(no subject)

[theshabbiestofmen]

Who: Remus Lupin
Broadcast:
When: January 14th, early evening

[Remus sits on the floor in James' room, back against the bed, holding the communicator in one hand. The other is tangled in his hair; he pushes his hand through the tangled curls again and again throughout this little speech. Still, he smiles pleasantly enough. This first part is easy, after all.]

Right, hello. My name is Remus Lupin, I've been here a few months, and I've noticed a bit of a trend among those taken. There's quite a few of us with-- well, abilities, for lack of a better word. Abilities that most human beings don't have. They vary, of course, but-- it's an odd consistency. I've met more people with magic than I usually do in a year. Something to think on, perhaps.

In any case: even if it's a meaningless connection-- something that has no significance beyond sheer entertainment value-- I'd be interested to hear what everyone can do. Whether you call it magic or alchemy or even if it's-- god, I don't know, if you have a talent for juggling, I'd be interested. I want to know more about what kind of company I keep.

[His smile fades, now, and he hesitates visibly.]

For example, I, ah. I'm a wizard. Wand and all. I can do magic, which means anything from transfiguration to charms to knowing what plants to use to brew a good cold remedy. It's hardly infallible, but it's certainly useful. And, ah . . .

I'm a werewolf as well. The sort that only changes once a month. It's lasted here, but I seem to have control over it. I take quite a few precautions, so-- so it won't be a problem. I'm not the only werewolf here, nor the only other supernatural creature, but--

[He shrugs. His face is pale, now, the little scars standing out sharply against his skin-- but he forces himself to keep talking.]

I'm used to keeping it a secret at home. And I'm sure others are as well. So I suppose this is a . . . a way to let everyone know. Even if they don't want to tell anyone else, they know they're not alone.

[His mouth twists in a wry smirk.]

That, and I'm tired of keeping it a secret.

Comments

[video for all | action for remus]

[misterprongs]

I can also turn into a stag.

[ matter-of-factly. ]

Just in case you lot were concerned that Remus is the only special one, I, too, am naturally gifted.

[deshabille]

Oi. That's not nearly as interesting.

[translation: thank you for supporting remus in this trying time]

[misterprongs]

I know, but I've got to make at least a partial effort.

[ AS IF THIS IS TRULY THE GREATEST BURDEN ]

I can't have one of my best mates showing me up with his talents.

[deshabille]

I can turn into about a million bats. They can give you rabies.

. . . Space rabies.

Not as good as a wolf, though, is it.

[misterprongs]

Yeah, but have you got a werewolf for a best friend?

[ DO YOU ]

[theshabbiestofmen]

Prat.

[But he's smiling-- nervous, yeah, hands shaking, face pale, but smiling nonetheless. Very gently he kicks James' knee.]

Can't I have one special thing to myself?

[Thank god for James bloody Potter.]

[misterprongs]

No.

[ but he allows the kick to his knee, and doesn't mention how remus looks like he's about to throw up all over his floor. instead, james carefully juggles his communicator from hand to hand. ]

If I went and did that, you'd be different.

[ and the entire purpose, really, is that remus is not so different from the rest of them ]

[theshabbiestofmen]

And I'm not, am I.

[He is. He'll always be. But perhaps not as much here. Perhaps it doesn't matter as much here. Remus scoots a little closer.]

Think it's going all right so far, yeah?

[misterprongs]

You're not.

[ as if talking about the weather, and james shrugs as he watches the messages pile in on his comm ]

Seems to be. Our world's always been a bit backwards compared to the rest, though.

[video]

[takeabow]

Lily also mentioned your giant ego. That has to be a special gift, right?

[video]

[misterprongs]

[ oooooof course she did ]

Entirely unique to me, I'm afraid.

[ SIGH ]

But I like to think that I'm talented enough to back up at least seventy percent of what I say.

[takeabow]

Time will tell.

[misterprongs]

It will, won't it?

[ brightly ]

But I admit Remus' form is a lot more intimidating than mine.

video »

[steeledskin]

[ softly: ] A stag?

video »

[misterprongs]

Yeah.

[ he doesn't seem to notice (or see) the problem with that, and he continues. ]

There are people in my world, called animagi -- people who can transform into an animal at will. My friends and I managed to pull it off when we were fifteen or so -- and I turn into a stag.

[ which he thinks is pretty cool honestly ]

video »

[steeledskin]

[ no problem in sight. instead: ] Stags are lovely.

video »

[misterprongs]

[ it's always a suspicious thing when sansa is suddenly super complimentary instead of shy ]

-- I mean, I thought so.

Video

[gifted_witch]

Must you?

Remus poured his soul out, confessing something private and potentially frightening to others and you have to make it a joke.

Really Potter, you're such a cad sometimes.

video; private

[theshabbiestofmen]

[Gently, though of course James can hear:]

He did it for me, Lily. Made himself into an animagus just so he could keep me company every month.

video; private

[gifted_witch]

[There is a pause, her expression melts from anger to wonder.]

You mean it's true? He can really do it? And he did it to help you?

[Well that was just... It was actually rather noble, brave even. Possibly unselfish but that was a bit much for her to come to terms with for James just yet.]

Remus, you must tell me truthfully. He did all that out of friendship?

video; private

[theshabbiestofmen]

Yes.

[Honestly, but without a second thought.]

They found out about my lycanthropy in third year-- round February. Worked all through the rest of that and fourth year to make themselves animagi-- and then they showed me, perfectly, in fifth year. They've come out with me ever since. It's-- it's calming, having them there. It means I tear myself up less. It doesn't come for free-- James and Sirius have certainly gotten their share of bites from me-- but they do it anyway, without hesitation.

[experiencepoints]

...

Why a stag?

[misterprongs]

Just what I wound up as, I guess.

[ it's the same as his patronus. perhaps a stag is just what his soul looks like. or something. ]

[experiencepoints]

You didn't get a say in the matter?

[misterprongs]

Well...

[ he considers ]

Being an animagus is different than a typical shapeshifter. You can only turn into one animal, and your body turns into whatever form is most natural. I've got a lot of connections with that particular form, so I figured it would be easiest to focus on it.