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

[glacial_queen]

"I was a student with Sparkle and Karina, Toby and--I think--Sia, too," Karla said. "Karina and I were in several of Jono's plays together." Disastrously. "We met in him Improv Class."

Where the great and tragical love story of Headwiga and Footmot had begun.

[sharp_as_knives]

"I didn't realize Jono had taught you," Hannibal said. "I should have offered him my condolences."

[glacial_queen]

"That's all right, darling, I know you're jealous that you missed out on the opportunity to mold my impressionable young mind. You don't have to pretend." Karla dimpled at him. "It was through the community center, so it wasn't for an actual grade where he'd have real authority over me or anything."

[sharp_as_knives]

"I shudder to think what a terror you were." Hannibal grinned back.

[glacial_queen]

"I'll have you know, I was an utter angel. Anyone who tells you otherwise is clearly misremembering. I was adorable."

[sharp_as_knives]

"Of the latter, I have no doubt," Hannibal said, grinning.

[glacial_queen]

"I fail to see how I could possibly have failed to convince you of the former as well," Karla declared with as much innocence as she could muster. "Why, you haven't even heard most of the stories of my wild and misspent youth!"

[sharp_as_knives]

"Perhaps not, but I do know you," Hannibal answered. "However, if you'd like to tell me some of those stories, I am all ears."

[glacial_queen]

"What does it say that so many of the ones that spring to mind are violent?" Karla asked, the lightness leaving her tone. "Mother Night, it seemed like every fortnight we were running to someone else's world, trying to combat whatever evil thing was rearing its ugly head there. Only to come home and have Fandom fuck with us, as it so often did."

[sharp_as_knives]

"It says that far too few children are granted the ideal childhood," Hannibal answered. "But it also says that you are strong, to have survived it."