Ch. 36 Beurre noir ou noisette
"Dad, who is that man?" A curious Abigail queried, as she tied a white apron around her slim waist.
"Since when has my affiliations mattered to you?" Hannibal played, he enjoyed his daughter's curiosity. As he too wore his apron, choosing black contrasting Abigail's.
She was a simple corrupted delight. A façade of pure innocents but a shadow of painted terror. Hannibal enjoyed her company more than others, which says a lot about their commonality.
"Since you brought that man home. You don't bring home anyone, except for food." The teen uttered smartly, amusing the doctor even more.
"He is my most persistent . . . Curiosity." Hannibal admitted, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Hannibal then pulled out a whole brain from the freezer, placing it on a chopping board. He gave Abigail a look as he examine the ingredient, looking for specks of imperfections.
"Long pork? I see you've practiced the skills I've gave you." Hannibal uttered, proud in tune of his words.
"Well you did say five years ago that the day you come back, I have to prepare the best meat I could get. So there." She said casually, while pointing at the slab of brain.
"I am to say pleased." Hannibal commented, as his cleaver struck the brain to chop. Mincing it with such precision, every piece is equal to the other.
"And does Bedelia know of our contact or your culinary taste in . . . Pork?" Hannibal addendum, looking warily at the girl.
"No, she believes we haven't spoken in five years. Well except on my birthdays. And of course I made sure she didn't suspect a thing about the food, or better yet meat." Abigail managed, pressured by her father's gaze.
"Very well, I believe now is the appropriate time to apply your skill. I have taught you more than enough in the art of the hunt, now I would see you exercise the art of manipulation. I find it all pleasing, but my dear I still want to proved you with a proper family . . . But you have to work for it on your own. " Hannibal mused, his art of suggestion made Abigail nod immediately.
"What do you want me to do?" Abigail whispered, a grin spread on her face. Hannibal handed the girl a clip point knife, gesturing to chop the bundle of parsley that was on top of the counter.
She complied whole heartedly, making the effort of symmetry in cutting. Which she unfortunately lacks.
"A you know Will Graham is my consistent curiosity. He is different, intelligent. Emotions being his only weakness. I want to cultivate control over him, I would like to request your compliance in his manipulation." Hannibal uttered, low in a possessive growl.
"So he will be part our family?" Abigail asked innocently, but she already knew the answer. Yes.
It was simple. A family, was all Abigail wanted, Hannibal was determined to give it to his only daughter. Abigail was more than happy to help Hannibal, as he was never truly interested in anyone.
Hannibal only took on psychiatric career due to his sheer interest in control and power, he had no care for the well being of his patience. He was a bored man, who killed and ate for the thrill. So to openly say that he is interested in a person was baffling.
"Get the unsalted butter, and preheat the pan." Hannibal ordered instead, as he evenly seasoned the cervelles.
"we are having Beurre noir ou noisette, sweet cured roast thigh and Japanese style mochi with red bean paste." Abigail happily announced, as she stood decides the grand dining table.
The four took their proper seats, Abigail in between Will and Hannibal, who was next to Bedelia. Hannibal served the entrée, which raised a few brows. Will found it particularly unappetizing, no matter how pleasing it's appearance is. It was an odd instinct, as he glanced at Abigail who enthusiastically gobbled it down.
Will wondered if the young lady is aware of her foster father's proclivities with human meat, but the probability is low. Considering, Abigail was the polar opposite of what Will expected, she was kind, courteous and . . . Normal. That was a description he did not expect to label on the teen.
Although as expected she was more than a little well educated, Will could even say almost in par with Hannibal himself. But for a fact she was clumsy at etiquette, struggling with the many silverware that was set up on the table.
"We don't usually use this many spoons and forks. The last time I did was more than five years ago." Abigail explained shyly whispering to Will, while Bedelia and Hannibal conversed with what seems to be psychology.
"No it's fine, I'm not the fine dining type too." Will replied nodding, only to be replied with a kind smile.
That was when the main course was served. Hannibal looked a bit worried, a foreign emotion on Hannibal's face. Will hasn't touched his entrée, and merely played with the cubed bits. But the psychiatrist didn't say anything.
"They look cozy" Abigail pointed at the two conversing doctors.
"Yeah, they are." Will responded flatly, hiding the tightness of his jaw.
Will picked up the middle fork, and stab the main course on his plate. The action relived the instinctive jerk of his arm. He didn't understand this feeling of both loss and aggression.
Abigail pitied the swine that took Will's anger. The crack on its burnt skin, tearing it open.
"Are you ok, Will?" Hannibal uttered, worried. While a smirk marked Bedelia's face.
"Ecstatic." Will said flatly.
Hannibal stood from his seat. A surprisingly compulsive action, that Bedelia raised a brow, as it was considered rude.
Hannibal kneeled in front of Will, taking a look at his eye movement and checking his temperature as well.
"if you have no appetite, I think it's better that you take your rest Will." Hannibal suggested, as he lead Will to a guest room.
Hannibal came back to the dining area, to an amused pair of ladies. He settled himself back on his seat, and continued his meal not minding the odd stares of the two.
"Hannibal, I believe you are turning human." Bedelia humored, a smooth snicker slipped her lips.
"I don't understand what your implying." Hannibal retorted, feigning ignorance.
"you know very well what I am implying, the beast is being tamed by a broken mortal. Very poetic." Bedelia uttered, before cutting her roast.
"I am not a beast Bedelia, I am a hunter. I do not bow for anybody, certainly not a broken man." Hannibal uttered, a frown painting his lips.
"you don't bow for any God or any being, and yet today I saw a miracle. You were never a hunter Hannibal, you are a wild calculated beast. You were never a human to begin with, you are an empty spirit that wears a very convincing meat suit." Bedelia mused. Hannibal stabbed the pork thigh with the carving knife, silencing the woman.
Abigail flinched at the action, surprised by the outburst. On the other hand, Bedelia wore a bored expression. She was not scared of Hannibal, because she knew the worth of her aid better than anybody.
"and yet you saw right through it." Hannibal uttered, mimicking calm in his voice.
"better yet, you let me see. I only see the things you want me to see, but your Will Graham sees everything. He sees you." Bedelia uttered annunciating every word of the last sentence with a mocking tune.
"and I see him." Hannibal ended, before Abigail shifted the conversation feeling the tension.