oceanview || ❝ i must guide my love through the night. ❞

[outlierdirector]

OCEANVIEW II

into the dark, dark, dark.

I’m fighting to save my love somеhow
I cannot feel her by my side
Even in this placе inside my mind CODE BY TESSISAMESS

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[wontbeperfect]

[ The way she sees it, she could keep trying to work things out on her own, slamming herself into walls and probably getting nowhere, or she could work alongside Jesse and the FBC and lend what knowledge she has and combine it with theirs. It's a win-win for everyone, really. Unless, that is, the Dark Presence gets wind of that partnership too and tries to pull them apart as well. But if that happens, Saga is stubborn enough to fight back with all she's got. ]

Well, it probably seems like nothing, but it has to all mean something, right? Like pieces of a picture sliding into place.

[ And just like that, the case board changes, with all the pieces of evidence Saga has found so far sliding into place so that Jesse can peruse it. It's all there, the information gained about Nightingale, the Bookers, the Koskelas, and of course, Alan himself.

She startles just a bit when she sees how the wounds disappear from Jesse just like that, but it's one more thing she chalks off to the weirdness of dream logic. ]

Well, if it fights back, I'll fight back too. And maybe between the two of us, we can make something happen. Obviously, changing the story and saving my daughter is important; but what about saving everyone?

[ Saga knows she has moments of being distracted because of her duty as a mother and that protective mother bear instinct, but when she's not feeling so emotionally charged, she can still see the bigger picture. Sometimes, anyway. And the bigger picture is that changing the story and fighting it when necessary will eventually save all of them. ]

I think the basic framework of the story hasn't changed. Cultists, rituals, deaths... [ Saga's eyes seem to darken briefly as her daughter comes to mind. ] I don't know if you and I striking a kind of partnership was factored into it, though.

[outlierdirector]

Theoretically anyways. [ Jesse gives an apologetic smile. ] The Buearu doesn't have all the answers. It's why we study what we do. And... too many scientists do what they want without thinking of consequences. It was a problem under former management. Something I'm trying to fix.

[ « I wouldn't be surprised if she thinks we're doing a shit job. »

Jesse steps forward to inspect the Case Board as it changes. Her head tilts slightly at each little note. She can tell how the story has almost drastically changed in some regards. Though, certain things always stay the same. Casey goes missing at some point. The FBC is present almost too late. The FBI doesn't trust Alan. Some details--like the relationship she has with the Writer--aren't present. At least not yet. She's sure Saga will put it together. ]

Alan would say he doesn't deserved to be saved. [ Her tone is flat and factual. ] He's going to try and change things so he gets the brunt of the damage and everyone else gets out with as little damage possible. It's not all his fault, but he blames himself for it anyways.

I don't think it counted on the FBI and FBC being in on it together, no. You'd have every reason not to get along with us or trust us. [ Jesse glances over her shoulder with a smile. ] I tend to be the outlier.

[wontbeperfect]

Right. Theoretically. But believe it or not, neither does the FBI, although you won't hear many people admitting to that. [ Saga eyes Jesse as if weighing whether or not she should say what's really on her mind. In the end, she decides to simply try it. ]

Between the two of us, I wouldn't mind the chance to study some of that.. the strange and unexplained, or what people think of as unexplained. Maybe I'm naive, but I still believe that the more something is studied, the less unexplained and unknowable it becomes.

[ As for what she thinks about the FBC and the job they're doing, Saga hasn't fully developed an opinion as yet. The preliminary feeling she has is that the odds are stacked against them, or maybe they're stacked against Jesse who has a lot on her plate. That doesn't mean she's doing a bad job; it just means she's doing the best that she can. But if Jesse's anything at all like Saga, she might want to do more than the best she can. Still, it feels like one of those things that's done one step at a time.

She watches Jesse inspecting the Board, and as she does, Saga re-reads the notes as well. ]

I don't know whether to call that admirable or futile in the long run. Self-sacrifice might be honorable or respectable, but it's not always necessary. Perhaps I misjudged him. Perhaps.

[ She turns her gaze back to Jesse, giving her a considering gaze. ] If the shoe is on the other foot, you have every reason to not get along with us or trust us. [ She smiles back at the other agent, hoping to try and extend an olive branch of sorts. ]

[outlierdirector]

Sure. [ A brief nod. ] It'd probably help the two agencies if we had more... middle ground. Someone who knew about one side and could know a little on the other.

I'm pretty sure there's always going to be something to be studied, Saga. One AWE is never the end of them. [ Jesse pauses, glancing to the side. Polaris shimmers and she nods. ] I was part of one as a kid. It came back eighteen years later in a different way. There's always more.

[ « "Perhaps" is better than nothing for now, I guess. » ]

Then the one common factor is if both of us can trust each other over Alan Wake. What do you think?

[wontbeperfect]

Yeah. [ Saga nods in return without hesitation, knowing that a partnership with the FBC might raise a few eyebrows with her colleagues and the higher-ups, but she's certain that it will only be beneficial for all of them in the long run. ] I'll share what I can, and go from there.

[ She chuckles and then smiles. ] If there is, I'm all over it. The more I can learn about these AWEs and what goes on in and around them, the better. I- Well, I don't see a point in not admitting how curious I am. But don't get me wrong, I won't be running headlong into danger. [ Maybe. It depends on what's going on and how dangerous it is. If I can get answers... Well, I know I have to be careful. ]

Wait, you were? And it came back eighteen years later? Wow. [ So maybe she's not at the center of events, because it sounds like these events just happen, but she's got a pretty strong connection, from what it sounds like. I don't want to pry, but that's not just a coincidence. ]

Yes, I agree. That seems to be a good starting point for both of us. So, what now? What do you need me to do?

[ It's going to be an adjustment, but I've worked alongside other partners before. I can learn to work with her. ]