It is real. [ Her answer is immediate and assured. She understands what it is like to have people tell her what she experienced wasn't real. That she made it all up in her mind in order to cope with the "industrial accident." Jesse would tell him all about it at that moment if she could. The words won't come out, and she's still terrified he might reject it all once she goes into details. ] I thought you would be more skeptic about things like that.

[ She nods, slowly, almost hesitantly. Defensively. ] She has. Yeah. Since... what happened in Ordinary.

[ Jesse sighs contently against his lips the moment his fingers entwine in her hair. It may be the least guarded notion she has done since they've met. Her head tilts into his hand and she kisses him the moment he presses to hers again. Fingers curl further into the hoodie under his jacket. She presses against him, fully needing his hold to keep her upright.

« Why does this feel this way? I don't--I don't understand. Do I have to understand? I think I should. Does he... or have we just decided it doesn't matter? »

She can feel the shift in reality again. It demands to be paid attention to. So much so that it feels as if it's clawing into her ankles and trying to physically pull her away from him. Nothing truly is, but, she can feel it in her mind in a way. The story has to be fulfilled because it's been written. She can't alter it. Something will happen to make Alan go to Mirror Peak. ]