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Who: Remus Lupin
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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.

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They do. They stood on their hind legs and could speak, but they were very violent and easily prone to fly into a rage. I didn't envy what they had to endure. [Not that they hadn't entirely deserved what happened to them.] Their condition was the result of powerful magic. How did yours come about, if it wasn't a curse?

Bitten. My, ah-- my sire, he called himself-- found me when I was a child. He bit me, and it's-- it's saliva to blood contact.

[His friend demeanor fades; Remus glances away.]

It's not quite magic. I mean, I could infect anyone, regardless of mage status.

[Similar transfer method as the Blight, though that was blood to blood contact. Still, it's an uneasy parallel, but one at least she understands.]

I am sorry. That's an awful thing to have happen to anyone, but especially a child.

[She nods.]

And it takes a lot of courage to talk about that openly. How long do your transformations typically last?

Two hours after sunset, until around dawn. One night only, thank god, though I've heard some legends say it's all week. I can't imagine having to deal with that.

So one long night of... I'm assuming a pretty awful time. But you're right, much longer would be a lot worse, especially when you're stuck in a flying oversized helmet with other people. Is your crew handling the news well?

They were informed shortly after my first transformation. It isn't something I can hide, not in such close quarters. But-- and I'm finding this fleetwide as well-- they're taking it quite well. Far better than most at home would. It's . . . disarming, I suppose I should say. And deeply gratifying.

It's always so nice to hear people rising above expectations and being not their usual terrible selves. The diverse backgrounds that are represented here may help with that. Especially since you mentioned that there are other werewolves and whatnot here as well? Perhaps for some people it's just commonplace.

I think it might be. Their experience is far different from my own-- they've packs, which is surreal to me, honestly.

The werewolves where I'm from were in a pack, too. Though I don't know if that's for any reason beyond "well we're cursed with the same thing so we might as well stick together". Has anything you've learned from everyone else given you any help or insight into your own condition?

Not quite. But it's fascinating information nonetheless, to be honest. I've learnt about other worlds, other treatments-- there are people who willingly choose the bite, which . . . is not something that's common in my world. Quite the opposite, in fact.

Willingly? Are they mad? Unless werewolves where they're from are calm and in control of themselves at all time, subjecting yourself willingly to that is insane.

Well, you'd have to talk to them. From what I hear, madness doesn't always go hand in hand with the transformation.

[It would be too much to say he says that coolly. Possibly she won't even notice a shift in tone. But-- well, it's one thing for him to say such things. It's another thing entirely for a human to do so.]

[It's picked up on. She was taught from a very early age to detect such things. All part of the inner workings of court life and navigating nobility: the key is in the details.]

If that's the case, then I suppose I can see some benefit to willingly being bitten or however becoming a werewolf works in a specified world. If one can stay in a human form like you can, I suppose it wouldn't be as bad? I don't know. I just keep picturing the werewolves I remember back home and how miserable they were.

I think it varies. And it depends on your situation-- I know I'd be happier if my world was different, if I was treated differently by our government. Perhaps the same might hold true for yours.

[...Froooooooown, though not aimed necessarily at him.]

Treated differently by your government how?

Well, they don't care for dark creatures. I've never . . . I wasn't supposed to be allowed to go to school. I had to keep my condition a secret for all seven years.

Even though you were turned against your will? [She's assuming he was, anyway. That's the impression she's gotten from the conversation.]

It hardly matters. They didn't want a werewolf terrorizing the other children.

[It's just like with the mages and Circles. The Chantry denies them being children of the Maker and the common people fear their magic. So instead of helping the mages or seeking to understand their magic and take safeguards against possession, they lock them away. Deny them basic dignity and life as others know it.

And it pisses her off.]

Then they should have found a way to work with you, to keep you and the other children safe. People don't deserve to be condemned and ostracized for things beyond their control.

No, they don't.

[Any coolness held in his tone before is lost with that proclamation. Remus smiles a little, pleased to hear that.]

But nonetheless: here we are. And it's coming back to haunt them all now, as everyone wizards ostracized, surprisingly, aren't so eager to side with them when war comes calling.

Ah, now that sounds familiar.

[People are always so willing to "let bygones be bygones" when trouble arrives. At least until the trouble is over.]

People have a nasty habit of doing that. And then they're always so offended with the ostracized party, like they should be grateful they're even being acknowledged and are being asked for their help.

Precisely.

[Not that he'd said that to Dumbledore. The older man knew already what he was asking, and it would do no good to argue.]

My personal mission at home was to try and be a diplomat, to convince them to our side. It went about as well as you can expect.

[She grimaces in sympathy. That's a plight she understands all too well.]

A very difficult job. What matters is that you tried. It's hard for one person to fight against the damages dealt by prejudice and stigma.

Mm. Especially when they none of them have much cause for changing. I didn't blame them for ignoring me-- frankly, I was lucky to escape with simply jeers.

The role of the diplomat is never an enviable one. Perhaps in the future, if their situation can change, they will be amenable to your words.

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WHOOPS SORRY ABOUT THAT LAST ONE

np np!

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