Glinda smiled at her mother. "I didn't really think you'd say yes, but it was worth asking."
Gwenot chuckled. "My decision on you two sharing a room was only about 50 propriety, I mean you do live together most of the year. The other half was for Elphaba's sake. "
"I guess it would be a little much for her, but a girl can dream" She giggled "Is there anything else you need to tell me mom, or is the official heart to heart finished."
"My darling, mother daughter heart to hearts are never really finished. I am satisfied that you are entering in to this relationship realistically and with an open heart."
She gathered her daughter in her arms and hugged her, then kissed her cheek.
"So yes, unless you have anything you want to know or anything else to say right now, the talk is over. Go find your…"
"My Elphie" Glinda grinned broadly. "Thank you mommy, "
"I love you Galinda. Lunch will be soon. Go find your Elphie" Gwenot smiled warmly at her wiggly daughter.
Glinda kissed her mother and ran out the door.
Elphaba was sitting in her favorite chair in the library studying one of the books Gwenot had given her. It amazed and saddened her that what had happened to her happened frequently enough to warrant chapters in psychology texts. She had no idea how much time had passed before Glinda came bubbling into the room.
"Hi Elphie!" She fell onto the sofa.
"Hello my sweet, I take it your visit with your mother went well."
"Better than I could have imagined, it was about us, our relationship. It was a modified version of the getting into a serious relationship section of the mother daughter talk series" She chuckled
"I see. I assume I was cast in the role of the unreliable teenage boy" Elphie smiled
"No actually, I was" She giggled
She proceeded to give Elphie the details of the talk. Elphie turned various shades of green, but listened.
"Elphie my parents see us father in the future than even we can. We are a couple in their eyes, a real couple."
She squirmed and sat up, then patted the sofa beside her. Elphie came and sat down with her.
"I'm glad you had a chance to talk about this with her, I know it is important to you." Elphie said sincerely.
"It helped me put some things in perspective, and brought up some things I'd like to talk about with you later on, and it made me happy." She kissed Elphie very lightly and quickly. "My parents love you, accept you and accept us. I am the luckiest girl ever." She gave Elphie a hug.
"I'm very glad you are so happy, Lyndie." She looked slightly distracted
"Is something wrong Elphie?"
"Not at all. I love seeing that look in your eyes, that sparkle. I can't be uncomfortable about everything your parents know about me, and us when I see that sparkle."
Elphaba wiped away the tears that overflowed from the sparkling blue eyes. Glinda had long ago given up admonishing her for this. Instead, as had become their custom, she gently kissed away the sting she knew her love was feeling. Neither girl took their eyes off the other.
Gwenot started to walk into the library, but backed away from the door when she saw what was transpiring. "Girls?" She called instead
"In the library Mom" Glinda sniffled and managed to tear her eyes away from her love's.
"Lunch is ready in the solarium darlings, you both must be famished."
Glinda and Elphaba got up and Glinda slipped her hand into Elphie's, her eyes asking if it was all right.
Elphie squeezed her hand in response, and did not let go. Beaming, Glinda walked hand in hand with her love down the hall to lunch.
As they ate big salads with cheese and fruit, Gwenot told them the evening's schedule
"Pamil was more than happy to fit you two in for haircuts before the Capers."
"Trims mother, trims. Any one who cuts off too much of these raven tresses, will have to answer to me!" She said seriously.
Elphie chuckled at her love. For some reason her long black hair was a source of delight.
"I'll make sure and alert the staff" Gwenot smiled.
"Girls" Samion said, "I picked up our Capers information. We are Team 5 representing Upland Manor.
This year we start and end in the Courtyard, start with a mystery of some sort and end with a scavenger hunt."
"I'm so excited I can hardly wait, Elphie you will love the Courtyard Capers, they are so much fun."
"Sounds like it, I'm excited" She smiled
Glinda wiggled and grinned broadly "How much time do we have until we have to go?"
"Oh you have plenty of time to relax and bathe before we leave."
"Time for a walk?" Glinda asked hopefully
"Absolutely" Gwenot smiled
"Elphie?"
"I'd like that"
Glinda hugged and kissed her parents, took Elphie's hand and pulled her from the room.
"Did the talk go well Gwen" Samion asked when the girls were gone
"It went very well. She though we were disappointed in her, for not falling in love more conventionally."
"Did you ease her fears?"
"I believe so, and I eased ours, they are taking their time."
"I'm glad to hear that, and I'm glad she is happy." Samion smiled.
"Elphie, I'd like to go by the stable and say good bye to Starlight and Starshine" Glinda said as they left the house.
"That's fine. I like the horses and I even like riding." Elphie grinned
"Oh Elphie" She clapped and bounced "That makes me so happy"
They walked slowly chatting about the upcoming Capers and enjoying the beautiful day. Glinda had Elphie's hand, but as they neared the stables, she released it voluntarily. Elphie smiled at her warmly.
Glinda, not seeing a groom, let her horses out of their stalls and lead them into the corral. She patted and talked to them. Starshine came over to Elphie looking for a treat.
"She remembers you" Glinda said happily "Give her an apple"
Elphie put the apple in her hand and gave it to the horse as she had been shown. She had to admit that it was fun. She actually giggled as the horse nuzzled her hand.
"Elphie, I want to go for one last run," Glinda said putting a blanket on Starlight's back. "Give me a boost please" Elphie obliged, slightly concerned that no one was around.
"I won't be long" She said when she was seated on the horse.
"Please ride safely my sweet"
"I always do" And she was off.
Elphie never got tired of seeing her do this. She watched transfixed as her love raced around on the back of her horse, startling at the sound of the groom's voice.
"Miss Elphaba?" Tymik said coming out to the corral. "Do you need something?" He said confused not seeing Glinda or Starlight.
"I'm just watching her" Elphie pointed to the blonde blur flying by.
"Miss Galinda is supposed to tell someone when she does this" He sighed and whistled, then sent two other grooms out to keep watch on her.
Elphie laughed "Maybe so, but it is a marvelous site to watch."
"Indeed it is" Tymik said taking Starshine back to her stall.
Elphie watched Glinda run up and down the lawn, delighting in the sight. She was still so engrossed she didn't see the clouds come in. Feeling drops of rain on her arms broke her reverie
" Ow! Damn!" She cried as she sprinted from the corral into the stall area, as the rain started to fall more heavily.
As she ran in, two grooms with umbrellas, cloaks and towels in hand were racing out.
"Oh Miss Elphaba, thank Oz your in. We were instructed, if you were here, to make sure you had a cloak and umbrella at the first sign of rain. I'm sorry we were late." Tymik said sincerely handing her a towel.
"Don't be sorry, I wasn't really paying attention either." She laughed trying to diffuse a tense situation "It's fine." She brushed of her dress and hair and tried to cover up the red marks on her arms without flinching
Tymik looked unconvinced and slightly upset "I'll go get some towels for Miss Galinda"
Glinda was down by the greenhouse when she felt the raindrops.
"Elphie" She breathed as she signaled the horse into a gallop. Racing back to the stables in a slightly heavier rain, she hoped fervently that Elphie had stayed near the stables. When she neared the entrance she signaled Starlight to a halt and slid of her back hitting the ground at a dead run.
"Elphie?" She looked around wildly
"She's in the tack room Miss Galinda" Tymik said handing her a towel "I'll tend to Starlight"
"Thank you" the blonde said distractedly as she ran towards the tack room.
"Elphie? Elphie my love" She said entering the room in a state of panic.
Elphaba was sitting on a chair, gently patting her arms with towels. Glinda saw a red mark on her face.
"Oh no Elphie" She said touching her face gently
"Glinda don't panic, I managed to get in before it rained hard, Only a few drops hit me, I'm alright.
Glinda took the towels and inhaled at what she saw.
"Great Oz Elphie, this is not a few." She held back tears.
There were at least seven or eight red marks on one of Elphie's arms and one or two on the other, but luckily, only one or two looked bad. Glinda reached into her love's pocket and pulled out the small bottle of aloe oil she knew Elphie usually carried with her. Very gently she kissed each mark, then put some oil on it, as Elphie fidgeted.
"Glinda! Really! Not here." She hissed trying to take her arms back.
"Stop it Elphaba, we are alone and you require attention." Glinda said firmly then softened her voice.
"These look painful my love" She said putting extra oil on the two marks that were becoming welts.
"It burns some, but the oil helps" Her voice softer "But please don't" She almost begged.
Glinda stopped what she was doing, looking hurt
"I'm sorry my sweet, I'm not angry, just frustrated. I haven't been caught unawares like this in years.
Look, some of the marks are already fading."
"Elphie you are hurt, because I went riding, you got hurt." She was starting to cry.
"Lyndie, don't cry, please. I got myself hurt, because I wasn't paying attention. And I'm not that hurt." "Promise?" She sniffled
"Promise" Elphie, said. "Let's go back up to the house, and get you into a hot bath and dry clothes or your cold will be worse than my burns"
"It's still raining" Glinda said miserably
"Not that hard and I'll have an umbrella, I'll even put on one of those blasted oilskin cloaks if it will ease your mind."
"It would" She went and closed the tack room door and came back to hug Elphie.
"I lost one best friend Elphie, I can't bear the thought of anything happening to you too." She said quietly
Elphie smiled as she finally confirmed the source of all the over protectiveness.
"You are not going to lose me Lyndie" She held her love tightly. "I've managed to keep myself alive for 18 years, and that was without incentive. Please don't fret my sweet. It will do neither of us any good."
She placed a lingering kiss on her love's forehead "Let's go, you're shivering."
"Tymik?" Elphaba called "Do you have a clean blanket for Miss Galinda?"
"Right away" He ran and returned a moment later with a blanket at delicately placed it around Glinda's shoulders,
"Thank you" Elphie said wrapping her up.
Jefet appeared breathing heavily and looking relieved.
"Mrs. Upland sent me to find you and make sure you are safe Miss Elphaba."
"I'm safe, and have a cloak and umbrella. Jefet, please go back and ask Mrs. Upland to get a hot bath ready for Glinda, she's soaked to the skin. We are on our way."
"As you wish Miss Elphaba, if you are sure you can return safely"
"I can, thank you"
Jefet nodded ran off back to the house.
"May I have a cloak and umbrella please." She asked Tymik.
Elphie put on the cloak and raised her very large umbrella, then put her arm around the still shivering figure bundled in a blanket, and held her close.
"Warmer?" She asked as they walked out of the stable, ignoring the protests of the grooms.
"Yes. Dryer?" She chuckled
"As a bone" Elphie said.
It was raining steadily and had started to blow and Elphie tilted the umbrella to protect her face. They walked as quickly as they could up to the house and were met by Gwenot and towels at the door.
"Galinda dear, go straight upstairs, your bath is ready." She said taking the blanket and replacing it with a large towel. "I'll help Elphaba."
"But…" Glinda started to protest
""Go Lyndie, I'm right behind you as soon as I get out of this cloak."
Glinda reluctantly went upstairs. Gwenot dried stray water drops off of the cloak and helped Elphaba out of it.
She gasped slightly when she saw her arms, but Elphie intervened before anything could be said.
"I'm fine, honestly, just a few drops got me. I just went through this with Glinda and the grooms, and then Jefet. I don't think I can take any more, I am sorry." She sighed "I'm sorry"
"Darling, I'm just glad you are safe. If you say you're fine, then you are fine. Do you have enough of your aloe oil?"
"Yes, thank you. Gwenot, and I apologize, I meant no disrespect."
"None taken Elphaba, I understand you are frustrated. You never have to fear voicing feelings here. Now, there is a girl upstairs who needs to see you are still alive. You have about three hours before we have to leave"
. Elphie smiled. "You are an amazing woman Gwenot, truly" She kissed her cheek and headed upstairs to see her love.
"Glinda?" Elphie called from the doorway.
"Come sit with me Elphie" Glinda called from the tub.
Elphie went in and got comfortable on her usual stool.
"Feeling better my sweet?"
"Much, and I'm sorry for earlier," She said contritely.
"No sorrys Lyndie, I know you were only worried about me and I was just frustrated. Ok?"
"Ok." Glinda smiled
Elphie watched Glinda wash her hair, It looked complicated, but she seemed to enjoy the experience, and Elphie enjoyed watching it. But as sometimes happened, she became flustered with the feelings.
"Glinda, I'm going to go bathe and change, then I'll come back over." She said getting up.
"Alright my love, but hand me a towel first please."
Elphie wrapped her in a towel and received a kiss in return.
"I am getting used to this" Glinda giggled. Will you brush my hair when you come back."
"If you like my sweet."
"I like!" She said leaving the bathroom, Elphaba behind her
"I'll be back soon Lyndie."
As Glinda was giving Elphie light kiss her mother knocked on the open door, causing Elphie to jump
"Oh I'm sorry I startled you girls." The older woman said.
"You … It's Ok… I have to go change" Elphie stammered, rushing to her own room.
Glinda giggled and sighed. "She is cute when she flusters, isn't she?"
"Galinda!" Her mother chuckled
"She's alright Momsie, really"
"If you say so dear" She handed her a cup of hot tea "Drink this all, I've put something in it to help ward off a cold, I'll give you some more before bed. I don't want to send you back to Shiz sick."
"Mom, I don't want to talk about upsetting things"
"I understand darling" She put her arms around her towel clad daughter and held her close.
"Now, get dressed, before Elphaba returns. We'll come and get you when it's time to go."
Glinda sniffled and sipped her tea. "Ok"
"That's my girl." She kissed her and left her to dress.
Elphaba tried her best not to be mortified at what Gwenot had witnessed, however inadvertently. She knew it was Ok, and that her love's mother had thought nothing of it, but knowing it and accepting it were two different things.
She calmed herself down while she bathed and cleaned her hair. Most of the marks the rain had left on her arms were fading, except for two, one in the middle of her forearm and one near her wrist. She sighed and put some of her special oil on them, wincing slightly. In spite of the welts she dressed in her new dress, because she knew Glinda would like it, and she had to admit it looked nice.
Glinda was dressed and drying her hair as best she could, so Elphie could brush it. She enjoyed that activity just as she enjoyed anything they did together. Daydreaming, she didn't notice Elphie was standing there watching her.
"Let me guess, we are doing something that will make me either flush or pass out" Elphie chuckled seeing her friend smiling dreamily
"No not this time. I was just anticipating this." She handed Elphie her brush.
She took the brush and started to slowly brush out her love's hair, smiling at the reflection of her love's face in the mirror.
"I'm sorry I ran out so quickly on your mother, it was just…"
"No need to explain my love. I understand, and so does she. It will be Ok for you someday."
Elphie continued to brush out the blonde curls, while Glinda sighed and smiled.
"I like this Elphie, it's relaxing"
"I'm glad my sweet."
"Elphie, your wearing your new dress, I love it!" She squirmed out from under the brush and pulled her love into a hug.
"Does your arm hurt my love?" She said lightly kissing the small welts.
"A little, but it's tolerable. Lyndie, please don't fuss." Elphie said quietly
"I'm not fussing Elphaba, I'm inquiring"
"With kisses?"
"Why not?" Glinda shrugged
Elphie pulled Glinda onto the sofa and took her into her arms.
"Why not indeed" Elphie sighed "I liked it Glinda, it felt good. She said
Glinda took the arm that held her and lightly kissed the welts again, then very gently rubbed her finger around them, then kissed them again.
"It's supposed to feel good my love" She snuggled closer.
"No, you don't understand, It felt really good."
"I understand perfectly Elphaba. There are certain things that make me feel like that too. It's ok."
Elphie sighed.
"It's really ok Elphie"
"I know Lyndie, but can we talk about this some other time."
"Certainly my love. Are you all ready to go?"
"You mean you are going to let me go out in the rain?" She tried to chuckle
"Of course, with an oilskin cloak and several people surrounding you with umbrellas."
"How about my own cloak and my own umbrella"
"Deal" Glinda laughed and sat up and looked into her love's eyes. "If you throw in a kiss"
"You drive a hard bargain my sweet"
Glinda cupped Elphie's face in her hand and they kissed softly. She stroked her long raven hair, pushing it behind a green ear.
"I am in love with you Elphie" She whispered into the exposed ear, then gently kissed her neck right below her earlobe.
"Sweet Oz" Elphie breathed
"It's supposed to feel good Elphie" Glinda said placing a gentle kiss on the green tinged lips.
"I thought we were going to talk about this later" Elphie sighed returning the gentle kiss
"I want to make sure we have something to talk about." She kissed Elphie again with slightly more fervor
"As if we don't have enough already" Elphie brushed her lips against Glinda's
"So this will move to the top of the list" Glinda said breathlessly and pulled Elphie into a long, slow, kiss.
"When you strike a deal, you really strike a deal." Elphie said when they parted
"I wanted to make sure you were bargaining in good faith. Hold me please" Glinda whispered
Elphie gathered her up and held her.
"Lyndie, I love you, please do not worry about the rain."
"How did you know I was worrying?"
"I felt it." She said holding her love tighter.
When they regained their bearings and Elphie did everything but write in blood to convince Glinda that she would be completely covered when out in the rain, they gathered up their things and went downstairs to see if it was time to go.
They walked hand in hand into the library. Samion was sitting reading the paper, smoking his pipe.
"Hello girls, All ready to go" He said when he saw the girls
"Yep, and very excited too. Daddy, thank you again for getting us into the Capers, It's a perfect going back to school treat."
"We have another one for you too. We made reservations for lunch on the terrace at Ilono's, before we put you on the train." He said wondering if his emotional daughter would start to cry.
"No crying Daddy, not yet anyway. Elphie sang me through the first round. I'll save the rest for tomorrow" She smiled and went to sit on her father's lap.
Elphie settled on the sofa and looked at the scene with delight and the faintest twinge of envy.
"You changed tobacco" Glinda said puffing on her dad's pipe
"Yes, little Galinda, a few months ago, this is mellower." He chuckled
"Glinda!" Elphie said shocked and amused
"She's been doing this every so often since she was a little girl," Samion said indulgently
"Once she said my tobacco tasted really yucky and demanded I change it immediately."
"It stank too" Glinda giggled
"She wouldn't come near me until I bought a different type" He kissed his daughters cheek and retrieved his pipe.
"Does she approve?" Gwenot chuckled
"I do" Glinda said reluctantly getting off her father's lap. "He can continue smoking it" She nodded with authority and giggled.
"Thank you darling, I appreciate your seal of approval" Samion smiled at his daughter.
"Is everyone ready to go?"
Glinda pulled Elphie off of the sofa. "We are. Is it still raining?"
"I'm afraid so, but we've taken steps to help, here at least."
They went to the front door and Glinda saw an awning stretched out the short distance from the front door to the covered carriage.
"Daddy it's perfect, it's the one used for formal events, isn't it?"
"Yes it is." He nodded smiling
"Thank you Samion, this is very kind, but I have an umbrella and cloak." Elphie said.
"It's nothing Elphaba, now let's go before Pamil closes up shop." He waved off the thanks.
Glinda was beside herself. Her father was a genius. They settled into the carriage and Glinda slipped her hand into Elphie's. The four chatted casually as they rode into town. When they arrived at Pamil's salon
Jefet held an umbrella and helped out Glinda and her mother. Samion held a large umbrella over the carriage door and escorted a cloaked Elphie into the building.
"Thank you Samion" She said feeling a little foolish.
"Don't mention it Elphaba, keeping you safe, just as keeping Galinda safe, is a priority. I'll be back in an hour or so. Enjoy ladies." He kissed his wife and headed out.
Elphie hung her cloak on a hook and was greeted by Pamil. "Miss Thropp, It's a pleasure to see you again"
"For me as well, and please call me Elphaba."
Pamil looked pleased. "Thank you Miss Elphaba" She led her to a chair beside one where Glinda was already seated.
"I'll tend to you and Huit will see to Miss Galinda. Now you wish just a trim." She said fastening a cape around Elphie.
"An inch or so will be good I think, just to tidy it up"
"Very good." Pamil nodded
Glinda was chatting away with Huit, but keeping an eye on Elphie.
"I'm watching you Pamil. Leave those locks long" She giggled
Shouldn't you tell that to Huit." Pamil chuckled
"She means mine" Elphie smiled
Glinda caught Pamil's hand as she reached for the spray bottle and shook her head. Pamil nodded remembering from the manicure session. 10 minutes later, Elphie's hair had been trimmed up about an inch and a half and Glinda had almost two taken off of hers.
"Miss Elphaba, have you ever had your hair braided?"
"I've never even heard of it" She replied
"Sure you have Elphie, it's the same as platted"
"Oh, then no, I have not"
"May I braid yours, I think it would suit you and your hair is perfect for it."
"Oh let her Elphie, I think that would be divine." Glinda bubbled
"Alright, please do" Elphie nodded
Deftly Pamil's hands wove Elphaba's hair into an intricate braid. Glinda was excited watching her love's hair being transformed.
"Pamil, that's perfect, it's lovely" Glinda applauded "Brava. What do you think Momsie?"
"It's lovely, it does suit you Elphaba"
Elphaba looked in the mirror and had to admit, she liked it. Her hair was off of her face, but not in a bun.
The best of both worlds.
"I like it Pamil, you did an excellent job." Elphie smiled
The Munchkinlander beamed at the compliment from the Thropp Third Descending.
They all chatted amiably for a short while until Samion returned, talking about school and local gossip.
"Everyone ready to go?" Samion said entering the shop
"Elphaba, your hair looks lovely," He said as he gathered the umbrellas.
"Thank Pamil, it was her idea" Elphie beamed
They said their good-byes. Elphie put on her cloak and they went out to the carriage, the same way they had came out.
The museum was very close, and Elphaba protested about taking the carriage for only a few blocks but was unanimously outnumbered.
Alright, I give up" She laughed.
"Good" Glinda chuckled. Her hand was under Elphie's cloak very gently stroking the welts on her arm.
There was an awning set up at the museum so Elphie gratefully left her cloak in the carriage
"I hate that thing" She smiled ascending the steps under the protection of the awning.
Samion checked their umbrellas while the girls wondered around the foyer.
"Look at these statues Glinda. Aren't they magnificent, such detail." Elphie said excitedly
Glinda looked at the rare display of little girl wonder on her love's face and nearly melted.
"Yes Elphie, they are magnificent" She smiled
They continued looking around. Elphie was pointing out things she had only previously seen in books, chattering in a very Glindaish manner. Samion and Gwenot had never really seen their daughter's best friend act in such a manner and were overcome with joy at the experience. After a while a distinguished gentleman appeared ring a bell and summoning all Capers participants into the courtyard. Glinda took Elphie's arm and smiled at her beaming friend.
" Samion, Gwenot, this is an absolute treat. Thank you so much for bringing me here."
"You welcome my dear" Samion laughed "But this is only the entrance foyer, and the Capers have yet to begin."
Elphie chuckled "I guess I am a little overly excited. I apologize."
"Elphaba, please, who do you think your talking to. When you start to wiggle and squirm and are in danger of bubbling out of the room, then we'll talk apologies" Gwenot laughed merrily
Glinda laughed along squeezing her love's thin arm.
Samion seated his favorite females at their designated table. There were plates, glasses, team badges and tally sheets. Samion handed out badges and Elphie put hers on:
ELPHABAOf
Upland Manor Team # 5She looked around the table and saw the three Uplands smiling and chatting, wearing their similar designations and for a brief moment she was overwhelmed by the implications of that simple badge.
Glinda gently touched her love's arm, breaking her thoughts.
"The Capers are starting my love" She whispered pointing to the distinguished gentleman who was starting to speak.
." A table with your team number will be at each location with your task, instructions and of course all the necessary things to sample the wonderful food provided by Frottica's finest Chefs. Now please enjoy the appetizers and the selection of various pieces of art we have assembled from around the museum."
Glinda handed Elphie a plate and they walked over to the appetizer buffet. Glinda put a sample of the food on her plate, chatting to Elphie about the offerings, only to discover she was talking to herself, and some amused people in line behind her. Elphie had wondered off and was lost in her own world intently studying a painting on an easel nearby. Chuckling, Glinda went over and gently took the plate from her oblivious friend's hand, filled it for her and went back to their table.
"She doesn't look very happy" Gwenot commented watching Elphaba move to another painting, noting the look of concentration on her face.
"Trust me mom, she's extremely happy." She laughed and nibbled her food.
People sampled food, casually looked at paintings and chatted for awhile. A disturbance was brewing near the buffet table and the lights suddenly went out briefly. There was commotion as people tried to find their table or team and excited murmurings. When the lights came back on the host asked everyone to return to their tables.
"It seems the Capers are underway" he said when the group settled "One of our works of art is missing. We need to find out which one, who took it and how. There are clues around the room, when you think you have solved the mystery bring your solution to me and I will provided you with the location of your next task."
He bowed and backed away.
"Elphie, how exciting!" Glinda chirped "I like mysteries, come on let's look around'
"Elphaba darling, at least take this with you and eat something while you sleuth" Gwenot chuckled handing her a plate."
"Of course, I got caught up in all the wonderful masterpieces here." She smiled sheepishly.
Samion and Gwenot went in one direction and Elphie and Glinda in another. They looked around for missing artwork or clues. Glinda reminded Elphie to eat as she purposefully studied the scene.
"Glinda, I know which piece is missing and I think how," She tried to pull the blonde to where she thought the crime took place, but was halted.
"Tell us at the table Elphie." She whispered
Glinda went to get her parents and they sat down to confer.
"I think that painting on the easel by the buffet isn't the same one I was looking at earlier. The brush strokes are different and there are some odd markings."
"That's impressive Elphaba. You think the original was replaced with a copy to cover up the crime" Samion smiled enjoying the game.
"It seems so, the odd markings are faint and look like broken circles."
Glinda caught her train of thought and lifted up her water glass.
"Like this?" She said pointing to the watermark the base of the glass left on the tablecloth.
"Yes, actually" Elphie said a little surprised.
"She used to move her water glass around making wet patterns on the tablecloth when we'd go out to eat. Who knew a childish amusement would turn out to be a crime fighting skill" Gwenot laughed
Glinda grinned and nodded. "Maybe one of the servers is to blame." She commented "But how would they get a paining that big in and out, even in the dark?"
"Maybe on one of the carts?" Elphie suggested
"Of course!" Gwenot snapped her fingers "Remember Sami, you bumped into the cart with water glasses on it that was at the end of the table, it seemed larger than the others."
"I'll bet the painting was on top, covered by a cloth, with the water glasses on top." Samion said delighted
"This is so much fun" Glinda clapped
Elphie got up and went over to the easel, followed closely by Glinda.
"There is a cart missing, and there are glasses on the end of the table, so the cart theory makes sense"
She confirmed back at the table
"But which server?" Elphie mused
"You know, this might not mean anything, but I was noticing, while I was talking to myself," She grinned at Elphie "That one of the servers filling water glasses was wear a very rumbled uniform. It was very unprofessional."
" I noticed that too. Is he here still?" Gwenot asked looking around.
"I don't see him." Glinda said
"The fashion mavens save the day" Samion laughed filling in the information on the tally sheet.
"That seems to solve the case. Shall I report to the judge?"
"Elphie, Does our theory work?"
"Seems that way to me"
Samion was the first one to report, and Team #5 was the first to depart the courtyard to their next location.
Glinda was wiggly and excited. "Elphie, we solved the mystery first! How grand. We might win this year"
"Win?" Elphie said
"Oh yes, the winning team gets their name on a plaque in the foyer."
"I see" Elphie said losing the thread of the conversation as they entered the next venue. A room with murals, paintings and other types of art work that depicted Oz history.
"Wow!" Elphie said gawking at the timeline murals that circled the room.
Samion found their station and looked over their instructions.
"It seems we are to solve these code type puzzles, to get information as to our next location. Sounds fun"
Samion said
"Elphie, we need you" Glinda sing-songed trying to tear her love away from the murals.
"Sorry, this is amazing, it's like a history text in pictures." She said excitedly sitting down
The food they were sampling were various types of salads. Elphie was busy reading the instructions and starting to decipher the puzzles while the others tried the salads. Luckily, Glinda had slipped Elphie's glasses into her pocket before they left.
"She's very intense, about a game."
"She's very intense about knowledge, this is like studying for her and she finds that very entertaining."
"Try this salad Elphie, it's delicious."
"Hmmm? My sweet did you say something?" She was so engrossed she didn't even notice that she had used her term of endearment.
"Welcome to my world mom and dad, you should see her during exams" Glinda chuckled
"Elphaba!" Glinda spoke sharply
"What? Glinda, I almost have this solved." She said dropping her gnawed up pencil
"Elphaba we will help with the puzzles, eat some salad, it's very good" Glinda softened her voice
"Sorry" Elphie said
"No need dear, why don't you eat something and tell us what you have learned so far" Gwenot said putting some salad on a plate.
Elphie tried the salad and realized that she was hungry. Between bites, she explained what she was doing
"This seems to be a series of scrambled bits of Oz history, that correspond with the murals and other art work. When you decipher them and pick out the proper code letters they form a clue, I think."
"Sounds interesting" Samion said looking at the paper "May I?"
"Of course, I'm sorry, I got carried away again didn't I" Elphie said contritely
"Charmingly so" Samion said. "This is your outing to enjoy Elphaba. People enjoy different things in different ways."
He picked up the chewed up pencil and laughed "I don't think this was on the menu"
"She uses pens at school, it's safer" Glinda chuckled
Elphie flushed and shrugged.
Elphie ate salad and looked around pointing out the things she had discovered in the puzzle, while Samion completed the last little bit of the puzzle. All of the other teams had filtered in and were looking around or working at their tables.
"Ok, I think it's finished. Elphaba?" he slid the paper to the green girl.
"Looks perfect to me. If I understand right, we go to these displays and gather the words or letters indicated and that gives us our clue, correct?"
That's what I understand" Samion concurred.
They divvied up the display list and went to gather their letters.
"Let's see, first era notable. That would be here" Elphie said "5th word and 9th letter."
Elphie called them out and Glinda wrote them down. They continued in the same vein until they had their list. Back at the table, Samion and Elphaba set to work decoding and rearranging their finds.
"She is so intelligent mom, sometimes I'm just in awe." Glinda said with undisguised pride.
"We've got it!" Samion called enthusiastically "Elphaba, do the honors."
"The color of the first Regents dress is the key" She read. "Up there, look" She pointed to the mural
"It's yellow" Glinda said "Now what?"
"Yellow is the key" Gwenot said thinking "The museum map is color coded. What's yellow?"
Glinda checked "Good thinking Momsie. Yellow is the sculpture room."
"Well done Uplands!" Samion said enthusiastically "Onward to the sculpture room."
Glinda pulled Elphie aside. "You seem to be having a good time my love" She smiled
"Lyndie, this is wonderful, I've never been a part of something so marvelous. When I stop to think about it I'm sure I will be retroactively overwhelmed, but for now, I am too elated."
"I couldn't be happier" She beamed at her love, completely enthralled with experiencing this with the girl she adored.
They were the first to enter the sculpture room. A buffet of entrée samplings was set up along one wall of the big room. Statues and sculpture of all types and different materials were all over. Elphie was so tied up in looking at one in particular; that she bumped into Gwenot and nearly knocked her over.
"Oh dear! Gwenot I'm so sorry. Are you injured?" Elphie was very distressed.
"Elphaba, you are far to apologetic this evening, I'm fine. No harm done. Go and look around darling. We will fix you a plate and drag you to the table when it's ready. Alright?"
"If you insist," She said hurrying off
Glinda giggled "If I didn't know her as well as I do, I would swear she just scampered away"
"She is a very complex girl" Gwenot laughed
"Not new information Mother, where have you been?" Glinda chuckled and followed her to their table.
Samion looked over the instructions while Glinda and Gwenot went to gather samples of delicious smelling entrées and vegetables.
"I'm going to load up on these vegetables and the fish dishes. Elphie doesn't really eat much meat."
"I noticed that. Do you know why?
"Preference I guess, She does eat some, every now and then, but only when her other choices are limited."
"We are assuming she is actually going to settle long enough to eat at all." Gwenot laughed
"Use your mother voice. That will settle her." Glinda laughed as they went back to the table.
What's on tap now Daddy?"
"Jigsaw puzzles. It seems…"
"Wait Popsicle, please, let me go find Elphie."
Glinda went and tracked down her love in the sculpture section trying to decipher some abstract pieces.
"Will you join us now please Elphie" She said taking her arm
"Of course" She said being pulled away
"Did that look anything like a horse and rider to you?" She said confused
Glinda just laughed.
"Found her!" Glinda giggled. "If I can find the elusive Thropp Third Descending, the scavenger hunt should be a cinch."
"Very funny" Elphie said
"I thought so," Glinda said still giggling
"Girls let's try some of this food, then tackle our puzzle." Gwenot intervened
"It's a jigsaw puzzle," Glinda said putting some fish and vegetables on a plate for Elphie.
"Oh dear, Momsie there is only tea and water to drink."
"Never fear" She pulled a container from her bag. "I anticipated this and brought cider"
"Gwenot, that was very thoughtful of you" Elphie said accepting a glass.
"And clever" Glinda said impressed
"Mothers are always prepared darlings, this bag is a small sundry shop" She laughed and every joined in.
As they sampled the food, Samion explained the instructions.
"Sounds too easy" Glinda said munching on some mushrooms "Yummy"
"What's a jig-saw puzzle?" Elphie asked finishing off the fish.
"You're kidding, right?" Glinda looked astounded
"I am not. I've never heard of that type of puzzle."
Samion cleared a spot and dumped out the puzzle pieces.
"You fit these pieces together and they form a picture of something" Glinda explained
"In this case, four pictures" Samion said. These pieces are for four different puzzles, each a picture of one of the items in this room. The indicated items will give us our clues to find our scavenger hunt list."
"Oh goody I love jig saw puzzles, let's get started" Glinda bubbled and started to separated the puzzle pieces.
Gwenot cleared their plates and joined in the sorting; soon they had four piles. Each member of Team Upland took one.
Elphie looked at the pieces of hers trying to see where they went. Glinda got her started by fitting together the corners, then worked on hers quickly giggling and humming.
"You find this fun?" Elphie said trying to fit a piece where it didn't belong
"As fun as you found that infernal decoding puzzle" Glinda chuckled
"It goes here my love." She said taking the piece and putting it in its proper place
After a short while of Elphie quietly swearing and throwing her puzzle pieces down Gwenot intervened
"Elphaba darling, why don't you and Glinda go find these two items and Samion and I will finish up his and yours."
"Thank you I was getting a headache"
"Jig saws are not everyone's cup of tea, Go seek and find."
Elphie looked at the pictures and immediately felt like she knew what she was doing again
"Let's go find these, I think I know what they are."
"I can't believe you never heard of jig saw puzzles," Glinda said taking Elphie's arm
"Perhaps I have and just blocked out all memory of them" She chuckled "Some people do that with very disturbing things"
Glinda smiled and held onto Elphie's arm.
"I think this is the first one," She said
"Looks like it, oh here is our clue, write it down."
They found the second one and hurried back to the table, Samion and Gwenot were not there.
"They must be in search of the other two items." Glinda said
They sat and watched the other teams searching around. Every now and then someone looked at Elphie a little too intently, or pointed her out to someone else.
"I guess they just noticed I'm green" She chuckled
Samion and Gwenot reappeared with the last two clues and Elphie put them together.
"I think we are to go to the Great Leader's of Oz section." Elphie said
"Then off we go" Samion said leading his small band of explorers into the statue jungle.
"He loves this" Gwenot chuckled "My little boy" She said lovingly.
Glinda giggled and Elphie smiled
They were the only ones in the area and they spread out and looked for the proper statute.
Elphie saw something and just gaped
"Lyndie, you've got to see this" She called.
She pointed out a bronze statute that stopped Glinda dead in her tracks.
"Elphie, that's you!" She breathed
Gwenot came over and stared at the statue
"My goodness what a striking likeness. Who is she darling?"
"The third Eminent Thropp. I've heard about her, but there are no old portraits at Colwen Grounds. She was said to be the greatest Eminence so far. I can't believe this, I need to research her further."
"The resemblance is uncanny." Samion commented joining the ladies
"I guess we know why people were staring at you now," Glinda said "Are you Ok Elphie?"
Elphie shook off her surprise "I'm fine, just a little taken aback. It's not everyday you see a likeness of yourself in bronze."
"Can't argue with you there, want to continue?"
"Of course! Did someone find our list?"
"I did" Samion said. "Shall we divide it up."
He tore the list and they went in separate directions. The hunt took them all over the rest of the museum collecting signatures, small items or tokens. Elphie soaked in all of the oil paintings and watercolors, exhibits and murals almost floating from one to another.
"Glinda, I could live here" Elphie said
"I thought you wanted to live in the horse meadow" Glinda chuckled
"I'll live there, and here during the rainy season" Elphie laughed "I'm having so much fun."
The look in her eyes said she wanted to throw her arms around her love and hold her, but she couldn't bring herself to.
Glinda smiled "Later my love, when we are at home." She whispered taking her arm. "We have everything we need, are you ready to return to the courtyard, or do you wish to explore some more?"
"We can return, your parents are probably waiting."
She was right. Gwenot and Samion were waiting at their table.
"We were about to come scavenge for you two." Samion laughed
"We found all our things" Elphie said falling into her chair
"Yep" Glinda handed her father their check off list and took all of their things to the judge.
"Let's go scavenge for dessert" Glinda said, "I'm starving"
They went to the dessert buffet and loaded up.
"All of this looks so yummy I don't know where to start." Glinda said sitting back down
"Coffee or cider, Elphaba." Gwenot said
"Cider please" Elphie said trying a bite of cake with berry sauce
"Momsie, Popsicle this night has been amazing, truly amazing."
Elphaba nodded "This whole trip has been amazing, capped off by a perfect time. And I have no words for thanks."
"That is because none are needed when a family takes an outing together my darling."
Glinda smiled at her completely overwhelmed love, knowing that there would be lots of talking to fill their time on the train trip tomorrow.
They chatted about their scavenger hunts. Glinda focusing on how they found their items, Elphie talked excitedly about all she saw while they were doing it. They talked and sampled desserts and had a wonderful time.
"Ladies and gentleman" their host said, "may I have your attention. Everything has been tallied and the winner of this year's Courtyard Capers is…. Team #5 representing Upland Manor"
Glinda leapt up and squealed as everyone applauded. The host invited them up for introductions
"Upland Manor was admirably represented by Samion, Gwenot, Galinda and Elphaba. A big hand for the Uplands"
After the applause died down and they were back at their table. The host thanked everyone for participating and officially closed the capers.
"Well done ladies" Samion said
"And Daddy" Glinda beamed
"What a fun time" Gwenot said "I think this was the best Capers ever"
"I agree Gwen" Samion said kissing his wife. "Let's go get our things. Don't dawdle to long girls"
"Dancing makes mom frisky, this type of thing makes dad frisky" Glinda laughed
"Great, not only is it genetic, it's inbred" Elphie flushed but chuckled.
She watched Gwenot And Samion walk away hand in hand and ran her hand over her badge, smiling
"Elphaba of Upland Manor." She said barely above a whisper
Glinda took Elphie's hand and looked in her dark eyes.
"It's supposed to feel good Elphie." She said simply.
"