Matthew Warner

## Education

**Matthew Amir Warner**, sometimes called **Matt**, is a protagonist in *Titan's Run*. A former professor, he was blackmailed into becoming involved in missions on Titan.

He is murdered by William Austor in *Angry Orbit* and does not live to see *Starfuneral*.

Death: on his knees, his throat slit; his eyes are closed and his lips form a wry smirk, at peace. Left behind: Amir (father); Meg (mother); Vaughan (brother); Gregory (brother); Rose (sister); Sylvia (cat).

## Biography

Matthew was born in Iron Mountain, Michigan, USA, and is the youngest son of Meg Green and Amir Warner. He is half Dutch, a quarter German, and a quarter Arabic.

### Childhood

At age 9, he witnessed a near-total solar eclipse in his hometown. This moment was most influential in causing him to lean toward learning sciences.

### Adolescence

Matthew grew up having a very wide variety of interests. He was good at all subjects. He had a handful of friends who were collectively ignored by the popular crowd.

At lunchtime, he worked as an editor for the school paper, and after school, he was an assistant at the library. He was also a member of the Latin Language club, and a light operator in the theater department. Over the summer, he held a job at the local library.

Throughout his adolescence, Matthew lived a life full of hand-me-downs and high expectations. It made him into an impressive, welcoming, introverted young man. Most of his siblings had moved out of the house by the time he graduated. He applied to top universities and scholarships.

### Adulthood

By the time Matthew reaches college, all of his siblings are settling down: Vaughan has kids, Gregory has one on the way, and Rose is engaged. Matthew consistently feels pressure from his parents to settle down with a girl himself.

He decided to take a full-ride scholarship to study Geography at the University of Denver, his father's alma mater.

In 2037, Matthew was given the opportunity at UM to travel to Brisbane, Australia, to study the total solar eclipse in July. One of his friends in the program convinced him to accept it. He was ill-prepared for the emotions it would stir up in him. Though he'd hesitate to admit it, he definitely cried.

After getting his degree, Matthew became an adjunct professor. Through his connections at that college, he became interested in planetary geosciences. He made it a goal of his to become involved in cartography and geographical study of exoplanets.

## *Titan's Run*

Born of tears. Matthew has had 1 former body, also male.

### *Beyonders*

At the Ecliptus gala, Sam comments that Matthew looks nice in a tux. Their relationship develops into something intimate and special.

### *Deepsky*

To calm down, Matthew listens to the ticking of a clock.

### *Angry Orbit*

Listening to the clock begins to wear on him. It used to provide him comfort, as it reminded him that he, in this moment, is a living and breathing person. Now, it makes him feel powerless -- it's just another way that humanity tried to structure their place in the universe, one that no longer applies.

### *Past Lives*

Turning back time, we see he used to be a librarian, where he learned to love the ticking of time.

## Character

### Personality

He loves literature and enjoys books with masterfully-written characters. He prefers books that offer unconventional perspectives in a creative way.

He considers himself a "watch guy" and finds the sound of a ticking clock calming. Thus, he listens to ticking in order to relax once homesick in deep space.

#### INFP

Matthew is an INFP, also called the Mediator and the Healer.

The Beyonders each agree that Matthew is a difficult guy to get to know well. Indeed, Matthew needs to feel a strong sense of belonging and acceptance before opening up to new peers.

He had a small but devoted group of friends, who considered him someone who gives good, sensitive advice. He is willing to give others the benefit of the doubt. Even if he disagrees with a person's viewpoint, he won't stop them from doing what they believe is right, as long as no one else is hurt in the process. However, this tolerance can end in disappointment when people take advantage of his trust and idealism. Additionally, he is a harmony-oriented person, but his conflict-aversion may cause him to do things uncharacteristic of himself.

Though shy to a degree -- meaning, he works behind the scenes most of the time -- he is very passionate about what he does and will work tirelessly to achieve his goals. For Matthew, it is all or nothing, regarding his work, hobbies, and love life. At times, he tends to forget the needs of himself -- like simple tasks, such as eating and sleeping -- in fighting for the cause of something or someone else.

### Relationships

#### Samira Frazier

His relationship with Sam is equally platonic and romantic in nature. He proves himself to be a passionate, hopeless romantic, but he doesn't interfere with Sam's striking sense of independence either. He seeks to understand her in every way and is eager to provide her emotional support and advice when she needs it, intent on helping her learn, grow, and change.

## Themes

### Matt Green

Matthew stems from Matt Green, a protagonist who loved books and was intimately involved with Gloria. In a sense, he often went with the flow, motivated by the circumstances of the war and by his love for his friends.

### Time

Matthew's theme is **time** - the indefinite progression of existence - and *how it rules our lives*.

From Sam's point of view, her relationship with Matthew is largely based on wishing they had more time together, or wishing they had met sooner.

### Iphimedon

Matthew carries within him the spirit of the *willing sacrifice*. Understanding that his life can make a difference in the fate of his family, he gladly sacrifices himself -- an act of striking altruism and awareness of his role in the world, both dwindlingly small and exceptionally significant.

From a journal entry:

> *Spirit of the Willing Sacrifice. My boy. I'm so sorry. I physically ache for what I'm allowing Austor to do to you. What could possibly be your reason back? Do you need to protect Sam? You, my precious one, are the only one who has never had a name change. You were Astin for a while, but I changed my mind. You were always Matthew to me.*
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> *You used to have a cousin, Keith. You used to have a sister, Roz. Once you made a family with Gloria - 3 kids. You loved books, and sweaters. You were nothing but good. You are the willing sacrifice. You kill me, you know that. You're literally too good for this world. And it hurts. I love you. Lol. I'm emotional. Left over - keep Gloria safe. Goddamn it.*
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