#noah x lily 01.

[ofwrxth]

+ LILY / DUPONT FUNDRAISER, BROOKWOOD COUNTRY CLUB

"You guys look good together," Noah comments when he crosses paths with Lily at one of the bars throughout the tent. He'd clocked her the moment she walked in, on the arm of Oliver Cross no less. He shrugs it off, having opted for no date to the DuPont's annual fundraiser. He used to be the one walking in with Lily. Things changed faster than the blink of an eye, though, and he doesn't blame Oliver for taking his shot. Lily looked beautiful. "Looks like another solid turnout. Did you help plan all this?" Noah asks, gesturing around them and taking a sip of his drink at the same time. "Think this is the best one yet." He remembers how she'd stress over the details leading up, how he'd stay up late with her as she waffled between this decision or that, chiming in only when she asked. Noah always thought she did a good job and despite several years of distance, he still thinks so. @blackheartatl

[newsandmediarepublic]

A film competition has produced a series of wonderful short films showcasing the natural beauty of North Devon.

Community film making organisation North Devon Moving Image CIC (NDMI) ran the Wild Shorts competition between May and November 2016 with the aim of raising awareness of the North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

“Entries came in from new and experienced film makers of all ages and the quality and variety of subject and creative style was impressive,” said NDMI creative director, Amanda McCormack, who hosted the Oscars-style Wild Shorts Awards ceremony in Barnstaple.

Twenty-year-old film student Rhys Harris, who travelled from Cornwall to North Devon to make his Wild Short, Places Afar, won both first prize in the Adults category and the overall Judges’ Choice Award.

Kathryn Jeffs, a senior producer at the BBC’s Natural History Unit was on the Wild Shorts judging panel. She praised Places Afar, saying: “Loved this film. Intriguing opening, beautifully filmed, captured my attention immediately. This had visual flare married beautifully with spoken word. Contemplative, well paced, expansive and thoughtful. I could watch on loop. Wonderful!”

Rhys was delighted with the outcome.

“Winning the competition was a huge boost of confidence for me,” he said. “The fact that something I made was able to win something means that I must be doing something right!

“I had a great time attending the awards show and I can’t stress enough how thankful I am to everyone involved. Now I have the spike in motivation to go and make something new!”

The Wild Shorts project which included film making workshops for families, school children and adults was funded by the North Devon Coast AONB, Fullabrook CIC and the Tarka Country Trust.

“The films produced for the Wild Shorts competition show how the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty provide a feast of the senses for all those who visit and enjoy them,” said AONB manager Jenny Carey-Wood.

“From the tastes of wild fruit and fungi, the feel of sand and shells, the sounds of seabirds and streams, the sight of the sea and sky and the views out to Lundy and inland to the heaths and woodlands.

“This project has comprehensively achieved the objectives of our Sustainable Development Fund by reaching new people and increasing understanding and awareness of the AONB.”

Thanking the project’s funders and partners at the Wild Shorts Awards ceremony, Amanda McCormack gave a special mention to the local business and organisations whose generous prize donations (see below) were a great enticement to participation in the competition.

12-17 category – TV producer/director Martin Kemp (judge) nominee Jonathan Lethaby, winners Martha Macdonald and Seraphina Allard-Bridge, nominees Amazon Bray, Charlotte Phillipson and Amanda McCormack (NDMI)

Primary School – Tom Williams (local vet, wildlife vlogger & judge) Mr Hockley and young film makers from Combe Martin Primary School for their film Rockpooling Club by Torchlight! and Amanda McCormack (NDMI)

Adult category nominees & winners: Rhys Harris (winner), Rhodri Davies (runner up), Chris Sharp (nominee), Thomas Martin (nominee), Catherine Oliver (nominee), Andrew Woollacott from Christie Devon Estates (judge) and Amanda McCormack (NDMI)

Family – Local film maker Jo Stewart-Smith (judge) Alice Bollen & Remo Rossi (winners of family category with film Mouth Mill), Amanda McCormack (NDMI)

Judges’ Choice category winner Rhys Harris for his film Places Afar, Jenny Carey-Wood (AONB & judge), Amanda McCormack (NDMI)

Secondary School – Lawrence Raybone (Ilfracombe Aquarium) and winners  and nominees from Ilfracombe Academy Winners – Willow Chater, Lauryn Reed, Ella Jenkins for Colours in Nature

Full list of winners by category: 1. Primary School: Rockpooling Club by Torchlight! by Paige, Daisy, Noah, Lily and Mr Hockley from Combe Martin Primary School. Prize 4 X child season tickets to Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park 2. Secondary School: Colours in Nature by Willow Chater, Lauryn Reed and Ella Jenkins. Prize 3 X child annual passes to Ilfracombe Aquarium 3. Age 12-17: Our Guide to Sustainable Living by Seraphina Allard-Bridge and Martha Macdonald prize 4 X Day passes to GoldCoast Oceanfest 2017 4. Family: Mouth Mill by Alice Bollen, Remo Rossi and Lorenzo Rossi. Prize annual family membership to Devon Wildlife Trust. 5. Adult: a. Winner: Places Afar by Rhys Harris. Prize Annual Membership to National Trust. b. Runner Up: My Favourite Walk: The Speke’s Mill Valley by Rhodri Davies. Prize annual car park pass for Down End Croyde. Judges’ Choice Award: Places Afar by Rhys Harris.

  (from a press release)

North Devon film competition produces a feast for the senses A film competition has produced a series of wonderful short films showcasing the natural beauty of North Devon.

[ofwrxth]

Noah casts an amused glance in her direction, still careful as he asks, "oh yeah? Ws it actually straight talk or like...Lily straight talk?" Where she tried not to be an asshole and ended up not saying what she wanted to. If she would've let him tell people off for her when they were dating, he could've saved her a lot of trouble. As it was, he knew that Lily never wanted to make anyone feel worse so she just let herself feel that way instead. Taking another swig of his drink, Noah laughs now, a genuinely entertained expression crossing his face. "Yeah, let's say that. Connie will keep him on his toes and then some." Though he's sure his uncle doesn't mind in the least. "Yeah, I have," he gives a vehement nod, "you just didn't know that. It was like a secret passion project of mine." It definitely wasn't, but they already know that. His smile turns sheepish and he chuckles, lifting his shoulders in a shrug. "I mean, I think scared is a little strong...maybe I just don't want to upset the peace between them. I'm being an excellent nephew."

"Ha, exactly. Although I think I made things worse when I tried talking straight with him for a second." she shuddered at the thought, fairly certain her words weren't quite as direct as she hoped. Hand on heart, Liliana would swear she tried not to read into Noah's phrasing but she couldn't help it. And she couldn't help the slight hopefulness it made her feel even just for a split second. "Right, no- I get you." she laughed faintly. As Noah spoke, Lily tried to seek out Ben and Connie through the guests, spotting them by her donated collection and chuckling at the exchange she couldn't hear but was clear as day judging by their expressions. "I think he likes being kept on his toes?" Lily shrugged, before glancing back to Noah and snorting a soft laugh at his best attempt of giving a shit about this sort of thing. "Yeah, a good cause. You've always felt passionately about training service dogs?" she teased, wondering if she could catch him out. Even though everything changed, there were years of knowing one another that hadn't gone anywhere. At his reaction, Lily laughed louder but nodded along with pretend belief, sipping her drink and raising her brows sarcastically. "Uhuh, he threw you under the bus, right? Big time? And now you're a lil scared of Connie?"

[ofwrxth]

“Well, I guess you don’t have to see him again after tonight?” Noah realizes how that sounds and shakes his head quickly. “I mean, if you don’t want to. Obviously you can do whatever you want…” That’s what he’s doing, right? His mind drifts to Azize and suddenly he feels selfish for being relieved she’s not there and he doesn’t have to explain her presence to Lily. Not that he’d have to explain but..there’s something in him that feels like he’d owe it to her. “Yeah, I’m sure they will. Connie’s kinda wearing the pants in that relationship. You can tell Ben I said as much too,” Noah grins, taking a sip of his drink and letting his eyes bounce around the tented area. “Nah, I don’t mind. It’s good to be here. Like…it’s a good cause  y’know?” He’s already forgotten the cause but won’t admit that as he returns his gaze to Lily. He gives a haphazard laugh at her words, nodding, “yeah, like a gift.” It was a talent at the very least. “Hmm, yeah…maybe not then…” At the mention of Ben again, Noah nearly chokes on his next sip. He shakes his head furiously, a disbelieving grin on his lips. “Okay, listen, Ben keeps saying this shit but it wasn’t me!” He knows it sounds bad but he needs someone to hear him. Noah clears his throat, “I just mean – it wasn’t only my idea. Ben is just trying to pretend he’s humble for once in his life.” And not get his head chewed off by Connie.

Lily gave a nod and then a quiet sigh, eyebrows raised in a silent you can say that again. "Yeah, he er...he's achieved a lot and is obviously very proud. Which is obviously...so much fun to hear about." she laughed with genuine amusement but it was the nicest way of saying it and Lily had no issues with confidence. Maybe if it wasn't Oliver sitting opposite her at that table, she'd be able to laugh her way through it and find endearing aspects of the conversation. Instead, there was a phrase on a loop in her head. I'm not ready. She frowned slightly about the precarious engagement but she wasn't surprised to hear it either. "Aw no, but I hope they figure it out, it should be an exciting time not..." she heard it before she said it, sipping her drink again quickly and just shrugging with her hand to do the talking for her. Lily laughed then, shaking her head. "You really don't have to come to anything in the future, I mean that. Not because I don't want..." Nope. "To invite you. But you know, sometimes staying at home is better than all this...schmoozing." Liliana hadn't enjoyed it for one second, for that matter. A more grateful smile appeared when he said she was present and she pretended to simply find humor in it instead of feeling as if her heart was going to swell. So, she raised her flute. "Like a gift, huh? You know, like present?" she smirked, Andre's influence in her personality was too obvious sometimes. "I was tempted to bid on the jewelry because it'd be a nice thing for my mom but then she said it looked ghastly so I'm all out of ideas. Ben mentioned you managed to get Connie to donate a bunch of things so thank you for that, although I did wonder what the hell you said to make her listen."

[ofwrxth]

Noah wishes he's not so easy to laugh at the expense of her date, feeling like he was somehow exposing his own dislike of him for being there with Lily. "Well, they always seem a bit...you know," he waggles his brow, grinning slightly. "Full of it." Noah finishes and takes a sip of his drink. "Uh, well, Ben's parties are a bit less uh..family friendly." Which is probably all he needs to say considering Lily's been to them, once upon a time. "Oh, yeah, they did. But it's like," he waves a hand above his head, "kinda up in the air. Ben's Ben and Connie's..." a lot, "Connie." He's not sure they'll actually tie the knot but maybe her moving her entire freaking closet into the house means some progress has been made on that front. "Hazel would've dragged me here by my ears, so I think it's best it was voluntary," he laughs before glancing towards the crowd, as though looking for Harvey when really he just doesn't want to be caught out staring at her too long. "It probably doesn't help he's always trying to think two steps ahead, and you've always been more present, Lil." She'd grounded him when he was stuck in the past or agonizing over future decisions. Somehow she made it easier to just exist in the here and now. Clearing his throat, Noah nods towards the front stage where the auction would take place later. "Bidding on anything? Figure you already know Connie's donated a bunch of Dior from her collection."

Liliana wanted to remain as civil as possible but it was too similar to the moments her and Noah shared in the past, quietly making small jokes about people so a night could be more bearable. She started chuckling sheepishly. "I think he's his own top listener, if I'm being brutally honest." she shrugged, words politely spoken with a smile. "Really? Even better than the ones your uncle throws?" she laughed again because the older St. James was far from a wallflower even if it had been some time since her last attendance to one. "I hear Ben and Connie got engaged, right? Must be exciting." her words failed slightly, only because it seemed like yesterday people were saying that about her and Noah. Liliana nodded and waved her hand kindly at Noah's words, understanding completely. She had never been a great lover of them either, and they were even less fun when they had your name on them. "No, it's fine. I wouldn't have been offended if you couldn't make it...but I'm glad you did. It's...nice seeing you?" she grabbed a passing champagne flute as soon as she spoke, hoping to hide her face as she sipped the drink. And stop anything else stupid from being said. "I know, I fall for the trap every time. You'd think knowing him all my life I'd figure out how to out smart him." she laughed slightly.

[ofwrxth]

A small smile of amusement crosses Noah's face at her elaboration. "Ah. That makes sense." He doesn't say more sense because Lily could have anyone she wanted, so he doesn't blame Oliver for agreeing to go with her. "It's not half bad. His show. A bit biased but," he shrugs, "aren't we all?" Because he knows he doesn't have a right to question who she's out with, even if he's unexpectedly content to know it hadn't been her doing. "Ah, right. He's throws a great party. I think New Years 2016 is still the craziest party I've been to," he recalls with a grin, sipping his drink. It's better to be friends than nothing at all, right? Is that what they are? Friends? He'll take it if it meant they don't have to skirt around the elephant in the room anymore. The one that seems determined to stay put no matter how much time has past. "Yeah, Hazel, you know she always drags me to these things – not that I didn't want to come," he adds quickly. "You know I just, well," Noah shrugs. He used to hate events like these when they were together, and even before. Because, inevitably, there's someone who happens to have some golden memory of his parents, or who have a new idea to pitch him and Hazel to bring to the board of their mom's company. At least tonight's event is focused on giving back. Maybe the vultures will take a break. "Harvey will find a way to devour everything in sight anyway. He's probably already done it since you're not looking his way. Rookie move, DuPont."

"Who? Oh!" Liliana had tried to avoid Oliver after they arrived together, the whole drive over feeling like the worst awkward silence that could exist. She glanced up to Noah with a surprised smile though, thankful they had passed the awkward silence stage of their own...friendship? If it was even that. "Aiyla. I don't even listen to the radio." she explained with a shrug and awkward laugh, knowing her friend's reputation spoke for itself at times. "I did a lot of it so that means a lot. Thank you. The rest of it is very much Andre influence." she beamed proudly, trying to spot her father in the crowd. Her eyes moved back to Noah, smile faltering slightly. "You having a good time with...Hazel?" Honestly, she dreaded the day it wasn't only his sister that arrived with Noah. Stupid after three years but she was preparing herself for it, nonetheless. "You're gonna have to tell her to try and snap some of these up before Harvey eats them all." she chuckled and pointed to the veggie entrees being passed around. It was all just filler talk these days.