[ The fantastic description again strikes him as bizarre, since the idea that this girl might be "made of memories" is something almost frustratingly beyond his understanding, and yet oddly appropriate. There was irony in how certain people came to meet each other, he thought, and Xion could certainly be counted amongst those acquaintances. For all the time he's spent in his palace of memories in the past three years of his incarceration, it's distantly funny to him that he would meet a girl made of them. Whatever that might mean, though as with a lot of things he's encountered here, he dismisses the logistics. He can take it at face value, because he knows dishonesty. The people here may not be forthcoming (which he can hardly blame them for), but they're earnest, generally speaking.
His answer, at least to start, comes simply: ]
Because they are not the ones sitting in front of me. They are not my patients.
[ Though that's not a satisfying answer, he knows. Hannibal leans forward and lets his elbows rest on his knees. His posture is casual in that way, but also more personal as he mirrors that gesture of hers. ]
In truth, much of what you've told me of what you are is beyond my understanding. Normally, I would take such ideas as delusion, since I have had patients who believe themselves to be things they are not. For example, though he was not my patient, I did recently meet a man who was quite convinced that he was a great, red dragon. But delusion is familiar to me. Delusion is also dangerous. I do not get the sense of either from what you tell me. So in the face of that and the other oddities I cannot explain, I must accept it as truth. My ignorance is not your burden.
[ Which is the practical matter, and the easier one to explain. He's not surprised that she's concerned with his lack of reaction, so perhaps that part of the explanation was a bit overdue. But he never pushes too far. He only answers questions when asked, gives information when it's appropriate. Now was that time. ]
And here, I'm speaking less as a psychiatrist. But personally, I don't believe any life has more weight than another. Your life is just as important as my own, and as important as those who you would protect. So, the decision is your own. I cannot guide you on how you feel on this. It is a difficult one to reconcile. But— You do not need to sacrifice yourself. Not if you do not want to. Others may have consequences for that choice, as you yourself may. But everyone is afforded the right to survive. It may be a struggle, of course.
[ He nods to her ]
But your life and the path it takes is your own. No one else's.
no subject
His answer, at least to start, comes simply: ]
Because they are not the ones sitting in front of me. They are not my patients.
[ Though that's not a satisfying answer, he knows. Hannibal leans forward and lets his elbows rest on his knees. His posture is casual in that way, but also more personal as he mirrors that gesture of hers. ]
In truth, much of what you've told me of what you are is beyond my understanding. Normally, I would take such ideas as delusion, since I have had patients who believe themselves to be things they are not. For example, though he was not my patient, I did recently meet a man who was quite convinced that he was a great, red dragon. But delusion is familiar to me. Delusion is also dangerous. I do not get the sense of either from what you tell me. So in the face of that and the other oddities I cannot explain, I must accept it as truth. My ignorance is not your burden.
[ Which is the practical matter, and the easier one to explain. He's not surprised that she's concerned with his lack of reaction, so perhaps that part of the explanation was a bit overdue. But he never pushes too far. He only answers questions when asked, gives information when it's appropriate. Now was that time. ]
And here, I'm speaking less as a psychiatrist. But personally, I don't believe any life has more weight than another. Your life is just as important as my own, and as important as those who you would protect. So, the decision is your own. I cannot guide you on how you feel on this. It is a difficult one to reconcile. But— You do not need to sacrifice yourself. Not if you do not want to. Others may have consequences for that choice, as you yourself may. But everyone is afforded the right to survive. It may be a struggle, of course.
[ He nods to her ]
But your life and the path it takes is your own. No one else's.