fem!graham, being grim.

[savoureuse]

It's been a while.

The things which pique your interest are concerning.

Comments

[valuation]

[ a slight raise of his brow at concerning, followed by calculated silence; she'll fill it on her own, if she doesn't feel pushed. ]

[savoureuse]

[She leans back, head tilting to one side, stare too steady. After a moment:]

Well, don't bottle it up, Dr Lecter.

[Something in her tone like a knife against a whetstone.]

[valuation]

[ a concession, accompanied by a slight smile: ] What is it that concerns you, Philomena?

[savoureuse]

[Immediately, almost talking over him:] Let's not.

[valuation]

Discussing it frightens you, more than the thing itself.

[savoureuse]

No. Discussing it, discussing it with you, makes me angry. And I'm saving that.

[valuation]

Yet you keep asking for me.

[savoureuse]

So I do.

Well, Dr Lecter, why don't we talk about you for a change? I've uh, had the limelight firmly placed on me, but you, you're practically fading into the background. One more eccentric in an institution of people barely holding it together, so what—and anyway, you can cook. People like that. Good food, fine wine, music. You and your—sociable passions. [A twitch of the lips, like a smile with all the mirth scraped out.] But for all that, you're a very polite outsider, and you never impose. And all this makes you unquestionable. A strange fact of life.

[valuation]

[ a tilt of his head: acknowledging her words, savoring her reluctant admiration of his talents. ]

All humans are drawn to experience passion, Phil. That alone would hardly set either of us apart.

[ what does, then? can she see it yet, how similar they are? despite her claims, hannibal wonders how deep the waters of her understanding run. ]

[designates]

Writing hobbies tend to attract eclectic personalities.

Nice, uh, to see you again. [ is that weird that's weird isn't it ]

[savoureuse]

[Definitely weird, weird enough to make Phil's lips twitch in a near-laugh which seems to take the rest of her face by surprise.] And you. Good to dispense with, ah. Social necessities.

I think we attract eclectic personalities.