ヾＭＡＧＮＩＦＩＣＥＮＣＥ༉

☆彡.。.:.・☆彡

Caesar first noticed you because you didn't flinch before his presence.

The other humans always do, they always instinctively recoil when he approaches, avert their eyes in fearful instinct, their shoulders stiffen and they point their guns as if expecting full on violence from his part outright.

But you don't.

You look at him the way you look at the campfire or the trees— He has seen how peacefully you look, when he has surveiled the human camp but also the times he's been there.

You watch with such care, so curiously, with genuine respect.

You’re weaker than him, fragile in a way that’s so human... than it feels dangerous to Caesar. Your hands tremble slighty the first time you find him in your camp, when you offer him water after he helped fight off some intruders on his territory. He notices how you do not pull them away when his bigger, coarser hands touch yours.

“Thank you,” you said quietly, a small smile on your lips. "For helping us." Your gaze holds his green one and even though Caesar understands the words perfectly, he understands more the tone in your voice.

The Gratitude, devoid of fear. 

Trust.

Something inside him coils tight and from that fateful meeting, his world narrows to you.

You are allowed to stay in the ape colony once your human camp companions search for a new camp –you never fully understood why they had to abandon camp so suddenly or why they never warned you about the move– because Caesar says so.

That is enough for the colony.

Because Caesar's word is law.

He assigns guards because it's what a good leader should do, for the security of his apes but he always ends up watching you himself.

Always from a distance, where you cannot fully see him but he can perfectly see you.

He's always telling himself it is for the good of the ape colony, because, even if you have been so good to him, humans are unpredictable.

Humans always betray.

But you don’t.

You never do.

You settle in the hut he ordered Rocket and his apes make for you in the outskirts of the colony. You listen when he speaks, even when it’s only with his eyes. You obey his orders even if they leave you isolated, when he finally grants you the honor of his presence, you ask questions about him, his likes and dislikes, his sons, about the colony, about the other apes.

Moments with you become addicting to Caesar because they're so calming, so so normal.

You worry when he seems overtly tired from patrolling for hours, from hunting for days. You treat the apes not as monsters, but as people, even the ones who chuff at your presence, who openly dislike your presence and ignore your efforts. You treat them all as equals.

When you join them in the communal fire (always invited by Caesar), you laugh along with his family and it is soft, startled, as if you do not expect happiness to find you again.

Caesar finds himself timing his patrols so he passes your hut as much as possible. Always finds excuses to speak to you, sometimes he even tracks the paths and hours you go out berry picking so he can follow silently from the tops of the trees.

“You should not... wander alone,” he told you once, gruff voice and careful eyes, when casually he patrolled by your favored bush area.

“I know,” you answered with a smile, your tattered outer shirt made into a sort of bag for the berries you find. “But I feel safer here than anywhere else.” With a smile as soft as the early morning breeze you offer Caesar some of the sweeter berries you’d picked.

Safer with Caesar, his mind corrects you as he grabs the berries, making sure his warm skin touches yours for a few agonizing long seconds, his green eyes staring deeply into yours, as if they hid a secret he’s been dying to know. His heartbeat picks up and his chest puffs out to make him look bigger, stronger, more reliable, fitter to be your mate.

His thoughts feel like a whirlpool, with you as the vortex, sucking Caesar deeper into you. He knows exactly what this is, but he does not dare say it aloud in fear of making it too real for his poor heart.

Alas his undoing begins with his fear.

Malcolm and his human group come to Caesar for help again, finding one of their own living among apes. Even though you love living with the colony, bonding with people like you is a breath of fresh air you didn’t know you needed. Caesar notices how Malcolm speaks to you too easily, too closely, the way Caesar himself always craves to do. He remembers how Blue Eyes listens to you too closely around the communal fire, even some other apes—some watch you with interest, curiosity, and some sometimes with something dangerously close to affection.

Caesar tells himself it is natural. You’re kind. Gentle. Friendly.

But when Malcolm laughs and you smile back, laughing softly behind your hand with what, in the firelight, seems rosy cheeks and something sharp twists in Caesar’s chest.

They do not understand you the way I do.

They will fail you.

They will take you away from me.

That night, Caesar dreams of cages again. Of hands violently dragging you away from your shared cage, screaming into the dark hallways, terrified (e/c) eyes looking at his, hands frantically clawing the tiled floors, searching for him.

Of you yelling his name in terror and him finding you too late.

That night he wakes shaking, holding the furs of his nest so fiercely his hands feel sore.

From that moment on, protection from afar is no longer enough for Caesar. Hovering from a safe distance feels like needles picking his back, warning of threats that aren’t there. He feels like a coward that could fail you at any moment, just because of his fear of getting to close.

“You shouldn’t... go beyond... the river,” Caesar says softly orders, one day as he's sitting beside you at the entrance of your hut.

You frown, stopping in your weaving. “Why?” You ask, turning your head to look at his hardened profile.

“Humans... may be near.” You nod softly, accepting it easily. Too easily… which comforts as much as it and unsettles him.

And soon there are more rules.

Don’t walk alone without his sons or him.

Don’t leave the Colony without warning Caesar beforehand.

Don’t speak to strangers, be human or ape.

Don’t wander after dark.

Each one sounds reasonable enought for you, so you don’t notice how it tightens an invisible wall around you.

“You worry too much, Caesar” You tell him once, smiling up at him as he sits next to you in the communal fire with two bowls of fish.

Caesar does not smile back, pushing some more of his fish into your wooden bowl.

“Caesar worries... because Caesar... cares.” he responds, sitting closely to you with his eyes fixed in the fire. The ‘I worry because the thought of losing you makes my mind bend and fracture into something I'm unable to recognize’ goes unsaid between the two of you.

One day, Blue Eyes helps you carry fruit after lunch, Cornelius hangs out his back. He's still young, earnest and most of all, proud to be useful. He smiles at you when you thank him, offering him and his little brother some of the fruit he helped carry as a 'Thank you' as Cornelius climbs you and affectionally rubs his cheek against yours. Caesar watches the interaction from the trees, an unreadable look in his face. Later that day, Blue Eyes returns with a slight limp, refusing to meet both yours and his father’s eyes.

“Blue eyes fell from horse,” he signs as he notices your worried look. “Got... spooked”.

Caesar places a hand on his son’s shoulder—too tight to be reassuring, just for a moment.

“Blue eyes must... be more careful,” he replies, his eyes looking at the genuine concern in your face.

That night, as Caesar is busy speaking with Maurice, you notice a bruise under the fur of Blue Eyes’ arm when Cornelius was playing with his older brother.

“Blue eyes, what truly happened?” you asked, unsettled and worried for the young chimp, your eyes look for his but Blue eyes' gaze stays on the floor while Cornelius messes with his fur.

“A training accident... with horse.” The sudden apperance of Caesar makes you jump in your seat, while Cornelius abandons his older brother so he can cling to his dad.

You hesitate, looking for the blue eyed chimps' gaze, when he does meet your eyes, the blue in them seems sadder. You nod as Caesar’s gaze fixes on yours, the trust in your eyes feels both like salvation and damnation.

Over the following days, Caesar builds you a new hut.

“It’s... safer,” he explains. “Farther from... danger.” 

It is farther from everyone else too. But you don't argue, which is what frightens him most—how easily you adapt to his whims, how willingly you are to let him rearrange your world.

Some nights, he stands outside your hut, listening and guarding your sleep.

She sleeps because she knows I am here. She sleeps because she belongs to me.

When you startle awake and find him watching from beside your nest — one he proudly built with the finest furs and softest leaves—, Caesar soothes you with quiet words and gentle touches, his presence by your bed almost inmmediate.

“Caesar won’t… let anything happen... to you,” he promises, his hand brushes back some hair from your forehead and he means it more than anything he has ever meant in his life.

One morning, some weeks later you ask the question he has been dreading since he realized his feelings for you.

“Caesar… will I ever be allowed to leave?”

His world tilts and his chest tightens, his mind clouds with darkness as the ape feels the urge to vomit and scream at the same time.

Leaving means humans.

Leaving means danger.

Leaving means loss.

Leaving means Caesar may never see you again.

His hands instinctively curl into fists.

“Why would you want to?” he asks carefully, jaw tense.

You hesitate, but your hands curl on your lap nervously. “Because… it’s still my world too.” Something fractures inside him, clean and irreversible, how could he have a world without you?.

Because your world must be Caesar, just as Caesar’s world is you.

“No,” he says.

You blink in surprise. “No?”

“You are safer here.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

Caesar steps closer, eye level to you, his breath curls with yours. His voice lowers, rough with an emotion he no longer bothers to hide.

“Caesar cannot... protect you out there.”

“And you think you can protect me from everything?”you ask, a mix between disbelief and pleading in your tone.

His eyes lock into yours, green darker than usual.

“Yes.”

From that moment on, your reality bends to accommodate his need.

Anyone who suggests you should have choices is dismissed—or punished. Anyone who lingers near is reassigned, and all who questions Caesar learns to fear.

He tells himself this is leadership, that great sacrifices are required to protect what matters. At night, as you sleep, he confesses his devotion to you.

“I was alone before you,” he says, pressing his forehead to yours. “You make Caesar better.”

You don't pull away and that is more than enough for Caesar.

So one day, when you tried to forage —just beyond the boundary he set, not even straying far from the colony —Caesar was there instantly, his hand closed around your wrist gently but with clear meaning.

“Don’t,” he says, rough voice trembling.

“You’re hurting me, Caesar” you whisper, tears gathering in the corner of your eyes and he releases you immediately, horror flooding his face.

“Caesar didn’t mean—” He stops, breath ragged. “... Caesar can’t… lose you.”

“You won’t,” you carefully reassure him. “But you can’t keep me captive like this.”

Caesar looks as if you had asked him an impossible thing.

If she leaves, she dies. If she stays, she lives. Why can’t she see that Caesar’s love means her survival?

“Caesar… loves you,” he mumbles, his forehead against yours. His words sounding less like a confession and more like a verdict. "Please... stay with...Caesar".

In the end, the colony learns not to ask where you are.

Because you’re always with Caesar.

 Always under guard.

 Always “safe.”

Caesar sits beside you at night in your hut, at this point it has become his as much as its yours. Watching you sleep in a nest that’s so much his as it's yours, tracing the outline of your existence and burning it in his memory.

The world took everything from me. I will not let it take you.

If you cry, he’ll soothe you.

If you resist, he’ll wait.

If you fear him, he’ll try to convince himself it is temporary. He will be able to fix it.

Love, after all, is patience. And Caesar had decided when he first saw you, so long ago, that if the world cannot be trusted—

then the world will simply have to be reshaped.

Around him.

Around you.

[BOOK ONE] ੈ✩‧₊˚

CHAPTER IV : FIRST DAY’S GITTERS.

.˳·˖✶𓆩𓁺𓆪✶˖·˳.

Elphaba slept wrong that night. Galinda’s clothes seemed to suffocate her little space, the blonde’s high-end perfumes clung to Elphabas’ sweaty skin and she couldn’t help but wrinkle her nose slightly as she curled against her pillow, seeking comfort and closing her eyes as she tried to free her mind.

(H/c) hair, a smile so bright, so good, it felt like it lifted her years of suffering.

The Good witch of Oz, the one she had been admiring since her appearance in Munchkinland, was peacefully sleeping in the same castle.

Elphaba’s hands held her tummy as she felt the small flutters that always came with thinking of you.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow she could spark a conversation? Get to know you better, not as the figure Oz sold you out to be, but as a person.

From the other end of the room, surrounded by pink Elphaba heard a mumble of what seemed like your name come from her roommate. A frown settled in Elphaba’s face as she hugged herself tighter.

Yeah, as if Shiz would allow her to get close enough to even see you.

Although her doubts creep the corners of her mind, the admiration in your gaze earlier, your smile, your calming presence in her mind was enough for Elphaba to fall into the arms of sleep with a smile on her face.

Next morning, the bells of Shiz rang before sunrise and students awoke, some jumped from their beds, ready for their first day; others tried to catch the trail of sleep for a few more minutes before getting ready. The excitement danced in the corridors as the students hurried through stone corridors, uniforms crisp and new, books tucked beneath their arms alas some more awake than others.

For you, it was your first morning in this new fantastical world as an ordinary student, something you deeply appreciated. That sense of normalcy, you hadn’t noticed how much you missed it until the cold fresh air filled your nostrils. From the balcony of your room you could see the figures of other students walking around, the calming sound of water filling you with a new sense of awe as you stared at the few stars remaining as the aurora colored the sky.

Oz was soo pretty…

With renewed spirits, you walked to the en suite bath (because of course, Oscar had chosen the best accommodations for his precious Good Witch) to take a shower, the sweet smell of the shampoos and how soft it left your skin and hair made you feel like you could take on anything, even sorcery lessons!

As the softest towels you had ever felt hugged your body and hair, you walked towards the walk-in closet, pulling out your silvery blue uniform, you smiled at the delicacy of such a garment for what it was (a school uniform). Your fingers followed the swirls and stars that were sewn into the silk of the uniform, the delicate crystals sewn along the forms that caught the light in mesmerizing ways. The uniform fit you perfectly, and more importantly was comfortable to wear; you slipped on your matching shoes before sitting in the vanity full of top end make up brands suited to your preferences along with your favorite creams and perfumes. As you brushed your hair and styled it nicely your eyes caught a rectangular box by the edge of your vanity that wasn’t there the night before, setting the brush on the vanity’s table you reached for it, grabbing the small envelope tapped to it.

“So Shiz’s doesn’t dim your sparkle and you don’t forget little ol’ me : ( .” -Oscar

“Pff..” You hid your smile behind your hand. “ Such a cornball, that man…” You thought fondly, slipping the note into the edge of the vanity’s mirror. Your gaze fell back to the box with curiosity, what could Oscar have gotten you? You surely hoped it wasn’t something flashy, but knowing him, it most certainly was.

The emerald box opened to reveal a simple silver circlet with small engravings of animals and stars, finished with small encrusted diamonds in the edges of the engraved stars.

“So much for not standing out…” You sighed, holding the circlet closer to your eyelevel so you could appreciate the masterful craftsmanship of the gift. “ This is so beautiful… It must have taken months to get made, and with such delicacy too…” You smiled as your finger traced one of the various animals, this time a monkey. “I’ll make sure to thank Oscar when I write back.”

The early morning light filled the room as you stood in front of the full length mirror, having styled the circlet into your hair, you finally took a look at your full image.

Yeah, so much for normal.

But you couldn’t deny that you looked drop dead gorgeous!

The custom Shiz uniform, even in its endless luxuries, felt wonderfully normal compared to the ceremonial dresses the Wizard preferred. Felt more movable, freeing almost. For the first time in weeks, you almost looked like everyone else.

Almost.

A knock came at the door and you jumped in surprise. Who could it even be, this early in the morning?? You walked to the heavy door and when you opened it, two attendants in green stood outside.

"The Wizard requested we escort you to breakfast."

You sighed softly, deeply holding back the need to roll your eyes at the wizard’s antics. "Thank you..." You said as you gathered everything you needed for your first classes in your messenger bag (new and also custom made, with the OZ sigil in gold). Your eyes analyzed both attendants as a mischievous smirk replaced your usual smile "...but I'd really like to walk by myself!!" In seconds you had closed your dorm room and ran down the tower steps, leaving the bamboozled attendants behind, your laughter echoing from the old stones of the university. 

The attendants exchanged nervous looks. “I won’t say anything to the wizard if you swear you won’t either”

“Do you think I’m mad?! If I tell him he will have me executed!!” 

“Not if the monkeys maul you first–” 

“—Real helpful, Kenneth.”

“I’m just saying!!”

Five minutes later, as you finally made out down from your tower, you deeply regretted your choices. First because who knew running down the stairs left you so out of breath?? Second because as you made it to the common areas, half the school had discovered you were walking alone.

And news spread faster than magic.

"The Good Witch is on the east staircase!"

"She's going to breakfast!"

You stood like a deer in highlights, frozen in the middle of the corridor as students abandoned conversations, dorm doors opened with a bang and the people walking changed direction.

Within moments the corridor had become impossibly crowded.

"(Y/n)!!!" someone said.

"Good morning!" a girl added.

"Can I walk with you?" Someone from the crowd on your left asked.

"My grandmother met you in the Uplands!" Another from the right side of the crowd exclaimed.

"Would you sign my notebook?" A blushing munchkin girl asked. 

Everyone keep speaking above each other, making you feel ill from anxiety. Your eyes meet the hopeful eyes of the munchkin girl and you smiled apologetically as your brain looked for an escape route among the ever growing crowd. "Let me get my pen."

Alas, your way to the dining hall was surrounded by a crowd of people, trying to get your attention at any cost. You really should have gone with the attendants, at least it would have been calmer…for about 5 minutes.

In the line for food, people keep trying to help you or let you cut in line, so fast you had your tray full in less than a minute. While you searched for a table to sit, people behind you fought and pushed each other to finish quicker– so they could invite you to their table. As you walked closer to a specific table, every chair near there disappeared except one before you even reached them.

Students shoved tables together, while others argued. One boy loudly declared he'd skipped breakfast entirely just in case you chose his table and as Galinda walked in and saw the chaos, noticed your frightened eyes looking for safety, she started managing the situation immediately. "Oh no, dearest darling, no."

She was going to be that safety.

Without another word Galinda marched directly into the crowd as Phannee and ShenShen followed behind, slightly apprehensive with their friends’ fixed gaze and frozen smile.

"Move." she said, with her sweet smile and even sweeter voice.

Nobody listened.

Galinda smiled brighter, clearing her throat before she fixed her eyes in the crowd."I said..." Her voice remained perfectly sweet but her eyes glinted with quiet authority. "...move."

To your relief the crowd started to disperse, some because of her popularity, wanting to stay in her good graces, others because they were startled, and some because Galinda had begun physically rearranging them with astonishing efficiency, making herself a path towards you. And although they left you some room to breathe, they stayed by the edges in curiosity but mostly to take their chance the moment they found one.

The blonde reached the empty chair beside yours just as three other students lunged for it.

"My seat." Galinda smiled sweetly, her manicured hands holding the back of the chair.

One protested. "I was here first!"

Galinda beamed with territorial sweetness. "You really weren't." So she sat as her friends made their way to pick their –and Galinda’s– breakfast.

Victory. Galinda thought with the sweet sensation of accomplishment.

For approximately three seconds.

Because another wave of students surrounded the table entirely, some with millions of questions, others bought gifts, flowers– Galinda couldn’t help but facepalm, how silly of her!! She should have brought her bestie a present! Some came with requests and compliments. Somewhere in the crowd someone started bawling their eyes out  while another asked you to bless a  cookie, as lucky charm, another wanted advice about romance.

You tried answering everyone as your food got colder, but you couldn't keep up with so much attention. And so your smile became smaller, your shoulders tightened, a hand went to ease the neckline of your uniform that suddenly sat tighter around your neck.

Elphaba noticed first.

Across the hall, far from the commotion of your table, Elphaba quietly watched over her breakfast, worry sat deep in her gut . She had seen crowds behave like this before.

Not toward goodness but toward something they deemed a ‘spectacle’.

Nessarose followed her gaze, worry and longing mixed in her gaze. "They're frightening her… She looks like she’s going to have a panic attack."

"They're worshipping her." Elphaba answered, although the food she had eaten sat wrong in her stomach. 

"Elphaba, That's not the same thing. She really looks like she needs help–"

Boq stood helplessly five rows back, his bag and books hung defeatedly from his shoulders, tray in hand. He couldn't even see you anymore, only the tops of heads of many ozians vying for your attention. "They're suffocating her.", he mumbled to himself.

A passing Winkie student laughed at Boq’s clear displeasure. "Jealous?" They jeered.

"No!" Boq defensively replied, ears already beet red. As the students left with laughter, Boq sat in one of many empty tables, his eyes downcasted into his breakfast, hunger already gone and replaced with something he couldn’t name. "...Yes." he admitted to himself, his eyes slightly teary.

The screech of a chair brought the hall to absolute silence as you stood up from your seat. "I'm sorry..." You said, complexion slightly paler than usual and looking slightly queasy. "...would you excuse me? I need the restroom." Galinda looked up at you with surprise in her gaze, that quickly turned into menacing glares so the crowd parted like the sea for you.

You hurried out into the morning air, leaving your things and breakfast untouched. As soon as you left, the crowd dispersed fully, everyone going back to their business and tables with friends. ShenShen gave Galinda her tray with food and as she went to sit in the chair you emptied she reached for your things as Galinda almost bit her hand off.

“Don’t touch that!! She’s coming back and that's her seat!!” the blonde argued, fishing a compact mirror out of her purse to fix her hair. “ I want to be perfect– I mean, I want everything to be perfectly still when she comes back!” 

Phannee and ShenShen shared a glance as the blonde happily rearranged your things nicely after making sure she was looking her best.

The birdsong and fresh air that greeted you as you escaped the castle felt like cold water in a desert, wandering the gardens you found peace beneath an old tree  that felt almost sacred. Closing your eyes and resting your back against the tree, you let yourself sit in the soft grass, still dewy from the early morning. Taking a deep breath, you tried to calm your erratic heartbeat as color returned to your cheeks.

Nature felt like heaven, the feeling of soft wet grass between your fingers helped ground you. It was so peaceful you hadn’t even noticed the minutes tick by.

"Mind if I sit?" a calm familiar voice brought you back to the present. Your eyes opened to meet  the worried dark ones of Elphaba, who just gave a friendly smile as she presented a few fruits and some sweets warped in a napkin. “I bought peace offerings” Elphaba’s breath hitched in her throat as you smiled  at her with obvious relief, already scooting over to make space for her.

"I was hoping you would." You smiled at her, happily grabbing the food she had with her, munching on the fruit with obvious hunger.

Elphaba sat carefully, with a small smile and her usual calm energy, leaving space between the two of you so as not to crowd you, and unlike everyone else she didn't immediately speak. She took an apple from her pocket and took a bite, sharing the peace of the sunrise with you.

Simply eating with you, in silence, was enough to bring happiness to Elphaba’s heart. Birdsong filled the silence between you two as Elphaba stole fleeting glances at your form, the pinkish warm rays of the morning sun highlighting your face in an ethereal way that made her heart squeeze painfully and her cheeks warmed enough that she reached to feel their feverish heat. After what could have been a couple of minutes but felt like hours for the dark haired woman, your eyes caught hers in one of her fleeting glances, as she tried to burn your peace and happiness with fire in her brain. Seeing herself being caught, Elphaba couldn’t help but blush harder as her eyes quickly dropped to her hands as you laughed quietly with endearment.

"Thank you." you smiled at her, (e/c) eyes glittering like the stars at night.

"I haven't really done anything." Elphaba replied shyly, her hands squeezing themselves together in a nervous habit.

"I know." Your hand suddenly covered hers, making her jump in place and look at you from behind her crooked glasses. "It was nice." Your hand quietly put them right on her nose, brushing a few strands of dark hair from her eyes and behind her ears and making Elphaba’s face redden even more, ears burning as she looked down at her apple.

"...People usually thank me after I leave." You frowned, leaning on Elphaba’s shoulder.

"That seems backwards." you replied.

"It usually is." Elphaba’s lips drawing a small smile.

"Y’know, I like quiet." You smiled, your eyes finding hers.

"So do I." You smiled brightly, making Elphaba’s heart flutter painfully as she shyly smiled back.

It was the easiest conversation either of you had had all day, unfortunately you weren't alone.

From a corridor window Galinda watched, the food in her hands squeezed so tightly her manicured hands were dirty with bits and pieces. Rage burning up throat like lava, her eyes glossy with enraged tears “Why is she smiling like that?” She asked herself, looking towards your figure, as you laughed at something Elphaba said. “That should be me! She and I are destined!!!” Galinda’s face turned redder in her rage as she saw Elphaba freely interacting with you, touching you, being close.

That’s supposed to be  h e r. 

You are supposed to end up together!– No! not like that, silly! – Galinda admonished herself– Like the Supreme Sorceresses of Oz, Bestest of friends!! Galinda and (Y/n)!! Suddenly Galinda’s eyes were caught by Elphaba’s, who simply smiled. Which made Galinda go into a fit.

As Boq walked outside he looked every which way, trying to find your figure, desperate to talk with you again. Nessa also looked around as she and her newly made friends made their way out to their class.

The bell rang as Elphaba and you bid each other goodbye, not sharing your first classes together. In each and every of your classes, you could feel how the other students looked at you more like a piece of meat than a person, more focused on finding an excuse to get into your good graces than to pay any attention to the lectures. For Elphaba classes weren’t any better, as she always sat alone, the other students looking at her as if she was something to be stared at but not talked to. Beside that, Galinda and her shared almost all classes, and since this morning she could feel the blonde starring daggers into her every chance she gets. She knew why the blonde was mad, she had seen her watching you and her in the garden, figured she probably wanted to have gotten to you, be your hero so she could social climb out of your fame.

But Elphaba wasn’t about to let you be used like that, not by Galinda nor any other opportunistic student. She felt like she had found a companion, a… a real friend in you, even the thought made her blush now. She could feel her cheeks get warmer at the memory of this morning.

As the bell of the last class rang you were absolutely done with Shiz’s shiz. You weren’t something to be ogled at, nor to be treated differently than other students. Your feet dragged across the hall as you made it to your last class of the day.  Students had filled the room already as you and a few stragglers filled the room.

When you entered an unnerving quiet filled the room and nearly every seat mysteriously occupied.

Well, more like…

Reserved.

"Good Witch!! There's room here!" someone screamed.

"No, over here!"

"Sit with us!"

Galinda was already standing, waving energetically from the front row. "(y/n)! Here!!" The blonde’s energy went unmatched, like always, as she jumped in place to get your attention as Phannee and ShenShen waved too, matching their friend’s energy. "I saved your seat!"

Just as Galida had done, Boq had done the exact same.

So had several others.

You began to look overwhelmed again just as Dr. Dillamond entered the room.

"Take whichever seat remains available." the goat said, pulling a few levers so he could get his class started.

The room froze at the professor's decision, because only one seat remained untouched. Galinda’s wide eyes clocked the spot with scary precision and she could feel her temper rise again.

Elphaba.

of course it had to be her

The students looked at each other in visible discomfort, some even giving you pitying glances. No one had wanted to sit next to Elphaba, and truly she was happier that way, but as her eyes met your bright ones and you smiled like there was a secret between the two of you, Elphaba felt faint.

"Perfect." You smiled, walking over to her and sitting down next to her happily. "Good morning, Elphaba." You greeted her as Elphaba blinked, trying to get her emotions schooled into her usual calmness.

"...Good morning, (y/n)." She smiled back, shy but happy to finally share a class with someone nice (who wasn’t her sister. Elphaba truly wanted Nessa to be happy, and seeing her thrive with new friends brought to the eldest Thropp some warmth.) but deep down, she wanted the exact same. Acceptance, friendship… it all seemed to come out of the same person: The Good Witch of Oz, (y/n) Gale.

Meanwhile around the classroom several hearts quietly broke. Galinda's smile remained perfectly intact, she quickly reclaimed her poise and sat quietly between her friends. To the unsuspecting eye, she was perfectly fine.

Only the pencil suffered her anger, as her hand snapped it cleanly in two.

Boq stared at the empty chair that he had saved only to be occupied by some other student, deep down he felt like he had to try harder, be bolder to finally stand out from the crowd, so he could finally talk to you one on one.

At the front of the room, Dr. Dillamond surveyed his students, he was wise beyond his years and noticed the tension in some of the students was higher than others. He had also noticed the way the Good Witch he had read and heard so much about, treated him exactly as she treated everyone else, with uncomplicated respect and looked at him like someone ready to learn.

For the first time that day the old Goat smiled.

Perhaps there was hope for Oz.

ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴜᴇᴅ...

A/N: Hope you enjoyed the chapter!! Let me know your thoughs & opinions about this chapter! Elphie is such a yearner guyyysss you have noooo idea how much this woman is gonna Y E AR N and Glinda is scary when u get between her and her woman Good Witch!

[BOOK ONE] ੈ✩‧₊˚

CHAPTER III : WHEN SHIZ LOSES IT’S SHIZ.

.˳·˖✶𓆩𓁺𓆪✶˖·˳.

 The Wizard learned about the news the way he learned the most upsetting things; casually eavesdropping on guards or people that worked in the Emerald city and too late to fix it or pretend it didn’t matter.

“The new year at Shiz University resumes next week,” Madam Morrible said, adjusting a stack of parchment as if she were announcing the weather. “It would be… prudent for Our Good Witch to attend. Visibility among the youth, academic legitimacy… a symbol of cooperation.”

The Wizard did not answer, he just stood at the window, hands folded behind his back, watching the Emerald City rearrange itself for a new day below him—banners lifted, streets swept, a city being polished into something presentable, worthy.

Shiz University.

‘Too far.’ The Wizard thinks, biting his lower lip. ‘Too full of people who hadn’t learned to need me.’ The silence in the room was almost unbearable, even Madame Morrible felt unease in her spine. “She’ll be gone for… how long?” he asked at last.

Morrible paused, just long enough to be deliberate, for the blow to settle. “A year, two semesters.”

“A year,” he repeated, voice flat, his back still turned to Morrible. “And after that?”

“She may return,” Morrible said. “Or she may not—”

The Wizard turned sharply, eyes fiery with rage. “You said—”

“I said she must be seen,” Morrible interrupted, closing on the Wizard’s personal space. “Not kept.”

The word struck him like a slap.

Kept.

He swallowed, breathing unevenly.“No.” He answered, his fist almost white from how hard he was clenched them. “She’s not ready,” he insisted, fixing his burning gaze on Morrible’s. “She’s still learning her place. Oz is—”

“—a stage,” Morrible finished coolly. “And Shiz is where the top players from the land of Oz learn how to stand without help.” He burst into laughter then, a thin, manic but strained sound.

“And what— pray tell,  if she learns she doesn’t need us?”

Morrible looked at him steadily. “Then she will learn the truth.”

“And what truth is that?” he snarled.

“That goodness,” Morrible said, “is most powerful when it is chosen freely.”

The Wizard turned away. ‘She will forget me’, he thought wildly. ‘She will meet someone younger, someone who doesn’t need to hide behind wires and smoke.’ His hands went to rub his suddenly stinging eyes. ‘She will look back and see me as what I am, an insignificant old man. As a kindness she outgrew.’

His hands trembled in rage. “Still– No.” He growled, violently taking a sip of the small bottle of green elixir on his table. Madame Morrible sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose as she realized this was going to be harder than she thought. She had a long few days of arguing left to reason with this absolute thickheaded man.

.˳·˖✶𓆩𓁺𓆪✶˖·˳.

You were told gently, Morrible always did things gently when cruelty would be inefficient. “Shiz will be good for you,” she said, handing you a neatly tied bundle of parchment and fabric. “Theory, history, structure… And we will continue your sorcery classes at my seminar. Besides uniforms—very important! Consistency, matching fabrics and colors, builds team pride, family, trust.”

You unfolded the fabric: navy, green and cream. The uniform consisted of a cream blouse with puffy sleeves that ended with golden lace, with a green vest with white stripes and gold trims and buttons in the shape of stars. A slightly flared skirt that fell one finger above the knee, also green with stripes and three star shaped buttons in a vertical row on the left side of the hip. Completing the look was a cream silk neckbow with the “OZ” sigil embroidered there and a velvet navy jacket with the university’s insignia and gold trims. All in all  modest, elegant and possessive.

“It’s beautiful,” you said honestly.” Everyone is wearing the same?” You asked and Morrible smiled condescendingly sweet.

“Oh no sweetheart, no. “ She brushed your hair, smiling down at you. “ There's a school store and everyone can go pick out whatever they want as long as they are in the school colors” She pointed at the skirt. “Navy and cream. Everyone is wearing some combination of the two colors, lots of stripes too. It’s for unity as well as individuality, dear.”

You looked at her with an eyebrow raised, “Then… why’s mine mostly green? Won’t I stand out?”

Morrible smile twitched for a second, she couldn’t really tell you the reason why (‘It’s one of the conditions, sweetie, for the Wizard to allow you to go. He needs to stake his claim, he’s a very very insecure man.’) So she just just smiled “ Well… technically you’re wearing the school colors, and people can wear whatever they want. You’re representing Oz, dear. Representing yourself as The Good Witch of Oz.

A little more confused, you held the skirt in front of you as you gazed at the mirror “ Then… shouldn’t it be silvery-blue?” You gazed at Morrible with such a sweet gaze that a devilish idea crossed her mind. She wouldn't be breaking her promise to Oscar, just… Giving you more wardrobe. As the Good Witch of Oz you couldn't be seen with the same clothes twice in a week…

“Well… We can always commission some uniforms that are more yours… Would you like that?” You smiled and nodded. “Good, I’ll call the seamstress to come ASAP. We have only a few days left, you should start packing your trunks.”

 “I… I didn’t realize I’d be leaving so soon.” You look down at the floor, fidgeting with the skirt in your hands. “I have to say goodbye to Chistery and his brothers, and the guards and the cleaning crew of the Emerald Palace, they all have been so kind–”

“You won’t be leaving Oz,” Morrible replied. “You’ll be expanding. Meeting new important people, making friends.” You nodded, though something in your chest felt tight.

“And the Wizard?” you asked, biting your lower lip in a nervous habit. “He thinks this is best?”

Morrible smiled. “He trusts my judgment.” But that was not really an answer to the question you had asked.

.˳·˖✶𓆩𓁺𓆪✶˖·˳.

That evening, after the seamstress had finished showing you her best fabrics and most intricate designs, the Wizard asked for you alone. No guards. No curtain. Just the two of them in the quiet of his private study that felt suddenly too small. 

“You’re going to Shiz,” he said, as if saying it aloud might make it negotiable.

“Yes,” You replied softly. “Madam Morrible says it’s important for me to learn more about Oz and meet new people.”

He nodded once, too sharply to be in agreement. ‘She would say that, that witch–’ He thought. “She’s… She’s right,” he coughed, swallowing hard his pride. “Of course she is.” The silence pressed in, making the air almost suffocating.

“I didn’t know,” you ventured, “that goodness needed studying.” You joked, sitting next to him on the couch, your hand holding his in support.

His mouth twitched in what could be considered a smile. “Everything does if it’s going to last.” He held your hand closer, concern softening your features. 

“I won’t change.” His weak composure almost broke when you looked at him like that.

“You will,” he said quietly. “Everyone does.” 

You reached out then with your free hand, touched his sleeve, light and sincere holding the man. “I’ll come back,” You promised. “I always do.”

He covered your hands before he could stop himself and held them far too long, laying a soft kiss on the back of your hand. “Be careful,” he said, voice low. “Shiz is full of people who will admire you for all the wrong reasons.”

“And you?” you asked and as your eyes met his, something sincere, unguarded, naked flickered there before the Wizard’s mask slid back into place.

“I admire you,” he said, “because you're real, because you saw me and still wanted to stay." To his words you smiled at that, kissing his cheek in sweet farewell and — against the will of his heart– he let go of you, both physically and metaphorically. As you left the room, parchment with his seal in it tucked under your arm, the Wizard remained, standing where you had been, fingers curled as if still holding your warmth and two fingers touching the fuzzy feelings in the cheek you had just kissed.

‘This is temporary,’ he told himself. ‘It’s necessary. It’s the best for her’ But as the door closed, and the echo of your footsteps faded, another thought crept in quietly, true and far more dangerous: ‘If she learns who she is, that she can live freely without me… I may not survive it.’

The first day at Shiz University had always been loud, ambition echoed off its towers, laughter and conversation ricocheted through its stone walls and courtyards. Students arrived every year certain they would be seen.

But that year, they were wrong.

Galinda arrived as if the school had been waiting for her, sitting in her mountain of pink trunks and waving at every student already in the pier, Phanne and Shenshen already waiting for her in the docking area.Her trunks were carried before she stepped onto the cobblestones, pink silk flashing in the sun, laughter trailing her like fanfare and a distinctively silvery blue scarf tied around her neck. All students turned instinctively, heads swiveling, whispers igniting.

“That 's Galinda!!.”

“She’s stunning!”

“She’s already so popular!!"

Galinda smiled as if she had personally arranged the acoustics. She climbed the central steps, turned, and claimed the space with a practiced ease that bordered on imperial. “Hello, everyone!” She called and everyone answered, Galinda basked in it, heart racing and cheeks flushing. Her parents quickly hugged and kissed her cheeks, “We’re so proud of you!”

“I love you too! Just remember, It’s not Goodbye— it’s farewell!” She smiled as her parents tried and failed to stay more time, while Galinda softly dismissed them. “Yes I’ll write–Miss you already– Popsie board the boat!” As her parents waved effusively, she smiled to herself. “They’re gonna miss me so much!”

“My parents don’t even know that I left, heh!” Galinda jumped in place, twirling around with a small frown seeing a curly redhead standing in a curious way. “I’m Boq!” He twirled the croquet stick he was holding so it could support his weight— make him look cool. “I’m from Munchkinland. I know we don’t know each other yet–” He was quickly interrupted by Galinda, who was looking at him with a sweet façade covering her disinterest. 

“Do you know what I think, Biq?”

“It-It’s Biq–It’s Boq” He mumbled.

“That strangers are just people I’ve never met.” She hummed as Boq looked at her in an awed trance. “Bye!” She said as she already was walking away, leaving Boq behind blushing and awed. Galinda walked by the sea of navy blue blurs in her pink and lavender uniform, having been able to overrule the system by her sheer richness, so she stood out even more than she usually did. As she walked smiling and greeting everyone she analyzed them, ‘some of them are warm’, she thought. ‘But they don’t glow like her.’ Her gaze drifted to the boats that left, always searching for someone who wasn’t there yet. 

The choir of Shiz had started to sing their hymn ‘Dear Old Shiz’ to welcome the newer students and welcome back the old ones, and Galinda couldn’t help the smile, standing in front of the stairs where students were singing and quickly Phanne and ShenShen flocked to her side. Behind her more students gathered as the next boat arrived without any spectacle, docking by  the others, and a pair of black boots walked down from it. Students turned and gasped in horror as they saw the person who had arrived, parting like the red sea and allowing her to pass muttering under their breaths “Green!”. 

As the song came to its end, Galinda held her pose and sang in her light soprano voice, “Ooooh-Oooold” and as the students clapped for her, she smiled and bowed in false humility. 

“Dear old Shiiz…” The chorus ended but the claps of the people stopped suddenly and shrieks could be heard, confused Galinda turned around and screamed.

“AH!!” 

In front of her a young woman stood in all black, her hair was braided in a side braid, round glasses covered her dark eyes and freckled cheeks although what horrified everyone was that the girl had skin green like emeralds. As she became the focus of everyone’s attention she looked from one side to the other.

“What?” She asked, “What are you staring at?” Galinda with a hand in her chest looked at her and slowly approached. “Do I have something in my teeth?” The green woman asked

“No, it’s just–” Galinda answered, slightly flabbergasted. “You’re green…”

The woman in black looked at her hands and then at Galinda, “I am…!” She answered in mock surprise, already tired. Her false look of surprise quickly morphed into a smirk as Galinda just starred. “Fine, let’s get this over with” She started, turning around to look at the crowd of students that had gathered around her. “No, I’m not seasick.” As she walked around, the students took a step back, except Galinda who circled her movements.”No, I did not eat grass as a child.” Finally they stood on opposite sides, looking at the other as Elphaba finished. “ and yes, I’ve always been green.”

Still surprised, Galinda nodded her head with furrowed brows, “Well…I, for one, am so sorry that you have been forced to live with… this” as Galinda finished her speech the giggles and laughs of other students could be heard.

“That so?” Elphaba asked, her gaze not flickering from the blonde at all.

“Yes! And it is my intention to major in sorcery so if at some point you want to address the…um– problem–” The other students awed or held their hands to their heart, thinking of the pure sweetness of Galinda’s offering.

“Problem..” Elphaba repeated in a defeated tone.

“-Perhaps I could help” She smiled and the whole crowd broke in applauses and awes.

“She’s so good, SHE’S SOOO GOOD” Said Phanne as he and Shenshen clapped harder than anybody else.

“You’re SO good, we love you!!” Shenshen added as Galinda tossed her hair thrice as the students gasped in amazement, an impeccable smile on her pink lips, satisfaction exuding from all her pores.

“Offering to help somebody you don’t know, with the skills that you don’t have..” Elphaba’s gaze locked onto Galinda, seeing the flicker in her smiling armor. “I’m sure everyone is dully impressed”.

“I could care less what other people think” She defensively lied.

“Couldn’t” Elphaba corrected her.

“What?” Galinda asked in confusion.

“You couldn’t care less what other people think” She clarified, “though I- I doubt that.” Whispers and murmurs broke around the students as Galinda stood frozen where she stood, feeling the sting of humiliation in her heart. Suddenly yells interrupted her spiraling.

“ELPHABA!” As students broke the circle an old man angrily walked in pushing a girl in a wheelchair who looked absolutely mortified, “ELPHABA THROPP!”

Elphaba smiled as she pointed to the girl, “Ah, It’s my younger sister Nessarose, as you see, she’s a perfectly acceptable color” Elphaba explained to the frozen Galinda as she walked towards her father’s side, Galinda quickly made her way towards her friends, murmuring under her breath.

“Stop making a spectacle of yourself!” Her father, Governors Thropp argued between clenched teeth.

“ I was trying to be nice,” Galinda explained to her friends, who quickly soothed her.

“You were so nice!” Shenshen added.

“Was it something bad?” Galinda asked as Shenshen quickly added a ‘noo!’. “How did it come across?” 

“I don’t see color, by the way!” Phanee added as he followed the girls inside.

Once alone, the governor turned towards his younger girl and smiled at her sweetly.“My precious little girl!”

“Father!!” Nessa said, between embarrassed and happy. An officer gave a pale green box to the Governor, who quickly held it out to his youngest.

“A parting gift!” Nessa picked it and settled the box in her lap while her hands opened the sides, displaying a beautiful set of silver shoes.

“Mother’s silver shoes!” Nessa said awed.

“So they all can see how beautiful you truly are” Her father added, caressing her cheek. “right down to your toes.”

“Thank you!!” Nessa’s tone came out taken by emotion; meanwhile Elphaba, who had been right there seeing the blatant favoritism, looked down at the ground saddened. “Thank you so much, I love them!”

“Let me put them with your boxes.” Her father said, picking the box back up and leaving the sisters alone.

“I shouldn't have spread out like that” Elphaba broke the silence as her sister approached her with a smile.

“No, you shouldn’t have” Nessa held her older sister’s hand and smiled at her. “Today is…”

“The start of your new life” Elphaba smiled. “New friends, new books…potentially Her” Elphaba smiled as she looked at the marvelous building with a downcasted expression “I’m excited for you”

“I’ll miss you.” Nessa replied, holding Elphaba’s hand tighter, making her look at her with a smile.

“No you won’t” She smiled “You’ll be having too good of a time.” Nessa giggled as the bell rang.

“ALL NEW SHIZ STUDENTS PLEASE REPORT BACK TO THE COURT”

As the governor of Munchkinland went to push his daughter’s chair both of them quickly jumped.

“Don’t help me.”

“Don’t help her.” As both sisters shared one last smile, Elphaba added “She’ll be fine:” The governor sighed and kissed the top of his youngest head before she took off with the other students. “We should head back.” Elphaba added but the governor’s gaze followed his daughter in a daze.

“Go with her”

“What?”

“Until she’s safely settled in her room, make sure she has everything she needs.”

“Father she’s on her own–”

“Just stop jabbering and do as I say!” He interrupted, angered. “If anything should happen to her…” Elphaba looked at her worried father then at her sister wheeling herself away with a group of people and she sighed before following after her. Just as she made it to the courtyard the speeches were finalizing with the presentation of the dean of sorcery studies.

Every student clapped and got up excitedly as Madam Morrible walked between them with a smile, making her way toward the podium, as Boq tried to look over the other students shoulders his gaze met Nessa’s who smiled at him back as he made a ‘can you believe this?’ face.

“OH MY GOODNESS IT’S REALLY HER–THAT MEANS…AAAAH!! ” Galinda screeched, hitting Shenshen’s arm in excitement.

“Welcome new students” Madam Morrible smiled, basking in the students' awe and admiration. “and congratulotions for having been accepted into Shiz. Whether you’ll be studying law, logic or linguification. I know I speak for my fellow faculty members when I say we have nothing but the highest hopes for… some of you” Nervous laughter broke around the students. “ Now, before Miss Coddle assigns the rooms. I know some of you have read on the news or even had the pleasure to meet Oz’s newest witch, who as you may know is learning and perfecting her sorcery under me. So, if everyone is so kind as to head back to the docks and give our special newest student, our gift from above. Give a warm welcome to… The Good Witch of Oz.” 

The uproar between the students was immediate as they ran en masse towards the docks as horns blared from afar. Elphaba caught Nessa rolling her way towards the docks and followed her, Boq had been one of the few that took off immediately once ‘Good’ had been uttered and Galinda, had screeched and ran followed by Phanne and Shenshen. She quickly met with Boq there, as both pushed to be in the first row, he stopped and looked at her with red ears.

“Oh hi again! I didn’t know—”

The horns blared again, deeper, closer, echoing across the water and into the students' hearts. Galinda shoved Boq aside so hard he stumbled into another student and both almost fell into the water. “Move,” she snapped. “She 's here!.” Boq barely had time to register the sting before the docks erupted in cheer.

The water shimmered under the grand emerald boat, fishes followed the boats in a parade of glittering scales and graceful colors,  golden accents in the green structure as a big ‘OZ’ was painted on its side, emerald and pale silver-blue banners unfurled as the music from the parade of boats thundered as they glided in formation, magic rippling across their wakes like living light.

The students screamed.

“The Good Witch!”

“OH MY OZ I LOVE YOU!!”

“She’s SO GOOD!!”

At the center of it all, standing far too small for all the spectacle, in the biggest main boat were you, with your green uniform, hair in a pretty hairstyle with white flowers stark against (h/c) hair, decorating it and giving you a heavenly aura, hands clasped tight in front of you like you might be torn apart if you didn’t hold yourself together.

“Oh no,” you murmured in panicked embarrassment once you saw the crowd gathered to greet you at the dock. “He didn’t.”

But indeed, the Wizard had.

Galinda surged forward, elbowing and pushing mercilessly. “I was here first,” she hissed, shoving a student dangerously close to the edge. “Careful—don’t make me choose violence!” Students scrambled, desperately, clawing for position.Photographers risked their cameras for the perfect picture of the Good Witch for tomorrow's issue of their magazine.

Nessarose leaned forward, breath shallow and starry eyed. “It 's her, She kept her promise…” While Elphaba stared, she couldn’t help but stare when you were around, she could feel more clearly how the air around you felt different, not loud like Galinda nor sharp with ambition like most of the students there. Your presence was anchoring for her and something in her chest loosened painfully 

‘So that’s what goodness looks like’, she thought with a smile, her cheeks warm and flushed.

The parade finally ended as your boat docked, Chistery and his brothers made two lines so you could get down safely without being tackled, the emerald guards undocked your bags and truck as you stepped for the first time onto Shiz soil.

Galinda broke through first, pink stark against a crowd of navy blue, practically vibrating with excitement. “It’s you,” she breathed, eyes shining. “You look even prettier than before!”

You blinked, startled but you could recognize that energy anywhere so you smiled with unmistakable relief. “Galinda,” you said warmly. “You’re here!”

That was all it took for Galinda to surge forward, the recognition in your eyes, you remembered her, she mattered to you… Galinda grabbed your hands, squeezing them hard as Chistery and his apes showed her their fangs in a display of aggression. “I’m not letting you out of my sight,” she declared, ignoring them. “These crowds…They’ll eat you alive!! You’re too kind, too good!”

You laughed nervously, flinching slightly from how tight Galinda’s hold was on your hands. “I was hoping to just… attend classes??”

Galinda laughed loudly before she leaned in, voice low, fierce and thrilled. “Not a chance.”

From the side, on the border of falling into the water, Boq stared with a sinking heart. Nessa watched, lips pressed thin and eyebrows furrowed in quiet jealousy; meanwhile Elphaba felt her magic stir curious, protective but all wrong. Around them all, the magic in Shiz roared because the Good Witch had arrived, and every one of them, whether they knew it yet or not, had already decided that you would not belong to the Wizard anymore.

As the guards carried your luggage to your room, your monkey army accompanied you towards the courtyard, shielding you from eager hands and ambitious words, except the pink menace that had latched onto you much to Chistery’s chagrin. Dorm assignment day at Shiz was usually dramatic as Miss Coddle called out the assigned wings, lists unfurling and showing the arrangements. This year, it was war.

The Great Hall buzzed with anxious energy as names shimmered onto parchment, students craning their necks and already negotiating alliances. Galinda stood at the very front, posture immaculate, smile bright, already rehearsing disappointment she did not intend to feel when their late incorporation (aka you) ended rooming with her out of lack of more rooms.

All right, she told herself calmly. I can share. I am magnanimous. I am adaptable.

Her gaze flicked—found you standing slightly apart, hands clasped, looking overwhelmed by the sheer volume of attention you were receiving from the crowd around you albeit circled by the monkeys who kept anyone who dared to step too close away, the students asked questions or just plain gawked like you were about to perform a trick.

With her, Galinda amended instantly. I can share with her.

The parchment shifted as her brown eyes caught her own name.

‘GALINDA UPLAND — SUITE A, WEST TOWER.’

 Cheers from Phanne and Shenshen which Galinda accepted graciously, turning just in time to see your name appear—

“(Y/N) GALE — EMERALD SUITE.”

The crowd fell into an unsettling silence that quickly morphed into chaos. Galinda’s smile froze, eyes burning through the parchment as if it would answer her deepest questions.

“Emerald… Suite?” Phanne repeated faintly.

“That’s not a student dorm...” Someone else added

“That’s—”

“Reserved.” All the eyes fell back to you, imposing and curious, you tried to look smaller but with a fixed look from Morrible, you fixed your posture to a more dignified one. The silence was suddenly interrupted by Galinda’s laughter.

Actual full belly, not practiced for hours on end, laugher.

“Oh!” she said brightly, clapping once and dabbing a tear away from her eye. “That’s adorable. Very ceremonial. Obviously temporary.” She turned to you, already moving closer enough to loop her arms through yours as Chistery glared menacingly. “Don’t worry, we’ll switch. I mean—who would want to live alone?”

You blinked, confused. “Alone?”

Miss Coodle cleared her throat. “This suite has been… prepared. Per instruction.” The words per instruction echoed too loudly in the silence as Galinda’s nails dug into your uniform jacket.

“Instruction from who?” she asked sweetly but with the confidence of someone who had never been denied anything.

Miss Coodle hesitated, but Galinda’s piercing brown gaze broke her weak confidence. “The Wizard.”

The courtyard tilted sideways for Galinda as the words echoed in her ears, a warm unpleasant feeling rose from her chest up to her head, clouding her brain and obscuring her eyesight. Seeing how their friend had become unreactive, Phanne and Shenshen quickly ran to her side, trying to calm her and bring her back from her dark place. As Galinda’s brown eyes focused she saw her friend's worried gaze, then yours– worried as well, eyebrows furrowed in worry and as she focused on you, you gifted her a heartmelting sweet smile. Galinda stepped closer to you again, voice low and urgent, worried.

“This is a mistake,” she said. “You shouldn’t be isolated. People will resent you.”

“I didn’t ask for this,” You replied quietly. “I thought I’d be with everyone else.” Galinda’s smile twitched at your innocence.

‘He’s keeping her under his watch’, she realized. ‘Even here… And she doesn’t even realize it yet.’

“Well,” Galinda said, looping her arm through your’s possessively, “We’ll just have endless sleepovers!!”

The Wizard’s influence pulsed invisibly through the room as Miss Coodle coughed again. “The Emerald Suite is… protected. Entry is restricted.”

Galinda’s grip tightened on your arm. “Restricted,” she repeated. “From me?”

“I’m afraid—”

Gently and sensing the argument brewing you disengaged from the blonde, cheeks flushed. “It’s all right, Galinda. I’ll visit. I promise.”

Galinda nodded, too quickly, too effusive.“Of course,” she said. “You’ll come to me.”

Her eyes flicked to the staircase leading upward, calculating distances, schedules, access points. ‘If I can’t live with her’, she thought, heart racing, ‘then I’ll make sure she never feels alone.’

“Galinda are you ok–” Phanne had started to ask but Galinda’s gaze caught movement from the rear of her eye. Madam Morrible walked away after whispering something in your ear, Galinda unwillingly left your side– although it was for the greater good, attending the sorcery seminar with you!

Across the hall, Nessa clutched her assignment parchment, face pale when she felt the comforting presence of her older sister.

“Elphaba,” she whispered, heartbroken, “they put her in one of the main towers, above the water.”

Elphaba frowned as her hands rested on her sister’s shoulders. “That’s… deliberate.” She felt it then, the same pressure she’d felt upon your arrival. Like a hand closing around a thread, forebonding.

Boq stared at the Emerald Suite listing, his stomach sinking to his feet. ‘She’s too far’, he thought. ‘I won’t even pass her door…’

As the guards finished dropping your bags, they said goodbye to you, so you went to see your guards off and bid them farewell. Each ape of your monkey army came to hug you goodbye as you called them by their name, the last to say goodbye was Chistery, who looked at you with yellow eyes full of concern and worry. You kneeled in front of him and hugged him close, his arms hugged you back tight to his armored chest.

“I promise I’ll be okay, Chistery” You mumbled into his ear. “ I’ll write, promise and I’ll be safe!” 

Chistery closed his eyes and purred, the sound rumbling and anchoring. “If you need… assistance. Tell… me.” Chistery’s voice rough with disuse made you smile, as far as you had been in Oz, Chistery had only spoken to you, and truly that made you feel special.

“I promise I will.” You smiled, tears gathering in your lashes as one of Chistery’s fingers softly wiped them away. “We’ll see each other soon, I promise.”

“I… Know” Chistery smiled sadly as he gave you a final tight hug. “I’ll… miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too, Chistery.” You smiled as the ape separated from the hug and joined his brothers, who had been watching the interaction, giving orders once the ramp was lifted. You stayed in the dock, seeing the boats disappear. Chistery stood watching your figure become smaller and the worry in his heart grew, he had seen the hunger on those students, their greed. He just wished you’d won’t be fooled by the system, and as you waved at him, he waved back with a small smile. He was sure you wouldn’t fall for the trap of power, and would soon see through the lies you had been fed.

Once the boats were so far they were just a dot into the horizon, you joined everyone else in the courtyard, students were being attended and given the keys to their room, as you looked around you saw Boq dragging his trunk and you waved at him with a bright smile, which made the redheaded boy blush bright red to his ears and he dropped his trunk onto his foot, making you wince from the sheer jump the poor guy made. Mouthing a silent ‘ sorry!’Boq simply waved his pain away and smiled back at you, mouthing back a ‘see you later!’ as he grabbed his trunk again and kept the route to his room.Everything seemed orderly, you thought as an attendant gave you a green and gold keychain with a gold key, giving the attendant a thankful smile your gaze swept the sea of students and you found Nessa with Elphaba by her side. As you were about to approach them the order in the yard shattered the moment Miss Coddle tried to move Nessa against her wishes and complains, dismissing her autonomy. Nessa’s wheeled chair, that had been perfectly still moments before, jerked sharply to the side as if yanked by an invisible hand and a collective gasp tore through the students gathered around. “Nessa—! Let her go!” Elphaba’s voice cracked, her hand outstretched without her meaning to. Her breath came too fast and her heart was hammering with something hot and violent and old—something she had spent her entire life being told to bury.

Suddenly the chair fled, as did all the student’s books and benches. Not smoothly, it scraped against the stone floor, shrieked, then rose several inches into the air. Nessa clutched the armrests, eyes wide, torn between fear and surprise..

“Elphaba!” Nessa begged. “Stop this at once!”

Elphaba tried, she truly did. But her panic fed the magic, and the magic fed her panic. The chair spun slowly at first towards Elphaba’s side before slamming back down, landing perfectly upright, aligned, steady with Elphaba’s hands in the handles.

Silence fell like a dropped curtain.

Madame Morrible, looking from above, smiled wide, turning around she walked down the steps and suddenly laughed with unmistakable delight.

Both Thropp sisters stared at the scared students, trembling, Elphaba’s gaze looked for you, who weren’t looking at her in fright or disgust, but rather you were looking at the boulder that fell, revealing a mosaic of animals in togas. Then your (e/c) eyes locked onto hers, surprising Elphaba, you smiled at her– positively beamed at her, impressed by her power and Elphaba had never felt so warm and fuzzy inside.

“This was my chance” Nessa wheeled herself to Elphaba’s side, interrupting her thoughts and breaking her eye contact with you, and as she looked at her upset sister all the glee she had felt from your visible approval went down the drain. “my new start”

“I’m sorry Nessa, I–” Unwilling to hear more, Nessa turned her chair around and left a deflated Elphaba behind. All eyes turned from Elphaba as she stood frozen, skin green as ever but now faintly pale, breath shallow, eyes shining with horror at what she had done. She hadn’t meant to show them, she hadn’t meant to show anyone.

 “ Magic is merely the mind's attempt to wrap itself around the impossible.” Madam Morrible waltzed on the courtyard, claiming all the student body's attention. “Yes, That was me!” Sounds of awe and surprise broke all around “To prepare you to expect the unexpected here at Shiz.” People started clapping as Morrible made her way towards her, slyly. 

“Did you visually see that??” Galinda asked her friends, then looked at you, just in time to see how you smiled impressed at Elphaba, a sting of envy pierced her heart. “I simply must get into her seminar!” She mumbled before walking around upturned benches to get to Madam Morrible.

“And speaking of the unexpected” she said, gliding towards the frozen Elphaba. “Now. She will require accommodations. Which of you would volunteer to share a room with–” As Galinda climbed and tripped over the obstacles in her way she finally made it to her destination as Madam Morrible asked,  the blonde still flushed from the earlier chaos, still riding the high of your arrival, felt her pulse spike:

A volunteer to share a room.

Her mind filled in the blanks instinctively, catastrophically towards your presence in the edge of the crowd.

Of course it was for (y/n) Gale, The Good Witch of Oz.

The Wizard wouldn’t leave you alone, Galinda argued. He was always arranging things when it came to you, always deciding what was “best” for you. And now…now he was trying to place her with someone else without even asking Galinda—

No. Absolutely not.

Galinda’s hand shot into the air so fast she nearly knocked over the last bench she had jumped.

“I will!” she said brightly, stepping forward before Morrible could finish her sentence.“I mean—obviously. I have plenty of space, and I’m very generous, and I think it’s important to support—” Galinda stopped in her tracks because Morrible was looking at her… strangely.

“…Support whom, exactly?” Morrible asked with a raised eyebrow.

Galinda blinked. “Well, Her.”  She gestured vaguely in your direction, already imagining you in her suite, brushing her hair in your shared mirror, braiding your hair, confiding in her, choosing her over everyone else.

Morrible followed the gesture…To Elphaba.

There was a beat, then another and the realization hit Galinda like a slap in the face.

“Oh,” she said, softly. “Oh.”

Behind her, laughter rippled; cruel, relieved, eager students whispering among themselves as Elphaba’s shoulders tensed in defense.

Morrible’s smile sharpened. “How… magnanimous of you, Miss Upland.”

Galinda’s face burned. She never volunteered for things like this. Not without benefit, not without total control of the situation. But she had thought— She had thought it was for you, and that alone told her something deeply, terrifyingly important about herself she still wasn't ready to accept. “Madame Morrible– um”.

“Thank you, dear” Morrible smiled at Galinda, who looked at the older woman confused. “That it’s truly very good of you.” Her eyes turned towards the black haired woman. “ Miss...?”

“Elphaba,” she answered with a small smile.

Morrible repeated her name out loud as she looked appreciatively at Elphaba’s potential. “ You can room with Miss Galinda”

“What–I– What?”

Galinda let out a few moans of despair but Morrible would not hear any of it. “Now go. All of you, go!” Elphaba’s stomach dropped, this was the thing she had secretly wanted her entire life, acceptance, control over her magic but suddenly it felt like a trap snapping shut behind her.

Across campus in the suite prepared with (f/c) silk drapes and fresh flowers, you stood at the window, watching the sun dip in the horizon, the oranges and pinks reflecting beautifully in the water below. You had begun to feel it again, that strange tightening in the air, like threads were being pulled and quietly rearranging themselves around— trapping you. Pressing a hand to your chest to calm your anxiety, feeling uneasy and unaware that in another hall entirely, obsessions were simmering.

Galinda did not cry, crying was messy, crying left marks. Instead, she closed the doors of her suite, dismissed her friends with a laugh too bright to question and stood very still in the center of the room while the silence settled around her like a prison sentence. The suite was beautiful, pale pink silks, fresh flowers, mirrors placed at just the right angles and furniture set perfectly all around.

Mirrors.

The blonde approached one slowly, as always the girl looking back at her was flawless. Golden hair pinned just so, pink lips curved into a smile that had carried her through a thousand situations and bent rooms to her will. “Idiot,” Galinda whispered.

Her reflection didn’t flinch. She replayed it again, that moment. The hand in the air,the certainty in her chest.

I will. Not 'may I'. Not 'perhaps'.

I will.

Her fingers curled against the edge of her vanity. She had wanted you in her rooms so bad, not as a guest nor as a courtesy but as something hers. The thoughts bloomed again, uninvited and unshakeable: you brushing your hair at Galinda’s mirror, you laughing at her jokes, you begging her to share a bed after a bad dream, always choosing Galinda first, every time.

Galinda’s breath hitched as she realized, when had that happened? This morning, she’d told herself she admired the Good Witch. Everyone did, it was natural for everyone in Oz. You were radiant, gracious, kind, good and chosen by the Wizard himself. But admiration doesn’t make your pulse jump when your name is spoken, Galinda realized, admiration didn’t make you shove students into the water to stand closer, to be seen first. Admiration didn’t make you humiliate yourself in front of Madame Morrible and the whole study body of Shiz because the idea of someone else having you felt— Unacceptable.

Galinda sat down hard on the edge of the bed as she pressed her hands together, nails biting into her palms. “She’s not yours,” her reflection in one of her many mirrors said, the words felt thin  and cutting like glass.“She doesn’t even know you.”

That was the worst realization she had had, because Galinda always knew how to make people know her. It was a skill crafted to perfection, a certainty by now. And yet you had arrived wrapped in parades and the Wizard’s gaze, already placed beyond Galinda’s reach — in your own suite, in your own orbit.

Chosen.

Galinda laughed softly, a brittle sad sound. Of course the Wizard would do that, if she were he, she’d do the same. Of course he would make her untouchable. A dangerous thought crept in then, unwelcomed and sharp: ‘What if she leaves?’ Not Shiz– but Oz. 

What if when you finished whatever role you were meant to play, you simply… went somewhere Galinda could not follow? The blonde’s lips trembled violently. No, no, she would not be left behind. She had never been left behind.

She rose, smoothing her dress, reclaiming her posture inch by inch. If you could not be brought into her space, then Galinda would insert herself into yours. Become the most useful, be dazzling, be indispensable. Be the one you turned to when the Wizard’s shadow felt too heavy, be the voice that soothed, the presence that stayed, the support you needed. 

Galinda looked at her reflection again, really looked. Her eyes were too bright, too hungry with intent even after being reddened and wet by tears. “…I just want to be close,” she told the girl in the mirror, as if offering a reasonable explanation but the reflection just smiled back that didn’t truly reach her eyes. Somewhere deep inside, beneath the silk, money and charisma, something ugly and possessive coiled tighter, already rehearsing ways to make sure that if you were to choose anyone at Shiz…You would choose Galinda.

ᴺᵒʷ ᴾˡᵃʸᶦⁿᵍ ... 'ᵂʰᵃᵗ ⁱˢ ᵗʰⁱˢ ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍ' ᴵⁿˢᵗʳᵘᵐᵉⁿᵗᵃˡ | [▶︎]

The suite door flew open with a sharp, inevitable motion as Elphaba stepped inside, cloak damp from the journey, eyes alert and already braced for rejection. Galinda, mid-spin in front of her mirror, froze. The room seemed to recoil and for a heartbeat neither of them spoke. Galinda turned slowly, taking in the green skin, the severe posture, the utter lack of apology for existing.

“Oh,” she said, blinking once. “You’re… here.”

Elphaba lifted her chin. “Apparently.”

Galinda’s smile snapped into place, polite, radiant and fake. “How wonderful. I didn’t realize Madame Morrible meant this kind of arrangement.”

Elphaba glanced around the suite, the silks, the mirrors, the endless clothes and trunks. The space was cluttered in a way that screamed ownership. “So this is where I’m staying,” she said flatly. “Good to know. Where am I supposed to put my things?”

Galinda laughed, sharp and musical. “Staying is such an optimistic word… But I saved you some space!” She guided Elphaba to the far corner, behind tall trunks and rows of dresses, to a modest mattress with a small note. “Enjoy!”

Elphaba glared at Galinda, and although they knew nothing about the other, from the first second it was war. Everything Elphaba did irritated Galinda on principle, the way she set her bag down without asking, the way she surveyed the room as if it were neutral territory instead of a shrine to Galinda’s existence, how she moved her things without asking—

And everything Galinda did felt calculated to Elphaba, every smile felt too precise, every movement too rehearsed and designed to be watched, all too artificial, too sugary sweet. They circled each other verbally, trading barbs disguised as manners. As Galinda criticized Elphaba’s clothing, Elphaba pointed out Galinda’s voice and each comment landed like a spark between them. Galinda fluffed pillows with unnecessary aggression while Elphaba reorganized books that were not even hers. The tension escalated until it became almost theatrical, exaggerated petty reactions, dramatic sighs, muttered complaints delivered just loudly enough to be heard.

The simultaneous realization struck true. ‘I cannot stand her.’ It wasn’t simple dislike, but something more visceral, immediate and absolute.

Galinda felt it lodge in her chest like an offense against nature. This green girl disrupted the order of things, she didn’t want to be admired, didn’t even perform gratitude. She simply… existed  and somehow the world bent around her the way Galinda wanted it to bend around her.

Meanwhile Elphaba felt it like an itch under her skin. The blonde represented everything shallow and performative about Oz. She smiled instead of listening, floated around what benefited her instead of standing up for anything.

They spoke over each other now, voices rising, complaints piling up, each trying to outdo the other. Galinda gestured wildly while Elphaba snapped back without hesitation, their words overlapped, colliding, mirroring themselves clearly. Just two opposite forces discovering with horrified clarity that they were trapped together.

Galinda threw her hands up. “This is unbearable.”

Elphaba nodded. “At least we agree on something.” Silence followed her statement as Galinda turned away with a huff, climbing dramatically onto her bed as if claiming high ground while Elphaba crossed her arms, jaw tight and rolling her eyes at the childish behaviour.

Galinda laid back, staring at the ceiling, heart racing. ‘I hate her’, she told herself fiercely.  ‘I hate her, I hate her, IhateherIhateherIhateherIhateher’

Elphaba sat rigid in her chair, pulse pounding. ‘I will not let her define me or ruin this opportunity for me’.

That night, once everyone had settled into their rooms, quietness had settled like a blanket over Shiz. Galinda sat on her perfectly arranged bed, surrounded by the dozens of pink trunks cluttering the room, staring at the small lighted space in the corner, where Elphaba was reading. Galinda imagined you there—laughing, allowing her to brush your hair, talking to her and the image hurt her deeply. “He doesn’t get to decide this,” Galinda whispered to herself, turning over in her bed so the light wouldn’t bother her eyes. “He doesn’t understand her like I do, nor can get to know her like I can.” She stood abruptly sitting on her bed and smoothing her hair.

“If she has a room all to herself,” she concluded softly, “then someone has to make sure she doesn’t get lonely.” Galinda smiled like the Cheshire cat as she let herself fall into her plump pillows again, hugging one close to her chest as she started to scheme a way to get to you. Elphaba looked above her book towards the blonde girl giggling towards herself and kicking her legs with a raised eyebrow.

Far above, in a suite that gleamed too brightly, under silk covers you twisted and turned, unable to sleep in the unknown bed. The room felt too big and unknown, you felt nervous and tired but unable to fall asleep.Since arriving at Shiz, you had felt unmistakably watched. 

Meanwhile in the Emerald City, the Wizard slept better than he had in weeks.

ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴜᴇᴅ...