"You didn't just come here to have tea, did you?"
"There are biscuits too."
Noir: Moonlit Tea Party written by Ryoe Tsukimura
HER BURNING HEART
The Story of Lilia
Derevko by JetNoir
Note: As the above quote implies, this chapter was partly influenced by the aforementioned episode of 'Noir'. And on a side-note, this chapter was written accompanied by copious amounts of tea, and raspberry liquorice - a combination I can certainly recommend!
CHAPTER THIRTEEN - For A Cup Of English Tea
2nd July 1995
It is The Witching Hour - that dead time of night where the world is without time. Not the previous day, but not quite the day after. Between midnight, and one a.m. everywhere is transformed into a netherworld.
The ancients believed this hour was where the night daemons ruled, laughing and playing and tormenting innocent mortals.
Nowadays, in the larger cities, this time is more likely to be as busy as during the bright days. Now, the daemons have a more mortal touch, stealing, and raping, and killing. All in the shadows of the night.
The sun has only just set in the city of Washington, D.C. It is sticky, with a hot wind that makes most inhabitants switch on their rarely-used air conditioning. Those that can afford it, anyway.
Following the enigmatic invitation, two night's before, Doctor Lilia Derevko is sitting in the rented apartment of Doctor Hannibal Lecter. She had been there half an hour, and she was - to put it quite mildly - unhappy.
--
Accommodation of Dr Hannibal Lecter; Washington, D.C.
"I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF THESE GAMES!" Lilia screamed, furiously, "THE MAN THAT I LOVE IS DEAD. YOU STARTED ME DOWN ON THIS ROUTE. YOU AND MY WRETCHED FATHER!"
In direct juxtaposition to Lilia's wrath, Dr Lecter is the very embodiment of serenity. He blinks calmly, and raises the cup of tea to his lips, taking a deep sip. He looks around, at the dark room, artfully lit with three candles, with moonlight and starlight (and streetlights) streaming in through the windows. When he has replaced his cup, he gestures for Lilia to sit (which she does), and says, very softly:
"I will admit to some of the responsibilities, regarding Mister Wilkins' death. But you had killed before you came to America, Lilia. You cannot blame me for that."
"I wouldn't presume to," said Lilia, "but you gave me that blade. You have encouraged me to kill."
"Yes," said Dr Lecter, "but you would have no doubt steered me down that direction, had your Aunt not steered you towards me."
"What? You said you were an old friend of my Aunt. I know you treated her…but you wanted me to keep your contact a secret. You're saying Auntie Winona is orchestra all this."
"No. I received a letter in nineteen eighty-six, when you were being brought over from America, from your Aunt, asking me to look after you. I was still incarcerated of course, and had to destroy the letter. I learnt my lesson after Francis Dolarhyde. Anyway, I resolved to grant that request. Ergo, we are now at this juncture."
"But it's all games, isn't it, to you? You are in this for nothing but your own pleasure."
"Obviously. I cannot work, I must stay to the shadows. I am leaving America again tomorrow. I would not be doing this if it were not interesting. I find you tremendously interesting, Lilia."
"But if James knew…then surely someone else could find out. He discovered it in eight days!"
"I don't think anyone could replicate that," said Dr Lecter, "for he had an intimate connection with you. Did you have sex with him?"
"That is none of your goddamn business!"
Lecter smiled slightly: "Fair enough. But whatever type of relationship you shared, you were bound. You must be wary of that, Lilia, if you intend to pursue further amours."
"But how am I meant to respond to that?"
"By indication you would like another cup of Assam."
--
Lilia swallowed her fifth cup of tea, her anger long since spent, and set the cup down, with a slight clink on the china.
"Why do I kill, Doctor?" she asked.
"Ah. That I can't answer, Doctor Derevko. For every killer in the world, has there own reasons…and only you can find yours. It is locked deep within your subconscious mind. I'm sorry, I can't help you there."
"Why do you kill?"
"Because to taste human flesh, the person must die. It wouldn't be humane any other way. Though I particularly enjoy the rude. Free range rude, is what I call them. Those with no manners deserve everything that's coming to them."
Lilia smiled at that: "Yes. They do say manners maketh man. Or woman."
"Indeed."
--
"I feel such remorse at James' death," Lilia said, her eyes glancing down, "and how I wish I could have somehow…"
"That can be frustrating. Accidents happen. Innocents lose their lives. There are many in this world who deserve to die, who live; and many more, who deserve to live, who are dead. It is an inescapable fact of live, and one you will have to learn to live with. Your heart will break, you will weep, wail, gnash your teeth, but you will have to go on. Time does not stop for your convenience."
"Have you ever lost anyone you cared about?"
"Yes," said Dr Lecter, his face falling slightly, "when I was very young. My sister. She was taken by marauders. I've never forgiven myself for letting her go. I tried to save her…but I was too young."
--
"What are your plans now?"
Dr Lecter looked up: "As I said earlier, I need to disappear for a while. So I'll drop off the face of the planet, and retreat a little. I'm afraid that I can't tell you where I'm going - I'm still not entirely sure myself. I get on a plane, then see where it takes me. There are many wonderful things to experience, and I intend to sample many."
He took another sip, then continued: "And you. What do you intend to do?"
"I have no idea," said Lilia, "I'm a Doctor now. Yet I've always kept what you told me, three years ago. That I should try for the FBI. I have the three years in a professional job that I need, and a significant qualification. The idea is tremendously appealing. Yet, I still find it terribly contradictory. They should be arresting me, and if I go to work for them, it would be difficult if I were to kill again."
"Yes," said Dr Lecter, "but the rewards would be significant. Just think a moment. You would have a foot in the door, that would aide you tremendously. You could influence investigations, if you got to the right position. It would be tremendously beneficial to you, in your endeavours."
"So you think I should join?"
"I do."
"Of course, if you were to be captured, I would be in a position to help you."
"No," said Lecter sharply, "no I would never ask that. If it were to compromise you, then it would be wrong of me to put you in such a position. If I were to be captured, then I would have to rely on my skills. Please, do not concern yourself, or put yourself in harm's way. I could never forgive myself if you were exposed."
"I understand," said Lilia."
--
So, after many hours of talking, the tea party was at an end. Ever the gentleman, Dr Lecter walked Lilia to the door. Standing on the frame, she kissed him softly on the cheek.
"Goodbye," she whispered, her accent thick.
"Adieu, Doctor Derevko," smiled Hannibal.
The killers turned and parted.
--
The Empty Streets of Washington, D.C.
Lilia left Dr Lecter's accommodation precisely six hours after she had arrived. After the short, dark night, she started to walk home, as the sun began to rise.
When she arrived home, she walked softly into her bedroom, closed the door, changed into her nightclothes, and fell asleep.
Winona and Anna never knew that she had gone.
The next time that Lilia met Dr Lecter was when he murdered her.
Note: The above chapter is merely sections of the full conversation between the two doctors, but I'm afraid I cannot write the full six hours! Hence, the highlights. Next chapter, will regard Lilia's FBI training. I hope that you've enjoyed this chapter, and please review.
Disclaimer: Hannibal is copyright to Thomas Harris; and the story, plus original characters to me. This story has been written on the understanding that you may read it and print it out; but you may not pass it off as your own, hire it out, or sell it for money. You also may not put it on your own or any other web page (that includes links) without my express written permission. Thankyou!
JetNoir