Hannibal

[drfeelbad]

"She'll be fine," House said, stepping into Hannibal's office. "Food poisoning. I gave her something that should keep it under control until it blows over, but consider her out of commission for about 48 hours."

Without invitation, he sat down in the chair across from his desk, and put his cane down on the floor. "She must be new, hadn't seen her before. Are you expanding or did you lose someone?"

Comments

[drfeelbad]

"That... surprises me," House said, frowning.

[anamusebouche]

"There is a client who refuses to pay him for it," Hannibal explained.

[drfeelbad]

"So don't let him see that client," House said. "Stingy son of a bitch."

[anamusebouche]

"He insists on Alcuin," Hannibal said. He wasn't negotiating it. He had his reasons and Halicon was important.

[drfeelbad]

"Well... sure, I'll come to see him occasionally," House said. Then looked at Hannibal and added, "Though if I'm paying for him and his marque I won't stop at a massage. I'm not made of money."

[anamusebouche]

"I was giving you a discount," Hannibal argued simply, with a smile. "If you want to fuck him, you'll pay in full, my friend."

[drfeelbad]

One size of House's lip quirked up. "You strike a hard bargain."

Then a pause, and he added, "Do you think he's worth it?"

[anamusebouche]

"Every cent," Hannibal assured him.

[drfeelbad]

"Tell me the truth," House said, leaning towards him. "He's your favorite isn't he."

Because he was absolutely assuming that Hannibal was fucking him.

[anamusebouche]

"I trust you're not implying anything," Hannibal answered with a light teasing smile.

[drfeelbad]

House shrugged and sat back again. "Only that you have excellent taste. And an eye for talent."

[anamusebouche]

"That I do," Hannibal agreed. "I have masseuses too, if you would prefer."

[drfeelbad]

"I'll think about it," House said.

"And any other problems around here?" he asked. "Anyone I need to look over?"

[anamusebouche]

"Rosa still has that rash on her face," Hannibal said. "I'm afraid she's not listening to your advice."

[drfeelbad]

House rolled his eyes. "I mean sure, she can keep eating shrimp if she likes, but if she does the rash isn't going away. It's a food allergy."

[anamusebouche]

"I wish she would listen," Hannibal lamented. "She's of no use to me like this."

[drfeelbad]

"You could discount her," House said. "And then see how she likes the clientele that brings her."

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal arched sn eyebrow. "That would set an example, certainly."

[drfeelbad]

"Perhaps not the kindest move, but this one is her own fault," House said with a shrug.

[anamusebouche]

"There is something to be said for the tradition of marques," Hannibal sighed. "They are so much more aware of their value and understand their role in ways the newer generations do not."

[drfeelbad]

"Phedre certainly is," said House. "I remember when hers was finished." It wasn't that long ago. "Also it's gorgeous. When I asked Alcuin about his he said he was going to have the first of it limned soon."

[anamusebouche]

"I have to admit that it is always a difficult moment," Hannibal admitted. "From a business perspective. Alcuin's beauty draws a certain clientele that favours... innocence. A marque explains he is no longer that."

[drfeelbad]

House snorted. "An interest in innocence boggles my mind. I've slept with virgins. They don't know what they're doing."

[anamusebouche]

"Never with my virgins, then," Hannibal knew. "They've all been trained well."

[drfeelbad]

In all honesty, that was the one part of the way Hannibal ran his business that House didn't care for. Virgin auctions. He had no issue with selling sex (obviously) and he knew enough of Hannibal's employees to not question their consent, but that skirted very close to the line. How could you give real consent for something you'd never done?

"Well I can assure you I have no interest in being someone's first," he said. "Too much pressure."