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.]
[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]
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]
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.
It...wasn't exactly politics. It was mother's kind of politics, where there were winners and losers only and mother was determined to be the winner by any means necessary.
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[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.
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[He smiled quietly, before he looked at his gifts. An amused quirk of the lips.] Oh, these are lovely... where did you find them?
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[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.
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[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.]
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[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]
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You will have to forget the artistic license ... I went off whatever details I gleamed from you, of your home.
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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]
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I am pleased - I was worried my interpretation would be far off the mark.
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No, you've done a wonderful job. I appreciate it so much. Now I wish I'd picked something a little more personal.
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[He paused, before his mouth twisted in darkly amused humor.]
If such a thing ever comes to pass again.
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Naturally. I rather prefer them that way.
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Then it sounds as though you're all well-matched. Such should be the norm here, not the exception.
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[He chuckled softly, running his fingers over his sweater.]
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[He arches an eyebrow at her, with a faintly ironic tilt to his eyebrow.]
Surely though, you understand her concerns about taking advantage of you.
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[she gives him a knowing smile]
Of course I do and I wouldn't presume of thinking otherwise. It's simply...I think I'm the youngest non-native here and that gets weird sometimes.
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[He hummed at the smile, before shaking his head.]
Of course, he is ... very different than you. I worry about him more.
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[she looks on expectantly]
Oh? I...probably shouldn't ask why, should I?
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[Hannibal smiled then, into his teacup, before he looked at her with a knowing smirk.]
You should most definitely not.
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[and she occupies herself with taking a sip of tea in the meantime before she looks at him with a faintly, ever-so-faintly, arched eyebrow]
I look forward to it. Any friend of yours is at least considering becoming one of mine.
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[Hannibal smiles at his cup, turning that smile to her.]
Well, if I find any other friends I think you should meet ... I will have another party.
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