#miind-full

Ever since that day after the Ozdust Ballroom, Galinda and Elphaba had been inseparable. Wherever one of them was, the other would quickly follow behind, usually with their hands attached to one another's. The girls could be seen talking, giggling and keeping each other company in the hallways.

And of course, when you are accepted by Galinda, you are accepted by everyone, so friendship was no longer a problem for Elphaba. Even Pfanee and Shenshen seemed to have, at last, accepted her as well. It didn't mean that the three of them got along so well. But for Galinda it almost gave her a sensation of balance. She knew her oldest friends brought the worst out of her, while her newest brought out the best of her and isn't this world all about balance?

Her little trio had grown not into a group of four people, though, but of more. Galinda, Elphaba, Pfanee, Shenshen, Nessarosa, Boq and Fiyero could often be seen around each other, with different variations and more or less people, but usually, that was their little group.

But the two of them, Galinda and Elphaba, were always around one another, whether their other friends were around or not.

Being friends with the green girl had also opened Galinda's eyes to other students at Shiz who seemed to be loners. And while some of them seemed to be lonely by choice, there was one single girl who had always called up Galinda's attention, especially because her hair color and the shape of her teeth told her that she was from Gillikin. And Galinda couldn't help but feel as if it was her duty to do some good for that girl.

So, one day, during lunch time, she approaches her quietly, with Elphaba glued to her as usual, hands attached to one another.

"Hi. Excuse me."

She calls out, hoping that the girl will look up at them and find them friendly. Galinda is always friendly and Elphie... Well, she's working on it, but she's much more approachable now than she used to be.

“It doesn't matter what your name is, everyone loves you.” for Oscar! @miind-full

"Do they?" Since Elphaba's flight he was slowly sinking deeper and despair. What did it matter if he had the power over Oz and the love of the people, if he didn't have Elphaba by his side?

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Elphaba can't contain the shy yet vibrant smile that spreads on her lips at her friend's words. Truly, had she not spent basically the entire night crying along with Glinda while holding her close, she would probably still have more tears to shed from those words alone.

It still feels strange to think of it, to say the least. The idea that all of it is over, that they can all move on with their lives in peace now.

It is a little bittersweet for her, though. It's gonna take a while for Oz to be able to simply accept her back and for a while, she will need to wear a disguise. A glamour that will hide her green skin and show what she would look like if she had ever been degreenified. It feels strange, that something she wanted so much once now feels a little distant from herself.

At the same time, she can finally see something from her mother in herself. Nessa's skin was closer to their father's color, but hers looks just like Melena's. She doesn't remember too much of her mom, but she does remember what her skin looked like for she remembers wishing so badly to look like her, or Frex. Or Nessa once she was born.

So, it is bittersweet.

But here, within the safety of the gardens of the palace, where no one can get in except for whoever Glinda lets in, no disguise is needed. And she can simply be herself.

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She shouldn't be in Glinda's balcony. Not this time. Not before. Not ever.

Yet, she can't keep herself from it. It is risky, it is stupid and most certainly, it is just downright wrong. What does she want here, anyway? She's putting both of them at risk. And she knows she needs to be the one to put a stop to it. It's not like Glinda will. Glinda would never.

Yet, there she is again. Landing at the balcony, at the time they usually meet each other, hiding in the shadows at the same time as she casts a glamour spell to make herself blend with them better, easier. It's not like Glinda needs to see her, she will feel her presence.

Yet, when she catches a glimpse of her petite figure, golden hair cascading down her back, as beautiful as ever, she is not alone. Elphaba's first instinct is to want to float away, but she keeps herself from it as she notices who's with her.

Kelsey.

Kelsey.

It's been so long since Elphaba last saw her. And much like her beloved Glinda — and herself, for that matter — she looks older, more tired, more serious. But there's still a glimpse of the young girl she once knew in her eyes.

She remains in the shadows, like a stray cat who may run away from humans anytime they approach. But when she hears her voice, soft and sing-song and soothing as ever, she finally relaxes a little.

"Elphie? It's alright… You can come out."

She moves away from the shadows slowly, approaching the two girls and allowing herself to be seen in the light, hair wild around her.

Glinda launches herself at her, hugging her tight before she can stop herself. And Elphaba hugs her back, holding her tight back and kissing her head. For someone who lives constantly on the edge, constantly in a fight or flight mode, Glinda's presence seems to be the only thing that can calm her down a little, a light in her world of darkness.

But when she moves away, Elphaba offers the other woman a half smile, slightly shy. If Glinda brought her here, she doesn't think Kelsey believes in any of the lies that are being said about her either, but she's learned to not trust anyone anymore.

Still, she hopes that maybe she didn't lose her friendship. Kelsey had been a really good friend to her back in Shiz. She still held those times they would spend hours studying together in the library or the garden dearly in her heart. Kelsey shared her love for books like no one else did. She missed her dearly.

| Muse: Scarecrow

| Verse: A special rule break for my friend's birthday, Fiyero from Wicked.

| I haven't written Fiyero before so I do apologize if there's some mistakes in his character or if he takes a book lean. Lacasa is a drink in the books that is between Soda and lemonade that is said to be very popular. Also forehead kisses since that's what Scarecrow's shown to do with Scraps in Baum's movie and I refuse to let that go lol.

Happy Birthday my dear friend!! I hope you like this.

•°•°•°•

A rustle of straw was heard down the emerald stone hall, followed by a grunt of annoyance.

Of course, he was grateful for his life, he supposed. But he hated what he'd become. This body was awkward, he had to maneuver straw and cloth to move. He had lost his grace, he'd become clumsy.

These were every day annoyances. And though he had lived in this damnned body for well over a year, he never grew used to it. It didn't help, of course, he couldn't sleep.

Sleep. Rest. A reprieve he could no longer have. Neither could he eat. Or breathe. His nerves, while existing where dulled and relied on thread more then anything.

But nothing could be done about any of this. He'd done the research. It wasn't worth mulling over, least not now. Lurline knew he had plenty of time later, at night, to wallow in self-pity.

But it hadn't completely consumed him. He kept himself busy, being King wasn't such a luxurious position as one would have you believe. There was plenty more to accompany his mind every second.

Besides, he was alive. He had a good life, he'd been lucky. He knew that.

But most importantly, he still had her.

He may be different, Elphaba may have disappeared, Glinda had become secretive, but he still had her. It was this fact, perhaps, he was most grateful for.

He was desperately trying not to make too much noise as he entered the bedroom. His straw stuffing didn't help his attempts, but, with a glance at her sleeping face, he knew he was at least successful at not waking her.

She'd fallen asleep on him the night before. She said he was soft, even with the straw's points. Those times, at night with her snuggling up to him, falling into a restful sleep, safe with him watching over her, were some of the extremely few times he didn't hate his current state as much.

Carefully, he managed to get himself on the edge of their bed. His, gift, in his lap. Somehow not being spilled during the event that was him moving about.

And, he waited. Watching her sleeping form with a slightly, unintentionally eery gaze. He didn't sleep anymore, couldn't, so watching over her sleep had become a common occurrence.

Watching over her. Protecting her. Just like a Scarecrow.

He shrugged this thought off, readjusting himself and glancing towards the window. The sun was coming up, it just an hour more it would break the horizon, creating a beautiful sight to see.

He watched it for about ten minutes before he moved again. It seemed his patience had grown since changing. He sometimes could lose complete track of time in a task.

He looked towards her again, making the movements of a sign with air he could not breathe.

You look desperate.

Or maybe just romantic.

He thought with a smirk. A hand, lazily moving the few flowers that had been set aside on the plate.

He was alert the second she stirred. Eyes, now painted glass orbs, following her every movement.

"Goodmorning Kelsey." He said, voice low and slow, as if he had woken up with her, as if he hadn't been sitting here for over an hour just watching her in a manner what may be considered slightly creepy.

But he smiled, the slightly mischievous smirt appearing a little lopsided on his face now, but somehow, that only made the affect more charming.

He moved forward, soon placing a tray on her lap. Her favorite breakfast had been made on it, with a glass of Lacasa, and some, lilacs resting on the side of the tray.

Being, not very practiced in the art of cooking he'd had a little help, but for the most part this meal he had prepared. It may have shown, but it was edible.

"Breakfast for my queen." He said with a chuckle, placing a kiss on her forehead before moving back, "I made it, as I'm sure you can tell. Happy Birthday my darling."

Said with confidence and pride, and just a bit of self-deprecating humor.

| @miind-full |

| Muse: Scarecrow |

"Come now, friend Kelsey, you're clearly tired, and I can't let you sleep on the floor." Leaning against a tree, he gestured towards the ground floor, "Far too many rocks and too much mud down there to be comfortable, hm? I don't mind, plenty of my dear friends have done this before."

His painted face smiled down at her when she looked up to him, chuckling and giving her a gentle pat on the back when she again stuffed her face into his clothing.

He really was used to the ordeal. Many of the meat people he traveled with had slept on him for the night. He'd take it as a compliment, that being a Scarecrow allowed him to provide such comfort to a friend in need.

He gentle began to caress her hair, trying to lull her to sleep. She seemed so, stressed. Her poor meat brain was working overtime, and she needed to sleep. He didn't need his own amazing brain to tell him that.

He came to with a groan, blinking his eyes multiple times as he attempted to get his bearings about him.

Had he slept for the first time in his life? That would hardly make sense, this spell of Glinda's had yet to make him feel he needed to sleep. Or food, or any other needs meat people needed to tend to that he didn't require, being a Scarecrow.

But yet, he hadn't had an experience like this since he had been turned into one of the Nome King's ornaments, and Billina had changed him back.

And he hadn't had this pounding, unpleasant seams splitting feeling at the back of his head. It was worse then that damn crown being sewn to his head, and it wasn't like when he'd been torn before.

A few more blinks, and he finally realized Kelsey above him. A few more seconds, and he realized what she'd said.

He'd been on a ladder, working on building that odd scare house for the fall festival, shouting at some of the volunteers who had gotten into a bit of a spat over the paint. He'd always been clumsy, perhaps he'd lost his balance. He vaguely remembered the ladder falling back, with him on it, and then...waking up.

"Thank you for the concern my dear, but I am alright." He told her with a smile, slowly starting to sit up, his hand moving to the back of his head as he turned towards her, "But I am much obliged for you checking in on..."

His words had trailed off when he looked at his hand, eyes going wide in alarm.

@miind-full liked for a starter with Oscar Diggs, The Wizard of Oz

The loss of Elphaba ran deeper than Morible thought it did. The sorceress thought it was just the loss of raw talent, of magic that they needed. But for Oscar, there was also the detail of who Elphaba was, her magic aside.

After Elphaba's escape all he had was Galinda and Kelsey two people who knew Elphaba quite intimately, he could work with that.

"Miss Cresswell, good morning." Oscar said turning on the charm that had gotten him by in life.