hollow_moon: (friendly)
Valentine Collingwood ([personal profile] hollow_moon) wrote2015-04-20 10:33 am

For Hannibal

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.

anamusebouche: (Default)

[personal profile] anamusebouche 2015-04-22 07:41 am (UTC)(link)

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.

anamusebouche: (Default)

[personal profile] anamusebouche 2015-04-23 06:06 am (UTC)(link)

"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."

anamusebouche: (Default)

[personal profile] anamusebouche 2015-04-23 01:11 pm (UTC)(link)

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

anamusebouche: (Default)

[personal profile] anamusebouche 2015-04-23 02:01 pm (UTC)(link)

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.

anamusebouche: (Default)

[personal profile] anamusebouche 2015-04-23 02:13 pm (UTC)(link)

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

anamusebouche: (Default)

[personal profile] anamusebouche 2015-04-23 02:29 pm (UTC)(link)

"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."

anamusebouche: (Default)

[personal profile] anamusebouche 2015-04-24 06:51 am (UTC)(link)

"Are you sure that is not still the pressure guiding you?" Hannibal said, but with a mild smile. "But I will join you for a drink."

As they walked, Hannibal noticed a slight change in Valentine, as if he was suddenly very tired. "Are you feeling well?"

anamusebouche: (Default)

[personal profile] anamusebouche 2015-04-24 02:49 pm (UTC)(link)

"Not at all," Hannibal replied. He had decided that he would venture into the gardens past eleven. He was curious to know what the family was on about.

"A nightcap then."

anamusebouche: (Default)

[personal profile] anamusebouche 2015-04-24 07:16 pm (UTC)(link)

Hannibal stayed and took another drink. It was near eleven when he excused himself too. He was met with sounds of disappointment as to his early departure. But he smiled and was not persuaded to have one more drink.

He dressed in dark clothes and wore a dark coat, in order to be as invisible as possible. He slipped out easily, and soon enough was moving around the gardens and then the woods.

The smells were delightful, but there was something else in the air.

anamusebouche: (Default)

[personal profile] anamusebouche 2015-04-25 07:32 am (UTC)(link)

Hannibal turned and found Valentine as he was about take off his trousers. There was no one with him, which was Hannibal's first assumption. He was pained, that much was obvious, so Hannibal's second reaction was to approach. "Have you fallen ill? Let me take you back to the house."

anamusebouche: (Default)

[personal profile] anamusebouche 2015-04-25 04:40 pm (UTC)(link)

Hannibal approached further, seeing Valentine was obviously in pain. As he stepped, the clouds fell away and the light of the moon reached both men. The feel of it on the back of his neck, made Hannibal realize what was going on here.

He'd never seen such a thing, of course, but when one knew fairies and vampires, the jump to werewolves just wasn't that large.

Valentine was a werewolf?

"This is your ailment?" He asked, not stepping any closer, but back a few steps.

anamusebouche: (Default)

[personal profile] anamusebouche 2015-04-28 06:47 am (UTC)(link)

Hannibal didn't approach any further, but stood in genuine awe as he watched Valentine change his muscles, his bone structure, his skin, into that of a wolf. It was a beautiful sight.

He understood he had to tread carefully - the wolf is a wild animal and if Valentine lost control, he could become very dangerous. But curiosity did win - at least for a few moments. He didn't approach, but didn't run away either. Two vivid green eyes looked upon him, and Hannibal looked back, seeing Valentine in the animal's gaze.

"Magnificent," he said, quietly, humbly almost.

anamusebouche: (Default)

[personal profile] anamusebouche 2015-04-28 12:49 pm (UTC)(link)

Hannibal had been around wild animals in his youth, and he knew a little of how they might react. He knew to cast his head down, so as not to appear a threat, and knew not to back away, so as not to appear scared prey.

He allowed it, instead, to be examined by the wolf. He was ready, though, to sprint away, to attack, to do whatever needed to survive.

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-04-28 13:11 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-04-28 13:35 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-04-28 13:43 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-04-28 13:51 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-04-28 14:02 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-04-28 14:25 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-04-28 14:45 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-04-28 20:11 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-04-29 06:26 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-04-29 15:28 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-04-29 18:18 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-04-29 18:35 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-04-30 06:57 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-04-30 17:47 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-04-30 21:50 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-05-01 15:21 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-05-01 16:20 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-05-02 10:16 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-05-02 17:36 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-05-03 11:00 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-05-04 06:30 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-05-04 18:47 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-05-04 19:35 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-05-04 19:44 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-05-05 08:18 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-05-05 15:26 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-05-05 15:54 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-05-05 16:57 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-05-05 17:06 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-05-05 22:00 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-05-05 22:13 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-05-06 12:57 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-05-06 18:49 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-05-07 16:09 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-05-08 06:34 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-05-08 18:21 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] anamusebouche - 2015-05-09 12:55 (UTC) - Expand