Life was beginning to look up for the witch from New York. In less than a month of being in Miami, not only had Abby found a great job here with Scat, but she had also begun to start her life over again, the memories fading more and more with every passing day. She had to admit though, she felt a strangeness in the air, a pulsing power that she couldn't really explain. But, she was doing her damnedest not to think too much about it.

Instead, Abby was singing almost every night, with a great band to back her up. Scat, even with Abby protesting every step of the way, was finding way to sneak more money in her tip jar since she wouldn't let him pay her an actual salary. She had to admit he was one crafty old man. He was up to just that, sneaking money into her tip jar right in that moment, as she looked down at him from the stage with a playful glare. With a shake of her head, she belted out the chorus to Feelin' Good, another Nina Simone favorite of hers.

Damn, she loved this job.

After a few moments of bargaining Emma finally had gotten permission to host her own dinner party for the local leaders of the city of Miami. Everything was in order from the colors of the night to type of food that would be served. The night of the dinner all attending guests would arrive and talk among themselves for a few moments; dinner will be prepared, dancing arranged, and local entertainment provided. It would seem everything had been taken care of except the latter of the events. Emma had been searching the entire city for some type of entertainment that would fit her dinner, but she could find nothing. A few of her servants and guards have given their in put on which would be suitable, however, it didn't suit the dinner.

It had been almost a week of searching with no entertainment and Emma had resorted to going to every club in the city of Miami to find someone. Then after stumbling upon a local blues club in the district Emma found a remarkable young woman with a very appealing voice. After listening to a few of her song on different nights to make sure that she would be a good investment to the dinner, Emma asked a man called Scat the singers name. Abby Ross. Yes, she would most differently do for the dinner.

So, tonight was the night Emma would approach her and give her the proposal of singing for a good fee for the dinner. If the young singer refused then Emma would once again be out of luck. Shit. Here was hoping that she would just agree to preform and they all could sleep easier tonight. Giving a softly sigh Emma walked into the local club dressed in a pin striped pant suet with a black corset top to go under the matching jacket. Brushing back her loose curly hair she smiled over at the man she had seen last time, Scat. She would need to talk to him about when the singer would be down for a break so she could talk business with her.

“Come on, Benny lets get a table.” Emma said to her escort. No, he wasn't a male escort for sex. Benny had been picked by Gerard, Emma's provider, to be her own personal bodyguard and he looked it. How to explain to someone that a six foot built ex-cop weretiger is your bodyguard? Simple, you don't. Emma told everyone that he was an old friend she was showing around town. Most of the time people just agreed with the lie and didn't pay to much attention to Benny, and if they did Emma would simply tell them he was gay. It usually got most of the girls off of him.

Once finding a table in the back Emma sat down and ordered a drink and like a good little bodyguard Benny was behind her keeping watch. It would be a few moments until the meeting would take place, so Emma just listened to the girl sing beautifully.

Finishing her set, Abby gave a smile to the growing crowd, taking a small bow before gesturing back to the band. Her heart pounding, Abby grinned at the piano player before leaving the stage and heading over to the bar. Scat beamed at her, handing her a bottle of water before she could even ask for it. "Outstanding, as usual darlin'" he said with a grin, giving her shoulder a squeeze.

"Why thank you, Scat," she replied, opening the bottle and taking a long sip, letting the cool water make its way down her throat. Taking a seat at the bar, Abby set her bottle down and stretched her arms high above her head. As she relaxed, Sct gestured to a table with a nod. "That young thing I was telling you about is here, with the muscle who brought her the last time. Watch it with that one. She looks like she could lead to trouble."

Abby nodded her reply, even as she played it off with a grin. She was a witch from New York, she knew better than to let her guard down. If things felt off, she'd say no and the little debutante could find someone else to sing at her party. "Thanks Scat. Have mickey keep an eye on the table just in case. "

"Now, Abby, you should no better than even having to tell me that. I would have done that any ways." The old man had a twinkle in his eyes as a shaky hand picked up a small walkie talkie from underneath the bar. Taking her bottle with her, Abby stood and weaved her way through the tables to wear the odd matched pair were sitting. "Ms. McClain, I take it? Hi, I'm Abby Ross.," she said with a professional smile, extending her hand.

Once the young woman finished her song Emma watched as she moved over to the bar. Hopefully Mr. Scat would inform her that she had been requested to hold a meeting with Emma. Then a few moments of watching her talk with the other gentlemen at the bar, Emma saw Ms. Ross move in her direction. After putting on her professional face Emma smiled up at the other woman, this should run smoothly. Hopefully.

Though no matter what, it had to be done tonight if there was going to be any business between the young women. If there everything went south then Emma wouldn't use force on the poor woman, just because everyone thought she was spoiled little princess didn't make her so. No, she would respect Ms. Ross's choice and take her leave for another club. However, that didn't mean Emma wouldn't give it her all in order for the singer to preform at her dinner, oh yes there would be money and anything else that would perhaps pros wade the woman to come.

"Ms. McClain, I take it? Hi, I'm Abby Ross."

“Yes, I am Ms. McClain. It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance Ms. Ross,” Emma stood from her set and shook the other woman's hand. “I have heard very positive things about you and now that I've seen your show a few times I do believe what the people are saying about you. Please take a set so we can become more acquainted. May I assume that you have already been informed as to why I am here?” Emma gestured to the chair that was sitting across form her. If they were going to have a long talk

Abby took the offered hand, giving it a gentle shake before letting it go. "My pleasure entirely, Ms. McClain," she said, her professional smile never faltering. She nodded, taking the offered chair and settling herself with her legs crossed, leaving ehr bottle of water in her hands as they settled in her lap. It was time for business, something she was definitely used to, though before it was usually about menus or working out a deal with growers rather than her voice.

Abby nodded once more as the young woman continued. "Yes, I know why you are here. And, I must say thank you for your wonderful compliments. I must say though, I am not entirely sure that I want to work a private party." Especially not one at some big vamp house on the outskirts of town," ahe added, even if only in the confines of her mind. It's not that Abby had a problem with vampires. Hell, she had been close friends with the temoin before she left New York. But, if being friends with that vampire had taught her anything, it was to be wary of vampires that prefer to keep to their mystique.

Taking a sip from her bottle of water, Abby regarded the young woman across from her as she placed her bottle back in her lap. She idly wondered what one so young would be doing in a house like that, and why exactly she would need some big and buff lycan to show her around. Couldn't be a boyfriend, there wasn't any of those small intimate signs between them to make that believable. If this was going to be a negotiation, they were going to be here a while.

Emma had a smile upon her face for the first ten minutes of the conversation but when the young woman told her that she was not interested in the party it quickly vanished into an empty look. This wasn't going to an easy night. Shit. Emma looked over at the young woman and tried to force out a smile, but she had hoped that this went very simple and fast. It was easy, say yes, sign the papers, take the money. See, easy. But, Emma had a feeling that this was going to be a dreaded night.

"Come now Ms. Ross surely we can come to some arrangement. Do you not enjoy singing for a crowd? And I do enjoy listening to you sing with such a pretty voice. I just had hoped that you would allow me the pleasure of sharing this pleasure with a few of my friends and acquaintances. I know that they would enjoy your company as well as you talents for the evening. Please, do reconsidered my offer. I would hate for you to pass this up," Emma said in a smooth calming voice. She had learned at an early age to use her voice in order to approach certain people. If she wanted to get what she wanted, she had to be good. Right now, Ms. Ross was who she wanted.

Placing a hand on the table so that it would seem that she was trying to appeal to her more feminine side, Emma smiled sweetly at her. She would try every trick in the book in order to get this girl, and if she still said no. Well, here was hoping that it didn't happen.