Birthday Bash

“What did you do?” Mother and father say. I’m sitting in Nessarose’s green leather lounge chair. My feet dangling over the edge of the arm. My tights are black, and white striped. (Stripes I hear all the rage.) A black dress with a green corset. A sliver ribbon in my hair matching the sliver slippers. I’m supposed to give them back when she returns.

“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.” I say on a way they can’t tell, is mocking or not.

“Do you think this is funny?”

“You know I can’t help it.” I say.

“But you could at least have us do damage control.” Mother says.

“What damage control, as far as I can tell you haven’t been doing much sitting on your thrown.” It’s true Glinda‘s been doing most of the work in that department at least as of late. It’s not like they’ve been doing nothing, but the last trip wasn’t quite enough to tame the wicked in me.

“This hurts you too. We’ll have a mob on our hands at this rate.” Father says slamming the door.

“It was good to see you too!” I shout back. All the fires in the castle blaze for a moment. Then I regain control. I would never shout at my family if I could help it. I wait for the guilt to subside. I’ll apologize once they’ve cooled down. I get up. Adjusting my flowy skirt. I’m sure my doubts about there leadership skills is just just the wicked in me. They’re being the best leaders they can be. Just like they’re being the best parents they could be given the situation. Still when was the last time they’ve personal gotten involved with something instead of ordering someone else to do it. They take forever to make decisions especially the important ones. They are polite, but they don’t know when to stand their ground on a matter. Like Glinda with none of her best qualities. None of her warmth. I make the fire go out, and take off the shoes. I spell on pair of lace up black boots. Weaving the laces, and tying them tight with magic. I see that my parents are in their own meetings. There’s still people waiting outside to meet with them in the throne room. Typically the council room is for meetings with diplomats, council members, and mayors. All sitting on the throne will have people come in one of the time to hear their problems, and try to fix them. Suddenly I’m filled with new found determination, and a bit of spite. Not wickedness. Just spite. I sit on the throne. Made out of pure emerald. There’s four of them.

“Send them in.” I tell the munchkin with a bugle horn.

“But Miss-“ I glare. A wicked glare.

“Send them in.” He squeaks. I spend the next three hours helping people figure out if a river can actually run, if blue and green go together (there’s a festival coming up), and explain to a scarecrow that yes he’s flammable. There is also other issues like issues of territory. Like we’re the border between South and West is. As there was a house built right on top of it.

“So am I Winkie your Grace? Or Quadling?” The Tin Woodman asks.

“I hear by proclaim you both.” I say.

“Thank you your Grace.” He bows and leaves. Then there was a harder problem.

“You see your Grace this baker.” The fox points to the talking loaf of bread with arms and legs. “Planted an apple tree on his property. The apples keep falling in my property. I also have to deal with leaves, and branches falling. So I’ve been taking the apples that fall.” The fox says tail swishing irritably. He points, and accusing paw at him.

“Your highness. The tree is my property. Then the apples are my property.”

“I don’t care.” I say slowly. Annoyance mixing with the wicked part of me. “This is foolish. The apples are the foxes. If you’re mad about the apples move the tree.” I say simply.

“Your Grace. I’m not certain that a good-“The baker begins. I stand. The wicked flowing though me. Telling me fear is not the best way to rule, but at the moment it’s all I can feel. Glinda proves there’s another way. But I am wicked. A fireball appears in my hand.

“Take my advise and council, or don’t. It makes no difference. But if I catch you trespassing I’ll have you burned at the stake.”

“No. I’m sorry your majesty. Please don’t make me toast.” The two leave. The fires go out.

“What are you doing?” Father says. Seeing me standing on the emerald platform.

“Nothing.” My father ignores my conspicuousness.

“Come. It’s time for dinner.” Mother says. A person sized spoon with arms and legs, and facial features sets the table. We eat beef Wellington, a carrot the size of a watermelon cut into small pieces and corn, and dinner rolls with powdered sugar on top.

“Happy birthday!” Glinda says from behind me. I get up to hug her.

“You’re here!” I exclaim.

“Of course. I’ve been riding all night.” She says taking the seat one over from me. “Is Nessarose still in a meeting?”

“Sorry, sorry. This munchkin would not stop complaining.” She takes her seat between us. There’s a fourth seat on this side of the table. It stays empty. It’s odd the empty reminders. Like the North. Yet we never talk about her. Our parents flat out refuse too. So the Northern territory’s never been cleared up. It has no heir. There four others on the other side to make it symmetrical. My mother, and father sit at the heads of the table.

“Gifts!” Glinda says clapping her hands together. She makes a small box appear. Nessarose does the same. Glinda’s is wrapped with yellow wrapping paper, and a black bow made into the shape of a flower. Nessarose’s is green with a blue bow.

“Here you are.” My dad hands me a small green box with a lid. When I open it it’s curly hair potion.

“Thank you.” I do love curling my hair with poisons, and curlers. But he gets me this every year no matter what I ask for. Mom’s the one who told him to get it for me all those years ago. Mother’s gift is even less personal. It’s a small pouch of gold coins, and emeralds.

“Thank you.”

“Now mine.” Nessarose says. I pull out a long brimmed black hat with a veil.

“Thank you.” I put it on. Nessarose wears a floppy dark blue hat, dark blue blouse, with dark blue leather pants, black leather boots, and a fancy black coat. Glinda wears a red dress, with orange and red striped tights, and red heels. Glinda hands me her box. I open it.

“Wow a piece of paper.” I say sarcastically in a jesting manner. My parents glare, but my sister only smiles. I can always be certain Nessarose’s gift will have thought out into it, and Glinda’s will have heart. I unroll the paper.

“Dear Princess Glinda I am writing to you confirming that yes we have three rooms rented to you from the day of sapphires to the day of quartz on the second full moon. - The Purple Spider Inn.” Im confused.

“My gift to you is your own place in the West. We’ll oversee it’s being built. For a whole moon it will be the three of us together. And you get the chance to do some Queenly stuff.” Glinda says.

“Oh Glinda!” I hug her.

“I wanted to give Nessarose the same gift for her birthday next moon, but she refused.” Glinda says. Nessarose shrugs, and there’s something mischievous in her eyes.

“It’s the best gift you could have given me.” I say. Father clears his throat.

“One moon that’s all you get.”

“But you were talking about crowning me early. I’m assuming the three of us would have a coronation together like tradition.”

“What?” Nessarose says.

“Really!” I say.

“Glinda that was between us.” Mother says.

“Why though-“ Glinda starts to ask.

“Because they were only planning on crowning you early. We have to wait for them to die.” Nessarose says. I deflate.

“Don’t talk so morbidly.” Mother says.

“You can’t. The law-“ I start.

“The laws state, only the current ruler can decide if they can be crowned early, or not.” The fires turn blue then red. Glinda looks taken aback. Nessarose looks furious.

“Why?” I ask.

“Because we’re wicked.” Nessarose says.

“Any witch can sit on the thrones.” Glinda says. Her voice strong, and clear. Her knowing you got to turn to wisdom. “That is what the law states. I will fight you on this. I will find a loophole.” She leaves the room. Nessa storms out. Rain, and wind pounds against the windows. Thunder booms overhead. I leave too. A mix of sadness, and anger. Even if they’re right. I’m sure they know by now what me and Nessarose has done, and will do. But they- They tore my heat into pieces all the same. I slam my door shut. I scream tossing a chair into the wall with magic. With a spell I shatter a silver, and emerald table. I grab one of my green dresses I start tearing it with my hands. When it’s in pieces I breathe. The fires in the castle start to die. There’s a knock on my door a few moments later.

“I have one last surprise for you.” Glinda says. “Meet me by the Crystal Lake.” I put on water proof black boots. As well as, not taking any chances, my dark green waterproof coat. I go down the steps. I take my horse to the lake. My sisters are already waiting.

“Nessarose reminded me of the times as children we used to go ice skating.” Glinda says. I look out over the lake. At the lake floor is crystals of every shape, and color. Green emeralds, blue sapphires, yellow diamonds, and red rubies. It’s a beautiful site. Sparkling in the sun. The sky is clear again. Glinda puts a bejeweled, water booted foot on the water. It freezes. She spells it so it won’t melt to water at our touch.

“Come on!” She says taking Nessarose’s hand, and dragging her onto the ice. I step on next. Glinda turns our boots into magnificent skates. I laugh. Nessarose, and Glinda hold hands while spinning around in circles. Glinda’s always the most into shows of physical affection than the two of us. Very big on hugs. I do a pirouette on the ice into an arabesque moving backwards. I glide into another arabesque. Glinda links arms with Nessarose, and links arms with me. Even Nessarose laughs. Glinda grins. It’s the most fun we’ve had in a long time.

~

Eventually, we separate going off and doing our own activities. Glinda, has something she needs to research, and Nessarose goes off to write in her journal. I head to where Oz’s caravan is parked. I’m surprised he hasn’t visited me yet.

“That’s great. Put it there. Little higher.” Oz says to a Gillikin the size of an apple, with butterfly wings. The being grows to person size. “Perfect.” I look at the green streamers.

“Ladies, and gentlefolk. Be amazed by the wonderful wizard of Oz.” He trows balls on fire into the air, juggling them. I almost put the fires out, but then I realize that the gloves he’s wearing looks strange. Another invention of his? “We sell potions, magic herbs, and many other things here here. So please buy a trinket to remember the experience.” I wonder if that’s the real deal, or not given that he’s still conman. Even if he is a good man. Most of the time. He pulls a crow out of his hat. Then a string of handkerchiefs from his coat. Last he tosses something to the floor, and in a puff of smoke he’s gone.

“Wizard can you use your magic too-“

“Wizard can you fix my clock.”

“Wizard can you give me advise on-“

“Wizard-“

“Popular aren’t we.” I say sneaking into his chambers in the camper.

“Darling.” He kisses me.

“The marvelous Wizard of Oz.” I say.

“The wonderful Wizard of Oz.” He corrects. “So what can I do for you fair one?” He asks.

“Do you know what today is?”

“Elphaba I’m new here remember, and you have a lot of holidays.”

“You should remember this one.”

“An anniversary of ours?” I shake my head. Has he truly forgotten?

“Wizard people are asking you to grant wishes again.” A munchkin tells him.

“Sorry love. People to help. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

“But tomorrow it won’t be-“ It’s in that moment I decide the next time I see him I’m going to take a break from him. A break I don’t know if I’ll come back from. I start to cry, and the tears burn my cheeks. I take one of his handkerchief’s from the line. I watch him fix a clock. Then ‘grant’ someone wish. Someone asks his opinion on wicked witches.

“It’s not their fault, but what other choice do we have but to kill them. Jail them, and they’ll just go poof anyway. Atleast this way it’s less painful. I don’t mean the Princess of course. Channeling seems to be working for the time being.” He hadn’t heard yet. He didn’t know. People were already whispering, suspecting. They knew she was to blame. Now they just needed proof I was wicked. He’d hear now. It was in the papers in the South. Word was traveling here. Soon I’d be in Emerald City. Then all of Oz. I was the wicked witch of the West. Black storm clouds spread overhead like a blanket. Thunder rumbled.

“People of Oz.” Nessarose’s voice booms from a spell. “I am your future Queen of the East. My sister has been crowned Queen. She has crowned me Queen of the East, and my sister Queen of the West, but my parents have banished me from Emerald City.” She pauses. “They have turned against me!” Lighting, and magic rains down on the city. Nessarose stands on an emerald roof. Chaos surrounds her. An emerald tower shatters, and falls. Lighting strikes the yellow brick road, and it catches fire. There are screams, and panic.

“Oz get inside!” I shout. I see him enter his caravan. I run towards the Emerald Castle. There’s more going on here, and I’m worried about Nessarose. There’s a mob forming outside. With pitchforks, and torches. Some people have swords, and shields.

“Glinda!” I scream. “Glinda.” I duck as a small butterfly winged creature flies over my head. I practically run into Glinda.

“What happened?”

“I found the loophole. I convinced our parents to crown me now, and we could do a proper coronation in a few days.” I see a house blow away outside. “I made you both Queens as well. Thinking we could do a coronation together. Her, and our parents got into a fight. The things they said. I mean they’ve always been a little- They told her she was disowned. That she was banished from the Emerald City. She just could control it anymore. Oh dear!” They disowned her. I know we aren’t good. I know we aren’t always perfect but- Glinda doubles over. Resisting her good impulses, probably to incapacitate Nessarose.

“I’ll help her.” She has to sit down. “Stay safe. We agree to disown our parents don’t we?” I ask.

“Yes.” She says. Her voice more somber than I’ve ever heard it. I run toward the wicked witch of the East.