Tetradore had hardly realized the very future that Matteo had seen for him at this place, a future that had been robbed from him at every cruel twist and turn of life. He was ignorant of all those plans for escape Matteo had made, only to foresee their dismal end. As a boy, that begging had been near incessant. That life beneath the vampire woman's cruel fingers had been more than a mere boy at ten was able to bear, particularly when it was in such a sharp contrast to that carefree, happy, safe life he had held before. That beseeching had come with its fair share of tears, and too that complete lack of understanding when he was continually denied rescue. As a child, he had thought Matteo simply hadn't liked him enough to spend time with him outside of that dance club, and yet, when he had continually returned the boy had considered that maybe Matteo simply didn't love him enough, not like his own son. At least, until he learned too of Dorian's own capture and confinement. He had then considered that maybe Matteo was simply not powerful enough until, at least, he had reached those teenage years and had, in turn, simply stopped caring.

He had never asked again for that sanctuary, already knowing better. He had never allowed that French chateau to be anything more than a mere daydream, a fantasy that he could never have, until now. Now he eyed those cows with a measure of weariness, entirely surprised to learn that, at the heart of it all, Matteo was a damn farmer. The French Ambassador often seemed anything but. He was charismatic, womanizing, aristocratic....and a farmer. It was a bizarre realization, the very sort that was likely to preoccupy the were-King if it were not for that idle comment that Matteo intended to join the Dark Hunter army beneath Alexander. It was so like Matteo to follow up the realization of his occupation with something worrying like this, as if one was capable of distracting from the other. A small frown crossed his features as he encouraged his faux father to be careful in this endeavor, even if he knew his concern would fall on deaf ears. It would, after all, be something distinctly different. He had been told those stories of war within his youth and yet it had been years since Matteo or Alexander had engaged in such strife. Frankly, it left the were-King wondering if they were still up to it, aging as they were.

He fell silent as Matteo admitted that his future with the Hunter cavalry was likely fraught with strife, both within the army and as apart of it. Why Matteo had accepted that position was lost upon him, his own head shook ever so slightly in a brief display of discontent. "It might be within your best interest to befriend this man then....if you should ever need anything whilst you're stationed at Sacrosanct, you know where the Ark is." That offer to provide a sort of sanctuary for the elder fae was likely unneeded, and admittedly would surely not be received well amongst his Hunter brethren and yet...Tetradore felt the need to offer it all the same. He was unwilling to allow the pride of the Dark Hunters take away that father figure, particularly when he had precious little family left. Matteo's reassurance that he did not foresee his own death in the near future did little more than prompt a sigh from the were-King, though he made no further effort to convince Matteo from engaging in that cavalry. It would prove fruitless, he knew.

Tetradore kept his thoughts largely to himself as Matteo led him towards the stables and the near bustle of activity that existed there. The very proximity of those horses to the river too saw several geese make their home upon the French estate, one particularly courageous of those ivory birds quite near hissed at him for wandering to close to the young that crossed his path. The reaction was near instinctual, the Alpha within him quite near required that warning growl that reverberated within the back of his throat, even despite those human vocal cords. His own emerald eyes remained settled upon the goose, hardly aware of that curious look in which Matteo provided him at that moment. He hardly expected that almost chiding comment that the goose was hardly a threat to him, that amusement within the Frenchman's words drew his gaze towards the man at his sound. "Tell me that when they attack you." He muttered, surprisingly aware of the species' near notorious capability for fierceness when they desired it. Considering his own lack of experience with them, Tetradore was hardly willing to allow even one to believe itself above the ebony jungle cat that prowled within him, just beneath that caramel skin.

Thankfully, Matteo hardly seemed inclined to linger on the topic of the goose as he made his way towards that stark white shed. His eyebrow rose as they paused at the boathouse, only for Matteo to pull open those doors to reveal a far different vehicle. He had hardly anticipated those trail bikes when Matteo had first told him that he had something to show him. This was quite a pleasant surprise. Those emerald eyes glanced over the bikes in a wholly appraising fashion, quite easily noting they were hardly for the city streets he was used to. He had, admittedly, never had the pleasure of taking a bike out on those trails, the busy metropolis simply not made for such travel. Tetradore glanced up as Matteo tossed those riding gloves towards him, the material was easily caught and slit onto his hands. He listened astutely towards those specs, nodding ever so slightly in some measure of satisfaction, at least, until that challenge was offered to him. It was that inquiry of whether or not he could keep up that prompted his assurance that his own motorcycle could do double the top speed, regardless of the paved roads it was often driven on.

That scoff brought a hint of amusement to the were-King's features and yet he hardly balked from that tease. Driving was, admittedly, one of the few pleasures he had in life. It was Risque that had introduced him to the feeling of control those fast cars gave him in a world so admittedly out of his command. Though she preferred her Jaguar and Aston Martins, the sheer strength of the engine had always brought him a sort of satisfaction, the small pleasure of driving those vehicles was often enough to allow the were-King to be taken to the least favorable of places. This was something he understood. He reached for those handles just as Herbert came into view, wiggling with glee all the while. Tetradore made every effort to take care as he wheeled the bike from the boathouse to not trample the small cinnamon roll of a dog. It was only once his own bike was side by side to Matteo's that he paused, swinging a leg over it only to settle with ease upon that seat. A quick turn of the key was all that was necessary for that engine to roar to life. A small grin settled upon his features as he glanced down at the bike, entirely pleased.

Tetadore glanced up at the sound of Matteo's voice ringing out over the rumbling of those engines. His head bobbed as he glanced back towards the way they came, ensuring he was following this makeshift trail of sorts. It was only the mention of a gauge that caused his gaze to drop, the were-King hardy anticipated that ploy - even though he should have by now. A scowl crossed his features as Matteo peeled out over the gravel, sending rocks back in Tetradore's direction. The Hispanic man leaned forward, his hand easily coaxing the acceleration on that bike to thrust the whole vehicle forward. It only took him a few moments to get accustomed to the vehicle and how it reacted to his coaxing. The ride was hardly as smooth as that Kawasaki he favored and yet, it would do. He was quick to test the very limits of that bike, encouraging it faster despite the cattle that had moments ago lingered sluggishly on that lawn. It hardly took long before he'd caught up to his father, that flat pasture quickly giving way to the gravel driveway. The straight road quite near guaranteed the were-King's victory, even despite the choppy ride with the small pebbled underfoot. He easily gunned that bike forward, that smug simper settled on his features as that bike lurched forward and past Matteo. That French word was quite near lost in the wind that rushed by them.

Those bikes so quickly ate up the ground as they rode, Tetradore losing his lead far faster than he would have liked. That speeding up of Matteo's bike as those gates loomed ever closer was a near silent tell of the game he intended to play, a game that Tetradore was all the more willing to partake in. He was hardly concerned about those gates that rushed ever closer towards him, the were-King more than content to simply push his bike further onwards. His emerald eyes met the silver hue of Matteo's own with a sort of steadfastness. He knew what that bike was capable of now, he knew exactly the point that was the very last moment he could safely stop. That curse word that so abruptly left Matteo's lips told him of the man's defeat, his own bike abruptly slammed on the breaks, that handle twisted so the bike too slid sideways, stopping just beside the French fae's own. That hearty laughter left the were-King's lips as Matteo's hands tossed up into the air. How long had it been since he'd been given a flat stretch of land to just....go? How very freeing it was! That playful shove on his shoulder hardly helped those chuckles on his lips. "You should have seen the look on your face." He commented between that laughter and yet, he hardly inquired after those French words. Rather, the man merely nodded as he followed after Matteo, that grin still settled on his lips as the bikes turned alongside the fence.

That pace was far slower and far more leisurely, providing Tetradore a chance to look over the view of the Chateau from near every side of it. The sheer size of the estate was still near unbelievable, much less the sprawling grounds that Matteo owned. Everything was far too....manicured and....nice. It still caught him off guard. It was only once they reached the forest that Tetradore's own bike slowed beside Matteo's own. He eyes that forest only to nod briefly at Matteo's explanation as to what to expect on that trail. Few turns, several jumps, one big one, then everything goes to shit. Got it. "Let's do it. Lead the way." He gestured slightly towards the forest ahead of them, all the more eager to follow in Matteo's path.

aiden tetradore