Chapter One [Video]

[thebestseller]

[When the feed clicks on, someone's obviously showing off. First, a blank notebook opens and turns a few pages of its own volition... before post-it notes stick on it out of nowhere, followed by a few splatters of ink. Castle then turns it on his smiling face.]

Now, as far as superpowers go, throwing ink and paper around isn't the worst thing someone could have. In fact, it's quite fitting for a writer and avid reader like myself. Just imagine all the possibilities... reading without needing to turn the pages, writing a grocery list with a few twists of the finger, putting up wallpaper... okay, maybe it's not THAT cool. But look what else I can do.

[Castle holds the phone up with one hand while writing WAFFLES in his notebook with the other. And lo and behold- a plate of waffles appears. Except one is still frozen and one is slightly burnt, and they only linger a few moments before vanishing.]

... I'm failing at demonstrating my abilities and looking halfway-competent at them, aren't I? Anybody willing to help a writer-turned-sudden-superhero out? You'd have my eternal gratitude as well as a dedication in my next novel.

[He then signs RICHARD CASTLE on the notebook page, and awaits replies.]

Comments

[thebestseller]

Yeah, really- I'm just imagining trying to, say, summon a match and getting a lit one for my troubles. But really... I've got a world of possibilities to think about.

Yup! I'm a well-known mystery writer back home.

[andaway]

That does seem a really nice set of powers to give someone who’s used to writing; I could have used something like that.

[But he already had his own, so he isn’t complaining.]

Then again I’m a reporter, not a novelist, so it isn’t quite the same. Castle, is it? If the ID is right anyway. I don’t recognize the name but considering all the alternate universes we have around here I’m not surprised. You wouldn’t have one of your books with you, would you?

[thebestseller]

[Castle nods.]

I am, unfortunately, book-less... which is a very unusual state of being for me. I have a whole set in my office back home, but seems like there's no going back there for the time being.

[andaway]

Pity. But if all I’ve been told since I got here then no, there isn’t a way yet.[He hopes that’s temporary, but the more he talks to people in this place the less hopeful he is. If people have been here for years, it might take even more years to find a way out.]

Did you get a job as a writer in here as well?

[thebestseller]

Which sucks... I've got stuff to do back home. But then again, that's true of pretty much everyone here, huh?

Of a sorts, yes- I'm... editor of a men's health magazine.

[andaway]

At least time stops back home. When we go back, all the stuff to do will still be waiting for us. [It's the only thing that keeps him going without trying to break out, really.]

It could be worse, it could be the style section. That's the one I got.

[thebestseller]

Well, that's a huge relief. I'm trying to plan my wedding, and considering that my fiance is a homicide detective... well, she'd not take it well, to say the least.

Really, now? I wonder who chooses these jobs for us?

[andaway]

Oh, so you're getting married? Congratulations! [A mystery novel writer and an homicide detective... he wonders if they met while Castle was doing research for a book. He really needs to stop getting sidetracked when there's weddings involved.]

I have no idea, but whoever it is they are having a field day. Some people have told me they got good job, though... so maybe they just didn't have any writing or reporting job free otherwise.

[thebestseller]

Thanks. It's been a long time coming, believe me- but now I have to make sure everything will be perfect.

Yeah, that could be it- and I agree, I'd like to be the one who assigns jobs here. It would have so much potential for abuse, though.

[andaway]

It could be worse. At least I we get to write- and it's nothing too publicly embarrassing.

[thebestseller]

Until I have to start answering intimate health questions, at least. Of course, I have to find out if there are any content guidelines I have to adhere to.

[andaway]

Something tells me if that were the case you'd manage to turn the situation around and make it embarrassing for the one asking, not you.

[thebestseller]

Guilty as charged. I need to keep my readers entertained, after all.

[andaway]

Remind me to keep an eye on your section, it sounds like it will at least be really amusing. Also I am no expert but I exercise a lot and have read plenty on adequate and healthy diets. [Mostly to cook for Lois, he wants her to live for as long as possible after all (yes, he can be kind of creepy on his love sometimes).]

So if you ever need a little advice feel free to contact me.

[thebestseller]

I might take you up on that. I do know how to cook and make healthier stuff- I packed my daughter's lunches for her when I could- but ever since I began working with the police, I started eating a lot more takeout.

[andaway]

You have a daughter? <small>[He can't help it, he smiles.]</small>

How old is she?

[thebestseller]

19. Growing up waaaaay too fast for her old dad's liking- seems like just yesterday she was 6, dancing in front of the mirror in her little tutu with her magic wand.

never phone tag don't be like me, look at that html

[andaway]

That's really sweet. [There's the slightest touch of sadness in his voice. The closest he got to having a son was Chris, and he... jumped to the Phantom Zone to protect Earth. Comics.]

You must miss her already.

<3

[thebestseller]

[COMICS.]

I do. I was a single father- her mother signed custody over to me... long story... so my daughter and I have always been close. Being a writer and working mostly from home meant I could be there for all the big moments.

[andaway]

That's... really sweet.

[He was close to his family, he sill is. But he does with he could eventually be in the other side of the relationship.]

I hope you ge to be back with her soon- back home, obviously. We don't want people getting randomly kidnapped here.

[thebestseller]

Definitely not- as awesome as suddenly having superpowers is, I have a feeling she'd be under a lot more scrutiny here. I've met a lot of locals who adore us strangers. Much better if she stays where she belongs.

[andaway]

I've met some of those myself, to my surprise. I expected people would be- perhaps not afraid, but way more reluctant to accept people with superpowers.

[Basically because he got the first hand experience of that.]

[thebestseller]

Same here. I guess they've become used to it, though- considering the government's all ready for us when we get here, it must have started happening a long time ago.

[andaway]

From what I've gathered we're something like the second batch of imPorts, after the Porter here was infected by another reality's Porter. Which is why they can't send us back yet.

[Yet, because he has no doubt they will find the way. Eventually.]

[thebestseller]

Yet- hopefully someone will be able to figure it out, especially considering the variety of people that are showing up here. All those different realities, though... makes my head spin.