27 Blueprints -- Dictated

[teds_out]

[When Ted wakes up and discovered he had gone to sleep simply out of boredom to wake up two weeks later, it didn't exactly grip him with the same anxiety as it had the first time it happened to him, but it did cause him to think that maybe it was a signal of some sorts. A signal to get off his ass and actually do something.

He'd spent most of the morning simply mulling over the matter, skimming the journal idly and glancing at his various belongings-- like the trashcan in the corner, filled to the brim with crumpled papers of failed architectural designs.

Around eleven, he would write in the journal.]

Vivian
Hey. Uh, sorry for not checking up on you, I was kind of in a loss-induced coma. [He continues on smoothly, unfazed.] I know it's still kind of cold out, but do you want to go take a walk in town?

Everyone
Yo, guys, it's Ted. Got knocked out for a couple weeks, so I hope I didn't miss anything too exciting. Hey, um, I guess this is directed more toward people who know me, but. You guys want to hang over at my place later? [He gives a shrug despite himself.] There's not really an occasion. But hey, why does there need to be? We're alive. Young. We need to rile this place up! Get lively!

Plus I haven't watched Galactic Battles in forever. Who's with me?

Comments

[teds_out]

No way! I'm so happy for you.

[formersocialite]

Yeah? Thanks, Ted. I was really worried about her.

[teds_out]

Heh, didn't know the castle had it in it.

[formersocialite]

I like to think that the castle isn't always a bad place.

[teds_out]

Bad place? No. Bad host? Ehh.

[He lifts his hands up and down in the universal 'wish-washy' sign.]

[formersocialite]

I see your point. [A beat.] At least the people here are lovely?

[teds_out]

[He gives a smile.]

The people here are great.

[He leans over, placing a kiss on her cheek.]

[formersocialite]

Yeah, they are.

[She smiles a little before turning her attention ahead of her again.]

Ted, if I told you that I was involved in the spy world back home, would you believe me?

[teds_out]

I have seen small, brightly-colored horses that could talk.

You being a spy in comparison is hardly unbelievable.

[formersocialite]

Point taken.

Although, I'm not actually a spy. I just got caught up in it through no fault of my own. There's a story behind it; a long one.

[teds_out]

Yeah? I'm listening.

[formersocialite]

I was led to believe that my father was an oil executive and that he travelled a lot due to his job. That's why he wasn't around. I hosted a party at my home a few months ago and the CIA came along, telling me that my life was in danger. An enemy of my father's was looking for a key-at the time I didn't realise what the key was for. Anyway. The CIA informed me that my father was an international arms dealer and he was on the most wanted list. I didn't believe them at first until they give me proof of my father's dealings. They were going to take me into witness protection and I said no because I wanted answers from my father and I wanted to do things my own way. So, I helped the CIA to take down the man who was after me. One of their agents posed as me and when she got into trouble, I got on my horse and took another agent to help her. I thought it was the end of it but then when I was bringing my horse back to the stable, I was confronted by the man who wanted the key. He told me about my father, that he had groomed me all of his life to take over his business and be his successor. I didn't believe him and he was going to shoot me so I startled him with my horse, grabbed a shotgun that was hidden on the saddle and shot him. I had no other choice, it was self defence.

The CIA left and I thought about what the man had said and the key. Turns out it was a necklace my father had given me when I was a young girl. It gave me access to a chip that had my father's secret bank accounts. I found it hidden away in his office after I had used the key. By this stage, my father was in CIA custody and because of that, his lawyer came along with a letter from him, saying what he wanted for me, that he wished for me to take over his business. I point blank refused and his lawyer pointed a gun at me so I stabbed his hand with a letter opener and ran out of there, catching the next flight to America to tell the CIA what had happened.

I had come to trust and befriended one of the agents in particular. Like me, his father wasn't around and he had gotten sucked into the spy world through no fault of his own. I wanted to get access to his account in the hope that I would learn more about him. So, I posed as my father's new account holder and got access to the bank, taking a safety deposit box. Contained within it were pictures and newspaper clippings of my achievements. I was confused because despite my father's absence, he was still keeping an eye on me and seemed proud of me. The CIA soon discovered that there was more and my father's account had to be taken down. I agreed to help them freeze my father's accounts on the condition that I would get to meet him and ask the questions that I had. The agent I trusted promised that I would and I went into the bank again to do what needed to be done.

My father's lawyer came along when I was in the bank and told me that the CIA was lying to me, using me for their own needs and I wouldn't get the meet with my father that I wanted. He gave me his card and I travelled back to the CIA headquarters in the states and I was told that the meet up with my father wouldn't happen. I felt betrayed and angry because I trusted them; they had broken that trust and now I would never know why my father did what he did. I broke off all ties with the CIA and never looked back.

[teds_out]

[Holy smokes. That huge drama fest sounded like it came fresh out of a suspense movie. Ted didn't disbelieve her, but it was still quite a bit to swallow.

He lets the silence linger as he gives her a solemn look in case she wanted to explain why she'd felt the need to tell him all this.]

[formersocialite]

[There's a another bit of silence before she looks at him again.]

I know it sounds completely insane, but it's true. I just figured that I should tell you because I trust you with it. No one really knows this about me.

[teds_out]

Hey, it doesn't sound completely insane. You know what sounds completely insane? A sentient castle that can simultaneously grant wishes and somehow take away your ability to design anything.

[formersocialite]

That's an excellent point and yet here we are, in a sentient castle that grants people wishes and takes thing from them.

It still does sound insane when you think about it.

[teds_out]

Meh. It's crazy normal, I guess.

Sorry about your dad, though. [A thoughtful pause.] Maybe he'll show up here, one day. And then you can ask him.

[formersocialite]

Thanks Ted but I don't think I ever want to see that man again. [They were done as far as she was concerned.]

But if he did turn up, I couldn't avoid him forever I suppose.

[teds_out]

Well, the castle's a pretty big place. You don't really have to go out of your way to stay away from certain people if you want to.

[formersocialite]

Yeah, I know. There are a lot of places I could go to avoid him. I'd be more worried about him trying to track me down instead.

[teds_out]

You could always tell everyone that if he ever shows up, pretend like you're not here.

[A pause.]

Maybe you could finally make amends with him, though.

[formersocialite]

That isn't always foolproof, Ted. Someone might slip up and then he'll know.

[It's hard for her to talk about him.]

No, I don't want that. He doesn't deserve anything from me.

[teds_out]

Well, when you compare the population of the castle to a place like Earth, I'd say the chance of him not coming here is pretty good.

[formersocialite]

Right, okay. I don't really want to talk about him anymore, sorry. It's just a little difficult for me to do so.

[teds_out]

Oh, yeah, yeah, sorry.

[Looks like they're in town, now. It's been awhile.]

Anyplace in particular you'd like to go to?