milliways_bar | (no subject)

A scientific experiment of the highest order is in progress. One which includes raspberry fudge, brie and crackers, and several different wines. Autor plans to get tipsy today, and he'll do it in style.

He'll also do it with help. Autor endures light ribbing by Sunshine, who has promised to stay with him and make sure he doesn't do anything foolish while even slightly inebriated--a serious concern of his, especially with a sprained ankle. She's keeping to tea today, just in case.

Autor raises a glass, his cheeks already tingling. He swirls the wine, as he has seen done before. Then he holds it up to his nose and takes a deep breath. "Ah, yes. This clean, buttery wine has a heady bouquet with oak notes, and a spicy aroma of vanilla and currant," he says, and takes a sip. "Sadly, it is broad--it has a full body aroma, but lacks any finesse to its taste."

Rae grins, sipping her tea. "Try harder not to sound like you memorized the book, Autor."

[OOC: Two pups, two muns! All threads will come after Rae and Autor's, when the boy is already tipsy.]

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"How things are and how other people think they're supposed to be, you mean," Rae says with mildly raised eyebrows at the declarative fist struck up in the air. She's not touching his desire to fix things with a ten pole, right now. Not with Dr. Lecter so close by.

"Though I suspect you've had enough first-hand experience, for now. Have too much, and you won't remember it, Autor. I would rather not have to carry you upstairs again."

"How would you fix the wrong kind of drunkenness, Autor?" Dr. Lecter asks, sipping his wine.

"I would probably think, 'you know, it's not a nice idea to get drunk anyway, people turn mean, and then you have a hangover', in a rather unkind manner, but then I would offer them water--even though water is boring--and maybe a muffin, and stay with them though they might hit me," the boy says, adjusting his glasses. "And then I'd probably play the piano, because of course they want to hear it when they're the wrong kind of drunk."

He waggles his fingers at Dr. Lecter.

"No one is going to hit you, Autor," Rae says, quietly, moving to stand. She does not remark that Autor's answer is merely enduring the wrong kind of drunkenness, not fixing it. "Though considering the unpleasantness of hangovers, we should get you some water - boring as it may be - and get you upstairs. You've gone far beyond even what your faulty math told you was appropriate for this experiment, and you asked me to make sure you didn't do anything foolish."

Like hang around with cannibalistic serial killers. That would be first on the list.

Edited 2014-10-27 15:29 (UTC)

"I'm afraid you're a bit of a lightweight, Autor," Hannibal says, signalling a rat for water.

"So, if you find yourself unable to walk with inebriation, I can safely carry you upstairs."

"Nope, I can walk on my own two feet," Autor says, hobbling over to him. "See?" He reaches out and pats the man on the shoulder. "I'm looking forward to our chess game. I have a lot to learn from you."

Then he turns to Rae, and offers his arm, as if he's going to be the one to escort her upstairs, and not the other way around. "Oh, boy, can we watch a movie, Rae?"

"As can I," Rae mutters from between clenched jaws, her heartbeat loud in her ears.

Where has her friend gone, who all but wept in frustration and fear when she didn't see the danger of Hannibal Lecter? Who did weep with her when she finally realized the truth of what he had been trying to show her? What the lurid, multicolored hell had happened to him?

Rae takes the drunk fool by the arm, having to use all her will to keep herself from tugging him bodily away. Her face is flushed, her shoulders tight. "We'll watch a movie, Autor. C'mon. You've gone far past experimentation, tonight."

They're going to have to have a talk, when he sobers up. A talk about sobering up.

Hannibal Lecter reaches out to pat Autor on the cheek.

"Yes, that's probably better," he says.

A rat arrives with a large glass of water, which he hands on, smoothly, to Autor.

"Do drink your water, Autor. I'm looking forward to playing chess with you as well. It will be a very interesting experience. Sleep well! And thank you for looking after him, Rae."

He finishes his wine, lifts his chin and smiles at them both sideways, and walks away.

Autor nods. "Yes," he says. And that's all he says, former loquaciousness squashed momentarily. "Rae looks after me very nicely. I should get her a gift."

He leans on her, clutching her arm as soon as Dr. Lecter wanders off. Despite feeling a little of her anger, the boy's happy to see her. "Ready to go upstairs?"

Rae holds Autor steady, not looking at Dr. Lecter, though she is unable to hide her grimace of distaste as the man pats Autor's cheek. She is almost shaking.

"Yes, let's go," she mutters, leading the boy towards the stairs.