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synthneon2024-01-10 07:34 pm
outlierdirector) wrote in synthneon2024-01-10 07:34 pm
Entry tags:
dead of night || ❝ i see what’s coming, it’s coming into light. ❞
Inside this room, you left your mark
I burn away the shadows, I strike a spark
no subject
But... I just think I'm missing something. Did I forget again? Is this another loop? [ He abruptly slams one hand against his forehead as if trying to shake loose memories he's forgotten. All he gets for his trouble is a headache. ]
Never mind. We have to finish this. Yeah. [ There's a brief pause and Alan tries harder to pull himself back together. ] Sable. That- it sounds familiar, but I can't remember.
[ But Alan cuts himself off as he feels the generator shudder and sees the street light turn on. He feels a sense of relief, of safety, even though everything around them still screams danger.
But he doesn't have time to linger in his not-quite-stupor. Sable's giving directions before darting off, and Tim's tapping him on the arm as he helps him stand up again. He's able to pull himself together long enough to move with Tim as they follow Sable to... to wherever. ]
I think Jesse's guide liked it when the light came back on. Maybe she can do something to make the lights brighter.
[ Alan pauses for a moment although he doesn't stop moving. A lightbulb seems to be going off in his mind; perhaps he should have realized this before now, but he was just a little distracted. ]
Tim, if Jesse's guide is here... She wouldn't be here by herself, because the two of them go together. That has to mean that Jesse's here too somewhere.
[ God, I hope she's safe. She needs to be safe. If she wasn't safe, Polaris would be more upset, right?
Alan's expression is questioning but also worried, because he's getting the feeling that no one is really safe here. Wherever "here" is. ]
no subject
[ He keeps a pace that makes sure Alan is beside him as they follow after Sable. ] You mentioned once that her guide amplified herself off light. Or, used it somehow. We talked about how there wasn't a lot of light for her to use in the Dark Place to do that. Still, she projected herself there to both of us. I'm guessing it's the same sort of thing here. It's not really that bright here either.
[ And, there's the realization. ]
Yeah, I had that thought too. Unless she can just project herself without Jesse's help. I mean, it's a theory, right? We got Jesse out of the Dark Place. Maybe she is back home where she should be.
[ The idea sounds like a long shot knowing their history.
The two eventually catch up to Sable, who is hunted at a large metal door. A hand is on the handle of a switch box beside it. Flashing red alarms light up one by one as unlocking mechanisms go off. She looks over her shoulder, and Tim can't help but do the same.
Nothing's behind them. ]
Guessing the others got out already. No one else is screaming. [ Sable kicks the door. ] Come on. Open up already!
[ One large blasting siren fills the air and the gate opens easily. Sable reaches back and snags Alan by the flannel shirt, dragging him along with her. The injured arm still hangs at her side. Tim is quick to follow, gun in hand, just in case. Not that he really knows what that just in case is.
Sable leads them forward, and suddenly, they are outside a large warehouse. One that should look familiar to Alan. The windows are boarded up and it looks like something right out of a zombie apocalypse movie. ]
Here we are. The Killers can't come here for whatever reason. I'm not high enough on the pay grade to know. [ She opens the door with her good arm and leads the men inside.
The warehouse is filled with crates, endless paper strung out everywhere, broken machinery. Signs of small camps can be seen as Sable continues to lead them through the maze and to another set of double doors. Then, she reaches into her pocket and pulls out an identification. One that's been decorated on the back by occult symbols and personal touches. She smirks at the raised eyebrows from Tim before opening the door by holding her identification up to it.
Inside is a hallway that leads straight to an office room with a large black pyrmaid in the center. Tim looks around, unsettled, because now even he can sense Polaris. Not that he knows it's Polaris. He can just pick up on something he feels he should know. Something that he instinctively knows is friendly. ]
And, just like that, welcome to the Fed Box. Nifty. [ Sable points down to the floor below with the people in uniform running across the room. Everyone seems to be on alert, but, Sable doesn't seem to really notice or mind. ] That guy at the table? Go talk to him and get your cool membership badge. I've got to go and get this fixed.
[ She tries to move her limp arm before smirking. Then, she turns and walks down the other pathway to another set of doors that have Rangers stationed outside them. Tim keeps an eye on her before turning back to Alan. ]
It's the Federal Bureau of Control. [ He nods to the seal on the ground. ] That's the seal that's all over the place in Bright Falls. Feds moved in shortly after you disappeared and set up camp. Maybe I shouldn't be surprised that they're here too.
[ What he doesn't mention is the fact he remembers Alan telling him that Jesse was in charge of these people. He's still holding out hope that maybe Jesse is safe back home. ]
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[ He offers Tim an apologetic look. He can't help how his mind seems to run away from him at the worst possible moments, but it's very annoying and frustrating when it happens.
He tries harder to pull himself back together, to focus on what's really important here. ]
It's not bright here, not at all. So... what is she using to amplify herself? The lights from the generator? But that's not a reliable source if they have to be repaired. What was that phrase? Something of light. Jesse kept using it, and her guide seemed to kind of make things brighter around me. But is that just coincidence?
[ It should be clear from looking at Alan that he doesn't want that to be just coincidence. ]
Jesse doesn't belong in the Dark Place any more than she belongs here. But I don't know if her guide would project herself here on her own. She's... I don't think she works like that.
[ As much as Alan wishes that Jesse was safe at home and not thrown once more into danger, a part of him is telling him that it's not possible to have Polaris without Jesse.
But he has to cut his musings short when they finally join Sable again. He stares up at the door, but even as the alarms light up, he finds himself staring at her arm as if he's seeing it for the first time. It took him long enough to figure out that she's hurt. ]
Hey, Sable- [ He's cut off by her words and the blast of the siren. Before he can say anything, she's grabbing his shirt and dragging him along and he has no choice but to stumble along after her. For someone with an injured arm, she's still got plenty of energy and drive. Maybe he could learn a thing or two from her, such as how to not be such a limp noodle.
He follows along after her, glancing behind him to make sure Tim is still with them, and then he goes back to keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings. He might be a little dazed still but he's sharp enough to know that he can't zone out entirely. Whatever the hell's going on, it's not safe. He might be missing some memories, apparently, but he can still pick up on contextual clues. Sable mentioned screaming and others getting out. Getting out implies escape. Screaming implies danger.
And she also mentioned killers, which is absolutely not a good sign. He's still keeping a weather eye on everything, and he does note how the warehouse rings a bell with him.
They do a good bit of more walking before they reach another set of double doors, and Alan watches as Sable pulls out what looks like an ID card that she decorated herself. It almost makes him smile a little bit.
The Fed Box... The Federal Bureau of Control... The Bureau. The FBC. The FBC fell back.
Memories surface again and suddenly Alan has a feeling that the FBC's presence here is absolutely not a coincidence. ]
Well, that confirms it. If the Bureau is here, Jesse has to be nearby... or maybe this is another outpost, but I think it's more than that.
[ Polaris? Hello? I know you're there. ]
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[ Tim is the first to admit he doesn't know much about Polaris or her nature. Everything he understands is from context and what Alan has told him about the guide aptly named after the north star. Though, now Tim wonders how much Alan retains of that knowledge after seeing him like this.
Loops.
He files it away in his mind later to ask about. Or, do his own investigating on. ]
Well, her guide was in the Dark Place despite Jesse not being there. It might be something like that again. [ Although, his tone implies he doesn't quite believe it himself. It's more for Alan's benefit anyways. ] Though I'm pretty sure nothing of theirs looked like this in Bright Falls.
[ As if to answer Alan's thoughts, Polaris shimmers underneath the point of the black pyramid. A circle with arrays line the circular area around it. Individuals in almost military garb keep others away from the devices. Tim sighs and pats Alan on the back before moving down the stairs and over to the table where a man in uniform is directing some of the other military garbed individuals. ]
No word back from Research? Shit. I hope it's going well. You know, I've had it with Directorial Lockdowns. I thought we wouldn't need one again. [ He sighs and looks up at Tim. ] How the hell did you get in?
A girl named Sable led us here from a Denny's. As crazy as I know that sounds.
Trust me. That is not crazy. But, we're in lockdown. Ward shouldn't have been able to get you in, unless... [ The man trails off the moment he sees Alan. Surprise is on his face, followed by a momentary realization. Then, he sighs. ] Unless Polaris let you in because someone could get in if he wanted. Hey, Alan. Welcome back. Shit, I guess people really do come back.
[ Tim glances between the two then offers a hand. ] Sherrif Tim Breaker.
[ The man shakes his hand. ] Really? Bright Fall's missing Sherrif? I guess I shouldn't be surprised if Alan is with you. Estevez included your disappearance in her reports about what happened last year. Well, welcome back to some kind of civilization. Anyways, I mentioned we're in a lockdown. We have been for the past seventy-two hours by the internal clocks here. So, I'll just have you fill this out, Sherrif... and, Alan...
[ The man goes over to a file cabinet. A moment later he is back with a vanilla filing folder and holds it out to the confused writer. ]
This is yours. Notes to yourself and documents, just in case you... you know. Go missing and come back like you have. Everyone is required to keep it up to date. Sort of like a journal.
no subject
[ Why am I forgetting things again? ]
She... she reached out to me once. I think she wasn't in the Dark Place either then. No, I know she wasn't, but she still managed to use Polaris to reach me. It's so stupid, so asinine sounding, but... I want to see her, just not here. Not in the Dark Place, not wherever this is. And you- you shouldn't be here either. You should be back home, once you've figured everything out. You should get to live, not be stuck in a dimension that's not ours.
[ Suddenly Alan's looking at Tim like he's never seen him before. How have I never asked him this before? Or have I, and I just forgot? ] Tim, what do you want to do with yourself? Do you want to settle down and get married? Have kids one day?
[ He finds himself momentarily distracted by Polaris's shimmer and his gaze travels over to the black pyramid, and the circle with arrays. It feels familiar but he can't really place it either. The men in the military garb give him a moment's pause, but where his mind might have once conjured up a terrifying image, the men in uniform remain just that. They don't point their guns at Alan, they don't come flying at him like a pair of deer heads once did... They just keep doing what they're doing, and Alan lets out an exhale of breath he didn't realize he was holding in.
Tim pats his back and he visibly relaxes as he follows the other man down the stairs. At first, he just lets Tim and the man at the table do the talking. That is, until the man addresses him. ]
So I really did leave. Or something. I don't remember it, but I guess that's normal. Maybe that's a good thing, not that me forgetting things has ever been good.
[ He silences again as Tim and the man exchange more words. It gives Alan a moment to try and regroup. He rejoins the conversation when the man addresses him once more and hands him a file, which he takes with only the barest amount of hesitation. ]
Notes to myself... [ Alan appears to zone out for no more than a few seconds, and then he starts speaking. Reciting, in a way. ]
You must know where you've been to know where you're going. I trust what I read on these pages. I wrote them for a reason. My notes to myself. The only way to make progress.
[ But unlike before when he used to recite lines he said in a hotline call so long ago now, he doesn't spiral out. He's just remembering what he said and revisiting it. He opens the folder and the first thing his eyes lock onto is a name: Jesse Faden.
He looks back at the man at the table, and then over at Tim, before turning back to the page. It's a note to himself, but all it contains is Jesse's name, printed on it in neat rows: a contrast to another time when he scribbled her name onto every blank space he could find. ]
Tim. I think- I think Jesse's here. [ At least, that's what he hopes this page means. ]
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Regardless of it all, he gives the other man a firm nod. He understands. Alan wants to see everyone he cares about somewhere safe. Normal. Not tied to any weird dimensions or dreams or memory loss. A regular life. Tim has to wonder if any of them have ever had a normal ordinary life. Can they ever really have one after all this? ]
Sure, I could. But, not until I get this thing with Door solved. There's no way I'm giving him the chance of tormenting someone I'd love or my kids. No way in hell. [ He shakes his head. ] Maybe that's stupid, but, I won't let him have another target.
[ He glances between the two as Arish hands Alan the folder. He begins to fill out the forum--god, it really is the government--and pauses only once Alan starts speaking out loud to himself. A glance is shared to the member of the FBC, but the other man doesn't seem bothered by it at all. As if this is something normal or they'd expect. ]
I wouldn't really call it "leaving." Unless you mean leaving your body and uh, coming back? We're not really sure how the whole "death" thing works. Not that we're trying to test it out. [ Arish says the comment quickly as if he wants to move on from the fact. ] Uh, yeah. Of course the Director's here. That's how the Directorial Override is in place. Faden locked the building down.
[ Tim carefully watches Alan's reaction before turning his head to the other man. ] Why did she lock it down?
We're under invasion. Again, well, technically we always are here. The Entity thing did a hard push against Central Executive seventy-two hours ago. She and some of the rangers pushed it back and put the override in place to try and keep the Entity from spreading into the build. Ah, fuck, right. Refresher and information drop.
We're in another dimension outside our own. Sort of like the place under Cauldron Lake you both got pulled into. It's run by what other survivors we encountered call "the Entity." Some paranatural force that is apparently some sort of emotional vampire? Research is still on going on that. Anyways, HQ--where you're at now--got pulled into this dimension after the Entity opened a threshold in it. We've lost contact with most the rest of HQ, and Faden has been trying to get it back sector by sector. She ran in with the rangers into ONE sector. We're just not sure which one yet. We haven't been able to make contact.
But, [ Arish smiles and gestures to the control point in the middle of the room, ] we know the Director is still here because her uh... friend is still here. Trust me. If the HRAs went down, these little devices we were? We'd be totally screwed. You wouldn't have gotten back into the building at all.
[ Tim blinks a few times and tries to process it. ] So... invaded by a thing like the local legends say is in Cauldron Lake, and Jesse's trying to fight it off. We can die here but come back. I mean, I guess. Is it any weirder than where we've been stuck?
Probably not. [ Arish shrugs. ] Just uh take a seat. Once the lockdown is resolved we can properly introduce you to everyone, Sheriff. And, uh, catch you back up with everything, Wake.
no subject
He looks at Tim with understanding, but he might notice how Alan's jaw tightens. He knows what the other man means, of course, because no one should ever have to go through the kind of torment that's been the last thirteen or so years for Alan. Maybe Door's not evil like that, but there's a part of Alan that's not holding his breath for Door to reveal that he's been altruistic all along. ]
I'm just mad that you're in his crosshairs at all, honestly. If there was a way for me to get you out of all this and still get you the answers you want, I'd do it in a second. I've told you that before, haven't I? I must sound like a broken record, but I mean it. Every word.
[ Alan stares at Arish, trying to follow where he's going with this. But maybe it's for the best that they get off the subject. His thoughts threaten to spiral at the slightest thing as it is. He's not sure he wants to give them more of a reason to run away. ]
Right... Directorial Override. [ Alan's expression suggests he's of two minds at the notion of Jesse still being here. He can't say he's happy that any of them are there, really, but Jesse definitely doesn't deserve this place.
He goes quiet again as he listens to the explanation, nodding along as he follows, but his frown continues to deepen the longer Arish talks. ]
Every time... every time that I think things can't get worse, they find a way of doing that.
[ But then one sentence from Arish's explanation jumps out at Alan: She ran in with the rangers into one sector. We're just not sure which one yet. We haven't been able to make contact.
Those words echo in Alan's mind and chase themselves around slowly at first but growing faster and faster.
We haven't been able to make contact. We haven't been able to make contact. wehaventbeenabletomakecontactwehaventbeenabletomakecontact ]
Arish, where- I know you said you don't know which one she went into. How many sectors are there?
[ Alan stops and looks around them, eyes surveying the room as if looking for something. A wild idea has just come to him and it won't let him go. He has to do something, he can't just sit here.
If it was up to him, he'd charge off right then and there, but even with his sudden impulsiveness, something tells him maybe that's not the smartest idea. ]
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[ The idea that Door sent him to...wherever this is hasn't escaped his mind either. It'll just be one he doesn't share. Another one for the crazy wall.
Tim goes quiet again as he listens to the men talk. He fills out the paperwork handed to him, but it's slow, methodical, pausing as the conversation continues. He's gathering the little bits of information he can. HQ for the Federal Bureau of Control is quite large and cut off from one another. The recent cut off was because of Director Faden herself. They are under attack from this Entity thing. Maybe it's related to the Dark Place and Door, maybe it isn't, but it seems to be another day for the workers here. That makes sense given how the Bureau always seemed to act around Bright Falls.
He notices the way Alan seems to just seize up and pause. He raises his head, lowering the clipboard in his hand. ]
Alan?
[ Arish sighs and leans his head back in thought. ] How many sectors? Fuck. Well, each one is a different department that's divided into further ones from there. Five, really. You could usually get to them from the elevator... but, that shit has been out of commission since the Entity showed up. No buttons on the elevator or anything work.
I'm going to guess there wasn't any indication on what sector could of opened up first?
Well, we have a hunch on which one, given how it's usually tied to Central. It'd help a lot too if it was the one we're thinking it is. It'd mean we'd be able to get a hold of another member of the management team. God, I hope like fuck Faden got into that sector.
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[ He just can't imagine leaving anyone behind, but definitely not Tim. There's no way he could live with himself if he did.
Alan listens to Arish's explanation with rapt attention. This is important, maybe even critical. It'll give him an idea of if his sudden thought is even possible. He knows that Arish and others would most likely try to stop him, but as far as he's concerned, nothing is going to get in the way of him and Jesse being together after what feels like so many long years apart. ]
So all you have to do is find a way there using the elevator that doesn't work. But can the elevator be forced open? Or... [ He's trying to think of alternatives. ]
Is there a way into the elevator's corridor?
no subject
He lowers his arms and knows that look on Alan's face. That's the look of a writer who is going to do something probably really, really reckless. Maybe even stupid without all the information. ]
Alan.
[ Arish sighs and puts his hands on the fold out table that is covered with documents. ] Well, unless Faden finds another way of making a way into it. I wouldn't be surprised. I mean, there's a way through a lab, but that you have to get to through a whole other department. [ Then, he looks up at Alan. ] Yeah, that way you came in? That used to go to the elevator. I mean, building shifts are one thing. This is on a whole other fuckin' level.
[ Tim is about to point something out when a ranger suddenly rushes up to Arish. He has something like a walkie-talkie in his hand. Arish thanks him, and presses down the button. Tim looks back at Alan and shakes his head. ]
Hello? [ Arish lets the button up and it suddenly crackles up to life. ]
"Hello? Anyone there? God, I hope so."
POPE? No fucking way, is that you? Where are you at? We're here in Central Executive---
"--Arish! Thank God. Yeah, I know. Jesse filled us in on the situation when she finally got to us here. Most of the main part of Research is secured now."
[ Arish smirks, looking up at the other two men. Tim gives a smile back, not exactly sure what is going on. It sounds like good news though. Jesse has found more of her people. Meaning Jesse must be alright as well. ]
Hey, is Faden there?
"Yeah. And you KNOW she's going to correct you again."
[ Arish turns his gaze towards Alan with an almost knowing look. ] You alright if I send a team in with a few rangers?
"I'm not sure HOW you're going to get to us. Jesse still hasn't lifted the Directorial Override. I mean, unless we have another house shift, but with Polaris' Resonance beating through the place, it should be pretty stable..."
[ Almost as if on call, Polaris gently tugs at Alan's mind. She pulls his attention down a hallway--the hallway they entered in. Except now, the hallway seems more like it fits with the rest of the building. A double set of doors open, revealing an elevator. ]
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By the time he registers the look that Tim is giving him, Alan's mind is already off and running. He needs to be doing something useful; he needs to find Jesse. It's not even that he thinks Jesse needs his help, because she doesn't. This building is her turf, even if said turf has been pulled into another reality, but even that doesn't change the fact that Jesse knows the Oldest House. ]
What? I can't just stand around here. What if I just took a gun and explored? Just exploring, not causing trouble.
[ He cuts himself off when he sees the ranger rushing up and Arish starting to talk to someone on the walkie-talkie. He listens carefully, listening for anything that might tell him about Jesse and her whereabouts.
An audible sigh of relief escapes him almost at the same time that Arish turns to him with a smirk. Wherever Jesse is, whatever she's doing, at least she seems to be safe. As safe as anyone can be in this mess. But then Arish's words register in his mind and Alan's eyebrows raise in surprise. He listens to Pope's response too, and he has about five seconds of feeling disappointment before a familiar tugging sensation pulls at his mind.
His gaze shifts in the direction of the hallway Polaris is pointing out for him, and from his vantage point, the hallway looks like it's shifting. Something else tugs at his mind as he notes the appearance of the hallway and the double doors that open to an elevator.
This is familiar. Why is this familiar? Have I seen this before? I think I've seen this before. ]
Hey, uh, there's something down that hallway. I think we should go take a look at it.
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Honestly? He feels he needs a whiteboard.
As if to answer Alan's inner questions, a familiar chiming sound fills his mind. Polaris. Except, it isn't Jesse's voice that accompanies Polaris this time. No. It is the Writer's voice.
A message from long ago that he had sent the Director and her guide.
⸨ The elevator lights winked back on. The darkness receded like a memory. There was a new button on the elevator control panel: "Investigations Sector." Faden pressed the button. The elevator doors slid shut with practiced bravado. ⸩ ]
This seems like official Buearu business, Alan. I'm not sure we should get in the--[ Tim stops at the sound of something shifting. He and Arish look down the hallway to see the elevator reveal itself. Then, a shift in the air. Almost like the atmosphere is lighter. Humming. ] Uh...
Looks the elevator just came back. Guessing that means Faden has the place connected again. [ Arish talks through the radio but also to the other two men. ] I've got a team of Rangers I can send in to you. And a fewguests. Trust me, Faden is going to want to see them.
[ Tim looks to Arish who smiles and instructs the Rangers to lead Alan and him to the elevator. The sheriff follows along, making room inside the elevator with Alan. A button labeled "RESEARCH SECTOR" is pressed.
A hum fills the room that no one seems to notice.
The doors shut with practiced bravado. ]
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But then all thoughts seem to fly out of Alan's mind as that voice echoes in his mind. And in that one instant, Alan's back in the Writer's Room, desperately but purposefully typing out page after page of manuscripts... trying anything that might work, anything that could help him escape. He was a desperate man back then just as he's a desperate man now.
He's desperate to get home, desperate to find Jesse... desperate for things to be as close to normal as they can be. ]
Trust me, Tim, we need to do this. Or I need to do this; if you want to wait here, I get it. I'm always dragging you into things, but you don't have to be dragged into this too. But as for me, I'm going into that elevator.
[ Although if Arish told him to back off and stay behind, he would. This isn't his show, it's the Bureau's. He'd do it reluctantly, but sometimes even Alan can respect authority, even if no one really believes that.
Once they're inside the elevator properly, Alan feels a cold sweat forming on the back of his neck. He remembers this; he remembers writing about this, writing about what was in the Research Sector. Directing Jesse to it, getting closer and closer to... something. Danger. They could be getting closer to danger too.
He looks sideways at Tim. ]
You have a gun, right? Just in case?
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[ Door is the one that dragged him into that weird New York City. The man haunting his dreams for years. Jesse--apparently the Red Headed Woman--is something else entirely. Alan having gone missing and ending up in the same New York City? Something else entirely. He doesn't even think that why he's suddenly in a different dimension with hooks and gates and apparently the Federal Bureau of Control is Alan's fault.
If it was, could they even prove it?
He nods to Alan's question. ] Yeah. Though, I'm not sure what good it will do.
[ The elevator doors open.
The Rangers step outside. Down another hallway and then what opens to an expansive area. Winding cement stairs that lead up and down, a wide screen to the side that is turned off.
The place is a complete wreck. It's obvious that there has been a battle of some sort that took place. Pieces of the railing are missing, chunks of the floor uplifted, and Tim wonders what the hell could have done all that damage.
They come to a stop at the foot of one of the staircases. What few members of the Buearu Research Sector are there are huddled against a wall. The words PARAPSYCHOLOGY loom above in golden font. Below it, two women stand talking. A blonde who is shaking her head and sighing, while the one beside her with red hair and a pyramid clip holding it back has a hand on her hip. The other hangs at her side. ]
Director Faden! Dr. Pope!
[ Both women turn their heads as the group of Rangers come around the corner. The blonde waves the main Ranger over while the red head glances around. Her green eyes settle on the Ranger approaching them. A hushed discussion takes place.
Tim finds himself rooted in place. He can tell by looking at the apparent Director Faden that she's one of the people he has been looking for. The Red Headed Woman. Honestly? He never really thought to find or see her. Now, he finds himself standing and staring at her with various emotions running through his mind.
She's ...alive. ]
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[ Something else, or someone else? He remembers Tim mentioning Mr. Door, needing to find him, and- isn't that how they got here in the first place? Maybe his memories are more scattered than he thought. But he definitely remembers that Door had something to do with Tim's situation; still, he knows that people around him tend to get caught in the crosshairs, and Tim seems to be no exception to that. ]
We don't know what we'll run into where we're going. Maybe having a gun will make a difference if something bad happens.
[ Maybe it's because Alan just anticipates the worst, but as the elevator doors open, he finds himself stiffened with grim anticipation. Nothing seems to happen immediately, so he follows the rangers down a hallway and then to another area that looks as though it's seen better days.
Clearly the place has been wrecked, but wrecked by what, Alan doesn't know. Alan glances sidelong at Tim before he resumes looking around at all the damage around them.
They get closer to one of the staircases, and that's when Alan spots other people, alive and as far as he can tell, mostly unhurt.
But it's not them that draw his attention; he spots a redhead standing next to a blonde, and a rush of breath leaves him all at once.
He finds himself rooted in place just as Tim is. He was looking for her, of course, but he didn't really expect to find her down here, wherever this is. ]