It was a hot summer's day in Shiz. Long gone were the heavy winter furs, and out came colourful skirts with daring blouses amongst the students of Shiz. Life at the University was slowly but steadily becoming more hectic as the first season of exams approached … But little do the students know that they're in for some fun ahead.
The surrounding trees and foliage blurred into a green background as Avaric rode the tricycle quickly past the main gates of Shiz. It was midday, just in the middle of lunch hour, and Fiyero was passed out in the backseat. Avaric glanced back and shook his head.
"They should've never allowed Fiyero near any sort of drink." He chuckled ruefully. "Turns him into a monster at night and a vampire in the morning."
"I. Can. Hear. You." Fiyero muttered. "And it was your idea anyway." He shaded his eyes. "Why is it so bright?"
"Go to sleep, Your Highness," Avaric said loudly, and laughed as Fiyero winced. "You're going to need all that you can get – We're arriving soon."
"The years before the Great Drought were plentiful and happy. Trade occurred in many important cities: The Vinkus, the Capitol of Munchkinland, and of course, the Great City (before it was transformed by our wonderful Wizard into the Emerald City). The Vinkus traded textiles and meats, whilst the Munchkins specialized in importing fruits, nuts and other goods …"
"Fruits and nuts," Elphaba repeated as she strolled through the Main Courtyard, nose buried in her History textbook. She made a mental note to ask Dr. Dillamond's replacement teacher (Dr. Dillamond had apparently taken ill for quite a while) for an elaboration.
"The people of Ix have always kept in cool contact with Oz. Even so, the Great Drought had affected them too, prices of …"
SCREEECH!
Elphaba screamed and leapt out of the way as a vehicle came hurtling towards her, the driver trying futilely to brake. The force of her dodge threw her onto the hard cobbled ground, and she felt a sting of pain in her elbows.
Oh, that's just great.
Elphaba stood up, fuming. Not only had she scraped her lower arms, her book – a library book- had also ended up on the dusty courtyard ground.
"Are you out of your mind?" She demanded hotly, brushing the dirt off her dress. "This is the school's main courtyard, not the parking lot!"
"Look, I'm sorry," the driver said defensively. "But you were reading a book and – "
Elphaba rolled her eyes and stormed to the back of the tricycle. People were starting to stare (the courtyard was a popular place to have lunch, chat or study) but she was too annoyed to bother.
"Excuse me!"
"Hey, do you even know who that is? Be quiet, you'll wake him up!"
"I don't care who he is or what species he belongs to," Elphaba snapped. "Your cart nearly ran me over, mister, and …" Her eyes widened incredulously. "You were sleeping!"
The long-legged creature stirred and stretched languorously.
"Well, of course I am," he said, taking off his sunglasses and blinking as if unaccustomed to the sudden brightness. "It's daytime."
Elphaba was too indignant to do anything but gape as the guy climbed down from the tricycle and clapped his driver's shoulder.
"Well, see you around dinner, Avaric." Irritating Guy No. 1 said cheerily. "I bet this place won't even last as long as the others did." The two shared a look, which could only be classified as a mental bro-five, before doing a completely ridiculous handshake complete with an ending twirl and a "Huzzah!"
They must be really gay partners in crime.
Elphaba found her voice at last and spluttered as Avaric wheeled the tricycle away. "Is this how you go through life? Nearly knocking down people and not even noticing them?"
The guy gave her a slow once-over, and to her embarrassment, Elphaba felt her cheeks redden slightly.
"Maybe the driver saw green and thought it meant 'Go'," Irritating Guy No. 1 grinned cheekily.
Elphaba narrowed her eyes. "Very funny. Who are you, anyway?"
He opened his mouth. "I'm – "
"BICK, DO YOU KNOW WHO THAT IS? THAT'S FIYERO TIGGULAR, WHOSE REPUTATION IS SO SCANDALICIOUS!"
Elphaba grimaced as Galinda's high-pitched shriek reverberated throughout the courtyard. As if on cue, every female within hearing distance had trained their gaze at Fiyero, and excited whispers broke out.
"Well, welcome to Shiz," Elphaba sighed. "And that's my roommate for you." Suddenly, the name rang a distant bell in her mind and she did a double take. "Wait. Tiggular? Like, the modernized version of Tigelaar, the ancient name of the Royal Vinkan Family?"
"I nearly forgot that piece of information myself, but yes, that's me. The one and only." Fiyero bowed, before lowering his voice. "Perhaps you've heard of me and my … Talents?"
"Yes, in a book." Elphaba said in an equally low voice. "Called 'A History of the Arjikis and their People'."
Fiyero blinked, then groaned. "Not that one!"
"A book, which by the way, was dirtied when you nearly ran me over!" Elphaba said, jabbing Fiyero in the chest. "So, if you don't mind, I'd like to – "
Fiyero held up his hands in surrender. "Jeez, calm down. I'll pay for your precious book." He looked at the said book clutched in Elphaba's hand, and his expression suddenly changed. "Hey – You're bleeding."
Elphaba looked down in surprise. "Oh. Yes, I am," she said unnecessarily. "It's nothing. I can easily …"
"Excuse me!"
For nearly the second time in less than half an hour, Elphaba was almost knocked over; this time, by an overly excited Galinda with Pfannee and Shenshen in tow. Boq the Munchkin trailed behind miserably, presumably having been in the midst of one of his passionate pleas towards Galinda before being interrupted by Fiyero's arrival.
"Are you looking for something or … Someone?" Galinda breathed, batting her eyelashes.
"As a matter of fact, yes." Fiyero fished out a schedule from a previously unopened file in his bag. "A sort of History class?"
He's taking History?
"That class is right there!" Boq said with a tad more force than needed, grabbing Fiyero's arm and trying to lead him in the right direction.
Galinda cleared her throat pointedly and took hold of Fiyero's other arm, while taking the chance to press herself closer to the prince.
"That class just ended," Galinda said with convincing regret. "Although I'm sure you could arrange for a replacement if you wish?"
"Nah, that's perfect timing," Fiyero replied. "So, what do you guys usually do around here?"
"Oh, nothing, really," Galinda tittered. "Until now."
Elphaba finished zipping up her schoolbag carefully and inwardly rolled her eyes inwardly at Galinda's flirting attempts. However, Fiyero seemed to be delighting in them as he flashed a smile at Galinda and her friends.
"We've been studying," Boq said sullenly, staring at Fiyero.
"Well then, I see it's up to me again to teach my fellow students what's really worth learning," he said, giving Boq a friendly punch to the shoulder that was not returned.
"The trouble with schools is: They always try to teach the wrong lessons."
He looked around at the students seated in the courtyard, most of them with schoolbooks in their laps and pencils tucked behind their ears. Shaking his head in mock disappointment, he walked over to one and took her book with a wink.
"Believe me, I've been kicked out of enough of them to know!"
Galinda giggled, followed by Shenshen and Pfannee.
"They try to teach one to be less callow – Well, less shallow," Fiyero amended, shrugging. "But I say, 'Why invite stress in?' Stop studying strife, dear Oz," he tossed the book away (aptly named "Strife: A Social Problem?").
"And learn to live by the book of 'Unexamined Life'!"
Elphaba shook her head as she walked away from the gathering crowd to the calm and tranquility of her room.
Another brainless goon to join the Society of Brainless Goons.
Out of the blue, it occurred to her that, at least, this prince hadn't backed away in fright when he saw her skin.
Elphaba smiled slightly. Maybe not that brainless after all.
Galinda was in heaven. Finally, her prince had arrived. And it wasn't just a figurative prince – It was a real, live Prince with a capital P!
She stood by Fiyero's side as he entertained their fellow students (who had arranged themselves around him in a wide circle) with stories of his previous expulsions and wild nights at the local bar.
"… And that's where I coined my life motto, 'Dancing Through Life'!" He finished, to a bout of loud laughter. "Seriously, guys. Why do all of you think so hard?"
"Well, that's easy for you to say when you're a prince!" Someone shouted.
Fiyero waved it away. "Psht, it applies to everyone, prince or not! There's no need to tough it when you can just learn from me and slough all the trouble off as I do."
"How about our exam results, then?" Another girl said with a wide smile. "Are you saying we should just let them go?"
"I'm just saying that life is more enjoyable when you know nothing really matters," Fiyero said, giving her a winning smile.
Galinda frowned slightly as the girl blushed. Fiyero was hers – Okay, not yet.
But he will be by the end of the day.
"So, where's the most swankified place in town?" Fiyero asked, turning his head to look at her.
"That would be the Ozdust Ballroom!" She replied chirpily, her heart automatically speeding up.
"Sounds perfect. See you all tonight; drinks are on me!" Fiyero yelled as the crowd cheered and immediately scattered to start spreading the news.
Fiyero smiled with satisfaction as he watched the crowd disperse. It was always nice to loosen up things a bit, see people having fun. And Oz knows, there's never enough fun in his world.
He scanned around at the crowd, trying to catch a glimpse of that odd, sarcastic and green-skinned girl. Fiyero wanted to apologize properly for knocking her over – he was a gentleman, after all – and funnily enough, he wanted to compliment her on her hair.
Wrong move – that sounded like a cheesy pick-up line, Fiyero scolded himself.
No, but really. She had lovely hair. Fiyero had woken up to her screaming in his face, but for one moment – when he removed his sunshades – he saw how the bright sunlight filtered through the wavy mass of black hair that framed her face, and it was a beautiful sight. So what if she was green? Weirder things have happened in this world.
Where is she?
Fiyero blew out a sigh of annoyance as he realized that she probably left when he began his inspirational and life-changing "Dancing Through Life" speech. Damn.
Oh well, she did mention that she was Galinda's roommate. Maybe I'll catch her later.
"I'm going to find my room," he called to Galinda. "Avaric and I are most likely sharing one, and he'd be wondering where I am. You coming?"
Galinda made to follow Fiyero as he went to find his dorm room, but Bick the Munchkin blocked her path.
"Miss Galinda," the Munchkin implored. "I hope you'll save at least one dance for me. I'll be right by your side! Waiting … All night."
"Oh," Galinda murmured, trying to look surprised. "That's so kind, Bick."
"Boq."
"But, you know …" Galinda wracked her brain trying to think of a way to refuse him. Suddenly, her eyes lighted upon Elphaba's sister, who had been watching the activity with a wistful smile. A light bulb went off in Galinda's mind.
"Do you know what would be even kinder?" She resumed. "See that 'tragically beautiful' girl," she air-quoted Madame Morrible and pointed at Elphaba's sister, "Um – that one, in the chair. It does seem unfair that we would be having so much fun when she's just … Oh, I know someone would be my hero, if that someone were to invite her …"
As she had hoped for, Bick gasped and looked at her in excitement.
"Well maybe – I could invite her!"
"Oh Bick, really?" Galinda exclaimed, attempting to look flattered. "You'd do that for me?"
"I would do anything for you, Miss Galinda," Bick said with an adoring look.
"Go on, then!" Galinda said, pushing him away. Go on!
"Excuse me, Miss Nessarose! There's something I'd like to ask you …"
Galinda watched with relief as Bick (or was it Boq?) wheeled a shocked Nessa away.
"You're good."
Galinda started in surprise as Fiyero came out from behind a nearby statue, looking at her in admiration.
"I don't know what you mean," she winked. "But I do happen to be free tonight, so …"
"… So, I'll be picking you around eight?" Fiyero guessed after a slight pause.
"Perfect," Galinda said coyly, while dancing a jig inside.
We'll be perfect together!
A/N: - cymbals clash and trumpets blow as Fiyero swaggers throughout the entire chapter -
He has finally arrived, ladies and gentlemen!
A big THANK YOU to all reviewers, followers and even viewers. Though ... 400++ views and 30+ reviews? C'mon, people! - waves around cookies - Anyone wants a cookie or a chocolate brownie fresh from the oven? All you have to do is to pet the review button and show some love!
Speaking of another thing that's fresh from the oven, I have a Phantom of the Opera story cooking in my mind. I would've gladly sat down to jot it out (it's inspired by Trista Moldovan's last "Final Lair" on Broadway in November last year, together with Hugh as the Phantom) but sadly, I have tuition to go to.
Adieu, adieu!
P.S. Boq won't be so under-developed here, rest assured. I've got a pretty piece of him comin' up (that sounded wrong ... whatever).