The Perk, Tuesday Afternoon

[glacial_queen]

For once, Karla wasn't making tragic faces at all the coffee on display that she was (mostly) not allowed to have. It was fall on the island, which meant caramel apple cider. Her mug was two-thirds cider, the remaining third was the Perk's delicious whipped cream which extended into a high, unsteady mound in the air. Just looking at it made her

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[never_dull]

Hannibal had already known about the "lump", but he wasn't going to miss a chance to visit, no matter what the excuse.

"Karla, Warren." He gave them both a smile and held out a hand to Warren to shake. "How have you been?"

[not_a_parakeet]

Warren smiled and took Hannibal's hand, shaking it firmly.

"I've been well, though I won't speak for Karla," because how well she was doing depended on such nebulous factors as the changing tides, the ripeness of the closest piece of cheese, and how many hummingbirds sneezed in France yesterday, these days. "It's good to see you, Hannibal."

[never_dull]

"And you." He hadn't gotten to speak with Warren much when he'd been in Glacia last. "How is prospective fatherhood feeling?"

[not_a_parakeet]

"Just as terrifying as ever," Warren replied, smiling wryly. "I have no idea what I'm doing. Not even the foggiest clue. But I'm told that's pretty much the norm anyway, so I'm not exactly feeling anything new and revolutionary."

[never_dull]

"Very normal," Hannibal assured him. "But, so I'm told, still terrifying. I'm sure you'll both do splendidly, if the children other versions of you have raised are any indication. They seem to have turned out quite well."

...loud, but well.

[not_a_parakeet]

The loudness, they got from their mother.

"I'm pretty fond of them, even after just a few meetings," Warren admitted. "If Karla and I do half as well this time around as those other versions have, I'll be happy. I just have no idea where all of these parenting skills we apparently have came from."

Karla and Warren both really didn't have much in the way of experience even having parents, never mind being them.

[never_dull]

"From your friends, of course," Hannibal answered with a chuckle. "And from your knowledge of what not to do, and your common sense."

[not_a_parakeet]

"I've started a book," Warren shared, "of what not to do. For personal reference. I think about ninety-five percent of it so far already stems from personal experience, but I'd be happy for any advice anybody has to offer."

Because filling a book with things like 'don't try to get rid of your kid's limbs' was mostly just redundant.

[never_dull]

Hannibal thought for a moment, then offered, "Listen to what everybody has to say, then make your own decisions. Don't let the fear of failure or of giving offense influence you to do what you think is wrong."

He smirked. "Except for me, naturally. Always listen to me."

[not_a_parakeet]

"Especially you," Warren laughed, shaking his head a little. "But that first part is sound advice. Karla and I are the parents of this baby, ultimately it's going to be up to use to raise her."

No, they didn't know the gender of the baby for certain just yet, but 'her' seemed to be becoming the default, these days.

Warren's tone sobered a little before he added, "And given that we'll be raising her in Glacia, and just how dangerous things are right now, we... really can't afford to go against our own better judgment anyway."

[never_dull]

"Should I be offended?" He wasn't; that just showed good sense. He idly wondered how much Karla might have told Warren about him.

"Trust your own instincts," Hannibal agreed, matching Warren's seriousness. "And should you ever need somewhere to go outside of Glacia, my house is always open. Although I'm aware Fandom may not always be a safe option," he added wryly.

[glacial_queen]

Karla held her face up to Hannibal for a kiss. "It's been five days since I last threw up and almost two weeks since the smell of something I love has sent me fleeing from the room. I'm feeling pretty good. You?"

[never_dull]

Hannibal gave her the kiss and an affectionate hug. "That's very good; I hate cooking bland things, even for a friend. I've been well. Enjoying a quiet week with the children gone; I was actually thinking of visiting the lot of you."

[glacial_queen]

"You know you're always welcome," Karla said, giving him an expression so innocent it could only be followed by complete harassment. "Shall I leave a packet of herbs in your rooms, you think?"

[never_dull]

Hannibal chuckled. "I've no further plans for the salle, I promise. But I wouldn't mind seeing the herbs anyway. Shall I bring some of my books and medicines?"