WICKED WITCH OF THE EAST.

#𝘜𝘕𝘌𝘓𝘌𝘊𝘛𝘌𝘋𝘖𝘍𝘍𝘐𝘊𝘐𝘈𝘓 -- independent and selective nessarose thropp, aka the wicked witch of the east of wicked the musical as written and loved by carly ( she / her , 18 )

CARRD || INTEREST CHECKER || PROMO || ROSALIE

                  pink   cheeks   .   poor   thing’s   embarrassed   .   or   ashamed   .   perhaps   ,   she   sees   through   this   front   her   family   seems   to   put   up   (   no   family   whose   father   is   a   minister   is   normal   )   .   

                  victorine   wanted   to   marry   once   .   a   specific   young   gentleman   .   a   human   .   her   father   would   never   permit   it   .   &   he   didn’t   .   perhaps   ,   that   was   apart   of   the   attraction   to   matthew   .   a   human   &   a   vampire   .   love   that   cannot   be   .   for   good   reason.   

                  ❝   but   if   your   father   does   not   approve   -   what   then   ?   do   you   break   off   the   affair   or   do   you   keep   the   flame   alive   ?   ❞   head   tilts   into   a   more   imposing   position   .   as   if   she   is   interrogating   the   girl   .   this   is   hardly   an   interrogation   .   victorine   has   been   interrogated   more   times   than   she   can   count   &   this   was   far   from   those   experiences   .   she   is   simply   questioning   the   girl   .   understanding   her   .   she   wants   to   understand   the   human   race   ,   after   all   .   how   else   they   can   hurt   her   people   .   ❝   i   am   experienced   ,   dear   ,   i   know   it’s   bound   to   happen   .   ❞

                  this   sister   she   talks   of   -   is   she   mad   ?   a   bit   different   is   a   perfect   way   to   describe   such   an   social   outcast   .   something   is   off   about   her   .   ❝   although   your   father   believes   it   is   your   sister’s   fault   for   your   mother’s   death   ,   do   you   love   her   still   ?   ❞

A GRIMACE CROSSED ELSA'S FACE AT the comment, her head only just not bobbing in agreement. Ever since the coronation, she had been taking up lessons to catch up on some of the social skills her isolated childhood had left her without, and unfortunately that had included dancing. And given she was not yet confident enough to join the other guests on the dance floor, she remained off to the side as she had always done.

"I tend to hope for some engaging conversation at least," she said, tucking a few more strands of hair up into the braided bun that was piled upon her head. Her dress for the evening was upon a mannequin at her side, ready to be the finishing touch. Perhaps doing her own hair was still a holdover of a time when she would allow no one to touch her, but she still preferred it. At least if she got poked in the head with a pin it was her own fault.

"Although I must admit to not being the most enthusiastic party-goer," she admitted, turning in her seat. "I tend to leave that to my sister, who I can only assume is bouncing off the walls of her room."

She left a brief pause, her eyes resting on the delicate white silk gloves that reminded her so much of those of her youth. Anna had asked if she felt up to wearing them, and it almost felt odd how little she was bothered by the idea.

"You know, you needn't come if you'd prefer not to," she said softly, turning back to Nessarose. "I would much rather you enjoy this visit than feel like you have to attend events you dislike."

AIR TORE THROUGH HER THROAT WITH each heaving breath. Magic swirled around her hands, delicate light duplicated in her eyes as the storm finally washed through her. Ice and snow clung to all around her, beautiful as it was dangerous. Rarely did the results of her magic look natural, now it was unnerving how unlike the actual winter it appeared.

Elsa turned to face the source of the words, her shoulders finally lowering at the sight of Nessarose. Her hands, while still stiff, slowly dropped to her sides. Standing still, she took a few shuddering breaths through her nose as she looked at the assembled students around them, the shocked and even frightened faces held there. A few cringed as her gaze swept over them, and a small smile of satisfaction lifted the corners of her mouth. Elsa had always dreaded the day her peers would look at her with fear in their eyes, and yet at that moment she felt vindicated.

Straightening her spine, she walked to Nessa’s side, the crunch of fresh snow under her shoes as familiar as breathing.

“Let them whisper about a new subject for a while,” she murmured, her heart still aching at the loss of her friend. She couldn’t imagine how Nessarose was dealing with Elphaba’s disappearance.

      she knows the portrait is smeared with blood . only the corner , it was hardly noticeable to the judge . an act of defiance , a rebellion . she would not be his ! she wanted to cry . johanna would never be . yet she was trapped in his fist . stricken down at the first step .    

     every girl wanted a beautiful wedding . white , frilly , flowered . weddings were beautiful . it was a pity the first one johanna ever attended was her own . & she knows how that was . she had nothing to compare it to .  

     ❝it sounds beautiful .❞& johanna wishes she can be there for this imaginary wedding . though she does not know if the judge will allow her . it took him catching her with a bottle of arsenic nearing her lips for him to allow this one visit .❝we will have to find you the perfect dress , then . one that works for an inside wedding & for one outdoors .❞

     a shaky hand reaches for the drawer , fingers crease the first paper inside . nessa deserves a better look of her wedding , since it seems she is close to having her own . not the blood stained wedding day johanna knows . the sketch was for the artist , but it was left behind when the frame containing the actual painted portrait was dropped off .❝this is the sketch the artist drew as a reference , ’ johanna whispers , ‘ if you want to see it .❞

     her expression is blank . eyes are empty of the sadness she saw in the mirror that day . the artist did her a service . johanna did not look sad . merely empty . her small frame compared to the judge’s made her look like a mouse caught by a cat . she hates looking at it . it is only another reminder .❝would you like your portrait to be painted for your wedding , too ?❞

                  it   is   her   first   time   at   the   opera   .   a   rite   of   passage   for   girls   her   age   ,   though   her   own   childhood   was   far   from   the   typical   one   of   most   anyone   else   .   she   should   be   more   excited   .   there   is   no   reason   for   all   of   her   nervousness   .   

                  perhaps   ,   it   is   the   crowds   surrounding   them   .   they   are   overwhelming   .   not   to   the   point   of   intense   anxiety   ,   but   they   did   not   help   .   her   right   leg   bounces   up   &   down   lightly   ,   shaking   the   arm   holding   the   program   .   

                  a   nod   .   gentle   ,   slow   at   first   ,   but   soon   it   quickens   .   ❝   oh   ,   yes   .   ❞   once   the   actual   performance   starts   ,   it   will   distract   her   from   any   silly   worries   she   might   have   had   .   ❝   it’s   both   our   first   times   actually   here   ,   ❞   she   adds   ,   ❝   you   must   be   just   bursting   with   excitement   since   you   seem   to   know   more   about   the   opera   than   i   do   .   ❞

                  eyes   are   directed   at   the   pink   cake   her   friend   refers   to   .   a   work   of   art   in   itself   ,   it   seems   to   only   get   prettier   upon   closer   inspection   .   she   has   to   agree   with   johanna   .   blown   away   &   overwhelmed   at   the   shop   ,   she   finds   herself   hardly   able   to   steady   herself   .   it’s   magical   ,   of   course   ,   but   it   gives   one   the   feeling   of   starting   a   book   for   the   first   time   .   confused   until   more   worldbuilding   is   established   .   

                  ❝   is   that   alright   with   you   ?   ❞   it   seems   alright   ,   but   a   wave   of   hesitation   rolls   over   johanna   .   she   was   excited   to   make   this   a   special   day   for   her   friend   .   a   birthday   !   such   a   day   was   rarely   celebrated   in   the   judge’s   household   .   never   ,   actually   .   &   she   knows   her   friend   endured   a   growing   -   up   a   little   too   close   to   the   one   johanna   did   .   she   knows   birthdays   are   special   .   they   should   be   treated   as   such   .   

                  a   finger   graces   her   lips   before   saying   ,   ❝   we   will   get   the   cake   -   if   that’s   what   you   want   -   &   then   i   think   perhaps   a   break   ?   i   don’t   want   to   overwhelm   you   .   we   can   do   anything   you   want   to   do   .   ❞

                  she   wants   to   say   it   only   took   one   look   &   she   was   desperately   &   hopelessly   in   love   .   that   no   force   on   earth   could   tear   them   apart   .   johanna   tells   herself   it   was   at   first   sight   ,   first   sight   ,   first   sight   !   again   &   again   .   though   she   does   remember   that   moment   .   as   it   was   .   feelings   of   hopelessness   ,   frustration   ,   melancholy   burning   in   her   chest   ,   knowing   she   could   not   escape   her   situation   .   but   eyes   fell   upon   a   loving   look   .   infatuation   .   kindness   .   it   was   all   there   in   his   eyes   .   there   was   a   path   out   of   this   darkness   -   &   it   was   him   .   anthony   hope   .   she   wants   to   say   her   heart   sang   the   way   her   birds   did   ,   but   her   birds   did   not   sing   .   

                  anthony   tells   her   ,   whispers   it   into   her   loose   locks   of   gold   when   they   are   laying   in   bed   at   night   ,   that   he   loved   her   at   their   very   first   glance   .   that   moment   of   breathlessness   of   joy   of   wonder   .   excitement   !   everything   was   there   .   &   johanna   always   hesitates   -   only   for   a   mere   second   -   because   she   knows   it   was   not   the   same   ,   but   she   cannot   disappoint   anthony   .   her   husband   .   johanna   is   in   love   with   him   .   that   is   not   the   lie   .   she   adores   him   with   every   fiber   of   her   being   .   but   the   moment   she   fell   in   love   was   the   moment   he   took   her   gentle   hand   ,   looking   into   her   eyes   (   her   eyes   !   no   one   actually   looked   into   her   eyes   before   )   &   told   her   be   not   afraid   .   in   that   moment   ,   she   knew   .   

                  the   gentlest   of   laughs   ,   more   of   a   euphoric   sigh   ,   leaves   her   lips   as   she   nods   .   ❝   i’ve   never   felt   more   .   .   .   ❞   words   drift   off   .   a   hand   lands   on   her   chest   ,   as   if   to   cradle   her   heart   .   ❝   free   .   i   was   looking   out   my   window   &   there   he   was   .   &   he   looked   into   my   eyes   .   i   looked   into   his   .   .   .   the   moment   was   too   powerful   to   even   comprehend   .   ❞   nessa   said   she   did   not   mind   her   rambles   ,   but   even   still   ,   johanna   hesitates   to   continue   talking   about   herself   .   ❝   how   did   you   know   you   were   in   love   with   boq   ?   was   it   love   at   first   sight   ,   too   ?   or   perhaps   ,   you   were   friends   first   ?   ❞

Seamus was no expert on the area — but he was someone who picked up directions quickly. A day or two wandering around, and he could at least pretend that he was supposed to be there.

" I'm afraid I can't help you if I don't know who your sister is, " he says with a lighthearted chuckle. " Where are you heading ? I might be able to help, if you'd like me to. "

Approaching, he offers out a polite hand. " Name's Seamus; and, you are ? "

                  head   moves   in   a   knowing   nod   .   fathers   did   tend   to   be   that   way   .   while   their   children   longed   for   something   (   whether   that   be   an   extra   treat   or   to   go   explore   the   city   )   ,   they   say   they   know   what’s   best   for   their   children   &   dismiss   it   .   cosette   would   never   dream   of   not   having   her   papa   -   him   finding   her   at   that   inn   was   the   best   thing   that   ever   happened   to   her   !   but   she   can   understand   nessa’s   father   being   more   reluctant   to   the   idea   .   ❝   once   a   week   does   seem   like   a   good   alternative   .   ❞   her   smile   hints   of   a   smirk   as   her   face   lights   up   .   ❝   nessarose   thropp   ,   are   you   suggesting   we   borrow   money   from   our   fathers   &   spend   it   on   something   as   silly   as   macaroons   ?   because   i   am   a   full   one   -   hundred   perfect   on   board   with   the   idea   .   ❞

                  as   she   doesn’t   want   to   outright   verbally   insult   anthony’s   friends   ,   she   is   hesitant   to   say   anything   more   .   they   tease   her   ,   whistle   after   her   when   anthony   wasn’t   around   ,   make   the   crudest   jokes   even   in   front   of   her   .   it’s   a   miracle   they   didn’t   rub   off   of   anthony   .   yet   somehow   anthony   hadn’t   rubbed   off   on   them   .   she   nods   .   

                  she   understands   boq   completely   .   part   of   her   is   tempted   to   stage   a   fainting   ,   though   ,   johanna   knows   it   won’t   end   up   in   her   own   favor   .   with   anthony’s   protective   nature   (   a   trait   ,   she   adores   ,   but   in   this   scenero   ,   she   doesn’t   see   it   playing   well   for   her   )   ,   he   will   fetch   the   doctor   &   she   will   have   to   endure   more   tiresome   ordeal   of   having   to   reassure   everyone   that   she   was   fine   .   besides   ,   johanna   was   thankful   for   the   time   she   gets   to   spend   with   nessa   .   between   their   latest   traveling   adventures   &   adjusting   ,   there   hasn’t   been   much   time   .   

                  ❝   you   must   be   enjoying   yourself   ,   then   .   ❞   a   pause   as   johanna   realized   her   statement   didn’t   make   much   sense   at   all   .   she   rushes   to   add   ,   ❝   since   boq   is   here   .   ❞   she   should   have   known   ,   of   course   ,   that   boq   would   take   nessa   .   it   wouldn’t   make   very   much   sense   if   someone   else   besides   anthony   took   johanna   .   ❝   the   two   of   you   are   doing   well   ?   ❞   she   knows   her   words   are   vague   ,   but   she   does   wonder   if   their   relationships   is   doing   as   well   as   nessa   makes   it   seem   .   

HER   SMILE   AND   WORDS   PUT   HIM   AT   EASE,   AT   LEAST   A   LITTLE   BIT.         topher   doesn’t   have   many   friends,   just   as   there   are   not   many   places   he   has   seen   outside   of   his   home   and   school.      and   none   of   his   friends   are   girls.      he   has   never   spoken   much   with   many   young   women,   in   fact.      his   sister   marries   when   he   is   still   very   young,   and   she   moves   to   her   husband’s   kingdom   thereafter.      topher   might   have   worried   over   this   more   than   necessary.      nessarose,   at   least,   hardly   seems   more   intimidating   than   any   other   well-spoken   or   well-born   peer.  

“      where   is   it   that   you   study?      ”            he   asks,   excited   at   finding   a   source   of   commonality   there.      if   he   is   to   make   a   fool   of   himself   talking   of   her   homeland,   perhaps   he   will   not   conversing   of   school.            “      i   have   only   attended   boarding   schools   in   my   life,   and   none   of   them   have   been   near   oz,   i’m   afraid.      ”            and   none   of   them   have   any   girls   in   attendance,   either.      but   topher   doesn’t   explain   that.