A hasty, perfunctory knock on the door was succeeded by Pepper, cradling a stack of files in one arm and holding on to a cup of coffee. "Sorry about this," he said, shoving the door shut and sitting down on the chair closest to him. He put down the files with a heavy thud that sent dust particles flying. The archives needed an airing-out. The coffee remained in his hand. Pepper was sure he'd need it.

He glanced around quickly. Everyone was looking rather pointedly at him. Was he really the last one to arrive? It looked like it. "Sorry, he repeated, deciding to put the coffee cup down after all - he placed it carefully on the stack of parchment. "I was busy in the archives, and I didn't hear that a meeting had been called. Are there current, er, developments that need discussion?"

Pepper settled back in his chair and glanced past the person sitting next to him - that layout artisan Nathaniel, sporting impressively messy hair - towards the other end of the table, where Miss Knoll was seated.