Pilgrims
Time Story

Maybe for some people doing the same activities for a full day is not an option. But for me, there is no right word to express my gratitude for the opportunity to spend my time not only doing activities that I love but also useful for others.

The surprise didn't end there. When I told Leon I was working as a pizza deliveryman, he unexpectedly told me that he also worked at the same place as me. Bahia is not a place as narrow as moringa leaves, but why do I always deal with this person accidentally huh? But, great. He said he would guide me.

Having worked there for about a month as a pizza delivery man, he knew the ins and outs of the city well.

The exercises of capoeira movements from the easy to the difficult have been practiced. The longer I liked the sensation of freedom I felt when I practiced capoeira. I never really liked doing anything before. But in this Bahia, I found a lot of things that I liked.

It has been more than two months that the four of us have been training together. I really can compensate Fox a little in terms of speed and stamina, but still far below it in terms of technique.

One night, when I came home from work, there were two men in their twenties in nice clothes who greeted me. They speak politely in English.

“What are you doing every morning running exercise with Rio?” ask one of them.

“Iya,” answer.

“You practiced capoeira with him right? Too bad. How about you just apply to the same academy as us?” ask the other one in a polite tone.

“Sorry, I'm not interested,” my answer melengos go.

“Wait. You want to be trained by poor and outcasts like them?” said the man who greeted me first. Finally he threw away his sopanav mask and spoke in a very mocking tone.

I don't take their word. They chose the wrong people to call. So I just grabbed the collar of the man who just spoke and spoke right in the man's ear.

“What if poor and outcasts like them are much more powerful than you?” I said then pushed the man, let go of my grasp and walked away.

I know I shouldn't be that rude. Moreover, I usually am not easily provoked.

When today's practice ended, I asked Rio. “Hey Rio, if you and Fox have such a great technique, why is your greatness unknown among capoeiristas in general?”

Then Rio told me. “Near here is one very famous capoeira academy. The leader, a mestre named Luis, died a few years ago. During Luis' time in charge, he has been awarded several times by the state.

Now, the academy is run by both of Luis' boys. Almost everyone who is interested in learning capoeira enrolls into the academy, because there are indeed competent and certified instructors. If there was such a gigantic organization, our small community no matter how great would be unknown.

There are small communities other than us that may have a talented capoeirista, but as long as he is in a small community, he will not be known. If he wants to develop and follow the official capoeira hierarchy, he must enter a capoeira school or academy. Lately many communities are disbanding because many members join the academy.”

“What is it because, the Pedro you told me back then didn't train with you guys anymore? Because he wants to develop himself in the academy?”

“Yes, that's it. I know he's talented and has a dream to become a respected mestre someday. That's why Fox and I realized that our job of teaching him the basics of capoeira was done. Fox herself enrolled him into the academy,” Rio said.

“What do you mean? Fox enrolled Pedro into the academy? Did Pedro ask for it?” my question is not to understand.

“That's the problem. Pedro never asked. Even though his peers who studied capoeira at the academy often ridiculed him, he still came and trained with us. Fox and I know the boy has so much respect for us that despite wanting him he would not be able to ask permission to stop training and studying at the academy. So, Fox contacted his brothers, and registered Pedro there,” Rio said at length.

“Why did Fox do that? Pedro didn't ask, did he? You should have asked him first. If I were Pedro I would feel discarded,” my timpal a bit carried away.

“Yes, on second thought Pedro must have been heartbroken over Fox's sudden act. But he's the first person to make it through our challenge, we don't want his talent to be stuck and not appreciated just because he learns from outcasts like us.”.

“Wait, what the hell does that 'exile' mean? I don't get it. Didn't you just say Fox has brothers who have positions in the academy?”

I'm nodding. “Ya.”

“Can be hours,” said Rio again.

“I can sacrifice my lunch hour today.”

“Alright,” Rio start. “All this happened because of the will left by Luis.”

I interrupted. “Hey, what does all this have to do with Luis?”

“Luis is a very important person for Fox,” Rio explained. “Do not interrupt again, just listen to the story well!”

“OK,” I did a gesture of closing my mouth with my thumb and index finger.

“Fox who has no parents was adopted by Luis since he was eight years old. Luis also had two teenage boys. Since his wife died, he has lived with only three of his children. Luis eventually raised Fox to be his son.

But it seems that his decision was not discussed first with his children. Luis's children are left out by Fox's presence. Especially even though she was a woman and still a child, Fox was extremely talented. As a result, Fox was hated by her foster siblings.

But that doesn't mean her sisters are as cruel to her as Cinderella's half-sister. They just don't want to deal with Fox, and I avoid it as much as possible. As long as Luis is alive, it's not a problem. Luis died 8 years ago.

Maybe you can guess where this story will lead. Shortly after Luis' death, his will inform him that Fox inherited the academy that Luis founded when he was an adult. While the land, house, and all the property that Luis owned other than the academy fell into the hands of his two sons.

Before Fox grows up, the academy will be run by Luis' two grown children. At that time, thirteen-year-old Fox was very surprised to hear he inherited an academy. He also handed over the management of the academy entirely to his brothers.

Such a division of the inheritance required both of Luis' children, who usually avoided Fox, to inevitably have to support Fox in their father's place. The tension between the three of them is mounting, because there is no longer Luis who bridges their relationship. Moreover, the Capoeira academy that the children of Luis manage it one day they must release for Fox.

Fox, who did not want the tension to continue, decided to leave the house. He always felt isolated if he lived in that house.

Fox who has no money lives. Until I took her to the orphanage where I lived. We work odd jobs for living.

At first Fox felt foreign, because we were all dark-skinned. But, over time he felt at home and it has been 8 years we are still living in the shelter. That's why we're called 'exiles'.

No outsider knows besides me and you that Fox would be the owner of an academy if he were 21. That means only a few months left.”

“So, in a few months he was handed such a big responsibility? I'm not sure he wants it,” I commented.

“He didn't want it. If he had to choose, he would rather not inherit anything. After eighteen years, he can decide for himself, take on the responsibility, or give it to his brothers.

But he respects Luis, maybe he will take on that responsibility even at the risk of being hostile to his brothers for life,” Rio dream.

“But I think it's better to give it. He is not fit for such affairs,” I argue.

“It depends on itself. We can't do anything, right?”

Yep. Indeed indeed. It can only be decided by Fox himself so that there are no regrets.

***