Dinner wound down, and Ivy began collecting the plates and silverware. Mirta jumped up and started helping.
"Oh, you don't have to do that, you're a guest," said Ivy.
"On my world, it's polite to help your host clean up after a meal," said Mirta, and Ivy didn't object again.
After dinner the family and their guest sat in the living room and talked. Mirta told them of her life, of going to Cloud Tower but not having any friends except Lucy, of finding out the Trix plans and warning Bloom and being turned into a pumpkin for it.
She told how she and Flora developed a bond between them and were finally able to break the spell. Then the next year Mirta transferred to Alfea.
Rose wanted to know more about Cloud Tower, so Mirta obliged her, making it even spookier and scarier than it really was. Rose's eyes got bigger as she listened.
Flora hid a smile behind her hand, but made sure her parents saw it, so they knew Mirta was exaggerating. A good thing she did, as Ivy and Rowan were beginning to wonder about who they had let into their house.
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Flora and Mirta wrote an email to the rest of the Winx Club and Lucy, filling them in on events, and then the two girls talked for a while.
"I feel really out of place in what I'm wearing," said Mirta, indicating her witch-punk outfit and pumpkin t-shirt. "Could we go shopping tomorrow? I want to fit in better."
"Sure!" said Flora, "I have some things to do around the house first, but we can go after that."
"I really like your parents and sister," said Mirta, "They've made me feel very welcome, just like you have." The green-eyed half-witch closed her eyes and lowered her head. "I really don't deserve this kind of treatment; I'm just an orphan who has nothing."
Flora took Mirta's hands in her own. "All the more reason to welcome you, sweetie! And you have lots to offer! You're a Fairy of Nature, and that alone can lead to a good, fulfilling, comfortable life!"
Mirta raised her head. "Are you sure about that?"
"Very," was the reply, "In fact, you might be a better Nature Guardian than most others, because your knowledge and sensitivity to dark magic can help you spot trouble sooner."
"Something to think about for the future, I guess..." said Mirta thoughtfully, then yawned. "I need some more sleep. Good night." She got up and headed for her room.
"Good night, Mirta," said Flora, "If you need me, you know where to find me."
As Mirta opened the door to her room, Rose came out of hers.
"Mirta?" she asked.
The redhead turned. "Yeah, hun?"
"You weren't serious about Cloud Tower, were you? I mean about how horrible it is?" asked Rose, looking worried.
Mirta smiled. "You caught me. I was just teasing you, mostly. But it can be a dangerous place, and fairies don't do very well there."
Rose approached and looked into Mirta's face. "You dress like a witch, but you don't feel like one."
"Ahh... thanks... I think..." said the surprised girl.
"Will you be my friend?" asked Rose suddenly.
"Sure! Any sister of Flora's is a friend of mine!" said Mirta with a grin.
Rose took Mirta's hand and squeezed it. "Thanks! I really like you." Then she turned and fled back to her room.
Bemused, Mirta did her nightly routine, and went to bed, falling asleep almost instantly.
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After lunch the next day, Flora, Rose, Mirta, and Chatta walked down the path to town. Rose kept plying Mirta with questions about witchcraft, Cloud Tower, and other witches she knew. Flora and Chatta added their own experiences with the Trix.
When they approached the carnivorous flower-tree, Mirta gave it a wide berth, even though it didn't move. It's scent was still attracting, but knowing what made it kept them away.
When they reached town, they found themselves back at the same intersection where the transfer station was.
"The clothing district is that way," said Flora, pointing to their left. They crossed the street and headed in the indicated direction.
As they walked, Mirta took in more of the sights and sounds of the town. The emphasis was on natural beauty, of humans fitting in with Nature, and not dominating it. From the way people dressed, Mirta felt even more out of place.
"Do you have any money?" asked Flora.
"Yeah, Ms. Faragonda put what I earned over my tuition and room and board into my account. I still think she was being too generous, and I haven't earned it," was the reply.
Flora looked at her friend. "Mirta, you were killing yourself, working that hard. Even Knut knew it."
Mirta started to protest, but Flora held up a hand. "I know you wanted to be sure you earned it, but there are limits, and you went way over them."
They walked in silence for a minute, even Chatta knowing when not to talk.
"At any rate, I can tell coming here is helping you relax," said Flora, finally, "You look a lot more rested."
"I feel more rested, too," Mirta said, then looked at Flora, "I'm starting to sense the plants and animals around me now. Especially the plants. If I concentrate, I can tell how they are feeling. Is that normal?"
"For a Nature Fairy it is," said Flora, "And if you practice, it will become second nature to you."
Mirta made a face. "Ouch. Bad joke."
Flora grinned. "That joke is way older than I am. My grandmother told it to me."
Mirta rolled her eyes in an exaggerated manner. "And I'll bet there's worse to come."
"You have NO idea," said Flora, still grinning, "But you'll find out when it's time."
Mirta shook her head. "Can't wait," she muttered, but not very seriously.
Chatta was riding on Rose's shoulder, and they looked at each other and snickered.
Flora looked up at the store's marquee. "Here we are, my favorite clothing store on Linphea."
As they were about to open the door, they were approached by a policeman. He was not too much older than they were.
"Excuse me, miss," he said, addressing Mirta, "May I see your papers, please?"
"Papers?" asked Mirta, confused, "What are you talking about?"
"You should know that witches who visit Linphea have to be registered, as proof they will not harm our world while they are here. Now may I see your papers?" said the policeman.
"I don't have any papers," said Mirta.
"Because she's not a witch, she's a fairy, like me. We attend the Alfea School," put in Flora.
The policeman pulled a small hand scanner from his belt, and pointed it at Mirta. The light went from blue to green to yellow, and stopped on orange. A beep came from the device.
"This says you have more dark magic than light, and that classifies you as a witch. If you don't have any papers, you're under arrest," said the policeman.
Chatta flew up into the policeman's face. "HEY! I'm a pixie! If she was a witch, do you think I'd be anywhere near her?"
"I don't know the circumstances of why the four of you are together, but it doesn't matter. I have to take her in, for questioning at least. I'm sorry." He touched a small silver square ornament on his uniform lapel. "Identified an unregistered witch, my location. Will be returning to base with her."
"Roger that," said a voice seemingly from nowhere.
"Flora..." said Mirta, reaching for her friend's hand. She was very scared. Rose had moved close to her sister, and was peeking at the policeman.
"It's okay, sweetie. I'll call Mom and Dad, and we'll get this straightened out," said Flora. She took Mirta's hand and squeezed it in a reissuing manner.
"Are you going to come with me willingly, or..." said the policeman.
Mirta hung her head. "I'll cooperate, sir," she said.
"Very good, miss. Thank you," he replied. He took a small silver bracelet from a pouch and clicked it around Mirta's wrist. "Magic suppressor," he explained. "It will also keep you from running away from me." He took her elbow, and steered her down the street. Mirta looked over her shoulder at Flora.
Rose clung to Flora's skirt, and started crying. flora put her hand on Rose's shoulder.
"We'll be there as soon as we can!" called Flora. Mirta didn't look reassured.
"Chatta, go with Mirta, and keep her company, please, she's really scared," said Flora.
"On my way," said the Fairy of Chatter, and flew off after them.
Flora pulled out her cell phone, and hit a speed dial key. "Mom? There's a problem. Mirta's been arrested for being a witch!"