#ccsemberclub

"Of course" She shrugs "Fine. But if they put ketchup on my spaghetti and I see it... I can't promise I won't strangle someone" She says, and this is one reason they keep her in the kitchen

"If -I- see it, I cannot promise -I- won't." firmly. He assembles two plates and trays them up. "Thank you, my dear."

"You're welcome" A grunt

He takes the tray out to the bar and to CC.

CC is there, that slit dress showing a shapely leg, hoof and fur or not

He openly admires her as he approaches and serves her. "Here you are....."

"Here I am" She smiles "ooo smells nice"

"Just what we had handy, but Teeny does good work." He sets out her flatware and napkin.

"She does. Glad she's toughing it out" She takes a sip of her drink and mutters "Our bale does mean she stays interested"

"Some relationships are transactional." he observes mildly.

"Take us. I just use you for sex and food" A purr "And I assume you keep me for my delightful opinion columns"

"And your sense of humor, yes."

"Sip your drink, there's a good girl."

"mmmph." But she sips "if you're trying to get me tipsy it won't help my playing"

It would take a lot more drinks to do that to her

"It would take a great deal more than I made to do that." He agrees.

"I don't know whether to kick you in the shin or kiss you on the cheek" She says and sips

"You can always decide later, when we are alone." he points out reasonably.

She gives a soft laugh, then "Are you just trying to rile me to get my mind off the negative?"

"Is it working?" with a twinkle.

"I shouldn't encourage you, but yes, only a little, but yes" She DOES kiss him on the cheek "Thank you. I had hoped to hide it better."

He puts his hand on hers, and squeezes. "It will get better, Dearest." He pauses, tilts his head. He checks his watch. "Hmmmm......"

"I still have time before I play again" She assures him. And squeezes back

"Hm." He nods absently. "Good, good. Eat; you need your strength."

A small smile creeps along his lips.

She sticks her tongue out, then eats, "mmm okay. It's good. so.. pass"

He sits back with his martini and enjoys watching her eat.

She dines delicately enough, but doesn't hide her enjoyment of his food, she knows how to visibly savor

.... and how much he is pleased when she does.

"Baby, you are still aces when it comes to finding your way through a woman's stomach" She says and nudges him with her hip lightly if she can

"Yes, but so much nicer when I can do it with food." He takes her hand and kisses her knuckles.

She purrs, then says "Not the place to talk about it, but rumors indicate our 'vakay' shook up a status quo a great deal"

"I could stand to hear more about that, when the time and place are right." he murmurs.

"Definitely" She finishes up some of her meal "But for now, I'll be charming and then I'll perform. Thank you for cheering me up."

"Of course." He murmurs rising as well, and kisses her cheek. "I'll be out of the room for a bit, but will return shortly."

"I'll dedicate one of the tunes to you" She winks and heads off.

And with a smile, he bustles off to spread the word through the club employees.

And the word is?

To gather together after closing at the Balefire for a performance.

Oh yes.

And when he enters into the freehold himself. He finds he has a guest

One hand slips into his pocket as he regards this .... guest.

Bertand, master of glass work "Sir, " the boy no longer wears a red baseball cap. That being ruined for him by certain folk

"Mr Bertand. I didn't expect you."

"Yes, sir. Sorry about that. I'm still a bit young by the age standards here to be seen so I just went to the hold. " He nods

"How can I be of assistance?"

"Oh no sir. It's maybe how I can be of assistance to YOU." he says and lays out some blue prints "I Notice your music side of things is hurting?"

"You do?" an eyebrow "Yet you cannot enjoy the club due to your youth? Or have you disguised yourself and slipped in?"

"AIn't too hard to sneak about sir , not from mortals, and your bouncers give me the pass long as i don't try nothing. Now Miss CC is the best singer ever... but she can't sing on stage right now because of COVID... but why is that? Because distance, vocal projection and more... am I right so far?"

".... that, and respiratory vapor and mortal panic. Yes."