24 (forward dated slightly)

[takethat]

[In the early morning hours of Sunday, there are some smudged words appearing in the journals, written in blue ink and a sloppy hand. For once, he's heeding the possibility that most of the castle residents are likely still sleeping--and he's trying to be quiet.]

It's November 11.

I've been here for a year today.

[He pauses, considering how far he's come in that past year, contemplating what he does and doesn't want to list out for the whole castle to see. In the end, he settles on a very brief little written list, more for the benefit of his own memory than anything else.]


In November, I got here.
In December, I kissed Maya Fey and Geoffrey Chaucer, and I went to Paris.
January brought Miles.
In February, I gained my voice back again.
March saw some really amazing birthday gifts.
In April, Sunflower found me.
In May, I was a mermaid, a phoenix, and a father.
In June everything started to make a lot more sense.
July took away my closest friend in this place, and also gave me something more.
In August, I tried to lead artists.
In September, I met my daughter.
And in October, I broke my leg, lost my arm, became a pony, and existed in others' nightmares.

Let's see what you've got to throw at me for this next year, castle.


[And then, because it's been far too long coming, he scribbles in a filter.]


[ Maya Fey ]

Maya. I need to tell you something.

Comments

[cantacquityou]

Ah, so you have been making up for lost time, I take it?

[takethat]

I feel like there's no right answer to this question.

[cantacquityou]

...then you have perhaps come up with more possible responses than I have.

[takethat]

[He bangs his head against the journal.]

You couldn't just let me say June was when I realized I was in love with you, could you?

[cantacquityou]

Well, I wasn't expecting such a spirited response, but if my efforts prompted you to admit that, then they were well worth it.

[takethat]

I really just feel kind of stupid.

[cantacquityou]

Oh come, now... it could not be any worse than when you're behind the bench...

[takethat]

There's a huge difference between kicking your butt in court and being all emotional with you here.

[cantacquityou]

The fact that you tend to feel stupid in either case, however, remains consistent.

[takethat]

Does the fact that I always win "remain consistent," too?

[cantacquityou]

Not at all, considering the conviction of Matt Engarde. That was your loss, technically.

1/2

[takethat]

2/2

[takethat]

That's hitting below the belt!

[cantacquityou]

I fail to see why. Aside from it being the truth, it was the very truth that we both strived to uncover.

[takethat]

Exactly, you were on my side then. So that doesn't count. I can't lose to you if we're on the same side.

[cantacquityou]

By that ridiculous logic, that would also mean that those times I've helped you acquit your clients, such as in the case of Will Powers, should not be considered your wins, either.

[takethat]

Fine, even if you don't count that one either, I've still won all the other ones!

[cantacquityou]

...Which would still contradict your earlier claim to consistent winning.

[takethat]

Not at all. If they don't count, they don't count--and I still consistently win the ones that do.

I never agreed to losing a thing. Just to certain cases being excluded from the running altogether.

[cantacquityou]

Objection!

You said it yourself... "I always win"...! No matter how you try to slice it, it remains untrue.

[takethat]

That may be what you believe, but you already discounted the Matt Engarde and Will Powers trials.

They can't be used as evidence against me.

So regardless of your own personal thoughts on the matter, you've got nothing valid with which to disprove the claim that I always win.

[cantacquityou]

I discounted nothing of the sort, seeing as though I did not agree with your nonsensical reasoning in the first place. I merely pointed out the fact that the basis of your entire argument is absolutely asinine.

Besides, if you truly believed what you claim, then what I said would not have upset you so.

[takethat]

...Should I amend my statement to say that I win ninety nine percent of the time? Does that please you, oh great loser?

[cantacquityou]

...I'm not the one who likes to consistently brag of his win record...

[takethat]

...I'm clumsy, I'm unlucky, and I tend to suck at things.

You have to let me have my bragging rights.

[It's probably for the best that he isn't sharing his belief that having a "sexy boyfriend" gives him bragging rights, too.]