Somewhere That's Green

Elphaba's Photo Album !

Sometimes, it's nice to have a peek at another's life, sandwiched in the pages of a photo album...

We would be honored with your presence at the 2006 Fall Ball...

"Twilight Musings"

Elphie sat down, a bit dejectedly, on a 'lover's bench' outside the hotel ballroom. She asked Fiyero to meet her here, as her date for the satellite radio station's annual "Fall Ball", something she'd skipped last year. But everyone wanted to meet Fiyero...and Shinobu had lit up, eagerly designing a simple, if lovely, original gown. At first a reluctant Elphie demurred, but the lure of wearing the dress Shinobu sketched, her DJ 'jeans and t-shirt' wardrobe discarded for a while, had been too much.

He'd returned from Japan last week. He'd left a quick, 'Hi, I'm home safe' message, complaining genially about jet lag and exhaustion. But that was all. She reminded him about the ball on Wednesday, also delivered via machine, so he'd have plenty of time to either suit up or decline...but she'd heard neither from him.

So, here she sat, wondering about him, and herself, and them...and getting a bit angry at the tiny hopeful flare that sparked in her every time she heard the doors open. She couldn't bring herself to look at the new arrivals, and even her friends, noting her solo status, didn't inquire.

Just ten more minutes, she thought, a sharp, unexpected bitterness creeping into her breathing. Then she was gonna be the best-dressed customer the hot dog vendor down the block would have all night. She already dreaded telling Shinobu that her magnificent dress had gone to waste...

"Utsukshii Elphaba !"

THAT jarred the increasingly morose Elphie from her dark thoughts. Fiyero ! He's here - and wow ! She shook her head to clear it and beamed up at him, feeling the warmth of his hand on her shoulder.

"I'm so glad you're here," she murmured. What the heck did 'utsu-whatever' mean ?

"Sorry, gomen, I'm so late," Fiyero said. "The formalwear shop messed up my order, badly. In fact, if you listen closely in about a half-hour, you'll hear the screaming fury of a bride in Manassas. I wasn't the only one who got the bad side of that place. Only option was to dash home, put this on - I picked it up in Japan, it's antique silk. Not exactly formalwear, no time to get it pressed, but it was the best I could do. Shinobu called, said you'd forgotten your earrings, she dropped those by. Anyway, I'm really sorry for everything. But can I still have your first dance ?"

A strand of her hair curled around his fingers as he leaned back from her ear. Part of him trembled, just a bit. He'd never seen her so beautiful before - 'utsukushii' fell from his lips instead of 'Boo !'.

She looked down, slightly embarassed, then met his eyes. He barely heard her whisper, "Yes", as he took her hand and they entered the Fall Ball, together.


'utsukushii' is Japanese for beautiful.

Elphie had just slipped the earrings on - there was a note from Shinobu in the envelope Fiyero gave her, but it'd have to wait - as they entered the ballroom. Embarassed, she glanced down, but Fiyero stood proudly next to his lovely date.

It seemed as though the jazz combo - 'Slow Dancing In The Big City' - was waiting for their entrance. After a brief opening crescendo, they effortlessly slid into a sensual arrangement of "Touch Me When We're Dancing", a new standard. Without hesitation, Fiyero twirled Elphie around and skillfully stepped into the spin. Once in his arms, he sighed happily and gently guided her around the floor.

Elphie's only thought - in the middle of her own tension-relieving sigh - was to think about how much this hotel loved murals...

Then she didn't think again for a few minutes, just enjoyed this moment, this night.