It was only after several hundred years within one another's company that enigmatic Frenchman, had, eventually, deemed Alexanders palette advanced enough to allow the man to act as a taste tester of sorts for that plethora of dishes he had cooked over the centuries. Alexander's decided talent for a sound judgement and too- the Hunters utter inability to forget seemingly anything at all so made the man a decidedly good choice for such a task. Alexander, over the centuries they had walked at each others sides, having been tasked with that tasting of more dishes than Matteo could count. Tonight was no exception. His desire for that perfect gravy so prompting his return to the living room with a spoon in each hand only to pass both to the once-Conqueror with a clear expectation. Alexander, as if resigned to the fact he could not escape this very task, placing that glass tumblr down only to take those offered spoons. Matteo content to afford the man that very reminder to be nice in those coming hours. After all, while himself and the equally aged Hunter got on distinctly well, Alexanders dry humour and brusque manner so often had a habit of making others distinctly nervous at best if not outright uncomfortable in the man's presence. The Hunter, when he chose, more than capable of being decidedly good company and yet, by equal measure, his age-old companion was equally talented at driving others away with merely a glance. His very species only adding to the very weight of those reproachful looks. Matteo so hardly desiring that Aiden, or even Sebastian, spend the entire dinner watching Alexander out of the corner of their eyes for fear the Hunter might turn on them. Alexanders decidedly dry query as to just whom he was so required to be pleasant to earning the man a dubious look. The simper that so faintly touched his features however was hardly missed. The Frenchman's own eyes rolling lightly in that same good nature.

"Difficult though it may be, my dearest companion, I shall require you to be nice to at least two people tonight- along with Dorian."

Alexander, he knew, despite himself- held every awareness of the importance of this very evening to Matteo. The ancient Fae holding every faith in his companion to be nothing short of polite in the very least. Dorian so having a habit of coaxing that simper from the Hunter on most occasions. The pair notably fond of one another. His very thoughts turned away from those guests in that moment to fixate upon that gravey once more and too- the very drink Alexander had abandoned. The Frenchman reaching easily to pluck it from the coffee table only to collapse with laconic ease into that sofa beside the man- his own legs lifted to hand over that armrest. That grunt of protest ignored as that brandy was lifted to his lips. That drink decidedly...grounding in a fashion. Alexander declaring in near the same moment less sage and more thyme was required.

"Merci beaucoup."

He offered warmly, reaching to take those two spoons from Alexander only to return that drink to him in turn with a final sip taken for himself. Those quiet words of consideration so parting his lips then as his gaze lingered upon that table setting before them. How long had it been since they had celebrated a thanksgiving of any kind? Alex answering that question with effortless ease and decided accuracy. 1904. His own mind was quick with those calculations, his eyes lifting just so in surprise.

"One hundred and fourteen years. Was it really that long ago? I'd have said fifty maybe. Although we both know my appreciation for time has always been lacking. It was with those sisters wasn't it? Their Father had no real like of me but he took such a shine to you. He'd have had you marry them both if he could have."

That ready laughter easily fell from his own lips then at such a memory of that poor man's attempts to promote his daughters to Alexander for much of the evening. Any further thought upon those days long passed momentarily cast aside by Dorian and Sebastian's arrival downstairs. That warm simper readily finding his lips at the sight of his son. Matteo content to lean upward readily to embrace the boy in return. He new, innately, how very much even that singular, small hug meant to the boy. The pair of them, these past months in particular, having become steadily closer. The Frenchman's head nodding simply then.

"Ah, but it is not quite ready just yet, soon. Those are my plates though, yes. I thought you might enjoy the colour and it goes well with the season."

Dorian stepped readily to the side then to afford Alexander that shake off his hand along with that decidedly proud insistence he had begun to master those half-passes- even if his mount still remained resistant to the idea. Matteo chuckling softly as he so glanced toward the pair.

"I should not worry, Dorian. Alexander's own horse had an outright argument with him over them too- though the stallion does them rather well now."

That near teasing grin so lingered upon his features a moment longer before his attention turned readily to Sebastian, the Englishman so having that terribly curious habit of becoming....incredibly English when he was anxious in any sense. Matteo unable to help that faint tendril of amusement he took in that firm British solidarity as his hand fitted easily into Sebastian's own to take up that offered shake. The vampire, it seemed, holding truly little knowledge of their last meeting. In the least he said nothing for now. Matteo assured he need find out exactly what the boy did or did not remember from that night he had harvested that venom from him. Perhaps later in the evening he might get a chance to question him.

"Good evening, Sebastian. You look well. Tell me, would you be opposed to my offering your staff my own payment for tonight? They have proven themselves decidedly capable this evening- though I fear your manservant might be a little afraid of me, poor fellow."

The pair were surely deserving of some extra payment for tonight. Matteo content to fall into those decidedly age-old manners in turn and so request that permission to indulge those staff from their Master all the same- even if he largely suspected Sebastian would not be opposed to them earning a little extra this month. That sudden query from Dorian so prompting his gaze to lift toward that table in turn. The Fae King nothing if not observant and yet- he so always had been, even as a mere boy. Little so every escaping Dorian's notice and yet it had become almost a necessity for the young Prince within his youth. Avoiding his half-brothers no easy task and yet Dorian had come to near master it in time and so avoid those very beatings they had enjoyed giving out. Matteo, more then once, having boxed several ears in turn and yet, Ferdinands Get had always been...poor natured. Such thoughts dismissed for now. His gaze meeting the silver off Dorian's own.

"I invited another this evening. It is a family occasion, after all, so I invited the rest of our family."

Such words were offered with a causal simplicity and yet that very look upon Dorian's features, a combination of utter shock, bafflement and curiosity seemed to persist all the same. Sebastian, in turn, appearing rather surprised. He had considered already that so surprising his son and son-in-law with the existence of Aiden might prove....challenging for the pair to accept and yet to speak to them about Aiden in any situation would prompt that same utter shock. To allow Dorian to meet and, hopefully, bond with his brother might ease those very emotions he knew would so undoubtedly grip his eldest son in that moment. Dorian's utter and unfailing politeness in turn so very near forcing the boy to give Aiden a chance in the very least. It was unfair of him, perhaps, to so thrust his sons together in this fashion and yet there was method to his madness all the same. Even if Dorian might not yet see it. Matteo remaining distinctly confident in his choice as his gaze lifted upward to the clock upon the wall. Aiden already five minutes late. Perhaps he should have dragged the boy out of bed even earlier. The sudden sound of that doorbell echoed within the veritable silence his announcement so seemed to prompted from all but Alexander. The Hunter appearing largely unconcerned and yet, Alexander had known of Aiden's existence since the beginning. Matteo rising easily from his chair then only to insist to Charles he would answer the door himself. The Frenchman stepping out of that room then and into the hall.

His hand reached easily for that door then to open it, that ready simper finding his lips all the same at the sight of his son so standing upon that doorstep, Matteo stepping aside to let Aiden into that sprawling mansion. The Were having managed to make a surprisingly decent attempt at dressing appropriately for the occasion. The Frenchman affording Aiden that same light embrace he had offered Dorian in turn. His hand resting upon the younger mans shoulder a moment longer.

"Your late- but it is good to see you so much more dressed then this morning, Scoundrel."

One eye lifted just so, the very tease within those words surely giving way to that notion that the Frenchman hardly took any true disdain in such a thing as lateness. After all, when was he himself ever on time? Matteo near notorious for his own late arrival and nearly every event he had ever been invited too. The Fae so peered back toward that leaving room then before lifting his hand from Aiden's shoulder. His own figure stepping to Aiden's side so they might both enter that room together- once his companion had ceased to stare at that decidedly grand entrance hall. The pair making their way back into that living and dining room then. Matteo gesturing toward Alexander first.

"You two, I am sure, have heard a lot about one another. Alexander, this is Aiden. Aiden, this is Alexander."

The Frenchman paused easily then, allowing the pair that moment to greet each other in whatever manner they deemed acceptable without setting off Alexanders allergies too terribly much. Matteo rather....proud to have Alexander so finally meet the man he had raised for so long. The Ancient Fae gesturing readily then to the vampire and the decidedly baffled looking Fae who stood nearby. Aiden, he was assured, readily capable of spotting the similarities between Dorian and himself.

"Aiden, this is my son-in-law, Sebastian. Sebastian, meet Aiden."

It was only once the pair had greeted one another that Matteo's attention fell at last upon Dorian. This meeting, perhaps, the most significant of all. Even the Frenchman inclined to feel but some touch of anxiousness over it even if that future had shown him nothing displeasing. The near ancient Fae so readying himself for those words then. That soft simper finding his lips as he regarded his elder son.

"Dorian, as I'm sure you now know- this is Aiden. He lives in this city too, down on the West side. You two have actually crossed paths several times before without truly knowing. Since this thanksgiving is the first any of us have had in a long time I thought it only fitting all of our family was here tonight, together. Dorian, I'd like you to meet your brother."


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