking for her "Gift." She tries to fly off the roof. Bruno saves and then shouts at her, telling Mirabel she'd be better off without one. Maria consoles her daughter before gently discussing the matter with Bruno. Miss Morricone suggests that Mirabel may have desired a Gift in order to be closer to her Papa. A Papa who has been largely absent from his daughter's life.

Bruno gives his daughter her own horse in order to make amends with Mirabel and find a way for them to spend time together. Specifically, Maria’s mare Marmalade's newborn foal whom was conceived after an unfortuante overnight incident involving a customers stud whilst Marmalade had been in heat. Mirabel names the foal Pedro. Bruno and Mirabel raise Pedro together, with the Morricone Daughter displaying her talent for animals.

Camilo receives the ability to shape-shift on his fifth birthday. Alma shows him the El Ojos Diablos book. However, due to the numerous exaggerations of Bruno's exploits as an outlaw, young Camilo is left with the sense that his Tio was an anti-heroic gunfighter.

1899 (Age 43)

Maria becomes bedridden after contracting pneumonia. Bruno considers taking her to Encanto or traveling there himself to have Julieta heal her. The local doctor, on the other hand, makes it obvious that she is in no condition to be relocated and does not have much time. Bruno Morricone can't bear the prospect of leaving just to find his sweetheart dead when he returns. Maria requests that he spend the remaining time with her, Mirabel, and Alonzo as a full family.

Maria dies shortly after Mirabel's eighth birthday. Bruno leaves Mirabel with Alonzo while he buries her privately. Despite his wishes to be alone, Mirabel joins him, resulting in both father and daughter supporting each other in their grief over Maria's death.

Following Maria's death, Bruno has a serious discussion with his daughter. He informs Mirabel that everything Maria left is hers to inherit. It is merely his duty as her father to manage the place until she is ready.

1901 (Age 45)

Pepa gives birth to her and Felix’s third child, Antonio.