Nic Mason

( Application for NICOLE MASON )

( Warded Private )

[WARDED TO CIRCUS FRIENDS]

Has the All-Seeing Peithagoras ever been wrong? I know the gossip and all, but I'm looking for a straight answer here. I promise I won't go shouting it about. I don't want to ruin his reputation. I need would just like to know.

[/END WARD]

This is happening about a yard from where I'm sitting.

( Do not disturb. )

I think he's tired of me having my head buried in a sketchbook.

On a sort of related subject, if you had to live the rest of your life as a literary character, living in their world, who would you pick? I was going to limit this to fairytale characters, but it seems a bit unfair with all the great books out there. I'm leaning towards Alice. Or maybe Willy Wonka.

[WARDED TO DAILY PROPHET EMPLOYEES (MINUS HOODWINKLE)]

I know it seems like no one is taking these flyers all that seriously, but has anyone heard anything about Hoodwinkle's opinion of them? They've obviously tossed off the idea of "mercy" they claimed the last time they came around here, and I don't know that I'd escape with my life if they came around again, so I am a bit nervous, to be honest.

I like my life. It's nothing grand, but it is sort of precious to me. It's definitely not worth losing over this job And I'm obviously not fond of the idea that anyone else might get hurt again. Or worse. I'd even consider quitting and saving Hoodwinkle the trouble of deciding for me, if it weren't for the fact that I've rent to pay and a greedy bird to feed.

[/END WARD]

[WARDED TO REMUS LUPIN]

Hey. Do you want to go to the circus with me? Maybe tonight, or tomorrow, if tonight's no good? I'll be needing a break from these illustrations and I'd like to see your face soon if I can manage it.

[/END WARD]

[WARDED TO FRIENDS]

Come mid-June, I'd be really grateful if you'd all do me the weird favour of buying Bilius Weasley's new children's book. You'll be helping put food and booze in the house, if that helps any.

[/END WARD]

[WARDED TO CATIE MCKINNON]

Hey. You.

It's FRIDAY.

Where in the world is my update?

[/END WARD]

( Warded Private )

I can't seem to work up the energy to paint right now. Sad little caricatures are about all I've managed to even finish in days.

( Like this one, for instance. )

If anybody wants to suggest things for me to draw, I could probably use the inspiration right about now.

[WARDED TO BILIUS WEASLEY]

I am sorry for the wait, but I have finally had time to read your manuscript. If you would still like to meet and discuss what you have in mind, and more importantly, whether I am capable of fulfilling your expectations for the project, I'm off today and Wednesday. I'm also available most days after three in the afternoon.

[/END WARD]

[WARDED TO REMUS LUPIN]

Everything okay on your end?

[/END WARD]

[WARDED TO FRIENDS]

I was hoping they'd address the fact that the Prophet said they were using Unforgivables right along with the Death Eaters in Ottery St. Catchpole. But, two of these broadcasts and still nothing. The Cruciatus is worse than

Anyway, I'm still glad this wasn't a celebrating someone's death kind of message. We've enough of that vibe on the other side and I'm just not that kind of person, I guess. I'd rather know the whole truth, not just part of it, and more specifically, not just one side's version. Because that kind of thing could get out of hand, couldn't it? Who's to say it won't take even less evidence or provocation for Aurors to feel justified in taking the next suspected vigilante's life to protect bystanders or themselves? What if that person is someone I care about, or someone that was coerced or Imperiused?

I don't feel like the Unforgivables are ever the answer, even against suspected Death Eaters, but I wonder if maybe I'm in the minority there.

Sorry, babbling. Ignore at will.

[/END WARD]

[WARDED TO REMUS LUPIN]

Also.

Taking an analogy and putting a spin on it? All individuals add something to the world versus Muggleborns can touch all lives in a personal way? Even the apology at the beginning was I think maybe you have a fan.

[/END WARD]

[WARDED TO REMUS LUPIN]

So. You were right.

And I should be glad. Once he took a hostage, he lost any rights to doubt about his guilt. And it could have been MY family that was killed.

But still, my first dumb thought was 'poor Bandit, who's going to take care of her? What will she think when he never comes back to her?' Followed closely by 'did it have to be the Killing Curse?' How bloody stupid is that? Why do I even care? Maybe they're right about Muggleborns because clearly I'm Stupid.

[/END WARD]

The journals are so depressing tod Anyone up for a game of Would You Rather? I need some ridiculousness that has nothing to do with politics. Or boobies. No offense, Joanna. Those boobies were really cute.

Also, since it's kind of related, Macbeth says hello. Even to you lot who'd rather my kind fell down a dark hole, never to be seen again.

( Or maybe it's more like HEYYYY... )

[WARDED TO CATIE MCKINNON AND REMUS LUPIN]

If either one of you don't hear from me by tomorrow, I was in London at around four o'clock today with Dominic Yaxley. Start the search at the office of Dr. Riley Brennan.

And since I know this is likely the weirdest thing I've ever said to either one of you - suffice to say, I'm a giant moron and I'm helping Yaxley despite all common sense and self-preservation instincts.

Also, if I do disappear, you two are my favourite people in the world. Please say nice things about me at my we-can't-find-her-body-so-here's-a-closed-casket funeral.

[/END WARD]

Monday again already? Should it be Talk-Like-A-Klingon-Day or Talk-Like-Yoda-Day? My Klingon is a little rusty. But most skilled at Yoda-speak, I am.

[WARDED PRIVATE]

GOOD GRIEF. I want to tell Catie and Remus about this so damn badly, but

Wouldn't that be like a violation of trust? Not that Dominic Yaxley trusts me, but still. He asked for help. Sort of. I felt like, if I'd told him to shove off, then I'd be just as bad as him. And if I go blabbing about it, same deal really. But, seriously, what is going on? How the hell did this even happen?

I'll have to tell one if them if Dominic doesn't come to his senses. Because I'm not going to skip off to London with him without someone knowing where I am and who I'm with. I mean, sure, he saved my arse when he really didn't have to, but there's still no guarantee he's not a Death Eater. Maybe he's looking for an excuse to rectify his mistake. And if I end up in a shallow grave somewhere because I'm STUPID and MASOCHISTIC, then

Ugh. I need to go to work. Maybe I left my sanity at my desk yesterday.

[WARDED TO RITA SKEETER]

I'm sorry to bother you, but I was hoping you could clarify something for me.

"[...]as Death Eaters and masked members of the Order of the Phoenix flung Unforgivables and other deadly curses at each other."

That reads as if both sides were seen casting Unforgivables. Was that just accidental sentence structure or do you have collaborating witness statements verifying as much?

[/END WARD]


I'm glad no civilians were hurt or worse. I'm sure the DMLE played a large part in that, so thank you all for your hard work. I hope Auror Moody and Auror Meadowes have a speedy recovery.

And on a completely unrelated note: Here you go, Tamsin. To make up for the rabbit-dinosaur-hamster in hats fiasco. Hopefully. As for the rest of you, maybe you'll find something relevant in a piece about connecting and staying hopeful?

( Wave your wand. )

[WARDED TO REMUS LUPIN]

I know I'm going to see you later, but I didn't want to forget to tell you about this. Also, this might be out of line, and you can tell me if it is.

I know you've been talking about wanting a job, and maybe being willing to go the Muggle route to get one, so I thought it only fair to pass this along. My brother's friend has an uncle who owns a pub, and apparently he's looking for extra help, without all the bells and whistles of proper employment. It's not glamourous, obviously, but you're familiar with the work. I've met the owner, and he'd be a decent enough sort to work for. Plus, there wouldn't be a lot of questions since it's under the table.

[/END WARD]

I decided today was Talk-Like-William-Shatner-Day, since Talk-Like-a-Pirate-Day went well enough. I love the look on people's faces when you pause forever before finishing a sentence. It's sort of like how a dog tips its head when it's confused.

Anyway, I hope everyone who celebrates it had a nice Easter. I sat down yesterday with the thought that I would draw a rabbit - I don't draw them often, it was Easter, it made sense - but then, I think I lost my mind a bit somewhere along the way. Because I thought, I don't draw dinosaurs very often either. What about hamsters? Why don't I draw them? And why don't more of my subjects wear hats? Really, I mean, I love hats.

Right, so...I have no idea what happened. I swear I wasn't smoking anything.

( Make of it what you will. )

[WARDED TO FRIENDS & COWORKERS]

Has anyone heard anything about who the victim was? I already gave my parents a fright showing up at a mental hour so, can you lot check in regardless? I'm not at work today and I can't find our copy of the Prophet to see if anything was reported.

[/END WARD]

[WARDED TO REMUS LUPIN]

I asked around and everyone seems convinced the wards are okay. So. HI. How are you? Aren't wards wonderful? You have no idea how many times I wanted to ward you on Sunday. Particularly when you were wasting your time on Yaxley.

And yes, I am aware my hypocrite is showing. I hate it when that happens.

[/END WARD]

[WARDED TO GRETA CATCHLOVE]

How are you holding up? Any chance you want to have lunch with me today?

[/END WARD]

OKAY. This one should be safe. If you could choose one thing that the human race had evolved with, what would you pick? We're talking physical characteristics here - gills, using a higher percentage of the brain, a prehensile tail, a second pair of eyes in the back of our heads, that sort of thing.

My vote's on eagle vision. Or maybe thicker skin. Not like armadillo armour or anything. Just a little harder to damage.

[WARDED TO CATIE MCKINNON]

It's bad that I'm counting down the hours until I can get mindnumbingly drunk on Saturday, right?

Oh, are you going to be at home tonight? I think I might be able to finish the background of your mural after work. The elves can be added later.

[/END WARD]

[WARDED TO REMUS LUPIN]

My kingdom for a conversation that has nothing to do with politics. Then again, I don't have a kingdom. I have biscuits? And an extensive movie collection. That's sort of the same, right?

[/END WARD]

[WARDED TO BOOK CLUB*]

We've a few votes for The Outsiders for our first book. Yay/Nay/Other suggestions?

[/END WARD]

[*OOC note: if your character didn't get around to telling Nic they wanted in on her original entry about this, you can assume they told her in person, so that they can be included on this ward. :)]

[WARDED TO GWEN DERVISH AND ADDIE BANGES]

Soooo. If I wanted to extend a semi-open invitation for Remus to sleep over, would you two be okay with that? He's stuck on a sofa over there, and I just figured it wouldn't hurt if he had the option to SLEEP in a bed every once in a while. He may not even take me up on it.

For the record, I have no problem with either of you having a person stay over.

Also, please take note of the emphasis and don't assume the worst of me.

[/END WARD]

Depressing realisation of the day: I can't think of any positive hypotheticals right now. Soooo, thanks for ruining my stress outlet, you sadistic wankers here's a Charlie Chaplin caricature.

[WARDED PRIVATE]

Some days I just want to set the layout on fire and to say to hell with this job.

All right, God, I know you and I haven't been on the best of terms these last few years, but I'd really appreciate it if you could give Cerys a little help right now.

[/END WARD]

[WARDED TO GRETA CATCHLOVE]

I know there's nothing I can say or do to make it better, but I just wanted you to know that I'm here. Even if you just want to hit someone.

[/END WARD]

[WARDED TO DOMINIC YAXLEY]

So I probably should have I'm sorry about your head. Thanks for sav helpi not leaving me to die.

[/END WARD]

[WARDED TO FRIENDS]

Haven't heard about any of you ending up hospitalised or worse, but it would be nice to verify.

Also, in a strange twist of fate, Dominic Yaxley kind of saved my arse tonight. So. If someone could tell me when the world has righted itself, that would be brilliant.

[/END WARD]

[OOC: Forward-posted to shortly after 2am]

[WARDED TO REMUS LUPIN]

I know it's insanely late
It's not an emergency or anything, but
I sort of really need
I don't suppose you're awake right now?

[Added shortly after]
Of course, you're not awake right now. It's bloody mental o'clock. Just ignore this when you see it, okay? I'd cross it out, but then you might think something bad happened. I'm fine, I swear. Everything's fine.

[WARDED TO CATIE MCKINNON]

I have some free time the next couple of evenings, if you want me to start on your mural. I'm going to try and sign up for one of the self-defense sessions this week, but I can work that around whatever works best for you.

[/END WARD]

[WARDED TO REMUS LUPIN]

A bit of insider information for you, because I feel like you should know. My mum made a face behind your back yesterday. Well, a face and a gesture. A festure, if you will.

[/END WARD]

Even though I work a rotating schedule, Mondays still suck. What is that? Anyway, I decided to improve my Monday by talking like a pirate all day. My results were mixed. I'd like to toss out a general thank you to anyone who joined in. You made my day.

Except for the customer who used it as an excuse to try and cop a feel. "Arr, I'd like to navigate those globes" was clever, though.