<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ff99">Val listened closely, jotting notes down in his little notebook in a makeshift code that was part common, part his native language, part shorthand and part encryption.  He made a note to find out if Alex had arrested the John... because that could give him another witness, or at least someone to corroborate Siv's story.  <br/>
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He paused, his pen poised above the notebook.  "I don't really <i>want</i> all the details," Val said dryly, "but I kind of think I need them."  He reached across the table and brushed his hand over Siv's.  "I know it isn't easy to talk about -- what happened.  I want you to know I'm very grateful for any assistance you can provide, and I promise that I'm going to do everything I can to keep you safe and happy."  His tone had dropped into a soft, reassuring rumble -- not quite a purr, but nearly.  It was an aspect of being an Alpha that Val relied on, this ability to project reassurance.  He knew plenty of alphas that used only the projection of intimidation, but Val had always gotten better results with this.  "I promise too that nothing you tell me about what happened or how he treated you is going to make me change my mind about helping you.  Alright?"</span></span>