i used to rule the world

seas would rise when i gave the word

It was true that the Dark Hunter was not particularly partial to that undead species as a whole and yet, even so, he was hardly close minded to the impossibility that there might be one amongst their race that he might find himself willing to welcome into his life. After all, if the vampire truly mattered as much to Dorian as the fae seemed to indicate with the mere mention of his name, and if Matteo himself did not seem disinclined to the man for his son, Alexander held no present reason to so actively deny that relationship between the pair. Rather, he made an effort, it would seem, to reach out to the vampire with some subtle measure of kindness and acceptance with the offer of so producing that same creamed coffee for his very own god-son to take home. That warm simper he was presented with was met with a nearly inquisitive glance from the Dark Hunter, as if the man truly could not fathom why a simple drink might bring the fae King such contentment. He hardly commented upon such an observation, however, instead simply letting his head bob ever so slightly in acceptance.

Alexander let that conversation shift towards the pastries and yet the Macedonian King was altogether quick to rebuff this idea that he was somehow a baker by trade. How far he so would have fallen to accept that mere title! He suspected well that Dorian would understand that decidedly peculiar arrangement between himself and Matteo, even if most were inclined to simply offer him a quizzical look. He had been asked before why he continued along with this 'punishment' if it was simply the result of a mere bet! Surely, it was not enough to keep him here and yet...there was something to be said of the great Alexander's word. That high stakes gambling gave him something to do when the rest of the world seemed lackluster in comparison. Not to mention that such nonsensical bets often provided the two men to experience such peculiar things they might not have otherwise reduced themselves to. Even so, the Dark Hunter felt inclined to inform Dorian of his own twisted sort of revenge in taking that well known French villa off of Matteo's hands. He hardly expected, however, that he might be rewarded with the knowledge of his friend's whereabouts this summer past - it was a discovery he fully intended to take advantage of. That delight, though muted it was, produced a chuckle from the Italian King and, in turn, a warm simper from Alexander himself, rare though it was.

That comment on the Euro, however, produced a snort from the man's nose, his head shaking ever so slightly in the process. "Knowing Matteo, he'll probably try to pay in dongs. Vietnam's currency is shittier than even the Euro." He could hardly help that fashion in which he had so rolled his eyes, though truly, he had been around the fae long enough to know the full depth of that bag of tricks the man so often used on the unsuspecting world at large. Hell, he'd certainly contributed with his fair share over those centuries upon centuries they had endured together. Those thoughts of how he so intended to weasel that money from his friend's bank account, however, was interrupted by the rather unexpected inquiry that so fell from the fae King's lips, near prompting a soft sigh from the Dark Hunter. After all those years, he knew well Matteo's thoughts on his son, it was a shame, truly, that the boy remained oblivious to the true extent of his father's utter adoration and pride Surely, then, it was his duty to at least assuage those concerns in some manner. It was hardly difficult for the Dark Hunter to so speak of that notable boasting his oldest friend did of his son, particularly when Dorian was such a treasured part of Matteo's life.

He was hardly unaware of that near immediate effect his words so had upon the young King across from him, the man's features so brightening in a way that certainly suited him. It was ridiculous, really, the way Alexander saw himself caring in such a paternal for the Italian monarch he'd never met prior to this very moment. Still, he'd heard so much of the boy, and indeed spent enough time at Matteo's side attempting to assist in whatever way he could that...perhaps those feelings were natural after all these years. His head shook ever so slightly at that soft comment. "It's hardly foolish to want the approval of..." He paused, searching for the right word to explain that relationship between the two. "...someone you care for." It seemed fitting enough, after all, even if Dorian remained ignorant of the true nature of their relationship, it wasn't difficult to see the boy did care deeply for his father all the same. Even if it was mere comradeship. "You should not be afraid to ask him too, Dorian. I promise he wouldn't take offense. Or if he does, let me know. I'll beat some sense into him." He offered Dorian a small simper, easily allowing that conversation to shift as if such a display of insecurity had never truly affected the King at all.

Alexander supposed, truly, that very few still existed today whom might remember Matteo within his youth, before he had fallen into that confidence he so wore with ease. It took a moment of consideration, truly, to expand upon that tale and soon enough he'd produced a rather blunt, no frills version of how he'd not only met the Frenchman but how their friendship had so started - upon the foundation of one of the world's most prolific cities. That soft chuckle that left Dorian's lips was hardly missed, though he understood well the man's disbelief. It was hard to imagine Matteo as uncertain or not wholly put together, not when he so displayed such certainty in himself. "We all start somewhere." He commented simply with a small simper. That inquiry on why he'd bothered, however, caused his shoulders to shrug slightly in response. "In my time, before I was a hunter, those who could see the future were not all that rare. We called them Oracles then." The Oracles, after all, had been consulted for any wide range of matters - when to go to war, when to harvest, what crops to plant, where to build cities, when to enter them. It had been an Oracle who had so informed him of his celestial lineage. Truly, he would have been a fool to ignore that gift of even an inexperienced one. That exclamation that left the fae's lips, however, drew his thoughts from ages long past, his head bobbing ever so slightly. "I've assisted in founding many cities, though I suppose Paris was one of the better ones." A small shrug crossed his shoulders at the thought of all those places he'd so conquered and renamed - most long since lost to history.

That past, however, was not entirely all that gathered the ancient sovereigns attention. Rather, even he could not help those creeping concerns for the future. Though Matteo could predict any number of variables of what path his son might take, Alexander preferred some measure of certainty all the same. It was that forethought, however, that prompted the man to rise, gesturing up the stairs with a promise of a gift. That offer to bring his coffee, however, was met with the admittance that he'd already indulged in the beverage entirely, the Dark Hunter entirely unable to help the roll of his eyes. "I'm glad you enjoyed it, at least." He commented over his shoulder, leading the way up that staircase and towards that comfortable flat that was his own home, for the time being. The Dark Hunter made his way towards that bookshelf, pulling out a box only to rifle through it's contents and pull out yet another far smaller wooden case. It took him a moment to fish out what he was looking for, only to turn towards the fae with that small object in hand. He held that small, silver coin to the fae. It was hardly a perfect circle, the edges jagged and worn thanks to their poor minting methods of the age. The lifetime coin held the face of the much younger King upon one side and Zeus upon the other. "It's a gift of practicality. I warned you not to get excited. I suspect you intend to explore what has become of the world during your imprisonment. Should you ever come in any danger, no matter where you are, find the nearest Dark Hunter, demand to be taken to the council and present them with this." After all, those councils knew exactly who he was, truly, they would not dare lay a finger upon those whom held the favor of Alexander the Great.