Dr. Hannibal Lecter is ready for the labyrinth

[cook_the_rude]

The door opens, and Dr. Hannibal Lecter looks in.

The door closes again.

The door opens again, and Dr. Hannibal Lecter strides in, wearing sturdy clothing and sensible hiking shoes as well as carrying a small canvas rucksack.

From it, he takes some fruit and leaves them with the bar.







Then, he takes off his coat and has a coffee while he appears to wait for something.



[[meta: ep is open, but all other threads must happen before yrael]]

Comments

[mogget_cat]

"And they are not known for their portability."

The Bright Shiner carrying one down New Orleans streets would cause comment, at least, and it would need tuning when it arrived.

"Apart from the piano and the harpsichord, I play the violin, the guitar, the recorder, occasionally the cello, and I sing," he answers.

[cook_the_rude]

"Quite a variety," Hannibal says. "I have a theremin, in addition to my harpsichord. We should try a jam session, as my instrument is inherently free-form."

[mogget_cat]

"I would enjoy that," Yrael tilts his head. "Though I do not know if a theremin would react well to me being in proximity."

Electrical feedback can be a thing, and is not conducive to musicality.

[cook_the_rude]

"It might make it even more interesting," Hannibal says, cheerfully. "On the other hand, it might make it even much worse."

[mogget_cat]

"We will find out," Yrael grins, rough pink tongue in evidence as he licks his whiskers clean of cream. "But today, another adventure lies before us."

[cook_the_rude]

"That it does," Hannibal says, "and one where we will pitch ourselves against other things than mere electricity."

He nods, and finishes his coffee.

[mogget_cat]

The cat stretches luxuriously, white teeth and ivory-colored claws in evidence, and gets to his paws.

"I am ready if you are, my friend."

[cook_the_rude]

"I am, my friend," Hannibal echoes, getting up and putting on his sturdy, sensible coat and picking up his rucksack.

[mogget_cat]

Yrael slinks a little ways down the bar. Not far, but far enough that when the not'cat steps over the side of the counter and shifts through ragged brightness into the shape of human young man as he falls, it is not in anyone's immediate personal space.

One would think white not the appropriate color of clothing for such a venture, but Yrael has little care for such things. It isn't as though stains will last, after all, and with bare feet one can feel and grip the ground much better than one can with most shoes.

He holds open the door as they head out into the morning coolness.

[cook_the_rude]

Hannibal follows, looking towards the mountains with what seems to be pleasure.

"The great outdoors," he says. "I am a city man at heart, but I do feel bottled in at times, without realising it until I get out."

[mogget_cat]

"There is much that can be said for spending time without walls," Yrael replies as they walk out towards the path that leads around the lake. "Without the rush and noise of people."

Some go hiking. Some go camping. Some hunt. Some fish.

Some seek out unknown labyrinths full of deadly creatures and traps.

[cook_the_rude]

"Away from the demands of civilisation, among wild creatures and nature that stops for no man," Hannibal agrees. His steps are fast and even.

[mogget_cat]

Yrael's gaze lifts to follow the slope of the mountain as their path begins to rise.

"Much of the labyrinth is so, but there are civilizations to be found in its ways, occasionally, some of them beautiful and ancient. Rarely though are they human civilizations, and they are not what one would consider tame."

[cook_the_rude]

"I'm not here for tameness," Hannibal says. "Not today. Ancient alien civilisations can surely be fascinating. I have seen some science fiction films, after all."

[mogget_cat]

Yrael smiles. "My total number of science fiction films comes to three, and those were because a friend of mine was horrified to find I had not seen them, and insisted," he smiles, following the meandering path among the rocky outcrops.

There had been popcorn and beer and many pillows and the rebellious character who only wants to go his own way eventually decides it's in his best interest to help save the day - how was he to refuse?

"I do hope we are able to find Wan Shi Tong's library. I believe you would enjoy it, and I have not visited in some time."

[cook_the_rude]

"The name sounds Chinese," Hannibal says. "I take it there are some unique books in that library that we might be able to appreciate."

[mogget_cat]

"'He Who Knows Ten Thousand Things,'" Yrael replies. "Wan Shi Tong is one world's Knowledge Spirit, and his library of hidden knowledge is a labyrinth unto itself."

By which he means it is vast and glorious.

"I have brought three original manuscripts of lore from the Old Kingdom, just in case, as the price to use his library is that one must add to it."

[cook_the_rude]

"Should I have brought something as well?" Hannibal muses, stopping in his tracks. "A library of hidden knowledge would be extremely enticing."

[mogget_cat]

Yrael stops, and turns to look back at Hannibal.

"Knowledge worthy of being added to his library can be anything, from a newly-invented type of knot to simply a scroll with illustrations he finds pleasing. I brought three unique manuscripts because while he and I enjoy a certain level of rapport and mutual respect, Wan Shi Tong does not trust humans; if we do happen upon his library, I intend to vouch for you."

[cook_the_rude]

"Well, then," Hannibal says, sounding somewhat relieved, "I can draw something for him on the spot that he might treasure. The early modern Wound Man, for example, a key element of medical history."

[mogget_cat]

"That will do quite nicely, I suspect," Yrael replies, with a slight smile, taking another step up the path.

"Human soldiers once found Wan Shi Tong's library, and proceeded to burn the part of the library that held knowledge relating to their own country, so as to keep others from potentially learning their secrets. He has allowed few humans the use of his library since."

[cook_the_rude]

"Understandably," Hannibal says. "How very rude of them."

He follows along the path, looking at trees and clouds and darting black animals with red-tipped ears with what seems equal calm interest.

[mogget_cat]

"From what I have heard in subsequent visits, their country was defeated anyway, a few years following." Yrael follows the path upwards, as it circles around a very large outcropping of rock. Beyond it, nestled in the hollow between the outcropping and the sheer bulk of the mountain, is a door.

It is very plain, dark wood, apart from the small Delta carved in its center.

[cook_the_rude]

"I take it this door is always here?" Hannibal says, having followed quickly and silently.

[mogget_cat]

"From what I can tell, the door has been here as long as the mountain has," Yrael says, approaching it. "And it is always to be found when I have sought it out."

That isn't to say that it is always there. Just that it is there when needed, like much of Milliways.