Alright, wanted to post a little note. Originally, this story was rated M, but I feel like a lot of people hadn't been able to see it or were afraid of the rating. As there isn't going to be any graphic sex or violence, I decided to lower it to a T rating. That being said, there are some darker themes and adult language. Thanks!

Plot bunny I've had stuck in my head for something like a year and a half. It wouldn't work... but then something gave and it all clicked! So here is Mad World, names after the 80's song Adam Lambert covered.

This originally was going to have a long prologue, but I eventually decided it was dull and unnecessary... so I'm sort of starting in the middle of things, but I think it works better this way.

"You wanted to speak with me?" she asked, feeling breathless as excitement bubbled under the surface. She tried to keep it from showing but knew she wasn't doing a wonderful job of it. Her attempt at being cool, calm, and collected had failed.

Jackyl nodded to her. "Yes, Fae. Just waiting for one more."

"Who?" she asked, feeling impatient.

"Leonine." She turned her nose up in distaste at that and Jackyl laughed at her. "He knows the target- your target. You are going to need his help. Unless you'd rather pass on this and let someone else-"

"No, not at all. Where is the dear? Glad to work with him." He laughed at her, but it was good natured.

Elphaba, a few weeks shy of her twenty-third birthday, had been raised among the Resistance for her entire life- not that she had been aware of that for most of it. She'd been brought to the Emerald City by her grandmother, or at least an old woman claiming to be her grandmother- everyone had had doubts about there being a biological relationship there, including Elphaba. The woman had died when Elphaba had been a small child, only about four or five. She had gone on to live with a few friends of the old woman. Minette and her husband Carsine had welcomed her into their home with open arms, and her own curiosity had gotten her mixed up in the terrorist group that kind-faced Carsine was the founder of.

She loved it, except for the fact that due to her gender and youth, plus the fact that all of the leaders of the Resistance had known her when she was in pig-tails meant she had very, very little to do. She attended meetings, but knew little of what was going on. Carsine insisted on keeping her out of the worst of it, and no one challenged him. He was one of the nicest men you could meet, but he thought of Elphaba as his daughter, and didn't want her hurt.

Really, it was sweet most of the time.

Leonine finally showed up then, "What do you need me for, Jackyl? Miss Fae," he said, nodding to her. He was arragant, vain, and cocky. Elphaba hated him, but no one else seemed to mind him much. Worse, he was perfectly aware of how much she disliked him and enjoyed egging her on. He was Gillikinese and came from a wealthy family, underscored by the fact that he had attended University. How he had become a terrorist, she didn't know.

"She's going to need your help, you need to introduce her to the Vinkun Prince."

For the first time she could remember, Leonine looked disturbed. "What do we need with him?"

Jackyl shrugged. "Hopefully nothing but a little information. Your old buddy's father died about a year ago. He's the leader of the most powerful Vinkun tribe, and as such is the most potentially influential man in the West. Hasn't done much of anything yet, just maintained order and ensured old laws are followed, which is fine. We just have no idea what his thoughts on the Wizard are. Most likely he already opposes him, or can be convinced to come to our side. If not... well, let's not think about that yet."

"So what, you want me to ask him what he thinks about politics?"

"No. You're noble born and no matter how good friends you are, he might suspect something from you. He'll only be really honest with someone he expects to have no political ideas, someone who probably wouldn't understand much of what he's talking about anyway. That's where Fae comes in. She can feign innocence and ignorance. She can probably get him to open his mouth, and she'll be able to keep tabs on him."

"What?" the word popped out of her mouth as she began to feel uncomfortable about what she was to do.

Leonine smirked at her obvious discomfort. "Fae, the Prince isn't some twelve year old kid. He's not quite a year older than you. He's stuck in an arranged marriage, since he was a little boy. Word is he's never been unfaithful, but...."

She held her hand up as she already understood what he was implying and had had enough of it. "Are you really saying you want me to sleep with him to see where his political ideology is?" She shivered in disgust at being used as nothing better than a whore.

Jackyl looked down. "If you can get the information without bedding him, by all means... but you need to get the information, first and foremost." He smiled, knowing she wasn't quite convinced to do it, "Unless you're afraid to do it. Surely one of the other young ladies in the Resistance would be willing to do her part-"

She cut him off. "Stop it, you know I'm doing it. What's his name, anyway?"

"Fiyero."