Hannibal turned his wok on medium, and poured a measure of sesame oil within. He wiped his hands on his apron and gave Noriko a warm smile, "Coming up."

He sauntered easily to the bar in his study, and poured her a whiskey neat. She did not seem the type who would take it on ice, after all, and called back into the kitchen as he carried the glass. "Do you find a great deal of the need to depend on yourself came from this rejection from your parents? Also, your need to protect younger children than you, as perhaps ... a stand-in for your little brother?"