Elphie was frustrated at needing this kind of help, and a little embarrassed. No one had seen her without clothes since she was young. Add to that the fact that Glinda was going to see what she had seen earlier and it was all almost too much to take. But deep down she knew Glinda was right, she was in pain, and did need help. And she trusted Glinda, (the thought shocked and even amused her a little), so she could endure a little embarrassment.
" Are you sure you want to do this" she asked looking into her precious roomies earnest face. "It's not very pretty". "It's ok Elphie, we'll treat you're sores clean you up and then we will both feel better- I'm on a roll today-right, so let's have at it" She was trying to stay strong, and keep the tone light but seeing her Elphie in so much pain really tore her apart. "Ok then" Elphaba tensed up and winced as she lowered her nightgown. In spite of herself Glinda gasped, but recovered quickly when she saw her roommates battered body. "I tried to warn you" Elphie whispered "I'm sorry I brought you into this" Glinda put her hand on her roomies shoulder "As I have stated, it's ok. Besides… " She grinned "You didn't drag me anywhere. If I recall, I did everything but threaten you to get you in here". Elphie laughed- she couldn't argue with that. Glinda kissed her roomies soft shoulder and led her to a padded stool and helped her sit down. "Let the healing begin" She laughed, easing the tension considerably. She saw Elphie visibly relax, and she smiled.
Sitting there with no clothes on made Elphaba self-conscious, but watching Glinda work amused her so much, she quickly forgot about it. Her friend flitted around the bathroom in a flurry of pink sniffing her oils and gathering cotton balls and cloths. Finally she assembled her supplies and stopped to assess the damage. She felt Glinda's soft fingers gently trace down her back, examining the cuts scrapes and bruises. She was beginning to enjoy the soft touch, and she allowed the sensation to block out any discomfort or embarrassment she that started to feel. She felt something cold against her skin and tensed slightly then realized Glinda was dabbing oil on a cut.
Glinda pulled away when she felt Elphie tense. "Are you ok?" she asked fearfully, worried that she had hurt her.
Elphaba took her hand and kissed it gently. "I'm fine, my sweet, you aren't hurting me" she smiled back at her roomie. Glinda nodded, but vowed silently to be more careful. She hoped she had the proper supplies.
After the initial shock had worn off, Glinda looked more closely; her friend's normally luminescent emerald skin was a more muted shade of green, paler. And though there were a lot of cuts and scrapes none seemed to be to bad. There were a few bruises too, some not so bad, but a few were an angry purple and possibly green, but that was hard to tell. She bit her lip to keep from crying, and busied herself with finding the proper oils and other supplies while she tried to get a grip on herself "Strong for Elphie" she said to herself until she regained control of her emotions. As she was busy gathering supplies she noticed Elphie watching her in the mirror, she was smiling, "That's a good sign" thought Glinda "We should get through this alright- Just please don't let me cause her any more pain" she prayed silently. She cleaned all of the cuts as gently as she could, after that first little shock, she was more careful, even though Elphie said she was ok. "Elphie", she said crossing in front of the stool. "I need to rub some oil on your bruises. " "Ok" Elphie said with trust. "It's just…. " She bit her lip again for fear of crying "It's ok Glinda, I know it will hurt a little, I'm not afraid. The hurts have already been given to me" She closed her eyes and gulped" "You are making them, and me feel better, so don't worry about the small amount of pain I may feel with what you do- your touch is enough make it all right." She took Glinda's hands in her own and gazed up at her. She was startled by the words she spoke, but realized she believed them.
Glinda knew a little pain was unavoidable in this process, but after what Elphie had already been through- the thought of adding any more, even a little was almost unbearable. But she took Elphie at her word; the feeling behind the words that she spoke startled and pleased her. She kissed the long green fingers that held her own "I'll be as gentle as I can" "I know you will- It will be ok- I'm ready" They both took a deep breath as Glinda searched the first bruise carefully for cuts and rubbed oil on it. A small moan escaped from Elphie, and Glinda stopped. "I'm fine Glinda, really" Elphie assured her "Keep going" Glinda continued checking and putting oil on all of the bruises on Elphie's back, dutifully, but painfully ignoring the little whimpers and moans she heard. When she finished tending to Elphie's back and arms she stopped to give them both a breather. She put a robe gently around her friend and sat on a stool in front of her. "I hope it didn't hurt you to much" she sighed, feeling terrible "With considerable effort Elphaba hugged her friend, kissed her on the cheek, then took her face in her hands. "I'm fine, It did hurt a little but I told you, feeling your touch made it all bearable." She let go of Glinda's face and took her hands "Glinda, all of this is so new to me, Feeling a gentle touch, knowing someone cares, I hate feeling needy and out of control, but I feel things when you touch me that I've never felt before. Special Loved. It feels good, but honestly, I'm not sure what to do with it" Glinda marveled at her friends honesty. Their relationship had definitely changed, but as yet she wasn't sure how. "Elphie, I love you, you are special to me, I want nothing more than to make all of this go away for you, but I know I can't. I want you to be ok again- I will do whatever I need to." She closed her eyes and kissed her friend then got up. " We need to tend to the rest of you," she said smiling " I know" Elphie said trying to smile but not succeeding ". Look we managed so far with relatively few tears, We can do this- let's start with the cut on your leg"
As Glinda started to re-clean the gash on her leg, Elphie tried to mentally brace herself for what was to come. The first part was a little worse than she had let on, and the rest would be worse still, she was certain." Let's just be done with it all" " she thought to herself. "Ok" Glinda said The gash doesn't look infected, that's good" She saw Elphie's face and grew concerned " Elphie, what's the matter?" "I'm just not looking forward to putting you through the rest of this, or me either for that matter" She tried to smile. "Glinda's eyes smiled "I'll be quick and gentle, and if you are concerned about modesty- I'll close my eyes the whole time" Elphie couldn't help but laugh. "Even you have to admit, this could be awkward" she said "Nonsense" snorted Glinda much to her dismay " I've seen naked women before, I've all kinds of experience tending cuts and bruises on green skin and I've got "the touch" what's awkward?" they both laughed.
"All right then- but can we both agree, it will hurt me a little, and you are not to fret about it" Elphaba laughed
"Ok Ok " retorted Glinda " Unless I hear screams of agony- I'll carry on" "Deal" Elphie smiled, hoping that her eyes didn't betray her fear. "Let's get this over with" Glinda started treating the small cuts and bruises on Elphie's legs, working as gently as she could. Elphie focused on the feel of Glinda's touch and ignored the pain, but when Glinda started rubbing oil on the bruises on her inner thigh, she yelped and jumped involuntarily, tears forming in her eyes. "Elphie" Glinda whimpered, handing her a towel before the tears added to her pain.
"I'm so sorry" Elphie dried her tears and fought to regain control "I'm ok" she said through gritted teeth "Those bruises are bad-we need to get them done, just hurry- please." She took a deep breath and waited for Glinda to continue. Reluctantly she did, gently checking and rubbing oil on the bruises and cuts on the soft green thighs as quickly as she could, trying not to let her tears drip on to Elphie's already hurting skin. She worked quickly looking for and treating any bruises or cuts on her friend's privates, stomach and chest- luckily after the thighs there were few save some bruises on her breasts and one bad one on her ribs that she treated carefully and quickly. At last she was through.
Elphie used the cloth to stop her tears- it really hurt, she tried not to cry or fuss for Glinda's sake but it was hard. She concentrated on Glinda's scent and touch, trying to push down the pain and the images she saw as a result of feeling pain there again Then she felt a soft kiss on her cheek "I'm done" Glinda said " it's over now"
She took the cloth and wiped away her friend's tears, then her own. "I'm sorry I hurt you so much"
"I know Glinda, I know, I feel better now I really do- it was all worth it really, please don't worry about it"
After they spent a few minutes, drying stray tears they hugged and agreed to put it behind them and move on. Secretly, however they each thought that might be easier said than done.