Okay, drumroll..........
Downloaded the AOC dark skin files (thank you Bru). Put the zip in the Data file and unzipped it. Renamed my dark skin folder to old dark skin. Moved the new dark skin folder in its place. Reviewed the images and decided- having noticed there was no skin.bin file there and a rebuild would be mandatory -to go ahead with the mood icon and trophy substitution before booting up the game. I did. I booted.
Must be the Steam skin files, because.......
Oh, Yeah!

Moods and ! intact!!!
Bru, buddy, you've changed my whole weekend.