rhymeswithcannibal | Until we get a real season 4...

Until we get a real season 4...

[Continuing from thread here.]

The weather forecast for Bethany Beach, Maryland said there was a 30% chance of thunderstorms for the next two days, but currently all the weather seemed to be bringing was cloud cover just dense enough to turn the entire sky steel gray.

Hannibal had a spring in his step as he slid out of the passenger side of the rundown pickup truck they'd bought for cash and never transferred out of the original owner's name. They could leave this behind without worrying that it would ever ever track back to them. No breadcrumbs for Uncle Jack at this marina to have him looking at boats that had been docked for a minimum of three years and then recently left.

"It's the farthest slip from the parking lot," he said as he opened the tailgate and reached in to drag a heavy, wheeled cooler out and settle it on the gravel at his feet.

Five months after they'd died at the cliff house, Hannibal had put some effort into changing his appearance. His skin was tanned, his hair was longer and shaggier, his beard was full, but could never be full enough to hide his distinctive cheekbones, and he was wearing jeans, work boots, a heavy fisherman's sweater, and a bandage on his left hand that he ignored as he worked.

"The keys are in a combination lockbox hidden on deck. I engaged a service to come in quarterly to ensure that the boat was aired out and maintained to a functional standard. We shouldn't have to spend too much time getting our house in order before we can leave."

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Yet most homo sapiens had them and most homo sapiens smiled.

Will's determination was why Will was a partner and not a beard.

"There are many aspects of our living situation that are atypical, but those are matters for another time." Subject dropped. He paused to give his food his full appreciation for a few bites, sipped the wine with equal attention, then returned his focus to Will. "If I wish to make connections with the wealthy and well-connected, I'll attend some gatherings that aren't too exclusive. I'll talk art and music, tell amusing anecdotes, flatter where needed, and find my way into future events that are less open to the general public." It was easy, really. Ego required little in the way of translation.

Not all human cultures note the showing of teeth as an expression of good will.

Not just their living situation was atypical. Many aspects of their assumed identities were also atypical to what their roles ought to be. The house itself was an example. “Alekesy thaws among his peers?” He half smiles at that, thinking of the real estate agent and the perfunctory method in which the Russian businessman interacted with her. Also her fluster at Alekesy changing his mind about the fixer upper.

It was still an interesting part of human behavior, how Hannibal hid in plain sight, shielded from scrutiny by social connection and the good opinion of others.

The baring of teeth in particular often failed to translate and Americans are profligate smilers. If Hannibal's smile shows teeth, blood will quite likely follow.

"Unless Aleksey wants to be socially isolated, he must. Either that or he must throw around so much money that people will overlook his brusqueness, and I don't find purchasing goodwill all that interesting." His pockets were deep, but not bottomless, and barter of sorts was more interesting. He knew what people wanted, but sometimes the question was what would they be willing to give up to get it?

"He also has to thaw somewhat if anyone is to believe that he cares about animal welfare."

The wolf in sheep’s clothing hides his teeth behind a smile and that small difference ought to thread an undercurrent of disconcerton but it doesn’t, not even as the flock thins.

It was a lot like fishing, casting the proper bait to hook what one was wanting to catch, then carefully reeling it in. Or hunting. “A sensitive soul under that stoic exterior, lover of art, music, and animal welfare?” He was teasing again, relaxing further into the pleasant atmosphere between them.

This is why sheep need shepherds and sheepdogs. Hannibal was entirely pleased to take the yoke of domestication off of this particular sheepdog and remind him that he could run with the wolves.

A bit of both, though closer to hunting for Hannibal - watching the herd, observing, seeing who lags behind, who the herd won't miss when they're gone. Sometimes, as with their dinner, taking a mad dog out of the field. "The best lies are those wrapped around a grain of truth. People don't see the sharp edges at the core when they're too distracted by the pearly lie, and I do love art and music and find mistreatment of animals unnecessary at best." Animals had no higher self to fail, unlike humans, and thus no chastisement for failure was needed.

... for a very intense value of the word "chastisement."

So long as they continued to slip by the watchful eye of the shepherd.

If Hannibal's luck holds, perhaps the Franklyn of the Havana art world will attach themselves to Hannibal and he won’t have to look to far to find who lags behind. Though, that would be an unauthorized kill. Will would have to keep an eye on the players in Hannibal’s social circle.

“The charm doesn’t hurt,” Will said wryly, but there was a strange sort of compliment to it. Will had been taken in by him, at first, by Hannibal’s appearance of earnest honesty, his lack of placating, it had been a very good shield for deflecting suspicion. For a time.

That was always the challenge, but life did grow boring without challenges.

Hannibal wouldn't kill the Franklyn of the art world. Too close to home, too easy to turn suspicious eyes toward the newcomer in the social circle. To be fair, if he knew they were already going to have to run, he might make a stop at a Franklyn's home on the way out of town.

It never served to flee on an empty stomach.

"I had to study charm as intently as I studied music or medicine." He regarded Will for a moment. "You made a similar study at one time. If you turned that charm on others that you used on me, you could move in any social circle you pleased." He was of two minds on whether he wanted to see Will do just that - on the one hand, he liked knowing that he had a piece of Will that few had seen, on the other, seeing Will manipulate others as he'd manipulated Hannibal would have a bittersweet savor.

There were always hobbies to take away that boredom.

Was it truly a flight if Hannibal had enough time to stop and make a plate of charcuterie from a much disfavored aquaintence? Although it would give Will time to ensure the dogs weren’t alone.

“A thread in the pattern of your person suit?” Will inclined his head at Hannibal’s comment, as though accepting praise for a job well done. “I was Interested in what I was fishing for, using specifically tailored bait.” He had his prey on the hook with the first dangling of bait in the water. It had been... satisyng. “The thought of doing the same with no purpose and people whose opinions don’t matter sets my teeth on edge.”

If at some point when his edges sharpened and he wanted to provoke Hannibal to see what would happen...

Edited 2017-11-16 07:03 (UTC)

Hannibal had many hobbies and too many hours in the day. Perhaps having a partner in more than crime would help distract somewhat.

Yes, it was still a flight. Just a properly provisioned one.

"You may be surprised to learn that I was once a standoffish young man." He said it with a smile that belied the truth of it. It was hard to be sociable after years of literally being a mute.

He'd also meant his remark as praise for Will's performance. Just because it had hurt him deeply didn't detract from its skill in the least. "I don't want your teeth on edge. I want to see you committed to a path. When you make that dire commitment, you're formidable and it's a pleasure to observe."

Will is his partner in more than crime.

“Surprising in some ways.” Not in others. Hannibal was obviously intelligent beyond his peers, moved through the world and viewed it differently than his peers. It would be off putting to to his cohort, even leaving all the things he didnt know about Hannibal’s past aside. “Observed that it was easier to move through the world when you blended in?”

Will had hurt himself, too, the act eventually tangled with truth and hesitation. “Then I won’t say never. There are those in need of... culling.. in every walk of life.” It was a mater of time and target, this Will knew, before he killed.

Time would tell if Will was a suitable substitute for murder. At least part of the time.

"You're humoring me," Hannibal said, his chiding was delivered with warmth that turned it into gentle teasing. "It is far easier to move through the world if you are admired and respected, and human nature means that it isn't enough to be skilled at what you do if you want that admiration and respect." You could have one without the other, but the two together were potent camouflage.

"In the same vein, I would argue that those in the upper echelons of society are often in greater need of that culling because their wealth and connections shield them from consequences."

He would be entirely unsurprised to know this was a line of thought and yet still wholly unflattered and potentially disinclined to keeping company with Hannibal for a time.

"I'm not. It's as easy to picture a sociable young Hannibal as it is to picture you far beyond your peers in intelligence and observation in a way that isn't conducive to socially connecting." Will snorted and replied glibly, but without malice or bite, "Yes, I noticed that first hand the time you framed me for multiple murders and the reaction to my accusing you was a chorus of, 'Hannibal? A Serial killer? No. He's a respected psychiatrist and a close personal-' insert whatever connection they thought they had forged with you. It was a very formidable shield."

His mouth flattened slightly in thought, Will took another sip of wine and considered. "I don't disagree. Something to consider for another city after this one."

One of many lines of thought that would never be shared.

"As it was meant to be. As the connections I forge here will also serve as a shield." For himself. Less so for his taciturn assistant, but there was only so far Hannibal could stretch the umbrella of good will if Will wasn't willing to make some efforts of his own.

"Another city after this one." He chose to steer the conversation in that direction rather than allow Will to revive the memories of a time that hadn't painted either of them in the best of lights. "Where would you like to go after this? Setting aside concerns of pursuit, where would interest you?"

There was a pettiness that Will would never shed.

Will's efforts would not be made among those circles Hannibal traversed, it suited the roles, really. "The lack of evidence that a serial killer is in their midst won't hurt." Especially the lack of Hannibal's work publicly displayed.

He allowed the conversation to be steered, the memory was from another life. "I was considering letting you choose." He did not say this lightly and looked from his glass to Hannibal's face, "Anywhere you wanted, with the caveat that I could exercise the power of veto. But our negotiations for Alana's life aren't up for renewal yet."

As long as Will didn't antagonize the people Will was courting, all would be well. Aleksey, of course, would be chillier with the "common" folk because that was Aleksey's character. Perhaps it was best to have that balance between his and Will's circles of acquaintance.

Hannibal nodded to indicate his understanding of what Will was conceding, but if he was choosing where he wanted to go, right now he wanted to go farther into understanding Will's wants. "I had intended for us to decide together, but while I know my mind, I don't know where you might be interested in going next. Italy is at least four years away and we have the rest of the world at our feet until then."

Will’s associations would be born of those he met and fostered acquaintance with while dock fishing or fly fishing, though he preferred to engage in the latter alone, locations, baits, lures were both an interest and a means to engage with others. Needless to say, definately different social circles.

“Well, there is an island populated by.a thousand dogs, give or take. I’m sure it would be very remote with... rustic charms.” He was in no way serious, but kept up an earnest expression easily enough.

And both were useful. Hannibal could charm most people if he put his mind to it, but Aleksey wasn't the sort who would. Teamwork would allow them to spread their influence more broadly while still maintaining their false identities. What would John tell his acquaintances about Aleksey?

"I suspect we might stand out somewhat if the population is largely dogs," Hannibal said, matching Will's earnestness other than a little amused crinkle around his eyes. "Is there anywhere else on your list?"

He would paint a picture of an aloof Aleksey, somewhat cold and particular who was used to a more rigid class structure and could be dismissive of those not on his level. He'd thaw it somewhat with Aleksey's fairness and bits of humanity, like the dogs.

"The dogs wouldn't turn us in." But, he considered the question seriously. "There are places I would enjoy seeing without living in." The risk, the larger cities wth larger populations, a myriad of reasons.

While Aleksey would answer questions about John by noting that John was quiet, efficient, had many practical skills beyond yacht maintenance, and he was loyal, all good qualities in a personal assistant. Will was getting a promotion to PA because that was easier to explain than why aloof Aleksey would want his yacht hand to live with him.

"They wouldn't, but their caretakers would." It was lighthearted, but possibly true. "We could leave on a grand tour at any time. Visit those places that interest you and return here as a base of operations for a while."

He canted his head a little and let a smile tug at the corners of his mouth. "I am ever so much more manageable at sea."

If Hannibal were going to promote him to PA to bolster their cover story, then Hannibal could field any questions about why his personal assistant never seemed to do much in the way of personal assisting. He would have all the confidence that Hannibal would think of something quite convincing.

“You raise a valid concern,” Will replied with the faintest smile at one corner of his mouth. He exhaled, expression shifting more to the pensive, only a year had passed since Hannibal’s escape, since the cliff. Was it too soon to loosen the hold on caution and risk more travel? His gaze shifted from the rim of his wine glass to Hannibal’s face, “I would like to see Prague.” There were enough interesting countries bordering or close to the Czech Republic to entertain them, and if they kept west of Germany this trip, it would assuage some of Will’s interest in caution.

Will huffed a small laugh, a smile playing at his mouth as he looked down to his wine glass again, stem held between his fingers, “There’s a strong point in favor of travel.”

Hannibal would have no difficulties coming up with ways that John was a good PA. Some would be fabricated, some would be factual. Either way, there might be a few rumors about other ways John was a good personal assistant to Aleksey, but nothing that should be a problem.

His expression barely changed, but eyes flicked up from his plate, scanning Will's face intently at mention of Prague. "I would like to see you in Prague. There's much to see, much to do. I think neither of us would be at loose ends there."

He had no difficulty admitting to himself that he was charmed by even a hint of laughter from Will, coming as it did without rancor or bitterness. "It's a thought that has crossed your mind more than once since we left Maryland, though Prague would be more easily reached by air."

Rumor without even the balm of truth behind it. How’s fustrating. Will would have no qualms fetching up Hannibal’s dry cleaning or running errands. Authenticity. And a perfectly innocent reason to know where Hannibal plans to be during the day. A PA should always know that. Authenticity.

And he did want to travel with Hannibal, to see him set against cityscapes untainted by their past memories. To move together through the world in this new life of theirs. He was also considering something else, a measure of how slippery that slope was. “Spending out time in the simple and wholesome way of typical tourists?”

Will leaned back in his chair slightly, “Or navigate the Atlantic, dock in Germany and go down from there.” It wouldn’t be his first time navigating the Atlantic, at least.

The expectation of frustration's end fueled his patience. If Will intended to define "in his own time" as never, Hannibal's patience would eventually wane and he would look elsewhere to fulfill physical needs as those needs warranted, but eventually would take a very long time to come.

As for Will knowing where he planned to be, of course John, functioning as a PA should know that, and should also expect that Aleksey wasn't obliged to tell him when those plans changed.

"I like to leave a little bit of my vacations unplanned, in the event an exciting opportunity arises," Hannibal said, not putting up any kind of safety fence at the edge of that slope. He wanted to have the opportunity to add more cities and landscapes to his memory palace, giving the Will who wandered its halls places he could more easily visit, giving that Will more depth and vibrancy. If he was "stuck" with Will in his head, he'd treat him as a guest rather than an intruder.

He took time to enjoy the last bite of loin on his plate and set his knife and fork down. "We would be remiss if we didn't take some time to enjoy Germany as well."

In his own time was less "never" and more "working through the object of his desire being Hannibal" and all the complications relevant to control and Hannibal not having the entirety of it. That Hannibal was a man mattered far less than Hannibal being Hannibal.

Aleksey ought not set precedents that Hannibal might find irksome when applied to himself in different situations.

"If, in the spirit of vacation, some unplanned and exciting opportunity arises, the only principle that should apply is, don't get caught," Will said this with the briefest of eye contact that fell as his gaze shifted to the piece of loin on Will's own fork that promptly went into his mouth. It was an interesting thing, the sense of wanting to know what happens versus the small cold shock of adrenaline for having said the words and knowing that he was not just acknowledging something Hannibal was likely to do anyway, but approving of it in a sense.

"Then there's really no downside to taking the trip by yacht," And if the emphasis on the last word was dryly amused, well. Understandable.

Hannibal was well aware that entering into a physical relationship with the man who had committed repeated acts of malpractice on him, who had framed him for murder, who had killed their surrogate daughter after surgically not quite gutting him, and who had tried to eat his brain was going to come with more than its fair share of complications. He was patient. Will had earned that and more.

Hannibal didn't intend to give Will his minute by minute itinerary, but neither did he intend to leave Will wondering when it was unnecessary. There was a delicate balance to strike when domestic harmony was such a fragile thing, as the start of this meal had demonstrated.

Fragile, but beautiful, as Will once again proved to him that he was the only possible partner for Hannibal. The combination of Will's overt permission and his unhesitating consumption of the result of such permission was... Suffice to say that Hannibal's obsession with Will was unlikely to flag, and his patience was enjoying a sense of reward.

"I value our circumstances far too much to risk them with sloppy diversions. You have my word that any exciting opportunities will be enjoyed with the utmost discretion."

He rose, once again gathering his plate and circling the table to collect Will's, noting as he leaned close to Will, "I find opportunities for time with you to have few down sides."

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