week four - monday

[sating]

[ At some yet to be determined time because squee is UP TO SOMETHING, Hannibal will be tracking down Percy. As he approaches, it's rather clear that he's been looking for Percy in particular. He gives him a little nod of greeting, but he at least gets to business fairly quickly. ]

Percy— Do you have a few moments? There's something I'd like to discuss with you.

[ Which, depending on where they are when Hannibal finds him, he might add on an "in private" if necessary ]

Comments

[hydrokinetics]

[Luckily for Hannibal, Percy's a little less dead today and looks to be about as well as can be expected. That is to say, he finally slept yesterday and probably had some cereal but that's better than he was hoping. Still, he can sense the tone and he nods shortly, glancing down the hall. Percy had been about to enter his room but this seems Important.]

Harry's out for a while. Come on in. [And with that he opens the door to usher Hannibal inside, immediately making a beeline for his bed where Mrs. O'Leary's asleep and settled.]

What's going on?

[sating]

[ Hannibal follows Percy into his room in short order, and it's quite clear from how Hannibal is carrying himself that this is something important. He doesn't quite seem hurried or rushed, but there's purpose rather than the sort of gentle calm that he usually carries about himself. He glances to the door, and finding it seemingly satisfactorily shut, he steps further inside, slightly away from it. ]

I know one of our murderers. One of the ones that got away.

[ He's sure that will catch Percy's attention, which is why he's quick to qualify it: ]

That said, I do not know who they killed. Only that they did so.

[hydrokinetics]

[A pause. He doesn't move, his eyes on Mrs. O'Leary for a moment as those words echo through his head.

'I know one of our murderers.]

...really? [He sounds a touch skeptical because he always does, but there's definite intrigue in his tone.] You're sure? How? [And then, because of some things he himself has experienced:] If it's gonna incriminate somebody you don't have to tell me who told you if the information came from somewhere else.

[sating]

[ The skepticism isn't a surprise, since he would treat it with a similar amount were it not for who it came from and his own suspicions. Technically, the 'who' alone was more than enough for Hannibal to believe it without question, but he leans on the latter in his explanation. ]

It would put them in danger, yes. But I can at least say that I agree. I had been suspicious, but with nothing more than my own instinct, I wouldn't damn someone without more certainty.

[ He folds his hands in front of himself, frowning slightly. ]

...It's not something I particularly wanted to share, as it would give false expectations for what I can do. It is so often guesswork at best. But I was a consultant for the FBI. A profiler for serial killers. [ He nods lightly, since he's hoping that Percy will understand why he hadn't shared that bit of information. It wasn't malicious, but he had worried about people looking to him for absolute answers where he would never have them.

because squee nerfed his super sniffer nose :'( ]

[hydrokinetics]

You. What? [Somehow this is probably the most surprising part of Hannibal. He's not sure what to make of that, but seeing where they are...]

So you focus on the surgeon and psychiatrist angle since those are the same no matter where we are. Yeah, I get it. [That's pretty intense though.] What sort of tells did your instinct provide that made you suspect this killer anyway?

[sating]

[ He nods, seemingly grateful that Percy doesn't get upset about the fact that Hannibal hadn't shared that fact before. It would have been complicated to try and soothe, after all, since the circumstances where Hannibal came into and left that role were rather complex. So instead, he focuses on their current topic, which is far simpler. ]

Something that I did not see in profiling, certainly. Or not very often.

[ He was only ever called in for the worst, after all. If it were anything less, someone with less intuition and expertise could manage. ]

Guilt. Not enough to confess. But enough where I could notice it and wonder where it came from.

[hydrokinetics]

I would hope that somebody who helped kill three people this weekend felt a little guilty. But are we sure it's guilt by action and not guilt by...I don't know, guilt? [That makes little sense, but he hopes Hannibal means someone feeling bad about a murder and knowing it versus someone feeling bad for doing the murder themselves.]

[sating]

I'm reasonably sure. It is... difficult to explain. There are shades of guilt, and each tends to be worn differently. With my practice, I've learned to see the subtleties of them. Though it still does amount to my perception, I'll admit. That is why I did not say anything of it before. Having another person confirm my concerns gives me more confidence to speak up, at least in a limited arena.

[ He nods to Percy ]

And with someone I trust with the information.

[ Because he has a certain expectation for what Percy might do with it. Bringing it up as if it were concrete evidence would be a failure, Hannibal would think. People may respect him here, but he would never ask them to send someone to the proverbial noose on his word alone. So instead, he tests the waters quietly. ]

Perhaps it's better if you make the judgement yourself. You may be able to see it as I do if you're looking at his actions through this context. [ There's no pause, no hesitation, and Hannibal gives the name simply: ] It's Ezio.

[hydrokinetics]

[There's a nod because that makes complete sense to him. He wouldn't want to provide false information without reasonable baking either, nor would he want someone to take it as concrete evidence in Hannibal's case.

And yet. He thinks for a moment and his mouth draws into a very thin line. His eyes are narrowed and his hands ball into fists as he really settles on those words.]

The man who offered himself as our executioner twice? [He doesn't like that.] He didn't even say anything this last trial!

[sating]

[ He watches Percy's reaction, not quite intensely, but definitely purposefully. Hannibal is making sure it doesn't go too far, but it stays in a controlled way where he's not too concerned. Anger is perfectly reasonable, but he's taking care to watch that it doesn't go too far too quickly. ]

He did not. [ He affirms it calmly, then adds: ] And so you see my concern now.

[hydrokinetics]

[The nice thing is that Percy slept on Sunday night and he's a little more logical now. That doesn't mean he's not angry beyond belief and he flexes and curls his fingers.]

Say nothing to incriminate yourself, people can't vote for you. [Gods.] Why her! Why would he choose her? Or Riku? There are plenty of other people he could have chosen unless he chose Nui.

[Which. Whatever.] You think the rest are associated with him then? People he'd call friends?

[sating]

I would not be surprised if he had chosen Nui, though the method doesn't fit if so. He didn't strike me as a man to have familiarity with firearms unless he is quite duplicitous or has been practicing.

[ What with the whole renaissance Italy thing and all... But the question makes Hannibal tilt his head lightly, since he's not sure if he understands. ]

The rest as in other murders? No. I believe he's only responsible for one.

[hydrokinetics]

I mean we were all given pistols at the start of this thing. But you're right. He'd be more likely to cut off someone's head. [Like Riku. But he shakes his head then.]

But no, I mean the rest of the people responsible for the other murders. It's hard to imagine all of these people running independently. He'd have to have information on others, don't you think?

[sating]

...It could explain the mess if he had.

[ He's just throwing that one out there, since he hadn't seen it, but by Xion's description... It implied someone not using the right tools for the job. He, uh. Knows that part pretty well. ]

Ah- That's possible, yes. Unless he was the third party, but... I do not think so. Again, that's only a feeling, but that's my impression. [ He sees what Percy is getting at here, though. ] So he may know more.

[hydrokinetics]

Didn't he slit Tiara's throat? He could have decapitated Riku to make it look like someone else's work.

[A nod.] He may know more than he's letting on, seeing how he's not saying anything in the first place. [He looks angry...but settled.] I think it's for that reason we should keep him alive a bit. Talk to him. See if we can find out anything else and incriminate him ourselves. A stray murder would be too suspicious.

[sating]

It's quite possible. Considering we all witnessed him kill before, I could see reason why he would go through great lengths to hide it.

[ He shakes his head with mild, concerned disapproval, though. Even to hide the way he was killed, was all of the mess really necessary? It seems rather excessive, but for as much as he respects Percy, he won't dip into trying to psychoanalyze who might have killed Riku. Those details tend to get a bit gruesome and into the most depressing parts of humanity, to say the least. ]

But you're right. Even if there was a good reason, relatively speaking... I don't know if it would be taken well. The Bandits seem to be afforded some mercy. Operating independently poses a risk of seeming complicit.

[ So, he agrees, though he does have another concern. ]

...If you speak to him, be sure not to do so alone. I'll come with you, naturally, though it may not be natural in a way that Ezio wouldn't feel suspected. If he feels cornered, I'm concerned with what he might do.

[hydrokinetics]

With as many people who want to stop the murders all together? It wouldn't be taken well at all, I think. Plus Ezio did us a favor executing Tiara. Killing him would look pretty bad.

[But he's angry that someone managed to fool so many people like this and now he's hiding like a coward.]

If he felt cornered and tried to fight, then we could write it off as self-defense. [It's almost callous the way he says it, calculated and cold. And yet...] We can keep an eye on him independently. Track his moves, see who he's with during the week. It's less suspicious that way, I think. I've spoken to him before, he told me a little about his life back home. It wouldn't be hard to speak to him again if I could. Have you ever talked to him?

[sating]

[ The calculated coolness isn't something that bothers Hannibal, naturally. He has no problem with killing in self-defense or killing to survive, and he had made that rather clear the last time they spoke. Though he does breath out a small laugh at the question all the same. ]

A fair amount. He was kind enough to swap with Will, but before that, I lived with him.

[ wow how concerning! living with a killer! :O ]

It seems like a solid enough idea. If by the end of the week, we have not had any luck... I do have an idea that may cause him to slip, perhaps. But it would be unpredictable.

[hydrokinetics]

[...WHY???]

Oh. [...] I'm surprised you and Will didn't swap roommates sooner. [...wait.] Does that mean we should be worried about Sara?

[Focus, Percy.] Dr. Lecter, no offense but a lot of my life hinges on either prophecies or unpredictability. I'm pretty sure I could handle that. What are you thinking?

[sating]

It would not be a bad thing to worry for her well-being. But at the very least, I think she is safe. I cannot be certain, since there are no certainties here, but I don't believe Ezio would kill again.

[ But, yes, that aside, because they might return to that topic— Hannibal nods, and his idea is quite simple. ]

Only a note. Leave it for Ezio to find, and his psyche is likely to handle the rest. It only needs to be two words—"They know."

[hydrokinetics]

Psychological warfare. [There's a small thoughtful smile.] Left in a place we know only he would see it, forged in a hand he wouldn't recognize as any of ours. You think it could wear him down enough?

[Then again.] On the other hand, there are still things that bother him from years before. I think it's pretty safe to say he might hang onto things he feels guilty about.

[sating]

It's a possibility. Though it's just as possible that it would not shake him at all.

[ Hannibal shifts to tuck his hands into his pockets idly with his posture open and casual, but his expression is still fairly serious and thoughtful. ]

That's why it's unpredictable. It could make him slip, or it may not do a thing at all. I couldn't guess with much certainty which it might be without knowing him better.

[hydrokinetics]

[He agrees with that as well.]

...you know, this is really rich coming from a guy who told me that his father and his brother were wrongfully killed. Told me that back where he's from, when he was a kid, the guys in charge didn't see an issue in killing kids. No different than here, it seems.

False accusations bother him from what I can well. He also said that there are worse things he's done outside of treason. [A snort.] He said he had no intention of playing the game, so something changed. ...he was also one of the first people interested in the mines. Thought there might be a secret passage, and look what happened to Natalie and Seizaburo.

[He looks troubled.] A lot of things he said even from early on seemed weird. Like he was trying to get us to explore further and get us out of the way. It makes sense, doesn't it? He was also one of the first ones to mention that murderers would probably be supplied with tools by the Sheriff for their kills. That turned out to be true, didn't it?

Though, when he killed Tiara he said he would make sure her death wasn't like his family's. His family seems to be the leverage point here.

I'M STILL YELLIN

[sating]

True, it's what he said, but I have rather serious doubts of his sincerity. False accusations bother him, and yet he not only killed someone, but let another die in his place. It makes that harder to believe. But it would also make the idea that he had done worse things than treason easier to believe.

[ He pauses and holds his hands in front of himself with a light sigh. There's a moment, however brief, where he seems to be watching Percy more than listening, but it's not really an intense gaze. It's more thoughtful, as if Hannibal were considering what bringing Percy down this path would mean for him. He's certain that he would never be the same.

But that was already true. He had already changed with Annabeth's murder. He would continue to do so. Outwardly, he projects that as concern, but inwardly... Hannibal is admittedly interested.

What sort of man would Percy become because of this?

The question is what makes the moment brief, and Hannibal continues. ]

He may know more than we do. A role, perhaps.

fingerguns

[hydrokinetics]

I have doubts about a lot of people suddenly if it's all the same to you. [AND YET SOMEHOW? NOT HANNIBAL? PERCY YOU STUPID MORON. But anyway. He doesn't seem to even care if he's being observed as he's pretty used to this by now. He's used to people assessing him, listening to him, sizing him up to see what kind of threat he is.

It's normal. At least something in this fucking place is.]

Maybe. We don't know who else is hiding around here. [He fixes him with an intrigued sort of look, something almost touching on the edge of a man who has nothing less to lose but still the calculated expression of a strategist.] What do you know about the roles, Dr. Lecter?

[sating]

[ He makes a short sound that's just an exhale of breath, but it's almost a laugh. ]

Technically speaking, it isn't, but I'm inclined to agree. I understand your point.

[ The question definitely piques his interest, though. There's a familiar, light cant of his head that indicates his interest, even though the gesture itself is small. ]

Far less than I would like, certainly. I thought that perhaps our bandits would be the only ones, though it seems that it wouldn't be that simple. [ He's referring to the Coal Miner, though he doesn't say as much. Because he thinks that the name is stupid. ] And there is the camera and the... trap. Considering how our sheriff has reacted to both, I had been assuming that it was perhaps another role, though an odd one. Yet considering Nisha's, perhaps "odd" is the norm.

[hydrokinetics]

[Hannibal might almost be amused or intrigued, but Percy keeps his expression tight and serious, suddenly thinking about this in a more concrete manner. Before...before, it had been ideas. Now that other roles were starting to show up, maybe there truly was more weight in this.]

...the Deputy, the Doctor, the Madame, the Bartender, and the Coal Miner.

[For a time, it seems to be all he'll say. But then:] Those are the ones I know the titles of. Someone I trust told me after the Sheriff told them. Do you really think it's possible Ezio could be one of the ones left?

[sating]

[ Oh. Well, then. Hannibal hadn't actually expected a list of names, so his expression quickly shifts to one of surprise, though it's quickly replaced by a partially exasperated annoyance. ]

...Keeping with our theme, I see.

[ Hannibal laments every day that he ended up in the Old West and not something more to his aesthetic like Europe. :( But. He shakes his head, though his brow knits together in confusion. Now that there's something more, he can at least take it a little more seriously, though despite his joking, the names are a problem. ]

Did they happen to mention what the roles were meant to do? Other than the Coal Miner, naturally.

[ And he can kind of guess at the Doctor, but. The other three are a bit more ambiguous. He doesn't answer the question for Ezio in particular just yet, since he had only been guessing based on his knowledge. Now having names to put to the idea, he has to reconsider it. ]

[hydrokinetics]

It'd be criminal not to stick with the theme. [He couldn't sound more flat if he tried. And yet, he nods. He noticed it was a theme and that's why it's all the more frustrating.]

When they asked, Sheriff wouldn't say. I'm guessing he didn't feel that they deserved to know that part. That's what the whole game's about, isn't it? Merit. Earning stuff. [He's tired of having to prove himself in stupid, complicated ways.] We already know some of the roles are meant to hurt us, but what about the possibility of good roles? [He, too, can kind of guess at the Doctor, but it's hard to say when literally everything in this stupid game is designed to hurt them.]

[sating]

Unless the term "doctor" is a misnomer, it does seem like at least one of them might benefit us. And if giving the camera and the trap was indeed the work of someone with one of those roles, that's a "good" one, if I were to categorize it.

[ Though the idea of merit itself... Hannibal seems thoughtful for a moment, but then asks: ]

I wonder— Do you think that my surgeries might count as "merit"? Saving lives might be against the intention of the town, but at least with two, that would seem like merit to me. [ and then it turns into four so?? what the fuck?? ] At the very least, it might not hurt for me to ask what some of these other roles are meant to do.

[hydrokinetics]

You're sure it's not you, Dr. Lecter? [A wry, almost-teasing smile that's similar to what he might have been able to pull with Annabeth around. It doesn't quite meet his eyes, but he's trying.] Since the camera was supposed to allow us to see things, and the bear trap could have been used to stop the coyotes or the camera thief if we'd been smarter, I think it's save to say we can categorize the item-giver as a good role, too. It's not their fault we haven't figured out how to really use their items yet.

[It's something he still regards with some bitterness, but he won't go into it.]

The rulebook says that each action counts. It doesn't necessarily say it has to be a murder, and he seems more willing to give answers to people who do stuff like ask questions and participate in the trials. I don't think saving lives is against the town's intention when all of the people you've helped so far have been hurt by the town itself, not by actual people. [Both Natalie and Seizaburo were swallowed by Whole Ass, after all.] If anything, it shows that you're paying attention to the game so I think so. [He quirks an eyebrow then.] I know the same person who asked about the titles of the role was willing to go back to the Sheriff to ask what the roles are meant to do, but it's possible the Sheriff might see your contributions as more "worthy" or whatever. Hard to say what he thinks when he's pretty indifferent about everything.

[Stupid robot.]

[sating]

[ The suggestion gets a corner of Hannibal's lip to twitch into a little bit of a smile. ]

That would be fitting, wouldn't it?

[ Which is all he has to say on the matter, apparently. He doesn't leave room for further question or comment, or at least no immediately, because he continues on smoothly. He's inclined to agree about the role with the items, but he doesn't have anything to add. He could only guess at what name it might correspond to, but... He doesn't have anything he could qualify. And in may not matter, really. The thematic name is only that: what really matters are that person's actions. ]

At the very least, I can ask. The worst that the Sheriff would say is what he's said several times before to the effect of not earning it. That, and it could potentially give a better idea of what his criteria actually are. If saving two lives doesn't count, then that's quite telling for how he judges it.

[hydrokinetics]

[...he squints a little, but he says nothing. Fine. He'll accept that, though it's something even he's managed to notice. Still, for now he has zero reason not to trust Hannibal.]

That sounds like him. [He rolls his eyes then.] He gets really touchy if you ask him repeated questions or questions he doesn't feel like answering. [See: some of the past trials that Percy pushed his buttons.] I think knowing what his baseline is isn't a bad idea either. I really hope two lives is all you need to save here, but...I'm kind of worried we haven't seen the last of it.

[Considering. You know. LATER TODAY SHINNOSUKE AND JASON DONE FUCK UP.] Would you be willing to tell me what he says if you got an answer from him?

[sating]

[ Look he's just saying through an infuriatingly vague comment because Hannibal fucking sucks that he's neither confirming nor denying. But. ]

Unfortunately, I'm inclined to agree. We've only been here for a month, and yet...

[ He trails off lightly, since it doesn't really need to be finished. Some people (looks at jason and shinnosuke) are reckless idiots that need the resident doctor on call!! The question gets Hannibal to give Percy an open look of gentle surprise, and he nods. ]

Of course. [ He says it as easily as if the alternative had never occurred to him ] You were kind enough to share what you know with me, and so I would do the same.

[hydrokinetics]

[A lot of things about future conversations sure will make sense, at least.]

And yet there's still twenty-eight of us. You heard what the Sheriff said. [Even if Hannibal trails off, Percy is blunt enough to bring it up. Last man standing.

He seems to relax though when Hannibal obliges. It's all he wants now, information to grapple with what's happening in the game and how to bring it to a close.] I appreciate it. [And then, somewhat awkwardly:] Annabeth would normally be the one doing this, but it's up to me now, I guess.

[With that out of the way though...] So what do we do about Ezio now? Getting him to out himself by insufferable guilt would be for the best, but the other problem is getting people to believe it.

[sating]

[ Hannibal gives Percy a small smile in return, though this one is a touch more sympathetic at the mention of Annabeth. To himself, he's at least glad that Percy has found a purpose, though. He's motivated to do something, and he thinks that's helping him, even if the circumstances leave a lot to be desired. ]

For what it's worth, I feel that you're doing well. So much as one can be.

[ He inclines his head lightly with the compliment, but continues with business. ]

...In truth, that may not be as difficult as it sounds. Considering Nisha was sent to her death for her honesty with her ability to shoot alone, desperation might breed the sway necessary.

[hydrokinetics]

Heh. Thanks. [He doesn't quite look at him then.] This isn't exactly the first time this has happened, but at least then she was with me. I'm figuring it out.

[But business as usual.] So we fish for his skills in relation to whatever comes. And if we can convince everyone in the trial that Ezio is to blame for whatever comes this week, or even openly confess...it's sort of like a high influence. Someone people trust enough starts pointing fingers, people get sentence. [A frown.] Look what happened to Tarvek.