nolan has been nursing his brightly-colored cocktail for long enough that the ice has melted, leading to tentative, warm sips. it's been a long time since he's attended the town's new year's eve party, having made a quick exit shortly after christmas in previous years. entwined with the nervous buzz is a sense of familiarity, a comfort that only faces he's grown up with and hometown traditions can bring. maybe it's this that gives him a shot of courage, turning his chin to the person stood nearby, “ have you thought of any new year's resolutions yet ? ” he asks, raising his voice louder than he's used to in an attempt to be heard over the music.
there's something almost akin to satire when micah takes in the sight of the place: the pâtés don't belong anywhere near the jukeboxes no matter how much decorative cloth they used to cover the lopsided lifetime tables they stuck together like dominoes and there's about twice as many people here than there is on a regular night, half of which are dressed like they would've rather rung in the new year somewhere like the montclair, for example—the very place he was expected to be right about now.
but he likes it here, enjoys the warm, homey glow bouncing off the walls and the way the guests just sort of easily fall into conversation with each other even against the tinny music. he finds himself in a similar position with his old friend nolan. he brings the rim of his beer bottle to his lips, not to sip, but to fidget in thought as he tries to think of a good answer to his question that isn't treading the lines of 'getting more exercise in' or 'saving more money'. nobody wants to hear about that anymore. "um, i don't think i really believe in new year's resolutions, to be honest," is the best he can come up with. "or i just haven't found anything to really... resolution-ize, i guess?" it's a terrible lie. the elephant is dressed in a fucking tutu and has giant pink bow on its head and he unflinchingly ignores it, instead gives nolan a sorry sort of smile, a half-wince that wishes he'd been more clever. or honest. "how about yourself?"
“ don't fix what's not broken ... or however the saying goes. ” lips flicker into a hint of a smile. he always feels a sort of guilt at the start of a new year - as if the clock ticking down to midnight is just another reminder of what he's failed to achieve, targets unmet. maybe it's the year nolan should shrug off the idea of meeting some unreasonable goal, or is that just him being avoidant ? he shrugs as if he hasn't really thought it over, “ take more risks, try to be more proactive and not just sit on the sidelines. ” the same as always, yet to come to fruition. he takes a sip of his drink. “ get a better taste in alcohol ? ” he chuckles, nose crinkling.
✰ a librarian, out of her natural habitat. no hushed voices or careful shelving, yet somehow she's still cataloging everything: the way someone laughs too loud near the jukebox, the chalky scent of pool cues, the mic stand only slightly hidden as it waits for its time to shine. her fingers tap restlessly against the empty glass in her hand, following along to the beat of the song pulsing through the dive bar. she's lost in her own world when a familiar voice brings her back to earth and, once her brain has finally been brought up to speed, may offers her response. ❝ i don't really believe in those. ❞ she pauses to grab one of the canapés going around. ❝ well, not in the stereotypical sort of resolutions, anyway. i tend to pick a theme for myself. like, this coming year, i want to practice showing kindness to myself. what about you? ❞
nolan nods slowly. he's not really sure if he believes in them either, despite being the one to ask the question. similarly to may, he doesn't really set himself measurable targets, besides maybe a reading goal for the year. “ that's a good one. ” he wants to ask if she's usually hard on herself, if that's her goal, but it feels too invasive and he's not bold enough for that, so instead he settles on “ i'm sure you deserve it. ” which he hopes makes sense. “ i think just ... getting involved more, pushing myself. ” it's his target for every year, and yet he still hasn't quite accomplished it.
this year couldn't get any worse if it tried so fiona was glad to see the end of it. still, she wasn't to know what she was going to do going forward - having her little 'passion project' stood her in good stead but there wasn't much else going on for her and it was a rarity. "what?" her brow furrowed. "do those things still exist?" it was her way of asking for it not to get any worse without tempting fate. "maybe run a little further if we don't want to get specific." it felt like she'd already had enough to drink but fiona didn't want to go home to just herself. it was a strange feeling as she'd always loved spending time on her own but now, she felt different towards the ordeal. "and what's yours? seen as you have no trouble asking everyone else what they're planning on, which i think's quite nosy.
he quickly regrets his attempt at integration, his cheeks flushing and his lips parting like a gaping fish. “ uh ... sorry. i didn't think of it like that, ” he takes a long sip of his drink, unsurprisingly still lukewarm in a way that makes his nose crinkle, to cover up his complete lack of words. he shuffles on the spot. “ probably to travel more. ” it's the first thing to spring to mind, and is entirely untrue -- he'd just returned home and wasn't planning on leaving again any time soon, but she didn't know that.
it was events like this that made ravi grateful to live in a small town. the charm warmed up his entire body, reminding him to slow down, to enjoy the moment, and let it linger. he hovered at the edge of the small crowd, searching for the courage to step forward. ravi had always been more comfortable observing, never one to slip easily into conversation. still, something pulled in his chest, though. perhaps it was a desire to take more control of his life? nolan's voice cut through his thoughts and ravi turned to him with a grin. "resolutions? well...i would say to read more books, but that's kind of my job, right?" he laughed softly, shaking his head. but, then the idea settled over him. "or maybe allowing myself to ease into life rather than sitting on the edges and watching it pass me by," he spoke with a wistful smile on his lips. "and what about you? i'm sure you've come up with something more exciting than i have."
“ you can never have enough books, right ? ” nolan smiles. one of his goals of the last year had been the very same; to read more, and let his writing distract him less. he supposes the latter is one of the things that had led him back to finchwood. as for reading, he'd managed twenty books - nowhere near as many as he used to read, but a solid enough start. ravi's resolution rings truer to nolan than he'd like to admit. if he's honest with himself, attending the new year's bash is nolan's first proper step at achieving what he'd set out to by moving home since ... moving home. he hopes the new year holds more of these moments. “ i ... had something very similar. ” he admits bashfully. not wanting to sound like he'd just tagged onto ravi's from a lack of interest or unwillingness to share, he adds, “ i'm trying to push myself more, rediscover myself ... ” he can't help but wince at how cliché it sounds, a shallow laugh escaping his lips, “ not to sound completely vapid. ”
nolan has been nursing his brightly-colored cocktail for long enough that the ice has melted, leading to tentative, warm sips. it's been a long time since he's attended the town's new year's eve party, having made a quick exit shortly after christmas in previous years. entwined with the nervous buzz is a sense of familiarity, a comfort that only faces he's grown up with and hometown traditions can bring. maybe it's this that gives him a shot of courage, turning his chin to the person stood nearby, “ have you thought of any new year's resolutions yet ? ” he asks, raising his voice louder than he's used to in an attempt to be heard over the music.
technically she was here as a guest, but as a owner of a business, shayla could hardly slip into the mindset of a guest. her quicksilver eyes far too busy scrutinizing and inspecting the canapés ivy provided for the new years bash. 〝 these are a mess, get a new batch. 〞 she instructed her staff member currently acting as server. when she notices a frame hovering, waiting for a piece, her gaze moved towards them. 〝 one moment, they will return with a new batch. can't rightly serve a improper one. 〞
arriving somewhere alone had always been nolan's idea of a nightmare, but luckily last orders is busy enough for him to safely slip into a gust of bodies swarming the entrance. his hands tuck inside the pockets of his fanciest trousers, his eyes darting with that all too familiar deer in the headlights expression. the canapés floating by on trays look tempting, but the nervous energy that's taken root in the pit of his stomach is making the idea of food very underwhelming. his attention is drawn by the familiar voice, a hint of a smile reaching his lips. “ they looked … proper enough to me. ” he offers. he appreciates shayla as a friend, but he's sure glad he's not the one serving food tonight.
𐔌 . ⋮ ( logan lerman, cis man, he/him ) is that NOLAN ROTH ? you know, the THIRTY ONE year old AUTHOR ? they've been in town for TWO MONTHS, and is often found at FIG & FOAM ? they're known for being OBSERVANT and IMAGINATIVE, though sometimes they can be a little RETICENT and INDECISIVE. regardless, finchwood wouldn't be the same without them and their SAME, BEATEN-UP NOTEPAD HE'S HAD SINCE HE WAS TWENTY, DARK CURLS POKING FROM THE BEANIE HIS GRANDMOTHER KNITTED HIM, HAUNTING HIS FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP, AND READING THE MORNING PAPER OUTSIDE, REGARDLESS OF THE WEATHER.
# ... 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐒 ,
𝐈 : 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐬 ...
full name : nolan theodore roth
nickname(s) : none
pronouns & gender : he/him & cis man
date of birth : june 28th
age : thirty one
orientation : bisexual, biromantic
𝐈𝐈 : 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 ...
hair color : dark brown
eye color : blue
height : 5ft 9
scent : vetiver, black tea, clove & vanilla
scars : none
tattoos : none
piercings : none
clothing style : plaid shirts, thick knit sweaters, oversized tshirts, carhartt detroit jackets
𝐈𝐈𝐈 : 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 ...
zodiac : cancer
positive traits : sentimental, creative, altruistic & scrupulous
negative traits : pessimistic, indecisive, dissatisfied & withdrawn
likes : waking up before the rest of the world yet staying up long after they've gone to bed - making the most of time alone, collecting vinyls, quiet coffee shops, long walks, feeling understood, black coffee and english breakfast tea, apple danish pastries, writing inspirations drawing from day to day life
dislikes : being the center of attention, cooking, confrontation, a room full of strangers, last minute changes, apathetic people, being interrupted
goals & aspirations : write another novel; not quite as popular as your first, but with a solid, enthusiastic following. move somewhere remote. adopt a cat, or dog, or anything really.
familial dynamics : parents still married. a supportive but sometimes unknowingly pressuring kind of relationship. close with twin sister ( wanted connection, reserved )
# ... 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐍𝐒 ,
nolan has always kept himself to himself. since being the six year old boy who always chose to play pretend on his own, muttering about dragons and aliens and detectives, to his teenage years eating alone in the cafeteria. he's always enjoyed his own company, despite the desperate urges of his parents to get involved. it's not that he doesn't like company, he just likes it in smaller doses. it's rare for him to attend a party, but he never turns down an invite to spend time with a close friend.
some find nolan difficult to read. he's not the most emotive, but he certainly has a big heart and big feelings inside. as talented as he is when it comes to writing, he can struggle to articulate his thoughts and feelings. he's introverted, but not necessarily shy. he doesn't like confrontation, but he will stand up if necessary. for himself ? not as often, but for his friends ? every time, even if he will overthink it for the next week.
a fellow who likes a routine ! like … he wakes up at the same time every day, weekend or not. needs his morning coffee & paper like he needs to breathe.
he was born & raised in finchwood, but moved away for college & didn't return until two months ago. he hadn't really ever planned on moving back to town, but after a particularly tricky time, found himself temporarily (or so he says) back where he grew up
had his first bestselling novel when he was twenty seven. he'd had a few mildly successful publications beforehand, but his thriller ‘perfect witness’ was a major hit. nolan didn't really know what to do with his newfound fame, and although he had achieved what he had always dreamt of, it was definitely overwhelming.
although he's had popular novels since, there hasn't been anything that's hit that level, much to his agents dismay. it's a lot of pressure, and nolan's not even sure he's ready to be thrust into the spotlight again.
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