peace of mind
Galinda's used to stillness in the air when it comes to her roommate. Nothing but soft breathing, the flick of a page turning, the scratch of a nib against paper.
Whereas she is a roaring tornado of action, fluttering about with hangers of dressers, armfuls of luxurious gifts pressed upon her by adoring peers; Elphaba is a slinking shadow in the back of the room.
But this stillness is suffocating.
Galinda moves cautiously to the door, eyes burning with the image of Elphaba's tortured face. Never before has she seen such emotion contort those features, storming around Shiz as she does with her face impassive and smooth.
She is rather jealous of her silky smooth skin, despite its hue-
No. Not despite anything. Green is beautiful.
Torn between the problem at hand and the memory of Elphaba's blushing face in her mirror, glowing with the flower and eyes brimming with tears.
Beautiful.
"Elphie?" Galinda knocks twice. "Elphaba, you mustn't worry yourself on my account if that is the problem. I am tip top shape, I assure you!"
The air remains still and suffocating.
Galinda swallows, pressing her ear to the door. I do hope she forgives me invading her privacy...
"I hope your dream wasn't too horrible?" She tries, wincing at how weak her words are against this looming issue.
"Think!" She mutters harshly to herself under her breath, sliding down the door to sit with her back parallel with the wood. It's uncomfortable and for once she doesn't care.
Elphaba had reacted warmly to her touch at the Ozdust Ballroom, accepting her so quickly after the first layer of hesitation, and with a hint of starving desperation in her eyes that had her heart twinging painfully between her ribs.
In her time reflecting, thinking back to how she had used to openly tease the girl for everything, has her face paling with contempt.
It's not a familiar feeling, and one she's been grappling with ever since the first press of their knuckles.
"Elphie..." Galinda shivers at the night air, pulling her gown closely around herself. "May I come in? Whenever I am plagued with ill dreams, I go barrelling for the close comfort of my friends. And-"
She pauses. Considers.
"And since we are friends..." Galinda presses a perfectly manicured hand to the doorframe. If only she were better at sorcery she'd magick the door open most efficiently!
"...please let me in."
She waits, trying to be patient, a virtue she has never possessed in great quantities.
Eventually, there's sniffling, interspersed with muffled sounds of misery that has her stiffening where she sits.
"Elphie?"
"I'm fine, Galinda." Comes a hoarse but firm reply through the door. But she hears how it shakes on its way out of her mouth. "Go back to bed."
"No." Galinda says stubbornly. "Come out of there! I want to know you're alright-"
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not!"
"Oz, will you let me be?!"
"I'm worried about you!" Galinda shouts, and it's a sudden spike of volume that she regrets, but she's glad it's out. And that maybe Elphaba's lack of reply would signify her taking it to heart. Because she does mean it.
There's a small click as the door unlocks. Galinda stands up so fast she has a flash of dizziness, and has to steady herself on the wall.
Elphaba shuffles out, her emerald skin clearly pale and waxy even in the light tinged rosy. She clears her throat and stands up straighter, as if a rigid posture would do anything to hide the puffiness of her eyes.
"I'm sorry I disturbed you-" She begins, and Galinda rolls her eyes, striding forward.
"Come here." She says quietly, opening her arms. She gives Elphaba time to pull back, but she lets the shorter girl encircle her arms around her waist, tucking her head under her chin. She smells like books and woodsmoke and the polish she used earlier for her boots.
Elphaba is shaking around her, and Galinda tries to breathe deeper, calmer.
"I'm sorry I hurt you." It comes out high-pitched.
"You're okay. I'm absolutely fine, everything is fine."
A whimper, then green arms are wrapping around her tightly. It pushes some of the air out of Galinda's lungs, but she recovers quickly, heart aching as her newest friend cries.
"I'm here. I've got you."
Elphaba listens as she whispers assurances, splintering in her arms. Her anchor presses a little kiss to her shoulder, holds her together until tremors become little shudders, and her breathing evens out.
They stand swaying until their feet are cold,
and they move towards her bed.
There the two souls sit on the edge, fingers interwoven.
She's avoiding my eyes. Does she think me appalled at her distress? Galinda begins to hum a merry little tune that flits through her hometown every season or so, woven of moss stepping-stones and the cold water that runs down glass panes.
"Elphaba, look at me." The use of her full name startles Elphie into obeying, albeit reluctantly. "I'm not mad at you."
Elphaba rolls her eyes and shifts uncomfortably. "I know." But it doesn't sound sure.
"Do you want to tell me about your dream?" Galinda offers. "It may bring peace of mind."
"The usual." Elphaba huffs, bringing her legs up to rest her chin on them. She looks small like this, clad only in her white chemise that exposes wide expanses of dark skin. It's mesmerising, seeing her this vulnerable exposed in the sunset embers of their room.
Galinda tries her hand at patience again, sitting quietly and beginning her humming again. She amuses herself by toying with Elphaba's long, thin fingers.
Her roommate begins talking.
About spending her days as a blemish. An unsightly stain upon the wounded pride of her family tree. Of endless false accusations, broken belongings strewn about the house, the sharp slap that sends her careering towards floorboards.
Of peering round trees at circles of children, eyes stinging. They catch sight of her, and chase her through thornbushes, singing horrible songs that permeate her every waking moment.
Several times she stutters to a stop, overwhelmed at the mortifying sensation of peeling one's defenses back until nothing but raw heart lies beneath.
Galinda says nothing, only squeezes her tighter, smooths a hand through her hair, blonde curls tickling her skin.
When she's done, she is drained. Gone is the tension akin to an arrow drawn taut. The arrow has been loosed, and it has the most magnificent fletching.
"My dear Elphie." Galinda murmers after several minutes of deep, calm breathing. "How strong you are."