dates usually involved only two people

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe saw the smile and actually flushed a little. Yes, she was doing alright with the game, arguably better than alright. The more she played, the more convinced she was that she'd actually played the game before. She didn't tell Devyn that, instead enjoying the thought that Devyn thought her some kind of natural master at the game. She certainly fared alright, though Zoe thought that the game was probably set for children to master.

When Devyn confirmed what Zoe hoped, she couldn't help but giggle a little, shaking her head. She didn't think of herself as a master at it or anything, despite the hope that Devyn thought as much. Instead, she went along with the lap, taking first place. She widened that position further still by again using her shortcut, moving the moth creature along till she got first place. Cheers went up and Zoe got to watch her little avatar pull to a stop, flittering about in the air and dropping more magical dust in celebration.

"I just got lucky," she insisted, leaning back, stretching a little and waiting for Devyn to pass the finish line as well. it shouldn't take all that long, considering that Zoe had made certain to keep Devyn more or less alongside her the whole game, well, after that initial sprint, anyway.

[Devyn Solway]

The game was clearly set for children, but they were older kids and sometimes it was the easy games that were the ones that were hard to beat. In some small cases, at least for Devyn. Yet after Zoe's help she was doing pretty good and able to stay behind Zoe and even hit some of the fairy dust herself to make sure that she kept up with Zoe. A little giggle and Zoe shaking her head no to Devyn's words about Zoe being a master at the game. Zoe was so humble at times, unless it was a comment about how she was cute. Even then, Zoe never actually came of as vane in Devyn's opinion. She still wished her girlfriend had a little more spine that she would speak her mind, and that Devyn would not have to worry about the wind blowing to hard and breaking her girlfriend or something like that. Zoe had a very powerful and considerably dangerous power, you think that it would have in a way given her some sort of confidence.

Zoe took first place which caused Devyn to end up in third as the previous rider that was in first was not pushed back by Zoe speed. They were actually a little bit of a challenge to get around. Even more so as the rider behind Devyn was trying to pass her as well. Zoe crossed the finish line, having won first place outright and her mouth even doing a little dance or something Devyn could see out of the corner of her eyes. Devyn managing to pull in third, having been so close to getting second but the other mounts head crossed the finish line before Devyn's could. Devyn mount breathing out fire when it cross the finished line but it was not big celebration since it was only third place after all. Still it had been...fun in a way and Devyn did not outright regret having played the game with Zoe. She shook her head and let out a sigh as she moved to get off the mount.

"Just lucky huh?" Devyn asked, giving Zoe a look, wondering a little why Zoe would just push things off to just luck. "Had to be more then luck Zoe, you helped me even get third place." Devyn pointed out as she stretched out her legs mostly that were giving a small fuss about how she had been sitting. She gave a quick look around the place before her eyes landed on Zoe and she sort of just stared at her girlfriend for a moment. "Why did you help me out by the way?" Devyn asked, wanting to know because she wanted to be sure if the reasoning was the same as what she was thinking.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

They finished and the screen cheered, clearly loving them both for doing so well. They were made an offer to continue playing at a very discounted rate of just one token each, but Zoe didn't want to torture her girlfriend. Though she couldn't help but get the feeling that Devyn ended up enjoying herself now, judging by the look Devyn gave her. Of course, that look was accompanied by words, insisting that Zoe's position had more to do with luck, pointing out that Devyn had helped. Zoe shrugged a little.

"It's just a game," she insisted, staring at the screen, which would remain flashing until they confirmed or denied continual play. Zoe stared at the flashing lights and dancing moth, taking in the tableau of colors and magic, while Devyn asked her question. Zoe blinked then, turning to look at Devyn, her brow furrowed slightly.

"Why wouldn't I?" she asked, obviously meaning it. she blinked and looked at the game. "We were playing together and all, so, well, I figured that we should be... playing together," she shrugged again at the lame finish before staring at the screen. She nodded at it. "I should probably tell it we don't want to play anymore, right? The lights probably hurt your eyes after all."

At least, Zoe assumed so, seeing as Devyn was photophobic in general, let along with something like... this.

[Devyn Solway]

Devyn caught the offer that they could play again for just a small amount of token and she paid it no mind. She just hoped Zoe would do the same. There was no way that she was going to want to play it again. Sure she managed to enjoy herself with it, but it was one of those 'one time things'. That was all she wanted to do anyways, one game of that and really just get out of here. She was still feeling the need to just go back to her room and lay down or something. Maybe look at a magazine or two or work on some homework she had put off. After having gotten all of her stretches out she moved to slide her hands into her pockets and looked at Zoe. Zoe just dismissing Devyn pointing out that Zoe had done good and helped out Devyn in the game. "Might have been just a game but you clearly enjoyed yourself." Devyn pointed out since Zoe seemed ready to just dismiss it of like it was all no big deal. It was not, but it sort of was in a small way.

The screen was flashing and Devyn turned in such a way so she would not have to deal with seeing it in her side vision. Zoe blinked and looked almost confused at Devyn question, complete with a furrowed brow. Zoe didn't answer the question and just asked a question back. Not really helping Devyn figure out why Zoe actually did it since well a question didn't give her anything to go off of. Zoe did seem to start explaining it, not that Devyn was actually getting it. They were playing together but that did not actually mean they had to be together in the fame. They were sitting right next to each other while playing it, how much closer did they have to be? "I'm not really sure I understand." Devyn said as she just looked at Zoe, confused herself now. Zoe was moving on it seemed as she said that she probably should tell the game no that they were not going to play it anymore.

"Yeah, the shades are helping." Devyn responded back as she moved away from the game either way and waited for Zoe a little bit away. Still keeping her eyes on Zoe to make sure Zoe was okay. Rocking back on her feet a little for a moment as she still had that antsy feeling.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe lowered her head and smiled as Devyn pointed out that she'd enjoyed it. This had been true, quite true, in fact. She just didn't want to rub it in, given that Devyn hadn't really enjoyed it as much. Zoe wanted them to enjoy doing things together, especially when those things involved, well, dates like this one. So far this had actually been immensely fun for Zoe all around, with only a small bit where things had gotten weird.

The question had been answered, but Devyn seemed almost puzzled by the answer. Zoe shrugged again, not sure how she could better explain it other than: "It's more fun to play together, even in the game," which was all she said in that regard. She looked back up at the game, moving to cancel them out of it. Maybe they'd be able to come back and try again. Or maybe Zoe and Devyn could try playing games on one of the televisions in the student lounge. Zoe had seen that a time or two, mostly when she walked by, so she figured that it was available for everyone.

For now, she dismounted, adjusting skirt and clothing to get everything in position. She bent down to scoop up her bag, sliding her arm through the hole. It had clearly been meant mostly for children, but Zoe being as thin as she was didn't have any issue with sliding her arm through, getting it to dangle and all. She nodded then, looking up at her girlfriend and smiling, "Then we should probably stop playing. Wouldn't want you to be sick or anything,' she said, nodding. She moved, tentatively reaching for Devyn's arm, as if afraid to touch or something. It was just to put their arms through one another and walk to the food court, but, well, this was Zoe, shyness was pretty much part of it all.

[Devyn Solway]

Zoe lowed her head and was smiling, but she didn't say anything about if what Devyn said was true or not. Not that Devyn needed words since she was one hundred percent sure that Zoe had enjoyed the game a lot. It had been written all over Zoe's places as they were playing the game and Devyn could just feel that Zoe probably would have wanted to play again if Devyn was not really good with bright flashing lights. One of the times Devyn was thankful for a side effect to her ability. She did want to have fun with Zoe and play games that Zoe liked; just that game was pushing it for Devyn. It was meant for kids and it had been pretty clear that Devyn liked more mature things, there was also the fact that it was bright lights and what not to which Devyn was not good with.

Zoe gave another explanation, but Devyn was still not really getting it. Did that mean they could not play like any fighting games, because they would be fighting against one another? Devyn could not really think of too many games where if you were playing with others that you were working with one another. Sure there were games out there that you did work together, but she just could not think of any at the moment was all. Either way, Devyn could always at least try games with Zoe. All Zoe had to do was ask, speak up, and just say something. That was pretty much all Devyn wanted in a way, she was forward and made it clear what she wanted at least in most cases and just whished others would do the same. Devyn waited silently and watched Zoe get off and gather up her things. She was just...so tiny. Well not like super tiny because Devyn actually did have a height limit to a certain degree, sort of. Devyn's taste was complicated and there were just so many factors that could cancel out another.

"Thanks, I hate to end up sick." Devyn said giving a small chuckle and still watched as Zoe walked over. This time Zoe not going for hands but instead linking arms, which Devyn was fine with and went right along with it. Walking with Zoe over to the food court, not actually finding herself hungry because emotions seemed to ruin her apatite, yet she had a feeling if she did not eat something Zoe might make a fuss out of it. Then again Zoe was a small eater so she had an idea. "You order whatever it is you want and we can share. Can even do the whole two straws to on drink thing." Devyn pointed out sort of teasing and sort of suggesting the idea. Not sure if Zoe would like it or not.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe adjusted everything once more, nodding to Devyn. The thanks was simply greeted by a beaming smile, along with a little squeeze of the arm. Soon the two of them were heading out of the arcade, with Zoe turning to wave her fingers at the attendant, nodding toward her. Zoe didn't mean it to be a possessive gesture or anything along those lines; she'd simply meant to be nice. the girl, however, saw the girl she'd just been flirting with heading out with another girl. There might have been a glare there, which had Zoe wondering for a moment.

Not for long though, as they veered toward the food court, with Zoe looking around. as she did, she caught sight of her personal shadow, who gave the two of them condescending looks, obviously hinting that they were just "so" adorable. Zoe ignored her, instead focusing on trying to find a good place for them to settle in and get something to drink.

"You should pick," she said, looking at Devyn, "since I picked the last game we played and all,' she nodded, clearly thinking this was a fair trade. It didn't stop her from looking around though, seeing the usuals: Orange Julius, Sbarro, Taco Bell, a random Chinese place, a burger joint, and a few Montana local stores (of course there had to be something that promised health food, this being, well, Montana and all).

[Devyn Solway]

That beaming smile of Zoe was always cute and Devyn found it interesting that even if they were not holding hands that Zoe still gave her a squeeze. Instead of her hand it was her arm of course since that was what Zoe had a hold of. Devyn did wonder for a moment what the whole squeezing things was about. Yes she did it herself and she been in relationships where people did it to her as well, but she never actually thought about why she or anyone else did it. In all honestly she only did it because someone would do it to her first and she figured she was supposed to do it back. Zoe was waving or something to the attendant and Devyn short of just wanted to duck behind Zoe to hide. Zoe was shorter than her however and it would have been obvious if Devyn did try to hide behind Zoe. There was a glare even.

Well shoot, there goes any chance of that. Devyn thought, not having lost all faith or anything in the matter since she was still confident in her skills to pick someone up even if they caught her well more or less with someone else. It was an open relationship. They made it into the food court without any incident however so everything was more or less alright. Devyn caught the look from their watcher since she too was looking around to check everything out. She let out a small growl but Zoe was not paying the woman any mind and moved along so Devyn followed without a word. Even if she was still thinking angry thoughts and wondering how she could get back at the woman. Zoe said she should pick so Devyn looked through their choices and of course was set on getting something from the burger joint. She loved her meat after all and did eat healthy, but sometimes she liked to dive into the stuff that was less than good for you.

"Alright, then I pick that burger joint over there. Going to get us a burger and then cut it in half for us to share. Unless you want me to get a hot dog or something and we eat from both ends until we meet in the middle." Devyn pointed out, wondering if that was romantic at all. Probably not since it was meat that they were eating and not some Italian food that seemed to always be matched with romantic things. "You grab a seat for us and I'll go get the food. Nothing that you are allergic too right?" Devyn asked, wanting to make sure and was more so surprised at herself that she had not figured to ask this yet with her whole desire to cook for Zoe on occasions and what not.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Of course Devyn would pick the burger place. Zoe should've figured as much, though she certainly wasn't going to hold it against her. If her ability involved transforming into a carnivore, then Zoe might be a good deal more inclined toward consuming massive quantities of meat as well. She smiled and nodded as Devyn insisted on getting a burger and sharing it. Zoe was tempted to point out that she probably wouldn't even eat a half a burger, but she didn't think there was much point in arguing. Devyn would inevitably say something about how Zoe needed more meat on her bones, and Zoe simply didn't want to rehash that old argument.

"I don't think hot dogs are all that romantic," she told Devyn though, figuring that she should at least quash some ideas. She nodded to getting a seat, shook her head with regards to food allergies, and made her way to an empty table. Zoe took some napkins and dusted the table off, determined to get as clean a place to sit as she could possibly manage. She could feel the eyes of her watcher upon her back, but Zoe didn't even so much as turn, simply taking it in stride.

She loosened the bag and set it down on the table, pushing it a little away from where the two chairs sat. Zoe scooted both to get into the perfect position and then entertained herself by looking through her bag of goodies. The little stuffed Pikachu looked well and truly adorable, and the photos turned out better than expected. Zoe first played with the toy though, humming a little and adjusting it, wondering if she should name it as well...

[Devyn Solway]

"I didn't think so either." Devyn said with a small chuckle to Zoe confirming Devyn’s thought that sharing a hot dog together was not romantic. She really needed to read one of those romantic novels or something one of these days. Or not and just have everything be a whole trial and error sort of thing. She liked the last idea best because it avoided her having to read and she did not really enjoy reading. Sure she could watch a movie that might actually work. So long as it was not overly predictable or full of people crying and just being weak. Devyn did like people to have a bit of a backbone, so understood at least why she have the moment of absolute desire for Zoe. Zoe would surprise her and show a little bit of spine when she would hold her ground or say certain things.

"I'll be right back then." Devyn said as she slipped her arm out of Zoe's hold and headed over to the burger joint to order them one of the smaller burgers. She figured Zoe would not eat much and she was not really in the mood to eat, so there was no point in getting anything big. She got them both their own drinks as well, not sure how Zoe would feel about sharing the same drink with Devyn. She got water for Zoe and lemonade for herself, of course they could easily swamp. Devyn would have gotten them the same thing, but she could not pick between which of the two she wanted so just got one of each and would let Zoe pick which one she wanted. Paying for the meal that came with a small fry and waited for it to be cooked. Fighting her urge to flirt with the cute guy that she had given her money too.

She pulled it off in the end and was able to just bite her lip and look over at Zoe to help keep her focus. She picked up the bag and held onto their drinks, heading to where Zoe was sitting. She chuckled a little seeing that Zoe was playing with her toy they had won for her and even humming a little. "You so cute and little bit like a kid." Devyn said, meaning it in mostly a good way of course. Setting down the bag and the two drinks as she took her seat. "Pick which drink you want. One is water and the other is lemonade." Devyn said, even if the bottle were clearly labeled as such. Devyn working on pulling the burger out and cutting it in half with a plastic fork and laying everything out all nice and orderly like. Staring at the food for a moment, not really ready to just dig in as her mind wondered for a little bit.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe looked up as Devyn approached, smiling at her. Zoe lowered her eyes, that smile turning sheepish, as Devyn teased her about the playing. she set the toy aside, but dug about in the bag for a bit. She paused when Devyn extended the drinks though, reaching for the water, figuring that she should go for that instead of the lemonade (besides, unless it happened to be pink, Zoe wasn't that into lemonade). She took  sip of the water before setting it aside, digging into the bag while Devyn adjusted the burger and such.

"I got you something too," she said, sounding far too pleased with herself. She extracted the photos then. First she held up her set, placing that beside the Pikachu before holding up another set. This one she held for Devyn a few moments before setting it down on the table that she knew was fairly clean (having wiped it down herself), and then slid it over to her girlfriend nodding. "I went ahead and paid for an extra set. I figured you should have one too, because, well, it was our date and all,' she fidgeted, feeling a bit silly about the whole thing now.

to try and cover up her discomfort, Zoe tugged at her gloves. Only when she had them removed did she reach for the smaller burger half, lifting it up and bringing it to rest in front of her, nestled in a napkin. She gave it a pat before reaching for the silverware, preparing to cut a piece and use a fork to get it into her mouth and properly consume it.

[Devyn Solway]

Zoe was reaching for something in her bag that had Devyn wondering if something else might have been sneaky placed in the bag like the number had. Devyn just hoped that it was not another number or some sort of extra gift from the woman she had been flirting with at the game station. That would just send things back into their awkward phase again. Zoe picked the water so Devyn settled for the normal lemonade, not knowing that Zoe was not actually a fan of lemonade unless it was pink. Devyn really needed to start asking Zoe more questions about things she liked and didn't like. Get a better understanding for Zoe, well more then what she already knew about Zoe. She knew a lot, but there always stilled seemed like small things that Devyn missed or was not paying a good amount of attention too.

"Something for me?" Devyn asked in confusion, wondering how long she was gone that Zoe was able to go off and get something. Plus there was the fact that she had been watching Zoe and did not see her actually get up and leave. Zoe then started to produce photos, placing one beside her Pikachu and then holding out another for Devyn. Right! They had taken photos at the photo booth, but Devyn figured it only gave you one set of images. Zoe cleared up the confusion pretty quickly by letting Devyn know that she paid for the extra set. Sliding the photo set across the table and over toward Devyn’s before going to eat. "Thanks Zoe." Devyn said with a warm smile as she picked up the photo, looking at them for a moment. Keeping the memory in her head and then going to put the photo in her front pocket. Thankfully this pair had nice deep pockets so she did not have to worry about the photo being bent or anything.

Devyn reached for her burger then and went right to eating it after Zoe claimed her own, even taking some fries. Having looked at the photo had gotten back some of her desire to eat. Devyn was going to chow down pretty quick; but got distracted, with how Zoe was eating. Her mouth hung open after she swallowed her bite. "Zoe...really?" Devyn asked in sort of disbelief, feeling like Zoe had to be just playing around because a burger with silverware. "You are not eating that burger like that." Devyn said giving a Zoe a look of disbelief.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe nodded eagerly while Devyn asked what she had, more than pleased to have produced the photographs. Devyn only said thanks in response, but that smile made it more than worth it. Zoe was tempted to point out that she loved it when Devyn smiled and that Devyn should try it more often. instead, she settled into the meal, getting her silverware ready and cutting the burger into much more manageable bites.

She did look up as Devyn questioned her habits though, blinking at the girl. she looked at the food, then at Devyn, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Why not?" she asked. She stabbed a burger with her fork and then raised it to her mouth, chewing politely at it. She swallowed before continuing: "It works perfectly fine. I don't like picking up things with my food."

Zoe then worked diligently at her food, trying not to blush and, of course, failing miserably. She focused intently on it, hoping that maybe just eating would somehow diminish the embarrassment of the way she did so. Didn't make her stop though; she'd been eating burgers like this ever since her mother had cut them up for her as a little girl. Zoe didn't think it proper to share that with Devyn though, especially unasked.

[Devyn Solway]

Devyn thought she was the kind of person to always be smiling, but thinking about it that was not really the case. Most of her 'smiles' were smirks or she was smiling because she was flirting. In normal situations she just was well a normal expression, looking serious when she was deep in thought. She probably should or could smile more if it was requested, but for the most part Devyn would just stick with her normal expressions of either flirting or her normal just simple expression. Smiling to much hurt your face anyways. People said it was supposed to be healthy or something, but how could something that made your cheeks hurt be something that was healthy for you? Not that any of the matter at the moment as Devyn was currently distracted with Zoe's eating habit. It’s a burger! Finger food! Devyn actually wanted to yell those words out but kept them an inner thoughts for now.

Zoe asked why not and Devyn could not hold back the words, but they didn't really come out angry, just more so confused. "It’s a finger food. You eat it with your hands? Less time to just pick it up and shove it into your mouth then it is to spend time cutting it up and putting it into your mouth." Devyn said as she gave a demonstration by taking a large bite of her half, which basically left half of what was already a half of a burger. She chewed on it for a bit before washing it down with some lemonade and then had some fires enter her mouth for consumption. Please don’t tell me she even eats fries with a fork or something. Devyn thought to herself as she looked at Zoe and tilted her head a little bit.

"Do you come from like a wealthy family? Or one of those like, high class big on manners and stuff family?" Devyn just went ahead and asked since she did not really know much about Zoe's family. Last time she learned about them, had clearly upset Zoe, but she was going ahead and taking the risk now. She wanted to know. Zoe had to have gotten her table manners from them yes?

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Finger food; well, Zoe supposed that was true. She was, however, tempted to point out that technically finger food was called that way because you could easily pinch it between a few fingers, and Zoe certainly couldn't do that with a burger, even the half a one that Devyn had given her. She instead kept silent on that matter, chewing steadily at her burger. It didn't taste all that brilliant, and Zoe certainly would've preferred a salad. Devyn already knew that though, and again, that was an argument that Zoe didn't like having.

Though she did nearly choke as Devyn asked about her family. Wealthy? High class? Zoe had to reach and take a sip of water, smiling awkwardly at Devyn, obviously a little embarrassed at the choking and coughing she'd done mere moments before. "Not especially, no," she said. "My mum always cut up my burgers and the like whenever we had them when I was a kid and, well," Zoe shrugged, poking her burger with a fork, "it always felt... right."

The hint there being that it also reminded her of her mother, whom she almost never, ever mentioned. This wasn't her step-mother, the woman who had provided Zoe with the "Smythe" part of her name; this was her actual mother, the woman who had borne her, who Zoe hadn't seen for some time. She took another sip of the drink before wiping her fingers on the napkin, obviously quite self-conscious about eating now that Devyn had made such a big deal about her habits.