"His Ozness ordered more study materials for us."
Elphaba glanced up from the notes on the new social services program the ministers in the legislation house had just approved to the box Dr. Dillamond set on the table. It was a hot day for early May, and the stuffy classroom wasn't aiding her focus. She removed her glasses, squeezing the bridge of her nose, before slowly rising and walking over. She carefully removed the lid and peered inside at the multitude of multicolored documents.
"It seems we are to study more current events," the Goat continued, seeing papers dated within the last twenty years.
She hummed, only half-hearing her teacher as she pulled the packets, books, and other study materials from the box. She set them on the desk without organization and grabbed the largest packet from the pile.
"Perhaps we should start with this." The Goat gestured to a light green paper at the bottom of the pile. While at the bottom, it still had the official stamp, meaning it came straight from the Wizard's desk.
"What is it?" Elphaba asked, taking and reading it herself before receiving an answer. "It's the itinerary for my father's anniversary next month."
"If I'm not mistaken, you're to begin your official public appearances."
"You're sadly not mistaken. Public appearances and never-ending duties." She looked at the list and sighed. "My freedom was fun while it lasted."
The good doctor smiled sympathetically. He was aware of the secret charade his student played, how much she enjoyed it, and how much it helped the kitchen staff.
"Monday is a garden party. Tuesday is the Beacon lighting. Wednesday is the Auglire Boat Race. Thursday is the Headow Race and Dressage Competition. Friday is the Flower Show. Saturday is the grand finale; the parade and evening ball," she read, her voice growing more tired with each word.
"Dignitaries and other officials from all over Oz, and a few from beyond, will be present for all the events, so –"
"I must be prepared to greet and speak to all of them." She straightened, brushing her hair from her face. "This is what you've been preparing me for. Quiz me."
"My family is returning from the countryside for the celebrations, and staying in Frottica for the social season."
Elphaba didn't glance up from her journal. "You don't sound very happy about that. I thought you missed your parents, brother, and sister."
Galinda glanced at the letter, aimlessly flicking it. "I do. The last I heard from them was when they sent Malky for my birthday… instead of visiting or sending for me. But their return also means they'll be pushing suitors in my face for the next five months."
"I thought they'd be more focused on your sister."
"I had hoped they'd be, especially since she's competing in the dressage competition, but this letter sounds otherwise." She folded the letter and pocketed it. "Although… since I am forever in your service –" she ignored her friend's eye roll, "– any potential matches must have your approval."
That got the green girl to glance up. "Glin…"
"So you could say 'no' to any and all matches my parents throw at me, and they can't say anything about it."
"I thought you wanted to get married."
"I do, just not to someone of my parents' sole choosing. When I find someone, I'll let you know. Please, Elphie? You don't want me to marry a boring, old man with white hair and no sense of humor, do you?"
"Glin –"
"What if he has a peg leg? Or bad breath? Or a master bedroom with only one wardrobe?"
"I think you're overreacting."
"Please? I never ask you for anything."
"You asked to borrow my silver comb last week."
She ran over and knelt next to her, leaned her head back against her lap, and looked up at her with her pouty-puppy eyes she knew her friend was unable to resist. "Pwease?"
"You know, the more you do that, the more immune I become." She sighed, but gave in with a nod.
The blonde gave her an enthusiastic hug with an equally enthusiastic squeal. Her squeal roused the two pets sleeping by the window. Malky slowly opened his eyes, and gave the blonde a seemingly-annoyed look, before resting his head on Chistery's wing. The Monkey shifted, but didn't open his eyes.
"I promise next month will be fun," she said quietly, now mindful of the slumbering animals. "It'll be a lot for you, but we'll make it fun. I'm sure there's a way to sneak Ixian puff powder into the cupcakes."
The thought of all the fancy-schmancy guests having cupcakes explode in their faces got her smiling. "I wish there was a way to get that secret prank into effect."
Their moment was interrupted by a hard knock at the door. Elphaba's smile quickly faded as she permitted them to enter.
"His Ozness requests you come to the throne room, Your Royal Highness," the guard said, taking a step inside with a deep bow.
"Right. The briefing with the Gale Force captain," she remembered.
It'd been weeks since the incident, and her father still hadn't lightened up on her security. A guard followed her everywhere, staying right outside doors when she required privacy, and always staying a few paces behind her. She would've preferred being secretly watched; at least she wouldn't have to hear the soldier's heavy footsteps and breathing all the time. She tried to ignore them, but they seemed intent on making sure she knew they were always near her.
But she knew she shouldn't blame the guards. It wasn't their fault. She was sure the last thing they wanted to do was babysit her all day.
"I'll come with you. I'm overdue for the garden's inspection," Galinda said, standing with her.
The two hurried downstairs, going to the throne room first. Elphaba hated feeling like she was being "dropped off", but didn't have time to dwell on those feelings as the large double doors opened for her. She forced her emotions down and practically glided across the floor to the two men seated at the table.
"Father," she curtsied. "Captain Tiieg."
"Your Royal Highness," the captain stood and bowed.
The Wizard wordlessly motioned for her to have a seat. "Continue, Captain."
Elphaba sat through the briefing, the men talking as if she wasn't there. They didn't pay any attention to her, but she knew that it wouldn't end well for her if she looked like she wasn't paying attention.
"Our newest recruits will also be part of the anniversary parade," Captain Tiieg continued, pulling out a thick piece of paper. "They've completed their training and passed inspection."
Elphaba stole a glance at the paper. There were around fifty names and ages of the young men joining the various branches of the Gale Force, from the new palace guards to active platoons.
"They're younger than past recruits," the Wizard commented, but signed off on it anyway. "Is there anything else?"
The large double doors flew open, and a young man sheepishly hurried in. "Apologies, Your Ozness, Princess. Captain."
The Wizard narrowed his eyes. "What the –"
"Ferk, what is the meaning of this?" the captain frowned at his secretary.
"Captain, your wife is calling for you."
"Did you tell her I'm meeting with His Ozness?"
"Yes. She knows, sir. She… um… said she… uh… didn't… care." His voice grew softer and more sheepish by the word. "Along with a few other words that I daren't repeat –"
"The point, Ferk?"
"She's in labor, sir."
Captain Tiieg's breath hitched, and he bit his lip, looking torn with what to say. "Tell her… I'll be there as quickly as I can."
"Go now, Captain," the Wizard said. "Your wife needs you."
"Thank you, Your Ozness." The captain stood and bowed, hurrying out with his secretary. "Is she in our rooms?"
"She was walking through the gardens with Lady Galinda when –" The rest of his sentence was lost due to the doors closing behind them.
Elphaba was left alone with her father and looked expectantly at him. His face had softened, and he looked like he was reminiscing over a distant memory. "Father?"
His daughter's voice pulled him from his thoughts and his face hardened again. Elphaba mentally kicked herself and prepared for whatever verbal thrashing she was about to receive.
"I trust you're prepared for the garden party."
She knew he meant meeting the dignitaries, not enjoying the party. "Yes, Father."
"This is to be your first public appearance. I trust you know how to behave."
She felt like a scolded child. She was nineteen, not nine. "Yes, Father."
"Good. You may return to your room."
She stood and curtsied before practically flying out, ignoring the guard following her back upstairs. When she returned, Galinda and Malky were gone, but Chistery was sitting on her bed, eating a bowl of bananas. The Monkey smiled when she entered, abandoning his bowl and flying over to her, landing in her arms and snuggling closer.
"Yo-Yo baby," he reported.
"Yes, Yolnia is having her baby." She scratched under his chin, hiding a wince when his wing accidentally slapped her in the face.
"Play?"
"It'll be a few months before you'll be able to play together." She picked up the bowl and placed it on her desk.
Tiring of baby talk, Chistery sat on her desk and finished his snack before settling for his nap. Elphaba settled by the window with a book and was granted an hour of solitude before Galinda peaked her head in.
"Would you like to see something very impressive?"
She closed her book. "That depends. Is it actually impressive?"
The blonde made a face, stepping in and closing the door behind her. "That depends on whether or not we're thinking the same thing, which I think we will." She closed her eyes, whispered a single word Elphaba didn't catch, and disappeared.
Elphaba's eyes widened. "Glin?" She slowly approached where her friend stood, cautiously extended her arm, and felt only air. "Galinda?"
"Boo!" came a disembodied voice right in her ear.
She jumped away with a yelp, her hip colliding with the footboard of her bed. She could only stare as Galinda slowly reappeared in front of her, trying to hide her giggles behind her hands, and failing miserably.
"I've been practicing that invisibility spell for a week, and I finally got it right! Do you know what this means?"
"That I should be prepared to be scared to death at any given moment from now on?" Elphaba breathed, trying to get her heart rate to return to normal.
"It means we can get a bit of freedom back."
That piqued her interest. "Really?"
"Yes. Well… as long as we don't get caught. You wanna try it?"
"It sounds like a good plan, but you know I don't like using my magic." She glanced over at Chistery, who was picking at his wings in his sleep.
"Elphie, that was nine years ago." She sat next to her on the bed. "You were a child, and I'm sure Chistery's forgiven you."
"He has, and I've forgiven myself, but that doesn't mean I want to use my magic. I've been controlling it all these years. The more I let it out, the harder it'll be to reel back in." She looked at her friend. "My magic isn't like yours, Glin. I don't grow flowers, create bubbles, or turn bricks into chocolate cakes."
"That was one time!"
"I'm much too powerful, and I need to keep it under control. My magic hurts, and not just my most loyal pet."
Chistery let out a loud snore, and Elphaba rolled her eyes.
"You know I get those head-splitting headaches afterward."
Galinda hummed. "Perhaps employing a magic tutor could –"
"That would mean telling Father, and you know why I can't do that. Because -"
"Because you're afraid he'll make you use your magic against your will and always perform and it'll be another aspect of your life he'll have control over," she recited for not-the-first time.
"I'm glad you're aware of the problem."
"No, the problem is I let you drag me into situations where one or both of us get in trouble, then I have to find a loophole around the trouble. And I agree to do it because you're my best friend… and the reason I have a steady, paying job with benefits."
"I knew you only stay for the money."
"And the food and pretty clothes."
The green girl matched her friend's smile. "Him finding out about the kitchens is one thing, but this is much more important and a much bigger secret. There's a reason why you're the only one who knows about my magic. You're the only one I can trust with such a secret."
And with that, Galinda put the argument to rest. She wished there was a way she could help her friend. Her magic was a gift she wasn't using, but had a valid reason not to. She wrote down the spell and pressed it into her friend's hand, in case she changed her mind.
"If anything, I just wanted to show off my new skill to you. I must keep practicing before my parents visit if I'm to have any hopes of impressing them and keeping their proposed gentlemen off the table."
"Don't turn the tapestries into turtles."
She stuck out her tongue. "Ha ha ha."
That night, Elphaba looked over the spell, her ticket to gain back a bit of the freedom she'd lost. It wasn't foolproof; she'd still be heard and couldn't walk through walls, but it was better than the alternative option of waiting until her father trusted her again, and Oz knows when or if that'd ever happen.
"Might as well try this. Inveliabtous," she whispered and watched as her reflection disappeared from her mirror. She slowly opened her door and peered down the hallway. Empty. A sigh of relief slipped out, and that was the last sound she made as she hurriedly tip-toed down the halls and stairs to a place she hadn't been in a while, to hopefully see someone she hadn't seen in a while.
Our much-needed Fiyeraba reunion/ conversation is coming up next!