Chapter five is ready, people~! Just so you know, the meeting will happen soon enough... anyway, not much else to say. Enjoy, you guys!
Also- this chapter is dedicated to Elphabalover101, a friend of mine. I heard you were in the hospital, and I really hope you get better soon. I don't know what happened, but you have my well wishes, and I can't wait to see (or, hear that you are) back on your feet, because you're strong and you can do it. Miss you, and get well soon~ c:
By the time they had all boarded the sleigh the next day, Jack was being consumed by so many questions. If Pitch was in this Oz place, that meant Jamie was safe, right? Or was he just going to Oz to recharge enough power so he could attack Jamie, and Jack himself? And how did Pitch find out about the other worlds anyway? But if none of them had heard of Oz before, did that mean they'd all be invisible there? If that was the case, how was Pitch getting so much fear? Or was someone else causing it… but who?
He only tuned back into reality when he felt a not too gentle punch to his shoulder. Rubbing it gently, he turned to Bunny. "What was that for?" he huffed.
"Asked 'ya a question, mate."
"Oh."
The Guardian of Hope snorted, "I asked 'ya to call the wind and get 'er to direct us 'ta Oz. She doesn't seem to listen 'ta us."
Jack nodded, smiling, "Hey, wind? You heard him, off to Oz!"
It blew past them, ruffling Jack's hair as North cracked the reigns, getting the sleigh in motion. Bunny gripped the edge, screwing his eyes shut and counting how long until it was over. They had considered using a snow globe to get there, but quickly found they couldn't—as they could only send to places North had visited before. He heard Jack laughing at him and swore under his breath—this was going to be a long trip.
"Hey, how many other worlds are there, anyway?"
Bunny turned to Jack, glad for any kind of distraction from the ride—which was even more wild than usual as the wind was steering them herself. "Not sure, Frostbite…"
"Really? But, aren't you supposed to protect all the kids?" Jack asked, quirking a brow. Tooth shook her head, "We've never even known there were many other worlds—there are a few places we've seen before, but they either don't believe in us or in our legends. We can't protect them if they don't keep their baby teeth, or celebrate Easter, because we have no way of spreading our centers to children without it."
Jack nodded, understanding it to a point, "That makes a bit of sense."
"To be honest," she stated after a while, "I'm surprised you and Sandy haven't known of any. I mean, dreams and winter come naturally in all places, right?" She turned to the golden man, who just shook his head, making the sand image of a plane, and then crossing it out. "Couldn't get to them?" Jack asked. He nodded once, letting Jack know the assumption was right.
The winter spirit merely shrugged, "I never knew there were any other worlds. Not exactly like I had anyone to teach me, right? Besides—winter happened long before I became Jack Frost, it's safe to assume that the other places have winter without me."
"Guess 'ya got a point there, Frost," Bunny said, closing his eyes again. He felt nauseous already.
"Well," Jack questioned, "what other worlds have you seen?"
"There was this one place," Tooth mused after a while, searching for a story to tell. "I don't remember the name, but I know there were a lot of dragons. They were amazing, but were hunted by Vikings. Then this one boy decided to be brave and tamed one, learning to ride the dragon…"
Elphaba stirred softly, stretching her arms before sitting up. She looked around, trying to remember where she was. Everything had been blurry lately, though she didn't really try to remember anything, anyway. She scanned around the hut—oh, right, she was at the Animal camp with Aiyla. Her gaze fell upon Chistery, who was curled up at her side, and she chuckled before gently trying to wake him.
"Chistery, it's time to wake up…"
He made a sound of protest, but stood up anyway, blinking his golden eyes. He looked up at Elphaba and chattered happily, which brought a smile to the green girl's face. It was then that Aiyla walked in, her tail swishing behind her with each step, "G'mornin', lassie."
"Good morning, Aiyla," Elphaba replied softly. The Fox grinned, sitting down at the table. "Did'ja sleep alright?"
"Just fine," she stated, nodding her head. She for once had slept through the night without waking up, or dreaming about Fiyero. Though the dreams were pleasant, it made things hurt even worse when she woke up.
"Aiyla," Elphaba began, "Thank you, for letting me stay here last night. I know it was unexpected, but…"
"It's fine," the older female said, "Ya' can stay as long as 'ya need, dear."
"If I stay longer," Elphaba said, "I at least want to help you guys. Is there anything I could do?" The Fox thought for a moment, "Perhaps go and collect some food? A lot of us here fear straying from the camp, in case the Gale Force captures us, or we lead them back here."
"I'd be able to outrun them," Elphaba stated, a small smile appearing on her face. "I'll go and collect for you guys. I should be back by sundown at latest, is that alright?"
"It's fine. Just stay safe," Aiyla warned.
"I will… I'll try," the witch replied, standing up to grab her broom. "Chistery," she said from across the hut, gripping her broom, "stay here and keep them safe. If the Gale Force comes near, find me. I'll be close."
The monkey nodded, and not long after that, Elphaba was off.
"Shell?"
The young man looked up, almost immediately bowing, "Yes, your Ozness?" The Wizard chuckled, "No need for formalities, boy. You can skip the bowing part."
Shell straightened himself, "What did you need, sir?"
"I have a special assignment for you."
"Yes?"
"Have you ever heard of someone named Dr. Dillamond?" Shell shook his head, raising his brow. "No," he stated, "Why?"
"He's an Animal, a Goat to be exact. And I need you to help with something."
"Capturing him?"
"No," the Wizard corrected, "He's already been captured long ago… I need you to teach him to speak."
"Why?" Shell asked, blinking in surprise. He was quite honestly shocked. He knew of the discrimination the people gave—Animals should be seen, and not heard. Why did the Wizard need this Goat to speak?
"That's not important," he replied, "But he's already been speaking once." That startled Shell even more. The Animal already spoke once, and had the ability taken away—what was this man's intention? "So it shouldn't be hard. It's more of reminding him than teaching him. Can you do that?"
Although it was worded like a question, Shell knew it was an order. "Yes, your Ozness."
"Good," the Wizard smiled, "You'll start in an hour. Meet me in the throne room then, I'll instruct you on this from there. Tell no one else about this."
Shell watched him leave, contemplating the reasons behind this. He knew it was the Wizard behind all the Animals losing their rights—that's why the Gale Force was capturing them. But why would he be going against that for one simple Goat? Dillamond… was he connected to Elphaba in some way. He blinked—Glinda. Morrible had mentioned once or twice that Glinda went to the same university as the wicked witch, followed by some hurtful comments about the green girl, but perhaps she would know.
He was tempted to ask her, but remembered the Wizard's words to tell no one. Biting his lip, Shell weighed his options.
Finally deciding, he raced down the hall towards Glinda's room. He wanted, no, needed to know why Dr. Dillamond was so important. Shell reached the west wing—apparently she had specifically asked for a room with a balcony overlooking the western sky—and knocked on the door. A few clock ticks later, the blonde opened the door, blinking at the sight of him. "Shell, what—,"
"Who's Dr. Dillamond?"
In hindsight, he thought, blurting it out like that wasn't the smartest move—as Glinda seemed to choke, and tried to close the door. Shell stuck his foot in the way, pushing it open. "Glinda, please. I need to know."
"Where did you hear that name?" she asked.
Shell bit his lip, "I can't say. But… was he in relation to the Wicked Witch of the West?"
Glinda didn't answer. She couldn't—she couldn't let anyone know. On one hand, it was fine to say he was her favorite teacher at Shiz, but on the other hand, it might have raised more questions. Like how did she know about the witch at all? She wanted so badly to confide in someone that Elphaba was a good person, but how was she supposed to trust anyone when they were all trying to kill her friend?
"Please… I need to know if Fabala knew him."
The blonde gasped for a moment. She heard that nickname before. Nessarose would call her that from time to time. How did Shell know that name?
"Where did you hear Fabala from?"
"I'll make you a deal," Shell said, crossing his arms, "You answer my question, I'll answer yours."
The girl was silent for just a minute, and then finally sighed. "Can you keep a secret?"
"For you? Of course."
"Dr. Dillamond was Elphaba's favorite teacher back at Shiz. I always heard her back at our dorm room, fawning over him being the last Animal teacher at Shiz."
Shell blinked, "Dorm room… you two shared a—,"
Glinda cut him off, wanting to get to the point, "Yes. We were roommates. And…" She steeled herself, "We were best friends. We, in fact, still are. She's not wicked, she just didn't agree with the Wizard's discrimination against the Animals. She wanted equality for all inhabitants of Oz, and when she found out he had no real power, she… she tried to stop him and got branded a wicked witch."
"You two are friends?"
She prepared for him to rat her out to everyone. She wasn't prepared for him to break out in laughter—sounding almost relieved. She glared, "What's so funny?"
"It's not funny," Shell stated after it died down, "I'm just… happy, I guess. That someone else saw the good in her. Although I assume Fiyero did too, but, you know, he's…"
Glinda couldn't help but smile, "Wait, you mean you knew she was good?" He nodded, and her smile slowly faded, "But… how?"
"To answer your earlier questions as well," Shell replied, "Fabala was the family nickname for her."
The blonde couldn't breathe for a moment, "F-Family…?"
"Yeah," he said softly, looking into her eyes. Brown orbs met blue, and for the first time Glinda noticed the were the same as Elphie's eyes.
"I'm her older brother."
Boom. Virtual hugs to reviewers. c: