Chapter 27. Pointe Shoes
Rifiuto: Non Miniera
Glinda closed another book with a slam.
They had been in the library since ten this morning, and it was now nine that night.
"Elphie, should we call it a night?"
Elphaba ignored her, flipping through another spell book.
Sighing, Glinda turned to the next book on the table in front of her.
Ten minutes later, Elphaba stretched, arms over her head, her body lithe, almost feline in her movements as she stood. She had removed her cape, and now brushed her long black hair off her shoulders.
"I don't know what else to do. We've looked through every spell book, and...." She stopped, blinking to destroy the tears forming in her eyes. Instantly, Milla got up, and rushed to her.
"Elphie--"
Sobs brought every head turning.
The Queen of the Vinkus had backed up against a wall, slid to the floor, now sat hugging her knees to her chest, sobbing. Tentatively, the Meagravess of Tenmeadows moved towards her, and lifted her chin.
"Elphie?"
Red welts ran down the woman's cheeks. Sighing, Milla reached out and wiped the tears away, before getting up, helping the distraught queen to her feet.
"Come on." Milla led the woman out into the main hall, and sat down with her, talking quietly. When they came back twenty minutes later, Milla hugged Elphaba close. When they broke apart, she said,
"Meet me in the dance studio tomorrow at ten. Bring your warm ups, and your pointe shoes."