Okay, everyone. The winner of the "Nia" is terahteapot. The 'dropping of green paint' is from 'Raising a Mini Elphaba'. Congrats and don't forget to send me your prompt for the one-shot.
Elphaba'sGirl: And the Melanie Fan Club is still going strong!
Thedoctor24601 (Guest): I'm glad you finally trust Nelliee.
Chanty420: I have a legacy? Sweet! I've never had a legacy before! This is awesome!
The week after Nelliee's birthday party, the school was alive with more exciting news.
"What's going on?" Elphaba asked as Galinda led her to their first class.
"I don't know," Galinda said, a look of confusion crossing her face. "Fifi, what's going on?"
"The sign-up sheet is up," Fiyero said, running up to the two women.
"Sign up sheet for what?" Elphaba asked.
"The trip to the Emerald City."
"Ooh, the Emerald City. I've always wanted to see the Emerald City!" Galinda giggled, shaking in excitement. "Elphie, let's sign up!" Not waiting for a response, Galinda dragged the green girl down the hall.
"What is the trip for?" Elphaba asked.
"It's the Spring Festival of Lights," Galinda read while she signed her name, along with Elphaba's.
"Who else signed up?"
"Fifi, Nelliee, Nessa, Boq… wow. Boq has really nice handwriting," the blonde said, admiring the way the Munchkin boy put a little curl on the end of his 'q'. "Oh, you do want to go, right?"
"Did you already sign my name?"
"Kinda," Galinda said sheepishly.
"Then I don't really have a choice, do I?"
"I'm sorry, Elphie. I was just so excited."
"It's alright. The festival does sound… fun."
"Have you ever been there before?"
Elphaba shook her head. "No. I've heard of it, but my father was too busy to take Nessa and me." That wasn't the only reason, but that was the reason Elphaba was sticking with.
"I've been there. It's Ozmazifying. There's are cart vendors in the streets all day, a fair in the evening, and a parade and fireworks at night."
Elphaba smiled. She wanted to go, but wondered what the point was if she couldn't see.
"You'll have fun, Elphie," Galinda promised, squeezing her friend's hand.
"Thank you," Elphaba smiled. "Now, can we please get to class before we're late?"
"Oh, right. Class," Galinda said, remembering that they still had to attend classes if they wanted to go on the trip.
"Wait… when is the festival?" Elphaba asked once they entered the classroom.
"Next week. The sign-up sheet said we have to attend a meeting tomorrow after classes, so we might get more information then."
Elphaba could tell Galinda was excited. She just hoped she would be as excited to go.
"Here is the itinerary for the trip," Madame Morrible said, her voice bouncing off the walls in the large auditorium.
"How many people are in here?" Elphaba whispered to Galinda.
"Um… about twenty-five to thirty people," Galinda said as she took the itinerary paper.
"We will be leaving Thursday morning at eight o'clock sharp by the front gates. If you are not there on time, you will have to find yourself another mean of transportation to the Emerald City," Morrible said, looking around the room, her eyes resting on Fiyero.
The Vinkun prince slumped in his seat, feeling very uncomfortable under Morrible's hard glare.
"We will all be leaving by carriages. Each carriage can seat five people."
"Perfect!" Galinda smiled, clapping her hands.
"The trip takes around six hours. There will be no stopping on the way."
"That means no bathroom breaks, Fifi," Galinda whispered to the prince.
Fiyero stuck out his tongue at the blonde and turned back to the head.
"We will be staying in the Grand Oz Hotel, the most prestigious hotel in all of Oz. I expect all of you to be on your best behavior."
"Fifi," Galinda whispered accusingly.
"Shut up, Glin," Fiyero hissed.
Despite herself, Elphaba let out a small chuckle.
"None of your snickering, Fae," Fiyero said, gently elbowing his girlfriend in the side.
Elphaba stopped laughing, but the smile stayed on her face.
"You will be free to roam the Emerald City Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. We will leave to return to Shiz Sunday morning at eight o'clock sharp. I believe that is all for now. Everyone may now come up and sign up for the carriages," Morrible said, taking out the sign up sheet for the carriages.
Before Morrible finished her sentence, Galinda was already out of her seat, her pink pen in hand, and dashed to the front of the room to sign up. Flashing Morrible a small smile, the blonde skipped back to her seat and sat down.
"We're all sharing. You, me, Fifi, Nessa and Boq," Galinda announced.
"I'm so excited. I've always wanted to go to the Emerald City. I hear it's fascinating," Nessa smiled.
"Especially during the Spring Festival. Everything is decorated and lit up," Fiyero smiled, helping Elphaba to her feet.
"It should be fun," Elphaba smiled softly. "I've heard the museums there are really interesting."
"Oh my Oz! We'll have to go to all the shops!" Galinda exclaimed, creating a list of things to do. "And we'll have to go see Wizomania! There's so much to do and we only one weekend."
"I'm sure that will be enough time, Glin," Elphaba said, turning her head towards the blonde.
"Three days is not enough time to see the whole city, Elphie!" Galinda huffed.
"We'll at least get through a good part of it," Boq pointed out, pushing the younger Thropp's wheelchair.
"We'll probably be exhausted from the traveling Thursday, so we might not want to do anything except maybe go out to dinner in the evening," Elphaba said.
"The festivities aren't until Saturday," Fiyero said.
"So that gives us all day Friday. Perfect!" Galinda smiled.
"Which means I'm going to be dragged into every shop in the city, right?" Elphaba sighed, rolling her eyes.
"Not every shop," Galinda emphasized.
"Save me," Elphaba whispered, clutching Fiyero's arm.
Fiyero chuckled and kissed her cheek. "I'd go with you if I could."
"Thank you, Fifi!" the blonde chirped.
"G… Glin, I didn't mean it."
"But you said it."
"I would if I could, but I can't. So I won't."
"But, Fifi…"
"Glin, I'm a dude. Dudes don't do that. They don't shop for pretty pink dresses and talk about makeovers and all that jazz."
"You're no fun," Galinda pouted.
"I would love to go shopping with you, Galinda," Nessa smiled.
Galinda beamed and leaned over to hug the wheelchair-bound girl. "Thank you, Nessa. You're my new favorite."
Elphaba rolled her eyes. "Are you sure you're aware of what you're getting yourself into, Nessa?"
Nessa giggled. "Of course. I would love to go shopping in the Emerald City."
"Tell you what, while you girls are talking makeovers and girly stuff, Fiyero and I will do some extra sightseeing," Boq offered.
"Deal!" Fiyero exclaimed, high-fiving the Munchkin.
"You're leaving me alone with Galinda?" Elphaba hissed.
"And your sister," Fiyero quipped.
"She'll be on Glin's side."
"That's your problem now."
"I'm standing right here, you know!" Galinda pouted.
"We know," Elphaba and Fiyero said in unison.
"I'll take you to the museum," Fiyero whispered, kissing Elphaba's cheek.
"Thank you, Yero."
"That is, if you survive Galinda's shopping trip." A sharp intake of breath and Fiyero found himself clutching his now-sore ribcage. "I was kidding."
"Sure you were."
Huffing, Galinda took Elphaba's arm and led her back to Crage Hall. Closing the door behind her, the blonde let out a loud squeal of excitement before collapsing on her bed.
"We're going to the Emerald City! We're going to the Emerald City!" she chattered, bouncing up and down.
"I know, Glin. I was there," Elphaba said, unpacking her bag.
Galinda stopped bouncing and looked at her roommate. "I'm sorry, Elphie."
"N-No. It's okay," Elphaba said, turning towards her roommate. "I'm excited. Really, I am."
"Elphie, you'll have fun. There are lots of things to do in the city that don't require sight."
"I'm sure."
"I promise," Galinda said, squeezing her roommate's hands.
"Thank you, Glin," the green girl whispered, giving her roommate a hug.
"Elphie! Elphie, wake up!" Galinda said, shaking her roommate awake.
"Glin," Elphaba muttered, her voice hoarse with sleep. "What time is it?"
"Five o'clock. We have to get ready. Today's Thursday, Elphie! Thursday!"
"I am well aware of what day it is," Elphaba said, forcing her eyes open and pushing herself up.
"We're leaving for the Emerald City today!"
Elphaba slightly brightened up. "Okay. I'm coming."
Two hours later, the two girls were sitting on the blonde's bed. Galinda ran a brush through Elphaba's hair. Elphaba wore a light pink blouse, chosen by Galinda because, apparently, 'Pink goes good with green', and a long, navy skirt. Galinda wore a dark pink blouse with a matching short skirt.
"All finished!" Galinda exclaimed, putting the brush down and jumping off the bed.
"Thank you, Glin. Do you have everything?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure? Because we can't come back just because you forgot your eyelash curler."
"Nope. I have it right here in my bag," Galinda smiled proudly.
Knock, knock, knock!
"I'll get it!" Galinda smiled, skipping to the door and throwing it open. "Fifi! Boq!"
"Hi! We came to see if you needed any help with your bags," Boq smiled, stepping out from behind Fiyero and waving.
"How chivalrous of you," Elphaba smirked.
"Well, we knew that Galinda would have multiple bags," Fiyero shrugged. "And that –"
"For your information, Fifi, I only have three suitcases!" Galinda huffed, clearly proud of herself.
"Three large suitcases," Elphaba corrected, slinging her bag over her shoulder.
"Do you really need all this stuff, Glin?" Fiyero asked, struggling to lift up two of the suitcases.
"Of course," Galinda shrugged.
Boq prepared to lift up Galinda's last suitcase. "Lift with the back," he told himself as he picked up the suitcase, which, to his surprise, was extremely light. Gasping, he fell backwards onto his back, a soft moan escaping his lips.
"Boq, are you alright?" Elphaba asked, turning towards the moan.
"Fine," Boq grunted, pushing himself to his feet. "Glin, this suitcase is empty."
"I know. That's for everything I'm going to buy in the Emerald City," Galinda smiled, grabbing her purse.
"Figures," the Munchkin grumbled.
"Don't drag them!" Galinda called after the boys as they left. Smiling, she turned to her roommate. "Do you have everything, Elphie?"
"I think so," the green girl responded, her fingers gliding over her desktop. "I hope so."
"I can take your suitcase for you," Galinda offered, taking Elphaba suitcase and offering the green girl her free arm.
"Thanks, Glin," Elphaba smiled, taking Galinda's arm and allowing her to lead her to the café.
"Enjoy the Emerald City!" Chyla smiled, handing Elphaba and Galinda bagels, muffins and water bottles for their trip.
"Thanks, Lalie," Elphaba smiled, taking the food.
"Thanks, Chyla!" Galinda smiled, taking Elphaba's arm and leading her outside.
"Finally, you two are back!" Fiyero sighed in satisfaction.
"We got breakfast for everyone… except Fifi," Galinda smirked.
"Did I tell you how pretty you look this morning?" Fiyero asked, smiling sweetly.
Galinda giggled. "You can have a bagel."
"Thanks."
"Is everyone here?" Morrible asked, doing a head count. "Good. To the carriages!"
Galinda helped Elphaba into the carriage while Boq and Fiyero helped Nessa. Once everyone and their luggage was safely loaded into the carriage, everyone took off for the city, leaving the gates of Shiz University behind.
Elphaba immediately took out a book and began to read. Nessa decided to follow her sister's lead and reached for her bag. Fiyero aimlessly looked out the window, as did Galinda. Boq immediately closed his eyes and took a nap.
"I'm bored!" Galinda exclaimed after half an hour. "Let's play a game!"
"What game?" Nessa asked, looking up from her book.
"The quiet game," Boq mumbled, shifting his position.
"If we're playing the quiet game, you've lost," Galinda pointed out.
Boq opened one eye and looked at the blonde, mumbling something under his breath as he went back to sleep.
"We could play the memory game," Fiyero suggested.
"What's that?" Elphaba asked, marking her page and closing the book.
"We start off with 'A', saying something that starts with the letter 'a'. The next person has to say a word that starts with 'b', but they also have to say a. The next person has 'c' and has to say both 'a' and 'b'. And it goes on and on until 'z'. Get it?"
"I know this game!" Galinda smiled. "I used to play it with Momsie and Popsicle all the time."
"It's worth a try," Nessa said.
"I'll go first. A is for applesauce," Galinda smiled.
"A is for applesauce. B is for balloons," Fiyero said. "Your turn, Fae."
"A is for applesauce. B is for balloons. C is for… cat," Elphaba said.
"A is for applesauce. B is for balloons. C is for cat. D is for diamonds," Nessa smiled.
"I'll play," Boq said, waking up and stretching. "A is for applesauce. B is for… for… for… balloons! C is for cat. D is for diamonds. E is for emeralds."
The game went on for the next forty-five minutes. Fiyero spent ten minutes trying to remember what Nessa said for 'D'. Elphaba was the only one who remembered everything, and was declared the winner. After the game, Boq suggested that everyone should try and get some more sleep. The group agreed and dozed off. Fiyero had one arm wrapped around Elphaba's waist, his other arm underneath his head. Elphaba rested her head against Fiyero's chest and slowly closed her eyes. Nessa leaned her head on Boq shoulder and snuggled closer to him. Boq blushed as he rested his head against Nessa's. Galinda was curled up against the window, admiring the passing scenery as he eyes slowly started to close.
Five hours later, the carriage stopped. Galinda was the first to wake up and smiled at the sight of tall, green buildings.
"Fifi! Elphie! Nessa! Boq! Wake up!" she whispered, gently nudging Elphaba's leg.
"Hmm?" Boq mumbled, slowly forcing his eyes open.
"We're here," Galinda announced, still nudging Elphaba's leg.
"Nessie, we're here," Boq said, tapping Nessa's shoulder.
"Finally," Nessa muttered, opening her eyes and smiled.
Fiyero woke and looked out the window. "Fae?"
"Mmm," Elphaba hummed, snuggling closer to Fiyero.
"Fae?"
"Yeah?" Elphaba asked sleepily, her eyes remaining closed.
"We're here."
"The Emerald City?" Elphaba asked, finally opening her eyes and smiling.
Fiyero nodded. "The Emerald City."
Favorite lines?