OOM: Concert, part 1

[electro_kinetic]

Noriko had planned ahead for this trip, and so had brought her clothes to the bar thus to change without having to take Hannibal to where her room in the mansion was; if all went well she'd only have to take him through the entry hall, and then to the city itself. She came downstairs rather elegantly for someone in five-inch heels and a pencil skirt, smiling at Hannibal.

"So, you ready?" she asked, jacket draped over her arm. "Or did I get all dolled up for nothing?"

Comments

[cook_the_rude]

"Of course I am ready," Hannibal says. He is wearing a black suit, black bow tie, and coal-grey shirt -- the latter is his one dash of originality in his attire.

[electro_kinetic]

"Man, you weren't kidding when you said you went conservative," Noriko chuckles. Her own clothes are somewhat more conservative than usual in deep purple and black; even her makeup is muted in tones of pale rose and gold.

"Think we both went dark enough for a winter concert?"

[cook_the_rude]

"Excellent," Hannibal says, standing up and offering his arm. "I do like that shade of purple on you."

[electro_kinetic]

"Relax, we're going to a concert, not an execution. You're allowed to smile," she says, taking his arm as she comes to him. "Besides, we're going as friends, friends generally have a good time."

It's classical music, he ought to like it. And they're doing Irwin Kostal's arrangement, which makes it more enjoyable for her. Too many strings get on her nerves. "Thank you. I was aiming for as understated as I could pull off, having bright blue hair." Which is currently neatly braided and pulled off her neck in a sleek chignon.

[cook_the_rude]

"You're doing very well with that," Hannibal says, smiling at her.

[electro_kinetic]

"Thank you," she says. "As are you. Are you excited to see it?"

[cook_the_rude]

"I am looking forward to a civilised concert in civilised circumstances, with a civilised companion," Hannibal says, mildly. "Very much so."

[electro_kinetic]

"You can't just say yes?" Nori asks, looking askance at Hannibal. "I'd ask if you want a civilized dinner after the concert, but I have a feeling I won't like the conditions to your answer."

It's not that Noriko dislikes the idea of Hannibal cooking, but she has real issues with his sourcing of ingredients.

[cook_the_rude]

"I'd quite like that," Hannibal says. "What did you think, I'd insist on a restaurant that serves long pork?"

[electro_kinetic]

"Wouldn't put it past you, if you could find one," she says evenly. "Though I'm not sure where that would be. But as it is, you've got the whole of New York City to choose from, I'm sure there's suitably strange things out there."

She moves her shoulders, idly adjusting the rosy gold chains draped over them. "What kind of food are you in the mood for?"

[cook_the_rude]

"Something very new and trendy," Hannibal says. "Or something completely ethnic. You pick."

[electro_kinetic]

Noriko rolls her eyes. "Hey, I picked the concert, food is your choice." As long as someone else cooks, she's totally fine eating with the man. "Or does that sound too much like a date?"

She may be teasing.

[cook_the_rude]

"I'll find some authentic African cuisine," Hannibal says. "You haven't lived before you tasted Ethiopian sauces."

[electro_kinetic]

"Evidently I have," she says, amused. "Being here and all."

Yes, Noriko knows he's being non-literal, but if she were polite and proper all the time she'd hardly be herself. "I've never gone looking for Ethiopian food, to be honest. What's in it?"

[cook_the_rude]

"Spices," Hannibal says. "Some of the spiciest spiciest spices known to humanity."

[electro_kinetic]

"Okay," Noriko chuckles. "So you think I can't do spicy food?" she asks. She isn't saying she loves it--though she does--but is curious to Hannibal's motivation for the choice.

[cook_the_rude]

"Not weapons grade spicy," Hannibal says.

[electro_kinetic]

"Good," she laughs. "Because I've seen people putting capsicum extract in their food and it just seems stupid." And she's not eating anything with that in it, either.

[cook_the_rude]

"That is just silly," Hannibal says. "You add spices for their taste, not for their ability to neutralise your taste buds."

[electro_kinetic]

"What, that's just a handy side benefit?" she asks. "Come on. Are you ready to go?"

[cook_the_rude]

"Yes," Hannibal says, suddenly grinning at her. "As ready as I ever get!"

[electro_kinetic]

"Alright then. I'm driving," she says, smiling as she opens the door on the entrance hall of a sizeable mansion, though she doesn't make much mention about it, heading for the door outside.

"Unless you want to take the subway."

[cook_the_rude]

"I suppose I will survive your driving style?" Hannibal says.

[electro_kinetic]

"Are you saying my driving style is unsafe?" she asks. It isn't. She's actually quite safe, if not slow.

"Be careful about assumptions like that, Hannibal."

[cook_the_rude]

"You have a temper," Hannibal suggests. "You are likely to not discard it while driving."