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synthneon2023-11-01 01:57 am
outlierdirector) wrote in synthneon2023-11-01 01:57 am
oceanview || ❝ i must guide my love through the night. ❞
I cannot feel her by my side
Even in this placе inside my mind
no subject
I don't think that trust is an idea that's popular here, Tim. Not to be bleak about it, but the nature of this place is the exact opposite. [ At least that's one thing he can speak definitively about. Trusting anything down here just brings about trouble, or worse. ] But hey, if it's worth anything, I know I can trust you. It's probably not worth much, given how easily I forget basically everything, but- You kind of got the short end of the stick, didn't you? Sorry. I wish I could do something to get you out of here.
[ But seeing as how he can't even free himself, that probably doesn't mean much either. ]
I guess not, but that's good, in a way. This story kills people. I'm trying to stop it, but I don't think anyone would say my attempts are going well.
[ Alan listens intently to Tim's explanation, because it's all news to him how he got here in the first place. ]
2010, huh? [ Whatever he was expecting, it wasn't that. It doesn't really make sense to him how he remembers what started all of this, but for reasons he doesn't understand, that information's stuck with him when other information hasn't. ] I'm guessing I'd probably know some of those names, then. [ Or maybe he wouldn't. It all depends on how involved they were in the confusion that was everything that happened back then. ]
Where did you find these pages? Just out of curiosity. [ He seems to recall Jesse mentioning a page that was found, or rather, pushed under the door in a certain motel. It's a long shot, but he can't help but wonder if there's a connection. ]
She knows a little about the manuscripts. Well, about Return, at least. She knows that I didn't write it, that I'm trying to change what's been written. [ She was a little forceful about it, but I like that about her. I don't know if I've told her that yet. ]
no subject
[ Not that he wants to sound like the kind of guy that's going to constantly blame someone else for his misfortune. But, Door is sort of the reason he's here and not back at Bright Falls helping Agent Anderson and Agent Casey. ]
Everyone's a critic.
[ He glances over his shoulder at some of the shadows shifting. Then, he looks back at Alan. This time he lowers his voice a bit. ]
Well, there were the rumors going around that the latest victim had a history with you. The name Robert Nightingale mean anything? [ He wonders what happened with that. Hopefully Anderson was able to take care of it on her end. ] Oh, we found them all over the place. Closed off campgrounds, in town, forest near by. I mean, it wasn't often, but let's say the Sheriff Department wasn't surprised to see them when we did find them.
[ Tim nods again. ] And, Return's the one that is screwing with everything back home? In Bright Falls, I mean. It's probably never been home to you.
no subject
[ He knows he'll miss the other man's company, but he doesn't belong here. This place could chew him up and spit him back out, and he doesn't deserve that. ]
I mean, I think I'm pretty critical of myself and my own writing. People called my books bestsellers but they went through a lot of edits, and not just from an editor who was paid to look at them.
[ He's also all too aware that he's critical of himself in general, not just as it relates to writing books. ]
Nightingale... Robert Nightingale. Yeah, that sounds familiar. Vaguely. I know we met, I'm just not sure exactly when. [ Dates, times, people... things Alan should remember have gotten a bit jumbled in his head. ] Victim, though. So he's dead? Let me guess, it has something to do with the story. A manuscript page. Did I write it, or didn't I?
Honestly, Tim, I don't really know where home is for me anymore. I'd like to get back to our reality; that's all I've really been thinking about. [ That's why he half-seriously contemplated living in a small town like Bright Falls. It probably wouldn't work out, but a thought's a thought. ] But yeah, Return seems to be causing all this trouble. Except, it wouldn't exist if someone hadn't written it.
[ Alan's mouth twists to the side when he says the word "someone", as if it's leaving a bad taste in his mouth. ]
no subject
Alan responds to what buttons you push--at least, that's how Tim sees it. If you smack those buttons that drive him into a corner? He'll lash out like a wounded animal. Give him space, time, offer some help? He'll be like everyone else.
Minus the fact they're stuck in nightmare dream land. ]
Well, I'm not leaving until I find out more about Door. He's been in my head and dreams for years. I'm not going back home until I find out why. So, you got me here as long as you want to keep working together. Or, forget again, I guess.
[ So, Alan knew of Nightingale. It seems like trying to get answers about thirteen years ago isn't going to work. Not while they're in the Dark Place at least. ]
We found him tied to a picnic table outside the closed up Cauldron Lake General Store. Bloated. Wrists and ankles tied up for some sort of ritual killing. But, yeah, his heart had been cut out. Agent Anderson said it was left on the table next to him. There... [ Tim pauses, having to focus to remember these details. It was right before he was pulled here. ] She was doing an autopsy. Found a page stuffed inside him like a Thanksgiving turkey. Pulled out, started to read it. That's when I went to show her the pages we had been finding around town, the woods.
I tried to give her one specific page. That's when Door got me. Brought me here.
[ He nods to himself as if finally confirming it all in his head. ]
You know the old saying, Alan. "Home is where the heart is." [ He just has the feeling it'll help somehow. A simple saying, an old one. A little cliche. But, something about it just feels like what Alan needs. ] And this "someone" is your doppleganger. The one you warned me about that looks like you, wandering around the not New York. Right?
[ Tim goes to say something else, but something catches his attention. He turns his head, rain bouncing off the rim of his hat as he looks down the street. The TV goes static as the transmission falls off. He sees a dark street, but it seems to be... more. But he can't see what it really is.
He can't see the talk show building. He can't make it manifest. Alan can, though. He'll need the Writer to lead him to it. Maybe then they can find out more about this Jesse Faden. ]
We should get moving.
no subject
He might not ever say it in so many words, but he appreciates Tim still trying to help. ]
You know, I never asked, just heard you mention it on and off. How long has that been going on? Also, for what it's worth, if I see anything about Door while I'm... you know. I'll write it down and get it to you as soon as I can. [ He shrugs and offers a half-smile. ] You scratch my back, I scratch yours, I guess?
[ Except the things at stake here are much bigger than simply repaying favors. ]
"As long as you want to keep working together". I don't see many people besides you offering to help. So as long as you want to help- You're stuck with me, and vice versa.
[ All of that to say, Alan doesn't want to lose this friendship he has with Tim. ]
I... that sounds familiar. Maybe it's something I wrote and forgot about, or... or someone wrote it and I left it in. [ He shakes his head. ] I've written so much, made so many edits, I'm sure I've forgotten a thing or two. Or a hundred.
If it was up to me, Tim, I'd find a way to get you back home. I'm grateful that you're here, that you're helping, but- you should be back home where you belong. I mean that. [ He hopes his sincerity is obvious, because regardless of his own personal wants, Tim should get to go home. ]
'Cause, you know. Home is where the heart is, right? [ This time, he actually does smile. It's only there for a minute before it fades again as the conversation turns back to discussing his doppelganger, but it still was a genuine smile. ]
Yeah, that's him. Unfortunately. [ Alan lets out a long sigh because he really hates even thinking about his double. ]
But yeah, you're right, we have places to be.
[ He's just noticed the same thing that Tim has, and that usually means one thing. He needs to change the scene to get them to where they need to go, and so he pulls out the angel lamp and activates it, forcing the scene to switch and the building, their destination, to appear. ]
And that's how I've been getting around. If you wanted to know.
no subject
Thanks, man. I appreciate it. And, uh, I'll keep doing what I've been doing. Let you know if I find anything that sticks out. Or, more about our science guy.
[ A smile forms on his face at the fact they've made it official--being partners. On a case. Different cases, but both seem to be tied into the over all thing of this weird dream reality. It's a complicated web that he's not sure he can unwind. So, he keeps to his own thread for now. Door. Red headed woman. Once he has those two things? They'll branch from there.
He chuckles. ] Yeah, home is where the heart is. I'm guessing that means Door is messing with something you consider home. Or, part of your home, anyways.
[ Tim gives him a look that says he's figuring things out. That doesn't mean he'll demand answers from Alan. If Alan decides to tell him about this ... thing going on with this Jesse? He'll listen. Otherwise, he'll just take the notes, and keep it at that.
He raises an eyebrow at the lamp. Nifty. ]
Maybe I need to get myself one of those.
[ Tim cautiously moves forward and checks all the doors. They seem to be locked. He moves around to the side and finds what looks like a basement entrance opened. He turns his head to look at Alan and gives a small tilt to it, asking if that's a way in. ]
no subject
[ And Alan knows he wasn't necessarily prepared for the consequences he's been dealing with, so if he can impress that on Tim, well... that's something.
As for them being partners, it means a lot to Alan, a lot more than he's saying. Well, he's saying it, but it just means a lot to him. To think that he has a friend like Tim here, and Jesse on the outside... it's more than he imagined he'd ever have. But he still doesn't want to get his hopes up, or get Tim's up only to disappoint him. ]
Something like that. She's- Jesse... She's important. Special. I never thought I'd find someone like her, and a part of me still thinks it's too good to be true.
[ But he doesn't want to bore Tim with his going on and on about Jesse, even though he feels like he could talk about her for hours. ]
If I could somehow clone it, you know I would. It's helped me out a lot around here. [ He sticks close to Tim even as he goes around checking the doors; there might be an absence of Taken for the moment, but he'd rather not take any chances. Eventually the other man finds an open basement entrance and looks at Alan questioningly. He nods to confirm its usefulness as an entrance. ]
It might take us the long way there, or on a couple of detours, but we'll get where we're going. And the lamp will help too, if we come across something that looks like a dead end. [ Which they probably will. ]
no subject
[ Partners, friends, two dudes stuck in a nightmare hell brought on by other people. The adjectives don't really matter. They're in more or less the same boat. He can learn from Alan's experiences, and he can provide Alan with a second pair of eyes. A different perspective. The best they can offer one another.
He chuckles. Yeah, Alan definitely considers her apart of his "home." ] She must be a hell of a woman if she's gotten your eye. Not to mention if she got Door's attention.
How uh, did the two of you... you know, meet. Since you've been stuck here.
[ Not to mention why he's been seeing her in his dreams. He figures he'll keep that to himself. It's obvious that Alan is in deep with her, and he doesn't want to come off as invading a relationship. Especially when it seems to help keep Alan going. ]
Right. Well, fortune favors the bold. [ He gives a playful smirk.
Then, he starts his way down into the basement.
Getting into a room with a bunch of televisions with static on them isn't too difficult. Neither is navigating the hallways that seem to be for endless storage. They do reach a dead end to which the lamp helps. Then, up another set of stairs, a hallway, and another set of stairs. Tim opens the door, gun in his other hand, ready for a confrontation with Warrin Door.
Well, he says he's ready. Truth is? He's terrified. He just knows how to temper it and hide it while on duty.
The door opens slowly to reveal the Janitor's Office. No one is present, not even a bucket or mop. He glances around the room before making his way through it and into the cafeteria which is also oddly empty. ]
You'd think there would be something in here at least. Residents. Hell, I don't know, anything.
no subject
[ He rubs the back of his neck as he mulls this over. ] But since I keep forgetting things, how reliable am I anyway? I'd say not very. As for that, well, I'd say that's normal, in my experience. Finding answers isn't as easy as people think, or as easy as I wish it was.
[ Alan nods in agreement with Tim's statement that Jesse is a hell of a woman. And then he asks how they met. ]
Well, that's a long story... a story that's repeated itself a few times now. I don't know if you'd believe it if I told you, but- well, you probably would, now. You know how you used to have to introduce yourself again in case I looped and forgot about meeting you?
Well, Jesse and I met in a loop, and just kept on meeting.
[ Alan quiets for a moment as he and Tim continue on their exploration and their efforts to find Door. The lamp acts like a key, getting them further along the way whenever they come across dead ends. Finally, when they reach yet another set of stairs and Tim opens the door, Alan also braces himself for a confrontation.
Instead, they find the Janitor's Office, but this time, it's empty. No sign of Ahti, no mop or bucket... ]
That's strange. I thought someone would be in here. Ahti, the janitor, is usually around here mopping and humming, kind of like how you hum.
[ Alan looks around for any sign of anyone, whether Ahti or a Taken... He even flicks the lamp as if to see if that might reveal anything, but nothing seems to happen. ]
We can't have come all this way just to find another dead end.
[ With mild annoyance and a lack of knowing what else to do, Alan flicks the lamp again and waits. ]
no subject
[ A shrug. ] Enough of what you say crosses over even though you forget. Trust me, Alan. I've "met" you enough times to know when you've forgotten and when you haven't. Some things always carry over.
[ He hums slightly at Alan's answer. Something tells him there's more to it than just "meeting one another" over and over. Still, it seems like Alan isn't up for sharing more about Jesse. Fair. He's protective of her because he cares. Tim can't blame him for that.
He looks around the Janitor's Office and makes another mental note of this Ahti character. He sighs and shrugs, looking back at Alan. The man flicks the lamp and doesn't seem to get the answer he wants. So, he flicks it again. Nothing seems to change and Tim is about to point it out before a striking sound of a guitar echoes. Tim turns once more and pulls out his gun, moving to the office door. He opens it, glances around, then motions for Alan to follow him. Eventually, Tim finds himself in the room that is the set of Mr. Door's talk show.
An uneasy feeling creeps over him. He's never been this close to finding something out...
Then, the guitar cord strikes again. The set disappears as the stage lights flicker. Somehow the two are on the stage and Mr. Door's voice echoes through the room. ]
『 And, next up, a sneak peek at the newest season of Night Springs! Written by our own beloved and tortured writer--Alan Wake! Oh, this season is a treat, folks. Mark my words. Or, don't! Our very own Old Gods of Asgard can explain one of our key episodes... in song! 』
I don't think I like where this is going. [ Tim raises his free hand to make sure Alan stands back. That Sheriff training is still there to some degree. ] Songs?
[ The lights black out.
Then, small lights seem to illuminate just the floor. They're not very bright, but they certainly seem to dim and lighten with a certain rhythm. Almost like they're pulsing.
A hard metal song begins to play and a voice echoes: ]
♫ TAKE CONTROL.
TAKE CONTROL. ♫
[ Darkened screens with a sliver of illumination in a geometric pattern begin to lift and reveal a passage. A faint outline of a town can be seen in the backdrop.
Surprisingly, then, Alan can feel a familiar brush against his mind. One tugging him in the direction of the outline. A guiding star showing him the path. ]
no subject
Between you and me, Tim, I think the Feds know some things, but they need more specifics... specifics they're hoping to get from me. And I guess if it helps them figure out how to stop the Dark Presence, I'm on board. I think.
But I guess that's good. I mean, good that some things carry over instead of everything getting washed away every time.
[ It's not that he's against talking about Jesse. He wants to always talk about Jesse, but he figures if he goes on and on at length about her, it'll just bore Tim.
She's easily his favorite subject to talk about, and he knows he should tell Tim more about her in case it helps answer his questions, so he adds: ] About Jesse, there's probably more things about her that might answer your questions, so- if you want to know more, I don't mind telling you.
[ But his focus shifts again to using the Angel Lamp and trying to get them where they need to go. Nothing happens at first, but after the second time, the scene changes. Tim's already on the move, gun at the ready, and Alan follows after him. ]
Oh. Door's talk show again. What's going to happen now?
[ Alan doesn't like where this is going either. As far as he's concerned, nothing really great happens on this particular talk show. ]
... Take control?
[ Alan just looks confused, not because the words confuse him, but because he wonders what this all means. What does this have to do with anything? He seemingly gets his answer a moment later with the reveal of the faint outline of a town and... wait. That sensation brushing against his mind is unmistakable. ]
Polaris?
[ As if it was purposefully timed (it wasn't, Alan's not that good), the singers sing the name of Jesse's companion, her guide, and Alan's confusion only grows. ]