The Rise of The Animal Defense Force

Dancing through Life

A few students dotted the courtyard as Elphaba made her way from the library to her dormitory with her nose buried in large book. She wasn't watching where she was going as she crossed the road, and at the same time a small, open carriage made its way along the very same road. It was a close call, but both Elphaba and the driver of the carriage just managed to avoid a collision.

'Hey!' Elphaba yelled indignantly at the carriage driver.

'Be quiet, miss, you'll disturb him!' The driver tried to placate Elphaba in a hushed voice.

'I certainly will!' She slammed the book she was carrying against the side, right next to the sleeping figure of a young man who began to stir at this rude awakening.

'Young lady, do you realise who this is?' the driver implored, but Elphaba would not be so easily dissuaded.

'I don't care who he is!' she told the driver as she turned to give the still half-asleep occupant of the carriage a piece of her mind. 'Your cart nearly knocked me over and you're sleeping.'

'Of course! It's daytime.' he said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. 'Well, see you soon Avaric. I'm sure I won't last any longer at this school then I did at any of the others.'

The two men performed a weird series of hand gestures that looked like a private handshake, and Avaric the driver got back on the carriage and rode out of the courtyard. Elphaba stepped back up to the well-dressed young man.

Is this really how you go through life? Nearly knocking people over and not even noticing them?' Elphaba asked.

'Well, maybe the driver saw green and thought it meant go.' said young man derisively. Elphaba was taken aback and didn't know how to respond. At that moment however Galinda walked into the courtyard, followed closely by Boq, a Munchkin boy who chased her at high speed with a puppy-like expression of adoration on his face.

'Miss Galinda! I know I'm just a mere Munchkin. But even a Munchkin has feelings! And I have tried to tell you of mine for you, but sometimes it's like you don't even know who I am!' he said desperately.

'That's not true, Biq.' she said distractedly as she noticed the young man who had just arrived in the courtyard.

'Boq.' The Munchkin boy corrected her.

'Biq' do you realise who that is?' She grabbed Boq's arm.

'You're touching me!' Boq could hardly contain his excitement, but Galinda continued as if she had forgotten he was there.

That is Fiyero Tiggular! He is that Winkie Prince who's reputation is so scandalacious!' Now it was Galinda's turn to express her excitement. She saw Fiyero checking a class schedule and approached him.

'Were you looking for something, or someone?' she asked, deepening her voice flirtatiously.

'Yes, some sort of History class somewhere over there.' Fiyero replied. Boq was still trailing after Galinda and could help but interrupt.

'That's the History building right down there!' he said, but Galinda was quick to draw the attention back to herself.

'That class just ended.' she informed Fiyero.

'Perfect timing. So what does one do for fun around here?' he asked suggestively.

'Nothing, until now.' Galinda admitted as she stared deep into Fiyero's bright blue eyes.

'We've been studying.' Boq declared as he attempted to push his way back into the conversation.

'Well, I see the responsibility to corrupt my fellow students falls to me.' Fiyero assumed a cavalier pose, attempting to look devil-may-care.