[cis-man, he/him] Welcome to Aurora Bay, [TOBIAS SEVER]! I couldn’t help but notice you look an awful lot like [JORDAN CONNOR]. You must be the [THIRTY] year old [RADIO CO-HOST]. Word is you’re [SUPPORTIVE] but can also be a bit [HESITANT] and your favorite song is [HUNGOVER IN JONESTOWN BY AMIGO THE DEVIL]. I also heard you’ll be staying in [OCEAN CREST APARTMENTS]. I’m sure you’ll love it! [andy, 33, est, he/they/she]
@aurorabayaesthetic
Name: Tobias Albert Sever
Age: 30
Date of Birth: Oct. 31st
Orientation: Graysexual/Gray-romantic
Hair Color: Black, usually pushed back- modern greaser style
Eye Color: Brown
Height: 6'3"
Build: Athletic, toned
Style: 50s greaser mixed with modern and grunge fringes.
Tattoos: Large old school microphone on his left (dominant hand) forearm. Old school styled dagger on right shoulder blade, octopus on his right leg, lyrics to a song around his elbow. Left ribcage has a 50s styled car.
Activities: Instruments (guitar, piano and harmonica), hockey, rebuilding old cars and motorcycles
tw: deathly illness, tw: death
Tobias grew up in Aurora Bay, the first of his family to do so.
From an early age, he loved music and sound. When he was very young he would intimate the sounds on the TV while he watched. It was a good distraction from the bits of turmoil happening behind him. From the moment he could remember anything, his mom had been sick. So having that gave him a place to focus.
That wasn't to say Tobias ignored him mom by any means. In fact, he was quite the little caregiver. Every morning he would walk in to her room off shoot of his dad's and give her a thumbs up. If she gave him one in response, that meant it was going to be a good day for her. If not, it just meant it was a rest day.
Things got bad when all of the days became rest days.
Tobias can remember the funeral and people crying. He, thankfully, didn't discover her personally. But that didn't leave less of a mark on him. He was about seven when it happened, but its burned into his brain forever. There wasn't much of a time after where his headphones weren't on to distract him from the world.
School came and went. One big ex from that era of things. She told him he wasn't present in any of their big situations- that he wasn't active in solving problems, but listening. It was a difficult situation for him to learn, spurred on by teenage hormones and growing confusions in his adolescent years (I mean, who didn't have those after all?)
Just after high school he became an intern at the 100.3 Pirate Radio. This proved to be a perfect gateway for him. Tobias could learn all the ins and outs of music, talk shows and so much else. It became an obsession and he hit the ground running in learning all that he could.
At the same time, after another failed long term relationship for the same reason, Tobias went to therapy to work on himself and his issues.
It took a few couple of years, but Tobias showed promise. His voice was fit for radio, with its baritone levels and slightly edge-y rasp. It was a believable voice for the rougher genres like Punk or Thrash and made telling some stories have a bit more of a blade to them. So he was made Co-Host.
Now Tobias spends his days at the station, at the diners and pubs, enjoying what life he managed to scramble up in the wake of never quite knowing what he was doing.
"Families can be annoying. Especially mother in laws." Thankfully, she knew how to handle those people. Lore was used to particular mothers. Her mother was really particular. She hoped that she wouldn't have annoying in-laws when she got married. Although she wouldn't have that problem if she married the person she wanted to marry. "I'm so ready. I love summer and getting to spend time with her and Jameson. I love summer." Even if work would be annoying in the summer. "It's just... my mom's pressuring me to meet this guy that she and my dad really think I'd get along with, but I don't want that. I've told them maybe and they think that's a yes. I just... I know who my person is."
"Who doesn't love the summer vibes?" It's an idle comment to make while Lore spoke mostly so she didn't think he was off on another planet. He didn't want to interrupt her at all. At the follow up though, his eyebrows scrunched together and his eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "Sounds like parents. Guess if they saw what you saw in your person, they'd be in love with them too. Do you think they'll let you off the hook if you explain it to them? You've got who you want, got that part figured out-ish?" It was a hazard of a guess, "-And trying to set you up is a no-go?"
Caroline snorted at him, shaking her head playfully as she gave him a smile, "Sucking at making a bouquet doesn't equate negativity. Especially since it's negative vibes, those of which I guarantee you don't have. You're way too sweet of a person to be throwing the evil eye out at people subconsciously." Which she definitely meant too, since Tobias was firmly in her good category. He was a good man and a good friend. He was good. "A very diplomatic answer--even if, by those terms, it means I could have wedding bells on my horizon, and that's nothing but anxiety-inducing, really. I'm not ready to be a child bride."
"Are you saying I can't do the evil eye justice? How could you hurt me like that, Care. Thought we were friends," Tobias joked, as he often did, flat tone and all. "I learned it best from a shitty old-ish movie called The New Guy. Bizarre, but it taught me the crazy eye." He ducked his head and gave a little laugh, one followed up with a shrug- signature move of his at this point. "You think? Dunno. I just speak from experience and the idea that anything could change. Could end up married- very likely. But I could end up single forever. It's possible." Not wanted per se, but he wasn't one for crystal balls or tarot cards. "The idea getting married gives you anxiety?" This is when the tone changed slightly to something a bit more genuine, his hands on the flowers slowing down.
The jest of it is initially lost on Noah, who only tilts his head and wonders, before realizing it isn't a direct question. Especially when frank becomes Frank in Tobias's questioning, which draws out an amused huff of air from Noah's smirk.
"No, that's alright by me. I'm happy to see you, too," he assures with a nod.
Noah glances back down to the crystals and picks up one from a pile labeled 'sunstone' with a list of properties scrawled beneath it's name. Good nature, vitality, positivity, sunny disposition— he doesn't get how someone can assign that to a rock.
"You're, uh, very much a 'silver linings' kinda guy. Glass always half full, one door closes, another opens, so on and so forth." The citrine rejoins the others in the pile. "I could stand to learn some of that from you."
"Mutually happiness to see each other. Always a good time. With or without Frank."
At the other's observation, Tobias gave a shrug that might have gone on a bit too long. Thoughts raced the second Noah had said it and he took that long shrug as a chance to think.
"Can I wax poetic for a second?
"Don't think I am. If I'm being honest. But I think trying to find who I am amidst stuff I don't know anything about means that I need to be the most humble version of me that I do know. I feel like it's the best way to learn. Just like one step beyond open minded. Does that make sense? Or am I just spitting nonsense?"
The laugh that escapes their mouth can't be helped, this bright and airy sound, as EJ inspects the drive-by pixie incident. "I can appreciate the whimsy. Glitter looks good on you," they tease adoringly, as they pretend to dust some off of his shoulder.
It's not coming off with two gentle swipes, not that they are aiming to really get rid of any of it.
"I doubt I'll leave today without any on myself, but that's alright." Their thumb brushes over the back of his hand, slower now that they're away from the festival and the sound fades. There is still enough a walk from the beach, the place where EJ always feels at home. "So, I know we're going to be inundated with tourists from all over, but you know what else is great about the nice weather? You'll get to give me a ride on your motorcycle."
The breeze coming off the beach catches loose strands of EJ's hair, and they squint toward the direction of shoreline before looking back at Tobias.
"If you wanted. I'm so not pressuring you about it, even if I would really want to."
Tobias didn't respond at first, but instead just smiled at EJ. Something that was easy, virtually beyond second nature as of late. There was a bit of warmth that spread from the place where they had dusted off his shoulder. He leaned into it for that second it was there but allowed it to disappear a breath later.
"Looks good on me? Won't be adding glitter to my daily routine unfortunately. Gets everywhere."
At the mention of the tourists, Tobias glanced back. Back towards the way they had came. It was certain to be filled with strangers for the time being, but they had found some reprieve this way so far. "Love your assumption," He joked, although meant what he said.
Tobias stopped their little trek to give her a raised eyebrow and that same smile, "You're not pressuring me into anything. Would be more than happy to give you a ride wherever you want to go. Whatever you want to do. Just, you know, gotta wear a helmet. Sorry." The hand holding theirs stayed while the other took EJ's other.
Bellamy rolled her eyes at him, combined with letting out a long and exaggerated sigh towards him. "It's called a friend date, Tobias. Besides, we both know you couldn't handle me." She added before giving his stomach a quick little jab with her finger, "Now come on, food and alcohol. You can tell me what's new with you?"
"Is it?" Tobias shot back, wincing from the jab more for the sake of the joke than any sort of pain. "Handle you? Like you need someone else encouraging you to go wild. You need someone like me." At the offer though, Tobias broke the joking rapport and nodded in that general direction. "Sounds like a plan to me. What sort of food? Say something greasy and shitty for us."
This was Nikki's life; toddlers being rock stars and divas. She liked it, loved it even. Sometimes she got that question in her mind; would she ever have kids. She didn't know, she was pretty much terrified of it. Not the actual labor, though that was a horror story for another minute in her mind but..was she equipped to actually raise a human being!?
Nikki huffed out a laugh. She was used to praise back in the day but not that much when it came to this. Teacher appreciation was kind of rare and mostly silent. "I'm...we're all really trying" she offered instead. "They're great kids so that helps too. More than you might think really." || @seversilencetobias
"It shows. It definitely shows," Tobias commented with full honesty and confidence. Now he was aimed more at Nikki. With a slight angle to the kids in case they came sprinting up head first or something. Not the likeliest of the scenarios, but it could happen. Way more likely than with an adult. Unless they were drunk maybe?
"No, no, I get it. Believe me, I'm not the type to think they're all feral. Maybe just a few." He'd keep the resolve to not point them out. Even if the idea had been funny in the knee-jerk reaction of Tobias' brain, it was likely not to be met with equal opinions to that.
"Shows even more you care about them. If they're doing well."
Does your muse like to sing? Would they do a duet?
"Do I like to? Yeah. It's fun. Am I good at it? No. I mean, most of my favorite bands are just people yelling. Does anyone understand what most of the lyrics are in a Casualties...or Nekrogoblikon or Rancid song? No. But you still yell along.
What is your muse’s love language / how do they show affection?
"My love language? Dang. It's definitely quality time. Feels like when I am with someone that all I want to do is be around them. Past that? Dunno. Oh! Do stuff for them. You're going to be getting customized dates and events when you're with Tobias Sever. @priyaxdesai can attest to part of that."
"Wouldn't say so. Like a milkshake with my burger or if I end up at a cheesecake factory, I'll get one of those enormous things. Otherwise? Nah, wouldn't say so."
Staring back at the comics in hand, he realizes he missed a few.
"I won't say anything if you won't say anything," Jaime says, eyeing the camera and hoping that no one's watching in this exact moment. Most of the time he just looks at it like he's on The Office. "Unfortunately I won't be able to give you money for your services, but I can offer you the same 10% discount everyone gets."
He considers for a moment if he should be so eager to share his news, but it's a thought that doesn't linger for too long because he hasn't seen Tobias in awhile and can't help but want to catch up. "It's in the beginning stages, but I think we might have to call our fake romance off. I'm not sure who will be more devastated you, or my grandma."
"You're actually my favorite kind of customer," Jaime remarks, "I get to fill your basket with my own biased favorites. But seriously, I am here to help."
"No part of me is saying anything to anyone. I'm no snitch, don't worry a single bit about it." Cue the mock zipping of his lips and throwing away the key. But then he's scrambling to grab it again from the air, unlock the fake zipper and then open up his lips once more. It's a performance for sure, one that has a time and place and it's arguably not in a comic book store.
"Oh hell dude! That's awesome! I mean, not for me. It was a good fake dating arc we had. But I'm so excited for you. Name. Give me a name. Even if it's a fake name. I want to hear all about them."
Tobias was not an excitable person, so he let his words do a lot of the work in that regard. He's leaning against the counter and smiling wide (for Tobias.) "Hit me with your top three recommendations as you speak of the person who annexed our arc."
'glad you caught the reference haha
cool! i'll be on the lookout'
From where EJ sits, purposefully off to the side, so they can keep an eye out for the familiar shape of Tobias. When they recognize him getting through the crowd, right where they asked to meet, they kick off the bench they've been sat at and sneak around.
They don't know if they actually got one over on him, but as EJ approaches from behind, they cover his eyes gently with there hands and playfully, with a laugh, "Guess who!"
They keep his eyes covered for no more than a second longer before dropping their hands and letting one of their arms loop up and around his shoulders.
"Hello, good sir. Glad to know you'll accompany me on my quote on quote escape from flower-palooza. The weather's nice, I think the beach will be an amazing break from the crowd."
EJ finally releases Tobias, though not entirely, as their hand slips down to grab his and gently pull his arm in the direction of the beach with one step back.
"As long as you're really sure you're done here. Is that glitter I see?"
Of course, Tobias didn't quite have the time to guess before EJ slid their hands from his vision and moved entirely into it. Clearly he had been a little lost in thought. Mostly about them, but that seemed to be a bit of a regular occurrence since they met.
"Inclined to agree with you on that one. Might be one of the few times of the year where it's not swarmed. Hell, even on Christmas it's a zoo. And it's a beach at winter."
The hand in his is given a gentle squeeze. Like it was reassuring itself it had found a home. Something sappy like that that Tobias pushed past so as to not get in his own head around them. No matter how easy that was.
"More or less. Glitter? Oh. Yeah. Got hit by a pixie on the way out. Not hit hit. But I was made an example of to participate since so many dads and dudes lack the whimsy. I didn't mind. Clearly they didn't put a lot on either, which I appreciate."
Noah perks when he hears Tobias's voice, his smile stretching into something bigger and brighter. There's always been something infectious about his friend's energy, he can't help but grin around him.
"Were you?" he asks. "Hope it wasn't for anything important, I helped myself to a couple of flora beers— which were, uh, weird? But in an interesting way."
Definitely not a complaint on Noah's end when he has a nice, easy buzz carrying him through the day.
"But yeah, I'm great. No real complaints here. What about you? Are crystals and, uh, this stuff, your thing?"
"When have I ever needed something important from anyone? Let's be frank." A brief pause. "Who was Frank anyway? Why should we be him? But no, I was just wanting to see you is all. Can't a friend want that?"
There's a quick glance to the crystals. The colors staying lodged in his brain the moment he looked back to Noah.
"Crystals? No. Well, not quite. Never harm in trying something new. Learning about things. Even if you don't believe in it, might make for some informed or fun conversations. Or tracking a reference in a tv show or something."
Caroline just grinned up at him playfully as she continued strategically placing little stems of baby's breath and other fillers amongst her bouquet. "My grandmother loved having fresh flowers in the house. And certain plants. Said to ward off negativity." She explained before she paused and looked to him again, raising a brow curiously. "Are there wedding bells in your horizon, Tobias?"
"Oh, is that why I feel so repelled being here? Why I suck so bad at this? The flowers sense my enormous negativity?" Tobias joked. There's a weighing of his head back and forth, making it bounce one way and then another. Like he was unsrue. "Maybe? Probably? In a general life sense, I should say. I've got no bells anywhere near me as far as I'm aware. Even my crushes are just crushes-" said with a bit of a joking tone because the word felt so high school, "-but most people end up married I'd say. Like how most people end up with cars."
