[indent][indent][indent][color=silver]𝓚[i]nock.[/i]

		𝓚[i]nock.[/i]

				𝓚[i]nock.[/i][/color][/indent][/indent][/indent]

	𝓦ith several knocks on the door, which ruffled the air through the downstairs laboratory, the two men sat on long legged chairs that stood at a table with even longer legs, decorated in the fashion of Queen Anne of the Satyr-Masque Period. Both men were looking intently at a piece of paper, recognizable as the one that Madame Sophronia had somewhat-of-the-sorts handed Finnegan in a discreet manner, at least, in regards to the public’s knowledge.

	Walter was the first to acknowledge the sound, and with tight lips, he turned his attention towards the sound with a cautious, shy eye on his surroundings and found no reason that the knock should go unnoticed. Finnegan had his brows furrowed trying to decipher whatever was written upon the letter. He looked too immersed in the riddle to be bothered, but Walter interrupted him, without too much hesitation, “Do you want me to answer the door, Finny?” His left finger tapped lightly on the wood table, feeling the texture as he occupied the boyish parts of him that knew his question would take more than several moments of recognition.

	However, Finnegan proved Walter wrong, and immediately pulled himself away from the parchment. His eyes looked boldly at Walter, “It is Lady Alyssana.” A small smile plucked under his mustache, “What?” His hands quickly cupped over the paper and began folding it into a square once again, “You look as if something has bitten you?” 

	He eyed Walter, who swallowed and made a small smile to Finnegan. Working at the Perfumery had been difficult in a way he had not thought. His brother was quite unpredictable, as usual, but in some ways, he found him colder and less trustable as a master than a brother, “No, I…,” he paused while fishing for words, “I am happy Lady Alyssana is visiting. It is my first week, afterall. Is Christopher with her, by chance?”

	“Go find out,” Finnegan leaned back into his chair, with a leg folded over the other. The folded paper’s corners were tapped on the table, in a similar rhythm as the one Walter had done with his fingers only seconds earlier. 

	Looking as a puppy desperately wanting to please his owner, “I shall,” Walter said affirmatively and excused himself from the table. He straightened the collar of his shirt, adjusting feintly the tie around his neck and the suspenders, holding his slacks and quickly made his way to the door. 

	“Lady Alyssana, it is a beautiful surprise to see you!” The younger man exclaimed after he opened the door, “Finnegan and I were not expecting you. Please, come in. It is an honor to have you travel all this way, especially… by yourself,” he managed a cheery smile. He wished Christopher had been at her side, but he was still happy to see her. However, he was too caught in the moment of making sure that Lady Alyssana felt welcome in words that he mentioned nothing more out of strict etiquette.

	“Lovely as ever,” with his usual air of shenanigans, Finnegan interrupted the end of Walter’s welcoming, “Your timing is impeccable, as [i]usual.”[/i] As he peaked his line of sight to the outdoors in a quick cautious and gentlemanly manner and proceeded to usher Lady Alyssana into the study, Walter bit back his thoughts and stepped aside, ready to close the door behind her. “What honor do I have that your presence has been summoned?”

[indent][indent][i][color=silver]	He felt a little foolish having not thought to ask her for help sooner. If she had not shown her face, he might have forgotten that he had such an angle of dashing wit and intelligence. He would prod her for helpful alliance, but first ... — he was more concerned about her than the actual case folded in his hand.[/color][/i][/indent][/indent]