[ Why is he so damn talented at knowing what words work on her?
The moment he asks that question, Jesse feels all of the raging emotions simmer. They don't disappear, but they lessen, as she finds it hard to even be angry with him when he acknowledges why she's upset. When this whole thing started? It was easier. When she didn't remember how much she loved him? It was easier. Now, all she feels is a different upset fill her. She knows exactly what that upset is and she doesn't want to name it. Naming it gives it more power and she needs that drive in something else right now.
Even if that upset hurts so much.
Her expression scrunched up. Has she really helped him at all? She pulls him out of the waters and he is always pulled back in. Nothing she does seems to keep him afloat. Not even coming into the Dark Place feels like it's helped now. Will he even remember all this happened? Will he realize the edits on the manuscript? Will he just stare at her name written all over this draft of Initiation and wonder who she is?
« If we're the only thing keeping him afloat, then we can't leave. You can't take the raft away from a drowning man. He won't survive. We can't leave. I can't leave. I'll keep fighting the Dark Presence for him. So he can write the ending he needs.
I don't let people down anymore. I don't fail them. I don't leave them behind. Never again. »
Her balled hand in his jacket tugs as if to make the point further. He either comes with her or she stays. Those are the only two options she'll allow to play out.
Tim frowns at Alan's question. Where does he begin? A sigh follows before reaching into his jean jacket. He holds up a piece of paper, a familiar one that has gone through a typewriter.
The back of the page faces the other two in the room as Tim really doesn't want to play this card. He had only intended to leave it behind for Alan once he did what the page said. That's still his plan. Jesse is just trying to make her own path, like she always does, and fight the story. Even if this time it's in her best interests to not fight. ]
You gave it to me. Well, will give it to me now, I guess. Said I'd know what it means and when to use it. Guess that time is now. [ Tim speaks gently as he can tell the charged emotions in the room. It's never been hard to tell how much Alan loves Jesse. Now he can see it on the other end. ] I can't ... really say much. But, even if it breaks the rules? It's going to work out. The loops are going to end. You just have to get to that end you both want.
[ Jesse doesn't take her eyes off Alan. Hearing what Tim has said hasn't changed her mind. It's made her more determined to stay. She channels her energy into the floor to root herself in the Writer's Room. ]
I'm not leaving.
Jesse--
--I'm not leaving you in the dark again! [ Jesse shouts at both of them, even with her eyes still on the writer and the words aimed at him. Scratch's story. Anything listening. A slight shake of her head, causing the curled strands to shift against her face. ] I don't care what "Initiation" says. Or "Return" or whatever other story, I'm not going!
[ Tim's gaze raises from the two as he heads a sound. It's not familiar to him, but he knows immediately what it is. Footsteps from the beyond the door. Not at the door, but walking towards it. A scratching sound that follows it. He knows they're really out of time now.
Jesse really does know how to burn away time for her own path.
He's suddenly behind Jesse. The former Sheriff wraps both of his arms around her and locks her against him. Jesse is immediately pushing against him, pulling, trying to fight him off. Tim looks straight at Alan and nods to the page on the floor. ]
Put it somewhere safe where you're going to find it and remember it. You need to give it to me. [ Tim nods firmly again. ] Sorry, Alan. Really, I am.
Get off of--[ Jesse's bright green eyes jump back to Alan's as a panicked look fills them.] Al--...
[ His name is cut off as she and Tim disappear. The Writer's Room falls silent again as if the other two and never been there. The glowing manuscript page rests on the floor where it was dropped. Beyond the door the scratching disgusting sound builds and frustration.
Scratch can't enter the room as long as the lights stay on. ]
no subject
The moment he asks that question, Jesse feels all of the raging emotions simmer. They don't disappear, but they lessen, as she finds it hard to even be angry with him when he acknowledges why she's upset. When this whole thing started? It was easier. When she didn't remember how much she loved him? It was easier. Now, all she feels is a different upset fill her. She knows exactly what that upset is and she doesn't want to name it. Naming it gives it more power and she needs that drive in something else right now.
Even if that upset hurts so much.
Her expression scrunched up. Has she really helped him at all? She pulls him out of the waters and he is always pulled back in. Nothing she does seems to keep him afloat. Not even coming into the Dark Place feels like it's helped now. Will he even remember all this happened? Will he realize the edits on the manuscript? Will he just stare at her name written all over this draft of Initiation and wonder who she is?
« If we're the only thing keeping him afloat, then we can't leave. You can't take the raft away from a drowning man. He won't survive. We can't leave. I can't leave. I'll keep fighting the Dark Presence for him. So he can write the ending he needs.
I don't let people down anymore. I don't fail them. I don't leave them behind. Never again. »
Her balled hand in his jacket tugs as if to make the point further. He either comes with her or she stays. Those are the only two options she'll allow to play out.
Tim frowns at Alan's question. Where does he begin? A sigh follows before reaching into his jean jacket. He holds up a piece of paper, a familiar one that has gone through a typewriter.
The back of the page faces the other two in the room as Tim really doesn't want to play this card. He had only intended to leave it behind for Alan once he did what the page said. That's still his plan. Jesse is just trying to make her own path, like she always does, and fight the story. Even if this time it's in her best interests to not fight. ]
You gave it to me. Well, will give it to me now, I guess. Said I'd know what it means and when to use it. Guess that time is now. [ Tim speaks gently as he can tell the charged emotions in the room. It's never been hard to tell how much Alan loves Jesse. Now he can see it on the other end. ] I can't ... really say much. But, even if it breaks the rules? It's going to work out. The loops are going to end. You just have to get to that end you both want.
[ Jesse doesn't take her eyes off Alan. Hearing what Tim has said hasn't changed her mind. It's made her more determined to stay. She channels her energy into the floor to root herself in the Writer's Room. ]
I'm not leaving.
Jesse--
--I'm not leaving you in the dark again! [ Jesse shouts at both of them, even with her eyes still on the writer and the words aimed at him. Scratch's story. Anything listening. A slight shake of her head, causing the curled strands to shift against her face. ] I don't care what "Initiation" says. Or "Return" or whatever other story, I'm not going!
[ Tim's gaze raises from the two as he heads a sound. It's not familiar to him, but he knows immediately what it is. Footsteps from the beyond the door. Not at the door, but walking towards it. A scratching sound that follows it. He knows they're really out of time now.
Jesse really does know how to burn away time for her own path.
He's suddenly behind Jesse. The former Sheriff wraps both of his arms around her and locks her against him. Jesse is immediately pushing against him, pulling, trying to fight him off. Tim looks straight at Alan and nods to the page on the floor. ]
Put it somewhere safe where you're going to find it and remember it. You need to give it to me. [ Tim nods firmly again. ] Sorry, Alan. Really, I am.
Get off of--[ Jesse's bright green eyes jump back to Alan's as a panicked look fills them.] Al--...
[ His name is cut off as she and Tim disappear. The Writer's Room falls silent again as if the other two and never been there. The glowing manuscript page rests on the floor where it was dropped. Beyond the door the scratching disgusting sound builds and frustration.
Scratch can't enter the room as long as the lights stay on. ]