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 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?"

[hollow_moon]

"Not at all," Val assured him. "Elliot is aware that I prefer a bit of quiet after a full moon. Besides, Reginald's due to throw another tantrum any minute now, and I feel it would be much ruder to subject you to that," he laughed.

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal smiled. "I don't mind tantrums. I treat them. Not usually a family situation, though," he joked lightly. "I wouldn't mind going out for lunch. Is there a specific dress code in the country club?"

[hollow_moon]

"Dinner jacket and tie, no denim," Val smiled. "Not a worry for you, I'm sure. You always look smashing, Hannibal. I'll meet you downstairs shortly."

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal went up and dressed accordingly, with a dinner jacket, but with a dark purple shirt and matching tie to create a slightly more appropriate look for a lunch, then went back down to meet Valentine.

He could hear Valentine's cousin starting a fit once more. That man truly needed some therapy. Or a light snap of the neck.

"All set," he said with a pleased smile, as Valentine came down.

[hollow_moon]

Val could have worn anything he liked, his family practically owned the club after all- No one would dare deny him entrance. However, he wore a tie and jacket anyway, black on black, with just the faintest hint of gold brocade on the coat and tie.

He moved stiffly as he came down the stairs, but smiled brightly, even though he could hear Reginald ranting about some invitation Elliot had received that he hadn't.

"Why don't we take the Aston?" he suggested brightly. "You can drive, if you like. She's a treat on these empty country roads," he added with a playful wink.

[anamusebouche]

"I will not say no to that offer," Hannibal said, pleased with the invitation. As they walked, he noticed the stiffness in Valentine's limbs. "Muscle ache?"

[hollow_moon]

"Oh, the ache goes all the way through to my bones," Val said, laughing softly and trying to keep the tone light. "It's like no other pain I know, to be honest. Nothing seems to aid it either. ...It's a dull throb though, nothing I can't push through. I've learned that it's simply part of life as I must live it."

[anamusebouche]

"You're quite remarkable," Hannibal didn't mind complimenting.

Once they got to the car, he asked for the keys. Well, he did enjoy driving a nice car.

[hollow_moon]

"Hardly," Valentine laughed, passing over the keys and then climbing into the passenger seat.

[anamusebouche]

"You don't consider it remarkable?" Hannibal asked, genuinely.