#mirabel centre

[hurt-comfort-lover]

Mirabel AU / Mirabel Angst / Mama Mirabel / Part Thirteen (The End)

The next day was one of the worst for Mirabel in a while. It was a break day, Abuela decided that since the rubble was cleared that everyone deserved a day to just do whatever they wanted. Mirabel was excited because she wanted to spend time with Antonio and the village children as she used to almost every day. That morning during breakfast Antonio practically jumped on her, telling her how excited he was to spend the day with his Mira like they used to. Antonio had scarfed down his breakfast, which his mami wasn’t too happy about, and then begged Mirabel to hurry so they could go play. She finished and Antonio dragged her to town. They had gone to the park, and she had let Antonio run off to play with his friends while Mirabel stood by a tree and watched him. She smiled as he and his friends played football(soccer) together. Her time had been interrupted, as a kid that looked about two years older than she had scoffed at her. He was slightly taller than Mirabel. His fluffy dark brown hair covered his face slightly. His two friends were behind him, smirking.

“I can’t believe you have the gall to just walk around town as if you did nothing.” He said with venom in his voice, he crossed his arms.

“We know that you're the reason Casita broke, everyone knows that you were the one who couldn’t get to the candle in time.” One of his friends commented. Mirabel sighed,

“Why does it matter to you?”

“Seriously?! The whole town has had to make accommodations for your entire family! Now that their gifts are gone, our parents have had to work tenfold just to keep food on the table. My dad has even been working on rebuilding the house instead of the farm. You’ve messed up everyone’s lives,” he spat. Mirabel felt guilt heavy in her chest, but she couldn’t change anything she had done either.

“I’m sorry. I never meant for this to happen.”

“Do you really think sorry does anything? NO!” He pushed her against the tree. “I don't know when and I don’t know where, but you’re going to pay for this,” he said as he walked off with his friends. She was relieved that they were gone, but her heart felt heavy in her chest. They were right. She hated that they were right. Her thoughts consumed her, as she stared at the ground. She kept her tears at bay, as she didn’t want to cry in front of Tonito. She was brought back to reality when Antonio tapped her.

“Mirabel? Is everything alright?”

“Sorry, Tonito. Everything is fine I promise.”

“Who were those kids? What were they doing?”

“They were just talking to me, that’s all. Why don’t I come play with you guys? I could be the referee.” She said changing the subject. Antonio didn’t entirely believe her, but he agreed and they played. After a couple of rounds, Mirabel and Antonio had to go back to have lunch with their familia, so they left.

Mirabel felt numb as she sat down at the table playing with her food. She didn’t feel like eating, and she was barely paying attention to the conversation her family was having. She was caught up in the negative thoughts swarming her head. They hadn’t been this bad since the day Casita fell after she had ruined her sister's proposal dinner. After she put together the pieces of Tio’s vision. Camilo happily talked as he ate when he looked at Mirabel. He hadn’t seen her look like that since Antonio’s party. She looked so.. sad. Something had happened, and he wanted to figure it out. It’d been pretty nice without his powers, he didn’t have chores anymore. He had dealt with enough crying babies for one lifetime. With the new schedule, he felt like he had more time to relax. His Mami was doing better without constantly having to regulate her emotions. Life was great. Yet, there Mirabel was. He couldn’t figure out what she was thinking about. Luckily, today was a break day. He had plenty of time to investigate. 

As lunch came to an end, and Camilo shoved as many arepas as he could find into his mouth, Mirabel had disappeared into the crowd. He hadn’t worried too much about it, since he knew that Mirabel would probably be with his hermanito. After he ate, he scanned the area until he found Antonio, who was carrying his worn out zebra print backpack, heading towards the forest. Camilo quickly ran up to him and then creeped up behind him.

“BOO!” Camilo yelled as he jumped in front of Antonio. Antonio jumped and then whined.

“Camilooooo! Don’t do that!” Camilo chuckled,

“Sorry little bro, it’s my job to be the annoying hermano mayor.” Antonio crossed his arms and pouted. 

“Ok ok, lo siento. Have you seen Mirabel?”

“Mira probably went to Senora Gabriella’s shop. Why? Is everything ok?”

“Si, of course. I just wanted to ask her something. Gracias Antonio.”

“No problem.” Antonio said with a bright smile before heading towards the forest. Camilo headed straight into town, the streets were full of children playing around, and townspeople shopping or socializing. He never realized just how bustling the Encanto was. He weaved his way through carts and children, until he made his way to Senora Gabriella’s shop. He walked through the door and was met with a smiling Gabriella, she waved at him.

“Hola Camilo, what brings you here?”

“Hola Senora, I’m just looking for Mirabel, is she here?”

“She came here earlier, but I haven’t seen her since this morning unfortunately. Why is everything ok?”

“Si! Of course! I just wanted to check up on my primita is all..”

“Ah, of course. Well, do you want some pastries before you go?”

“Si, muy gracias.”

“De nada.” They sat down for a little bit before Gabriella had to get back to work. After Camilo had finished his pastries and left the store, the sun was beginning to set. The day was almost over and he still hadn’t found her. With determination he walked around town, looking for his younger cousin. 

During lunch Mirabel’s anxiety spiked. She wasn’t sure why, though she guessed it was because of the older boy’s from earlier. She didn’t want to be a bother, so she decided that the rest of the day she could crochet by a tree near the outskirts of town. After lunch, she grabbed her supplies and headed there quickly. She felt bad not going to Senora Gabriela’s, but she normally visited her on break times throughout the day, so it would probably be fine. The day went by faster than she expected, before she knew it the sun was setting. As she put her supplies in her bag, her thoughts betrayed her, as they usually did. Spewing all the nasty things it could come up with, using the boy’s words as fuel to her self-hate. As she got up, she took a deep breath, trying to shake away any thoughts that flooded her mind. As she walked they were still in the back of her head, and unfortunately it wouldn’t get much better. Mirabel roamed the mostly empty street of town, most families were home by now, probably preparing dinner. It was quiet, yet it was nice. She headed towards the construction site since dinner was approaching. While she was walking though, she saw a familiar face. The older boy from earlier, was leaning against a tree chatting with his friends. As soon as she spotted them she attempted to quietly squeeze by, but no avail. 

“Hey! It’s you again!” One of his friends said while pointing obnoxiously. A panic coursed through Mirabel, but she wasn’t sure whether it would be wise to run. As she debated the boy walked up to her while looking at her menacingly. He cracked his knuckles and his other friend laughed.

“Oh you’re going to get it this time kid, no grown-ups around to save you. Right Marco?” He rolled his eyes.

“You know a young girl like yourself shouldn’t be roaming the streets alone this time of night.” Marco said with a glare.

“I was just leaving-” Mirabel said as she tried to walk away, but one of his friends stepped in front of her. She turned to her back to see that the other one was behind her. A wall blocked her side, as she faced Marco who smirked. He leaned his arm against the wall, getting into Mirabel’s face.

“Admit it. Admit that you’re the reason the Encanto is suffering. Admit that you’re the reason my Papi barely sleeps, why my Mami is stressed trying to take care of my home without my dad.” Marco spat coldly. Tears welled in Mirabel’s eyes as she looked down.

“I’m sorry.” she said as her voice broke.

“You’re pathetic. I can’t believe you think you're good enough to be a Madrigal.” He said. Tears had begun to stream down Mirabel’s face, she choked out a sob before yelling was heard. She leaned against the wall as she slid down. She held her knees as she continued to cry. Everything was blurry, and she felt like she could barely breathe. A gentle shake brought her back to reality, her primo wiping her face with his ruana. 

“Camilo?”

The sun had almost set, and Camilo was about to give up. He assumed that Mirabel was already with the rest of the family. As he defeatedly walked back towards the construction site, he heard crying and talking. He walked towards the noise, and when he saw his heart fell into his stomach. His fists clenched, as he stormed over. Mirabel was crying being surrounded by older boys. They were smiling. What the hell did they think they were doing?! Camilo’s vision had turned red as he stormed over, pushing one of Marco’s friends onto the ground. Marco had turned around to see Camilo, his heart dropped.

“What the hell are you doing?!” Camilo practically screamed.

“Mind your business will ya?!” Marco yelled back. Camilo hadn’t realized what he was doing until his fist had collided with Marco’s jaw. The impact from the punch had Marco falling down, scrambling on the floor. That’s all it took for them to run away. He turned to Mirabel, she had fallen on the ground and pulled her knees to her chest. Tears were streaming down her face, her eyes squeezed shut as she struggled to breathe. Guilt swelled in his chest as he called for her, but she didn’t answer. He crouched down in front of her and gently shook her. As she revealed her face he grabbed a part of his ruana and began wiping tears off her face.

“Camilo?” she whimpered. He gave her a gentle smile.

“Si, are you ok? Well I mean obviously you’re not ok- sorry dumb question.” Camilo said awkwardly. He felt better when she saw her smile at his dorkiness, chuckling through tears. 

“Did you get hurt anywhere?” Camilo asked.

“No, I’m ok.” Mirabel said quietly. 

“Good. If they had laid a finger on you I don’t think they would be able to walk tomorrow. Definitely not because of me though, you have no proof.” he joked, she chuckled at his antics. He held out his hand and helped his primita up. 

“Gracias, Camilo.”

“Anytime, as the favorite cousin, it's my job to take care of you.” He said cockily.

“Who said you were the favorite cousin?” Mirabel said jokingly. Camilo gasped dramatically and held on to his chest.

“You wound me!” He said. It made Camilo feel better to see Mirabel joking around. Thinking about the look he saw on her face when those boys were messing around made his fists clench in anger. They walked back to the construction site, with a worried Pepa and Julietta panicking that Camilo and Mirabel still weren’t back yet, dinner had already finished. They were cleaning up the table next to the church. The town let the Madrigal family use the community kitchen and eat outside at the patio table. After the table had finished being cleaned, Abuela was the first one to see both Camilo and Mirabel walking towards them. 

“I found them!” Abuela yelled as she motioned everyone to come over. La familia met the pair in the middle. 

“Thank goodness you two are alright.” Julietta says as she runs over to her hija and sobrino, pulling them into a hug. As she released them Pepa's eyes shot daggers at them.

“Where have you two been?” Pepa asked expectantly while crossing her arms.

“You both missed dinner, and it’s way past curfew.” Abuela added. Mirabel looked down in shame, Camilo smiled sheepishly. 

“Lo siento, it’s not Camilo’s fault, he was just trying to help me.” Mirabel said quietly.

“Help you?” Isabella questioned.

“I would do it again too! That boy was asking to get punched in the face.” Camilo said. Dolores snickered at her hermano’s shenanigans. Abuela’s mouth practically gaped, and Pepa looked confused and angry.

“Hijo, I’m going to try to say this nicely.” Pepa said calmly as she took a deep breath. “WHY in your right mind would you punch anyone in the face?!” She yelled. 

“Because they were messing with Mirabel.” Camilo responded, acting proud of what he’d done.

“I’m not upset about that.” Isabella said with a surprised grin while crossing her arms. Dolores smiled as well, glad that her hermano was a good primo.

“Camilo, I understand why you would want to defend your prima, but you should’ve come to an adult first. It’s not ok to punch anyone in the face.” Abuela said.

“Wait-” Mirabel tried to say.

“Maybe he has a point. He’s like his mama after all, back when I was his age I would’ve given a good left hook to anyone that messed with Brunito.” Pepa argued.

“The townspeople are putting in a lot of work to help us rebuild our home. How do you think it’ll look when it gets out that someone in our familia punched one of their children in the face?!”

“Our reputation doesn’t matter more than our family's well-being Mami! I’m sure that Camilo did what he thought was best in the moment,” Julietta added.

“Actua-” Mirabel tried to add.

“NO. We shouldn’t condone violence, that’s not how we solve our problems. Camilo should know better.” Abuela says sternly.

“They were practically surrounding her! She was so upset- what was I meant to do?! Run to the church to get an adult and then come back? By then the boys would’ve run away!” Camilo argued.

“That’s not-” Mirabel tries to say before being interrupted again.

“Pepa, handle your son! I don’t care how upset you are, it’s no excuse to be disrespectful, especially to an adult.”

“Mami!-” Pepa said. Mirabel had had enough at that point, panic and guilt had set in. It wasn’t Camilo’s fault, it was her’s. If she would’ve just left the miracle alone none of this would’ve ever had to happen. The boys were just upset because it was Mirabel’s fault their parents were stressed.

“STOP!” Mirabel shouted. Everyone went silent, Mira took a deep breath before continuing.

“It’s not Camilo’s fault.”

“See!” Camilo said.

“It’s not those boys’ fault either.”

“HUh?” Camilo muttered.

“I didn’t know the other two’s names, but the big one is named Carlos. He was just upset because well.. me. The rebuilding of Casita has put a lot of stress on the townspeople. Suddenly they had less help and then they had added work on top of that. Carlos was another victim, being stuck taking care of his familia. They were right, it’s… well it’s kind of my fault we’re here in the first place.” Mirabel said timidly. 

“Hija, what happened to Casita was not your fault, I don’t know what those boys told you, but they were wrong.” Julietta said gently as she gave her daughter a sympathetic look. Mirabel just darted her eyes, avoiding her mother’s gaze. Mirabel had already made up her mind, she felt terrible that everyone had to suffer because of her.

“We should stop arguing, it’s getting us nowhere. Lo siento Camilo, I should’ve waited for you to explain in detail your side of the story.” Abuela apologized.

“I’m sorry too, I shouldn't have yelled at you like that.” Camilo said.

“We should go sit down, then you can explain what happened hijo,” Pepa said.

Everyone sat down on the grass, it was dark out, the sun had already set. Camilo stood up and started to explain his side of the story.

“Well, I was looking for Mirabel earlier because she looked upset, so I asked Antonio where she was. He said she might be with Senora Gabriela, so I went to her shop, she gave me a pastry. She’s really good at baking pastries.” 

“Focus Camilo.” His Papi said. Mirabel chuckled, she knows from experience just how fantastic Senora Gabriela’s pastries were.

“Lo siento, anyway so I was looking around town for her, and it got late so I went to head back and then I saw three boys surrounding Mirabel, and she was crying. So I ran up to them and yelled at the tallest one. If I had to guess, that was Carlos. He yelled back, I punched him in the face and then all of them ran off.” He finished with a proud look on his face. He obviously had no regrets. 

“That makes more sense, Camilo you did the right thing.” Abuela said.

“Really?” Both Camilo and Pepa said in unison. Like mother, like son. Abuela chuckled,

“Yes, I can’t expect you to know exactly how to handle a situation like that, you’re just a child. You protected your prima, so that’s what matters most. I’ll figure out who this Carlos boy is, and get everything sorted out. Otherwise, it’s getting late, so I think it’s about time we all headed to bed, si?” Everyone agreed and went off to their separate “rooms.” Mirabel wasn’t completely convinced of what her Mami said. She was stubborn in that way, regardless of what anyone says. If she had just listened to her Abuela and stayed out of the way then the Casita wouldn’t haven’t collapsed. 

The construction had been going well, the foundation of Casita was being built. There was a good amount of progress. More than a month without their home or their gifts was difficult, but they were managing ok. Dolores and Pepa were thriving without their gifts. Dolores was finally becoming used to not hearing everything all the time. Pepa felt like she could finally feel emotions without constantly having to regulate them. Antonio was disappointed at the loss of his gift, but his love for animals never faded. Even if he couldn’t understand them anymore, didn’t mean that his bond with them had faded. Camilo felt like he could finally be ok in his own skin. Bruno was relieved that he could be back with his familia without having to worry about people expecting him to take visions, and then take it out on him if they went wrong. Julietta and Luisa finally had some time to just relax, Luisa decided to take up reading while her mami decided to spend more time with her hijas. Isabella was learning how to garden from local townspeople she had helped in the past. She learned about new and interesting plants, and also realized that she could’ve grown vegetables, or something even bigger. Abuela had changed the most, she felt closer to her family than she had felt in a long time. She didn’t know of her children and grandchildren, she truly knew them for who they were. Mirabel, out of everyone, hadn’t been doing as well as she led on. She was always very helpful, even during her breaks she would go around the village to see if anyone needed help. Carlos had actually gone and apologized to her, though at first he didn’t do it willingly. After she had offered to help him and his family, he had a change of heart. Everything was going great for her, yet the smile she plastered on her face faltered. She couldn’t help but feel terrible. Her bad thoughts were becoming more out of control as time went on. 

‘You don’t deserve to be happy.’

‘How dare you act like all of this isn’t your fault?’

‘The town would be better off without you.’

‘You don’t deserve your familia.’

‘You don’t deserve to be loved.’

‘You don’t deserve to live.’

It didn’t make any sense to Mirabel, life was better than it had ever been before. Her family was acting like they cared about her, and she was contributing to the family. She was finally, truly, a Madrigal. So why wasn’t she ok? Why couldn’t she just be happy? 

Isabella runs up to her sister and practically jumps on her, making Mirabel stumble a bit. 

“Mira! I have SO much to talk to you about!” She said as she squeezed her hermanita. Mirabel hugged back, though she struggled to breathe under Isabella’s grip.

“I-Isa, I need to breathe-” She mumbled as Isabella immediately let go.

“Ah! Sorry Mira-”

“It’s fine, what were you going to tell me?”

“Oh yeah! I was working with one of the farmers, Senor Hernando, and you won’t believe what happened! Well you will because I’m telling you but Mira I grew a cactus! From scratch! It started as a little seed and then I took care of it and now it’s getting bigger- it’s so cute Mira! You need to come see it like RIGHT NOW!” She exclaimed enthusiastically as she gently tugged her sister towards Senor Hernando’s farm. Mirabel chuckled at her sisters antics, shaking her head as she followed her. Isabella led her to a greenhouse that Senor Hernando owns. There were plants in practically every corner, vegetables and spices. Anything you could think of. Over in the corner, in a small ceramic pot, is a small little cactus. Isabella showed it off to her sister, she was smiling so hard it looked like her mouth might fall off. Mirabel smiled at her hermana mayor, 

“It’s beautiful Isabella, this explains why I keep having to mend the bottom your dress.” She joked. 

“Si.. I was actually thinking about that.” Isabella said nervously.

“What is it?”

“Well… do you think you could maybe help me make a new dress? This one is just so long- so the bottom of it get’s all dirty- and since I’m working with plants it already stains easily on it’s own and-”

“Of course Isa, I would love to help you create a new dress.”

“Really! Muy Gracias!” She said happily as she jumped onto her sister, pulling her into a huge hug. Mirabel hugged her back as well of course. She smiled, the hug was warm. It reminded her of when she was just a kid, before she found out she didn’t have a gift. Before her familia gave up on her, back when her sister made her flower crowns and told her about all the plants she grew. 

After a couple of days of discussing, designing, and sketching it Mirabel finally decided it was worth showing Senora Gabriella, to which she excitedly agreed for Mirabel to make it. Mirabel was very thankful that Senora Gabriella provided all the materials she needed, and finally she was able to work on it. Isabella at first asked for a slightly shorter and darker dress, because it would stain less and it’s less likely to rip. After some more discussion Isabella decided she wanted it to be a short dress, about knee’s length. She decided to get rid of all the extra flowers, because those flower designs were added by her gift. Mirabel decided to use thin but durable fabric. It was stretchy though, so that way it would be comfortable. Isabella went back and forth on what colors she wanted. First she wanted it to be green like cacti, then she wanted a rainbow so she could represent all plants, then she decided that was too much. Mirabel and Isabella still hadn’t decided on a color went they went to Senora Gabriella, so then they looked through all the different colored fabric to see which looked best on her. They eventually found a forest green fabric and a royal blue fabric that Isabella liked. Isabella said she wanted most of the dress to be royal blue, and only a little green. Mirabel colored her sketch, having the entirety of the dress be blue except for the hem of the dress, that had green lacing on it. It was a short sleeve dress that was mostly plain except for the lacing on the hem. Mirabel finally finished the design and began measuring and making the dress. It took about a week for her to measure all the fabric and then sew everything together. She used the sewing machine for most of it, but there were a couple of parts that she had to hand sew. Mirabel finished the dress and put it in a small white box, similar to the one she got for her birthday. Isabella was so excited for the dress, she could barely take the anticipation, constantly trying to peek in on Mirabel when she was working on the dress. When Mirabel finally finished though, Isabella wanted to open it in front of the family. Isabella had announced that she needed to show the family something and gathered everyone to the church near the patio table. Abuela had arranged for everyone to take a break before lunch for Isabella’s surprise. Everyone sat down at the patio table, and Isabella motioned for Mirabel to come sit next to her. Isabella took a deep breathe.

“I brought the familia together today because I asked Mirabel to make me something, and I wanted you all to see when I opened it. She wouldn’t let me see it until after she finished, and now it’s done!” Isabella said excitedly as she pulled out the delicate white box. 

“So you brought us all here so we could see you open a present?” Camilo asked, to which his Papi elbowed him in the side.

“OW-! Sorry! Jeez..” He grumbled.

“Why don’t you go ahead and open it, hija?” Julietta said.

“Si mami,” Isabella said as she gently opened the white box and pulled out her dress. The royal blue and the green complimented each other nicely, it was soft and breathable. It was perfect, Isabella nearly teared up as she smiled. She put the dress back in the box to tackle her hermanita with a hug, which caused the entire table to laugh. 

From then on Isabella wore the dress Mirabel made her instead of her old one. It was a lot easier to maneveur around in, and was less likely to get stained. Day by day Isabella looked happier, she wasn’t perfect anymore, she was crazy, almost manic sometimes, but she was happy. Mirabel was happy for her sister, but at the same time, she felt jealous. Jealous that Isabella was able to heal and be happy. Jealous that she’s able to finally discover and express her true self. Jealous that Isabella deserved to be happy, and she did not. 

Bruno had always been quiet, ever since he was a child. Julietta was always the calm rational triplet. She was level headed and kind. Pepa was a hyper and reactive child. She was bold and stubborn. Bruno was the quiet one, the one that blended into the background. He was shy and reserved. When he got his gift, he was suddenly forced to interact with a lot of people who practically begged him to take a vision for them. It was overwhelming, and he struggled to communicate properly. This led to many misunderstandings, especially as he got older. His gift felt more like a chore than anything else. His mama would always tell him that his gift helps the community, that he should always be generous and kind. He was constantly giving to others without consideration for himself, it was taxing on him. It was even worse when people would react negatively to his visions as if he could control them. When Bruno left, he hated leaving his familia, but he secretly enjoyed not having to take visions anymore. He enjoyed the solitude from the townspeople who would blame him for things out of his control. When he came back, after Casita fell apart, he sort of faded into the background. He did spend time with his familia, but in general a lot of the townspeople would forget that he came back. He didn’t mind it though, in fact he was happy. Without his gift, he was free of his curse, free of the pressure and negativity. His thinking shifted when he noticed a change in his sobrina, Mirabel. He believed that Mirabel was a miracle, that she saved him and the familia from falling apart. So when he noticed the emptiness in her eyes, and the forced smile on her face, his stomach twisted into knots. At least when he had his gift he had the option to see what would(or could) happen. He could take a vision and he would either be panicked or relieved, but he would know. He didn’t have his gift anymore, so he couldn’t check. His worries gnawed at him, he could tell something was wrong but he wasn’t sure how he would help Mirabel. Could he help Mirabel? What if his interference somehow made things worse? He couldn’t risk it, yet it bothered him. As time went by, most of Casita had been rebuilt. The roof was being tiled and the floors were being installed. The walls were almost completely painted. Soon Casita would be finished, which was great! Yet, the more progress they made, the more he saw his sobrina faltering. He couldn’t just ignore it anymore, it was becoming too concerning. It was worth the risk, because he couldn’t just sit there and watch his sobrina suffer any longer. On a long work day after dinner, Bruno asked Mirabel if he could talk to her for a little while. Of course Mirabel said yes, she was always willing to listen to her familia. They met at a tree near the house they were staying at. Bruno was nervous, fidgeting with his sleeve. Mirabel smiled warmly at him, which made his chest tighten up. His sobrina didn’t need a gift, she was already one. 

“Hola Mirabel,” Bruno mumbled.

“Hola Tio, what did you want to talk about?” Mirabel asked.

“... I wanted to check on you.”

“.. me? I- There’s nothing to check. I’m fine.” 

“Mirabel, be honest. It’s me, I won’t judge you. You know how much I struggled with coming back to the familia. So please, I can tell that something is bothering you.” Bruno said sincerely. Mirabel's smile faltered, and formed into a frown as her eyes became glossy.

“How- how could you tell..?” Mirabel asked quietly as she stared at her feet.

“I- W-well..” he thought for a moment, “I guess I could just feel it? You just, you looked so sad. That smile, it wasn’t like the smile you have when you watch Antonio play with his friends, or when you see Luisa taking care of herself.” 

“Oh.. I’m sorry to worry you.” Mirabel said disappointedly.

“Don’t be sorry- I just- I don’t want you to feel sad. You- you helped me feel like I belong in this family. I want to repay you if I can.”

“You don’t ever have to repay me for that Tio.” She said, a weak smile present on her face. Bruno saw right through her, the bags under her eyes becoming more obvious to him. Even before Bruno left he had a special connection with Mira compared to his other sobrinos. When she was younger she was never scared of him, for a young child she was quite intelligent, at least emotionally intelligent. Bruno debated on trying to give her a hug, or pat her on the shoulder. He was awkward with any form of comfort, in addition he didn’t want to pester her, but he didn’t want to just sit there and watch his sobrina wither away. 

“Mira, if you need me I’m here, yeah? I- you don’t have to worry about bothering me, just- if you need me I’ll be here.” Bruno said sincerely, making Mirabel genuinely smile. 

“Si Tio, Gracias.”

Finally, after all that hard work. Casita was finished! The familia felt so accomplished, and they did it together. Abuela even managed to work it out so Mirabel got her own room. There was just one thing missing.. Mirabel smiled contently as she leaned against her Papa, seeing at what her familia accomplished. Her face scrunched up when she realized that something was missing.She turned to her Pa to ask where the door knob was, but he was with the rest of the family, everyone stared at her smiling. Her heart began to race as her Tonito came up to her, handing her the door knob. Mirabel felt her eyes become watery and her breath quicken, but she wouldn’t dare cry. Antonio grabbed her arm gently as he led her to the front door of their rebuilt Casita. Her familias eyes felt like lasers burning into her skin, she held onto her primito for support, completely silent. As she made it to the door, her hands became shaky, but her sweet Antonio gave her a toothy grin and she couldn’t help but smile back at him. She slowly put the door knob into its place, locking it in. She slightly jumped back as magic flowed through the house. The familia and townspeople looked in awe as the house came to life. The entire familias portrait was on that door, including Mirabel. Mirabel smiled,

“Hola, Casita.” Mirabel said with a slight wave

The familia piled into the house, Camilo began to shapeshift into a cluster of different people. Isabella danced as she grew different plants, not just flowers but Cacti and Honeydew, covering the new Casita in beautiful vines. Dolores smiled as she listened to everyone around her. Luisa picked up the couch, just to put it down and lay on top of it and relax. Antonio’s animal friends gathered around him as he jumped on to Parce. Rain and the Sun appeared causing a rainbow to form over the Encanto. The townspeople were bustling in delight around the Casita, and everyone lined up together and took a family picture, with everybody. It was perfect, life was perfect. It was a happy ending to a happy story.. That’s how it was supposed to be.

Mirabel’s heart raced as she stared at the door of her room. It wasn’t a nursery, it was hers. Nobody could tell her what to do with it because it was hers. She should be happy, no she should be ecstatic. A room of her very own just like she had dreamed about when she was a child. Yet she felt numb, and her heart was heavy. Why did she want to roll up into a ball and cry? It was bustling, everybody was getting used to having their gifts back, everyone was excited for the future of the Encanto. Yet here she was standing in front of a door utterly petrified and yet unbearably numb.

“Mirabel,” He said as he put a hand on her shoulder. Her eyes landed on him, a look of understanding on his face. She knew instantly that he was aware of what she was feeling. Yet that only made it worse as emotion bubbled up in her throat as her eyes darted back at that damn door.

“I.. I don’t understand..” She choked out, tears welling in her eyes.

“It’s.. ok- ok not to understand why.” He says quietly. “This is new, scary even.”

“I- I should be happy right?”

“Nobody expects you to feel anything, just feel.”

Tears streamed down her face as she practically fell onto the floor as her legs buckled under her own weight. Her Uncle Bruno right beside her, catching her as she fell. Holding her as she cried- wailed into his ruana. Rubbing her back soothingly as he told her she was ok. What she was feeling was ok. 

Bruno knew what it was like to feel alone. He had been alone for ten years, but he had also been alone most of his life. Lonely while being surrounded by others. That kind of loneliness is different. It’s heavy weight to carry on your own, he wouldn’t wish it upon anyone. He wouldn’t allow his niece to carry this weight alone as he once did. The cycle is ending.

The End.

AN: I couldn’t figure out a way to end this story properly. I have rewritten this too many times to count. I think however, this is the closest I can get. Mirabel will always have the damage from her childhood, she will always feel the weight from her self-doubt. But she’s no longer alone, she has someone to help carry the weight and together they will have their happy ending. The rest is just up to interpretation I suppose.

I hope you know I read all the comments and I appreciate all the support, this was something I wanted to write for a while and honestly I’m so happy with how it turned out. You can tell just how much I’ve improved from beginning to end. So from one random stranger on the internet to another, thank you so much, and I genuinely wish the best for you.

[camillasgirl]

Queen Camilla’s Patronages

Mirabel Centre

Managed by Partnership for Justice, the Mirabel Centre is Nigeria’s first Sexual Assault Referral Centre; with a mandate to provide holistic medical and psychosocial support to survivors of rape and sexual violence. In 9 years of operation as a non-governmental organization, the Mirabel Centre has provided direct free medical care and psychosocial support o over 7500+ survivors of rape and sexual violence (including men, women, and children). The youngest survivor was a 3 month old baby and the oldest, an 80 year old woman. Apart from offering free forensic medical examination and providing psychosocial support to survivors, the Mirabel Centre helps survivors get access to other support services they need. The Centre works closely with the police and provides medical reports which the police use for further investigation and prosecution of rape cases. In addition, the Centre consistently provides actionable information on prevention and response to rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence directly to its 20,000+ audience across social media and indirectly to over 300,000 people on a monthly basis. Itoro Eze-Anaba founded the Mirabel Centre when working on domestic violence issues as a lawyer. While campaigning for the Domestic Violence Bill, which she drafted, she discovered how little support rape survivors were getting in Nigeria. Her mission is to continue to provide free professional care and support to survivors of rape and sexual violence irrespective of when the incident happened.

[jacarandaaaas]

I’m going to need people to STOP comparing the badly written king from wish to alma😭

[alldancersaretalented]

Dancers attending P21 Intensive

??

Olivia Elise Victoria Nikolovva

AM Dance

Aurora Monroe

Ale Mancillas Dance Studio

Balbina Cueva

Allegro Performing Arts Academy

Arina Bryzgunova Bella Verbera-Hernandez

Aspirations Dance Company

Lola Nelms

Avanti Dance Company

Hayden Goren Eva Graziano Mia Menji Kaylee Randeniya Rosie Zahoul Sans Blair Tennant

Capitol Dance Company

Malia ?

Center Stage Performing Arts

Tommie Milazzo

Club Dance Studio

Brooklyn Besch Emma Kleve Claire Pistor

Dance Alliance of Camarillo

Shiloh Lark Farrah ?

Dance Dimensions Performic Arts Center

Victoria Safahi Serena Wilcox

DanceDynamicsLV

Lyla Haider

Dance Collective DC

Janelle Liu

Dance Edge Studios

Antonia Zanin

Dance Magic Performic Company

Savannah Lee

Dance Makers of Atlanta

Nola Paulina

Danceology

Ella Bustillos Hudson Hensley Ella Nani Knight Ella Koehnen Soleil Lynch Aria McCrea Cheyenne Ringerman Sydney Swinehart

Dance Republic

Graisyn Clare

Dansé Escuela de Danza

Alexa Ahumada Marielisa Portillo Isabella Trabucco

DC Dance Factory

Pay Lynch

Dolce Dance Studio

Brixtyn Cappo

École de dance Louise

Léonie Macorig

Edge Studios

Sienna ? Aria Giusti

Encore ELite

Leona Zariel

Epic Motion Dance Studio

Maria Sofia Rodríguez Mia Sofia Covarrubias Tinoco

Essence of Dance

Ava Killam Makena Killam Briar ?

Eternal Dance Company

Maddie Kronenberg

Evoke Dance Movement

Emmy Claire

Evolution Dance

Scarlett O'Neil

Evolve Dance Center

Maria Belen Salido

Evolve Dance Centre

Izabella Modarresi

Excel Performing Arts

Emma Sheff

Fusion Dance Omaha

Gigi Murray

Glass House Dance

Eden Cui

Groove Studios WA

Kaiden Koths Abby Mae

Hart Academy of Dance

Lydon Thach

Havilah Dance Company

Caitlyn Marie Malea Jade Moore

Inferno Dance Co

Maizie Smith

Instyle Dance Company

Jacilynn Mar

Janet Dunstans Dance Academy

Adeline Glenn

K2 Studios

Neriah Karmann Lennon Reign Jessica Sutton

Larkin Dance Studio

Matinly Conrad Palmer Petier

Legacy Dance Productions

Sophie Boonstra Paisley Clarke

Legacy Studio of Performing Arts

Brynne Smith

McKinley School of Dance

Teodora Narancic

Murrieta Dance Project

Khloe Cabrera Gracie Gilroy

N10 Dance Studio

Claire Avonne Kingston Madison Ng

No Limits Dance Academy

Ayanna Voulgaris

Nor Cal Dance Arts

Aria Davi Aubrey Paz Olyvia Reza

North Calgary Dance Centre

Ellie Blakley Georgia Blakley

OCPAA

Libby Haye

Onstage Dance Center - Los Alamitos

Adalyn Nicole

Pave San Diego

Eleanor Bullock Aryanna La Fontaine Cooper

Pave School of the Arts

Sofia Cuevas Stella Fisk Livi Matson

Perception Dance

Mabel James

Project 21

Ellie Anbarden Olivia Armstrong Lilly Barajas Sienna Carlston Kami Couch Katie Couch Kenzie Couch Airi Dela Cruz Stella Eberts Gracyn French Regan Gerena Richie Granese Mady Kim Brooklyn Ladia Leilani Lawlor Chloe Mirabel Savanna Musman Madelyn Nasu Avery Reyes Berkeley Scifres Bristyn Scifres Sara Von Rotz Leighton Werner

Project 520 Dance Studio

Adelynn ? Karli Heim Sasha Muratalieva

Queen City Dance

Annabel Speck

Seattle Storm Dance Troupe

Claire Clark

Shooting Stars Dance Studio

Karsyn Hernandez Malani Maliya

Stars Dance Studio

Hannah Burak Catherine Clayton Fabiana Pierleoni Elie Rabin

Starstruck Performing Arts Center KS

Kinley Winn

Steps Dance Center

Emmie Pitt

Studio Fusion

Harley Gross Juliet Anne Wydo

The Collaborative

Addison Cullather

The Company Space

Piper Perusse Stella Marcordes Vivian Marcordes

TheCREW

Isabella Tamayo

The Dance Collective DC

Eva Rogachevsky Quincy Thomas

The Dance Collective MD

Lyla Urban

The Dance Company of Los Gatos

Scarlett Blu Chloe Rose

The Vision Dance Alliance

Emily Polis

Utah Ballet Festival

Ruby Taylor

West Coast Dance Complex

Mila Barnett

Xtreme Dance Studio

Jocelyn Longroy

YYC Dance Project

Kinsley Oykhman

[tell-me-a-tale-that-tells]

THINGS I LOVE ABOUT YOU

┏━━━━━━༻❁༺━━━━━━┓

Summary:

Bruno found himself panicking and crying due to some mean comment on his persona, you showed him how wrong they were.

Notes:

I hope you'll like this one.

I watched Encanto and immediately fell in love with the sweet Bruno, I had this fic around in my head for days!

I was thinking about writing a second chapter/sequel (maybe very slightly NSFW, I don't know) but only if you liked the first part and ask for more.

Enjoy!

┗━━━━━━༻❁༺━━━━━━┛

Chapter 1

It was a bright day, ten months after la Casita was rebuilt, the chatting of the people in the village could be heard from inside the house, no needs to be Dolores.

It was always like that on the market day, men and women buying food and clothes, children playing in the plaza.

Bruno was still not used to walking among people, first thing because some of them give him strange looks and last because living for 10 years in the walls of his own house, made him a bit rusty.

Noticing that he wanted to help the familia somehow, you sent him to buy some vegetables and fruits for lunch, Julieta handed him a list and a basket and you walked him through the main door of la Casita and when you noticed his hesitation you placed both of your hands on his face, stroking lovingly at his cheeks with your thumbs.

"You can do it, mi Vida" you whispered.

Moving through the marked he replayed that moment in his mind continuously, trying to remain calm when he noticed that some folks changed their path to walk far from him.

He took several deep breaths but he lost it when he hears a group of women gossiping at his back.

"What Y/N found in that man it's such a mystery to me."

"Look at his clothes! And let's talk about his hair, how many years without a proper cut?"

"Y/N can get a better man, isn't he too old for her?"

He started hyperventilating but tried to focus on his list to distract himself, he needed to buy those things, he needed to prove to you he was able to!

He glanced at the selling stalls but his vision started to blur, he was gasping and he was not even aware of it.

The villagers around stop to look at Bruno, someone with a concerning look and others eyeing him from head to toe with apathy, a young boy asked if he needed help but the man flew away, sprinting through the market and heading home as fast as he could.

Bruno was agile and could be a master in stealth if he wanted to, he whispered at Casita to alert no one that he returned, only a floor tile moved in approval and he slipped into your room.

You moved in just a month ago and Bruno was hesitant to let you see his room, knowing that behind his door was not as cosy and comfortable as his sisters' room or cute and tidy as Mirabel's.

His face dropped when he realized that Casita redesigned his room as soon as you entered, the interminable stairs were gone, the same for all that sand everywhere and the creepy stone statues.

The room was way smaller, with a cavern on the left as a bedroom, with a soft king-size bed and a fireplace, there were even some alcoves with candles and small bowls. On the right, a larger space with a doomed roof similar to one of his older rooms, the sands for Bruno to use for his visions was neatly stored in glass jars on wooden shelves and a green crystal-like chandelier hanging from the centre of the doom.

He was so happy that day, unlike that moment, when crying at the lowest volume possible, Bruno laid himself on the bed, curling like a cat.

In the kitchen with Julieta, you wondered how Bruno was doing in the village, while your friend and "almost sister in law" like she liked to call herself around you, was humming and cooking.

You felt that something was off, glancing at Dolores who was making a face your suspects took form.

"Dolores, sweetie, is Bruno home?" You asked her.

The young woman tilted her head on the left and looking in the opposite direction she made a sad expression.

"He is, Y/N...he's in your room, I can hear sobs and the sounds of his tears falling." She whispered.

In a matter of seconds, you were already on the first floor, knocking on Bruno's door and entering without waiting for a reply.

You noticed immediately the empty basket was tossed randomly in the middle of the room, only the crumpled list inside it.

A sound of rustling fabric made you look towards your shared bed and you approach it, Bruno was there sniffing a wiping his eyes.

"Bruno, what happened?" You asked softly, placing a hand on his shoulder.

He went rigid immediately and peaked at you with a half-closed eye, his face mostly covered by his long curly hair.

"I'm so sorry Y/N, so sorry," he said before starting to sob again.

It shattered your heart to see him that way, your lovely and kind man was a trembling mess.

You took both his hands in yours and pulled him up in a sitting position, his legs hanging from the side of your bed, facing you.

"Tell me what's wrong, mi Amor" trying to make him look at you, you placed your fingers under his chin but he cast his eyes down on the floor.

He took a deep breath and cleared his voice

"I lost control, those women at the t-the market, they were right about me, about us...you should-"

You narrowed your eyebrows trying to understand and he continued

"They said that I'm...not the right man for you, I'm older and way too uglier than every man you can have, you d-deserve so much better..." He starter to sob again "Why do you stay with me?"

"Oh Bruno, my beloved and wonderful Bruno. I stay with you because I love you for who you are, you're kind and funny, sweet and loving, you care for your family and protect them at all costs...and your appearance is surely a bonus."

He snapped his eyes on you, incredulous.

"My...appearance?"

"Of course, quieres saber por qué?" You cooed and he nodded uncertainty looking at you with wide eyes when you crouched down at his feet.

"Let's start then...from the bottom,mh?" You kept your voice low and calm, trying to make him relax.

"What about your legs? Your lean and agile legs, I saw you running around and climbing when you and your familia rebuilt Casita" touching and massaging his calves, you rise to his tighs, feeling the muscles beginning to loosen up.

"Your hips, you know I love them...the way you swing them while dancing or even just walking" at that point you were straddling his thigs, Bruno shifted a bit to accommodate you.

When you placed your hands on his belly you felt him tense, that was like hitting a nerve, he know he's underweight and still struggling to recover, after 10 years of only eating leftovers he could find around.

So you moved up to his arms and chest when a strong and fast-beating loving heart was pounding.

"I like your arms because you give the warmest hugs...and your chest, it's not board but has the most precious gem inside it, your heart. I can feel it beating fast...oh! Even faster now." You whispered in his ear and Bruno hid his face in your neck out of embarrassment, but the right kind.

"I like your hair, every soft curl and greying strand, it frames your sweet face and I adore burying my fingers in it" and you did just so.

Making him face you again and staring lovingly at his big brown eyes you saw the same thing reflected.

Bruno was a trembling mess for all other reasons at that point, he felt like putty in your hands.

"Y/N" he whispered, his voice shaking, but you shush him with a finger on his lips.

"I haven't finished yet, mi Hermoso amor...I was going to talk about your mouth, with which you sing the sweetest songs to me and say your impeccable visions, the mouth I can't get enough of while kissing you"

You removed your finger from his lips while being only a millimetre apart, letting Bruno decide if he wanted to close the gap, which he did.

The kiss was sugar sweet and irradiated pure love and adoration, he hooked his arms around your waist to pull you closer, his hands roaming on your back and slipping under your blouse.

You both came up for air hearing Mirabel's cheerful voice from downstairs, calling everyone for lunch.

"Do you...r-really think those things about me, Y/N?" Bruno asked with his big puppy eyes shining on you.

"Oh, I have a lot more to tell you, but that would implicate skipping lunch and we don't want that for sure" you replied with a wide grin.

Bruno reddened from head to toes and shook his head, curls shifting with the rapid movements.

You raise from his lap and offer a hand to him to stand up.

"How about...you tell me the rest later? He suggested.

"I think I could, mi Vida" you confirmed, opening the door and heading together in the kitchen with the rest of your familia.

[nichenarratives]

CHARACTER DISSECTION

MORDECAI HELLER of LACKADAISY

For those unfamiliar with the Lackadaisy comic created and illustrated by Tracy J Butler, the pilot animation developed by Tracy and her team, or the upcoming five-episode series crowdfunded by fans, I highly recommend heading over to check those out before consuming this Niche Narrative. 

St Louis, Missouri

America is deep in the throes of prohibition. Missouri proudly presents its alcohol-drained bars to the rest of America as a shining example of true patriotism in the dark shadows of the First World War. All across America, this same constitutional change forces citizens to surrender their right to free will, inciting dissent even as governments touted the benefits; working harder, earning more, stable family dynamics. The American Dream.

Many loyal Americans were not so convinced and so, they took their needs underground. An entrepreneur in possession of the Daisy Cafe, which was conveniently situated above a vast network of natural caves, Atlas May utilised both his wit and charisma - as well as the charms of his attractive wife, Mitzi - transformed the damp corridors into a vivacious playground even a most pedantic officer would overlook for a measure of fine whiskey.

The Lackadaisy Speakeasy was born, and she flourished for half a decade.

Though Atlas was not naive; he knew market exclusivity was limited and as such, the businessman quite wisely surrounded himself with the formidable associates one would expect from a smuggling operation; Viktor, a former Slovakian soldier built like a bearcat and Mordecai, a sharpshooting jack of all trades known for cooking books and cracking safes on the side. With those sour faces punctuated by a smattering of colourful characters to form the band and run errands, the Lackadaisy Speakeasy flourished in the bowels of St Louis, mostly undisturbed, through much of the twenties.

Mordecai (left) with Mitzi and Atlas May (centre), celebrating the New year in 1926 with Lackadaisy staff months before Atlas’ death

Until tragedy struck; Atlas met a gruesome end at the hands of an unknown assassin. Yet what was already a crippling blow to the Lackadaisy crew would only fester and rot in the months to come. Rumours would flow of Mitzi May’s involvement in Atlas’ death, tarnishing her reputation and seeing clients peel away from the establishment with concerning velocity. In the wake of financial struggle, bills mount up and hopes turn sour, until even an employee abandons the establishment for their main competitor, leaving the Lackadaisy corpse little more than brittle bones and dust.

This deserter, who abandoned his mistress in her time of need, going so far as to disable a former friend and comrade in the process? He is Mordecai Heller, a stray Atlas saved from past repercussions and trusted.

What remains to be explained is simple. Why? A secretive, astute man with impeccable posture, little patience for anything superfluous and a sour expression permanently affixed to his features, Mordecai is not someone most would approach for a conversation, but an unwillingness - or perhaps an inability - to conform to societal norms and blatant treachery are not mutually exclusive. 

In this Niche Narrative, we’re going down the Mordecai Heller rabbit hole. Using every official Lackadaisy edition, mini strip, the Lackawiki plus my own research, we’re going to unravel the motives to explain how he became the Mordecai Heller portrayed in the comic series, why he decided to commit atrocities for both Atlas and the Mirabel Hotel and finally, if he could ever redeem himself in the eyes of former comrades, based on the information currently available.

Make some tea, grab a snack and get comfortable. We’re about to dissect Mordecai Heller, the principal antagonist of Lackadaisy.

Humble Beginnings

According to the Lackadaisy Wiki, Mordecai Heller was born on the 28th of March in 1899 in New York City. Not much is known about his parents beyond their first names - Issaac and Tzipporah - and that they are first generation German-Jewish immigrants. The eldest of four children and their only son, Mordecai would become the man of the house at the tender age of eleven after his father suffered a stroke and never recovered. His youngest sibling would also die in infancy, leaving three children and their mother living in abject poverty.

We don’t know if Mordecai was close with his father, but by how seriously he took his role as provider, we can extrapolate that he cared far more for his family than his adult persona leads most to believe him capable of. Utilising an inborn penchant for order and an efficacy with numbers, Mordecai became a bookie soon after his father’s passing, scraping together enough money to keep his family afloat while his mother assumedly raised him and his sisters.

Left to right; Esther (9), Rose (5), and a severe-faced Mordecai (11) pose with their Mother, holding his infant sibling, on the steps to their home.

Years later, Mordecai would realise there's more money to be made in the city. The exact trigger for this escalation is unclear, but we can guarantee it wasn't greed after many years of remaining loyal to his mother and sisters. Most likely, increasing demands on his meagre earnings caused shortages, and with the conviction he's already proven to possess, the young cat made a questionable decision; to murder an employer's underling and take his place in the hierarchy in 1916.

While tenuous and arguably shortsighted, this new position gave Mordecai intimate access to his boss' accounts, and the tuxedo cat didn't hesitate to embezzle funds into savings for his family. It reeks of naive desperation an adult Mordecai would likely scoff at, but for a kitten trying to support his family, it was a lifeline. 

As expected, Mordecai's deception is swiftly uncovered. He's next seen riding the train south sometime between 1917 and 1920 with just the clothes on his back and a bloody nose, desperately attempting to scribble a letter to his mother. Detailing the location of the money he's stashed, as well as urging her and his sisters to move to better housing, it's hastily stamped and postage requested by a stranger, though Tracy has confirmed this edition of his final letter didn't make it to the mail; he drafted a cleaner one at a later date.

Watching the young man scramble to send this final goodbye is heart wrenching, showing just how much affection he carried for his family. He practically condemned himself to death to procure those funds and at just seventeen, he leaves behind not only his family, but the only city he's ever known. It seems Mordecai might perish on the train that night too, given the unsavoury characters in the carriage.

That is until divine intervention - or perhaps a spirit of old - swoops in at the last moment, changing the course of Mordecai's life forever. Taking the proffered olive branch, the young feline would enter an underworld even darker than the one chasing his coat tails, and that is where his story truly begins.

Appearance

Mordecai Heller cuts a fine figure in a tailored, black three piece suit with a blood red tie slicing his otherwise monochromatic profile from neck to chest, an iconic pair of pince-nez adding to his glare. He often wears a broad brim hat and a black trench coat, often concealing a shoulder holster equipped with his weapon of choice; the cold efficiency of a handgun.

Standard attire, including a Marigold pin.

Despite his status as a sharpshooter, Mordecai has congenital myopia and has worn glasses since entering education. Given myopia causes long-sightedness, it's assumed he is somewhat effective in his profession without them, but they are a fixture in his everyday attire likely due to his fondness for reading, accountancy and of course, simple habit. 

While not physically gifted, Mordecai's intellect is well above average, a childhood of reading in solitude affording him a diverse vocabulary that leads to verbose, complicated responses to simple inquiries.

Having grown up impoverished, Mordecai takes great pride in his appearance as an adult and, regardless of circumstance, is usually seen in a three piece suit. He has few occasions to dress informally due to his lifestyle, though there are a few interactions that suggest he would not be caught dead in casual attire regardless:

Tracy once discovered Mordecai dressed up to use an electric iron, because he felt such an occasion deserved respect.

Serafine recently carved a Voodou glyph into Mordecai's chest against his will. It can be seen to stain his collared shirt for some time after, even while conducting private investigations into Atlas' death.

Having used them in the past, 'Mordecai Heller' is assumed to be an alias, though no real name has been shared. This was likely a calculated move to protect his family from the backlash his questionable practices may incur. His only other known alias was Elijah Metzger - 'Butcher' - a fitting name given his hatchet-wielding future.

Relationships of Note

For a man who actively chose not to interact with most people, Mordecai developed quite a list of close relationships during his time at the Lackadaisy Speakeasy. Not yet the dignified feline of the web comic, these relationships - particularly early ones - helped shape Mordecai into the man he was when Atlas May was murdered. 

Let's break down the most influential, starting with the obvious.

Atlas May

It would be impossible to reflect on the man we know as Mordecai Heller without exploring his relationship with the man that saved his life on that train ride. A quiet man with an expressive brow, Atlas possesses the life experience to recognise a young man in need of assistance and the skill to offer it without a word. With just a glance, a heartbeat, and a firearm left within a discarded newspaper, Atlas May provided Mordecai with the tool needed to break free of fate and seize control of his destiny.

Atlas May (right) with Mordecai Heller soon after his recruitment

There's little information regarding the four years between their first interaction on a train in the late 1910s and the Lackadaisy Speakeasy opening in 1920. Before becoming an entrepreneur of illicit substances, Atlas is known as a restauranteur, already owning the Little Daisy Cafe above the caves that would eventually disguise the true nature of his business when prohibition law came into full force in 1920. 

With his affinity for bookkeeping, it's feasible Mordecai was kept on to manage the accounts at the Little Daisy Cafe, though his history with embezzlement and bookkeepers lends itself to illicit trading. Mordecai is hardly recruited in the traditional way either, which only convinces me further that there was something going on beforehand. Sadly, we have no definitive evidence of either his or Atlas' dealings beyond together until 1920.

Regardless of the goods involved or seemingly the job required, Mordecai was devoted to his service until his untimely death in 1926. 

A young man in a new city and emancipated from his family for their protection, Atlas May becomes a veritable anchor. Under his service and guided deeper into the roaring underbelly of the city, Mordecai can be seen to fully take shape into the character we know, actively adopting a disinterested, flat tone and permanent scowl likely modelled off Atlas' own business appearance.

It's possible Atlas became a surrogate father figure to Mordecai, whose own father passed away when he was just a kitten. Additionally, little contact with his family since he fled New York places those at the Lackadaisy not only as the young man's found family, but Atlas as his role model, especially as he's newly introduced to the St Louis underworld.

There's limited resources in regard to both his personal and professional relationship with Atlas May, but what can be heavily inferred is a deep respect extending beyond simple loyalty. It's suggested Atlas helped Mordecai deal with some of his past pursuers, potentially indebting his life to the entrepreneur once more. 

Even after abandoning Lackadaisy for greener pastures, Mordecai actively conducts private enquiries while working for Mirabel Hotel, going so far as to conceal an intended target of Asa Sweet to question him further.

Whilst conducting these enquiries, Mordecai is seen in his least composed state; he lacks his waistcoat and suit jacket, his shirt is stained with blood where his chest still bleeds and he looks generally dishevelled. He agrees with the notion his new position may consist of tying up the loose ends of Atlas' death, and it troubles Mordecai greatly this could be true.

Taking this obsession into account, he seems to carry some level of guilt alluding to the snippet of information yet to be revealed he and Mitzi discussed. Atlas May was, and remains, one of the prominent influences in Mordecai Heller's actualisation as a career criminal, even after his death.

Mitzi May

From references, Mordecai's entire relationship with Mitzi is deeply intertwined in his association with Atlas. As the man's wife and confidante, Mitzi was a fixture at the Daisy Cafe and now owns the Lackadaisy Speakeasy, making her Mordecai's boss when he defected to the Marigolds for unknown reasons. Besides this affiliation though, their interactions are often a joke at Mordecai’s expense.

Mitzi and Mordecai were never friends - nor did he ever view her as family - as from the outset, she did not respect his boundaries. An early interaction showcases this as Mitzi takes photos of him as he tries to work, for no other reason than she wanted Mordecai to do something other than scowl. She achieves this by teasing him, stating how his oversized shirt makes his arms look disproportionately short.

She can also be seen teasing him for a lack of social skills, inviting young ladies to persevere in engaging him to dance, despite his lack of interest. Needless to say, it did not go well, and such arguably petulant behaviour likely bred resentment against Mitzi that soured after her husband's death.

Any remnants of a personal relationship were shattered when Mordecai betrayed Mitzi's trust in spectacular fashion. Not only did he empty the armoury on his way out, but shot out the knee of former friend and remaining sharp shooter, Viktor Vasco. She has no reservations bringing it up when forced to face Mordecai at a luncheon with Asa Sweet and as a testament to their sour relationship, refers to Mordecai's presence as 'salt in the wound.' Mordecai ultimately excuses himself early.

A rare candid photograph of Mordecai, checking the length of his arms. (credit: Mitzi May)

Perhaps their only shared interest was Atlas. Though for entirely different reasons, the pair both idolised him in life and remain fixated on his untimely demise. 

We learn a lot about Atlas' death during a terse, private exchange in Mitzi's car after the forced luncheon. It's revealed they possess information regarding Atlas' death neither has shared with their respective associates. Additionally, Mordecai can't quite explain why Marigold is acting so aggressively when there is almost no competition in St Louis and most interestingly, and a flashback frame shows them exchanging a firearm in the rain, though the circumstances are unclear.

Mordecai gets nothing useful from Mitzi, and the conversation culminates in two important things to note; reminders that Mordecai considers her complicit in Atlas' death and to stay under the Marigold's radar, as he won't hesitate to truly ruin all that remains of Lackadaisy if tasked. It's safe to say their only connection has always been Atlas May. Even after his murder is solved, there's almost no space for reconciliation, nor is Mordecai likely to return to Lackadaisy if the establishment survives. 

Viktor Vasko

If Mordecai were to call anyone a friend, Viktor Vasko would be the most likely name on his lips. While the word has likely never been spoken, there's an arsenal of evidence to support the hypothesis, both while working and at rest, but let's explore their history before we get into the intricacies of their current tumultuous state.

After receiving help from Atlas May for his court case and freshly missing an eye, Viktor Vasko joined the Lackadaisy crew in 1920. Mordecai had been associated with Atlas for four years before this date and was an established part of the company at the Little Daisy Cafe above. It's during this time, guided by Atlas' smuggling ventures, their partnership took shape.

From left to right; Mordecai, Atlas May and Viktor Vasko

One of their earliest misadventures can be seen here, at the climax of what is aptly titled the Massacre. We might assume soon after Viktor's recruitment, as it's a rare glimpse of Mordecai seemingly trying to understand how someone else thinks and functions, all while Viktor pulls a litany of confused expressions, the pair covered in their victims' blood.

It suggests he somewhat admired or felt kinship with the older feline and was attempting to be funny, though Mordecai's sense of humour is… lacking, at the best of times. Viktor just doesn't seem sure what to make of it, but evidently isn't opposed to the idea, as there's evidence of a more personal relationships later.

A flashback within the comic itself shows their choreographed teamwork on assignment, early in their partnership. Although Atlas is pictured alongside Viktor and Mordecai in the aftermath, it's obvious the devilish duo deal with the dirty work themselves, assassinating operatives and burning their rival operation to the ground.

Mordecai also makes missteps, falling from the second storey during a shootout and losing his pince nez, then asserting that had been his intention the entire time to a brawling Viktor. In an early show of comoradare, after setting the place alight, Viktor retrieves the lost spectacles and returns them to their owner.

While it's rumoured a piece of shrapnel could be responsible for Mordecai's social shortcomings, he's been remarkably oblivious to social cues since childhood, which reflects in his own lack of expressions. While Mitzi has given offered him guidance (and set him up for failure) in the past, it's Viktor giving constructive criticism of his interpretations that shows how close they were, even if it results in a minor argument and a terrifying display for the poor recipient.

As they become more comfortable, they express their personalities more openly, leading to this gem while driving an ill-fated third feline to their doom. Mordecai doesn't beat around the bush this time with expectations, both for Viktor and their passenger. It causes quite a scene and the car barrels down into a cornfield, but this also provides a quick-fix opportunity to dump their cargo there and peace is restored.

Frequently tasked with the less glamorous jobs smuggling entailed, Mordecai and Viktor spent a lot of time in each other's company cleaning up for Atlas. This culminates in a number of almost farcical anecdotes much like this or the snippet below, where their shared disdain for a yapping chihuahua results in the dog digging itself an early grave.

A dog, having offended both Mordecai and Viktor, being forced to dig its own grave

With Atlas' death, everything changed. There's not much information beforehand, but we know how Mordecal left the Lackadaisy Speakeasy; by emptying the armoury and kneecapping Viktor. He claimed this to convince the veteran to retire when Mitzi brought it up bitterly at luncheon, stating: "that's how one reasons with Viktor."

At first glance the move seems calculated and cold, especially considering the state Lackadaisy fell into with accusations of Mitzi's involvement in her husband's death. If there's any truth in his assertions however - and Mordecai isn't one to lie or mislead - he likely believed it the only way to keep Viktor from being a future target while he worked with the Mirabel Hotel.

It's confirmed that emptying the armoury was ordered by Asa Sweet during Luncheon, which crippled the Lackadaisy's ability to retaliate. Along with attempting to retire Viktor and warning Mitzi to lay low for the foreseeable future, this undermines his often cold exterior and belies affections he used to afford to family… and perhaps, that is what they are, even if he despises having those loyalties.

Regardless of his motives, Mordecai has backed himself into a corner with Viktor. The veteran is a formidable foe even with one working knee. Should their paths cross again, I doubt it will be resolved as amicably as previous altercations, and likely hinges on the contents of their last interaction as tentative friends.

Asa Sweet

A pompous, self centred man in charge of the Mirabel Hotel, Asa Sweet isn't the usual kind Mordecai is used to keeping company with. In fact, they seem to despise each other in every scene they're forced to interact, with Ada's clear mockery of his character breeding irritation in Mordecai on a daily basis. Unfortunately, as the tuxedo cat's direct boss, they converse often and almost exclusively to Mordecai's detriment.

Asa Sweet mocking Modecai’s capacity for emotional breadth

The Marigold Room was already well established by the time Atlas began his own ventures, the entrepreneur visiting its halls and even pilfering Mitzi and her band from their lineup. Practices that could breed a bloody resentment when in the smuggling and bootleg trades. 

Mordecai is previously pictured in the Marigold Room with Atlas and Mitzi, assumedly not at his request given his disdain for idle socialisation. He could have been there to accompany Atlas to deal with Asa if we employ conjecture. There's another photo of Asa Sweet and Atlas May sat at the bar, seeming to smoke cigars and talk amicably, so they were likely friends.

This friendship extends to business, established at the luncheon with mention of suppliers the other would not touch. It should be noted it's also stated these agreements were with Atlas, not Mitzi, and Asa shows no remorse for trading with previously protected Lackadaisy sources after her husband's death. 

Incidentally, Asa claims he warned Atlas about bad blood beforehand. Mordecai tries to draw more information about this from his new employer but ultimately fails, leading him to begin private investigations that utilise one of Asa Sweet's intended targets, Gracie Grombach, to get the name of a potentially involved parole officer he's yet to meet.

Despite Asa Sweet's stature, Mordecai makes no attempt to pander to his new boss when they converse. Most likely because they usually end in a joke at Mordecai's expense; constant jabs at facial expression, apparent lack of empathy, social inadequacies and even the hatchet joke are but the tip of the iceberg, amounting almost to a vendetta against the pilfered sharpshooter.

There's no respect or loyalty to Asa. Known for not suffering fools lightly and being ruthless in his management of others, Mordecai probably has few motives for accepting employment with the Marigold Room, only one of which makes sense with the information at hand: he's certain that Asa or an associate of the Mirabel Hotel has more information regarding Atlas' death, which he intends to bleed out of whoever necessary.

I feel it can be said with confidence that, even with an inadequate motive, Mordecai wouldn't hesitate to put a bullet between Ada's eyes. 

Allegedly.

Nicodeme and Serafine Savoy

Being relatively new to the comic, there’s little information to analyse between the tuxedo cat and the Nicodeme or Serafine. Regardless, these interactions showcase Mordecai’s apparent contempt for the pair and how they operate, especially the loud manner in which they manage dealing with the Lackadaisy crew in the show’s pilot. His serious, logical nature clashes with their spirit beliefs and even their characters frequently.

An example of Mordecai’s general reaction to either of the Savoy siblings, Nicodeme pictured

While Mordecai expresses a desire to know more about Nico and Serafine, it is for his own knowledge and not an attempt to make friends. He does not seem to fear them, nor does he respect them, a sentiment that extends both ways. The siblings often make jokes at his expense, or criticise his inability to have fun on the job, which only ever causes Mordecai to scowl. 

Nicodeme is a few years older than his sister Serafine, though they both speak with a lazy drawl with a heavy Cajun accent that is almost identical. It’s established that the siblings were orphaned young and ended up at a segregated home, whereupon they decided to run away rather than be separated. It’s here they claim to have been led by Maitre Carrefour - a swamp spirit the siblings believe to be ever-present in their lives - to safety with Voodoo practitioners in the swamps.

It’s noted in the Lackawiki that Serfaine has become somewhat of a Voodoo priestess in her own right, skewing or rewriting established superstitions to form her own sect of Voodoo beliefs and practices. Of the two, Nicodeme is relaxed and laid back, while Serafine has arguably the strongest character and possesses some ambition, though what those ambitions will ultimately lead to have yet to be established.

Headhunted from a rival bootlegging operation by Asa Sweet, the Cajun siblings are assigned to Mordecai to assist with his current work, which has yet to be confirmed. Mordecai suspects he may be cleaning up loose ends in regard to Atlas’ murder or perhaps a wider conspiracy, but has not shared this with Serafine and Nicodeme. He does not trust them, nor does he like them, and willingly conducts work alone when he’s able to shake the pair for a while.

On one of their earliest engagements together, Serafine and Nicodeme convince the stoic feline to strip down to his underwear and create a veritable mess with a hatchet to murder Asa’s newest targets. It’s later disclosed that this was a joke, but once he complied neither of them wanted to stop him. Asa Sweet can be heard in the Lackadaisy pilot episode referring to Mordecai as the ‘infamous hatchet man’, proving the siblings did not keep this joke to themselves.

Imagery of Maitre Carrefour over Mordecai as he nurses his ‘gift’, while Nico and Serafine watch on

Despite his lack of interest in their beliefs and lifestyle, Serafine and Nicodeme were not so disenchanted. They see within Mordecai something akin to themselves, a lost soul led to salvation, truly believing Maitre Carrefour altered the tuxedo cat’s course through life so he would interact with theirs. Either for Mordecai’s future success or a loyalty to the spirit, they trick Mordecai into joining a celebration in His name and share their history with Maitre Carrefour, implying the dozen others in attendance have all been saved at some point in their lives, then invite Mordecai to join them.

Mordecai refuses, sceptical of their claims and not inclined to befriend the siblings. He actively objects multiple times and even attempts to leave, however finds himself outnumbered and ultimately forced to comply, receiving a painful souvenir of the party; Maitre Carrefour’s protection glyph, carved into the flesh over his heart. 

Core Personality

At his core, Mordecai is intelligent and clinical, able to evaluate large volumes of data within a short space of time and react swiftly to protect both himself and those who possess his respect, though it is not easily earned. Should you be privileged enough to possess his respect, you'll find the frosty feline loyal almost to a fault.

Friendliness doesn't come naturally to Mordecai, but with his respect comes an undying loyalty. This can be seen in his continued investigations into Atlas' death, focused entirely on the man he respected and not the widow he disliked. He has no loyalty to Lackadaisy as a whole, only to the man he respected while alive.

Affection is difficult for Mordecai. His expression of it is usually through thoughtful gifts or action, such as a gifted tie or unquestioningly following orders. He has little sentimentality for things or gifts himself, keeping very few belongings other than clothing, nor bothers to invoke sentiments in others. They simply make him uncomfortable.

Mordecai prides himself in clean effectiveness in all aspects of his life. He does not like to be idle, choosing to trade stocks to boost his earnings and keep his mind busy. Gossip and needless socialisation bore him, as do parties, meetings and luncheons that don't achieve a purpose.

A focused individual, Mordecai despises mess or idleness, preferring to keep busy between jobs by trading stocks and keeping meticulous books for his own benefit. He possesses little patience for wasting resources and has a very dry sense of humour, often misunderstanding social cues and remaining oblivious of the true meaning.

Despite all of this, he can be distracted by his own unique preferences for order or symmetry, becomes so obsessive over Atlas May's death he actively undermines what Lackadaisy has left to get a shoe in with a competitor, and is often construed as rude or insulting in conversation.

Motives: Lackadaisy to Marigold Employee

While it's not exactly mentioned, it's possible he left Lackadaisy for financial reasons as well as to pursue his own investigation of Atlas' death. With swirling rumours of Mitzi being involved and their smuggling routes being muscled into by competitors, the Lackadaisy Speakeasy was on the verge of bankruptcy, leaving Mitzi unable to pay any wages when Mordecai left.

Emptying the armoury wasn't his own decision, but an order by his new boss, one he would need to complete to earn trust and wages at his new job. While it would further condemn his old establishment to closure, Mordecai's loyalty died with Atlas, leaving few conflicts of interest for the feline sharpshooter to consider.

It's possible he left solely to investigate Atlas' death more thoroughly and suspecting Sweet of involvement, agreed to a deal when offered the job transfer. In this possibility, he's using both his former and current employers to further his own ends, regardless of the consequences, but we have yet to have this clarified.

Mordecai Heller: Man or Monster?

Mordecai Heller is a product of past decisions, opportunities and active influences. He did what he had to to survive, afforded any who assisted him lifelong friendship and offered no apologies for atrocities committed, even against those he used to call accomplices, or even friends.

While he appears uncaring and detached, those who know Mordecai can tease the sentiments from his carefully devised actions. He does not enjoy killing or causing pain, doing so only in his own self interests - or the employer with the most generous wages.

He's lost his best friend, the family he found, all for his obsessive need to uncover the truth of Atlas' early demise. Deciphering the truth of the mystery that plagues his every waking moment and enacting revenge on the responsible parties might afford Mordecai peace, but it won't repair the bonds severed by leaving at such a crucial time in Lackadaisy's uncertain future.

I believe Mordecai has condemned himself to an emotional solitude he thinks will be tolerable if it means he solves his former employer's death. In reality it will likely drive him mad, but he and Rocky will have more to talk about at the next reunion.

Appendixes:

Lesser Influences:

While Rocky Rickaby has some documented history with Mordecai while he worked at Lackadaisy, the pair don't have much of a rapport otherwise. Rocky is eccentric, loud and a little unhinged, all things Mordecai tends to distance himself from. Rocky even has a nickname for him - ‘Old Serious Face’ - that is not affectionately reciprocated. It should be noted he’s willing to shoot Rocky in the pilot, but misses his chance.

Knowing that Ivy Pepper is Atlas’ goddaughter, it makes sense he has some affection for the girl, even if it’s not overtly expressed. They’re not seen to converse directly in the comic or the pilot, though Mordecai consciously decides not to shoot her as she, Rocky and Freckle are fleeing with bootleg liquor. He doesn’t disclose this to anyone after the fact, instead stating the mission simply went awry.

Author's Note

Some of this information was a real struggle to dig up and took about a week to compile, but writing this has been mostly fun. Mordecai has been an obsession since a good friend got me to watch the pilot about a month ago, but I felt his character needed more deciphering than the Wikipedia pages could give me, so this exists now. I hope this was an interesting read for someone, other than myself.

[yuki-boshi]

Kai no Kiseki - English Summary - Act 2 Van Route 3

Table of Contents

"Taking that first step was worth it"

The story picks back up with Jorda resting in bed at Montmart, having been taken care of. Jorda and Van chat, with Van mentioning that he plans to head to Anchorville in the morning and encouraging Jorda to get some rest. Jorda asks about Agnes's gift, and Van admits he hasn’t figured it out yet. Jorda corrects herself, saying it’s not that she doesn’t care for birthday gifts; rather, she’s never had one before and doesn’t really know what to expect.

Van finds Baselia and Eddy in Montmart, celebrating a successful business day. Baselia asks if she can visit Eddy’s mom, Brenda, and he agrees. Meanwhile, Paulette is on the phone, saying Maxim needs to win the race so Viktor will let him tell Yume that he’s, her father.

Outside, Van calls Agnes to inform her about the plan for tomorrow and asks if she has any ideas for a gift since they might not return to Edith for a while. Agnes has no idea but suggests that instead, they go on a night patrol together, just the two of them. After the call, Agnes happily wonders what Van's reaction was and gazes at the Genesis, reflecting that she has no hesitation but needs to confirm one last step.

As Van heads to pick up Agnes, he thinks about their journey together. When he arrives, he notices Agnes is in her school uniform. She explains that her regular clothes were dirty from their activities earlier and had to be washed. Agnes asks if it’s strange to be hanging out in her uniform at night, and Van reassures her, joking that if they get stopped, they can just say he’s her uncle. Agnes teases that they look nothing alike.

From a distance, Renne watches and wishes Agnes luck, thinking she might confess to Van tonight, but wonders why Agnes is in her school uniform too.

As Van drives, he ponders whether being with him alone is more meaningful to Agnes than a present. Agnes assures him that she just wants to make a good memory together. Van teases that he’ll give her a better date than any high school date.

Flustered, Agnes admits she’s never been on a date before. Surprised, Van offers to be her "practice date" so she'll know what a real one is like when the time comes. Agnes, still blushing, tells him not to tease her, saying that a date with him would be too unique to use as a reference for anyone else.

At Centre Marche, Van and Agnes explore together. Altina calls to inform Van that Grim Garten Door 5 is available, but noticing that Van is doing something different from his usual patrols, she leaves him to it. Agnes points out an angel statue near the fountain, sharing that she and her mom used to pass by it often. Van remarks that the statue resembles Agnes’s mother, to which Agnes somewhat agrees. Van then muses about the Claudel bloodline. As the conversation winds down, Agnes mentions how her mom used to tease her about a boy she liked, causing Van to ask who she currently likes. Agnes, flustered, changes the subject.

---

In Grim Garten Door 5, Zin and Rixia join the team. Judith comments that Rixia’s casual outfit is a bit too much for a rest area, Rixia says she doesn’t want to hear that coming from Judith. Judith asks for clarification and Aaron humorously remarks that Judith’s outfits are just as provocative, much to her embarrassment.

Other familiar faces like Thorndyke, Kasim, and Mirabel also join in, and Nadia secretly thinks to herself that she can relax now that fighters like Rixia and Zin are present. Kevin, reuniting with Zin, hopes they’ll work well together.

At the depths of the dungeon, Ulrica makes a grand entrance, hyping herself up. Harwood also appears, bringing Crow and Nadia under his control to assist in the upcoming boss battle. After Harwood is defeated, he admits he’s getting rusty, and Novartis crashes the scene, revealing that the original boss of this domain was supposed to be a monster, not Harwood. Harwood, knowing about Jorda’s incident, thanks the Spriggans for helping her before departing.

Ulrica introduces herself as a "word spirit veins" user, or in modern terms, an "Influencer," and humorously mentions Quatre’s crossdressing channel before disappearing.

At the Hub, Kevin chats with Renne, Zin, and Bergard, mentioning how long it's been since they last saw each other. Zin recalls their last meeting at Prince Olivert’s wedding, while Renne wonders how Ries is doing. Talking to Renne again, she muses that maybe she shouldn’t have brought up Ries, sensing something is amiss. Bergard expresses disappointment at missing the wedding, explaining that he was undergoing facial treatment. Zin mentions wanting to reunite with Kloe and Estelle soon.

Elsewhere, Elaine questions Thorndyke GM about Rosenberg joining forces with Marduk, but Thorndyke denies having solid information. Nadia whispers to Van that Elaine is unaware he helped move Rosenberg’s things closer to Marduk. Lapis jumps into the conversation, thanking Van, which leads to Elaine getting upset while Van tries to play it cool. Thorndyke attempts to calm things down by offering a free visit to Valis State.

When talking to Elaine, she becomes suspicious of Van and Agnes spending time alone together, creating awkward tension. She advises Van not to stay up too late with Agnes, hinting that it's questionable. Lapis, observing, senses a love quarrel between them.

When speaking with Rixia, Fie, Aaron, and Judith, Rixia’s workaholic tendencies are compared to Judith’s work on multiple movie projects. Aaron brings up Lloyd as the cop who's popular with the girls. Rixia declines to comment on who she wants to see in Crossbell, despite Judith’s prodding. Talking to Judith reveals her curiosity about Rixia's ties to Crossbell beyond Arc-en-Ciel, hinting at another Lloyd reference. Aaron expresses interest in seeing an Arc-en-Ciel performance, while Fie reflects on how long it's been since she visited Crossbell and wonders how the SSS is doing.

Speaking with Crow, Towa, Risette, and Mirabel reveals that Crow and the others from Thors have left Basel and won't be attending the MK meeting. Towa and Crow then question why Van and Agnes are spending time together. Risette and Mirabel mention Agnes’s birthday party, and Towa and Crow wonder if they'll be able to attend, considering everything happening.

Talking to Rufus, Feri, Kasim, and Swin, Swin praises Feri, but Kasim insists she still has room to improve, which frustrates Feri. Rufus mentions meeting several people who knew Van in Tharbad, including Marielle, the Dancing Sisters, Jack, and Hale. Swin asks how Albert is managing his role as the new Student Council President, taking over for Renne. Agnes shares that she and Odette have been helping him, and Swin grows nostalgic about his time at Aramis.

At the hot springs, Rean, Altina, and Quatre are relaxing. Quatre asks about their time in Basel, and they mention enjoying Hamilton’s Engadine cake. Altina expresses a desire to speak with Hamilton again, piquing Quatre’s curiosity. Altina mentions needing to investigate the EOS data, while Rean mutters to himself about the starry skies being fine and wonders if he should bring it up.

----

At a café, former President Rocksmith, Cody, Kaela, and Representative Ryan are talking. Cody and Kaela lament that they’ll soon have to leave Rocksmith’s side as the CID has mobilized everyone for the space project.

At the cinema, Ashen jokes about Van and Agnes being on a date, teasing them since Agnes is still in her school uniform. Van retorts by suggesting Ashen and Cao are the ones on a date, and they don’t deny it.

Agnes quietly supports Ashen’s bold approach to restarting things with Cao. Talking to Cao reveals that Gaulang is interested in facing the Gekka-styled Masked Apostle, though Cao is worried this unknown warrior could be tied to something related to Heiyue. Ashen mentions that this is the only time she and Cao can meet up before they part ways for a while. Talking to Cao again shows his gratitude to Ashen for inviting him, as he feels like it's the first time he's been able to truly relax in a while. Ashen, in turn, expresses her happiness about their time together before they have to go their separate ways.

At a Far Eastern restaurant, Nate and his girlfriend, who reconciled at the end of Kuro 2, are dining with Daswani. Daswani invited them out, concerned for Nate’s mental health. Nate’s girlfriend thanks them, aware that Nate will soon be busy again.

On the rooftop of the sweets shop, Van notes that Albert quit his part-time job and wonders if he and Agnes had a falling out since she avoids mentioning him. Agnes also shares that she and Odette are planning to travel to Liberl when she's around 19-20 and hints at Van joining them. Van initially hesitates, thinking Liberl is too rural for his truck, but admits he’s heard from Renne that it’s becoming more advanced.

Optional: Checking on Blacklight District / Darklight Town Van and Agnes visit the Blacklight District, offering to help Gin.

They meet Rahad, Alvis, and Regina, who appreciate the assistance as their Bracer status leaves the underworld reluctant to ask for help. Regina expresses concern for Anju, who was sent to Anchorville to take a break. Rahad wishes he could thank Jorda for her help tracking down the Remnants, though he can’t fully cooperate with Spriggans due to Guild policy. Reporter Nicole attempts to interview Gaulang, who tells her to back off.

In the Z1 area, Van tries to show Agnes a classic date spot. Agnes expects the Ferris wheel, but Van surprises her by suggesting they get Cream Cheese Frappe instead. Disappointed, Agnes accuses Van of pulling a fast one on her. Van then jokingly proposes rock climbing, frustrating Agnes, who questions how that counts as a romantic date night activity.

In the Ferris wheel, Van casually asks Agnes if they should ride, which causes her to hesitate. He internally notes it's been a year since his last Ferris wheel ride, prompting Agnes to yell and demand to know who he rode with. Van dodges the question and sits down, prompting Agnes to rush after him. Inside, Agnes inquires whether Van had ridden with Elaine back during their school days, but Van denies it, explaining the Ferris wheel hadn’t been built yet.

Agnes expresses disappointment, feeling Van should have gone with Elaine instead. Van insists that life is more complicated for adults, while Agnes accuses him of being sneaky and unfair.

Their banter continues until Van spots the Z1 racing and gets excited, with Agnes laughing at his childish enthusiasm.

Van also headpats Agnes and she wonders how could this be helpful for a date if Van is being a doting father figure instead.

Afterward, the two go to see night racing and sees Maxim losing to Aslan in a race, meaning he won’t be able to tell Yume he’s her dad and he beats himself up saying is his love that meager?

Near the entrance, Lucio and Graham have their car repaired and ready, but they need some help. Van offers to help them through advice.

Options:

Pick Option 2: Overtake

Pick Option 1: Wait for a chance

Pick Option 1: Get between them to cause confusion

Doing this will allow Lucio and Graham to win. The group celebrates with Van and Agnes.

At the Chardin District, Van wants to check something in the back alley where the adult stores are, but tells Agnes she can’t come along because she’s in her school uniform. Agnes offers to wait outside, but Van insists that’s not an option.

Just then, Judith calls, mentioning that she and Rixia were invited by Nina to attend the final rehearsal of the Gloria play. She asks if Van wants to join them, and Van agrees, asking if Agnes can tag along. Judith teases them, wondering if she’s interrupting their alone time, to which Agnes blushes and denies it.

The two head to the Chardin Theater where Nina is playing Sheena Dirke. Her performance captivates the audience, shaking the entire theater. Van and Agnes sit with Judith and Rixia, who comments that Nina reminds her of Ilya (from Crossbell), and is impressed that Nina is only 19 years old.

Van is amazed by how easily Rixia can switch between being "Yin" and "Rixia." Rixia replies that she’s gotten used to balancing both personas, adding that Judith, on the other hand, is terrible at switching gears. Judith calls it a backhanded compliment.

Back at the play, Sheena is begging Auguste not to kill the monarch prince, but Auguste insists that sacrifices are always necessary to usher in a new dawn (Totally NOT foreshadowing).

"Sheena" stands tall, planting her sword in the ground, and declares that they should walk a path where everyone can build the future together—not one paved with the blood of knights and royalty. She dreams of a future where commoners and nobles stand side by side, regardless of their skin color.

After the performance, Nina surprises everyone by putting the spotlight on Judith and Rixia. Van and Agnes try to sneak out, but Judith calls Van a heartless friend.

Later, at the nightclub, Agnes tells Van she’ll wait around while he enjoys himself, but Van assures her he’s not there for that today, despite "catching the smell." Agnes stares at him skeptically, teasing that he would be indulging if she weren’t there. Van insists she’s twisting his words and refuses to leave her alone in the red-light district, so he brings her into the club. Agnes removes her jacket, claiming she no longer looks like a student, but Van remarks that she still looks like a "JK"—a slang term for high school girls who get involved in questionable activities.

Inside the club, they talk to the bartender, who immediately notices Agnes, making it clear her disguise didn’t work. Van tries to comfort her, pointing out that it’s not illegal as long as she doesn’t try to drink.

They spot Bermotti, curious as to why he’s there instead of running his own bar. Bermotti says things are slow and thanks Agnes for involving the CID to assist at Dirke Memorial Park. He adds that it was thanks to Representative Ryan for giving him the CID's contact. Quietly, Bermotti warns Van that it’s not a good look to bring a model student like Agnes to the red-light district, noting that her uniform, even without the jacket, is clearly recognizable as Aramis High. Van defends himself, saying he’s just patrolling for his 4SPG.

Bermotti speculates about how the Masked Apostles are able to teleport, believing it must be some form of ancient magic, though the distance they cover seems impossible. Speaking to Bermotti again brings up Fabio, the fake Spriggan from Van 2, revealing that Fabio’s gun is a Zecht Arms prototype.

---

Connect Event: Rene Kincaid

Van meets with Rene Kincaid’s father to discuss what to do with Jeffrey after the A-D and Fabio case. They share a drink, and Van mentions Rene, suspecting he’s pushing people away for a reason. Kincaid’s father shares the story behind Rene’s name and reflects on how they’ve grown distant since Rene joined the CID. During their chat, Rene calls Van, unaware that his father is there. His father makes his presence known before leaving, asking Rene to take care of himself. Rene asks where they’re at, and Van invites him for a drink, but Rene declines.

---

Connect Event: Bergard

Another time sorry

---

At Old Town, Agnes and Van do a final sweep of the area. Eddy and Baselia are found with her butler, Rumsfield. Eddy apologizes for keeping Baselia out so late, but Rumsfield assures him it's not an issue, mentioning that it coincides with her father's return from work, giving Baselia a chance to talk with him for the first time in a while.

Meanwhile, Paulette is seen talking on the phone with Maxim, who is upset about losing the race. Viktor had been listening on the radio and called him pathetic, though he might give Maxim another chance when it comes to Yume.

After patrolling and heading to the rooftop, Van teases Agnes, saying the moon will be full in two days on her birthday. Agnes takes the moment to confess her feelings, admitting she likes Van that way and also loves him. Van accepts her feelings, acknowledging that Agnes is special to him too. He reflects on how she has brought new life into his world, which he had long accepted as bleak. Her presence helped him repair his relationships with Elaine and Rene Kincaid, and opened the door to new friendships.

However, Van tells Agnes he can't return her feelings. While he could use the excuse that she's a high schooler or his employee, he admits the simple truth is he doesn't see her as a romantic partner at the moment. Agnes asks if Elaine is the reason she has no chance, but Van clarifies that it's not about Elaine. He explains his answer to Agnes is separate from his unresolved feelings for Elaine, which he still struggles to address.

Agnes thanks Van for letting her take a step forward. Tearfully, she calls him an idiot, joking that he should secretly date Elaine, and while he's at it, date all the girls in their group so she might have a chance. Van laughs, asking what kind of lowlife she thinks he is.

After the playful exchange, Agnes encourages Van to take a step forward in his own life, just as she did. She then leaves to head home.

I actually subbed the entire exchange:

Nina arrives shortly after, revealing her eyes' ability to see the past and future. She warns Van that she can't see what will happen in Anchorville, likely due to the contradictions of the Remnants. She mentions they are strong but hollow, and that the Iscariots will soon be sending forces there.

The chapter concludes as Nina enters the limo and departs.

[yellowcry]

Cornplate

I heard about Encanto from one of my friends. Luckily, my local shop just had cheap copies

A crack fic because why not?

I remember it as if it happened yesterday. Probably because it happened yesterday.

I was shopping in our local cheap convenience store, when my eyes spotted something. A CD with Encanto. A Disney Movie my friend didn't stop talking about. I was somehow intrigued as she really praised it. Part of me was surprised. It was 2024, who the hell uses CD disks in that time?

Luckily, my parents hadn't update our PC since before my birth, so it wasn't a problem.

For my huge relief, it was at markdown. How could anyone miss a chance like this?

The first thing that made me feel uncomfortable happened when I unpacked the box at home. Some idiots decided that, apparently, putting two covers was a brilliant idea. They looked exactly the same, only that the second was black and white.... Okay, maybe it FAR from exactly the same. But anyway, it was cheap. There probably would be some defects.

So, as I had beaten up the computer system unit to make it run and inserted a disk, the image immediately floated. CRAP! It's a virus... PC is probably dest—

"Hola," I froze, staring at the screen. Seeing a young man in here. "You had found a true version of the movie. The one that Disney had tried to destroy." Okay, what the heck? "Please, spread this version, the world has to knpw the truth about my wife and descendants."

Okay, why does it sound like I'm in some cheap creepypasta story?

I had leaned back in my chair, opening a pack of snack. Well, I had to do the best comfort, right?

A corn growing in a pot appeared on the screen.

"Open your eyes." An old woman asked, holding a girl. The magic corn of the Madrigal family? What? What are stories are they doing these days...

The visual was showing a young old woman (not really old then) and a man that I had seen in the beginning standing in a burning field. The entire food was destroyed. But then a man dropped dead because why not and one last corn grew bright and created a huge field.

"When my children came of age, the corn had given them magic gifts to serve our fields!" I listened to the explanation, intrigued. I wonder what would a girl's gift be.

Time switched to a years later. Pacing through the routine where a Tía Pepa rains on the crops. Julieta cooks. Dolores listens to the parasites. Camilo shapeshifts to have better physical strength. Isabela grows corn and Luisa plows the land. Such a good strong family! Everyone has a... What do you mean Mirabel doesn't have a gift??

Apparently, her door had dissapeared! Poor girl, but at least her family does really good even so. Mirabel is really sweet! She's such a good prima to Tonito! And she had even make a plush corn for him!

Gladly, Antonio got a gift. I breathed out with relief, knowing that the family was good.

But then... The family took a picture with corn... They took it all and Mirabel hadn't get any! Really sad... I wish her all corn in the world!

WHAT?? THE CORN IS WITHERING?? Oh no! What if they'll be left without any food? But once Mirabel calls everyone, everything looks fine. But it was definitely wrong ten seconds ago?

Honestly, this family just couldn't't catch a break. Abuela confirmed that the corn is indeed in danger. And at the next morning Luisa acted really off.

Oh, I guess being forced to work all day wasn't fun. I thought she was happy being useful, but she is breaking from the weight of a plow on her shoulders. At least we now knew about a vision.

Bruno's room looked awful. So abandoned. You can't grow anything in here. And lots of stairs! Too many for it to be legal! And the vision has Mirabel. Of course, it's always the protagonist in the centre of everything.

Tía Pepa told how her brother ruined her wedding corn but making ber rain too hard. She ended up flooding it. And while Mirabel was bisy with a vision the family did... something. Either preparing for the dinner or crying because her gift and corn are withering.

Mirabel in a empty field. Crap, it so tense! I bit my finger, waiting for the outcome.

The dinner was disastrous. All corn is rotting! Everyone saw Mirabel in a vision. And rats grabbed it taking it into the walls! Whre a strange man lives. Honestly, if I was Mirabel, I would immediately move the hell outta here. I mean, sure, it's her Tío. But why the hell does house have an apartment inside its walls??

No, dude, I understand everything, but how tf did you manage to live in the freaking walls for ten years? Oh, well, I probably should had expected that.

They take another vision where Mirabel hugs Isabela. Honestly, Isa was pretty rude through most of the movie. But that's what siblings are for.

Their talk grows into another musical number where Isabela makes a corn that looks like somebody had injected drugs into it. Pretty normal, I'm seeing it every odd Tuesday.

The moment where Mirabel and Abuela are arguing are literally makes me cry. And the corn is all dead! NO, NO, MIRA, SWEETY, DON'T GO!

At the next morning we get to see Abuela's story. The loss of her husband made her too closed and protective. And feeling like thay have to deserve the food. I had never thought Abuela had suffered so much...

But, together the family can make a new field even without their gift! And, what's even better, the entire village goes to help. They wanted to pay back after all those years of food supply from the Madrigals.

In the end of the day, they are family. And they are in it together. This movie needs to stop being so damn sweet, or I'm gonna flood my floor with tears like I'm Pepa.

The magic returns? But, now, the Madrigals are imperfect! I hope they will get even better!

How could Disney lie about the true version? They so annoying! No, listen, guys, how about we sue them to make a true version of Encanto get the fame it deserves?

[etherealcaprifandoms]

My OCs

Vanessa-Ophelia Ambrosia(Centre) Elizabeth-Zahara(Left) Elliott-Iṣkender(Right)

Lunaria(Left) Naomi(Centre) Dahlia(Right)

Gabriella II(Left) Sabrina(Right

Melodia

Stellar(Left) and Tallulah(Right)

Info about them

Full Names/Nicknames💙

Vanessa-Ophelia Ambrosia/Vee, Nessie, Nessa, Phee, 🩵

Elizabeth-Zahara Khalifa/Beth, Bethy, Eliza, Lizzy, Libby Lily, and Zara💜

Elliott-Iṣkender Khalifa-Ambrosia/Eil and Leo🩵

Naomi Helene Estrella/Nai, Mimi, Mia Hela, Ellie, and Esti💙

Dahlia Eden Estrella/Dali Dia Leah and Esther💚

Lunaria Astrid-Juniper Estrella-Gresley/Lu Luna Lunie Lou Ash Astra June, Juni and Star💙

Gabriella II Karoliina Laine/Gabs Gabby Bella Ella and Karrie🩵

Sabrina Kristiina Laine/Sab Sabby Brina Kris and Krissie💙

Melodia Ingrid-Wynter Hale/Mel Melody Mellie Lody Ingie and Winnie💜

Stellar and Tallulah Mirabelle Rosá/Stel Stella Ellie Elle Mira and Belle/Tilly, Tallie, Lula, Millie, and Belle💜💙

Birth Dates/Time/Place 💙

Vanessa-Ophelia: 25th September 1948/9 am/Kifisia, Athens, Greece🇬🇷🩵

Elizabeth-Zahara: 9th September 1971/3 pm/Kifisia, Athens, Greece🇬🇷💜

Elliott-Iṣkender: 23rd May 1982/2 pm/Kifisia, Athens, Greece🇬🇷🩵

Naomi: 19th October 1970/12 am/Östermalm, Stockholm, Sweden🇸🇪💙

Dahlia: 14th February 1973/11am/Östermalm, Stockholm, Sweden🇸🇪💚

Lunar: 9th December 1981/10 pm/Östermalm, Stockholm, Sweden🇸🇪💙

Gabriella: 19th February 1987/8 am/Eira, Helsinki, Finland🇫🇮🩵

Sabrina: 17th January 1997/11 pm/Eira, Helsinki, Finland🇫🇮💙

Melodia: 12th December 1999/7 pm/Bygdøy, Oslo, Norway🇧🇻💜

Stellar: 19th June 2008/11 pm/Palermo Hollywood, Buenos Aires, Argentina💜🇦🇷

Tallulah: 20th June 2008/9 am/Palermo Hollywood, Buenos Aires, Argentina🇦🇷🩵

Zodiac Sign/Elements/Planet Rulers

Vanessa-Ophelia: Virgo-Libra Cusp Of Beauty/Earth and Air/Mercury and Venus ♍️♎️🌎💨🩵

Elizabeth-Zahara: Virgo/Earth/Mercury♍️🌎💜

Elliott-Iṣkender: Taurus-Gemini Cusp Of Energy/Earth and Air/Venus and Mercury ♉️♊️🌎💨🩵

Naomi: Libra-Scorpio Cusp Of Drama and Criticism/Air and Water/Mercury and Pluto♎️♏️💨🚿💙

Lunar: Sagittarius/Fire/Pluto♐️🔥💙

Dahlia and Gabriella: Aquarius-Pisces Cusp Of Sensitivity/Water & Air/Uranus and Neptune ♒️♓️🌊💨💚🩵

Sabrina: Capricorn-Aquarius/Earth and Water/Saturn and Uranus♑️♒️🌎🌊

Melodia: Sagittarius/Fire/Pluto ♐️🔥💜

Stellar and Tallulah: Cusp Of Gemini-Cancer Cusp Of Magic/Air & Water/Mercury and Moon♊️♋️💨🚿💜🩵

Age

Vanessa-Ophelia: 75 years old🩵

Elizabeth-Zahara: 52 years old💜

Elliott-Iṣkender: 41 years old🩵

Naomi: 53 years old💙

Dahlia: 51 years old💚

Lunar: 42 years old💙

Gabriella II: 37 years old🩵

Sabrina: 27 years old💙

Melodia: 25 years old💜

Stellar: 16 years old💜

Tallulah: 16 years old💙

Species

The Ambrosia Khalifa's: Human/SEK Class Ky Steam Locomotive🩵💜

The Estrella's/Human/VR Class Sk3 Steam Locomotive💙💚💙

The Laine’s: Human/VR Class Sk3 Steam Locomotive🩵💙

The Hales: Human/NSB Class XXII Steam Locomotive💜

The Rosa:/Human/Rhaetian Railway G ⅘💜💙

Nationality

The Ambrosia Khalifa's: Greek-Cypriots-Egyptian/Greek, Cypriots, Italian, Turkish, Egyptian, and Israeli🇬🇷🇨🇾🇮🇹🇹🇷🇪🇬🇮🇱

The Estrella's: Swedish-Finnish/Swedish, Finnish, Estonian, Norwegian, Danish, German, and Russian🇸🇪🇫🇮🇪🇪🇳🇴🇩🇰🇩🇪🇷🇺

The Laine's: Finnish-Estonian/Finnish, Estonian, Swedish, Norwegian, and Russian🇫🇮🇪🇪🇸🇪🇳🇴🇷🇺

The Hale's: Norwegian/Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, and Ukrainian🇳🇴🇸🇪🇫🇮🇪🇪🇱🇻🇱🇹🇺🇦

The Rosa/Argentina-Italian/Argentinian, Brazilian, Uruguayan, Chilean, Italian, Syrian, Lebanese, and Israeli🇦🇷🇧🇷🇺🇾🇨🇱🇮🇹🇸🇾🇱🇧🇮🇱

[incorrectly-correct-encanto]

Mirabel: Hey, let's do "Get Help".

Isabela: What?

Luisa: "Get Help".

Isabela: No.

Mirabel: It's great.

Luisa: It works every time.

Isabela: It's humiliating.

Luisa: Do you have a better plan?

Isabela: No.

Mirabel: We're doing it.

Isabela: We are not doing "Get Help".

~~~

Luisa, carrying Isabela: *runs into the town centre* GET HELP! PLEASE!

Mirabel: *runs up to them* Our sister, she's dying!

(Source: Thor: Ragnarok)

[hurt-comfort-lover]

Mirabel AU / Mirabel Angst / Mama Mirabel / Part Twelve

Later after lunch, Mirabel had decided to help Luisa and Camilo with carrying the larger pieces of sheetrock, though Luisa and Camilo had already gotten a good chunk of it done by the time Mirabel had got there. Together the three of them were able to clear the area way faster, getting the majority of the larger pieces that were left. Mirabel yelled out to Luisa and Camilo to let them know that she was taking a break to get some water. As she turned around she bumped into Dolores. 

“Sorry Dolores.” Mirabel said in a hushed tone before processing what she said, “Wait- I mean-” she stammered.

“It’s fine Mira.”

“Force of habit I guess. How are you doing? Adjusting to life without your gift.”

“I think I’m doing ok. I’m still trying to get used to people coming up to me out of the blue. I get more startled easily now. Though it’s kind of nice, the quiet is something I’ve never had outside of my room, so it’s different, but in a good way.” Dolores said with a smile. 

“I’m glad that you’re doing good, I know that it was hard for you to just go around doing your chores, especially when people carelessly start yelling without considering how it may affect you.”

“Thank you by the way, for always being considerate when I’m around.”

“Of course, your mi prima after all.” Mirabel said with a bright smile. “I’m going to get some water now, adios!” Mirabel said as she walked away.

"Adiós Mirabel.” Dolores waved as her primita walked away. Dolores had always had a small pang of guilt in her chest. The amount of times that she, the person that heard everything, had forgotten her prima’s birthday was inexcusable. She didn’t even realize that everybody had forgotten Mirabel’s quinceañera until that night when she heard Tonito talking about it. Her padre y madre had always told her not to interfere with things that she hears. She needed to mind her business, she can’t have everybody's affairs on her shoulders, she was only a child at the time. So that’s what she did. When she heard her parents doing that she had said nothing. When she heard someone hang themselves and say their final goodbye to god, she had said nothing. When everybody had forgotten Mirabel’s birthday, she said nothing. That’s what she always did. However, it still weighed on her. She could’ve done something, even if she wasn’t interfering directly. She could’ve spent a little time with Mirabel or subtly reminded the familia that they hadn’t celebrated Mirabel’s birthday in years. Despite everything that Dolores hadn’t done, Mirabel was still so kind, she always took care to be quiet so as to not hurt Dolores’ ears when she’s around. She even taught Antonio from a young age to be quiet around his big sister as well. Everything kept adding up and she continued to ignore everything, letting it get worse and worse. She had heard the whispers around the town about Mirabel. There were rumors of whether she was actually a Madrigal or if she was adopted. Kids around Mirabel’s age tend to either ignore or despise her. Dolores shook her head. Wallowing in the past wouldn’t do anything, and she knew that

Over the two weeks the debris had been completely cleared from the site. The carpenters in town had helped Abuela recreate Casita, trying to replicate as close as possible. However, there was still one undecided decision.

“Mami, you have to add a room for Mirabel in the new house. She’s getting older, she can’t live in the nursery forever.” Julietta says.

“Mija, I want to as well, but I’m not sure how we’re going to be able to fit it in. I want it to be as close as possible to the original Casita.” Abuela says as she rubs her temple.

“Well we’ll make it fit. We can get rid of a closet or a bathroom- but Mirabel is going to have her own room.” Julietta grumbles as she stomps off. Abuela just sighs as she sits down looking over the blueprints again. She was so focused that she didn’t notice her granddaughter come up behind her, and jumped when Mirabel tapped her shoulder.

“-Mirabel! Oh, I didn’t see you.”

“Hola Abuela…” Mirabel says quietly.

“Hola Mira, is everything alright?”

“... you don’t have to make me a room.”

“What?”

“I’ll be ok in the nursery. I don’t want it to be harder for you because of me.”

“Mira..”

“It’s not that big of a deal anyway! I don’t mind sharing.” Mirabel said with a weak smile. Abuela just sighed.

“I- don’t worry about it alright? I’ll figure it out, si?”

“Sí Abuela. Lo siento.”

“Don’t apologize, you didn’t do anything wrong.” Mirabel nodded at her Abuela as she walked away solemnly. Her heart hurt, she had still felt that the Casita breaking was mostly because of her actions. Her familia was suffering because of her. She didn’t want to make it any worse. She walked outside of the construction lot, she took a route along the forest to the spot that she would take Tonito. She sat down next to a big oak tree as she reminisced about taking Antonio there when he was a baby. He hated being inside even as a baby, she knitted him a blanket so that way he could lay on it and crawl around without getting dirty. The memory made her smile. Mirabel was to lost in her thoughts to notice footsteps walking closer. A small squeak snapped Mirabel out of her trance, and she knew exactly who it was. Dolores gave a small smile as she sat down next to her cousin. They sat in silence for a while, just sitting there in each other's company. Dolores broke the silence though.

“Mirabel, why aren’t you mad?”

“Why would I be?”

“After your fifth birthday everyone had treated you horribly. Yet you weren’t mad at them, you still aren’t mad at them. You’re not mad at me.”

“Do you want me to be mad at you?”

“Well- not really. I just don’t understand. We don’t deserve your forgiveness yet, you give it out so freely.”

“Everyone deserves a second chance. I love my family, I would do anything for all of you to be happy. I just want the best for everyone. Including you, so talk to me.”

“About what?”

“Everything,” Mirabel said. Dolores had to stop and think. 

“I think that I should’ve told everyone that we missed your quinceañera. I should’ve told Abuela that you weren’t lying about the cracks. I should’ve told my mami that she needed to stop putting all the pressure on you to raise Antonio. I should’ve stayed by your side when everyone else had abandoned you.”

“... sometimes I forget that you can hear all that.” Mirabel said with a weak laugh.

“I’m sorry.”

“I forgive you. I’m sure it’s hard being aware of everything all at once. That’s too much pressure for one person to handle. I think you did alright considering you were just a kid at the time.” As they watched the sunset, Dolores had started crying. She didn’t know why, she just was. Maybe she had been keeping that in for too long. Mirabel gave Dolores a hug,

“Tell me when something is bothering you. Don’t bottle it up.”

“.. ok.”

[swanseats]

The Big Nancy Roundup

Apologies for the delay in posting - I recently traveled to Nancy, France for work and hadn't had time to write up about the food experiences I'd had since my last blog entry. Here's a quick summary of what I've had recently to the best of my memory:

JD Wetherspoon, The Bank Statement (Swansea, Wales)

I had heard a lot about the Spoons breakfast from friends, but never got around to trying it - that was rectified in anticipation of my day out at the Big Queer Picnic in Cardiff. I found their breakfast muffin quite generous and filling considering how cheap it was, and it was very tasty. The unlimited hot chocolate that came with it was also delicious (and clearly made with milk and not water!). The breakfast is simple and no-frills, as you would expect with Spoons, but the value simply can't be beat here.

No Sign Wine Bar (Swansea, Wales)

My friends and I had dinner and drinks at the No Sign Wine Bar in the Swansea city centre, and I had the Summer Punch (a delightfully fruity cocktail with Midori and a blend of juices) as well as the chocolate-orange flavoured "alcochoc" (a hot chocolate with Grand Marnier). I'm personally not inclined to finish my dinner with a hot drink but really enjoyed the hot chocolate.

McDonald's (Nancy, France)

I only include my stop at McDonald's here to illustrate how paltry the UK McFlurry is in comparison to the McFlurry in France and America.

Le Capri (Nancy, France)

Without question the culinary highlight of my trip out to Nancy. I thoroughly enjoyed the Apple Sweet cocktail (vodka, raspberry liqueur, pineapple and apple juices, peach syrup, and lime), which was light and refreshing. The steak was very tender, with an interesting chimmichurri sauce as well. The most interesting part of my meal was the dessert - a mirabelle plum-flavoured sorbet. It's quite an unusual taste (at least from my perspective), not quite citrusy but slightly tart. The straight liqueur at the bottom was a surprise!

Brasserie L'Excelsior (Nancy, France)

This was interesting - the main was a grilled leg of lamb, paired with an aubergine topped with mozzarella and tomato. I'm not keen on aubergine, but the lamb was decent. Not my favourite meal from this trip, but I was pleased I got to try specifically-French cuisine. The dessert was excellent, though - Crepes Suzette, flambéed tableside. Very strong orange liqueur flavours, so not for those averse to alcoholic tastes, but a real treat to have.

Honey Coffee and Food (Nancy, France)

I had to cap off my trip to France with a sample of the French toast. Probably my least favourite meal, though, as it was far too sweet for my taste buds. The spiced hot chocolate was very sumptuous, however (and the signature on the foam was a nice touch).

Lefevre Limoine (Nancy, France)

A few souvenirs as well - the unexpected hit here is the Bergamottes de Nancy, a citrus-flavoured hard candy that originates from the region. My friend describes the taste as "perfumey", which is strangely apt. It's grown on me quite a bit.

[astrobi]

What Else Can I Do? (Encanto) Analysis

So I've been scouring the internet and I haven't found anyone who noticed this but during the song 'What Else Can I Do?', there's a really poignant bit of cienmatography.

Basically as Isabela starts singing, Mirabel counters with trying to get a hug, but Isabela's not looking.

And she doesn't look at her until the halfway point of the song.

Whilst Isabela's making all these amazing things, all Mirabel thinks about is the prophecy from Bruno so she doesn't really care about the song. She's just being dragged along by Isabela's powers.

It's only after her line 'This is fine!' that she starts to warm up to the idea of Isabela learning something new about herself.

Only then does Isabela look at her. When she starts climbing up the palm tree to join her. At that moment, everything changes:

Isabela sings to Mirabel for the first time ('careful they're carnivorous')

Isabela has now opened up to Mirabel fully ('I'm so sick of pretty, I want something true, don't you?')

She turns away (I always interpreted that as fear of rejection, something she displays a lot throughout the movie)

Then Mirabel finally answers her, and explains her point of view.

As they rise, they don't break eye contact, and from then on they are both in sync musically and with their bodies.

Mirabel stops fumbling and being dragged around and starts participating in Isabela's fun, and Isabela includes her sister.

What's really important is that Mirabel trusts Isabela now. She would have never let herself fly on her sister's vines like she does before this revelation.

Musically, Mirabel is realising that her place in this song is not to answer Isabela's musical phrases, or to redirect the conversation away from Isabela, but she becomes her backing vocalist.

Mirabel has always been in the background in her family, but because Isabela is her opposite (the Golden Child to her Scapegoat) she's always harboured fairly open resentment towards her. Like she won't tell the little kids in the first number, but she'll say it basically every other time.

And Mirabel doesn't even realise she's making herself the centre of attention during Mariano's proposal. But that attention shift is the same way that they fight. It's a power struggle.

People don't realise that this is huge character development for Mirabel. She's ok with being the background character here, she know's it's Isabela's moment. She's not spiteful or sad or jealous in any way here.

Tl;dr - the moment where Mirabel starts climbing the palm tree in the song is super significant and basically changes their entire dynamic.

Also: it's really interesting that Isabela's programming runs so deep that she never steps in to correct Abuela or defend Mirabel when they get caught.

[xavierbautistagarcia]

Older water games at Schloß Hellbrunn

The city of Salzburg was the epicentre of a rich ecclesiastical state in which the archbishop became an automatic prince and had secular authority over a territory extending more or less over the present-day Austrian federal state of Salzburg.

The princely archbishopric was instituted around the beginning of the 13th century, when Eberhard II created several bishoprics under his feudal authority (Chiemsee, Seckau and Lavant).

One of the most prominent Salzburg prince-archbishops was Markus Sittikus, who planned his summer residence at Hellbrunn with the cathedral architect, the master builder Santino Solari. Taking advantage of the fact that the Hellbrunner Berg provided a large flow of water, a palace was built in which the so-called "Water Games" took centre stage.

The hydraulic techniques applied to Hellbrunn's gardens include ingenious water games: from deer that spout water from their mouths, a crown that dances driven by water or, one of the best known, a stone table with water jets hidden in the seats to surprise the prince-archbishop's guests.

Within the palace walls, Hellbrunn Park is home to 60 hectares of green space, with meadows, ponds and playgrounds filled with flowers and a skyline framed by the Alpine mountains. It was originally a hunting ground of the prince-archbishop.

However, the episcopal wealth derived from the salt business (Salz in German) was not the reason for Hellbrunn's construction.

Sittikus' predecessor, Wolf Dietrich, who was also his cousin, was responsible for the construction of Schloß Altenau, another pleasure palace outside the city limits.

Wolf Dietrich built it for his mistress, Salome Alto, and her children. When Sittikus came to power, he renamed it Mirabell and decided to build another residence that would ensure the continuation of his name and power.

The dignity lasted until the beginning of the 19th century, when it was secularised and turned into a duchy under the authority of Ferdinand III of Tuscany, son of the Austrian Emperor Leopold II.

[casitafallz]

Pariah AU | A small spark of warmth  P2|  Smut  (18+ only)

Julieta lay curled up on the bed, the tears long since gone and the lingering bitterness sat in the back of her throat and she hated having it. She didn’t want bitterness to be part of her. That wasn’t who she was… she was supposed to be a healer.

She was supposed to fix other people…like she always had done. That had been her life for the last 45 years so why couldn’t she fix her family? Why couldn’t she fix herself?

“She’s here.” The voice was low, dim in the background but she barely listened until she heard the door creak.

“Mi amor?” Agustín’s voice echoed in the small space before she felt the bed shift as his weight dipped into it. “I heard what happened…”

Julieta sniffled softly, burying her face further into the pillows. His warm hand touched at her side, curling around her before she felt him tug, pulling her back and into his chest.

“I’m sorry that happened to you.”

Julieta said and did nothing; what could she say? Now everyone knew and… now she was once again at the brunt of it.

Judgement.

It was agonizing to be in the centre. Suffocating and overwhelming… and lonely.

Julieta knew she could handle it from the family. She knew that was part of the work… but from the Encanto too... she felt like an outsider. Unwelcome. As if all her work in the past 45 years was simply a note at the bottom of a page.

Worthless.

It was terrifyingly easy to feel the void pull her down… and she had very few people to keep her head above that water.

She needed her husband…needed her daughters. At least now she had one of those things. Someone who could make her feel a little less broken.

“Are they right?” She mumbled softly.

“No.” He spoke firmly into her ear, “and don’t let them tell you otherwise. You’re a good person, a loving mother and bigger heart than most.”

Julieta desperately wanted to believe that. She just couldn’t shake the doubt. “Nothing I do is making things better… I don’t know what to do.” She whispered, her voice shaking.

Agustín’s breath tickled at her skin before she felt him shift. “Abuela will set them straight.. or Bruno, I think he’s investing in pocket-sand at Mirabel’s suggestion.”

The dim reminder made her nose wrinkle; of course she knew Bruno knew the difficulties of the town; she had done her best back to defend him in their youth and since his return, he was back in the good books. Was this how he felt all the time? Why he never left his room? To hide away to avoid the negative attention?

Julieta wiggled around, wrapping her arms around him.

“I’m sorry I got us kicked out of the Rios’s home.” Her voice muffled

“Screw them.” He whispered, “We should have come straight here.”

Julieta’s eyes closed, resting her forehead against his chest. Outside their room, she could hear soft talking of Agustín’s parents before there was a soft knock at the door.

“Agustín, me and your mother are going to find Alma, let her know where you’ll be staying.”

Agustín sighed softly. “Si, Gracias. But Julieta’s not up for any visitors, aside our daughters.”

“Okay.” There was a long moment before they heard the door shut and steps that echoed away, leaving them both alone in Agustín’s parents home. It felt odd. But she could feel Agustín was relaxed; not that she expected less, this was his childhood home when his family had moved here. This was home.

“How long do you think until Casita is rebuilt?”

Agustín hummed thoughtfully, “At this rate… I’d say a nine weeks if we include furnishings; the foundations have set.”

Julieta nodded. Just over two months. It sounded so far away but… Casita was not a small building; it needed firm foundations to stand a fresh 50 or so years. They had to take their time to make sure; she didn’t want to lose it by poor building infrastructure. Abuela wouldn’t allow for sloppy work.

“You know, my papi works with the local carpenter. If you don’t want to go near Casita or stray too far, you could help pick out our room furnishings that’ll need to be built?”

Julieta’s head rolled back, an eyebrow raising. “What If I pick something you don’t like?”

“then I’m sure we’ll have a fun debate for either or, and we’ll decide to keep it and see if it fits…and ultimately, it’ll stay and I’ll learn to appreciate my wife’s taste in aesthetics.”

Julieta’s lip twitched softly, a finger prodding him in the chest.

“You miss your piano, don’t you?”

“Replaceable.” He lent down, his lips pressing against her forehead. “Just… please can we not have a kitchen in the bed room again?”

Julieta snorted, burying her laugher into his chest though her smile vanished a little because… it’d just be a normal house. No magic. No need to worry about a room designed around her gift. Now she had none.

“Hey, Mi amor…” Agustín’s finger caught Julieta’s chin, shifting her head up. “You’re okay. Do you really want a kitchen up there?”

Julieta shook her head, her hand moving to trace along his chest. “It’ll be weird but… there’s no point to have that when I won’t have my gift. Short-cut to comforting eating and my waist-band will not enjoy me in the long run.”

Agustín’s eyes remained soft. “It’ll be okay.”

Julieta let out a short exhale. “I’m exhausted…this whole situation is…so draining.”

His arms tightened around her, pulling her in before a hand began to stroke down her back. “We’ll get through it.”

Julieta’s head rolled back to look at him. “How can you be sure?”

Agustín’s head tilted, his hand pausing before he lay back. “You love this family and they love you. Unconditional. Anger, grief and pain, it muddies the water but ultimately, the only way forwards is…as a family.”

“Like…when you came back to me?” She asked quietly, her throat tightening because…she damn well remembered how that was like.

Agustín nodded. “It…took a long while to understand. Longer than I’d like to admit because I never thought you’d purposely do something like that… but when I started to look at our other two daughters for the first few weeks afterwards, how Abuela seemed to act and then I realised that they needed us both to support them. I never stopped loving you, Julieta. But… I knew when the truth would come out, you’d need me. I know my reaction; I could only anticipate that on mass would be…hard.”

Julieta’s eyes welled up as he spoke, biting down onto her lip but she knew what he was implicating. This wasn’t the first time she had low-days but she knew she masked a lot; she wasn’t supposed to make her family worry. She didn’t let them know when those days hit. She wasn’t…at the bottom yet but she wasn’t going to be free of it any time soon. If she hadn’t had Agustín, she was sure she wouldn’t have gotten out of bed this morning.

“Thank you.”

Agustín nodded softly though he lent down though she didn’t hesitate to kiss back, far too used to the slight tickle of his moustache to care but she felt the underlying feelings of need rise through her; she needed him. His closeness, affection, his love… him.

Her hand brushed to his cheek, her other hand knotting into his waistcoat, pulling his weight towards her. His arms shifted, a hand coming to press against the mattress in surprise; keeping himself balanced above her.

He pulled back sharply and breathlessly, “Juli?”

“I need you…” She whispered, finger tips brushing up to his hair, “I need more than just words.”

He winked his nose to push his glasses up before he leant back, a hand coming to his buttons only for her to stop him, keeping him in place with the grip on his waistcoat.

“No. Keep it all on.” She didn’t know how long her in-laws would be away; they could be gone a while or soon; and she didn’t want the humiliation to be caught bare-ass naked in their guest room with her husband.

“Let me get comfortable,” He tugged himself free of her grip despite her whine, his hand undoing the his buttons, opening his tie and before she knew it, her skirt was pushed up; his fingers finding the rim of her bloomers before she lifted her hips, allowing him to tug them down and she watched him toss them off the side of the bed.

In a moment, her lips were claimed again and this time, she felt the spark of fire return through her veins as he pushed her into the pillows, a hand pulling her leg around his waist before she clocked that his pants were still very much sealed.

Her fingers tugged at his belt, though he let her work for it to her own frustration to open it then his pants and she didn’t hesitate to get a firm grip around his length and pull him free.

Agustín groaned against her lips, pulling back but delved his face into her neck. His hand coming down to touch her, slipping into her folds.

She was not overly wet but his touch made her groan that turned into a muffled gasp as he thumbed over her clit, working her well with the soft kisses and nibbles into her throat and soon enough, she was sopping with need, his hand holding her hips down but it took everything to remember the grip she had on him to edge him on.

Julieta let out a breathy grin as he bit into her shoulder as she stroked him, feeling how his body seemed to writhe at her touch until she felt his hand grip at her wrist suddenly, his head pulling hack, cheeks flushed and pupils blown wide.

“Too much.” He whispered.

Julieta’s lips curled up into a smirk, “then it’s been far too long.” She wouldn’t open that gate since the last time they had had sex, not now…

His grip shifted, pushing her thighs open before she felt him push into her, both of them letting out a collective sound, her blood feeling like fire as it pulsed thumping through her veins, her eyes fluttering shut, cutting out the world to the heat and pleasure that only seemed to grow and light through her body.

A part of her wanted to roll them around, to sit and claim her husband with fire and need as she wanted; to feel in control of the situation in any way possible…

Agustín was quick to set a brisk pace, a soft hiss forcing him to not try and hitch her leg too high to get deeper; her flexibility wasn’t what it used to be. Her nails bit into his shoulders, her head rolling back with a muffled moan.

Agustín’s teeth returned to her throat, her head spinning as the heat grew, her face flushing with heat, her pulse in her ears, the tensions coiling in her…

“almost..” the words almost soundless on her lips.

The only loud sounds was the wet thumps, the creak of the bed and their hushed sounds trying not to seep through closed shutters.

Agustín’s pace seemed to waver but she clench her walls around him, hearing a guttural, groan before he thrust particularly hard that seemed to trigger the tensions within her to snap suddenly and unexpectedly; her mouth falling open, her eyes rolling as her mind was washed with white warmth, spinning with pleasure before Agustín grunted heavily, burying himself into her before he came hard.

Both lost in their world, her legs trembling around him, cheeks flushed red with a small sheen of sweat, panting for breath…

It left Julieta basking in the afterglow; not wanting the warmth to fade or the feel of him leaving her empty; his weight a comfort, like a shield between her and the world…

“Juli..”

Her eyes snapped hazily open, smiling up to Agustín though her warm bubble was popped as he pulled back, hastily shoving himself into his pants and she felt like she was on another world  as he rose to his feet, pulling her shirt down and shoved her fallen bloomers under the pillow…

Then she heard why which was quick to pull her back to reality.

“Agustín?”

Julieta closed her legs sharply, rolling back onto her side to how she had been before, wiping her face onto her sleeve as Agustín opened the shutters enough to let the wind in.

His hands tucked his belt in just before the door cracked open.

“I’ve talked to Alma. She’ll have a talk with the Rios family later today once todays work is done. But you know we’re happy to keep you here if they suddenly decide to change their minds, Hijo.”

“Thank you.” Agustín spoke quickly, barely able to mask the shake in his voice before he coughed, clearing himself a little “I don’t think moving back will do us any favours.” His hand came to her arm, her hand reached over, her breath uneven but she sniffled softly.

“Please, they probably only took you in the look good to the Encanto. Now they look real bad.” Senora Rojas said in a tone that suggested that the talk she had given to her mother had been very public.

“Now, clean up, open those shutters wider and I’m glad you two waited until after we were gone. Dinner in two hours and I expect you both to be there.”

“Mama…”

“I raised you, Hijo. You can’t fool me.”

With that the door shut and Julieta wasn’t sure if she was blushing out of embarrassment or amusement.

[muneer-karif01]

Top 6 Austria Travel Destinations You Can’t Miss

Austria, a nation well-known for its beautiful landscapes, rich history of culture, and quaint communities, provides a wide range of travel options that enthral every tourist. Austria is traveller's dream, with beautiful alpine villages, amazing snow-capped peaks, and dynamic cityscapes brimming with art and historical treasures. Austria's greatest attractions provide amazing experiences, you're attracted to outdoor adventures in Tyrol area, beautiful beauty of Salzburg, or the city of Vienna's tradition of classical music. We examine the six must-see locations in this guide that perfectly capture Austria's beauty and attractiveness. 

Examining several austria tour packages and Austria holiday packages while making travel plans might greatly improve your trip. These packages frequently include guided tours of well-known locations like Salzburg and Vienna, making it easy for you to fully immerse yourself in Austria's rich history of culture. The packages offer carefully planned schedule that guarantees you see best sights in the nation, from opulent royal palaces to little mountain villages. The fact that they frequently include cosy lodging, practical transportation, and perhaps even unusual activities like authentic Austrian meals or beautiful mountain excursions makes them a hassle-free way to take in Austria's rich past and varied natural beauty. 

Here are the top 6 Austria travel destinations you can’t miss: 

1. Vienna:  

Vienna, the graceful capital of Austria, is a city where modern culture coexists peacefully with the remains of empire. Discover amazing Schönbrunn Palace, which was once Habsburgs' summer home and features luxurious chambers and gardens.  Royal Apartments and the Sisi Museum are two of the museums housed in the former royal palace, Hofburg Palace. Vienna's numerous classical music venues and top-notch opera theatres, such Vienna State Opera, are testaments to city's artistic heritage.  Busy Museum Quartier offers modern art in a historic setting, while city's coffee shops, where you may savour slice of Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel, contribute to attractiveness. 

2. Salzburg:  

Salzburg, known for being setting for "The Sound of Music" and the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, is a city steeped in musical and cultural heritage. With beautiful fortress dominating the skyline, Hohensalzburg Fortress provides amazing views of the surrounding Alps and the city. Explore UNESCO-listed Old Town, which boasts beautiful baroque buildings and winding streets. Visit the museums honouring Mozart's life and work, which are located at his birthplace and residence. The Mirabell Palace and Gardens, famous for its beautifully landscaped gardens and historical importance, should not be missed. 

3. Hallstatt:  

This picture-perfect community is hidden away between towering mountains and a peaceful lake. One of the oldest salt mines in the world is located in Hallstatt, a town known for its beautiful streets surrounded with traditional alpine residences.  Salt mine tour includes a spectacular subterranean Salt Lake and provides an intriguing look into the history of mining in the area. Take a cable car up to the Dachstein Ice Caves and Skywalk for amazing vistas and a thrilling ride or enjoy a boat trip on Lake Hallstatt. 

4. Innsbruck:  

Known as the capital of the Tyrol, Innsbruck serves as both the entry point to the Alps and a centre for outdoor enthusiasts. City's thriving cultural life and rich history compliment the beautiful mountain scenery. Innsbruck's historical Old Town and its famous Golden Roof, with its elaborate balcony, offer window into the city's past. There are year-round leisure activities available in the neighbouring mountains, including hiking and bicycling in the summer and skiing and snowboarding in the winter. Along with stunning examples of Tyrolean architecture, Innsbruck offers an exciting atmosphere from its many stores and cafes. 

5. Graz:  

Celebrated for its lively cultural life and impressively preserved mediaeval architecture, Graz is the second largest city in Austria. Sleek streets and quaint squares, such as the Hauptplatz, the city's central plaza, can be found in the Old Town, which is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Schlossberg, a hill with a clock tower that provides extensive views of the city, is another landmark in Graz. Known for its futuristic architecture, the Kunsthaus Graz displays modern art and stands in stark contrast to the city's historic structures. The food landscape of Graz increases the city's attraction with its lively marketplaces and modern eateries. 

6. Zell am See:  

Situated between the amazing Hohe Tauern Mountains and beautiful Lake Zell, Zell am See is an outdoor enthusiast's dream come true. The town has a variety of year-round activities, such as hiking, biking, and swimming in the summer and skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating in the winter. The beautiful waters of the lake are ideal for a relaxing boat trip or a refreshing swim on a hot day. While the quaint town centre encourages you to visit local cafes and stores, the beautiful mountain landscape offers a dramatic backdrop for outdoor experiences. 

Conclusion: 

Best places to travel in Austria combine rich cultural diversity with beautiful scenery to create a wide variety of experiences. Every region has its own unique attraction and symbols, from peaceful scenery of Austrian Alps to the beauty of Vienna's imperial architecture. Austria delivers a trip full of unforgettable experiences, you're taking in the gorgeous scenery in Hallstatt, visiting historic streets of Salzburg, or taking in lively arts scene in Graz. These six locations capture spirit of Austrian beauty and will make your trip both interesting and remarkable.