Show the World

Rifiuto: Non Miriena

Summary: An Ozian Olympic sport. A rocky relationship. And the school that could help them see that they're more than just teammates, they're partners. In every way, shape and form, both on and off the ice. Fiyeraba.

A/N: So a little side note- my brother plays Curling, that's how he and Zani met. Officially. They were on opposing teams practicing at our local rink when they got shoved together for mixed doubles. They'll both tell you that they met in class and all that, but in actuality, they met at a Curling practice when they were in high school. And all I remember is my brother telling me about the cute Skip with the brown curls and the crooked grin that kept knocking his stones out of the button just to- he was certain- piss him off.

Written: 2009. Found: 2018- Licia

Glinda Upland sighed, flicking through a magazine. She'd arrived early, signed in, and now waited as the other students filled the green. They would be allowed to move into their dorms once all students had arrived and the official Welcoming to Shiz was over.

The bright, afternoon sunshine flitted through the trees, but Glinda paid it no mind. She wanted nothing more than to move into her room and begin unpacking; offered a place in the either the Pink Dormitory, or to share a room with one other girl, she'd taken the second option. Despite her father's wealth as a lawyer, a private suite wasn't one of the options given, but she could handle sharing with another girl.

Students old and new alike milled about, reacquainting themselves or acquainting themselves with each other. So far, Glinda hadn't made many friends; being an only child meant she was fairly reserved and spoiled, but when it came to new people, she was practically mute. She'd never been around many people of other races, and it intimidated her, to say the least.

A car rolling up through the iron gates caused all students to turn their heads, and after several minutes, the doors opened and a pair stepped out. Instantly, excited whispers began to swirl through the crowd. Glinda watched as suitcases were set down, followed by a couple duffel bags, one of which was snatched up and slung over a shoulder.

"Try not to kill each other, please? You have a competition coming up, and I would rather have both of you participating than just one. It's called Mixed Doubles for a reason." The pair rolled their eyes, but agreed, and after a moment, both gave the woman speaking a hug. "And remember, you're not just here to be able to use the ice rink, you're here for an education, to have fun and make friends."

"Friends? What are those?" The guy asked, jokingly. "Fabala doesn't make friends, she makes teammates, remember?"

"Shut up, Yero!" The girl shoved him in annoyance.

"Hey! Remember what I said about killing each other?" The two had the decency to look somewhat ashamed.

"Ah, there are our Ozlympian students. Miss Thropp, Master Tigelaar." The pair turned as Madame Morrible, Headmistress of Shiz University, moved through the crowd towards the pair. "I'm Madame Morrible. Welcome to Shiz University."

Glinda craned her neck to see, despite the group of students gathered around. But that group suddenly parted as Morrible moved through, the two students following in silence. As the Welcome speech started, no one paid attention; they were too focused on the two students, who'd quite quickly slipped off to a tree not far from the crowd. They faced each other, sharing a lazy conversation in a language no one seemed to understand. The girl pulled out an apple from her bag, wiping it quickly on her sleeve before taking a bite. A moment passed, before he reached out, taking the apple from her and stealing a bite before handing it back.

"... and we have the distinct pleasure of having two current Ozlympians attending Shiz for the current year. Fiyero Tigelaar and Elphaba Thropp. Please, try to make them feel welcome."

The pair suddenly looked up to find themselves the center of attention. The apple dropped from the girl's hand, and she tucked her hands behind her back, glancing at her partner. The whispers soon intensified, but Morrible's voice stopped them. "Now, you may take your rooming assignments-"

But Glinda didn't hear the rest, she was too focused on the pair as they moved to join everyone else, after the other students moved to gather their things and shuffle off to their respective rooms. Once the green had pretty much cleared out, the pair made their way towards her and Morrible. It was then that Glinda noticed that the girl was... well, a rather peculiar shade of emerald green. Her long black hair was slicked back in a high, straight ponytail, and she wore the same type of gear he did. But she was small, slender, compared to her partner, who was a head taller than her, and fairly well built, with skin the color of warm bread.

"I trust that Mulhama informed you that we're either to be rooming together or we're to have our own private suites." Her voice was soft, lilting even.

"That was brought up, yes, but unfortunately, co-ed rooming is not allowed at Shiz. And a private suite for each of you would be an option, if there isn't another girl who needs a roommate, Miss Elphaba. And, there is one girl who is in need of a roommate. Miss... Galinda Upland?"

"It's Glinda, Madame." The blonde in question replied. A quick glance from the emerald-skinned girl told Glinda exactly what she thought of her.

"Why do you insist on rooming women with women and men with men? Is Shiz really so backward?"

"Fabala, let it go."

She shrugged his hand off her shoulder. "This is ridiculous. We've been rooming together since we were eight-years-old. It's natural for teammates to room together, regardless of gender. They roomed us together at St. Prowd's back when we were children. How is that any different than this?"

"This is a university, Fabala."

"Don't talk to me like I'm a child, Yero. I know very well where we are." Morrible raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure a private suite isn't an option?"

"Unfortunately not, Miss Elphaba. Mulhama thought it would be good for you to be around other female company." The headmistress replied, handing the young woman a slip of paper. The woman in question took it with a look of disgust, but then plastered a smile on her face. Once satisfied, the headmistress left to check on the other students in Crage. Once she was gone, the smile fell from the girl's face, and she turned to the blonde.

"You must be... Galinda?"

"Glinda, actually. It's a... nickname." She held out her hand, but the girl just stared at it, before her partner shoved her lightly, and she reached out; the two shook hands awkwardly. "So, where are you two from?" The pair shared a glance, before turning back to her.

"The Vinkus." Fiyero replied, adjusting the strap of his bag.

"Both of you?"

"I was born in Munchkinland but I was raised in the Vinkus." Elphaba replied, a bored expression crossing her features, as though she'd explained this a thousand times, which she probably had.

"Oh. How did you end up in the Vinkus if you were born in Munchkinland? And.. wait, Thropp, isn't that the Governor of Munchkinland's last name? And Tigelaar- isn't your family royalty?"

The pair shared a glance, before moving to collect their luggage.

"Good guess, I'm the Governor's daughter. The one he didn't want. Yero here's a Crown Prince, but he'd rather throw stones and sweep ice with me instead of rule a country."

"God, Fabala, can't you ever keep your mouth shut?" He ground out, and she elbowed him in the stomach.

"Can it, Yero." Then, she turned back to Glinda. "Might as well go settle into our dorm, since we're going to be roommmates."

"Sounds great." Glinda gave her a bright smile, and Elphaba forced one of her own.

"Great."