{MIW} There You Are

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

"There you are!" Zoe said, waving a hand and working her way through the crowds to find Devyn Solway. Zoe wasn't entirely sure what Devyn had been assigned to or volunteered to do. The school camera hanging around Zoe's neck gave her position away as surely as anything else would have. that and the fact that she also happened to wear a "photography club" button on her uniform top. She was already smiling as she approached her friend, however. "I haven't seen you in a while!" she said, bringing a hand up to try and brush back some hair. She paused and nodded. "How have you been?"

Zoe shifted then, moving around the people that were still moving around them. Most of them had already started to at least make room for the two of them, though Zoe couldn't say how long it would take before she got pegged to go take a picture or Devyn got pulled away for whatever she was doing. Then again, maybe Zoe could help with that? It was a possibility...

[Devyn Solway]

Hearing the familiar voice call out caused Devyn to pause, knowing that the owner of the voice had to be talking to her. Well, just from hearing the voice alone was not enough to really say that Zoe was talking to her, but the girl was waving her hand and heading over in Devyn's direction. Dev had not actually been assigned to anything; since she was not a part of any clubs, and she did not volunteer. She had merely just gotten caught up in the traffic of people trying to move in, help out, and whatever else was going on with the event.

She didn't even have any plans to help out unless one of her friends asked or Vera strongly recommended that she did. The latter did happen but Dev had managed to worm her way out of helping with a few kisses and pointing out that she had 'things' to take care of. "Hey, Zoe." Devyn spoke up, giving a wave back as she stood and waited for Zoe to get closer. She was currently wearing her workout outfits, a matching pair of black Nike shorts and a shirt, and her hair was cut shorter now compared to the last time she saw the other girl.

Zoe spoke of how she had not seen her in a while; there was a reason behind that, but Devyn of course didn't say anything and just gave a small smile at the other girl. It was nice to see her again but unlike the other friends Devyn had, she didn't really make it a point to pop up and bother Zoe like she did with the others. "Good, got a haircut. You?" Devyn responded as she gestured at her hair and then returned the question. Vera had been keeping her pretty much up to date with things involving Zoe, but it was like Dev really asked anymore.

Dev just let out a low growl when someone came a little to close and didn't seem to understand that she was not moving from where she was currently standing. Thankfully they just moved around her so her attention returned back to Zoe.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Yes, Devyn was definitely dressed for work and physical labor. Despite herself Zoe couldn't help but note the sort of relaxed sexiness that her friend so easily possessed. It almost made her wonder if she shouldn't be more concerned about how so very many of her friends happened to be quite attractive individuals. The thought fluttered away as Devyn greeted her with a small smile and a friendly comment.

"So I see, it looks nice on you!" Zoe said truthfully, gesturing toward her friend's hair and nodding slightly. She'd been about to continue when Devyn growled. "oh c'mon!" Zoe said, laughing a bit. "It's move-in week! There's going to be a lot of people and they're all going to be super nervous!" She waved at the person, smiling before walking a bit further out of at least the main stream of people, hoping that Devyn would follow suit.

"Things are actually going really well for me," Zoe said, nodding. "Today I'm taking pictures!" she held up the school camera. "Did you, um, want one?" After all, at one point Devyn had been Zoe's main model.

[Devyn Solway]

Devyn of course noticed how Zoe looked; she always did, and that was not going to be changing any time soon. She just tried to not think on it too much, recalling how Zoe had been particular about certain flirty comments the last time they talked. Devyn had not forgotten about what Zoe said and how the other girl decided to end things on a 'positive note. however; Devyn was trying to not think about that meeting too much either, in fact she was trying to not do really anything thinking at all that involved relationships or anything serious. Instead she decided to bring up her hair cut and was keep her mind busy with watching everyone around them.

"Thanks." Devyn said as she scratched at her head a little when Zoe pointed out that it looked nice on her. Devyn normally wore her hair short like this and honestly had only let it grow out as long as it did because Zoe had voiced how she liked it that way. There was no need to keep something to please the girl standing across from her and it really was becoming a bother so she did away with it. Zoe was then pointing out how it was move in week and how people were nervous. Devyn didn't know what they had to do with her since she was already moved in and was the opposite of nervous. "They got too close." Devyn mumble a little in her defense, even if Zoe was kind of right.

She needed to be nicer to the new people and it was not their fault that there were a lot of people around and thus making Devyn feel a little agitated. When Zoe moved, Devyn of course followed after her because it made no sense to stand there while Zoe walked off when they were still talking. The idea was tempting. Things were going good for Zoe, that was...good. "Good to know you still passionate about your uh...passion." Devyn responded. She shook her head then, ashamed at such a response but she had been sort of thinking about what she was going to eat when she got back to her room so was half paying attention.

"Sure, if you want to take one. Kind of sweaty right now, not everyone finds that attractive." Devyn responded with a small smirk. Dev did recall how Zoe did take a lot of photos of her, but it had been different then. She didn’t know, it really was not that big of a deal to have a photo taken, she was starting to think too much on things again.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe had to let out a slight laugh at Devyn's protest. She did have to admit that personal space had suddenly become a desperate commodity to seek out, but that didn't make what she had to say any more valid. She could almost see Devyn working things over, figuring it out. There was even that little response, which just had Zoe smiling warmly yet again.

"Of course I want to take a picture," Zoe replied. Her fingers had already started flying over the device, flicking switches and getting it ready to go. "It's a matter of remembering the event as it was, and catching people as they were," as if to prove that, Zoe raised her camera up, taking a quick snapshot of a passerby, who laughed as he noticed and waved at the photographer. Zoe waved back, already turning toward Devyn.

"Smile!" she said, readying things and bracing for the wanted expression to appear on her friend's face.

[Devyn Solway]

At least Zoe was getting a kick out of it, but of course the other girl would find it amusing considering she did know Devyn. It was because of all of these people that Devyn didn't offer to help out, but would if someone really wanted her help. She was strong and if something was still too heavy for her in this form, it helped to use her other form which allowed the weight to be spread out in a way. She still could not carry that much more then she would have been able to in her human form, but it still helped.

Zoe spoke of how she wanted to take a picture and how it was about remembering the events, and catching people basically when they were not aware of a photo begin taken. At least that was how Devyn interpreted it by Zoe suddenly taking a picture of a kid passing by them. She was so friend and Devyn could not help but to glare at the person who was smiling back and looking at Zoe. Dev just had to refocus and remind herself that Zoe was not hers and that meant she could not be all 'grr' towards people looking or dealing with Zoe. Well she could and she would, but she should not. "Photo away then." Devyn responded with a small shrug.

She had only ever really been into taking photos when she was a little kid, back when her dad was alive. All other photos were because others were taking them and she was not paying attention. So it was a little weird to be standing there and smile for the camera as Zoe was taking a picture. It reminded her of the item in the photo booth but she quickly pushed that thought out of her mind. "So other than the photo, did you need me for something?" Devyn asked, since Zoe had been looking for her.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe thought she almost felt the glaring from behind her, but she knew that with Devyn it was best to just take baby steps. She wasn't lunging at anyone and she wasn't growling, and that was enough for now. The crowds made people nervous; they made Zoe nervous, and it was no fair to act like that shouldn't be a thing. Devyn was trying, and Zoe was more than willing to acknowledge that.

She was also quite willing to take the picture as offered. She turned and actually managed to catch Devyn with that slight shrug, smiling around the lens. After all, that was hardly a pose that Devyn probably would've opted for, and the girl didn't exactly look ready for a photo. That was the point as far as Zoe was concerned. A smile and a slightly awkward pose followed and Zoe took one of that too.

"Hmm?" came out at Devyn's question, as the camera lowered enough so that Zoe could look at her friend. "Um, I wanted to see you? To see how things were going?" Zoe smiled and let out a slight shrug of her own. "We're friends, remember? Friends want to check in with people, see how everything's going." Especially if they were worried because said friend had... dark tendencies. Which Zoe guessed could be said about both of them, for that matter.

[Devyn Solway]

Dev was trying and it was important to note that it was true that at least she had not tackled anyone or warned them about getting close to Zoe. It was not her place, Zoe had her own life, did her own thing, and Dev just kept working on backing off. She was trying the same with Vera and while it proved a challenge, she was trying. It was just so hard to care about someone so much that you wanted to keep them safe from everything, but that lead to making them upset which was not what she wanted either. It was just hard to win sometimes, but she pushed those thoughts out of her mind as she focused on the whole photo thing.

Zoe had ended up getting a picture when she had not actually been ready, which was probably for the best. She didn't really know how to post and just kind of stood there and smiles a little. It was easier to pose when you were in a photo with another person or if she was allowed to be flirtatious. The latter was not allowed so she just kind of stood there and let Zoe work her photo magic. Zoe should have been able to capture a good image of her; at least that was what Devyn figured since she never saw a bad photo of herself that Zoe took. She wanted to see her and see how thing were going.

Oh, so nothing of importance or that she needed help with something. Well, Dev could not say it was not important to check in on your friends, because Devyn was all about checking on her friends and making sure to hang out with them from time to time. Zoe and she were still friends, even if Dev was still having a hard time just accepting it and trying to just be friends with the other girl. This had never worked too well with her exs and it still proved to be a challenge. "Ah...right. Well I'm alive, doing alright in classes, and thinking a lot." Devyn respond as she gave another small shrug, a hand sliding up into her hair and messing with it a little bit.

"So...everything good with you? I mean you said they were but anything worth mentioning? How are you feeling about this up coming school year?" Devyn asked. These were not really topics that she really talked about, but they were sage topics. She was tempted to ask what happened on Zoe's little girls day out with Vera but was not sure if that was a 'safe' topic.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

There was still that awkwardness there, and Zoe supposed it was foolish to suppose it would ever fully leave. She almost wanted to fling her arms around Devyn, to insist that it would all be okay and that she shouldn't worry about it or anything, or to insist that the girl would always have a place in her life. Hadn't that been what Devyn herself had said all that time ago? Back when they'd recently severed their romantic relationship? And now Zoe got little bits where Devyn simply mentioned classes and being alive, dangling a bit more before offering a question of her own.

"Well, it's like I said: things have been going quite well," Zoe said. She took a deep breath, letting it out and smiling as she did. She simply couldn't quite believe that she was in such a position to even be able to say that and mean each and every syllable of it. "I've got everything situated for my new position and all. Plus, things with Riley have been going quite well..." Zoe trailed off, chewing her cheek. Could she mention her girlfriend around Devyn? Surely by now that was okay, as they were both in happy, supportive relationships, right?

"You said you were thinking a lot?" Zoe tried, returning to that dangling part of Devyn's conversation. She tilted her head slightly. "About anything in particular...?" she couldn't help but be curious, curious and... hopeful.

[Devyn Solway]

The awkwardness was never going to filly go away, it was basically impossible considering Devyn's feelings and how they would never go away. She didn't get why Zoe seemed to be okay with all of this or how she could just forgetting things and move on. Dev could forget a lot, pretend like she was not effect, but when it came to love...she just didn't understand. She just had to remind herself that Zoe was like everyone else out there so she should not have expected her to be different. It was just a simple fact of life that she was just going to have to accept. Didn't make things any easier.

Zoe repeated that things were going pretty well, so yet again that was good to hear. True Devyn might of have mixed feelings towards the other girl but she could not outright hate her or wish he ill. It was just too hard to do something like that, even if there were parts of her that wanted to and likely did deep inside her mind. She wondered if it was the same for Zoe if the other girl truly could just be happy and not feeling any particular discontent with Devyn. There was the mention of the Riley girl which brought anger to Devyn for more than one reason and part of it was because of the name alone. "Mmm...good." Devyn responded.

Those few words were the best she could do without letting her feelings seep into her words. Less was better in this situation. Then Zoe was asking the question that Devyn didn't really want to answer, not with someone that she didn't think would want to hear what had been on her mind. "Just stuff, nothing that would matter to you." Devyn responded. At least she didn't think Zoe would hear to care about it because Devyn didn't care to hear about things involving who Zoe was with. "Nice day today." Devyn added then, trying for an innocent topic change.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe almost wanted to frown, as she thought she saw something shifting, just there, for a moment, flickering on Devyn's face. The poet opened her mouth to say something, to ask, but, well, she was already digging into something else, trying to get Devyn to talk, to open up to her again. She'd talked about this some with Vera, but, well, it didn't mean that Zoe didn't want to try every time she met with her friend.

Things. Stuff. Zoe actually sighed a little, unable to completely keep her frustration out of her voice. "I really wish you'd---" Zoe began, only to jump as someone interrupted them. Apparently a group of incoming sports team members, judging by their uniforms, were getting close enough to the girls. Their leader was a particularly butch looking girl who seemed to recognize both of them.

"Hey, aren't you that---these are the two DL chewed up! The Lesbian Pikachu and the Shadowwolf!" the girl said, turning to the rest of the team who were murmuring. "you two are awesome!"

Zoe's eyes went wide, not at all certain how to handle this and seriously considering running, especially as she was fairly certain that Devyn was going to start growling. Words were failing her too, and she knew that was definitely not a good thing.

[Devyn Solway]

Devyn really did feel bad for being this way towards a girl that he been her friend and then someone she came to love. It was just hard to not be effected by things of the past that would always come back to her mind whenever the other girl was around. She thought she would have been able to be friends with her before when Zoe was single and Zoe didn't want to be friends. Then she tried to be friends with Zoe when Zoe was dating Alice, and that didn't work out well either. Honestly, she didn't know what to do or how to just be the other girl's friend and just figured maybe it would have been best to let Zoe know that she could hang out with Vera.

She just felt there was no point in Zoe trying to be Dev's friend. Dev just could not see it working still and she blamed herself for it. Dev honest did want Zoe to just ask tings, to come out and say what was bothering her. She had pointed this out to the other girl the last time they talked and Zoe was the one who said she was not going to say everything that was on her mind and other stuff. Devyn didn't fully remember since she tended to keep Zoe out of her thoughts as often as she could. Then Zoe was saying something, that she wished something only to be cut off by people that were talking to them.

People that brought up their names on DL, but called them awesome. Devyn could not help but to raise a brow in confusion at first. Awesome in what way? She could not help but to feel a little curious but she highly doubted Zoe would want to or could handle those memories being brought back. "...thanks. Now run along before there is a problem." Devyn warned, keeping her mood in control since she was not outright mad yet. She didn't mind the name and she did recall Zoe owning up to it in a way with how she wanted the Pikachu Pokémon toy. Still, she did want to know what was awesome about them because...ego boost.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Yes, Zoe definitely should have said something first, especially as the lead girl almost looked about ready to throw a punch. "She doesn't like all the people!" Zoe said, moving forward and stepping between Devyn and the girl. "She's, um, very much a lone wolf and all."

That had the girl laughing and looking at both of them. Zoe could almost see the next words coming before they came out, and she preempted them: "We're just friends now. In fact,' she pulled herself up, "we're seeing other people."

"Oh really?" The girl asked, looking from Zoe to Devyn. There was a bit of doubt there, but another girl, a teammate a bit further back called out: "Can we take a picture with you guys anyway?"

Which had Zoe flushing, flushing and looking back at Devyn. After all, she didn't mind, and she doubted that Riley would, but Devyn...

[Devyn Solway]

Dev was in no mood to fight but she had no problem getting into a fight if someone was going to start something. She tensed to actually like to avoid fight and that was why she gave the warning, but it was not her fault if not everyone was smart enough to heed it. To let out a low growl then when the other girl looked like she was not pleased by Dev's words. Then Zoe was stepping in between them, which Devyn didn't like at all. Zoe was smaller than her and Dev was the one that did the protecting. It made her feel like her alpha status had just been challenge in a way; y Zoe of all people.

She tried to not let it get at her too much as her green eyes locked on the person that seemed like they were about ready to give them trouble. Zoe's words seemed to help out the situation, having a laugh be a result even. Dev didn't noticed the question that was about to come out, which was why she gave a confused look for a moment at why Zoe had felt the need to bring it up, but she figured it out. Not that she was still pleased at anything involving this situation at the moment. There was doubt there, which had Devyn letting out a deep sigh as she figured she should probably speak up.

"Yeah, really. She broke up with me a year ago and long sense moved on." Devyn spoke up, making it clear and known. Hopefully there would be no more questions or doubts on the matter. Then there was a question about wanting to get a photo with them. Why? Zoe was not saying no, she was blushing like Zoe did. "If she is fine with it, sure." Devyn said, leaving it to Zoe's choice. She was already feeling the odd feeling building up inside her but she ignored it and just kind of looked off in a direction while she let Zoe decide.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Leave it to Devyn to phrase it that way. Zoe was sorely tempted to point out that she'd broken up with the other girl because Devyn had cheated on her, but, well, there was no reason to get into that. There was definitely no reason to get into something like that with people who were nearly strangers. Plus, there was already the bit about figuring out the photo to figure out, and now that Zoe's blush was subsiding, she was realizing that Devyn had flipped that on her.

"Well, I certainly don't see--" and she hadn't even finished when suddenly the sports team, or at least several members, were letting out a whoop. Before Zoe could even finish getting startled, one had grabbed her camera and called out to a bystander. Shortly after that, the various teammates were asking the "Shadowwolf" and the "Pikachu" to get into position around them, putting them near the center.

"Sorry about all this," Zoe murmured as the various "fans" waved down that passerby and started debating poses around them. Zoe could really only gape in awe, wondering when public perception had shifted this much. Then again, she could remember being interrupted by a couple at her show. And there had been a lot of support during Tim's blogging. So... maybe?