Chapter Text
"Is it straight?" NessaRose asked a she fiddled once again with the large white feather above her head. She moved in closer to the looking glass. Her satin gloved hands pulled and pushed at the delicate feathers that have been stuck into her updo. Her brown curls had been pinned up off her neck and twisted into an ornate bun on the back of her head. A few loose curls hung delicately around her face and off from the bun itself. She looked very delicate, her white dress decorated with lovely dainty gold embroidery.
"It was before you fiddled with it," Came Elphaba's final voice, smile audible. She reached for the soft feather and arranged it perfectly within her hair. She couldn't believe it was already time for her sister to be presented to the Wizard. Only a year her elder, Elphaba should've been the first Thropp daughter to enter society. Would've been if it wasn't for her condition.
Born with green skin through no fault of her own, Elphaba's father has never forgiven her. Despite her only sin being her mere birth. Seeking private tutors and electing to never bring her along travelling, he did his best to hide her. Elphaba has never even left her ancestral home. Relegated to the countryside of Munchkinland, she chose to learn as much as she could when her father was away. He's made it clear he has no intention to sponsor her with a dowry or much assistance. She would make a content life for herself. A governess perhaps.
As an Earl though it was of course expected for their father to bring his family to the Emerald City for the season. Especially now seeing as his youngest and most favored daughter is old enough to enter society and find a proper husband. Neither daughter has been before. Despite joining their father on many shorter journeys before, Nessa had never been away from Elphaba for quite as long as an entire social season. She insisted her elder sister would be able to come along as well. Despite their father's clear intentions to leave Elphaba in the country, what Nessa wanted Nessa would get.
"Better?" Nessa chimed, rolling back to show off her full outfit. Elphaba nodded in agreement, backing up to motion to her own for comment. Her typical black attire would make her stand out in the crowd of debutantes adorned in white silks. Not that it would be the most eye catching thing about her. Her emerald skin did more than enough attention catching. She wished she could simply sink into the background, watching her sister's successes from afar. But Nessa needed her, now more than ever.
"Very beautiful, Posy," Elphaba complimented just as the footman entered the room to fetch the young ladies. Their carriage had just arrived outside, ready to take them to the palace. Nessa smiled up at her big sister as she headed out of the room. Elphaba followed behind silently, her excitement held behind a small neutral smile. Her father didn't like when she showed any sort of real emotion, said it was attention seeking.
The carriage ride was short but it allowed the sisters to finally see the city for the first time. They had arrived late last night without much time to explore. The sun had already set behind the tall walls of the Emerald City. Now they both leaned in towards the windowed door as the bottle green city rushed past. "It's so beautiful here," Nessa commented as they rolled up the drive of the castle. Elphaba agreed silently. Their father sat next to Nessa, smiling at her amusement. He himself had been been to the city before but was delighted to bring along his jewel. "I quite agree!" He added, smiling to only one of his daughters.
Elphaba would like to say she's used to his favoritism by now but that would simply be a lie. It still stung when Nessa was encouraged where Elphaba was scoffed at. Like the sharp tingles as a burn subsides under the skin.
Once inside the palace, NessaRose had Elphaba check her feather once more before spitting off. Nessa settling with the other debutantes and Elphaba joining the gaggle of families all gathered to view the debuts. NessaRose was to be presented by an old but quite distant family friend, Madame Morrible. Seeing as their mother had passed during Nessa's birth; which was yet another thing their father blamed upon his elder daughter. Neither daughter knew Madame Morrible at all but she was the only adult woman who could present the younger, with no mother nor female relatives to sponsor her. Besides, she was said to be a good friend of the Wizard which had to improve Nessa's favor.
Elphaba stood to the back, only able to see a sliver of the aisle where Nessa would pass. She was sure to stay out of the way. She doubted anyone had even seen her slip in behind the crowd. Seeing as no one gasped, it was a relatively safe guess. Mercifully, the green of the wall truly helped her blend in. The thought was surprisingly soothing. She smoothed her gown nervously as she waited the ceremony to begin. Most of the crowd was dressed head to toe in the city's signature greens. All shades from chartreuse to olive to pthalo.
A large green and heavy curtain sliced the whole far wall off from the rest of the room. Thick forest green velvet with heavy gold piping on the edges. Even the ropes used to hoist it back were glimmery gold. What it was concealing was a mystery to any newcomers but many knew what was waiting just behind it. Attention was grabbed and voices were silenced as the Wizard was announced by presumably his own butler. His voice was commanding and nasally. The squat man bore a bright orange mustache, rather impressive in size. It was the only thing moving even as he spoke. He scooted off just as the curtain was pulled back.
A large throne stood nearly to the ceiling there. Made of gold and emeralds, it glittered like a rippling pond in the sun. On it was a... man. Elphaba wasn't sure what she expected but perhaps someone more... more. He was of average build, perhaps taller than most but nothing too spectacular visually. His power of course being much more intimidating. The crowd clapped as he was revealed, becoming loud once again. A hush rolled over them once again as the tall doors opposite their beloved Wizard opened, revealing the first debutante.
The season has begun.