It wasn't often that both Glinda and Oscar were left speechless, but after Brr's proclamation, they found themselves at a loss for words. It was Oscar who managed to find his voice first.
"Summoned? I have not summoned anyone!" he said.
"I have the summons here, your Wizardship," the Lion replied, pulling out a green envelope. Glinda recognized the golden seal it bore, and she approached.
"May I?"
Brr bowed his head, and Glinda took the envelope from him. After reading the letter inside, she turned towards the Wizard. "It does indeed bear your mark… you called for any able-bodied person to serve as protector of Glinda the Good."
"I… well I…" Oscar was caught now. There was no further denying it. The machine shut off, and the man emerged from behind the curtain, approaching the two. "I did not expect a Lion."
"I apologize, but I am able-bodied, and I believe I could serve your needs."
"I'm sure you're very capable," Glinda said, taking Oscar's arm, though not as gently as usual. "Please, give us a moment." She pulled him away. "Would you like to tell me why you went behind my back?"
"Glinda, I'm concerned for you. Theodora has attacked you on two separate occasions, and like you said, those sisters are planning something."
"I do not need a citizen of Oz to risk their life for me."
"I knew you wouldn't like this, but I care about you, Glinda. I can't risk something happening to you."
The blonde shook her head. "Oscar, I appreciate the sentiment, but you must send him away."
"But—"
"Please."
Oscar sighed. "All right."
The two approached the Lion, and Glinda offered him a smile. "I apologize for making you come all the way out here, but we will not be requiring your services," she said.
Brr bowed his head again. "It was no trouble, my lady."
"Well, while you are here, enjoy your time in the city. I believe our celebration festival is beginning today."
"Yes, the first anniversary of a free Oz!" Oscar said, trying to save face.
"Glinda!" China Girl came running into the room, pulling gently on the blonde's dress. "The festival is starting, and everyone's waiting for you!"
"Oh, my. Well, we mustn't keep them waiting," the good witch replied, picking the young girl up. "If you'll excuse me." Glinda gave Brr another smile before leaving the room, China Girl chatting excitedly.
"Well, if there is nothing else, I suppose I will take my leave," the Lion said, beginning to turn away.
"Wait," Oscar said. "Glinda doesn't want another Ozian's life to be in danger, but I'm afraid of what will happen to her."
"Glinda is a strong woman. Perhaps she is right."
"I agree, she's strong, but she's also somewhat… bound by her goodness. Theodora and her sister know no such restraint, and they won't hesitate to take advantage of Glinda's good nature."
"What would you like me to do?"
"Just… keep an eye on her, but don't let her find out."
"It is not easy to hide secrets from Glinda the Good."
"Trust me, I know." Oscar sighed. "Brr, please… she is very important to Oz… and to me."
The Lion nodded. "If that is what you wish, then consider it done."
The Wizard breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you."
The Lion bowed a final time before leaving, and Oscar turned away. He knew Glinda wouldn't approve, but her good nature was bound to be her downfall (as much as he hated to say it). Theodora and her sister couldn't be trusted, especially not now.
"You're going behind Glinda's back again?"
Oscar turned towards the voice, finding Finley looking at him. "I don't want to, but she needs protection."
"If she finds out, she won't be happy."
"Well, we have to make sure she doesn't."
Finley flew up so he was eye level with Oscar. "You know it's impossible to keep secrets from Glinda! You should just dismiss that… creature and—"
"You don't like Brr?"
"Of course not! He's a Lion, and in case you had forgotten, we were almost eaten by one!"
Oscar patted the Monkey's head. "Finley, my friend, have a banana and remember the three ups."
Finley landed, scowling up at the Wizard.
"Hey, I don't like it either, but you and I both know that Glinda means far too much to these people to risk her life."
The tune tinkled hauntingly as the little figures turned, and Theodora watched with dark eyes.
"Now you're going to tell me that no one's ever asked you to dance."
"No one ever has…"
It had only been half a lie… she had danced before… the asking had just been forgone.
"Theo, why are you sulking up here?"
The brunette pulled her knees closer to her chest, feeling awkward as ever in her sixteen-year-old self. "Everyone down there is so elegant… I don't fit in."
Glinda smiled warmly, taking her friend's hand. "Theo, you are beautiful and you know it. Come, Father has arranged this ball for everyone, and that means you too." She pulled Theodora to her feet, though the brunette resisted.
"Glinda, please… I don't even have anything to wear."
"Don't worry, I have just the thing." The blonde led her friend to her closet before pulling out a long scarlet dress.
"I've never seen you wear that…"
"Because it's not for me. I had it made for you as a gift."
The brunette's eyes widened as she took the dress, almost afraid it would disappear. "No one's ever given me a gift because they wanted to…"
"Please wear it."
The night had been a blur… she remembered sitting in the ballroom, watching all the guests dance. Of course, her sister had been asked almost right away… Evanora was perfect… so unlike Theodora, who felt a stranger in her own body. And Glinda… everyone wanted to dance with her. She was beautiful, and flawless, and kind, and… well, in the years the sisters had lived with Glinda and her father, Theodora had developed feelings for her blonde friend.
Her gaze fell on the approaching object of her affection. Theodora turned slightly pink, looking at the floor as Glinda sat beside her.
"Have you been sitting here all night?"
The brunette smiled slightly. "It's all right… I don't know how to dance anyway."
"Then I will teach you."
Theodora looked at her. "But… all these people…"
"They won't care. Come." Glinda pulled the brunette to her feet and led her to the middle of the floor. As she pulled Theodora close, the brunette felt her face grow hot. Being so close to Glinda… it made her heart race wildly.
"Nervous?" Glinda asked as they began to move. The answer didn't much matter, for she already knew; feeling Theodora's heart pound in her chest was enough to cause the blonde's normally calm heart to pick up speed.
"Yes," Theodora breathed, her warm breath tickling Glinda's ear.
Glinda pulled her a little closer, and her pink lips almost touched the brunette's ear. "Don't be."
"You still have that?"
Theodora closed the music box. "Only to remind me of my hatred."
Evanora eyed her sister, but did not pursue the matter. "My baboons recovered something today that I think will interest you."
The green witch stood and followed her sister from the room. Her eyes soon fell on the familiar glass orb as the two approached.
"Does it still work?" Theodora asked.
"We'll find out right now," Evanora replied, letting her hands hover over the glass. Soon enough, it came to life, showing the festival in the Emerald City. "They celebrate our defeat."
"Not for long." Theodora turned away, but her sister caught her arm.
"Do not be so rash. If you go there now, our plan will have been for nothing. I know you want your revenge, but you must be patient."
The green witch pulled her arm away, and as she did, her gaze fell on the image of Glinda and she paused. The people of Oz loved her…
I loved her once too… no one was more devoted to her than I.
Her anger was boiling over; because she had no heart, what should have been pain was only rage. Her entire body shook, and she forced herself to look away.
"I need to be alone."
"What's that? Wait, what's that over there? No, no, go over there first!"
"Make up your mind," Finley said, looking up at China Girl who sat on Glinda's shoulder, away from the danger of the crowded streets.
"Patience. There is plenty of time to see everything," Glinda said, a smile on her face.
"Well, I don't want to miss anything," China Girl said.
"If you can't make up your mind, we won't even make it to the first thing," Finley said.
China Girl stuck her tongue out at him, which he responded with as well.
"Please, enough bickering. This is a day of celebration," Glinda said.
"Then why don't you look entirely happy?"
"What are you talking about? I'm perfectly happy, child."
"Are you worried about those witches? Because we'll chase them away, just like last time."
"I am not worried. There is no reason to worry; Theodora and her sister have learned their lesson, and they know better."
"Tell that to Oz," Finley muttered.
"This is quite the celebration."
The three turned at the voice.
"Brr. I trust you are enjoying your time in the Emerald City?" Glinda asked.
"Yes, thank you. Your people are most hospitable."
"Well, please continue to enjoy yourself."
The mansion had long since burned down, but no dared clear the ruins, for fear of vengeful spirits. Theodora's boots moved over the rubble and debris, stopping upon reaching the middle of the destruction. As she looked around, her hands formed fists; it was true, she hated the Wizard, but not for the reason everyone thought. His rejection hurt, yes, but when she had seen him with Glinda… it had been too much to handle. Just thinking about it made her angrier, and a fireball flew from her hand, into the trunk of a dead tree.
"What was that? What's happening?"
"Burn it! Burn this house to the ground!"
"Mother, I'm scared."
"Evanora, take your sister and run. Watch out for her."
"Mother!"
"We have to go, Theodora. Come on, take my hand!"
The memory was clouded with the smoke of those fires… Theodora opened her eyes, looking around the remains of her home once again. Glinda had been the only light in her life after that day… but now she was gone… and the green witch had nothing but darkness.
From Kiamo Ko, Evanora watched her sister through the orb, shaking her head. "Why do you torture yourself so?" Even though it had been a year, it appeared as though Theodora still did not grasp how to live without a heart. The older witch could sense that it scared her sister, and her fear only led her to cower in extreme wicked ways.
I blame myself.
Not for the transformation, of course, but for not controlling her sister. Theodora was loose now, and she was in her debt for the slippers. Still, if she still had a heart, Evanora knew she would feel guilty for not keeping her promise to their mother.
"Watch out for your sister…"
She had tried, but Theodora had never listened to her… she'd always been in her own world… and now with this new plan to bring down the Wizard… well, Evanora was beginning to wonder if perhaps her younger sister had ulterior motives.
"Never fear, dear sister. I'll keep a close eye on you…"
"She was exhausted tonight; fell asleep right away," Oscar said as he came into the master bedroom after tucking China Girl in, as was per nightly routine.
"Yes, the festival must have tired her out," Glinda replied from where she sat in the bed, reading.
Oscar moved to sit beside her, putting an arm around her shoulders. "You're not still upset about what happened earlier, are you?"
The good witch gave him a smile. "Of course not. You know I don't hold onto such feelings."
"I only did it because I love you."
"I know, Oscar." Glinda kissed him gently on the cheek. "I know."
