My buddy "Denpa Wave Chick Saki" co-wrote this with me. Enjoy!

All her life, Elphaba had worked in the Wizard's palace. Her green skin made her an outcast by nature, and her parents had abandoned her as a baby because of it. The Wizard had so graciously taken her into his home and over the years, she had become the personal servant to his daughter, one Galinda Arduenna, who was the heiress to the throne.

"Do you require anything else Miss Galinda?"

Galinda sat at her vanity, fixing her hair and makeup. "That will be all. Just make sure to be up here to help me prepare for dinner tonight. Oh wait, bring my dear Nessa here. I discovered some new hair styles, and I'm sure she would love to try them out." She didn't look away from the beauty products laid in front of her, expecting the vegetable to let herself out.

"Yes, Miss Galinda." Elphaba left the room, heading into the next one, where she found Nessarose brushing her own hair. "Miss Nessarose, your sister wishes to see you," Elphaba said.

"All right Elphaba," Nessa said, setting her brush in her lap, as Elphaba moved behind her chair.

She wheeled her from the room, feeling the familiar stab of pain, as she did so. Nessarose was not Galinda's sister of course, but how could Elphaba crush everything the brunette had built her world on? "Here is your sister. Will there be anything else?"

"That will be all, vegetable. Go do your chores and leave me and my sister be." Galinda got up to go give Nessa a light hug. She went behind the chair and pushed her over to her vanity. "Nessa, I've thought of some lovely new styles do your hair in. Would you like to try them out?"

"Oh, yes, very much!" Nessa said happily, smiling up at her older sister.

Elphaba was well trained in the art of holding back her pain and masking it. It should have been her that Nessa smiled at. She should be the one doing her hair. Instead, Elphaba just gave a slight bow. "Yes Miss Galinda." She left.

Nessa glanced towards where Elphaba had been. "Must you refer to her so? Wouldn't...wouldn't it be kinder to use her name?" she asked timidly as Galinda began to brush her chestnut hair.

Galinda finished brushing Nessa's hair and sat on her stool behind Nessa's chair. She reached around to grab some hairpins and other such hair things and proceeded to start working her hair into an elaborate style. "My dear, dear Nessa. You still don't get it do you. The world is divided in only two ways: the Privileged, that's us and father; and the Deprived, people like the vegetable. When you're as privileged as us, even among the other Privileged, it simply does not do to associate with the Deprived in anything other than a slave-to-master type of a relationship. If I were to call her by her name it might make her think that I like her, and maybe someday we might be...friends. " She shuddered at that last word.

"But, even so, she has feelings too, and she's never been anything but kind to us...if in her own sarcastic way." Nessa knew that it really was no use though. While she adored her older sister, the two simply did not agree on the matter of the "Deprived" and the "Privileged." There was silence for a few moments. "I do wonder how she ever became green, though. Do you suppose she would know, if I asked her?"

Galinda frowned. "I wouldn't suggest asking her, dearest. She might do exactly as I said and think of it as an invitation to friendship. And you don't want that, do you? Your friendship would be nothing but a lie." She continued after seeing Nessa's confused look in the mirror. "She has nothing, my dear sister. If she became 'friends' with you, it would only be in an attempt to better her own social status. It would start out with just a simple favor: 'Oh miss Nessarose, might I borrow your brooch?' Then it would just get worse and worse until she is asking you to turn over our entire family fortune and your title. And I simply would not be able to stand for that. You are my sister, and I simply will not let anyone take advantage of your kind heart."

"Yes...I understand." Of course, Nessa did understand where her sister was coming from, but still. Elphaba would never steal from her. She doubted Elphaba had the heart to take advantage of her either, but it was easier to agree with her sister than to fight. "I am going to miss you dearly when you leave for Shiz in a few days. I'll be left here all alone with only Father for company, and then where will I be? Lonely, that's what, and I blame you." Nessa was eager to change the subject if only to protect Elphaba in some small way

"I am very sorry, dearest. But you know what Father's stipulations are. If I am to remain the heir to the Ozian throne, then I must go to school. He has this crazy idea that by me receiving a higher education than most, the people will be more willing to accept me as their leader. So if I want to be the next ruler, then we must acquiesce to his wishes." Galinda stepped back to admire her work. "All done with your hair, and if I do say so myself, it might very well be the best work I have ever done." She twirled one of the curled strands that were left out of the hairdo and gave a sigh before resting her head on Nessa's shoulder. "I always did like your hair. It's so beautiful..." she looked up at her sister in the mirror. "I will write to you every chance I get. You won't even get a chance to miss me. Although I do pity you being left here alone with father. He is quite the stick-in-the-mud isn't he?" She giggled.

Nessa smiled. "Oh, he is all right. The citizens of Oz love him well enough...and he took me in when I had no one. I don't want to speak out against him." Nessa turned to look at her sister. "Galinda, I know Elphaba will be going with you to Shiz. Promise me you will...well, you won't run her ragged?" Nessa cast her eyes downward. "I know we are different, she and I, but I think that she deserves a small amount of respect...even a drop." Nessa looked back up at her sister with a smile.

"Your father is asking for you," Elphaba said, appearing in the doorway. "Apparently some of the guests have arrived early, including Madame Morrible, the headmistress of Shiz University." How Elphaba longed to receive a higher education at such a renowned school.

"Very well, vegetable. I'll help Nessa get ready and we will be down shortly. You may leave now." After she left, Galinda turned back to Nessa, who did not look too happy. "Alright, alright. If it will make you happy, I won't call her vegetable anymore. Is that alright?"

"It's a start," Nessa said, uncrossing her arms.

Elphaba headed back downstairs, where the guests were starting to arrive. Her eyes fell on the woman who had introduced herself as Madame Morrible. "Elphaba!" The green woman jumped to attention at the Wizard's voice. "Yes sir?"

"Where are my daughters?"

"They are coming sir."

The Wizard left and Elphaba breathed a sigh of relief before she began fidgeting with her long braid. She would accompany Miss Galinda to Shiz, there was no doubt about that, but Elphaba knew that she would have no hopes of a higher education there.

Galinda pulled out her floor length coral colored gown and put it on. It was fitted at the chest and then flowed to the floor. She strapped on her white heels and then helped Nessa get ready. She decided to put her in a lovely green cocktail dress with her silver shoes. After they were ready, Galinda wheeled Nessa down to the dinner party where they entered to see their father talking with a woman and Elphaba alone in the corner, thinking to herself.

Elphaba heard the familiar squeaking of Nessa's chair and looked up to see that the two had entered. She approached, releasing her braid as Miss Galinda had told her of her displeasure of that habit. "You both look very lovely tonight," Elphaba said, trying to keep her voice from sounding too tired or rehearsed.

"Thank you Elphaba," Nessa said

Elphaba nodded before turning her gaze to Miss Galinda. "Your father is talking with Madame Morrible, and I believe she wishes to meet you. Is there anything I can get you?"

"No, I don't need anything. Make sure my sister is well refreshed while I am gone. That is all."

Galinda left them and walked over to her father. She slid her hand onto her father's arm. "Hello father. I do hope I am not interrupting anything." She turned to Madame Morrible and gave a quick curtsy. "I am Galinda Arduenna. How do you do?"

Elphaba watched Miss Galinda leave before turning to Nessa. "Is there anything I can get you?"

"No, thank you Elphaba." Silence. "Elphaba, she really does mean well...she just has a different way of showing it."

Elphaba looked back towards the blonde. "Yes, well...It sure is different, I'll give you that."

"Miss Galinda, your father has told me all about you. You wish to study sorcery at Shiz, is that correct?" Madame Morrible asked, as her eyes fell on the heiress of Oz.

"Yes, Madame. I have wanted nothing more than to study sorcery with you for many years now. I hear you are the best sorcery professor in all of Oz." She gave her a diplomatic smile, as much as it pained her. She was only doing this to make her father happy. "I look forward to learning so much from you."

"Well that is good to hear."

Elphaba handed the glass to Nessa. "Here you are, Nessa. I hope it is to your liking."

The younger brunette took the glass, looking up at the green woman. "Elphaba, why are you green?"

Elphaba smiled slightly. "Ozdamn if I know. Perhaps it is punishment for a sin in a past life."

"Do you believe in past lives?" Nessa asked, her eyes wide.

Elphaba shrugged. "I can neither prove nor disprove it, just as the Unnamed God."

"Surely he exists."

"But how do you know, Nessie?"

"You must have faith."

Elphaba shook her head. "Faith has led me here. I place nothing in what I cannot prove exists." Elphaba cast her gaze back up at Miss Galinda, who looked bored out of her mind.

Galinda was nearly falling asleep she was so bored, but of course she didn't show it. That would have been rude. She did, however, give a slight sigh of relief when the butler announced that dinner was ready. Whew, she thought, At least I don't have to listen to that Morrible woman blab on and on about the history of sorcery during dinner. Thank the Unnamed God I will be halfway down the table from her. Galinda went over to Nessa to walk with her into the dining hall. They took their usual seats at the far end of the table from their father. When Galinda looked up the table, she saw that Madame Morrible had been given the seat of honor next to her father. Only when she looked back towards her side of the table did she notice Elphaba taking a seat next to her sister.

"Galinda, please..." Nessa begged, looking up at her sister. "Just for tonight..."

Galinda didn't reply. She briefly met her sister's eyes and gave a very brief nod as if saying "only this once."

Nessa smiled, her way of saying thank you. "Sit down with me, Elphaba. It's all right."

Elphaba looked from Nessa, to Miss Galinda and back. "I don't think I ought to, Miss Nessarose. It wouldn't be appropriate. Besides, who else would tend to Miss Galinda, if I were to sit? Since she obviously can't care for herse-" That had been a mistake. Elphaba wondered what had possessed her to say that.

Galinda's face froze with a smile on it, and she gave a fake laugh. There was absolutely no way that she was going to lose her temper and embarrass herself in front of all of her father's important guests over that jealous vegetable. She decided not to punish Elphaba for her rude comment...yet. There would be plenty of time to get her revenge once they arrived at Shiz.

Elphaba waited...and waited, but the outburst never came. This was odd. Elphaba did not like the fact that Galinda didn't retaliate, as she was accustomed to doing. The green woman had a feeling she would catch hell for this later, but for now, Nessa was pulling on her arm in a way that seemed to beg her to sit before she dug herself into an even deeper hole. Elphaba took her place beside Nessa, feeling Galinda's eyes on her. Yes, the blonde's wrath was something to fear indeed...and Elphaba dreaded the night's end.

Galinda stuck with her political politeness through the entire party. Every time she looked over to her sister, she saw her talking to the vegetable, and a shiver of anger shot through her. One good thing did come from having to listen to long, boring tales of the guests: she had plenty of time to figure out a way to get a little revenge before Shiz. She saw how much Elphaba's eyes shone in happiness when she conversed with her sister. Galinda knew that she wanted nothing more than to tell Nessa that she was her sister so that they could spend more time together. Her musings had made the party go by much faster, and before she knew it, she was heading back up to her room to relax.

Elphaba had finished cleaning up and was currently wheeling Nessa back to her room. "How did you enjoy dinner?" she asked

"It was fine," Nessa replied, but she could hear the slight (was it sadness?) in her voice.

Elphaba longed to tell Nessa the truth: that she was the real older sister! 'I take care of you!' she wanted to shout. 'I'm the one who loves you!' But she didn't. Instead she wheeled the brunette back to her room and left her with a fond farewell. She wanted to kiss her on the forehead, bands he refrained from that.

Elphaba was going to return to her duties when she reminded herself that she needed to check on Miss Galinda, so she started for her room. "Miss Galinda?"

Galinda didn't look up from her vanity where she was pulling the pins from her hair. "Draw a warm bath for me." As Elphaba moved into the bathroom, Galinda slowly got up to follow, leaning against the doorway. "Miss Thropp, I need to talk to you."

Elphaba froze, but only for a second. "What about, Miss Galinda?" the green woman asked, as she leaned forward, turning the faucet on. She stepped back as she watched the tub fill, rubbing her left wrist absently, as the thought of touching water made her shudder involuntarily. She turned around to face the blonde.

Galinda sauntered over and pushed Elphaba down to sit on the bathtub edge, kneeling down a little in front of her. "Elphaba, we have known each other for awhi- oh let me turn this off..." She reached for the faucet behind Elphaba, "accidentally" bumping into her as she moved. That little bump caused Elphaba to lose her balance and slide backwards into the full tub.

The green woman barely stopped herself from completely falling in, but, having thrown out her arms to catch herself, she was up past her elbows in the water. It was as though time had slowed. There was a blinding flash of pain, and Elphaba became aware that the sound she was hearing was her own screaming.

Nessa heard the screams and came wheeling down the hall, bursting into her sister's room. "Galinda, what was that?" she asked, approaching the bathroom door just in time to see Elphaba throw herself onto the bathroom floor, holding her injured arms close to her body.

Elphaba wasn't sure how bad the damage was, but she knew that it had to be bad, because her arms were throbbing in searing pain. She looked down at the injured green flesh, her teeth clenched in an attempt to hold back the second wave of screams that threatened to come up.

Galinda feigned shock and worry. She grabbed some towels and tried to help dry off Elphaba's arms. "I am so sorry! I have no idea how that happened! Are you alright?" She noticed Nessa in the doorway. "Nessa! Stay here and make sure she's ok. I will go fetch some help." Galinda ran from the room.

Elphaba glared up at Galinda's back, but the blonde was gone. She forced herself to sit up, and she began to stand, but Nessa quickly wheeled in, placing a hand gently on Elphaba's shoulder.

"Elphaba, no! You're badly injured; just sit down," the brunette said. Elphaba looked at her, but she did as Nessa had asked, holding her injured arms close.

"It's not so bad...I can still work," Elphaba said through clenched teeth.

"Elphaba, you most likely have second or third degree burns. You need to go to the hospital," Nessa said.

Elphaba looked down. Though she would never tell Nessa this, she knew that that "bump" hadn't been an accident. That was Galinda's revenge for what she had said at dinner. "I should have seen this coming..." the green woman muttered.

Galinda ran down the corridors, heading straight for her father's office. She burst into histor room. "Father! Father! You must send for help!"

The Wizard looked up from his paperwork. "What has happened, Galinda? What's wrong, dearest?" He stood and walked over to comfort his daughter, who appeared shaken.

"We must send for a doctor! I d-don't know how it happened. She was drawing a bath for me, and she must have s-slipped or something. She fell into the tub! And you know about her terrible allergy!"

The Wizard left his daughter for only second to call for a footman and send him for a doctor. He came back to Galinda, and together they returned to her room to see how Elphaba was faring.

Elphaba and Nessa both looked up upon hearing approaching footsteps and soon enough, both Galinda and the Wizard appeared in the doorway. "Father! Did you call the doctor?" Nessa asked, turning to face him.

"Yes, I did. He's on the way," the Wizard replied. He approached Elphaba, who couldn't look him in the eyes. "What happened?"

"I...fell," Elphaba said, casting a glance up at Galinda. She knew she couldn't tell the truth: no one would believe her, and that would only make Galinda angrier.

"Well the doctor is on his way. Be more careful next time," the Wizard said before he left the room.

"Yes sir..." Elphaba said, casting her gaze back to the floor.

"Don't worry, Elphaba. Everything will be all right," Nessa said with a smile. The green woman only nodded.

Galinda stepped over to Nessa. "Nessa dear, why don't you go back to your room and finish getting all refreshed from the party." When she saw she about to comment, she said, "Don't you worry. I will stay here and make sure Miss Elphaba is well looked after until the doctor arrives." Nessa gave a tired nod and wheeled herself out of the bathroom.

After grabbing a small pair of scissors from her room, Galinda went and knelt in front of Elphaba on the bathroom floor. She told Elphaba to hold out her hands, and she used the scissors to cut up the sleeves to reveal the burned skin beneath. Galinda grabbed one of the nearby towels and finished drying off Elphaba's arms.

Once she was finished, she took one of Elphaba's hands gently. A few seconds later she gripped her hand much harder, making the burns hurt again. After Elphaba had cried out in pain, Galinda leaned forward until her mouth was right up against her ear. She whispered, "You picked the wrong person to cross you vegetable. I do not just get even. I go one up."

Elphaba grimaced as pain shot through her hand and up her arm. "Y-yes. I understand, Miss Galinda. It won't...happen again." She winced when Galinda released her, and she quickly pulled her arms close to herself, her gaze on the floor.

Soon enough the doctor arrived and his diagnosis was what Nessa had predicted: Elphaba had second degree burns up her arms. It would require a liquid medication and bandages for a few days in order for her arms to heal, and, according to the doctor, "the wounds were too severe to be left in a non-sterile environment. The risk of infection is too high." In other words, Elphaba had to be taken to the hospital for a few days

It occurred to Elphaba at that point that Galinda had done this deliberately to keep her from Nessa, and that realization hurt her much deeper than any burns could.

"Can't I at least…say goodbye to Nessa? After all, I will be in the hospital until we depart for Shiz. I won't even get the chance to...see her again."

Galinda frowned. "Oh I'm sorry, dear. It appears that she has already gone to bed. You wouldn't want to disturb her sleep, would you?"

Elphaba looked down, trying to mask what a blow that had been to her. "R-right...of course. I wouldn't want to do that...well, I will see you in a few days, Miss Galinda."

Galinda gave a nod to Elphaba, as she passed by her. "Fast healing, Miss Elphaba. I shall see you in a few days." After Elphaba and the doctor had left the room, Galinda smiled to herself in the mirror before preparing herself for bed.