Nap Even In a Bathroom

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

More flirting, or at least flattering, which made Zoe flush and fidget again. That felt like what she'd been doing throughout most of this conversation: flushing and fidgeting. Her eyes again flicked to the door, wondering if she shouldn't just make a run for it again. Devyn had even offered her an out; all she had to do was just take it. Just as she thought about it though, Zoe heard an odd offer from Devyn, one that actually didn't involve flirting. The Brit transplant was so startled that she could only stare at Devyn, not quite believing what she'd heard. An offer to help with... schoolwork... from Devyn? Zoe was tempted to point out that Devyn was the one in here skipping classes out of her own volition as opposed to being forced here by an accident. As if that weren't enough, Devyn had to follow it up with yet another semi-thoughtful comment.

This time, at least, Zoe could manage something: "Thank you," she blurted, nearly heaving a sigh of relief. She could actually feel a little pressure off her chest. She did realize that she probably needed to add a little so... "For both the offer and not pressing the issue. My power experience is... not something I care to dwell upon."

And lo, there was more fidgeting and the biting of the lip. Zoe watched as Devyn moved over to sit by the door. Zoe had to smile at that, especially at Devyn's followup comment. She rubbed her arm for a bit, then walked slowly over to the door. She came to a stop right next to Devyn, reached down to adjust her clothing, and then sat near her. Not quite next to her, not touching for certain, but definitely in that general vicinity. She adjusted so that her camera was nearly balanced on her knees, and she stared at it.

"I'm doing fine. Scholastically, that is," said Zoe, her eyes flicking over to Devyn. "I just missed quite a lot because of my power, so, well," she shrugged and fidgeted again. "I did alright though; it's not as though I had to live in gutters or what have you." She hadn't really had to explain that yet, but it felt... necessary.

[Devyn Solway]

It did occur to Devyn that she was offering to help someone when she herself was skipping class. Not like she skipped class often, just here and there. Alright she did it a lot, even more so when she knew about something already. Her dad had taught her a lot from a young age so you could say she was a little ahead on certain things. She was not like a super genius or a prodigy or anything, but one of those types who didn’t have to try very hard studying and did fine on a test after cramming the night before. That did not work for everyone because everyone was different. Either way, she could actually help Zoe if she like it. So long as it was not like super advance stuff that mathematicians thought up.

"No problem. I really mean it too. Just tell me if you need help with anything specific. Even when it comes to getting around the school. been here about...three years? Yeah, about three." Devyn had a friendly smile on her face as she spoke, nodding when she was sure about the amount of time she had been here and Bellefonte Academy. She didn’t say anything more about Zoe's realization of her powers, there was no need to if she just told her that she didn’t have to. She could tell that it had to not been a very good lesson. Even if Devyn found herself really wanting to know she figured maybe Zoe reveal it to her with time. Question was would Devyn fight herself convulsing on the floor before or after she found that out.

Devyn might have been staring at Zoe for a moment. She was not bothered by the blushing and fidgeting, it was all very cute. The lip biting however, that was...it was putting Devyn's mind places. She didn’t know why but when someone bit there lip it was just...sexy. Yeah, best word she could think of for the moment. She watched Zoe closely as she moved towards the door, slightly expecting her to leave so when Zoe sat down Devyn was smiling at her. "Comfy?" Devyn asked after Zoe seemed like she was nice and settled. Devyn would not lie that she was tempted to move on closer to Zoe, but she would not push it, with this type you had to get close and the reel them in slow. Let them come to you a little, didn’t want to scare them off.

"I figure you are a pretty smart girl. No doubt you will catch up and be getting straight As." Devyn said, looking at her, resting her head on her arms which were still resting on her knees, not taking her eyes of Zoe. Man this girl really was pretty. The pale skin, the lip biting, the blushing, the accent. It was all too cute and too much. Devyn's green eyes glanced away for a moment as if collecting her thoughts before they looked back over to Zoe. "Was it lonely?" Devyn asked, curious to understand the life someone else with powers that were dangerous lived like. How they saw things, how others saw them. She was curious.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe nodded, though she was tempted to point out that she was probably older than Devyn. It was a little hard to tell just how old the other girl actually was though, plus, there was always something someone could teach you, even if you were three times as old as them. If nothing else, Devyn could teach Zoe something about flirting, not that she particularly wanted to learn.

She situated herself quite comfortably, eventually nodding when Devyn asked, though she offered a slight smile, "It's rather chilly though, the floor, that is," she nodded toward the floor and then wiggled to get her back flush against the wall. while she might have complained about it, Zoe still enjoyed the feel of the cold tile and stone against her body, what with the flush that all the compliments and flirting had brought on. It seeped into her, easing her enough that she closed her eyes for a few moments.

A smile tugged at her lips at the assertion of her intelligence, "I try," was all she said, keeping her voice a little light, even shrugging a little. She was smart enough to earn fairly high marks across the board, though she certainly did better in Art and English than anything else. She was just about to tell Devyn that when the other girl asked her question. Zoe sighed, then opened her eyes, looking at the opposite wall.

"It was," she said. She fidgeted, "more or less. I had some money, and I could sell photographs and the like; I like to think I'm fairly good," she bit her lip, working it for a moment before letting out a soft breath, "but I didn't tell anyone where I was going, and, well, I hadn't left on the best of terms. I still haven't contacted my family..." she trailed off, looking over at the mirrors for a few moments, considering. "What about you though?" Zoe shifted to look at Devyn. "You said you've been here for years? What's that like?"

[Devyn Solway]

"Want to sit on my jacket?" Devyn offered because really she did not need it on, she was already pretty warm, but she was always warm. Just a little warmer than most humans, but that was not really a mutant thing. At least she figured it was not since she knew someone who was always pretty warm and they didn’t have any powers or anything like that. "Or you can scoot closer." Devyn said trying to not flirt too much, but the temptation was too strong. Even more so each time Zoe spoke and the longer she looked at her. Devyn went silent for a moment at seeing Zoe close her eyes. Zoe almost looked as if she was relaxing and at peace in a way. It made Devyn smile a little more because that meant that Zoe was feeling a little more comfortable around her. Well at least that was what she figured.

"Just try huh? Bet you have some natural ability that you are really good at." Devyn said, eyes looking at the camera, figuring it to be that. Something artistic for sure. The sigh changed the mood again and Devyn would have been fine if Zoe had not said anything or said that she didn’t want to talk about it. However Zoe was talking about it, to a person that had earlier slightly trapped her in the bathroom. Devyn was all ears, full focus still on Zoe as it had been for a little while now. This time the lip bite didn’t make her think other things. More so made her think that Zoe was having a hard time with this topic, which made Devyn wonder why Zoe would talk about it then. Devyn didn’t mind, she liked it in fact when people opened up to her; not that she herself would do the same.

Her words about not leaving on the best of terms put some sort of idea of what could be the reason behind it. Devyn's first guess being of course it had to deal with her powers. It had to be something that scared her, something that she might not have supposed to be doing to which would lead her to run out of fear. That was just a guess however, Devyn could not be sure, she was merely speculating based off the things she had learned from Zoe just bay the things she said and her behavior. Devyn was tempted to ask more about it, but Zoe made a change in subject, clear indication she didn’t want to talk about such things anymore so Devyn dropped it. Thinking about the question Zoe now asked her, and it was only fair that she give her an answer.

"It's...interesting. Gives you a place to call home when you have none to return to. Helps you get control over your powers and it’s like living something of a normal life." Devyn went on to explain and gave something of a small chuckle. "I tend to be a loner for the most part, few people I can call friends, but most as just like everyone else." Devyn admitted, attachments were not always the best for her to have with others because when it was time she gets protective over them, a bit…alpha would be the best word she could think of. "I think you will like it. Once you get to know a few people and find something you enjoy, life should be pretty normal." Devyn said looking to the floor for a moment and then back to Zoe after a moment.

"Also risk. Have to be up for taking some risk or else you want be able to experience things and get a join out of life." Devyn gave a wink as she said that, could be hinting to things or simply giving advice; she made it hard to tell.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe thought about the offer of the jacket but just shook her head. The second one, the offer to move closer, actually made Zoe scoot a little further away. She did smile a little though, a little playful, a little shy, as if she were teasing in turn, or perhaps suggesting that Devyn would have to try a little harder if she really wanted to break through that shell. Not that Devyn wasn't already trying quite hard, almost too hard, but Zoe couldn't help but like the attention.

She did flush a little at the mention of her natural ability. Several counterarguments zinged through her brain, but Zoe didn't bother to actually verbalize any of them. She couldn't see Devyn just sitting there and taking whatever she had to say at face value. No, the other girl would pull apart and reassemble whatever Zoe said, mauling it until it somehow made something resembling a compliment. So better to just take the first one and save everyone the time and effort.

Besides, Zoe had her own story to tell, as best she could. There were still key details she left out; she certainly wasn't going to tell Devyn that her power had manifested when she'd kissed her step-sister. The girl part of that was bad enough without looking into the other problems, and Zoe didn't want to give Devyn any more ammunition. The other girl had clearly already figured out that Zoe wasn't strictly straight, which already made Zoe's stomach squirm. Thankfully, Devyn provided an answer as well as a question. Zoe rested her head on her camera and looked at the other girl, studying her with those big, brown eyes. Place to call home, attachments, Zoe giggled a little at that.

"You'd probably have more attachments if you weren't quite so brusque," she said, gesturing toward her companion. "You can't flirt quite everyone into submission," oh dear lord, did that count as flirting back? Zoe looked away, resolving to just listen. Not surprising what came out last, and Zoe shook her head. "That's easy for you to say, your risks won't put other people in the hospital," she looked back at Devyn. "Really, would kissing a girl be worth that? Because I certainly don't think so," she plucked at her glove absently, frowning at the constant reminder of her cursed ability.

[Devyn Solway]

Making her run Dev. Devyn thought to herself when she noticed Zoe move away, which she understood. She really was going to behave and not try anything if Zoe did move closer. She was just offering to warm her up, however it did not make her act any different of feel hurt or anything. Some people could handle how Devyn flirted, others could not. Zoe was blushing again and it was just too cute. It was a shame that she could not poke her cheek or something. Well she could but that result would not be fun. Sure she had no real proof if Zoe was being honest about her power but Devyn had no cause to think that she was lying. Zoe made it very clear and it showed that she was being honest and was worried about her power.

Zoe had pretty eyes. Big and brown, they were very cute and all the features on Zoe's face just seemed to work. Devyn wondered if Zoe had done any photos of herself before. She would not think so since Zoe didn’t really come off as the type with confidence. It was clear that she was shy and possibly a bit scared when it came to dealing with other people; which made since because of what Zoe's power did to people. Devyn looked at her still, studying her for a moment as well. Thinking that Zoe might as well been the type to be scared to get close to people. Well if she was, she was going to have to deal with it now. Devyn had decided then and there that she was for sure going to bother this girl more and try to be her friend or something. Zoe interested her on many different levels, which she keeps to herself for now.

"Hey, I know how to behave myself at times and tone it down." Devyn said chuckling at Zoe's choice of words. Devyn knew she could come on very strong, sometimes she could control it, other times she could not, and even still sometimes she did not want to hold back. She smirked now at the next sentence Zoe said. "True. Have to use different tactics with each person because people are not all the same." Devyn said sly but bit her lip from saying something else that would for sure make Zoe blush and she was trying to behave now and have a normal-ish conversation with her. Her eyes drifted back to the ground for a moment as she thought about if it would be worth it or not. She didn’t have to think long and she was not worried about what Zoe thought of her after that and just went to speak her mind.

"Didn’t mean just in terms of kissing, meant in general. If you are scared to try things, you will never do them and you will miss out on things." Devyn said trying to word it right as she saw it in her mind. "In terms of kissing however, if you never try and kiss someone or touch them, how will you ever work on getting control over your power? How will you ever know if that person would be able to handle your touch?" Devyn asked looking back over at Zoe. Her own mind wondering if Zoe touched her shadow form if it would Zoe's power would affect her or not. She was not sure. Her shadow beast form was basically an exoskeleton; it was fur, not skin. Yet, she could still feel things in that form. But would Zoe's paralyzing touch work on her if Devyn used shadows to protect her skin?

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe wanted to arch an eyebrow at the assertion that Devyn could control herself. Thus far, Zoe had not seen any evidence of this even being a remote possibility. She didn't want to mention that to the other girl because, well, Zoe was growing to like Devyn more and more with each passing second. She was already cursing herself for that, since Zoe had that stupid tendency to immediately like someone just after meeting them the first time. It wasn't like she was picturing Devyn and her standing in a church or something; okay, now she was, but she wasn't seriously thinking about it. No, her thoughts were just hovering around the idea of trying to kiss the girl. Maybe it wouldn't work the same way with Devyn, maybe Zoe could just give her a little peck and it would just leave the lips tingly...

or maybe Zoe kissed Devyn and had to call 911 and then explain to the faculty that she'd sent another girl to the hospital because she couldn't keep her affections under control which would then make any other encounters with the girl super awkward since Zoe couldn't exactly run away from Bellefonte unless they had some sort of special ward where they threw all those with super evil powers and cruel intentions or a lack of control or whatever you called what Zoe had.

And you wonder why she doesn't talk.

"You don't get it!" said Zoe, her frustration bubbling up. She threw her hands out and moaned in frustration. "I can't just---I'm working on it, I really am! I've signed up for training and I've tried on, like, small animals and stuff," though not much, because she hated watching them stiffen. "And I know I brought it up this time, but could we please get off the topic of kissing? Because now all I can think about is kissing you and if I do and you go into convulsions I won't be able to handle it, alright? So, so, let's talk about something else, something that has nothing to do with touching or powers or--that, okay?" Zoe was fighting tears now, which just frustrated her even further, making her curl up, her arms wrapping about her legs. Maybe some day, she wouldn't be so damned pathetic.

[Devyn Solway]

Devyn didn’t really have a clue as to what was going through Zoe's mind. She was not a mind reader after all. She could make guess but that’s all they were, just guesses. She did however get the feeling like Zoe was looking at her in a different way. Possibly. Her skills at reading someone could be off due to the fact that she was still just a tad sleepy and also wanted something to eat. A snack would be good. She didn’t plan to go back to class or anything so she could sneak back to her dorm and get something to eat. Or find a vending machine like she originally planned to do anyways. She made a mental note to start packing snacks and hide them away in her coat. Only problem with that would be the fact that things would melt due to her body heat or be smashed from her laying down.

She didn’t say anything about me being able to control myself. Devyn thought to herself, finding that interesting. Most people would have said something along the lines of doubt or at least make a bet or something. Well Devyn could not really say that everyone would do such things, just most of the people she ran into. Granted Zoe was the shy type so it really should not have come to her as a shock that Zoe didn’t say anything back. Devyn moved a little where she was sitting, not moving closer of course, but to allow herself to be more comfortable as she let one leg stretch out in front of her. Shifting to lean on her other knee of the leg that was still up and close to her body.

There was not really any shock or anything in Devyn’s eyes when Zoe finally seemed to just let it out. It was what Devyn had been waiting for almost, what she expected. It was only a matter of time really. If you pushed a person enough they snap at some point or another. Devyn just sat there and listened, her green eyes not looking away from Zoe as she took in her words. She did however smile a little at Zoe admitting that she wanted to kiss her. It was so cute. Devyn making another mental note at the fact that Zoe actually wanted to even if they didn’t know each other long. That was not really a shocker or anything; some people would be around each other for less time and be already getting hot and heavy. Zoe asked her to drop it, but Devyn didn’t see the tears yet. Tears where a great release helped people feel better after, chemicals, science, and all that knowledge stuff.

"If you did kiss me and say I did start to convulse on the floor. I would not hate you or anything for it. After all I did kind of ask for it at the very start of us talking, so if anything, it be my fault." Devyn said with a smirk and a wink, now moving to sit right next to Zoe if Zoe didn’t scamper away or anything. "If you want to cry you should do it. Fighting it is only going to make it worse." Devyn said as she careful went to put an arm around Zoe. She had a jacket on so her arms where protected and she was still carful to not actually touch Zoe's skin, at least not yet. Because the danger was kind of tempting if she was being honest. Devyn still wanted to hang out with her and get this shy girl working on coming out of her shell. Devyn might have been pulling her out of said shell, but she was slightly trying to be easy about it. "Tell me about what photos you like to take? Plants? People? Black and white?" Devyn asked her many questions, trying to stir Zoe to talk more.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe let out a strained chuckle at Devyn's comment. She really had been asking for it, hadn't she? Zoe was actually tempted to admit that she'd nearly considered kissing Devyn just to get out of the bathroom and the uncomfortable situation. clearly that wouldn't have really worked. And now they were in a... situation with varying comfort?

For Zoe felt Devyn draw close, her body stiffening. There were still layers of clothing; most of Zoe had, in fact, been covered by cloth or what have you. So really, it didn't make any sense for her to be freaking out. Didn't stop her heart from racing, nearly skipping a beat. Did that... what did that mean? Zoe had literally just told Devyn that she'd actually wanted to kiss her, and now she drew closer...

wait, did Devyn actually like her? The thought made Zoe's pulse race again. So all the flirting, had it actually meant something? no, no, this was Zoe being stupid and emotional and thinking something was there when something really wasn't.

Then an arm descended. Zoe stiffened again, her mind screaming at her, demanding that she take off and run, though she had no idea where she'd go. Not hate her for it; she'd said that, hadn't she? It had been earlier? Did Devyn want Zoe to kiss her? Gah, this was just so confusing and mind-boggling that Zoe was tempted to just kiss Devyn to get the whole thing over with. And here she was sitting there and thinking about kissing after practically begging to talk about something else.

Like photography. "I photograph everything, actually," said Zoe. She tilted her head toward Devyn, careful to make sure that nothing touched. That was why she'd chopped off all her hair: to make sure that even a strand of it wouldn't grace someone else and cause the paralysis. "I'm looking to capture moments. They're always so fleeting. Like this, this will never happen again, not precisely like this. We will never again have a first meeting filled with all that awkwardness. The moment was here, and now it's gone. So when I take a picture, I can capture it," she paused, shifting, "and I usually write a poem on the back of the picture. Something about how I was feeling or what the photograph means to me," she shrugged, "I've been told their rather good. Oh, and black and white, they're all in black and white."

She paused, feeling like she'd just overshared again. She kept doing that. It was either say everything or say nothing, no middle ground. Zoe wanted to sigh again, more frustrated at herself than anything at this point. There was just no making herself happy, was there?

[Devyn Solway]

Devyn still did not know what all was going on in Zoe's mind. If she did she might have cleared things up a little better. Devyn was the type to flirt and give complements to pretty much anyone she didn’t have an issue with. She didn’t have an issue with Zoe and she was a very cute girl, so it was only natural that she was going to flirt with her. Not that Devyn had expected anything out of it if she was being honest. It was the first meeting after all. She didn’t think Zoe as the type to give it all up and commit to someone on the first meeting. Granted she still didn’t really know Zoe, which was why she planned on hanging out with her again and get to know her. They were going to be good friends at the very least; at least that was Devyn's plan at the moment.

Devyn was not really affected or bothered by the fact that Zoe had said she wanted to kiss her and as such she didn’t really think about how Zoe might have been taking the fact that she moved closer to her. They were both teenagers so hormones tended to make them want to do things, and Devyn was not a stranger to such things. So being told that someone was good to hear yes, but it was just words. Action got her attention. So long as things remained words Devyn didn’t take them into too much thought. Unless Zoe started to say it a lot, then she would pick up on it, but for now Zoe said it once and to Devyn that was just a compliment.

Devyn could feel that Zoe was a little stiff with her arm around her, making her consider removing it and keeping her limbs to herself. She was trying to comfort Zoe is all? Since the girl looked like she was going to cry and Devyn wanted to see the tears, her body was already reacting as if Zoe was crying, but Zoe had not. Devyn had a smile on her face once Zoe started to talk about photography and she was pleased that she guessed right at it being a hobby of Zoe's. She watched Zoe go on about why she liked it and even how she wrote poems. It was just all too cute. Devyn literally wanted a poster with Zoe on it that had cute written on it. She hang it up in her room and everything. Alright, she was not sure if she do all that...then again she might.

"Think you can take a photo for me and give me a poem with it?" Devyn asked, being serious because she wanted one now. Sounded neat and she wanted to see this talent first hand herself. She gave a small chuckle at the fact that Zoe seemed to go all quite after sharing so much. Devyn didn’t mind at all, just meant she was passionate about something. Devyn appreciated passion, meant you had a drive, a purpose to do something in life. She hoped that drive to take photos kept Zoe at least happy to a certain degree. “You are really cute, you know that?” Devyn asked but mostly was informing Zoe of it since it had been on her mind so much she had to tell her.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe was actually comfortable with the silence, especially with Devyn's arm around her. It was then that the girl realized that she hadn't actually let anyone touch her like that since the incident with Ava. The little touch, the human comfort, was something that Zoe missed, and she hadn't exactly been one to crave it before her power manifested. It was just the way people worked: the moment you couldn't do or have something was when you most wanted it.

Didn't make Zoe any less embarrassed though. She actually lowered her head and blushed at Devyn's request, feeling her ears going red. She fumbled with her camera a bit, feeling a shy little smile again spreading on her lips. She offered a little nod, barely a gesture at all, really, but certainly enough to be noticeable. Surely Devyn would see it, since the other girl seemed fairly focused on Zoe and all. The photographer was starting to look back at the ceiling again when Devyn made her next comment.

Zoe actually laughed at that. She couldn't help it; the noise just bubbled out of her. She even raised a glove hand to smother, before turning to look at Devyn, her eyes twinkling. "Sorry, I really am. Perhaps if you keep saying that I'll actually believe it," her eyes twinkled a bit at this last comment and she carefully adjusted, trying to show that she was relaxing into the arm without accidentally paralyzing her. Zoe almost wanted to close her eyes, and soon found her lips moving for yet more oversharing:

"this is the first time someone's touched me since my ability manifested," she said, turning to look at Devyn. She was seriously considering writing a love poem or something equally cheesy, which she already knew Devyn would likely just laugh at. Don't get a crush on this girl, Zoe. She's definitely not the type to give you what you want, and you know this, even if she is being incredibly sweet. She'll end up hurting you. So stop looking at her lips. You stop right now, Zoe Elizabeth Wallerstein-Smythe.

"So what kind of picture would you want?" asked Zoe, very purposefully looking back to the other wall again. "I usually just take pictures of people doing their normal daily activities..." Zoe trailed off, realizing that she wasn't sure what Devyn's actually were, beyond skipping class. she looked over at the other girl, an expression of curiosity on her face now.

[Devyn Solway]

Devyn was actually pretty comfortable herself in their current moment of sitting there next to one another. Mainly because the bathroom was not really soft and a body was, plus Zoe's scent was pleasant enough. Better than the other scents she was picking up in the bathroom. Plus even being a loner Devyn still liked to be close and around people from time to time. Her other form was a pack animal after all and even if a wolf could survive alone, it thrilled when it was in a pack. Devyn didn’t have a pack, not yet that was. She didn’t have the things a wolf desired, but she was human so she didn’t have a strong desire for such things most times. It was just a time to time thing.

"Why are you hiding?" Devyn whispered at Zoe since she was close enough and Zoe had lowered her head. Devyn was still all eyes on Zoe so she did see her blushing and the small nod. Which meant she was going to get a photo after all with a nice little poem. Making Devyn wonder what kind of poems Zoe wrote most commonly. Zoe must have been thinking a lot of things because she was now looking up at the ceiling, something she noticed people did when they were thinking. She did it herself, it was something about looking up that helped collect thoughts. As if looking up helped you see all the thoughts and are able to grab them. Devyn was however a little shocked at the laugh, but that was cute even still and she was full on smiling now.

"Then I'll be sure to let you know it every time I see you." Devyn said and she was being serious, so every time she saw Zoe she was going to tell her she was cute. Every time she would pass her in the halls, possibly run into her in the bathroom again, anywhere she saw Zoe she was going to say hi and that she was cute. The twinkle in Zoe's eyes was to die for, she just wanted to squeeze this girl in a fierce hug or poke her cheeks. The first was most likely the safest best, so her arm around Zoe did tighten a little for a moment, going to pull Zoe close to her, but still leaned her head back to avoid unwanted touched, plus she did not keep her there long. Her grip going back to normal and allowing Zoe to move away if she liked.

"Oh? Want me to touch you more?" Devyn said and then blinked, laughing at herself because of how that sounded. "Meaning I'm game for high-five, hugs, and such if you like. You should work on touching others as well. You got gloves on so you should not be so worried." Devyn said still with a slight chuckle, he mind still a little in the gutter from the way she had worded things. Devyn had to think for a moment, what kind of photo did she want. She like bands, nature, and pretty hot guys and or girls. That’s what she decorated her walls in her room with anyways, mostly bad posters. "How about one of you? I could start a photo album of the people I talk with." Devyn said with a nod and was thinking once more since Zoe was looking at her as if she wanted to know what Devyn did.

"I do a lot of eating, napping, and working out. It be a bit boring for you to take a photo and I’m in less layers when I work out." Devyn admitted, because sometimes she even take off everything on her top half and just be in men’s underwear or something, since they were comfy.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe ignored the comment about hiding; that should definitely be obvious by this point. She probably would have crawled further into herself had Devyn not been right there, arm around her and everything. That felt too good, worryingly good. Not at all helped by the fact that Devyn insisted on continuing to call Zoe cute every time they met, and Zoe couldn't shake the feeling that they were going to end up meeting fairly often. She felt the arm tighten and her heart skipped for a moment. At this point, Zoe firmly believed that she wouldn't resist a hug or even a... kiss, but she was far too terrified to make the first move, not considering what happened last time.

Then came that question, which Zoe was certain was another little teasing flirt. She felt her ears growing hot again, and she tried lowering her head to smother the word she felt bubbling up: "Yes." It was pathetic, horribly pathetic, but Zoe spent so much time pushing people away that being held like this just felt too damn good to let go of. And then Devyn had to go and offer even more physical contact, which actually made Zoe start to cry. She couldn't help it! The tears just started bubbling up out of her eyes, and soon she was bringing her hand up to wring at her eyes.

"I'm sorry, God, I'm so pathetic. I'd love to blame my blasted ability, but I was pretty soppy before," she tried to chuckle but it nearly came out a choke. She did force a smile, even as she felt the tears bubbling up. Photo albums, working out, normal things, Zoe had to smile at that thought. "We're never going to be normal again," she couldn't help but say. "We're always going to be mutants, be different from the rest of the world," she sighed, moving to lay her head on Devyn. No sooner had her eyes closed when she realized what she was doing. Zoe then jerked her head away, nearly scrambling totally away from Devyn. "Oh God, I'm sorry! I'm just--I forgot! You don't feel tingly anywhere, do you? I don't think I could've touched you long," she was already reaching out to Devyn now, her gloved hands on the other girl's arm as if to search for numbness.

[Devyn Solway]

Devyn was right next to her and had good hearing so even with Zoe's words coming of low and slightly smothered she was still able to pick up the yes. At least it sounded like a yes. Devyn had no problem at all giving the girl hugs and that human contact next time she saw her. Human contact was important, touch itself was important to all living things in fact. Plants liked to be touched and talked to. Animals, including humans liked to be touched and have that sort of contact with another living being. Even the animals that spent lives in solitude. They still sought out mates every so often and when they had cubs that gave them contact and love. Devyn remembered that he dad said it was very important for a child’s development. If a child did not get it at home, they seek it somewhere else. So in this case it applied to Zoe. If she was not getting it from someone she might just do as she pleased and touch people either way, or seek further into a dangerous reclusive state.

I'm going to get her a stuff animal. Devyn thought to herself, something furry, and a large one. It was not a living thing but it was still something for Zoe to have a hold when she every felt the need. The scent of tears soon come to Devyn's nose, making her rub her hand up and down the side of Zoe's arm. There they were the tears that Devyn expected and honestly were good for Zoe to start shedding. "For crying? Not pathetic at all. It’s pretty normal." Devyn said with a small chuckle that faded away at Zoe's words at them never being normal. She had a point, but Devyn was not really bothered by that thought. "So what? We are still living being that feel, desire, and have needs that need to be met." Devyn said trying to convey to Zoe that even if they were different, when it came down to it they were still pretty much still human. Plus what even was normal? Normal was to each person interpretation and everyone interpretations were vastly different so to say that they would never be normal was not really true.

Devyn went still at Zoe's head laying on her. She felt weird. The not so good weird all of a sudden, but Zoe was quickly moving away. Devyn didn’t fight Zoe moving away, Zoe was scared after all. Plus to be honest Devyn's heart might have been beating a little faster. The shadows in the room moved a little, stretching themselves towards Devyn, but then settled back to normal as Devyn started to chuckle. "Relax Zoe. I'm not convulsing or in pain, so no worries." Devyn said still chuckling, but she didn’t move from where she was, remaining still. Her body processing in a way. Didn’t answer Zoe's question about any numbness. She didn’t want to freak Zoe out anymore or make the girl run away or anything. Green eyes watching the gloved hand reach out to her and gave Zoe a warm smile. "Settle down Zoe. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. I'm fine." Devyn said with a slight chuckle escaping her lips. Zoe was too sweet, not a bad bone in this girls body, which was a good thing. With Zoe's power she could easy get rid of so many people.

That why Devyn was going to look out for her in a way. Make sure she never felt completely alone, that no one bullied her or anything like that. This school was a good place for her because out in the real world people would not always be as understand. They feared what they didn’t understand and fear made people do and say stupid things. Things that result in the victim doing things that were harmful to themselves and others. "Just so you know, we are friends now. You don’t get a choice in the matter. So you better say hi back to me when you see me. Or I will bite you." Devyn gave Zoe a wink as she teased sort of, using that assertive dominance she had in her from time to time to make it clear that Zoe really didn’t have a choice in the matter. Devyn saw her as a friend at least for now.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Normal crying? "It's not normal when you do it all the time," said Zoe, her voice again dropping into that lower octave with the slight tremble that would have given away her tears even if they weren't already painfully obvious. She did feel slightly reassured by the fact that A) Devyn wasn't going anywhere and B)she kept being nice to Zoe, for some reason. Part of Zoe almost wished that Devyn just told her to suck it up, though that probably would've made her cry.

So it was really for the best, since Zoe was perfectly capable of freaking herself out. She sort of heard Devyn's voice, and it was kind of obvious that the other girl wasn't convulsing or anything. It was taking a bit for that knowledge to reach Zoe's emotions though: she could feel her chest compressing tight, her heart racing, the whole fear shooting straight through her. Devyn kept reassuring her, and the words started to puncture through Zoe's blind panic. The British girl took several shivering breaths, fighting hard to regain some composure. Enough that she actually did close her eyes and take several breaths. She could feel her heart slowing down, moving from rabbit to something closer to a human being.

Friends, Zoe chuckled at that. "You're really making a mistake there: I'm quite obviously a mess," she leaned back against the wall, taking another deep breath and letting it out slowly. She brought a hand up, pressing it against her face. She took a deep breath, then lowered her hand, looking over at Devyn. "Though I would advise against biting me. I'm not entirely sure how my power would work with regards to consumption, but you could very well be digesting flesh that could kill you. And I would hate to lose a friend so quickly after getting one," Zoe tried to chuckle, readjusting herself, her hand again going to her camera, clutching it almost like it was some kind of security blanket.