#ccsemberclub

(THe other night)

Earl looks less nervous, more confident, but he's still modest "I Hope you both know I'm hardly a .. a..what do you call an expert food taster? or food critic?" He glances at Zara as they enter in

"Precisely!"

"He does like his food distressingly new," Zara jests.

The boggan will act as chauffeur if they wish to arrive at the local anarchist freehold, and takes their coats in any event.

CC chuckles at that "Well, We'll capitalize on that, Zara"

"We have not left you aside, Miss Zara." Emerson assures.

"Ah, you have always been a thoughtful and gracious host, sir."

As they go in, an area has been reserved for their food testers to speak

(At the club or the house?)

(Which ever EBG Prefers)

(The house? Or too personal?)

(House is good)

Emerson takes their coats.

the smells in the area are wonderful, and yes, if Zara sniffs, there's something dleightfully rancid in reserve

"Please, come this way....." And they are seated in a delightfully warm kitchen area. Informal-ish, but there are linens and table settings.

The lighting around the table is dim so not to offend Zara's eyes, but bright enough Earl can admire plating

And the boggan.... bows? to the satyress.

Zara murmurs approval.

CC gives up her hand to him, adoring "I'm still hoping to crush you, you little charmer you"

earl says "Thank yo ufor having us" He pulls the chair to the table for Zara to sit at her leisure

He takes her hand and kisses it. "It is good you still have hopes, Dearest."

Zara settles. "Is that butternut soup I smell?" Hopeful!

"It is! We made it a month or so ago. With cream and butter." he twinkles.

"And, nutmeg."

"To be fair, the nutmeg was Emerson's doing" CC says "I tease but he really does think of everything"

"One does one's best." Modestly, eye downcast.

"It's very thoughtful" Earl says "Thank you"

"Thank YOU , earl. Now please, we're going to brring out some dishes, not tell you who cooked what, and you try them both"

Emerson winks at both the guests and goes to get a few dishes.

"Salad?"

"This is exciting." Oh, Zara is SO going to try and guess who cooked what...

"Oh oah, if you like"

One dish of greens is crisp and fresh, the other.... is not. Both are small; an amuse bouche.

Zara murmurs thanks and partakes. Delightfully slimy!

Earl is glad for his crisp leaves

Oh, did the dressing on Zara's salad add to the slime? Maaaaaybe.....

"A bit of bread too?" oh one roll is big buttery and hot. The other a decaying mandelbrot , "Zara you may wish to dip that into your tea or soup"

"I can recommend that." Emmerson volunteers. "It's excellent."

CC blushes 'Thank you, dear"

"How has the club been? I know this year has been a challenge..."

"Most welcome, Dearest."

"Oh, well. We muddle on."

"Oh it's killling, Kiten dear" CC says like a favored aunt talking to a niece "But I'm not sure you want whine with your meal" A chuckle

"I am not Mr. Gluminsky. But I do hope that change is on its way soon."

"I hope so too, dear, thank you. Earl how's your roll?"

"Hot butered roll is my mana, CC, thank you" Earl says

"Should I be jealous, Earl?" the boggan smirks.

"Ah, I hope not" he chuckles "Andn ready for the main meal anytime you two would like"

"Dearest?" he cedes pride of place to the lady.