The sound of items being swiped from the desk behind, no, now<em>under</em>him, made him cringe. It wasn't even the thought that resurfaced of how he earlier threatened to take Atticus on this very same desk, but the thought of the mess that was being created. Though that was nothing new, he didn't want to explain a thing to Household, nor stir any gossip around the House. He knew it wasn't something he could prevent, but he still held some form of hope.<br/><br/>The battle for control had only just set off -Lord knew, Ryan wouldn't let Damon just take over without a good fight- when a knock on the door made him growl low, much like he had done before, but now out of frustration. Of course there was no private life to speak off here. Never for him. Too busy.<br/>He sighed and pushed at Damon, but without much conviction.<br/>"Work's calling," he mumbled, then raised his voice to answer Emma's message on the line up being complete, wondering briefly why she hadn't gone to Rubee about it "Noted, Emma."<br/>The second message, however, made him sigh even deeper and push Damon off of himself with more perseverance, sliding from the desk a moment later to brush off and tidy his garments.<br/>He didn't even grumble, the mask falling into place while he pulled his sleeves down and his eyes dropped to the floor briefly.<br/><br/>"Very well, send him in."<br/><br/>He<em>was</em>the Master of the House. Surely he didn't have to explain anything? The mess. The look in Damon's eyes.<br/><br/>"Send us some tea too, Emma."