Matthew Hollis

**Matthew Hollis** is a Bonded Homini introduced in Asphodel. *(Played by Captain Whitehawk.)*

## Biography

Raised to be the Bonded partner to some high-ranking Elysian, Matthew is well schooled in Elysian rules and theology, and he takes his job very seriously. His older siblings were raised in similar manners and have gone on to be the Bonded partners of various Elysians, almost all dying in the process. It's family heritage amongst the Hollis family to be Bonded to the Elysians, and it's considered a familial calling.

Keeping to his studies was his primary duty, keeping the family happy and finding chances to run away for some alone time was secondary and optional. Like the rest of his peers, it was emphasized from a very young age that in the Elysian's holy war, they were to be their helpers, supporters, and guardians. Elodi had not blessed them with the mighty gifts he gave his true children, but the Elysians had found use in them so they were to do everything in their power to further goodness and Virtue.

Matthew always knew he would be Bonded, but when Faidael, the bodyguard to one of Justice's Archangels, appeared in search of a Homini to Bond with, he never expected she would be the one he'd be bound to. It's been less than a year since their Bond began, and the drama that's occurred post-Sundering has been very taxing for Matthew, who didn't quite know what to expect, but Elysians not knowing what to do was not part of his expectations.

## Physical Appearance

Freckles like a ripe banana, boys!  5'11"ish.  Lanky tall boy. Sandy skin, burnt blonde hair. Piano hands.

## Personality

Matthew is of a nervous disposition, prone to anxiety of the social type. His stutter embarrasses him, which only furthers his anxiety, which only furthers his silence.  He rarely speaks to anyone that isn't Faidael or his family.  As a child he suffered selective mutism and has *mostly* gotten over it though getting so anxious he can't talk isn't unusual for Matthew.

Gentle and soft-hearted, Matthew is pacifistic and dislikes conflict, argument, and fighting. He's been taught to disregard and shore up his sympathetic tendencies in order to be a better Bonded partner to some high-ranking Elysian, and so presents as being somber, serious, and silent. He's studious and hard-working, ready to take orders and do whatever is needed to make people around him happy.

There's a quiet level of grief to him as he's lost many siblings, cousins, aunts, and uncles to the slaughter that can be Bonding, and while he's been taught that this is right--just a part of the process that'll bring the Elysians to victory--he's still bitter and unhappy about how much pain is dealt to the Homini. With this, he's reluctant to see other people in pain or suffering, as he's seen enough in his time that he's unwilling for others to experience it. Brutality to Homini is something he finds nauseating.

### *Strengths*

While he doesn't believe so, Matthew can be quite insightful in ways of values and relationships and knows how to pick out what's important to a person. Uncompromising in his beliefs, he makes firm attachments and loyalties and will not betray. He's got strong spatial awareness and is physically rigorous and attentive.

### *Weaknesses*

Ditsy.  Dreamy and easily distracted.  Persistently insecure and plagued by internal drama. PTSD and depression, sleeps restlessly and has frequent nightmares.  One of those people that you assess and realize that as far as potential goes ... not so much.

**PERSONALITY TYPE:** ISFP // 6w5 9w1 4w5

## Relationships

* **George Hollis** [Father] -- Worn out but patriotic, Mr. Hollis was always there to emphasize the importance of loyalty and dedication to the Elysians. Bonding was the family tragedy that he took as a personal project, and ensured he had several children to carry on the Hollis legacy. Supportive, chipper, and even-tempered, George was the classic, clap-on-the-back, "Way to go, champ," kind of dad while at the same time being incredibly sad about how much Bonding has cost his family. At this juncture, he is still alive, Bonded to one of the local Elysian authorities.

* **Æsa Hollis** [Mother] -- More bitter than her husband, Æsa has pushed out child after child only to watch them be killed off in the Elysian's wars. She's the permanently grieving mother, sarcastic and ill-tempered, almost possessively protective of her remaining family members. Her youngest is Matthew and she's very unwilling to let him die too. She gave Faidael a strong talking to shortly after they Bonded, which was considered very subordinate but was more or less waved off because some consider her mad with grief. She was not ever Bonded but was instead left to bear children and raise a family instead.

* **Georgia Hollis** [Older sister] -- Deceased. Georgia was Bonded to a follower of Justice and died some years before the Sundering in a skirmish between the Elysians and the Sheolfolk. She had her father's lazy, grieving grin and was fond of giving her siblings pep talks and snuggles when they were sad, which was often.

* **Jim Hollis** [Older brother] -- Deceased. Jim was a very serious individual with a somber, often immovable disposition. He was Bonded to a Patience follower, but died within a year. He was the first of the family to die.

* **Travis Hollis** [Older brother] -- Still alive by some strange twist of fate, Travis is Bonded to a follower of Faith. He used to be the family clown, constantly cracking jokes and pulling pranks, but now he is noticeably strained and upset. His Bonded partner has become a strong source of mental solidarity, since it appears Travis has none of his own.

* **Conner Hollis** [Older brother] -- Deceased. Conner was also bonded to a follower of Faith, but died in the Sundering. He was somewhat subdued as a child, something that never quite went away but turned into grief as he aged. Conner and Æsa were very close, often confiding in each other and acting as sources of comfort. Conner's Bonded partner, Jehudiel, often visited their home to try and heal their mother's broken heart, with minimal success.

* **Ada Hollis** [Older sister] -- Deceased. Ada's bright and cheery love of people led her to be Bonded with an Archangel of Charity, but she died with her partner when the Sundering happened and Elysium fell. The combined distress, terror, and pain of all the Elysians was too much for her and with her partner she died of an aneurysm.

* **Beau Hollis** [Older brother] -- Deceased. Several years after living a relatively peaceful life Bonded with a follower of Diligence, a Sheolfolk plot went a little too well and after several hours of painstakingly trying to preserve his partner with their shared Bond, Beau was discovered and killed, his partner dying a few minutes after.

* **Noah Hollis** [Older brother] -- Deceased. Bonded to another follower of Charity, when Elysium fell he was crushed in the debris. Anxious but good-hearted, Noah was always trying to be as helpful and kind to others as possible.

* **Lais Hollis** [Younger sister] -- Alive. A few years younger than Matthew, Lais is still being groomed for Bonding, and is simultaneously eager and terrified of being taken on as someone's partner. She's just as anxious as he, if not more.

* **Jack Hollis** [Younger brother] -- Alive. Eight years old, their mother has made a point of emphasizing to all that Jack is going to be the last Hollis child coming out of her womb, and under no circumstance is he going to be allowed to Bond. As she puts it, "I need at least one of my children alive."

* **Faidael** [Bonded partner] -- Initially unsure and uncomfortable with her because she was so out of his league, Matthew has now learned to regard her as an inspiration and something of an older sister figure. He believes he has a lot to learn from her and her automatic confidence and surety is something he envies. Their Bond he takes very seriously and is very dedicated to her and her well-being. While he doesn't understand her attachment to Elodi or her old charge, Asutiel, he intends to be helpful in any way he can.

* **Elodi** [Bonded's god] -- Elodi is someone he's been taught to worship and love from a young age, though he's never met him before and now post-Sundering, that allegiance has dimmed.

## Weapon

A pair of brass knuckles as a basic safeguard, but he's been schooled in sword and shield, which he doesn't like as much.

## Trivia

* Matthew loves cats, swimming, and drawing.
* Yep, 7th of 10 kids and of those 10 kids, only 4 are alive and 1 is insane.