Alfred isn't sure if he is more relieved that it's Herbert or more afraid that it's him - mostly he's just glad when that door creaks open. He stumbles through it the moment he is invited, collapsing to the ground almost immediately. He's half-frozen, pale, and has plainly been crying for hours -

And more notably, he clutches at his abdomen as soon as he hits the ground, lips peeling back in a little wail to reveal the change that had taken place.

Blearily, he looks up at Herbert, and...well, there's nothing for it, is there?

"Help." His voice is quivering, barely above a whisper. "Please?"