Author's note:
I have begun writing the beginning of this fic four years ago, so I had something to look forward to after university. I know that the beginning of this isn't very original and very close to the musical but I still felt the urge to write this story out of Elphaba's POV, and start at the beginning. I hope you'll enjoy this chapter anyway :)
A girl was standing in front of a little mirror, staring at her reflection. Black hair flowed down her shoulder into a long neat braid, over a dark blue turtle-neck pullover with long sleeves. Underneath she wore a knee-long pleated skirt of the same color with matching tights that were hiding her long legs. The well worn boots were the only pair of shoes she possessed even though her father, Frexpar Thropp, was the governor of Munchkinland and never had to worry about money.
The eyes behind her glasses were a remarkable mix of green and blue, something behind them simmering. She would have been called beautiful, if it was not for the feature that caught everybody's eye: Her skin was green. She was green as grass after a rainy day, green as the leaves of a tree, green as an emerald even.
But still green. Something that was unusual. Abnormal. Unnatural. Even taking her glasses off didn't make the obvious disappear as she looked back at the blurry fleck in the mirror. The only thing that changed was that now she could only see a blob. It was still green. She hated it. The door to her room opened and interrupted her thoughts.
"Elphaba?"
She quickly put her glasses back on and turned to her little sister, who was driving in on her wheelchair, looking at her expectantly. She looked nothing like Elphaba. For one she had a normal skin color and though they both shared a long straight nose, her pale face was much more delicate and sweet and her hair curled into soft, chocolate brown curls down her shoulders.
"We're going to be late for university," she said impatiently as she looked at the small suitcase on her bed.
"I'm coming, Nessa!" Elphaba said, smiling and grabbed her suitcase, "Go on, I'm almost finished!" She ushered her out of the door. Sighing, she took one last look at her room where she had spent so much time hiding and reading books. Today her whole world would change. For good.
Elphaba awoke from her little slumber when the train shook a little as it ran over a few bumps of the rails. She rubbed her eyes. When she put on her glasses she looked at her sister who was still asleep. Her head was resting on her father's shoulder. Elphaba tried to ignore the tug in her guts as she watched her leaning peacefully against him. When her eyes flickered to her father's she earned the same disapproving look she always got and turned to look out of the window.
Wide grassy landscapes flew past them, sprinkled with little houses here and there, most of them with little farms and sheep that were out to grass. They were still in Munchkinland. Elphaba tried to guess how long the rest of their journey to Gillikin would take but was unable to distract herself from the image of her father's ever scolding eyes.
She looked down at her hands, tracing down her green skin, stopping the urge to try scraping all the green away. It would never come of. Her father had tried. Countless times he had forced her to take long hot baths, letting her be scrubbed roughly with sometimes acrid substances only to be send back to her room. His curses and frustration had followed her to her bed and into her dreams. How many times had she lain there, her skin itching and hurting, trying to wish the green away? But not even her bitter tears could wash it away.
The Eminent Thropp had tried almost everything to make his eldest daughter normal, to make her look like the future governor of Munchkinland. But he refused to go to a doctor with her. He was too ashamed of her. Everyone was. Either they were scared of her or they would laugh at her. Most times they were both.
She was an abomination. But he would soon be rid of her. And she would soon be free from him. For a while at least. She returned her attention back to the book in her lap and began to read.
Soon the train slowed down. Elphaba had to stop herself from jumping up to her feet and grabbing her luggage. She pressed her face against the window instead and absorbed everything she saw eagerly. The buildings in Gillikin were much bigger and elegant than in Munchkinland, and the closer they came to the station the more people swarmed the streets and squares. They all wore different clothes and colours, hurrying to unknown destinations. She turned to her sister, her eyes sparkling in excitement.
"We're almost there, Nessa!"
Her sister smiled back at her, with no less excitement. This was their first time out of Munchkinland and everything would be so new and grand!
"Oh Fabala, it will be so wonderful" Nessarose giggled and grabbed her sister's hand. "We will make so many friends!"
I know you will, was the first bitter thought that came into Elphaba's mind but she brushed it away, knowing that this time, everything would be different. The students of Shiz wouldn't behave like everyone else. The University of Shiz was famous for its high education and prestige after all. No, this year would be different.
"Elphaba," her father said in an impatient tone. She noticed that the train had come to a stop and people were pouring out to the platform. She jumped out of her seat, mumbling a "Yes, father" and hurried to fetch Nessa's wheelchair.
When she and Frexpar had finished settling her into the chair, Elphaba pushed her towards the exit. Groaning under the weight she lowered it down carefully onto the platform. Her father left the train behind her and took over his daughter's wheelchair. The green girl rushed back in to fetch her and her sister's luggage.
She managed to run out right on time when the doors closed behind her. Her father had already left without her and Elphaba scanned the crowd for them quickly. Then she spotted them a great distance away from her near the exit of the station and hurried to catch up to them, huffing as she carried the luggage.
She had no problems to catch up to them quickly though because the crowd parted for her as soon as they caught sight of her. Ignoring their stares she focused on the fluttering of her heart instead. She would not let her mood be killed by some strangers! They had not arrived at Shiz yet!
They soon caught sight of the famous towers of Shiz University and Elphaba's heart began beating quickly in her chest. Hundreds of young people went into the same direction, most of them staring up at the towers in the same manner as the green girl.
They stopped in front of the gates to the entrance. Elphaba dropped her sister's bag next to her chair and ran trough the gate, stopping only when she was in the middle of the great courtyard, surrounded by countless different and new faces. Grinning broadly she drank all the new sensations in.
From here the great towers and old stone walls were even more impressing. There was so much history behind these walls, so much to discover, so much to learn! She watched all the students standing in little groups or some of them alone, chatting excitedly and older students greeting their friends. These were her new fellow students...
Clutching her bag and smiling, Elphaba turned around to greet her first fellow student: "Hi, I'm Elphaba Thr-" Only to be almost frightened by the student's shrill shriek.
"Well, you don't have to be so dramatic about it," Elphaba commented dryly as the girl ran away from her, drawing attention to the green girl, "A simple 'nice to meet you' would have been enough."
Elphaba wasn't giving up yet though. She took a deep breath and walked towards a group of students, putting on her best and friendliest smile but they only scattered like frightened chicken. Another student ran towards her and before Elphaba could react her eyes rolled back into her head. Her fall had to be caught by two of her friends who quickly dragged the unconscious girl out of the danger zone. Her skin could be contagious after all.
Elphaba soon found herself surrounded by people staring at her, most of them scared, others disgusted. Her face turned a darker shade of green. And she thought this would stop at university.
Another student, judging by his small stature being a Munchkin, stopped in his tracks just wanting to cross the courtyard when Elphaba's head turned to him. He froze in mid movement, eyes wide, not daring to breathe.
Elphaba was growing tired of this. She halfheartedly made a scary face and pretended to attack him which made the poor boy flinch, then she gestured for him to pass with an eye-roll. He clutched his suitcase like his life depended on it and hurried to the other side. She sighed. So these were her new fellow students…
The crowd was quickly distracted by a bubbly blonde girl practically floating into the scene with a perfect smile on her face and five different suitcases carried by five eager students that were ready to worship the ground she walked upon. She was a welcome distraction. Everyone turned to her which she seemed to enjoy very much, judging her brilliant smile blinding everyone. Elphaba was not impressed.
The blonde giggled and smiled at everyone and soon a big crowd was gathering around her like flies being attracted by the light. Her shining eyes wandered over everyone, but then stopped at the green girl's face. She blinked several times, her eyebrows rose and then she frowned. In confusion or disgust, Elphaba couldn't decide. She didn't like her. At all.
All eyes were on her again now and Elphaba stared back at them, daring them to say anything. No one uttered a word. They just rudely stared at her green skin. Here we go again.
"What," she said, without moving a muscle, "What are you looking at?" No one dared to answer. "Oh, do I have something in my teeth?" She bared her teeth for everyone to see and gestured to them innocently. "Is it..." She grabbed her braid. "Is it my hair?" Still no one moved. She slammed her suitcase down with force. "Alright fine, we might as well get this over with."
She marched towards the crowd, clear annoyance on her face, and began counting her fingers.
"No, I'm not seasick, yes, I've always been green, no, I didn't eat grass as a child!" With every sentence she spit out, the students retreated a step, hiding behind their suitcases. "What did I forget?" She tapped her chin in mock thought. "Oh yes! My mother was not a frog," she hissed and glared everybody down. "I'm glad, we could clear up any misunderstandings..."
"Elphaba!"
Her father arrived with Nessarose in the courtyard and Elphaba turned to point at her sister.
"Oh and this is my younger sister, Nessarose, as you can see, she's a perfectly normal colour," she spat hotly. She sobered instantly when a strong hand grabbed her by the arm and pulled her roughly away from the crowd.
"Elphaba!" She froze and stared at her father's furious eyes as he grasped her arm tightly and forced her to look at him. "Stop making a spectacle of yourself. I will not allow you to embarrass me or your sister," he scolded and raised a warning finger, making her flinch, "Remember, I'm only sending you to this school for one reason-"
"I know," she interrupted him quickly to stop the lecture he had held for so many times. She looked at him, defeated, her eyes sad. "To look after Nessa," she added, her voice smaller.
His fingers dig deeper into her flesh. "And if you forget, if I hear anything about you losing your temper or your control over your...outbursts, it will have consequences!"
Frex ignored her then and turned to Nessa, his face brightening instantly.
"My precious, sweet, little girl," he began, kneeling beside her, his voice full of love as he produced a small chest, "A little parting gift."
"Father..." Nessa began but then he opened it, revealing a pair of glittering shoes. Nessa gasped and grabbed them excitedly, holding them close to her chest.
"Jeweled shoes?!" Her face lit up in delight and she couldn't tear her eyes from the shoes.
"As befits the future Governor of Munchkinland," Frex said proudly and looked down at her with a soft smile.
Elphaba was left out, observing this little scene between father and daughter and couldn't help but feel resentment to him. She could've cared less about her stolen right to be the future Governor, being the eldest daughter, but she couldn't ignore the sinking feeling in her heart that her father did not care about her at all. She had known that for a long time, of course, but it still hurt no less after all these years.
Frex stood and turned to his other daughter, the familiar frown returning to his face, as he snapped the chest shut.
"Elphaba, take care of your sister," he instructed and gave Nessarose a kiss on the forehead. Then he thrusted the box into Elphaba's hands, "And try not to talk so much."
With that he walked off brusquely, leaving the two sisters watching him go. Elphaba looked down at her feet, biting her lip and nodded to herself in understanding. Nessa watched her with regret and placed a sympathetic hand on the green one.
"Elphaba..." she started but her sister just flashed her a reassuring smile.
"Well, what could he get me?" She said dismissively, her tone more cheerful than she felt, "I clash with everything!"
Before her sister could respond, Elphaba grabbed the handles of her wheelchair and rolled her through the courtyard, passing the snickering students. She kept her eyes trained on Nessa as they entered the building trough big, massive doors. Several students had already gathered and were waiting for something.
"I can't wait to get to our room," Elphaba muttered as the students kept staring at her. And she thought Shiz would be different. How naive she had been.
Her contemplations were interrupted by the entrance of a well build, older woman, with a presence that made everyone silence at once. She wore her white hair in a complicated high updo and a lot of makeup, giving her a bit of a grotesque look.
"Welcome." Her voice resonated within the walls. "Welcome, new students! I am Madame Morrible, headshiztress of Shiz University."
"And whether you are here to study law, logic or linguification – " The perky blond girl tried to get her attention but the headshizstress continued her speech. "I know I speak for my fellow faculty members when I say that we have nothing but the highest hopes..." Her eyes fell on the blonde, her tone suddenly dropping."For some of you..."
"Excuse me!" Elphaba dashed forward, pushing her sister's chair towards the woman."Pardon me!"
She stopped the wheelchair and turned away to fetch their luggage as Madame Morrible turned to her sister.
"Ohh, you must be the governor's daughter," she exclaimed in delight as her eyes fell on her sister, "Miss Nessarose, isn't it?"
Nessa nodded shyly and smiled up at her. Madame Morrible came nearer to take a better look at her, as Elphaba positioned herself behind the woman.
"What a tragically beautiful face you have," she admired and Elphaba grinned proudly over Madame Morrible's shoulders at her prettily blushing sister. Her sister was indeed very beautiful. Just like their mother.
Before Morrible could admire her even further, Elphaba tapped the woman lightly on the shoulder to get her attention. She turned towards the green girl. "And who is – WHAAA!"
Everyone around them flinched, including Elphaba. The headshiztress tumbled a few steps backwards, her eyes wide open and her painted mouth agape. Elphaba couldn't help but feel a bit offended, but then again, who could blame the woman? She had to give her credit though, for she composed herself relatively quickly.
"I'm the other daughter, Elphaba," she introduced herself and Madame Morrible had a confused look on her face, trying to process the information. Elphaba decided to ease the tension and awkwardness by adding a quick joke: "I'm beautifully tragic."
Madame Morrible cackled. "I see!" She regarded her with an appraising look, though not unfriendly, searching for the right word. "I'm sure you're very bright."
Elphaba gave a nod of agreement, proud that someone like her had noticed, and adjusted her spectacles in emphasis. Nessa turned to her sister, and nodded cheerfully, grasping her sister's hand.
"Bright?!" a high voice said and everyone turned to the blonde girl, "She is phosphorescent."
Despite herself, Elphaba lunged out to hurl abuse at her but Nessa held her back, reminding her that this silly girl was not worth it. Everyone else was laughing hysterically as if she had cracked the best joke of the year. It was a quite witty one for someone as daft as her, Elphaba had to admit, only adding to her anger.
Elphaba turned to her sister, huffing. "Can you believe that blonde bimbo?" she exclaimed and Nessa shook her head.
"Elphaba..." Nessa began calmly, "You mustn't let that get to you!"
"Yes but-"
"Now regarding room assignments," the headshiztress interfered into the commotion, tapping her clipboard impatiently.
Elphaba and the blonde dashed forward, their arms raised eagerly and Madame Morrible threw her arms up in defense. She took a deep breath. "Is this regarding room assignments?" she asked exasperated, looking from one girl to the other.
"Ah no, thank you for asking, Madame Morrible," the blonde said sweetly and let her hand drop elegantly on her chest, "But I've been already assigned a private suite and –"
A collective gasp went through the crowd. Everyone muttered incredulously and shocked at the injustice of it, but she interjected quickly:"But you can all visit me whenever you want," she said generously and tossed her hair, fluttering her eyelashes at them. The students melted instantly at her charm and gushed over her, apparently having forgiven that unfairness immediately.
"How good of youuuu," a girl admired and another added:"You are so good..."
"No, I'm not." The blonde feigned modesty, clasping her heart.
"Yes you are," they said in unison and Elphaba had to keep herself from rolling her eyes.
"Now stawwwp!" The blonde tossed her hair in their direction, almost blessing the girls and boys, who all sighed at her goodness. Elphaba scoffed, turning to her sister to discuss the girl because she couldn't stand anymore of the ridiculousness of that scene.
"Did you have a question?" Madame Morrible interrupted the worshiping and tapped her clipboard.
The blond girl sobered instantly. "Oh yes!" She walked over to her. "You see, I am Galinda Upland." She curtsied cutely. "Of the Upper Uplands."
Madame Morrible didn't react, she didn't seem to recognize that name.
"I applied to your sorcery seminar..." Galinda clarified but Madame Morrible still didn't react, "Perhaps you recall my entrance essay: 'Magic wands, need they have a point?'" She looked so proud of herself that Elphaba had to stifle her laughter.
The headshiztress' face finally changed when a painful memory seemed crossed her mind. "Ah, haha yes," she uttered, amused or desperate, Elphaba couldn't decide, "However,"She rose a finger. "I do not teach my seminar every semester...of course, if someone special were to come along..."
"Well, exactly!" Galinda agreed enthusiastically but Elphaba interrupted her.
"Madame Morrible, we have not yet received our room assignments," she reminded her and the headshiztress seemed very thankful for the distraction as she turned her attention to the green girl.
"Oh, the Governor made his concerns for your sister's well-being quite apparent." Elphaba nodded, relieved. Her father had warned her to make her sister's needs her one and only priority and she had been worried ever since to fail him. "She will share my compartment, where I can assist her as needed."
Elphaba's mouth fell open. "But I've always looked after my sister!"
"Elphaba," Nessa hissed, knowing that her sister was on the verge of another outburst.
"He never mentioned you," Madame Morrible said and clucked her tongue in pity.
Of course he didn't. Who, in their right minds, would associate themselves voluntarily with a green skinned abnormality?
The Head just made a dismissing hand gesture. "Just a slight gulch, no need to fret, my dear, we will find some place to put you."
"But, Madame," Elphaba cried out but she was already turning away from her to discuss the issue with some colleagues. Nessarose wheeled herself to her sister and grabbed her arm.
"Elphaba, don't make a scene! Please-"
"Attention!" Madame Morrible called and clapped her hands as she walked back to the center of the entrance hall. Everyone went quiet again but Galinda, who was still discussing something seemingly very important with her admirers. "Which of you young ladies will volunteer to share a room with Miss Elphaba?"
Immediately every female in the room stepped a few steps back, hiding behind the boys. Galinda ran up to Madame Morrible, eagerly raising her hand.
"Madame Morrible," she sang and if Elphaba hadn't been occupied glaring at the other students, her eyes would have fallen out in disbelief. But Galinda was just as clueless as her of what would happen next.
Madame Morrible happily and forcefully grabbed the blonde's hand. "Oh, thank you, dear! That is very good of you!"
Galinda furrowed her brows:"What?"
Elphaba's glaring was interrupted when Madame Morrible took hold of her hand too. "Yes, now you see, Miss Elphaba, you can room with Miss Galinda!" She placed her hand on the blonde's.
Both girls jumped apart in terror immediately, as if they just had been condemned to death or worse, emitting a shrill screech. Madame Morrible started to wheel Nessarose away, unfazed by the commotion. Elphaba began to panic.
"No! Wait!" She hurried after them. "You don't understand – "
"Elphaba, please," her sister begged her, desperate to not be embarrassed any longer,"I'll be alright!"
"But I promised father!"
"To your rooms, young ladies and gentlemen!" Madame Morrible continued to wheel her sister away from her and Elphaba didn't know what to do. She clung her fingers, looking for a way out of this situation, furious at Galinda, Madame Morrible and herself. She had to act quickly now or –
She lunged forward, stretching her hands out towards the wheelchair.
"LET HER GOOO," she howled and she felt herself loosing control as a powerful surge of energy flowed through her veins and out of her, taking hold of her sister's wheelchair. Her shout alone would have been enough to scare everyone but no one was prepared for what happened next:
The wheelchair, for an inexplicable reason, began to spin around in a circle. Nessarose cried out her sister's name repeatedly before it rolled backwards towards Elphaba's outstretched hands.
There, it suddenly stood still and the whole room was stunned to silence. It was like someone had stopped the time. Hundreds of eyes were focused on the green girl now.
"How did you do that?" Madame Morrible finally managed to utter and stared at her with wide eyes.
Elphaba was terrified.
Author's note:
What do you think about this first chapter? Please leave a review!
Btw. I imagine Elphaba to look like Elphaba played by the wonderful Willemijn Verkaik, just so you're not confused by the eyecolor ;P