Elphie woke up, once again, beside a tossing and mumbling Glinda. As with the other times during the night that this had happened, some soothing words whispered in her ear and gentle caresses on her check calmed her.
"What is troubling you my sweet?" Elphie said quietly.
Elphie lay there for awhile watching Glinda sleep then carefully got up. She went into the bathroom and got ready for the day, all the while keeping her eye on her love. When she was dressed, she settled in the comfy chair to study. She had been at it for a good while when Glinda woke up.
"Hi Elphie." Glinda said sitting up.
"Good morning my sweet." Elphie got into bed beside her and gave her a light kiss.
Glinda snuggled into Elphie's arms and started playing with her fingers, feeling a little insecure, but not knowing why.
"You were a little agitated last night. Are you alright?"
"I feel a little insecure for some reason, but I'm Ok, I don't even remember dreaming." Glinda said. "I'm looking forward to the concert today."
"I am as well, it should be fun." Elphie stroked her and held her closer.
"I feel like I've been cooped up forever. But at least I was cooped up with kind, sweet, beautiful, sexy girl."
"You had someone else here while I was out?" Elphie said seriously.
"Well, it's only fair, you have that blonde." She giggled.
"But I want this one." She chuckled and pulled Glinda into a playful kiss.
"I'll ditch mine, if you ditch yours." Glinda laughed.
"Deal."
They spent a light hearted half an hour or so filled with kisses, tickles, giggles and nibbles.
"Now I'm hungry." Glinda said after a game of find the lips, which was one of their favorites.
"You want to go down to breakfast?" Elphie smiled
"I'm settling on going down for breakfast." Glinda winked and went to go change.
Elphie chuckled and watched Glinda go into the bathroom. She wanted their physical relationship to move forward, and she knew that it was her call as to when and how it would.
"I just wish I knew what I was doing and understood how I felt." She whispered to herself.
She was determined to figure it all out, and soon.
"Elphie, what time do we have to leave?" Glinda called from the bathroom.
"The concert is at 4, I asked Mr. Frama to come for us at about 3:30, is that Ok?" Elphie replied
"Uh-huh, We can look around before dinner, right?" Glinda came out dressed and happy.
"If you are up to it, that's the plan." Elphie smiled and gave her a kiss.
"I'm so happy you are feeling better my sweet."
"Me too! But I think I'll take a nap before we go, just in case. I want to be able to look around and have dinner at that cute little café and maybe a little distraction when we get back." Glinda smiled.
"A nap sounds like a good idea. A tired Glinda is a pouty Glinda." Elphie chuckled
"You are extra mean this morning you mean green thing." She gave her a gentle kiss.
"Let's go eat." Glinda said taking her hand a pulling her out of the door.
They had a nice long breakfast, then took a short walk. They talked and laughed. It amazed Elphie that they never seemed to run out of things to talk about, or that she genuinely enjoyed these conversations, even though they were not about anything in particular. After their walk, they returned to their room for a little pre nap snuggling. It was not one of their typical weekend date days, but it was nice, very nice. And also necessary, seeing that Glinda was not yet back to full perkiness. After a time, Elphie noticed that her love was no longer chatting, or playing with her fingers. She gently shifted position while at the same time settling an almost asleep Glinda into her pillows.
"Have a nice nap Lyndie." She said kissing her softly.
"You too Elphie." She mumbled sleepily.
Elphie chuckled and sat down to study. Glinda slept peacefully curled up in that cute little ball. For about three hours, Elphie had good study time and Glinda had a good nap.
"Lyndie my sweet" Elphie said kissing her gently about an hour before they needed to leave.
"Time to wake up." She kissed the cute blonde ball again.
Glinda opened her eyes and stretched out.
"Hi Elphie!" She perked.
She sat up and gave Elphie a big hug.
"Have I told you lately how much I love you." She said happily.
"It has been a few hours." Elphie grinned. Glinda often woke up from the curled up position like this.
"I love you." She kissed Elphie with ardor.
"And I you. You certainly woke up in high spirits." Elphie chuckled.
"I get to kiss you, and go on a date and I had a very nice dream." Glinda said hopping out of bed.
"And don't forget the nap, you had a nice long nap." Elphie said.
"You haven't un-meaned at all today have you?" She said picking out some different clothes.
"Is that even possible my sweet?" Elphie chuckled.
"Maybe not for you." Glinda grinned, picking out another outfit for Elphie.
Elphie hadn't planning on changing, but Glinda was in charge of such things.
"I'll try harder." Elphie grinned in return, taking the outfit from her love.
"Don't you dare!" Glinda said emphatically, going to wash up.
After a few moments, Elphie followed her into the bathroom, to wash up as well. Glinda was standing in her undergarments brushing out her hair. Elphie stripped down to hers and did the same. She started to pull her hair back into a ponytail, but seeing Glinda's reflection form into a little pout, she gave it a final few brush strokes and left it down. She smiled when the beautiful face in the mirror smiled.
"Thank you my love." Glinda said kissing her cheek. "Do you have a preference today?"
Glinda said holding up two different perfume bottles.
"This one please." Elphie said pointing to the lighter scent.
Glinda washed up at the sink and Elphie ran a lightly oil covered cloth over her face and arms.
"Sorry my sweet, I can't use clove oil today."
"That's alright Elphie, I understand. That's my second favorite. It smells a little like a meadow." She smiled.
They went out into the room and dressed, with Elphie zipping up Glinda and Glinda unbuttoning the top two buttons of Elphie's blouse, then Elphie buttoning one back up with a smile. It was the most normal things had been for them in a while.
"Lyndie, tell me this is the way it is supposed to be, the way it can be." Elphie said earnestly.
Glinda took Elphie into her arms and held her.
"This is the way it should be, and the way it is and the way it will be." Glinda said gently.
They were in the middle of a long involved kiss when a knock on the door startled them both. A deeply flushing Elphie fled into the bathroom while Glinda opened the door and dealt with the person on the other side.
"It's alright Elphie." Glinda chuckled. "It was just Norven. Mr., Frama is downstairs."
"I am sorry my sweet." Elphie said coming out, closer to her normal shade of emerald.
"Don't be my love, It's all part of your charm."
Glinda gathered Elphie's things and hers into the little handbag that matched her dress handed Elphie her umbrella and pulled her out of the door.
The ride to the Arts Center was nice and peaceful. Summer was well on its way and the weather was lovely. Mr. Frama set up a time to return for them, helped them down and drove off with a nod and a smile. They did a quick look around on their way to the concert hall, to see what awaited them afterwards, then settled into some very good seats. The Shiz chorus was superb, at times Elphie was humming along and Glinda was tapping her toes. At the end they did a three-song sing-along and with a few nudges from Glinda, Elphie sang along with most of the rest of the audience. She did not see the admiring looks from those around her, but Glinda did and beamed, and wiggled, with pride.
"Elphie, that was so much fun!" Glinda bubbled as they walked out into the gallery.
"And your voice was in perfect form."
"I am not joining the chorus." Elphie said with a chuckle.
"Elphaba Thropp, I am hurt. I had no intention of even suggesting it." Glinda said indignantly.
"Suggesting it, no. Slipping it into the conversation at some point in time, probably." Elphie chuckled taking her fingers briefly.
"Fine smartie." Glinda scowled. "I didn't want to share that voice with Oz anyway."
"It is bad enough you have to share the rest of me with the Life Sciences department." Elphie said reasonably.
"That's right!" Glinda pouted then broke out into a fit of giggles.
"I love you" She whispered in Elphie's ear.
Elphie smiled and told her the same thing with a simple glance.
They wondered around and looked at the watercolor exhibit that was up in the maze like gallery. Elphie liked these paintings very much and wondered if they were for sale or just for exhibit.
"Elphie, I wonder if I could learn to do this."
"I do not see why not Lyndie. You have a great deal of artistic talent. I would think you will learn many things in the art class you are going to take."
"I am very excited about that. " Glinda said. "Maybe I can water color you naked, instead of sketching you. The green would be really pretty in watercolor." She giggled
"Lyndie, please!" Elphie whispered.
"I'm sorry Elphie. But the green would be pretty." Glinda continued to giggle, knowing she wasn't really upset.
Elphie sighed and rounded the corner, with Glinda, still giggling softly, following behind.
"I thought I heard those dulcet tones wafting through the concert hall." Came a familiar voice.
Elphie looked over and saw Manif, with Dani.
"Hi Manif." Glinda said enthusiastically. "Hey Dani."
"Hello Manif, Dani." Elphie said blushing slightly.
"I see they let you off of restricted activity too Glinda." Dani chuckled.
"At last, I was so tired of being sick. Now I'm just tired of getting tired."
"I'm right there with you." The older girl smiled. "Are you an art fan?"
"Glinda sketches, very well." Elphie said.
"Dani is a bit of an artist as well." Manif said with a hint of pride. "Hey listen, we are going to go to the café for dinner after we tour the gallery, would you two like to join us?"
"Oh, we wouldn't want to intrude." Glinda said sincerely.
"No intrusion at all. Manif has been almost my only source of conversation for a week and a half. I could use some adult, stimulating conversation." Dani smiled
Glinda glanced over at Elphie, who simply nodded.
"We'd love to." Glinda said, meaning it.
The four finished looking around the gallery, exchanging opinions about the pieces Glinda found out that the Center offered art classes, one was just ending and another would be starting in the summer. Dani was finishing up a beginning sketch class and taking an intermediate one during the summer. Glinda decided to talk to Elphie about taking it as well, instead of waiting until fall. Elphie was even more reserved than usual, partly because she did not know Dani very well, partly because she was a little uncomfortable with what she had done at the picnic and partly because that's just the way she was. But she was enjoying herself listening to the conversation, and observing Glinda's excitement.
They walked around for about an hour looking and talking when Elphie noticed that Glinda was looking a little tired.
"I do not know about you all, but I am getting a little hungry." Elphie said.
"Then it is off to the café we go," Manif said.
Elphie held Glinda back while Dani and Manif walked in the direction of the café.
"Are you all right my sweet? You look tired." Elphie whispered
"I'm fine Elphie, maybe just a little bit tired, but I'm fine. Thank you for agreeing to dinner with them. Are you enjoying yourself?"
"I am, very much. I always enjoy talking with Manif, and Dani seems very nice."
Glinda smiled at her love. "You are wonderful Elphie." She desperately wanted to kiss her, but settled for taking her fingers briefly.
"There they are." Manif said as Glinda and Elphie walked up behind them. "We didn't know we were supposed to leave a trail of breadcrumbs for you to follow." He chuckled.
"Dr. Thropp was making sure I was all right. I'm a little tired." Glinda said with a smile.
"Funny, Dr. Guoyn was doing the same for me. It seems my boyfriend and your roommate are both worrywarts." Dani said. "But I am a little tired too."
"So what's your prognosis Doctor." Manif grinned.
"I think she will survive, after a proper meal. What's your opinion Doctor?" She said with a straight face.
"I concur." He stated with all the seriousness he could muster. "Frawlk, may we have one of your quite little nooks?"
"Well look here, My old friends are friends with my new friends. How wonderful is that. Welcome back Elphaba and Glinda."
Elphie was shocked that he remembered who they were. He took them back to one of the larger niches.
"Meat, meatless or fish?" He asked.
"Fish, meat." They said in unison.
"And one salad with no dressing." Glinda said.
"We will also have a bottle of white wine, some water and a cider." Manif said.
"Cider?" Dani said as Frawlk hurried away.
"Don't look at me, the green girl prefers it." Manif winked at Elphie.
"Guilty." Elphie said with no further explanation.
They talked about the art classes and why Dani had started taking them. She was a potions master, but wanted to strengthen her other areas. She wanted to learn to draw better, to be able to glyph and materialize objects with more accuracy.
"We materialized something." Glinda said excitedly then caught herself.
She stopped short looking very distressed. Elphie took her fingers under the table and gave them a reassuring squeeze.
"Go ahead." She said.
Glinda relaxed. "With Elphaba's help I materialized a candle I sketched." She said downplaying Elphie's role as best she could.
"Are you a sorceress also, Elphaba?" Dani asked.
"No, I help Glinda from time to time, or reverse one of her spells gone awry, but my interests are not with magical pursuits." Elphie said, but she felt terrible and very deceitful.
This did not escape Glinda's notice.
"A lot of folks in Oz can perform incidental magic, it's nice you are willing to help your roommate." Dani said sincerely.
Frawlk brought their drinks and salads. Glinda slid the one with no dressing in front of Elphie while Manif poured a glass of wine for him and Dani, a third of a glass for Glinda and even less than that for Elphie.
"A toast." He said. "Good conversation, good food, good friends. Life is good!"
They clinked glasses and sipped their wine. Elphie followed her sip with a long drink of cider. Glinda looked at her, and when Elphie smiled, she knew all was well.
They talked for awhile about magic, summer seminar and fall session. Glinda and Elphie discovered that even though Dani was graduating after summer session, Manif was older, but since he started school late, he was behind a semester.
"That is why I declined to take over the potions class in the fall." She said.
"Shiz frowns on faculty fraternizing with students. I chose to fraternize now, teach later." She grinned and winked at Manif.
"In case I didn't thank you Glinda." She continued. "Thank you for giving him a kick my way."
"Yes my friend, thank you." Manif said happily.
Their food came and the dug in. The conversation turned to the picnic, how Dani was going to ask Manif out, if he didn't get around to it himself, the ill-fated badminton game, Hyrut and Loma and eventually Dani's accident. She assured everyone she had no lasting effects, physical or emotional. She had been seeing the counselor that Beliea had recommended.
"But I have not been able to figure out how I was brought up, but I would like too. I think it would provide me with the last thing I need to put it all behind me." Dani said matter-of faculty. " It is a magical mystery, but I'm just glad it occurred."
"As am I dear, as am I." Manif said casting a glance at Elphie.
Elphie felt herself fluster. "Excuse me for a moment." She said leaving abruptly.
"Is she alright?" Dani said looking concerned. "I'm not sure, but she looked …pale."
"Go see to her Glinda." Manif said, feeling terrible for acknowledging her, even off handedly.
Glinda was already getting up to follow her when Manif said something. She found Elphie outside sitting on a bench.
"I'm sorry Lyndie, I feel deceitful, terrible. She has a right to know what happened to her. I am being selfish and irrational."
"Elphie, no one blames you for keeping this secret, especially not Manif."
"Tell her." Elphie said simply.
"What!" Glinda said. Are you sure?"
"We trusted Manif and he hasn't said anything even though he knows how important it is to her to know. He trusts her, so the least I can do is to trust her too. I can not live like this Lyndie, I can't. Tell her, just like you told Manif. I mean it, I can not handle feeling like this."
"Alright Elphie. We will tell her now, and talk later."
"Thank you." Elphie said quietly.
They had been gone less than five minutes. Glinda took her hand and walked her back in, and Elphie did not care, she was nervous and upset with herself for being so irrational.
"I apologize for leaving so abruptly." Elphie said. "As Manif will attest, I am not always the best in social situations."
"Are you alright Elphaba?" Dani said.
"Yes, I am fine, but I need to tell you something." Elphie said nervously, positive Dani would be upset that this was kept from her.
Glinda held her hand under the table, willing her to be calm.
"Dani, I am the one who brought you up to the surface of the lake." Elphie said quietly.
Dani was truly surprised and slightly confused. Glinda continued the tale, exactly as she had told Manif, including the need for it to be kept under wraps for the time being and that they had already told Manif.
"I was not trying to keep anything from you. If I had known it was so important to you, I would have told you sooner." Elphie said contritely.
"Elphaba, I am just grateful to know, I dislike not having answers, but I understand completely why you did not say anything. I also understand what kind of magic it takes to do what you did, and am aware that you suffered a fainting spell. I am bright enough to know those two things are connected." She looked at the forlorn green girl kindly.
"I will say a heartfelt thank you for putting yourself at risk to save my life, then I will not mention it again, to anyone. Thank you." She held Elphaba's gaze and Elphie did not fluster or blush. In fact she felt relieved.
Elphie smiled at her, not knowing what else to do.
"Now, let's finish eating this wonderful food, before it gets cold." Dani said taking a fork full of steamed vegetables.
Glinda had been holding Elphie's hand the whole time and felt it go from a tight squeeze, to a squeeze to a relaxed hold. Elphie was surprised at how helpful it was to her to feel Glinda's hand in hers. She would have kept it there, but for two things; they were in public and she was left-handed and that is the one Glinda had a hold of. She might have been able to cope with the first, but eating was getting a little tricky without her dominant hand. She tickled Glinda's palm with her fingers then pulled it away.
The conversation was light and fun. Manif told about his dog and the tricks that he could do. Glinda talked about her horses and Elphie contributed to the conversation by telling about trying to ride Glinda's horses, which bought many chuckles. Dani talked about her twin little brothers, she said it fit in with the conversation because she liked to treat them as pets. Elphie was quite as usual, but Glinda knew she had relaxed and was having fun.
Frawlk brought the dessert of the day, a nut pie, and coffee. They complimented him on the meals and choice of wine.
"Frawlk." Glinda asked. "Could you bring some heavy cream please."
"Of course, I'll be right back." He said.
"I hear your roomie led a minor revolt in the APE study session the other day." Manif said with a grin.
"I did no such thing." Elphie said pouring some of the heavy cream that Frawlk brought into her coffee.
"I have it on good authority, that you let the APE tyrants…uh mentors have it." He grinned, trying to bait her.
"Some good authority, I simply informed them that we had come up with an alternative study plan."
"Informed them in such a way that they stormed out."
"Please Manif, I assure you it was no revolt." Elphie said mildly.
"They tend to spar like this when they are together too long." Glinda told Dani.
"I see." Dani chuckled. "Who usually wins?"
Glinda shrugged. "Half the time I have no idea what they are talking about."
"My source was there, he is an upper level student. Frankly he thinks you are insane for challenging the status quo. And although he would never tell you this he, and a lot of the others, admire the hell out of you."
"I have no idea why. I simply presented an idea we all worked out. And I was not the only one who presented it to the tyrants." She grinned at Manif.
They continued talking about the exams and the study sessions, while Dani and Glinda talked about the classes they held at the Arts Center. Dani was thrilled that Glinda might join her this summer. They conversations continued until the check came.
"Manif, I can not allow you to pay the whole tab." Elphie said when he picked it up.
"I am the man, I'm supposed to." He grinned hopping for another go around with his favorite sparing partner.
"Please!" Elphie huffed. "How antediluvian are you?"
"Enough to know my role."
"And they're off. " Glinda chuckled. "Take my advice Dani, do not get drawn in."
"I wouldn't think of it." She laughed.
"That makes no sense." Elphie said. "Why don't we just split the cheek."
"My manly sensibilities will not allow it." He grinned
"Well my rational sensibilities will not allow you to pay for Glinda and me, when we were going to have dinner here anyway. Regardless of your manly instabilities." She said straight faced, but clearly enjoying herself.
"How can we resolve this peacefully?" Manif said.
"You mean how can we resolve this without crushing your obviously fragile male ego." Elphie countered
Glinda giggled and Dani stifled an out right laugh.
"Well if we are talking about egos Miss Thropp, I think taking on the mentors has made you cocky." Manif smiled. "I propose a challenge."
Elphie raised an eyebrow. "As long as it is not a battle of wits, I hate to fight an unarmed opponent."
Dani and Glinda were enjoying the show immensely.
Manif smirked. "I passed those exams already missy, but alright. How about a magical battle?"
"Manif!" Dani and Glinda said in unison.
"I know you have no interest in magic, and prefer not to do it, but I'm not talking about anything major, just a minor display."
"Manif, I don't think…" Glinda started trying to intervene for Elphie's sake.
"It's alright Glinda." Elphie said eyes twinkling. "But a minor show only."
"Ah, challenge accepted then. Let's see. How about lighting this candle? That is minor magic. And fairly evenly matched since I know you don't use a wand, and I do not need one for something of this level."
"Uh Manif…" Glinda tried, knowing what Elphie could do.
"Let them go… this should be good." Dani said.
"She can take him, can't she?" Dani whispered to Glinda
"Yep." Glinda grinned.
"Alright" Elphie said, her expression never changing. "If you win, you pay for everyone, but if I win, I do."
"Oh no. If, and I stress the if, you win we split the check." Manif said, still smiling.
"Frightened you will lose?" Elphie grinned for the first time.
"Oz help us" Glinda chuckled.
" To an amateur! Absolutely not. Fine, your stakes. Whoever lights the candle in the simplest, quickest magical manner, wins."
"Agreed. Who shall judge?"
"No one from outside our little group, in deference to you. I am comfortable with our mutual friends here, they are probably both so fed up with this by now that they can be completely impartial."
Dani and Glinda agreed to be impartial and they flipped a coin to see who went first. Manif lost and had to go first. Dani put out the candle and Manif said a short three-word chant, pointed his finger at it and it flickered, he said the chant again and it lit. The other three applauded, for a sorcerer to perform any wandless magic was a feat.
" Top that Miss Thropp." He grinned playfully.
"I shall allow you to surrender with your dignity intact and settle for split check." Elphie said.
"Not on your life green girl, put up or I pay up." He chuckled.
"Alright, but when this is over, I want it on the record that I tried to give him an out." Elphie said.
"So noted, now light the candle." He smiled.
Elphie closed her eyes and blew on the candle, a split second later it was lit. No chant, no pointing, she did not even have to wave her fingers over it. Dani just stared. Elphie opened her eyes feeling a little dizzy, but it was worth it.
"Wow." Manif said.
"You picked the challenge." Elphie said regaining her equilibrium.
"I humbly concede. You won, hands down. And once again, wow."
"Elphaba, can you teach me that." Dani said.
"I would if I had any clue how I do it." Elphie chuckled.
"I'd like reassert that I still have no interest in magic and still prefer not to do it, except to help Glinda, but I could not pass up the opportunity." She chuckled
"You went into this knowing you would win, didn't you?" Manif said happily.
"Not at all, I had no idea what you are capable of." Elphie said sincerely.
"I knew, as soon as you said light a candle. She did it to amuse me once." Glinda laughed.
"The game was essentially rigged." Elphie said. "But in my defense, That's the only thing I have found I can do without a chant, but even then I do not do it, because it makes me a little dizzy."
Dani was intrigued, and even though she had a million questions for Elphaba, she did not make an attempt to ask any of them right now. Manif was a semi-gracious loser and handed Elphie the check.
"Even though the contest was rigged." He grinned.
"You chose the field of battle." Elphie responded with a chuckle.
"Oh my, I had no idea that it was so late already." Glinda said not wanting this to continue.
"Would you two like to ride back to Shiz with us? We have a carriage coming for us in 15 or 20 minutes." Elphie asked amiably.
"Dani?" Manif asked.
"Actually honey, that would be nice, I didn't realize how tired I really was. Thank you girls."
Elphie paid the check and they thanked Frawlk then Manif put his hand on Elphie's arm, to get her attention and she pulled it away, startled, but Manif did not seem to notice. Glinda did however.
"Elphaba, may I speak to you privately for just a moment." He asked.
Glinda looked directly at her love and Elphie smiled and nodded.
"Certainly Manif." She said.
"Come on Glinda, let's sit outside and wait for those two, it's a nice night." Dani said smiling lovingly at Manif.
Elphie gave Glinda another nod and she left with Dani.
"You are very protective of your roommate." Dani said as they walked down the steps.
"Sometimes more than I need to be." Glinda said sincerely.
"Elphaba, I was just baiting you with the magic challenge, you did not need to accept." Manif said as they walked to a quite corner.
"I know, but you were being obnoxious. It was my duty to but a stop to it, and I knew you would not do anything to embarrass me. Which is an interesting feeling for me. But that is not why you wished to talk to me." Elphie smiled.
"No, it is not." He returned her smile. "Elphaba, I have come to consider you a good friend and a worthy opponent. It cost you a great deal to reveal the things you have to Dani tonight. I know that. You gave her a great gift. In that spirit, I want you to know something."
Elphie was blushing slightly at the compliments and attention, but nodded for him to continue.
"I know who you are, what your title is and means and your destiny, I have known all along. Even before Jacol came to Shiz."
Elphie was a little stunned.
"I spent a semester at Emerald College, while tending to some personal matters. I took Munchkinland History and Munchkin Politics with Jacol. That is how we became friends. The Thropp family figures prominently into both classes, so I learned quite a bit about what your role will be, and a little about you personally, although it was mostly speculation and rumor. You are as much a mystery to them as you are to us." He grinned.
"Why are you telling me this?" Elphie said feeling uneasy.
"You made no show what so ever of your status, So I figured you did not want a big deal made of it, then I figured you were just trying to avoid it, or put it aside for awhile. I respect that and know it is not my, or anyone else's place to bring it up, if you choose not to. But when Jacol showed up and started poking around and digging into your life simply because of your title, I thought that was in poor taste."
"I am not sure what to say." Elphie said trying to absorb this information.
"Elphaba, everyone, me included, have things in their hometowns or pasts that they would just as soon leave there. I'll wager even your perky roomie has some things she doesn't share with the public at large."
Elphie smiled.
"Elphaba, I'm telling you this because Jacol is turning out to be someone other than the guy I knew in school. He is attempting to find out more things about you. But since no one, save Glinda and me seem to know anything at all beyond your academic prowess, he has been unsuccessful. I do not trust him anymore, especially after his stunt with Glinda. If he starts to pressure you or harass you in any way and you feel you need help, please come to me. I'm not sure what he is up to, but I have ways of finding out if need be."
Elphie exhaled sharply and looked at Manif, rapidly sorting through her thoughts.
"Manif, you know how private and reserved I am, that is my nature. I am sure that you are also aware that I trust virtually no one. I trusted you with private information only because Glinda does and you have not betrayed that. You have also been direct with me, and talked to me like an equal and treated me with respect and kindness, which if you knew my life, is a novelty for me. I know you did that at first for Glinda's sake, as I did, but I now enjoy and even look forward to your company."
"I feel honored Elphaba."
"Friendships are new to me, and the simple fact that I am talking to you about this is a little frightening for me. But I appreciate you telling me what you did. I have always responded to directness. I have never trusted Jacol, I have no idea what he wants either, I know nothing about the current situation in Munchkinland, nor do I care. I have no real influence over anything, and am just barely tolerated at Colwen Grounds. "
"He seems to know that too, but he also knows you will have a great deal of influence after you turn nineteen."
"Not as much as he apparently thinks I will. It is very complicated situation for me."
"I do not need to know anything Elphaba, nor will I ever ask, just remember my offer. You have a great deal of strength and courage and a selfless nature and I have grown very fond of you, and our little sparing sessions. If I can do anything however minor to shield you from the likes of Jacol, I will do it without hesitation."
"Manif I wish I was able to process all of this right now, but all I can do is thank you. I will remember your offer and the sincere and generous spirit in which it was offered…"
"Elphie, Mr. Frama is here, we waited for awhile, not wanting to interrupt." Glinda said approaching the pair.
"It's all right Lyndie, we are finished here" Elphie smiled.
"We are indeed. Your roommate is an amazing person Glinda, thank you for insisting she join our little group." Manif said and walked toward Dani who was in the doorway.
"May I ask?" Glinda said looking very confused.
"I will tell you when we get home. And before you ask, I am fine. Surprisingly fine."
She smiled and the headed for the doorway and saw Dani and Manif sharing a kiss. Glinda sighed and Elphie smiled. She kissed her love's cheek.
"I am working on it." She whispered in her ear.
The ride back to Shiz was pleasant and filled with teasing, jokes and genuine friendship. Glinda was very happy, and Elphie was too. She even caved into Manif's insistence that he pay Mr. Frama. Dani expressed true pleasure at getting to know both Glinda and Elphaba better. She took Elphie's hand before they parted, but said nothing. Manif embraced Glinda and shook Elphie's hand then they went their separate ways.
After a hug and continuing the long involved kiss that had been interrupted earlier, they bathed and changed and settled down for a talk. Elphie told Glinda all about the talk her and Manif had had and talked through her feelings about it. Glinda told her how proud she was of her telling Dani and they talked at length about all of that as well as the little magic challenge. They talked for a long time. About everything, including how much they both had truly enjoyed the evening.
"Lyndie, I can not deny that I am totally overwhelmed by everything that happened tonight. But it all seems manageable and not entirely negative."
"You handled everything very well my love, especially what Manif told you. And that coming on top of all of that with Dani."
"Lyndie, I've been thinking a lot this week about control. After my meltdown over the APEs and you reading me the riot act over it, I realized how much control you have over my life, and how much I have over yours."
"Elphie…" Glinda said nervously.
"No, no my sweet, do not misunderstand this. For me this is a very good thing. I have allowed you to have some measure of control over certain things in my life, as you have with me. It was a major revelation for me to understand that before I could give it to you, I had to have it to begin with. And if somebody takes it from me or tries to, they realize I have it to, which means I can fight to keep it or take it back."
Glinda smiled and stroked her cheek. "Yes my love, that is true."
"I realized in that meeting that if I was ever going learn to do anything for my own benefit. I needed to live up to my pledge to take the risks and take control of myself and situations that mean something to me. My life means something to me now and you mean everything to me and that gives me strength, power and control. I'm learning how to form relationships and trust, a little anyway. Tonight I figured out that those things don't rob me of control, they provide me with it. Am I making any sense at all?"
"Yes my precious love you are. Very much so. " Glinda kissed her very lightly and stroked her hair.
They talked for awhile longer about this. Glinda reassured Elphie that everyone has problems with issues like this, even her and they would help each other as they always did. She also reassured her that she was not overly tired, although that took much more doing.
"So you are telling me you want to engage in some distracting activities."
"I would enjoy that, yes." Glinda giggled and kissed Elphie's spot.
Elphie responded by kissing Glinda's then gently brushing it with her tongue. They spent a nice long time enjoying all of their familiar activities. Gentle kisses led to deep passionate ones. They stroked and caressed each other in their favorite places and a few new ones. Glinda ventured down to gently caress Elphie's buttocks and even though she tensed briefly, Elphie did not stop her this time. She felt the sensation of the gentle massaging through her thin nightdress and discovered that she liked it. Elphie unbuttoned a button of Glinda's nightdress and ventured her hand in, and this time Glinda did not stop her. The sensation of Elphie's soft gentle fingers lightly caressing her bare breast made Glinda gasp. Their kisses became more ardent and their caresses more intense.
"Glinda, no." Elphie breathed when Glinda tried to return the breast caresses.
This was a gentle, sobering trigger and they slowly toned down their activities. They ended as they started, with light gentle kisses and gentle caresses.
"My love, that was so much fun. I love the feel of your soft hands on my skin, and your kisses are spectacular." Glinda said after a moment of just being held.
"I understand the attraction of having your behind caressed, that was…very nice indeed."
"Elphie, queen of the understatement." Glinda chuckled.
"Are you all right my sweet, we were…distracted for quite awhile."
"I am happily exhausted. Hanky panky exhaustion is the best kind." Glinda smiled and kissed Elphie.
"I am rather tired myself. We may need to go into training before we have full blown sex." Elphie chuckled.
"Elphie!" Glinda said, eyebrows raised in surprise.
"I want to Glinda, and I know you want to as well. All of this is so much easier for me now, not to mention very enjoyable."
"Incredibly enjoyable. Elphie I sense that separately we are both a little nervous, and you are still unsure and somewhat frightened, but together we are more ready than we ever have been." Glinda gazed into Elphie's eyes.
"You will be comfortable soon my love, very soon. I can feel it."
"I know, I feel it too, but there is something I need, but I don't know what." Elphie said.
"You will figure it out Elphie, you always do." Glinda smiled.
She kissed Elphie and snuggled into her arms, Elphie wrapped her arms around her.
"I love you Lyndie, Goodnight."
"Good night my love, I love you too."
That night Elphie had her first full-fledged sexual dream about Glinda that did not have any nightmarish components.