synthneon | oceanview || ❝ two worlds colliding, there ain't no bargaining. ❞

[ A smirk comes to her face, followed by a small laugh. ] I have easier ways to get an autograph if I wanted one.

[ Not that she could imagine the Alan Wake she knows willingly giving her an autograph. She doesn't really need one either.

Her hands settle into the blue pleated skirt. Sky blue eyes move to the canopy of trees from the park. Bright Falls always has its oddity of unusual. Cauldron Lake always has the connection to another dimension. If it wakes and stirs, and if it's an Alan or a man named Thomas Zane is another. The players swap but the core things remain.

The question on her mind is simply where the Alan Wake of this timeline has gone. If the apparent Master of Many Worlds is temporary visiting... where is he? Have they swapped places? ]

You can call me Elizabeth. [ Her gaze turns back to him and another smile comes forward. Her eyes almost glitter at the thought of her next question. She misses books and simply reading them. ] I hear "Return" is coming out soon. Congratulations. Not everyone manages to have a real manuscript printed.

[ Use of select words at the right intervals may help the mannshe is talking to realize what is going on around him. Playing a part only lasts so long. ]

I've never been to a Deerfest celebration before. Are they memorable?

[ That earns her a questioning look, although he's not looking too deeply into it either. ] Yeah? If you say so. I guess if you change your mind, I'm not going anywhere.

[ At least not yet. He can't sit here forever, but he's going to stay here as long as he can. He's not even sure why he chose this spot, other than the fact that it's a little out of the way and somewhat secluded. It's the quiet that he wants most, weirdly enough.

It won't be that quiet around him for very much longer, once "Return" drops and people start reading it. That is, if they read it and like it. That thought makes him clench his fists as he feels his nerves start to rise.

Maybe he shouldn't be nervous, but he can't help the reaction that's threatening to break what little calm he managed to find. ]

Thanks. It's- well, I hope people like it. If not, well, I guess there's always the next book. If there is a next book, anyway.

[ If there's any sort of hidden message in Elizabeth's words, Alan hasn't picked up on it yet. He offers her a half-smile and a nod. ] Nice to meet you, Elizabeth. You've obviously already figured out who I am.

[ She asks about Deerfest and he pauses to have a look around them. ]

Yeah, Deerfest is a big deal around here. It's one of those things that's worth checking out at least once. More than once, if you ask the people who do the planning. A lot of work does go into it, to be fair.

You live here, in Bright Falls? [ Elizabeth's head tilts back with a small "oh" attached to her statement.

Yes, he does. A house outside of town. Not the building that is the Valhalla Nursing Home. Another one that's not close to Cauldron Lake. ] I thought you lived in New York City with your partner.

[ She doesn't mean Alice Wake. No, it seems the Master of Many Worlds and the Alan Wake that belongs to this time have both moved past Alice. A certain red headed woman that another man in this town was looking for comes to mind. Different in this time, but, still the same person at the core. Elizabeth knows her face. A local now and someone who could have been an artist. Someone still who ended up on the path of the Bureau, and that is how Elizabeth has met her. This version of Bright Falls is on edge when it comes to ... beings from other places.

Hence why she has a rather unstylish coat now. ]

Maybe you'll find the inspiration for another series. [ Her head tilts to the other side. ] You never know what the future has in store.

Will you be attending Deerfest this year, Mr. Wake?

Yeah, it's not what you'd expect, right? Alan Wake, author, living here in Bright Falls. [ He cracks a half-smirk at that, but there's a kind of fondness in his voice too. ] It might be a small town, but Bright Falls is home. [ He can't imagine leaving it, or the people there... or a certain specific person, even if things between them aren't as good as they could be. ]

New York City? What? [ He shakes his head at the thought of it. ] Too many people, too loud... People aren't happy living in cities. Small towns are where it's at.

[ That's what brought them here, after all, isn't it? At least, that's what he remembers when they settled on making Bright Falls their home. ]

Maybe I will. You wouldn't think it, looking at this place, but inspiration is everywhere if you know where to look. Or how to look. And you're right, you never know. I wouldn't want to know even if I could.

[ He taps his chin with one finger as if thinking that over. ] Maybe I will. Maybe I'll get inspired by something. What about you? You planning to check it out?

I wouldn't go so far as to say that. Maybe for some other Alan Wake, but not you. [ Elizabeth shrugs slightly as if the comment is made to make sense. It will, whenever he realizes that things aren't what he truly believes them to be. ] You moved here then from New York City... thirteen years ago?

[ She smiles sadly. ] I haven't had inspiration in some time. Things get... less lively the more you see of it all. Then, sometimes, you meet people that give life a new meaning. Like your.... girlfriend? [ A glance down at his hand to see if he has a wedding ring. ] Your partner is from here. Isn't she?

[ Elizabeth refrains from asking if his partner will be joining him at Deerfest. She can see where he refuses to go if she doesn't join him. An attempt at fixing something that is broken. Another echo, a constant, just reformed in a different way for this version of Alan Wake. Well, the one that should be here having the conversation with him. ]

If I am allowed to, [ A mysterious smile spreads across her face then, ] then maybe I will.

[ As if perfectly on queue, a jingle of keys is heard. She turns and looks to see the Sheriff of Bright Falls coming up to them. A knowing look is given to Tim Breaker. ]

"Oh... DeWitt," [ Tim pauses and looks at Alan. ] "And, Alan. Hey, man. I didn't know you were back in town. Guessing the interview went well?"

[ Elizabeth stands from the bench and begins to brush off her pleated skirt. ] If I make it to Deerfest, Mr. Wake, maybe I'll see you and your partner there.

"Some other Alan Wake"? What is this, more otherworldly, supernatural things we can't explain? [ He bristles a little bit, but he tries to keep his reaction from becoming too much... too overblown. Just because topics along those lines are prickly ones for him doesn't mean he gets to lash out whenever they come up, right?

He feels the slightest pinprick of guilt at that thought, but he pushes on ahead anyway. ]

As far as I'm concerned, I've always been here. Okay, I know that's not true, but it feels like that sometimes.

Maybe you've just been looking in the wrong places, or maybe it'll turn up when you least expect it. [ He offers her another half-smirk. ] Wife, actually. I still can't believe I get to call her that. I'm lucky she lets me stay with her.

[ Considering his "prickliness" and all... ]

What do you mean, if you're allowed to? [ He gives her a quick looking over, and then he notices the jacket he's wearing and a bell goes off in his mind. ] Work keeping you busy?

[ Speaking of work, there's that jingling of keys, and here comes the Sheriff. ]

As well as interviews go, yeah. Lots of questions about my "process" and my "inspiration", that kind of thing.

[ He watches Elizabeth stand up, recognizing that she's trying to make a polite exit, and he stands up in return to see her off. ] Well, we'll look for you there and hope to run into you.

Anything can be explained. [ Her hands to her hips. ] You just need to be willing to hear the science behind it.

[ The contention isn't hard to see. The Alan of this time is one who would have never encountered the Dark Presence--at least not to the point it would use him to write stories to free itself. He has had a relatively normal life, save for what his apparent wife would say otherwise. ]

Maybe in another life you have been here for all your life. Who really knows?

[ Elizabeth isn't saying.

She instead turns to join Tim. Her skirt sways as she walks, almost moving like ripples on an ocean. A lake. ] Work? I suppose you could call it that.

"The usual. Well, you know everyone is going to be tuning in town to watch it tonight. Except maybe you... I'm guessing you don't really like watching yourself." [ Tim chuckles. ] "Anyways, I saw the wife back at the diner. She'll probably figure out you're back soon. Sorry for interrupting, but, I need to take Miss DeWitt back to base. I'll catch you tomorrow, Alan."

[ Elizabeth half turns to look at Alan once more. ] When you're ready, Alan, you'll come find me at Deerfest. I'll see you then.

[ Tim sends an uneasy glance at Elizabeth before shaking his head. Her skirt continues to ripple as they walk off. Although, one can overhear Tim saying something like "You know they get antsy when you show up without checking in..."

The sun continues to hang and birds chirp. ]

Now you sound like her. [ Alan's expression seems to darken and a look of exasperated doubt slides into place. ] I've heard this before, or versions of it, and it doesn't change my mind.

[ He just stares at her then, wondering what she's talking about and why it is that everyone around him seems to believe in things like "other lives" and being able to explain what he sees as the unexplainable.

Maybe he's not meant to understand. Maybe people like Elizabeth and Beth and others like them are just too different for him to really understand. Nothing about that thought makes him happy, but he doesn't let that show on his face. ]

Yeah, everyone is. I'll probably have people wanting autographs or something. [ He shakes his head and pretends to roll his eyes. He doesn't begrudge anyone their interest in him or his writing, but he still finds himself surprised that people even like it. And, well, he'd be lying if he said he wasn't incredibly nervous about this latest book.

A part of him wants to ask if he can tag along with Tim, but he'd just get in the way. He's a writer, not a sheriff or whatever it is that Elizabeth does.

He just nods and waves the two of them off, and once they're gone, he just stands there for another minute as if trying to figure out what he should do. Tim had said he saw Beth at the diner, and like he said, she'll probably figure it out that he's back.

There is a part of him that does want to see her, and that's the part that makes the trek over to the diner. Once there, he pushes open the door, and the bell on the doorframe jingles as he steps inside and takes a look around. ]

[ A shrug is simply given to Alan's reaction to the concept of the weird or unusual. Living in plausible deniability is certainly the path the Alan of this world has taken. Elizabeth imagines the Master of Many Worlds will come to realize sooner rather than later what has happened.

After all, his wife isn't quite the woman that Alan knows. ]

Oh, my gosh. Alan! Hi! [ The bright and cheerful smile of one familiar waitress welcomes him the moment he steps into the diner. Rose Merigold excitedly waves at the sight of him. She still runs his fansite, and is quite taken with him, but knows where the line is drawn for the sake of his marriage.

After all, she and his wife go back many years.

A familiar red headed woman raises her gaze from the paperwork in front of her. Green eyes immediately dart to Alan. A shimmer that he is used to doesn't even have a trace or hint in her eyes. Red hair is longer and more curled at the ends. Still, one could look at her and assume she's Jesse Faden. Especially with the deep blue coat with white lettering of "FBC" on the back.

Jesbet "Beth" Wake pauses at the sight of the man who should be her husband. ]

"Oh. Sorry, did I keep you? I was just... you know. Filling out paperwork for. Things!" [ Rose gestures to Beth and the paperwork. ] "Don't you worry, Beth. I'll have it all filled out in the morning! I wouldn't want to keep you. Oh, especially since the big interview about Alan's new book is tonight! I can't WAIT to see it! Go on, go. Both of you!"

...Yeah. Thanks, Rose. [ Beth immediately stands and walks over to Alan. A small limp can be seen to the trained eye. ] Come on.

[ Her hand latches around his wrist. In a moment, Beth is pushing the Oh Deer Diner door open. She practically drags Alan behind her. Around the corner and back behind the diner. It's only once they are from prying eyes that she turns and snaps back to him. Green eyes meet his gray ones.

They narrow. ] You're not Alan. Who are you?

Hi, Rose. [ Alan smiles in return, although it's not nearly as effusive or wide as the one she's giving him, but he does wave back. She's always been nice to him even if she's sometimes a little overbearing with her admiration. Still, he knows he wouldn't be where he is without fans like her, so he gives her the appreciation he feels she deserves. ]

Busy day today? [ His gaze travels briefly over and settles on Jesse, and some details stand out to him as odd, but he doesn't comment on them right now. Even when she's just sitting there, she manages to pull his attention and his focus. It's just the effect she has on him whether she realizes it or not. ]

Paperwork for things. Got it. [ He figures it's something related to Beth's work, and so he doesn't pry. It's probably classified information anyway. Rose prattles on about the paperwork and not wanting to keep Beth, and then she mentions the interview and the book. ]

I hope you enjoy it: the interview and the book. [ He really does mean that; he feels like he's not naturally good at giving interviews, but he can slide into a persona that's at least a little engaging and responsive. It seems to work for him, anyway.

Again his gaze shifts when Beth stands up and walks over to him. He doesn't miss the slight limp in her step, but that flies right out of his mind when he feels her hand latch onto his wrist and she starts practically dragging him from the diner. He waves at Rose with his other hand and then he's pulled out the door. ]

... What do you mean, I'm not Alan? [ He immediately looks confused as soon as he registers Beth's words and the look she's giving him. ]

"It always is leading up to Deerfest, silly! Especially with your new book coming out. We have more people than normal! Wouldn't it be nice if people actually stayed here and Bright Falls became bustling again? Maybe one day." [ Rose sighs and shrugs with one shoulder before scooping up the paperwork. ] "Bye, Mr. and Mrs. Wake!"

[ Beth stares him down. She may not have crazy powers like some people, but, she has a knack for spotting things that don't belong. Especially if comes to people she loves and cares about. Sherrif Breaker was the same way when they met. He thought she was someone else--that they had some sort of special connection. They have something, a comradery, but it's nothing like what she and Alan have.

Or, had.

That's what's missing in Alan's gaze. The certain spark that makes his gray eyes light up. It's been dulled for... awhile now, but it wasn't just gone. Someone else is looking back at her. Someone who isn't the man she married. Not in a metaphoric sense either. ]

You're not him. [ Beth states firmly. ] I don't know who you are. You're not Alan Wake. Not the one who married me.

[ Her heart clenches. She's done everything to make sure nothing comes home to him. More out of his own insistence than Buearu red tape. He made it clear through first time she met him thirteen years ago he didn't believe in anything supernatural. Paranormal.

Even then, he came out to find me in the woods...

So, who the hell is looking back at her? ]

I'm going to ask you again. Who are you?

Edited 2024-10-13 03:28 (UTC)

[ Alan only feels his confusion grow; he doesn't understand a thing about what's going on here. He's Alan Wake, married to Beth. They've been married for awhile now, right? He hates that he even has to ask that question, but it's almost as though something is trying to insert other memories that don't belong to him into his mind.

... Or do they belong to him after all? ]

Why do you keep saying that? If I'm not the Alan who married you, then who am I? What is this, some kind of test? Or is this something... Something else?

[ He's certain she'll know what he means by "something else". ]

I'm Alan Wake. That's who I am; that's always been who I am.

[ Her shoulders stiffen at that.

Something else.

There is always an underlying tone of annoyance when he talks about the weird things. Strange. Unusual. A tone that says he finds it all stupid and not real. Everyone in Bright Falls--for as much as he loves the place--has bought too far into the local legends. Stupid people in the forest at night help sell the legends to try and drive business to the town. So much so, they they inspired his new trilogy.

That doesn't mean he believes in it. Or will believe at all.

She can't say this must be "something else." As long as whoever this is that thinks he's her Alan? He'll probably react the same. She can't risk whatever is going on getting worse. ]

Maybe "an" Alan Wake.

[ Not mine.

She glances up as a few locals stop to look at them. Shit. ]

Just, get in the car. People are looking.

"An" Alan Wake.

[ Alan's tone is flat, but not lacking in emotion. He's finding himself incredibly confused because that strange, annoying feeling that feels like a clash between what he thinks he knows and what he actually knows won't go away.

And on top of that, he feels a dull ache forming in his head that wasn't there earlier. Is everything just conspiring against me to make me feel like I'm going crazy?

He stares at Jesse with a hard look in his eyes now, as if he doesn't like how she's talking to him. It's just one more thing that's at odds with how he feels. He knows that he loves her; they're married, they're in love... Are we in love?

But the way they're interacting with each other doesn't feel like how two people in love would interact. ]

Fine.

[ He moves to get in the car on the passenger's side, assuming she'll want to drive. ]

[ Her gaze remains on the onlookers. A quick glance is given to him. She catches the flat tone, but doesn't comment on it at all. Something about the demeanor says she is used to the way the conversation goes.

Even though I never bring up work. I don't talk about what happens. I don't bring up the... weird things about Bright Falls. Watery. People in town do--especially at Deerfest. Still, no matter what I do, it feels like he's just pulling further and further away... and now...

What if whoever this is got here because he...

Beth's gaze drops slightly. A familiar look comes across her eyes. The quiet vulnerable expression that shows more than she thinks. Then, she turns and starts towards the car.

Pain shoots up from her ankle but she refuses to bring attention.

The drive to the house is quiet. Pain lingers in her leg as she drives.

Are we in love? I still love him. It hurts. All of it...because I love him. Does he still love me?

They arrive at the large house. It sits on the outskirts of Bright Falls. The town can be seen from the porch, but they're still far from Cauldron Lake. Beth insisted they stay away from the Lake. Alan thought it was ridiculous but went along with it because it was outside the town limits. Peace and quiet. Easy to write.

Beth opens the door and motions for him to step inside. He'll either be able to remember what her Alan should in the house layout or he'll be confused and wander around. Either way, Beth motions to the home and makes her way further into the building. Best to get out of her work clothes.

It's not like they share a room anymore anyways.

She steps inside one of the guest rooms and changes out of her work clothes. Long oversized t-shirt, leggings, and socks. Then, she grabs a drink from the fridge and makes her way to the back porch. The house rests on the edge of one of the cliffs, allowing them to look over Bright Falls and the Pudget Sound. ]

[ For Alan, the next few minutes and the drive to the house feel like they stretch on for forever. He keeps a close eye on Beth... Jesse... He can't seem to settle on what name to call her, as both names come to mind almost interchangeably. The expression on her face seems familiar to him, but he's seen someone else wear it. Not Beth, but Jesse. What the hell is going on here?

Unlike Beth, who doesn't seem to want to draw attention to the pain in her ankle, Alan presses his hands against both sides of his head as the headache only seems to grow as the car makes its way along.

Finally, they reach the destination: a large house a good distance away from Bright Falls. Why did we pick this place? Because it's far from town, and farther still from the lake. Yeah...

Beth- Jesse... She gets out of the car and beckons to him to follow her, which he does. Once inside, he looks around him, but he immediately seems to have his bearings. How?

Beth motions again, and then she steps away to go somewhere... their room, probably? But when Alan goes to the master bedroom, he notices immediately that something's wrong here. Only one side of the bed looks like it's been used, and half of the room doesn't look like it's been used at all.

We're not sleeping in the same room anymore? Why? What happened? This isn't- It's wrong.

Alan's quick to change his clothes too, slipping into a loose t-shirt, shorts, and socks, and then he heads back to look for Jesse. Beth. Why do I keep doing that?

He thought he heard her moving around the kitchen and then opening the door that leads to the back porch, so that's where he goes too. ]

... Beth?

[ Beth holds onto the can of sparkling water. Her green eyes raise to him after he says her name. She sits up proper, leg tucked under neath her. Her ankle still throbs, but she refuses to put ice on it and let him know she's reinjured it. It was going to be her attempt at being artistic again... a way to try and reconnect... ]

What is it?

[ Something tells her that he is going to want to talk to her. A long talk. Maybe he's finally realizing he isn't her Alan. Then again, a lot of people would try to say Alan isn't the person that she married thirteen years ago. ]

Drinks are in the fridge. Feel free to help yourself.

[ There's so much he wants to say, but something inside him is afraid to say all of it. What if she shuts him down? She'd be right to, wouldn't she? But he won't know anything until he tries. ]

Uh- [ Smooth start, but he's working up to it. ]

Thanks, but I'm fine. I wanted... I guess I wanted to talk about us. About you.

[ He rubs the back of his neck before adding: ]

You'll probably say you don't want to talk to me.

What questions do you have?

[ The weird and strange are her world. His is art. Maybe hers would of been art if the accident hadn't happened. Then again, maybe they wouldn't have met if it hadn't have happened. They only met because they were both at Hartman's clinic.

Which turned out darker than she expected. ]

You obviously have them.

Yeah, I have them.

[ It's not about art or the weird and strange, but something more domestic. ]

What happened? Why aren't we sharing a room? I mean, not "me", but the other "me". The Alan that you know.

[ That's so weird for him to say, especially since he has yet to wrap his mind around there being another Alan. ]

What did I do? [ Because something tells him that it was his fault. ]

[ Beth keeps her gaze evenly on him. So, he still hasn't fully realized that he isn't the Alan she married. He's Alan Wake, but, something tells her that he has someone else waiting for him. ]

You'd have to ask him. [ Green eyes fall away. Then, they dart to the side in a familiar motion. ] It was his idea.

[ I never wanted this.

She didn't want the rift to happen between them. She never wanted him to feel as if she was never at his side supporting him. If that was the reason. She offered to go to every press conference, every interview. It had been fine with "Departure" and "Initation."

What about "Return" has turned him away? ]

He insisted.

Edited 2024-10-13 08:31 (UTC)

[ This makes about as much sense to Alan as the existence of otherworldly entities that can turn a lake into a dark reality does, but even if he himself refuses to believe in such things, one thing he does believe in is the fact that Jesse... Beth... Whatever name she uses, wouldn't lie. ]

Okay. Well, he's not here, so I'm just going to listen to you. [ That's something, right? It's not exactly trust, but it's close. Or maybe it's not close at all, but it's not outright disbelief either. ]

Why would he- Never mind, I don't want to know. But... What if you moved back in? Would you want to?

[ Then it occurs to him that maybe that's why she knows he's not the Alan that married her. Maybe it's too soon for him to even know this, but good instincts is something that Alan thinks he has sometimes, and well... if it was her Alan's idea for them to sleep in separate rooms, an Alan who wants to change that again must be different. ]

I guess that's how you know I'm not him, huh?

He'd probably move out of the room. Sleep in his office. It's where he spends most his time.

Why wouldn't I want to? I don't want anything like this. It's not a marriage. It's... just cohabitation. [ Beth sighs. Closes her eyes. Tilts her head away. ] I know you're not him because of your eyes.

He hasn't looked at me that way in awhile.

[ She can remember seeing that look in Alan's eyes when he would turn to see her. How he just seemed to light up. Whatever on his mind was gone because for some reason he would focus on her. She could feel the love in his gaze. Not that she wanted to be the single attention in the room. It was more that she could feel how he wanted to make sure she knew how much he loved her in a single look.

That feeling and look isn't there now when her Alan sees her. At least, it feels as if it's gone. She's his wife, but she's just one other person adding to whatever other pressure he is under with the book release. She's just like everyone else around him--someone that must make him unhappy.

None of this was an issue until he got closer to finishing "Return." ]

Still... he's my husband. The only person I have. Even if I'm not the same for him now.

[ Maybe he's found another person to love. Maybe he's fallen out of love with her. Maybe he can't pretend to put up with the supernatural no matter how much she shields him from it. She has no idea. They don't talk anymore. Not really.]

Edited 2024-10-14 03:06 (UTC)

[ The more Alan hears, the more he hates what he's hearing. This isn't right; it's not how things are supposed to be. What went wrong between Beth and her Alan?

There has to be something I can do to help. ]

Okay. [ Alan takes a breath and lets it out before he continues. ] What started all this? Why did he become so... different?

[ Alan's expression shifts to one of worry, of concern and wanting to help. Can he help at all? He's not sure, but he knows he wants to try. ]

I think I understand now why you asked who I was. I'm not like your Alan, because- well, you're important, and you deserve better.

[ Alan's expression turns thoughtful as he tries to think of what he could do that would help. ]

If I could grab your Alan by the collar and shake some sense into him, I'd do it.

[ Apparently a novel went wrong. No, it might not be just the novel. It might be the fact she has the job she has. She could quit... do something else... join Rose's neighborhood watch... but would that really solve the problems? Would that really fix whatever is wrong with their relationship? ]

So, you believe you're not my Alan. [ A sly glance is sent to him with a bit of a smirk. Then, her gaze falls again. The smirk disappears. ] I don't know about deserving better.

[ Her shoulders fall. She most likely doesn't deserve it. If losing her family was any indication... then her ankle... why not Alan as well? ]

He probably would say you're just a figment of his imagination and brush off anything you had to say. [ A hand raises and gestures to the window above that leads to his office. A round window. ] Go see what's in his office. That'll answer your question.

OCEANVIEW PATHS

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pretend I didn't slip Jesse in there instead of Beth (and in the discord rp too, shh)

>> << i saw nothing

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