Mathias stood in the hallway awaiting a response. He wondered if Sam had any useful information, if he did know something, it would surely change the game that was starting to be played in Soverign.
Samuel pondered his words carefully. he pondered at how he had found himself in this mansion. How he had come to meet this supposed friend. Question him Sam.. There was that voice again, so prominent, always ready to guide him to the correct path, but was it the correct path? Do not question, simply follow.. It will be better..
Samuel began to study Mathias. "You proffess to be my friend, yet you have not revealed much to me about my past, nor have you given me reason to trust you." He pasued for a moment, shifting his weight on his cane. "How can I trust you when all you do is demand? First I need answers, I have not a clue as too where I am, who I am, or what in god's green earth these bloody chords are doing all over your mansion!" Samuel raised his voice, he was frustrated, and needed to convey that to this man.
Mirroring Samuel, leaning on his own cane, Mathias spoke in a deep, calm tone. "Thats the Samuel I remember, never one to be so easily trusting. But you did trust me, a long time ago. You want proof that I know you?" Mathias began to limp down the corridor "Follow me."
~~~
Light burst into the dark study. Mathias had several studies within the manner, this was the least used as it was on the second floor and he prefered the lower levels, where stairs were not a requirement for his weak form. "Heres your proof." He leant on the nearest desk and with his cane jabbed at a dust covered photograph of three content faces; Mathias, Samuel and a young woman. "Your sister was always a looker."
Samuel approached the dusty photo slowly, picking it up with his free hand. He rubbed his thumb against its face. He rested his cane on the desk, lifting his now free hand to his cheek he felt wetness. Am I... crying? Samuel did not understand why he had such a strong reaction to the photo, but he suddenly had the urge to mention something. "Vates... I know a man by that name.. Yes.. Have you checked..." Samuel was not even sure how he new this, or if it was even relevant, but he continued never the less. "... his home?" His eyes moved from the picture, and locked with Mathias's own.
Mathias laughed faintly to himself, "His home? Now why didnt i think of that...Ah yes, nobody knows where that is Samuel...Unless, do you...do you know where he lives?"
Samuel was sure that he had known this once. He jogged his brain. Iktomi... The name suddenly entered his mind. Why did he know that? How did he? Suddenly he knew what had to be done, it all came to him. His voice became serious and certain. His eyes narrowed, and a small sile pricked his lips. "Iktomi Ascher. He is your man, find him and you find Vates. They were very close, and he would know exactly where your target is located." Samuel was beginning to get a hold on how all this worked, whenever he needed to remember something, he seemed to have the knowledge there and ready for him. This voice was recovering relevant memories seconds before he needed them. Thankyou he thought to her as he awaited Mathias's response.
"...Ascher, the one people are calling an Emperor, the web-master? Well Samuel, of all the names...That's the one I really didn't want to hear." Mathias paced the room "I have to find Vates, i need to find out what happened to me, he might know who set me up! But to walking into Aschers lair? That's suicide!"
"Suicide eh?" Samuel snickered. During the entire time Mathias had been responding, his Kage had been relaying to him exactly what had happened to him in the past year. He now knew how his power worked, and how he could use it to get his way. "My dear Mathias, wether or not I knew you in the past is now irrelevent. I have given you information, and whther or not you are pleased with it does not concern me. You my dear boy, owe me a debt. Now, if you wish for my services I ask for two things." He paused as he prepared himself. "One, I need a group of men, prefferable armed, and hopefully skilled. Second I need your promise that you will tell no one of my existance, erase it from your mind and never speak of me again. I am a ghost now, I have been dead for a year and will remain so. Do these two things and I will be glad to approach this Iktomi myself, and find this Vates for you." Samuel nodded his head as he said this, his old business smile had returned. Even after the world had fallen, it would be in need of an information broker.
Mathias smiled. "Listen to me my DEAR BOY. Over the years i have allowed you to grow, hell i even funded your progress a few times. I owe you nothing, i kept you and your sister safe as long as i could!" He looked him in the eye for several long seconds before turning away. "I will meet Iktomi, join me if you wish, youd be welcome. Let me make one thing clear Samuel, I have only ever wanted the best for you, dont take advantage of my kindness. You may be smart, but lets see how smart you are on those streets alone." Turning back to his comrade, he stretches out a hand, ready to shake to a deal "We need to stick together you and I."
Samuel pondered this, perhaps he had been too brash. He seemed as though he was a little rusty after all. Even if he did understand his own powers, he still had no memory of his past before the apocalypse, he was acting on instinct. He did not like that. Samuel outstretched his hand. "It looks like we have got ourselves a deal." He smiled a dark smile, he would build an empire around this man, and it would be glorious indeed...