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[The camera clicks on to a low-lit room. It's difficult to see anything, but there's something moving in the darkness--

--a face. A wolf's face turned to the side, its jaws bloody and eye narrowed, teeth stretched into sharp, curved fangs. It stares at the camera for a few seconds, sizing it up, before turning. But the other half of the face isn't a wolf; rather, it's a mangled, gory mess. A young face appears on the screen, meshed horribly with the wolf on the other side-- and it's Remus' face, but one could only tell that if one knew him well, as his face is horribly torn up. Torn skin and exposed muscles make up the majority of his face, while blood pours from scratches on his forehead. His teeth are exposed through a hole in his cheek, but that's barely visible, as dripping yellow fat mixing with crimson blood are constantly slipping down his cheek. It's a horrible sight, made all the worse by Remus' sudden low laugh.

--because it's the mask, of course, and he proves that by removing it after a few seconds.]

Enjoy the show?

[There's a noticeable edge in his voice and smile, something colder and crueler than before.]

I think I quite like this new development. It's certainly far more interesting than simply another Jump, don't you agree? And far less deadly-- which reminds me, there's new people here, aren't there? I do hope that's not your first inkling that things on here aren't quite so lovely as they seem; that would be a rather poor welcome.

[He glances down, considering the mask for a few more seconds, before glancing at the camera again.]

You know, I'm always surprised at how kind everyone is here. Aren't you? How welcoming they are to the supernatural creatures. The vampires and the werewolves, the poor castaway souls that have found sanctuary here-- but you know, I don't know if that's so wise. It works out for me, of course, but don't you ever wonder what might happen if one of us snapped?

[He grins fiercely.]

Think about it. Once a month, all that separates me from a potential meal-- that is to say, you (and please don't say that you could defend yourself from me, because I can promise you, you couldn't, not from me when I'm on the hunt)-- is a simple door and a dog. Just a few inches of steel, and I'm sure soon enough the werewolf will figure out how to get out of that.

As for the vampires-- well. I don't think it would be very hard for a vampire to snap, would it? At least with me, you only have to worry once a month. A terrifying once a month, to be certain, and I could most definitely hurt you if I was so inclined now-- but in the end, I have control over myself twenty-eight days of the month. A vampire, now-- well. He could snap at any moment. His cravings are a constant hunger. Imagine, if you would, starving. Having hunger claw at your stomach, making you dizzy, making you delirious-- and then being presented a delicious meal and being told you weren't allowed to have any. Imagine having to deal with that at every hour, every minute, every second of every day--

Really, it's a wonder the poor things haven't snapped by now, isn't it?

[He slips his hand up, his finger playing carelessly at his dogtooth.]

Of course, being a creature of darkness also has its benefits. Strength, hearing, sight, smell-- they all get better. You become something better than a human, something bigger and cleverer and far more interesting. I have to say, I'm a bit surprised no one has asked for the bite yet.

But then perhaps you're all frightened.

[He shrugs and glances down at the mask again. After a moment he slips it back on and turns so the wolf side is facing the Network.]

I suppose you should be.

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I'm a bit too tired for that, I'm afraid.

[There's a beat, and then Sirius smiles, mirthlessly.]

Pity. I was looking forward to that. Oh, well, s'ppose that means I have to read to you.

[The sentence is odd enough that he sits up on his elbows, frowning a little.]

What on earth are you going to read to me?

[He shrugs, as carelessly as he can.]

Dunno. What are you reading?

Some story about court intrigue. It's-- here, it's here. Are you really going to read?

Yeah, why not? Give it--

[He sits up and crawls forward, holding his hand out expectantly for that book.]

Surprised that I can read, are we?

Surprised you want to read something I'm reading, actually.

[But he slips the datapad over.]

I never want to read. Honestly. It's as if you don't know me at all. Where'd you leave off, I don't want to read anything I don't have to--

Page thirty-six.

[It takes some doing, for Sirius how to work out how to turn this thing on, and then how to turn pages--but he does, eventually, and with a breath, begins to read aloud.]

[He closes his eyes as he listens to Sirius read-- and it's a little bizarre how soothing this is, just lying here and listening to Sirius read to him. When he pauses for breath, he glances over at him.]

Don't stop.

[He'd almost thought Remus asleep, for all the quiet, and so at that, he glances over at him with a quiet grin.]

Wasn't going to. But I do have to breathe sometime, y'know.

I never said don't breathe. Simply don't stop.

[He smiles at him, feeling far calmer than he had before.]

You're a good reader. Has anyone ever told you?

No, 'cos I never read aloud to people, 'cos I'm not you.

[He rolls his eyes--but he's teasing, clearly, even that's obvious.]

I only wish you'd picked a book with more voices I could do.

It wasn't intentional. I'll do better next time, I promise.

[He gives him a sanctimonious little nod, and reaches to rest a hand on top of Remus' head.]

You are forgiven. One with loads of swashed buckles next time, if you please.

I'll do my best.

[He chuckles and tilts his head, pushing vaguely into his hand.]

Pirates, then? Or just any sort of old timey hero?

[He scratches his fingers gently against his scalp, very matter-of-factly (not that this is odd for him; Sirius is forever begging for head scratchings even of his vaguest acquaintances).]

Any sort! So long as there's loads of action. And gory deaths.

[He grins and tilts his head, eagerly pushing it up against Sirius' fingers.]

Disgusting. But I'll accommodate you, simply because you're my friend.

[A beat-- and he adds, quietly:]

You'll always be my friend.

[His fingers don't falter, not in the slightest bit, but he answers rather too quickly:]

I know.

[And he realiess that was too quick, and so falls quiet a moment, chewing at his lower lip. There's doubt gnawing at his stomach, but he shoves that away. A moment latter, and he adds, quietly:]

I know. And you're-- y'know. You're one of my best mates, Remus. No matter what else.

Yeah.

[He lets that moment last for quite a few seconds before glancing away, breaking it.]

I am sorry, you know. I know it was the mask-- or you think it was the mask-- but I'm sorry either way.

It was the mask.

[He rubs at his face, tiredly.]

I was-- I was a bastard to you as well. It was the masks. [And he swallows, and adds:] Sorry too.

It's fine.

[He shifts, gripping his shoulder.]

I promise it's fine.

[He nods, wordlessly--and then rolls his eyes at himself, mildly disgusted at that need for reassurance.]

Yeah. Well. All right, then. So long as-- All right. [A beat, and he adds (with only a hint of put-on cheer):] You're distracting me from reading, y'know.

Pardon me, I'm sure. Carry on, then.

[He grips his shoulder once more before falling back on the bed, curling a little around himself.]

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