Hey everyone and welcome to the next installment of AUP! This chapter mainly follows Flora and Mirta to Linphea and establishes their relationship. I hope you enjoy reading about the cultural details of Linphea!
Guest: Yes, I like the whole idea of Tecna being a cyborg. They kind of tried to make her seem like a cyborg in the Rai version, but it didn't work too well. Yes, I love Flirta, as you called it, as I think they work really well together. There's going to be a lot of it in this chapter. Hope you enjoy!
CHAPTER 3: THE LINPHEAN NEW YEAR
The land was beginning to be reborn. Trees were just beginning to bud, and a hint of green was in the grass. The air was cold, but alive with the first tang of spring.
"Here we are!" Flora exclaimed, climbing down from the convoy and giving Mirta a hand. "Isn't it beautiful?"
"It is," said Mirta in wonder, gazing around. "I love it."
The sight of Linphea at first glance never failed to amaze Flora. The early spring was her favorite season; everything was just beginning to come alive. It reinvigorated her powers, making her feel more awake than ever before.
Alfea, Cloud Tower, and Red Fountain always let out at the end of Trimensis, the third month of the year as according to the United Realms' Calendar. In most realms, the third month of the year was spring.
According to the United Realms' Calendar, the Linphean spring also came in the third month of the year. However, local people used the Linphean calendar, where spring came in the first month. Right now, it was the last month of the year, the month of the fast. Other realms also had seasonal disparities with Magix. She knew that it was also summer on Earth, Bloom's home realm; in Stella's and Layla's realms, Solaria and Andros respectively, it was always summer. In Tecna's realm, Zenith, the opposite was true; it was always winter.
I can't wait to be home, thought Flora. She couldn't wait to introduce her girlfriend to her village, to teach her their traditions, to see her family friends. A new adventure was in their grasp…
"How far is your house?" panted Mirta.
"Just down the street," Flora said. She looked at Mirta with concern. "You're not tired already, are you?"
"Just a little," gasped Mirta. "I – should – be – fi" – Her words ended as her knees gave way on the grass, and she collapsed.
"Let's get you a transport," Flora said. She whistled for one, and a flying ladybug, the size of a van, landed next to them.
Flora helped Mirta to her feet. "Look," she said, gently pointing her girlfriend forward. Mirta looked up, and her eyes widened.
"That's a giant" – she gasped.
"Ladybug," Flora finished for her, grinning. "Don't worry, they're really friendly – most creatures here are, honestly. Come on, get on and it'll take us home."
Shakily, Mirta pulled herself onto its back, and Flora climbed in the front. "Head east, in the direction of Bosque Iztel," she said in Linphean, pointing to the dark forest ahead of them. "We need to go to the village of Iris. And please be slow; we have a tired passenger."
The giant animal rose into the air and began to head in the direction opposite of the setting sun. Mirta clung tight to Flora's back, though there really was nothing to be scared of; Flora had never known of anyone that had fallen off a ladybug's back.
"Sorry for being such a pain," Mirta gasped.
"Don't worry about it," Flora responded. "You're just tired from everything that's been going on. I think this trip will be perfect for you."
"This place is beautiful, though," Mirta said, gazing around. The aerial view made the terrain stand out even more, an earthy land that spring was just starting to kiss. "You live in such an amazing realm."
"Thanks," Flora smiled. "I knew you'd love it."
She gazed down at the landscape. She was the only one of the Winx girls that didn't live in a city. Stella, Layla, and Tecna all lived in the capital cities of their respective worlds, and Bloom and Musa lived in small coastal cities. But Flora's family lived right in the heart of nature. It made sense; after all, her mother was a priestess, and it was her job to tend to the natural world around her.
Her family was also fairly poor. They didn't own a very large house, and they didn't make much money, as her mother was a priestess and her father was her assistant. Her extended family on her mother's side lived with them, including her grandmother and great-grandmother. Linphean families were matrilineal, meaning that a woman always welcomed her husband into her family, not the other way around. However, her great-grandmother would soon be departing to the City of Trees, where she worked.
After a few additional directions from Flora, the ladybug landed in front of their house. Her parents immediately came out of the house, tailed by Flora's little sister, Miele.
Flora's father, Rodrigo Fernández, had a lively twinkle in his eyes, the same twinkle that Miele always carried. He was a short man with reddish-brown hair and brown eyes, and skin notably paler than Flora's. He was always good-natured and outgoing, and had a loud voice. Flora, however, took more after her mother in both looks and personality. Sacniete Fernández, named after the white Linphean valley flower, had the same honey-brown hair, brown skin, and forest-green eyes as Floras. She was also much more reserved and serious, and was a thinker, as expected by a member of the priesthood. Though she never raised her voice, she was the authority of the house, as were most Linphean mothers in their households.
"It's good to see you," Flora's mother said warmly to Mirta. "I'm so glad to see that Flora's finally put herself out there and let herself find a special someone. She wouldn't settle for just anyone, so you must be special indeed." Mirta's cheeks went bright pink.
"Welcome to our family," Flora's father agreed, shaking Mirta's hand. "I'll assist you up the stairs." He half-dragged, half-carried Mirta into the house.
Flora followed, wanting to make sure her girlfriend was in safe hands. But before she could enter, she was met with a wide hug.
"Abuela," she gasped, fighting to breathe as she stared down.
Rosada Fernández beamed up at her. Her skin was light brown and she had silvery hair that reached past her shoulders. She was three-hundred years old, her mother's mother. She was wearing a white robe, the attire of a priestess, and was smiling wide.
"My florita," she said. "How good to see you." Her green eyes became wide and teasing. "I hear that you have a special someone?"
"Er… yes," said Flora, trying to get past her. "I'll catch up with you later, I've got to" –
"Don't worry," Abuela Sacniete laughed. "Your girl is fine. Your mother is taking care of her." Her eyes twinkled. "You don't need to be so" –
"Impatient and hasty?" a voice interrupted. Iztel Fernández, Flora's ever-cranky great-grandmother, walked up to them. She was shorter than her great-granddaughter, and was also dressed in a white robe. Her white hair was in a staunch bun, and she walked with a cane and a hunched back. Despite that, she was very alert, and quite sharp as well.
"Watch your step coming into the house," she chided Flora. "I don't know what they teach in that school over there. The graceless manner of rushing out and going to defeat every single villain that ever existed? I've always said that you need to become a priestess, young 'un. We learn something useful, something that doesn't involve beating people down."
"They learn how to defend the Magical Dimension at Alfea," Abuela Rosada reminded her mother. "A very valuable skill, if you ask me. The school is run by the most-skilled fairies in the realms."
"And by the corporate power of the United Realms," Bisabuela snorted. "I'd sooner trust a Venus fly-trap to not eat my finger than those tycoons. They might as well make a united government and sell all of our civil liberties, that's what they should do. We'd be subservient to the great powers of Magix and Zenith." She shook her head. "No, I was against it from the start. Learning profound magical ability takes time, and is not something that happens overnight."
"We learn so many things at Alfea," Flora protested. "We learn how to defend ourselves, form great friendships, save the world" –
"Ha!" Bisabuela snorted. "All warriors ever do is cause misery! Zenith has invaded Linphea so many times, not even historians can remember. Now, Linphean warriors are honorable; they know not to conquer and maraud. But you are born into a good priestly family, girl, and you should not be a Linphean warrior, much less a UR one! The United Realms is the worst organization ever created – all they ever do is dominate us lesser realms so Magix and Zenith can always be at the top"…
Flora restrained a groan; Bisabuela never lost an opportunity to rant about the UR. Founded after the Fifth Dimensional War, it'd spurred a new age, the Age of Unity. Not all the realms of the Magical Dimension were in the UR; however, for the thirteen member states, it had been instrumental in averting crises and wars. Unfortunately, it also meant that realms such as Linphea were subservient to more powerful nations.
"Mamá, please do try to tone it down," Abuela protested gently. "Flora's guest is likely sound asleep now; we do not want to wake her."
"Oh yes, I forgot," Bisabuela muttered. "At least you have the sense not to spurn warlocks for who they are. The UR is made by fairies and for fairies only – another reason why I spit on it. It's just one of their ridiculous moves to gain more power for themselves"…
"Speaking of Mirta, I think it's best I go check on her," Flora said quickly. "She's had a rough day."
She escaped quickly. From behind she heard Bisabuela grumble, "Now why are youth so impatient these days?"
Flora sped through the tiny cottage to her room. Two twin beds were in the room: one was Flora's, and the other was one from their tiny guest bedroom. Mirta lay on the other bed, her eyelids fluttering sleepily. A teapot and two cups were on Flora's nightstand.
"Your room is beautiful," said Mirta, lifting her head; Flora followed her gaze. A potted florita de iris was on the windowsill, shining all of the colors of the rainbow. It was Flora's favorite flower, and had been since she was little. That was the only decoration in the room; after all, priestly families were supposed to live very ingenuous, frugal lives. And yet, the simplicity made it sweeter than a room in a royal palace.
"I'm so ready to fall asleep," Mirta yawned. "The air coming from that window is so nice and" – She immediately broke off, snoring like a baby.
Flora walked up to her, spreading the comforter around her shoulders. She kissed Mirta's forehead and then went to her own bed. There was no sound, except for the chirp of the birds and Mirta's sound snoring.
"Sweet dreams, Mirta," Flora said softly.
That following week, Flora took her out every day to walk around the countryside. Mirta turned out to be an excellent artist, and sketched pictures of birds and plants that she saw. The Bosque Iztel was also a good place to explore, and they always found something there.
Flora had always been the outdoorsy type, as were most of the people she knew. She'd spent her entire childhood exploring this forest, observing the birds and flowers. But she had never gone out with a friend. At most, she had gone with her little sister Miele, but she was only ten years old, and therefore wasn't allowed to go out too far on her own.
But now she had someone to share it with. And that made it all the more fun, a warm spark to Flora's normal leisurely days.
Her girlfriend greatly enjoyed the food of Linphea. There were fresh vegetables and fruits in every meal, fresh Linphean bread, and plenty of delicacies that Mirta came to love. It was the last month of the year, in which Linpheans fasted from dawn to dusk; Flora had observed the fast while at Alfea. However, Miele was a child, and wouldn't observe the fast until puberty; Flora's grandmother cooked for Mirta along with Miele, too. Mirta had said she would observe the fast, but Abuela refused, telling her that after she'd gone through such a harrowing transformation, it was safe for her to eat properly.
Mirta became close with Miele. In fact, she became a favorite with all the little ones, telling them stories of her adventures in Magix. To the children, her status as a biological witch was irrelevant; all they cared was that she was kind and told them stories. She treated them with the love of an older sister.
However, that didn't mean things were perfect. Many of the older Linpheans, more conservative, distrusted her. A few flat-out avoided her. The first week of their vacation, no one had dared say anything against Mirta, for everyone feared Bisabuela. But the Saturday after they came home, she departed for the City of Trees, despite her daughter's protests that she retire and stay in Iris. And once she left, there was no one to hold the villagers back.
Flora tried to shield Mirta from the gossip. But Linphean villages bred very strong gossip vines, and Mirta soon heard what the villagers had to say.
"I don't get it," she said one afternoon, when they were in Flora's room. "I thought Linpheans were the kindest people in the realms."
"No realm can be perfect," said Flora, frowning at Mirta. Her girlfriend sounded unusually somber; she hadn't been this way since her transition. "Are you unhappy here?"
"No!" Mirta exclaimed. "Your family has been so unbelievably kind to me, and so many of the villagers are so nice! It's just – the ones that aren't make life difficult." She looked unhappily at her feet.
"Peace, niñita," said Abuela, entering the room. "I know it's hard to see, but Linphea is changing. With the rise of the Realm Wide Web, people are starting to change their perceptions. But history's roots run deep – you see, there's a rather ugly reason why people here don't trust warlocks."
"Why?" Mirta asked.
"Before the Age of Discovery, Linphea only comprised of fairy-beings," Abuela explained. "In Year 1 of that Age, when Prince Josef of Zenith flew in the first-ever successful space voyage, he discovered Linphea. The Age of Discovery, as you know, was the time when all realms were discovering space flight. Linphea was – and still is – very tribal and rural; compared to the giant of Zenith, it was vastly underdeveloped.
"The other realms took advantage of our lack of production. They sealed unfair trade-agreements with us, and started skirmishes in our realm. Many warlocks came here and preached their religions to us; when we refused to follow them, they attacked. Yet, they were unable to subjugate us. For the trees in our realm have a mind of their own, and they protected us from harm."
"Your trees protected you?" Mirta asked in amazement.
"Yes," Flora smiled. "When provoked, the trees here move, Mirta. They can trap foreigners in cages and slash their branches at people. But even the trees cannot stop foreigners from settling here if they wish."
"So the warlock missionaries settled here," Mirta answered. "And all the warlocks who still live in Linphea are descendants of those missionaries."
"Correct," Abuela nodded. "Now fast-forward to 730 of the Age of Blood. At that time, Zenith, along with Whisperia, Magix, and Domino, had grown into a fearsome empire. Linphea was still independent, but not for long. Zenith staged one of the bloodiest invasions in the history of the realms, the Linphean Invasion, killing a sixth of Linphea's population. The priestly families were attacked the most, as they were the largest group of intellectuals. When the trees rushed to defend us, their robots destroyed them, using some of the most advanced sorcery at the time. Fairy and warlock lords ruled both in colonial Linphea.
"But it was the warlock lords who were feared the most. For centuries, these warlocks had faced subjugation in their native realm of Zenith. And now, when they had the chance to subjugate others, they took it with a vengeance. Such is our nature – when we face oppression, instead of trying to help those weaker than us, we take it out on them in an attempt to build ourselves up. And we could do nothing about it, for without our trees, we were completely powerless to fight back."
"Wow," Mirta breathed. "How did Linphea gain independence?"
"The Linphean Resistance Movement started," Abuela explained. "Paz Gonzales was their leader. She was a wise woman – instead of fighting the Zenithians with hate, she tripped them with love. The Resistance Movement was an entirely non-violent movement, an attempt to peacefully end colonial rule."
Flora had heard this story a hundred times, but somehow, hearing it with Mirta by her side made it even stronger. Paz Gonzales was the champion for the weak and the dueler to the strong… What Abuela had said about the oppressed becoming the oppressors had never happened to Gonzales.
"Of course, the Zenithians weren't about to let this movement continue. A great battle started, in which they massacred fifteen-hundred Resistance Warriors in the Valley of Shimmering Flowers. Gonzales was also murdered in that terrible battle."
The Day of Bleeding Hearts, thought Flora. That day marked the massacre, and always fell on the new moon in the middle of the fast; no Linphean partook of any food that day. She remembered that year's Day of Bleeding Hearts, where she'd done the sacred rituals in her dorm room at Alfea, when Musa had slammed her door open and announced that Bloom had been captured by Darkar.
"The Resistance Movement died after Gonzales' death, but by then, other realms were paying attention. The realms that were under Zenith's yoke began to rebel, and the realms that weren't part of the Zenithian Empire began to object to Zenith's appalling treatment of the Linphean people.
"After Gonzales' death, her daughter, Ixazalvoh, rose to power. She learned of the secrets of natural restoration, a skill highly revered by priestesses and only achievable by few. With the help of her followers, she began the Restoration, a process in which they revived the trees and plants of this nation. Linpheans soon found their power-sources again, and the Zenithians finally ended their reign over Linphea."
Abuela finished her tale; Flora gazed over at Mirta. She looked completely, utterly stunned.
"Wow," she whispered. "How is Linphea's relationship with Zenith now?"
"Rocky," Abuela answered. "You see, Zenith has still been harassing us about trade. It is trying to make us enter unequal trade agreements. Linphea has been trying to stand firm on that issue, but we can't for so long."
"Why not?" asked Mirta.
"For one, we rely on Zenith for technological exports," Abuela explained. "However, Zenith relies on our agricultural produce, which is the reason why we're even having this trade war in the first place. Unfortunately, the nation that makes manufactured goods always gets to dictate the pace of trade, not the nation with the raw materials."
"So why doesn't Linphea just industrialize more?" Mirta suggested. "If it's so far behind other nations, why can't it build itself up?"
"It's not as simple as that," Abuela frowned. "It's all about a value system, Mirta. The people of Linphea are poor, but we're happy being poor. We'd rather be simple and content than complex and miserable. That, I believe, is the secret to true happiness."
New Year's Eve had arrived. A time of joy and rejuvenation, the villagers would join together for a feast at the temple, celebrating the end of the fast and the beginning of the spring. The full moon promised to be exceptionally beautiful that night.
"You're gonna be eighteen, Flora!" Miele squealed, running into her room and grabbing Flora in a giant hug.
Flora smiled at her sister. It just so happened that tomorrow, Trimensis 20 (as according to the UR calendar) was her birthday. Her birthday usually came just before the New Year; due to the disparities between the Linphean lunar-calendar and the United Realms' solar-calendar, it was not always the same. She was excited for the ceremony tonight.
The entire day went by in preparations. While Flora's mother went to the temple to setup, Mirta, Miele, and Papá went to the temple-gardens to prune them and guide the flowers into life. This left Flora and Abuela together, cooking their family's portion of the feast for tonight.
"My little Florita will be all grown-up," Abuela laughed as she sautéed the veduras oscuros. "I still remember you from when you were a bebita. You were always so adventurous and carefree. There was the time when you climbed all the way to the top of a tree and fell, and a bird caught you just in time" –
"Abuela," Flora said, fighting waves of embarrassment. Please don't tell Mirta about that… One of the disadvantages of living with her extended family was that there was no shortage of embarrassing stories about her childhood.
"And now my bebita has fought all kinds of villains and monsters!" Abuela added proudly. "You defeated the Trix twice, and you defeated the Shadow Phoenix last year. Your bravery has made you into a true woman, Florita."
"Well, I hope there aren't too many adventures next year," Flora muttered. Melody had been stabilized in a week, and Galatea had been cleared to go back to her home. Still, not all the prisoners had been captured and sent back to Omega. The Melodian sages were trying to work on a way to close the portal, but they were struggling against its power. "Mirta needs time to relax."
"There will always be an adventure, Flora," Abuela said solemnly. "As long as you are in a high position of power, there will always be something. And I trust that, whatever it is, both you and Mirta will find a way through."
They spent the next few hours chopping, peeling, and cooking. At eighteen o'clock, Mirta, Miele, and her father came back from the temple and called the three of them to bring the food. They showered, dressed, and headed out of the house.
"You look beautiful," Mirta breathed as they headed out of the house.
Flora smiled at Mirta. Her girlfriend looked quite beautiful herself, wearing a traditional Linphean skirt and a flowing, open tunic that bared her midriff. The clothing was a golden-brown color made from tree bark and cotton, and she wore a simple necklace made with dark blue stones.
"Come on," she said, taking Mirta's hand. "It's almost dark."
It was only a short walk to the temple. The air was cool and pleasant, and the sun was approaching the horizon. Flora gazed around, marveling at how much greenery had sprung up in one week. They reached the temple and Mirta gasped.
Flora gazed up at the temple in wonder; every year, it looked more beautiful than the last. Mirta, her father, and the other villagers had done an excellent job of maintaining the gardens. The first crocuses were up, brightening the exterior of the temple with color. A string of candles hung over the temple, along with evergreen wreaths, to symbolize the cold of winter. Above those, the creeping flores de tierra were in full bloom, to represent the arrival of spring. Their sweet smell wafted everywhere, and Flora breathed in the heavenly scent with the joy of new beginnings.
They make this so wonderful every year, she thought. The villagers of Iris were very close-knit, and not without good reason. Most Irisians were descendants of the Air Tribe, a tribe that had existed in the Age of Antiquity and Age of Discovery. As their religions had expanded, different sects of Linphèanidad had popped up all around Linphea. There was Cielidad, which worshipped the sky goddess exclusively. There was Vientidad, which worshipped the wind goddess. And there was Irisidad, their religion, which worshipped the goddess of the rainbow.
Flora put her arm around Mirta's shoulder. She gazed up at the sun, which was just starting to set, coloring the horizon a beautiful orange. The sunlight glinted over the temple, making the flowers shine sweetly in the last light of day.
"Greetings, citizens of Iris!"
Flora looked up at the entrance of the temple. Her mother was standing at the top, wearing her priestly attire; a traditional, open white robe that extended to the floor. She wore a garland of flowers around her neck and the circumference of her head. She held a curved wooden staff in her right hand, made from the wood of the árbol sabio. Two other priestesses, Priestess Xoc and Priestess Colel, wore the same robe and garlands.
The chatter immediately died down. Flora's mother, as the priestess of their temple, was very well-respected and honored. Although the priestly caste was the highest caste, according to the old order, it was also the least numerous. In the many invasions of Linphea, priestly people had been targeted. Although the queens, members of the warrior-caste, were the official heads of their queendoms, it was the priestesses that posed the largest threat. Therefore, the population of priestesses across Linphea was greatly reduced; in the village of Iris, there were only three priestly families. Flora's was one of them, as was Colel's.
"We gather today," Flora's mother said solemnly, "to celebrate a sacred day to our ancestors. A celebration of Linphea, as a nation, and our gods, who made this possible."
Flora gazed at Mirta. There were still tears on her cheeks, but she was gazing up at Flora's mother curiously. She held Mirta's hand as her mother continued to speak.
"Tonight we end the fast that we have endured for so long," she continued. "For one moon, we have endured the pain of our ancestors, which we have needed to grow stronger as people."
Flora gazed behind her. The sun was now just at the horizon. She turned forward, and saw Linphea's moon, the Luna de las Amantes, rising in the air. It was a full moon today, therefore marking the end of the fast.
"Today is a celebration of independence," Priestess Sacniete added, "and a celebration of spring. It is the celebration of the Linphean spirit that lives within all of us, the spirit that never gives up." For a moment, her eyes briefly rested on Mirta. "And now, let us honor our ancestors!"
The sun had sunk into the horizon. A hush sounded across the crowd, and they observed a moment of silence for the battles of their ancestors. Three warrior-women stepped forward, heading towards the flagpole and raising the flag into the air. A rose-pink stripe on top, an olive-green on the bottom, with a white stripe in the middle. In the middle of the flag was the crest of the árbol sabio, the wise tree that had lived through Linphea all throughout her days.
And as the moon rose in the air, the flag bursting into bloom against the black sky, the people cheered, a roar of joy and freedom. Sacniete smiled at everyone.
"Now," she said, "let the feast begin."
"Come on," Flora said, leading her girlfriend to the table. Mirta gasped.
Brightly-shining insects fluttered around the table, illuminating it with a beautiful glow. The cool spring air brushed past them as they sat down, heaping their plates with food. And as always, there was an entire village full of food.
There was roast chayote de primavera, a rare type of Linphean squash that grew in the late winter and supplemented most fasting-diets. Heaping dishes of floral stew were on the table, cooked with fermented flower-petals and sautéed in a butter sauce. Fresh cream came from the vacas de aire, a type of nomadic cow that flew. Entire agricultural tribes had been built around them, and had travelled the planet following these cows.
"I know that Linpheans are vegetarian, and you don't eat meat," Mirta said, helping herself to cream and papas azules, "but why won't you eat any of the dairy?"
"My family is vegan," Flora explained. "Priests are generally much stricter than other families. We don't eat anything that could've possibly caused pain to an animal. We also don't eat any root-vegetables."
"The food looks good, though," Mirta commented.
"I'll say," Flora answered. She let out a sigh.
"Flora, what's wrong?"
Flora looked at her girlfriend in surprise. Mirta gave her the don't try to fool me look. "What's going on?"
"I really enjoy this festival, trust me," Flora answered, letting out a sigh. "There's something that's been bothering me, though."
"What?" Mirta immediately was alert.
"Well, I've been thinking about what Abuela said about Zenith," Flora answered. "Even after all it's faced, Linphea has been going on a steady trajectory upwards. As a nation, we're not very wealthy, but our people are generally happy and well-fed. But Zenith… it's never recovered from its problems." And the relationship between our two nations is still terrible, too.
"That's because of its current system of government," Mirta answered. "Growing up in Whisperia, I never felt as if the government had any say in my actions or words. For all Whisperian society's faults, we had freedom of the press and a good government. But Zenith – it's a dictatorship. There is complete censorship, complete lack of freedom. Nothing matter except how many robots they produce."
"That's so true," Flora agreed – she'd never thought about Zenith in the way Mirta had said. "And the people there are so robotic too. Sometimes I worry so much about Tecna, because she's just so closed from the rest of us. There, showing emotions is considered a weakness, and it's something that's been beaten from the population. Even after all these years, she still can't fully express herself."
Mirta took Flora's hand.
"Don't worry, Flo," she said gently. "Tecna will turn around, I'm sure of it. Even though she doesn't show it as well as you, she loves all of us strongly. I can tell just in the way she talks to all of us – especially to you, Flora. She'll be okay."
"Thank you, Mirta," Flora said, smiling at her girlfriend in relief. "You've captured so much of the Linphean spirit already. And let me tell you this: for all our faults, when it comes down to bare loyalty and courage, there is no one you would want by your side other than a Linphean. We may be primitive by Magixian or Zenithian standards, but trust me, we are all about the connection between souls."
"Dessert!" Miele shouted suddenly.
Flora craned her neck and saw that the dessert was, indeed, coming. Heaping dishes of Linphean fruit, pies, and cakes were coming towards them, landing on the table. Abuela's fruta de nacimiento sauce landed directly towards them. She picked up the bowl and offered it to Mirta.
"I'm glad you think that about me," Mirta answered, looking pleased. "And like you said, although not everyone has been nice, this has been one of the best vacations of my life. I'm happy you brought me here."
Flora pulled Mirta into a hug, and they sat there together at the table. "I'm happy you came, too."
That's about it for Flora and Mirta. A bit of a filler, I know, but I believe this was important in terms of character-development. Next will be Tecna and a Princess Ball gone awry.
Since you guys are responding really well to this story, I figured I might start doing a Question of the Day (QOTD) again. It helps me get to know you guys better – I really appreciate your reviews.
QOTD:What are your favorite ships for Winx Club?
