There's no sense trying to deny it, not when he's just shouted at Neil and probably scared him, so Mathias nods. "It seems to be getting worse," he admits, running a hand over his face, his scarred palm rasping over his beard.

"I went on a date not long ago and I saw vines," he says, then laughs without humour. "That is not exactly the best first impression to make." He's trying to make light of it, but only because he doesn't know what else to do.