Unscheduled Visit

Bill and Roxanne were both escorted by a servant from the office as he and Roxanne followed in suit to another room as he looked on patiently.

"His Majesty, William Compton, and his guest, Roxanne"

Bill entered the room as he could see that there was already a seating arrangement made as two vacant seats were empty for he and Roxanne. He cast a glance at Arabella who bowed her head in respect. He could see the quizzical eyes of Quinn eyeing Arabella as Brianna looked on confused.

"Thank you for the greeting Arabella. I look forward to hearing what you have to play" he smirked and bowed his head in response.

Roxanne followed Compton into the room as she was announced, she could get used to this. Maybe she could even stay and comfort the King when his were whore was gone. Queen of Louisiana had a nice ring to it. She instantly spotted a vacant seat for her as she quickly took note of those present and she soon spotted the Tiger that Isabel spoke so much about. She was right, perhaps he would be just how she described him to be.

"Thank you Arabella for the lovely welcome" she grinned.

Quinn stood as the new arrivals entered. Compton? How did he get here without his guards notifying him? He would have to speak to Tolvin after the recital about this. That could have been very awkward under other circumstances. He stood, bowing slightly. He could not help but stare a bit at Compton's guest. She was beautiful, yes, but there was something else. Something that seemed familiar, but he could not place it. He flashed a smile, making an attempt to cover his curiosity.

"Welcome to our home. It is always a pleasure, Bill."

He continued to look at the woman with Compton.

"Welcome to you as well, Roxanne. I trust you are finding things in Bon Temps to your liking?"

Where did he know her from?

Brianna had been sitting in her seat as she cast soft glances towards Quinn who sat on the opposite of the seating arrangement as he glanced back. She was lost in her own little world as she heard the announcement of Bill and his guest. She quickly turned her attention and stood from her chair, he was here! Arabella had told her about what would happen if he showed up unexpectedly, from now on she would make sure she was careful.

"Bill...It's great to see you" she smirked and rushed to his side to engulf him into a tight embrace.

She cast a glance at Quinn who seemed equally surprised that he was here, how did he not know. She gave the other girl a quick look over, where was Kiara?

"A pleasure Quinn. My visit was unexpected but I wanted to check on how things were running here. Plus I wanted to see Brianna" he smirked.

Embracing Brianna as she ran into his arms as it had been some time since he had seen her. She looked well and she was not complaining which was a good thing for him.

"Are you well?" he quizzed her.

Nodding into her embrace as she looked at him brightly.

"Very well...I have learned a lot here. Quinn and Arabella have been great. I am a lot stronger than I was before I came here" she smirked.

If only Bill knew.

Roxanne watched the display of affection between Compton and his progeny as she could not help but smirk knowing that it would not last for long as she turned her attention to the Tiger.

"I have only been here for a few days...but things are looking well. Really well. Thank you for the invitation into your home" she grinned sweetly.

Quinn knew her from somewhere but did not want to make a scene. This was Arabella's night. They mystery of this woman would keep for another time. He made a mental note to pull her face from one of the cameras so he could remind himself to figure it out. He nodded to her.

"By all means. You keep very good company, and have wonderful timing."

He turned to Compton, smiling.

"If you wish, after the recital, I am sure that they can put on an exhibition to show you what she has been learning. It is good to see you again."

He turned, smiling, to Arabella as she tapped her bow on the music stand a few times.

Arabella quietly lifted the bow of her violin and tapped it on the stand a few times to get everyone's attention.

"If we may, I would like to dedicate this performance to our unexpected guests, and to my Cassia."

Without waiting for a response, she smiled and lifted the violin to her chin.

Bill sat quietly as he listened to the beautiful tranquil music that flowed from the fingers and violin from Arabella. It was not something that he had heard before, such a peaceful piece of music. He waited until Arabella finished and took her bow as Bill stood from his seat and applauded loudly for her recital.

"That was wonderful Arabella. A wonderful show" he applauded her.

Maybe that was something that Brianna could be taught, but he would leave that for now.

Roxanne followed in suit as she listened to the most boring thing ever, but appearances could be deceptive.

"That was truly marvellous Arabella. Inspirational" she grinned.

Brianna was on her feet before everyone else as she watched with joy, such heart felt music. She dashed over to Arabella and gave her a quick hug.

"That was beautiful Arabella. You must teach me" she pleaded with her.

She turned to Quinn instantly "Wasn't she great Quinn?" she asked him.

Arabella smiled as she lowered the violin and bow to their case. She bowed to the compliment from the King and was nearly knocked over when Brianna ran up to her, hugging her unexpectedly. She smiled and laughed softly.

"Perhaps I can add that to your studies, if you continue to progress as you have been."

She turned to the King.

"Thank you for indulging me, your Majesty. I know you have much to do in your night and I am honored that you found my music pleasing. If you will give me a few minutes, I will be more than happy to meet with you in the study and discuss how her training is going."

Quinn smiled as she played, simply letting the music carry his mood higher. As she finished, he chuckled seeing Brianna run over and hug her.
"Wasn't she great Quinn?"


He smiled and nodded, then turned to Arabella.

"Exquisite, Arabella. You never fail to impress me."

He turned toward the new guests and smiled.

"I have been a bit remiss as a host. Would you like me to call for a few donors for you? We always keep a few on hand in case they are needed."

He found his eyes once again searching out the new woman's face again. He knew her and it bothered him a bit that he did not know why. When he realized she had noticed him looking, he winked at her, grinning softly.

"Yes that would be expectable....Brianna would you care to join us?" he quizzed.

He could see the delight in Brianna's face as he heard her comment about wanting to learn violin. He was never one for music instruments other than the piano, but there was always time to learn.

After her talk with Arabella the other day she knew that she had to keep up appearances if she was to be allowed to remain here with Arabella and Quinn. She would do anything possible to remain here, she did not want to go back with Bill. Not when things were getting so good with him.

"Of course Bill. I would love to" she grinned as she looked at Arabella, see she could keep up appearances.

Roxanne looked appraisingly at the Tiger as he winked at her. Perhaps tonight was not going to be so bad after all.

"Perhaps your Majesty, Mr Quinn could show me the grounds whilst you attend to your meeting?" she suggested.

"That is fine with me....Quinn?" he looked on to him.

This would give him the opportunity to speak more openly with Arabella and Brianna without him around. He knew that he was still learning to trust Quinn, but he knew that Arabella would not lie to him, especially knowing that she had higher goals.

Quinn smiled. Perfect. With the right questions while they walked, perhaps he could figure out how he knew her face. He stood and walked to the side of the room speaking quietly to one of the servants, who then left the room. He looked back toward their guests.

"Bill, your donor will be sent to the common room. There is plenty of seating there and it is a more relaxed setting."

He walked over, offering his arm to Roxanne.

"Why don't we go to the barracks and you can pick out a donor for yourself. I know enough about Bill's tastes that I can make a good guess but your tastes are not known."

He glanced over to Compton.

"...by your leave, of course..."

"Thank you Quinn. That is greatly appreciated" he nodded.

He turned to Arabella and Brianna who were waiting.

"Shall we?" he suggested.

"...by your leave, of course..."

He turned back to see that Quinn was making his presence known with Roxanne.

"By all means. I shall alert you upon our leave"

Brianna watched as Quinn offered his arm to Roxanne and she could not help but feel jealous at that, but she had to keep up appearances. She would quiz Quinn later about what he and Roxanne would speak about.

But for now she had to do as she was told and play her front, she smirked at Roxanne and Quinn as she left to go to the common room.

"Why don't we go to the barracks and you can pick out a donor for yourself. I know enough about Bill's tastes that I can make a good guess but your tastes are not known."

Roxanne accepted his arm as she glanced at Compton's youngest progeny and could see her reaction. Priceless. Something that she would have to tuck away for later.

"I would love to" she grinned as she let Quinn lead her from the room.

Quinn/Roxanne - https://devotedtowriting.forumotion.com/t2123-tour-and-topics

Arabella watched as they left the room, curious about the new woman, but not overly concerned with it. She looked to the King and his progeny.

"Shall we move to the common room? Brianna, should I send for Marie or have you already fed this evening?"

She smiled as Cassia slipped behind her, slipping her small hand into Arabella's own. She looked to the King, smiling. One of the servants walked in, handing Arabella a mini-CD and quickly exiting. Anticipating the King's curiosity, she held up the disk.

"A bit of footage from her training sessions. I thought you might like to see where she started and how quickly she has been progressing."

She inclined her head to the doorway and led Cassia out, walking down the broad center hall to the commons.

Bill followed Arabella and Brianna to the common room as he spotted the women named Cassia, this must be the woman that Arabella spoke of before.

"I see....Well I should hope that her training goes far beyond just the physical abilities. I myself did not have the chance to be trained as I learned through experience, I want Brianna and Jessica to have the best of what they can have" he told Arabella.

"Brianna, should I send for Marie or have you already fed this evening?"

Brianna followed suit as she tried to take her mind of Quinn and that woman Roxanne. She already hated her for being alone. But she trusted Quinn, it was that woman that she did not trust and it was clearly known as she received a look from Arabella.

"I have fed thank you" she smirked.

Footage? Footage? Arabella was recording her? She hoped that Arabella at least went through the footage before showing Bill.