It's a feeling of freedom I'm after
and I hope I'll find it someday.
So I can stop running
from all the things that I have done.
And I can stop running
from whatever I've become.
AN: Going on hiatus after this chapter while I finish the illustrations. Not sure how long it'll take me, but I'll post little WIPs on my art blog on tumblr: artsspangledpumpkin.
~o0o~
Elphaba held onto Fiyero's hand tightly as they made their way through the sea of people up to ground level. There were branches off towards the underground system of trains and the tunnels themselves seemed to breathe.
It finally opened up into a massive atrium with a beautiful colored glass ceiling that cast rainbows on the marble floor. A massive help desk stood in the center of the room with the day's time tables placed on a cube above them. Between benches filled with people waiting for transfers or their next train, people and Animals had kiosks and carts with city maps, underground maps, sunglasses, pamphlets for activities within the city, bus tours, walking tours, and snacks for hungry travelers.
"This way," said Fiyero, leading her up the stairs to the exit.
The clock tolled the quarter hour.
They stepped out into the cool, fall breeze and Elphaba's jaw dropped. It was bustling, it was grand, it was green. She had always thought it was just a name. Like how the Gumdrop Bridge in Bakersfield wasn't really made of gumdrops. She thought it was named after Emerald Trading Co. or the Emerald Mines that used to be the center of Neutraland's economy.
"Take it in," said Fiyero, leading her to the side so they wouldn't be in anyone's way.
The buildings were so tall she wasn't sure if she was able to see the top. Everything was a shade of green. Bottle green seemed to be the most popular since the windows were tinted that color, but they varied in hue from phthalo to mint. The buildings were a marriage between rich, bold geometric and sweeping, elegant, nature-inspired designs.
Like apothecary bottles disposed of in a flower bed.
Most of the citizens wore green as well. To make up for the monochrome color palette, the clothes people wore bordered on the abstract, giving the citizens the appearance of tropical birds. Elphaba saw a peacock once with a traveling circus. Frex didn't allow her or Nessa to go even though they had received an invitation, but they had seen the performers in the square.
Come to think of it, some of these people dressed like those performers too. Some clothes seemed to be the latest fashions, some the fashion of fifty years ago, and others were just split right down the middle, each one ranging in color from greenish blue to greenish yellow. Some had a pop of color here and there, reds and pinks. It was beautiful in its own way.
"Anything in particular you want to see?" Fiyero asked.
"I don't know," she signed, barely able to look away from the sparkling glamor. "Show me the best!"
"The best, huh?" he said. "Alright then, first let's get you something different to wear. You look like a student playing hooky."
"That's what I am."
"But you don't need to look it," he said. "I know just the place. Today we travel in style."
He stepped to the curb and put his hand in the air.
A buggy drawn by a pink horse made an illegal U-turn and pulled up to them. The Dog driving tipped his hat.
"Where to?" he asked.
"Symphony Plaza, please," said Fiyero.
The driver snapped the reins and they were off. Elphaba twisted and turned, eagerly noting museums, libraries, and bookshops. She could spend eternity just exploring those.
"Here we are, Symphony Plaza," said the driver.
The plaza was for a massive building that looked like a palace, the sign read 'Ozma Opera House' and flanking the plaza were restaurants and shops.
"Here we are," said Fiyero, guiding her into one of the shops.
Elphaba furrowed her brow. It was all very posh. Well, it wasn't like she had to worry about the money. She robbed a bank once to feel something, so as long as they didn't look at the serial numbers too closely it should be fine.
She was prepared to be very picky until she noticed that everyone in the store was around her height. Some even taller.
A store associate shorter than her but taller than Fiyero approached them.
"Hi there, my name is Teoph," she said. "How can I assist you today?"
"We need an outfit for this lovely lady right here," said Fiyero. "Something comfortable to wear for a day around but nice enough for a cloth napkin restaurant."
Teoph nodded. "I think we can find something perfect."
"I'll be right back," Fiyero promised Elphaba.
She nodded and was ushered into a changing room in the back.
Teoph seemed to have an accurate gauge on what Elphaba was willing to put up with. She first brought her hosiery that actually fit and a beautiful pair of embroidered boots. She then brought an array of outfits.
Elphaba decided she liked the long, flowing skirt, but hesitated on different stays.
"This corset is worn on the outside!" said Teoph. "It's the next big thing."
Frex would have a conniption if he saw stays worn as a vest. So naturally Elphaba had to try it. She wasn't sure how comfortable a non-custom corset would be, but the styling of the one Teoph brought her reminded her more of stays, it just didn't go over the hips. She was given a white blouse with poet sleeves and the floral-patterned stays were laced up in the back with ribbons. It was snug and not uncomfortable, though Elphaba would have to see by the end of the day.
"We can style you a little more, I think," she said, letting Elphaba's hair down and gathering part of it back with a pretty clip. "And we have some free makeup samples too!"
The samples being mascara and lipstick.
When Elphaba finally emerged, Fiyero was sitting in a chair and waiting for her.
"Too much?" Elphaba asked, smoothing the skirt.
"Well, I'll have to strike mud wrestling and spelunking the sewers off the list," he said. "But no, it's just the right amount."
Teoph looked at Elphaba.
"That's boy-speak for he likes it," she said and winked.
Elphaba smiled and took out a wad of cash.
"Oh no, my treat," said Fiyero, paying.
"You won't get in trouble?" she asked when they left.
"Eh, trouble is my middle name," he said as they approached the counter. "Well, that's not true. My middle names are Thabo Ibrahim Binyamim Seoirse Jaser Irji Darien Marilott Herman—"
"Herman?!" Elphaba exclaimed, flabbergasted.
"Herman," he confirmed. "Gahiji Rudra."
Elphaba blinked at the unusual name of Herman and then realized it was the first word she said in two thousand cycles. She knew Fiyero noticed, but he didn't draw attention to it.
"I was thinking we could do lunch first," he said. "There's a pretty good place here in the plaza and then we'll see the matinee of Wizomania."
Elphaba gasped excitedly. She'd always wanted to see Wizomania. The reviews singing its praises had made their way even to Munchkinland. It sounded spectacular.
Fiyero beamed, looking very pleased with himself.
"Thought that was a safe bet."
The restaurant did have cloth napkins, but it didn't seem overly fancy. People in various attire from super nice to this-is-their-only-nice-outfit sat and ate or were waiting to be seated.
Fiyero had gotten them on the list, so they only had to wait ten more minutes or so before being seated.
"How did you—" Elphaba's voice cracked and faded. She huffed in irritation.
"It's okay, you don't have to force it," he said.
"Get t-i-c-k-e-t-s to W-I-Z?" she asked.
"Most of the theaters in town have tickets set aside for important people," he explained. "Diplomats, celebrities, whatever. When I was bored, I liked to just go and see whatever was playing. You do need to claim them at least an hour before showtime or you forfeit to standard sales. It's easiest to claim them during the week."
That made sense.
Elphaba ordered soup for her meal.
"You can order whatever you want," Fiyero insisted.
"I like soup," she said.
She didn't really want to eat a lot in a crowded restaurant. Her stomach was still a little sour.
Fiyero let it go and rested his chin in his hand.
"So," he said. "Why the Emerald City?"
Elphaba cleared her throat.
"For so long I've wanted nothing more than to die," she admitted, her voice unable to get above a murmur. "I thought my pain would ease if I did, but I only ended up hurting myself more. So, I am running away instead."
Fiyero nodded slowly. "I think that's a good move. How long do you plan to stay?"
"As long as I am able," she signed. "You don't have to stay by me if you don't want."
"And if I do want?"
She hesitated and took a long sip of water.
"I wouldn't complain."
He nodded and smiled.
"Do you always pick up strange women and buy them clothes?" Elphaba asked. "Are you going to teach me to talk proper?"
He laughed. "Well, I don't really believe that you have to say something to say something." He frowned. "Does that make sense?"
She nodded with her hand.
"Besides, I'm kind of sick of the same old routine," he said. "I don't know, this morning I was completely set on my usual plan of establishing myself at a school, but now… It's like when you're a kid and all you want is one particular food. You like it so much, you eat it every day, and then one day you look at it and it might as well be cardboard."
Probably the time loop. She still couldn't figure out why he was the only one with any sense that something was off. Not everything was consistent. Sometimes Galinda approached Fiyero sooner or the insults changed, but that could be chalked up to the changes Elphaba made.
"I understand. You aren't afraid to get in trouble?"
"Stopped caring about that a long time ago," he said. "Nobody is ever going to take me seriously even if I buck up and become the perfect prince tomorrow, so why bother? I bet if I was replaced with a scarecrow nobody would notice or care."
"Their loss."
He smiled.
"It's not like I try to get expelled," he continued. "But I hate answering stupid questions or following stupid rules. Which is ironic considering how stupid I am."
"Every time you call yourself stupid, I'm going to zap you. You aren't stupid."
"I appreciate the vote of confidence, but just give it time," he said. "You'll see."
She reached across the table and poked him, sending a jolt of electricity with it.
"Yeouch!" He shook his hand out. "You weren't kidding!"
The waiter came and set their food down. Conversation dwindled as they ate. The soup was really good.
"Excuse me, Miss."
Oh great, they realized she was a freak and were going to kick her out.
Elphaba looked up at the sharply dressed man and was surprised when he took out a business card.
"I'm a talent scout for CRAZE Magazine," he said. "I noticed you when you first walked in. What's your name?"
"Fae," she said softly.
"Miss Fae," he said, handing the card over. "Come in anytime. Our top designer, Chio, would just die to style someone as unique as you."
Elphaba took the card and the man went to sit back down.
That was strange. Elphaba scanned the room. No one was staring, and if they were it seemed to be at her and Fiyero. Not just her and definishly not for her skin.
"Are you going to take it?" Fiyero asked.
"I don't know." She stuck the business card into her hair. "I don't think my face is pretty enough."
"Sure it is," he said. "Very elegant. Like a duchess."
Well, it was at least an option if she ever broke out of the loop. She could live out her dreams in the Emerald City and attend a school here.
After lunch, they still had a little time before the doors opened, so they walked around the area.
"Hey, look at this," said Fiyero, pointing to a building.
Elphaba stopped and tipped her head, trying to figure out what was so interesting about a deli.
"Look at that line there," he said, pointing to where the ground floor ended and the first floor began. "You can see where they added onto the building."
Oh yeah… the ground level did look different than the rest.
"Eighty percent of the buildings in the Emerald City are under twenty years old," said Fiyero. He pantomimed moving from the ground up. "Eighty percent."
Elphaba smiled and made a 'Y' by her head and wiggled her fingers.
"Well, when the Wizard blew in, this was still more of a trading post than a city. There were large buildings, of course. I mean he only added on to Ozma's palace and buildings like the Ozma Public Library and the Ozma Opera House and some of the palaces are original. Course they had to get the emerald makeover. After the end of the Drought, a lot of families were displaced and looking for work, so when the Wizard announced he was giving the city a complete upgrade, people flooded in for work. Buildings grew taller than trees, business boomed, it was a risky deal. Money was borrowed and "borrowed" from the surrounding provinces."
"'Borrowed?'" Elphaba asked, though she knew the answer.
"Well, the deal for Quadling Country wasn't so great," he said. "They had to call for aid from the Vinkus when they found Neutraland soldiers raiding their mines for gold and silver and rubies rather than go through the proper channels. Gillikin didn't get involved and Munchkinland helped rob them for a better deal. I'm sorry to say the Vinkus didn't really do much to help, either. Too little too late."
"Who's calling you stupid?" she asked. "I just want to talk to them."
"Look, when you're stuck at a function bored out of your mind you end up hearing a lot of crap," said Fiyero. "I just remember things I hear, but it doesn't do me much good on tests. I always misunderstand the question and I forget the answers even if I study them."
Elphaba sighed softly. If she broke this time loop, she was going to take being his tutor seriously. It seemed to her that he had brains, it was just hard for him to focus his energy on topics he found boring. She would hold his hand through it if she had to.
"Anyway, I think a lot of people like to pretend the city's always been like this," Fiyero continued. "It's kind of disappointing. Anything that's unique is painted over and hidden from sight. The slums are pushed to one area and they funnel all the money to the areas visitors will see. It's like everyone here would rather live in an amusement park than a living, breathing city."
He caught himself and cleared his throat.
"Sorry about that, I must be boring you," he said.
She shook her head and looped their arms together. He talked like someone who had been silenced for too long.
"Excuse me, Miss!"
A stylish woman trotted over, her skirt was so tight she had no other option but to trot. She took out a business card and looked over her bejeweled, tinted glasses at Elphaba.
"I represent Dernier Cri Magazine and I think you're just what we're looking for," she said. "We are all about what is new and stylish. Give me a call, that's my direct line. What's your name?"
"Fae," Elphaba said, sticking the business card in her hair with the other one.
"Anymore and you might need to seriously consider it," said Fiyero.
"Tell me something interesting," she said and tugged him along.
"Something interesting," he mused. "Alright… Ah! So the entire city is lit up by crystal batteries instead of gas or water-powered electricity. There's a massive power source under the Wizard's Palace and every crystal in the city draws its power from it. I got to see it when my parents were considering making the switch from gas to crystal. I was really little, then. It's all magic, so it works in an endless loop. As long as you don't break the loop, the lights stay on."
"So… one light goes out, they all go out?"
"They did at first," he laughed. "The blackouts stopped about ten years ago, so I guess they fixed the issue."
At 13:55, they went back to Symphony Plaza and got in line for the theater.
"Have you seen this?" she asked.
"A couple times," he said. "Once with my family and once on a date."
Elphaba was a bit worried she would be underdressed, but when they entered those worries went away. There were people dressed up, sure, but half of them were dressed casually. A student group chattered happily amongst themselves while teachers and chaperones distributed their tickets.
The inside of the Opera House was beautifully done with uniquely crafted tile floors and statues of beautiful people lining the walls and guarding the large staircase. Elphaba looked up at the glittering chandeliers and saw the ceiling was painted as well.
"What do you know about this place?" she asked.
"Oldest Opera House in all of Oz," he said. "Also the biggest. They expanded it after that ogre that invaded the city twenty-something years ago was killed."
Elphaba knew about the ogre and that the Wizard killed it, which entrusted him to Oz and then shortly after he ended the Great Drought. Then there was a coup and he replaced Ozma the Last as Ruler of Oz. Ozma herself was run out of Oz, or killed by an angry mob, the stories differed. Shortly thereafter, the yellow brick road was laid and the Emerald City was born.
Fiyero led the way to their seats. They were balcony seats in the center, so everything could be seen clearly. A box attendant took their orders for drinks and snacks for before the show and during intermission.
"Come on, Fae, live a little," said Fiyero when she hesitated. "Besides, they're included in the tickets."
"If they're included," she said and sat down.
She wished she had a camera.
"Ever been to a show before?" Fiyero asked.
"Not like this," she said. "I'd take my sister to see the puppet theater in town and the Lullaby League and Lollipop Guild perform at functions. There is a theatre in town but…"
She didn't get to go.
Elphaba pursed her lips and picked up her playbill. It was a simple question, all it needed was a simple answer. She didn't have to talk about her beautifully tragic life every time she went out with him, but being around someone who treated her like she mattered was an eye opener.
If the time loop ended tomorrow, she might not ever go back to her old life. She'd become a model and when she was making good money she could finish her education at one of the many universities in the Emerald City and she'd write to Fiyero and help him with his assignments even when he inevitably fell for Galinda. Because helping someone and being kind to them did not mean they owed her anything in return beyond, "Thanks, I appreciate it." Because a "thank you" was polite.
Elphaba adjusted her glasses.
The Wizard had no name and was simply the Wizard. He looked to have a singer and puppeteers. Was this one big puppet show? That'd be interesting, she always did enjoy the puppet theater.
The lights dimmed, the only one able to be seen was for the conductor in the orchestra pit.
Fiyero took her hand and squeezed it as the theater was submerged in complete darkness.
The music began with the entire brass section and seemed to fill the entire theatre. It was loud and foreboding, then mysterious and poignant, then light and whimsical, before settling back into the initial theme.
"This is so you can recognize the musical themes later on," Fiyero whispered as the curtain rose to reveal the cast dancing interpretively, almost writhing as if they were overcome with a fit.
Elphaba rested her arms on the railing as they belted the tragedy they faced due to the Great Drought.
The first act was amazing with the introduction of the wizard and ending with the defeat of the ogre.
And then Act II made her pause a little.
'Something baa-a-ad— sorry… Bad.'
She frowned and sat up. There wasn't a single Animal actor on stage. Any were portrayed with puppets or human actors in costume…
"Is he saying that Animals were the cause of the drought?" she whispered.
"Huh? Is he?"
The ballet had no dialogue but… Elphaba tensed when a 'Beaver' was kicked in the rear (played for laughs) by the Wizard puppet and the dam collapsed and 'water' came gushing out. An illusion of clouds appeared over everyone and false rain came down, followed by a rainbow.
The children (and most of the adults) in the crowd cheered.
Elphaba was no longer smiling or enamored. Something just wasn't right here.
She listened carefully to the rest of the show, but didn't hear anything out of place. How did the Drought end? In school they always said the Wizard ended it by making it rain consistently.
There was nothing about a Beaver dam in any of her history books. The Drought lasted for twelve years, there was a lot of unrest about who was hoarding water sources. In high school history they talked about who was accused. Animals were accused as were the Vinkuns. It was all unfounded, she knew this. For a project, they had to interview those who lived through the Drought and Elphaba interviewed local Animals because they were less likely to treat her as if she were diseased.
Elphaba also looked at the old newspaper archives herself for her essay on the Wizard. Everyone fared poorly except for the wealthy who actually did hoard resources and sell them at obscene markups, which led to some of them being killed. Some were Animals, but just as many were humans.
Wizomania ended with the Wizard sitting on a throne above all the others. The auditorium erupted into thunderous applause. Elphaba stood too, but walked out as the cast ran forward for their final bows.
"Fae? Fae wait!"
She stopped halfway down the staircase and looked back at Fiyero.
"I'm sorry," he said. "Everyone usually loves Wizomania."
She sighed.
"That isn't the problem," she said.
She needed air.
Thankfully, the plaza was a bit sparse and likely would be until the next showtime. Elphaba sat down on a bench.
"What is it?" Fiyero asked, sitting next to her.
She felt more confidence in her voice now than she ever had perhaps in her whole life.
"The things one hears these days," she said. "Dreadful things."
She told him what Dr. Dillamond told her and what she had seen for herself. That the Shiz faculty once had Animals on staff. A Gazelle who coached the track team, a Badger who taught poetry, the Assistant Headmistress was a Lioness. Five years ago, within the entire Shiz University system consisting of seven colleges there were 8,000 Animal faculty members, not including general employees. Now? One. The remaining employees were janitors, building maintenance, and lawn maintenance.
Fiyero pressed a hand to his mouth.
"Yeah… something's not right there," he said. "There's way too many to just be a coincidence."
"I just can't figure out why they aren't speaking."
Fiyero worked his jaw. "I think I know…"
"You do?"
"A while back, I heard Chief Renard speak to Chief Akila and Chief Thunder about something called a 'cage' that could steal voices. They all seemed nervous about it, but I thought it was code for something political, so I never thought twice about it."
Elphaba looked up at the Wizard's Palace, which could supposedly be seen from anywhere in the city.
Could he be…?
A cage… If something could remove the speech from anyone, Frex was certain to want to use it on her. Maybe it was like her time loop. Driving a person to insanity and grief and despair until they could no longer speak.
She shivered and hugged herself.
"I'm sorry," said Fiyero.
Elphaba stared down at her hands. She was in a time loop. No consequences. If she got thrown in Southstairs, she'd just be a free woman in the morning. Maybe the answers were in the Wizard's Palace. If he wasn't in on it, then she could solicit his help to break her time loop and stop whoever was behind these cages…
It would take time.
Fiyero stood and offered his hands to her.
"Set your worries down," he said. "They'll be there to pick up tomorrow."
Right. She wouldn't waste a day with him. She would get familiar with the city and start on her project when the cycle ended.
Elphaba took his hands and he squeezed them.
"I'll help," he said. "I bet I could get my parents to push a ban on 'cage'. The Vinkus acts independently, so even if the Wizard himself pushes a National Bann on Animals we aren't obligated to follow it. Don't worry, Fae, we'll get to the bottom of this."
She loved him. Elphaba threw her arms around his neck. She didn't kiss him, but she damn near did.
"Congratulotions!" surrounding people cheered.
What they were cheering for, she wasn't sure.
"Let's go do something else for now," she said. "We can change the world tomorrow."
"Agreed," said Fiyero. "I don't think anything else I have planned has Anti-Animal subtext, but if it does let me know and we'll do something else."
Elphaba smiled. "You got it."
"Whoa, are you a model?" some guy asked, backing up to look at Elphaba.
She shook her head.
"If you want, I'm a photographer," he said. "I could definishly get you in the magazines. Care to get you a drink?"
Fiyero got between them. The expression on his face must have been fierce, because the guy went pale and ran off.
"Yeah, he's a photographer alright," Fiyero muttered. "A specific type of photographer."
Elphaba looped her arm with his. He relaxed.
"I think I know the perfect place to go next," he said.
They hailed another cab and Fiyero gave the address to the driver. Elphaba looked around and made notes of places that looked interesting, promising herself she'd stop by in between her sleuthing.
"Here we are," Fiyero sang.
They were outside a small shop front. Sitting in front was an old piano painted in bold, bright colors standing out from the green of the surrounding buildings.
A board sat near the entrance.
Heart of the City
By Cerise Rebane
They entered and Elphaba was immediately struck by the style of the paintings lining the walls.
"Fiyero!"
A Vixen bounded over, spreading her arms wide.
"Cerise!" Fiyero stooped and hugged her.
"I thought you were booted to try your luck in Gillikin," she said.
"Nah, it's Fae's first time in the city, so I thought I'd show her the sights before going to Shiz. Fae? This is Cerise. Unfortunately, I didn't make friends with her until last week. It's a shame, cause she's a great gal!"
"Ohh!" Cerise breathed, leaning back to look at Elphaba. She only came up to her hip. "I can see why Fiyero would ditch school to show you the city."
"Tell me about this exhibit," he said.
"Of course! My gallery is inspired by those taken for granted, but are intrinsic to life in the city! Food carts, balloon sellers, public performers, even waste management! A city is nothing without them!"
Elphaba nodded and studied the paintings. Some were large and others were small, but each one had the subject in a vibrant style with bold brush strokes and bolder colors that seemed to move across the canvas towards the viewer.
"These are beautiful!" said Fiyero. "You're so talented, Cerise. Your use of complementary colors really brings depth to each piece and I love the movement each brush stroke brings. The subject really is a great reminder to focus on the little things we take for granted. I think I'd like to buy one. Which one, I'm not sure yet. I'll let you know, but I may just have to buy them all."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Cerise gushed.
"Excuse me," said a woman who had been wandering the gallery. "I'd like to inquire about this painting."
"And once you've got her, I'd like these two," said a man, lifting his chin.
Fiyero looked at Elphaba and winked.
Clever boy… he knew if he praised her work openly like this, anyone within earshot who had money would buy something and then brag about how they snatched a painting right from under the Crown Prince's nose.
Elphaba turned back to study the paintings. Many of the ones she'd seen before were pastoral in subject. They had been beautiful and well-done, but had never really resonated with her or even moved her. These were different.
"I love this style," she murmured.
"It's really popular in the Vinkus," said Fiyero. "We have a whole bunch of paintings like this. The royal family's art collection is put on display in museums in Kiamo Ko and Uma Lu and are rotated out twice a year."
"That's wonderful that you share it instead of keeping it hidden."
"Mom insisted," he said. "She loves art. I do, too. Maybe not as much as her, but I enjoy creating something with my hands. Even if it's not any good, I put something out in the world. Something tangible."
Elphaba tipped her head, wondering why that was so important to him, but not really sure she should ask.
"Tell me what the paintings mean to you," she said.
So he did. Whether that was what Cerise intended, she never came up to insist otherwise. Elphaba loved hearing Fiyero talk about it though. The technique, the colors, the artists that were likely an inspiration.
She loved how his face lit up and how animated he was. He was like this when he told stories, too. When he talked about things he was interested in, there was just a glow about him.
"I really like this one," she said when they circled back to the balloon seller.
The subject was a large Bear with a comically small cart looking on happily at two children, a Lamb and a human hand-in-hoof toting vibrant balloons and smiles.
"Yeah?" said Fiyero.
She nodded, clasped her hands behind her back, and studied the painting.
"Be right back," Fiyero said and walked over to Cerise.
Elphaba traced each stroke with her eyes. The faces weren't completely detailed, but just enough to convey their pure joy.
"Thank you very much for your purchase," said Cerise, placing a sold sticker on the placard.
"You bought it?" Elphaba asked.
"Of course," he said.
"Thank you," she said.
"Lot's to see," he said. "Ready to go?"
She nodded.
"Thank you for coming," said Cerise. "Oh, and Miss Fae? Please reach out again. I'd like to study you some more."
She held out a piece of paper.
Oh, it was a sketch of Elphaba and in the corner was Cerise's contact info. Elphaba blinked in surprise. No one had ever taken her photo, much less drawn her.
Frex once had a portrait done for Nessa's sixteenth birthday. He'd had the artist go off portraits and photos of Momma and created a family portrait of him, Momma, and Nessarose to remind her of the family that loved her.
Elphaba had not been included.
"Thank you…" her voice broke slightly.
"Of course!" said Cerise.
"I'll keep in touch," said Fiyero, leading Elphaba out. "You alright?"
"I've only ever seen myself in mirrors," she said softly. "Are you sure this is what I look like?"
This girl looked pretty. Maybe not like Galinda, but she wasn't unfortunate looking.
"Of course you do," said Fiyero. "Come on, there's so much more to see."
Elphaba tucked the picture away in her hair and followed him into the city.