Listening to Oliver Tompsett's CD (Sentimental Heart) has really helped me write this chapter, I don't know why but his voice just inspires a spark of creativity for me. He's like god. There is nothing his voice (and no doubt he) cannot do! :p Best Fiyero EVER. I suggest you all find someway to listen to his CD. DO IT DAMN IT!

I've taken to re-writing everything as I type because I realize that my writing back when I began this was well Shit. So forgive me if it seems odd, but yeah. Anyhu… this chapter has been the hardest for me to write and I hope its okay, I don't really like this one that much. I think this fic is more musicalverse than book, which is odd coz I usually write bookverse better. But it has elements of the book because I love it… anyway… I'll stop babbling on…. (I split this chapter into two just so you all know coz originally it and the next chapter were one huge big chapter, but I thought it may be best to split it )

REVIEWS PLEASE, if you do then I'll give you all a treat in the form of… A) Fiyero backrubs for the rest of the year (just make sure you don't try anything on him, coz he's MINE) B) Glinda (you can do what you wish with the perky Blonde) C) some magical tips from our own Elphaba on how to make your own man of tin

Positively Emerald

'The Emerald City, Heart of Oz, beauty amongst the thorns of society, the City for all those who seek higher and better things, home to our most Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Emerald City is truly the place for those who seek to be part of the 'It' crowd in Oz. A place where people come together to be together as one big happy popular family, the City's stunning beauty and shining lights shine through out the land of Oz as a beacon for the good that one could achieve in a place as magnificent as Oz (if one had the power of a Wizard of course). The emerald encrusted walls, although beautiful, can also prove somewhat dangerous, so unless one wants to risk blindness, so don't look too close, a small downfall for the most swankified place in Oz.'

Glinda read from the Ozmopolotan she'd purchased on arrival to the new city.

The article certainly told no lies, the moment the two friends had entered the gates of the city, they'd been enveloped in the world that was the capital city of Oz. so full of hustle and bustle, it was all so scadelasious!

Walking the streets of the good part of town, Glinda and Elphaba looked somewhat different to the people of the City, for the large amount Glinda stood out the most in her bright lemon yellow frock and yellow heals. The Emerald city fashion sense was widely based off of the details of the city itself, the main choice of colour worn by the city folk being an extravagant shade of emerald green, which was accented by all the kooky styles and cuts of their elegant garments. The city really was wonderful!

Beside her, Elphaba smiled so widely Glinda thought her friend had gone mad. Leaving the luggage in their hotel room, the two had set off on a track to sight see around the city. The big meeting with the Wizard wasn't planned till the end of the week, but Morrible had suggested they go before then and get settled in the city, for it appeared there were plans for at least Elphaba to spend a lot more time there in the near future.

Within moments the two were lost in the buzz of city life, surrounded by people, all smiling and laughing. It was like a wonderful dream, and the only thing that would have made it better for Glinda were if she could have shared it with Fiyero too. Her best friend and her Boyfriend, the people she loved the most (besides her Mumsie and Popsicle) being with her would have made her dreams come true. Smileing, she felt like a princess, all around them people flocked to them none seeming to even notice or care about Elphaba's skin being the same shade of their home and blessed city. Seeing her friend's smile, Glinda felt such a joy for her, seeing her happy made Glinda a thousand times happier. The glow that took over the raven haired beauty (for Glinda had long come to see her as so, no matter how Elphaba denied it) gave her a surreal look, like she belonged.

Glinda took her arm in her own, walking in step with each other.

"Elphie! This place is supercalifragilisticexpialidociously fantabulous! I don't ever, ever, ever want to leave!" she giggled girlishly.

Elphaba glanced at her, eyes shining. "Me either. Glinda lets live here. After Shiz, you and me, we could I don't know… live here, as room mates, we belong here." She beamed, doing a semi circle Elphaba laughed heartily "Glinda, I want to remember this forever, look!" she pointed to the people around them in excitement "Nobody's pointing. Nobody's staring; finally I'm somewhere… where I belong"

Seeing a vendor with an arrangement of different accessories, Glinda bounded over to him with a big smile, taking a pair of green glasses and pushing them up on her nose. Looking back to her friend she smiled through the emerald tint, which only caused Elphaba's clothing to take on a green tint, leaving her otherwise as Elphaba looked anyway. "Elphie, you look positively emerald!" she struck a pose, hand in air, chest pushed out, other hand on her hip and a pout in the most girlishly fabulous pose she could muster, causing Elphaba to burst into a fit of the giggles.

"You're so strange!" Elphaba giggled, as Glinda paid for the glasses and handed another pair to her.

"You know you love me!" Glinda couldn't help but reply, placing the glasses on her friend, making Elphaba burst into another fit of very un-Elphaba-like giggles, before the two headed off to explore the city some more.

None of them ever dreaming that this would be the last time they would be together alone as friends for a very long time.

Elphaba couldn't take it anymore, she felt sick, she was sure she'd faint, she wanted… no NEEDED to get out the room. Sitting in her and Glinda's shared room, she was going crazy. The room felt stuffy and hot, yet outside the storm had rolled in fast. Rain pelted the windows harshly, each droplet making Elphaba shudder. She was set to meet the Wizard that day but fear of being caught in the rain now clouded her mind.

Safe and warm in her bed Glinda mumbled in her sleep, not bothered by the rain at all. The blonde gave off a light hypnotic rhythm of gentle snores, something that Elphaba had learned to live with a long time before. It was actually soothing most nights to know that Glinda was there and sleeping up a storm.

Storm, Elphaba looked out into the dark sky, it was barely 3AM and yet the city was still light, the emerald's still shining into the night illuminated by inner lights inside the damn walls. At first it had been pretty and had made Elphaba happy, but now she found it all a bit too much, having been there a week with the permanent need to wear those wretched glasses and needing to sleep with eye shades, it was a relief when one could glance up and see the darkness of the sky, even if no stars shone through it was still a comfort. The only thing that ruined the illusion was the rain.

Elphaba had been unable to sleep and knew she had to go for a walk to get some air if she wished to rest before her 'big day' but couldn't risk the rain. So she sat like a cat forced in doors when all she wanted was freedom. She wanted to scream.

Sitting on the window seat under the window, Elphaba sighed. For all the beauty of the place she missed Shiz. She missed her dorm, she missed her bed. But most of all she missed her freedom to move around when she pleased.

Constantly being stuck with Glinda had begun to take its toll. Although her guilt had slowly begun to diminish, Elphaba still felt uncomfortable with her friend, especially when Glinda would go on about how she, Elphaba and Fiyero would move to the city after Shiz and share a big apartment. And have all the things they wanted with Elphaba working by the Wizard's side and Glinda spreading her fashion know-how and Fiyero (who had no idea about all these plans) would have some high paid position on the Wizard's Gale Force and take Glinda to high established parties and buy her everything she wanted… bracelets and ponies and hairspray OH MY!

Elphaba needed a release; she had to find someway to take out her frustration. Although she'd never admit it, she missed her sister and Boq, and Fiyero… she needed someone to talk to that wasn't Glinda! She couldn't tell Glinda everything, for one thing, the doll-like girl wouldn't understand the more complex thoughts in Elphaba's head, and Elphaba hardly wanted to confide in her after what she'd done. She loved Glinda to hell and back and didn't want to give her any reason to suspect anything had gone on. That wouldn't matter after today, as long as the rain cleared.

Picking up her note book and pen she began jotting down her thoughts, the questions that plagued her. Why did the Wizard choose her? Would the rain clear? Would she be made to stay here the rest of her life? Would she have some form of high job like Glinda seemed to think? Or would she be thrown into South Stairs because of something she'd done that she didn't know about? On that note, would she only be meeting the Wizard because he saw her as some sort of threat? HA! Right she… a threat to the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. the prospect was more than laughable. No she was here because she deserved it, she was a good person and she was here because of that and nothing else. Well, a little voice muttered, as far as anyone knows it's because of that.

She still had a promise to keep, a promise in Doctor Dillamond's name that she had no intention of letting fall all because she was invited to meet the Wizard for other reasons…

Elphaba and Glinda sat uncomfortably in the smallest pallor just off the side of The Wizard's chamber. Once the storm had cleared an escort had been provided to usher the two into the palace, said escort had then left them in this room to await The Wizard's permission to enter his personal chambers. Sitting in an awkward silence, Glinda sipped the pink tea she had been given with distaste, roses and vanilla, the sweetness was quite sickening. Watching for any signs that they'd be let in soon, Glinda fought down the hint of fear that seemed to grip her heart. They would be meeting the ruler of Oz, how could she not feel nervous?

Beside her Elphaba shifted around in her seat for what seemed like thousandth time. One look at the usually fearless girl and ones entire perception of Elphaba would change; she sat unblinking, silent and shaking in emotion. Fear, excitement, worry, determination, all etched on the canvas of her face. This was Elphaba's dream all her life, Glinda knew that all too well, The Wizard meant so much to her friend the only worry that Glinda felt for her was fear for her disappointment. What if the Wizard wasn't all that? Of course that would be ridiculous beyond words, but it could happen. What if he wasn't what Elphaba expected? Glinda shook the thought from her head, taking Elphaba's hand in her own.

"Elphie… Don't be afraid" she whispered so not to startle her.

Elphaba's eyes shifted from the distance and looked at Glinda, opening her mouth Elphaba was about to speak when the door to their left opened and their escort stuck his head back in.

"The Wizard will see you now" he motioned for them to follow.

Closing her mouth Elphaba got to her feet, holding tight to Glinda's hand. Glinda got the message. Moving with her they left the room they had been in.

"Through that door" the escort pointed "You will only speak when spoken to, you will only address his highness as your Wizardship unless permitted otherwise. Understood?"

Glinda glanced up at her friend, Elphaba's eyes looked set on the door and task at hand, Glinda doubted Elphaba had even heard the guide.

"Understood" Glinda mustered as Elphaba lead her through the door and into the chamber.