Ooh I feel my body move without me again/
Oh like a sleepwalker gettin' closer to you/
I think I might be goin' crazy now, Someone stop me
~o0o~
Elphaba stepped back from the carriage. She was being ridiculous. She was not getting feelings for Fiyero Tiggular. It was just this time loop getting to her head. Even if there was a universe where he could be physically attracted to someone like her, they were completely different people. She wanted to pursue an education as far as she could; if he had his way, he would be as far away from one as possible. He liked being social, she was comfortable in solitude.
"Yero, we're here."
"Already?" Fiyero yawned, lifted his head, and spotted Elphaba. "Av, don't buy the absinthe again. I'm still seeing the green fairy."
"Not a fairy," said Elphaba. "No wings."
"Oh."
"Your driver is very bad at his job," she said. "He almost hit me."
"Maybe he saw green and thought it meant go," said Fiyero, lowering his sunglasses.
Elphaba frowned and thumped him over the head with her book before striding off, leaving it in his lap. Right. She wasn't falling for him in the slightest. There were other things she could be doing with eternity.
She went by Second-Hand Rose for the jacket Fiyero liked so much, just so he couldn't have it. She stuffed her blazer into her bag and tried it on, looking at herself in the cursed mirror. She frowned and let her hair loose, removing her beanie.
The jacket fit her alright. About as well as jackets usually did. It was a cool jacket, but she didn't know if she looked cool wearing it. She looked through the other clothes and found a pair of men's jeans that actually suited her height.
A quick glance around told her she was alone, so she pulled them on, tucking her slip in. Still pretty loose, but a belt would do the trick and the length wasn't quite long enough, but her boots closed the gap.
Once she had that, she noted the used instruments available. She found a beautiful, but slightly battered guitar that seemed to be in tune and was just asking to be played again.
"Tomorrow," she murmured and selected a book on learning guitar, along with another book that had piqued her interest.
She made her purchases and wondered what to do next.
Well, there was a café nearby. She could do with some tea. She went in and sat down by the window, ordering the refillable tea service.
After an hour, she ordered a sandwich and by then a Gorilla dressed all in black maneuvered his wheelchair onto the small stage to play guitar for the patrons.
He was good and Elphaba decided she would make this a new haunt when she needed to relax. She smiled and settled back into the cozy armchair.
A resounding 'THUD!' hit the window. Elphaba jumped, throwing her tea over her shoulder into the potted plant behind her. She looked up to see Fiyero pressed up against the glass. He waved and hurried around to the front door.
"Sweet Oz," Elphaba groaned.
"Hi, there!" he said, sitting down in the seat across from her. "You forgot your book."
He held it up.
"Don't you have someone else to annoy?" she asked.
"Not until eight," he said.
"Cute." She looked back down at her book. "Are you lost or something?"
"Yes, but that's beside the point," he said. "I saw you through the window and thought I'd say 'hi.'"
She sighed heavily and waved for the waiter for a water refill.
"And what can I get for you, handsome?" he asked.
"Uh…" Fiyero fluttered his lips and drummed his hands against the table. "Cappuccino, chocolate bread, and…" his voice pitched up as he leaned back to look at the display case. "A cheese toasty."
"You got it, sugar."
"Thank you very much," Fiyero said with a wink.
Elphaba rolled her eyes and read the same sentence three times before looking up to see Fiyero staring at her intensely.
"What?"
"That is a really cool jacket," he said. "Where'd you get it?"
"Second-Hand Rose, just up the street."
"So, there's no others?"
"Not that I'm aware of."
He clicked his tongue disappointedly and looked around.
"This is a cool dive," he said. "Come here often?"
"Maybe."
"I'm throwing a party tonight," he said. "Do you want to come?"
"Tell you what, if you can be quiet and let me read my book, I'll attend your party and you can borrow the jacket. Deal?"
"Deal!"
"Quiet, starting now."
He nodded and pantomimed zipping his lips, then reached across the table to grab a few chips off her plate. She let that slide and focused on her book.
To his credit, he made an attempt at being quiet and opened the book she hit him over the head with, but after a few minutes he started dragging his thumb along the corner of the book. Then he started jiggling his leg and drumming his fingers against the table. He slurped his cappuccino when it arrived and cleared his throat loudly.
The third time he accidentally kicked her while adjusting in his seat, Elphaba turned her chair sideways and crossed her legs.
"Where are you from?" he asked.
She gave him a look and he raised an eyebrow.
"Munchkinland."
"So is it a misnomer or something?"
"No. The average height is four-foot-ten for men, four-foot-seven for women."
"Huh. Well, I guess they need someone to change the batteries in the smoke detector."
She frowned. She didn't like having her height commented on. She couldn't stand comfortably in half the buildings in Munchkinland. Even if Frex was willing to spend money on pre-made clothes for her, she would have to get everything custom-made anyway. Even her shoes had to be custom-made. They didn't exactly sell size thirteen shoes in Munchkinland.
"And I bet you don't need a stepladder to get things off the top shelf."
Elphaba sank down in her seat. Right… it was just a matter of time before he showed his true colors. Just the right circumstances and he was proving just as awful as everyone else.
"Hey, it's just a joke," he said.
"Am I laughing?"
"No… I guess not."
She sighed through her nose. "I'm used to being the butt of the joke."
"That isn't what I—"
"It's just a joke. Lighten up. Why do you take everything so seriously, Elphaba? We're just pointing out your insecurities to you under the guise of humor and laughing at you. Why do you have to stand up for yourself? It's less fun for us that way. Have you considered just being a punching bag—"
"I'm not making fun of you," Fiyero cut her off. "Not like that. I'm sorry. I actually think you're really groovy."
"What does that even mean?" she asked.
"It means something's excellent," he said. "It's usually in regards to music, but anything I like is groovy in my book. That jacket is groovy, this café is groovy, and you're groovy, too."
"Say groovy again."
"Gah-roovy."
She huffed softly and shook her head.
"Never had someone piss me off and win me over in such a short span of time," she said. "How do you do that?"
"I am very charming," he said, winking at her. "And irresistible."
"I'd argue, but there's too much evidence to support that statement," she said, pouring the last of the tea into her cup. It wasn't very much.
"Since I am such a charming person, can I convince you to come to the party I'm throwing tonight?" he asked. "As my date?"
Elphaba raised an eyebrow.
"I thought you would have asked Galinda."
"Who?"
She copied Galinda's signature hair flip, though really she looked more like she was trying to shake out a bee that went down her blouse.
"Toss-toss!"
"Oh, yeah! She's hot," Fiyero agreed. "And yet, for some reason, while I was being dragged on a tour of campus I couldn't stop thinking about a certain green girl who hit me with a book."
"Hm."
"Maybe I just feel like doing something different," he said.
"How forward! At least buy me dinner first," she said sarcastically, fanning her face.
He chuckled.
"Not like that," he said. "I don't like going with a person until we've been dating for a bit. You wouldn't believe how many cozy up to the press. Apparently they pay very well for bedroom secrets."
Elphaba frowned. "That's awful."
To be intimate with someone, no matter if it was deemed casual or not, only to have them blab about everything to the press? How humiliating.
"It is what it is," he said with a shrug. "Not everyone I date is in it for the publicity."
"I know what it's like to have your life displayed for the world to see," she said. "My birth was the most interesting thing to happen in Munchkinland since the cotton gin."
He nodded then furrowed his brow. "What's a cotton gin?"
"It's an engine that separates cotton from the seeds."
"Huh, you don't shave it off?"
"That's wool."
"Right. So you'll be my date?"
"Yes. I'll be your date," she said and paid her bill. "I suppose I better go find something suitable to wear. Since you couldn't keep quiet though, I get to wear the jacket."
He clicked his tongue in disappointment, but then smiled.
"I'll pick you up at eight then," he said, setting money down for his bill so he could follow her out. "Where do I meet you?"
"Crage Hall, Room three-oh-eight," she said. "Do you need help getting back to campus?"
He shook his head, then cringed and nodded. Elphaba laughed softly.
"Okay, follow me. How'd you get so lost anyway?"
"I happened to pick the one night a band wasn't booked," said Fiyero. "But there's a music studio that has some groups on call. I had to walk there to book it since their phones were down."
"Oh."
"Have we met before?" Fiyero asked. "You seem familiar to me."
"We just met today," she said.
Back at campus, they parted ways and Elphaba bumped into her sister as always. She knew now that Nessa looked for her to try and make sure she wouldn't intervene.
That had been a hurtful conversation. As if she purposefully did anything to sabotage her sister's happiness.
"Oh, Elphaba, try to understand."
"I do," said Elphaba. "Would you like help getting ready for the party?"
"No!" she cleared her throat. "No. A couple friends from my class are helping me. Thank you anyway."
And it still stung.
"Of course. Have fun, Nessie," said Elphaba.
She walked away, and like clockwork, ran into Galinda.
"Miss Elphaba, we were just talking about you—"
"I need your help!" Elphaba blurted, surprising both of them.
Galinda paused and lowered the hat.
"With what?" she asked suspiciously.
"I was asked to the party and I have nothing suitable to wear," she said, scarcely believing what she was saying.
"You got asked to the party?" she said incredulously.
"I'm shocked, too."
"Why ask me for help? You have a sister."
"Nessa is worrying about herself," said Elphaba. "You're the prettiest, most stylish, and most popular girl in school, Galinda. If anyone can make me look—" she wiggled her hand trying to find the right word— "adequate, it'd be you."
"I am pretty good," Galinda mused. "Okay! Challenge accepted!"
They stopped by the dorm first so Galinda could drop her dress off and Elphaba could grab more money.
"I like that hat," said Elphaba. "May I?"
"Oh! You don't want to wear this!" said Galinda.
"Yes, I do." Elphaba put it on and looked in the mirror. "I do intend to wear this jacket to the party, too."
"Mm… it's a little peculiar," said Galinda. "But the color is nice. I can make it work. We'll argue about the hat later."
To Elphaba's displeasure Milla, Pfannee, and ShenShen decided to come along, but she went to Galinda for help so if Galinda wanted reinforcements then she would keep her mouth shut.
They went to a dress salon that wasn't the same one Galinda got her dress from.
"Fan out, girls!" she said. "Start choosing dresses for Miss Elphaba to try on!"
Elphaba wandered among the racks too and found a couple black and dark blue dresses.
Suddenly, she was grabbed and shoved into a dressing room.
"Careful, it's my first time," she said.
Galinda giggled and hung the armful of dresses she pulled up on the rack.
"Oh! No black!" she gasped, snatching them out of Elphaba's hands. "There's a time and place for a little black dress, but not for a party like this! Try these on, show them to me before you reject them."
Elphaba sighed and undressed, trying on the first dress, which was a pale yellow that laced up in the back with ribbons. She looked in the mirror before stepping out.
"I think this one is nice," she said.
"Yes, I agree," said Galinda, studying her as if she were a painting. "Miss Elphaba, why do you wear a corset? They're so out of fashion!"
"It's fine for me," said Elphaba, noting that it didn't quite suit the cut if the dress.
"Well, you can take it off, it's not the fashion," she said.
"If you say so."
"Try on the next one while you're at it."
"But if this one looks fine, then shouldn't I get it?"
"Heavens no! That's only the first dress, what if there's something you like even more?"
Elphaba sighed and removed her corset and her slip. She had a half-slip she could wear, but she and Nessa both wore corsets. Nessa's was specially made to keep her spine straight and Elphaba didn't really care either way.
She tried on the next dress, which was a pale pink. She stepped out and Galinda nodded.
"I knew it. Pink is a neutral color."
"I don't like this one," said Elphaba, scratching her chest and cringing at her nails scraping on the beading. "It's itchy and way too short. You can see my suspenders."
Galinda felt the bodice material and made a face.
"I see what you mean," she said. "How long are your legs?"
"Fifty inches. I have a short torso."
Galinda's jaw dropped, then she pouted. "I want long legs!"
"No, you don't. I can never sit comfortably in chairs. Shirts are too long, skirts are too short, and I can never find shoes that fit."
Galinda looked down at her feet and slowly slid her own foot over to compare them.
"Oh! Well… they are proportional to your body!"
"That's one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me," said Elphaba.
Galinda laughed, saw she was serious, and cleared her throat awkwardly.
"I'll look for tea-length and full-length on me," she said. "That should be long enough."
"Galinda! I found the perfect dress for Miss Elphaba!" said Pfannee, holding up a bright orange number.
"Pfannee, ew! I told you, whoever said orange is the new pink is seriously disturbed!" said Galinda. "Try on the next one, Elphie!"
Elphaba nodded dutifully and thoroughly enjoyed the look of shock on Pfannee's face.
"What color is your date wearing?" Galinda asked.
"Red, I believe," said Elphaba. "A purplish-red, but I think red would clash with my skin and pink is your color."
"Mm… I'm sure I could find a nice wine that would look good, but we'll save that for a later date. What color are his eyes?"
Elphaba tried to think of how to describe Fiyero's eyes.
"Bluish-brownish."
"With some green?"
"That's right."
Galinda hummed. "Build?"
"Well he's not super skinny, but he's not big and buff either."
"Height?"
About average for this area, I think, but most men are short to me."
She frowned skeptically. "Hair?"
"Brown. Kinda dark until the light hits it and then it's almost a dark gold."
"Skin tone?"
"Brown, not light but not dark either. Medium."
"Want my advice?"
"Please."
"Don't lose him in a crowd," said Galinda.
Elphaba wasn't entirely sure what she meant by that and wondered if she didn't do a decent job at describing Fiyero. She didn't want to name him though. Not until after Galinda helped her anyway.
"What's he like?" Milla asked.
"He's cool. Way too cool for me," said Elphaba, fine with jabbering on since they wouldn't remember. "He's also charming and I find I have trouble keeping my guard up around him. I'm not even sure why he asked me to the party when beautiful girls like you are around. I'm half-certain it's not a prank, but I am certain I'm just a novelty to him."
Either way, she just wanted to know what it felt like to be part of the 'in' crowd. Not to piss off Galinda, but to see what it was like dressing like everyone else, unironically. To have someone give her their positive attention. To let herself believe just for a moment that someone like Fiyero would actually like her like he liked Galinda.
Eventually, they decided on a powder blue dress with a satin bodice that hugged Elphaba's figure more than she preferred, and had a tulle skirt decorated with pale yellow flowers. Like the yellow dress, it laced up in the back and had support in the bust.
"It doesn't match the jacket," Elphaba lamented. "Oh! I know!"
She snapped her fingers, turning it from cobalt to powder blue.
"Blue?" She snapped her fingers, changing it to the color of the flowers. "Or pale yellow?"
"I want to learn magic!" Galinda whined. "Ohhh, go with the yellow. It looks cute that way! Buy that and we'll meet you up front."
After changing back to her regular clothes, Elphaba queued up to buy the dress and the line mysteriously dispersed, allowing her to go next. As she returned to the group, she could hear the four of them talking.
"What are you doing, Galinda?" ShenShen hissed. "When you agreed, I thought we were going to pick something to humiliate her in front of her date!"
"Yeah, and you're actually picking stuff that doesn't look horrendible on her!" said Pfannee. "She's still ugly. I can't believe she even has a date. He has to be even uglier than her or blind."
"Bramble from my Lit class is blind," said Milla. "Maybe it's him. He's really cute."
"If he was blind, why would she bother dressing up?" Galinda reasoned. "She asked me for my help and she took my advice! She didn't even gag when I gave her pink to wear, her critique was reasonable. And I am so goodly, should I not use my skills when someone is in dire need of a makeover?"
"You'd need a lot of paint to cover up that," said ShenShen snidely. "I think she's up to some trick."
"No trick," said Elphaba, making them jump. "I just want to look nice for once. I mean, about as nice as someone like me can look."
"And you will!" said Galinda. "What shoes do you own?"
"You're looking at them."
Galinda seemed flabbergasted that anyone would only have one pair of shoes.
"Finding the perfect pair in your size would take all day," she fretted.
"I know a place that sells shoes in my size," said Elphaba.
"How tall is your date?"
Elphaba hummed and raised her hand to the level of her mouth.
"Hm… we'll get you a pair of flats then," said Galinda. "Ooh! We can gee them up a bit with some ribbon! I know just the place to go and we can get the accessories there, too!"
"Do I need accessories?"
"Darling, you'd be half-dressed without accessories!"
"Oh. Guess there's more to fashion than I realized."
"Is your date fashionable?"
"Oh, yes. Whoever designed his trousers deserves an award and a national holiday. They do him every favor."
Galinda and Milla giggled.
Pfannee and ShenShen didn't join them on the accessory hunt, insisting they'd meet up in Galinda's dorm. Emphasis on Galinda.
"Here it is," said Elphaba, leading them into the shop.
"Elphie… this is a shop for drag queens," said Galinda.
"And kings," said the cashier. "We sell attire for a wide variety of people."
"They sell shoes in my size though," said Elphaba, going over to the proper section. "Who cares who the target buyer is?"
"They do have a nice selection," Galinda mused, sorting through them.
After deciding on a pair of beaded flats, Elphaba, Galinda, and Milla went to a shop that sold both makeup and accessories.
Elphaba wandered over to a wall display full of lace and satin ribbons and silk flowers. She started matching some up to the hat while Galinda ventured off on her own.
The store had quite the selection.
"I like this," said Milla, tapping a sheer, white ribbon.
Elphaba nodded and a store associate reluctantly helped her cut the length of ribbons she requested.
During this, Galinda would run up to match something to Elphaba's face before disappearing again in a flash.
"Ever thought of going into costuming?" Elphaba asked when they checked out.
"Costuming?"
"Yeah. Makeup, hairstyles, picking out clothes for people to wear. Theatre or models. Or are you in college to get your M.R.S.?"
"My parents think I am," said Galinda. "I do intend to marry a rich and perfect man, but a girl should have her own means of income. As they say, men grow cold as girls grow old."
"You should be a model, Miss Elphaba," said Milla. "All models are tall."
"Thanks, but I don't think I have the face for it."
"No, but there's always shoes and stockings."
They headed back to school and collected the other two to get ready.
"Do you need to shower, Miss Elphaba?" Galinda asked.
Elphaba ran her hand over her hair and shook her head.
"No, I showered yesterday, I think," she said, certain it was true though it had technically been years since then. "If I shower every day, I dry out and my hair is so long I need to have designated wash days."
"Mm, I understand," said Galinda. "I have scheduled wash days for my hair, too, but I feel icky if I don't shower every day. Even just a quick rinse."
Said quick rinses were still longer than what Elphaba spent in the shower.
While the others did their makeup and gossiped, Elphaba sewed on the ribbons and flowers to her hat. She preferred it when it was black, but this one could stay safely in her hair portal. Unless fitting in was the key to breaking the loop.
Galinda did her hair for her, putting product on it to define the curls a little more and styling it so the hat fit comfortably.
"Your hair is so long," she commented. "Long hair like this is about as out of date as corsets."
Elphaba glanced at the others. Pfannee and ShenShen wore their hair around the same length as Galinda's, which brushed her shoulders. Milla's hair was short, but was curled and styled to suit her perfectly.
"It is impractical," Elphaba conceded. "I guess it's more of a superstition than anything else at this point. Maybe someday I'll cut it, but not today."
"When was the last time you cut it?"
"I was about eight or nine," said Elphaba. "Good thing I'm so tall and it's so curly or my hair would probably brush the floor."
"Oh, honestly, let's just cut it right now," said Pfannee, coming over with a pair of scissors.
Elphaba shot backwards and raised her hands, panic surging through her. Pfannee froze in place and seemed unable to move anything except her eyes.
"Cut a single strand and you'll be attending the party with a tail!" Elphaba threatened.
"It's too late to cut it now," said Galinda, getting between them. "I already styled it."
Elphaba let Pfannee go.
"Freak!" she spat, tossing the scissors aside.
Rather than retort, Elphaba rolled her eyes and put on the dress. She then resigned herself to having her makeup done. Galinda did her eyes and lips and then attacked her eyebrows with a pair of tweezers.
"You're supposed to have two eyebrows!"
"I did, but I shaved one of them off," said Elphaba, waving a finger across her brow.
The joke was lost on them and Elphaba wondered if Fiyero would have laughed at it.
"I can't believe you do this every day," she said instead. "It's exhausting."
"A girl must look her best if she wants to be taken seriously," said Galinda.
"I suppose that's true. It shouldn't have to be though."
"No… it shouldn't."
Galinda used white eyeshadow and lined her eyes lightly with liner and put mascara on her. For the lips, she used a shiny, glittery gloss.
Elphaba reached for her glasses but Galinda moved them away.
"Do you really need them?" she asked.
"Only if I want to see."
Galinda sighed and Elphaba put them on.
Milla, Pfannee, and ShenShen left at 7:45 to go to the party. Elphaba started getting slightly nervous. What if Fiyero came to his senses and didn't show up? What if it was a joke?
She jiggled her leg and tried not to pick at her newly polished nails. Instead, furniture around the room raised a few inches and lowered back down.
"Honestly, Elphie!" said Galinda, holding onto her foot board so she wouldn't slide off her bed. "If he doesn't show, we'll go anyway! Everybody should see my work!"
At 8:12, a knock came at the door and everything dropped to the floor. Elphaba stood and answered.
"Huh!"
"What?" said Fiyero.
"I just had you pegged as a red kinda guy."
"Oh." He looked down at his turquoise suit, which he had paired with a pale pink tie, pocket square, and lapel pin in the shape of a rose. "I do have a red suit, but I have this suit, too."
"I like it," said Elphaba, hesitantly reaching out to center his tie. "It's my favorite color."
It enhanced the color of his eyes.
He grinned. "I'm glad I made the choice to wear it, then."
"Your date is Fiyero Tiggular?" Galinda whispered.
"Yes," said Elphaba.
"Hi, there," said Fiyero.
"Hi. Excuse me one second," said Galinda. She closed the door in his face snd whipped around on Elphaba. "YOU DIDN'T SAY FIYERO TIGGULAR WAS YOUR DATE!"
"Would you have believed me?" Elphaba asked.
"No, but—oh Oz! Get rid of the hat and jacket! I think there's still time to redo your hair!"
"No."
Galinda groaned and stomped her foot, then opened the door with a brilliant smile.
"Fiyero!" she said. "I had no idea you were Elphie's date! Would you be a dear and escort me to the party, too?"
"Of course," he said. "It's an honor to escort the best looking duo in Oz!"
Galinda giggled and Elphaba wasn't sure how to respond to that. Fiyero looked at the leather jacket.
"Don't worry, I'll put the color back," she said. "Apparently, it's very important your accessories match your outfit."
"That is a general rule of thumb," he said.
Was she misreading or was he treating her differently than earlier? Stand-offish was the best description. Well, it wasn't like he liked her in that way. She was just a novelty. They hung out a few times and enjoyed each other's company. A few trivial moments that would become trivial memories when his interest expired.
"Ready to dance all night?" Fiyero asked as they approached the Ozdust.
"I'll warn you, I dance like a drunk spider," said Elphaba.
He chuckled. "I'll dance well enough for the both of us."
They entered the Ozdust and people screamed upon spotting Elphaba. She bit her lips together and wondered if she should bail.
Galinda jumped in front of them and struck a pose.
"It's good to see me, isn't it?" she said.
The crowd cheered and the band kicked back up.
"What the hell?" said Fiyero, looking at Elphaba.
"Eek a freak," she explained, letting go of his arm. "Bet you're glad you asked me to be your date."
Fiyero seemed to second-guess himself. He looked at Galinda, who had been his first choice hundreds of times. She'd understand if he changed his mind. It would hurt, but she'd understand. He blinked and took Elphaba's hand.
"Yeah, I am," he said. "Let's get a drink. In my experience, I find I get less offended by the things people say if I'm buzzed."
She let him lead her to the bar.
"What's your poison?" Fiyero asked.
"Belladonna."
"I don't think they sell that at bars," he said.
She clicked her tongue. "Well then, surprise me."
He nodded and hailed the bartender.
"Aperol Spritz for the lady, and I'll take a raspberry ale."
The bartender nodded and cracked open a bottle of vibrant magenta liquid, handing it to Fiyero before mixing Elphaba's drink.
"Elphaba!" Nessa and Boq approached. "I didn't know you were coming to the party."
This was different.
"Fiyero invited me," she said. "Fiyero, this is my sister Nessarose. Her date, Boq, he shares two of our classes."
"Nice to meet you," said Fiyero, shaking their hands.
"I wasn't aware you were acquainted with my sister," said Nessa with a disapproving look.
Oh, so she could get a date, but if Elphaba had a date then something funny was going on and Elphaba needed to be reminded of her place.
"We just met this morning," said Fiyero. "It was quite a meeting."
"Whatever she said, I apologize on her behalf," said Nessa.
"I didn't say anything!" Elphaba corrected. "I hit him."
"Elphaba!"
"It's fine," said Fiyero. "I deserved it, I made a rude comment. I'm lucky she gave me a chance or I'd be standing in the corner trying to work up the courage to talk to her all night."
Boq instantly grew warmer towards the prince than Elphaba had ever seen and got punch for himself and Nessa.
"Aperol Spritz," said the bartender.
"Thank you." Elphaba took a sip, the bubbles sharp on her tongue. It was sweet, tart. She liked it and took another sip.
"Where did you get that dress?" Nessa asked. "And that hat. And are there spikes on that jacket?"
"I asked Galinda to help me dress for the party," said Elphaba. "I thought, 'What's so great about being myself when I could be like everyone else?' and I let her give me a makeover. I wouldn't give on the jacket or hat, though."
"That is a great jacket," said Fiyero wistfully.
"And you can't have it," Elphaba sang, poking his chest.
"We'll just see about that," he said.
"Elphaba are you…" Nessa dropped her voice. "Drunk?"
"Of course not, Nessa, my give-a-damn is just busted."
"That's a good phrase," said Boq.
"Thank you, I just came up with it."
"You didn't spend money on that hat, did you?"
Wow, Nessa was really trying to make her self-conscious wasn't she? Why? In hopes she'd leave?
"It was a gift from Galinda," said Elphaba with a sweet smile. "I added on the ribbons and flowers. I think tomorrow though, I'll be back in dark colors. They just make me feel calmer."
"My family loves black," said Fiyero. "I think they took my declaration that I wanted to start wearing pastels harder than when I dated a boy."
"You… prefer men and women?" said Nessa, looking appalled for some reason.
Elphaba frowned, confused. "Doesn't everyone?"
Nessa's expression told her she said the wrong thing. Boq just seemed mystified. Why was it wrong? Polyamory wasn't unheard of in Munchkinland. Plenty of people had two husbands or two wives. Especially larger families. Though Elphaba dimly recalled some Unionists being against a non-monogamous lifestyle, Frex never spoke against it as pious as he was.
"Well… this conversation isn't going to end itself," Elphaba said and walked to a different spot with Fiyero.
"So, I guess you and your sister are fraternal twins?" he asked. "I got one of those. Her name is Pipitsa, but we always call her Pip."
"No," said Elphaba. "Nessa is three and a half years younger than I am. I just wasn't allowed to attend college until she was ready."
"Huh, why?"
"My sole purpose in life is to look after her. And I think she's worried that if people realize we're related it will revoke any party invitations, including this one."
"Well, luckily everyone is invited to a Fiyero party," he said.
"Freaks, geeks, pops, and jocks. All are welcome to worship the party gods," she finished.
He grinned. "Exactly. You sure we haven't met before?"
"Maybe we were long lost brothers in a past life."
He nearly spat out the swig of ale he took and managed to swallow before laughing uproariously.
"Care to dance?" he asked when they had both finished their drinks.
She nodded. "If I embarrass you, you can walk away at any time."
"I don't embarrass easily," he said.
The songs were still the type where couples danced across from each other instead of close together. Elphaba wished going to the Ozdust wasn't so difficult so she could do this part over as many times as necessary to get it right.
She didn't know how the hell everyone else choreographed this thing, so she just started moving her limbs to whatever felt right with the music.
People were staring and laughing. One dateless guy started mocking her jerky, awkward movements.
Elphaba pretended not to notice.
"I like this band," she said.
"Yeah, they're alright," said Fiyero. "There's this great dive in the Emerald City, Jungle Boogie, the band is a permanent fixture and they are really groovy. Big brass and they have different singers, but they swing."
"Jungle Boogie?"
"Mostly popular with Animals," he said. "Owned by this family of Cats. I liked to go there often when I lived in the E.C."
"What's it like living in the Emerald City?" she asked eagerly. "I've always wanted to go."
"It's big and loud and metropolitan," he said. "They say what happens in the E.C. never sleeps. It's also very green. They love the color there. You'd fit right in."
"I doubt that," she snorted. "I've never fit in anywhere in my life."
"Not a bad thing," he said. "I like that you don't fit in."
"Your approval means everything to me," she said sarcastically, though she felt betrayed by her ears warming up. She knew the ordinarily pink tips were now an unsightly red, but she also didn't want to shyly mess with her hair to hide them and betray her feelings that way.
Fiyero grinned and took her hands, easing her into more fluid movements.
"You know, you don't have to think about your dance moves so much," he said.
"I wasn't," she said. "I was just moving how I felt the music was telling me."
"Ah."
"I told you I dance like a drunk spider."
"No. Just a tipsy spider," he said.
She snorted and rolled her eyes.
Fiyero was a phenomenal dancer. He almost seemed to walk on air. She could tell he was genuinely enjoying himself when he danced.
"Teach me your ways, o great one," she said. "I may need another drink to accomplish it."
He laughed. "I shall do my best."
He taught her a few moves and she wondered why he felt the need to restrain himself in all other aspects. She bet that if he acted as free as he danced, he'd be even more popular.
The music slowed down and couples snapped together as if joined by glue.
Fiyero placed a hand on the small of her back and took her right hand in his left. She almost forgot to breathe, able to feel his skin against hers in between the ribbons weaving up her back. He drew her closer until they were just barely pressed together.
"This is easier," he said. "You just put your arms around your partner and sway."
She rested her free hand on his shoulder, not sure if she should be looking at him or elsewhere. She glanced around to see Boq holding Nessa's hands and making small steps to and fro. Galinda was flirting with some handsome boy instead of being all upset Fiyero picked someone else.
There were plenty of those girls, lining the walls and sending Elphaba death glares.
"Oz, I feel like I'm in a fish bowl," she said.
"Don't worry about what anyone else is doing," said Fiyero, his breath brushing her neck and sending a new sensation up her spine. "I mean, I do, but you shouldn't."
She chuckled. "Easier said than done."
Once she was comfortable, he spun her out.
Before he could draw her back in, one particularly bold girl decided to shoot her shot and dove in, shoving Elphaba aside and sending her crashing into another couple. Seemed people had no qualms to touching her if it potentially inflicted injury.
"Oh, Your Highness!" she said, slipping her arms around his shoulders. "You were so distracted by the Artichoke you forgot to talk to me! I'm Mettie."
Fiyero blinked. "The what?" He looked around the room, trying to back up towards Elphaba. "Is that a statue or something?"
Elphaba frowned as he tried to move Mettie's hands away, but she kept weaving them to remain firmly around him.
"No, I'm the Artichoke," said Elphaba.
"Did you spill artichoke dip on your shirt one time?" he asked and seemed to be completely serious. "Cause something like that happened to me in middle school and I was called Prince Pudding Head for two years."
Mettie grabbed his cheeks, trying to turn his face towards hers, but his eyes remained fixed on Elphaba.
"You spilled pudding on your head?" Elphaba asked.
"No." He eased away from Mettie. "It came out of my nose."
Mettie looked disgusted.
"Oh, Oz!" Elphaba laughed, trying to picture it. "I bet that burned."
He cringed and nodded, pushing Mettie's hands away.
"I'm called Artichoke because my skin is green," said Elphaba, using the opening to push between them. "It's kind of obvious."
"My hair is the color of chocolate," said Fiyero, his hands resting on her thighs before quickly shooting up to plant firmly on her waist. "I could've landed the nickname if I had a bowl cut."
"Good point," she said, steering him towards the bar and away from the girl. "No, I have a lot of nicknames regarding my skin. Green girl is the obvious one. Artichoke is the most popular. I've also heard frog girl, bean stalk, asparagus, grasshopper, snot monster, crocodile, stick bug, praying mantis, celery stalk, grass-eater, seaweed, cucumber, tomato worm, soursop, cactus, and snake girl."
The bartender came over.
"Hi, there," she said. "Second verse same as the first?"
Fiyero nodded.
"You got it," the bartender said, handing Fiyero the ale and mixing her spritz.
Fiyero hummed and took a swig, keeping one arm firmly around her. "You know? My first girlfriend told me she liked my hair because it was the color of pudding."
"Oh?"
"Yep. We were five," he said. "She was the daughter of an earl. We played at recess every day for two weeks, but then she left me for Jaisen Funderberker." He scowled and shook his fist. "Funderberker."
Elphaba laughed.
"So even you have your rivals," she said, sipping her drink.
"Thanks for the save by the way," he murmured close to her ear.
Mettie strode over, flanked by two of her friends.
"Problem isn't over yet," Elphaba sighed.
"Okay, honestly," said Mettie, unhappy at being dismissed. "Why would you ask her as your date?"
"Why not?" Fiyero countered.
"I know what this is," she said. "You're under a love spell! Luckily, I know the cure!"
She grabbed the sides of Fiyero's face and kissed him. Elphaba twitched and didn't know what to do or how to react. Her glass and his bottle fell to the floor, shattering.
Everyone was looking and snickering.
Fiyero grabbed the girl's shoulders and pulled her off him. He straightened his back in a particular way that made him seem larger and gave him a regal air he certainly didn't have before.
Prince Fiyero seemed to have arrived.
"I'm not potioned," he said coolly. "Do not put your hands on me again or I'll have security remove you."
The girls stared at him, stunned. Elphaba bit her lips and spun her hands. The drinks funneled themselves into the mended glassware, but she handed it back to the shocked bartender.
"We shouldn't drink these," she said. "They were on the floor."
He nodded and sent them to the back.
Fiyero cleared his throat and the ice melted from his eyes, his friendly, approachable air returning.
"Where were we?" he asked sunnily.
Elphaba took his hand and he spun her in. Somehow, she ended up turned around, but he just danced away from the girl who attacked him.
Elphaba lowered her head so the brim of her hat shielded her eyes. What was this twisted feeling in her chest? She was angry the girl cut in, angrier that she kissed Fiyero, and pleased that Fiyero rejected the girl. Relieved that the ice that had formed in his eyes wasn't directed at her, too. However, he wasn't hers, they were just… dates. It wasn't a lasting commitment.
"Hey, Thropp," said a guy she didn't know the name of but he always went out of his way to make a snide comment towards her. "You clean up pretty good. Dance with me."
"No," she said.
"Great, let's go."
Fiyero turned her around to face him again.
"The lady said no," he snipped and danced them away.
Elphaba kept her head ducked, her cheek touching Fiyero's temple. He held her so close, no one else could come between them.
"Sorry, this happens sometimes," said Fiyero softly. "Everyone thinks they should have a turn with me or they try to steal my date. I guess to try and prove something, I don't know."
"If it happens again, I'll remind them that they fear me," she murmured. "My magic tends to cause more messes than it cleans up."
"Yeah? What would you do?"
His lips touched her skin as he spoke and half the tables moved two feet to the left.
"I don't know," she admitted. "I don't actually want to hurt anyone. I think I prefer being ignored."
"Well, for what it's worth, I'm glad you're my date," he said. "I'm having fun."
They were so close together. He smelled really nice. What was that? Warm and spicy, like vanilla mixed with something else she couldn't place. She was reminded of spiced tea. And the gel he used to style his hair had a sweet scent to it as well.
"Would it be alright if—" Elphaba cut herself off and chastised herself.
Honestly! Smelling him? Thinking about kissing him so much she almost asked?! She wasn't that girl. She couldn't get away with it. This wasn't her.
"If what?" Fiyero asked, pulling back to look at her.
His eyes were so beautiful.
"If we take a break?" she asked, her voice wavering slightly as her glasses fogged up. "I think I need some water."
"Of course," he said and led her off to the side. "Find us a seat, I'll be right back."
He kissed her hand and she was sure her ears were completely red. His lips were very soft.
She should've expected something else to happen. She was about to sit down at a small table when she sensed someone come up behind her.
She whipped around to see Pfannee and ShenShen. The two boys acting as their dates hurled the contents of two buckets at her. Elphaba's hands remained in the air in vain. The band halted and the crowd began to laugh. First chuckles, then hysterics.