Isn't this interesting? (Mathew)

[Kate]

Well, well, well... a new city, a new chance at something interesting. She wouldn't have come, if she hadn't been asked. Kate was standing on the roof, smiling to herself. She had her ipod earbuds in, blasting music as loud as it would go. She wasn't anywhere near the edge of the roof, a just in case measurement. The blonde was wearing normal clothing for her, dark jeans tight to her figure, a silk dark green tank top with some silver threading through the top. She wore her normal bracelet from her mother, silver and emeralds on her left wrist, and a white jacket that matched her shoes.

She had texted Mathew to meet her on the roof, like she had the last time they had really had any sort of conversation. The blonde was a bit excited, a new city meant new chances for fun. New people to mess with.

The pale woman was looking forward to talking to Mathew again. The game they had played, and were still playing was all sorts of fun to be had. She licked her lips, and waited for the boy to finally show up. She almost wanted to laugh out loud while she waited.

[Mathew Amtrum]

Mathew was a busy man, Kate's text wasn't the only one he got. It wasn't even the only one that he received from a girl that day. But it was the only one that he got from an old friend that day. At least so far. There wasn't much question that Mathew would show up, and that he would show up on time, he almost always did.

When he pushed open the door to the roof he blinked adjusting to the sun as he stepped out on to the flat roof. As always he was wearing his combat gear, something that had become far more important recently, with his acquisition of one of the Pillar titles. There were more then enough people that would be more then happy to take him down. He did have a habit of making a lot of enemies.

"Sup Kate?" He asked as he approached her, draping his arm around her shoulders and turning to face her.

That was one thing, Mathew was a very touchy and flirty person. And while he didn't fully trust Kate, he was on her side for now, and she was more then cute. That meant physical contact.

[Kate]

Her ipod was turned off in seconds as soon as she felt his arm. The smile on her full lips was coy and playful. She had so much fun teasing and talking with Mathew. He was still her target, and now that she was away from all the other guys... well, she could really concentrate on him. Not that she wouldn't get herself some new toys along the way, just that Mattie was so much fun.

"Mathew..."

She just spoke his name, eyes still twinkling. Her right hand lifted and she tapped her cheek while presenting it to him. That's right, he would know what she wanted. Kate was just as touchy and flirty, and loved tossing it right back at him. She was asking for a kiss on the cheek.

"I figured since I was asked to come here, that I'd like to know what exactly I'm getting myself into darling. Mind giving me the low down?"

Whether he kissed her or not, she'd still ask. That was an important piece of information that Kate McHallin wanted to know. She'd reach up and move some strands of hair from his eyes as she waited.

[Mathew Amtrum]

Rolling his eyes when she tapped her cheek he would comply, if for no other reason then to keep her happy. If this is what it took then it was a very small price to pay. Pulling back from the kiss he shifted his weight looking her right back in her green eyes.

"I thought I told you when you first signed up Kate. I am going to change the world. Long Beach is under firm control and the higher ups wanted us to expand. You were selected by me to work under me, along with several other branch members. I will be leading this branch personally, though I will keep in contact with them."

He said it was a simple answer and a true one. He was indeed leading this branch, hell he was one of the people running the whole thing. Though that information wasn't needed. He was content with that being on the lowdown.

"That's it in a nut shell. When I got the order to transfer and bring along a cell I selected people that I thought would be able to work together. I will be putting you all in to teams. Partners to train and fight with. These will be your new best friends, and hopefully I judged everyone correctly and picked people that can fight in a way to be stronger then they ever could alone." He said.

[Kate]

"All business and no play makes Mattie a dull boy." She laughed out loud, and walked slightly away from him. Kate was joking, of course, but all the same she was considering his words. Thinking on it. She pulled out a smoke and placed it on her lips. Those emerald eyes taking in the surrounding area. This place they were suppose to take over and all that jazz.

"Depends on who you're partnering me up with. I can think of a few I wouldn't mind, but I can think of a couple that you'd match me up with just for fun. I'm pretty sure it's one of the latter."

She turned and smirked straight at him, knowing Mathew it was true. Knowing Mathew, her life was going to be interesting, so interesting. She put her hands on her hips and grinned at him.

"And what exactly have you been up to around here? Got the ladies running around panting again have you?"

He was a flirt, he was a tease, and he was good looking. Simple as that. Kate's emerald eyes were still dancing with that humor.

[Mathew Amtrum]

"You will be partnered with The Jester." Mathew said grinning. He was around at 552, he knew the history. He was also a douche, which is why he had chosen the pair. Well partly, he knew that they could work together which was very important.

Moving his hand to her chin he would raise it up so that she was looking him right in the eyes. He grinned, his green eyes taking on a mischievous tint when he did so as he leaned in. Close enough that their lips were almost touching, just a hair away, he could feel her breath mixing with his.

"Kate, you should know me by now. I always have people running around. Apparently I have you running around panting. After all you seem to be wanting to kiss me a lot. First on the beach, and now today. Careful girl or you will make a guy think you have the hots for him."

[Kate]

Cards on the table time? Sure why the hell not? She leaned in, and brushed her lips on his. Those emerald eyes half open, and with a warm sort of look in them.

"And what if I do?"

She was pretty much ignoring the fact she was partnered up with Jester aka Damien. He stirred such interesting feelings within her... Kate didn't know how to deal with them all. It was easy with Mat, she wanted him. Not needed, not loved, or anything of that sort. The blonde just wanted him because he was a challenge, because he was fun to flirt with. Because other girls wanted him. He was handsome, and coy, and such... so why the hell not?

"I rather like kissing, and you proved to be a good kisser."

She chuckled again, remembering what had happened when she had asked him to kiss her. The blonde had really liked it, to be frank. Those emerald eyes dancing under half closed lids. The pale girl was loving every moment of this. Enjoying it all with a fiery like passion.

[Mathew Amtrum]

"If you do have the hots for me?" Mathew said contemplating it. He had never really considered that she might actually like him. It was an interesting idea, that was for sure. He filed away the possibility for possible use in the future.

"Well I suppose that would be your problem wouldn't it?" He said grinning at her. With that he pressed his lips against hers again, kissing her several times before pressing his tongue back in to her mouth, his hand moving behind her holding it in place as his tongue moved with hers.

When the kiss ended he looked in to her green eyes a playful glint in his eyes. The possibility that she liked him left a lot of possibilities open, maybe it was worth stringing her along, see just how much she did like him.

"Well, I do take pride in all of my skills." He said giving he a quick wink.

[Kate]

He kissed her, plain and simple. The taste of his lips, of his mouth... it was completely different from some of the other boys she had kissed recently. Damien... Sky... various others. Kate loved the physical touch, the intimate sort of thing kissing created. She loved it, and gave back everything she got. Passionate Kate baby.

The girl was grinning when he pulled back, like the cat who had caught a mouse or something. Those emerald eyes were twinkling, pale woman very pleased with what had just taken place. That much was showing in her eyes. However, she knew a thing or two about the male standing before her, and knew a thing or two about what her life had taught her in general.

"Well, I do take pride in all of my skills."

She laughed, smirked straight at him.

"I'm sure, oh I'm sure Mattie. But here's a bit of a warning... String me along too long, and you won't like the end result. I loose interest real quick when people start to use me in ways I don't like."

[Mathew Amtrum]

"That doesn't matter." He said his eyes shimmering with an inner light. Mathew was a man that turned everything to his advantage. If Kate was to pull a knife on him and stab him right now, Mathew would be able to spin it to his advantage. Given some warning, even his death would benefit his plans in the end.

"As long as we both know I am stringing you along, giving you the fun you desire as you dance your way around my finger. There is no point hiding it, it's the same game you play. If you want to game to stop all you have to do is be serious then. Surely you can seduce one simple teenage male." He said it in such a way that it was clearly a challenge. A challenge for her to prove her skills. Mathew was no different from any other male. He had the same needs, the same desires. So far it has been a subtle dance, but as long as Mathew was leading, the steps would all lead him where he wanted to go. If she wanted in his bed she would have to wrestle a little control from him. It was as simple as that.

[Kate]

She was all smiles... until he spoke his second thing. Serious? He wanted her to get serious... so he wasn't really out for her at all. Figured, right? She turned away from him completely, and walked off a few feet. The idea hurt, a bit more than she thought it would. Why? Rejection was a bad thing, and even though he was challenging her... it also said that he really wasn't doing any of the pursuing. At least, not in reality. She would be the one chasing, no matter how it seemed.

Was she not good enough to chase?

Kate laughed, and smiled, shoving her hands into her pockets. The wind suddenly kicked up, her hair whipping around her figure. Kate licked her lips, trying to decide on a few things. She turned her head and looked at him. No humor, no light... nothing but a careful sort of study, with those emerald eyes locked onto him. What sort of game was this? What sort of end result? The full lips twisted into a wicked little thing. The challenge... and the sudden realization was an odd bitter sweet sort of thing.

"I'll keep that in mind then Mathew."

What more was there to say? He was using her, and always would be. Kate did use people, yes... but she flirted mostly for fun. Flirting with him, going after him, all that? That was for fun. She wasn't out to use him for any end. The difference between them? Probably. She used people she didn't somewhat care about. Mathew was a friend... not to be used. And sort of higher on the tier of the gang, so once again... not to be used. Call it respect?

Kate moved again, back to where he was standing. The smirk still on her lips, and her hand lifted. Soft caress on his jawline, fingers slowly touching his skin in a gentle sort of way. Almost surprising with how forward she had been.

"I've never thought of you as a simple teenage male Mathew. Ever since I recovered from the hospital, I've had respect for you. Granted, then it was mixed with a hatred for what you did. But since I've grown a bit... it's just been respect and friendship. But never... a simple teenage male."

[Mathew Amtrum]

"Well I didn't mean I was average. I am just saying I have the same needs as anyone else. I AM human after all." He said with a smug grin, almost as if he was adding in a silent "for now" to the statement.

"Don't get me wrong Kate, I like you well enough. You are a friend and a valued member of the team. I will admit, I do have some issues trusting you, but I was pretty brutal. So I am sure you can understand where I might be a bit wary."

As always Mathew was being honest, though he was volunteering the information this time. He could tell he upset her, at least when she turned and walked away a few steps.

He still didn't feel guilt though. Not for hurting her, not for using her. He didn't even feel guilty at the lack of guilt for that. It was odd, he knew he SHOULD feel it, but he didn't. Sometimes he thought there was something seriously wrong with him. He didn't know what, and he really didn't care. Why would he want to feel bad?

[Kate]

"Yes, a bit brutal... I'll admit that. But a pebble in the pond compared with the boulders that have been thrown my way..."

Did it matter? No, not really. Kate smiled, full lips softly curving. Her blonde hair was still whipping around, and those emerald eyes still locked onto him. The man he was. He was tall, good looking, and powerful. What girl wouldn't want him after all?

"Trust me or trust me not. Doesn't matter. I'll get my jobs done Mathew... I just always thought of you as a little bit... closer. Problem corrected."

She winked at him, still unsure of what the hell was all going on. She felt... well, rejected. Could she seduce just about any male at the school? Kate was willing to bet on it. But those guys at least wanted her. To Mathew though... it felt like he didn't. Yes, that was the best way to put it. He could act like it, but he didn't feel it. What a difference that seemed to make.

Would that stop her? No. But that still changed the game.

[Mathew Amtrum]

"Kate I am going to let you in on a little secret." He said, it was something he didn't talk about. He was sure most people assumed it, but he doubted any of them really believed it. It was something hard to believe. Still the choice to tell her was cold and calculated. A gesture to show he did trust her, or at least was willing to trust her. He had faith in her after all, just not trust.

"I don't have friends. Not in the way that you or anyone else does. I don't feel things the same. I could stab you right now, watch you bleed out and die and I wouldn't feel a flicker of guilt. I just don't feel it. I have never really felt it." He said with a shrug. His tone casual even as he told her how he could kill someone without feeling anything. It was a bit scary to him, but he had accepted it long ago. He just didn't feel things the way that others did.

"I am just telling you this because I don't want you to take what I said to personally. It's just... god I don't know I am fucked up. I have never been in love, I can barely like people. I mean I like you and I care about you, and I do for all my friends. But I have seen you and other people. How you interact and talk. It isn't the same. I literally can't turn it off, I am always figuring out how to use people. Even this right here, is planned to make you feel pity for me, to bind you closer to me. Even the action of telling you all this is all calculated. So I just wanted to say I am sorry that I can't be a better friend, or lover, or whatever it is you are hoping I will be."

He said, though he still wasn't actually sorry. And he was sure Kate knew that, if not upfront at least deep down. It was confusing and he didn't really know what to say, he was playing this by ear. But one way or another he would turn it to his advantage, he always did.

"But at least I can promise you a challenge. A fun hunt, a thrill." He said with a weak smile as he looked up in to Kate's eyes. His face carefully planned not to show confidence or strength, but weakness. Vulnerability, even fear? He was trying to show Kate a softer side of him, even if he had to invent it.

[Kate]

He was trying to twist her heart strings... but she knew this. So it wasn't as effective as he could have wished. A bit of a sting but that was all. Kate knew the angle he was trying for. She had done it so many times before too. Kate reached out and touched his face again, smiling so sweetly.

She knew the real challenge. Those emerald eyes locking onto him, in a sad sort of way. The blonde wasn't sure how she felt about all of this, even as she smoothed down a lock of his hair. She felt that it was time to leave the scene on the roof. Kate stepped back and smiled.

"That is the challenge Mathew. To make you love me."

She smiled, and walked away. Hands tucked into her pockets, and walking slowly out the door and down the stairs. Away from the roof. Away from Mathew. Away from the entire situation. But still wanting the challenge to continue.