Dinner was a light and fun affair. They laughed and talked and Elphie was treated to more little Galinda stories. Cook prepared some sort of chili that was delicious, but was spicier than Elphie was used to.
They had been back up in Glinda's room for less than half an hour when she realized that.
"Lyndie, I'm not feeling very well, my stomach is very upset." She grimaced
"Elphie, I'm sorry" She rubbed her friends stomach lightly "I'll go get my mother"
"I'm not even going to argue" she moaned slightly
"I'll be right back my love" She hurried off, If Elphie did not put up a fuss, she must feel really terrible.
She ran down the hall to her parent's parlor, but no one was there so she called for Sargy.
"Sargy, Please go find my mother, Elphie's not feeling well." Her voice laced with concern
"Right away Miss Galinda" She said and went quickly downstairs.
Back in her room Elphie was stretched out on the sofa. She was a little pale.
"Elphie, sweetheart, Sargy went to go find mom." She soothed
Elphie sat up and Glinda sat beside her and held her hand and played with her fingers.
"I think the chili was too spicy for me, or something. What a shame because it was so delicious." She moaned a little and held her stomach
"Oh my poor Elphie" Glinda stroked her cheek, very worried. She had seen her furious, crying and in pain, but never sick.
"Elphaba?" Gwenot said rushing in and striding over to her side
Glinda moved and let her mother sit beside Elphie.
"Sargy said you were not feeling well, what's the matter darling?"
"My stomach is very upset, I'm nauseous and it's getting worse." She groaned again
Gwenot felt her forehead "No fever, that's good"
"She thinks that maybe dinner didn't agree with her," Glinda said pacing around
"Well, that chili is a traditional Frottica dish, The spices are native to here, so it's possible that you haven't had them before."
"The tastes were unfamiliar to me," Elphie said looking more miserable
"Well, I have things here that would help, but they are all mixed with water or tea. Galinda dear, stay with her, I'm going to go see what we can do about this, and I'll send your father to the apothecary."
"Of course, Momsie"
Elphie was in no shape to argue and just nodded gratefully. Gwenot left quickly and Glinda helped Elphie to the bed
"Lie down my love, my mother will get something to make you feel better" She kissed her love's pale forehead.
Elphie felt awful and put up no argument. Glinda propped up some pillows and helped her friend get as comfortable as possible, then sat down beside her.
"I'm sorry Glinda, for all of this trouble" She said quietly biting her lip against a wave of nausea.
"Elphie it's not your fault you are sick. Here lean you head against me" Elphie did and Glinda stroked her hair. Elphie made weak complaints about being coddled, but was honestly too sick to care about it.
Gwenot came back in about an hour. The girls were still in the same position. Elphie's eyes were closed, her face pale, brow furrowed.
"How are you feeling Elphaba?" she said with true concern
"The same, ugh" She said opening her eyes and sitting up.
"The apothecary mixed this for you, he said it should soothe your stomach, relieve the nausea and help any pain you may be having. He also said you can take it without fear, as he mixed it very thick."
Gwenot poured some thickish brown liquid into a small glass and handed it to Elphaba.
"He said to take this now and more in a few hours and that should fix you up. You may take more if you need it, but cautioned that if you don't feel better by tomorrow, we should take you to the doctor."
Elphie groaned "no doctor"
"She has issues," Glinda said
Elphie drank the medicine, making a horrible face
"That was disgusting," She said shaking her head
Glinda and her mother smiled
"Good girl" Gwenot said kissing her forehead "Galinda, take medicine taking lessons from her" She laughed and cupped Elphie's cheek
"I hope this helps you feel better Elphaba, I'll trust you to take some more before you go to bed. Please come and get me if you don't feel any better"
"I'll see to it Momsie" Glinda said
"I'm sure you will take marvelous care of her darling, but you need to watch out for yourself as well, you had a very emotional day and might have a bad night,"
"I know mom, I'll get you if I need you, or if she does." Glinda said
"Good. Feel better Elphaba dear,"
"Thank you for everything Gwenot" Elphie said
Glinda walked her mother to the door.
"Are you sure she will be alright?" Glinda was very concerned
"The apothecary did not seemed worried, it just seems worse because she can't take our normal tummy ache remedies. Galinda I am very proud of you for today, You faced one of your greatest challenges. I love you my darling and I'm sorry you had to go through such pain."
"It was hard and it did hurt, but I feel better about it all and have even been telling Elphie about her."
Gwenot hugged her daughter "You are an amazing girl my daughter."
"I love you too mommy" Glinda said
"Now go nurse her back to health"
"I heard that" Elphie said and the two Upland women chuckled
Gwenot left and Glinda went back over to the bed.
"Feeling better?" She smiled
"A little I guess. I just hate..."
"I know, I know being coddled" She kissed Elphie's cheek
"I should be coddling you, not the other way around." Elphie said shifting positions
"Maybe, but I don't require it right now, and you do" Glinda kissed her cheek again and rubbed her stomach.
"Why are you doing this" Elphie said irritably indicating the rubbing
"My parents did this for me when I had a tummy ache, It made me feel better, feel safe and loved. So quiet down and feel safe and loved already!" Glinda chuckled
Elphie smiled in spite of herself. The medicine seemed to be helping and so, she grudgingly admitted was the tummy rub. After a time Elphie felt a strange sensation and tensed slightly. Glinda had slipped her hand under Elphie's blouse and was gentling rubbing small circles on the bare skin of her stomach.
"Lyndie, I'm feeling a little better, can we at least move over to the sofa, I feel silly lying in bed" Her voice was slightly strained.
"Sure Elphie, but you don't sound too good, and you're tense"
"I'll be better when we move"
They shifted to the sofa; Elphie got comfortable on one end and Glinda on the other. Elphie was still a little pale and her face looked drawn.
"Elphie something happened, were you feeling sicker"
"I'm feeling better, not sicker and I can't explain what happened, I just felt tense all of a sudden."
"Right after I was caressing your bare stomach. Was that too much for you? I'm sorry"
"Don't apologize, please. I guess I reached my coddling limit" She smiled
"And your affectionate touching limit?" Glinda said seriously. She had had similar reactions during back rubs.
"That too, probably, I'll get over it I promise" She was distressed
"Elphie, It's not a big deal, besides you shouldn't stress yourself out about it when your not feeling well anyway"
"I'll try, but when I'm better, and you're better, I should try and talk about it"
"And we will. Now, did I ever tell you about the cake batter incident?" Glinda laughed
"No, I don't know that one" Elphie chuckled
Glinda told her about her worst tummy ache, after eating an entire bowl of cake batter and other little stories trying to distract her. She was well aware that the stomach rub had affected her strongly.
They sat and talked for awhile Elphie enjoyed the storytelling. She chimed in with a few-- Shell was sick a lot because he'd eat anything at all-- stories.
"…I was cleaning up purple vomit for days after that." She laughed
"Yuck" Glinda made a face "Even little boys can be unreliable" She chuckled
"Are you feeling better Elphie?" her tone changed from amused to concerned
"I am. My stomach has settled down and I'm not quite as nauseous."
"Yeah! I don't want you to feel yucky," She said in a little girl tone, making Elphie laugh.
"Why don't we get ready for bed, then I can coddle you. I feel well enough for some snuggles" The green girl said.
Glinda grinned broadly. "Ok. Come on I'll help you." She looked into Elphie's eyes.
"Ok, never mind. You go change and come back over, How's that?" Glinda amended her offer.
"Much better my sweet" She smiled
Elphie felt a little shaky walking to her room. She wasn't sick very often, and hated it when she was. It annoyed her to feel helpless She was also annoyed at herself for reacting so strongly to Glinda's touch. She should be able to handle that by now. She washed up and changed into a nightdress. Her thoughts were consumed with wanting to revel in her love's touch, not tense up because of it.
"Argh" She said forcefully, hitting the door. "Why can't I do this?"
Glinda hearing the yell raced over to Elphie's room.
"My love, what's wrong? are you well?" She looked a little panicked.
"I'm not feeling worse, or at least my stomach isn't, I'm sorry I startled you."
"I'm just happy you aren't feeling worse. Now come on, you are doing yourself no good stewing over this" She looked pointedly at her love. "Any of it"
She took Elphie's hand and they went back across the hall.
"I wasn't stewing"
"You were so. Now I was promised snuggles, So If you feel physically up to it, I want my snuggles." She stomped her foot, but smiled
"I'm not going to throw up on you, if that's what you mean," She said sitting on the sofa.
Glinda plopped down beside her and looked her in the eye with all of the affection she had in her.
"It will be alright my love, I promise" She snuggled in Elphie's arms.
Elphie held her not really in the mood to talk. She felt Glinda playing with her fingers as she always did and played right back, which she seldom did.
"Lyndie, are you really doing Ok?" She asked after a time.
"You first" Glinda responded
Elphie smiled "I'm feeling much better, I'll take my medicine before bed and should be good as new in the morning. Alright?"
"Alright. I've been sitting here thinking about how I am. I don't know how I should be, so I guess I'm fine."
"That's not really an answer," Elphie said. Usually Glinda was much more direct.
"I guess it's not" She sighed. "Elphie, I want you to stay with me tonight, but only if you are feeling much much better.
"I am feeling better I told you that. And of course I will stay with you my sweet" She kissed the blonde head and stroked her hair. "Are you ready to go to sleep?"
"I am tired" She got up and pulled Elphie up with her
She poured some of Elphie's medicine into a glass.
"But first" She gave Elphie a lingering kiss and then the glass
"Cheers" She grinned
Elphie swallowed it in one gulp and cringed
"I think it got worse" She involuntarily shivered
"But it will make you better" She hugged her hard. "Are you sure you feel up to sharing a bed?"
"I'm sure. If I don't throw up the medicine, I should be fine" She chuckled and crawled into Glinda's bed.
Glinda slid in beside her and they got comfortable.
"I love you Elphie, thank you going with me today."
"I'll go with you anywhere, Even shopping tomorrow and I love you too."
In a rare move Elphie kissed Glinda's neck softly, and stroked her hair, then without being asked she started to sing. She was determined that her love would not have a bad night.
They fell asleep and stayed that way until morning. No upset stomachs or nightmares. Elphie awoke first, stretched and assessed her physical condition. She felt much better than she had last night, but the thought of breakfast made her flinch. She thought about Glinda. Her precious Lyndie hadn't stirred during the night, she hoped that meant her dreams were peaceful.
Glinda opened her eyes and looked at the beautiful green girl next to her. She loved waking up like this.
"Hi Elphie"
"Good morning my sweet, you seemed to have slept well" She rolled over so they were facing each other
"I slept very well, How are you feeling?"
"Good, although I think I'll skip breakfast. If you'll protect me from Cook" She chuckled
Glinda narrowed her eyes "Are you sure you are better?"
"I'm sure, just not hungry" She kissed Glinda gently "I promise"
They got up; stretched some more then held each other.
"One day we will be able to wake up like this every morning" Glinda sighed
"One day my sweet, one day" Elphie murmured "Now get dressed then come over and I'll clean your hair with my hair dust."
"Oh, I forgot, what fun. I'll be right over" She kissed her love and scampered off to her bathroom.
Elphie, chuckling, went to her own room and got ready. In no time Glinda was standing there, brush in hand.
"Alright, come in here and sit down."
Glinda sat on the stool, squirming happily
"I can't do this if you don't sit still" She laughed holding on to Glinda's shoulders
"Sorry Elphie, I'll be good"
"Just don't wiggle" She smiled
Elphie brushed out Glinda's hair carefully. It amazed her how such a simple activity could be so much fun. Glinda enjoyed it as well; She looked at Elphie's reflection in the mirror, saw her smiling and felt very content.
"Ok, I'm going to rub this in now."
Elphie put some of the wood ash in her hands and worked it through the long blonde curls. She scoped up some more and massaged it into her love's scalp. She enjoyed massaging the hair dust in and took her time, her fingertips slowly working their way around the blonde head. She saw Glinda in the mirror, her eyes were closed and she was grinning mischievously. She continued to work the dust much longer than necessary, because they both seemed to be enjoying them selves. At last, She picked up the brush and started to brush out the blonde hair
"Elphie, that felt so good, Can I do you sometime?"
"You've cleaned my hair for me before."
"I know, but that was out of necessity, this will be purely for pleasure" She smiled "We are allowed that you know, doing things, simply because we enjoy them."
Elphie flushed and continued brushing
"Down or in a ponytail?" Elphie asked
"Ponytail please, It's easier to deal with when your trying on clothes" She grinned "I'm glad you put yours in one"
"Don't get excited, I always pull mine back." Elphie deftly pulled the curly tresses into a high tight ponytail.
"You said you would buy something" she pouted examining her hair
"You said I would buy something, I said we'd see"
"Same difference" She said quickly kissing her hairdresser and skipping out.
Elphie couldn't help but laugh.
They went downstairs. Glinda's parents were in the solarium, sipping coffee and chatting.
"Good morning my darlings. Galinda, did you sleep well?" Her mother asked
"I slept great, Elphie stayed with me" She replied sitting down and putting a fig bun on her plate
The green girl flushed.
"And Elphaba dear, how are you feeling?"
"Much better, thank you, but I'm going to skip breakfast I think, I just want something to drink"
"Cook is at the market, why don't you go and get yourself some cider?"
Elphie went to the kitchen and came back with a big glass of cold cider and some juice for Glinda
"Thanks Elphie. So what time are we going into town Momsie?"
"We will leave here at mid day and go directly to Lonjum's"
"Oh goody! An outdoor café, " Glinda clapped "Elphie are you sure you are up for this?"
"I'm sure" She sipped her cider while Glinda and her parents chatted.
After breakfast Glinda and Elphie went into the library. Glinda ran upstairs to get her spell book and wand and Elphie's glasses.
They settled in for a quite morning of togetherness. Elphie read and Glinda practiced. Every so often Elphie would look up and see Glinda in deep concentration over a spell. Glinda would occasionally look at Elphie folded up in her chair, content. They passed the morning like this. Glinda only asked for Elphie's help once.
"Oh come on Elphie, this is my first miscast all morning, please. I can't leave my dad's humidor like this, it's a naked statue for goodness sake."
"Did you even try to change it back?" Elphie chuckled
"This is what happened when I did, it was a houseplant"
Elphie took Glinda's wand and her fingers and turned the statue back into a humidor, without being all that irritated.
Gwenot watched this transpire from the doorway. She believed what Jilla had said about Elphaba's power, but didn't believe for a minute that the girl actually knew how much she truly possessed, or it's implications
"That was impressive Elphaba." She said coming in
Elphie flustered.
"Are you girls ready?"
"I just need to go get our things, but yes." Glinda said
"Good. Now here is some spending money Galinda" She handed her daughter a pouch "And some for you Elphaba" She tried to hand Elphie a similar pouch.
"Oh no Gwenot, I can not accept that. I have spending money with me."
"Are you sure dear? I don't want you to overextend yourself, you've already purchased some things"
"I'm very sure, I have more than enough for whatever I may require."
"I'll go get our things Elphie, please explain to Mom" Glinda asked softly
She gathered up their items and headed upstairs. Elphie explained to Gwenot about her trust fund, personal allowance, and the newly discovered travel allowance.
"That was very generous of your great-grandfather," The older woman said
"He didn't set up the trust for his great-granddaughter, Elphaba. He set it up for the Thropp Third Descending. I get my education and I'll find out what he gets in a few months."
Her words were not bitter or angry. She was just stating a fact.
Gwenot was about comment when Glinda reappeared. She handed Elphie her umbrella, money pouch, and small bottle of aloe oil. Gwenot noted that she had not asked for any of those things, and smiled.
Lunch at the café was wonderful; the weather was perfect, the food delicious and the conversation stimulating. Elphie ate sparingly, but ate. The girls were given their instructions and meet up time and set off in search of cute outfits, or at least Glinda did.
She tried on lots of outfits, modeling each one for Elphie with great style and flair. She was wiggly and totally in her element. Everyone knew her and she was catered to shamelessly. Elphie tried to stay as out of the way as possible, but Glinda would have none of it, and included her in it all. After all of the fuss, she bought only one outfit in that first shop. A cute light blue sundress.
"Elphie, are you getting too tired? I don't want you to overdo"
"I'm fine. Is it always like that when you shop for clothes?" Elphie said shaking her head.
"It's great fun isn't it."
"Fun might not be my choice of words, but I'm glad you are having a good time."
"I am" She took Elphie's arm, and they went in search of more clothes.
Glinda was bubbly and bouncy, pointing out things in shop windows and greeting people she knew, and when it was appropriate, she introduced Elphie.
She pulled Elphie into her favorite jewelry store, chattering excitedly.
"Grez" She exclaimed hugging a youngish looking man, who had vague Quadling, features. "I missed you at the ball"
"I was sorry I could not attend, I heard it was a spectacular event."
Elphie heard a faint accent in his voice
"Grez, allow me to present my best friend, Elphaba. Elphaba, this is Grez, Master Jeweler of Frottica."
"Miss Elphaba, this is an honor. I heard that your dance with Byjon stole the night."
"The honor is mine, and Byjon is a consummate dancer, it was indeed a thrill for me."
"Elphie, Grez made the jewelry we were wearing. Byjon commissions him to create things quite a bit."
"The necklace I had on was incredible" Elphie said. "It was stunning"
The jeweler held up the exact one and to Elphie's surprise came around the counter and fastened it around her neck.
"And it shall be yours" He bowed slightly
Elphie reached up to unfasten the necklace, but Glinda discreetly grabbed her hands and shook her head.
"This piece belongs on no one else, and it pleases me greatly to be able to see it as it was meant to be seen. Byjon is never wrong about these things. It is you."
"Then I shall accept it in that spirit. Thank you." She nodded her in deference using a common Quadling phrase and gesture.
Grez's eyes opened in surprise at hearing the phrase.
"I spent a good deal of my childhood among the Quadlings" She explained
The jeweler smiled and nodded, obviously delighted.
"Galinda dear, I'm not supposed to say anything, but Byjon has designed and requested that I create something especially for you two, a gift."
"Really?" Glinda bounced happily "I love Byjon's surprises. What is it?"
Elphie chuckled
"Tsk tsk, I've said too much already, perhaps for your birthday you will know."
Glinda grinned broadly "Grez you are a horrible tease, and as much as I would love to stay, there are cute clothes calling my name."
She hugged the man again "It was so good to see you my friend"
"You too, When do you go back to school?"
"We have only four more days here" She pouted
"Frottica is not the same without you. Be safe. And it was a genuine pleasure meeting you Elphaba, Be safe as well"
Elphie touched the necklace and nodded "I shall wear this gift with pride. You be safe as well"
They waved and exited the shop
Elphie went to the nearest bench and sat down hard.
"Glinda, How can someone who doesn't even know me be so generous" She held onto the necklace
"You are known around here Elphie, in a very good way. This is not Munchkinland. But if it makes you feel better, Grez has gifted me with certain pieces of jewelry before, He believes that some things, simply belong with specific people."
"That's a common Quadling viewpoint" She smiled. Usually she tried not to focus on anything Quadling, but sometimes, like when she looked at her green glass oval, the familiarity was comforting
"I had just forgotten" Elphie said quietly "Shall we go and find you more cute outfits?"
Glinda regarded her friend carefully, but decided not to pursue the matter right now.
"You too!" She chirped
"We'll see" Elphie smiled.
The second boutique they went into was a repeat performance of the first. Glinda loved being on display and all the attention, Elphie picked out an outfit for her giggly wiggly love and took it into her dressing room.
"I think this might suit you," She said somberly, as a way of teasing her.
Glinda squealed with delight
"Elphie, this is wonderful" Since the door was closed a they were alone for the moment, Glinda flung her arms around he chuckling green girl and kissed her quickly
"Now, out. I want to surprise you" She gave her another quick peck.
Elphie sat in an elegant chair, feeling very out of place. She watched all the sophisticated people choosing clothes, and chatting amiably. She heard Glinda tell her to close her eyes and she complied
"Elphie it's perfect!" She twirled around the skirt flying up slightly. It was a casual outfit, which Elphie thought her well-dressed love needed more of. The skirt fell to just below her knees; it was a pale pink with an embroidered horse, the color of Starlight on it. The top was a pullover, pale pink as well, with short sleeves and a slight V-neckline.
"I love it I love it!" She was beyond excited "It matches my shoes so I'm wearing it out"
She grabbed Elphie's arm and spun her around then skipped off to pay for her new favorite outfit.
"I think you made a good selection" The proprietor chuckled
"Apparently so." Elphie laughed and went to go get the package containing Glinda's old outfit.
Back out on the street, Glinda was uncontainable.
"Elphie, I can't believe you actually picked out an outfit for me!"
"Better you than me" She smiled
She twirled and bubbled. "Elphie, thank you for coming along, again"
"My sweet, We are allowed to do things simply because we enjoy them" She said softly, smiling
Glinda wiped away tears. At that moment, she could not have loved Elphie more.
She hugged Elphie with her eyes and kissed her lovingly with her smile. Elphie returned the gestures in kind.
"There is one more stop on my whirlwind shopping tour. Byjon's shop." She said, much more subdued.
Elphie's eyes flew open
"He doesn't actually run it anymore. He retired from that long ago. Now he just designs and creates originals for individuals. The clothes in here are his designs, but others produce them."
"He is a very complicated man." Elphie said
"He and mom became friends when he first started this shop. They've been friends forever."
They entered a small, quiet, extremely elegant dress shop. It held no trace of the flamboyant genius that founded it.
"Glinda this place is so so…"
"Un-Byjon like" She giggled
"Exactly" She was looking around in awe.
There were elegant evening gowns and casual dresses
"Elphie we can find you something here" She said hopefully
"Possibly. It's so calm in here"
Glinda smiled and led Elphie into the shop.
"Hello Hanter" Glinda said
A small man with spectacles looked up from his sewing. "Miss Galinda, what a treat"
He came and took her hands. He was not too much taller than she was. Elphie was feeling ganglier than ever. Before Glinda could introduce them the man took her hands.
"And you must be Miss Elphaba" he spoke very slowly and quietly.
"Hanter, may I present my best friend Elphaba Thropp."
"Oh my dear I am well aware of who she is. Not only has Byjon gushed on endlessly about his emerald ingenue, but also in Nest Hardings, The Thropp Third descending is a well-known, but very enigmatic and elusive figure. Welcome Miss Elphaba, I was hoping I would be able to make your acquaintance."
"It is very nice to meet you Hanter." She held his hands for a moment. "This shop is wonderful."
"Allow me to select an outfit that would suit you. I had the honor of assisting Byjon with your gown and it would please me to do this. Please sit"
They sat. Elphie was overwhelmed by the tailor's comments.
"An enigmatic and elusive figure?" Glinda chuckled
"I've tried to tell you that" She scowled "Besides you call me enigmatic that all the time"
Hanter returned with a deceptively simple dress. It was a sundress of sorts. It looked like a man's dress shirt, but with capped sleeves, that fell to mid-shin, rather loosely. It was black with white very thin pinstripes and white buttons and belt.
"Oh Elphie, that is very nice. Please try it on"
Solely to please Glinda and the very pleased Munchkin tailor, she took the dress and went into the changing room. She looked at herself in the mirror. She had never worn anything fashioned like this, but it didn't clash and wasn't confining.
She exited the dressing room and Glinda clapped and bounced over to her.
"You look splendid Elphie. Hanter?"
"If you will allow me Miss Elphaba?" he approached her with that-- fuss and adjust look-- Byjon got.
"Certainly" She said
He undid the belt, lowered it slightly and redid it a notch tighter. He unbuttoned the top two buttons and smoothed out the collar.
"Perfect" He smiled "What do you think?"
"Elphie, it's you, you can wear it to classes. It's casual"
"I like it Hanter, very much. You made the perfect choice" She smiled at the beaming tailor.
"Wear it out Elphie? It matches your shoes" She smiled happily
"If you wish me too" She agreed, but felt silly.
Glinda clapped and went to get Elphie's things from her dressing room.
"Oh no, Miss Elphaba, I can not accept your money" The man said when she tried to pay for her dress.
Elphie wanted to challenge his offer, but thought better of it
"Hanter, on behalf of myself and the Eminent Thropp, I offer you my profound thanks for the lovely gift."
The small man puffed up with pride and blushed "It is my honor Miss Elphaba."
Glinda looked at Elphie in disbelief
"Hanter, please tell Byjon we said hello next time you see him" Glinda said
"I love Elphaba's new dress, bravo" She added
"It was nice to see you again Miss Galinda, and a distinct pleasure to meet you Miss Elphaba."
"Likewise Hanter" Elphie replied
Glinda walked pulling Elphie quickly to a bench.
"What just happened in there?"
Elphie sighed. "He is from Nest Hardings, my family is a big deal there. Receiving thanks on behalf of the Eminent Thropp is like some sort of blessing. And being able to tell his friends and family that he chose an outfit for and dressed the enigmatic and elusive Thropp Third Descending herself will make him somewhat of a hero. Hardly anyone there, outside of Colwen Grounds, has ever even seen me, much less spoken to me." She smiled, but did not look very happy.
Glinda just stared at her
"I was trying to be nice!" She huffed
"Elphie, Nice doesn't even begin to cover it. You were amazing, really." She was squirming, resisting the urge to hug her friend
"When we get home I am going to hug you so hard kiss you so much, you won't know what hit you" She giggled
They went to the appointed meeting place, only slightly late. Glinda twirled and showed off her new outfit
"Elphie picked it out" She bubbled
Elphie didn't twirl, but her outfit was admired just as much.
"Hanter picked it out for her" She beamed
Then she excitedly and rapidly told them what Elphie had done.
"Elphaba, that was incredibly magnanimous of you. I know how difficult that must have been"
Gwenot gave her a quick hug.
"Hey, no fair!" Glinda pouted
"Mother's prerogative" She winked
Elphie was a bundle of flustered nerves
"I apologize Elphaba darling, I just felt the need" Gwenot said quietly
Glinda stamped her foot and pouted
"Oh for Oz's sake" Elphie huffed and gathered Glinda up into a fierce hug
"Brat" She whispered in her ear. "Happy now!" She grumped
"I had no idea I was so hugable"
Everyone laughed including Elphie.
The end of the next chapter will bring me to a dilemma of sorts. I've conceived a scenario, which gently shores up the path this story has taken, regarding Elphie and Glinda's relationship. Not knowing the ratings system very well, I'm thinking I need to end this story, and continue it as a new one, in the M rating. The story itself will just continue on; same pacing, character uncertainties, etc and they will be returning to Shiz. I will be true to the characters as I have portrayed them. Please let me know if you have strong opinions one way or the other. And if one of my faithful reviewers (thank you all by the way, they mean a lot to me) could explain the ratings to me, I would be grateful. mecelphie