Chapter Eight: A Civilized Conversation

She steeled her nerves before she went to visit with her sister and Nanny. Elphaba didn't expect either of them to catch on, but she had to be careful. While she was getting amusement out of how her sister had reacted, she wasn't looking forward to this conversation. For a moment, she thought about asking Glinda to join them, but she'd put her best friend through enough already this week. Besides, they were eating in Nanny and Nessa's room, so Glinda would be right next-door. Nessa often took her meals in her room – it was easier than being wheeled across campus.

It didn't take long for the subject of her new "relationship," to be breached. "Elphaba, I know you've never been much for Unionism, but dating a Winkie boy? Really?" Nessa sighed sadly.

"I don't see what those two have in common."

"He's a pagan. His people are heretics and sinners, Elphaba. It almost makes me wonder if you aren't doing that on purpose."

She was, actually. "I like him, Nessie. He's a very sweet young man. I know you don't see that, because you can't see past your preconceived notions on the Vinkus, but he really is a good person, pagan or not."

"Father will not take this well."

"Maybe he won't. I'll tell him when we go home for the winter holidays." She didn't particularly care if anyone approved; in fact, she liked that they didn't. But if she were really seeing him, she would try a little harder to get her family to like him, wouldn't she? "Please be kind about this, Nessa. You've spoken with him, haven't you? He's never said a mean word to you. Give him the benefit of an open mind, at least."

Nanny spoke up then. "There's something strange about all of this. It was quite sudden."

"Sudden? He asked me to go out with him one afternoon while we were talking in the library. We've been keeping to ourselves a lot. Neither one of us really loves the idea of being out and about." She swallowed hard. "I like him. Is that so hard to believe?"

"Oh, I believe that." Nanny said. "But something doesn't feel right."

"It's new, that's all."

"And all that he said several weeks ago, about having to be engaged by next year? How will you feel about that?" Nessa asked.

"We've discussed it and we'll handle it when we come to it. Neither one of us got into this lightly, Nessa."

"The idea of you possibly marrying him, going out there to that barbaric place…"

"Which I will be this spring, most likely. He does want me to meet his family."

"So you're planning that far ahead, then?" Nanny interjected. "You said this was new."

"And I also said we'd discussed his situation and we agreed that, should this last that long, I will visit his family come spring." She was glad she'd always been quick, because she was getting questions she hadn't prepared for.

"I can't imagine what it would be like in that horrid place. How uncivilized!"

"Does Fiyero seem uncivilized to you, Nessa? Those are his people and if he can be as well-spoken as he is, I doubt it's as terrible as you might this out there. After all, remember Quadling Country? You've heard what people here say about them and we both know it isn't true." Elphaba was starting to genuinely feel attacked, and she didn't like the way they were talking about Fiyero or his people, no matter what she felt for him.

"You'll just have to discuss all this with Father." And Nessa would not speak of it again.

Glinda put down her wand when Elphaba stepped through the door to the adjoining room. "How'd that go?"

"Not so bad, actually."

"They believe it?"

"Completely. Nanny seems to think there's something off, but not enough to see through it. Nessa is still unhappy about it, no matter how I argued, but that's to be expected. My father will be worse." She couldn't help but grin thinking about that.

Glinda laughed. "You really want to make him mad, don't you?"

Elphaba sat on her bed and put her feet up. "I've been a good girl most of my life, Glinda. But my father's rules were stricter than most, and he always made it clear who his favorite was. I'm just so tired of his lectures and the hypocrisy. My mother wasn't a saint, and I get the feeling there were times he wasn't either, but he behaves as though he's beyond reproach. Sweet Oz, Glinda, Fiyero's a better man than my father is, though I'm sure my father wouldn't see that."

"A better man than your father? Oh, Elphie." Glinda shook her head.

"Don't read into that. It doesn't take much. Half the men on this campus are probably better men than my father. I just happen to know Fiyero well enough by now to know he actually is. That's all it is, Glinda."

The blonde blinked slowly. "Elphie, he hasn't tried anything with you, has he?" Glinda sat next to her.

"Fiyero? No! This is just for show and he knows that. I just told you he's good, Glinda. Why would you think he would do something like that?"

"He's a boy and you know how they are." The blonde looked at her. "I know you do."

"You promised we'd never talk about that again. I wish I'd never told you. And Fiyero isn't like that. He's kind and gentle and…" She trailed off. "Look, it doesn't matter. He knows better."

"I'm just making sure." Glinda said gently.

"I know that. But you need to let me do this my way, Glinda. I get that you're worried about this. I'm not stupid, though. I don't need you to handle this for me. If I thought there was a chance he would try something, I wouldn't have agreed to do this."

"I'm surprised you agreed at all. It's not like you."

"I told you why."

"That's what you tell yourself, fine. You wanted to help him. You're enjoying yourself as you're tormenting your family. It has nothing to do with any romantic feelings. Go ahead, keep saying that. It doesn't make it true, Elphie."

"Not this again, Glinda. I don't have any feelings for him in that way. I don't feel that way about anyone. I learned early on how stupid falling for someone is and I won't do it. I have other things to focus on."

"I love that you think you have control over your emotions. That would be nice, though, wouldn't it?"

It would be. Because she knew that sometimes she'd let a thought slip through that tight veil she kept on her heart, and he was the subject of those thoughts. Is that why she'd really done this? Was this some miraculously disastrous way of getting close to him? She shook her head. "It's simple not to care."

"I know it is. But you care about your family, right? And your friends?"

"Of course. That's different."

"But those emotions are what those deeper ones start as."

"I'm getting very tired of having this conversation, Glinda. I appreciate all your help, I really do. But this subject needs to be dropped. And not just temporarily."

Glinda gave Elphaba a disapproving look, but nodded. "Fine. But when you can't take it anymore, don't expect me to feel sorry for you."