D E V O U R || HANNIGRAM // continuation

Part 11: Man Down

On entry, Hannibal had revealed the card that specified the invitation, glancing in his peripheral to see if Will was close behind and once he saw that he was, he went onward. The Butler did a fast skim over the letter, took it and disposed of it along top of the two others in collection on a silver platter in which he held; standing there statuesque. With a tip of his head, Hannibal proceeded to walk further inside than before as Will stalled, glancing every which way with a courteous grin- fake though well played.

Most of the women huddled about on the sidelines in their festive gowns and would stop and gesture to the newly arrivals as the men would casually stroll to them and or stop to pay more attention to Hannibal and Will than to their alcoholic beverage.

"Oh! You must be Mr. Grey." A rather friendly male introduced himself not far along inside, Will side-stepped in order to walk around another male in whom brushed by in a bit of a hurry. He turned and saw the back of this mans head before he made a straight path to the exit as though he were eager to free himself from the City traffic. Hannibal was shaking this mans hand once Will faced the stranger again.

"I presume that you are the individual in whom sent out the invitations; Mr. Abram." Hannibal had stated, in return, the younger gentleman would nod as the both parted hands.

"Yes, it is none other than I," Will saw the man begin and turn to him swiftly, with a daring expression.

"And who might you be?"

Hannibal looked to Will.

"William Mareau. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Abram-," Will dismissed the hand extended and added directly after seeing it, "Mens room?"

"Ah, yes. The John," he answered, lowering his awkward hand.

"It will be right down that hallway in the back of me, to the right." Brandon said, watching curiously as Will took off like a lightening bolt out of the blue; giving Hannibal a sly raise of the brows and a shocked curve of the mouth.

"Wind him up and watch him go," He remarks, taking a glass of wine from a nearby tray as a waiter made his way through.

"All men staff," Brandon says after a second of observation, eyeing Hannibal as though he already suspected him of something. "I have to say, it's rather brilliant and quite resourceful. Would you care to have women frolicking about in their evening wear and frills or see a nice, tall man of masculine grace?"

Hannibal looked aside, bringing the rim of the wine glass to his lips after swirling the red around. Taking a sip, he'd return his eyes from once resting them on the mens bathroom sign.

"Men and women alike make a resourceful breed, Mr. Abram. It's often discussed in Media Forums that women have a distinct 'House Wife' charm that I find appealing. I am sure that a man could hold a plate more steady than a woman, alas, a woman can propose a plate as one would a fine wine." As if on Que, Hannibal had risen his glass with a shallow bow and a stern eye.

In the Bathroom, Will leaned over the sink, bringing palms of water to his face. Running his fingers along his cheeks, he'd glance to his reflection- not feeling all to well. Right then, the bathroom door swung open,

"Ah! My apologies-," The man smiled, only to frown upon seeing Wills careless expression and weepy blue eyes.

"No need. I was just leaving." Will adds shortly, taking a paper towel from the dispenser to dry his face. The man was drawn to a silent stand, one Will had to scoot by in order to toss the paper into the waste bucket and take for the John exit. The first thing he had looked for was Hannibal in whom stood off in the distance, talking up a storm with Brandon.