Boundaries

https://devotedtowriting.forumotion.com/t1313-who-rules-the-hen-house#9936

Quinn woke up about midday and stood from the chair, looking around and remembering where he was. He spoke through the door to the guard and confirmed that Compton had gotten his message. He pulled out his Cell and spoke to Vincent, instructing him to bring a few canisters of the de-scent solution to the gates so it could be brought in. If he was going to talk to Compton, he would do what he could to keep things neutral. Quinn walked into the bathroom and ran his hands over the stubble on his head and face. He called Vincent back and told him to bring a shaving kit as well, then looked in the mirror and began to plan how the discussion needed to go with 'King' Compton.

Once the supplies had been brought to him, he cleaned up and silently reminded himself to thank Vincent for including a change of clothing in the package. He carefully covered himself with the de-scent solution since he knew that Compton was not too fond of the scent of Weres, especially him. He left the second canister in the room, with a note for the housekeeper explaining it's purpose. He returned to the mirror and checked his clothing before knocking on the door and telling the guard that he was ready when the "the King is ready to speak" with him. Once he had done so, he returned to the chair and sat there in thought, gazing toward his sleeping fiancee.

Bill had arisen early the following evening, his mind weighed heavily with the impending meeting with the Tiger John Quinn. He had seen a note laid on the pillow on the pillow next to him that Kiara would be back later as she had some things that she needed to take care of and wouldn't be too long. Bill quickly dressed himself in his usual attire as he exited his room and headed down to his office.

Once inside he headed straight to his drinks cabinet and poured himself some Aristocrat royal blend, sipping it slowly. One of the fine gifts that he had received from Kiara that her company was providing to VIP clientele. As he settled himself into his chair behind his desk, he was abruptly interrupted by a guard that was standing guard for Jessica.

"What?" he said without looking to the guard.

"Your Majesty, a Mr Quinn is awaiting your instructions" he replied.

"Send him in" Bill instructed.

The guard bowed in acknowledgement as he headed to where the Tiger was; in the suite of his progeny.

All Bill had to do now was wait.

Quinn had to suppress the chuckle at the nervousness of the guard that came to get him. He was escorted down the hall with four extra guards around him, carefully searched, then led to an open door. He could smell Compton's scent inside but had no way to plan for how things might go. He was very glad he had put his contacts back in, just in case. He took a deep breath and stepped inside the room. The nervous guards practically slammed the door shut behind him, which made him smirk a little before returning to the seriousness this meeting required. He looked to Compton and spoke before sitting...

"William, my intent, as your guards most likely told you, was simply to check in on Jessica and depart. As I prepared to leave, she stated that she was not going to stay if I left. We both know all she would have done is glamour her guards and left on her own. Left with two difficult options, I chose the one that would keep her safe. I even took steps to make sure your home remained secure by having them lock us down. Your guard can verify that I slept in the chair across the room from her. I remained only to keep her safe, as the note I had the guards post stated. You were not in attendance or I would have asked permission before taking that step."

He took a breath and moved further into the room, taking a seat across from Compton.

Bill did not bother to stand from his chair as he normally would greeting a guest in his home as he did not have a particular liking to the Tiger as he continued to sip graciously as he noted that the pungent smell that normally circulated him in a thick mist as he listened to the Tiger's well prepared speech. Bill finished his glass of royal blend as he stood and headed back towards his drinks cabinet and poured himself another glass of blood, and also poured a seperate glass of iced tea with ice and placed it on the table next to the Tiger as he sat back in his own chair.

"My presence here had been changed as Kiara and I made arrangements to celebrate new changes in our relationship" he said casually sipping on his blood "And as for my return home, i find a note to state that you spent the night in my home without my approval. Which i was very displeased about when we formed an agreement about what was best for my progeny Quinn".

Bill leaned back in his chair and pursed his lips as he thought about his next move; "Although there are reasons behind my motives for keeping Jessica under locked control, reasons that i do not wish to explain. But this will not happen again, under any circumstances. Do I make myself clear?" he said, the words rolling off his tongue.

"Although there are reasons behind my motives for keeping Jessica under locked control, reasons that i do not wish to explain. But this will not happen again, under any circumstances. Do I make myself clear?"

Quinn smiled as Bill spoke...just as he had anticipated....He thought for a moment before answering...

"William, It happening the first time was not my intention. Would you rather I left and left her wandering around unguarded when she made her exit? You seem to forget you are not the only one concerned for her welfare. You also forget that I did you a service, one that was not without personal loss. I would have relished bleeding the little bastard Stackhouse dry slowly over a few weeks before killing him but my people found him and you had requested that he be brought to you alive. A request that I, as you know, fulfilled in exactness. I understand your frustration but with the circumstances as they were, I had to make a call."

He watched Compton's body language and timed his next words just as Compton was about to speak...

"On a happier note, congratulation on the pleasant news of the advancing of your relationship with Kiara. I am of course happy for both of you. The depth of your feelings for each other are close to legendary in some circles..."

Bill listened to the Tiger's words as he considered his own next move; he found it curious that he could not smell the heavy, pungent scent that would normally disgust him. He sipped slowly on his glass of blood and slid the empty glass onto his desk.

"While i do appreciate that you took my progeny's safety and well being first, that i cannot deny. I will be honest with you John, without sticking to the usual grievances. I do not like you, nor will I ever like you. But whilst you taking Jessica's safety into hand. That i do like you for" Bill finished, and leaned forward in his chair.

"On a happier note, congratulation on the pleasant news of the advancing of your relationship with Kiara. I am of course happy for both of you. The depth of your feelings for each other are close to legendary in some circles..."

Bill smirked a little as the Tiger's last comment about his and Kiara's relationship.

"I assume Jessica told you of our engagement. The news has not been made public knowledge yet, as i have yet to go through the appropriate channels" he finished.

"I assume Jessica told you of our engagement. The news has not been made public knowledge yet, as i have yet to go through the appropriate channels"

Quinn smirked...

"No, William...you just told me yourself. As it is not public, Jessica said nothing. As for the other matter, yes I agree it will not happen again and let us leave it at that. We have more pressing issues to discuss, of varied topic....wouldn't you agree?"

"No, William...you just told me yourself. As it is not public, Jessica said nothing. As for the other matter, yes I agree it will not happen again and let us leave it at that. We have more pressing issues to discuss, of varied topic....wouldn't you agree?"

Bill nodded, that was true, there was matters that needed to be discussed, those pertaining to Jason Stackhouse.

"The boy is under my care for the moment. I received him on my doorstep as requested, which i appreciate but i must say i would appreciate more discretion in serious matters. Mrs Stackhouse's brother is well known around this town. And as much as I would love to see him no longer on the radar, it is not possible. And with the were community now in the open. The Vampire community is not best pleased about the whole situation, but we knew it was only a matter of time before they revealed themselves" he finished.

"The boy is under my care for the moment. I received him on my doorstep as requested, which i appreciate but i must say i would appreciate more discretion in serious matters. Mrs Stackhouse's brother is well known around this town. And as much as I would love to see him no longer on the radar, it is not possible. And with the were community now in the open. The Vampire community is not best pleased about the whole situation, but we knew it was only a matter of time before they revealed themselves"

Quinn nodded in agreement...

"Sadly, some of those who do not understand the treaties and accords of the past are behaving like pups often do, with rashness and lack of thought. Most who have the sense are simple staying quiet and shaking their heads. but this is not the topic I was going to bring up. I have two..."

He took a breath and looked directly at Compton...

"I have a plan for the location that Stackhouse purchased his supplies at. Rather than raze it to the ground, why not obtain their source and begin funneling counterfeit good to them. Liquid silver replaced with some harmless elixir, ammunition and crossbows designed to self destruct upon use, etc. After all, a know enemy is always better than a hidden one. I am of course open to your thoughts on this as it falls under your purview but it seems a good choice...after I hear your thoughts on this topic, I will bring up the other...."

"I have a plan for the location that Stackhouse purchased his supplies at. Rather than raze it to the ground, why not obtain their source and begin funneling counterfeit good to them. Liquid silver replaced with some harmless elixir, ammunition and crossbows designed to self destruct upon use, etc. After all, a know enemy is always better than a hidden one"

Bill nodded in agreement about the facility in where Jason Stackhouse purchased his weapons of choice.

"I concur, although I would like to keep a close view on whom is purchasing these weapons against vampires in my area. I shall be having a security detail dispatched immediately. Of course I assume you shall be keeping tabs on the facility yourself to satisfy your own curiosity which i do not object to. But anything re-guarding my progeny's welfare, i will share with you willingly *he paused* I know that you care for my progeny and will work with me on keeping her safe John" he said in a serious tone

"I know that you care for my progeny and will work with me on keeping her safe John"

Quinn nodded and smiled.

"I care for her more than you could understand, William. This actually opens the next topic I wished to bring up. You said that anything regarding Jessica's welfare, you would share with me, so I will be direct...what is the real story? Why are you keeping her caged? There has to be more to it than Stackhouse."

Bill pondered the Tiger's last statement about why he was keeping Jessica 'locked' up in his home. Although he and the Tiger had come to an understanding, but he did not trust the Tiger fully and he would assume that the feeling was mutual.

"As the King of Louisiana, I do not need to tell you anything John. But as it for Jessica's safety. There is an enemy from my past that has made itself public to me and is aware of Jessica's existence. I do not wish to put Jessica in the firing line as the humans put it. The Stackhouse boy was merely another reason to do what i am doing. But other than that, i shall not explain no further. And i appreciate that what i have told you goes no further than between us. I do not wish for any more concerns to be placed onto Kiara" he said, hiding a heavy sigh.

He stood from his chair and proceeded to pour himself another glass of blood, trying a new flavor that Kiara had acquired for him.

"As the King of Louisiana, I do not need to tell you anything John. But as it for Jessica's safety. There is an enemy from my past that has made itself public to me and is aware of Jessica's existence. I do not wish to put Jessica in the firing line as the humans put it. The Stackhouse boy was merely another reason to do what i am doing. But other than that, i shall not explain no further. And i appreciate that what i have told you goes no further than between us. I do not wish for any more concerns to be placed onto Kiara"

Quinn smiled to himself....whoever this was had him flustered...the timing was perfect...

"I thought you knew. Our conversations in private stay that way. I do not even tell Jessica what we speak of except for when we brokered our peace. I have only one last thing to say and I would appreciate if I can finish before you respond."

He waited until Compton sat back down...

"We know each other's pasts and have both agreed to leave them there. I, however, am going to bring one item from the time of your human years up into play. I am going to give you no double talk and no quick tricks of phrase. I love Jessica, and I know she feels the same about me. You may not like it, but through her we are connected. As I know the time you are from had certain customs, I am trying to follow proper protocol."

He took a deep breath...

"I love Jessica and I intend, when things are calmer, to make her my wife. I would ask your blessing in this. I know we do not see eye to eye on everything but through the love we both have for her, we have brokered a peace. Allow that love to further bridge the gap by giving your blessing and consent to me in this..."

"I love Jessica, and I know she feels the same about me. You may not like it, but through her we are connected. As I know the time you are from had certain customs, I am trying to follow proper protocol"

Bill was sat firmly in his chair as he heard the Tigers words, 'certain customs', 'proper protocol'.

"I love Jessica and I intend, when things are calmer, to make her my wife. I would ask your blessing in this. I know we do not see eye to eye on everything but through the love we both have for her, we have brokered a peace. Allow that love to further bridge the gap by giving your blessing and consent to me in this..."

Bill remained in his seat, his face not displaying anything for the Tiger to see. Keeping a straight face as he pondered John's words in his head. He remained silent for a few moments longer, before straightening himself.

"I will give it to you John, you have some serious guts asking this of me. Jessica is my only progeny *he lied* And she is all that i have of my bloodline *he lied again* As I am her Maker and Lorena was mine and so forth. Although we do live in times that no man would ask for their daughters hand in marriage. But i am curious, why do you ask for my blessing? he asked curiously.

"I will give it to you John, you have some serious guts asking this of me. Jessica is my only progeny And she is all that i have of my bloodline. As I am her Maker and Lorena was mine and so forth. Although we do live in times that no man would ask for their daughters hand in marriage. But i am curious, why do you ask for my blessing?

Quinn looked at him directly and spoke slowly and clearly.

"I respect you, William. For all intents, she is your daughter and as such, your blessing means a lot to both of us. I appreciate your blessing and will not disappoint you. Perhaps this is start of a new beginning. I know it will not seem like much to a vampire with your resources, but I would like to offer the EEE's services for the catering when you have your wedding. My treat..."

Quinn smiled as he waited to Compton's response...

"I know it will not seem like much to a vampire with your resources, but I would like to offer the EEE's services for the catering when you have your wedding. My treat..."

Bill considered the Tiger's proposition about the catering, with this offer it would mean that the Tiger would be working along with Kiara and would also mean that his presence would increase around him home.

"Alright John, you have my blessing to marry my Progeny. Under one condition, if you choose to accept it. Then you have free reign on what you and Jessica do to affirm your relationship" he said, wondering what the Tiger would say.

"Alright John, you have my blessing to marry my Progeny. Under one condition, if you choose to accept it. Then you have free reign on what you and Jessica do to affirm your relationship"

Quinn kept smiling, but though carefully before answering....Compton was up to something...

"...and that condition would be?"

"...and that condition would be?"

Bill had thought this through thoroughly, and he knew that it would be the best solution for all those involved.

"As you stated in your note, if you had left after your visit with Jessica. She would have escaped to find you. And i do not wish to reveal any details of my major concern over Jessica's safety as it is my problem to resolve. But...i wish for Jessica to remain under my roof until that problem has been eradicated, so for that to happen Jessica is going to require some company during the evening when I am not available. So on that note, you are free to...free to stay with her until Jessica is no longer a target" he paused for a moment, the Tiger was going to make him say it "Jessica clearly loves you, although i may not be your biggest fan...If you can keep out of Kiara and I and do not disrupt our routines. Then you are free to temporarily move into Jessica's suite. Temporarily" he finished.

"As you stated in your note, if you had left after your visit with Jessica. She would have escaped to find you. And i do not wish to reveal any details of my major concern over Jessica's safety as it is my problem to resolve. But...i wish for Jessica to remain under my roof until that problem has been eradicated, so for that to happen Jessica is going to require some company during the evening when I am not available. So on that note, you are free to...free to stay with her until Jessica is no longer a target. Jessica clearly loves you, although i may not be your biggest fan...If you can keep out of Kiara and I and do not disrupt our routines. Then you are free to temporarily move into Jessica's suite. Temporarily"

Quinn was speechless for a few moments...did Bill just say...he did...

"Agreed, and thank you. Since that is resolved, I guess I should leave you to the evening's business."

Bill waved a hand absentmindedly dismissing him...

Quinn started to say something else, but kept quiet and headed back to Jessica's suites...she had to hear the bargain her Maker just handed them...one thing was for certain...He was scared of whatever that problem from the past was. As he walked down the hall, he made a mental checklist of the items he would need Vincent to bring the the guard station.