Santa Cuerva Luchadora Mágica: II - El Encantamiento Maldito

After the Leche Liebre opened, Kenichi sat in the corner and played the guitarron. Lupe gave him an empty mug he could use to collect tips, and soon, even bills could be seen poking from the corner.

True to Sr. Lanzo's predictions, it was a busy day at the cafe. The usuals were there getting their regular morning orders. The abuelitas were off in their own corner arguing over the rules for Lotería. Marumina and Lupe were fielding the orders and taking turns making them, though Marumina was better with drinks and soups, while Lupe was better with pastries.

It was late in the morning when somebody turned on the television. On the local news was Isabella de la Vega, the founder of Luna Cosmetica, a makeup company that claimed to use space age technology and traditional methods to make the best makeup ever. The reporter was interviewing her as part of covering the latest release event of Luna Cosmetica.

“I can't believe she's launching her new line here,” said one of the cafe viewers. “I love her eyeshadows.”

Marumina eyed the television suspiciously. There was something about Isabella de la Vega that didn't sit right with her. Something about the woman's demeanor reminded her of her other job. The woman was beautiful. You almost have to be in order to be the figurehead of a cosmetic company. Her makeup was sensible, very subtle. Her hair was white and in a French braid, and while she had white hair, she did not look terribly old. Yes, she definitely looked mature, but less maternal and more martertral. Still, she gave Marumina that feeling like she was up to something.

“For our launch, we're sending makeup trucks all over town. Come by one for a free consultation and plenty of free samples,” Isabella said. She looked at the camera. “You'll feel like a totally new person.”

“And when can we expect to see these makeup trucks?” asked the reporter.

“Just after lunch,” she said. “So keep an eye out for them”

Marumina busied herself with making drinks, trying to shake the weird vibe of Isabella de la Vega. It wasn't until the other cafe worker, Valentina, came by that she was able to finally forget it. It was time for her break. She untied her apron and tossed it onto a hook in the back, then walked out through the front. Kenichi was sitting on a bench outside now. He looked up at her. “Thanks,” he said.

“You're welcome,” she said. “Are you going to be all right?”

He rocked the guitarron, now in a case, next to him. “I think I'll be fine.”

She stood by the corner, waiting for the light for the crosswalk. Then she turned. “Ey, Nichi” she said. “Come with me. I see you made some good tips. You can buy me lunch.”

He smiled and stood. “If you insist.” He picked up his guitarron and stepped up beside her. “I'm surprised you would pay someone else to make you food, though. Yours was pretty good.”

“I'm not paying anybody else to make me food,” she said. “You are.”

“It's coming!” someone nearby said. All the attention of the crowd looked down the street. A truck with headlight eyelashes and an airbrushed paint job to make it look like it was blushing, was coming down the street. The logo on the side said LUNA COSMETICA.

“Is it going to stop?” someone asked. The truck was still coming, almost at an unnatural speed.

Kenichi looked from the truck to the street. His stomach lurched as he had a moment of deja vu. Sitting in the street was that white rabbit, oblivious to the truck barreling toward it. Without even a thought, he stepped into the street, scooped up the rabbit, and handed it to Marumina. Their hands touched for but a moment, but the contact was electric. She clutched the rabbit, realizing what was happening. Time seemed to slow down. Kenichi looked from Marumina to the rabbit to the truck that was speeding toward him. The driver was looking in the vanity mirror, curling her eyelashes. Deep within his soul he braced for impact.

The impact didn't come, however. The truck zoomed past. He felt its wake behind him. Someone honked a horn at the careless driver, and his heart was racing. Then he realized that he was pressed against Marumina, her arms wrapped around him. She had pulled him from the street moments before the truck hit him. He caught his breath, looked deep into her green eyes. Their two hearts beat in sync. “Thank you,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

“You're welcome,” she said, matching his tone. He leaned forward, she leaned forward, both about to kiss.

Tochi popped his head up between them. “You're going to suffocate me, payaso.”

The moment was broken by the rabbit. The light turned for the crosswalk, and together they walked to a nearby taqueria. Marumina ordered for both of them, for which Kenichi was glad, since the menu was a bit overwhelming. He paid for the order with some of his tip money.

After a few minutes, the cashier handed Marumina two paper bags and a few containers of salsa. The clerk handed Kenichi two bottles of Jarritos. “Come on,” she said, leading Kenichi outside to some tables. They found one with a nice view of the street. Across the street, one of the Luna Cosmetica trucks had parked, and a line of people had formed outside it.

Marumina opened the bags. In one were six tacos, each wrapped in butcher paper. In the other were freshly made tortilla chips, the bag starting to show blots where the still hot grease was leaking through. “I got you a Comer la Luz,” she said. “It's three tacos, one mild, one medium, and one hot.” She unwrapped her first taco. “It's a good way to gauge how spicy you can handle.” She took a bite of hers, and after chewing it and swallowing it, she said, “I like mine really hot.”

Kenichi started on his first one. He wasn't exactly a taco connoisseur, but after the first bite, with the flavors dancing in his mouth, he was definitely a fan. Marumi watched as he ate it. He gave her a smile. She smiled back. Tochi, however, was glowering at him. He had never realized before how expressive a rabbit could be.

“It's good,” he said.

“Well, that was only la luz verde. Try the next one.” She took a sip of her orange soda.

They both started on their second tacos. This one was just as flavorful as the previous one, but with a different selection of spices. Also, some spicy peppers made it hotter. Still, it was enjoyable. He sipped his soda, which was grapefruit flavored.

“Too hot?” she said.

“Not yet,” he said. He tried one of the chips. The taste of tomato and cilantro from the salsa cooled the opposing flavor of the jalapeños and vinegar. The chips had a porky undertone to them.

“Now, for la luz roja,” she said. She slid his last taco over to him.

He unwrapped it, and she watched him, her eyes catching every moment. Knowing he was on display, he made a show of it. He took a bite of the last taco. It was leaps and bounds hotter than the last one. His tongue burned, as did just about every other part of his mouth, but he did his best to play it cool. He finished the taco, had a few more chips, and then, satisfied that it had been long enough to prove that he wasn't fazed by the heat, took a drink.

Marumina chuckled. She unwrapped her last one and ate it. Then she frowned. She looked at Kenichi. “Nichi,” she said. “I think I gave you my taco. This one's barely hot.”

Kenichi laughed. Marumina smiled. Their hands rested against one another's. Tochi thumped his foot on his seat. Still, the two ignored him.

“I hope it wasn't too hot for you,” she said.

“Not at all,” said Kenichi. “Nothing I can't handle.”

The moment was broken, however, by all the people around them suddenly falling asleep.

“What's going on?” Marumina said. People's heads rested on their tables, some people lay on the sidewalk or even in the street. Everybody had just suddenly fallen asleep.

Then, leaping to the top of the nearby Luna Cosmetica truck, a man in a wrestling mask and torn tights looked out across the scene. On his head he wore one of those old-timey sleeping caps. He laughed.

“I have to go,” Marumina said. “Thanks for lunch.” And with that, both she and Tochi were gone.

Kenichi sat there, a bit confused. All around him were the sleeping and snoring people that had once been hustling and bustling, and a man standing on a truck laughing dramatically. Fortunately, the man was so busy laughing that he didn't notice that Kenichi was still awake.

“Psst,” said a voice behind him. Kenichi turned. In the shadows of the alley between the taqueria and the shops beside it crouched a woman. On her head she wore a monterra hat and a domino mask. Her black hair covered her ears, and her violet eyes seemed to glow. She also wore a chaquetilla and taleguilla. Across her shoulder was pinned a mantoncillo, and on her feet she wore zapetillas with colorful pink medias on her calves. She wore the full traje de luces of a matador, and she was motioning for Kenichi to come over to her.