Elena Avalor

“H-hi.” She said softly with a quick turn of her head, tearing her gaze away from the board announcing all of the new exhibitions. “Yes, actually; I’ve heard grand things about the uh, tour?” Nellie explained, smiling. “Would you mind pointing me in the right direction?” 

Elena lit up. “Of course! I always like to start the tour off at the new exhibits so people can just experience that if they’ve been on the tour before, but I can start anywhere you’d like.”

“Uh, ¡sí! Claro, claro…” He laughed nervously, straightening his back as turning away from the entrance, hoping the angry guard wouldn’t catch up to him after setting off the alarm. “Tell me all about it!” Miguel relaxed and smiled at the girl, maybe the day wouldn’t be ruined. “To be honest, I know just a little so, feel free to teach away!”

“Knowing a little is a good starting place,” Elena said. “Have you ever celebrated before? That’ll give me a feel for where to start.” Elena gave the boy a smile. He must Latinx, but she couldn’t be sure where he was from based on that alone.

Phillip was likewise surprised to hear Elena was from Los Angeles. And though her offer was a nice one, returning to LA wasn’t necessarily something he wanted right now. “Oh really? I’d hate to put you two out though. And Los Angeles… it and I have a bit of a love hate relationship, honestly.”

“It’s ok, we’re thinking of making it a big road trip and I thought having a few more friends might make it a little more fun.” Elena paused. “I completely understand if you want to pass though, I’m the same way with my old home.”

“Uh… yeah, sure.” Louis shrugged. Truth be told he as just out and about enjoying his day off but didn’t mind learning something new. “That’s the parade for the dead, right?”

“Sort of. It’s more like a party than a parade,” Elena said. “And I guess it’s more about remembering loved ones that have died. That was a good analogy though.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Have ya been ‘round any of the ‘haunted’ spots yet? It’s mostly just tales folks tell the kids to keep ‘em away from dangerous abandoned property, but some… well, some I think there might actually be a ‘lil hauntin’ goin’ on.”

“I don’t think I have. And here I was thinking I’d been just about everywhere interesting.” Elena thought for a second. “Got any suggestions? I think I’d love to scare my friend Kiara somewhere.”

That night, Kiara knocked on Elena’s door, Captain Marvel in one hand and a blanket in the other. Her face lit up when she saw Elena. “Hey Laney! I brought the movie and a blanket; was I supposed to bring anything else?” Kiara’s enthusiasm had taken over her brain and she almost forgotten to bring the movie to begin with, so she wouldn’t be surprised if she was missing something else.

Elena giggled a little. “Nope, that was all. I got a few bags of popcorn and two tubs of ice cream. I hope you like chocolate.” She led Kiara to the living room where a bowl filled with popcorn sat next to two controllers. “So, do you want to be the blue or orange robot?”

“Take your time, too,” she called back with a slight laugh. Once she finished up with the display, Coco stood up and wandered back toward the front of the shop. “How can I help you today?”

“I’m thinking about getting a new pair of heels to wear when I go visit my family, but I didn’t realize how many different styles there were.” Elena let out a nervous laugh.

Flynn smiled. “Darling, I own the best bar on the island, I’m not exactly desperate for money.” He commented, staring at his phone and then letting out a sigh as he finally stood up. “But I will help you if you need help, I don’t need payment. I just need to leave by lunch because I have a date.”

Elena felt embarrassed for not knowing who she was talking to. “If it’ll make you late, then I can find someone else. I don’t want to be too much of a bother, especially since you’d have to let me get to know you so I could repay you in some way.”

“Hell yes, I am!” He smiled. “I studied it a little in class and thought the whole cosmology was super cool, kinda reminded me of the Día de los Difuntos in Perú. I loved that, I got to live it when I visited with my dads a while back.” He clapped his hands together. “Now it’s time to learn about Día de los Muertos.”

“Glad you’re enthusiastic!” Elena chuckled. “Day of the dead is a two day celebration in Mexico that remembers family members that have passed on. The first day is to remember kids that have left too soon and the second is for adults. The second day is like  Día de los Difuntos actually. It’s my favorite holiday if I’m being honest. It just feels like a big party that everyone is invited to.”

A small smile grazed the man’s face and he nodded. “Sure, I think it’s always lovely to learn more about other cultures and this traidition in particular seems so interesting.”

“This holiday definitely has a lot of cultural importance in Mexico,” Elena started. “It’s a way for families to remember members who have passed before them as well as honor them with gifts of things they enjoyed in life. Are there any specifics you’d like me to cover first?”

Aurora was actually there to run some fundraising paperwork over from the hospital, but she could see how bubbly Elena was, and didn’t have to be anywhere anytime soon. “Yes, yes I am!”

“You’ve come to the right place then,” Elena said cheerfully. “My family and I were really big on celebrating when I was younger. I guess I should probably ask what you know first so I don’t make you listen to things you already know.”

“Día d… Uh, well I just wanted to take a look around, honestly. It’s been a while since I’ve been around this area. But what exactly is that?” Cornelia smiled politely, she’d wanted to just wander around the museum but now she was curious. “It sounds interesting.” 

Elena smiled brightly. “Well, it’s a Mexican holiday that celebrates remembering those who have passed on,” she explained. “It’s like a big party where everyone’s invited!”