1/18/17
"I'm heading to the library." Elphaba said as she threw on her jacket. Winter was fast approaching.
"Alright. I will still be here." Glinda called back from the bed.
"Sorcery work?"
"Yes. The new information focuses on water manipulation. I assume you will not want to be around."
"Quite not."
Elphaba gave Glinda quick kiss on the lips and went out the door. Glinda sighed. Ever since the party with her uncle the pair had been cool to each other. They still gave quick kisses, cuddled every night, but the little tokens of affection were not there. Glinda knew Elphaba had sensed something wrong. After the party they had a brief quarrel over nothing.
Glinda knew she should tell Elphaba; if anyone would understand it would be her. The image of of Elphaba, a look of disgust on her face, stayed the words on her lips every time. As long as she kept it hidden it would not be an issue. Garon would leave or find something else of interest. He always did. The issue would fade into the background where she could forget. It always had.
Elphaba trudged to the library. The last week had been particularly tense for her. Interacting with that many aristocrats made it so. However, the fact Glinda's uncle was there brought the dilemma into stark contrast. She had managed to pull him aside while they were waiting for Shenshen to get ready.
"Does anyone in the Arduenna line have blonde hair?"
"No! Little Galinda is unique." he laughed. "A beautiful little angel."
"On either side?" asked Elphaba, uncomfortable with his phrasing but shaking it off.
"Nothing that I know of. Upper Gillikinese are not as fair as those in lower and eastern Gillikin." he answered. "Might be something to do with Desert right there, or cross-breeding with the Winkies."
"Thank you."
That nearly confirmed her fears. Elphaba had hoped it a twisted idea from the dark recesses of her mind. However, each clue fit more. Her brain still had not excluded a couple of options but her hypothesis was only truly contended by one other. Either way, it was something that could tear Glinda's family apart. And why she kept it from her.
Elphaba knew Glinda sensed something was wrong. That was why she was so cool with her; why little things sparked tiny fights not reconciled. Elphaba hoped something in her studies would prove her wrong. Sitting at a desk in the library, she opened the book to the marked page.
In treatment of wound and the healing of flesh….Of the body it must be nutritioned. No house can be built without materials - such should the body have its building blocks. However, with deep wounds often the ingredients are not there; rather, they need to be infused. For small wounds the following poultice applied to the area can quicken healing. Applying bandages afterwards is also a good idea. However, deeper wounds need to avoid infection as well as needing to heal. The body can do so the best. While applying standard medical procedures (not detailed here), a drink with the following ingredients combined with milk, and incanted with the forthcoming spell will quicken the healing and defend against infection.
Elphaba made several notes on the paragraph. The text had already been magically copied but she did not want Glinda seeing her studying the material. Though far more complicated than the sorcery she had learned, her Life Sciences background helped her understand it. Theoretically, at least. Her interest was not just in the making of the body whole, however.
After an hour of note taking, Elphaba put the book away. Although good information, she had not found what she was seeking. The process could not be rushed, however. She switched books; Elphaba's final for Life Sciences was still due and she was only half way through it. While there was still time, she prefered to use that for revision.
Glinda was much of the same. Though her new material was more exciting, she needed to brush up on her standard sorcery skills. In addition, she needed to outline the steps in metaphamorphic transition. Long and tedious, but something she had become accustomed to. As she worked her mind went elsewhere. The fact she had been cut out of some social circles did not surprise, but perturbed, her. The active forgetfulness was a common tactic, and one which did not suit a Gillikin. Therefore she aimed to make herself unforgettable.
A knock at the adjoining door drew her attention. Striding across the room to open it, she came face to face with Nessa. Glinda glanced past her but did not see Nanny. Nessa similarly glanced past.
"Is Elphaba not around?" she asked.
"No; she is at the library."
"Oh. We received a letter from Grandfather and hoped she would open it."
"Where's Nanny?"
"It's her day off."
"I didn't realize she had days off."
"She rarely takes them, but she is allowed."
"Do you want me to open it for you?"
"If you would not mind. It's on the dresser."
Glinda retrieved and opened the letter. Sitting next to Nessa on her narrow bed, Glinda read,
"My Granddaughter Elphaba and Dearest Nessarose; I understand your concerns. You're both maturing girls wanting to make your mark in Shiz as well as looking after Munchkinland's interests. I believe you are correct in that you have outgrown dorm accommodations. However, you could not just rent an apartment as proposed. You are scions of Munchkinland; you should be respectful of such station. Therefore, I have sent an accompanying letter to Master Firamen to start the search for such a flat. I understand this will be difficult in Shiz, but you must have enough rooms to entertain and accommodate guests. I hope the search should end quickly. Your Grandfather, Peerless Thropp, Eminent Thropp of Nest Hardings."
"What is he talking about?" asked Nessa. "We need it to get away from Morrible."
"You cannot exactly put that in letter, Nessa." Glinda explained gently. "Elphie and I crafted the letter to your Grandfather. He knows why we need it but is just as careful. My guess his involvement of Master Firamen is a safeguard if this letter was interfered with."
"Oh." Nessa sat for a moment. "How long do you think it will take to get a place?"
"Quite a while. Space is at a premium in Shiz."
"What will happen to you without an Ama?"
Glinda blinked.
"I'm going with you."
"How? It's just us."
"See the part about accommodating guests?" Glinda smiled. "He means me. No guest would be appropriate to stay over outside of young women, and they would all have accommodations."
"Oh." Nessa said again. "How do you know all of this?"
"Takes time and practice." Glinda assured.
"I guess." Nessa sighed. "I probably should back to my studies."
"If you need me just ask."
Glinda rose and gave the girl a light kiss on the forehead. Nessa closed her eyes. Smiling, the blonde went to her room. Her mind had not stopped working as she spoke to Nessa. Peerless had neatly solved her problem in the medium-term future, but she needed to build a new foundation to use it to the fullest. To that end, she gathered a few things and headed own the hall. A polite knock later and a blonde opened the door.
"Miss Glinda?" asked Pfannee.
"I hear you've been having fun without me." Glinda replied. Pfannee smiled.
"You're going to have to be more specific."
"Social fun, Miss Pfannee. Could you and Miss Shenshen meet me in my room in a few minutes?"
"Of course. Going to see Miss Milla?"
"Yes."
A few minutes later they sat in room twenty-two. It felt strange for all; almost as if Glinda was holding court. Considering the situation, Glinda felt it both appropriate and ironic.
"The last few weeks I have been out of favor." Glinda started. "Numerous social invites have not been extended to me. I have no doubt why this is just as i know there is little to change the circumstance. What I am looking for is to find my way back in without that favor."
Two of the girls squirmed. They had noticed as well but had not brought it into the open. Hearing it laid so bare was uncomfortable. It was the one who schemed who answered.
"I'm guessing you have some social functions in mind." Pfannee answered. Glidna smiled.
"I do. I have some funds set aside; what I need is the guests. I have no doubt if i were to go to Madame Head to arrange it no one would know. That is why we will have to do the invitations."
"Who do you want?" asked Pfannee. Glinda eyed the girls.
"All the up and comings from first to third years. You three have much broader contacts with the girls in school with your general studies."
"That's a lot." Milla said. "We'll need a good reason for them to come."
"I'll be having all the well-to-do men of Shiz there. Should be good for husband-hunting." Glinda replied with a grin.
"You going to contact those from your uncle's list." Pfannee stated. Glinda nodded.
"And Avaric's. And Fiyero's. And Elphaba's Eminence contacts. And anyone else I can get my hands on, honestly."
"Elphaba has made a name for herself among Munchkinlanders in Shiz, that's for sure."
"Which is why she is co-hosting." Glinda replied. Pfannee nodded.
"She won't be short for Munchkinlanders."
"We need Gillikins there, too. Should not be an issue, considering."
"No, but this will be a big ball. At least a hundred. You sure you have the funds?" Pfannee asked.
"Yes, but right now I need the introductions."
"That, we can do." Shenshen smiled. Glinda did as well.
Elphaba entered Firamen's office. The two had become much better acquainted over the last year so the Munchkinlander smiled. He bowed to the young woman, who bowed back. He raised a glass.
"Wine, Your Excellency?" he asked with mirth.
"No thank you, Firamen. And it's Elphaba as always." she replied in the customary greeting.
"Of course, Elphaba. How may I be of service?"
"Two items of business." Elphaba answered. She did not sit nor did Firamen. "The first you already know; I am in need of housing for my sister and I."
"And your lovely Miss." Firamen added. Elphaba shot him a dark look.
"That should not be common knowledge."
"Of course not, Elphaba, but if we are to be honest with each other let us be fully honest."
"You are correct; my apologies." Elphaba glanced around the room. "Remind me to bring Glinda with me next time; she can ward rooms against eavesdropping."
"The room is quite soundproof." Firamen protested.
"I do not doubt it, but taking extra care does not hurt."
"A good point."
"Back to the matter at hand: new accommodations. We need to be out of Crage as soon as possible."
"I discerned the urgency in Peerless' letter. I am unsure as to why at this moment."
Elphaba glanced around.
"I will explain after the wards are set up."
"Elphaba, I said the room is soundproof."
"There is more than one way to listen in on conversations."
"I understand. Either way, we could accommodate you very quickly, if that's your wish."
"Up to my Grandfather's standards?"
"Yes. We have a place in the city we use with diplomatic guests. I don't see anyone needing it anytime soon, so we can move you into it and search for another."
"How soon?"
"Tomorrow, if you wish."
"No, we need to keep this as subtle as possible until the last moment."
"Start shipping packages out of the dorms?"
"That was my thought. We can move the smaller items on our trips out; my satchel should be able to carry enough to make it work."
"When do you want the final move?"
"When semester ends."
"I'll have it ready by then. The second point."
Elphaba looked down; the motion drew Firamen's gaze to her twitching hands. She took several deep breaths and looked up. He waited patiently. The young woman licked her lips.
"I am in need of funds for..a social event."
"Social event?" Fremen asked. "What type?"
"A ball."
"What type of ball."
"A...matchmaking ball."
"Oh?"
"Yes." Elphaba looked away. "It seems we are out of favor with Crage. While I don't distress about it, our Miss does. She planned a ball for us; to bring all the up and coming eligible girls of Shiz as well as those who have graduated, to it. The other part is to bring suitors."
"And that's where the outside funds are needed?"
"Partially. You see, we need a strong name to invite those not in our social circle at Crage and outside of it. Also, we need to find Munchkinlanders who are possible suitors. These can be young men but also older. The point is to get a large pool of highly quality relations to draw people. The Vismargreave of Tenmeadows will be calling on his connections but it is best to come at it from all angles. Doing so makes a higher chance of success and enhance the standing of the Eminence. As well as possibly create valuable connections."
"Very true." Firamen blinked. "I hate to say it, Elphaba, but that sounds a bit rehearsed."
Elphaba gave him a wry smile.
"Our Miss made sure that I remembered all the reasons so as to be most persuasive."
"Ah. Why is that? It seems to be right in the range of Eminent duties to release funds."
"Here is the list of those to be invited. Those marked by an asterix are to be invited by us." Elphaba said as she handed him an envelope. Firamen opened the envelope and looked through the paper. His eye widened.
"Quite the list. This will require some funds. However, it is doable. When do you want it?"
"Three weeks." Elphaba answered easily. Firamen looked at her and blinked.
"Three weeks." he deadpanned. "Over a hundred guests and preparations in three weeks."
"See why our Our Miss had me memorize it?"
"Quite." Firamen said and went to pour himself some more wine. Elphaba walked over to him. He drank it and looked over the list.
"Is it possible?" she asked. Firamen did not look up, but his mouth started moving. After a moment, he looked at her.
"Yes, but it will be tight. We need to get the invitations out as soon as possible. Can your friends get the names to me in the next couple of days?"
"I shall endeavor them to do so." Elphaba answered. Firamen moved to his desk with renewed vigor. "Firamen?"
"Yes, sorry, Elphaba. Our Miss continues to astound me." he answered with a twinkle in his eyes.
"Of course she does. How so now?"
"This list! The connections are impeccable. No function in Shiz is this diverse. If you can make connections here.." he trailed off, then gave her a serious look. "Peerless needs to be notified."
"Of course, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. We haven't made it yet."
"Elphaba, you don't understand." Firamen responded. The look he turned on her was serious. "This could change Thropp futures. Just a few new relationships could double Thropp fortunes."
"I did not think of it." Elphaba answered, rocking on her heels.
"Our Miss did." Firamen answered. "Keep that one close."
"I will. She amazes every day."
"This will be the biggest function outside the Emerald City for a long time." Firamen continued. "We need to get this right."
"I have complete faith in you."
"Thank you. I shall work relentlessly on this. Remember, two days! No more."
"I got it." Elphaba paused. "Thank you, Firamen."
"It is my pleasure, Elphaba." he bowed, and so did she. The young women left under her own discretion, and Firamen sat back down.
"So much to do, but this may be it." he said to himself. "If this works, I could be more than a mere banker. I could be official liaison to Shiz; maybe Gillikin. And I'm sure Our Miss knows it, and knows I'll work harder." Firamen laughed.
"It is a strange feeling to be manipulated into what you want."
This chapter covers the 13th to the 18th of Wanefall