Este Upland did her best to focus on her book and not the nausea the waves rocking the boat she and her sister were traveling to Shiz aboard brought about.

She didn't even particularly want to be on this vessel in the first place, Oz knew.

But her parents were and her twin were completely overbearing and they left her with no choice. She was attending that college begrudgingly.

However, the younger Upland was determined and she decided to make the most of it and decided to double major in linguification and law in the hopes of branching into law somehow.

It was an attempt, maybe a completely ridiculousafied idea. But she wanted to help make changes in Oz that benefited everyone - and she wanted to help make space so that everyone, people and animals together, could make their needs known and work in tandem.

She knew it may be difficult, idealistic possibly. Her supposition that coming together would maybe change minds and open hearts. And under the guidance of the animals, she hoped learning could come.

"Oh Essie," Galinda dropped behind her and smiled brightly as she wrapped her arms around hers, "isn't this so exciting? As soon as I get into Madame Morrible's seminar, I can finally be a sorceress!"

Este rested her head on her shoulder, "I am truly very happy for you. I think that being at Shiz will be a good experience to learn and grow."

Her sister snorted back a laugh and shifted to meet her eyes, a brow quirking in amusement.

"Oh you think so? Last I heard you were still making a rather big and confusifying fuss about it." She blinked slowly, feigning shock.

It admittedly made her life in spite of herself, "oh I am still internally loathing it all, but I've convinced myself the library will make it worth it."

"...you have the most digustified ideas." The blonde scoffed with an all too dramatic toss of her hair.

Este turned back to her book with a chuckle, deciding to leave it at that for now. Her hope was that it would happen regardless and she would embrace it.

She loved her sister dearly, she completely and truly did. But sometimes it showed how Galinda was favored, her princess like demeanor the hallmark of her personality. At its best, it could be entertaining. At its worst, another argument where she would end up keeping peace for her own sanity. Sisterly quarrels, as their parents defined them.

"My dearest, darlingest little sister - you need to learn how to have fun." Galinda kissed her cheek before standing to her feet and dashing to clamber on top of her baggage.

She squealed excitedly and that got her twin to glance back up from her attempt to get ahead in linguification, the outline of Shiz getting clearer with each passing minute.
Joy.

Her parents chattered idly with her sister as she continued to watch the college become closer, the docks appearing making her feel more and more defeated.

Their journey ended too soon, and she found herself only being able to stare at the chaos that the previous arrivals had and were still causing.

Students and parents were rushing around the courtyard in a flurry of goodbyes, luggage, and books.

Attendants immediately came to the boat and began unloading the plethora - and then some - of her sister's pink luggage.

How she left with, well she lost count after a dozen, trunks and bags was so confusifying to her. Because how did she manage to make it fit on the boat?

A bump of the boat to the dock pulled her from her thoughts and her sister let out another squeal of pure delight, and she guessed she did find a glimmer of excitement in spite of herself.

Even if it was borrowed from her twin.

"Come on now, let's get you unloaded darling." Popsicle extended a hand to help her onto solid ground.

"Sure, may as well." Este relented, letting him assist in stepping onto the cobblestone of the courtyard.

"Are you sure that you have everything that you need? You seem to have brought so little compared to your sister." His brow furrowed as a few light blue bags joined the consistently growing mountain of her sister's pink.

She had to wonder if she'd simply packed her entire life? Truly it was getting distracting at this point.

"Yes, sorry. I have everything I want." She shook her head to try and clear it.

Shrill shrieking made her ears ring, announcing that her sister had found her friends...or her friends found her? Either way, it was...loud.

Her chest tightened as she watched their parents shower her sister in parting hugs and kisses, all while she stood mutely by the bags.

It wouldn't occur to her what she could possibly say anyway.

Their attention finally shifted to her after a long moment, and she forced a smile through their quick hugs and pecks on the cheek.

"And you've both had all your kisses?" Popsicle asked seriously.

"Yes." They shared a look of mock exasperation.

"You both will promise to write?" He and momsie continued at the same time.

"Of course. And remember," Galinda grinned and took their hands, "this isn't goodbye. Only farewell."

"The term will be over before we know it." Este added with a tilt of her head.

"Alright, buh bye now. Popsicle, board the boat..." the blonde waved their parents off, annoyance slipping slightly through the cracks of her happy parting words.

"He looks like he's going to cry." She leaned forward to whisper in her ear.

"They're going to miss me so much." Her laugh was tinged with warmth, and it somehow made her feel...hollow.

"Oh I'm sure they will." A small step back nearly sent her sprawling back into their luggage.

"Come now, Essie! They'll miss you too," Galinda nudged her shoulder and rolled her eyes playfully as voices singing echoed towards them, "OH! THEY'RE SINGING THE SCHOOL SONG!"

And with that, Este was left once again by the bags as her sister mad scrambled through the courtyard towards the choice gathering on the steps of the main hall.

She could only shake her head and sigh, wondering if maybe she should follow and just get the start over with.

May as well, she supposed? Maybe she could simply take up residency in the library?

Her turn to set herself after her sister sent her colliding with someone in black, a surprised squeak escaping her lips.

"Oh, Oz, I am so terribly sorry! I," her face flushed in embarrassment, "I was um..."

The level of sheer panic that rushed through her as she met the most stunningly green eyes she'd ever had the pleasure of staring into was actually rather astounding.

Laughable, really.

"It's alright." A low chuckle filled the air and she thought she may melt to the ground.
Este blinked and inhaled to try and center herself, but it was of little use, unfortunately for her.

Her smile was the next thing that caught her off guard.

And then her freckles.

The curls of her braids.

The way her glasses sat on her cheeks.

She was a bold and bright emerald amongst a sea of pearls, and she could only seem to look at her.

"Are you okay? I was trying to find my sister and I ah...ran into you instead, I'm so sorry again, Miss?" She offered a sheepish smile and awkwardly extended her hand.

"Elphaba. And again, it's alright. But I'm sorry, I don't believe I heard your name?" Elphaba gave her fingers a quick squeeze as the choir continued on around them.

"Oz, where are my manners? Este, my name is Este. Are you attending too?" Her attempt at normalcy was feeble at best.

"Oh, nonono. I'm seeing my sister off, she's the one coming. Not me." She almost looked disappointed.

Or worn down, somehow.

"I'm sorry to hear that." Este didn't have the chance to share the supposed disappointment as a call of Elphaba's name overtook the music.

"That's my father, I'd better go...but it was nice meeting you, Este." Another smile left her with a spinning head and pounding heart, neither of which she remotely knew what to deal with.

She had to remind herself to ask Galinda about it, she may know why she felt so out of sorts.