maskormenace | Chapter One [Video]

[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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Really? Well, I guess generating half-frozen, half-burned waffles isn't something one sees every day.

Not every day, but I doubt that's the most use you're going to get out of it. What about consistency? If you draw eight stacks of waffles do they improve or deteriorate?

[Yup, he just tried that.]

I didn't quite get to eight, and towards the end they turned into mini waffles.

That is really fascinating. How about something else, now? Is it as ineffectual as the waffles?

I tried summoning a beer. It was a beer, all right- spilled all over my desk before vanishing.

Well that really is fascinating. Perhaps with practice the longevity of your ability might change--perhaps not. I'd be interested to find out.

I sure do hope so... since as it is right now, this ability is pretty useless, even if I can make a lot of stuff with it.

If I were you I might concentrate on melee weapons, perhaps. Or things that you might use once that don't need to remain intact to be useful. Food isn't very practical in the long term, is it?

True that. I don't have much experience in the way of weapons, though, just handguns- so I might go for the soft foam versions first.

Oh of course. I suppose you'd have to specify irregardless. It really is a most interesting power.
Do you suppose you could bring into existence a nuclear warhead simply by writing about it, with practice?

I'd be afraid to try, honestly- no matter how much experience I had.

I guess there is that. I don't think I'd go around whipping up nuclear devices either, but it's interesting that you could.

Suppose so- my powers could be pretty deadly in the wrong hands.

See, that's what I thought too. All it would take was a thorough knowledge of how to control it. Equally, it'd be dangerous if you couldn't. If you didn't work out how to control it. You owe it to yourself.

Luckily, I've had some willing volunteers to help me learn. Who says an old dog can't learn new tricks?

I think mostly old dogs who are tired of having treats waved in front of their noses and getting nowhere.
You should be careful. People can take advantage and wrap it in a veneer of helpfulness.

Duly noted. I'd like to think I'm a pretty good judge of character, but then again, a lot of people say that about themselves.

They do, but then they also wouldn't say very nice things about telemarketers, despite having never met them. I'm sure they're very nice people really.

Can't judge a book by its cover, after all.

Chapter One [Video]

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