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]

"Thank you," Hannibal said. "And no, nothing so far has been too bad. I'm just making certain."

[furnaceface]

//Well, then I'll be certain to behave myself. Somewhat. I might slip a 'What's New Pussycat' in there just to keep you on your toes.//

He wouldn't. For the record.

[sharp_as_knives]

"I'm fairly certain that song is older than I am, and would be even less appreciated by the graduates," Hannibal pointed out.

[furnaceface]

At 49 years old, it was actually a few months younger than Hannibal was. But Jono wasn't going to be the one to point that out. Because... well, liking breathing was a moot point. But he also liked things like sex and not being in too much trouble to have it ever again.

//Which is exactly what makes it an excellent choice,// he said, instead. //Just imagine the baffled looks on their faces. Makes it all worthwhile, I think.//

[sharp_as_knives]

That was a very good call, yes.

"Have you even got a copy of it?" Hannibal asked. And if so, why?

[furnaceface]

//No,// Jono conceded, //but I do have that fancy tablet that you had Barry make up for me, and I know my way around YouTube.//

The very basics of the internet. Possibly the most important part of it.

[sharp_as_knives]

"I suppose if I want you to become more computer literate, I shouldn't complain at what you get up to with it," Hannibal conceded. "But you do know there are many other more worthwhile sites."

[furnaceface]

Well, now Jono was curious.

//Name five.//

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal raised an eyebrow at him and thought for a moment, picking his few. "Reuters, The Quietus, the Metropolitan Museum, Mr. Porter, and Tattle Crime.com." ...What? He liked reading about himself, and it always paid to have an ear open to what the tabloids were about.

[furnaceface]

//I've... heard of...//

Exactly none of those.

//Er.//

Jono spread his hands a little, helplessly.

//YouTube.//

The important one!

[sharp_as_knives]

"You really must explore a bit more." Hannibal shook his head. "If nothing else, there are many more quality sites for music." The compression on their sound alone was horrendous!

[furnaceface]

//... And SoundCloud,// Jono allowed. //Vimeo, on occasion...//

Jono's priorities were predictable, but completely sound.

[sharp_as_knives]

Pun intended? Hannibal would be so proud of him!

"That's somewhat better, at least," he acknowledged. "Do you keep up with the news from your own world?"

[furnaceface]

//I... try not to.//

Because it was never good. Never.

//I figure if there's something I absolutely need to know, Lee or Ange will get in touch with me. Possibly even Logan, if it's dire enough. I might start if I take Logan up on his offer of a teaching job, just so I know what I'm getting myself into, but mostly it just depresses me.//

Or made him feel guilty for not being more involved in it.

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal nodded. "I like to keep up with mine, so I read news sites. Otherwise...you might enjoy one or two of these. I'll send you the links."

[furnaceface]

//I look forward to seeing what they're about, then,// Jono decided.

... And, knowing Jono, probably promptly forgetting about them and going back to YouTube again.

[sharp_as_knives]

Some of them were even music, Jono! Good music!

Hannibal sighed. "Would you like to try the oysters?"

[furnaceface]

//I would be crazy to say no,// Jono decided, secretly delighting a little in Hannibal's exasperation. Because of course he was. Being a brat was how he showed he cared. //Please.//

[sharp_as_knives]

"You've done little so far to convince me you aren't," Hannibal pointed out. Dating him very much included, yes.

"Fortunately, I enjoy a bit of craziness."

He also enjoyed the oysters. Very thoroughly, focusing on the flavors.

[furnaceface]

//Well,// Jono murmured, and now he was shamelessly leaning against Hannibal while he let that flavour take over his senses, //that is so very fortunate for me, then.//

And maybe for Hannibal too, Jono wasn't going to be the one to say it. He was a little preoccupied, what with the delicious oysters that were happening here, and all...

//Ah-- That's wine?//

It was hard to tell just by looking at it, okay? But it was a pleasant surprise.

[sharp_as_knives]

Definitely fortunate for both of them. Hannibal wrapped his arm around Jono and waited until he was finished to answer. "A rather nice Beaujolais, yes. I liked the presentation."

[furnaceface]

//Adds a little colour to the whole dish,// Jono mused, nodding a little. //Not that oysters aren't attractive as they are, but, the red adds something.//

And was also delicious. Which struck Jono as the most important part.

[sharp_as_knives]

Both were definitely important.

"I like a bit of color. Unlike some people." Because Jono wasn't the only brat in this relationship.

[furnaceface]

//Much like your oysters, I sometimes also wear red,// Jono countered, wrinkling his nose a little. //On occasion.//

The rare occasion. But it happened!

[sharp_as_knives]

"I have the picture to prove that," Hannibal noted. "Interesting that nobody believes it wasn't taken under duress."