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[cook_the_rude]

Dr. Hannibal Lecter comes downstairs, wearing a pale grey, rather unflattering jumpsuit.

He sits in a booth, and orders a rather large breakfast from the rats. Coffee and croissants, shakshuka and pita bread, strawberries and chocolate lava cake, peaches and cream.

After he has eaten, he pays off his entire tab, then opens the door, and slips out.-



[[OOM: Catch him while he is eating, or on his way out of the door.]]

Comments

[electro_kinetic]

"You're going back?" Noriko asks, catching Hannibal over food. "Why?"

[cook_the_rude]

"Because," Hannibal says, smiling at her.

He tilts his head and regards her for a long while.

"I will tell you a secret," he says. "If you ask me why, there are only two honest answers possible, and in this case, both are true."

[electro_kinetic]

"Then tell me," she says.

Her face is conflicted: on one hand, nobody can stay here indefinitely and avoid their world, but on the other...Hannibal is one of the few friends she has who isn't in the same battles as her, and who has never shunned her. She honestly doesn't want to lose that touchstone, now or ever.

[cook_the_rude]

"Reason one: because I want to see what happens," Hannibal intones. "Reason two: because Will Graham. That's all there is to it."

[electro_kinetic]

"You'd leave the rest of us for him?" she asks. "Everyone you know here?"

[cook_the_rude]

"I didn't say that," Hannibal says. "Just that he's the reason for me to do things."

Pause.

"I may be back. Or not."

[electro_kinetic]

"It's the 'or not' part that denotes that choice, Hannibal," she says softly, though not judgmentally. "You're my friend, I don't want to not see you again."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric is likewise dressed for the world - Dark Age wool, heavier and less fitted than his Milliway's wardrobe. A fur collared cloak draped over his arm. "It would seem we are both returning to the stream of time."

[cook_the_rude]

"Our worlds need us," Hannibal agrees. "You are walking towards Ragnar; I am walking towards the Dragon, with Will beside me."

[thewidewideworld]

"Just so." He sighs, clearly not happy about it.

He cocks his head at Hannibal. "I still can't see you past the cliffs of St George." Which meant they may never see each other again.

[cook_the_rude]

"I can't, either," Hannibal says. "All the tender little shoots of my antler-shaped plans end there."

He reaches over to touch Sinric's chin and look into his eyes.

[thewidewideworld]

There's resentment in Sinric's eyes. Resentment at being unable to be sure. Resentment at having to say goodbye when he doesn't want to. Both to Hannibal and to Niketas.

And none of it aimed at Hannibal.

[cook_the_rude]

"The world may swallow us at any moment," Hannibal says, as if agreeing with the unsaid. "That is the way of worlds. Not even you and I are immune against that."

[the_cupbearer]

When Hannibal has paid for his tab, Ganymede comes in from the back door, and slips through patrons, tables, and around the rats to reach his friend before Hannibal reaches the door.

"Leaving us so soon?" he asks, a smile flitting around his mouth as he takes Hannibal's free hand. "You know what awaits you on the other side."

[cook_the_rude]

"Yes," Hannibal answers, taking Ganymede's hand. "A gig as dragon bait."

[the_cupbearer]

"Are you the sacrifice, or the warrior?" he asks, tugging lightly at Hannibal's lapel.

"Or both?"

[cook_the_rude]

"I let them believe I'm the tethered goat, or the princess on the cliff," Hannibal says. "but I'm sure you'll agree that doesn't fit me."

[the_cupbearer]

"Hardly," Ganymede replies. "Let me look at you, in the case that this is the last time," he murmurs, tilting Hannibal's chin down.

"The jumpsuit isn't you," he says at length, mouth curving in a smile. "I doesn't bring out your eyes."

[cook_the_rude]

"It's not meant to be," Hannibal says. "It's meant to not be. It's an unperson suit."

[mogget_cat]

As sometimes happens, the bar door opens just as Hannibal steps towards it from the bar. From a crowded club, Yrael enters, dressed in a fine suit of white, with a dark, ash-grey vest and deeply green shirt that matches his eyes. His ready smile softens slightly in the moment he takes in Hannibal's appearance and intent.

"My friend, you go to sate your curiosity?"

What will the future hold? Who knows? Who can tell?

[cook_the_rude]

"Correct," Hannibal says, smugly. "As always, I want to know what happens. Also, there's Will Graham."

[mogget_cat]

Yrael nods, understanding, his green gaze resting on the marroon eyes.

"I wish you joy, of both him and the future you go to meet," he replies, a smile hovering at the corners of his mouth and in the brightness of his eyes. The chains one chooses weigh the lightest of all. "Though my earlier offer still stands, if the need arises."

For all the stories, even in the Old Kingdom, he has never tasted dragon.

[cook_the_rude]

"I hope to be back, if we survive," Hannibal says. "I will do my very best."

Pause.

"And thank you, my friend."

[mogget_cat]

"You are ever welcome, my friend," Yrael inclines his head, smiling very slightly. "And I know your best to be very good, indeed. Your world and Milliways alike will be much the worse off when they lose you. I would see that eventuality greatly delayed, if given my way."

Eventual and inevitable loss is one of the downsides of effective immortality.

[cook_the_rude]

"I will be glad to give you your way in that, Yrael," Hannibal says. "I'd even be content if the dragon kills us, and I wake up here with Will. Milliways does factor into my considerations."