my gaze landed on something sticking out from under the bookshelf , and i realized it was the velvet stand that the box had been sitting on . `` trouble tends to stir the pot and bring what is hidden to the surface . '' i once thought she could be a companion , almost an equal . he seemed to take pains to make that as offensive as possible . if jazz comes home , she doesnt want to be alone . the five vampires looked at him with some disbelief , not quite sure whether to take him seriously . 