Deafening music woke her up about an hour later and when she took off her sleep mask only to find herself surrounded by tiny floating instruments that played themselves, she couldn't even say she was shocked. This night had been too strange already for her to be surprised, and when she looked across the room, a strange translucent woman conducting her magical orchestra didn't even cause her to scream.
"Chuzzlewit?" She blindly reached for her cat snoring next to her, too fixated on the red-haired woman to turn around in order to face her cat. But despite the deafening instruments playing directly over their heads, Chuzzlewit didn't seem fazed at all. "Chuzzlewit!"
Before she could shake the lazy, and apparently deaf, cat awake, she was suddenly engulfed in yellow sparkles which carried her out of her bed and towards the strange woman.
"Who are you?" Galinda asked as soon as she was safely back on her feet. "And what are you doing in my room?"
"But, why, I'm celebrating, it's Christmas!" she replied cheerily before sending one of her tubas to blast out a tone directly into Chuzzlewit's ears. Her poor cat almost hit the roof in shock. "Was that a little too loud? Sorry about that."
Then she waved her wand again, surrounding Chuzzlewit with the same yellow sparkling magic that she had used on Galinda as well, drawing her cat towards her. "Now come on and join the party."
As soon as she had let Chuzzlewit drop next to Galinda, she turned to the blonde again. "Oh, but I have been terribly rude. I am the spirit of Christmas present!"
And without further ado, she was opening a similar portal than the other spirit had, only that hers was a deep, emerald green. Grabbing Galinda by the hand, they jumped through the magical vortex before giving her a chance to protest. This time they didn't even slow down as they made their way through it, letting themselves carry them towards their destination at lightning speed.
Galinda managed not to fall over like last time they had landed, but still she needed a second to reorientate. But when she did, she was flaring.
"How dare you drag me up like that!" she yelled, hands on her hips. "Don't you have any idea who I am?"
But the red-haired woman seemed completely unfazed by her anger, only bobbing up and down in time with the music. Music which no longer came from her own magical orchestra.
Only then did Galinda look around to see where they had landed this time, only to recognize the rehearsal room back at her theatre.
"Wait, you said we were going to Christmas present, right?" she asked in a much more forgiving tone.
Finally, the spirit seemed to take notice of her again. "That's right."
"And everyone's here to work. And they're happy," she pointed out with a hint of smugness. "Look at them! See, working through Christmas isn't such a hardship at all."
"You know what, Galinda?" Her comedian, Biq or something like that, said while juggling with what looked like about four red balls. "You want us to work through Christmas?"
If she didn't know any better, she might have thought that he had heard her just now, but when she looked down, she was just as translucent and ghostly as she had been last time. She looked back up just in time to see him throw one of his balls at her portrait across the room.
Turned out, the red ball hadn't been a ball at all, but rather a tomato, as it smashed as soon as it came in contact with the hard surface.
Galinda couldn't believe her eyes.
Everyone in the room broke out into laughter, even the spirit accompanying her, but she at least Galinda could silence with a deathly stare. After that woman had shut up, she marched across the room, ready to give them all a piece of her mind – and take away the tomatoes to prevent her portrait from getting hit again.
But, of course, no one even noticed her, and soon afterwards Biq threw two more of his tomatoes at her face, the damned fruits flying right through her ghost body.
A new wave of laughter erupted throughout the room and Galinda couldn't take it anymore.
"You're out! Get out of my theatre, all of you!" she screamed at them, but just as they couldn't see her, they couldn't hear her either. So, she stomped back over to the only person in the room who she could take out her anger on without yelling into thin air. "Whose side are you on? These people wouldn't be anywhere without me! They owe me!"
"At least Fiyero's happy," one of her acrobats remarked with a sad smile before the spirit could answer. If she ever planned on doing so in the first place. "Now that we're working through Christmas, he could finally take his chance and ask Elphaba out on a date."
What? This night just kept getting better! That mediocre wizard who she had only hired because of his good name and looks that attracted many women to come and see her shows wanted to ask out her best friend? Her eyes turned to small slits at that.
No, she wouldn't let it come to that. They couldn't take Elphaba away from her, too.
She was shocked at her own sincerity and possessiveness of those words but quickly blamed it on her childhood memory still fresh in her mind. What she was feeling was fury, not jealousy!
"As long as we clean up before she gets back," Fiyero replied, glancing at the door. "I don't think she'd like us throwing tomatoes at her friend."
As if she had been summoned by that, the door swung open and Elphaba came into the rehearsal room carrying a bunch of unfinished dresses, which fell to the ground the second she spotted the red-stained portrait.
Shaking her head in disbelief, she stepped over the heap of clothes on the floor. The room had suddenly become dead silent as she made a point to walk across the room particularly slowly.
Wordlessly reaching out her hand towards Biq, she waited a few seconds until he finally seemed to understand and handed her the last tomato still in his hand.
"See?" Galinda said victoriously, looking at her best friend with pride. "Elphaba understands gratitude. She won't let you get away with this."
She barely had time to finish her little speech until Elphaba's features suddenly changed and she took a big swing to swat the last tomato directly onto Galinda's face.
"What?" Galinda managed to choke out as she incredulously stared first at the defaced portrait and then at her oldest friend.
Everyone started laughing again while she was standing right there in the middle, fuming with anger and betrayal.
"That's it!" she yelled, storming over to the red-haired woman again, who had to stifle her laughter. "I want to leave!"
She only looked back for a second, but it was enough to catch a glimpse of Elphaba and Fiyero laughing together, and not only that, but laughing at her expense. The two of them deserved each other.
"Already?" The spirit asked, but quickly relented when she saw Galinda's face. "Ugh, alright then."
This time Galinda jumped right through the portal as it was open, not bearing to be in the same room as this treacherous and ungrateful pack any longer.
Galinda couldn't wait to get back to her bedchamber. She had seen more than enough of Christmas present already, enough to last a lifetime. How dared all of them betraying and making fun of her like that? How dared Elphaba of all people?
She had given them everything; the spotlight, the fame, the money, their entire career. Without her, most of them would perform at a much less famous theatre, supporting some mediocre singer and earning much less. If it wasn't for her, Elphaba would probably still sit around at home, alternating between reading her precious books and sewing silly costumes for her cousins.
But they would be at home, a small voice at the back of her mind interjected. Without her, they wouldn't have to work on Christmas.
But she pushed the thought aside as soon as it had appeared. After what she had just witnessed, they were lucky if they ever got another holiday or if they didn't get fired altogether. She was more than ready to slip into her bed and think of some way to punish them the next morning, but when they jumped out of the portal, they didn't land back at home.
"This isn't my bedroom!" She protested as soon as they were safely on their feet again, gesturing towards the snowy street and bedraggled houses. She didn't even recognize this part of the Emerald City. "I told you to take me home!"
"Oh," the woman said as if she hadn't had the slightest clue of what Galinda had really wanted. "I thought you said you just wanted to leave. You have to be more specific."
Galinda rolled her eyes, but didn't get a chance to reply, as two riders appeared around the corner of the street, slowing down enough so they could hear them talking. But Galinda didn't have to hear their voices to recognize at least one of the riders; the green shade of her skin gave her away all too easily.
Groaning internally, Galinda crossed her arms in front of her chest. Of course, they didn't land at just any place in the Emerald City. No, the spirit of Christmas present was not done with her yet and whatever she wanted to show her seemed to include Elphaba.
"She's a monster if you ask me," the other rider, also a woman, said just as they came within earshot, and it took Galinda a second to realize that she was probably talking about her. "To keep you away from your family after everything you did for her."
"She's not a monster!" Elphaba was quick to protest vehemently and Galinda deeply exhaled in relief. "She makes me crazy sometimes, but then I remember all of the times she made me laugh and everything we did together. The girl I knew is still in there, I know it. I can get mad at her, but I could never for the life of me hate her."
Elphaba paused for a moment before shrugging. "And look, since I'm not racing home, I don't have to drop off my costumes and run. I can stay and see my other show."
For a second Galinda thought she had misheard.
"Your other show?" she asked incredulously as if she hadn't noticed Elphaba hiding some of her work from her for weeks. "I knew it!"
She began to run after the two riders, who were stopping their horses a few feet down the street. "I am done with you Elphaba Thropp! Done!"
But of course, even if she hadn't been turned into some kind of ghost, she could never hear her from such a distance.
"Can you believe that?" She asked the spirit who had followed her, carrying Chuzzlewit under her arm.
"Oh yes, she's as talented as she's green," the woman replied completely unperturbed by her anger. "I'm sure she could do a million shows. I hope we can still get a seat!"
"But I don't even want to-" Galinda started but was cut off by the woman dragging her by the wrist towards the courtyard Elphaba had just stopped at. They followed her through a squeaking gate, which was rusty from all the years out here in the weather, and onto the premises. Someone had assembled a few pieces of wood to form something which, with some imagination, passed for a stage.
The house behind it looked just like this poor excuse for a proper stage, rundown and frail. Galinda would have never suspected people to live here, but there was light coming from the windows as well as muffled music.
Her travel companion tsked as she inspected the poor state the property was in. "Oh, have a look at this. I'd never expected Elphaba Thropp's show in a place like this. Would you?"
"Of course not," Galinda replied, stopping her with a wave of her hand. "Don't you see? She doesn't want me to know about her little side line, so she made sure they rehearsed here. Where now one in all of Oz would ever think to come."
She stepped closer to Elphaba who was undoing the knot holding the sack filled with costumes to the saddle of her horse, before throwing it over her shoulder. "You're devious, Elphaba. Absolutely devious."
She barely got to finish before the door opened and a horde of children poured out of the house, excitedly calling Elphaba's name as they stormed towards her. All of them were wearing rags from some itchy looking brown and grey fabric, and not one of them seemed rich enough to have parents able to afford Elphaba's handmade costumes.
"Hello everyone," she greeted them with a smile before crouching down on their level. Her modest but still festive dark blue dress immediately soaked through from the snow, but she didn't seem to care. "Merry Christmas."
The children giggled as they returned the saying, while a small blonde girl not older than five relying on a wooden crutch slowly made her way through the group. The others parted to let her through, and the young blonde only stopped when she was right in front of Elphaba.
"Hello, little one," Elphaba said and Galinda could see her smile becoming even brighter than she had ever thought possible as she caressed her cheek.
"Merry Christmas, Elphie," the girl replied before getting pulled into a tight hug. Soon after all of the children were insisting on getting a hug as well, which resulted in some big chaotic group hug.
Galinda didn't hear the spirit coming closer until she was speaking right next to her ear. "Orphans. You're absolutely right, she is devious."
Not even able to think of some witty remark, Galinda looked back at the children. They seemed so happy that Elphaba had visited them, especially that one little girl. If she hadn't been using a crutch and had taken a proper bath, she could have reminded Galinda of herself at that age.
For a moment she wondered if Elphaba thought the same when she looked at her, golden curls and sea-blue eyes as identical as if they were related. But then she rejected the thought out of hand. It had been a long time since the green woman had looked at her with such love as she was looking at this young girl.
"So, is everyone ready for your Christmas costumes?" Elphaba asked, and Galinda could only watch as she handed out perfect little dresses and tuxedos which were greeted with more enthusiasm and wonder than Galinda had shown her best friend in a long time.
In the midst of all this jubilation, she almost missed the little blonde girl's question. "Elphie? Did you get to tell Galinda Upland about us? Will she come and see our show?"
Galinda's eyes widened when she heard her name and saw the admiration in the children's faces as all of them excitedly repeated the girl's question.
"I did tell Galinda about you," Elphaba replied with a smile that only she could sense was fake. Not with one word had Elphaba ever mentioned these children or any show of them, but somehow, she couldn't even blame her. If she had, Galinda knew herself well enough that she either wouldn't have listened or even laughed in her face. "And she wanted me to tell you that she's very sorry she can't come. But she's so proud of all of you. And she personally wished each of you a merry Christmas."
"Hear that?" one of the boys exclaimed, a big grin from ear to ear. "Galinda Upland wishes me a merry Christmas!"
"It must be so amazing to hear her sing every day," the little blonde said in awe. "You're so lucky!"
Elphaba smiled at that. "I am lucky. But not only because I get to hear Galinda sing."
"Then why?"
"Because I get to hear you sing!" she replied, earning a few giggles. "Now come on everyone! People will be here soon. Time to put on your costumes and get ready for the show."
With that she ushered the children inside, all of them talking all over each other in excitement, leaving Galinda standing alone in the courtyard. Well, not completely alone, but utterly lonely. With a mixture of shock and longing she realized that she wanted nothing more than to follow her best friend and those children inside and take part in the joy and warmth of their presence.
She was amazed by the way those children came alive with Elphaba. And it wasn't even that she brought them new clothes, in fact, the clothes seemed to be the least of it. It was Elphaba's attention, the simple fact that she cared, that got to her more than she would have ever suspected, and she couldn't stop watching.
Not long after that their little show started, and although the benches reserved for guests did fill a little, there was still way too much space. Especially once they started singing, Galinda wondered how the courtyard wasn't packed with spectators.
They were singing Christmas carols, of course, but all of them had lovely voices which filled the air like heavenly chimes. The little girl that reminded her of herself most of all, her silvery voice clearly standing out.
Under different circumstances, if she hadn't been adopted by Madame Morrible at such a young age, this could have been her. Undeniably talented, but without any training or real support. She had never wasted much thought on the what ifs of her life, but now it all seemed to come to life right in front of her eyes.
Galinda and her red-haired travel companion were standing right behind Elphaba and a man who she assumed to be the owner of the orphanage, so she couldn't help but overhear parts of their conversation. But she only really listened to their quiet conversation when she heard her friend talk about a rumor of a possible closing of this place with incomparable sorrow in her eyes, green features screwed up in worry.
She turned around to the spirit, eyes wide. "Closing? What is she talking about?"
"Oh, the orphanage doesn't have the funds to stay open. Most likely they'll close it before spring," she explained as nonchalantly as if she was talking about the weather.
"But if the orphanage shuts down, then what will happen to the children?"
Galinda looked over to them standing on the stage in Elphaba's costumes, singing their carols as if they didn't have a care in the world.
The red-haired woman shrugged. "I suppose they'll find their way. Street children have for centuries. But of course, all of that doesn't matter to you, does it?"
Applause flared up around them as the children finished their last song, everyone standing up and even whistling in cheer. The orphans were beaming with pride, high on the thrill of having just performed.
Only when the applause quieted down, Elphaba made her way through the small crowd and towards the stage. "That was amazing, everyone! But I'm afraid I have to go now. But I'll see you all very soon."
"Please don't go!" the children immediately begged, some of them even holding onto her skirt. "Can't you stay just a little while longer?"
Elphaba smiled sadly, doing her best to loosen the small fits holding onto the fabric of her dress. "I'd love to. But I have to get back to work."
"No!" Galinda heard herself say in unison with the children before she could even formulate the thought in her mind. She didn't want to be the reason for the sadness in those children's faces, not when they had just sung so beautifully.
The spirit of Christmas present chuckled at her words. "That's funny. It almost sounds like you changed your mind about working through Christmas."
Galinda swallowed, trying her best to put on her usual mask of ignorance again. "Not at all! I'm just saying she could take a slightly longer break if she needed to. Slightly."
"I see," the woman replied, but Galinda couldn't tell if she had bought her flimsy excuse. "Well, if that's the case we might just as well leave now, right?"
"Now?" Galinda asked, taking another look at Elphaba talking to the children.
"Oh, I just thought you need your beauty sleep more than you need to watch a bunch of singing children. What was it your Madame Morrible always said again?"
Galinda looked down at the floor, fumbling with her fingers. "In a selfish world only the selfish succeed."
Taking a deep breath, she picked up Chuzzlewit and turned towards the spirit. "Alright. Let's go."
When they jumped through the portal, she didn't look back.