noah-atwood

[noah-atwood]

“Hey,” Noah greets before he even places a name to his face.

Will is easily recognizable, he is just caught off guard by the surprise visit at the station. It takes his brain a few moments to catch up.

"Truth? If we're not out at a scene, there's a good chance we're doing next to nothing waiting for our next call." He lifts the In'N'Out bag up and grins to show he had nothing going on. "You weren't, uh, waiting for long, were you?"

Then he thinks more about it and tacks on, "Don't tell me you showed up other days I wasn't working and today was a lucky guess."

@willxmeyers

who: @noah-atwood where: EMT station

Will had been waiting around for the better part of the morning. It didn't matter necessarily, it wasn't like he had urgent things to attend to or else he would have found a more appropriate time. The waiting only made him more aware of how busy Noah must be and how to not take up too much time. Spotting the paramedic arriving back into the station, Will pushed off the wall he was resting on while scrolling on his phone. "Noah, hey!" Will called out, turning his usual step into a mixture of a jog-walk to close their distance. "Sorry to bother you, you know, while you're working. Do you have a second?"

[noah-atwood]

CLOSED STARTER for @undervaalue at driftwood's speed dating event

By the third swap, Noah finds his stride. He thinks he does, anyway, even if he doesn't truly think he's in any way leaving an impression. The point is, the nerves are gone, replaced with a 'onto the next one' approach. It wasn't something new to try even with no real high hopes.

"Hi," he tries for friendly even if it's a touch flat. Unenthused, perhaps? Noah slips into the seat across from his new speed date partner. "I'm Noah, as the name tag obviously reads." He taps the sticker slapped to his t-shirt with a shrug.

Noah's eyes fall to the guy's name tag and he is silent for a moment, until he finally, slowly asks, "Does that say 'Bucket'?"

[noah-atwood]

A : AFFECTION. how does your muse show affection?

“Through undying support and endless silly gifts. I might not say the sweet things a whole lot, but I try to take care of the people I care about. I’ll try to solve their problems or help them through something, and I’ll show up with take out and a gift I think would make them smile.”

[noah-atwood]

chaussettes (socks): what do you misplace the most?

“My faith in the general population’s intelligence.

Really, it’s so sad how little I expect of people. When you work on an ambulance, you see a lot of things that happen that could’ve been so easily avoided… if they stopped to think about it ahead of time. Why would they, when they know they can call us?”

[noah-atwood]

“Hey, keep rambling,” Noah encourages her. The last thing he wants to do is make her feel like he’s snuffing out her creativity. If Eden has an idea, she needs to run with it. “So…”

He trails off and begins unloading the cart onto the self check-out — chosen so they can chat without being rude to a cashier trying to hold a conversation with them. “Have you thought more into it, or are you at surface level details? I haven’t thought about a world, I just have my character, but I think I can help where you need it.”

@edenxoconnell

Eden followed Noah to the front of the store, happy with their selections. When he responded about her wanting to DM, she smiled. "Yeah? I would love that! I mean, I haven't really made a whole campaign or anything, but I love fantasy so much. I love the game, too! I'm talking too much, I realize that. Sorry."

@noah-atwood

[noah-atwood]

CLOSED STARTER for @jokangmin after driftwood's speed dating event

"I don't think speed dating and I really get along. That was the most grueling thing I've ever had to go through, and I've worked half a shift with my clothes stained with human excrement."

[noah-atwood]

She’s insistent, that much is clear in the way Jas plants herself in the doorway. Aside from the invasion of privacy, she’s letting the warm air out. Noah groans, pulling the curtain up high to shield himself from the subtle chill.

“Were you going to kick in the door when I got out?” Noah throws back, exasperated. “You know, a lot of people get hurt falling in the shower. I see it, and what if I slipped because you scared me?”

It is an unfamiliar situation, hence why locking the door slipped his mind. It’s a habit Noah will have to instill in himself. He also thinks forgetting might have saved the hinges, depending on how important this missing pint is to Jas.

Noah huffs and yanks the curtain closed to hide back behind it and uses it as a silent dismissal when the flavor is revealed.

“Nobody sane likes raisins. They’re wrinkly grapes. And they put it in ice cream?” It wouldn't be his go-to. “If I tell you I’ll go into town with you when I’m done showering, will you close the door? Preferably with you on the other side of it and not interrogating me?”

@jasrussell

Jaswinder's fingers curl around the bathroom door handle, leaning her shoulder against the frame and shooting Noah an expectant look as his head peers around the shower curtain. The issue of him being naked and in the middle of showering is not one that Jaswinder cares about, a result of being too liberal according to some of the online reviews of her stand-up routines.

"Well, I considered that, but I figured you would prefer the privacy of the shower curtain rather than the alternative." Jaswinder notes the dryness of his voice and the deadpan expression crossing his features, perhaps she had misjudged how Noah would react to her barging into the bathroom.

The chances of it happening again were slim, but not zero.

"Well if it wasn't you—" Jaswinder points an accusatory finger at Noah, "—Then who was it? Because I would remember if I had or hadn't ate an entire pint of rum and raisin flavoured ice cream."

Unless she had been stoned, then anything was possible. @noah-atwood

[noah-atwood]

Noah shrugs, and he decides to not get into the details of it. Not now, not here when he’s there as Priya’s date and they’re supposed to have fun. He already commandeered Emerson’s time at Sharky’s. And he won’t make it a habit.

“Just too many shots, back to back. It was really dumb on my part.”

Really, really dumb, now that he reflects back on it. He shouldn’t have let one thing get under his skin so much.

“No! No, I wouldn’t do that. If anything, I’m surprised you didn’t have someone else with you,” Noah admits, because yeah. Like most of the friends he has around him, they’re all wonderful, intriguing and attractive people. It’s a question he doesn’t press for fear of being nosey. “Nah, I’ll— uh, I can try to dance. I’m the worst dancer, but I know if I tell you I’ll just slow you down, you are going to argue with me about it.”

As for ditching her, Noah assures, “I’m off tomorrow, so I don’t need to leave before midnight. Don’t worry, I won’t ditch you.”

@priyaxdesai

"Was Halloween that bad?" Priya tilted her head as she asked it, a look of concern crossing her features for her friend. "But no hangovers, got it. Maybe we stick with one type of alcohol? Vodka maybe? Or be classy and only do glasses of wine?" The concern was replaced with an easy, teasing smile as she nudged his arm with hers, wanting him to loosen up.

"And I'm saying if you keep trying to insist I do off on my own, you're gonna give me a complex and make me think you only came with me out of pity. And the I'll really be pouting at you." And she meant it too--both as a joke and...well, really. "I came here with you because I wanted to, No. Because I didn't have anyone else I wanted to be with. No one else really worth bringing into the new year next to me except you. My best friend. So please. Loosen up, and let's go get a drink, and if I want to dance then it's you I'm dragging onto the dancefloor, got it? And if you have someone else you want to be with for a while tonight, then it's me who will hang back. I won't even mind if you ditch me before midnight."

[noah-atwood]

“Yup. I wanted a senior cat, anyway. Kittens are like potential ticking time bombs of chaos. At least I knew what I was getting when I picked him out.”

Quiet, low-energy, but subtly affectionate. The most important part: nondestructive and a tad bit anti-social, so a quiet, one-cat household wouldn’t upset the orange tabby. It also wouldn't disrupt Noah's routine so much that it would be overwhelming.

"If I came home from a twelve-turned-sixteen hour shift to find a kitten got into a whole lot of messes, I definitely would've felt a different way. Stanley just sleeps most the day, and he doesn't need to fill the silence with chaos." Dogs and hamsters, though...

Noah had no interest in either. "Hey, there will be a time and place for it. Who knows, maybe you'll bond with a rabbit or a gecko instead."

@victoriaxsanchez

Victoria leans in to get a better look at Noah's phone, her lips curving into a warm smile. "Oh, look at him—he’s adorable. I can definitely see the 'old man' vibe, though," she teases lightly, her tone affectionate. "He lives up to his name by the sounds of things. I love it when pets are given people names - especially old people names."

She straightens up, brushing her hair behind her ear, the calico still in her sights. "I've got a bunch of siblings, so there was always one of us to play with. I think having a cat would be amazing, but it’s not something I’d want to rush into. They are easier than dogs though." With a small laugh, she adds, "As for hamsters, yeah, I don’t think I’d risk it either. Biting and me? No thanks. I’m not trying to earn battle scars over cleaning a cage." @noah-atwood

[noah-atwood]

How does your muse relax?

“I sleep. I get in my sweatshirt and sweatpants, I shut the black-out curtains, and I burrow in my blankets. I’ve also started putting a sign on my door to make sure Jas knows to not barge in to ask a question.”

@jasrussell

[noah-atwood]

Is your muse a good kisser?

“I don’t know, maybe I’m average? I haven’t heard any raving reviews, but no one’s ever complained. Don’t ask Ravi, though, that was my first kiss, so I didn’t know what I was doing anyway.”

@ravirussell

[noah-atwood]

It isn’t often Noah goes out. He orders out when in the rig, and GrubHub is his most used app on his phone when he’s choosing being glued to his desktop over face to face socializing. A sit down situation is a rare treat he is appreciative of, and it shows in the grin that lights up his face.

“I’m feeling great. Done a lot of self reflection after the existential crisis, and I came to terms with aging. Sorta.” More in the sense that aging is inevitable, but he is still worried about experiencing his life more. “Fortunately for your wallet, I’m not a big meal kinda guy. But I’m happy to split an appetizer or two?”

The Mexican street corn and the beef taquitos have his eye.

“So,” Noah begins, flipping to the second page of the menu where the entrees are located. “What you’re telling me is that bag near your chair isn’t for show? Silly me.”

@nomadjones

closed for: @noah-atwood

where: tejas

"Twenty-nine and feeling fine," Dallas says to the birthday boy across the table from him, though his actual birthday had been over a week earlier. With both of their work schedules as well as the holidays, it was the earliest they could make it work and he's just grateful to not have to be telling his friend happy birthday four weeks after the fact.

"I hope you're feeling fine at least. Sorry if I freaked you out some on mine, no tripping out tonight."

He spins one of the two menus he had been handed so one faced Noah, sliding it across the table to him.

"Dinner's on me, so feel free to get obnoxious with those extras. I would."

There was also a gift bag at his feet that he hadn't forgotten about.

"I got you something too."

[noah-atwood]

Noah feels the reassurance fills him with Priya’s insistence, her arm through his being the anchor he needs to not go hide against the walls. “Okay, sure. But, not too much. I had to battle a hangover after the Halloween party.”

Stanley certainly didn’t care. He still demanded his breakfast be in his bowl on time.

“But I’m just saying. If you want to go and dance for a little while, I will hang back and wait. I don’t mind. I just want you to have fun.” And to not hold her back. It was one of his biggest battles growing up. He watched her test limits and rules set on her by her father, some riskier choices than others, and had to decide when to bite his tongue. “It’s your New Year’s Eve, too.”

@priyaxdesai

For a minute there, Priya just wasn't going to come to this thing at all. She didn't see a point, since she wasn't seeing anyone, and people usually only came to parties like this alone if they ultimately had the mission to be on someone's arm by night's end- something she also had no intentions of doing. But instead of feeling sorry for herself, Priya realized that she didn't have to go alone, and she could still go with someone she loved--she just had to convince him first.

Which thankfully, wasn't that hard.

She knew he felt a little out of his element here though, so when he all but gave her an out to go off on her own, Priya rolled her eyes and hooked her arm through Noah's, giving it a little squeeze. "The only thing I want to do is to have fun. With you. So let's go do just that? Maybe get a drink or something? Don't make me pout at you."

[noah-atwood]

“I think so. But he doesn’t want anything either.” That, Noah is fairly sure about. Somewhat. There is a small part of him that does wonder because Atticus’s actions do somewhat contradict the conversation they shared all those months ago.

Then, Noah visibly untenses, and his eyes drift about to try and seek out that blonde wig and blue t-shirt. He knows there is also a Beavis doppelganger out there, and the world is swaying around him just a bit.

“So, there haven’t been any conversations about it since we broke up. There was just the mutual agreement, and I figured, understanding that we should go back to being friends. But Atti, he—” Noah sighs, and he redirects his eyes back to Emerson. “I do think he’s just oblivious, but I don’t feel bad about speaking up tonight.” Maybe for blowing up about it and letting it fester under his skin for all this time. “Being self aware is something he might need some work on.”

He laughs when Emerson prods at him, and at least he has her to distract him. “My career will give me worry lines. But then throw me a line to your brother if I need rescuing. I’ll stop for electrolytes on my way home.”

@emersonxcassidy

Emerson backed down a little then, giving him a sheepish little smile, "Okay. So no, you don't want it. Got it. But does he know that? Straight out? Because if you've told him...a-and he's not respecting your boundaries..." Emerson wasn't an expert by any means when it came to relationships and all, but Noah was her friend, and she didn't like the thought of him being uncomfortable or upset.

Just the same though, when Noah admitted to making his own mistakes, she bit her lip. Confusion and blurred lines- those were things she was more acutely understanding of.

"I...I think you two need to talk. Really talk. Without alcohol--and without the chaos of a town-wide party." She added, motioning around them. "You need to get it all out there and then...stick to it. Otherwise you'll be stuck in this confusion loop for forever, and you're too young for worry lines." She reached up as she said it, smiling at him as she poked at the space between his eyebrows before she let out a little giggle. "I'm actually...not a drinker. At all. So no supplies. That's more my brother and his friends' specialties."

[noah-atwood]

Noah smiles, gentle and reassuring. His eyes never really leave him, even if he takes a quick peripheral glance to their surroundings. He doesn’t put a hand on the man’s shoulder, he doesn’t try to pry more information, nor does he try to convince him to move anywhere specific by stepping away first. 

He simply sticks with a level, “It’s alright.” 

Only when Lucky agrees and begins walking, Noah follows to keep at his side. There is the subtle quick scan to be sure he’s good on his legs, and just in case, Noah keeps his hands free should he need to catch him. Through all of this, there isn’t much of a fear of his walking being affected.

Flight in progress, he figures.

“Hey, don’t apologize. I’m going to sit right here with you, if that’s okay.” Noah waits for the approval, then sits more at an angle to him. Not directly by his side so he can better watch him, and not directly across from him so he doesn’t come off overbearing. Noah places his phone on his own leg to open a timer. “You’re doing alright. Do you mind if I take your pulse?”

Only when given permission, Noah takes Lucky’s wrist and presses the timer button on his phone to begin his mental count. “Were you waiting for Submergence’s set? A lot of people are. I’m excited to listen to them when they come on.” One ear on them, both eyes on the crowd. “Do you feel like you’re breathing alright? In through your nose, five count, out through your mouth.”

@luckylewis

The question that Noah asked shouldn't have thrown him the way it did, the answer not easily conjured and so it caused him to further spin out internally. He inhales slowly and exhales the very same, his breath shaky as his body registers a danger that was nowhere but in his own mind.

"I don't know," He admits, of both what was over there and what he was experiencing at that very moment.

( What brought it on, when it would pass, why it happened -- he just didn't know. )

"Quiet's good," Lucky concedes, speaking with a dry mouth and little will left to try and shake-off the man who seemed determined to be unshakeable.

Even amongst the static his mind finds ways to compare, wondering what it might be like to be so steadfast.

He's not sure anyone would even call him steady.

He breaks from where they were standing again, auto-piloted feet carrying him further from the crowd that that was growing livelier with the concert start time fast-approaching. The sand seems as good a place as any to be, stilling himself by taking a seat on the secluded stretch where the sounds of people were less audible than the sound of the ocean.

"Sorry," He manages to say, not wholly sure what it is he's apologising for.

@noah-atwood

[noah-atwood]

He looks up from his plate scarce with appetizers. Always a picker, never someone to eat a lot at once — unless Dallas brought him out to that fun sports bar that sold burgers. “Uh, yeah. Hi.” He stands, awkward to start, only because he didn’t want to leave her standing alone.

“Merry early Christmas, this is weird when I don’t have a gift to give back.”

@sterlingxlevin

closed starter: @noah-atwood

where: secret santa brunch

Sterling loved the holidays and she always had so much fun buying gifts for other people. Secret Santas were always exciting and sometimes challenging when she got someone she didn't know at all. She'd pulled Noah's name and his interests didn't align with her own at all, so she tried her best to find fun things for him. A Pokémon blanket and fancy D&D dice, she thought she did pretty well.

"Hi! Noah, right?"