synthneon | oceanview (different path) || ❝ turn the page i need to see something new. ❞

[ Jesse stares at the older man as if he's missing something very obvious. A small gesture is made with her hand when he tries to stand and can't because of the drug still in his system. He's not in a condition to walk around, let alone stand there and relate a story to her. It seems though, Alan Wake is just as stubborn as she is, and won't listen when his mind is set on something. She sighs and stands up. She moves beside him to block any further attempt to stand up. It's something at least.

« Barry Wheeler? So, that's the guy that was with him when I tried to stop them. The one who brushed me off as if I was insane. He's not the first and he won't be the last. »

A glance is spared at the wall. She wouldn't say she's not involved. Well. There's pages about her. Does that make her involved? ]

I did. Yeah. Your, uh, agent pretty much brushed me off. [ She shrugs. ] Which... fine, by the way. I'm used to it.

[ « And, no. I don't plan on elaborating. » ]

So... You're missing a week worth of memories. You were in a crashed car. You somehow got yourself back to town because I've seen you around. With your agent. What else has happened?

[ Maybe somewhere beneath the shock and sheer disbelief about whatever the hell is going on, Alan knows he needs to sit down. He can't keep running full speed ahead at the threat that's seemingly in front of him. But he doesn't want to accept that. He doesn't want to stop and think about it, not until he gets a game plan. Or something like that.

He pins Jesse with a look when she moves in next to him in order to keep him from moving. ]

Look, I don't have time to stop. Something insane is happening, something big, and I need to find out more. He might have brushed you off, and sorry about that, by the way, but I'm not going to.

I think... I think somehow, Alice, my ex-wife... well, almost ex-wife, is in trouble. But I don't understand. She's not here in Bright Falls. I came by myself, so how could she be here and in trouble? I'm sure she wouldn't come after me. I know it sounds insane, but I thought it was her voice I heard screaming.

[ Jesse straightens at the look. Trying to make herself look taller and in control--when she has always felt the opposite outside of. Still, she wants him to know that he does need to stop long enough to work it out of his system. Then, he can go back and run in the woods to his heart's content.]

It's fine, really. I'm used to it. [ It always stings, but, it's the way the world is. Crazy Jesse Faden and her childhood imaginary friend. ] Okay, something big and insane is happening. You can't even think straight, Wake.

[ Should she be more polite?

Almost ex-wife?

Her gaze drifts back to the wall. Polaris tugs gently at her mind to the binder that she has stashed away. Should she really give it over? ]

You... you went to Rose looking for something. Right? That would explain everything going on?

Blame whatever I got drugged with.

[ Honestly, maybe he shouldn't have come here. He's not even sure what he's really looking to find. He didn't get anywhere with Rose, so he thought he'd try his luck with Jesse. But he doesn't really know what to say or what questions to even ask. ]

I thought that Rose knew something. I don't know why, just like I don't really know why I came to you. No, wait, I remember. Rose had a manuscript. I don't know how she got it. But I needed to get it from her to give to... to someone else.

But either she's involved, or she was forced.

[ She gives him an annoyed look. Obviously it's because of whatever he was drugged with. What she doesn't understand is why Rose would do such a thing. She didn't seem like the type. Even for an eccentric fan.

Polaris tugs at her mind again.

Jesse sighs and moves over to the crazy wall. She bends down and picks up a white file folder, sliding it out neatly. After a moment, she moves back to Alan. Her eyes remain on the folder as she debates pulling out the papers that have her in them.

« He'd figure it out anyways. »

Jesse holds the folder out for him. ]

You mean these? I think they're what you're looking for. I could be wrong.

[ He takes the folder, not entirely sure what he's going to see in it. But he recognizes the contents of the folder as soon as he opens it. Well, he might not know what's actually printed on the pages, but he recognizes the appearance of the pages themselves. ]

What- How did you find these?

[ For some reason, this turn of events surprises him. ]

Have you just been finding these around town? I thought I was the only one seeing them. I figured most people just thought they were random pieces of litter, not anything important.

[ He stares at her, still very confused but trying to put the pieces of everything together. It's not going so well, but he's trying. ]

Do you know what these are?

Edited 2023-12-14 08:23 (UTC)

They're all over town... sometimes in the woods. [ She awkwardly shifts side to side, her gaze falling to the side with a frown on her face. Withdrawn, guarded. Ready to be berated or even told something negative about collecting them. Why not? Everything else people tell her is that way. ] They sort of... glow, in the dark. I don't know if you noticed.

[ A shake of her head. ] They're almost like pages of a story. But, they're missing parts. I can't seem to put them together. [ Jesse frowns again. ] My friend suggested I collect them. I guess I know why now.

You're looking for them.

I know. I've seen them. I've tried to collect as many as I can, but- I've missed some, I think. Sometimes they get away from me before I can grab them. [ He's looking at her with an expression that's anything but displeased. He's curious, intrigued, and... relieved? Relieved that she's been looking for them too, and picking them up rather than letting them be lost. ]

I did notice that. I thought I was going nuts, but- well, maybe I am. Wait, I don't- I don't mean you are. That sounded a lot better in my head.

They're definitely pages of a story. I found the title page that proves it. That title is one I was going to use, but I never got around to it. [ He has to dig around through his coat pocket to find it, because he folded it up, but he pulls it out eventually. ]

I know it has my name on it, but I don't even remember writing this. And this is probably the part where you think I'm crazy, and tell me to get out of your place. Before you ask, I'm not pranking you. If anything, this is like me pranking myself, except I'm not laughing.

[ Her gaze lifts to his to see the complicated expression on his face. Nothing that suggests he thinks she's insane, or lying, just relief and curiosity. Her eyebrows knit slightly in her own confusion.

« Why would anyone be relieved that I helped them? I'm NOT... I just let them all down... disappoint them. »

Her hand extends out to see the title page he's written. Well, doesn't claim ownership of. His name is on it. It looks like the same typewriter wrote it as the pages she found. Her head tilts and she remains quiet for a moment. ]

"Departure." [ By something other than Alan Wake. Polaris shifts as if go confirm it. ] If you didn't write it... who did?

...and, yes. I'm crazy. [ Her tone is bitter at what she's said. Almost as of she's parroting something recited to her over and over.

Everyone thinks she is. Jesse isn't resigned to it, but it's clear she doesn't think other would agree. ]

Edited 2023-12-16 03:32 (UTC)

Yeah. "Departure." It was a title I was going to use, and I had the beginnings of a story in my head, but I never wrote it. As for who wrote it, that's what I'm trying to figure out. Did I write it and forgot? Why would it have my name on it otherwise? And no, I don't have a history of forgetting things.

[ But suddenly, Alan's expression changes. It's a harder expression, but he's not angry. He suddenly feels compelled to make a statement, a point... why? He's not sure. ]

You're not crazy. I don't know how or why I think that, but I haven't seen anything in the handful of minutes that I've known you to suggest you're crazy. No, you know what's crazy? Me barging in here and not even knowing your name. Now that's crazy.

Can you write a book in a week? [ Her head tilts the other way while looking at the page still. Nothing seems to be able to give her answers, and Polaris doesn't say anything one way or another. ] If you didn't write it, then, why the big deal about getting the pages back? That's what you were going to Rose for.

[ She pauses and shifts side to side again. ]

There's... a page? About you talking to Rose about it. With the rest of them. [ Jesse gestures to the binder. Her eyes dart to the side again and she rubs at her shoulder. ] That's how ... my friend and I knew to try and stop you from seeing her. But, it didn't work out.

[ Her green eyes fall on him again as he makes his statement. A sad bitter smile touches her face for a brief moment before it goes away.

« It's nice to hear it. Even though hed change his mind if I ever told him about you. Or Ordinary. Not that I plan to. It stays locked inside... and we're strangers. Once whatever this is figured out? He'll probably go back to ...wherever he lives. » ]

Jesse. [ She nods to the folder again. ] I'm... well. My name. It's on some of those.

I couldn't. But maybe something else... something more powerful could. I don't know how to explain it, this feeling of something else being at the wheel.

[ The more Alan talks, the more he becomes aware of a feeling of something else being inside him. He can't see what; all he sees is darkness. Something's taken over him, but what? ]

I don't know why I feel like I need the pages back. They feel important somehow. Maybe... maybe I need the pages to see what the story is and- [ It feels to Alan that his train of thought is running away from him, or being taken away, and he's having to chase after it to keep it. ] Maybe I need to change the story, to stop whatever's going on. I don't know how I know, but I think this story is a bad one. It's going to get people hurt.

... Jesse. [ He echoes her name, as if filing it away in his thoughts in an effort to remember it. Not that he thinks he's going to forget about her anytime soon. He's already noticed her fire red hair and green eyes that seem like they could just pull him in. Maybe he wants to be pulled in. Except maybe this isn't the time for that. ]

That's a nice name. It fits you.

Something else... [ Jesse trails off slightly, eyes still trained on the paper in front of her. She doesn't give the impression she dismisses what he says. It's almost as if it reminds her of something else, but she won't mention what it was. ] Do you remember anything about the pages?

[ « Need to know what the story is? Is that what all this is--a story? It doesn't feel like a dream though. It feels REAL. As real as Ordinary. As real as you do. » ]

What is the point of the story? What's it trying to achieve? If you know that, you might be able to stop it...whatever it is.

[ She glances to the side with something of a bashful expression in her eyes. ]

Thanks. [ A short statement that seems to be layered in several different emotions.It's nice to be complimented. Told she isn't crazy. But, he has just met her, and he probably will have nothing to do with her now that he has the pages he was looking for.

Jesse leans over and flips through a few pages. Then, she pulls one out, and puts it in the front of the others. ] Here.

Jesse Faden was not from Bright Falls. She wasn't a local. In fact, she was just staying for a short time. Once she had enough money to leave? She'd be on the road again. Moving from one town to the next. There was no real destination in mind. Just wherever the visitations from her guiding star pointed her.

Her guide seemed certain there was a purpose to being in Bright Falls. Something was shifting in the small town besides Cauldron Lake. Something dark from the lake; that Polaris didn't like. Something that would make the small town in Washington state change. The kind of change that haunted Faden's past.

Wake would need the pages that Faden's guiding star nudged her to collect. Pages that made a manuscript that Alice's kidnapper would want. There was more though that the star and the young woman could do. Extraordinary things.

After all, there was nothing ordinary about Faden.

You're sure you didn't write these?

[ He stops to try and remember, and he knows he's taking too long, but his memories seem to be all jumbled and he can't make sense of them. ] It's like I should know something about the pages. I should remember them, or writing them, or why the hell it feels like I need to collect them.

[ He feels himself growing agitated the longer he talks, and for just a second, he reaches up to grip his hair with his hands. No, it seems that Alan can't remember very much of anything relating to the strange pages. ]

You're welcome. [ He can't know how or why, but he just has another growing feeling: a feeling that somehow, Jesse hasn't always been accepted or welcomed anywhere by anyone. Why he feels compelled to welcome her and accept her at face value is really beyond him.

He takes the page she holds out for him and starts to read. It's all about her, and he makes a note of her last name too, adding it to the impression of her he's building in his mind. ]

How accurate is this? And if it is accurate, that's... weird that you're in the story. And even weirder that it's phrased like I wrote it. I'm not screwing with you, in case you're starting to doubt that. I really didn't write this. I have no memory of ever writing any of this. This isn't some kind of sick "gotcha". You don't have to believe me, but I just thought I'd put that out there.

[ She slowly nods. ] Okay.

[ « He might remember more once the drug has worked through his system. I just... want to know why I'm on these pages. Why you had me come here. I'm not particularly skilled or good at anything he'd need or want. I can't stop something like Ordinary. Why did you bring me here? »

Not being accepted anywhere could be her own fault too. Being so unwilling to bend on what she knows is true and instead argues about everything. People don't want to be around someone who is crazy. Why would they? ]

It's accurate enough. [ Her shoulders square defensively. The page is vague and she'd rather it stay that way. ] I don't need them... so you can have them. Maybe they'll help with whatever you're trying to do here.

[ She raises a hand and gestures to the couch. ] I'll lock the place up so you can get some rest. You probably shouldn't go anywhere until the drug is out of your system.

[ « Your name is on the page and he didn't comment. My guiding star. It fits, doesn't it? » ]

Edited 2023-12-17 16:35 (UTC)

[ He's trying to chase the thoughts around, trying to follow the words on the page, to figure out what they mean. ]

What the hell is going on here? Not just here, but with you and where you come from. I don't understand why you're in the story, and... Polaris? I think you can help somehow but I can't figure out what that is.

[ I don't understand any of this.

He covers his eyes with his hands and rubs them in what would be a furious way if he wasn't so tired. ]

Wait, what? I just thought I'd... go back out and look around. Look for more pages. Information. Clues. Not bother you anymore.

[ As if to prove his intentions, he takes a step back towards the door, and his knees wobble. ]

You didn't see that.

Where I come from doesn't matter. Not to any of this. [ Jesse feels those walls flare defensively, even if Polaris herself seems content on the way the conversation is going. Though, Jesse doesn't plan on commenting about her friend and "guiding star" as the page put it. ] Let's start by getting you rest so you can think straight. You can't do anything with whatever she got you with.

[ She's smaller than him, but, she still plans on blocking him. His knees wobble and a pointed look is given to him. Both hands raise to push him to sit down on the couch. Once he has, she moves the folder and gestures for him to lay down. It's obvious she isn't budging from this. ]

Wake. Stop for a few hours. Then, approach it with a clear head.

[ He just levels a stare in her direction that says he doesn't believe her. She matters. Where she comes from and who she is matters. He knows she's from Maine because she said that, but he's more interested in her story. But at the moment, he doesn't have enough of his wits about him to argue about that or press her for answers. About the pages and about Alice? That's another story. ]

I don't have time to just sit here. Alice is in danger somehow, and I have to do something about it. We might be in a rough patch, but I can't just ignore what's going on. [ Unless what's going on isn't really happening, and Alice isn't in danger. But then did I just make all this up? That doesn't help me feel any better or less crazy.

But he can't ignore the way his knees wobble or the feeling of unsteadiness that suddenly takes him, and when she pushes him to sit down, the move takes him by surprise. It surprises him enough that he just falls onto the couch and stays there. He doesn't move to lie down as she's telling him to, because he's still looking at her. There's a question in his eyes, and he hesitates for a second before he asks it. ]

It's stupid, and insane, but- I'm in way over my head here. You're probably going to say no, and shove me out of your place as soon as you can, but-

[ What am I doing? Why am I asking for her help? But whatever, she's going to say no, I know she is. ]

I could use another person, another set of eyes looking at things. But... you probably have other things you're doing, and I wouldn't expect you to want to get involved anyway.

[ He leans back against the couch, suddenly feeling exhausted, but he can't allow himself to stop. Not yet.

Five minutes. Or ten. That's all I can afford. ]

[ Jesse can't see how Ordinary would matter to this. How what happened to her, and the government, and losing her brother matter. What weird shit is happening in Bright Falls is similiar... but it's not the same. So, it doesn't matter. Letting people in doesn't matter.

« It never works out. It all stays locked inside. » ]

You can't help your wife if you can't stand up. [ Jesse tries not to roll her eyes. ] You can't endlessly run on coffee or... whatever else you've been running on.

[ She stops once he finally sits and stares at her. His question eventually comes out, and Jesse stares at him. Not in anger or annoyance. Just pure confusion. ]

Me? I don't--I'm not--I don't know anything about writing stories or manuscripts or... [ Jesse looks to the side and bites her lip. It's clear she lacks something about herself. Confidence. Belief. Knowledge. She's young, incomplete, running away from what most people think are ghosts in her head. ] Why me?

[ Maybe it doesn't. Maybe nothing about any of this matters, and he's just desperately grabbing at straws because he doesn't know what else to do. Whatever sense of reason he still has control of is prodding at him, telling him to do something, and he has to admit that it's right. ]

I don't know. I know it makes no sense, but I don't have an answer to that. I just had this weird feeling about you. I can't explain it, but- you're in these pages, so maybe you're important. I just don't know how yet.

[ He shakes his head. That sounds insane to the point of being ridiculous. ]

I- I should just get out of here as soon as I can and not bother you again. You can just pretend I never came here.

[ I'll go back and find Barry, and hope that he's gotten this out of his system too, and we'll... we'll figure something out. ]

I need... What was it I was trying to do...? [ He has to search his brain to try and remember it, and it takes a minute for it to come back to him. When it does, he sits upright quickly and the action makes his head spin, but he can't stop. ]

The kidnapper, the pages. I need- He needs the pages. Wants them. If I give them to him, I'll find out what's going on with Alice.

You have intuition. One that's telling you I'm somehow... helpful. [ Her tone isn't really quiet, small, or flat. Something between all of them. Almost oddly factual and impersonal while guarded at the same time. Jesse sighs and looks back at the wall with the papers pinned to it. ] Fine. I can't promise anything. I might end up hindering you more than anything.

[ « Is THIS the real reason you said to come here? To help Alan Wake with whatever weirdness is going on? »

She jumps slightly at his sudden movement. Her eyes widen at the almost one eighty shift in ... clarity? Jesse isn't sure. It's still the same person sitting there, but, Alan seems suddenly laser focused and alert. Like something has kicked in to drive him in a certain direction. Something that Jesse isn't sure she necessarily likes. A shift in the air that isn't really the air. ]

O...kay. A kidnapper wants your manuscript you don't remember writing. This kidnapper has your wife? And he's just going to give you the information on your wife if you give them to him? [ Jesse doesn't want to point out how obviously stupid and Hail Mary it sounds. ] Soo, now that you have the pages, you need to sleep a few hours. Eat, get something to drink.

[ « Sure. This doesn't sound like disaster written all over it. Why the hell would a kidnapper want story pages? Does this guy really know what's going on? How the pages are about real people and things happening? I need a drink. Maybe time to re-read everything while he's sleeping. »

Even if, technically, she's underage for drinking. ]

Then, I'm guessing, we're going to find the mythical kidnapper and give him the pages.

I'll get a blanket and a pillow. You can't go up to a potential kidnapper who might be dangerous when you can't stand, Wake.

I don't think you could hinder me any more than I'm hindering myself. You said it yourself, didn't you? Or implied it. This is crazy. Insane. I'm probably being screwed with, but why? Because I'm a writer? Maybe they want money. They didn't have to take Alice to get at me, but that's what happens in these stories, right?

[ He's trying to make sense of his own thoughts, of the intuition that drove him to come to her in the first place. It's a thread he's having a hard time following, and so far, he hasn't managed to really follow it anywhere. But maybe that will come to him after he's had some sleep. Sleep that he doesn't want, but apparently needs to have. ]

I don't think he's just going to hand over information. It's going to be blackmail. Extortion. The usual stuff. You don't have to come.

[ Especially if she thinks the kidnapper's someone he made up. ]

Fine. I'll nod off for a little while since you insist, and then I'm out of your hair. [ With or without her. Fat chance of me actually sleeping, though. ]

There's crazier in the world than this. [ Her tone is flat, but her voice sounds small. Defensive. Her gaze looks down and to the side again. ] I guess it must be related to money if they want the pages, but... it's not a normal story. It's real. What happens on them really happens. Doesn't it?

[ Jesse gives him a look. ] You came to me for help. I'm in the pages. Yeah, I'm going to help and tag along. Until I know why.

[ « Why him, why Bright Falls? Why did you ask me to come here? I have too many questions. »

She nods and gestures again to the couch. Then, she disappears into the bedroom. Moments later she returns with an extra blanket and pillow. She puts the pillow down on one of the ends of the couch. Then, she hands the blanket to him. Jesse quietly moves into the kitchen to start on breakfast. ]

You sound like you're speaking from experience. [ Maybe that's partly why he still believes she can help. He's just a writer from New York. He doesn't have experience with anything like this. ] I shouldn't ask, because you don't owe me answers, but-

[ Alan doesn't finish that sentence because he suddenly yawns and has to work to stifle it. Maybe he does actually need to stop and rest, even if it's the last thing he wants to do. ]

If it's money they want, I have it. Why go to all this trouble? [ He rubs his forehead in confusion and frustration. ] I don't understand any of this, but... I don't think this is a normal story. I don't know how or why, I just-

[ He lets out a long sigh. He really doesn't know much of anything, and that's becoming clearer to him by the second. With just a little reluctance, he drops down onto the couch, and takes the blanket from Jesse when she hands it over. At first he hesitates, but then he yawns again and that seems to be the answer.

He moves to lie down and pulls the blanket over him, intending to think more about the mess he's in and about the mystery of the pages and the kidnapper, but he only lasts a handful of minutes before he's just out. Maybe he needed the sleep more than he thought he did. ]

[ continued here ]

oceanview (different path) || ❝ turn the page i need to see something new. ❞

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