Disclaimer: If it were mine, would I seriously be writing FANfiction?

ANNNND I'M BACK! Essentially, I had to go with option # 2, so updates might not be as regular as before. I will do my best though. And I just wanted to say thanks to all you guys for your support comments and for sticking with me. Anyway, I'm tired and here you go. Please show your appreciation for me staying up to update with a nice long chapter for you tonight and leave me a review. If there are some typos, I appologise. i know the point of doing an edit is to get rid of them, but in adding elements to it... whatever. Like I said. Me tired. Please leave a review for me.

Part 1 Chapter 10

Raye was in the proverbial doghouse for the rest of the trip. Morrible never let the girl out of her fishy sight for the rest of their stay in Munchkinland, even so far as to (to Rhonaraye's utter horror) have the young redhead share her rooms for the night. They both kept up a pretense of civility that fooled neither of them. Morrible set herself up in the bed closest to the window. She no doubt had guards at the door, not that this would stop Rhonaraye if she truly decided to put up a fight.

For the moment, the young girl had the mission assigned to her by the rebellion to worry about. She'd always wanted to officially join the rebellion, become a spy that might help bring down the Wizard's regime. She'd been convinced that was exactly what she was getting with the sleeper agent gig that she had thought the whole schooling-with-the-enemy deal.

But being a sleeper and safe-house keeper was one thing. Being inserted into the Wizard's inner circle like that…

Ironically, before she'd set foot in that school, she probably would have jumped at the chance. She still couldn't wait to wipe that arrogant smirk off of Morrible's face but Annette; well the other girl had grown on her. And Liir…she didn't think she could harm Liir even if she wanted to. And she didn't want to. Ever.

Morrible watched the redhead with those large, fishy eyes of hers. Was it just her, or had that carrot hair gotten a shade darker over the last couple of months? Interesting. There was a great deal of power brewing in that girl. It nearly made Morrible salivate just thinking about it. She had to find a way to control her. Some way to ensure that it was Morrible and not the silly Throular child that wielded that incredible magic, it was criminal that those who simply didn't know the uses of such abilities were granted them. It was the same with Elphaba. The wench spent more time cursing her power than putting it to use. Such waste.

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The next day they rose early in the morning, dragging Liir, Annette and their respective cronies bodily out of bed, and were packed off into the Carriage. They reached the Emerald City within another day by taking short cuts that no one had ever told poor Dorothy about (not that it would have mattered really. They doubted that she would have been able to remember or follow any directions they might have given her. There were serious doubts about Dorothy's true capabilities).

By the time they arrived at the glittering city Raye appeared to have been forgiven and Morrible's good mood had been restored. She was grinning broadly when they stepped out of their carriages. She handed each of them passes that gave them admission to all the amusements and shows as well as unlimited credit at the stores. She told them where their hotel was and also explained that since they had arrived early, they could have the next couple of days to simply amuse themselves. As soon as she started to walk away the students grinned in excitement, chattering about where they should go first.

"People, people, People!" Liir said in a jokingly commanding voice, "There is only one place to start with," He paused for dramatic effect, "THE THEEEME PAAARK!" the others cheered and started rushing in the direction of the extremely tall, looping roller-coaster that could be seen from their position. The tall redhead hung back slightly, still more than a little disturbed about all she had experienced on their little trip up to the city of Green.

"You planning on telling anyone what's on your mind?" a familiar voice asked as Jack walked beside her.

"Jack, you know I trust you." She said, leaning in a little to whisper in one of his long ears "But the city walls have ears." The Donkey couldn't help but nod at that. Both of them knew they were being meticulously observed at that very moment.

"Just promise me one thing." Jack murmured, "Whatever you do, be careful. I don't want my current best friend to get chewed up like my last one." (The Donkey had once been great friends with a Pig named Chester. He had ended up on the Wizard's banquet table, though despite his death, he had made a difference. When the Vizier had found out an Animal had been slaughtered so uselessly she had thrown a fit! From that day forward no Animal was ever to be eaten, not legally anyway.)

"I'll do you one better, I'll take you with me." She whispered just as Liir jogged back towards the two lagging behind with Annette on his heels.

"Come on you two!" she exclaimed, "Don't get lost!"

"I can't go in." the Donkey said plainly

"Why ever n—oh. Right. Sorry." Liir stammered

"It's alright. I'll stay with him." Raye said

"Oh no you don't! I'll bet my tail you've never been to one of those!" Jack said,

"Neither have you." She pointed out. The Donkey rolled his eyes at her

"Go on, I'll be fine." When she still made no move to follow Liir he let out a gruff snort. "Go take advantage of the fact that you're allowed it and have some fun for a change or I'm not speaking to you for a week." He threatened.

"Are you sure?" the redhead asked hesitantly just as Annette clicked her way back in a pair of her ridiculous heels.

"Yes he is! Let's go before the lines get too long!" The blue-streaked blonde cried excitedly as she grabbed the other girl's hand and started to pull. She didn't budge her at first, but at Jack's nod Raye allowed herself to be dragged along with a sigh.

"Look, I'm really sorry I…" Liir trailed off. What could he say? He'd forgotten that Jack basically had no rights? He was beginning to understand his mother and friend's rage a little better now.

"Look pretty boy, just make sure she has some fun for a change, okay? Something has really gotten to her." Jack said. Liir nodded, smiled grimly and then turned around, jogging to catch up with his buddies. The Donkey shook his head fondly before turning around himself. However, when he did so, he froze. Morrible had seemingly appeared out of nowhere in front of him and the Beast of burden found himself surrounded.

"Seize him." The Weather Witch commanded coldly split seconds before a bag was pulled over his head…

The amusement Park was an interesting experience for Rhoaraye. She had never been on anything like the extravagant and extreme thrill rides, nor had she ever even had the odd spun candy that was handed out at a concession stand.

"So…they expect us to eat cotton?" she asked, confused

"No silly!" Annette laughed. The two girls that had tagged along sniggered and put their heads together, probably to whisper something insulting

"It's just called cotton candy." Liir explained, "It's really just spun sugar."

"Interesting." She replied, examining the fluffy treat with fascination.

"Here, just try some." Annette said jovially, thrusting a stick of the stuff into her hand with a smile. Hesitantly the teenager tore a piece off and put it into her mouth.

"Well?" Liir inquired

"Where have you been living that you've never had cotton candy or chocolate in your life?" one of Annette's obnoxious friends demanded mockingly.

"A place where there isn't enough money, to waste on having sweet-shops instead of real food." She shot back without missing a beat.

The rides themselves were exhilarating, though they didn't make Raye scream like the other girls (and a couple of the boys), though the arcade provided plenty of amusement. The group spilt up somewhat to play different games at which point the redhead found herself in a rather familiar situation; her on her own trying to puzzle things out.

She soon met up with Liir, who was making a valiant attempt to single-handedly win his girlfriend the large, pink, fluffy bear by getting a record number of tickets. He wasn't doing very well actually and (to Raye's slight but pleasant surprise) he accepted her assistance willingly. The two of them spent the rest of their time in the arcade together, proving themselves to be an excellent ticket-winning team.

The two together, however, stirred the jealousy of a certain blonde. Jealousy which was only slightly swayed by the giant teddy bear they presented her at the end of the day.

However, Annette had an idea for that, deciding to net her awkward roommate a boyfriend of her own. Therefore, the second day was spent…*shudder*…shopping.

Rhonaraye allowed the blue-streaked blonde to drag her through various shops and managed to (barely) keep her temper. The shops proved to be only the beginning of her ordeal however, for soon the blonde had dedicated herself to a full-on makeover. Annette was putting all her "beautification" talents into this. Though strangely, when she was just putting the finishing touches on it, she asked the question that had been plaguing her for longer then she'd like to admit.

"Raye," Annette began hesitantly as she curled her hair in front of a mirror, "May I ask you something?"

"Sure, why not?" The taller girl shrugged as she winced slightly when the blonde pulled her hair accidentally while styling it.

"Why are you trying to steal Liir from me?"

"What?" That question certainly got her attention. She yanked the strand of slightly curly hair out of her friend's grasp when she twisted around to look at her. "What kind of a question is that?"

"Just answer it!"

"Look, there's nothing between us like there is between the two of you. That is it. End of story.." She said firmly before turning back to face forward in her chair. Her answer relieved Annette a little. Raye might be secretive, but she was also honest, and never beat around the bush in matters like this. In actuality, the tall redhead was quite possibly the only girl her age that Annette would believe that statement from, which in itself made her begin to question the company she was keeping. She banished her unpleasant thoughts when she finished up her task and looked at her handiwork with a broad smile.

"Well look at you." She said as she turned the girl's chair around to face the mirror. Raye's jaw dropped at what she saw.

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The Dance that night was fun but, strangely enough, Liir wasn't entirely into it. Normally he was the main man, the go-to guy; one thing he seemed to know instinctively was how to party. Obviously not something he got from his mother. Yet that evening he felt more like Elphaba then himself. After an hour or so he started to feel uncomfortable. Why was everything in here so damn loud? And had they never heard of personal space? These weren't necessarily coherent thoughts, though if they were they didn't sound like him at all. He caught sight of Raye and Annette in the throng.

His girlfriend was stunning, but that was the norm. It was his more mysterious friend that made his (and a few others') jaw drop. Her red hair was pulled up in an elaborate but classy style. It wasn't actually overdone. She also had a bit of make up on, perhaps a little too much there, but hey Annette was still getting the hang of it he supposed. Raye dress also suited her very well. It was sleeveless with a close-fitting bodice that hugged her slight curves with a floaty skirt. The centre was white with pale lilacs and baby blues, greens and pinks melding together in an abstract, almost smoky pattern around it. Ironically, while Liir felt his comfort level decrease, Raye seemed to be a little more at ease within the crowd than she normally was. She wasn't exactly a party animal yet, but there was a significant improvement to her normal tensing and/or shying away. She wasn't afraid of them or anything, at least he didn't think so. She was just uncomfortable around them. Raye liked her personal space.

Kind of like what he was feeling at the moment.

Soon Liir had migrated to the balcony to get some air. It wasn't long after that when Raye walked out there too. He didn't have to turn around to know that it was her. It was as though his awareness of his reclusive friend had been inexorably heightened after their day together.

"Hey stranger." She said teasingly as she approached him and came to lean her forearms on the ledge next to him. They stood there in comfortable silence for several minutes before Raye finally broke the silence.

"So." She said "Birthday coming up. Guess it's kind of cool that you'll be able to have it at home."

Liir blinked.

"How do you know when my birthday is?" he asked her. The other teenager rolled her eyes at him

"Please. It's practically a national holiday, Li." She reminded him. He couldn't deny that. His mother might be a very private person but his Godmother Glinda and grandfather were not. They always held grand extravaganzas for the event. Raye let him muse for a little before she continued "Hey, Jack says even the Animals tend to get a bit of a break. Everyone seems to have a good time on your Birthday."

"Almost everyone." He muttered resentfully. His red-haired companion did not miss the tone in his comment.

"Hey," she asked comforting inquisition "What do you mean?"

"No, it's nothing. Forget I said anything." He said dismissively. Her eyebrow arched impressively in an eerie similarity to his mother.

"Wow. It's like you don't know me at all." She said dryly "You know I don't give up that easily. Spill."

Liir held her icy gaze for several moments before he looked away and stared at his hands. No one could win a staring contest with her. No fair!

"It's like this," he finally said, "Every year my mother makes a big effort. She gives me my present, comes to the party, goes out of her way to make my day special just as much as Aunt Glinda does, just in her own way. She smiles. In public. Hell, she even bites her tongue and is invariably civil towards Morrible and my grandfather."

"And?" Rhonaraye prompted. He sighed.

"And the next morning she is the grouchiest she is all year. I never used to notice it much because I was always still on that residual birthday high and enjoying my new presents before the novelty wore off. Anyway, on that morning my mother, who is always up with or before the dawn, doesn't get out of bed until the morning is nearly over and is downing pitchers of head-ache tonic. I didn't connect anything until three years ago." Liir told her as he twiddled his thumbs uncomfortably. Raye waited patiently for him to continue. He'd never told anyone this. Why was he starting with her? Well, he knew why; he'd never felt so comfortable with anyone before. He could tell Raye anything and know not only that it was a safe secret, but somehow that she would understand. Whatever it was between them seemed to run deep. He didn't know how this had happened or where it had come from…nevertheless the bond somehow existed.

"Well," he continued "two years ago after my party, I sneaked up to her tower room. It was still off-limits there was that allure of forbiddenness of it. Anyway, I got up there, and…I heard these noises. Two people talking. I got there and the door wasn't locked. So I opened it just a crack and looked in.

"My mother was…drunk. Dead drunk. I'd never seen her like that before and I haven't since. My aunt Glinda was trying to get the bottle away from her before she gave herself alcohol poisoning. She saw me. Glinda, that is. Not my mother. My mom was too intoxicated. My Godmother flew to the door, stared at me in shock for a few minutes and then closed it in my face. There was the sound of a bottle smashing and then Aunt Glinda slipped out the door, closed and locked it behind her and ushered me off to bed."

Liir looked up to see Rhonaraye's unwavering gaze on him. There was pity there, yes, but not the humiliating amount he had expected. Instead there was comfort and…understanding. Almost as though…she'd heard it before, or known it before. Strange. The only other person he had ever confided this in hadn't even been a real person. His last childhood indulgence had been in confiding in his imaginary friend Nari one last time the day after the event he'd described to Rhonaraye. He didn't even remember what they'd "said" but afterwards they'd stopped conversing.

Well, that was to be expected. Children grew up. They stopped acting that way. Yet, he'd missed that company his imagination had conjured up for him. He'd tried once more after that to invent a reconciliation between them in his head one time when he'd felt particularly at a loss about something frivolous a few weeks later, but it just hadn't been the same for some reason. Pulling his mind back to the present he let out a bitter scoff

"You know, she doesn't touch liqueur ever. Except on that one night apparently. And she doesn't even know that I know. And what's even worse, is that I can be mad at her, but that annoying little voice in the back of my mind—I think it's my conscience— keeps reminding me that she never intended me to know. She bent over backwards to make my special day extra special. But still, it-it-"

"Hurts?" Raye supplied understandingly, her voice barely above a whisper. He nodded. For a moment, neither said nor did anything. Then in one mutual movement they embraced each other.

Unfortunately, this was the scene that Annette saw before the redhead pulled away, patted Liir's shoulder and then slipped back into the room to leave. It was enough for her for one night. Ironically enough, after she left, Liir's odd discomfort slipped away and he went back into full party mode.

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Liir had fully intended to sleep the majority of the following day away after being out until the following morning. However, something didn't let him. A nagging, indistinct sense of unease woke him from his slumber only a few hours after he had gone to bed. It nagged at him until he slipped out from under the covers and walked over to the window of his room. The view of the emerald city in the morning really was something. He'd just missed the sunrise, (which was truly spectacular according to Elphaba) but it was still kind of cool.

Nevertheless, something caught his eye on the ground rather then the horizon; a cautiously moving figure in a somewhat shabby coat with a long red braid swishing down her back crossing the street to be exact. He'd know that outline anywhere. He quickly threw on a shirt, coat and some boots and went after her, padding past the chaperone's rooms with a practiced ease and sneaking out the same door she had.

Liir wandered through the labyrinth-like streets of the "lower city" with his fingers pinching his nose shut against the smell. The workers here were almost all the lowest of the garbage and waste cleaners and they were all Animals. How could they stand the stench? Especially those from species with ole factory senses keener than humans? Were they all this malnourished and miserable? Such were the questions that pushed their unwelcome way into a mind that had been so contentedly and intentionally ignorant before.

It was by chance more than anything that he finally found Rhonaraye. The girl was in one of the alleyways talking to a team of Animal waste laborers; a beautiful black Mare pulling a heavy looking wagon and a Grite.

"You mean, he never came to call on you? You haven't seen him?" Raye asked the Mare in concern. The Horse looked back at her with double the worry as she shook her beautifully shaped head in despair.

"No! I haven't seen Jack since he was taken away to work at that school! Oh Sweet Oz! Now something has happened to him! I must find him! He doesn't even know—"

"Hush Mirisee!" The Grite snapped, seizing her head and forcing her to look at him "Jack is fine. Don't let this girl stress you. She's probably been sent by the foreman as a joke. And you!" he rounded on Rhonaraye "Stop pretending you care two-legger! Don't you know how sick it is to toy with us? I don't know why you picked one poor Mare to get your amusement from but you leave her alone!"

"No!" Raye protested, horrified at what they thought she was doing "No, wait, please! I'm not—"

"She already shouldn't be working in her condition and you upsetting her further will just make her lose it! Then she won't be able to work for several days, tell your boss that!"

"Please, Jack is my friend! I want to know where he is!" she exclaimed in a hushed tone. The Grite scoffed at this

"Friend? Ha! We aren't even living to you…you humans! We're nothing but your slaves and amusement. Haven't we been beaten down enough?"

"But—"

"Just go away, we have work to do." With that the Grite picked up the extra strap attached to the wagon and put his weight into it, helping his friend pull the load of garbage. Raye stood there, hurt at the implication and angry that their suspicions would likely have been justified in most other cases. Liir felt angry at them for wounding her so, she cared more about that stupid Ass than anyone!

"I can have them disciplined." He offered. She whipped around at the sound of his voice. The look on her face immediately made him regret his words

"And what would that do other than harm them further and prove their suspicions?" she demanded in disgust. She made to stalk past him but he seized her arm.

"Wait." He said. She looked down at his hand and then at his face, the spark that sizzled from her eye (literally) giving him more then fair warning about the state of her temper. He held her gaze though

"I'm sorry." He said, meaning it sincerely. As if sensing that she relaxed and nodded. He released her arm. "What's going on anyway?" She hesitated, deciding whether or not to trust him. Finally after a few moments of fidgeting and looking around for anyone who might be watching them she lowered her voice

"I can't find Jack." she whispered. He was taken aback slightly. There was naked fear in her voice, an emotion so foreign to his fiery friend. Or was it simply that this was the first time she had ever allowed anyone to see it? He shook off the uncomfortable thought, (though not as easily nor as completely as he used to be able to) and turned his attention instead to cheering her up.

"Come on, he'll be fine. He probably just wanted some time to himself. Why are you so worried?" he asked her. Apparently, that was not the question to ask to calm her down. She silently seethed at him for a moment, making him fidget uncomfortably and back down a little before she strode past him and seized his arm, dragging him with her.

"Come with me." She stated, not that he had much of a choice in the matter it seemed. Damn she was strong! And she was fast. Her long strides ate up the ground beneath her in a rather familiar way, though he couldn't quite place it…almost like a horse charging down the streets. She pulled him along through the streets until they reached an art hall. Ironically enough, it was one of the best after-hours clubs in the time when the gallery itself was closed. They'd been here the night before, but she didn't lead him to the closed-off club rooms. Instead she dragged him to a featured "artwork".

"That is why I'm worried." She told him angrily. He frowned a little and then slowly looked to the painting.

In front of the pair was a depiction of two bears alongside a human. The human was a man in the gale-force uniform, standing upon a raised hill with one foot raised by its perch on a cluster of rock. He was a handsome statue with a strong chin, toned muscles as well as cute brown eyes. He was even saluting with one hand whilst holding his rifle up triumphantly with the other. This in itself was a revolting example of propaganda, no one even seemed to question how incredibly updated the uniform was, though it was the two Bears that really bothered Raye and he was starting to finally see why. One was ridiculously subservient, its head almost to the floor and was looking up at the human in awe and admiration, a look of idiocy and bliss upon its features, despite the fact that it was on a leash with an iron, spiked collar around it's neck. The other Bear was shown as a rabid monster with foam at the mouth and a crazed look on the face. It too was in chains, but harsher ones. The aggressive Bear was also making this horrible face at a crippled child.

He winced a little, but also found that worse was to come when he read the caption.

This brilliant work of art by an anonymous friend to the Wizard depicts the two roles that Animals fulfill with their second-class intelligence and morals…

A nearby vase shattered and the plant inside started to grow rapidly into a strangling vine, reaching for something to choke. Liir looked over at Raye. Her fists and jaw were clenched and shaking. He reached over and took one of her fists in his hand. She jumped an whipped her head around to look at him with wide, surprised silver eyes.

"I never saw that before." He admitted quietly. She took a deep, calming breath and the plant relaxed a little in response just as the leg of its table started to creak and splinter.

"Honestly, even as Morrible's Propaganda goes, this is pathetic yet here it is, seen by babbling, mindless hordes every day! Lurline, the complete desensitization of our entire society! No one cares about anyone but themselves and find primitive pleasure in the suffering of others! I admit, I'm not exactly a role model for 'civilized' behavior, but at least I don't pretend to be. This whole business of class-privileges and not even needing a double-digit IQ to be in charge of something important just because you're rich is revolting." She railed. He noticed her careful use of Morrible's name instead of his grandfather's, most likely in an attempt not to alienate him. He was kind of touched if that was the case. She also didn't immediately try to pull away from him as she did from everyone else. There was silence between them for several moments.

"I think you would really like my mother." He said finally, "And she'd take a shine to you too. I don't know how long she's been trying to rant to me about this for years…and I think I agree with her—and your anger." The words surprised even Liir. This was heavy. He'd never realized the extent of what was going on right under his nose!

"But for now, just think about something else. I mean, come on, you're going to meet my Grandfather tomorrow! Some people would do anything for that kind of opportunity, right? Concentrate on the fact that you, a 15 year-old girl has been handpicked by the ruler of Oz himself! Think about that, or at least something a little less…angry." He suggested as he knelt down and picked up a shard of the pot the plant had been in "We only have so much pottery after all…bad joke?" he asked at the look on her face. She shook her head and sighed.

"No, spot on. You're right. I should just…calm down." Raye admitted.

"That's the stuff. Now let's see if we can find another museum like that paleontology one. I'm pretty sure I can find a couple that were sponsored by the one and only Emerald Vizier which shouldn't offend you too much." Liir suggested cheerfully. That (to his satisfaction and pleasure) prompted a smile from her.

They spent an absolutely delightful day together as a matter of fact; it was so easy and natural. It was like they knew what each other was thinking. The end of the day was almost sad.

Nevertheless, hanging in the shadows of their fun was the constant uneasiness, the constant worry about their four-legged friend and above all, apprehension for the following day. It might just be the biggest day of Raye's life, which Liir felt might somehow impact him. Was it his oracle senses finally starting to claw their way out into the open?

Just what lay in store for them?

Review please.