Disclaimer:
I don't own Winx Club. It belongs to Iginio Straffi and is produced by Rainbow S.p.A.
Multi-part story
Summary:
Flora is being forgotten by the Winx club with Krystal in the picture. When Flora start to feel down on herself some old friends show up and pick her up. But what happens when the Winx realize that they're doing and try to get her back? What happened when to add in a decennial festival and the Trixs?
Setting: Set in Season 5 after the defeat of Tritannus, except the Krystal-Helia-Flora issue was never fixed and the Winx are also spending more and more time with Krystal and less time with Flora.
This is the final part in the first section of Nature's story.
Nature's Past
Part 6: Fall Ball
Summer Castle Reception Hall
Night 2: Fall
The Reception Hall was decorated with red and orange with gold candle holders floating the room. The fountain statue had changed to an scene of pumpkins and an oak tree with leaves of gold, brown, orange, and yellow.
"Breathtaking," Flora said, looking around the room.
"Yes, you are," Helia said, looking at Flora. Flora blushed and looked down.
"Thank you," Flora said. She was in a mocha sweetheart trumpet dress with bell sleeves and dark green embroidering on the bodice. She had her hair pulled back with a small corona with red and orange leaves on her head.
"There you are," Stella said, as she and the rest of the Winxs and Specialist came up behind the couple.
"Hello, Stella," Flora said, turning around and smiling, "You all look lovely."
Stella was in yellow, halter ball gown with a gold tiara on her head. Her hair was in a high bun with a few curls down.
Bloom was in blue, strapless ball gown with a silver tiara on her hear. Her hair was in a flat-straight in high ponytail.
Musa was in red, halter slip dress with a pink shawl. Her hair was in a French braid with silver flower clips.
Aisha was in green, strapless ball gown with a pearl tiara on her head. Her hair was down in big curls.
Tecna was in purple, scooped-necked slip dress with a silver belt. Her hair was straight with a few silver star clips.
The Specialists were all in either tuxedos (or royal attires, in Skye's case).
"Thank you," Stella said, giving a twirl.
"It's beautiful in here," Bloom said.
"Fall is a beautiful season," Flora said, "Changing colors all around."
"True," Bloom said, lending against Skye.
"Well-" Stella begin.
"Flora...Sorry to interrupt," Ash said, walking up to the group, "A few on the 'blue-bloodhounds' are looking for you."
"Why," Flora asked.
"They were all so surprised to see General Tyree's daughter performing yesterday," Ash said, rolling his eyes, "Forget that you used to do it a lll the time at the village in Silver Reef Valley...They also want to know when your father will be arriving."
"Your dad's coming," Hella said, shocking. Flora never said anything about her father or mother coming. She said that they couldn't get away because of the farm.
"Can that man even be countered as my father? The only time he sees me is when he needs to parade his perfect little Floretta around," Flora said, irrupted, to Ash.
"Freeze, I can't deal with this anymore," Stella said, "I was fine with you not telling us about Magic Vines; but what in the stars...Floretta? Your dad's a general, who you apparently don't like. You were a music performer and dancer before Alfea. You weren't even planning to go to Alfea-What's next? Is your sister Miele next in line for the crown of Droagiewei?"
"Actually, Miele is-" Ash started.
"Shut up," Flora said to Ash, and then turned to the Winxs, "Come with me. We'll go to the garden. This conversation is way too big to be in the ballroom."
"But the 'blue-bloodhounds'-" Ash started.
"I'll be there in a minute," Flora said, grabbing Helia's hand and leading the group out of the ballroom. Helia's only thoughts were on how little he and the rest seemed to know about Flora.
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Summer Castle Garden: Gazebo
The girls, san Flora, were sitting on the benches in the gazebo with their respective boyfriends standing behind them (or in the case on Brandon and Stella, Brandon on the bench with Stella sitting on him). Helia was leaning against the rails, looking up to the moon. Flora was standing in the middle of the gazebo, looking at Helia, waiting for her to look to her; but he didn't.
"So..." Aisha asked.
"Uhm...Well first, my full name is Floretta Magnolia Willows, but only my father calls that. And I use the term father loosely. He sent me to little with live with my aunt Gladiola, my mother's sister; because he was a captain placed in the Spring Court and could be distracted by a child. I only really saw him and mother when there is some event where he needs to show off his little 'Blooming Flower'." Flora paused. "My sister Miele is actually my cousin, but I see her as my sister. I though my aunt was my mom until I was almost ten.
"My father has always pushed me to be the perfect courtesan. He sent tutors and coaches to me. He hoped that I would find the eyes of one of princes or a duke," Flora took a deep breathe. "And I did. My ex-boyfriend is the son of a Duke from the summer court. He and I dated for about two years, and my father was thrived. He even moved us to the Summer Castle for that." Flora noticed Helia's knuckles were white from his tight fist. "My father was pushing the duke for a marriage, when the Duke called it called it off. My father said he was disappointed in me and was cutting me off; and then he sent me back to my aunt's.
"Ash and the boys were just get Magic Vines together, and me and the girls tagged along. One night before the act, Dylan was struck somewhere and people were starting to leave the park concert there were playing for. So me and the girls went and sang one of the songs the boys had written that hey said was too girly for them...Anyways, a year later we were planning for college, and Miss Faragonda came to my aunt's house and offered me a place at Alfea. My aunt said it would an amazing opportunity and pushed me to take it...And that's it."
"Why didn't you tell us any of this," Musa asked.
"I honestly didn't think it matter," Flora said, "The boys didn't get popular until our third year at Alfea, and you all did start liking them until this year...I thought my dad was out of my life. I haven't talked to him or my ex in over five years...The last thing my father told me was that he wasn't paying for Alfea and then he hung up on me."
"But why hide this...You're not acting like our Flora" Stella start.
"The Flora we knew was a quiet wallflower with no stories to tell," Riven said.
"You all never asked," Flora said.
"You never said you had a past," Stella agrued.
"Just because I never say anyting, didn't mean I didn't have a past…and you all could have just ask about me," Flora countered, "You all know me...I'm not the type of girl to just said things about myself, but if you ask me I'll tell you."
"Flora is right," Bloom said, walking up to Flora, "We all just took you as quiet Flora. The one who had our secrets and worries, but we really didn't give the same."
"I'm still Flora….your firend. I'm the exact same person I've always been," Flora said.
"No, you're not," Helia said, not turning to look at the group, "My Flora wouldn't be hiding all these secrets."
"Helia, please look at me...You don't have to believe what I'm saying, if you don't want to; but please at least look at me...If nothing else, you owe me that much," Flora begged, and then Helia finally turned around.
"I am sorry if I've hurt you all." Flora started, "But I haven't meant to. I've introduced to all to my mom and dad-my aunt and uncle, if you want, and they are my parents. I get talk about the boys and the girls, because I've never felt homesick or reminisced of Linphea. I've been so happy with how everything is, I don't often thing of how it was...I don't know what else to say."
"You don't say anything," Musa said, after a minute, "You didn't lie to us. If anything you just kept the bad things to yourself. And I can completely relate to that."
"Plus, if we get mad at you for this, we have to get mad at Bloom and Stella too," Tecna added.
"What," Stella said, standing up and turning to Tecna.
"Why me," Bloom exclaimed.
"You both lied us for the first few months we knew you," Tecna said.
"Just because you're right, don't mean you need to say it," Stella said, sitting back down.
"Tecna's still right through," Bloom said, and then looked at Skye and Brandon, "And you guys lied to us about who you were."
"His idea. I'm a squire. It was my job. Zero choice in the matter," Brandon said quickly holding his hands up, before Stella could say anything.
"Chicken," Riven coughed, and got a dirty look from Brandon.
"Plus, he dated a witch," Musa said, pointing to Riven.
"Will you let that go," Riven said, throwing his hands up in the air.
"Not until the day I die, and may not even then," Musa said, flipping her hair.
"It seems you get one big mistake with this crazy friendship with all have," Stella said, walking up and hugging Flora, "Let's just count this as yours."
"So you're all not mad," Flora asked.
"Mad, no...Concerned, greatly," Aisha said, hugging Flora.
"All of you," Flora asked again, looking at Helia. Helia signed, before walking up to Flora and hugging her.
"I can't get mad at you, my beautiful flower," Helia whispered to her.
"Okay, enough mushy stuff...time to get back to the ball," Musa said.
"And I have to deal with the 'blue-bloodhound'," Flora said, as the moved to leaved the gazebo.
"Okay, what's a 'blue-bloodhound'," Skye asked.
"It's a courtesan, or anyone really, who is looking to raise their status by with royalty. They can smell the opportunities like a bloodhound," Roy said.
"So that term is known around the realms," Flora said.
"By everyone, but the royals," Brandon said, coming up to Flora. He hugged her and kissed her cheek. "You know your still a little sister to all us Specialists, right?"
"Yes," Flora said.
"Good...'cause as a non-Linphean citizen and the only Greekcorean of the group, I reserve the right to punch your father if I see him," Riven said, as they made their way out of the garden.
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As the Winxs left the garden, three figures can out of the shadows.
"Looks like there's more to little Miss Nature then we thought," Icy said.
"This just got a lot more fun," Darcy said.
"How," Stormy asked.
"I know a perfectly wicked spell to use," Darcy said, smiling.
"Do tell, sister," Icy said.
Author's Note:
"Greekcorean" is mine. I love the idea of Riven for some ancient greek style realm, with an almost gladiator culture. And the fact that he is not in the new season is a shame, but Riven and Musa are a couple that is either a firework(here moment but beautiful to watch) or a star (a fire burning for a millennia).
Thank you all so much. All the PMs and reviews have been wonderful. I'm so glad that this story is being so well received. The second section of the story is coming up, so keep an eye out for that.
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