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]

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.

[hollow_moon]

The wolf seemed to relax a little more, recognizing Hannibal's scent, and it nuzzled the man's hand before sniffing the air.

Valentine had made sure to eat his fill before turning, but had left one of the skinned hares they'd hunted earlier in the day in the clearing- Something to keep the wolf happy. It wasn't hungry yet though, and it scratched at the dirt around it, covering it a bit, before turning to Hannibal again.

Head cocked to the side, it was clear it wasn't sure what to make of human companionship. Though the wolf had faint memories of Valentine's father keeping it company when the man had still been just a pup. It had known human touch and human kindness, and though it was still wild, and still dangerous- when not well fed and happy- it seemed almost domesticated as it brought Hannibal part of the hare it had just buried.

[anamusebouche]

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.

[hollow_moon]

That seemed to please the creature, and it took the offered half and sat with it, chewing and tearing at the flesh. The meat painted its muzzle with blood, and it ate a little more before burying the meat again and turning to leave.

It looked back at Hannibal once more, still not sure what to make of the human, then gracefully took off to roam freely in the moonlight.

[anamusebouche]

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.

[hollow_moon]

The wolf ran all night, it never slept when it was offered freedom to roam, and it was nearly noon when Valentine made an appearance at last. Having snuck back into the house that morning to shower and sleep a little, he still looked a touch weak and pale as he went looking for Hannibal in the large house.

[anamusebouche]

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."

[hollow_moon]

"No, it's my fault. I should have told you what was going on," Val insisted, shaking his head and rubbing his jaw as he spoke.

He moved as though he was in pain, and he sank into one of the leather chairs as though he was truly grateful for its embrace. Beside him was a crystal decanter of whiskey, and he poured himself a glass before silently offering one to Hannibal.

"I'm just glad you weren't harmed."

[anamusebouche]

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?"

[hollow_moon]

"I do- Some of it, at least. It's like remembering a dream though. The wolf sees things differently, feels them differently... My mind does its best to translate it all for me, but a lot get's lost in translation I think. ...I remember you though. I saw you- I could smell you," Valentine said quietly, handing Hannibal his drink as he sipped his own.

[anamusebouche]

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.

[hollow_moon]

"He's not been near human's since I was a child. My father used to stay with me when I turned. The wolf was just a pup then... Maybe it remembers that," he said softly. "God, I don't know what I'd have done if it had harmed you- If I'd harmed you."

He rubbed his face, then sighed. "You seem very calm about all of this."

[anamusebouche]

"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."

[hollow_moon]

Val nodded a bit in understanding, then offered a soft laugh.

"I'm glad it looks better than it feels. ...I love the wolf, I've learned to embrace him, but turning is- It's like having every bone in your body shatter and then heal within moments.

[anamusebouche]

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

[hollow_moon]

"If it does, it hasn't yet for me," Val replied, shaking his head. "You'd think your body would numb to it, but it doesn't. It's just as painful now as it was when I was a child. I'll ache for days after."

[anamusebouche]

"It's extraordinary," Hannibal replied. "Your body and mind change entirely? Have you ever tried to remain in control?"

[hollow_moon]

"I have some control- It's not just my body that's altered though, it's my mind also. I think like the wolf, I feel what he feels. I'm very much there, but changed," Val explained. "And just as I struggle with the memories of the wolf, I believe it struggles with mine. Human thoughts and feelings are foreign to the wolf."

[anamusebouche]

"I thought I detected some fear in the wolf when you turned," Hannibal commented. "Must be strange to be born every month, and die in the same night."

[hollow_moon]

"No, he's always here. I feel him, even now," Val confessed. "He senses things- about people, about the world around us. It's strange, but comforting. It's a huge part of who I am."

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal wondered if he could be brought to the surface, even when the moon wasn't full. Was it possible to get Valentine to surrender to the wolf inside? "He knew I posed no threat, somehow."

[hollow_moon]

"He- We could smell you. It's blurry, but I remember us knowing it was you, not a stranger. I couldn't recall your name, but I knew you, we knew you, and we weren't afraid," Val said, his brow creased as he tried to make sense of the wolf's thoughts.

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal smiled a little. "I feel privileged to have witnessed it."

[hollow_moon]

"You're one of a very small few," Val replied. "I'm glad I didn't completely horrify you," he added with a soft and tired laugh.

"I'm starving, Would you like to join me for lunch? I could use a short break from my cousins, we could go to the country club, if you like. They have an excellent menu."

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal nodded. "Sounds good. It won't be considered rude?"