( OPEN ) ALL HALLOW'S EVE FEAST

[relished]

WHO: Hannibal & you!
WHEN: October 31st
WHERE: his house
WHAT: The All Hallows Eve Feast
NOTES\WARNINGS: MASSIVE TRIGGER WARNING: involuntary cannibalism and one (1) artsy nsfw painting*. the link is to the painting leda and the swan. it's labeled with the star (★).




[the preparation for the party was more grueling than he's used to -- he was always able to hire a service to help his parties go as smoothly as possible, but he had to request the help of a few bots as well as Krouse to ensure that he would not be the one doing the serving.

one must knock before entering; greeted by a companion bot to take a coat if they have one. guests are guided through the foyer to the living room, an earthy room with heavy animal imagery. people are encouraged to socialize and relax in front of the roaring fireplace. several small tables have centerpieces of wildflowers that Hannibal has collected and grown as he's spent his time here.

the kitchen is off-limits, but if one might happen to stray into the stark, morgue-like space before Hannibal politely ushers them back out, they'll see Clarke's drawing of the emberbloom and and shadowbloom flowers from months ago as the only picture on the otherwise spotless refrigerator. having the flier there is no accident. he meant for a few curious onlookers to see what is left of her. perhaps it's Hannibal's intention to lead old friends of Clarke's astray to believe he is responsible for her disappearance. he's able to play now, plucking at the strings of minds to enchant and mortify. he knows that suspicions will have risen, but after tonight he's prepared for the onslaught -- so why not have as much fun before the inevitable?

scents of roast meat, cranberries and rosemary embrace guests immediately, delightfully lacing through the halls while classical music beckons them further into unknown horrors. Krouse can be seen making rounds with hors d'oeuvres, an interesting combination of cubed watermelon with what appears to be proscuitto meticulously shaped in the form of a rose, while companion bots carry glasses filled with red wine from his personal collection.

the dining room is lush, one wall stocked with herbs and hanging rosemary and forest imagery. the other wall with a painting above another fire which crackles softly. the mantle, simple yet jarring; large horns on either side with smaller ones laid out between them. the centerpiece is ★Leda and the Swan★, looming as the horns threaten to swallow the painting whole. the table is already set, porcelain charger plates laid in their respective places, with clean empty glasses and three carafes filled with water along the center. small vases of more wildflowers are in along the spread with lit red candles as well, but the table itself manages not to look too busy. snow droplets silently stick to the glass doors and windows, making the home feel warm; gentle, even.

Leda and the Swan is not the only painting to fill his home - art is everywhere, from the foyer to the kitchen, paintings and lithographs can be found in every room. the living room is especially the most wild, with the large oak doors and polished desk and chairs with claws.

Hannibal languidly wanders to greet guests who have made their way inside, dressed in a three-piece suit as usual with a glass of red wine in hand, motioning to wine or snacks. the sophistication that exudes from his home (and himself) can't be missed. those who have never experienced wealth may feel out of place, yet directly eased into the mixed warmth that is passed out with food and wine.]




[after an appropriate amount of time of socializing has passed and he's had help from Krouse to set the table so all of the food is available at once, he alerts everyone by a gentle clink of metal against crystal.]

Dinner is served. Please make your way to the dining room.

[anyone who asks exactly what they are eating is informed that it is veal. "how did you get veal" one may ask, and he'll respond with a sly smile and a twinkle in his eyes. everything they have been consuming and continue to consume has been the body of Samil, every part harvested for use. a petite heart (yes, heart) tartare is served alongside a smaller version of osso buco, which he explains is a traditional Italian dish, with seasonal vegetables.

wine has been replenished, and once settled at the table he raises his glass.]

I hope everyone enjoys eating this meal as much as I did preparing it.

[dig in.]

(ooc: everyone welcome! top level as u desire, tag out to others, get hannibal, etc etc. if you dont want to do an open tl and only want hannibal make sure to add closed to your starter. i won't be adding a starter for him bc this entire party is basically one giant one for him and he can be approached anywhere :) any questions can be left here. ps do not have your character go upstairs that's insane, why would they do that, they'll be redirected ominously. )

Comments

[equivo]

[ It's a reasonable play, in Krouse's opinion. Waitstaff can be great for information. ]

I can tell you that he's not a fan of gossip, but I'm assuming that doesn't count.

[ But Krouse isn't going to give up anything on Hannibal for the sake of someone asking for gossip, even if he actually had anything to say. He gives a slight, crooked smile and a small shrug, the tray staying level on his hand. He practised that. ]

It's more fun to hear it from the source, anyway, isn't it? He's an interesting person. If you want to hear about anything in the house, believe me, it's worth asking. Doctor, chef, art connoisseur. Or if literature is more your thing [ he looks like a reader, or someone who'd be flattered to be thought of as a reader ] I can't think of anyone I'd want in a book club more.

[banworthy]

[ Vincent offers a quick shrug and chuckles in turn. ]

Well... you seem pretty fond of him. I guess that's enough of a glowing endorsement. [ At least, he didn't detect any fear from Krouse. It's just cheap words; the two have only just started speaking to each other and Vincent didn't even know who the teen was. ]

I'll be sure to pick his brain on some things, then. [ Politely accepts that he isn't going to get any damning information. ]

But if I may, I have a few bothersome questions. [ He gestures to Krouse with his glass. ] Are you from the same world as Doctor Lecter? Or another and just happy to help out?

[equivo]

[ Krouse has an instinctive American teenage boy from 2009 Wisconsin kneejerk reaction to being called fond of anyone or anything, which is to cringe slightly. ]

I like him well enough.

[ Fond is something grandmas feel for grandkids or rabbits in jumpers feel about rhubarb pies in children's books.

It's more than a kneejerk teenage cringe, though. If Vincent is liable to pick up on this kind of thing, he might recognize that he's touched a nerve - Krouse is fond of Dr. Lecter, in the way a young man his age admires someone with qualities they want to emulate and whose advice he trusts, but he's not comfortable being openly seen liking him. He's not comfortable being seen liking anyone, which then begs the question of why he's putting so much effort into a pretty blatant sign of attachment and respect. ]

That's not bothersome. We're from different worlds, and met here. We've been paired on a few missions. I think we work well together. I guess you could consider this an extension of that principle.

[banworthy]

[ Well, that's interesting. Vincent blinks at the response. His head tilts slightly as he watches him; his lips curl into a brief smile and nods. He catches, at least, the teenager who doesn't seem particularly comfortable with admitting admiration or attachment. The reason why eludes him, for now. ]

I understand. My poor choice. [ He readily apologizes. ] An extension of that principle? [ Frowning thoughtfully, he digests that bit of information, too. Presumably, more than one world will be saved so one wouldn't want to upset relations between their "neighbors," as it were. But it's also a competition of sorts, isn't it? ]

I guess we can call him a man of the people, then, hm? Able to forge friendships with all sorts of folk.

[equivo]

More so than you might expect from appearances.

[ Hannibal can definitely give off the sense of being stuffy, but that hasn't been Krouse's experience. He has high expectations for behaviour, but Krouse has never seen him be anything but gracious even in the face of significant screw ups.

Of course, Krouse doesn't know as much as he thinks he does. He shifts in place, managing the balance of the tray. ]

I wouldn't call it a poor choice. It's an informed guess. Cross-world alliances are tricky here, depending on how you're evaluating our odds. But with multiple winners, you might as well, right?

[ That's not actually him guessing Vincent's thoughts so much as Vincent's question about the principle touching on Krouse's own uneasy relationship with the concept of alliances at all. ]

This might be a good time to network. If it's something you're considering. The guests are self-selected for willingness to mingle, so.

[banworthy]

Of course. Appearances aren't everything. [ Vincent flashes a quick smile. ] To quote a cliche, it's what's on the inside that counts, right?

[ And he pauses to look around the room at the people present. He's not sure why people are chosen but comes to accept that there are no criteria. Luck of the draw, as it were. Echo seems to be a god that cares, but doesn't care as much as his own - and that makes everyone very, very lucky. ]

There's no harm in ensuring that you can live peacefully with the people that are around you, no. I certainly live by that principle. If only for the sake of being a good neighbor.

[ His fingers flex before he picks off another piece of meat. ] I do hope to keep staying in this liminal space, however. Do you know if that's on the table? I happen to be quite dead where I came from, you see.

[ He decides to share some of his thoughts on the matter. Of course, he's still trying to figure out how to sabotage worlds so he can continue. But for now, it's time to try to garner sympathy even though his tone of voice is very flippant about the fact that he is dead. ]

But yes, I think making friends is a good idea... I hope we can be pals, too.

[equivo]

[ Vincent is right and wrong, as it tends to go with any sweeping statement about reality that a smartass teenager can pick at. The insides of a person only matter if they find a way to get the world to care about them, in Krouse's experience.

Vincent's found a way to get Krouse to care about his insides, and it's being dead. The latent intensity of the younger man's dark eyes ticks up and focuses in on Vincent at the flippant little comment, re-evaluating him with something opaque, yet pressured. It's not obvious what he wants, but he wants something. ]

Oh, I'm sure we can be pals. I'm great at making pals.

[ Keeping them, maintaining them, well, that's a different thing. ]

I don't know what's supposed to happen with the dead if and when you get your world's survival figured out. You should ask Aurora. She stonewalls, but if you can get something out of her, I'm keeping a little notebook about death around here.

Not to be morbid. I just think it's a key to figuring out what in the physics hell is going on here. I mean, have you considered the mechanics of resurrection? The energy that has to go into it? Where does that energy come from? How is consciousness being preserved or recreated? That's what I find intriguing.

[banworthy]

Wonderful.

[ The corner of his lips quirk upward. He notes the look, wondering after, but keeps smiling warm, and honest. In every lie, in every misdirection, there has to be some truth in it. If there is no truth, well, that would be a sin. ]

Nothing morbid about it. Honestly, I can understand where the curiosity comes from. [ Vincent dips his chin down; he wonders if there are people who fear death now that they've been resurrected. Death is never the enemy; immortality always will be.

He scratches his chin. ] Well, if you'd like the religious take on it, I certainly could give you an earful. But as far as the scientific? I'm afraid that's far out of my wheelhouse. [ He holds his hands up. ] I studied finances, unfortunately. [ He cheerfully jokes. ]

But if I get anything out of her, I'll give you what answer I get.

[equivo]

[ Krouse doesn't know many religious people. Oh, he knew plenty of people who went to church, but genuine, overt faith isn't something that came up often in his circles. Hearing Vincent drop it into conversation so casually gets him a slight eyeballing, but not too much of one.

There were the Fallen, of course, but Krouse isn't counting the cult that worships monsters as 'religious', and he steered the hell away from them whenever possible. Not a good scene. ]

Actually, I wouldn't mind hearing the religious take.

[ It's probably 'Jesus saves', sure, but Krouse has learned here that the basic tenets of what he thought was a religion he was vaguely familiar with can vary a lot. He doesn't have to affect the look of interest he's giving Vincent. ]

I'd call myself agnostic, personally [ or an atheist who likes playing devil's advocate because it's entertaining ] but I've been curious about how resurrection fits into the whole divine cosmology. Aside from the obvious examples. But something like this, where there's no obvious divine plan - not one that's obvious to me, anyway - well, consider my ears open. What do you make of it?

[banworthy]

[ Unlike some of the members of the Order, Vincent has spent time outside of Silent Hill. He's experienced what life is like around "outsiders," and is wary of appearing insane. As soon as he realizes how unorthodox his cult's teachings are, he is careful about what he says to not sound like a psychopath.

I'm not crazy.

But he keeps his smile even and friendly. ]

Sure. [ His eyes sparkle with amusement, but there is something dead beneath the shine. ] Resurrection isn't something good in my religion. It's not a reward. It's considered a punishment. [ A small quirk of his lips. ] There is most likely no divine plan, but I will say that it isn't a good thing to happen.

As for how much energy it takes, well, if it is divine, there is no worry about energy conversion. [ He holds his hand out to him. ] It's about faith. How much do you believe Echo will bring you and others back? If it's been seen once, doesn't that enhance the belief?

[equivo]

[ Krouse doesn't blink. He's too taken aback for that, grasping a fistful of things at once: Vincent isn't Christian, for one thing, and Krouse has no idea what religion he is a member of. He's never heard of one where resurrection was explicitly a bad thing.

He can't imagine that thrills the 'quite dead where I come from' man in front of him, going by that flat edge under the brightness of his levity. ]

You're making Echo sound like a god.

[ He says it just as lightly as Vincent does, not able to shake the feeling of skimming on surface tension. Most of it is his own, reflected in the sharp way his easy smile slants. ]

Which I guess they might as well be, for all intents and purposes. Sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic, so why not extend the principle? Especially sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from divinity. Why not.

[ It's not the frame he's using, but what difference does that really make? ]

Do you mind if I ask why resurrection is a bad thing? That's not really a take I'm familiar with.

[ He asks like he's only curious, but there's a thrumming intensity in how he looks at Vincent that undermines that. ]

[banworthy]

Why not?

[ Vincent chimes in return with a smile - a little wider than before. Small smiles are well and good for him; he can manage small smiles. Little grins that barely disrupt his face. But smiling itself doesn't suit him; it seems like his expression is best looking dour, thoughtful, or occasionally sympathetic. Smiles and grin warp his face to something ghoulish, like he isn't sure how his mouth is supposed to curve. ]

Sure, I don't mind.

[ He really is a hypocrite. Here he told Heather not to talk too much about their world and he ends up talking. If she finds out about it, he doesn't want to think of how smug she'll look; or maybe she won't. Who's to say? She's a bit of a wildcard.

His eyes close and he sighs as tries to think of how to put this in words that don't sound insane. ]

Humans are only meant to have one life. No continues, as the saying goes. [ His shoulders bounce in a shrug. ] Resurrection is ... [ In certain cases, it is because divinity wants to be protected verses caring about the vessel itself. He shakes his head as he decides he can't say that part. ] ... a means to force a person to complete the task in front of them versus allowing them to rest even if they've failed.

[equivo]

[ Krouse has a mouth that takes smiles easily. It's connecting them to his eyes that's the problem sometimes. He shifts in place lightly, weight moving from one leg to another, and his gaze doesn't shift with him. ]

I guess that assumes that people want to let their tasks go.

[ He shouldn't be doing this. It doesn't matter what some stranger at a dinner party thinks. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks about it at all.

The issue is the timing. He has too many loose threads picked out of an idea, and Vincent happened to snag one and tug. ]

Seems pretty uncompromising, as a philosophy. I mean, that almost sounds more like a convenient way to answer the question of 'why don't we bring more people back' without actually having to answer it, if we're talking about resurrection being possible.

What's so bad about second chances?

[banworthy]

I don't think anyone wants to, but sometimes, they need to let things go.

[ His tone of voice shifts to something sympathetic. Not that he knows anything that is going on with Krouse, but rather just trying to sound reasonable as he explains the reasons why death is much preferred to carrying on. ]

Resurrection isn't a -- [ He rolls his eyes along the ceiling, thinking about the right turn of phrase. ] -- compromising deal. You're either in or you're out. If you're in, you're in. You're not allowed to tap out anymore. It's not about second chances... it is about carrying on until it is done.

[ He drops his gaze back down to look at his face. ] As a philosophy, it's telling you to do everything you can and want while you can. Be happy with what you can do and let go of what you can't. [ A beat. ] And I think that's a good way to live, don't you, Krouse?

[equivo]

[ This is the wrong audience for these particular words of wisdom. That's obvious before Krouse even opens his mouth again, his expression shifting into the politely shuttered door of someone who's deciding not to hear what's being said to him.

It's because he knows Vincent is right. It's a good way to live. Saner, safer, easier. Probably the only rational way to live, instead of refusing to accept the hard barrier of 'can't' for the reality it is. ]

How do you know what you can't do unless you try it, though? That's always been my issue with that line of thinking. Doesn't it strike you as a little defeatist?

[ There's a tang like ozone on defeatist, the sizzling aftershock of a lightning strike. He's never been a quitter. A lot of other things, but not that. ]

I guess it depends on whether or not you think being happy is the most important thing a person can do with their life. If you don't try, you don't fail, you don't feel bad about it. I can see that.

[ He knows he's being a fucking dick right now. Once upon a time, that wouldn't have kept him from talking. But - he takes a breath, his eyes creasing at the corners in a faint wince. ]

...I can see it. [ He says, quieter. ] It sounds like it's easier than what I grew up around. More humane. I don't think crosses and Easter God is really about the 'you're good as you are' thing when you scratch the paint.

[banworthy]

I know what my limitations are.

[ A phrase that should have been said cheerfully and teasingly; it comes out with a little more venom than necessary. If he could have done things with his own hands, he would have, but he couldn't.

He pauses to scratch the inside of his ear. The room, for a second, became the two of them. He would have said something truly cruel; however, the movement of others outside of his line of vision reminds him that he is not having a private conversation. He's just having a quiet chat with milling people around.

Rubbing underneath his nose, he breathes out -- and resets. ]

However, I do believe happiness is the most important thing a person should do with their life. Too many people live unhappily for their goals and I don't see the reason for it. Honestly, it seems like people forget what happiness is and don't know how to even achieve it for themselves anymore.

[ A lunatic would say that is why people need God, but he isn't a lunatic. ]

No, religion is different than that, I'm afraid. It's mostly rituals and veneration that need to be carried out... but the results are always pleasing. At least, to me.

[equivo]

[ It's perversely satisfying to get under Vincent's skin a little even when Krouse is trying to walk himself back too. He can't help being the person he is, and maybe that's knowing at least some of his own limitations.

He likes making people react. Watching Vincent do something like Krouse is - sliding the live, sharp edge of a different response back into the metaphorical sleeve - kind of makes him start to respect the guy in some minorly fucked up way he's not going to dwell on. Vincent's letting Krouse get away with it, not just being some smiling pious pushover. ]

As long as it makes you happy.

[ It's almost a joke, almost another little dig, mostly a concession. If the hippie religion Vincent follows (Krouse is picturing beaded curtains and lava lamps in dens with books that feature psychedelic art on the covers, as a vibe) gets him by, this is one of those 'live and let wish he wasn't forcibly resurrected' type situations. ]

That's probably enough theology for today, though, huh? Not the kind of thing that goes well with canapes.

Thank you for indulging me anyway. I hope you won't hold it against me.

[ Krouse would, so he's not especially attached to the request. The point is setting up the opportunity for the polite lie. ]

[banworthy]

I think that's enough, yes.

[ His chin drops down in a quick, little nod. ]

You're welcome. And, why should I?

[ He cocks his head in the opposite direction. A snide comment burns in the back of his throat; he thinks he could get away with it but it may start an argument. His pettiness and constant vigilance that he's around people fight with one another.

Chewing on the inside of his mouth, he prevents himself from saying what he wants. Something along the lines how he should forgive ignorance. His eyes lose what little warmth is left in them before he offers a slight smile. ]

I won't keep you from your waitering, either.

[ Snatching another piece of meat off the tray, Vincent turns to leave. He thinks there might be blood in his mouth. He muses over how that'll affect the taste of the food he's shoving in there, but ultimately, his irritation makes it so it tastes like nothing. ]