So it's been a while; my, how time flies. A hell of a lot happened both around me and in my family in these past few months that has really had me down and I've only recently felt like writing again.
Shout out to Frostbite and Fae'sFlower once more for being so lovely and always reviewing!
As soon as the carriage pulled up outside the grand doors of the mansion, Elphaba leapt down with her significantly less stuffed bags and scrambled up the the steps closely followed by the outraged cries of her blonde friend.
"Elphie! Wait for me!" cried Galinda.
"No way am I waiting for you and your torture!" Elphaba called back over her shoulder.
During the ride back Galinda had begun to plan out every outfit she could possibly conjure with her purchases and insisted that Elphaba be there to assess each one in person. So, ignoring Galinda's petulant cries behind her, Elphaba escaped inside and up the stairs to her room. It had been a long day and she had a lot to think about.
How did that crazy Panther know about her past? What did she mean about her family? They were dead, or at least she thought they were. With a sigh Elphaba decided that she needed a distraction.
Opening one of the packages she had bought at the markets, Elphaba found what she was looking for: a pair of simple, black leather gloves.
Then from under her bed she retrieved a slightly burnt box.
Elphaba pulled on the gloves and took a deep breath, steeling herself for her experiment. She opened the box and pulled out the Grimmerie. She had hidden it after Galinda had found and touched it when it was lying around.
Letting out the breath she had been holding, Elphaba almost laughed in relief when the book didn't react to her gloved touch. She had been right, it did require a direct link to her skin to activate. Although her glee died abruptly when she felt it.
It was faint, and not nearly as strong as it had been, but as Elphaba watched, ever so slowly, the golden title etched its way across the cover. It seemed sluggish, as though the limited access to her power had weakened the Grimmerie's own abilities. The magical tingle that usually filled her body now only resided in her fingers and hands, and she could feel no pull on her mind. As she opened the cover, just as before, words inked their way across the page, this time in slow motion giving her time to process and study each word before it disappeared.
Elphaba allowed herself a slow smile. She could now study this magical book without fear of unleashing her magic and losing control.
So she did just that.
She pulled out her other purchases of a notebook, along with a quill and ink pot and set about writing down what she saw. When she was eventually called for dinner she returned the book to its box, changed quickly and washed her face before heading to the dining hall, her heart light and head reeling with the progress she had made.
Dinner was a blessedly uneventful fair with Domious and Mirana both attending, though conversation didn't extend further than inquiring after each others' day. Domious at least attempted to talk to Elphaba while his wife remained as impassive as the chair she sat in. Galinda arrived fashionably late, as is her way, and immediately began regaling the table with the wonderful purchases she had bought that day. Her arrival greatly eased the tension in the room and Elphaba was immensely relieved that, despite her constant chatter, Galinda didn't bring up their visit with the Panther, perhaps dismissing it as silly superstition. Although Elphaba guessed it had more to do with the less than happy fortunes they had both received than forgetfulness.
Food was served and Elphaba was pleasantly surprised at the absence of meat on her plate. Looking up, she caught Domious eye and he winked surreptitiously. Elphaba offered him a soft smile and he nodded sagely before they both returned to their meals.
Mirana left promptly after her meal was finished, pleading exhaustion after a long day spent on the neighbours estate, while Domious excused himself more politely, retreating to his study to complete some paper work. That left the two girls to move to a side room and order a pot of tea be delivered. Elphaba could only think of getting back to her room to study the Grimmerie, so not much was said between the girls until the tea was delivered and poured. After a few sips, Galinda cleared her throat carefully.
"I've invited Fiyero to stay with us next weekend," said Galinda, taking a dainty sip of her tea.
Elphaba groaned and plonked her cup back down into its saucer.
"Oh really, Elphaba?" sighed Galinda. "Is he that bad?"
"Yes," Elphaba stated firmly, picking up her cup again.
"He's a perfect gentleman and has been so kind to you..."
"He's also arrogant," Elphaba cut in, "and not to mention a soldier."
"I don't see how being a soldier is such a bad thing," Galinda frowned. "A uniform makes a man seem quite dashing in my opinion." Elphaba rolled her eyes and Galinda shot her a glare before continuing, "and as for being arrogant, I'd call it confidence."
Elphaba scoffed and shook her head. "Whatever," she said. "Just don't leave us alone together for too long if you don't want blood stains in the carpet."
Galinda shot Elphaba a look of complete unamusement to which the green girl erupted in laughter. Soon enough Galinda was giggling along as well. Despite their day out and Elphaba's earlier conviction to return to her room, the two talked well into the night before parting straight for bed just after 12, thoroughly exhausted.
Tack tack tack.
Elphaba woke to the sound of something tapping outside her window. In her semiconscious state, she reasoned that it was probably just a branch blowing in the wind and proceeded to snuggle deeper into the sheets without even opening her eyes.
Tack tack tack.
Rising into a slightly more aware state, Elphaba realised there were no tree by this side of the house. Sitting up slowly she peered through the dark at the glass.
A dark shape perched on her window sill, striking the glass steadily in lots of threes. The light of the pale moon shone down and illuminated the gloss finish of black feathers and the rather unimpressed glare of a small, yellow eye.
Tack tack tack.
Fully awake now, Elphaba stumbled from her bed and over to the window which she flung open, letting in the cool night air and a rather irritated Crow.
"Kreah!" cried Elphaba in surprise before slapping her hand over her mouth and signalling for Kreah to keep the volume down.
The Bird humphed as best as a bird could and hopped inside. "You were supposed to stay in the city. It would have been easier," Kreah squawked as softly as she could.
"It's nice to see you too," Elphaba whispered back, raising her eyebrow at the pompous Bird.
Kreah fixed her with a contempt-filled, golden eye before fluttering over to perch at the foot of Elphaba's bed.
"The Wizard's plans are moving fast and here you are on holidays."
"What?" whispered Elphaba.
"The Wizard," explained Kreah. "He's capturing Animals and Gypsies alike, stripping us of our rights."
Elphaba frowned. She cared for the Animal's who had been captured and hurt, and she felt some degree of responsibility for the Gypsies, but fight? Elphaba sat down on the edge of her bed and looked at the Crow imploringly. "What am I supposed to do? How can I possibly help?"
Kreah puffed her chest feathers in irritation saying, "You are to fight with us, of course!"
Elphaba baulked, spluttering in disbelief, "Fight?"
The two gave a start at a soft knock on the door.
"Elphaba? Are you awake?" Galinda's voice drifted through the wood.
Elphaba went to hush Kreah only to find the Crow had already fluttered over to the window and was watching her expectantly.
"Uh, yeah, Glin?" Elphaba called to the door as she hurried over to the window. "You have to go," She hissed to the waiting Bird as she opened the window.
"What do you think I'm doing?" Came the curt response.
"Elphie?" Galinda knocked again.
Just as the Crow made to fly off, Elphaba flung out a hand to stop her. "Wait, when will you be back?"
"I expect you'll see me again soon," said Kreah as she pushed passed Elphaba's hand and spread her wings, dissolving into the black night.
When she was sure the Crow was gone, Elphaba hurried over to the door and opened it to a disheveled Galinda.
"Good morning," said Elphaba, schooling her features and hoping her blonde friend could not hear her pounding heart.
"I thought I heard voices," mumbled Galinda, peering into Elphaba's room.
Elphaba quickly wracked her brain for an excuse, spluttering out, "I was just debating with myself."
"Out loud?"
"Yes."
Galinda raised a sleepy eyebrow and shrugged, too tired to think too hard about it.
"What are you doing up?" Elphaba asked.
"I was getting a glass of water." Galinda explained.
Elphaba nodded and noted that the blonde was swaying on the spot and couldn't seem to keep her eyes open.
"I think we'd best return to bed."
Galinda nodded and started shuffling off down to her room as Elphaba shut her door with a sigh.
Semester 1 of uni is over and Semester 2 is half done, which for me means it's time to procrastinate and spend time on personal projects. Like this one! I've said it before and I'll say it again; "I'm determined to finish this thing!"
Fractions is an incredibly interesting play about the last LIbrarian to reside in the the Great Library of Greece before it was destroyed. It was an incredible play on politics and the power of knowledge and prejudice.
Anyone heard of the band Gungor?
As much as I don't deserve them, reviews make me happy :P