(Hey all! I keep forgetting to write authors notes at the top of these. Just wanted to say that I'm glad you're all enjoying this one!)
~oz FOUR zo~
The wildflowers sat at the bottom of the bucket, she had only found a handful that would pass inspection. She knew the Witch would not be happy but she was used to whatever the woman could dish out as punishment. Pain was so engrained into her life she hardly noticed it anymore. She took the long way back, the empty dirt paths on the outskirts of town where it was rare to encounter anyone. Her bare feet were covered in dirt and every now and then she would stub her toe on a rock but she told herself the solitude was worth the unpaved journey.
The light above her was fading and the town was likely dying down for the night. The Witch would be free to roam soon, the people tended to hide. Elphaba remembered when the woman had first arrived in Munchkinland, it had been in the daylight. She had resembled a human back then, she hadn't let the magic change her yet.
The mansion was coming into view now and Elphaba sped up to reach it. She had to be back by dark.
There was something new decorating the front steps, someone new. A broad white hat covered much of the new person but Elphaba could see a tiny waist wrapped a white silk skirt down to the ankles and trim legs standing upon delicate blue heels. A suitcase sat next to her.
The ragged girl approached the figure with curiosity and immediate distain.
"Can I help you?" She said.
The girl turned around, wide blue eyes meeting Elphaba's. They grew wider at the sight of the green girl but adjusted quickly, "Oh. Hello, I am…" She teetered nervously, "I am Galinda Upland- I'm sorry, I'm Glinda Upland."
She extended her manicured hand and Elphaba stared at it, it was clear the girl had no idea she was talking to property.
Glinda continued, "I was sent by the Wizard to spend summer recess here."
A spark of anger fired up inside Elphaba, "The Wizard?"
She clearly recalled the Witch's arrival in Munchkinland, the speech she had given to Frexspar as Elphaba eavesdropped from behind the library doors. The Wizard had sent her, too… "For the protection of the people and to ensure compliance with the Wizard's rule."
"Yes. Is the Lady of the House in? I've been knocking on the door but I've had no answer." Glinda gestured towards the front door.
Elphaba pushed the door open, "There's no need to knock."
Glinda let out a surprised "Oh!" and followed the green girl through the threshold. She was quite bad at containing her shock at the sight of the interior, it was foreboding and it still gave Elphaba shivers every now and then.
"Oh goodness, this is… Unexpected."
Elphaba pursued through the main hall, making for the table that had been overturned this afternoon. It was still upside down; all the mess was right where she'd left it. She turned it right side up and began sweeping at the glass that still lay at her feet. Glinda followed soon after, peeking her head around a corner, her suitcase in hand.
"Do you happen to know where the Mistress of the House is?"
Elphaba raised an eyebrow, "The Witch?"
Glinda was taken aback, "Madame Morrible."
There was a clamor from the other room and a crow cawed. Something sounded like an explosion as shutters were ripped open and then there was a great, heavy silence.
"It sounds like she's left for the night." Elphaba said, indifferently.
Glinda's kitten heel stomped into the ground, "What in Oz is going on here? This is absolutely unacceptable! This is no way to treat a guest, least of all me. She's been here all day and kept me knocking for an hour! Who leaves their home from the top floor and who keeps a place as filthy as this? Where are all the servants?"
Elphaba rolled her eyes as she swept away the last of the glass shards, "I'm the only one, I'm afraid. What did you call her, was it Madame Horrible? I never knew she had a name. I think you'll find that she's changed quite a bit."
"Morrible." Glinda corrected her, studying the rotting wood and the fabrics pierced with moth holes, "What do you mean she's changed?"
Elphaba gave the girl a sympathetic gaze, as cynical as she was she felt badly for the poor creature. She looked like a deer that had just lost it family.
"You'll see for yourself when she returns, she'll be back sometime before sunrise." She reached into a cabinet and produced several glass jars to replace the shattered ones.
"Oh, I won't want to bother her, I'm sure she'll be too tired to speak to me." Her hand was over her racing heart as she continued to explore with hesitance.
Elphaba laughed, "Don't worry, she doesn't sleep anymore."
Glinda gazed back at her, horror struck again, "What has she become?"
Elphaba laid the collected flowers out on the table, prepared for the Witch's inspection when she returned, "You'll see soon enough."
~oz FOUR zo~