Fandom High Welcome Picnic, Front Lawn of the School, All Day: Part II

[bigdamnprincipal]

Picnic-ing in January - still not the best idea ever! But there were tables and chairs set up in the sun, and a nice bonfire going, and plenty of warm food for everyone to encourage socializing for as long as possible.

[OCD is up! This is the picnic post for general mingling. Roommates, fake siblings and teachers are all here. Since it's outside, the picnic is open to all students, teachers, and townies!]

Comments

[never-dull.livejournal.com]

Hannibal nodded pleasantly at her. "In that case, welcome to Fandom. I'm Doctor Hannibal Lecter; I'm one of the teachers here. I would offer to shake your hand, but my arms aren't long enough."

[ungue.livejournal.com]

Laura would've rolled her eyes if that was something she did. Instead, she gracefully dropped to the ground, making no noise as she expertly hit the grass. She then extended her own hand.

"Nice to meet you, my name is Laura Kinney."

[never-dull.livejournal.com]

Hannibal shook her hand. "My pleasure. That wasn't a criticism, though; you could have stayed where you were. I was merely making a joking observation."

He suspected she hadn't realized that, and his tone was instructional rather than judgmental.

"What brings you to us, Laura?"

[ungue.livejournal.com]

"I am bad with humor." And contractions, but she would eventually get better at both.

Blinking a few times, Laura half shrugged. "I needed to go away somewhere people did not know me."

[never-dull.livejournal.com]

"Many people are," Hannibal said. "You'll learn if you're interested." He looked her over. "Are you making a new start, or fleeing from something, if you don't mind my asking?"

[ungue.livejournal.com]

"I suppose I will, eventually." Might take a while though. Laura considered this guy, who smelled a bit weird. But that was hardly a surprise in Fandom, was it?

"A bit of both." For lack of a better answer...

[never-dull.livejournal.com]

That was Hannibal's expensive cologne, thank you.

He nodded. "This can be a good place for both. If you'd like someone to talk to, I am always available. If you need more physical assistance, several of the instructors here are well able to defend themselves and others."

He hesitated, then added carefully, "If there is anything less savory in your background, you might wish not to bring it up to the Dean. He has proven somewhat judgmental in the past. But few others here will ever look down upon you for it."

[ungue.livejournal.com]

Sure it was.

"What do you teach?" She didn't remember seeing a Lecter in her class' roster but maybe she overlooked it. "I am fine on that matter." Better than some teachers, probably.

"Who is the Dean?" Laura tried not to look too worried, but she did, a little. She had a bunch of less savory things in her background, more than most.

[never-dull.livejournal.com]

"I'm pleased to hear it," Hannibal said. "I teach many different things. Cooking, at the moment. I don't believe you're in my class. And the Dean is," he looked around and pointed the man out assuming he's there, "Anakin Skywalker."

Hannibal caught her worry, but merely made a note of it and set it aside for now.

[ungue.livejournal.com]

Laura nodded as she made sure to remember the man Hannibal had pointed. "Thank you." How she was going to avoid one of her teachers, she didn't know. She wanted to ask a good deal of things, but decided against; she wasn't really all that eager to appear distressed.

"What else do you teach besides cooking?"

[never-dull.livejournal.com]

"My partner and I taught a class the last few semesters that was art of a type - different field trips designed to inspire artistry," Hannibal answered. "We have also taught Music Appreciation. Where do your interests lie?"

[ungue.livejournal.com]

"Either of," she said. Truth be told, Laura was a little numb to those things, so having them stimulated might be a good idea.

[never-dull.livejournal.com]

Hannibal nodded. "You should keep your eyes open for our classes, then. Lecter and Starsmore."