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synthneon2023-12-08 03:31 pm
outlierdirector) wrote in synthneon2023-12-08 03:31 pm
oceanview || ❝ made a promise i'm coming out alive. ❞
Through the waves, I break
The nightmares finally over
no subject
I can do it. I have to.
His gaze locks on hers immediately, and if she's looking, she'll see an intensity in his eyes, a longing to always be able to wake up with her there. It doesn't matter where they are, whether home in her apartment or here in a place that's not their own. As long as they're together, that's what matters. ]
Hi, Jesse. Morning. [ He smiles, because this just feels right, even though there's a lot about the situation they're in that's wrong. Being here with her is what feels right to him. ] That probably would sound to weird to anyone that's not us. It's nighttime, but- [ Time really is a funny thing for Alan, given the way the Dark Place works. ]
I guess it's fitting in a way, because I was always kind of a night owl even before all this.
[ His smile grows wider and his expression softens when she places her hand against his cheek. Oh, he really loves her and has it bad. The look in her eyes tells him she has it just as bad, though, but there's something more in that expression. A longing not unlike his own... a longing to make this real. One day, it will be. He just doesn't know how soon that day will be.
He shakes his head in response to her suggestion. ]
I'm guessing there's things we need to do to be ready. I'm good with what I've got. [ A change of clothes would be nice, but it's not a priority, really. ]
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They just need to finish "Return."
A gentle laugh comes from her. ] Sleeping all day makes it morning. Right? Time gets... weird during an AWE. Normal schedules don't really exist because of it. We're kind of used to it. And, Estevez's team is used to fighting the terrors of the night.
[ She glances down at his clothes and she frowns. ] I think we'd have the time for you to change.
[ A squeeze of hid arm before she slowly works to push herself up. It's obvious that she still needs to rest. Her body shakes slightly and she sways. There's no time for her to be down and out. Her team needs the Director. Alan needs the guiding star. ]
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He knows it ought to be embarrassing and he should stop, but he reaches out for her, for anything he can reach: hand or arm, it doesn't matter. He just wants to touch her. He actually wants her to lie down next to him so he can hold her for a moment, but time isn't on their side, as usual. ]
I guess it does. Morning, evening, it- well, sometimes I can't tell the difference, so I guess that means I'm used to it too.
[ There's no daytime in the Dark Place, at least not that Alan's seen. But there's danger present day or night, even though the threats seem to come out mostly at night. That does little to reassure him, though, because there's no pretending that the threats don't exist. There's no putting the poster back up on the wall anymore. ]
Yeah, but... we still have go plan our movements and who's going to be handling what. Well, I'm just going to go where you tell me to, but- you know what I mean.
[ He glances at himself and frowns as well, but he's quick to look back up at her. ]
It's not like there's a department store around here. [ Even if there was, he wouldn't waste time on going there unless she insisted. ]
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« Luckily he is going to have access to an entire system that knows about adjusting to "normal" life after contact with alien dimensions. » ] We need Saga to come back as well. From... wherever she's at. I'm not sure it's the same place as last time. Then, we can really start moving forward.
[ Alan awake, Saga with the Clicker, the Buearu ready for action. Everything is lining up.
His hand rests on her arm as she sits up and she pauses. An oddly gentle look takes her face at the motion. Once she's sat up, Jesse reaches up and rests her hand on top of his dirty and bloodied one. He really does need clean attire. Something to make him feel human and in touch with himself...
A knock comes at the door. Jesse looks over. ]
Hey, boss. [ Steve's voice comes through. Serious--mission mode. ] Anderson's here. You're going to want to come out with Wake.
Right. I've me a few. [ Jesse looks back down at Alan and gives a motion asking for his help in standing up. She hasn't fully recovered, hut she can move around at least. Once she is standing up. ] Ready?
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Right. Saga's just as important to all this as anyone. [ There's a part of Alan that still feels bad for having drawn all of them into this mess, but they're here and there's no undoing it now. He doesn't quite have the same conviction that they're near the ending that Jesse does, but he wishes for it all the same.
His smile widens into the one he reserves specially for her. The touch of her hand on his only makes that smile grow. It still surprises him that she can stand to touch him when he's covered in dirt and blood and who knows what else, but somehow, even if she's feeling repulsed by him, she's never shown it.
He glances to the door when he hears the knock and the voice that belongs to Jesse's right hand man. His smile fades a little but it doesn't disappear entirely as Alan nods. He instantly offers whatever support she needs from him in order to stand up, whether that's a hand at her back or just a supportive hold on her arm. ]
Yeah. I'm ready. [ No, I'm not, but I don't have a choice. I can't let her know that. ]
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« It will help him be able to transition home. »
Jesse pushes herself up to stand with his help. She stays there for a moment. Then, her hands squeeze his before turning and heading out of the office. She doesn't move too far from him incase he needs to help. That, and, she is aware he prefers not seeing her completely in the mode of Director.
She opens the door and steps outside. Steve turns to them and nods, all or his usual playfulness and bravado melted away into a stern man on guard. Further ahead in the center of the lobby is Saga, Agent Casey, and Estevez. ]
Saga. [ Jesse gives the FBI agent a gentle smile. Hopefully, some knowledge from the last loop has made its way through and Saga recongizes her. ] It seems like you're in a better state than most of us. Good.
Yeah, well, we would be better if it wasn't for your damn paranormal whatever screwing with us, Director. [ Casey grumbles. Jesse's eyes narrow. Something is off about the agent. ] And, where the hell have you BEEN, Anderson?
We can play catch up when the sun rises. I'm sure the Shadow isn't going to stick around and wait.
[ Jesse turns her attention to Estevez and Steve to check in with them.
Meanwhile, Casey winces but sends a glare towards Alan. Especially when Saga starts approaching him. ]
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He just stands by as the agents exchange words, feeling as though this is one situation in which his input isn't needed. He's sure someone in the group would tell him that he's already caused enough harm and now they're forced to do damage control because of him. When Casey shoots that glare his direction, he just stares back at the other man, unsure what he should do other than stand there. As far as he's concerned, he deserves the pointed glares and harsh words.
He looks away from Casey when Saga begins to approach him. ]
So, Wake, I have the Cl-
[ She starts to say something, but the rest of her sentence is lost, because she's just spotted Alan gripping his head and bending over as a sudden pain seems to strike him without warning. ]
N- Shit, not now...! [ Fingers tighten against his head as the pain increases and he hunches over. It came on so suddenly and so strongly, but it's sending off all the warning bells in his mind. All he can think of is getting Saga and Casey and everyone else to leave. They need to leave before it's too late. ]
Saga, you- get out of here. Get out of here right now. [ It's not safe. They can't stay here.
Saga's brow furrows in confusion as she watches Alan still holding his head. ] Wake? [ Something tells her they should do as he said, but she finds herself pausing in spite of herself. ]
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Polaris tugs at Jesse's mind the moment Saga speaks up. A sudden bolt of urgency passes through the Director, and she whirls around. Saga is cut off by Alan hitting the floor, and the conversation with her ranger and agent is on the back burner.
It all happens in an instant.
Steve is by Saga, arm up, gesturing her back away from Alan. Jesse dashes over to the Writer, despite how the normal paranormal movement leaves her head pounding and disorientation threatens her. She's kneeling at his side. Estevez is barking orders for agents to take Casey and Saga out of the room. Steve is already making the movements to that.
Jesse gently touches Alan's arm.
Polaris flares up immediately in a way she's never done around Alan before. Jesse recongizes the feeling--Polaris reacts that way to certain things. Other hostile alien entities. Things that are a threat to Polaris' resonance. The Hiss. The Dark Presence.
Her hands clamp down around Alan's shoulders as Polaris seems to suddenly turn herself up to ten. It's not painful this time.
« ...Wait, this time? » ]
Alan. Alan!
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Things were falling into place. Maybe the ending wasn't close, but it seemed like the pieces were beginning to line up in the way they needed them to. Maybe it was foolish for them to hope. But maybe this is just a curve in the road. Maybe it's not as bad as it seems.
The Clicker. We can fix this with the Clicker.
Alan's knees dig further into the ground below him and he hunches over more as the pressure in his head intensifies. A laugh echoes inside his mind, a laugh that doesn't belong to him. It strikes fear into Alan, and he knows in this moment that this isn't going to end well. ]
Get- Get Saga out of here. Get the Clicker away, don't let him get it. [ Maybe the him Alan's talking about is lost on some of the people in the room, but hopefully his point gets across anyway. He can't tell if Saga's still there, or if she's been removed from the room, but he hopes that she has. Everyone needs to get out of here. It's not safe.
Jesse touches his arm, and Polaris flares up, reacting to something. But something inside Alan reacts too, and he flinches, not from the pain in his head but from something that doesn't like Polaris. He's never flinched away from Jesse like that before as far as he knows, but something made him do it now.
He feels Jesse's hands on his shoulders and he just wants to lean into her touch, but he can't. It's not safe for her either. A spike of pain shoots through his head and he jerks involuntarily, fingers curling more into his hair. ]
Leave. Jesse, you- you need to leave. It's- You can't.
[ He wants to say more, but he's cut off as the pressure in his head continues to grow. ]
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« Can he sense where Scratch is? I guess it makes sense. Given their connection. How they're connected to the Dark Presence. Alan mentioned that Scratch and the Dark Presence were interchangeable at one point. »
She doesn't react to how he flinches away. Polaris is on high alert and trying to amplify herself to be louder than the other entity encroaching on their space. It's hard, as there's little light, and the few HRAs they do have. Not to mention that her host is weak as well. Still, the seemingly benevolent resonance tries to build--even using that spark of Light that remains inside the Writer. ]
I'm not leaving. [ Her hands curl more. She can't leave him vulnerable to the Dark Presence. There's no telling what could happen if it finally got what it wanted. ] Just focus on Polaris, we'll--
[ Jesse suddenly finds herself shoved back by a force. She can barely catch herself with her own powers. Her hands slam onto the ground to stop the projection of the sudden burst of paranormal energy. She finally comes to a stop at the Control Point, but she's hunched over and trying to catch her breath. Strands of hair fall from the braided ponytail. Jesse can feel her body quake from its own weakness from the assault the night before.
« I can't be down. I can't stop. They need me. Alan, he's... »
Polaris flares again, shining brightly around her host. The youngest Director of the Federal Bureau of Control looks over towards the man she has tried her hardest to save. The suddenly bright green eyes fall on him as he suddenly stands up.
It suddenly feels like her stomach has fallen out. Her eyes widen as she recognizes who is in the room with her now. It's not Alan Wake. A sudden fear seems to grip her that she wishes she couldn't explain. Except, she knows exactly why she is afraid even if nothing in her posture or expression shows it.
The last time shes was in the same room with him...
Pain spikes through the wound from her head. She lowers herself again, eyes shut as the pain itself makes her body tremble. The wound is the same one as before. Except the man in the room gave it to her before. ]
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I just wanted to escape all this and come home to her, but I guess the story has other ideas.
He presses himself just slightly against her hands and a look of regret comes to his eyes even as the pressure intensifies. I'm sorry, Jesse. I'm sorry for what might happen. I can't stop it... It's my fault.
Suddenly, Jesse's shoved backwards, away from him, and he grips his head harder as the pain crests to unbearable levels. But just as suddenly, it's gone and so is Alan. In his place is someone else, someone not Alan Wake. He straightens up, standing up from where he'd crouched on the floor, and his gaze turns immediately to lock onto Jesse's.
A slow smile, not at all like Alan's, begins to work its way across his face. ]
Well, well, if it isn't the famous redhead I've heard so much about. [ Scratch moves closer to her, slowly and one step at a time, and he lowers himself down until he's close to eye level with her. He reaches out with one hand, fingers outstretched, intending to touch her cheek. ]
It's all right, see? I'll take care of you now.
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Her eyes widen slightly as Scratch makes his way to her. Her head is still lowered, hair a mess, body struggling to even pull itself up from laying down on her side. The realization dawns on her.
« Alan wasn't sensing Scratch or the Dark Presence. It was taking control of him--drowning him out. It came over with him when he crossed the Threshold. But, h-how? WE helped him get the Dark Presence out. He was free. Awake. How...what happened after that guy Tim took us away from the room he was stuck in? »
Then, Scratch speaks.
Jesse feels as if cold water has been dumped over her entire body.
"We just don't VIBE together, if you catch my drift. I like it dark, chaotic, a little spunky. You.... you, you're just too damn mellow for me, Miss Director. And, I can't have you killing my vibe like that..."
Her eyes snap to his the moment he kneels down beside her. She can tell it isn't Alan. Gray eyes are shadowed and turned dark like the water of Cauldron Lake. There's an ease and confidence--almost swagger--that seems to ooze from him, where Alan would recoil at the ideas now.
Her panting is still the loudest thing in the room. The sounds from outside have been drowned out. Almost as if Scratch has somehow dominated all other frequencies except Polaris. It's just him and her and the thought alone fills her with dread.
His fingers--Alan's fingers--brush against her cheek. She can feel Polaris wanting to dial to eleven and overpower Scratch. Except, Jesse's too weak and there is nothing else to amplify off of now. The Champion of Light has been buried beneath dark waters.
« Alan... »
Jesse is terrified although it doesn't show.
« He found us again. He caught us. I... I can't slip away this time. He's... I can't MOVE! » ]
You killed me last time. The time before that. [ There is a quiver in her voice, but it doesn't stop the bladed remark from slipping out. ] Not what I'd call caring for someone, Scratch.
You're going to kill me again, right? You'll have to work for it this time.
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[ He smiles again but this time, it's purposefully diminished. Maybe too diminished in a calculated way. ]
I'd like to apologize and ask for another chance. I won't kill you, I promise. I'll show you how good I am at taking care of you.
[ He scoots in a little bit closer and one hand reaches for hers. ]
So, will you forgive me? I know that I made a huge mistake. More than one. But I'm sorry. I'm really sorry.
[ His tone even manages to sound genuine, matching the best apologetic look he can put on. ]
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« He's not even after the Clicker. Even though just mentioning it is what set all this off. So, simple. We don't mention it. We buy time for Estevez and Steve to get Casey snd Saga out of danger. We just need to hold out until morning. I think we can do it. It's not like I can really go anywhere right now anyways. »
Polaris shifts. She doesn't like the idea and Jesse can tell. Their options are limited with her being wounded and down. They make do for now.
Her eyes snap down to how he reaches out for her hand. She doesn't trust him one bit. A part of her still reacts just because it's the contact with Alan's body. Her gaze raises to his again as she feels that sense of revulsion come from deep inside. The part that she connected to Polaris with during the Hiss Invasion to become... what she is now.
« Stick with me, okay? Just trust me. Tell Steve where to go and guide him on how to get the others to safety. I'm the Director. Holding off the evil entities is part of my job. »
And given how involved she is with Alan? It's even more her responsibility.
Jesse forces her body to ease more onto the ground in a semi-relaxed state. The hand he touches flexes, but then flattens to the floor. The gesture is open for him to further it if he wants. Scratch has changed, and that much is obvious to see, but not in the way he says. Something chnaged from the earlier loops. Did something with Alan change and that's why? Scratch is his double. So, if one changes, the other one must too.
Right? ]
It's going to take more than that to convince me. [ Her tone is flat, but there is honesty in it too. She can only sell her plan by there being some truth to it. ] You don't just say "Sorry for killing you more than a few times, but I'm different now," and expect me to believe it so candidly.
[ « Let's see just how much he actually "cares." » ]
You could pull a knife out as soon as I turn my back and kill me then. [ Jesse pauses. ] You haven't even told me why you've had the sudden change of heart. You really expect me to believe you just grew a heart overnight? You hate me... and the resonance in me.
I'm not seeing how that adds up. You'll need to point the math out to me.
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[ The pull to claim the Clicker for his own is still there, but Scratch has his sights set on something else: Jesse. Winning her over wasn't ever anything he wanted, but then, he's always wanted to take everything that's Alan's. If Jesse's connected to Alan, then that means Scratch wants to take her for his own. But it can't just be as simple as grabbing her and taking her by force. That's not really satisfying.
What is satisfying is winning her over and getting her to trust him. Whatever happens after that, well.... He can sense Polaris still, and a part of him still doesn't like sensing that resonance, but if Polaris and Jesse are part and parcel, then that's just how that is. Maybe he can win Polaris over too somehow.
He reaches for her hand, but she doesn't pull back as he expected she would. Rather than take her hand in his, he simply brushes his index finger against her hand and continues to smile even when her hand flattens against the floor. ]
Of course, of course. Pretty words aren't going to get me anywhere, are they? It's about finding the right words. Good thing I'm something of a wordsmith. But more importantly, I mean what I'm saying. I just-
[ He looks down and away from her for a second before looking back at her again. ]
I just want the chance to show you. [ He shakes his head and smiles a rueful sort of smile. ] It wasn't overnight, because of course that's impossible. But I don't hate you, or that resonance.
It's less a mathematical equation and more a slow development over time, if you know what I mean.
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[ She may have let some of her walls down in becoming Director. Learning how to trust others around her. Believe what they said. Know that what they say and what they do adds up. It was the only reason she could trust Alan at the start--and the excitement of meeting another parautalitarian. Even then, she kept a reasonable distance, until it was obvious they gravitated too much to one another. Then, if all fell into place.
That's part of why she feels an uncomfortable shiver crawl up her spine as his finger trails down her hand. He has Alan's voice, his body, and can have the same mannerisms (if twisted slightly). He's still not Alan. It doesn't matter what words or actions he says. He'll never be Alan, nor will he replace him. It's obvious to her the difference between the Champion of Light and the Herald of Darkness.
Though, she can see why someone else would hesitate and think they're the same person. Scratch can mimic Alan down to the last second. He also seems to know things only Alan should know.
A wordsmith. It's something she's called Alan in their more private times. The ability of say the right thing at the right time to cause all her walls to fold.
« I really doubt Scratch could do that. »
Her eyebrows raise in a form of disbelief that shows she truly doesn't believe a word he says. Even if he does his best to sound like the man she loves. ]
So, you write one manuscript and you're a wordsmith? It took Alan writing short stories and a TV show to become that. [ Jesse knows it will be seen as something of a strike to the ego. Scratch hates being compared to the person he wants to be. But, she phrases it in a way that hopefully makes the doppleganger feel he can puff that ego.
« Maybe it's something he thinks he's better at. That he could write a novel when Alan couldn't. Or, thought he couldn't. » ] I doubt you know the right words. You were busy making me an example to Alan, not getting to know me.
[ Her eyes narrow. Oh, she very much doesn't believe anything he says. He probably can't stand Polaris and couldn't stand her to really be in whatever he thinks a relationship is. Polaris certainly can't stand the Dark Presence that oozes off him. ]
Really? You expect me to believe you just fell in love with me? What, over time? Between the murder sessions. I don't think you actually care about me. There's someone you want to hurt and I'm the easiest way to do that.
That's not loving someone. Let alone loving me.
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His mind is already off and running with ideas about just how to win her over. A series of ideas parade themselves through his thoughts one after the other, only for him to come back to the present with a jolt when it registers what she's just said. His expression twists into an uglier look then and a look of disgust settles in his eyes. ]
Him? A wordsmith? The wordsmith? [ He shakes his head. ] Absolutely not. He's a second rate author at best, and a used bookstore find at worst. How he ever impressed Alice enough to end up married to her, I have no idea.
[ He knows he's running the risk of further pushing Jesse away with his words, but when it comes to Alan, he can't help it. ]
Why would you settle, when you could have the real deal? I admit I made mistakes, bad ones. I don't want to make an example to him. I want to prove myself to you by showing you a good time.
[ And, well, he does want to hurt Alan, but he's not stupid enough to state that. ]
Jesse, I want- I want to be with you. Can't you see that? [ He even manages to sound genuine, at least in his head. He reaches for her then, intending to touch her cheek. ]
Let me show you how much I care about you.
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His face twists into an uglier expression. That's the look she expected him to wear the entire time. Who Scratch really is.
Her other eyebrow raises as if daring him to prove her wrong. ] Well, he has published six novels, a handful of short stories, and worked on episodes of Night Springs. You've made one manuscript. I'd say you have a lot to prove that you're more of a wordsmith.
[ Still, the idea is to string him along in order to get everyone else time to escape. That means she can't push back as much as she'd like. So, she inhales and calms herself down.
« Tell Steve to get the others out of here. Now! » ]
You should know I don't trust or believe anyone easily. Especially people who just wanted to hurt me. [ She glances down at his hand as he touches her cheek. That same part that is tied to Polaris squirms inside her. ] Maybe I can't see it because you hurt me. Multiple times. Not just here, but in between the revisions.
[ Jesse finally brings her eyes up to his dark murky ones. ] So, go on. How much do you care about me? I mean, really. Because if this is just to hurt Alan and take me away from him? You may as well kill me this time and get it over with.
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But isn't that the point? The general public can't tell the difference between me and him. All I have to do is just take over everything that's his, and no one will know the difference. Of course, you will, but you'll eventually come to see that choosing me is the best choice you could make.
You see, if I have all of his assets, including his money and his possessions, you won't have anything to worry about. And once I get to writing more books, there'll be more money flowing in. It's perfect, isn't it?
[ He's back to smiling, and he offers her a wide, toothy grin. ]
How much do I care about you? [ How much of this is actually truth and the way Scratch feels and how much of it comes from a place of wanting to hurt Alan as much as possible? It's hard to tell. Maybe Scratch himself doesn't even know. ]
I care about you enough to help you with this mess, to see it all end so that you have one less thing you need to deal with. Wait, I know. [ The proverbial lightbulb seems to have gone off. ]
I can fix all of this for everyone if I have the Clicker. The story will finally end and you won't have to worry about this... what did you call it? AWE?
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[ « Time to test how much he really knows me. Which, probably, is not at all. Just conjectures Alan made of me. Probably. »
Her eyes narrow slightly. Yes, how much does he care?
His next statement makes her blood run cold. Thankfully, she can hide it perfectly. Scratch isn't Alan. He hasn't broken through her walls to see the emotions she's feeling.
« Polaris. Please. You have to tell Steve NOW. They need to leave. RIGHT NOW! »
Instead, she scoffs and pulls her hand back. Jesse lowers her head and starts to force herself up. Her body protests, her head beats in agony, and everything in her screams to stop moving. It hurts.
« Everything hurts. Every part. Not just the physical either. It hurts so damn much. »
Outside, Steve feels a familiar brush on his mind. He crosses the few steps over to Estevez and Casey, grabbing Saga by the arm. He tells them to get in the truck the FBC brought and go. They don't have time for questions or to screw around. He'll take the bed of the truck with his weapon and cover them while Saga drives. Estevez is wounded but can provide directions, and Casey can just shut the hell up.
They need to move the Clicker. ]
That doesn't sound anything like proving it to me. [ There's a tremble in her voice from the physical pain, but also, the way her heart sinks. She can channel it. Use it. Make it make her point as if she really is talking to Alan. It'll sell it. Hopefully. ] That sounds like what you really want and trying to convince me it's something else.
[ Jesse raises her head again to stare evenly into his murky eyes. An unidenfitable emotion is there in her own gaze. ]
Aren't you the better Alan? The one who wouldn't make the same screw ups? The one who is oh so perfect? [ She frowns and narrows her eyes slightly. ] Because, all I'm hearing is you're going to run for the thing that really matters most. That isn't me.
[ Her hands curl as she forces herself up on them and her knees. ]
You're going to leave me behind. Here. By myself.
Just like Alan does.
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[ He pauses to think for a moment. ] You want... companionship. Understanding. Right? I can give you that.
[ Never mind that he's never known friendship, because of the obvious, but he wants to try it with her.
He sees her eyes narrow, but he lacks the perception that Alan has, that ability to read her, to be able to intuit what she's thinking or feeling. ]
You know, I think you shouldn't move right now. [ But he doesn't stop her from trying to get up, even though his expression shifts to something that's supposed to be worry. ]
No, that's not it. I can't achieve my goals without the Clicker. I need the Clicker because it's part of the plan. With the Clicker, we can get what we need. What we want. We could be together.
And yes, I am the better Alan. Don't you see that the Clicker is the linchpin in all this? I'm better, and I'm perfect, but I do need a little help from the Clicker first. Once I have it, then I can give you everything you've ever wished for.
[ He moves in a little closer as if intending to offer her his support. ]
I'm not like him. I won't leave you behind. I'm right here, aren't I? And clearly he's just going to disappoint you forever, because he's not me. He's not perfect. You deserve better, Jesse.
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At least, that's how she sees it.
« What if he really does care? What do I do then? What does he do? »
She holds back a remark that Alan could read her in a moment and understand what she really needs. Maybe it's instinctual because he's a writer, or it's a touch of that claravoyence. She can't push Scratch too far. Otherwise he might snap and go after Saga, Steve, and the others.
Outside the truck starts up. Steve rolls the gates back and then pulls himself to the bed of the truck with his rifle. Casey is in the back with him, Estevez and Saga in the passenger and driver seat respectfully. ]
You can really give me that? What makes it so you can and Alan can't?
[ « Other than the obvious that he's possessed Alan. »
A hand raises as if to brush away his "concern." ] Well, thank your Dark Presence for the state I'm in. Though, I'm pretty sure you gave me the exact same head wound once. And, you're one in the same, aren't you?
[ « May as well try to get what information we can out of him. There's what Alan thinks and suspects... then there is going to be what Scratch says is true. »
A huff of air escapes her, though it's ambiguous if it's in reaction to what Scratch says or because of controlled breathing through pain. ]
You want it to make the ending of your manuscript come true. I'm pretty sure I'm not apart of that ending. I never was. [ Jesse frowns and her eyes dart to the side. A part of her feels that way about anything with Alan as well. She wasn't apart of his plans at first. Maybe that's why she can't help change things.
Her gaze drops. ] There's absolutely nothing to guarantee that you'd come back after you have the Clicker. You'll make everything you want come true. Let me guess what those are. Obviously, Alan's life. Wealth, recognition, adoring fans that give you all the gratification you'd ever need. Fame.
And, if your really want everything Alan ever had? That includes one other thing. [ Her gaze levels back to his. ] His wife. Alice. She'd be your wife.
There's no room for me in that.
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Yeah, I can really give you that. Alan likes to think he can give you that, but come on. Who is Alan Wake but a selfish asshole? What exactly has he done for anyone? [ It's clear that as far as Scratch has concerned, none of Alan's actions have redeemed him. Maybe there is no redeeming him in his eyes.
At the questions concerning the Dark Presence and how Scratch is related, something in his eyes darkens, although his eyes were dark to begin with. Nothing else in his expression changes, but Jesse's question clearly hit a little bit too close to home for his liking.
But then a second later, his smile returns as if nothing happened. ]
Who told you that? Let me guess, our favorite writer. [ Scratch makes a "tsk" sound and shakes his head. ] I really think that sometimes, he'd say anything just to turn people off about me. You see, the truth is, he said so many things about me, and with that little ability of his, they came true. But I'm not like that, really.
[ He eyes Jesse, focusing briefly on her head, that sympathetic look coming back to his eyes. ]
I won't kill you or hurt you. Not again. [ He pauses for a moment. ] Would you like to be part of that ending? I can make it happen. And I would come back for you, because I want to be with you, not Alice. There's room for you because I'd make room.
[ He eyes her once again, looking like he wants to kiss her hand, or maybe kiss her mouth. Or both. ]
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The Dark Presence free.
The way his eyes darken just confirms what Alan had said to some degree. Scratch is only there when the Dark Presence is. Now, if he's a separate entity like before, or something more...
She could point out what Alan has done. It'd be a waste of time. Scratch really isn't interested in proving he's better than Alan to that degree at the moment. He's focused on her. Well, them. The potential for them. It makes her skin crawl, but, she has to ensure the safety of her people and the Object of Power.
She's the Director. ]
Yeah. He told me a lot about you. The Dark Presence. You know I've been to the Dark Place and sent messages through it. You've caught me. [ « How many times before the loop begins again and I'm here in Bright Falls? » ] Alright. If he's lied about you, then, whats the truth? I might as well know as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Control.
[ A sinking feeling strikes her then. If Scratch wins? She may never be the Director again. Why would he ever let her be a weapon against him?
She watches his gaze move from her injury, to her hand, to her lips. There are little things about how he moves that seem like Alan and not to imitate him. Little movements. Where he looks. There might be some sliver of empathy in Scratch that he pulls from Alan. Maybe.
« Just how tied together are they? » ]
How could you not want to be with Alice? She's his wife. Don't you want everything he has? [ The question is accusatory, but also one of general confusion. It's not lining up. Something is different. ] You're telling me you would honestly pick me over his wife?
[ Outside, the truck turns over finally. The lights come on. The FBI and FBC agents pull put of the parking lot. ]
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There's a part of him that wants her because she chose Alan, and he wants to take everything from Alan. But as easy as taking her might be, it would feel like a cheap victory, which is why he's so focused on winning her over himself, whatever it takes. ]
You've been to the Dark Place? [ He shakes his head. ] Just when I thought that my opinion of Alan Wake couldn't sink any lower. He's supposed to be protecting you, taking care of you, and he let you go to the Dark Place? What a shame.
[ Maybe he's being vague on purpose about just how much he knows. Or maybe he actually doesn't know. But he's not tipping his hand either way, or so he thinks. ]
The truth? You really want to know?
[ He eyes her, staring her down, but that dark look in his gaze has disappeared now. ]
I can't remember the last time anyone asked me for the truth. The truth about me, that is.
[ But he finds himself distracted by her next statements about Alice, and he looks at her again with his eyes wide. ]
So you're saying you actually don't know? Alice is... She's beyond everyone's reach now, even his.
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