"Momsie, where's Jilla? I haven't seen her around for fifteen minutes or so. She's missing all the fun." Glinda giggled as she poked Elphie's side with her finger.
"I said stop that, I'm trying to concentrate." Elphie muttered as she looked at her feet. She was in a circle with the rest of the women from their group, trying to stay in rhythm. They all had their arms around the waists of the people on either side of them, dancing in a circle. She was in between Glinda and Dani.
"I have no idea darling" Gwenot chuckled.
"She said that she and Pajul were going to get a breath of fresh air." Greda smiled and Glinda giggled as she poked Elphie again and received a gentle smack for her troubles.
"Wherever she is, I'm sure she has found a way to have fun." Bitra smiled from Glinda's other side and everyone but Elphie chuckled.
The Upland women danced a traditional dance in a tight circle while their men danced in a larger circle behind them, hands on the shoulders of the people they were in between. They were one of many small double circles of dancers dotting the dance floor, merrily and loudly celebrating amongst the fallen confetti and balloons. They danced like that for several more minutes until a tempo change then the two circles merged.
"So, how was your first New Year's kiss?" Manif chuckled in Elphie's ear as he put his arm gently around her waist and kicked a few balloons.
"Better than dripping the juice from apple slices on the book I'm trying to read." Elphie replied with a blush.
"I would certainly hope so." Manif chuckled.
"It was nice and I'm sure Glinda will giggle for months about starting a kiss in one year and ending it in another." Elphie smiled as she tickled Glinda's waist.
"Stop that, I'm trying to concentrate." Glinda said in her best Elphie voice then giggled.
"Being engaged sure did give that kiss an extra punch. You're lucky, most people do not get their first new years kiss from the person they are engaged to." Manif chuckled as they kicked before the circle changed directions
"That's not the right sequence of steps you know."
"I gave up on the steps, I'm happy just going in the correct direction and watching her kick confetti and balloons around." Elphie smiled.
"And for that, my shins thank you." Manif smiled.
That dance merged into another livelier one and the dancing continued. The three older couples excused themselves and the younger ones danced in a happy laugh-filled clump for a while they sipped champagne, or in Elphie's case nectar. Glinda was on her second glass and all though she wasn't really tipsy, she was becoming extra giggly or pouty, depending on what was happening.
"Lyndie my sweet, I think we should take a little break." Elphie said in between songs.
"Now?" Glinda said with a pout as the music started.
"Go on Figgy, we'll save your spot." Bitra smiled.
"I'll bet if your play your cards right, your green girl will give you a private dance after you center." Manif chuckled.
"Stop helping." Elphie said with a slight smile.
"Oh boy! Let's go, someone tell my parents." Glinda wiggled happily, took a sip of champagne then danced Elphie off of the floor and out the door. By the time they returned the band had taken a break and were back to playing lively dance music.
"Are you all right darling?" Gwenot said as Glinda sat down beside her mother and reached for a finger sandwich.
"I'm perfect. I centered, evened out and got a private dance." Glinda grinned.
"Did Jilla make it back yet? She's been gone almost an hour."
"I haven't seen her." Gwenot said.
"Oh sweetheart look, cucumber and cream cheese. " Glinda said after she bit into her sandwich.
"Bite?" She giggled and held the held it out to Elphie.
"Thank you Lyndie." Elphie smiled then took a small bite, making Glinda smile with satisfaction.
"Well I hope Jilla makes it back soon, I want to…"
"Excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt." Xafin said coming over to the table.
"Xafin, you are doing a wonderful job with the Philharmonic this evening." Gwenot smiled.
"Thank you ma'am I am enjoying myself a great deal."
"It certainly shows." Samion smiled.
"I have some free time right now and I was wondering if I might have the pleasure of a dance with Elphaba." Xafin smiled at Elphie. Elphie looked at Glinda who nodded and grinned.
"I'd love to Xafin." Elphie smiled.
"Wonderful." Xafin said and offered Elphie his hand. Glinda could feel a hint of apprehension from her love, but they had just had some quiet time together that included some talking about the party and a long reassuring kiss, so she wasn't worried.
"So fair troubadour, would you prefer a slow or an upbeat song? I have a little pull with the musicians." Xafin chuckled as the walked onto the floor.
"I would prefer a slower song, I'm best with a waltz." Elphie smiled.
"A waltz it is."
"This doesn't bother you, does it?" Bitra asked softly as they watched Elphaba walk onto the floor with Xafin.
"Not at all, not with Xafin anyway. He has treated her very respectfully so far. He even asked me and Manif if he could have a dance." Glinda chuckled.
"Manif?" Bitra asked, surprised.
"He has known Xafin for a few years and went with her to her first few lessons. He still accompanies her when he can. Xafin calls him her bodyguard." Glinda laughed.
"Oh goody a waltz, that won't stress her." She sighed when she heard the music.
"Lady Bitra, may I have the honor of this waltz." Van smiled as he held his hand out.
"The honor would be mine." Bitra smiled as she accepted her husband's hand.
"Excuse us please." She said and Glinda and Dani nodded.
Glinda watched as Elphie danced with Xafin. He held her in a properly formal way and she could see Elphie smile, as she settled into the dance. Glinda focused on her movements, she loved to watch her love's lithe body in motion. She saw her skirt sway and her shirt flutter as she danced and had no trouble imagining what was going on underneath. Her long, shapely legs, with smooth soft skin were moving elegantly, under the power of her perfect thighs and slight but alluring hips. Hips that were covered by a satin undergarment that also hid the delights of her most private of areas. In her mind she could feel her hand caressing Elphie's taut stomach, running her finger just under the waistband of that undergarment, teasing and anticipating those, for the time being forbidden and thus all the more enticing, delights. She grinned as she saw her hand move upward…
"Galinda, darling." Gwenot said softly for a second time.
"Huh?" Glinda said as she blinked out of her reverie.
"Perhaps you and Dani should talk a little walk." Gwenot smiled.
"I…oh…yes a walk." Glinda stammered.
"Dani, would you mind?" Gwenot said.
"Not at all. Come on Glinda, you can show me where it is you and Elphaba have been running off to." Dani smiled, offering her friend her hand.
"I'm not sure I'd want to be that age again." Greda said with a light chuckle as they watched Glinda leave, holding on to Dani's arm and her eyes locked onto Elphie until she was out the door.
X
"I guess your mother sensed that you needed an empath break." Dani said as she and Glinda walked towards the little parlor.
"Not an empath break. I was watching Elphie dance and…"
"Ah, enough said." Dani said with a light chuckle, rescuing her friend from the blush that was creeping onto her cheeks.
"Why don't we head over to those double doors over that way." Dani said as she steered her friend in the opposite direction.
"Thanks Dani." Glinda smiled sheepishly.
"No thanks necessary. I've been caught in a similar state, albeit not during a masquerade ball." Dani laughed and Glinda giggled.
In order to try and distract her young friend, Dani asked about the bubble problem. Glinda told her a little about what had happened and Dani was very intrigued. They talked about it for a little bit until Glinda had settled down then they started to walk back to the ballroom.
"Jilla!" Glinda called, seeing her cousin coming out of the stairway door.
"Hey you two. Guess what Pajul and I found." Jilla said with a sly grin.
"An open storage closet." Glinda smirked and Dani chuckled.
"A billiard room." Jilla said triumphantly.
"You and Pajul had sex on a pool table?" Glinda said, her eyes wide.
"Not on exactly." Jilla said then saw the look on her cousin's face.
"You know, never mind. I really don't want to give you ideas any more." She said and Glinda giggled.
"That might be wise, she seems to be getting enough of them on her own." Dani chuckled.
"Great." Jilla sighed then shook it off.
"Let's go get our men… uh, our… oh you know who I mean, and go play some billiards."
"I love you for trying so hard, you know that right?" Glinda whispered in Jilla's ear as she gave her a hug.
"I know. I'm trying so hard because I love you." Jilla replied. Dani watched the two cousins and smiled. She was very glad, for her friends' sakes that they and Jilla were working it out.
"Where's Pajul?" Dani asked as Glinda took her arm.
"He is staying down there to claim a game for us. Other people found the billiard table as well." Jilla replied and chuckled when Glinda took her arm as well.
"Not like you did I bet." Glinda giggled and tried to skip.
"Elphie isn't back yet?" Glinda frowned when they made it back to the table.
"She is dancing with your father." Gwenot smiled.
"Daddy dancing for Elphie." Glinda sing-songed and twirled under Jilla's arm then sitting down by her mother.
"Thanks for sending me out for a walk." She smiled as she kissed Gwenot.
"I take it you are feeling better."
"Better is a matter of opinion, but defiantly more appropriate." Glinda giggled.
"I see." Gwenot smiled.
"Things like that have happened a lot recently." Glinda sighed as she watched Elphie walking back to the table on her father's arm.
"Don't worry about it my darling, it comes with the territory. We'll have a long talk before you leave."
"Yes please." Glinda smiled.
"But allow me offer some unsolicited advice. Go easy on the champagne for the rest of the night. Your inhibitions seem to be as low as propriety deems fit already." Gwenot said quietly and Glinda giggled, but nodded before she kissed her mother then bounded up to meet Elphie and her father.
"Hello Galindadoodle." Samion smiled.
"Hi Daddy, Hi Elphie. You two looked great out there." Glinda said with a happy wiggle then gave her father a peck on the cheek and threw her arms around Elphie.
"Are you all right my precious? Your mother said you needed a little break. You could have come for me, I would have helped you center." Elphie said as Samion chuckled and went on back to the table.
"I'm fine my love. I wasn't on an empath break." Glinda said then giggled.
"I was on a you break. I was having some very unladylike thoughts watching you dance with Xafin." She whispered in Elphie's ear.
"I see." Elphie blushed.
"But it's all right now. And I have some great news, a surprise. Come on." Glinda grinned and pulled Elphie back to the tables.
"Tell her what you found Jilla." She bubbled when they arrived.
"Pajul and I found…" Jilla started.
"A pool hall Elphie an appropriate smoke and drunk free pool hall." Glinda giggled as she bounced up and down.
"A pool hall?" Elphie said with an arched eyebrow.
"We found the billiard room." Jilla clarified.
"And from what she told us it's a very nice one." Dani said.
"So green girl ready to learn how to play billiards?" Manif chuckled.
"She knows how and she promised to teach me." Glinda giggled.
"You're kidding. You can? Since when?" Came the astounded responses.
"Sorry Elphie. It seems that my inhibitions are a little low." Glinda giggled.
"So I've noticed." Elphie smiled then kissed Glinda's forehead.
"Yes, I know how to play billiards. But Lyndie I'm not sure this is the best time to…"
"Uh-uh Elphaba Thropp, you promised. Your conditions were met and you promised." Glinda said as she stomped her foot and put her hands on her hips.
"I was just going to say that the…"
"Elphie…" Glinda said with a little pout and a slight whine.
"I might be able to help here." Bitra said with a chuckle.
"Please do." Elphie said, smiling slightly at the look on Glinda's face.
"She promised." Glinda said.
"And I'm sure that she will keep her promise after the traditional Remembrance Dance, which is coming up soon." Bitra said with a smile.
"That's what we were telling Jilla and Dani." Manif smiled.
"They announced it while you were gone."
"Oh…sorry everyone, especially you Elphie." Glinda giggled.
"No worries my sweet. It's been awhile since I was treated to a hands on hips foot stomp." Elphie smiled and everyone chuckled softly.
"Mean green thing." Glinda grinned.
"I sent my father after Pajul. A friend of his died this…er last year, I know he'd like to dance in remembrance of her." Jilla smiled.
"So this is a tradition?" Elphie asked.
"Yep, in Gillikin anyway. It's just a nice way to start a new year by honoring those who died in the old one. We can dance for Byjon." Glinda said with a little sad smile.
"He will love that." Elphie said and gave her sensitive love a hug and a soft kiss.
They sat and talked about Byjon at Glinda's birthday party, an event where all of them had some sort of interaction with him until the Remembrance Dance was called. Gwenot invited everyone at their tables who did not have someone to dance for to join them in honor of Byjon, who was always overjoyed at couples in love dancing, for any reason.
Elphie took Glinda into her arms as the music started and held her close as they danced to the moderately slow song. Elphie had never heard a melody like this before and enjoyed it very much. It was wistful, but had an undercurrent of contentment. When the music ended, it started again, this time with Xafin singing and Elphie smiled at how the undercurrent she had felt in the music manifested in the words. It was obviously a known song because some people were singing along. When it was concluded, Xafin started the introductory part once again and invited everyone to sing along with him.
"Sing please Elphie?" Glinda said looking at her with hopeful, but slightly sad eyes.
"Of course my precious, you sing along as well. Byjon will delight in both his studious starlets singing and dancing for him." Elphie smiled and Glinda sniffled, but smiled and nodded.
"I'll be seeing you, in all the old familiar places, that this heart of mine embraces, all day through." Elphie sang softly and heard familiar voices sing as well.
"In that small cafe; the park across the way; the children's carousel; the chestnut trees; the wishing well." Glinda started to sing the words, but stopped and pressed herself closer to Elphie when she saw her father wipe a tear off her mother's cheek.
"I'll be seeing you in every lovely summer's day; in every thing that's light and gay, I'll always think of you that way. I'll find you in the morning sun, and when the night is new. I'll be looking at the moon, but I'll be seeing you." Elphie sang out loud and clear, blending her voice with Manif's as they did when they sang together at the bar.
"Sing with us my darling." Gwenot smiled.
"This is a song about remembering happy times and we had lots of those with Byjon, yes?"
"We did." Glinda smiled and started singing along as the last stanza started again.
The singing of the last stanza one last time was a little livelier and by the end everyone, including Glinda was smiling.
"What a nice way to remember Byjon." Glinda said as they made their way back to the tables after several upbeat dances.
"He would have loved this Ball." Gwenot smiled.
"When he and Walik, and later, just he, attended costumed events he always dressed as a fop." She chuckled at the memory and Samion laughed out loud.
"Oh he was quite a sight."
"Isn't fop a pejorative term?" Elphie asked confused.
"It was meant to be, but that's why Byjon loved to use it and dress the part at events such as these. To poke fun not only at himself, but at those who actually thought of him as one."
"What is a fop?" Glinda asked.
"That is a little used term for a man overly concerned with fashion. There were some people, including some of Byjon's own ilk, who thought that he was nothing more than a simple tailor who overdressed, aspired to wit, and generally put on airs, including aspiring to a higher social station than they thought he had." Gwenot explained.
"But that wasn't Byjon." Glinda said.
"No it wasn't, but that is the definition of a fop. And why he loved doing it." Gwenot chuckled.
"Oh some of his outfits were outlandishly stylish…and always made fun of the fads of the day." Samion grinned.
As the music continued to play and people continued to dance or just mingle and snack from the various offerings that had been placed on the tables, Samion, Gwenot, Elphie and Glinda spent some time reminiscing about Byjon.
X
"What do they mean last dance? How can it be last dance, I thought the party went on all night, I took an extra long nap and everything." Glinda complained.
"Galinda now really." Gwenot admonished gently.
"You are acting like a tired little girl."
"I'm sorry, but this is the first New Years I've been allowed to dance all night. It's only…not even two yet. And we haven't played pool either." Glinda frowned.
"They called for the last official dance Galindadoodle, a minuet." Samion said.
"After the last official dance they start playing popular music for dancing the night away." He chuckled and Glinda looked hopefully at her mother.
"It's true darling, that's the way it works." Gwenot smiled.
"Us old folks will be going home after the minuet." Samion said.
"You are? But I get to stay, right?" Glinda asked.
"Of course darling. You are grown up now, even though it is a little hard to tell at the moment." Gwenot chuckled and Glinda smiled sheepishly.
"I apologize."
"Galinda you are eighteen, mature, responsible and engaged to be married. Your father and I are trying to figure out how to treat you in a more grown up fashion and it is perfectly all right for you to expect to be treated that way. We will all figure out this new arrangement with time." Gwenot said reassuringly.
"That makes sense. But I think there might be times when I still need to be little, if that's okay."
"It's okay." Gwenot smiled.
"But not tonight, I'm going to dance the minuet with my fiancée then learn to play pool." Glinda said proudly.
"Billiards." Samion corrected.
"Yes Daddy, billiards." Glinda grinned.
X
"So this is what a billiard room looks like." Glinda said with a hint of disappointment as they walked into the well-appointed room after saying goodbye to the older couples.
"It looks like a library, sort of. Or a parlor."
"What did you expect little cousin." Jilla chuckled.
"I don't know, Elphie made it sound…well seamy." Glinda said looking around.
"A pool hall Lyndie. I was talking about a bar with pool tables." Elphie replied and Bitra chuckled.
"Selective hearing?" She said.
"Apparently so." Elphie smiled.
"Hey!" Glinda said.
"All right green girl, show us your stuff." Manif smiled as he handed Elphie a cue stick.
"It's been awhile since I've played." Elphie smiled.
"Yeah, yeah." Manif chuckled.
"Just break."
"He's been looking forward to this since she said she could play."
"He considers teasing her a sport doesn't he?" Van laughed as they settled in to watch.
"More like an intellectual pursuit I think. She gives just as good as she gets." Dani laughed.
Glinda watched Elphie lean over the table aiming her stick at a white ball and felt something very strong from Jilla, and then transferred that feeling onto her thoughts of Elphie before she could stop herself.
"You, in here…like that?" Glinda whispered to Jilla while pointing to Elphie.
"What are you talking about?" Jilla said then realized what she had been remembering.
"Oh, sorry. Just forget about that." She said as she stopped remembering the wonderful sex she had not that long ago.
"And stop staring at her ass for Oz's sake." Jilla whispered with a hint of annoyance.
"I'll try, but I've had one of those kind of nights." Glinda giggled.
"Look, you know the mere thought of you and Elphaba…"
"Playing pool together." Glinda interrupted a little more snidely than intended.
"Galinda that's not fair. I am really trying here. Taking mean spirited potshots is uncalled for." Jilla said a little angrily.
"All right you two, maybe you should talk outside." Bitra said as she put herself between Jilla and Glinda. She had been close by and listening but hesitant to interfere.
"No, it's all right." Glinda said contritely.
"Jilla, I'm really, really sorry. Really sorry. Those last few sips of champagne were not a good idea. Please forgive me, please."
"It's okay little cousin." Jilla said accepting her cousin's overtures for a hug.
"I'll go back to keeping my thoughts to myself."
"And I'll try not to stare." Glinda said.
"No little cousin, I have the feeling that would be the same as telling you not to breathe. Just don't flaunt it, all right." Jilla sighed, but smiled.
"All right and I am really sorry."
"I know, now go and watch Elphaba play. She seems to know what she is doing." Jilla smiled and Glinda kissed her then bubbled over to the table.
"You're a good cousin Jilla." Bitra smiled.
"This would be so much easier if Galinda wasn't so obviously turned on by the mere sight of her." Jilla said quietly.
"I may never adjust to that. You know, never mind. My issue, my problem. Thanks Bit for stepping in."
"You're welcome. Why don't we go watch the game?" Bitra smiled, admiring how well that Jilla was handling her struggles.
X
"You got three balls in on the break, how did you get three balls in on the break?" Manif exclaimed as he looked at the solid and striped balls laid out on the table.
"I aimed well." Elphie said with a slight smile.
"Your sorted past must be more sorted than you let on." Manif chuckled.
"Not really, I was watching some men play and thought they could be more effective so I looked in some of the textbooks I had."
"You had a schoolbook on playing pool?" Van said from the sidelines.
" A Math book, geometry more specifically. Later some physics. But those subjects are not my strong suit." Elphie smiled as she lined up her shot.
"Why am I not surprised?" Manif said with a smile.
"I am." Van said and shook his head.
"Okay Elphie I'm ready for my lesson." Glinda chirped as she bounced over to the table, causing Elphie to miss her shot.
"Thanks Glinda, now I might stand a chance." Manif chuckled.
"I'm sorry Elphie, were you really playing?" Glinda said.
"Manif was insistent." Elphie smiled.
"And no apologies, you allowed him to save face."
"My face is not in need of saving thank you. Damnit." Manif said as his shot came within a hairs breadth of going into the pocket.
"Sorry ladies…and Elphaba." Manif grinned.
"Just sit with Dani or one of your cousins and watch. This won't take long." Elphie grinned.
"Hey books can't teach instinct." Manif smiled.
"Oh, she's got great instincts." Glinda giggled.
"Aim for that pretty red one."
"Yeah green girl, red one in the side pocket." Manif chuckled.
"He is playing the solids my sweet, I am playing the ones with the stripes." Elphie smiled.
"But he does need all the help he can get, so I will do my best." She chuckled then Glinda gave her a kiss on the cheek then went to sit with Dani.
"Need a protractor green girl?" Manif said as he watched Elphie looking at the table.
"Not this shot, but thank you for the offer." Elphie said then leaned over, made her shot and got two balls in two different pockets.
"I love that little crinkle." Glinda sighed as she watched Elphie play.
"It's her concentration crinkle."
"Are we going to have to take another walk?" Dani chuckled.
"No, I'll keep myself in check." Glinda smiled.
"But she's just extra beautiful when she's relaxed and having fun." She added quietly and Dani just patted her hand and smiled.
"I might have missed my shot, but at least I didn't leave you one." Manif grumbled.
"Yes you did, a fun one actually. And you wouldn't have missed if you hadn't been showing off." Elphie replied.
"I was taking my shot." Manif said.
"With the cue behind your back?"
"It's legit." Manif chuckled.
"Eight-ball in the side pocket." Elphie said and started to aim.
"That's an impossible shot Elphaba." Pajul said.
"Difficult, but not impossible." Elphie smiled.
"I thought you said it was fun." Manif said.
"Not everyone shies away from difficult things you know." Elphie smiled.
"Hey, I'm your best friend. You can't get more difficult than that." Manif chuckled.
"And here I thought in the New Year, with a jester's award under your belt, you'd finally come up with some new material." Elphie replied then took her shot, making it easily.
"That was impressive." Van said.
"That…is my girl. Did you win?" Glinda bounced then threw her arms around Elphie's neck.
"I won." Elphie.
"Yippee. Can I learn now?"
"Green girl, you're a pool shark. Why in Oz didn't you ever tell me you could play like that?"
"I asked her a similar question. Apparently it never came up before." Glinda giggled.
"What else has never come up green girl? Do you hunt? Have a police record?" Manif chuckled.
"I'm a vegetarian, so you know perfectly well I do not hunt. And I am heir to a state, I have people to cover up my sorted past." Elphie said with a slight smile and everyone chuckled except Glinda, who fell into a giggle fit.
X
"Hold the cue like this." Elphie said as she demonstrated.
"Wait…wrong hand. Like this." She amended as she switched the cue to her other hand.
"How's this?" Glinda said as she tried.
"Here. This way." Elphie said taking Glinda's hands in hers and placing them properly.
"You make a little circle like area for the cue to move through, it helps you have smooth strokes."
"I like this game." Glinda giggled as she moved her cue through her fingers.
"Good. Now, keep this arm close to your body and your elbow bent at ninety degrees." Elphie said as she moved behind Glinda to help her get into position.
"The shooting movement should come from your shoulder."
Elphie moved Glinda's arm and pretended to hit the ball. Glinda sighed happily and leaned back into Elphie.
"No my sweet, you need to lean forward, bend at the waist a little." Elphie said as she maneuvered Glinda into position, molding herself behind her to hold her hands in place.
"Then aim, rest the cue on your fingers and…"
"Uh Elphie, maybe the lesson should wait until a better time." Glinda said quietly as she straightened up.
"Do you wish to just play and perfect it later?" Elphie said a little confused.
"It's wanting to play that's causing this predicament." Glinda whispered in Elphie's ear.
"This has nothing to do with billiards does it?" Elphie whispered back.
"Not the game no. But everything to do with the teacher." Glinda giggled and Elphie blushed.
"Need some teaching tips green girl?" Manif chuckled as he walked over to the table.
"Nope, her technique was perfect." Glinda smiled.
"I'd just rather have a private lesson."
"I'll tell Professor Thiol he has a Teaching Assistant in the making here." Manif chuckled.
"As I said before. Don't help." Elphie said as she followed Glinda to some chairs that had been brought over.
"I'm sorry Elphie, I just couldn't resist." Glinda giggled more or less contritely after they settled into chairs.
"I'm in a mood."
"With non-existent inhibitions, apparently." Elphie laughed.
"Oh no, they are still there. A little. There were so many more things I wanted to say about smooth strokes, finger placement…"
"I get the idea. Thank you for showing restraint. I'd like to live to see the dawn on the first day of this year." Elphie chuckled, blushing furiously.
"You're welcome. And I'd love to see the dawn with you."
"That's not exactly what I said." Elphie said with a smile.
"I suffer from selective hearing, remember?" Glinda giggled.
Pajul and Van played a game of billiards and Glinda conjured pompoms for everyone, playing cheerleader, even though they tried to tell her that billiards was not exactly a game that needed cheers. By the time their game was over and Jilla and Dani were playing, no one really cared about the cheering and even Elphie was in the spirit, giving her pompom an occasional shake and repeating Glinda's cheers.
Manif added to the mirth by conjuring typical female cheerleader's outfits for the men. Elphie had a rare belly laugh episode when they tried to form a pyramid.
Unfortunately, some rather drunk men that came in looking for a game cut their fun short. Manif changed everyone back into their costumes and they left quickly because of comments Van overheard about Glinda. He told Manif, but they kept it to themselves, not wanting to spoil the great mood everyone was in.
X
"Oh my those last dances were so much fun." Glinda bubbled as they waited for their cab.
"Xafin is very talented. You are fortunate to have him as a tutor." Van said.
"It has been an interesting experience." Elphie smiled.
"I'll attest to that. I love to hear her kip poor poot." Manif laughed.
"Excuse me?" Bitra said.
"He just will not let that go." Dani laughed.
"Tell them green girl." Manif grinned.
"Oh no. This is your amusement." Elphie said.
The cab came and the four couples piled in. They all fit in one because Glinda volunteered to sit on Elphie's lap and Van rode with the driver. Manif, with Elphie's permission told them about some of the unorthodox teaching techniques Xafin employed, including the use of the drums. Glinda told them about how she had played the drums in their room and how much fun they had. All they way back to the manor they laughed and gently teased, making Glinda even more giddy and giggly.
"Elphie said that I could wait for the dawn with her. Do you all want to join us? It'll be fun." Glinda said as they got out of the cab.
"She said that?" Jilla said a little surprised because Glinda had started to yawn on the ride home.
"No, she heard that." Elphie clarified.
"But it's still a great idea. Come on you all…it's almost dawn anyway."
"It has been a while since we've watched a sunrise together." Bitra said to Van
"We're in." Van smiled.
"Us too." Jilla grinned and Glinda bounced happily.
"I'll conjure an outdoor fire and we can sit on the terrace." Manif said.
"Elphie gets to light it!" Glinda bubbled.
"I think Manif can manage." Elphie said and Glinda pouted.
"You made the serving wench pout." Manif laughed
"Fine then, I'll light it." Elphie smiled and Glinda wiggled happily.
"I'll conjure hot drinks." Dani said.
"I'll do some blankets." Jilla offered.
"Elphie, this is fun admit it. Watching the sunrise on the first day of the year." Glinda said as they headed quietly outside.
Everyone attended to their tasks and soon each couple was settled in a chair situated around a small but warm fire. They were wrapped in a blanket and sipping some sort of hot beverage. They talked about things they wanted to do, or stop doing during the year and things they hoped for.
"I hope to become a mother…and that he's the father." Jilla chuckled then kissed Pajul.
"Jilla, that's wonderful. I had no idea." Bitra smiled.
"We did not make a formal announcement because of Galinda's party. We've been trying though. Elphaba, may I?" Jilla asked looking at Elphie who took a beat to understand what she was asking before she nodded.
"Elphaba is going to do use her skills with herbs and science to help us conceive."
"I'm going to try. I studied up on it before we came home." Elphie said shyly.
"That's very nice of you Elphaba." Bitra smiled and Elphie blushed.
"I hope Mani and I have a drama free wedding this summer." Dani smiled.
"I just want to survive it. Hear that best man?" Manif laughed.
"So I'm the bodyguard now?" Elphie chuckled.
"Yes, my body is a precious commodity and requires guarding."
"At least your legs anyway. They did look quite nice in that skirt." Van laughed and everyone laughed along. For a time they talked about weddings, kids and engagement parties. Glinda yawned, but held her own, determined to see the sunrise.
"Little cousin look there." Jilla pointed and everyone settled down from their chuckles and looked.
"The sun is peeking." Glinda grinned.
"The sun always rises on glorious new days, its rays illuminate new paths and new ways." Manif said.
"Illumination however does not mean they're seen. The wonders they hold, the minds eye must glean." Elphie finished and they both chuckled.
"They do this frequently." Dani laughed and Glinda giggled and nodded.
"Look at the colors Elphie. Isn't it beautiful." Glinda sighed as she snuggled close.
"Those are created because the atmosphere between the sun and the earth consists of many different particles and chemicals and when…" Elphie started.
"Kiss her quick, for the love of Oz!" Manif chuckled and Glinda happily obliged with everyone else following suit.
"You can sing away storms and kiss up the sun. You are wonderful." Glinda grinned, then yawned
"And you need to go to bed." Elphie smiled then kissed her nose.
"We all do. This was a beautiful sunrise and the perfect ending to an absolutely wonderful New Year's party." Bitra said.
"But now we need some sleep."
The sorcerers conjured away their things and they all exchanged hugs before making their way to their rooms. Glinda held Elphie's hand and when they were alone she took her to their spot on the terrace.
"Happy New Year my love." Glinda said as she caressed Elphie's face.
"Happy New Year my precious." Elphie replied. Glinda pressed her lips to Elphie's and they took their time with a slow, deep kiss.
"I love you." Glinda whispered.
"And I you." Elphie responded and they kissed again.
"Come my sweet, it is way past your bedtime." Elphie smiled when they parted.
"Oh the dreams I will have, it was such a great night. And later today will be fun too. Ice skating." Glinda grinned.
"What? Ice skating?" Elphie said arching her eyebrows in surprise.
"Oh yeah… Daddy overheard that the pond is frozen solid and is open for skating."
"Why didn't you tell me that earlier?" Elphie said, more surprised than anything.
"Uh, it just never came up." Glinda giggled and Elphie smiled at the look on her face and chased her up the stairs and into her room as quietly as she could.
X
A/N: The Remembrance Dance song is "I'll Be Seeing You" by Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal. mecelphie