The Charmed Circle had known its share of awkward moments, but nothing as strange as Elphaba and Fiyero after Dr. Dillamond's arrest.
"What has gotten into them? They're so upsetified." Galinda asked no one in particular.
"They knew Dillamond pretty well, didn't they?" Crope asked.
"Well, yes, but he was just a professor. Really, you'd think they were bestest friends."
"Elphaba used to spend a lot of time with Dillamond, before you were speaking to her," Tibbett said.
"Well, yes, I suppose she should be upsetified. But really, Fiyero is moodified and distant and—oh! It's awful!"
"Give them time," Avaric suggested.
"And space," Boq added, patting Galinda's shoulder.
Nessa glared.
All of Galinda's worries, however, were eclipsed when Elphaba burst into their room three days after Dillamond's arrest.
"Galinda, you'll never guess what's happened!"
"You have a boyfriend?" Galinda asked.
"No, my pretty. Nor do I want one. The Wizard wants to meet me!"
"Really? Oooooh, Elphie!"
Galinda grabbed her friend's wrists and spun her in an awkward, impromptu dance. They collapsed on their respective beds, giggling.
"Don't ever do that again," Elphaba gasped.
"I don't think I will."
The Charmed Circle met to celebrate the evening before Elphaba's departure. Elphaba insisted on remaining sober and Nessa glared at the alcohol and at Boq for drinking. Fiyero nursed a mug of ale; Avaric slammed down several shots before slurring "good luck" to Elphaba and vanishing. Galinda sipped her drink and watched—amused—as Crope and Tibbett waltzed on one of the tables.
"Oh, Elphaba," Nessa cried, "I'm so proud of you, and I know Father will be, too. We're all proud of you, aren't we?"
Elphaba wiped tears from her eyes; Nessa had never looked at her without shame, and now—perhaps even the Governor would accept his green daughter.
"Will you be alright without me?" Elphaba asked, clutching her sister's hand. Passersby glanced at the odd foursome. Everyday did not bring such odd sights to the train station: a green girl, a tragically beautiful girl confined to a wheelchair, a blonde dressed to the nines, and an unusually tall Munchkin boy—all together and all clearly excitified.
"She'll be fine," Galinda assured. She reached out and patted Boq's shoulder. "Biq will keep her company, won't you Biq?"
The Munchkin blushed and drew himself to his full height. "It's Boq! I—I can't do this anymore." He stalked away, not even sparing a glance for his girlfriend.
Passersby paused and stared. It was truly a strange day!
"Boq!" Nessa cried, a moment too late. She tried to wheel her chair around the crowd but Galinda caught its handle before Nessa could knock anyone down.
"Nessa—maybe he just isn't the right one for you," Galinda trilled.
"No, he's the one. It's me that's not right. Don't worry about me, Elphaba. I'll be fine. Safe journey!" Nessa wrenched her chair out of Galinda's grip and scuttled in the direction Boq had gone.
"Nessa, wait!" Elphaba cried.
Passersby gaped. They had never seen the like—the nerve—of these flighty young people. Why, one of them had even dyed her skingreen.
"Elphie!" Galinda exclaimed, touching her friend's shoulder, "Let her go, she'll have to manage without you. We all will."
Elphaba rolled her eyes. "You'll barely notice I'm gone. You have Fiyero! Where is he anyway? Not that I expected him to be here, of course. I feel like we're barely friends anymore."
"I don't know him either! Not anymore! He's distant and moodified . . . and he's been thinking, which really worries me! It all started that day Dr. Dillamond was fired! I never knew he cared so much about that old Goat. Oh—wait, there he is! He did come! Fiiyeeeroo!"
Fiyero dashed up to them, knocking a few of the regulars aside. They glared.
"Elphaba, I'm happy for you!" Fiyero announced.
"Yes, we're both so happy!" Galinda added.
"I've been thinking—" Fiyero tried.
"I heard." Only Fiyero noticed that Elphaba's tone was laced with bitterness like tea steeped a moment too long.
"—about the Lion cub, and everything. I think about that day a lot," he continued.
"So do I," Elphaba whispered. She smiled at Fiyero and he thought his heart would stop.
"Oh, me too!" Galinda interjected "I think about it—constantly. Poor Dr. Dillamond! It makes one want to take a stand. I've been thinking of changing my name. Since Dr. Dillamond had his own way of pronouncing my name, in solidarity and to express my outrage, I will henceforward be known no longer as Galinda, but as simply Glinda."
Elphaba elbowed Fiyero, who shifted from one foot to the other.
"Well—that's, that's very admirable of you," Fiyero finally muttered.
"Fiyero," Glinda breathed.
"Elphaba—good luck." Fiyero whirled and vanished into the crowd.
"There—you see!" Glinda sobbed.
Passersby sighed and rolled their eyes. This was just too much—silly Shiz students making scenes—it should be illegal.
"Oh, don't cry Galinda."
"It's Glinda now!" the blonde exclaimed with a sniffle, "and it was a stupid idea! I don't even know what made me say it!"
"It doesn't matter what your name is," Elphaba consoled "everyone loves you."
"I don't care! I want him! I don't even think he's perfect anymore and I still want him. This must be what other people feel like."
Passersby nodded in agreement. They certainly did not think the blonde and her green companion were perfect. The day would only be perfect if the two would remain perfectly silent and behave themselves.
Elphaba wrapped her arms around Glinda.
"How do they bear it?" the blonde sobbed.
Passersby wondered how they would bear it if the girls were not quiet.
"Come with me," Elphaba offered.
"Where?"
"To the Emerald City!"
"Really?" Glinda asked, "Oooh, I've always wanted to see the Emerald City!"
Elphaba had never felt more at home; even on the lonely paths of Shiz when normal students were with their families, she was consistently on edge and waiting for the next barbed comment about her skin. In the Emerald City all Elphaba's emotional defenses were unnecessary. True, she was greener than everyone else was—the glasses only darkened her verdigris—but no one seemed to notice.
"It's wonderful," she confided to Glinda "I feel like I belong."
"This will be home someday," Glinda whispered.
"I've never seen so many libraries," Elphaba said, craning her neck to see the top of the tallest one, "or museums."
"It would take weeks to see everything," Glinda complained "and we have one day."
"Now, my pretty, I know it is torturous to pass a palace and not go in, but there are wonders to be seen still."
"Come on," Glinda trilled, "we're going to be late for Wizomania."
Elphaba grinned. They had managed to snag tickets to the best show in the Emerald City: Wizomania. Glinda was thrillified and Elphaba was slightly disgusticified at the blind adoration blatantly displayed. She swallowed her distaste only because Wizomania honored the Wonderful Wizard and she would soon work for him. Elphaba understood that honoring the Wizard would be her life. She hoped the glory, the acceptance, would be worth it.
"Thank you for bringing me, Elphie," Glinda whispered halfway through the show.
"Anytime," Elphaba replied, stifling a yawn, "Never thought I'd say this, but it really is better with company."
Reviews? There has been a lack of them lately, which is not inspiring me to keep posting this story . . . it's all written, so I can literally update every few hours if you guys are reading it. I will update again soon, but I'd really, really appreciate reviews.