Emerald Princess

An emerald green train speeds through fields of tall yellow grass. Plants bend by the force of it as the train passes. Its cargo being basic items of trade from the four different countries of Oz, as well as letters. All headed right for the Emerald City.

The train reaches its stop. Workers, both human and animal, go through the train and bring its cargo into a warehouse for sorting before it can be taken out into the city and sold or delivered.

The letters are sorted, and a mailman fills his satchel with the mail before heading out. He goes through all of the Emerald City, before reaching his last stop. The Emerald palace.

Guards stationed at the gates stop him and take his letter, going to deliver it themselves since outsiders aren’t allowed in the palace without an invitation.

The guard with the letter knocks on a large double door, waiting for a response.

“Enter,” comes the cold and stern voice of the Wizard.

The guard enters the study of the Wizard, keeping his head bowed respectfully to the powerful man as he hands Oscar the letter.

The Wizard dismisses the guard with a wave, taking the letter and opening it once he’s alone. A small, genuine smile forms on his face when he sees the letter is from Elphaba.

But his smile quickly drops to a frown when he finds out the letter is pertaining to the cruel treatment of the animals of Oz. He didn’t need Elphaba questioning how animals are treated. Her doubt could very easily turn into curiosity. He couldn’t let Elphaba find out the truth about him.

The Wizard calls for a guard.

“Summon Madame Morrible.” He says sternly, the guard nods and leaves to do as ordered.

It seemed school was doing more bad for Elphaba in her image of her father than good for her. The Wizard couldn’t have that. But he knew pulling her out of school would only cause her to be angry and suspicious of him. So he’d do the next best thing.

It was time to remove all animals from Shiz. Then put them in their true place all throughout Oz.

A small Ozian boy drops off a large package of newspapers at the gates of Shiz. He cuts the twine holding the papers together. A gust of wind blows through and brings the papers into the campus, scattering them about for any student or teacher to happen across.

The headline reads: “PRINCE FIYERO OF WINKIE COUNTRY SPOTTED AT SHIZ!”

Pfanne, walking across campus with ShenShen, both on their way to meet up with Galinda, catches a newspaper. He reads the headline and gasps excitedly, showing ShenShen. They both rush to Galinda’s dorm to tell her the news. As they go, the rumors of Prince Fiyero quickly spread through the student body of Shiz. Soon enough, it’s all anyone talks about.

ShenShen and Pfanne burst through the double doors of Galinda and Elphaba's shared dorm. The green girl ignores them, reading a book as Galinda’s friends rush over to her.

“Oh. My. Oz.” Pfanne says, slamming the newspaper in front of Galinda as the blonde girl stares at them in confusion. “Have you seen this yet?”

“No? What…” Galinda trails off as she reads the headline. She squeals in excitement and pops off the bed, bouncing on her feet. “IT'S HAPPENING!!”

Elphaba rolls her eyes and leaves the room, not in the mood to listen to their high pitched squeals.

Galinda all but shoves Pfanne and ShenShen out of the room so she can get ready. She is determined to be absolutely perfectified for the prince. She feverishly applies her makeup, does her hair, and goes through several different outfits before settling on one that she deems to be just right.

She bursts out of her dorm and strides through campus with a purposeful gait, looking around like a shark hunting for prey. Her eyes land on the prince himself as he stands in the courtyard, looking at the map of the school.

Galinda walks up to him and leans against the map.

“Were you looking for something? Or--” she tosses her hair, “someone?”

Fiyero looks at her in confusion, before an amused smile spreads across his lips.

“No, I was... what was I doing?” he muses, his charming, amused smile still in place.

“How should I know?”

“Our first fight.” Fiyero smirks. They gaze at each other, each pleased by what they see.

“Well, I promised to give a guided tour to any recently arrived students, so…” Galinda speaks, glancing around as if looking for someone. With a knowing look in her eyes, she turns back to him. “Oh, wait... are you...?”

“I am. Though I’m sure I won’t last longer at this school than at any of the others.” The prince says with a charming grin.

“Well,” Galinda says with her Galinda smile, tossing her hair once more. “I wasn’t at your other schools.”

Elphaba sits in the library, alone at a table as she looks through a thick tome, her attention shifting between the book and her school assignment in front of her.

Someone gently clears their throat in front of her. Elphaba glances up, her brows furrowed slightly in confusion. No one, save for Madame Morrible, approaches her since almost everyone at Shiz hates her or fears her father too much.

Nessarose sits in front of her, her hands on the wheels of her chair like she’s preparing to roll away if rejected.

“Hello,” the paralyzed girl says quietly, “I was just wondering if I could sit with you…”

“Oh,” Elphaba says dumbly, surprised that anyone would want to sit with her. “Uh-- sure.”

Nessa smiles in gratitude and rolls her chair closer to the table, positioning herself so she’s across from Elphaba.

“My name is Nessa, by the way.” She says quietly. “Nessarose Thropp.”

“Elphaba,” the green girl responds with a small, unsure smile. “Pleased to meet you.”

The two girls fall into an awkward silence for a moment as they study. Soon, a conversation grows between the two girls. They quickly grow comfortable and friendly with each other. Like sisters.

Their conversation is soon interrupted by a small commotion when the library doors open. Galinda enters, leading Fiyero.

“And this is the-- book place!” Galinda looks around, unimpressed with the library. It’s very obvious she almost never comes here.

Fiyero looks around, checking out the students, male and female alike. An excited buzz goes throughout the room as students start to notice Fiyero there.

Elphaba and Nessa share a glance, both a bit exasperated by the attention the prince gets. It’s clear their priorities lie elsewhere, and not fawning over a prince.

“I actually ran into him last night,” Elphaba murmurs.

“Really? What was he like?” Nessa asks, curious to know if the prince is as charming as everyone makes him seem. Though it’s clear by the look on her face that she doesn’t have high expectations.

“...interesting.” Elphaba muses, rubbing her chin. “But not rude. Maybe a bit oblivious though.”

Nessa chuckles softly at the last comment. “Aren’t all men?” she grins.

Elphaba smiles and nods in agreement. She looks back to Galinda and Fiyero.

“I’m not surprised they're together.” She rolls her eyes. “They deserve each other.”

Nessa nods in agreement. She spares one last glance to Galinda and Fiyero, before both she and Elphaba focus back on their schoolwork.

Back on Galinda and Fiyero:

“There’s a collection of rare books, somewhere…” Glinda says with an uninterested tone as she leads Fiyero around the library. Both are well aware of the small crowd of students following them, but they pay them no attention. “and I guess some medium-rare books too…”

“There are so many to choose from.” Fiyero murmurs, still checking out some students.

Galinda just hums and leads the prince into a mostly empty section of the library, ignoring Boq as the munchkin boy follows them. He climbs on a ladder and pretends to pursue some books on the upper shelves.

“So, what do you do for fun around here?” Fiyero continues talking, looking down at Galinda.

“Nothing,” Galinda shrugs, flashing him a sly look. “Until now.”

“Ever been to the Ozdust ballroom?” Fiyero asks with a mischievous grin.

Galinda shakes her head with an impressed look. “But isn’t it somewhat-- exclusive? I mean illegal? I mean-- scandalacious?”

She tosses her hair again, accidentally smacking her face.

“It’s all of those things! Also not far from here. Another plus!” Fiyero smirks, glancing up and finally noticing Boq.

“Right?” He addresses the Munchkin boy and introduces himself. “Fiyero Tigelaar. Winkie Country.”

“O-Oh, uh” Boq jumps down the ladder, a bit surprised that the prince is talking to him. “Boq Woodsman. Of Munchkinland.”

Galinda quietly huffs and rests her hand on Fiyero’s shoulder, drawing his attention back to her. She tosses her hair again.

“What were you saying, about the Ozdust, and fun, and you and me...?” her voice lowers slightly into an enticing tone.

Boq quickly speaks up. “Unfortunately it’s against Shiz rules to go into town after dark…” he says awkwardly.

“Well,” Fiyero just shrugs. “I see that, once again, the responsibility to corrupt my fellow students falls... to me.”

He links his arm with Galinda’s, and wraps his other arm around Boq’s shoulders. Fiyero leads the two back to the main area of the library.

(Start of song “Dancing Through Life.”)

“The trouble with schools is they always try to teach the wrong lesson.” Fyero starts singing, looking at Boq first before turning to Galinda. “Believe me, I’ve been kicked out enough of them to know.”

Fiyero slowly walks forward, now addressing the crowd of students that had been following them. “They want you to become less callow, less shallow. But I say: Why invite stress in? Stop studying strife.” He walks up to a table and hops up on it, twirling around to face the crowd. “And learn to live the unexamined life…”

Fiyero grins when he sees he has the attention of the whole library now.

“Dancing through life,” he sings smoothly, his voice enchanting everyone in the library, save for Elphaba and Nessa. The latter of the two was watching Boq with an almost lovestruck look.

“Skimming the surface,” Fiyero continues, “gliding where turf is smooth. Life’s more painless for the brainless. Why think so hard? When it's so soothing,”

The prince jumps off the table now. Books slam shut, some tumbling off shelves. All are left forgotten.

“Dancing through life-- no need to tough it, when you can sluff it off as I do! Nothing matters, but knowing nothing matters, it’s just life. So keep dancing through.” Fiyero jumps onto the table Elphaba and Nessa are at. Elphaba glares at him with a huff, snapping her book shut as he dances on the table.

Nessa frowns and rolls away from the table just enough so he won’t step on her stuff.

“Dancing through life! Swaying and sweeping, and always keeping cool. Life is fraught less, when you’re thoughtless. Those who don’t try, never look foolish.” As Fiyero dances on the table, the students all grow enamored with what he’s saying. Even Nessa watches with growing curiosity. Elphaba remains steadfastly annoyed. “Dancing through life, mindless and careless. Make sure you’re where less trouble is rife! Woes are fleeting, blows are glancing, when you’re dancing through life.”

The students smile as they watch, some even dancing along. The librarian rushes over to try and restore order. Fiyero jumps off the table and twirls the woman around, kissing her cheek and leaving her dazed.

He leaps between the students as he continues his song, dancing along.

“Let’s go down to the Ozdust ballroom, we’ll meet there later tonight. We can dance till it’s light,” Fiyero goes up to Galinda and swirls her around, “Find the prettiest girl, give her a whirl-- right on down to the Ozdust ballroom! Come on, follow me~ you’ll be happy to be there!”

All the students dance along and sing with Fiyero now. Elphaba stands in the back, reluctantly offering a small smile when she sees Nessa slowly get into the song.

All: “Dancing through life!! Down at the Ozdust!”

Fiyero: “If only because dust is what we come to!”

All: “Nothing matters, but knowing nothing matters, it’s just life...”

Fiyero: “So keep dancing through…”

Galinda takes a moment to catch her breath at the doors of the library as the students rush back to their dorms to prepare for tonight. The blonde girl fans herself, soon finding a handkerchief being handed to her.

“Galinda?” Boq says hopefully, handing her the cloth. “I-I hope you’ll save a dance for. I’ll be there, in the corner. Waiting for you. All night.” The Munchkin boy cringes inwardly at his awkward words, but it’s too late to take them back.

“You’re so kind,” Galinda says with a sweet smile, her eyes scanning the room for a way out. She sees Nessa in the back, next to Elphaba, and gets an idea. “But you know what would be kinder?”

Galinda takes Boq’s elbow and turns him in the direction of Nessa.

“See that tragically beautiful girl? The one in the chair?” Galinda sings softly, sounding like an angel. “It just seems so unfair that we go on this spree, and not she.”

Galinda turns Boq’s chin to face Nessa again when the red-head tries to look back at the blonde.

“I know someone would be my hero,” Galinda continues to sing, “If that someone were to go invite her…”

“Maybe…I could invite…”Boq murmurs hesitantly, looking at Galinda like a puppy wanting praise.

“Oh, Bick…” Galinda says sweetly, like it was Boq’s wonderful idea and not her own subtle manipulation. “You would do that for me?”

“I would do anything for you…” Boq swears quietly.

Galinda sighs softly in relief when Boq rushes over to Nessa to ask her out. The blonde turns around and smiles when she sees Fiyero.

“You’re good,” he chuckles.

“I don’t know what you mean,” Galinda says innocently, taking a step towards him. “I love helping people. Oh-- and I happen to be free tonight. After all--”

Galinda starts singing again as she and Fiyero slowly approach each other. “Now that we’ve met each other,"

Fiyero sings now, taking her hand and gently twirling her around. “It’s clear we deserve each other~”

“You’re perfect,” Galinda whispers.

“You’re perfect.”

They both sing now: “So we’re perfect together, born to be forever…dancing through life!”

The two dance out of the library together.

(End Song)

Nessa goes up to Elphaba with a joyous smile on her face.

“You won’t believe what’s happened to me,” She gushes excitedly to the green girl. “That perfectly adorable Munchkin boy, Boq, just asked me out. He said he was too scared to at first, but the Galinda emboldened him--”

“Galinda?” Elphaba interrupts with a frown. She doesn’t trust the blonde, and is more than sure that it was a trick of some kind.

“I know how you feel about each other,” Nessa sighs with a sympathetic look. “But please try to understand. I’m about to have the best night of my life. All thanks to…Galinda.”

“I do understand.” Elphaba says, gently taking Nessa’s hand.

Students are all in their dorms getting ready for their wild night ahead. The sun is setting over campus as this happens.

ShenShen and Pfanne are in the suit with Galinda as the blonde gets ready. The two friends have long since been prepared to go, but are waiting on their perfectionist friend who seems determined to look like an angel.

Pfanne wanders the room idly while ShenShen and Galinda chat. Pfanne pauses when he finds a dirty, pointy, black knit hat hidden away. With a disgusted look, he picks it up by the tip of the hat, as if touching any more of it will contaminate him.

“Uh…Galinda?” He says with a revulsed tone. Galinda and ShenShen turn around to face him. “Explain.”

ShenShen wrinkles her nose, faking a gag. “Ew! What even is that?”

Galinda laughs to hide her embarrassment. “Oh dear, my granny makes me the most hideoteous hats!” The blonde liked the hat in secret, but she knew it was ugly and would ruin her image so she never wore it. “I’d give it away, but-- I don’t hate anyone that much.”

Galinda pauses when she sees the same mischievous look in both her friends’ eyes. “Oh no. I couldn’t. Could I?”

Before either could reply, the door opens and Elphaba enters looking tired and rushed, her arms full of her school books.

“Well, we should--” Pfanne starts as ShenShen grabs his arm.

“--go, we have to--” ShenShen says next.

“--accessorize each other! See you soon!” They say at the same time, nodding to Elphaba as they leave.

Elphaba frowns at them as they leave. She turns back to Galinda and awkwardly clears her throat. “Uh, Listen, Galinda-- Nessa and I were talking. About you, and--”

“Oh what a coincidence, we were just talking about you! How you should join us tonight!” Galinda says as if she and Elphaba have been friends for years.

Elphaba’s brows furrowed in confusion. “I don’t follow.”

“You. Join. Us. At the Ozdust. I’m inviting you!” Galinda says with dramatic hand gestures.

“Why?”

“Because everyone will be there. And don’t tell me you’ve nothing to wear, you could wear--” Galinda lifts up the black hat, carefully holding it by the bottom. She lifts it with much more care than Pfanne had. “--this!”

Elphaba is taken aback by how sincere Galinda seems to be about this.

“I mean, it goes with everything you own.” Galinda smirks. “It’s really, uh, sharp! Don’t you think? You know, black is this year's pink! You deserve each other, this hat and you. You’re both so-- smart! You deserve each other! So here, out of the goodness of my heart.”

Elphaba slowly takes the hat, her expression still one of confusion at Galinda’s sudden generosity. She’s starting to wonder if she’s misjudged the girl.

Galinda strides confidently out of the room to the waterfront where the boats and other students are waiting. She ignores the pang of guilt that hits her.

Madame Morrible had just gotten back from the Emerald City meeting the Wizard. He wanted her to get rid of the remaining animal professors indefinitely. Something that would take a day or two at least, since the Wizard wanted them in cages.

So she was tired. And very much so looking forward to a full night's sleep. However, just as she’s about to get ready for bed, she hears urgent yet gently knocking on her door. Recognizing it as Elphaba’s, Madame Morrible swiftly opens the door.

“Madame Morrible,” Elphaba says quietly to the older woman. “I need to speak with you.”

The Ozdust Ballroom is a large and beautiful crystalline cavern underground. There’s a live animal band playing. Ozians, animals and humans alike, dance around and have fun. The Shiz students all arrive together and don’t hesitate to join in on the fun. Galinda and Fiyero dance together, as do Boq and Nessa, and other couples.

It seems for the night, Boq is able to completely forget about Galinda and just enjoy his time with Nessa.

Galinda is pleased when she sees Boq and Nessa, glad that something actually good happened because of her, and that Boq would stop pestering her now. The blonde pulls away from Fiyero at some point to get a drink. As she walks to the punch, she is surprised to see madame Morrible.

“You.” The older woman says sternly, her firm glare intimidating the blonde.

“Me?” Galinda squeaks.

The woman nods and grabs Galinda’s hand, bringing her into a little private nook, away from prying eyes. Galinda nervously thinks the woman is there to scold the Shiz students for being out past hours, but that fear slowly fades as it seems the sorceress just wants to talk to her.

“M-Madame Morrible--” Galinda starts as if to defend herself despite not knowing what is going on.

“Enough.” The woman says coldly as she reaches into her extravagant robes and pules out a training wand.

“A magic wand!? It’s-- It’s--” Galinda gasps, before deflating a bit when she sees the size. “It’s so small.”

“It’s a training wand.” Morrible rolls her eyes.

“Oh.” Galinda hums and gently holds the wand. “Madame-- how can I express my gratitution?! It is my heart’s desire to become a sorceress. Thank you. For having faith in me!”

“I have no faith in you, dear.” Madame Morrible speaks calmly. “This was your roommate’s idea, not mine.”

Galinda frowns. “I’m confused.”

“Miss Elphaba requested that I include you in my sorcery seminar. I have known her since she was young, and never has she made a decision without reason. I trust her judgement enough to grant her request.”

“But why?” Galinda questions, tucking the wand safely in her dress.

“I’m a sorceress, not a mind reader! I’ve no idea why!” Madame Morrible snaps irritably. She pauses when she sees Galinda wince, and makes an effort to be kind. “My personal opinion, dear, is that you do not have-- what it takes. I hope you prove me wrong. I doubt you will.”

Madame Morrible turns to leave, then pauses and looks at Galinda over her shoulder. “You might want to thank her. She’s on her way.”

“What?!” Galinda’s eyes widen as panic briefly grips her.

“Well, you did invite her.” Madame Morrible walks away, mumbling under her breath: “I need a drink.”

“Oh no.” Galinda says in a guilt-ridden whisper. She rushes back to the party, looking around anxiously for a sight of Elphaba.

She catches sight of her roommate, a remorseful look on her face when she sees the people stop and stare.

Elphaba slowly enters the ballroom, glancing around as the music slowly stops. The creatures all around stare at the green girl in the atrocious eyesore of a hat. The green princess clenches her hands into fists as she quickly realizes Galinda tricked her.

Elphaba turns to leave, yanking the hat off. But she stops, her expression hardening. She turns back around and harshly places her hat back on her head.

Elphaba walks forward, the creatures all around parting ways so Elphaba stands in the middle of the crowd. Her mask falls back in place, pretending to be unbothered as she dances by herself in her own peculiar way.

Nessa watches, looking like she wants to help her friend. But she’s stuck in the back of the crowd with Boq, and no one seems to notice the wheelchair bound girl enough to let her through.

Fiyero bends down and whispers in Galinda’s ear, “I’ll say this much, she doesn’t give a twig what anyone thinks.”

“Of course she does,” Galinda murmurs. “I feel awful.”

“Why?” Fiyero questions, “It’s not like it’s your fault.”

Galinda doesn’t respond. Instead, she weaves through the crowd and reaches Elphaba. She taps the green girl on the shoulder.

“May I cut in?” She asks quietly.

Elphaba simply nods, watching Galinda coldly as the blonde struggles to replicate Elphaba’s previous dance. The musicians slowly start their music back up, matching their tune to the moves.

ShenShen and Pfanne shuffle towards Galinda with disgusted looks.

“What are you doing?” Pfanne whispers harshly.

“Stop!” ShenShen says with the same disgusted tone.

Galinda looks at them, her brows furrowed. An hour ago she would have been as disgusted as them. But she’s come to a realization. Elphaba didn’t deserve their scorn.

“No.” Galinda shakes her head and returns to Elphaba. The two continue to dance, connected and inspired in their movements.

Slowly but surely, the crowd slowly joins in on the strange dance. The mood of the room quickly returns to vibrant and exciting as everyone dances and has a good time. Galinda sticks with Elphaba for the rest of the night. Refusing to leave the princess alone.

That night, after the dance, Galinda and Elphaba talk with each other in their dorm as they get ready for bed.

Elphaba shrugs off her clothes and gets in her simple white nightgown. Galinda brushes her teeth at the sink, already dressed in her pink bathrobe.

“That was your very first party?” Galinda spits in the sink. “Ever?”

Elphaba pauses to think about it. “...how many people have to be present for it to count as a party?”

“Over 10.” Galinda says confidentiality as she jumps on her bed, lying on her stomach and kicking her feet in the air. She rests her face on her hands and watches Elphaba expectantly.

“Hm. I’ve never had a party then.” Elphaba shrugs, not thinking it to be a big deal. She winces when Galinda gasps loudly.

“Never?!” the blonde questions, affronted. “But you’re the princess of Oz! Your father is the Wizard!”

“My father,” Elphaba raises a brow at Galinda. “Is very…overprotective.”

“What have you done for your birthdays then?” Galinda demands.

“Small things.” Elphaba says calmly. “In the past I’ve just spent the day with my father. He would put off all his work for the day so that I could have his undivided attention.” Elphaba smiles fondly at the memories.

“Aw, that’s sweet.” Galinda gushes. She rolls off her bed and instead flops onto Elphaba’s own. “I couldn’t remotely sleep.”

“Me neither,” Elphaba agrees with a small smile.

“I know! Let’s each tell the other something we’ve never told anyone! I’ll go first: Fiyero and I are getting married!” Galinda squeals happily, leaning against Elphaba.

“He asked you already?” Elphaba raises a brown surprise.

“Oh, he doesn’t know yet.” Galinda giggles then looks at Elphaba. “Now you tell me a secret.”

“Like what?”

“Like-- why were never allowed out of the Emerald Palace before school?” Galinda asks curiously.

“Elphaba sighs and shrugs. “That’s not really a secret. My father is an overprotective and paranoid man. He doesn’t want anything bad happening to me.”

Galinda gasps dramatically, causing Elphaba to raise a brow in amusement.

“That’s not the secret.”

“Oh,” Galinda pouts, “well what is it then?”

“...I used to have magic. But when I lost it, he got too scared to let me out.” Elphaba continues quickly before Galinda can question her. “I used to be able to cast spells and even read the Grimmerie. All when I was eight.”

“Well…what changed?” Galinda asks with a small frown.

“I’d rather not say…” Elphaba whispers. “Just that I gave it up to my father, so he could do more good with it.”

“Elphaba frowns and stares at her hands. “Sometimes I think I made the wrong choice.”

“That’s not right.” Galinda huffs. “It was your magic. He shouldn’t have taken it. What would the Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz need your magic for anyway?”

Elphaba merely shrugs. Her silence is a clear sign of how she’d rather change the subject.

Galinda gives Elphaba a sympathetic look, as if she’s truly seeing the green girl for the first time. The blonde glances out the window and gasps when she sees the sun rise.

“Look-- it’s tomorrow! And Elphie-- may I call you Elphie?”

“It’s a little perky.”

“And you can call me... Galinda.”

“That is your name.”

“Let’s not quarrel.” Galinda playfully chides and presses a finger to Elphaba’s lips to shush her. “Because Elphie-- now that we’re friends, I’ve decided to make you my new project!”

“Oh you really don’t have to do that--” Elphaba says quickly.

“I know! That’s what makes me so nice!” Galinda preens.

(Start of Song “Popular.”)

“Whenever I see someone less fortunate than I,” Galinda starts singing, “(and let's face it, who isn’t less fortunate than I?) My tender heart tends to start to bleed…”

Galinda hops off the bed and stands in front of Elphaba, “and when someone needs a makeover, I simply have to take over,” as she sings this part the blonde grabs Elphaba’s face. “I know I know exactly what they need, and even in your case…”

Galinda pushes Elphaba down on the bed so the green girl is lying down with the blonde straddling her. Galinda gently removes Elphaba’s glasses. Galinda, feeling her last shreds of heterosexuality slip away as she sees the princess without glasses, gently places them back on.

“We’ll just…leave these on.” She mumbles.

Galinda jumps off Elphaba and does a little twirl, her pink dressing gown swirling around her.

“You will be,” Galinda sings, “Popular! You’re gonna be popular! I’ll teach you the proper ploys, when you talk to boys! Little ways to flirt and flounce! I’ll show you what shoes to wear, how to fix your hair, everything that really counts to be popular!”

Galinda happily bounces around the room as she sings, like a lesbian tropical bird doing a mating dance. Elphaba watches on in confusion.

“I’ll help you be popular! You’ll hang with the right cohorts! You’ll be good at sports! Know the slang you’ve got to know. So let's start because you’ve an awfully long way to go!” As Galinda flounces around the room, she pops open her trunks full of beauty supplies and fancy clothes.

“Don’t be offended by my frank analysis,” Galinda sings and pushes Elphaba down on a chair and shines a bright light on the green girl’s face, examining her with a magnifying glass like a police interrogation. “Think of it as personality dialysis. Now that I’ve chosen to become a pal, assister, and advisor, there’s nobody wiser not when it comes to popular--”

Galinda goes about the room and grabs random beauty tools she sees in her trunks. “I know about popular, and with an assist from me to be who you’ll be, instead of dreary who-you-were, well are. There’s nothing that can stop you from becoming popu-ler…lar.”

Galinda squeals excitedly, now hanging from the chandelier and swinging around on it. “La la la la, we’re gonna make you popular.”

“This won’t end well.” Elphaba mutters under her breath, rubbing her forehead.

“Elphie!” Galinda gasps, jumping down from the chandelier and pulling Elphaba out onto the balcony. “You mustn’t think that way-- your whole life is going to change! And all because of me!”

Galinda jumps on the railing, much to Elphaba’s worry as the green girl tries to make sure the blonde is balanced and doesn’t fall.

“When I see depressing creatures, with unprepossessing features,” Galinda sings proudly, her hand instinctively grabbing Elphaba’s. The blond intertwines their fingers without thinking.

Galinda hops off the balcony and leads Elphaba back inside, scanning through one of her books about political figures in Oz. “I remind them on their own behalf to think of celebrated heads of state or specially great communicators. Did they have brains or knowledge?” Galinda challenges. “Don’t make me laugh, they were--”

“Popular?” Elphaba guesses.

“RIGHT!” Galinda slams the book down on a dresser. “PLEASE-- it’s all about popularity. It’s not about aptitude, it’s the way you’re viewed so it's very shrewd to be, very very popular. Like me!”

Galinda proudly tosses her back and gestures to Elphaba.

“Now then. Let us begin. Hair. We toss our hair. See? Toss! Toss!”

Elphaba weakly tries to copy Galinda, and only ends up smacking her face with her thick hair instead.

“Well--” Galinda shrugs. “You’ll practice.” She grabs her training wand and tries to throw it in the air with a flip, instead accidentally dropping it. She quickly grabs it and tosses her hair. “And now I shall transform your simple “frock” into a magnificent ball gown!”

“Oh no.” Elphaba frowns.

Galinda waves her wand at Elphaba. “Ball gown.”

The blonde frowns when nothing happens, and smacks the end of her stick.

“Ball gown!” She tries again, still to no avail.

“Is this thing on?” She pouts and huffs, tossing her wand to the side. “Fine, wear the frock. It looks nice.”

Galinda pulls Elphaba to her vanity and sits the princess down. The blonde examines the green girl, before carefully taking the pink flower out of her hair and placing it behind Elphaba’s ear.

“Pink goes good with green.” Galinda smiles.

“Goes well with green.” Elphaba corrects gently.

“It so does.” Galinda grins and puts her hands on her hips. She examines Elphaba with a small, almost awed look as if she’s just made a discovery. “Why, Miss Elphaba-- you’re beautiful.”

Elphaba feels a blush rising to her cheeks. “I-- I have to go--” She stammers and rushes out of the room.

“You're welcome!” Galinda calls after her with a small pout, though she quickly gets distracted by her reflection. “And though you protest, your disinterest, I know clandestinedly. You’re gonna grin and bear it, your new-found popularity.” Galinda then leaps about the dorm hallway, happily finishing her song. “La, la, la, la…you’ll be popular… just not quite as popular as me!”

(End song.)

She squeals happily and returns to her dorm to prepare for the day, all while Elphaba blushes furiously in a closet. Seems the princess has developed a crush.