Chapter Text
Madame Morrible had reached her limit. It was one thing to endure the presence of the pink calamity that when she was merely one among a sea of hundreds of insignificant students, it was another completely different thing to have her every day at her own private seminar. The situation surrounding how she got to be there was already ridiculous enough, but the punchline to such a thoroughly unfunny joke had been unfurling just in front of her. Infatuation and terrible decisions went hand in hand among youngsters, such things would be obvious to anyone that spent more than a couple of minutes among them. As a responsible mentor she was able to clearly see when feelings are getting in the way of greater things. This is why it was her responsibility to intervene. At least that is what Morrible said to herself, unable to admit that she had far more personal reasons for opposing the current predicament. The truth is she found Galinda Upland, of the Upper Uplands, as the girl was always quick to add, one of most annoying beings in all of Oz. The blonde was comparable to a constant pebble in her shoe. The most alarming development was how this pebble now threatened to lodge itself permanently, thanks to her prized apprentice taking a baffling, deep-seated liking to the creature.
At the current moment the way she was dealing with the most recent surge of frustration was to send each of the girls to separate sides of her room for some private practice with the promise of some later one-on-one instruction. The idea of having to talk privately to Galinda was appalling, but on the other hand, it left Elphaba on her own. This was a sacrifice she was willing to make as it was crucial to get some private word with her and do some damage control while she was still in time to do so. This is how she convinced herself to finally rip off the metaphorical bandage to show off the still pink scar under it.
Her alone time with the girl only served to confirm what she already knew, Galinda is utterly a hopeless case. Magic simply did not come to her. Maybe it was lack of natural talent, maybe it was lack of trying but the truth was utterly clear. The art of sorcery simply slid off her like water from a duck’s back. No matter the focus they gave to the lesson no palpable amount of progress could be made. That wasn’t what frustrated Morrible. In fact, it gave her certain amount of satisfaction to know that she had been right from the start and to continue being right. No, what truly grated was the stunning dullness that underpinned the girl’s famous charm. One might think that being someone that has the whole school eating from the palm of her hand comes from an utterly captivating personality. Some supernatural levels of charisma might make up for everything, but this was nowhere to be found. Instead, Morrible found only a competent, well-rehearsed pleasantness. She was charming, sure, but it was nothing special. It´s a kind of pleasantness that one might expect from someone that has nothing to contribute to most social situations. She is as charming as one might expect from a person that spends most waking moments building their public image. She is competent, nothing more.
After a hellishly long time trying to get something new from Galinda, it could be said that Morrible gave up, but this is an incorrect descriptor. She couldn´t give up on something she never tried to accomplish in the first place.
As she left her not so favorite student to continue with her private practice to move on to her real concern, Elphaba. She glided toward Elphaba, her approach a well-rehearsed performance of maternal concern.
"I´m sorry to interrupt you, but may a have word with you Miss Thropp?" She said as she approached her and rested her hand on her froat covered shoulder. The answer was also the expected as Elphaba really didn´t have any reason to think this was different to any other time her teacher has approached her. With this Morrible lead her to the other side of the room away from any scrying ears.
"I must begin by saying that your recent progress has been a most pleasant surprise," Morrible began, layering her voice with warm approval. "You have truly outdone yourself. Your grasp of elemental theory is unparalleled." This was true, Elphaba is her best student. Though saying this by itself really doesn´t mean much with such slim pickings. Nevertheless, she intended for this to come off as a congratulatory.
"With such great progress it has come to my attention that there are some particular matter which must be adressed from this point forward." She continued as a form of segue towards what she was truly trying to say.
Elphaba nodded, a flicker of understanding in her eyes. "I know what you mean, Madame."
"You do? Of course. I knew you were sensible enough."
"My time to meet the Wizard is drawing closer and I'm not as prepared as I should."
That's not quite what she meant. Actually, that is nowhere close to what she was trying to say.
"Of course that is an important point to visit, but that is not why I intend to talk with you right now. There´s still plenty of time to address that." Morrible attempted to correct the course of the conversation. "What I have in mind is a far more pressing matter."
Elphaba eyes widened. What could possibly be even more important than The Wizard?
“We must talk about your associations.”
Elphaba’s brow furrowed. “My associations, Madame?”
"Yes. Your associations." Morrible gestured with a flutter of her fingers toward the other side of the room, where Galinda was now examining her own reflection on the side of a polished silver bowl, utterly oblivious to the conversation happening on the other side of the room. "The company one keeps is a statement. It reflects not only on who you are, but on who you aspire to become. And while Miss Galinda is certainly... vivacious."
"She is, isn’t she?" Elphaba murmured, her voice warm in a way that would have made Morrible’s eye twitch if only the woman hadn’t already been expecting a response of such nature.
At the other side of the room Galinda was absentmindedly working on her chores. Busywork is the only way to describe what she was assigned. Calling it coursework might give the false idea that Morrible had any faith in her. She really only accepted her in the class to keep Elphaba happy, but maybe that was exactly the problem. Maybe she made Elphaba too happy. She truly could not deal with this a second more, so she sprang into action. And this is how they both ended up in their current situation. Elphaba was now sitting beside her teacher after having been pulled aside for some "private instruction" and the lady had worded it.
Morrible pressed on, the strain showing in the taut line of her jaw. "As you already know, you are the most proficient member of my seminary." said Madame Morrible trying to not let on to the fact that this was more of an insult towards Galinda than a compliment towards Elphaba.
"Due to this I'm especially worried about your future." She continued trying to spin the whole thing into it being about a mentor worrying about her apprentice.
Morrible then proceeded to gesture towards Galinda, who was oblivious to the conversation happening across the room. "The company you keep reflects the type of person you are. as well as the type of person you are trying to become"
"One must be very careful upon who one is surrounded with. What might seem like a productive relationship might lead to an unexpected downfall."
"The company you keep reflects upon you. And while Miss Galinda is certainly brilliant in some ways..."
"She surely is, isn't she?" Elphaba murmured with warmness in her voice that might have made Morrible's eye twitch if only the woman hadn't already expected a response of such nature.
Despite all, for Morrible this is only a minor mishap. Surely her well intentioned warnings are not falling on deaf ears. Elphaba is a sensible girl after all. She is smart enough to know what is best for her and if she doesn't it is her job to keep her on the right path.
"At your age it is quiete normal to have certain... affections" She continued not letting the conflicting feeling behind that last word come through. "But one must not let these cloud one's judgement. The attention might seem flattering or even pleasant, but one must always keep their eyes on a more noble goals."
She waited, expecting the gears of that brilliant mind to finally click into place, to see the stark truth behind her carefully chosen words. But contrary to the sorceress previous assessment her plead her indeed falling upon deaf ears.
Instead, Elphaba offered a small, confident smile. "Do not worry, Madame. With Galinda by my side to help me stay focused, I'm sure I will achieve the very best of my ability."
The words were so staggeringly off-mark, so utterly divorced from the warning she had just issued, that Morrible was momentarily speechless. It was as if she had described a thunderstorm and Elphaba had complimented the pleasant drizzle. With this, Elphaba picked up some books she had laid across the table and packed them into her bag. "Thank you for worrying about me," she said, sincere as always. "I truly appreciate it. I'll try my hardest not to let you down."
The entire conversation had gone in one ear and out the other, leaving behind not a single trace of understanding. The subtle approach was a lost cause. Elphaba’s defenses were not built of defiance, but of an impervious, maddening sincerity. As she watched Elphaba approach Galinda, a new, cold resolve began to form. If subtlety was lost on the girl, then more direct measures would be required. It seems that it is time for her to get her hands dirty.