The OzDust Games

The Reaping

(Elphaba's POV)

It has been about seven months since I had received the letter from University, and it has been a month since Nessa turned thirteen, but today is the day everyone dreaded. Today was Reaping Day. The day when the tributes for the Ozdust Games will be chosen, and I had a very high chance of being picked, because every year since I had turned thirteen my father has forced me to put my name in the drawing once for each family member every month to get extra provisions for us. We don't usually need the extra provisions, but father insists, and I know he is just hoping I get picked so he never has to see me again.

Mother and I were in Nessa's room helping her get ready for the Reaping. I was brushing her hair and placed a pink headband in her hair. I then help Mother get her into a very lovely pink dress. It had beautiful ruffled skirt and the whole gown just fit her beautifully!

"Nessa, you absolutely stunning!" Father says coming into her room. "And you shall look even more stunning wearing these!" He says giving her a kiss on the cheek. She grins at him. "Thank you Papa!" Then he looks at me and frowns. "Elphaba."

"Father." I say say devoid of emotion. I know the only reason he acknowledged me was because Mother was here. "Excuse me please, but I must go get ready." I say and turn to leave.

"Elphaba! Wait just a moment." Father says giving me a sharp look. "I have something for Nessarose." He smiles at her and pulls out a box and places it in her lap. He then opens them for her and she gasps.

"Papa!" She says her eyes lighting up and she grins at him. "They are gorgeous!" He pulls the silver jeweled shoes out, and I must admit they are stunning!

"Frexspar!" Mother says. "Those are beautiful, but don't you think it is a bit extreme?"

"Nonsense Melena!" He says waving her off before helping Nessa get the shoes on. "These are just perfect, and besides there isn't anything I wouldn't get for my little Nessarose." He gives Nessa an affectionate smile, and for some reason I find myself longing for him to look at me that way.

"I don't suppose you got anything for Elphaba while you were at it?" She says, and he scoffs. "I most certainly did not! It would have been a waste of money and my time." He says to her. At this point I roll my eyes and slip off to my room to get ready.

I have just finished getting cleaned up and dressed into my simple navy blue skirt with matching dress jacket when mother comes in. She comes over to me and takes the hairbrush from me and starts brushing my hair. "You look lovely, Fabala." She smiles.

"Thank you Mother, but you don't have to lie."

"I'm not. You really are beautiful." She says again and parts my hair into three even sections. "I hope you don't mind me braiding your hair?" She glances up in the mirror and smiles at me. "Of course not." I reply giving her a small smile.

As she braids my hair I can't help, but watch her in the mirror as I frown. "What is Fabala?" She asks, and I sigh a little. "Mama, I don't want to be in the games, and it isn't because I'm scared!" I say quickly though the truth was everyone was afraid of being called. "It's just that... that I don't think I can do it."

"What do you mean, sweetheart?"

"If I have to go to the games then I will be forced to fight, and I can't do that!" I am fighting to keep myself from crying. "I wouldn't just be the fighting though. It's also knowing I would be forced to kill someone else." I meet her gaze in the mirror again. "Mama, how can I kill another person, let alone another child? This isn't right!" I sniff a little fighting the tears.

After she finishes with my hair she turns me around to face her. "Oh Fabala, you are such a special child. You have such a big heart and are the least selfish person I know." She says giving me a smile and a kiss on the cheek. "I don't agree with the Games either, but unfortunately they are necessary."