Dear Ms. Thropp,

We're pleased to inform you that your application for a first-year entrance to Shiz University has been successful. In this letter, you'll find (A) Boarding and meal plans (B) …

We wish you the best of luck. Oz-speed to Shiz!

Sincerely,

Madame Thembaton

Head of Administrative Office

Shiz University

Elphaba sat down hard on her bed and stared at the letter, hardly daring to believe it. After three – no, nearly four – years of wanting, of dreaming, to go to a University, it was finally coming true. No more washing, dusting and letting her days go to waste as nothing more than a housekeeper. It was going to be just days of pure studying and – Oh, I can't wait!

Elphaba looked around her small room, the one she had ever since they'd moved over after Mama died. It was rather simple (Nessa's was almost thrice as large as this) with the bare necessities, and Elphaba took one moment just to imagine the endless possibilities of this new school. How – if she just studied hard enough – she might win an internship in the City of Oz. She might even meet the Wizard! Oh, to be able to accomplish so much … Maybe Father would even be proud …

You'll be teased, though. A snide voice hummed in her ear. Don't forget, "Beanie", you're still green.

I've had more than ten years of dealing with it, Mister. Shut it.

She stood up and carefully folded the letter back into the envelope, before tucking it into the small bag she'll be bringing. I really need Nanny to help me buy a sturdy pair of boots. It's been so long since I went to school that all my previous pair of shoes must've fallen apart.

Glancing into the mirror, Elphaba took off her glasses and wiped them clean. As she put them back on, she stared into her reflection and smiled slightly.

"It'll be the start of a new life."


Dear Ms. Uplands,

We're pleased to inform you that your application for a first-year entrance to Shiz has been successful. In this letter, you'll find (A) Boarding and meal plans (B)

We note that you have applied to enter the Sorcery Seminar taught by our distinguished Head Shiztress, Madame M. Morrible. It is our sad duty to inform you that this was not successful.

We wish you the best of luck. Oz-speed to Shiz!

Sincerely

Madame Thembaton

Head of Administrative Office

Shiz University

Galinda frowned. Who was this Madame Thembaton? Had she even read my entrance essay? However, she quickly smoothed out her forehead, reminding herself that even this, no matter how troublesome, was not worth having frown lines over. It's not a big deal, she reasoned. I'll just approach Madame Morrible and talk to her about this. Surely she'd have read my entrance essay. Communication errors happen in large offices all the time.

Galinda stuffed the letter into her drawer and stood up. As she looked into the full-length mirror to admire her new skirt, a grin formed on her face. Finally, she was off to a University! Her grin widened as she realized that, for once, no one she ever knew was going to accompany her.

"It's time for a new life, Miss. Galinda." She said aloud into her smiling reflection. "And this time, you'll be in the thick of it all!"


Dear Ms. Thropp,

I am pleased to inform you that you have passed the test with flying colours and therefore, you've been successfully accepted to Shiz. Rest assured that I will be personally overseeing your care and needs, as well as ensuring that the hallways of Shiz are fitted to your utmost convenience.

I wish you the best of luck. Oz-speed to Shiz!

Sincerely,

Madame Morrible

Head Shiztress

Shiz University

Nessa folded the letter neatly. Yes, she supposed it was all well and good that she'd be attending a proper school at last. Yet …

Nessa looked at her legs, her crippled legs, and gave an inward sigh. Of course, there were times when, growing up, she wanted a pair of normal legs. To run, to tumble, and even to take a fall – something that Father would never have allowed her to do. It was difficult sometimes; waving out of the window at Elphaba when her sister left for school and then wheeling herself back into the study to wait for her tutors to arrive. Even when her sister had come home with torn books or scratches on her face because of her classmates' bullying, Nessa wished – so hard – that it had been her instead. Partly was because she hated seeing Elphaba brush off the hurt, and partly because she wanted to feel like she belonged. Like she wasn't some weakling that had to be constantly checked up on, constantly taken care of.

You have so much to be grateful for, Nessa. Now, Elphaba might have legs, but you won't ever be teased because of your skin. With your luck, there'll always be people here to help you.

Nanny's voice repeated in her head, the reply she had given when Nessa had confided her thoughts when Elphaba was in school. Nessa had kept quiet then, ashamed of how she felt. Of course she was grateful! Why shouldn't she be?

But … Was it wrong? Was it wicked to want more?


Your Majesty,

I am pleased to inform you that Prince Fiyero has been successfully admitted into Shiz. As I have said before, it is our duty and our joy to teach one who is willing to learn. However, I am obligedified to warn you: If the Prince does not show any inclination to improve upon his previous results despite our best efforts, then it is beyond our ability to help him. He will then be expelled from Shiz.

Personally, I have no doubt that your son will exceed our expectations. I wish him, and you, the best of luck. Oz-speed to Shiz!

I remain your humble friend.

Madame Morrible

Head Shiztress

Shiz University

Fiyero groaned as he finished reading the letter. Flopping onto his bed, he massaged his temples. "I hate people who suck up to royalty." He muttered. "'I, however, have no doubt that your son will exceed our expectations'." He mimicked in a singsong voice. "'Obligedified'? Is that even a word?"

"Be that as it may, Fiyero, you must be happy that another University is willing to accept you." The Queen of the Vinkus, while usually gentle and mild-mannered, didn't hesitate to use a reprimanding tone on her only son.

"Mother, you know it's no use. I'm going to be King one day whether I like it or not, and no amount of education will teach me how to do that."

"Oh, Fiyero. Letting you go to University is a chance for you to interact, to experience life beyond the castle walls! The lessons you learn may be far more applicable in real life than what your tutors can teach you."

Fiyero rolled over and looked balefully at his mother.

"So you do agree that all those tutors were a waste."

"I didn't say that, Fiyero." The Queen sighed. "Listen to me. The world outside the Vinkus is a large, large place. Being King doesn't just mean ruling our people, it also means being present at meetings, dinners …"

"Oh, joy."

"… And being aware of how to act." His mother gave him a look that indicated he should keep his mouth shut for a while. "Fiyero, once you're King, you're going to be in this castle for quite some time. Please, just learn to live outside for a bit and while you're at it, learn something."

The Queen leaned in. "Perhaps you'll even meet a girl."

Fiyero snorted. "Mother, it's not the 3rd century anymore. People don't fall in love the second they meet and even if she does, I'm not even sure I'll be interested."

"Hmm." The Queen gave him a searching look. Seeing that he was determined to wallow in the misery of attending another University, she rose up gracefully and said, "I'll get the butler to see to your luggage."

Fiyero waited until the footsteps faded before burying his head in one of the many pillows on his bed.

What's going to be new at this bloody University? One or two classes, nights at the local bar, a few one-night stands … Hell right, I'll meet a girl. They're all the same. And afterwards, it's going to be another school, another University, until Father pops it and they lock me up here for good. Maybe even with one of those insufferable Princesses to help "continue" the Arjikis' royal line.

Fiyero shuddered.


A/N: Surprisingly, I loved writing Nessa. The words to describe her feelings just flowed out of me and it gave me quite a happy shock.

Elphaba, as always, is a character that I'm dying to explore more. After a marathon of Wicked (musical) videos, I wrote down a series of words used to describe every actress' performance. One of them that came up repeatedly was "dreamer" - well, because that's what "The Wizard and I" is all about! The part dealing with that song comes later though, and I'm rubbing my hands in anticipation of "What Is This Feeling?". Simply went comatose with laughter watching Willemijn and Chantal doing that song on Willemijn's last Oberhausen show.

Fiyero. Ah, Fiyero. Who was it that wanted more of him? Well, I hope that satisfies your craving for now! "'Obligedified'? Is that a word?" was my favourite sentence in this chapter - I laughed to myself when I was writing the part Mr. Sullen Prince Fiyero. Just you wait, Henry Higgens - I mean, just you wait, Fiyero. You're going to meet girls ... Lots of them ... Different sizes and shapes and even colours.

PLEASE R&R! I'm giving out free chocolate chip cookies and a cup of warm milk to go with them :)