This is the final chapter of this little holiday story. I hope you all had a fun Halloween.
Thank you to DarknessLegends and Guest for your reviews on chapter two.
Guest: That sounds like it would make a good story. I will definitely consider writing it.
It had been fun to spend a night out on the town. Even if he now knew that trick-or-treating wasn't as fun as it had been in his youth, it was nice to relive what few pleasant memories he held from his early days.
There was no need focusing on the past when he had his entire future ahead of him. As long as he trusted his muse, he would accomplish what he wanted. In time everyone would remember his name; his work would finally give paranormal research the respect it deserved. He would be invited to speak at various seminars, he'd receive the Nobel prize, and all those who doubted him would realize the mistake they made too late when fame and fortune came his way.
Of course he planned to extend credit to Fiddleford McGucket for the part he played. It would give his friend the opportunity he needed to sell his inventions, if only he focused on something that would actually sell, and not those slow portable computers.
His work guaranteed there would finally be a portal to various dimensions that Bill told him about. How his imagination ran wild those moments before sleep overtook him with Bill's treats of images of vast creatures and dimensions, as well as vivid verbal descriptions. At last the world would know what else existed outside their puny dimension and he would be the reason for that newfound knowledge. All other discoveries would be shamed when he had the chance to present what had existed outside their realm of understanding for so long.
Best of all once the portal was complete he and his muse could exist on the same plane of being. He could finally touch Bill outside of the Mindscape. Bill could take physical form (and he even promised to assume human form for Ford's sake). He and his intellectual equal would partake in grand conversation over tea and snacks. However all that rested on him completing the task his muse assigned him.
Dressed in his normal attire, Ford snuck into the shrine room that only he had access to. Fiddleford didn't know the room existed, and for now he wanted to keep his muse a secret lest McGucket believe he went insane and abandon him before they completed the project. Besides, he didn't think someone as superstitious as McGucket could handle the truth about Bill just yet.
In front of him stood a large golden statue of his muse. Framed photographs of Bill Cipher lined the room. In front of the statue sat a table with eight candles in a circle. In the center of the circle sat a gold saucer. He walked up to the table. Swiping a match against his pants he lit each candle then waved the tiny flame until it vanished leaving a stream of smoke in its wake. The burnt match was discarded.
Ford then reached into his pocket to reveal the bag of candycorn he took from the pile of Summerween candy. The triangular lumps of sugar were poured into the gold saucer. Afterwards Ford sat crosslegged in front of Bill's image with his eyes shut. He left the scent of the eight candles drift into his nostrils.
Not sure when he ascended into the Mindscape, Ford opened his eyes the instant he heard Bill's voice. The glowing yellow triangle hovered in front of him. Ford smiled.
Bill reached into the saucer to pluck out a single candycorn. He moved the candy to his eye to get a better look at the treat. Ford often left sweets on the saucer as offerings to the muse for all of his insight.
"Hmm, you brought me another present, Sixer," Bill said. "How thoughtful."
"I didn't want to leave you out," Ford said from where he still sat on the floor in the world of grayscale. "I'm grateful for everything you've shown me, and have given me."
"You wouldn't be trying to bribe me, now would you?" Bill asked as he moved directly in front of Ford.
Ford shook his head. "Not at all," he answered. Once again he worried he may have accidentally offended his muse.
Bill read the mortal's fears and laughed. "You're adorable, Sixer," he said and leaned back. "If anything I'm flattered." He ruffled Ford's hair which transformed the human's concerned frown into a smile. "I've never met one who doted on me such as you." Bill crossed his arms and shut his eye for a second. "I made the right decision with choosing you to share in my wisdom."
"I am honored, Bill," Ford said and bowed his head.
Bill would grin if he could. Stanford Pines was the perfect choice for a vessel. Any word he spoke was counted as law in that foolish mortal's mind.
The dream demon's eye transformed into a mouth for a second and he slipped the candycorn in between his lips. He licked at his lips then the eye returned. Ford stared dumbfounded in mix of awe and slight disgust. It was the first time he watched his muse eat one of the offerings-the curious side of him desired to see more.
"Are you pleased?" Ford asked.
"It is tasty," Bill answered, although he wasn't sure why. It had a peculiar flavor, but one he enjoyed. There were plenty more laid before him in the dish.
Ford smiled. He only wished to treat his muse with further sweets.
He squinted his eye, having caught the human's thought. "Sixer, once the portal is complete, and I can take physical form, I will eat as many candies as you offer me." Bill hovered directly in front of Ford with his hands folded. "Then maybe we can celebrate this Summerween together."
Ford's smile widened. Bill beamed.
"Now get you some rest, I.Q.," Bill instructed. "Remember you promised to work extra hard tomorrow." He wagged his finger at the human. "I won't tolerate any slacking."
Ford nodded in agreement. Before he pulled himself from the Mindscape he had one last wish for his muse.
"Happy Summerween, Bill," Ford said.
The room flashed bright and Ford woke to find himself once again in the shrine room. He stood and stretched out his legs before walking over to the table. A swift blow of air and the candles were out.
