A/N: A little something written to cheer up a friend. Enjoy!
It was a bright sunny day somewhere in the north Atlantic Ocean. A brisk salty breeze moved their boat along at a steady clip and Ford relished the warmth of the sun and the wind as it ruffled his hair as he jotted down some last minute observations in his journal. He was startled from his thoughts when his phone began to buzz. Setting aside his writing, he picked it up and looked at the caller ID. It was Mabel.
Now that was odd. Not that he wasn't happy to receive a surprise call from his favorite niece, but, according to his calculations, she should still be in school. He answered it.
"Hello?"
A sniffle.
"Hi Grunkle Ford."
"Hello my dear. What's wrong?"
"That easy to tell, huh?" He smiled a little. "I was just feeling a little bit sad so I thought I would call you. Talking to you guys always cheers me up."
"Yes, talking to you makes me happy as well," Ford replied. "Anything in particular you would like to talk about?"
"Mm. Where are you guys right now?"
"North Atlantic. We saw the faintest gleam of the Aurora Borealis last night. I was also just finishing some observations on some hippocampi we encountered."
"Water horses?"
"Oh yes. They have the head and front feet of a horse and then a fish's tail. They're quite remarkable."
He rambled on for a while and he could feel Mabel start to perk up as he described their iridescent scales. He asked her how classes were and she told him about her latest art project and her and Dipper's latest installments of Mabel's Guide to Everything and Dipper's Guide to the Unexplained.
"It's a lot harder to find paranormal things in Piedmont," she admitted. "But they're there if you look hard enough!"
Ford laughed.
"I'm glad you two are doing well. Are you feeling better?"
"Yeah. Thanks Grunkle Ford."
"My pleasure. You know you can always talk to me about what's wrong, right Mabel?"
"Uh-huh. I know. Today's been kinda rough," she admitted. "People are stupid. And mean."
"Mm. I see. Well, don't let them get to you. You have family and friends who really care about you."
"I know. I try really hard not to let them, but it's hard sometimes."
"I understand. Just remember that you are ten, no, ten-thousand times the person that they'll ever be."
"Thanks Grunkle Ford," she replied, the somewhat shy smile evident in her voice.
"You're welcome. And, as always, feel free to call and talk to us whenever."
"I will." She sighed. "I guess I should get back to class."
"I was wondering if you were playing hookie," he remarked.
"Just a little. Bye Uncle Ford! I love you!"
"Good bye Mabel. Love you too."
Ford set his phone on the seat beside him and picked his writing back up, doodling a shooting star in the corner. He'd be sure to send the kids some pictures of the hippocampi and Aurora Borealis later. Maybe he could barter with some merpeople to get some hippocampi scales for Mabel to use in her scrapbook. He grinned as he thought of creative chaos she could make with those.
He glanced down as his phone buzzed again. This time it was a text from Mabel.
Thanks Grunkle Ford! You're the best! 💖 💖 💖 😊😊😊🔬🔬
Ford chuckled. Whoever was being stupid and mean, as Mabel put it, obviously didn't know her for the kind and wonderful person she was. Who needed a unicorn, much less your fellow peers, to deem you pure of heart when it just shone through naturally?
