It took about half an hour of reassurances, promises, guilt and a few minor threats before Glinda was convinced that Elphaba was indeed capable of being left alone long enough for her to go get them something to eat before the kitchens closed. Neither girl was very hungry, but it had been a long trying day and they needed something-and besides- Elphie needed something to drink and they were out of milk.
"I will be back quick as a wink" chirped Glinda. "Take your time, please so I can have some peace and quiet" Elphie quipped. "Humph" mumbled Glinda, "Oh Miss Elphie" Glinda singsonged- and when the green girl looked up she daintily stuck out her tongue "Miss Glinda" said Elphie feigning shock "How terribly unladylike"
"I know" Glinda giggled as she tossed her hair and headed out the door laughing.
Glinda chuckled to herself as she walked down the hall. At least they were teasing each other again, maybe that was a good sign- a sign that Elphie hadn't been too damaged emotionally by her ordeal. She admired her roomie-strong, independent, confidant self-assured, everything Glinda normally wasn't. But today she had been, and she allowed herself a brief moment of pride. "You stayed strong-I knew you could do it if you tried" She told herself, standing a little taller. "Let's just hope you can continue to be- in case Elphie needs you"
She was stopping by the infirmary on her way to the café to try and get an analgesic for Elphie without telling them why. She paused at the dispensary door and put on her best "rich pampered girl with the vapors" look. And went in.
"What can I do for you my dear?" asked the nurse "If you please ma'am, I have a terrible headache from studying and require an analgesic" Glinda fibbed, convincingly she hoped, and signed her name on the register
"Oh you poor dear" clucked the nurse "come with me" Glinda followed the nurse back to a small room. "Are you sure you are ok? - You don't look well dear" "Uh-oh" thought Glinda, she did look a little wrung out "I'm really fine ma'am- just tired from studying for exams and unable to get rid of this headache" "I understand." the nurse smiled knowingly "wait here". While she was gone Glinda took some tubes of analgesic creams, germ killing ointments and such from drawers and cabinets and put them in her pockets. She just managed to sit back down before the nurse came back. She handed her a small bottle of pills "This is a mild analgesic and relaxer for general aches, pains and headaches" "Perfect" thought Glinda. "Please take one now and one before bed- that should do the trick. But just in case I have provided enough to last the weekend, If you promise to return on Monday if you are still unwell" "Yes ma'am I promise" Said Glinda curtseying politely and heading toward the door with her medical loot. In the café, Glinda put some sandwiches, fruit, tea for herself and a whole pitcher of Elphie's favorite ice cold apple cider (which, personally, she hated because it was kind of pulpy and thickish. But that made it perfect for Elphie) on a tray and headed back up to her room, and her Elphie- food and pharmaceuticals in hand
After Glinda left, Elphie settled back carefully on the fluffy pillows her roomie had provided, painfully aware of the bruises on her back and thighs. All the torture of getting cleaned up had helped a lot; she was in a little less pain and was feeling emotionally more in control. "Good" she thought "you need to get a grip on all of this soon"
She had been to a place today, emotionally, where not only had she never been, but that she didn't even know existed. Maybe she should feel pleased that she had allowed herself to feel normal emotions for once. "Allow" she thought ruefully "Allow- HA! - It just happened, I seemed to have had little influence on my own condition, not to mention little else that has happened today." She sighed heavily, not able to think about it a second more. Suddenly she felt numb, very tired, drained and numb. "An emotional short circuit" she thought "Probably for the best right now" And, to her great surprise, she missed Glinda. She didn't even want to consider how any of this would have played out if her flighty blonde friend hadn't steeped up and taken control. She let the numbness take hold and stared thoughtlessly into nothing.
She became aware of her surroundings again when the door slammed and she jumped and gasped. She sat there a few seconds in a slightly confused and agitated state-thinking she saw Glinda with a try in her hands "Elphie, Elphie it's ok- I'm here" she soothed, embracing her friend "Are you ok? She said worriedly. Elphie held onto her friend for a moment- feeling a hand stroke her hair and a soft voice in her ear. She calmed and focused and pulled back slightly. Smiling she looked in Glinda's worried eyes "I'm fine, my sweet, just fine" she kissed her worried roomie on the cheek and saw her relax "I must have dozed off and the door startled me- that's all-I'm fine now, and glad you're back" she added smiling at her. "Are you sure?" Glinda asked. "Absolutely" Elphie replied, brushing hair out of her face. "Well-are you going to feed me or not- I'm famished and parched"
She said teasingly. "Oh Elphie- yes of course" she said darting off the bed in a tizzy "Of course" She seemed a little panicked "Glinda!" Elphie said loudly and firmly and the poor thing stopped dead in her tracks. She rose, with effort from the bed and walked over to her flustered roomie. "My love, calm down", she said "I am fine and I was teasing. Now take a deep breath" Glinda calmed immediately, feeling a little foolish. "Ok-you're right" She took Elphie by the hand and led her to their little table. "I got sandwiches, fruit and as a surprise- a pitcher of you favorite cider" "Wow, that's quite a spread" she said taking a glass of cold cider and draining it in one go. She handed it back with a little girl grin "More please?" Glinda refilled her glass, then helped her friend sit down.
They nibbled on sandwiches and fruit in silence for a little while, enjoying the nearness of one another. After they finished eating and Elphie was settled comfortably on her bed again. Glinda pulled all the things she obtained from the infirmary and put them on the bed. "Glinda, what the h…" "Elphie, really" chided Glinda "Why and where?" stammered Elphie. "I went by the infirmary on my way to get dinner. I asked the nurse for something for my headache-the one I got from studying so hard" she grinned broadly "and when she went to get it I acquired some things for your injuries. Things you would have gotten anyway if you had gone to the doctor as I suggested earlier" Elphaba rolled her eyes and moaned "Oh my- I've turned you into a liar and a thief" "All for a good cause my dear" she said with a self satisfied smirk. She handed Elphie two pills and a glass of cider. "This is an analgesic and relaxer- it will hopefully dull some of your pain" her eyes were sad and threatened tears. Elphie quickly took the pills "Better already " She said smiling. "She patted the bed beside her "Sit and tell me what other torture you have in store for me" "Elphie, that's not funny- I'm doing my best" Glinda pouted, "I know, my sweet, and I'm sorry. I would be lost with out you now-please know that" she sighed. "I'm sorry Glinda- really I'm just tired, and frankly a little numb- now show me what you stole for me" she smiled tiredly. Glinda gathered her friend into her arms and hugged her as tightly as she dared. "I'm sorry to-I guess we are both exhausted and just need some sleep." She noticed that Elphie seemed less tense "Are the pills working, honey?" "I think so, I'm not as achy and the bruises don't throb as much " Glinda shuttered inwardly, realizing how much pain her friend must have been in. "Good" she said brightly "My plan should work well then. "Plan?" Said Elphie. Glinda took the soft green hands into her own "Sweetie, we cleaned off your wounds well-and I know it was awful- but that doesn't have to occur again, because they will heal faster with actual medicine on them, instead of just oil." Elphie knew she was right. "I know, I know " she sighed
"It will be faster and easier and not anything like before- I promise" she said softly "Besides you're all drugged up now- what do you care" They both had to laugh. "We will fix you up then go to bed-how does that sound?
Elphie said "The first part necessary, the last part heavenly" "Ok, you go do whatever it is you do to get ready for bed and then do your legs and chest. Put this on the cuts, especially the big one, and this on your bruises, extra on the ones on your thighs" She said handing her the tubes "It shouldn't hurt much at all" She said gently. "Call me when you are finished and I'll do your back, arms, and ribs- and if you are good and don't fuss I'll give you a massage with that warming balm- how does that sound?" A very tired and defeated Elphie brightened slightly at the thought of feeling those soft hands. "Great" she said wishing she meant it- this was necessary she knew put she was tired and numb and just wanted to escape into sleep. Glinda helped her into the bathroom. "Call me if you need me Elphie "She said kissing her worn out friend gently. " It will be ok- I promise" she said and closed the door.
Elphaba was to tired to think about anything at all- she performed her bedtime routine, used her oils and cleaned up a little mechanically and quickly. Then she opened up the tubes, Maybe it won't be bad-like Glinda said" she thought and briefly thought about calling to her "No, don't be silly you can put medicine on your own wounds"
She thought angrily. She took a deep breath, squeezed some of the cream onto her palm and started putting it on her wounds. After about five minutes and only a few moans, yelps and tears (those actually hurt more than putting medicine on the bruises) She was finished. "Good for you" she congratulated herself.
Glinda paced up and down waiting for Elphie to call. She wanted to help, but figured her friend probably couldn't take much more help like that and this she could do herself. She paced on thinking about nothing in particular when she heard Elphie's voice "Glinda" "I'm coming," she yelled racing through the door. She stopped and saw Elphie on the stool. "Are you ok?" "I'm fine you goose. Glinda, you have to stop this. I know you are worried and you care- but I'm not dying-really. No more mad dashes or panics of frenzied activities- promise me" She spoke gently but firmly looking into those beautiful blue eyes filled with emotion." "I promise" she sighed.
"Good- now about our deal" She said her eyes twinkling mischievously "I only cried a little when I put the medicine on my bruises- do I still get my massage?" Glinda stifled a giggle "That will depend on how you behave when I put medicine on your back" Elphie pretended to pout. Glinda took the tubes and Elphie lowered her nightdress. "Ready?" she asked, "As I'll ever be" said Elphie sounding tired again. As quickly as she could she applied the ointments to all of the cuts scrapes and bruises on Elphie's back and arms, and apart from one little whimper at the ribs, all went well.
"All done" she said kissing her roommate's head and stroking her hair "Are you ok? "Yeah- You were right this time didn't hurt much at all and It does really help" "Good- and by the way you were a very good girl"
"I tried" Elphie grinned "and as much as I want and need that massage I can't sit here another minute," I know sweetie, do you think you can lie on your tummy without pain?" Elphie looked confused then caught the thought "I think so-I'll try" They walked back into the room arm in arm- Elphie leaning more heavily than she intended on her diminutive roomie. She stopped "Glinda- why are you doing all of this for me?" "Elphie, really- this is what you do for people you care about" But… " Started Elphie. "No buts, we'll discuss this tomorrow- right now massage and sleep " said Glinda firmly leading her exhausted, injured roomie to her bed. Elphie tried to lie on her stomach, and found she could relatively comfortably, but wasn't sure for how long- So Glinda warmed some of the balm in her hands and slowly and gently rubbed into Elphie's neck and shoulders. "Are massages always this relaxing" Elphie asked moaning lightly as Glinda's fingers worked out the stiffness in the long green neck before her. "Yes, they are now shhhhhhh" She said. After only a few minutes however Elphie said quietly "Glinda please stop" What's the matter, are you ok? "Fine, I just can't lie like this anymore" Glinda put Elphie's nightgown back on shoulders and helped her roll over. She got her settled on pillows and covered up. "I'm sorry Elphie- I thought this would work" "It's not you fault- and I love you for trying so hard to make me feel better. But now it's very late- I'm exhausted and I know you are too- so I am ordering you to bed" she said sleepily. "Fresh dreams my precious Elphie, Fresh dreams" Glinda whispered kissing her forehead. "I love you" But her emerald skinned roomie was already fast asleep.