Hannibal Lecter, visiting post

[guppy_sandhu]

If anyone wants to see Lecter, the opportunity is there.

He has tubes all over the place, and a sensor alarm in the bed that alerts medical staff should he try to bugger off or jump up at anyone, so you're probably quite safe.

[ooc: Standard Lecter warnings for blood, violence, and psychological manipulation, plus medical details.
Guppy will be keeping an eye on him for the first 48 hours or so, but feel free to have visiting medics come in to relieve him.]

Comments

[road_to_calvary]

Which he returns, even if it does not manage to reach his eyes. He looks the doctor over, in a polite fashion, and is not sure what made him come. Hope, perhaps.

'Is your assailant still in the bar?'

[cook_the_rude]

"She is in the cells."

[road_to_calvary]

'A relief to you, no doubt.'

Or perhaps not so much. He casts his eyes around the place - he has had no reason to be here before - and then brings them back to the doctor.

'Is there anything you need, monsieur?'

He was not going to ask that, but finds himself incapable of not.

[cook_the_rude]

"I don't suppose you could bring me a cookbook from your time?" Dr. Lecter says. "The infirmary is a little bit boring."

[road_to_calvary]

'Certainly,' he says, politely.

'Will one from the bar suffice, or would you prefer an authentic one from Paris?'

It would not take too long to go home and get one. Toussaint has some in the apartment.

[cook_the_rude]

"I'd prefer the real one, if that's not too much trouble?" Dr. Lecter says.

[road_to_calvary]

'No trouble, monsieur.'

He inclines his head a little, and takes his leave. It does not take long to return the front door, and Paris, and then find one of the books Toussaint keeps in the kitchen. He picks a likely looking one that even has a few drawn pictures in it, and returns to the bar.

'I hope this will suffice.'

[cook_the_rude]

"That is wonderful!" Dr. Lecter says. "I recently lost many of my cookbooks, and I actually never saw a copy of this one."

He turns some pages, then looks at the frontispiece. "I have heard about its existence, that is all. A good start for a new life with considerable less possessions."

He smiles at Valjean, genuinely pleased.

"I am sure that Guppy Sandhu has some sort of surveillance going here in the infirmary, cameras and most likely microphones as well."

[road_to_calvary]

'I do not know what they are.'

And does not look in the least bit ruffled.

'Why, monsieur? Are you implying I should feel better for knowing we may be being watched?'

He is not worried for his safety in the slightest.

[cook_the_rude]

"You might," Dr. Lecter says, still looking through the book while he is speaking. "You can feel free and safe in voicing your opinion at the moment as well. The way human beings change their behaviour when they are being watched is quite interesting."

[road_to_calvary]

Valjean smiles. It is his usual polite one, but one tinged with genuine, but gentle, amusement.

'I assure you, Doctor Lecter, I feel free and safe in voicing my opinion at any time, not simply when you are incapacitated.'

What does he have to fear? He is a man who puts his life, and his trust, entirely in the hands of God. If He wishes his days to end at the hands of murderer, so be it.

[cook_the_rude]

"Then why don't you?" Dr. Lecter asks.

[road_to_calvary]

'What good would it do either of us? I imagine my opinion of your actions are quite evident to you, and you have not asked for it anyway.'

Even if he did, he would likely not bother.

'I also do not say I have formed one fully.'

[cook_the_rude]

"What part are you still undecided about?" Dr. Lecter asks.

[road_to_calvary]

Valjean's smile turns wry.

'The part about whether you are likely to change.'

[cook_the_rude]

"We all change constantly until we die," Dr. Lecter says. "Will Graham has changed me already."

[road_to_calvary]

'You know that is not what I mean.'

He sighs quietly, and sits down on the chair by the bed.

'nevertheless, I am interested to know how, if you would tell.'

[cook_the_rude]

"You are still wondering whether I would repent and become a good person as one is commonly defined," Dr. Lecter says, "distance myself from my former life and become a reformed character?"

[road_to_calvary]

'Yes,' he says, simply.

'Though I admit I do not think it is likely, and it is not my place to try and convince you to do so. You would only laugh at that, in any case. Still, you asked, and there it is.'

[cook_the_rude]

"Why?"

[road_to_calvary]

'Why what?'

[cook_the_rude]

"Why do you think I'd revert to 'goodness' as you define it?" Dr. Lecter specifies his question.

[road_to_calvary]

'As I said, I do not. I merely wonder if it is possible at all.'

It pains him to think anyone might be beyond redemption. And no one is, he is sure. But they have to want it, and he thinks he is right in believing that Lecter does not.

[cook_the_rude]

"If I don't want to, then it's not possible, isn't it?" Dr. Lecter says.

[road_to_calvary]

'I suppose that would depend on whether you are a religious man, or not.'

He is going to guess not, given everything.

'If you wanted to be better, you could simply stop. Actual repentance would be necessary for redemption in the eyes of God.'

All this is stated simply, with no hint of persuasion or hope.