Over the next week or so, the two travelers settled into a nice routine. They would awake, eat and bathe and feed Fate and Chistery, then continue on the way to Shiz. During midday they would find a place to stop and rest and practice magic and using the numerous weapons that Zelena had purchased. Zelena quickly fell in love with the staff and Regina was able to wield a sword easily because of some lessons she'd taken at the estate. Then they'd rest and set out again until sunfall and they'd set up camp for the night, just spending time just talking and eating and relaxing. Zelena would usually be the one who would go into her tent first. The first few times she conjured a separate tent for Regina, but the brunette always ended up curled up with her, so afterwards she just didn't even bother. Zelena also switched out her commoner robes for something more...eye-catching. She used a long green dress which she added a reflective material to and sewed a leather cuirass to it. Regina ditched her riding jacket and shirt for a leather bodice and a lace up long sleeved hooded white shirt with long tails. Soon though, they had arrived at the poppy fields leading up to the Emerald City. Regina could see it in the distance.
"Why are the poppy fields next to the road where everyone comes to the city?"
"They're on every road that leads to the city. One whiff and its eternal naptime." Zelena replied, smiling up at Chistery standing on her head. "We shouldn't be too bothered as long as we stay on the road. They stop a little ways from the city anyway." The redhead was practically giddy with excitement.
"Someone is excited." Regina smiled.
"I am. It's my first trip to the city. Do you think Shiz is inside?"
"I doubt it. A university would need a lot of space."
"We should ask for directions as soon as possible then. I don't think the new year has started yet."
"Let's hope so." Regina said, giving the reigns another crack. They were joined by a group of other people who walked beside the cart as they entered the gates of the city. The Emerald City was massive, full of tall veridian buildings and wide streets filled with bustling patrons and carts. Everything aspect of the city seemed like a work of art, it took Regina's breath away just looking at all of it. Zelena hopped down to ask for directions and Regina remained where she was, taking in the city. A minute later, Zelena climbed back onto the wagon and took the reigns, steering them through the streets until they passed through a great iron gate. On the other side was the university of Shiz, situated at the end of a long road. The university was basically its own town. It's own city more like. There were tall buildings made of gray stone with vegetation tracing the cracks, giving the place a feeling of being immersed with nature. People were pouring into the university like a tidal wave and it took them forever to reach a stables where they could put Fate and their supplies.
"Turns out we need something called an Ama, an older chaperone." Zelena said as they walked, looking at all the magnificently carved structures, passing numerous cafes and shops and study halls.
"How do we get one of those?" Regina asked. "Do we really need one?"
"Maybe, maybe not. The check in place is right up here." Zelena lead the way through the streets to a tall spiraling tower. They walked inside and found the interior exquisitely decorated in green and gold furniture. A rather ugly and wrinkled woman who looked like she had pinned the skin of her face back and covered it in 10 pounds of makeup in a foolish attempt to stop the aging process, was standing in the center of an oval room. She had white hair tied into a tight bun on her head and wore a heavy looking dress of fine make. There were other young women like Regina and Zelena standing in two lines against the wall.
"Ama-less to the right, others to the left." said the ugly woman, fixing them with a cold, heavily outlined eye. "Make it quick."
Regina quickly decided she didn't like this woman. She and Zelena went to the line to the right. The woman in front of them was a short blonde with bright green eyes. She appeared shy and reserved, but still friendly.
"This your first year?" She asked.
"Yeah." Zelena answered. "What's the line for?"
"You have to sign in. Once you do that, you go through the test. If you pass, you move on to get your rooms and sign up for your classes."
"What test?" Regina asked.
She shrugged. "I don't know. It changes every year. I'm Melanie by the way." She offered her hand to shake, which they did.
"I'm Zelena, this is my friend Regina. We just got to the city this morning."
"Everything's gonna be fast paced for the next week or so, but it should slow down after that."
"Is this your second year?"
"Yeah."
"Who's the ugly broad with too much makeup?" Regina whispered.
"Madame Morrible." Melanie said, looking disgusted as she said the words. "AKA Lady Horrible. She's headmistress and governs Crage Hall."
"Crage Hall?" Zelena said.
"The dorms for the girls. Guys have one building and we have another on opposite sides of the university. The classes are mixed though."
Now that she had a little bit of insight, Regina felt a little better, but she was nervous about the test. "Do we have to pay like a tuition or something?"
"No." Melanie shook her head. "You just have to buy your supplies. The university is pretty exclusive by itself without bringing money into the mix. Most of the people that come here just want to learn. If people like Morrible had their way, they'd charge an arm and a leg."
"That's good then." She sighed. The line moved dreadfully slowly. By the time the three of them had finally reached the desk to sign their name, the doors of the hall suddenly burst open and in walked a pretty blonde in a white outfit, followed by three dark haired girls of similar age. All of them were expensive looking clothes and shoes and jewelry and Regina rolled her eyes at them and turned back to signing in. She reached for a pen, but the blonde pushed her way in front of Melanie, in turn, shoving Zelena and Regina back.
"What the hell?" Zelena hissed. "Get to the back of the line."
The blonde looked completely shocked and Zelena frowned deeply, as though trying to figure out what was wrong with her. "Have you have any idea who I am?"
"No, and I don't care. Back of the line." Zelena said.
"I am Galinda Upland and my mother is one of the witches on the High Council of Oz." The blonde said haughtily, obviously expecting Zelena to be impressed.
"Congratulations...get to the back of the line."
Galinda scoffed. "Do you know how much money we give this university? Its prestige comes from our family."
"Its prestige comes from the Mother of Shiz, the most powerful sorceress in Oz." Melanie butted in. "Who also makes your mother look like an apprentice."
"How dare you?!"
"What is going on here?" Madame Morrible demanded, striding over.
"I was insulted and I demand all three of them be punished for such slander." Galinda said.
"I didn't even say anything." Regina exclaimed.
"You call yourselves witches?" Zelena scoffed. "I could light fires more dangerous than you."
"Enough!" Morrible snapped. "The three of you...to the back." She nodded to Zelena. "And you I want to see in my office."
"What in bloody hell for?" Zelena asked sassily, crossing her arms. "They started it."
"And I am ending, now move."
"Morrible." Madame Morrible suddenly went stick still. "How about you move?" The owner of the voice stepped forward to stand in front of them. It was a woman, bearing an inhuman beauty, wearing a long pale blue dress. She had long wavy black hair and bright blue eyes.
"Queen Mother, I was only-"
"I know." The woman cut her off crisply and turned to the girls. "I am Diana, Mother and Founder of Shiz. Welcome to the university. I hope you will stay." They each nodded respectfully and she turned to Galinda and her crew. "Miss Upland, you should be in the back, should you not? With those newly arrived. Your mother has no power here, so I suggest you learn to wield your own. Go to the back. Morrible, you are dismissed, please be on your way." Diana was polite, but her words were barely more than subtle commands. Morrible bowed and scurried off like a kicked puppy and Galinda scowled as she lead her crew to the back. Diana departed with a smile in their direction just as suddenly as she had arrived.
"Well, that was interesting." Zelena said cheerfully as she signed her name on a ledger. Regina signed as well.
"Very much so." Regina agreed. They were nearing the door to the test and her stomach threatened to empty itself onto the pretty carpets. What if she didn't make it in? What if she wasn't strong enough? Where would she go then?
"Relax." Zelena said, touching her shoulder. "You got this, Regina."
"What if-"
"No if. When you pass your test, I'll be waiting right outside the doors, okay?"
Regina nodded, watching as Melanie went into the room. She tried to see what was on the other side, but there was nothing but pitch blackness. She waited anxiously until the blonde returned not 10 minutes later, smiling and holding some kind of card.
"See you guys at the dorm." She grinned.
"See you." Zelena said. She took a deep breath. "Well, here I go."
"Good luck." Regina said.
"You too." Zelena strode confidently through the door and Regina rubbed her wrists nervously, praying that Zelena could have her dream come true. She waited and waited. It seemed like forever, but it really wasn't any longer than Melanie had taken. The redhead returned with a triumphant smile. "Go get it." She said.
Regina nodded and walked into the room. Inside, it was so dark she couldn't even see her hand in front of her face. The torches suddenly began lighting around the room. It was smaller than she'd first thought. The only thing inside was a table with a bowl of gems on it and a man standing in the corner. He bore the same inhuman beauty as Diana, but no other resemblance to her. He wasn't much taller than she was and his eyes were friendly, almost amused. His skin was very pale and his dark hair was neatly trimmed and slicked back. He wore only a skin tight light blue shirt and white pants.
"Come on Child. There is no reason to be afraid." He said, motioning for her to step forward. She warily obeyed and he extended his hand. "My name is Godric, and I train the Elites of the university.I hope to see you among them one day."
"I'm Regina."
"You are not of the Emerald City, are you?" He asked.
"Not even of this world, I'm afraid."
"Oh no? That sounds like there is a story behind those words."
"A rather long and dark one." Regina answered. The man had a nice aura about him that made her feel comfortable and she quickly lost the anxious feeling.
"I am sorry for that then." He turned to the table. "The test is simple. You will cut your hand and let a drop of blood touch the gems. 5 of them that represents you the most will glow and levitate. Based on what gems glow and their meaning, I will decide whether you may attend Shiz. Simple?"
"Sounds easy enough." Regina conjured a dagger and slit her finger, letting a drop of her blood hit the contents of the bowl. She healed her hand and dispersed the dagger. For a moment, nothing happened, then one by one, 5 gems started glowing and rose out of the bowl. Godric caught them and placed them on the table in front of her, each neatly lined up.
"The proceedings are based not on what type of jewel is picked, but their colors and their meanings of such." Regina nodded in understanding. The 5 colors were: "Black. Its meaning is protection, class, formality. All excellent traits, yet it also stands for evil." Godric said. "Red. It means, love, energy and passion, but it also means anger and danger. Blue. Means loyalty, trust and intelligence, but it also means coldness and fear. Purple: royalty, nobility and ambition. Yet it also means mystery and moodiness. Last but not least, white. It means goodness, purity and innocence. Unfortunately it also means, that such gifts can be lost. All fine colors. Do you know what I think?" He asked.
"What do you think?"
"I think you have seen darkness, felt it, fought it. You had met cruelty and loss, even at such a young age. But you still fight. There is a power in you, dying to get out. This power could change many things if only you would learn to wield properly. You are cunning and elusive. You are strong and fierce and protect those you care about. But I also think you can be stubborn, and cold, and vengeful, and impatient. All of this sound familiar?"
"Yes sir." She said.
"Shiz is a place for learning and growing. Not just magic, but in many areas. I think we could both benefit from such."
She gasped. "Do you mean?"
He smiled and held out his hand, conjuring a small white card. "Welcome to Shiz University, Regina."
Regina nearly tackled Zelena as she stepped outside. "I got in. I did it!"
"I told you could. Why are you acting so surprised?" Zelena asked. "Come on, let's go get our stuff and check out our room. Do you have your card? What's your number?"
"108."
"Me too." Zelena let out a sigh of relief. "Now I know I won't get stuck with some idiot." She smiled as they returned to the stables and gathered their things. Chistery climbed onto Zelena's shoulder and they followed the signs to the dorms. The dorm was massive and they had to use kind of elevator system to reach the sixth floor where their rooms were located. Room 108 was was large and spacious and decorated in shades of blue. There were four beds, each with their own trunk at the end of the bed, nightstand, lamp and desk. A great big window was the centerpiece for one of the wall, overlooking Shiz with a light blue curtain hanging on it. They chose the ones on the left side and started unpacking.
"Um, excuse me?" They both looked up from exploring their room see a beautiful young girl roll into the room. She had dark hair that was tied at the nape of her neck and wore a pristine red suit with long black and white socks and silver slippers. She rolled her wheelchair into the room and paused to rest for a moment. "I'm Nessarose. I'm your new roommate."
"I'm Regina." Regina said. "That's Zelena. It's nice to meet you." Chistery chittered as he ran across the bed and hopped onto Zelena's shoulder. "That's also Chistery."
"It is pleasure. Have you met the last of our roommates?" She wheeled herself to her bed and pulled her bags off the back and tossed them onto the the bed, quickly going inside to neatly sort everything.
"Unfortunately no. Maybe it'll be just us three." Regina said, sitting on her bed. She and Zelena exchanged smiles before Zelena dove on top of her and they squealed like idiots.
"Our greater destiny begins." Zelena smirked.
"I am supposed to have my own personal suite. This is an absolute outrage. Not only must I share my room, but there is a green freak just down the hall." Both women recognized Galinda's voice and prayed that she would keep walking past their room. Galinda stopped in the doorway. "Ugh, you two? I cannot live like this."
"Do you think they would kick us out if one of our roommates just...disappeared?" Zelena whispered.
"Probably, yes." Regina replied. They had made it into Shiz, but they were stuck with Galinda at the same time. The blonde continued bitching loudly as three guys wheeled in a bunch of pink trunks and suitcases. "Anyway, why don't we go check out the rest of the campus?" Regina suggested. "Would you like to join us, Nessarose?"
"No thank you, dear." She said.
Zelena smirked, leading the way back down the elevator system, Chistery still riding on her shoulder, and they stepped back out into the sun. "Now, let's see what Shiz has to offer."
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Read and Review! Sorry for any mistakes.