They were the first ones off of the train. After the porter helped them step down Glinda grabbed Elphie's hand again and headed in the direction of the waiting carriages.
"Miss Galinda, over here" A deep voice called
She walked quickly over to the waving gentleman, pulling Elphie along. "Jefet! Hello"
"Hello Miss Galinda, Welcome home" He said embracing her.
"Jefet, may I present my best friend Miss Elphaba.
"A pleasure, Miss Elphaba" He said bowing
He assisted them into the carriage. "I'll go see to your things Misses"
Glinda bounced and wriggled "Jefet is our Jack-of all-Trades."
Elphie smiled and nodded taking in the bustle of the train station, the atmosphere here was very different than it was in Shiz.
"Glinda, I think all your bouncing around is scaring the horses"
Glinda settled slightly. Jefet returned with their baggage and loaded it on top of the carriage.
"Miss Galinda," He said climbing into the driver's seat "Your mother will be waiting for you at home, but your father was unable to change his plans. He will be home for lunch. Oh and your mother has a big surprise for the two of you.."
"Oh- I love surprises- what is it?" She wriggled with excitement
"You really don't understand the concept do you?" Elphie laughed
"She never has" Jefet supplied.
"Fine- I'll wait-- I'm so excited to be home- To Upland manor we go!"
They started off. Glinda was pointing out sights and shops, chattering a mile a minute. Elphie smiled and nodded, happy she was sharing in this.
"My sweet" She ventured when Glinda paused the tour guide spiel "How far is it to your home?"
"From here, about 10 minutes- I'm so excited"
"I was thinking more along the lines of jubilant, but excited works too" She chuckled,
"Glinda, Please know- as nervous as I am- I wouldn't have missed this for the world. I love seeing you so happy and excited."
"I can't stop you from being nervous, I know that, but you will be fine here- I promise." She smiled lovingly at her roomie.
"Miss Galinda- look" Jefet said turning the carriage into a gate
"We're here!" She stood up, and fell right back down. "Elphie, "We're home!"
"So I heard" she laughed. "And please stay seated until the carriage comes to a complete stop."
Elphie saw a regal looking woman, with blonde hair coming down the steps as they pulled up and stopped. Her nerves kicked into overdrive.
"Momsie" Glinda yelled as she jumped down from the carriage. Elphie smiled in spite of herself.
"Momsie, I've missed you so," She said hugging her mother.
Elphie watched this with great interest, feeling very happy for her friend. She accepted Jefet's hand and he helped her down.
"Momsie, may I present my best friend in the world-Elphaba Thropp"
"I'm very happy to meet you at last Elphaba, Galinda has told me much about you." She said taking Elphie's hand.
"I'm happy to meet you too, Mrs. Upland, Glinda speaks of you often and with great affection"
Mrs. Upland hugged her daughter again. "Welcome home you two- welcome home."
"Jefet, please take Galinda's things to her room and Elphaba will be right across the hall, in the white room."
"Very good Ma'am- Welcome home Miss Galinda"
He called for a helper and they took the girl's things up to their rooms.
"Girls, I know you have had a long trip, and have much to tell us, and Elphaba, I'm looking forward to a long chat with you. - But I have a surprise and we need to discuss it right away. It's rather time sensitive."
She took both girls by the hand and led them up the steps and into the parlor. There was a tray of sweet breads and a coffee urn on the table.
"Please sit my dears, hungry?" She said gracefully lowering herself into a chair.
"We ate not to long ago on the train, but I'd like some coffee- Elphie? You'll like this it's Gillkineese Coffee, made with no water, only steamed milk."
Elphie arched an eyebrow. "I'd love some, Thank you" She was trying to unobtrusively study Glinda's mother.
As her mother poured, Glinda squirmed in anticipation of the surprise.
"Galinda dear, that is most un-lady like" Her mother chided gently.
"Then she's been un-lady like for hours" Elphie chuckled accepting a cup and saucer from her smiling mother
"She does have a tendency to do that when she is excited or bored" Mrs. Upland joined in the chuckling.
"Please stop torturing me, what is the surprise" She accepted her cup- thereby forcing herself to sit still.
"Not what dear- Who. Byjon"
" Byjon- what fun! Mother, I'm thrilled, but why?
Elphie sipped her coffee, wondering what, or who Byjon was.
"As I said your Aunt and Uncle will be coming in next week, and since it's their anniversary, and you were coming home I decided to throw a ball, of sorts.
Elphie almost choked on her coffee, but recovered quickly
"Oh Momsie, what a wonderful idea!" Glinda bubbled "Elphie, we are going to a ball!"
Elphie wasn't quite as excited, but smiled and nodded at her absolutely delighted friend.
Mrs. Upland casually observed Elphaba's reaction and continued.
"When I received your note last night, Byjon happened to be here for a final fitting for my new gown. I asked him, pleaded with him actually, if he would please consent to make evening dresses for the both of you, even though it was very short notice. He was thrilled you were coming home Galinda, and said he would create masterpieces"
"What a lovely surprise- I love Byjon's gowns- when is he coming?"
"Unfortunately, in order to have time to do the two, he will be her in approximately two hours for measurements"
Elphie had been listen to this conversation with growing apprehension and felt a very strong urge to leave the room.
"Wow" Glinda said
"Indeed" her mother said "There is time for you two to rest a little and freshen up, but first Galinda, I need you to approve an invitation that I need to get out right away."
Glinda glanced at Elphie, who looked a little shell-shocked.
"Ok Momsie, but first let me show Elphie to her room and I'll be right back down."
"Oh certainly dear- I'm sorry Elphaba, I can become oblivious when planning a party."
Glinda took Elphie by the hand and led her up the stairs. This trip was not starting out well for the green girl.
"Elphie I'll be right back, I promise. All your things are in your room already. Please, Please don't get upset
We'll talk it out, but I have to go back to my mother." Her eyes were clearly upset.
"It's ok Glinda, go to your mother, I'll be fine, for awhile" She smiled sincerely
They walked into a big room, decorated all in white. A young woman was coming out of the bathroom
"Sargy" Glinda said, "This is Miss Elphaba, my best friend and roommate from Shiz. Elphie, this is Sargy, she will make sure you have everything you need while you're here."
Sargy curtsied "A pleasure Miss Elphaba, please call me if you need anything"
"Nice meeting you Sargy, and I will"
"Sargy, except for my mother, and me of course, please see to it that Miss Elphaba is not disturbed"
"Of course Miss Galinda—and welcome home" The two girls exchanged smiles and Sargy left.
"Elphie…."
"It's Ok Lyndie, honestly- Go back to you're mom- I could use a little quiet time right about now"
Glinda looked very unhappy
"But not too long" She took Glinda's face in her hands and kissed her softly "It's fine honestly"
Glinda gave her a quick hug "I'll be right back"
She looked around the room - it was huge. A big four-poster bed, a fireplace, two big overstuffed chairs with end tables, a coffee table and lamps. There was a bookshelf with all kinds of different books. She opened the wardrobe; all of her things had been neatly put away and hung up. She sighed and walked into the bathroom. It was rather elegant. There was a mirror on the wall and she looked at herself. She looked tired, she felt tired. Her oils were not here yet, but the one bottle and other personal items she had brought were neatly placed on the shelves. She wasn't sure how she felt about someone fussing over her like this, but for Glinda's sake she would go with it. She did quick clean up, brushed out her hair and put it back into a ponytail. She thought Glinda should be back soon, so she went to sit in one of the chairs to wait, feeling to overwhelmed to do much else.
"Is she alright?" Mrs. Upland asked when her daughter returned "I mean, she looked a little pale, I think- Goodness Galinda, she is very green."
Glinda sighed "I warned you Momsie, and yes she is fine- She is just tired and just as nervous to meet you and Popsicle as you were to meet her, maybe more so- she is shy sometimes"
"Well darling, you are obviously very devoted to her, so we shall do everything we can to make sure she is comfortable"
"I love you Momsie- I knew this would work out- now about those invitations"
Elphie had been sitting collecting her thoughts for about 25 minutes, when she heard a soft knock on the door.
"Elphie, may I come in?" Glinda said peeking in Elphie's room.
"Of course my sweet, you needn't even have asked"
"Elphie, I'm sorry all this came at you at once, I had no idea mother had planned a ball." She said coming in the room.
"It's alright, Lyndie" Elphie said. "You know how I can get."
"I know, my love- is it ok?" She went and sat in the other overstuffed chair.
Elphie sighed " I'm so overwhelmed by this room, Sargy, and everything else and now a ball. How am I supposed to function at an event like that?"
"I'll help you, of course- but I you will do better than you think"
Elphie humphed and grumped.
"Byjon is going to be here soon to get our measurements. Please Elphie, I know you are going to hate this, but please try and bear it. If not for me, then for my mother- she was so excited, she was about to burst"
"Like mother, like daughter" she chuckled "Glinda, of course I will, I had no intention not to- I just needed some alone time to process all this" She rubbed her temples.
"Elphie- you really are going to hate this- the fittings I mean" Glinda said quietly
"So you mentioned. Are you going to tell me why?"
"I guess that is only fair- I'm fitted for things all the time- I'm used to it, and used to Byjon. He has been our tailor forever. He is somewhat… flamboyant"
Elphie arched an eyebrow
"He gushes and fusses and is generally over the top with everything- but Elphie he is a genius at creating stunning dresses."
"Goody" Elphie said sarcastically
Glinda ignored her "He will be … touching you- measuring arms, legs, chest, hips and insists on not having things get in the way"
"Things get in the way… you mean I must suffer through this and be naked!" Elphie said shocked
"Elphie of course not, that would be unseemly. We will be clad in slips."
Elphie groaned and rubbed her head again
"Elphie. I'm begging you…"
"Glinda please don't. I said I would and I will, just don't leave me alone, please."
"Of course not- I wouldn't even dream of leaving you alone!" Glinda said very distressed. Then her voice softened "I know this is going to be hard on you, and I feel terrible for being so insistent…"
Elphie got up, went over to Glinda and pulled her up into a hug.
"It's Ok Glinda, I promise. I will behave and be measured and wear whatever the genius tailor creates for me." Trying to convince herself as much as Glinda.
"But you are going to hate doing it"
"Yes, I will" she laughed lightly "I'll hate every minute…but I love you."
"Elphie, I don't deserve you" Glinda said sincerely
"At this moment only- I'm inclined to agree" she laughed and kissed the small blonde on the forehead. And they hugged.
"Girls, Girls?" They heard Glinda's mother calling from across the hall.
Glinda separated from Elphie and opened the door.
"In here Mother"
"Oh good, Byjon and his assistant are here- Galinda, darling I'll have him set up in your room- Is that Ok?"
"It's fine, Can you come in here for a moment?"
Mrs. Upland came in Elphie's room. "Elphaba, dear you are in for a real treat. Byjon is an absolute genius!" Elphie was seeing where Glinda got her perkiness.
"So Glinda informed me,"
"Momsie, Elphie's never had a professional fitting before, and is quite unused to someone as… gregarious as Byjon. Could you maybe, well, ask him to go a little easy on her?"
"Oh of course, I didn't even think that this would make you uncomfortable Elphaba, I can postpone or cancel if you wish" She was sincere.
Glinda was touched at her mother's offer
"Oh no Mrs. Upland, I would never ask that- I'm fine, really and Glinda said she would be right there too, so I'm Ok- really."
Mrs. Upland looked at Glinda for confirmation
"It's fine Mom- honest- we talked."
"Alright then. Thank you Elphaba- I know I sprung this on you before you had time to adjust to your surroundings. And I appreciate your willingness to go along with the wishes of a well meaning, but sometimes clueless old lady"
"Mother!" Glinda said laughing
"Well, I'll go see to Byjon. You two may want to change." She left in a flurry of blue.
"Elphie, I owe you" Glinda said taking her hand
"You owe me big, my sweet" she laughed and went to get changed.
Glinda's mother brought her daughter's robe and long slip over to Elphie's room.
"Hurry girls, Byjon is waiting- Oh and Elphaba I told him of your skin, so as to avoid any surprises. He is beside himself with excitement at the thought" She turned and left.
"She means well Elphie, she really does" Glinda took off her clothes, down to nothing and shimmied into her slip.
"Nothing underneath, at all?" Elphie was aghast.
"I told you I'm used to this, I understand, and we shall make Byjon understand as well, if that is too much for you."
"Elphie stripped down quickly and slipped into her black full slip. "This is almost as bad as that silly hospital gown. She laughed wanly. "I'm all arms and legs."
Glinda leaned up and kissed her friend lightly on the lips. "Thank you" she said
"Let's just do this and then I can sulk, gripe and mope and you can nod condescendingly as we always do in these situations."
"You mean when you do something you really don't want to do, just to please me."
"That would be the situation yes." Elphie sighed, but smiled broadly
"I really, truly love you" Glinda said gazing into her eyes.
"And I you" The held each other's gaze.
At last, they put on their robes and went across the hall, Glinda holding tightly to Elphie's hand
"Hello Byjon" Glinda said from the doorway.
"Galinda, My Pet, how marvelous to see you again" He flounced over and embraced her kissing her on both cheeks.
"Byjon, this is my best friend…"
"Elphaba, yes" he said greeting her as he had Glinda, making her squirm. "Your skin tone, is the most luscious shade of emerald I have ever seen. - What fun this will be" He breezed away to his material samples.
"I'm sorry Elphie, truly" Glinda said sincerely, but giggling
"Just don't enjoy this too much or I shall never forgive you" She said through tight lips.
"Come my Emerald Ingenue- does anyone ever call you Fabala?"
"Only my father is allowed the use of that nickname." She said authoritatively
Byjon studied her for a second, "Then my Emerald Ingenue you shall be. Glinda My Pet, I shall do you first, as you haven't changed much since the last time, except for being a little curvier- Brava by the way"
Glinda shimmed her shoulders as she walked over to the fitting stand, and removed her robe with a flourish Elphie sat on the couch watching the scene unfold with fascination, and more than a little trepidation. Deftly, Byjon measured every part of Glinda- arm length, leg length, back, shoulder span, everything. He called out numbers and comments to his assistant who scribbled furiously in a notebook.
It took about 15 minutes to complete Glinda's measuring, and she thoroughly enjoyed every minute.
"Byjon, you haven't changed a bit, still as thorough as ever"
"That's why I'm the best" He laughed and helped Glinda down off the stand. "Now you my Emerald Ingenue" he called holding out his hand.
"Byjon, May I have a moment with Elphaba privately please."
"But of course My Pet"
Glinda took Elphie by the hand and walked into the hallway- then put on her robe.
"Glinda, he is like a room full of people rolled into one" Elphie said looking slightly disoriented
"I tried to warn you- but you can see he very professional, and quick. And it may seem that he is a little handsy, but his interests are not with women, so don't worry about it."
Elphie chuckled, surprising Glinda "My sweet I have resigned myself to this indignity and will cooperate fully- just promise me I can have some alone time later."
"Of course my love, as much as you need."
Byjon poked his head out of the door. " Is everything alright my studious starlets?"
"All is well, Byjon- just go easy on her- she is a evening gown virgin" Glinda said chuckling
Elphie's eyes flew open and she shot her giggling roomie a look as the flamboyant tailor took her hand and pulled her into the room.
"I am honored to be the one to make your first evening gown my Emerald Ingenue" He helped her step up onto the stand and held out his hand.
"Your robe Elphie" Glinda mouthed from the couch
Elphie removed her robe and handed it to the tailor, feeling like she used to when she was young- on display.
"Oh my, your limbs are exquisite, you are trim and fit, those arms and legs. Oh…" he gasped quietly, "what form of madness had the audacity to blemish such a magnificent leg" he said tracing his finger on the nearly healed scar from the cut on her leg.
"I took a tumble a few weeks ago and cut my leg on some glass" She said trying not to flinch.
He patted her leg gently "Well fear not my Emerald Ingenue, even such a mark as this can not mar the beauty of that calf."
Elphie looked miserable and Glinda mouthed "I'm sorry" from the couch.
Byjon gently turned her around "look at that back- the line of it" He was tracing his finger along Elphie's spine.
Glinda, seeing Elphie's muscles tense, whispered "Byjon, please, she is unused to this- ease up just a little."
"I apologize my Emerald Ingenue- but creating a gown for that body and that skin is going to be the highlight of my year."
Elphie looked like she was going to explode but held her ground, and turned back towards Glinda, who blew her a kiss, Elphie shot her a few daggers in response.
Byjon measured Elphie in the same manner as he had Glinda, taking longer to make extra sure, as he did with all new clients. He chatted to her and called out notes as before and in about 25 minutes he handed her her robe and helped her step down. She put on her robe and went to sit with Glinda, trembling on the inside and trying not to on the outside
Glinda whispered in her ear. "Are you ok my love?
"Just peachy" she sighed, but clasped the hand offered her
"Now I must sketch" Byjon sat in front of them with a pad and quickly created sketch after sketch. Elphie tried to see.
"I wouldn't- he doesn't let anyone see until the fitting." Glinda warned
"My Pet is correct, tell me Emerald Ingenue- is there any sort of material that irritates that delicate skin of yours?"
"Not to my knowledge" Elphie replied "unless it's made of water" she thought sardonically.
"Wonderful. I think I know the perfect style to accentuate those lines and limbs."
"See, gangly is good," Glinda said poking Elphie lightly
"Oh my- gangly- no, don't tease her My Pet." Byjon was flustered.
"That's a twist" Elphie laughed. Glinda did too.
Byjon reached for Elphie's hand "come my Emerald Ingenue, and let me find the perfect color for you."
"Wow Elphie you're lucky- he never reveals colors or anything at this stage."
"Quite true, but I've never dressed a beauty with emerald skin, raven hair and lustrous dark eyes. I put aside my temperament for the sake of the dress." He said with a flurry of his hand.
Elphie flushed furiously and Glinda giggled.
The spunky tailor rummaged through his material samples and chose three.
"May I ask, just once more to have access to those exquisite limbs, my Emerald Ingenue"
Elphie reluctantly removed her robe.
Byjon held up the first, a shiny, dark blue, then the second, a sequined black, then the third a shimmering black that almost looked purple in the light. He pulled out another that was a different shade of black.
"I shall choose between these- you may re-robe and now I wish color you"
"Color me?" Elphie said confused
"Your sketch my Emerald Ingenue- so I can better create- although I think your fabulous skin tone is forever in my mind."
"Color away" She said returning to the couch.
She whispered to Glinda "I don't know how much more I can take my sweet"
"Byjon, not to rush, but are we almost finished here? We are both very tired from the trip up here," Glinda said to the man sketching in front of them.
"Of course, of course My Pet, just a moment more- bear with me. May I see your lovely arm my Emerald Ingenue?"
Elphie extended her arm and Byjon pushed up the sleeve. Taking his pencils, paints and chalks he fussed and clucked and jotted until at last. "Perfect." He cried loudly causing the girls to start. "I believe I have captured my Emerald Ingenue's rare and luscious skin tone. I shall show you this sketch at your first fitting"
"I can't wait to see our gowns, I know they will be brilliant as always." Glinda said rising and pulling Elphie up with her.
Byjon took Elphie's hand and kissed it, bowing.
"My thanks Emerald Ingenue for allowing me this honor. I promise I will do you justice. And you My Pet" he said kissing Glinda on both cheeks and forehead. "Creating for you is always my delight- that hair and those curves- heaven!"
"Byjon, you are such a flirt" Glinda said laughing "I have missed you"
"My work has suffered without my blonde muse. I shall return in four days for your first fittings –we shall select footwear, accessories, and hairstyle then- but I'm almost certain the Emerald Ingenue's raven hair will be worn down"
"We'll see" Elphie said as nicely as she could.
"We shall indeed- now I must be off- in four days girls- bye bye" He flurried off to his assistant, who was packing up. And the girls walked across the hall. Elphie flung herself in a chair.
"Elphie, I'm so proud of you, thank you" She looked at her friend in the chair wiping tears from her eyes. She knelt by the chair "Elphie, what's wrong?"
"Nothing really, I know something as simple as being measured for clothes shouldn't bother me- but it was just to much, everything. I don't know- maybe I'm just overly tired."
Elphaba sat up in her chair and Glinda sat on the arm, putting Elphie's robed covered arms around her
"There is nothing simple about Byjon, my love. " she chuckled "And you are allowed to feel however you want, Thank you"
"No more thanks required Glinda –really- this is what best friends do for one another, right. I was groped for the sake of fashion" She laughed and meant it
"So we are Ok, you and I, your not angry with me?"
"Of course not, my sweet, angry with myself maybe, but not with you- and I am sorry if I led you to think I was." She twisted around and hugged her friend tight. "May we dress now?"
"Absolutely, my love"
A few minutes later there was a knock on the door, "Galinda dear are you in here?" It was her mom
"Come on in Mother"
"Byjon, just left, He is quite taken with you Elphaba, Did the measuring go well?
"It was great- he even sketched Elphie, to get her coloring correct" Glinda gushed
"Elphaba, that's marvelous, he only does that for very special clients."
"He gave her a nickname too,"
"On the first visit- my you are a favored one- Galinda didn't get hers until her third dress"
Glinda nodded, impressed and proud her friend had made such an impression already.
"Well I will leave you two to change- late lunch in the solarium in half an hour?"
"Elphie?" Glinda inquired
The green girl nodded
"Good" She shut the door
"Elphie, we don't need to go down."
"No I want to, I think I like your mom- you two are a lot alike"
"Awww, thank you Elphie, that's a wonderful compliment. "
She went over to her clothes and quickly changed. Elphie did the same.
"Glinda- do I really need to choose footwear?" She rolled her eyes as she buttoned her dress.
"I'm afraid so- if only for the sake of Byjon's health." She giggled
"What?" Elphie asked confused
"My love you have three pair of shoes, all some form of boot and all black. If you present these choices to Byjon, to wear with his creation, he will perish on the spot."
"I certainly wouldn't want that on my conscious" Elphie laughed.
"He will bring some choices- he always does for me- but don't fret about that now- let's go have lunch with my folks. You get to meet Popsicle!"
"I'm looking forward to it, I think" She smiled "but after that, I need some alone time, please Lyndie"
"Absolutely my love- I will see to it you are not disturbed until dinner, if that is what you desire."
She took her friend's green hand and they walked to the solarium to meet her parents for lunch- and to at last tell them the reason for their early arrival.