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

[ Maybe it's because he's only known Jesse for an hour at most, but he doesn't immediately draw the connection between the young woman who gave him a spot on her couch and the woman behind the mirror. Now, that doesn't mean he isn't drawn to her. There's almost a magnetic pull that he can't explain. Something urges him to move closer, to stand right next to the mirror, some strange feeling that he can't quite identify.

From what he can see of her, he notes the red hair and green eyes, deciding that both things are striking. Eye-catching. That's not the only thing that catches his attention. She's talking, but the words are strange. It takes him a minute to realize they're backwards. Well, if she's standing behind a mirror, it makes sense... as much sense as a dream can make, anyway. ]

What do you mean, wake up? What room? [ This makes even less sense than the kidnapper wanting the pages and having Alice. ] Who are you?

[ He squints closer at her image in the mirror, taking in the strange outfit she's wearing. Somehow, it fits her. And somehow, he feels like he knows her. That strange pull nudges at him again, and inexplicably following it, he lifts his hands and places them against the mirror's surface, lining up with her own hands.

The darkness behind her hasn't escaped his attention, even with how captivated he is by her. To him, that darkness means danger. ]

Are you in danger? [ How do I get her out? ]

[ She frowns and looks to the side.

« He's... talking backwards. Or, am I? Mirrors... just like the records of the altered Mirror. Great. Just, peachy. »

Jesse's gaze moves back to him. She can feel the heat from his hands from the stretch of "glass" that separates them. It's a dream, they should be able to control it, but she's not capable of doing that outside the Motel. She doubts Alan can either.

« I guess all we can do is go with the flow. »

One hand raises from his and hovers for a moment. Then, she begins writing her name against the fogged part of the mirror between them. It looks backwards to her, but, it should look properly for him.

Jesse.

Her gaze once more goes to his and she waits for his reaction. He'll either know who she is, or, not. ]

[ Alan's confusion only grows when he realizes he can feel Jesse's hands on his. ] That's- that's not supposed to work that way. [ But in spite of himself, he finds himself pressing his hands harder against the glass.

He watches as she moves her hand and starts to write. At first, he's not sure what she's writing, but then the letters become clearer, spelling out a name. ]

Jesse? Wait... I have met you. But- it's... you're younger. [ Saying she's older probably isn't the smartest thing to do, even if she doesn't take it as a negative. ]

How did you get there? [ Because of course that's what's important right now. ]

[ It takes a moment for her to understand what he is saying. She can feel his hands press against hers. Nothing should be in the way by that fact. Yet, she can still sense that glass, mirror, barrier. Why can't she push through it?

« Wait... what? Younger? »

Confusion comes to her face, eyebrows knitting.

« He's younger, but wearing what he did when he contacted me on the Hotline. Almost like he did in the old interviews. If that's the case... how did he meet me? I was never in Bright Falls in 2010. »

Polaris shifts.

What had Dylan mentioned? Other worlds and realities? Is this what this is? Why is she talking to Alan of another world then? She needs to reach her Alan. This shouldn't be possible. Yet, she can't help but feel in her gut that Alan needs her help. This Alan.

« I guess he needs the guiding star no matter where or when he is. It's risky if we do this. Are you sure? »

Polaris shifts again.

Jesse presses her hands against his further. The "glass" seems to almost vibrate as if a loud sound is resonating through it.

Then, something gives.

Her hands press through the "glass" as if it's suddenly gone. Alan can feel her hands against his entirely, and in a moment, it seems more like she's floating in front of him. No barrier, no glass, no mirror. Just Jesse in front of him, floating, fingers comfortably against his. ]

Alan. [ She gives him a small smile. Maybe it seems familiar despite the fact he's just met her. After all, Jesse is still Jesse regardless of the time or world. Her mannerisms don't change simply because she's older. ] You need to wake up. Not just from this dream, but the room you've been writing in. Whatever story you're writing? It's going to keep you in it. It's going to make you do what it wants--not the other way around.

[ Her fingers press against his again, shifting as if they're trying to slip between his own. It's a habit on her end that he might pull away from. That'd be fair. He's only met her, right? She's a stranger to him. He should be pulling away from her and demanding answers.

That pull is still there.

That gravitational force that always seem to be there. That unique feeling that draws her into him. Whether it be Polaris reacting to the spark of Light in him, or just him simply being Alan Wake. The exact thing is still something she can't nail down. Maybe she doesn't really need to. ]

You don't really know me, do you? Not that it really matters. [ She shakes her head. ] You have to follow the story you're in. No matter what that story turns out to be. That doesn't mean you are trapped by it. You can control how it goes and how it ends. You just need to remember it.

The only way to do that is to wake up. You found me for a reason. Here and back home. That means I'm trying to wake you up even if I'm not really aware of it. Okay? I need you to wake up.

Edited 2023-12-28 04:13 (UTC)

[ When she doesn't immediately respond, Alan just goes quiet too. Watching. Waiting. Listening. For what? He doesn't know. Somehow, this moment feels like one he shouldn't disrupt: it's a dream he doesn't want to wake up from, not yet. He knows it's Jesse, just older. It's still her, though. She's still the same person who let her crash on the couch in her rented apartment. There's just more time between them.

And apparently, there's familiarity, even if it's mostly one-sided. But then he watches as she presses her hands against his more, and he feels the way the "glass" between them vibrates. Strange. But not the strangest thing either.

What happens next is stranger, and not at all what Alan expected. He can feel her hands pressed against his: warm hands pressing into his own. Somehow, she's touching him, and he's touching her. But how? ]

How- How did you do that?

[ He feels warmth wash over the rest of him when she smiles at him. Again he feels like he can trust her, even though he barely knows her: either version of her. ]

.... What room? I don't understand. I'm not writing a story, or at least I don't remember writing one. There's pages that I don't remember writing. Is that what you mean?

[ His gaze shifts to her fingers that are trying to slip between his own. He doesn't pull away, even though it feels strange on some level. ]

You're Jesse. I came to you in Bright Falls because I thought you could help.

[ He shakes his head. ]

I don't understand. [ He repeats those words again. ] I don't understand any of this.

It's a dream.

[ She gives him a bit of a smirk and a pointed look. One that might imply maybe she learned some things from him, or, she's figured it out on her own and passed it along to him. Either one could be true.

Her fingers stop at the slightest hint of resistance. He should resist it in all honesty. He hardly knows her--any her it seems--so being overly familiar can't be helpful. It's habit, and in some ways, she's drawn to do those motions before she realizes they've happened. Seeing that he's looked at the motion as if it's something foreign? Her hands shift back to pressing against his. The pressure eases enough to become nothing more than a light touch.

« Barriers of another kind, I guess. » ]

Manuscript pages? [ A slight nod of her head, causing the red curls to bounce off her cheeks. ] What's on those pages is real. They'll happen, if they haven't already. That doesn't mean the ending is set in stone. You can change it.

[ Jesse gives him a reassuring smile. Her hands pull away in order to gently touch his elbows. There she finds the familiar patches. The tweed isn't as worn as she's used to seeing. Which really means he is an younger Alan Wake.

« So... did HE write needing to find me, or was it my Alan that did? Both of them? Maybe. » ] You'll figure it out. You're not a best selling author by mistake, Alan.

And, don't worry. I'll help. Even if it doesn't seem like it at first.

[ She leans forward. Her fingers curl around his elbows. She moves to say something else but stops short of it. Her eyes widen at a sudden high pitched scream that seems to echo in all directions. Jesse's head snaps to the side, then to the other, seeing the darkness starting to cover the ground like a fog.

« Shit. It's found him. Shit. Shit. Shit. This is NOT good. He needs to wake up. Right now. »

Jesse lands on the ground and starts pushing him backwards. ] Alan, you need to wake up. Right, now. Wake up!

[ Polaris pulses through her hands once more and Jesse shoves him backwards. She then takes a few steps back from him, making sure there is some distance between them. A dark cloud with a white face forms in the distance. An attempt at a reassuring smile is given before a hand comes out from behind her and grabs onto her arm.

A man in a dark suit, slicked back hair, and an easy going smile appears. He leans close to Jesse, cheek neatly pressed against hers. A face that should be familiar to Alan as well as the voice that accompanies it. ]

Found you, Jess. Come on! You'll have to do better than that!

[ The scene changes as the waking world calls to the writer. The sun has started to set with the fading rays coming through the window. It would seem like it should be calm, but, nothing about the scene really is, just like how everything else has been since he's arrived in Bright Falls.

Jesse--the younger one--has an arm on his shoulder and is shaking him awake. Her hand lifts and presses against his mouth to quiet him, a finger pressed against her own lips. Once he has his bearing around him, the red head lowers her finger then points to the window near the front door. The curtains diffuse the sunset light, but even more so, reflect the swirling colors of a red and blue light.

Police lights.

She removes her hand from his lips and silently makes the motion for him to follow her. A backpack is strapped to her, and the folder of the manuscripts nowhere in sight. All the work she's had on the wall is missing too, leaving it bare. Jesse stays low to the ground but makes her way to the bedroom, only glancing behind her once to make sure Alan is following. A few more strides and she's at the window and unlocking it as quietly as she can. She pushes it up, slips outside, but holds it up for Alan to join her on the small fire escape. The window slides shut as quietly as it can, and she's making her way down the escape. A short jump and she's on the ground making her way to the fence missing boards and to the forest beyond.

It seems someone is used to quick and quiet escapes from the law enforcement. ]

Edited 2023-12-30 10:02 (UTC)

A dream, but it feels real. Can you touch and feel things in a dream?

[ Alan's of the opinion that you can in nightmares, but this isn't a nightmare. It's an oddly specific dream, if that's what it is, but he's not actually complaining too much.

And as if to further underline his observation about touching and feeling inside dreams, he presses his fingers more against hers, as if he doesn't want her to stop or pull away. Maybe he's being a contradiction with his actions, but there's a part of him that doesn't want them touching to be a foreign thing. He wants it to be familiar, even if he doesn't know why. ]

How do you know? You sound so sure and confident, and I'm not sure about anything, really.

[ She's talking as if she knows, as if she's seen this. If I didn't know better, I'd say she's from the future, but that's ridiculous, isn't it? It's just a dream. ]

Sorry, but I have to ask... and I don't want you to get mad, but- can I believe this? Can I believe you? Am I completely insane for asking questions of someone who could be just something my own head conjured up? I mean... you see how this looks, right?

[ He wants her to understand that he's not saying those things to be an ass. He just wants to know if he can believe this. ]

I want to believe this is real, that I'll actually figure this out. [ That she'll help like she's saying she will.

But then it seems as though he'll never get those answers to his questions. Her demeanour changes, and suddenly she seems panicked. Scared, even.

A scream like that is never a good sign, either in dreams or in the real world. ]

What the hell is going on?

[ She's pushing him backwards, telling him he needs to wake up, and then... everything seems to unravel quickly and Alan can't really get a good look at anything anymore.

The next thing he knows, he's being shaken awake by Jesse, the younger one, and his eyes snap open. The next few minutes just fly by, and he finds himself following Jesse out the window and down the fire escape. Why are the police here? What the hell is happening? Of course, now isn't the time to ask questions.

He follows after Jesse as best as he can, not wanting to lose her or be left behind, but his mind is reeling with more questions than there are answers to. ]

Depending on the dream? Yeah. Dreams can also be messages... or other places entirely. [ « Yeah, that will answer all his questions. Good job, Jesse. » ] I was trying to contact you. But, not you now. You later.

[ Her hands gently press against his again in return. Her fingers don't try to slip between his again. She keeps her hands where they are, simply watching and listening to what he says.

Then, she nods. ] I learned how the manuscript pages work from you. I'm pretty sure you can already tell how what's happening matches what's typed on the pages. Well, it's real. You know it is.

Alan. The sooner you accept what's happening to you? The sooner you're going to be able to control what's happening. I know, it sounds crazy. I know, it doesn't seem what you think real means. But... what's real and what people want to perceive is different. Really different.

Ask me--when you wake up. It's 2010, right? I'll know what you mean if you ask. [ « She may not tell him everything about Ordinary. Or you...assuming some version of you is with her. But, it will be enough to get her to realize. And, if you are with her, you'll be guiding her like you did me. »

Polaris shimmers around her in agreement.

The waking world seems just as chaotic--not that the younger Jesse has any idea of it. In fact, it's not until she feels they are a decent bit away from the apartment building that she stops and kneels down in the trees. Polaris tugs at her mind, and she turns to look at how the lights still bounce off the building.

Jesse looks up at Alan once he finally reaches her. « Wait--is he winded? From that? Really? »

Now it's her turn to sound amused to Polaris. ]

They were knocking on doors looking for you. [ Jesse gives him the condensed version of the events that led to her waking him up. ] Pretty sure they said "FBI." You're a writer, aren't you? How did you manage to piss off the FBI. [ Her tone is more amused than confused. ] I'm not sure they all agreed on it. It sounded like some officers were arguing with one another. It's better we slip out now before they start looking into the woods.

Edited 2023-12-31 04:58 (UTC)

I don't understand. I'm trying to understand, but how can a dream be another place? Dreams can be messages; I get that. [ He'd rub his forehead if their hands weren't touching. ] So... you know me, but not me. Another me. This story really is insane.

[ But something tells him that Jesse knowing him isn't just another part of the story. It's real. ]

I don't know how you'd learn anything from me when I barely understand how things work myself. It's not that I'm not trying. I am.

[ He pauses, trying to wrap his mind around what she's telling him. It's making his head hurt but he's doing the best he can. ]

Okay. I'll ask you. Pretty sure the you that I just met thinks I'm nuts, even if you're not saying that in so many words.

[ Meanwhile in the waking world, Alan's huffing and puffing like he's just ran a mile. Man, I really need to work out more. ]

The FBI... It feels familiar, like I should know something. Maybe I ran into them and forgot about it. Normally, my brain isn't trying to do its best swiss cheese impression, in case you wondered. But whatever it is, I don't like the idea of being stopped and questioned by them, so I'm down for slipping out. Away, preferably. Wherever we can go.

[ Jesse smirks. ] No, it's not insane. Just weird. Weirder than usual.

[ She simply continues to smirk at him. It's obvious she can't say more than she has. Not due to some time space continuum issue. He's just not ready to hear it all. There's more he needs to know and learn. Jesse isn't sure what those things are. She wasn't there... but it seems like some version of her will be. Maybe that version will be more help. ]

No version of me could think you're nuts. Not when I've lived the life I'm sure she has. Most likely she thinks she's too insane for you to understand.

[ She's unable to elaborate further as the man in the suit pulls her into the darkness. The man looks at Alan, wearing his face, as a twisted grin creeps onto his face. Then, it's like she was never there.

In the waking world, Jesse is still smirking at him in amusement. A similar look to the one her older self wore just moments ago. ]

So, you're still feeling out of it from whatever Rose got you? [ She raises a hand and gestures to the woods behind her. ] It's... probably best if we have a destination. Did you have some place you can go?

[ Alan can't really know why yet, but the man who appears to be wearing his face sends shivers down his spine. The twisted grin, the way he pulls Jesse into the darkness, seeing that look on his face (his face)- it all makes Alan feel scared, and he can't remember the last time he was that scared. Everything about this mess makes him feel that way, because it all seems to be outside his control. ]

Yeah, a little. Whatever she got me with doesn't want to go away so easily. [ He looks around them, at the woods, towards the direction they came from, and he frowns. ]

Nowhere you'd call safe. [ Did I decide to go to the mine, or is something telling me I need to go there? The kidnapper, maybe? ] There's a mine around here, I think we need to go there. That's where the kidnapper is.

[ I think. How's that for a vote of confidence, huh? ]

[ The smirk falls from her face as he states the destination.

« A mine? Seriously? This has "bad B horror movie" written all over it. Does he realize it? Or, does he have to do what the pages say. » ]

Why would a kidnapper have the wife of a famous author in a mine? [ Jesse sounds hardly impressed by the question. ] It doesn't sound very full proof for a kidnapper.

[ Still, she stands and takes a look around. A mine. ] The only mine I know of is the old Coal Mine. It's... outside of town. We'll need a ride. I can probably get one.

[ « Not legally anyways. » ] We'll need to get to the outskirts of town first. Unless you want to hitch a ride with the FBI.

[ The funny thing about that is that Alan would classify this whole thing as a bad B horror movie. He might even go as far as to label his books as something along those lines. They sell, sure, but pinnacles of brilliant writing they aren't. But then again, he's always been his own worst critic. ]

I don't know. It seems almost too weird or stupid to be a good plan, but maybe that's the plan: maybe it's so weird that no one would ever think to go sniffing around there.

Outside of town it is. And wouldn't the FBI just have more questions? You might be able to get away, but I don't like the idea of being hauled off by them, even if they gave us a ride.

So, what are we going to do? Break a window and steal- I mean borrow a car?

[ If the FBI and the police are already looking for me, it's not going to matter. ]

Edited 2023-12-31 08:43 (UTC)

[ Jesse isn't a writer so she couldn't begin to explain it all. Maybe, though, each story has been a stepping stone to get Alan to being that author he wants be. She may be able to articulate it one day. ]

Maybe. [ Her tone says she isn't sold on the idea. Then, her gaze drops and she frowns. ] If the FBI are like the government agents I met? They'll also enough questions to get what they want. Then, you can't stop them from getting it.

[ At his question, Jesse begins walking through the woods. She's oddly quiet again, withdrawn, defensive. Just like when he met her earlier in the day. ]

Yeah. That's not a problem, is it?

Yeah. And considering I'm already on at least the police's radar already, which is a long story, by the way, I don't think tangling with the FBI is a good idea. Even if all they do is ask questions. It's one of those things best left alone, you know?

[ He's not interested in another encounter that gets him arrested. But he stops talking because he's noticed the shift in her attitude, and he asks: ]

Did I say something wrong? It's not a problem; how are we supposed to get around otherwise? Other than walking, I mean.

How did you get in trouble with the police? [ Jesse glances back at him, a slight playful look in her eyes. She's glad he didn't stop to ask about what she meant with the government agents. Though, she's not sure if he's just filing little things away to ask her later.

« There might not be a "later." It's not like we're friends or know each other. When... whateverbwe're doing is done? He'll go back to wherever he's from. Maybe back to his wife. Maybe not. He said ex-wife, right? But, if this is a story, and he saves her, it might fix whatever is wrong with their marriage. That's a good thing.

So, why does it bother me? I don't know him. We're not close. This... I'm only here because you told me to be here... » ] You've been here a little over a week.

[ Jesse pauses and looks down. It's a fair question. She frowns. ] No. I'm... [ She looks forward so he can't see the conflicted emotions on her face. ] I'm not used to working with others outside of a job, or something like that. I just... stick to myself.

[ « And you. »

Polaris shimmers around her again. ]

[ Too late, it registers in his mind that she mentioned having involvement with government agents. Maybe he'll ask her about it, but weirdly, he feels like it's more important to let her know what kind of guy she's dealing with, even if he hasn't had an escapade like the one he's about to relate to her in some time. ]

Well, uh- You know I'm a writer, right? And my books kind of took off, even though I wasn't expecting them to. So that meant book signings, parties, stuff like that.

[ He rubs the back of his neck awkwardly. ]

There was one party where I kind of had too much to drink, and a reporter just wouldn't back off, so I punched him and shoved his camera back into his eye.

[ And the rest of that probably speaks for itself. ]

If it helps at all, I don't usually work with others either. For obvious reasons. But I'm not going to punch you or anything, if that's what you're worried about.

[ He realizes that doesn't sound like a glowing endorsement of himself, but he's never pretended to be anything other than who he is. And who he is is a volatile asshole. ]

[ She nods to the obvious fact that he's a writer. The paparazzi is par the course, and honestly? Jesse can't say she feels bad for the one who got a camera in the eye. She would of just run away, but, Alan may not have had that opportunity. He's a celebrity. ]

He's lucky he only got the camera. [ A shrug happens. ] I don't think I would be cut out for it. Being famous. I wouldn't want that many people around me or... trying to get in my life. Or even knowing I exist.

[ She glances back at him again. ] No. That's not what... I just... [ A sigh. ] Trusting people. Believing they believe me. It's hard. I don't do it anymore.

[ Jesse raises her eyes at the tug on her mind. Eyebrows crease. The sun is setting, but it feels like the rays are... hidden? Shrouded? The woods seem darker--as if the sunlight is being blocked from entering.

« This feels wrong. This isn't right. It's so... dark. Is this what it's been like outside? Why you told me to stay indoors? »

Polaris shimmers around her.

Jesse takes a small step back go be closer to Alan. Strength in numbers. Right? ]

Really? No lectures about not getting so upset? No telling me I probably deserved getting slapped with assault charges? A lot of people weren't too happy with me back then. [ He shrugs too. ] It's not for everyone. I just wanted to write books and tell stories.

[ The press and crowds and fans might be part of it, but that's not all that drew Alan to becoming an author in the first place. ]

If you're looking for a quiet life, being a writer isn't the way to go.

[ Alan just looks at Jesse for a moment, a thoughtful look taking his face. He hopes his gaze doesn't make her uncomfortable, and he eventually shifts to briefly looking at something ahead of them in the woods. But he says: ]

I don't know why, or what it is... writer's intuition, maybe. Something's telling me I can trust you, and believe what you say.

[ It could be because there's no one Alan really trusts, apart from Barry. The kidnapper is a kidnapper, and Rose drugged him. And the environment around here isn't really good for settling the nerves. There's something almost rock solid about Jesse, in a way. Alan can't explain where these brain waves are coming from, but something tells him he can trust her. Maybe even rely on her.

And if that's the case, he needs to be someone she can rely on in turn. ]

Hey, I forgot to ask... [ His gaze shifts again when she steps closer to him. ] Do you have a flashlight or a gun?

I'm not sure you'd listen even if I wanted to lecture. [ A vague gesture is made to herself and the fact she is so young. ] So... have you? Been able to tell stories like you wanted to. Your dream job, I guess.

[ Jesse hardly notices how he looks at her. Her attention is divided between the darkening woods and the conversation with Polaris. She only pauses in her footing when he speaks again. A moment passes before she turns and looks over her shoulder at him. The controlled expression slowly fades into something of confused surprise. It's obvious what he's said has left her speechless until his next question. ]

Noo... [ « I've never fired a gun. Or owned a gun. Obviously. » ] Why would I need one?

[ He just shrugs and rolls his eyes. ] Everyone lectures me for different reasons. Why not you too? [ Her being younger doesn't really strike him as significant, at least not in this situation. ]

Honestly? Not really. Maybe it started out that way, but now I just feel blocked. None of my ideas work.

[ And that's probably ironic, given the situation that they're in right now. ]

Why? If we get surrounded or cornered, you're going to need one. It's dangerous out there. [ Without hesitation, he hands over his own flashlight. If she's never fired a gun before, he figures he should keep it and let her handle the flashlight part of things. ]

Probably because I have nothing to lecture you on? Except, maybe, trying to go do this while drugged this morning. [ Her tone is still light and somewhat teasing. ] But... I'm not someone to lecture. Or judge. Or get involved. I'm not someone you should rely on. Your intuition must be broken. We'll blame it on whatever Rose gave you.

[ She glances to the side, then back to Alan. ] Maybe you just need the right inspiration. A muse, right? That's something writers need. [ A pause. ] That's actually why you came to Bright Falls, isn't it? A change of scenery to try and get inspired for a new book.

[ « It makes sense. » ]

Surrounded? Cornered? By what? [ Jesse barely takes the flashlight into her hands before he's moving forward with the gun. She quickly catches up to walk beside him. The flashlight is pointed down so they can see what they're walking on as the woods continue to darken. ] What makes it dangerous?

[ He just fixes her with a look that's a poor attempt at being serious; he has to work at keeping a straight face as he replies: ]

That's another thing I forgot to mention: I'm the worst person when it comes to making plans. Which you've already figured out, but at least I can admit it. [ And then his expression sobers again. ] Why do you think my intuition's broken? You're still here, aren't you? You didn't run or push me away when you learned what's happening. If anything, you seemed even more determined to stick around.

[ And that counts as reliable in Alan's book. ]

So far, I haven't seen anything that counts as inspiration. [ Except for maybe her, but if I tell her that right now, won't she just run away? No, I think I need to keep that to myself. ] I do have some ideas, though.

[ He watches her to make sure she has the flashlight and that she's following along with him. ]

It's in the pages: they're apparently called Taken. They were people once, before something got them. [ Darkness, the devil, doesn't it all come down to the same thing? ] The gun is obvious, but the flashlight helps make the gun work. I know it doesn't make sense.

[ A certain shimmer comes to her eyes at his attempt of being serious. It's easy to tell, at least for her, that he doesn't mean it. Alan Wake is easy for her to understand and she's not sure why. It's not as if something clicks like in a cheesey romance novel. There's just something she feels she can understand. Despite the fact that nothing should link them other than the weirdness happening in Bright Falls.

Jesse's eyes, however, train downwards at what he says. She doesn't voice the thoughts and quite frankly she doesn't need to. It's obvious by the haunted look in her eyes that she's simply used to feeling that way. Maybe because she's told it to herself for so long, or it was something that someone else told her that has been negatively reinforced. Either way, the struggle plays out in her eyes. ]

No one should rely on me. I'll let everyone down. I'll let you down. I always do. [ The words sound hollow despite how she speaks as if she believes them. She may even be scared of the words. ] I'm not a leader or a heroic figure. I'm just...

[ She trails off once more as those defensive walls come up. ]

None of this weirdness is inspiring? Really? [ Jesse glances up at him. Something in her tells her that's a lie.

« He's tied into all this somehow. Isn't he? »

Polaris shifts. ]

"Something got them"? [ The sentence is parroted but, there's a hollowness. Something like familiarness. Fear to some degree. ] They... the Taken, things. They only come out at night?

[ He notices that look in her eyes and it makes a smile come to his face, lighting up his eyes for the first time since he came to her door. He knows he doesn't understand it, and part of him feels like he shouldn't be feeling any particular connection to her, but... What was that dream he had? He can't seem to forget it either, and maybe it's that dream that makes him feel he doesn't want to let her go whenever this insane story comes to an end.

If it ever does. ]

You haven't let me down so far, and somehow, I don't think you will. I couldn't tell you why; I just have this feeling that you're not going to let me down. Now, I might let you down, 'cause I've done it before, to other people, but-

[ I believe in her. Is it because of that dream? I don't know. I just can't shake this feeling. ]

No, it's just weird. [ If anything around here is a potential inspiration, I'd say it's her. But that would definitely turn her off. ]

As far as I can tell. They don't like the light anyway, so it makes sense they just stay hidden when it's light out. Well, it doesn't make sense, but you know what I mean.

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