006. (v2) [audio]

[stillseecracks]

Um--

F-For everybody, wh-who has the-- th-the ink s-stuff, it's-- n-not hard to get r-rid off. Y-You just-- i-if you talk i-into your journal, o-or write i-in it, or video-th--thing in it, then... th-then you can wash the-- the ink off. A-And it-- i-it stops spreading.

I-I don't... know what happens... i-if you don't.

[Pause.]M-Make an-- e-entry

Comments

[audio]

[likesfootnotes]

You turn into an enchanted book. Where do you think they got the journal they gave you?

[Bartimaeus says it with such calm surety that he must be right... right? Right.]

[audio]

[likesfootnotes]

[Xanth, you are determined today, aren't you.]

I've added my share of artistic flair, yes.

[audio]

[stillseecracks]

[He's feeling just a bit defiant today. Where will it get him? Nowhere, likely.]

Oh.

R--Really.

L-Like what.

[audio]

[likesfootnotes]

[Xanth's Adventures in Asserting Himself: Part One! Rise of the Djinni Backtalk.]

I didn't expect a plebeian such as yourself to have seen the difference. Might I suggest taking a stroll about the Keep and writing a report on how I've bettered it according to your dull powers of observation?

(Think of the positive end: It might stop the ink from turning you into an enchanted journal.)

[audio]

[stillseecracks]

[It will be the novel of the ages!

But Xanth bristles. He's not sure what plebeian means, but it sounds so... insulting.]

If-- if I h-haven't n--noticed, th-then, it-- i-it's not-- it's not w-worth my t-time.

[audio]

[likesfootnotes]

[And shall be made into the best movie of all time!

Excellent job, Xanth! It IS, in fact, insulting!]

Fancy yourself some lauded expert in these things, do you? Know all the differences between a rock and a gemstone, I suppose.

[stillseecracks]

[OKAY

HE'S DONE WITH THIS

YOU JUST GOT HUNG UP ON

HE SURE SHOWED YOU]