[ If she could see her face? Jesse would say Alan looks worse when he washes out. It's a hollow look, not a distracted one. Like everything that makes him Alan Wake is gone and it's just a husk of a writer with paranormal powers. None of the sarcasm, dry humor, or wit is there. Just someone who can use words spiraling down and down into... she doesn't even know what. The Dark Place? The Dark Presence? Something she doesn't even know that exists in that dimension?
Jesse seems hardly bothered Steve has seen them, and more irritated that he interrupted. Steve has been there in enough loops to understand they're close. How he remembers is something that still nags at her mind. He isn't a parautalitarian. Maybe it's just being used to so many thresholds? He has been a ranger for decades...
« What am I, sixteen? Even if he's old enough to be my dad. Which is a thought I'd rather not think about again. Ugh. » ]
Hey, Mr. Famous. I'm still older than you, even if I don't look it. [ He grins then turns to leave. ] But, seriously. You got a handgun you prefer?
[ When he has his answer, Steve turns and heads back to the backside door. Estevez is waiting with her arms crossed, moving her gaze back and forth between the Director and the Ranger Captain. Then, Steve shuffles her inside.
Jesse pulls herself up with Alan's help. She firmly plants her bare feet against the asphalt to ground herself. Just until her legs and arms stop feeling like jelly. She has to pull herself together. They only have minutes, like Steve pointed out.
There is a hum in the air as the generators the field team brought with them click on. ]
He's ex-military. Navy pilot. [ Jesse says it as if it explains everything about Steve in two short sentences. ] They discharged him after some kind of accident killed his co-pilot. Steve blamed an unidentified flying object that caused a spin out? Or something. The FBC recruited him after that. He's been a high ranking ranger for years. [ She brushed the dirt off her pants as she gains her balance back. ] ...he takes all of it serious. Even if it doesn't seem like it. We lost most the rangers to the Hiss.
[ « What didn't we lose? Dylan. Multiple rangers. People. Scientists. The entire management team Trench put together... and any knowledge any of them had. That's why this AWE is important. Not just because of Alan and what I feel about him. The Dark Presence would do what the Hiss did. We CAN'T let that happen. »
Jesse looks back up at him and blows a stray piece of hair from her face. ]
But, he willingly volunteered to go to the Investigation Sector with me once I had it secured. [ « We really don't need to go over the details again. He knows I know, so, why waste time? » ] Helped me take down Hartman. He wouldn't let me come to Bright Falls on my own after fighting... the Thing. So, he might hover. A lot.
...Sorry. Just in case.
[ She glances to the back exit of the Sheriff Station. Then, she rocks forward and gives him another quick kiss. She can feel Polaris' resonance spike below her feet. Almost time. ]
no subject
Jesse seems hardly bothered Steve has seen them, and more irritated that he interrupted. Steve has been there in enough loops to understand they're close. How he remembers is something that still nags at her mind. He isn't a parautalitarian. Maybe it's just being used to so many thresholds? He has been a ranger for decades...
« What am I, sixteen? Even if he's old enough to be my dad. Which is a thought I'd rather not think about again. Ugh. » ]
Hey, Mr. Famous. I'm still older than you, even if I don't look it. [ He grins then turns to leave. ] But, seriously. You got a handgun you prefer?
[ When he has his answer, Steve turns and heads back to the backside door. Estevez is waiting with her arms crossed, moving her gaze back and forth between the Director and the Ranger Captain. Then, Steve shuffles her inside.
Jesse pulls herself up with Alan's help. She firmly plants her bare feet against the asphalt to ground herself. Just until her legs and arms stop feeling like jelly. She has to pull herself together. They only have minutes, like Steve pointed out.
There is a hum in the air as the generators the field team brought with them click on. ]
He's ex-military. Navy pilot. [ Jesse says it as if it explains everything about Steve in two short sentences. ] They discharged him after some kind of accident killed his co-pilot. Steve blamed an unidentified flying object that caused a spin out? Or something. The FBC recruited him after that. He's been a high ranking ranger for years. [ She brushed the dirt off her pants as she gains her balance back. ] ...he takes all of it serious. Even if it doesn't seem like it. We lost most the rangers to the Hiss.
[ « What didn't we lose? Dylan. Multiple rangers. People. Scientists. The entire management team Trench put together... and any knowledge any of them had. That's why this AWE is important. Not just because of Alan and what I feel about him. The Dark Presence would do what the Hiss did. We CAN'T let that happen. »
Jesse looks back up at him and blows a stray piece of hair from her face. ]
But, he willingly volunteered to go to the Investigation Sector with me once I had it secured. [ « We really don't need to go over the details again. He knows I know, so, why waste time? » ] Helped me take down Hartman. He wouldn't let me come to Bright Falls on my own after fighting... the Thing. So, he might hover. A lot.
...Sorry. Just in case.
[ She glances to the back exit of the Sheriff Station. Then, she rocks forward and gives him another quick kiss. She can feel Polaris' resonance spike below her feet. Almost time. ]
Are you ready?