Elphaba Thropp, the other daughter. Just trying to stay out of everyone's way. "And there the Wicked old Witch stayed for a very long time." "And did she ever come out?" "Not yet.." [Semi-selective indie RP blog for Wicked's Elphaba Thropp]
Prompt: You and your soulmate can communicate with thoughts and your soulmate happens to be a math major and you really need help with this test right now. Also, on some days, whatever your soulmate thinks of is something you can hear in your mind and your soulmate is currently reading really hardcore smut fics and you’re trying so hard not to mess up this class presentation which shoulders half your mark for the semester.
Author’s edit: The thought-communications only go into effect after meeting
Elphaba not hearing anyone’s thoughts until she enrolled in Shiz university didn’t surprise her. She hadn’t expected to be able to hear someone’s thoughts at all, didn’t think herself worthy of a soulmate. Galinda Upland, on the other hand, was a lot more upset at never hearing anyone’s thoughts until then. After all, she was getting older (and therefore uglier) every passing day. What if when she finally heard someone’s thoughts they wouldn’t love her? Or even worse; what if she died alone like her auntie?!
Therefore, the initial reaction of both girls when they started hearing someone’s thoughts could not have been more different. Galinda’s reaction was one of near childlike glee, whereas Elphaba was just incredibly surprised. Once they realized who their soulmates were, however, they were both equally dismayed.
Contrary to popular belief, it was Galinda who first figured out who her soulmate was. Sure, Elphaba had figured out her soulmate was a her, and that she hated her, going by the amount of thoughts sent to her about some ‘green freak’, but that narrowed it down to every single girl on campus (aside from Nessarose). But with Galinda hearing a thought about how her soulmate wasn’t surprised they couldn’t be loved with green skin, it wasn’t that difficult to put the pieces together. Galinda confronted her roommate, they fought, and all seemed to go back to some sort of status-quo where the two of them were mostly trying to ignore each other.
Enter Fiyero Tiggular, who had the ‘luck’ to meet both his soulmates in one day, instantly filling his head with two chattering female voices. The first was shortly after his driver collided with a green girl, with the same voice muttering on about ‘silly rich boys’. The second belonged to a perky blonde, who clearly adored him and was already planning their wedding, which he couldn’t quite blame her for. They were soulmates, after all; it was expected.
But he couldn’t quite ignore the green girl, or the fact that he had a second soulmate. But he supposed he’d deal with that when it became an actual problem.
Meanwhile, after controlling her thoughts well enough to con Elphaba into going to the dance with her grandmother’s hat, Galinda had a little epiphany while she was helping Elphaba become ‘popular’. That epiphany being that the green girl was actually strangely pretty, even despite (or maybe because of?) her skin.
And it just so happened that Elphaba heard that thought. Prompting her to run away, not really wanting to face that problem when she had two voices in her head (Because yes, she had found out about Fiyero, and had then hexed something into oblivion because really, universe? Really?!)
And so did Fiyero. Which prompted him to talk to Galinda the next day about how they were going to solve this dilemma where they both had Elphaba as a second soulmate.
After a lot of long, complicated conversations, the three of them ended up in a healthy, polyamorous relationship, which is when the real fun began.
For one, Galinda and Fiyero would not stop asking Elphaba for the answers whenever they were taking a test together. Even after they promised to stop when Elphaba began tutoring them, they would occasionally bug her for the answer, promising her everything from free drinks to sexual favours.
(The fact that Elphaba always gave in because sometimes she could just not say no to them only encouraged them further)
Of course there were the obligatory conversations during boring classes, with both Galinda and Fiyero trying to distract Elphaba from her work and Elphaba threatening them to fucking stop it or else...
But most importantly, it didn’t take long for Elphaba and Fiyero to find out that beneath that perky, pink and blonde, glittery exterior, Galinda Upland was a menace.
Fiyero was her usual victim, taunting him with R-rated images and promises when he was out hanging with Avaric and Crope and Tibbett, resulting in some very unfortunate situations sometimes. He once had to make up some excuse about having to stay in a carriage for a few more stops because getting up would not be appreciated by anyone with the tight white jodhpurs he was wearing.
However, every once in a while, when she knew Elphaba wasn’t doing anything too important - because despite wanting to have her fun, she knew academics really mattered to her girlfriend - she would give the green girl the same treatment. Unlike Fiyero, she never took it quite as calmly, ending up a blushing and stuttering mess, especially in the beginning.
After a few years of being together, and Elphaba had gotten completely used to the whole idea that she had two soulmates who loved her and wouldn’t leave her, Galinda and Fiyero found out that Elphaba could be just as bad. She hid it well, of course, and only plagued their minds with unwanted thoughts when there was a serious cause for payback, but she did realize that from that moment on, Galinda’s purposeful attacks were a lot less frequent.
Having said that, it is still difficult to control your thoughts to make sure your soulmate doesn’t hear them, and even more so when there’s two of them. And especially back at Shiz, this resulted in a lot of slip-ups, and a lot of post-class/post-studying makeout sessions, all met with a lot of initial annoyance from Elphaba’s side because ‘we are supposed to be learning things right now, dammit Galinda!’
Elphaba shrugged, trying to ignore the nagging feeling that told her the girl did, indeed, need help. Getting involved in other people’s problems had never done her much good. “Alright then. I’m not sure that’s the best decisoin, but if you’re sure...”
Richard tilted his head to one side, about to ask her what sort of thoughts brought her to the shoreline to wander, but then she spoke before he could, and he paused.
He shrugged. “Trouble back at the castle. Nothing has been going right lately, and I’m just a little weary, I suppose.” He sighed. “I was hoping walking down here might clear my head some. And what about you? What brings you here? If I might be so bold as to ask, of course.”
Elphaba couldn’t help but chuckle at that statement a little. After all, troubles affecting royalty could range from ‘my servants are too lazy’ to actual, legitimate problems. But if the stranger had come here to clear his head, rather than simply went and sulked in his castle, she thought it was fair to assume his troubles were legitimate.
“Trying to remember, trying to forget... a bit of both. It’s rather complicated.” She replied with a shrug. “And certainly not as serious as your troubles, it would appear. At least my decisions don’t affect an entire kingdom.” Or, well, not anymore.
Faye’s voice was heard, and Belle started rushing down from the back of the library. This was her favorite day of the month. It was always fun to see what books could be added to her collection. Of course, Belle made sure to read all of them before she placed them on the shelves, which was probably the best part of her job.
“Hi Faye!” She said ecstatically. “Let me help you.” Her hands reached out to grab some of her load.
“Great, thank you.” She smiled at the brunette, as the box in her arms considerably lightened thanks to Belle taking out a stack of books. Despite the box never being unbearably heavy, it was always a bitch to carry all the way across town. The only time this had been a serious problem was a year or so ago, when some curse-related disaster had ended in a few destroyed bookcases. She was unclear on the specifics - it seemed like Storybrooke was going to hell in a handbasket at least once a month, and she had given up on keeping track after the Wraith.
“It’s mostly romance novels this time.” She said, carrying the box further inside as she followed Belle. “Got a few bitter people in around Valentines... You know how it goes. Nothing exceptional.”
Alina looked at the woman curiously. That’s what she was upset about in this land? Here she was: hungry, freezing, homeless, and this woman was complaining about the politics of this world. “It is very complicated, but at least we have some modern conveniences like electricity.” She shrugged and forced a smile.
Obviously she could see the situation Alina was in. The only reason she would offer her food. It was a nice gesture, but she hated taking advantage of people’s generosity. Still, people weren’t generous by nature. That’s what her life has taught her.
“I don’t need much.” She turned to the bartender. “Whatever your least expensive thing is. Thanks.”
Elphaba nodded thoughtfully. “And yet they seem to be moving heaven and earth to get everyone back to the Dark Ages in the Enchanted Forest. Because beheadings and diseases and growing your own food are so much better than electricity and indoor plumbing.” She scoffed. She could understand why the royals would want to go back ‘home’. A 2 bedroom apartment in a small village was hardly the castle with silk sheets and marble staircases they were used to.
What they seemed to forget was that the current living conditions had been a substantial step up for nearly everyone else. How easy it seemed to judge everyone wanting to stay from their thrones. As if this place is the worst thing in the world, as if the ‘Evil Queen’ sending them to an actual hell would have been better than this.
In truth, this fucking ‘curse’ was the best thing that had happened to her in a long time.
Glancing over at the girl again, she raised a brow. “What’s your story, then?” She asked, as per usual lacking tact. Politeness had never been her strong suit.
Rey nodded her head. Okay. Relationship trouble. She could… probably do that. “Well, what’s the problem revolve around. Did they do something… wrong?” Okay, maybe she couldn’t do this. She didn’t want to give this poor girl faulty advice. What if she ended up ruining her relationship? What if this poor girl never loved again, all because a random stranger on the street gave her the worst advice in the history of the world? Oh, no. “Or is it more of a mutual thing? Maybe miscommunication?”
“They... I don’t know. I’m certain it’s miscommunication, but I’m not sure.” Elphaba sighed, slumping down against a nearby tree. She wasn’t even sure how to put her problem into words. For one, she had never been one to talk about her emotional issues, making talking about anything relating to ‘feelings’ hard enough as it is. And then telling some stranger that maybe two people are interested in her? Her? The resident campus cabbage??
“Okay, here’s the thing. And I know, I know it’s going to sound insane, because it is and until a few weeks ago I was certain it was but I’m beginning to doubt my own judgement more and more.” She took a deep breath, trying to calm down, before speaking again. “My roommate, whom I may have feelings for, is dating this guy, whom I may also have feelings for, and that would all be perfectly okay because I’m not even entirely sure how I feel about them. But lately it seems like maybe they’re both interested in me too? Which is absurd, but neither of them are very subtle when they drop hints and they wouldn’t go through such great lengths to prank me but it’s just... It’s insane and bizarre and confusifying and I’m not entirely sure what to do.”
“Well, you know, villains need sleep, too.” So that wasn’t funny, well, whoop-dee-doo. She followed the woman along, hoping to actually talk about something, well, normal for once. “It’s actually not for me, but yeah, that’s me, Emma Swan, one and only.”
Elphaba laughed. “What I’m trying to say is: I’m surprised you find any time to yourself at all in this town. With a town full of so-called ‘heroes’, they seem to put a lot on your plate.” She said, taking a few books from the shelves. “One would assume they could handle certain problems on their own.”
Well, she was finally free…and homeless. She was hiding in the woods. Of course she would be poor here. All she knew was selling matches, and in a land with electricity, there was no way she could sell those here.
As winter came around, she tried to sneak into places to stay warm. The nights were so cold since all the places were closed, so she was stuck outside at night. So in the day she tried to find warmth.
Security was not as tight on the Rabbit Hole as she expected. As long as she didn’t order alcohol, they didn’t question someone underage being in there. She took a seat at the bar. A few moments later, the dark haired woman next to her started a conversation. Clearly she was just as bitter. “Oh yes…just perfect. The picture perfect town. Just like a fairytale.”
“Isn’t it just...” Elphaba grimaced. “Why would we need infrastructure, tax policies, or general laws, when we can just focus on punishing people for 25-year-old grievances?” She said, turning to face the girl. She appeared to be no more than a teenager, but despite the blonde hair she looked all too familiar. Too thin, trembling just a little, eyes hollow yet burning with hatred and a fighting spirit. The few times she had managed to find a mirror when she was on the run in the Emerald City, she had looked much the same.
Despite having promised not to get involved in the whole ‘doing good’ thing anymore, she couldn’t help but feel for the girl. She could only imagine what had ended the girl up in that position - though judging by the girl’s tone of voice, it was undoubtedly related to the ‘regime change’.
Sighing, already silently scolding herself for breaking her own promise again, she flashed the girl a small smile. “Feel free to order whatever, if you’re hungry. I’ll pay.”
“I don’t think so.” His voice was cold and rage filled his tone. He had make it clear that no harm would come to her or anybody else if she had done the right thing and just cleared the mess herself and kept the cops out of it. But, lord, did he hate being taken for granted. He used his speed vampire powers and within a second his palm was around her throat, choking her. “I warned you.”
Aside from a jump-scare - because who wouldn’t be at least a little startled by someone placing their hands around your throat - Elphaba seemed less than impressed. Her life was a mundane one at best, her past plagued her beyond belief, and it wouldn’t be the first time she had considered death as a viable alternative.
Still, choking? The kid could at least have just snapped her neck and gotten it over with. Placing her own hands over his, she used her own magic (and really, the only perk of the curse breaking) to hopefully burn the boy’s hands enough so he would loosen his grip and she would at least be able to speak.
Kai watched as the female called. “aw… that’s cute.” He tilted his head to the left and pursed his lips together so that his face expression was sarcastic enough. “Guess I’ll just have a seat and wait with you.”
Rolling her eyes at the boy - for he was no more than a boy, a child playing at games for his own entertainment - she focused her attention on the phonecall. “Yes, hello, I’d like to report a case of breaking and entering. There is a man in my house cutting up a pile of corpses- Yes, he’s still there, but he made an obvious threat that should any law enforcement arrive while he is still present he would kill them. No, I don’t think he’s going to hurt me. Why? No idea, but I figure if he’s letting me call 911 without having me killed I’m in the clear. Uh-huh... Yes. .... Yes. Look, I don’t particularly care how you do it, I’ve had a long day and this is the last thing I’d want to be dealing with. Alright. Well, good luck then, according to this psycho you’ll need it.” Disconnecting the call, she sighed loudly. “I really don’t have the energy to deal with your bullshit. Police is on their way, I’m going the fuck to sleep.”
She gave a slight nod and pressed her
lips together. It was odd and it had shocked
her when she’d managed to strike up a
friendship of sorts with her eye-catching
roommate. She’d assumed that their time
sharing the dorm would be spent silently
and with minimal interaction.
❝I agree…A very good strange. A strange
that I like…❞
“I’m glad.” The green girl smiled. In truth, she was still surprised the blonde was no longer repulsed by her. Her first impression of Galinda had not been a good one, but the more she got to know the girl, the more she realized the blonde was a better person than she let on. She was smarter than she looked, and kinder than Elphaba had initially thought her to be. The green girl was convinced her roommate would go on to do great things, if only she used her potential wisely. “We’ve certainly come a long way, have we not?”
To say Elphaba was having trouble with the curse breaking would be an understatement. Seeing all the happy faces around all the time, people reuniting with their families, talking about how grateful they were to have their memories back... It disgusted her.
She hated the memories. Hated the anxiety they caused her, hated the permanent guilt, hated the sleepless nights and the nightmares and the constant fear of being discovered. Unlike most other residents, she would give anything to forget again.
Still, she wasn’t alone in this mentality. The Rabbit Hole had gotten quite a range of new customers since the curse broke - more people who hated the breaking of the curse, the new Charming regime, or both. Taking another swig from her glass of Whisky, she barely even looked up when a blonde girl took a seat next to her. “Another wonderful day in Storybrooke, isn’t it?” She said, sarcasm obvious in her tone.
In a bookstore, much like in any other store, products occasionally got damaged. Spines irreparably bent, pages ripped, water spillage... All seemingly minor acts that left books unsalable. Never having been a fan of throwing books away, not even in her home world, Elphaba - or Faye, as she was more commonly known - gathered the books in a separate box, which she delivered to the local library once a month.
Carrying the box in her hands, she pushed the door to the library open with her shoulder. “Hello? I’ve got the monthly book load here.”
