Chapter 3: Second Chances
He had to be in the City for about a week, and it was now his third day. Fiyero had to admit, his first impression of the City had most certainly been strange. And the Quadling leaders were certainly frustrating. Everything they did was steeped in ritual, and it took almost a week to complete a simple trade deal.
That morning, he'd decided to wander the streets and peruse some of the local shops and stands. He'd learned, of course, from his prior experience not to keep too much money on hand wherever he went. Fiyero couldn't get the green girl out of his mind, though he didn't understand why. But he didn't search for her. He'd be gone in several days, anyway.
When a flash color crossed his vision, though, he did perk up. She was wearing a black cloak, wrapped so tightly around her that he could barely make out her face. But the coloring was unmistakable. He watched as she darted around a corner, clutching something in her hand. Fiyero couldn't help but follow.
She ducked into an alley, glancing around her. He sidled after her. She jumped back at once, a small knife coming out from her sleeve. "What do you… oh, it's you."
"I didn't mean to scare you. Tell me you've never had to use that."
"I've never had to actually hurt anyone with it, but having it has certainly helped me avoid some pain." Elphaba tucked the knife back into her dress. "What are you doing following me?"
"I wasn't following you. I just saw you a moment ago."
"So you followed me?"
"I thought… I don't know." He shrugged. "I had hoped you wouldn't be back out here so soon."
She wouldn't meet his gaze. "I'm feeding more than just myself, Fiyero."
At first, he didn't understand what he meant. "Oh, sweet Oz. Alone on the streets with a child?"
Her laugh surprised him. "You're mistaken. I have… comrades, I suppose you could call them."
"And they can't feed themselves?"
"Not always. Look, it's still early. I've got to get back to it." She tried to move past him out of the alleyway and he noted the bags under her eyes.
"Wait." He brushed her shoulder. "You look exhausted. Come sit down somewhere with me. Please. You're going to run yourself into the ground if you keep going."
"I know what I can handle."
"I'll buy you another meal."
The idea of food must've been appealing, because she paused and chewed on her lower lip. "I don't know if I have time for a meal."
"I'll make it worth your while." He jingled his coin purse.
"Why are you doing this?" But she was eying the coins.
"I know no one in this City. It's been a long few days. I want someone to talk to, even if it's not about much of anything." He shrugged. The truth was that he wasn't certain why, but fate seemed to be telling him something. Fiyero almost laughed at the thought. He had never believed in fate. But he knew he was drawn to her in some strange sort of way. He just didn't know why or what it meant.
She appeared to be suspicious of this, but shrugged. "I suppose it couldn't hurt. It might help me avoid…" Her eyes flickered downwards. "Never mind that."
He didn't know what she was so ashamed of suddenly, but he took her hand gently and tugged her back out of the alleyway. "Come. I tried this restaurant just up the street last night and it was delicious. I want to try their pasta today."
She followed silently for the most part, nodding "yes," or shaking her head "no," at questions she was asked.
"You know, if I don't finish my food, perhaps you could take the rest. They have large portions here." He commented as they were seated. Fiyero tried to ignore the uneasy gaze that the host had given Elphaba.
"No! Then they'd know about… it's just not a good idea."
"Know about what? And who are they?"
"Nothing. I just meant that my comrades would find out that I'd gotten some help and they'd be jealous. It's not a big deal." She insisted.
"You seem to be running from something," he observed.
"Running from what? I have no home, no job and no family. There is nothing to run from." Elphaba stuck her nose in the air indignantly. "And nowhere to run to," she added softly.
"If you say so. How did you end up here, Elphaba? You said you have no family."
"At least no family that I know of," she clarified. "I was left behind a small convenience store as an infant. My comrades took me in. I've lived on the streets ever since."
"That sounds terrible."
"I don't want your pity, Prince Fiyero. Is that what this is to you? Some charity case to make you feel better about yourself?"
"No. And would it matter if it was?"
"I'm not sure." She sighed and looked at the small salad that had been placed in front of her. She seemed confused.
"What is it?"
"I haven't even ordered yet."
"There's a salad before that, then the entrée and dessert, usually." It occurred to him that she'd probably never really eaten anywhere even remotely nice before. She wasn't even familiar with what happened in a restaurant. "Go ahead, dig in."
She glanced up at him before uneasily looking at the silverware. At the sandwich shop, she'd been able to eat with her hands. "Why are there two forks?"
He reached over and picked up one of them. "This one is for salad."
"Why? What's the point?"
"It works better, I guess." It had never occurred to him to ask. They'd always had them this way at home in Kiamo Ko.
She delicately took the fork he was holding out to her, as though she were afraid to break it. "That's silly and wasteful."
"I never thought of it that way." Though he did realize it was somewhat pointless, and had always thought so. Wasteful wasn't something that had occurred to him, though.
She munched on her salad. "How rich are you?" After a moment, she bit her lip. "That was rude. I'm sorry. It's an inappropriate question, isn't it?"
"It's a perfectly acceptable question, Elphaba, from you. We're well off enough to take care of ourselves."
"We?"
"My brother and I."
"Is he with you in the City?"
"He needed to keep an eye on things back home."
She cocked her head and blurted. "What about your parents? Can't they?"
Fiyero bit his lip. He knew Elphaba meant nothing by it. She probably had no training in social niceties or tact. "My parents are gone." Uncertain that she'd understand that, he added, "Dead."
"Oh… I… well, neither of us has parents, huh?" She seemed to realize she'd touched on a tough topic. "I shouldn't have asked."
"No, it's fine. My mother died when I was born and my father died three years ago on a trip to the City. His caravan was attacked by robbers and murderers." He remembered when his brother had come to tell him the news, the bloodshot eyes and stern expression. "My brother is five years older than me and he's been in charge ever since."
"So your brother is the king?"
"Yes. He and his wife spend most of the time in the palace. I usually make the visits to the City. He has a young son that he doesn't want to leave quite yet and he doesn't feel ready to leave his post for any amount of time. I'm sure that'll come as he grows more confident." Fiyero looked down. "What are your, uh, comrades like?"
She shrugged. "They took me in when I was a child. That's all there really is to it. I owe them my life. I could never have survived on my own without them."
"They must be good people."
"In their way." But when he looked in her eyes, he saw she didn't mean it.
Author's Note: Do not expect me to post daily. This story is coming along, but it's not near ready to be posted daily. I think I'm probably confident in maybe the first seven chapters, but I always need people to look over things before I post. Plus, I'm a very busy lady! I teach English, coach speech and direct theater. Until our district competitions are over in March and April, I'm probably going to have my hands full.
