Hello! This technically falls under the criteria for a "Moments at Shiz" chapter, but it is very long, so it gets its own story! Anyway, it isn't the same as any of my other recent Bessa stories and is basically me just giving Boq and Nessa a little story line outside of Shiz. Oh, and the rating is for a couple of curse words. I hope you enjoy! Oh, and happy new year! ~bwayfan25
"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Elphaba shouted over the whistle of the train.
"Yes, yes I'll be fine. Now go or you'll miss it," Nessa shouted back. Steam was filling the platform.
Elphaba squeezed her sister's hand and ran off to board the train. Through the steam and rushing people, Nessa could just make out her sister joining Galinda and Fiyero, who were already aboard and waving from a rain splattered window.
She waved back at them, smiling, until the train (and most of the people) had long since left.
"You weren't invited either?" a man's voice asked. She turned around.
Boq was leaning against one of the platform pillars, a battered suitcase in his hand. Nessa bit her lip as her hands curled into fists. But she said nothing. Instead, she exhaled and wheeled herself back into the warm train station.
The station was full of Shiz students, so Nessa had to excuse herself multiple times to get through to a back corner to wait. Boq followed her through the crowd, but sat a couple rows away from her so as not to draw attention to himself.
He thought about buying a Shiz Sentinel, but as usual, he was more interested at the people around him. The Cat that taught Ancient Ozian Literature was curled up a few seats away asleep. The couple in the corner exchanging whispers as they prepared to leave for the weekend. Nessa, being approached by a train conductor, probably to board the train early.
No. Something was wrong. It was much, much too early to Nessa was nodding, but the train conductor was not picking up her luggage or leading her anywhere. Instead he handed her a piece of paper and clicked his heels together and saluted.
Boq watched as she sat for a moment, reading what he realized was a telegram. Then, to his surprise, she didn't pick up her suitcase and exit towards the platform, but turned and moved to exit to the road.
"Whoa, whoa, where are you going?" Boq asked, throwing out a hand to stop her as she passed in front of him.
"I'm returning to my dormitory," she muttered.
"But why? Aren't you going home to your father?"
Nessa shook her head. Her fist clenched again in an effort not to wipe away the tears in her eyes.
"My father was called away on urgent business. And it doesn't make sense to go home if there is no one there. So I'm going back to my room. Have a safe journey."
"You can't go back alone," Boq said as she continued forward towards the door.
"I can and I will."
Boq jumped up from his place on the bench. He ran over and stepped between her and the door.
"Then come home with me," Boq said. "Or at least let me call you a coach. This storm is getting worse and I don't want you to get stuck or freeze to death or anything."
Nessa considered his words.
This was the most they had said to each other in thirteen months. The last time they had spoken, Boq had made it very clear that he loved Galinda, and Nessa had done her best to stay as far away from him as possible. Now he was offering to let her stay at his family home for five days?
"I-I don't... Would it be too much trouble for me to come?" she whispered.
"No. Just wait here. I'll send a telegram to my mother. We have extra rooms available for guests and family. I'll have her prepare one for you."
"You don't have to sit with me," Nessa said as Boq took a seat opposite her.
The rest of the Shiz students returning to Munchkinland began to fill the train.
"It's alright. I want to," he said with a smile.
Nessa smiled weakly.
They sat in silence as the conductor called one last "all aboard" and the platform filled with steam. The train began to pull out. Nessa shuffled around in her bag as she looked for a book.
"Hey. You can see the Emerald City!" Boq said excitedly, pointing out the window as lightening flashed. In the bright light, the city was more black than green.
"Mhmmm. Lovely," Nessa said as she squinted hard, waiting for the lightening to pass.
"What's the matter? Afraid of lightening?" Boq asked, his eyebrows raised.
"I'm not too fond of it. No."
"Why?"
"It's just... Do you remember the big storm that hit Munchkinland fourteen or fifteen years ago?"
Boq nodded, allowing her to continue her story.
"Well, I was about four. A huge cyclone tore across the Corn Basket. Our house was reinforced, so we were safe. But we passed through the eye of the storm anyways. I clung to Elphaba for dear life. But the one moment I opened my eyes, all I could see was lightening," Nessa shuddered. "I've never liked it much since."
Boq nodded and then stood to close the blinds.
"You don't have to do that. You don't have to do anything. But you are. And for that, I can't thank you enough," Nessa smiled into her book.
"You're welcome. To be honest, I wasn't quite keen on what happened between us. I hope this can make up a bit for it," Boq sighed.
Nessa nodded, but didn't know what to say.
Things hadn't ended badly per se. Just... abruptly. Boq made his feelings clear, and that was that. Their distance had been more because of sensitivity than because of lasting emotion. Whatever it was had not lasted long enough to really forge a strong bond (or develop strong hatred).
What do I say? Was it actually that bad and I didn't realize? I guess he did lead me on. Oh, I don't know, Nessa thought. I guess we'll stick with calling it friendship.
"Alright. I had my mother call a coach. We're only three miles into the woods, but I realize that might be a bit far," Boq said as he placed Nessa into her chair.
The Munchkinland train from Shiz departed southeast and then split into two lines. Most students had either continued and disembarked at Colwen Grounds, where Nessa normally would get off, or had caught the connecting train where the line split, which would take them father northeast to Munchkin Rock. By the time the train finally reached the southeastern town of Rush Margins only a handful of students were left.
"Over there," Nessa pointed to a black carriage. The man driving it had a small sign that said B. Fitzgerald in thick black letters.
"Ah. Mr. Dunston. Thank you for picking us up on such short notice," Boq clicked his heels together gave a slight bow. Mr. Dunston returned it.
"It is always my pleasure, Master Boq. And who is this that is accompanying you?"
"I present Miss Nessarose Thropp of Colwen Grounds."
Nessa smiled and inclined her head slightly as Mr. Dunston gave her a salute like Boq gave to him.
"Miss Thropp of Colwen Grounds? You are related, I presume, to the governor himself?"
"Yes, sir. He is my father," Nessa said.
"Ah, of course. Well, if Master Boq would be so kind as to secure the luggage, I can assist you into the carriage."
Boq nodded and picked up the pair of suitcases. Both were splattered with mud, as were Boq and Nessa. The storm hadn't quite reached Rush Margins, but dark clouds on the horizon meant it wasn't far off.
Soon Boq and Nessa were bouncing down a dirt path that wound its way into the forest. Within twenty minutes, a good sized cabin made from logs and stone was visible through the dark oak trees. By now daylight had long since faded, but the orange glow from the cabin windows and the torch lit path made the area bright as day.
"Boq! Boq! Boq!" shrill voices yelled from inside the house.
Two young girls of about six came running from the open cabin door. As Mr. Dunston lifted Nessa down from the coach into her chair, she watched as the girls nearly knocked Boq down in a huge two-on-one hug. From the doorway, a short woman with greying black hair smiled.
"Girls, girls. Please. Let me get into the house first," Boq requested. The girls let go of him and bounded back into the house. The woman, who Nessa figured was his mother, moved aside just in time to let the girls pass.
"Hello Boq," she greeted, pulling her son into a huge hug. As he pulled away, she held on a moment longer so that she could look at him. She smiled and turned on Nessa. "You must be Miss Nessarose. I am Jolla. Welcome, welcome."
To Nessa's surprise, Jolla leaned down and gave Nessa a hug almost as big as Boq's. When she released, she knelt in front of Nessa's chair.
"We are so very glad that you can join us this weekend," Jolla smiled, the sides of her eyes crinkling as she did so. "Now come in, please. The storm is headed this way and we don't want to be out here when it hits. As I'm sure you two learned earlier this afternoon."
Boq stepped behind Nessa's chair and she allowed him to push her inside.
One half of the first floor was a sitting room and a dining room, the other a kitchen. Directly ahead was a staircase that led up to bedrooms.
"I do apologize, Miss Nessarose. Boq didn't- well, we didn't anticipate a need to prepare a room on the ground floor. But we'll make it suitable for you. Boq, go grab the linens in the first guest room upstairs please," Jolla instructed. "And Miss Nessarose, feel free to use the bathroom to freshen up. It's just around there."
"If it is too much trouble, I can find a room at the inn. It's still early. I'm sure I can find a room before Festivation guests begin arriving tomorrow."
"Oh nonsense, nonsense. I just have to apologize that we don't have a full bedroom. The best I can offer is a small bed in the den," Jolla said, concerned.
"That will do just fine. Thank you so much for allowing me to stay. I truly do appreciate it."
Jolla smiled, but could not get out another word before the two girls appeared. They skidded to a halt in front of Nessa.
"Who are you?" the taller of the pair asked, cocking her head to the side like a dog.
"Girls. Manners," Jolla insisted, but Nessa laughed.
"I'm Nessarose. I go by Nessa."
"Okay. I'm Era and this is-"
"I want to say it!" the shorter one crossed her arms and huffed.
"Alright. You say it."
"I'm Ava," the shorter one said proudly.
"Very nice to meet you," Nessa smiled.
The girls bowed together.
"You too."
Then they looked up at their mother, who nodded. Without another word, they turned and ran off.
"They are wonderful," Nessa said smiling. She looked up at Jolla. "How old are they?"
"Six and seven."
"That's the same age difference as my sister and I," Nessa considered. "Are they very close?"
"Exceedingly. You can't pry them apart for anything. The most I can do is make sure that Era allows Ava to say something every once in a while. She usually speaks for her younger sister, who usually lets her," Jolla explained as she walked to the stove to observe a simmering pot. "It is surprising though. You are the first person that she has ever wanted to introduce herself to."
"Maybe she can sense a kindred spirit," Nessa said. "I too have always let my sister speak for me. I'm... I'm not very good with meeting new people."
"Well, hopefully we don't feel like strangers. As far as we're concerned, when you stay with us, you are part of the family," Jolla stirred one of the pots.
"Thank you. Just thank you."
"Of course. Now go get yourself cleaned up. Dinner will be ready by the time you get back."
And sure enough, as soon as Nessa exited the bathroom, she caught a whiff of the meal coming from the kitchen.
She wheeled herself into the kitchen and to the spot where a chair had been removed for her.
"Nessarose, you our are guest. Feel free to dig in to whatever you wish," Jolla said, gesturing to a spread of food all laid out before her. Sliced chicken, potatoes, vegetables. Nessa could feel her mouth begin to water.
Aware of all the eyes upon her, she reached for the basket of rolls right in front of her. As soon as she had placed one on her plate, the rest of the family began passing food around the table and talking animatedly.
Boq recounted what had happened at Shiz during the semester. He recounted how rumors had begun about Animals not being allowed to speak,a pipe had burst in one of the fraternity houses in the middle of the night, and the best. their friend Fiyero had thrown a dance so large that classes were cancelled the next day because everyone was so exhausted that no one showed up.
"And my friend Kal from in town said that there was a fountain of punch so high that it nearly touched a Bird that was flying by," Boq exclaimed, his arms raised above his head.
For a moment Nessa was confused as to why he was exaggerating so much, but then the girls erupted into a fit of giggles, and she realized why.
"Alright girls. Go prepare for your bath. I'll clean up here and be in in just a few minutes," Jolla said, standing up and gathering plates. The girls whined, but she held up a hand. "Go get ready and when you're done, Boq can read you a story. Nessarose too, if she wishes."
The girls looked to Nessa, who nodded. Then their screeches erupted anew and they ran off through a doorway (but not before putting up their dishes in the sink).
"Boq, will you help clear please?"
Boq nodded and began picking up the empty food dishes and taking them to the sink. Nessa did the same, but Jolla held up a hand.
"My dear, you are our guest."
"Please. It's the least I can do."
Jolla shrugged and left through the same doorway as the girls had.
"You really don't have to help, Nessa."
"I want to. And besides, I am the best dish washer in all of Colwen Grounds," she smirked.
"Oh yeah? Well I am the best dish washer in all of Rush Margins," Boq said, puffing out his chest.
"I guess we'll just have to see who's better then. Won't we?"
Boq and Nessa sized each other up for a moment before turning and scrubbing dishes as fast and as thoroughly as they possibly could. The sink was slightly higher than comfortable for Nessa, so Boq handed her a plate whenever she put one on the rack.
As he handed her the last one, his hand slipped on the wet ceramic and the plate fell back into the sink. Water and bubbles slopped over the side.
"I am so sorry," Boq said. For a moment he was worried she might cry or yell or something, but she didn't.
"You're not sorry," she smirked as she wiped bubbles from her nose. Then she reached up and smacked his hand so he dropped his own dish into the water.
They began giggling and shouting almost as loud as the girls did as they threw bubbles and water back and forth at each other. Only when Nessa had given Boq a complete bubble beard and they both had to stop for breath from laughing did their battle cease.
"Having fun?" Jolla asked as she reentered the kitchen.
"Sorry for the mess," Nessa said. "We'll clean it up."
Jolla's eyebrows rose as she smirked. She opened a cabinet and grabbed a few towels. She tossed one to Boq and took the others away for the girls to use.
Boq knelt down in front of Nessa and began wiping the water off of her face. He handed her the towel and she did the same for him.
As she pulled her hand away, she caught herself smiling at him and quickly stopped. She shoved the towel into his hands and wheeled herself backwards a few inches.
"Everything okay?" Boq asked, his brow furrowing.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm-"
Nessa was cut off as the girls' shouts started again as they ran out of the hall into the kitchen. Their hair was still so wet that it was soaking into their thick cotton nightgowns.
"Boq! Boq! Boq! Come tell us a story!" they chanted, dancing around him.
"Alright. Nessa and I will be up in a moment. Why don't you wait a minute and we'll go up together," Boq made a silly face at his sisters and then left towards the bathroom they had just vacated.
"Do you like Boq?" Era asked as she circled around Nessa.
"He is a very nice man. He is one of my friends," Nessa replied.
Ava popped up on Nessa's left side.
"Do you love him?"
"Uh, well..."
"Girls, I believe Boq asked you to go upstairs," Jolla announced.
Era opened her mouth to argue, but a look from Jolla silenced her. She grabbed Ava and the pair ran off up the stairs.
"Ready to go up, Nessa?" Boq asked, walking back into the kitchen. He hugged his mother from behind, which showed exactly how small she was. Boq was on the short side of Munchkinlander anyways, but compared to her, he was a giant.
"Uh, yes. I guess," Nessa raised an eyebrow, frowning.
Boq scooped her out of her chair. His strong arms held her tight as he carried her up the staircase. He deposited her on Eva's bed in the first room.
"Okay," Boq said as he pulled up a chair next to the bed. "What story do you want to hear tonight?"
"I want Nessa to tell us a story!" Ava squealed.
"Oh, okay. Well," Nessa looked at Boq, who motioned for her to go ahead. "Well... once upon a time, there was a prince. He didn't like to go to school. But then he went to this one school. Because he liked to have fun, he threw a party. He met a very pretty, uh, princess. She had beautiful blonde hair, and they loved to dance together. But then, he met the princess's friend. She was also very pretty, though she had beautiful, well, a beautiful emerald gown. The more the prince got to know the princess with the emerald gown, he realized the loved her. Soon she realized she loved him as well. Then, one night the prince was up high in an apple tree, trying to get the perfect apple for the princess. He reached and reached for this beautiful red apple and then promptly fell out of the tree."
The girls squealed. Era's hands flew over her mouth.
"Was he okay? Did he get hurt?"
"Well," Nessa's eyes were wide. "He fell right... into... her... arms. She was so surprised that she nearly dropped him."
"What did she say? What did she say?" Ava squeaked.
"She asked him 'Prince Fiyero, what just happened.' And he looked her right in the eye and said 'Princess Elphaba, I think I just fell for you.'"
The girls began squealing and bouncing up and down on the bed. Nessa tried to make out what they said, but they spoke so fast that their words were almost incoherent. It was only when Ava finally yawned did Jolla finally insist that they go to sleep.
"I'm not sure that is exactly how I remember that happening," Boq said, raising an eyebrow as he placed Nessa back in her chair. "I was pretty sure that he fell on his ass and Elphaba laughed at him for five minutes before finally helping him up."
"His princeliness can be a bit clumsy. I wanted to make him sound a bit better. For the sake of the Vinkun Monarchy."
Boq smiled, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand.
"Huh. Yeah. Well, I should probably get to bed. I am thoroughly exhausted."
"Yeah," Nessa agreed. "I'll see you in the morning."
"Oh. Uh, let me show you to the den. Right through here," Boq led the way through the doorway to the back of the kitchen.
The room was small. A bookcase sat on one side next to a desk. A small fireplace crackled in the corner. It was a close, but Nessa was able to squeeze through and get to the bed.
"Thank you, Boq."
"Of course. Fresh dreams."
Nessa inclined her head as he saluted and backed himself out.
She moved into the bed, and stretched her arms. Her fingertips nearly brushed the sloping ceiling. The den lay under the stairs. How there could be a fire place underneath stairs, Nessa had no idea. This, however, was not the strangest piece of Ozian architecture she had come across, so she chose to ignore it.
The grain of the wood above the bed seemed to swirl like night clouds. Harsh tapping from somewhere above indicated the storm had finally reached Rush Margins.
Nessa closed her eyes, thinking about how her sister, Galinda, and Fiyero were getting on. Things had been a bit tense between Fiyero and Galinda, as both wanted Elphaba for themselves.
Hopefully they are getting along better than us, she thought. But then again, maybe things aren't as bad as I thought they'd be.