"W-Well, I suppose we can ask and find out… to learn more about what it's all about…"
"Surely, Author wouldn't leave us out!"
___
"About time…"
Author was going about his business, writing about Arroe and Meatius' upcoming bout, when he experienced a bout of a… certain feeling…
Indeed. It was an idea - the usual 'brainwave' - for more shameless dealings…!
The "Friends of Bobverse" honorary status, alongside the special, limited edition ~"Insiders Membership Pass"~ would be a highly sought-after perk, a certain distinction of class, to reward the esteemed readers for becoming Transcendent Great Grand Master Readers of this novel and all their great work…!!!
Not to mention, even as the Powerstones rolled in from the scheme, it was likely that the In-Story Audience would also be keen… !!?!
___
"About time…"
And so it happened.
"Author… D-does the "Friends of Bobverse" honorary status and ~"Insiders Membership Pass"~ apply to us…?"
Pep-Z Guy didn't want to make a fuss, but he couldn't help but be anx…ious, since, after all, this… was something Socielle had requested, as a result, he was more or less forced to be invested 🫢✨.
Author leaned back, as if taking time to consider the matter.
Pep-Z Guy?! Friend of Bobverse?!?! Were those two things… actually compatible?
Not to mention. What exactly was… a "Friend of Bobverse" anyway? Surely it wasn't just someone that only praised the novel?
"Well. Recently, I was told that Friends are people that more or less genuinely want the best for the other, and the result of a healthy friendship is something that makes both people better."
"Let's see."
"Pep…Z… Guy…"
*Author makes a show of quickly reading back through all their interactions [starting from Chapter 40, where Pep-Z Guy was first introduced?!!?], before the 'reveal'*
"Ah. Congratulations… in that case I guess you qualify ✨🤭"
Author shakes Pep-Z Guy's hand and pats him on the back.
"Welcome to the ["Friends of Bobverse"] Club."
"And *here* are your two ~"Insiders Membership Passes"~ one for you, and one for a… friend… 🫢✨"
"Oh!" Despite swiftly seeing through the shamelessness, and cutting through the carefully-crafted cringe, Pep-Z Guy couldn't help but tinge… !!! with a glow of excitement … !!?! As he received the "Friends of Bobverse" ~"Insiders Membership Passes"~ He found himself standing up straighter - tall - feeling that Author wasn't such a bad guy, after all…
*Ahem*
"That said. The 'on-the-house' special offer was only for the esteemed readers…"
"!!?!"
"But since it's you, Pep-Z Guy, and we go way back… I'm happy to work something out… ✨"
"…"
Author looks meaningfully at Socielle in the Audience, who is looking expectantly and hopefully back at them, having witnessed them shake hands.
"… Author!!!!"
Pep-Z Guy grit his teeth, but as a matter of fact, it turned out Author's pitch was rather good, and they eventually agreed on something that he was happy with, not too cheap that it was considered insignificant, not too expensive that it was outrageous, but just a little more than was comfortable, and yet of exceptional value, leaving Pep-Z Guy feeling that he had just scored a great deal!!?!
Not to mention, for Pep-Z Guy, seeing the sweet Socielle very happy and basking in the aura of having 'sorted it out' and 'gotten things done' was also quite a good feeling 🤭✨🔥
___
*Afterwards*
"It was rather fun messing with Pep-Z Guy, but I couldn't do that to my own characters…"
*Author transfers the payment back to Pep-Z Guy's savings account.*
It wasn't just about the money, the spaceships, magic castles, and golden gachapons, he ultimately appreciated all the positive thoughts, and the friendship and connections that made life better for everyone connected with this novel !!! 🤭✨💖🌻💫
___
*Congratulations*!!!
✨["Friends of Bobverse"] ✨
✨[~"Insiders Membership Pass"~ ]✨
has been unlocked!!!?!
<=== Collect here to say thank you for reading this novel up to this point…
<=== Cost: Normally an exorbitant fee, but of course, for you, it's free 🫢✨🤭🌻💖🔥💫