"You're sure it was her?"
"Unless there's another green freak with a conical hat in Oz."
"Did she see you?"
"No."
"Did anyone see you?"
"Are you questioning my ability to stay hidden?"
"No, I just want to make certain that nothing will cause complications to our plan."
"Don't worry Madame, everything is going as expected. What is our next step?"
"We've got to get our hands on the Grimmerie."
***
Glinda was lying in bed staring at the ceiling. She'd sent Boq away so as to have time to untangle her coiled thoughts. He had murdered her best friend so the blonde should loathe him, yet it felt so good to have someone know the truth. He only went with the witch hunters because he thought she was evil, Glinda rationalized. However a deep part of her felt guilty, as if she were betraying Elphaba. Oh Elphie what should I do? Glinda had asked this question many times, and there was never an answer.
***
"Do you ever think about being human again?" Elphaba wondered as she lay beside Fiyero in the lush grass of a sunny mountain meadow.
"Sometimes," the prince admitted. "But this isn't so bad."
"It's still my fault," the green girl grumbled. "And I'm going to make it right."
"Maybe you should leave well enough alone," Fiyero sighed.
"Are you doubting my powers?"
"I doubt their ability to have the desired effect on an object," the scarecrow clarified. "Even when you had the Grimmerie a spell meant to save my life turned me into this. How can you expect to do better all on your own?"
"I guess you're right," the witch muttered. "But changing you back would have certain advantages." Her words were suggestive and vaguely wistful.
"I can live without those advantages," Fiyero assured her. Elphaba rolled over to face him, a grin on her face.
"Why in Oz do you love me?" she wondered.
"Because you're beautiful and good hearted and noble and funny and brilliant and amazing in all ways," the Winkie chuckled.
"It's official," Elphaba snickered. "You are brainless."
"Then why do you love me?" Fiyero asked.
"I don't know," the green girl replied jokingly, pressing her forehead against his. "Maybe it's because you're perfect."
"Now who doesn't have a brain?"
***
A bouquet of fragrant pink roses was waiting for Glinda outside her door. Surprisingly the vibrant blooms weren't from Boq. The card read; 'To the most beautiful woman in Oz. From Raeb'. Glinda was sure she didn't know any Raebs. However not much later she met her mystery admirer. At breakfast he introduced himself as the Emerald Palace's new chef.
Raeb had shaggy brown hair and bright green eyes. He was on the tall side of average. "Hello Lady Glinda," the chef greeted upon their first meeting. "I trust you got my flowers."
"You must be Raeb," the blonde realized with a dazzling smile, her inner flirt making an appearance. "Thank you so much."
"You're very welcome," he replied shyly. Boq was jealously watching Raeb and Glinda from the other side of the dining room. Having been proclaimed a hero for his role in the witch's demise the Tin Man was receiving star treatment at the palace. This situation was ideal for spending time with Oz's blonde ruler, but now it appeared as if another man was encroaching on her. Boq tried unsuccessfully not to scowl at the newcomer.
***
"Hey Caya," Elphaba called to her Tiger friend as she entered the clothes shop, a torn cloak over her arm. "I was wondering if you could mend this." Caya was the village's seamstress.
"Yes," sighed the Tiger, examining the ripped fabric. "I don't know why you insist on wearing these dark clothes though."
"I clash with everything else," the green girl pointed out. "You don't know how hard it is to find anything that doesn't look hideous on me."
"Yes I do!" Caya exclaimed indignantly, holding out an arm. "I'm orange for crying out loud!"
"You win," the witch chuckled. "How much to mend the cloak?"
"Nothing," the Tiger informed her.
"Caya you've got to let me pay you," Elphaba growled in frustration.
"I won't accept anything," she insisted stubbornly. "You spent years risking your life to protect us Animals from the Wizard. I will not let you pay me for a little sewing."
"You irritate me," the green girl informed her friend, scowling.
"You irritate me too," the Tiger responded. Caya and Elphaba had similar personalities, so their friendship was easy and natural. However the witch longed for a very different friendship, one that stemmed from differences rather than similarities. Two identical puzzle pieces can't fit together, but dissimilar ones click. Why this rule applies to people the world may never know.
***
"We need to talk," Boq told Glinda as she stepped from her chambers, purse in hand.
"Yes," the blonde agreed, her eyes tight. "But not right now. I'm kind of busy."
"Where are you going?" the Tin Man wondered suspiciously.
"On a date with Raeb," Glinda informed him stiffly. Boq's eyes darkened at the word date.
"Have fun," he said coldly, disappointment claiming his heart. No matter the circumstances it seemed the blonde princess would never choose him.
Sorry for another slow chapter but the action will definitely pick up in the next one…these first three were just to set the stage for an epic adventure (well hopefully it will be epic)…