Thank you once again to all my reviewers and commentators; on here and on tumblr.
8/17/15
The rest of the family gathering went by with little incident for the Circle. Granted, there were the general family disputes; old grudges aired, blunders made, and too much wine imbibed. Overall, though, the Circle managed to find these more amusing than off-putting
After the Arduenna discovered Glinda was a sorcery student they cajoled her into performing some for them. Glinda at first demurred but eventually gave in. She started simple; a little levitation, some color changes, but eventually started to morph objects and change liquids. Most of the family was duly impressed. Elphaba noticed, however, Glinda's parents looking on in consternation. Her front mind told her it was because they disapproved; her back mind started working on something else.
The party adjourned late in the evening. Drivers were roused either from their games or their sleep. Several women attempted to seduce their way into both Avaric's and Fiyero's bed, but both boys easily refused. Glinda did notice that Boq and Milla seemed to be missing. She wished them the best. Pfannee and Shenshen retired early, but Glinda had to see her family off. Elphaba stayed with her.
After those family who had not stayed were sent off, and those family who had were up to their own devices, Glinda pulled Elphaba back to the room. Both girls were too tired for any sorts of lovemaking, as desperate both were for it. Instead, they cuddle close and fell asleep in each other's arms. They did not even wake as Milla slipped into bed in the early hours of the morning.
The next morning the Circle woke to a late brunch with the remaining family members. All seemed to be slightly worse for wear from the previous day's events. The brunch was a light hearted affair. Gossip was exchange, amusing moments recollected, and praises handed out. Glinda was especially lauded not just by the present family but also in the comments heard over the previous evening. It was so much it almost embarrassed her.
After brunch Glinda saw the rest of the family off. In that time the Circle lazily packed. They had to catch an early evening train and would not have much time to spare. In fact, by the time the lingering farewells were given, Glinda did not have much more time to change and hurry out to the waiting coach. Her parents gave her a kiss and whispered words of approval before watching her go.
The long coach ride gave the Circle time to catch up on some needed sleep. Avaric slept against the side with Shenshen on him and Pfannee on her; Elphaba supported Glinda who in turn supported Milla and her Boq; and Fiyero easily leant against the far door. Their minders dozed just as easily in the other coach.
The Circle did not more than stir by the time they reach the Frottica train depot. Rustling the sleep from their bodies, they managed to haul themselves onto the train and their reserved compartment. Now to awake to sleep, they chatted easily and ate the packed foods and sweets. They were so engrossed they almost missed the train leaving the station.
Too soon they arrived in Wittica. Shenshen departed with a hug and a kiss on the cheek for everyone. She whispered something in Pfannee's ear and the diminutive blonde nodded. The girl gave one last good bye, and her and Ama Vimp departed. The circle was a bit deflated but attempted to carry on.
Red Sand was next, and Milla departed. It echoed Shenshen's, but her affection lingered longer on Boq. She even gave him a kiss on the lips, much to Ama Ren's throat clearing disproval. By now, the Circle's mood was falling. However, Avaric appeared a bottle of wine to help buoy it. They no longer needed to be of complete awareness as Shiz was the end of the line.
At Shiz the Circle spilled out of the compartment. Although invited to Avaric's, Elphaba stole Glinda away. She had planned them a dinner and night alone, starting with Gerand's. Stashing their belongings at their room in Crage, the girls did a quick change and headed out. Glinda was happy to have some alone time with Elphaba. It had been two weeks since they had any alone time. Glinda was going to make the best of it.
The trip to Gerand's was relaxing as the pair talked idly. They used their familiar Horse cabbie, not wanting to worry about propriety. As they got out the Ape doorman tipped his hat to them. They thanked him and Glinda's smile made the Ape smile back. As they walked to the hostess station their familiar Mountain Lioness smiled.
"Back again so soon? You'll keep us in business." She said.
"We can leave…" Elphaba replied with the same wide smile. The Lioness laughed.
"No, no, of course not. Just normally you give us some preparation. Masar will take you to the usual table."
"Thank you." Glinda said. The Ferret Masar scrambled down the stand and led them towards their familiar table. After seating them, he scampered away.
"What are we thinking? The usual?" Glinda asked.
"I'm actually for something a bit larger. Maybe a steak?" Elphaba replied. Glinda looked aghast.
"Are you feeling alright? So much food, and it being meat."
"Chasing skirts with those miscreants has given me an appetite." Elphaba said neutrally. Glinda smiled.
"Oh? Perhaps I should not let you be with them anymore; your manners are deteriorating."
"As if they were there to begin with." Elphaba snorted. Glinda smiled.
"Don't think I did not notice you being well mannered. That comes with training, Your Excellency."
Elphaba just snorted in derision again but said nothing. Their waiter came soon after and took their order. The couple chatted idly, enjoying the openness that the privacy afforded. Their food took longer than usual; Glinda had started to worry when the wait staff brought out their decision.
"Must have been your steak." Glinda said as she took a bite of her own food. Elphaba took a large bite of her steak.
"It was worth the wait."
After dinner, Gerand came out to meet them personally. The girls spoke to him for a few minutes before taking their leave. As the passed the hostess desk the Lioness stopped them.
"Gerand wanted me to give you these." She said, and indicated to two brown paper packages.
"What are they?" Glinda asked.
"Care packages, he says."
"Thank you." Elphaba replied. She picked them up, and off the girls went to the rest of their night.
The remaining members of the Circle had woken early the next day to catch their coach ride to the Emerald City. Avaric had rented a private coach for the trip; he had not wanted to spend a week and a half crammed into a space with people he did not know. As such, the coach ride and inns they stayed at were nicer than the other members had taken before. As it was prime travel season, the roads were clogged with travelers. This stretched what normally would have been a three day trip into a weeklong affair.
"I'm so glad we did not take this trip before." Glinda whispered to Elphaba one day when they had an alone moment. "Even in luxury it is trying."
"Too true. The trip is…quite unlike I anticipated it." Elphaba replied.
"What they really need is a train." Glinda continued. "That would make it much easier." "I quite agree; but that is perhaps the reason why there is no train." Elphaba answered. "In any matter, perhaps we should focus on getting back to our studies."
Glinda sighed but nodded. Elphaba had refused to let the trip pass by without study and practice. While Elphaba worked on her Life Sciences notes, Glinda was covering material from the texts the old man in Shiz had given them. She had initially wanted to wait until Elphaba could do it with her. Her girlfriend, however, had urged her on as she had known she would not be able to catch up anytime soon.
Indeed, Elphaba's progress in sorcery had slowed. She still applied herself and Glinda still helped, but the material was more difficult. In addition to the limited application time with their travel, both girls had known she would never get through the second year of sorcery and the new material.
The new texts were interesting to Glinda. Their manner of teaching was completely different from her formal training. Whereas Shiz sorcery taught techniques and built upon those techniques, the new texts held a more elemental view of sorcery compared to her Shiz training. However, both still had theories of sorcery built backwards from the techniques and in conflict with each other. It was as if each had their own pocket of knowledge that could not be reconciled.
As Glinda began to practice from the new texts, she realized how difficult it could be without a teacher. Most of her learning was trial and error. While not the most efficient method, she began to understand how things worked together. Her failures, though, gave most of her fellow passengers some form of entertainment. Glinda did not mind as she felt as if her versatility with sorcery was growing. She now understood, and could do, more.
The trip dragged on. In the growing heat of late Newsummer, the coach was just shy of claustrophobic. Propriety was lessened as extra layers were shed to keep cool. No protest came from Ama Clipp, which was indication enough. The girls fanned themselves, but it did not help. At every stop Avaric bought them water but it brought them little relief.
A few days out of the Emerald City a strange incident happened. The coach was about an hour from their stopping point for the night when a horse trotted by. The rider stopped and turned around. The coach men slowed their horses as they warily watched the rider came back to examine the coach. Sensing the slow down, Elphaba glanced out of the coach. The rider must have caught sight of her as her turned his horse abruptly and cantered off. Elphaba' gaze followed after him, but she did not catch any details.
Early into their trip the next day the same rider came up from behind. The coachmen slowed again and placed their hand on their pistols. The rider slowed as he neared it.
"Hail." He called out and raised a hand.
"What is your business, sir?" the coach men called back. By now the Circle had begun to shift to try and get a glimpse of the man. They could only see riding boots over brown breeches, a vest and half cape, and a large swept hat. They could not make out any features.
"Is this the coach carrying the members of the Charmed Circle?" the rider asked. Elphaba now poked her head out, much to the disapproval of Ama Clipp.
"And just who are you?" Elphaba called back. The rider smiled and slowly approached.
"You know, Miss Elphaba," he replied, amusement in his voice, "you ask me that question every time I meet you."
"Duran." Elphaba said as he came fully into view.
"Miss, do you know this man?" asked one of the drivers.
"Yes. He is known to us." Elphaba replied.
"Do you wish to maintain this pace or can we resume our previous?"
"Resume the previous." Elphaba answered. Duran smiled and nudged his own faster to keep up. "So what brings you here?"
"I'm heading for business in the EC." He replied easily. "Before you ask, a little wren in Wittica told me you were heading this way."
"You spoke to Shenshen? When?" Pfannee asked. Her Ama scowled.
"Not four days ago." He replied.
"You mean to tell me you went from Wittica to here in four days?" Avaric asked. Duran nodded.
"Yes. Train from Wittica to Shiz, and then down."
"It's taken us over a week." Avaric replied.
"You are in a coach. I can travel much faster than you." He answered easily. "In fact, I said a similar thing to Miss Nessarose about a month ago."
"When did you see Nessa?" hissed Elphaba.
"Relax, Miss Elphaba. I merely stopped to chat for a few minutes as we were both heading out of Shiz." He answered calmly. "These long solitary trips can be boring."
"Is that what you are doing now? Relieving boredom?" Glinda asked.
"To some extent." Duran replied. "I was also checking in. I heard you had some exciting times."
"Miss Shenshen's tales, I see." Glinda said. "We did have some exciting times. Some fun by a lake, some fun shopping, and a particularly large amount of boring functions."
There was a huff of disapproval from behind Glinda, and her smile widened. Duran's own shifted; not wider but more amused.
"And a particularly interesting family reunion." He continued. "But really, Master Tenmeadows, not accepting the challenge? I hear he was particularly terrible with a rapier."
"There was no point." Avaric drawled. "What happened if he died? Then I would have been stuck paying reparations. I think my way worked well enough."
"It was a neat solution, I'll give you that. Plus, my other student was able to get some live testing, so that is good."
"She was quite remarkable." Glinda said.
"That reminds me." Duran said and reached back into one of his bags. "She wanted me to give you this, Miss Pfannee."
The diminutive blonde scampered over Avaric to lean out the window. Duran handed her a brown paper wrapped box. She quickly pulled it back and opened it. There were a few trinkets, but mostly letters.
"She says to follow the instructions in the top letter." Duran said.
"I will." Pfannee nodded and went to open it.
"She told me to check your hands to make sure your fingers aren't crossed."
Pfannee sighed and showed him her hands. "I will."
"Alright. Only one more to deliver." Duran replied with a smile, and took out another package."
"This is for Miss Elphaba."
"Me? From whom?" Elphaba asked, suspicious.
"Master Gerand said you'd have eaten all your treats by now, and wanted to send you some more. He has marked the ones for you, Miss Glinda, and to share."
"Thank you." Elphaba said and reached out her long arms to take it. She was certain her package would contain more than treats. Her mind started to wonder about the young man sitting comfortably about the horse.
"Well, it was a nice chat, but I have business in the City that is pressing." He replied.
"Oh? What kind?" Avaric asked.
"The only kind I am fit to be in." was his reply. Duran tipped his hat. "Misses. Masters."
He clicked his heels and the horse took off at a brisker pace. The Circle watched him go, well aware he had not given them an answer.
Two days later the Circle wearily pulled into the Emerald City. The estate of Tenmeadows had a leased flat around Mennepin Square that they were staying in. The Circle was thankful for the servants that unloaded their luggage. Elphaba, however, took her own. The Circle chalked it up to her being stubbornly independent. Elphaba was taking no chances.
"Welcome to the home of Tenmeadows!" came an overly enthusiastic voice. The Circle blinked at the brightly dressed young man in front of them. "If you notice, we have only the most garish surroundings."
"Damn it, Crope, how did you get in here?" asked Avaric.
"Well, me and Tibbett had decided to stop by to see if you were in…"
"Tibbett?" Avaric asked. Not a moment later the aforementioned boy came in through a side door. He was just as garishly dressed.
"Wine for everyone!" he said. They realized he was holding a tray with glasses. "To help wash down the long road. I even brought two for Avaric."
"How very generous." Said the aristocrat, and took two. He sipped from one, then the other, and then asked, "So you dropped by…"
"And your doorman informed us you were not home. We were quite sad and asked if we could wait for you. He flatly refused." Crope continued
"As he should." Avaric said.
"Quite rude." Tibbett responded. "Anyway, we started into a story about how we were good friends."
"We may have exaggerated some of the details." Crope added.
"So then your doorman goes, 'You must be Crope and Tibbett.'" Tibbett continued.
"And I was taken aback. I thought about making a scene." Crope continued.
"He did make quite a scene." Tibbett added.
"And your doorman says 'Now you most certainly are.' And let us in." Crope finished.
"Just what are you telling them about us?" Tibbett asked.
"The truth." Avaric replied.
"Well how ghastly." Tibbett gasped. "No embellishment at all? I thought we were friends."
"See if we tell tall tales of him anymore." Crope agreed. Avaric smiled.
"Boys, I am very tired. How about you let me deposit my things before I sit and you regal us of your exploits in newly acquired adulthood." He said.
"I wouldn't go that far." Elphaba said. "But which way to our accommodations?"
"Follow me, Miss." Said one of the footmen.
Elphaba did so. The room she was staying in was small; only half again the size of her room at Shiz. The bed, luckily, was bigger; big enough to fit three people. As Elphaba looked at the deposited luggage she noticed not only her and Glinda's, but also Pfannee's. She frowned. Placing her bag down, she walked back to the meeting room.
"Avaric, why are we all in the same room?" she asked evenly. The young man looked at her.
"I don't have much room in here, Miss Elphaba. In fact, I only have five; one for me, one for Fiyero and Boq, a servant's quarter, a decent sized closet converted for Miss Pfannee's Ama, and your room. Shall that be a problem?"
"No, it shan't." Elphaba answered. She had not taken into account the size of the flat. "I was concerned of fitting four of us in one room."
"It shall be tight, but you won't have to deal with it for more than a few days. Besides, I doubt we'll do much more than sleep and change here; there is quite a bit to see."
"Of that I'm sure you're right." Elphaba replied.
"Now are we ready for our story?" Crope huffed. They smiled at the boys.
"Of course. I haven't had a real dose of ridiculousness in a long time. Not an amusing one, anyway." Avaric answered.
The next day the two young men played tour guide. Having grown up in the City, they knew where everything was located. Furthermore, now they each had their own money to spend they had tried to sample as much as possible. This made them experts on the shops and eateries (at least to them). Renting a cab for the day, Avaric decided to enjoy his first in the City.
Glinda thought the Emerald City lacked any sort of charm. Though impressive looking, the City and its inhabitants refused to be impressed. They went about their businesses under gilded buildings and by grand reflecting pools as if they were in a small town in Munchkinland. Glinda thought it all a tad too pompous. Maybe it was her natural Gillikin superiority coming out. She was glad for it.
The two boys led them through ha series of cafes and pub houses, and even to the clothier district. The girls marveled over the exotic and elegant dresses, but none bough them. They were a bit too gaudy with ruche and baubles. It made them yearn for the more legant simplicity of Gillikin. Glinda noticed Elphaba looking around.
"Elphie, what is it?"
"No Animals." She muttered. Glinda thought back and noticed she was right.
"Perhaps they are just not here?" she suggested. Elphaba shook her head.
"No; they've been pushed out of the better sections to the poorer." Elphaba replied darkly. Glinda sighed but said nothing, as there was nothing to say.
The next day the girls' decided to hit a spa they had seen. Elphaba declined. The five boys invited her out to pub crawl with them; Elphaba declined them also. Instead she took the opportunity to have the day to herself.
After seeing both the girls and boys off, Elphaba dug into her valise. Under the now empty box of treats from Garon lay her prize. The bundle of letters she had been given (and collected) in her trips. Each had specific instructions of where and how to drop them. Elphaba knew that even as a newcomer to the City, she still had to be careful. Donning her head scarves, she made her way out into the City.
The previous day's events had left with bare minimum knowledge of the layout of the City. Combined with a few maps she had acquired, she did not know the it well. Then again, she did not have to; she simply went where it was poorest. Having moved into a dirtier section she spotted her first landmark. A pub called the Dancing Bear.
Elphaba made her way in and to the counter. Without even looking around she noticed the hard, suspicious looks on the patrons' faces. There were no Ozians here. While Elphaba waited patiently for the Bear behind the counter to notice her (something he no doubt already did) she examined the people. Hostility, but nothing dangerous.
"How can I help you?" the Bear asked gruffly. Elphaba looked up to meet him in the eyes. She saw the Bear blink a couple of times. "Never seen an elf that as tall as you before."
"That's because I'm not an elf." Elphaba replied evenly.
"Really? Then what are you?"
"A friend."
"I don't have Ozian friends."
"A very culinary minded friend told me otherwise."
The Bear gave her a hard stare.
"Oh?"
"Yes. He said you make the best chocolate torte anywhere in Oz."
"Did he now?" the Bear asked.
"He did. And he asked me to deliver a letter. For old times' sake."
Elphaba stared at the Bear. The Bear stared back. Finally, he looked away.
"Third room upstairs. I'll meet you in a few minutes."
Elphaba nodded and headed for the stairs she had spied coming in. Finding the room, she cautiously entered. There was no one inside. Elphaba searched the room to make sure there were no hidden listeners, and then took up the best position to see the door.
Fifteen minutes later, Elphaba was beginning to get fidgety. She wondered if the Bear had played a trick on her, or if he had perhaps betrayed the cause for immunity. She was about to get up and leave when the door cracked opened. Elphaba tensed and grasped her forearm. The Bear made his way through the door, but stopped at her look.
"You're wary; that's good. There's no need to be so tense; I just had a surge of customers right after you."
"I see." Was all Elphaba answered. The Bear shut the door behind him and took up the opposite position. It did not escape Elphaba that he was blocking the exit.
"I did not expect someone so unique when I heard from my old friend." The Bear continued. Elphaba did not stir at the comment.
"Perhaps I understand better than most what it is like to be different."
"I can see that. Now, what do you have for me?"
Elphaba reached into her hidden satchel and rifled through the letters until she found the right one. She handed it over. The Bear gave her a dark look.
"You carry all the correspondence with you?" he hissed. "How dumb are you?"
"Less so than you think." Elphaba snapped back. She took off the satchel and tossed it on the bed. "Go ahead, look."
The Bear moved over and opened the satchel. There was nothing inside.
"A concealment charm will still do no good if they dump it." He growled and upended it. Nothing came out. The Bear looked confused and stuck a claw in. Rifling around, he looked back up at her. "There's nothing here."
"The charm is not a concealment spell. It's a linked sending spell. When I touch it, the papers from the hidden location come to my bag. When I stop, they go back."
"Handy; unless you're caught and they go through your belongings."
"They would not find them. They are secreted away somewhere safe."
"Fine." The Bear muttered.
He carefully opened his own letter as Elphaba drew the satchel back and concealed it under her clothes. The Bear muttered to himself for a bit as he read the letter. At one point he looked up at her, and then back down. Elphaba waited a few more minutes before he finished the letter. Finally, he huffed.
"More of the same." He grumbled. He then looked to Elphaba. "I did not know you were Dillamond's assistant."
The name pulled at Elphaba's heart but she did not let it show.
"I was. It was my friend's Ama who found him. She paid dearly for it." Elphaba answered. The Bear dipped his head.
"I see. I also understand you've been continuing his work."
"In so much I can." Elphaba replied. "There's a difference between a student and the leading expert in the field."
"Yes, there is. Unfortunately, we can be of no help. We have none with that experience."
"Then I shall continue on my own. Now, I don't have all day to chat. I was told I'd be given instructions."
"Yes, you will."
A man watched Elphaba and the Bear come down the stairs. It was not surprising for him to find to her there. He noted that as much as she tried she was not good at noticing her surroundings. He took a sip of his cider. She was better than most, he would acquiesce; but too poor to play in this field. After she departed, the Bear seemed to notice the man. He made his way over.
"I'm surprised to find you here." The Bear said. The man smiled.
"I was just in the neighborhood and decided to get something to drink." He replied.
"Oh? Still hunting?" the Bear asked, intrigued.
"With good looks and fast hands." He replied with a chuckle. The Bear did also.
"Anything I should know?" the Bear asked again, seriously.
"Not really. The usual." The man shrugged. "How's the family?"
"Doing well enough as can be." It was the Bears turn to shrug. "You want anything else?"
"No. I'll finish here shortly and be on my way."
"Have time to take a message for me? You have the feet of an Antelope."
"Of course."
As it was the last day most of the Circle would be in the City, Avaric decided to make it extravagant. They dressed up and went out to some of the best bistros the City had to offer. Afterwards, they took in an early matinee. From there, they retired to Avaric's flat to enjoy the rest of the night.
At this point Elphaba slipped away. When caught by Fiyero, she told him it was to secret a gift for Glinda. While not completely true, Elphaba was going to buy Glinda a gift as to explain her absence. It did not take her long to get back to the Dancing Bear. The owner behind the counter saw her and motioned her to a side room. Elphaba fidgeted until the Bear came in with a package.
"You order, Miss." He said. "You'll find everything you need in there."
"Thank you." Elphaba replied. Taking the bag, she turned to go.
"If you ever need employment, I think you would fit in well here." The Bear continued. Elphaba froze.
"Thank you. I will keep it in mind."
"Are you sure?"
"Perhaps when I return this way, but I have other obligations at the moment."
"This is perhaps the most important obligation in Oz."
"Perhaps; but my answer remains. Thank you for the service."
"You're welcome. And my offer is a standing one."
Elphaba nodded and left. Making a small detour back to the bazaar, Elphaba began to examine their wares. She was looking for a nice piece of jewelry for Glinda. It was only then she realized she had no idea what jewelry she liked, or would look nice in. Elphaba growled to herself.
"That one would look splendid on Miss Glinda, I think." Came a voice from behind her. Elphaba whirled to see a familiar smile.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Elphaba snapped. Duran smiled.
"I was making my way to friend's for an evening show, if you must know." He replied. Elphaba did notice now the black opera cape around his shoulders, and the walking stick in his left hand. "I saw you here mulling over the decision and decided some help may be in order."
"How did you find me?"
"The currents of fate, I might imagine." He replied whimsically. Then he snorted. "Or the fact I pay attention. You do conceal yourself rather well, except to those that actually look. You may want to work on that."
"I'll keep it in mind." Elphaba answered. She fidgeted. "Which one?"
"This one." He said and pointed his walking stick at a delicate pendant from a Quadling salesman. He said something in Qua'ati, and the man replied. Elphaba was stunned.
"You speak Qua'ati?" she asked. Duran smiled.
"I do. I find languages easy for me, and very useful. I also know a few dialects of Vinkun, though my accent is terrible." He laughed. "What do you think?"
Elphaba looked at it. Two pink stones surrounding a green one. She had to admit, Duran had taste.
"It is perfect." She replied.
Turning to the salesman, she asked how much in his own language. The Quadling looked shocked that two Ozians knew it, and quoted her a price. Elphaba handed him the amount, plus some extra. Bagging it up, she turned to thank Duran, but found him lost in the crowd. Shaking her head at the melodramatics, she hurried back to the party.
As the party was winding down the two Emerald city young men approached Avaric. The aristocrat was into his cups, but could pick up the meaning. He moved them over a corner where the conversation was not so loud.
"I take it you've decided."
"Yes." Crope replied. "We decided to take you up on it."
"The both of you?"
"Yes." Answered Crope.
"I'm very pleased, my friends, but I did not expect it so soon."
"Our jobs are dead ends." Crope answered.
"And boring." Tibbett added. "I can barely stand it now, but until I die? No thank you."
"Well, I can't tell you to expect much soon." Avaric told them seriously.
"That's fine; as long as I'm not stuck in that office forever."
"Same with that house."
"I can promise you that. We'll discuss it more later. You can expect a small stipend by the time summer ends."
"Good enough." Crope said.
"Now, let's get back at it." Avaric smiled. "There's a lot of future ahead of us, and a lot of past to forget."
This chapter covers the dates of the 16th of Newsummer to the 5th of Highsummer.