Sister-At-Arms
Title: Sister-At-Arms
Author: Angel Leviathan
Disclaimer: Wicked, characters, concept, etc, aren't mine.
Rating: PG
Summary: “…I wonder if it is the same Miss Elphaba that Lady Glinda used to…speak of…”
Notes: Some of Nessa's meeting with the ambassador from the Glikkus she mentioned.
“Who of your family do you believe they are…studying…shall we say?”
“My eldest daughter has been aware of being followed. She’s almost due to go up to Shiz, you see, and has been doing the necessary shopping in the Emerald City. At first I thought it was a cry for attention, but I’ve seen these figures myself now. She’s been staying with my cousin-“
“Ah yes…” Nessarose nodded. “Her cousin once removed.”
“I foolishly thought she might be safer with her, for a short while,” the lady ambassador replied. “My cousin, being not particularly politically minded, has never voiced a definite opinion on the status of Munchkinland or the Glikkus. I suppose it doesn’t affect her, living in the City for most of the year as she does…”
“But?” Nessa pressed.
“But now my cousin decides to develop a backbone and state that she cannot risk her reputation being tainted by association with those who support the Glikkus’ seceding… She says that she has to remain impartial, for the good of us all. She has sent my daughter away, and back to me, where her safety is by no means guaranteed,” the woman paled at the thought of losing her daughter, though her features remained stern.
“My dear, your daughter will be an easier target at Shiz, so the longer you have her at your side, the better. Can you not send her into hiding? And have these agents not begun to investigate your cousin also?”
She nodded, “I can send her into hiding, but it would be most traumatising for her, and her sisters. As for my cousin, she implied that agents from the same source have been trailing her since word was sent of my daughter joining her. My understanding is that her husband has…money, perhaps not influence, but enough to pay-“
“Pay them off, yes, I believe he does. It wouldn’t do for Lady Glinda’s life to be placed in jeopardy,” Nessa mused.
“But she is perfectly happy to endanger the rest of her family-“
“Extended family,” the Eminence corrected. “And, since you both married into the positions you have now, neither of you have your first duty owed to the Arduennas any longer. In fact, considering where your duty does lie, I imagine that you owe nothing to each other either. Politics takes precedence over familial matters.”
The ambassador raised an eyebrow, “Speaking of familial matters; did I hear one of your maids addressing a woman in this house by the name of Miss Elphaba?”
“You did. My sister.”
“…I wonder if it is the same Miss Elphaba that Lady Glinda used to…speak of…”
Nessarose narrowed her eyes, “Most likely. We were at Shiz together. They were great friends.”
“Friends indeed… I believe I heard dear Glinda sobbing for an ‘Elphie’ the night before her wedding…”
The Eminence practically jumped to her feet, “As we have agreed: you protect my interests and I’ll protect yours. If the Glikkus chooses to secede, you have my support and as many military men as I can spare to come to your defence.” She angled herself closer to her guest, “…Will you be telling Lady Glinda that a Miss Elphaba is alive and well? That you have seen her and know her location?” she demanded.
The ambassador almost shivered, hiding her reaction by sweeping her blonde hair back, “Protect my daughter and the Glikkus,” she stated. “Protect my family,” she glared up into Nessa’s dark eyes, “And Miss Elphaba who?”
Nessarose slowly sat back down, “Good,” she smiled, cruelly. “Let’s keep it that way.”
As long as she could eke out the crippling anger she still felt for her sister with little jabs, little stabs she would never see, the Eminence of the East knew she might never have to show such anger to Elphaba’s face.
And, if she could break her heart without her ever knowing it was broken…then…well…she would know exactly what she had felt ever since the day she had abandoned her.
Fin
Author: Angel Leviathan
Disclaimer: Wicked, characters, concept, etc, aren't mine.
Rating: PG
Summary: “…I wonder if it is the same Miss Elphaba that Lady Glinda used to…speak of…”
Notes: Some of Nessa's meeting with the ambassador from the Glikkus she mentioned.
“Who of your family do you believe they are…studying…shall we say?”
“My eldest daughter has been aware of being followed. She’s almost due to go up to Shiz, you see, and has been doing the necessary shopping in the Emerald City. At first I thought it was a cry for attention, but I’ve seen these figures myself now. She’s been staying with my cousin-“
“Ah yes…” Nessarose nodded. “Her cousin once removed.”
“I foolishly thought she might be safer with her, for a short while,” the lady ambassador replied. “My cousin, being not particularly politically minded, has never voiced a definite opinion on the status of Munchkinland or the Glikkus. I suppose it doesn’t affect her, living in the City for most of the year as she does…”
“But?” Nessa pressed.
“But now my cousin decides to develop a backbone and state that she cannot risk her reputation being tainted by association with those who support the Glikkus’ seceding… She says that she has to remain impartial, for the good of us all. She has sent my daughter away, and back to me, where her safety is by no means guaranteed,” the woman paled at the thought of losing her daughter, though her features remained stern.
“My dear, your daughter will be an easier target at Shiz, so the longer you have her at your side, the better. Can you not send her into hiding? And have these agents not begun to investigate your cousin also?”
She nodded, “I can send her into hiding, but it would be most traumatising for her, and her sisters. As for my cousin, she implied that agents from the same source have been trailing her since word was sent of my daughter joining her. My understanding is that her husband has…money, perhaps not influence, but enough to pay-“
“Pay them off, yes, I believe he does. It wouldn’t do for Lady Glinda’s life to be placed in jeopardy,” Nessa mused.
“But she is perfectly happy to endanger the rest of her family-“
“Extended family,” the Eminence corrected. “And, since you both married into the positions you have now, neither of you have your first duty owed to the Arduennas any longer. In fact, considering where your duty does lie, I imagine that you owe nothing to each other either. Politics takes precedence over familial matters.”
The ambassador raised an eyebrow, “Speaking of familial matters; did I hear one of your maids addressing a woman in this house by the name of Miss Elphaba?”
“You did. My sister.”
“…I wonder if it is the same Miss Elphaba that Lady Glinda used to…speak of…”
Nessarose narrowed her eyes, “Most likely. We were at Shiz together. They were great friends.”
“Friends indeed… I believe I heard dear Glinda sobbing for an ‘Elphie’ the night before her wedding…”
The Eminence practically jumped to her feet, “As we have agreed: you protect my interests and I’ll protect yours. If the Glikkus chooses to secede, you have my support and as many military men as I can spare to come to your defence.” She angled herself closer to her guest, “…Will you be telling Lady Glinda that a Miss Elphaba is alive and well? That you have seen her and know her location?” she demanded.
The ambassador almost shivered, hiding her reaction by sweeping her blonde hair back, “Protect my daughter and the Glikkus,” she stated. “Protect my family,” she glared up into Nessa’s dark eyes, “And Miss Elphaba who?”
Nessarose slowly sat back down, “Good,” she smiled, cruelly. “Let’s keep it that way.”
As long as she could eke out the crippling anger she still felt for her sister with little jabs, little stabs she would never see, the Eminence of the East knew she might never have to show such anger to Elphaba’s face.
And, if she could break her heart without her ever knowing it was broken…then…well…she would know exactly what she had felt ever since the day she had abandoned her.
Fin