#matthew-alexander

[eri-mergo]

For: @matthew-alexander

Location: Liber

Eri had finally fallen. He didn't think that Matthew had ever really believed that he would, but he did. And seeing how Matt was the only other fallen deity, Eri thought that at the very least, they had something in common. He knew that Matt had never liked him, but he hoped that he was in the mood to stomach him. Last time, Matt had kicked him out fairly quickly because of some nasty wounds he'd gotten. Eri thought that perhaps they might have a longer chat now.

He went through Liber's front door. Everything felt the same and yet not the same at once. He told the host that he was waiting for Matthew, and was seated. He settled in to wait, mentally bracing himself for Matt's tongue.

[calistaemmanuel]

closed starter || @matthew-alexander​

Look at the bigger picture. The bigger picture, Calista scoffed to herself. It was a term humans tended to find comfort and solace in. Not knowing, not understanding that the bigger picture always painted things in a much harsher light. That it took away gradients, curves and smudged transitions until all that remained were sharp, unforgiving edges and jagged lines. Not realizing that they ought to consider themselves lucky for being unable to see it. Unburdened by the pressure to head its call.

Leaving reason at the door to the Liber along with her pride, the deity moved through the dimly lit establishment towards the bar. Perhaps it was a touch presumptuous to assume that her mere presence would be enough for Matt to confront her but what else was she supposed to do? Give him a call? Show up at his doorstep? Ambush him while he was out shopping for a new suit? No, that wouldn’t do. This would have to be enough. To encroach on his territory, completely unsolicited. If he wanted her gone without a scene, he would have to show up and do it himself.

Ordering herself a drink to blend in somewhat, Calista took a seat on one of the bar stools. Matt was in the building, that she knew. She could feel his presence. And so the waiting game began...

[eri-mergo]

Status: Closed for @matthew-alexander

Location: Outside Vicium

Eri was not having a good time. He'd taken Matthew's advice and gone to Vicium out of sheer morbid curiosity.

He'd found the experience a bit impersonal. It was also difficult to concentrate while feeling the emotions of the entire club at once. Overall, it was overwhelming in bad ways, and he'd left before his session was even halfway finished. He just needed to get out of that place and be alone so he could process.

But nobody was ever truly alone in the city. As Eri walked out of the parking lot, a figure with a familiar looking shit eating grin. Of course he'd run into Matthew now of all times. He couldn't even spare the mental energy to hate him for showing up when Eri was not at his best. He wasn't sure if he could handle the mental strain Matthew always put him through.

"Matthew," he said, frowning distantly. "What are you doing out here?"

[eri-mergo]

For: Elijah @eremington and Matt @matthew-alexander

Location: Hedon

Eri had been itching to talk to Eli ever since his punishment had ended, but the man was hard to find. He figured after some searching that Eli was probably hiding from him for some idiotic reason.

Eri had tried to soothe his stung feelings when Eli had staunchly refused to talk to him. He would've been alright with Eli lashing out. He would've understood it. And, because he'd been expecting some retaliation, he took all of the blame for his role in Persy's death. It was his fault, after all. But Eli had been the one to tell him to bring Persy back. Eri had fucked around with order magic for Eli and Persy. He'd been thoroughly punished for it. And he'd kept from dragging Eli and Persy's names through the mud all this time. He kept it to himself that he'd been acting under Eli's orders when he used order magic. He'd endured a month of isolation and grasping phantom hands and truly not knowing whether he was alive or dead for Eli and Persy.

But it was getting hard to keep sight of why he was doing that when Eli was avoiding him. He'd tried for all this time to be patient, and hope that Eli would come to his senses on his own. He wanted Eli to acknowledge what he'd done for him. He didn't much care whether Eli was going to fight him about it or whether he was going to be grateful for those days Eri had given him with Persy. But Eli wasn't going to run from him anymore.

Eri had honestly just been waiting around Hedon when he'd gotten lucky and spotted Eli on the sidewalk with his briefcase.

As soon as Eli showed up, Eri was moving. He peeled off the wall and walked for him, throwing a big, fake grin up on his face so he wouldn't arouse any suspicion. An arm was tossed over Eli's shoulder. "Eli! It's been far too long. Let's talk."

With a too-tight grip on Eli's shoulder, he led him away from the crowd and into a secluded alleyway. Once they were out of eyeshot and earshot from most of the other guests, he let the grin drop.

"You kept me waiting. Here I was thinking we had something special," he said, letting his grip slide to Eli's wrists to keep the man from running. "I just went through hell because I thought it'd be a good idea to give you and Persy enough time to say goodbye. A simple thank you might be nice."

[eri-mergo]

For: @matthew-alexander

Location: The Bodega

Eri walked into the little bodega, peering around. He was in the mood to do some window shopping, and maybe spend a little money if he found something nice. But he wasn't sure what yet. Maybe some kind of beer or wine.

As he browsed, he noticed a man at the counter. He'd never seen him before, but that was to be expected.

"Hello," he said, smiling brightly. "Do you sell alcohol here?"

[eri-mergo]

@matthew-alexander

Eri trudged home, thoughts as heavy in his mind as a pair of rainclouds. He'd healed, but not enough to feel right. Every movement tore at the fresh scars on his back, and every human he passed made him shrink further into himself.

He trusted exactly nobody and nothing. Any spark of joy had long since worn away. He merely trudged, wishing to be home so he could sleep already.

He wasn't very good at pretending like he wasn't terrified out of his skin just by walking in a crowd of humans. He should've felt safer like that, surrounded by people who'd see if anyone tried to attach him again. But he wasn't. He was just convinced that someone was following him.

This particular human had been behind him for the past few blocks, and as Eri made random turns, they did too. When he sped up, so did they. They were staring at their phone and seemingly oblivious to him; they must've been very skilled to follow him without looking up.

He didn't intend to turn into Liber. But it felt somehow safer to him than allowing himself to be followed any longer. Of course, he was being ridiculous, right? Nobody should be following him. And yet, it was exactly that kind of thinking that got him attacked. He didn't trust that it wouldn't happen again. So he braced himself for Matthew's attitude and ducked in the door.

He looked over his shoulder through the glass door, trying to figure out if they'd seen him duck in. The human passed by without incident. The bouncer was staring at him strangely, but showed Eri to a table without comment. He sat. Ordered a glass of wine for his nerves while he waited for Matthew to appear.

[eri-mergo]

Location: Outside Liber

Time: A few days after the Earth Day conversation

@matthew-alexander

Eri hovered outside Liber, watching through the windows and debating on whether or not he should go in.

He didn't exactly know what the hell had come over him the last time he'd talked with Matthew. When his mouth had betrayed him and refused to speak back. When his body had refused to leave despite him knowing it was better to just walk off when things got physical. Instead, he'd stood there blushing like a moron, unable to speak, or move. It was like he'd gone into a trance, except... not. He didn't know anymore what he'd been thinking. He'd gone over the evening in his head a thousand times, and everything was just muddled now. He wanted to know what the hell Matthew had done to him to make him do that.

Eri honestly didn't know if this was all an excuse to track Matthew down. But he hadn't been able to get the fallen deity out of his head. He hadn't been able to sleep. He knew he looked like garbage as he hovered outside the wine bar. Not dressed appropriately. Eye bags and hastily applied eyeliner. Yet, this was where Matthew was. Eri was at least certain of that. It felt strange to seek him out after he'd spent his efforts last time avoiding him.

He entered Liber. Peered around for Matthew through the elegant décor. A bartender showed Eri to a seat near a window. Eri thanked him, and began to peruse the wine menu, keeping his eyes peeled for the form of the Fallen.

[eri-mergo]

@matthew-alexander

And Matthew had left and was now unable to return, so he did not know what Eri was trying to get at. The fallen. deity had come to despise deities no matter who they were for a few centuries now and old friends and co-workers were no exception, especially when the man started asking him all sorts of pesky questions. Matthew had half a mind to open a portal and disappear, but they were on a public street and such a feat would be ill-advised.

“I don’t know why I need to answer those questions. They’re private,” he growled and side-stepped Eri so that he could keep walking. “We haven’t seen each other in centuries. Let’s keep it that way. Don’t you have other deities to pester?”

"Okay. That's fine, you don't need to answer." Eri said, turning after him to follow. Matthew walked fast, and Eri struggled to keep up. The body wasn't used to going this fast, and it became increasingly difficult to speak and breathe.

"Stop for a second, please," Eri huffed. "Just... stop. I'm not your enemy. I'm glad to see you even if you're not glad to see me."

Eri wondered why exactly Matthew was being so short with him. He just wanted to help, as he did for every other being he'd met in the city. Except, it wasn't exactly as impersonal as it was with other people, because he knew Matthew. He wasn't sure how he could when he wasn't answering him. He was giving nothing but acid.

"Why are you angry with me? I thought we were friendly enough back before you... left."