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

[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.