"I hope this session brought you some peace of mind."

Easy, as casual as he knew how Hannibal addressed you, his newest patient. The doctor's Lithuanian accent gave the question a slight lilt, his tone soft and even. He was captivated by you already, fascinated despite this only being your first session. This was rare for Hannibal and he intended to explore the full range of his interest, perhaps invite you for dinner if things went well.

"Your worries are not nearly as large as they were an hour ago, no?"

He smiled, pulling his mouth into the correct shape and squinting to make the expression seem more genuine but there was no real warmth in his eyes. He was a predator and you were nothing but meat at the end of the day, as interesting as you were. Hannibal wondered silently how you would look as one of his displays, skinned and contorted into something unrecognizable as human. He put that thought aside, preferring instead to keep you alive if only to toy with. You would be a wonderful dinner guest, he decided and it was only a matter of time before you were at or on his table.

"If I may ask,"

He paused, relaxing back into his chair as he pondered you and how much entertainment you might provide.

"Will you be attending another session? My secretary has since eloped and I have been managing my own appointments."

He wanted you to say yes, craved it like he craved the delicate flesh of a freshly harvested kidney but kept his demeanor calm and collected while he awaited your response.