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. :)]

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[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?"

[trigons_child]

Raven smiled. "I have the carnival to thank. It has made me stronger. I was so close to freedom until compassion got in the way." She practically spat the word.

[sharp_as_knives]

"Oh?" Hannibal asked. "What sort of compassion? What held you back?"

[trigons_child]

"Love," Raven said with an exaggerated shudder. "Love is nothing but the weakness of fools."

She leaned back in her chair. With her conscious mind entranced, her subconscious was making the most of the opportunity, and she winked at Hannibal. "Lust is so much better, do you not agree?"

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal just chuckled. "Less complicated, certainly. What was it like, this love? Think back on it - why did it stop you?"

[trigons_child]

"Because love and a unfortunate need to suffer for the sake of others gives my human side strength."

Raven flexed her fingers, studying that claws that had emerged from their tips. "But not strong enough to control me forever."

[sharp_as_knives]

"Why not pair your strengths?" Hannibal suggested. "If love and rage both give you strength, wouldn't they be stronger working together?"

[trigons_child]

"Why would I wish to do that when I want my human side gone?" Raven said. "I want this accursed soul destroyed. It should have been burned out of me long ago. My brothers did not suffer this indignity."

[sharp_as_knives]

"And where are your brothers now?" Hannibal asked.

[trigons_child]

Raven shrugged. "Elsewhere," she said, "though they call to me. They wish me to join them. And I will, in time. And worlds will fall at our feet, including this one."

[sharp_as_knives]

"Glacia?" Hannibal asked. "Will it fall, too?"

[trigons_child]

"Yes, and it will be easy," Raven said, lips curling into a wicked smile as she thought about it. "Kaeleer is positively bursting with sin. Every horrible thing you can imagine happens almost every day. It will be so easy to push it right over the edge."

[sharp_as_knives]

"How do you think Karla will feel about that?" Hannibal asked. He was beginning to wonder if he'd have to get a bit more aggressive, but she hadn't actually tried to do anything yet, so he was holding out hope for talking.

[trigons_child]

"It does not matter what she feels," Raven said. "All that matters is what I wish."

[sharp_as_knives]

"Doesn't it?" Hannibal asked. He folded his hands over his knee. "Talk to me as though I were her. Explain it to me. 'Karla, I'm doing this because...?'"