[holo | A cottage on the outskirts of Shelley]

[apackofone]

Remus paces restlessly around a small cottage room. There's little in the way of furniture visible, just an armchair and some curtains fluttering in the breeze, suggesting a garden outside beyond the open window.

The man shifts restlessly, clearly agitated and muttering to himself, throwing himself into the arm chair, getting up again to pace, tugging his hair with his hands. "It's getting too soon, too close, I can feel it, but even if I found a brewer, it's too late to start for this cycle. I should tell them, no, Remus, think, you can't tell them, they don't even seem to have magic here, explaining the details of being a Dark Creature isn't going to go over well. But I'm a danger. I know I'm a danger and I need them to stay away. I'm not near anyone, but someone might come looking for me, because they're all nice and thoughtful that way, buggeration, I can't think when it's so close!"

He throws himself into the armchair, glowering at the tablet. "And you, you horrible little thing. Why are you flashing at me? I don't know what you want, stop it."

He's clearly not quite himself. He also clearly has no idea that the tablet flashing means 'broadcast'.

Comments

[visual | so very locked for the sake of privacy]

[ownlittleprison]

The thing about Taxon, and in particular the tablet, is that it's a lot to take in. Sooner or later you become a bit resigned to the fact it does whatever it wants. Jaded, knowing it'll start showing you off when you least expect it.

It's different when it happens to other people.

Especially when they're talking about Dark Creatures.

"Uh. Hi? Hello? There's a function on this thing that'll turn this into a private conversation."

He points to the screen and the menu option. "Didn't mean to pry, but you're live. Everyone heard that - no one but you are hearing this."

[holo | Open]

[apackofone]

Remus starts at the sudden voice, sliding off the chair onto his knees and shuffling over to the tablet. "I'm sorry... did you say this is broadcasting to everyone?"

He's going very pale, very fast.

[visual | locked]

[ownlittleprison]

That's not a good look on anyone. Mick refrains from making an apologetic face, and instead focuses on the important bit right now. Voice calm and steady. "Yeah. Okay, so you see the tab called 'menu'? It might look a bit different on your screen, but it should be right about over here. You'll find a number of different options under there. Holo means holographic, visual means...that, audio is just sound and so on. There's also a lock feed type option. Do you see it? Tap it with your finger."

[thornandmoss]

Briar sighs and resolves to be more careful where he stores his tablet. Too many accidental transmissions are happening lately. He speaks quietly but steadily when he responds. "Obviously you didn't mean anyone to hear this, but I have magic with plants. I also make medicines, if that's what you mean by a brewer. What do you need?" Briar's magic may be different from magic Remus knows, but potions are the one place he has a chance of replicating its effects.

The words 'dark creature' would be much more worrying were Remus not already concerned for the safety of everyone else in the city. As it stands, Briar just files that phrase away under, 'Remus can't help it, and he's doing his best to keep everybody safe now,' the same way he categorizes Gwen. Briar knows better by now than to hold uncontrolled power against anyone, especially if the person who possesses it knows to take precautions.

[apackofone]

Remus flounders a bit and comes over to the tablet, picking it up and looking into it. "I used to have a potions' master who handled brewing it for me. It's called the Wolfsbane potion, I can remember the recipe and brewing instructions."

[thornandmoss]

Briar nods. "Give me the instructions and I'll try to make it for you. I promise not to poison you, at the very least, but I can't promise more until it's tested. My magic's likely different than what you're used to." Magic varied so wildly between worlds that Briar couldn't make any guarantees. He thought he stood a decent chance of brewing something correctly, though. Even more so if the formula were heavily plant based, but that might be too much to ask.

[audio]

[drowning_dog]

"I'd pick out a deadly disease. Something contagious. Plague works out well for keeping people away." Excuse him if he's amused.

Re: [audio]

[apackofone]

Remus stares at the other man for a long moment. "It isn't deadly, but it is contagious and excruciatingly painful. Oh, and incurable."

[drowning_dog]

"Sounds like enough to put off anyone averse to contagious, incurable pain." Jokes, jokes. "What've you got, lupus?"

[genequeen]

"Hi."

Madelyne pauses, entirely uncertain, exactly, how to go about the next phase of this conversation. "These tablets broadcast with ease. I think that's part of being a lab rat. And, ummmm, I'm happy to help as I can."

[apackofone]

"Madelyne!" Remus perks up. "... yes, so I'm starting to realise. I tried banishing the horrible thing, but it came back.

"You don't even know what I might ask of you, though."

[genequeen]

"That's good to know."

She smiles a little. For a number of reasons she's feeling a little fragile right now but that, she thinks seems a bit similar to where Remus is as well.

"Well, if you don't mind, what is it that you're afraid will happen?"

[Visual]

[tothelightshown]

"A dark creature?"

The witch - the darkest creature to have ever graced the Outer Zone - could barely contain her amusement. When she replied, however, she did so in a carefully concerned tone, her blue eyes wide and bright.

"You don't look dangerous. And you can't help what you are. Maybe we can help you?"

DG would have suggested that without any hidden agendas. The witch, on the other hand, was already trying to decide what she could do with him.

Re: [Visual]

[apackofone]

"I- well, no, I don't look dangerous now. The time hasn't come yet." And Remus works hard at looking non-threatening, at being the quiet, inoffensive one. "I don't know if anyone can help me. Generations of minds have tried in my world."

[Visual]

[tothelightshown]

"And what happens when the time comes?"

She was genuinely curious, already wondering how to turn the situation and his predicament to her advantage. If he was truly as dangerous as he seemed to think, then she would be an excellent patron.

"Don't forget that this isn't your world."

[Private / Visual]

[allthatlife]

"I'm sorry," said Martha, genuinely apologetic, "But you've just broadcast that to the everyone with a tablet."

She regarded him carefully for a moment before continuing.

"I don't think a dark creature would be so worried about other people."

They were supposed to be, by definition, dark. Not an anxious man in a cottage, trying to find a way to make sure the people he'd met since being imprisoned remained out of harm's way.

Re: [Private / Visual]

[apackofone]

"Yes... Mick told me. I feel rather silly about that, honestly." He looks embarrassed about the whole thing. "Dark and evil aren't the same thing. A Dark Creature I may be," and he lifts his chin almost defiantly. "But I can choose not to be a monster about it."

[Visual]

[a_pretty_fire]

"You don't look very dark."

Drusilla regarded him with a critical eye, apparently finding him more than a little wanting. He was too bland. A creature of true darkness was supposed to crack and fizzle and burn.

"What do you do?"

As if he was a new toy and she wanted him to show her how well he could dance.

Re: [Visual]

[apackofone]

"Thank you." It might not have been meant as a compliment, but he was going to take it as one.

"Continue the endless struggle of survival? Garden sometimes? I used to teach, I rather enjoyed that, Defence Against Dark Arts."

[visual]

[loveawkward]

Josef found himself more than a little amused by the tablets and people using them. It was like have closed caption television without the restrictions of people's privacy. And they were doing it to themselves.

Glancing up at this newest addition, someone he hadn't seen before, he nearly ignored the pacing and muttering if words had not caught Josef's attention. Words like dark creature and a danger. Then the tirade at the tablet. He couldn't help it. No, really, he couldn't. He laughed.

"Might want to learn a bit more about that horrible thing," he said with a nod in way of greeting. "And accept you've already let the cat out of the bag... though I think you might find things closer to magic than not, though I'm curious. By dark creature do you mean mythical but not, or satanist without a pointy beard?"

Re: [visual]

[apackofone]

"Yes, so I've gathered." He picks up the tablet, resting it against the arm of the chair to keep it propped up. "Mick's been helping me with how to turn it off, what blinking lights mean and how not to be a danger to the general populace during relevant times." He gives a slightly tremulous smile.

[location]

[thepersianyouth]

Hours after Remus sends Bagoas his message, Would you like to come over for tea tonight? This is where I am, I'm here all night, I'd love to see you, there's finally a knock on his door.

"Remus?" More knocks follow. "Are you there?"

Re: [location]

[apackofone]

Remus is pottering about, getting furniture arranged and the place a bit more habitable for himself.

"Coming, coming!" He hurries to the door, wearing just pants and a shirt with the collar open and the sleeves rolled up. He's rolling them down as he gets the door, but there's still flashes of a mess of old scars over him. "Bagoas! I'm so glad you could make it, come in, com in, I'll get the kettle going."

[text]

[skysung]

A dark creature does not care who he hurts. You do. What are you?

My name is Skysong. Is there anything I can do to help?

[text]

[apackofone]

The reply is a long time coming, because Remus types at the speed of a racing snail.

Werewolf. If i get out on the full moon, i do horrible things like eat people. Not that i have ever done that. How do i make the letters into capitals on this thing and end with a question mark.