Hannibal Lecter (Female) - Hannibal Rising (plus some crack) - Multiversal Bar

[mm_pyth]

There's a calm, quiet young woman sitting in an armchair by the fire with a glass of water and a contemplative expression.

She would not be averse to company.

Comments

[athingforred]

Would this company suit?

A slim young man, early twenties, pushing through the crowded bar. It's fairly obvious that he's looking for a seat; probably pure chance that his eyes light on the one across from Hannibal's. From his manner, you might guess that he's suffered a disappointment, but that he's carrying it with grace.

Stephen Just is a really good actor.

"Hey, sorry... this one's not taken, is it?" He puts a hand on the back of the empty armchair, directing a hopeful half-smile at Hannibal.

[suspects_ravens]

"By no means," she says politely. "Sit."

Her body language is incredibly masculine, her face incredibly immobile, and when she makes a polite gesture of invitation her hands move with a surgeon's precise elegance.

[athingforred]

Approximately none of these things counts as bad in Stephen's book: after all, when you get them drunk, even the most ladylike of madams forgets to sit with her legs just so. Plus, this girl has an accent.

"Cheers. Thanks." He slides into the seat. After a couple of carefully-timed seconds: "Is it usually this busy in here? I felt like a sardine."

[suspects_ravens]

"Not usually, no."

Hannibal does not look interested in his flirting; apart from a politely blank facial expression, she's giving him nothing here.

If he has a gaydar, it should be clanging like a belltower at noon.

[athingforred]

"Not a place I usually come to. Just when it grabs me."

Ha. Ha ha ha.

(Hey, he's nothing if not persistent!)

"I'm Steve, by the way."

[suspects_ravens]

"Call me Hanni."

She smiles at him. It's small and cold and very, very beautiful.

"The lake outside is much calmer, I find."

[athingforred]

Unless that's a brush-off, and he's 99% certain that it isn't, then re-sult.

"Lovely view of the mountains, too."

That way?

[suspects_ravens]

That way indeed.

Hannibal rises from her seat, hands by her sides, posture perfect and face calm.

"Shall we go for a walk?" she suggests, and it's so very easy to mistake the source of the quiet eagerness that flavours every word.

[athingforred]

Mistaking is very much in progress.

"Sounds delightful."

Smile. Stand. Proffered hand.

[suspects_ravens]

She hesitates less than a quarter of a second before accepting his hand.

Her fingers are very, very cold.

[athingforred]

Poor circulation?

Whatever.

Stephen leads the way out to the lake. Probably it's not the ideal location to go about his business, but he can be patient, and wait to see what he can do about directing proceedings towards his room here.

[suspects_ravens]

A most curious thing happens when they get outside.

For one thing, Hannibal is nonchalantly bold about leading him out and away, along an admittedly beautiful lakeside path that takes them far from visible and audible range of the main building.

For another, the topic of conversation she raises first is... peculiar.

"It occurs to me," she says in a polite, cheerful tone of voice, "that I've heard your name before."

[athingforred]

...

Subtle caution. There, but subtle and contained.

"Might have done. Then again, infinite worlds: bound to be more than one Stephen running around."

[suspects_ravens]

"Of course," she says evenly.

She's glancing past him at the treeline when she adds, "I don't suppose you know a Christine?"

[athingforred]

"Can't say I do."

Was that pause an instant too long? Hard to tell; he is a good liar.

[suspects_ravens]

"You can't," she agrees.

Who's that stepping out casually from behind a tree?

Yeah.