Glinda looked up at the large, imposing mansion. The reddish-brown bricks matched the greenery changing into its fall colors. The windows were large and numerous, and Glinda counted at least fifteen windows facing them. There were most definitely more around the other side. A large flagpole bearing the Munchkin flag sat atop the highest point of the mansion.

The carriage stopped and the footman hurried down the steps to open the door for them. "Your Excellency," he bowed, offering his hand to assist her down.

"Thank you," Elphaba nodded, accepting his hand, but not because she required assistance. She looked up at her old home as the footman helped Glinda down and retrieved their bags. She took a deep breath and started her mental countdown, slowly exhaling as the blonde stepped next to her.

"We can't," she whispered, discreetly pulling away from Glinda reaching for her hand.

"Right. Sorry," Glinda said, clasping her hands against her stomach in lieu of the affection.

She gave her friend an apologetic look as she started up the steps, feeling her follow a few paces behind. The large, double doors opened, but Elphaba waited for her at the top.

The interior décor matched the reds and browns of the exterior bricks. The matching colors, from the wallpaper to the rugs, gave it a very homey feeling. But it felt anything but homey to Elphaba.

"Fabala!"

Elphaba looked up as a young man hurried down the grand staircase. She smiled, opening her arms just as he hopped into them. "Hello, Shelly. My, look how you've grown." She pulled away and ruffled his short, black hair. "You're almost as tall as me. How long has it been?"

"Fabala," he whined, pouting as he pushed her hand away. He wrapped his arms around her again. "I'm glad you're home."

"I'm glad to see you, Shell. I've missed you."

"I've missed you, too. I have so much I want to tell you. Who's that?"

Elphaba turned. "This is my friend, Glinda. Glinda, this is my younger brother, Shell."

Glinda smiled at the young man. He was a bit taller than her, yet still shorter than Elphaba. He shared her black hair, brown eyes, and guarded expression. If she was honest, she thought Shell looked more like Elphaba than Nessa did. "Nice to meet you, Shell," she smiled, taking note of the informal, lack-of-title introduction.

"Hi," Shell said, sounding a bit shy. "Did you tell Nessa?" he asked his sister, almost sounding worried for her.

"Tell Nessa what?"

Both siblings straightened as Nessa came into the foyer. The brunette's eyes immediately fell on her sister, and she gave her an expectant glance. "Elphaba."

The green woman dipped into a slight curtsy. "Your Eminence."

Satisfied with the formal greeting, the Governor smiled and reached out her hand. Elphaba went over to her sister and kissed her cheek. "Welcome home, Fabala."

"Thank you, Nessie." It's just for the weekend, Elphaba. You just need to survive the weekend. "How are you?"

"Fine. I just officially declared the government holiday, so we can all start preparing together." She gave her a quick once-over. "You're still as green and skinny as ever." She ignored Elphaba's flinch. "What were you supposed to tell me?" Before her sister could answer, her gaze shifted past her and fell on Glinda.

"I brought a guest for the holiday." She motioned for Glinda to join them.

"I see that. You look familiar," Nessa said, not exactly unwarily, as Glinda curtsied.

"Glinda Upland. She was a featured performer when you visited me and saw the ballet."

Nessa looked like she still didn't fully remember, but plastered a polite smile on her face. "Miss Upland."

"Your Eminence," Glinda nodded.

Nessa immediately turned back to her sister. "Father had an errand to run, but he'll be back before tea. He wants to speak to you."

"Of course he does," Elphaba mumbled, wincing when her sister pinched the back of her hand.

"As do I."

"And we will have plenty of time to talk, but Glinda and I had a long journey."

Nessa didn't like waiting, but didn't want to deny her sister's reasonable request in front of a guest. So she simply nodded. "Your room is exactly how you left it. I assume Miss Upland will be in the guest suite."

"Yes, Nessie. We'll see you at tea."

Nessa nodded and watched as Elphaba led Glinda up the stairs. She watched her sister disappear from her sight, then left, leaving her brother alone in the foyer.

Elphaba dropped Glinda off before going around the corner to her own room. She took a deep breath and slowly turned the knob. The door creaked loudly, and she strode in. Walking into her old room was like ripping off a Band-Aid; she had to do it fast and breathe through the jolt of pain.

As Nessa said, her room was exactly how she left it; bed neatly made, askew books on her large bookcase, and her practically barren closet housing the few frocks she left behind. Her suitcase had already been brought up, but she didn't unpack. She barely packed anything to unpack. She sat on her bed, wincing as it creaked almost as loudly as the door.

How long had it been since she slept in this room? Since she read any of those books? Since she sat at her window and watched her brother play in the garden?

It didn't matter. She had wanted to leave. She had been looking for an excuse and a reason to leave. Once she had one, she took it and never looked back. Never returned. Until now.

She stood and went to the bathroom to freshen up. Once she was done, she went to Glinda's room and made to knock, but stopped. How could she expect Glinda to keep the distance she'd asked for, if she herself didn't?

She stepped away and started to head downstairs. As she reached the steps, she heard her father return. She had never been more grateful for the opportunity to use her father as a distraction.

"Hello, Father," she said softly when she was halfway down the steps.

Frexspar Thropp looked up and his face softened. "Fabala." He met her at the base of the staircase and gave her a gentle hug. "You've finally returned home."

Don't say anything that might cause a problem, Elphaba. "Yes, Father. How are you?"

"I'm pressing on. I recently returned from a mission in Dragon Cupboard. Those poor souls needed to hear the word of…"

Elphaba tuned out the rest of her father's long rambling speech about how he preached to the congregations all over Munchkinland. She had heard different variations of the speech growing up, and could recite all of them from memory.

"That's wonderful, Father," she said when he finally finished. She didn't know if it was "wonderful" or not, but her father's smile told her it was the correct response. "Nessa said you wanted to speak to me."

"Yes, but that can wait until after the weekend."

Elphaba bit her lip. She wouldn't be here after this weekend. Maybe that was a good thing. Maybe her father would forget whatever he wanted to tell her, and she'd be able to escape quickly without being pulled back. "Of course, Father."

"Come. Tea should almost be ready." He offered her his arm, and she took it, only to keep the peace in the mansion.

The Thropps were all seated by the time the tea bell rang. Glinda was noticeably absent from the table, but no comment was made about her. Shell asked Elphaba questions about the Emerald City and the opera house, and Nessa only allowed her to answer four before she tired of hearing her sister's voice, and changed the subject. Shell told his oldest sister about his college studies and how he was doing his end-of-term project on the old Munchkin military campaigns.

"Is Glinda alright?" Shell finally asked, wondering why Nessa didn't.

"Who's Glinda?" Frex blinked.

"The girl Elphaba brought back from the Emerald City."

Elphaba actively stopped herself from choking on her drink. "Shell, that's a horrible way to describe that." She turned to her father. "Glinda is a friend and I invited her to experience the Harvinight."

"A bit of warning would've been nice," Nessa frowned, figuring that she could finally say her piece now that the subject was brought up. "Especially since you decided to bring a dancer home with you."

"Glinda is a classically trained professional, Nessa. And she's a good friend. You saw her perform."

"She's talented, but nothing to write home about. And certainly nothing to bring home."

Elphaba frowned. "Nessa, that's rude."

"If she dances at the opera house, and you own the opera house, isn't she technically your employee?" Shell asked.

"Not exactly. She's not my employee, but her superiors are. It's… complicated." Now that she actually thought about it, it was complicated. And that added element made their relationship even more complicated.

"The Harvest festival is very important, Fabala. Who knows how the people will react to an outsider being here, especially as a guest of the governing family," Frex said.

"I assure you, Glinda is aware of how important this is to Munchkin heritage. She is honored to be here as my guest."

"She's not giving a good first impression, not showing up to tea," Nessa frowned.

Elphaba knew her sister was more upset about the lack of warning rather than Glinda's presence, so she tried to stop the conversation. "I will go check on her. Excuse me." She stood and went back up the stairs. She knocked on Glinda's door, and when she didn't get a response, slowly pushed it open. She peaked her head in, and saw Glinda still in her traveling clothes, sprawled across the bed, fast asleep. The green girl smiled and closed the door. "It seems the trip took more out of Glinda than I thought. She's fast asleep," she announced to her family upon her return.

Nessa huffed. "Will she be fasting?"

"She's not obligated to fast, Nessa. She's not Munchkin."

"Which is exactly why she shouldn't be here."

"But I did inform her."

"I've given the kitchen staff the day off tomorrow, so she'll have to be awake for dinner if she wants to eat. And she'll need proper attire for the festival on Sunday. All the shops are closed tomorrow."

"If it eases your mind, I will wake her now and we will go," Elphaba said, now fighting to keep her tone and posture calm as her family pressed her buttons.

"You're excused," Nessa said formally.

It's a family tea, not a state banquet, Elphaba thought, but nodded to her sister and disappeared up the stairs once more. When she got to Glinda's room, she let herself in, seeing as the blonde was starting to rouse. "Glinda," she whispered, gently shaking her arm, and fighting the urge to sit on the bed next to her.

Her eyes fluttered open. "Mmm… hi, Elphie."

"Would you like to go shopping before dinner?"

Glinda perked up as soon as Elphaba said her favorite word. "You're willingly offering to go shopping with me? How could I refuse?"

"My family is worried that you won't have suitable attire for Sunday's festivities."

"I actually planned on buying an outfit here."

"Then we must go now. All the shops will be closed tomorrow."

"What about tea?"

"We just finished."

Glinda frowned. "You let me sleep through tea, Elphaba? Your family must think I'm horribly rude."

"They understand," Elphaba lied convincingly. "Missing tea is more forgivable than not having proper Munchkin attire, so we must go."

Glinda got out of bed and freshened up as quickly as she could. She met Elphaba downstairs, and they climbed into an unmarked carriage. The ride to the town was only fifteen minutes, and Glinda immediately recognized the train station. The driver let them off directly in front of the shop, and Elphaba quickly ushered Glinda inside.

"Elphaba?"

"Sorry. It's just… the less attention I receive, the quicker we can –"

"Ahh, Your Excellency!"

Elphaba turned and fixed her face into a polite smile as a middle-aged woman came up from the back room and curtsied. "What an honor. How may I assist you?"

"Hello. I'm here for a traditional Harvinight dress for my friend. She's from the Emerald City and it's her first festival," Elphaba said.

"The Emerald City? Well, come, my dear. We'll find the perfect ensemble for you." The older woman took Glinda's hand and led her through the racks of cotton and wool dresses.

Elphaba watched as the older woman conversed with Glinda, thankful to be in the background. The shop was empty, which saved her from dealing with more people. She aimlessly sifted through the rack closest to her and pulled out a burgundy, long-sleeved, wool dress with small buttons going all the way up from the bottom of the long skirt to the neckline.

Her years away from Munchkinland also meant she didn't have a proper Harvinight dress. Perhaps this was her blessing in disguise. She saved herself a lecture from her sister by avoiding the same fate for Glinda.

"Elphaba!"

The green girl looked up as Glinda emerged from the fitting room, now wearing a purple dress patterned with what looked like small flowers. Like Elphaba's dress, it had long sleeves, buttons all up the front, a high neckline, and a full, flowy skirt due to the crinoline petticoat.

"It's so soft and warm," the blonde smiled, looking at her reflection in the mirror.

"It looks lovely on you, Glinda," Elphaba smiled, walking over to her, still holding the burgundy dress.

"I'll take it. Are you getting that dress?"

Elphaba nodded. "It appears I needed a new dress, too."

Glinda smiled and ran back into the fitting rooms to change. Elphaba went into another room to try on the dress. It fit, and that was all she needed to know. She and Glinda emerged together, and Elphaba tried to pay for both dresses, but Glinda insisted she pay for her own.

"I brought my own money, Elphaba," Glinda said, rolling her eyes as she gave the old woman the money.

"I thought you wanted to save your money for Sunday."

"I already factored that in."

"Of course."

"Thank you, Your Excellency, Miss Upland," the shopkeeper smiled, curtsying to the older girl. "Will we see you in the town square on Sunday?"

"We will be there," Elphaba promised with a smile. "Thank you."

The shopkeeper waved as Elphaba ushered Glinda out and back into the carriage.

"Oh. I was hoping to see more of the town," Glinda said, fighting a frown.

"There'll be lots more to do and see on Sunday."

"Okay."

Elphaba looked at Glinda's crestfallen face and took her hand. It was a small consolation, but it did a good enough job. They didn't speak for the rest of the ride back to the mansion. When they returned, Nessa immediately called the two into the parlor, where she was sitting and talking with Frex.

"Successful trip?" Nessa asked, staring at the bag Elphaba was carrying.

"Yes. We will both be properly clothed," Elphaba said, ignoring her sister's face. "Father, this is my friend, Glinda Upland. Glinda, this is my father."

"Sir," Glinda greeted.

Frex nodded his silent greeting, then turned his attention back to Nessa.

"I figured now would be a good time for a discussion, since I don't think we'll want to focus on dinnertime conversations tonight." She motioned for Elphaba and Glinda to sit on the sofa opposite her and their father. "Are you sufficiently rested, Miss Upland?"

"Yes, Your Eminence. And I apologize for missing tea," Glinda said, sounding contrite to please the younger girl.

"The Emerald City to Munchkinland is a long journey. It's most likely why Elphaba doesn't make it often. How did you manage to meet my recluse of a sister?"

"Nessa," Elphaba admonished, but Nessa roughly shushed her.

"We met a few months ago in the opera's library," Glinda offered.

Nessa hummed. "And did she play that game where she doesn't tell you who she is? She never likes to tell people who she is."

"An unfortunate side-effect of this family not wanting to be publicly associated with me," Elphaba muttered.

"Elphaba," Frex admonished.

"And how long have you been a performer?" Nessa asked, ignoring her sister.

Glinda bristled at the way Nessa said 'performer'. "I've been a member of the professional company for five years. I started training there when I was fourteen, and was invited to join at eighteen. And Elphaba did tell me who she was when we met. She said she's the owner of the opera house."

"Nothing about her life here?"

"That came once we got to know each other. I had to earn learning the important aspects of her life." She cast a small smile at Elphaba, which the green girl returned.

Nessa considered this answer. "I must say, Miss Upland, I wasn't expecting Elphaba to bring an unannounced outsider as a guest –"

"Nessarose!" Elphaba hissed, receiving a glare from both her father and sister.

"– but I believe you're part of the reason I didn't have to send my team to forcibly fetch her."

Glinda spared a glance at Elphaba. It sounded like Nessa was thanking her. "… Of course, Your Eminence." She didn't know if that was the correct response, but Nessa's expression didn't sour, so it must've been.

"Will you be fasting tomorrow?"

"Yes."

All three Thropps looked surprised at that response. "You're not obligated to, Glinda," Elphaba reminded her.

"You invited me to partake in the holiday, and that is part of it. I will fast."

Nessa's surprise melted and her expression returned to unreadable. "Very well. Thank you, Miss Upland. We will see you at dinner."

Elphaba stood and Glinda followed suit. She barely got to curtsy before Elphaba grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the parlor and up the stairs.

"I don't think your sister likes me," Glinda said once they were a safe distance away.

"She doesn't hate you, which is as good as any associate of mine can get." She turned to her and took her hands. "Glinda, you really don't have to fast."

"I'm already an 'unannounced outsider'. The least I can do is try to prove my worth. Plus, it seems like my behavior will affect you. I know you're stressed right now, and I want to do everything correctly."

She breathed out an embarrassed chuckle. "I did warn you about Nessa."

"You did. I just didn't know she'd vet me like that. I've handled stricter. I'm stronger than I look."

Elphaba pulled Glinda into the guest suite, closing the door behind them and stepping a few feet away before pulling her into a kiss. She couldn't resist any longer. "That you are, my sweet."

Think pilgrim/prairie vibes for the Munchkin harvest dresses.