Glinda smirked. Oh, what a feeble attempt at saving face - it only served to emphasize that Glinda had not been mistaken: Elphaba did care. A lot.<br/><br/>"Oh come on! There's nothing wrong with a little concern," she teased her friend, displaying a seemingly everlasting smile. She knew better than to continue along this line for too long though - she knew it was enough teasing for now. Besides, that little Elphaba-blush was too cute to ruin. How adorable the girl could look, indeed, if only she didn't always try to hide that side of herself. Oh, it was just like in Shiz, where Elphaba had proven, time and time again, that she<em>was</em>a girl like any other, wanting to be acknowledged, wanting to occupy her corner of pretty, wanting to excel in her own way and gain recognition... and with emotions ranging from disappointment and hurt to happiness, pride and sympathy.<br/><br/>Finding that in Elphie again made Glinda happy and she carefully began combing ash out of Elphaba's hair with her fingers. The silken strands still felt good under the dust. She wanted to thank Elphaba for the concern and sympathy, but she wasn't exactly sure how to put it. "Elphie..." she began... but words threatened to fail her. She pulled herself close to hold the friend she had lost for so long. "Thank you," she mumbled. And in fact, the last two words were not only for the concern - but Elphie did not have to know that.