[ The fact that Tom makes that immediate answer cannot be put into words. Perhaps, it is simply due to a mixture of things. Knowledge, amusement, and a hint of wariness dance over his face.
And all he thinks is: It's good that Alan can't see it. It'd kill the vibes! ]
Of course. Don't feel rushed at all, my friend.
More than my fair share. But I like the one I have right now the most.
You always feel that way. Sorry. Just go with the flow. The answers will come to you.
They are! They're all broken in so it's quite comfy. If you want some, I can lend you a pair. That's more fun than just deciding on a new outfit, right?
Mmm... that I like that a lot. The taste already feels like it'd be deep.
Always? Fuck me. Now I really want a drink. If you say so.
No kidding? Uh. I'll try them if they're good for running. Are we the same size too? Guess I could just go through your closet. All I have are sunglasses and tweed, mostly.
There's no way I haven't said that before. Isn't it though? I feel like it's all borrowed. Something could happen if I don't get out in time to stop it.
I probably would. I'm more of a jeans guy. Why is that, anyway? Is that just a coincidence? Are you even going to tell me if you knew? You're welcome to them. I always have a pair in my pocket.
Oh. I like that. We should've been mixologists instead.
[ He opens his hands in surrender even though Alan can't see it. It's why Zane said "kind of new," which allows for a little bit of deniability. ]
No need to worry too much about it. Oh, you don't need to worry about him, either.
Yeah, just a coincidence. I'd tell you if I knew! Honest. Yay! I only wear them every few runs. Maybe I'll keep a pair this time. Would that be weird for you to see them? Should I hide them, then?
We should've. Might not be here if we were. But then we wouldn't have all our collaborations.
Some coincidence. I've loaned them before? Seeing you is already weird but it might help me know I was there already if you had something of mine like that. Worth trying, anyway.
So you'd rather have the art than not being trapped in an alternate dimension?
I'm just saying that time is on your side. Especially, with my help, I'll make sure that time flows as you want it to, Alan.
You did! I'll be sure to wear them in case you forget, then. I'll also tell you later if it worked or not.
Exactly! Sure, I want to get out. I'd love for that. I've been here for so long. But it'd be worse if I hadn't made anything at all. Can you imagine being anything other than a writer?
Is that what you’ve been doing? Am I making any progress?
Thanks. Can you try to be a little less cryptic too or is that your best proven method? It can’t be that the best outcomes involve you reciting your poems without a shirt on when I walk in.
Right now I’m imagining myself as a mixologist. But I don’t think I’d be happy if I couldn’t write. Wasn’t happy when I couldn’t. After this though, who knows.
Welcome, welcome. :) It seems like the best method. Something-something if I give too much away then it is less of a helpful assist and more like a cheated deus ex machina. But the poem reading? That part's just for me.
You're thinking that you're going to stop once you leave here???
Is that something you can teach? Let's just assume I am. [ so he doesn't feel like bashing his head against a wall. Progress is progress no matter how small. ]
Great. :/ They're good, at least. If someone was reciting crap poetry at me, I'd want to punch them.
I don't know. It feels like I've been writing nonstop for an eternity.
Okay. See? That’s helpful. I just need to remember how to do it.
Really? Did you pick it up before or after taking the part of one? Never was much of a poet myself. Maybe I’ll give that more of a shot. Ease the soul.
You’re probably right. I’ll feel different when I get the hell out of here. But right now I
I’m tired.
You wouldn’t keep me here to prevent it, right? Ha ha.
:)))))!!! It helps if you can view reality as that medium! Then you can change it based on what you need. No need to be too precious with anything. But you probably don't like that advice, so pretend you didn't read it. ;)
Before. I came to really enjoy the play on words. Especially enjoyed putting them into my films. Lemme know how it helps!!
There, there, Alan. I wouldn't do anything like that. Your writing is what's going to help me, too, after all. But thinking of it as only a benefit to me, well, that's upsetting. Artists should be working together, lifting each other up. Not just one benefits over the other. So, if I benefit, I want to make sure you benefit later, too, in some way.
No, no, I wouldn't keep you here to keep you writing. I just wouldn't want you to stop.
[ The last sentence remains on the screen before a glitch. It changes. ]
You're right. I don't like that. It'll work though. It's a little scary you know me so well when I barely remember you back, you know.
You'll be the first person I tell.
Mutually beneficial sounds like a pretty good deal.
Sorry. Yeah. I'd be letting myself down, probably. [ Those people that die shortly after they retired. Something like that. He stares at the screen. Momentarily, it's a little threatening. Or maybe just heartbreaking.
Maybe he read it wrong. ]
Well, I wouldn't want to make you sad. Can't have that.
Nice. I'll be sure to add it to one of my films. An original poem by Alan Wake.
No worries! It'd be letting the process down, too. So, we'll keep going.
[ One can imagine the flurry of how he waves his hands, gestures about, smiles and makes big promises about what they'll do or what Alan is capable of; Tom knows better than most, but will treat the knowledge he has well. ]
Mm!!! :)) I'm glad you think that way. It puts my sads at ease.
Because it's unknown what it really implies. I've forgotten a worrying amount of things I've told you or you simply had access to everything like I was an open book. Either way, it's like looking at an uneven surface you're meant to dive into unsure if it's deep enough to land safely. No. Yes. Not particularly. Confusing mostly?
Hopefully it'll be good enough to give you something to work with.
Right. We'll keep going. That's a given. There's no other option. I have to.
Your sads? Lol. I'll try not to let mine be contagious.
That's deep, man. But not to worry - I'm your friend! Not the most comforting to hear from someone who is an almost stranger, but I promise you that I'm on your side.
It will, it will.
Exactly! Forward's the only motion to go. You're really getting it, Alan!
Ah! For me, they aren't. But how about we get a "woohoo!" We're back in it! We're gonna do great things!
no subject
Just don't get too lost in them, Alan.
Ah, Ahti.
I did love putting him in my films.
A real charismatic guy.
And what a voice!
We can workshop that together.
If I may!
no subject
Yeah?
I figured you guys were friends.
He calls me Tom.
Go ahead.
I'm wide open for drink collabs.
no subject
You know you.
If you forget, how should I reach out to you?
[ He almost writes "next time." Best not rub salt into an open wound. ]
I wonder why he does that.
Well, we do look quite alike.
Must be a bit confused.
Hooray!
Let's see, gotta think of a good base...
Dark rum, maybe?
Not as popular these days but I think we could bring it back.
no subject
[ The hindsight in the immediate answer I give to the question makes me feel weary down to my bones. I sigh all the air out of my lungs. ]
Let me try to think of something.
Give me a minute.
You'd think the facial hair would help but you've been here long enough that you've probably tried some different looks, huh?
Rum's great. I don't know why it would lose its luster.
no subject
And all he thinks is: It's good that Alan can't see it. It'd kill the vibes! ]
Of course.
Don't feel rushed at all, my friend.
More than my fair share.
But I like the one I have right now the most.
I dunno.
Too strong for some folks?
no subject
I just feel like I'm running out of time somehow.
[ What if you- No, that wouldn't work. I'd freak. ]
It looks comfortable, despite the leather.
Are leather pants comfortable?
I've obviously never tried those.
Cowards.
Okay. Dark rum. I'm picturing like an old fashioned but
Chocolate bitters?
no subject
Sorry.
Just go with the flow.
The answers will come to you.
They are!
They're all broken in so it's quite comfy.
If you want some, I can lend you a pair.
That's more fun than just deciding on a new outfit, right?
Mmm... that I like that a lot.
The taste already feels like it'd be deep.
no subject
Fuck me. Now I really want a drink.
If you say so.
No kidding?
Uh. I'll try them if they're good for running.
Are we the same size too? Guess I could just go through your closet.
All I have are sunglasses and tweed, mostly.
It's a really deep metaphor.
no subject
But you always act like there's no time.
Or time's slipping away.
I guess the urgency in how we work is a little different.
No kidding!
I hadn't had problems running in them yet.
By my estimate, we're pretty close.
I'll take some sunglasses!
Right, right!!
Needs some spice to it.
Maybe some cardamom.
no subject
Isn't it though? I feel like it's all borrowed.
Something could happen if I don't get out in time to stop it.
I probably would. I'm more of a jeans guy.
Why is that, anyway? Is that just a coincidence?
Are you even going to tell me if you knew?
You're welcome to them. I always have a pair in my pocket.
Oh. I like that.
We should've been mixologists instead.
no subject
No need to worry too much about it.
Oh, you don't need to worry about him, either.
Yeah, just a coincidence.
I'd tell you if I knew! Honest.
Yay! I only wear them every few runs.
Maybe I'll keep a pair this time.
Would that be weird for you to see them?
Should I hide them, then?
We should've.
Might not be here if we were.
But then we wouldn't have all our collaborations.
no subject
I'm going to worry.
Some coincidence.
I've loaned them before?
Seeing you is already weird but it might help me know I was there already if you had something of mine like that.
Worth trying, anyway.
So you'd rather have the art than not being trapped in an alternate dimension?
no subject
Especially, with my help, I'll make sure that time flows as you want it to, Alan.
You did!
I'll be sure to wear them in case you forget, then.
I'll also tell you later if it worked or not.
Exactly!
Sure, I want to get out. I'd love for that.
I've been here for so long.
But it'd be worse if I hadn't made anything at all.
Can you imagine being anything other than a writer?
no subject
Am I making any progress?
Thanks.
Can you try to be a little less cryptic too or is that your best proven method?
It can’t be that the best outcomes involve you reciting your poems without a shirt on when I walk in.
Right now I’m imagining myself as a mixologist.
But I don’t think I’d be happy if I couldn’t write. Wasn’t happy when I couldn’t.
After this though, who knows.
no subject
That's up for you to decide.
Welcome, welcome. :)
It seems like the best method.
Something-something if I give too much away then it is less of a helpful assist and more like a cheated deus ex machina.
But the poem reading? That part's just for me.
You're thinking that you're going to stop once you leave here???
no subject
Let's just assume I am.
[ so he doesn't feel like bashing his head against a wall. Progress is progress no matter how small. ]
Great.
:/
They're good, at least.
If someone was reciting crap poetry at me, I'd want to punch them.
I don't know. It feels like I've been writing nonstop for an eternity.
no subject
Assumption accepted, man.
Sorry!
But happy to hear you think they're good!
I'm quite proud of them.
And!!! I think a little poetry is good for the soul.
Helps break up any bad mood.
And all that writing that you're doing now - that's to get out of here!
You'll feel better once you start writing for yourself.
... I guess I'd just hate for you to stop.
no subject
I just need to remember how to do it.
Really? Did you pick it up before or after taking the part of one?
Never was much of a poet myself. Maybe I’ll give that more of a shot.
Ease the soul.
You’re probably right.
I’ll feel different when I get the hell out of here.
But right now I
I’m tired.
You wouldn’t keep me here to prevent it, right? Ha ha.
no subject
It helps if you can view reality as that medium!
Then you can change it based on what you need.
No need to be too precious with anything.
But you probably don't like that advice, so pretend you didn't read it. ;)
Before.
I came to really enjoy the play on words.
Especially enjoyed putting them into my films.
Lemme know how it helps!!
There, there, Alan.
I wouldn't do anything like that.
Your writing is what's going to help me, too, after all.
But thinking of it as only a benefit to me, well, that's upsetting.
Artists should be working together, lifting each other up.
Not just one benefits over the other.
So, if I benefit, I want to make sure you benefit later, too, in some way.
No, no, I wouldn't keep you here to keep you writing.
I just wouldn't want you to stop.
[ The last sentence remains on the screen before a glitch. It changes. ]
I just would be sad if you stopped.
no subject
It'll work though.
It's a little scary you know me so well when I barely remember you back, you know.
You'll be the first person I tell.
Mutually beneficial sounds like a pretty good deal.
Sorry. Yeah.
I'd be letting myself down, probably.
[ Those people that die shortly after they retired. Something like that. He stares at the screen. Momentarily, it's a little threatening. Or maybe just heartbreaking.
Maybe he read it wrong. ]
Well, I wouldn't want to make you sad. Can't have that.
no subject
Am I scary???
Nice.
I'll be sure to add it to one of my films.
An original poem by Alan Wake.
No worries!
It'd be letting the process down, too.
So, we'll keep going.
[ One can imagine the flurry of how he waves his hands, gestures about, smiles and makes big promises about what they'll do or what Alan is capable of; Tom knows better than most, but will treat the knowledge he has well. ]
Mm!!! :))
I'm glad you think that way. It puts my sads at ease.
no subject
Either way, it's like looking at an uneven surface you're meant to dive into unsure if it's deep enough to land safely.
No. Yes.
Not particularly.
Confusing mostly?
Hopefully it'll be good enough to give you something to work with.
Right. We'll keep going. That's a given. There's no other option.
I have to.
Your sads? Lol. I'll try not to let mine be contagious.
no subject
But not to worry - I'm your friend!
Not the most comforting to hear from someone who is an almost stranger, but I promise you that I'm on your side.
It will, it will.
Exactly!
Forward's the only motion to go.
You're really getting it, Alan!
Ah! For me, they aren't.
But how about we get a "woohoo!" We're back in it! We're gonna do great things!
no subject
I don't think you're my enemy. Same goal and all.
Yeah? Let's hope it fully clicks this time around.
You're a hell of a hype man, Zane. I'll throw in a 'yay'.
no subject
I mean working towards the same beautiful creation is great.
But I also hope we're friend-friends.
Good one.
Yay! :D!
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)