(no subject)

[cook_the_rude]

[[OOM: Hannibal's haunted house]]

Dr. Hannibal Lecter enters the bar today with a stack of books and a basket that, oddly enough, contains some neatly folded clothes and few bottles of wine.

He stands by the door, looks around, and takes a deep breath.

Then, he briefly dabs his left eye with a pocket handkerchief.



[[meta: the beverly in the oom isn't quite from the same continuity as the one who entered the bar last night #even though she's the same player and the same journal #thanks to her for providing me with some lovely spooky crack for the oom #it was inspired by this post on tumblr.]]

Comments

[guppy_sandhu]

Hannibal is approached by Guppy, who is accompanied by Gene.

"Dr Lecter? Got time for a chat?"

[the_gene_genie]

Gene, for once, is not about to barge up to a bloke and start beating answers out of him. For many reasons, the least of which being he might be a complete nutcase.

But this is not the sort of thing you want to get wrong. So he says nothing. It's been a long time since he spoke to Lecter. Mostly he wants to see what he says first. He just lights a fag, and doesn't take his eyes from Lecter's face.

[cook_the_rude]

"Of course I do, Dr. Sandhu," Lecter says, politely, putting down the things he was carrying. DCI Hunt, how good to see you again. Fry mentions you often when we talk."

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy sits in a nearby booth and gestures to Lecter to sit opposite.

"There has been..." he begins. Shit, this is hard. It doesn't help that he hasn't slept properly in a week and knows it's plainly obvious to anyone, let alone a psychiatrist.

"There has been some... suggestion that you have acted in a manner as to deliberately cause Javert distress prior to his suicide attempt. While we don't want to accuse you inappropriately, we do of course have to investigate the claim. I'm sure you understand this."

[the_gene_genie]

Gene doesn't sit down. He sticks his hands in his pockets, blows smoke out, and keeps watching the doctor.

He's trying to work out if the bloke looks like a mental case. Hard to tell really, behind those posh clothes. Plus, he's foreign.

[cook_the_rude]

Dr. Lecter puts down the things he was carrying and sits, smoothly.

"Of course I understand," he says. "My assessment of Javert may have been slightly ill-advised, but who claims it was deliberate? Is this a Security matter."

His eyes wander towards Gene, and he tilts his head questioningly.

[guppy_sandhu]

"I have been approached by more than one source in the last week." Guppy says. "Who have voiced concerns that it was deliberate."

Slow breath.

"Were you ill-disposed towards Javert for any reason? Did you... did you have any desire for revenge for the way he treated Fry?"

[the_gene_genie]

Gene...does not think these are helpful questions. But they are ones he'd ask himself, and they have to start somewhere.

Still, the bloke's just going to say 'no'. And if the man's mental, he's pretty sure that he himself isn't going to be able to understand any underlying reasons for why he'd do it. Gene's a straightforward bloke. Mind games like this just seem like a waste of time, to him.

'To answer your question,' he murmurs, quiet but firm, 'it's a Security matter if you're manipulating people to drown themselves, yeah. But don't let that stop you telling the truth.'

[itrunsinthefamily]

Red comes in through the back door, minding her own business, until the bar's air currents waft a strange scent her way.

When she sees the source of it, her eyes go wide - and then she disappears upstairs, after asking Lady Bar about the local calendar. She needs to find Charles, and quickly.

[cook_the_rude]

Dr. Lecter looks in her direction briefly, and takes a deep breath in turn; then he wanders on.-

[themysciran_diana]

Will Graham told Diana to keep an eye out for Hannibal Lecter, but not to engage.

So that's what she is doing.

One doesn't have to be looking at a man to know where he is, after all.

(Though looking can, on occasion, help.)

[cook_the_rude]

"Good afternoon," Dr. Lecter says, bowing his head with a little smile and stopping by her as he passes.

[themysciran_diana]

"Good afternoon," Diana replies pleasantly.

She does not incline her own head, just remains sitting, straight-backed and composed.

[cook_the_rude]

"Interesting choice of clothes," the gentleman comments. "They look wonderful on you, but don't people stare a lot?"

[themysciran_diana]

Here Diana does smile, crooked and small.

"That would be their first mistake."

[cook_the_rude]

"Of course," the gentleman says, "as it would be very rude of them. What happens to them if they do?"

[themysciran_diana]

"Very little, if they merely remain rude."

She puts the slightest emphasis on that last word.

"I am aware that others have different preferences on the matter."

[cook_the_rude]

"Where does rudeness stop for you?" the gentleman asks, pleasantly.

[equal_of_any_man]

Olivier has heard nothing of the troubles surrounding Dr Lecter and welcomes him as warmly as ever. "Dr Lecter." He frowns as he see his friend dab at his eye. "Sir, are you well?" He asks, at once concerned.

[cook_the_rude]

"I think I still have some soot in my eye," Dr. Lecter says. "One of my fireplaces belched at me, even though I take good care of keeping all my chimneys swept. Ungrateful thing."

[equal_of_any_man]

"Let me fetch water for you? To rinse your eye." He offers Dr Lecter a hand to a chair.

[cook_the_rude]

"It's not debilitating, merely irritating," Dr. Lecter says. "But as I've got rid of the rest of the soot and this bit persists, I suppose some help is in order. Thank you."

He sits.

[equal_of_any_man]

Olivier fetches warm water from the bar and a towel. "Tip back your head, sir. I will be careful." He has done this often and washes the good doctor's eye without letting a single drop fall on Dr Lecter's clothes. He has his mother's gift for the gentle touch.

[cook_the_rude]

Dr. Lecter leans back his head and calmly keeps his eye open throughout, not even blinking as the water touches his slightly reddened sclera.

[equal_of_any_man]

"I have never knows any to take washing so calmly, sir." Olivier notes with admiration as he wipes the last drop from the doctor's cheek. "How does that feel?"