Thanks to MyLittleElphie for reviewing. You win the prize for finding the tip of the hat to the other story. Elphaba may have been putting on a show for a reason for Glinda's parents, and as to her uncle, that will still hang over them for a little while.
Thanks to nursejoy7 for reviewing. Not yet. But sometime in the near future.
Thanks to RavenCurls for reviewing. We took care of most of this over pm. I guess Southern Isle was an unintentional Frozen reference. I made Glinda's parents shallow because it would seem how the Glinda in the book is. Plus, theyre less well off than musical Uplands. AS for the banker, I was thinking he sent them a wire authorizing a transfer of funds to her father's bank that was on company letterhead and said who he was in service to. Perfectly standard procedure, but with unfortunate consequences.
Thanks to heatqueen for reviewing. An unintentional Frozen reference. I felt like bringing a more eccentric Elphaba back. I feel that her riddles and strange speech patterns tend to be defense mechanisms against people she doesn't know well.
As to the Easter Egg/ tip of the hat: The café the charmed circle eats at is called the Emerald Café. Emerald is a shade of Green. The Green Café is where Elphaba works in RavenCurls amazing story The Prince Café. The owner's name (since Fabian would have been a bit obvious) is Corvus, which is Raven in Latin. There were several other homages to the story including Fiyero's attraction, Elphaba knowing that Corvus is different, and a lot of borrowing from chapter two.
As always, please read, enjoy, and review. Comments and Critiques welcome.
7/22/14
The next morning, Elphaba awoke to a stinging sensation. She looked over to see Glinda shaking and covered in sweat. Elphaba quickly got a towel to wipe her girlfriend off and then whispered soothing words into her ear until Glinda calmed. Unable to go back to sleep, Elphaba held her blonde until she started to stir. When asked, Glinda said she had no recollection of what disturbed her so.
Elphaba did not have much time to think on it. As they were coming into the last few weeks of the school year, the professors assigned final papers and projects. Elphaba (in her standard studious nature) dove into them and left Glinda to do the same. The only breaks for either girl were to eat lunch and dinner, and for magic practice afterwards. With both Nessa and Elphaba done with introduction sorcery, both started working on second year sorcery taught by Glinda.
The rest of the week was much of the same. On Tuesday they spent most of the day doing their respective work, though they did take a small break for lunch by the canal. For dinner, the Charmed Circle met at a pub to compare notes and review material. Elphaba took the role of instructor with the boys paying diligent attention. The group also helped each other in subjects that Elphaba was not taking such as Politics. They broke up to go their separate ways, but scheduled to meet for lunch the next day by the canal.
Wednesday and Thursday was review and practice times for the entire Circle, either as a group or by themselves. On Thursday, Elphaba noticed that Fiyero departed in a different direction than towards the Ozma Towers.
"I wonder what our good friend is stalking." She muttered to herself. Unfortunately, it was loud enough for Crope and Tibbett to hear.
"Maybe a little blackbird." Crope said with a snicker. When Glinda looked at him confused, he elaborated. "I can't help but notice that is the direction to the Emerald Café. He seems to be spending an awful lot of time there."
"He said something about having a tutor." Boq put in. "Perhaps it is in the same direction?"
"I do remember the sign saying that the owner of the café, Corvus, tutored students." Nessa said while Nanny steadied her, though less than previously.
"I wouldn't mind Corvus tutoring me. He's tall and handsome." Tibbett swooned and Crope shot him a glare.
"Is that how it is?"
"Oh, don't be like that."
"Like what, pray tell?"
"I believe, Master Tibbett, you would mind Corvus tutoring you." Elphaba put in, and both boys shot her a strange look.
"Why do you say that, dearest Elphie?" Tibbett asked, but Elphaba remained tight lipped on the subject.
On Friday afternoon, the Charmed Circle gathered under their tree by the Suicide Canal. As they reviewed and revised their notes and projects, a strange sense of ease seemed to settle over them. They laughed more, joked more, and even sang an (off-key) tune or two. The group felt good, which may have been what prompted what happened next.
"Let's have a party." Avaric said. Elphaba shot him a dark look.
"Now is not the time for your indulgence."
"I don't mean right now, Miss Elphaba; I meant tonight. I'll even host it at my villa."
"Don't you mean your father's villa?" Boq said and Avaric waved his hand.
"Semantics. He's never there; I have no idea why he requires me to live in the dorm."
"Perhaps he thought it good for you." Boq said.
"Perhaps he thought it good for the staff." Elphaba countered.
"Either way," Avaric continued, not rising to the bait, "I have an entire villa with a stocked wine cellar."
"Nanny doesn't know about that." Nanny interjected.
"That's a shame; both Nanny and the Amas would be invited to…make sure propriety is maintained." Avaric said with sly smile. Pfannee, Shenshen, and Milla shot him a dark look.
"Well, if that's the case, Nanny is sure it would be fine."
"And if the other Amas protest?" Avaric asked. Nanny nodded.
"I'm sure Nanny could convince them."
"Splendid."
As Nanny ushered Nessa along Pfannee grabbed Avaric and hissed, "What are you thinking, inviting the Amas along?"
"Relax." Avaric replied calmly. "You know how the old biddies' like to drink. You think with a bottomless wine glass they'll stay sober? They'll pass out before ten."
"Good point." Pfannee acquiesced.
"Excuse me," Shenshen said, "but I have another appointment to keep and must return to the dorm first. Pfannee, Milla?"
"You go ahead." Milla said, and Pfannee nodded. "We'll catch up."
"Very well. I'll see you at the party then." She said and left with confident strides. The group watched her go.
"That's very strange. I wonder where she has to be." Glinda said.
"She has to go practice with Duran." Pfannee sneered. The group looked at her. "She's been visiting him four days a week since the gym."
"You almost sound jealous, my dear." Avaric teased.
"Hardly. I just think it is a waste of time."
"Time is hers to waste as she chooses." Elphaba retorted. "Some would say shopping and parties are a waste of time."
"And we're back to the beginning." Avaric sighed.
"Come on, Elphie; it will be fun." Glinda cajoled.
"Our definitions of fun are much different, my sweet." Elphaba replied.
"We need you there, Elphie." Crope said and Elphaba raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? And why could that be?"
"We need you to complete the party roster."
"Party roster?"
"Yes." Tibbett answered. "Every party needs a pooper."
With that, the two boys fell about laughing. Avaric joined in a hearty chuckle and even the girls had a giggle. Elphaba glared daggers at Glinda, who was unaffected.
"Don't look at me like that." Glinda said once she got a hold of herself. "You walked into it. And you are not much fun at parties."
"This treachery will not be forgotten."
"Come on Elphie, come to the party." Boq urged. She glared at him but felt Glinda nudge her. She turned to see the blonde looking at her with big blue eyes and a slight pout in her lips.
"What is this face? Do you feel ill?" Elphaba teased.
"You know perfectly well what it is." Glinda pouted.
"Fine. I shall come; but understand I do so under duress."
"You wouldn't be a party pooper if it was any other way." Avaric said, and then he smiled slyly again.
"You look like a cretin when you smile like that." Elphaba said.
"I was just thinking-"
"I doubt it."
"That we should do it tomorrow, and make a day of it."
"We are losing enough time with this ridiculous party of yours. We cannot waste an entire day."
"It is our time to waste."
"And your grades."
"Come on, Elphaba, live a bit!" Avaric said but still received a stone faced glare. "Fine. What do you girls say? Done enough studying for a week?"
"Definitely." Pfannee agreed with a smile.
"Boq? Crope? Tibbett?"
"I'm in." Boq said.
"Master Boq." Elphaba scolded but he waved a hand in front of him to cut her off.
"Elphie, I've done plenty of work, and we still have another week. Relaxing is good too."
"What about you two?" Avaric asked the pair of boys.
"We're definitely in." Tibbett answered.
"Good. And our final pair?" Avaric probed.
"Absolutely not." Elphaba responded and before Glinda could even pout she turned to her. "And don't think I will budge on it."
"I didn't think you would. I was just going to say I would be joining them, so you can study in peace tomorrow." Glinda replied. There was a long pause as Elphaba stared daggers at Glinda, who fluttered her eyelashes innocently back. Finally, Elphaba mumbled something. "I beg your pardon, Miss Elphaba? What was that?"
"Fine." She grumbled. "But it's on your pretty little head if you fail."
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"You called me pretty." Glinda replied, causing Elphaba to throw her hands in the air. Avaric let out a chuckle, which did nothing to alleviate Elphaba's sour mood.
"You must be quite strong, Miss Glinda." He said jovially.
"For what?" she asked.
"To be able to lift those dainty fingers with Miss Elphaba wrapped around them."
"Don't push it Avaric." Boq warned.
"Too true. I am in the mood to be amicable. Tomorrow we shall have a great day. Now, let's plan."
The next day the entire Circle woke and dressed early as they wanted to get a good spot at the local breakfast places. Being Saturday morning they knew that the crowds would start appearing early. They managed to snag a table for all of them, and stayed at breakfast until almost lunch. They would have stayed longer if an irate owner had not shooed them out of their table. Avaric left a large tip to compensate.
The girls took them down to the bazaar at one of the squares. Though the boys (and Elphaba) grumbled about the shopping, they enjoyed themselves. Avaric bought a necklace for Pfannee, and a choker for Shenshen. Unbeknownst to everyone but Elphaba, he also slipped Boq a good amount of money, which the Munchkin used to buy an exquisite pendant necklace for Milla. The girl was enthusiastic is showing her appreciation. Elphaba caught Avaric's eye and raised an eyebrow, and he blew her a kiss and a wink. Elphaba shook her head.
The group saw the Quadling glassblower selling his wares. Avaric, Pfannee, and Shenshen stayed back while Boq and Milla were otherwise occupied. That left Fiyero, Crope, Tibbett, Glinda, Nessa, and Elphaba to approach him to look at his wares.
"Greetings, Glass shaper; how are you today?" Nessa said. He looked surprised to hear his language until he caught sight of Elphaba.
"Well met, young misses. I see you know the language same as your sister."
"How did you know she was my sister?" Nessa asked, and the man smiled.
"To blow glass means to see the connection between what is there and what is not there. I can see that connection between you."
"A useful talent." Elphaba added and the man nodded. In doing so, he caught sight of the shoes Frex had gifted Nessa. The man craned his neck this way and that, and then looked at her.
"Blown with love, this was, but also with sadness and regret. Quadling in make, but of an unusual design."
"They were actually blown by my father." Nessa answered and the man looked confused.
"He was taught by a Quadling; a man named Turtle Heart." Elphaba added and the glassblower's eyes lit up.
"A man born while the Heart was in the sky. Yes, I see it now. I have not heard of Turtle under the Hearts, but his work must have been superb to teach so well."
"It was. Unfortunately, he is no longer with us." Elphaba continued and the man nodded.
"So I can see by the shapes of the glass. Those born under the Heart are good at seeing what will be. I unfortunately do not possess such a gift."
"It can be a curse." Elphaba countered and the man smiled.
"Ah yes, the sun catcher bought by your lover with corn silk colored hair. Has it served you well?"
"Not so much in sense. However, we should switch to Ozian so as not to be rude to our friends."
"I apologize." He said in Ozian. "I did not mean to offend."
"No offense taken." Fiyero said for the rest. "I know how nice it can be to speak in your native language in such surroundings."
"It is rare to see a Hunter in these parts. What are you stalking?"
"Knowledge."
"A worthy prey. But you did not come to hear me speak, as I am not a wordcrafter or a speechsmith; you came look at my wares. Please let me know if anything finds your fancy."
"Thank you. We will." said Nessa.
In the end, the group bought many items from the glassblower. Elphaba bought Nessa a glass rosary while she bought herself a magnifying glass, and inquired about purchasing a series of magnifying glasses similar to the ones Dr. Dillamond had owned. The glassblower had never heard of such a device, but promised to look into it. Crope bought himself a monocle (which he thought looked dashing) and Tibbett a prism that cast colored light. Fiyero, however, outspent them all as he bought almost a small zoo of animals. When asked, he smiled embarrassedly.
"For the family. I haven't gotten them anything."
After the bazaar, they quickly returned to their dorms to offload their purchases and freshen up. They met again in the open space to discuss lunch. It was unanimous that a picnic by the canal was to be had. They ordered food from a nearby shop, and took it to their spot. There, they proceeded to eat and go about their usual antics. Elphaba and Avaric bickered; Glinda, Pfannee, and Milla talked about much of nothing while trying to get Milla's attention; Crope and Tibbett made lewd comments while trying to distract Boq; and Nessa spoke elegantly but aloof, though she snuck in a well-timed barb or jest here and there.
At one point, Avaric noticed Shenshen idly going through sword motions with a stick, and challenged her to a duel. It was a jovial affair, slow and dramatic, but Shenshen surely trounced him every time. As she sat back down Crope and Tibbett pretended to swoon over her. Shenshen did a near perfect impression of Avaric, and pulled both boys to her. When she kissed both of them on the foreheads, the Circle could take no more and fell about laughing, even Nessa. Elphaba in her chuckles went to prop her back up, but Nessa was able to do so on her own, causing Elphaba a brief smile of pride.
After lunch the group split apart. The girls went back to their dorms to primp and gather their Amas, and the boys did the same (minus the Amas). The girls' Amas were quite pleased with the arrangements, as dining in a Margreave's villa was a quite worthy distinction. The food and wine were an added bonus. As Glinda was doing her final touch ups, Elphaba was grumbling while putting on a black, comfortable long sleeve dress. Hearing her girlfriend's constant grumbles, Glinda walked over and started lifting up the bottom of the dress.
"Glinda, what are you doing? Why are you staring at my bloomers like that?"
"With all your complaining, I could swear they would be twisted; but no, they are on straight."
"That's not even remotely funny." Elphaba complained as she swatted her hands away.
"It's hilarious."
"Is it time to go yet?"
"Quite."
Their entourage of ten in good wear drew attention as they were leaving. The girls (besides Elphaba) did not mind. They thought it good that those who saw were jealous. The large group piled into two different cabs, and made their way to the Margreave's villa. They were greeted by a footman, who saw them into the house safely. From there, another member of the staff announced them individually with rank and they were seated at a long table in the dining room. It was very formal for such an informal event, but Elphaba had the sneaking suspicion Avaric had done it to annoy her.
After dinner, the group moved to a room with a bar set to one side and a buffet table to the other. With the Amas watching, though, the Circle was subdued. Avaric's prediction was accurate, however. As the group chatted and mingled a bit, the Amas slowly drank more and more, lessening their perceptions. Nanny was still very sharp, if tipsy. However, as she was not an upstanding example of moral virtue and thought that boys and girls should be boys and girls, the Circle did not mind. They even caught some sly winks from her.
As the Amas lost all perception of their surroundings, the Circle got more daring. Boq and Milla slipped out a side door and when no one noticed, so did Crope and Tibbett. Avaric called some geographic advice after the couples. Glinda tipsily spoke and tried to dance with Elphaba at the same time. The most indulgence she got was spin by the green girl. Shenshen was explaining to Avaric and Fiyero some sword maneuver, though with a bit more swaying than proper. Pfannee clung to Avaric and giggled.
As if by magic, when the clock struck ten the Amas were all drunkenly dozing. Nanny winked at the Circle as they watched her expectantly, and made shooing motion with her hands. They took it as their signal to leave. A drunken Nessa pouted when Nanny called her over.
"Why do I have to stay?" she whined.
"Because, little doll, tonight is a night for lovers and those looking for it. You are much too drunk to have any fun, and Nanny can't have you fall down somewhere with everyone else preoccupied. Who then would look after you?" Nanny said and Elphaba scowled at the insinuation.
"So what am I supposed to do?" Nessa continued her whine.
"Sit and let Nanny brush your hair. I know how much you like it."
"Fine." She grumped, but obligingly sat. Nanny threw a knowing look to Elphaba, who remained impassive. As the shut the door to the room they could see Nessa starting to nod off.
"So now what?" Glinda giggled.
"Well, now we can get to know each other better. Though this time I think I will go with Miss Shenshen instead of Pfannee." Avaric said.
"Fine by me. I wouldn't mind a change of pace." Pfannee purred.
"Wait…"Glinda almost slurred. "You aren't saying you have…"
"Oh yes." Pfannee said. "After the ball. Me and Shenshen are quite familiar with Avaric, but Shenshen felt more adventurous. I didn't mind; while I love to share, it's nice to be the center of attention every once and awhile."
"I doubt even alone with Avaric you are the center of attention." Elphaba muttered.
"Oh, silly me. How could I forget?" Avaric said, and giggled. "I guess we could split the girls in half…Ha! Anyway, if the two of you wouldn't mind?"
"Or we could pair up and leave you to your own handling." Elphaba shot back. That comment made her realize she may not be in as much control as usual. Maybe three bottles of wine had not been a good idea. But she still felt sharp. Too sharp, perhaps.
"Does Miss Elphaba prefer the softer sex? Ha! There's another!" Avaric said with another laugh. "Perhaps we shouldn't be asking you, but Miss Glinda. Well, Miss Glinda, does Elphaba prefer softer sex?"
"Well-" Glinda started but Elphaba cut her off.
"I've heard enough. Glinda, there seems to be a large garden in the back. Let's get some fresh air."
"Ok, Elphie."
Elphaba captured Glinda's arm in her own, and trotted them out the back doors to the garden.
"Have fun among the plants! I'm sure you'll feel right at home there!" Avaric called after them.
The two girls walked the small path on the villa. To call the small forest in the back of the villa a garden would have been a disservice. Elphaba saw the signs of where old walls used to stand and concluded that the Margreave's villa (which was the largest in Shiz) had grown to incorporate the grounds of what had been many. The two girls found a nice secluded cove off the main path where they could not be easily seen but where there was still a good deal of woods behind them also.
"This is a nice spot." Glinda said.
"It is." Elphaba agreed, looking around. "It makes me forget we're in Shiz."
"It does. It makes me feel like we're the only two in the world."
"I would not go that far, my sweet. There's still plenty around for us to be mindful of."
"Too much thinking and I'd get lost."
"One should never be afraid to be lost in thought."
The girls were quiet for a long time. Elphaba watched the woods and stars above them, and Glinda watched Elphaba. She seemed so at home here. Glinda thought Elphaba could live under the stars and be happy. She had the urge to reach over and pull her girlfriend close, and in her inebriated state she was already doing so. Elphaba looked down at her and Glinda smiled up. Closing her eyes, she tilted her head back and parted her lips slightly, sure Elphaba knew what to do. Elphaba did and began to lean down. A twig snapped and Elphaba jerked up alert.
"Who's there?" she barked. A dancing of fairy lights moved out of the woods; reflections of blue diamonds. Shortly thereafter, Fiyero resolved out of the darkness. His was without his jacket and the front half of his shirt was opened.
"My apologies. I felt it best to announce my presence."
"Accidently stepping on a twig is not precisely an announcement." Elphaba hissed. Fiyero held up a twig in neither hand.
"You'd be surprised." He said with a smile.
"Fiyero, what are you doing out here?" Glinda huffed.
"Yes. Shouldn't you be with Miss Pfannee? Unless you already have been." Elphaba added cruelly.
"I'm currently evading, not hunting, Miss Elphaba." Fiyero said. Elphaba snorted.
"So afraid of the blonde as to run and hide?"
"Quite. She is very hard to deny; as you can see by my appearance."
"I can understand why she's so interested." Glinda said. Elphaba shot her a look. Fiyero's teeth shone in the moonlight.
"I never took you for the type, Miss Glinda."
"I'm full of surprises." She purred back. Elphaba put a hand on her shoulder.
"I think that's enough of that."
"Oh, Elphie, relax; I was just having fun."
"I'm afraid you'll have too much fun. Now, let us go."
"If it not too much to ask, may I walk with you?" Fiyero quickly said. Glinda looked at him strangely and Elphaba chuckled.
"Looking for protection, oh Great Hunter?"
"There are beasts on the prowl, Miss Elphaba. Safety is in numbers."
"Come, brave Vinkun. We shall not let her devour you."
The trio walked back to the path and continued to stroll. Fiyero left his shirt open, as it was a nice night, and Glinda kept stealing glances. Not well enough, as it appeared, since she was caught.
"Go ahead and look, Miss Glinda; I do not mind. I understand they would seem strange to you."
Glinda blushed, and thanked the night that hid it.
"They're quite mesmerizing. I keep wondering how they catch the light like they do." Glinda said.
"The points of the diamonds are actually a stud just underneath the surface of the skin. There's a flat bar that actually connects two of the points together, and outlines the diamond."
"Really?" Glinda said and held out a hand to touch, but curled her fingers back. She looked at Fiyero, who nodded, and then to Elphaba, who did likewise. Dainty fingers grazed the diamond at his shoulder, tracing the outline. "That feels…feels…exotic. Elphie, you should try it."
"No thank you. I can't imagine that felt pleasant." Elphaba said as Glinda traced another diamond. Fiyero smiled at her.
"Not particularly, but it's part of the test. Also, I may have been in a bit of an altered state at the time."
"And how far do they go?"
"See for yourself."
Fiyero unexpectedly stripped off his shirt and let it hang in his waistband. Both girls stopped to observe the unbroken pattern from his face to where it disappeared beneath his belt. Elphaba circled around to see if his back held the same.
"I see Shiz has not made you soft." Elphaba said.
"A hunter must always maintain readiness."
"So what do they represent? Stars?"
"Quite astute. My people are born under the stars, and will die under the stars. The royal family of the Arjiki wear that on our skin to remind ourselves of the burden we carry." He said and paused. "Miss Glinda, if you can please stop that it would be appreciated."
"Sorry." Glinda said bashfully and Elphaba walked around Fiyero to see the blonde pulling both hands away from his chest. "I just wondered what it would feel like to run my hands up the pattern."
"Glinda." Elphaba rebuked.
"I said sorry."
"It is not that I take offense; just I do not wish to give it." Fiyero said and Glinda looked puzzled. Elphaba was not.
"Too much wine to control yourself, Your Highness?"
"When one is surrounded by such beauties, it is hard without wine."
"I can say they are very beautiful." Glinda whispered, and both looked at her, and she smiled at them. "And you can trust me. I'm an expert at beauty."
"Thank you." Fiyero said with an incline of his head.
"You can put your shirt back on, now." Elphaba added.
"Why, Miss Elphaba? Is the wine affecting you also?" Fiyero teased.
"More like I do not want you to be devoured by bugs. There are quite many here in Shiz."
"I thank you for your concern." He replied, and slipped the arms of his shirt back up his shoulders, but did not close it. They continued their walk until they reached an open area with a gazebo. Standing in it was Pfannee with Milla and Boq.
"Master Fiyero." Pfannee called. "I thought something was wrong by the way you excused yourself."
"Nothing quite. I just felt the need to be under the stars." He called back as they approached.
"Really? And yet you appear with Miss Glinda and Miss Elphaba. How cruel."
"I just met them on my walk."
"And here I thought you did not like Munchkinlanders." Pfannee continued as if she did not hear him.
"He rather them with some height." Glinda put in. Elphaba shot her a dark look.
"How rude. But you are not quite tall yourself."
"And yet I have six inches on you, both in height and bust."
"Miss Glinda! Such things you say!"
"Come now, Pfannee, I'm just teasing." Glinda said. The group had reached the gazebo but did not enter.
"Well, it was quite unfunny."
"I apologize. Perhaps the wine has made my tongue too loose."
"Is that why you're back here and not out there?"
"Now the things you say."
"What? It was just a question."
"A highly inappropriate question. I do not bandy about like that."
"Maybe Miss Elphaba, then. She said he prefers them with some height. Sounds like she knows quite well." Pfannee growled. Elphaba glared at her.
"Miss Pfannee, that is across the line." Boq warned.
"And now her lap dog comes yapping up to defend her." Pfannee sneered at him. "Does it bother you, Milla, that he is so enthralled with his 'Miss Elphie'?"
"The wine has loosened your tongue and made you say things you do not mean." Elphaba said in a voice so cold the group swore the temperature dropped. "Who I share my time with is none of your concern, but for your peace of mind, I shall say Master Tigelaar is not, nor shall be, on that list. As for Master Bfeeson, his nature is of a grower, a lover, and peacemaker. As I do nothing but try to ruffle feathers, he is often attempting smooth them; such as he is now. There is nothing of a physical nature between us; rather I count him as the best of friends."
"What's the matter Miss Elphaba? Are the boys not good enough for you? Perhaps the girls then?"
"Once again, who I spend my time with is none of your concern." Elphaba repeated. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Avaric, Shenshen, Crope and Tibbett approach, all in various states of undress. She cursed the noise for bringing them out.
"Perhaps I can make it my concern." Pfannee purred and walked towards Elphaba. The green girl held her ground. "I am quite experienced in the female arts as well."
"I am disinclined to accept your offer." Elphaba said as she stood stonily. Pfannee pouted and crawled her fingers up Elphaba's arm.
"No? I've been told I am very good. I would be most appreciative of an exotic beauty such as you." Pfannee said sultrily. Glinda stepped forward and slapped her hand away. Pfannee recoiled, as did the rest of the group. Glinda was never prone to any violence, even in jest.
"You keep your hand off! She's mine!" Glinda snarled and Elphaba wrapped her arms around the blonde to restrain her from stepping forward.
"Glinda, control yourself." Elphaba said harshly.
"No!"
"What do you mean yours?" Pfannee sneered. "Are you telling me you and her are together?"
"That's right, so keep your hands off!" Glinda yelled, and whirled towards Fiyero the best she could. "You too!"
There was dead silence among the group as they stood shocked by the revelation; except, of course, for one prince who burst into peals of laughter and fell down.
"What the hell do you think is so funny?" Glinda yelled.
"I…was…right!" Fiyero said between laughs. The entire group looked at him as if he was crazy. The disbelief of the situation was continuing to grow.
"Right? You knew?" Elphaba asked.
"No, not really." Fiyero said, wiping his eyes. "I had some inkling the night Glinda climbed into your lap in the cab."
"Why didn't you ask?"
"A hunter never let his prey know he's onto them until it is too late."
"And who are you to play such a game?" Elphaba bit back harshly. "To try and collect hearts as if they are tokens. What would have happened if your pursuits have won you your prize?"
"Then I would have been delighted. Believe it or not, Miss Elphaba, I meant what I said then, as I do now. I see things differently."
"That was an idiotic plan."
"Brainless it may have been, but it worked, did it not?"
"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait….wait…wait." Avaric said. "So Glinda and Elphaba are together, and you knew?"
"Well, no, not for certain." Fiyero said. "I undertook the pursuit of Miss Elphaba to see if I could flush out Miss Glinda's feelings. But little did I know, it would be Miss Pfannee who would do so."
"I think I need another drink." Avaric said.
"We are leaving." Elphaba simmered.
"What?" Glinda whined.
"Yes. I will not stay in this house filled with so many hormones but so little brains. It is choking."
"And Miss Elphaba yanks Miss Glinda's leash." Pfannee sneered
"She can stay if she wants. But I, and Nessa and Nanny, will be going."
"No, I'm going too. I don't want to be here right now either." Glinda added.
"Then with that, goodnight." Elphaba said, and stormed past a confused group. Glinda followed unsteadily.
"Well, that was strange." Boq said.
"All in all, it could have been worse." Fiyero said, and then looked at the stars.
This chapter covers the 20th through the 25th of Highspring.