This is a Canna fanfic written by Nimue. I am merely translating it using a couple of online translators. If you notice any translation mistakes, please let me know so I can fix them.

Many, many thanks to Martina5 for typing the story!



The Portrait
By Nimue

Chapter 1


Carla, the young countess of Lahnstein, had returned to Dusseldorf after spending several years in Paris. The city had changed, with new restaurants, cafes and bars opening their doors.

Carla strolled through the city with her art portfolio tucked securely under her arm. She stopped outside a cafe called No Limits, knowing she had a little time for breakfast before she had to call the auction house. Walking into the cafe, she found a table and began to read the newspaper.

Hanna Novak, a waitress and the cafe owner, approached her table a short while later. "What can I get you?"

"The small breakfast, please," Carla replied without looking up from her paper.

"Gladly," Hanna said and disappeared again behind the counter.

A short time later she returned with tray in hand to the table. When she tried to place it on the the table, she was pushed from behind by a guest. The trays contents rattled and crashed. Orange juice, coffee, jam and bread flew toward Carla. Carla looked up angrily and started to speak. "Can you not...," she began, but the sight of Hanna left her speechless. She had never seen such a beautiful woman. Hanna was very embarrassed. "Excuse me, today is not my day," she said.

Carla's anger had completely disappeared. "It's ok. Could you possibly lend me some clothes? I have a business meeting in half an hour, and would not make a good impression looking like this." Hanna thought about it for a moment. She did not know this woman, but for some reason she felt sympathetic towards her. "My apartment is here above the cafe, and we can there shortly. I might have a dress I can lend you."

"Certainly," Carla said, dabbing her art portfolio dry with a napkin. On the way up, she looked at the contents to see if they had gotten damaged. Hanna noticed this with dismay. " Oh, no, are those documents for your buusiness meeting?" She unlocked the door. Carla grinned, thinking Hanna was sweet. "No worries, they're just my drawings."

Hanna was impressed. "You draw?" The two entered the apartment. "Well, I try," Carla said modestly. Hanna was now curious and asked to see them. Carla felt a bit uncomfortable because the portfolio contained numerous female nudes. She didn't want to expose herself like that yet. Hanna sensed her unease and apologized. "Sorry, first I attack you with our small breakfast and now I'm invading your privacy."

Carla had to smile again. "It's ok." With these words, she handed her portfolio to Hanna, who flipped through the drawings with growing interest.

WOW! What a great idea to translate the story for us!!! Thank you supercell !

And of course many thanks to Nimue and to Martina5!!!

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Part 2

Hanna's face showed her enthusiasm.
"Wow. They are so beautiful. Would you draw consider drawing me?'" bubbled out of her. Hanna suprised herself by asking that.

Carla was a little embarrassed about it and ran her hand through her curls.
"I now have to apologize again. Here I'm committing yet another faux pas, and I haven't even introduced myself. I'm Hanna Novak."
She stretched out her hand to Carla.

"Carla,"said Carla. She decided to keep her last name to herself for now.

Hanna took Carla to the living room.
"Come on. We'll see what I can lend you."
They moved into her bedroom.
(That was fast) thought Carla.
Hanna rummaged in the closet for something suitable.
Finally she found it.
"How's this?"
"Perfect," said Carla. She would have said yes to just about anything for this enchanting woman. Hanna left Carla alone so she could get changed.

In the meantime, Hanna tried to remove the stains from Carla's jacket. Carla came back into the living room and cleared her throat.
Hannah looked at her and she was almost breathless.
Carla looked fantastic.
"You ......
I mean ....
look great.
That dress was made with you in mind."
Carla was visibly surprised about this compliment.
She wanted to leave but said nothing.
"I think that's the perfect choice," said Hanna.
Carla agreed with her.
"I think your jacket is gonna have to be dry-cleaned. At my expense, of course."
Carla shook her head.
"No need."
Carla took her portfolio from the table, and Hanna recalled the drawings.
"Hey, I wasn't joking.
I mean ...
I would like to let you draw me."
Carla grinned broadly.
She rummaged in her bag and held out her business card to Hanna.
"Call me and we will arrange an appointment.
Also, I'll need to see you to return your dress."
Hanna shook her head.
"There's no hurry, that dress suits you better than me anyway."
Carla looked at her, perplexed.
Okay, so ... bye until then. Carla left quickly before Hanna could see that her ears were pink. She was used to hiding her feelings, but she wasn't totally successful around this Hanna.

Carla had also left a lasting impression on Hanna.
She felt somehow that this meeting had to be something special.
She was standing deep in thought in the living room when suddenly her friend Isabell rushed into the apartment.

So far so good! I love the beginning. Especially on a love story like this one. I am looking forward to more. Thank you for translating.

When I agreed to translate the story, I thought it was only 50 chapters. After hearing that there are actually 100, I think I could use a little help. Please pm me if you think you could assist, even if it's only with a few chapters. Every little bit helps!

Chapter 3

"Hanna, where have you been?"
Hanna was still deep in thought and heard Isabell from a distance.
"Hanna?
Are you okay?"
Isabell's voice was a bit worried now
Hanna finally focused on Isabell.
"Well ...
I was just in thought.
I'm a little puzzled about what just happened,
but I'll tell you another time."

The next day, Carla was sitting in her office at the auction house, lost in a daydream.
She had spent a restless night, tossing and turning.
"Hanna, I can't get you out of my head."
Until now, she had not believed in love at first sight, but Hanna was quickly changing her view.
The phone rang, interrupting Carla's daydream.
"Carla von Lahnstein," she answered.
" Hi Carla ....
This is Hanna."
Carla's heart began to pound. She tried to keep the excitement out of her voice.
"Sorry.
Who is it please?"
Hanna told her the whole story with the breakfast incident and so on.
"Oh sorry. It's you. How are you?"
"Very well,: Hanna replied. "
"I just wanted to ask, when would you have the time to draw me?"

" How about this afternoon?"
Carla actually had an appointment but she wanted to see Hanna as soon as possible.
C-"Yes, That would work."
H-"Then, about three in my apartment?"
C-"Yes bye until then."

Chapter 4

Carla put the handset down happily. She could hardly wait. Her happiness was only overshadowed by one thought.
What if Hanna was heterosexual or maybe even married?

It was now nearly three o'clock. Hanna walked nervously in her apartment. Why was she so nervous? Carla was a woman
and she doesn't feel attracted to women. She was glad her friend Lars was currently on a long business trip. She wanted
to give the portrait to Lars for his birthday, but actually she called Carla, because she definitely wanted to see her again.
What the hell was going on with her? Her thoughts were interrupted by the harsh ringing of the doorbell. It was Carla.
"Hi. Come in"
They shook hands in greeting.
"How do we handle this?" Hanna said, trying to hide her excitement.
Carla started the offence and pulled out a silk cloth.
"Well ... I already have something in mind. On the couch with your back to me and look over your shoulder at me"
She handed the silk cloth to Hanna.
"And what do I do with this silk cloth?"
Carla could hardly suppress a grin.
"I thought you might not like it to be completely naked."
Hanna gulped.
"Naked!" she almost screamed.
Carla now had to suppress a smile.
"Is that a problem for you?"
Hanna was overwhelmed with the situation.
"No, no. No problem," she muttered.
Carla turned her away from and began to build up her easel. She could not resist an occasional glance in the direction of Hanna.

Hanna sat on the bench according the instructions, however, she had wrapped the silk cloth as a blanket around her naked body to
protect it. Carla walked over to her. Hanna's heart was in her throat. She feared that Carla would hear the loud pounding of her heart.
"Wait"
Very carefully Carla pulled the silk cloth from Hanna's upper body until her torso was free and the cloth only covered Hannah butt.
She walked quickly back to the easel and began to draw.
Her hands were shaking and this time she got control them. The time went very slowly and there was an almost unbearable tension
in the air. Carla then suddenly put down the pencil and walked back to Hanna. With a scratchy voice, she said.
"Your hair should be out off your face"
She touched Hanna's hair gently. The touch hit Hanna like lightning. Hanna sat petrified.
Carla felt the same. It was now all about her.
"Do you even know how beautiful you are?" she whispered to Hanna.
Carla was in a trance and was unaware that she had just said that.
Only when she looked at Hanna's surprised face, she realized that in a cruel manner. Carla was just getting up when Hanna grabbed
her hand. Carla's face was now only a few inches away from Hanna's face.
Their lips would touch at any time.

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Our live begins to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Martin Luther King