ebidy - Tumblr blog

ebidy · 1 month ago

Text

Emerald and Pearl: Chapter Five

Summary: Where Elphaba runs off and Glinda prepares to ensnare her future.

‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋

Word Count: 1.6k

TW: None apply

‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋

link to masterlist

link to ao3

link to next chapter

‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋

CHAPTER FIVE:

The outside air was gelid compared to the heat of the party. The night was breezy and the chill of the wind bit at the green woman as she wandered as far from the wretched event as possible. She swore she could still hear the viscous whispers even now as she slipped out of the sweeping glow of the candles inside. Their yellow light touched places the blue of the moon could not reach. The more she tucked behind hedges and trees, the more she was able to blend in with the night. The overhead clouds stole away the remaining moonlight, leaving her to travel in near darkness. Nearly all that could be seen of her now was the shimmer of her dress and the gleam of her eyes, glassy with bitten back tears.

Elphaba has of course been treated the same awful way her whole life; stares and jeers and even disgust had become rather normal to her at this point. But the humiliation was something much more impactful. With more than just the few rare eyes that fell on her in their country estate, the feelings were unfortunately magnified. Many young ladies she was raised just the same as seeing her glaring difference so obviously. She could never even wish to hide it. It was just her.

The worst feeling of all, however, must be the emptiness she felt for her own sister. Nessa was so coddled, so naive. So bitterly, ironically green. Elphaba remembered looking into the eyes of her own blood only to be met with an ashamed look away. Not even willing to admit their relation better yet defend her own sister. Elphaba had spent so long defending the younger. Reminding others that she was just as capable of completing tasks on her own, disallowing people to cross her boundaries. Yet when Elphaba is the one strung to dry, Nessa simply turned her eyes away and allowed her to be snuffed out. Perhaps too cowardly to face the reality of her spurn. Perhaps too cold to care.

A cold bench is where she finally found some respite, feeling the cold through her gown. Alone for the first time yet still refusing to allow the tears to flow. Her exterior has been described as steely. Hard to crack and easy to see your own reflection in. She sat in her silence, watching the breeze let the bushes dance. Flowers joined the waltz as she imagined. Nature was having a ball of her own. A ball Elphaba would fit right in.

Softly, she hummed a tune for the garden to dance to. A waltz that swelled with each gust. Elphaba was the guest of honor at her own dance. Just as she had often played alone as a child, she danced alone now. She stood from the bench, letting the wind whip her dress around her ankles. Elphaba hummed with the breeze, moving her body to the song.

She knew the basics of ballroom but she very rarely had a partner back home. Studying the steps first on paper never truly resonated. Dancing with a ghost, hands up as though placed delicately on another. Dance is so human and intrinsic yet hers could never be for connection, only comfort. It's how she danced now. Hands up around a second she never had at home. The cold air filling where another should be. It stung as it cut though her empty grasp. Yet she danced. Elphaba swayed and stepped and closed her eyes. She let the symphony of clashing leaves and flowers guide her dance. As she did, her arms grew lower with each sway. Until they were back around her own front. Swaying with her arms hugging around herself. Warmth in her arms was real but painfully solo.

—

Glinda could not imagine such a thing if she tried all through the night. Men were constantly clambering to be the one in her delicate clasp. Her dance card was always full from the moment she entered any ball. She loved the attention. When she danced, all eyes were on her. And when she didn't, all conversations were. She bathed in it.

Usually, all of her attention was positive. People loved her, she was charisma personified. She could get anyone to do her a favor with a toss of her hair. But apparently not on… her. A woman so peculiar. She was… green! And brash and rather rude. Glinda has never met anyone like her before and for that she is grateful. The shock was still glued on her face as well as everyone else's.

A whisper scuttled through the room. Who was that weird girl? Not a debutante certainly. She hadn't been presented and no one could name her. The only member of the ton with any knowledge of Elphaba kept her mouth shut; desperate not to let her sister overshadow her first ball. Nessa has enough eyes on her already. No need to announce her attachment to the immediate outcast.

“Had I truly misspoke so erroneishly?” Glinda asked, turning to Pfannee and Shenshen. Both looked just as baffled as the blonde herself “I was trying to be kind!” No one had ever spoken to her so brashly. Glinda was usually always

“You were very gracious! How else would someone react to such an… odd countenance?” Pfannee guffawed, arching his neck to look around the room. The mysterious woman had well and truly completed a storm out. As freakish as he found her, he couldn't deny her

“You are so magnanimous!” Shenshen adds with a stressed smile and nod. Glinda sighed and turned on her heel with her hair fanning around her, shoving a smile back on her face. She could not allow herself to seem so dispirited. Especially not when there is a supposed Prince in attendance.

Glinda scanned the ball with her eyes, recognizing every man already in attendance. Many of them stared back at her, taking her glance as an invitation despite it being a mere passover. The prince had evidently not yet arrived. In anticipation, she fixed her dress’s hem and the height of her tall gloves. Catching a glance of her own reflection in the large mirror across the room, she adjusted her hair to be just so on her shoulders. She looked so polished it’s no wonder she was shining.

A flounce or two at herself in the mirror later, Glinda turned away. As much as she’d love to admire, she had a task this evening. No matter how lovely she looked or how prickly that odd green woman had been. Glinda needs to catch the eye of the most ideal of men. The one she knew would have the highest influence and could provide her with the most perfectious of lives. A man like the prince. Naturally, grabbing his attention would be the easy part. Keeping them on her was where the trick laid. He was said to be a charismatic man, handsome, and a touch of a rake. Glinda would truly need to enrapture the man’s heart.

Attraction she could do but intimacy was where she struggled. She could easily make a man swoon. All they needed to drop their jaws was a hair flip. But opening up? She could never stomach it. She can flirt and flounce but it never feels like more than a little fun. Glinda has never made it a habit to discuss her future with the suitors around her. She knows what she should want– what everyone else wants. A well in-laid, kind man and a large, beloved family. Certainly, every time she thinks about that future she feels a touch poorly but she’s sure every other debutante feels the same.

As Glinda looked around the room, she heard someone clear their throat beside her. “Miss Upland,” Came it's matching voice. From a short man with curly red hair. A munchkin, she was certain. Wearing all warm yellows and browns, the man was certainly not her prince. “Boq Woodsman, lovely to meet you,” He said with a bow of his head, hand out forward to hold hers. As he stood back up, it was clear he was trying to make himself as tall as possible. Doing anything short of standing on his tiptoes. His chin was held a little too high and his chest was puffed as high as it would go.

Glinda places both hands on his and pushes it towards him lightly. Enough to make it seem less like the true brush off it is. “It so is,” She agreed with a toothless smile before slipping away, dropping his hand as she did. He was left smiling, somehow not yet fully aware he had been dodged so wholly. Glinda was often able to slip away from unwanted communications with a gentle smile.

Only moments later, the large doors at the entrance open on a man Glinda had never seen before. A tall man with dark hair and a truly cheeky level of confidence. He strode forwards into the room, smirk never leaving his face. He sent smiles and winks as he strutted to the center of the room. Many of the young debutantes crowded him immediately, a flurry of fans and batting lashes crowding the man. Every girl desperately attempting to have the man sign her dance card, many with a specific slot held just for him. He, of course, already knew just how much of a hot commodity he would be. And for that reason he was rather fastididiodus with his selections. He was speaking but Glinda could not hear him from this distance.

Glinda knew she was a prize jewel in her own right. She wouldn't need to chase the man, he would come to her in due time. Instead of joining the flock, she perched herself over near the refreshments. Holding nothing and stood alone, the kind prince would have no other option than to offer such a beauteous young lady a refreshment. How could anyone resist?

2 notes · View notes

ebidy · 3 months ago

Text

Emerald and Pearl: Chapter Four

Summary: Where the young members of the ton attend their very first ball! Excitement bubbles and rumors spread.

‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋

Word Count: 3k

CW: None apply

‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋

link to masterlist

link to ao3

link to next chapter

‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋

CHAPTER FOUR:

“I heard he's a skilled fencer, quite accomplished in hunting as well,” Shenshen spoke, tilting her head up as a touch of rouge was applied to her cheeks. She and Pfannee had arrived early to the Upland house, choosing to ready themselves for their first ball all together. They'd been friends as children and we're now finally entering society together. It's nice to know you have someone on your side even if partially to raise their social standings.

Glinda had been buzzing all day, trying on gown after gown nervously trying to choose the best one. They all were stunning of course. Most a lovely pale pink but she had tried the occasional blues and yellows. Must've tried on every gown she'd brought with her at this point. Quite the feat considering there was an entire room dedicated to the keeping of such garments.

The room was the size of her bedroom on its own, lined with dresses for every part of her day in every shade Glinda desired. Pastel gowns made of silks and embroidery lined the walls, stretching up like floral vines on an old estate. Her jewelry sat displayed in shallow drawers in a dedicated armoire. A giant jewelry box, really. Hats and gloves sat gently among the rest of the room’s elegant decor. Anyone would assume the room fit for a princess and while the were of course correct, Glinda would like to make it official. That's why her dress needed to be perfect.

“I heard he ran off eight royal tutors,” Pfannee said with a scandalocious little glint. He'd always liked the bad boy type and a prince on top of that? Swoon. The prince was said to be rather suave. Though no one has seen him, he was already every young lady’s ideal. Pfannee grabbed another hat off the display and held it above his head, modeling for himself in the mirror. He was already ready for the evening, staying around simply to gossip.

Glinda's squeal came nearly immediately as she twirled from behind the room divider where her dress had finally been buttoned. “It's perfectious!” She smiled, swaying as to move her skirt. The dress was gorgeously layered, tiers of flowy fabric dyed with stunning orange to pink ombre on each layer. They sat like the petals of a flower. Stones shimmered as she spun about the room. She had never before felt so completely gorgeous. She’s looked it, of course, but this was a whole new feeling. “Aren’t I the most dazzling diamond~!” Glinda beamed as she soaked in the attention of her friends. Even just two sets of eyes on her was lovely, made her eager for later. There was hardly a time where no one was paying her any attention but tonight would certainly not be one.

“Completely incomparable!” Shenshen gasped as she rushed over to Glinda’s side. She wore pink as well but much more mutedly. She idolized Glinda and tended to mirror her looks even if unconscious. Pfannee was quick to redisplay the pillbox hat he’d been admiring in the mirror. “The splendidery!” He exclaimed, motioning for her to continue twirling. The both of them clapped for the whirling Glinda.

Between the low hanging sunrays and the light of fresh candles, she had a glow about her. An aura, even. Glinda always seemed to be able to draw anyone in and she hardly ever used that power maliciously. Sure, she used her looks and status to bat her eyelashes into getting her way but really, where’s the crime in that? Besides, who would turn down that sort of effect over people. Everyone wants to be liked, she just happened to be the best at it!

After a few more moments of speculations of the prince and shared excitement of the prince, it was time to board the carriage. The three of them all wore large grins, eager to know what the season had in store. Marriage season in the Emerald City always had been the height of gossip. Who would marry, who would flounder, and who would have all eyes on them? Glinda knew the answer to the previous but knowing who would founder could be just as advantogeous.

They spoke as they travelled to the castle, wondering aloud where the pieces may fall. Most families of the ton knew each other well enough to know what is to be expected. Each year the same families return. Though on occasion, others may emerge. Pulling themselves in from rural estates or constant travels in order to marry off and begin families of their own, they were often the first things discussed. “I’ve heard the Earl of Munchkinland has arrived and brought not one but two daughters,” Shenshen began, leaning in towards Glinda who sat on the bench across from her, Pfannee to her left. “But only one was presented,” Glinda’s attention was piqued now, brows raising just a bit as she turns back to face the duo. Shenshen’s face softened, comforted by still being able to interest Glinda.

“Perhaps she is already married?” Pfannee offered, leaning further into the tufted corner of the carriage. He so hated riding backwards, always made him feel a bit queasy.

“Mh if so she would be accompanied by her husband, would she not?” Glinda swatted a hand to dismiss his suggestion. She let up her posture as she thought, watching the green of the city pass, draped in it’s evening purple drape. Why else would an eligible lady come to the Emerald City with no intention to marry?

“A spinster, then?” Shenshen offered, counting backwards on her fingers how old the elder sister must be to already have placed herself on the shelf. And without even a single season in the city. It’s as though she gave up on herself before trying. “We shall see tonight!” She said, giving up on her arithmetic so readily. They were arriving to the ball already. That is where they shall glean much more of their gossip. It was much like a ball itself. A dance to which everyone knew the steps. A push and pull of revealing what is useful to share without revealing too much of your hand. Once you’ve gathered the colloquy, you’ll have a much clearer picture.

The carriage came to a dawdling stop at the bottom of a large staircase, reaching up towards the doors of the palace. Open and emanating warm candlelight and broad orchestral music. The very faint hum of a crowd speaking could be made out once the trio made it half way up the grand ascent. Their families were inside already, not that any of them found this important. Their mamas would certainly be all over them in the morning for tales of the evening but firstly they would need to do anything worth divulging. No one wishes to hear the tale of a debutante who stuck to the wall and danced with no gentlemen all evening, do they?

—-------------------

Elphaba had been feeling rather nauseous all day. Since her chance encounter with that gentlemen this morning, her anxiety had yet been quelled. Even just one garrularious observer and her sister’s prospects would be all but moribund. Though she was quite certain they were the only few of the ton awakened so soon, the fear still persisted. She had always been quite a stoical woman so her inscrutablism for the day was nothing out of the ordinary.

She had practically spent the day distracting herself with her nose in a book or listening to Nessa’s nervous piano playing. In the afternoon they promenaded and introduced themselves to many of the young ladies of the ton. Many were very kind but none were enough to pry her mind from the worry. She’d always been good at keeping up platitudes while her mind was elsewhere.

The only thing that had snapped her attention back to the current moment was talk of a prince. New to town and said to be rather suave. His name was on everyone's lips by midday. Prince Fiyero Tigelaar of Winkie Country. According to those who had met him before, he was always wearing a smirk. To her, the new prince sounded a bit too hubristic.

They were home with more than enough time to prepare for the ball in the evening. Elphaba wore something much more embellished than the simple dress of the morning. The dress was a black silk with light beadwork that twinkled subtly as she breathed. The bodice was well fit on her chest, accentuating her breasts much more than her casual dress had managed. The sleeves sat like upside down tulips. She wore black gloves to match, purchased new for the season. She had never had a pair of her own. Never invited to the formal events her father attended so never had any need. Her mother of course had gloves for every occasion but those had been passed down to Nessa. She would be the one living in Ozmopolitian society, after all.

“Fabala?” Nessa laughed out, shaking her head. It was clear that Elphaba had missed all of what had just been said. She was nearly ready as well, extremely eager for her first ever proper ball. She had been to parties of course; dinners, banquets, but never before a ball.

“My apologies, posy, what was that?” Elphaba put on a smile and looked to her younger sister, sliding her book to the side. Nessa was wearing a truly gorgeous pink gown, waist sat up just under her chest, It was adorned with pink applique flowers that got fuller the further down the skirt they got. Sitting on her lap was a box with two small handles on the front like miniature doorknobs. It was rounded and angled oddly but clearly made well to house something important.

“Look at what father has given me for my first ball~!” Nessa beamed, turning the box’s smaller end towards Elphaba who had come closer curiously. Nessa pinched each of the small knobs and pulled the doors apart, revealing the gift inside. The beautiful box was nothing compared to the magnificent shoes within. Silver and encrusted with diamonds, the shoes had been their mother’s most prized possession. One that, in any other family would’ve been gifted to the eldest daughter. Elphaba never let her face falter despite the sting of jealousy. Nessa had gotten all of their mother’s items thus fare but this one hurt the most.

“Very lovely, posy,” Elphaba said with a strained smile, approaching as Nessa waved her over, holding the box up to her. Up close the details were even more discernible. The hurt she felt only grew. Even the box they were in was spectacular. The inside was lined with red gemstones, shimmering around the already glitzy heels. “Help me get them on?” Nessa asked, hiking her skirt up over her slippers. Elphaba obliged, kneeling below her sister despite being in an ornate gown of her own. She was efficient in slipping the shoes on over her sister’s stockinged feet. She let Nessa adjust the dress over the tops of her feet, letting only the twinkly toes of the heels shoe.

“Now we’re truly ready,” Elphaba said as she raised to her feet. Nessa seemed too preoccupied by watching the sparkle of her shoes to react to her sister. But she did rather eagerly leave the room when it was announced their carriage was ready. Elphaba grabbed Nessa’s gloves on the way out, following her to the foyer.

Their carriage ride to the castle was brief but led them back to the beautiful castle. As gorgeous has it had been in the day, it shone so glamorosciously in the moonlight. They rolled up to the large staircase leading up to the main entrance. The sisters shared a look for only a moment until their carriage began to roll once more, bringing them to a long, curved ramp that encircled the grand staircase with one on either side.

As they reached the walloping green doors, Nessarose asked Elphaba to ensure she was completely perfect. As was usually the case, she looked perfectly put together. Elphaba gave her a smile, “You look perfect,” Elphaba soothed. Nessa, satisfied with her sister’s reassurance, entered the grand foyer on her own. She rolled up to where a few of the other young ladies were, sharing their excitement with smiles and eagerness.

Elphaba stuck to the walls, wishing she could melt into them. Though the color was a help, she always did feel rather watched. Even when her sister fleed to not be seen with her, she had the most eyeballs on her regardless. The news of her verdigre was already being whispered among those in attendance. And while their relation would be known, the true nature of her condition would be mere speculotion until the crowd bore witness. Of course there were the ladies they had met on their brief afternoon stroll who knew of her complexion. As well as those few who have already noticed her this evening. Despite her best attempt at staying belied.

Nessa entered the large ballroom with her group of quick friends, leaving her sister in the main hall. Elphaba made her way down into the party, drawing gasps from a few people, glares from others. As though her skin was specifically to offend their tastes. She could only bite her lips into a flat line. She truly would like to defend herself but it could only lead to worse outcomes for her sister. People began to whisper and point. Elphaba could feel her blood boiling.

“Oh great Oz!” Came a gasp. The voice was high and sounded supremely offended by just the look of Elphaba. She felt as though she’d hit a breaking point. To stare is one thing but to guffaw at a simple glance at her. If they were going to stare, she may as way get all of their ignorant questions out of the way.

She turned to face who the gasp came from and was greeted with the exact archetype she’d been expecting. Blonde. She was short with a delicate constitution similar to Elphaba herself, really. Slender and dressed in a quite colorful gown. A woman who clearly glowed in the attention instead of cowering from it. Her beautiful face was contorted into one of disgust and confusion. She was so expressive she may as well have simply spoken.

The woman stepped back away from Elphaba as though she had made any movement at all. The blonde was flanked by a pair dangling after her. The ballroom felt completely silent as they stared at one another. “Has my hair come unfastened?” Elphaba asked, knowing the negative answer already. She hoped it would cause the woman to rethink her next pestiferous query.

“You’re… green!” The debutante added vacuously. As though the green woman could somehow be woefully unaware of her very own skin’s green hue. She had gotten the same languid reaction ever since she could understand what strangers were saying.

“Very astute, give my compliments to your tutors,” Elphaba said with a probably indelicate roll of her eyes. The same eyes then scanned the crowd, wishing she could slip off perhaps to walk the castle gardens for the remainder of her evening. Alas she was not so lucky as their onlookers had created a wall of glimmering gowns.

Evidently, Elphaba’s effrontery was not the most advisable choice seeing as the crowd had so easily taken the side of the still unknown blonde. “I am aware I am green, no I am not seasick… no was not bathed in green tea,” As she spoke, Elphaba spun to the group that had gathered to gawk at her. “And yes, I have always been green.”

Glinda could not believe what she was seeing. She had met many people in her life and none had even been green. Any number of skin tones and none even partially compared to the woman before her. She looked as though she had been carved out of the emeralds that surrounded them.

If she was a statue, she would certainly be the most revered. Her green tone and black attire instantly made her pop among the sea of soft pastel gowns behind her. Glinda’s stomach flipped when their eyes connected. Disgust, surely. Green skin was completely unnatural. She must just be disquieted only by her odd coloration. That is why her heart fluttered so.

“Well-” Glinda choked out, swallowing before starting again. “Well, I… sympathize with your clear… struggles,” Her words hardly ever came out so unconfident. Usually when she spoke it was with perfect eloquence. Perhaps her hesitation is coming from the fact she has never had anyone speak to her in such a way. Glinda was used to people falling at her feet and clapping when she smiled. Why this other young woman was being so brash was a true mystery to the blonde. “Your mere attendance fairs such… braverism,” She forced a small smile at the frowning woman, nodding with each slow word. She had chosen them quite carefully. Pfanne and Shenshen to her sides nod with her, clapping lightly with the rest of their small crowd. Their faces, just like Glinda’s, were that of both pity and repulsion. Glinda smiled softly at the crowd, giving a shrug and an upward turned eye. It was clear on her face she truly believed her reaction to be one of goodness.

Elphaba scoffed at the phrase. She was brave for simply appearing. “What a Lilliputian disposition,” The crowd soured, glares returning. Glinda looked baffled at the slight pushback. She had been polite yet this woman was so insistent on taking her words as an affront. “My simple existence is no more brave than anyone else’s, despite how toilsome you try to make it,” Elphaba said with finality, absconding through a new gap in their audience, leaving a rattled Glinda in her wake.

#wicked #gelphie #glinda upland #elphaba thropp #wicked 2024 #fanfic #lesbian #text #wicked movie #wicked musical #gelphaba #wicked fanart #glinda x elphaba #elphaba x glinda

4 notes · View notes