"Manif, hello, how are you tonight" Glinda said accepting his hand and exiting the cab.
He offered his hand to Elphaba, who accepted it reluctantly.
"Manif, have you met my best friend yet?"
"I haven't had the pleasure," He said helping the uncomfortable girl from the cab.
"Manif, my I present my roommate and best friend Elphaba Thropp, Elphie this is Manif Guoyn, soon to be Master sorcerer" She giggled as he blushed.
" A pleasure Miss Thropp" he said bowing slightly
"Likewise, and please call me Elphaba." She said nodding acknowledgement.
He offered his arms to the girls and escorted them into the club. It wasn't a big place- casually decorated and warm. There was a dance floor, a bar, two pianos, a bandstand and lots of tables. The girls walked with Manif to a group of tables. 10 or 12 people were sitting around, with pitchers of ale and bottles of wine being passed around.
"Look who I found out walking the streets" He called loudly winking at Glinda
"Hey everyone" Glinda smiled broadly, disengaging from Manif and taking Elphie's arm.
"For those of you who haven't met her yet this is my best friend, and roomie- Elphaba"
Elphie smiled and nodded.
"Hi Glinda, Glad you could come Elphaba" chorused around the table.
While the introductions were taking place two young men had pulled over another table and some chairs. The three newcomers sat down. Glinda caught Elphie's gaze, smiled at her warmly and gave her hand a slight squeeze.
"Would you ladies care for some ale?" A boy named Caspon asked
"I'd love some" Glinda bubbled
"I'd prefer a glass of red wine if you wouldn't mind" Elphie said
Glinda's eyebrows shot up and she stared at her friend.
"Elphie can you drink wine?" she whispered
"I can, in small amounts- usually I just sip it slowly- It doesn't bother me too much- and I like it" She whispered back amused at her roomies reaction. "Just put this piece in the puzzle box and deal with it later" She laughed.
Caspon brought their drinks. Loma, Glinda's study partner sat down beside her and they started to chat. A classmate of Elphie's moved over next to her and they talked casually. The table buzzed with various conversations and laughter. Some of the group was already tipsy and more were well on their way. The band started playing and some people were going to participate in the new line-type dance that was popular in Shiz. The gang from the table went up to join the line, Manif held out hands to Elphie and Glinda.
"Shall we dance ladies?" Glinda glanced at Elphie "We will be there in a moment"
"Ok, don't dawdle, this dance is a riot" he smiled at the girls and danced his way onto the floor.
"Elphie, Is everything Ok?" Glinda asked taking her hand "Be honest with me"
"I'm fine Glinda, you know I'm not very social and all this attention is slightly disconcerting. - But honestly I'm fine."
"Ok, but we will leave whenever you say" Glinda said
"Fine- but now- let's dance"
"Elphie, really?" A shocked Glinda said. She had assumed Elphie would just sit the dancing out.
"Well this one at least- it's a group thing"
They went out to the dance floor and inserted themselves in one of the lines of people that were trying to do the steps without stepping on, kicking or otherwise injuring the people around them. Glinda dove right in, enthusiastically trying out the dance, Elphie gave it a cautious shot. Eventually after a few flubbed tries, many apologies to the people around them and lots of uproarious laughter, everyone more or less had a handle on the steps and were dancing with abandon. When the music stopped Glinda leaned against Elphie giggling, trying to catch her breath.
"That was really fun- wasn't it"
"It had it's moments" Elphie grinned "I just hope that poor man in front of me doesn't end up with a bruise."
They laughed and headed back to the table. They sat down and Glinda took a long drink of her ale and accepted a refill. Elphie took a sip of her wine, feeling the tingling as it went down her throat.
"Not bad out there Elphaba", her classmate, Hyrut said.
"You seemed to catch on quickly yourself," She said smiling at him.
Manif brought over a pitcher of ale and wine bottle.
"Ladies?"
"Yes please" Glinda said giggling
Elphie arched her eyebrow at her friend "I'm fine, thank you Manif"
"Glinda, come dance with me" Manif said pulling her from the chair
"And you with me Elphaba" Hyrut said, "The sing-along starts soon"
Glinda looked at Elphie and the green girl knew if she stayed behind, Glinda would also- so she took Hyrut's hand.
"I would love to" Elphie said winking at Glinda.
Glinda took another long drink of her ale and went off with Manif. Elphie accepted her classmates arm and followed. They danced a more traditional type slow dance. Glinda and Manif chatted happily, Elphie trying not to stiffen in Hyrut's arms asked him about his plans for Spring Recess. The talked about their plans while dancing to the music. Glinda happened to glance over and see Elphie's face. Although overtly it showed no sign of distress, Glinda knew her friend.
"Manif, would you mind dancing me over to Elphie? I need to ask her something"
Certainly, my friend" he twirled her and danced her over to Elphie.
"May I cut in, please sir" She said with mock formality
""But of course" Hyrut said bowing deeply and chuckling
The men walked back to the table.
"Dance with me for a minute Elphie." She took Elphie's hand in hers and put her arm around her waist.
"What's the matter?" Glinda asked concerned
"What makes you think anything is?" she said chuckling.
"I know you my love, I could tell- was that boy being inappropriate?" She said putting her hands on her hips
"Glinda, no- he was a perfect gentleman. I'm just unused to dancing that closely."
"Are you shure?" Glinda's words slurred slightly.
"Yes, I'm shure" Elphie gave her a quick peek on the cheek, causing the blonde to giggle.
"Elphie, I like that name you called me by accident last night" she whispered conspiratorially "It's like our own little secret"
"Glinda, you do know you are tipsy?" Elphie laughed guiding her back to the table and trying to redirect the conversation
"Yes I do- but not to tipsy to make sure you are Ok." She took Elphie's hand.
"I'm fine my sweet" Elphie chuckled "However, one or two more ales and you might not be."
Glinda stuck out her tongue at her chuckling green best friend and flopped down in her chair, which made Elphie chuckle harder.
The sing along started and the whole pub joined in. For an hour the pianist led the revelers in old favorites, rounds, songs for the boys and others for the girls. Elphie was having fun and Glinda was having more.
"There are some really good voices at this table" Manif stated "I think we should request a table sing."
"Oh what fun" Glinda chirped "Elphie what's the name of that bawdy pub tune you sing sometimes"
Hyrut, and others were intrigued "Bawdy tunes Elphaba? who would have guessed"
She sighed and told the Manif the name
"Oh that's a good one- I bet most of us know that" He went to make the arrangements with the pianist.
In a few minutes, the pianist announced the first volunteers for a table sing.
"Elphie, you are our leader now- start us off"
"Oh I couldn't…" She saw the excited look on Glinda's face start to pout and changed tracks "…. Without a sip of wine. Glasses up everyone- It is a pub tune after all" She said giving being sociable her best shot.
Cheers went up from around the table as the mostly tipsy group, drank and held their glasses high. The music started and Elphie took a deep breath and sang out the first few lines- the table joined in swaying, clinking glasses. There were lots of winks and nudges at the suggestive parts and the whole pub was laughing and encouraging them on. At the last singing of the chorus, Elphaba yelled, much to her own surprise
"Everybody sing!"
Everyone sang out the bawdy chorus and when it was finished there was applause and whistles and calls for an encore from the green girl.
Elphie laughed and sat down with her table, flush from singing so intensely and a little unnerved from the attention.
She sipped her wine, the tingling starting to burn a little.
"Elphie, you were wonderful" Glinda hiccuped "That was so much fun- will you sing for us again?"
"Maybe later, my sweet- Someone else is taking a turn now" She hoped that Glinda would be too tipsy to remember her request.
"Manif?" Elphaba said trying to get the boy's attention
"Elphaba, that was great- thank you for the suggestion- and you have a lovely voice"
Elphie blushed furiously "you're welcome and thank you- Manif do you know if they apple cider here?"
"I'm not sure, but I'll go check for you"
"I'd appreciate that- thank you"
He walked over to the bar.
Glinda looked at Elphie- "Thirsty? You can have a drink of my ale?"
Elphie looked at her very tipsy roomie "No thanks, I'd prefer not to burn my insides tonight if I can possibly avoid it- Manif went to get me a glass of cider"
"That will work too, I guess" She tittered
She tried to refill her glass, but Elphie took the pitcher
"Allow me" She said pouring just a little then pretending the pitcher was empty.
"Thanks you mean green thing," She said hugging her
"You are welcome- are you Ok?" She said trying to gage her roomies level of inebriation.
"I'm fine- I feel… I feel…"
"Drunk" Loma supplied giggling
"I am no such thing" Glinda said indignantly "I'm soused" She and Loma collapsed into laughing fits
Manif returned with a glass.
"Here you go- although why you like this stuff is beyond me- the ale is better"
"Thank you so much- it is very soothing for the throat, and besides- one of the residents of room 22 has had enough for both of us" She laughed at her gregarious, tipsy roomie giggling and flirting.
"Will you need help getting her home- shall I arrange a cab for you?" Manif asked. He had been drinking, but not as much as some.
"Oh no Crage Hall is very close and I can cope with her just fine- but thanks"
"My pleasure- I like Glinda, she is a fun girl, I used to have a crush on her, but alas" he said putting his hand over his heart in mock despair "She spurned my advances."
Elphie laughed "I think you are probably one of many, I wouldn't take it personally"
The singing started up again, this time it was for small groups or individuals.
"Elphie, let's sing together"
Loma interrupted- "You were going to shing with me!" She slurred
"I know Loma- but she can actually sing- and she is sober" She leaned over to her amused green friend
"You are sober- right?" she stage whispered
"I am- but I think I'll leave the singing to those who won't remember it in the morning" Elphie laughed
Glinda pouted, but recovered quickly.
People went up in pairs and by themselves, singing all sorts of things- Glinda was a part of two nor three duos, belting out tunes, whether she knew the words or not. After about an hour Elphie thought it might be best to get Glinda home- before she drank anymore. She tried everything she could think of short of playing the "I need to leave-please" card, because even in her state- Glinda would worry about her.
"Elphie if you sing for us, I'll go home"
"Glinda!" Elphie said a little surprised
"How about if I sing with her- will that be ok." Manif said noticing Elphaba trying to get Glinda to leave.
"Yes it will" Glinda nodded to Elphie
"And then we can leave – you promise" Elphie sighed
Glinda nodded solemnly, then giggled.
Elphie, resigned to her fate chuckled "Can we at least sing something tame?"
Manif laughed- "How about the Shiz Anthem"
There were cheers from the people who heard the idea
"The Shiz Anthem it is then" She said taking Manif's proffered hand.
She walked with Manif up to the bandstand, even though she hated being on display, especially with her voice.
"Oh well, It's unlikely anyone will remember anyway," she thought
The music started and it took no time at all for Elphie and Manif to find their strides. Manif's voice complemented Elphie's perfectly. When they we finished- Manif asked her
"One more time for a group sing?"
"Why not- I can't possibly be any more embarrassed" She laughed
"The lovely lady has consented to one more round of the Shiz School Song- if all the students join in. Everybody ready?"
They all sang, loud, off key and boisterous. Glinda toddled over to Elphie and put her arm around the thin waist, singing at the top of her lungs. When it was over Manif pulled Elphie into a bow
"That was wonderful," He said kissing her hand "thank you"
Elphie suddenly felt uncomfortable and wanted to go. "No- thank you for rescuing me from a solo" She smiled as best she could
"And now, dear roomie, it's home for us- and no pouting, you promised"
Glinda giggled and went to say goodbye to her friends
"Goodbye Miss Elphaba, it was a pleasure getting to know you," Manif said sincerely
"You as well Master Manif"
She went to fetch her tipsy roommate and guided her out the door.
Glinda skipped and danced out the door humming the Shiz Song. Elphie followed closely behind watching her friend with great amusement. She knew Glinda didn't drink much when she had gone out with her friends before, and figured this was just what happened when the incredibly perky got incredibly tipsy.
Glinda danced and Elphie walked across the courtyard. The tipsy girl kept trying to go and join the small groups of students that dotted the courtyard. Exasperated, Elphie put her arm around Glinda's waist to keep her close. Glinda however took this as a signal for fun.
"Dancing- Lyndie and Elphie dancing together again- I like that mumbly name- I really do." She said trying to twirl out of Elphie's grasp.
Elphie held tight " Glinda stop that- we need to get in the dorm before we get into trouble"
Glinda pouted but didn't struggle as Elphie led her upstairs. She kept her arm around the squirming girl to keep her corralled as she opened their door. Once they were safely inside, with the door latched- Elphie let her go.
"Now dance with me Elphie"
"Glinda, it's late, your inebriated and I'm tired"
She stomped her foot, pouted and put her hands on her hips. "I may be abbreviated- but you're mean"
Elphie sighed. "If you go get into your night clothes, I will dance with you- briefly- Ok?"
"Ok!"
Glinda tottered off to change, but ended up sitting on her bed trying to get her shoes and stockings off. Elphie, laughing, went over to offer assistance, then went to get her nightdress, and helped her get into it. The process vaguely resembled hand to hand combat, as Glinda, it seemed, was ticklish.
"Now?" Said the nightdress clad barefoot blonde, when she was finally dressed.
"Yes my sweet, now"
Elphie spent a few moments slow dancing with her roomie's head on her chest
"How's that- Ready for bed?" Elphie said leading her now drowsy roomie to her bed.
She sat down with her and Glinda threw her arms around her.
"Thank you Elphie"
"For what? Dancing with you?" Elphie said amused.
Glinda pulled back and looked into her roommate's dark eyes. Elphie saw that in spite of the fact that her roomie was more than a little tipsy- her eyes, for the moment, were clear and focused.
"For wanting to do things with me. For letting me share your life. Thank you for loving me"
She kissed her surprised roomie's lips gently, then put her arms back around her neck.
Hugging the green girl hard Glinda whispered. "Thank you for loving me"
Elphie took her roomies hands from around her neck, and held them.
"You are my best friend Glinda, Of course I love you, but let's talk about this tomorrow when you are sober and I'm awake- Ok my sweet?" She kissed her sleepy friend's forehead and tucked her into bed.
"Ok Elphie- Sing to me?" she said in a little girls voice.
Elphie softly sang a lullaby that she sometimes sang to Glinda when she had a nightmare. Glinda smiled and mumbled and within a few minutes was sound asleep.
She got up and regarded her sleeping roommate; She had only known Glinda to come home tipsy once since school started. She hadn't paid much attention, because they were not getting along then. I seemed like a lifetime ago. It amazed her how so much could change so quickly.
Very tired, Elphie got ready for bed quickly and slipped between the covers of her bed. She heard Glinda snoring daintily and smiled. Within minutes she too was asleep.