A/N: Am I really updating two days in a row? Yes I am!

*Gasp!*

Honestly though, I'm running out of space on my computer so that's basically the only reason why I'm updating lol.

Galinda

Reyna had given Galinda a tonic to temporarily help with the dreams and for the time being it seemed to work. But the nightmares never truly vanished. Galinda would still wake in the middle of the night, gasping or crying or shaking, with visions of waterfalls and shadow women swirling around in her head.

It was only when she woke from one dream exceptionally distraught that her popsie finally put his foot down and declared they would be visiting Mrs. Marlowe by the end of the month, even if they had to walk there, so be it. Her momsie was reluctant to leave the Gillikins with the Fall Festival approaching so swiftly and soon, but eventually agreed after a compromise. They would depart as soon as the celebrations were completed.

That had been two weeks ago, and now autumn was finally arriving today.

The air had grown colder as the nights grew longer and the trees had turned the colors of a dying sun. The ether was filled with the smells of pumpkin, hay, spice and cider, and the yellow brick road was now more leaf than brick as the trees began to shed. Pumpkins and gourds could be found on every stoop, porch and front lawn as scarves and sweaters were retrieved from the depths of wardrobes and closets. Straw stuffed men and bedsheet ghosts popped up overnight and leaf piles the height of people could be seen in every yard.

It was as if all of Oz was prepared to greet autumn.

Galinda didn't mind the changing of the seasons, but it was the summer she really loved (despite the heat). However, she quickly grew excited for the Fall Festival. Every year people of the Gillikins came together for a three-day weekend filled with hayrides, haunted tours, apple picking, pumpkin carving, mask painting, pony rides, picnics, and fireworks. One of the noble families would host the ship races — the highlight of the festival — and this year it was the Upland's turn; an opportunity none of them wanted to miss.

Galinda could hardly wait. She was too young to remember last year's festivities. She had been four, after all. But now she was much older and more than ready to participate. A new dress had been made for her just for the festival that even came with a matching little cape. Galinda had spent hours marveling over the shimmering gold fabric when it arrived, and she could scarcely wait to put it on.

Only a couple hours more.

"Galinda, honey?" Galinda looked up from where she was perched on a window seat as Joaquin stepped into their library. "Momsie asked me to fetch you. A very important lady just arrived, and we want you to meet her."

Galinda set her book down and fell besides her father as they exited the library.

"Who is she?"

Galinda honestly didn't really care. Every adult her parents wanted her to meet was 'important', but she knew she was expected to ask.

"Madam Morrible. Like horrible with an M because that's what she is. Don't tell your momsie I said that," her popsie added as they rounded a corner. "She's a teacher from our alma-mater, remember?"

Galinda nodded. She knew her parents met at some fancy school called Shiz University and she knew they had this Madam Morrible as their professor. What Galinda didn't know was why her pompsie disliked her so much, or why whatever fondness he lacked for her, Serafina made up in love.

"We hope she'll take a liking to you. If she does, your admittance to Shiz is practically confirmed, and Shiz is one of the most prestigious schools in Oz. Make sure to be on your best behavior, okay?"

"Okay." Galinda didn't know what she wanted for dinner, never mind what university she wanted to attend, but she learned a long time ago to just go with her parents' flow.

The two descended a large, marble staircase that was adorned with flourishing bannisters and heavy carpets. At the bottom was Serafina who stood facing the door, already wearing her festive garb.

Beside her was the ugliest woman Galinda had ever seen. A ridiculous amount of make-up had been applied to her face so that she looked like a clown or a mime, but it didn't hide her extreme fish like appearance. And goodness gracious, was that a flower printed drape she was wearing, or was her fashion taste just that… horrible?

"This is my daughter, Galinda," Serafina said as Galinda took her last step. Galinda dropped into a curtsey, and suddenly, the powdered fish was staring at her.

"How lovely to meet you," Madam Morrible cooed.

"Hello," Galinda said shyly. She desperately searched for something she could compliant. "Your earrings are super pretty."

"Oh? These old things?" Morrible tittered, swaying her head. "What a little darling you are."

"Can I offer you anything?" Serafina asked, gesturing with satin gloved hands. "I'm afraid we're rather busy with the festival commencing this afternoon, but I can have the servants to prepare you something. You must be famished, traveling all the way from the Emerald City."

"Thank you, dearie, but I'm all right. I was in the Vinkus before stopping here, so the journey wasn't too long."

"The Vinkus?" Joaquin exclaimed. "Now? With our nations like they are?"

The Gillikins and the Vinkus had never been fast friends but the past few years certainly took their toll, as the Winkies suffered from countless droughts while the Gillikinese flourished and prospered. The Gillikinese offered aid to the Vinkus but also believed they were overly generous to have given what help they did, and that the Winkies were responsible for the care of their own people. The Winkies quickly grew tired of their crops withering and failing and looked enviously at their neighbor's prosperity, and felt that the Gillikins could spare more than what they sacrificed. And so here they were, years later, still tip toeing around each other and trying their best to avoid their borders.

Morrible smiled as if she had the world's grandest secret tucked up her hideodious sleeve. "I simply had something I needed to pick up."

Just then, a strange whirling sound filled the large hall. Morrible turned her head and clapped her hands. "Meet my creation and companion, Grommetick." A little copper man made of machine wheeled through the door.

Joaquin gasped and Galinda blinked rapidly. "Is he real?" Serafina breathed. "How in Oz…"

"Quite real, I assure you. I tell him what to do but he can move and obey my command. Marvelous, isn't he?" Morrible faced Galinda and tilted her head. "You say you're the one with sorcery."

"Yes ma'am."

"Please dearie, call me madam. Ma'am was my mother and she's been long time dead. Have you ever considered a career in sorcery? I happen to be one of the best in my field and I would be willing to tutor you when you come of age."

"I, uh…"

Serafina nudged Galinda when she didn't speak. "Madam, that's so very kind of you," her momsie gushed.

Morrible held up a hand. "But first, she must prove yourself." She beckoned to Grommetik and had him stand before Galinda. "When you're ready."

The little girl blinked helplessly. She didn't know what she was supposed to do, and she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that swelled within her as she stared at the copper man. The adults seemed to find him quite find, but she felt there was something very off about him.

Just do something, a voice said, Anything at all. And fast.

Galinda took a breath and slammed her eyes shut. She held her breath, counted, exhaled, and opened her eyes. Nothing. Grommetik was still standing there, unbothered as ever.

"Maybe she needs a trigger," Joaquin suggested after a long minute. "She was pretty distraught the last time. Could emotions play a part?"

"Certainly," Morrible said, "for the first time around. You said she's been having nightmares, yes?"

They've been talking about me, Galinda thought.

"The frequent dreams are an indication that the welder is able to summon their sorcery. She should be able to do something, anything, with ease, by now."

Galinda tried again. And again. And again, until she was sore from clenching up all her muscles. She glanced at her parents, who were watching Madam Morrible, who was staring at Galinda. The look on her face said it all: something was clearly wrong. Why was Galinda exhibiting all the symptoms of someone with sorcery, but unable to call forth said sorcery when she tried?

"I think," Morrible began slowly, "you should consider another career. I've never seen this before, but I've heard about it happening, oh yes; a student losing their sorcery."

Tears gathered in the corners of Galinda's eyes.

"Some welders have shown great promise, only to lose their power overnight. It's happened before and could be what's happening here. However, the nightmares are curiousfying. You shouldn't still be having those…" Morrible fretted. "Perhaps they are residual symptoms?"

A crow cawed outside. A breeze stirred in some leaves. A dropped pin could be heard.

Serafina finally broke the palpable tension by excusing herself to greet Reyna, who at some point during Galinda's failed attempts had entered the hall and was standing impatiently by the door.

"About time you noticed me," Galinda heard Reyna sniff. "How long must an old woman be left standing before she falls?"

"Mother, you look as sturdy as a tree."

"Sturdy as a tree in an Ozforsaken twister."

Serafina and Reyna crossed the hall and began to start up the stairs before Reyna acknowledge anyone else. "Morrible, how pleasant to see you again," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Madam Morrible pursed her lips. "Reyna Upland. You look... well. How are you?"

"Didn't you just say I look well? Don't bother asking how I am if you already know how I am."

Serafina delicately (but dedicatedly) slapped a hand to her forehead.

"And Galinda, dear, how utterly unsurprisingly to find you here too. I see my daughter has made the decision to let your incredibly traumatizing nightmares continue, for Mrs. Marlowe was kind enough to mention the absence of your presence. Walk with me."

And this is how Galinda found herself trailing after the old women and helping her get ready for the festival.

"You look lovely," Reyna said that afternoon when Galinda emerged from behind the changing screen. "Give me a twirl. Yes, gold suits you well."

"Thank you," Galinda mumbled. She couldn't bring herself to fully enjoy the magic of a new outfit. Not while Morrible's words still plagued her mind.

Reyna sat down the brush she was holding and glared at Galinda in the vanity mirror. Gray waves of hair cascaded over her shoulders and shone in the weak afternoon light.

"What's wrong? You look like you just smelled stinky feet."

"S'nothing."

"Listen here. I have children and grandchildren — I know when someone's lying. It's always better out than in unless it's better in than out, I always say, so you might as well speak. What am I going to do? Tell your mother?"

Galinda couldn't help but smile at that.

"Madam Morrible said I lost my sorcery," she said, staring at her shoes. "And I don't even know why I'm so sad." The idea of it had filled her with terror just a few days ago.

"Lost your sorcery?" Reyna scoffed. "That's bullshit."

Galinda's head flew up. "Granny!"

"Child, I've been around the sun more times than your parents' ages combined. I think I can cuss when I want to now and then, mmhh?" Reyna moved to the bed and patted the space next to her.

"Take a seat and listen to an old woman."

Galinda sat sulkily, but not too much, because of wrinkles.

"Have you ever heard that saying, no two snowflakes are alike? The same goes for people. Your mother isn't like me and I'm not like your mother — thank Oz — even though we're related. We're similar in some ways, but most ways we are not. The same goes for you.

"So you're experiencing trouble with your sorcery. So what? Oz wasn't built in a day. You're young and inexperienced and I'm not at all surprised you failed that test. Quite frankly, I think Morrible is a bitch for putting you on the spot like that. I never liked that woman, which is probably one of the few things your father and I agree on. And yes, I said another bad word, the world isn't going to end so don't give me that look."

Galinda blushed when she realized her jaw had fallen open and quickly snapped it shut. Upland's did not gawk like goldfish.

"My point is," Reyna said, sweeping a golden curl over Galinda's shoulder.

"Don't fret so much. I highly doubt you lost your sorcery, and if you have, then you already have the power, wealth and popularity of a queen. What else could magic bring you?"

"That's true," the little girl said softly. Already she was beginning to feel better. "I guess you're right."

"I know I'm right. I don't have a habit of being wrong," Reyna snorted.

"Now up you go. A vision like yourself has no business staying inside all night. Your job for the next three days is to go and have some fun and not worry about Morrible, all right? I'll speak to your parents and make certain you see Mrs. Marlowe, and in return, can you do me a small favor? Get some dirt on your dress. It'll surly rile your mother up, if not make her mother faint, and I could do for a good laugh. Do we have a deal?"

Galinda smiled. No one gave a pep talk like Reyna Upland. "Deal." She stood up feeling much lighter than before and practically floated out the door.

From that moment on, Galinda Upland would do, think or worry about nothing else but having fun, and she would let the chips fall where they may.

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Fun facts!

1. Galinda cannonly has a grandmother in the musical (and probably in the books but I don't remember). In the show she says her nanny is "always sending her the most hideodious hats" during Dancing Through Life.

2. Morrible is described as looking very fish-like in the book. That part I DO remember so I added it in here.

3. I switched the famous "Rome wasn't built in a day" saying to "Oz wasn't built in a day."

4. Serafina is inspired by a family member of mine who is very narcissistic, self absorbed, controlling and obsessed with self image.

5. The name Reyna was inspired by the Heroes of Olympus character Reyna Avilaro who is a badass leader and deserves the world.

6. This chapter is currently the quickest chapter I have written for this story so far. If only took me a day to write and edit. Hopefully this means I'll get other chapters completed quicker lol.