The first things he noticed about her-always-were her eyes, bright and clarion amongst the dullness and darkness that surrounded them all in a perpetual pall. She was the light, strong and unwavering in its shine. He was completely taken in by it.
It would have been impossible for someone so beautiful and genuine to present as anything else. She was passionate, fiery, and certainly stubborn but she was purely and intrinsically good; so pure in intention, so good in nature that it would pain her to have anything at all to do with anything that had even the potential to cause harm. It was to such a high standard she held herself; and again, he was enamored with it. But it was also her downfall, for she assumed that everyone carried and presented themselves as she.
Hannibal valued the honesty that was so present in her, and he hated that he could not be honest, himself. But he was not really dishonest, not really, not anymore than he was to Dr. DuMaurier or Will or Jack. He was genuine in the parts of himself he did show; and if he could show all the parts of himself he certainly would. But knowing Alana, knowing how much she valued honesty and truth and what was good, it would be foolish of him-if not downright reckless-to peel away all the parts of his person suit and present himself naked before her (DuMaurier served as warning enough of that.)
He did not know how long he had with her, so he committed to enjoying every moment of it. Alana was patient, intelligent, and understanding; when the time came when he had to leave, he would certainly consider taking her with him-if she would want to go.
He tried not to think so much about that. The smile that reflected in those blue eyes of hers was reminder enough that he needed to keep himself in the present in order to appreciate the beauty that was in front him.