For the second time in as many weeks, Elphaba's skin had responded of its own accord to Glinda's touch. She had managed, quite easily, to avoid contact with the other woman through classes, two more teas, and the one 'shopping' trip the day before. She pulled herself away from the light touch and whisper of breath adding to the warmth at her back, again grateful that her complexion would make the heat less obvious on her face. When she had composed herself enough to look for Glinda's reaction, she saw something in her expression she had never seen before. In the glass of Glinda's mirror Elphaba caught sight of her own reflection, and didn't recognize the woman there. Her father had always felt that colors and fabrics like the charcoal-black sueded silk number she was currently wearing were a hallmark of the pleasure faith. Elphaba had simply always preferred functional and durable to delicate and gaudy. Now Elphaba knew that aversion had been a mistake.
Glinda pulled a necklace out of one of her bureau drawers, a costume jewelry piece consisting of thick gold wire wrapped around a semi-polished stone, and gestured to put it on. Still struck by her reflection, Elphaba nodded, allowing Glinda to fix the necklace on her. Again she felt the warmth at her back, a whisper of breath as nimble fingers fastened the latch. Those fingers slid off Elphaba's shoulders, smoothing down the half-sleeves. It was a casual touch. Innocent. So why did every inch of Elphaba's body break out in goosebumps? The gold and green of the necklace completed the look, drawing all of the desperate colors and textures together to great effect. The woman looking back at Elphaba was no less strong or determined, just smoother, more collected. The prestige of her parentage was obvious. This woman would have had never have had the level of difficulty Elphaba did with her classmates. In Glinda's mirror they stood reflected, classic beauty peeking around this strange beauty in the glass.
Still goosebumps. It must be freezing in here.
"As delightful as this heap of silk is, it is not exactly designed for the cool air of this dormitory. Help me change back into something I won't catch cold in?" This wasn't her. This was Glinda's territory and she suddenly wanted nothing but sweaters and long skirts.