[ Even at the introduction, Will is still utterly himself. He doesn't acknowledge it, his eyes don't bother to leave Hannibal and what he's doing and it's only at Auguste's hello that Will glances at him briefly before dismissing him as easily as Will dismisses anything else he doesn't find worth his time. Yes, Auguste might be a Hannibal's victim but Will is less interested in the man and more the murder. He is dead in Will's book because Will knows, already, that he isn't going to interfere -- but... the extent of this, how the action is performed, has Will's entire interest.
No, instead Will finds himself considering Hannibal's words, taking them apart like a critic with a piece of art. He hadn't expected tonight to be one where he had to do... this, this peeling back of layers and trying to understand the monster on the other side (honestly, naively, he really did think it was just a date -- idle thoughts earlier of kissing, not murder). Will tilts his head to the side, eyes roaming across the room and up to the ceiling and his gaze trails over the grooves in the woodwork as he considers his words carefully. ]
A taste for something different. I have to wonder if it's the drinks you hoped were different or the entertainment? You don't seem the type to wander away from a party unless you've really found your interest struck, Hannibal. [ A pause and he lifts a shoulder in a shrug, a bland smile spreading over his face. ] Or maybe I just haven't seen you at enough parties.
[ There's a sardonic twist to his words there and the conversation still borders on innocent, even if he is showing his hand a little here with the light insinuations. Still, as Will figures, Hannibal wouldn't have lead him to such a situation if he wasn't curious himself over what Will might know. This is it, really, this is the moment he's either setting himself up to tell Hannibal he knows he's the Ripper or... or to die by the Ripper's hands. Maybe both.
Will watches as Hannibal moves closer and there's just the slightest tensing of his shoulders as a result -- more of an animal reaction, prey to predator, and Will has to remind himself to relax. It takes a few moments but eventually his stance does loosen again, his shoulders slumping. He keeps his arms crossed though, fingers tapping idly against his side as he watches and watches and watches.
He's torn then by Auguste's dislike of the drink and Hannibal's back, moving with such ease even as the tension in the room continues to tick higher and higher. It makes Will want to poke the beast, see what comes out and if it drips blood and is covered in shadow like he thinks. There's a moment there, as he watches the black lines of Hannibal's suit and the way he moves that Will imagines antlers, perched atop his head as if they belong there.
Antlers, or a morbid pair of devil horns, Will figures. ]
I wouldn't want to be rude. [ Still, so very dry. Will cares little for social niceties which is why, finally, he turns to look at Auguste fully. ] Unlike others here. Dr. Auguste, what are you planning to do to me? I have to wonder.
[ Simple and direct, Will isn't fool enough to think Hannibal's reason to kill Auguste lies with his business. No, Auguste must have set his sights elsewhere and thus, Will was the most logical answer there. Hannibal's new partner but even worse: Hannibal's new obsession. Even like this, Will's sure Hannibal wouldn't have Will's life interfered with by anyone other than him. Not anymore, at least. ]
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No, instead Will finds himself considering Hannibal's words, taking them apart like a critic with a piece of art. He hadn't expected tonight to be one where he had to do... this, this peeling back of layers and trying to understand the monster on the other side (honestly, naively, he really did think it was just a date -- idle thoughts earlier of kissing, not murder). Will tilts his head to the side, eyes roaming across the room and up to the ceiling and his gaze trails over the grooves in the woodwork as he considers his words carefully. ]
A taste for something different. I have to wonder if it's the drinks you hoped were different or the entertainment? You don't seem the type to wander away from a party unless you've really found your interest struck, Hannibal. [ A pause and he lifts a shoulder in a shrug, a bland smile spreading over his face. ] Or maybe I just haven't seen you at enough parties.
[ There's a sardonic twist to his words there and the conversation still borders on innocent, even if he is showing his hand a little here with the light insinuations. Still, as Will figures, Hannibal wouldn't have lead him to such a situation if he wasn't curious himself over what Will might know. This is it, really, this is the moment he's either setting himself up to tell Hannibal he knows he's the Ripper or... or to die by the Ripper's hands. Maybe both.
Will watches as Hannibal moves closer and there's just the slightest tensing of his shoulders as a result -- more of an animal reaction, prey to predator, and Will has to remind himself to relax. It takes a few moments but eventually his stance does loosen again, his shoulders slumping. He keeps his arms crossed though, fingers tapping idly against his side as he watches and watches and watches.
He's torn then by Auguste's dislike of the drink and Hannibal's back, moving with such ease even as the tension in the room continues to tick higher and higher. It makes Will want to poke the beast, see what comes out and if it drips blood and is covered in shadow like he thinks. There's a moment there, as he watches the black lines of Hannibal's suit and the way he moves that Will imagines antlers, perched atop his head as if they belong there.
Antlers, or a morbid pair of devil horns, Will figures. ]
I wouldn't want to be rude. [ Still, so very dry. Will cares little for social niceties which is why, finally, he turns to look at Auguste fully. ] Unlike others here. Dr. Auguste, what are you planning to do to me? I have to wonder.
[ Simple and direct, Will isn't fool enough to think Hannibal's reason to kill Auguste lies with his business. No, Auguste must have set his sights elsewhere and thus, Will was the most logical answer there. Hannibal's new partner but even worse: Hannibal's new obsession. Even like this, Will's sure Hannibal wouldn't have Will's life interfered with by anyone other than him. Not anymore, at least. ]