They’re pretty much a native, having grown up in Lunar Cove, Mason only left to try out other things... which didn’t quite work out as well as hoped.
Magical in more than one way, Mason loves to perform card/sleight of hand tricks to anyone willing to spare a few minutes. Having been taught by their grandfather, Mason will guess your card correctly every time!
Familiar is an Australian Shepherd called Captain Crunch. Mason requests all to please use the full title because he is a distinguished familiar, thank you!
Depends on who you ask, Mason is kinda semi-famous. Despite Fever Dream not working out, the band still released a full album and went on tours, so they had a solid following. While they’re not ‘stop and get asked for a selfie’ famous anymore, their online presence and follower count on social media is really good.
Being extremely accident prone, Mason got pretty good at Healing if only to minimise the amount of times they got scolded by their mum for getting hurt. It’s also a trait inherited from their mother. Aura Reading was inherited from their grandmother but not the phrase ‘you got some sad as vibes dude’ which they seem to be using at alarming levels since Valentines Day. Familiar Manifestation is unique to them, and lastly, Earth manipulation was what they got when they joined the coven and don’t have good control over it still.
Primary mode of transportation is a Vespa. Second is a Bike. Third is a Longboard.
Mason adores making friends, seriously if you have spoken for with them more than once they’d probably refer to you as a friend.
Mason Mahir's final moments
( triggers: drinking, death, car crash... probably more? )
A scream rang out into the night.
Mason's giddy laughter turning loud and rowdy as the simple birthday dinner turned into a party he won't likely forget. Head thumped to the beat of the music and vision blurred from time to time but he blamed that on the alcohol. There also was a sharp pain in their side that pulled at his focus every now and then but he chalked that to them bumping into something and being unaware. It really wouldn't be the first time.
He met Jamie on arrival, standing on a chair just to hug their giant friend, of course that act didn't go by with the classic comment of 'how's the weather' chuckling even if it was just to themself and promised for some shenanigans later. He found the birthday twins soon afterwards as well, present in hand that he honestly forgot he bought, but it was wrapped up neat and Mason didn't want to rip into it to figure out the contents. Birthdays and pool parties were a great mix, and Mason, in true fashion didn't bring a change of clothes but such a thing never stopped fun, could hardly pump the breaks on the canon balls he made either.
Bopping along to the tunes and chatting away nonsense with people, Mason was having a grand time. Even if periods of time slipped from memory, he was here making new memories to fill in the gaps the best he could. And with so many things happening tonight he was sure such a thing was achievable. Where fun could be had, Mason was there. But tiredness crept in fast and as he starfished onto a towel, gaze to skies watching it grow dark, energy drooped with fluttering lids but a goofy grin still held onto their features and for a while he felt bliss till their body jerked them awake before sleep could fully pull them under. A yawn tearing through, he spotted Rangi and rested their still damp head onto her shoulder, "Take me home? I'm tired."
The night air held a comforting chill as he left, a gentle soothing breeze as he hopped onto their skateboard. Despite asking Rangi, sluggishness spread quick and rather crash at Jamie's, Mason wanted their own bed to sleep this away.
He wasn't to know that would never happen, couldn't know the peace signs he threw up to the partying crowd would be their last.
Send me away with the words of a love song
Screams filled the night.
But not of laughter nor from fun.
A death was heralded by the banshees.
Mason just didn't expect to be their own. He had been told that life came at you fast, did those people know know a car would come at you faster?
The pain in his side spread to everywhere now, muscles aching and skin scraping as he hit the road hard. A harsh screeching of tires and squeal of brakes rang loud in their ears as he blinked sharply up to the sky. A million things floated in their head, from questions to jokes, yet he could not speak on any of them, each time lips parted the only noise to spill were groans of pain. He heard people and shuffling footsteps approach, screams and gasps too off in the distance, and he wanted to see what the fuss was. Did someone out do their canon ball? Would he have to challenge them to a dive off? But each time he tried to sit up or even move, a wince had them fall back. "R-Rangi?" he managed to call out, and maybe she heard him, maybe she was the one to run their way but hands found her and he gripped onto her. "Did I fall? I wasn't trying no skate tricks I swear." He wasn't! Mason just wanted to go home.
Ralph came into vision not too long after, a smile kicking back up into place, "Ayyy..." But he turned their head away at something being offered, "I don't want the sauce man..." It smelt funny too, made his nose crinkle but in the action and having people surround them, a new head adding to the crowd as time ticked by, context came into clarity. A dragged out "Ohhhhh," when he heard 911 being spoken. "Oh...."
Time did not slow, nor did it speed up, life did not flash in front of their eyes, it was right before them. "We'll be gucci gang, don't sweat it. This is just a lil ad break." He did not want to think about dying, always said he was too pretty to die so young, the thought of it didn't grip them with fear, he was in good hands, why worry? The happy-go-lucky, carefree attitude of theirs didn't have space for worrying about what would happen, no, despite it all, Mason only felt the present time. Also felt the pain spread but catching Rangi's tearful eyes he didn't mention it, just gripped her hand a little tighter as he reassured her. "Can you call my mum and ask her to pick me up?"
Lord make me a rainbow, I'll shine down on my mother
She'll know I'm safe with you when she stands under my colours
As the sonic screams rang out, a scream of such servitude was caught in Neelam Mahir's throat. She sat bolt upright in bed, hand clutching her chest, wide-eyed panic filling her lungs and this strange feeling of wrongness. This pain, this fear felt a lot like a wave of grief about to hit, she didn't have to strain her ears to catch the wails of an imminent death in the air, she felt that in every fibre of her being. A connection to her own fading with each passing minute, yet she could not move, could not weep even, living on that false hope that maybe maybe her child just fell down, just injured themself a little more than normal...
But the call came, and the love she had left to give, the loss that made a hole in her chest spilled out from her eyes, her grief kicked up a heartbeat as Mason's stilled.
The wails of banshees dissipated and a mothers filled its place.
Which was worse: the shock of what happened or the ache of things never to come?
Well, I've had just enough time
Hand dropped from Song's and he was shuffled into the ambulance, vision going fuzzy as all he saw were the auras of people, faces blurred but a kaleidoscope of colours danced in front drawing a pleasant a smile to the face. That's how he saw them all; bright shiny people. It was also the last sight the party-goers saw of them as doors shut. He didn't understand the sad faces, didn't know why Rangi was crying, he was just going away for a bit. Likely would heal himself after the docs had a go at them too, be right as rain in not time. But here was Rangi telling him not to go?
"I'm not going anywhere," he reassured her. Perhaps he began to feel the inevitable too, perhaps this was the end, but death was an adventure too. The life he had lived was on with laughter and love, and he wanted that to be reflected in this moment too if that were to be their last. "I'm just tired, babe, that's all." But the impact made speaking a little rough, words coarse and shallow, whatever was happening on inside their body Mason tried to make sense of with their Healing, but be it lack of energy, lack of focus, he couldn't figure it out and hands fell away limply. He nuzzled into her hand, struggling to keep eyes away as the vehicle zipped its way to the hospital, "Just... a lil tired."
Breathing came slowly, thoughts and speech slowing with it, "A lil nap...okay? Wake me up...later...g'night... love you."
12:23 am. Call it.
Go with peace and love
Gather up your tears, keep 'em in your pocket
Save 'em for a time when you're really gonna need 'em
Rangi couldn't help but let out a watery laugh. Of course Mason wouldn't let something like that slip, especially in their home. Especially with their mother in the other room. "Oh, fu-- I mean, fudge. Matua, sorry." She looked over at Mason, then, raising a brow before she remembered, gaze falling to the cut badly dressed on her leg. She didn't keep a lot of first aid supplies in her own house, so she'd wrapped it at work with some of the dressing gauze they kept. It made a really bad band-aid, but she'd forgotten about it until this moment.
"It's, um--" and it wasn't that she wanted to lie to them, but the truth seemed so much more intense than she was willing to get into right now. "A cut. From an iron knife." Which was probably why it hadn't healed itself already. Stupid iron.
"Ohhh caught yourself there," Mason laughed with a shake of their head, "Damn, I could've been richer." He did not recognise that word but it felt nice to hear her say it, could've guessed the language, asked her about it if she hadn't carried on to explain. And it was stupid for them to feel angry, it really wasn't anger, more of a concern mixed with low irritation which was not directed at her but the situation itself. Brows drew together as Mason looked at her with a deep frown, "And pray tell, dearest wife, how you crossed paths with an iron knife?" She couldn't lie and he hoped she wouldn't skirt on the truth either though, he could piece together how anyway. They all left to find that sheriff lady, Mason had given up their magic to be siphoned, he wasn't getting into the midst of that, he couldn't, not capable enough for it. But others were. Rangi certainly was. She tried to save them no less, but in turn got hurt.
"Iron," he repeated as shoulders slumped, expression now turning into a sad pout, "Rangi...you shouldn't have gone." Magic returned to them after a while of giving it away, he had it now. "I'm going to try and heal you," he stated before closing eyes to focus. This was one ability that he was good at, that and summoning Cap, but healing, he had honed in on and perfected over the years under their mother's guidance. Hands moved to hover over the wound, magic pulsing under their fingertips, "This might sting or tickle, or both? I dunno, but I hope it helps. Can I?" he asked before he touched her leg.
It was hard to stop himself from squeezing the hand he held in his own at the mention of all that had happened. An unshakable fear gripped Jamie by the throat, no words of reassurance spoken as he quietly reflected on the weight his tired shoulders bore. It felt like Mason was reading his mind when they mentioned wanting things to be different but not being able to do anything about them. Almost everything felt that way to Jamie. The entire town, his life fifty shades of wrong. Devoid of color in a way that made him feel sick, yet he was powerless. A teleport, but not a time witch. If such a thing even existed, he'd like to know. There were a lot of things he'd do differently, though he feared that everything that had happened was somehow inevitable. Fate would've found a way. "Yeah.. I do." He admitted quietly but held all the details of his agreement in. "I don't think you talk too much, no." At least, Jamie always thought Mason had something worth saying. "Gladys asked about me?" A blast from the past that actually made him smile. "She's still working at the school?! Damn. Thought she would've retired by now."
They stayed on the water tower for a while longer, watching the lights, talking about things with bouts of silence in between that Mason did not feel the need to fill. It was a much needed catch-up of sorts too, as they talked about the good old days, Mason filling them in on who was where now and was doing what. It felt nice to have their friend back. And once the aurora ended its dazzling display, there was a slight reluctance to leave on Mason's part but they eventually climbed down the tower and diverged paths with promises of more regular catch up and jam sessions.
Ernie leaned back in his chair, a casual grin spreading across his face as he took in the energy of the room. He’d done some interviews so far, but most, he realized, were done during his stream — Or theirs. In-person interviews were pretty new. The few "interviews" he did in person were candid, and Pop Crave or TMZ tracking him down at Dave and Buster’s or A Bathhouse to ask about The Reborn Baby Debacle was hardly an interview. But how hard could it be?
What’s Up CumDumps and JackOffs! It’s ya boy Ernie, also known as Dumpster Baby." he said, his voice relaxed but with a hint of excitement. An awkward silence fell across the room, Ernie probably should have briefed everyone on his fandom name(s). "Uh- For those of yall who don't know me, I'm Ernie Jackson. You might've seen me on Twitch where I stream all sorts of shit—gaming, live challenges, and everyone’s favorite: Conspiracy Theories.” He chuckled, stroking the stubble on his chin, recalling how crazy those lives can get, especially when he takes live callers. "Yeah, I've had a crazy past. Got my start doing travel videos, some prank videos, and those infamous 24-hour streams. I mainly just chill now. Especially since moving here."
Ernie glanced at Mason. Well, it was more of a side-eye, really. "I'm guessing you did some digging? I'm lowkey scared, but I'm happy to be here," he said, a bit apprehensively. Ernie was never really scared of things, much to his detriment, but he knew that if Ralph thought you were cool, then you're most likely trouble. Ernie wasn't worried about what was to come, but he knew he was in for it.
It was a miraculous thing that Mason was not drinking anything when Ernie began to speak, off all the things that could be said, that he had expected the other to say, that was not any of it. Mason, choking on quiet possible the air itself, cast a glance around the studio to unsurprising open jaws, but it was the eye contact with the co-host that made jump to action with a hand clamping across their own mouth to prevent laughter being too loud. "Oh my fuckin god dude, alright, okay, okay. You're coming back for more shit." With a nod as the awkwardness diffused to a light burst of giggles, the energy returned to how it normally was; chill and fun.
"Dunno if I would call LC chill, but hey, sometimes the vibes are and can't knock on that." Mason settled back into the chair, spinning as he spoke, "Right, yeah dude, that's the infamous one," he laughed, knowing there was another one but he wouldn't spill yet, "Sure did, buddy, sureeee did. But ain't no worries okay, I'm not a scary guy at all! Honest!" Of course he choice this moment to play a toilet flushing noise that echoed across the airwaves and the headsets, a grin wide and cheeky took over as Mason continued, "You could say that yeah, but I kinda have to do that when we have guests, otherwise it'd be so boring. You seem fun, though. And you know Ralph, so this will be totes fun. Now! I gotta ask, what's your favourite conspiracy theory? And like, please don't say the moon landing."
“Oh.” Wondering what he had said, but she didn’t have to push further considering they had told her a second later. Giving a laugh at his words and she nodded yes. “Coffee is always a good idea. Just think of the energy you’ll have to get stuff done if you have even a small cup.” Nudging them softly with her arm in the side. “Wait— this wasn’t an isolated incident? This is a thing that keeps happening?” She asked curiously. Feeling a headache setting in at the thought of having to go through another traumatic event like that, she hadn’t even been on the inside. “Sure? I mean I haven’t seen a magic trick since I was a kid so let’s go with that one.” She told them with a shrug, moving forward in line. “So nothing too crazy right? Like you’re not going to put me in a box and try to saw it in half?”
"That's so true! I dunno why my mum's so against it! It's a helpful thing!" He did not need further convincing, that reassurance alone was enough to make their mind up. "Sadly, nah it wasn't," he said, smile wavering, "It's safe...until it's not, and lately it so has not been safe! We got a person nearly dying every other month it seems. But! I don't wanna scare you away though, you seem new?" He didn't want to assume, but Mason took pride in knowing people, he wanted to be friends with everyone and that meant knowing names and faces, hers struck like a new one, "There's fun stuff amongst it? Um... I'm doing a terrible job aren't I? I ain't made to be a salesperson...I played one though, but I left that job to be a star! I'm a simply radio host now." That was a ramble and he knew it. "Sorry...that was a tangent, didn't even introduce myself, damn." He stuck a hand out, "I'm Mason. Absolutely amazing choice picking magic! I know so many tricks! Some crazy and I can definitely work a saw, but no, not this time. Do you wanna grab some coffee first and head out? My buddy is at the Pier sometimes and we have a duo act that might just knock your socks off!"
Noel had been taking a sip of her drink when Mason oh-so-confidently yelled out Dilan, they started laughing before grinning at the other. Could they milk this? There was no way Mason didn't recognize them, right? But then they mentioned being a fae, and Noel swore to never let them live this down. Oh, this was karma for April Fool's. A hundred percent. "Oh, well I'm sure we can get you a crown more fitting for this outfit." She motioned to his look. "Gold with leaves wrapped around it, mayhaps? I'm sure you can make that happen with this one, though. How much do you want it? Want to wager for it?" Noel had no idea if they could tear up their fake outfit, but they were okay with taking their chances. "For you, I recommend the blue sparkly one. It'll be a good time." They had no clue what the drinks and the colors meant, but fuck it. They were here for a good time, no? "Me, I'm having this little pink one. And so far, I'm feeling normal."
None the wiser, Mason mirrored the grin back, "Oohhh, that sounds pretty! Yeah, i like that! But none of that gold leaf thing you see folks use on TV and stuff though, I want like a real leaf crown made out of gold. Is that too much? I don't think that's too much." He thought about it, but then brows drew together, "Wait, I gotta do it myself? I thought the Fae were giving free outfits! Can't you like make me a new crown? I'll settle for a simple one too, I guess." But as a wager was mentioned, Mason's smile returned, "You know it! We're in a casino afterall, can't go home without betting on something! Or should we bid like dares and stuff? Because I'm down for that. We should find Noel, they'd be so down for that!" He looked around brifely but with so many pretty outfits and shiny things, their attention began to bounce beyond control. "Blue sparkles, got it!" Mason said with a rough shake of their head, "Will I turn blue?"
The world was spinning, a dizzying chaotic waltz before his hazy blue eyes. Julian looked at the floor, saw the way it buckled and shook beneath his feet. Was this an earthquake? No, it couldn’t be. Do we even get those in Rhode Island, do they? He wasn’t sure. In that moment, he wasn’t sure of anything other than the panic that rose in his chest and gripped his undead heart. The uptick of his heartbeat felt strange, foreign. Yes his heart still beat, but it hadn’t beat the same in nearly a year. It hadn’t been so hurried, so frightened, it felt like a sickeningly painful weight in his chest. Everything felt wrong and scary and unsettling, and that’s when Julian felt the familiar sensation of his throat closing in, the air being cut out. His breathing grew shallower, gasps echoing behind the silver mask he wore. He was beginning to hyperventilate, trying unsuccessfully to take a step on his own.
But he wasn’t alone, Mason was there. Mason, who he could see through the mirage of the fae illusion. Mason, who saw this tall silver masked devil in a black suit of mourning and knew exactly who was beneath it. “Th-thanks,” he breathed, his voice and breaths sounding metallic and cold under the full face mask, as he held onto his friend, at current his one life line, and followed him away. As he took staggering step after staggering step, hunched over and trying and failing to regain control over his breathing, Julian looked up at the sea of people to see her — a vision in ruby red. His Sleeping Beauty, amongst the crowd. She’d see him, he knew it. She’d look over and she would see Julian struggling and she’d come right over. Of course she would, of course… but as they drew further away Julian realized the unfortunate truth. She didn’t see him. She didn’t recognize him at the edge of the dance floor. It’s better this way, he thought to himself. You don’t want her to see you like this. He never wanted anyone to see him like this. So he ducked his head as she vanished from his sight and let Mason lead him away.
Julian slumped on the couch, head tilted back as he took hollow after hollow breath beneath the silver mask. “Th-this is good, this is good,” he said between deep breaths. What had he been told to do when panicking? Deep breath in, hold for 8 seconds, exhale, hold for 8 seconds. He tried the pattern, hazy eyes staring out of the eye holes in his mask at the opulent ceiling of this random corner of the Emerald Hotel… breath stuttering in his attempts to calm down. His head lulled to the side to look at Mason, vision blurring because, of course, he was crying. He was nothing but a scared little boy masquerading as a man, that’s all he’d been his whole damn life. Julian lazily patted the spot on the couch beside him, trying to beckon his friend near. “Can you sit with me, man?” His voice quivered, “And like just talk about something chill? Tell me about your latest radio show, or something,”
"Okay, we can sit here till whenever you feel better." Mason finally clicked onto what this was, the hollow breaths, staggering steps, all signs pointed to a panic attack and Mason's concern increased as they sat. He regarded the other man, tall frame hunched over, aura growing losing its vibrancy but still pulsing, maybe at a quicker rate but that could just be their own eyes playing tricks, Mason's thoughts were far too occupied and focused on the person instead. "Good okay, I'm glad," he said, "We can stay here as long as you like." And he meant that. Party be damned, their friend was far more important than a glittery ball. "Of course!" he replied without skipping a beat as he took a seat, "There ain't no way I'm leaving you Jules, you don't need to ask." He did not know if he was he best person to keep Julian company, a chatterbox that bounced between thoughts without a care, but he was glad to be here so Julian wouldn't have to deal with this alone.
Worry grew naturally at Julian's voice, words caught between breaths, Mason couldn't see it but he could feel tears in the others voice. About to say something, he paused, catching onto the way Julian's focus shifted, onto more controlled breaths and he mentally counted the seconds along with him, "Wanna take off your mask for a little bit? I think that might help more. I'm right here. I see you, dude, no need for illusions any more. Fae can deal." At the mention of talking, Mason smiled, a light chuckle bubbling out at the question, "You sure you want that? I love talking, you know this. I bet I can talk someone's ear off, that saying gonna be so true for me." Or something, made them think, but he soon shook their head, "We got no other chill segments lined up, last was you with Candy Wars! And dude, did I tell you the feedback we got? It was amazing, got me thinking you need to be back on for part two. Brush up on candy names okay? We can start now too, one each till we can't no more. Alright, let see, start easy, eh? M'n'Ms and that totally counts okay!"
"Well, I try to be," Remmy said in response. They really tried to be, or were trying. Maybe before they hadn't really been, but Remmy had never really thought on what was right or wrong. They just did what they were told, even after they were discharged from the military. They just did what Ray told them to and it worked out until it didn't. "Wait, plants can talk? What do you think they talk about? Like...how nice the sun is that day? Can't imagine they got too much to say." They scratched their chin in thought. "Maybe there are blue raspberry bushes, but they're, like, special and hidden or somethin'." They paused when Mason did, patiently waiting, until the words finally sparked recognition in Remmy's mind. "Wait, wife!?"
"Yeah dude! And I wish it was just that!" He took a look around, eyes narrowing to the trees that swayed in the wind so nonchalantly above them, so very suspiciously. "They got this...uh compound things? I dunno, my grandma tried to explain the science way but I just wanted to know the goss so wasn't really paying much attention, wanted to know the magic way y'know? But..." He leaned as if he was speaking on top secret things, "They talk a lot! Like if they want more water, need better dirt, if the neighbours are better than them, if and why the grass is greener on the other side...it goes on." He dropped to a whisper at the next statement, "Now, this really upsets them but speaking on grass, ever wondered why lawnmowers are so loud? It's 'cuz they wanna drown out the grass screaming!" Mason shook their head at the sad thought.
And he was about to talk on the bushes that they simply needed to find now but the question cut them mid-thought, "Yeah wife! We got married around Christmas! Well... not real wife. Wait, no, she's very much real, it's a platonic thing. And.." He paused as their phone pinged, and that was distraction enough for their thoughts to jump again, "Oh lookie! she sent a thumbs up emoji! Blaspberry is a go! Hey, wanna get a slushie? I wanna taste something blue."
"It's fine. You're good. I got it." Extending a hand at the scattered rubbish, Rohan offered this response perhaps more curtly than he had intended, unwilling right now to accept the help or perhaps to face Mason. A weak sigh of defeat escaped his lips. "Thank you," he muttered all the same, retreating a bit. "I just have to go get another trash bag. I don't want you to...have to tote around my garbage." Sniffing, then, he gave a distant shake of his head.
"You have nothing to be sorry about," he replied, his own gaze drifting away for a moment before shooting back to the other. "No. I'm not. The people out there aren't going to spare me for being...whatever it is I am now. Less than a witch is still witch enough, I imagine." Rohan shrugged his shoulders. "I'm getting rid of things I can no longer keep. Haunted objects are...challenging, even when you can communicate with those attached to them."
A heavy beat of silence fell over him, and Rohan rolled his shoulders. "I'm very sorry for what I've done. I know it hangs over you and yours too now, and if I could take it back, I would. But I suppose I can't. So I'm sorry." He swallowed. "I don't know what happens next, but...look, you really don't need to worry about where I go. You have a coven with whom you're still united, and they'll make better use of the concern."
"It don't bother me," Mason said with a light shrug, "And this don't look like garbage?" Trinkets seemed normal, the dolls he had questions but given it was Rohan they made sense even before the explanation of the haunted objects, "Are they all haunted?" the question slipped out and Mason immediately shook their head, "Actually don't answer that. We spoke on Halloween about spirits and ghosts, and that taught me to respect folks on all planes. But nah, man, you're still you. I get that might be difficult to see now but all hope ain't lost." Perhaps it was misplaced optimism but Mason was nothing except this happy-go-lucky free spirit, suitable situation or not, he just hated seeing people down. "I did wrong by you man, I got so many reasons to be sorry for." Death hung over the coven yes, but being born into this life were they not all in some sort of danger? This town slipped away from being a safe haven and moved into being a target instead.
"I thought with my heart and not head," he voiced after a beat, "And selfishly too. That same heart should've extended to you, I'm sorry for that. I would take my vote back too, really, I would. You should still be a part of the coven. I'm still gonna worry about you man, can't help it but I won't bother you." Space was what people needed right? Especially after such things and though wanted nothing more than to help, he had enough sense to not crowd Rohan. "I see you more than just a person that was in a coven with me," he shrugged, "If you like ever need anything, just like hit me up?"
As hard as he tried Jamie could not make sense of the colors that danced above them. The aura of the universe, too vast for his mind to conceptualize, and in that he found his answer. Jamie began to marinate in the feeling of smallness the world's infinite wonder washed him in. It was easy to let go of all that had maimed him when he paused to consider how insignificant his moment in time was. Not made to be an immortal, but a flicker in the dark as it stretched from one infinity to another. No heartache, not even one as deep as Jamie felt, could last that long. Even fear lost its meaning in their immeasurable universe.
Peace amid a storm, for which Jamie was gratful. A shipwrecked vessel seeking reprieve, even if only for one magical moment.
The hand tugging at his arm was met by long fingers, winding through the digits of an old friend, holding on as if Jamie actually felt like he might float away; pulled upward by the vast cosmos.
"I'm not going to leave you."
The measure of times he had needed those words without hearing them in return was enough to sink his broken sails, so he veered from those rocky shores to revisit old horizons. "She's just.. " He spoke of the universe like a familiar friend, because wasn't she? "..showing us her greatness. Reminding us.. it's all gonna be alright.."
"Good." The response was a whisper and as his hound found theirs, Mason held on tight as the colours shifted again. "You think so?" He asked, "So much happened..." He had this weight on them since New Years, a mix of guilt, wrongness and just a overall sense of unease that he hid deep not wanting to concern others for the mistakes he made. "But like who am I to questions the universe ya know? Do you ever get like that though? Like want things to be different but also like can't do nothing about it? Am I talking too much?" He rarely asked that question, talking felt as natural as breathing, even now, under this display hat likely required silence, Mason couldn't keep all that inside them or he'd burst in a cloud of colours much like the universe. With a soft sigh Mason fell back, eyes straight up at the ceiling of stars and aurora, adding a new perspective of awe to the night. "Glad you came back though, dude, you know Gladys asked about you when you were gone. I thought I was the favourite but nope!"
"You're right," Remmy agreed, smiling, "and I ain't no criminal." At least, not anymore. They were lucky their juvenile record had been expunged, thanks to the military. Not that they entirely knew what that meant. "That's pretty impressive. Would sure be helpful if Moose could speak human." They unhooked Moose's work best and let him run off with Cap, watching them fondly. "They gotta get the flavor from somewhere, right? Maybe they, like, made it in a lab. Gotta be, right? Ain't no way they're pluckin' blue colored raspberries off bushes, right?" They laughed, snorting a little. "Maybe..Blaspberry?"
"Yeah! You're a good person!" And they really were, in times of high distress Remmy had been of the few he truly hid out with, and that could never been counted for anything other than good. "Well, Cap is sorta a part of me, so I think he got what I got? I can only speak human sadly. My grandma can speak Plant and my mum and my friend can speak Animal, cool, right? I wanna talk Plant though, like Corn must hear the wildest shit, that's why they got ears." He laughed at their own joke as he watched the two animals run off. "If there are blue raspberries bushes, why don't I know about it is my question. That should be all over the news right? Must be lab stuff. Hold up, my wife is like a science person..." Fishing out their phone he quickly texted Rangi, "I gotta know what she thinks of this." Hitting send at the right moment Remmy spoke, Mason couldn't help but laugh, "Blaspberry! Oh my god that's actually genius. You gotta name all the things."
"Gooooood Afternoooon, Lunar Cove!" Mason sang out the standard greeting that made a smile dance across lips out of sheer thrill and joy he felt doing it. He considered themself to be lucky to do this day in a day out. "Folks we know we keep saying we have treat you you all, and we mean it every time! Like the time we had my boy Julian on for candy wars? I know y'all still heated on that topic, don't worry were gonna get him back for part two real soon, but in the meantime! We got a celeb in our midst...and no it ain't me," he laughed, "But I do still sign autographs, hit me up yeah? Anyway I'm being told to get back to it, so! Our guest tonight, and we're very keen to have him on, drumroll please..." to which he played the sound as backup, "Ernest Jackson!" He did gesture to him but that only benefited those in the studio. With a smirk playing up now, he turned to Ernie, words doubled edged on purpose. Mason had done research for once, looking up their guest before they came in and he nearly fell out of the chair laughing at what he found. "Wanna introduce yourself, dude? Tell the Covians what you famous for? You have quite the presence in the interwebs."
She feigned a frown, "We are the best." She protested a bit rubbing the remainder of sleep from her eyes she covered her mouth with both hands to hide a yarn. "I've got a few names of people who would have at least made it not their problem and slunk away and let whatever happen...happen." She frowned truly; the reminder of the the dark magic and lack of empathy he'd wielded months back made her stomach roll. "I don't want you to be indebted to me, Mason." She admitted gently, "You were under a terrible spell that robbed you of your ability to control yourself." She explained her reasoning slowly, "I don't hold it against you. I hate that it happened to you. I hate that any of you had to experience it." She shifted wrapping her arms around bare shoulders. "The only villain in it all is Silas Chamberlain. You were an innocent just as the others were, don't feel guilty for it where I'm concerned. You're forgiven." She smiled sleepily, the eclipse hanging over head surely the culprit this time. "Though if you'd feel better owe a Faerie favors I won't say now to them." She smiled more sure this time bumping her shoulder against theirs, "Start by walking me to get coffee so I stay un-maimed the rest of this eclipse."
"That's not an excuse I'm allowing myself to have. It happened due to me not being careful enough, others found ways to control it but I had to have fun with it." The dark side of magic still rattled them, the power that he had felt that night, a craving of sorts still lingered and that terrified them in case they slipped up and fell into that well. He let out a low, mirthless laugh, "I thought he was cool, will you still forgive me for that? I think I thanked him as well for unleashing that spell." Their mood slipped form the cheery lightheartedness to a more sullen one, shoulders drooping from the weight of guilt. He did not deserve forgiveness, not from her of all people, he had hurt her, and a sick twisted part of them caused by the dark magic taking root didn't care that he had, not in the moment at least. The bump of shoulders knocked such thoughts away and had them nod multiple times, "Yeah totes! A lifetime of favours please where do I sign...or like is this more a verbal contract? Either way -" he bowed, "- I'm at your service, your majesty! I can definitely be your body guard, always wanted to be one of those!" He summoned their familiar, and issued the same order to him, "We're on coffee and guard duty, bud, Queen commands it! Let's go!"
"I'm just wondering. Never know what people are gonna do with excess chocolate," Kitty said, her hands up in the air. She nodded seriously, considering how to equate this to a balanced diet. "One grape to every ten pieces of chocolate? I think that sounds reasonable, yeah?" She'd always like April Fool's, too, though they'd never really gone all out with it. "Then we're gonna make this the best fucking April Fool's ever. Trust. Pranks, people, oooh, if we wanna go out with a bang, there should totally be fireworks!" Whatever they did, it was going to be cool, especially as she ooh'd and ahh'd over the board they'd made, all their pranks laid out in detail. "Better get started, huh?"
"Yeah, anytime," Remmy said back lightheartedly. "'Sides, Moose loves hangin' with you. How can I tell him no?" They walked alongside Mason, still trying to sort through everything that had happened. It was harder for Remmy to really understand anything, being so new to all of this. But they could understand this. Simply hanging out with someone who they thought was cool, who they could help feel just a little better, maybe. Remmy stopped, blinked. "Huh," they said, before moving again, "never really thought about it. You think it's like, a real fruit they make? Like a cross between a blueberry and a raspberry. Is that possible, you think?"
"You can't! That'd be a crime," Mason stated so seriously, "You can't deny me Moose either, we're bud now, that's a fact. And Cap, digs ya too by the way. Thinks you're cool, I know you can't hear him but I can translate. People sometimes ask if I speak dog but it's like the opposite ya know? Cap speaks human!" Summoning Cap, he let their familiar and Moose catchup too, despite him being magical and Moose not, Mason's magic was wild and fun, and Cap reflected back as such, bounding and barking, and talking to them as well, this day looked a little brighter than it had. "Wait.. you might be onto soemthing there" Mason said after a pause, "I thought they just like dump blue colouring into the slushie mixer. How would they do that with a real fruit though? Like grow it in a lab? And what would they name it? Bluerasp? Raspblue? Because berryberry sounds like a made up name to me."
A voice called out to Rangi through the haze of her trance. It was familiar, it echoed around her. She recognized the voice, she knew it from somewhere. It was someone important to her. It was the most important person to her. It was Mason. Rangi reached out, grasping at air-- she couldn't see what was in front of her, that they were there, guiding her inside. She just knew she had to get to them, before it was too late. She was always too late.
"Mason," she called out, "I'm coming, just-- just wait for me. Please." She could see herself outside the hotel, banging desperately on the doors. Let me in, let me in! She'd been thrown out without them, they'd been left inside to suffer because Rangi couldn't save them-- only for it all to be a cruel trick. She reached out again, this time her hand came into contact with something solid. Something warm.
Someone's hand. She heard her name again, heard Mason's voice. Someone was shaking her. The world inside her dream fell away and Rangi startled awake, blinking, staring wide-eyed as Mason's form came into view in front of her, the house in the behind them blurry but recognizable.
She must've been sleepwalking again.
She let out a long breath and shook her head, trying to clear away the daze. "Fuck, I..." she put her head in her hands, "sorry."
"I gotchu, I gotchu, I ain't going anywhere," he reassured her, a long exhale escaping as they wrapped arms around her. Sleepwalking didn't sound nor look like a fun time, to be caught in such a trance, be a point between half-awake and half-asleep till something shook one out or something pulled them further in, that line of unknown never sat well with them. But it wasn't like there was a way to have her go through such a thing either given that it was a species liked thing.
"You got nothing to apologise for! But you did say a bad word babe, so gonna ask you put a dollar in the jar," he joked trying to lighten the situation. Sleep walking may have be the one to catch their attention at first sight, but what retained it was the way she limped as she walked closer, the uneven gait causing their brows to crease together, "Why are you limping? Rangi what happened?"
