Manolo is happy to pitch in, too. Shifting wreckage as best he can. At least all that matador training came into some use, even if it's just with heavy lifting. When the sun finally dips a little, and the scorching heat lessens, he stops for a drink of water. Offering Maria the pitcher first, of course.
Maria gives an appreciative sound at the offer, smiling back at her husband. She's considerably unsurprised by his gesture. It's- very Manolo. "Thank you." She doesn't hesitate to accept the pitcher and take a drink from it. She gladly passes it back to ex matador with a smile, "Take a long drink- and we'll walk around a little."
They've been working since the mid morning, Maria figures they should find a shady spot to settle in, even if its only for a moment. A good portion of those working since the morning have about the same idea, a few breaking off to sit down somewhere shady, others passing water around.
Maria has no hesitation in taking Manolo's arm, looping hers with his own easily. There is no expectation with him, no demand. It's an offer and she'll gladly take it.
A playful comment about how they've worked 'enough for a lifetime' rises to her mind before an uncomfortable twist hits her. Manolo was dead yesterday. She squeezes his arm protectively at the thought, offering him a smile when she realized there was a pause.
"We'll leave Chuy to tend to Joaquin. I'm sure those two need to catch up."
As far as he's concerned, what they have is a partnership. Neither is better than the other, equality is important. Maria deserves that much. His smile fades, slightly, at the arm squeeze.
"I'm sure Joaquin will love that," or be horrendously uncomfortable, either or. "Are you alright?"
It would be so easy to lie, easy to brush it off and pretend it didn't bother her. Maria knew as much, but- Manolo was honest with her and she wants their marriage to be on equal footing.
"If he doesn't, he's going to learn to love to." She jokes in turn, gently tugging them forward. "I just thought of what we talked about this morning. It's- I'm happy you're here." She only releases her grip on him to briefly touch his face.
He gives her a gentle, if sad smile in return. She's so much stronger than he is, and he knows it. But sometimes, the cracks show through, and he is only to happy to put them together again. To make her feel okay. He rests his face against her hand, before turning it to give her palm a kiss.
"And I'm happy to be here. Nothing would have kept me away from you."
"That was part of the problem." She says with a slight huff, though she doesn't pull away from his attention. She strokes her thumb against his lip now, her own smile a touch sad. "It's still- something big to mull over."
"Lets find some water and food as well- we did skip breakfast this morning." She adds, only dropping her hand to hold onto Manolo's now. She readily threads her fingers with his.
His smile turns a little more apologetic. He knows he can't outright apologise for what he did, he isn't all that sorry. For her, no price is too high.
"Sorry to make you so worried, mi amor," that much is true, he squeezes her hand, trying to be reassuring. "Not that I can get behind."
She simply squeezes his hand in return, "I'll just have to make you bathe Chuy for it later." It's an idle threat, something amusing that pops into her mind to try and distance the harshness of the situation.
When they aren't rebuilding the town, she'll let herself be more upset by it. For now it still is just a niggling sharp edge in the back of her mind she'll have to tuck away.
"We'll see if the Sisters set up a place to eat. I heard talk of it earlier."
"It will be a punishment I'll carry with the dignity and solemnity it deserves."
He's partly joking. He'd do anything to make it up for her, to try and let her be more at ease about it, even if he knows time is the great healer in such things.
"And boy, can those ladies get a meal together when they want to."
"Good, Chuy only deserves the best." She raises her chin, playing at snooty, though the flash of a smile cracks her attempt entirely.
Time will heal things over, Maria knows as much. She's hard work and rebuilding the town with her fellow amigos will keep her distracted.
"Never doubt a Nun, Manolo. You'll never know what they can do." The thought does make her smile becomes more amused as she starts dragging her husband forward. The smell of food is starting to waft through the air. Those not lounging in the shadows, working or drinking water are equally headed in that direction.
"It reminds me of a few stories, I could tell you about the convent."
He lets out a soft huff of laughter, he saw that smile, missy. The aroma is wonderful, though. He hasn't had a proper meal for...well, quite a few days. He's looking forward to it.
"So long as the sisters don't come to find me to silence me, I would live to hear every one of them."
Food is something Maria is definitely looking forward to. With the excitement of everything else, eating a proper meal has been one of the many things that took a backseat.
"You're my husband, so you should be safe." She winks at that, teasing at this point. "Besides, you owe me a few stories yourself."
"Just a little." She makes a pinching small motion with her index finger and thumb, her smile becoming more obvious. "I'll vouch for you if they question how you know." Maria doubts it would ever come to anything beyond pinching Manolo's cheeks and teasing him if he met any of the nuns who taught her back at the convent.
She leans into him lightly, "I'd hope so, even if San Angel can be quiet, it's never boring."
She laughs at that, easily brushing her fingers against the underside of his chin. Affection clear on her features at the attention. "I'd much rather not have you be beaten up by nuns."
"It's why I've been wanting to come home. Besides the obvious reasons. You,"- she reached up to lightly boop his nose as she speaks, "and Joaquin."
Maria moves to tug Manolo down slightly so she can steal a kiss. It's a promise to keep him safe as much as easy affection. The playfulness is helping just as much as the promise of more adventures to come. All of them are alive. Hopefully they won't be dragged into any other wagers between gods.
"We're together again, and San Angel won't be the same." She promises with a wicked sort of grin. Likely making her father somewhere in the distance feel a large sense of unease.
Kissing is new, but it's easy. Something Maria wants to practice with Manolo, until they're very much old and grey.
"Maybe a few bulls as well. I'm sure we could save a few very easily." she teases back, though the idea is a promising one already bubbling in her mind. Maria may have grown up around what it is to be a 'proper' lady, but she doesn't plan on letting those restrictions restrain her.
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no worries!
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They've been working since the mid morning, Maria figures they should find a shady spot to settle in, even if its only for a moment. A good portion of those working since the morning have about the same idea, a few breaking off to sit down somewhere shady, others passing water around.
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"I think we've earned it, mi amor."
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A playful comment about how they've worked 'enough for a lifetime' rises to her mind before an uncomfortable twist hits her. Manolo was dead yesterday. She squeezes his arm protectively at the thought, offering him a smile when she realized there was a pause.
"We'll leave Chuy to tend to Joaquin. I'm sure those two need to catch up."
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"I'm sure Joaquin will love that," or be horrendously uncomfortable, either or. "Are you alright?"
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"If he doesn't, he's going to learn to love to." She jokes in turn, gently tugging them forward. "I just thought of what we talked about this morning. It's- I'm happy you're here." She only releases her grip on him to briefly touch his face.
He's warm to the touch and it's a relief.
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"And I'm happy to be here. Nothing would have kept me away from you."
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"Lets find some water and food as well- we did skip breakfast this morning." She adds, only dropping her hand to hold onto Manolo's now. She readily threads her fingers with his.
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"Sorry to make you so worried, mi amor," that much is true, he squeezes her hand, trying to be reassuring. "Not that I can get behind."
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When they aren't rebuilding the town, she'll let herself be more upset by it. For now it still is just a niggling sharp edge in the back of her mind she'll have to tuck away.
"We'll see if the Sisters set up a place to eat. I heard talk of it earlier."
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He's partly joking. He'd do anything to make it up for her, to try and let her be more at ease about it, even if he knows time is the great healer in such things.
"And boy, can those ladies get a meal together when they want to."
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Time will heal things over, Maria knows as much. She's hard work and rebuilding the town with her fellow amigos will keep her distracted.
"Never doubt a Nun, Manolo. You'll never know what they can do." The thought does make her smile becomes more amused as she starts dragging her husband forward. The smell of food is starting to waft through the air. Those not lounging in the shadows, working or drinking water are equally headed in that direction.
"It reminds me of a few stories, I could tell you about the convent."
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"So long as the sisters don't come to find me to silence me, I would live to hear every one of them."
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"You're my husband, so you should be safe." She winks at that, teasing at this point. "Besides, you owe me a few stories yourself."
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He laughs, and it honestly feels good to do so. Like all the weight of the last few days is finally drifting away.
"I could tell you quite a few."
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She leans into him lightly, "I'd hope so, even if San Angel can be quiet, it's never boring."
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He wraps an arm around her, squeezing her gently, kissing the top of her head.
"That is very true. It's got a life all of it's own."
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"It's why I've been wanting to come home. Besides the obvious reasons. You,"- she reached up to lightly boop his nose as she speaks, "and Joaquin."
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His smile softens. It's right, that they're all here together again, all three of them. It's how it's supposed to be.
"Well, the two amigos just didn't sound right. We need to be a trio."
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"We're together again, and San Angel won't be the same." She promises with a wicked sort of grin. Likely making her father somewhere in the distance feel a large sense of unease.
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"There are a lot more pig to save, after all," he teases.
I thought i replied to this >_> feel free it ignore if you want to drop the thread
"Maybe a few bulls as well. I'm sure we could save a few very easily." she teases back, though the idea is a promising one already bubbling in her mind. Maria may have grown up around what it is to be a 'proper' lady, but she doesn't plan on letting those restrictions restrain her.