OOM: Concert, part 2

[electro_kinetic]

The stage itself is backed by a huge screen, big enough to nearly be an IMAX presentation, and the orchestra is in front, chairs empty. They're fashionably close to the starting time, because Noriko hates being late, and she didn't want to be too early: tucking her free hand in her coat pocket she walks with Hannibal, trying to keep her heels from clicking too loudly on the floor.

The seats printed on both tickets are quite good, being the center of the closest balcony, where the sound will blend and amplify without too much distortion, and a clear view to both the screen and the plalyers, but before they see any of that, there's the lobby to get through.

"Wow," Nori says, looking up at the starburst lights. "This place is pretty huge."

Comments

[cook_the_rude]

"Do you think I shouldn't compare myself to her?" Hannibal says, smiling.

[electro_kinetic]

"I don't know," Noriko says, looking over, "That whole incest and being a complete bitch thing don't make it a great comparison," she finishes. "I much prefer Oberyn and Tyrion, neither of which you are."

[cook_the_rude]

"Especially not Tyrion," Hannibal says.

[electro_kinetic]

"He's my favorite," she replies. "Though I'm willing to bet some people we know think of you more like Tywin."

[cook_the_rude]

"That is a bit harsh," Hannibal says, shaking his head.

[electro_kinetic]

"Why?" she asks. "Tywin isn't a complete asshole. He does things for a reason, even if it isn't one other people like or can really grasp."

[cook_the_rude]

"You do try to make him sound like me," Hannibal says.

[electro_kinetic]

"He is like you. Short of the killing people to eat them thing he's actually fairly close."

[cook_the_rude]

"He is all about his family, its influence and its riches," Hannibal says. "I don't even have one, and money just happens. I wouldn't dream of choosing a motto about finances and revenge."

[electro_kinetic]

"Yes you would, don't lie," she says. "A Lannister always pays his debts? Please, that's you."

[cook_the_rude]

"Excuse me?" Hannibal says. "About money? And I don't even have a family."

[electro_kinetic]

"Nothing says debts have to be monetary," she says. "And there's no mention of family other than a name. And you pride yourself on your name more than anyone I've ever met."

[cook_the_rude]

"I don't forgive rudeness lightly," Hannibal admits, "and what name, please, do I pride myself on? The Doctor, the Hannibal or the Lecter?"

[electro_kinetic]

"All of it," she says. "It's not a portion of your name but all of it, because all of it is individually you. And you take pride in being different from everyone else, much like I do."

[cook_the_rude]

"So how are you not Tywin, then?"

[electro_kinetic]

"Do I kill people because they've insulted me?"

[cook_the_rude]

"He doesn't do that, either," Hannibal says. "He kills people because they make his family look bad."

[electro_kinetic]

"Which is a form of insult, I know you're not that dumb."

[cook_the_rude]

"I don't mind a civilised insult, or being made to look bad," Hannibal says. "I just can't stand rudeness."

[electro_kinetic]

"A civilized insult. Which is what, exactly?" she asks.

[cook_the_rude]

"Something with an actual point and poise, and not using scatological language," Hannibal says. "I don't even require it to be Shakesperean."

[electro_kinetic]

"That defies the point of insulting you," she says. "In particular."

Noriko would have given an example herself, but the lights dimmed and brightened in rapid succession, and she hadn't been the cause: the concert was starting.

[cook_the_rude]

Hannibal leans back and just listens to the music, motionlessly.

[electro_kinetic]

Noriko eases back into her seat to listen, and finds herself watching Hannibal's expression while the music plays. She likes this kind of music, and it's a nice concert setting--and an excellent orchestra doing it.

[cook_the_rude]

Hannibal sits quietly and pays intense attention to the music.