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"No, I am not seasick!"
Fiyero had planned on saying something – properly apologising for trampling the woman in front of him, or asking if she was alright – but that had changed when what she had said wasn't at all what he had expected.
"Neither am I," he replied.
"No, I did not eat grass as a child!" she continued, taking a step towards him. Her tone was just as firm as it had been before.
"Oh, you didn't?" he tried to sound teasing. "I did."
"And yes, I have always been green!"
Fiyero paused for a moment.
He hadn't said anything about her skin. It had surprised him, yes; but he wasn't put off by it. But she'd obviously given this speech before.
His initial comment about blending with the foliage probably wasn't the greatest now that he thought about it, but it was true. Her skin was actually a nice shade of green; fitting in seamlessly with the deep pine and moss tones of their surroundings, and popping next to the pink flowers.
If anything, it made the rest of her features stand out more: dark braids, pulled up into one long plait, thick, full eyelashes, and behind her pair of wide glasses, big dark eyes that were full of passion.
All in all, she was actually rather pretty.
Even when she was looking at him so fiercely.
"And the defensiveness?" he asked finally. "Is that a recent development?"
She just continued to stare at him. Even when he cocked his head and smiled, all she did was say: "Hmm," before turning around and picking up the lantern that had fallen when he and Feldspur had knocked her to the ground.
Maybe he shouldn't have mentioned how he was sometimes asleep when he was travelling.
Feldspur laughed, and by the time Fiyero looked back she was walking away briskly.
"I'm off for some more trampling," he called out. "May we offer you a ride?"
"No thanks," she didn't turn around, or even pause. "Get stuffed."
"Wow," he breathed as he watched her disappear down the path. "Feldspur, we have just been spurned by a girl."
"Indeed," the Horse concurred.
"I guess there's a first time for everything!"
Still, she lingered in Fiyero's mind. So, ten minutes and one rather strong gust of wind later, when she crossed their path again, he found himself unexpectedly happy. It was darker now, and it seemed the light in her lantern had gone out. But he spotted her instantly.
She was sitting on the ground, the extinguished lantern at her feet.
"What happened?" he jumped off Feldspur again.
She sighed; like she wished she was anywhere else, and then rolled her eyes. "What do you think happened, brainless?"
Why did that feel like anything but an insult when she said it.
"The wind blew my lantern out."
"I see," he nodded, looking around quickly. The forest was empty, except for the three of them.
He reached out his hand. Even if she walked off again, Fiyero hoped she would let him help her to her feet.
She looked at him intensely, but she did take his hand; pulling herself up, dusting off her dress, and giving him a nod. It was probably as close to a thank you as she was going to give him.
He would take it.
She was rather short; probably almost a full head shorter than he was. But he felt as if the opposite was true. This was a woman who wasn't afraid to call people out if they challenged her.
Or in his case, knocked her to her feet.
He didn't want her to feel like he was being patronising; she was smart. But walking around the woods like this in the middle of the night had to be, at the very least a little confusifying, and he genuinely did not want her to be stuck out here for longer than she needed to be.
"Are you sure you don't want to take us up on the offer of a ride?" he asked.
"Believe me, it's no trouble at all," added Feldspur.
She froze. "You're a Horse?"
Before Fiyero could say anything, she rounded on him.
"You think it's acceptable to ride around on a Horse?" her voice was higher now. "He's as intelligent as you are."
"Is that a compliment?" he asked.
"Well, not as intelligent as you specifically," she insisted. "But humans. And certainly as self-aware…"
Okay, it probably wasn't a compliment. But like before, for some reason he didn't feel insulted.
"…and you ride him around, taking none of that into account?"
Fiyero raised his hand to reply, to defend himself and his Horse, but she just kept going.
"Does he have a say in this? I mean –"
"Yes," Feldspur interrupted.
It took his Horse speaking up for her to close her mouth. She didn't look completely convinced, but she didn't say anything else.
"I'm well aware of my Horse's intelligence," Fiyero told her. "And I assure you this is a mutually consensual arrangement."
"I have been with his family for many years," continued Feldspur. "And I would be more than happy to give you a ride."
She said nothing for a few more clock ticks.
"Please," Fiyero added.
"Fine," she sighed. "But I can get on by myself."
"Of course," he stood aside and watched as – still gripping the lantern in one hand – she vaulted herself onto Feldspur's back.
"Are you alright?" she asked the Horse softly.
Fiyero had never seen anyone treat Feldspur the way she was. His Horse was always treated well, of course, and he did his best to respect the Animal's intelligence, but there was something different about the way she was interacting with him.
She was so gentle, so caring; as though he were a person just like his master. To her, there clearly was no difference.
Despite the prickly exterior, the standoffishness, the defensiveness, he didn't think he'd met anyone even half as considerate as this woman.
Once Fiyero could tell she was settled on his Horse's back, he climbed up behind her and settled himself, being extra careful not to place his hands anywhere that might upset her.
"Are you comfortable?" he asked.
"Yes," she answered. Then softer: "Thank you."
"Where were you going?" Feldspur asked.
"Shiz University."
"Well, lucky for you, that's where we're headed too," Fiyero said. He was pretty sure his grin was audible.
She closed her eyes and sighed deeply.
He knew what she was thinking: of course you are.
There was a boy waiting at the stables when the three of them arrived. Clearly someone had organised for Feldspur to be looked after when they arrived. Fiyero wondered how long the boy had been there. He hoped it hadn't been too long, but he hadn't planned on arriving so late.
"Prince Fiyero?" he asked, quickly scrambling to his feet.
Damn. Fiyero winced internally. Just this once, he wished he could keep that a secret.
Or at least not be revealed like that.
All ladies had to do was hear the word prince and they would fall at his feet. But somehow, he didn't think it would impress this one.
Wait, why in Oz do I want to impress her? he thought.
Maybe it was because, with her, he was able to simply be himself – no royal strings attached. Just for a moment.
He'd even blurted out how he'd eaten grass once when he was a kid. He didn't realise how mortifying that actually was until now. Because he didn't feel embarrassed around her.
"So that's what you meant when you said you'd been helping his family," she said, sliding off Feldspur's back.
"Oh, and…" the boy stammered.
As she came fully into view Fiyero watched the boy's face run through a range of emotions: surprise, annoyance… disgust? Then back to annoyance.
He had already figured out his companion wasn't the most popular with her peers. But as far as he was concerned, nothing she'd done in the short time they'd spent together warranted a reaction like that.
The fact that she didn't even so much as flinch made it worse.
"Take a picture, Crope," she snapped. "It'll last longer."
Fiyero coughed to hide his involuntary laugh.
She turned back to Feldspur. "Thank you for the ride," she said.
"Of course, Miss," the Horse replied.
She patted his nose, then turned on her heel and walked off without looking back.
Fiyero made sure the boy – Crope – was going to take proper care of his Horse, then jogged off to catch her before she disappeared completely. He had the feeling it was something she did a lot, and he wasn't ready to say goodbye just yet.
There were still enough lights lit around the area that anyone who was out could find their way easily enough, and he could still see her as she walked across the main quadrangle.
"Wait," he called out. It was late, but he didn't care if anyone heard him.
"No, you can't walk me to my room," she slowed, but didn't turn around.
"I was just going to ask your name," he said.
"Oh." Finally, she turned around. She looked surprised. "It's Elphaba."
"I'm Fiyero," he said. "It was nice to meet you."
"Thank you again," she nodded. "For the ride, I mean."
"I know what you mean," he replied. "And you're welcome. It was our pleasure."
She didn't say anything more, but neither did she make another move to leave. They just stood there, looking at one another, unblinking.
"And you're sure I can't walk you to your room, Elphaba?" he asked. Internally he braced himself for her to deliver another sarcastic quip, or just continue to not say anything at all.
But to his surprise, she did neither. Instead, she smiled. Not a small and guarded one, but a smile that was wide and genuine.
She looked happy.
"We're not allowed off campus after dark." she laughed. "Sneaking back into the girls' dorm with a boy at this hour! Not even the prince card would get you out of trouble."
"What a tragedy that is," he laughed. "So, this where we go our separate ways?"
It probably was best not to push his luck right now, for both their sakes'. He would see her again, after all. And he had gotten her name.
Elphaba.
It was pretty. And it suited her.
She nodded. "Good night."
"Yeah," he repeated dumbly. It was all he could do right now.
She paused for a moment, then pointed to the left: "Oh, and Briscoe Hall's that way."
Then she was gone, blending with the shadows as easily as she had with the forest.
He just stood there for a few clock ticks, stunned; before heading in the direction of the boy's dormitories.
Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if he didn't get kicked out of this school.