Now it was Elphaba's turn to blush at his compliment. She smiled shyly, ducking her head a bit. "Thank you. I always treasured such things, and still do. A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Which is why I read a lot." Books and animals had long been her only friends, and she knew they always would be. It was difficult to be social sometimes, but she was trying. She hadn't always put forth the effort to be social and get to know people. She was usually just pushed into it awkwardly. But this? This was feeling more natural and organic to her. Which was a good thing.
As he explained about his world, Elphaba listened intently. Other races? Could that mean... "This might sound like an odd question, but. Where you're from, can animals talk like humans can?" She looked at him, a bit of hope and wonder in her eyes and on her face. She was curious if there was any land other than Oz that had talking animals, and she wasn't passing up this chance to find out. "Other races? What kinds of other races?" Now Merlin was igniting her curiosity which could possibly be a dangerous thing because Elphaba was truly an insatiable creature and could ask him questions until he fell into a coma from them.