Post by catrin on May 24, 2012 21:52:16 GMT -8
[Note: I'm sooooooooooo sorry I didn't answer this for so long! I really do want to finish it still, if you're up for it!]
"Beautiful, but not me... There isn't any hidden strength. Without Marc- well I mean Jake... I would be God only knows where, sold so some... Someone who wanted - They are beautiful. But I do not have strength..."
Melissa's response made Franco shake his head, a small smile crossing his lips. He gave her a few moments before he removed his own gloves and reached out to lightly place his hands on her shoulders in what he hoped would be a comforting gesture.
"Never, never tell yourself that, dear," he told her solemnly, his blue eyes oddly bleak as he considered the times in his own life he had said similar things... just before he'd met his wife, for instance. "It's simply not the truth... you're here, aren't you?"
He gave her a small smile, hoping to hide the fact that his emotions were rising. He was an empathetic man when it came to cases like this, but he didn't want to scare the poor little thing.
"I can tell you were a slave, Melissa... I've seen enough people who've escaped that life-style to see the signs. And I want you to know right now that I, for one, am tremendously proud of you for escaping that life. Well done, luv... well done." He gave her a light shake -- more of a squeeze that swayed -- before releasing her and turning back to the table.
"Now, about this-" But he was cut off by the sound of his shop door opening. A small frown crossed his face -- usually people called when they entered, but this person had not -- and he was on the verge of going to see who it was when the person entered. In an instant he was grinning broadly, every fiber of his being alight with obvious pleasure as he hurried to wrap his arms about the beautiful woman who had just walked in.
"Sylvanna! Hello, dearest..." He kissed his flawless Veela wife enthusiastically, not embarrassed in the slightest over the presence of Melissa; his wife responded in kind, stretching up to reach his mouth despite the fact that Franco bent himself down and the fact that she herself was quite tall for a woman.
"Hallo, Franco," she answered in her strong accent that sounded vaguely Eastern European, a smile lighting her lovely features. She was reaching up to kiss him again when she noticed Melissa; Franco's hands tightened on his wife's hips when the jealous Veela's eyes narrowed for an instant, but he relaxed once more when she saw the wand ingredients beside the girl and smiled, understanding.
"Melissa, meet my wife... Sylvanna," Franco told his customer and newest companion gravely, though an amused light danced in his eyes, "Syl, this is Melissa... she's here for a new wand, we were just going over ingredients." Sylvanna released him to move in front of Melissa, sizing the girl up in a single glance.
"Eet ees an honor," Syl murmured; Franco knew his wife preferred not to speak to others besides him, and he glowed with pride that she was opening up to speak with Melissa... who really was a very nice girl, he thought. He couldn't help giggling aloud and helplessly, though, when Syl greeted Melissa as she did everyone: a kiss on both cheeks.
"Ehehehe... forgot to warn you, luv... hope you're not too surprised." He gathered his wife back into his arms, marveling as he did every time he did so that he had found such a woman... the only woman he had ever felt serious attraction to.
Sylvanna (and Franco)