Peter sat quietly as this dinner of five began. Klaus was at the head of the table, and seated on one side were Elijah and Rebekah while Marcel and Peter himself sat on the other. At first, no one said a word. 

 Though he kept his head bent down to make it look as if he were concentrating on his dish, Peter glanced around at everyone. Across from him, Elijah seemed to be doing the same thing he was: concentrating on his meal while occasionally glancing round to see if someone else was going to say something. Their eyes met briefly, and Peter quickly looked away. 

 Rebekah and Marcel were equally silent. Peter noticed the glances being passed between them. There was clearly something there, something he probably wasn't supposed to have noticed. Whatever it was, did Klaus know about it? 

 Peter finally looked over at Klaus, who was staring straight at him. Peter looked around the rest of the table to make sure Klaus was definitely looking at him. It seemed he was, because he was smiling when Peter looked at him again. Did he know he had been observing everyone else at the dinner table? 

 "Come now, everyone," Klaus said cheerfully. "Surely we're not going to make dinner such a silent occasion. Doesn't anyone have anything they'd like to share? Peter." He locked eyes with his guest again. "You're fairly new. You should tell everyone a little about yourself." 

 "Oh." Peter tried to sit up a little straighter. All four pairs of eyes were suddenly on him, apparently expecting him to say something. "Well, you all know my name is Peter Stone. I came here from England this past autumn. Um...well, I really do like New Orleans, the French Quarter especially." 

 "Did you have any friends back in England?" Elijah asked. "Anyone who might want to come visit you here?" 

 "No," Peter answered after a short pause. "No, I'm afraid there isn't anyone." 

 "And how long do you think you'll be staying in New Orleans?" Rebekah asked, giving him a cold look. 

 "I don't know. I have no plans to go anywhere else in the near future, unless something changes. I imagine I will be here for a while." 

 Peter hoped that would be enough. He saw that Klaus was still looking at him, but his smile from earlier was gone. 

 "Excuse me," Rebekah suddenly said. She abruptly stood and walked out of the room. 

 "I'll see what it is." Elijah also got up and walked away. 

 Klaus sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Well, gentlemen, this hasn't been going too well." 

 "Maybe I should be going, too," said Marcel, "If there are no objections." He stood up. "Goodnight, Klaus, Mr. Stone." 

 After Marcel left the room, it was only Klaus and Peter left. 

 "Well, Peter," Klaus got up and sat down in the chair next to him, "What did you make of everyone tonight? I saw you observing everyone at the table. Tell me your thoughts." 

 "Oh. Well, um..." He looked across the table. "Elijah looked like he was trying to concentrate on his dish, but he was looking around to see if anyone else might start a conversation. He looked like he might have wanted to say something, but didn't know what to say." 

 Klaus nodded. "I see. Elijah is always trying to keep the peace between everyone. What about Rebekah and Marcel? You must noticed those looks between them, too." 

 "I did. I got of the feeling of...something romantic. Do you know if..." 

 "I do. There was something romantic between Marcel and my sister once. But I have that under control." Klaus waved a hand in dismissal. "Interesting observations, Peter. Why don't you go home for tonight? But if you can, I would like you to come tomorrow morning." 

 Peter nodded. "Yes, I can. I know the way out. Goodnight, Klaus." 

 As Peter was leaving, he heard Elijah's voice say, "Mr. Stone." 

 Peter stopped and waited as Elijah came up to him and said, "I'm sorry that the evening didn't seem to go as my brother planned. I hope this won't keep you from visiting another time." 

 "Oh, no, of course not," he replied. "I will be back soon." 

 Elijah nodded. "Very well. I suppose I will see you soon, then. Goodnight." 

 "Goodnight," Peter returned before leaving. 

 Whatever Klaus wanted Peter to come see him for in the morning, it wouldn't seem so bad if Elijah would be there.