Mateo Rivera

"Aw, so you're the baby," Finn cooed, grinning wide with his chin propped in hand. It faded soon back to Charlie and their shared predicament. "Aye, it's not great. Don't get me wrong, I am glad to see 'im and all, but it's heartbreakin' to see your kid trapped 'ere with you. Especially when you know what can happen to slaves in this place."

Mateo chuckled and nodded. "Sure am. They don't let me forget it, either." For all that, though, he was the most widely traveled of his family. The rest of them stayed pretty insular and isolated which made sense but Mateo was too curious about the world and couldn't have stayed in the same place forever, at least not the way his family lived. He sobered as they moved onto the less lighthearted topic. "I can only imagine." It wasn't like there would be anything Finn could do about it, either. "How's he doing? I'm happy to open the library to him if he needs somewhere to get away for a while. Is he in the Undercroft or does someone...have him?" Mateo wasn't sure which was better and it likely all depended on the master that might have claimed him.

"It sounds like your family is very close-knit. How many siblings d'you have?" Finn asked. "Just my son Charlie. He's also here in the castle unfortunate as it is, but it means we can see each other for the holiday."

"We are, pretty much. Three. Two brothers and a sister. I'm the youngest, though. Maybe that's not so surprising." Mateo shrugged, smiling as he thought of the faces he'd seen on the call not that long ago. He blinked at Finn's answer. "Your son?" Mateo sounded a little surprised but he supposed it made sense that Finn could have kids given how old he was. He winced hearing that Charlie was here too, most likely as someone who was enslaved. "At least you get to see each other though that's not...great that he's here, I'm sure." He had a lot more questions about Charlie but took a sip of his drink instead, adjusting to the idea of Finn as a parent.

Dmitri buried his face in the crook of Mateo's neck. Mateo smelt familiar - not quite home, but something like it. If he was honest, Dmitri didn't know what home was. The concept had been foreign to him for such a long time that he wondered if anywhere would ever feel like home the way it had when he was six and tucked up between his sleeping parents. Warm and secure. "I don't care. It's all- All of this- Is all castle, really."

Dmitri had a point. The town was basically just an extension of the castle, or at least that seemed to be how the vampires treated it. Why shouldn't they, really? They'd made the whole place their playground, after all. "You're not wrong." He murmured, tightening his arm around Dmitri. He was about to stand them up when one of the fireworks went off and Dmitri cowered against him. The thunderbird's expression softened even further and he wrapped both arms around the other man, rubbing his back soothingly. "It's okay." He murmured and nodded. "Yeah, we'll go."

He brightened as much as Valentin was capable of. Here in Russia, Spanish speakers were few and far between and he did so love to connect with other people who could hold a conversation in it. He knew he'd chosen well for a dance partner. Even if nothing else came of this, he would at least (hopefully) walk away with a friend of sorts. Maybe.

As much as Mateo was enjoying the dance, his mind was still on overdrive, wondering how both not to offend the councilman yet not give too much crucial information away. It seemed a safe bet to ask him about himself but he wondered for a moment if Valentin would press him, braced himself for it...but it never happened. That was a relief and Mateo relaxed just a little, deciding to listen to whatever it was Valentin chose to tell him.

Even in such a skimpy outfit, out in the open air, Dmitri was warm to the touch. Werewolves were built like that, only feeling the cold in the harshest of conditions. Not that Dmitri would have allowed feeling cold to ruin his opportunity to look as sexy as he did, in his sheer bodysuit. He nuzzled against Mateo's neck, sorry for himself, unspent affection welling up inside him. He didn't want to go back to the bar, or to do something for the fun of it. He wanted Mateo to take him home, to tuck him up somewhere safe.

Mateo could feel Dmitri's warmth even in the cool air but he wasn't surprised at it. He'd realised a long time ago that the other man tended to run hot. The thunderbird softened at the nuzzle, aching for his friend and feeling like he should've done something more before now, even if everything he'd tried had just made Dmitri angry. Clearly he'd needed someone who wasn't just going to use him and Mateo should've tried harder to get through to him earlier.

Dmitri stared at Mateo as he spoke, his gaze sharp and dark, his deep brown eyes almost black in the dim lighting. Even his resting expression was intimidating, mean. Mateo knew as much, had met Dmitri as a sullen, angry teenager who spoke very little English. He was one of a very small handful of friends that Dmitri had managed to keep consistently and the more Mateo spoke, the harder he tried to break through Dmitri's fortress of rage, the more difficult it became for Dmitri to stay mad at him - regardless of his opinion of Mateo's flexible morals.

Mateo watched Dmitri quietly, waiting for his decision. As he'd said, he'd leave if the other man really didn't want him there but he was hoping they could have even a semi friendly conversation. What he could see of the werewitch's expression wasn't particularly encouraging but then it wasn't intimidating either, at least not for Mateo. He'd known Dmitri for some time, after all, and he was used to how mean he could look when he wasn't even trying. It was just part of who he was. For his part, Mateo's expression was just open and friendly, as it often was.

He could tell that Mateo was not as forward as some. That was fine. It was still a gift to be able to be close with him, to dance with him and feel him move under Valentin's hands. Even if Valentin planned for nothing tonight, he would keep an eye out for Mateo in the library at the castle. Familiarity built over time seemed a fruitful prospect and Valentin was a very patient man.

The councilman was being more or less a gentleman at the moment and didn't seem like he would push thing but Mateo didn't trust him just by virtue of his position. Rhys had been ensnared by one and couldn't seem to rid himself of that self-important brat and Mateo had no intention of falling into a similar trap. Not that they were anywhere close to that at the moment but he knew how easily those things could start.

"I'm glad to hear." Finn grinned. "It's been grand, all things considered. Nice and quiet 'til we all came out this evenin' to celebrate." The outfit was the least of his concerns celebrating Christmas as a slave in Krovs Castle. He was pretty surprised that Mateo would rather be here for the holidays than home with the family he mentioned. "Who in your family did you talk with?"

"That's always nice before a big night out." Mateo certainly valued his quiet, though he didn't mind these gatherings he just needed to...get a run up to them. Finn asked about his family and Mateo took a sip of his drink. He hadn't been home in a long time and of course he missed them but...well, he'd run away from that problem, from what he'd done, and he'd never had the strength to go back in spite of how much he missed them. "Everyone, pretty much. Parents, siblings, extended family. They passed the phone around. It took a while, we love to talk." He shook his head fondly, though his expression was almost sad. "They're pretty...isolated. Stay in the mountains, most of the time. But if I can get a hold of one with their phone on and in human form I can usually get the rest of them." Finn maybe didn't want all that information but it seemed like a while since Mateo had talked about his family and apparently he wanted to. "Do you have family around?" That could be a dangerous question but it seemed only fair to ask.

"Maybe later," Finn replied, smiling politely as he accepted his beer from the bartender. He took a much needed sip, humming around the dark liquid as he swallowed. "That's alright, I appreciate the offer though I'm sure Bradbury will only make shit worse when he might catch me tryin' to hide his work." He brought his pint up to his mouth again for another short gulp. "What's the craic then? You enjoyin' your Christmas so far?"

"Sure." Mateo took another sip of his own drink. He hadn't really expected Finn to take him up on the offer of his sweater though he absolutely would've given it to him if the demon wanted it. It seemed only right to offer in any case. "Fair enough, you'd know best. I don't wanna make anything worse." The thunderbird generally tried to do the opposite though he knew he didn't always succeed. "I am, yeah. Other than this it's been pretty quiet, some calls with family and stuff. Putting your coasters to good use, too." He smiled every time he looked at them and figured Finn should know they were well appreciated, though Mateo had already thanked the other man. "What about you? Other than the outfit, obviously."

"Perfect," Valentin replied, pleased. He took Mateo's hand in his own and led him to a spot where they could be near the crowd of writhing bodies but wouldn't be interrupted by them. It was their own little bubble and he tugged Mateo close to ensure he was in it. He arranged the thunderbird's hands to drape them over his shoulders, the councilman's own hands finding his waist. He tugged Mateo close enough to be pressed together.

Mateo let Valentin lead him towards the crowd of dancers, a little surprised to have his hand taken but not pulling it away. The councilman seemed kind of old fashioned like that, though Mateo was still wary of what more than a dance the other man might want. There was no question the vampire was attractive but Mateo tried not to make a habit of falling into bed with councilmen. It seemed more than a little dangerous and his track record was pretty good so far with only a couple slips. It was hard not to stare at all the exposed skin of Valentin's back as they moved out to the dance floor, though, even if Mateo only followed the curve of the other man's spine with his eyes.

Dmitri rubbed the back of his head, glaring across at the guard. When his assigned guard was someone like Manny, Dmitri had a much easier time of it, could almost forget that there was a constant threat hanging over his head. Not with this one, who seemed determined that making sure Dmitri didn't get into trouble meant preventing him from enjoying himself even for a moment. The guard shrugged his shoulders at Mateo, turned the other way, more interested in watching the light show.

At least the guard didn't seem inclined to keep being slap happy. Maybe he would just ignore them for the rest of the time and they could have their conversation, if Dmitri would continue to allow it. Mateo hardly knew all of what went on between masters and the people in the Undercroft but he had to assume a lot of it was bad. He hated it, obviously, but there was nothing he could do to stop it except try and provide a safe place for at least a few hours to those who needed it.

Dmitri had been avoiding Mateo, as much as possible. He'd avoided Rhys as well, since he'd been flung into the Undercroft and was still unbearably angry with both of them. Dmitri perceived any decision to work at Krovs when you were a free man a resounding lack of morals, no matter how Rhys and Mateo had tried to argue with him. Mateo had taken him out on loan to the library several times, but each attempt had ended in Dmitri causing a ruckus and demanding to be taken back to the Undercroft - even going as far as to throw the books because he knew it would upset Mateo.

Mateo didn't have any set plans for New Year's other than to wander among the crowds and join in the festivities as he usually did. He'd dressed up a little for it, figuring the evening called for a nicer outfit that would still keep him warm enough as he was in and out of the various buildings. Rhys had gone back to London again for the coven, seemingly for a long while this time though frustratingly was doing some kind of long distance thing with Roland. Mateo knew Dmitri was still in the Undercroft and he continued to feel bad about it. His attempts to make it up to him hadn't gone very well, the few times he'd brought the werewitch up to the library had resulted in books being thrown which was not at all what he wanted. Still, at least it kept Dmitri from being rented by someone worse for a while.

"Just a beer, Guinness," Finn confirmed, both at Mateo and the bartender who'd arrived to take his order. He didn't plan on getting excessively drunk this evening nor was he looking to try and get there either purposely or accidentally. He snorted out a short laugh as he looked back at Mateo. "Cute, but I don't think this is one of those 'kiss and make it better' situations," he chuckled, hopping up on the bar stool next to the thunderbird. "Doesn't help you look fuckin' good, all cozy and festive and shit."

"All right." Mateo wasn't going to push anything stronger on Finn if he didn't want it, obviously, it just seemed like maybe he needed it considering the outfit. "No? You sure?" Mateo's smile widened. "We could always try it and see." He laughed a little as Finn hopped up beside him, glancing down at his own sweater then back up at the other man. "Thanks. I like bein' festive but comfortable, too. Don't have to go to too much trouble with somethin' like this. We can't exactly trade but I could give you my sweater if you wanted it." He was wearing a shirt underneath so it wasn't like it would leave Mateo topless or anything.

Valentin had, in fact, seen everybody else around here. They were fine enough but none of them had been the ones who'd caught his eye. Not like Mateo. He had a very sweet, disarming air about him that Valentin found refreshing. He hadn't known it when he'd seen him across the room but his intuition rarely steered him wrongly. He nodded when Mateo gave his thanks and decided to hold his thoughts in on the subject.

Apparently, the councilman had seen everyone else given that nod but either he agreed with Mateo's assessment that he was not one of the best looking people in the castle or he was just choosing not to comment. Regardless, at least they were past that topic and onto the whole dancing thing. It was still hard for Mateo to think of the councilman as Valentin but if he had to address him he'd try to remember.

"Why would you be surprised? You're beautiful," Valentin said, his tone matter-of-fact. He liked the look of his eyes and the cut of his jaw. The sweater was perhaps not as flattering as it could be but it was the holidays. Clothes didn't matter at any rate. They were just a wrapping for what lay underneath.

Mateo blinked at the compliment. It wasn't that he thought he was bad looking or was dissatisfied with how he looked, he'd never had issues with his appearance and even thought he was striking at times. Since coming to Krovs, however, and being literally surrounded with the most beautiful people he just didn't think he ranked as highly as most of them. That was no self-deprecation that just seemed like accepting reality to him. Still, Valentin said it like he meant it not like he was just trying to schmooze or be charming. "Have you seen everyone else around here? But gracias, that's...nice of you to say." And apparently mean but Mateo wasn't going to look into that too much.