Will immediately drops his gaze, glad to have the file to fidget with. “Only the part with the kids,” he answers, and doesn’t even attempt to keep the distaste for Jack’s tactics out of his voice. “Classic Crawford.” Jack knew he wouldn’t have to mention anything else, well aware Will doesn’t have room for new nightmares to contend with, well aware Will couldn’t stomach reading about future victims when he maybe could have helped save them.
He’s tried to make himself look presentable in a discount suit jacket layered over a plaid button-down, but he’s lost weight over the past three years and the old clothes don’t quite fit right anymore.
Being here, doing this doesn’t quite fit right anymore either, but he’s also curious to see what happens when Jack’s new rising star is thrust into the rapids without a life raft; though he wagers she’ll fare better than Will himself ever did.
Will takes off his glasses so the photos from the file, now spread out on the desk, blur from his vision. Just images of the crime scenes have the killer’s psyche beginning to slip into his headspace, but he’s not so ready to go there yet. He clears his throat as he puts his glasses back on, and looks directly at Clarice Starling for the first time since entering the room. He wants to know more about her, beyond the little Jack’s mentioned.
Will’s immediate distaste for hiding his feelings about Jack unknowingly grants Clarice the ability to show her own. Not for the sonuvabitch himself, but for the stratagem he used– highlighting the slaughtered children. She didn’t know the man whom she admires so much would sink to such a level.
Her lips flatten into a disgusted line, but only while Will isn’t matching her steely eyes, as his ensuing comment takes her aback. Her expression consequently melts into a mix of slight confusion and repressed awe. The former because recognition is something few and far between in the bureau; the latter because she is well aware of the lore surrounding Will’s own success and recognition. She only hopes she’ll succeed as he did.
Minus the disastrous epilogue to his career… ( And apparently his manners? She retracts her unshaken hand.)
All right, Starling. He’s human; there are humans dying. There’s no need to wallow in pride. Crawford could have easily said the same thing.
She represses a wide smile as well as the urge to fasten and unfasten the binder clip in hand, choosing instead to give a quick nod of appreciation.
“ Thank you.” Her brows furrow, then, and she’s quick to change the topic. “ I’m due to visit a psychiatrist just outside of town for questioning. Dr. Lecter, actually…” Her eyes momentarily narrow, as she was nervous earlier today to bring up the topic. However, she couldn’t not mention what she’s been ordered to do. “ Crawford said I should visit him alone, betting that he’d end his spell of silence… But I thought I’d let you know. This is my first law enforcement assignment, so I’m in new territory.”
One thing before proceeding: I am a full-time university student with a full-time job. As a rule of thumb, I will not respond to threads in a timely manner. I only post replies when I have some free time outside of my other hobbies, which is not often. If this turns you off to writing with me, that’s okay. I just want to make this clear in advance!
…ONWARDS!
I. Default verse: during- and post-TSOTL.
The default verse for this blog is set after The Silence of the Lambs, during which Clarice is a Special Agent of the FBI. However, I have also read Hannibal, so I can ( and would love to ) write in that verse as well! There is a remarkable difference in Starling’s character between The Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal—- if you would like a specific verse, please tell me.
Please note that I prefer book and movie canon to show canon; however, I can adapt Clarice to said canon without problems.
II. Small, private blog.
I tend to follow a very small amount of people only because I tend to interact with a small amount of people. I also prefer a smaller audience to read my writing, to be honest. This is not personal.
Thus, mutuals-only with regard to all interaction.
III. Ask prompts, reblog karma, etc.
Feel free to send in memes or questions at any time. I am more than happy to write multiple threads, and accept and send multiple ask prompts.
I tend to send in multiple ask prompts when I am close with another writer. This is not me pressuring you! It’s just me exploring our characters’ dynamic(s).
After all, we’re all here for one thing: to explore our characters!
IV. Shipping.
I will never force a ship on you, despite personal biases! ( I.e., Clannibal. )
V. Multi-verse, mains, exclusives.
There are massive quantities of AUs on this blog!
I am also very keen on the notion of exclusivity and mains, so feel free to drop me a line if we’ve talked enough ic or ooc. It’s really great to build solid relationships between characters when we have lots of threads going with each other. It’s the shit.
VI. Violence, god modding, etc.
God modding is not chill. Killing or causing serious harm to Clarice is considered god modding to me, but do not sacrifice your character’s personality for ‘nice’ interactions! Pushing, shoving, yelling — all fine. Just nothing serious unless you consult with me first hand.
VII. Discord info.
My Discord (forjustice #4751 ) is always available for threads outside of Tumblr. I tend to write more often via Discord since I am not on my laptop that often. Feel free to exchange user IDs with me so we can write or chat, or do a bit of both! Just let me know your URL when you do!
VIII. Triggers.
I have no triggers, save for screamers, and I will gladly tag triggers for you. This is what a trigger tag looks like: ‘ abuse // '
IX. Lastly...
Please keep in mind that roleplaying is a hobby and not a job.
* Protocol sounds tough, but it’s really not! As long as we read each other’s and generally abide by it, all will run smoothly. I’m an extremely gregarious person and I always welcome ic and/or ooc interaction! Never feel scared to send in an IM or message or anything of the like. We’re all here to write together, anyway!
** Please do not steal any graphics or any writing that you see on this blog. Unless otherwise stated, it is all of my creation.
*** This blog is in no way affiliated with Jodie Foster, Clarice Starling, or Thomas Harris.