Glinda woke up in her own bed. The last thing she remembered clearly was snuggling with her father in the carriage. She stretched and smiled; if she was awake then Elphie must be up and dressed already. She walked across the hall and peeked in her love's room. Much to her surprise Elphie was still asleep. She went back to her own room and dressed quickly, putting her hair back in a simple ponytail, then went back over to Elphie's room and sat in a chair to the beautiful green girl sleep. She was lost in thought about the wonderful day they had yesterday when she heard Elphie mumble. Long limbs stretched out and a sleepy green face with disheveled raven hair sat up, trying to focus.
"Glinda?" She muttered, confused "What's wrong?"
"Good morning my love and nothing is wrong. I just awoke before you did"
"I think that in and of itself constitutes something wrong." She said getting up and stretching again.
"Not that I mind, but why are you in here?" She asked sleepily
" I wanted to see you. So it was either sit here and watch you sleep or crawl into bed with you and disturb your sleep. I chose the former, because I figured if you were still asleep you needed to be." She said reasonably.
"That was very thoughtful of you. I think" She walked into the bathroom. "I'll be right out"
She sat and resumed her remembering of the symphony, salon and dinner on the terrace. Finally Elphie emerged, dressed and a little more awake.
"Shall we start again. Good morning my sweet. " She opened her arms and Glinda placed herself in them.
"Good morning my love" The held each other for a moment, then kissed.
"Wasn't it a glorious day yesterday" Glinda said twirling around
"Elphie laughed "Yes it was, with a couple of exceptions"
"Exceptions! What exceptions?" Glinda flopped in a chair.
"Well a riding habit and a wand come to mind."
"Minor details" The blonde said with a wave of her hand
"My you are in a mood this morning" Elphie chuckled
"Yesterday was perfect. I spent the whole day with my parents and my love. What could be better?"
"Returning the riding attire and the wand?" Elphie answered helpfully
Sargy appeared in the doorway "Excuse me Miss Glinda, your parent's would like to see you in the parlor right away, you too Miss Elphaba."
"Thank you, Sargy, please tell them we will be right down."
The maid left hurriedly
"Are we in trouble?" Elphie asked worriedly
"Elphie, why would you think that? Being summoned when my parent's wish to see me for something is a very normal thing, not cause for alarm." Glinda said calmly
She took the girl she loved by the hand and led her out the door.
"Don't fear the worst about things like this my love"
Elphie just shook her head- "It's hard to negate 18 years of training in just a few days"
"It's ok, I understand- I just want you to be comfortable here."
"I am- but in my world- if you were summoned by your parents it was because you were in very serious trouble, and a beating of some sort was usually in store" She laughed.
Glinda stopped short. "Elphie, you were beaten when you were young? - No!"
"Oh Glinda, No. No one ever hit me- I was never even really punished. It was just common practice in the smaller villages of Munchkinland and even more so among the Quadlings. But Glinda my sweet I was never, never harmed in that manner, I promise." She kissed her roommate's forehead "So you can just get that out of your mind- Ok?"
"Ok" She said relieved.
They hurried down to the parlor.
"Hello darling parents- sorry it took so long" She said sitting on the sofa, pulling Elphie down with her. "Some how or other we got into a conversation about punishing children"
"Elphaba, I hope she told you what a little scamp she was when she was young" Mrs. Upland said.
"Was she now?" Elphie said amused
"Mother-really" Glinda huffed
"She was prone to temper-tantrums" Mrs. Upland laughed
"Really- I never would have guessed" Everybody, including Glinda laughed.
"All right" the blonde said, "I admit I was a bit of a handful"
"A bit?" Her father chuckled and puffed his pipe. " Once- when she was 5 or 6 years old…"
"Father- Please" Glinda said exasperated.
"Hey" Elphie said snickering "You've been telling them about me- fair is fair"
Glinda threw up her hands and laughed
Her father continued "She had been throwing a continual temper tantrum for close to a week over some minor something."
"It wasn't minor" Glinda huffed "You wouldn't allow me to build a stable in my room so my horse could stay with me." She pouted while chuckling
Elphaba was highly amused
"Oh yes. Well we were at our wits end with her. Time alone in her room didn't help. Neither did scolding, or taking away her favorite things. Then one day important company was over, and she was being a terrible little beast"
"I wasn't that bad" Glinda said defensively.
"Galinda, you called the mayor's wife a funny headed frump and stuck your tongue out at her"
Elphaba chuckled "I see you have a history of that sort of behavior"
Glinda smirked
"Well that was the last straw- I picked her up, took her into the parlor, put her over my knee and gave her behind 2 or 3 little smacks- the first and only time I did such a thing."
"You didn't" Elphie laughed mildly shocked
"He did" Glinda giggled "I was furious"
"She was indeed. I expected her to bawl her eyes out and throw an even worse tantrum. But she just stood there- with tears in those precious eyes- hands on her hips, She told me that kind of behavior was unacceptable, and she was leaving, then she stomped up to her room, packed a bag and left"
"Glinda-you ran away from home- really?" Elphie was beside herself with amusement.
"I put my worldly treasures in a bag and walked right out the door."
"We followed her of course," Her mother said
"You did?" Glinda said surprised
"Of course darling, we were not about to let our precious little girl go out alone- besides how do you think we found you?"
"Where did you go?" Elphie asked clearly enjoying this.
"To the stables" Glinda chuckled "I figured if my horse couldn't move in with me, I would leave my terrible mean parents and move in with her." She laughed out loud at the memory
"After an hour or so her father went down and found her asleep on the hay in her horse's stall and carried her to her bed"
"I remember that" Glinda said looking at her father " I woke up a little when you picked me up and you asked me if I would come home, because you loved me and missed me terribly" Glinda's eyes filled with tears, and she wiped them away.
"Next thing I remember it was morning and I was in my own bed. Hey, Is that how I got in my bed last night? Daddy, you carried me up?"
"I did my darling, you were fast asleep, just like then" He smiled at her.
"After that she only threw dainty little temper tantrums." Her mother said.
"I've seen a few of those" Elphie laughed
"Elphaba- honestly" Glinda laughed "Well if we are quite finished defaming my character, why did you need to see us."
"Oh yes- that amusing trip down memory lane almost made me forget." She laughed and everyone joined in.
"Two things" her mother started "First, your aunt and uncle will be arriving on Thursday and the ball will be on Saturday. There will be formal dinner for family and a few friends and dignitaries; the actual ball will start after that. The Frottica String and Brass Ensemble will be playing."
"Oh they are wonderful" Glinda chirped
Elphaba since you are an out of town guest, and already of age, we decided not to have you escorted by a young man. Samion will escort you into the party and you may acceptably arrive to dinner with Galinda, You both will be introduced by Hensign."
"Momsie, your not going to make me have an escort are you?" Glinda tried not to whine
"Well, darling, we gave it much thought and decided that since Elphaba would be unescorted you could go unescorted as well. You will be presented at the ball on the arm of your uncle."
"Thank you Momsie, boy's my age can be such dolts sometimes." She giggled
Her mother arched an eyebrow, but said nothing.
"Galinda, you will be expected to dance an official dance with your father and one with your uncle. Elphaba dear, as one of the guests of honor your official dance will be with Samion, and possibly one with the mayor. Apart from that who you dance with is your own choice. Is that acceptable to you both?"
"That's fine with me Mom, I get to be unescorted, I'm happy."
Elphaba dear, Is that acceptable to you?"
"I have absolutely no idea how to respond to that question," She said very perplexed
"It's fine Momsie, I'll lead her through what you just said more slowly later on."
"Oh my dear, I'm sorry I confused you."
"It's Ok, really .I have little experience with formal events I'm afraid"
"You have a natural, though somewhat hidden, poise my dear Elphaba and I'm sure you will be just fine. I have planned a formal family dinner for tomorrow night. Our Galinda tends to get a little fidgety at long formal events, I thought a refresher might help. Also, don't forget tomorrow, Byjon will be here in the morning for your evening gown fittings"
"I know, I can hardly wait to see what he made for us" Glinda was bubbly, Elphie's head was spinning.
"I know, he is a genus. Now are we all clear on party protocols?"
"I am" Glinda said and glanced at Elphie who was rubbing her temples. "And she will be"
"Will you be comfortable with this Elphaba, with Galinda's help?"
"I will, yes, It's fine" She sighed
Mrs. Upland glanced at Glinda who nodded "Wonderful, but please come to me if you are uncomfortable with any part of this. Promise me Elphaba."
"I promise" She smiled.
"Good, now the second thing, Your father and I will be spending the day at the club. So we will dine casually tonight, and a little later than normal"
"That's fine, we haven't even had breakfast yet" Glinda said realizing she was hungry.
"Will you girls be ok here alone this afternoon?" Glinda's father asked
"Oh yes, don't worry about us. We can practice for the party!" Elphie could see she was hatching a plan
"Fine, fine dears. Well, we are off and we will see you later. Happy practicing" She breezed out giving both girls a kiss on the cheek as she left.
Glinda's father hugged her "I'm glad you came home darling- then and now"
Glinda hugged her father hard
He put his hand on Elphie's shoulder. "Elphaba dear, I am glad you came home too." And he left
Elphie was overcome with emotion and Glinda saw her wipe away tears quickly.
"Elphie, Are you ok?"
"I'm fine- your parents love you so much. Listening to your father tell that story, watching you with him yesterday and seeing his face when he looks at you…"
"I know, sometimes it overwhelms me how lucky I am- Elphie I know your childhood was very different…"
"It's Ok Lyndie, I'm not upset- really- just a little befuddled that your parents are treating me with such kindness, when my own could never seem to"
Glinda hugged her
"And who knew you were such a little terror!" She chuckled
"I wasn't a terror" She said with finality, "I was determined!"
They girls walked to the kitchen and grabbed some sweet breads and drinks and took them upstairs quickly before Cook could find them scrounging around. They went to Glinda's room to eat and talk.
"Glinda, about this party…"
"I know my love- it must be a little much for you all at once"
"No-it's not that exactly- I… My this is embarrassing"
"Elphie- what?"
"Not only do I have little knowledge of formal events I don't know how to behave at a formal dinner"
"Elphie! - Don't be absurd, your table manners are impeccable"
"Yes, when there is one of everything- but I've seen very formal dinner place settings and there is differently more than one of everything" She was quite distressed.
"I don't want to embarrass you or your parents," She said quietly
"Oh Elphie, there is no way you could-ever- and this is not a problem."
"It is when there is a formal family dinner tomorrow" She was a little agitated
"Elphie please don't worry, I have a plan. We will rehearse eating"
"Rehearse eating?" Elphie relaxed and looked amused.
"Like my parents did with me before my first formal dinner. I'll ask cook to set out a formal place setting for us this afternoon, for lunch, and we will work with it until you are comfortable"
"That seems like an awfully lot of trouble, just to domesticate me"
"Elphie, please- you are one of the most poised people I have ever known, and my mother agrees. This will not be a problem for you, I promise. Whether you realize it or not- you are much better in formal situations than you are in casual ones- generally."
"An interesting thought" Elphie pondered
"And the family dinner is mostly a precaution- for me. My mother wasn't kidding, for all my pomp and glamour- I'm notoriously unreliable at formal events"
"Glinda, I find that impossible to believe!" Elphie said flabbergasted
"I get fidgety, It's not exactly a well kept secret, as yesterday proved" She rolled her eyes
"Well I can't argue with the evidence" Elphaba laughed merrily
Glinda picked up a little bell and gave it a ring. Sargy appeared in a few minutes.
"Yes miss."
"Sargy I need a favor, could you please tell Cook that Elphie and I wish to dine formally for lunch .I need to reacquaint my self with the formalities of life. College life has de-formalized me somewhat." Glinda laughed, her eyes twinkling merrily.
Sargy laughed "Of course Miss- I'll see to it at once"
"Thank you"
Sargy left and the girls heard her chuckle down the hall
"I told you I'm notorious"
"You are very good at this Glinda"
"I grew up knowing nothing else my love. Elphie since we are on the subject- how are you with ballroom type dancing? We are expected to dance."
Elphaba laughed. "With one exception, not very good at all- Why?"
"One exception" Glinda asked puzzled
"I can waltz" Elphie said. Noting her friend's shocked expression, She took Glinda's hand and pulled her into dance position and they danced for a few moments while Elphie hummed a catchy waltz melody. Glinda was elated.
"Elphie, this is wonderful" then she pouted "Why do you keep things like this from me you mean green thing"
Elphie replied "the subject of ball room dancing just never came up- don't pout my sweet"
Glinda flopped on the sofa.
"Lyndie, this is the only thing I know how to do on the dance floor- and I am very out of practice."
"Didn't seem that way to me, but let's practice that this afternoon too- I haven't danced like that in ages."
"Glinda, I have no desire to make a fool of myself with a strange gentlemen- It will be bad enough at the party."
"I meant dance with each other, silly- alone in the ballroom, just us" She winked at her green love
"You are incorrigible- but it is a good idea"
"Good- then today really will be party rehearsal day! Are you feeling a little better about this my love?"
She put herself in Elphie's arms.
"It's alright if you are not"
"I am, but what is the whole escort thing about?"
Glinda laughed. "At every formal event I have attended since I was 13 I have had an escort. A friend from school, or a friend of the family. It's custom. As a matter of fact my escort to my sixteenth birthday party was a boy I had a big crush on" She giggled
"Really?" Elphie said intrigued
"We spent the whole party together, dancing and talking. He gave me my first real kiss, and second and third ones too, actually."
"Now that's an interesting bit of information, so what became of Mr. Happy Lips?" She chuckled
Glinda slapped a green hand lightly
"Elphie!" She giggled "We were at a birthday party, walking in the garden and he became a little too…well, enthusiastic." She laughed
"So I slapped his face, called him fresh and reported the whole thing to my parents. He was never my escort again."
"My, my, I see I'll need to watch my step around you" She chuckled "Although that was very enlightening, and will provide great discussion topics for later, what does it have to do with me and an escort."
Glinda sighed. "Although you are of age, by custom you should still have a proper escort. And I absolutely should. Now I'm guessing that the real reason that you won't have one is because my mother felt that you would be too uncomfortable and unhappy saddled with an unfamiliar young man all evening. She is using your age and visitor status as a reason to defy that custom, but it also provides a proper and logical explanation for why I will also be unescorted. In a roundabout way she is allowing us to be each other's escorts, except for our entrances into the ballroom."
"Interesting notion." Elphie pondered. "I appreciate this of course, but I'm still a little confused."
She turned and faced her friend.
"Elphie you and I both know you will be receiving a great deal of attention, because you are my guest, because some will recognize you as the Thropp Third Descending and because you are green. Mother is aware of this also, and this is her way of mitigating that somewhat. I will be free to, well run interference for you, if needed. I know you fret about things like this my love, and I am telling you directly not to. All this was just behind the scenes maneuvering to allow us both to enjoy ourselves at the ball, I'm positive of that. Promise me you will try not to fret'
"I am not fretting my sweet. I trust you completely. Let me tell you what I just heard. I heard that neither you nor I have to spend all evening with one gentleman, that we will be allowed to spend at least some time together, and that I will be somewhat shielded from my mob of adoring fans" She leaned over and kissed Glinda's cheek.
"Did I cover the situation adequately?"
"Brilliantly my love, brilliantly. You never cease to amaze me." She gave Elphie a lingering, not quite as chaste as before, kiss.
"Elphie smiled. " Should I send a thank you note to Mr. Happy Lips?"
"Now who is incorrigible?" She cuddled in Elphie's arms and they sat that way talking and laughing about the party and their wonderful day yesterday for a long time. At last Glinda pulled away.
"We had best go down to our practice lunch before Cook comes after us with her serving spoon"
Elphie sighed, not really wanting to let the adorable girl go. "I guess we should."
Cook was, as usual, bustling around the kitchen.
"Excuse us, Cook"
Why hello Miss Galinda, Miss Elphaba- Are you ready for your practice meal?"
"We are, thank for doing this for us,"
"Think nothing of it dears. This one I'm sure will be fine" she said indicating Elphie "But we don't want a repeat of the sautéed vegetable incident now do we?"
The sautéed vegetable incident?" Elphie chuckled
"I'll tell you later, Cook! - I was 12- will I ever live that down?"
"I'm looking forward to telling your children Miss Galinda, Now off to the dinning room with you"
Everything was waiting for them in the dinning room
"Ready Miss Elphaba" Glinda giggled.
"As I shall ever be Miss Galinda" Elphie responded
They were properly seated and served. Glinda explaining everything as they went along. They practiced being served and serving themselves, accepting or declining beverages, and working with all the various utensils, plates and napkins. As they were eating, Elphie asked
So what was this sautéed vegetable incident?"
They heard the staff titter in the background.
Glinda sighed but smiled. "Once, when a platter of vegetables was presented to me I took too big of a scoop, trying to act grown up, and I misjudged everything and ended up flinging sautéed vegetables all over the mayor."
"Oh my- you don't have good luck with mayoral families do you?" They both laughed
When Elphie seemed to be comfortable, the plates were cleared. Hensign had been standing by unobtrusively and Glinda called him over.
"Hensign, would you please set up the victrola in the ballroom for us?"
"Of course Miss Galinda" He bowed and left
"So are you Ok with all of this?" Glinda asked
"I think so- I am truly fascinated by all this and except for all of the strange people, looking forward to it"
"Oh I'm glad- I think it will be fun- Now my love- Shall we dance?" She took Elphie's hand.
"Elphie, where did you learn to waltz?" She asked as they walked to the ballroom.
"When I was small- my father showed me- I'm not sure why- he thought things like dancing were a waste of time- but he taught me. For years every so often he would sweep me up in a waltz. It was the only time I remember him holding me. Then he just stopped- I never knew why"
Glinda studied her friend's mood.
" Elphie, besides your official dances, you know other gentleman will more than likely wish to dance with you. Are you Ok with that?"
"Of course I am. Or at least I will be" She chuckled.
They entered the ballroom and it was set up as requested.
Elphie took her love's hand. "Would you care to dance?"
"I'd be honored"
Glinda selected a traditional Gillkineese Waltz and put it on.
"This will be played for sure, It's a classic. Is it like what you know?"
"Pretty much- I think all waltzes are similar. Let's try"
"Ok- first, you need to curtsy"
"Curtsy?"
"Just slightly, It can be tricky in evening wear. Like this"
She performed a small curtsy. Elphie followed suit and nearly fell over
Glinda giggled. "Sorry Elphie" she went around behind her "Ok keep you back straight" She wrapped her arms around Elphie and guided her into a proper curtsy.
""Feel that?" They tried again
"Now you"
Elphie managed to curtsy slightly without falling over.
"Where in Oz did you learn this stuff?" Elphie laughed
"Madame Jilluer's Finishing School for Proper Young Ladies actually"
"That explains so much" Elphie laughed again
Glinda put on the music again, they curtsied to each other and Elphie took her in her arms
"Who's going to lead?" Elphie asked
"I never have had to- Can you?"
"Why not?"
She waited for the beat then led Glinda around the floor, It took awhile to remember all the flourishes and to find a rhythm and flow and there was some initial stepping on toes as Elphie found the lead, but soon they were waltzing. When the music finished, they both broke out laughing
"That was fun," Glinda said
"It was wasn't it- Care to go again?"
Glinda went and restarted the music- the long version. Elphie took her hand; they curtsied, slipped into each other's arms and seamlessly moved into the dance. Within moments, gazing into each other's eyes, they were sweeping across the floor, flowing from step to step effortlessly. They swirled and twirled with purpose, getting caught up in the music and the feel of each other. As the music progressed, so did their intensity. They moved in perfect unison, one body responding to the other. They both felt sparks flow through them, from Elphie's arm to Glinda's waist back to Elphie, like an electric current fueling them on. They continued to glide around the dance floor, oblivious to anything but the music and the movement of their bodies together until the music finally stopped. The girls slightly disoriented and breathing heavily could not take their eyes off of one another, could not let go.
At last Glinda spoke "We may need to continue that talk we were having- very soon" she said gazing into Elphie's eyes
"Agreed" Elphie, said returning her gaze
It was only when they heard the applause that they pulled apart.
Mr. and Mrs. Upland came home and heard music coming from the ballroom.
"The girls must be brushing up- let's peek" Mrs. Upland said.
They went and quietly opened the big ballroom doors. The song was almost over and Elphie and Glinda were waltzing brilliantly and passionately around the room.
"Samion, they are incredible- look at them."
"I see them." He said mesmerized at the sight.
The music stopped and they observed the girls catching their breaths, getting their bearings back.
They walked in applauding "Brava, Brava" The called in unison
"Galinda darling we had no idea that you could waltz so well."
"Neither did I- I think it was Elphie- she's a natural" Elphie flushed
"So it would seem," Mr. Upland said, "Galinda, put on some music please. Gwenot, would you care to dance?"
"I would love to dear"
They acknowledged and set off around the floor. Soon, they waltzed over to the girls.
"Sitting this one out?"
"Yes, I think we need a breather"
"I wouldn't doubt- from what we saw, that waltz you did was nearly perfect- spectacular even" Mr. Upland said
Both girls flushed this time
"Rest up Elphaba- I claim the next one" He said as he danced his wife away.
"Elphie he was right- that was spectacular, I've never felt any thing like it, my whole body was tingling, It frightened me a little"
"Me to Lyndie, me too" She sighed "I didn't even know I was capable of that sort of a reaction. I certainly hope that your father isn't expecting a repeat performance, There is no way I can repeat that."
"Considering the sparks that we created, I would hope not" She winked at Elphie who flushed furiously.
"I'll put on a different waltz, a slower one, and I'll switch midway- to dance with my father, then we can beg off and hide until dinner- how's that"
"Good. That sounds good" Elphie sighed, more confused than ever.
The music stopped and the girls applauded
"Oh Momsie, Popsicle- I'd almost forgotten how well you two dance together- how wonderful"
"Yes that was fun" Mr. Upland said "Are you all up for one more? May I have this dance Miss Elphaba"
He said extending his hand and bowing
"It would be my honor" Elphaba said accepting his hand and curtsying.
"Maestro, music if you please"
He swept Elphie into position. Glinda had the record ready and put it on.
"One of my favorites" he said as he danced Elphie off.
"Momsie- would you do me the honor?"
"Delighted my dear"
They danced out onto the floor. The couples chatted and danced, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
"Momsie Is it ok with you if we switch- I'd like to dance with daddy"
"Certainly dear" Mother danced daughter over to the other couple and without missing a beat they switched partners
"Hi Daddy" Glinda said
"You haven't called me that since you were small, but you have called me that a lot this visit. I like it"
"I know- I think I've just began to understand how lucky I am to have a father who loves me as much as you do" She buried her head in her father's shoulder and the slow waltz, became a precious father daughter moment.
"She misses you two a lot," Elphie said dancing with Glinda's mother
"That's good to hear. Once children leave home you never know"
"Well, you can know- She loves you more than anything in this world" Elphie said
Mrs. Upland stopped. "Would you mind dear, I'm not as young as I used to be"
"Of course, Gwenot, of course"
She went over and put on another slow song. "You two continue, Elphaba and I will go get drinks"
"Yeah" Glinda bubbled "More daddy dancing"
Mrs. Upland and Elphaba walked out towards the kitchen.
"You dance very well Elphaba"
"Thank you, I was afraid I was out of practice, but Glinda seems to bring out the best in me."
They walked silently into the kitchen, which was empty.
"She loves you very much Elphaba" Mrs. Upland said out of nowhere.
The starkness of the comment shocked Elphie slightly.
"I know she does," She said quietly, afraid to look her in the eye.
"Do you love her?" She asked pointedly
"I do. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me" She replied.
Her need to be candid with this woman continued to surprise her.
"And I think you have been very good for her as well, she has matured a great deal since we saw her last."
"She had to- I think- for my sake. I've never had anyone go to the lengths she did to help and protect me."
Mrs. Upland was debating whether or not to risk continuing this conversation when Glinda and her Father came in
"What happened to you two?'
"Sorry dears" Said Mrs. Upland "We were just having a chat"
Glinda's eyes shot up in surprise
"Don't look so surprised Galinda, You know it's not the first time your best friend and I have chatted since your arrival. Did you and your father have a nice time?"
"We did indeed, I've missed my little girl' Mr. Upland said.
"A wonderful time but I'm thirsty"
Mrs. Upland got up and poured a glass of tea for Glinda and a glass of cider for Elphie.
"Why don't you two take these, and this" handing Elphie a plate of finger sandwiches and go on upstairs to relax, I'll give you a half hour until dinner warning."
"Ok" Glinda shrugged "Elphie?"
"Right behind you Glinda" She said feeling more confused than ever.