It was, Matteo had decided, one of those few moments in life in which he near wished he had held a camera. That look of utter preplexion upon his companions features at the very sight of the Corgi whom so valiantly struggled to lift itself onto the sofa, only to crawl into his lap with the clear expectation that he would be pet, was an amusing look indeed. Aiden appeared near wary of the animal, as if entirely unsure of how to take the creature or indeed to relate to any being whom possessed so jovialness as its one and only setting. Yet, like so many before him, even Aiden at last gave in to the whims of the animal and settled his hand upon him. This alone seeming to thrill Herbert entirely as his tiny tail thoroughly began to wag once more, his tongue falling from his jaws to hang comically to one side as he leaned eagerly into those caresses as if they were by far the most grand touch he had ever had the liberty to experience. Herbert so had the ability to make any being feel appreciated for even the smallest of tasks. That almost hesitant query off the dogs guarding abilities only prompting that further soft chuckle from Matteo himself. Aiden readily commenting on the dogs fighting spirit as that simper tugged further at the Frenchmans lips.

"Would you believe the breed was designed to herd cattle? I've taken Herbet to the cow pasture several times. He has never yet shown even the vaguest shred of talent and I am quite certain my cattle believe him to be a joke. He was given to me as a gift, oh five or so years ago. He is utterly useless and yet he has grown on me."

The Frenchman admitted softly, his gaze lingering upon the animal with no small degree of fondness before his attention returned to Aiden in full. That inquiry as to how the Panther had slept met with that almost expected and yet near non-committal insistence that it had been 'alright'. Matteo so allowing his gaze to drift upward to that wall clock and eye the hour. Clearly this 'average' sleep had been sufficient enough to last his adoptive son for near the entirety of the morning. Matteo allowing that flicker of amusement to touch is features and yet he made no further comment upon it. He had spent near on twenty years at Aiden's side. He knew readily the other man's mannerisms and habit for concealing almost any emotion, no matter how positive. That fear that it might somehow be used against him was so very ingrained that such denial off those very feelings had simply become a part of who Aiden was. Matteo, in turn, was wholly determined to coax at least one genuine grin from the man while he was here and yet he uttered nothing of that very determination. Rather, he was content to ask after just what Aiden might like to do with his vacation. The near ancient Fae so hardly surprise at that second shrug he was offered. Aiden admitting he hardly knew what there was to do in the first place. The Frenchman's eyes rolling good-naturedly all the same.

"I knew you would say that and I so hardly needed any affinity for the future to see it. How fortunate it is so I have come prepared, Mon Anime."

That near impish grin readily found his lips once more as he uttered those heavily accented words of suggestion on just what they might do. Aiden content to merely nod though whether the other man held a genuine interest in those activities or merely agreed through obligation remained to be seen. Matteo already assured from that very glimpse of that immediate future he had seen this morning that Aiden would enjoy that days activity far more than Aiden anticipated. It was with that very knowledge that the Frenchman at last rose from his own chair, his efforts to coax the WereKing from his own met with what was near teenage belligerance. Matteo's head reappearing around that corner to catch the boy in the very act of that exasperated sigh and irritable muttering (that he was near certain had been directed at him) before leading the way down that hall and toward the front door.

Matteo easily led the way down that first set of stairs and onto that ground floor, the Frenchman paused only to hold that brusque French conversation with his housekeeper to assure her of what time they intended to return and to have her see to those roosters he had every intention of utilising for dinner. The plump, good-natured older woman smiled warmly before offering her greetings to Aiden in turn and hurrying off down the hallway to see to those very things. Matteo taking that opportunity to continue to the front door then, holding it open to allow Aiden to step out off and into that bright, warm spring sunshine. Those perfectly manicured grounds swept for miles in every direction around them, that wide, flat open driveway before them leading, eventually, down to the front gate and yet it was hardly off the estate Matteo so intended to lead them first. The Fae's hands tucked easily into the pockets off his jeans as he stepped down onto the gravel of the drive, gesturing for Aiden to follow.

"Come on, I will show you around the grounds, at least some of them. The grounds extend for five thousand four hundred and forty hectares, thats thirteen thousand four hundred acres or twenty one square miles if you prefer. I also own most of that woodland you can see to North though the local Werepack uses it often. I've already told them you are here for the week so there will be no trouble if you feel any need to enjoy the woods in your more animalistic state."

He hardly intended to deny Aiden any time spent as a panther if the man desired it. Those woods were rich in game of the sort he suspected the Panther had never truly had the chance to hunt at home and with that local pack insisting they had no issue with his presence Matteo saw little need not to have those woods open to his adoptive son. He could hardly remember the last time he had walked across his own estate, the Fae so often engaging that teleportation for near any and everything and yet there was a pleasantness to that walk all the same. He enjoyed Aiden's company, even when the other man was silent. How long he had waited, how long they had both waited, for Aiden to so finally come....home. The Frenchman, as before, pushing such thoughts away for now. Matteo easily crossed that manicured lawn with Aiden beside him then, the Fae pausing briefly at the gate to one of those pastures. Several brown cows lazily lifting their heads to eye the pair before returning to that lush grass beneath them.

"They are La Brune cattle, this breed makes the finest cheese in all the world. My entire estate is a working farm. Cattle, sheep and horses make up the most. I've been breeding French Trotters and Selle Francais horses for centuries. The stables can hold twelve hundred of them though I have only ever held that many during the French Revolution and a time before that when Alexander hosted his cavalry here before we travelled to Beersheba. A cavalry he has recently reinstated- though in a different way. He's gone and made me Lieutenant of the Hunter Mounted Unit. The only Fae in an entire army of Hunters- that's going to go well."

His head shook slightly as he lent against that fence railing. Convincing that age old Hunter army to accept both his presence and authority would be no easy task, he had already foreseen it. The things he did for Alexander! Yet- he had spent a lifetime at Alex's side. He owed his oldest of friends his loyalty. After all, there had been much over the years Alexander had done for him in turn. A part of him almost looking forward to the challenge at hand. Those cows and horses were hardly critical in any great sense and yet Matteo could hardly remember the last time he had shown another his home, the last time he had shared any part of himself with someone other than Alexander- as small and seemingly simple as those details were. They were personal- a part of his home life- that a part of himself precious few were ever afforded knowledge off. Matteo leaned away from that fence then, gesturing for Aiden to join him once more as they passed that field of mares and foals and those significantly vast, ornate stables. Several grooms bustled about, leading horses to and from that exercise yard, each of them calling out that French greeting as they passed. The sound of claws on cobblestone seeing the Frenchman turn only to find Herbert waddling after them. The dear little dog having tried his best to keep up, his short legs nothing but a hindrance and yet his entire body near wiggled with delight at catching them again. Matteo's eyes rolling lightly at the sight of the animal and yet that simper persisted as he led the way past those stables, flock of geese hurrying out of their way on the other side, one taking the time to hiss at Aiden for wandering too close to the goslings that hurried behind her. The Frenchman leading them down to a small, neat white shed of sorts resting beneath a towering oak tree.

"Ah, this is what I desired to show you Mon Amie! That walk into town is a pleasant one but you might enjoy this more. The woodland is filled with tracks for them, we might as well make use of them, eh?"

His hand reached easily for that barn door, sliding it open and to the side to reveal several dirt bikes in different colours all lined up beside one another. Matteo reaching for a set of motorbike gloves beside the door, tossing a blue pair towards Aiden before pulling that red pair onto his own hands. This, it seemed, the only safety precaution the Frenchman felt the need to take. That near impish grin returned to his features now.

"As I said, I have twenty one miles of flat open land and a forest full of dirt bike trails that leads down to the town. These are ATK Intimidator's, seventy eight horsepower each, maico two stroke engines, virtually indestructible and some people have gotten them up to one hundred and ten miles per hour- if you think you can handle it, Aidun."


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