#Mathias: 003

[naga-raja-suresh]

Where: The Bayou

Who: @ascnsionismx (with mention of Em @frgdsecrts)

This was a formal call. Though he detested having to be the one to come to Mathias. He found the petty little push for power silly. But Suresh was a demi-god and guardian of water. The Bayou was not something that frightened him. He did however bring one of his most trusted bodyguards and Emiliano in the form of a crow, sitting on his shoulder.

He walked into the presence of the Deathrunners little court, shoulders back and spine erect. Gold eyes drifting over the small group outside of the meeting room. He left his bodyguard at the door but kept the crow on his shoulder for the time being. Stepping into the room and seeing only Mathias there. A small piece of Suresh relaxed. He turned his head and murmured low in rapid Spanish to the crow, telling him to go find a spot to watch and listen to anyone of interest.

He rested his hands on the back of an empty chair and asked, "Why are you so angry?" Perhaps a little cheap to use his ability to read emotions but he couldn't help it. It was coming off the other rather intensely. "Did your previous meeting go so badly?"

[undead-jude]

It was easier to not think about the life he didn't have anymore. The one that he would have lost anyway. At least from the way Mathias told it. He missed it often. But being the Advisor for the Deathrunners had given him a purpose like he'd had in the church. To listen and to advise. Things he had done for a long time before he'd been turned into this. He often wondered why God had put Mathias in his path that night. But Jude often assumed it was because he was supposed to be where he was now, for some reason, he is supposed to help Mathias. He'd felt that from the very beginning.

But all of those other thoughts and dreams and worries were washed away on a warm wave of blood on his tongue and down his throat. He couldn't remember human food being so satisfying. Nothing had ever been like this. but he knew that he needed to stop. As drunk and full of haze as his mind was. He knew he needed to stop. No blood tasted like Mathias'. Maybe that was what he'd been talking about, about being a weapon. Maybe that's why his blood always seemed to rush through Jude's head and give him a type of high.

Jude felt Mathias' open his mouth as his tongue touched the corner. A soft taste of lips. The gasp shivered through his fuzzy brain. He blinked his eyes open, large dark brown eyes looking down at those beautiful blue. The feel of Mathias' hand grabbing the front of his shift as their mouths grew closer. Their mouths were just a hard thought apart, the small whisper pushing them closer, a brush of contact. A lightning bolt. Jude didn't say anything for a moment. Before he mumbled something like "Me too--" Before he brought their mouths together in a soft kiss. In his darker, deepest thoughts he'd imagined this. Not like this. But he had imagined this moment. He'd thought originally it was this thought that had caused God to let him be punished. But if the thought was the deed what did it matter now? To have this small sin, just once?

Mathias didn't often allow himself to be weak around people. He put aside his own thoughts and worries just so he could be there for others. But it was easy to let that all go around Jude. He thought back to some of their first meetings. The priest had been so patient with Mathias, listening to him and answering whatever Mathias asked. Maybe that was when Mathias decided that Jude needed to be in his life forever.

He didn't say anything as Jude tried to assure him that he wasn't a weapon. The vampire didn't know of the power that lurked just under Mathias' skin. He didn't know the devastation Mathias could create with just a gesture of his hand. He was more of a weapon than people thought.

It was easy to lose focus on the world as Jude drank from him. Each gulp sapped Mathias' energy, making his limbs feel so much heavier. Jude's hands were so gentle in his hair, a contrast to his teeth in Mathias' neck. He was proud that the vampire had learned control during the year they were apart. It was impressive to see. He felt light headed by the time Jude pulled away, but Mathias didn't feel like he was in danger. It was like being drunk and just waking up from a nap. It wasn't miserable at all. He smiled sleepily at the vampire. Even this close Mathias had to make sure to keep his hands to himself.

He opened his mouth to say something, not noticing the blood dripping on his face. before words could come out, Jude bent his head down and licked up the blood. The necromancer's eyes went wide and a gasp escaped him. He had always tried his best to let Jude take the lead with things like this. Never wanting to pressure the vampire into anything. But the almost unconscious action taken by Jude threw Mathias off. He didn't lunge forward like he wanted, instead Mathias lifted his head so their mouths were closer but not touching. He could almost taste his blood on Jude's breath. His hand went to the vampire's chest, gripping his shirt and using that to pull Mathias closer.

"...m'sorry" He whispered against Jude's mouth. The lightest brushing of lips like a shy kiss. His eyes closed, both out of bliss and not wanting to see if Jude would reject him.

[eeraygun]

Top 285 Sonic Releases of 2018

000. Rosalia - El Mal Querer 001. Various Artists - 'I Could Go Anywhere But Again I Go With You' 002. Autechre - NTS Sessions 003. Various Artists - Kulør 001 004. Oneohtrix Point Never - Age Of (Japanese Edition) 005. Sophie - Oil of Every Pearl's Un-Insides 006. Tirzah - Devotion 007. Blawan - Wet Will Always Dry 008. Cam Deas - Time Exercises 009. Leon Vynehall - Nothing Is Still 010. Ingus Baušķenieks ‎ - Spoki 011. Clouds - Heavy The Eclipse 012. Kyo & Jeuru - All The Same Dream 013. Topdown Dialectic - Topdown Dialectic 014. Snail Mail - Lush (remaster) 015. Pavel Milyakov - Eastern Strike 016. Robyn - Honey 017. Falcon Black Ops - Vol. 1 018. CTM - Red Dragon 019. Ariana Grande - Thank You Next 020. Robert Lippok - Applied Autonomy 021. Various Artists - LACKRec. vs. Magic Power 022. Henning Christiansen - The Executioner 023. Against All Logic - 2012-2017 024. Scandinavian Star - Solas 025. Happa - PT3.2 026. Prime Minister of Doom - Mudshadow Propaganda 027. 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[father-jude]

Mathias was an eager audience and Jude did enjoy the time he got to spend with the younger man. Who obviously wanted or needed someone to talk to. And if Mathias was busy talking with him he had less time to do those other things he'd confessed to Jude about. Jude nodded, thinking about the trees being in bloom. "It is. It's easy to feel far away from the city here. Even when you're not."

It was easy to talk with Jude. Mathias didn't feel the need to fill the silence with senseless talking. Jude always seemed open to conversation about different things. Usually the topics involved Mathias asking several questions, but it was all so he could learn more about the other's world. "Really? That must be really nice. I guess I'll have to come here when it's spring and when it's bright. I think it'd be relaxing to walk through".

[marigabicb]

Lowlands. Ester Vonplon. Iikki Books

    Tapa dura. 22,5 x 33,5cm. Color y blanco y negro. 112 paginas.

Fotografías, Ester Vonplon.

Texto, en inglés y francés. Tipografía, Akkurat Std-Regular, diseño Laurenz Brunner.

Diseño sprflxgrfzm. Director de edición y publicación, Mathias Van Eecloo.

Papel Munken Print White 150gr. Impresión, Escourbiac, Graulhet, France.

1° edición. Tirada 500. 2017, Iikki Books

    Esta publicación nueva de la fotógrafa suiza Ester Vonplon es la tercera de la joven editorial francesa Iikki, tres libros siempre con el mismo diseño y formato a la italiana. Los libros van acompañados en todos los casos de un disco, aunque aquí, a la diferencia del anterior Glestcherfahrt ( B. Frank Books ) de Vonplon, (visto ya aquí  https://gabrielacendoya.wordpress.com/2015/04/13/13-de-abril-2015/), esta vez se pueden adquirir por separado. Pero las propias paginas del libro nos remiten a la música, divididas entre las piezas musicales creadas por Taylor Dupree y Marcus Fisher para acompañar al trabajo de Ester, como las distintas caras de un disco. El trabajo es un dialogo entre imagen y sonido.

    La fotógrafa sigue explorando el tema de los glaciares y su lenta desaparición, con el ultimo capitulo de una trilogía. He podido ver parte de este trabajo de cerca en Arlés, y sigo impresionada por la belleza triste de estas fotografías. Vonplon fue a Spitsbergen al borde del Artico en un gran velero para fotografiar el resultado del deshielo en verano de 2016.

  Las fotografías que vemos aquí son un canto melancólico a un mundo que ya no será. El continente de hielo representa o representaba una reserva pura , un sueño entre azul y blanco. Con fotografías intervenidas,  unas tomadas desde el aire, otras a ras del agua, Ester Vonplon nos muestra una inevitable transformación, una lenta descomposición.

    A ritmo lento aparecen grietas, cavidades, pequeños abismos en un movimiento hipnótico, el de mirar al mar. Un ritmo secreto y profundo, que en las fotografías de Vonplon se hace misterioso y romántico.

    Aparece la tierra como una herida, una cicatriz cada vez mas abierta en el desierto glaciar y las texturas creadas por Vonplon se transforman en piel, arrugada o estremecida. Las bajas tierras baldías son sin embargo testigos del tiempo pasado. La blancura del Ártico encierra en ella una parte del origen del mundo, una pureza desaparecida, el secreto de la historia de nuestra humanidad. Yo veo los pedazos de hielo a la deriva como recuerdos de nuestra  memoria deshaciéndose para siempre.

Sin presencia humana, una planta, apenas el vuelo de alguna gaviota , las fotografías de Ester Vonplon son crepusculares. Hay en ellas mucha poesía, y una gran melancolía. Con temblorosos abismos o mar en calma, entre azules grises lavados o casi negro, Vonplon nos hace sentir la fragilidad de nuestra vida, la gran belleza de lo que parecía eterno, pero va desapareciendo inexorablemente. Es un canto conmovedor.

      http://www.estervonplon.com/

https://vimeo.com/223893873

  https://www.iikki-books.com/iikki-003-lowlands

https://www.lensculture.com/articles/ester-vonplon-lowlands

La música de Taylor Deupree y Marcus Fisher compuesta para acompañar las fotografías.

https://soundcloud.com/iikki-books/taylor-deupree-marcus-fischer-lowlands-album-preview

  Yo no puedo dejar de pensar en la “Sad eyed lady of the Lowlands” de Bob Dylan, así que os la dejo aquí tambien.

https://open.spotify.com/track/4jdtLLyEL7wY0TlCdMKhxq

25 de julio 2017. Lowlands. Ester Vonplon. Lowlands. Ester Vonplon. Iikki Books Tapa dura. 22,5 x 33,5cm. Color y blanco y negro. 112 paginas.

[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)

[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 

[undead-jude]

"I will use small words since you don't seem to be understanding me. I don't actually care about your opinion of me. Especially now that I know what it is. As far as I'm concerned we never have to speak to each other." He knew that he wouldn't be saying these things without something else going on. But he couldn't stop and there was a piece of him that felt good being able to be bluntly honest about his feelings. Even if he might as well have been talking to a brick wall. "Suffering is part of life. His suffering is not mine to hold or carry. He made it. He can live with it. And don't talk to me about who hurt who. I have never harmed him maliciously or intentionally. And I never would." His words running into and over some of Knox's since the other had asked him a question. He tried to stop. Could feel people beginning to look.

Then suddenly Mathias was there and Jude's heart sank thinking of what he must have heard. God he hadn't wanted Mathias to hear any of that. It was cruel and hurtful even if true. He knew the feel of Mathias' powers in his body, puppeteering him. And he hated it. He loathed it. It brought back all his memories of that first night. All the pain and horror and the taste of Mathias' blood. And he couldn't stop the baleful look he gave the younger man for where his memories took him. Even if he was glad he couldn't keep talking. His glass snapped in his fingers and since he couldn't say anything he turned and walked away, throwing the glass out as he left the building. He was done. He didn't care if Mathias and Knox left too. Didn't care what happened. Mathias could keep his throat closed but he didn't need air to breathe.

@sanguisxferox

"So now you wanna bitch about this too? You asked for this, I delivered. If you can't take it, don't beg for it." He replies bluntly, voice still low enough to keep it between them. On the outside, Knox looks like he has no fucking problem with this lil chat, but on the inside, he's horrified and the feeling grows as both of them keeps talking. At this point, even though it's done unconsciously, they are tugging at that golden thread between Mathias and them. Something is wrong, they just don't know what it is nor how to stop it. "You don't need a church to help people. Adapt for fuck's sake." The mention of how he was acting got the strongest facial reaction out of Knox—mix of disgust and horror. They should've realized by now that this wasn't just happening to them, but also Jude. "That's just disgusting. You think that's the reason why? How would you feel seeing your own fucking child suffering constantly—feeling their pain and there's so fucking much of it— and then finally finding that glimpse of light that you've never been able to give them only to have if hurt them more? You are hurting my kid, Jude, my fucking son and I can't do shit about. Cause even if you're being an asshole, he's still protecting you. I've been powerless for over a century and you are a fucking daily reminder that I cannot save my child. So whatever you're feeling shake it off and start acting like someone grateful. He already has enough to deal with!" Now that was something they would never say in public and Knox is now panicking internally. It's the truth; Mathias is both a son and baby brother to them. But they don't talk about things like that, the familiar puts those feelings in a cage so that Mathias barely feels them. All they can hope right now, is that Mathias will feel their panic more than the rest.

[wikiweb-blog]

NBA Slam Dunk Contest 2017: Winner, Highlights, Scores and Twitter Reaction

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[naga-raja-suresh]

The Nameless are Faceless no more

Location: Neutral territory

Who: Suresh, Mathias (via proxy) @ascnsionismx, Callum @callumloughty, Corvinus @silveredlies

It wasn't often that the Gang Leaders gathered together for a summit. The building specially proofed against magical attacks. These types of meetings were always big to-dos for each of the gangs. Trying to figure out who was going as support and a show of strength. This was an even more delicate process due to the other two anticipated arrivals. Suresh had managed to convince both Callum and Mathias to agree to sit down together so that the three of them could finally put a name and face to the Leader of the Nameless and hopefully allow the Blood Witch to feel free to return to Ireland. Suresh eyed the corpse that Mathias wheeled in with a sense of bland amusement. "Thank you for coming. The other two will be here shortly. I didn't give the Witch the location until about twenty minutes ago."

@ascnsionismx

[undead-jude]

Jude felt the nod, "Then I'm free. And this is where I choose to be." Jude knew that Mathias struggled with the care that Jude offered the young man. It was just a part of who he was. He'd been furious with Mathias for a year. And found out first hand that while Mathias had been misguided in his attempt to help Mathias' care for him was very real. And not something he could expect from others in the city.

Hearing Mathias mumble that he worried for everyone made the vampire smile a little. Because yes, Mathias did. But Jude also knew that he got some special attention. One of the other reasons why he sometimes struggled with the other members. His position was a privileged one, especially since he was such a young vampire and new to the gangs and their politics. But he was learning as quickly as he could.

At the question Jude shook his head, "No, sleep if you can." When Mathias said that someone holding him didn't happen much his suspicious were answered. And he tucked Mathias closer into his longer body. He could hear when Mathias' breathing changed and the younger man fell asleep. Jude didn't move until Mathias woke up and they needed to go.

end

Mathias nodded, he may have taken Jude's future from him, but he'd never force him to stick around if he didn't want to. The necromancer didn't have enough fight in him to do that. He frowned, "...I fear I'll never quite understand you, Jude...But thank you...for staying".

It would be a long week without everyone. Mathias hoped they would be alright and they wouldn't worry too much over him. He wasn't sure what was planned for him with the Higher Ups, he assumed it wasn't anything good. Still Mathias put on a brave face as always, ready to face the ending of the world if it meant securing his loved ones' happiness.

"I worry about everyone" He mumbled, trying to make it seem like it was a universal concern. Truthfully Mathias wanted to make sure Jude was as comfortable as he could be. Not just because of his feelings for him, or because of his position within the Deathrunners, but also because he felt he owned him that. The Deathrunners and Mathias weren't as bad as people made them seem and he wanted Jude to believe it too.

"Do you mind if I sleep? It's rare for me to sleep with someone holding me...It doesn't happen much. But if you're uncomfortable it's okay, I will be fine. I just like the thought of you being the last person I see before I go".

[father-jude]

It was a very kind and insightful reply and Jude gave Mathias a grateful look as he said it. "Yes, it can. Can't it? That's very true." Jude agreed. Moving through the rooms with the younger man it was easy, like being back at the Church and talking to the other as Mathias helped him with small odd jobs. Mathias always seemed to have endless small questions to keep things moving in a conversation. There was an insatiable curiosity in the other that Jude enjoyed. Listening to Mathias mention the gardens he smiled, "There are a couple of garden spots here. The orchard is really nice too. Especially when the apple trees start blooming."

"But sometimes enthusiasm comes off as more sincere". If he had to pick between listening to someone just rambling off facts because they were an expert, or listen to someone speak excitedly over a niche topic, Mathias would pick the latter. The stained glass the stood in front of was very pretty. Mathias never thought he'd be allowed to see pretty pieces of art like this up close. The colored glass was still so pretty in the evening. "I like the windows and the arch ways. They're really cool. The garden looked nice too, but I only saw it from afar".

[naga-raja-suresh]

Suresh nodded his head, taking his hand back without touching the young man. He hadn't wanted the contact and Suresh would accept that boundary. "Of course, Mathias."

One thing at a time. Too much multitasking quickly became a good way to become quickly overwhelmed. But that was something the young would have to learn on their own. Everything Suresh did had several outcomes that he could use down the line. Every seed planted carefully. A constant and attentive gardener to his flowers of manipulation. But he was an old hand at getting what he wanted... eventually. He nodded, "I will look as well. I will let you know if I find someone that seems promising. If you will agree to do me the same courtesy."

The Naga smiled at the young necromancer. "It is still improbable. That doesn't make it impossible. I dislike speaking in absolutes." He stood up as well. Their meeting at an end. He shook his head, "You would have found a way regardless, I feel." But took the young man's hand, bending over it in a small bow and pressing a kiss to it. A very old gesture of parting before he straightened up, looking down at Mathias. "Thank you. Be safe." The Naga turned and left the room and the Church the same way he'd come in, back straight, eyes forward. But there was much to think about.

end

The uncertainty of his future was still very present in Mathias' mind. Would he even have control over himself? There was a lot of power with in his body, and there was a possibility that he couldn't even contain all of it. Would he just be a shell like all the undead he had created, or would he still be himself. He didn't want to worry this much but it was impossible not to. "Thanks, Suresh. I appreciate it".

Nothing could make him shift his focus away from the actual boogeyman. It wasn't just because Mathias feared for his own safety, but the safety of the others too. The city was founded on the backs of their gods, and without them what would happen? Chaos, and not the good kind. "Yeah, I'll probably look for one here soon". Mathias was tired, understandably so. Suresh had offloaded a lot of information for Mathias to think about and consider. But he needed more clarity, and he felt it wouldn't come from Suresh.

He smiled at his friend, "People also say that it's impossible and improbable for someone like me to become a god...and yet..." stood up and shook his head, "No, I don't have any questions. Thank you for visiting me, it's always a delight when I get to see you. Even if it's under stressful reasons. I'll make sure you make it out too, the gators will keep your travels clear of any dangers". He put his hand out to Suresh, "Thank you again...I don't know if I'd make it this far if I didn't have you at my side".

[naga-raja-suresh]

Suresh didn't have to wait for the Nameless to make a move. He and the Lightless had been dealing with their moves already. That was what frustrated him about Mathias' replied so far regarding them. There might be bigger threats out there but for Suresh and the Lotus Eaters the Nameless were still the most immediate even if they were for Mathias or now, more concerning for Suresh, maybe the Lightless.

The Naga looked at Mathias, feeling the ever shifting oceans of his emotions. He'd said it to merely make a point. There was a level of choice. And not all powerful things were makers of tragedy, sometimes they were just witnesses to it. The sharp taste of doubt and fear made Suresh sit up a little, extending a hand to the young necromancer, "Evil is a point of view, Mathias. You will be someone's villian. Just as I am. But I wouldn't let you become a destructive force. Because I know you don't want to be that."

It was increasingly tiring watching Callum and Mathias. And then having to sit through two conversations being told that his focus was on the wrong place by two people that couldn't seem to hold a civil conversation for more than two sentences with each other. But Suresh knew that he needed to make sure the center held. And accepted a good amount of grief to ensure it. Of course they would tell Mathias about a God Eater. Fear was important for all beings. To know that there was always a possibility of a bigger fish out there. "There is always a grain of truth in fables and legends." But it was a concerning thing to hear. And important to know what frightened Mathias. Suresh shrugged, "I have no skill in divination. But maybe it would be worth finding a witch that is?" The comment about Corvinus being responsible for something like the God Eater made Suresh frown. He slowly shook his head, "I have never heard of such a thing... But I am always loathed to say something is impossible. But perhaps improbable?" Suresh was quiet for a long moment. "It's late. And I still have much to do but I appreciate the hospitality, as always. Is there anything you want to ask me before I take my leave?"

Life as a god wasn't easy. Life becoming one wasn't easy either. Mathias still felt he had to abide by mortal rules while the Higher Ups insisted that he didn't. But he couldn't go to them for advice, because what did they know about being divine. That was why Suresh became a strong ally and friend for Mathias. He was the only one who could understand the struggles. An avatar of a god was closer than whatever everyone else was.

The Nameless were a mystery, and unknown like he told Fior. Waiting for them to make a move would waste time, but what else could they do. No one knew anything about them, and that made it hard to make contact with them. From that Mathias could understand why the Lightless and Lotus Eaters were nervous. But what would happen if they turned out to be truly harmless. Time would be wasted not focusing on the more important threats.

Powerful witches and powerful creatures made the world turn, sometimes in good ways and sometimes in bad. But there was always someone or something there to try to stop them. Some succeeded some failed. Mathias wasn't sure where he would land in all of that. He was young but oh so impressionable. There were emotions and thoughts that circled in his mind that could easily sway him one way or another. He frowned at Suresh, looking unsure of himself and scared for once. Tragedies followed him everywhere. What if it followed him into godhood. "I don't know...You wouldn't let me become something like that though, right? I don't want to become evil".

Of course the call for a group meeting didn't work. It was hard to get the Deathrunners and Lightless in one room without bickering. Mathias was the start of some of those moments, he could admit that. But this seemed important enough to look past that. He nodded, "Yeah, it was a scary story I was told when I was brought here. Mr. Atlas would tell him that bad gods got eaten by the God Eater. But I always thought it was made up". As he grew older and things began to shift, it stopped feeling like a fairytale.

"I don't know. Maybe it is? Maybe it's a coincidence. Many horrible things in history happened at the same time, but they were by no means connected. Perhaps this is the same. But really, even if he is powerful...there's no way he could call upon something that strong, right?"

[naga-raja-suresh]

Suresh knew that Mathias had so many good intentions. He was a young man with convictions and strong desires. But no one could or should force the world to be 'good'. All experiences built a person. The Naga listened and shook his head, "You may not want to. But you will. We all do. It's not about being a tyrant. But the really lasting Kings and gods are not good or bad... they just are. Fairness is brutal." He didn't point out that there was also the fact that they both sold drugs that Mathias helped create. Illusory highs that people chased until they were the weak and hopeless.

The truth was that Suresh had lived too long to believe that death could ever be truly conquered. Delayed yes. Souls and lives stolen back, rebirth. But he knew that all things eventually would be destroyed and pass away. It was just a part of the cycle. The continuous loop of Life and Death. Mathias and his powers had their part to play.

His finger rubbed circles into the table absently, thinking about all the things he knew. And feeling a certain sense of chagrin at how he'd spoken to Callum. But Suresh was not the type to want to break one of a kind things. Or attempt to destroy someone with so much memory of the world. A kindred spirit. He felt old sometimes with most people in his life. A boredom and exhaustion at knowing how people will react. At knowing the inevitable end. And of knowing that he would survive it. But Suresh also still strongly wished to live. Even now. Suresh shook his head, "I do not think a direct physical attack would be successful. But again, he has not shown himself an enemy yet. Just something old and powerful that should be treated with caution. I don't want to push him into the waiting arms of the Nameless. Because we acted rashly."

Gold eyes drifted up at the admission and Suresh's smile reached his eyes for the first time since the blood had been mentioned. Give a small inclination of the head, chuckling. "You too? Ah, I see. And he picked you up, yes?" Suresh asked to better understand the interaction. But as Mathias described him the Naga shook his head, "No, not necromancy. Blood magic of some type. I felt a breath of his power. The most powerful witch I've ever come across."

He nodded. The next question made the Snake look at Mathias for a long moment. "Yes. They know." He didn't elaborate. It wasn't his story to tell.

Mathias knew this is where he truly diverged from the Higher Ups. He wanted to make a good world, one where pain didn't exist so prominently. He was given the power of life and he wanted to use it correctly. "I will not build my empire on top of people. I do not want to be like those people...I'm not a tyrant...and I'll do whatever I can to help those who are too weak to fight for themselves". He was self righteous and he hoped it was for the better. Suresh wasn't the first to deny Mathias' offer. It seemed more and more people didn't want the gift of resurrection. Thankfully it didn't seem like Suresh saw it as unnatural which made Mathias happy.

This was the risk of their structure. Ric was the last line of defense before anyone could reach Mathias. It was dangerous unfortunately, but no one had ever made it that far to begin with. "I'll make him aware. I just have to be careful. They're all itching to defend me after the Solstice party and the aftermath of that. But this Corvinus does not seem like one they'd win against".

Hearing that Suresh spent a night with the blood witch managed a small smile on Mathias' face. "Yeah...he is rather good in bed" It was all he said but he was sure Suresh would understand what Mathias was intending. Difficult to kill. That could mean many things, either he was stronger than whatever they could throw at him, or he had an ability to escape death. "If he doesn't stay dead then perhaps it's something I can look into too. I will say I didn't get any undead vibes from him when I was around him, so we can easily rule that out. In fact, I don't think there's any necromancy present in him at all".

He shook his head, "Vague for now, until I make Ric aware of everything. I'm sure he'll realize it's me eventually, but that will hopefully give me enough time to ready everyone in case he does something". Mathias sighed, this was a mess but his people were prepared for things like this. "...Are Callum and the Lightless aware of this man too?"

[naga-raja-suresh]

The cigarette was burned down to the filter between his fingers. Forgotten in the conversation. Suresh finally looked at it and crushed any remaining embers into his fingers then put it away in the holder to be discarded later. He slide the holder back into his pants pocket. Thinking quietly to himself for a moment. The clenching of Mathias' jaw drew his attention back to the young man. The righteous injustice burned in the young Necromancer's words. But the old leader tilted his head to the side, a rueful smile on his lips. "No. It's not. But the world is not fair." He could see that it had hit Mathias rather close to the bone and Suresh reached out and touched his knee, "We also use others for our gain, Mathias. We've build empires on them. That is the world." The weak were meat that the strong would eat. And perhaps they dealt with many with more kindness than some. But Suresh knew what he was. And he was not the hero of this story. He was selfish and cruel and capable of destruction without remorse. The next string of questions gave Suresh pause. A deep disquiet rippling through him at the thought. "I haven't seen another of my kind in..." He paused, "A thousand years? It is enough to know we are not gone from the world yet. But no. I think that Life requires a vessel to hold it. And in the case of my species often there is no vessel left. But that is a kind offer."

Suresh took his hand back, laying one on the table the other on his lap. His finger and thumb rubbing small thoughtful circles. He listened as Mathias began to ramp himself up. Waiting to hear any other information. Suresh lifted up the hand that had been in his lap to stop the younger man. "Wait. One thing at a time. No, it seems that he is unaware of who you are. So we have to consider where he is getting information from. I do not think he is here to collect our blood. I think he would take it if the opportunity arose but I do not believe that to be his purpose." Suresh was sifting through what he now knew, from Mathias, from Callum, from his own interaction. Laying down each piece to find where they fit and what it meant. "You should make sure Ricardo is aware of the danger. But isn't this the very reason why your structure is set up this way? Ricardo is aware of the risks of being your stalking horse."

Suresh paused again, "He'll come back to see me... Very rarely does anyone that's spent the night with me ever say no if I invite them back." He didn't mind saying to bluntly to Mathias, it was after all what he was. He allowed himself one small wistful sigh, "Pity... I was looking forward to a second romp. He was very good." His mind was moving through possible options and scenarios. "He doesn't know that we've spoken yet. And he likes to play games. So, I will play a little of his own game with him." Suresh's gold eyes looked at Mathias his voice was poisoned honey, cold and sickly-sweet, "From what I understand he is rather difficult to kill... But there is so much I can do to a man without them dying. Let me try first. I have the pretext for the affront and I will see what else I can find out. His only crime currently is being sneaky and owning a vial of Naga blood. Not something I am willing to murder a singular creature over without a small chat. Especially if he doesn't stay dead. How would you like me to say I became aware of the Naga blood? I can leave it vague or I can say my spies learned of it."

There were people who would be saddened if he died, but Mathias just saw it as a preparation for the inevitable. Whether he died on his own terms or the Higher Ups', they would all have to witness his death no matter what. Suresh was right though, he couldn't be too brash about it. He couldn't just jump head first into a war that had nothing to do with him.

Mathias was far from being considered an ancient being. He hadn't even passed forty yet, and he was sitting side by side with being that were centuries old. He had no business mingling with the ancients, nor did have any business standing between them. Ascension was his only way into their little club. Respect would hopefully flow from there, but until then he was still a child among immortals.

He clenched his jaw, "It's not fair that people can just take others and use them for their gain". It hit him hard, finding the similarities between them and him. A young witch plucked from his family to have his body used for the gain of other powerful men. How horrible. "Would you ever want them back? Like if you could, would you want to rebuild? It could happen, I think. M-Maybe when I ascend, I can do it".

If he wanted to try and kill me. Mathias was starting to put things together now. There was no way Corvinus knew who he was, but perhaps he knew of his connection. "...I have to keep Ric safe...but do I risk exposing myself too? He said he had no interest in my blood, so I assume he doesn't know what I am or who I am. But if you believe he is testing the waters, I can't have him going after Ricardo, he could kill him". Mathias frowned, suddenly there was a bigger issue at play. "...What if I meet with him again? Like if he stays longer than he says he will. I can meet with him and we can plan an ambush?"