Fourth Floor Common Room, Wednesday Evening

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

There were things to think about and plans to make after some conversations last night and Hannibal felt a little cooped up and restless in his own room so he grabbed a pillow and headed down to the common room.

There wasn't any made up games tonight. Just a boy, a pillow, a movie that he wasn't really watching, a notepad of scribbled notes (that he can't believe he's actually taking) and a pizza on the floor in front of him.

He just hoped he could read his notes (silly and unnecessary as they were) since he was staining the paper with pizza from his fingers.

[Open CR is open!]

Comments

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"I don't ever write anything down," he admitted. "Well, save for random post it notes with things I don't remember. I can't see a point even while I'm taking these notes."

[not-a-mused.livejournal.com]

"Sometimes it's good to just get it out, though," Cal had to admit, thinking of all the fake letters to Dr. Luce that had been typed then ceremoniously burned to ash. "But, I mean, I still don't know what the hell I want to do, and writing seems to be something I can do pretty easily."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"Well, you could do worse than writing," Hannibal said, shrugging. "I mean, at least there's a possible paycheck and some notoriety possible. What sorts of things do you write? Genre wise."

[not-a-mused.livejournal.com]

Cal shrugged. "A little of everything right now. I haven't really found my Muse, so to speak."

Which just made him want to make a comment about epic poetry, which Hannibal would likely not get, and he'd have to try to explain without really explaining.

"I'm pretty good at tragedy. Thank you, Greek blood."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"Well, you're one up on me," he said and laughed. "Last thing I wrote, besides these notes that was leisurely, was a note asking my dad to not forget the milk."

It was a bit of an exaggeration but oh well.

"Ever submitted anything to those magazines people for publishing?"

[not-a-mused.livejournal.com]

"I'm sure it was a very literary milk reminder," Cal assured Hannibal, before shaking his head. "Only thing I get even close to finishing is stuff for the FH Times, and even then...I've flaked on my past two articles. In a row. I fail."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"Writer's block?" he asked.

[not-a-mused.livejournal.com]

"Delicately mixed with a nice round of laziness."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"Laziness is a hobby of mine," he said, smiling broadly. "Maybe your writing brain is just gearing up to write the great American novel or anything. It's...percolating."

[not-a-mused.livejournal.com]

"Like a good sauce to accompany a dish," Cal mused, "my greatest contribution to the world must slowly simmer, not to be rushed."

See, he was already getting all poetical.

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"Just remember the little people when you get all rich and famous," he said and laughed. "Or, you know, when they make your sordid behind the scenes biography."

[not-a-mused.livejournal.com]

"No, see, all real artists aren't really popular until their dead, though."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"Not even if you lose an ear?" Hannibal asked. He remembered that from many classes as a kid.

[not-a-mused.livejournal.com]

"Oh, you mean like van Gogh?" Cal asked. "Trust me, you think a guy cuts off his own ear because he's successful?"

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"Well, I was leaning more insane or just got a really bad earring," he said. "So, guess not. Could shave things in your hair. Less intrusive than cutting off an ear."

[not-a-mused.livejournal.com]

"But I like my hair," Cal said, with a faint pout, as he patted his head.

"What about a pinkie? No one really needs pinkies unless they drink tea, and I don't like tea."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"You wouldn't be able to pinky swear," Hannibal pointed out. "That could be a deal breaker."

[not-a-mused.livejournal.com]

"Ah." Cal lifted up a finger. "You pinkie swear with your right hand. I just cut off the pinkie on my left."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"People might start calling you Stumpy," Hannibal said and laughed.

[not-a-mused.livejournal.com]

"No," Cal argued lightly, "that'd be if I cut off my whole left hand. Or the arm, up to the elbow."

He tucked in his arm, waving around the supposed stump-to-be.

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"Can I call you Stumpy anyway?" he asked with another laugh. "I kinda like the nickname."

[not-a-mused.livejournal.com]

"If you get to call me Stumpy," Cal said, "then I get to call you..."

There was a pause.

"...I don't know yet. Give me a moment."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"Awesome?" Hannibal suggested. "Genius?"

[not-a-mused.livejournal.com]

"I was thinking more like...Douchebag."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

Hannibal pretended to think about that one before he shook his head. "No, I'm not sure that one fits. Too long, not as easy to yell across great distances."