hollow_moon | For Hannibal

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.

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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.

"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?"

"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."

"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.

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

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

"To consider it remarkable that I get by, I suppose I'd have to consider it a hardship- I don't. The wolf is part of me. It's who I am," Val shrugged, still smiling as he spoke.

"My practice is full of people who struggle with who they are, their place in the world and even in their own lives. It's a pleasure to see someone who is at ease with his," Hannibal said, as he started the car and drove off.

"I imagine you see all sorts of fascinating people though," Val noted. "All those secrets and fears... The walls of your office must be filled with the most delicious gossip- Stories the rest of the city will never hear."

"I tend not to view my patient's secrets and fears as gossip," Hannibal chided lightly, smile on his face still. "Therapy doesn't work if the therapist doesn't take you seriously."

"Of course not, I only meant to say that someone as well respected as you likely finds himself with the most interesting patients, that's all," Val replied, sounding a touch apologetic.

"It's quite alright," Hannibal assured. "I merely dislike the implication of the term. More to do with my own frame of reference these days. Please don't apologize."

"I see. I forget sometimes that your personal life has been so rudely shared with the public recently," Val sighed. "Honestly, the papers in this country are a disgrace. They wouldn't know a real news story if it landed in their lap."

"Very true," Hannibal said. "But their readers do eat up the story. They will only claim to write what the public wants."

"Ah, and the public gets, what the public wants..." Val replied, offering just the faintest hint of a smile as he sang the words rather than spoke them, humming the next few bars of The Jam's 'Going Underground', before leaning over and clicking on the stereo.

The music that played was contemporary, a low hum of modern alternative that played softly in the background as they drove.

Hannibal didn't mind the music. It wouldn't be his choice, but he didn't detest modern music.

"How many people know of you?" He asked after a while. "I would like to know so I can anticipate. It's easier to keep a secret when one knows from whom to keep it."

"Most of my family and friends," Val replied. "My father was all for keeping it hush, but that's never been very practical. Besides, I'm not ashamed of what I am."

"Nothing to do with shame," Hannibal said. "There is a practical reason for keeping it hushed," he offered. "Not many people would react the way I reacted."

"No, I suppose they wouldn't. ...Which reminds me, I never asked. What were you doing out in the woods so late?" Valentine asked, glancing over curiously.

Hannibal smiled a little. "I couldn't sleep. The night was beautiful and fresh, and it drew me. Perhaps all your warnings not to go out after eleven drew me even more. I gathered wild dogs weren't the whole story, I thought they perhaps were not even part of the story. I was curious."

"A family of terrible liars and far too many secrets," Val laughed. "It does usually work though. I suppose our other friends aren't nearly as bold or perceptive as you."

"When you know the strange creatures this world can produce, your mind opens to the possibility," Hannibal offered.

"Don't really fancy myself strange- Or a creature," Val laughed. "You speak as though you know others like me though."

Hannibal smiled, but was glad his remark hadn't been considered rude. "Forgive me, I didn't mean to insinuate anything other than your remarkable nature." A pause. "I do know of other... remarkable people. None such as yourself, but equally different."

"Oh? I'd ask for you to tell me more, but- I understand that their abilities are likely a private matter. ...Still, it's always reassuring to be reminded I'm not alone in the world," he smiled.

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