"Miss Pfannee!" Glinda said from the steps of the manor as she saw a certain blonde approach. The Dogs had told her that someone had been dropped off at the end of the drive. Pfanee's outfit was of a typical working class woman: thick dress and apron with a cloth over her hair and a large satchel slung over a shoulder. If not for her witchsight that belied her demure appearance, Glinda might not have recognized her. "I did not expect you."

"I know." she smiled. The blonde looked around. "I'm lucky that I heard you had rented this villa. I was already booking a cab to your parents'. This is closer, and so cheaper."

"You did not have to pay on your own." Glinda protested as the other woman made it to the steps. "I would have if you had known you were coming."

"Yes, but then how would I have surprised you?" Pfannew replied with a slight twinkle in her eyes. "Besides, it helped me practice. Can't get rusty, you know."

"Do I know you?" asked Wynne from Glinda's side. The woman was giving the woman a fierce stare.

"Last time we met I was shooting fireballs at you." Pfannee paused. "So no. I work for Glinda now."

"First I heard of it." Wynne rebutted petuntaly.

"Wynessa, you don't know everyone in my employ." Glinda kindly, but firmly, chastised. "Miss Pfannee is an old friend from school, and currently has been overseeing my- Oz's interest at Shiz. She took over for the sorcery teacher there."

"Hmm." was Wynne's reply. Pfannee's look went from demure to flinted in a moment.

"Is this going to be a problem?" she asked. There was no mistaking in the edge in her voice.

"Only if Glinda says there is." Wynne replied in the same tone.

"I say there is not." Glinda interjected. "And that is that. Really, you two."

"Hmm." Wynne replied again.

"Hmm." Pfannee echoed.

"Wynnessa, Pfannee and I have something to discuss." Glinda once again interjected. "Please see to your duties."

Wynne cast one last suspicious look in Pfannee's direction, then she turned and walked away. Pfannee watched the woman's back as she disappeared inside.

"I like her." Pfannee concluded. "Smart, skilled, and protective."

""Well, that's a relief." Glinda sighed. "Now come, we shall take a sitting room. Standing here is not the place for whatever the reason of your visit."

"To what do I owe this visit, Pfanne?" asked Glinda. The two women had taken a side room and Glinda had used the silencing charm crystals to proof it against eavesdroppers.

"Elphaba asked me to check on you." Pfannee answered bluntly.

"Elphaba asked you?" Glinda could not keep the incredulity out of her voice.

"Well, not exactly." Pfannee smiled. "Elphaba griped to Sarima about you not answering a letter she sent a couple of weeks ago, but that she couldn't come check on you herself as she didn't want you to think she thought you couldn't take care of yourself."

"So she asked Sarima to ask you?"

"Sarima offered. Apparently Elphaba did not know she was an Ade-Lady," Pfannee changed the word at Glinda's pinched nose, "of yours. So Sarima suggested she could ask me to check on you so as to come off caring rather than overbearing."

"But you told me all of this because you're one of my Ladies?" Glinda asked calmly. Pfannee shook her head.

"No. Sarima knew you'd instantly know what was going on no matter how nonchalantly I dropped by. She suggested that Elphaba just be upfront about it and she agreed. So Sarima asked me and I am here."

"To show she cares about me, but doesn't think I can't take care of myself." Glinda summarized sarcastically.

"Partially. And partially because I've not heard from you in weeks either." Pfannee paused, then said, "It makes me nervous that you're so exposed out here. At least one of us should be here for magical protection."

"You don't think I can take care of myself?" Glinda raised a delicate eyebrow. Pfannee sighed.

"I know you can...I'm just paranoid. Trained that way."

"Well, thank you." Glinda smiled. "But between the Dogs and myself, I am well protected."

"Dogs?" Pfannee asked. Glinda's smile turned bashful.

"Yes, my new retainers. They call themselves the Dogs of War."

"Interesting name."

"It is quite unique."

The two women were in silence. The flow of the conversation had stopped. Glinda did not know if there was more Pfannee wanted to say. Pfannee was not used to not being dismissed. Finally, Glinda broke it.

"Come, tell me about your summer."

"I probably should get going if I want to be back in time for class."

"Please stay for just a bit longer. I'm afraid I've not had a chance to catch up with you in the last few months." Glinda asked. The sincere look on her face convinced Pfannee.

"If you insist. I've not written to you recently either." Pfannee glanced down. "And someone's been busy."

"Yes. I was not particularly open about it." Glinda sighed. "Nor did I intend to be."

Glinda walked over to a small couch and sat. Pfannee followed. When the woman remained standing, Glinda patted the place next to her.

"Come sit. You travelled far and I'm sure getting off your feet would help."

"I'm used to it, teaching and all." Pfannee grinned as she sat down. "You just want to sit due to your pregnancy."

"Oh, boo on your perceptiveness." Glinda mockingly chided. "I do want to catch up."

"It's fine, Glinda. I remember Shenshen's pregnancy."

"Was it difficult for her?"

"No." Pfannee shook her head. "She was the same up to and after giving birth. Never lost or gained appetite or energy."

"That's tremendously unfair." Glinda pouted.

"So I was told." Pfannee chuckled. Seeing Glinda shift, Pfannee blinked. Remembering something, she grabbed a pillow and stuffed it behind Glinda. "Relax. I know sitting up in a perfect polite position cannot be easy."

"Uh. But it's so uncivilized." Glinda remarked, but did lounge further back. She sighed in contentment. "But that is better. Now, tell me about the summer, and how teaching is going."

It was late in the day and Elphaba had laid down in a side room off the tower. It was one she had used when she had fled to Kiamo Ko originally. While she would eventually rise and go to the bed she shared with Fiyero, often she found it easier to catch quick rest here. That had sometimes led her to accidentally sleeping through the night, but Fiyero had been accepting of it. Elphaba did not want to admit it, but her rests here had become more frequent. A knock at the door welcomely interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in." she called as she sat up. Sarima entered the room, letter in hand.

"News from Frottica." the other woman said.

"Oh. That was faster than I expected." Elphaba blinked. Sarima smiled.

"Trains, remember? It was less than a day's travel."

"Oh, right." Elphaba nodded. "So what's the news?"

"Glinda is doing well." Sarima answered, looking at the letter. "Pfannee was shocked at her pregnancy. Apparently nobody told her. Oops. She has moved from her parents' estate and to a smaller one nearer town. As you suspected, she has been shoring up her support and will be meeting with the larger barons soon to continue to do so. She has new retainers - the Dogs of War, whomever they are - and Pfannee says they are quite fierce. She knows one, a redhead sellsword named Wynne who seems quite devoted to Glinda. She said you knew her?"

"Yes. She traveled with us when we fled the Emerald City last year." Elphaba explained. "She was a retainer to Duran - whose retainers call themselves the Dogs of War - and has now been transferred into Glinda's service."

"Ah. Pfannee does say she has a considerable retinue of plain looking but obviously professional people with her. All in all, Pfannee says she is safe and secure, if a bit grumpy because of the pregnancy."

"I can imagine." Elphaba nodded. "Thank you, Sarima. It means...it means a lot to me."

"You're welcome, Miss Elphaba." the other woman smiled. "I'll take my leave so you can rest."

Elphaba nodded and the other woman left. Lying back down, she closed her eyes. That was one worry off her mind.

The moon was high when Glinda woke. After Pfanne had left she had been worn out and quickly went to bed. Maneuvering to her feet she sighed. Being nearly six months along meant having to rise more often. Luckily, the bathroom nearby was quite luxurious. Glinda inwardly was thankful it was not as cold or hard as Kiamo Ko's were. She could not hold it against the place as it was a castle, but she could be thankful to be here instead.

After relieving herself, she made her way back to bed. However, the flicker of fire light off her window made her curious. Wynne had told her that the Dogs would be having a celebration tonight. The Household rarely met, and when they did tended to revel together. Glinda could understand that. Plus, she thought it was adorable when Wynne suggested she use the noise cancelling spell for her room so as not to be disturbed. Glinda had smiled and let her know that she would. For their sake.

But now she was curious. How did her new retainers relax? Glinda's curiosity got the better of her. Floating over to the double doors that led to the portico, she pushed aside the curtain just enough to peek out. Glinda could see the light of a central fire, and several other smaller fires around it, but the glass distorted any clearer images. As far she could tell, the shapes that moved could either be shadows or people. Chiding herself as being a timid school girl, Glinda found her camisole and slippers. If she wanted to see she would see.

The noise assaulted her the moment she opened the portico doors. The upbeat tune of music playing almost drowned out the conversation and laughter. Without the glass to interfere, the shadows that danced were revealed to be people actually dancing around the fire. Glinda whispered the traveling spell to make her footsteps lighter. One more spell, devised in her spare time at Kiamo Ko, made the shadows wrap around her. It would not obscure her from sight; just make her harder to see.

Glinda set her sights on one particular person. She knew that she would be nearer the portico. Her pride would not let her stray too far from Glinda's side. And there she was, her red hair dancing like the flames that gave off the light. What took Glinda a moment to realize was that she was bare shouldered. Glancing further down, she realized it was not just the shoulders. The woman was bare to her waist where her shirt idly hung. Glinda blushed and looked away. Perhaps she was intruding. Wynne was prolific.

Looking at the other Dog did nothing to help her situation. The man, who was closer to the fires, was stripped to the waist as well. Glinda's gaze was drawn past him now. The other Dogs' bare skin glinted with the rosy hue of camplight. Some were standing around talking like Wynne. Others danced near the fires, their bodies moving to the rhythm of the music. Some danced very close, making Glinda's blush fiercer.

"See something you like?" came the soft voice in her ear. Glinda jumped. Wynne's smiling face was very near, and so was the rest of her. Glinda realized she must have walked forward without thinking.

"I did not mean to intrude." was Glinda's soft response.

"And you did a good job of it." Wynne smiled. "You scared me half to death. One moment I was turning down Constans and watching him walk away, and the next you were beside me. Almost like magic."

Wynne winked at her. Glinda gave a small snort of amusement. Looking down, she saw the bare chest of Wynne again and her cheeks burned. Wynne noticed, and easily slipped her arms back into her shirt. The deep cut still showed a lot of skin, but it covered the important parts.

"Is the whole House as prolific as he was?" asked Glinda rhetorically. Wynne shrugged and looked over at the rest of the Dogs.

"Maybe it's the lifestyle. Maybe he rubbed off on us some." she replied wistfully.

Glinda glanced over. The woman's smile, always so roguish, now held a small bit of uncertainty. The blonde realized the redhead must have felt unsure for her future for the first time in years. Duran was gone, the one constant in life. Though Glinda had taken his place, Wynne did not know what that meant yet. None of them did. Glinda got the overwhelming feeling of not belonging, and turned to leave.

"As I said, I do not wish to intrude. I shall let the House return to their festivities."

"We are yours. How could you intrude?" asked Wynne. Glinda stopped. That was true. Looking back at the Dogs, she wondered out loud,

"Why are you stripped to the waist?"

"House tradition." Wynne shrugged.

"If I may, My Lady." came a voice from her right. Glinda turned.

Her Staff Captain, Ronce, was there, though he had brought his own shirt back up as well. Still, Glinda took the time to admire the man's unhidden physique for the first time. He was of broad shoulders and chest with a waist that was not slim but not fat either. His arms were hard of the corded muscle that came from repetitive work. Further down, the tight breeches he wore let Glinda see he had strong legs (and a nicely shaped rear). Topped off with the strong jaw, brown eyes, and short hair, he was a nice looking middle aged man.

"I do not think this is the place to stand on formality, Ronce."

"The reason the House strips to the waist is because the House is all equal."

Glinda raised her eyebrows.

"I'm going to need that explained for me."

"If a man strips his shirt because he is warm, no one considers it taboo. But a woman…"

"A woman is seen as a harlot." Glinda replied. Ronce nodded.

"Yes. And in the House there is equality between the men and women. So, at one such event long ago, it was decreed if a man could take off his shirt, so could a woman." Ronce stopped and gave her a smile. "Among other things."

"So prolific." Glinda giggled. She saw some of those not dancing become aware of her presence. "But I wonder if I do not make you uneasy."

"You are new." Ronce shrugged. "Wynne herself was approached with some hesitation when she was accepted into the House. But after a little bit of time they will get used to you."

"If the both of you wish to strip your shirts, you may." Glinda slightly switched topics. "Don't abstain on my account."

"I figured it would make you more comfortable." Wynne shrugged.

"I've seen quite a bit of you already, Wynne, and vice versa." Glinda replied. Wynne chuckled. The redhead slipped her arms out of her shirt and let it slip to her waist.

"I will say that is really liberating to do." she said, and stretched her arms over her head. Ronce snorted and Glinda rolled her eyes at the obvious ploy. As Wynne dropped her arms, Glinda's eyes went to the angry scar on her left shoulder. Her hand went forward. Wynne froze for a moment before realizing where she was going. "Ah yes, my newest acquisition. Lovely little wound there."

"Less than a year ago. You're recovering well? Sometimes old wounds linger." Glinda asked as she ran her fingers over it. It was still raised.

"Quite well. Duran stopped by not too long afterwards and gave me a little alchemical boost before he made his way to the City." Wynne replied. She flexed her arm and shoulder. "Good as new."

"That is good to hear." Glinda answered. Her well honed sense from the ballrooms told her a group was approaching. A trio of women, all around her age or so. As they were starting to slip on their own tops, Glinda held up a hand. "No need, ladies. If you wish to go bare chested, it is not an issue."

"As you wish, My Lady." the lead one said. Her name was Camilia. A Gillikin brunette, she was a healthy but curvy woman of her age. Her body did not have the tightness of early adulthood, but instead was strong with an overlay of softness from prosperity. Glinda did not think she looked worse for it. The other two women, Josephine and Rosaline, were also of good Gillikin stock, though Rosaline's slightly tanned skinned told Glinda of some Vinkun mix.

"What can I do for you?"

"We were wondering if we woke you?" Josephine asked.

"No. I had to get up to use the facilities and was curious about the light."

"I hope you don't find it uncouth." Rosaline ventured.

"No, especially after the explanation. Many different peoples have different traditions. My sensibilities are not hewed to traditional Gillikin's."

"That's good to hear, My Lady." Josephine answered.

"Will you be joining us then, My Lady?" asked Rosaline. The other two gave her surprised looks. The schooled interested expression on Rosaline's face betrayed the woman.

"Scrow? Glinda asked. Rosaline's face broke into a bashful smile as she nodded.

"How did you know?"

"It's too far for any other tribe, and you asked a leading question."

"I may have heard some tales about your travels with the Night Witch."

"One of your Household duties?"

"Yes. I tend to filter the rumors and sorts from the Vinkus to the Gillikin Captains."

"Makes sense."

"I'm lost." said Wynne.

"I am as well." added Ronce.

"Last year Elphaba and I travelled through the Vinkus on our way to Kiamo Ko." Glinda started.

"That was after the Opera House incident, right?" Wynne asked. Glinda nodded.

"Yes, after a brief stay in Frottica...which all of you know about." Glinda realized. They all nodded, except for Wynne who took a moment. "Anyway, we stopped by some tribes on the way there. The Scrow were the first, and after an interview with their leader, they had a welcome party. Which can get a little... interesting."

"I can imagine." Wynne nodded. Rosaline scowled.

"Nothing such as that." she interjected. "Well, at least when not at harvest time. But the rumors did say the Night and Day Witches partook of the dancing and revelry."

"Night and Day Witches?" Ronce cocked an eyebrow.

"I'm guessing Elphaba is the Night Witch." Wynne answered.

"Who is?" asked Josephine.

"The Witch formerly known as Wicked Witch of the West." Glinda answered. "Though they called us Shamans, not Witches."

"Vinkuns don't have a word for witch, so I translated it." Rosaline replied. "But will you join us tonight?"

"I shouldn't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable. And I'm a bit too tired to dance. I feel fatigued standing here already."

"That's the babies, dear. I remember those days." Camila said. "Wynne, be a dear and get Our Lady a seat. With a cushion."

"Oh no-"

"On my way, ma'am." Wynne tossed Camila a casual salute and hurried away. Glinda looked at Camila.

"Well, if it won't make anyone uncomfortable," Glinda started, "I think I shall stay. It would be good to relax a bit, and get the House to relax around me."

"As long as you're not uncomfortable." Josephine replied. "You may be accepting of other traditions, but that doesn't mean you're comfortable with them."

Glinda's response was to look at her for a moment before slipping her own camisole off her shoulders. The women blinked and Rosaline's mouth even gaped a little bit. Glinda finished by tying it loosely around her waist. The night air was cool, but the gentle heat from the fire on her chest was soothing in an unexpected way. Wynne returned then, holding a chair in one hand and a cushion in the other.

"Staying awhile then, Glinda?" she smiled. The woman placed the chair near her and the cushion on top. With a thankful sigh, Glinda took it.

"Yes. I think I will if you'll have me." was her reply.

"Definitely." Wynne answered. After a moment she said, "Though it is unfair."

"What is?" Glinda asked, knowing the shape of what the next comment would be.

"That you've gotten even more gorgeous since the last time I saw you."

"Wynne!" scolded Camila. "That's a highly inappropriate thing to say to Our Lady."

"It is alright, Camila." Glinda assured. "Wynne already knows what she can get away with."

"That I do. And I am happy where I am." was the redhead's reply.

"Though they've gotten so heavy now. I have to stretch every morning just to relieve my back." Glinda continued, and stretched backwards over the chair. Wynne's mouth did gape open. Glinda resumed her position.

"That's part of being pregnant as well." Josephine added. "Konrad could not keep his hand off me when I was. Speaking of which, I need to steal my husband away. He is far too distracted and I am in need of my own attention tonight."

"With your leave, My Lady?" asked Ronce. Glinda nodded.

"Go. Enjoy yourselves."

The duo left. Glinda looked at the remaining three women.

"Please don't stay on my account." she said. "Go back to the revelry. I'm sure there are friends you miss."

Camila and Rosaline looked at each other.

"I'll stay here in case she needs something." Wynne answered. "Besides, I have a feeling a lot more of the House will be paying their respects."

Glinda had noticed too. The House members were trying to idly line up for her attention. Not that she minded, but at the same time she did not want to be seen as holding court.

"You can let them know they can come and socialize with me. I'm not here to sit in judgement or for their respects. Just tired." Glinda frowned. "Though I may need to scoot closer to the fire."

"Let me help." Camila said. She offered a hand to Glinda and the woman took it. She was not so big she had difficulty getting out of her seat, but it was still helpful. Wynne grabbed the chair and Rosaline the cushion. Moving it closer, Glinda sat.

"Now go on. I'm going to sit here and enjoy the warmth of the fire, and the exuberance of the House." Glinda told them. "And tell them to come on by."

"Yes, My Lady." Camila bowed slightly. So did Rosaline.

"May I add, My Lady," Rosaline continued, a slight blush on her cheeks, "the stories of your beauty do not do you justice."

"Such prolific a House!" Glinda said amused as the woman hurried away before she could respond.

"Would you want it any other way?" Wynne asked, looking down at her.

"No." Glinda shook her head. Looking up, Glinda half closed her eyes, arched her back and put some smoke into her voice. "How about you, Wynnessa?"

"I...You know you're absolutely terrible." Wynne replied. "I know you're not serious."

"But if I was?" Glinda traced her tongue over her own lips. "What then?"

"Then I would be reciting all the unionist catechisms I was taught to maintain composure." Wynne looked up. "I'm halfway there now. You're an outrageous tease."

"I know." Glinda giggled. Sighing, she watched the first and most daring approach. "But it's been so long since I could tease anyone."

"Yeah, well, keep it up and half the House will die of a heart attack."

"That would not do."

"No it would not."

"I've not really got to...know any of you yet."

"Glinda!"

Glinda giggled. She was having so much fun.