Space Address: 4C – Wind/Breeze
Word Count: 987
Warnings: Creepy old woman.
The six years Elphaba had been with the circus were some of the best years of her life. Never before had she felt more welcomed or accepted within a community. Just as Torrance had suggested, she was presented as a fairy that they had found deep in the forest and the audience ate it up. After the show, children were lining up to get a closer look at the fairy. Elphaba didn't care much for the attention but she preferred wonder to disgust.
It just started with her riding out on one of the Horses and waving to the crowd. Then, Torrance started training her in magic and Elphaba learned that she was good at it. When Torrance could make a stick turn into a bouquet, Elphaba could create blooms all around the tent. She incorporated her magic into her trapeze and tightrope act and soon she had her own poster. At first, she was scared that her father would come across one and go after her, but Teenie assured her that they would protect her if it ever came to that.
Elphaba's signature act incorporated a gust of wind that would give her the appearance of flying. She couldn't actually fly, that would require a much more powerful spell, but as far as everyone was concerned, she could and her "wings" were powerful enough to create small gusts. As time went on, Elphaba had grown to love the stage. It was the only time she felt celebrated and everyone loved her. True she would never belong in the real world, but she had a family here.
Everyone at the camp loved her.
Except Yackle.
Elphaba didn't know what the old crone's deal was. She lived in a freak show and there were plenty of people as strange as her. Still, Yackle never physically hurt her, so she didn't say anything, but she made it a point to never be alone with the woman.
Throughout the years, she would send Nessarose letters and hope that Father didn't throw them away. She kept them vague and mostly inquired after how her sister was doing. There was never a reply, but she didn't expect one.
The circus was always on the move and they saw the most wonderful cities of Oz.
One of Elphaba's favorite places she ever went to was the Emerald City. Nobody stared at her and she could walk anywhere freely. It was there where she found the perfect gift for Nessa. Lurlinemas was next month and post was slow.
She found the most beautiful pair of earrings made of ornately twisted gold and imbedded with emeralds. She spent most of her money on them and had them gift wrapped as well. She barely had enough time to buy the rare postcard before she was called back to the train.
As she sat down to write, she found one of the newbies, Karl, going through her things.
"HEY!" she shouted, snatching her sister's hair comb from him. "Keep your hands to yourself or you'll be juggling with your feet from here on."
Huffing, Elphaba grabbed a satchel Teenie got her for her birthday and stuffed her favorite possessions into it. Nessa's comb, her little green bottle, the book of short stories she was reading, and, in a lapse of concentration, some carrots and apples, though she wasn't sure why.
"Miss Elphaba, I need you for a dress fitting," said Lettie.
"What else is new?" Elphaba teased and followed her to the car with their costumes and some of their props.
Her new costume looked absolutely beautiful. A short dress that looked as if it were made of leaves.
"You've outdone yourself again, Lettie," said Elphaba, clasping the cloak made of gossamer and silk flowers over her shoulders before admiring herself inn the mirror. "I actually feel attractive in this."
"Long live Queen Elphaba," said Lettie, chuckling.
Half of the troop gathered in one of the Animal cars and opened the doors to watch the first snow. Still in costume, Elphaba sat on a barrel and wrote out her note to her sister, the wind howling outside.
My dear Nessie,
I'm on the move again. I still think of you every day. I'm still happy where I am and I hope this comes in time for Lurinemas. I saw them and thought they were so beautiful. I
"Look! You can see the Emerald City in the distance," said Teenie, pointing.
Grinning, Elphaba set her postcard down and placed the gift on top of it to keep it from blowing away. Their train was currently blasting through the mountains of the Vinkus and the view was spectacular underneath the full moon. The Vinkus was so big, it would take them months to travel through it factoring in rehearsals and performances.
The train jumped and Elphaba felt herself suspended in midair, like when she fell from the trapeze. This time… there was no net.
"ELPHABA!" Birch shouted, stretching his paw out in vain.
~o0o~
"Miss Nessarose," Nanny called. "Another postcard and present."
Nessa wheeled into the foyer and snatched the postcard and gift from Nanny before Father could confiscate them. She opened the present and sighed in awe.
"Those are lovely, Miss Nessarose," said Nanny. "Would you like me to put them in your jewelry box?"
"Yes." Nessa turned the postcard over and read the note.
My dear Nessie,
I'm on the move again. I still think of you every day. I'm still happy where I am and I hope this comes in time for Lurinemas. I saw them and thought they were so beautiful. I
Miss Nessie, I am so sorry to tell you this, but Miss Elphaba has fallen from our train and could not be recovered. We are making sure you receive the gift and her note. She loved you very much, Miss Nessie.
— Birch
Nessarose dropped the postcard in her lap.
Elphaba was gone…
Forever.
