When Boq recounted the horrors of that day's Vinkun History lesson to Nessa over tea in the Shiz library, Nessa felt her stomach churn. "Just imagine if I had…" Nessa thanked Oz that she, along with Galinda and several other History students, had opted to take an alternative module which focused on the effectiveness of Pre-Wizard era rulers. The idea of being flung out of her chair and thrown across the room like a ragdoll chilled Nessa to the core. Her mind turned to Boq, who had recounted the whole story in painstaking detail, while holding a cold compress up to a bruise on his forehead which he had received as he collided with a bench as a result of Elphaba's spell. He told of how in response to seeing a lion cub caged in front of her Elphaba has yelled out in protest, and all of a sudden the room began to spin wildly. He told of how all around him his fellow classmates were thrashing about wildly, their faces frozen in terror, then suddenly several students, himself included, had been hurled haphazardly into one corner of the classroom, as if they had all been travelling very fast and had suddenly stopped dead. Boq recalled how he had seen Elphaba running away, cheeks streaked with anguished tears, followed by Fiyero Tiggular who was carrying the cub. "Boq, you are so brave! I don't know what to say. I'm sorry my sister is so…so wild! She must apologise! But she's been missing all afternoon, still out and about with that Fiyero no doubt, although Oz knows why!" Nessa sat back in her chair and took a loud gulp of tea, which had cooled to tepidness while she had been busy listening to Boq's tale. He nodded and then winced in pain. Nessa noticed his teacup was empty and filled it up, shooting him a look of encouragement. The more he spoke, the more Nessa could perfect her demure persona, which her father had found so becoming. "It was rather scary. I only wish I knew why she did it… to save the lion cub? It looked perfectly fine to me! Just a bit frightened…" Boq trailed off and took a sip of his newly poured tea, "It seems like an awfully stupid idea to me." Nessa blinked disconcertedly. Stupid? She had heard people describe her sister as hideous, reckless, studious, but never, ever stupid. "You mustn't forget though Boq" she said, a little more curtly than she had intended, "Elphaba was very keen on poor Doctor Dillamond. And he was a Goat, the last Animal working at Shiz. To see our lovely Doctor Dillamond fired and then a poor little cub… or maybe a Cub so young it hadn't begun to vocalise yet… caged and tortured at the front of the class… to see the two events happen within moments if each other…" Nessa was starting to understand her sister's distress. She didn't want to say anything that might make Boq think badly of her. She didn't want to look as if she supported Elphaba's irresponsible outburst. And yet she felt she simply had to stand up for her sister. "Elphaba gets rather passionate about Animal rights. That's probably why she…" she gestured to Boq's bruised forehead, smiling apologetically. Boq just lowered his eyes and shrugged.

In silence for what seemed like hours but was probably merely minutes, Nessa and Boq sipped their tea diffidently. Finally, Boq broke the hush. "Everyone, or should I say everything, has its place, Nessa. As the daughter of the Governor of Munchkindland, you should understand that better than anyone." Nessa was taken aback. She had no idea why Boq had begun to sulk so indignantly in the first place, and certainly did not understand what he was now referring too. What did her father have to do with anything? Still, she was glad to see the uncomfortable silence which had come between her and her date dissipate at last, so clearing her throat, she decided that as she had no response to Boq's outburst she had better excuse herself. "I'm sure I don't know what you mean Master Boq," the formality sounded brusque. She regretted it immediately, and yet, what could she do to recover? "My sister should not have lashed out the way she did and I'm sorry for that. Now, if you'll excuse me…" her voice cracked. Now Boq would see her as petty and childish, crying over what hadn't even become an argument, simply a disagreement. Oh, why was she crying? Tersely, Nessa nodded her valedictions and headed towards the library's large double doors. To her dismay, a tear escaped and trickled down her cheek as she went.

"WAIT. Miss Nessa, wait!" Nessa wheeled around. Boq was bobbing after her, a pained expression on his face. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have even mentioned your father's position, nor questioned your Miss Elphaba's motives. Her actions were extreme but on refection, I believe she did the right thing. Please, I'm sorry." He knelt down to come face to face with her. In the dusky light with their faces so near Nessa remembered hers and Boq's kiss... her very first kiss, ever. Her face contorted and she tried to stop her tears, which were flowing against her will, as they often did. "I…I…thank you," She spluttered quietly, "I love my sister so much. She can be wild, I know better than most. But she means well, she always does. And my father, the governor, always does what he believes is right. I don't understand why my father's job has anything to do with anything." Boq drew nearer, his face appeared to soften but his eyes darkened simultaneously. "Your father is the governor of Munchkinland. For years now we munchkins have had our wages, our right to travel, even our clothing, moderated by the local government. Some Munchkinlanders believe that they are being discriminated against. In these 'times of uncertainty' as Horrible…sorry, Morrible, would say, it is understandable that all citizens should be watched, but it's more than just watching, it's controlling," He wiped away one of Nessa's nears with his sleeve before he concluded, "but I'm sure your father is a fair, kind man and has nothing to do with all of that! If Doctor Dillamonds lessons taught us anything, it's that corruption is often the result of the actions of many. I didn't mean to accuse your father. Again, I am sorry." With that Bow stood up, took Nessa's hand and squeezed it tightly, whispered another apology and led her back to their seats where their books were still open, and Nessa teacup was still half full. Nessa smiled broadly through her stale tears, realising that she had overreacted rather unpleasantly. And Boq smiled too, partly because he was glad to have made peace with Nessa, but also because in the silence Boq had had time to think about the fact that Fiyero Tiggular had disappeared with Elphaba Thropp, and perhaps he would return with her on his arm, and leave Galinda by the wayside. As soon as he revisited this thought he kicked himself for being so cruel, and forced himself to look deeply into Nessa's sky blue irises. She had been staring at him adoringly since they had returned to their spot in the library. Their spot? Yes, he was certain they would return to socialise in the library's narrow, secret alcoves again. Nessa's eyes, still slightly watery, appeared to sparkle in the dim library candlelight, the sun having set completely just a few minutes ago. He saw his own face distortedly reflected in the tiny spheres before him. Little did Nessa realise how much she had been lied to. It was common knowledge that Nessa's father was an mean spirited, cruel hearted Munchkin hating leader whose peers struck fear in to hearts of everyone and anyone local to Munchkinland. But, boq thought, what would be the point in upsetting Nessa any more than already was. She may have been the innocent, beautiful block sitting between him and Galinda, but Nessa had a heart. Nessa was cute and trusting and breakable. How could he treat her heartlessly? It wasn't his way.

Author's note: Thanks for reading this next chapter. Some feedback would be wonderful! I don't know how effectively I am combining the bookverse and musicalverse. I love these characters so, so much! :) Thanks again!