Chapter eighteen

[thebestseller]

Oh, dear me, so many new faces around the island lately! To introduce myself to all of you, I'm Richard Castle, mystery author. Yes, the island felt it appropriate to bring me here and tell me YO MR. CASTLE, WE HEARD YOU WRITE FICTION SO WE PUT SOME FICTION IN YOUR FICTION SO YOU CAN WRITE ABOUT THINGS THAT AREN'T REAL BECAUSE YOU ALLEGEDLY AREN'T REAL.

I work at the book store, so please, do stop by. You'll at least find pleasant conversation if nothing else, and I'd appreciate the company.

[Text to Kate Beckett]

Poke. Poke. Poke poke poke. Hey. I just texted to say "I love you". And "poke".

Comments

[video]

[thebestseller]

[Castle raises an eyebrow at that. He's long accepted the existence of strange powers, but he still loves to hear about them.]

A noble profession, I'd say! Teaching yourself must have been hard, but it sounds like it was worth it. I only wish I was that awesome.

[He then grins in reply.]

Sounds like you'll be able to keep your skills sharp, then.

[video]

[thatsawiggle]

Hehehehe well if yer curious, I'd be willing ta give you a firsthand demonstration! Haven't gotten the opportunity ta do much more than a few laps 'round the island. Didja know that barrier's a right pain ta be smackin' inta headfirst? Whoo-ee, ain't had a rattler like that in a while! Like runnin full force into a wall o' pure energy, it is.

[Behind him, there's nothing but blue sky. He's floating a fair height up in the air.]

[video]

[thebestseller]

Some day when I'm bored, I'll take you up on that. [He's trying hard not to laugh.] And no, I've never actually tried going up to it, now that you've mentioned it.

[video]

[thatsawiggle]

Well it goes out a bit in all directions, so I wouldn' recommend goin' out and tryin'! Specially if yer just a human. No offense, but I dunno if a regular human could take that kinda hit an' stay up.

[video]

[thebestseller]

[This time, a small chuckle does escape.]

None taken- believe me, I learned pretty quickly that I tend to be in the minority, being a completely normal human, so I have to be extra careful. I have no intention of hurting myself- on purpose, anyway.

[video]

[thatsawiggle]

Ain't nothin' wrong with being a normal human. Way I see it, so long as yer alive, there's gotta be some reason to it, human or demon or spirit. Aye? There's a few times I oughta've been ferried off by now, and I come through it all A-OK!

Course, there ain't nothin wrong with takin' a little risk every now and again either. Doin' the same thing over and over's gotta get pretty boring.

[video]

[thebestseller]

[Castle's smile is wide now.]

You know, I like the way you think. Being alive is a pretty special thing in and of itself, and my life has been full of plenty of adventure even before the whole "getting plopped on an island" thing.

Oh, I totally agree. My partner thinks I get myself into too much trouble and don't listen to her enough, though.

[video]

[thatsawiggle]

[His ears prick up at that and his own smile widens to match.]

Aye? And what kind o' adventures ye been havin?

[Trading adventure stories is his favorite thing. Well, outside of a good spar, but he's pretty sure he's not getting that from Castle.

He laughs boisterously at the partners remark.]

Sounds like yer partner an' my little buddy'd be gettin' on right well, it does! He always tells me 'Jin yer gonna get yerself too deep in trouble one day' but I says I ain't never met a trouble what I didn't have fun with!

[video]

[thebestseller]

Catching bad guys, mostly. I work with a detective, and follow her around and help her solve murder cases.

[He then nods vigorously.]

Oh, Detective Beckett would probably say the same thing about me once she stopped rolling her eyes. I think by now she's starting to accept that I'll be getting in trouble no matter if I listen to her or not, though, so we might as well do it together.