Does anyone else have trouble uploading a file with a new chapter on FF? I'm using the copy and paste option now, but when I try to upload a file, I get a notification that my file's extension is not correct, but I'm sure it is.
Anyway, on with the story and some more interaction with our contestants!
6. Total Detestation
They all gathered in Elphaba and Glinda's dorm room the next evening – the two girls themselves, Nessa, Boq, Fiyero, Oscar, Chistery, and even Dr Dillamond. Oscar had returned to the City on Monday evening and stayed there during the week in order to attend to some business, but he and Chistery had arrived at Shiz again just this afternoon so they could watch the first episode of Miss Emerald with Elphaba and her friends. The two of them would also escort the group to Tenniken, the Gillikin city where the ball would take place, before Oscar would travel back to the City. Chistery was going to attend the ball as an extra pair of eyes to look out for anything strange.
Even though the girls' suite was quite big, they had a hard time finding everyone a place to sit in front of the TV. Boq and Dr Dillamond had confiscated Glinda and Elphaba's respective desk chairs, with Nessarose sitting in her own chair beside her boyfriend. Chistery perched in the window sill and Glinda was sprawled on her bed, leaving no room for anyone else on the cushion-covered surface. Oscar had awkwardly made himself comfortable on the floor. Elphaba was sitting with her back against the headboard of her own bed and Fiyero had joined her, sitting so close to her that their shoulders were touching as he stretched his long legs across the bed in front of him.
They had only barely settled down when it began and Glinda, who had the remote control, shushed them all. "It's starting!"
An annoyingly peppy tune was played as the apparent intro to the series. It was accompanied by shots of the twelve participants, one by one – first a shot of the girl walking down the runway, as recorded the previous weekend, and then a close-up – with her name and province of origin displayed as well. Some of the girls looked like they had been born in front of a camera, while others seemed a little shy or uncomfortable. Elphaba thought she herself looked like she was obviously hating what she was doing, but the others all assured her she looked great.
"In the intro, at least," Glinda added helpfully, earning herself a glare from her roommate. The blonde giggled. "Just joking, Elphie. Oh, Nessa!" she quickly changed the subject when Elphaba didn't stop glaring. "You look so pretty!"
Glinda herself, of course, looked radiant as the sun as she beamed at the cameras and everyone complimented all three girls on their performance. The hosts commented on the perfect performances of Macy, Lunare, Glinda, Faye, Nathalinia, Micaela, Saraphina, and Caila; while mildly criticising Umbia and Nessa's obvious nerves and Elphaba and Karise's visible discomfort on the stage.
Thankfully, Elphaba's interview with Kiah had indeed been cut short and although it showed her being passionate about certain things, the part where she had lost her temper with the interviewer hadn't been broadcast. Glinda, Nessa, and Oscar all heaved relieved sighs. Elphaba just rolled her eyes.
"And now," Cashel said enthusiastically into the camera at the end of the episode, "it's up to you! Our twelve beautiful contestants have been introduced to you and you have learned a little bit about them through their interviews, but which ones are your favourites?"
Reven took over, beaming just like her co-host as she talked. "You can vote now at your local post office, where voting lists will be ready and waiting for you. Who is your favourite going to be? Is it Glinda, Lunare, Macy, Nessarose, Umbia, Caila, Karise, Micaela, Faye, Saraphina, Elphaba, or Nathalinia?" As she spoke, pictures of each girl were shown again. "Votes are open up until the semi-final, when the six girls with the least votes will be sent home, so don't forget to support your favourites!"
"And that was it for today, people!" Cashel concluded. "Have a great weekend and we hope to see you again next Friday night, when you can see these beautiful ladies in some very pretty gowns and judge their dancing skills!"
A short version of the annoying intro tune played again and then the show was over. Glinda turned off the television.
"Well, it seems like your hard work paid off, Miss Elphaba," Dr Dillamond said with a smile in Elphaba's direction. "Well done."
"We're not finished yet, though!" Glinda chirped. "You still have a lot to learn if you want to make it to the finale!"
Elphaba tilted her head a little to the side. "And if I don't want to make it to the finale?" she asked innocently.
Oscar gave her a look. Glinda scowled. Chistery, Boq, and Fiyero chuckled.
"Fine," the dark-haired witch said, rolling her eyes. "I'll continue to do my best. Honestly, though, I don't think I'll be able to find out anything until the live shows start," she said to Oscar. "Then it will be much easier for me to snoop around."
Her father nodded. "Just try to talk to some people at the ball this weekend," he suggested. "See if you can find anyone who is acting in a suspicious way."
She nodded, too. "I will." She looked at her sister. "Are you happy with it, Nessie?"
"I think so," said Nessa. "It wasn't too bad. I actually liked doing it and I think all the girls did very well." She yawned daintily behind her hand and blushed a little. "Sorry. I'm feeling a little tired."
"Well, then, that's our cue," said Glinda, hopping off her bed. "I'm going to kick you all out now, because we have to travel to Tenniken tomorrow for the ball and there are still a lot of preparations needed beforehand, so we'll have to rise and shine early in order to get everything done!"
Elphaba groaned. Nessarose sighed.
"We'll leave you to it, then," Oscar said with a smile. "We'll meet again in the morning. Fresh dreams to all of you."
He and the others all left then, leaving just Glinda and Elphaba. The green girl got up to brush her teeth and Glinda watched her cautiously.
"Elphie?"
"Yeah?" Elphaba asked as she peeked through the open doorway, her toothbrush already in her mouth.
Glinda blinked at her innocently. "What's Macy's father's job again?"
Elphaba scowled and moved back into the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her. Glinda was giggling so violently that she nearly toppled over.
"That's okay!" she called cheerfully through the bathroom door. "I will quiz you on the other girls again in the morning!"
The next day was mostly spent soaking in baths, rubbing moisturiser into skin, applying layers of all kinds of lotions, creams, and make-up, and picking hairstyles and gowns for the ball that night. Glinda insisted on going over some things once more with Elphaba and then hurried away to help Nessarose with her preparations, thankfully giving her roommate some peace and quiet… or so she thought, because then Oscar and Chistery returned to drill her on her manners, Fiyero came by to practise dancing with her again, and then Glinda and Nessarose returned to help Elphaba choose what dress to wear. All in all, it was an exhausting day and by the time they finally left for Tenniken, the young witch felt like she had already lived through a war. She hoped she'd be able to remain awake and focused all night long.
At least she looked nice, though. She, Glinda, and Nessa were all wearing beautiful ball gowns fit for a princess. Nessa's was of a purple satin with a slightly ruffled skirt that had a high slit on one side, revealing the darker purple skirt underneath. Her hair had been braided and pinned up. Glinda's dress was, of course, sparkly, pink, and poofy. She looked like a sugar candy princess, her hair curled and then left loose to frame her face, only a single curl pinned out of her face with a glittery hair clasp.
As for Elphaba, her dress was strapless with a silver bodice that, as it went lower, slowly faded into a black skirt. It was puffy, but not too much so, and she was wearing silver heels underneath. Glinda had decorated her with jewellery like she was a Lurlinemas tree and she'd also gotten to her roommate's hair, securing it with so many hair clips that Elphaba could already feel a throbbing headache coming up because of the pull on her scalp, but she didn't dare complain. Especially not since the hairdo did look rather fancy and there was not a hair out of place.
Upon arriving at the venue for the ball, they found a lot of press already there – including the cameras for the Miss Emerald TV show. Lunare, Macy, and Micaela were chatting up the cameras while Nathalinia and Caila were talking to (and batting their eyelashes innocently at) the hosts. Boq, Fiyero, and Glinda's date helped their respective escorts out of the carriage and Elphaba smoothed out her skirt, nervously watching everyone around her. It was so crowded already and they weren't even inside yet.
Glinda thrived on the attention, beaming and gushing to Reven and Cashel about something or another, then parading to the door on her escort's arm like she did this every day. Nessarose followed a little more discreetly, politely chatting with the hosts before allowing Boq to push her into the building.
Fiyero held out his arm to the green girl. "Shall we?" he asked.
She swallowed and nodded, accepting his arm.
"You don't have to squeeze so hard, you know," Fiyero whispered in her ear as they started walking. "You can just tuck your hand into the crook of my elbow without cutting off the blood supply to my arm."
She flushed and loosened her grip. "Sorry."
He chuckled low in his throat. "It's fine. Don't be nervous, Fae. You'll do great."
"Says who?" she muttered. "Well, you, apparently, but that doesn't count."
He raised his eyebrows. "I don't count?" he asked teasingly as he led her into the building and down a long hallway.
"Not when it comes to these things," she told him. "You're annoyingly optimistic, but not realistic. I'm not going to do great. I hate this. I can't do this."
"Of course you can." He gave her a lopsided grin. "Just be yourself."
"That's what Glinda said," Elphaba grunted. "Only she added "just make sure it's a slightly toned-down version of your usual self"."
Fiyero laughed and she couldn't help chortling a little as well. She glanced at him from the corner of her eyes a few times. He looked very handsome tonight in a suit, with a green tie to match the tone of her skin (Glinda's idea, of course).
"You know," she said casually. "You told me I looked good in my dress last week in the City, but you look rather nice all dressed up, too."
He bowed a little, making her laugh. "Why, thank you," he said, grinning again. "I can't even remotely compare to you, though. I'm serious, Fae – you look fantastic."
She wrinkled her nose. "Thanks, I guess."
He just smiled.
They had reached the ballroom by then and they stopped, taking everything in for a moment. Elphaba took a deep breath and Fiyero squeezed her arm consolingly. "Are you ready?"
She nodded and together, they stepped forward, into the mass of people. They were instantly offered a drink and, glasses in hand, they started to mingle. Elphaba loathed mingling, but she recognised that if she wanted to find out anything about the threat – which was why she was here, after all – she'd have to talk to some people or she'd never find out anything.
"I hate this," Karise was complaining to Umbia as Elphaba and Fiyero joined them and their escorts. "Look at me – I look like a cupcake!"
"My sentiments exactly," said Elphaba with a grin and both girls, as well as the two boys accompanying them, turned around to face her and Fiyero.
"You don't look like a cupcake!" Karise said as she took Elphaba in. "You look great!"
Umbia nodded. "You look beautiful," she said to Elphaba, who smiled at her.
"Thank you. You look very nice yourself," she said. Umbia's dress was simple yet elegant and a dark red colour.
"She does. So do you." Karise sighed and gestured wildly at herself. "Look at me!"
Elphaba did and she could see what the other girl meant. Karise was wearing a lilac dress with lots of ruffles and layers that didn't seem like her at all. "Why would you pick such a dress?" she demanded incredulously.
"I didn't!" Karise protested. "My mother did! If it weren't for her and the rest of my family, I wouldn't even be here. I hate this stupid competition," she grumbled, "but they basically forced me to participate. It's all about the image of the family."
Umbia nodded. "For me, too," she confirmed. "My mother very much wanted me to participate, so I decided to try it. For her."
"What are we talking about?" Saraphina asked as she and Glinda joined the small group. "Oh, Elphaba! You look wonderful!"
Again, the customary compliments about looks were exchanged and the girls all chatted for a while before Reven and Cashel asked for everyone's attention.
"Our Miss Emerald girls will now, one by one, show off their ballroom dancing skills!" Reven gushed. "The first to step forward is Karise Fennows from Quadling Country!"
"Oh, joy," Karise muttered, unceremoniously grabbing the hand of the young man she'd brought and tugging him along to the dance floor. "Let's get this over with."
As everyone's attention was on the couple on the dance floor, Elphaba and Fiyero surreptitiously sneaked away from the small group and started making their way through the crowd, trying to listen in on as many conversations as possible, especially between the contestants, as one by one the girls showed off the dance they had practised with their dates. Aside from Karise, who looked every bit as cranky as she probably felt, and Caila, who turned out to have two left feet, all the girls did great.
Elphaba stopped for a while when Nessa's turn came so she could watch the wheelchair-bound girl being pushed around the dance floor by Boq, both of them looking radiant and like they were having a lot of fun, which made her smile. At some point, she caught Chistery's eye from across the room and she exchanged a smile with him before continuing to move around the ballroom.
It didn't seem like many of the contestants were having interesting conversations, though. Caila and Faye were having an animated conversation about the designers of their dresses, the make-up brands they had used, and who had done their hair for the night. Nathalinia was at the refreshments table with her escort and they were chatting about something insignificant. Pfannee, Milla, Lunare, and Macy were all standing close together and when Elphaba moved past them, she paused to listen in on their conversation, figuring it could never be anything good if Pfannee and Milla were joining in. Once again, she wondered why other important families from Oz had to be invited to this ball.
"I mean, of course I'm hoping to befriend her because she is the princess," Lunare was saying. "Imagine the things I could do as the princess's best friend!"
"I know, right?" Macy smiled widely. "It'd be great for my reputation – especially if I also were to win the Miss Emerald competition! The prettiest girl in all of Oz with the princess as her friend… imagine that!"
"She's such a freak, though," Pfannee sniffed. "Have you seen that skin? It's disgusting!"
"And then there's the fact that she's nothing like a princess," Lunare agreed. "She doesn't seem to care about the competition and it's clear that she knows nothing about fashion, or dancing, or anything else you'd need to know to be a proper lady, let alone a princess. She's sort of nice, though, I guess."
"I suppose," Macy said. "Just really ugly and a little strange."
Elphaba could feel Fiyero stiffen beside her when he heard that.
"A little?" Milla echoed, giggling.
Lunare giggled, too. "Yeah, okay. A lot."
"She's the weirdest, creepiest vegetable I've ever seen!" Pfannee declared.
The girls all burst into giggles. Fiyero clenched his fists, obviously furious. Elphaba herself, however, had grown rather good at hiding her true feelings over the years.
Calmly, she tapped Macy's shoulder. "Excuse me?" she asked politely.
Macy and Lunare turned around and faltered visibly when they laid eyes on the princess. Lunare quickly plastered on a smile.
"Your Highness!"
"Hi," said Elphaba, giving the other girl a huge, fake smile of her own. "It's so nice to see you two. My best friends, right?"
Macy giggled nervously. "Oh, Your Highness, we were just teasing a little!" she said in a sugary sweet voice. "We didn't mean anything by it!"
"Oh, of course not!" Elphaba said in the same tone of voice. "I completely understand! You know," she said to Lunare, "you were right before, about me not quite being very princess-like. I thought maybe you and Macy could teach me a couple of things."
"Of course!" Lunare said, her smile widening. "What kind of things would you like to learn?"
"Well," Elphaba said, pretending to think about that. "Maybe you could teach me how best to kiss the arses of people more influential than me."
Lunare blanched. Macy just stared at the green girl and Pfannee and Milla gasped dramatically. Behind the dark-haired witch, Fiyero was choking on his drink.
"Or maybe you could teach me how to gossip and be nasty about people behind their backs," Elphaba continued, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Or how to stand the presence of snobbish, arrogant rich girls like these two." She nodded at Pfannee and Milla. "Although then again, it seems like you belong to their kind, too, which would explain why you'd be spending time with them."
"Just because you happen to be the princess, doesn't mean you can treat us this way!" Macy hissed, pointing at her.
"Exactly!" Lunare said hotly. "Why are you being so mean to us? We did nothing to you!"
Elphaba just snorted. "Oh, please," she said sarcastically. "I just literally heard you two admit that you actually think I'm a freak, but you're being nice to me just because I'm the princess and you might be able to use your connection with me to your own advantage. I have no interest in playing nice with either of you. You're no better than they are." She glanced at Pfannee and Milla again, who both spluttered indignantly.
"I told you she was horrible!" Pfannee cried.
Macy narrowed her eyes. "For a green freak, you're not trying very hard to fit in and gain popularity, you know," she sneered.
Elphaba scoffed. "Do you really think I care what you think of me?" she asked incredulously. "Here's some news: I don't. I'm still green and I'm still your princess, regardless of whether or not I try to fit in; and this may be a foreign concept to you, Macy, but I prefer my real friends over desperate boot-lickers like yourself." She smiled brightly at the girls and gave them a wave. "Good luck with the rest of the competition," she said in the same sugary tone they'd used on her before. Then she turned on her heels and walked away, Fiyero right behind her.