finchwoodacademy | NOAH'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

NOAH'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

It's 8:00 PM, and dance music starts to seep out from under the door of the Junior Wands Boys' dorm. Neal promises everyone the party will be over by curfew, and then promptly locks the door behind them so no party crashers get any ideas.

Several spare chairs and one of the beanbags have been borrowed from the common room, and there are a few bottles of alcohol that have mysteriously appeared on the scene. The party theme seems to be "Neal bought everything incorrectly on purpose", and Noah receives a sash, a bouquet of tacky convenience store roses, and there are even some balloons tied to the corner of his bed.

There's a chocolate sheet cake as well, covered in rainbow sprinkles and candles for Noah to make a wish on. They are absolutely the gag candles that are impossible to blow out.

HOW THIS WORKS

Happy Birthday, Noah! His real birthday's not for a few days (the 25th, to be exact), but it's so much better to celebrate on a weekend!

Everyone who attends must kiss the birthday boy! It's a rule, sorry.

There is alcohol and a little pot available, but it's not a rager. Take it easy if you're going shadow hunting tomorrow!

The main game is Strip Checkers, for which a tournament bracket has been randomized! There are plenty of other games, though, and you're not restricted to only one method of clothing removal!

This is a private party, and the attendees are Noah, Neal, Marty, Venus, Liam Hadlee, Kyra and Quincey.

RESULTS

Kyra wins the tournament, and remains fully clothed.

Liam does incredibly well, and only loses superficial clothing items.

Neal and Venus end up losing a little over half of what they're wearing.

Noah, Quincey, Hadlee and Marty are in their underwear!

Please assume more games were played, and you can say your character played as many people as you want, but I wanted to keep the bracket simple!

» Kiss the birthday boy: Everyone who attends must kiss Noah at least once! If you want to kiss him more than that, it's completely up to you. And him.

» The party: There's music, drinks and good company, but it's a tight squeeze for eight kids in one room.

» Strip Checkers tournament: If you'd like to do any scenes related to individual matches or victories, do so here!

» Truth or shot: A classic!

» Other games: Got something else you want to play? Do it here! Examples: Never Have I Ever, Spin the Bottle, Strip Poker, Strip Jenga, etc.

» OOC - Discussion

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Neal carefully folds his legs into a sitting position next to Kyra, because both his hands are full. One has his drink, and the other has a rose he stole from Noah's bouquet, which he bought from a fridge at a convenience store. He nabbed one of the stalks of baby's breath, too. The edges of the petals are a little tattered, but the color is as rich as blood. He offers it to Kyra with a broad, tipsy smile. He hasn't bothered to put his shirt back on. "For the victor. Congratulations, Ms. Wilkie."

Edited 2018-09-22 20:00 (UTC)

Kyra had been feeling smug enough about her victory that she'd dropped a few layers of her own, unbidden. It's warmer inside than she'd been saying. She really didn't need two sweaters. But she wished she had a pile of them back, as soon as Neal comes into view. Kyra's not immediately certain how to handle this offering. She's absolutely not sure why he hadn't put his shirt back on. She stares for about half a second too long before she can feel the gears in her brain gain some grease and start turning, catching up with what is hopefully not as slack and horrified an expression as it feels. She presses it into a small smile and takes the flower, eyes darting to the bruised petals like they're the most interesting things in the world.

"Thank you." She tells the flower. It's with sheer willpower that she manages to make eye contact again. "You didn't do...so badly."
She gestures at his knee to prove the fact that he still has his pants and immediately wishes she had not done so.

Edited 2018-09-22 20:40 (UTC)

Neal laughs, a quick giggle before he gets himself back under control. "I survived," he agrees proudly, hooking a thumb through the belt loop of his low-slung jeans. "You were brutal, though. Next time, I'll give you a real challenge."

Next time. Kyra looks like being here is shortening her life span, but she showed up, she played, and she socialized. It's reassuring... and interesting. No one had to drag her into participating. Neal wouldn't mind if she became a staple of these get-together, like Liam had last year. "I mean, assuming we haven't scared you away yet."

A small, incredulous huff is practically dragged out of Kyra, then. "None of you are as scary as you think."

She rolls her eyes, bracing herself because that's another very dangerous thing to say. It's not entirely true. Wands do their house element justice. They're destructive, but magnetic, and somehow being able to sit here and keep up with them is a victory. Keeping a little smile while teasing back is impossible, but Kyra manages, albeit quietly. "You didn't want to be a real challenge, this time?"

None of you are as scary as you think. That makes Neal grin again. It's true... or at least it is if you're able to roll with the punches, which Kyra apparently can. It takes a certain type to spend an evening with the likes of Neal and his friends and decide they want to come back for more. Neal doesn't aim to hurt feelings, but it happens.

"Well, you see," he begins, followed by a pause as he takes a sip of his drink. "I'm not used to real threats. Those guys," he nods at his roommates (laughing and happy, just the way Neal likes it), "are just here for fun, they don't care if they win or lose. I don't usually get to play with someone who goes for the jugular."

Valid complaints. Kyra shifts a little, spiking a shoulder into the air because she has nothing to defend herself with. Maybe she should relax, too. It's a birthday party. She could get a drink and pretend she was a person. That's why she came here, wasn't it? She tries to go lighter. Like a joke. She's still sure how best to do that.

"Good excuse." She lands on, spinning the flower between her fingers gently, something to fidget with. "Maybe I should've let Noah win. I thought he'd be more happy losing." (That, actually, she stands by.)

Neal shakes his head, biting back more laughter. "Never let Noah win anything."

He watches Kyra toying with the flower, and finds himself wondering how much she likes it. If maybe she'll keep it in a glass of water after she goes back to her room. "I'm glad you came," he says, and means it. "I keep thinking it'd be nice to, you know, get to know one another better. Junior leaders need to stick together."

This is weird. She brings the rose to rest, carefully, and meets Neal's eyes now that she is less panicked. She's looking for a trap, but all she's really able to see is that he does have very kind eyes. It's dangerous. She finds herself speaking the truth.

"It would be.I'd like to." She's still measured, polite, in case these are all still just pleasantries. "I'm glad I'm here. It's..." A corner of her mouth turns up, like it's a great secret, "Fun. Don't let that get out."

NOAH'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

Neal & Kyra

Neal & Kyra

Neal & Kyra

Neal & Kyra

Neal & Kyra

Neal & Kyra

Neal & Kyra

Neal & Kyra