sharp_as_knives | Hannibal and Jono's house, Monday evening

So, because Hannibal loved ~~being nosy~~ ~~people-watching like a train wreck~~ helping people through their traumas (and a good excuse to cook), he'd decided on a dinner party for tonight. He'd even put up signs.

And then he'd cooked. A lot.

There were crudites, assorted styles of bruschetta, several different meats (all of them non-sentient), a number of desserts, and numerous bottles of wine, beer, and liquor.

And if fewer people showed up than he hoped, it just meant some homeless shelter would eat very well.

There were also darts, billiards, and a card table downstairs, and if people wanted to start their own games, well..."Never had I Ever" would probably get Hannibal very drunk, but that was neither here nor there.

[Open post! Come and party your dead-people's trauma away!]

Current Location: 22 Phoenix Place

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

future_sandworm

While Leto couldn't say that meeting his father had been traumatic, it had still left him thinking, trying to draw some kind of conclusion what he had learnt from it. He had spent the day talking short walks between brief showers of rain, and during one of those he had noticed the sign. Remembering Dr Lecter from one of his visits to Karla he thought stopping by would be a good way to clear his mind, as the invitation was open to all.

Entering the house he soon noted the elegant decor, and of course the beautifully arranged food.

From:

sharp_as_knives

"Hello." Hannibal gave Leto a smile and a little bow, then paused. "I confess I never did get your preferred address - would you like 'Leto', 'Mr. Atreides', or a title? And can I get you some wine or beer?"

From:

future_sandworm

Leto smiled back, giving a small nod in greeting. "Thank you for generously open invitation. As you might guess the events this weekend brought me here."

He continued: "Leto is fine. I have enough formality in my life as it is. And I wouldn't say no to a glass of wine."

From:

sharp_as_knives

"In that case, you must call me Hannibal," he answered, smiling. "I like to have these get-togethers after the island has played its tricks. Too many people are left at sea by them. Red or white?"

From:

future_sandworm

"Red please," Leto said. "And good company and good food is a good way to recover from them. It is considerate of you. Did you have to endure this one yourself or were you spared?"

From:

sharp_as_knives

Hannibal nodded and went to pour him a glass of Cabernet.

"I had a visitor, though it was less 'enduring' and more 'enjoying'. For the most part. And you?"

From:

future_sandworm

Accepting the glass Leto said: "I had a visitor too. I suppose it was more enjoying than enduring, but most of all there was a sense of closure."

He took a sip of the wine. "This is very good."

Leto knew nothing about wines in this time, so he just compared to other ones he had been drinking.

From:

sharp_as_knives

"Thank you. I do my best." Hannibal nodded. "Closure can be its own form of enjoyment."

From:

future_sandworm

"I suppose it can," Leto agreed, looking at Hannibal and smiling. "What about your visitor?"

From:

sharp_as_knives

"I hadn't needed closure, but I think perhaps she did," Hannibal answered. "A young woman I knew for a time. It was good to see her again." He shook his head. "Even if she and Jono did insist upon taking me bowling."

From:

future_sandworm

"Bowling?" Leto raised an eyebrow. "I admit I never tried that myself while living on the island. There is only so much talking you can do though."

He had learnt that there was a lot of talking happening when he and his father met. Eventually even Leto had found it frustrating, which was perhaps surprising to some.

From:

sharp_as_knives

"It's certainly an experience," Hannibal answered. "Mostly in bad shoes and greasy food."

From:

future_sandworm

There was a tiny smirk on Leto's lips as he took another sip of the wine. From what he had seen of Hannibal neither if those things should be to his taste.

"It very much sounds like it."

After a brief pause he added: "I visited Karla for the Winsol celebration."

From:

sharp_as_knives

Hannibal smiled. "Jono and I were on our honeymoon; we sent our regrets. How is everybody doing?"

From:

future_sandworm

"Congratulations." Leto had no idea how much they deserved to be congratulated.

"Everyone is fine. I offered Karla to stay for the more formal and less enjoyable part as well. It isn't as annoying when it's someone else's political events."

That last part was said with a laugh. After all, Karla had expected him to make her aristos as confused and nervous as possible and he had been happy to oblige her.

"Where did you go on your honeymoon?"

From:

sharp_as_knives

Hannibal found formal events went best when you spent the entire time discussing what dishes people would best make. But he'd forego saying that to Leto.

"The moon, actually," he answered with a smile. "It seemed appropriate."

From:

future_sandworm

Clearly they had different interests.

"I suppose it is," he said with a laugh. "Oh, didn't you give a trip to the moon to Sparkle?"

From:

sharp_as_knives

"I did," Hannibal answered. "The resort there was peaceful and lovely; it seemed like something he could use, after this past year. As I'm sure you're aware, it's been a difficult time for him."