The world could show nothing to me, so what good would living do me [W3, Saturday, Post-Trial]

[hydrokinetics]

[By the time Hannibal makes his way back to the hotel it may be fairly late. Percy hasn't gone inside but he's relatively quiet as he cradles Mrs. O'Leary in his lap and leans back against one of the support beams. Upon closer notice, one may find that his knuckles are battered and bruised, split and splintered and bleeding but he doesn't care. His eyes are red and puffy and the circles under them are prominent.

And yet he's as alert as ever. He hears footsteps and his hand immediately moves for the dagger on his hip. He only stops when he recognizes the approaching figure.]

Dr. Lecter. [It's a quiet voice, though clearly curious.] Isn't it late for you to be out here?

Comments

[hydrokinetics]

Huh. [It's a "huh" of understanding, and though he really would like to ask more questions he chooses not to.] I'm glad you were safe.

[Sucks for that guy? Clearly Tobias was a Bad Man.] There's a fair amount now, but we also don't know how long they're going to survive here with everybody else. People are going to get desperate to want to stay alive and with the failsafe for the Bandits in place, that's not much easier. Your assistance is appreciated. We're all going to need to stick together as long as possible.

[But...he understand.] That's understandable. [And it's because of all of this, because Annabeth's gone, because he's desperate that he finally says:] I have to get her back so that we can get home and save the world. Without her, and without me, it won't be done. I can't let that happen to an entire planet. So I guess I want to earn my keep and do my part, too. And win, if possible.

[sating]

As am I.

[ To say the least. It's not every day you get in a wacky serial killer fight, but, hey. Things happen.

He nods as Percy explains his own thoughts, since Hannibal agrees. Since the first time someone had died, he had worried about the very thing Percy explains. It feels like an inevitability that people would become desperate to live, because that's human nature. Hannibal knows that far better thn most people, considering his "hobby." Though that's at least neither here nor there.

Though of course, before he gets to those kinds of practical matters that last part of what Percy says surprises him. Hannibal's eyes widen in surprise, and he's briefly stunned into a silence, but it turns to a slightly wry smile. ]

Saving the world— That's quite the burden for someone so young.

[ He doesn't sound disbelieving, though. He's already accepted plenty of strange stories, so he can accept another one just as easily. Though each time he hears one, he does feel a bit more "normal," and that's almost comical. ]

But it gives me more confidence that my help would be put in the right place. I was thinking of selflessness in terms of having another person to support... Having far more than that is comforting, odd as that is to say.

[hydrokinetics]

[#justhannibalthings

He's wondered when people will start to snap, what people will do and he thinks back to what Diego said, how people will believe anything if they want to keep someone or something safe. He wants to keep people here safe, but he also doesn't know how many people he can trust not to swandive off the deep end. It doesn't help that he doesn't quite trust himself anymore either.

But he says nothing.]

Yeah, well. We did such a great job the first time they felt like we'd be good for round two. [Let him rest.] Dr. Lecter...I promise you I'll do whatever I have to to keep you and Will safe as long as I can. You two deserve that much, and since Annabeth's gone, I...[A huff.] You have each other and it wouldn't be fair to split you apart. So long as you and Will play along I think we can make this work. The Sheriff seems to take us participating in trials and stuff as part of participating in the game at all. If you can help me with whatever happens next then...I'd be really, really grateful.

[sating]

[ There's a moment where Hannibal actually looks genuinely quite surprised by the sentiment, though it quickly and easily shifts to one of looking quite touched instead. It strikes him as almost naive, admittedly. The sort of genuine, earnest help that Percy offers, but that doesn't mean he looks down on it. Quite the opposite, actually. It makes him feel a bit old in a wry way, since that kind of sentiment is something you lose as you grow older, he thinks.

His usual, calm eloquence is briefly interrupted as a result, and he seems at a loss of what to say, if only for a moment. But he nods, and it's with a smile. ]

Of course, Percy. I will always help, so long as you ask.

[ That seems important to convey first. ]

And thank you. So long as what the Sheriff told us is true... I agree. We can make this work. It's my sincere hope that Annabeth and all of those lost can be returned.

[hydrokinetics]

[In truth, it's probably incredibly naive. He won't see it that way though, focused on keeping people together. It's what he does as a hero. It's all he wants to focus on now.]

They will be. I'm not going to stop until I'm sure of it. She'd kick my ass if I stopped now anyway so...[There's actually a very small but genuine smile.] It'll be fine. Somehow. I have no idea how yet, but it will be. Just keep Will playing the game and keep yourself playing, too.

[sating]

[ The smile is returned with one of Hannibal's own, and he dips his head again in an easy nod, this time less surprised. He still does seem impressed with Percy, though, and he doesn't bother to hide that. ]

I will. We will.

[ He's at least personally feeling a bit better about Percy's state of mind, and he hopes that it's the same for Percy. Perhaps having a purpose will help him. It so often does in the face of trauma and loss, so... He sees this is a good thing. An opportunity for him. It's that thought that also gets him to add a soft, but genuine: ]

You are quite a brave person, by the way. I've seen older, wiser men buckle underneath such things.

[hydrokinetics]

[Thank you, Dr. Dad, that's pretty awesome. Percy's state of mind (for now) is a little more stabilized, and for a moment he looks okay. Having a purpose will help immensely. However, Hannibal continues and he smiles a little more, tired yet amused all the same.]

I have , too. But that's exactly why I have to be this way. We train for stuff like this. [For the sake of man, he has to protect what he can. He's hoping it might be left at that, but he also doesn't seem to mind this conversation.] Thanks though, I guess.