Sapphires and Rubies

We meet in Nessarose’s castle. It’s very her. Gothic. Towers that go up into spikes. High ceilings, and haunting halls. Secret passages, and candelabras. Black floors, walls, and ceilings. Black candles. Sliver, and gold. Sapphires. Dark blue carpets. It’s all very black, and gothic style. I had ridden one of the horses from town to get here. (Non talking.) I passed Munchkin land. Went over Munchkin River. Past Dicky Land. From the dreary castle I can see the Ozure Isle’s. We’re the Capitol of Sapphire City is. The West is the main source of jewels, most notably Sapphires. It’s very different from here. A cliffside of sparking crystals of every color. Blue more than any other. The blue city is so tall I can see it from here. The water shines in a rainbow of colors. I’m the first of three to arrive. I wear a simple silver circlet. A black cape. Black, and yellow striped tights. A black blouse, and black skirt. Tall black boots. A round, clear crystal made into a neckless is around my neck. Long black, silk gloves to cover the green making its way up my arms. I see my sister. All green, and making no effort to hide it. I push down envy. She smiles when she sees me.

“I haven’t heard anything about you in the West.”

“I’ve been hiding out.”

“Together we don’t need to.” She says firmly. A bubble floats in. When it pops Glinda takes turns hugging us.

“Oh, the gloves again.” She says. I shrug.

“Let’s start the meeting.” Traditionally it would be held in the Emerald City, but we figured this would be safer. I notice that there are more guards in the castle than there was in the Emerald Castle. In fact there’s more guards in the East than I’ve ever seen. We update each other. “Firstly I’m sending some of my guards to the West.”

“Have them camp in the Black Forest.”

“Oh, the Black Forest. We can build your castle there.” Nessarose says.

“If you say so.” I say.

“I’ll send construction supplies.”

“I’ll send precisions as well.” Glinda adds “We’ll need to see the state our parents left the North in.” Nessarose says. I nod.

“I don’t like how Oz thinks he can do as he pleases. Until we come up with a plan to deal with him. I think I might just take him down a peg.” I say.

“If you don’t. I will.” Nessarose.

“Also can I take some stones back with me.” I ask Nessarose. I leave her Kingdom with pockets full of yellow garnet, citrine, and yellow turmaline. I pay Mr. And Mrs. Cider. (Theodore and Eve portents.) They try refusing. I win the argument of course. Then I buy some clothes, and privations. A dagger as Theodore’s had melted. And a broom. Feeling better now I got up at dawn with the rest of them. The day was hot. Though the fog was cool.

“I have something for you.” I say. I hand him the dagger. It’s much nicer than the old one, and far sharper. With a sheath encrusted with emeralds, and yellow garnet.

“It’s beautiful. Thank you.” I made sure of the balance, and heaviness was about the same.

“You’re welcome.”

“Um. I was wondering- I um, I was wondering- would you like to go on a date with me?”

“Alright. When?”

“How about right now.” Eve interrupts. “You can work, and date at the same time.” She hands is each an empty basket. We place them under trees.

“So I feel we should get to know each other better. Ask questions.”

“Alight.” I say. Hoping it’ll be a question I can answer.

“Are you a dog person, or a cat person.” I laugh all tension defusing. “What I think it says a lot about a person?”

“Defiantly cat.” I say. He nods like this makes sense.

“Your turn.”

“Oh. What’s your favorite crystal?” Choosing an equally impersonal, and common question.

“Emeralds.”

“Why emeralds?” I ask. He looks down at his boots a moment. Suddenly a bit bashful.

“Your eyes. There’ll like emeralds.” He says. His are like earth. Beautiful, and warm.

“Can I kiss you?” I ask.

“Yes.” I kiss him. When I pull away he’s bashful again. I’m about to say something when an apple gets thrown at us.

“Not one of us miss.” The trees that work for Jasper assured me, pointing.

“Slackers. Get back to work.” They yell in a gravely voice. I had almost forgotten we weren’t alone. It felt that way for a moment. I glare daggers at the culprit. They don’t throw another.

“I’ll chop you down.” I tell them.

“Ok, ok.” Theodore says pulling me away, like he’s worried I’ll start a forest fire. I just might. “I’ll let Eve know about them. She’ll know what to do.” We continue our work. Then as our shift ends he hands our baskets to Eve, and drags me away. “Come on.” He says.

“Were are we going?”

“To somewhere I’ve never shown anyone.” He says. He takes me to a patch of golden apple trees, that don’t talk behind his house. These apples aren’t just gold, but shiny like they’re made out of the metal. He helps me up. We climb up, and he hands me an apple. It’s sweeter than the others I’ve had. I lean on his shoulder. Our legs dangling over the branch. I ready my magic to move the branches if we fall. We face west. Poetic.

“I have something I need to tell you.” I waited to tell Oz. It’s better I know now. “I’m a witch. A wicked one.” I pull off my glove.

“Oh, so that’s why you wear them all the time. I thought gloves with a night dress was a weird fashion trend.” He grabs a my hand holding it. “You don’t need to wear them. Not with me.” I summon an Emerald Eschscholzia. Handing it to him. “Wow.” He takes it. We watch the sun set. The sky turns shades of yellow, and gold.

“So what’s your family like?” He asks as we are again picking apples.

“Well my parents weren’t good people. But me, and my sisters are very close.”

“That’s who you were visiting yes?” I nod.

“I’ll be visiting them again soon.” I say. I have too. We need to figure out what we’re going to do about Oz. “My eldest sister is kind, polite, and very hands on. My middle sister is blunt, and protective. A bit formal, but not as much as I. You’ll like them.”

“I’m sure I will.” He says. “I think Eve, and your eldest sister will like each other. The middle sister sounds a bit like you, but you’re more fiery.” It’s strange fiery was never a complement people used to describe me back home.

“I’m going to be taking the wagon to make a delivery. You should come with us.”

“Alright.” I say. We pack up the apples. We break for lunch getting ready to leave. I sit with the broom. Oz mention the stories of witches back home. As fake as our wizards. I hold the broom in my hands. I focus as I had a few times before. Glinda can fly. Nessarose teleport. I need my own form of transportation. I close my eyes. My hands for once are uncovered. My door locked. I can feel the texture of the wood. Every splinter. The magic tells me it’s well made. The tree was very, very old. An apple tree ironically. The broom begins to float. It’s black, and painted with detailing in a darker shade. It floats, and I hesitantly touch it. It spins in the air floating up, and away from me. I hold out my hand, and it returns to me.

“Right less try this.” I say. I’m wearing stripped orange, and white legging. A black blouse, and a black belt with a silver buckle. Black boots, and a black cape. I swing my leg over. I fly a few feet into the air. I’ll have the perfect time to practice, and make sure it’s permanent. To see if I really made an enchanted object.