Chapter Twenty-Two

[thebestseller]

Kate Beckett left the castle this morning.

If anyone needs me, I'll be at the Death Match getting shit out of my head drunk.

Comments

[action!]

[thebestseller]

[Castle notices the change in tone, and it helps him brighten a little himself.]

Mysteries- crime novels. It's been my forte for years.

[action!]

[fearbringer]

Do you write here too, or are you semi-retired?

[action!]

[thebestseller]

[He nods.]

I do try, but it's a little difficult to get published. At least I'm never short of interesting stories and inspiration here.

[action!]

[fearbringer]

You couldn't just write things and leave them in the library?

[action!]

[thebestseller]

[Castle nodded.]

I could, definitely. It wouldn't exactly be mass-produced, but then again... does that really matter here?

[action!]

[fearbringer]

Hm. I wonder if the Castle would make multiple copies for you.

[action!]

[thebestseller]

Might be worth a shot. I'm not eager to test the limits of wishing, but on the other hand... a few books isn't much.

[action!]

[fearbringer]

I'll be on the lookout for them, then.

[action!]

[thebestseller]

Cheers. ... And thanks for coming over, too.

[action!]

[fearbringer]

... You're thanking me?

[action!]

[thebestseller]

Well, yeah. You took the time to come talk to a stranger.

[action!]

[fearbringer]

I... see.

[He still seems pretty surprised.]

[action!]

[thebestseller]

And I do appreciate it. I mean... someone really close to me just vanished.

[action!]

[fearbringer]

I gathered that, but for your sake, you should hope that someone other than me shows up.

[action!]

[thebestseller]

I dunno, I don't think I could feel any worse than I do right now, frankly.

[action!]

[fearbringer]

Right. But someone else could make you feel better.

[action!]

[thebestseller]

They could, yeah- but the person I have in mind is the one who just left, so.

[action!]

[fearbringer]

You only have one person who makes you feel better?

[He doesn't sound disbelieving; he's seen plenty of people like that.]

[action!]

[thebestseller]

Well- admittedly, no. There are a few someones I really do wish would show up...

[action!]

[fearbringer]

So basically what you're saying is that you have no one who's here.

[action!]

[thebestseller]

Got it in one. I'm the only person left here from my world.

[action!]

[fearbringer]

Are you not the type to make friends from other places?

[action!]

[thebestseller]

Oh, oh, sure, definitely. Just not used to being separated from my loved ones back home- not for this long, anyway, and not being just a phone call or Skype away.

[action!]

[fearbringer]

Still, if you have friends here, you can't be completely alone.

[action!]

[thebestseller]

True 'nough. And I know I'll feel better in time, either way.