Fandom Counseling, Thursday

[sharp_man]

It was that time of year again - the time when Hannibal had to sit down and work out how to claim jobs in multiple worlds on his taxes. Some of the documents weren't even remotely compatible. He refused to use software to make it easier, though; this was actually something of a challenge, and he adored a challenge.

In between waiting for and speaking with his patients, of course. Most of them were not at all challenging.


Fandom Counseling was open, and the doctor was in!

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[betterthanaplan]

Duke had ended up with kind of a lot of seafood at the diner today, and he was pretty proud of how his recipes had turned out. And while he loved his Thursday lunch dates with Octavia, she didn't have the most discerning palate. So he decided to swing by Hannibal's office to see if he might be interested.

He'd be getting whiffs of tuna, crab, and octopus when Duke showed up, as well as some traditionally East Asian and Latin American spices. Probably well before Duke actually got around to announcing his presence, since he took a moment to look around the space first. . . .

[sharp_man]

Hannibal smelled it before Duke even stepped in the room, so yes. He looked up and smiled. "Duke." He got up and came over to greet him. "How have you been? Please, take a seat."

[betterthanaplan]

"Hey, Doc." Duke smiled. "I'm alright. Hadn't seen you around in awhile, so I figured I'd stop in and repay some of those foods favors you've done me."

[sharp_man]

"It smells lovely," Hannibal said, smiling. "Should I get us some wine?"

[betterthanaplan]

"Sounds good." Duke looked for a good place to set the food out. "We had kind of a surplus at the diner today. Apparently I was a little too sarcastic with my staff last week, and they took it to heart."

[sharp_man]

"Should I ask how sarcasm leads to a surplus of food?"

Hannibal cleared a portion of his desk, stacking his papers neatly, as he headed to the cabinet where he kept his wine.

[betterthanaplan]

"They asked what the catch of the day was, I said 'I don't know, what'd you catch this morning?' and two of them decided that meant they needed to go fishing. Separately. So: three catches of the day."

[sharp_man]

"This is local food, then." Hannibal got out the glasses and a bottle of white wine, turned around, and paused. "I generally prefer to eat locally sourced foods, but around Fandom, are we sure that's wise?"

[betterthanaplan]

". . . Bit late to worry about that, Doc," Duke said. "Been fishing around here since at least October. Weirdest part about it so far is that there's Pacific species hanging out in what's supposed to be Atlantic waters." He shrugged. "And the sea monster, but I make sure to steer clear of that guy."

[sharp_man]

"I imagine the fish do, too," Hannibal noted, "so it's probably easier fishing elsewhere. Unless you're fishing for sea monster."

Hannibal would eat it.

He poured them each a glass of a passable Sauvignon Blanc. "This is the best I can do here, I'm afraid; I only keep a few bottles in the office."

Which was more than most people kept in theirs, but...Hannibal.

[betterthanaplan]

"For the patients who refuse to talk about their issues unless they're drunk?" Duke asked.

Not that he was projecting on those imaginary patients or anything.

[sharp_man]

"I do try not to get my patients drunk, but a glass or two can make some of them more relaxed, and give others the excuse they need to open up," Hannibal explained. "So, what are we eating today?"

[betterthanaplan]

"Take your pick," Duke said. "Got some sesame crusted tuna steaks, crab spring rolls, or if you're in more of a Mexican mood, octopus ceviche. Personally, I'm partial to the tuna." He grinned. "That being the one I caught."

[sharp_man]

"Tuna it is," Hannibal answered with a nod, handing Duke his wine glass.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke accepted it and took a sip as he got the tuna out and passed it over. "So how've you been? Taking a break from teaching this semester, right?"

[sharp_man]

"Here, anyway," Hannibal answered. "I'm teaching at Jono's school and acting as counselor. It's been interesting. And you? Are you actually teaching putting hats on birds?"

[betterthanaplan]

"'Teaching' is a strong word for it," Duke said. "I mostly sort of . . . facilitate the putting hats on birds." He shook his head. "Don't ask why. I have no idea."

[sharp_man]

"Not a class you chose, then?" Hannibal asked. "Is the moose to blame for this one?"

[betterthanaplan]

"That's the theory. I might have used 'punch the moose' as a theme for a class I substitute taught last semester."