"Really Glinda, I can wash my own face" Elphaba laughed as her determined roomie came towards her with an oil-covered wash cloth. "I know that, silly girl, I was just bringing it to you" huffed Glinda. Elphie seemed more comfortable and relaxed, although she still moved with difficulty. "Elphie, apart from the things we just tended to, does anything else hurt" "I thought we weren't going to talk about that anymore" frowned Elphie.
"We're not, honey- just humor me a little and don't pout- it doesn't suit you". Elphie smiled- things were getting back to normal "Ok- yes then my shoulders and elbows, knees- basically all my joints-but I guess that's to be expected" " I guessed as much and I've got something that will really help" squeaked Glinda. Elphie rolled her eyes " I'm not sure I can take much more of anything" she confessed " Fear not, this is good and I promise it will not hurt a bit! - Now finish cleaning up and I'll go get you a fresh nightgown, and some help for your aching joints" Glinda kissed her roomies head and bounced out the door, shutting it discreetly behind her.
She walked over to her bed and sat down- she looked at the clock, it was almost evening- time had flown by- yet this seemed like the longest day of her life. Even though she knew it was ok now- she felt terrible for what she had put her Elphie through while tending her wounds. She smiled "My Elphie" Somewhere along the line she had become protective of her odd green roommate, who less than 6 months ago she loathed. Even though they had been friendly for awhile now She knew it took a lot for Elphie to let her help her today. Glinda looked at her trembling hands. "Elphie has been through so much today" she mused "I hope it will be alright" She felt tears coming and she let them flow. A good cry, might be just the remedy for all the confusing thoughts and feelings she was experiencing. After 5 or 10 minutes of silently sobbing into her pillow, Glinda pulled herself together. She went to get the balm for her precious Elphie's acing joints and a fresh nightdress from her bureau. She felt more in control and stronger after her cry- She even started to hum as she headed back towards the bathroom.
After Glinda left Elphaba looked at herself in the mirror- "What happened?" she thought How could a day that started so well turn into a nightmare!" Well not all of it," she admitted to herself. She knew what happened to her had not been her fault, She hated feeling so vulnerable and out of control. She suppressed the anger that was rising. "Later" she hissed at herself. "You are alive and well and you are not alone- focus on that you fool" She heard Glinda crying quietly in the other room- She smiled because she knew her roomie probably had her face buried in a pillow, trying to stifle her sobs. She sighed- Glinda needs a good cry. After what she had put her delicate roomie through today- she wouldn't be surprised if the room flooded She shuttered involuntarily at the thought "And me without a boat" she thought dryly- then chided herself. Glinda- her precious roomie- even though she hated to admit it- she had needed her today. She felt terrible for the pain and stress she knew Glinda suffered on her behalf. What she couldn't get her head around was the fact that someone would willingly go through something like that –just for her. She knew it would take weeks, months maybe even years to sort through the myriad of emotions and sensations she had experienced today. For now though, Glinda cared for her and it made her feel safe. Why was a mystery- but she vowed to not overanalyze all this as she was prone to do, and just accept it and deal with it "because I need to feel safe" She admitted grudgingly.
She had just finished washing up when she heard a soft knock on the door. "Is everything ok?" Glinda queried
"Yep- come on in" Elphie replied- she decided not to mention that she heard her roomie's crying spell. "OK Elphie" before you change let me put some of this on your joints" Elphie frowned quickly at the thought but she knew that Glinda would just as soon give up pink as cause her any more pain "Alright Miss Wizard", she laughed-" work your magic." Glinda opened the jar of balm and gave it to Elphie "It's like your oils only creamier- no water in it" she grinned "My Grammy makes it. Glinda took down the top of Elphie's robe "I'll start with your shoulders- and I will steer well clear of bruises" Elphie nodded. Glinda started to gently massage the cream into her neck and shoulders. It started out cold, but then got warm "How does that feel?" Glinda asked "MMMMMMM" was all Elphie could manage- Glinda's touch was intoxicating "Glad you like it" Glinda smiled as she continued to massage Her roomies neck, shoulders and non-bruised bruised parts of her back. She felt good doing something that didn't cause pain. Suddenly Elphie tensed "What's wrong Elphie?" Glinda asked confused.
Elphie relaxed immediately "Nothing, my love, really I guess I'm a little more jumpy than I thought". She smiled at Glinda and pulled her around to her front, " Maybe it was to much of a good thing- and before you ask, you absolutely did not hurt me" Glinda smiled, relieved- Elphie was bound to experience little frights, and big ones too. "Ok then- let me do your elbows and knees- is it helping?" "In more ways than you know my sweet, In more ways than you know" She kissed Glinda on the forehead. When Glinda finished "working her magic" she helped Elphie into her nightgown. " All clean and fresh" She bubbled and Elphie couldn't help but roll her eyes.
She helped Elphie get in her bed, fluffing pillows and straighten blankets. Finally, exasperated Elphie gently slapped Glinda's busy hands. "Enough" She laughed "I'm plumped, fluffed and sufficiently straightened" Glinda pouted, then laughed "I guess I could pull back on the attentiveness now huh?" Elphie's eyes shone "Maybe so- but not to far please- I came to the conclusion that I could not have dealt with this without you, as much as I wanted to try." Glinda sat gently on the bed and started to cry, "Please don't Glinda, I hate it when you cry like that" Glinda sniffled " I mean it - all of this would have been too much to bear alone- I know that. I'm glad I have you. Glinda, I. I. " She stammered and blushed slightly "Glinda dried her tears and smiled "I love you too Elphie" she said as she bent down to kiss her roomies cheek.