Rifiuto: Non Miriena
Written: 2013 Found: 2017- Licia
She awoke with a slight headache, unaware of nothing but the aching in her joints. She felt as though she'd been taken for a ride in Madame Yaga's house without any warning, or been run over by a swarm of dragons. It was a slow process, climbing to her feet, but eventually she managed. Once standing, she let herself look around-
"Oh, great. I leave Bookend, only to end up back at Ever After High. What do they have some sort of force... field-" She stopped, realizing that it didn't look like the private boarding school she had spent the last two years attending.
Actually, three years, since no one at EAH even bothered to understand that you're a year older than everyone else. Because your father had you privately tutored at home until you were about fifteen- so you skipped your first two years at EAH and entered the school as a junior, so technically, as of now, you're a senior. But that giant lug of a headmaster decided to put you with the current sophomore class, despite the letter your father wrote requesting you be placed with your appropriate class.
She sighed. She hadn't minded attending EAH, but the fact that she was placed in Apple's class, and was essentially forced to relearn everything she'd already been taught by her tutors had irked her to no end. Throw in all the high school drama that came with it, and she was about ready to pull her hair out. She certainly didn't look like seventeen going on eighteen. She looked about fifteen going on sixteen, but none of that mattered to the school. She was a student, a sophomore, as far as Headmaster Grimm was concerned, even though her father, the Good King, had specifically requested she be placed within the senior class when she entered Ever After High.
Just another of Papa's wishes being ignored by the morons of Bookend.
The school she stood before was gorgeous. Old ivy climbed the stone walls of what she could only assume were the dorms, and a good-sized canal cut the green in half-
Laughter reached her ears, and she noticed a trio of students making their way towards her, lost in conversation. She quickly darted into the bushes, watching the students in silence. The shorter one reminded her of Apple- with her blonde curls and almost sickeningly sweet and cheery disposition. It was the other two that peaked her interest. The young man's sandy hair fell slightly into his eyes, and he listened intently as the blonde talked, his hand tangled tightly with the other girl's- the girl of whom was... green? She had to be seeing things. There was no way that a person could be green.
"... definitely think that..."
As they got closer, the green girl's head snapped towards where she was hiding. Choking on a gasp, she attempted to duck further into the bushes as the green girl pulled away from her companions and made her way towards the bushes. Frantic, she pushed herself as far back into the bushes as humanly possible as the girl slowly parted the bushes.
Violet eyes met brown, and after a moment, the green girl glanced back at her friends before turning her attention back to the teenager in the bushes. Her voice was soft, lilting, as she asked one simple question.
"Why are you hiding in the bushes?"
She swallowed, struggling to think of a reason. "I... I..." But the green girl held a finger to her lips, and stood. She turned her back to the bushes, tucking her hands behind her back.
"Yero, why don't you meet us in the dorm? Glinda and I will be right up." After a moment, the young man nodded and did as told, leaving the two girls alone. She then tugged on the blonde's sleeve, and the girls turned back to the bushes. Slowly, both girls knelt down, and the green girl instantly clapped a hand over the blonde's mouth. "Don't make a sound, Glinda." The blonde nodded. The green girl turned back to her. "Who are you?"
"I... I..." She swallowed, her voice coming out soft. "My name's Raven."
"What are you doing in the bushes?" The blonde whispered, pushing the green girl's hand away.
"I... I..."
"Do you even know where you are?" The green girl asked, and Raven shook her head. "You're in Oz. At Shiz University, actually."
"Maybe we should get her inside-" The blonde started, but turned to her friend, letting out a soft squeal. "But... how are we going to? All guests have to sign in with Morrible-"
The green girl waved it away. "We'll say that she's my and Nessa's cousin, come to visit from Upper Munch."
So that was how Raven found herself wedged between the blonde- Glinda- and the green girl, who she discovered was named Elphaba, standing in the headmistress's office, staring at this... what she could only describe as a fish-woman.
"This is your... cousin, Miss Elphaba?" The green girl nodded.
"Yes, Madame Morrible. Raven Evella is my Aunt Sophelia's youngest daughter. She was born and raised in Ev, until she moved to Upper Munch to attend boarding school. She finally got permission from Aunt Sophelia to attend Shiz early." The girl in question shifted uncomfortably on her feet, trying hard to keep eye contact with the headmistress. She caught Elphaba's gaze as the green girl reached out and took her hand, lacing their fingers. She gave Raven's hand a squeeze, and lifted her head. "If it's all right, I promised Aunt Sophelia that Raven could stay with me while she was here- at least, until she could get settled into her own dorm room. Her things will be shipped from Upper Munch once she's got a permanent place to stay."
Morrible seemed to consider Elphaba's request before consenting. "As long as it's okay with Miss Glinda, then your cousin may stay with you for the time being, Miss Elphaba."
"I don't mind." Glinda spoke up, giving the younger girl a bright smile. Once Raven had signed the guest book- she had to stop and remind herself not to sign 'Queen', for she was no longer a Queen, but an Evella, whoever they were- Elphaba and Glinda led her out of the Morrible's office. As soon as the coast was clear, Elphaba grabbed Raven's hand and the three girls rushed up the stairs towards their dorm, a huge weight lifting off Raven's shoulders.