Elphaba Thropp was going to rule the land of Oz one day. She'd made the decision around the age of 8. It hadn't been one big event that led to this decision, but a series of them. There were the bullies, the mistreatment, people pretending like she didn't exist. Suffice to say that Elphaba quickly learned about the unfairness of life simply because of people's opinions on anything that was different. Well, not just different.
Nessarose was different, not being able to walk and all, but Father still paid attention to her. He still doted on her as everyone else did. She was the tragically beautiful girl. She knew it and took full advantage of it, which wasn't something Elphaba could blame her for until it became an inconvenience. It was one of the other reasons why Elphaba refused to have anything less than the entirety of Oz in her hands. She would rule Oz because she refused to spend the rest of her life caring for her spoiled brat of a sister.
And so, she watched and listened and learned, something that being ignored helped with for a change. She'd learned how to play the game, manipulate the situations around her to suit her needs, exactly how to act, which battles to fight and which ones to lie in wait until she could strike.
Even though Munchkinland was only a piece of Oz where knowledge was limited and its people knew little more than farming, Elphaba knew that there was no one smarter than she. No one was as cunning or as knowledgeable. Don't misunderstand, Elphaba wasn't, by any means, conceited. That would lead to complacency and ultimately meant losing the game. She just simply knew these things to be true; and she was looking forward to going to Shiz University to prove them even further. All the meticulous plans she'd been working on for years would finally be put into motion.
It honestly couldn't be working out any better if she were a playwright directing their vision on a stage. Many things had been considered, but some variables can't be accounted for until they presented themselves. However, those that had been planned for had gone flawlessly.
The first of which wasn't something that required any sort of extensive planning. Her green skin naturally put people off. It made intimidating others and alienating herself that much easier, and, in turn, made carrying out her plans less complicated. Of course, it wasn't as if people were jumping to be in any sort of relationship with her, but handling them this way allowed her to form any she chose to on her own terms. Elphaba didn't like to take chances she couldn't guarantee the outcome on.
The second evolved around that lovely little burst of magic. Elphaba chuckled to herself as she remembered it. Letting her magic out and free had become a favorite pastime of hers since she'd first discovered its presence within her. The fact that her ignorant religion extremist of a father was so against it didn't hurt either; however, this flare wasn't for the enjoyment that pissing off her father brought her, but to garner the attention of that repugnant fish of a woman Madame Morrisa Morrible. Elphaba's amusement quickly faded into irritation as her eyes left the pages of her book to roll themselves involuntarily.
Although it was a part of the grand scheme, Morrible's over exaggerated sympathy and obnoxious speech about talent did nothing more than irritate her to the core. Elphaba supposed it was hypocritical to be so annoyed at the thought of someone trying to manipulate her, especially when she was playing into it by acting the part of the innocent, naïve girl who couldn't control her magic; but dammit, did she really have to be so obvious about it? It was insulting, especially when she almost immediately used the Wizard as some sort of glittering prize that she should be jumping at.
Then again, no one knew her true thoughts about their glorious Wizard, and Elphaba preferred it stay that way for the time being. Besides, it shouldn't have been considering that would be just the opportunity any young person (any citizen of Oz, really) would snatch up and therefore was the exact motivation needed; but it concerned her just how easily it was brought up. There was no alluding to it. It hadn't been used later on as incentive to work harder or as a reward for accomplishing something. It raised even more questions about the Wizard that Elphaba would have to consider, however, it did confirm that she'd made the right decision about attending Shiz and the Madame.
It was no secret that Madame Morrible was in close connection to His Terribleness even though she held no public office or previous relationship making some wonder how it came to be. It was also a known fact that Shiz graduates were the most successful and in high demand post-graduation. Elphaba wasn't sure if that was a reflection on the faculty or the head Shiztress's relationship with wizard. Considering that most public officials also came from the prestigious school, she would say it was the latter. It made sense that Shiz would be a breeding ground for the Wizard's future minions if the book material on Animals was anything to go by.
The green woman didn't doubt her ability to accomplish her goals by other means, but this was the most painless and direct way to the Wizard. She was sure that nothing would sway her, so it fell to the least of her concerns. What was in the forefront of her mind was the roommate situation she found herself in. A smile worked its way back on to Elphaba's lips as she turned a page in her book.
When Elphaba had made the arrangements for Shiz, not having accommodations upon arrival had again been a part of the plan. At best case scenario, she would end up sharing quarters with Morrible and her sister (unfortunately not every win could be a perfect one). She'd be close to Morrible to more easily sway the woman's opinions of her and get more information from her. Sure, if she ever had to stay out late, it would be a bit more difficult, but Elphaba wasn't one to back down from a challenge, especially when it was so beneficial to her cause.
At worst case scenario, she would end up with a room to herself (not really a bad thing), and that was barring the roommate she would spook into abandoning ship. Again, there was no need to worry about these simple things because each outcome had been considered and planned for accordingly…well all except for the one where she became the roommate of Galinda Upland of the Upper Uplands. If Elphaba had been even the smallest bit religious, she would have seen this as some divine blessing of her plans; however, she only believed in herself, and she believed herself to hit the jackpot. Elphaba chuckled delightedly, flipping another page.
Elphaba was nothing but thorough in everything that she did. This diligence extended to her fellow classmates which she'd done at least the bare minimum of research on. There was only a small fraction of the Shiz population that didn't come from wealthy families with important names. While those names were important, the students would be continuing their family legacies after all, the non-rich and famous were just as important too. If they managed to get into the most prominent university in Oz, then they had the drive (or associates) to accomplish things. Elphaba certainly would not discriminate when the time came to make her own connections.
Besides, most of the wealthy here were Gillkinese and they were all the same to a certain degree. Gillkin was like an elitist, gated community that just grew too damn large and became a factory for cookie cutter people and a few special snowflakes. If you got in with one, it's likely you'd get with a few of them; but Elphaba had managed to get one of the snowflakes. Get in with her, get in with all of them. Really, the way people flocked around Galinda Upland was ridiculous. Society was just conditioned to be suckers for anything prettier than normal. That, coupled with her sweet and "goodly" nature sealed the deal.
Of course, Miss Upland was just as put off by her skin as the rest of the population and treated Elphaba accordingly, which she deemed fine for the time being. It would make their mutual tolerance for each other that much more credible when the girl's conscious finally overruled her need to be a little sheep. All she needed was a plan to get them to that point. Closing her book, Elphaba stood from her plushy seat. Packing her belongings and shouldering her bag, she exited from the library.
The raven-haired woman already had something the blonde wanted: a seat in Morrible's private sorcery seminar. It would be more than easy to convince the fish to let the blonde in, but she needed a reason to do it…a way to make the girl appreciate it. She needed to get an emotional response that would make Galinda accept her. The little "favor" she'd done Nessarose wouldn't be good enough.
Elphaba's mouth formed into a small condescending smile as she thought about that munchkin taking her naïve, idealistic sister to the party tonight. Really, anyone could see that he was only doing it under an impressive misbelief that the goodly Galinda would give him a chance if he proved himself, but Nessarose's dreams of being normal made her delusional. She saw what she wanted to see and who was Elphaba to get in the way of that? Ha, they really did deserver each other. She shook her head in amusement, entering the doors of Craig Hall and walking across the foyer to the stairs.
She supposed thanking Galinda for what will be "the first happy night of Nessa's life" (and probably the beginnings of a miserable and misguided relationship) to make her seem more human and show that she had the ability to care. Maybe she could guilt the cream puff by going on and on about her sister's happiness. Elphaba fished her key out of her pocket as she reached her floor and made her way down the hall to the last room where her suite was located, pausing upon hearing voices inside.
"Do me up! And now I must accessorize myself for Fiyero," Galinda tittered along with her other puff pastries. Of course, she had to accessorize for Fiyero. Elphaba huffed in annoyance at the mention of the "scandalacious" Vinkun prince. The boy seemed to bring new heights and levels to the word brainless. The fact that the two would be going to the festivities together wasn't a surprise. Now there's a couple that deserved each other. Both were pretty. Both were frivolous and flamboyant. Both were blond (Although Elphaba knew for a fact that Galinda would insist that her hair was some shade of Honey Golden or something nonsensical of the sort). What else did one need for a good, stable relationship?
"Would one of you dears get my shoes for me? Row seven, column D. I just need to check my hair just one more time."
"Whatever for, darling? You're perfect!"
"Phannee's right, dear. You always look flawless," ShenShen agreed.
"You two are just so sweet. Do I really?" Cue "modest" giggle. "Oh, of course I do." More dainty laughter ensues
Elphaba shook the critical thoughts from her head and took a breath. They hadn't really done anything horrible to her. Well, besides Fiyero's carriage nearly running her over. While she had been prepared to admit she was partially responsible – only to herself and certainly not at the time – the prince's blasé attitude towards whole situation really hadn't made it any better, thus her opinion of him was even lower than what she normally thought of his type; however, the prince could prove useful if the celebration that the entire campus was attending was anything to go by. Having Galinda in her pocket could subsequently put the boy in there too. Oh, the opportunities that presented themselves. They came up so frequently that she seemed to be constantly updating and expanding her plan.
Giving up on hearing anything more of interest, not that they were was really anything, Elphaba slide her key into the lock.
"Galinda, what in Oz's name," ShenShen demanded suddenly, causing Elphaba to halt her entrance, again, with a frown.
"Oh my Oz," Phannee echoed in disbelief.
"Please pretend you didn't see that. My granny is always buying me the most hideodious hats," Galinda explained hurriedly. "I'd give it away, but I don't hate anyone that much." A pause.
"Yes, you do," Phannee and ShenShen chimed together. Galinda knew who they were speaking of immediately, and so did Elphaba. Her thoughts erupted, but it didn't take long for everything to settle and fall into place.
"Oh no, I couldn't…could I?" She could practically hear the slow smile creeping onto the blonde's face through the door. Elphaba had found an opening and wasted no time taking it. Turning the key, she burst in.
"Galinda – my sister and I were just talking about you just know –
"And I was just talking about you! I thought you might want to wear this to the party tonight!" Galinda brandished a black, pointed hat as if were something to behold. Elphaba supposed that in a way it was. Skepticism was not hard to work on her face at all. "It's really, uh, sharp, don't you think? You know – black is this year's pink."
"Really?" She drawled unable to help herself. The sarcasm just happened, but it encouraged the three of them as they all nodded quite enthusiastically.
"You deserved each other, this hat and you," Galinda continued. "You're both so smart. You deserve each other. So here, out of the goodness of my heart." Taking the hat and making a show of being touched, she thanked Galinda, who was already halfway out the door, with a Phannee and ShenShen, who were barely holding it together. Elphaba could hear them giggling hysterically as they all but ran away, trying and failing to quiet each other down. Would anyone have fallen for that in real life, or did she reek of desperation? Nodding thoughtfully, Elphaba accepted that as a kind of positive and moved on to prepare for tonight's main event.
Step one: Visit Morrible's quarters under the guise of making sure her sister was ready for, again, "the first happy night of her life." Elphaba wasn't sure why she found that particular statement so amusing, but she did. Nessa was pleased, Morrible touched, everyone was in a great mood to be manipulated; so, of course she milked it for everything it was worth. When she left, Nessa was even happier that she was giving Galinda a chance after her kind (insert snort) gesture, and Morrible a little more than slightly peeved at having to deal with the blonde airhead (an understandable sentiment if there ever was one). She didn't put up much fight, so she couldn't be that reluctant, but on the other hand, Morrible's easy acceptance of Galinda seemed to have less to do with Elphaba's persuasion skills and more to do with an almost desperate need to keep her in the class. The head Shiztress and. by extension, the Wizard needed her. The question was what for, exactly. The emerald skinned woman shook her head, making a gesture of flicking her thoughts away. There would be time to death with it later. More important things were happening tonight. Cackling in the night as she made her way back to her dorm, she swore they just made it too easy.
Step two: Prepare herself for the party. Elphaba wasn't an especially frilly girl, but she did appreciate looking nice and presentable. Whenever there were events that required the presence of the entire Thropp clan, the governor made sure that she was dressed appropriately. Elphaba did have the means to suitably dress for the occasion, but the situation called for the opposite. She slipped on her simplest black frock and neatly braided her hair. Let it definitely be said that she put in more effort than normal, but still missed the socially acceptable mark by miles. Grabbing that atrocious hat that she decided she could actually pull off after observing herself in the mirror for a few minutes, Elphaba all but skipped out the door. Tonight, was going to be just wonderful!
Step three: Make sure that the Madame had done her part. Not a challenging task, that only included running into her as she left the Ozdust. Again, her dislike for the situation was clear and may have contributed to the snide compliment she gave Elphaba on her choice of hat wear. Elphaba couldn't bring herself to care that the hat really must have been ugly if Morrible, of all people, thought so.
Step four: Make her grand entrance. It was the part that she had been waiting on all evening and had to literally stopped herself from bouncing up the steps of the Ozdust. She had an image to uphold after all., but dammit if she wasn't exciting. Elphaba was way past fashionably late and of course the party was in full swing, all the better to wow the crowd with.
AN: Hi. Not too much to say here. I wrote this a few years ago after wanting to get back in to writing. Since I'm just now posting this, it's obvious I was not that successful. Mostly because I got stuck. I'm still stuck to be honest. As such, I'm 99.999% sure that this story will never be finished. Fret not! There is a part two to this that I will post in a month or so. Chapter 3 is where things get rocky for me. We'll see.