A potioneer, lucky him. It had taken him a while, longer than he would care to admit, that it was not a weakness to accept help. So far Miss Owens had been nothing but generous and so he was not surprised by her offer to make him something. "I received treatment in the States and it is leagues better, but I will never say no to anything that could possibly rid me of the ache." It was dull and manageable, but it was slightly maddening sometimes. He'd been down this road before and it was better than it used to be, so he wasn't going to get hung up on hoping for some miracle cure.

At the mention of her cousin, one who worked in his department, though not directly under him, Eugene nodded. "I know the name, the Spirit Division is its own entity sometimes. I wouldn't pretend to know how they get on." He chuckled. "I worked in the Beast Division previously." There was rarely overlap. It wasn't like manticores often turned into ghosts. Wouldn't that be terrifying?

The housekeeper finally arrived with their cocoa and some other treats on offer. She poured them each a cup, but Eugene held back to let Miss Owens have first pick. Which was of course when Ginger and Pepper came careening into the sitting room, heading straight for Theseus with his trains. "If you'll pardon the menagerie, I cannot often keep work at work." He motioned with his head about the nifflers with a soft chuckle.

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Lorelei laughed at the animal intrusion. "At least in this instance the work you've brought home is small and cute," she said, chuckling into cocoa as she took a grateful sip. "Considering your department, the available options could be much more fearsome." And of course, Lorelei couldn't judge bringing work home, since she specifically worked out of hers.

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Bee is actual magic

"Mm, until they do that." Pepper had wandered up and was tugging at the button on Miss Owens' boot. "Pepper," he warned. She was often a little more reasonable than her mother; Ginger was a terror, but he could hear Theseus' giggles from behind the couch, indicating that he was occupying the little heathen. She seemed to have a soft spot for his son, so there was no complaint there.

Pepper seemed to think better of her actions and instead climbed up Eugene's pant leg to sit in his lap, no doubt hoping for something from the snack tray. "You are right however, it could be worse. Fortunately we have a good relationship with the Podmore Zoo, they tend to take the larger animals we cannot find a home for." He chuckled, leaning forward to take his cocoa and pulled a slice of cucumber from one of the sandwiches for Pepper.

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"I do my potioneering out of my kitchen," Lorelei mused. "Your work has a little more charm, I think." Attempts at button-stealing and all. "Though the hope is one day I'll be able to open my own storefront. I wonder if I'll end up missing the convenience." Perhaps. Never truly being able to leave her work behind was her only real annoyance, to be fair.

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