It was a terrible thing, traitorous even, to so consider his son with another when Dorian was more than content with his husband and yet, even Matteo was not immune from the idle wanderings of the mind. It was a pleasing thing to consider, after all, a union between his son and Alexander's own daughter. A true unity of their houses and families and perhaps some years later- grandchildren to be shared between them. Yet too, for all the pleasure he so took in the consideration of what would never be, he could hardly deny that in this the enchanting woman whom sat across from him within the depths of that cosy tea house was hardly incorrect. She and Dorian were surely a match when it came to social class and yet that was surely where such agreeability ended. Anastasia was, as she said, much akin to her fathers- the both of them.

She was crafted of passion and stubbornness, of argumentative assurance, fierce determination and a distinct desire to remain near untamed by the ever-changing modern world. She was wilful and bold and at times inclined to impatience and yet- whom in this world was not? Were her and Dorian's own desires to align they would be a true force to be reckoned with within the vast expanse of the world and yet how decidedly....fiery those arguments between them would prove to be on those matters they disagreed with- and there would be many. Each, after all, was a child of their time in the history of the world that shaped them. Two time periods hardly designed to intermingle. Yet still- such was a pleasant daydream with which to amuse his thoughts. Even if Anastasia, with her beguiling grin, so assured him she held in common with Aiden a desire to remain unobtained. Her words stirring that ready grin to his lips once more as another chuckle hummed richly from within his throat. Those accented French words parting his lips once more. How right she was in her lack of use for a common man.

"I fear you would have no use at all for him, Dear One. Nor should you settle for him either. Not when the world still has so much to give you and you are of a mind to take it still. Some stars shine far more brightly alone then they do when the glow of another might dim their own."

Such words were offered softly, warmly and to his very niece alone. Anastasia so akin to the daughter he had never had and how terribly much he adored her! A part of him, perhaps, rather pleased at her continued lack of male company if only for that protectiveness that so firmly assaulted him whenever he so much as considered her. A woman such as Anastasia so hardly needed protection and yet in this his simple love for the girl would not be argued with. Matteo, for as long as she might live, determined to watch off her as if she were his own. The arrival of those cakes and sweet biscuits so momentarily distracts the Frenchman from his thoughts. The pair content to fall into that wholly comfortable silence as each considered their choices. The near ancient Frenchman was wholly aware of his companions gaze upon him as he indulged that sweet tooth with his selections and yet he hardly felt himself concerned with her attention. They had, the both of them, been content in one another's company for more years then he cared to count. Anastasia one of terribly few beings with whom Matteo found himself entirely at ease and indeed he enjoyed her company assuredly. It was only once he had sampled the first of those sweet biscuits and deemed it suitable and Anastasia in turn had savoured another sip of that tea that those words left him once more. The French Fae so speaking of the newest of Alexander's endeavours in that Mounted Unit they had both been sequestered into joining at his behest. Anastasia's firm assurance that he would not be trifled with by those others a promise he was wholly inclined to believe- that very wink he was afforded however so readily coaxed that simper to his own features yet again.

"I know no woman more persuasive than you. I near fear for them already."

How true those words surely were, even offered within those teasing tones. Matteo reaching for his own tea then to blend the sweet taste of sugar upon his tongue with the richness of the tea in turn as the heated liquid found his lips. The Frenchman offering his niece his own thoughts upon the black stallion Alexander had acquired for him. The animal by far one of the finest he had ever owned and yet too- Darius was readily proving a challenge. To tame an animal and win his trust was one thing, to win the heart and loyalty of a man another. Werehorses an entirely different breed to contend with. Alexander's choice of steed for Anastasia, it seemed, having proving equally as challenging. That knowing simper warmly finding his own lips.

"It does sound akin to someone I know well I daresay."

That smile that blossomed upon her lips was quick to fade however in the wake of that deeper considerations of her Father's motivations in this. Matteo's own affinity for the future so lightly tugging at the threads of space and time if only to peer into what future might yet exist for Anastasia and the young Were she had been saddled with in every sense of the word. The vaguest touch of that reddened hue so finding his silvered gaze in an expression of that faint touch of power. His attention remaining upon his niece as she offered those insights. There were few whom knew Alexander better, after all, then his own child. And how well she knew him. That near knowing smile touching his own lips in response to those words.

"Our Alexander has never been a man to show his emotions openly, at least, not very often and yet I suspect in this you are right, Mon Cherie. Yet is it a terrible thing that a man might desire his daughter be close to him? You know he worries for you, even if he dare not voice it, for he know you are capable in all ways. Love inclines a man to such things though. You must forgive him his hidden intentions in this."

That simper upon his own lips so hardly faded as he offered those very words. After all, it would not be a terrible thing were Anastasia to make her home in the city for a time. It would be pleasant to have their family close even if, in time, they would all likely drift once more- only to return to one another again as they had done for centuries.

"When it comes to myself it would seem Alexander might yet get his wish. Dorian has taken up residence in the city, Aiden remains there and with you and Alexander choosing to linger in turn I have no desires to leave it for the time being. The world will call to me again, in time, as it does you and yet for a while I see no reason we cannot both indulge Alexander a little and remain."

There was nothing in that future, in the least, that so indicated that decision for their family to linger within the one city would bring about any misfortune. Matteo reaching for yet another cookie then, his fifth to be sure, before that tea cup was once more nestled within his hands and he so lent back within that chair to regard his niece with comfortable ease. That near impish look so returned to his features then.

"I have done a terrible thing of late, Ana. Would you care to hear of it?"

What was a little idle gossip, after all, shared between Uncle and Niece? Matteo content to inspire the young woman's curiosity even if he knew so readily she was rarely inclined to admit such interest in gossip as any woman off her breeding should not. Matteo content to take another slow sip of his tea if only to draw out that inevitable suspense and tease that glimpse of curiosity from within her. Another soft chuckle falling from his lips.

"I fear I have been terribly....let us say mischievous. My son-in-law, Sebastian, he is quite afraid of me, can you imagine? Some weeks passed after they had returned from their honeymoon I visited Dorian. He was out, but Sebastian was at home, it is a long story but it so resulted in my clicking a pair of pliers at the fellow with the suggestion I desired one of his fangs. A jest of course, but I think the poor fellow thought I was serious. I shouldn't find it funny I know, but I do. He is convinced I harbour some secret plot to steal his fangs. I also met a Crusnik. Have you come across such a being before?"


m a t t e o
it's tough to be a god