It seemed that the time had come…
[To talk to - or at least, to allow for an opportunity to speak with - Bob ✨] (?!?!) 🤭✨🫢🌻
___
"T-this… this has to be bait right?!?!"
"There's no way…
that Author would do such a thing…
as to be so shameless…
as to tease us…
with (S)ally…
Actually speaking with Bob and progressing the Plot?!?!"
"Then again… he is a kind™ and good looking® Author [self-claimed] understanding that Life is too short, so there might actually be a chance that he continues with something of substance instead of just padding out the novel with hundreds if not thousands of chapters of filler?!?!"
"…Why are the phrases 'kind' and 'good looking' trademarked and registered now?!"
"He's covering his bases… this way, being kind and good looking is now official…!?"
"Wow… that is extremely shameless…"
"Then again, this is good for us, us being kind™ and good looking® Veteran Great Grandmaster Readers is now legit… maybe Author isn't so bad after all…"
"Not so fast. This could all be a distraction, meta-filler, in other words, using this whole discussion about whether or not he is writing filler… as filler…?!?!"
"But then again, if we are entertained and in a way we as the Audience are treated as characters in the novel also getting developed, then does it actually count as filler or not?"
"…"
"Wow. Yeah… haha. I know right… Tell me about it." As the Audience contemplated the sudden deep profundity of this seemingly thought-provoking sentiment, a 'kind' and 'good looking' [1]🫢✨ person empathized with the Audience whilst tossing out some generic phrases.
[1] ™® implied where beneficial thereafter except for when it's not
"Yeah…"
"…Wait."
It had been difficult to spot at first, since being kind and good looking, he had, taking a leaf from Bob's recent [Perfect Presence] Ability unlock, seamlessly camouflaged with the crowd of esteemed readers, but the sheer, unadulterated sense, and pungent scent of shamelessness that permeated from his being… and, particularly for the Veteran Great Grandmaster Readers of this novel, was a dead giveaway, and simply too distinct and glaring to ignore.
"…Author!!?!!"
This was originally what some in the Audience wanted to say, but then… owing to their now highly developed abilities… they thought it through…!!!
The veteran great grandmaster readers knew that Author was shameless, but at the same time, the fact that even Author had no idea what his characters were going to do - owing to him respecting their 'free choice' - meant that in a strange sense, he was also in the same boat as them?!?!
Author gave a grimace, and then a smile, commenting after a short while…
"Yeap, I guess that's what happens with Channelling Divine Energy… On one hand it's good in that I get to enjoy discovering the Story along with everyone else, but on the other, it also means that nothing is guaranteed… in a way adding to the enjoyment and excitement for everyone…!"
"…"
Fortunately, at this point, it seemed that 'Allie' was finally beginning to have a conversation with Bob, the scene switching out, before the sheer shamelessness of the statement could fully sink in…
___
"Bob…"
Allie says, even as she meets Bob's gaze.