The next day, Fiyero was in the library with Elias, skimming through books and then throwing them haphazardly behind him when he didn't like what he read. Fiyero didn't notice, but behind him, Elphaba was catching the books he flung into the air and returning them to their proper shelves. It actually got a little tiring, especially when Fiyero found several books he didn't like, and threw them all behind him at the same time. Fiyero had just flung another book carelessly behind and extremely high. Elphaba jumped on the couch to catch it.
"I've been thinking..." said Fiyero, not turning around, still skimming the books, oblivious to the trouble he was causing Elias by throwing more books about, "Elias, do you believe in love at first sight?" asked Fiyero, skimming the back of a book, before throwing it carelessly behind him and picking up another.
"Um..." Elias began, running sideways to catch the book, "...I believe in attraction at first sight I suppose, or liking someone, or having a crush, but love? No, I don't believe in love at first sight." said Elias. Fiyero took a moment to ponder this. He was almost certain that when he'd first seen Elphaba, he had fallen in love with her. Or perhaps, maybe he'd just had an instant attraction to her, who knew. But it sure did feel an awful lot like love. Ah! That was his next question.
"And love, what does that feel like?" asked Fiyero, flinging three books behind him before grabbing four more. Elphaba quickly moved to catch them.
"I don't exactly know Master Fiyero, I've never been in love." said Elphaba. She didn't know if she was exactly lying or not. Was what she felt for Fiyero really love? Or was it, as she had put it earlier, a crush, and attraction?
"Well, how do you know when you're in love?" asked Fiyero, "Or if it is a mere attraction as you put it." Fiyero asked the exact question Elphaba had been pondering.
"Well...I suppose if it is a mere attraction, you do not think much of the actual person, only what they look like...I suppose." Elphaba said hesitantly, "I really don't know. Have you ever been in love?"
"I don't think I have been in love before...but I'm not so sure about now." said Fiyero.
"Oh?" said Elphaba, catching a book expertly, "Has someone caught your eye? Or has Miss Galinda finally sparked actual feelings in you?"
"It's not Galinda, no." said Fiyero.
"No? Then you've met someone." said Elphaba, she felt her heart drop. Fiyero had found someone and fallen in love. Ah well, who cared anyway, she didn't stand a chance, she was after all, Elias, Fiyero's boy servant.
"Yes, I have met someone." said Fiyero matter-of-factly, "But I will not say anymore, for I fear this conversation is taking a turn down gossip girl alley." He threw another book behind him, but it went so high, it soared over several of the two story shelves and Elphaba didn't have a hope of catching it. She flung her arms up in exaggerated frustration before just giving up.
"Yes, because grand Master Fiyero most certainly does not want to sound at all girlish." said Elphaba, rolling her eyes. She actually wanted to hear about this girl who had sparked such strong feelings in Fiyero, but no, the subject was to girly for Fiyero. Pssh.
"That, I do not." Fiyero smiled and turned around, his eyes blanked for a moment and a look of confusion spread across his face, "Huh, I thought I threw a bunch of books back here...I suppose I threw them farther than intended, ah well, the librarian will rebook them." Fiyero said before turning and walking out of the library. Elphaba rolled her eyes at his obliviousness and followed after him dutifully.
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Nessarose sat in her room, staring blankly out of the window. She missed her sister. And it was all her fault Elphaba had run away. But was she really to blame? She loved Fredrick, with all her heart, and who knew if she'd ever find someone to love her, the crippled daughter of Governor Thropp? A tear rolled down Nessa's cheek, but no more followed. She didn't brush it away, but felt the soft breeze from the window blow onto the wetness on her cheek, sending shivers through her body. Who knew where Elphaba was now, probably living on the streets. Just the other day, Frex had been informed that he would be going to jail unless he found Elphaba and she willingly told the court that Frex didn't abuse her. Now Nessa was waiting for Fredrick to arrive, to take her to the Emerald City. Once she was gone, she knew Frex would begin his search for Elphaba. Nessa prayed for two opposites. Firstly, she prayed that Frex would find her and bring her home so Nessa could see her again. She wanted to hear Elphaba's voice again and she could almost hear Elphaba singing in her ear. But on the other hand of course, Nessa prayed that Frex didn't find her. This was more risky a prayer though. If Elphaba's was actually in a safe environment and not starving to death on the streets, then she would probably be better off away from Frex. If Frex didn't find her, he'd be thrown in jail, and that would probably be the last Nessa would see of her father. She'd have to come back to Munchkinland and take up the job of governor, even though she was only 15. So it was settled then, she hoped Frex found Elphaba. Oh, she was so selfish. She'd wallow in self-disgust, but she didn't have time for that, Fredrick was here.
"Nessa." said Frex, she heard a soft knock on her door. Frex came in, "Fredrick is here." he said. He took the handles of Nessa's wheel chair and wheeled her outside where Frex was waiting. He suitcases had already been loaded into the carriage. Fredrick quickly leaned down and brought her pale hand to his lips and kissing it softly.
"My dear Nessa." he said, "Are you ready?"
"Yes, yes of course." said Nessa, blushing furiously, her sister forgotten in Fredrick's presence.
"I hope you don't mind if the visit to the Emerald City is delayed a bit." said Fredrick.
"Delayed?" asked Nessa.
"Yes. I have business to attend to in the Vinkus." said Fredrick, "The King and Queen have offered us hospitalities in their castle. Is that alright with you? It will only be a few days."
"That's fine." said Nessa, "I've always wanted to visit the castle." she smiled, "I hear it's amazing."
"I probably won't be around much while we're in the Vinkus. I'll most likely be in meetings a lot. We're meeting my father there. You still want to go?"
"Yes. I'll be fine alone until the Emerald City, don't worry about me." said Nessa. Fredrick smiled.
"Good, because I don't think I could bear it if you chose to stay here." he kissed Nessa full on the lips this time. Frex coughed loudly behind them.
"Oh, I'm sorry sir, I forgot you were standing there." said Fredrick, flushing.
"Right." said Frex, "Goodbye Nessa. Have a safe trip." he hastily kissed Nessa on the forehead and shook Fredrick's hand and bid them a quick goodbye. Their carriage was soon out of sight. Frex sighed, fantastic, now he could start his search for the green-skinned trouble-maker of his before he got himself landed in jail.
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The next day, in the servant's quarters, an announcement was called to order in the kitchens. The old lady wobbled up atop the counter so that she was taller than everyone, though she looked about ready to fall any minute.
"Alright, you all listen!" she clapped her hands together once and silence fell, "We're having some visitors coming within the next few days. They are nobleman Fredrick Valor and the next in line of the Eminent Thropp, Miss Nessarose Thropp." Elphaba froze. Nessa was coming here? Why? She was supposed to be going to the Emerald City. Elphaba was just glad Frex wasn't coming as well.
"Now, I will not have my servants looking as though they can't keep a castle clean, or serve those of higher class with respect. The rooms have been prepared, but we will need one person to tend to Miss Nessarose Thropp while she is here. She is bound to a wheelchair, therefore, I am assigning a servant to assist her while she is here." the old lady continued, "Any maids care to volunteer?" hands immediately shot up in the air. Hauling around a snotty Miss in a wheelchair was better than hauling around a mop and rag. A maid was quickly chosen and the day bore one. Elphaba dreaded the day Nessa came. She did not know if she should be angry at her sister or not. After all, Nessa really didn't owe it to Elphaba to go to Shiz. Elphaba owed Nessa, for taking her ability to walk, it was her fault anyway, or at least that is what she had been told. But still....she couldn't help but feel angry with Nessa, betrayed, upset...like she was nothing to Nessa. Oh well, if Elphaba was nothing to Nessa, then Nessa would be nothing to Elphaba.
***********************
"So, have you heard about our guests?" asked Fiyero as he and Elias played soccer out back behind the grand castle.
"Yes." said Elias, not sounding very please. He expertly stole the ball from Fiyero and scored. Fiyero cursed.
"Nessarose Thropp," said Fiyero, "I heard she was in a wheelchair."
"Yes, she is." said Elias.
"You know her?" asked Fiyero.
"I...worked for her once." was all Elias offered, "And if you ask me, she's a snobby little whiny girl who doesn't give a damn about anyone else and is about the most selfish brat I've ever met!" Elphaba couldn't believe she'd said so many terrible things about her sister. It was like; all of her anger at Nessa had just started pouring out of her. If she'd have said that at home, she'd of been whipped till she was within an inch of her life and then locked upstairs for weeks. She'd never disrespected her sister like that, it was so odd...it kind of felt good. She stole the ball from Fiyero again and kicked it into the goal hard.
"Wow." said Fiyero, "Sounds like a--"
"Oh, she is." said Elias, before Fiyero could even finish his sentence. Fiyero smirked.
"Sounds like you really hate the girl." said Fiyero, "What'd she, break up with you?"
"Never you mind." said Elias roughly, scoring yet another goal.