This was the first time Glinda saw everyone who worked in the opera house all together. She knew it took a lot of moving parts to keep this large place operational, but now she was seeing it with her own eyes. There had to be more than two hundred people in the large studio. She looked over everyone, from the young dancers in the pre-professional classes, to the singers and costume designers, to the senior staff and board of directors. The dancers sat on the floor, with the technical staff lining the walls.

Madame Morrible stood at the front of the studio, looking out at everyone gathered and clapped for attention. "Good afternoon, everyone. I hope you all had a marvelous lunch break. I've called you all here to share a very special announcement. Now, I know there's been so much rumor and speculation, but now all records will be set straight."

Glinda smiled to herself. Here comes my beautiful Elphie.

"As you know, the opera house's tricentennial is this January. And given its monumental anniversary, this opera house will be given a breath of fresh air. Including the introduction of our mysterious owner, 'E'."

"I hope he's young and tall and handsome, because I'm trying for a promotion," Pfannee whispered, and Milla and ShenShen giggled.

The room erupted into a loud clamor. Everyone talked at once, voicing their excitement, confusion, and wonder. Glinda heard her friends join the indistinct voices, but as they grabbed her arm for her attention, the doors opened, and everyone turned.

In the doorway stood a woman in a dark blue dress, black, heeled boots, braided hair, and emerald skin. The noise instantly ceased and a few mouths dropped. No one made a move, and it felt like the air had been sucked out of the room.

"Who is that?" Pfannee whispered.

"Why is she green?" Milla whispered.

Elphaba looked around at everyone staring at her. She locked her hands behind her back to hide her twitching fingers. One person coughed, another whispered, and someone whispered back. Her face slowly fell, and she felt herself losing the confidence she burst through the doors with.

This was why she preferred hiding. This was why she preferred being alone, with no one knowing who she was. This was why she preferred…

She caught Glinda's eyes. Piercing blue eyes locked on her, widened, then relaxed. Her head inclined in the faintest nod, encouraging her to keep going.

Elphaba adjusted her gaze before people realized she was sharing a moment with Glinda. She straightened and regally walked into the studio, her thick heels echoing across the room.

"Thank you, Madame Morrible, for that marvelous introduction," Elphaba nodded to the older woman. She turned and looked at the crowd, unlocked her hands, and took a deep breath. "And I thank you all for coming here today. I know you have a lot of work to continue, so I'll keep my appearance here as brief as possible. I know Madame Morrible wanted to introduce me, but it will be better, more personal, coming from myself. My name is Elphaba Thropp, but most of you know me as 'E', from my notes, or the 'opera ghost' from your many stories. I am the opera house owner."

The room was silent. One whisper. Then two. Then five. Then twenty. Then everyone. Greyling banged her cane, and everyone quieted.

"Thank you, Miss Greyling. Now, I understand you all have a lot of questions. I cannot address everything now, but you will all see me around the opera house more. I look forward to getting to know all of you," Elphaba continued with a small smile.

"Well, there goes your way to get ahead," ShenShen whispered to Pfannee, nudging her side. "You can't flirt with the 'young, tall, and handsome' owner now."

"Shh," Glinda hissed.

The girls glanced at their friend, wondering what had gotten into her.

"Thank you, Miss Thropp," Morrible said, taking center stage once again. "We are thrillified to have you finally join us. We eagerly look forward to your involvement in the upcoming festivations." She clapped, and everyone followed suit.

Elphaba let out a slow breath through her nose. The hard part was over. Now came the tedious part of meeting everyone. She didn't want to think of it as a chore; these were very talented students and professionals who were the reason the opera house was still in business. They work and train really hard. She didn't want to make them feel like she thought they were beneath her.

She met the younger dance and vocal students first. They mostly wanted to know why she was green, and weren't very impressed with the 'I was born this way' answer. She moved on to the pre-professional students, who pretended not to be interested in her importance, and only opened up after she revealed that she saw their recital earlier that year. Then they all wanted her attention, reminding her what solos they did and to show how they've improved.

She knew Morrible planned on a receiving line, but the younger students were coming to her in little groups, which she liked better. She felt this arrangement was better for everyone. This wasn't a formal event that required formal introductions.

The principal dancers professionally clamored for her attention, leaving the ballet corps girls waiting even longer. Glinda didn't mind. She was more interested in keeping an eye on Elphaba. She knew her lover was out of her element, but she was doing a terrific job. No one suspected she wasn't enjoying herself and they were excited to meet her.

Her heart swelled with pride. She was so proud of her Elphie. She wanted so badly to show her, but she couldn't. At least, not right then. She could show her all she wanted that evening.

"At least she's not a boring old man," Milla mused. "She looks young and sprightly."

"A bit too young and sprightly to own an old opera house," Pfannee said. "How old is she?"

"She doesn't look much older than us," ShenShen said, fixing her hair. "Maybe it's good that she's young. This old place could use a bit of light."

"And color."

"Oh, you're just mad because you were planning on sleeping with the owner to get a part," Milla whispered, dropping her voice and pinching her friend's arm.

"Oww! I admit, it wasn't a fool-proof plan. Just… foolishly proposed."

The girls giggled, only quieting when they heard heels approaching them. They looked up and quickly stood, straightening their dance attire as they lifted their gazes to Elphaba.

"I believe you're the last of the corps girls I must meet," Elphaba said with practiced kindness.

"I…" ShenShen blinked, then dipped into a curtsy. "It's nice to finally meet you."

"I don't think you have to curtsy," Milla said.

"Well, technically, my sister is the Eminence of Munchkinland, so a curtsy isn't incorrect. Except, we're not in Munchkinland, and I don't plan on making everyone curtsy to me," Elphaba said with a slight smirk. "And it's nice to finally meet you, too. What are your names?"

ShenShen let out a nervous laugh. "I'm ShenShen Minkos."

"Pfannee Phanhall."

"Milla Vonnt," the redhead smiled.

"Glinda Upland." It took all of Glinda's strength to not laugh at introducing herself.

"Is it true you attend performances?" Pfannee asked, almost skeptically, like she expected the answer to be 'no'.

"It's true. I cannot attend every performance, but I've always been present at opening and closing nights, and… special nights, such as Miss Upland's second variation debut from the last ballet."

Glinda blushed.

"And that you have a reserved seat?" Milla asked.

"I do. I won't tell you where because then you'll always be trying to see if I'm there. I won't be the reason for distracted injuries," Elphaba chuckled, her tone light.

"Miss Thropp, a word, please?" Morrible called.

The green woman nodded to Morrible and turned her attention back to the group. "I just wanted to tell you that I know it can seem like no one pays attention to the corps, that you're there to be in the background and not supposed to stand out. But I've noticed all of you, and you're all doing a beautiful job." And with that, she excused herself to see Morrible.

"She's nice," ShenShen said. "I can't believe I was nervous to meet her."

"I can't believe we finally met her," Pfannee said, sitting back down to remove her pointe shoes.

"I wonder where her seat is."

"Probably beyond where the lights reach. I wonder how she's remained so inconspicuous. I mean… she's green." Her voice dropped on the last two words that the girls almost didn't hear her.

"What do you think… of the green?" Glinda asked, wanting to gauge her friend's thoughts and reactions.

"It's different. I've never seen anyone with green skin before," ShenShen said.

"But she's not ugly," Milla added. "To be honest, I was more shocked at the fact that she's a woman rather than the green."

"She's the reason we all have paychecks. She could have wings sprouting from her back for all I care," Pfannee said, sighing in relief as her feet were freed. "But I agree. The green's not ugly. And it doesn't appear to be contagious."

Glinda was glad it wasn't. For if it were, she was sure their relationship would've been discovered.

"Elphie, last week, Pfannee said something," Glinda began as she spooned some cream custard from the large bowl into her mouth. She and Elphaba were lounging on the sofa, having their heart-to-heart, with Glinda lying in between Elphaba's legs, resting her back against her chest, and Elphaba's chin resting atop Glinda's head. "She said that in order to get ahead, you must be willing to go "all the way". That's it's not what you know, but who you know." She shifted, meeting Elphaba's concerned eyes.

"And who does she know?"

"No one. But that was her point. And I mean… I don't think she's wrong. It's not uncommon for employers to try and exchange sex for promotions."

"That's not right. If that's going on here, I want it brought to my attention."

"I don't have any specific stories of it happening at the opera house, but I've heard stories, rumors, of it happening elsewhere. And not just in the arts. Everywhere, banks, museums, even restaurants."

Elphaba shifted, pulling away so Glinda was no longer in between her legs. It probably wasn't the best position given where this conversation might be headed. "Are you telling me you'd be willing to have sex in exchange for a promotion?"

"No," Glinda said, probably too quickly. She bit her lip, searching Elphaba's face.

The green girl remained serious, her eyes unblinking as she waited for Glinda to continue.

"I mean… I want to earn a promotion fair and square, but I also must think about whether that's really going to get me there."

Elphaba pushed herself to her feet. "Has… has someone approached you, Glinda? Has someone told you that if you have sex with them, you'll get promoted?"

"No."

"Glinda –"

"No, Elphaba. No one has tried to seduce me in that manner."

"Have any of your friends told you this happened to them?"

"No."

"Glinda, this is serious. If there's someone in a position of power doing this, I'll –"

"Elphaba, I'm sorry. This isn't where I wanted the conversation to go. I'm sorry, my love. Please sit down." She jumped up and grabbed Elphaba's arm, stilling her as she snuggled closer. "There's nothing to worry about. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize," Elphaba whispered, slowly calming down and returning the closeness. "If you say there's nothing to worry about, then I won't worry. But I do need to know why you told me all this." She pulled away and looked down at her. "What are you asking of me? Are you… do you want to have sex with me for a promotion?"

"That's not what I'm asking, Elphaba. Quite the opposite, actually." As intimate as their close cuddles and fervent kisses have been, it's never escalated into the full activity. "I've brought this to your attention in the wrong way. What I mean is… I just want you to know, that's not me. I won't take advantage of our relationship. If we ever choose to be intimate in that way, it won't be because I want something from you. As tiring and sometimes seemingly fruitless as it is, I will get a promotion the right way. And… I want you to do the same."

"What do you mean?"

"It works both ways. I don't want special treatment from you. This part… has nothing to do with sex. I know you want to give me things, but I've worked too hard to not earn it."

"Why would you think I –"

"You tried to give me cab fare to get back here, like I didn't have any."

"I didn't mean… I just…" Elphaba sighed through her nose and removed her glasses. "You have worked hard. I've seen you. I just… if I'm not caring for someone, I don't know what to do with myself."

"Then what were you doing in the years between you moving here and me coming into your life?"

"Not knowing what to do with myself."

Glinda chuckled and Elphaba returned her glasses to her face. "I don't want you to think that I'm taking advantage of you, asking you to pull strings for me."

"I could never think that. And I would never take advantage of you, either." She took her hands. "You're sure you're alright?"

"Yes, Elphie."

"You'll tell me if you get hurt, right?"

"Yes, Elphie. No more secrets, remember?"

She pulled her into her arms and kissed her. "I remember." She led her back to the sofa. "What was the rest of the opera houses' consensus of my appearance?"

"They're intrigued. They have lots of questions. Overall, it was pretty positive. Everyone's mostly glad you're not a boring old man and you seemed to take a genuine interest in them." She nuzzled her nose against Elphaba's. "Once everyone gets to know you, they'll love you almost as much as I do."

"Almost? I didn't realize you were competing with them."

"No one could love you more than me," Glinda smirked. "You were great today."

"Thank you. As taxing as it was, I meant everything I said to everyone. I want to participate more actively in the opera house, both administratively and creatively. I want to support everyone. I really do care."

"I know. Your care is what sets you apart and makes all the difference."

Wednesday morning, Glinda was more than happy to return home. She loved staying with Elphaba, but she missed being in her own space. Her driver picked her up from Elphaba's apartment, and she would drop off her trunk before continuing to the opera house. As they rounded the corner onto her street, her breath hitched when she saw what was in front of her townhouse.

She hadn't seen it in years, but she'd recognize her parents' coach anywhere.

The moment the vehicle stopped, she jumped down, leaving her driver to deal with her luggage, and sprinted up the steps. The moment she unlocked her door, she was met with two faces so similar, yet so different from hers.

"Momsie," she whispered, the word tasting foreign in her mouth. "Popsicle."

When was the last time she saw her parents? It had been years. She quickly did the math. She and Ama Clutch had moved to the Emerald City when she was fourteen. She was now twenty-three. It had been almost a decade. It didn't feel that long, but then again, she never saw much of her parents during her childhood.

"Glinda, there you are! We've been worried sick!" her mother gasped.

Glinda blinked at her mother. Larena Upland was a beautiful woman; gently curled golden blonde hair, dark blue eyes, and a wrinkle-less face that didn't reveal her age. Glinda was almost a carbon copy of her, yet Glinda didn't see any of herself in her mother.

Her father, Highmuster, couldn't have been more distant physically or appearance-wise from her. His hair was a greying black, his brown eyes the same shade as Elphaba's, yet much harder, and a mustache and beard covered the lower half of his face.

"I… I didn't know you were coming," Glinda managed to get out.

"When you didn't answer our last letter, we figured it would be best to come down and see you for ourselves," Larena said, lifting her nose and gazing down at her daughter.

She remembered getting the recent letter from her parents. Then she remembered the auditions pulling her attention from it. "Yes. I've been… busy."

"Busy? With what? And where is Ama Clutch?"

She could've lied. Her parents would never know the difference. But the truth slipped out. "She's in the hospital."

"The hospital?! I have half a mind to sack her for dereliction of duties. Who's been minding you?"

"Mother, I'm twenty-three."

"And still unmarried."

"I just told you that Ama Clutch is in the hospital. Don't you care?"

"Mind your tone with your mother, Glinda," Highmuster frowned.

Glinda muttered an insincere "Sorry" under her breath. "What brings you to the Emerald City?" she asked, trying to sound bright, but her voice was too thick. She didn't wait for an answer to her previous question. It was clear her parents didn't care.

"We recently had a visit from Mrs. Lundun. Her son is a business associate of Sir Vilem Chuffrey, the Paltos baron."

"I've heard of him. What does that have to do with me?"

"Mrs. Lundun's cousin's son is Marcor Waith. He owns most of the emerald mines in the Glikkus, and funded the Great Gillikin Railway. He is wealthy, handsome, and in want of a wife."

"That's wonderful for him, but what does that have to do with me?"

"We've come to collect you to return to Frottica with us. You will be married."

Glinda's eyes widened and her heart dropped. "What?!"

"We've secured a marriage contract between you and Mr. Waith. You'll be married for Lurlinemas."

"M-Married? But… I don't know this man. I can't marry him."

"You can and you will. We've indulged your whims for longer than we should have, and that's our fault. But now, you must grow up, Glinda. Dancing isn't a suitable career for someone of our station. You'll be much better off marrying and settling down while you're still young and pretty," Highmuster said. "Everything's already been finalized. You will obey your mother."

"And if I don't?"

"Then you will no longer have the right to call yourself an 'Upland'. We will pull our resources, money, our townhouse, and Ama Clutch."

"You can't do that!"

"Yes, we can. You have nothing. It's our money, Glinda. And if you want to keep it, you will do as we say."

Tears slid down Glinda's cheek. Her parents had no right to barge into her life after ignoring her for years and make these demands of her. They didn't care about her feelings, or the life that she developed here. Her friends, her dancing, her Elphie.

"You have until the end of the day tomorrow to make the correct choice. I hope you make this easy for us, Glinda," Larena frowned, taking her husband's arm and pulling him toward the door, her shoulder brushing Glinda's as she passed.

Glinda didn't turn, flinching when the door slammed behind her. The tears didn't stop, only intensified. She hugged herself, the weight of her parents' words crushing her. Her most feared nightmare was becoming her reality.

She let herself sob for a few minutes. Her tears spent, she went to the window. Her parents' coach was gone, hers was still waiting, and her trunk was by the door. She took a deep breath, grabbed her dance bag, and ran out, not even looking at her coach as she ran down the street. She heard her driver call after her, but ignored him, opting to run to the opera house instead.