[SB] wasn't trying to avoid her

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe really hoped that Devyn wasn't trying to avoid her. It did seem like it might be a possibility, given that she hadn't run into Devyn at the parties or any other recent social situation. She'd actually taken a break for the week, asking her show to be put off so she could enjoy herself. That had actually been more Alice's idea than Zoe's, though Zoe did have to admit that part of her wanted to see Mexico, though for reasons that didn't seem to quite mesh up with most of the other students. She was still going to have to try to explain to Alice how many tours they'd signed up for.

Now though, now they were on the boat, which meant no where to run and plenty of wide open spaces. It also meant alcohol, which most of the younger students seemed to be nearly abusing. There was a juice bar, and the more intelligent or more cautious students opted for that Zoe happened to be among their number.

And, apparently, so was someone else.

"Hello there stranger," Zoe said cheerily as she walked up to sit down next to Devyn, smiling. She gestured for the, well, she guessed bartender would be the accurate word, to get her a fruity pineapple drink, turning to smile at Devyn. "I'm surprised to see you out during the day, and drinking juice," Zoe leaned over to look at Devyn's own cup, wondering. She was tempted to make a comment about rough night or something, but that felt a little rude, and she had already teased, if only a little...

Devyn Solway

[Devyn Solway]

Devyn was not trying to avoid Zoe or anything like that. Was she not going out of her way to go places where Zoe would be? Yes, she had backed off from Zoe and her life even more since they had that talk in her room about...a lot of things. No longer was she watching from the shadows or checking in on how Zoe was doing. Nope, she had completely left the matter alone and figured that Zoe would come to her if she wanted to hang out. Devyn only had plans of seeing Zoe face to face when Zoe would have her show. Other than that, she figured she would text the other girl and maybe call her but it kind of slipped her mind.

Her mind had been busy since then, a lot of thoughts floating around in her head as she still debated with herself what school she was going to transfer to after the trip. She was completely distracted, staring down at the drink in front of her and only really picking up the overpowered sweet smell. so when she heard the voice directed at her, she startled a little that would have shown just by her body tending up for a moment. Dev relaxed a little when she recognized that it was Zoe who seemed to be in a nice and friendly mood. "Hey." Devyn said as she smiled back at Zoe. She chuckled a little at Zoe pointing out the whole being out now and drinking juice.

"I'm out during the day all the time. Just have to take breaks and get out of the sun every so often." Devyn said. Her hand ideally went to trace her finger along the rim of her glass several times. "As for the juice, I figured I give my organs a break from alcohol and nicotine for a little bit." Devyn admitted. She just had some orange juice, nothing fancy other than a few ice cubes if you counted that as fancy. "What about you? Not wanting to risk getting drunk?" Devyn asked, she lightly teased there but not by much. It would have been easier for her if she could have teased the way she was used to, but she was being careful.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

It felt good to see Devyn smiling and chuckling. It certainly felt and looked better than how Devyn had been the last time Zoe had seen her. She slid into place next to Devyn, smoothing down the light dress that she wore. Now that Zoe wasn't quite as afraid of touching people, she didn't have to wear heavy clothes or bits that covered her or what have you. It felt a little strange but, well, nearly everything about this situation felt a little strange.

Zoe flushed a little as Devyn countered her teasing comments. She swallowed the apology she could feel coming though, knowing that Devyn wouldn't want to hear it. Instead she ended up startling as Devyn asked her questions, with just a bit of teasing. The other girl probably didn't mean to reference prom, the one time that Zoe had gotten drunk around her, but that was precisely where Zoe's mind leapt, which of course caused her cheeks to color.

"I, uh, no," she managed. She looked up as someone appeared to take her order, and mumbled for something light, smoothing her skirt as she did. "I... do like juice," she said, fidgeting again. She chewed the inside of her cheek, as if she could work some further conversation out of it. "So, um, how have you been?" she asked, gesturing toward Devyn. "You, ah, look good. I mean, better than you were, not that you're not still attractive or anything..." though Zoe swore her tastes had changed now...

[Devyn Solway]

Devyn could not help but to smile, at least a little with Zoe being around. Sure it still hurt a little to be around a girl that she loved but the feelings were not returned. The feeling was not a new one, so she could sort of push it down and focus. Focus on the fact that Zoe looked beautiful; but she always did. Devyn easily noticed that Zoe was wearing lighter clothing, making it obvious that Zoe was a lot less worried about touching people. That fact that Zoe now seemed to come to accept and be herself with her power really made Devyn happy since it was something she wanted for the girl for the longest time.

Seeing Zoe flush again; well it just reminded Devyn how much she loved to see the change in coloring on the other girl’s face. Still, she was still going to be careful so she would not make things awkward and mess things up. Yes, she could be friends with someone but she was a bit on the playful and flirting side. Less so now, so perhaps she would not slip up or hopefully Zoe just didn’t take anything in that kind of way. “Indeed you do.” Devyn said, still smiling a little. She did recall how Zoe tended to ask for some kind of juice or water whenever they were having a meal or a snack.

Dev could not help but to smile a little more at Zoe sort of calling her still attractive. At least she knew that Zoe had not lied about her type and that just because Zoe didn’t love her anymore didn’t mean she thought Dev was ugly or anything. That made Dev feel a little better about feeling attracted to Zoe still, she was still safe at just being the other girl’s friend. “Uh…I guess I’m alright, little better than the last time you saw me. Made some new friends and have everything worked out for transferring…if I still decide to do that.” Devyn informed Zoe.

She sipped at her drink then, enjoying it but did slightly crave that alcohol aftertaste for it. Hopefully she had not become an alcoholic and now was feeling slight withdrawal. “How have you been? Your skin looks like it has been getting some more sun.” Devyn asked and then pointed out. Zoe was still pretty pale but it looked like she was at least getting some sun to kiss her skin.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe felt a little more relieved as the conversation continued to drift away from memories and compliments. Those were areas that Zoe still couldn't help but feel a little nervous about addressing, even if they were still sitting in the open where people could see them and all. Though thinking of that did make Zoe wonder if DL was going to say or do anything about it. Well, so what if they did? It wasn't like Zoe hadn't let Alice know what was going on, and Devyn could probably use the good press.

Definitely, if she was only a little better and still thinking of transferring. "I still don't think transferring is a good idea,' Zoe said, looking over as the boat employee placed her drink in front of her. "Though I have heard that the Canadian school is starting up again. I still think you'd regret it..."

She trailed off, knowing that she really shouldn't be bringing up that argument again, not here, not while they were supposed to be enjoying the trip and the weather and the boat. Devyn even seemed to be attempting to direct, or continue directing, the conversation away from the more loaded topics.

Zoe wrinkled her nose, "I am freckling up in places," she admitted, sounding a little forlorn about it, raising her arms to look. "All that time spent covering up seems to have made me quite susceptible to it," she reached and took a sip of her drink. Zoe chuckled as she finished. "Though I'm still British: my people have always been the sort to just sort of freckle and burn," she gave Devyn a smile and took another sip. "But yes: I've been, um, watching the water, a lot," she flushed, "and, ah, walking with Alice and... and some friends," another sip. "What about you?" Zoe turned to look to Devyn. "What have you been doing so far?"

[Devyn Solway]

Devyn was at the very least thinking about what she was going to say before she said it, which was actually pretty hard. It also made things feel awkward since there would be a pause before Devyn would answer something right away. It basically just came down to that she could not be herself around Zoe, not yet, and who knew if she ever could. She didn't want to mess up at least their attempt at being friends right off the bat, so just had to be at least a little not like herself. If that made sense.

They were in a very public place too and Zoe had been the one to approach her, so again she felt like this was an okay encounter to have. Devyn didn't say anything at Zoe's words about not transferring. Everyone seemed to think that she should not but she still didn't feel like they really understood why she wanted to leave the school. She was not going to argue about it with Zoe, there was no point since they had the discussion before. "I was more so thinking Sir Henry Barnet Academy, since I hear that’s a place where they like exercise and a lot of outdoor stuff. Or even The Ishvaras Development Center since they encourage kids to use their power." Devyn revealed her two top picks for schools to transfer to.

"If I don't transfer by choice I hear talk about me being sent to La Delgadillo Academia if I keep pushing things." Devyn said, chuckling a little. She heard that places was where they sent mutants that could not be handle so it seemed like a place she end up. She did wonder what it would be like, a mutant prison, perhaps? Still, she didn't want to argue about the whole transfer thing, so tried to get the conversation going in a different direction. Devyn almost repeated the word 'places' back in a hinted manner but she bit her tongue before just chuckling a little at Zoe's words about just burning and getting freckles.

Devyn was going to suggest putting on more sunscreen, but she was not even sure if saying that would be fine because she probably end up having a hinted tone to it as well. Alice's name was brought up, but Devyn was already looking down at her drink, running her pointer finger along the rim of the glass silently. This might not be a good idea after all. Devyn thought to herself for a moment, still playing with her glass as Zoe asked her question. There were a few things that she could tell Zoe, but some that she was not going to for obvious reasons. "On the boat? Nothing much. Just sticking to my room most of the hours and talking to a few friends here and there." Devyn answered.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Sir Henry Barnet Academy... Zoe had to stop and think, recalling the various schools that had visited during IMAC. She'd taken photographs of every one of the teams, so she had some contact with them, at least enough to match names with locations. Sir Henry... that was the Australian school. It did sound like a good fit, unlike the Ishvaras Development Center, though Devyn already knew that.

It was quite head-spinning, all the different schools and thinking about it. So many schools, and yet mutants were just barely public knowledge. People had been so shocked to even hear about the possibilities, to read hints about people like Zoe. She could still recall the Lesbian Pikachu business all too well.

Though fortunately, they did have lighter topics to discuss. Zoe couldn't help but give Devyn a slightly worried smile. "There's quite a lot to do, even things that you enjoy," she pointed out. Zoe paused to think, moving to extend her gloveless hands out to tick off: "There's, ah, the pool. And an exercise room. And several bars. And I'd wager there's, um," Zoe had to flush at this, her freckles seeming to stand out further. Still, she pushed forward: "There's always, ah, flirting with other students." Another pause, during which Zoe got quite interested in her drink. "I, ah, heard that, um, Cade, Cade Atkinson is, ah, quite interested," and sip that drink.

[Devyn Solway]

Devyn didn’t see the worried smile; she was too focused on her drink. Watching as her own pointer finger trail ever so lightly along the rim of the glass. She was pleased that she was not causing it to make any noise and part of her enjoyed how it felt on the tip of her finger. Zoe brought up how there was a lot of things that Devyn could so, things that Devyn would enjoy. Devyn already knew that, she just had not been really in the mood for any of it. Most of the day she stayed in her room, went out to get food, and hit the exercise room.

Then at night she would find a place alone on the deck and just stare out at the sea and night sky. It was not a lot and not what she normally got herself into, but it was what she had been doing a lot recently. She was not upset over her lack of doing things; she was just…content in a way. “I have not been really in the mood for any of that.” Devyn admitted. She turned to give Zoe a small smile before turning back to look at her glass. She didn’t want Zoe to worry or think that she was depressed or anything.

The latter might have been true but that was nothing new and she honestly didn’t feel as bad as she used to. It was just another process to go through was all, right? Then Zoe was bringing up Cade, which didn’t really make Devyn feel better. “I know. He already told me he liked me. I told him I just wanted to be friends.” Devyn replied. She figured there was no harm in telling Zoe such a thing. Not like Devyn had done anything bad or mean, she just wanted to be just friends with people for the moment. Anymore was just…not desired.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

"Oh, that's okay too. It's good to just sort of lay around and relax. I've spent most of my time staring at the ocean," Zoe flushed a little as she said that. Alice had teased her about it, though in that loving way that Alice usually teased her. Zoe took another sip, trying not to look at Devyn and still trying to read her old friend and see what was going on there.

Already knew. Well, that was good and---and she effectively friend-zoned him. "Well, if you don't feel it, there's no need to force it," she said, shrugging. She looked away for a moment, trying to think if there was anything she could say or add to it. She barely knew Cade, and he had seemed sort of nice and at least interested.

Should she ask if there was anyone else Devyn was interested in? Maybe Vera? no, no, bringing up Vera would definitely be a bad idea. Zoe took another sip of her drink. "So, um, is there anything you're looking forward to? On the trip, I mean," she offered, flushing again. Well, it was something, though the abrupt subject change may be noticeable. She didn't want to make Devyn uncomfortable though. Or, well, more uncomfortable, she guessed.

[Devyn Solway]

Devyn smiled at Zoe's words about how she spent a lot of her time just looking at the ocean and how it was okay to just lay around and relax. That was what Devyn had been trying to do, to calm the tension she felt in her body and just taking a step back from it all. It allowed her to look at things at least a little less on the bias side of things. "Sounds like you. Enjoying the view, probably taking a few photos, and coming up with some poems to go with it. Am I right?" Devyn asked as she looked to Zoe and gave the other girl a warm smile for a moment.

She picked up her juice then, drinking what remained in it as Zoe brought up that if she was not feeling it, there was no point in forcing it. There was another pang in her chest, but she just kept her glass to her mouth so she would not say anything. Letting the thought pass across her mind before it fell back among the other thoughts Devyn tried to keep buried. Devyn was already trying to think of what to say to get the topic changed again. She didn't want to talk about any kind of relationship other than the simple one; friendship.

This topic was especially something that she didn't want to talk about with Zoe of all people. Not with how things had ended, no. Devyn was thankful for the subject change, but didn't really have an answer to give Zoe. She was looking forward to the trip being over and then going back to pack up and leave. At least that was what she had been looking forward to, but too many complaints against it and she was stuck back to thinking about the decision.

"Not really. What about you?" Devyn turned the question back to Zoe. Devyn still didn't want to talk about herself, talking about Zoe would be better. Well, it would be better so long as Zoe didn't bring up her relationship with Alice or anything with Alice's name leaving her lips.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe smiled and nodded as Devyn more or less outlined precisely what Zoe had been doing with things. It was nice to hear that Devyn hadn't forgotten at least that much about her, though it did make Zoe feel strangely guilty. Still, she'd needed the separation, especially given how Devyn had been acting just after their breakup.

Though Zoe had to remind herself not to bring that up, not to mention attempting to avoid mentioning Alice at all. Which was going to be quite difficult, as Devyn effortlessly dismissed Zoe's attempt at changing the conversation and instead turned it back on her. Zoe took another drink, trying to figure out how to phrase it without hurting Deyvn's feelings.

"I..." she began, tapping her glass, "I'm planning on seeing some of the sights," she said, nodding. Yes, that would definitely work. It was the plan, after all. "There are some interesting locales near where we're docking, including some absolutely splendid ruins that I cannot wait to explore with--with people," she finished the last lamely, moving to take another sip. "I'm surprised that you aren't, um, thinking about the night life or anything. I hear that there's going to be quite a few outings when we finally dock."

There, try to move the conversation back on Devyn. Not that Zoe actually expected it to work, but she couldn't help but try.

[Devyn Solway]

Of course Devyn still remembered things about Zoe; she didn't really forget that kind of information about a person. Especially when she had grown to love that person and had wanted to be the person for them. Yet, the past was in the past and Devyn was working on keeping it there which was getting easier by the day but it was still a challenge. She knew it was not going to be easy, it never was and even this was kind of new. Yes, she had been friends with people she dated after and even with the ones she loved but not when they were going out with someone.

She got jealous easily and it was just...not smart. Yet, Devyn was giving it a try. She needed to try new things and get better so that was the goal she had set for herself. Devyn really didn't have an actual answer for Zoe, so she had to turn it back on the girl. She listened as Zoe talked about what she planned and as always it was cute to hear and see how excited Zoe was over things that just seemed so simple or regular. Well, at least to Devyn. She had never been to Mexico before, but to her every place was the same other than how more people spoke a certain language and the weather tended to be a certain way.

"Sounds like a lot of fun. You sure you brought enough film or are you going to try digital for this trip?" Devyn asked. She was honestly curious. Zoe did have a skill with her photos and well if Zoe displayed the photos then Devyn felt less inclined to go out and explore it herself. Unless there was some woods like she went hunting with her father nearby, she pretty much planned to stay on the boat and keep the her current routine. Zoe was then turning things back on Devyn, it obviously going to be something that Devyn was just going to have to work with in order for the two of them to keep talking it seemed.

"I'm not really in the mood for much. Planning on staying on the boat most of the trip. Might go and get like a few survive and hang out somewhere alone on land, but nothing big." Devyn said as she gave a small shrug. She really didn't have anything in mind, just hanging out and chatting with a few people here and there if she ran into them. "You are still going to have your show, right? You were just putting it on hold for the trip?" Devyn then asked, it was back on Zoe but it was an important question. She planned to go, probably when it was closed and no one was around, but she still planned to go.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe smiled a bit as Devyn asked about the film. "Well, I have the digital camera now, so I'm saving the other for only special circumstances," she'd also nearly lost her precious film camera already, so she definitely didn't want to put it at risk again. Though that was certainly not something that she wanted to share with Devyn: keep only to happy bits of conversation.

Though it seemed as though Devyn was still attempting to stay somewhat miserable. Zoe nearly sighed at that, though she felt she should answer Devyn's question first. "Well, the show started a while ago: it's going to run through most of the month, after all," Zoe offered. "So it will still be there when we get back."

Zoe hesitated for another moment, then pushed off the bar. "Well, if you're not going to go and do things on your own, I guess I'll just have to force you," she said. Zoe nodded, then moved to tug at Devyn's shirt. "Come on, there's a beautiful view at the back of the ship that I'm sure you'll enjoy seeing."

And yes, it was something that Zoe liked but, well, she had to try and shake Devyn a little more out of this funk. It just wasn't right. Wasn't... natural.

[Devyn Solway]

Devyn let out a fake gasp when Zoe did confirm that she now had a digital camera. “Zoe? Owns a digital camera now? Soon you are going to tell me that you are printing out your photos instead of developing them.” Devyn said, just teasing of course. She did expect Zoe to be the one to print even her own digital ones and she doubted Zoe would ever stop using her old school camera. In any case, Devyn was pretty sure that Zoe was going to be able to produce a good photo with or without a digital camera.

It would be interesting to see images with color; unless Zoe even made sure the digital ones were in black and white. Hopefully there would be some color photos at Zoe’s show, which thankfully would still be going on when they got back to the school. “Alright, I’ll be sure to check it out before it ends then.” Devyn said as she gave a small nod. She honestly was not trying to stay miserable, she was just thinking and figuring things out. That didn’t leave a lot of room for going off and doing what she used to do nor had fun doing. Dev just wanted to work things out first so that in the end she would feel like she made the right call.

After a moment, Zoe was pushing away from the bar, and Devyn figured that they were going to be saying their goodbyes. Instead, Zoe brought up how she was just going to have to force Devyn to do something and was reaching out to grab her shirt. It should have been a surprise that Devyn’s mind didn’t actually go to the gutter for once at such words or actions. Instead she was more so amused at how Zoe was shoeing a lot of spine. “Force, huh? Guess I have no choice.” Devyn said, teasing a little as she could not help but to chuckle.

It was just still hard to picture anyone making Devyn do anything that she didn’t want to do, but a view didn’t sound like it would be bad. So she went with the tugging, moving to walk with Zoe towards the back of the ship to get this apparently beautiful view. Devyn figured she should have said more, but she really still didn’t know what to talk about; didn’t know what was ‘safe’. So she didn’t say anything, ideally playing with her keys on her chain necklace after adjusting her shades.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe let out a slightly nervous chuckle as Devyn teased her about the camera. "Well, um, it was from the money from the internet," she mumbled, flushing at it. The whole experience still embarrassed her, even though she had already volunteered to go and do another round with Tim, this time for the interview project he was planning on putting together. At least then she'd just be a voice among many.

Devyn would likely find out about that in time. Though surely she also didn't think that her little promises would be enough. Zoe was already prodding. She gave Devyn a semi-serious look at the other girl teased her lightly. Zoe raised a finger as a sort of soft admonishment before heading off.

"There's just so much to see! And just on the ship!" Zoe insisted, heading forward, pausing only to make sure Devyn was following before continuing to walk. "There are truly beautiful sights all over the ship! I really do think you'll like this one and, um," Zoe paused for a moment, trying to think of another plan. She already knew that she was so hyping this up to be far more than it actually was, but, well, she wanted Devyn to move, to start getting about, to do something that she really didn't see as though she had any other choice.