Our Future is Unlimited...

Chapter 4

ELPHABA:

We've been married for two months now.

Fiyero works with the other carpenters, while I've followed the same routine for the last 62 days:

I'm awake at six-thirty to prepare breakfast. Everything is ready by seven, when Fiyero is awake and dressed for the day. He leaves at seven-fifteen for work.

I dress, then go out to the garden. I weed, sow, and plant flowers and vegetables.

Sometimes I'll go to the river and dip in my feet, watch the tiny fish swim.

Near noontime, I go into town and browse the little shops and stands in the square. On occasion I'll buy some fabric to sew samplers with, something my mother loved to do.

At noon, I join Karina and the rest of the girls for lunch and some tea. We talk about simple things; family, hobbies and such.

When I'm back home, I'll either bake or sew.

Around three, I go for a walk in the forest. It's so peaceful, it calms me whenever I don't feel like myself or something has gone wrong. It's a lot better than unwillingly casting spells on people.

At four o' clock, Fiyero comes home and I prepare supper.

I've had the best cooking teachers in my friends since we first came to the village. I can cook almost anything now, from main courses to desserts.

For the remainder of the evening, Fiyero and I spend time together. We'll talk, read, or go out to watch stars appear in the sky. Or sometimes we'll just make love.

We fall asleep in each other's arms.

Sweet Oz, it's gotten annoying! The same thing each and every day! Do some people stay this way for the rest of their lives?!

I need to make some changes, starting tomorrow.

...

After Fiyero leaves this morning, I begin my new routine.

I begin by straightening up the house. I dust surfaces, sweep and mop floors, clean dishes, and wash and mend clothes.

It feels nice not doing the same thing for once.

When I finish, I go inside and sit in the front room. I can't think of what to do next!

Well, when was the last time I even thought about my powers, or even used them? No, wait, they never help with anything, unless you count what I did to Boq and Fiyero.

Maybe, I could try inventing new chants and remedies, ones that can actually be helpful, and not harm anyone.

I better get started! I go out and head for the market.

...

KARINA:

Elphaba has never missed lunch with me and the others, until today. Something must be going on with her.

Once everyone has left and the sitting room is tidied up, I head over to Elphaba's house.

There is a strange odor coming from the chimney, and the smoke. It looks almost, like its blue.

I go and knock on the door. Elphaba answers, her sleeves rolled up and her apron stained.

"Oh, Karina!" she says. "I'm so sorry I didn't tell you I wasn't coming!"

"Oh, don't worry about it." I assure her. "I just was wondering what you've been doing; I haven't heard from you all day."

"Come in, come in," Elphaba motions for me to enter. "I'll explain everything."

Once I'm inside, I see her table is topped with unusual plants and powders. A large book sits nearby, with handwritten notes on the otherwise blank pages.

A kettle is hissing in the fireplace, giving off the same blue steam I saw coming from the chimney.

"Remember when I explained my powers the first day Fiyero and I came?" She asks me.

I nod. I thought it was the most extraordinary thing; I had never known anyone with magical abilities in my whole life.

"Well, I was just getting tired of doing the same thing every day," Elphaba explains. "So I thought, why not try to correct any wrongs I've done and make them better?"

"It's alright that you don't do things right, Elphaba," I tell her. "It's part of being a person; you try and fail, but you stay positive about the bad times."

"But I've hurt so many people," she replies, "and I don't want it to happen again without a way to take it back."

She goes over to the table and starts grinding a strong-smelling white root.

"You should go," Elphaba sighs. "You shouldn't waste your time here with me."

Knowing she is not one to argue with, I nod, wish her well, and leave silently.