Hello! Long time no I have been late since my computer broke and I lost my writings! Ive gotten back to where I was, but I've been set so far back.
Anyway, here's a very rough edited chapter. I hope it wets your appetite. I promise all of you that I will write 1k words a day through October to hopefully get close to finishing RTS.
X
Elphaba's implacable energy drove her the next few days. She first scanned the books she owned for a protection spell, but had no luck. She scoured the library for things they had missed, but found none. Finally, she went to the old sorcerer in the bookstore. However, he could not help her either.
After each subsequent failure, Elphaba's mood fouled. The black mood that hung over her by the end of the week could not even be lifted by Glinda. After her girlfriend's numerous efforts, Elphaba finally snapped.
"I don't think you understand, Glinda! If we don't do something, she'll chain us again!"
"Rae, you'll find something, trust me. Just relax and sit down here." Glinda replied calmly, patting the bed next to her.
"I have no time! The semester is almost half over! How soon until she calls us to a meeting again?"
"You have time to find something. Stressing yourself out will not help."
"And what will? You haven't seem to be helping."
"Rae, that's not fair. I've been keeping up the best I can."
"Well, it's not enough." Elphaba growled. Glinda stood up quickly.
"You're being unreasonable. I'm going down the hall until you calm down."
Elphaba snarled after Glinda shut the door. She knew her girlfriend was trying to help; it what she did. Elphaba knew - knew! - that Morrible would call soon. Knew she would try to bind her. What she did not know was how she was going to stop her. Only thing she knew about that was it did not help sitting here. Throwing on her large coats and boots, Elphaba pulled her satchel strap over her head. With a bang she slammed the dorm room behind her and trudged off down the hall.
Glinda did not miss her girlfriend leaving even from Pfannee and Shenshen's room. The two girls were in simple shifts as they had been resting for the day. She sighed and looked at her friends. They did not know why the girls were fighting, only that they were. Shenshen did not care to pry, but Pfannee was practically squirming trying to contain herself. Glinda sighed.
"It'll pass." Shenshen comforted.
"Yes, I'm sure." Glinda answered. "I just hate it when she gets like this."
"I've seen her in bad moods before, but this seems different." Pfannee mused.
"It's because it's Morrible." Glinda said.
"Morrible?" Pfannee squeaked. Glinda nodded.
"Yes. She's been pressuring Elphaba to move more towards politics."
"I thought Morrible did not like her." Pfannee asked. Glinda shrugged.
"As did I. Perhaps she still does not, but wants to influence Elphaba. Either way, Elphaba is not happy. Especially since she has been trying to pressure me and Nessa to help her."
"How uncouth!"
"She sees it as guiding." Glinda gave both girls as small smile.
"I assume Elphaba his responded in her typical fashion." Shenshen put in. Glinda nodded.
"Yes, but Morrible is persistent. She said she'll meet with us sometime this semester to see if she can change our mind."
"Blegh." Pfannee made a face.
"I don't know how we can help with that, sweetie." Shenshen sighed.
"I know, Shenshen. I just worry."
"Oh!" Shenshen exclaimed and scrambled over her bed on her hands and knees. She began to dig through her nightstand. Both girls blinked and Pfannee took the chance to reach across and slap Shenshen's bottom. The brunette jumped and giggled, but did not stop looking for it. Glinda though she wiggled some more. Finally, she turned back around and came over with something in her hand. "Here."
"What is it?" Glinda asked, slowly reaching out. A smooth, cool item fell into her hand.
"A worry stone." Shenshen smiled. "When you worry, touch it or play with it. It will help you calm you down."
"Really?" Glinda asked, and turned over the polished grey stone in her hand. It was marked on one side with a firebird.
"Yes. It helped calm me before going to the meeting of fencers in the Emerald City." Shenshen answered.
"Thanks, Shenshen." Glinda smiled.
X
The next few weeks were even worse. Elphaba barely spent a moment to sit down. When she did, she twitched and looked around. Glinda eventually gave trying to pin her down for herself. Elphaba would not sit still even to lay with Glinda at night She did force her to attend to her Eminent duties, and see her friends. Shenshen's worry stone became a constant companion during those weeks.
A week before midterms Elphaba was making her rounds to the various magic stores. Her final visit was to a variety shop that sold various trinkets. Elphaba did not hold up much hop but looked out of thoroughness. Finding nothing she began to storm out of the store.
"Excuse me, Miss." came the voice from behind the counter. Elphaba turned harsh eyes on the girl. She flinched but soldiered on. "I know you are not finding what you're looking for here but I heard of a new fortune teller that opened. Perhaps they can help you."
"All sham." Elphaba flapped her hands and prepared to go.
"I would usually agree, but this one seems...different. Better. I would not advise going if I did not think it might be of use." the girl answered.
Elphaba sighed. What did she have to lose.
"Alright, give me the information."
The girl took out a small notepad and quickly wrote the information on it. Elphaba glanced at it and quirked an eyebrow. That was in the Glikkus district. Not a particularly safe place. Turning to go, Elphaba stopped as she went to open the door, and then turned around. The girl looked at her wide eyed.
"I've been quite rude to you." Elphaba said, and the girl noticed she had lost the manic look that they always held. Elphaba's green hand deposited a few notes on the counter. "For being patient and helpful.
The girl inhaled quickly at the sight of them.
"I can't! That's half a month's pay!"
"Take it. It is worth that much to have put up with me, and still be nice. Go on, I insist." Elphaba pushed. The girl nodded and quickly slipped them into a concealed pocket.
"Thank you."
"No, thank you. Sometimes I forget we are all people."
The young lady did not know what to say to that. Simply watched the dark figure retreat from the store.
X
Elphaba hopped out of the cab in the Glikkus district. Though a poorer area than most of Shiz, it did not compete with the slums of the Emerald City. Nevertheless Elphaba's eyes scanned constantly in case of trouble.
Thankfully, none appeared as she made her way to the little side door indicated by the store girl's note. Elphaba actually missed it twice before catching sight of the small sign. Taking a breath, she knocked on the door and waited. And waited. Finally, she slammed her fist into the door a few times. The door whipped open and Elphaba barely managed not to smash the old woman on the head.
"Yes, I hear you! Can't an old woman piddle in peace!" croaked the owner.
Elphaba blinked as she took sight of the person holding the door. Bent over with age, the wrinkled hands were covered in sunspots. The face was no different with deep creases and cracked lips over yellowed teeth. Her breath stunk of garlic.
"I'm sorry. I am here looking for a fortune teller."
"Well, here I am. That will be two notes." cackled the old woman. It took a moment for Elphaba to realize it was a joke.
"I don't need my fortune told." Elphaba snapped back.
"No? So sure of it are you?"
"I make my own future." Elphaba growled. The old woman cackled.
"Ah, to be young. Then come in, little Tiger, and tell me what you need."
The cloying haze of incense hit Elphaba as she entered. Elphaba shook head to try and clear it, but it did little. The old woman seemed to suddenly appear in her vision and motion her over to a pair of seats separated by a small table. Elphaba took one cautiously while the woman slowly bent towards her chair, but in the end flopped into it. Shuffling around for a minute, the woman eyed Elphaba.
"So you don't want your fortune read because you make it yourself. So what do you want, hm? Quick, tell me. At my age you don't have much time for idle chatter."
"I'm looking for a way to protect my friends and I from being bound by someone else. I haven't been able to find any protection spells."
"Of course not, little Tiger! There aren't any." cawed the woman. Elphaba slouched.
"You sure?"
"Absolutely! You can't protect against a binding spell. You simply have to bind yourself first. You'd think they'd teach you that up there at the school."
"How do you know I go to Shiz?" Elphaba stiffened. The old woman cackled again.
"Little Tiger, you wear nice clothes and ask me about sorcery? What are you, a scullery maid? No, you must be a student at Dear Old Crage."
"I guess that's true." Elphaba sighed. "So about the binding?"
"Yes, you must bind yourself with another spell, preferably a binding that is meant to solidify or enhance some part of your nature. From there whatever binding wove over you will only sit on top of it, and you can break it when you break yours."
"You wouldn't happen to know where I could find a book that had a binding spell like that? I haven't found anything."
"Let me see." the woman drawled and reached under the table.
Elphaba stiffened again as she saw her bowl out a large mat and a bowl. The bowl had cracked, inscribed bones in it. As the old woman rolled out the mat Elphaba saw various lines crisscrossing. This was not like the other fortune tellers she had visited.
The old woman cast the bones on the map. Elphaba's rational mind knew this was most likely some kind of trick; cast bones and make vague statements. However, the incense in the place made it seem as if the bones were attracted to some place. Some even appeared to wiggle towards their destinations.
"Ah, yes. No fortune telling for you." the old woman murmured, then leered. "You already have the sight, though you forgotten your totem."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Elphaba returned weakly. The old woman laughed.
"Sure you do. It creeps up on you when you least expect it. You could learn to control it, but you need your totem."
"What totem? I don't remember anything like that." the words were seemed to be drawn out of her mouth.
"What indeed? Let me look." the old woman glanced down. She poked a bone and it rocked back and forth. The woman waited for a moment, then jabbed it angrily. It bounced and skidded across the mat until it rested near a green spot. "Ah, here we are. An object the color of your skin and made of glass."
"My suncatcher?" Elphaba asked. "It was a toy I used to stare at when I was little. The light hits it right and-"
"And it looks to create shapes? Hmm, just a toy you say? Perhaps you should look again." the old woman laughed at her pun. "But onto other business. A book of bindings, let's see….. Ah! Here we go. You'll not find one around easily. A brunette that is close to you holds the secret. Ask for it, and they will tell you."
"Not many of those around. Thank you." Elphaba said and stood. Her head told her to move but she could not. She stared for a moment, but for the first time the old woman seemed patient. Finally, Elphaba said "Anything else you see?"
"Yes, of course. You will have many trials and losses, but persevere where others think not. It will leave its scars but with help you will change into the person you want to be. The plans you lay now will also not be interrupted for a good long time; long after you've forgotten this conversation." the old woman laughed. "Vague enough? But my recommendation on the suncatcher stands."
"Thank you." Elphaba turned and walked to the door. As her hand touched it the old woman's voice returned.
"One interesting thing." Elphaba turned around. The old woman was gesturing to two bones. "These two points will have significant impacts on your life but are guided by something obscured."
"Obscured?"
"Yes." the old woman's voice betrayed something like worry. "I've never seen this before. Normally the lines are clear, but these merely appear and disappear at will."
"What does that mean?" Elphaba asked, her own voice unsteady. The old woman's eyes locked on Elphaba's.
"I do not know. But they have happened, and will continue to happen. However, this point," the old woman thrust her finger down, "will guide you forever. The Angel. Listen to it,and you will be saved. Fall from it…" she trailed off. Elphaba waited for a few moments.
"Fall from it?" Elphaba asked.
"And you will burn." came the deep rattle from the woman. The old woman shook her head and jumped up, and shooed Elphaba to the door.
"Enough, enough, enough. Go go." she said as she almost pushed Elphaba out.
"Thank you, Elphaba said and turned around to say more. All she saw was door. As she went to go she heard words come again.
"Remember what Old Yackle said: the suncatcher, the brunette, the Angel."
X
Elphaba made her way straight to Crage Hall. There was only one brunette she could think of close to her. Though she doubted Shenshen knew much about magical bindings, she assumed something would come of it. Elphaba stopped by her own room, but Glinda was not there. Glancing at her pocket watch she realized Glinda was in class. Mystery solved, she headed down the hallway.
It was Pfannee and not Shenshen who opened the door. The blonde blinked quizzically for a moment before speaking.
"Good afternoon, Miss Elphaba. How can I help you? Glinda is not here."
"I am aware." Elphaba said, then paused for a moment. She fidgeted while Pfannee just stared at her. "I was wondering if Shenshen was in."
"She is." Pfannee answered. She motioned inside. "Would you like to come in?"
"Thank you."
Elphaba walked into the room. It was not until she had heard the door shut behind her that she realized she had never been in here. Granted, it was not much different from her own room: two beds, a side room for the Amas, and a small bathroom. However, the individuality of the occupants on display: a small box for Pfannee to step into bed; an additional mirror so the girls could get ready together, and a small but robust looking parasol by Shenshen's bed. Elphaba also noticed chalk marks on the floor. Finally, the constant scent of flowers which were on every wall and perfume that hung in the air.
"What can I help you with, Miss Elphaba?" asked Shenshen. She was lounging on her bed with a book in her lap. Elphaba noticed she was only in a white shift. With the light from the window, the fabric had lost some of opaqueness. Elphaba focused on her eyes.
"I have a strange question to ask you." Elphaba started.
"I can't quite think of what you could ask that I would deem it strange." she replied. Elphaba did not know how to take the answer so ignored it.
"Do you happen to know any books on binding spells?"
"Bindings spells?" Shenshen pursed her lips and tapped a finger against them. "Bindings spells. No, I can't quite think of anything. You are the mistress of sorcery here, not I. Surely you would have better knowledge of that than I."
"I have exhausted my available means."
"So why come to me?" asked Shenshen. "I'm no sorceror."
Elphaba shifted from foot to foot. Glancing around the room, she took a moment before looking back at the brunette. A delicate eyebrow was raised, reminding Elphaba of someone far too much.
"An annoying habit you picked up." Elphaba finally said. Shenshen giggled behind her hand.
"Pfannee says the same thing. Now, about my question?"
"It's rather quite embarrassing."
"I cannot hardly seem to say why." Shenshen replied, and snagged Pfannee as she walked by. The petite blonde protested, but the Munchkinlander was no match for the Gillikin girl. Shenshen held her close on the bed. Elphaba wrung her hands.
"I'd rather not say."
"How impolite. You asked me for a favor, Miss Elphaba; the least you could do is answer me after I have helped."
"My manners reflect my upbringing."
"Quite." Shenshen replied, and began stroking the blonde's hair. Pfannee glared at her and tried to squirm away. Shenshen held her tight. The blonde dug fingers into the other girl's side but Shenshen merely smiled. Elphaba fidgeted, shifted, and wrung her hands some more.
"I should go."
"If you wish. I shall just have to ask Miss Glinda." Shenshen answered. Releasing the other girl, the brunette stood. Elphaba was frozen however. A loud smack and Shenshen squawking broke the stalemate. "Pfannee!"
"What?"
"I am trying to conduct a conversation."
"Payback."
"Hmph." Shenshen answered and moved away from the reclining blonde towards the middle of the room. The dress was illuminated by the window. Elphaba quickly looked away.
"Why would Glinda know?"
"Because she is her. Besides, I could tell her how quite rude you were." Shenshen replied with amusement in her voice. Elphaba turned and glared at her. The dress' transparency did not seem to affect her now.
"That is low."
"Manners are manners, Miss Elphaba."
"Fine." Elphaba turned and stalked back to the door. As she grabbed the handle Shenshen's voice stopped her.
"Did you check with Fiyero?"
"Fiyero?" Elphaba asked. The green girl turned around and her blinked. Shenshen had moved to look out the window, placing her arms on either side. The dress had given up all pretense of hiding her. Elphaba stared for a moment before looking away. "Why would he know?"
"Intro Sorcery; each country has different sorceric traditions."
"I remember that, but I've looked everywhere."
"Shiz is Gillikin, Miss Elphaba. The people are Gillikin, the thoughts are Gillikin, the schooling is Gillikin." Shenshen answered. Elphaba looked back at her dumbfounded. Shenshen turned around and smiled. "While Gillikin, the Emerald City, and Munchkinland have merged, the Vinkus and Quadling are left out."
"Of course." Elphaba whispered to herself, eyes far off. "I've seen no Vinkun or Quadling in anything. Given the elitist nature they would not include them."
"I thought not. There's none in the fencing instruction either, unless you know where to look."
"Thank you." Elphaba answered, her eyes coming back to the present. After a few moments, her brain registered what her eyes were seeing. She blushed a deep violet, and Shenshen's smile got wider. "I've got to go."
"We're having lunch tomorrow if you care to join us. " Shenshen called after her. Elphaba stopped, jerkily nodded and shut the door. The brunette giggled into the back of her hand. Another loud smack and sting from her behind interrupted her. "What was that for, Pfannee?"
"Doing that trick to Elphaba."
"What? I thought it was appropriate for her refusing to tell me. Besides, such a lovely color."
"You're a flirt and a tease." growled the blonde. The brunette merely giggle and wiggled.
"You like me that way."
X
"Quite interesting to see Elphaba here." Milla commented to Glinda as the pair arrived at the Peach and Kidney's. "I thought she was still engrossed in her project."
"It seems she is taking break." Glinda answered. The girl looked at her but said nothing.
Elphaba was a mess of fidgeting and tense muscles. Somehow the green girl made less small talk than usual. She even did not sit so close to Glinda. The Circle noticed it, but did not comment. After food, Elphaba finally turned to Fiyero.
"Fiyero, do you know of any Vinkun sorceress, or magic users in Shiz."
The princeling blinked for a few moments. After his brain started working again, he nodded.
"I know of a Daughter of Rashira, yes." he paused. "Why do you ask?"
"It seems my research has hit a dead end, and only by going outside of Shiz traditions may I find something." Elphaba looked over at Shenshen. The brunette smiled and wiggled her fingers. A hiss of pain escaped her, and she scowled at the blonde next to her. Pfannee continued to look on serenely. Fiyero cocked an eyebrow.
"I will look into it."
"I'd rather go meet her."
"That would be unwise as the situation is...complicated." Fiyero offered. Elphaba stared stonily at him until the boy sighed. "She is Yunamata. I am Arjiki. The tribes do not get along."
"I thought city dwelling Vinkuns did not care for that as much."
"Perhaps when there is pressure from the outside, but the old rifts are there. As I said, I will look into it."
"Thank you."
X
Elphaba received a note from Fiyero the next day. After arriving at the location, the young prince was dressed in far more traditional clothing than normal. Elphaba noticed as she drew closer a swelling around his right eye and lips.
"What happened to you?" she hissed. Fiyero smiled.
"Vinkun diplomacy. She was hesitant to see me so she invoked an archaic tradition. Proof of intent by combat. Luckily, she just wanted to see me roughed up a bit."
"Silly boy and patriarchal traditions."
"Yes, well, you wanted to see her. I got you the interview."
"You're coming with?"
"Unless you know Vinkun trade language."
"Good point. Lead the way."
Fiyero dutifully led them through dirty streets of Shiz. The path grew continually less maintained the longer they went; Elphaba knew poor districts when she saw them. Thankfully, the area had not yet devolved into a slum. She had no doubt it soon would, however. They came to a particularly dilapidated building and Fiyero knocked on a side door. After a moment, a Vinkun man with a bruised and swollen face opened the door. He grunted at them and motioned them in. Fiyero looked back at Elphaba before following.
The rooms were a maze of cloth draped from the ceiling. Simple woven cloths, light airy clothes, scented cloths, cloths with design; all were strewn. It gave the place an airy, if claustrophobic, feel. Elphaba had no idea why it would be arranged such. All she did know was when they they entered an open sitting area she was relieved. There, on a pile of stuffed pillows and mats, was a weathered woman. Elphaba assumed she was the Daughter of Rashira. Following Fiyero's lead, she waited to sit on the floor until motioned.
Fiyero started speaking while Elphaba observed the woman. Her attire was light and flowing; Elphaba reasoned it must be her nomadic roots. Bright colors danced over clothes with intricate stitching. At her wrists, ankles, and feet hung delicate chains with bells. Gold chains attached piercings in her nose and lips to her ears. Finally, the hair net she wore down her long hair had delicate stones woven in. Fiyero said something that brought Elphaba back to the present.
"Go ahead and ask your question, Elphaba."
"How formal should I be?"
"I'll do the formal stuff; just ask what you need to." Fiyero answered. Elphaba nodded and looked at the old woman.
"I have someone who is looking to place a spell on me and my friends to bind us; manipulate us to their end. I cannot find I could find nothing that would protect us from that. Do you know anything?"
Fiyero looked at Elphaba askance, but began to translate. He had to pause to find the words, and motion to get the point across. The old woman stared at him after he finished for a few moments. Finally she began to laugh. Her cackle and the jingling accompany it unnerved the two. Elphaba looked at Fiyero. The prince shrugged. Both waited until the woman collected herself. She said something to Fiyero.
"She says it is easy; you must simply must bind yourself before hand."
"I don't know how. I haven't found anything like that." Elphaba protested. Fiyero translated and the woman laughed again, though less this time. She rattled off something to Fiyero.
"She says she will teach you. It's been such a long time since she had an apprentice."
"While I am honored, I need something soon."
Fiyero translated and the old woman barked something out. Her assistant came by with a pen and paper and gave it to Fiyero. The prince took it and started at the woman. After a moment, the old woman began to chant. Elphaba felt the magic rise in the air surrounding her, and Fiyero scribbled furiously on the paper. After the woman stopped chanting she looked over to Fiyero and he presented the paper. She made some comments and the two revised it. Finally, she nodded.
"This is a Vinkun hunting spell. It is used when our warriors go out for long time. It will last for about half a day before it starts to wane." Fiyero explained and handed it over to Elphaba. "That is most likely the first time it has ever been written down. Cherish it, Miss Elphaba."
"Thank you." she said, and bowed her head. The old woman bowed hers. She made some comment and then waved her hand.
"She says may Rashira bless you."
X
Elphaba diligently practiced the spell given to her over the next few days. At first it was difficult, as the casting was so different from what she had learned. However, her tenacity paid off. By the time Morrible's summons reached the girls on the fourth day, Elphaba was confident in herself.
"Now, let us see if this will work." Elphaba said to Glinda and Nessa as they stood outside the Headmistress' door.
X
This chapter covers the 24th of Newfall to the 16th of Highfall