Welcome to Gaia! ::

"I got that and more when I went through my four years - and I had to deal with people going the full bohemian route and altering their perceptions of reality, not just doing a line of Bolivian nose candy," Mathias chuckled. "But, it has it's charms - sometimes. Not often - but sometimes."

At her thanks he shook his head. "We got to look out for each other, and that's what we do," He said. "You're family, and I'll defend you to the death if I have to."

There had been times where he'd honestly considered putting his martial skills to full use on some of the more... asinine types that tended to show up at the parties - but he also didn't want to deal with battery and having to be bailed out of jail.

So he always made sure to never throw the first punch if he could help it.

"Next Saturday," He said, taking a sip of his own drink again now that things had settled past the scolding. "Or rather, the Saturday after next, not the one after Ned's party or I'd be disappointed since I've got to make weigh in and that means almost no water the day before."

Was it safe to cut like that? No. Did everyone do it? You bet they did.

"I'd put my odds at 60/40," Mathias said confidently. "From what I've heard guy's a good grappler - so I just need to keep him from grabbing me, and taking me to the floor, shouldn't be too hard if I turn it into a slug match."

He wasn't an awful fighter in his weight class, he could hold his own - and lately had won more matches than he'd lost. But it was still a road to climb to try and get into the pro-circuit. But he was trying.

"But if you want to show up after the fight with pizza and beer I'm all game."

Her musing made him huff out a breath and he shook his head. "More likely the later," He said. "It'll be tight, but I'm confident I'll win, I've been training extra hard."

Her comment on his hobbies earned her a chuckle though as he leaned back and nodded. "The art was more to stick it to the old man, and do something that I enjoy - but the fighting's all me."

And it paid... passing well. When he won.

"Oh no, what a shame that you'll have to slip out early," He said in mock disappointment. "Whatever will they do without an actual White to bevy around like hens."

There was probably a Universe in which Mathias had actually followed in his father's footsteps, earned his commission and had become a true leader of men. There was probably a Universe where he eventually stepped up to leadership and took a more self enterprising role. But neither of those were this universe, and her statement made him more than a bit sheepish. He knew that he could be a bit... loud.

But commanding? No. Not beyond just throwing his size and weight around to prevent trouble and scare off would be predators.

"Well thats their loss," Mathias shook his head. "I'm quite fond of the fact that you see through mine and call me out on it. Makes me a better person at the end of the day when I pause to self reflect."

He both enjoyed and hated that look. Was it a bit of an ego boost for your younger cousin-sibling to infer that you had great potential? Yes. But he also hated that he was pretty sure he would only dissapoint if he tried to grasp that potential. At least right now.

He was about to quip that she should have been a surgeon with her scalpel sharp wit when her phone buzzed and he gave a light shrug.

"Go ahead," he nodded. "You wouldn't ask if it wasn't important."

He barely had to look her over before he let out a long sigh.

"What broke, who broke it, and why do they need you back during your lunch break?" He asked lightly. "They do know that you might be salary but you are due an hour break every once and awhile."

He knew she would work herself to the bone if it was for the company. It was her father's legacy and she'd fight tooth and nail to keep it running like a well oiled machine.

"Why you let them have access to anything more vital than the breakroom toaster is beyond me," he snorted back. "Do you want to put your order in to go? I can deliver it once its ready. Its been a hot minute since I've been by."

And with no Richard and Emily, nobody to ask him how things were going and if he had changed his mind about maybe putting in some time in the pr department to do some gfaphicnarts.

Relative safety.

"Or you can tell them to -" once more his colorful vocabulary of four letter words availed him. "- off and spin until you're done eating. That's valid too."