The next moon is on the first of October. A little more than week away.
[ He clears his throat, a little uncomfortable. ]
I have an abandoned warehouse I've fortified, and it should be strong enough to hold. Admittedly it's been years since I've had to transform in a confined space, and it can get particularly violent. I... I don't have control. Sirius said things were different in your pack. Forgive my hesitation, but werewolves aren't exactly a friendly type where I'm from.
Yeah, I know. It'll still hit me a little, so I keep track so I can be prepared.
[ It doesn't really surprise him that Remus has done preparation work; it just surprises him that he'd been able to find a place that sounds like a really good fit for keeping people from stumbling into it. ]
It's different for us, but the foundation is the same. It took me half my life to learn control; it took my beta a few months at most. Some people don't try to train themselves and enjoy the bloodlust. Some people try really hard and just never get there and have to lock themselves down on the full moon.
One thing that sounds at least similar, though, is that when we're not in control, it gets very violent. It sounded, from what Sirius said, that your violence would really be more focused on someone that got in your way. For my kind, if we're not in control, we actively search out people to kill. So, I don't know if that helps you feel any better about my understanding about how important being especially careful about keeping it contained, but...just because I have control doesn't mean I'm lax on my grasp of the gravity.
It's interesting to me that your kind aren't friendly... Where I come from, werewolves are pack animals. Just like any other species, there's bad werewolves that just want to hurt people, but the majority are just people who want to live our lives, but good or bad, we're drawn to packs. It just...feels natural to invite other werewolves in if they're alone.
[ He pauses and considers and finally decides that he might as well share. It's not like there's much of a threat in sharing with this guy in more detail. Sharing it all with Diego way back when might've been a stupid, risky move and Derek had gotten lucky, but this is another werewolf. It's safer, isn't it? ]
Back home, being alone or Omega made us physically weaker and less able to protect ourselves from hunters. Being in a pack gives everyone in the pack more physical strength, even if our pack is unconventional and isn't strictly made of werewolves. It sounded to me like you had your own pack back home, it just happened to be a stag and a dog instead of a pair of fellow lycanthropes.
[ Remus listens and his climbing heartrate seems to stall, some of the nerves dulled because Derek sounds like he's a logical, sensible person. And the fact that their kind of werewolves also have downsides makes it more realistic, even if he wish the bloodlust wasn't universally true across worlds. He lets out a shaky breath. ]
It's no different than a wild animal on the prowl. If something's nearby or gets in the way, then yes, killing it is the operative at hand. But when I was younger, yes, I had a... pack, of sorts. The dog and the stag, that is. The stag provided the chase, the dog provided the protection, and it made the effects of the transformation less violent afterward. I would only spend a day or two ill instead of a week if the wolf had been locked up on its own.
But I had the unfortunate experience of joining a pack of werewolves just before I came here. To say our ideals were different would be an understatement. They enjoyed the destruction. That isn't the sort of pack I'd like to involve myself in.
[ He pauses, trying to think of what to say next, but Derek seems reliable. Sirius had trusted him, and the information Derek has shared also instills some faith in Remus. ]
Werewolves are considered lesser beings where I'm from. We're intended to register, because we're dangerous and untrustworthy. Or that's the stigma as it is. Finding homes, jobs, lives can be difficult and miserable. I understand why they would choose to have a pack like that, but perhaps I'm too fond of the human part of me, not the monster.
I don't wish to hurt anyone. [ Another pause, this one heavy and tense before he finally speaks up. ] And I can't do that alone, as much as I'd like to.
[ Derek is quiet, nodding and just listening as the other man explains his experiences. They differ, but they're similar in the ways that matter the most insofar as whether or not Derek will be able to help at all. ]
Sounds like we have at least our morals in common. And you draw strength from a pack during your transformations. Not the same kind of strength that I can draw from my pack, but still. Something.
[ He frowns a little at the lesser beings comment. ]
Yeah, I guess I could say the same thing about where I'm from. If I was feeling especially polite about it, anyway. They just think we're monsters. Well, the ones that believe we exist at all think we're monsters. Some of them actively hunt us, so that's fun. But Sirius mentioned about you having to register and how that impacts your ability to work and find housing options. That sucks, I'm sorry.
[ Nodding, Derek offers an understanding smile. One that says, yeah, I don't like asking for help when I need it, either, so I get it. ]
Well this is me officially offering to help. I'm sure if I asked, my older sister would help, too. We're a rare sort of werewolf back home. Not many can fully transform into a wolf rather than just a human-wolf sort of hybrid, not even born werewolves like us, but we can. So, with or without her, I can try to help and you can have human-form so I can talk to you, if that helps, or wolf-form, if you'd rather that.
Either way, whatever damage you might do will heal in a few hours. A couple days at the absolute worst, but I've only ever dealt with that when the wounds were inflicted by an Alpha from my world. It's probably not that bad from a different species of werewolf entirely.
No need to apologize. It isn't easy, of course, but I make do with what I can. I certainly can't change things, anyway, and I hope that by proving them wrong that one day it might change their minds.
[ He shrugs, shifting uncomfortably. It's so strange to talk so openly about all of this. Even with Sirius he's guarded, but he feels understood here in a way that only someone else who has experienced can. ]
It's incredible you can shift at will. Merlin, what I would give to be able to do that. [ He laughs, sheepish, rubbing the back of his neck at his own admission, no matter how true. ] Once it starts, there's little I can understand anyway. I will warn you that it isn't pleasant to watch. I'm not certain what form would be easiest on your or your sister, but if you think it would be safe to run, then that might be best.
But I don't want to endanger anyone. It's easier to run to prevent the injury later, but if it's safer for all involved I've started putting protections on the warehouse. It isn't much, and I've made sure it's abandoned— condemned, in fact. I don't know how long the city will leave it standing, but I haven't had much time. It's why I asked about the trails, you see. I apologize that I wasn't completely honest.
[ He takes a deep breath, nodding his head. ] If you could help, I would be grateful. I don't know how I can repay you, I've only just started my job but I'm happy to give you my wages, anything.
[ To his credit, Derek keeps his thoughts to himself on that subject. He's already resigned to the fact that there's no changing collective minds. One or two rogues now and again, sure; Chris and Allison are proof of that, but the hive mind? No. They'll never change. ]
You would know better than me if it's safe to run, but if you can't understand much in your wolf form, then it won't matter a whole lot that I can't talk when I'm in mine or she's in hers. How's your sense of smell? Because if it's as good as mine, then I don't know how useful it'll be for me to break away to shepherd away any unwitting approaching innocent night hikers. If we went out into the woods and ran, would it eventually tire you out or no?
[ Shakings his head, Derek waves off the other man's offer. ]
No, I don't want your money, man. This is just werewolves looking out for werewolves. I'm happy to help if I can. Seriously; no catch.
It would eventually. I think my sense of smell is good but if I'm honest with you I don't remember much from the time I transform to the time I wake up. I used to wake up in the woods when we ran back home, tired out from the run. It gets less violent if it's not locked up.
[ It feels wrong, talking about the werewolf like it is him. He feel so separate from the monster within him sometimes that talking about this makes him uneasy. ]
But as I said I have the warehouse, so if all goes awry I can always be taken back there. I just... it's hard transforming alone. But I appreciate that you're willing to help. I... it's all unfamiliar territory for me. But what's life without a few dangerous obstacles?
[ While it's not lost on Derek that Remus is separating himself from the wolf, he doesn't see any point in calling attention to it. It's not doing either of them any harm and if it makes Remus feel better about keeping himself and the wolf on separate planes, then who is Derek to challenge that? ]
Maybe we do this month in the warehouse so that we can get a feel for what it'll be like for both of us, given the unfamiliarity we have with each other. Then we assess and plan ahead for next month.
[ A small laugh escapes him and Derek's eyebrows cock just once. ]
Hell if I would know. Dangerous obstacles might as well be my middle name.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
backdated to 9/22, afternoon, voice;
Ah, I understand you know Sirius Black? He... recommended I speak to you. He told me he spoke to you about... well.
[ He feels like such an idiot, that he can't just come out and say it. ] My situation.
voice;
Hey, don't worry about it. Yeah. I mean, I didn't know it was you he was talking about, but yeah. He mentioned. What are you thinking?
no subject
[ He clears his throat, a little uncomfortable. ]
I have an abandoned warehouse I've fortified, and it should be strong enough to hold. Admittedly it's been years since I've had to transform in a confined space, and it can get particularly violent. I... I don't have control. Sirius said things were different in your pack. Forgive my hesitation, but werewolves aren't exactly a friendly type where I'm from.
no subject
[ It doesn't really surprise him that Remus has done preparation work; it just surprises him that he'd been able to find a place that sounds like a really good fit for keeping people from stumbling into it. ]
It's different for us, but the foundation is the same. It took me half my life to learn control; it took my beta a few months at most. Some people don't try to train themselves and enjoy the bloodlust. Some people try really hard and just never get there and have to lock themselves down on the full moon.
One thing that sounds at least similar, though, is that when we're not in control, it gets very violent. It sounded, from what Sirius said, that your violence would really be more focused on someone that got in your way. For my kind, if we're not in control, we actively search out people to kill. So, I don't know if that helps you feel any better about my understanding about how important being especially careful about keeping it contained, but...just because I have control doesn't mean I'm lax on my grasp of the gravity.
It's interesting to me that your kind aren't friendly... Where I come from, werewolves are pack animals. Just like any other species, there's bad werewolves that just want to hurt people, but the majority are just people who want to live our lives, but good or bad, we're drawn to packs. It just...feels natural to invite other werewolves in if they're alone.
[ He pauses and considers and finally decides that he might as well share. It's not like there's much of a threat in sharing with this guy in more detail. Sharing it all with Diego way back when might've been a stupid, risky move and Derek had gotten lucky, but this is another werewolf. It's safer, isn't it? ]
Back home, being alone or Omega made us physically weaker and less able to protect ourselves from hunters. Being in a pack gives everyone in the pack more physical strength, even if our pack is unconventional and isn't strictly made of werewolves. It sounded to me like you had your own pack back home, it just happened to be a stag and a dog instead of a pair of fellow lycanthropes.
no subject
It's no different than a wild animal on the prowl. If something's nearby or gets in the way, then yes, killing it is the operative at hand. But when I was younger, yes, I had a... pack, of sorts. The dog and the stag, that is. The stag provided the chase, the dog provided the protection, and it made the effects of the transformation less violent afterward. I would only spend a day or two ill instead of a week if the wolf had been locked up on its own.
But I had the unfortunate experience of joining a pack of werewolves just before I came here. To say our ideals were different would be an understatement. They enjoyed the destruction. That isn't the sort of pack I'd like to involve myself in.
[ He pauses, trying to think of what to say next, but Derek seems reliable. Sirius had trusted him, and the information Derek has shared also instills some faith in Remus. ]
Werewolves are considered lesser beings where I'm from. We're intended to register, because we're dangerous and untrustworthy. Or that's the stigma as it is. Finding homes, jobs, lives can be difficult and miserable. I understand why they would choose to have a pack like that, but perhaps I'm too fond of the human part of me, not the monster.
I don't wish to hurt anyone. [ Another pause, this one heavy and tense before he finally speaks up. ] And I can't do that alone, as much as I'd like to.
no subject
Sounds like we have at least our morals in common. And you draw strength from a pack during your transformations. Not the same kind of strength that I can draw from my pack, but still. Something.
[ He frowns a little at the lesser beings comment. ]
Yeah, I guess I could say the same thing about where I'm from. If I was feeling especially polite about it, anyway. They just think we're monsters. Well, the ones that believe we exist at all think we're monsters. Some of them actively hunt us, so that's fun. But Sirius mentioned about you having to register and how that impacts your ability to work and find housing options. That sucks, I'm sorry.
[ Nodding, Derek offers an understanding smile. One that says, yeah, I don't like asking for help when I need it, either, so I get it. ]
Well this is me officially offering to help. I'm sure if I asked, my older sister would help, too. We're a rare sort of werewolf back home. Not many can fully transform into a wolf rather than just a human-wolf sort of hybrid, not even born werewolves like us, but we can. So, with or without her, I can try to help and you can have human-form so I can talk to you, if that helps, or wolf-form, if you'd rather that.
Either way, whatever damage you might do will heal in a few hours. A couple days at the absolute worst, but I've only ever dealt with that when the wounds were inflicted by an Alpha from my world. It's probably not that bad from a different species of werewolf entirely.
no subject
[ He shrugs, shifting uncomfortably. It's so strange to talk so openly about all of this. Even with Sirius he's guarded, but he feels understood here in a way that only someone else who has experienced can. ]
It's incredible you can shift at will. Merlin, what I would give to be able to do that. [ He laughs, sheepish, rubbing the back of his neck at his own admission, no matter how true. ] Once it starts, there's little I can understand anyway. I will warn you that it isn't pleasant to watch. I'm not certain what form would be easiest on your or your sister, but if you think it would be safe to run, then that might be best.
But I don't want to endanger anyone. It's easier to run to prevent the injury later, but if it's safer for all involved I've started putting protections on the warehouse. It isn't much, and I've made sure it's abandoned— condemned, in fact. I don't know how long the city will leave it standing, but I haven't had much time. It's why I asked about the trails, you see. I apologize that I wasn't completely honest.
[ He takes a deep breath, nodding his head. ] If you could help, I would be grateful. I don't know how I can repay you, I've only just started my job but I'm happy to give you my wages, anything.
no subject
You would know better than me if it's safe to run, but if you can't understand much in your wolf form, then it won't matter a whole lot that I can't talk when I'm in mine or she's in hers. How's your sense of smell? Because if it's as good as mine, then I don't know how useful it'll be for me to break away to shepherd away any unwitting approaching innocent night hikers. If we went out into the woods and ran, would it eventually tire you out or no?
[ Shakings his head, Derek waves off the other man's offer. ]
No, I don't want your money, man. This is just werewolves looking out for werewolves. I'm happy to help if I can. Seriously; no catch.
no subject
[ It feels wrong, talking about the werewolf like it is him. He feel so separate from the monster within him sometimes that talking about this makes him uneasy. ]
But as I said I have the warehouse, so if all goes awry I can always be taken back there. I just... it's hard transforming alone. But I appreciate that you're willing to help. I... it's all unfamiliar territory for me. But what's life without a few dangerous obstacles?
no subject
Maybe we do this month in the warehouse so that we can get a feel for what it'll be like for both of us, given the unfamiliarity we have with each other. Then we assess and plan ahead for next month.
[ A small laugh escapes him and Derek's eyebrows cock just once. ]
Hell if I would know. Dangerous obstacles might as well be my middle name.
no subject
[ He takes a deep breath and sighs, giving a nod. ]
Thank you again for your help. I appreciate it more than you know.
no subject
[ Shaking his head he waves that off. ]
Oh, don't worry about it. I'm happy to help. We'll talk again soon?
no subject
[ He smiles, looking a little more at ease now than when they had started. ]
See you soon, then.
no subject