SUMMARY: Abigail gives Eliot a tour of her newly arrived home.
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Mention of character trauma
Abigail did one final walk-through of the house. She'd disposed of any meat that Hannibal had in the house, even before inviting Eliot over, of course. The place felt truly beautiful once that was done. Hannibal had always kept it immaculate and she'd strive to do the same. Every detail was in place.
Abigail stepped into the foyer at the end of her walkabout. The wall lights were fully on, making the room bright and cheerful. There was intrinsic artwork on the walls, fresh flowers on the table, strategically placed chairs for conversation and a carpet on the floor that had probably cost more than her childhood home. She'd come a long way under Hannibal's guidance, and she was focused on all the positive aspects of that. Perhaps, she'd even play the harpsichord for Eliot. All there was to do now was wait for Eliot to arrive.
Eliot was thrilled when he saw Abigail's post on the network announcing the arrival of her home. How exciting! It was always nice to have things arrive from back home. Well, most of the time. He had smiled when she invited him over to take a tour which he'd quickly agreed to. A "first" home was a new and exciting chapter.
After figuring out how to get to Abigail's place Eliot stopped in a flower shop. He purchased a vase of flowers to brighten and cheer up the place. Arriving he stepped up and knocked on the door.
Abigail opened the door with a wide smile. She'd never keep him waiting. "Hi. Come in." She greeted him, stepping back to make room. She was tempted to ask what he thought of the place, maybe fish a little for compliments. She knew better. She'd never given much thought to the decor until she'd lived with Hannibal. She'd learned to like what he did. Eliot might have different tastes. Instead, she asked. "Are those for me?" And gestured to the flowers.
"Hi Abigail," he greeted her back with a smile. She was beaming, he could see how excited she was over the arrival of her home. Truthfully, it felt good to be around someone so happy. He stepped in and looked around before his attention was drawn back to her. "Yes, they're for you. A welcome to your...new but not so new home." He smiled again and handed her the vase. "I hope you like them. I've done a little magic on them so the will last much longer than normal fresh cut flowers. Just make sure you still change the water every few days."
Eliot looked around again. He liked the darker color palette, rich colors and from what he could see interesting decor and furniture that almost had a vintage vibe. "This is beautiful. Can I get the full tour?"
"Thank you. They're beautiful." Abigail said, very honestly as she took the vase and raised it to her face to have a sniff. She did love flowers and anything connected to nature and the outside world. It was important to appreciate them. She nodded. "Of course, let's start with the dining room. There's the perfect spot for these flowers there." The table had seemed so long and empty. Eliot's gift would be the perfect accent to cheer it up. She led the way into the dining room, setting the vase down in the centre of the table. "Perfection." She said, stepping back to take in the full look of the table.
"Hannibal threw the most elaborate dinner parties here. And he had smaller dinners too, me and him, sometimes Will and a couple others." Abigail commented. "Oh, and you can see his herb garden along the wall. The fragrances from the herbs adds to any meal and he cooked with them too."
"You're welcome." Eliot nodded and followed Abigail as she started the tour. "It looks good to me," he said as he took in the long table. Obviously someone was used to entertaining a lot of guests. He was a little curious about Hannibal, Abigail's care taker, but he wouldn't ask. That was prying and he didn't know her well enough yet. Or maybe she just didn't want to talk about him which he could understand.
"I love this herb garden along the wall." He walked over and bent down to smell the fresh herbs. He missed cooking. "It's really amazing and beautiful. I never would have thought of something so genius and beautiful. Is Hannibal who taught you how to cook?"
"Thank you." Abigail replied, though she couldn't take credit. That had been Hannibal's work and she'd have to start taking care of the herbs on her own.
"He taught me to cook gourmet meals." Abigail answered. "My parents taught me the basics. We made all our meals from scratch, with meat we hunted. Hannibal was fancier." She let a bit of amusement show in her face. "The very first time he cooked for me, he made breakfast for dinner. High life eggs and homemade sausage. I'd made my own sausage too, venison. But his was better. And I'd never even heard of high life eggs. Now, it's one of my favourites." She supposed she liked it better than sausage, especially since he knew what Hannibal had been using for meat. She hid that truth well at the back of her mind, making her able to look back on her time with him fondly.
"Gourmet meals," Eliot smiled, "now you're definitely going to have to cook for me sometime. I like a mix of fancy and not so fancy. I mean, I can do some serious damage to nice heaping plate of loaded nachos." He laughed and shook his head. It was true though. "Breakfast for dinner is fantastic! But what are high life eggs?" They sounded right up his alley and he was always up for trying new foods.
All the talk of food was making him hungry. "What's your favorite dish or food to cook?" Had he asked her that before? He couldn't remember. "Guess you'll have to throw your own dinner parties here. Or simple ones. It doesn't matter if it's a party of one or ten. As long as you have a good wine," he grinned.
"Who doesn't love loaded nachos? Especially with venison chilli on top." Abigail commented, though Hannibal might not have approved. Too messy. It was more to her father's tastes. "It's eggs fried in brioche bread with onions, paprika, tomatoes and salt. It's very good."
"I like to cook with venison. It's what I grew with you." She'd grown up hunting the deer too. They seemed to always be a part of her life. "I'll have to find out what's the Vallo equivalent of a good Bâtard-Montrachet." She said with a smile. "I might take up hunting again. I hear it can be very profitable here." She'd need the money to keep up the lifestyle that went with the house. "And there's nothing like a dinner party after a fresh hunt." She added. That was what Hannibal had done, in his own way.
"Excellent point," he smiled. "We'll have to have a movie night sometime with loaded nachos." Venison again. "You really like venison. I'm sorry, that's not a...put down of it. I have tried it, but it's not for me." He was learning that it was an important and vital part of her life and family, so he understood. "Okay, that sounds delicious. You have to make it for me sometime," he grinned. He could try on his own of course.
A dinner party after a fresh hunt. It was strange to Eliot to hear such a thing. "I'll take your word on that. I did go to a pig roast once. Where the pig was roasted over an open pit fire all day long. I have to admit the meat was actually so much better than I thought it would be." That was probably as close to experiencing something similar to what Abigail's life had been like as he had been. "So show me the rest of the beautiful place and is there anything you need?" She was going to have a house warming party and he wanted to get her something she needed.
"Beef or chicken chilli for movie night then." Abigail suggested as an alternative. Venison had been a staple, and the one meat she knew for sure had been from an animal when she ate, but it didn't need to be in every dish. She doubted she'd get Eliot to try leg of wild best from hunting in the Vallo forest, so farmed meat was a good alternative. "I will. We can have a breakfast for dinner night."
"That does sound good. It must have smelled good too." Abigail commented. She could imagine the aromas filling the air around the fire pit. She nodded. "With all this talk of food, we should go to the kitchen next." She said and led the way there. The kitchen was large with wooden cabinets that contrasted nicely with the steel appliances and kitchen island. It wasn't as decorated as the other rooms; the kitchen was designed for function. "I don't need any cookware or anything like that." She said slowly, thinking it over. The house had arrived with everything Hannibal had owned. "Maybe something to make the house feel..younger." She suggested. "I'm not sure what that would be." She added sheepishly. She hadn't had normal teenage years.
"Beef if you don't mind." Damn, nachos were starting to sound better and better. "That sounds like a good plan. I'll make the french toast and bacon. I kinda love bacon," he chuckled. "And dips. There's nothing like a good dip, fresh made bread and lets face it, fresh cookies from the oven are a slice of heaven," he grinned.
He looked around the kitchen. Definitely not as done up as the other rooms. It seemed more for functionality and utility. "It's nice and spacious. You definitely wouldn't keep bumping into someone while cooking in here." Something to make the house feel younger. That would be an interesting challenge. He tucked that away for now when Abigail finished showing him the house. "It's really lovely, Abigail. If you ever need help or anything just ask, okay?" Eliot smiled and felt happy for her. "Okay, so I need a hint about what you mean by something to make the house feel young. Is there any type or art you like, places you've traveled or want to travel too, musicians you like?" He was thinking maybe a framed print. Of course adding some pops of color would help, too.
"Very good plans." Abigail agreed. A movie night and a brinner night. She wouldn't be lonely, even when she was alone, with those plans to look forward to. She returned his grin. "Do you ever add bacon to the dips? Or to the cookies?" She could already imagine some recipes. "I guess you can tell I have a taste for savoury foods."
Abigail nodded. It was roomy. "I thought of it as being a bit like a theatre the first time I was here. The kitchen island here, was like Hannibal's stage and I was the audience." It hadn't stayed that way for long. He'd let her into almost every part of his life, including cooking with him. She'd enjoyed that part of it, and now she could the same with Eliot. Only it would be better, since Eliot accented her for being herself.
Abigail took a moment to think over his question. "I don't know. I never really got to experience much." And what she had lived through was disturbing. "I like pencil sketches. And I don't know if it counts as art, but I like selfies, I use them as reminders of my life here." When the memories threaten to overwhelm her, she could use them to pull herself back to the present. "That's not too helpful, though, huh." She paused. "Europe, I wanted to travel there, especially Italy. Oh, and I like forests. Trees, flowers, plants of any kind." She chuckled. "I like the harpsichord, but that's not very youthful. Um, I like blue and green colours, like teal." She tended to pair those colours with brown, but that might have been because of her hunting. Hopefully, some of this was actually useful to Eliot.
"Food is always a good plan" Eliot smiled then laughed. "Of course I add bacon to some of the dips. There's this fabulous 'BLT' dip that I make wit lots of bacon. I'll make it for our movie night and give you the recipe if you like it. I have heard of putting it in cookies, but have never done it. Do you add it to cookies? I'd love to taste some if you do." He smiled again. "Savory foods are delicious."
"That's a a great way of looking at. Cooking is an art. When I have spare time I like to watch cooking shows. I especially like the ones where they're cooking for a dinner party. Of course I always end up hungry when watching those shows, he grinned.
"Actual pencil sketches or digital/print ones?" He wondered if Abigail liked to draw. Well, he wouldn't know unless he asked. "Do you like to draw or paint? I'm trying to remember the last time I took a selfie, but I can see how they would be a nice reminder of your life here." He shook his head. "They are helpful. I like that the're sort of different interests. I can work with them." He was already getting some ideas. Just as he could with Italy and nature. "I like forests too and you can't go wrong with nature." More ideas were forming and he felt good about finding something for her that would help give her home a younger vibe. "You play the harpsichord, right? I think you mentioned that once. I'd love to hear you play sometime."
"Sounds delicious. I'm looking forward to it." Abigail commented. "I do. I've made my own recipe for chocolate-peanut-butter-bacon cookies." It was one she was proud of, because it was truly her own. "They'e smoky, sweet, savoury, salty, all the good s-words. We'll definitely do a recipe swap."
"Those are fun, especially when it's like a performance." Abigail paused for a moment. "Do you think people would come if I had a dinner-party type housewarming, and asked them to cook with me? Or is that too much?" She didn't want anyone to view her party as a chore.
"Actual pencil sketches." Abigail answered. "I draw with a charcoal pencil and heavy paper. I sharpen my pencils with a scalpel. Finer point, finer details." She hadn't been drawing long, but she'd had plenty of time to practice when she'd been in the basement. She'd tried to create something to look at other than the horrors. She smiled at his comment about nature. "Nature is wonderful. Sometimes it feels like the only thing that makes sense." There were no lies in nature, no complicated relationships - people have invented those things.
Abigail nodded at the mention of the harpsichord. "Would you like to hear it now? I could show you the music room next. Unless you'd rather see the living room? That's closer."
"That sounds amazing and delicious," he smiled. "I would love to try some of them and get the recipe." The question of a housewarming where everyone cooked was interesting. "That's a good question. I would come to something like that, but I think depends on how many people come for it. It sounds fun. Maybe you could post and RSVP post on the network and ask who would come, so you have an idea of a number. Fifty people all trying to cook would more difficult than say ten. Make sense?" It was a good idea, but he recalled Abigail had opened the invitation to her housewarming to all Outlanders and that could mean more people.
"You're so talented," he smiled. "I'm not that great at drawing, but I appreciate art." He gave her statement on nature some thought then nodded. "I can agree with that to a point. I think about something like say a tornado. It will touch down somewhere destroying everything in it's path save a single house or building. That doesn't make sense to me, but over all, I think nature doesn't have the complications and bullshit of the human race." Humans had a way of complicating everything and were emotional whether or not they would admit it, and emotion of any kind, drove people to do things that weren't always rational or good.
"Why don't we finish up the tour then you can play. I would like to hear it. I've never heard anyone play the harpsichord."
"Oh, yeah, a crowd could make it difficult." Abigail commented as she tried to remember how many people Hannibal had at his parties. They had always sounded big when she was hidden away in his basement. But he'd had wealth, and other resources. And as she recalled, he only had a few close friends that he cooked with. "I want to people to feel free to come, even if they forget to R.S.V.P. Perhaps a more traditional party is best and then I can have a smaller cooking party later." When she had hopefully made a few more close friends in Vallo.
Abigail smirked. "You say that now, before you've seen my work." She said in a light tone. "I've actually only been drawing for a short time. I had a great teacher in Hannibal though." She nodded. "Yeah, I don't know the science of natural disasters, but at least they don't have an agenda behind them." She'd known a few complicated humans. In fact, almost everyone she'd known had their secrets. Even Will.
Abigail nodded. "The living room next." She said as she led the way. "I really like the fireplace and how the chairs and the couch are close to it. It's very cozy in the winter. I might move this desk though." She said, gesturing to it. "Or maybe simply clear away the decorations on it, so I can use the desk for drawing." She paused. "It feels strange though. As if I should ask Hannibal's permission first, even though he's not here."
"Sounds like you have a plan now. And a smaller cooking party with friends will be fun. Everybody brings something to make or ingredients. It will be a good time. And with a more traditional housewarming you could make some new friends. Do you have a date for when you'll have your housewarming?" He wanted to make sure if it was a weekend he worked that he asked for it off in advance.
"I've found that most people are better than they say because we're all our own biggest critic." They moved to the living room and he took it in. "I suppose that's true about nature. No agenda. Or maybe they're only agenda is just to be." He chuckled a little. Imagine if humans were like that.
"I love fireplaces. I've only ever lived one place for a while that didn't have one. The cottage has one and they are perfect for fall and winter days and nights. So cozy, so comfortable. Great to snuggle up by." He grinned then looked away. "I think he'd want you to be happy here and wouldn't you mind moving the decor to add your own and make it feel more homey for you." Eliot still didn't know a lot about Hannibal other than him being a psychologist and Abigail's guardian, but if he cared for he wouldn't mind her putting her own touches on the house. Everyone deserved that when they came to Vallo.
"No, not yet." Abigail answered. "There's a few things I want to take care of first, and I don't want it to clash with that race coming up." She had to clear out the basement, the one room that would not be included on her tour. It wouldn't serve as her prison anymore, though oddly there were still moments when she felt safer there.
Abigail nodded. "Yeah, most people have a hard time getting past their doubts. But overconfidence can be a problem too." She'd seen that. All the people who thought they could outsmart Hannibal. And he'd been the most over confident of all, comparing himself to god. She smiled. "Wouldn't life be amazing if we could all just be? I mean, not to the extent that we'd all be sitting around watching grass grow, but..to like..just be ourselves. You know?"
"I haven't done much snuggling." Abigail admitted. It was a topic she wanted to discuss with Eliot. He seemed like he might understand her lack of experience and questioning of herself. It hadn't been something she could talk about with her parents. "I might get a pet to snuggle with." She could be like Will, with dogs for company. Or maybe a cat.
"I like to think he'd want that too." Abigail wished that Hannibal really had wanted the best for her. "I wouldn't do anything that couldn't be undone if he ever shows up here. And he wasn't the type to get angry." When he had felt betrayed by her digging up Nicholas Boyle, he hadn't lost his temper. Even on the last day when he shattered the teacup, he hadn't seemed angry. It was more like disappointment. "Let's go upstairs next." She suggested. "I can show you the music room."
"Please let me know when you have the date. I want to be sure to ask off work with as much notice as possible." Eliot chuckled. "Overconfidence can certainly be an issue. I wouldn't know anything about that," he joked. He sobered up and nodded. "I think life would a lot less complicated and better if we could all just be ourselves. Unfortunately the world is full of judgmental and cruel assholes that prevent many from doing so."
He smiled a little when Abigail said she hadn't done much snuggling. "That's perfectly okay. You're young and have lots of time." He paused. "Is there anyone in Vallo that's caught your eye? Someone you'd like to snuggle with?" He was grinning a bit. "A pet is a fantastic idea. They give great cuddles. I have two cats and they're amazing snuggle buddies. Are you a cat or a dog person? Maybe a bird?"
"It seems like he would be understanding. Was Hannibal a family friend? Is that how he became your guardian?" She talked about him, but nothing really in depth. "You don't have to answer that if you don't want to. I'm not trying to be nosy or pry. Just curious, I guess." He followed her upstairs. "Does that mean you'll play for me?" He was looking forward to seeing the music room and hearing her play.
"I will." Abigail promised. "It'll probably be in the evening. Do you work long hours?" She asked, realizing she didn't know much about his career. "Too many bullies." She agreed. "And there's the attention we get as outlanders. It's not as bad as the reporters back home, but I think I'd feel better if I could be anonymous. I worry about the locals knowing about my past."
"No, not here. There was someone back home that I thought about, but I didn't even know if she liked girls. Or even what I liked." Abigail looked away self-consciously. It was her first time coming out. "With everything else that was happening back home, there wasn't a lot of room for thinking about stuff like that. And my dad didn't want me to grow up." She added, as an explanation. She'd been kept from experiencing the world in many ways. "I'm not sure. I was thinking of a dog." She said, looking back at Eliot. She'd heard about Will's dogs. It had always seemed like a good way to fill a home without needing people. "Or a cat maybe."
Abigail shook her head as she made her way up the stairs. "No, we only met on the day my parents died, when he and Will saved me." A debt that she could never repay and one of the reasons she didn't hate Hannibal for what he'd done later. "He felt responsible for me, because I was orphaned that day. And we had a special connection, me, him, and Will because we all went through it." That was what Hannibal had told her, and while she hadn't been as close with Will, she chose to believe it was true. "We were going to be a family." She had to believe that was truly what Hannibal had wanted once.
Abigail nodded as she led the way into the music room. "I will." She said gesturing to the large harpsichord. "The harpsichord only. I can't play theremin. It's such a unique instrument."
"I'm full time, six days a week every other week. I get every other Saturday off and Sundays. I've been thinking about seeing if I can change that though. I could use the money. I have a loan to pay off. Longer hours on the weekend. But! I also make damn good tips on the weekend, so I won't complain too much." He grinned then nodded. "It seems to me that people's pasts aren't held against them here. Not much anyway. Besides, we all screw up and do stupid shit. It's called being human." Sure some things were worse than others, but really, according to who?
Eliot smiled softly. He's feeling about Abigail had been correct, though she seemed shy about it. She'd had a difficult life and this was perhaps her first time sharing that with anyone. "There's a couple nice gay clubs in the city if you'd ever want to go check them out. And my apology if you're bi or identify as something other than gay. I just want to let you know there are some clubs and bars. If you didn't want to go alone I'd be happy to go with you."
Eliot listened as she talked a little more about Hannibal. He still seemed a little off? Creepy? Eliot didn't get the best vibe when Abigail talked about him. A family? Two grown men and a teen girl thy'd just met? Definitely not getting good vibes there. "As long as he took good care of you that's what matters." Though he was starting to wonder about that. "A dog might be a better option with you living alone."
The music room was as beautiful as the rest of the house. "I don't know anyone who can play the theremin, but I also have never heard of it," he said looking at the unique instrument. "The harpsichord though?" He smiled. "I'm waiting to hear you play."
Abigail made a mental note. "I was thinking of a Friday or Saturday, hopefully it'll work for you." She didn't want a party to interfere with her classes. "For me, it was about trying to survive." She supposed she had made mistakes and trusted the wrong people. But when those people were the ones that were supposed to love and care for her, it all seemed mixed up.
"I'm not sure how I identify." Abigail admitted. She'd suppressed that part of herself for too long. "Maybe questioning." She'd heard the term a few times as she tried to figure herself out. "I've never been to a bar or a club." Her father would never have approved. Hannibal, maybe, if they had different circumstances and it was a fancy bar. "I'd go to one with you. Maybe a bar first." She'd have to work her confidence up before trying a club. She might even practice dancing. The house was better for that than an apartment, without neighbours to be bothered if she turned up the music.
"He did when he was able to." Abigail said. She'd never seen the ending coming. She even separated him into parts in her mind. Hannibal cared for her, as did her father. They were different from the Copycat and the Shrike when they were parental. She nodded. "Maybe a big breed. I have enough room." It would make the place feel less lonely.
"I think most people haven't heard of it." Abigail thought it couldn't have even been an instrument the first time she'd seen one. Just a box with antennas. "You don't have to touch it to play it. It kind of works like a radio signal. That antenna controls pitch and the other controls volume. How close you are to it, and how you move your hands changes the signals and makes different sounds." She waved her hand in front of it and it made a wailing sound. She chuckled. "Takes an expert to get it right."
Abigail smiled back. "No more waiting." She sat down at the harpsichord and began to play an aria from Bach. She tilted her head slightly, relying on her good ear to guide her as her fingers danced over the keys.
"It's perfectly fine to be unsure or questioning." Abigail was still young and he got the feeling she hadn't date much. "Besides I personally don't believe sexuality is set in stone. I've known people who identified one way then later in life identified differently. There are a lot of things that can affect it, a lot to explore and I feel sexuality is more fluid." It was different for everyone. "Alright, when you feel ready or want to go to a bar or club let me know and we'll go. It'll be fun." He smiled then took on a more serious tone. "You know, if you ever need someone to talk to about this kind of stuff you can talk to me. I'm not going to talk to or tell anyone else. It stays between us. You can consider me a safe space and trust me."
When he was able to? That was strange to say about a guardian. He said nothing more though. "You should go to the animal shelter and see what dogs and puppies they have. I got Houdini from there and she's my baby." He smiled and looked at the odd instrument again. "I'm going to have to Google it and see how it's played. I like that you don't touch it to play it."
Eliot saw Abigail relax as she began to play. Beautiful music filled the room. She was very good. The notes had an almost dreamlike affect, soft. When she finished Eliot was smiling. "Just beautiful, Abigail. You're very good."