Night came to Venice.

The water which lapped against the gondola was dark, but still inky on the surface. Matt glided the boat beneath a low-lying bridge, ducking his head while keeping his grip firmly around his pole. There were two things playing on his mind, and he looked back over his shoulder as he cleared the bridge. He was almost certain he was alone, but not completely. Remus had made a quip about artists, and Matt had immediately felt an accusation levelled against him. It was an accusation which remained unsaid, but ultimately clear. Matt threw a rope around a bollard and pulled his gondola alongside a landing dock, expertly knotting it secure.

He leapt up to the paved walkway and cast a final glance back down the canal. No boats.

Matt adjusted his belt and smoothed down his dark purple velvet jacket and trousers. His dark blonde hair was spiked and he wore white-rimmed Oakleys. Night came to Venice, and the genius' made their move on the ever-changing canvas of the world's most beautiful city.

The gallery was dubbed L'eutanasia, or 'euthanasia', and was currently hosting three exhibitions including one on contemporary Transylvanian burial garments, a series of photographic interpretations of the Afterlife, and the work of local sculptor Lorena Zerbini. It was Zerbini's exhibition which drew Matt out, or more correctly it was an associate of Zerbini, one for which Matt was now ready to risk his life for.

And there he was.

Adrian Jakmanni, better known as the sometime-hero Slipknot, stood on one side of the vast gallery chatting with the dark-skinned Lorena. She wore a silver gown which complemented her generous curves, but she visibly paled next to the writhing spectacle of Slipknot's almost luminescent green hair. It was always in motion, like seaweed caught in a comforting undertow, Matt thought. From across the room, Slipknot seemed almost caught in time. It had been three years since they last talked, and then only briefly. Matt had meant to approach him again, but after the fire... the problems with work... the time never seemed right.

Matt realised that the last message he had past to Slipknot had been some soft, teenage poetry talking of knights or something like that. Now Matt wondered if Slipknot even remembered him. A part of him wanted to shrink away, just melt back into the water and forget what he had heard.

But then he saw Slipknot smile.

And he was gone.

Matt Bowler moved through the crowd, not noticing the Goths and Blood Dolls, not caring about the sculpture which dominated the room: a woman sprawled on her back in ecstasy, thick powerful serpentine tendrils erupting from her as if some kind of newborn child. The tendrils snaked around the room, up to the roof. But they were unmoving, solid, ceramic even.

Matt pushed his way, as gently as he could, into Slipknot's immediate circle and found himself slightly behind the former Dawnstar. He felt the green hair, gingerly at first, but then with a find memory. He caught a tendril and held it, but then seized his moment.

"Slipknot... Adrian," he said, reaching out and holding Slipknot's shoulder.

As Slipknot turned around and tried to place the face, Matt felt a tremor of doubt.

"Hat Bowler," he said. "You probably don't remember me. You saved my life once, and now it's my turn to return the favour."

Matt is young and believes he is immortal, living the high life of his dreams in Venice, after a confined one in Britain. He has been in Italy since he ran away at fifteen and has been exposed to all levels of Venetian society. He is charming and knows it, using his good looks to advantage in a city that idolises beauty, while remaining mostly unjaded despite the corruption he has witnessed. Matt is normally a free spirit who enjoys partying and adrenaline rushes, but since meeting Slipknot of the Dawnstars, he has found himself questioning his errant lifestyle. He sees Adrian as someone who truly cares about him, and that both terrifies him and makes him feel more whole than he ever has before.

"Sure, I'm whatever you want me to be."

Matt is a regular human who has acquired some useful skills during his time in Venice.

Matt is a handsome young man who has a great sense of style and the charming moves to pull it off in one of the fashion capitals of the world. He has dark blonde hair, although he has dyed it a variety of colours over the years; and deep brown eyes. He maintains a tanned complexion throughout the year as well as a well-toned and lean body.