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.

Looking at the tall green girl next to her, watching her as she'd laughed at the boys antics not realizing Galinda eyes were on her., seeing her smile like that, picturing that same smile when it had been turned her way, she was able to push them away once more.

Avaric lazily looked their way, and drawled "What have we here then? To what do we owe the singular pleasure of your company, Miss Galinda?" He then turned to look at Elphaba as if he had only just noticed her. "Oh, and you too Miss Elphaba, Third Thropp. Descending." This time his emphasis was on the word 'descending.'

Elphaba unconsciously stiffened her posture, her dander up. But glancing at Galinda, she remained calm for her friend's sake.

Galinda, however, was having a harder time holding her own tongue than she would have ever possibly thought. But she too confined her speech to the best of her abilities, keeping it short and direct. "Avaric, don't be such an ass." Turning to the other three boys, she addressed them.

"It was getting awfully boring holed up in old Crage Hall, so Miss Elphaba and I were out for a stroll and thought we'd see what some of you boys were up to. We thought we'd go on an a little adventure…" She was mostly successful at ignoring the raised eyebrow that Elphaba shot at her at the 'boring' remark. She also noted that Avaric who had dropped his head back after her immediately perked up again, opening one eye. She ignored him.

Tibbett, who by now had adjusted his pantaloons more to his comfort apparently, immediately jumped on the bandwagon. Crope was game as well, and if Miss Galinda was involved, obviously Boq was in and no stopping him. He was clearly nervous and excited.

"Where are we off to then girls? We could sneak you into the library, that would be a daring adventure."

Noting Elphaba's face light up at that thought, Galinda determined to take control before they did in fact end up on an exciting adventure…to the library.

"No…we thought maybe we'd explore High Street a little, or maybe even wander down Brattle, with you boys with us, we surely have nothing to fear."

Boq was nonplussed. He didn't know what to think of 'his' Galinda being daring and adventurous. It seemed to fall somewhat out of the confines of his concept of his crush. His puzzlement was evident on his face, and if it weren't for the fact that Elphaba was having feelings of guilt and sympathy for him just now, she would probably have laughed at him.

Tibbett and Crope had no such compunctions, and Tibbett piped up "Hmm… the remainder of the afternoon rummaging in dusty, musty rows of arcane academia…or a stroll to one of the more interesting parts of our fair city? Hm. You know, the Philosophy Club is in that direct-"

Elphaba cut him off when she heard that. "What is it with that place? I mean really boys," she jerked her head towards Galinda to indicate or implicate her, and continued "Do you really think you ought to be taking us there?"

Boq (who had actually been mildly and inexplicably hopeful at hearing the suggestion) and Tibbett looked mildly abashed, but Crope picked up the slack. "Well, you what people say about it, don't you. I hear it is just a big orgy and they loc-"

"Yes, you'd have to be deaf not to hear all those third and fourth years talking like they've been in there. I doubt very much they have the brass to go in themselves. And of course I know what people say! And well, honestly, I guess I must applaud your positively scientific efforts here and all, going for personal collection of empirical data and whatnot I suppose." She said this last part with a thoughtful tone. Then she shook her head.

"But today, you're out of luck. We are not, repeat NOT going to end up at the Philosophy Club, understand? If not, Miss Galinda and I will make our own way without you."

Both Tibbett and Crope, who didn't take things seriously often enough to be intimidated easily, nonetheless backed down and nodded their assent along with a relieved, if slightly disappointed Boq.

Avaric fortunately appeared to have decided he wasn't interested in joining them anyway. He had pulled up to a sitting position at the mention of the Philosophy Club, but had settled back down when all it's venal promise had disappeared with the delivery and acceptance of Elphaba's ultimatum.

Galinda looked relieved also, and mouthed 'thank you' to Elphaba, who winked back at her. She couldn't deny her coarser instincts had been mildly piqued, still she was monumentally relieved at the fact that it was clearly not on the agenda, and also at not having to be the one who said 'No' to it. She found she felt warm inside, and protected as she looked smiled back at Elphaba.

Boq looked to where Avaric was still laying. "Hey. Sir Sloth! I assume you and Lord Libation there will keep yourselves company?" He took the raised hand and bottle from Avaric as both a salute, and assent.

Tibbett and Crope appeared at opposite sides of the girls, and offered their arms, gallantly. Well, Crope offered his gallantly to Galinda, and Tibbett offered his hesitantly, if gallantly to Elphaba, and looked a little worried.

Elphaba surprised him by only eyeing him only slightly suspiciously. Galinda tilted head and raised her brows, nodding. Elphaba sighed, shrugged and took the arm. "If you try to lay your coat down over a puddle, you'll only end up with a muddy coat you know." She raised her feet for inspection. "I'm quite better equipped to handle than you are."

Tibbett looked at her customary heavy boots and rolled his eyes, and laughed. "Well, do we have a specific place in mind this fine day, or are we allowing happenstance to dictate? At any rate, lead the way then ladies, goodness knows I wouldn't dare try."

As the voices of the quintet moved away from him, Avaric sat up, slightly drunk, and more than slightly irritated he's been abandoned by his coterie. Straining, he heard the words 'Plough and Stars' come trilling out of Galinda's mouth.

The group made its way down the back alley that would lead them up Brattle and High. They decided to stroll around the arc of shops and eateries that lined the way at their leisure. Tibbett had given up on up on 'escorting' Elphaba anywhere by this point. She had a habit of moving quickly and purposefully to look at things, whether Tibbett was attached to her or not, often resulting in a great wrenching without warning, or regard for that matter, to oncoming walkers. Collisions were unavoidable; he relinquished her after the second of these incidents, grateful not to have to face down the exceedingly large gentleman, and his lady companion. Elphaba had remained oblivious of course.

They rounded the sharp angle that led up the street where the Plough and Stars was situated at last. Boq had commandeered Galinda by this time, leaving Crope and Tibbett to gallivant about unfettered. However much to the Munchkin's consternation, it was clear to him that he still didn't have her attention, as she seemed always to be captivated by her roommate for some reason. Elphaba, it seemed, was busying herself darting to and fro, peering into storefronts.

Galinda wasn't sure what was catching her friend's eye at any of these stores, but she enjoyed watching the small pleasure she seemed to take when she found something that interested her, whatever it was. She was sometimes surprisingly childlike in the fervor and intensity as she 'window shopped.' This was utterly surprising to Galinda as it seemed so contrary to Elphaba's stoic and frugal approach to life. Third Thropp Descending or not, it was clear to Galinda that Elphaba didn't have the financial wherewithal to buy any, or even one of the things she was peering in on. It made her wonder what Elphaba would find pleasing if she was able to buy for herself.

Galinda had become so entranced watching Elphaba flit (if that word could be applied to her) from store to store that she was caught off guard when Boq pulled her up short and sharply to the side. She looked down to see they had come close to crashing into a trio of…Rabbits. Or really Bunnies. They were pathetic looking, dirty, and thin.

A/N: Sorry ya'll, this is only half of what I have, but I'm in a pickle as far as updating locations goes. Part II either later tonight or first thing in a.m.

Thanks to everyone for reading and reviewing. As always, it's most appreciated!