Okay… I think we should be back to our regularly scheduled updates.
Elphaba looked at herself in the mirror. It was almost twenty-four hours since she and Glinda were caught in the rain, and her burns had healed nicely. Her face and hands still looked slightly red and irritated, but a few more applications of the healing gel would clear it up by that evening. Her neck and leg spots were almost completely gone.
She pulled her hair into a low ponytail and smoothed out the skirt of her harvest dress. She was supposed to have breakfast with her family before the rest of the day's festivities. In truth, she was excited to be back in Munchkinland for the Harvinight Festival. She had fond memories of her childhood celebrations, and knew that Glinda's novelty would rekindle those warm feelings.
"Come in," she called to a knock at her door.
The door squeaked open, and Glinda slipped in. She giggled as she closed the door behind her, pressing her back against it as she smiled at Elphaba.
"Good morning," Elphaba smiled.
"Good morning," Glinda smiled back. "Are you feeling better?"
"Much."
Glinda took that as permission for intimacy and flounced over, wrapping her arms around her girlfriend. She quickly inspected Elphaba's skin and declared her 'on the mend' with kisses. Elphaba immediately responded by running her arms up and down Glinda's back.
"You'll wrinkle my dress," Glinda moaned, but made no move to wiggle out of Elphaba's arms.
"You're the one who initiated this physical contact," Elphaba pointed out.
Glinda pouted and spun around in Elphaba's arms so she was looking at her reflection. She pulled her arms across her body and rested her head on her shoulder. There was something about Elphaba hugging her from behind that felt just so perfect.
"You look beautiful," Elphaba smiled, looking at their shared reflection.
"Look at me. You know my reflection doesn't do me justice."
"I do not understand why you put yourself in these positions, then get upset with me," Elphaba said, but obliged and looked down at the blonde, gliding her lips over the top of her head.
"What time does everything start?" she asked.
"Eager to festivate, I see," Elphaba chuckled, kissing her hair. "Breakfast should be in around ten minutes, then we'll all go to the Town Square. Nessa will make a speech, Shell and I will pretend to listen, and then the fair starts. There's lots of food, dancing, and informal socializing. People will talk to Nessa, and Nessa will have actual conversations with them."
"Nessa doesn't strike me as the type of person who knows what 'informal socialization' is."
"She's quite the master of making small talk seem important. Either that, or people are just so desperate for her to notice them that they'll cling to whatever she says."
Glinda's stomach growling interrupted whatever sultry comment she was about to make. She wordlessly took Elphaba's hand and pulled her downstairs to the dining room, only letting go when she saw Nessa and Frex already seated.
"Good morning," Nessa greeted, something unreadable in her voice.
"Good morning, Nessie. Father," Elphaba smiled, squeezing her sister's hand and kissing her father's cheek.
"Good morning, Fabala. Miss Upland," Frex nodded.
"Goodie! Food!" Shell exclaimed, fiddling with his suspenders as he hurried in and plopped into his seat.
"Shell! I swear to Oz, you have no manners," Nessa huffed.
"I'm starving!"
"I don't see how, seeing as you ate like a pig at dinner last night."
Shell ignored his sister and dug into his plate. Nessa rolled her eyes and directed her attention to Elphaba. "That's what you're wearing?"
"This is the dress I bought on Friday," Elphaba said. "That's what you're wearing?"
"I didn't want to risk soiling my dress. I will change after breakfast."
"I think your dress looks wonderful, Elphaba," Glinda smiled, and Elphaba nodded her appreciation at the compliment.
Nessa frowned and redirected the rest of her attention to whatever Frex was saying as she ate. "Coffee, Miss Upland?" she asked when the staff member filled her mug.
She had wanted to try the Munchkin coffee after Elphaba sang its praises, so Glinda accepted the offering, but didn't see any extra fixings offered. She delicately brought the filled mug to her lips and took a small sip. She was met with a thick, not-exactly-bitter, yet not-exactly-sweet liquid,
"We don't normally add milk and sugar to coffee," Nessa explained. "Though, perhaps if it would help…"
"Nessa –" Elphaba began, but Nessa shot her a withering look. She bit back a groan. There was nothing else she could do to save her friend from her sister.
"It's good, Your Eminence," Glinda smiled, taking another sip.
Nessa seemed surprised that Glinda was seemingly enjoying the drink, almost as if she expected her to spit it out. "I must tell you, Elphaba will have some official duties to fulfill today."
"What official duties?" Elphaba blinked.
"This is your first festival back in years, Elphaba. I wasn't going to let you off easy."
"You didn't tell me you were going to –"
"Because you wouldn't have come."
Elphaba grumbled under her breath. "What do you want from me, Nessa?"
"First, I want you to change your attitude. Second, you will be presenting the First Harvest Gift."
"I thought I was doing the First Harvest Gift," Shell pouted, his mouth full of grits.
"You did it last year, and almost dropped the entire basket. Elphaba will do it this year."
"Yes, Nessa," Elphaba nodded begrudgingly.
"Good. Now that that's settled, we will be leaving in fifteen minutes for the town square. Oh, and Elphaba, you do remember what to say, right?"
"I can help you, Fabala," Shell offered.
"No, Shell. You'll let me say something that'll get me smacked." Her sister knew she hated when surprises like this popped up, and also knew she wouldn't fight it. "I remember, Nessie."
Nessa skipped the formal dismissal and left the table to change. Frex stood and looked at Elphaba, silently telling her to come with him. Elphaba sighed, but obeyed, giving Glinda a small smile before she followed her father out into the hall.
"Nessa is very nervous for today," Frex said.
"Why? Because I'm back? She requested it." She rubbed her arms. "I'm not going to drop the basket."
"Nessarose always gets stressed and worked up before these important events. It's a big responsibility that you left her with, and never looked back."
"Nessie is strong. She wanted to be governor. She rose to the occasion."
"She could've used more guidance and preparation."
"I couldn't have helped her with anything. Father, what is this about?"
"I wanted to wait until after this weekend to discuss it with you, but we have time now. Nessa wishes to begin courting."
"And you wish for me to help weed out the no-good suitors? Father, Nessa is twenty-four years old. Surely she can –"
"It would be unseemingly for her to be seeing suitors while her elder sister remains unmarried."
Elphaba stopped in her tracks. "That's a very out-of-date view, Father."
"One many Munchkins still follow. It's practically tradition."
"Technically speaking, Nessa being the Governor means she ranks higher than me, so that would negate her being younger than me. And Shell doesn't seem like he's in any hurry to settle down and start a family."
"That is not my point, Elphaba."
"Are you reprimanding me for being unmarried? You've never cared about any potential love interests for me before."
"Because I've never witnessed something so disconcerting before."
"What are you talking about?"
"Yesterday, you and Miss Upland in the foyer."
"What about it?"
"Elphaba, don't think to tell me that that inappropriate touching was –"
"Father, she was helping me with my burns from the Sudden Storm."
"Your inner legs got wet?"
"From my skirt. Glinda was helping me."
Frex looked her over. "Elphaba, I am an old man, but I am not blind or stupid. I know what I witnessed. There was more than just helping. There was… affection."
Elphaba fought to keep her face neutral. If she played this game correctly, she'd be able to throw her father off the scent. She knew it was a mistake to go back on the carefulness she ordered on Glinda, and now she had to clean the mess quickly. "You witnessed Glinda being gentle, and you accuse her of… what are you accusing her of?"
"Exhibiting queer behavior, in both meanings of the word. It's an affront to the Unnamed God."
"You didn't witness queer behavior, Father. You witnessed the only person in Oz capable of sustaining a friendship with me being just that, a friend. The Unnamed God has not been affronted."
"Don't blaspheme, Elphaba."
"I apologize, but it's the truth." She had to be careful with toeing the denial line. Too much would make her father not believe her.
"Elphaba, you must understand that everything you do, whether here or in the Emerald City, will affect Nessa. If this continues, people will talk."
"They will spread lies."
"Regardless, people will believe them, and there won't be much we can do to put the rumors to bed."
"I am not engaging in any behavior that would hurt Nessa. Neither is Glinda. In fact, she's newly engaged."
Frex was visibly surprised by the reveal. "She is? I didn't see a ring. Is she already being unfaithful to her future husband?"
"She left it at home, not wanting to lose it. Glinda is the only friend I've ever had, and I swear there's nothing more going on between us." The lie flowed out her mouth so easily.
Frex looked her over once more. "It's time to go." He led her to the parlor, where his other children and Glinda were waiting. He didn't say anything more on the subject, and Elphaba knew that meant she had avoided detection… for now.
"You look beautiful, Nessie," Elphaba smiled, hoping complimenting her sister would soften her father.
Nessa had changed into a dark teal cotton dress, with long sleeves and skirt, a modestly high neckline, a smocked waist, and small, matching teal buttons up the bodice. Her dark brown hair was down, the curled ends falling over her shoulders, and held away from her face with black clips.
"Thank you. Elphaba, you will ride with Miss Upland. Shell, you will be with Father and me."
"In the uncomfortable state carriage?" Shell frowned, fixing his shirt.
"You and Elphaba cannot travel together, and she cannot travel with me. Either you ride with me, or you walk."
"I'll walk."
Nessa rolled her eyes, but headed for the door. One of her aids stepped forward to push her down the ramp, followed by Elphaba and Shell, then Frex and Glinda. Elphaba waited until her family was settled in the state carriage before getting into the slightly less ornate carriage with Glinda. Once they were seated, the mini-parade headed out from Colwen Grounds.
"Why can't you travel with Nessa or your brother? Succession laws?" Glinda asked.
"Yes. Shell can travel with Nessa because he's not the next in line, and I could still be called if something happened to them. But we can't travel together because if something happens to us, Nessa will be left heirless." She sighed. "Once she marries and has a child, the travel rules will be slightly relaxed for me and Shell."
"Fascinating."
"Glinda, I must tell you something." She took a breath. "My father… might have figured us out. It's my fault, but I believe I mended it."
Glinda blinked. "What did he say?"
"That the Unnamed God was affronted because you affectionately helped me with the burns on my legs."
"And what did you say?"
"I said a lot, but telling him that you have a fiancée ended the discussion."
"I have a fiancée, yet no ring?" She held up her empty left hand, wiggling her fingers.
"You left it in the Emerald City because you didn't want to risk losing it. You're newly engaged."
"I see. Well, who is my mysterious, fake fiancée?"
"He didn't ask. I just needed to get him off our trail. I told him that we're just friends and that there's no love between us." She watched Glinda's face fall. "I'm sorry."
"I understand. It's just… it sounds like you lied with such ease."
"I've perfected it over the years. I don't want to be a phenomenal liar, but I didn't always have a choice." She took Glinda's hands, running her thumbs over her knuckles. "We must be careful with the rest of the trip. And I really mean it this time. They're probably talking about us in the first carriage, and will be watching us at the fair."
"We can't be together at the fair at all?"
"I'll have to stand with my family for most of the beginning, so that might help. If we stay together, we can't hold hands, or smile too affectionately, or anything that could be perceived as more than a friendship."
"Holding hands would be perceived as us being lovers?"
"Maybe not, but it could lead to us actively being lovers."
"So we just have right now." She scooted closer and nuzzled her cheek on Elphaba's shoulder.
"Glinda, we can't exit this carriage looking disheveled."
She scooted back. "Okay."
Elphaba allowed herself to hold Glinda's hand for the rest of the trip, letting go as soon as they pulled into the town square. Glinda's fingers twitched at losing the warmth of Elphaba's hands and she took a deep, calming breath to steady her emotions.
"We'll have to disembark first. I'll have to be under the pavilion to formally greet Nessa," Elphaba explained.
The two officers from their arrival in Munchkinland reappeared beside the carriage. "Your Excellency. Miss Upland," Warrant Officer Jymth opened the door and saluted.
Deputy Officer Empy saluted and offered his hand. Elphaba stepped down first, and Officer Jymth helped Glinda down.
"I have been instructed to escort you to the front section, Miss Upland," Officer Jymth said.
"Elphaba?" Glinda blinked.
"Nessa must have… it's alright, Glinda. Go with them," Elphaba nodded. She watched as Glinda joined the waiting crowd.
"Your Excellency," Officer Empy said, pulling Elphaba from watching Glinda go.
Elphaba took a deep breath and followed him up to the large pavilion. She was soon joined by Shell and their father, and they stood in their positions as they waited for Nessa. The people, also dressed in their traditional cotton clothes, cheered as soon as they saw their governor coming down the path, waving Munchkin flags and clapping. Nessa smiled and waved, soaking in the attention.
"The people love her," Elphaba whispered to Frex. "And she loves the attention they shower her with."
"As she should," Frex whispered back with an affectionate smile reserved for only his younger daughter. "She works so hard."
As Nessa was pushed up the ramp, Elphaba dutifully curtsied to her. Shell and Frex bowed, and Nessa acknowledged them before turning to face her adoring public. Shell handed her the microphone from the podium.
"My fellow Munchkins, we gather here to celebrate the feast of the Harvinight. This most auspicious major feria commemorates our plentiful harvest every year. Today, we celebrate the essence of unity of our community, tradition, and heritage, together as people and country," Nessa spoke in a clear, commanding voice. "It is an honor to be celebrating with you today, and I thank you all for coming out and joining me."
The crowd cheered, and Nessa indulged them before holding up her hand for silence. "I would like to invite my sister, Her Excellency Elphaba, to do the honors of opening this year's harvest festival with the First Harvest Gift."
Elphaba stepped forward and nodded to Nessa, stepping down from the pavilion. As she did, the crowd parted, and a young boy and girl came down the path, carrying a large wicker basket filled with crops in between them. As they approached Elphaba, a large cornucopia was brought out and placed on a high table. The two children genuflected to Elphaba and held out the basket. Elphaba took a deep breath and carefully took it from them, lifting it into the air in front of the people. It was heavy, and she focused on keeping her arms straight and not shaking. No wonder Shell almost dropped it.
"Let the first fruits of the harvest be multiplied. May what was sowed be reaped bounteously." She recited in a clear voice, fighting to lower the basket gracefully. She grabbed two ears of corn, placing them in the large cornucopia. She filled the cornucopia with the basket crops, plastering a large smile on her face. "I would like to thank the farmers for their hard work and dedication. And now, I wish you all a happy harvest."
The crowd cheered and she returned to her place beside her family. She scanned the crowd and caught Glinda's eye. The blonde was clapping just as enthusiastically as everyone else, but Elphaba thought she saw an extra twinkle in her eye.
Nessa called for the festival to start and most of the people departed, while a few stayed to talk to them. Elphaba dutifully spoke to everyone who wanted to tell her that she's been absent for so long. No one said they missed seeing her verdant face, and she appreciated how no one lied to her face. She lost track of Glinda, and tried not to show how worried she was, but let out a slow breath when she saw her with Shell, playing one of the fair games.
After a few more obligatory conversations, Elphaba was free to walk around. The town square was decorated with brightly colored banners, streamers, and Munchkinland flags. The smell of fresh vegetables and spiced fruits filled the air. There was a lot about Munchkinland she wanted to move past, but the smells of her childhood home almost made her want to stay past the weekend.
Almost.
"Elphaba, there you are!" Glinda smiled, hurrying over with two candy apples. She pressed the unbitten one into Elphaba's hands.
"Having fun?" Elphaba asked, taking a small bite.
"Yes. Shell is a great tour guide. And everyone is so nice."
"Well, I have finished my obligatory engagements, so we are free to enjoy the fair together."
"We are?"
"In moderation, but yes."
Glinda bounced on her toes and moved to take Elphaba's hand, but stopped herself. Elphaba offered her arm, the safer form of public closeness, and Glinda accepted. Arm-in-arm, the young women made their way around the fair, stopping at the stalls, playing games, and sampling the local snacks.
"The First Gifts basket contained the first crops harvested from the Corn Basket this year," Elphaba explained to Glinda's query. "After the fair, it will be donated to the local soup kitchen to feed the people who don't have a family to feast with tonight."
They returned to the pavilion, where a live band was setting up to play.
"What's that?" Glinda asked, pointing to a man with a handheld, ceramic instrument with three round chambers and many holes.
"That's a Huaca, a three-chamber vessel flute. It's one of the oldest instruments native to Munchkinland. The three chambers allow it to harmonize with itself. Nessa wanted to learn how to play it when she was around eleven. She quit after two lessons," Elphaba chuckled.
The band finished setting up and encouraged people to dance. Elphaba and Glinda stood off to the side, and Shell was successful in getting Glinda to dance with him. Elphaba remained firm in her refusal to dance, saying that she would watch from the sidelines.
As they danced, Glinda noticed a large pole with multiple long, multicolored ribbons being hoisted up and hammered into the large, grassy area on the other side of the pavilion. She faintly remembered Elphaba telling her about the traditional Munchkin dance. Their special dance.
"My fellow Munchkins, it is time for the Maypole dance. If you were selected in this year's drawing, please go to your designated spot. If you weren't selected, but would like to dance, please see my brother for your ribbon wands," Nessa said from the pavilion.
Dancers and spectators gathered around the large pole. Some, mostly children, gathered ribbons from Shell, and others stood on the outskirts. Glinda took a ribbon wand, and Elphaba also took one.
"Elphaba, they're down a dancer," Shell reported after a young woman frantically whispered something in his ear. "The pattern will be ruined. Do you remember the dance?"
Did she remember it? Of course. It was her special dance with Glinda. And that meant that she wasn't willing to share it with all of Munchkinland, even if it was Munchkinland's first. "I…"
"Will you dance, Elphaba? Please?"
Elphaba looked at the ground, then up to Glinda. "Would you like to dance?"
Glinda blinked. "Me? But I'm… I'm not… I'm just a guest."
"A guest who knows the dance."
"But not the pattern."
"You taught her?" Shell blinked.
Elphaba ignored her brother. "Remember what I told you. Just don't stop moving your feet."
"I'm going to need more guidance than that, Elphaba," Glinda argued.
"It's mostly weaving in and out. You do the slow part with the person standing beside you, then once the music picks up, you'll do it with the ribbons," Shell explained, already leading Glinda over.
The blonde looked back at the green girl in a final plea for help, but Elphaba gave her an encouraging smile. Shell led her to her spot and gave her a golden leaf crown that all the other dancers had.
"You're new," her new partner said to her.
"I am. I'm Glinda," the blonde smiled, fixing the crown on her head.
"I'm Niani. I saw you with the Governor's sister."
"Yes. I'm her guest. She also taught me this dance ahead of time, though throwing me on was last minute."
Before Niani had a chance to respond, the music started. Glinda recognized the song from Elphaba's recording, and her muscle memory took over. She moved her arms and twirled with all of her ballet gracefulness. She circled Niani the way she did with Elphaba. There were a few extra measures that weren't in the recording, but Glinda followed everyone else and filled it in. The music cutting out for steady drumbeats was the cue to gather their ribbons. Glinda grabbed a white ribbon and turned to Niani, easily falling into the jumps, spins, and weaving skips.
Elphaba's eyes never left Glinda. She fit in perfectly, the final puzzle piece to make the design complete. She knew Glinda was turning her nerves into energy, and she was dancing perfectly.
She really wished she was the one dancing with her.
"Why aren't you dancing? I thought Shell asked you."
Elphaba looked over as Nessa stopped next to her. She quickly returned to watching Glinda. "I'm out of practice."
"Glinda knows the dance?"
"She's a dancer. It comes naturally to her."
"And you let her take your place." Nessa tapped her hand, and when Elphaba still didn't look at her, she pulled her arm.
"Nessie!"
"You taught her, didn't you?"
"How else was a Gillikinese girl living in the Emerald City going to learn a traditional Munchkin ribbon dance?" She pulled her hand away, giving her ribbon a lackluster twirl. "You sound so accusatory. Of what, I don't know."
"I am not accusing you of anything. Just remember that whatever's done in the dark will come to the light."
Elphaba tuned her sister's vagueness out for the rest of the dance. After ten minutes of dancing and weaving, the maypole was fully covered in the ribbons, and everyone cheered. Elphaba caught Glinda's eyes as she hugged Niani. The blonde's smile was so bright that it would surely chase away whatever darkness Nessa was referring to.