It was late morning before either girl stirred. Elphie awoke first, but in the process of unfolding herself from her version of a ball, she jostled Glinda right out of bed.
"Oh my!" Elphie exclaimed as she peered over the edge of the bed.
"Are you alright" She chuckled when she saw the disheveled blonde stretching on the floor.
Glinda sat up and tried to scowl "If you wanted a bed to yourself, you could have gone to your own you know."
She knelt on the floor by the bed, and kissed Elphie, who was on her stomach, looking over the edge.
"I am so sorry, are you injured?"
"No, but you interrupted a great dream at the most inopportune moment." She huffed and crawled back into bed.
"My apologies. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you." Elphie said kissing her cheek.
Glinda giggled
"Actually, forget I asked that." Elphie chuckled. "I am still recovering from last night."
Glinda wrapped her arms around Elphie and kissed her again.
"Good morning my love."
"Almost good afternoon. Are you positive you are uninjured?" Elphie stroked the soft pale cheek.
"My rear end is amply padded, and I was sound asleep, so my pride isn't even bruised." Glinda chuckled
"But we may want to rework this sleeping together when we are both exhausted thing."
"I'm so glad. And it doesn't hurt that you wake up extremely perky."
"Well, both of us can't be big grumps. Kiss me."
Elphie did as she was told, with enthusiasm
"Thank you." Glinda smiled, gave Elphie a light kiss in return and hopped out of bed.
"Let's go to brunch." She said scampering to the bathroom. "Being naked makes me hungry."
She giggled.
"Everything makes you hungry." Elphie chuckled
Elphie got dressed in the room then went into the bathroom to finish getting ready when Glinda came out.
In no time they were dressed and ready to go. They walked quickly to Tyuron's little café, afraid they may have missed brunch time.
"Well hello my young friends" Tyuron grated them. "Uliko has been waiting for you."
"Are we too late for brunch?" Glinda asked as Tyuron led them to their favorite table on the patio.
The man laughed heartily "There is no such thing as too late on the weekends!"
He sat them, then hurried off to get them something to drink.
"I know I've thanked you for introducing me to this place, but I need to say it again. Thank you my love.
This place may not be fancy, but it is warm and friendly. And they don't treat us like patrons."
"Tyuron did say Uliko took a liking to you. I guess you attract reclusive, antisocial sorts." Elphie smiled.
Uliko ambled out, drinks in hand.
"You liked?" He said putting their drinks down.
The girls knew he was referring to the picnic lunch.
"We loved!" Glinda smiled.
"Everything was delicious, Uliko. Especially that one orange colored sauce." Elphie said warmly.
"I make special." The man said with something that sounded like pride.
"Today you like waffles." He wasn't really asking as much as informing.
This had become normal for their visits to the little café, so the girls simply nodded and smiled at the man as he hurried off.
"Elphie, how are you this morning. Last night was fairly intense for you, not to mention new."
"Well I hope it was intense and new for you as well." Elphie chuckled.
"You know what I meant." Glinda smiled at her love.
"I am fine. No nausea, no nightmares, I would say that qualifies as fine, for now."
Glinda looked at her quizzically.
"I have learned to take one situation at a time." She smiled.
Glinda smiled at her with pure admiration and adoration.
Tyuron brought out their food, a large fluffy waffle covered in warm fruit and a plate of shredded, fried potatoes for each of them with some crispy bacon for Glinda, and they attacked it with gusto.
They savored their meal and chatted casually. Then, as had become their after brunch custom, they took a long leisurely stroll before going back to the dorm. This had become one of their favorite times of the week and they enjoyed every minute of it.
They spent so long at brunch, then walking and talking, that by the time they returned to their room it was very late in the afternoon.
"Let's quit school Elphie." Glinda said flopping on her bed. "Let's quit school and run off somewhere together. Then we can go on dates, have wonderful brunches and long walks everyday."
"Wouldn't that get dull?" Elphie chuckled.
"Spending time with me is dull?" Glinda said sternly, but with sparkle in her eyes.
"I did not say that." Elphie chuckled, sitting down beside her.
Glinda, who had been lying down, shifted so that her head was in Elphie's lap and her feet propped up on her headboard.
"So I'm dull." She huffed.
"I did not say that either, I said… You know, maybe I did. Come to think of it, you are dull. Dull and drab, virtually inanimate" Elphie said seriously.
"Inanimate!" Glinda said indignantly "I'll show you inanimate."
She shifted around quickly and pulled Elphie on top of her, kissing her with abandon. She ran her fingers through long, soft raven hair while her mouth sought out places to attend to. While Glinda was lavishing attention on Elphie's earlobes and neck, Elphie had shifted to the side slightly to allow herself more access and let her hands wander around, caressing Glinda's neck, sides and chest. They focused their attentions on each other's mouths, then Elphie lavished attention on the nape of Glinda's neck while Glinda's hands caressed, although more carefully. After awhile of this rather energetic activity. Elphie pulled away.
"I stand corrected." She said gasping.
"Well I should hope so." Glinda breathed.
Elphie moved completely off of Glinda and they held each other and kissed lightly until they were both calmer. Then they shifted into their favorite snuggle position, Elphie gave Glinda her fingers and they sat quietly for a time.
"Lyndie, what does having sex mean for you? I don't mean physically, necessarily, but emotionally."
Elphie said seriously.
Glinda sat up and looked at Elphie. She wasn't agitated or fearful, she just seemed curious.
"It means that I have committed myself to someone, and that I trust them completely to not hurt me, to treat me with kindness and affection. I trust them with my most intimate private thoughts and places. To protect me when I am at my most vulnerable and understand if that makes me insecure. It means that I have found the person I intend to spend the rest of my life with.
"It sounds very complex." Elphie sighed.
Glinda moved so she was sitting in front of Elphie, and took her hands.
"During one of the talks my mother and I had before I came to Shiz, and again during winter break, she told me something that I've been thinking about lately. She told me that sex was a gift. That it's original intent may have been procreation, but that doesn't change the fact that it is a very pleasurable experience."
She smiled at her love, who was listening intently, absorbing every word.
She spent a great deal of time impressing upon me the fact that sex, as far as she is concerned, is meant to be shared by two committed people who love and cherish each other. But admitted that that is often not the case. People have sex and enjoy themselves and each other immensely, then it's over, and the feeling fades because there is no true emotion behind it. It's just physical pleasure. When two people make love, however, the feelings associated with it permeate their lives. They have sex, do all the physical things, but those things are done with love, commitment, affection, trust and respect and that intensifies everything.
She said that before I choose to have sex, I need to make sure that I am ready to accept the responsibility that comes with it, not just the possibility of becoming pregnant…remember this talk was before you."
Elphie smiled, still attentive.
"She said that if I truly want to make love that I need to be aware that I am taking on the responsibility of another person. That I need to be more attentive to their needs and their happiness than I am my own, and trust them to attend to mine. I am responsible for not only sexual needs but also the needs afterwards as well. My partners feelings and emotions would be in my hands, to cherish, protect and nurture. Just as mine would be in theirs. Without an emotional commitment, without trust, honesty and respect, sex is just the physical pleasure, which eventually fails to satisfy."
Elphie nodded completely attentive, her dark eyes urging her love to go on.
"I learned from talking to my mom that sex is very powerful, that making love affords couples the opportunity to bond and grow together, to learn how to protect and nurture each other. She also warned me that anything powerful, like magic or sex, has the potential to be misused. She said people for generations have used sex as a tool, as a way to get what they want. They withhold it to punish, or offer it as payment for a service, or a reward. And this can happen to people who once had the commitment, but lost their connection, lost the emotional component. Mom said part of the responsibility, once you start, is to attend to the relationship, nurture the commitment and the emotions as you nurture your partner. Making love is meant to be a physical expression of a deep love between two people, not a weapon to hurt or coerce them. In it's very worst form, the act of sex becomes a power play. A way to exert complete control over another."
"Rape" Elphie, said quietly. "That I am aware of." She smiled wanly.
Glinda hated when she did this, made off hand comments about what happened to her, but understood that it was one of her coping mechanisms and kept silent.
"Mom stressed to me that most people during their lives have a sex life that is a mixture of plain old sex and making love, that sometimes it is spectacular and sometimes just falls flat. The couples that are attuned to themselves as a couple, and to their partners realize that sex lives, like life in general, have high points and low points. They learn to adapt and enjoy the journey and each other without placing blame when things aren't so good sexually or other wise. It sounds simple, but I think it is anything but."
"And that is what having sex means to me." Glinda said standing up and bowing, wanting to lighten the mood.
Elphie smiled and applauded. "Brava!"
She opened her arms so Glinda could come back into them.
"In one fell swoop you have answered so many of my questions, soothed fears, addressed concerns and provided some very rational explanations for why you behave as you do when we are being physical."
Elphie said with admiration. There was one concern the answer did not cover, but Elphie kept that to herself for now.
"Not too much all at once? You are not overwhelmed." Glinda said playing with Elphie's fingers.
"I didn't say that, but being overwhelmed with useful information is a different kind of overwhelmed. I'll sort through it and put it where it belongs in time." Elphie reassured her.
"If I may ask my love, what prompted your question?" Glinda asked, lightly caressing Elphie's hands.
"I am not entirely sure. I hear my classmates talk about sex quite a bit, people tend to ignore my presence if I do not engage them." She smiled.
"There are those people that haven't but want to, those that have and regret it. Girls talking about the importance of waiting until marriage, boys that could care less, both genders that are still virgins either by choice or lack of opportunity. I started wondering why people make the sexual choices they do. My mother was known to be promiscuous, Jilla, by the time she was your age, had had sex numerous times, but you haven't…"
"Yet," Glinda qualified with a giggle.
Elphie flushed. "You get my point."
"I do." Glinda said. "I told you, I may talk about sex casually, but I don't think of it that way. I think both my parents words and relationship and seeing Jilla and her antics when she was younger shaped my choice."
They spent awhile talking about Elphie's question, Glinda's response and how they both felt about it and what it meant for them as a couple.
"Thank you for that Lyndie." Elphie said on their way down to dinner. "That talk was just what I needed. I wish I could explain why."
"Elphie, No explanations are necessary. I needed that talk too." She touched her fingers to Elphie's and felt the little tingle.
"Someday someone needs to explain to us how and why we do that." Glinda chuckled.
"Until then we will simply enjoy the feeling." Elphie smiled.
During their dinner Elphaba and Glinda attempted to transition between the weekend and the coming week. They confirmed which days were Elphie's APE study days, which days they would be able to have lunch and/or dinner together and what tests, projects and papers they had coming up and tonight's homework situation.
"Are you sure you don't want to quit school and run off together?" Glinda sighed, trudging back up to their room.
"Are you sure you do?" Elphie chuckled opening their door.
She gathered the pouting blonde into her arms and held her close.
"We will get through this APE thing Lyndie, one week at a time." She said soothingly, stroking her hair.
"Oh, I know Elphie. I'll get used to the new routine. Please don't worry about it."
"Not it my sweet, you." Elphie said kissing her gently.
Glinda chuckled. "Well you don't need to worry about me either."
They shared a long kiss.
"Now homework." Glinda said heading to her desk.
They spent a couple of hours doing homework, then gathering their things together for the next day. Elphie did some more studying while Glinda was in the tub and Glinda practiced her spells for her casting test later in the week while Elphie bathed.
"Lyndie, sweetheart, why are there three potted plants on my bed?" Elphie said as she came into the room.
"I'm not sure, they were supposed to be pillows." Glinda said sheepishly. "If you had come out five minutes ago there would have been three planks."
"These are definitely better." Elphie went over and put the plants on the floor. "I like them. Would you like to keep them?"
Glinda laughed. "You would think I would have learned by now not to improvise when I'm tired."
They made room for the plants near the window.
"Are we allowed to have plants in the room?" Elphie said
"Are we allowed to do this?" Glinda kissed Elphie deeply.
"I would guess no." Elphie smiled.
They snuggled and talked for a little while then kissed goodnight, exchanged I love yous and went to their separate beds. With the exception of Glinda waking up once with a little cough and getting up for some water, they both slept soundly.
Elphie awoke and got ready for her early class.
"Lyndie." Elphie said softly, fulfilling her promise to let Glinda know before she left.
"My sweet, I am leaving for class."
"Bye Elphie." She pulled the green girl down for a kiss.
"Remember, No lunch for us today, but when I run in to grab something, I will find you to say hello." Elphie said on her way to the door.
"I remember." Glinda said.
Elphie blew her pouting love a kiss before she shut the door.
Their mornings were busy. Elphie helped out in the experiment lab because Hyrut and some others were still out sick. Glinda and Loma joined with some others to study for the casting test then joined Alopa, Natyia and some other classmates for lunch and caught up on the current gossip.
Elphie grabbed a sandwich and a glass of milk and looked around for Glinda, spotting her at the usual table of her sorcery classmates luncheon group.
"Hi everyone." Elphie said rushing over to the table and putting her hand on her roommate's shoulder.
"Hi Elphie!" Glinda beamed.
"Hello Elphaba." The table chorused.
"Are you joining us?" Alopa asked.
"Not today unfortunately." Elphie replied. "Glinda, late dinner?"
That had become their code for meet in the café not the room.
"Sure Elphaba. See you later." She smiled at her love.
Elphie patted her shoulder, her version of a public display of affection, and hurried back to the biology lab.
Glinda enjoyed lunch with her friends. The casual chitchat and gossip, but grew a little frustrated with the boy talk and listening to talk of the dates that had occurred over the weekend.
"My date was so much better than any of those." She muttered to herself on her way to class.
Between her afternoon classes Glinda spent some time with Loma, who was tired, worried about Hyrut, and not feeling well herself.
"He told me he is doing better. The doctor comes to his dorm everyday to treat him and the others."
"I'm so happy he is getting better." Glinda said sincerely.
"Me too. " Loma said. "I think I'm falling in love with him and I think he loves me too."
Glinda hugged her friend. "That's terrific Loma."
They chatted about Hyrut for a few minutes then separated to go to their classes.
"Being in love is great Loma." Glinda smiled as she went to her last class.
Elphie walked quickly to the café, it had been a long busy day and she was looking forward to a little time with Glinda. She saw her love sitting at their usual table, reading. The look on her beautiful face was odd and Elphie couldn't tell if she was concentrating, tired or upset.
"Hello my sweet." Elphie said quietly, brushing her fingers against her loves.
"Elphie" Glinda said with a sigh of what sounded like relief.
"Are you alright Lyndie?" Elphie said sitting down.
"Uh-huh." Glinda nodded. "I'm just a little tired. And very happy to see you."
"Same here on both things. I'll go get us some food."
"No need I ordered not to long ago."
Elphie and Glinda exchanged details of their days and reworked their week's schedule.
"I tried to get out of it." Glinda pouted "Now no lunch or dinner together tomorrow."
"Well, it is a major test. A practice session would not hurt. And there are three plants by our window, who would agree." Elphie chuckled. "We can still have breakfast though."
"True." Glinda sighed, resigned.
Their food came and they ate and chatted more about their days and the upcoming week. Glinda wanted to do homework there, like they did before and ran upstairs for their needed things. They spent a couple of hours reading, writing and in Elphie's case postulating formulas. Then went upstairs.
As soon as they were in the door Glinda threw her arms around Elphie, and they held each other close.
"Are you sure you are Ok Lyndie? You seem distracted."
"I'm fine, really, just tired and maybe a little stressed about the spell casting test. That and the final paper are the majority of my final grade."
"You will do well, I feel it my sweet. And before I forget, I picked up some more of that relaxation mixture for you." Elphie went to her dresser and took the bottle out of her money pouch where she had put it over the weekend.
"Why don't you go get into a steaming hot, relaxing tub." She kissed Glinda lightly and pushed her in the direction of the bathroom.
"That does sound divine." Glinda perked up slightly.
Elphie did some APE studying while Glinda took a long soak in the tub and Glinda tried the errant spell again while Elphie bathed.
"Congratulations my precious!" Elphie said coming out of the bathroom and seeing three new pillows on her bed.
"Don't get too excited." Glinda chuckled. "About 30 seconds ago they were three pineapples."
Elphie went over and sat on the bed with Glinda.
"I'm glad you are keeping your sense of humor about this. A stressed out sorceress is no fun at all."
Elphie moved them around so they were in position to rub Glinda's temples.
"We need to do your exercise." Glinda said trying to get up.
"Tomorrow my sweet. You need some touching tonight, so just lay back here and relax."
Glinda did not argue and enjoyed a nice long temple rub and some beautiful singing.
"Thanks my love. I guess that test has me more tense than I realized." She said as Elphie got out of her bed.
"My pleasure Lyndie." She leaned over and gave her a lingering kiss. "Good night my sweet. I love you."
"'Night Elphie" Glinda yawned. "I love you so much."
Elphie woke up when she heard Glinda coughing and got up to get her some water.
"I started coughing at the same time I miscast those plants. Maybe I'm allergic." Glinda said.
"We'll get rid of them tomorrow." Elphie said, kissing Glinda then getting back into bed.
"But I really like them in here, they're homey." Glinda whined sleepily before coughing again.
"Good night my sweet." Elphie smiled into the dark, knowing her sleepy love was already out.
Elphie awoke early, got ready for the day, and then took the plants down the hall.
"Where did you go?" Glinda said with a hint of panic in her voice.
Elphie went over to her love and gathered her up into a hug.
"I apologize my sweet. I was relocating our plants to their new home." She smiled
Glinda relaxed in her love's arms. "New home?"
"With their own kind, down the hall in our parlor. They will be happy there, and you can visit whenever you'd like." Elphie chuckled.
Glinda laughed, kissed Elphie then went to get ready.
They had time for a leisurely breakfast, which they savored. Not so much the food, as their limited time together.
"I'll see you tonight my love. I love you." Glinda whispered into Elphie's ear as they were getting ready to part.
"And I you, until tonight." Elphie whispered back.
Elphie went to her classes, took a quiz, grabbed a sandwich to eat while she was running to a lab session, went to her afternoon classes, did homework in the library, then grabbed a sandwich to eat while she was running to her APE study group. Generally speaking, she liked studying for the APEs. There were some subjects she had only minor knowledge of and was taking great delight in learning more. Her fellow candidates were friendly and helpful and she tried to be as well. The only low point were the committee members charged with facilitating the study sessions. They were professors from different subject areas, some who did not think freshman should be allowed to take the APEs, some who did not think girls should be allowed to take them and two who were just angry that they could not find a way out of committee duty. Those two answered questions when they were asked, but did little else. Being a freshman and a girl put her at odds, in one way or another with the other five. They did not deny her information or assistance, but they provided it to her in a very smug manor. She was an annoyance they tolerated and dealt with because they had too. One of older candidates, who was on his second try, told her that they acted like that hoping freshman and girls would drop out. When Elphie heard this she smirked. Little did they know that she considered a mildly hostile sort of environment normal, and was perfectly capable of functioning within it.
Glinda's day was pleasant enough. She passed a quiz in wanding class, worked out the pillow problem during study group, which took up lunch break and the first part of the afternoon. She worked with a group in her potions class to plan a final project, then went with some classmates to the library to research her paper topic, How Emotional States Affect the Casting of Spells. She joined Caspon, Gotero, Beliea and Manif for dinner.
"Elphaba is at an APE study group tonight." Glinda replied when queried on her roomies whereabouts.
"I remember those well." Manif smiled. "Intense, tiring but very helpful."
"She seems to like them so far." Glinda said.
Dinner conversation started around Manif's first date with Dani, who he explained was teaching a night tutoring session. He thanked Glinda profusely for the suggestion, and told the others about the restaurant.
Gotero and Beliea talked about their romantic weekend at his parent's house and the plans for their wedding this summer. Caspon was seeing a girl from town and they had a romantic weekend also.
"I did too!" Glinda thought to herself, frustrated that she couldn't say anything.
When the group went their separate ways, Glinda went to her room, feeling a little frustrated, irritated and tired. She soaked in a relaxing tub, then did her homework. She climbed in bed to study for her test and wait for Elphie.
Elphie came home a little earlier than she had anticipated, anxious to tell Glinda about her session. When she opened the door she found the lights on and her love asleep amidst her spell casting books. Smiling, she picked up the books and papers put them on the desk.
"I'm home Lyndie." She said gently moving Glinda so she was lying down.
"Hi Elphie, Have a good class."
Elphie chuckled. "No my sweet, It is night time, I just came home. Go back to sleep."
"They all had the same thing I did, but I couldn't tell them anything about it." Glinda said sleepily.
Elphie chuckled, having no idea what she was talking about, but not going to wake her completely to find out.
Goodnight Lyndie. I love you." Elphie said kissing her cheek.
"Me too." Glinda said more asleep than awake. "And we had ducks."
Elphie chuckled all the way to the bathroom. She bathed quickly, had a quick but important chat with her body about the naked exercise, apologizing for not doing it sooner then went to bed. She was so exhausted she didn't hear Glinda coughing.
Elphie finished her quiz early and went to the biology lab. She had said goodbye to Glinda before she left, as had become the norm, and was really looking forward to meeting her for lunch. Glinda stayed awake after Elphie left thinking about her dream, it wasn't a nightmare, but it had upset her a little. She smiled when she saw that there were some clothes laid out for her and her class things were gathered up. There was also a note.
"You did it for me, I attempted to reciprocate. Attempted being the operative word.
I love you."
The dress was fine, as were the shoes and stockings, unfortunately they were not fine together.
"Sweet Oz how I love her!" Glinda said as she got dressed.
Glinda's morning was longer than it should have been. Her class went well, but she was still a little tired and frustrated.
"My sweet, is everything alright?" Elphie said as they were eating lunch.
There had been some silence and half-heart chitchat about their days.
"Yes, I guess, I think for some reason the test is stressing me more than it should. I'm going to work with Manif this afternoon. He volunteered to help me study."
"That should help you settle down a little. This might help too. My APE session will be short tonight. I still can't join you for dinner, but I'll be home early. We can talk, if you are not asleep." She winked.
Glinda giggled "Thanks for telling me you were home. And that does make me feel better."
Elphie smiled and leaned close to her love.
"Lyndie, you will do great on this test, Manif's help is not to help you pass, only to remind you that you do not need it. I'll see you later."
She put her palm against Glinda's, something they usually reserved for dances or private occasions because of the jolt they felt.
"Thank you Elphie." Glinda said quietly.
Elphie's afternoon went as the others had-- classes and study. Glinda went to class then studied with Manif.
"Why are you so stressed about this test my friend." He said. "So you conjured potted plants instead of pillows, you've done worse." He chuckled.
"I don't know Manif, but for some reason I am and the stress is making me tired and frustrated, which is making my spell casting uneven."
"A vicious cycle indeed."
They worked for an hour or so and it did make Glinda feel better about the test and to realize she was just being silly.
"Glinda, please have dinner with Dani and me. I know Elphaba is in APE session tonight and that you hate to eat alone."
"Thank you Manif, I'd love too." Glinda replied.
They meet Dani at the café and she was thrilled that Glinda was joining them. She thanked the younger girl for helping prod Manif along and providing a perfect first date locale.
"Your welcome Dani. He is sweet, but sometimes clueless." Glinda smiled.
They talked for along time. Dani and Manif shared looks and private jokes about their date. When Manif explained that Glinda was on a dating hiatus, she was impressed at her willpower.
"I was boy crazy at 17." She chuckled.
Glinda was getting frustrated at trying to deflect the dating thing. They were not being pushy or overbearing, but it was hard for Glinda to not shout out that she had a wonderful love.
After a time Glinda excused herself, saying she was tired, with a slight headache, which wasn't a lie.
She immersed herself in another steaming bath with lots of the apothecary's concoction.
She was irritated and frustrated, and tired. Between the test and listening to everyone talk about their dates all week, she was surprised she had any sanity left. She let the wonderful mixture work its magic until the water cooled. It had helped, but not enough. She was still frustrated.
"Hello Lyndie" Elphie said as she entered their room, earlier than normal, as promised.
"Hi Elphie." Glinda said far less perky than usual.
She went to Elphie for a hug and the green girl gathered her up, held her tight and stroked her hair. She could feel her love's frustration and stress.
"My precious, did working with Manif not help? I'll skip…"
"No Elphie it's not the test. It's the talk." She pulled away
"I don't understand." Elphie said.
All week long I've been listening to people talk about their romantic weekends, their dates. I had one too, but I couldn't say anything."
Elphie sat on her bed and sighed.
"Glinda…"
"Manif went on and on about how romantic the restaurant was and I couldn't agree or tell him what we did or anything. My friends were talking about romantic dates and walks and all I could do was listen."
Glinda was very agitated and frustrated, but not angry and Elphie sensed that.
"Loma told me she was in love with Hyrut and went on and on about how good it felt. All I could do was congratulate her. I wanted to tell her I knew how she felt, that I felt it too.
She sat in her chair and started to cry.
"All this week I've fended off question about why I don't date, and when I will start. I do date, I am in love, I have romantic stories to tell."
Elphie went over and sat on the bed opposite her love. She knew Glinda was just venting, but her frustration was valid, and not unexpected.
"What do you want me to do Glinda?" Elphie sighed very upset, because she knew this was a major issue for her.
Glinda's crying had led to a bout of coughing. She looked tired.
"I don't know Elphie, I'm not even sure why I'm so frustrated by this, but I am."
"We can not be a public couple you know that. Shiz would never allow us to room together if it were known."
"Can't we just tell close friends, please." She was no longer crying, but she was upset.
"Glinda this is very unfair to you I know that, and I also know this is being made worse by the fact that you are very tired. But please listen to me."
Glinda nodded, biting her lip. Elphie was right.
"We can't do anything until after my trip to Colwen Grounds. I know you accept that even if you don't understand fully. Can you wait? Can you hold out until after all of that is over?"
Glinda did not say anything.
"My sweet, please. After whatever is going to happen with my familial obligations, the power this and magic and other things has to hurt me and affect my life will be much less, it will be manageable for me, for us. I promise you this. "
"I know Elphie." Glinda "I'm sorry."
Elphie climbed into Glinda's bed and opened her arms. Glinda put herself into them and snuggled close.
"No apologies Glinda. You were venting a very real frustration, you have a right to be frustrated."
Glinda coughed a little.
"Lyndie you need to sleep, all of this stress is taking its toll on you. We can talk about this tomorrow. She sat Glinda up and looked at her very seriously.
"My sweet, if during the summer, after I'm 19, these frustrations come up again then you can do what you need to abate them. But discreetly please, We still have Shiz, my very private nature and my tendency to blush furiously and withdraw to contend with."
"Are you serious?" Glinda said hopefully.
"I am. But we will talk about this tomorrow. I'll skip APE if I have to. Alright?"
Glinda hugged her love tight and started to cry.
"Elphie I would never do anything to hurt you or make you uncomfortable or up…" Glinda was talking rapid fire through her tears.
"Lyndie I know that. We will talk tomorrow. I need to sort, you need to sleep."
Elphie kissed Glinda and got up.
"Elphie, I love you, you are making a big sacrifice for me."
"I love you too, no I am not and we will talk about this tomorrow, for the hundredth time." She gave Glinda a big beautiful smile.
"Good night my precious Lyndie." Elphie said kissing her lightly then going to get ready for bed.
"Good night Elphie." Glinda said.
Elphie got ready for bed, she wasn't upset or irritated, just a little concerned about how this would play out and how they would control it. But even that was only a minor thing. By the time she was ready for bed Glinda was snoring softly, but her breathing seemed a little more labored. Elphie attributed this to the fact that she had been crying. She turned off the light and crawled, exhausted into her bed, She was asleep in minutes.
Some time right before dawn something awoke her from a sound sleep.
"Elphie!" She heard a weak voice say. "Elphie wake up."
"Lyndie, I said we would talk tomorrow, please go back to sleep. " Elphie said as ungrumpily as she could.
"Elphie, please get up I don't feel well."
Elphie sat up and looked at Glinda standing there. She was pale and trembling.
Elphie got up to hold her, thinking she had had a nightmare.
"Sweet Oz Lyndie, you are burning up!" Elphie exclaimed when she stroked Glinda's cheek.
