They sat munching on fruit cheese and sandwiches. Elphie was leaning back in her chair, green fingers intertwined in Glinda's pale ones.
"Glinda, would you mind if I went up to our room, I think I'm a little tired."
"A little, I think you are exhausted"
"Ok- exhausted, happy now?
"Deliriously my love- I'll come up with you.
"No need- I'm just going to sleep, and as much as I know how much you love to stare at me when I sleep…"
Glinda blushed bright red
"…Even when I'm not. I need you to do something for me, a favor"
"Oh of course Elphie, anything you need."
"I need you to go shopping"
"Shopping? Do you need something?" Glinda looked truly perplexed. Usually Elphie said she did too much shopping.
"I don't, but our room does- there has not been a new outfit or pair of shoes in there for over a week- and that's just not right." She smiled at a very confused Glinda.
"Elphie, I don't need to go shopping"
The green girl sat up in her chair and looked her roomie in the eye.
"Yes you do Glinda, you are stressed, I think that's what your headaches are about- and before you say anything, yes I know that's why you went to bed early. Shopping is relaxing for you- like the baths are."
"Elphie…"
"Glinda this is not up for argument- you have been totally wrapped up in me emotionally for a week now- you've shared all of my distress. I know that's what fiends do and all, but there are limits. Now I want you to go do the thing you love most- shop. Spring recess is in a week- what will your mother say if you show up with no new things?"
Glinda looked at her friend's face. It was serious and showed no signs of backing down. She sighed
"I have been able to vent off stress, my love. There is no need to worry about me- although you may be right about the headaches."
"So you'll go shopping?"
"I will- because you insist"
"Good, my sweet, I shall nap peacefully now- and I promise tomorrow you and I will do something special together, just like you've been wanting to do"
"Yeah!" Glinda bounced up from her chair- clapping "Now I have a reason to shop."
Elphie wearily got up from her chair. Glinda picked up the cider pitcher and the left over sandwiches.
"In case you get hungry before dinner."
Elphie smiled at her adorable roommate. "Glinda have I told you how much our friendship means to me?"
"You just did my love- and it means just as much to me- now up to bed with you" She laughed and gave Elphie a little smack on her bottom.
Elphie laughed. " Hey- at least when I ordered you to soak in a tub- and to go shopping- I did it without violence."
When they got to their room, Glinda put the food and cider on the table and went to change for her shopping trip. Elphie went to lie down.
"Elphie, I'll help you with that bandage on your side later ok?"
Glinda heard something that sounded like "Ok whatever you want" but it was muffled.
She looked over to Elphie's bed and saw that her exhausted green friend was already fast asleep. She went over, covered her with a blanket and gave her a soft kiss on her forehead. "Fresh dreams Elphie." She grabbed her bag and quietly left.
Four and half-hours, at least a dozen shops, and more packages than she could carry later, Glinda very quietly opened the door and peeked in. Elphie was still in bed, lying on her side, breathing evenly.
She whispered to the dorm porter who was helping her with her packages. "Just put them on my bed please Master Norven, and try not to wake up Miss Elphaba."
Norven put the packages on the bed and turned to leave. "Thank you so much Master Norven, you are most helpful" Glinda gushed in a stage whisper.
"Any time at all Miss Glinda" he replied sincerely and headed out the door, closing it softly.
Glinda went over to her bed and started to sort through her packages, being careful not to disturb her still sleeping roommate. She had bought a few things for Elphie and separated those from the rest.
"She's not going to be happy I did this" She chuckled to herself. Then she settled into her chair, with a spell book she bought and started to read. Half an hour or so later she heard Elphie stir. She watched with amusement as the sleeping girl unfolded herself and stretched out her long gangly limbs, yawning.
"Hello sleepy head" Glinda said chuckling at the sight.
"Glinda, what are you doing back so soon?" She said sitting up and wincing a little. "
As Glinda went to fetch the pain pills she said "So soon- Elphie- you've been asleep for close to five hours"
"No-Really?"
"Look outside my love" She said handing pills to Elphie.
Elphie waved off the pills "I'm fine, no pills needed- but thank you" she said looking out of the window and saw that the sun was indeed setting.
"Wow- I guess I really was tired."
"You think?" Glinda said trying to mimic Elphie's talent at sarcasm.
Elphie arched an eyebrow. "You know you can't really do that- right? Sarcasm I mean"
"I know I know- never mind- Do you want to see what I bought?"
"It's what I dreamt about my sweet" Elphie said as sarcastically as she could. "And that is how it is done" she said bowing slightly.
"Not one of your more endearing qualities my love- and if you do not behave I shall not give you the presents I got you."
"Glinda!" Elphie said exasperated "Why did you do that? - I don't need anything"
"It's not about what you need Elphie. It's about what I need, and I needed to buy you a present- several in fact. And before you say anything- this little excursion was your idea, so hush up."
Elphaba, looking highly amused settled in for the show. "Ok then, but I'm not used to getting gifts, but then again, I am not really used to having a best friend, getting hugs and kisses, or being surround by so much pink."
"You are a mean green thing- have I told you that"
"Many times, my sweet, now show me what you bought"
Glinda sat down on her bed, reached for a wrapped parcel and handed to Elphie wriggling with excitement
"Glinda!" Elphie laughed "what is the matter with you"
"I'm just excited, I could never buy you presents before, because—well just because- so now… open it open it"
"Ok, Ok, settle down" She opened the parcel and saw a book of poetry by the poet laureate of Oz. "Oh Glinda, Where did you find this, I've been looking all over"
"I know- I went to the specialty bookshop across the river, they had one left- do you really like it?"
She was still wriggling,
"I love it, it's perfect thank you"
Glinda was beaming from ear to ear, still wriggling
"Glinda if you don't sit still, I shall accept no more gifts, besides" she said smiling "you're making me a little motion sick"
"Oh alright, I'm just very excited and very happy that you are not angry that I bought you presents- ready for another?"
"If I must" Elphie said "and I would never be angry at you for something like this"
"Yes you must and yes you would- now close your eyes"
"Glinda- really"
"Come on Elphie" Glinda whined
Smiling at how childlike Glinda could be when she was really excited Elphie complied and closed her eyes
Glinda pulled an elegant, large umbrella out from under the bed and opened it
"Ok open your eyes"
Elphie opened her eyes to see a yellow twirling blur holding a very large umbrella.
"Glinda, what in Oz?"
"It's an umbrella Elphie" she closed it "and look at the handle isn't it lovely"
Elphie accepted the gift, and studied the handle. It was intricately carved Quoxwood. The fabric was midnight blue, with no decoration or frill. It was very elegant.
"Glinda this is too much- I can't accept this."
Glinda started to pout- "but Elphie, it's to protect you- you know how rainy Shiz is in spring and summer and Gillkin can be worse. I don't want you to get wet."
Elphaba softened "But Glinda it's so extravagant"
"Not really it was the only one like it in the shop and it was on sale- apparently, because it is so plain and simple people thought it was ugly. But I thought it was beautiful- simple, understated and elegant- it's you! I had to get it for you. Please don't be angry"
Elphaba was moved to tears "Glinda, I'm not angry, I'm overwhelmed- no one has ever been this generous with me- It's stunning. Thank you"
Beaming again, Glinda went over and hugged her friend "You're welcome- and besides it goes perfectly with the next gift"
"Glinda, no more please, I don't think I can take this much generosity."
It's the last I promise- and it's the best- Please"
"Do I have a choice"
"This time –no" Glinda laughed and kissed her friends cheek. "Now close your eyes again, and keep them closed."
Elphie knew better than to argue.
When she was sure those beautiful dark eyes were indeed closed Glinda pulled the last box out and removed the contents and laid them out on the bed. It was an outfit. A long, flowing skirt- dark navy blue-almost black- with a subtle design in the fabric, the same color, and a matching blouse- long sleeved, button down, with cuffs and collar. And just like the umbrella, very Elphie.
When it was all arranged on the bed she went over to Elphie.
"Ok keep your eyes closed and come with me"
"Glinda, I feel silly- but ok"
Glinda put her arms around Elphie's thin waist and guided her over to the bed.
"Ok – Look" as her friend opened her eyes she said, "It's for our day out tomorrow"
Elphie gazed at the outfit on the bed, momentarily speechless.
"Glinda" she whispered "It's beautiful- I'm stunned"
"Elphie, as soon as I saw it I knew you had to have it- and it is just your size"
Elphaba, trying to find words, went and sat down on her bed, biting her lip to hold back tears.
"Do you like it Elphie?'
"I'm afraid to" she said at last "It's too much for me"
"Elphie, it's simple and casual, with just a touch of elegance and sophistication. "Like the umbrella, which by the way compliments this outfit perfectly, it's you"
"I love it"
"Elphie, really" She said sweeping down and gathering the green girl into a ferocious hug.
Elphie returned the hug and noticed that Glinda was crying.
"Glinda, why are you crying? I'm the one who is overwhelmed."
"Well so am I Miss Elphaba. I got so much joy getting these things for you; they were so perfect- so you, I was giddy, but not really sure how you would react. But you let me give them to you I'm so happy" she said burying her face in Elphie's chest, crying harder.
When the small girl had calmed down Elphie let go of her.
"Glinda, I had no idea all this meant so much to you- I meant it when I said that I was going to accept and deal with all the love and emotions that come my way. I love my gifts, they are perfect- thank you my sweet- from the bottom of my heart- thank you."
She leaned in and very gently brushed her lips against Glinda's, anticipating a fresh outbreak of tears.
Glinda sniffled, then beamed yet again. "Oh Elphie, it did mean a lot to me, your week has, to say the least, been horrible- and I wanted to get you some beautiful and special things to help make it better."
"These gifts do my love- but you already have, more than you know- now as a treat for you- I shall try it on and show you- In Glinda style"
Ohhhhhh Elphie- a fashion show yeah!" She said bouncing down on Elphie's bed and kicking her feet.
"Elphie rolled her eyes, picked up her new outfit and headed towards the bathroom. While she was changing, she called out- "When I change back we need to get rid of this stupid bandage"
"Of course my love- are you dressed yet?"
"Patience please" She yelled as she fastened the skirt and tucked in the shirt. She buttoned the top button and smoothed out the sleeves, then looked at herself in the mirror- "Oh my" she breathed she twisted gently watching the skirt slightly billow. The skirt came to just above her ankles, and the cuffs of the shirt just to wrists. Perfect. "She couldn't believe she was wearing anything this nice. She took a deep breath.
"Hi Elphie," She said to the mirror "Not bad at all."
"Ok Glinda- it's you're turn to close you eyes"
"They are closed," she squealed
Elphie exited the bathroom, feeling a little uncomfortable. "Ok" she said
Glinda opened her eyes and gasped "Elphie, you are stunning- absolutely perfect."
Elphie put uncomfortable aside and spun around, the skirt flowing around her. She walked a few steps forward, then walked back, spinning again, then striking what she thought was a ridiculous pose- but all of this was for Glinda. And she was laughing and clapping and bouncing around on the bed.
"Elphie- you look great- do you love it?"
"I love it- I really do- It's perfect- by the way how did you know my size, I don't think we've ever talked about clothes, except for me to say you have to many and you to call mine drab." She laughed
Glinda laughed too. "Elphie, I'm insulted- obviously you don't know whom you are dealing with"
"Obviously not" Elphie smiled.
Glinda handed Elphie her new umbrella. "Elphie, you look so…
"…so silly, ridiculous" Elphie laughed
"Elphaba Thropp, don't be absurd- that outfit suits you and you know it!"
"I know it" she laughed "It just amuses me to get you all flustered. Now may I change, so we can go get a late dinner before the café closes."
"Elphie you really do look wonderful, pretty things suit you, whether you think so or not"
"If you say so my sweet" she said heading back into the bathroom to change.
"And now I have a new and exciting challenge" She called "Finding pretty things for you that don't clash with that gorgeous emerald skin of yours"
She heard Elphaba groan loudly and smiled
She emerged, wearing her simple frock. She carefully hung the new outfit in the closet and turned to Glinda, taking her hands,
"Glinda, I love this outfit- I truly do and my other gifts as well and I understand your need to buy them for me."
She motioned for Glinda to sit with her at the table. "But, for my sake- go easy on future gift giving, at least until I can figure out to properly do it too.
"Elphie I don't expect gifts from you"
"I know, and I didn't expect them from you either, but getting them for me made you very happy- so I figure there might be something to this gift giving thing, stumbling across something perfect for someone you love and getting it for them. But as with most other things I have had very little experience with it"
"Ok I promise to ease up on the gifts, for now at least. But I make no such promises for cute clothes"
Elphie sighed "I anticipated as much- and I proffer a compromise. If for some reason you feel I need something new- or see something you think would suit me. Please just tell me and I shall go shopping with you and purchase them for myself. And in the rare instances I need to go shopping for clothes, which in case you haven't noticed I do on occasion, you shall accompany me to help me select what I require. Can you live with that?
"Elphie- you shop for clothes?" Glinda said aghast
"Be serious, Glinda. I arrived at Shiz with only some basic things- how do you think I got the rest?"
"I guess I never really thought about it because all of your clothes are very similar, and I guess I got used to them- Elphie, you shop, I'm so excited"
"No, my sweet, you shop- I go and purchase items I require. There is a big difference."
Glinda seemed to ponder this new revelation.
Elphie shook her head- "We truly are from different worlds my love- now about my compromise solution to my wardrobe- Ok?"
""I still can't get over the you shopping for clothes part. Or you shopping at all"
"Glinda stop this nonsense at once. For goodness sake, how do you think I replenish my oils, or acquire new books, I go buy them. With money. Like everyone else. What did you think I did stole things."
"Elphie don't be irritated with me- I'm sorry- It's just everything you do is so quiet and unpretentious that I never even thought about stuff like this. I didn't even know you had money."
"Glinda, this is getting totally out of hand- am I that much of an enigma?
"Actually, yes- but oh Never mind- I have no idea what I'm talking about."
"Yes, you do my sweet and if you come with me to dinner I will tell you, what for some reason you are hesitant to ask me."