[Alois starts a little, and... can't help but wonder if this is what people feel like when he annoys them..........

Ah, perspective.]

Oh... good.

[He clears his throat.]

I thought I should say it in person, as long as you can keep your fucking voice down, so it's less risky that we'll be overheard...

[He gestures over the coffee table, to the seat across from himself, so that Soma might sit if he's so inclined.]

It's, uh. I mean, it concerns Ciel's birthday.