My buddy "Denpa Wave Chick Saki" co-wrote this with me. Enjoy!

Elphaba took it upon herself to bring Galinda a full breakfast the next morning, taking time to make sure she had all the blonde's favorites. She had to be nice to Galinda today. It was her birthday, after all. She had to bite her cynical tongue today... "Good morning, Miss Galinda, and I'll be the first to wish you a happy birthday."

Galinda woke up to the smell of chocolate chip pancakes. She sat up in her bed, rubbing her eyes sleepily, and looked over at the green woman, then down at the tray of food. "Mmmm..." She gave a wide stretch. "It is a good morning, isn't it?" She looked more closely at the tray, seeing her favorite breakfast items: chocolate chip pancakes, toast, a cup of warm milk with a dash of cinnamon, and a bowl of grapes. She looked up at Elphaba again as she grabbed the bowl of grapes. "As delightful as all of this is, may I ask why?"

"It's your 18th birthday, Miss Galinda. I want to make sure it is a good one. I promise to be on my best behavior today...everyone deserves a good birthday..."

The blonde tossed a grape into her mouth. "I don't see why this birthday is any different the others I've had. You never did anything like this before."

Elphaba looked down. "Maybe I just wanted today to be special...Anyway, I hope everything is to your liking."

Galinda eyes her suspiciously. "You are far too confusing for me to figure out." She leaned over and cut off a neat bite-sized portion of the pancakes, placing it in her mouth before setting the fork back down. She picked up the mug and her bowl of grapes and slid out of the bed. "I'm done with the pancakes. Now, start a bath for me will you?" She moved over to her vanity to brush through her hair.

Elphaba nodded. "Of course." She moved into the bathroom and turned on the faucet of the tub, watching it fill. "Is there anything else you'd like?" she called to the blonde.

"Just air out my dress, and then you may leave."

Elphaba turned off the tub when it was full, laid out Galinda's towel and robe, and returned to the bedroom to complete her other task.

Galinda went into the bathroom, setting her mug and bowl on the little stand by the tub. She pulled her hair up into a simple bun, so it wouldn't get wet, then stripped off her nightgown, slipping into the warm water. The blonde relaxed back with a sigh, every once in a while popping another grape into her mouth or taking a sip from her mug.

Elphaba finished with her work and moved to stand against the wall, waiting for Galinda to emerge so she could be ready to serve the blonde when needed. She fiddled with her braid as she waited, having somewhat trouble seeing as she had chosen to remove her glasses for the day, as Galinda thought they looked "ridiculous". She was grateful she knew the palace so well...

The blonde sat up, grabbing the bar of soap and beginning to wash herself. She took another sip of the milk before calling out, "Miss Thropp, come here for a moment, will you?"

Elphaba looked up and quickly made her way into the bathroom, standing beside the tub. "Yes, Miss Galinda? Is anything wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong. I simply needed you to wash my back for me." She turned in the tub so that her back was to the green woman, holding up the bar of soap for her.

"Yes..." Elphaba took the soap from her and kneeled as she began to rub the soap up and down the blonde's back.

Galinda took a small look over her shoulder. "You're not wearing those hideous glasses."

"No, I'm not. You told me you didn't like them, so I decided to remove them today." Elphaba handed the soap back to her. "I am finished."

Galinda set the soap aside, turning to lie back down in the tub. "Very well. Bring me a paper and a pencil, would you? Oh, and your glasses and an envelope."

"Yes, Miss Galinda." Elphaba stood up and retrieved the three items, returning with them. She reluctantly pulled her glasses from her dress pocket and set all the items on the small stand.

The blonde scribbled down some notes on the paper before folding it neatly and putting it into the envelope along with the glasses. She sealed the envelope and wrote a name on the front, then handed it to Elphaba. "See to it that this is delivered immediately to the palace doctor."

"Yes, Miss Galinda." Elphaba left the room and her fingers itched the tear the envelope open and grab her glasses, but she couldn't do that. She had sworn to follow every single order today. Elphaba made her way to the hospital wing and found the doctor, handing the envelope to him before she returned to Galinda's room. "It has been delivered."

"Good." She decided that it was finally time to get out of her tub. She stood, reaching for the towel and drying herself off.

Elphaba blinked a few times, turning away from Galinda to rub her eyes. Her blurred vision gave her a headache if prolonged. "Is there...ah...is there anything else I can do for you?"

Galinda shook her head, moving out into her bedroom and sitting at her vanity. She let down her hair, doing a quick brush through once again. "You're free to go if you'd like. Just be back in 2 hours to help me prepare."

"I can stay in case you are requiring anything else, unless you really don't want me around."

The blonde shrugged her shoulders. I could care less what you do." She turned around to face Elphaba. "Can you even see at all right now?"

"I'm fine. I know the palace well enough."

She rolled her eyes. "I meant can you even see two feet in front of you right now?"

"Oh, well...I see your blurry figure...some blondeness, so I know it's you...but no detail, that's for sure. I certainly can't read like this."

"Very well, then go sit down and find something to do with yourself. I have things to do." She grinned, pulling her sketchbook and pencils from her vanity drawer. This might very well be her only chance to ever draw directly in front of the green woman and not even have her notice.

Elphaba heard things moving, but couldn't at all see what Galinda was doing. "Very well." She turned and made her way over to a chair, tripping and stumbling once before she regained herself and sat, beginning to fiddle with her braid again.

"Galinda!" Nessa said happily, wheeling into the room. "Happy birthday!"

Galinda turned to her sister with a smile, hiding her sketchbook behind her. She moved forward to give the brunette a hug. "Oh, thank you, dear. It's so good to see you."

Nessa broke away from her and smiled up at the blonde. "You're legally an adult now...don't get into too much trouble." She poked her sister in the side teasingly.

"Oh, you know me. How much trouble could I possibly get into?" She winked at her sister before moving to nonchalantly put her sketchbook away again.

"Well, I was wondering if perhaps...we could spend the day in town together? Just for a little while..."

The blonde's eyes brightened. "That sounds like a fantabulous idea, dear sister. Just give me a moment to get dressed and we can go if you'd like." She stood, moving to her closet.

Nessa turned and jumped slightly when she saw Elphaba. "E-Elphaba! I didn't see you there..." She wheeled a little closer. "Where...where are your glasses?"

"I took them off today. Miss Galinda does not appreciate them."

Nessa turned to face Galinda. "Galinda..." She sounded somewhat exasperated and wheeled closer to her. "You know she can't see without them!"

Galinda walked out of her closet wearing a pale yellow dress and a pair of matching flats. "I know that. Now, don't worry your pretty little head off, dear sister. You'll see later." She turned to her vanity to apply a simple and quick amount of makeup.

"But Galinda, you know she has to come with us...what will she do out in unfamiliar surroundings?"

"Don't worry about me, Miss Nessarose. I'm fine," Elphaba said.

The blonde took her sister's face in her hands. "I told you not to worry. Don't you trust me?"

"I...I...Of course I do."

"Then stop worrying." She gave her a small smile and kiss to the nose. "We have to make a quick stop before we leave the palace." She returned to her closet again to grab a purse before heading out the door.

"Where to?" Nessa asked as she followed Galinda once the blonde left the room, Elphaba following behind them.

Galinda moved behind Nessa to start pushing her chair. "You'll see." Elphaba remained silent as she followed the two, seeing as Galinda had beat her to pushing Nessa's chair.

"Tell me!" Nessa said, looking back at her sister.

"And you say that I'm the impatient one. Jeez. You will have to wait and see." She continued down the hallway.

Nessa crossed her arms. "I don't appreciate you pinning my own comments back on me as a form of punishment for me asking questions."

"Well, perhaps you should stop being so impatient and just wait to see for yourself. Oh, look. We're here." She pushed Nessa's chair through the door of the palace doctor's office. She approached the doctor who stood up from his desk upon their entrance. "Are they ready?"

The doctor nodded, picking up a small package and handing them to the blonde. "It was a little difficult to finish in such a small time limit, but I did it just as you requested, your Highness."

"Good. Thank you very much, Doctor." She turned back to her sister and the green woman standing in the doorway, handing Elphaba the package. "Here. This is for you."

Elphaba looked at it, unsure of what to do. She took it from the blonde hesitantly. "Um...what shall I do with it?"

"Open it, first of all."

Elphaba looked back down at the package before she opened it slowly and hesitantly. Inside, she found her glasses and...something else. "Um, I'm sorry...what is it?"

Galinda rolled her eyes. "There are these little things called 'contacts.' And I will no longer be seen around you if you're wearing those horrid glasses. Thus this was the only option."

Elphaba looked at them again. She looked back up at Galinda, slightly embarrassed. "I...I appreciate it, I really do...but I don't understand..."

The blonde gave a huff. "Are you kidding me right now? You're really that out of the loop? Contacts are these little lens thingamajigs that you stick on your eyes. They let you see just like glasses do. But you can't see them."

"You stick them on your eyes?" Elphaba did not like the sound of that at all. "And I apologize, it never came up...the idea of contacts...I don't think I can wear them."

"You don't have a choice. You're useless as a bodyguard without them and I will not permit you to wear your glasses anymore in public. So decide, Miss Thropp. Going shopping with us or staying here while we go out alone?"

Elphaba bit her lip, looking down at the contacts again. "Alright..." She set the box down and pulled out the smaller contact box, extracting one of the tiny lenses. She looked at it uncomfortably before she took a deep breath and placed it on her eye. The green woman immediately yelped in pain and her hand shot to her eye. She recovered and managed to get the other one in, blinking a few times. She was amazed how clear everything suddenly was. She picked up her glasses and slipped them back into her pocket. "Alright."

"Are you done yelping like an annoying chihuahua now? Can we go?" Galinda was leaning against the doorway impatiently.

Elphaba bit back her response. It's her birthday...be nice...she did it for you... "Yes, I'm ready. I apologize."

"Good. Then let's go already. I don't have all day. We have to be back soon enough so I can prepare for the ball." She turned and pushed Nessa's chair out of the office. Elphaba blinked a few more times, trying to adjust to this new feeling before she followed the two.

"Galinda, I can't decide if that was selfish...or ingenious," Nessa said in a low voice so only her sister could hear.

"I would say a bit of both, though mostly selfish, for sure. So where would you like to go exactly, Nessa?"

"Oh, it doesn't matter much to me. I just figured it would be a way for us to spend time together."

Galinda looked around at the buildings surrounding them, noticing a poster that was hanging outside the theater. She looked down at her sister. "How about we go see that new show, 'Wizomania'?"

Nessa smiled slightly. "A show about father? That sounds like fun...I do wonder what gossip this will spark..."

"Then it's decided! Off to Wizomania we go." The blonde pushed her sister over to the ticket booth and purchased 3 tickets before heading inside.

The three were led to the Wizard's private box and Elphaba stood back against the wall as Nessa wheeled to look over the edge of the balcony. "It has been a while since we came to see a show..." Nessa mused.

Galinda looked down at the stage as well, amused. "You're right. It has been quite a while. It all seems so long ago..."

Soon enough, the show started and while Nessa and Galinda seemed to be enjoying themselves, Elphaba was finding it harder and harder to watch. All these lies...the Wizard was not a savior! Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. "I can't watch this," she said before she stormed out angrily.

"Elphaba!" Nessa said, but the green woman didn't look back.

Galinda rolled her eyes with a sigh. "There she goes. Just has to make a big deal out of everything..."

"Maybe I should go after her...she seemed awfully upset..."

"Do what you like, Nessa." Galinda's eyes never left the stage.

Nessa looked at her sister before she sighed and left, going after the green woman. Elphaba stood outside, her arms crossed and her breath making small clouds in the suddenly chilly air. "Elphaba? Are you all right?"

Elphaba turned. "Miss Nessarose...you should be watching the show."

"But you seemed so upset..."

Elphaba looked away. "I'm fine...please, go back inside. It's cold out here. You'll catch something."

Nessa sighed before she turned and went back inside, taking her place beside Galinda again. "She never tells me anything."

"I told you it's not worth the trouble to be nice to her."

"I hear what you're saying, and I know it's smart for you...but I will get to her. I'm determined. Unless she tells me otherwise...I won't stop."

"You're only going to hurt yourself if you continue, Nessa."

"Until she says no, I won't stop," she repeated. "She hasn't protested yet."

"Very well. If you wish to subject yourself to this...this...well, whatever this is, then fine. Do what you will..."

Nessa smiled slightly before she wrapped her arms around one of Galinda's loosely and leaned her head against her shoulder. "It annoys you, and I'm sorry...but it makes me happy..."

"Well then, if it makes you so happy, dear sister, you know I don't have the heart to stop you." She tried giving a smile to her sister.

"Don't hide your feelings from me, Galinda. I love you, no matter what. I won't judge you just because of this...or anything else you do."

"That's what you say now...but what about later?" She kissed her sister on the top of the head and turned her eyes back to the show.

"What does that mean? Galinda, don't shut me out. You do that to everyone. You may hate this, but you and Elphaba are more alike than you think..."

"We are absolutely nothing alike!" She pulled away from her sister. "I find myself bored with this show now. I'm going to head back to the palace to prepare for the ball." She turned and left the box, marching straight past Elphaba and back towards the palace.

"Galinda!" Nessa started after her and stopped when she reached Elphaba, who had just straightened up. The brunette sighed. "Oh, dear..."

Elphaba nodded. "I do seem to ruin Miss Galinda's mood quite often."

Nessa looked up at her. "Elphaba..."

"We should return to the palace." Elphaba moved behind Nessa's chair and pushing her back to the palace. Once arriving, Elphaba left the brunette and found Galinda sulking in her room. "Are you all right? I am sorry. I did not intend to ruin your morning."

Galinda was angrily brushing through her hair, preparing to style it for the ball. "Well, if you manage to ruin it this much on accident, I'd hate to see what you could do if you were trying."

Elphaba looked down. "I never try to...it is never my intention. I find no pleasure in it. I wish I could find a way to keep from doing it."

"Oh really? I would think that one would find pleasure in ruining the day of the one they hate."

"I don't hate you!" Elphaba looked back down. "I...I don't..."

"You're such a horrible liar, ya know?" Galinda picked up her curling iron and began to curl the parts of her hair towards the front of her head. She was so angry that her usual caution and steady hand were completely missing, and she ended up burning herself just below her ear. The blonde jumped out of her chair and dropped the curling iron, her hand flying to the burn. "OZDAMNIT!"

Elphaba was quick to react, grabbing a small bottle from her bag and running to Galinda side. She opened the bottle, put a small amount of the substance in her hand, and placed it on the burn, knowing it would immediately soothe it. "I'm not lying...and I'm sorry I made you burn yourself." Elphaba scooped up the curling iron off the floor, her hand never leaving the burn so the salve could work.

Galinda quickly pulled away. "Don't touch me!"

"Miss Galinda, please don't move. The salve has to stay on to work." Elphaba gently put her hand back to the burn, holding Galinda's head still with her other hand.

Galinda gave the tiniest whimper, but stopped struggling as the pain faded. She looked away from the green woman, unable to meet her eyes.

Elphaba waited a minute or so more before she withdrew. "There. It should heal up in a few hours...I'll go sit and keep my mouth shut so as not to distract you again." She picked up her bottle, recapped it, and moved to sit in a chair across the room, where she proceeded to fiddle with her braid. "Is there anything else you need at the moment? I need to pick something up."

Galinda sat back down at her vanity. "No. Leave."

Elphaba stood. "I will see you at the ball, Miss Galinda." She nodded before she left the room.

The blonde didn't reply but instead picked up her curling iron again, returning to curling her hair. She pulled up most of the hair from the front towards the back and pinned it there, leaving a few tendrils around her face still free. She curled the rest of her hair, bringing it around so it draped artfully over one of her shoulders.

Elphaba made her way to her room and upon arriving, she pulled out a rather special outfit from her closet. This was the first year she had been deemed "worthy" to wear it. Elphaba stripped off her dress and slipped on the long emerald pants before she pulled the tight, long-sleeved shirt on as well. She pulled on the emerald jacket with gold trim and did up the golden buttons. The high collar was perhaps a tad too tight, but Elphaba ignored it as she did her hair in an even tighter braid, if that was possible. She smoothed out her clothes, looking in her small mirror and her eyes fell on the Z within the O embroidered in gold thread on the jacket right above where her heart was, clearly visible for all to see. She was a guard to Miss Galinda...and not to be trifled with.

Galinda finished applying her makeup, adding a little powder to hide her burn mark and looking in the mirror before she stood and moved behind her changing screen. She located where her dress was hanging and looked at it with a smile. She untied the dress she was wearing and let it fall to the ground, kicking it aside before she took the emerald dress off the hanger. The blonde stepped into it and slid it up her body, moving to stand in front of her full-length mirror. She marveled at how wonderfully it had fit her without any altering, almost as if it had been meant for her all along. She grinned again, grabbing her shoes and sitting down to put them on.

Elphaba stood against the wall, her eyes falling on Galinda. "You look wonderful," she said, not having to lie.

The blonde jumped a little at the sound of her voice. "Must you sneak around so?" She turned to face the green woman. "And what in Oz are you wearing?"

Elphaba turned dark green. "This was issued to me by your father. I believe it is to signify my position."

Galinda turned her wide eyes away. "Well, I must say you look...uh, sharp, I suppose..."

Elphaba raised an eyebrow. "Thank you, Miss Galinda." It was the closest to a compliment she'd ever received.

Galinda turned back to her vanity to give a last look at herself, but her eyes fell on a little box that had somehow ended up right in the middle of the vanity. She bent closer to look at it curiously. "What is this?" She picked it up, looking all over it for a name or something to identify it. "This was not here before..." She turned to Elphaba. "Do you know where this came from?"

Elphaba shrugged. "It was outside the door. I did a thorough sweep and found no threat."

Galinda looked at the little box again. "But what could it possibly be? I wasn't told that I would be receiving anything so late..." Without another word, she untied the ribbon that was wrapped around the box.

"I haven't the faintest idea, Miss Galinda."

The blonde opened box and gasped, a hand flying to her mouth. "How- I don't believe it."

"What? What is it?"

She gently lifted the item out of the box. "It's the haircomb from the shop. You know, from that day we went shopping."

"Ah. The one you favored, but that your friends looked down upon. Perhaps they lied to surprise you."

"Yes, perhaps..."

"Aren't you going to wear it?"

"Oh!" Galinda snapped out of her near trance, shaking her head. "Of course I am." She looked into the mirror and carefully tucked the comb into her blonde curls, standing back to admire it. "I knew it would go well with this dress."

"Yes...you look lovely. Now shall we go down? The ball is going to start soon." Elphaba looked down as she fixed the golden trimmed cuffs of her sleeves

The blonde gave one last check to her makeup and hair in the mirror. "It's my ball. They can't very well start without me."

"Well, the guests are mostly all here...and are all awaiting your appearance."

She stood and headed for the door. "Fine. Well, I'm ready now. So let's go."

"After you," Elphaba said, gesturing to the door.

Galinda walked through the door and headed down to the ballroom, gracefully making her way down the grand staircase with a smile.

Elphaba followed a few paces behind, holding her hands behind her back. "They all love you..." Though she hadn't told Galinda, part of the reason she was dressed so officially was because she was required to stay by the blonde's side all night.

She gave a polite wave and a smile to a few of the guests as she finished her decent. "I have given them no reason not to." She spoke to Elphaba over her shoulder. "Now, go sit in the corner as you usually do." She turned away.

"Miss Galinda...I cannot leave your side tonight. I apologize. Part of the reason I am dressed so officially, you see. The risk of you being in danger is rather high, as I'm sure you know, especially at a time like this."

Galinda cursed under her breath, a smile still pasted on her face. "Fine. But not a peep from you, am I understood?" Elphaba nodded before she turned her gaze ahead, her eyes scanning the faces in the crowd.

"Galinda- oh! That's new," Nessa said, approaching the blonde, her eyes falling on the comb. "Wherever did you find that?"

The blonde looked down at her sister with a smile. "I'm not really sure. Somebody left it for me, and Miss Thropp brought it in to me. But there wasn't a name or anything on the box, so I haven't the slightest clue as to who got it...but it's pretty, is it not?"

"It's perfect for you."

"Thank you."

Nessa smiled at her. "There are an awful lot of important people here to see you but I have not yet spotted your boyfriend."

Galinda looked around. "Hmmm, it seems you're right. Oh, well I'm sure he's just running fashionably late as usual." Elphaba rolled her eyes.

"Is it really fashionable to be late?" Nessa asked. "I prefer to be punctual."

Galinda smiled down at her. "For him it is."

Elphaba disguised a small laugh with a cough.

Nessa looked at her. "Elphaba..." She started giggling.

The green woman raised an eyebrow. "I...amuse you, Miss Nessarose?"

"What are you wearing?"

"I realize my attire is unusual, yes."

"I'm sorry." Nessa looked at Galinda, still giggling a little. "Did you know about this?"

The blonde shook her head. "For once, I had nothing to do with her looking ridiculous in public. This was all Father's idea."

Nessa looked at the blonde. "Admit it...you could have been settled with much worse. At least she can actually pull that look off."

Galinda frowned ever so slightly at the thought of worse outfits. "Only because it's such a manly outfit and she lacks any hint of feminine curves."

"Galinda!"

"What? It's true."

Elphaba nodded. "So it is."

"See? Even she agrees with me."

"There is something to be said for not having such a feminine figure, though."

"Oh, really? And what would that be?"

Elphaba thought. "Easier movement. I needn't worry about...certain things getting in the way when I need to move quickly. I can get away with wearing pants as well..." She smiled slightly at the thought.

"The only thing I agree with is the pants. And that's only because you have such horrid taste in skirts and dresses that pants are the only other option available to you that don't look completely ridiculous." She gave a polite nod of her head and a hello to one of the women standing nearby before turning back to the two of them.

"My options are limited, Miss Galinda. I do not have as many choices as you and your sister are allowed...Besides, I don't mind being called dashing." She smiled at Nessa, who turned light pink and looked down.

Galinda shook her head. "Oz, you two are worse than a newlywed couple..." She turned away, and her eyes fell on a familiar handsome blonde, a smile spread across her face. She caught Fiyero's attention and waved him over to her. Elphaba fell into a sudden silence, her face a dark green.

"Is that him?" Nessa asked, turning her chair.

"The handsome prince of my dreams walking towards us? Yes, that's him."

"He's all right I suppose," Nessa said teasingly, poking her sister in the ribs.

Galinda looked down at her, stepping away to protect her sides. "Just alright? You're joking, right?"

"Oh, Galinda, of course. Relax." Nessa rolled her dark eyes in a way that almost mirrored Elphaba.

Fiyero came up next to Galinda, the two of them each kissing the other's cheek. "You look ravishing as always, darling."

Galinda blushed, giving his arm a playful slap. "You flatterer. Oh, I'd like you to meet my sister, Miss Nessarose." She gestured to the brunette.

Fiyero bowed to Nessa, taking her hand and giving it a kiss. "It's nice to meet you, your Highness. Your sister speaks quite fondly of you."

"Oh, well...I'm sure there isn't much to say about me."

"Ah, but there is. She has told me that you are the kindest person she knows, and how you have always been there for your sister through everything."

Nessa turned pink and pulled her hand away. "Now she's just being too kind for her own good."

Oh yes...so kind... Elphaba thought.

"Well...I'll leave you alone now. It was nice to meet you, Master Fiyero," Nessa said before she disappeared into the crowd.

Fiyero's gave a nod of his head to her before turning back to Galinda. He gave a deep bow to her, holding his hand out to her with a grin. "May I have this dance, your Highness?"

Galinda grinned back at him, taking his hand after curtseying. "It would be my pleasure." She let him lead her out to the dance floor, and they took up their positions, beginning a slow waltz.

Elphaba didn't follow, but moved so that she could keep an eye on the blonde(s).

Fiyero and Galinda were gliding gracefully across the dance floor when, all of a sudden, another one of the couples bumped into them. Galinda might have fallen to the floor if Fiyero hadn't have caught her. The other couple stopped, realizing just who they had disrupted.

The boy gave a flustered bow. "Oh, I'm so sorry, your Highnesses. We didn't mean to run into you."

Galinda stopped him with a wave of her hand and a smile. "Don't worry about it. It was just an accident." She turned to the man's dance partner. "Hello, I'm sorry but I don't think I know your name." She gave the girl a polite smile.

"Miss Galinda! It has been a long time, hasn't it? It's me, Sarima. You and I used to play together as children. Don't you remember, when your father would bring you up to the emerald mines? Of course, my father chose to ship me off to school in the Vinkus most of my childhood, but now I am back, and will be attending Shiz in the winter. It's so nice to see you again."

"Oh, yes of course. I remember now. So sorry, I can't believe I forgot. So, you're coming to Shiz soon? I'm sure we'll see each other often there."

"Yes, I hope so." Sarima's eyes suddenly fell on Elphaba. "Oh...isn't that the girl who used to follow you around everywhere? What was her name again?"

Galinda's smile fell ever so slightly. "Oh, her. Yes, Miss Thropp still follows me everywhere. That hasn't changed a bit."

"Thropp..." Sarima's eyes lit up. "Elphaba! That's her! She's so tall...and green as ever. But why the constant following? Have you two some sort of friendship?"

"She is most definitely not my friend." She sounded almost offended. "As you can see by her hideo- I mean, her uniform, she is my bodyguard. She also acts as my lady in waiting."

"Ah, I see. I remember her now...she used to walk around with rocks in her hands, muttering under breath. 'Horrors?' or something? She was an odd one...how is she now? She appears to have matured well."

"Well, she isn't quite that odd anymore, but she couldn't exactly be considered normal either."

"Oh? I see..." Sarima turned back to Galinda. "Well, it was so nice to finally see you again, Miss Galinda," she said before she slipped away.

"Yes, so nice..." She watched her leave, turning back to Fiyero. "She always was an odd one." Fiyero gave a chuckle before leading her back out onto the dance floor and picking up their dance again.

Elphaba let out a sigh as she watched Galinda and Fiyero resume dancing.

"Miss Elphaba?"

The green woman jumped and turned towards the voice. "M-may I help you, Miss...ah..."

"Sarima. Don't you remember me?"

Elphaba thought. "Your father owns the emerald mines in the Glikkus."

"You do remember! I was just telling Miss Galinda how I will be attending Shiz in the winter. You do go there as well, don't you, Miss Elphaba?"

"Only to serve Miss Galinda."

Sarima smiled slightly. "I was right...you have matured well." Elphaba looked at her, slightly confused.

"Miss Elphaba, I do hope to run into you at Shiz...and let's keep this conversation our little secret all right?" Sarima gave her a smile and a little wink before she disappeared.

Elphaba stared after her, not even realizing Galinda was saying her name...repeatedly. "Oz to Elphaba..." Galinda waved her hand in front of Elphaba's face. Elphaba twitched slightly towards Galinda, still not fully aware of her presence. "Miss Thropp, fetch me a drink. I'm getting a little thirsty from all of this dancing." She grinned over at her boyfriend.

"Wha...?" Elphaba was only half paying attention.

"A drink. Fetch one. Now."

"Are your legs broken?" It was only after the sentence left her mouth that Elphaba realized just how wrong that was on so many levels. She finally turned to Galinda, her face a pale green. "I'm sorry! I have no idea...I didn't...I'll fetch you your drink right away."

Galinda glared at her. "That sounds like a very smart idea, Miss Thropp."

Elphaba nodded before she quickly left, returning soon with Galinda's drink. "Here you are...and I apologize again."

The blonde took a few sips of her drink before handing it back to Elphaba. "Now, get out of my sight."

Elphaba looked down. "Unless you're going dancing...I can't leave," she mumbled, her eyes flashing towards the top of the staircase, where she knew Galinda's father was watching.

"Very well. Then let's dance again, Fiyero." She took the Prince's hand and pulled him out to the dance floor again.