il_mostro | IC - INBOX/VOICEMAIL/TEXT/THREATENING LETTER

A large group, each of us from a different member of the United Planets. And she's not exactly the most diplomatic diplomat. She's used to getting her own way and she's not shy about browbeating others to get it.

[she takes it with a "thank you"]

To be honest, she sounds as if she is a terrible diplomat.

[Hannibal stated mildly but with some humor, even as he carried his own cake back out to their tea.]

She kind of is. But mother grew up with her every whim being catered to by her mother, by society, so she really doesn't like taking "no" for an answer. I can only imagine that it's gotten worse after the thing with my father, she feels like she has something to prove.

[she tries to understand her mother, even if her mother doesn't accord her the same privilege. she knows how judgmental Bgztl High Society can be. and she, too, carries her cake back over to tea]

If she feels she has something to prove, I would have to say it is because she knows there is something that she sorely lacks.

[One eyebrow raised in amusement. He gestured her back to her seat, before he took his own and folded himself elegantly down to taste the cake.]

Mm ... delightful. I may beg the recipe off of you.

Oh, compassion, understanding, a sense of humor, the ability to let someone else have control for once in her life, and the ability to let go of past mistakes...I'm just getting warm, I could go on. But I'm sure you get the general idea.

[she smiles, then has a taste of her own cake. it turned out even better than she hoped]

Sure, I'll be happy to pass it on. I found it in a cookbook. The only cookbook I could find which didn't also have naughty pictures in it.

Yes ... your mother seems to be a terrible person. I suppose you have gotten all of your excellent traits -- including the ones mentioned -- from your father.

[A faint smirk comes over his lips.] Is such a thing even probable?

[she shakes her head with a smile] No, not from my father, either. I've been told that I take after my grandmother. I don't remember her very well, but I remember her smile.

[she smirks back] Barely. You wouldn't believe how long it took to find it.

I have been told I take after my grandmother as well. I have never been sure if that was a compliment or an insult...

[The smirk remains, as he puts aside the cake to drink another sip of tea, and draw his present closer to him.]

Neither was I. According to what I've been told, grandmother was...wild. She married and had a daughter like she was supposed to, but after that she abandoned all of her traditional responsibilities, devoted herself to the arts, and took lovers right and left. [a pause] Her husband was the jealous type. Jealous and prideful. So he killed her. I was five when it happened.

But--sorry for getting so dark. You should open your present.

...the more I hear of your family, my dear, the more I am convinced that you are the only sane one.

[He put the tea cup down, and went to open the package before him.]

[she laughs merrily] You might be right. But I have my own little quirks.

[inside the package is a red sweater with a white dress shirt and a black tie with a subtle pattern woven into the fabric] I hope it all fits.

Quirks are who make us individuals. That is never bad.

[He smiled quietly, before he looked at his gifts. An amused quirk of the lips.] Oh, these are lovely... where did you find them?

Thank you for saying so. Mother was always after me about them.

[she smiles at his reaction] I found them at a menswear store in the Up. They gave me a little bit of trouble about shopping there, but I carry my paperwork from my dominant with me always, so they didn't have a choice but to let me shop.

Your mother truly has no room to stand upon for judgement.

[Is Hannibal's serene reply, as he smooths his fingers over the red sweater. Cashmere, extremely nice.] Honestly, why they need to insist on this ridiculous 'only Dominants may buy items' ... it is a terrible business plan.

[He nudged the gift to her with a smile of his own.]

Thank you for saying so.

[she's pleased to see him appreciate her gift. she was worried that she wouldn't pick the right size or that he wouldn't like the color] I know. It's--what's that old Terran saying--cutting off one's nose to spite their face.

[and she takes the gift, carefully removing the wrapping paper so that she can see what's beneath it]

[The present, when she unwrapped it, was a portrait. It was, from every recollection she had ever given him, the horizon of her home world.]

You will have to forget the artistic license ... I went off whatever details I gleamed from you, of your home.

[she gazes at the portrait, wide-eyed and amazed]

Oh....oh. It's beautiful. How did you manage to...? No, from what I've said. About my home. It's amazing. Thank you so much. [she goes to hug him, if allowed]

[He'll allow it, for the simple reason that it is expected of him.]

I am pleased - I was worried my interpretation would be far off the mark.

[she hugs him tightly, but keeps it brief. she smiles warmly at him]

No, you've done a wonderful job. I appreciate it so much. Now I wish I'd picked something a little more personal.

Do not be absurd, Tinya. These gifts are lovely, and just what I require for quieter evenings at home with my Submissives.

[He paused, before his mouth twisted in darkly amused humor.]

If such a thing ever comes to pass again.

[mischievously] Are your Submissives extra-feisty?

[Hannibal arched a single eyebrow at her, with a faint smirk following.]

Naturally. I rather prefer them that way.

[she arches an eyebrow back and gives a small, catlike grin]

Then it sounds as though you're all well-matched. Such should be the norm here, not the exception.

I ... certainly wish it was. For all of us.

[He chuckled softly, running his fingers over his sweater.]

Yeah. I mean, I love Anya, don't get me wrong. She gave me a permanent contract and free reign on decorating. But it's a strictly hands-off contract because she's in her thirties and I'm...me. I get it. I understand. I just wish I was a little bit older.

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