Hello! New story!
So, if you've read my profile and my other stories, you know that I am NOT a Nessa fan. I think she's a whiny, naïve, spoiled brat who needs to get over herself. So, I began thinking: what if Nessa was a bit more like Elphaba when it comes to her oddity? And I challenged myself to write this fic. Here we go.
And, this is not Bessa. This is Nessa/OC. Sorry, Bessa fans. But, of course, there will be some Fiyeraba, because what's a Wicked fic without Fiyeraba?
Enjoy!
Chapter 1
It was the longest, most awkward carriage ride I had ever been on. Elphaba was staring out the window with wide eyes, like she was a little kid at Munchkin Wonderland. Father was glaring at Elphaba, and our driver, Finley, was focusing on the road, trying to ignore all the tension. And I? I was reading No Pity by Upodi Darkson, a wonderful book detailing the disability rights movement in Oz thus far. Did you know that Shiz's Reckbith program was originally for disabled veterans of the Evian War? I certainly didn't!
I guess I should introduce myself. I'm Nessarose Thropp, second and youngest daughter of the governor of Munchkinland. I also happen to be the future governor of Munchkinland. Elphaba is my older sister, and you might wonder why she isn't going to be governor. Simply put: Father is a bigot. See, my sister has an … interesting appearance. She's green. Yeah. Weird, huh? And because Father didn't want me to be green too, he had our mother chew milk flowers while she was pregnant with me. Buuut … this made me come too early, and thus I am crippled while our mother is no more. Elphaba blames herself for all of this, of course. Honestly, Armageddon could break out, and Elphaba would blame herself!
Father turned to me. "We're almost to Shiz, Nessa," he said with a smile. "You excited?"
"Yeah," I replied. "Shiz will be great. And I know Fabala's excited too. Right, Fabala?"
Elphaba jolted back from her daze. "Huh? Oh, yeah, Shiz, yeah. It's … going to be a thrill."
"I know you'll make lots of friends," Father said to me.
I sighed. "Yeah …" I gave Elphaba an apologetic look. I tried.
She smiled a little. It's okay. Father hates Elphaba for what happened to me, but I really don't. It's not just that I don't think it's her fault (and it isn't), but being crippled is really not so bad. It's made me aware of what needs to be done in Munchkinland for disabled people, and I can't wait to start working on it! And yes, I do use the word "crippled" as well as its slang, "Crip." Father and Elphaba both get queasy when I use it, but for me, it's just like when Animals call themselves "uncivs." It's cool.
Shiz! What can I say about it? It's huge, first of all. I knew I was going to have to balance a campus map on my lap to find all my classes for at least the first year! Because it was move in day, the campus was humming with hustle and bustle. Finley dropped us off at Crage Hall, where the girls' orientation was, and where Elphaba was going to be living.
I swear, as soon as we entered Crage Hall, it was like someone had flipped a switch. Every single eye was on Elphaba. "So rude," she whispered to me. "Idiots, the lot of them."
"Yeah," I agreed. "Didn't their mothers tell them it's not polite to stare?"
"Apparently not. I've had enough of this." She stepped forward and addressed the students. "What?! What all you all looking at? Oh, do I have something in my teeth? Is my underskirt showing?"
But they all just stared at her blankly and did not catch her sarcasm. And oh yes, both my sister and I are bosses when it comes to sarcasm. It just comes with the territory of being crippled and green.
"Alright, fine, let's get this over with," Elphaba said with a sigh, putting down her suitcase. "Yes, I've always been green. No, I am not seasick. No, I did not eat grass as a child …"
"And she's not half elf, either!" I added. "I should know. I'm her younger sister, Nessarose, and as you can see, I'm a perfectly normal color!"
"Elphaba!" Aaand, Father had arrived with our stuff. "Stop making a spectacle of yourself and stop encouraging your sister to do the same. I'm sending you to this school for one reason."
"I know," Elphaba said quietly. "To look after Nessa." Yeah. I had convinced Father to let Elphaba come to Shiz, arguing that I didn't have all my PA shifts filled. It would be cheaper and easier for Elphaba to do those shifts, so Father agreed. Fabala bought me a milkshake that day to express her gratitution!
"My precious little girl!" Father said lovingly. "Here, a parting gift." He handed me a box. Yep, shoes. Definitely shoes. Ugh. Father seemed to think that because I'm crippled, I like pretty things like that. He never got me a book.
But I have to admit, I gasped when I pulled the shoes out. "Oh, Father!" I exclaimed. "Jeweled shoes!" They weren't very practical, but they were very pretty: silver, each jewel catching the light at a different time.
Father smiled proudly. "As befits the future governor of Munchkinland. Goodbye, my dear." He kissed me. I smiled. Father was a kind man – when he wanted to be. "Elphaba, take care of your sister. And try not to talk so much!"
Elphaba looked crestfallen as he left. There was nothing else in that box, nothing for her. "Oh, come off it, Fabala!" I exclaimed, handing her the shoes. "I know you want them. I don't want them; they're ridiculous! I'll wear them when he comes to visit, and you can have them the rest of the time."
She shook her head. "No way, Nessa. I'd look more ridiculous in them than you would. I clash with everything." We snickered at that as the headmistress came into the room.
"Welcome, girls!" she said in an unctuous tone that I immediately hated. "Welcome to Crage Hall, and welcome to Shiz University! I'm Madam Morrible, your headshiztress. Whether you are here to study law, logic, or linguification, I speak for my fellow faculty members when I say we have nothing but the highest hopes … for some of you."
Both Elphaba and I laughed quietly at that. Yeah, some of these girls would not make it far. In particular, I noticed a blonde girl who was literally sitting on top of all her suitcases and primping her hair. How did she even get into Shiz?!
Madman Morrible noticed our sniggering. But instead of getting mad, she strode over to us with a proud smile on her face. "You must be the governor's daughters! Miss Nessarose! What a tragically beautiful face you have."
I bit back a guffaw as I said, "Thank you, Madam." Honestly, the things people say when they're trying to be nice!
The headmistress did a hilarious double take when she saw Elphaba. "And … who are you?"
"I'm Elphaba, the other daughter," Elphaba said with a smirk. "I'm beautifully tragic." I snorted in amusement. Good one, Fabala!
"Well … I'm sure you're very bright!" Madam Morrible said, still recovering from her shock. The blonde girl and her cronies started giggling at that. Why, I oughta … "But Miss Nessarose? You're living at Mujant Hall, correct? Their orientation is starting soon."
"Oh yeah!" I exclaimed, just remembering. "I'd better head down there. Good luck, Fabala!"
"Be careful, Nessa!" And, campus map in hand, I made my way to Mujant Hall.
Let me know what y'all think!
Cheers,
Elle Dottore
