For Hannibal

[hollow_moon]

His invitation to join him at his cousin Elliot's country estate for the weekend had been genuine, and not long after their dinner together, Hannibal had received a very posh looking card in the mail, with a date, directions, and a list of attire that would be needed for the weekend. From hunting to dinner dress, it was all laid out in beautiful calligraphy, and sealed with the wax seal the Collingwoods had been using for centuries.

The estate itself was grand and sprawling, a massive home centred between immaculate gardens and very dense and lush woods. There was nothing else for miles around, but the estate was never empty. At the moment it was filled with the younger Collingwood men and their guests, for what was intended to be a men's retreat before the coming months of more feminine socials and dinner parties. 

Val rarely smoked, but he was currently indulging in his cousin's pipe and imported tobacco as he lounged in the library. They were due to set out shortly to go on their first hunt, but Val had been doing this for so long that he knew there was no rush. No doubt by now second cousin Reginald would be throwing his first of many fits, while Elliot  tried to sooth him and calm him down. It was as much a tradition as the rest of the weekend really...

The door opened, and Val smiled as he looked over and saw Dr. Lecter.

"Ah, Hannibal. Avoiding the racket of Cousin Reginald's tantrum?" he asked with a soft laugh.

Comments

[anamusebouche]

"I don't know if that would be appropriate," Hannibal said, carefully. He was also unsure if he would want to bring Alcuin.

[hollow_moon]

Val didn't push, he simply held his hand up and smiled. "You'd be welcome to bring anyone you liked, or come alone. But you should come, Hannibal. Truly."

[anamusebouche]

"Your kindness is commendable," Hannibal said. "But I know the whispers that come from my relation with Alcuin. They exist without his presence, I'm aware of that. But I would spare your family the complications that might arise if I should bring him."

[hollow_moon]

"Oh, Hannibal, my family has plenty of dark secrets and scandals all of their own," Val chuckled. "Though, while we're on the topic of whispers and the like, I wonder, has Elliot warned you yet of the wild dogs that roam these woods after dark? He has very strict rules that everyone is to stay inside after eleven. No exceptions. I do hope you understand."

[anamusebouche]

"He did mention it, yes," Hannibal replied. "Your cousin Reginald made it a veritable ghost story. Do you find them close to the house often?"

[hollow_moon]

"Once in a while... They aren't known to be dangerous, but- Better safe than sorry. We don't believe in harming them, and they do keep the local pests in check..." Val said, his tone changing slightly into something lighter and more pleading almost.

He'd never harmed anyone in wolf form, but how could he be certain he never would? ...Still, he really didn't like the idea of being shot simply because the wolf had decided to sniff around the house.

[anamusebouche]

"I would never harm them myself," Hannibal replied. "Of course, I will stay indoors as requested. Though it seems a shame. A garden by night smells even better than by day."

[hollow_moon]

"Very true," Val agreed.

He was about to say something more when Elliot appeared, along with his friend Christopher. "Sorry about that," the slightly older, blonde haired man sighed. "Regional seems to have calmed down, though I'm not certain he's fit to join us."

"What your cousin is trying to say, Valentine, is that the always charming Reginald, is absolutely smashed," Christopher snorted, shaking his head a bit.

Valentine chucked softly, shaking his head. "I'd say it was a pity, but... Well, should we head out then?" he asked cheerfully.

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal nodded. "I will follow the family, naturally, but I would like to get started. The weather is in our favour now."

[hollow_moon]

"Well Preston is staying with Reginald, so it's just us four, I'm afraid," Elliot replied with a smile, offering Hannibal and Valentine their rifles. "Come on, let's start in the brush, With any luck there are plenty of hares about. Then we'll move onto bigger game."

[anamusebouche]

Now, Hannibal was no stranger to a rifle, but when it came to it, he favoured more... visible weaponry. The shot of a gun was invisible. Over before it's caught by the eye. The only evidence of it came after; a small hole, and later, the spilling of blood. No visibility made it such a hollow expirience. He enjoyed swords and knives far more, and the use of his bare hands. More intimate, more real. And when it came to hunting, he favoured the crossbow. Slower than a rifle, but more visible. A beautiful weapon with beautiful effects.

But a rifle would do... for hares.

"You don't hunt with dogs?" He asked, as they walked.

[hollow_moon]

"We do sometimes," Elliot replied. "Not this weekend though."

Val looked sheepish, then laughed. "The wild dogs don't like it when we do."

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal had the feeling there was an in-joke here that he was not part of, but he let it slide. There was something about those wild dogs, though, that made him curious.

"Then we'll have to rely on our own noses." He joked lightly.

[hollow_moon]

"And what a fine pair we have between us, Hannibal," Val smiled, tapping the side of his nose and laughing brightly.

[anamusebouche]

Upon Valentine's remark, his relatives looked at Hannibal with somewhat surprised faces. Hannibal simply smiled and that seemed to diminish their surprise.

Yes. There was definitely something going on with Valentine. Hannibal wondered if his 'ailment' had something to do with it.

[hollow_moon]

The first hours of the hunt were unremarkable, they bagged several hares and two plump pheasants, but nothing really grand enough to make a decadent dinner. It wasn't until they were deep in the woods that the deer made themselves known, leaving tracks for the hunters to follow.

"You know, I've never actually shot a deer," Val confessed quietly. "I find I always hesitate when it comes time to pull the trigger."

[anamusebouche]

"We attribute deer with higher intelligence than hares and pheasants. Their size, their eyes... No shame in hesitating. Shows acknowledgement of the deer's life," Hannibal argued in hushed tones so as not to scare off any deer. "But you did come here to hunt, the rifle is in your hand. Why do you hesitate now?" He made it sound like a question, and not a free and unasked therapy session."

[hollow_moon]

"I suppose I just don't like the idea of being seen as a killer- Even when it's socially acceptable," Val replied.honestly, falling silent as a large buck came into view.

[anamusebouche]

"You've made a difference between a hare and a deer," Hannibal whispered. "Make a noise and be rid of the dilemma."

[hollow_moon]

It was clear Valentine wanted to. He didn't want to harm the beautiful animal, not if he could avoid it... However, before he could make his mind up, Elliot leaned over and spoke in his ear.

"Your turn, Val. You're the only one who's not taken a buck down before. Go on," he cousin encouraged, speaking in a soft whisper.

"He wont do it," Christopher chimed in quietly, rolling his eyes. "He doesn't have the spine for it, do you Valentine?"

...And he didn't. Valentine's finger hesitated on the trigger, and Elliot sighed. "It's your shot to take if you want it, Hannibal."

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal stepped in order to be able to assess the shot, but his foot stepped on a branch and the snapping scared the deer away. It was purposeful on Hannibal's behalf. He wanted to see what this failure to shoot would do and the consequences would be much less visible if Hannibal had shot the deer instead. "I suppose the deer was meant to live beyond today," he remarked lightly.

Valentine's family didn't seem to mind too much and were up and away trying to find the next. Hannibal lingered next to Valentine. "Why do you go hunting if you don't want to hunt?" He asked, passing no judgement.

[hollow_moon]

"It's not that I don't enjoy it- I enjoy it to a point... It''s expected though. Of me, I mean. All the men in my family hunt," he explained.

[anamusebouche]

"Have you ever shot your rifle?" Hannibal asked.

[hollow_moon]

"I've shot my share of hares and the like," Val insisted. "It's just... It's hard to explain, Hannibal. There are things about me you don't know, and perhaps it's best you don't. ...I keep myself under tight control, and I pride myself on my strong moral compass- I need those things to feel- More human, I suppose."

[anamusebouche]

"Then why don't we turn our attention on something else?" Hannibal suggested helpfully. "Let that moral compass guide you, and not the pressure from your peers."