Video/Action

[bigvessel]

Who: FDR and OPEN
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: A bar somewhere
When: Now

[He’s dressed in a sleek suit, folded collar, black tie, slicked back hair, the whole fancy ensemble. It’s new and it makes him feel somewhat normal again. Hence, the very late, but first public introduction.

He’s sitting on the edge of his bed with his hands clasped together between his knees.]

Hey there, other...captives. TV stars. Whatever we’re being called. And I guess. Anyone else watching. My name is FDR. Yeah, it’s letters. And yeah, like the president. No, I’m not a president, but you know, I don’t mind pretending if anyone wants to be my Marilyn. [And he grins cheekily.] But, really, being named after the guy who came up with that whole “The only thing to fear is fear itself” crap isn’t bad. I mean, a lot of people buy that. It’s not true, by the way. There’s a shitload of stuff to be scared of. Like WMDs. ...My boss. ...Being on an alien’s version of The Real World.

[And he shakes his head, still a little disgusted at the prospect of reality TV. Those were dark days.]

So, back home I was the cruise ship captain of a [smirk] very large vessel. And you know, being in the business of pleasure cruises, I have to say, this one seriously lacks. I mean, people can’t be watching us just to see us busting our asses earning some money, so where’s all the drama, violence, and sex happening? That’s how MTV got their ratings. Or murder...has that happened at all? I mean, not on MTV-I don’t think- on the ships...obviously.[So smooth.]

And I’ve seen some people talking about people they know up and disappearing, anyone know for sure what happens to them? Not enough popularity? Do they get demoted to the alien version of Fear Factor? Star in their own snuff films?

[And he looks like he’s done with his questions for now, he even leans forward to shut off the video, but then pauses, a small smirk gracing his features.]

Oh. And just out of pure curiosity, has anyone tried racing the shuttles?


Action: A bar. Any bar.

[Bars aren’t his favorite scene, there’s just not enough energy. It’s a bunch of depressed and tired people sitting at tables and on barstools nursing their emotions and their booze. He usually prefers clubs, there’s an energy to be found in the loud music and lights and swaying bodies. But this feels more appropriate after working all day at a job he really doesn’t like. He’s not interested in the game so much as he’s interested in the end result right now. And that’s to get drunk.

He’s sitting at the bar, a couple of empty shot glasses in front of him, and the latest in his fingers. The only thing that’s giving him a reason to pause is the woman that moves over next to him to order a drink.]

You. [And he points the pinky finger of his shot-holding hand at her, smiles when the single word catches her attention.] Are shining like a bright light.

[She rolls her eyes and moves away from him and he chuckles lightly at his failure.] Well, guess it’s more of a club line than a bar line.

[And he slams back his shot before setting the glass back on the bar with a clank.] Top it off.

Comments

[bigvessel]

Hey, hey. I said people. Not me. No it's-it's usually the after sex stuff where injuries happen. There's a whole show called 'Sex sent me to the ER', dude.

[theshabbiestofmen]

Oh? I don't-- well, we do have television in my world, but I don't watch very often, it's not prevalent in my culture. I . . . can't imagine that could be anything but a breach of confidentiality. Or do people volunteer to tell those kinds of stories!

[bigvessel]

You'd be surprised the kind of things people would do in order to spend five minutes in the lime-light. [And then his lips twitch because, there's got to be some irony in saying that when they're on some reality show.]

[theshabbiestofmen]

[The irony isn't lost on him. Remus huffs a laugh.]

And you? Are you that kind of person?

[bigvessel]

Me? Nah. Not really my thing. [Kind of ruins the whole 'undercover' thing if his face is plastered all over the public scene.]

What about you? It probably won't kill you, since I know that's a defining factor for you.

[theshabbiestofmen]

God, no. I hardly like being the center of attention. I honestly try not to think about where we are most of the time; it's far easier that way.

[bigvessel]

What's wrong with attention? The shy type?

[theshabbiestofmen]

I just don't think everyone ought to know what I'm up to.

[bigvessel]

That is a far more interesting answer. Who are you anyway?

[theshabbiestofmen]

Ah-- Remus Lupin. Sorry. I'm usually better at this.

[bigvessel]

No problem. So, what do you Remus?

[theshabbiestofmen]

Well, I'm a wizard. And a werewolf.

[a beat.]

Do you . . . have those in your world?

[bigvessel]

...Not often in the same movie.

[Just. Give him a second here.]

So. Like. Grow fur and fangs under a full moon kind of werewolf?

[theshabbiestofmen]

All of the above, yes. Silver does nothing to me, though, I don't know where that came from.

[bigvessel]

...Right.

[Not saying he doesn't believe you but.]

So...you're a cautious werewolf who doesn't like risk? [Way to ruin every movie stereotype ever.]

[theshabbiestofmen]

I'm mostly a person, really, with my own personality, who happens to be a werewolf.

[bigvessel]

Okay, fair enough. Sorry, first time meeting one. I don't know the PC of it all. So, what are you like when you turn?

[theshabbiestofmen]

It's all right, I'm hardly offended.

[His feathers a little ruffled, perhaps, but nothing he can't ignore. Though that question . . . Remus wrinkles his nose.]

A wolf. I mean, literally, I turn into a wolf. My personality, though, is . . . angry. Very angry.

[A nice way to put it.]

[bigvessel]

Oh, so not the half-man half-wolf Teen Wolf hybrid then. Can you talk? Or are you just a rabid dog? Can it happen in space?

[Yeah, okay, he might be a little excited about a real life werewolf.]

[theshabbiestofmen]

[He stiffens at first, thinking the questions mocking-- but when it isn't followed by a sneer or a smirk, Remus cautiously allows it.]

I can't talk, no. I'm more logical and thorough in some ways than a dog or a wolf-- my intelligence is higher-- but in other ways, I'm far stupider. Real wolves can think; I'm constantly furious, which impedes any logic. It can happen in space, yes; I've transformed every four weeks here.

[bigvessel]

[Well, the uncontrolled anger kind of fits a lot of the lore he's familiar with. So.

But he chuckles at the four weeks thing.] So it's like a period. [Sorry. He just. Can't not make that connection.]

What do you do? I mean, you're on a ship in space, can't be the best place to transform and attack people.

1/2

[theshabbiestofmen]

[NOT EVEN GONNA COMMENT ON THAT FIRST THING. He's had more than enough of those jokes from his friends, thank you.]

[theshabbiestofmen]

I lock myself in a room, frankly. I can set spells for a night that stun me, if the wolf gets it in his head to try and break the door down-- and there are a few people here who can stay around me. People who can change shape, turn into animals-- or other werewolves, ones that don't lose their mind. They know to incapacitate me in some way if I get too close to other people.

[bigvessel]

Oh, good. So you have some keepers. That's... [And he chuckles and shakes his head.

This is all nuts.] So. Are you a beast or a man in the sack?

[Sorry. It popped in his head. He has to say it, because sometimes FDR has the mentality of a fifteen year old.]

[theshabbiestofmen]

Are you propositioning me?