penancememes | TEST DRIVE MEME #2

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TEST DRIVE MEME #2

ARRIVAL

You remember a dream.

Or maybe nightmare is more accurate.

It was full of hellfire nipping at your skin and a sensation of being pulled down no matter how much you struggle or cry for help. There's a voice that feels like it's coming from all around you at once. Contrasting with the nightmare unfolding around you, it's smooth as silk. It makes you want to listen with every bit of attention you can muster in the moment.

"Judgement has come upon you, but not to worry. It can still be undone."

The voice promises you redemption for your sins. It promises you a better life and everything you could ever want, if only you just stop struggling so much.

And so you do.

Everyone wakes up in the same room initially. The room is done up in red with a cushy bed, a window, an old TV in the corner on a desk, and a few Hieronymus Bosch paintings lining the wall. There's a bathroom to clean up in and any belongings will be sat around the room to be gathered later. There's a duffel bag provided for your convenience.

After feeling a sensation of falling or dropping onto the bed, characters wake up feeling like they've just slept for a week. Their body will feel heavy and stiff, they'll have a massive headache at first.

They'll quickly notice the list of their sins written with their blood on a bedside table on an old piece of parchment. This will mean the list is tied to them and can't be changed or tampered with. They'll also receive their device to connect with others and the network. It won't be anything terribly fancy. As a matter of fact, it looks like a very old Blackberry type phone.

Once characters are ready to leave the room, they'll head down long, winding halls. They're dimly lit and ominous feeling. They may encounter fellow sinners or demonic staff that will direct the newcomer down to the lobby to get their actual room key to settle in. They may be pushy, they may border on courteous. It really just depends on the mood of the staff at the time and how they're treated in return. Eventually, everyone comes to stairs that lead downward.

Once down to the lobby, you'll notice the front desk manned by a demon who looks bored out of its mind. To the side of him is the door to the kitchen where guests may help themselves. To the right is a small duty free shop that seems to have a surprisingly normal, expected stock of items. Look around a bit further, there will be a tiny bar tucked in through a corner door. It seems pretty well-stocked and best of all, self-serve if you want to get away from your demonic hosts for a bit. Of course there's some seating, bar games, and a jukebox tucked in the corner if you'd rather stay and socialize a bit.

Please note that all the songs on the jukebox are appropriately hell-themed. Hopefully Sympathy for the Devil is universally loved.

STAND YOUR GROUND

Prompt I
Warnings: Potential violence

There are whispers of something big arriving soon around Hell. The demons are talking excitedly amongst themselves throughout the hotel and club, occasionally leering at guests like hungry animals. What's coming? It's apparently a carnival. The demons inform guests soon enough, displaying an almost uncharacteristic enthusiasm talking about it. If pressed for too many details, they'll just assure you that it's an event not worth missing.

Also, new denizen of Hell, guess what! You get to help the demons get everything ready for it. A large portion within the gates of the community is currently in the process of getting cleared away, so there's plenty of work to get done. Demons will grab unsuspecting people and drag them into cutting down charred or dead trees to be tossed into hellfire or clean up old debris from dilapidated buildings. There are also lights and decorations that need to be strung up, as well as booths to be assembled. The only things that seem curiously off limits are the rides and games.

Those are the demons' to put together, so hands off, pal.

Unfortunately for guests, the demons are taking their role as supervisors quite seriously. Cracking a whip isn't just a figure of speech, is what we're saying. If they catch you slacking off on the work they doled out, you will be punished with a hit, a shove, or a crack of a whip to get you back moving.

There's just a lot of work to be done and not much time to do it in, so no slacking! You'll get a lunch break and that's it. Be glad for it.

If you can manage to sneak away though, there appears to be a warehouse that's in the process of being converted into what looks like an attraction. It won't be easy to get in as there are large demonic guards with spears and other weapons stationed at most entrances. If you can get close to the back entrance, you can see various almost Halloween-level decorations being hauled in, along with some curious looking instruments of torture.

You may try to sneak in and get an even closer peek when the guards are distracted or taking an (unapproved) break, if you want to risk it. Take a peek under one of the tarps inside and you may see something entirely different to what your companion sees though. It will feel like it's an item or thing almost personalized to something out of your nightmares. However, you won't get much more than that peek before a very annoyed demon drags you off that doesn't care about your safety one bit.

Then you're put right back on duty. Congratulations, you're now on the worst job they've got: the Porta Potties. You get to set them up.

Prompt II

Per Lucifer's demands, the demons have been hard at work improving the cell reception and wi-fi! Now all of you can stop complaining about not being able to pirate your movies or watch porn. Isn't that wonderful? Or it is until all those nudes you've been sending privately are posted for everyone to see! Or that conversation gets leaked about how your roommate is an absolute slob that you want to strangle.

Even more awkward, maybe someone will get a message from you that you're very sure you never sent, or even thought of ever sending.

If you complain to the hotel staff, they'll assure you that there's been no mistake and everything is working well! It's just as it should be and they won't accept complaints otherwise. Maybe you just meant for the whole network to see your penis? Humans are like that!

Or maybe you never meant to tell that perfect stranger you're in love with her. Humans are irrational, emotional beings. It's why they're so squishy and easy to manipulate. They're not judging! (Actually, they are. They judge you bunch all the time.)

They really do wish you hadn't told the housekeeping that you'd like to flay them alive though. How is anything ever going to get cleaned up now? They'll be trying to smooth this over for a while...

But just go have a drink and relax. Things will work out in the end!

Please remember to only link any images you'll be posting!

REACH UP HIGH

Prompt I

Maybe you were hunting for a midnight snack, maybe you were on your way to the hotel bar or shop. Whatever you were doing, even sleeping, a rather unfriendly looking demon comes up and grabs you by the arm to drag you off. It seems like you've been selected to help them test something out for Lucifer, lucky you. You're taken to a dimly lit room in the hotel where a strange looking drink is forced down your throat, whether you want it or not. After that, the door will be slammed shut and locked, sealed with magic that won't be undone. You're not getting out anytime soon.

Don't worry. You won't be alone too long. Another will be shoved in the room with you soon enough.

Lucifer's voice will then chime in, oh-so helpfully:

"What I ask of you is simple. Help us test a new method of opening yourself up to your fellow sinners. I've heard that a support network is rather important when it comes to recovery, so I've devised a way for each of you to share with one another and, with any hope, become closer. Please, be brave. Don't fear anything, for you're in very safe hands."

As always, there's a part of you that will want to believe the kindness and reassurance in those words, something that urges you to believe Lucifer's promises.

After that, characters will find themselves entering a trance-like state immediately. Hopefully, they fall on the double bed kindly provided. While under the influence of the strange potion, they'll trade memories with one another.

Characters won't just see it played back like a movie, but experience it right down to every gory detail. During this time, they'll receive any markings received in their partner's memory. Cuts, bruises, even broken bones. Emotions felt in the memory may also linger by the time they're back to themselves again.

The potion may have a range of lingering side effects, depending on the person. Anything from drowsiness, to irritability, to headaches. Some may feel a little eager to touch their partner, maybe even a brief psychic connection that doesn't seem to fade for anywhere from a few hours to days. They're still working out the rough spots, give them time!

Characters may also be dragged in multiple times for this experiment and share with multiple partners. This means multiple injuries are possible, as well as feeling emotional distress from the potential roller coasters you're being subjected to feeling. What are your real feelings anyway? It's getting hard to tell.

Prompt II

"For all of the emotional distress you've been subjected to lately, I ask only one thing of you now: approach someone and say something nice. Give a genuine compliment and brighten someone's day. Father does so love those random acts of kindness and giving consideration to your fellow man after all."

Lucifer's voice is as smooth and soothing as it ever is, but no one could blame you for a bit of unease, could they? These punishments always have some sort of drawback. This one seems to be no better. If you skip out on complimenting someone, you'll slowly start experiencing sharp pains throughout your body that will get progressively worse.

They'll fade after a few hours, if you can stand it. But you can make it go away almost instantly if you just go and pay someone a nice compliment. Be careful, it has to be genuine or it won't ease the pain at all! It may even make it worse.

Did they forget that detail? Ah, well. A helpful member of the staff might tell you or you'll figure it out on your own. Just don't think you can get out of this by giving a quick nice hat compliment and going on your way.

FOLLOW ME DOWN

Prompt I
Warnings: Potential violence, sex, drugs, and other vices.

Hey, you.

Yes, you.

There's a demon that beckons you over one night, skulking by the bar. This would be almost comical if this wasn't Hell itself, and probably bode ill for you. The scrawny, tiny demon will crawl right up in your personal space without second thought when you move near him, but he might be worth listening to as he crawls up to whisper in your ear!

And even if you don't want to hear him out, please don't try to fling the tiny mischief-maker off. He's so small and he will get his revenge somehow.

Besides, it turns out that Lucifer is willing to give you one favor, whether it's a pardon from one of your sins without the hassle of a punishment or a new wardrobe or a nice massage with a happy ending. Within reason, you can have whatever you want. Requests to leave or drag someone else down to burn with you will be ignored, as will requests for anything else like wiping your contract clean.

They may be able to arrange for you to see a loved one, very briefly and probably just through a mirror or a TV screen. But at least you'll know they're okay, right?

You see though? Lucifer is more than happy to grant wishes and prayers, unlike the god who sent you down here to potentially rot. He's a caring overlord, really.

All he asks? You do him a favor in return first. Show proof of your willingness to work with him and show him proper respect. How do you do this? Get someone to drink who normally refuses, get the innocent kid to sample drugs, try a new and depraved sex act...

Or start a bar fight.

Show someone else what pleasures and release await them if they just give in and stop worrying about all the harsh tortures and pain to be found down here. It won't hurt them at all. Don't they see? They don't have to worry about punishments if they just give in to the better aspects of life down here in Hell.

Lucifer would never lie about that.

If characters agree, they'll be ask to seal the deal with a drop of blood.

Of course, if they're a good person, they'd never dream of corrupting another, no matter what they offer... would they?

Even if they promised to give the reward to a loved one back home or save someone you hold dear from a horrible fate.

Please note that if those who are currently in the game accept this challenge, you should note what your character wants here to be approved later!

For new applicants, please make a note of it after being accepted into the game.

The victim should add their fresh sin to either their app (with a note) or request it via the sins page for those currently in the game.

Prompt II
Warnings: sex, drugs, alcohol, aphrodisiacs, potential kinks, violence, potential non-con or dub-con.

The incubi and succubi of the sex club want to apologize for any and all inconvenience when some of their wilder brethren invaded the hotel earlier in the month. How terribly embarrassing. To show you how deeply sorry they are, guests at the hotel will receive a flyer slipped beneath their door encouraging them to come to a midnight rave they're hosting.

There will be music, dance, costumes, alcohol, and all manner of party drugs. They also have every intention of it going all night long! And they must assure that no one should worry, there won't be any inappropriate conduct by staff at all. All aphrodisiac-laced food or drink is clearly marked as well.

For all intents and purposes, it does feel like your standard rave when you arrive.

There's darkness broken up only by strobe and neon lights, glow sticks being passed out, there's a fog machine that keeps the floor almost obscured from view.

Once again, the succubi are wandering the club, enchanted to look like beautiful women that no one can seem to resist. They're holding trays of food and drink and drugs that they'll helpfully pass out. They're also dancing on poles along with the incubi.

For those inclined, they're putting on sex shows of all manner of depravity.

Otherwise, there's music pumping through the air thanks to a rather boorish looking demon DJ and everyone seems to be having fun. There's a room to change into any sort of club or fetish wear that's provided on the house. If you're uncertain about changing, a demon may "helpfully" choose something and make sure you put it on.

Eventually, as the night drags on, there will be demons who will approach you, clad in over the top fetish wear and more beautiful than anything you've ever seen. They will beckon that you follow and at the time, it will seem like a good idea. They'll lead you to a table in a back room where a multitude of drinks await you. They'll urge you to take a sip from the color that most pleases you for a special surprise. You have every chance to say no, but should you indulge, you'll find yourself momentarily blacking out for a bit.

When you come to, one of the following will happen:

Pink drinks will have you awakening some place in the club with a partner and fitted with a sex toy of your choice. Perhaps it's as 'tame' as a collar and leash, but perhaps it's something that vibrates, or something that's been put inside of you. You won't be able to remove it until your selected partner decides that you can. Hopefully it's someone you can stand and not that half-goat demon that's been eyeing you up all night. Rumor is he's really selfish in the sack.

Orange drinks will have you awakening in the middle of a sex act. You won't know how you got there and likely, neither will your partner. But someone is already inside of you or you're already inside of them. Their mouth or hand is already busy. You may not know your partner well, and perhaps they aren't even your usual type, but you will find yourself eager for everything that's happening. Maybe they were simply forbidden to you, someone you know better than to ever touch, and yet... this is the perfect chance to give in. Who has to know? You seem to be in a room by yourselves, on a nice, cushy bed. Indulge those hidden desires.

Yellow drinks will give you courage to do something you never thought you'd do. Always wanted to try out pole dancing? Or approach someone for nameless sex but never had the guts? Well, now's your chance really. You won't be afraid of anything. You may also not want to take no for an answer, but please do try to control yourself...

Blue drinks will have the unfortunate effect of leaving you unable to perform. Your body just refuses to rise to the occasion. It may last for a few hours to a few days. Oh, well. They can't all be winners, can they? But just because you can't seem to find pleasure doesn't mean you can't give it to someone else, does it? And you may be very inclined to.

Green drinks will be for the truly adventurous (or perhaps the truly masochistic or sadistic). You'll wake to find yourself in one of the most extreme scenes you have ever lived through. Suspended from the ceiling as someone torments you mercilessly. Beaten for pleasure. Made to kneel and crawl like the piece of filth you are. whatever darker desires you have, they'll suddenly be very out in the open, and you'll have a partner granting you the chance to explore them.

Of course it is possible to say no to any and all things and just enjoy the rave for what it is! An excuse to let go and just have fun for a night. It's also possible for demons to force your characters to change into more club appropriate clothing if your character wouldn't normally change.

Please remember to warn for underage, incest, non-con, and any other potentially disturbing sexual content in a prominent place! This is very important.

MISC.

Thank you for checking out

penancerp's second TDM! Please note that all prompts are opt-out and players are more than welcome to come up with their own ideas while exploring the hotel and hell outside. There's a locations page that describes the library and the club a bit more thoroughly, if you're interested in sending your characters exploring these establishments!

Because these prompts count as game canon, current players are more than welcome to do their own top levels for these prompts in the meme itself or logs community.

All that we ask is that you remember to put clear warnings on any potentially triggering content! Warn for sex, including underage or incest, violence, abuse, non-con, etc. Please put these warnings in a visible place, either by the prompt itself or in the subject line. This isn't just a suggestion but a requirement to participate in the game.

Now that all that's out of the way, we hope you have fun! Feel free to ask questions under the appropriate comment or on the FAQ page.

Since there are new faces around, Lucifer himself will be taking a few questions via his device for anyone so inclined down below.

As a final note, don't forget that reserves are open now until June 1st as well!

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As luck...or fate...would have it, Hannibal was sitting at a table in a dark corner of the bar, a glass of red wine on the table before him, leaning back and watching the crowd of people as they milled about, playing their games. A demon had made an offer to him as well, the same as everyone else, he imagined. The temptation of a favor didn't interest him as much as watching others be tempted and corrupted. And so for this moment he is merely an observer, his sharp eyes watching, curious about how people will in this way reveal themselves.

He has not yet seen Will.

The world around him seemed to blur as his gaze fell upon the devil who loved to whisper into his ear. Will wasn't one for fate, but he had a hard time doubting they were connected somehow, to be together even here of all places.

Not that he expected to be going to the good place, but still.

His feet were leading him before he could realize, finding himself soon at Hannibal's table, standing there at the edge. Will couldn't find words, instead reaching to hook a finger around the stem of his wine glass and drag it toward himself.

The movement drew his attention, and when he saw Will approaching he tilted his head, a smile playing on his lips. He had wondered if he would see his friend at some point, and was almost surprised that it had taken this long. They were connected, the two of them. Conjoined. Not even death was powerful enough to break that bond.

"Hello, Will," he said.

"Hello, Doctor Lecter."

And so was their exchange. Always with those greetings. Even if they were closer than that now, it felt natural to respond that way. Will helped himself to the seat across from Hannibal, bringing the wine glass to his lips for a small sip. It was a little rude... but maybe he liked being rude to Hannibal.

Will was perhaps the only person whose rudeness Hannibal would tolerate, even find endearing. Their exchange was warm and familiar, and his smile deepened, his eyes gleaming. One might think he would be angry, considering the last thing he remembered was Will dragging him off the edge of a cliff to their presumed deaths in the roiling sea below. But there was no anger in his expression.

"It is good to see you again, Will. Although I imagine the sentiment may not be shared."

Quietly, Will swirled the wine in the glass as he contemplated exactly how it was he felt being here with Hannibal again. As always, the answer wasn't any clearer than 'complicated'. That's as simple as it got with them.

"It's shared." He set the glass down with a soft thud and finally peered across the table at Hannibal. He was one of the few people he could make eye-contact with and keep. It was hard to look away sometimes, if he was being honest.

"I'd say I didn't expect to see you again, but I wasn't expecting much of anything."

Hannibal could not help but smile all the wider at that answer. Their relationship had always been complicated, and likely would always remain that way, but he treasured his relationship with Will. Enough that he had surrendered his freedom to keep it from being lost forever. And the happiest moment, the memory he most cherished, remained when Will returned to him in Florence, despite all that followed.

He held that gaze and considered his friend.

"There are few who are truly able to surprise me, Will. And yet you always seem to manage. Was it spur of the moment, your decision to cast us both into the sea? Was there a purpose to it, aside from a desire for sweet oblivion?"

There was still no anger, only curiosity.

"Sometimes I wonder if there's ever a purpose to what I do. A method to my madness."

Faintly his lips curled up in a smirk at the joke. He had to find amusement where he could. His life was short on that.

If he had to think about it, he felt a strange contentment. Dolarhyde was down, they'd killed him together. All of that blood, then the feel of Hannibal's arms around him, holding him close... he really did find that moment beautiful in its own twisted way. Twisted for most, perfect for them.

"It felt good." Will pushed the glass across the table back over to its owner. "... nothing was going to top that moment." Truthfully, he was still feeling discombobulated, unable to quite get his thoughts about that night straight in his mind, and his feelings were another beast entirely. "So why not end it there?"

As Will pushed the glass back, Hannibal reached out and folded his hand over Will's, a gesture of tenderness, borne of the dual desire to be in physical contact with his friend and to see how Will would respond to said contact.

"It was beautiful," he said, his eyes steady on his friend's. "Perhaps the most beautiful thing I have ever experienced. Sharing the blood in the moonlight with you. But to me, it was only a beginning. You had emerged from the cocoon, but did not have the chance to fly."

Will gave pause at the contact, lips parting slightly in thought as his gaze drifted downward to their hands. Was it really such a short time ago that he would have recoiled from this sort of touch, and from Hannibal especially?

He didn't linger long, eyes soon returning to Hannibal's, the conflict that was clouding them clear for him to see. But, beyond those depths, there was a spark of interest. Something that made him lean in just slightly.

That favor he could earn suddenly came back to mind. With Hannibal here, Will didn't have much of a use for it, but it could be useful to him if he were able to save it for another time. All he had to do was give in to his darkness as he had before. If they worked together, they could create something new, just like that fateful night. Couldn't they?

"I don't know that I'm ready." The truth. However, "But I'm already in Hell. Got nothing to lose." It was small, but he smiled. Maybe this prospect was more enticing than he'd realized.

Oh, this was fascinating. Hannibal had been watching other bar patrons as they navigated their temptations. As amusing as he found watching others descend into darkness, with Will it was different, the potential there for not a descent but rather a transcendence.

He shifted his hand, taking Will's and interlacing their fingers.

"You sound like you may have something in mind."

"I was approached about a favor. You probably were too. I thought about it, but with you here, there's nothing that's worth asking for." Will's fingers moved almost delicately with Hannibal's, so carefully laced together. It seemed like such a gentle gesture, a light touch, but it felt much heavier.

Will swallowed heavily as he found his words, struggling a bit, though his presence made it all easier.

"Still, I think about the things I can do. That which I'm comfortable with, when maybe I shouldn't be." Maybe he was seeking permission. He knew Hannibal would indulge his darker desires if he could just be articulate. "Nothing as lowly as a bar fight, but maybe more sophisticated. Or... passionate."

Nothing worth asking for. The expression on Hannibal's face at those words was far more open and honest than he usually allowed himself to be. Will doubtless recognized the look on his face, the same expression he had in their meeting before the Botticelli. Joy and fondness.

"Passionate?" he asked, his own interest piqued. "What manner of passion would you like to explore, Will?"

Will wasn't sure he could put words to it. All he knew was this feeling; the desire for warm skin and hot breath, the realization of which made his stomach knot.

He opened his mouth, very clearly struggling for words, fingers tightening around the hand in his grasp.

"I don't know." He knew. He just didn't know what to say. So there he sat, staring at their hands as though they were what fascinated him most in the world.

Hannibal knew full well that there was much Will was leaving unsaid, things he still found uncomfortable to talk about. It was endearing, in a way. His dear friend had taken part in the slaughter of the Red Dragon and found beauty in the blood in the moonlight, and yet he still struggled to put his sexual desires into words.

What an opportunity to lead his friend forward in this particular kind 9f beautiful darkness.

"There is a club nearby that has rather well-stocked private rooms. A suitable place to explore, perhaps."

"Have you used them?"

It was possible. Maybe even likely, given how long he'd been incarcerated. Mere curiosity, nothing more. Hannibal's desires were his business.

Blue eyes lifted to meet his gaze as he slowly, purposely brought their joined hands closer till he could press dry, worry-worn lips to the back of Hannibal's hand.

"Tell me about it." If he had, or what he'd like to do if he hadn't.

Hannibal met and held that gaze as Will kissed his hand, then responded in kind, drawing Will's hand closer and pressing his own soft lips to the back.

"Not for that purpose," he answered, and left it intentionally vague. Perhaps later they will discuss the young man who Hannibal tortured in one of those rooms, but not now. "Each room has a wide assortment of a variety of implements, from restraints and floggers to less intense toys. They would be quite satisfactory for all manners of exploration."

"And pliers and and knives?" Will murmured to himself, those being the sorts of implements that came to mind. Hell and all.

While he held some trepidation, he wasn't afraid. Maybe at one point he was, of Hannibal, of who he became when he was around him, but not anymore. Now he had nothing to lose and everything to gain if that small, mutual kiss had anything to say about it.

"Then let's go explore." This time, he spoke with ease. As though he were talking about something as simple as a hike.

Hannibal's eyes glittered at that murmur, his smile sharp and dark, allowing the dark beast inside him to show through his person suit. Most others would likely be disturbed by the sight, but he knew he didn't have to hide it from Will. He had, after all, been behind the veil.

"Pliers, and many, many knives," he answered.

He stood, his fingers still interlaced with Will's.

"Come."

That darkness couldn't disturb him anymore, even when he was looking at the wendigo, himself, horns and all.

In a blink that image was gone and he got to his feet, likewise feeling no inclination to pull his hand away. Even though he'd fought it for so long, this felt right. The most extreme example of opposites attracting; a serial killer and FBI agent, a man who wore cologne worth hundreds per ounce and a man who wore something cheap with a ship on the bottle.

They really belonged in a textbook somewhere. Or a medical journal.

"You can take the lead." Hannibal knew where the club was, yes, but it was also a small tease.

They were so different in so many ways, and yet at their very core, where the blood beat dark in their conjoined hearts, they were the same. Both of them changed by the other until Hannibal could gaze into his friend's eyes and see himself reflected back. He saw it right then, as he smiled at Will and squeezed his hand before leading the way.

When they arrived at the club, Hannibal wound his way through the crowd, guiding Will by the hand, into the back. He looked into a couple of the available rooms before choosing one that had a large four-poster bed and a rack of various implements, including a selection of knives. He pulled Will inside, and closed and locked the door behind them.

With such ease, Hannibal navigated through the crowd. There was something about him that made the throngs of people part like Moses and the Red Sea. It was something Will had never experienced. He was invisible.

The lock turning snapped him out of his thoughts, the reality of his situation finally sinking in. He was in a sex torture room with Hannibal and of course there was a glorious four-poster bed. Only the finest.

A glint of light caught his eye and summoned him forward. The knives, of course. Looking at them he could again feel the warmth of blood on his hands, a mixture of his own, Dolarhyde, and Hannibal's. It hadn't looked like blood at the time, but that beautiful inky blackness his friend and accomplice had mentioned before.

"Is this room for pleasure or for pain?" He could handle either, but the surprise would be in what Hannibal chose. If he chose.

Hannibal followed Will to the rack, standing right behind him as he surveyed the available blades. There were other instruments, of course, but it was wholly fitting that his friend's attention be drawn here. Knives had been involved in their most intimate moments, after all...that fateful night in Baltimore when everything fell apart and Hannibal stabbed Will in the belly, penetrating him and shedding his blood and more, as well as their last moments in the land of the living, their killing of the Red Dragon almost a ritual suicide on the altar of their becoming.

"The two are not mutually exclusive," he purred, moving even closer and reaching out to lightly settle his hands on Will's hips. "When done correctly, each may transform the other."

"Can you show me?"

And there it was. The point of no return and he'd crossed it without a second thought. It was so hard mere minuted ago, but seeing their reflections in the knives and feeling his hands on his hips was so natural. There was a part of him that still wanted to deny the beast inside, but it was so much smaller now.

And there it was, the Rubicon crossed. Hannibal sighed with the delight of witnessing such a lovely, subtle moment, and closed those last millimeters, until his body was warmly pressed against Will's. He tilted his head to murmur in Will's ear.

"Yes."

Then he lowered his head further and began softly kissing the side of Will's neck.

Follow Me Down I

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