Uni work is due just around the corner so what do I do? Work on this of course! Just seeing how many of you are reading this is wonderful. It's great to know all my work isn't going unnoticed.
Anyone know the band Fleetwood Mac? Great old band, my mother got me into them ages ago and I'm only just realizing how truly wonderful they are.
Frostbite: We can only hope.
She had run out.
Elphaba followed behind Mavis as he escorted her to the dining room. She was dressed in her nicest dress that was little more than a simple black, buttoned frock that she'd bought, much to Galinda's disgust, during her stay in the Emerald City.
Galinda had seen the book. Not only that, she'd held it and felt something. How was she supposed to explain it to her? Of course sorcery wasn't all that uncommon in Oz, but with the recent speculation it had suddenly become associated with the enemy. She'd have to talk to her, explain to her, and hope she understood.
Before she knew it, Elphaba was standing in front of the large, ornate double doors that led to the dining room. Mavis opened the doors and, much to her surprise, announced her arrival.
"Miss Elphaba."
The dining room looked like it belonged in a palace. The table ran the full length of the room lined on all sides with carved chairs, the walls were decorated with painting and purple drapes, and a great chandelier hung above it all, bathing the room in a warm glow.
Elphaba saw that Mr. and Mrs. Upland were already seated at one end of the large table. Mavis pulled out an empty chair and Elphaba sat down hesitantly. Glancing around the table at its other occupants she saw a welcome and forced nonchalance from Mr. and Mrs. Upland respectively.
Just as she was seated and Mavis had left the room, the butler returned, this time announcing Galinda's arrival. The bustle of blonde curls and pink frills smiled and apologised profusely for being so late to dinner.
"Of course, dear, we have not been waiting long," Domious smiled and secreted a wink in Elphaba's direction.
The blonde was seated next to the green girl and made a show greeting her and asking after how her parents had settled back into being home. Galinda was acting normal so Elphaba decided she would follow her lead.
"Welcome again to our home, Miss Elphaba," Domious smiled.
"Thank you."
"I hope you enjoy dinner."
Elphaba smiled and nodded her agreement as their food was set down before them by staff. She looked down at her plate to see a small round of succulent steak beside an exotic salad.
Elphaba's stomach turned at the sight of the slab of meat. It was still a little pink inside and brownish liquid was oozing slowly across the plate.
"The meat is wonderful as ever, Tarvold," Domious complimented a man who was dressed in the fashion of a head chef bowed low before leaving the room.
Even Galinda, who Elphaba had only seen eating the healthiest of salads, was digging into her small cut with relish. Not wanting to be rude, Elphaba cut a small piece of steak and, after steeling herself with a deep breath, put it in her mouth. She had a sense that the meat was supposed to be delicious, but it fell like ashes on her tongue. She could feel each fibre tear apart between her teeth and all she could picture was that small, shivering lamb back in the Emerald City square.
Mouth suddenly dry, Elphaba attempted to swallow only to choke on her mouthful. Galinda reached over and patted Elphaba on the back until she could breathe again, handing her a glass of water to wash it down.
"Watch out! Looks like Elphaba won't go down without a fight!" Domious laughed and slapped the table with his palm. Beside him his wife sent a disapproving look.
Eyes watering and cheeks darkening, Elphaba gave a final cough and drank the last of the water. Once sufficiently recovered, the excitement was now over and everyone focused on their meals, cutting their meat into smaller pieces.
"So what will the two of you be getting up to tomorrow?" Mirana asked, swirling her wine around in its glass.
"Elphie and I will be going down to the markets," Galinda replied.
Domious raised his eyebrows and addressed Elphaba between cuts of his steak. "I do hope you will keep an eye on her spending, Miss Elphaba. There is only so much punishment my pockets can take!"
Galinda laughed and waved her father off.
"I'll be sure to do my best," Elphaba said.
"Oh, but there's just so many wonderful things to buy! You'll love it Elphaba, there all sorts of knick-knacks and clothes! And there's even a bookstore!" Galinda smiled.
Elphaba's eyes lit up at the prospect of new things to read. "Really?"
"I think she's hooked!" Domious laughed as Elphaba's face darkened and she picked at her salad.
"Books are the only thing that will get Elphaba interested in shopping!" Galinda laughed.
Soon the dinner conversation turned to Galinda and her mother discussing the upcoming Summer fashion. When the dessert of early lemon tart was served the conversation moved back to Elphaba.
"Now, my Galinda tells me that you are interested in politics," Domious said, spoon hovering before his waiting mouth.
Elphaba's brow creased in surprise and she glanced across at the blonde. "I've never told her that."
"Perhaps not, but she said that books on politics were the first things you picked up in the Emerald City Library."
Elphaba was amazed that the blonde had noticed something so trivial and found it worthy to mention to her father. Domious smiled knowingly as his daughter ignored him and chewed daintily on her tart.
"Yes, my daughter is brighter than most give her credit. Very observant, she is."
"I'm sitting right here, Popsicle." Galinda looked up from her food, a light blush painting her cheeks.
"She quite taken with you. Well, you and that Winkie Prince of hers." Domious chuckled. "You two are all she's been talking about for the past two weeks!"
Elphaba smiled at Galinda who was turning a shade of pink to rival her dress.
"Popsicle!"
Domious laughed again, "Sorry dear, it is not often that you bring a friend around that you praise so highly."
"I hardly think I'm worthy of such praise, sir." Elphaba said, trying to hide her embarrassment.
"Now, now, Miss Elphaba," chided Domious, "you are far more a sociable companion than you give yourself credit for."
Elphaba didn't think she'd blushed so much in one night, let alone her whole life.
Their plates were being cleared away and Donious announced that they should move to the smoke room for tea and coffee. Elphaba's nose crinkled at the prospect of having to sit around people smoking. Galinda seemed to read her mind and slid an arm through of of the green girls and whispered, "Don't worry, no one actually smokes in the smoke room, it's more of a drawing room really."
Elphaba sighed in relief. "Then what's the point of the name?"
Galinda shrugged, "Smoke room sounds fancier."
Elphaba snorted and requested a cup of tea when asked what she would like, Galinda followed suite and seated them on the plush sofa. Mirana sat in a chair by a small table with another glass of wine and Domious sipped his coffee by the fireplace.
"Excuse me, Mr Upland-" Elphaba spoke up after a long moment in which everyone had simply enjoyed their drinks.
"Domious, please," the Gilikinese man corrected with a smile.
"Domious," Elphaba gave a small smile, "I was hoping you could elaborate to me your reasons for leaving the Emerald City so quickly."
"Well that is rather simple! I caught wind of all that Animal ruckus going on and would have none of it! I won't have my name attached to anything so cruel." Domious declared.
Elphaba let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding.
"How long has the Wizard been planning this?" She asked.
"Goodness knows!" Domious set his coffee down so he could move his arms for greater effect. "All I know is that when I found out I ordered we leave the city immediately! I sent a telegram to my fellow politicians only to find they were planning on staying to aide the Wizard and his campaign! Outrageous!" He began to pace before the fire. "Such stout minds turned on a dime so quickly, and now I have received word that this has already been happening across Oz! Only the Vinkus stands unaffected, but I fear it to be only a matter of time. The Wizard is good at getting his way."
"Domious, dear, calm down." Mirana, who had been silent for the course of the conversation, spoke up. Elphaba had almost forgotten she was there.
"Alas, I am afraid the pressure the Emerald City will be too great for so few of us to resist openly. If you didn't already believe the Wizard of Oz to be wonderful, you have no choice now but to. Everyday the Wizard adds another wealthy politician to his inner circle, tightening his already firm grip on the minds of the masses, and those of us who don't agree-"
"Domious I think that's enough," interrupted Mirana.
"I'm just saying that it is utterly absurd! Already a good friend and trade partner of mine has been taken to South Stairs for daring to protect an Animal family."
"Domious!" Mirana blurted out, slamming glass down on the small table beside her with enough force to shatter it and send glass and the remainder of her red spilling across the wooden surface, dribbling down into the plush carpet.
Galinda let out a gasp and hastily called for a maid to clean up and a doctor see to her mother's hand. Elphaba shot forward and began to gently sweep the glass together and pick up the larger pieces so no one else was cut. Domious leap to his wife's side to assess the damage and provide husbandly comfort.
Mirana seemed more shocked at her actions than everyone else, staring confusedly at her hand and the shattered glass that dripped wine and a thicker, redder substance that Elphaba realised was the woman's blood.
Within moments a series of maids burst through the door and, with Domious' help, moved Mirana to her own room and began to clean properly, taking over from Elphaba who was left to stand around uselessly with Galinda.
"I think I need to go lie down." Galinda said faintly, walking out of the smoke room. Elphaba hurried after her and let her hold her arm for support. Once safely escorted to her room, Galinda bid her green friend a weak goodnight and disappeared behind her door.
Elphaba sighed and walked down the hall to her own room, closing her door to get ready for bed. She supposed her talk with Galinda would have to wait until tomorrow.
I love steak. Medium rare is how I like it. How do you like your steak?
The musical was The Pirates of Penzance! It was the first musical that I performed in (voluntarily) and it was a life changing experience.
Next: What was the name of the 1983 musical based on the Greek tragedy Oedipus at Colonus?
I know you're all reading so don't forget to review!