I'm very excited about this chapter. It is the point where the plot starts to thicken, where the story begins to unfold. Do enjoy. ^ ^

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Wicked, save select memorabilia… much to my dismay.

Chapter Six: Insolence and Interruptions

"Enter." Elphaba strode into the gaudily embellished study, coffee orbs sweeping across the decor as one heavily arched brow rose in dry amusement. 'How predictably garish." The student would have allowed a smirk upon twitching lips had she not been in her present company. Imposing and grave, the Matron swiveled to face her, jade hues fixed; intent. She was silent as she regarded the emerald oddity, an action meant to elicit a squirm. To the sorceress's dismay, it was returned with an equally intense stare, one seething with chilly arrogance. The headmistress suppressed a frown, gnarled claw gesturing to an empty chair across polished mahogany. "Do sit down, Miss Thropp."

Elphaba cocked her hip, bony arms crossing over her midsection in light defiance. "Thank you Ma'am, but I'll stand. I don't intend to stay any longer than is absolutely necessary."

Madame Morrible's artfully constructed demeanor nearly crumbled at the pupil's insolence, a flash of murderous rage rising to the surface of her practiced, motherly guise. Then, at once it was gone, wrangled and smothered beneath the witch's ever present facade. Her large, overly powdered face was reigned into an expression of polite bemusement.

"Suit yourself, dear. Though, this conversation may take a few clock ticks." Chair groaning under prodigious weight, Morrible leaned forward to intensify her gaze, crooked fingers coming to a point in front of thickly painted lips. Another beat of reflective silence passed. Elphaba's brows drew inward a fraction, furrowing. After a few more moments of uncomfortable reticence, she broke the lull, her tone vexed and dripping with sarcasm.

"Did you simply wish to admire my beauty, or is there another reason behind my summons Madame Morrible?"

A haughty chuckle pulled at trouty lips at the emerald girl's jest, exhibiting tarnished, yellow incisors.

"You have spunk, Miss Thropp; a fire and wit that reminds me so much of myself during my youth." She paused, grin hovering for split second before giving way to a troubled scowl. "Which is precisely why I am having trouble deciding what to do with you. You see, some disturbing news has been brought to my attention; news of your peculiar relationship with a Miss Galinda Upland." Elphaba's brows drew further together, confusion and wariness deepening the lines.

"Pardon me, I'm not sure I understand what you mean." Beneath Morrible's mask, a predator's smile bloomed; this contrasted greatly with the crone's outward, torn expression.

"I have eyes everywhere, Miss Thropp. Eyes… and ears; one of which happened to be passing your residence late last evening. In essence, your ...' conversation' with Miss Upland was not as private as you might have assumed."

Elphaba's guarded confusion faltered; fear sparked to life within formerly detached mocha irises.

"What were you told?" The Headmistress's mouth twitched behind peaked fingers. Check.

"Everything, Miss Thropp. From your heated argument, to hushed whispers, to the 'near' silence that followed. My informant was too faint of heart to go into the details of what occurred during that time, but their expression was telling enough." Elphaba's own face had colored drastically, awash with a moss-hued flush that spanned from ear to heated ear. She regarded Morrible with cautious contempt.

"If that's the case, why have I not been arrested?" The bookworm was far more informed in the subject Ozian Law than the previous occupants of Morrible's office. She knew of the consequences for such actions. She also knew that the only reason she hadn't been apprehended and shipped off for public execution was because the blotchy sorceress wanted something from her. The Matron's brows rose; impressed.

"I am rather fond of you, Miss Elphaba; of your intelligence, perseverance, and obvious knack toward the magical arts. After all, on your first day here, with no training whatsoever, you managed to rip your sister's wheelchair from my grasp and draw it back to you without so much as a hint of effort. Such raw talent is rare; so rare that I have chosen to turn a blind eye to the lurid encounter you and Miss Upland shared last evening. That is… if you are interested in re-assessing my previous offer. Study magic under me, Miss Thropp. Learn the ways of Sorcery and reach your maximum potential. You will be a force to be reckoned with when I am through with you; so powerful that even the Wizard may take note." A pause. "He would undoubtedly be able to relieve you of your… epidermal affliction."

Elphaba's gaze spanned over green flesh. She would do nearly anything to rid herself of the wretched hue- even if it meant spending countless hours with the brazen Head of Shiz.

"On one condition." She barked, surprising even herself with the harsh lilt in her tone. Drawn-on brows inched ever higher.

"You are not in the position to be adding conditions, Miss Thropp; however, I will humor you. What is this stipulation?"

"That Galinda be allowed to join me. She is so eager to learn, Ma'am; she would be a fine addition to your collection of successful pupils." Elphaba had remembered Galinda's nearly ceaseless tittering on the subject. While being blackmailed was not something Elphaba enjoyed, she would be damned if she didn't get some form of reward for her cooperation. Morrible pondered the request for a brief moment before nodding, massive bun teetering dangerously to the side.

"I suppose that would be admissible. But if the girl ultimately holds you back or interferes with any progress you might make, she will no longer be welcome."

"Understood." The eldest Thropp daughter paused, chocolate orbs slightly narrowed. "Is that all, Ma'am?"

"Yes, that will be all, Miss Thropp. Is there something you would like to say to me? After all, I did just spare your life… and Miss Upland's."

Bleach-white teeth gritted as Elphaba's jaw worked. She simply stared at the gargantuan woman for a long moment before replying:

"Thank you, Madame Morrible." Victorious mirth lit the matron's jade hues.

"You're quite welcome, Miss Thropp. Now, you are free to go." Her chair swiveled once more, moving the hefty woman to face her bookshelf. As Elphaba's retreating footsteps faded away, so did Morrible's expertly crafted veneer; the face that remained was triumphant, smug… and laced with malignant undertones. Checkmate.

Periwinkle orbs had watched Elphaba depart with poorly disguised disappointment; Galinda had been keen on spending a few uninterrupted moments with her roomie before Sociology class, as well as after. She frowned around a mouthful of oatmeal, some of which was plastered to her cheek, earning a disapproving look from Nessarose. The youngest Thropp raised a napkin to the debutante's face, whisking away the residual porridge.

"Miss Galinda, please. You are supposed to be a woman of high society and class. Do eat like one." The action was greeted by a heavy roll of azure eyes.

"While I may have been born into a family with noble caliber and high social standing, I am not infallible, Miss Nessa." The canary-haired femme finished off the last of her breakfast before fixing Nessa with her full attention.

"So.. You're keen on Boq asking you to the dance, correct?" The recipient of the inquiry darkened a few shades and nodded. Galinda's head bobbed as well; she lapsed into silence, pondering the situation while sipping at the remaining liquid within her carton of juice. She liked Nessa. She was a kind girl, at heart, though her overly polite, prudish exterior seemed to veil that part of her from the rest of the populous. Maybe a date was the very thing the severe young lady needed to break out of her shell; and if her heart was set on Boq…

"Do excuse me for a moment, Nessa dear. I think I may be able to bring that desire to fruition." Before the wheelchair-bound girl could stop her, Galinda was on her feet, making a bee-line for the munchkin lad who made Nessarose's heart flutter. A few paces brought her directly in front of him. When he realized who had just approached, the young man nearly fainted; his crush on the debutante bordered on obsession, as it were, and he was floored by the notion that she wished to speak with him. Gathering what was left of his poise, the Munchkinlander addressed her with a rapid, high pitched greeting.

"M-Miss Galinda! What a l-lovely surprise! My friends were just leaving." Taking the hint, Boq's companions shuffled away, nudging each other and glancing backward with muted amusement. Galinda watched them depart, confusion creeping into startlingly attractive features. She seemed to be the only one, aside from Nessa, of course, who did not know of Boq's unspoken attraction to her. Her attention was drawn back to Boq when he spoke again. "To w-what do I owe this pleasurable visit, Miss Upland?"

"Master Boq. It has come to my attention that a close friend of mine wishes for you to ask her to the upcoming dance." Boq's hazel orbs had widened to the size of saucers. Incorrectly, he concluded that Galinda was speaking about herself, but was too shy and demure to admit it. His confidence soared.

"Well, Miss Upland, that is intriguing news." He paused, building his nerve. "Have your 'friend' meet me at the clock tower, seven o'clock sharp on the night of the dance." Galinda eyed the munchkin, amused and bewildered simultaneously.

"Don't you want to know who you will be meeting, Master Boq?" In response to her inquiry, Boq dismissively waved his hand.

"I am already quite sure I know who you're speaking about, Miss Galinda. I'm not blind to my own animal magnetism. It is only natural that someone of such grace and beauty would wish for my accompaniment." He offered her a wink, further perplexing the already baffled blonde, before adding, "After all, I've had my eye on 'her' for some time."

Galinda was thrilled. The exchange had gone flawlessly; Nessa would be so pleased. A wide, brilliant smile lit the aristocrat's features.

"That's wonderful news, Master Boq! Seven o'clock, then. Please don't be late!" Galinda curtsied for the young man before slipping back to her table to deliver the titillating news. Boq watched her retreat for a moment, nervous excitement fluttering within his abdomen. Little did he know that his date would be much less blonde; much less mobile. Delirious in his joy, Boq made his way to the first of his classes. Had he stayed for another moment, he would have heard Nessa's exuberant squeal and known of his error before it was too late to rectify it.

Sociology came and went with no sign of Elphaba. Galinda had occupied herself by scribbling little hearts in the spaces between notes, though her eyes seldom left the clock anchored to the wall above their professor's head. Finally, the time came for her to return to the sanctuary that was her dormitory; to the warmth of Elphaba's all-consuming embrace. She had gathered her things with eager rapidity and wasted no time in departing, heels clicking ardently on the marble-encrusted floor. She reached the room in record time, swinging the door open to find Elphaba seated on her mattress, emerald face buried in her palms. The blonde was immediately unsettled; she set her belongings down and moved to her love's side. Before she could ask, Elphaba blurted,

"Someone heard us last night. They told Morrible." Galinda's robin's egg hues snapped wide, her mouth parting in silent horror. The vermillion woman continued. "Don't worry. While we would have certainly been carted off for slaughter by anyone else, it seems Morrible was more interested in getting me to study sorcery than reporting me to the authorities. Oh, by the way, you're welcome. You'll be joining me for her private lessons." Galinda was floored. This was a lot to process. When she had finished considering Elphaba's words, her emotions were a mixture of relief and uncertainty. Hesitantly, she cupped her roomie's face between delicate palms, urging her to meet her gaze. Elphaba's orbs were clouded, nearing tears. "We could have been executed Galinda! We could have been-"

"Hush, now, Elphie." Galinda's hands slipped to the green girl's shoulders and she urged her forward into her bosom, wrapping the thin frame in a comforting embrace. Pale fingers stroked raven locks evenly while she regarded the jade beauty with a reassuring gaze; one that assuaged the panic steadily rising within Elphaba's gut. "Everything will be alright."

Skeptical amber eyes bored back into her own. Galinda was inexperienced when it came to the darker elements of human behavior; Elphaba, however, knew that even though Morrible was satiated for the time being, there would be more 'conditions' she would have to meet if the Headmistress was going to retain her silence. This, she chose not to disclose. Galinda was far too pure to grasp the true depth of their predicament, and sharing the plight would only serve to upset her. Instead, she merely sighed as fingernails brushed against her sensitive scalp, reveling in the exquisite shiver they elicited. Silence, comfortable and effortless, enveloped the pair.

Those pale, ghosting fingertips trailed down Elphaba's flawless jaw line, appreciating the curvature with each reverent, lingering touch. The emerald beauty arched her neck, granting Galinda the freedom to roam with a low, sensual hum of approval. The debutante's mouth parted to make way for a breathy gasp. She bent forward, taking Elphaba's chin between firm fingertips, and molded pink lips over green once more.

The world ceased to turn around them- it froze and hovered, immobile. Their mouths, insistent, widening, were the only signal of passing time. Tongues delved and mingled as light, muffled pants loosed themselves from their respective throats; their harmony echoed into thick, stagnant air. Light, hesitant strokes had morphed into eager, grasping urgency; Elphaba's own restless hands sought the buttons holding Galinda's taffeta dress intact. It fell from it's anchor at the nape of blonde curls; jade digits peeled the fabric away from perfect, ivory globes. Their kiss broke, a strand of saliva joining their lips for a fleeting moment before distance severed it; the vermillion woman had dipped low to devour Galinda's pale collar and flushed chest. Sinking ever lower, Elphaba's mouth roamed until ambitiously whispering across a padded, pebbled nipple.

"Elphie!" Her name tumbled from Galinda's parted bows. The emerald lips twisted into a light growl while the padding was whisked away; they wrapped around the now bare, peaked bud. A wordless cry was her reply, the sound drawing a surge of moisture from deep within a torrid core. She groaned her approval, agile tongue darting to swirl around the taut flesh. Galinda, unable to restrain her desire, wrenched Elphaba's mouth back up to her own; she assaulted her partner's velvet orifice with deep, lingering tongue-strokes, stealing her breath and weakening her knees…

Knock knock knock.

"Elphaba? Elphie?! You swore yesterday you'd help me study for my Ozian History exam! " Nessarose's timid voice sounded from opposite the mahogany door. Galinda groaned, flopping back upon the duvet with obvious dismay.

"Lurline, above! She has impeccable timing, your sister." She fixed Elphaba with a sarcastic, heady gaze. It was returned with an expression reading apologetic; unsatisfied desire pulsed just below the surface.

"Apologies, my Sweet Galinda. This will have to wait until Nessa is out of our hair." the blonde nodded her understanding; though she was still quite put out. She fixed her garb with nimble fingers before Elphaba allowed her sister entry. The girl entered, complaining about the delay; she was unaware of what exactly she had interrupted. Galinda however, her nether regions aching with slick need, was well aware of what the untimely visit had marred. She was rather chilly toward the girl for the rest of the evening, something Elphaba noted with poorly masked amusement.

Finally got my plan back together. Updates will be more frequent, in the future. The story is just about to get interesting; be sure to tell me what you think. :)

OneWingedPegasus