Galinda was a brilliant observer. Playing with the other children of the community, high or low she knew appearance was her job.

One important account taught Galinda everything she needed to know. While playing at a local luncheon sitting in the grass playing with the flowers with her two cousins Elda Dia. Two ladies of society were talking amongst themselves, thinking little of three children nearby. Oh how I wish my girl was half as well behaved has Mrs. Upland's girl. Look at her! Galinda still picking flowers not having to look to know she was gesturing towards her.

Galinda knew her family spent time with the community for appearances. Not that they were stuck up, but they were high born, and their family survival was to be agreeably liked if not loved.

For centuries after the Great War, their lineage comes from one great knight that fought bravley and who was well loved by the people who humbly kept his roots within the people despite his new found riches. And Galinda was a perfect example.

The two ladies talked on politics, their husbands, soon their conversation went incredibly dull. Turning her attention to her cousins they had grown bored of picking flowers instead descided to pull up the grass throw it at each other. Galinda was soon tempted to join in, but before she could a hand grabbed Elda's arm, her mother took her aside.

Galinda new she was being scolded. Soon tears were coming down Elda's cheeks. After wards Galdina came to Elda without warning hugged her. She was just playing, any child would do that, but Elda's mother wasn't one to be near children, but it was expected being married, she had to provide. It was often shocking it seemed when someone express discontent towards children. Galinda still so young and innocent pushed all this out her head. Knowing this would displease her mother if she knew her darling child was hearing all this absurdity she would say.

Later on her way to her room to ready for bed, she heard her mother's voice within her parlor. Oh darling Galinda comforted Elda today. Expressing her approval at her sweet child's behavior. Really? Her Papa answered in his I'm listening voice. Galinda's mother went on to praise her for being so humble, kind, and most importantly not giving into her cousin's example.

Galinda's head whirled with realization. The world always likes a princess. Wait...is that it? Later that night, crawling out of her bed taking out a story book from her book shelf, looking intensely at the pictures of princesses with kind smiles, humble filled deeds, and kind hearts.

Galinda loved the thought of being a good pure hearted. Being kind loving. But it bothered to know its a certain image. She already loved pink, and she was used to smiling. If smiling was counted as a language she'd be fluent. Soon her actions and words reflected her story books. They became a guide and a safety zone for her. The pages were her mask the words were her truest wishes and friends.

She did care for others, but still wasn't enough. And if she ever had wicked thoughts she would berry them. Or keep them close until she knew it was safe to let her true opinions out. She learned quickly how to set opinions and thoughts. A sweet child she was but a concious scholar underneath.

But she didn't mind. She always had such happy good willed faces friends around her. How bad could this be? She often thought to herself. 6 years old and a garden party was to be held in the garden.

All of Galinda's classmates were invited and all the kids in the neighborhood were welcomed too. The flowers were in bloom the decorations were up and bright. The world was a fairytale playground. Her party's theme was dress up, and of course what's dress up without a princess? Pink from head to toe, Galdina looked in the mirror proud as could be. As her maid was finishing up with a few alterations Galinda's smile faded. It didn't take long for the maid to notice. Galinda? Are you not happy with your dress? Galinda realizing and shaking her head, slightly laughed returning her smile for her maid, and answered. Oh yes. I am very happy. Not relenting and holding up her smile, not letting it slip. The maid went back to her work as Galinda turned to her blessings. The reason for her frown was caused by her brother not coming to the party, he apparently made plans not telling their mother to go off with his friends and play. It sadden Galinda but maybe it was for the best, he would be bored anyways, and their mother wouldn't allow him to be his mischievous self anyways.

Galinda when feeling sad, made a list of what she's got and why not to be sad. She has many friends a loving family. She's about to have a dream come true party. Soon her thoughts where turned by the sound of her brother's voice. Coming in on all fours pretending to be a horse announced himself. Galinda giggled and rode her pony brother down stairs to see her parents composing all the servants.

The party was an immediate success. The girls boys wearing their best if not wearing costumes. Receiving cake, then presents by the end of the day Galinda was out before she could get to the stairs.

Awaking within her warm bed with a smile on her face Galinda always jumped out of bed to double sure herself she was up before she could doze into perfect sleeping bliss. She was not without character. Always positive and bouncing with enthusiasm. It wasn't hard to not smile when Galinda was around spreading joy, sunshine. It was easy for worries to lessen.

Galinda was by now 7 years of age, along with her brother to accompany her to the fair. It was amazing, all the sights, sounds, smells it was a definite change of scenery to what Galinda was used to.

So sheltered of life she had. But it wasn't new to her brother, Subbashtion. He was always with his friends kicking cans, playing wiz ball, and whatever would let them get dirty. Galinda loved being with her brother, but disliked it when having the possibly of getting mud on her shoes or dress.

Sebastian was already getting tired of the horse riding, especially when his friends would call out on him as a insult or joke that obviously didn't settle with him. Galinda was always confused when that happened, in Galinda's eyes he was the best brother ever! To others he wasn't the best example. Already unknown to Galinda, he'd been in trouble with vandalizing, stealing, and causing nothing but trouble. Reason being?

A disgrace to his family. Getting his sister off her horse, after her riding lessons, he was able to convince her to see a show with him at the local fair ground. The show was about industrial change!

Trying to keep up with her brother who was tugging excitingly, through the crowds into a tent with where a stage was set, actors showcasing the magnificent change in the Emerald City. "Inventions, electric machinery, fashion, museums, taller bigger better buildings, shiniest in all Oz!"

Soon the subject came to the possibility of Animals being of no use of being on the same level with people of Oz.

Galinda looked around at the crowds faces, watching this presentation. They all looked mostly pleased, some with concern, including her brother. Which was odd, considering he never seemed to care about anything but to make havoc.

Once home, Galinda naturally skipping up the stairs to her room as she always does, to go ready herself when called down for Dinner.

Before she could be out of sight the tone changed, catching Galinda's attention.

Hiding ontop of the grandstair case she quietly listened. Sebastian was being scolded again, this time for going to...the fair. Odd she thought. Their mother was lecturing him, asking why? He could only shrug his shoulders. He was then sent to his room with no Dinner.

Galinda new that wouldn't stop him from his mischievousness, especially when he already had a stash of snacks hidden in his room. Galinda's closet had a small door that opened straight into his room.

Only if it wasn't locked on his side. Once alone in her room, she tried to connect to him. But the door would not budge that's only if he wanted to be alone. Other times she'd crawl in and they'd share a snack, play a quiet game of cards.

Unknown to her, he was to, or should have been studying, and working out long overdue papers. But no Sebastian rather be with his sister and didn't want her to think him any less of him than her big brother.

By fall Galinda noticed her brother hasn't been around for days. Very confused she tried her secret door, but it was still locked. She tried using a secret code by knocking on the wall, but nothing.

After a week at the dinner table Galinda looked to her mother's face, showing signs of having been crying, then to her father who was hiding behind his news paper. She knew he was hiding, for he'd be looking all through dinner without turning a page.

Galinda asked if she may see, Sebastian but was ignored, as her mother asked her to eat her vegetables. Finishing her dinner, standing up but instead of excusing herself as expected, she asked where is Sebastian again. Her mother father looked at each other, a bit shocked, then dismissed her to go and run along. To work on her writing.

And that's what she did, but to write a secret letter to her brother, after writing and letting it dry, she sleeped it under his door, only to be handed back the letter by her governess later that evening.

"Your brother is not to be bothered Galinda", she said in her stern voice. Her governess always annoyed her with her high and mighty attitude. She was like an old crab, always wearing something red and a hot tempered attitude it was enough for Galinda to want to scream. But thankfully not long after the new year she was dismissed, now that Galinda was far to old for a governess.

But also with the leave of the governess came the leave of her brother. Sebastian soon after the first snow fall, was taken away to another house smaller but much more closer to the next best medical help. Sebastian was gravely ill. By spring they had his funeral. Heart broken, Galinda after the Funeral rushed to her brother's room and grabbed his favorite things saved them within a box and hide them within her closet.

To everyone's memory Sebastian was a black sheep of the family, probably died after running around in dirt, rain, and Oz knows what?! But to Galinda he was the best brother.

It wasn't until Galinda got older she learned all her brothers miss deeds and behavior, and fully understood but still couldn't tarnish her love and admiration for her brother. Despite his bad misjudged decisions, he did care, he just wasn't one for the life of titles , and luxury.

Galinda never spoke about her brother, only unhappy, disapproved shaking heads, and faces would fallow. But he was always there within every cat or dog or animal she'd see being a pest or mischevious. Smiling, rolling her eyes as if not amused, really to mask the love she always held for her dear brother, Sebastian.