Classes began again, as normally as they could at Shiz.
Professor Nikidik was as vile as ever, going on and on about how much better Oz has been since the Wizard took over. Elphaba did her best to not pay attention, but more and more it seemed that the history professor was speaking specifically to her, making a point of directing every cruel statement about the Animals at her.
Glinda, inspired by her roommate and by how much her grades had risen the past few weeks of break, was determined to be a better student this semester. It had taken all of her courage to raise her hand during their mathematics class, but the look on Elphaba's face when she answered correctly made it worth it.
The students fell back into their routine of classes, homework, and socializing. The cold and the ever-present threat of snow kept most people indoors, but there were always a few stragglers huddled in shivering groups throughout the campus. Glinda had taken to keeping a small jar on her, in case she wanted to use her flames to keep warm. Elphaba, who was spending even more time around the blonde than last semester, was grateful for the magic. She was also grateful for the scarf Ama Clutch had knit. She had stumbled out a thank you when Glinda gave it to her, and it had been around her neck ever since, a fact that made the blonde grin like a fool every time she saw it.
Glinda was nervous when she walked into her sorcery class for the first time that semester. A few of her classmates greeted her and she smiled back, avoiding the urge to look around for Morrible.
When the headmistress appeared, she seemed perfectly at ease. They spent the class previewing what they would learn that semester. Morrible demonstrated a few spells for them, smiling at the gasps of wonder she received. Instead of starting a lesson, Morrible assigned them pages to read and released the class early. Glinda was just starting to feel relieved when the headmistress's voice kept her from following her classmates out of the room.
"Miss Glinda."
She stopped in the doorway, her fingers tightening on the strap of her bag. Slowly, she turned back. "Madame Morrible?"
"How lovely it is to see you again, my dear. I trust your break was relaxing?" Morrible smiled wide, but there was a note of falseness to her voice. Glinda tried to swallow, but her throat was suddenly dry.
"I enjoyed it very much, thanks," she said as sweetly as possible. "How was your time off?"
Morrible waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, it was just fine. I did, however, struggle to look for an assistant. I had quite hoped you would accept, you know."
Glinda smiled. "I appreciate the offer, Madame. But I still don't think I'm right for the job. And I really want to focus on my studies this semester."
"Yes, yes, of course." Morrible put a hand on her shoulder. Maybe it was meant to be comforting or friendly, but Glinda had to resist the urge to shudder at the touch. Morrible didn't seem to notice. "I wanted to tell you, Miss Glinda. I very much hope that you continue to do well in my class. If you keep up with this talent of yours, I can see you going far."
Despite everything, Glinda was intrigued. "Really?"
"Why, of course! If you keep improving as you did last semester, I don't see why you shouldn't. Oz is always in need of successful sorcerers, you know." The headmistress smiled again, but this time there was a glint in her eyes. She looked at Glinda as if she owned her, almost—as if she could see right through the blonde, and knew exactly how her future would go.
Glinda stammered out a thank you and excused herself. She hurried back to her dorm, trying to shake off the look in Morrible's eyes. The way they'd watched her, studied her…
"Like she knows everything I've ever done or will ever do," Glinda said to Elphaba later that afternoon. "Like she's about to punish me for something I haven't even done yet, but she knows it will happen so she wants to get me out of the way now. I don't like it."
She sank down onto the bed beside her roommate. Elphaba looked at her for a long moment, thinking. "Did she ask about being her assistant again?"
Glinda shrugged. "She hinted at it, but I told her the same thing I did last time. If she's trying to get closer to me—to us—then she's going to have to think of another way."
"That's exactly what she's going to do."
"I just wish we knew what she was planning." Glinda brought her knees to her chest and rested her cheek on them, looking over at Elphaba. "This is starting to creep me out."
She won't hurt you, Elphaba thought, her eyes scanning Glinda's. I won't let her.
If Morrible was planning anything at the moment, she didn't let on. The first week of classes went by, and Elphaba began to shake off some of her uneasiness.
She delved into Dillamond's research whenever she had the chance, although always in the safety of the dorm room. Glinda quickly learned not to ask what she was working on, and she was never tempted to spy—partly because Elphaba never left the work unattended.
Boq turned out to be a master of secrets. Around the rest of their group, he was exactly the same. Not even Elphaba could tell that he was keeping a secret. What was truly impressive, however, was his behavior whenever they were alone. The two Munchkinlanders quickly learned to communicate with a single head shake or the raising of an eyebrow. They held entire conversations in the handful of seconds where they could share a private glance. It added a new level to the entire project, and although Elphaba had yet to ask for Boq's help, she was glad he had forced his way into all of this.
As the days went by and Glinda didn't report anything new about Morrible, Elphaba figured it was safe to go get the books she needed. Still, she hesitated to plan a time to sneak into the library. She was waiting something, but she wasn't quite sure what.
That is, until the day that she came back from classes to find a Bird sitting on her bed.
She froze, letting the door shut behind her. Her bag fell from her shoulder to the floor and her eyes darted through the room. When she decided they were alone, she took a step forward.
"You are Elphaba?" the Bird asked. It was much smaller than Peric and pitch black—a Raven, maybe—and its beady little eyes shone with not just intelligence, but cleverness. Elphaba hesitated, then nodded slowly. The Bird stared at her for a moment, then kicked an envelope toward her. "I have a letter, from…he said you'd know who it's from."
Again, Elphaba nodded. Her heart thumped painfully in her chest, but she reached down and picked up the envelope. "Who are you?" she finally summoned the courage to ask.
The Bird cocked its head. "Someone who owes Dillamond a favor." Without another word, the Bird leapt away and sailed out the open window.
Elphaba watched it go, letting out a shaky breath. She looked down at the letter in her hands, then at her door. Glinda was in class still, and probably wouldn't be back for a while…
She sank onto her bed and tore open the envelope. As usual, there was no greeting at the top of the page.
I hope you made it safely back to school, and that classes have gone smoothly so far. I know you must be missing Peric, as well, but know that his decision is for the best. I'm sure he didn't tell you much, and I apologize for that. But he has his job, and we have ours.
As far as these letters go, I have more than a few friends who are willing to help out. If you see a Bird following you around campus, know that you can trust them. The swifter your replies, the better.
I know I don't need to tell you this, but keep an eye out, and keep me informed of what's going on at Shiz, if you can. Particularly the actions of a certain someone we've discussed before.
"Morrible," Elphaba breathed. "He's as worried about her as I am."
My travels are going well, and I know a few places where I can perhaps get some work done. Please, keep writing me with any questions or discoveries you come up with.
Elphaba folded the letter and immediately reached for a blank sheet of paper. After taking a moment to organize her thoughts, she grabbed a pen and began writing.
Everything has settled down here at Shiz, although there are a few noteworthy things.
The first and foremost is that I returned to my room after break to find my belongings searched through. Whoever it was, they were unsuccessful. It's not the first time somebody has messed with my stuff, and I'm sure it won't be the last.
She didn't even bother writing more about it. Dillamond would know exactly what she was talking about.
Second is that Glinda has been doing well in her classes, especially sorcery. Morrible even asked her about that assistant job again. Glinda had to decline again, but Morrible went on to tell her that she has great expectations for her. "Oz is always in need of successful sorcerers," she told her.
And finally, I got the chance the other day to visit the boys' library. A friend of mine works there, and he offered to show me around whenever I want. He also offered to help me with some of my work this semester. I don't usually like working with others, but I know I can trust him. It'll be nice, I think. Like having an ally of sorts.
I hope this letter finds you safe and busy, since neither of us handle boredom well. Also, thank your friends for me. They seem a bit too shy to talk to me.
She smirked and sat back, pleased with herself. After the ink had dried, she folded the letter and sealed it in an envelope.
It stayed safe in her bag until the next morning, when she was walking to class alone.
A bird was hopping along the sidewalk, pecking mindlessly at a few wisps of grass that were peeking up through a crack in the bricks. Elphaba expected it to fly away as soon as she got within a few feet, but instead it stilled and looked up to her, the dullness fading from its eyes only to be replaced with a mischievous glint.
The green girl met the Bird's eyes, but kept walking. It hobbled along behind her for a while, until finally Elphaba looked over her shoulder.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"Someone who owes Dillamond a favor."
It was the reply she was hoping for. She continued on, but this time she dug through her bag, pulled out the letter, and held it loosely at her side. A few seconds later, the Bird squawked and jumped into the air. The envelope was tugged smoothly out of her fingers and she watched the Bird fly off and eventually disappear.
When she entered the literature classroom, Boq was already in his usual spot, one table in front of her. She sat down and pulled a different paper out. Want to study tonight? she scribbled down. Then she folded the note and flicked it at the Munchkin's table.
Their teacher entered with a tired but cheerful "Morning, class," and began the lecture. Elphaba had barely opened her textbook to the right page when a small triangle of paper landed in front of her. She quickly unfolded it and read Boq's reply.
Outside the café. Midnight.