InsaneJournal

Who: Glinda Upland and Effie Trinket
When: Early November
Where: Cafe
What: Catching up // Shopping // Effie finally tells Glinda about Ganon
Rating/Warnings: Low/None
Status: Complete



Glinda was so pleased that her friend had managed to sell the house she’d lived in with the old man for a good price. Obviously the vultures didn’t know about the debt the douche had left her with otherwise they’d have tried to swindle her a lot more. She just hoped it would allow Effie to start fresh with Haymitch, they obviously adored each other.

Deciding to meet at a cafe before their shopping session, which was Glinda’s treat, she stood in line while waiting for Effie to arrive.

Effie came in a couple minutes after Glinda and sidled up beside her, wrapping her arm around Glinda’s in a friendly hug greeting. “...Howdy there, stranger.” She said, grinning. Effie had hired a new lawyer, had dinner with Portia recently, and was in relatively good spirits. She grinned at her friend. “You look fabulous, by the way. What’s a pretty girl like you doing in a place like this?”

Glinda grinned at her friend, “Hey you” she replied, leaning in to Effie’s hug. She definitely looked good, it was nice to see. “Thank you. I’ve been waiting for someone just like you to come along and sweep me away” she teased.

“Hey, that sounds like a plan to me,” Effie beamed. “I think Haymitch might have a slight problem with it, though. Either that or he’d want to watch. Or jump in, too.” Her nose crinkled up as she gave a little laugh. “Okay, what’s your poison today? I’m thinking not the pumpkin spice. I’ve had way too much of it in the last couple of weeks.”

Glinda laughed, “It’s true, he did claim your heart before I did. Alas” she said a hand on her heart dramatically placed before she winked. “I know exactly what you mean. I was actually considering a hot chocolate” she admitted, naughty but nice.

That brought out a laugh from Effie. “Just hot chocolate? No espresso for you today? I’m thinking a good old vanilla latte.” Effie said, beaming brightly. “...with whipped cream.”

“Mmm I just feel like a chocolate day, no espresso. Though that might come later” she admitted with a grin. “Good choice” she agreed before they stepped up to place their orders which Glinda then paid for.

Effie wasn’t sure she understood this “no espresso” business, but to each her own! She grinned, anyway, and moved with Glinda toward the front of the line where they ordered drinks, and Glinda paid. Effie almost argued, but then conceded.

Once they had their drinks and were sitting at a table nearby, Effie finally let some of the fear and anger she’d been feeling show. She cleared her throat. “So… I may have a problem.”

"Oh Effie, what's wrong?" Glinda asked, not entirely surprised. Effie was very much like Glinda when upset, the charm and brightness got turned up. But she was glad her friend was opening up.

“Well… the Old Man, before he died, racked up a huge debt to a criminal mastermind.” That seemed the simplest and most efficient way of explaining the problem. “And now the loan shark wants me to pay up. But I just don’t have that kind of money.”

“Oh no. What a complete bastard” Glinda said angrily, “But they can’t hold you to your husbands debt surely? If you haven’t got the money then there’s nothing that can be done. You can’t get the money from nowhere if there is no money to get”

“It’s half mine, according to state law.” Effie said, sighing. “Though, I’m not sure how legal these loans were.” She’d been thinking a lot lately about what this Ganon could really do to her. She was fairly sure that he’d threaten to hurt her. Or her friends. But if she went through legal channels? Getting a restraining order? Turning him in to the police? “He keeps saying that I’ll need to work for him. Work off the debt.”

“Urgh, damn laws. I’d suggest finding out how legal they are” she advised, “At least then you’d know for sure” she added, laying her hand over Effie’s. “Work? Well what on earth does he expect you to do?”

Effie nodded. She’d have to bring it up with her new lawyer. The spunky one. Veronica Mars. She might know those answers. And Effie trusted her more than she trusted any of the Old Man’s lawyers, too. “...I don’t know. I hate to think what he might expect me to do.” Effie said, frowning. The hand over hers was warm and comforting. “... or who I’d have to do it with.”

“Well he can expect but he certainly won’t get. We’ll work out something” Glinda assured her, “Does Haymitch know?” she asked, because she imagined he may do something silly if he thought for a moment that Effie was being pressured like that.

“Yes. Haymitch came with me when I found out about the debt.” Effie said. “I think I would have been kidnapped or something if he hadn’t been with me.” She wrapped both hands around her coffee mug. “I don’t know why I’m so embarrassed about all of this. It’s not like it’s my fault.”

“He’d never let them hurt you” Glinda said, she’d seen them together and the man was head over heels. “None of this is your fault. We’ll work something out Eff” she worked hard to reassure her friend, “We won’t let the Old Man ruin your life even after he’s dead”

Effie nodded, thankful that Glinda was there to help support her. “I know.” She gave a little chuckle. “Seriously. The bastard. Sleeping with someone younger and more beautiful than me. I’m the young, hot one. Damnit.” She sighed, wishing she had a drink. “I sold off all of his things, so I have some money to start paying off the loan shark.”

“She may have been younger but I refuse to believe she was more beautiful, that is just not possible” Glinda informed her, “You are young and hot, he was just a fool. Have you any idea what you’ll do next? Maybe if he starts getting money he’ll give you more time. I can help you know”

Awww. Effie gave Glinda’s hand a squeeze. “Thank you.” She sighed, and shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t know what I can do. I’m not really trained to do anything.” Beat. “What do you mean by help?”

“Well it’s not like I don’t have money right?. If we can work out something to keep the loan guy off your back you know I’ll do it” Glinda offered, “And if you want to do something you could always manage my fashion house for me? I know you know style after all and the shop is very popular”

“I can’t take money from you, Glinda, even though you’re so kind to offer.” Best friend ever. Effie was getting a little teary eyed at the thought. “...and I think I might take you up on that offer. Really. I could use a job, even if all the income goes straight to the bastard loan shark.”

“Of course you can. I’m not letting you be pressured into doing anything you don’t want or need to do” Glinda told her, linking their fingers and squeezing her hand, Effie was one of her closest friends and she’d do anything for her. “Then we should organise a time for you to come and visit, you can get a feel for the place. All the accounts are done by an external company so it’s just the stock and staff that would require your expertise”

“Okay.” Effie nodded, giving a little sniff. She lifted a napkin to make sure that any tears she might shed wouldn’t ruin her make-up. “I would absolutely love that. I can do whatever you need me to do.”

Glinda patted her hand before letting go, “You will be perfect, I just know it” she smiled, “I cannot wait to show you the shop. You’ll adore it”

“Let’s do it soon. Very soon.” Effie grinned. “Now I’m really excited.”