The kitchen, evening -- two pups, two muns

[cook_the_rude]

Tonight, people are cooking in the kitchen. Rae Seddon, known as Sunshine, and Dr. Hannibal Lecter are busy preparing an elaborate dinner to enjoy together; after the incident with the Delete, Sunshine had offered dinner, and Dr. Lecter had suggested that he'd cook, and she should make dessert.

Now, they're making good on that promise, wearing aprons and wielding knives, working with both concentration and flair.


[[ooc: you get both of them, unless you clearly specify you only want one. thanks!

meta: a long, long time ago, when big ben was a little watch, there was almost a tradition of hannibal lecter running saturday evening dinner times. it wasn't even this hannibal lecter. it's not this tradition, either. but something to remind us of it before Things are going to happen in hannibal's canon.]]

Comments

[sunbaked_baker]

Sunshine is well on her way to recovery from the after-effects of the Delete. Rarely does she feel the encroaching numbness in her extremities, and momentarily have to put down whatever she's working on so not to risk dropping something sharp. The slightly open window brings in the smells of springtime, flowers and soil after a rain shower, mixing with the smells of the fresh fruit and spices she is working with.

"We picked a good day to stay in and cook," she remarks, smiling as she peels a ripe pear, leaving its skin in loose curls in a small bowl.

[cook_the_rude]

Dr. Lecter is chopping vegetables for a salad, while green asparagus is already cooking in a saucepan on the stove.

"A walk or run wouldn't be so very pleasant today," he agrees. "I hope you're completely recovered by now?"

[sunbaked_baker]

"Mostly," she replies, admitting that she is not. Beside her, the thinly-sliced kumquats she has simmered in sugar-water sit on a small sieve, straining their citrus syrup into a bowl below. "But I am better than I was. Not randomly stumbling any more, just occasional numbness in my fingers and toes."

She has been easing back into her normal routines. She can jog around the lake without her knees giving way, but still feels weak afterwards.

[cook_the_rude]

Dr. Lecter is slicing a beetroot; bright red juice is staining the knife as he looks up at her.

"Promise me you won't leave before you are completely restored," he says, earnestly.

[sunbaked_baker]

"I promise I won't leave before I'm fully recovered," she says, glancing back at him. "No way am I venturing back into the lion's den before I feel secure in my own abilities again."

Sunshine does dumb things, sometimes, but not that dumb.

[cook_the_rude]

"You will need a lot of patience for the last bit of the way," Dr. Lecter says, calmly. "When you feel you're completely your old self, let me administer an examination to make sure your reflexes are completely back to normal."

[sunbaked_baker]

"Sure," she replies, nodding as the skin of the pear falls in a loose spiral into the bowl. Extra proof of everything being back to normal will help in her feeling secure enough to return. "What sort of examination does one do for reflexes?"

[cook_the_rude]

"Taps with a little mallet, and a series of increasingly small tuning forks for the sensitivity," Dr. Lecter says. "I will have to find out if they have advanced electronic equipment here. Some of the gadgets here are very advanced. I hope I can get a reliable reading with one of those as well."

[onceaviking]

A shadow darkens the doorway.
Then Eric pokes his head in.

He is looking almost like himself again. A little paler than normal, perhaps. But it is hard to tell.

He's been looking for Sunshine. He'd prefer that she was alone, but this is the kind of thing he prefers to get over and done with quickly.

He doesn't like being beholden.

{a chieftain's son gives, he doesn't receive ; receiving calls to favors owed}

[cook_the_rude]

"Hello, Eric," Dr. Lecter says, looking up from slicing beetroots. Deep red stains his knife, and his fingers.

"I am deeply sorry that we have nothing to share with you. Beetroot is recommended for recovering anaemics, but you need the finished product."

[sunbaked_baker]

As the vampire crosses the threshold, Rae's grip tightens on the knife she's using to peel the pears, even before she turns to look his way.

And she does look his way, eventually, as Dr. Lecter greets the vampire and offers his apologies.

"You're looking better than you were, at least," she offers, neutrally. Practically friendly, for her.

[onceaviking]

He's gone over it again and again and again.
Her hand outstretched, the stumbling walk back to the house. The sun almost touching his skin but somehow kept at bay.

It'd be easier to suss out what had actually transpired, if he hadn't still be reeling from drinking from the fairy. But he knows one thing. Sunshine is a crap liar. She's got an open face and everything shows on it.

It wasn't a trick.

Which leaves the question of how to respond.

He wants to settle his debt as quickly as possible.

He starts out by saying, "That is quite all right . I am not hungry," to Dr. Lecter and then he turns to face Sunshine.
It hurts having to do this. But hopefully it won't be in vain. If he can make her unsure of him, a little will have been won at least.

"Thank you." His face is serious. His tone grave.

[cook_the_rude]

"I would be so sorry if you were," Dr. Lecter says, voice smooth and polite, eyes calm, maroon, and watchful.

[sunbaked_baker]

Rae nods slightly, but doesn't say you're welcome. It would be incorrect. Rather, it would be a lie.

"Lucky I was out there when I was."

Eric was lucky she hadn't been able to sleep, lucky she had fallen and decided to walk the rest of the way around the lake instead of continuing her faster jogging pace. He was lucky Sunshine had decided to stop when she saw him instead of continuing on.

There had been lots of luck involved, but her decision hadn't been luck. And she is well aware that the scales do not lie balanced between them.

"You're... how many centuries old? You should be more careful."

[onceaviking]

"Ten," he replies. "And I normally am. But the fairies here are - special." His voice takes on a dreamy tone. Then he shakes his head a little.

"And I am. Lucky. In general."
He rubs his hands together. Briefly.

"I owe you," he says. "I'd prefer that wasn't the case." Sometimes, honesty is the best course of action. At least, if you don't know what else to do.

"So - what can I offer you in return?"

[cook_the_rude]

"What happened?" Dr. Lecter asks, arranging slices of beetroot on a large, square white plate.

[pullsneedles]

Lucas had been steering clear of Sunshine as of late. It only made sense to give her space, though he doesn't know how much that'll help. Now that he's living here permanently, it might not be something she could get away from in Milliways. But he doesn't mind trying for her.

Though that just ends up meaning he misses her.

He could guess that she's in the kitchen, even if he hadn't seen her go in. You don't even have to be psychic to know that. So he scribbles a note for her to be delivered via the waitrat fetching his supper:

"Dear Miss Sunshine,
Hope you're doing good. I met a new friend here and he's helping me deal with what happened. He says it's his job to help people with PSI. I got some books from before the"

The next word is very carefully put down with a little more pencil lead than the words around it, being unfamiliar in spelling.

"apocalypse and learning about what things were like before too. I'm doing all right except I miss you. let me know if you need anything.

"with love, Lucas"

[equal_of_any_man]

A somewhat more grown up Olivier than the one who shared fish with Hannibal knocks softly on the door. "Forgive my intrusion, I hoped I might-" He breaks off into a warm smile when he sees Hannibal. "Dr Lector! How wonderful it is to see you again."

{ooc:Hannibal to start with but he's happy to chat to them both.}

[cook_the_rude]

"Good evening, Olivier!" Dr. Lecter says, turning to him with a smile. "You look older; I suppose it's been a while, for you?"

[equal_of_any_man]

"Four years for me. The door simply vanish and I found I could no longer find my way here. I have missed it greatly and the company of such good people."

[cook_the_rude]

"I'm very happy to hear that you'd include us in that statement," Dr. Lecter says. "Would you like some wine?"

He has an open bottle of white at hand.

[equal_of_any_man]

"Indeed I do. Very much so." He nods with a grateful smile. "Please? My day has been maddeningly busy and I'm so very dry."

[cook_the_rude]

Dr. Lecter pours him a glass. It's a simple Italian Chardonnay, dry and plain.

"What happened?" he enquires. "What are you doing these days?"

[equal_of_any_man]

"Thank you." He takes a deep sip, sighing warmly. "We sail for England on the new moon. There is war in England and my lord is worried for his kin. He has done me the honour of taking me with him."

[cook_the_rude]

"Then you finally get to see the country where your father came from, whom you never knew?" Dr. Lecter states. "It will be interesting to see how you feel about it. Will there be a natural connection you feel to the place?"