milliways_bar | (no subject)

Well, that really wasn't fun. Rae supposes she couldn't truly expect the weather to hold off for a little thing like her fighting for her life, but it would've been nice if it had been a little more considerate, you know? Con had been impervious to the icy rain - of course he had - but Rae's experience had been a little more... well, human. Her fingers, slicked with blood and exposed to the elements, had soon gone numb and clumsy. It hadn't been an easy night. When they had returned to her apartment, her only thoughts were of the hot shower she was about to have. The three hot showers she wanted to take in succession, and the long, soaking bath she wanted directly after, and the twelve hours or more of sleep she wanted after that. So what if that would put her waking up around sunset tomorrow.

But the door to her bathroom, of course, has other ideas.

Rae shuffles into the bar today, exhausted, soaking wet, and shivering. Her black sweater and sweatpants cling to her, sodden and still dripping as the ice melts. There is ice in her hair from the sleet that had gotten caught in it, and she smells of cold sweat and blood. The melting ice and rain may have washed much of the blood from her, but some of it remains, and the scrapes and minor injuries that show where her sweater has been torn still bleed sluggishly.

"Unnnnnngh," Rae makes an exhausted noise of complaint in her throat as she sees where she is. She hadn't been expecting Milliways. Now she has an entire set of stairs to climb before she can reach her shower. Why so cruel, universe?

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"That's one of the fundamental things about humanity," Rae says, smiling slightly. "We're very good at pulling together and orienting ourselves against an external threat. 'Us versus them.'"

"Or, more aptly, 'human versus Other,'" she adds with a faint sigh.

"Instead, in my world, it's human versus human, or 'dog eat dog', as they like to put it," Dr. Lecter says.

Rae makes a slight face, shaking her head. "Sounds barbaric. That's not how it should be."

"That is what people from my world might say about vampires," Hannibal says. "Worlds aren't the way they should be. I don't think there is a single one that is."

She'll agree on that point.

"It took me over a year of coming here to begin getting over the bitterness at the thought that worlds where people treat each other so poorly would be so much better off than my world, where we all know we're in this together."

"It is the rudeness of the privileged, those who have never learned to appreciate what little they have," Dr. Lecter says, gravely.

"They're very... fortunate," Rae murmurs, worn out. "I wouldn't wish my world's situation on anybody."

Hannibal nods.

"Drink your tea, and then it might be time for that long hot shower," he says. "I'm going to make you some soup for when you're done with that? How does cauliflower curry soup sound?"

Rae offers an exhausted smile. "That sounds delicious, Dr. Lecter."

"Thank you for the offer, but my bed is calling my name. It's past three in the morning, my time, and I've been up since four. I wouldn't want to put you through all that trouble, and then fall asleep at the table."

"Then I'll make you breakfast when you re-emerge," Dr. Lecter offers.

"Deal," she nods, smiling drowsily. "Thank you."

Rae finishes her tea, taking a deep breath to try and center herself, to focus. "I should head on upstairs. Thank you again, Dr. Lecter. For everything." The tea, the towels, support and conversation, and the offer of food. She appreciates it very much.

"Sleep well, Rae," Dr. Lecter says, holding out his hand for the teacup.

Rae hands him the empty cup, nodding slightly. It's probably best not to move her head too much - she might just keep going. "Hope to. G'night, Dr. Lecter."

Onwards, to tackle Mt. Stairs.

"Good night," Hannibal says as she goes up the stairs.