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Tweak says, "Voldemort is my cousin!"

Hannibal Lecter (eatspeople) wrote in we_coexist,
@ 2015-04-12 10:18:00

Entry tags:

death of the endless, hannibal lecter, zz:status complete

Curiosity (Dee)
Hannibal had gone by the physical store for the pastry shop after leaving The Imbolc to see about the actual store hours. He wanted to time it so that he would be the only one in the store when he had his discussion with Dee. He knew that it would have to be after the breakfast rush of those wanting something on the way to work, but well before any random passers-by might catch the scent of scones and other pastries and be drawn in for a sample.

There was also the need to make sure that there wouldn't be anyone else working behind the counter. He didn't think that he would get honest answers if she thought they could be overheard. As it was, he couldn't be positive that she would be forthright with her knowledge. It had been clear to him that she'd known him, how much, what tidbits, how she'd come by that information, all of these were things that he wanted to know.

He watched the store for a bit before crossing the street and heading inside. He'd seen no other movement but that head of black hair, obviously busy at her daily tasks. His watch, quickly checked, told him that he had at least a half an hour of potential lull before the streets became animated. Then the risk would go up substantially. There was no plan to do her any harm, just ask what he wanted to ask. The risk lay in somebody interrupting. Of her not being willing to be alone with him a second time so that he could continue his line of query. Hannibal had no doubt that the surprise of him on this occasion would not be a happy one.

The door opened easily, and Hannibal stood just inside of it, taking in the atmosphere. He even closed his eyes briefly to enjoy the pleasant smells of freshly baked pastries.

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deeisfordeath
2015-04-14 05:01 am UTC (link)

His directness didn't surprise her, and in fact it steadied her. The trembling ceased and a sort of calm stole over her. She studied him: his immaculate suit, even at this hour. His careful hair. The planes and angles of his face, so adept at hiding everything he truly felt.

"Tell me, Dr. Lecter, are you fond of riddles? Somehow I think not." She paused, and a smile appeared around her eyes. "I'm a friend. A very old friend. We've only met once, and no matter how good your memory, you won't remember me.

"I'm not afraid of psychiatrists, though I shudder to think what you would discover if you tried to shrink my head. No, doctor, I'm not afraid of your profession. Your hobbies, on the other hand, give me pause."

She lifted a brow and tilted her head, the smile deepening. "I truly hope you've no plans to keep up such activity here in The City. It's my understanding that the guardians of this place don't like riddles, either." She said the last words delicately, in a carefully pointed tone that left no doubt as to her meaning.

"You should try the pumpernickel. We're especially proud of it."

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eatspeople
2015-04-14 05:09 am UTC (link)

That sly smile caused Hannibal to pause. She was not an ordinary girl. Not by any stretch of the word. This he had known at The Imbolc, now it was doubly confirmed. She was not frightened by his decision to get right to the point, nor of the words he used. Generally speaking, the ordinary did not agree with directness and tended to dance around matter until their souls grew weary and they had no other choices.

He rolled the riddle around in his head while she spoke, listening to her and doing his best to decipher all at the same time. There were possibilities within the few lines she spoke. Not growing up in the United States, he had different views of certain things. His personal beliefs were also taken into account. Hannibal did not believe in God, and thus did not think that God, or any iteration of, would be standing before him now. One thing made sense. Since she was not naming his particulars, he would not outright name hers.

"There's something quieter than sleep; Within this inner room! It wears a sprig upon its breast; And will not tell its name." The words were a cool memory, Dickinson pulled from an endless well of words and recited calmly. Hannibal had no idea how Dee would react to them, or if she would. Confirm or deny, or ignore.

"No." He said, switching the conversation to match hers. "I've actually no such plans while I"m here. My hobbies have stayed firmly planted where I last planted myself, Baltimore. While I am here, I aim to ... try something new. Sometimes even riddles need to be reread to truly understand their meaning."

There was every reason to distrust Dee and what she was saying, but just as many reasons to take her word as gospel. She knew, many things, and in that knowing lent something of credibility to herself and everything that she said. Who was he to doubt her when she made a claim as to who she was, when she had the information that nobody should?

"I think I'm more in the mood for something sweet." Hannibal smiled a little himself. "Your pecan tart was lovely. How about something along those lines?"

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deeisfordeath
2015-04-14 05:14 am UTC (link)

She wasn't particularly surprised when he guessed her truth, and for a moment she felt an odd surge of relief. No one else here knew. No, it probably wasn't wise to confide in Hannibal Lecter, of all people, but it was done now, and nothing she could say at this point would undo it. Hopefully he wouldn't also guess about her distressing state of mortality.

She relaxed a fraction when he assured her he wasn't up to his old tricks—she had no reason to doubt him at this point—and then even managed a genuine smile when he asked about the tarts. She turned to retrieve a tray of them and set it on the counter. "They were popular yesterday, so I started on them early. Would you like a sample before you decide for sure?"

It wasn't that she liked him. She had no illusions about what he was or the things he'd done, but the contrasts of him had always...intrigued her. Maybe that was a strong word, but it was impossible to visit someone as often as she had visited him (indirectly) without wondering. He has hardly the first killer in history, and certainly not the most prolific, but most of them were the same. Lecter was something different. Not entirely unique over the entire scope of history, but certainly different.

She shook her head to clear the cobwebs away and met Hannibal's eyes with a steady smile. "Your perceptiveness isn't a surprise, Dr. Lecter, but your readiness to accept the seemingly impossible is."

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eatspeople
2015-04-14 05:17 am UTC (link)

He stepped forward to glance at the tray Dee provided and closed his eyes to inhale the smell of them, much like he had done when he'd walked into the shop. Now he was seeking out a specific scent, though he discovered quickly that each promised an intriguing performance for his taste buds.

"I think I will take one of each." There was no promise that he'd eat a full platter of tarts by himself, but he would most certainly try them all. He had it in mind to provide himself also with an array of wines, to see what the best mixture of flavors was. He thought then, once found, he might throw something of a dinner party. Two guests already could be placed on the list. Dee, of course. And Will Graham. Hannibal was already planning to reveal himself to the man before much longer.

He considered what Dee was saying. "Ordinarily, I would not accept so readily, but part of the appeal of this place was the mysterious and unknown. The rumors I heard about it invited the idea that it wasn't quite ordinary. The fact that you should be here, especially given you are already aware of my proclivities, knowledge that nobody else living has, is not an outlandish notion. It provides some surprise, though not much of one. You fit here, I think."

Hannibal did take one of the tarts to sample while he was standing there, one with a deep blue filling and a little creative dollop of white cream in the center.

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deeisfordeath
2015-04-14 05:20 am UTC (link)

She was flattered that he seemed to enjoy her food so much. Despite his more...exotic...ingredients, she knew he had a sophisticated palate, and it was a genuine compliment. She smiled and reached under the counter for one of the white bakery boxes.

"I don't think I need to mention how important discretion is," she said as she filled the box. "As someone who keeps secrets for a living, and as someone with certain sensitive information yourself, I know you understand I'd rather not anyone else know who I really am. The name of the bakery alone would make some uncomfortable, I'm sure."

She cleared her throat and closed the box. Cut off a length of twine and tied it around, finishing it off with a charming bow. Her tone was less formal as she continued. "People get nervous around me. That's understandable and I don't hold it against them, but one of the things I've enjoyed about keeping a low profile is that people can just get to know me, not my function."

She slid the box across the counter toward him with a smile. "We all have our secrets, Dr. Lecter. I've no intention of revealing yours unless it became necessary, which you've assured me it will not. Therefore, it's ours to know and no one else's business. I'm sure you'll agree that my secret is the same."

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eatspeople
2015-04-14 05:24 am UTC (link)

There was a courteous nod as Dee spoke, and he didn't interrupt her with any other assurances. He waited patiently for her to say what she needed to, and found himself agreeing on some of her points beyond the need for secrecy. It was nice to have something of a clean slate. For nobody to know who he was. Save, of course, for Will Graham, but Will didn't know at this point that Hannibal was an actual entity sharing the same town.

"Of course." He smiled. "I wouldn't dream of divulging your secret to anybody. It is not their business. As far as I'm concerned, you're merely a girl who works at the bakery. If asked about our encounter at The Imbolc, I will state that it was my professional curiosity that elicited my reaction to you. Whatever you choose to state as yours to me, I will gladly back up.

"I truly wouldn't have said a word, even if you'd not brought it up. I wish for you to know that."

It did ease him to hear that she had no plans of outing him to anybody. And all he had to do to assure that was to continue on the path that he was intending. To stay clear of his normal habits and begin anew. They were both on virgin snow, ready to place footprints that had nothing to do with other lives. He respected that in her. Though, admittedly, he was interested in hearing about just what she might have witnessed, and what she might think about those things. A conversation he thought was not likely to happen. Not now, and not ever, for the sake of them both.

"Rabid dogs would not be able to drag it out of me." He promised on the matter of her own undisclosed information. Hannibal glanced quickly at the box, indicating it. "How much do I owe you?"

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deeisfordeath
2015-04-14 05:26 am UTC (link)

As they stood talking, she was reminded suddenly of the quote from F. Scott Fitzgerald: The test of first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.

She was certain Hannibal Lecter was going to test her intelligence. She had no illusions about his appetites or proclivities, and while she loved all her charges, she didn't necessarily like all of them. Normally the ones she liked the least were, on paper at least, very similar to Hannibal. But somehow she didn't hate him. She didn't even really dislike him.

She let the ideas butt against each other like bumper cars. It wasn't a new sensation, but it was unusual. Why shouldn't he be given another chance? Why shouldn't he have a fresh start in a new place? He was a disciplined man, and she knew if anyone could make such a change, it was he.

She smiled and shrugged. "Consider them a gift. Welcome to The City. May you enjoy peace and joy all your days here."

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eatspeople
2015-04-14 05:30 am UTC (link)

Hannibal smiled. "That is very kind of you, Dee. I hope one day I am able to replay you in like."

He picked up the box of tarts, already cataloging in his head the wines that he would pick up before he started back toward home. He thought that if he found a particularly promising pairing, he would gift Dee with a bottle of whatever it happened to be, and leave her a note about which tart is should be partnered with.

This would not, of course, be the repayment. That could only come if he actually did cook for her. Hannibal wasn't sure how she would feel about such an offer, given what she knew about him. Then again, she was taking him at his word that he had no plans of acting on any past impulses. Perhaps she would accept.

Now wasn't the time to extend an invitation, given the atmosphere and the talk they'd just had. He would allow her time to consider everything and let it all sink in without him standing immediately in front of her.

"I hope to see you again soon." Was all that he said, dismissing himself with a slight bowing of his head.

Of all the things that he had expected upon walking into Death By Sweetness, the encounter had surprised him pleasantly. It wasn't some simple explanation, he never could have guessed in a million years prior to the hint she had dropped. Hannibal liked that very much. The sense of unpredictability. It settled across his shoulders as would a well loved jacket as he walked out the door.

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