The sisters stared at each other, neither one wanting to be the one to break the tension. Elphaba refused to cower under her sister's stern glance. After all, she got it from her. She tried to calm herself before her blood pressure shot through the roof. "Nessa, what are you doing here? You can't just come into my home unannounced? How did you even get in here?"
"Firstly, is that how you greet your Governor?"
Elphaba worked her jaw. "We're not in Munchkinland."
Nessa gave her a look.
"Your Eminence," she curtsied, fighting to keep it genuine-looking.
"That's better. Secondly, I am not unannounced. I sent you a letter weeks ago. Did you even read it?"
She vaguely remembered tossing the unopened letter aside, but didn't remember picking it up later. "I've been busy."
"I figured. But it's not my fault that you ignored my correspondence. I am here for a conference and said that I expected to see you."
Oz, please don't tell me she's staying here, Elphaba thought.
"You can fix your face, because I'm not staying here," Nessa sighed, rolling her eyes. She could read her sister like a children's book. "I'm staying in the Oz One Hotel. All visiting officials have been given accommodations there for the week."
Thank Oz. "Then what are you doing in my apartment? How did you get in?"
"As Governor of Munchkinland, I have access to many things."
"Those 'things' don't include my private living quarters in the Emerald City."
She tilted her head. "Then perhaps it was an invasion of privacy for me to have a spare key made."
Elphaba's face blanched. "Nessarose!"
"Calm yourself, Elphaba. I'm not here often enough to abuse its power. I planned on it only being for emergencies."
Elphaba removed her glasses and pinched the bridge of her nose. This was why she had to leave Munchkinland. "Nessa, this is hardly an emergency. I'm tired, and I –"
"Then offer me some coffee so we can talk, and I can leave. I'm also tired from my journey."
"Then you should've gone straight to your special accommodation at the Oz One Hotel," Elphaba muttered, returning her glasses to her face as she went into the kitchen to put the kettle on the stove.
"Proper Munchkin coffee, please. Not any of that watered-down Gillikinese coffee."
The two sisters said nothing as Elphaba prepared the drink and returned to the living room, where Nessa had settled at the small table. She had removed her traveling cloak and draped it over the back of her chair.
"I didn't see the official carriage downstairs," Elphaba said, setting the cup and saucer in front of her sister.
"My security team convinced me to take the train, then an unmarked coach in the city. I told my driver to bring me here, then bring my luggage to the hotel. They'll return in an hour."
"They left you here without your parade of security?"
"No. They were downstairs. You just didn't see them because they're good at their job." Nessa took a sip of the thick, dark drink, then glanced back at her sister. "How are you faring? In this big city all by yourself."
"I'm an adult, and I'm fine."
"Well, you never write. You never visit. We never hear from you. For all I know, you could've been dead for months, and it could've still been weeks before I was notified."
Elphaba rolled her eyes. "Always so dramatic, Nessie."
"I'm serious. While you're here watching entertainment every night and living it up in the Emerald City, I'm back in Munchkinland, doing real work."
Another eye roll. "Nessa, let's not pretend you didn't desire the Eminency, and would secretly hope I would either abdicate or die so that you could have it."
Nessa frowned. "I never hoped you'd die."
"How kind of you. Now, what is this emergency that warranted you breaking into my apartment?"
"Father wants you to come home."
She sipped her coffee. "I admire how you can look me in the eyes and tell me a bald-faced lie."
"He's ill."
"Then perhaps he shouldn't have traveled all over Munchkinland and the Quadling Country trying to save his lost causes."
"Elphaba, mind your tongue."
"That's why he's ill, Nessa, if he's even ill at all. He'll be fine. He's always fine."
Nessa pursed her lips. "It's been years since you've been home."
She was prepared for the tactic change. "It's been the best years of my life."
"Don't talk like that. Munchkinland is your home, Elphaba. We're your family. It won't kill you to visit at least periodically."
Elphaba's eyes narrowed. "Are you saying you miss me?"
"So what if I am?"
She chuckled humorlessly. "You don't miss me. You miss having me stuck to your side, doing everything for you. You miss bossing me around like I'm one of your attendants."
"Fabala –"
"Don't 'Fabala' me. I won't let you manipulate me this time. I have a life here, Nessa. I'm happy and busy."
"Aren't we all busy?" Nessa muttered, looking down at her lap before resuming her glare.
Elphaba sighed. There was no use trying to explain anything. As different as she was from her sister, they were both stubborn as mules, which made communication much more difficult. Perhaps if she apologized, Nessa would give up this fruitless mission to get her to return to Munchkinland. "I'm sorry."
"Don't try that this time, Elphaba, because it won't work. I won't have you manipulate me. I've grown up. I don't need to be placated into ending a conversation." She finished her coffee. "I will leave on my own because I am tired. I will see you again before the conference is over. I'll send you a message. Don't ignore it."
Elphaba stood. As long as Nessa was leaving, she didn't care how in control she was. "Very well, Nessa."
"And I'm not getting rid of the spare key. But… I won't use it again, unless it's an emergency and I think you're dead."
"An actual emergency."
"… Yes."
Elphaba had to crack a smile, knowing that was the best she could hope for. "Thank you, Nessa." She helped her sister with her cloak.
"And… if you need any money, you still have access to your trust fund, and –"
"Nessa, I own an opera house. I'm not exactly destitute."
"Perhaps I'll see a performance while I'm here. See what's taking up your time so you can't respond to your sister."
"I thought you were too busy to engage in frivolous activities."
"Opera is a high-class source of entertainment."
"You said –"
"I know what I said. And I meant it, too." She opened the door and was greeted by two members of her security team. They helped her downstairs, with Elphaba behind them, and into her carriage.
"I'm glad to see you, Nessie," Elphaba admitted softly once her sister was settled.
"Me too, Fabala." She bit her lip. "I do worry about you sometimes, you know. When my schedule allows."
"And I worry about you all the time."
"I'm twenty-four years old, Fabala. I can take care of myself."
"And you will always be my baby sister." She quickly kissed her sister's hair and stepped back, allowing the driver to close the door, and watched as the carriage drove away. As she turned back up her steps, she made plans to visit the locksmith in the morning to get her locks changed.
Glinda loved summers in the Emerald City. She loved the strolls through the park, picnics under the trees, and all the street vendors in the Royal Mall Strip.
"What do you think of this one, Elphaba?" Glinda asked, holding up a handwoven bracelet to her companion.
The green woman gave a non-committal hum.
"Elphaba."
She jumped, as if she didn't hear Glinda the first time. "Sorry, Glinda. What was that?"
She returned the trinket to the vendor's stall. "Honestly, Elphaba. You've been distracted all morning."
"Apologies," she muttered, sounding distracted as she meandered away.
Glinda huffed and marched after her. She knew that Elphaba wasn't the biggest lover of unstructured shopping trips, and she had to practically beg her to join her and Ama Clutch as a do-over from their first time, but this level of disinterest was unacceptable. "Elphaba! Elphaba, stop! Elphie!"
That got Elphaba to pause and slowly turn, her fingertips brushing against her skirt as her arms relaxed against her sides. Before she could open her mouth to question the nickname, Glinda continued.
"I'm doing the second variation again tonight." She hadn't performed it since Maehri was sick, and she was out again for personal reasons. Greyling had sent a note that morning with the news. She had been waiting for the perfect moment to tell Elphaba, but using it to pull her from whatever distracted her was an effective enough moment.
"That's wonderful, Glinda," Elphaba said honestly.
"And you'll be there tonight, yes?"
She hadn't planned on attending that evening, but could not resist Glinda's wide, pleading eyes. She nodded, and smiled at the way Glinda's face immediately lit up.
"Thank you, Elphie. Oh, it's alright if I call you 'Elphie', right?"
"It's a little… perky."
It wasn't a 'no', so Glinda interpreted it as a 'yes'. "Was there anywhere you needed to go?"
"The locksmith, bookstore, and –"
"The sweet shop."
Elphaba's eyebrow arched. "That wasn't on my list."
"If I'm to be expected to tag along on your boring errands to a locksmith and a bookstore, I must receive a reward."
"The bookstore is my reward for agreeing to sit through your 'hat fashion show' at the milliners."
Glinda blushed, realizing that Elphaba was right, and called Ama Clutch to inform her of their next destinations. Ama Clutch insisted they have lunch first, and the girls agreed, going to a small diner before letting Elphaba take her shopping turn.
…
That evening, after putting on her makeup and second-variation costume, Glinda was pacing backstage. She wasn't as nervous as the first time, but she was feeling the added pressure of being just as good, hopefully better. She marked the steps, hearing the music in her head.
"Glinda!"
She turned as Pfannee, ShenShen, and Milla hurried over to her. "What's going on?"
"There's a special guest in the audience tonight!" ShenShen giggled.
Glinda blinked. Had they found out about Elphaba? "Oh?"
"I heard they're very important," Milla agreed, straightening her tutu.
"So we all must be extra perfect tonight. But especially you," Pfannee said, giving the blonde's hands an encouraging squeeze. "No pressure."
"Oh… thank you," Glinda said, watching as her friends hurried away. If they were referring to Elphaba, then she had no reason to feel extra nervous. But if they weren't, then she did, and she hated not knowing how to feel.
Thankfully, she didn't have much time to think, since everyone was getting into their places for the start of the show. There was an announcement of her performing the second variation, just like the first time, and the small familiarity helped calm her nerves.
You're not dancing for the special guest, whoever they are, she reminded herself. You're dancing for yourself. She repeated this mantra in her head as she stepped into place for her solo and the curtain slowly rose. As soon as the music started, all her outside thoughts and worries slipped away, and she danced from her heart and soul.
All too soon, it was over, and the curtain came down to thunderous applause. Glinda wanted nothing more than to collapse, but quickly left the stage so the next scene could come in. Her friends and other colleagues congratulated her as they passed her onto the stage, and stretched in a dark corner to keep her body warm and loose.
The moment the curtain came down after bows, Morrible strode over to them, clapping for their attention. "Stay in your costumes, everyone! And line up!" she called before sweeping away.
The dancers formed a receiving line and Glinda went to stand with the corps ensemble, as she usually did.
"Glinda, you're supposed to be on this side," Crope said, gesturing to the space on the other side of Tibbett.
The blonde looked over and slowly switched spots. He was right. She did the second variation, so she was supposed to stand in Maehri's spot with the other principal dancers.
"You were great tonight, Glinda," Gysp said, gently squeezing her arm.
"Thank you, Gysp," Glinda smiled as Morrible reappeared next to the special guest.
The girls at the end of the line craned their necks to see who it was. They saw a young woman, brunette hair falling over her shoulders, being pushed in a wheelchair by a young man in a silver uniform.
"Who's that?" someone a few paces down from Glinda's whispered.
"It's the Governor of Munchkinland, Nessarose Thropp," she heard Tibbett whisper back.
Glinda ignored the rest of the low chatter, prematurely shushed by Greyling. She was too busy focusing on how the Governor of Munchkinland had the same last name as Elphaba.
"And Miss Glinda Upland, second variation," Morrible introduced when it was her turn.
"Your Eminence," Glinda curtsied with a polite smile.
"Miss Upland, you danced beautifully," the Governor smiled, extending her hand.
"Thank you, Your Eminence." She returned the handshake, and with that, their brief interaction was over, and the Governor continued to move down the line, repeating the motions and compliments.
She stayed in her spot, her thoughts swirling as she tried to form a connection between the Governor and Elphaba. Even though their interaction was only a few tick-tocks long, she could still see that they shared some facial features, and there was little doubt in her mind that they were somehow related. She would ask Elphaba about it later.
In the end, the Governor thanked everyone for a marvelous performance and left with Morrible. Taking Morrible leaving as their official dismissal, the dancers hurriedly exited the stage to change, chattering about the night's surprise excitement.
"Everything alright, Duckie?" Ama Clutch asked when Glinda finally came out.
"Yes. The Governor of Munchkinland was at the performance tonight, and she wanted to meet us."
"Oh, that must've been a wonderful experience. And she was able to see your beautiful solo. You were amazing, my Glinda."
"Thank you, Ama."
Ama Clutch wanted to hear about the rest of the Governor's visit, and Glinda embellished what she could, telling stories that entertained her Ama, and made her wish they actually happened.
As she lay in bed, she continued weaving intricate threads in her mission to connect Elphaba with the Governor. She had many questions, and hoped Elphaba would provide an answer to at least one of them.