<strong>Marco Xantelli- Partial Tour of the Manor</strong><br/><br/>"Melody," he said softly.<br/><br/>There was a gentle stroke of her cheek if she would not back away further because it wasn't something he would force. The clock might have been a trick of her mind, Marco did not have a taste for the 'living furniture' that filled the brothel and some of the rooms in the manor. He preferred his finer things in life to be actual things.<br/><br/>"That is a lovely name, I had a daughter named Melody who was very soft, very gentle, and quite precious to me. She had no peer, no rival in grace, no competition in elegance. There was not a violent bone in her body, and yet," as he spoke his fists were slowly clenching, and then they released, "but I digress. It is the way of the world to hate what one does not understand. You have questions, and I have answers, but I'll answer them on my time and not on yours. Follow me."<br/><br/>He would lead her to the grand lobby, where their shoes would tap at the polished marble floor as they walked under the diamond studded chandelier.<br/><br/>"We'll be having dinner together in the main dining hall, sometimes my family is kind enough to grace me with their presence but I never count on it. To be frank with you, to many of them at once wears on my nerves rather quickly. I'm sure you'd love to meet my wife and you may later, but she never comes home these days, I rarely see the old bat. When you do see her, treat her with proper respect, I assure you it is in your best interest to do so."<br/><br/>He reached for her hand to escort her to the main dining hall. There, a full feast would be spread out before them almost buffet style in its proportions. All of the finest dishes, wines, and platters that could be served. There were three different plates of hot sliced meats, there were tenderloin steaks, there were porter house. There were platters with sliced cold meats and cheeses set upon bowls of ice. There were trays of vegetables and bowls of luxuriant soups that filled the hall with their aroma. Not to forget the butter and the fresh rolls.<br/><br/>Marco pulled out a seat for her as if she was royalty. He would take her hand as she sat down and give it a tender kiss before sitting at the head of the long table with her at his right side. Two servants entered the room and Marco casually stated what he wanted and looked at her to do the same. So far, no one else had arrived but Marco felt their would be company.