That very silence that so enshrouded his companion in those pracarious moments in which the vast wealth of photographs was so displayed to him was decidedly more telling then Matteo truly believed Aiden so realised. How well he knew his adoptive son and by that very token- how well he understood that silence that seemed to echo within that vast ballroom and yet speak volumes all at once. Matteo needing no glimpse of the future to guess at what thoughts surely turned within the WerePanthers mind in that moment- nor the plethora of possibilities their shared affinity had so opened for him. Especially with the Frenchmans own vast collection of the world so freely offered. Perhaps he could not give Aiden everything he desired and so surely deserved in this life and yet- perhaps that offer of the world itself, so to speak, might at least makeup for some of those failings on his own part. Matteo wholly content to allow the boy those few moments of silent contemplation without interruption before those gently teasing words found his own lips- only to prompt a near typical grunt from the boy. How much he knew those thoughts surely weighed upon Aiden then and too- how surely fearful the younger man was to dare to hope once more that some end to his imprisoned life might yet be in reach. The ancient Frenchman taking up that new line of conversation even despite how obvious that deflection was all the same. Today, here and now, he would hardly push. Birthdays were surely meant for lighter things.

Aiden's very query on just how he handled a veritable change of furniture within any of those thousands of locations so prompted that admittance that he had hired a team of people so charged with monitoring his jump sites alone. Each one of those people charged with a series of locations to watch over and assure they remained safe for him to access should ever he need them. Matteo offering those warnings all at once for the very consequences to be suffered from a poorly monitored teleportation location. To stumble over a bed or a chair was irritating at at worst. To accidentally teleport oneself inside a wall or floor was nothing short of deadly. How enjoyable that teleportation could be and yet- how very lethal it could prove if miscalculated. The Frenchmans words holding a decided seriousness as he offered Aiden those very considerations and too- how easily anyone who might wish them harm could manipulate those very jump sites. Matteo hardly anticipating those near sardonic words he was offered. His own lip quirking ever so slightly and yet, in this, no true amusement seemed to find him as his head gently shook.

"Ah, Mon Amie, you do not need to welcome me to a life I have lived with you for twenty years in turn."

He offered simply, that fleeting simper touching his lips once more and yet he said no more upon it. That was a road of conversation he hardly desired to press upon tonight when both surely knew it would only bring about grief and yet- he had never once regretted so choosing, twenty years ago, to walk into the life of a terrified child sobbing upon a cold floor. How very...lesser his existence would surely be were Aiden not in it. Such thoughts, for now, were pressed gently aside. Matteo reaching instead for that picture the WereKing held in his hands with that utterance of just where it was and where it was taken- along with those very things to consider when taking pictures for himself to add to his own collection. Matteo insisting Aiden could choose any of those pictures he liked to keep for himself in turn. His head nodded to the boys willingness to consider it before his attention turned to training. The mere mention of such a thing prompting a sigh from Aiden's own lips. Matteo's snorting softly.

"I am surprised you are so good at this fighting ring you run when you are so un-inclined to move."

Really! How the very fate of the world might so depend on such a lazy boy he hardly knew and yet too- Matteo had long since come to find that very stubbornness that so personified his young charge almost...endearing. If Aiden could so be counted upon for anything it was most assuredly his scowl and a reluctance to exert himself without true cause. A decidedly unusual set of traits for a being whom Matteo knew, in turn, so refused to fail at near any task he was given. That very determination was surely what the Fae so strove to engage with now as he led his companion to the opposite side of the room and that more open space. Matteo offering that demonstration then of that 'series' teleportation he sought to have Aiden master in turn. His head nodding to that inquiry.

"Every time you teleport it requires a certain amount of energy. The further you go, the more energy you use and yet, teleporting is like a muscle, the more you use it the more fit and capable it becomes. Teleporting in a series forces you to use it again and again- it will build your endurance far faster than single teleportations. When you return home, see how many times you can teleport in a minute or so- then seek to increase it. The more you do it, the better you become, the faster, the more accurate and the less tired. Serial teleportation is also very good for fighting. You can strike an opponent many times from every angle."

His hand gestured back toward that door then with the clear intent to have Aiden try it for himself. The boy forced to attempt to summon those shadows from the darkest reaches of the room to propel himself into the air. That darkness rushed to meet him and yet- without being able to summon those weak shadows quickly enough the second time, he had already begun to fall. That yelp of surprise at his fall echoing in that empty space before Aiden managed to right himself enough to land upon his feet, his hand gripping at the wall, his features frowned in that failed attempt. Yet, for now, Matteo so said nothing. His gaze merely lingering expectantly upon his companion all the same. Aiden's features were quick to shift to something almost contemplative, the boy chewing upon his lower lip in a fashion almost boyish, his gaze lingering upon Matteo himself before that very room so suddenly seemed to darken. How very curious. That darkness however hardly lingered long before a near reddish hue seemed to overtake the walls, that realisation of just where such an environment might be mimicked from so seeming to strike the ancient Fae then. After all, he had seen that very office so many times in both his visions and indeed during those times in which he had teleported into it himself either in some effort to slow Risque down or to find Aiden himself.

"Aidun...."

That singular word was uttered with a near wariness of sorts. Matteo unsure of how very wise it might be to invoke such memories into being and yet, any further words were held back as his companion teleported back into mid-air. The shadows, this time, far quicker to respond. Aiden managing that second and third teleportation far more readily than only to land beside him. His affinity dissipating all at once. Matteo grinning readily then.

"Ah, magnifique! Your affinity will always be weaker in the light but, with practice, shadows summoned even during the day will come to you more swiftly. You must practice though. As for why it is bright, I have come to anticipate that light sometimes brightens one's environment. In fact i quite think it is the purpose of light."

That ready amusement so found the Frenchmans features once more. Matteo chuckling softly then, his shoulder bumping near playfully against Aiden's own as he so strode toward one of those photograph covered walls then. The fae plucking a single picture from upon it before handing it to Aiden then. That picture so displaying a well shaded forest, thick with trees and lush greenery.

"This is within Chambords grounds. Can you teleport us both there? It is a decent jump, but it should not take to much of your energy. Aim for that place there, the clearing between the trees."

Matteo so extended his own hand then for Aiden to take. The Frenchman content to wait for Aiden to gather enough energy to summon enough shadows for the both of them before that truly unusual feeling of so being subject to another's teleportation embraced him. How...disconcerting it was to feel those shadows surround and engulf him. The pair reappearing within that forest then a few moments later. Matteo himself teetering precariously on the edge of a stream. The Fae hurriedly leaping forward. Aiden having not quite managed that exact location. How very close he had come to getting wet! Matteo silver gaze so narrowed upon the Panther beside him then.

"Did you do that on purpose?'

His own head shook but lightly once more. Matteo stepping further from that stream then before so holding out his hand. That singular, bright red scarf appearing within it then. Matteo so rarely inclined to use that summoning teleportation of sorts when in front of others and yet there was little Aiden had not seen off his own affinities. The Fae gesturing to that forest around them then.

"This is my forest, Chambord Forest, it runs the length of my estate for just over twenty one miles. As I said before, if you feel the need to be a panther for a little, while you are here, there is plenty of space. You could lessen my deer population while you are at it if you like too- if you bring back whatever you hunt I can cook with it. You would like roasted venison I am sure."

He paused but briefly then, affording Aiden that chance to look around that sweeping forest that traveled so shaded and green for miles in every direction. Little but the sound of birds and that stream so interrupting that otherwise peaceful stillness. Yet, it was so hardly for the consideration of a forest or a meal of venison Matteo had so had them brought to this location for. He Frenchman proceeding then to loop that red scarf through a single loop upon his belt, leaving it then to hang freely at his side.

"This game is simple, but it will help you learn Mon Amie. These shadows to, will make your task far easier. All you need do is get the scarf from me. If you can do that and return here to this spot with it- we will have a break and you can have your birthday meal, including your chocolate birthday tart I made last night and your next gift- I will also tell you what else i learned of your Shadow Jumping. I will not use my future sight to know when you are coming, if only so it is more fair. Ready?"

He so hardly waited for Aiden to offer but any suggestion that he was not. Matteo abruptly disappearing only to reappear within his companions vision on the other side of that stream. His arms folded readily across his chest then. One eye lifted upward in clear anticipation. Matteo's gaze readily resting upon the younger man until those shadows begun to swarm- alerting him to that impending jump. Matteo teleporting again just as Aiden's feet left the ground. The fae, this time, having silently reappeared within the very boughs of the towering pine trees above. Matteo so peering down at the baffled looking panther beneath him. The Frenchman remaining distinctly quiet if only to see how long it might take his son to look upward. Matteo wholly content to contemplate whether or not he could so drop a pine cone onto the boys head from such a distance. How amusing that might be.....

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