Angel's Sojourn: Hannibal x Reader x Will

Chapter 15. Agrodolce

You're blissfully buzzed by the time Bev offers you your third drink of the night, a thin flute of bubbling champagne- a stark contrast to her usual partiality for much stronger liqueurs in smaller quantities. You tell her as much and she laughs, taking a delicate sip with added finesse.

"Honestly I can't complain. What this place lacks in debauchery it makes up for in class." She winks, motioning to your surroundings and you have to agree.

The crystal champagne glasses and graceful cocktail dresses sported by the other patrons offer a stark contrast to the bars and clubs which you are loosely accustomed to. This particular locale neither evoked that feeling which flashing neon lights or a dance floor carpeted in glitter usually gave you. In fact, you are quite at ease sitting here with your friends, admiring each other's company whilst lounging in your finery.

The little black cocktail dress you'd purchased that very afternoon seems to draw inquisitive eyes from all across the room. You'd been wrangled into it by a determined Bev and Samara most regretfully. Yet sitting here now you feel almost none of your former aversions to it, and even take some pleasure in the longing looks you find being directed your way.

You glance around the room as Bev and Samara converse with the party at the table to your left, absorbing the luxurious interior as they artfully exchange choice bits of gossip amongst themselves.

Styxx is everything Iggy had promised and more. Located on the 30th floor of one of the most prominent hotels in Baltimore, is an entire floor dedicated to elegance and class- more so as admittance is by invitation only. The business card it seems, had actually been a key; direct from the proprietors own pocket, and it's use had been one-time-only. The bouncer had shredded the card as soon as you'd handed it to him, much to Samara and Beverly's dismay, who had been hoping for a new regular hot-spot.

You're usual predisposition to dance clubs had you believing that most establishments are hot, crowded, sweaty, and loud. Not your usual scene, as Iggy had so boldly assumed. Styxx however has an elegant atmosphere, and their clientele an almost curated air about them. They flit about the room, perfect faces in practiced poses, saying nothing that isn't expected, hiding anything untoward- and yet... they are all so at ease with each other.

The smiles come easily, and as they glide through the sprawling apartments, their grins only grow more devious, more eager, as they near the dance floor. You soon attribute this to the obviously unspoken. They are waiting for something, or more likely, someone.

Iggy has yet to make his first appearance of the night, and if the nearby gossipers can be believed, he rarely ever does. Strange, seeing as the lavish club is obviously an expensive business venture, one that any good investor would know to be a valuable asset. What should this man have to gain, being absent from his own hand picked society? The answer you suppose after indulging in one or two more drinks seems quite clear. It is desire, plain and simple. And time, as Iggy must know, is the greatest aphrodisiac.

Human beings are creatures of habit yes, you think to yourself wickedly, but they are also slaves to new and exciting stimuli. The latter certainly outweighs the other in your particular case, but you have to wonder for the other party goers. Is this a usual occurrence for them? Are champagne flutes and hors d'oeuvres outside their usual fair? Are they merely playing parts for pleasures sake, or reveling in a regular indulgence?

As the hour grows later, the decadent food having been taken away and replaced with more alcohol, the patrons seem more and more intoxicated- if not by the bountiful fair, than by the anticipation of their esteemed host. 

You and your friends keep mostly to your table, though Beverly and Samara being the social butterflies you know them to be soon seek out the company of some new acquaintances, leaving you alone to your drink and your musings.