As the carriage pulled away from the cabin, the four sat in silence. They finally remembered what had happened last night, with the help of a little memory magic. Elphaba was curled up into Jessie with her eyes closed, her head still hurt and she was still exhausted from all of that activity. Jessie had one of the biggest grins on her face that Glinda had ever seen. Her and Fiyero had snuck off at one point, when they returned Jessie had that big grin glued onto her face.
Fiyero had finally told her about the whole Ozmoot business, Glinda's curiosity won out and she just needed to talk about it. "When do you meet with Dr. Dillimond?" Glinda asked,
"He just said sometime while I'm at Shiz. I'm still not sure if I want to go through with it, though." He admitted.
"Fiyero, the Ozmoot is great honor." Glinda said.
Jessie sighed when she heard Glinda bring up this subject again. She was hoping that her sweet Elphie would be able to rest on this leg of the journey, so much for that idea.
"They tried to kill you, Glinda, and you're still saying it's a great honor?" Elphaba asked as she slowly sat up.
"They do a lot of good things for Oz." Glinda said.
"They have too much power as it is, Glinda." Elphaba said, a hint of anger in her voice.
"Which is more of a reason I should join them. If I'm on the counsel, at least I'll have some say, and Glinda the Good and Elphaba the Wise will have a voice there." Fiyero said.
"If Elphaba were wise, she would've never agreed to have anything to do with this." Elphaba said, matter of factly, "All I ever wanted was to live free and in peace. I want change, but I'm no diplomat. I would really rather just live with Jessie somewhere and not be bothered by these imbeciles." Elphaba said. She really did hate politics, why were they so complicated?
"Elphie, think about it. What if you'd been in this position when we were at Shiz. You could've prevented the Animals from ever loosing their rights if Fiyero had been on the council in the first place." Glinda said.
"Glinda, you make this sound like a civic organization. It's a bunch of thugs drunk on their own power. One group having so much control is dangerous, in Oz or anywhere else. Instead of working with them, we should be trying to disband them." Elphaba said.
"That wouldn't work, Fae. Think about it. If you went after them, you and Jessie would be in danger. If I join them, I can steer them from inside." Fiyero said.
"I think it's a bad idea, Fiyero. If they find out you're there on behalf of us, you're going to end up dead." Elphaba said, worriedly.
Before anyone could say anything else, Chistrey flew to the window of the carriage to report about the gathering ahead at Shiz.
()
The girls were all smiles as the carriages brought them through the streets, and into Shiz University proper just a few hours later. The Shiz band was assembled just for them, and was playing in the courtyard where her and Glinda had first met. Elphaba smiled, remembering the annoying blonde atop a mountain of luggage. It was really luck that they were put together. She had so few personal items, it gave Glinda the necessary space for ALL of hers.
"Feels like home, doesn't it, Elphie?" Glinda asked.
"It really does. In hindsight, I should have finished my senior year before going to the Wizard for that meeting." Elphaba said, bitterly.
"No one could have predicted what happened there, Elphie." Glinda reminded her, patting her hand as Jessie's arm slipped around her waist.
"I know. I just still feel like a fool for believing that imbecile could do anything." Elphaba said, sighing deeply. Glinda nodded, squeezing her hand.
"Then we all were, because everyone believed in him." Glinda reminded her, as the carriage slowed to a stop.
They walked a few feet to the headmaster, who looked thrilled they were there. "Welcome, welcome both of you!" The headmaster said, excitedly shaking both women's hands.
"We're honored to be here." Glinda said, as Elphaba nodded.
"I trust your trip was pleasant?" He said, as he lead them inside the main building.
"Very." Glinda said, looking back to see Jessie and Fiyero following behind them.
"You remember Master Fiyero Tiggular, don't you?" Glinda asked, as they entered the large stone hall.
"Oh, yes, quite well. I had a request for a support group for the many woman he charmed." The headmaster said.
"I wasn't that bad, was I?" Fiyero asked.
Jessie looked around. It really was an impressive campus with large, tall columns and the incredible art on the walls. They were led to a small room, where the instructors were lined up. They applauded, as the two good witches of Oz were lead in. After a lot of handshakes, and insincere dribble, they were invited to a faculty dinner that night, then left to their own devices.
"I'm glad that's over." Elphaba said, sighing deeply.
"Oh, come on, Elphie, some part of you had to enjoy that. The same people that taught you and said you were 'too radical' now being kind?" Glinda said.
"If it was sincere, maybe. However, that was pure nonsense. 'Oh, we always knew you were brilliant.' It was sickening." Elphaba said, rolling her eyes.
"Yeah, that was a bit over the top." Fiyero said, laughing a little.
"Says the man that needs his own support group." Jessie teased, getting a much needed laugh out of the close friends.
"He couldn't help himself, Jess. He was just dancing through life." Glinda said with a giggle.
"In the tightest white pants I've ever seen." Elphaba threw in.
"I'm never going to live those Oz forsaken pants down, am I?" He asked.
"Nope." He got a double response from the two best friends simultaneously.
"Let's go to the Ozdust ballroom. We'll meet there later tonight." Elphaba said to Glinda, with a goofy grin cracking both women up.
"Find the prettiest girl, and give her a whirl." Fiyero picked up, pulling Jessie into a few dance steps. Jessie laughed, blushing a little.
"Those were the days, weren't they?" Glinda said, sighing a little, before Fiyero guided Jessie to Elphie and pulled Glinda into himself. The four began dancing to music that wasn't there, in an impromptu waltz.
()
After changing out of their travel outfits, a shower, and a nice nap Elphaba led Jessie to the cafe just off campus. When she walked in, the woman behind the counter smiled. "As I live and breathe! Elphaba Thropp!" The woman said, smiling fondly.
"Mrs. Posteck! I didn't expect to see you!" Elphaba said, equally happy, as she hugged the older woman.
"And is this the young lady from the paper?" She asked, looking Jessie over.
"Yes! Jessie, this is Mrs. Julin Posteck. Mrs. Posteck, this is Jessie Reynolds." Elphaba said, proudly.
"A pleasure to meet you, ma'am." Jessie said, shaking her hand.
"Me, too. Do you want your usual, Elphaba dear?" Mrs. Posteck asked.
"After almost a decade, you still remember my usual?" Elphaba asked shocked.
"Of course. One hot apple cider with extra cinnamon, and a cinnamon bun." She said.
"That's it." Elphaba said, genuinely impressed that the woman remembered.
"Can you double that please?" Jessie asked.
"Of course." The woman said, before disappearing to the back. Jessie rested her hand on Elphie's shoulder, and led her to one of the tables.
"I can't believe she remembered." Elphaba said, sighing as they sat down.
"See, I told you people always knew you were special, Elphie." Jessie said, kissing her hand, as the woman brought out their order she smiled before leaving them to enjoy their snack in peace.
()
Fiyero and Glinda had met up with Jessie and Elphaba downstairs after their brief meeting with the headmaster. He was absolutely ecstatic and honored to be officiating their wedding the day after the ball. Glinda was smiling brightly as the group headed to the meeting place. When they got the location for the meeting, they were all a bit surprised it was Dr. Dillamond's old classroom. They had changed the name of the class since he left, otherwise Elphaba would have recognized it sooner.
"I used to sit right over here." Elphaba said, sitting at her old desk.
Glinda sat on the bench. "And I used to sit over here and paint my nails, and joke with my friends."
"I just slept." Fiyero said, chuckling.
"So this is where it all began." Jessie said, smiling as the three friends remembered old times.
"I remember. It's why I couldn't believe that you and Miss Elphaba had rescued that Lion Cub. I couldn't believe you stayed awake long enough to help." Dillimond said with a chuckle, as he walked in.
"Dr. Dillimond!" Elphaba said, standing up to greet him. He motioned her to sit down, and sat himself at the head of the bench.
"How did you hear about the Lion Cub, sir?" Fiyero asked.
"I may have been out of the loop in the school, but some things transcend that. I was being questioned by the Wizard when Morrible informed him. That's when it was decided your meeting would be moved up." He said, getting a nod, "As much as I'm enjoying this, unfortunately, I do need to talk to you both." He said, his voice turning more serious.
"The offer, correct?" Fiyero asked.
"Yes. I have been asked to request your answer. Fiyero, this isn't a responsibility to be taken lightly. Most people involved die of natural causes or are killed, depending on the whim of the one in charge." Dillimond said.
"We've talked about it. I'm going to join." Fiyero said.
"Are you certain? Fiyero, I won't lie to you. This is something that requires a lot of thought. It will find a way to penetrate every facet of your life." Dillimond warned.
"But the Ozmoot does so much good, Doctor. They help the people of Oz clandestinely." Glinda said, in their defense.
Dillimond raised an eyebrow at that. "For every one good thing they do, there are three bad Miss Hhhlinda."
"But don't they..." Before Glinda could start, Dillimond raised his hoof.
"How do you know so much about the Ozmoot? Most Ozians know nothing past legend." Dillimond observed.
"They are well known in Gillikin, at least the theory of them. Momsie and Popsicle have told me about them most of my life." Glinda said.
The old goat smiled at that, he wondered when she would find out. Now was not the time, he looked back at Glinda. "Then I'm afraid you have been looking at this group through rose colored glasses. As much as they would like to believe otherwise, most of the Ozmoot's decisions have been made to the detriment of Oz. Every action, from the animal bans you and Miss Elphaba reversed, to her being hunted, I would imagine – were decided on by the council before ever making public knowledge. In fact, right now, the council is putting a stop to your problem in Emerald City." He said.
"My problem?" Glinda said, confused.
"There is an arrest warrant for Miss Elphaba the moment you return to the Emerald City. While you have been touring, there have been other forces at work. This is not the Ozmoot's doing, mind you, but there is a coupe in the works. The name I received is Hostick." Dillimond said, seeing recognition crossing Glinda's face.
"Hostick? What does he..." Fiyero asked.
"He's been trying to organize the guard against Elphaba, specifically. He's doing this by convincing them that you must be charmed Glinda. Unfortunately, the guard are hardly the brightest in Oz, and a few have agreed to assist." The goat says.
"What do we do now?" Jessie asked, worriedly, holding Elphaba protectively.
"Nothing, Miss Jessie, I assume?" He asked, getting a nod, "The Ozmoot is taking care of this as we speak. She does not like actions like this unless She was aware of them from the beginning."
"Who is She?" Glinda asked.
"I wish I knew. I served on the council for years, and no one knows who or what she is. She's extremely powerful in her own right, and doesn't like to have her authority questioned. However, she's not unreasonable, provided you approach her properly with an idea. But her decision to pursue or not pursue the request is final." He warned, before reaching his hoof into his jacket, and pulling out a small ring box, "You'll need this, Fiyero. It's the Winkie ring that signifies you at the meetings. Some wear their rings all the time. I would recommend you don't." He said, handing the box to Elphaba.
She opened it, shaking her head. "Glinda, does this look familiar to you?" Elphaba asked, tossing her the box.
Glinda looked at the ring, and blanched a little. "This...This was in my bag. I got it from Averic when he tried to kill me." Glinda said, getting a head shake from Dillimond.
"I'm very sorry to hear that, Miss Hhhlinda. But I assure you, the council has voted that no one is to attempt to harm you or Miss Elphaba. I was there, I am certain of that." Dillimond said, getting a relieved sigh from Glinda.
"That's good to hear, doctor, but what of Hostick?" Glinda asked.
"Mr. Hostick will be handled before your return to the Emerald City tomorrow. She has little tolerance for such rash actions." Dillimond said, truthfully.
"Thank you, doctor." Elphaba said, sincerely.
"Miss Elphaba, may I talk to you privately a moment?" Dillimond asked, getting a nod.
"Certainly, Doctor." She said, getting up to walk with Dr. Dillimond out of the room.
Jessie looked at Glinda and Fiyero. "Are you sure we're doing the right thing?"
"Who knows, Jess. But at least we have some say if I'm on the council." Fiyero said, getting a nod from Glinda.
It was then that what Glinda had said moments before struck Jessie as very odd. "Glinda...you said you had that ring in your bag? When did it disappear?"
Glinda thought about it for a moment, "Oh, um...I first noticed it was gone in Munchkinland, but I didn't talk about it because of the whole Rubic situation." Her face paled a little as she realized the only place it could have been taken. "Sweet Oz...someone had to have taken it out of my room at my parent's house in Gillikin."