Chapter Text
❀⊱─── ·*＊✿❁✿＊*· ───⊰❀
Flora leaned her head against her palm, gazing out of the window. People-watching seemed to have become her new pastime.
"You know, it might be a lot more fun to be out there rather than in here," Palladium suggested, placing a glass of juice in front of her with a warm smile.
"Everyone's already found their own friends by now. I'm the only one who's this bad at it," Flora countered, taking a sip of the juice, the tart sweetness doing little to lift her spirits.
Palladium laughed softly, offering reassurance. "Nonsense, it's just because you haven't put yourself out there yet. Once the other students get to know you, they'll love you."
"Or they'll think I'm weird. Who wants to be friends with someone who talks to plants and hangs out in her uncle's office?" She admitted, feeling a bit defeated.
"I won't take offense to that last comment," Palladium said, half teasing, half encouraging. "But it's okay to take things at your own pace. You'll find your place soon."
Flora finished her drink and nodded. "You're probably right. I'm going to head back to the lab to pick up a couple of things. I'll see you at home."
In the lab, Flora organized her dye jars. A vine weaved its way through the room, gently placing one of the jars in a box.
Flora smiled, giving a gentle kiss to one of its leaves. "What a gentleman you are, Cypress. Thank you."
The vines continued to assist her until the jars were neatly stacked. Flora stepped back, admiring the handiwork.
"This should be enough to last me a month," She noted, surveying her inventory.
Her attention turned to Cypress, who seemed eager. "Did you make any new friends today?" he seemed to ask with his gentle sway.
"No, I haven't gotten around to it, but I'm working on it," she said, trying to stay focused on her task.
Cypress followed her movements as she selected a few jars from the box. She could almost hear his sassy remark. "That's what you said last time."
"And it still hasn't changed. Are you tired of talking to me?" Flora paused, giving him her full attention.
Cypress's leaves drooped slightly. "I only want you to be happy," he seemed to convey.
"That's very thoughtful of you, but I'm okay. I promise, I'll start the whole finding-a-friend thing first thing tomorrow," Flora reassured him, placing his pot in her bag alongside the jars.
"Let's head home, okay?" Flora closed down the lab and made her way back. Her eyes naturally gravitated toward a girl talking animatedly in the center of a group. Part of her wondered what it would be like to be surrounded by friends like that.
Cypress tapped her gently. She looked down with a knowing look. "I know what you're thinking, and the answer is no. She's a princess; she wouldn't give me the time of day."
Cypress gently shook in disapproval as Flora tried to walk past the group. Just as she was about to pass them, she felt something tug at her ankle, causing her to lose her balance. She crashed into the girl, sending both of them tumbling to the ground.
Gasps of shock filled the air as Flora noticed the jars sprawled on the ground, dye splattered everywhere.
"Oh my goodness. Stella, are you okay?" one of the girls called out. Flora's shock turned to horror as she saw Stella's dye-covered dress.
"I am so sorry. I didn't mean to spill this on you," Flora frantically apologized.
Stella held up her hand to silence everyone, standing up and brushing off the excess dye before offering her hand to Flora.
"I'm alright. Accidents happen. Are you injured?" she asked.
Flora was momentarily taken aback by her warm, inviting hand. It was so different from what she expected. She hesitantly accepted Stella's help.
"Thank you, your majesty," Flora blurted out, half in a daze.
Stella laughed. "You don't have to call me that. Stella is just fine."
"I'm really sorry about ruining your dress. Please let me cover the damages," Flora offered, snapping out of her daze as she remembered the situation.
"This dress is far too expensive for you to handle on your own, darling. I'll take care of it. Besides, you have your own mess to sort out," Stella reassured her, causing Flora to glance at her own dye-covered outfit.
"I guess you're right, but I still need to make it up to you. I can't just leave it like this," she insisted.
Stella paused to think before resting her hands on her hips. "How about this: you owe me one favor."
Flora thought for a moment before nodding. "I'm not sure what kind of favor I can offer you, but I'll do what I can."
"That's for me to decide. Now, it's rude not to tell me your name after I told you mine," Stella teased.
Flora, a bit embarrassed, introduced herself. "I'm Flora. This is my first year here."
Stella smiled and offered her hand again. "Well, Flora, it's a pleasure to meet. I'll see you around, okay?"
Flora studied Stella's hand for a moment before shaking it. "Okay, I'll see you later."
"Stella, are you done? You need to go clean up," one of the girls beckoned.
"I'm coming. Bye, Flora," she waved before turning back to her group.
Flora looked down at her hand and then at Cypress. She pulled out the mischievous plant and held it up.
"I can't believe you did that. Do you know how embarrassing that was for me?" she scolded.
Cypress, however, shook in disagreement. "If I didn't intervene, you would have never spoken up."
"I got lucky that the princess was so nice. I could've been in a lot of trouble," Flora argued.
Cypress' leaves drooped slightly. "I'm sorry. I was just trying to help."
Flora's expression softened. "I'll let it go, but don't do that again," she warned.
Cypress shook again, which Flora interpreted as a nod. She quickly gathered up what she could and hurried back home, feeling the curious eyes of the other students on her.
Flora felt a sense of relief as she pushed open the front door of her home, sliding her shoes off. "I'm back."
Palladium emerged from the kitchen, a spoon in hand and an apron tied around his waist. He smiled warmly at Flora's arrival, but his expression quickly shifted to concern as he took in her appearance. "What happened?
Flora sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I had an accident on the way back," she explained, feeling a pang of embarrassment.
Palladium nodded understandingly. "You should go clean up, and then you can come back to eat," he suggested gently.
Flora nodded in agreement, heading to her room to drop her bag and clean off. After washing away the traces of the mishap, she changed into her night clothes before rejoining Palladium at the table.
He was the first to break the silence, his tone gentle. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Flora sighed, picking at her food. "I bumped into Stella on the way home and spilt dye all over her," she confessed, feeling a flush of embarrassment creeping into her cheeks.
Palladium chuckled softly at the image. "Was everyone okay?"
Flora nodded. "Yes, she didn't even seem upset. She was a lot nicer than I expected," she admitted.
Palladium smiled knowingly. "Well it's important not to judge a book by its cover. Did you properly apologize?"
Flora shook her head. "I tried, but she wouldn't let me. She said I owe her a favor now," she explained, feeling a twinge of guilt.
Palladium's expression softened with empathy. "It sounds like you met someone interesting today," he commented, a thoughtful glint in his eyes. "Perhaps you should try talking to her in class."
Flora's eyes widened in alarm. "No I can't." she protested quickly. "I've embarrassed myself enough already."
Palladium smiled understandingly. "I won't push it, Flora, but do consider it," he said gently, reaching across the table to give her hand a reassuring squeeze.
Grateful for his understanding, Flora tried to distract herself with the food, determined not to dwell on the day's events any longer.
✦✽─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───✽✦
"A morning spa treatment was exactly what I needed. School is far too exhausting these days." Stella gracefully sat down on her couch, crossing her legs and inspecting her freshly done manicure.
"I absolutely agree. The professors this year are all work and no play," Varanda said, settling on the adjacent couch with a sigh.
"How about we go shopping this weekend? I saw a cute pair of heels with my name on them," Anastacia suggested, her eyes lighting up at the thought.
"You know I can never turn down a shopping trip," Stella teased.
"After that girl made a mess all over you, you might need it more than any of us," Varanda joked, earning a chuckle from the group.
"You don't think she did it on purpose, do you? Who just trips over themselves like that?" Anastacia asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Trust me, she's not the type to do that. I have a good way of reading people," Stella reassured, her voice calm and confident.
"So what are you going to make her do?" Varanda grinned, leaning in curiously.
"I don't know yet. Maybe help me with my homework?" Stella pondered, tapping her chin thoughtfully.
"She looks like the nerdy type. You can probably make her do it for you," Anastacia suggested with a mischievous smile.
"I can't take advantage of others like that. Besides my father would kill me if I get caught cheating." Stella reminded them, shaking her head.
"Boo, no fun," Varanda teased, rolling her eyes playfully.
"Especially after you basically let her off easy." Anastacia added, folding her arms.
"It really wasn't that big of a deal. It's not like it matters anyway. I rarely wear the same thing twice, remember?" Stella got up to inspect the garment-draped mannequin.
"Then why do you still have it?" Anastacia asked, her curiosity piqued.
"It's kind of charming, don't you think?" Stella argued, lifting the orange-stained dress and examining it thoughtfully.
Anastacia and Varanda exchanged glances before standing up.
"Yeah, if you find vomit appealing," Varanda stated, crossing her arms and eyeing the dress skeptically.
"The design could use some work, but the color is what I'm really interested in," Stella explained, running her fingers over the fabric with a discerning eye.
"I guess the color is fine, but it's not like you can wear it. Your mo—" Anastacia began, but Stella cut her off with a sharp look.
"Don't you dare refer to that woman by that title," Stella shot back, her voice icy and her gaze unwavering. Anastacia shrank back, chastened.
"It's not like Countess Cassandra would ever approve of it," Anastacia said, carefully correcting herself.
Stella sighed, her expression softening slightly. "I think it's time for you two to leave. I need to start getting ready for class."
The two glanced at each other before nodding. "Alright, we'll see you later," Varanda spoke for both of them as they gathered their things and headed out.
As the door closed behind them, Stella turned back to the dress, her fingers still tracing the orange stain. She let out a sigh, a mix of frustration and defiance in her eyes.
Stella stood in front of her vanity, meticulously brushing her hair until it gleamed. She pinned it back with a blonde-toned clip, ensuring not a strand was out of place. Turning her attention to her beige dress, she smoothed out any wrinkles with her hands, then gave herself a final once-over in the full-length mirror. Everything was perfect—except for the orange-stained dress reflected behind her on the mannequin.
With a sigh, she decided to let go of her lingering thoughts for now. She grabbed her purse and headed out of her room.
As Stella walked through the courtyard, she waved to a few peers who greeted her warmly. She returned their smiles, her usual confidence masking the undercurrent of her earlier thoughts. Arriving at her potionology class, she stepped inside and scanned the room. Her eyes naturally landed on Flora, who was already seated and arranging her materials.
She decided to approach her with a friendly smile.
Flora looked up, surprised to see Stella standing next to her. "Is this someone else's seat?" Stella asked gently.
Flora shook her head. "No, it's not."
"Mind if I sit here then?" Stella politely asked.
"It's no problem," Flora replied, still taken aback by the unexpected company.
"Thank you," Stella said, taking the seat next to her and setting her purse down."
"Hello everyone, I hope you all have reviewed for today's lesson. We will be wrapping up on our fundamentals." Palladium announced, gathering the attention of the room.
As the class began, Stella found herself occasionally glancing at Flora, sensing a mix of curiosity and unease. She leaned over slightly and whispered, "I hope yesterday didn't upset you too much. Accidents happen."
Flora gave a small, appreciative smile. "It's okay. I just felt terrible about your dress."
Stella waved it off. "Don't worry about it. I actually found the color quite interesting."
Flora's eyes widened slightly. "Really? I thought it was ruined."
"Not at all. I was actually wondering where you got that dye from. I've never seen anything quite like it," Stella admitted, her tone filled with genuine interest.
Flora's eyes brightened at the question. "I make them myself, from plants native to my home planet."
Stella's eyebrows raised in surprise. "That's fascinating. Is that what you used to dye your skirt?" she asked, gesturing to Flora's colorful garment.
Flora looked surprised that Stella had noticed. "Yes, most of my clothing is handmade by me," she admitted, a hint of pride in her voice.
Stella nodded, impressed. "It's very intricate and it reminds me of a garden. It suits you. Clothes can really tell you a lot about a person."
Flora felt a flush of embarrassment at the unexpected praise. "Oh, thank you, but it's nothing special," she murmured.
Stella shook her head, her expression earnest. "Don't downplay yourself or reject compliments. You have excellent style, and it's clear you have a unique eye for colors."
Flora smiled shyly, grateful for Stella's kind words. "Thank you, that means a lot coming from you."
As Palladium began his lecture on basic potion recipes, he gestured to the example set up at the front of the classroom. "Today, we'll be brewing a basic stamina boost potion," he explained, his voice clear and authoritative. "We'll start with solid ingredients, move on to liquids, and eventually produce a gas product."
Stella sighed softly beside Flora. "He might be cute, but his class is such a snooze fest," she whispered.
Flora couldn't help but chuckle. "Brewing doesn't have to be boring," she whispered back, already feeling a spark of excitement.
Palladium continued, detailing the steps they would take to create the potion "Now, I want you to partner up with the person next to you to complete this assignment."
As Palladium continued his explanation, Flora began gathering the ingredients and setting up the equipment. Stella watched in surprise as Flora seemed to effortlessly navigate through the process. "Wait, do you actually understand all of this?" she asked in a hushed tone.
Flora nodded, her focus on the task at hand. "I've grown up brewing potions since I was young. It's like second nature to me." she replied, a small smile playing on her lips.
Stella looked impressed. "Well, I'm glad I ended up next to you then."
As they worked together on their potion, Stella couldn't shake her curiosity. "So about that dye you mentioned earlier... do you have any more of it?" she asked, her tone hopeful.
Flora nodded, her attention split between Stella and the measurements in front of her. "Yes, I usually make them in batches, but sometimes I have a hard time using it all," she replied, her brow furrowed in concentration.
Stella seized the opportunity. "Would you be willing to sell me some?"
Flora paused for a moment, considering. "Couldn't you get it from anywhere you wanted?" she asked, a hint of confusion in her voice.
Stella hesitated, realizing she hadn't fully explained her situation. "It's a bit complicated, but you don't have to do it if you don't want to."
Flora shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "It's no problem. I don't mind giving some to you. You don't have to buy it."
Stella was touched by Flora's generosity but remained firm. "I won't accept it for free."
Flora made sure their vial was heating up to the right temperature before turning to Stella with a sigh. "Alright, I suppose I could sell you some then," she agreed reluctantly.
Stella's face lit up with excitement. "Thank you so much!"
Their conversation caught the attention of Palladium as he passed by. "I hope your focus on brewing matches the enthusiasm of your conversation, girls," he remarked with a small smile.
Stella and Flora exchanged guilty looks before chiming in unison, "Sorry, Professor."
As the class neared its end, Flora took the lead in the brewing process while Stella followed along, only somewhat keeping up with the instructions. Despite Flora's expertise, Stella's attention seemed to wander occasionally, resulting in a few minor mishaps along the way.
Palladium began his final walk through the classroom, examining each student's potion. Some were duds, others were weak, but none seemed to have achieved the perfect mix just yet. Finally, he arrived back at Stella and Flora's table.
"Are you two finished?" he asked, his tone expectant.
Flora nodded, handing their potion to him. Palladium sneaked a glance at Flora before inspecting their creation. "The color is the correct shade of violet, and the smell is just the right amount of bitter," he commented. Then, much to the shock of the class, he took a sip of the potion.
The room fell silent as everyone watched Palladium's reaction. After a moment, he nodded in approval. "Well done," he said, placing the glass back down before returning to the front of the class.
"As you all can see," Palladium began, addressing the class, "brewing elixirs is a precise science. Any adjustments to the recipe can change the effects drastically. It's crucial to ensure you have the correct measurements and temperature."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the students. "Remember, exams are conducted on an individual basis, so it's important not to rely too heavily on your partner. Make sure you're allowing your partner to participate and learn just as much as you."
Flora instinctively hid her face from the class as Palladium concluded the lesson, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and relief.
As Palladium dismissed the class for the day, reminding everyone to review before the next session, Stella couldn't contain her excitement. "I've never done so well before!" she exclaimed, turning to Flora with a grin. "You're a genius!"
Flora chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Didn't you hear what the professor said? We can't do that again next class," she gently reminded her.
Stella nodded eagerly. "I know, I know. I'll review before next class, but for now, I just want to enjoy this small win," she said, her enthusiasm undiminished.
Flora couldn't help but be amused by Stella's excitement. "Alright, I'll let you have it," she relented with a fond smile.
Stella's eyes lit up with an idea. "Are you busy later?"
Flora briefly glanced at Palladium, who was gesturing for her to go, before turning back to Stella. "No, why do you ask?" she replied, curious.
Stella's grin widened. "Well, I was thinking we should go grab lunch together," she suggested eagerly.
Flora hesitated for a moment, but seeing Palladium smiling and giving her a thumbs up, she couldn't help but smile back. "That sounds great," she agreed, gathering her things.
Stella beamed, linking arms with Flora as they made their way out of the classroom. "I know just the spot to take you," she said excitedly, leading the way.
Flora stole one last glance at Palladium, feeling a sense of warmth at his encouragement before following after Stella.