I live for the applause, applause, applause
I live for the applause-plause
Live for the applause-plause
Live for the way that you cheer and scream for me
The applause, applause, applause

Give me that thing that I love
Put your hands up, make 'em touch
Give me that thing that I love
Put your hands up, make 'em touch

-Applause by Lady Gaga

It was the feeling of Purr licking her face that woke Galinda the next morning. She opened her eyes wearily, seeing the cub lying beside her. The blonde sat up with a yawn, looking around for the green woman. As usual, she'd fallen asleep in Elphaba's room, but when she looked around, she saw that she was in her own room. The blonde slid out of bed, making her way across the hall.

"Elphaba?" She found the Munchkin's bedroom empty, causing Galinda to frown. She looked down, seeing Purr at her heels. "Do you know where Elphaba is?"

The cub went into the bedroom, and Galinda followed, soon coming across the closed bathroom door, which was slightly cracked. She could hear singing coming from the other side, and though she knew she should respect Elphaba's privacy, the blonde peeked in.

Elphaba was standing in front of the mirror, her entire verdigris exposed and glistening with the recent application of oil. She was running a brush through that coffee spun hair Galinda was so envious of, and now she had something else to be envious: her singing. Galinda was entranced by it. She couldn't bring herself to look away, not even focusing on the fact that her roommate was naked. She raised her hand to rest on the door so she could lean in closer, but the door swung open with a squeak, and Elphaba jumped at the noise.

"G-Galinda! What are you doing?!" The green woman was turning several different shades of green in quick succession.

"I was looking for you…"

"Well, you found me!"

"Yes I did…"

Elphaba saw the blonde's eyes traveling south, and she quickly grabbed a towel, using it to cover herself. "Well, here I am, now go!"

"All right, though I don't know why you're being so shy." Galinda turned away, looking back with a sly smile. "It's obvious that you and I have the same anatomy."

Elphaba slammed the door shut, her hands trembling. It was true that she had certain feelings for Galinda, and she didn't even dare to dream that Galinda had similar feelings for her, but still… it was too soon for this! Too soon for Galinda to see… everything!


Elphaba had composed herself by the time breakfast came around, though her face turned slightly darker upon seeing the Frottcan.

"Good morning Elphaba," the blonde said with a smile.

"Morning." Elphaba sat beside her, beginning to put some fruit and rolls on her plate.

"So, what are your plans for today?"

"I think I'll go into one of my 'reading sulks'."

"You're very funny, Elphie, but no. I want to do something."

"Then do something."

"With you."

The green woman sighed, setting down the apple she had been about to eat. "I suppose I should have seen that one coming. All right, blondie, what do you want to do?"

"Well, I have yet to do my Lurlinemas shopping and since we are in the Emerald City…"

"You want me to go shopping with you?" Elphaba stood up. "And I've lost my appetite."

"Oh, Elphie!" The blonde chased after her friend as she left the dining hall. "Please come with me?"

"I have done nothing to deserve this torture."

Galinda moved in front of the Munchkin, stopping her. "Elphaba Thropp, I had to come out here with you for my winter vacation; the least you could do is indulge me in this request!"

The green woman sighed, crossing her arms. "Fine… FINE! I'll go shopping with you."


"I've never seen so many decorations!"

Elphaba followed the blonde, hands stuffed in her pockets. "Yes, there are quite a few."

"Don't be in a bad mood, Elphaba, or this will take longer than it has to."

The green woman let out a groan. "Let's just hurry this up before I lose my fingers to frostbite."

"It is not that cold, and I would know. I fell through the ice, remember?"

"I'd prefer not to."

The two entered the first department store, which was bustling with shoppers. It seemed as though almost every citizen in the city had decided on this day for shopping, making it almost impossible to move.

"All right, I'm going to look over here," Galinda said before disappearing, her height making it a rather easy feat.

"Galinda, wait!" Elphaba called before letting out a sigh. "I knew this was a bad idea," she muttered before making her way through the crowd. She soon found the blonde riffling through the racks of dresses, which had already been picked over. "Excuse me, but you cannot just wander off, especially considering how short you are—"

"Hold this." The Frottican thrust a dress at the green woman.

"Galinda, did you hear a word I said?"

"Sure Elphie."

The Munchkin rolled her eyes. "It would appear as though I've lost you."

"This wouldn't be so difficult if you weren't so tall."

"Pardon?"

The blonde held another dress up to the green woman.

"What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking that this is a little long, but I can hem it."

"Don't tell me you're thinking of buying me a dress."

"You need one for the ball."

"Galinda, I already have a dress, and you do too."

"I do?"

Elphaba rolled her eyes again, placing the dresses back on the rack. "Look at your handbag blondie."

The Frottican looked down, and her eyes widened with realization. "Oh, right! I forgot."

"I can tell."

Galinda frowned. "But I still need to find a present for you."

"Galinda, you don't need to get me anything."

"Are you aware of how Lurlinemas works, Elphaba?"

"I am aware, thank you."

"Then you know I have to find something for you." The blonde turned away and began walking away again.

"What did I say about wandering off? Galinda!"


Since Elphaba remained adamantly against it, the two did no further shopping for the next few days, despite Galinda's protests.

"Please Elphie?"

"No."

"Please?"

The green woman sighed, setting down her cup of coffee. "If I said no yesterday, and the day before that, and the day before that, what makes you think I would change my mind now, on Lurlinemas Eve?"

"… Please?"

"Galinda, enough!"

"Miss Elphaba?"

"What?!" The green woman looked up, seeing a frightened servant looking at her.

"Your family is here…"

"Thank you." The servant left and Elphaba turned to Galinda. "My family is here." The Munchkin suddenly turned pale green as the statement sunk in. "My family… is here…"

"Yes they are. You should go say hello," Galinda said.

"I…" Elphaba stood up, smoothing out her dress. "I can't." She turned to run, but Galinda grabbed her arm, stopping her.

"Oh Elphie, stop. This is your family; you know them. Besides, if you leave, what am I supposed to say when they ask about you?"

"Tell them I died."

Galinda made a face. "Elphaba."

"Galinda, I can't face them. The last time I saw my mother, I told her I hated her… and that's putting it very nicely."

"I'm sure it wasn't that bad."

"I told her she was a whore who never should have opened her legs to a man like the Wizard."

"Oh… that is bad. Well, I'm sure she'll forgive you and you two can have a lovely Lurlinemas."

Elphaba winced. "Come with me?"

"If you insist." The blonde linked her arm with Elphaba's and led her from the room and into the entry hall, where her family was waiting.

"Elphaba!" Shell was the first to run at her, hugging his sister's legs tightly.

"Yes, I missed you too Shell."

Melena approached her daughter, but it was apparent that hugging was out of the question. "I would have appreciated it if you had come home, like you said."

"Yes, well… there was a complication… where is Father?" Elphaba said.

"Chasing another lost cause," Melena replied.

"He's on a mission," Nessa said, giving her mother a look. She wheeled up to her sister, taking her hand. "I'm so glad to see you."

"Me too, Nessie."

Galinda had to admit that Nessa was beautiful, but when Elphaba had said she was an invalid, she hadn't expected a wheelchair.

"I hope you've learned some manners since you were sent to that school you insisted upon attending," Melena said. She gave her eldest daughter's stomach a light smack as she moved past her. "Stand up straight, you look like you've got rickets."

Elphaba looked down at the Frottican, who looked a tad confused. "Please push me off the tower now."


Dinner was sufficiently awkward, seeing as Melena had nothing to say to the Wizard, and he seemed to want to talk to her. Galinda cast a glance at the green woman, whose gaze was fixated on the salad in front of her.

"Well, this is a fine family gathering," Nanny said from where she sat beside Nessa. "It's Lurlinemas Eve; at least pretend you like each other."

The Wizard looked Melena to Elphaba and back again. He cleared his throat, wiping his mouth with his napkin. "How… how have you been Melena?"

"Fine."

"And… your children?"

"Well, I gave you one of them, didn't I? So why don't you tell me?"

"Elphaba is… fine. She is a very bright student."

"Yes, she always was a smart ass."

"I wonder who I inherited that from," the green woman said, looking at her mother.

"No fighting," Nanny said. "My word, this is almost as bad as Fabala's first Lurlinemas."

"We don't need to hear that story," Elphaba said quickly.

"I want to hear the story," Galinda piped up.

Elphaba glared at her, her eyes shooting daggers. "No, you don't."

"Well, I do. I have missed out on enough of your life, and I don't intend to miss anymore," the Wizard said. "Tell us about it, Nanny."

"Well, little Fabala was still crawling, and even though I told Melena to diaper the child, she refused. Something about her daughter always finding a way to wriggle out of them. So, she let the child crawl about naked."

"Oh my god," Elphaba said, covering her face with her hands.

"Anyway, little Fabala was crawling about, and no one was watching her, as usual, for we were all too invested in the Lurlinemas Eve feast. The next day, when we went to open presents, we found that they were all a bit damp and… well… they smelled odd."

Elphaba was shaking her head, her face burning.

"Well, it took us a little while, but we finally found little Fabala asleep in the tree. Apparently she had crawled in there the night before and had been relieving herself over the presents all night!"

There was a thunk as Elphaba's head hit the table, and the others burst into laughter. "Please kill me."

"Oh, Elphie, don't be so embarrassed. You were just a baby; you didn't know what you were doing."

"I think I did…"

This caused the table to laugh again, and Elphaba sighed.


"Good night, Nessie. Sleep well." Elphaba kissed her sister on the forehead before standing.

"I missed you… I'm glad you invited us out here," the younger Thropp said.

"I missed you too. Fresh dreams." Elphaba closed the door behind her before staring down the hall. As she passed Galinda's room, she saw the blonde sitting on the windowsill, staring at the falling snow outside. "Hey blondie. I thought you'd be asleep by now."

Galinda looked up, smiling at her approaching roommate. "The snow is so pretty."

"Yes it is." Elphaba realized she was staring at the blonde, and she quickly looked away. "I hope my family hasn't scared you off."

The Frottican shook her head. "No… they love you… in their way."

Elphaba let out an amused snort. "I see we're using the term 'love' loosely." She sat beside the blonde, letting out a sigh. "Look, Galinda… at this ball thing tomorrow… the Wizard is going to be… showing me off, if you will, and I… I have to…"

"Dance?"

"Yeah… dance… and obviously, I'll need a partner, so… I was wondering if you… if you would…"

Galinda turned pink and looked away. "Elphaba… I can't. We're both women… and you're the heiress to the throne."

"Galinda, I don't want to be paraded around like some kind of show pony. If you dance with me, it won't be so awkward."

"I… I don't think I should."

Elphaba sighed before standing. "All right… I understand. Sorry for putting you in this position." The green woman left, and only after the door closed behind her did Galinda look up.

"I'm sorry Elphie…"


As was usual for the blonde on Lurlinemas, Galinda woke early, unable to stay in bed. She ran from her room and into Elphaba's, finding the green woman still asleep, her dark hair splayed out on the pillow.

"Wake up, Elphie!" The Frottican jumped onto her bed, causing the green woman to let out a groan.

"Galinda… this is not okay," Elphaba said, rolling over and pulling the pillow over her head.

"No, no going back to sleep. It's Lurlinemas!"

"Yes, and your gift to me can be letting me sleep."

Galinda poked her roommate in the side, and Elphaba let out a yelp, falling out of bed and hitting the floor with a thud. The blonde peered down at her with a giggle. "Sorry Elphie."

"Okay, I'm up." Elphaba said, pushing herself up onto her arms. As if to make sure, Purr ran up and began licking her face. "Agh, Purr, no!"

"Come on, Elphie. Let's go downstairs." Galinda took her friend's hand, pulling her off the floor and dragging her out of the room and down the stairs.

"Galinda, I am not awake enough for this level of perkiness."

"Then make yourself a cup of coffee."

Elphaba let out another groan. "I'm so glad we're spending this holiday together." The green woman let out a yawn before she headed into the kitchen.

"Elphie!"

"I need coffee."

"But—"

"COFFEE."

Galinda sighed, but followed the green woman, watching as she made said liquid. Elphaba noticed the blonde practically bouncing up and down, and she couldn't help smiling slightly. Finally, the drink was done, and Elphaba picked up her mug, taking a sip.

"Okay, done. Now let's go!" Galinda grabbed her arm again, dragging Elphaba into the living room.

"How about you let me keep my arm attached to my body?"

The two sat down in front of the tree, Purr lying between them.

"I see your writing, Elphie," Galinda said, pointing to a small wrapped gift. "And I see my name."

"What a surprise."

"Good morning girls."

The two looked up to see the Wizard approaching, along with the rest of the Thropp family.

"Preenella came!" Shell said excitedly, instantly falling upon the basket with his name on it.

"Yes, she did," Elphaba said, grabbing her brother and pulling him into her lap. He let out a laugh as she tickled him, and Galinda smiled at the scene. If only their classmates could see this side of the green woman…

"All right, don't hold back," the Wizard said, sitting in a chair. "Open away."

"Hooray!" Shell said before diving into his basket, happily settling himself in Elphaba's lap.

"Miss Galinda, I am sorry that I did not have a better gift prepared for you, but I was not aware you were going to be staying with us," the Wizard said, handing the blonde a box.

"Oh, you… you didn't have to buy me a gift, sir," Galinda said, somewhat in shock as she took the present.

"It was no trouble, really."

The Frottican opened the gift, revealing a pair of glimmering green heels. "They're beautiful… thank you."

"I hope they match your dress. I had been informed that a while back, an Ozian Couture dress was purchased for you. Very high end, that brand… or so I'm told."

Galinda looked at the green woman, but Elphaba was making a point to look everywhere else. The blonde set the box down before reaching for a different wrapped present. "Here Elphaba, this is for you, you awful green thing."

"Well, that certainly fits with the Lurlinemas spirit," Elphaba said, taking the gift. She let her chin rest on the top of Shell's head as he helped her open it. The green woman pulled out a deep navy cloak with silver trim on the edges.

"Your old one is so worn out… I don't want you to risk any rain coming through."

Elphaba gave the blonde a smile. "Thank you Galinda. You're very thoughtful."

"Now can I open my gift from you?"

"You assume I got you something."

"I know you did."

"Here it is!" Shell said, holding the small box up.

"Shell, no!"

But Galinda had already grabbed it, much to Elphaba's chagrin. "See? I was right." The blonde opened the gift, pausing when she saw what it was. "Oh, Elphie…" The Frottican pulled the golden bracelet out, the embedded emeralds catching the light. "It's beautiful… thank you." The blonde hugged the green woman, causing Elphaba's face to darken.

"Yes, well… it was nothing. I saw it, thought of you, and that's that." The Munchkin cleared her throat. "Let's continue on, shall we?"


Galinda hummed happily to herself as she slipped into her new dress, looking at herself in the mirror. She'd never had something custom fit to her exact size.

"Green suits you."

Galinda turned to see Elphaba standing in the doorway, wearing a long black gown that seemed to shimmer as she moved.

"Elphaba… you… you look gorgeous."

"Thanks blondie. You're not bad yourself."

The Frottican smiled, turning back to the mirror. "Can you zip me up?"

"Sure." Elphaba approached, gently zipping up the back of her friend's dress. "Are you ready for this?"

Galinda nodded. "Are you?" she said, turning to face the green woman.

"As ready as I'll ever be, I suppose."

The Frottican gave her friend a smile, gently cupping her cheek. "You'll be fine."

Elphaba's face tingled at the touch, and it took all she had to not grab Galinda's hand and pull her close. "We'll see."

The blonde moved away, picking up her emerald bracelet. "Help me, Elphie?"

"Sure." Elphaba approached, taking the bracelet as Galinda held her arm out. She fastened it around her wrist, her hand dropping slowly.

"Thank you, Elphie."

The Third Thropp Descending smiled. "Are you ready?"

Galinda nodded. "Let's go." She started for the main staircase, but Elphaba stopped her. "What's wrong?"

"If we go down that way, everyone will see me, and there will be an announcement and all that jazz. We're going to take the servant's staircase."

"Okay." Galinda followed her friend down the hall to a narrow staircase. She followed Elphaba down, and the two emerged into the kitchen. They made their way through and entered the ballroom, where all the guests were gathered, the sound of merriment ringing through the room.

"I've never been to a ball before," Galinda said.

"Me either." Elphaba let out a sigh. "Let's get this over with I suppose."

"Good evening everyone! The Wizard welcomes you all to his Lurlinemas Ball!" the steward said from the stage. "Tonight, his daughter has joined us. Please welcome Miss Elphaba Thropp, the Third Thropp Descending and Heiress to the Throne."

The room burst into applause, and everyone turned to locate the green woman, which wasn't entirely difficult. Elphaba felt her face growing hot, and she raised her hand in a greeting.

"And now, for our first dance. Who would like the first dance with our heiress?"

"Oh, I'm going to strangle him," Elphaba said through her smile. She was sure she'd be left there to fester in humiliation, but at that moment, someone emerged from the crowd, approaching her.

"Hello, Miss Elphaba."

"Fiyero…"

The prince bowed to her before offering his hand. "I would be honored if you danced with me."

Elphaba took his hand, and as the music started, the two began to move across the floor.

"Fiyero, how did you know about this?"

"Well, my parents were invited by your father… and so was I."

Elphaba nodded. "I see."

"I am happy to see you again. After our… run in at the restaurant, I wasn't sure if I'd made you upset."

"Fiyero… it's complicated, all right? I'm complicated, and it's just better for everyone if no one gets involved with me."

"I don't think that's for you to decide."

Elphaba looked up at him. "What… I think I can very well decide who I become involved with."

"Yes, you can, but you can't decide for other people. If I want to become involved with you, that is my decision to make, not yours."

The green woman was taken aback, so much so that she couldn't find words.

"I take it that no one has spoken to you that way before. Well, perhaps it's about time."

"Fiyero…"

By this time, many other couples had joined the two on the floor, but Elphaba hardly noticed. All she could see was the stubborn prince in front of her, the only man she had ever had feelings for.

Maybe Galinda was right about him… about me… about us.

The song came to an end, and everyone applauded. Fiyero looked down at the green woman, who was clinging to his arm, her gaze down.

"Elphaba?"

The Munchkin looked up at him, knowing then what she was going to do. "Come with me," she said, taking his arm and leading him away from the crowded ballroom.

From where she stood, Galinda watched the two disappear. While her heart slightly ached, she knew that this was good for the green woman, and she only wanted her friend to be happy.

"Miss Galinda?"

The blonde turned, seeing Boq smiling at her. "Good evening, Boq."

"Would you care to dance?"

"I… yes… I would, thank you."


"Elphaba, is something wrong?"

The green woman stopped, having reached the empty living room. She took a deep breath before she turned to face the prince. "Fiyero, if you want to become involved with me, there are a few things you have to understand. I'm dangerous… I have… this magic inside of me… and sometimes… it gets out of control. There's always a chance that I could hurt you."

"Well, I should say so. You've had me under your spell for a while."

"Fiyero, I'm being serious. On top of that, I'm not only the Wizard's daughter; I'm the next Eminent Thropp. I have certain responsibilities, many of which I shirk."

"And I am the prince of the Arjikis Tribe."

"I'm green!"

The prince leaned in, kissing the Munchkin gently. Elphaba inhaled sharply, too shocked to react. "That's my favorite color," Fiyero said, pulling away.

Elphaba touched her lips, having not been expecting to receive her first kiss. "Fiyero…"

"I apologize; was that inappropriate?"

Elphaba didn't reply, instead pulling the prince close and kissing him, hers deeper than his had been. "Don't say I didn't warn you…"

"I'll keep that all in mind."