It Worked For Their Relationship. Sort Of. In A Way. That Fight They Had At Least Stopped Some Of Their

What an apt observation. How refreshing it is to meet someone else who recognizes the value of looking one's best!

"Correct." He'll take it as a good sign that Lecter can read people well. That is his job, isn't it?

Maxwell, for his part, does not take a seat. Good, Doctor. You sit. Forever. For some reason, the idea of settling into a chair in this enclosed space is utterly appalling.

"..." How to begin? Being honest, vulnerable... it's certainly not something he's used to. But he expects he'll be asked to pay a pretty penny just to be here, so he might as well get something out of it.

"I expected that being cut off from the dangers of my 'home realm' would likewise sever their hold on me, but I find that I am experiencing just as many nightmares now as I did before."

If anything, the nightly visions seem to have only grown worse since his arrival. It's as though the Stars have tampered with his very ability to mentally recover from moments of distress; he doesn't think that's possible, but he supposes it would be foolish to assume that anything is beyond their capabilities. And since he can no longer rely on a dapper suit and natural confidence to reassure him and sooth his nerves, it seems appropriate that he seek outside guidance.

He does not intend to spend his vacation in paradise plagued by terror.

"So what do you think? Is that something you can fix?"

it's not often that hannibal encounters someone dressed as well as him. in fact, he's noticed how rare it is to find someone dawning a suit for the sake of it, undistracted from the need of any social gathering. the man in front of him - maxwell, his file tells him - is dressed as if he will attend a networking event right after therapy, and so hannibal immediately knows he'll have much fascinating to say.

" ah, looks like we both dressed up for the occasion, " he says with a polite but amused grin, observing maxwell enter the room from where he's sat. " come on in, maxwell. you don't look like the type to pursue a psychiatrist's opinion, if you don't mind me saying. what brings you here? "

@codexvmbra liked for a starter!

His wrongs! Maxwell snarls again, and their shaky truce nearly goes up in smoke for the second time.

He jabs a clawed finger at the Librarian's chest.

"Listen, pal, I'm not the one who jumped straight to threats of skewering you on my blade!" Sure, he had offered some threats of his own, but only after his ungrateful would-be partner had first!

"Apologize for letting it cross your minuscule mind to challenge me. Is that clear enough for you?"

He scoffed.

"You would then also have to admit your wrongs."

"You truly do insist on these one sided exchanges, don't you? I suppose you wouldn't be winning if you had to give the same amount as you got.

So, tell me then. What exactly is it that you find I have so transgressed that an apology is in order?"

Okay? So why the hell is he asking Maxwell about her? Does he think the King is omnipotent? Flattering, but no.

Max keeps walking as he replies, pausing here and there to raise a finger with every answer. "One: fur. Two: yes, magicfolk are more in-tune, but don't let that dissuade any Beforeborn friends you might have who are interested in picking up spells. It's accessible to almost anyone. And three: you are a product of my love of the fantastical--"

Here he stops fully, giving the young man an appraising look over.

"Yes. Absolutely divine. There are plenty of Beforeborn who would kill to be that shade of violet. ...and a nice, expressive tail... you didn't come out half bad at all. Don't you think the world's a more beautiful place when we allow ourselves to dream of what could be, not what is?"

Success, Mx. Stranger; you've made Maxwell's eyes light up with that last question.

"The Prestige. Anyone can remove something from this world. But only a real magician can bring it back."

It's creation. It's reformation. It's the promise that everything will be wrapped up neatly in a pretty little bow, and that nothing is truly gone forever.

"What would you like me to bring back into your life, child?"

Okay so THAT hint didn't work . . .

❝ I was just tryin' to— nevermind. I was just tryin' to make conversation. ❞ Ahem.

. . .

Huh ?

The fuck ?

William follows of course, without any question. ❝ Well yeah, that's what I was tryin' to figure out . . . but my mom ain't Afterborn, y'know. Given, she's not my birth mother. ❞ This is all stupid. He should let it go, or just ask directly. Why is he like this ? ? ?

❝ Yeah, nevermind . . . ❞

Anyway. Maxwell continues to be the personality of all time, and William has to confess to himself that he is captivated ! ❝ Hah ! Okay, well, I gotta ask ya all three of those. Go in order. Scales or fur ? How's the magic ? Why didja ' make me ' ? And . . . ❞ Make it about him. William is certain that's the trick, just as long as he can think of something interesting. ❝ When you talk about magic, what's your favourite ? Ever. Of all time. ❞

"It is."

He glances around, coming to stand near the Librarian. While the fox appears altogether disinterested in the display, there's a gleam of amusement in Maxwell's eyes.

"My, my, I should have known you had a violent streak." When you nearly clawed me in half. "I think this will all be great fun, if we let it be. Don't think of it as doing them a favor-- think of it as being offered the opportunity to let off some steam. ...something you clearly need."

He's already made up his mind to try his hand at defeating the waves of monsters; he enjoys watching combat more than he enjoys partaking in it himself, but he's certainly not going to pass up the chance to put his new book of spells to the test.

"Have you gotten any new abilities? As far as I'm concerned, that's already made all of this ridiculousness worthwhile."

Candy Culling

Even as panic took the people, he sat, watching it all, a cup of coffee in hand. Catching someone in his peripheral vision, he addressed them.

"It's you, Great Maxwell." He drawled, sounding bored.

"What do you make of it? The staged people, the candy magic?"

He sips.

"I was contemplating whether to do as they ask. On the one hand, I don't tend towards doing things for others with such little information given.

On the other hand, everything is awful and I wouldn't mind pounding these disgusting, sticky, oozy, melty monsters to crumbling bits... and perhaps learn something of our captors further inside the castle."

@codexvmbra

Certainly the latter; it's not her "integrity" he's after, here.

"You misunderstand. Back home, I spent my time helping people get what they want-- what they need. I merely assumed that someone used to a certain lifestyle like yourself might find yourself missing that sort of support now that you're here. I'm here to help."

That's his point exactly; she has no one to whom she can dedicate herself and her loyalty. So why not dedicate herself to him--?

"So that's what you call it." Freeing people from some other exploitative power just to keep them under her own thumb, no doubt.

"Well, there's no power more exploitative here than the Stars themselves." At least, that's one sentiment. Maxwell, for his part, finds their captors-slash-saviors to be perfectly adequate, all things considered.

"So it stands to reason that your first step would be to take on the big bads themselves, right?"

He's teasing her. He doesn't believe for one second that she's the underdog protector-of-the-downtrodden that she claims to be.

◈ Carlotta's gaze narrowed. "Oh? A most curious proposal to levy towards someone you've only just met, sir. Do I give off an air of integrity, or could it be possible you may be interested in my skillset?" She hadn't divulged her talents to him, but she wore a BB gun on her hip. With what she'd said, it was possible he could have concerned she was a marksman.

If so, he was absolutely correct in that assertion.

"Admittedly, as a fresh face I hardly have much in the way of aspirations just yet. Committed to my family as I am, that loyalty serves no purpose here." A world without the Montellis was something new to brave, but the woman was up to the challenge. "So I suppose I'll inevitable fall back on my principles alone. Surely there are those here that are suffering under the pressures of the exploitative, so I'd work to relieve those pressures so that the suffering know peace."

Oh look. It's him again. The dumb ass whom finally gave up out of manipulation and listened to the voices

Rose themed corruption BABBBYYYYYYYYYYYY

They really want him back

create something in my workshop.

a necklace.

bit by bit, you’ve crafted a beautiful piece of jewelry, one that gleams in the sun and glitters in the low light, one that draws attention and admiration and glowing words. you step out into the world and the world turns to you. eyes are caught by the shimmer. hands reach out to touch. gasps fall from mouths at the very sight of you. you feel like the center of the world until you realize that what people are really looking at is the necklace. you haven’t made eye contact with another person in weeks. this thing that you’ve made is gorgeous. it should be a point of pride for you, a a glow of achievement over your chest. with it glimmering across your collarbones, nobody has even noticed that you’re there.

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