Soon, the weeks flew by and Elphaba's life at Shiz settled into a rhythm of sorts. Her classes, numerous as they were, kept her busy and happy with the intellectual stimulation she had so craved but lacked during the past few years. She also wrote letters to Father, which became a weekly occurrence; mostly a kind-of report on Nessa's wellbeing, rather than what one would expect between a father and his eldest daughter.
Nessa had decided prior to arrival to take Linguification with a minor in Politics (this was to facilitate her apparent status as future Governor). Linguification was considered an "easy" topic for many, thus making it a "good" choice for Nessa due to her "condition". The differing schedules meant that the two sisters went to different parts of the campus, and hence rarely saw each other on school days except for planned meetings in the cafeteria during mealtimes. That, and of course History, which Nessa had to take for the first two semesters as an aid for the Politics classes.
Madame Morrible's Sorcery Seminar also featured largely in Elphaba's schedule. Having deduced from the first few private lessons (in her rather stuffy apartment) that Elphaba had had no control whatsoever over her power, and had spent most of her life trying to rein it in, Madame Morrible immediately set to correcting that with many disgruntled tuts and breathing exercises. Afterwards, she took out many old and dusty books from the shelves ("so unused in those years of waiting, my dear!") and promptly set Elphaba to learning the basics of writing a spell and brewing simple potions. Elphaba found potion-brewing to be relatively easy, thanks to her years of practicing cooking beside Nanny. It was just like being in the kitchen, except the ingredients were not salt and pepper but rather dangerous materials that could blow up an entire house.
Writing and using spells, however, was like learning a totally different and yet strangely familiar language. The spellbooks in Madame Morrible's collection consisted of mostly simple enchantments or charms, and were all in English (though Elphaba had read of spellbooks written in ancient, often undecipherable languages). The once dormant part of her being began to stir at the magic she was creating, and sometimes, Elphaba couldn't have felt more alive as she sat in that dim and warm room weaving spells.
Although Madame Morrible's classes were often fulfilling and rewarding, they were also physically (and mentally) exhausting. This made History by far Elphaba's favourite class. Back at home, Father's library (while it was paltry compared to the one at Shiz) had been filled with books regarding Munchkinland's history and various politics, and needless to say, Elphaba had read them all.
Arriving slightly early with Nessa to sit in their preferred spot, Elphaba took out her various writing materials and arranged them on her desk. Soon enough, Galinda and her giggling, chattering bunch of friends came tripping in, and sat themselves in a covert circle (to gossip "softly" while the teacher was teaching, of course, Elphaba thought irritably).
The pattering of hooves announced the arrival of Dr. Dillamond, their History teacher who was, obviously, a Goat. Elphaba tapped her pen in anticipation while Dr. Dillamond shuffled out the latest marked essays from the previous class. She had included some extra information she'd gleaned from the library's books and couldn't wait to see what he thought of it.
"Good morning, class!"
"Good morning, Doctor Dillamond."
"Now," he continued. "I have read your most recent essays and I'm pleased to report some progress! Although some of us still tend to favour form over content, like Miss … G-linda, hm?" He chuckled as he gave Galinda back a piece of sparkly pink paper.
"It's GA-linda, with a GAH." Galinda corrected, tucking the paper hurriedly into her bag with a mortified expression.
"Yes, of course … Glinda."
"I really don't see what the problem is," Galinda said crossly. "Every other professor seems to be able to pronounce my name!"
"Maybe perfecting the pronounciation of your perfect name isn't the sole focus of Doctor Dillamond's life," Elphaba snapped, standing up to emphasize her point. "Maybe he's not like other professors. Maybe some of us are different!"
A few silent seconds reigned awkwardly before Galinda raised an eyebrow.
"Well! It seems that the … Artichoke … Is steamed!"
The class burst into raucous laughter as Elphaba sat back down and tried not to let her cheeks flush.
"Class, class!" Dr. Dillamond called for attention, stamping his hoof.
"Miss Elphaba has a point." He said, distributing the rest of the papers as the class quieted. "Now, I'm doubtless you have noticed that I am the sole Animal professor of the faculty. The Token Goat!" He winked at his pun, while the students exchanged glances as they tried to remember if there were any other Animal professors.
"But it wasn't always this way. Ah, children, I wish you all could have known this place as it once was."
Dr. Dillamond walked towards his blackboard and stared out to the back of the class, seemingly lost in memories.
"… Where one could walk down the hallways and hear an Antelope explicating a sonnet, a Snow Leopard solving an equation … And a Wildebeest waxing philosophic!"
He looked around at the faces of his students and asked urgently, "Can you see, my dear students; what's being lost? How our dear Oz is becoming less and less … Well." He nodded at Elphaba with a small smile. "Colouful."
Grabbing a piece of chalk, he began writing. "Now, who can tell me what set this into motion?"
"From what I read, it began with the Great Drought, sir." Elphaba replied.
"Precisely!" Dr. Dillamond affirmed. "Food grew scarce, people grew hungrier and angrier – remember, class, what we learnt about social issues? – and the question began: 'Who can we blame?'. Can any one tell me what is the term 'Scapegoat' would mean in this situation? Some besides Miss Elphaba, please. Ah, Miss … Glinda."
Galinda sighed in frustration. "It's GA-linda, with a GAH. And I don't see why you can just teach us history instead of always harping on the past!"
Dr. Dillamond blinked, and Elphaba bit her lip to stop herself from replying sarcastically.
"Well," Dr. Dillamond answered. "Perhaps these questions that I've prepared …"
He turned the chalkboard around, and the entire class gasped in shock. For, painted on the black surface in jarringly red letters, were the words:
ANIMALS SHOULD BE SEEN AND NOT HEARD
"Who's responsible for this?" Dr. Dillamond questioned calmly.
The silence was almost deafening.
"I'm waiting for an answer."
Seeing that no one was responsible (or willing to admit their part), Dr. Dillamond nodded. "Very well. That will be all for today."
"… You heard me. Class dismissed!"
The students hurriedly began packing their things, discussing the words in hushed whispers as they filed out of the room. Elphaba hesitated as she pushed Nessa out of the doorway, before making up her mind.
"Nessa, you go on ahead," she said, handing Nessa her books.
Nessa looked at her questioningly, but kept quiet and wheeled herself out.
"'Animals should be seen and not heard'," Elphaba read aloud as she stepped back into the classroom. "Who would do such a thing?"
Dr. Dillamond turned around. Seeing that it was she, he gave a wan smile. "Oh, Miss Elphaba, don't worry about me. Go and join your friends!"
"That's alright, I have no friends," Elphaba replied offhandedly, walking to where her Professor was taking a gulp of … well, whatever Goats drank. "Would you like to share my lunch?"
"Why, how kind!" Dr. Dillamond said in surprise. He pulled out two chairs and they sat down. Elphaba was about to tear her sandwich into half before Dr. Dillamond took the wrapping paper and began chewing it vigorously.
Oh well. I suppose he and Nanny have different tastes.
"… I seem to have lost my appetite." Dr. Dillamond said eventually as he put the paper down.
"You shouldn't let ignorant statements like that bother you, Professor." Elphaba added slightly wryly, "I mean, I always do … But you shouldn't." Leaning forward, she attempted to lighten the atmosphere. "My Nanny is a Goat, too, and I can tell you she would never be 'seen and not heard'!"
Dr. Dillamond laughed, but replied somberly, "Oh, Miss Elphaba – if only it were a matter of words on a chalkboard. The things one hears these days … Dreadful things indeed."
"What things?" Elphaba asked curiously. She hadn't noticed anything amiss in the recent newspapers, so she couldn't fathom why Dr. Dillamond appeared so troubled.
"… I don't know if I should tell you, dear." Dr. Dillamond said anxiously. "I wouldn't want you to fret and lose focus on your studies."
"Doctor Dillamond, I can handle this," Elphaba reassured him. "Go on, I'd like to know."
Dr. Dillamond walked to the door and closed it before saying quietly, "I've heard of an Ox – my acquaintance, a professor from Quox – who was no longer permitted to teach. Then, he lost all his powers of Speech!"
"What!"
"And on Owl in Munchkin Rock," Dr. Dillamond continued. "He was a Vicar, as Owls usually are, with a thriving flock. However, he was forbidden to preach, and now he can only screech indistinguishable sounds! … I know there's only rumours so far – but still – they're enough to give pause to Animals everywhere."
"So you say that something bad is happening in Oz? To all the Animals?"
Dr. Dillamond nodded. "Something bad is happening, right now as we speak, in fact. Under the surface … Behind the scenes … Something baaa – !"
Dr. Dillamond covered his mouth in shock as a bleating sound suddenly issued from his throat.
"I'm sorry." He said, clearing his throat. "I meant, 'bad'."
"Doctor Dillamond, are you alright?" Elphaba inquired in alarm. "Shall I fetch you a glass of water?"
"No, no," Dr. Dillamond replied, waving it away. "I don't know what came over me."
"So … You're saying there are Animals that have somehow forgotten to speak? How is that possible?"
"Well, with so much pressure not to …" Dr. Dillamond mused aloud. "If you make it discouraging enough, you can keep anyone silent. But I, of one, will never – "
The door handle turned and Dr. Dillamond stopped as Madame Morrible walked into class.
"Why, Madame Morrible!" Dr. Dillamond coughed, surprised. He hastily turned over the blackboard. "Why have you come?"
"Oh, I heard there was some sort of disturberance in class," Madame Morrible said, casting a long glance at the blackboard. "Are you alright, Doctor?" She noticed Elphaba seated on the chair and frowned, "Miss Elphaba, you're still here? I thought you'd be on your way to my Seminar by now."
"Yes, Madame, I would be," Elphaba replied, hurriedly packing the remains of her lunch. "But … " She looked up and saw Dr. Dillamond shaking his head ever so slightly. "But Dr. Dillamond just offered to go through my previous essay more in detail."
"Oh, I see." Madame Morrible said slowly. "I do hope I haven't misplaced my trust in you, dear. Magic is a demanderating mistress, and if one's ambition is to meet the Wizard … Well, I'm sure Doctor Dillamond sees my point."
"Yes – Quite right you are, Madame," Dr. Dillamond said, slightly flustered for no reason.
Madame Morrible inclined her head and swept out of the classroom.
"I'd better go, Doctor Dillamond." Elphaba said sheepishly. She paused at the door and turned back. "Doctor – If something bad is happening to the Animals, someone's got to tell the Wizard! Why, that's why we have a Wizard in the first place. He'll make it all right."
"… I hope you're right," Dr. Dillamond said, pouring himself a glass of drink. "So nothing bad, really …"
The Professor shared a smile with Elphaba as they repeated, "Nothing all that bad …"
"Nothing to worry a – baaaa!"
Elphaba quickly put her books down and started towards Dr. Dillamond, but he waved her away, taking a long swig of his drink.
"Sorry, sorry – " He muttered as he opened a door on the other side of the classroom. "You'd better hurry, Elphaba. Madame Morrible is not a patient woman."
Elphaba watches his tail twitch out of sight and picked up her books with an unsettled heart. Out of the windows, she glimpsed the glimmering lake outside, the blue sky, the distant laughter of the students. It was so peaceful and calm, a stark contrast to what had just transpired.
"It couldn't happen here in Oz," she whispered to herself.
A/N: - plays soft uneasy music -
COOKIES AND CREAM ICE CREAM FROM HAAGEN-DAZS TO REVIEWERS!
Fiyero's coming soon, I promise.
And as for Madame Morrible ... Anyone else got a funny feeling about her?
Update: Thank you to my reviewer(s) for suggesting that I add in more between those songs. It was extremely useful and I found myself figuring out more of Elphaba's class schedule and school life! I hope you enjoy the paragraphs I added at the beginning. :-)