Cullen lets the door close, and immediately steps out of the line of traffic, next to one of the preparation tables. "When everyone fled the horror of five cakes at once, I could make off with all the rest of them and eat them in my own due time. -- Good morning, Cat."

"Commander," says one of the cooks, turning and sliding four small rolls from a wooden board onto the table beside him. "You'll be making off with these the same, then?"

Cullen laughs. "With great appreciation for your skill and generosity, of course."

"Listen to him flirt," announces Cat to the air. One of the maids giggles. Cullen turns pink. "Sausage in them this morning, and do be sure not to shove them all in at once?"

Cullen goes from pink to tomato very quickly.