As Phases of Obsession pointed out I probably could've included Glinda's rant in the last chapter but I didn't for two reasons 1) I am pretty innocent on the whole 'horrendible cusses and insults' thing so I doubt my ability to come up with anything truly shocking for Glinda to say 2) I think it's better to just let readers use their imagination since they'll probably come up with something worse than I meant…

No one was sure what would happen to Nessarose. Elphaba had, for some unfathomable reason, opted to keep her in Oscar's prison suite rather than the public prison. Perhaps enough sisterly love remained for her to genuinely care about the brunette's wellbeing. Glinda, who had so far proved to be closer to the green girl's heart than anyone else, knew better. "She feels guilty," the blonde explained to Fiyero when he questioned her about it. "Even after all this time Elphie still feels guilty for leaving Nessa."

"But it was Nessa's choice to let sadness and abandonment rule her life," the Winkie protested.

"You don't have to argue with me," Glinda insisted. "I hate that snitch with every fiber of my being. It's still impossible for me to fathom how she became so horribly twisted."

"Maybe you should talk to Elphaba."

"Maybe you should," the blonde countered. "I'm not gonna mess with her when she's stewing like this."

***

"Fae?" Elphaba looked up from a stack of papers; treaties and whatnot.

"What Yero?" She seemed wary, as if her keen senses were aware of his observations.

"I've been wondering why you're keeping Nessarose in the palace," he ventured with equal caution. "Doesn't it worry you; having her so close to those you love?"

"I still love her Yero…" Elphaba informed him, trailing off as if afraid to voice something. "And I know it sounds crazy but…I honestly believe that something happened. Not just some emotional change due to abandonment issues; I think somebody was toying with my sister's head in the same way she toyed with mind. Only with permanent results."

"Fae you're deluding yourself…"

"It's a long shot," the green witch shrugged. "I admit that. But even when I confronted Nessa after she became governor there wasn't much of a difference. She was still spoiled and vain and self centered but…but not evil." Her words became more firm and resolute as Elphaba finally spoke the vague notions aloud.

"You've always had a sensible head," Fiyero sighed. "Do you really believe that's possible?" The green witch's eyes clashed with deep conflicting. She tried desperately to see past the delusional strain of sisterly affection. But there was something in her theory, some kernel of truth, and Elphaba knew it.

"Yes."

***

"Why are you being so secretive?" Curyn demanded as Selky led her out of their dorm. "What's going on?"

"Keep your eyes closed!" her friend insisted, gently guiding the blonde forward. The lasting legacy of Fiyero's party at the OzDust was a yearly ball that surpassed even prom in terms of importance.

"If this is some kind of trick I swear…" Curyn didn't finish her threat as she groped blindly forward with her hands, unsure of what surprise Selky had in store.

"It's not a trick." The voice did not belong to her roommate. Curyn's eyes snapped open to find Glinda waiting for them, hovering a few inches from the ground in her trademark bubble. Reaching out a hand the petite woman pulled both young girls inside the transparent orb. Slowly Curyn figured out what was going on. She shot Selky a 'is what I think is happening actually happening?' look.

"You always said you wanted Glinda the Good to give you a makeover," the raven haired teenager explained.

"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!" Curyn exclaimed, jumping up and down. "You are the best friend ever."

"It wasn't very hard to convince me," Glinda chuckled. "I love a good makeover opportunity."

***

"Does this dress make me look fat?" Curyn wondered, twisting in front of a full length mirror.

"No," Elphaba sighed from her seat near the window. She was altogether fed up with this absurd fashion party. "I don't think that would be possible; you're so skinny."

"Does it make me look too skinny then?"

"No," Glinda chirped. "Elphie's just cranky."

"I am not!" the green woman retorted.

"Yes you are," Selky replied as she emerged from behind one of the many dressing screens. "How's this one?" The gown was a very deep blue with a wavy hem and low neckline. A silky belt of matching fabric curved around the teenager's hips, pulling the cloth closer to her accented curves.

"I like that one," Curyn informed her, taking a turn behind the screen. Glinda steered her unofficial niece to a padded stool and began to do her hair. It was naturally curly so all the blonde had to do was pile the tresses atop her head in an elegant fountain of raven locks. Selky sat very still while Glinda erased her face with powder and drew it back out in sharp, snappy lines. The dark freckles stood out just enough to make her look girlish.

Curyn found a nice lavender sheath that clung to her body like a well fitted glove. Glinda clasped her unusual hair into a jewel studded clip and let it cascade down the girl's back. Her makeup was more about blending an array of rosy colors into something truly natural looking. "It's some of your finest work," Elphaba commended her blonde friend. "Not that I'd know." Fiyero poked his head in at this point.

"Are you guys almost ready?" he called, somewhat uneasy with the smell of perfume thick in the air. His eyes narrowed at Selky's tight dress. "That's an awfully low neckline." His words held the strain of parental authority.

"It's just a dress," Glinda reminded him. "We're just about finished too. Now all I've got to do is get Elphie ready…"

"What?" Elphaba demanded

"Didn't I tell you?" Fiyero chuckled, though he'd avoided the subject until now. "We're making an appearance at the OzDust Ball."

***

Fiyero, Elphaba, and Glinda made speeches. Boq was there too, though he stayed on the outskirts. Energizing movement seemed to shake the old building to its core as so many people danced the night away. Selky sent flirty glances at Loxin. The loner quadling, however, seemed to reserved to return such looks. Her smile went limp as the other students drifted into pairs for slow dancing. "Go get him," Curyn suggested, elbowing her friend. "Who says a girl can't ask a guy to dance?" Selky, being Selky, took this advice to heart and marched determinedly towards the sulky quadling.

"Would you care to dance?" For a moment Loxin seemed totally taken aback, but then a smooth smile slid across his perfect lips.

"I would." He pulled Selky into his arms and spun her onto the dance floor.

"You clearly don't know how to take a hint," the raven haired girl observed as they moved in slow circles.

"And you don't know when to quit," he countered teasingly. It was the first time Selky had ever heard Loxin speak.

"Clearly tonight wasn't the time to quit," she returned, gently placing her head on his shoulder. Flirting, though shallow, could be quite fun. After waltzing for longer than Selky cared to remember she took a walk with her mysterious prince charming outside the ballroom. "You're awfully quiet at school."

"I think and observe," Loxin replied. "But speaking isn't my forte."

"Obviously."

"Well aren't you the snappy one?"

"Do you have a problem with snappy?"

"No, in fact I like snappy girls."

"Well I like quiet boys." Then they were kissing and Selky was very, very happy.

I wanted a nice little bit of cutsie, fluffle romance for Selky so...hopefully you found it as endearing as I did…

There will be an epilogue (and there are enough loose ends that I'm considering one more story in this series)