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“Do me up, do me up!” Galinda trilled as she watched herself in the mirror, beckoning over Fiyero with an urgent wave of her hand as she fussed over the clasps behind her back.
“Not to worry, your prince has arrived,” Fiyero chuckled, warmly striding across the room from where he had been tying his boots on one of Galinda’s many trunks. He squeezed her waist before setting to work on the bodice of her costume.
The theme of Shiz’s Tw’tch’ng Eve ball this year was the Haunted Forest, and Galinda had decided on a more cheerful approach for their costumes. They would be flowers, and Fiyero had no arguments with that, nor was he allowed to. Galinda was a pink rose, after his first-ever gift to her, of course. Her dress emulated the layers of petals, swirling around her like she was the delicate thorned stem.
Fiyero was a poppy flower, a common flower found in the fields on the outskirts of the Haunted Forest, and his favorite bloom. His suit was deep red with yellow and gold accents, a poppy flower in his breast pocket to seal the whole look.
Together, they were the perfect pair of blossoms.
“Hurry! We mustn’t be late!” Galinda said, pinning the last rose in her hair, which he had given to her this evening at the door.
“I’m sure it will be impossible for the party to start without us.” Fiyero smiled, focused on the last of the clasps, fumbling slightly with the small button at the top.
“Of course you're right, dearest, how foolish of me. We are the party after all.”
Fiyero finished with the back of her dress, sealing it with a kiss at the base of her neck.
“There you are, my darling.” He sighed into her skin, lips trailing across one shoulder, causing Galinda to squeal in response.
“Not in front of Elphie!” She chided, swatting at him until he released her.
“Yes, please, not in front of Elphie.” Elphaba chimed in from her spot atop her bed, eyes flicking towards them with mild interest before returning to the Witchcraft textbook before her.
“Alright,” Galinda said, spinning about in front of the mirror.
“How do I look?”
“As glorious as the finest poppy.” Fiyero crooned, stepping behind her to admire her reflection along with her.
“Nooooo Fi, you are the poppy, I’m the rose! Remember?” Galinda griped, whipping around to face him in sudden chagrin.
“Right, right. Well, even still beautiful as ever.” Fiyero amended, reaching out to lightly caress a perfectly styled lock of hair falling over her face.
“Well, thank you. And might I say you are looking quite dashing in that color.” Galinda said, turning back around to the mirror, watching themselves together, appreciating how well matched they were, their costumes complementing each other perfectly.
“You may always say that,” Fiyero said, leaning down to nuzzle against her ear.
Even while she enjoyed the sight before her, Galinda eyed Elphaba alone on her bed in the reflection of her vanity mirror.
“Are you sure you don't want to come? You know how much I’ll miss you if you stay back.”
“I know, I just don’t care for the festivities all that much, and besides, I feel like I’m almost at a breakthrough in my earth magic, and I don’t want to lose steam,” Elphaba said, closing the book over her thumb to save her place while she looked up at the pair.
Glinda huffed and flounced over to Elphaba's bedside, flopping over her lap in a poof of layered rose colored petticoats.
“Oh, Elphie, you always say that, don’t you wanna have a little fun?” She whined, kicking her feet in protest, making a mess of Elphaba’s well-stacked pillows.
“This isn’t my idea of fun, Galinda,” Elphaba said earnestly, gingerly urging Galinda off her lap.
“Oh, well, it ought to be.” Galinda continued, rising to smooth her skirts. She breezed back over to her vanity to apply a final layer of lipstain, mussing it slightly in her fit on Elphaba's bed.
“Earth magic?” Chimed Fiyero, looking over his shoulder at the green girl.
“What does that mean?”
“Essentially, it's spells are connected to what is provided to us from the earth. Connecting with plants, soil, and seeds. A helpful tool for- “ Elphaba began.
“Oooooo! Elphie, practice on me!” Galinda whirled around, bouncing over to her roommate, tugging on her arms to get her to stand.
“Don’t you have to get going?” Elphaba asked, begrudgingly rising from the bed.
“I know, but it's Tw’tch’ng Eve! Maybe something magical will happen.” Galinda giggled, running back over to take Fiyero’s hand, guiding him back over to Elphie.
“Something magical, with magic you don’t say?” He joked, trailing behind the giddy blonde.
“You know what I mean! Come on. Fiyero, what do you say? There's no harm in trying!” Galinda said, smacking him in the chest before offering her best pout to Elphaba.
“I’m never one to say no to a little magic, especially on tonight of all nights.” Fiyero encouraged, pulling a look that mirrored Galinda’s own severe pout.
Elphaba gazed at the pair before her, slowly realizing there was no other option, not when they were so endearing, even like this. Besides, she’d get to test out her skills, she thought.
“Fine. But I’m practicing earth magic, so I’m really not sure what I’ll be able to do other tha-”
Elphaba froze, and a sudden realization sparked in her; she had the perfect spell to try out.
“I have an idea. Both of you, stand here. Feet firm on the ground, deep breathe.”
Elphaba swiftly grabbed her book, flipping excitedly through the pages.
The couple moved to where she pointed on the ground, breathing together as they dropped their hands away from each other, eyes shut tightly, stunned to silence by her rare enthusiasm. Elphaba began reading from her text, muttering as she sank to her knees, pressing her palm into the ground, focusing her energy on the earth. She slowly rose, eyes carefully tracking the spell as she gently waved her hands over them. As Elphaba continued the incantation, Galinda’s dress began to rustle, then sparkle, fabric tearing along the delicate stitching.
Sensing her dress moving all on its own, Glinda gasped, feeling it come alive beneath her.
“Oh my Oz, what's happening!” She cried, arms clenched in distress.
“I feel it in my toes!” Fiyero laughed.
The sensation only intensified, their costumes shifting and stretching upon their skin.
“Ahhhhhh Elphie!” Galinda shrieked.
Elphaba muttered the final cadence of the spell, trembling slightly as she set the book down on her bed.
“You can open her eyes now.” She said, grinning proudly at the handywork before her.
Galinda was the first to look, unable to hold back any longer. When she gazed down at her dress, she saw that along the stitching of her sleeves and the ruffles of her skirt were roses. There were roses of all sizes and shades of pink, real live roses, folding and unfurling before her eyes, dancing and swaying along her costume, trailing in curving patterns down her bodice and skirt. The flowers in her hair multiplied too, adoring her curls like her hair was meant to grow such splendor from her gold tresses. The roses released the most enchanting smell around her, wafting about as the petals danced along her dress.
“ Oh! Fi, look!” Galinda gasped, moving her limbs slowly to watch how the flowers followed her movements in perfect time, gently blinking their petals.
Fiyero opened his eyes and was immediately fixated on Galinda’s costume, mouth agape at the beauty and splendor and pure magic that now encased his girlfriend.
“This is incredible. Elphaba, wow. I had no idea you could do that.” Fiyero said, watching Galinda twirl slowly, catching how the flowers made her skirt fan out with more bounce from the petals.
“Neither could I,” Elphaba said proudly, smiling softly at the pair, feeling pride float in her chest.
As Galinda finally looked up, she set her gaze on Fiyero, whose poppy-inspired suit was much like her dress, adorned with live poppies. They were vibrant and fragrant, making a handsome line down the seam of his blazer jacket, and tangling over the intricate buttons on his cuffs, twisting a long path down one pant leg.
“Oh, Dearest, you must see your costume! It's ever so lovely.” Galinda said, following him to the mirror to see their costumes in their full blossoming glory.
“Gods look at me!” Fiyero said with glee, twisting and turning to catch all his good angles.
“I’m sprouting all over. I’ve never seen anything like it, well done.”
“Yes, Elphie, bravo!” Galinda squealed, watching Elphaba in the vanity mirror as she clapped vigorously.
“Don’t we look absolutely divine together?” Galinda gushed, locking arms with Fiyero, appreciating their flowered appearance together in the mirror.
“Indeed, you do. The most glorious bouquet there ever was.” Elphaba said fondly, watching them fawn over her work and themselves. She slowly moved back towards her bed, tired from the effort yet elated.
After thoroughly examining themselves, the couple donned their coats and headed towards the door.
“Seriously, Elphie, I cannot thank you enough. I’ve never felt so pretty.” Galinda said, going back around by the bed to squeeze Elphaba’s hand in thanks.
“I’m so glad you like it. I can’t believe it worked.” Elphaba said, watching Galinda toss her hair, admiring how the roses seemed to glisten with her hair as it moved to and fro.
“You’re a genius, Elphaba, truly,” Fiyero added, buttoning his coat.
“I don’t often hear you using words so large, thank you,” Elphaba replied wryly, slowly picking up her book again.
“I’ll take that as a compliment then,” Fiyero said fondly, taking Galinda’s hand as she returned to his side, adjusting her hair where it caught her coat collar.
“Well, have fun then! I’m sure everyone will be enchanted by you both.” Elphaba said, settling in as she watched Fiyero open the door.
“There was never a doubt about that, Elphie.” Galinda sang as she breezed out the doorway, blowing a kiss to her roommate. Fiyero waved and followed her out.
“You’ll have her back by curfew?” Elphaba called after him good-naturedly if not a little sternly.
“Depends on what you define as curfew,” Fiyero said slyly, tossing her a wink.
“I mean it, Fiyero,” Elphaba added.
“Goodnight, Elphaba, you will be missed. Don’t cause too much trouble over here.” He said, closing the door behind him.
“Goodbye,” Elphaba said as the door clicked shut, giddy in her pride as she let herself get lost in her textbook once more.
“I’d turn back if I were you,” Fiyero read the black painted words on a crude wooden sign posted in front of the dining hall, then craned his neck to peek inside. “I believe there’s spooks around here."
Galinda tightened her arm around Fiyero’s as they walked inside. “Spooks? How silly.”
“Don’t you believe in spooks?”
“Why I—oh!”
The airy, honey walls of the dining hall had been transformed into a haunted forest with canopies of black papier-mâché trees draped with scraggly vines woven out of dyed flax. Some students hung around the tables tucked between the trees were painted to looks like toadstools and mossy rocks, but most clustered in the chandelier light on the dance floor. A server dressed in a black velvet suit and wearing a barn owl mask with glowing red eyes approached them with a silver tray of smoking cocktails.
“Refreshment?” the server asked flatly.
“Yes, thank you,” Fiyero said, taking one for himself and Galinda. “Cheers!”
Galinda clinked the purple punch glass with his. “Cheers!”
Pfannee and ShenShen, dressed as an apple and an orange, made a beeline for them and yoked them into the costumed crowd. It was during their mingling when Boq and Nessa arrived. Nessa glittered in her silver star crown and spangled dress where the ruffly blue bodice faded into bright pink fluffy skirt. Boq strode at her side, dressed head to toe in blood red, his feathered hat making him seem a head taller. People shirked away from him in his silver skeleton mask.
“Oh!” Galinda gasped as they approached.
Fiyero put an arm around her shoulder and said, “Believe in spooks now?”
“I suppose I must, now!” Galinda giggled, then took Nessa’s hand. “You look beautiful! I had no idea you liked The Silver Spook of the Emerald Playhouse.”
“Thank you! It’s my favorite, especially the costume ball scene.”
“A costume of a costume. Clever,” Fiyero chuckled. “The cape suits you, Boq!”
Boq fluttered the edges of the velveteen cape as he spoke, his voice muffled by the mask, “Thanks! It’s quite cozy. I might wear this as a robe.”
“You both look wonderful as well. Those look just like real flowers!” Nessa said.
Galinda took a turn, the roses stretching their petals out in full bloom. “Don’t we just? Elphie helped with a little of her magic.”
“Really? Where is she?”
Boq piped up, “Maybe she can magic ours as well!”
“So she can turn your face into a real skull mask?” Fiyero scoffed. “Unfortunately for you, she elected to stay home tonight.”
“She takes her earth magic ever so seriously,” Galinda sighed. “I did try and coax her out, but she’s got both heels in the mud.”
“That sounds like her,” Nessa said, shaking her head. “Well, maybe next time.”
They meshed with the crowd again, picking at frightfully delicious hors d’ouerves the masked servers offered and swapping gossip. Soon the music kicked on and they danced well into the night.
Fiyero escorted Galinda back to dorm, Galinda taking three toe-pinching steps for every one of his long, measured ones. She looked up at the flight of stairs and a whimper escaped her lips.
“Allow me,” Fiyero said.
She squealed as he scooped her up in his arms. She secured one arm around his shoulders while teasing the bouquet of roses on her bodice as he carried her up the stairs like a bride and groom on their wedding night. Unfortunately, there would be no crossing the threshold with Elphaba in their dorm.
“I’ll save you a few more steps,” Fiyero said once they reached the top of stairs.
“Thank you, dearest,” Galinda sighed.
All too soon they reached the door and Fiyero set her down on her feet again, pain shooting up from her toes the moment she put her weight on them. She leaned back on her hands against the wall to take some of the pressure off as they continued to talk. Fiyero folded his arm above he head and leaned in close to create a little bubble of privacy in the expansive hallway.
“Need to rest your feet?” he asked when her eyelid twitched when a bolt of pain shot up from her toes.
“I need to take my shoes off,” she huffed, “but I can only do that inside, and I’d invite you in, but…”
“Just take them off here.”
She blinked at him, unable to believe her ears. “People walk on this floor.”
“They certainly don’t float over them.”
Whatever Galinda was about to say next went out the window when Fiyero kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and squeaked into his mouth when he plucked her off the ground and grappled her thighs with his hands. Fiyero stumbled back, smacking against the door. He tightened his grip over her thighs as she ran her nails through his hair. Her skirts crushed between their stomachs perfumed the air with the crisp scent of wild roses that mingled with the sharp tang of the poppies from his costume.
It was scandalocious. It was romantic. It was perfect. It was—
The door knob jiggled under Galinda’s knee.
“Oh!” she gasped when they pulled apart.
Fiyero set Galinda back on her feet right as Elphaba opened the door. Galinda smoothed her skirts and smiled, trying not to watch Fiyero run his fingers through his hair to fix it. Elphaba stared at the both of them, her green hand clutching the lapels of her purple robe.
“Elphie! I didn’t expect you to be up,” Galinda said, tucking a loosened rose back in her hair.
“Neither did I,” she said.
Fiyero folded his hand behind his back and bowed his head. “Well, I just was just making sure Galinda returned safely. Thank you again for the enchantments, Elphaba.”
A tired smile tugged at her lips. “You’re welcome.”
“Do you know how long the enchantment lasts?”
“Your guess is as good as mine,” she yawned. “I’m going back to bed.”
“I’m right behind you.”
Elphaba left the door slightly ajar before retreating back into the dark bedroom. Galinda and Fiyero exchanged a much more chaste kiss that still made her cheeks heat with a pleasant, tingling warmth. Carefully, she took off her rose gown and hung it in the closet. She touched the delicate petals, now slightly bruised from the dancing and kissing. What a wonderful gift Elphaba had given her.
Maybe by the next Tw’tch’ing Eve costume ball, Galinda would know enough magic to return the favor, and the three of them could all go together.