Galinda

"GALINDAAAA! COME ONNNN!" Shenshen wailed from the Upland's front hall. The little girl had been let in by Serafina and had nearly worn a hole through their marble tiles with her insistent pacing.

Three floors above, Galinda flinched.

"You best be off if you want to keep your hearing," her popsie smirked as he entered her room. His hands were clasped behind his back and he wore a playful smile.

"Ha ha," Galinda grumbled from her stool. Shenshen could wait five tick tocks as she finished getting ready.

Today was the final evening of the Fall Festival. The last two days had been glorious and Galinda did everything from hayrides to pumpkin carving to hay mazes, with the exception of bobbing for apples for fear of ruining her outfit. She even managed to kick some mud on her skirts that first evening, and grandmother had been spot on in her prediction of her momsie's reaction.

But tonight was the most awaited of them all. The ship launches were scheduled for as soon as the sun began set, and that was only in two hours.

Joaquin stepped forward, bringing his hands from behind his back. "I have something for you."

With a flourish, he placed his surprise on her vanity. "It's a hairclip," he told her proudly. "Yesterday I saw a woman selling them at her cart and I thought of you."

Delighted, Galinda gently petted the pink flower. Normally she would've died of mortification upon receiving a fake flower, as everybody knows fake flowers are a highly unacceptable gift to present a lady and that an Upland deserves the best of the best, but this flower would last forever and matched most of her dresses.

"Thank you," she breathed, staring at the pink blossom. "I love it!"

"GALINDAAAA!"

"I'M COMING!" she hollered. Sweet Lurline, did that girl have any patience?

Galinda passed the clip back to her popsie, who swept up one of her curls and fastened it into place with the flower.

"I'm sure your momsie knows about a million different ways to wear a hairpiece, but I think this will do just fine for now," Joaquin said as he admired his handywork. He looked so please with himself that Galinda didn't have the heart to tell him that it was crooked.

Instead, she spun around and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you," she said again. Now she felt a little bad for her lack of gift. Maybe she could find him a new watch or tie tonight.

"Hey," Joaquin started as she pulled away. He clutched her shoulders and looked her in the eye. "We're going to sort this out. Your grandmother and I had a little chat and we agreed it would still be good for you to see Mrs. Marlowe. Does that sound alright?"

Galinda nodded.

Joaquin looked relieved. "Good."

"GALINDAAAAAAAAAA!"

Wincing, he passed her her coat. "Please leave before she deafens us all."

"Okie dokie." Galinda jumped up, triple checked her reflection, and waved goodbye as she darted out the door.

"Don't forget to meet us after the ships!" he called after her.

"Where were you?" Shenshen demanded as Galinda sashayed downstairs. Today the girl looked like the chicken pox had thrown up on a donut with her multilayered, rainbow colored, polka dotted skirts. Seriously, who dressed this child?

"I was with my popsie," Galinda huffed, and pointed to her newest hair accessory. "He bought this and gave it to me. Isn't it pretty?"

Galinda knew what she was doing was cruel — throwing her popsie in Shenshen's face like this. She'd overheard Frances Minkos telling her momsie that Dafon Minkos hardly ever paid any attention to her or Shenshen. But a small part of Galinda roared in triumph at the hurt that flashed over the other girl's face. It was quickly proceeded by guilt, however, when the look didn't go away.

"I'm sorry for taking so long," Galinda said gently.

"Its fine," Shenshen muttered. "Come on. Let's go paint pumpkins before they're all gone."

The humming of crickets drowned out the crunching of leaves as the two girls stumbled through swarms of people. The crowds were thick with bodies of all shapes and sizes and Galinda almost felt like a baby bird in the gut of a boa constructor as she fought to push her way through.

Galinda was determined to keep her head down and be as inconspicuous as possible, for she had already been recognized by three of her parents' friends, which led to three painfully long conversations about her momsie's health, her popsie's health, her grandmother's health (who was a pivotal figure in Gillikin society), her own health, and oh Galinda darling, I heard you have sorcery, how exciting, and may I ask you another swam of a five-thousand questions?

The festival grounds sprawled across the entire neighborhood of Frottica, with the swollen river on one side and the town green on the other. The mansions that belonged to the families of high society were on the opposite side of the green and looked like a life-sized village of doll houses.

Festivalgoers never lacked in numbers, but tonight was the busiest by far. Children and teenagers and adults completely swarmed the pebbled paths, rushing here and there in a flurry.

Two little girls around Galinda's own age came up to them both, stopping them in their tracks, and curtsied.

"Hello, I'm Pfannee of Phan Hall," the taller of the two announced. "I'm six years old and I live at Phan Hall. Happy Autumn."

Pfannee's hair was her most striking attribute, meaning her thick tendrils were wrapped and curled and spun into great large rolls that were oddly piled on top of her head. Because they were brown, the hair rolls looked more like piles of poop. Really shiny, poufy puffs of poop. Galinda wouldn't be caught dead with a hairdo like that, but maybe Pfannee didn't have a momsie with a spectacular fashion sense.

But despite Pfannee's questionable taste in hairstyles (the other girl thankfully wore a simple headband tucked in her blonde curls) Galinda absorbed these girls' freshly polished shoes, shiny ribbons, neatly pressed skirts and laced gloves, and immediately knew they were from the same world.

"Hello," Shenshen said after completing her own evaluation. "How're you liking the festival?"

"It's super fun!" the shorter girl gushed. She was a bundle of energy, curls and frills. "The pumpkins are so big this year and the apples are so juicy and oh, have you seen the ponies? They're so sweet!"

"We haven't been to the ponies yet," Galinda said. "But we're gonna go see them right now."

"Can we go with you?"

"Sure," Galinda and Shenshen chorused. And then they were walking together.

"I like your headband," Galinda told the short girl as they stopped at a booth selling men's gloves.

"It was her aunt's before she gave it to her," Pfannee snickered. "Been around for years."

"Pfannee!" the girl gasped. Her cheeks darkened and her hand flew to her hair.

"Don't worry, you can hardly tell it's old," Pfannee said very loudly, which caused Shenshen to snicker and the shorter girl to blush even darker.

"I like it," Galinda told her softly. "And you can't tell its old. That's why I like it."

"Thanks," she whispered. "That's really nice of you. I'm Milla, by the way. Like villa, cause that's the kind of house I wanna have when I grow up."

"Villas are the perfect balance of sophistication and playfulness," Galinda said, reciting what she heard her momsie once say. "I'm— "

"Miss Galinda! How are you honey?" the booth keeper asked, who Galinda realized three seconds too late as her popsie's school friend.

Oz save her.

"Just fine, thanks. We're off to see the ponies, but can I get those gloves?" she chirped, randomly pointing to the first pair on the table.

"Yes indeed! Would you like them wrapped?"

"No thanks. Just a bag."

"You have yourself a good evening little lady," he said when she handed over her coins. "Tell your old man hello for me, and congratulations on the big news! I know mean old Morrible'll take good care of you!"

"Thanks," Galinda muttered as she accepted the brown paper bag. Madam Morrible had left that morning, claiming she had seen all she needed to and was needed elsewhere immediately. Reyna, Joaquin and Galinda all said good riddance.

Milla pulled her to the side and jumped up and down so ferociously that her headband almost fell off. "You're Galinda! You're Galinda Upland!"

"Shhhh!" Galinda hissed, but the damage was already done.

"You're Galinda Upland?" Pfannee drawled, looking her up and down as if she didn't believe her eyes. "As in, the sorceress?"

Galinda opened her mouth as Shenshen spat, "She's not a sorceress."

Galinda frowned, swallowing her words.

"A sorceress has sorcery," Milla protested.

"So?" Shenshen snapped, suddenly fascinated with the dots on her dress. Maybe she was considering burning it. That would be a blessing to them all.

"So-oh, if she has sorcery then that means she's a sorceress!"

"That is how it works, Shen," Pfannee said.

Shenshen scowled but said nothing more. As for Galinda, she was confused by her friend's reaction, but more pressingly, by her name. Since when did Shenshen and Pfannee have nicknames for each other? They literally just met.

"So are we going to the ponies or not?" Pfannee asked, hands on her hips.

Galinda shook her head. "It's too late now. Everyone's getting ready for the boats."

As she spoke, the stream of the crowd redirected itself to the river, where the girls could see men carrying lanterns in the newly fallen dusk as they untied awaiting boats from the banks.

"Well let's go then," Pfannee huffed, and without waiting, she spun on her heel and marched away.

Galinda remembered the ships being much larger last year, and much sturdier too, she thought as she unsteadily climbed over the edge. She sighed in relief as she sunk into one of the plush benches and waited as the rest of the passengers boarded. A ferryman gave her and Shenshen a lit candle and a cover for the flame and told them to watch the others for the signal.

With a long pole he gently pushed them off and soon was gliding them across the water to meet the other boats.

"Woahhh," Milla breathed as they slowed to a halt in the center of the water.

Woah indeed.

The moon shivered on a river of stars both above their heads and below their feet as the ethereal image reflected in the water. The low droning of whispers and chattering faded away out here, for silence seemed to be the only appropriate reverence they could pay. There must have been a hundred ships choking the river along with canoes and rafts, and some hundred people dotted the banks, of which Galinda could only see dark outlines of.

Shenshen made to uncover her flame, but Galinda, who had partaken in four of these launches and was practically a veteran by now, put a hand on her arm and shook her head.

"Not yet," she whispered.

The ferryman began to speak, his voice just audible enough so that his passengers could hear him.

"There were three animals living in a forest: a fox, a rabbit, and a monkey. Mid-Autumn one day, the Fairy Queen Lurline wanted to test the animals' virtues. So she came down to Oz and changed her appearance to that of an old crone.

"She said, I heard that you three are good friends, so I braved a long and tiresome road to meet you. Now that I am here, I can no longer ignore the hunger that claws at my belly. What will you offer me?

"The three animals said, Please wait here. We will gladly fetch you something to eat. Then they went their separate ways to find food.

"The fox caught a fish in a river; the monkey got fruit in the forest; but the rabbit got nothing and came back with nothing.

"The old crone said, It appears you three are not united and chose to work alone. You two kept your promise and brought back food. But the rabbit hasn't brought back a single morsel.

"The rabbit felt dreadfully sorry and her tail drooped in shame. Friends, please help me to gather firewood. I want to cook some food for her, she said to the fox and monkey.

"After they set the firewood on the fire, the rabbit said, I apologize for failing my task. But I can give myself to you. Have me please, if you will! and the rabbit jumped into the fire.

"The Fairy Queen was deeply moved by the rabbit's sacrifice. She picked up the rabbit's bones and said, I am touched beyond comprehension or imagination. To honor her, I will let her go to the Moon Palace, so that people can see her forever.

"And that is how the Fall Festival began, and why we celebrate in the middle of the season. Now please bow your heads, give your thanks, and uncover your candles."

Galinda thought about all the things she was grateful for. Her new shoes, her comfy bed, her family, her clean tights, etc. This time she didn't try to stop Shenshen when she uncovered her candle, and uncovered her own, watching as thousands of tiny flames blossomed all over the water and land.

"Now direct your gaze to the heavens," the ferryman urged, "for on a night like tonight, some say you can see the Fairy Queen herself, bathing in the moon."

Galinda didn't look up like everyone else. Instead, she looked down, for a drop of wax had burned her thumb. Grimacing, she plunged her finger into the water, and when she saw what was in it, she nearly screamed.

An extremely beautiful, breathtakingly divine and luminous woman the size of a giant was staring up at her from the river. She was brighter than the burning sun and bigger than the glowing moon with eyes that twinkle like falling stars shooting past Jupiter and Mercury and the many heavens above. Her entire head was the length of three boa and entirely submerged in the river.

"Milla!" Galinda hissed, unable to tear her eyes away. "Shenshen, Pfannee! Look at this!"

Galinda stole a glance at her friend — and balked when she found the boat empty. No people, no candles. How was this possible? This entire river had been filled with boats not a moment before, yet now it was only her, the moon, and the woman in the water.

"You're all alone, child."

Galinda whipped her head around. The giantess smiled sweetly from her riverbed of reeds and silt.

"What have you come for?"

Her voice was hauntingly familiar. Galinda looked at the empty boat again. Nothing.

"Where are they?"

"Don't hurt me," Galinda pleaded. "M-my family— "

"Your family can't help you."

Galinda couldn't tell if this being was good or bad or something in between.

"Only you can help yourself. Don't you want help?"

"Yes," Galinda whispered, despite herself. "I want to stop seeing things… doing things…"

"No you don't," the woman sighed. "You tell yourself that, but you lie. Because really? You like it."

Galinda sputtered as the giantess pinned her with her giant stare. "Wha — no, n-no, I don't wanna hurt anyone or have any bad dreams anymore!"

"Perhaps… but you like the power. You like the rush that it brings. Darling, don't try to deny it. There's no need for that. I see it in your soul, and a soul never lies. Just always remember; the blood will always come with the sword."

Galinda didn't stop trembling that whole night, even after the pretty giant disappeared and her friends magically returned, or when they finally got off the boat and found their parents on the shore, and or when she was tucked in bed with her warmest blankets swaddling her.

No, it took days for her to feel normal again and weeks for her to stop doubting her own sanity, and longer still for her to go near the water again… but she never once forgot what she saw, or the large woman's words, or how her voice had sounded so similar to the one in her dreams.

.

.

.

Fun facts!

1. The pink flower clip isssss (you've probably guessed it by now) the one Galinda gives Elphaba in her solo, Popular. Creating a backstory for it hadn't even crossed my mind before I started this chapter, but I'm so glad it did, because it was a cool little tidbit of information to add!

2. Shenshen, Milla and Pfannee are all characters from the book and musical.

3. The Fall Festival is inspired by the Chinese celebration, the Mid-Autumn festival. The story the ferryman tells is based on an actual Chinese legend, which is one of three versions that explain how their Mid-Autumn festival originated. You can read more about it if you look it up, which I suggest you do because it is incredibly interesting!

4. Lurline is a Fairy Queen in the Wizard of Oz and Wicked the novel who is supposedly the reason why Oz has magic and is cut off from the rest of the world. I stole the description of her from a wiki page because I loved how it described her hehe.

5. What started out to be the hardest chapter to write has become the longest chapter I have written far. I am currently at 10 pages with this one. Wow!