A Lazy Afternoon
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters
Author's Note: Sorry for the lack of updates. Busy Weekend. I'm trying to figure out right now if I'm going to shoot for finishing this story before I go away to work at the O'Neill Theatre Center in July. I don't think I'll finish it before then, so updates are likely to be sporadic come July 1st, because while I'm sure I'll have internet access of some type, who knows how frequent that'll be.
Chapter 16
Fiyero lay on his stomach on the wall abutting the river. Bright sunshine had turned into a dismal, grey day. It rather mirrored his current disposition. The thrill of the night had given way to the dull heartache he had felt previously. A day of classes had done little to assuage the growing melancholy. He hadn't seen Elphaba since breakfast, and that hadn't helped either. And yet, she was another cause of worry in his already reeling mind. He had been ecstatic when Elphie allowed him to kiss her, and even showed enthusiasm at that. What a kiss it had been. But part of him was concerned that it would end up being a one time thing. She had a penchant for being okay with something one time, and disallowing it the next. He couldn't dwell on it, or it would drive him crazy. Only time would tell.
The group was assembling by the river wall at five, for a bit of a memorial for Fiyero's mother. It had been Glinda's idea. They were going to release a small fleet of candles on small wooden rafts. These were merely the candles holders, but Glinda assured him that they'd float; she'd done this type of thing before. At present the river was dark and foreboding. Its murky water lapped against the side of the wall, as the swift current pulled toward the Emerald City. Fiyero wasn't sure the candles would last more than 30 seconds in choppy water, but it was the thought that counted.
A duck bobbed along the current, staring blankly ahead, oblivious to its observation. Fiyero glanced up at the massive clock tower that loomed over the university quadrangle. It was visible from nearly the entire city. 4:30. He still had a bit of time to wait before the others came out to join him. He drew his arms up in front of him, and lay his head down, staring blankly at the stone wall on the opposite side of the river.
"Now take the ribbon, and tie it around the candle like this," Glinda instructed.
Elphaba held up her own candle and ribbon, attempting to form the same elegant bow. It wasn't going well.
"No, put your finger there, to hold it, then cross that…no…like this…oh let me do it."
Elphie relinquished the candle and walked over to the window.
"It looks like its going to rain."
Glinda joined her by the window.
"Wow, it got nasty out fast."
Elphie nodded, discouraged.
"Well, hopefully it'll hold off until we can go do this. Can you please try again to make a decent looking bow? It'll go a lot faster."
Elphie grabbed another purple ribbon from Glinda's box of adornments.
"Why are we using purple?"
"Purple has long been the color of royalty, and they were royalty, even if only Winkie royalty."
"Gee, you're nice."
"Well, I still chose the purple."
"I know, I know."
"Here, I have a better job for you. It requires less dexterity…"
"Hey…"
"Take the glue, and attach one of the already ribboned candles…"
"Is ribboned a word?"
Glinda growled at her.
"Sorry."
"And attach it to one of the little wooden holders."
"Cause that's certainly going to float…"
"Elphie…I'm trying to do this to be nice. I'm not sure if it'll work, but we can at least try. I mean, he's your boyfriend…"
"He's not my boyfriend."
"Oh no?"
"He's not."
"Uh huh."
"Glinda."
"What would you call him then?"
Elphie frowned, and poured a generous amount of glue onto the bottom of the candle. Glinda made a face at how much she was using, but said nothing.
"I don't know…my friend."
"Do you always share a bed with your male friends?"
"Glinda!"
"Well?"
"It's different…those times…they were extraordinary circumstances."
"But you said you liked him."
"Yes, well…"
"Have you kissed him?"
Elphie turned from her, and crossed back to the window, staring out. She didn't answer.
"Have you?"
Elphaba nodded slowly. Glinda smiled.
"Oh Elphie!"
"What?" Elphie snapped.
"Isn't it a good thing?"
"Yes…I guess…I don't know. I don't like to get my hopes up about things. It happened once. I have no reason to believe it'll happen again."
"Riiiiiight."
"Glinda…I've never done this before. I have no clue what I'm doing."
"Elphie, he's crazy about you."
"I've helped him through something, and he's helped me."
"That not all there is."
"You seriously need to get a better outlook."
Elphie sighed and looked out the window again.
"Is he a good kisser?"
"Glinda!"
"What? Girls talk about things like that."
Elphie eyed her curiously.
"They do?"
"Of course. And girls like Milla can talk about size," Glinda snickered.
"Size? Oh, that."
"You can't talk size yet, right?"
"No, no. Definitely not."
Glinda grinned. "Good. That gets you a bad reputation. But how was it?"
Elphie smiled faintly, recalling it. "Great."
"I'm glad."
"Though, as nice as kissing is, there's nothing like being held as you go to sleep."
"Really?"
"It's the hardest thing to explain. Guess I'm done with that though."
"Why?"
"I have no reason to stay there."
"Him?"
"That's not a real reason."
"It could be."
Glinda smiled, and patted Elphie on the back.
"Hurry. We need to finish these."
Elphie began her second candle.
"He's out there already."
"Who?"
"Fiyero."
"By the wall?"
"Yeah, he's just
laying there."
"That's not unusual."
"No, I guess not, that's where we talked the other day."
"Yay, last one!"
A crack of thunder broke her joy. Elphie jumped back from the window.
"It's raining!"
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