AN: Thank you all so much for the lovely reviews! Those were nice "welcome back" presents :).

I apologise in advance for possibly irregular updates... now that my schedule is non-existent (since uni is all self-study at the moment), I'm having a hard time keeping up with dates and stuff :3. I'll try to update as regularly as possible, though.

2. A Distraction

"This is why hereby I, Nessarose Thropp, Governor of Munchkinland," Nessa concluded her speech in a clear, loud voice, "give the Munchkins back all the rights I have taken from them and more. I want to offer you all my most sincere apologies and I want to promise you that I will be a better ruler from now on than I have been before."

The Munchkins looked at one another, clearly unsure of what to think. Then a few hesitantly started applauding and before long, they were all doing so. Nessa knew it would be a while before they would fully trust her – if they ever would at all – but she didn't have the time to wait for that. She had to make her other announcement right away.

She and Elphaba had agreed that Elphaba would not be mentioned at all, lest the Munchkins turn against Nessa completely and ruin everything. The green girl had decided to stay out of the picture completely. Instead, Nessa now simply told the Munchkins that the province of Munchkinland wanted to acknowledge the rights of Animals as well as humans.

"Many things have happened in Oz," she said, looking at her people, "and the Animals have been blamed for those things. I ask you now: was that fair?" She paused dramatically before going on. "It wasn't. And I will not allow it to go on in my province – not for as long as I am still the governor. From now on, I give not only the human Munchkins, but also all Animals living in Munchkinland back the rights they had before the existence of the Animal Banns. I support the Animals and am offering food and shelter to those who need it. From now on, Munchkinland will be a safe place for everyone, people of all backgrounds and races, to live together in peace and harmony!"

That earned her an even bigger applause and she smiled, mentally thanking Elphaba for writing this speech for her. The sisters had known that the Munchkins' support would depend on the way Nessa delivered the news; if she'd told them about the Wicked Witch of the West staying in her house, or if she had simply declared that Munchkinland would be supporting Animals against the Wizard's will, riots would have broken out for sure. This way, no accusations were made and the news was twisted in a way that made it sound positive and revolutionary, which, apparently, the Munchkins could appreciate – despite their conservative nature.

Nessarose answered some questions and then went back inside, tired. She was happy to rise from her chair and stretch her legs. She hadn't wanted to shock the Munchkins by showing them that she could walk now; they'd ask questions she could not give them the answers to yet, and things were already complicated enough as they were.

"Elphaba?" she called, moving through the house. She found the green girl in the kitchen, cradling a cup of tea and looking lost in thought.

"Elphaba?" she asked again and the young witch shook her head, then gave her sister a small smile.

"Sorry. I was just thinking."

"As usual," Nessa said teasingly and for a moment, both their minds flashed back to easier times, long ago.

"How did it go?" asked Elphaba and her sister smiled.

"I think it went well," she said. "Thanks for helping me, Fabala."

"I think I should be the one saying that," the dark-haired witch said with a smile, reaching out to her sister. Nessa took her hand and squeezed it.

She shook her head. "Anyway, I just wanted to say that... that it might not be safe for you to stay here," she said, taking a seat across from Elphaba. "You could be seen, and if that happens..."

"...everything will be ruined," Elphaba finished. "I know. I was planning on leaving soon, anyway. I never intended to stay here and endanger you – I have long overstayed my welcome."

"You've only been here a little over a week," Nessa protested. "And you're always welcome here, Fabala. I want you to know that. You can stay for as long as you want, whenever you want."

"Thank you, Nessie," said Elphaba softly. "But I have already hurt enough people. I won't put you in any more danger than you are already in. I wouldn't have even come here if I hadn't been so desperate for help."

Nessa frowned in concern. "Where will you go now, Fabala?"

"No need for you to break your pretty head over that, Nessie. The fewer people know, the better." The green girl patted her sister's hand. "I'm going to try to make some more arrangements from here, but I'll be leaving in a few days."

Glinda's attention was drawn by the word "distraction".

She hadn't really been paying attention to the conversation between the Wizard and Madame Morrible. They were discussing something at the far end of the table, but Glinda was more concerned with the magazine lying open in front of her. How was she ever expected to pick one single wedding dress? They all looked gorgeous!

She wished her best friend was here... not that she would have been much help. The blonde smiled at the memory of her unflappable green roommate. If she were to ask Elphaba advice about picking a wedding gown, she was sure her friend would just wave one skinny hand in the air and tell her to "just pick something", because "you look gorgeous in everything". Which, Glinda thought, was very sweet, but not very helpful.

She sighed and closed the magazine; and that was when she heard that word.

"Distraction?" she asked, leaning forward. "What kind of distraction?"

The Wizard and Morrible looked up, mildly disturbed. Glinda suspected they had both forgotten she was even there.

"Oh, nothing, dearie," Morrible said, while the Wizard said at the same time, "Something to distract us from what's happening in Munchkinland."

"What is happening in Munchkinland?" Glinda inquired, but Morrible answered before the Wizard could even open his mouth.

"Nothing much, Glinda dear," she said. "Just some political stuff."

Glinda immediately lost interest.

"The point is, though," Morrible continued, "that news about these things is spreading and it could cause discord among the people. We need something, preferably something positive, to distract the Ozians from what is going on in the east."

Glinda's eyes were already shining, an idea immediately having sprung to mind. "Something positive?" she asked. "Like... something that would be cause for celebration?"

"Exactly!" the Wizard said, heaving a sigh. "We just have no idea what!"

"I do." Glinda squealed and clapped her hands in enthusiasm. "I have just the thing!"

And that was why only a few days later, a banner suddenly came falling down and all the Ozians cheered, "Congratulotions!"

Fiyero gaped at them and then at his blonde girlfriend... or fiancée, apparently. "This is an engagement party?!"

"Surprised?" she asked with a giggle. She was rather proud of herself for this. Not only was she providing the distraction the Wizard had wanted, but she was also finally moving her and Fiyero's relationship forward – since he didn't seem to be inclined to do so himself.

"Um... yeah," he replied, dumbstruck. Glinda giggled again when she saw that. He was so happy that he didn't even know what to say! That was so sweet!

"Good," she said, linking her arm with his. "We were hoping you would be – the Wizard and I."

For a moment, she felt guilty. She knew that this was not really her place. It was not she who should be standing here, talking to the people, working with the Wizard... it should have been someone else. Someone smarter, better, and more powerful than Glinda was.

But Elphaba had made her choice and Glinda had, too. Their choices had led them in different directions. Sometimes, just for a heartbeat, she regretted not going with Elphaba; sometimes she envied her friend for being free, and for being strong enough to resist the call of popularity and fame and to follow her heart. Glinda had never followed her heart. She hadn't had the courage.

She shook those thoughts off, however. How could she dwell on them? She was here, adored by all of Oz, and the people were celebrating her and Fiyero's engagement!

They sang and danced, and food and drinks were being distributed by some of the Palace servants. Everyone congratulated her and Fiyero and she took all the compliments in her stride, beaming and thanking the people, and constantly gushing on about her incredible fiancé. No, Glinda's day could not possibly be better. If only she knew then that her perfect life was about to fall apart that very same night.

Does that count as a cliffy?