deck | late afternoon | sunday | november 22

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

Hannibal was trying to ignore the results of yesterday's bowling match because that made him feel better. Really, losing that goddamn match was like a death knell to him. And now he had to pay up. Ugh. To help him ignore all that, he'd retreated outside to the deck, taking advantage of the crisp but not cold weather. It was nothing some warmer weather and a baseball cap couldn't cure.

So, he was out there, sprawled in a chair, feet up and phone on his lap. He'd started sending Abigail stupid text messages earlier that day and since she kept responding, he kept sending them. If she was going to encourage him, he was going to take the bait and keep it up.

Sure, he could have been doing something productive (he'd even brought a book out there with him) but this was a lot more fun.

[deck's open!]

Comments

[endsthegame]

Ender hadn't seen Hannibal in quite some time, and it wasn't like he'd consciously searched the man out. But he was there, and it would only seem normal for Ender to call out a "Hi," as he took a seat on the deck, a few chairs away.

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"Ender!" Not seen for awhile or not, Hannibal was still going to greet him with gusto. Couldn't seem emo over his stupid bet. "You're alive. I thought maybe you'd been sucked up somewhere, leaving me to grieve."

[endsthegame]

"I'm afraid you'll have to do without those crocodile tears for a while, Hannibal," Ender said, his mouth twitching into something distinctly amused. "How've you been?"

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"Still alive," he said, setting his phone aside for the time being. "Still pretty."

Which was important.

"I can't complain," he added, shrugging. "What about you? Keeping busy?"

[endsthegame]

"The school ordered me to move in with my best friend this semester," Ender said, with a dry intonation to his voice that you... would probably only find funny if you were Ender. "I've been preoccupied."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"At least it's your best friend?" Hannibal asked, shrugging. "Could have been your worst enemy or something. At least it's someone you like. Could've been me."

Because that partnership would last a long, long time. Really.

[endsthegame]

Well, it was Ender. He could probably be made to endure everything if he had to. "I don't think you'd fit in my room," he said instead, with a twitch of his lips. "Don't coordinate with the decor."

Ben was a bad influence.

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

Hannibal raised an eyebrow and tried not to laugh. "You take up accessorizing as a hobby when I wasn't looking?"

[endsthegame]

"I prefer to call it 'Feng Shui'."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"You and your best friend go floral?" Hannibal joked. "Because, yeah, I would stick out like a sore thumb in that girly room."

[endsthegame]

"Say that to Ben and he'll probably throw some at you with his force powers," Ender said, easily, "I'm more easy-going than that; I'll just find a way to move flowers up to your room."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"You'd probably have an easy time with that," Hannibal said, snickering. "Angela would welcome you because she likes them and she knows I'd hate them."

[endsthegame]

"Then a jungle you shall have," Ender said, magnanimously.

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"You're so altruistic, Ender," Hannibal said, smirking. "What would I do without your generosity?"

[endsthegame]

"I wouldn't call it generosity," Ender said, wryly, "Unless driving you out of the room is some kind of contribution to the common good."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"Some people might think so," he said and snickered. "Me, I prefer to look on the bright side of things. Drive me out of my room and I'll just go brighten another place."

[endsthegame]

"Shine your light in every nook and cranny," Ender deadpanned. "It's nice to know Fandom's yet to get you down."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"Hey, I didn't say that," Hannibal pointed out. "I just try not to stay that way. I don't do well when I'm angry or upset. But, you know, between zombies, accidental weddings, and protective fathers, I'm not always happy."

[endsthegame]

"Sounds like a busy schedule."

And Ender? Looking amused.

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"I manage to avoid boredom." For the most part. "What about you? Besides interior design, you picked up any new hobbies?"

[endsthegame]

"Beyond changing Ben Skywalker's diapers?" Which was something he said with love, really. "I'm keeping up my artistic credit in the play and working a shift a week. The rest of my time is purely recreative ceiling staring."

Or, as we call it, obsessive research into a species you may or may not have xenocided into oblivion. Holla!

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"You're in the play?" He'd ask about the diaper thing in a minute. Maybe. "I didn't know you had an acting bone in your body, Ender."

[endsthegame]

Yeah, about that, Hannibal...

"I wouldn't call it acting," Ender said, wryly, "More stumbling around in iambic pentameter."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"What made you try out?" Hannibal asked, genuinely curious. "I might have to drag myself down to this play now."

[endsthegame]

"I needed a hobby," he said, raising his eyes at Hannibal, "And it turns out someone's already illuminating the cheer squad."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"And doing a damn good job of it," he said cockily. ""Though, I'm sure I could get you into the squad if you're interested, Ender. I'd love to toss you through the air."

[endsthegame]

"I'm flattered," he replied. "I'll have to ask you to mention that in my yearbook."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"I'll remember to remind you," he said and snickered. "Which part do you have in the play? Tell me it involves singing."

[endsthegame]

"It's Shakespeare, King," Ender replied. "I just have a bit part this time."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"I'm still gonna come," Hannibal assured him. "And take a picture or two. Wouldn't want you to go away without some evidence of your grand performance!"

[endsthegame]

Now he definitely got an amused look. "I'm not exactly ashamed of my horrible attempts at the performing arts," he said, "But by all means, keep trying."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"I never said you were ashamed," Hannibal said, grinning. "I just wanted to make sure there were reminders of your fine performance. I bet it'll be even better than when you were a plush dragon."