74 Godiva Street, Wednesday Evening

[living_endless]

Didi was all set up for movie night, with The Punk Singer queued up on Netflix and a bowl of seasoned popcorn on the table because she liked it. Since she'd moved in, the apartment's living area had been slowly Didi-fied, with a few bright, whimsical prints on the walls and a throw rug patterned with goldfish in front of the couch.

She nibbled at some popcorn as she waited for her guest.

[OOC: Now I'm done spamming you! Open if you live here or were invited.]

Comments

[living_endless]

"Well, I figured we'd all survive," Didi acknowledged. "And maybe? But I think some people could stagnate no matter where you put them."

[sharp_as_knives]

"True enough." Hannibal held one glass out to her. "But I have no intentions of trying."

[living_endless]

"Then it's even less likely for you." Didi took the wine, smiled at him over the rim of it. "What brought you to the island in the first place, anyhow?"

[sharp_as_knives]

"Teaching." Hannibal shrugged. "I was looking for something to occupy my time, and there was an opening. I thought, why not?"

[living_endless]

"Hey, that's as good a reason to come here as any," Didi nodded. "Have you ever taught psychiatry, or does cooking seem more ... I don't know, more universal?"

She wondered whether she was asking too many questions, but she was still trying to figure Hannibal out -- the 'knowing everyone' thing she had at home unfortunately didn't carry over to people from different universes. He didn't seem like the type who'd answer anything he didn't want to answer, anyhow.

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal absolutely wouldn't answer anything he didn't want to. Fortunately, he rarely minded discussing himself.

"I have, yes. Teaching doctors and medical students is its own challenge, but food has always been a passion of mine, and I thought it better suited for high school." He eyed her curiously. "May I ask what brought you to school here initially? Do you even need to learn things in the same way as finite beings?"

Hopefully that wasn't rude; Hannibal wasn't aware of any etiquette guides for meeting personifications of immortal concepts.

[living_endless]

Didi had left her copy of So You're Meeting One of the Endless: An Etiquette Guide back in her realm, unfortunately.

"No joke, but I fell into a fountain," Didi said honestly. She hadn't thought about it in years. "I was supposed to die -- physically, anyhow -- and instead Fandom was in a mood, so I got sucked into a portal and ended up in BWI waiting for the shuttle to Fandom. And since I was physically 16, going along with it and going to high school seemed like it made as much sense as anything else would."

[sharp_as_knives]

Well, how was anybody supposed to know the rules then? Honestly!

"This island's whims are fascinating, if occasionally unfathomable." Hannibal shook his head. "Did you enjoy it?"

[living_endless]

"Well, yeah," Didi said, and didn't look at Jono even though she wanted to. "Not just falling in love, but things are more vivid when I'm human. My emotions are stronger. Food tastes better. And having that for a year -- I never expected it. At all. But I cherish it even as much as it hurt at the end. Maybe the hurting was the point."

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal gave her a genuine smile and a small bow for that. "The possibility of death defines our lives. The knowledge of its ephemeral nature leaves us free to experience all of it fully."

[living_endless]

Didi nodded. "Right. It's the one thing I wish mortals could see. Life's meaning is that it ends. If it didn't,you wouldn't enjoy it so much."

[sharp_as_knives]

"I have never been frightened by the idea of death." Hannibal shrugged. "As you say, the end gives it meaning. Granted, I do hope to experience and accomplish much more before mine comes, but living in fear of it seems counterproductive to that." He chuckled. "And I promise, I'm not just saying that because it stands here in lovely form."

[living_endless]

"I don't think any version of me is rushing in to claim you," Didi speculated. "Just a feeling I have. Might be wrong. Also, thank you."

For the 'lovely', she meant.

[sharp_as_knives]

Hannibal nodded in acknowledgement of the thanks. "If life finds its meaning in its end, where do the endless find their meaning?" he asked curiously.

[living_endless]

"That is the problem, isn't it?" Didi asked, with a slight smile.

She didn't have a very good answer.