A few hours had passed and the sun had begun to set in streaks of red and orange. Elphaba had stretched out on her seat and was beginning to doze off when someone began banging on the door of her compartment. She lazily unlatched the door without looking at who was standing outside. The door slid open and hit the frame with a thud. Something glittery flew in, and Elphaba yawned, stretched languidly, unfazed, then went up to close the door.

It was already very dark outside. When Elphaba turned on the light, the visitor shrieked. Elphaba rolled her eyes to herself and refrained from turning around. She waited for a moment, and faced her visitor. She was a girl about her age, and she was a blond-haired, blue-eyed beauty. Her cheeks were flushed with exertion, and her makeup was slightly smudged. Elphaba had never seen someone who dressed so richly, much less someone with blond hair. "Don't worry," Elphaba said quietly, "It's not contagious." The girl looked up at her for a moment, but didn't say anything. It was quiet for some time until Elphaba spoke again, "You know, I don't bite." She smiled faintly and threw her hair over her shoulder. The girl seemed to relax some and sat on one of the berths.

"I'm Galinda Upland, of the Upper Uplands, and of the Arduenna Clan. I am traveling to Shiz, where I will be taking my first year of classes in the fall." Elphaba nodded at this, but did not offer her hand. The Arduennas were an influential family, and the last thing she wanted was to upset one of them.

" Pleased to make you acquaintance, Miss Galinda. I'm Elphaba Thropp, of Munchkinland. I, too, am headed for Shiz for my freshman year. But you are very far from the Upper Uplands then if you're traveling on this train." Galinda bristled a little at the inquiry. Accustomed to small talk, she was unfamiliar to such straightforward conversation.

"My father was in Quadling Country and Munchkinland on a business trip for the past month. My mother and I joined him three weeks ago. They are still there." She averted her eyes. She felt that if she only glanced at Elphaba, she wouldn't stop staring. And that would be horribly unladylike.

"I grew up in Quadling Country, you know?" Galinda found her eyes lifting upward.

"Is that why you're…?" Galinda knew she didn't need to finish the sentence. Elphaba shook her head, letting her hair fall in her face again.

"That would make explaining things much easier though, wouldn't it? As to this," Elphaba pulled away her ebony curtain of hair, "Your guess is as good as mine. Now why did you come flying into my compartment a moment ago?" Galinda exhaled,

"It is generally a bad idea for young ladies to travel unescorted, but my Ama is still in Frottica."

"…And?" Elphaba crossed her arms and let her hair fall in her face.

"And I'm traveling alone, like you. When one of the attendants brought me dinner, he tried to get more than just a few coins as a tip." Galinda looked at her shoes and crossed her legs a little tighter. Elphaba knew this type of behavior existed, but she was nonetheless shocked by it. Grudgingly, Elphaba replied,

"Would you feel safer if you moved your things in here?" Oh no, that was far too forward of me, Elphaba fretted to herself. "I, well, I mean, we're both headed to Shiz, so it does make some sense." She nervously threw her hair over her shoulder.

Galinda bit her lip and thought it over. Sure, this girl was really weird looking, but staying with her for the night would be much safer than staying alone. "Okay. Fine. Only for the night though." Elphaba nodded curtly.

"Only for the night." Elphaba repeated, and gently tapped the edge of the seat with her foot. "Sleep here." She added curtly. Galinda nodded without looking up. Elphaba walked past her to pick up her boots, and to shove her stockings into them. She tucked the Ladies Quarterly into her book and threw them aside. Galinda left the compartment to retrieve a blanket and to remove her makeup. During her absence, Elphaba slid up the table and made herself comfortable. Galinda returned, fresh faced, and flopped on the bench, which heaved in response. "Goodnight Miss Galinda."

"Fresh dreams, Miss Elphaba."