Disclaimer: I don't own Wicked.
Eira sat on the floor with her dolls, but she wasn't playing with them. Glinda had taken them out and tried to get Rhea and Eira to play together, but it was to no avail. Finally, Glinda had given up and went back to work. After all, she was always very busy with things. Eira sighed and absentmindedly combed one of the doll's hair just because it was something to do. Rhea, on the other hand, was looking around Eira's room in awe. Never had she ever seen such a large space that someone could call theirs. "It's so big," she commented.
"My mommy's room is bigger. Grandmother's is the biggest," Eira said as she succumbed to small conversations. She really hated this girl, in fact, she loathed her, but she didn't want to fight today so she sucked up her bad attitude and conversed with the red head.
"Your room is as big as my house! Maybe bigger, even!" Rhea exclaimed excitedly. She carefully picked up a glass ballet slipper and examined it.
"Put that down!" Eira yelled at her and ran over. She took it from Rhea roughly and placed it back on her vanity.
"You really love ballet, don't you?" the orange haired girl questioned.
"Of course I do," Eira rolled her sapphire orbs as if it was obvious. "One day I am gonna be the bestest ballerina alive."
"You mean, dancing isn't just something you do for fun? It's your life?" Rhea questioned.
"Yeah," Eira nodded. She didn't want to elaborate to why it was her life. Eira danced because, number one she loved it, but the second reason to why she strived to be her best was because it made her mother proud. Unlike Ellie, Eira wasn't blessed with a photographic memory, artistic talent when it came to drawing, or book smarts. In fact, when it came to school, she was just an average seven year old. Everything, she felt, about herself was just average, except for ballet where she stood out and could be just a little bit better than her peers.
"It's my life, too, dancing I mean. That, and acting. I want to be on stage someday, but I don't think that's ever gonna happen," Rhea sighed and continued to eye the expensive necklaces that were left out from the previous morning.
"Why not?" Eira was surprised at those two words that came out of her mouth. Why was she suddenly caring what went on in this girl's life? Maybe Eira was finally caring about someone other than herself?
"I live in a foster home on the other side of the Emerald City," Rhea confessed. Eira watched the girl nervously twist the ends of her ponytail around her fingers. Eira felt there was more to the story, but she didn't press to hear more. But the other girl continued to tell her everything, something seven year olds do without even realizing the consequences. "I have to beg for money sometimes because the family already has two sons, one of them is really sick and the other has this weird thing that eats away his muscles. The only reason they wanted me was so that I can help them."
"That's so scary," Eira whispered, and Rhea nodded her head. "I'll help you with ballet if you want. I know you don't have lots of time to practice like me, but I think with my help, you can be better."
"I'd like that," Rhea smiled.
"You can borrow some of my ballet stuff," Eira said and opened up her very large and spacious walk in closet. She took out two leotards, tutus, tights, and two pairs of ballet shoes. They put on their very pink ballet outfits. "Oh no, we've gots to put our hair in buns."
"I never do that," Rhea replied.
"I know that," Eira said and grabbed the slightly taller girl's hand. "But maybe your hair gets in your face so you can't see what you're doing. I don't know how to put in a bun good, so my grandmother can do it."
"Isn't she busy?" Rhea questioned with concern. "I'd rather not bother the Throne Minister." Eira could tell the poor thing was nervous.
"Prolly, but that doesn't really matter. Remember, she's my grandmother first, Throne Minister second!" the brunette laughed and pulled the nervous girl behind her through the many halls of the palace. Somehow with all of the twists and turns, Eira knew exactly where she was going. Finally, the two arrived in the dining hall where Glinda was currently having a meeting with some important people (Eira had no idea who they were, so she just smiled at them when they all turned towards her).
Glinda seemed to drop everything and pay attention to the two that had walked in. Some of the people seemed annoyed with the blonde, but what could they do? She was the one on top, the Ruler of Oz, so it didn't really matter whether or not they were annoyed. "What are you two doing here, Eira?" Glinda asked as the seven year old made it over to her with Rhea. "You know I'm in an important meeting. And what are you doing in your ballet things? You already had your lessons."
"You talk too much," Eira laughed and the adults couldn't help but laugh at the girl's cuteness. "I'm just going to help Rhea practice ballet. But we can't do it with our hair down."
"Oh, I see, you two need me to do your hair, is that right?" Eira nodded.
"We can keep this meeting going," Glinda said as she started on Eira's hair. "Just keep talking, you have my full attention. I am a woman, I can multitask."
After returning to Eira's room, the two girls began to practice. Rhea stumbled a bit, but did much better than she usually did. The brunette was surprised that she was actually having fun with this girl, and she hoped that the day would never end. It was odd, really, how well they got along and how much they had in common. "You're actually not that bad. I think your hair just gets in the way a lot and you can't see what you're doing."
"I think so, too. And I think you helped a lot. You're really good," Rhea complimented.
"Thanks," Eira replied as they changed back into their clothes. As Eira changed, Rhea began to look through her closet of beautiful dresses- they were pink, purple, yellow, blue, and so much more (but mostly pink). She looked at all of the shoes, and was shocked at how many pairs she owned, and within six months, they'd have to be replaced. After all, children grew quickly. "I have an idea! I think I should give you a makeover!"
"A makeover?" Rhea questioned.
"Yes! If I learned anything from my grandmother, it's how to do a makeover. We do these things together all the time," Eira explained.
"You talk about your grandmother a lot," Rhea pointed out. "But not your mommy."
"Well, my mommy decided not to come to the recital, so I'm mad at her. Anyway, would you like a makeover? Because I have this really pretty dark green dress that would look amazing on you." EIra took out the dress she had mentioned and had Rhea put it on. She added a necklace with a simple heart shaped diamond on it. Rhea's ears hadn't been pierced, so she couldn't wear any earrings, but that was okay with her because the orange haired girl looked beautiful without the extra jewels. Eira brushed the girl's hair perfectly, and had her put on black shoes that went well with the dress. "I'm not allowed to wear makeup, so I don't think you can. Besides, my grandmother says that girls our age are pretty enough without it. But she did let me have this lip gloss. It's not colored or anything, it just makes your lips shine." With that said, she put the gloss on the other girl's lips. When she was done, Rhea stared in awe at herself in the mirror. Eira beamed and was glad that she had made a new friend, maybe one of the only friends that began to matter.