#ccsemberclub

"I do not, Rocco. Please, extend my thanks to whomever put this together. Well done."

"Oh,we all chipped in , juggled schedules, got the food, Teensy tried some of YOUR recipes , which she did okay at. I'll pass it all on"

Rocco considers himself a brute with some class, and, to be fair, he mostly is, "The lady boss is looking good. How you holding up?"

"Absolutely tip-top shape, thank you. You and yours?"

"The corruption of my woman is as far as it will get," he laments "Lately she's gotten under my skin and started corrupting me back. Revolting when a man actually looks forward to his doll's company more than punching someone's lights out, or breaking legs. I took her to the Zoo on Valentine's day... the zoo. Like a sap." A sigh "Women, can't live with them, can't live without em, and they make you feel bad if you ponder burying them and getting a new one. Cept for the ones who already have YOUR grave spot picked out"

It would appear the redcap has perhaps fallen in love with his fellow coworker. Happens to the best of them.

Stodgepole chuckles and toasts the redcap with his drink. "Hear hear."

Rocco tips his fedora at that, and grins "I ain't no judge of talent for music , but we got a temp working under Teensy you'll want to check out .. so so at everything else, but he's really good with breads."

"Really?" interest "Mortal?"

"YUP. Guy took up the bread stuff in Covid lock down, not professionally taught, well , not officallly, says he called his grandmother a lot.. She's german americahn and used to be a baker. Well, he set up a zoom with her and she gave him a crash course. Turns out he likes it. I always thought it was the Italians who made the best bread but apparently they got compeition?"

"Oh heavens, yes. Germans know thier bread. The French, too."

"Guess that's what happens when you invade each other every other century" He observes sagely, "Anyway, Teensy thinks he might be a keeper, particularly since as he's not certified we can get him on the cheap"

"Mm. We could also get him certified, perhaps. If he's interested. Something to think about."

"I'll speak with Teensy about it."

"Sounds good" He says

One of the servers, a pretty redhead, comes up to them. She's enchanted, a rare treat, and while she's polite she also fusses, "Mister Stodgepoole, are you and Rocco really talking work work work again? What are you, a trow? Come enjoy the goods"

The Redcap snickkers "Troll, not trow"

"Sorry" She says

"I live to work, my dear; a particular trait of my kind. Pay it no mind." he smiles with a twinkle in his eye.

"Yes, Mister Stodgepoole," she says, giving in, but in a tone she finds it vexing.

And she heads back to the party

Rocco smirks

"She seems charming."

"A doll is a doll is a doll" he says "Unless you get caught by a doll, then you're stuck. Anyway boss, if there's anything else you want details On I'll be happy to answer but those were the major things I recall"

"I'm sure that will be enough for the moment. Will you excuse me?"

"You write the checks" He nods

Emerson goes to check in with CC.

CC has exhausted the photos, and is checking the fire

Her William waits respectfully while she does.

then she comes up to him "I think I just got chewed out by the flame"

"Dearest, are you ok?" immediate concern.

"Oh I'm fine,just it grumbled a bit" She says "We are holders, technically"

"Yes." serious in his tone "I see."

"So... it got riled by our week and change departure"

"You.... didn't.... I see."

"I had Caesar tend the flame"

"Yes."

"So all's good" A hmm "And you, darling? What werre you up to with Rocco?"