Something's Definitely Different

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Didn't every girl want to be wooed by a prince? Just because Zoe's version happened to have feminine parts instead of masculine ones didn't really change it for her. It also didn't dilute the image overmuch, particularly as they were approaching the restaurant. She recognized it. More to the point she could recall walking past it and simply daydreaming about what it was like inside. And now she was going to go in. Dressed like this.

Panic started to seep in as she grabbed Riley's hand. she almost clung to it like some sort of life raft, clinging a little tighter. She felt like whimpering, like stating that she felt like everyone there was going to take one look at her and think she was a gold-digger or, worse, an escort. Oh God, prostitutes dressed like her, didn't they? No, wait, that was cruel: this was Vera's outfit. But Vera could pull it off with sexy confidence. So maybe Zoe would just look like Riley's purchased... plaything? What did you call someone when you essentially bought them?

Escort. That at least felt classy.

And the silent escort-Zoe was clinging to Riley like she expected everyone to start picking up stones and practicing their best angry mob impersonation. she even jumped as the doors opened and the hostess turned friendly smiles their direction.

[Riley Forrester]

When they started to approach the restaurant, Riley felt something change in Zoe. A sort of tense panic in the way she held Riley's arm and stuck so close to her. Riley looked down, and immediately recognized the panic in Zoe's face. over what, she wasn't exactly sure. But she did have a good guess: the outfit. She looked so scared, it was making Riley's heart hurt just seeing her so panicked. So when they got inside and were greeted by the friendly hotess, Riley slipped her hand into Zoe's and ignored the numbness to give her girlfriend's hand a squeeze.

"Zoe. It's ok. I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere." She said, smiling warmly at the girl as they headed towards their seats. "You look so beautiful and sexy in the outfit, and even without it I still think you're beautiful and sexy. I'm glad to have you as my girlfriend, and just saying that seriously makes me giddy. Every time." Riley said as they reached their table and had a seat. it was in the open, but not ridiculously so. And they had managed to get a booth too, and a wrap around so the two could sit nearer.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

the hand squeezed hers and Zoe could actually feel the air being pushed out of her, as if the gesture were enough to do that on its own. She smiled up at Riley, feeling more relief pouring into her. "I know but--" she began in that slight bit between sentences. It wasn't Riley Zoe doubted at all. No, Riley would definitely stay, would know, would help. She was already moving forward, insisting that they were fine. Then more compliments, insisting that Zoe was beautiful and sexy.

"That's the problem though!" Zoe said. She paused to try and figure out how to get into the booth. Her hands tugged at the dress once more as she sort of slid over in the most awkward way she believed she could have possibly done so. At least she managed to get more or less in the center, albeit with the full belief that everyone was staring at her. "I just--maybe--' she tried, chewing her lip again, squirming once more and trying to figure out what to say.

"We, um, we should, ah, be careful though, about, ah, the kissing, in, um, public," she managed, flushing darkly and looking over at Riley. "I mean, ah, people---they can be... mean, especially about... that... here..." Zoe looked down, this time remembering things all too well.

[Riley Forrester]

At Zoe's words, Riley felt her face soften again. She was still nervous, probably just because she was so unused to wearing anything like she was now. And knowing Zoe, she was probably worried about everyone staring at her. Oh Zoe.... I really want to help you calm down. Riley thought, reaching out to squeeze the girl's hand again. "Hey.... Look. It may sound kinda selfish..." Riley trailed off as she thought about it, and then chuckled. "Ok, it definitely sounds a bit selfish. But how about you just... Focus on me? On us?" Se offered before blushing a bit. "I know it sounds crazy and all and it's probably gonna be really hard to do, but I really want you to have a good time and not worry cause.... Cause you're my girlfriend Zoe." Riley rambled a bit. Then she blinked and ran her fingers through her hair. "And how you manage to put up with me for spouting things like that, I'll never know." She added with a chuckle.

Riley blinked at Zoe as she mentioned the kissing in public thing. From the way Zoe was blushing so badly, and her next words, Riley had a feeling something bad had happened. She squeezed her girlfriend's had, conveying her understanding, but then she bite her bottom lip and averted her eyes for a moment. "Can I.. Can I steal a quick one right now though? It could just be on the cheek if you...." Riley trailed off before shrugging. She just really wanted to kiss Zoe,even if it was brief. She had been wanting to kiss Zoe from the beginning of the date, even with the small peck near the initial part. "I just... I've been dying to kiss you."

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe felt the squeeze and turned to look into her girlfriend's eyes. Was it selfish? It didn't sound selfish, especially not when Zoe realized all too well that Riley was saying it for her, that she wanted Zoe to relax, to enjoy herself, to realize that it was them on an official date together, that they were together. Zoe had to smile at the end, knowing full well that Riley knew full well that she loved hearing the other girl ramble like that.

It didn't change her nerves about one thing, feeling that squeeze. Zoe opened her mouth to elaborate for a moment, only to pause as Riley continued, asking for a sweet kiss in a way that made Zoe flush. The poet looked around for a moment before leaned in for another peck. "I... I really just... I want us to be us," she admitted, giving the hand a squeeze. "I really want everyone to know I'm with you and that you're with me and we're... we're a couple. We're... we're romantic. I do. But I just... with who you are and... and with... people will be mean and... if you... if you can be strong for it, then I think I... could?"

Zoe flushed, but she remained looking this time. She was determined, determined to make a point, to make her stand. She'd already come out to Kalispell with her shows and with blogs and who knows what else. So if Riley was comfortable being out with her together, knowing what that might mean...

[Riley Forrester]

Even though Zoe always said she loved Riley's little corny moments, Riley still managed to get nervous after spewing something cheesy to the girl next to her. Although, Zoe'd smile helped reassure her, and the fact the girl seemed to calm just a little. Which was why it had been a bit easy for Riley to ask for that kiss. She didn't miss the way Zoe had nervously looked around before planting the kiss on her cheek. Wow. She's really, really nervous.

Her next words only confirmed it. Zoe wanted this, for them to be... well... them. She even emphasized it with a little hand squeeze. She wanted the fact that they were a couple to out in the open. But she was worried. Worried about who Riley was and worried about people being mean. That just made Riley blink and slowly shake her head. "Oh Zoe..." She breathed, a fond smile building on her face.

"I want us to be together, and I want other people to know it too. It may sound a little... possessive, but I want people to know when they look at you that you're mine. And when they look at me I want them to know I'm yours. Which is definitely cheesy sounding, but I mean every word." Riley assured her with a chuckle and a warm smile. "And it doesn't matter who I am or what my last name is. I'm still your girlfriend Zoe. And even though it hasn't been for long, I've absolutely loved every second I've been your girlfriend. So I'm not afraid of our relationship and showing it exists to others." She said, gently cupping the girl's cheek before planting a kiss on her lips. It was brief, and chaste in it's intentions, but certainly carried the affection Riley felt for this girl as she pulled away and smiled.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Just hearing her name said like that, with a breath, made Zoe skip a beat. Again she had to wonder if she hadn't somehow fallen in love so very quickly with this captivating woman. It hadn't been a month yet, had it? Everything had been swept up in this wonderful whirlwind, and sometimes it seemed like Riley still spoke out from one of Zoe's dreams.

though in her dreams, there would be decidedly less worry about cheese.

The thought of being Riley's did warm Zoe, and it made her realize a rather real reason for what she wanted to happen at the end of that date. There was just something there that she wanted to consummate, to make whole, and it seemed to be extended out toward her now. Don't be afraid of the relationship, and a light kiss of affection, one that left Zoe smiling.

"That sounds wonderful to me," she said, reaching for a hand to give a light squeeze again. "And you really must stop referring to the lovely things you say as cheesy. I happen to thoroughly enjoy your romanticism," she smiled at her girlfriend, and likely would have continued had there not been a slightly polite cough coming from the well-dressed waitress who stood at their table. She looked at them both, apologizing and asking if they needed a moment or if they were ready for drinks or...?

[Riley Forrester]

Riley smiled at the light squeeze to her hand, and Zoe's assurance that what Riley had said sounded wonderful to her. That bit made Riley blush a little. Then Zoe was telling Riley that she really should stop beating herself up from calling everything she said cheesy, because they were lovely and Zoe really enjoyed them. Wow. That's different. She thought. Riley chuckled a little though before smiling warmly at Zoe, who looked like she was about to say something.

However, a polite cough snapped Riley to attention and she looked over to see the waitress asking for drinks or if they were ready. Blushing just a tad, Riley herself ordered water before looking at Zoe. "Do you want to look over the menu or order what we got from our first date?" Riley asked curiously

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe saw the blush and heard the drink order that soon followed. Well, apparently trying to see if they could get wine or something along those lines was definitely off the table, which Zoe supposed was probably a good thing. She could recall all too well how she got when she had alcohol in her system. still, a little bit would've helped settle her nerves. But no, Riley ordered water, so Zoe ordered the same.

"What we had was good," Zoe admitted. She turned to give her girlfriend a shy smile. "But we really should try new things, don't you think?" Zoe nodded and looked up at the waiter. "Are there any specials or anything you'd particularly recommend?" Zoe was already glancing at the menu though, trying to figure out what sort of options they had. It was to her embarrassment that she realized as she looked that she didn't even know what kind of food this establishment happened to serve.

[Riley Forrester]

Zoe assured Riley that the food they had on their first date was good, which made Riley smile, but she also pointed out that it would be nice to get something different. Which made sense to Riley when she thought about it. Different date: different meal. Why not? Besides, she also really wanted to try out some of the other meals. So Riley nodded with a smile to the sort-of question Zoe posed.

When Zoe asked for specialties or just a recommendation, the waiter thought for a bit before answering. "If there's anything that I would specifically suggest to first-timers here; it would be the Cuban sea bass." She finally answered with a smile. "It's one of our specialties and honestly the best thing we have. In my opinion of course." She added on quickly. Riley chuckled as she went through the menu and finally found it amongst all the other different seafood dishes this place offered. Then she looked at Zoe.

"You want to try it? I've had this before." Riley admitted.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Oh look, they even had the fish to offer. Not that Zoe hadn't expected as much, considering that they'd both eaten here before and Riley knew her food preferences quite well. The thought of trying Cuban sea bass definitely sounded appealing to Zoe, and Riley was soon seconding.

"I'll have that then," Zoe said, nodding with confidence. "And that," she pointed toward a vegetable medley, "for a side dish, and maybe some salad?" She looked over to Riley for a moment of confirmation before handing her menu off to the waitress. Zoe would remain quiet while Riley placed her order, all the while nearly vibrating.

"I haven't been somewhere this nice in quite some time," Zoe confessed, looking around. "Di, she's, um, the friend I met during my trip in June, she and I did go to one place in LA, but, well, that was a while ago, and it wasn't," Zoe gestured, trying to somehow convey that there hadn't been any romantic element involved without actually using any of those particular words.

[Riley Forrester]

Riley smiled as Zoe decided to get the dish. It really was good, from what Riley could remember the last time she had ever had it. So when she glanced over at Riley, the punky girl gave a slight nod before turning to the waitress. "I'lll get the same thing except.... I'll have the clam chowder for the side." Riley decided, handing the woman the menu before she walked off.

Then Riley was turning her attention to Zoe, listened to her talk. Di was apparently the friend Zoe had met, and they went out. However, it had lacked something, and Riley had a good guess at what she meant. Reaching out, she took Zoe's hand in her own and ran her thumb along Zoe's hand. "What was LA like? I've never been." Riley confessed, curious.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

The mention of clam chowder nearly had Zoe pulling a face. Her nose crinkled slightly, just enough for the waitress to notice and smile a bit, but Zoe at least held her reactions in a bit more than that. Let Riley order what she wanted. Though: "You don't have to always order the same thing I do," Zoe pointed out, actually giving her girlfriend a slight prod with a finger. "Just because I eat light doesn't mean I expect you to."

Devyn certainly hadn't, neither had Alice, though the difference was less noticeable with the latter. Di hadn't exactly been a girlfriend, but she also hadn't been shy in the slightest about eating whatever she wanted around Zoe, literally making the other girl nauseous from time to time. Apparently Riley had picked up some of the thread there, reaching over to give Zoe's hand a squeeze, which Zoe certainly returned in kind.

"Oh, it was amazing!" Zoe said, taking a breath and smiling. "It was just... everything there felt so avant garde, from the buildings to the people and just... everything. Di had been before, so she insisted on dragging me to all the hot spots. Plus there was the actual stops for the trip. I think what I liked the most was just this... how open it all felt. Like, you could be or do what you wanted and find someone who felt the same. I guess it's sort of the same here? But, well, there it's more.. universal?" Zoe smiled, not sure if she was explaining this right. It didn't feel like she was. She almost wished she had the photos she'd gotten from the trip: those would communicate it much better than any words.

[Riley Forrester]

Riley noticed Zoe scrunch her nose when she mentioned the clam chowder. It was small and barely noticeable, but Riley had gotten pretty god at reading her girlfriend. She had to smile a bit at the expression. "Not a fan?" She asked. "I can scoot away a little when I eat it so you don't have to smell it as much." She offered and then listened as Zoe spoke. There was a poke in her side that made Riley chuckle and poke Zoe back with a grin. "I know, but I really do love this dish." She confessed.

But then she fell silent as Zoe described LA. When she described what she liked most about it, Riley smiled softly. It made sense to Riley, in a way.Maybe she couldn't understand it as much as Zoe, but she thought she got it. "I... I think I understand." Riley said. "Made you feel not so alone. Like there was someone else out there who, you know, understood you and didn't judge cause they thought the same way or went through sort of the same things." She offered. "Just, acceptance."

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

"it's the texture, really," Zoe insisted, pulling the face in a much more noticeable manner. She soon ended up giggling as Riley poked her, swatting playfully at the hands that teased her. The whole experience was just elevating her mood more and more, making her feel more and more comfortable with her girlfriend, which she hadn't really thought would be possible. That comfort led Zoe to truly believe Riley when he said that she liked the dish, that it wasn't just for her. It led Zoe to speak as eloquently as she could manage, short of digging into her poetry, after the city.

She ended with that sighing smile, looking to Riley, listening as she understood. "Exactly," she said, adding a nod. She reached up to brush some hair back. "It's been... so rough, but I think, I think I'm really starting to get, to see that people--that I'm fine, that I shouldn't be apologizing for who I am. I'm a homosexual, mutant, artist, and I should be proud of it."

Zoe nodded, then smiled, then took Riley's hand and gave it a squeeze. "So, you really are getting the best version of me. Hope you enjoy her." And a teasing, shy smile soon followed.