Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize.

Author's Note: I know, I know, I missed a day, I'm sorry. I was really busy yesterday. But I'll be doing 2 days in a row to make up for it (today and tomorrow).

RATED: K+


Ruby
011. Red
by Fiyero Oberon

Frex enters the hut, his hands clasped behind his back; his linen shirt is clinging to his chest from all the sweat that drips, but he seems to not care. There is a twinkle in his eye that slightly discomforts Melena. Stepping further out of reach of the Quadling sun's rays and into the shade of the grass hut, Frex makes his way slowly to the armless baby wiggling and rolling on the ground.

"Nessie," he says playfully, reaching out a hand to stop his squirming daughter from moving. "Look what I've brought you." His hand comes from behind his back, holding out a brilliant red ruby that glitters in the light let in from the doorway.

Melena lets out a gasp and drops quickly to her knees to examine the jewel. "Frex!" she exclaims. "We can buy so much with this!"

But Frex's eyes are hard. "It's a toy for Nessarose, not a buying tool."

"Frex! Don't be so ridiculous, a ruby is not a toy."

"You forget we're in Quadling, darling," Frex says, superiority ringing through his words. "Rubies mean nothing where we are." Melena lets out a "harrumph" of defeat, but her eyes still don't leave the glowing red jewel; Nessarose has managed to tip herself onto her stomach and his now licking the pretty crimson gem.

Elphaba sits in a corner, her fingers firmly clutching a green glass sphere, eyes wide, teeth gnashing, lips whispering, "Horrors horrors horrors…"