AN: So I have been dared to do a murder mystery with Elphaba and company. No promises…let me know what you think. I've never done a murder mystery before.
It was a dark and stormy night, one of Elphaba's main fears as a single drop of wayward water could leave a painful welt for days. Give her a tornado or forest fire any day over a dripping rainstorm. Fear though it was, she couldn't get too worked over it, its familiarity dulling the anxiety, and those she traveled with knew of her allergy, leaving her without much to worry about.
By the time the carriage had stopped in front of the shadowy manor, she was already dressed in Galinda's gloves, Fiyero's thick coat and her own waterproof boots. Her exposed face was tucked against Fiyero's shoulder (quite comfortably) as Galinda held a makeshift umbrella above them carefully, though this was difficult with her overly petite stature. Elphaba always hated this part – being taken care of. She felt like a burden, annoyed at the necessity of her vulnerability. Part of her wanted to just shrug them off, carry her own bags and face the annoying rain despite the stinging consequences, but they would never allow her to do that. The rain worried them far more than her.
Left on the doorstep as the others got all their belongings, she studied her surroundings. The mansion would probably be beautiful and inviting if they had arrived on a sun-drenched day instead of a rain-soaked evening. Now cloaked in shadows and echoing the plunking of the rain in the overhang of the porch, it was oddly disturbing. The forest that surrounded it cast an inky blackness under its wet limbs, and the rest of the grounds were rather indistinguishable in the darkness.
Her friends finally rejoined her, struggling with all Galinda's bags in addition to hers and Fiyero's. Poor Fiyero was carrying enough luggage to build a fort, and Elphaba again wished she could help. Stepping a comfortable distance away so as not to splatter Elphaba, he shook his soaked hair to dry it as best he could, and she suppressed a smirk at the comical similarity he bore to a wet dog in the moment. Galinda meanwhile was trying to subtly fix her wet makeup as it ran in the little eddies down her face.
Finally ready to go inside, they rang the doorbell, listening to the low echoing clang that rung throughout the obviously expansive room just beyond the thick door. After a moment and with a screeching creak, the heavy door was opened by a butler, and they were ushered into the posh interior of the gigantic lobby and sitting room. Grateful for the presence of light finally, they sat in their less than presentable states waiting for their host to reveal himself. After several moments, they were surprised to see Boq and Nessa appear from the hallway off to the side.
"What are you doing here?" Fiyero asked surprised, while Galinda surreptitiously worked harder on clearing the messed makeup. Looking bad in front of Elphaba and Fiyero was one thing, as both had seen her first thing in the morning. Looking bad in front of others was a completely different matter.
Boq offered them a courteous nod, and Nessa said, "Honestly, we don't know. We just arrived a few moments ago after receiving that odd invitation. And you?"
"The same." Nessa moved to her sister, obviously checking to make sure the rain had not reached her. "I'm fine Nessa. It's just a little rain."
The younger girl scowled, "That's a funny thing to say when the last time you were ill for weeks from just a little rain." Elphaba rolled her eyes, but she knew better than continue this discussion.
The butler chose this moment to return, delivering her from any further inquiry into her wellbeing. "The master has been detained, but he wishes to greet you and offer you all the courtesies and comforts we can provide. He believes you would prefer to freshen up after your journey," his eyes here flicked to Galinda's rain-matted hair and smeared face causing her to add a ruddy blush into the color mix, "and if you will follow me, I will show you to your rooms."
Elphaba moved to pick up her bag, but Fiyero quickly intercepted it. "It's still wet." She almost growled in frustration, and she was beginning to believe he reveled in these opportunities to take care of her, obviously knowing how it bothered her. With Boq assisting Galinda with her luggage, the little troop was off. When they reached Galinda's room, Elphaba almost followed her out of habit. Boq and Fiyero were in the next suite, with the two Thropp sisters down the hall.
Elphaba lasted about five minutes before she had gathered her things and returned to Galinda's room. "Can I stay with you? I might kill my dear little sister otherwise." Nessa was lovely in many ways, but she was also the bossiest girl ever to have lived. Growing up, Elphaba had always had to take care of her, so it hadn't been as much of a bother. But now, self-sufficient as Nessa's become and after living with Galinda, Elphaba's tolerance had grown atrophied.
Galinda had laughed, but of course taken her in. Much as the girls had loathed their initial pairing as roommates, they had grown into a comfortable rhythm together that was missed if absent. Elphaba returned her friend's gloves, helping Galinda unpack as the pretty blonde changed into dry clothes and freshened her hair and makeup.
With a courtesy knock on the half-open door, Fiyero arrived, suppressing his surprise at Elphaba being there as he'd obviously expected Galinda to be alone and unsupervised. She felt a miniscule spark of jealousy that she told herself was merely indigestion at the absence of dinner at such a late hour. Returning his coat to him, she entertained herself with clever insults and witty banter as they waited for Galinda to be finished preparing. At Galinda's welcoming peck (her lipstick finally fully applied and safeguarded), Elphaba turned coolly to appraise the room.
A warm fire had been lit in the fireplace, casting flickering patterns across the walls and glinting on the glass framing the beautiful portraits up. All in all, the room could be considered quite cozy, incongruently welcoming in this otherwise eerie house. She glanced back to see the happy pair had broken apart in respect for her presence, and she felt a fleeting stab of remorse at being such a hindrance. She didn't belong here, and they were both too kind to say anything about it.
She made up some excuse about going to help Nessa with something, and ducked out of the room before they could protest. Fiyero followed her into the hallway. "Elphaba, you don't have to leave."
"It's fine. You two deserve some privacy." She kept walking away, trying to distance herself in more ways than one.
He caught up, taking her arm. She was surprised. Though Galinda had surely sent him to attempt to bring her back as polite manners dictated, there was no logical reason for him to carry it this far. "Elphaba, please, stop walking. You walk really fast. Really, we aren't doing anything that requires privacy, I promise." That was a mental picture she had not needed. She stopped, spinning to shake him off her arm. Oz she hated being manhandled. "Look, Elphie, please go back. Galinda feels awful." His subtle accusation was a low blow, and with this play to her weakness she merely glared in acknowledgment of his ruthlessness.
"Fine," she sighed dejectedly, allowing Fiyero to escort her back with his hand on the small of her back. Having a natural aversion to touch, she was constantly amazed at how often and easily he made physical contact with others, and though Galinda was perfectly aware of his friendly touches, Elphaba still felt an odd sense of betrayal each time. Nevertheless, he had already beaten her once this evening, and she knew she was far too predictable to outmaneuver him in this.
Galinda beamed at her return, bestowing a radiant look on Fiyero. "You got her to come back!" They acted as if she were a wayward puppy rescued from the wild.
She rolled her eyes, flopping unceremoniously on the bed. "That's right, I'm back. Hooray. Now what?"
Galinda sat primly beside her on the edge of the bed. "Elphie, dearest, you needn't leave like that. You know Fiyero and I want you here, don't you dear?" Her eyes flicked to Fiyero expectantly as she patted Elphaba's leg.
Looking awkwardly at her prompting, Fiyero nodded, moving to hover near the bed and not quite conquering the social taboo of actually sitting on it with the two girls. "Of course we do." His hesitation was less than convincing, and she sat up to leave again when he caught her eyes. With a sincere look, he said with more seriousness than he usually could hold, "Stay. Please."
Unsettled by his uncharacteristic tone, she nodded, lying back to avoid his eye contact. He was good at that – unsettling her. Much as she prided herself on her cool, biting exterior, he was talented at getting under her skin. The two of them together were quite a force to confront, so she resigned herself to an evening of nausea at their cute little kisses. She was happy for her friends, and used to their affection, but it was still such an annoyance to her for reasons she couldn't quite pinpoint.
The couple drew her into a conversation about something relatively irrelevant, and eventually a knock came announcing the serving of dinner momentarily. They rejoined the rest of their quintet, surprised to find nine places set and immensely curious as to who would occupy the other seats. They didn't have to wait long, as the giggly Shenshen and Pfannee breezed into the room, dressed in their finest. They beamed at Galinda and Fiyero, scowled at the others, and took their seats, lost in their bubbly gossip and air-headed babble as always.
Galinda sat beside them, dragging Fiyero to sit at her left, who in turn pulled Elphaba to his when she tried to escape as far from the society girls as possible. "Oh no, you're not leaving me on my own with this."
She smirked. "She'syour girlfriend."
"And your roommate. Why haven't you worked your influence on her yet?" They continued their subtle digs at the pair of bimbos softly enough that Galinda, absorbed in their conversation, couldn't hear. Fiyero thanked her for being his lifeline, and she knew he was sincere. While he would play along and feign interest with enough theatrical talent to receive an Emmy, he would silently be ripping his eyes out in boredom.
Nessa occupied the seat beside her, leaving Boq to stare dreamily across the table at Galinda while Nessa attempted to engage him in conversation. The two empty chairs waited at the front until, shockingly, Dr. Dillamond arrived, leaving the head of the table empty for their host. Elphaba blurted out, "What are you doing here?"
He smiled at his favorite pupil, politely avoiding mention of her rudeness. "Hello Elphaba, all, how are you this evening?"
"Wonderful, professor. Might I say you look so striking in plum," Pfannee flattered obviously, probably because she was failing his class miserably. He inclined his head in thanks, and Elphaba caught the small wink he cast her in subtle communication. She fought a grin.
"In answer to your question, my dear, I am here on business, obtaining additional funding for a grant I'm working on. It's a most intriguing project that I may actually request your help on when we return to Shiz." Elphaba beamed, about to ask what curiosity they were to study when the doors were flung open dramatically, a flash of lightning sparking outside the picture window framing the shadowy persona who was clearly their host. His melodramatic entrance was enough to identify him even before he stepped into the light with an overdone bow.
Scowling, Elphaba narrowed her eyes in dislike. "Avaric. I should have known."