Phoenix Place, Friday night

[sharp_as_knives]

After this evening, hearing some of the things that had happened at the carnival and finding only a few tantalizing clues to solve the mystery of it, Hannibal came home, made himself a bit of tea and a nice meal, and settled in to relax for as long as he could.

Of course, for him, relaxing included rethinking every possible angle of everything going on, but he was alone and in a comfortable chair; that was the important part.

[OOC: Expecting one, but open to anyone who feels they might want to drop by! Also if anyone wants/needs a place to stay, though if you don't know Hannibal, be prepared for him to grump at you. :)]

Comments

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal smiled. "If she had, she would have to be very stupid to still cross you and Jono. So, we know that they have some sort of mental gifts or magic, and that they want us to go there, and that their intentions are definitely harmful. It's more than we did know."

He squeezed her hand. "Would you like more tea, or something to eat? And you're welcome to stay for the evening. We'll try to learn more in the morning."

[trigons_child]

"We should go back," Raven said, shaking her head. "What if the carnival is gone tomorrow? What if Jono disappears with them, or any others they might have ensnared?"

[sharp_as_knives]

That was actually a valid point. And Hannibal would miss Jono. Still. "Until we learn more about them, going back might only give them another opportunity to do whatever it is they are. We'll stand a better chance if we learn what their weaknesses are."

[trigons_child]

Raven managed to swallow a growly response of "I do what I want!" and nodded instead. "I should meditate," she said, just a touch reluctantly, "so that I do not fall under its influence again."

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal smiled. "When you're feeling calmer, perhaps you can try reaching out to Jono again."

He watched her for a moment. "Would you like to try the guided meditation again?"

[trigons_child]

"Do you think that wise right now?" Raven said, uncertain. "If I were to harm you, I could never forgive myself."

He'd dealt with her demon side before, but that had been a nightmare, not the struggle she was having now.

[sharp_as_knives]

"I have faith you won't," Hannibal answered. "But I leave the decision up to you. We can aim at both calming you, and focusing your anger toward the correct parties. You want to be in control of yourself, not giving up control to them."

[trigons_child]

"Yes," Raven agreed. "I cannot risk losing control. It would make an already dangerous situation even more so."

She looked at Hannibal. "But, please, if you think you might be in danger from me, do whatever you need to do to protect yourself."

[sharp_as_knives]

"I promise I will." Hannibal smiled and stood. "Let me get you some more tea, and the metronome. I won't be a moment."

[trigons_child]

Raven remained sitting, eyes closed as she tried to focus on calm. Her anxiety over what was happening was only feeding into the urges of her demon nature. It was hard, but she tried to think about things that Anakin and Ghanima had taught her in the past.

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal came back with more tea - a soothing and warming blend of herbs - and the promised metronome. He set the tea next to Raven and the metronome on the table between the two chairs, then sat in the other one. "How are you doing?"

[trigons_child]

"I feel as if something inside me is trying to claw its way out," Raven said. Which was actually more literal than metaphor. Her own emotions made her stronger in some ways, but they could easily be twisted.

[sharp_as_knives]

"So, you need to let it out before it damages you, and keep it on a very short leash." Hannibal smiled. "But first maybe calm it down a bit." If the frightened animal metaphor worked...

"You're doing well; keep taking deep breaths."

[trigons_child]

Raven nodded, trying to focus on taking slow, deep breaths. "The last time I was like this was when I killed the man who was going to kill Jono," she said. Well, he'd still been physically alive for a short time afterwards, but she'd turned his mind to mush. "It took some time for me to feel normal again."

[sharp_as_knives]

"When our bodies react to a threat, it can take some time for the effects to wear off. But you can affect it consciously to some extent, if you're aware of it."

Hannibal gestured at the metronome. "I haven't yet brought in firewood, seeing as it's summer, so I hope this will suffice." He set it to swing so she could see how the light moved.

[trigons_child]

Raven's eyes followed the motion of the light. She tried to focus on it and push everything else out of her mind, the carnival, Jono, the anger that was trying to burst free. She closed her eyes and let herself drift into a trance.

[sharp_as_knives]

"Very good," Hannibal said soothingly. "Focus on my voice. You are in a safe place, away from those who would hurt you. Breathe deeply and relax. Empty your mind of everything else but yourself. Your love, your hurt, your anger - whether you enjoy them or not, they are your own. Examine each feeling; if it comes from anywhere other than within you, cast it out. Destroy it. Keep only your own."

[trigons_child]

The tension left Raven's body as she listened and relaxed. "Myself," she murmured.

And then she laughed. "My own feelings?" she said scornfully. "But I try so hard to fight those. Are you sure you want my anger, Doctor?"

[sharp_as_knives]

"Preferably not at me," Hannibal answered, a hint of humor in his soothing voice. "But you need to acknowledge it as well, to better know the difference between yourself and outside influences."

[trigons_child]

"I should not be manipulated so easily!" Raven snarled. "I am Pride. I am the daughter of Trigon. This wretched human blood has made me weak and unable to claim my birthright."

[sharp_as_knives]

"It has given you many benefits as well, hasn't it?" Hannibal asked mildly. "You have friends - Jono, Karla, Dinah. You feel affection for them, and that is a part of you."

[trigons_child]

"The affection one feels for...a pet," Raven said. "You are all beneath me. And when I am free, you will serve me or die."

[sharp_as_knives]

"What makes you feel like that?" Hannibal asked. "Where did that need begin?"

[trigons_child]

"The moment of my birth!" Raven snapped. "Azar thought she could keep me docile and controlled. If she had been truly wise she would have destroyed me at my birth, like that fool Juris tried. She raised me bereft of emotion, and it kept me contained, for a time. But my father freed me once to be my true self, and I will free myself again."

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal raised an eyebrow at her. "You didn't feel this way yesterday. Why the sudden change?"