Hello, all! I'm gonna try to make Tuesday updates a thing. We'll see how that goes.
Also, some of the events in this chapter may remind you of another hit musical. That is intentional, and there are more references to come.
Enjoy!
Chapter 2
After her infuriating exchange with the extremely rude Arjikii boy on the quad, Elphaba Thropp made her way back to Crage Hall, desperately hoping that her roommate, who could be just as annoying as the Vinkun boy, was not in their room. Elphaba needed some time to herself, to think about the earlier events of her day, specifically the disturbing message that had been written on Doctor Dillamond's chalkboard: "ANIMALS SHOULD BE SEEN AND NOT HEARD." Who might have written such a thing? One of her classmates? Maybe, but what could they know about what was happening to the Animals? Doctor Dillamond had made it seem like some Animals were losing their ability to speak gradually and discretely, almost so someone who wasn't paying attention wouldn't really notice. Who could be behind this? Elphaba wondered. She supposed it must be some nefarious sorcerer or sorceress, maybe a follower of the old Kumbric Witch …
As Elphaba entered the lobby of Crage Hall, she saw her sister sitting at one of the tables. Nessa immediately spotted Elphaba as well and pulled away from the table. "Fabala!" she exclaimed, rolling up to Elphaba with a white lace dress in her lap. "Let's go into the bathroom! You must help me get ready for the dance! I didn't want Madam Morrible to help me. What does she know about dances?"
"You could ask the same about me," Elphaba pointed out, taking the dress. "What dance are you talking about, Nessie?"
The sisters started heading towards the public women's bathroom right off the lobby. "The one Prince Fiyero's having at the Ozdust tonight, of course! It's going to be so much fun!"
Elphaba began helping Nessa with her clothes. "Did someone ask you?"
Nessa sighed heavily. "Yeah. Some overgrown Munchkin boy. I know why he asked me. Galinda told him to. I think she was trying to get him to do a charitable act, you know, ask the poor crippled girl out. I said no. If I'm going to be governor of Munchkinland, I don't need my future constituents doing things for me; it needs to be the other way around. But I have decided to still go; I'll just be going stag. I think it'll be fun. You should come too, Fabala. You'll enjoy it."
"Oh, I don't think so, Nessa," Elphaba said, zipping up the back of Nessa's dress. "I have quite a bit of homework to do."
"Elphaba!" Nessa scolded. "You're never going to be truly happy if all you do is work! I'm about to have the first happy night of my life, and you should too. Please come?"
"Hmmph. I'll think about it." But while Elphaba wasn't sure if she wanted to go to the dance, she was sure that she needed to do something nice for Galinda for inspiring Nessa to be so happy. With an internal groan, she realized exactly what would make Galinda the happiest. Putting her own selfishness aside, Elphaba resolved to stop by Madam Morrible's office once she was done helping Nessa.
Meanwhile, Galinda was busy getting ready for the dance with two of her friends, Pfannee and Shenshen. "Help me do the back of my dress up, Pfannee!" she said excitedly. "I must accessorize myself for Fiyero!" Pfannee giggled in agreement as she laced up Galinda's rose pink dress.
"Galinda!" Shenshen suddenly exclaimed from Galinda's wardrobe. "What in Oz name is this?"
The two other girls turned to see Shenshen holding up an outrageously unfashionable black pointed hat. Galinda groaned and took the hat. "Ugh. Pretend you didn't see that. My Nana is always sending me the most hideodius hats." She examined the hat and let out another sound of disgust. "I'd give it away, but I don't think I hate anyone that much."
Pfannee and Shenshen expressed the same thought at the exact same time. "Yes, you do!"
Galinda gave an uncharacteristically sly smile as she figured out what her friends were thinking. "Oh, I couldn't, could I? Oh, why not? It'll be hilarious!" And the three friends had a good laugh just thinking about their plan.
Not long after Pfannee and Shenshen left to get ready themselves, Elphaba returned to Room 23 after having argued with Madam Morrible for almost a full hour. She intended to get straight to the point with her roommate. "Look, Galinda," she started. "Nessa and I were just talking about you, and I just wanted to say … I really appreciate you trying to get her a date. He didn't really appeal to her, but it really boosted her confidence. So , thank you!"
The sincerity of Elphaba's gratitude almost made Galinda hesitate in going through with the prank. But the possibility of social disapproval still ruled her. "Oh, you're welcome! And hey, I was just talking about you! I thought you might wanna wear this hat to the party tonight." She held out the offensive hat. "I think you would look great in this! You know, black is this year's pink. Face it, you and this hat were made for each other!" And she dumped the hat into Elphaba's arms.
"T-Thank you," Elphaba managed, not knowing what else to say.
Galinda waved her away. "Oh, think nothing of it! This is out of the goodness of my heart!" And at that moment, Elphaba decided to go to the dance, figuring some fun might do her some good.
The Tigulaar brothers got to the Ozdust around 7 to pay for all the partygoers to get free food and drinks, and so Fiyero could make requests to the band that was to play that night. Around 7:30, everything was set, and Fiyero sat with Sanele at a table close to the dance floor. "So, ubhutincane," Sanele began, "you must tell me all about this Miss Galinda. What's she like, this future princess of the Arjikiis?"
Fiyero laughed. "Sani! Slow down! I just met this girl today! I don't think we are there quite yet. But nonetheless, I can tell you that she is very pretty and quite charming."
"Aren't they all?" Sanele said with a sigh. "Fiyero, yonke intombazane isesimweni esihle kakhulu futhi ebukekayo kunazo zonke phambi kwenkosana." Fiyero, every girl is at their prettiest and most charming in front of a prince.
A half hour later, the Ozdust was flooded with almost the entirety of Shiz's freshers. Fiyero had certainly found another popular one, Sanele thought to himself. He soon met Miss Galinda, who turned out to be just as he had imagined her: a vapid Gilikinese socialite who bowed profusely to him before whisking Fiyero away to dance. Sanele was suddenly alone among a throng of university students who were hardly adults. But he did not appear to be alone, because all the girls were quick to recognize him as Sanele Tigulaar, Prince of the Arjikiis and heir to the throne, and they flocked to him like pigeons. He danced with all of them, though he didn't really feel like it. He would not have any of them saying that he was rude or surly.
After he felt he had sufficiently fulfilled his princely duties, Sanele collapsed at the bar. "Whiskey, much alcohol, please," he ordered breathlessly. "Please forgive my Ozish; I'm from the west."
"No problem, I know who you are, Your Highness," the bartender said. "Coming right up."
"I thank you." As Sanele drank his whiskey, he watched his brother dance. He knew that their Grandfather Kgabu was probably rolling in his grave at Fiyero being so easternized: with his straightened hair and tuxedo bought from the finest shop in the Emerald City – not to mention his dancing with a Gilikinese girl who now had her head on his chest as if they had been together for years.
But Sanele's opinion on Galinda began to slowly change when the headmistress of Shiz, Madam Morrible, came up to Galinda and Fiyero, and presented Galinda with a standard eastern magical implement: a wand. Galinda, as Sanele expected, appeared thrillified at first, but strangely, once the Head left, she grow subdued, as if receiving the wand had made her come to some great realization. Though she quickly perked up again when Fiyero offered her another dance, Sanele regretted rushing to judge her.
But suddenly, much to Sanele's confusion, everyone stopped dancing and let out a collective gasp. Even the band stopped playing. Sanele was lost until he saw the source of everyone's awe: a girl in a queer black pointed hat standing in the doorway of the ballroom. As she entered, all the students gave her a wide berth, and Sanele could clearly see that her skin was a bright emerald green. This certainly intrigued him; was it a birth defect? A full body tattoo? Whatever it was, Sanele found it did not detract from her looks in the slightest. Her face seemed to be chiseled from rock, with high cheekbones which could be seen from a distance. To Sanele's outrage, the Shiz freshers did not share his admiration for the girl, for they began to laugh and jeer at her. At first, she seemed to be upset by this, as she removed her hat and turned to leave. But presently, a wave of determination seemed to come over her, and she began to dance. Ignoring everyone's stares, she made up a dance on the spot, a sign of unbelievable tenacity and courage. Sanele, who had long trained himself to keep his emotions under wraps, could not help but go weak at the knees with infatuation for this strange green girl.
But then, the strangest thing happened. Galinda, with a remorseful look on her face, left Fiyero's side and approached the green girl. "May I cut in?" she asked tentatively.
The green girl, seeming a bit surprised, nodded in ascent and motioned for Galinda to join her in her dance. As they danced together, the band started up again, and soon most everyone resumed dancing for a number, following Galinda's lead in accepting the green girl. She gave the most beautiful smile at everyone dancing around her; this seemed to be one of the first times she had ever received any positive attention. Sanele had to talk to her.
But that proved difficult, as Galinda now seemed to be attached to the green girl's hip, babbling like a waterfall. Fiyero didn't seem to notice, as he was making himself acquainted with some Gilikinese boys. The green girl didn't talk much, but respectfully listened with a bemused smile on her face.
After about ten clock ticks of this, however, Galinda went to the bathroom, and Sanele took a deep breath and walked towards the green girl. "Hello," he said. "I am Sanele Tigulaar. I enjoyed your dance mightily. Truly, you were … magnificent."
"Thanks," she said wryly, shaking his hand. "Elphaba. Elphaba Thropp."
He kissed her hand. "Elphaba. It is lovely to meet you. Where are you from?"
"I always find that question often stems from the desire to judge someone based on their origins. But since I have no pride for my homeland, I will tell you. I'm from Nest Hardings. Munchkinland." She surveyed him. "And judging by your attire and your tattoos, you must be Arjikii. Oh! You're Prince Sanele of the Arjikiis! Sweet Oz! What are you doing here at Shiz?"
"I am just dropping off my brother. I leave for the Vinkus tomorrow morning."
"Oh. So, what are your plans for when you become king?"
What were his plans for when he became king? It took Sanele a clock tick to come up with an answer. She wasn't asking how much money or how many castles he had; she was asking him about his political plans! Where had this girl been all his life? So he told her about his plans to tighten the Arjikiis' alliances with the Yunameta and Scrow tribes in case of attack, securing an audience with the Wizard face to face to discuss trade, and building another castle in Kumbrica's Pass to decrease fear and superstition. She listened intently and asked good questions. She would make a wonderful queen …
But his mother wouldn't allow it. His mother would have a stroke if he brought home a Munchkin girl. As heir to the throne, he needed to marry an Arjikii girl, not just to keep his mother happy, but to keep the whole tribe happy. Sanele had a duty, but Elphaba was so intelligent, so politically passionate, as well as quite beautiful, in her own way. She had to stay in his life.
As Elphaba was explaining to him some crisis concerning the Animals brought up by one of her professors, Sanele's eyes unintentionally wandered, and he noticed his brother standing a little ways off to the side, looking like he wanted to be in on the conversation. Sanele noticed something about him that Fiyero hadn't even realized for himself yet.
"So, in truth, I want to see the Wizard as much as you do," Elphaba concluded. "If he's a good leader, and I really think he is, he must help us fix what's happening to the Animals!"
Sanele chuckled in agreement. "Well, I think he will have no choice but to listen to you." He took her by the arm. "But since you cannot meet the Wizard just yet, I have someone for you to meet right now."
"Who?" she asked. "Where are you taking me?"
He smiled. "I'm about to change your life!"
"Oh." She laughed a little. "Then, by all means, lead the way."
They approached Fiyero. "Ubhuti," Sanele began. "I have become acquainted with the ballroom's most interesting dancer. This is Elphaba Thropp. Elphaba, this is my brother, Fiyero. He is just beginning his career at Shiz."
"We've met," Elphaba said, half annoyed and half amused. "So … Fiyero, mow down any more people today?"
"I'm so sorry, Elphaba," Fiyero said sheepishly. "I was hoping I would see you again soon just so I could apologize." Elphaba rolled her eyes. "If it helps, my driver Avaric is still traumatized by the incident. You certainly gave both of us a scare."
She grinned. "That does help a little bit."
Fiyero motioned to the dance floor. "You wanna dance? Maybe I could teach you to dance a bit better."
"You're awful," Elphaba said mockingly. "But sure." And as Fiyero led Elphaba away to dance, Sanele knew he had succeeded, for better or worse.
At about one that morning, the party ended, and Elphaba went with Galinda back to Crage Hall, still amazed that Galinda was now treating her civilly. "Weren't the Tigulaar brothers SO HOT?!" Galinda gushed as they entered their room. "Fiyero was just so sweet, and that Prince Sanele is so tall, dark, and handsome!" And Elphaba couldn't help but agree.
And there you have it! Hope you liked it! Thanks for reading!
Cheers,
Elle Dottore