Disclaimer: All rights to characters from Wicked belong with Gregory Maguire. Alas and alack for me.
Gelphie relationship depicted. If this offends, git along little dogies, it's your misfortune and none of my own.
After settling the tab, Elphaba hooked an arm around Galinda's shoulder, and though she didn't need the assistance really, Galinda still leaned into the taller girl as they rose and headed for the door. They pulled their coats tighter about them, and Galinda bundled her brightly colored scarf around her neck, tucking it into her coat. Elphaba didn't have a scarf, brightly colored or otherwise, so she just prepared to duck her chin. As they reached the door, the lively serving wench Leesal stood, serving tray tucked up and turned flat against her midsection. She winked at them both and held the door open for them, and the chilly autumn air hit them with a brutal gust of dry air. Elphaba wasn't sure she wasn't going to feel a surreptitious pinch as she went out the door. But apparently the girl had some boundaries…
Out into the evening they went. It was too early yet for the supper crowd, and some evening-goers had reached their destination already; still there was a substantial flow of people moving long High Street, being that it was also the time when the more genteel folk were making their way to theatre and concerts. The more entitled set of passers-by were elegant in their silk cravats and hats, though they too were bundled against the brisk wind, mingling with the workaday types heading into and out of alehouses like the one they had just left. Everyone was vying for space on the sidewalk out of the mud of the street itself.
Leaves that had survived the recent storm rained down in loud, sporadic bursts, and then were swept down the street in little, rattling swirls and gusts. The air smelled of burning wood and roasting mutton. Occasionally a more exotic spice smell would waft out onto the street when some more esoteric establishments opened and closed their doors, lingering and following them for a bit, then disappearing into the crisp air of the evening.
Elphaba steered them to one of the footbridges that crossed the river to the Queens College side. From listening to Tibbett and Crope she had recalled and hoped to find the little old cart run by Kangaroo and a she-dwarf. She'd heard them say they had the best hot chocolate, coffee and tea in that area. She thought she remembered they sold roasted nuts and other sweets, but she wasn't sure.
Galinda never once questioned where Elphaba was leading her, she just followed along, staying bundled as best she could. Despite the cold, she was still soaking up the night air and all its sights and sounds. The cold river was icy as she glanced at it making their way. It would be lovely to look at, but just now they were on a mission.
They continued on, and a block off the path leading from the river, they came to a little cart that was clearly doing brisk sales with the locals. The delicious, seductive smell of roasted pecans and coffee was filling the air, all but overwhelming the equally lovely smell of hot chocolate. A line five deep was there, as well a gaggle of other student types gathered round enjoying their various drinks, private laughs, conversation, camaraderie, and the wonderful aroma all at once. Some of the characters were more muffled than the obvious Queens' Boys and their dates. Elphaba noticed that they were enjoying themselves, but also had a closed look about them. They were lean and worldly and sharp-eyed in a way the students couldn't imitate. These stood apart a bit, and spent time in quiet conversation with each other, occasionally talking quietly with the Kangaroo off to the side. They looked more alert, more spent. Without her spectacles, Elphaba couldn't see details anyway, but she had a feeling that even if she had them on, these few types would have lacked sharp defining details anyway. Galinda kept looking up at the piercing brightness of the stars, her breath freezing in little puffs, her hands huddled deep in her pockets, but she was bright-eyed and appeared to be enjoying herself.
They queued up behind the others and shuffled forward as one after another of the customers left with their steaming cups or bag of pecans. When she was next in line, she motioned to her friend. "What do you want? I've only heard about the hot chocolate with whipped cream, and the word is that its really quite wonderful. But I can't read the menu…as you know…" she pointed out drolly. Galinda, still bright-eyed, stood on tiptoe to get a better look at the blackboard and writing. Clearly embarrassed, Elphaba also whispered "Oh…and I forgot, when I paid for the dinner and drinks, and….and…well that was all I had, but some change here…"
Galinda grabbed her arm, squeezed it, and smiled up at her, "I'm sorry, I should have bought the beers as promised anyway, so this is my treat."
Elphaba was relieved to hear it, and relaxed a little. Their turn now, she gave her order, and stepped away for Galinda, who stepped right up and said in her clear voice "I would just love a café au lait with a splash of hazelnut". Elphaba rolled her eyes and she swore that she heard the Kangaroo swallow a snicker before saying, "Miss I'm afraid we're fresh out just now. Can I perhaps recommend some scrumptious hot chocolate, with a dollop of fresh Happy Cow organic cream on top instead?"
Galinda looked a little surprised, but Elphaba quickly stepped in smoothly and said "Yes, we'll take two, thank you Ma'am." Galinda looked only mildly put out as she handed the coins to the Kangaroo, while they took their warm concoctions and walked a few feet away, cupping the warm drinks and breathing in the rich smell.
Elphaba got her sharp nose a little too close and came away with cream on it. Galinda giggled and wiped it off with her finger. Elphaba laughed with her.
It was perfect, the night was perfect, and the company was perfect. They found a seat on a nearby bench, but the stone soon proved a bit too bone-chilling to actually sit on for very long, which is probably why no one else was using them. As they stood trying to decide whether to make their way back to the small crowd near the cart, for warmth and ambience, or to make their way back over the footbridge, they both noticed a sudden change in attitude.
A half-dozen or more vaguely paramilitary looking types came ambling in, nonchalantly heading for the cart. They were…austere looking, imposing almost, Elphaba noted. She wrapped her arm around Galinda's waist and pulled her close. She couldn't see well enough as she'd like, but when she looked back to the cart, she was inexplicably glad to see that Kangaroo had vanished already, hoping she had slipped away. The previous vaguely anti-social group of lean looking people had halved in size. Those that remained were loudly enjoying their hot chocolate and had interspersed themselves amongst the rest of the ordinary students and revelers. She didn't know who they were, but they weren't students, nor were they ordinary she'd wager.
Galinda leaned closer to the taller girl, and busied herself with drinking her hot chocolate. She didn't know what was going on, but she instinctively tried to blend in. Elphaba leaned in close, her breath was warm in her ear, "I think we might best point ourselves back towards home, don't you think?" Galinda was quick to nod her agreement. They sipped their chocolate, making nervous small talk. Neither knew quite why they felt the need to get away from the men who had just arrived, but neither questioned that gut feeling either. So they chattered about things they wouldn't even remember later, and laughed some til they arrived at the footbridge. Then finally they relaxed again. The men were far enough in the distance for them to again feel the beauty of the night. Their youthful exuberance washed over the misgivings they'd been having and quickly pushed their qualms to back of their mind. From there they took up where they'd left off, as if the scary almost-encounter had never happened at all.
And truly, a little warmer now with the hot chocolate, stepping up on to the footbridge for the return trip was like stepping into another space with just the two of them. This time, half way over, they stopped and looked out at the river sliding by. Galinda leaned up and looked down on the water making its way underneath them. Elphaba stood behind her peering over her shoulder. When Galinda shivered, she backed up into Elphaba, and Elphaba wrapped her free hand around her and held her, resting her chin on the top of her head. They stood that way til both of their ears were cold and complaining, and then they finished the rest of the journey over the bridge in silence, both keeping their own counsel.
Slowly they meandered their way back up High Street, looking for University Way, which they could follow til the came to the alley they could use to circumnavigate the front gates, and (hopefully) climb without issue and head back to Crage Hall. Elphaba spared a flyaway thought for Boq. Poor Boq. She had a brief thought of feeling disloyal. But, she dismissed it. She felt she was walking on air at this moment, and uncharacteristically, letting any grounding deadweight thoughts go, like little balloons in the rough wind. She suddenly had the urge to hold the smaller woman next to her closer. The next big gust of wind, she used the excuse of it to pull her closer to her, reassure herself that the girl was still there, and enjoy the feel of her close and warm.
When they finally arrived at the location of the tree they needed to climb, Galinda was feeling brave after the evening out, and so they made surprisingly quick work of climbing it and dropping down to the ground softly.
"You're becoming quite the acrobat this evening" teased Elphaba. She was looking forward to getting inside and warming her nose and ears which were raw and burning from the chilly excursion. On the other hand, her stomach was fluttering with nervous energy. She held her hand up high for Galinda to steady herself on before she dropped to the ground surprisingly quietly.
As they turned towards the door that would let them out of the alcove and back into the side door of Crage Hall, Galinda grabbed for Elphaba's hand and stopped, pulling her back.
Elphaba gave her a questioning look, probably lost in the darkness. But she reached for the others hand and squeezed it.
"Elphaba…I just wanted to say…and mind you any ale has long since been frozen out of my system, so don't tell me I need more hot chocolate to sober me up…" she looked up with a flash of mischief "not that I would say no to more hot chocolate mind you" she smiled nervously. She continued "but I digress...I just wanted you to know that I had the most wonderful time with you this evening. Even if you…don't think of me the same way I've come to think of you. I won't forget this night." She moved quickly forward to gather Elphaba's hands together and kiss them one at a time. Then she tilted her head up and kissed the other girl, just at the corner of her mouth. Then she pulled back, still holding her hands.
Elphaba looked down at the small hands holding hers, feeling a tingling at the corner of her mouth, even from just the chaste kiss just given her. She was slowly shaking her head. "I don't…" she began. Galinda looked quickly at her at this, distraught, "I don't know why I trust in what you say you feel" she looked up at the moon, wondering if it had anything to do with it "but, I do. I can't find words for it just now." She hung her head, disappointed at her inability to express herself in a way she thought Galinda would understand.
"Let me show you how I feel then" Galinda whispered, and pulled her towards the door that would lead them to inside and warmth. She knew she grinning like a lunatic, but didn't care. Eloquence had failed the erudite green girl, but Galinda understood her well enough. She opened the side door and they ducked inside and started to make their way back to their room.
Thanks once again all for reading and reviewing, and yay for hot chocolate . So, my request this time was to fit somehow "Café au lait with a splash of hazelnut." Apparently, I've created a monster.
I was partially listening to Joe Purdy's The City while I wrote some of this, a fine song to inspire a city scene at night.