V: fear and loathing (in Gillikin)- Wicked Verse
This verse takes inspiration from both book and musical canon. Please be aware that I have not read all of Wicked but I am familiar with the musical.
Martin Heiss is a Gillikinese man known for his sharp tongue, pronounced limp, and distinct sense of fashion. He was born with very light brown hair that turned blonde and then white by the time he reached 30 years of age (with some premature balding as well). He studied biology just long enough to earn his degree at Shiz, but can often be found earning money through one of his several hobbies including hairdressing and dressmaking.
There are several rumors about Martin that are passed around Oz, some of the more scandalous of which have pushed him to the fringes of society, making him somewhat of an outsider despite his upper-class status. Some of the most popular rumors are that Martin is in an illicit relationship with a Quadling man, he is 1/8th an Earthling, and he is part of the resistance against the Wizard. Some also believe that his cat is self aware (an Animal), and that his limp is the result of past wrongdoing by his mother who was known to be an alcoholic. Martin refuses to admit to any of this, though his odd name betrays a strange heritage. The fact that he is gay remains an open secret, willfully ignored by other Ozians who prefer to associate with Martin under the guise of "minding their own business." No one dares bring up his politics.
