Within Gracey Manor, the knock echoed throughout the foyer. Within moments, the figure of a maid materialized, her hands folded nearly across her apron and her expression severe, but ever dutifully prepared to attend to get task. She approached the door to answer it, but paused when a cold hand caught her by the shoulder. She sighed, closed her eyes to hide them as she rolled them and turned.
"Yes, Master Thomas?" the maid said, barely able to contain her annoyance at his excitement.
"Let me open the door," the- seemingly- young man pleaded, "please? Just this once. We haven't had guests in ages!"
"Sir, it's probably only-"
"Oh, please? They'll never know the difference!" he insisted, "you know I can make myself look very much alive. I'll make myself look like any of the butlers. It won't frighten the guests at all."
"If I may, I don't really think-"
"Really, I can handle it!" Thomas said, already noticeably more solid, "you can just go back to doing whatever you were doing before. Don't worry a bit about it!"
"Just go relax, then," he said, guiding her out of the room. She huffed as he hurried toward the front door.
With a grin that he hoped was inviting, Thomas took a moment to adjust his coat and hat and stand up straight before opening the door with an agonizing, now hardly used, creak.
"Welcome to Gracey Manor. How may I assist you?"