No matter how many weeks she lived in the palace, Glinda couldn't get used to all those rooms and hallways. She was grateful for it on nights like that, though, nights when she couldn't sleep and could distract and tire herself by exploring new rooms. Sometimes she got herself so lost that she had to get one of the awful winged monkeys to lead her back to her room. Elphaba would have been furious at her for thinking it, but she was glad they couldn't speak because for once she didn't have to worry about making conversation.
Trying to find a library she dimly remembered that held a few actual novels, she picked up her pace at the sound of someone playing a piano. Students at Shiz were constantly playing the pianos in the common rooms, and they always loved it when she sang along. None of the servants at the palace dared to look her in the eye, but surely she was far less intimidating than usual in her pajamas, robe, and slippers. Maybe if some friendly maidservant was the one playing, they could become friends, could bond over a shared love of music.
She found the room that the noise was coming from, and knocked tentatively.
"Yeah?"
She cringed at the voice, his voice. Of course it was him playing; she wasn't lucky enough to find some new friend she could spend time with.
She stepped inside and he glanced up at her, then nodded toward the piano bench. Wordlessly, she smoothed down her robe and sat next to him. She was less self-conscious around him after what he'd done to her. She no longer had to interpret his every glance when he looked at her and wonder what he might possibly have in mind. He'd taken what he wanted, and if he ever wanted it again, Oz help her, she'd be willing.
"You ever learn to play?" His voice was softer and lower than usual; it sounded like he was just as tired as she was.
"No." She broke out of her revere and smiled at him, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "My parents got me lessons, of course, but I just couldn't stick with it."
"Skipped lessons to spend time with your friends?"
She wished she could deny it and prove him wrong, but she couldn't. "Maybe."
"I'm sorry your boyfriend's away so much. I swear, uh, he's the one who volunteers to go out and look for her. I'm not just sending him away to get you alone with me."
She smiled wanly, as though Fiyero's purposefully leaving her alone all the time was somehow supposed to make her feel better. "Yes, he's…very dedicated."
"I'm gonna start on a project I think you'll like."
"Oh, really?" She asked brightly, glad to get him off the subject of Fiyero.
"Yeah, just, uh, trying to, get it all in my head before I start anything."
She nodded, knowing that he wouldn't tell her any more. He segued into a new song, one that was fast-paced and made her smile.
"I like that one," she pointed out when he finished.
"Thanks, I, uh, came up with it just now."
"Really?" She beamed up at him. She couldn't fully appreciate all the clever machines he built, but she could understand musical talent. "That's incredible! How do you—oh, no you didn't! It's some song from where you're from, isn't it?"
He laughed at how gullible she had been.
"Yeah, it's, uh, it's a great one, though."
"What's it called?"
"Dixie."
"What's that?"
"It's a part of the country I came from. You'd fit right it there—girls in poofy dresses breaking men's hearts and drinking punch."
"That sounds nice."
He settled into a slower song, and she rested her head on his shoulder, lulled by the music and his low voice.
"Yeah, you're my little Southern Belle."
She didn't know what that meant, but it sounded sweet. She closed her eyes and let the music wash over her as the songs he played got slower and slower.
She woke up with a jolt as her head lolled forward. She didn't know how long she'd been asleep for, but he didn't notice, or at least he hadn't comment on it.
"I should go back to my room," she murmured.
"Uh-huh," he replied, clearly thinking about whatever he was building.
She waited a moment, in case he changed his mind and asked her to stay, but he didn't, not that night.