Chapter Seven [Dictated]

[thebestseller]

... I kinda asked for this to happen, didn't I.

Beckett, please, not a word. It will be over soon enough. Wait, I just jinxed myself. Forget I said that.

Really, though, it captures my essence.

[Temp loss time! Castle is being followed around by a cardboard cutout of himself. It has no special properties, it is just a plain cutout, but it is EVERYWHERE, even if he tries to ditch it. Oops. At least he's ruggedly handsome?]

Comments

[kungfuwitch]

Yes but advertisements aren't supposed to stalk you. [she laughs]

Books... [she thinks for a minute] Castle?

[Action]

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate can't help but laugh. Because seriously, it's the funniest thing she's seen since she came to Paradisa. She nudged Castle with her elbow, then gestures to the cutout.]

So is that thing going to watch us do everything?

[quota]

[Kyubey just stares back with those round, unblinking eyes. He's the picture of innocence, just a strange cat basking in the sun.]

Re: [Action]

[deductiongeek]

Should I congratulate you? At least its a harmless loss.

[Action]

[thebestseller]

Sure, why not? It could have been worse- like a talking cutout instead.

[thebestseller]

But this book has my name on the cover...

... okay, you have a point there.

[thebestseller]

[Castle walks up to the creature and studies it. It looks a bit like a cat, but has long ears like a rabbit.]

Hey. Can you talk, little fella?

[thebestseller]

The one and only. At least the loss fits me.

[thebestseller]

I really do. First my clone or alternate self or... whoever he is and now this.

[thebestseller]

And the joke is on me for once. I don't mind it.

[Action]

[thebestseller]

[Castle considers, then looks a little crestfallen at that.]

Oh... damn. I didn't even think about that. We could put a sheet over it...

[luxe_can_kill]

That is good that you don't. There are residents who take these seriously, it's unhealthy.

[Action]

[not_nikkiheat]

That wouldn't be creepy at all. Also, it's a piece of cardboard that follows you around. You don't think it could pull a sheet off its head?

[thebestseller]

I don't see how someone could take anything like this too seriously. [He gestures to the cutout.] Then again, maybe I can.

[Action]

[thebestseller]

Well... it doesn't move. Beyond following me. Maybe it's not smart enough to do that.

[luxe_can_kill]

To each their own, I suppose.

[quota]

[He shakes his head, mouth still curved into that cat-like smile.]

[thebestseller]

Maybe I can dress it up. Or decorate it like a Christmas tree.

[thebestseller]

... Then where did that voice in my head come from? I must be going crazy.

[kungfuwitch]

[She peers at it for a moment]

Yeah it's, uh, really you.

[luxe_can_kill]

[Mitsuru chuckled]

Yes, I suppose you could.

[quota]

You knew that when the cardboard started following you, didn't you?

[Action]

[deductiongeek]

One of you is enough for the castle, probably.

[Action]

[not_nikkiheat]

It's worth a shot. It's either that or waiting until that thing goes away. I don't think that's an option.

[Action]

[thebestseller]

One of me is more than enough for anywhere. ... wait, that sounded awfully cocky, didn't it? [He considers.] A shallow cardboard imitation of me just can't measure up. There we go.