Gourmet Suite at the Arms Hotel, Sunday morning

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal woke up, stretched, and blinked. Then gave himself a moment to appreciate the lack of any particularly overwhelming emotion this morning.

He looked over at the others in bed with him whoever ended up in the cuddle pile and chuckled. Well, it had been interesting, there was no denying that.

However, he had no intention of spending another day in Jono's clothing or his own pajamas, thank you.

He got up carefully, took a shower and dressed casually but in his own clothes, and headed out to start the coffee.

He had a feeling they might be needing it.

Comments

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal thought about that for a moment, then nodded. "Perhaps we can forego the manicure, then. But there are enough people here from enough different places, I'm certain we can find someplace for a massage."

He gestured at the crystal on the counter. "Rather a pity we can't harness enough of yesterday's mood from these to make people behave civilly. I know some very good spas, but my world probably isn't the best place."

[furnaceface]

//Your world would likely involve a lot of being screamed at, yes. There is a spa on the island,// Jono replied a little defeated. //They might not be familiar with me, personally, but they certainly wouln't find me all that odd. And if not there... somewhere, I'm sure.//

He was mostly resigned to this. Not thrilled about it, but resigned to it.

[sharp_as_knives]

"You needn't sound so enthusiastic," Hannibal told him dryly. "The spa here will suffice if we can't find another, but I believe you might find it more relaxing if any other potential guests might not be students or coworkers."

[furnaceface]

//Coworkers wouldn't be so bad,// Jono offered. //I can name at least one that's already seen far more than what a massage would uncover.//

And there, he was raising his eyebrows a little.

//... Students would be awkward.//

[sharp_as_knives]

"At least one?" Hannibal questioned, chuckling. "Clearly I miss the best gossip. Other coworkers, then. And students. What about Glacia?" he suggested. "I imagine if they have a similar sort of place, Karla will know of one."

[furnaceface]

//Glacians... probably wouldn't be too concerned about the fire,// Jono admitted, still a little grudgingly. //They'd be more interested in whatever gossip they can dig up about me, I imagine. Still...//

He... really had no argument beyond that. And he did need fancy clothing that he could wear at Court functions. He was still a little bad, for that.

[sharp_as_knives]

"Ah, but we have an advantage there we haven't got here - as Queen, I'm certain Karla could order that you not be bothered, and enforce it," Hannibal pointed out. "I doubt the students here would be impressed."

[furnaceface]

//She could,// Jono agreed, sounding slightly bewildered by the notion. Karla giving orders. People following them. It was still a new concept to him, even in the wake of the war. //Not entirely certain how well it'll work. The First Circle, especially the ones who were instrumental in winning Glacia's war, all have targets on their heads. Actually, I was the first attempted assassination after we overtook the Estate.//

Lucky him! Though, admittedly, that had mostly been a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time while one of Hobart's lackeys was lurking in the Estate's hallways.

//Not that I'm afraid for my life, exactly. I just mean, there are enough people in Glacia who'll find a loophole out of spite if they can. Especially the sort who can afford spa days. We're none too popular among the more petty of the wealthy aristos who Hobart was playing to please.//

[sharp_as_knives]

Would they try again? Hannibal would enjoy that. And murder wasn't even illegal!

"Do you think there's enough chance of another attempt that it would keep you from fully relaxing?" he asked. "I'm sure there are other places we could try as well."

[furnaceface]

Jono shook his head a little, grudgingly.

//They wouldn't be able to kill me even if they took my head off,// he pointed out. //Not... that I'm in any hurry to lose my head, granted, but I was actually, oddly, significantly easier to kill when I was larger and whole.//

And blue.

[sharp_as_knives]

Not to mention exhausted and wounded.

"I will ask her, then. I doubt she can help with tailors, though, unless you wish to wear Glacian clothing?" That might be interesting, too, although it wasn't what Hannibal had had in mind.

[furnaceface]

//Well, I'm going to need to get myself some of that, too,// Jono admitted, //though it's really not my style.//

He fit in better even among the Eyriens than with most Glacian aristos. At least the leather, he could get behind. It was practical!

[sharp_as_knives]

"Excellent," Hannibal answered with a nod. "Both European and Glacian outfits, then."

Was that not wonderful, Jono?

Even Hannibal's poker face was a little difficult to keep.

[furnaceface]

//... Both?//

You know, it was not too late for Jono to hit that window running after all.

[sharp_as_knives]

Yes, Jono, it was. Hannibal would enlist help if he needed to.

Or just trip you.

"You should have at least some flattering clothing here, and as you are a member of Karla's court, your looking poorly will reflect upon her," he pointed out. He freed the frittata from the pan and began slicing it. "I'll let them clothe me as well, if it will help."

Please. He'd seen Glacia's formal clothing. Even if he never wore it again, he would relish the chance. Not to mention he could pull it off much better than most of the aristos he'd seen.

[furnaceface]

Yeah, Hannibal. Jono was side-eyeing you for that one.

//Because dressing in Kaeleeran formalwear would be a terrible hardship for you, I'm certain.//

Dry. So dry.

[sharp_as_knives]

"And for you it would be, because?" Hannibal asked with a curious look.

[furnaceface]

... Dammit.

//Because... they're...// He balked, groping around for words. Funnily enough, there really weren't any coming to mind that would help him out, here. 'Restricting' wouldn't hold given his usual choice in clothing, for example. //They're...//

Bugger.

//... Fine. This one, I'll grant, is an image thing.//

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal took a slice of the frittata and his coffee and came to sit at the counter by Jono. "While I respect your usual image, there may be occasions you will need to change it. I wouldn't wear one of my suits to a rock concert," he pointed out.

He took a bite with his usual care, then resumed his arguments. "And given the general psychology of the types of self-obsessed toadies Karla's aristos seem to be, I have no doubt that they would hold your appearance against her."

He paused for another very enjoyable bite. "And well-made and well-tailored clothes are yet another way of pampering yourself. Of acknowledging you are good enough for such things."

[furnaceface]

//And the last thing I want is for my personal image to reflect on Karla,// Jono admitted, grudgingly. //People took it some... interesting places before the war. But now there's little excuse for it. She is a Queen, and I am part of her Court.//

Which meant he had to dress pretty. How was that fair?

//But I would really much sooner acknowledge my self-worth with another guitar or something.//

At least he was honest?

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal chuckled. "I'm sure we can find you one of those as well, if you like. Although I'm afraid I'd be no help at shopping."

[furnaceface]

//I own a music shop,// Jono pointed out with a shrug. //We carry a few guitars. I'll probably just pick one, play it for a while, and then it'll disappear upstairs. Somehow.//

He'd buy it. Obviously.