Glinda went over and stood behind Elphie, put her arms around her neck and kissed her cheek.
"Hi Elphie!"
"Hello my precious, I see you got in a good nap." She reached up and stroked the cheek that was on her shoulder.
"And did a little homework. I'm rested, and smart." Glinda giggled.
Elphie turned in her chair and smiled at her love.
"Go wash up smartie, I am a little hungry. It has been a hectic day for me." She gave her a light quick kiss.
"How was your study session darling?" Gwenot said coming out of the bathroom.
"It was great, we got so much accomplished. I think I prefer studying this way."
That's wonder…" She walked over to answer the knock at the door.
"Hello Norven." Gwenot said pleasantly.
"Mrs. Upland." He nodded politely. "Mr. Frama is downstairs. He will take you to dinner, then return here for your bags and come to collect you at the restaurant in time for your train."
Elphaba had gone over to the door. "Thank you so much Master Norven. Please tell him we will be right down."
The porter picked up Gwenot's bags, nodded and hurried away.
"He is such a nice young man." Gwenot said.
"He is and he has been very helpful. He has a small crush on Glinda." Elphie smiled
"He does. I wish I knew how to dissuade him." Glinda said.
Elphie put her money pouch and aloe into Glinda's little purse.
"She fusses when I carry things in my pockets all of the time." Elphie chuckled.
"I do not! I simply suggested that we would not have a repeat of the open aloe oil bottle incident if I carry your things in my purse." Glinda huffed.
"Mr. Frama is waiting." Elphie said kissing her check. "And you are correct, as usual."
Gwenot smiled, she always enjoyed the interplay between the two girls. It was comfortable, confident and overflowing with genuine affection. The three left the room, Glinda chattering happily until she looked at Elphie.
"Elphie!" She said sternly pointing to her love's hands.
"What? Oh, sorry, wait here."
She ran back down the hall and returned a moment later with her umbrella.
"What am I going to do with you?" Glinda sighed.
"Trade me in for a hairier model?" Elphie deadpanned.
Glinda glared, but ignored her. "Momsie, Elphie has completely hairless legs."
Gwenot's eyebrows shot up at the surprising twist in the conversation.
"Lyndie!" Elphaba gasped.
"Well you do." Glinda smirked.
Luckily for everyone they arrived at the awaiting carriage.
"Good evening ladies. " He bowed. "Miss Glinda I heard you were ill, I am pleased that you are recovering."
"Thank you Mr. Frama. May I present my mother, Mrs. Upland."
"It is a pleasure Ma'am."
"For me as well, Mr. Frama." She accepted his help into the cab.
He practically lifted Glinda into the carriage, then assisted Elphaba.
"We are only going to Tyuron's Café."
"That's fine Miss Elphaba, I am at your service." He clucked the horse into a slow walk.
"How are you aquatinted with the driver darling?"
"He is a good friend of Norven's. I had asked him for a reliable trustworthy driver because we would be out after dark. It was our first date." Elphie blushed slightly.
"He was so kind, that we have adopted him as our very own driver." Glinda added. "He even let Elphie rent a surrey for our last date." She smiled.
"Here you are ladies." He said helping them out in front of the café. "I shall return to take you to the train station. He bowed, hoped into his seat then drove away.
"Glinda! How good to see you up and about." Tyuron said rushing over as soon as he saw them.
"I trust you are doing well?"
"I am Tyuron, thank you."
"And you must be Mother." He offered his arm to Gwenot.
"Yep. This is my mother, Gwenot Upland." Glinda beamed.
"It is a pleasure Gwenot." He led them to the girls' favorite patio table and sat them.
"Elphaba, and then Elphaba and your daughter have been regulars here for awhile. We are very fond of them. Now if you will excuse me, I will get drinks and salads. Uliko will be thrilled!"
He hurried off.
"It's very informal here Gwenot. I know it does not look like much…"
"But the food is unbelievable. This is where the quiches came from." Glinda chimed in.
"I like it all ready. And Tyuron seems charming, a little wound up perhaps, but charming." Gwenot said chuckling and looking around.
Uliko approached the table and put down salads.
"You are better?" He said in his usual clipped manner.
"I am Uliko." Glinda smiled
"Good. Hello Mother." He nodded.
Gwenot nodded in return.
"You like chicken pie." He said to Gwenot and Glinda.
Gwenot realized he wasn't asking them, but telling them.
"Vegetable for you." He looked at Elphie who smiled.
"Good." He mumbled as he walked away.
Gwenot looked very confused.
"Uliko is the head chef, and a brilliant one. But he is not a conversationalist." Elphie said.
"We never order any more, He just brings us what he likes." Glinda chuckled.
"And he is never wrong. Tyuron said he only acts like this with the very few people he is fond of, everyone else he ignores completely."
"She speaks the truth." Tyuron said putting down glasses of drinks.
"Thanks Tyuron." Glinda smiled.
The man nodded and scurried off.
They dug into the salads with gusto.
"Momsie, the first time Elphie and I did anything together in public, she took me with her to run errands and introduced me to this wonderful place and this salad." Glinda said taking a big bite and sighing
"This is where we have our brunch at the end of the weekends."
"It is delicious, very unique." Gwenot said. "That is when you met her apothecary friend as well correct?"
"Uh-huh, and went to the bank with her. The chairman sees to her personally, and because she asked him to, he gave me an architectural tour of the bank building, the one past on the way over." Glinda grinned.
"Mr. Kinrode manages my trust on behalf of my great grandfather." Elphie explained.
"I like this part of Shiz. It's unpretentious and very Elphie." Glinda chuckled. "I like it and I like her!"
Gwenot smiled at her daughter, She was much more like herself than when she had first arrived. Tyuron brought out their food. They each had what looked to be a pie, with a thick, flaky crust, but inside were chunks of chicken and vegetables, just vegetables in Elphie's, in a thick seasoned sauce.
"This is fabulous." Gwenot said taking a small bite.
"We told you Momsie, Uliko is a marvel." Glinda smiled.
They savored their dinner pies and talked.
"Elphaba darling, I need to ask you something, I know you do not like to talk about it but please indulge me."
"Of course Gwenot. Anything you need to know." Elphie said sincerely.
"Are you still Ok, financially? I know it is none of my business, but Samion and I were a little concerned. We know that you two have been spending more since you started actually going out, and we upped Glinda's allowance to allow for that. We don't want you to be in financial hardship."
Elphie smiled, Gwenot was right, money matters tended to embarrass her a little
"Gwenot, first, you may always ask me anything at all. Anything. And yes I am Ok I am financially."
She proceeded to tell her the exact amount of her personal allowance, how much she collected each month and how much she had placed in a personal bank account that was outside of the control of Colwen Grounds.
"Glinda is aware of all of this, but I do not want you to worry about me at all, I'm fine financially."
"Elphaba, I did not expect you to tell me specifics, but thank you. I feel much better knowing for sure you are provided for."
"Gwenot, you have know idea how much it means to me that you would ask me this kind of question. I know I am a bit of a mystery, even to Glinda, but please always ask if you need to know something about me. I will always respond honestly."
"I know you will darling. I appreciate that."
Before they could continue Tyuron brought out dessert. Three pieces of a pie type confection, with a layer of a thick fig pudding topped with a layer lemon whip.
"Uliko's newest masterpiece." He chuckled
Glinda took a bite and sighed. "Yummy, really yummy."
"This is very good, my compliments to your Chef. " Gwenot smiled.
"I appreciate that, but we try not to compliment him too much, he gets flustered and hides." Tyuron chuckled and left.
"Sound like anyone we know and love Momsie?" Glinda winked.
"I do not hide." Elphie said. "Very often."
"I know my love, you blush." Glinda chuckled. "Quite often."
They enjoyed their dessert and some more light hearted conversation until Tyuron informed them that Mr. Frama was waiting for them. Elphie got Glinda's purse and left money on the table.
"Thank you darlings for bringing me here, and for letting me stay in your room with you." Gwenot said as they pulled away.
"You have given me a glimpse into what your life together is like here at Shiz, and for that I am very grateful." She hugged Glinda who was sitting beside her and smiled at Elphie.
"It is one thing for a parent to be told, and to believe that everything is under control, but being able to see it first hand is very special."
"Momsie, We liked having you here." Glinda said, giving her mother a little snuggle.
"Absolutely Gwenot!" Elphie said.
Elphie looked across at her love, she looked sad, and tired. They rode for awhile in silence.
"Momsie, make sure you give daddy a kiss and a big hug for me."
"I will darling, he will be very pleased that you are almost recovered."
"Here we are ladies." Mr. Frama said pulling up to the platform and getting down.
"Gwenot I'll go check to make sure you are set." Elphie said accepting Mr. Frama's hand.
"Darling, Try not to give Elphaba too hard a time while you are on restricted activity." Gwenot chuckled.
"I'll try." She smiled. "I'm glad you came, It makes me feel like I can still be a little girl if I need to."
"You will be my little girl, even when we are little old ladies." Gwenot smiled
"Thank you for not letting go of me all the way." Glinda said quietly.
"Thank you for still hanging on a little." Gwenot said giving her daughter a kiss on the forehead.
"I love you my darling Galinda, Do what Elphaba and your nurse say, promise me."
"I promise. And I love you, daddy too."
"Board, all aboard." The conductor called.
"Keep taking good care of Elphaba my darling."
"That is no problem, And much easier than recovering." Glinda smiled kissing her mothers check.
Mr. Frama helped Gwenot out of the cab, and she walked over to Elphie.
"Goodbye, Elphaba darling, thank you for everything. Please keep looking after my little girl."
"I can do nothing else…she is my whole world Gwenot." Elphie said sincerely.
"All aboard." The conductor aimed at them.
Glinda watched Elphie and her mother talk for a moment, then embrace firmly. When Elphie kissed her mother's cheek, Glinda got teary. She returned her mother's wave, and watched her get on the train.
Elphie walked back to the carriage, she saw Glinda wiping her eyes and looking very tired. Mr. Frama helped her up and without a word, She put her arms around Glinda, who cried, just a little into her shoulder. Mr. Frama smiled. He was pleased to see that there were still young ladies of this age, who loved and respected their mamas, and were sorry to see them depart.
The girls rode in silence back to their dorm. Glinda stopped crying after a few minutes, but was still feeling sad. When they arrived, Mr. Frama helped Elphaba down, then gently lifted Glinda to the ground.
"Thank you. " She said.
"You look tired Miss, and you have been ill. I have a daughter a little older than you, I understand" She smiled in a fatherly manner.
Elphie paid him generously and thanked him profusely.
"Anytime Miss, I am at your disposal when ever you require my services."
Glinda had been patting on the horse, whispering in his ear.
"This one is called Kicker." The man said.
"My horse at home is Starlight, her dam is Starshine."
"If you ever need to hug a horse, you are welcome at my livery anytime." He smiled
"Thank you sir, you are very kind." Glinda said.
He nodded and climbed up into his seat.
"Have a nice night ladies." He said as he pulled away, tipping his hat.
"Elphie we are so lucky to have someone trustworthy to drive us around at night." Glinda said as they made their way slowly upstairs.
"I know, I am very grateful." She opened their door and let Glinda in.
As soon as the door to their room was closed, Glinda put herself into Elphie's arms.
"Hold me for a moment." She whispered.
"For as long as you need my sweet." Elphie said wrapping her long arms around her tired, sad love.
Glinda did not cry or pout, she simply laid her head on Elphie's shoulder and was held close.
When she pulled away, Elphie led her to her bed.
"My sweet, let me run you a bath, with some of those bath salts. I know you are tired and I'm sure you are achy.
"Very tired, a little achy, Thank you Elphie, for … just for you."
"You are so tired you can not even form cogent sentences any more." Elphie chuckled as she went to run the bath.
Glinda undressed as Elphie ran the bath. The tiredness was settling into her bones and she gave a satisfied little sigh as she settled into the tub. Elphie went to sit on the stool.
"How did you know I was going to ask?" Glinda said.
"I didn't, I just wanted to." Elphie smiled.
"I see you have finally come to terms with the fact that the sight of me naked excites you." Glinda giggled.
"Lyndie! Please, you're ill, I would never… How could you…"
"Simmer down my love." Glinda chuckled. "I was just teasing you."
"Well stop, because sometimes…it's a little bit true." Elphie blushed. "May we drop the subject?"
They were quite for a little while.
"Elphie, I can't wait to thank Mr. Kwenyo for these salts, they really help the achies go away." She grinned. "They make the bath a little bubbly, I feel tingly, not how you make me feel tingly, but nice none the less."
"Glinda what has gotten into you?" Elphie chuckled, shaking her head.
"We were fussing with one another, then I got sick and was being a baby, then Momsie came, and now I lack energy for anything, and even if I had it, I'm on restricted activity for three more days, maybe longer.
I'm frustrated, in many ways."
"I see." Elphie said.
Without a word, she picked up a towel and held out her hand to her love. She helped her out of the tub and then to dry off completely. Then Elphie wrapped a dry towel around her and pulled her into a long, slow, deep kiss, such as they had not shared in awhile. Glinda's knees almost buckled at the sensation, then she melted into the kiss, accepting it and experiencing it, then returning it.
Elphie finally pulled away and embraced Glinda gently.
"Did that help?"
"Mmmmmm hmmm." Glinda said regaining her composure.
"I am glad, but make it last. I did that against my better judgement, only because I hate to see you unhappy. Now sit here and I will do your hair, then to bed with you."
"Ooooh." Glinda smiled as she sat down in front of the mirror.
"Don't push it." Elphie smiled back. "Lyndie I miss you…like that too. I do, but you need to recover, and to do that you need rest, and not overdo things. I am no expert but I think getting worked up constitutes overdoing it." She said while she massaged hair dust into her love's blonde hair and into her scalp
"I know Elphie, I do not want to get sick again. I can't bear the thought of more of those shots." She grimaced. "How is your hip by the way?"
"A tiny bit sore, but it is fine. I hate to admit it, but I am glad you were there."
"I'm glad you allowed me to be. I know you don't react like I do, or feel it like I do, but knowing something, even a little something, hurts you upsets me."
"I realize that Lyndie. And believe me I understand. I have the same problem with you."
Glinda smiled and reached back for Elphie's hand, she pulled it around and kissed her fingers. Elphie finished up her hair and got her a nightdress.
"Did the bath help you feel better my sweet?" Elphie asked as she helped her into bed.
"Yes, I hope my energy level comes back soon. It's hard going out to dinner and becoming exhausted."
"I know Lyndie, be patient with yourself and let me take care of you. If you behave and do as your told maybe this weekend we can…"
"Engage in a little hanky panky" Glinda interrupted with a big grin.
"Well maybe a little hanky." Elphie chuckled. "We will see what the doctor says at the end of the week."
"You mean I'm allowed to ask if I am recovered enough to kiss and hug and caress and nibble…"
"You are incorrigible." Elphie laughed. "I know you are tired Lyndie, but I need to tell you about tomorrow."
"Ok Elphie." She snuggled into Elphie's arms.
"I have to go early to see one of my professors, so I am going to take all of my assignments then and get my check in over with. I will take in your homework and get your assignments as well. I am not going to wake you, and I should be gone maybe an hour or a little more. Alright?"
"Will you bring up breakfast?" Glinda said sleepily.
"Absolutely. Do you need a pill before you go to sleep?" Elphie asked stroking her hair.
"I would like to try to sleep without it, I'm achy, but not too much. Will you lie down with me?"
"Of course my precious. She shifted and got up. "Lie down, I will be right there."
Elphie got up and turned off the lights, leaving only her desk lamp on and put on some soft music, then she took off her boots and crawled into bed with Glinda. They kissed lightly, and said good night then Glinda snuggled in and fell asleep. Elphie lay with her awhile longer, intending to get up, change and study, but before she knew it she was waking up to daylight.
Glinda was asleep when Elphie left, but awake when she returned, with breakfast. They sat on Glinda's bed and ate sweet bread. Glinda drank juice and took a pill and Elphie had milk.
"Are you feeling alright Lyndie" Elphie asked putting the dishes on the table.
"I'm just a little achy, but I slept all night."
"I did too." Elphie grinned. "And apparently with you."
"Snuggled with my love all night and too tired to enjoy it, how very sad." Glinda mock pouted.
"A real tragedy" Elphie said seriously, making Glinda giggle.
"I love you Elphie."
"I love you too Lyndie."
They did homework until lunchtime. Glinda dressed quickly and they went down to their table on the patio and chitchatted over lunch. Elphie walked Glinda back upstairs, then went to her study group. When she came back up three hours later Glinda was asleep, her sketchpad open beside her on the bed. She smiled at the sight of her love curled up with her sketchbook and doll, wondering for the millionth time how she was capable of loving someone so much.
Norven came to remove the cot and Elphie tidied up, then studied until Glinda awoke a few hours later.
"Hi Elphie!" She bubbled. How was studying?"
"It was great, I am learning so many new and interesting things. I'm really looking forward to that chemistry class this summer. How was your afternoon?"
"Look what I sketched!" She showed Elphie a drawing of her doll.
"Lyndie, she said sitting beside her. "This is wonderful, very, very good. I am so impressed by your ability."
She kissed her love lightly, then pulled her in to snuggle.
"How are you feeling?"
"Not bad, actually. I haven't had a pill since this morning. I took a long nap and I'm not achy all over right now. "
"That is good news." Elphie said stroking her cheek.
They snuggled for a little while. Elphie told Glinda about her study session, and this upper level boy, Curiv, who was being very helpful. Glinda showed Elphie her first few attempts at sketching the doll, which she had to get from the floor and un-crumple. They washed up and went down to dinner and ate slowly while they talked about Glinda getting back into her class routine, Elphie's upcoming exams and the mini-date Elphie had planned, if the doctor said it was permissible. Then they took a short walk. It was twilight and very nice out.
"Elphie, please tell me, please."
"No, I'll just say it is not a full blown date, because that would be too taxing for you, but we will be doing something together."
"Fine, you mean green thing." Glinda took Elphie's fingers briefly, feeling the tingle.
Back up in the room, they did a little more homework. Then Glinda worked a puzzle her mother had brought her while Elphie finished a paper that was due the next day. In a gesture of togetherness, Elphie made a valiant attempt at helping Glinda with the puzzle, but after the third time she threw down a puzzle piece, calling it a useless piece of cardboard, Glinda took her by the hand and led her over to her bed.
"I appreciate the effort my love, truly. But no more puzzle for you, it's supposed to be a relaxing pastime not a major frustration."
"I solve problems all of the time, collect pieces, put things together, why is fitting little pieces of colored cardboard together so complicated."
"I have no idea, but remember, they give my father a headache too, and he is intelligent like you are. Maybe some people's brains can work jigsaw puzzles and some people's brains can work word puzzles, or number puzzles. I think word puzzles should be classified as torture devices."
They both had a good laugh, then Glinda went to take her bath and wash her hair. Elphie did some more studying, preparing for study group the next day. Squeaky clean and freshly dressed in a new nightdress, another thing her mother had brought her, Glinda admitted to being very tired, but not very achy.
They snuggled together for a little while, then shared a nice kiss and Glinda went to sleep. Elphie bathed and studied for awhile longer then went to her own bed and fell asleep.
The next day was almost the same, Minus the puzzle and sketching. By the end of the week, Glinda was no longer achy, but did still tire a little more quickly than normal. After she woke up from a nap, on their way down to dinner, they went to the dispensary for Glinda's check up.
The doctor, with the assistance of Nurse Ligur, checked Glinda over from head to toe. They looked in her eyes, ears, throat, felt her glands and joints and took her temperature, then asked questions. Was she eating well? Was she resting? Was she sleeping well? Achy? Tiring easily? Glinda answered everything honestly.
"Well, young lady you are recovering very well, I'd say you can return to classes next week and do a little more activity this weekend." The doctor smiled.
"Doctor, Is it permissible for us to go on a small outing tomorrow? It is off campus, but does not require much walking." Elphie asked.
"I think that would be just fine. Miss Glinda, you can start to get back to your normal routine, but slowly. If you feel yourself tiring, please stop and rest, as long as you feel yourself getting tired in situations where you normally would not, it would not be wise to overdo."
"I understand doctor and thank you." Glinda smiled.
"Miss Elphaba, you are well?"
"Yes sir, completely." Elphie said.
"Very good. I think nurse needs to see you about something, then you may go."
The doctor smiled and nodded as he left.
"Elphaba dear." Nurse said. I have made a notation in your file about your sensitive skin and if I am not available should you need treatment, they are to ask you or Miss Glinda, before they apply anything or give you an injection. No exceptions."
"Nurse, that is very kind of you, I'm not sure what to say."
"It is my job to look out for your health, you have very unique needs. I chose not to try to explain it in your file, but I would like permission to explain it, if there is a pressing need to do so."
Elphie looked fine, but Glinda knew she was not happy.
"Of course nurse, do as you think best." Elphie said politely, but strained.
"Also would you mind if we kept a small bottle of your special oil down here, just in case it should be necessary."
"I'll bring some down." Elphie said. "Is there anything else?"
"No dear, just a reminder for your roommate, not to overdo."
"I'll see to it." Elphie tried to smile.
"Thank you Nurse, for everything" Glinda said.
"You are welcome dears."
They walked in silence to the patio. Elphie was brooding, so Glinda ordered their dinner.
"Why does that upset you Elphaba?" Glinda said at last.
"I am not upset." Elphie responded.
"Yes you are. Upset and irritated." Glinda countered.
"I am not sure." Elphie said sipping her cider.
Glinda let her brood, and they ate in silence. The server brought dessert and Elphie smiled a little.
"You ordered my favorite dessert, even though I've been behaving terribly." She said putting her spoon into a bowl of egg custard.
"You need a treat, and you are behaving like you, not behaving terribly."
"I am not upset with Nurse Ligur, or even irritated at her. I know she is doing a reasonable thing, and doing it in a very discreet manner, and for my benefit. I just hate having unique needs. I'm not upset anymore. I simply had to resign myself to the fact." Elphie smiled a real smile.
Glinda studied her love carefully. She still wasn't very happy, but she wasn't upset anymore.
"Ok, but I reserve the right to bring it up, if you start brooding again." Glinda chuckled.
"Deal. Are you up for a walk?" Elphie smiled.
Glinda got up, pulled Elphie up and headed off.
"So, you're too tired then?" Elphie chuckled.
They took a slow walk around the courtyard and patio. Glinda pestered Elphie about where they were going. She finally relented.
"The Shiz Chorus is performing at The Arts Center. I thought we would go, if you are up to it."
"Oh yes!" Glinda bubbled. "They are very good. Dinner at The Gallery Café too?
"If you are up for it. The concert is in the afternoon, so we can look around at the new exhibits, then have dinner. But if you get tired out we slow down, or go home. I mean it."
"Yes ma'am." Glinda wiggled. "That sounds like fun."
Back up in their room, Elphie put on some soft, slow music and they danced for a little while, and talked.
"This is nice Elphie." Glinda said relaxing in Elphie's arms with her head on her chest, as they moved slowly to the music.
"It is very nice. I meant what I said Lyndie, I miss you too. And I want to explain to you about my reactions to your teasing me last night."
"Elphie you do not have too."
"I want to, I need to. Let's bathe, then we can settle down for the night and I'll tell you an Elphie story."
"Alright Elphie." Glinda said.
Even though she had not done so in a long while, Elphie bathed while Glinda was in the tub. She put on her nightclothes, did her hair, then helped Glinda out. They talked some while they got ready for bed, but mostly, Elphie was pensive and quiet. When they were both ready for bed, Elphie turned down the lights and they settled in on Glinda's bed.
"Temple massage or snuggle? Elphie asked.
"It's your story my love, what ever is best for you."
"What is best for me is coddling you."
"Snuggles then." Glinda smiled and settled into Elphie's arms taking her fingers.
"This story will answer many different questions that you have had." Elphie started.
"My family had been in Quadling country for awhile, when my father figured out that he could take the message directly to the sin. He started going into the pubs, and taking me with him. I was eight or nine the first time I went with him. He tried to convert and reform all the drunken Quadling men and women, but they were not really responsive to him. I, however was a great source of amusement for them. Hearing my sweet little girl voice sing bawdy pub tunes made everyone laugh. That's also how I found out, I can't drink ale, cigar smoke makes me sick and how I expanded my vocabulary. Of course when I used one of my newfound words in front of my father, I got my face slapped. All of this went on for close to two years, and if I hadn't accidentally swore in front of him, he probably would have continued to ignore me in the pubs. I was never mistreated there, but they used me like he did, as a tool, an amusement.
He kept me close to him after that when we went to the pubs; forbid me to sing anything but hymns.
A gangly green eleven-year-old standing up on a pub table singing a hymn to a bunch of drunk, rowdy Quadlings I am sure was quite a spectacle. I went with him until I was fifteen years old. Different parts of Quadling Country, but it seemed like the same pubs, same people, same humiliation over and over."
Glinda had been listening, as she always did, quietly, following all the rules, except for the fact that she was playing with Elphie's fingers.
"Ok, that was the set up, I spent at least two nights a week, for five or six years of my childhood hanging out in pubs full of drunk, loud people. I learned to swear, sing bawdy tunes and keep my eyes and ears open. Every night, there would be some man or men, who would use crude language and comment on a woman's breasts, or ass, sorry Lyndie. They would hoot and holler and make remarks, then try and fondle them. Sometimes the women would allow it and sometimes they wouldn't. That always seemed to be the first things they noticed breasts, or behinds. Some woman wanted that attention and wore very risqué clothing, to encourage the remarks. Some of the pubs I was taken too had women dancing with next to nothing on. I was appalled, but the men were practically falling all over themselves to talk to and touch these women. I'd see these same men during they day and they would look at women on the street the same way."
Elphie kissed Glinda's head and spent a moment returning Glinda's finger play.
"We saw each other without clothing many times before we knew what we were. And many more times after that. The very first time I saw you without clothing and thought entered my mind of how beautiful you were, I felt like one of those men, admiring your body, wanting to touch it for my own pleasure. I was disgusted with myself. I felt like I was using you. When you started paying attention to me like that, I started to try and ease up on myself, but it was very hard. I tried not to notice you, then I tried to temper my feelings, but I think I understand that the way the men in the pub reacted, was a completely different situation from us. It is still hard for me, but sometimes I see you, while you are changing, or getting in the tub, and I feel tingly, or happy or just incredibly lucky. Sometimes I don't notice, and sometimes I feel terrible for thinking such thoughts about you. Please don't take the fact that I haven't figured out how to deal with all of this yet, as a sign that I don't find you attractive. I do, very much so. I just can't bring myself to tell you how. Sometimes when I see you naked, I hear the voices of those men commenting and I have to shut it all out, you them, everything. But it happens less and less, The more comfortable I get with the things we do, the more I see you. The easier it is for me to think it, and a little easier for me to feel it. I am trying Lyndie, I am. I love you, everything about you. Please tell me you understand."
Glinda sat up and looked into her love's eyes. They were only mildly distressed.
"I understand my love, I do. And very proud that you have been able to work through this as well as you have. I'm glad you know there is a difference and also glad that you don't react all of the time. I know I am attractive to you, I can see it in your eyes on occasion." Glinda said gently and Elphie blushed.
"Elphie, You have nothing to be ashamed of. We have a good balance here. The first thing you loved about me was not my body."
"True, it was your giggle, then the fact that you fought with me, challenged me, but still cared about me."
"I fell in love with your sarcastic wit, and your amazing intellect, along with your eyes and that rare, but beautiful smile of yours."
Elphie stroked Glinda's cheek. "I love you Lyndie, so much. Thank you for listening. Everytime I tell you something about my past, I feel a little closer to you, like I'm tearing down a wall."
"My mysterious love. I love you walls and all, and cherish the fact that you tell me these things, even though it is hard for you."
They talked for awhile longer. Glinda convinced Elphie she was not too tired for a nice long kiss, then another. They fell asleep together, because Elphie figured out she needed a little physical comfort after all.