Author's Note: Thank you to nursejoy7 for reviewing. I'm glad you are enjoying both stories.

I will continue to try and update this every Friday. Also, I may ahve crossed the verses ith the whole wand thing, but I tried to retcon my way out of it here. Hope it suffices.

As always, read, enjoy, review.

3/14/2014

The next morning Elphaba woke with the blonde girl curled comfortably in her arms. She was unsettled by the images that plagued her in the night, but pushed them from her mind. Looking down at a peacefully sleeping Glinda, she smiled as the blonde did not seem to be haunted by nightmares again. Elphaba slowly, timidly, bent her head low and placed a kiss on her girlfriend's forehead. Glinda's eyes fluttered open and she smiled.

"Morning, Rae."

"Morning, my angel. How are you?"

"I'm splendid. How about you?"

"Good; you didn't droll on me last night."

"Don't be wicked. I don't drool." Glinda replied and snuggled closer. She was enjoying finally getting Elphaba to herself. As if summoned, there was a knock at the adjacent door. Glinda huffed. Elphaba went to get up but Glinda held her closer.

"Glinda."

"They'll go away."

"Come on now."

"Fine. If you insist."

Elphaba went to answer the door, and Glinda got out of bed. She walked into the bathroom just as Elphaba opened the door mid second knock. The shut door cut off the sound of Nanny's voice. Glinda sighed and enjoyed the silence. Elphaba was not so lucky.

"You can't stay cooped up her forever. It's not healthy. You need some sunshine."

"Here I thought I got plenty of it from my roommate."

"Real sunshine, Fabala. Nessa seemed like she wanted to take a walk around campus with you."

"I highly doubt it. Anyway, Nanny, I've got a lot of work to do. I know Nessa has homework too, but they expect a lot of us in our second year. In fact, most of my day will be studying."

"Sounds like a riot."

"It's much quieter, unless Glinda has a spell go awry."

"Ah, so you're having study time together?"

"Does your mind never jump straight to sex?"

"No. I've tended the Thropp family for far too long."

"Perhaps you and I should talk then. I'm extremely interested in Thropp family tales." Glinda said and both looked to see her leaving the bathroom.

"Nothing so exciting, dearie, as to interest a young lady such as yourself."

"I somehow doubt that, Nanny. I'd love to hear some more little Elphie stories."

"Some other time. I think I better be getting Nessarose up, or she'll miss her morning prayers and be in a mood all day." With that, Nanny left.

"What do you think you were doing?" Elphaba asked a bit harshly.

"I was getting Nanny out of here, like you wanted." Glinda replied snippily.

"If I wanted her to leave I would have told her so."

"No, you wouldn't. You love and tolerate Nanny, but your body language was screaming that you wanted out of the conversation. I knew if I started asking after you she would leave."

"And how'd you figure that out?"

"Because she protects you and the rest of your family. She may embarrass the hell out of you, but she does it because she feels she's entitled after all these years. The second anyone else starts getting in your business she either shuts them down or leaves."

"And since when did you become such a good judge of her character?"

"Since Ama Clutch was the same way."

That comment brought the conversation to a halt, the pain too near to breach. Elphaba wanted to tell Glinda she could take care of herself, that she did not need her help. But she also knew that it would irrevocably hurt what they had now. Elphaba had to either let her pride win and push through the pain, or swallow it and accept Glinda's help in the way it was intended. She made the tougher choice.

"Glinda, I know you were trying to help, but," she started and saw Glinda's eyes tear up, "I'm not used to people to people caring enough to do that. My first reaction is always suspicion. I'm sorry for that."

"That's okay, Rae, but you better start getting used to it. And don't think I missed you not apologizing for being mean to me."

"I'm sorry I hurt you feelings, my angel."

"Good. Now get dressed. I don't want to miss breakfast."

"So, what's on the agenda for today?" Glinda asked. They were early so their food was hot, fresh and plentiful. It also meant that none of the other girls were around.

"Well, we need to get some studying in before lunch-" Elphaba started and Glinda sighed, "particularly of the sorcery nature."

"Well, it will be nice to be the knowledgeable one for a change."

"It will be a learning experience, that's for sure."

"That was one of those…what's it called when it has two meanings?"

"Double entendre."

"Yes. Double entendre. And not in a particularly nice way."

"They usually aren't; that's why they were invented. Anyway, after that we can get a light lunch, and then review for our classes tomorrow."

"That sounds indescribably boring."

"I'm sorry learning isn't your idea of a good time but it is very important. Especially when it is important."

"How about this? We study, then take lunch in one of those new cafes, and then, after we study again, we meet the group out for some drinks."

"Sounds like a waste of time."

"What was that old saying? Something about knowledge and experience." Glinda asked, putting a finger to her lips and thinking. Elphaba sighed.

"Knowledge without experience is not useful to anyone."

"That. You need to live and experience, and I know you like sparring with Boq and the rest. Come, Rae, please." She begged quietly, then clamped her mouth shut when she realized she used her pet name in public. Elphaba frowned at her.

"Fine. Your point is well made. I have some errands I was planning to run later in the week, but I can run them after lunch instead."

"Errands? Like what?"

"Just some supplies I need."

"Ok. So I'll send word to meet at the Peach and Kidneys tonight?"

"Peach and Kidney's? Not the Boar and Fennel?"

"Tuesday night is half priced cocktails for ladies at Peach and Kidneys." Glinda giggled and Elphaba arched an eyebrow.

"Peach and Kidneys it is."

"Then after that we can come home and go to bed." Glinda finished but gave Elphaba a little smirk that told her she might have something else on her mind.

"If it is anything like the normal pub nights, I may have to carry you home."

"How impertinent! You never had to carry me home."

They were back in their room after breakfast. Glinda took out the books she used for sorcery that year along with her notes while Elphaba finished unpacking her new books and wand, and then dug out her notes from the previous year. Glinda was not surprised Elphaba still had them. She was a bit of a hoarder. As they finished Glinda sat down on her bed and Elphaba sat on hers.

"Ok, Elphaba, let's review about sorcery. As you said, it focuses inward. Unlike the Life Sciences, it is about putting things together and changing them instead of tearing them apart. Now, in Introductory Sorcery they do not have students get wands because it is mostly background knowledge and the spells learned are very basic. Second years are required to have a wand because the spells are more difficult and wands teach focus. Later on they are not needed except in extreme cases. All of which you learned last year." Glinda said and she had Elphaba's rapt attention. It unnerved her a bit, and she wondered if professors felt the same way.

"Now, show me what you remember." Glinda continued and placed a tea cup on the end table. "Heat this tea."

Elphaba concentrated, muttering, and the tea warmed itself. However, she overshot and the tea was boiling. She swore.

"Now Rae, you haven't performed magic in almost nine months. That is bound to happen. Remember: will, intent, then incantation." Glinda focused and the tea cooled. "Now again."

Elphaba tried again and this time the tea heated to a less than boiling temperature. Glinda picked it up and took a sip.

"Perfect."

With that, Glinda set Elphaba to her tasks: heating, cooling, changing objects colors, and other small tricks. It was about a month's worth of sorcery review. Elphaba, the consummate student, did not have much to relearn. When something went awry, she consulted her old notes and tried again. Glinda left her to it and went about her own practice. She continued working on her levitation spell, first moving a light letter and then trying a small notebook. It jerked and danced on the table but did not float. Glinda relaxed and rechecked her notes. Seeing nothing new, she consulted her book. She frowned as she saw nothing to help her, and tried again.

The two sorceresses ground on with their magic practice, both working hard. When Elphaba would get frustrated, Glinda would give some pointers to help. When Glinda would get frustrated, a quiet word of encouragement or a slight brush of hands would calm her. After a few hours, both girls were burnt out mentally and emotionally. Glinda flopped down on her bed and looked at Elphaba, who sat on hers.

"So, lunch time?" Glinda asked.

"It seems we need a break if we don't want to break anything."

"Café, right?"

"Since we agreed on it."

"Good. Let's clean up and then we can go."

"Let me guess; another wardrobe change?"

"Of course. It's a fine spring day. We can't have you traipsing about in that frock."

"I don't see what is wrong with it."

"I'm thinking white for me, and yellow for you." Glinda answered, ignoring her last comment.

"I will not wear yellow. I'd look like a flower."

"But Rae, you'd be so springy!"

"Not even on your best day, when I'm at my worst, would you convince me to wear yellow." Elphaba replied finally, and Glinda giggled. Elphaba realized she had been teasing her.

"No. Something black." Glinda said and then bounced up. She started rifling through Elphaba's closet.

"Black? For spring?"

"To balance out my white. Oh, this will be perfect!" she replied, grabbing a simple long sleeve black dress that cinched at the sides. She then went digging through Elphaba's dressers. A pair of black and grey stockings joined the dress on Elphaba's bed, and a gray shawl.

"Why is that everything you chose for me is long sleeved?"

"Why is that everything you have that's acceptable to be seen in is long sleeved?"

"It keeps the moisture from my skin."

"There's your answer. Now, get cleaned up. You're a bit smelly." Glinda replied, wrinkling her nose.

"A good sweat never hurt anyone." Elphaba smirked. "Well, maybe not never."

"Can I help?"

"No thanks, my sweet, I think I sweat enough for myself."

"No, I meant clean up."

"You just want to paw at my curves." Elphaba teased and Glinda blushed.

"I do not! I just want to see how you clean up. It's not like bathing with oil is a common thing."

"Uncommon is common when it comes to my ordinary day."

"Oh, there you go talking in riddles and rhymes. You think you would be much better at poetry."

"If the art of poetry is the expression of the soul it is no wonder I am terrible at it. Or should I say terrible at imitating poetry, for I have never written a piece in my life."

"I do not want to get into this discussion now for it shall make us even later. Can I watch or not?"

"I may have to charge admission. That's what they do at circuses for sideshows."

"Elphaba Thropp! You will stop that talk this instance or I shall become very upset with you!"

"You already sound upset."

"I am. But any more and I shall become even more upset and stop speaking to you."

"That's a threat, right?"

Glinda let out a growl of frustration and threw a pillow at Elphaba who caught it easily. As she placed it on her bed all she saw was her blonde girlfriend's back.

"Glinda, come on now. Stop this." Elphaba said but she received no response. Sighing, she moved over to the blonde. "Enough of this petulant child act."

Her only reply was a sniffle. Slightly confused why Glinda would be crying, she moved over to see tears streaming down the blonde's face. Very worried now, she knelt before the blonde to be in her line of sight. Glinda looked away.

"Why are you so upset at this, my angel?"

"Don't you realize it hurts me when you say such things!" Glinda answered hoarsely, still not looking at Elphaba.

"I don't see why. They don't hurt me."

"Because you're an amazing beautiful girl, and it hurts when you tell me you aren't because I know that's what's you've been told your entire life by everyone. It reminds me of all the pain they've put you through."

"I'm sorry, my sweet. I did not mean to hurt you."

"You hurt me when you hurt yourself."

"I do not hurt myself with these comments."

"Yes you do. You just don't know it because you've been in pain for so long, and that hurts me even more."

Elphaba thought about her girlfriend's reaction. She did not know if what she said was true, but she did know that she did not want Glinda to be hurt.

"Ok, my heart. I promise you from now on I will try to stop being so self-deprecating."

"What does that mean?" Glinda asked, looking at her. She began to dry her eyes.

"Meaning down on myself. At least to the level everyone does to themselves."

"It's a start."

"Now come on, let's get dressed and we can go get lunch. I'll even buy you some flowers and chocolate."

"Really?"

"Yes. Isn't that what one is supposed to do when they apologize after a fight?"

"It is." Glinda paused, sniffling. "Hey, Rae?"

"Yes?"

"Can I watch you bathe?"

"I'm sorry, my angel, I don't think I'm ready for you to do that just yet."

"Ok. Can you at least tell me about it?"

"On our walk to get lunch."

"So?" Glinda asked. They had just cleared the Shiz University grounds walking arm in arm as was their way, and were heading west towards the little cafes that hung to its shadow.

"Buttons or barley?" Elphaba replied with a light smile. Glinda gave her a playful pat on the arm.

"You know what I meant. Don't give me that old saw."

"Ah. You mean the hygienic theory behind using oil to separate contaminants from the skin?"

"What? If that means cleaning, then yes."

"Ah. Well, I apply an amount to my body, rub it on, and then use a dry cloth to wipe it off. It works rather well due to the properties of oil mixing well with most of the substances. Thicker liquids, like blood, are harder to get off."

"Do you do the same for your hair?"

"Similar. However, I apply an oil based…shampoo, for lack of a better term, and then use more oil to separate it out. However, I only do that about once a week, since it is very time and oil consuming. Otherwise I use a different oil which I just rub into my hair, and strain the excess out."

"Wow. I didn't realize there was so much work that went into it."

Elphaba snorted. "That's just the basics. I have to use different oils from different plants and seeds in different combinations to get the proper effects. Too much of say, Quoxnut oil, and it becomes waxy. Too much Munchkinflower seed oil and I get a bad rash. And so on."

"I can see why you like Life Sciences now. You've been doing it your entire life."

"A very astute observation, my sweet. Now, which of these overpriced establishments do you want to go to?"

"The Rose Garden, if you will."

"If I must."

"You must."

The Rose Garden was a nice café with a flower motif. It was mostly open with trellis line arches, and little tables placed here and there. They had a beautiful patio but Elphaba always elected for a spot in the corner. She sat at the junction of the wall, eyes on the crowd, while Glinda talked about the day and greeted those students that they knew. After their meal arrived the talk died down and they each other's company silently. Glinda watched as Elphaba canned the room, the little glimmer in her eye as she noted something. Elphaba observed as Glinda gracefully ate with proper decorum, much different than when they were alone. When finished Glinda paid, leaving a substantial tip as was proper of someone of her class. Elphaba nodded appreciatively, not of the reason but of the results.

The two girls left the pub and returned the way they came. As Elphaba's errands were spread out around Shiz they decided to hire a cab. After selecting a trustworthy looking fellow from the cab stables in front of the University gates, Elphaba soon grew annoyed at having to depending on Glinda's purse. This solidified her first stop.

"The Banking Exchange, please." Elphaba told the man. He raised an inquisitive eyebrow but said nothing. As the two ladies were seated, the man took off at a brisk pace. In five minutes time they were in front of the series of banks that made up the district. The large stone buildings were an imposing sight for Glinda, who never came this way. She drew her money from the Crage Hall account her parents had set up for her.

Elphaba disembarked the cab before it even finished stopping, and held out her hand for Glinda. She politely took it, maintaining her proper demeanor even from Elphaba's highly improper behavior, and gracefully stepped down. She went to tip the cabby but Elphaba had already done so. He tipped his hat to them.

"Shall I wait, Misses?" he asked.

"No." Elphaba curtly replied. When she did not add anything else Glinda stepped in with a smile.

"Thank you. We have business that will take us awhile, and I'm sure you have other patrons waiting. We shall find our own transportation from here."

The cabby tipped his hat to her again, and, with an inquisitive glance at the two girls, hopped back up into the driver's seat and cantered off. Glinda sighed and looked at Elphaba.

"My answer was sufficient." She said coldly.

"But impolite."

"No need to waste words on pleasantries when there's important things to be done."

"Everyone should be treated with respect." Glinda replied. She knew that would quiet her emerald girlfriend, and she was right. Elphaba simply nodded, and turned towards the bank. She did not offer Glinda her arm, which was quite unusual.

"Glinda." Elphaba said with a strange tone. She had not moved. "The people here will treat me different. Please do not mention it to anyone. Understand?"

"Of course, Elphie." Glinda answered confused.

"And please address me by Miss Elphaba when here."

"Sure." Glinda replied even more confused, then caught herself. She slipped into her society mode. "Naturally, Miss Elphaba. To do so any other way would be highly improper. However, being here without a chaperone could already been seen as such."

"Of that I have no doubt it will be." Elphaba replied, a hint of amusement in her voice. She then proceeded to the doors of the bank with her strides long and confident. Glinda, in her more fashionable but less functional footwear, took shorter, quicker strides to keep pace behind her. As they neared their destination a door hop saw them and quickly opened the door.

"Welcome back, Your Excellency." He replied bowing. Elphaba gave him a curt nod, and entered. As Glinda passed by and tried not to stare she noticed he was a Munchkin. Following Elphaba in, she passed by several others in the same position. Glinda assumed it must be something to do with her title. What was it again? Imminent something or other. As they entered the final double doors, Glinda forgot about Elphaba's title and tried not to gawk. The bank was not pretty, but it was built in a resolute style she was unfamiliar with. She could see the precursors to many of the styles she knew so she determined it must be old.

"Stay close." Elphaba whispered, and Glinda returned her attention to what was in front and not above her. She saw a little man hurrying over. He reached them and bowed.

"Your Excellency. We did not expect you so soon. You are a couple of weeks early. There is no trouble with Her Excellency Nessarose's account?"

"No, Master Firamen, there is not. There is trouble on my side. I seem to have some unexpected expenditures come up."

"I apologize, Your Excellency."

"You were not the issue so how can you offer apologies?" Elphaba replied and the man flustered a little.

"Well…I…that is true, Your Excellency. Now what can I do for you to make sure it does not happen again?"

"Would you consider changing your profession to tailoring, Master Firamen?"

"I doubt I would have the eye for it, Your Excellency. At least according to my wife."

"A pity. Then, a couple of things. First, I need withdraw more from my stipend. Twice the usual should do."

"Understood. I can get a clerk on that right now." He replied, and snapped his fingers. A clerk who had been discretely paying attention ran over. Firamen gave him instructions, and the clerk hurried away. It was not lost on Elphaba that another replaced him.

"Second, I require a bank note to cover some charges I made."

"That is unusual for you, if I may say so, Your Excellency."

"Let it be the last said on my spending habits."

"Of course. I apologize for my forwardness. If you would do me the honor of following me to my office, we can get started on that."

"Of course." Elphaba replied, and started walking. Glinda followed and Firamen cast a glance in her direction. Elphaba realized she had not introduced her. "Master Firamen, this is Miss Glinda Arduenna of the Upper Uplands."

"How do you do?" Firamen said, offer a bow. Glinda politely curtsied, and offered her hand. He took it.

"Well, thank you."

"If I may be so bold?"

"Do." Elphaba cut in. "Despite being Gillikinese, she has a penchant for Munchkinlanders."

"I must say," he started and bowed over her hand, "Master Boq's description did not do you justice."

Glinda flushed at the comment but said, "Master Boq does his finances here?"

"Not precisely. But to discuss finances of a client is unprofessional. Please. This way." He said, and led through another door to the second floor, and into his office. He pulled out chairs for both ladies (Elphaba first) and then sat himself.

"So to whom should I direct this bank note to, Your Excellency?"

"Miss Arduenna of Upland. I unexpectedly required new clothing, and she generously offered to cover it at the time."

"I see. In the future, Your Excellency, you can give the tailor our information and have them clear it with us. If it is the same tailor, you could start a tab that we could then pay, so as to not carry currency with you."

"I understand, Master Firamen. However, I try to keep my social and financial status as private as possible. You can see why I would do neither of those things."

"I understand, Your Excellency. If I may have the amount?" he said, and withdrew a piece of paper. Elphaba quoted him an amount. The number shocked Glinda but she hid it. Firamen, for his part, did not bat an eye. He finished writing it down, and looked up at them. "To where should it be deposited?"

Elphaba looked at Glinda, who stuttered hesitantly. "Uh, my account is through Crage Hall. It can be deposited there."

"Master Firamen, could we have a moment?" Elphaba asked, and Firamen nodded. He stood up, gave the two women a bow.

"That withdrawal should be ready. I'll shall retrieve it for you." With that, he left.

"Glinda," Elphaba said, "I think it best that you deposit it somewhere else. The bankers at Crage would be suspicious of such a large amount."

"I understand. You don't want to draw attention to it."

"Yes. Is there anywhere else you can put it?"

"I can write my father and ask they take it directly. But R-Elphie, why so much? That's double what I paid!"

Elphaba smiled. "A bit of a reward for you, my sweet, for being you. And because I feel you may need some new clothes soon."

"Why do you say that?"

Elphaba smiled superiorly. "Because green is very hard to coordinate with."

Glinda giggled at that comment, and then checked the door. She leaned over and gave Elphaba a slight peck on the cheek. A few minutes later there was a knock at the door, and Firamen entered.

"Here is your requested money, Your Excellency."

"Thank you, Master Firamen. How will this affect my monthly stipend?"

"It won't. After last summer's trip, Your Excellency's stipend was increased to cover any other social trips that Your Excellency deemed necessary."

"And why was I not informed of this?" Elphaba asked icily.

"Your Excellency's current withdrawals on your stipend to date have been small, and…" he stopped and looked at Glinda. Elphaba nodded. "And the rest has been deposited into your personal account. I figured Your Excellency would not care to be informed that those deposits were significantly larger. I apologized if I assumed too much."

"How much larger?"

"Your stipend increased two and a half times. His Eminence felt if you were to accompany a Margreave with a Munchkinlander, that you should appear to be of the station you are."

"And how did His Eminence know of this?" Elphaba hissed. Firamen blanched.

"I am uncertain, Your Excellency."

"Miss Elphaba." Glinda said calmly, and Elphaba whipped her head to glare at Glinda. "You went to the Headmistress to ask for permission. It would seem likely she so informed your…"

"Grandfather."

"Grandfather."

"Another horrid consequence of that trip."

"I don't know. I found it quite delightful." Glinda replied, and gave Elphaba a little smile. Elphaba did not return it, but her anger cooled.

"My apologies, Master Firamen. I should not have expected it to be you." Elphaba said, directing her attention to the Munchkin.

"No apologies, Your Excellency. It was a logical assumption." He answered, though all knew it was not. "Now, to the business of the bank note?"

"Miss Glinda will outline that for you." Elphaba answered and leaned back in her chair. Glinda knew that meant she had disengaged from the conversation.

"Her Excellency," Glinda started, knowing it would irk Elphaba somewhat, "thought it unwise to deposit such a large amount in the Shiz account. It may raise undo interest Her Excellency does not want. My father, who handles my finances, can accept the amount and route in back to me in a less conspicuous manner. As such, I will contact father and have him contact you."

"If it pleases my lady, she can give me her father's information and we can contact him directly."

"Oh." Glinda said, taken aback at being addressed as my lady. She had never had that happen and she saw Elphaba furrow her brow. "That can work also. Do you have a piece of paper?"

Firamen handed her one and she quickly wrote down the information for her father. Passing it back he smiled.

"I shall have this done as quickly as possible. Is there anything else Your Excellency needs?"

"No." Elphaba replied.

"Then I shall show you the way out."

As they were leaving Glinda paid expert attention to the various murals and columns of the building as she felt she would never see them again. Finally, she could not hold back.

"Master Firamen, what style of building is this?"

He stopped and looked quizzically at her, but Elphaba's face was impassive.

"It is referred Rudiment Munchkin, which just means it is a basic design built to last. Is the Miss a student of architecture?"

"No, just an admirer."

"If it pleases Her Excellency, we could do a tour sometime. I am no expert myself, but we do have one on retainer."

Glinda looked expectantly at Elphaba, whose face remained passive.

"It would please me." Elphaba intoned and Glinda nearly jumped for joy. Instead, she smiled. "Please let me know what would be most convenient. Do not go to any extraordinary lengths."

"I shall keep you informed."

With that, he escorted them fully out of the building to a waiting cab. He gave another bow to Elphaba, bowed over Glinda's hand, and then saw them off. All in all, it was a strange experience for Glinda. Both remained quiet until they reached their next destination, the small shops and boutiques near the Peach and Kidneys. They dismounted, tipped the cabbie, and stood for a moment. Elphaba sighed.

"Not one word."

"But the clothes? Why do you wear such clothes?" Glinda asked. Elphaba glared at her but she just giggled. With that, their interaction returned to normal but Glinda could not resist rising up on her tiptoes and whispering huskily into Elphaba's ear, "I'll discuss the rest later tonight, Your Excellency."

Elphaba suppressed a shiver at that, and let out a growl deep in her throat to show her annoyance. Glinda did shiver at that noise as it caused a heat to spread from her center to the rest of her body. An image of Elphaba throwing her up against the wall of the alley and ravishing her flashed through her brain and she blushed. Elphaba noticed, and cocked an eyebrow, but said nothing, offering her arm instead. Glinda looped hers through and placed her pink hand atop the black clad elbow.

"Where to now, my love?"