You know, had I know just how many commas and italic words I would abuse during my adventure into Galindaland, I may not have done it. Ah well, I'll donate to the Comma Recovery Center, join Italics Anonymous, and I'll be fine.
x2x
Elphaba hadn't objected when I announced that we were celebrating Lurlinemas tomorrow. She simply burrowed farther down in her dark, wool blankets and spoke from behind the book, stating clearly that while she had never celebrated Lurlinemas I was welcome to if I wished.
"Oh Elphaba," I said, "it's no fun alone. Won't you please have Lurlinemas with me?" I pouted. "Pfannee and Shenshen are going home for the holiday and I do so want to have fun."
"What about Ama Clutch?" Elphaba asked, turning a page.
I made a face, "I said I want to have fun."
She paused, and her book dropped down a few inches. "You will give Ama Clutch a gift though, won't you?"
"Of course," I said, opening the closet and searching through my gowns. Where was the green velvet one Mama had made for me last winter?
"What?"
"Oh, I don't know," I said, pulling it out and looking it over, "last year I got her a pair of stockings in white, pink and maroon."
"You always get her stockings?" Elphaba asked, and a moment later I heard the book drop onto the bed.
"Oh no, but she simply adored those; I haven't the faintest idea of what to get her this year." I put the gown up to me and twirled around.
"She likes knitting," Elphaba said thoughtfully, "what about a pair of new needles and some yarn?"
"Oh please," I said, stopping and turning around to face her, "I can't get her something that boring. Haven't you ever gone Lurlinemas sho-" I stopped myself and blushed.
"No," she said bluntly, replying to my unfinished question, "never." She picked the book back up and buried back down behind it. "Father didn't approve of Lurlinemas." She looked so forlorn behind her book like... well, like a girl who's never known Lurlinemas.
"You shall come with me, then!" I said, grabbing her arm and pulling. "Oh, come on and get dressed!"
"Galinda- stop-" she started before hitting the floor with a thunk. "What about your reputation?" She said defensively as she scrambled to her feet.
I waved her off, "Who's going to see us in the crowd? Come on, you must have someone to give something to."
"Well, I suppose I could get Nessa and Shell something, but father-" Elphaba said slowly as she walked to the closet
"Well, get them something anyway, you don't have to say its for Lurlinemas." I replied. "Now stay turned around I'm going to change."
"Fine." She replied, her voice muffled from the shift being pulled over her head
"Now, why don't you buy them each something and wrap it in plain brown paper, and bring them home when you go for winter break?" I say as I toss my nightgown on my bed and begin unbuttoning the green gown.
"I'm not going home for winter break," Elphaba said after a slight pause. I could hear her dragging her boots out from under her bed.
"Oh." I slid the gown over my head. "Listen, do you mind buttoning me up?" I asked, turning my head to look at her, "I'd ask Ama Clutch but she'd insist on coming with us." I wrinkled my nose. "How can I buy her present if she's right there?" She didn't reply, but finished tying up her boots and clomped over to me and began to fumble with the buttons. I winced, praying that she wouldn't break one off, but she managed the job without incident.