Arcana Twilight: When The Star Falls (retelling)

20- Petals from a Marigold

"What flowers would be best for this...?"

Gloria has been in the school library for a while, looking through books on foliage, searching for something she wanted to know. The sounds of pages flipping could be heard.

Orange flowers. Some of them represent joy, energy, positivity.

She wanted to give something to Arcturus since he would be in the Infirmary for a while. Since she only knew a small amount of flowers and herbs from her family, she thought looking at the books in the library would help. Gloria had texted her mom earlier in the day about it, and even told her to just hit the books instead.

Gloria skimmed through the pages, but was struggling to find the best flower to give to Arcturus to help him get better soon.

Closing the book, she got up to go put it back on the shelf.

The bookshelves were taller than what she was used to, normally she could reach the top shelves with ease in the libraries she went to. Thankfully, there was what looked like a sliding ladder against each shelf, so if there is a book up to double her height, she can just get it from the ladder.

Once she put the book back on the shelf, she started looking through the other books next to it. Something then caught the corner of her eye, something white.

Vega was kneeling on the ground, grabbing a book from the bottom shelf.

"I didn't know you liked gardening."

Vega shoots straight up when he hears her talk. He looked at her, "Summoner...! What are you...?!"

"I came to research some flowers... What about you?"

"... Sorcerer Arcturus asked for me to look after his vegetable garden in the greenhouse while he's in the Infirmary." Gloria tilted her head, "He has a veggie garden?" Vega nods, "He prefers to grow some of the ingredients for when he cooks. Plus students are allowed to grow what they would like in the Greenhouse upon letting the school know."

She nods, "... Then do you mind helping me?"

Vega raised an eyebrow.

Gloria explains to him what she's been doing. Vega nods, "Orange flowers as a get well soon present... There are plenty at the Greenhouse actually." She nods, "I've seen them before when I went to look in there earlier out of curiosity of it. Which is why I wanted to look up flower meanings!" Vega walks over beside her and looks through the shelf, "Maybe you can give him some Marigold?" She thought for a moment and gave him an unamused look, "Some cultures use them for the dead...."

Vega pulled out a book on the flower he suggested and turned to some pages, "Yes, but the flowers can also symbolize good luck, joy, good fortune, happiness, and warmth. By the logic that you want some flowers to give to wish Sorcerer Arcturus to get better, then these would most likely be the best thing to use."

She thought for a moment.

Marigold does seem kinda fitting....

"I'll use them," she decided, "Can you help me get some ready?" Vega thought for a moment, "We'd need to get a vase for them... I think there are some in the greenhouse we can use." She tilts her head, "Wouldn't they break in there...?" Vega shook his head, "No, in the storage room in there, it has vases and pots we are allowed to use, with permission ahead of time. I'll go get us permission to use a vase and to grab some of the marigold." Gloria's eyes widened, "Please! That would help a lot! We could get it all set this afternoon!" Vega nods.

Gloria's Stella Tab went off, she checked it to see the alarm she had set went off. "Well, I'll see you later Vega. I have to get to class." Vega waves to her, "Right."

Class was somewhat difficult for her.

Gloria never liked having to take notes in classes. Her brain was struggling so much looking back and forth between her notebook and the board the teacher was writing on, along with just having to write in general.

Pollux ended up yawning beside her, then whispered, "Man, it feels like time is going slow..."

She nods in agreement, "Just don't fall asleep, alright? You know the teacher will slap their ruler on the desk next to you to wake you up." When she saw the teacher do that for this class, it made her fear falling asleep since she couldn't handle loud noises... or just being in trouble in school. Pollux leans back in his seat, "I know better! Geez..."

Gloria turned to look out the window, her mind was still on about the marigolds for Arcturus.

I hope he'll like them... we all are worried about him even though he says he's fine...

Pollux whispered, "...Have you heard from Arcky today?" Gloria turned to him and nodded, "I texted him this morning. He is still recovering; he's probably sleeping right now to regain strength. Spica is even taking over his work in the Guide Committee until he's able to do it himself."

He nods, "That's a lot of work to take on by himself..."

"Do you want to help him with it?"

"Nope!"

Gloria gave a quiet chuckle. Her attention was directed back to the class.

It took a while, but soon class was over. Pollux stood up and stretched, "MAAAAAAAAAAAAN! It felt like hours passed! So glad that is over!" Gloria nods in agreement. "Yeah... it was a lot..."

Pollux collects his things, "So... ready for lunch?"

She nods.

Gloria follows Pollux, making their way to the cafeteria.

Her mind was still thinking about the marigold as they walked, mentally trying to figure out what may be needed in case they need to prepare for anything. Though I guess Vega would probably have anything needed in advance already prepared...

The Stella Tab went off in her skirt pocket. She pulls it out to see a text.



Vega: We should work on the Marigold during lunch. Later, there is going to be a few classes using the greenhouse.
So please eat quickly, I'll meet you at the greenhouse.



She sends a response and puts her Stella Tab away. Continuing to make her way to the cafeteria with Pollux.

"Heading to eat?"

Pollux and Gloria turned to see Alpheratz, who was yawning. Pollux gives him a look, "Napping off somewhere, I'm assuming?" Alpheratz shrugs. Gloria soon speaks up, "We kinda do have to hurry to get lunch though... I have something planned and need to eat quickly." Pollux blinked, "Plans...?"

She nods.

Alpheratz spoke up, "You better hurry to eat then. Don't go hungry." Gloria nods, "Wanna come with us, Alphy?" Pollux and Alpheratz's eyes widened. She tilts her head, "What...? Am I not allowed to hang out with my friends...? We are friends... right...?"

She gave a slight whimper as she spoke. We are.... Aren't we...?

"I... yes," Alpheratz felt a bit weak from her whimper, he sighs, "We are friends. Don't ever doubt that for a second."

Gloria relaxes a little. Alpheratz continues, "I'll.... tag along... I guess..."

Pollux was even more shocked, "H-HUH!?!? Wha-!? You never usually agree with this easily when me or Arcky ask you!" Alpheratz glares at him, "And don't expect this to change anything. I'm only saying it since the request wasn't from someone who wouldn't take no as an answer, and then constantly ask it again and again, then still force me to come along!" Gloria quickly got what he was saying. Honestly... even I wouldn't like that... but why does that feel like it's not the only reasoning...?

"So shouldn't we get going?" Alpheratz starts walking off, Gloria and Pollux follow after him.