There were few holidays in the year that Richard Moreau did NOT celebrate with gratuitous amounts of liquor. To Richard, there was always a reason to celebrate while getting himself completely plastered, and he didn’t even really need a holiday to excuse himself. Even something as simple as ‘Lucca counted the till correctly for once’ was an excuse for Richard to break out the bourbon and go to town on his liver. Today was St. Patrick’s Day, and while Richard knew nothing and cared just as much for the history of the Saint that the holiday was named after, he was going to celebrate it regardless. And what other way to celebrate St. Patrick’s day than what he was doing now?

His condo came to life with friends and guests of those friends, and while he barely remembered any of their names or how he knew these people, that did nothing to stop himself from running to each and everyone one and mingling. And by mingle, he meant flirting with them and trying to get a kiss out of them, while he was dressed in a rather lavish, if not blatantly stereotypical, St. Patrick Day appropriate outfit. What did he care if he offended anyone in his mock Leprechaun gear? He was born with red hair and it just seemed perfect for him to dress up, considering he was the host. And besides, he wasn’t the only one, and he made it a point to compliment everyone that arrived to his party in a festive mood, approaching them and offering them a drink as well as a compliment as an award.

“That’s quite a lovely costume, Melanie! I -love- the skirt! It’d look better if it was on the floor in my bedroom, however! Vincent! I see you’re dressed appropriately, and lucky you for being born a ginger! Didn’t have to dye your hair or anything! Don’t give me that look- that was a compliment! Susan, hands off Joshua’s shillelagh! That’s for after the party!”

He had plenty more mingling left to do, and given the music and the chattering, he was surprised that he even heard the knocking at the door. With haste he maneuvered through the crowd and was able to shoo a few of the party goers away from the door, and he made sure everything was in order before he opened it. Green top hat straightened, bowtie puffed out, and he checked to make sure there was no alcohol staining his green tuxedo, and once everything checked out, he opened the door. The sight of his maid and the annoyed look she wore was of little concern to him, but the leash in her hand and the dog that was attached to the leash made him beam. “Oh, and here he is! The man of the hour! This party is now complete!”

Baldwin was groomed to perfection and the large, easy going Irish Wolfhound remained seated, but wagged his tail vigorously at the sight of his master. The maid was quick to hand the leash over to Richard, and had Richard not been showering his dog with affection, he would have noticed the disdain in her voice as she spoke over the music and chattering people. “The mess is going to be big, isn’t it, Mr. Moreau?”

“Yep!” Richard said, scratching Baldwin behind the ears and admiring the groomer’s work, especially around his dog’s eyes. He removed his top hat and placed it on Baldwin’s head, positioning it between his ears, before accepting the leash and walking his dog back into the condo. “But no worries. You’ll be paid double Monday...”

Without once waiting for her response, he closed the door once himself and Baldwin were in, and nothing could drown out the mirth in his voice as he announced to party-goers. “Alright, folks! Now that our only one of Irish descent has arrived, this party can finally get started! Get in line to kiss our Irish guest, and if you don’t want to kiss a dog, than good news! His owner is more than willing to accept a kiss in his stead!”

And Baldwin, being the well-tempered dog that he was, had no idea what was going on or why there were so many people in his master’s house, but the sound of joy in his voice and the cheers that echoed throughout the condo were enough for him to wag his tail. Everything else didn’t matter to him, so long as he and his master were happy.

“Happy St. Patrick’s day, everyone!”

(Word Count: 760)