The four went down for breakfast. Rodrigo was already normalized, though has face was more serious now. 

'He's probably calculating of the scientific chances that a person could've die in a nightmare', thought Guelio while cooking. 'Well, to be fair to him, bangungot happens more than necessary here in the country. Many chalk it up to demonic possession when it's probably just a depressive state."

He was making fried egg with carabao cheese and tomatoes. It was a usual staple for him in Europe and he wanted to bring it here.

 Jazmin and Renee were talking about the merits of the different books of the era, including Rizal's recent book, El Filibusterismo.

"El Filibusterismo is a good book. It's witty, it's tragic, it's gripping, and most importantly, it's real. In any case, Rizal created a propaganda equivalent of a fire starter. I'm surprised my family has this copy of the book since it was banned. Though to be fair, my father did work in the censor's office."

Renee responded: "Rizal was influenced by writings of people like Locke and of other liberal writers, but also of different satirists. You can see the development of Ibarra's character, once an idealistic man turned cynicist Simoun, willing to do anything just to free the nation, even if it involves tricking the Governor-General and blowing up a church full of Kastilas. You can also see Basilio's character, being idealistic, but with it slowly eroding with every outside pressure building up. And the last part totally ditches a planned revolution, replacing it with peace" 

Guelio joined in on the conversation, while serving the steaming hot meal with some tablea on the side. 

"That holds merit, Renee. Rizal's pacifist view of the revolution and his view on the armed struggle as a last resort is admirable. Though that mentality might not work now"

Guelio rummaged in his little man-purse-bag-bayong thing and tossed a pamphlet to the three who were sipping from the tsokolate tablea. He gestured them to look at the front and they saw a caricatured version the Prime Ministers Canovas, as well as the Spanish Gobernador-Heneral Despujol. "When the Sagasta government fell in Spain and Despujol became the colonial leader in the Philippines, the hopes of the Propagandistas were aiming for: representation in the Cortes, provincial status of the Philippines, equal footing for natives, they were all gone"

He stood up, as if to deliver a speech, in his somewhat grandiose stance. "If we want to achieve our desired freedom, all we can do now is liberate it ourselves... through peace or by war. That's why there are these pamphlets. Write it in the native language, smuggle them in, get a printing press and start cranking them out, so that we can rouse our compatriots"

"With these, we can allow those who want change to speak out, sparking the hearts of thousands upon thousands. Maybe we can let our voices be heard in Madrid. If not, then... may the sounds of gunfire free Manila."

Jazmin and Renee clapped softly. "Nice job, idealist. Let's see that become a reality,eh?" said Renee.

"Que?  You were saying something, Guelio?". 

Apparently, while the three were having a discussion, Rodrigo was heartily eating, nearly gobbling down the meal, which is unusual for Rodrigo since he was a light eater. 

"Do nightmares make you that tired?", Guelio asked. 

"Well it does wear your body down. Besides, I got smacked, nearly drowned and suffocated, so I guess I do have the right to get tired, no?".

 Guelio looked awestruck at Rodrigo, like he was insulted so subtly yet so perfectly. It was a trait he acquired from Guelio, as well as from some of his other friends from abroad. 

"Was that sarcastic?", asked Guelio. 

"Did I stutter?", shot back Rodrigo. A few seconds later, he gained his composure.

"Excuse me about that, I just had to get it off my chest."

He looks at Guelio with a half-glare, half-stare. 

"Fine. You're granted to that Rodrigo." said Guelio as he raised his hands slightly as if surrendering to the sass.

"Guelio, it would be a good idea to start spreading news like this here in the Philippines, even if secretly. But since there was the damned government, just a simple joke can get you arrested! Outrageous!" Rodrigo protested. 

"I mean you've seen what happened yesterday at Port, don't you think if it would be way worse if we print more of them? Maybe we'd even be caught before we find a printing press to begin with!"

"What did happen yesterday?" Renee still wasn't fully aware of what happened, so the three did their best to explain it all in detail, supplemented by the testament of the cochero, who is now back in his hometown, with enough pesos to support his family until he could find a new job, courtesy of Guelio. Renee listened intently, and although a lot of the details were vague, she could piece together most of what happened.

The four then proceeded to start relishing the meal prepared to them by the new chef. Renee said that she was "impressed with the cooking". 

"I would recommend if you somehow were able to make a sandwich out of all of this though. The tablea is partly bland, though so you may need to work on your brewing technique." Renee may be a panadera, but there is such a thing as being a pedantic for pain.

By the end of the meal, everyone was full and there was a smile on everyone's face. Clearly, Guelio's cooking skills were above par. After tidying up her dining table, Renee declared that she would go into town to buy supplies for the restaurant. 

"It seems like you are well stockpiled though, Renee" said Guelio.

"I mean, you have flour, coal, oil and all the thing you need here. What else would you possibly buy?"

"I always have to be prepared, Guelio. You'll never know what'll happen these days", Renee explained. 

Suddenly, as if karma was playing with Renee, a strong breeze, likely from the trade winds from the north, hit the entire town, howling through the flatlands. The stockroom upstairs suddenly quivered, and soon, she heard a dull thud. Outside, she saw white powder billowing through the air. It was her flour.

"Like that. I have to be prepared for that". 

Guelio gazed out the window at the floating plume of whiteness outside, travelling towards the canal that bordered the two blocks of building.

"I guess we should, for any matter". 

He wheeled towards the finishing-up Rodrigo and Jazmin. 

"Are you two ready?". 

"We should be in a minute, right after Rodrigo finishes his bread". 

Rodrigo protested to Guelio about his bread: "It's more stale than that that one restaurant in Paris, Elyong!" 

Guelio coolly replied: "First off Rodrigo, that wasn't bread for consumption. That was a stale loaf for the bread pudding that you took from the counter. Second, Blame Renee."

Renee then replied as well: "What are you pointing at me for? That's the stale loaf for my bread pudding."

Rodrigo could do nothing but finish the hardened slice that was lying coldly on his plate.

~~~

It took 5 minutes before Rodrigo eventually fed the bread to the carabao outside Renee's cantina. The ever-rising sun was already letting the full strength of its rays pounce to the glistening street below. Jazmin was preparing the carriage while Rodrigo and Guelio packed for the short journey they would take. Renee was clearly into the task she was to take and was already planning what the purchase. 

Rodrigo remarked about this: "Is she murmuring to herself?". 

Guelio replied: "Should I tell her?"

"It would be best not to, I guess." 

It was amusing to the two juvenile yet grown adults, and couldn't help but chuckle whenever Renee would do an exaggerated sigh or do a weird gibberish mutter. Friendships never do change.

When Renee stopped mumbling and everything was already set for the journey, they embarked and began the short journey to the already-opening town market just a quarter-a-mile away. Guelio maneuvered the horse like it was his own steed back in Madrid, with equal equestrian ability and even some swagger dashed in. Whenever he was on a horse, he felt like he was flying with the wind in his face and the speed he travels. It's just electrifying in a way. In fact, he was so engulfed in his swirl of emotions that he nearly fell off there was some man who fired a shot in their direction.