(no subject)

[patterns_bloom]

Alana has collected her gun, and donned her protective jumpsuit from Jay under her red, dahlia-patterned wrap dress. She's ready to leave, to confront Hannibal Lecter in her world. She's tired of waiting for Rae--the past two years have been mind-numbing--so Alana has decided to take X's offer and go home with just her instead.

Hands trembling, Alana pens a few notes while sitting at the bar. Her nerves are jittery; for two years she's been putting off this confrontation, and though she's wracked with anxiety, she does feel she's ready.

Dear Guppy Sandhu,
I'm leaving the bar to confront Dr. Lecter in my world. It's time. I might not be coming back, so I wanted to say goodbye to you personally and apologize for leaving you with Life Support. Wish me luck.

-Alana Bloom

And also:

Dear X,
I'm ready to leave the bar, and I need your help. Rae Seddon will not be coming with us. Please contact me when you're ready. Thank you for being willing to help me.

-Alana Bloom

And finally:

Dear Rae,
I'm ready to leave the bar. I'm sorry I couldn't wait for you any longer. I hope that whatever you needed to accomplish in your world was finished to your satisfaction. Thank you for offering to help me. I might not be coming back, so take care of yourself.

-Alana Bloom

Notes delivered, Alana wraps her shaking hands around her latte and waits.

Comments

[patterns_bloom]

"X," Alana says, relaxing a great deal. She manages a tight smile. "Thank you for coming. Are you still willing to help me confront Dr. Lecter in my world?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"Yes."

X is matter-of-fact.

"You know what you will do?"

[patterns_bloom]

"Yes," Alana says, more confidently than she feels. She inclines her head. "I have a protective suit given to me by Jay, and a fully-loaded gun. I'm... I don't mind, I don't think, if he dies. I've barricaded myself in his office. The police are coming, but I'd like to try and take him down before they arrive."

[cutting_edgex23]

"You have fired under pressure before?"

X's gaze is piercing.

"Your gun."

[patterns_bloom]

Alana meets that gaze, but fidgets a little. "No," she says, frowning. "I haven't. Do you think that will be a problem?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"Yes."

X is not about to lie.

[patterns_bloom]

"What should I do?" Alana says, her worry ratcheting up. Her anxiety shows on her face, in the puckered brow and the tight jaw.

[cutting_edgex23]

"Run," X says, calmly.

"When I tell you."

[patterns_bloom]

Alana draws a shaky breath and nods. "I can do that. Do you anticipate any other problems?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"No. That does not mean there will not be any. He is unpredictable."

X does not blink.

"But I am very good at what I do."

[patterns_bloom]

"I have every faith in you," Alana says, regaining some of that prior confidence. She straightens her shoulders. "Let me know when you're ready to go."

[cutting_edgex23]

X is silent for a minute or two, studying Alana carefully.

Then --

"Now is good."

[patterns_bloom]

"Oh! Yes, of course," Alana says, and drains her latte. She stands, taking her gun, and looks around the barroom, not counting on seeing it again.

Then she offers a tentative smile to X, and crosses to the door to open it and lead her through.