yellowcry - Tumblr blog

[yellowcry]

[Swap and YLMDITW Luisa belongs to @yellowcry]

Luisa: Hi Luisas, welcome to the monthly Mirabel Protection Squad meeting—

Luisas in the audience: *cheering loudly*

Luisa: Great, love the enthusiasm, guys! So does everyone have a Mirabel with them?

Swap Luisa, hugging Fracture Mirabel: Yep! One told me mine was creepy so I punched that person in the face.

Fracture Luisa, holding a broken nose: Asshole! That really hurt!

YLMDITW Luisa: Just a punch? Pathetic!

Protector Luisa: Yeah, you should have murdered them on the spot. *stands up* Would you like me to demonstrate?

Protector Mirabel: No, no, no! Just sit down and keep hugging me, please?

Luisa: Good thinking, we don’t want a repeat of last month. That poor Royalty Luisa, she will be in our thoughts forev… OH MY FUCKING GOD WHERE DID YOU COME FROM

Desconocida, tugging at her sleeve like a child: I did not get a “Luisa”

Luisa: And that’s probably for the best. Why don’t you just go stand off to the side, where nobody has to look at the creepy doll? Just over here? *pushes her offstage* Anyway, back to very important business, holding our annual vote of who has the cutest Mirabel. Now, it’s not a competition, but mine is by fAR THE FUCKING CUTEST AND IF YOU DON’T VOTE FOR HER I WILL DESTROY ALL OF YOU

[yellowcry]

Isabela: Luisa-

Luisa: *sighs* Mirabel used to call me Luisa...

Isabela: Because it's your fucking name.

Luisa: ...I remember it as if it happened twenty minutes ago...

[yellowcry]

@generouslovewolf, the "donation" account you reblogged, is listed as part of a scam account operation. You can find more about it here: https://www.tumblr.com/kyra45/742772332577308672/scammer-pretending-to-be-in-palestine-v2?source=share

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[yellowcry]

[yellowcry]

okay, just gonna say this now before i start this post: i have absolutely no problems with alternate universes, go ham with them, go wild, you can have fun, etcetc, they're called alternate universes for a reason, after all

however. HOWEVER.

i have a problem when people say something should have happened in canon, when canon itself disproves or goes against whatever these people want

the reason why im bringing this up?

the whole thing with how some people keep saying mirabel should have [insert the usual things people say here, hate, slap, punch, left, get revenge, etc, take your pick, there's unfortunately a lot to choose from] the family. in the canon movie.

again, i have no problem with alternate universes and seeing them in fanfics or whatever, you do you, could be interesting to see even

but when you start saying this should have happened in canon, its just. no. no.

god, it just frustrates me so much whenever i see these posts and comments, the ones that said she should have gone evil or villain or hate the family and all that stuff

because mirabel herself loves her family. she literally said it outright in the movie!!! its not in her personality and character to just go against them and hate them and want revenge. there will be hurt and hesitance and some resentment after everything she'd gone through, yes, but outright hate to the point where she'll hurt them?? absolutely not.

not with her character, her love and empathy and understanding, the traits we see her show in the movie.

like my friend once said: mirabel "he loved this family. i love this family. we all love this family" would NEVER hurt her family

say it louder for the people at the back!!

and thats not all i want to rant about tbh...the real kicker on this one?

whenever this statement is added on top of it all: "if i were mirabel—"

well, news flash people who keep saying these things, mirabel isnt you. mirabel is her own character who has her own experiences and her own feelings. maybe you'll be able to relate to her, especially with similar experiences, but that doesn't mean you can just copy and paste your own feelings onto her and say this is what she should have done in canon because thats what i would have done!!

we all project onto our favorite characters in various ways, which is completely fine, go at it and definitely not surprising for a story about family issues, but when you start to project so much that you throw away the character's actual personality and characterization in favor of said projection? yeah...no.

thats not mirabel madrigal anymore, that's a completely new character...or dare i say, a self-insert for some people... 💀:////

yeah, im just so frustrated with this AAAAAAA 😭

but anyway yes.

thats it, really. again, AUs are absolutely fine but if someone starts yapping about how canon should have [insert whatever those people keep saying here] instead while disregarding actual canon and proper characters and personalities, im going to become violent

anywho...thats my thoughts on this, went on a bit of a tangent but

yeah

anyway bye—

[yellowcry]

Who's hermanita now?

Isabela is sure Luisa is the shortest person in the world, Luisa loves being annoying and Mirabel thinks they should measure their height to see how they went

Julieta covered her mouth, yawning softly. It was early in the morning. However, she preferred to be awake before the sun would even get up. She loved this quiet time when the world seemed to be frozen in their dreams with only her and her mother being awake.

Or not only them, after all, Julieta had her own daughters now. Luisa flushed into the kitchen in a flash. Stood on her toes to grab a cup. Julieta groaned, putting the kettle away. 

"For the hundredth time, Luisa, you're too young to drink coffee." She sighed, hiding the drink away from her already far too energetic child.

For some reason, her middle daughter liked coffee so much that it was almost dangerous for her age. And where did she get it?

Luisa puffed out her cheeks, she looked so cute with this anger in her little eyes. Oh, Julieta still couldn't believe it was seven years since she had carried her second child in her womb. "But I love it,"

Luisa loved coffee way too much. Julieta blamed Pepa for it, she was the one who had left a cup unattended several years ago, allowing a toddler to snitch it. And now look where it got them.

But the girl didn't get to stay mad for a long time, as a sleepy Mirabel entered the kitchen as well. Julieta chuckled, observing how her strong daughter hugged her younger sister, throwing her in the air.

"Good morning, Hermanita!" Julieta winced at the scream. Oh, her two youngest babies had such a cute relationship. Luisa had claimed Mirabel as her child, always helping with her. It was really sweet of how much attendant Luisa wanted to be despite her young age. Of course, Julieta made sure not to force her to do anything out of her age.  

Two years old blabbed something, cuddling against Luisa. Oh, Julieta wished she had a camera right now. She kneeled next to her kids. "Corazon, how did you sleep?"

"I saw Casita playing piano tonight!" She exclaimed proudly. Luisa let out an excited gasp, clapping. But, honestly, she would react the same way regardless of what Mirabel had said. She just adored her sister so much.

Julieta smiled, picking her up, why should they be so sweet? Or tried to, because having a child with super strength meant you didn't have any physical advantages. "No, No!" Luisa demanded, stomping her foot. "Don't take Mira! I need to hug her more!"

Julieta blinked but eventually replied. "But your hermanita needs to eat something so she would have the energy to play with you."

This seemed to convince Luisa as she reluctantly pulled back. The middle child crossed her arms strictly, looking up at Julieta with a face that made it clear how unhappy she was with the fact that her sister had been snitched from her.

Mirabel enjoyed her fresh salad while Luisa was throwing suspicious looks at the coffee kettle that she couldn't reach under her mom's strict gaze. Give Luisa a chance and she would drink the entire pot. Attempts to push some fresh food to her failed as Luisa ignored the plate with her name and drawn barbells in front of her.

 Soon enough, the eldest child joined them. Still sleepy, Isabela didn't like early waking up, unlike her mother and sisters. She rubbed her eyes, half asleep, and sat in the chair next to the younger girls. 

"Buenos dias mami," She muttered under Luisa's grinding her fork against the plate. "Stop!" She demanded, trying to take the fork away. Oh, Dios Mio. Again.

Luisa stuck out her tongue, trying to fight Isabela off over her fork that she didn't even use before Julieta grabbed it away. Sharp cutlery wasn't a toy. She feared to imagine what would happen if they will hit each other unluckily and stuck it in somebody's eye.

"Ah, calm down my tiny baby Hermanita!" Isabela scoffed, pulling up to ruffle Luisa's unkempt hair. 

"I'm not tiny! Mirabel is!" The youngest girl gasped, offended, but kept eating her breakfast. "I'm basically the same height ad you are!" 

"You are not!" Isabela placed her hands on her sides. "I bet you a meter shorter than me!"

Julieta chuckled. Her Eldest didn't know how much meter was right now, but it was funny in a way to observe her kids. After all, they had a childish mentality that was so different from her own.

"You're lying!" 

Mirabel winced at the yelling, her eyes welled up. "Don't fight!" She begged. She was really sensitive and hated when people were disagreeing or fighting. She had always tried to avoid fighting with other kids. And yelded if there was no way to avoid. "Measure!"

Luisa's eyes lightened up. "You're a genius!" She jumped onto her sister with another squeeze. 

Julieta shook her head, laughing to herself. She loved her babies. All perfect in every way possible. Isabela whom inner fierce side was hidden for a close circle of people. Luisa, who loved helping and valued her baby sister more than anyone else. And delicate sensitive Mirabel. Three of them were wonderful girls. Sure, sometimes mischievous or poorly behaving. But it wasn't like Julieta herself had never caused any problems as a child.

Mirabel was the first one. She was small, filled with baby fat. So little compared to her sister. She stood straight against the wall, allowing Julieta to check on her. Ninety-two. Julieta nodded to herself, Mirabel was growing so fast. All of them were. Oh, how much Julieta wanted for her babies to stay little forever so she could hug them together. What if they'll outgrow her? So she wouldn't be able to get down to them? They were growing so quickly, and Julieta/s eyes were tearing from the thought that they would keep growing without a stop.

Luisa, who looked excited like a puppy was next. In two and a half years since her gift ceremony, her skinny body started growing mass rapidly. Eating a lot and exercising had given her first muscle development. Not enough to be noticed without examining her, but it was here.

"Meter thirty, four millimetres." It was tall for her age. And, honestly, Luisa was always like this. Way bigger than any of her peers. Ah, why did she have to be this big?

Isabela scoffed as if it was really lame. Ensured in her easy victory she got to her height. Twirling even more than Luisa, it was a big hard to get her height.

Julieta made a mark on the doorjamb. Just below Luisa's. Isabela raised her eyebrows, her face winced as if she tried to digest information that she didn't understand. "What does it mean?"

As checking the eldest's child's height, Julieta blinked. But eventually announced, "Isa, you're meter thirty and three millimeters." Just one millimetre shorter than Luisa.

Luisa fluttered, proceedings the information for a second, before she bent in half, laughing her lungs out. Her hiccupping laughter echoed through the house. She wanted to prove she wasn't that short, but the fact that she had actually outgrown Isabela... It was a giant surprise to her.

"And who's small now?"

Isabela clenched her fists. "Mama, recheck! You measured us wrong!" Because it had to be wrong. She was the eldest. She was supposed to be the tallest between them. There was no way Luisa could have outgrown her.

Luisa laughed even harder, resting her arm on Isabela's shoulder. "What, are you scared to admit that you're shorter than me?" 

Julieta's attempts to separate her babies didn't work, as both of them kept up with this petty act. Pepa used to laugh over Bruno the same way when he became the shortest of the three of them.

"I am not! It's just a millimeter, I'll outgrow you in a week!" The older girl said with crossed arms. Reddened from anger over losing this argument she had started.

How dare her sister be taller? Does she have any conscience? It was so stupid, she should be standing in the corner for doing this! And this arrogant face had only made it worse. 

Luisa wrapped her arm against her sister's neck, being annoying. "So, hermanita, how do you feel now?" Isabela growled, trying to push Luisa's back. Which was impossible, taking her gift into account. "How do you feel being a small baby sister?"

Isabela's eyes flashed with a fire of rage. "Don't call me that! And again. I'll be taller than you before you can even blink! In fact, I probably had already outgrown you!" Isabela's knuckles turned white, she gritted her teeth.

Luisa seemed proud of herself. Lightened with the fact that now Isabela was the one to lose this competition. She could announce this as her biggest victory with the proudest voice in the world. What could be better than being the tallest child in your family? God forbids her if she'd lost this privilege.

"Say what you want, hermanita." 

Julieta had to catch her daughter's arm to prevent her from hitting far too smug Luisa. Oh, dear, the house would never be quiet for the months being, regardless of whether Isabela would or wouldn't get taller again.

[yellowcry]

Candle Holder this... Miracle Holder that...DID YOU NOT WATCH THE MOVIE OR LISTEN TO ALL OF YOU OR READ THE Q&A!!!!

Alma NEVER considered the miracle as something she or the family owned or she held as the Matriarch! Rather something they needed to earn! A blessing.

Being Matriarch was never a magical role. For there was also no gifts till the triplets were 5! Alma took the role of leader herself! Casita to shelter. The others def looked for her for guidance! She def had help of others along the way! As she did not build that village alone!

There are TWO miracles. Abuela’s, born of love for family, embodied by her candle, flame-colored magic (stemmed in her grief and need to protect.), the 2nd: Mirabel’s, born of the same, embodied in casita, its colors… everyone’s! (Free and hopeful!)

The miracle is them!

Matriarch was NEVER some magical role where you are holding a candle (added there is no candle now!) or hold a miracle (as the miracle is the love and connection they feel in themselves and each other.)

It is due to their characteristics someone would be next leader!!! Not a magical role. If person so happens to have a gift that is an add on!

You can be leader with or without a gift!!! You can also just not be one. As they are all special/without or without a gift!

Mirabel is special, important, shines and valued as a person even without a gift! She is the true gift for her own self!

AHHHHHHHHHHH!

[yellowcry]

Isabela: Why do you look like that?

Luisa, laying face-first on the floor: Like what?

Isabela: Like you’re merging with the floor again

Luisa: It’s because I’m merging with the floor. Leave me here to perish.

Dolores: Raula accidentally called her “Lulu” in front of everyone today. And now she dies from embarrassment

[yellowcry]

So we all know that Tumblr is US-centric. But to what degree? (and can we skew the results of this poll by posting it at a time where they should be asleep?)

Reblog to increase sample size!

[yellowcry]

By the way, have you done your daily clicks?

[yellowcry]

One track mind, one track heart

Pedro wonders if his family will ever be safe Isabela wonders if she can break out of her Abuela's portrait. Luisa wonders if she can protect her family.

Pedro and Alma swap au

Pedro wonders if his family will ever be safe

 

He did his best to protect them at all cost, pulling them as close as possible. Most of his family were girls. And girls were weak. They could die, like Alma if he didn't protect them from danger. He had failed his wife already, let her be slaughtered. Guilt never stopped eating him, not allowing him to forget his weakness. Of how Alma died because of him. 

 

Being in control of his family was important. He had to keep them all safe. He was given a second chance, a miracle. He couldn't lose it, he couldn't lose anyone. Controlling every movement, every step of his loved ones, he made sure they wouldn't face the same horrific fate as his beloved Alma.  

 

He didn't trust anyone, he couldn't trust anyone. It was a matter of his family's safety. Women couldn't go out without accompanying. Who knew what would the villagers do? What if there were some evil people, hiding in their peaceful homeland? Waiting in the bushes to get a strike. What if they would burn the town down, kill and destroy everyone? What if somebody would die again because he wasn't able to step in, because he failed to protect them? (Like he failed with Alma)

 

Pedro couldn't let this happen. He swore on a magic flame that safety was his main goal. There was no way he would put anyone in danger ever again. He failed Alma already and there was no forgiveness for that. No amount of prayers when he bowed before God, begging, asking for Alma not to hate him could ever fix his weakness that night. But if he prevented anyone from dying ever again, if they were safe... Maybe he would redeem himself. (He wouldn't, there was no way to bring Alma back.)

 

He kept his family on puppet stings, too scared to let them go. If he did, he would lose anybody again. He had to monitor them every second of their lives. Every breath, everything should be controlled. Casita was safe. Its walls were like a fortress that held the Madrigals. The outside world was dangerous for his daughters and granddaughters. They would get killed on place. Pedro got this realization in the most painful way possible. Now he would never fail them again. Not like he failed Alma the same day she gave birth to their kids. As long as he kept his eyes on everyone, they would be okay. (He hoped, he couldn't survive anybody else's death). Luisa was perfect, she wouldn't be a failure like himself. (Would she?)

 

He doesn't know if this protection will be enough.

—

Isabela wonders if she can break out of her Abuela's portrait

 

She wasn't stupid. She knew how Abuelo was throwing a fleeting eye on her, how he saw her. Isabela Madrigal, the eldest granddaughter of the Madrigal family. The one who looks like her grandmother portrait that came back to live. She had no problems with it, part of her was even proud of how much she resembled her brave Abuela, a heroine who lost her life for her family. But she had problems with Abuelo.

 

She was young when realization was growing in her head. For Abuelo, she wasn't Isabela. She was Alma. No matter what she did, how hard she tried to draw this line as clear as possible. Delimit herself and her deceased grandmother.

 

It put her in a strange position. On one hand, Abuelo tried to ignore her existence, pretending that she was a ghost that he shouldn't pay attention to. On the other, he tightened the ropes over her so hard that it was painful. He didn't let her take a step, do anything that could be dangerous in his opinion (which meant almost everything). She was invisible, but at the same time, endless eyes were always looking at her, making sure she was okay.

 

It wasn't the same with the other girls in her generation. (Well, maybe it was with the Mirabel). Dolores and Luisa had more freedom. Or, maybe it was because Dolores was quiet and didn't seek for troubles, preferring to stay in one place instead of breaking all the pointless rules. (Or when she did, she could hear when she had to go back to ensure Abuelo hadn't caught her). And Luisa was a special case. Abuelo had said the girls were weak. And when Luisa wasn't... Well, she was treated the opposite of Isabela, or Mirabel, or Dolores. Part of Isabela was happy for her sister, part was jealous of all the attention and freedom she was getting on a daily basis. And it also broke Abuelo's entire point in 'all girls should be protected' because, apparently, there was at least one that didn't fall into this rule. And if it wasn't for this one exception, MAYBE Isabela could accept it. He had the best intentions. But this behavior with Luisa was hypocrisy.

 

Abuelo's behavior was confusing. On one hand, he was never available for Isabela, but he also had never let his eyes off her. Like a collar that was broken and lying on the floor but at the same time was tightly wrapped around her neck. Because she was a reminder, a painful fact of whom he had lost. 

 

She wasn't Alma. She was Isabela. But it seemed like there was no way for Abuelo to see them as separate people.

 

She doesn't know if she will ever be somebody else

—

Luisa wonders if she can protect her family.

 

That's what Abuelo had said. She was strong, it was her responsibility to keep them okay, to fight for their lives if there was a need. The idea of anybody dying was too terrifying. 

 

 

There was a constant worry, fear eating her up. That she wouldn't be strong enough, that somebody would die because she didn't manage to protect them. Maybe she was just as much of a control freak as Abuelo. But it was something she had to do. After all, if she knew where everyone was and what they were doing, she could help them better. If somebody was dying and she didn't know where they were, how could she help them? Every mistake could cause harm, lit match could start arson. A knife could stab someone and make them bleed out to death.

 

 

Luisa needed to be a perfect soldier. If evil men would come back, she needed to fight them off, keep them away from her family. But what if she wasn't fast enough? Wasn't strong enough? It was something that existed in her back all the time. Panic, the terror of the thought that she would fail in a combat. That she would be left in the ruins of nothing. 

 

Was there a way for her to keep everyone safe? It was her job, her life was carved, shaped into the word protection. How many things could hold a secret harm for everyone? Abuelo believed it was everything. Spending so much time with him, Luisa had certainly got this trait too. Along with a burning wish for safety, to be in control so she would protect them. 

 

So what if her guts are twitching inside out from a sudden sound? What if Dolores, who can hear everything, can't calm down her anxiety? It was fine. Being alert meant that Luisa was ready to fight if necessary. The concept of feeling safe was something foreign, that she couldn't comprehend. Not for herself(don't tell Abuelo!), not to anyone else. How could anyone feel safe if the soldiers from Abuelo's past were still alive? If they could break in and attack them? Ann there would be blood and limp bodies dropped on the ground, washed away by the flowing river of gore. Because she wasn't strong enough, because she hesitated, because she failed like Abuelo that night. Houses would be burned, a smell of death would rise in the air. 

 

 

Luisa needed to be strong, to protect everyone, to keep them safe. She didn't want for anyone to get lost as Abuela did. But she couldn't know for sure, the worry of danger waiting to strike her family never slowed down. 

 

She doesn't know if she would be enough to protect them

[yellowcry]

Luisa: Hey, sis, I made a café con leche for you!

Isabela, suspicious: What's the catch?

Luisa, who'd used a pink strawberry milk: *eyetwitching* Nothing!

[yellowcry]

Isabela: What's your greatest fear?

Mirabel: Being forgotten.

Isabela: ...

Isabela: Damn, that's deep.

Isabela: Mine is pink coffee without millk

[yellowcry]

How many people are still in the Encanto fandom? Show of hands! (Cause it's kinda hard to find people, that I don't already know, that are still in the fandom)

PROSHIP DNI WITH THIS POST AND F*CK OFF!

[yellowcry]

Carlota: Are you ready to commit?

Isabela: Like a crime or relationship?

[yellowcry]

Luisa: I don't need to go to bed. I'm not tired, I'll be fine.

Mirabel: But, hermana, I'll be so lonely without you. I just want to curl in your arms and stay there forever!

Luisa: O-oh. Well. Are you trying to force me into healthy sleeping patterns??

Mirabel: Is it working?

[yellowcry]

A rhythm of its own design

Working on Casita was important, of course, but it's good to have some entertaintment once in a while

Dolores looked around the church backroom room, nervous. Recently her Papá asked her to come here for something. He didn't reveal what was the reason, not yet, just shared a strange look with Tío Agústin. If Dolores still had her gift, maybe she would hear what was going on. But alas, now their gifts weren't in play. Cold-stoned walls towered over her,  old  musical instruments that were used for religious performances were well-known to Dolores. After all, she had spent a couple of years playing music here back when she was in school.

She slid her fingers across the piano keys, waiting for the adults to make things clear. It wasn't as clean as with super hearing, but the sound was soothing in a way. While piano wasn't her main instrument, she preferred tiple like her dad, she had enough knowledge of the keyboard instruments. 

The door creaked, making Dolores squeak and pull back a little. Only to realize that it was Mirabel. The younger cousin didn't look anything more confident than Dolores was feeling herself at the moment. If anything, she seemed even more confused and worried.

The teenager pulled in, examining the notes on the walls. "Do you know what's going on? Pa asked me to come here." She clarified, standing next to Dolores and picking at her embroidery.

Dolores clenched her palms together, not looking at her. Before Casita's fall, she had never realized how important her gift was for her. It made her aware of everything, every rumor or fact. And Dolores had adored that power, she loved the knowledge that came with hearing without her being anywhere near the discourse. The idea of losing this possibility, these thin threads that connected her to everything was devastating. There was no way to know much more anything else than what anyone in her place would hear too. 

Losing her gift had  really  made Dolores appreciate it with all of her heart.

Their dads didn't take much longer to join in. Both were delighted, whispering something to each other. It was a normal sight, the two giftless husbands were so close that people sometimes doubted if they were biological  hermanos . 

Mirabel, who was just as curious as Dolores herself immediately got to question the situation. "Papa? What are we doing?"

Félix winked to Agústin, taking a seat. "Girls, I and Gus had thought that we should entertain our family in this uneasy time."

Dolores couldn't blame them. Even if the things had gotten way clearer now it didn't mean they were solved. The family got used to a life without a house by now, but Dolores still wished to have a stable place to live. Everyone did and there was no need  in  enhance hearing to know it.

Papá continued, taking a tilpe near his chair. "So how about we four give them a concert?"

So that's what it all was about? 

It's been a while since Dolores had played with Félix. Life was too busy lately, turned upside down by the broken Casita. She didn't  really  have time for this lately, more busy with the fact that they were homeless at the moment. It's a bit hard to get to your hobbies in such conditions.

Mirabel's face winced, she crossed her arms looking away. "I don't think I want this..." Dolores knew that her youngest cousin hated showing her skills in accordion, always trying to throw it away if somebody had given her one. Was it a feeling that her skills didn't matter without a gift or something else, Dolores had no idea.

"Miraboo, it's only for the family," Agústin promised. "Nobody else would see you." 

There was a visible fight on her face. Again, Mirabel didn't enjoy showing musical skills to everyone, but she loved her family and wanted to make them happy more than anything.

Finally, she muttered. "Just... A little.."

Felíx smiled, turning his attention to Dolores. She just shrugged, having nothing against the idea. She had played music from time to time, tho it was usually only during the celebrations when anybody else could hear her.

The first thing was to find a good melody that combined all their instruments. Well, it was more the adults who initiated this, talking about some happy and light melody to cheer the rest of the family. Mirabel tapped her finger against the hand belt, not participating at all, despite their effort to bring her into  discussion .

It's been forever since Dolores had played music with her Tío, not even mentioning Mirabel. What would it be like? Speaking at the bottom of her heart, she preferred to play harmony solo. But it could be fun when her dad joined her. 

"Okay! One, two, three!" Felix, sending their small group into the beginning. For about ten seconds before they all realized how awful it sounded. Playing in  discord , they didn't synchronize with each other. 

"I think... it's going to be more difficult than we thought." Tío muttered, pressing one of the white high-pitched keys.  

Fair. Making anyone listen to these wouldn't make them happy. It was more of a torture. Creating music took work that they were willing to put in. It wasn't a physical job like with Casita but  requested  enough exertion and time.

Mirabel pondered something, the smart girl she was. "Maybe we can... play it separately at first?" She suggested, fixing her glasses. And, well, having no better ideas, they recreated the vallenato melody four times, suggesting to  eachother  how to make it work together. Tuning one down,  pitching  the other note up so it would sound graceful and happy.

The orchestra still was bad, but it was more of a lack of practice this time. Well, it was something fixable. Hard work did pay in the result after all.

Dolores examined her partners in the corner of her eyes. Papá and Tío Agústin loomed like they generally had a really fun time in here. Even Mirabel who was the least happy with the idea at first seemed to be involved in the process pretty strong. 

They were practicing for about a week. Majorly during the lunch break or after the working day  in  rebuilding Casita was done despite Luisa's complaint that she wanted to cuddle her hermanita. 

The backroom wasn't big, but it somehow could accommodate twelve Madrigals. Despite their original plan for a surprise, somebody in this choir couldn't keep their mouths shut in front of their wives. And if Tía Julieta was mature enough to keep her mouth shut, then Mamá was just as much of a gossiper as Dolores. So the fact was known by the whole family in no time. 

Dolores rounded her eyes, seeing how much Mirabel trembled.  He  youngest cousin wiped her hands, they were sweating whenever she was worried like now. A family genetic, Dolores supposed, Luisa and Tío had the same problem.

"Is everyone ready?" Dad asked, holding his stringed instrument lightly, his optimism made him deal with it the easiest out of four. Agustín stretched his arms, cracking his fingers. Mirabel tensed, pulling her accordion closer. Dolores shut her eyes tightly for a second, retelling herself the melody she was supposed to play.

She knew it wasn't perfect, a week wasn't enough to create a melody, especially when they didn't have more than two hours of training daily. But, seeing her family's excited faces, they didn't need it to be the best. It just was a fun way to spend time together. And they enjoyed the effort that the four had put  in  this. 

The room burst into applause, Dolores and the adults shared a confident and happy look before she noticed how tensed Mirabel was. She was the least used to it. If the older three had played for other people sometimes, Mirabel had never done it before. 

"You're okay," Dolores whispered, patting her spine for a moment before Luisa practically shoved her away, picking Mirabel up and throwing her lightly. Dolores huffed and rolled her eyes, stepping back from her cousins.

Isabela behind her groaned. "Put her down, I want to hug my sister too!" She stood on her toes, trying to reach her overgrown sister's height. Looking like she was about to hit Luisa.

Dolores chuckled, distracting to her  own  brothers. Antonio looked at her with big brown eyes, asking if she could teach him. As a kid, he was  really  excited to learn something new.

"Mirabel is my favorite sister. Go hug yours."

"Amor, you were so magical!" Pepa hunched over Felix, kissing him in a hug. Then she turned her attention to Dolores. "And Lolita!" The woman felt her cheeks getting red from embarrassment. Lolita? Really? "I'm so proud of you!" She exclaimed, giving the next kiss to her daughter.

"¡Mamá, Detener!" Dolores groaned, pulling away from this affection. She was twenty-one for God's sake! Completely old and mature woman!