#Mathias: 006

[naga-raja-suresh]

Even this thing had desires. The desire to fulfill it's purpose and that rang across the small gap between them clearly. Suresh drew in a breath at the clear and pulsing want. Suresh felt something shift inside of him. The idea of never having to lose another love one again... But that was not sustainable. Suresh rejected the idea as he looked at the memory of Mathias, the loneliness echoing across his skin. And Suresh spoke, "You are not family or love, nor can you be... If you were he would not ache so for them." The feelings were familiar ones for Suresh. The pain and anguish of being left alone. Over and over again. But his suffering was calcified inside of him.

Suresh looked up at the door and took a step towards it. But the shadow grabbed his arm. And Suresh looked down shocked at the mind numbing pain that lanced up his right arm, the power trying to rot him as his body battled to heal itself. A wave of dripping decay and itching reformation. And Suresh yanked his arm away from the other. Stumbling backwards Suresh felt himself "fall" into his body as he tumbled backwards off the couch, landing on the floor on his back with a soft 'oof'. Looking up at Mathias. His hands were outstretched and he looked at them, perfectly fine. Before he lowered his hands and let his eyes focus on Mathias as he sat up.

Mathias' memories were precious to him, but they were getting in the way. Humanity didn't do any thing for a god, there was no benefit from having it. Removing the memories pushed Mathias further away from the human shell and allowed his body and soul to ascend to it's higher purpose.

He laughed, "Is that not what I am? Safety, family...love. I'm all those. I can be the end. I can make it so there is no more death. That life will be full and no one will ever need to disappear". He brought forth another memory, this one was of Mathias in his room at the church. Awake and crying, the void in his heart making him ache with loneliness. How he wished he could fill that void. To save people from the end, from Death. How cruel the goddess was for taking people from him, and yet leaving him behind.

"No, I won't do that" He said. he gestured to a closed door in the memory as it all began to fade. "There are things that no one should see. Things that belong to the nothingness. It's better this way. For all of us". He smiled at Suresh again and latched out to grab his arm. This wasn't real, he was in no real danger, but the pain would feel real as he tried to rot his hand away. "I think you've over stayed your welcome, little snake. Send you regards to your deity, and tell them I'm coming soon". With that, he forced Suresh out of Mathias' mind, blocking off the connection.

[sui-generis-elessar]

The day before Purge Day

It had been three years since he’d been burned. Two years since he’d eloped with the man that had saved him. He walked up to Mathias, not needing his cane as much around the house, and reaching out put his good arm around his husbands waist. Pulling their bodies close as he rested the good side of his face against the younger man’s. Looking down as Mathias finished cleaning and prepping the weapons for tomorrow night. It was an impressive array of lethal tools spread out on the table. And Elessar hummed in pleasure at the sight and the anticipation of the upcoming evening. “I’ve run the numbers on the best route for tomorrow. See if we can’t get you well ahead in the body count early on.” He rubbed his cheek against his husbands cheek slowly before he asked, “Anything else you need to do before tomorrow, darling?” 

@mathiascain​

[eeraygun]

Top 285 Sonic Releases of 2018

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[scott-blackmore]

(via ignant-photography-ulrik-hasemann-mathias-svold-coastlands-006.jpg (1600×1371))

[mareviola]

List of Sims

The First (and only) Matriarch - Lilian Castillo

001) Adrienne (f: Travis Scott) 

002) Bridie (f: Johnny Zest) 

003) Cecily (f: Don Lothario)

004) Debora (f: Louis Bergeron) 

005) Emi (f: Joshua Shipley) 

006) Amari (f: Duke Schmitt)

007) Bret (f: Duke Schmitt)

008) Conan (f: Mortimer Goth)

009) Fawn (f: Dakota Davison)

010) Gena (f: Kale Draper)

011) Haven (f: Barry Davison) 

012) Dudley (f: Noah Bradshaw)

013) Elias (f: J Huntington III)

014) Finnigan (f: Malcom Landgraab)

015) Garry (f: Colin Whitman)

016) Ianthe (f: Yahir Quinones)

017) Heston (f: Ezra Blackman)

018) Irving (f: Jordon Shipley)

019) Jai (f: Malachi Bergeron)

020) Keanu (f: Alfred Freeman)

021) Jesse (f: Ronnie Riggins) 

022) Lando (f: Alexander Goth)

023) Kayley (f: Tristen Carrillo)

024) Lacie (f: Tristen Carrillo) 

025) Micheal (f: Leonel Sharma)

026) Niklaus (f: Joey Woodall)

027) Marcie (f: Lewis Schmitt)

028) Orlando (f: Albert Wheeler)

029) Petar (f: Asher Rouya)

030) Quentin (f: James De Monte)

031) Narelle (f: Alexander Waldorf)

032) Octavia (f: Darrius Deaton)

033) Raphael (f: Sammy Groves)

034) Stefan (f: Sammy Groves)

035) Penelope (f: Vernon Camp)

036) Queenie (f: Jack Dogwwod)

037) Rylie (f: Yannik Theissen)

038) Theophilus (f: Clayton Wiseman)

039) Ulysses (f: Clarence Fields)

040) Sofia (f: Channing Hauser)

041) Van (f: Emiliano Billings)

042) Walter (f: Gulliver Christensen)

043) Tasha (f: Gulliver Clinton)

044) Unice (f: Gulliver Clinton)

045) Xavier (f: Duke Pickett)

046) Vivian (f: Chance Mosley) 

047) Wendy (f: Yahir Whipple)

048) Xanthe (f: Federico Michaels) 

049) Yvonne (f: Hector Lemus)

050) Zaira (f: Pablo Pringle)

051) Yves (f: Franklin Grove)

052) Zayn (f: Mathias Kay)

053) A. Aurelia (f: Venkat Katz)

054) B. Brielle (f: Joel Arriaga)

055) C. Carmela (f: Ahmad Sneed)

056) A. Amon (f: Ernesto Krause)

057) B. Benjamin (f: Raymond Christiansen)

058) D. Dessa (f: Elvis Escobedo)

059) E. Eliana (f: Phillip O’Neill)

060) C. Caden (f: Kasen Stiles)

061) D. Derik (f: Coty Nardone)

062) E. Emet (f: Avery Weller)

063) F. Fabio (f: Jon Lyman)

064) F. Fiora (f: Edison Lam)

065) G. Ginger (f: Edison Lam)

066) H. Hera (f: Conor Ceja)

067) I. Ivy (f: Omar McKinnon)

068) J. June (f: Aiden Cornell)

069) K. Karlee (f: Frank Kerner)

070) L. Leila (f: Nathanial Duran)

071) G. Glen (f: Floyd Jarrel)

072) H. Henry (f: Floyd Jarrel)

073) M. Mollie (f: Caden Rebuschatis)

074) I. Ivan (f: Giancarlo Vo)

075) N. Nadia (f: Dale Land)

076) J. Jordan (f: Ken Jacobson)

077) K. Kurt (f: Jamie Gamble)

078 ) L. Luis (f: Cannon Swenson)

079) M. Miles (f: Lonnie Robledo)

080) N. Neel (f: Eduardo Gallo)

081) O. Oliver (f: Daryl Costello)

082) O. Ophelia (f: Jarod Hong)

083) P. Philip (f: Jarod Hong)

084) P. Petra (f: Louis Nance)

085) Q. Quirrel (f: Gil Chow)

086) R. Riven (f: Gil Chow)

087) S. Sebastian (f: Ahmad Shipp)

088) Q. Quin (f: Dusty McCarty)

089) T. Tyler (f: Jorden Rodgers)

090) R. Regina (f: Zackery Ngo)

091) U. Uriel (f: Miguel Coley)

092) S. Sissy (f: Walker Bacon)

093) T. Terri (f: Tate Posey)

094) V. Vincent (f: Gideon Richey)

095) W. Wade (f: Gideon Richey)

096) X. Xander (f: Forrest Romano)

097) Y. Yuuri (f: Forrest Romano)

098) U. Uma (f: Pablo Morales)

099) Z. Zack  (f: Jairo Stapleton)

100) V. Victoria (f: Loren Neumann)

[theclubmap]

Mit Muna Musik hat Mathias Kaden ein Label geschaffen, das gleichgesinnte und talentierte Künstler und Freunde zusammenbringt. Auf dem Release „Muna 006“ sind dementsprechend auchTracks von Steve Bug, Tobi Neumann, Magit Cacoon und Uncanny Valley’s Jakob Korn vereint. Muna’s langjähriger Freund Tobi Neumann, der eines der besten Musikstudios in Berlin hat, rückte dafür als ersten […]

The post MUNA MUSIK 006 mit STEVE BUG, TOBI NEUMANN, MAGIT CACOON & JAKOB KORN ab 3.11. appeared first on THE CLUBMAP.

via THE CLUBMAP

[la-isla]

LA ISLA #014

001 - Estrellas De Ritmo - San Juan P R 002 - Bonet de San Pedro - Adoracion 003 - Nappy Lamarandhis Levee Loungers - Mama Inez 004 - Roscoe Gordon - Maria 005 - Germano Mathias - Falso rebolado

006 - Germano Mathias - Minha pretinha 007 - Anjos do Inferno - Nega do Cabelo Duro 008 - Anjos do Inferno - Nega 009 - Aracy de Almeida - Tenha pena de Mim 010 - Trio de Ouro - Carreteiro 

[father-jude]

All flesh was grass… Nothing on Earth was ever going to last forever. The only indestructible thing was the soul. He wished someone could have gone back and met Mathias as that nine year old boy. And maybe, maybe they could have said or done something that would have made this present never happen. But that was not possible. The scars that Mathias had were old and thick, not easy to break down. Scar tissue and blood with beautiful eyes. Jude loved the tiny pieces of happy Mathias. Not manic or euphoric. The sound of his laugh when Jude had flicked water at him. The smile when they were just talking about their interests, their likes. Jude heard Mathias sigh and knew that Mathias didn't believe him. Just like he couldn't believe Mathias. But either way Mathias, the man, was deserving of love. To find a place of rest. It reminded him of a prayer Jude had always resonated with. O Lord, support us all the day long of this troublous life, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then, Lord, in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the last.

"People, like knives, leave marks. There's no escaping it, it's just a matter of how deep." He touched Mathias' very gently knowing that Mathias struggled with softness. But that is what Jude had to offer the other. Loving kindness. When Mathias grabbed his hand and squeezed it, he felt the cut pull painfully as one of the stitches was pulled but thankfully didn't pop completely. It was fitting that Mathias had made him bleed again as he professed his love for Jude. So that had been the game Mathias had spoken about… Jude didn't know what being loved by Mathias really meant. But Jude also knew that all love was inherently divine. Agape. St. Augustine had said that to have love and be a bad person is impossible. Love was a unique gift in each person. And Jude would do everything he could to foster that spark inside of Mathias. He nodded his head and sliding into the pew next to Mathias put his arms around the young man and hugged him. "Then let's love each other. And just see what happens."

Up until recently, no one had disagreed with Mathias when he would say he was unlovable. The silence he had been met with just proved the point further. For a majority of his life, he was forced to live without the support that he needed. He brought himself up, and grew into what he was today. Somewhere out there was a life he was supposed to have. One where he would never have to fall asleep wondering if he was really god's mistake or not.

There wasn't a place on Earth that was made for him. He never fit perfectly into place, and even now he felt that way. He liked where he was in New York, with the family he pieced together, but it would never be perfect. He knew eventually it would crumble, as that was life. Even looking at Jude, he knew one day it would end.

Hearing Jude say those words had the same effect as when he was told it by someone else. Mathias felt sad knowing that no matter what, he could never be convinced. He didn't blame Jude for saying it though, the Priest couldn't be swayed from thinking differently either. Mathias sighed, "What's one more scar on me then?".

Jude was a fantastical thing, it was chance that they met that day. How could one person be enough for Mathias to direct his broken body towards, shambling towards him like a moth to a flame. He didn't move as Jude touched his face. How things had changed, before Mathias didn't let anyone touch him this way. He shied and ran from it, feeling his skin burn anytime someone dared. He didn't move away from Jude though. The priest's touch was pleasant. It made warmth grow within his heart, and the world was becoming brighter. Like a sunrise on the horizon.

Jude didn't say the words like Mathias imagined, but it was better that way. To know Jude's feelings had started before all of this made him feel better. He grabbed the hand on his cheek and squeezed it hard, "Then I think I won and lost our game. Because I love you too, Jude".

[naga-raja-suresh]

This had not been what Suresh had intended to search for or find. He had gone into Mathias' mind with the intention of seeing his past. Of looking into the memories that the younger man was losing. Because he understood the pain and frustration of a void where time had been. Suresh's frown deepened as the shadow sneered at him. Cautious as he did not plan to go head to head with a god. Or even the shadow of one.

He felt the scene around him shift, melt and reform. And he knew the room. Knew the day. Even before the man holding the boy came in. Suresh knew what was going to happen. He looked at himself. This memory the other had of him. A mere blink of an eye in time to Suresh. But he recalled this moment very well. His palms heated up as he watched himself hold the boy. Feeling the heat of the child in his hands. Suresh had always had a soft spot for children. This had been one of Seb's smarter moves, even if it had lacked finesse, it had been successful. And it had caused Suresh to soften his stance towards the Deathrunners. But it had been worth it.

Suresh had a sinking feeling in his as the shadow cooed softly. Golden eyes slid back to the Shade. Suresh nodded, "I remember." The comment about the surface made Suresh tilt his head, eyes hardening, "I could feel what the child desired... Love. Safety. Family." He watched the winnowing of the memory, the rotting, collapse of everything touched. Suresh gestured at the change, "There is always beauty in the breakdown. Ash over the corn field..." Suresh pursed his lips thoughtfully. His body reaching out without touching, "You feel like power. Raw and unrealized... If you are Life. Then you cannot be the end of anything. Just the force of change." His voice trailed off. Turning slowly to keep the other in view. "You know I am here to keep fast the memories Mathias is losing. Let me see what is left. And I will go on my way."

"Shade" He repeated with a sneer, as it if were an offensive word, and to the shadow it was. He was impressed that the snake withstood the blow to his face. It made sense though, avatars of gods weren't pushovers. The naga was familiar too. Whatever memories Mathias had, the shadow did too.

The scene changed again, this time it would be familiar to the naga. It was a meeting room, one that the leaders would use back then. A man walks in, holding the same small child who was crying before. His voice is clear. "Everyone, this is Matty. I couldn't find a babysitter, so I thought I'd give all of you something to do". The child is put into the lap into the visage of Suresh from long ago.

The shadow cooed at the scene. "You know who I am. This is when we first met. Do you remember when you held me? I thought the avatar of desire would have seen what lingered under the surface". He began to circle around, touching things and making them decay away into nothing. "I'm the God of Life. Supporter of the living. Finding life in even the most tragic of places...Like mushrooms and fungus growing between the joints of a corpse. Decay and renewal". He smiled at Suresh and moved closer. "I'm the eventual end to this story".

[naga-raja-suresh]

Suresh wouldn't call it mind reading. It was more akin to heart or soul reading. It wasn't a clinical, easily understandable ability. Desires, strong emotions those brought up images. Being inside of Mathias' mind gave some very interesting possibilities and having a better understanding of what what happening to the young necromancer would inevitably prove useful down the line. It was tempting to leave a back door, a manchurian code that would give him the upper hand if ever needed. But first he needed to do what he had promised he'd do. Look at the memories that were disappearing.

Memories were not dreamscapes. But this felt more like a dream than a memory. Strangely tangible. He watched silently and dispassionately at the pantomime in front of him. A twin. Parents. Pity he wouldn't be able to tell Mathias what they looked like. Water. The feelings of happiness and peace were nearly breathable. Suresh looked down at the red water as it seemed to slap at his 'feet'. Then back up to watch the tragedy play out. Power always required sacrifice. God of life indeed.

What he hadn't expected was for the shadow Mathias to face him and interact. Suresh felt the focus of the thing. He watched the impossible smile with the same dispassionate gaze as he had watched the murder. But he did reach out to it, to better understand what it was. Not with his hand but with his mind. Curious to see what this monster of rot and tar felt. Or if it felt anything at all.

Suresh was surprised by the voice and the address. "I was invited, shade." Mathias himself was still docile and quiet in his hands. This was something else. Something wrong. Suresh's eyes narrowed at the words 'little snake'. He lifted his hands up, the force hit him and he felt himself slide in the sand. A trickle of blood dripped down his nose and touched his lip. His hands convulsed and held onto Mathias' face to keep his grip and the connection. But there was a small pang of worry that crawled down his spine, at the fact that the force had actually caused him pain and very nearly knocked him out of Mathias mind. Not a memory. Not a dream. Suresh opened the bond farther between them, he hadn't asked Mathias if he could tamper with the chemicals in his brain but his power rushed out through his hands, into the necromancers skin and told Mathias to trust him, "Don't fight... You're safe..." He turned his inward eye to the shadow addressing it, "Who are you?"

Mathias had always been taught and told to never let anyone into his mind. He held no fortitude or defenses against those with psychic powers. He figured some of the teachings came because the Higher Ups didn't want anyone to get in his head like they did. But Suresh could be an exception. He trusted the naga, even if there was a tiny part of him that told him not to. Suresh could easily use this to his advantage, and Mathias would be defenseless. A scary but perhaps a better fate than what awaited him. He sat down across from Suresh, feeling his hand touch his face so tenderly. Mathias didn't fight it as he let Suresh into his mind.

The sound of waves crashing on a beach mixed with the sound of children laughing. Names were called, warning them not to stray too far into the water else the riptide would take them out to the deep ocean. Two children, whose faces are the same with a similar mop of brown curls on their head, two adults, their faces look blurred and sketched in vaguely. It's happy here, it's peaceful here. There are more memories, some at fairs, some during birthday parties. But the longer it goes on, the more hazy it becomes. The beach is once again the final background.

Then a scream cuts through it all. The blue ocean water is tainted red. The sun in the sky eclipsed by a dark moon. The once happy family is cut down, blood everywhere. A child cries over their bodies and begs anyone to bring them back. A figure stands over the child, familiar in his silhouette. He's there, consuming the memories of what once was. The child cries more as the faces of his family are erased, the beach is just a void. He turns to face the intruder. Those familiar blue eyes are replaced with black voids. His smile stretches his face, becoming uncanny. His shadow stretches impossibly far, a creature the color of tar lingers, something that was never meant to be seen by man.

"You shouldn't be here" he speaks in a voice that sounds like the cries of the dead. He puts his hands out to Suresh, the skin rotted away and revealing a black obsidian bone. "You'll spoil the surprise, little snake". He clenches his hand into a fist, and a concussive force is sent directly at the naga's face, trying to force him out.

[naga-raja-suresh]

Plans within plans. Fulcrums and levers moving the world. It was a detestable thing that Mathias was considering. Something that Suresh wished to disavow any knowledge of. And Mathias hadn't said exactly what he intended to do. There had been no need. Perhaps Mathias wouldn't be able to do it the way he was thinking. But that would be up to Mathias. And Suresh would wash his hands of it. The Naga did wonder if Mathias understood what it might not cost him but his followers, who would be stained with the same sin. But even that Suresh could use. But all of these were thoughts for the future. Whatever future they ended up in. For right now Suresh held Mathias gently in his arms. Comfort from a giant snake, in far more than just one sense.

Suresh smiled sadly at Mathias' fatalism. But it was natural. Mathias' fate was tied around his neck, there was no escaping it, it seemed. Suresh looked into Mathias' very bright blue eyes and his smile shifted into something a little more happy at the question. "Of course I can. Some can keep me out for a time. Some can force me out. But if you let me in? I am certain I can see into your memories." He nodded at the agreement and taking Mathias' hand again lead him over to the couch so they could both sit and look at each other. "Touching helps." He reached his long brown fingers tipped in gold out to cup and hold Mathias' face gently. He cradled the younger man's face in his hands as he looked into Mathias' blue eyes. "Just relax and let me in..." Suresh golden eyes drew Mathias in and down, using his mesmerism to slip into Mathias' mind. His voice was soft, liquid and sounded like it was farther away from both of them. "Show me..." He moved softly through Mathias' mind, looking for the fog and the memories sliding into it.

Mathias listened to what Suresh was telling him and put the pieces together. The bones were Corvinus' son. Good. It would be cruel, and Mathias was sure many would oppose this, but they had no other choice. Now, he had never resurrected something that had been dead for that long, but all this new power in him made him believe he could do it. It would take time though, and he'd have to keep the young man hidden from the rest of the world until it was time to reveal his hand. The price he'd pay too wasn't going to be cheap. Corvinus would most likely react, and there were a lot of people that could be used against Mathias if it came to it. As much as it pained him though, he'd have to use them. This was how things had to be. If they were so willing to give their lives for Mathias, they should be understanding of this.

"If it's what needs to be done", Mathias said. He just hoped in his final moments he could see all their faces one last time, and tell them how much he loved them. When Suresh pulled back, Mathias looked him in the eyes. "Do you think you can do that?" He was hesitant, mostly because he never liked the idea of someone messing around in his head. But if there was one person he'd trust to do it, it was Suresh. "Sure, if you think you can".

[naga-raja-suresh]

So quick to throw himself into the grinder. Something that Suresh found very compelling in all of the Deathrunners. A willingness to face destruction. Sacrificial lambs with the largest in the lead. Suresh regarded Mathias silently. Considering many options. Suresh too wa a creature of long games, but he had been doing it much longer than Mathias and his concept of long was farther than Mathias could possibly imagine. He listened and then glanced down at the rotted spots, remembering that Mathias said he had been avoiding using his powers to slow the spread. He shook his head slowly but his eyes stayed on the necromancer. "It makes me think about what I would do if someone tried to use my son against me..." He paused looking directly at Mathias, "Now I imagine what I would do to someone that disturbed the bones of my child..." He paused again the smallest smile on his lips, "Be careful what you dig up, Mathias." He made sure that he did as Corvinus had asked him once and kept his children's memories out of his mouth. If Mathias read between the lines that was up to the young leader. "All I can offer you is that advice. And to not stand in your way."

Suresh held the younger man in his arms, being as careful of the wound as he could be. The desire to be comforted radiated off Mathias. When Mathias said he remembered Suresh nodded his head. He chuckled at the warning. Because he had been building little doors in so many of Mathias' closest people but there was no reason to say anything like that. "I'm sure many would try to stop me. I'll try not to hurt them to much. For your sake. If it ever comes down to it." He listened and nodded again, "Of course. If that is what you wish. But I do hope it is something we never have to worry about." He paused before he spoke again, thinking about the loss of memory. He pulled back a little to look at the smaller man. "Would you like me to look at them? The memories that are fading? I might still be able to if you want a way to save them... But you'd have to let me in."

"I know it would provoke him more than wound him, and that is a blow I'll have to shoulder myself". Mathias played the long game, he made small moves that pushed him towards a bigger picture. It was slow moving, and at times it would seem like he was losing, but he knew the endgame. "Because I can connect to any undead, and those I make myself have a stronger bond to me. Then of course I know you're capable of being influential, if you wish to help. We can use them to keep Corvinus in check, more than anything while we figure out how to deal with him permanently". He frowned, wondering what Suresh saw inside that man's head, "So will you help me then?"

Mathias put his shirt back on in silence. No one had told him this would happen, they made it all sound like sunshine and rainbows. How could he blame them though? Anyone in their right mind would have ran away if they knew the price of godhood. Losing his memories was the worst part of it all. Mathias cherished what he could remember of his past and his family, but that was starting to slip away from him. The memories were stolen and shredded, never to be seen again.

Being pulled into Suresh's embrace was new but so welcoming. Mathias just wanted a hug. After everything that happened at Mardi Gras, and even during the Solstice. The necromancer just needed that comfort. It did hurt too, the pressing against the wound, and yet he didn't pull away. "I remember" He mumbled, "You know, you're gonna have to fight through a lot of people in order to do it. I don't think they're gonna let you put me down in the end...But if you do...There's this cabin in the bayou, far from everyone including the Deathrunners. Could you bury me there? It's warded so nothing can be reanimated or resurrected there".

[naga-raja-suresh]

"You haven't told me what you are hoping to accomplish. " Suresh prodded gently. But he could feel that Mathias wanted someone to confide in. And Suresh could, of course, be that person. Gathering and knowing secrets was a part of who he was. Secrets were a currency in and of themselves. He raised one dark eyebrow at the confession, a body. Remains. Bring back. "There is a difference, Mathias, in wounding someone and provoking someone... Why do you want to do either to Corvinus now after what I have seen of his power? I do not disagree that he would not be expecting such a thing." Suresh paused and said, "I have been inside of his mind... seen a few memories." A small offering to Mathias. A confidence of his own.

Suresh was unfazed by the appearance but he could feel the way Mathias felt about them. It made the Naga sad, feeling Mathias' fear and sadness. So much pain for someone so very young. "You can put your shirt back on Mathias. Thank you for showing me." Mathias was a martyr as well as a sacrifice. He remembered Mathias as a child. He listened and wondered if Sebastian had known what this would look like. And he imagined how lucky the man was to slink away and not have to experience this. Suresh nodded at Mathias' explanation. The loss of memory was something that Suresh was very familiar with, though again, his had been very fast. Not this long torturous thing. Maybe that was the difference between allowing room for a god versus the burning away of self to become a god. The horror of it was not lost on the ancient being. "I wish I could tell you what is happening to you. What I can see is a metamorphosis. Moving from one stage to another. Which is frightening but may be just what must be. Come--" And leaving his desk he stood in front of the young man and lifted him out of his chair and carefully wrapped his arms around the young man, cradling him in a gentle but firm embrace. "Whatever you are becoming. I will still be me. And I have made promises to you. Do you remember those?" Kind words that were true even if it was also because he did not want to lose his allyship with the Deathrunners.

"Depends on if you want to help me accomplish this or not" Mathias said. He had to be careful here. There were ears everywhere and the last thing he needed was for Corvinus to know of his plan before he could even start it. He looked at Suresh for a long moment before speaking again. "A body" He replied. "Or really just remains. I think if we can bring back someone from his past, we can use them against him. It's a dumb and dangerous idea, I know...but he won't expect it".

It was still hard for Mathias to look at himself in the mirror at times. The state of his body was getting worse and worse, and it was hard to cope with that. "It used to be when I used my magic, but now it seems to do that on it's own. Although, I haven't used my powers since Mardi Gras, because I'm not sure what will happen". He couldn't risk another explosion, nor could he risk advancing whatever was happening to him. "I think...other things are changing too. My memory is getting foggier and less clear. I don't sleep much anymore, or at all. I don't know what is happening to me, Suresh".

[naga-raja-suresh]

Suresh nodded, "Yes, let's." But Mathias' response caused an interesting line of thought to open in Suresh's mind. The Lightless might stand with him against the Deathrunners. The Nameless might be persuaded to wait until the dust settled, or maybe to also side with the Lotus Eaters with the right offers. But the cost would be astronomical. Even if the Lotus Eaters might come out on top. Which was not a guarantee. And Suresh would lose the edge that that Deathrunners provided to his clubs with their specialized drugs. Mathias and the Deathrunners were close allies because of the trust that the Boss and Underboss had in the Naga. Going to war with the Deathrunners would be like attacking himself. But there was a wariness now that existed in the Naga that had not been there before Mardi Gras.

He listened to Mathias and the outcome from his conversation with the Lightless Emissary. He nodded. Knowing that the waiting was less about the Lightless and more about the issues going on within the chain of command inside of the Lightless. If Callum had been there he would not have been so content with waiting. Suresh smiled, "A bit of a switch in tactic between the Lightless and the Deathrunners... I believe you have always been more prone to watchful waiting." Suresh reached a hand up to fiddle with his necklace, running the pendent across the chain gently as he thought about the power on display. About the magic that had been used against him in this very room. Corvinus was a incredibly strong and talented blood witch that couldn't die. Formidable on the best of days. "You sound like you have an idea."

Suresh took Mathias' hand, running his fingers over it carefully and feeling the flesh gently. Fascinated by the rot and the texture of the skin. At the offer to see more Suresh smiled voice teasing as he said, "Ah, finally. I have found my pretext to get you out of your shirt...." But he shook his head, "How much of your body is covered now?" He looked up at Mathias' very blue eyes. His own a little sad as he asked, "Would you like to not be in pain for a little while? It would only be temporary but I could help you with that."

"Oh I'm sure they would, then who would stop them from decimating the Lightless. No one would win if we fought, so let's keep the peace between each other". Even if Mathias wasn't sure how many people were in the Nameless, it was easy to say that the Lotus Eaters and Deathrunners had the bigger circles of influence and power. They both had the ability to use others around them, Suresh picking the living and Mathias picking the dead. They could make an army at the snap of their fingers.

Mathias didn't trust Corvinus, not in the slightest. The blood witch was charming and knew how to use words, which made him a threat to Mathias. But he had to keep alert and continue with the act. "I spoke with Fior, it sounds like the Lightless are content with just waiting for Corvinus to make a move. I don't think that's something any of us can afford to do. I think we need to be direct and aggressive".

His eyes tracked Suresh as the naga moved to his desk. Sighing, Mathias got up and followed. He put his hand in the other's, "then "If you wanna see more, you have to ask nicely".

[naga-raja-suresh]

"I don't know. I'm sure the Nameless would love such a thing." Suresh smiled and then shook his head, "No, I would much prefer that we stay as we are." Especially after hearing what Mathias had done on accident. It was a monumental amount of destructive power. Something that Suresh would prefer was aimed away from him and the Lotus Eaters as much as possible. Suresh had a few ideas on how to subdue Mathias but those were for true emergencies only. Since he didn't think killing Mathias would solve anything.... Maybe it would only make it worse. And he would miss the young man. Suresh nodded and now it was his turn to give a little bit of information, "I have a piece of it... Some of my more trusted witches are trying to see what we can learn from it."

He watched Mathias look at him and he smiled. He let the glamour relax just a little, a small shimmer in the air as he looked a little less human. Suresh snorted at the question, "Alliance is a stretch. But I like being courted and if he wants to keep trying that is his prerogative." Suresh nodded, listening and then his gaze drifted back down, "Do you remember what I said about what power does to a body?" He stood up and walked around the desk to lean on it while reaching a hand out for Mathias'. He looked at the younger man, "May I?"

"I think the last thing anyone needs is a war between you and I". Suresh would most likely be the last person Mathias ever rose up against. He had more respect for the naga than the other leaders, and he also knew how strong he could be. Mathias didn't start fights he didn't think he could win. "That's still something to be concerned about. I don't want to think about what else can come slithering into the city".

He gave Suresh a once over. He did appear to be in one piece, but physical harm wasn't Mathias' concern. "And what about your hopefully temporary alliance with Corvinus?". Mathias looked down at his hands and flexed them. "We talked about the sacrifices made to be divine. Perhaps my body is my sacrifice." He rolled up his sleeve more, revealing more of the rot that covered his body. "It hurts like hell too".

[naga-raja-suresh]

Suresh chuckled at that pretty little pseudo-complement. Because he was very, very good at making distractions for New Orleans and anyone that came to visit one of his businesses. Suresh would have agreed with Mathias, he had no illusions that he was 'good'. Suresh was a selfish being bound to a god that didn't believe in shame, only fearlessly pursuing one's desires. The Naga tilted his head, " I am aware that it was an accident. If I thought you had done it on purpose you would not have been allowed in here. Because that would have been an act of war." Suresh let out a soft amused noise as Mathias spoke about distractions. He gave Mathias a considering look, "No. But I also can't say that it was orchestrated either. There has been a lot of activity in New Orleans recently. Which might have been the draw."

At the question he smiled, "I am managing. Physically I am unharmed. But I have my plate full with my businesses, the Lotus Eaters, and the city." His eyes drifted over the young man, "Would you like me to ask after your own health?" He gestured gracefully with on gold tipped finger. "I couldn't help but notice your hands."

"Well the people of New Orleans are very lucky that you're so good at making distractions for them". They all had their own influences over the citizens of the city. Suresh gave them escapes into pleasure and desire, getting them addicted to the feeling. Mathias pumped them full of life saving and life ending drugs which made them value living more and more. This was why Mathias believed there was no such thing as a good gang leader. They were all villains in the end.

He rubbed the back of his neck and chuckled, "It's not like I was actively trying to explode in your territory. It was an accident. And I had to tend to my own for a while and couldn't risk any distractions". It was a very watered down description of what happened of course. "Ah so we both think that it's appearance wasn't random then?" Mathias paused for a moment, "How are you doing, Suresh?"