mason reed.

gotta keep 'em l a u g h i n ' , though i'm only half in, gotta put a show on 'til i know they like me. gotta be aloof, make a good impression. gotta hide the proof of my self expression. never be revealing, gotta be a p p e a l i n g , suddenly i'm feeling like i'm getting so . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . small.

[naturallytwofaced]

MASON REED is a 36 year old HUMAN based on THE MAYOR from THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. He is a MAYOR with NO POWERS. He uses HE/HIM pronouns, and some of his memories are intact.

This man is trying! his!! best!!!

He has no idea how he fell into the role of mayor, but he takes his responsibilities seriously. Perhaps a little too seriously. 

He just wants everyone to be happy! Why is it so hard to make everyone happy?

He is absolutely convinced that Oz and his minions are up to something, but also too afraid to really go sticking his nose in his business. As long as none of the citizens seem in danger... he’d rather look the other way.

He’s also a little convinced that Shona specifically may be out to kill him. 

Mason hears rumors about there being non-humans lurking in Evermore, and while he would welcome them with open arms, the thought is terrifying and he hopes that’s all they are: rumors.

Dude wants love. He wants to be loved. He wants affection. He wants to spoil someone. He wants a healthy relationship. But it’s been so long since he’s dated. Long before Evermore. He can hardly remember it. So he throws himself into his work.

He loves holidays. He doesn’t know how to not be extravagant.

Spends more time in his office than his house, even if there’s nothing to do. You’ll still find him pouring over paperwork, trying to find ways to improve... anything.

He cares too much about his reputation. He wants everyone to like him. He doesn’t want to be involved in any scandals.

Mason is an ass-kisser. But he truly means well.

Too professional. Needs to let loose.

Never sleeps through the night.

He is beyond frazzled. And paranoid. And, like, one bad day away from a mental break.

Please be gentle him. He can’t take much more.

But also, where’s the fun in that? Wink, wink.

[misscheshirecat]

"You're not losing it." Cat's voice emerged as she appeared behind him. "Or maybe you are. Perhaps you've already lost it. We all may have already." It was late, but it always was when Mason left city hall for the day-- well, night. It made sense that the mayor would have felt uneasy. Cat brought that feeling to many people she encountered. She didn't wonder why he was leaving work late. She didn't necessarily care. Caring about things brought dread in the end, and for months, dread had followed Cat around. She wore her signature grin all the same, though. It was dreadful hearing that Mason had been attacked. It seemed most everything was these days. It bothered Cat in the back of her mind, but she hadn't let the gnawing questions surface until she saw Mason. She wondered now how he was. Likely the usual wreck he was. Cat didn't ask though, the obvious already stating itself. She didn't let her facade fall as her grin simmered to a smile. Her eyes stared forward, and she shook her head as her hair blew from the wind. "Peculiar how you always pretend, Mr. Mayor. You pretend you're not 'losing it.' You may not be in this very moment, but you're far from sane."

[naturallytwofaced]

The relief that flooded him at the sound of her voice wasn't only because he knew there wasn't someone dangerous watching him from the shadows, it was also because he had worried about her. He hadn't seen Cat since she spoke about wanting to leave this place, and he had no intention of reaching out. She deserved space from him. To see her now, though, in one piece, made his heart feel lighter. Despite the different roads they took, despite their love fizzling out, he would always care for her. "Is that so?" He wondered if he was that transparent to everyone, or if she only knew because she had spent years with him pretending to not be losing it. He swallowed thickly, hands shoved into his pockets as he hesitated to continue his trek home. "I fear no one wants to think their town is being run by a lunatic, Catherine." Though it sure seemed to be the general consensus.

[naturallytwofaced]

LOCATION: outside of city hall ?? FOR: @misscheshirecat

He had been more careful lately to not be out by himself after dark, but if there was one thing Mason was good at, it was losing track of time. He was so focused on planning the upcoming Easter festivities that the sun went down before he realized it and now, as he slipped out of the front door alone, he found himself whirling around to check his surroundings. He would swear he sensed someone creeping in the shadows, but he turned his back anyway, trying to shake the feeling. "You're losing it, Mason," he murmured to himself, fingers raking through his hair as he inhaled, exhaled, attempting to slow his heartrate.

[naturallytwofaced]

LOCATION: somewhere in town FOR: @corpsebridc

To say Mason was ever not paranoid was, well, simply not true, but now he had a reason. He had kept his lips sealed as tightly as he could, claiming to the police that he could not remember the face of the man that had stabbed him, part of him hoping that would save him from hunting him down to finish him off... but he still found himself jumping at every noise, every sudden movement. "I apologize," he stated, turning his gaze away from the alleyway and back to Emily, where he had stopped in his tracks, "I thought I heard... something."

[samhainmade]

@naturallytwofaced

Shona stalked through the shadows of the mayors office like a predator on a hunt. Silently slipping past doors and windows using the coverage of the creeping night to cloak her. Her body was singing with adrenaline as she bit down on her lip to keep from giggling at the sheer joy of it, she was truly home, safe in the town of Evermore and about to bully her favorite middle-aged-man. Could tonight get any fucking better?

"Mason" Shona crooned, stepping out of her spot behind the door. "Do you want to tell me what the fuck happened or do I just take an educated guess and get straight to blaming you."

[naturallytwofaced]

She could have been a hallucination for all he knew, a dream, one he would have considered a nightmare at some point but he wanted nothing more than to see Shona now, to know that she was okay, in one piece, not stuck somewhere, hurt or... worse. Not even for his own conscious, but for her well being, and for Oz, despite their differences.

All it took was her speaking to know, though, this was not a dream nor a nightmare. She was here. And angry with him, as she had every right to be. "Shona," he breathed, eyes unblinking, overcome with the urge to hug her, though he knew that would not go over well. He wasn't sure what he could even say. "Where... have you been?"

[wildcstwinter]

𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 : @naturallytwofaced !! 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: outside the motel

" mister mayor , " comes saaliha's words , not so much a greeting as it was an acknowledgement after she had heard her name be called out first . she holds a brown paper bag in her arms ( currently housing plenty a stolen needle , vial , and varying pill from the pharmacy ) , squinting at him . the sun was just beginning to sink in the horizon , but most of those who secretly sought out her services tended to do so in the shadows .

" hello , " a soft smile , but it almost looks harrowing the way it seems to unnaturally reside on her otherwise unmoving features . " , , , is everything alright ?? usually you call . "

[naturallytwofaced]

"Saaliha," Mason greeted her again, his palms connecting with his knees as he bent over to draw in a deep breath, slightly winded from the walk. There hadn't been much physical activity in his life as of late, anything more than a trip across the room enough to cause ache or fatigue . . . or both.

Straightening his spine, he attempted to offer her a smile, though it looked more like a wince, the pain in his side choosing that moment to flare up. "I'm alright, I apologize. I should have called, but I was close by, and . . . you are well-versed in the medical field, yes?"

[bcnedaddy]

~

"Fine?" Jack repeated as he turned around with a burnt pan of one of those ready to cook meals from the grocery store. Looking at Mason it was clear he was stressed. He always was. The two were the same that way. Jack's own stress mirrored on his fact as he looked at his friend with a frown. He turned and placed the dish on the stove then threw the hot pads down on the counter. "You're not supposed to be going anywhere, Mason," Jack said in a frustrated tone. He let out a sigh and rubbed his temples. He needed to chill out. He needed to get some sleep. His nightmares were worsening as they crossed over between dreams and reality as the days went on. "I know you are," he said in a softer tone. "You need to get out, I understand. Is it worth risking never going out again though? What if something happens and--" Jack's thoughts were anxiety provoking and he didn't know how to shake them. "I'm sorry. I'm just-- Well...never mind." He shook his head. "I won't stop you if that's what you really want. I would advise for you to work from home though. Hell, I'll do some of it for you." The offer was something Jack should not have put in the air as he had enough work of his own that was nearing deadlines. "You can't stress yourself out over having more potential stress. It's not good for the mind." He should take his own advice. "I just don't think it's a wise idea."

[naturallytwofaced]

He was right, and Mason knew he was right, but he didn't admit it aloud. He feared going out alone. He didn't admit that aloud, either. He hadn't given the detectives any help when it came to pinning the guy down, and he couldn't be surprised if he was ready to come back and finish the job. He should also be taking care of himself. But it was hard to sit still. He didn't like being in his head. His head was a dangerous place, and the only way he knew to shut it out was to touch a substance he'd put down a year ago. He wouldn't slip up. He couldn't. "I won't stay long, Jack," he offered, leaning against the wall, more exhausted than he would like to be, afraid he would sniff out the weakness and handcuff him to a kitchen chair. He could hardly blame him. "Come with me, if you like. You can babysit me from there."

[shadxwmoonlight]

Oz was done here, if Mason wanted to suffer then so be it. He sure as hell wasn't going to lick his wounds for him. Already moving towards the door after hearing the thud of Mason's body collapsing back into the chair. He needed to leave, he didn't want to talk about this--about her. His hand had just barely clasped around the door knob when he stopped dead in his tracks. Fingers twitching--urging him to leave, to run to the safety of the casino. where the alcohol would cloud his vision and thoughts. He stood like that for a long time, waiting for Mason to finish. His shoulders curved as as he stared at the door handle, feeling as if he was about to cave into himself. He hated this, the fortress surrounding his heart cracking under pressure like the tumbling of old ruins. Shona was everything. A reason to continue; a fucking shining beacon in this shit stained town. If he was being honest for a moment he was just as cowardly as mason. drinking his sorrows to wash away the memory of the woman he loved. but nothing ever would, and he felt immeasurable shame that he ever even tried. He had become the very thing he detested, in a few months since her disappearance this is what he became. a sniveling drunk who needed fleeting human connections to get by, to feel something. perhaps he and mason weren't so different after all.

he was quiet for a long time, just staring as if he was looking through the door. tears rushing silently down his cheek. finally, he slowly looked over his shoulder. not so much to make eye contact, but for his voice to be heard. " I know."

"no matter what you think of me, or the sins I've committed against you...I've never blamed you for her disappearance."

[naturallytwofaced]

"You don't have to go." The words were out before he realized it, the only time he'd ever actually wanted the other man's company. At least he was one person that didn't blame him, and Mason had a feeling he was one of very few. He was the easy target, the face of the town, the one on stage during press conferences, a bumbling fool trying his hardest to avoid admitting nothing was under control and he didn't have the slightest idea what was going on. He couldn't blame anyone for directing their anger towards him... it had to go somewhere. He would pull out a bottle of scotch, if he had one, or whiskey, and in the moment he found himself relieved he didn't. His freshly awarded one year chip was burning a hole in his pocket, and he hadn't felt the urge to down a bottle as strongly as he had this last week or two. It seemed like every time he started doing better, he only ended up more in over his head.

"I had nothing to do with any of them disappearing," Mason clarified, knowing that Oz knew that, "but I had nothing to do with bringing them home, either." So, as far as he was concerned, he may as well have. "I don't know why I signed up for this." Or why he was confessing to Oz Godfrey of all people. Because he didn't care how he saw him, perhaps... or because he wanted to see him in a better light than he already did, and he hoped an explanation would help. Or maybe he just wanted someone to talk to, someone he didn't feel he could disappoint more than he already had. "I don't know half of the shit that goes on in this goddamn town, yet here I am, the fucking face of Evermore, promising everyone it's all going to work out. It's like a bad joke at this point. How long until the man officially cracks?"

[shadxwmoonlight]

Mason was actually insane, he fucking had to be. "Better question, why the fuck are you here? The loss of blood must be getting to your head Mayor. Go home." It wasn't a plea, it was a command. Oz's eyes narrowed at the statement, jaw clenching so tightly to prevent the grinding of teeth. He just stared, his eyes turning icy as they glazed over his features. "Bullshit." Oz spat softly, lying to him out of all people? Did Mason think he was stupid? Oz had been running countless underground schemes since his mortal existence began. He'd seen bloodshed in many different forms. Some were mindless, others had been creative and twisted--morally grotesque. "I don't partake in politics or whatever agenda the news spits out. If something important happens, well that's what Luis and Barrett are for." His eyes, ears, and shadows of evermore. "I'll give you this pass since you seem to have lost your ever loving mind, but do you think i'm a fucking fool?" Swiftly Oz moved to stand beside him one arm gripping the collar of his shirt and pulling him up and out of his chair until their faces were merely inches apart. Not caring about the wound he so tentatively overlooked cautiously moments ago. He was seeing red. "You're telling me you couldn't see the face of the man who had to have gotten this close to slip a knife under your ribs.?" His left fist was still gripping his collar upright even if mason's body limply resisted against him. His right hand hovering over the puncture. "The trajectory of your fucking wound was no accident, not a hit and run. It was meant to be slow, and painful wasn't it? To endure it?" He whispered, he began caressing the wound, slowly adding pressure with his palm. "I know you thought lowly of me, but to think I would weaponize this against you. Did you think I'd run to that trifle gossip blog if you told me the truth?" Oz hissed, eyes hovering over masons before letting his grip go and letting the man collapse back down into his chair.

[naturallytwofaced]

It may have been the first time since his path had crossed with Oz that he was not afraid of him, which was strange, seeing as his hand was bunching the fabric by his throat, the anger in his eyes and his voice hard to ignore. Mason winced, the pain pills doing little to dull the ache of a hand pressing against his healing wound, but he didn't say a word. Not until he was released, falling limp and hopelessly, like a worn out ragdoll. "I wasn't worried about that," he said, softly, his tone deflated as he sank back into his seat, tried to pretend the sting wasn't there still. He had tried to avoid taking the medication, in case it made him want to pick up a bottle, relapse, but he never had an issue with pills... and it was too painful to even breathe without them for awhile.

He didn't know why he cared to reassure Oz that he trusted him now. He was the last person he trusted in the whole godforsaken town. But, strangely, not at this moment. "I tried, Oz," he spoke again after a short pause, still quiet, but his eyes didn't move from the other man's. He needed him to know that he meant it. "I tried to figure out what happened to everyone, I tried to... bring them home, but I didn't—... I'm not a detective, I'm not—... well, I'm not going to make excuses. I failed. You understand why he did it, don't you?" Sitting up straighter in his seat, he did not break eye contact still, almost daring Oz to say no. "Maybe it was deserved. Maybe I can only fail so many people before I have to face the consequences. You of all people should agree."

[shadxwmoonlight]

"Yes, stupid enough to miss. You always seemed like the machoistic type." Oz mused through pursed lips, striding closer to the edge of his desk. Which only took a few steps to close the gap between them. "It doesn't matter now." He replied in a half truth, his eyes shifting between the mans gaze and his blood soaked torso. "No." He sighed in admission, running a hand through his hair before letting the hand fall loosely back to his side once more. He needed a fucking cigarette. "I know you didn't do that, but who or what did?" Oz wasn't sure why he cared, why he was even showing an ounce of sympathy. Perhaps it was morbid curiosity. "Dont' give me any bullshit, tell me the truth."

[naturallytwofaced]

If he didn't know any better, Mason would think he cared. Realistically, he probably did, if only because someone had beat him to it. Still, his frustration slipped slightly, placing a palm on the desk, trying to be discreet in leaning against it. He felt weak. Even just standing was exhausting now, and he was getting sick of it. Yeah, he was lucky he survived, and he knew it would pass, but he was not good at sitting still... or taking care of himself. "I didn't see his face," he stated, which was bullshit, but he wasn't sure if Oz would see through the lie or not. The police had questioned him, and he had kept his story; no discussion happened that he could remember, just a robbery attempt gone wrong on his way home. He wasn't sure why he wasn't upfront. To protect the man because Diablo had a point, because his words echoed in his head still, or because he was afraid he'd find him and finish the job if he ratted him out. "You really didn't hear? I figured you would be throwing a party by now." Especially after he had failed to bring Shona home.

[shadxwmoonlight]

Oz's fingers were still clenched into a fist when the door finally squealed opened and not expecting whatever--this was. Sure Mason could be cowardly, pathetic even, a groveling mess really but not a vessel operating an empty hovel. Mason didn't even offer a passing glance. Oz's hand fell back to his side, eyeing how the man limped back to his desk. His posture hunched, sweat lining his brow, and that's when his eyes finally met the large bandage wrapped around his abdomen. Blood seeping through the cotton. Fucking Idiot. For the firs time Oz was shocked into silence, taking a moment just to stare. Calculating what to say, until he finally made it across the threshold into his office. Closing the door behind him with a loud backwards kick of his boot against wood. "I'm sorry what the fuck is this?" He exclaimed in confusion, shaking his head as a migraine was beginning to form behind his temple. "For fucks sakes Mason if you're trying to off yourself at least have better aim."

[naturallytwofaced]

"Do you really think I'd be stupid enough to aim for my abdomen?" Mason lifted a hand, pinching the bridge of his nose, suddenly feeling incredibly exasperated. He hadn't turned on the news, he hadn't picked up a paper — it was a form of self care, really — so he didn't know if the event had yet to be publicized or if Oz just avoided it too. But what a ridiculous conclusion to come to. "I didn't do this," he clarified, turning to face the man once he reached the edge of his desk, his pace annoyingly slow... even to himself. He was grumpy, agitated, and it was seeping into his words; he did not have the energy to put on a cheerful, political front today. Especially not to his newfound company. "How can I help you today, Oz? I know you didn't stop by just to say hello."

[naturallytwofaced]

LOCATION: one of their places idk FOR: @corpsebridc

He could see it, the look on her face. It was the same expression he would have if she had been hurt. The same expression he'd probably wore when he found out, what had happened to her. "I'm okay, Em," he stated softly, spreading his arms, an open invitation for her to walk into them. Sore. Exhausted. Confused. Anxious. But okay. More or less. "I promise. C'mere."

[naturallytwofaced]

LOCATION: mason's house ?? FOR: @bcnedaddy

"I'm fine, Jack." Mason appreciated that his friend was trying to help, trying to look after him, but he was getting stir-crazy. He felt like he'd been in the hospital for half a year as it was, and now he was contained to his house. He'd been told to rest. To take it easy. Take his pain medication, not strain himself too much. But he wasn't trying to move heavy furniture, it wasn't like sorting through paperwork was going to pop his stitches. "I swear. Just half an hour and I'll head back. If the work builds up more, it's going to be... so much worse on me. I'm easily stressed. You know this."

[shadxwmoonlight]

starter for: @naturallytwofaced

location: mason's office.

Oz didn't know why he was here. He had little reason for anything nowadays. His motto had been act now and drink your sorrows later. His heart felt like a burden and he didn't want to carry it around anymore, at this point he was willing to rip it out himself. There was still time to turn around but he found his muscles twitching before he could even think. Knuckles rapping against the door more harshly then he intended to. It was hard to control his autonomy lately while constantly being in a state of hung-over and on edge. He waited staring at the door as if he could see through it. "Holy fuck Mason just open the god damn door already."

[naturallytwofaced]

He hadn't been long released from the hospital; in fact, Mason really shouldn't be at work, he could practically hear the doctors chewing him out, but he couldn't just stay cooped up in his house. Not after all the days spent laid up in a hospital bed. He was sitting at his desk, shifting through folders when he heard the knock at the door, followed by a voice he least expected. A voice that would normally send a shiver of anxiety through him, but he found as he rolled his chair away from his desk, winced at the sharp pain in his abdomen and made his way to open the door, the usual dread wasn't there. He was too drained. "It's really not a good time, Oz," he stated, but he unlocked and opened it, turning to walk back to his desk without so much of a look. What was the other man going to do that was so bad? Stab him?

[dicblo]

~

Maybe delusion was setting in has Diablo's breathing grew erratic. Breathing that turned into laughter at the man's words. "You're only trying to get home? Did you honestly just say that?" Diablo couldn't believe him. All a lot of people were trying to do for two months was get home. "So were a lot of people," he spat venomously in the man's ear. "One of them I happen to care about a lot." With every word he spoke Diablo wasn't sure if they made sense. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears. He could hear the mayor's begging ringing over and over and over until he couldn't take it anymore.

"Shut up!" His hand was shaky on the knife that quivered just centimeters from Mason's neck. "I do have to do this. You don't get it, do you?" Diablos grip on the man's shirt tightened. "No, you're too stupid. I guess that means you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time then, doesn't it? That's all anyone will ever know about this night." The hand with the knife lowered. He wasn't going to just slice his throat open. No, Diablo wanted to look him in the eyes as he took his life.

With whatever strength the adrenaline was giving him Diablo pushed Mason against a tree. He grabbed the back of his shirt again to make the man face him. Diablo looked him in the eye, expressionless as he did. Was he really about to do this? Something in the back of his mind clawed at his thoughts. Diablo knew he had to ignore him though. He knew he had to do this. Without second thought the hand that still held the knife dug the blade into Mason's abdomen. He twisted it with a shaky hand before tugging the now red blade out.

Diablo took a step back, panic fully setting in at the realization at what he'd done. He didn't have the strength or energy to...clean up his mess. He let himself lean against a tree, looking down to see his own wound had soaked the fabric of his shirt already. He needed to get the hell out of here and fast. There was nothing he could do other than call Malina and he wasn't even sure he was going to make it that far. "If I die before you I'll find you in hell and kill you again."

[naturallytwofaced]

🔪🔪🔪

"Please," Mason started again, though he was quickly losing hope that the man could be talked down. His eyes were wild, and based on the blood coating his clothes he doubted he was his first victim of the night. He could hardly hear his voice over the heartbeat in his ears, feeling like a rat in a trap. What could he possibly do? There was no one around to scream for, reaching for his phone wouldn't go unnoticed. His thoughts moved to Emily, the realization he could leave her so soon after she had come back... and then it happened.

He didn't feel the pain at first; it was just heat following the pressure of what could have been a punch, like iron searing against his bare skin. Maybe it was the shock, the denial, but Mason didn't really piece it together until Diablo was removing the blade, stepping back, seeing the red dripping from the knife. Time was moving slower, it must have been. He could see it all, but he felt like he was watching from an outsider's perspective, forgetting he was in his own body until the heat began to spread and his eyes fell from the weapon in Diablo's hand to his own hand, only noticing then that it was clutching his abdomen.

His back against the tree, sliding slowly to the grass beneath, Mason felt his face pale as shock turned to realization, the pain intense and coming on all at once. "Please," he whispered, unsure what he was begging for... to not stab him again, to call for help. He couldn't find another word. Was it too late? If he left him there alone, would he bleed out on the ground before he could call for an ambulance? The hand not pressed against his stomach fumbled in his back pocket for his phone, knowing it was his only option. The pain or the blood loss, unsure at the moment how much was spilling between his fingers, was causing his vision to blur and if he lost consciousness here, he would never make it back to town... back to Emily.

[faiirytalcs]

It shouldn't have shocked her how confused he was, while the majority of people knew all about essential oils, Mason having no idea was right on track. What a useless little mayor he was; all the better for Sarah. "Wear or put on your pillow or a diffuser. There's plenty you can do with them. And plenty of scents for you to choose from. For you I'm thinking lavender, frankincense...oh sandalwood, of course. Maybe Bergamot as well. Anything that would help with anxiety and stress. You are stressed, aren't you? I can tell."

[naturallytwofaced]

"Diffuser... can I get one of those here? I do like the sound of frankincense and sandalwood." Did he know, exactly, what they smelled like? No, but they sounded decent enough. "Yes, I... well, I get stressed from time to time." Time to time, all of the time, what was the difference? "I appreciate all of the help, Sarah. I'll be sure to leave a good review on the store."

[faiirytalcs]

"Of course it was. All those people, missing, it was horrible." Mainly because she'd had nothing to do with it. If it had been one her and her sisters plans, that would have been different. In this case, she hadn't even been able to take advantage of the missing. "Well, no one would ever claim that but the effort is noted and appreciated, Mr. Mayor. At least you tried." It was hard to tell sometimes when Sarah was being genuine and this was one of those times. "Now, I know you aren't here for the skin creams but I do have some essential oils that I think you'd be interested in...for the stress."

[naturallytwofaced]

"Right. I— thank you?" It didn't feel like a compliment, but he took it as one anyway; realistically, he knew he had been useless. But he also knew that realistically, everyone else would have been too. Some things were simply out of his control, no matter his status. "Essential oils? To... wear?" He questioned, he hadn't dabbled in anything like that before, he would feel really stupid if she said they were to cook with. "Well, I suppose it's worth a try."