Glinda heard a knock at the door. She glanced over to the two women sitting across from her.

"Wynne, can you get that?" she asked.

"Of course, Lady Glinda," the woman replied.

The swordswoman unfolded from her chair to do as she was asked. Glinda and Sarima's gaze followed her. Unfortunately, the way they were sitting kept whomever was at the door hidden from them, and their voice was too low to make out. The swordswoman returned, barely keeping a smile off her face.

"Miss Elphaba would like to know if you are available," she said, failing to keep the amusement out of her voice. Glinda's delicate brow furrowed.

"So formal," she said.

"Mhmm," Wynne agreed. Glinda looked over at Sarima.

"Did you two do something I should be aware of?"

"I truthfully have no idea what is going on," Sarima replied, amusement in her voice as well.

"Me either," Wynne added.

"Hmm," Glinda said and put out a hand.

Wynne helped her from her seat. She didn't need the assistance, but it was much easier than belaboring up under her own power. As she walked over to the door, she gave the two one last look before she met Elphaba.

"What can I do for you, Elphie?"

"Hi Glinda," the green woman replied. Glinda noticed she was worrying her braid between her hands. "It is supposed to be a clear night tonight, and I was wondering if you would like to join me for some stargazing? It's too cold to be outside, so I was thinking of sitting in the west hall. I know walking is hard for you as well since you're so far along."

"What a nice surprise? I'd love that." Glinda smiled.

"So...uh...roughly sevenish?"

"Why so early?"

"You tend to be asleep by nine-thirty." Elphaba's lips twisted into a sly smile.

"You try growing two humans," Glinda huffed unconvincingly. "But seven works. Gives me time after dinner to clean up."

"Until then, then."

"Until then."

Elphaba stood for another moment before turning away. Glinda gently closed the door, smile on her face. She definitely liked this Elphaba.

"Well?" asked Wynne knowingly from behind her. Glinda set a scowl before turning around. The two women sitting on the couch had big, knowing smiles.

"And you two had absolutely nothing to do with this?" Glinda asked again.

"On my honor, Lady Glinda," Sarima replied.

"Not a damn thing," Wynne answered.

"Language, Wynnessa."

The redhead sighed and lounged further into the couch, arm going around the back where Sarima sat. The Vinkun woman gave her a sidelong glance before shaking clear her beaded and braided hair. Wynn sputtered as one lock hit her face. Glinda arched an eyebrow.

"This is an impertinent question," she started as she made her way to her chair.

"Those are my favorite," Wynne interjected.

"Are you two in some form of relationship?" Glinda finished as she took her seat.

"Not at all," Sarima answered, shaking her head. Wynne battered away the offending locks from her face. "Despite Miss Starflare's charms, I am not interested in women."

"Don't call me miss," Wynne said, "it makes me sound like I'm cultured."

"We can't have anyone make that mistake , " Sarima retorted.

" Miss Sassyskirt over here is more like my sister than anything." Wynne paused. "An annoying younger sister."

"I do believe I am older than you."

"Experience matters."

"Well," Glinda interjected, "it is good you two are getting on."

"So what are you going to wear?" asked Wynne. Glinda blinked in shock.

"I'd have expected Sarima to ask that."

"I'm just saying, if you're going to be cuddling on a couch in the western hall, you don't need to worry too much about moving about."

"And just how do you know that when you had nothing to do with this?" Glinda asked. Wynne grinned.

"Because I may have seen a couch there today on my daily run that wasn't there yesterday."

"So you did have an idea," Sarima accused. Wynne shrugged.

"An idea, but if I opened my mouth and it didn't happen, then Glinda would have been really disappointed."

"How very true," Glinda agreed. "But why are you so interested in what I wear?"

"It's a date, and not a first one!" Wynne's grin returned. "You can spice it up a bit."

"Of course." Sarima rolled her eyes. "Always sex with you."

"I'm just saying Glinda's been so focused on being good," Wynne crooked her fingers in air quotes, "and becoming a mother that it is good to remind herself that she's a woman."

"This is true." Glinda nodded.

"Plus, her boobs have gotten huge. They were nice before but now-"

Sarima scoffed and rolled her eyes while Glinda gave a soft laugh.

"I'm just saying," Wynne continued, "she wears that blue dress with that heart deep neckline, and Elphaba won't know what hit her."

"I've grown so big it barely fits!" Glinda protested. "I'm liable to pop out."

"And…?"

Wynne's response led to more scoffs and eye rolls, this time including Glinda.

"Wynessa-" Sarima started.

"Uh-huh. Only Duran and Glinda get to call me by full name," Wynne protested good-naturedly.

" Miss Starflare." Sarima said, this time pitching her voice low.

"And now you make me sound like a prostitute."

"You picked it." Glinda giggled.

"Wynne," Sarima continued seriously, "you forget that the west hall isn't the warmest place in the castle. Glinda would need something warmer than that dress."

"Good point. Cloak? No, it would hide the boobs...Hmm, that's hard."

"Fur lined capelet," Sarima answered. "One that is secured at the throat with a broach."

"Oh...yeah. That'd be perfect." Wynne nodded.

"Except I don't have one," Glinda said.

"Yes, but I do," Sarima answered.

"Problem solved!" Wynne threw up her hands.

"Well, now that my ladies have decided on my wear, I better get cleaned up for tonight," Glinda said, giddiness creeping into her voice. "For my date. With Elphaba."

Wynne unfurled lithely from the couch to stand beside Glinda. The woman graciously took the offered hands to help her up. As she walked towards the bathroom, she looked back at the two women. They both had grins on their faces.

"And stop smiling like that," she ordered. "You two look like cats that caught a bird."

"Mreow," Wynne replied, still smiling.

"So how do I look?" asked Glinda. It was nearing seven and she had just finished dressing. The blue dress had fit snuggly, and it required some hidden pins to make sure it was not going to cause a wardrobe malfunction. The capelet was around her shoulders, a beautiful thing of grey fur clasped by a silver brooch. She had done her hair in her classic curls, and topped it off with a light pink lipstick, blush, and eyeshadow.

"As I said previously," Wynne replied, "mreow!"

"A picture of charming elegance," Sarima agreed.

A knock at the door for stalled any further conversation. Glinda made a small motion with her hand. The two women moved to the other side of the room, out of line of sight of the door. Glinda opened it. Elphaba was in a dark black, high necked dress that suited the woman perfectly, and her braid showed the intertwining dark red and purple streaks of her hair.

"Elphie," she smiled. The green woman smiled back.

"Glinda. You look...wow….um…"

"What a perfect compliment." Glinda giggled. "You are looking beautiful yourself."

"I forget how hard this is when I don't have someone else helping me." Elphaba's smile turned bashful.

Glinda adjusted her collar slightly and gave her a pat on the shoulder.

"You look wonderful."

"Thank you." Elphaba stuck out an arm. "Shall we?"

"So formal." Glinda giggled again as she slipped her arm in Elphaba's, and laid a hand on top her elbow. "We shall."

The pair walked in easy conversation. Elphaba was explaining how she was trying to track down the woman she confronted at the abbey. Glinda loved the little breathless excitement in Elphaba's voice as she explained some intricacy she was attempting now. Elphaba's other hand departed its position atop Glinda's often as she used it to illustrate some point.

Elphaba, realizing she had rambled on and fearing she bored her, looked down at Glinda. The blonde's blue eyes seem to sparkle in the torchlight while the pink lips held a gentle smile. Her capelet had also slipped slightly open. Elphaba could see the barest hint of the skin.

"Elphie?" asked Glinda. "Is something wrong? You stopped talking."

"Uh...no. I...uh...just wanted to make sure I wasn't boring you too much."

"Listening to you speak about magic is never boring," Glinda replied.

"Yes, but what about you? How has everything been going with the Arjiki stuff? I know Fiyero asked your help."

"Sarima's and mine's, yes," Glinda answered before starting to outline what was happening with the various factions. Though Elphaba did not care for it, the way Glinda managed to craft the complex components of politics together into an easily understandable story always amazed her. Elphaba noticed while Glinda spoke that her words were becoming slower as she began to regulate her breathing more. It gave them a breathless quality she found alluring.

"So we'll still have to sort that mess out," Glinda finished. Elphaba nodded.

"At least you were able to convince the Arjmenin to allow travelers to pass through their territory," Elphaba replied.

"Sarima was a big help there. She pointed out how the Garamana benefited from travelers stopping in their settlement and how it would be the same for them."

The pair entered the west hall soon after. In front of its large windows that gave a view over Kiamo Ko and the stars above was a couch. Nor was it a small couch; Glinda thought Elphaba must have floated it to its position. As they neared she could make out blankets and cushions on it as well. Off to one side there was a table with a bottle, bowls, and cups on it.

"This looks quite inviting," Glinda said.

"I had hoped so. Much easier than walking or standing. Besides," Elphaba replied, with a small smile on her face, "it gives me a place to put the hot cocoa."

"Oh! I do like the sound of that."

Elphaba laughed. "I thought you would."

The pair made their way over to the couch. Glinda sat first and Elphaba arranged the pillows around her to make her comfortable before sitting herself. The blonde immediately cuddled up to the green woman, drawing a short laugh. Elphaba danced her fingers in the air and the table floated itself into arms reach for them.

Using her one free arm, Elphaba poured the milk into either mug. Whispering a spell to heat it, she added scoops of cocoa from a bowl. Stirring both magically with a twirl of her fingers, she added a dollop of cream to Glinda's. Preparations complete the two women reached out for their mug.

"Careful, it's hot," Elphaba warned. Glinda wrinkled her nose.

"I know," she responded before blowing on it and taking a sip. "Ouch!"

Elphaba's chuckle did not soothe Glinda's burned tongue, but a quick spell took the pain away. She blew on the hot cocoa a few more times before she tested a much smaller sip. Satisfied, she took a bigger one. Elphaba smiled and took a sip of her own.

The two women sat in silence as the stared out the windows at the stars. With the waning moon they were bright and clear. Glinda could make out a number of constellations as well as hazy strips of luminescence that were clusters of stars.

As the temperature dropped, their hot drinks warmed them in the chill winter air. The cups were soon emptied, however, and placed on the table. Elphaba draped a blanket over Glinda's legs while she cuddled closer. She did not need a blanket with their combined body heat.

"I forget how bright the stars are out here," Glinda said wistfully. "Being so close to the Emerald City for so long made me forget."

"I forget you didn't always see them like this." Elphaba replied. "I never really spent time in cities outside of a few years in Shiz and that one year you hid me under your bed in the Palace."

Glinda chuckled and leaned her head on Elphaba's shoulder. Elphaba leaned her own against Glinda's. The two did not say anything for a long time, revelling in the closeness of the other.

Elphaba turned her head to say something to Glinda, but her breath caught in her throat. The capelet had slipped open, exposing the deep neckline of Glinda's dress. It was really less of a neckline as it dipped to her sternum. At that depth and her angle, the full curves of Glinda's cleavage was visible to Elphaba.

"Elphie." Glinda's light voice was tinged with amusement. "Is something wrong?"

"Uh...no," Elphaba replied, happy the darkness hid the light blush on her cheeks. Meeting Glinda's gaze, her blue eyes seem to dance in amusement in the flickering light. "I was just...thinking of how beautiful you look."

"A girl does like to hear that." Glinda paused. "Anything in particular?"

"Considering how low that dress goes, I don't think it's a mystery," Elphaba retorted. Glinda batted her eyelashes.

"I can cover up if it's too...distracting," Glinda teased. Elphaba laughed.

"It is a bit. I also was thinking that they are bigger than I remember."

"That's because they are bigger." Glinda giggled. She arched her back a bit to emphasize the point. "Pregnancy has that effect."

"Ah yes." Elphaba paused. "Better cover up anyway or you'll get cold."

"Not if I cuddle you," Glinda replied and leaned into her. She did cover up, however.

"How very true, my sweet."

"And if you make me more hot cocoa."

Elphaba laughed but started preparing a new cup for her.

"Elphie," Glinda said as she took it, "I think we should do something for Lurlinemas this year."

"I don't think the Arjiki celebrate Lurlinemas, Glinda."

"Surely they must celebrate some winter solstice festival."

"That's likely but I don't know."

"I will ask Sarima." Glinda paused. "Either way, it's not about what you're celebrating but celebrating it with people. Life has been so hectic I can't think of the last time I sat down and celebrated something."

"Probably because we'd have been attacked if we did," Elphaba retorted. Glinda gave her a light smack on the arm. "But you're right. We should do something. I don't even remember what we did last year."

"Nor do I." Glinda sighed happily. "It will be good to relax and unwind."

"It will."

The two cuddled closer, sipping their cocoa and watching the stars.

"See," whispered Wynne, "showing some skin works."

"Which is why I offered the capelet," Sarima replied just as quietly.

The two women were huddled in a doorway. It was behind and across the hall so the two would not be seen. It had been Wynne's idea to follow the pair, but Sarima did not protest. Both women were quite interested in how the date was going to turn out.

"I think we can call it a success," Wynne continued.

"I quite agree. They both look like they are having a good time."

"I agree as well." came a voice from behind them.

The two women managed to surpress any sounds as they spun around in shock. Fiyero stood there, both eyebrows raised in judgement. Neither woman look bashful. Wynne shot a scowl at Sarima.

"I thought you said you told him to be scarce!" she whispered fiercely.

"I did!" protested Sarima. "But it is his castle."

"It is," Fiyero answered quietly. He shook his head, his dark locks bouncing. "But I had to see why I was being asked to be scarce. And now I know."

"And?" asked Wynne cautiously.

"And...I think it's best we leave them in peace."

"Well, you do that." Wynne made a shooing motion and turned around.

Sarima glanced at Fiyero before doing the same. The Crown Prince sighed. Reaching out, he caught both women by the back of their shirts and tugged.

"Come now," he repeated and continued pulling. "It is my castle."

"You're lucky it's your castle," protested Wynne as she was dragged away. Sarima said something particularly unladylike in the Vinkun trade language.

"Glinda." Elphaba whispered softly. "Wake up."

"Hmm." muttered the woman. Her blonde locks shook as she stirred. "I wasn't sleeping."

"You were snoring."

"I don't snore," she protested sleepily.

"Okay, you were breathing really loadly then."

"You have two little humans sitting on your lungs," she grumbled. Leaning up off of Elphaba, she gave a groan of effort. "Ugh. I'm a house."

"A pretty house at least," Elphaba replied. Glinda gave her a sleepy but stern look.

"Nice try."

"We better get you to your actual bed."

"Probably a good idea. Give me a hand."

Elphaba stood and offered her hands to Glinda. The woman leveraged herself up with a heavy sigh. She decided she did not like the smirk that appeared on Elphaba's face.

"Whatever snarky remark you have in your head, I'd advise against saying it."

"I was just thinking how you still look beautiful," Elphaba replied.

"Good, because you made me this way." Glinda looped her arm in Elphaba's. "Shall we?"

The walk back from the western hall was a much quieter affair than the walk to had been. Both women were drowsy and ready for bed. The fact Elphaba had to essentially walk back the way they came to get to her own was not one she cared to think about. Soon enough, they were at Glinda's door. The woman opened it slightly.

"Goodnight, Elphie. I enjoyed our evening."

"Goodnight, Glinda."

The shorter woman beckoned Elphaba to lean her head down. She did, assuming for another kiss on the cheek. To her surprise, Glinda planted a light kiss on her lips. The green woman savored the brief contact as the other turned and went into her room. Smiling as she turned around, Elphaba thought the trek back to her own room was not going to be as bad as she thought.