Too transfixed to not, Aramis lifts a hand, brushing it against Porthos' shorn scalp after he places the souffle on the table. "Spoken like a man who does not understand the necessity of coffee in the morning," he says with a smile.

When he takes a sip of his own brandied coffee, however, Aramis pauses, eyes raking Athos for a telltale tremor. Transformed or not, Athos' body has been without strong liquor for many days - he does not seem to have suffered any ill effects that Aramis can see, though, thank God. Still, Aramis raises a brow in question.