College Students Now

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

"I eat meat," Zoe insisted for what was most definitely not the first time. She sniffed slightly and figured that she should at least get something to make Devyn stop bothering her. Another quick look showed her that they had these rice cakes that she particularly liked. So as soon as Devyn got her jerky, Zoe slid her own card into the provided slot, soon letting some of the cakes drop down to the receiving area.

"Right there," she said, pointing as she bent down to get her own snack. She ended up laughing slightly as Devyn insisted next time, pulling her own snacks out. These she held up as Devyn offered hers, using them as something of a shield. "I've got something," she insisted, offering a smile. She opened the bag and reached in to take one. This she held out to show Devyn it's perfectly round shape, wanting to confirm its existence. Then, while still maintaining eye contact, Zoe popped it into her mouth, chewing with about as much silence as you could manage with a rice cake.

[Devyn Solway]

"I know, you have said and I have saw…seen? Eh, grammar. The point is you don't eat enough real meat but it is your body and your choice." Devyn said with a small shrug as she ate away at her jerky. She would never understand how people could just eat hardly any meat and focus on the greens and what not. They must have forgotten that mankind were hunters and meat eaters before they started to settled down in one face to farm and eat plants. Darn those lazy humans who thought of growing plants and eating things off the land that didn't run from you was a good idea.

Also darn those people who always talked about animal cruelty when it came to eating animals or whatever. Plants were alive to and people ate them so if people were so worried about eating living things then they should just starve. Okay, Devyn’s mind was wondering a bit but this talk about not eating much meat made her think of PETA and the hate that she had for them. Zoe got her own snack, if you could even call it that. Devyn could not help but to give a judgmental look at the bag of what she considered to be just a little bit of rice and mostly air. "A bag of air with the flavor of...whatever that is." Devyn said as she gestured at Zoe's treat.

A small part of her felt like it died on the inside at seeing Zoe actually eat the rice cake. Who thought this food creation was a good idea?! "Let me give that a try." Devyn said as she opened her mouth, filly expecting Zoe to go on ahead and feed her one of them.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe stuck her tongue out at her friend as Devyn once again protested her eating habits. She was also tempted to point out that she was technically less lean than she'd been before. Alice had been on the warpath when it came to fattening her girlfriend up, and she'd already gotten started before she left. Zoe felt a little sadness there, but the overwhelming happiness at remembering what it was like to have someone care for her like that ate it away pretty easily.

Plus, she had rice cakes, caramel flavored, no less. It wasn't one of her favorites, but she definitely preferred it to some of the others offered. "It's good to eat light from time to time too," Zoe insisted. "not all of us have powers that eat through energy," she gestured with the rice cake as she did.

And yes, she did notice that Devyn was asking for a try and effectively opening her mouth for one. Did that... did that count as feeding her or flirting or something? Zoe hesitated, but just for a moment, before giving a little toss of the cake, aiming for her friend's wide opened mouth.

[Devyn Solway]

There was that classic tongue sticking out move that Zoe pulled so many times around Devyn, and at least Devyn felt like not too much had changed with Zoe. Her hair was longer, she looked less pale, freckles everywhere, she still ate like a mouse, and she still had that certain level of cute childishness about her. It was still so cute and attractive to Devyn, but she quickly refocused on her jerky so she would not start thinking about such things too much. She knew this would happen and that it was going to be difficult but she just told herself that she had to be like she was with Regan. It should not have been that hard because like her feelings towards Regan, she both still loved and also hated Zoe.

Hate was probably a strong word and it was more so along the lines of anger mixed in with hurt feelings because of how things ended and went there for a while. She kept those thoughts in the back of her mind, it helping her to not think too deeply about all of the good feelings she got from Zoe. "From time to time, but not all the time." Devyn responded as she gave Zoe a look, finding it hard to believe that Zoe ever ate anything besides light things. Zoe made a comment that was very true and had Devyn giving her a point there. "True, I can't afford to eat light or I'll be one dangerous beast." Devyn responded.

She could recall a time where she was sick and had not been in the mood to eat. The result ending up that she was very irritable with a mix of feeling drained at the same time. As for the way Devyn had asked for food, it was a bit flirty but also with innocent intentions behind it. It was hard to break the habit of flirting when she did it with pretty much everyone that was older then her. Zoe ended up tossing the food, Devyn having to move a little to try and catch it but it ended up bouncing off her teeth and falling to the floor. Five second rule? Devyn was quick to pick it up, dust it off a little, and then toss it into her mouth.

"Your feeding skills have failed me." Devyn responded with a small chuckle, followed by coughing. "This stuff is so bland. They didn't put enough of the flavoring on it." Devyn responded once she got the full taste of what Zoe had given her.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe gave Devyn another of her "most severe looks," which was about like being glared at by a pony. She didn't actually protest the bit about how she always ate light though. Devyn had been out with her enough to know that to be more or less true. Alice had managed to heavy up Zoe's diet some but, well, it had just gone from clouds to.. fluff? Something just a step or two more solid than clouds.

At least they both knew that Devyn had to be able to eat like that. "You would anyway," Zoe said, again half-teasing and smiling all the while. It was hard to picture Devyn not consuming massive amounts of food and thoroughly enjoying herself all the while. This didn't apparently translate to skill in catching food thrown at her though, but in her defense, Zoe hadn't exactly warned her. And in Zoe's defense: Devyn hadn't really given her another option.

"It's not like I practice," Zoe said, pouting slightly. Soon she was rolling her eyes and taking another bite of her food, looking away as Devyn protested the food. That pretty much explained why Zoe ate these and Devyn ate something like jerky. Zoe was almost tempted to mention again that Alice had made certain that her diet got heavier but, well, that still felt like a taboo subject... and the wound was just barely healed, if that.

[Devyn Solway]

There was another look from Zoe which just had Devyn smirking all the more, not intimidated at all. Sure Zoe and that dangerous power about her, but Devyn had never been afraid of that aspect of the other girl so that didn't really leave much else to fear. Zoe didn't say anything on the matter, which just made Devyn feel that she was all the more right. Yes Zoe didn't look like she was about to snap in two by a light breeze, but she still looked pretty frail. Devyn debated for a moment on an idea.

Then was certain she would throw in a suggestion to Vera to take Zoe out to somewhere to eat where there was nothing really light to eat. Perhaps Vera would be able to get Zoe to eat more, but Devyn honestly didn't know. She still didn't really know how Zoe and Vera were friends and while she still had mixed feelings about it she was not going to get in the way of it. "Probably. I do work out so need to eat in order to not pass out when I'm doing my runs and weight lifting." Devyn responded with a small nod.

There was also the fact that food was just too good to not eat a lot of it. She fully believed that if you had food then you should eat until you were stuffed. Devyn now felt like she had to practice catching food in her mouth since Zoe didn't seem to want to feed her the normal way like Devyn got most people to do. "Then why did you throw it? Could have been a waste of food if I didn't do the five second rules. Think of all the germs I could have just put into my mouth. Of how I could get sick." Devyn said, acting all dramatic. Maybe she could be an actor, that would be fun...right? Devyn kept eating her snack of course and was pretty much almost done with the bag at this point since she was more of a swallower then a chewer.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe was tempted to point out that Devyn didn't necessarily have to consume what she did. There were always powders and other such supplements that could keep someone healthy. Armies had been marching on rice and fish for years, and why would Devyn be any different than them? The poet knew better than to argue with her friend though: Devyn would do what Devyn wanted, and that was all there was to it.

Unfortunately, what Devyn often wanted was to nearly flirt or tease, something that Zoe knew she'd just have to get used to. "I didn't want to feed you," she pointed out. "If you want, next time I can just hand it over," she gestured slightly, extending a rice cake before taking another nibble of it. Even Devyn should be able to figure out why feeding someone else, particularly if that someone was your ex, would make someone uncomfortable.

"I don't think you have much to worry about regarding germs," Zoe said, adding a slight smile and pointing with another rice cake. "your mouth is already quite dirty as it is."

[Devyn Solway]

If Zoe had pointed out about the whole powders and what not, Devyn would have made it clear that was not even real food. That was not even eating, it was just taking the things you needed out of food and just shoving them into your body. She never had been one for any powders or vitamins; she didn't really like things like medicine in general, but she was more so about the natural way of eating. Yes she did eat some processed foods or things that were not really all that healthy for her but it was not like she was going to eat powder or like space food. Dried or smoked yes but that was still 'natural' in a way.

Zoe didn't want to feed her? Well...okay then. It didn’t really click at first the problem with Zoe feeding Devyn and it didn't really after a certain point. She just took that to mean that Zoe had a problem with it now out of the blue. Which was odd, but Zoe had changed in ways that Devyn didn't really get or no about so perhaps that was a thing for her now. Not liking to feed people or maybe it was just not wanting to feed Devyn specifically. "I'll keep that in mind then." Devyn responded simply as she focused on finishing up the last of her jerky and then moved away to toss the bag out.

Now she was thirsty so was hitting up the vending machine next to the snack one and was getting herself some water, debating if she should get Zoe one as well and just went for it. Then there was the comment about Devyn not having to worry about germs because her mouth was already dirty. Why was Devyn taking that to be said in a bad way? She was already just looking at Zoe but didn't say anything as she held out the extra water bottle for Zoe to take.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Great, now Zoe had somehow messed things up. She almost felt like crying, or yelling at Devyn, demanding to know why it was that she always felt like she messed up around the other girl. That just kept happening, like, some little thing Zoe did would just be wrong. the simple reminded had her feeling that familiar frustration all over again.

"Well, if, you were in need or something, I would. It just feels... flirty," she tried to offer. She was tempted to continue as Devyn turned. She'd already offered her little comment, and that hadn't gone over well apparently. How come Devyn was allowed to tease Zoe but she couldn't do it in response? It struck her as entirely unfair.

She still took the offered bottle though. Zoe had to turn and set a few things down, shifting how she was carrying everything to make sure to open the bottle. She glanced over at Devyn as she did, wondering if she should just walk away now, if Devyn even wanted to hang out with her any more. Or, for that matter: did Zoe even want to hang out with Devyn?

[Devyn Solway]

It was a good thing that Zoe didn't end up crying or yelling at Devyn because she would not have reposed well. It would likely cause all those emotions that she was keeping bottled up for the sake of being kind to Zoe, not wanting to get in the way of Vera and Zoe's friendship, and because of those still lingering feeling for the other girl. It was not like Zoe was doing anything wrong all the time; it was just the way she said things. Yeah Devyn teased Zoe but she did it in a way where it was clear that she was just messing around for the most part.

It didn't feel that way with Zoe or it was perhaps because of how things ended that Devyn didn't feel like Zoe was being playful with the things she said. It felt like they were honestly how Zoe felt and it hurt and Devyn was not sure if it was because of how things ended if she was overthinking things or if there was actually nothing wrong at all. Zoe then started to explain that she would do it if Devyn needed it but that it felt flirty? That was the problem? Zoe should know by now that Devyn honestly could not help but to flirt, especially when she was trying to cover up another feeling or topic.

"Well, it kind of is. Its also just playful fun. Friends feed one another all the time and share their food if they are close like that, but I get it. I'll work on not doing things like that around you." Devyn responded as she took a swig of her water. Nothing she did ever seemed like it would be okay with Zoe without the other girl taking it so seriously. There was the awkward silence that followed that made Devyn feel like she should probably leave Zoe alone now. Not like there was anything else for them to do at this point once Zoe had finished showing her around.

"I'll get out of your hair now." Devyn spoke up, working on finishing her water first so she could toss it in the recycle instead of carrying it around until she came across the next one.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

It might have been for Devyn. Zoe, on the other hand, didn't generally feed her other friends, especially given that her power meant that a slight touch would mean spreading paralysis throughout someone. She was fairly certain that Devyn knew it too. Of course Devyn had to put it as if Zoe was being too inhibiting or something along those lines. Again Zoe found herself sighing, but she stopped herself from saying or doing anything. They were just friends now, not dating.

Devyn spoke up, and Zoe watched her move. "You're not bothering--" she began, only to pause. If Devyn wanted to go, then there was no reason for Zoe to stop. They'd really only come out today so that Zoe could show her around the campus. Zoe offered another smile. "I really am looking forward to seeing you in these halls," she insisted, adding a slight nod.

Yes, she still wanted to be friends. Devyn was just too much a part of her life, and, well, it didn't feel quite right to cut her out. Zoe just had to hope that things would soon return to some variation of comfortable. She opened her mouth, tempted to say as much, but once again closed, stopped, reconsidered, and left herself to just a friendly, well-meaning smile.

[Devyn Solway]

Devyn supposed she should have guess that Zoe would view feeding someone to be something 'sensual' or something like that. She just figured it was no big deal since Zoe had fed her plenty of times in the past, but then she did have to remind herself that they were dating so maybe that was the only reason why Zoe did it. As for Zoe's power, she also just assumed that Zoe understood that Devyn really was not bothered by her power in the slightest. There had been way too many times that Devyn was effected by Zoe's power and each time she made it clear that she really was not worried about it.

There was also the fact that Dev was sure that Zoe had that medicine or something to help with her whole power thing. That could always be used it if really did become something serious or a big deal. Zoe let a sigh, which Devyn was not able to realize that it meant Zoe wanted to say something but ended up not saying it. She had figured it out during her time trying to understand what she had did wrong and just trying to understand Zoe better so they could get back together. That was in the past now, but it was useful now and it was causing Devyn to let out a low growl for a small moment.

Zoe assured her that she was not bothering, but she didn't finish. Devyn didn't see why it really mattered. Even if she was not bothering her, what else was there to do? Dev didn't feel like she could even be herself around Zoe without the other girl taking it some way. What could they do? Zoe insisted that she was going to be looking forward to seeing Devyn in the halls. Dev was still not sure if Zoe was just saying that to be nice or if she really meant it. Dev looked back at her for a moment, catching Zoe opening her mouth to say something but nothing happened.

There it was again, the things that Devyn felt played a role in why things went bad. Zoe didn't fully talk to her. "Just go ahead and say what you were going to say. You still keep holding back around me and things are never going to get better between us if that keeps up. You don't fully communicate with me." Devyn pointed out, still managing to keep herself mostly calm but she was clearly a little upset. Why could Zoe not just say what was on her mind?

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe had thought the conversation, their meeting as it were, had ended. She'd offered up what she felt was a sweet sentiment, one that she fully agreed with, and was willing to go on. She could understand to some degree where Devyn was coming from: they really didn't have anything to do per say. It had been more about spending time with one another, and nothing said they had to do that right now.

Instead, Devyn made a demand of Zoe, insisting that she fully communicate. The Brit flushed, lowering her eyes. There her friend was again, pushing her to say what she would, do what she would. However, Zoe didn't want to just say something simply because her friend insisted.

"And that's your problem: you think that everyone just... just has to say whatever. I'm not always going to say what's on my mind, Devyn, because I care about people, and I want to be nice. And sometimes to do that, you have to be quiet. And sometimes I'm just not going to want to complicate something, just, let it be. And you're going to just have to accept that you have one friend who sometimes likes to keep her thoughts to herself.

"I wasn't lying though," she smiled at Devyn, tilting her head slightly, "it is going to be good to spend time with you, and Vera. I'm looking forward to our being friends and facing whatever comes together. Now," she held up a finger, "we're going to end it there, because that's positive, and we need more positive endings," then Zoe stood up on her toes and tapped Devyn's lips with her finger, holding them just for a second, letting her paralysis sink in. She smiled at her friend, then turned and walked away, feeling quite proud of herself, and ironically tempted to text Vera or Di or Liz to share that feeling.