#being in mexico and around water just makes me think of the llorona and i get scared so sue me

[dailydemonspotlight]

Alright we have some of her Skeleton Granddads, but what about Alice herself?

Alice - Day 67 (Request)

Race: Fiend

Arcana: Death

Alignment: Neutral

July 9th, 2024

Demons are plentiful in the series, many with bizarre origins, but Alice herself is a rare case for the series, and as such, I'll have to make this DDS a bit different as well. Based primarily off of a multitude of sources, Alice is less of a concrete character from a myth or fairy tale, nor an urban legend- no, she's a conglomerate of what can be presumed to be Kaneko's imagination. So, today's Demon Spotlight will be less of a statement of her backstory- it'll instead be a descent into the many mixed fates of this young girl.

Initially, it's easy to pick up that Alice is based primarily off of Alice in Wonderland, the famous fairy tale told by Lewis Carroll going into the story of a young woman named Alice and her slow drifting off into boredom leading her down a quite-literal rabbit hole, ending up in a surreal fever dream-esque wonderland. However, this is only the source for her appearance, being primarily based off of contemporary depictions of the Alice in the story, being a blonde girl- specifically taking inspiration from the Disney movie based on the story.

Even with this, though, it's hard to pin down where her fates throughout the series originate. The series purports her origin as being from a Scandinavian folk tale, yet I've struggled to even pinpoint what the tale in question could even be. The closest I've been able to pin it down to is an Icelandic folk-tale recounted in this blog post.

Frankly, though, this might just be coincidence. It's incredibly hard to tell, given that the story on Alice seems to change constantly from game-to-game, compendium-to-compendium- it's even stated outright, in the Persona World compendium in the first Persona game, that she is simply an original character to the series. So, case closed, right? I'd still like to dig a bit deeper.

Original demons are rare throughout the series, especially after the first Megami Tensei, however, and I've always felt that there needs to be at least some sort of original source for every character- something you can trace the influence back to. Ideas don't just spawn from the ether, after all. And I might've found the original source, outside of simple offhand mentions from various posts and blogs about a secondary source beyond Alice in Wonderland.

Really, this is just speculation, but I believe the folk tale referred to most of the time in compendiums may actually be recollections of several different myths- namely, a conflation of La Llorona, a the ghost of a woman who lost her children and her life and spends her days roaming Mexico aimlessly, looking for children to make her own, the story mentioned earlier called 'Dear Mother, in the pen, pen,' the real world death and subsequent ghost sightings revolving around one Alice Riley, a young woman who was a former slave murdered in the 1700's, and of course, Alice in Wonderland. The behavior that La Llorona is outlined in partaking in is incredibly similar to the behavior stated in the compendiums' offhand mentions, that being that the ghost girl would kill children to gain friends in her eternal afterlife, the name Alice was likely pulled from Alice Riley as well as Alice in Wonderland, and the placing of the mythology in Scandinavian regions likely comes from the icelandic myth mentioned above.

Maybe all of this is me coming to conclusions, but I'd personally state that I think I've narrowed down some of the origins pretty well. The trope of a little ghost girl is widespread, and Alice may also simply be based on that trope, and the excuse of folklore was given to simply divvy up the waters a bit, but I digress. There could be so many different explanations for Alice out there, and while the fact that none of them fully match up is somewhat frustrating, I'd say that I think it's a waste of a good idea to simply brush her off as being just an original character loosely based on Alice in Wonderland.

Even in this spotlight, I feel the need to put a nice bow on things- overall, Alice is an incredibly complicated demon to look into, especially for those who love digging into things like me, but I managed to eventually track down that wild goose, even if it really is just a mirage. I'd be remiss to not mention her weird connections to Belial and Nebiros, as in the first Shin Megami Tensei game, she was brought back to life by those two, and they became her uncles, as referenced later in the series.

[wormstacheangel]

Day 2 of @spnprideweek and part 2 of sobrenatural fic

Dean ended up coming home a little sooner than he should have, but he didn’t want to lose the shower to Sam. He didn’t want to be sweaty and cochino for his not date with Cas.

Maybe he should have cooled it with the cumbia, making it too obvious that Dean was in a good mood because as soon as he was heading out the door—smelling great, he may add—su Tio called him over to the kitchen.

“¡Oye! ¿A dónde vas tan cambiado?” Tio Bobby was by the stove, smashing the beans for dinner, as he raised his eyebrows at Dean. Sam was standing by the sink peeling tomatillos as he cranes his neck to look over at Dean.

“Dude, what did you do? Break the damn cologne bottle?”

“Es mucho?” Dean lifted his arm to smell himself. “It’s fine!”

“¿Me vas a contestar?” Bobby threw in some whole chiles into the beans and let them simmer away. “¿Quieres que te hable en inglés? Where are you going, niño feo?”

“Estas siego, viejo!” Dean walked over to the small mirror that hung on the wall. You can barely see yourself in it because of the Jesus painting on it, but it still worked. “I’m just going out with some friends.”

“Mmm.” Bobby hummed in reply, going back to turn off the beans once they looked how he wanted it. “Llévate a tu hermano.”

“Tio!” Dean turns around, wide-eyed and heart racing. “I can’t take Sam!”

“I’ll go get my coat!” Sam rinsed off his sticky hands and started to walk out of the kitchen, but Dean grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pulled him in close. Pinning him down against his chest, which was difficult considering the kid is a damn giant.

“You aren’t coming with,” Dean mutters to him before begging Bobby again. “Tio, I’ll take Sammy with me tomorrow! Nomas hoy no.”

“¿Y porque no?”

Dean looks between curious eyes, not knowing how to explain himself. He can’t say he’s going out with a friend cause then there would be no reason why Sam couldn’t tag along. But he didn’t want to come out to his Tio and brother now! Fuck that shit; he’ll just lie.

[continue reading under the tab or on ao3]

“I’m going to meet up with Cassie.” Technically true.

Bobby’s eyes widened, and Sam’s grin grew while he wiggled himself free from Dean’s grip. They both liked Cassie and were mad at Dean for breaking things up between them. However, it wasn’t tough when Cassie rarely gave him any attention, always busy with work and school. She had to know Dean was holding her back, so he broke it off. She was mad at him for a while but ultimately thanked him for doing something she didn’t have the courage to do. Rumors still spread, though, because of course, they do, about Dean cheating, but he didn’t care much about those.

Su Tio, though, cared a lot. Dean has to constantly remind him that Dean didn’t cheat on her, and he just broke it off cause Cassie was too smart for him.

Cas is probably too smart for him too.

“Okay, pues, have fun! Bring her home to say hi.” Bobby practically pushed him out the door with Sam happily towering behind him with the same annoying grin.

Dean wondered how disappointed they would be if they found out he was going out with a guy instead.

Dean drove to Cas’s house, waiting outside a few minutes before seven. He wasn’t sure what he should do. Does he honk the horn, or is that too rude? Should he park and get out of the car to knock? That seemed too much like a date thing. And he still wasn’t sure if this was a date or two not-strangers hanging out.

He stayed in the middle of the street, unsure of what to do until finally, the front door opened, and Cas stepped out with a jacked hanging on his arm. He stood outside and squinted at the car before tilting his body down to check if that was Dean.

Dean’s panic from before melted away while he nervously waved at Cas. He saw Cas’s eyes widen with a slow-growing grin before he practically ran over to Dean.

As soon as Cas opened the door, Dean felt so sure that there was nothing more right than having Cas sitting in his passenger side.

“You ready to go, Angelito?” Dean looked Cas over; he’s dressed in dark jeans and a grey long sleeve. He has never seen Cas in anything but that rumpled old suit. He never minded the suit, but now he wished he could burn it because all that suit did was hide Cas’s muscled body. Dean couldn’t stop the whistle that escaped his lips as he said, “Mira! You look good, Cas.”

The compliment was shocking to them both, for Dean especially. He awkwardly cleared his throat while trying to think of an excuse. Maybe even use the whole English as a second language excuse, but Cas quietly responded with a, “Thanks, Dean. You look pretty good yourself.”

And maybe those words broke him. He knew he was attractive but having Cas say that made his head spin.

“Your car is beautiful, by the way. I wasn’t sure if that was you in here.”

“Did you expect me to come in that bike?” Dean jokes before slowly driving away from the house, Los Angeles Azules playing softly on the radio did not make things any less awkward.

“I don’t know what I expected. I’m just glad you came, Dean.”

Dean stopped at the end of the block and turned towards the guy sitting beside him. Cas was already looking at him with puppy dog eyes and a beautiful, hopeful smile. His breath catches in his throat as his mind gets overwhelmed with wanting to reach out and touch Cas. Just to make sure the beautiful boy in his passenger seat was real and make sure que su corazon isn’t just playing games with him.

Instead, he tightened his hold on the steering wheel, fingers burning in protest, as he melts into Cas’s smile. Wanting to relax and just be with him for tonight, not caring que alguien lo va mirar. Enjoy this non-date that looks like it has the chance to become an actual one.

But is that what Dean actually wanted?

“Dean,” Cas reached over to gently touch his arm as if knowing that Dean’s mind had wandered off. He looked hesitant, as if not sure if he was allowed to. “Do you want to go eat? We can if you want.”

Dean looked down at the hand that was burning him through his clothes, knowing damn well that Cas was giving him the chance to make this into something more. Algo que se sentía que iba a ser cósmico en su vida. Y Dean quería eso en su vida.

“Yeah,” Dean answered both questions. His hand loosened on the wheel before he reached over to take Cas’s hand in his. Hearing Cas’s breath catch in a gasp, but he didn’t look up at him; instead, Dean twined their fingers together before letting them sit in the seat between them. Dean focused back on the road before turning left to his side of town. “I got the perfect place. Te va gustar! You’re not like vegan or anything, right?”

“No.” Dean turned to catch Cas looking at him still and knew they were both feeling the same excited electricity that clouded the car just by the giddiness in his voice. “Where are you taking me on our, oh um…Oh! primero! Primero date, Dean?”

Ahi esta! La confirmación que necesitaba. This is an actual date! Pero, las palabras no le dieron pánico. No. Instead, Dean squeezed Cas’s hand as he laughed, feeling like he would just fly away if he didn’t hold on.

“You passed high school Spanish, Cas?”

“I did, but google translate did most of the work.”

When Dean parked outside the familiar food truck, he squeezed Cas’s hand once before they got out. They walked together, bumping shoulders while their hands stayed buried in their pockets. Cas didn’t question their lack of touch; instead, he smiled up at Dean as he listened to him rave about his friend Victor’s food.

“Not as good as mine, but it’s good,” Dean adds as they make it to the front of the window, where Victor can hear him.

“Cabron!” Victor said with no fire in his tone but a growing grin across his face. He held his hand out for Dean to take for a handshake. “Nice to see you, primo. Where’s Sam?”

“Lo deje en la casa!” When Dean took a step back, he put his arm around Cas’s shoulder to squeeze him close. “Pero, I brought a new customer.”

“Hi.” Cas looked a little shaken up, and Dean just wanted to lean closer to leave a kiss on his cheek, but he restrained. No necesita mas chisme circling around about him. “I’m Cas.”

“Victor.” Victor raised an eyebrow at him but reached over to shake Cas’s hand in response. “What can I get you and the pendejo around you?”

“Oh. Dean isn’t-” Cas frowned over at Dean, but Dean just shook his head, letting him know that it was okay. Cas squinted at him before he gave a small smile, not understanding but accepting. “You order for me?”

“Sure, Angelito. Anything you don’t like?”

“As long as it’s not so spicy, I don’t mind anything.”

Cas stayed stiff under Dean’s arm as they ordered and waited for their food. Eventually, Dean couldn’t help himself; the street light and the neon sign were the only things keeping this place lit, but it was still pretty dark, so he turned his face to press his nose against Cas’s temple.

“¿Qué pasa, Angelito? What’s wrong?”

“Dean.” Cas sounded shocked as he started to move back, but Dean held him a little tighter. “Someone is gonna see you.”

“Que miran. Just tell me what’s wrong.”

Cas sighed but relaxed back into Dean. “I just didn’t like him calling you that. You aren’t stupid, Dean.” Dean chuckled, and Cas turned to look at him, glaring. “I don’t see how this is funny.”

“Ay, mi Angelito, he didn’t say it in a mean way. It’s just the way we talk to each other. He’s my friend.”

Cas blinked at him a few times before he fell back against Dean, his arms crossed over his chest. “Well, I don’t like it.”

“Trust me, Cas, it’s fine. Quedate conmigo long enough, and you’ll be calling me the same thing.”

Cas didn’t say anything for a few seconds, and Dean wondered if he said the wrong thing again, but then Cas clicked his tongue before turning to Dean. “I don’t know what…um, that word you said means. Que..que-?”

“Quedate?” Cas nodded, looking back at Dean, waiting for him to explain. It brought warmth to Dean’s chest, knowing he’ll have to repeat it in English when before it came out as a joke. He swallowed hard as he looked back at those baby blues. The words barely came out in a quiet whisper, “Quedate. Stay. Conmigo. With me. I said, stay with me.”

“Oh.” Cas looked down at Dean’s lips as he talked. “I can-I can do that.”

Dean hummed a response as his eyes traveled down to Cas’s tongue poking out to lick at his lips. His heart was hammering in his chest until it came to a stop when he heard, “Dean! Oye, cabron! I ain’t calling your name again!”

They pulled apart, and Dean jogged over alone to grab their bag of food. Dean decided to get a few of his favorites and drinks.

“Victor,” Dean called his friend over again. “No le digas a nadie que estaba aquí. Okay? Or I’m gonna steal all your customers otra vez.”

Victor’s eyes traveled from Dean to Cas, who was waiting where Dean left him looking angelic under the streetlamp, before falling back to Dean. He wondered what could be going through Victor’s mind right that moment, but then he heard his friend let out a heavy sigh.

“Whatever you say, primo.”

“Thanks. Call me tomorrow, and I’ll work for you this weekend!” Dean starts walking backward, back to Cas.

“Shit! Really? ¡No juegues conmigo, Dean!”

“Llámame mañana!”

Dean makes it back to Cas, who automatically reaches for the drinks to help, and motions for him to walk back to the car.

“Come on. I wanna take you somewhere else.”

Dean drove them somewhere nicer, more private, but still a parking lot.

As soon as Dean parks the car, he opens his door, “Come on; we can sit on the hood. You might wanna put that jacket on.”

Cas looks excited when he opens the car door and walks out into the parking lot that faces the beach. “Dean! Won’t we get a ticket?”

“Don’t worry about it. Just bring the drinks.”

They sat on the hood of the impala, eating and talking, as the sounds of the waves crashing to the shore mixed with la musica norteña coming from inside the car. Dean soon finds out that Cas doesn’t know how to dance, so he puts on one of his favorite mixtapes, and cumbia plays loudly through the speaker.

They danced in front of the headlights, if you can call it dancing. They always ended up bursting into fits of laughter as they fell into each other because Cas did have two left feet. Eventually, Dean just took Cas from around the waist, and they just spun around in circles.

Feeling Cas wrap his arms around Dean’s neck to hold him as their grins were so close together made Dean’s heart leap. Eventually, Cas’s forehead fell against Dean’s, and the dancing slowed to a nice sway even though the beat was only getting quicker.

“Cas?” He answered Dean with a soft hum. “Me estas gustando mas cada segundo.”

“I don’t know-”

“I like you.” Dean’s eyes closed as he leaned in to brush their noses together. “Mi Angelito.”

Dean never thought he would be here in this situation with a guy, but he has never wanted anything more in his life. Feeling strong hands run through his hair as a strong and firm body pressed against him. He loved the intoxicating smell of Cas’s woodsy shampoo that he would have never smelled on a girl. The stubble of beard rubbed against his chin as Cas turned his head until finally, fucking finally, he had those pink lips on his.

He should be scared. Esto no es algo que debería hacer con El pinche Sonidito playing in the background. He shouldn’t have one hand behind Cas’s neck to deepen the kiss, and his toes shouldn’t curl up when he feels Cas’s heavy sigh inside his mouth. He shouldn’t become so quickly addicted to Cas’s hands reaching under Dean’s shirt to press firmly at his back, feeling the familiar slight burn become a damn forest fire in him.

Esto no es algo que debería querer. Cas no es alguien que debería querer pero aqui esta. Queriendo a nadie más pero a Cas. Cas. Cas.

Cas pulled away just enough only to have their noses touching, their breaths still mixing, as he whispered. “I like you too, Dean.”

And yeah. That was it. That was all it took.

Las cadenas del maldito miedo that held him back from even thinking of wanting Cas this way, se rompieron. Dean ya pertenece completamente a Cas.

Cas grinned as he looked back at Dean, his hand reaching to cradle his face gently. His thumb was caressing Dean’s freckles on his cheek before he happily announced. “¡Me gustas mucho!”

Dean laughed, his arms reaching down to wrap around Cas’s waist and spin him around. Both of them laughing as they continued dancing and kissing until it was late enough that they had to go home.

[wetookanoath]

*Literally ignores why this episode exists* So, La Llorona Special, this one got VERY long because apparently, I had a lot to say. So the rest is under the cut, but--

This is the worst preview in the story of forever, oh my God, what am I watching, what the fuck is this, what the hell. "Señora, yo no los conozco" FUCKING SAME, CURLY. I'M SO SORRY, LOVE. (My dogs were sleeping when I started this and they all stood and barked their asses off, the poor kittens ran into their little beds to hide behind their mom, oh my god)

Unpopular opinion: I don't like Ryan's facial hair in the sitting part, he looks like El Diablo, please never use that again. Though, I really like when he wears that t-shirt. Shane's cute, and fashion icon Curly is always the best dressed and better looking all around, ALWAYS.

"I'm half-mexican", I just love how he has been just straight up saying half-mexican lately, it waters my crops. Shane just staying there while these two latino icons talk, hjdnsjnksdjnkdnfr. Honey. Good white boy.

"I'm a shame in my family", bitch does that mean the rest of his family does talk spanish? He is the cousin that doesn't talk spanish, jndsinsdinefi. Y'all, just so we are good here: You don't need the language to be part of the culture. Your culture is yours, doesn't matter what you speak. As long as you feel it as part of you, your identity, your family, your place in this world, you belong.

Shane Madej is one of the few white guys I genuinely stan and I love him for staying there with his :D face while he heard these two exchange things about their culture. He is such a sweetheart wHO CAN PRONOUNCE SPANISH BETTER THAN RYAN????? Iconic.

"You know this, I'm a Boogara". How many times do you think Curly has fangirled over Ryan and the show? I honestly love that he was invited because he really is their biggest fan.

Shane saying he loves Curly? My shit. I love it. "But I'm thankful for you because every time I'm freaking out like you [Ryan], you'll say something and I'm like, Oh Thank God" I fucking love this. Also, Ryan trying to silence Curly, not wanting him to give Shane some validation, jdnsinkedneifn. HONEY.

I love Curly mentioning how all Latinx countries fight over the story because in reality, and if our research at Uni is still accurate and valid, this is a story that dates from pre-colonization but became widely know during the Colony and something we fail to remember is that the various Colonies sometimes took part in various areas that are now little or bigger countries. The New Spain was mostly Mexico, yes, but it was also part of Guatemala and so on. So to actually say "this is orginal from here", well that's like. Not gonna happen, lol.

Rude, Ryan. Chill.

Shane's 0: face at Curly's tía's tale is me listening to all the other world encounters I have hear during the long of my life since forever because I swear to God, there's no latino kid out there who doesn't have a tía or primo that saw something once.

Ryan is in so much pain listening to this, jnsdisndinsie. But look at him, remembering his tall counterpart is of polish heritage, and Shane knowing shit about it, ndsjwndjf.

Ah yes, la vieja confiable of telling your kids some angry spirit will take them if they don't behave. That's... the most latino thing I have ever hear Ryan say, lmao.

Shane saying he would run into the woman crying if they hear one to make sure she is real or not is like... Man, now I want them to fucking find her. Go find mama, kiddos.

I remember this from the thesis, this like "theory" that La Llorona could be connected to doña Marina. She is such a figure for our cultures, this woman put in a position of so much power even thought she didn't ask for it, that for many years has been seen as a figure of betrayal... that's another level and conversation for another day.

What Curly is saying of feeding the spirits by telling their stories is also such a thing from these lands. Who else has this belief of how you feed the spirits by believing in them?

"SEÑORA LLORONA, DEJA DE SER CHILLONA" CURLY NO FHDJNSBFJENFSUJENFU. I'M CRYING, OH MY GOD HDBNSHEJNF.

Ryan laughing at Shane saying "he said my name for sure!" djfniensfien FUCKER.

Seduce men??????? FEMME FATALE???????? WHAT THE FUCK????? NO????????

Shane and Curly wanting Ryan to show his biceps is a huge ass mood. "Why don't you show her your legs?" yes please. OH YEHA, THAT'S A THING THAT HAPPENED. ALRIGHT, I'M FINE WITH THAT. "No, no, no! It's too sexy!", Ryan are you okay?

"That's my girl Guadalupe, she's here. That's my girl, I'm happy she's here" I ADORE THAT CURLY IS A MARIANO. Like, part of being mexican is kinda believe or at least know the story of Maria de Guadalupe, and it makes me so fucking happy when other latinos also believe in her because what the story means to the people that was suffering during the Colony and specially to indigenous people in that time is something that is with us still, it's very present, very there, and it's really something to see. Like, no joking, even people who is not all that religious come to see the Manto and La Basilica because it's so iconic of our country and culture. If you guys ever visit Mexico City, get into a bus and drive to El Ajusco, you are not going to regret it. Say hi to mami Lupita.

"I'm not here to judge you, maybe he is here to judge you" "OF COURSE I'M HERE TO JUDGE YOU" I'm Shane.

"Can you hear that?" HOLY FUCK, THAT WAS CLEAR AS FUCKING FUCK BFDJNISNDFIRNFIR. RYAN'S FACE, HE IS PISSING HIMSELF, MY POOR CHILD. Shane's big laugh, oh my GOD, HE IS HAVING THE TIME OF HIS FUCKING LIFE. I'm so glad Curly is there to see that, lmao fjdfnjnsdrngfr. Awww, Curly saying thank you for that jdfnsndie. SAME.

Hello, Ryan's beautiful curly hair. Oh man, I love everyone's look in this one. Handsome boys, the three of them.

Shane's faces as the girl is speaking, I love how resposive he is and the fact that he doesn't say shit even if he obviously doesn't believe in it. Curly saying how we just know it's her? True, lmao. I have never had such experience, but every single story I hear, they just know. She's our Boogieman!

"Oh, this is where I'm going to lose it later?" "Your virginity?" WHAT THE FUCK SHANE, WHAT DOES THAT EVEN HAS TO DO WITH THIS?JFDNFDIDNFIR DID YOU LOSE YOURS ON A PUBLIC PLACE, HOLY SHIT JFDBFNIWSNDFIR.

Did Ryan just joked about having sex with both of them? LMAO, their laughs jdfnuenjf. Also, Ryan looks tiny with these two, someone get him highheels.

"This is a place were you get your children if you hate them" honestly, who does a park in a place that says has a spirit that steals children?! JDNSKAMSDKFD

Ryan having a picture of Shane as a child is everyting I care about now. Also, "we can of look alike! BEST BUDS!" Oh god, they look so freakin' adorable in those pictures, baby Ryan is the cutest fuking tihng in the world, I'M CRYING.

Curly and Shane in the swings is so cuteeeee. "Shane, what if we pretend we are children?" "Okay" I wonder, do they ever stop to think about their brilliant ideas to attrack spirits and realize, "Hey, are we like high or something?" "Don't think so, man" "UHM!". I just love that Shane just went, "okay" and also how softly Ryan asked that, they are cute af.

Did Ryan just said he wanted to push Shane on the swing? So. You just wanted to... you know what, valid.

"Look at this big, tall firned of mine!" Ryan, honey...

Curly's face as they are doing their bit, jdnfisnfijdfirjfir. Same. "Push your friend Curly, too" AWWWWW.

Curly talking to la Llorona is how I would go searching for ghosts. And these boys in the car, they look so cute. It was a good day for everyone's handsomeness.

SHANE WANTING LA LLORONA TO KILL HIM, IT ME.

... Ryan knowing exactly what Shane was going to do? Fucking magnificent. Ryan sounds so fond while saying "He's gonna move to his old standby of asking La Llorona to murder him", goddammit. "Sweet Curly" JDNSINWMSINFRINFGR. "The timid man" awwwwnnnn.

"I tried to appeal to that lady's interests but she wasn't having it" jdnfsjensfineifnir.

And of course Shane also knows perfectly what Ryan is doing during his solo walk. Oh man. I love them. Thank you for this, Curly. Did Ryan just said "ninios" jdnsindmfif.

"The Ghoul Boys prevail again" "This time" jfdbnsuwsndjeknfie, CURLY NO LES ECHES EL MALEFICIO JDFNDSDNINF.

[lunaamatista]

References to Mexican Culture in Coco

By now, you’ve probably heard Coco is one of the most well researched films about Mexico and its culture. There are many small details that make it feel like Mexico: the stone roads in a small town, the traditional embroidery patterns in the shirts of Miguel’s female relatives, an uncle wearing a soccer team shirt, even a bowl of limes in a stand of aguas frescas. Of course, the looks of papel picado, day of the dead altars, and cemeteries are also well represented. The clothes of the relatives Miguel sees in the world of the dead is accurate to their eras. While these are a nice touch, you’re ultimately not missing out on anything by not spotting them, so in this post I wanted to talk about the more culturally based details that show the most research and you might not understand if you’re not very well acquainted with Mexican culture:

Names and pronouns

1. Coco

This one is the most straightforward, so let’s start with the name of the movie. While the protagonist is called Miguel, we soon learn that Coco is his great grandmother. “Coco” is what we call a woman called “Socorro” (lit. “help” - it’s a very traditional name that’s considered old fashioned).

The Rivera family calls her “Mamá Coco,” which means “Mother Coco.” They also call Imelda “Mamá Imelda,” and so on. Calling your grandparents “mamá” or “papá” instead of “abuelita” and “abuelito” is a thing you can do, though I can’t say how common it is.

In the Spanish version of the film, Miguel’s grandmother, Elena, talks to Mamá Coco with “usted” (I didn’t notice other instances, but they might be there). Spanish has a formal and an informal version of singular “you:” “usted” for formal, “tú” for informal. The verb conjugation also changes depending on which one you use. It is used differently all through the Spanish speaking world, but in Mexico, other than older people you respect (like a teacher), you can talk to older family members with “usted,” which means respect rather than the distance the formality might imply. Nowadays, it has fallen out of use: as someone born in the 90s, my grandparents talked to their parents almost exclusively with “usted;” out of my parents, my mother talked to hers with “usted” and my father with “tú;” I speak to my parents with “tú.” I have cousins on my mother’s side that talk to their parents with “usted,” but I would say that makes them a minority nowadays.

Traditions and beliefs

2. Crossing to the world of the dead on a bridge of marigolds

If you paid very close attention, you might have noticed two children scattering marigold petals on the ground and their mother telling them not to scatter them, but to make a bridge so the dead could cross over. It was easy to miss, but that’s actually something we believe!

There are several types of flowers you can place in a day of the dead altar, but the one you can’t do without is the yellow marigold. Its petals are scattered all around the altar, and at the very front, you’ll form a path surrounded with candles. The bright yellow will help the dead properly make their way to the altar, and the candles surrounding the path will light their way.

3. Crossing to the world of the dead with a xoloitzcuintli

Several prehispanic cultures had a similar concept of the underworld as many other cultures around the world, in which there was a river they had to cross to get there. For both the Aztecs/Mexicas and the Mayas, a xoloitzcuintli would guide their souls so they could cross the river safely and arrive to Mictlan (Mexicas) or Xibalba (Mayas). To achieve this, a xoloitzcuintli would be sacrificed and buried with its owner. Day of the dead altars can have a xoloitzcuintli figure so that the dead can make it back safely as well.

4. Being thrown into a cenote

My screenshot isn’t the best but at some point, Miguel is thrown into a big pit with water. That’s not just any random pit, but a cenote.

Cenotes are naturally ocurring sinkholes caused by the collapse of limestone. The word “cenote” has Maya etymology, as cenotes are commonly found in the Yucatán peninsula, where they (still!) live. In old times, they would sacrifice animals and people as tributes to the gods, and also throw ceramic objects and jewelry as part of the tribute.

5. Alebrijes

I left these for last because they don’t have any deep meaning. Alebrijes are colorful fantastic animals that a man called Pedro Linares saw in a fever dream. He was a skilled artisan, so when he woke up from his long sickness, he brought them to life in his art.

In Coco, alebrijes are spiritual guides, and while their designs are to the likes of the real alebrijes, the film actually gave them a more important role than they have for us.

Music

6. Genres of Mexican music

The songs in Coco all belong to genres we’ve grown up with, so even if someone isn’t that knowledgeable in music theory or genres, we could vaguely tell they sounded “Mexican” (some more than others). Someone who is more knowledgeable of music genres can help me out here, but I think:

- Remember Me / Recuérdame is a bolero ranchero.

- Much Needed Advice / Dueto a través del tiempo is a ranchera.

- Everyone Knows Juanita / Juanita is a corrido.

- Un Poco Loco is a son jarocho.

- The World Es Mi Familia / El mundo es mi familia is huapango inspired.

- Proud Corazón / El latido de mi corazón is a a son (son de mariachi? I’m most uncertain about this one).

6.5 Un Poco Loco

Un Poco Loco starts in English as

What color is the sky, ay mi amor, ay mi amor, You tell me that it’s red, ay mi amor, ay mi amor

And in Spanish as

Que el cielo no es azul, ay mi amor, ay mi amor, Es rojo dices tú, ay mi amor, ay mi amor

(You say the sky isn’t blue, oh my love, oh my love, It’s red, you say, oh my love, oh my love)

This might be a deliberate reference to a huapango called “Cielo rojo,” which says:

Mientras yo estoy dormido Sueño que vamos los dos muy juntos A un cielo azul Pero cuando despierto El cielo es rojo, me faltas tú

(As I sleep I dream of us close together Going towards a blue sky But when I wake up The sky red, I am missing you)

Within the universe of the movie, this would make it an anachronistic reference, though. Additionally, Cielo rojo is a song of loss and Un poco loco is about a woman who thinks very differently and likes to say everything backwards, and that makes him crazy (in a good way!). Hence, in English we’ve got her saying to put his shoes on his head instead of his feet, and in Spanish him saying she might think with her feet and also how she keeps playing with his thoughts. Cielo rojo is a pretty sad song.

7. La Llorona

And I purposefully left La Llorona out of that list (it’s originally a son istmeño, though).

There’s a full musical number in Spanish, which seems to have suprised some people. For those of us who watched Coco in Spanish, it wasn’t too hard to guess it was this one: La Llorona was likely left in Spanish because it’s a very old folk song, one of those that are so old it has no known author and there are many different versions of the lyrics.

“Llorona” just means “weeper,” which is not really as unusual of a word in Spanish as it is in English. It’s closer to “crybaby” in use. She’s also what we call a character in a Mexican folktale. If you’re curious, the version used in Coco says the following, with “llorona” being the singer herself:

Poor me, llorona, llorona dressed in sky blue Even if it costs me my life, llorona, I won’t stop loving you I climbed the highest pine tree to see if I could spot you Since the pine tree was so green, llorona, it cried upon seeing me cry

What is grief and what is not grief, llorona: it all is grief to me Yesterday, I was crying to see you, llorona; today, I’m crying because I saw you

Poor me, llorona, llorona dressed in sky blue Even if it costs me my life, llorona, I won’t stop loving you

Famous people

8. Ernesto de la Cruz

“Isn’t he an original charact-” NO LISTEN STAY WITH ME.

Remember how I said Remember Me is a bolero ranchero? Guess who we associate boleros rancheros with?

That would be Pedro Infante, who happens to have a strong resemblance to no other than Ernesto de la Cruz.

It’s probably not a coincidence at all, as later on we see Ernesto with Pedro Infante and Jorge Negrete at his party. Ernesto de la Cruz was explicitly stated to be inspired on both of them and another singer of the same genres, Vicente Fernández.

My parents left the movie saying “Pedro Infante didn’t deserve that burn,” lol.

9. Frida Kahlo (and Diego)

She does have a rather prominent role so she’s hard to miss. For those unaware, Frida is the artist who made the flaming papaya.

The themes in Frida’s are autobiographical, as she had a rather unusual life due to polio and injury. She painted herself and her suffering a lot. That might be why we get performances with many Fridas and things like a crying cactus that’s herself.

Bonus: her husband, Diego Rivera, is also in the same studio where we meet Frida. He was an important artist, specifically a muralist. 

10. Other Mexican celebrities

I already brought up Pedro Infante and Jorge Negrete as characters that appear right beside Ernesto de la Cruz.

But we also get to see a cameo of many other famous Mexican names in Ernesto’s studio! Excluding the people at the piano, from left to right:

Emiliano Zapata, a revolutionary; (my best guess is) Adela Velarde, another revolutionary; Ernesto and Miguel; (probably) Agustín Lara, composer and singer; (probably) Dolores del Río, actress (in Hollywood too!); Cantinflas, comedian and actor; Pedro Infante, singer and actor; María Félix, actress; El Santo, wrestler and actor; Jorge Negrete, singer and actor.

They kind of looked like this:

Another bonus: this gal looks like the calavera garbancera / the Catrina illustrated by José Guadalupe Posada.

There might be more things I’m missing or forgot; if that’s the case, feel free to let me know! You can also fix my music genres for me since that’s never been my forte.

I hope this was of interest to someone! 

[deepweboutlxws]

October Prompts - Day 9 : Scary Story (Michael)

"That's not all that scary." The Breather leaned back in his chair until only two legs of it balanced on the ground, legs kicked up on the kitchen table. Dmitry glanced back at the scene unfolding behind him as he washed the dishes and lightly tutted Michael.

"Michael, could you please not do that? You're going to get hurt."

The warning went disregarded as the killer smirked across the table to the Executioner. Joseph scoffed and crossed his arms as he sat back. "Oh yeah? Well, I'd like to see you come up with a scary story of your own."

"I don't need to come up with a scary story. My ancestors have got me covered—" the Breather gasped as he leaned too far back, the chair legs squealing horribly against the tile floor of the kitchen and sent the scrawny man flat on his back. The sound caused Dmitry to turn sharply, only to grown and shake his head in disappointment before turning back to the plates at hand.

The Breather nudged the chair back up into the correct position and threw an arm over the edge of the surface and onto the table, peering over as he got up again and sat back down. Scooting forward, he offered a coy look. Hairless eyebrows raised and his hands folded together. "I don't suppose you've heard of the tale of La Llorona, have you?"

Joseph raised a brow, offering his friend an incredulous look. Arms still crossed, he gave a response already dripping with skepticism. "No?"

"Oh, well then let me recount to you a real scary story." The faux doctor cleared his throat.

"Our story begins in a quiet and peaceful little town in Mexico, where it is said that a woman lived. A woman of exquisite, extraordinary beauty. She was so fine that the townspeople claimed it was a gift from God himself. Well, word of her incredible beauty spread far and wide and one day, a strapping young man came to the village the hand of the beautiful woman: Maria. Maria was flattered by his proposal and she had agreed to marry the man, for she found him very handsome and her kind heart told her that he would make a fine husband. As the years went by, the couple lived in happiness and harmony. They had two young boys. Maria's husband was a soldier though, so he often had to travel far from home for long periods of time. Despite this, he was nothing but devoted to his family. Each time he came home, he spoiled his wife and his children with gifts."

Each word was accompanied by a motion of Michael's hands, waving and twirling, fingers dancing in the air as if to create a palpable picture of what was happening. He had a tendency to do that. Talking with his hands was a sort of a trademark to the killer. He glanced to Joe, grinning as he realized that he has indeed gotten the American's attention. He was leaned forward, eyes wide as he drank in every detail of the tale, fingers curled around the edge of the table and nails digging slightly into the wood. So far so good.

"But as time went on," Mike continued, "he visited less and less. His stays grew shorter and shorter. And slowly but surely, he began giving more attention to his children than his wife, until he all but ignored her on his brief visits back. And finally, there came a time when he didn't return."

Joseph shivered visibly and leaned over the table. "Then what happened?"

"Well, for the longest while, Maria was worried that her husband no longer loved her. She feared that, as time had taken her beauty, her husband had taken back his love. But her kind heart wanted to believe that he was better than that and that their marriage meant more to him than something so superficial. She didn't want to think he would cheat on her. So one day, she went walking about by the local river with her two young boys, and imagine her surprise when she saw her husband in a carriage with another woman."

"He did not-" Joseph slammed his fist into the wood, completely shocked by the turn of events.

"He did! And in a rage, Maria took her two young boys by the arms and flung them into the racing waters of the rivers. But of course, being so young, they did not know how to swim, and they inevitably drowned. Lost to the currents forever." He sat back, watching Joseph's face contort in sheer horror beneath his mask. "Only when their pitiful cries to be rescued stopped did she emerge from her wrathful state and come to realize what she had done. And when she saw their lifeless bodies floating in the water, Maria broke down and sobbed in anguish at the realization of what she had done."

"Well, I sure fuckin' hope so." Joseph pouted, throwing himself back in his chair. Mike shrugged and chuckled, pressing on.

"For her crime, Maria was hung-"

"As she should be-"

"But there is a legend that she still walks the earth." That line caused Joe's interruptive commentary to briefly pause. He gave Mike a suspicious look, silently asking him to continue.

"Caught between heaven and hell for committing the worst of all sins, Maria is said to walk the earth, forever searching for his lost boys. In the night, her weeping and cries can be heard as she follows the river, looking for her lost children. She attacks any man she sees with a vicious fury. But it is warned that children must be especially careful, for she has been known to mistake lost little souls for her own, and upon coming to realize her mistake, she shows no hesitation in flinging them into the river so that they may suffer the same fate as her two young boys."

Joseph shuddered at the thought, drawing back as Mike leaned forward, a malicious twinkle in his freakishly large brown eyes. "But you know what the scariest part is?"

"What's the scariest part?" Joe mumbled, clearly nervous about the whole tension building up between them.

"No one knows how far the river stretches, and no one knows how far she has followed it or will follow it. She could have just followed it so long as it flowed in Mexico. But... she also could have followed it. All the way to these very woods. Where she... could... GET YOU!"

As soon as the words were out, two large hands clamped down on Joseph's shoulders and the man let out a shriek. His brief struggle was short-lived as he looked up to see Dmitry leaning over him with a playful grin. After he'd finished watching dishes, he'd quietly slipped away behind the American while he was distracted, awaiting the perfect opportunity to scare him. And he did just that. He released the Executioner, sharing a good laugh with Michael over the scare while Joseph sulked over the ordeal.

It seemed like Mike had some scary stories after all.