death incarnate & night triumphant

The changes for Somnia took longer than he had wanted, though the High Lord knew well if he were to implement something quickly things would get out of hand quickly. It was an exhausting and irksome task to deal with said local lords, some being far more reasonable than others. He tended to have more difficulties with the lords that had been fiercely devoted to his father, Andras tempted some days to simple kill them off and replace them with someone new. As much as he would like the simplicity of it... he hardly thought it would play out well; and it was something his dear old father would do. "Ah, I wish I didn't know," he muses, eyes rolling to the ceiling, perhaps the only part of the townhouse that hadn't been shredded. "We are an ancient race and I've learned through a millennia, the Faerie race in general are astoundingly slow for change," he sighs, though Andras wouldn't give up. Matteo was simply someone who could understand him and his notions, the two being far older than many residents within the city, perhaps the world now.

It doesn't take them long to find the couch, settling within the comfy confines of the cushions, the men tapping glasses together before drinking. Their conversation twists and turns, the two enjoying each other's company now, rather than Andras trying to tear Matteo's head from his shoulders. It was a relief to hear the male was nothing like his father, a thought that so plagued the High Lord for centuries. It was a constant battle with himself, continuing to question his every action and move, sometimes making terrible decisions and having to live with them. It wasn't easy ruling... especially a city that was nonexistent to the outside world. He had never truly wanted to rule but he wouldn't abandon his people and so, he took the death of his father in stride and protected the realm. What he wouldn't do to keep his people safe.

Such thoughts are torn away as Matteo responds to him, dark hazel eyes flicking up to meet the ancient faerie's gaze. Those eyes soften, his head bowing slightly, he didn't realize he truly cared what Matteo had thought of him until that moment. Andras was beyond grateful to hear that he wasn't running his city into the ground, it was perhaps, the first time someone had encouraged him, that he was doing the right thing. Taking a sip of his drink, he meets the man's gaze once more, "Thank you, that means a great deal to me," he gives a brief nod, "There are some parts of my court that still fester with his influence, a darkness that has spread from within. Even with all the work I've put in, we can't move forward until that... disease has been cleansed," his dark hazel eyes harden ever so slightly. It wasn't until today he had confirmed that someone was working against him from within, the portal being opened proof of just that. Still, he doesn't wish to linger on such thoughts. It was something he would deal with tomorrow, for now, he would drink with his companion.

Andras is readily thankful for the change of subject, the Fae pouring Matteo another glass as they settle comfortably now. "It's a good thing I have plenty of aged liquor, I wouldn't mind hearing about a raging Matteo," he chuckles lightly. He had seen some rather... wicked temper tantrums from the immortal race and they tended to be almost catastrophic, with heightened senses and strength and any other magic abilities at their disposal, Andras had seen cities wiped off the map before. The destruction was appalling, making it hard to hide the supernatural world from humans. That light smack against the back of his head has him automatically reaching up and rubbing the back of his neck, another laugh echoing from his lips as Matteo launches into an explanation. "Englishmen have a way with words I've learned, they can insult you without realizing you've been insulted! It took awhile for me to learn the game," he shrugs, "Though, I wouldn't deny Sebastian a right hook to my face if he truly wanted to," Andras can't help but flinch, vampires tended to be aggressive and protective with their loved ones. He can't say he wouldn't be upset if someone had whisked someone he cared about to another world.

As their conversation shifts to Navi, the man releases a heavy sigh, his eyes rolling to meet Matteo's gaze, "She's exhausting. I've never met anyone like her before and she has a temper that has an entirely too short of a fuse. Navi reminds me of a tiny dog - if you stare at her too long she will attack," he runs his fingers through his hair, giving it a rather disheveled look. "I should send her home with you for a few hours, I expect your house to be trashed in the same manner as mine within thirty minutes," he gestures to the destroyed townhouse. As much as the girl tested his patience, he had grown fond of the tiny faerie, she had much to bring to the table, yet it was trying to figure out how to approach her so she could help Somnia. The girl was far too paranoid and not readily to trust others. It was something he was working on but he suspected it would take time; as everything did these days.

It is then he offers the man a place within his court, or merely, a place to call home. Leave it to Matteo to throw in those teasing notes to the conversation, a grin splitting Andras's face, "I have to admit, there aren't many single women within Somnia, most of them happily mated. Though, there are a few that might... pique your interests, a couple are extremely old fashioned, some have never left Somnia to experience the real world and then there are some of the younger women who are, well, let's just say they are fierce and willing to experience a great many things," he chokes on a laugh, a few of those younger females having offered themselves to him. Forever the gentleman, he turned them down, though he had a sneaking suspicion Matteo might rather enjoy that. Taking another drink to hide that choking laughter from those memories, he looks back at the man seated next to him. "I suspect some of those females might be up your alley," he finally releases that chuckle, not quite willing to tell Matteo of said opportunities those women had presented him with.

"Truly, if you are looking for somewhere safe and even if you are not part of my court, Somnia is open to you," he states after a moment, a seriousness entering his voice, "My only askance is you keep my court a secret. The rumors that spread of cruelty is a barrier, one I've worked on for a great many years, it tends to keep unwanted people at bay," he shrugs as he polishes off his drink, reaching to refill both glasses.

Andras Steinhello darling