[ GRAVEYARD ]

[sheriffexe]

GRAVEYARD

So, you're dead. Shame, that. But on the other hand, it's actually kind of nice. When you "wake" in some odd version of it, you'll find yourself lying on a rather plush bed. It's cozy and warm and just soft enough to tempt anyone back into sleep. The room is equally nice, if small, and when you turn and open the curtains to look out the window, you will see... wait, is that the town? It is, actually. The town is laid out quite simply across the window and no matter how many times you may bang or wave through the window, no one seems to notice you. If you're smart enough to give up the venture and leave the small bedroom, you will notice that, of course, you are on the train. The train that, is actually pretty fancy. Moving through it, past the sleeping cabins and through to the main carts, you will find a dining car with fine dishware and meals of all kinds made at a push of a button or a request given to the air. They'll appear, freshly made and ready to eat at the table of your choice with any drink you could want. There truly doesn't seem to be any limits when it comes to the luxury of the meal. There is also a bathhouse car with private bathrooms and saunas to fit up to four. Even one rather large room containing a small pool/hot tub of sorts is available for just about anyone to take a dip. It's kind of outlandish, honestly. Then the lounge car, with its library and plush armchairs and couches. A pool table, a darts board, even a small area dedicated to painting. There's a bar too, fully stocked and ready for anyone who needs a drink. All it would require is a request from the bartender who... looks surprisingly familiar? The Sheriff is there, much cleaner cut than his counterpart outside of the train. He looks up mildly at any arrivals, giving them a nod of greeting before going back to organizing bottles or setting cigars out for a smoke. He doesn't seem to be surprised at all by anyone who appears. Just... ready to serve them, whatever they may wish. It all sort of seems okay for a moment, until you realize you're just here to wait for the game to end. Awkward.

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[muffled trouble by tswift]

[sating]

[ Well. That was fun, wasn't it?

There's definitely quite a long time before Hannibal emerges from his room, though it's hardly because he's bothered. On the contrary, he's quite happy with the luxurious arrangements, and he takes a fair amount of time to enjoy them. His poster had spoken of hedonism, and it was completely accurate, after all.

Though eventually, he'll make his way to the dining car. He's a bit disappointed to not be able to cook for himself, but he'll settle, he supposes. For now, he tests the luxury that it can provide, and he orders himself a plate of gigot d'Agneau and a glass of fine, red wine. He'll take a seat at a table to enjoy his meal, though he doesn't quite approach anyone to say hello.

Though you're welcome to come to him, naturally. Just mind your manners. ]

[feminitis]

Sensei?!

[Here's Sei, who was eating something before he entered the dining car... she doesn't notice when he sits down a few tables over, but she looks up and suddenly he's there.]

What are you doing here already? I thought for sure you'd last longer! ...not that it's not good to see you, of course!

[sating]

Hello, Seizaburo-kun.

[ It's the same calm greeting as always, though he does sit up a bit straighter as she speaks to him. Her comment gets his smile to quirk slightly, and he inclines his head to her. ]

I'm glad you had such faith in me. But no, unfortunately not.

[ He motions to the space across from him with a smile that's just as warm as it always has been. ]

Though, would you like to join me? I'm sorry for being rude to eat, but I'm famished.

[feminitis]

[She nods, picking up her plate and moving it over to his table before taking the seat in front of him.]

No, it's fine! I'm hungry, too. [That's why she's in here, eating.] The food here is definitely better than the stuff back in the town, that's for sure...

[Oh, but - wait.]

...would it be rude of me to ask what happened?

[sating]

It is. Not being able to make it myself is a shame, but I will make do as I did in the town itself. At least the food is of higher quality.

[ Hannibal takes a bit of his meal, and as Sei asks, he shakes his head lightly. He explains it quite casually, though he doesn't stop eating. Clearly, he's not terribly bothered. ]

I do not consider it so, no. Natalie chose me to die. I was bound and blinded with the execution hood, but her anger did almost get the best of her.

[ He pauses as he chews his bite, then once he's done, he looks up Sei to give the calm, factual details. ]

I tore off the ropes and stabbed her in the hand to disarm her. She dropped the gun, and in trying to stab her in the heart, I missed because I was blinded and stabbed her shoulder. She led me further away from the hotel, and I was caught by a hunter's trap. [ He breathes out a small laugh that's almost amused, then shakes her head. ] After that, she simply emptied the clip of her gun into my chest. It's unfortunate that none hit anything to kill me more quickly, but I bled out fairly soon.

[ Hannibal turns his attention back to his plate as he starts to cut another slice of meat. ]

The Sheriff was wise to bind and blind me, to be honest. If not for that, she would be sitting here instead.

[feminitis]

...Miss Goodman did...?

[That comes as something of a surprise, but in retrospect, maybe it shouldn't. Natalie always was pretty... fiery, even after losing her arm. Especially after losing her arm.]

Why was she so angry? Was it because...

[Her voice trails off. Sei's been told that Hannibal has killed. Well, so has she, so she can't really judge him for it. Knowing what she knows now about what's required for everyone to leave, she can't help but think he did what he did because he was trying to do what was right.]

Did she find out about your... um, other talents?

[Like, uh. Murder.]

I was sort of hoping... you'd get the chance to use them more before you ended up here yourself. I wrote as much in a letter to you, but I'm not sure if that got through or not...

[sating]

[ He's not surprised that Sei knows, considering at least one of his victims is here. Though the way she phrases it does make his brow quirk a bit quizzically. It's not how he would have expected her to react to it, much less to phrase it so. It makes him wonder briefly if she's only gotten part of the story, but as such, he has no intention of elaborating further than he needs to. ]

Yes. She did.

[ It's not untrue at all, though he's definitely leaving out part of it. Though the basis of it is still definitely his "talents." He sits back in his chair more comfortably as he reaches to take his wine. ]

I thought you may have meant as such, so it did get through at least in part. But I used them enough. I at least believe I ensured enough of my work would be satisfactory for our host.

[feminitis]

[She knows enough to be a little off-put, but... she's also heavily biased when it comes to people she likes, and she likes Hannibal well enough that she'll make justifications for him 'til the cows come home.

It's a little unfortunate.]

Really? [She tilts her head to the side, curious.] ...I know you sent Riku-san here... who else?

[Guess who doesn't know he was responsible for putting people in the stocks? YEP, IT'S HER. She just thinks he's an independent party and she is strangely okay with that.]

[tightly]

[ Aside from Claire, Hannibal might be the person she's gladdest to see thus far. After all, he had been a friend to her with no provocation and asked for nothing in return, leaving her with only careful fondness and cherished memories. Choosing to trust him, as she had done, doesn't go away the moment they are separated by such immaterial states as dead and alive. It galls a little, cuts to see him here - she had wanted him to live - but she's quick to make her way to his side. It's almost some sort of habit, an abiding tendency deep in her sinew, and Hannibal is the latest to be on the receiving end.

She's silent, as ever. Not just voiceless, although that does contribute. But, none of her makes a single sound -- even when it ought to be nature. Of course, Chane doesn't sit down uninvited. Rather, she reaches out for his shoulder, a light and quick touch that's slightly more affectionate than a tap. Slightly.

As they say on TV, what's up. ]

[sating]

[ The touch on his shoulder gets Hannibal to look up, though there's already a warm, pleased look on his face. As always, he knew that Chane was coming to see him before she reached out to him, and so it makes the fondness on his face a little more than immediate. He smiles up at her, and in immediate understanding, he gestures for Chane to take the seat across from him. ]

Hello again, Chane. I'm glad to see you well.

[tightly]

[ She takes the seat smoothly, once again primly careful to make sure that her dress doesn't bunch up underneath her. He's free to continue eating as they speak, Chane hardly minds - was conditioned not to, in point of fact.

Gesturing to him, she's attempting to ask how he's faring after all that.

If this conversation gets too indecipherable, she'll begrudgingly get some paper but, until then, she's somewhat hoping he retains his near fluency in Chane. ]

[sating]

[ Hannibal is no Will, but he's certainly getting better at it. He cants his head lightly as he watches her gestures, but with a small "ah" of understanding, he thinks he has it. He nods before reaching out to take his wine glass. ]

Well. I never had any doubts that I would be killed. I really had very little interest in winning in the first place.

[ He takes a sip, then sighs as he looks towards the window. ]

I died precisely when I was meant to. I believe next week would have been quite boring if I had lived.

[tightly]

[ That's a chillingly clinical outlook on his own death but Chane can hardly make that observation like she's unrelated. She's approached too much of this game with her own implacable calm, after all. Perhaps him being upset by the turn of events would be healthier - (she'll make that note, even if she's unsure what to do with it once she does) - but part of her is glad to see he's still himself.

There's one other thing, though. One factor to his death that he's not yet touched on.

Troubled by it, Chane glances out the window when he does, then frowns back at him. Her lips move, shaping one word: Will.

After all, after seeing how the last trial played out... ]

[sating]

[ Hannibal looks back to her quickly enough, because unlike other people, he does have to be more attentive to Chane. While he tended to be a bit more languid with his gestures and attention when speaking to people he was more comfortable with, she still requires his attention. So he doesn't miss her concern or the word on her lips.

He smiles softly at the thought.

There are many ways he could explain what he believes is likely to come, but he pauses to eat. There's a sip of wine, a bite of lamb, though even as he eats, that gentle smile stays there. When he finds an answer that he thinks is satisfactory to explain it, he look back at Chane. ]

I hadn't realized that there were some similarities in our relationships, you know. There are conventional romantic gestures, but others are a bit rarer. You and Felix—Or may I call him Claire now?—You two clearly know this. Murder can be a quite passionate expression of love.

[ceded]

[ haha hey dad guess who's sliding into the seat across from you with a stony look on her face.

no greetings, no hellos. maybe if they'd both died a week sooner.

instead, all she says is: ]

I want to know why.

[sating]

Hello, Xion.

[ That's given first, because even now, politeness and manners are quite important to Hannibal—Or at least so far as they amuse him. He doesn't stop eating, after all, and other than a cursory glance in his greeting, his attention stays on his meal. He seems to be savoring it. ]

I wrote you a letter, you know. You may have found some of the answers you seek in it. But unfortunately, neither of us were meant to survive the week.

[ He pauses to take a bite of his food, though as he reaches for the wine after, he speaks again. ]

You will have to be more specific as a result.

[ceded]

[ She stares at him levelly, though her hands twitch as anger flares through her. She tries hard to stay calm, though. ]

Were you the Deputy?

[ Might as well get that out of the way. ]

[sating]

Of course.

[ He says it as simply as if were talking about the weather or some other trivial thing. Though Hannibal does at least pause in eating to look at her. His expression has interest in it, but it's mostly just quirked in mild interest. ]

To be completely honest, I'm surprised it took this long for all of you to figure it out.

[ceded]

The others knew before I did. I'm not sure for how long.

[ Because no one ever told her a god damn thing until it was too late, and realizing why has been a series of very unpleasant personal revelations. ]

... you never cared, did you? [ Just. There's disbelief, and a little sadness there. ] Not about a single person here, except Will. I believe you cared about him. [ Somewhat more darkly as she stares down at her hands on the table. ]

So, why? Why bother with me?

[ It's been scratching at the back of her mind, incessant, ever since Shinnosuke told her.

Why did this person, who doesn't care for a single one of them, ever ... bother?

Why her? ]

[sating]

[ Hannibal sighs, though the tone is one that Xion has heard before. It's disappointment, though the context here may make it a bit more unsettling. He had expressed disappointment in her before when she had gotten unnecessarily injured, and now, it seems almost the same.

This was the part of these kinds of games that Hannibal disliked, if any. The point where people try and reason and rationalize what he's done to them. They will always make their own narratives, their own stories, and sometimes, there's a grain of truth in them. However, each one is always partial, always incomplete. It's why his answer will probably surprise her. ]

I do care, Xion. If I did not care, I would have let those of you that came to me so injured die on my proverbial operating table. It would have been easy to do. I would not have even needed to do anything in some cases.

[ He picks up his wine glass, though he doesn't take a drink of it yet. Instead, he just looks at that dark, blood-colored wine with an almost wistful look on his face. ]

If I did not care, you would know. There would never be any doubt.

[insincerely]

[i hope you know i suspected hannibal by week 4 because who else would throw rude teenagers under the bus

Anyhow, when Shinnosuke sees Hannibal—well, he died before getting that letter, but he figures Hannibal already knows and knows that he knows, so he just.

Laughs.]

[sating]

[ Hannibal ignores the laughter completely, and he just continues to enjoy his meal. He actually won't speak to Shinnosuke for quite a while if he lingers, so Shinnosuke will either have to do more than laugh or hang around creepily for like. Ten minutes. I'm sorry Jan ]

[insincerely]

[Eh, he doesn't care, but he'll wave obnoxiously before moving on.

Sorry, not sorry, crazy psychopath who may or may not be a cannibal (or "like his snacks man-sized!?" as one person put it).]

[heroinwait]

[Riku's not exactly a polite person when he's looking for answers. You'll have to pardon him, because when he sees Hannibal sitting in the dining car, he only hesitates for a half-second before he's making his way to his table. Without asking for permission or waiting to be invited, he'll approach, pulling out the chair on the opposite side and taking a seat.]

All I want to know is why.

[After a few weeks, he's come to terms with his death at Lecter's hands. Maybe it was a punishment he was meant to face, to have a chance of redeeming himself and protecting somebody only to have it yanked away.

But still. Why did Hannibal pick him?]

[sating]

[ He's not surprised that Riku wants to talk to him, since he hadn't exactly given him the chance when they had met last. Hannibal is at least polite enough to stop eating when Riku sits down, since he'll give him that attention, at least. However, the question itself, while unsurprising, isn't one Hannibal finds terribly interesting. The answer is underwhelming, not as a result of that, but because Hannibal's motivations were terribly simple. ]

It was convenient.

[ He shrugs, an easy, light slope of his shoulders. ]

When I asked for someone to kill, the Sheriff suggested you.