Note from me: Don't be angry at me for going from Panthea's point of view, and please don't stop reading! Gosh, do anything but that! I just love Panthea to death, and I thought having her unlock some of Fiyero and Elphaba's past college days would be a nice way to get from here to when he and Elphaba meet again.
I also just realized on the last chapter I accidentally wrote feets. *face palm!*
DIACLAIMER: I OWN NONE OF THE CHARACTERS OR LYRICS IN THIS STORY! =) Except Panthea. She be mine. XD
"Hello, my name is Panthea Cross and I'd like to gain access to the Emerald City."
The guard looked at Panthea like she was crazy.
"No."
Panthea sighed and wished that she had more experience dealing with people. Oz, the only person she had ever dealt with was Elphaba!
What would Master Elphaba do?
"Fine. But don't come crying to me when you get fired for not letting in the Captain's new assistant."
"What?" the guard asked, not falling for it. Panthea smiled smoothly.
"You heard me. I have some classified intel to deliver to his Ozness."
"Really."
"Really. I even have an invitation."
She gracefully pulled out Elphaba's written invite that she had um, borrowed and showed it to the guard, carefully keeping her hand over the date. The man's eyes widened and he stepped aside, allowing Panthea access into the green wonder.
"Here, ma'am," a random person said, handing Panthea hideous but useful green glasses. The girl put them on and blinked several times before approaching a red-headed man.
"Sir, do you know where I can find Captain Fiyero Tiggular?" she asked.
"He's at his Ozness's palace right now."
"Thanks!" Panthea said, scampering off. She walked through the city unnoticed, until she reached a shop. Glancing over her shoulder, she walked in.
"May I help you?"
"Do you have any spare cloaks you were planning to trash? I have no money left, and I was cold."
Begging. This sucks.
"Um, well, I was going to donate this," the woman said, pulling out a small violet cloak, "But you may have it, if you want."
"Thank you!" Panthea said, putting on the cloak and walking off. She son reached the Wizard's grand palace, and, after showing the guard the invitation, entered. She looked around, stunned.
I've never seen anything like this!
"You there! State your business!" She glanced at a large, tough looking member of the Gale Force.
"I have a message for Fiyero Tiggular," Panthea said without skipping a beat. The guard, probably figuring that since she had gained access here already, she meant no harm, nodded and motioned for her to follow him. He led her through a long green hallway before reaching a small room.
"The Captain's office," he said, stepping aside. He opened the door for her and then left.
"What is it?" a weary voice asked, looking up. Panthea glanced around the office. A large map of Oz was the prominent feature, and it was covered in notes and graphs mapping the last known locations of Elphaba.
She sent me to find the man hunting her down?
"Captain Tiggular?" Panthea asked quietly.
"Yes."
"Hi, my name is Panthea Cross. I'm um," she mentally kicked herself.
Dammit, Elphaba, why didn't you give me more information? Think, Panthea, think!
"I am . . . gathering information on the lives of Shiz students, and you are at the top of my list! Being the captain of the Wizard's bravest-"
"I don't have time for this," Fiyero muttered.
"Oh yes, you look so busy now!" The sarcastic comment slipped out of habbit. She was going to get hell for that. But it was true, resting your tired sweaty head in your hands wasn't productive.
"Do you mind?" he asked, frustrated. His face was creased with stress.
"Yes, I do mind making my way from Munchkinland to here and not getting even one question answered!" Panthea said. The lies were flowing more freely than she wanted them to. She would pity him if he wasn't trying to find and capture her master.
"Munchkinland?"
"Yeah, you know, ruled by the-"
"I know who rules it!" the Captain snapped. Panthea smiled vaguely.
I found his shatterpoint. Elphaba. He must've known her somehow, that's why she wanted me to come to him! Yes, Panthea, you are a genius! These humans are easier to figure out than Animals!
"So will you please answer my questions now?" she asked, remembering how Elphaba was unrelentless until she got what she wanted.
"Fine." That worked.
"Who were your closest friends?" She couldn't resist asking. Would he mention Elphaba?
"That's personal."
"That's life," Panthea replied, remembering how Elphaba had said that when she had asked where her parents were.
Fiyero studied her.
"You know, you remind me of one of my old friends."
Fiyero was taken aback by the brash teenager that had just bursted into his office. Though he had only known her for a few minutes, she reminded him of Elphaba. Her witty comebacks, the fire burning in her eyes . . .
"Which friend?"
"Her name was, um," he scratched his head, reluctant to use Elphaba's name.
Panthea gave him a sad smile.
"Never mind, sir."
"Are you done?"
"You haven't answered one of my questions," she pointed out dryly.
"Fine. Shoot."
"Favorite color?"
"Green," Fiyero answered, without realizing what he was saying. Panthea's mouth twitched into a smirk.
It's as if she learned it from Elphaba herself!
"What is the best memory you have from Shiz?" Fiyero hesitated.
"On the record?"
"Only if you want it to be. Believe it or not, I'm good at keeping secrets." Her blue eyes flickered with quiet emotion before turning curious again.
"I believe it."
"Do you trust me then?"
"Yes."
"Why?" Fiyero hesitated and leaned in closer.
"You remind me of a friend, like I said earlier."
"Fine. Here's the deal. Since you are so immensely interesting, give me an answer on the record, and then off."
"Deal," Fiyero said, and the two shook hands.
"So, Captain-"
"Fiyero." Panthea smiled.
"Fiyero. For the record, what was your best memory at Shiz?"
"Meeting Glinda." Panthea's eyebrows raised slightly, as if she recognized the name, but not in the same way Ozian citizens would on a normal basis. Fiyero was getting suspicious. This was no ordinary child.
"And off the record?" Panthea said after a long silence, putting her notebook down. Fiyero hesitated, but there was something about Panthea that made him want to tell her.
"Do you support Animal rights?" he asked softly. Panthea looked taken aback.
"Do you?" she asked.
"Answer first." The girl looked worried for a moment.
"Yes."
"Honestly?" Panthea nodded once more, feverently.
"I know many kind Animals, I can't think of a world where they can't speak or where they are kept in cages."
Fiyero felt like he was having a serious case of Deja Vu.
"Well, my professor in History was a Goat, named Dr. Dillamond."
"That's nice."
"I'm not done." Panthea smiled and leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms.
Just. Like. Elphaba!
"The day he got taken away, a new teacher came in with a Lion cub in a cage, stating if they were kept in cages, they would never be able to speak." He paused when he heard Panthea's outraged gasp. "This girl, she was very powerful, and she got angry and did this accidental spell that made everyone go crazy, like, they weren't in control of their actions, except for me. I took the cage and we ran out to a bridge. We talked, and I remember how she was talkative, and we had a moment. I was embarrassed, as she was an outsider, and left."
"Your best memory is from running away?" Panthea asked, puzzled.
"My best memory is when she took hold of my hand." Panthea was quiet, staring at her hands. "Hello?"
"I'm sorry, my heart just broke." He smiled softly.
Knock, knock!
"Oh Fifi!" called a blonde woman as she opened the door. "Oh, who's this?"
"I'm Panthea Cross, I'm doing a questionnaire for Shiz Alumni."
"Oooh, exciting! Will you be asking me?"
"Yes, when I'm done with him, Miss Glinda?" Panthea guessed. Glinda nodded, smiling, and exited.
"That's not the girl, is it?" Panthea guessed.
"No. I blew it."
"You're not over her?"
"I, I . . ."
"I'm sorry. It's none of my business."
"No, it's alright."
Silence.
Panthea was getting the feeling that she was prodding.
"Can you keep secrets?" she asked leaning forward. Fiyero's eyes darkened.
"Yes."
Panthea took a deep breath.
"I know her."
"Glinda?"
"No."
"Who?" She was losing her nerve, she couldn't do it, she couldn't do it, what if he reported her, what if he-
"Elphaba."
Fiyero's brain shut down. His mind was in chaos. He found it difficult to believe what the girl said, but she was so, so . . .
THINK FIYERO THINK!
"May I explain?" Panthea asked quietly. He nodded, looking at her, his face frozen. "I was raised by Animals. One day, Elphaba arrived where I was living, and we bonded. We were both outsiders, we both had nothing to lose, and I . . . was powerful. She took me as her student. We've been traveling together for two years." She hesitated. "I'll leave now. I'll give you time to let this sink in. I'm sorry for lying." And with that she disappeared in a puff of smoke.
He sat for a moment, and then looked out of his window, thoughtful.
Panthea sat beneath the shade of a willow tree that blocked the bright glare of the emeralds. She had taken off the glasses, and mulled over her revealing conversation with Fiyero. Did he even believe her? Would he report her? Would the Gale Force show up at any minute and-
"You again!" Panthea jumped and looked up.
"Captain Tiggular!"
Oh Oz, he's here to arrest me, oh Oz, oh Oz, I'm dead!
"I'm not here to arrest you."
Did I say that out loud?
"Yes you did."
Dammit!
Silence.
Good, he didn't hear that.
"Why are you here then?" she asked quietly. Fiyero sat next to her.
"I want to hear about Elphaba."
"Look, no offense, but I care about her well-being, and I refuse to open my mouth until I know just how you know her." Fiyero pursed his lips.
"Fine. Follow me."
Wow, such a quick update from me! That's what I get for being sick! Hehehehe so review review review!
And tell me what you think about Panthea, I love feedback!