Alecto immediately rolls his eyes, a rude gesture he manages to make incredibly delicate. "Gods, shut up and go back inside." Hardly a smart clapback but Alecto was fine to take a loss in wit if it meant having a few more hours going head to head with Joshua Archer.

He motions for Josh to grab a seat first as he goes to the water boiler and fusses about with the tea set. Soon, the room is abloom with the smell of brewing darjeeling: warm florals and muscatel. Alecto brings two dainty ceramic tea cups enameled with gold over to the table and settles down next to Josh for once, instead of in front of him. A wordless way to communicate his willingness to collaborate, not fight.

A solid half hour passes as he allows Josh to give him the background of this artifact, its history and provenance, and any significant research already done. Now and again, Alecto interjects with a comment or a personal grievance about method or some tiny linguistic detail, but otherwise he remains content to listen, absorbing what he's told. He's rolled his sleeves up by now, appearing far more casual than he ever would in public, leaning to rest against the back of his seat, ankle crossed at the knee. He makes a stunning picture as the sun begins to set, seeped in hues of burnt gold and orange, as if he were some vintage tintype a lover would keep close to their breast.