thebestseller | Chapter 38. Vampire Weekend

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Chapter 38. Vampire Weekend

[This entry is forward-dated slightly to midday tomorrow. The writing is still recognizable as Castle's, but the hand trembles a little.]

Promise ----> Alexis
Nikki ----> Detective Kate Beckett

I'm a mystery writer. Nikki- Kate- ~~wasn't~~ isn't my wife, but she's a homicide detective, and we're partners. I shadow her and help her solve cases because she's the inspiration for my new series of books. I live in a loft apartment with my daugher, Alexis, and my mom, Martha. I'm famous, too. REALLY famous.

Alexis is waiting for me. I [There's a long pause here, and the writing becomes steadier, but slower as he carefully considers each word and phrase.]

I've made a lot of friends here. All of you have helped me through some tough times and been the best friends... and everything else... a guy could ask for. "Thank you" doesn't seem like enough at this point, not nearly. I'm never going to forget any of you.

But my daughter is back home. She needs me. And I'll keep having adventures. Not without saying goodbye in person, not without making arrangements first, but... I'm going home.

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[Fortunately, Genius wasn't too far from the residential area, having spent several hours wandering the bazaar and watching the various vendors begin to pack up their storefronts. He was shocked by how many people seemed to be sure that this was truly the end and that there was no more tricks or last minute disasters awaiting them. Maybe Orca had been onto something, with his sure belief that Fugue's end was near. It made Genius wonder how the strange man met that end...but at the same time he really didn't care.

He was conflicted. Surprisingly not as conflicted as he had expected and feared but there was still a fair amount of reeling going on in his head. Having the context of his life back to him meant that Genius could now weigh his choices and his job with Rossum against his entire lifetime. He remembered his divorced parents, his absent mother and indifferent father. He remembered his painfully isolated childhood that was spent bouncing from grade level to grade level, too smart for high school, too immature for college. He remembered bullies and condescending adults and detentions, suspensions. But he also remembered video games the internet and hacking, entire nights spent learning code and later learning human anatomy. He remembered choosing medicine because it was a challenge and choosing brain surgery because it was an even greater challenge. Never mind the fact that he couldn't stand the sight of blood or the fact that he had a bedside manner of a hyperactive toddler. He loved Science, everything he did was in pursuit of Science and it gave him a God like feeling of control that he could now recall perfectly, even if the taste of it was now bitter in light of his two years.

Knowing all that, having this aspect of himself again but still possessing the memories of his time in Edensphere made him feel like he was learning to walk all over again. He didn't feel like two people anymore like he had when he was memory-less. Instead he felt almost like he was reborn, into something completely new. Not Genius. Not Topher.

But at the same time he was at a loss as to how he was going to explain all of this to Rick, especially when the fact of the matter was that Genius wasn't ready to go back home. In fact he was pretty sure he couldn't go back home. Not now.

He saw Rick in the distance with their beloved Tribble...and he froze. He didn't know what to say anymore. So he just waved awkwardly instead.]

[Upon spotting his brother, Castle waved back and scooped up Tribble, approaching him. After their memory regain, Genius had just wandered off to be by himself- and Castle wasn't sure that he could blame him, from what he knew of his "brother's" past. Having his own come back all at once was overwhelming for HIM, and Castle hadn't had that bad a life.

It seemed a little strange now, with all of his memories, knowing that he had no real siblings (to his knowledge), to call Genius brother still, but yet- what else COULD they be? After two years living together like this, becoming so close, what else seemed right to call their relationship? Then Qi's words from months ago echoed in his mind.

Father you, though you can say brother forever if you like.

When he reached Genius, Castle's mouth hung open a bit as he realized he wasn't sure what to say. But he had to try, anyway.]

So... here we are. You got all of your memories back, I'm guessing?

[Genius reached over to pat Tribble awkwardly on the head and the ball of fur immediately snuggled into his palm.]

I ...think so. [It felt like it anyways. There were no gaps that he could tell but then how was he supposed to know if he couldn't remember it?] My childhood, my parents. M-my job. Even Catherine--Adelle. I remember her being in Edensphere now. We spent a lot of time together before she disappeared. [The pain of losing her both fresh and yet distant. He could remember feeling loss but it was though he was recalling a painful memory from long ago.]

I just needed time to--to think about everything. I didn't mean to worry you or the others. It's just...the very last thing I remember before having my birth dream and waking up floating in goo was--was bad. [He shivered.] Very very bad.

[Without warning, Genius suddenly stepped close and grabbed Rick and Tribble in a bear hug. It wasn't very manly but then Genius was beyond caring.]

[Castle tightly hugged Genius back, not really caring at all- and part of him was glad that he was still comfortable doing that, even knowing everything now. Tribble squirmed to nuzzle under Genius' chin and lick at his face.]

Yeah. I remember everything, too, but- nothing overly bad. And I kinda guessed that you wanted time to process everything. Just... from what I know... it would've been a lot to take in.

[He sighed heavily.]

So- what are you going to do? What do you WANT to do now?

[The drooling Tribble kisses were comforting, even if they did vaguely smell like dirt and raw steak (ew). Genius--Topher now even if he was still having a hard time adjusting to his old name--was grateful that Rick seemed to be handling his memory return a lot better than him. It meant that he had someone to lean on, the same person he had always leaned on.

The person that didn't exist in his world. The one thing he didn't even realize was missing until everything else about himself was missing.

...God Edensphere had made him sappy.]

I did, I needed to just not deal with Gai and Be--Kakashi and Romana banter. I needed to just be alone for a bit to...to remember how to be Topher again.

[He smirked.]

I never thought I'd want to be him again but...he's me. Ben--Luke--was right. You can't run away from yourself forever. He--I'm--not a monster.

[He paused.]

Just...a very lost person. A very sad person. Who was lying to himself about how lost and sad he was.

[He thought about Rick's question for a long moment.]

I'm not sure. I don't think--ha. I've been gone for two years. [He stepped away and gave Rick a sad, slightly frightened look.] I'm pretty sure if I went back home, it would be very very bad. I'm not even sure I want to tell you what I think will happen.

[He fidgeted--he really couldn't keep this in, even if he knew it would bother Rick to know the truth of his world.]

Like, I'm pretty sure the evil corporation I work for will come after me, interrogate me to find out where I was and why I left my job for two years. They will then download my memories to prove I was where I said I was, then erase them and at best, make me into an Active, which is a memory less, personality less being. Ironic huh? At worst? They'll throw me into the Attic, which is basically a living nightmare that never ends.

I ah...come from a bad place.

[Castle sighed as he listened to Genius, wishing he had some huge pearl of wisdom to give out, anything but sarcasm or what he felt like hollow words of comfort. But that was always more others' department... sometimes Ben's, or Lyle's, or even Qi's.

He shifted uncomfortably at that last part, both because of the whole idea of being wiped again- only this time devoid of any personality, any sense of self- but because it confirmed his nagging feeling that Genius didn't HAVE much of a home to go back to.

He wasn't going to get into the whole two-years-gone part, because he didn't even want to think about what that would have done to his daughter.]

And if the people you were working for are willing to do that... I'm willing to bet they're in no small part responsible for leading you on and manipulating you into doing bad things. For how you turned out. I don't think anyone's bad. Not inherently. But take two guys like you and send them on two different story paths... they turn out differently.

[He set Tribble down.]

I'm not going to pretend that what you did doesn't bother me. But the people above you sound a hell of a lot worse. A lot of people in your world have a lot to answer for. And here... I mean. I've taken care of you and watched you for almost two years now. I called you brother and took care of you and just... trusted you. Because I wanted your story to have a different ending than... what happened. 'cause there's no way in hell it was gonna have a happy one.

[Castle rubbed the back of his neck, and his next words were hurried and nervous.]

... Genius, come home with me. To my world. With me and Mom and Alexis. Where they can't get you.

[Genius looked away as Rick shifted uncomfortably, feeling equally as uncomfortable. But Rick's words made him smile a little.]

Two guys on different story paths, huh. I guess you would know about storylines, Mr. Writer.

[Question was, did he deserve a happy ending. After everything he'd been through in Edensphere, he truly hoped so.

Then Rick's next words caused Genius to turned sharply and stare at his brother ...with a brilliant smile on his face.

Home.

With Rick.

Home was Rick.]

I--I was--you said that before and that's what I wanted to ask. For realsies? You don't mind? This c-could be permanent. Nobody's sure. I probably don't even exist in your world so I'd have to come up with a whole new everything.

[And damn if that didn't sound exciting. Fun even. A hacker's dream. A fresh start. Another one, and what on earth had he done to deserve two fresh starts?

He didn't want to question it. He just wanted to say--]

Yes!

Well!

[Castle was a little surprised that Genius' answer came so easily- then realized he probably shouldn't be, since Genius knew what kind of fate awaited him back home. If he had the chance to just- disappear, why not?]

It's settled, then. If... if we really have been gone for two years, it's going to take some explaining, but... I have connections. You'd be surprised the kind of contacts I've picked up over the years. ... There's also the teensy-weensy fact that I don't know who my father is, so there you go! Built-in long-lost half-sibling excuse.

[He put an arm around his brother, giving him another hug.]

And no, I don't mind. I couldn't live with myself if I abandoned you to that kind of fate.

[There was no way the wide, slightly crazed smile on Genius' face was going away any time soon. For the first time since his kidnapping, Topher felt the tiny ball of dread that seemed permanently lodged in his chest loosen. This was it. They were actually talking about a future--talking about life beyond Edensphere. It was impossible to wrap his mind around and yet he couldn't help but bounce slightly on his toes.]

Connections? What do you know the Mob? Alexis has been here before maybe she's told everywhere where you've been. And Kate! I could totally be your long lost half brother! We have the same eyes!

[They totally didn't but he laughed anyways and glomped onto Rick. The laughter made Tribble bark and bounce next to him and that made him pause and pull back slightly.]

Shoot. Rick! What about Tribble! We can't leave him here.

[Feeling more at ease now, Castle laughed along with him.]

Well, I write mysteries. Crime books. So it's more along the lines of forensic investigators, CIA people... and mobsters, of course. Someone will know someone who can help. I just have this feeling.

[He then frowned at the question and reached down to pat Tribble.]

People are inventing all kinds of new breeds of dog, aren't they? We can call him a fancy designer puppy. A cross between a Pomeranian and a dust bunny. Something like that.

Crime books huh? That's one genre I can't say I ever read as a kid. I was into fantasy and scifi. You know. Isaac Asimov and the like. But I guess the best place to hide an ah...illegal immigrant? Is with a guy who rides with cops.

Huh. I'm gonna be one of those people the Republicans bitch about. Sweet.

[The comment about designer dogs gets a laugh out of him]

More like a science experiment gone wrong. But people are trusting and never see the things that are right in front of him, so I guess it'll work.

[He's speaking from personal experience of course.]

We're really gonna do this, aren't we? Gonna leave the Sphere and--well. You get your life back. I get to create a whole new one.

[He smiled hesitantly]

I'm excited and scared.

... Me, too.

[Castle hugged Genius tightly yet again. There were so many ways this could go wrong, but... it's not like he hadn't engaged in risky behavior before, right?]

But we're going to do this, no matter how hard it looks. With our designer puppy and everything. I'm filthy rich, so we'll find a way to... take care of all the potential problems that could arise. And hey, you never know- if I ever get bored of writing crime, I could write futuristic crime. With Jedi and Gundams and ninjas in it. It'd be sure to be a hit.

No more deaths. No more kidnappings or evil twins or zombie or giant ants. Or unicorns. I don't--God we're gonna need so much therapy.

[He leaned into the hug and laughed.]

Filthy rich huh? So was I--damn it. I never did get to dive into my piles and piles of cash like Scrooge McDuck from Duck Tales.

Dude. That sounds like the worst fanfic ever.

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Chapter 38. Vampire Weekend

Quicklog/DUMP OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND NO ACTION TILL THE VERY END. YOURE WELCOME!

Quicklog YAY

deliciously awkward

MAN LOVE

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i'm switching between genius and topher mostly because I can't decide which to use >|

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