Saturday night, post-graduation to late night

[sharp_as_knives]

All the graduates and teachers had been handwavily because I had a brain-fart invited to dinner this evening, and Hannibal had gone all out. Which, to be fair, meant one of his usual parties.

There was an actual cloth banner stretched across the entrance to the grand salon that said CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES. There were little gift baskets of food for each of the graduates; the ones he knew had their favorites included. If Sparkle's was a little larger than the others, Hannibal would surely be forgiven.

In lieu of a formal dinner (this was a celebration for teenagers, after all), he'd gone with small-plate appetizers and hors d'oeuvres. Placed around the room (and being circulated by a few very discreet hired hands) were:

Oysters with mignonette ice
Horseradish croquettes with turmeric and jasmine
Beef tenderloin with garlic and merlot jam
Beef sashimi and foie gras
Honeyed olives
Pumpkin and carrot soup "shooters" with coconut cream
Beef tongue and carrot antipasto
Golden foie gras of duck with apple crumble and strawberry gelatine
Orto
Amatriciana in a glass
Parma ham with figs
Apple trifle with mascarpone cream
Hot chocolate galettes
Champagne sorbet
Meringues with ganache

There were very good coffee and a variety of teas, plus club soda and flavored syrups, as well as several wines that went with the food and the requisite champagne. Hannibal had also opened his liquor cabinet, but only people who appreciated it would be allowed near.

He'd left the music to Jono as being better acquainted with the students' preferences.

[OOC: Open post! No OCD. Graduates and teachers would've been invited (plus-ones welcome), but crashers are welcome OOC; IC Hannibal may raise an eyebrow.]

Comments

[sharp_as_knives]

"I imagine so." Hannibal lifted his own glass in a toast. "Are you leaving immediately, or will we have your company for some time yet?"

[myownface]

"I might stick around for a few more days, but I need to be out of town before the new kids show up. They might need my half of the room or whatever," Sparkle explained, lifting his glass up, too. "I guess Lewis is finalizing a deal on a new house, though. Some fancy place in a nice neighbourhood like he's always been threatening to do. So, that's something to look forward to."

[sharp_as_knives]

"Fortunately, you're acquainted with that sort of thing now," Hannibal pointed out. "Actually, this seems like a good time to give you your graduation present, if you like."

[myownface]

"Present?"

Look, just because Hannibal gave Sparkle presents, like, fairly frequently didn't mean he expected them. He was still getting his head around the fact that he'd gotten a diploma and given a speech today as it was. Now he was getting a gift to commemorate the occasion, too?

"I mean, I'm not going to say no, you know? But you totally didn't have to."

That was like a kind of surprised sort of thank you, a-la-Sparkle.

[sharp_as_knives]

And Hannibal would take it in the spirit with which it was offered.

"Perhaps not. But I did." Hannibal smiled. "It's just through there, in the library." He pointed.

[myownface]

"Yeah?" Sparkle looked sideways toward the library for a moment, and then nodded and started heading that way. "You know, I probably can't carry another mini-fridge back to Toronto?"

Yeah, he was joking, now. It was an old standard for him. Joking was safe, not that he thought he was in any sort of trouble, here.

[sharp_as_knives]

"I doubt you'll need more than one," Hannibal pointed out with a grin. "However, there are other things I thought you could use."

[myownface]

Hey, with Sparkle's affinity for pocketing food, he could probably use several full-sized fridges, never mind one mini one.

"Yeah?" He stepped into the library, a curious look on his face, now. "I mean, there are probably a lot of things I could use, sure, but now you've got me wondering."

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal nodded to acknowledge the point. "But there are some I'm more qualified to gift you with than others." Like food things and tonight's present.

He picked up a decent-sized box from one of the chairs - it was wrapped neatly in blue paper with a gold ribbon. "So."

[myownface]

That 'so' seemed kind of weirdly final, almost. More than all the speeches and the diploma and the battle against dragons had been. Sparkle hesitated for a second before reaching to take the box, because that, too, was one more step toward this whole graduation thing being real.

"So," he echoed, nodding.

And then he kind of held his breath as he opened it.

[sharp_as_knives]

Inside the larger box were two smaller ones - these were heavier stock than department-store, but still rather obviously garment boxes. The first held a decent, pale yellow button down and a pair of grey slacks. The second held a full suit.

"If you plan on looking at colleges or jobs," Hannibal explained, "you will need to be able to dress the part." And if not, he could probably sell them for a pretty penny, but that was entirely up to him.

[myownface]

"Oh, man," Sparkle murmured, looking at the button-down first, smiling a little, and then turning his attention toward the suit. "Oh man, oh man."

Yellow. His favourite. Hannibal had either guessed well, or else he had actually paid attention. Sparkle doubted that it had been a matter of guessing.

"This is awesome, thank you."

He really didn't know what else to say. Normally he'd have some kind of mindless crack to make in a situation like this. It made for a great cover for the fact that he was having an attack of emotions or something. But he had nothing. Just that, and maybe a little, crooked smile as he tried not to look too touched by the gesture.

Shit, he was getting all soft and squishy or something. Who had authorized that?

[sharp_as_knives]

Mmm, soft and squishy.

"You're very welcome." Hannibal smiled back. "Wear them in good health."

[myownface]

"I will," Sparkle replied, a little breathlessly. Because, shit, what had he done to deserve this? This was...

He just wasn't used to gestures like this, okay? And he didn't figure he'd be seeing a lot more of them where he was going from here, and. Just. Feelings. Stupid feelings.

God, his throat felt all tight and this was stupid. Who the hell got choked up over a nice suit, anyway?

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal squeezed Sparkle's shoulder and let him have his moment. He'd be here for a hug if Sparkle wanted, or just for support.

[myownface]

Well, at least Sparkle managed to refrain from claiming that hug for a few more seconds.

But yeah, he kind of needed one, and he was going to open his arms and look kind of pitiful (much as he hated it) all the same.

It had been a rough year. And now it was time to go back home and so help him, yeah, he needed a fricking hug.

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal smiled and pulled him into a hug. He liked to think he'd gotten better at them recently, what with all the friends who were so incredibly starved for physical affection. "And you also have my number. If you should need anything I can help with, I hope you will call me."

[myownface]

Deep breath, and cling, and nod. Sparkle didn't get hugs like this very often. He was pretty sure this was probably going to be one of his last ones in a while. It was kind of funny, though, coming from a mentor figure like this. Kind of a... surrogate father figure while he was at school, here.

It seemed fitting.

"If I need anything, I will," he replied, leaning back after a few moments and trying on a smile that looked more relaxed than melancholy. Goodbyes had never been his strongest point before. If he cut his losses and took off from the island soon, maybe he wouldn't have to worry too much about any of them getting messy and stupid from here on out. "Thanks. For... like... everything. Seriously."

[sharp_as_knives]

"You're quite welcome," Hannibal assured him. "I'm pleased to be able to help."