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 2015-04-24 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.

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[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."

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[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.

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[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.

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[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.

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[personal profile] anamusebouche 2015-04-28 01:11 pm (UTC)(link)

Hannibal seemed relaxed and calm, but he did not loose sight of the facts. This was a wolf, and it might at any time decide he didn't appreciate the man's intrusion. He did not sit down, therefore, even though that would bring them to the same height. He opted to stand and thus keep the use of his legs if he should need it. He had a branch in sight, and he might be able to climb into the tree easily. That was his (very modest) escape plan.

He nodded in appreciation to the partial hare, and tore it loose at the joint to return another part back to the wolf. They were sharing. And Hannibal would give him part of what was his.

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[personal profile] anamusebouche 2015-04-28 01:35 pm (UTC)(link)

Hannibal watched it as he left. He had never witnessed such a beautiful and literal transformation.

He was respectful of the hare offered and so he returned to the house and borrowed the kitchen to cook it for himself. It was only a thigh, but with a few herbs, he easily cooked up a small midnight snack.

He sat down at the dinner table to eat it and looked out over the garden, wondering if and how Valentine would return.

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[personal profile] anamusebouche 2015-04-28 01:43 pm (UTC)(link)

Hannibal offered a small but genuine smile when Valentine found him, reading in the library. "Valentine," he said and set away his book. "I should apologize, I feel, for intruding last night, on such a private and intimate moment."

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[personal profile] anamusebouche 2015-04-28 01:51 pm (UTC)(link)

It was early, but Hannibal accepted the offer of a drink with a nod - just like he had accepted the hare the night before.

"Do you know what happened? Do you remember what happens in your transformed state?"

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[personal profile] anamusebouche 2015-04-28 02:02 pm (UTC)(link)

Hannibal nodded in acceptance of the drink. "You were a little hesitant at first, but curious next. You offered me part of the hare you had stowed away. A token. I tore it and gave you half, which you ate. Apparently that was sufficient to determine I was no threat and you left," he explained.

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[personal profile] anamusebouche 2015-04-28 02:25 pm (UTC)(link)

"I've had the night to assimilate the fact," Hannibal explained, then gave Valentine a little more. "I know there are beings in our world that are out of the ordinary. Beings that defy classical natural laws. I had never seen one of your kind, but my knowledge of the... 'super' natural world came some time ago."

He took a sip from his whiskey. "I found your transition a truly magnificent sight to witness, if I may say so."

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[personal profile] anamusebouche 2015-04-28 02:45 pm (UTC)(link)

"It doesn't get easier with time?" Hannibal was curious to know. He found himself curious about many things; physical and psychological in nature.

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