Chapter Text
Dearest darlingest momsie and momsicle,
Good news! I managed to convince Elphie to spend the summer with us!
“Oh my goodness, we’re finally here!” Galinda squealed, her legs swinging back and forth as she sat perched atop a precarious pile of stacked luggage. She had claimed the spot to secure a “better view,” though Elphaba couldn’t fathom what that meant, considering there was nothing but endless water in every direction.
She failed to account that Galinda herself was the better view. Or, at least, those were Galinda’s intentions.
But now Frottica came into view as they approached the harbor, and Elphaba was somewhat struck by how ordinary the city was. She’d been, honestly, expecting something pink.
The boat docked, and Galinda scrambled down, seizing Elphaba’s hand and dragging her to solid ground, still excitedly squealing under her breath.
“Welcome to Frottica, Elphie! What do you make of it?”
Elphaba’s mouth twitched with a smile at the unbridled enthusiasm. “Nothing just yet.”
“Oh you will love it, I’ll make sure of it, and—”
“Galinda!”
Galinda whipped around in a flurry of long skirts and blonde hair. She always seemed to move with her entire body even in small motions, everything magnified as if to draw eyes. Or at least that was what Elphaba thought at first, now she understood Galinda was merely a highly excitable person, unrestrained by the concept of moderation.
A woman approached them briskly, her heels clicking like a metronome on the cobblestones of the dockyard—and belatedly Elphaba realized this was a private dockyard area. The woman’s dress was a confection of lavender and white layers adorned with fine embroidery, and her blonde hair was swept aside and pinned beneath a feathered little hat.
Galinda let go of Elphaba’s hand to rush over to her mother and hug her.
“Oh, sweetling, welcome home,” the woman cooed. “We’ve missed you so much, our darling girl, our little treasure—”
She held onto Galinda so tightly, and her voice was so thick with affection, that Elphaba’s heart ached.
“Momsie, please.” Galinda pulled away from her, a little red about the face. “I know you missed me, but must you be so sentimental right now? You’re going to upset our guest!”
Elphaba cleared her throat, instinctively clasping her hands behind her back as though preparing to address an audience. She wasn’t nervous, per se, but she wanted to make a good impression—as good as one could, when one had green skin. She was to spend months in this place, the last thing she wanted was to start the summer on the wrong foot.
“Elphie,” Galinda began, one gloved hand on her mother’s arm. She looked radiantly happy and eager for something, her eyes shining. “This is my mother Kalena Upland, of the Upper Uplands. And this is Elphaba Thropp, my roomie, the Governor of Munchkinland’s daughter, and also the greatest sorceress of our age, and—”
“It’s a pleasure,” Elphaba cut in because she had gone through this already with Galinda, who had introduced Elphaba to the Upland boatmen in the same way. The litany of accolades made her face feel too warm.
As always, she braced herself for a quip or a stare—but neither ever came.
Kalena extended a perfectly manicured hand with a radiant smile. “Oh, it’s such a delight to meet you, dear! Galinda has told us so much about you. We simply cannot thank you enough for helping her get into sorcery class—so thoughtful of you! And spending the summer here—what a treat! We’re quite flattered! We’ve prepared a guest room just for you, the coziest we could make it. If it’s not to your liking, we’ll change anything you need—absolutely anything! We rarely host long-term guests, you see, but—”
The handshake turned into a whirlwind of air-kisses and shoulder pats as Kalena chattered on without pause. Elphaba, overwhelmed, managed a weak smile—a mistake, as it seemed to encourage Kalena further.
So one of Galinda’s mothers was exactly like Galinda herself. Good to know, good to know.
Was it bad that Elphaba hoped the other one, well, wasn’t?
“Anyhow we’re thrillified to have you here!” Kalena finished, not even having to take a breath. Impressive. Then her eyes fell on Elphaba’s lone valise, incongruous amidst Galinda’s mountainous belongings. “Is that all you brought?”
“Elphie is a light traveler,” Galinda said.
“A quality I’m sure we can all strive for!” Kalena laughed, and squeezed Elphaba’s hand one last time before letting go. What a cyclone of a woman in a small, fabric-wrapped package. She was shorter than her daughter, even with heels. “Let’s head up, then, the chauffeur is waiting. Galinda, darling, we’re going to have to pick your mother along the way, I’m afraid she got caught up in the shop. Do forgive her. You just took so awfully long!”
“I’m sorry! The winds weren’t in our favor today,” Galinda said, pouting slightly as Kalena pinched her cheek with affection.
Elphaba turned to retrieve her valise, clearing her throat to try and get rid of this strange, newfound ache. Before she knew it, though, a gloved hand landed on her wrist.
“Leave it,” Galinda said. “They’ll take care of it.”
“I’m perfectly capable of carrying my own—”
“Well, they are too, since it’s only one and so lightweight anyhow.” Galinda’s hand slid down until she was holding Elphaba’s. “It’s alright, Elphie, you get to relax here.”
“Carrying my singular lightweight valise won’t really ruin my relaxation, you know.”
Galinda rolled her eyes. “Just come, you’ll be glad you’re not carrying it once you realize where we’re going to find my mother.”
“And where would that be?”
“Cheeky Miss Elphaba, you know I’m not going to tell you that.” She giggled, and squeezed Elphaba’s hand to pull her away.
“Did you—” Elphaba lowered her voice. “Did you tell your mother what to expect when it came to me?”
“Why, yes,” Galinda said. “I told her I was bringing my beautiful roommate who—”
“That’s not what I meant.” Elphaba glanced down at herself, trying to emphasize her point.
“Oh. Well, no.”
“Really?”
“Didn’t see the point,” Galinda said. “It didn’t seem that important—and I don’t think she’s even noticed.”
“What? How could it not be the first thing anyone notices?”
“I think Momsie has bigger concerns.”
Elphaba frowned, but Galinda didn’t elaborate further as she kept tugging Elphaba away and out of the docks.
Out of the corner of her eye, Elphaba caught a glimpse of Kalena’s gaze tracking the way Galinda’s hand had not left hers.
‘The shop’ where Galinda’s mother had gotten caught up in was no ordinary establishment, Elphaba quickly came to learn.
It was a tailor—sort of. Upper Uplands Couture was what the sign outside read, but inside it was a world of its own. Shelves lined one side of the shop, groaning under bolts of fabric in every texture and shade imaginable. The opposite side boasted racks of garments—gowns, suits, and cloaks that shimmered with embellishments.
Elphaba understood now why carrying her luggage would have been a nuisance. The place teemed with life: workers darting back and forth with cascades of cloth, aprons bristling with pins and needles; well-dressed patrons, sipping from flute glasses of bubbly drinks, happily browsing the selections.
And there was—something in the air. Something Elphaba couldn’t quite put her finger on, other than the glamor and excess. It made her skin prickle.
Galinda and her mother dove in as if they owned the place—and Elphaba supposed they did.
Trailing behind, she tried to take everything in without losing sight of them. A tailor carrying a cascade of sapphire tulle nearly knocked right into her, and her quick sidestep made her brush too close to a rack of gowns. When she glanced down, she found her sleeve covered in glitter.
And when she glanced about, she noticed the people staring at her.
Well, it was only natural. Elphaba had just stumbled into a cluster of Gillikinese socialites, after all. It was no different than any other place she’d been in. Who cared?
“What’s this?” Galinda snorted when she noticed the mess Elphaba had made of her sleeve.
At least Elphaba wasn’t alone.
She tried to brush the glitter off, but only succeeded in getting it all over her hand. “It looks like you sneezed on me.”
And Galinda laughed, light and airy. People were staring at her, too, no doubt recognizing who she was. She noticed the glances, of course, the whispers. She always did. She smiled at Elphaba and took her by the hand again.
Unlike so many others, Galinda had never looked at Elphaba with disgust. There had been moments of shock, certainly, and plenty of curiosity—along with the absurd suggestion to “fix” the so-called problem—but it had never come across as unkind or malicious, not like it did from others.
“Over here, darlings,” Kalena called from somewhere ahead. “Don’t dally now.”
And Galinda tugged Elphaba along through the crowd. “So, what do you make of our humble family business?”
“I don’t know that I’d use the word humble,” said Elphaba, dodging yet another rack of tailored jackets. Everything here seemed intent on attacking her. “It’s—very loud. And how come you never told me about this?”
“I wanted to surprise you!”
“Consider me surprised.”
Smack in the middle of it all, like the most decorated centerpiece, a large mahogany counter ran in a perfect circle, its surface polished to a mirror finish. Inside it, shelves brimmed with tools, bolts of fabric, and sewing patterns. Several tailors bustled around, alternately taking payments and making adjustments.
Elphaba knew right away who Galinda’s mother was.
She wasn’t inside the counter but was conducting conversation nearby, clad in beautiful yellows and muted greens, with flower patterns all over her skirts. Her dark hair was pinned in elaborate twists with golden clasps, and there was just… something about her—that same prickly feeling from before—
It was magic.
Galinda rushed her way, but apparently she was allergic to letting go of Elphaba’s hand so Elphaba stumbled over her own feet in order to keep up.
The crowd parted a little for Galinda, who was making a ruckus just by existing, and thus it didn’t take long for her mother to notice her.
“You—” Whatever she was going to say was cut off as Galinda threw her arms around her.
“I’m home! Surprise!”
Was it really a surprise? She knew Galinda was coming for the summer, didn’t she?
“You’re here?”
Apparently not.
“How—what—?” The shock wore off immediately, and she returned the hug and even lifted Galinda off her feet for a singular clock tick. “You’re back! My, but is it summer already?”
“It is,” Galinda said with a giggle.
“And someone forgot to tell me you were coming.”
Kalena was very busy pretending to inspect her nails. “Who, me?”
“No, my other wife.”
“Oh, do forgive.” She laughed. “I just wanted to surprise you.”
“Consider me surprised.” And she fully turned to Galinda and dropped a kiss on the side of her head. Now she was taller than her daughter, though not by much. “Welcome home, honey. Who have you brought with you?”
“Ah, Elphie.” Galinda turned away from her mother’s arms and dragged Elphaba forward—something she had been doing all day. Elphaba had grown used to it. “This is my mother, Iliana Upland. And, this is—”
“Elphaba Thropp.” If Galinda listed her useless pedigree a third time today, Elphaba would expire. The noise and bustle of this place was making her sweat under her collar—she did not expect it to be so hot on this side of Gillikin. “It’s lovely to meet you.”
“The roommate!” Galinda’s mother chuckled, and shook Elphaba’s hand, and said something… Elphaba was sure…
It fell on deaf ears, as a sudden buzz coursed through Elphaba’s hand, like the vibrations of a rattling train car. The shop’s chatter vanished and resumed with blinding clarity—and judging by the look in Iliana’s eyes, Elphaba hadn’t been the only one to sense the otherness about it all.
“—right at home,” Iliana finished.
“Right, yes.” Elphaba cleared her throat. God, but she hadn’t caught a single word. “Thank you very much.”
“Um, what just happened?” Galinda muttered.
“Don’t you worry, duckie. I should be almost done here, give me a moment. What do you say to dining at home? Are you girls hungry?”
“Oh, yes! I feel like we spent forever on that boat. And you wouldn’t believe—”
Galinda prattled off about their trip, and Elphaba did her best to pay attention, she did, but the shop’s overwhelming atmosphere clawed at her senses. The layered buzz of voices and the pitter patter of feet and the rustle of fabrics and the clank of the sewing machines, all mixing with the humid northern air—she was sort of suffocating.
She readjusted the collar of her shirt, undid the top button of her jacket. How did Galinda manage with gloves?
“Elphie?”
Elphaba blinked, only now noticing Galinda’s mothers were on their way out, happily talking amongst themselves and greeting anyone who approached them—which was everyone.
“Are you alright?”
“I—” Elphaba pursed her lips. So many voices in this place. She drew a deep breath, trying her best to keep her composure lest she unleashed accidental magic. It had been a long time since her last outburst, and she was determined not to break her streak now. “I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not,” said Galinda. “I know that look in your eye. Sorry, I didn’t realize this place could be so much—come, let’s go out. Or was it Momsie? She can be quite overbearing, just like me I suppose—” She winced. “I should shut up, shouldn’t I?”
“What?” Elphaba followed her, though Galinda wasn’t leading her to the main doors. “No, keep talking.” It gave her something to focus on.
“Oh! Um, well. It’s just—you look like you did when you broke our balcony door, and I know it was because I couldn’t stop talking.”
“That’s not true,” Elphaba murmured. “I like hearing you speak. It’s the only reason I haven’t shattered all the glass in this place right now.”
Finally Galinda pulled her aside to a cooler room near the back. A sort of office, Elphaba realized, ledgers upon ledgers strewn about an elegant desk, documents neatly folded and stacked in shelves at the back.
When the door clicked behind them, it was mercifully quiet.
Elphaba breathed out, shook her hands and wiped the sweat pooling in them, and unbuttoned her jacket, feeling like there was finally air around her.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
Galinda was clearly still processing Elphaba saying she liked to hear her talk. “Huh? Oh! Yes, of course. Don’t mention it. Do you want something to drink? I can get you something, and then we can leave through the back door. No need to go through the crowd again.”
“I’m fine, we can leave. But, wait—” Elphaba caught Galinda’s wrist just as she turned. “You’re not overbearing.”
“What?”
“You said it earlier, but it’s not true. I broke the door back then because you put me on the spot regarding magic, which is a—sensitive topic sometimes. Since, you know, it makes me explode things with my mind and all that.”
“It also makes people fall asleep,” Galinda muttered.
“Will you ever let that go? I already said it was a mistake.”
“I’m just teasing.” Galinda chuckled. “But duly noted, it’s good to know it wasn’t just me exasperating you. Now let’s just go, I don’t want to keep—”
“And I would never tell you to shut up or be quiet.” I’m not like my father.
Galinda was stunned into quietness, ironically enough.
“Alright, now we can go.” Elphaba breathed out, more relieved than just a moment ago. “I just needed to clear the air on that.”
“Why, thank you.” Galinda’s initial shock melted into something warmer as a genuine smile spread across her lips. “Now that you’ve said that, I shall take pride in talking your ears off.”
“I’d like nothing more.”
“Alright, so are we ready—?”
“Wait, actually, I can’t believe I didn’t ask right away.” Granted she’d been nearly overwhelmed. “Your mother’s a sorceress, isn’t she?”
“I knew something happened back there! Yes, Momsicle is, but she’s not as powerful as you. Then again, no one really is. You can ask her about it if you want, she loves talking about magic.”
Elphaba’s mouth curled into a little grin. “Mhm. I wonder where you get it from, then.”
“I rather suspect quite a few things about myself are going to fall into place, the more time you spend here.” She chuckled, and grabbed Elphaba’s hand again. “Now can we go? I for one am starving.”
“Alright, lead the way.”
“It’s a shame we have to sneak out through the back. I was fully prepared to cause a diversion if you needed a quick escape.”
“A diversion?”
“Yes! I mean full theatrics, Elphie. People love to see me when I make an entrance—or an exit—and it’s been ages since I’ve been here. I know I could’ve had them eating out of my hand while you slipped away unnoticed.”
“A shame we missed the opportunity.”
Galinda opened the back door to a surprisingly pristine alleyway, wide enough for loading and unloading goods comfortably.
“I’ll have to show you the shop properly sometime,” Galinda said. “When it’s empty. Maybe we’ll even find something nice for you to wear.”
Elphaba looked down at her clothes. “Am I not wearing something nice?”
Galinda sighed. “We won’t go through this again. Wearing all-black in Gillikin during summer is, in fact, a crime. Not to mention it will kill you.”
“Because of the heat? Or because someone will actually murder me?”
“Both,” Galinda said charmingly. “And I’ll be that ‘someone,’ for the record.”
“I wouldn’t have guessed anyone else,” said Elphaba. “Just like I couldn’t have guessed your family’s shop would be quite so... lively.”
“Oh, this? You caught us on a slow day. You should see it during the autumn fashion rush, where the whole world depends on getting the right lace.”
“Do you ever work at the shop too?”
“Work at the shop?” Galinda laughed so hard a few birds scattered above their heads. “Don’t be silly, Elphie. None of us ‘work’ at the shop. Momsie takes care of the finances and Momsicle gives advice here and there and she organizes everyone’s schedules and manages appointments.”
“That all sounds an awful lot like working.”
“But not like that.”
“There’s no shame in it, certainly.”
“Stop it, you.”
By then, they’d reached the front of the shop, where Galinda’s mothers were waiting, still deep in conversation.
The open air did wonders for Elphaba’s mood, her chest finally eased. The scent of fresh flowers mingled with the faint tang of the nearby dockyards, and the setting sun cast everything in a palette of soft pastels.
Maybe Elphaba should give it to Frottica.
Still, her attention drifted to Momsic—to Iliana. That prickling sensation was back, though muted this time. It was faintly reminiscent of being too close to Madame Morrible, that subtle air of otherness.
“Now what were you two doing?” asked Momsie—Kalena. Good grief.
Elphaba thought she ought to let Galinda respond, but she was ready to defend her friend if need be, the last thing she wanted was for Galinda to get in trouble because she decided to help Elphaba’s discomfort.
“Oh, nothing,” Galinda said easily. “Just showing Elphie the place.”
“Mhm. I’m sure you were.”
Did she sound upset? Elphaba didn’t think so—her father would’ve been furious at the slight delay. But this was—
Galinda blushed, but rapidly cleared her throat. “So—dinner?”
“Yes, dear. Dinner. If you can pull yourself away from your little tour long enough to join us.”
Oh, this was teasing.
“Momsie!” Galinda huffed, her hands fluttering dramatically. “It’s not like that.”
“Of course not,” Kalena said airily. “What is it like, then?”
“It’s just—nothing you should worry about.”
“I feel like I should worry about it,” Kalena said. “You’ve been dragging Elphaba around like a lost toddler all day.”
Elphaba, feeling the heat rise to her own cheeks now, decided it was time to intervene. “I don’t mind. It’s entertaining.”
“Aw, just entertaining?” Galinda asked with a smile. “I was aiming to make you feel truly excited.”
“Give it time, I’m sure we’ll get there.”
“I don’t know, Elphie.” Galinda’s voice dropped almost to a whisper. “I’m not too patient. How much time should I give it?”
Someone cleared her throat before Elphaba could respond—it could’ve been either of Galinda’s mothers. Maybe both.
Galinda blinked. “Let’s just—head home for dinner.”
They lived in a manor, naturally—though it was far cozier than Elphaba had imagined.
The air was pleasantly cool, carrying a faint scent of cinnamon and lemon polish. Elphaba hovered by the spacious foyer, eyes tracing the delicate stonework of the walls and ceiling, subtle and harmonious patterns lovingly etched.
Though it was what she expected from a Gillikinese manor—clearly expensive furniture and carpets, embroidered curtains, polished marble floors—there was no coldness, no oppressive grandeur. It felt nothing like Elphaba’s own childhood home, looming Colwen Grounds, with its endless silent hallways and locked doors.
Galinda’s belongings were stacked haphazardly near the base of the grand staircase, though much of it had already disappeared—likely spirited away to her room. Elphaba’s single, battered valise, however, was nowhere in sight.
While Galinda marched on, Elphaba still hesitated, her boots scuffing slightly on the edge of the rug. She wondered, not for the first time, why she had agreed to this visit. She was out of place, like a smudge on an otherwise pristine surface
“Well, go on in, honey,” a voice said behind her. It was Iliana. “Make yourself at home, please.”
Uncomfortable or not, Elphaba still wanted to make a good impression. “Thank you, Mrs. Upland.”
She immediately realized she’d said something wrong, for a muscle in Iliana’s cheek twitched imperceptibly. “That’s—”
“Galinda, darling,” Kalena cut in that very second, appearing as if out of nowhere. “Why don’t you show Elphaba to her room? And then you can let me know if anything isn’t up to standard, please. I’ll see to it at once.”
“I don’t think that’ll be necessary, Mrs. Upland.”
Oh, she’d said something wrong again. Same muscle twitch—
“You—”
“Alright!” Galinda materialized as if out of thin air. Maybe it ran in the family. “Come with me, Elphie, let me show you upstairs and then we can get ready for dinner together.”
And so for the millionth time that day, she grabbed Elphaba’s hand and tugged her away.
And, for the millionth and one time that day, Elphaba followed her.
“You don’t have to be so formal around them,” Galinda said. “You can just be yourself.”
“I am myself.”
“No, you’re not. You’re way too formal and you know it. Why are you trying so hard?”
“I—” Elphaba’s words got lodged in her throat as Galinda opened the door to what was supposed to be the guest room. It was way bigger than the room they shared at Shiz. “Your family is nice.”
Galinda’s face softened, though whatever she was thinking was lost to Elphaba. “I know, that’s exactly why there’s no need for you to do all that you were doing. All they really want is for you to like them.”
“Is that so?” Elphaba blinked. “Why would they care if I like them?”
“Because you’re important to me, so obviously you’re important to them.”
It took a moment before Elphaba could find words for that. “I’m sorry, I was just nervous. I wanted them to like me too.”
“I have never seen you so nervous.”
“And I have never seen you so happy.”
Odd thing to say, perhaps, to the girl who had enough energy to power the entire sun if it ever decided to go dark. But there was a difference between Galinda at Shiz and Galinda here at home. She was always at ease in her own body, in her own space, but she only allowed herself to relax her shoulders here.
“Am I really?” Galinda hummed. “I suppose I was a little nostalgic, and there’s no place like home.”
“Trust me, if I took you to my home you’d think the opposite.” Elphaba walked into the room finally, feeling uneasy yet again for reasons she could not name.
They had delivered her valise but left it untouched. The cupboard was clean and waiting, and the large bed was made. There were tons of little knick knacks on the shelves, on the vanity table. By all intents and purposes, it did look like someone had put an effort into making the room as cozy as possible.
And there was a note on said vanity table, fancy handwriting in golden ink. Welcome to the Upland House, Elphaba! It’s great!
“It’s great,” Elphaba said, amused.
Galinda was staring at the note too, standing behind her and resting her chin on Elphaba’s shoulder. “It is great, is it not?”
“So far?” Elphaba tilted her head a little. Galinda’s hair tickled, Elphaba wasn’t sure if she was chasing for more or less contact. “I’d say it’s pretty great, yes.”
“I’m glad you said yes to coming here, Elphie.” She squeezed both of Elphaba’s shoulders before stepping away to inspect around the room, as if she had never been in it before.
Elphaba trailed her fingers over where Galinda’s hair had tickled her neck, smiling to herself. “Well, I’m glad you invited me.”
“I couldn’t in good conscience let you spend the summer at campus,” Galinda said. “Though, truthfully, I’ve always wanted to invite you over. I waited so long in case you were planning to go home.”
Not in a million years. In fact, if Elphaba could spend a million years without going back to her father’s house, she would.
“I would’ve ended there regardless of my plans. My father wouldn’t have allowed me to wiggle out of assisting Nessa on the trip home unless I had a good reason to. So, thank you for being that good reason.”
“You know me, I love helping others,” Galinda said seriously.
Elphaba was still surprised her father allowed this little holiday, though she’d had to ask Nessa to convince him everything would be perfectly fine, and she was capable of boarding a boat or a train without Elphaba, and it would be swell if Elphaba spent some time with her friend.
It was Nessarose’s intervention that got Elphaba here; their father could never deny his precious little girl.
“Oho! Look at this!” Galinda pointed out a little metal box on top of one of the nightstands. It was filled with butter and sugar cookies. “A welcome gift.”
“Mhm.” Elphaba plucked one out and popped it into her mouth. “I’m feeling very welcomed.”
“There’s chocolate, too, and nougat—we love that over here. And, look, all sorts of nuts and dry fruit. Oh, you must try the fig spread in one of these cookies, it’s to die for.”
“Am I being fed because they’re planning to cook me later or—?”
Galinda snorted, a little too loudly, and ran a hand down Elphaba’s arm. “You’re funny, Elphie.”
Was she?
“I should—” Elphaba cleared her throat. “I should get ready for dinner. Let’s save all of this for later.”
For a moment they held each other’s gaze, and Elphaba was sure Galinda could see something she couldn’t. It was, inexplicably, a very charged tick of the time clock between them, until Galinda licked her lips and gave herself a shake, and smiled that easy smile of hers.
“You can use the lavatory at the end of the hall. I’ll come to collect you in a few.”
“You don’t have to, I know how to get back downstairs.”
“Don’t fight me on this, Elphie,” Galinda said. “Toodles!”