Office hours, all day Saturday

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal was once more behind his desk, classical music playing softly and some very good tea and coffee available to any guests who might drop by. Along with hors d'oeuvres that were both delicious and far fancier than they really needed to be.

The students this year seemed exceptionally nervous, and Hannibal was very good at impressing people when needed. So he was prepared to be a responsible and impressive adult that could reassure anyone who needed it.

Frankly, it amused him.

Comments

[sharp_as_knives]

A less controlled man would probably be shaking you now, Kaylin. "Wouldn't you prefer for going through doorways not to hurt?" Hannibal asked patiently.

[notamascot]

He really needed to meet Marcus one day. They could totally commiserate.

"Well, obviously," Kaylin said. "But I don't think that's likely to happen. They just don't like me!"

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal gave her a look. Then he turned the volume on his keyboard on, though he kept it fairly low. "What do you think of this?" He played a dissonant chord, one note drowning out the others enough that it sounded like a mistake. He did his best not to wince.

[notamascot]

Kaylin put her hands to her ears. "I think something's wrong with your machine there."

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal laughed. "Not pretty, is it? Rather painful to the ears. Now what about this?"

He played a short phrase of music - a bit modern and atonal, but definitely music.

[notamascot]

"It doesn't... hurt as much as the last," Kaylin said, "But it still doesn't sound right."

[sharp_as_knives]

"It can be an acquired taste," Hannibal acknowledged. "However," He played it again very slowly and stopped in the middle, "this is the same chord." He played the notes one at a time, then hit them the way he had at first - loud, unbalanced, and jarring.

"The notes haven't changed, I've just altered the way they're presented." He gave her a pointed look. "And now it doesn't hurt."

Please say that was an obvious enough analogy, Kaylin.

[notamascot]

Kaylin rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, okay."

She still wasn't retaking that class, but whatever.