It’s Not What It Seems

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe kept staring out at the fair, remembering, seeing all the mental images and the pain that had happened in these past few weeks. Why had all this happened to her? What had she done to anger Fate to such an extent that she'd suffer everything? She felt that strange urge again, the urge to just lean over, fall, let it all end in one solid thud on the pavement. She blinked, fighting it back down: she shouldn't be thinking such thoughts period, let alone now. Devyn was there, protecting her like she always did.

Apologies and oaths of protection, repetition of what they already knew. Zoe took a deep breath, her chest shuddering with it. She thought she felt a shift, and she looked over to Devyn for a moment. Hands had returned to hair, and Zoe wanted to reach up and grab them, to paralyze Devyn for a moment. Why couldn't they just enjoy themselves? Revel in the good time? This kept happening, they kept poisoning one another, drawing upon each other. Zoe could almost feel it. She shook her head, looked away, took a breath, tried to settle herself. She thought she heard Devyn say something, but it got caught in the wind, taken away for the moment. Zoe opened and closed her hands, taking another deep, shuddering breath.

"Stop worrying,' she said. She worked a glove off, reaching up to pull Devyn's hand off her hair. Zoe threaded her paralyzing fingers between Devyn's, dragging them across the skin, spreading the numbness. "Just for now... just... stop," she raised the fingers to her lips, eyes closed as she kissed softly. If Devyn couldn't focus, couldn't redirect, then Zoe would try. She knew she had the strength in her; she just had to remember to keep finding it.

[Devyn Solway]

If Devyn knew the thoughts that were going through Zoe's head, she would have been livid. Like to the point of yelling and maybe even some physical contact that would more than likely be gripping at Zoe's shoulders hard. She hated depressing thoughts like that. She didn't want anyone to think about just dying, death sucked, and no one should just be ready to accept it. They should go down fighting. She lost her father, someone she loved and was important to her. If she knew that Zoe's thoughts were in such a dark place she really would have probably just broken down right there and then. Luckily Devyn was not a mind reader, but Zoe should have known just how much it would hurt Devyn id Zoe had hurt herself. Zoe had to remember what happened when SPECTRE had hurt her. Devyn went out to make them pay and got herself all banged up in the process.

Devyn wanted to enjoy everything, to just have fun with Zoe like they did from the start. To tease the other girl, flirt with her, and push her out of her comfort zone but now she was not sure if Zoe would tolerate that anymore. She didn't know anything anymore it seemed. So full of doubt and confusion if what she had been doing all this time with Zoe was no longer good enough for Zoe. Zoe didn't respond to the words that took so much out of her to say. Did Zoe not hear? The wind did pick up and they were pretty high up, plus Devyn was speaking low. That was what she was telling herself as to why Zoe didn't say anything. That way it didn't hurt like she had expected it to, but still a small part of her did hurt. Devyn's green eyes looking down at the ground until she heard Zoe speak. Telling her to stop worrying as a hand reached and removed Devyn's hand out of her own hair. Stopping her from being able to tug on it as a way of keeping her emotions in check by causing herself a physical pain that was not outright damaging to her body.

The paralysis spread over Devyn's hand as Zoe laced her fingers with Devyn, even moving her fingers as if she was purposely spreading it. Just for now she had to stop worrying, could she do that? She had to try, for Zoe's sake, for the girl who was always there to cling to her in some way that made Devyn feel wanted. Zoe's lips kissed Devyn's finger, Devyn only knowing this because she was looking at Zoe but could not feel it. "Okay." Devyn responded back, reaching out with her other hand to place over Zoe's that was holding her other hand. Giving it a quick squeeze as she would move it out of the way. Leaning in to press her lips against Zoe's, wanting to kiss her. Kiss her to just forget anything, until she was numb, and could only think about how much she enjoyed kissing Zoe even with only being able to feel it for a short amount of time.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Okay. She said that, the simple little word not caught on the wind like so many they said. but would she actually follow through? Would Devyn let the present be the present? Could she? Could Zoe?

Devyn leaned forward, and Zoe felt their lips touch. She kissed back, knowing it could only last a few moments. It felt different now, maybe because things had shifted, maybe because of what they'd said. Zoe didn't know. She just touched her lips against Devyn's for a few moments, feeling the soft touch, tasting the other girl for just those few seconds before pulling away. Zoe smiled then, giving the hand a squeeze, rubbing Devyn's by now numb fingers with her now.

"I need to put my glove back on," she said softly, the word likely caught by the wind. She drew her hand back out, moving to pull her glove. The wind caught it just then, and before Zoe could say or do anything, it fluttered out of her grasp. She let out a little gasp, lunging for it for only a moment, not wanting to leave despite her earlier thoughts. the glove was caught on the wind, spinning wildly as the breeze took it away. Zoe settled back in, sighing and looking forlornly down at her now naked hand.

[Devyn Solway]

Devyn had said okay, and she really did mean that she was going to try and stop worrying about things. To just live in the moment, but still in the back of her mind she was worried about it. Her living in the moment, being herself was when she would flirt, kiss, and pretty much keep Zoe close to her. She in other words would do what she wanted to do with a little bit of trying to do what Zoe wanted to do as well. Still, she had said it and in a way it was like a promise. Even if she had already messed up with keeping her word before she still had to try. She could not just keep letting every slip up eat at her. She just had to be Devyn Solway. Zoe told her that she loved her when Devyn was herself so if Zoe fell out of love with who Devyn was then there was nothing to be done.

Yes it would suck since Devyn did love Zoe in return now, something she would just have to try again another day to admit to Zoe but the fact still remained that she was not going to be happy with herself if she could not be herself. Those were all thoughts in the back of her mind however now that her and Zoe were kissing. Lips together and feeling each other’s warmth and taste in a way. Zoe would be able to feel it all while it would not last long for Devyn, but that didn't matter. Devyn gave a fake pout when the kiss ended, biting at her bottom lip as she looked at Zoe. She didn't feel the hand squeeze and barely heard the words that left Zoe's mouth but assumed it was something to do with gloves. Hearing the word glove in there and also the fact that Zoe was letting go of her hand. Devyn working at her fingers a little bit to get the feeling to come back sooner.

Looking at her hands and missing how Zoe's gloves got caught by the wind and was not able to move fast enough to catch it. "Wow it really is windy up here." Devyn said as she adjusted her shades a little bit and looked to Zoe who was sighing, probably just a little bit defeated by the loss of her gloves. Devyn reaching out with her not numb hand to pick up Zoe's hand and bring it to her lips. Planning on brushing her lips along Zoe's bare skin. "I'll buy you a new pair. Plus your bare arms remind me a lot of prom." Devyn pointed out, leaving out the fact that thinking about prom made her feel a little warm and fuel her desire for Zoe. At least her drive was back at least on a small level. "What do you want to do after this?" Devyn asked, thinking for a moment when Zoe would have to go to the auction then.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

"It is," agreed Zoe, sighing as she looked at the rapidly disappearing shape that she knew happened to be her glove. Maybe she'd get lucky and it would wind up somewhere, though somehow Zoe certainly doubted it. She felt a hand take hers, pulling it up to lips again. The gesture nearly made Zoe shudder, and she turned, seeing that Devyn had once more picked it up. The mention of prom had Zoe flush and look away again in a hurry though, remembering how things had been there.

"Um," she said, licking her lips while she tried to think about the question. They'd already gotten something to eat and enjoyed a soft ride. "I heard there's an art exhibit?" she tried nervously, shifting and looking at Devyn. What she didn't add was that she'd submitted something, and it had been selected to be put on display as well. It was actually one of the first photographs that Zoe had taken upon her arrival: a shot of the school in the rain with a poem about dreariness often leading to something new written in her delicate hand on it.

"That is, if you want to," she said, shifting again. "There's plenty of time, after all," and Zoe certainly wouldn't mind missing the auction. She couldn't see that going well for her at all.

[Devyn Solway]

Devyn could try to track the glove down by Zoe's scent, but her nose was not that amazing in this form. She would have to use her power in order to pick up any scent that had flown through the air. If that got close to it when they would get back to walking around then there was a higher chance of them finding it again. Not that Devyn was all that worried about finding Zoe's gloves other than for the sake of getting it back because she knew Zoe didn't have much in the way of clothing. Still, she enjoyed being able to touch Zoe's skin. Even if it did cause her to lose feeling in her hands or whatever touched Zoe's skin she had gotten used to it. Learned to stop or warn Zoe when she would start to feel it spread.

The both had learned, both had tons of practice, and Devyn personally didn't see a point in Zoe having to fully cover herself up when around Devyn. They could still maintain physical contact that did not involve skin to skin if that was what Zoe was worried about. Devyn smiled, very pleased to see that wonderful blush on Zoe's face. Yes, she just had to be herself and hope for the best. Wait until the right time to let Zoe know that she did care for the girl back and just go from there. No more worry, no more stress, or bad thoughts. She just had to focus on Zoe and only Zoe in a way that still allowed her to be the same Devyn that she was used to being. Zoe mentioned an art exhibit that had Devyn's eyes wondering off in thought. She liked art to a certain extent and Zoe was a big fan of art. They could do that. "Sure, you know the way?" Devyn asked as she looked back to Zoe and smiled, her eyes just filled with want and joy all at the same time while looking at the other girl.

"I do. I bet we will get to see some interesting things. Like painting and stuff." Devyn said, wondering for a moment if there would be photos there and if Zoe would enter something. Devyn heard photographs counted as art, but she didn't see many of them put up for show so she was not sure. Either way Zoe had a skill with a camera and Devyn would be willing to hang up photos Zoe took on her walls. "I want to spend all the time you have with you, if you don't mind." Devyn said speaking honestly as she moved to be close to Zoe, moving to put an arm back around Zoe and give Zoe's cheek a kiss. Devyn was physically after all and when she was with her friends and people she cared about she could not help but to want to be close to them, Zoe should know this by now.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

"Um," replied Zoe, looking out over the fair. Did she know the way to the art exhibit? She hadn't actually been there just yet, mostly because it had felt somewhat egotistical, going to admire your own work and all. Still, she'd been around before, and she'd heard that said exhibit happened to be located indoors. That didn't leave many options. "Probably there," she said, pointing toward one of the larger buildings in the distance.

As if reacting to her words, the ride shuddered to life. The noise didn't diminish Devyn's own words though, the talk of paintings and what have you. Zoe smiled at that, lowering her hand. She was tempted to mention that photographs were art too, to hint that she just might have an exhibit up of her own, but again, that felt like bragging. Despite all the encouragement she'd gotten, Zoe still didn't feel right quite bragging like that.

At least, not until they got there.

A hand moved to Zoe, a kiss upon her cheek. She smiled at that, looking down, slightly abashed that Devyn would be so physically affectionate and, well, that Devyn kept feeling like that. She shifted again. "That sounds nice," she managed, though it was hard to tell if it would be heard over the machine and the wind and all. They'd be back on the ground soon enough though, where words were less likely to go unheard or misunderstood, for better or for worse.

[Devyn Solway]

Devyn eyes went to the area that Zoe was pointing out to her as to where they could go to the art exhibit. Alright that didn't look like it was too far from where they were, even if they were high up. Still being this high up did allow you to get pretty much a great view of all the fair and spot out a few things to do and where they were if you were at a loss. They knew what they were going to do and no the location of it, and if they forgot they probably could ask or find signs somewhere around with them on there. The building looked like it would be a play to show things off, looking at it Devyn felt like she could really just say 'yeah, that looks like an art building' and others would agree with her on it. Devyn's eyes did dart around for a moment as the ride started to move again, almost letting out a growl. No she was not angry for the ride to be moving again, more so just startled. She tended to not be a jumpy person, but the sleep issues caused some of that from time to time.

Not that she was going to worry about it at the moment, because she had to focus on no worries. Plus now she really was looking forward to getting back down on the ground and walking around again. Being some place where she could be in a little more control if something bad were to happen. No worrying. Devyn scolded herself for even thinking that something bad would happen. This was going to be a good and peaceful day. Zoe was going to be safe with her, no one was going to hurt Zoe every again as long as Devyn could help it. Zoe would have to start depending on her a little more than at least, so Devyn would know when Zoe needed her when she was not around. "You should like have your own art...photo show thing at the school sometimes or something." Devyn suggested, fumbling a little there as she was still trying to work out if photography counted as a form of art.

Zoe was smiling and looking down, but the good kind of looking down in Devyn's opinion. All of it just making her want to just pick up Zoe and put her in her lap and just hold her close. Like when she work up in the infirmary and she held Zoe close, trying to calm Zoe down and let her know that everything was okay and that they were both alive. She was close enough to hear the words now and smiled as Zoe, nuzzling into Zoe's neck really quickly before behaving herself. When the ride would reach the ground Devyn would make sure to grab the tiger and offer out a hand to Zoe. Wanting to pretty much hold Zoe's hand the whole time while they would walk around the fair and to this art show. Devyn half wondering just a little bit if there would be like any scandalous art work there.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Devyn's growl made Zoe giggle, though she tried to hide it by raising her hand up to cover her mouth. The noises still slid out a bit, and Zoe tried to look away, not wanting Devyn to see her amusement essentially at her expense. Devyn sometimes really did seem more like a wolf than a person, though, again, Zoe certainly wasn't going to inform her of that.

The giggling returned as Devyn stumbled her way through it, and now Zoe had to respond, though she did so almost out of pity: "Photography counts as art, especially when you do it like I do," she was tempted to point out that Devyn should know that, as she dated a photographer and all. "You're also not the first person to suggest that. I was... well," she looked away, paused for a moment. They were getting close to the ground again ."I was thinking of doing my own show here, somewhat soon, since, well, a lot of people have mentioned it..."

And both Becky and Maelea had already agreed to help her, though Zoe wasn't sure she should mention working with two cute girls around Devyn, who got jealous so easily. They reached the bottom, with Devyn nuzzling against her. Zoe flushed and grabbed the tiger as they finally touched ground. She almost buried herself in it. Her gloved hand went to take Devyn's, hoping that the other girl would just lead her to the show without embarrassing her further. Zoe didn't think it likely, but she figured she could at least hope.

[Devyn Solway]

Devyn didn't mind if Zoe giggled at her for the growling and in general Devyn's more life behaviors. She was used to getting weird looks and a giggle was far better than a weird look. Plus Zoe's giggles were cute, but she always tried to cover them up as if Devyn would not like her laughing at her. Devyn would not like it if Zoe laughed when she was being serious, but didn’t that apply to pretty much everyone. Her growling was not always serious, this time it just had been because she was caught off guard and just naturally gave out a warning. Her warning growls basically silently communicating 'don't mess with me, i bite'. Devyn caught the muffled giggled and was tempted to just growl in Zoe's ear and nip at it. Ask her what she found so funny, but again she kept herself in check as she tilted her head a little to the side at Zoe giggling again at her trying to work out the whole photography things.

Devyn looked at Zoe and nodded when she understood that photography did count as art, so at least she was sort of thinking on the right track. Devyn smirked when Zoe pointed out that it really counted as art when you did it like Zoe did it. Zoe certainly could have pride in at least her photography and at how cute she was, now if only that same pride carried over into other aspects about herself, then Zoe would be perfect. No one was perfect, so Devyn figured that was part of what made Zoe the imperfect being that she was, that Devyn still...loved. "You do some pretty amazing stuff with a camera. I figured that it had to at least count for art or something." Devyn admitted as she looked around for a moment before looking back to Zoe as the other girl started to talk about how Devyn was not the first to suggest doing a show with her photography.

"Then you should do it. If more than one person is saying you should show off your work in a show, you should totally do it. Hell, some famous magazine company could show up and what to hire you." Devyn pointed out since that was in the realm of possibilities and with Zoe's skill and the work that she had done before she could probably land a really nice job taking photos. Zoe wanted to do that probably for the rest of her life so if she landed a job now, she would be sitting pretty for a good amount of years. I need to figure out what to do with my life. Devyn thought to herself as she let out a small sigh just thinking about how pretty useless she felt with her lack of knowing what to do with the rest of her life anymore. It was very smart of Zoe to not bring up the other girls because Devyn did get jealous, still more so with guys being around Zoe, but she did get that Zoe only liked women and now they too were also becoming a small threat...or a large one.

Zoe snagged the tiger out of Devyn's hold after Devyn made her move and nuzzled Zoe's neck. Chuckling at how Zoe hid behind the tiger and her hand held out for Devyn to take. "You know you are really cute when you try and hide right?" Devyn asked as she took Zoe's gloved hand, threading their fingers together and heading off in the direction of where the art exhibit was. Still recalling which way to go thanks to their over the fair view. "I like to see your beautiful face when you blush. Allow me to sneak in to do something else to keep you blushing." Devyn pointed out as she gave Zoe's hands a small squeeze, feeling pretty good now that she had Zoe flushing, giggling, and things were just feeling as they should.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe flushed for a moment at Devyn's compliment, burying her face into the tiger for a few moments, taking a few deep breaths. She wanted to point out that it was more than just her photography that counted as art, that photography more or less in general counted, but she sort of liked the compliment. Besides, she'd just giggled at Devyn a few moments ago; Zoe didn't want to come across as superior and maybe hurt the other girl's feelings.

Devyn was following up with talk about the show anyway. Zoe couldn't hold back the giggle at the mention of a magazine. "I wouldn't mind being in magazines," she admitted, shrugging slightly. "But my work is more along the artistic lines. I'd rather be allowed to have my own exhibits or do installations or something," the latter had actually appealed greatly to Zoe, though she wasn't sure that she'd ever really be able to do it. Installation art took a lot of effort, not to mention time and money.

More compliments were soon following, making Zoe dig a little deeper into her new toy. She felt Devyn take the fingers of the gloved hand, threading together again. The mention of her blushing had the opposite of Devyn's want though: Zoe buried her face a little further into the toy. "Can we head to the art now?" she said, practically talking into the stuffed toy. as if Devyn didn't already know perfectly well where Zoe wanted to go and what she wanted to do.

[Devyn Solway]

One of these days Devyn swore that Zoe's power was just going to like change or something and she would gain the ability to just start to merge with things. Or at least something that would allow her to hide within the objects she always seemed so ready to hide behind. It was very cute, like a trapped rabbit that spotted a show against the wall and would just tuck its head in-between the same. Even if it knew it could be seen, and that the rest of its body was out there, it still felt a little safer. AS if the whole 'i don’t see you so you don't see me' thing was actually true; it was not, but it was still cute to see Zoe always do it. Sooner or later Devyn planned on trapping Zoe somewhere where she could not hide. Pinning Zoe's hands so she would not even be able to use those to hide behind. the thought kind of took a gutter turn there for a moment and Devyn was refocusing herself again.

Funny how her mind was so quick to go to such a place when she thought about Zoe. Then again, it should have been expected with her want to become one with Zoe still there. Devyn would not have been hurt if Zoe pointed out there were other forms of art, and instead would have taken it as a learning lesson. Zoe often taught her many things, without Zoe probably realizing it. Like her vocabulary, Devyn learned a lot of words thanks to Zoe, among how the Brits said things differently than the Americans. Zoe would not mind being in magazines, but she wanted the free rein to do her work how she liked it. Devyn could understand that. The desire to be in control and do what you wanted to do and not what you were told. "Well, what if you did both? One to bring in some extra money so that way you could spend as much as you wanted and needed to do the other thing." Devyn said, using the word thing because he brain was still trying to wrap around the whole art concept still.

Devyn smirked as she watched Zoe go deeper into the stuff animal as they walked. Giving Zoe's hands a little squeeze and chuckling at Zoe's question that was a little muffled by her face being in the toy and all. "Yes, anything for my Zoe." Devyn said as she lead the way, giving Zoe's arm a little tug to get her walking in the right direction. Checking around and checking on Zoe to make sure her girlfriend didn't trip since she was not looking where she was going. Devyn at least made sure to walk where Zoe would have less of an issue tripping or running into anything. They would get to the location in no time, with Devyn stopping just outside the building. "Here, it’s a lot bigger up close." Devyn pointed out, but that was kind of obvious since tings looked small from high up.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

"I suppose I could..." replied Zoe, fidgeting slightly. She didn't want to tell Devyn that doing so might very well constitute "selling out." It would, after all, depend a good deal on what magazine Zoe sold her photographs for. There were trendy ones, after all. Plus, she did technically work as the school photographer for the time being, or at least, one of the photographers for the school.

A hand squeeze and they were threading their way through the fair again. Zoe didn't really need the tug; she knew where they were going and was quite anxious to get there. She followed Devyn easily enough, making sure to walk around things. Despite any appearances to the contrary, Zoe was perfectly capable of walking under her own power. She even managed to keep up with Devyn.

Soon they were outside the building, and Zoe had to giggle at Devyn's comment: "Well, they do have to house an entire art exhibit in there, along with a few other things," she pointed out. She gave Devyn a hand squeeze of her own before heading in. A sign directed them toward the right direction, Zoe following that just as easily. They'd be in the art exhibit proper soon enough.

[Devyn Solway]

"I think it be a good idea. If that is something you think you could handle doing. going by someone telling you what to do and all." Devyn said, knowing that she would have a hard time just doing what she was told unless she felt equal or outright below someone. So if she were Zoe and had talents taking photos and some guy who didn't touch a camera in his life gave her orders, then she would not obey them. Then again, it was likely that everyone in Zoe's industry probably touched a camera at some point in their lives or else they would not understand what would look good in a magazine. She didn't really know, she never looked into the details of magazine companies and what not. She just liked her special magazines and that was pretty much it, and now thinking of them. Damn, it really was hard for her to stay fully out of the gutter once she got close to it even once.

Zoe did pretty good job at keeping up with Devyn, not tripping or stumbling at all despite Devyn having been worried about it. Then again, Zoe seemed to do a lot of things pretty well. Especially things like walking with someone or feeding them, which did have Devyn wondering if Zoe did things like that with the people she had dated before or did she use to like take care of old people growing up and had those skills? It could have even been that Zoe was just naturally talented in a lot of areas, and Devyn was just seeing more and more of them the more they were together. They arrived at the building and for sure it was the right place. The sign even said so, and taking a look around, the area just had the 'welcome to art territory' vibe in her head. "True. Is this one where I can touch stuff?" Devyn teased since she knew better than touching art, but just the idea of being able to touch priceless works did seem pretty appealing.

There was a hand squeeze from Zoe this time and then they moved to go into the exhibit itself. Following the signs and ending up inside with Devyn’s eyes already looking around and lifting up her shades a little bit. Testing to see if her eyes could handle the light level in her new surroundings. "Wonder if they let any of the students put work in here." Devyn whispered, fingering you were supposed to whisper in places like this. Keeping a hold of Zoe's hand and sticking close to her girlfriends, appearing as if Devyn was worried she end up bumping into something or breaking something.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

"No, you can't touch stuff in here," said Zoe, though she smiled slightly. She was fairly certain that Devyn had been teasing, but at the same time, Zoe knew better than to make assumptions, especially when it came to Devyn, who seemed to make defying assumptions something of a regular thing. They'd be entering the art part of the exhibit soon enough.

It didn't prove too much like a normal exhibit, being for a fair and made almost entirely of student art, after all. Zoe still smiled as she looked around, seeing some pieces that were already familiar to her. While she didn't often utilize some of the materials in the art room, she had spent more than her share of time there. Especially when she'd been regularly visiting her friend Cole. Zoe thought she could just see the various photographs in the corner of the room.

"It's all student work, silly," said Zoe, giving Devyn's hand a squeeze and turning back to the other girl. "That's part of why I wanted to come here. See, look there," she pointed toward a painting and walked toward it, hoping that Devyn followed. the other girl did seem nervous in here, so Zoe wasn't all that worried about not being followed. "This was done by a friend of mine. See," she pointed toward the bottom right, "there's his signature. This is a fair for us students, after all," she turned and smiled at her girlfriend, her eyes shining, obviously thrilled to be in her element.