“Did she ever come out?” recited Nor, eyes gleaming with the fun of the ritual.
“Not yet,” answered Sarima, and leaned forward, pretending to bite Nor on the neck. Nor squealed and jiggled herself away, and ran to rejoin the boys.
“I think that’s shameful, even if it’s just a story, to propose an afterlife for evil,” said Elphaba. “Any afterlife notion is a manipulation and a sop. It’s shameful the way the unionists and the pagans both keep talking up hell for intimidation and the airy Other Land for reward.”
“Don’t,” Sarima said. “For one thing, that’s where Fiyero is waiting for me. And you know it.”
Elphaba’s jaw dropped. When she least expected it, Sarima always seemed ready to rush in with a surprise attack. “In the afterlife?” said Elphie.
“Oh, what you do take against,” said Sarima. “I pity the community of the afterlife when they’re asked to welcome you in. What a sour apple you always are.”
7
She’s crazy,” said Manek knowledgeably. “Everyone knows that you can’t teach an animal to talk.”
They were in the abandoned summer stable, jumping off a loft, making puffs of hay and snow billow in the patchy light.
“Well, what is she doing with Chistery then?” asked Irji. “If you’re so sure of it?”
“She’s teaching him to mimic, like a parrot,” said Manek.
“I think she’s magic,” said Nor.
“You, you think everything’s magic,” Manek said. “Stupid girl.”
“Well, everything is,” said Nor, launching herself away from the boys as a further editorial comment on their skepticism.
“Do you really think she’s magic?” said Manek to Liir. “You know her better than any of us. She’s your mother.”
“She’s my Auntie, isn’t she?” Liir said.
“She’s our Auntie, she’s your mother.”
“I know,” said Irji, pretending full immersion in the topic to avoid another jump. “Liir is Chistery’s brother. Liir is what Chistery was like before she taught him how to talk. You’re a monkey, Liir.”
“I’m not a monkey,” said Liir, “and I’m not magicked.”
“Well, let’s go ask Chistery,” said Manek. “Is this the day that Auntie has her coffee with Mama? Let’s go see if Chistery has learned enough words to answer some questions.”
They scampered up the stone spiral staircase to Auntie Witch’s apartment.
True, she was gone, and there was Chistery nibbling on some nutshells, and Killyjoy dozing by the fire, growling in his sleep, and the bees doing their ceaseless chorus. The children didn’t like bees much, nor did they care for Killyjoy. Even Liir had lost interest in the dog once he had children to play with. But Chistery was a favorite. “Sweet thing, oh the little baby,” said Nor. “Here, you little beast, come to Auntie Nor.” The monkey looked doubtful, but then on knuckles and capable feet he swung across the floor and vaulted into her arms. He inspected her ears for treats, peered over her shoulders at the boys.
“You tell us, Chistery boy, is Auntie Witch really magic?” said Nor. “Tell us all about Auntie Witch.”
“Watch Witch,” said Chistery, playing with his fingers. “Which wretch which?” They could have sworn it was a question, the way his forehead wrinkled like eyebrows.
“Are you under a spell?” said Manek.
“Spell ill. Spoil spell,” answered Chistery. “Spill all.”
“How do we spoil the spell? How do we turn you back to
a boy?” asked Irji, the oldest but just as caught up as the others. “Is there a special way?”
“Why way?” said Chistery. “We woo, we weigh woe. Why?”
“Tell us what to do,” said Nor, petting him.
