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</div></div><br/><i><span style="font-size: 15px">Location: Abendblume Community</span></i><br/><br/><div style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 15px">Tobias Strickland woke up late and frankly, did not give a fuck. The alarm he had proactively set the afternoon before was blaring on the nightstand. The sound infiltrated his brain, filling his dreams with an incessant and shrill chirping mechanical sound that did not pair too well with the vision of naked bodies that played in his mind. He groaned in response and tossed the closest pillow in the direction of the machine. It crashed against the nightstand and sent the clock shooting to the ground. The batteries spat out through the back of the thing and spun beneath the bed. By the time everything came to a standstill, Tobias had already drifted off back to sleep, seeking out the warmth of the nearest naked body. <br/>
<br/>
When Tobias woke again, it was to the feeling of kisses spreading across his shoulder blades. He still held the body of one of his temporary lovers to his chest, tightening his grip just so as he gave a warm, throaty hum. There were a total of four individuals in his bed, all twisted and wrapped around one another as they slept. Tobias’ head was cloudy from drinking and he was pleasantly relieved to wake with not one of them acknowledging him by name. There were only so many times he could call someone ‘darling’ or ‘baby’ before it was painfully obvious that he didn't actually know their name.<br/>
<br/>
He spent more time in the embrace of his bed partners before he peeled their arms away and settled them in comfortably together. Tobias scratched his chest as he rose from bed and sauntered away to use the restroom. He leaned against the wall, his forehead braced on his arm.<br/>
<br/>
“You are welcome to stay here,” Tobias addressed the sleepy bodies as he approached the side of the bed, their half lidded eyes managing to offer him an indiscernible amount of their attention, “but please keep your hands to yourself. Don’t touch anything and don’t have any fun without me.” He grinned in their direction and rifled through his dresser drawers to select an outfit for the day. <br/>
<br/>
There were rarely more than one or two meetings on his schedule. Aside from the select couple, Abendblume didn’t entertain many marital issues. Tobias rolled with the punches and after garnering some direction from Mr. Hale, he offered his services as a general counselor and makeshift therapist. He listened to woes and shared the most troubling with Mr. Hale. Luckily most of his housemates were faring quite well with their current living arrangement, given the cards they were simultaneously dealt.<br/>
<br/>
Tobias dressed in jeans, a gray button down shirt, and a matching gray black belt. He tugged a jacket on as he abandoned his bedroom and the lovely gentlemen inside. Part of him wanted to say ‘fuck it all’ to Mr. Hale and hop back into bed with his guests, but he knew that by doing what the man wanted and staying well under the radar, it permitted him to have his fun with whomever he chose. <br/>
<br/>
To his amazement and disappointment, Tobias was on time to the meeting. Early, even, which was not entirely common for the man. He found an open seat and glanced at the people that loitered around him, talking amongst themselves while they waited. Tobias found that many people, many of his clients, didn’t speak often to him outside of his office walls. Maybe it was something about being the person that knew one's deepest and darkest secrets that made sharing idle chatter all the more uncomfortable. <br/>
<br/>
His attention was piqued as his sister entered the lobby and found a seat in the rear of the room, despite Tobias having waved to her. She seemed distracted, so Tobias played it off and vowed to inquire about the specifics later on. Tobias was a counselor after all, and his sister knew she wouldn’t be getting away with keeping many secrets. He knew that she was dealing with a lot in her role as resort nurse. There was a new baby on the way and he was sure his poor sister felt sympathetic stress over the whole thing. Tobias didn’t envy her position for the world, but he did think that Rachel was the best for the role. <br/>
<br/>
Finally, Mr. Hale stepped up to the head of the lobby and addressed the group. Tobias was not at all prepared for the message shared by their white haired leader. He knew he was coming off the last waves of his hangover, but <i>what?</i> He sat straighter in his chair, suddenly more sober than he may have ever felt in his life. Mr. Hale could absolutely not be fucking serious? Tobias raked a hand through the mess of brown hair atop his head. He continued to stare in complete disbelief as Mr. Hale was handed a document that he began to read aloud. Tobias felt his teeth clench together as he realized what it was - a list of the individuals that would be the first group sacrificed to the elements by Dictator Ken. <br/>
<br/>
The room erupted into a sea of protests and action. It did not surprise him that Kennedy was the first to leap to his feet and call Mr. Hale out for his indiscretions. Tobias, however, slid to the edge of his seat and watched the people around his friend. Kennedy could hold his own conversationally, but Tobias could only act on instinct to make sure no one harmed the man during his public display of disapproval. <br/>
<br/>
Tobias whipped his head around as Kennedy was forcibly extracted from the lobby. At the same time, batty old Carla Goodman stood and reprimanded Mr. Hale on his decisions. The room was beginning to dissolve into a madhouse and by the time Tobias could even think straight amongst the chaos, he realized Kennedy was long gone. Tobias rose to his feet and hurried after the man, pushing chairs to the side in an effort to follow the same path. He caught Rachel’s eyes on the way out, just as she herself stood and shouted at Mr. Hale. Tobias was confident in his sister’s abilities, so much so that he felt sorry for anyone that might have thoughts about crossing her. She had grown up very fast at a very young age and was not tolerable of those that deemed it their responsibility to make her do what they wished.<br/>
<br/>
Upon leaving the lobby, Tobias emerged into an empty corridor. He had no way of knowing which direction Kennedy was being led besides <i>out</i>. The property was expansive and there were so many areas in which he could be forcibly removed from Abendblume’s walls. The closest option was not always the best option, especially Tobias knew Kennedy was easily Mr. Hale’s least favorite person. <br/>
<br/>
Tobias stepped out onto the porch and surveyed the grounds, or what he could see from his vantage point. He heard silence, which was eerily reassuring. There were no blood-curdling screams associated with the quick and efficient murder of his friend. Temporarily calmed, Tobias retreated back into the resort and found Ayo walking down the halls. The man did a double take when he spotted Tobias and turned on his heel. He stalked towards the man and grasped him by the sleeve of his jacket. <br/>
<br/>
“Rachel is with Aurora.” Ayo murmured as he fell in line beside the man. The two walked as casually as possible, as if they were colleagues out for a brief stroll. Inside, Tobias was raging and Ayo knew he had to deposit the man at the infirmary before he caused a scene. Rachel had made it clear that Tobias was not Ayo's biggest fan - especially after his proposal. Tobias knew better than to take it seriously, but he felt annoyance all the same. “She won’t leave until Aurora has the baby. You will have to get her out the minute that happens. There is another capable nurse, not as capable as Rachel, but will do the job in a hurry. We don't have any other options. If this is what makes Rachel happy, then I'll do my best to assist. Though, If Mr. Hale comes this way..." Ayo's voice trailed off, but Tobias knew what he was getting at. <br/>
<br/>
"I've got it from here." Tobias nodded to him and slipped inside the infirmary. Ayo made himself scarce, though lingered in the area. </span>​</div>