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]

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."

[anamusebouche]

"No, you prefer them playing chess," Hannibal teased lightly.

[drfeelbad]

"Mmmm," said House. "But I do prefer when they're playing chess naked."

God, Phedre was fucking gorgeous bending over a chessboard, too.

[anamusebouche]

"She is quite something," Hannibal said. He didn't mind sharing Phedre. In fact, he too played chess with her. He also fucked her, but never hurt her. She had a grace about her that he quite loved and while he didn't like showing it, he simply wasn't into pain.

Sometimes he turned her over and fucked her differently, and closed his eyes and imagined her moans were someone else's. Imagined her arse and her marque were not hers but Alcuin's.

[drfeelbad]

"Well you are a man of exceptional taste," House said.

He paused a beat and then said, "I should probably be going, unless you have anyone else with an ailment to examine."

[anamusebouche]

"No one else, thankfully," Hannibal said. "Thank you, my friend."

[phedredelaunay]

House got to his feet, and smirked a little. "Until next time," he said, and picked up his cane, though just as he turned to the face the door Phedre appeared in the doorway.

"Oh hello, Greg," she said pleasantly. "Am I interrupting? I can come back."

"I was just leaving," said House. As he walked past her, she brushed her hand against his arm and murmured, "I liked your friend, but I hope you're going to come back and see me."

He chuckled. "Of course."

Once he was gone, Phedre stepped into the room. "Hello. Do you have a moment?"

[anamusebouche]

"Of course, my dear," Hannibal said and sat back comfortably. She was the most beautiful woman in his employ and he truly did enjoy having her as his.

[phedredelaunay]

Phedre closed the door, and then came to perch on the edge of his desk, in front of him. She was wearing a long, flowing dress that as it moved illustrated a great deal of transparency. She was not wearing a bra.

"I would like to talk about Alcuin," she said. "If he hasn't already, he will likely come to you with a request and I would ask you to grant it."

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal got curious. He put a hand on her leg. "What will he ask over me?"

[phedredelaunay]

"To not see Halicon every time he asks," said Phedre. And then couldn't help but frown a little. "The man is obsessed with him, Hannibal. It's bad for Alcuin, and not to mention nothing is going towards his marque."

[anamusebouche]

"He asked," Hannibal said. "He made an offer and I accepted. A clever offer. He suggested that Halicon might be more talkative if Alcuin would make him pine a little."

[phedredelaunay]

Phedre looked a bit sheepish. "Well I can see he didn't need my assistance," she said. "And I knew you'd be reasonable. He's right though, it's smart."

She spread her legs just slightly, and the movement also slid Hannibal's hand from the fabric between the slit onto her thigh.

[anamusebouche]

Hannibal smiled at her move and lightly caressed her thigh. "It is, yes. I suppose you were plan B, should his request fail." He thought that was rather clever as well.

[phedredelaunay]

"But it would have worked, right?" Phedre teased. "Though also Alcuin should know you're just as likely to listen to him as me."