[introduction] It's still green up here

[weightofaduck]

In the life of a witch there is no afterword. She was dead, dead and g...wait.

Elphaba pants heavily. There's no stone beneath her feet, but wooden, shaky ledges and she can feel thick drops of water digging into her skin. One would think Dorothy's bucket emptied by now. But is she dead? It wouldn't surprise her if divinity chose to mock her

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[hourglasspriest]

For some reason, Saetan seems to like the early spring rain. The earth is waking up, and that delights one of the Blood, tied as they are to the land. And with the sun safely down, he isn't particularly uncomfortable outside. Don't ask how he got up onto the roof (Hint: he cheated). He's not by the chimney, but sitting on an edge with his legs dangling over the side. His boyish smile and the way he's kicking his legs belie other signs of his age and so-called dignity.

There's silver at the temples of his otherwise black hair. His fingernails are tinted black and overly long. He's missing a pinky on his left hand, the same hand sporting a ring with a large Black Jewel. His clothes are immaculately tailored even if they're now somewhat wet. The rain is slacking off for a moment, so perhaps Elphaba won't be so uncomfortable coming to see him. He knows she's there. He doesn't know who or what she is, specifically, but she certainly smells almost like a witch. Almost. Blood can tell these things.

[weightofaduck]

Elphaba doesn't believe in coincidences. She knows all about rain and it's usefulness for life...life, yes, but not for her. She has lived very well without it, thank you very much. Being the exception, she couldn't help but think that when rain starts and when it ends has a meaning. And that meaning is there for her.

So why is it now that it stopped pouring right when this boy appeared? She feels his presence intensly so she takes her chance and slides his way, to confront him.

[hourglasspriest]

He looks up at her as she approaches. His eyes are golden, like a cats, though shaped like a normal man's. One eyebrow goes up. "I wondered if you'd come see me." If she acts hospitable he might even shield her from the rain if it starts up again.

"I think it's a nice night, but you don't seem very comfortable."

[weightofaduck]

"Most certainly...for a sponge. I'm not one but still, if I were to be wrung out one would get twice my weight in water; and mind you, I'm not even drinking such a thing. Also, one of my shoes is gone and there's an odd pointy-eared girl around who keeps asking me why I'm green"

Elphaba stops and takes a deep breath of air, expelling it with something that would resemble a sigh. She gets a reassuring vibe from the man so he must be having a secret agenda. But all she can say is:

"Other than that, it's a nice night"

And she meant it.

[hourglasspriest]

Another laugh. His voice is deep and rich, not at all boyish. "That's a practical enough answer to a nosy stranger. If I can provide a more comfortable seat, will you sit? The view up here, even with the clouds, can be enlightening. I'm called Saetan."

[Yes, it's pronounced that way, and have nothing to do with it. I can't remember if Ozian mythology uses the name for anything.]

[weightofaduck]

"Elphaba", she sais, staring at the clouds. "And I would indeed sit if you'd be so kind to offer a comfortable seat, though I don't see how one could be provided here"

Her mouth twitches in a smile.

At least in Wicked there's reference of the "devil" but I can't remember this name being mentioned either; I'll assume Elphaba is unaware of the terminology ;-D

[hourglasspriest]

He seems to pull a dry reed mat out of thin air and sets it down for her. And if it starts raining again, neither of them should feel it from above. If the wind picks up, he'll suggest they retire inside.

"Now, how did you end up on the roof on such a soft night, Elphaba?"

[weightofaduck]

How convenient. Elphaba wonders why her old friend, Glinda, didn't use her magic for something like that. It could have kept her head busy and prevented her from going and enchanting shoes that were none of her business.

"Oh, that's rich"she said, sitting. "Well, since you seem familiar with unconventional ways, maybe you can clear things up. I arrived here right after someone tried to kill me by throwing a bucket of water on me. I don't know what happened next. Maybe you do?"

[hourglasspriest]

"That's not a story known to me. Is water that dangerous to you?" He's curious, only. "I can see you're not comfortable with it."

[weightofaduck]

"That just happened a couple of hours ago - I think - so don't be tough on yourself", shots Elphaba with one breath."Water burns me and...well, I do think I might actually be quite dead as we speak"

[hourglasspriest]

"Well, I think I can keep you dry for the duration of a short conversation. We don't get many green people around here, but there is at least one dragon and several people with wings." His son being one of them.

[weightofaduck]

"Well, I'm pleased to know I'm in the same category" Then she realizes what he said and asks with enthusiasm: "Dragons...aren't they a sort of intelligent animals? are they Animals?"

Wings don't interest her as much; she know those can be manipulated genetically...but brains...well, that's another matter.

[hourglasspriest]

"Well, the dragon is intelligent, but I think she's young. She's very fixated on certain ideas and almost impossible to sway." This is mostly hearsay, though. "I don't know your distinction."

[weightofaduck]

"Well, there's us, the people and there's animals, beasts or pets. But there's also Animals, which some argue whether they should have the status of an animal or that of a person. They do have a conscience. So what if it's in an animal carcass!"

She's starting to heat up. Elphaba doesn't get enthusiastic easily, but she could talk for hours about Animal rights.

"Can you tell me where I can find this Dragon?"

[hourglasspriest]

"I think she lives in a cave. Her fiery tendencies bar her from taking over part of the stables." Her explanation is interesting.

"Your Animals sound like Kindred from my Realm, only the Kindred are also Blood."

[weightofaduck]

"Blood?"
Elphaba doesn't know if that's meant to be a wanted thing or not.She takes a mental note of the dragon and decides to investigate as soon as possible.