---

El was led to a back storage room that was dimly lit in comparison to the elaborate showroom the others were in. "You're from the Music Village, aren't you? I recognize those patterns anywhere." the large man said, regarding the stitching on his poncho.

"Yes sir." El said. "I recently lost my guitar in battle... I have been unable to repair it..."

"I see... we'll I hope I have something you will like." He looked forward and led El into a small workroom. It smelled of steel and freshly burned wood. Working at a table was an older gentleman with sun stained skin and a handlebar moustache. He looked very humble with wrinkles at his eyes that showed he was a man who smiled often. "Alfonzo- we got a lad here who is looking for a chakra guitar from the Music Village."
When the tan man heard this, he lit up and immediately rose from his bench to look at El.

The mans small dark watery eyes regarded El with some great fascination. His back was crooked and stooped from many years of working bent over, but he could still see El's face. "It's been many years since I've seen a member of the Mariachi clan..." He said with some awe in his voice. "I see your grandfather in your face boy..."

El was a little perplexed that this man knew his grandfather. "I am a Mariachi sir." He said. "I am in great need of a guitar."

"I am sure you are..." The old man said. "A Mariachi with no guitar is like a stud bull with no tally-whacker."

"You know him?" asked the storeowner.

"I know the lad's bloodline. They are very well known in our home village." replied the elder. He looked to El once more and said, "It has been quite some time since I have visited the Village of Music, but I do have three guitars that might be of interest to you." He smiled and began heading across the room to a metal cabinet. Unlocking it with a key, the man opened up the doors and revealed three guitars. One black colored acoustic and two electrics. "I wager that a lad of your sort would prefer this." the man said and pulled down one of the two electric guitars. It was a golden yellow in the center and flared out in color to a deep red. He handed it carefully to El to test out.

El sighed, having always longed for a guitar like his father. He hoped for that one one day but he reached his hands for the thing and looped the strap over his head, managing not to skew his hat. He knew it was far too expensive, but he couldn't help but hold it. His fingers, missing the feel of a guitar in his hands, immediately began to play.

The elder smiled at El as he played. It reminded him of home and oh how he longed to visit again. El was a short lad and the guitar seemed to make him look even smaller. The man only smiled though. The Mariachi men were known for growing up to be quite tall as they aged.

El knew that playing another man's guitar was like kissing his woman so the song was short. "I hate to admit..." El said. "But I do not think I could afford such an expensive weapon."

"Very well." the man said, taking the guitar from him. He put it back on it's hook. He hesitated for a moment, but took the second electric down and handed it over, "Give this one a feel." he encouraged. Though it looked just as expensive as the last.

El held it. "I'm afraid of falling in love with something I can't afford..." He told him. This one was red... not the fireburst as before, but simple, sexy, candy apple red...

"Try it." the old man encouraged once more, giving El a soft, eager smile. He seemed to have a twinkle in his eye.

El did not pull the strap over his head this time but he placed hsi foot upon a nearby box of guitar strings and began to play a little.

The old man clasped his hands and listened, closing his eyes for a moment. Anyone taught could play a guitar... but only a Mariachi from the Music Village could play with such spirit. His kind were few and far between in these parts.

El couldn't help but feel the way he did though. He ended the song short and swallowed, knowing there was only one left and he still didn't know how much they were.

He didn't need to play the acoustic. The elder had already decided for him. When El offered the guitar back, he refused. "That is the one."

El shook his head. "I can't afford it." He said. "My friend will be paying and I can't ask her to... I can't afford an amplifier ether... I haven't yet learned how to amplify on my own..." He tried handing it back. "The acoustic... please."

"A man does not choose his guitar." he said wisely, smiling as he let those words sink in. "My boy, that guitar chose you. That instrument is of my own personal collection. Although it will not replace your previous guitar, the only payment I ask is for you to play it with all your spirit and sing with the voices of our people."

"I..." El looked at the man and the merchant. "I... I couldn't..." He said. "That's... no..." It was unheard of. A master craftsman just giving another person such a fine and expensive weapon. "I can't..."

"I haven't been able to play for years." he confessed, showing El his hands. They shook uncontrollably. He could still craft, but playing was a thing of the past and had been for years. "Please. I have no family to give it to and would be honored if the grandson of the El Mariachi played one of my masterpieces."

This went against everything El believed in. "I..." He just couldn't take it, but he didn't have any money and he was already having to ask Kami. "I have no amplifier." He told the old man.

The storeowner was sniffling and wiping his eyes with a hanky. He seemed moved from what he had just seen, "We have discounted, travel amps in the clearance section."

El looked between the two of them and sighed. "Alright... If I must I must..." he held his small callused hand out to the craftsmen.

The man stepped forward and gave El a very unexpected hug. It warmed his body and soul to see a Mariachi playing his instrument. He hoped the boy would do it proud and considering his bloodline... there was little doubt about it.

El was a bit stiff but he hugged the man in return, the guitar sandwiched between them.

"Good luck to you, El Mariachi. I wish you all the best." he said, releasing him.

"Thank you sir." El said. "You've saved a lot of lives today..." Considering an amplifier didn't completely tap Kami completely.

The man smiled and El could see that glisten in his eyes as he left with the storeowner back into the main display room.