[ Magic is the last thing Elphaba expects to see out here in the forest. The way Rowena's eyes glow, the feel of it in the air—it's unmistakable. To anyone else, this would be cause for alarm, but Elphaba knows of so few people who can wield it that she merely steps closer. ]
It's okay.
[ Elphaba raises both her hands placatingly, showing the fact that she isn't holding any weapons or wands or anything like that. ]
I'm Elphaba. You look like you're hurt—do you need help?
( she watches her warily, though between the sense that her magic had pulled of elphaba and the show of her hands tells her at least that she isn't in danger from her. it's enough to make her drop her magic even if she doesn't yet admit that she needs help )
Where am I?
( her hand reaches up as the feel of the blood trickle drips lower, resting her hand against her head, and though she's a little concerned at the injury she doesn't let it show in her expression, keeping her focus on the girl )
[ Was it a spell gone awry? Elphaba's never heard of other witches besides Madame Morrible, but there was once a time when magic was common in Oz. Maybe they'd gone into hiding, when the Wizard's magic surpassed them all.
Still Elphaba inches closer, watching that wound with a sympathetic wince. ]
You're in the forest, just outside of Shiz. It's in Giliken Country.
[ All normal words. Surely this woman knows she's in Oz, right? ]
( her hand comes back down and the look that rowena gives elphaba is very unimpressed, though it's not actually at the other witch but at the information. whilst rowena had been hoping that this universe was just another earth she wasn't that lucky.
bollocks.
it also didn't help her much. she needed somewhere to lay low and figure out her return spell and whilst there certainly seemed to be some magic here she wasn't about to open the other universe can of worms in case it went incredibly badly. she'd seen that before.
well, at least she has a good poker face? fake it till you make it )
Of course. ( sounding like she recognises the name even though she really has no idea ) Can you get me back to Shiz?
( she'll use the injured card to her advantage, she supposed )
[ Elphaba nods. The accent hadn't been as obvious to her, but the more Rowena speaks, the more she's convinced she isn't from this area. Maybe she really is a witch. The Witch of the North? The South, maybe?
Elphaba has so many questions, but she keeps them to herself for now. It's more important that a doctor get a look at this woman's injuries, and make sure she isn't more hurt than she appears. ]
Sure.
[ Oh, Elphie. Still trusting, even now. Well, she doubts this woman has anything to do with the anti-Animal sentiment, but she should probably test the waters, just a bit. ]
It's this way. Any Animals who lived here would have left paths in the forest, though you don't see much of them anymore...
( her steps are careful, a little slower when she realises how much movement aches (she's going to be bruised tomorrow) but surprisingly steady. as long as no one questions how she's walking with such grace in a forest with the heels she has. it's fine )
Not much but enough still to know of them.
( she wonders if this means animals or the paths, though the forest had seemed quiet until elphaba had found her, no startled animals from her arrival )
[ Elphaba simply thinks Rowena walks with quite a bit of poise, which isn't surprising for a Witch. They have to present themselves a certain way, she imagines.
Still her question is casual enough that Elphaba wonders if Rowena really knows what she's asking. People don't come to the forest anymore... not since the Wizard, probably. ]
No. No, I don't. It's... [ Not safe? That's not quite right. ] People don't come this way much anymore. I only come out here to think, but I don't usually go out this far.
( there's a pointed note in her question even though rowena's not looking at her, her gaze focused on looking around the forest. and there was certainly a reason why people didn't come this way anymore. safety? orders? why did this girl risk that )
And something still draws you here enough. You could think anywhere.
[ Elphaba glowers a bit at Rowena's point. She's right, of course. And what Elphaba was up to was definitely illegal, so maybe she's better off not asking.
She continues the slow walk, not wanting to worsen Rowena's (undisclosed) injuries. ]
I always feel... calmest here. Surrounded by nature like this. That's all.
( there's a hint of pride there before rowena can catch herself: if they don't use the word here it's a clear sign that she's not from here. but it's out, she can't stop that, but she can stop herself from explaining further. magic came from nature, she served nature, it was no wonder why it was calming. but those were her views from her universe )
( oh. that certainly wasn't the reaction that rowena expected, though at least it reassures her that the word witch was a familiar one )
I am. ( pause, puzzling this out ) And I do.
( which was interesting. she'd felt something from elphaba when she'd first looked at her but her response... were witches uncommon? more hidden than her world? or had this girl just never met one before? )
[ She really must be a witch—and while most of those must surely be in hiding, Elphaba can't miss this chance. Her classes with Madame Morrible have been progressing well, but sometimes it feels like that's happening despite her teacher's lessons. ]
I don't know very much. Only that it's tied to my emotions... and that it's a lot rarer now than it was, even just one generation ago.
( oh, she could potentially be in trouble. whilst magic was known of here if it was much rarer... she certainly couldn't let anyone know just how powerful she was )
Emotions certainly do tie to magic. They don't control it, though.
( except rowena can't help but sound experienced when she talks about magic. there isn't any way to tone that down )
But I'm sure you'll discover that.
( pointedly trying not to ask too much even if she's curious about the magic of this well. it'd be too easy to give herself away )
[ She sounds so sure. Elphaba definitely wants to know more. After all, that's not what Madame Morrible said, but then... Madame Morrible hasn't had the best results when it comes to Elphaba's skills. Elphaba isn't about to simply trust a strange witch, but she'll hear her out. ]
I don't know... it seems like emotions are a pretty big part of it.
Oh, they are a part of it, but they should never control your magic.
( it was a recipe for disaster. rowena had acted impulsively and emotionally with her magic before and it had gone to very bad ends.
maybe this was why she wanted the girl to have a better idea of it. maybe )
A witch who knows herself can do anything. A witch ruled by her emotions will never be able to reach the power she could hold. She'll be able to cast spells but the outcomes would never be what she hopes for.
( they'd fail, they'd backfire, or they'd work but with a consequence )
You rule your emotions and your magic works with you. Channelling emotion can be a strength if you know it first.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
It's okay.
[ Elphaba raises both her hands placatingly, showing the fact that she isn't holding any weapons or wands or anything like that. ]
I'm Elphaba. You look like you're hurt—do you need help?
no subject
Where am I?
( her hand reaches up as the feel of the blood trickle drips lower, resting her hand against her head, and though she's a little concerned at the injury she doesn't let it show in her expression, keeping her focus on the girl )
no subject
Still Elphaba inches closer, watching that wound with a sympathetic wince. ]
You're in the forest, just outside of Shiz. It's in Giliken Country.
[ All normal words. Surely this woman knows she's in Oz, right? ]
no subject
bollocks.
it also didn't help her much. she needed somewhere to lay low and figure out her return spell and whilst there certainly seemed to be some magic here she wasn't about to open the other universe can of worms in case it went incredibly badly. she'd seen that before.
well, at least she has a good poker face? fake it till you make it )
Of course. ( sounding like she recognises the name even though she really has no idea ) Can you get me back to Shiz?
( she'll use the injured card to her advantage, she supposed )
no subject
Elphaba has so many questions, but she keeps them to herself for now. It's more important that a doctor get a look at this woman's injuries, and make sure she isn't more hurt than she appears. ]
Sure.
[ Oh, Elphie. Still trusting, even now. Well, she doubts this woman has anything to do with the anti-Animal sentiment, but she should probably test the waters, just a bit. ]
It's this way. Any Animals who lived here would have left paths in the forest, though you don't see much of them anymore...
no subject
Not much but enough still to know of them.
( she wonders if this means animals or the paths, though the forest had seemed quiet until elphaba had found her, no startled animals from her arrival )
Do you come to the forest often?
no subject
Still her question is casual enough that Elphaba wonders if Rowena really knows what she's asking. People don't come to the forest anymore... not since the Wizard, probably. ]
No. No, I don't. It's... [ Not safe? That's not quite right. ] People don't come this way much anymore. I only come out here to think, but I don't usually go out this far.
no subject
( there's a pointed note in her question even though rowena's not looking at her, her gaze focused on looking around the forest. and there was certainly a reason why people didn't come this way anymore. safety? orders? why did this girl risk that )
And something still draws you here enough. You could think anywhere.
no subject
She continues the slow walk, not wanting to worsen Rowena's (undisclosed) injuries. ]
I always feel... calmest here. Surrounded by nature like this. That's all.
no subject
( there's a hint of pride there before rowena can catch herself: if they don't use the word here it's a clear sign that she's not from here. but it's out, she can't stop that, but she can stop herself from explaining further. magic came from nature, she served nature, it was no wonder why it was calming. but those were her views from her universe )
Do you just think?
no subject
I... it's quieter out here.
[ She isn't sure what else she'd do. Magic? In the forest? ]
Are you really a witch? You have magic?
no subject
I am. ( pause, puzzling this out ) And I do.
( which was interesting. she'd felt something from elphaba when she'd first looked at her but her response... were witches uncommon? more hidden than her world? or had this girl just never met one before? )
Tell me what you know about magic.
no subject
I don't know very much. Only that it's tied to my emotions... and that it's a lot rarer now than it was, even just one generation ago.
no subject
Emotions certainly do tie to magic. They don't control it, though.
( except rowena can't help but sound experienced when she talks about magic. there isn't any way to tone that down )
But I'm sure you'll discover that.
( pointedly trying not to ask too much even if she's curious about the magic of this well. it'd be too easy to give herself away )
no subject
I don't know... it seems like emotions are a pretty big part of it.
no subject
( it was a recipe for disaster. rowena had acted impulsively and emotionally with her magic before and it had gone to very bad ends.
maybe this was why she wanted the girl to have a better idea of it. maybe )
A witch who knows herself can do anything. A witch ruled by her emotions will never be able to reach the power she could hold. She'll be able to cast spells but the outcomes would never be what she hopes for.
( they'd fail, they'd backfire, or they'd work but with a consequence )
You rule your emotions and your magic works with you. Channelling emotion can be a strength if you know it first.
( if you controlled how you did it )