So I rewrote this chapter a total of four times before I was finally satisfied. My style is very dialogue heavy, however writing it so that each character is in character can be a pain. I actually omitted a plot point from this chapter and might put it in the next.
I meant to post this at the end of the last chapter, but completely forgot. For those who have not read Journal 3, Jheselbraum is a character that Ford met during his time in the portal. She was a kind of mentor to him. As for her personality, she seems kind, nurturing, and emotionally strong which I am using to write her in this story. Tias, her elf servant, is my own original character.
Thank you to Energy witch, Fantasy Fan 223, TDICELEBRITY14, Cat, MillionLights101, Guest, Abigail Rose V, Kuroshiro, Frostbite, TheRandomSekihanFan, BerryBanana05, and Quickest Secret for your reviews on the last chapter.
It took another ten minutes for Dipper's breathing returned to normal. He shuddered at the old man's touch and looked into the kind eyes of his relative. Dipper tore his gaze away and chided himself that he didn't deserve such a tender look from someone who's life he nearly ruined.
Stan took hold of Dipper's hand and stood, helping the younger to his feet in the process. Dipper held onto the wall with his left hand then slowly let go of Stan.
"I think you've had enough excitement for one day," Stan said. "Last night barely counts as sleep, so you go take a nap."
"But Grunkle Stan, I..." Dipper began.
"No buts," Stan interrupted. "Except yours upstairs and into bed." He pushed Dipper ahead.
Mabel stepped up beside her brother and took hold of his arm. Dipper stared down at his feet while his sister guided him to their shared bedroom; Waddles followed closely behind. Mabel stopped short of the missing door. She released her hold on her brother and tore down a line of police tape that blocked the entrance to their room.
The fact that they had broken into the room last night kept them from surprise when they saw the makeshift barricade broken and various pieces of broken furniture scattered around the room. At least the window had been shut.
Waddles entered first headed straight for Mabel's side of the room. The beds had been stripped of linens. Clothes and other personal items were slung onto the floor making it look like the aftermath of a natural disaster.
Dipper threw himself onto the bare bed. He turned onto his back and stretched out his arms and legs, staring up at the ceilling. Who knew how much longer they'd be allowed to lodge in that room. Once Ford found out the truth there was a good chance they'd not only be sent home for the remainder of the summer, but forever.
Hearing only steady breathing from the other person in the room Dipper glanced over to see his sister sitting on the edge of her bed with Waddles at her feet. As expected her gaze was locked on him.
Dipper let out a sigh. "Mabel, I...I didn't mean to scare you."
"What happened?" she asked softly.
"I don't know," Dipper said. "I mean it's happened before, but never like that."
Mabel sat quietly. For the first time she didn't have any advice.
A minute or two of silence passed over them. Dipper turned his head to the side to see Mabel lying on her side absently petting Waddles head while the pig gnawed on the hem of her comforter.
"Hey, Mabel," Dipper said. The girl lifted her head. Dipper found it difficult to look into his twin's eyess. "If..." he swallowed. "If we get sent home, how...how would you-?"
"Don't even say that right now, Dipper," Mabel interjected. She sat up causing Waddles to rush under her bed.
"There's a possibility," Dipper said as he sat up.
"And there's a possibility we won't," she retorted. "I know I can convince the grunkles, just let me think."
Dipper's heart sank. "When they find out what I did," he replied. He lowered himself to his knees. "Grunkle Stan will send us home like that and Grunkle Ford..." in a softer voice he added, "He'll hate me."
Mabel put a hand on her brother's shoulders. She waited for his eyes to meet hers and said, "I put the whole world in danger last year and he doesn't hate me at all."
Dipper recalled how gentle Ford had been with Mabel when she confessed her guilt in handing over the rift. Mabel frowned when her brother's mood had yet to improve.
"This is different," Dipper said. He shifted his shoulder forcing Mabel to remove her hold. "Grunkle Ford was able to fix that mistake. This time I ruined everything for this whole family."
"We'll get through it, we always do," the girl said as she slid down to be on eye-level with her brother. "Grunkle Ford will think of something."
Dipper sighed. "He's going to find out sooner or later, so I probably should tell him myself."
Mabel nodded. She and Dipper stood up in unison. Mabel grabbed Dipper's sleeve before he stepped out the door.
"You don't have to right this minute, I mean Grunkle Ford's probably still mad at Bill, and Grunkle Stan did tell you to rest," Mabel said.
Dipper shook his head. "I can't. If I don't do it now, I don't know if I'll be brave enough later."
With a sigh Mabel conceded. Dipper at the head the two made their way downstairs.
Soos sung to himself as he swept up the floor. The twins gaped at just how fast the handyman was at his job. A foot of glass and litter had been piled up in the corner.
Soos felt two pairs of eyes on him and turned to see the twins. The male looked woozy and the female less so, but still far from her usually high-spirited self. However, after everything that happened lately, he'd be worried if she was.
"Soos, do you know where Grunkle Ford went?" Dipper asked.
"Yeah, he went down there to check on things," Soos said and pointed at the gaping hole where the vending machine used to be.
The three inched closer to the opening. Dipper took a deep breath then placed his foot on the first step. Mabel put her hand on his shoulder.
"Do you want me to come with you?" she asked.
Dipper thought for a moment then shook his head. Mabel nodded and Dipper descended the stairs until he reached the elevator. The slow ride down felt like claws scraping at his nerves. The door opened and the boy shakily stepped onto the floor.
Brown eyes widened at just how vacant everything looked with the lack of Ford's many machines and specimen. Ford sat down at his desk flipping through a mess of papers. The man's jacket laid haphazardly over the unmade bed.
Despite everything telling him to turn back Dipper pushed on ahead. Ford turned to see his nephew.
"Hey, Dipper, you really shouldn't be down here," Ford said then turned back to the papers. "At least don't go in the bathroom. I'm almost sure the potions are stable now that they've been released, but I really should ventilate it."
"Then why are you down here?" Dipper asked.
Ford shrugged. "I've been to mulitple dimensions and I lived through the seventies, trust me I've been exposed to much worse."
Dipper managed a smile. It quickly left when reminded that in a few minutes he may no longer have as good a relationship with his great-uncle.
"Actually, Grunkle Ford, there's something I really need to tell you," Dipper quickly said.
The speed of the boy's words caused Ford to turn.
Dipper took another deep breath.
Ford stood up, Dipper's eyes followed his movement. The boy blanched. Dipper swore he heard his heart pounding in his ears. Ford sat down on the floor next to his nephew, which somewhat seemed to calm the younger.
"It's about Powers. Mrs. Powers." Ford frowned but motioned for Dipper to continue. Dipper swallowed saliva that had collected at the back of his throat. "I...I think you should know that-that you, you know," Dipper said. He bit down on his bottom lip.
Ford cupped a hand on Dipper's shoulder. The child initially winced then he looked at his uncle's smiling face.
"Dipper, please understand you don't ever have to be afraid to tell me anything," Ford said.
Dipper gave a half smile, but it only lasted for the briefest second. He continued, "Powers, she...she came to me, in, in a disguise. She said..."
"Mr. Ford!" Soos called from the main floor. The two looked up unable to see, but his voice echoed through the now vacant space. "There's someone here to talk to you."
Ford groaned. He muttered under his breath about obnoxious government agents.
He looked over at Dipper then yelled up to Soos, "We'll be there in a moment."
Ford set his attention on Dipper. "What did she say to you?"
From upstairs Soos called, "She says it's urgent."
Ford sighed. "Dipper, is it possible we can discuss this later?" he asked the boy.
Dipper wordlessly nodded, although he worried if his heart would hold out until the aforementioned later.
It was a silent travel up to the main floor of the shack. Ford stepped out first and looked over at Soos. The handyman pointed towards the door. Ford's eyes followed the younger man's finger and nearly jumped at a face from his past.
"You," Ford said.
"You," Dipper repeated when he stepped through the open doorway.
"You," Stan growled as he entered in from the living room.
"You all know how to make a woman feel welcome," Handrina said with a roll of her eyes.
"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no," Stan said as he walked towards the guest. "Uh-uh, no way." He turned her around and pushed her towards the door. "Out."
Handrina pressed her feet against the floor making her shoes squeak as she slid against her will. She snapped her fingers and two hands crawled up her arms. They jumped onto Stan's arm making him release their mistress. The old man grabbed one and tossed it to the ground. The other jumped to the floor and scurried up Handrina's back, resting on her shoulder.
"Okay, not gonna lie, that's creeping me out," Soos commented. Mabel and Dipper nodded in agreement.
"Now if we're done with games, I have something to discuss with Stanford," Handrina said. Her red eyes landed on the man she met a little over thirty years ago. "You're looking quite good."
Ford squirmed then answered, "You don't appear to have aged a bit."
Handrina pressed a hand against her cheek. "Oh, what a charming man you are."
Ford shuddered.
The witch's smile fell. "But I'm here to give you a warning. I had a vision, a terrible vision about the annihilation of this town and ultimately the world." She noticed the twins then inched closer to Ford and whispered, "We might wanna talk somewhere away from the kids."
Ford shook his head. "Trust me, they've seen and experienced much worse already."
"Yeah, you for example," Stan commented.
Again Handrina glared at Stan.
Ford looked over at his brother than back to the visitor. "Why don't you come on into the living room." He led the way, the guest following closely behind. "I apologize for the mess, I'm afraid the place got raided yesterday."
Handrina took a seat on the recliner much to Stan's annoyance; he mumbled his hope that she sat on a loose nail they may have missed. Dipper sat on the skull and Mabel on the floor facing the handwitch. Soos pulled out three folding chairs that he, Stan, and Ford sat in.
"Um, should Bill be here for this?" Soos asked.
After a moment of thought Ford let out an exhausted sigh and requested that his ex be present for the meeting.
"I don't know what exactly is coming, but it didn't want me telling you," Handrina said. "Some girl possessed by one of those creatures attacked me this morning."
"Which one?" Dipper asked.
Handrina shrugged. "Beats me. But it was sent by the one in charge."
"Bill knows them all personally, but I know they're being led by Kryptos," said Ford.
Soos returned to the room emptyhanded.
"Uh, bad news, guys, Bill says he doesn't care and, um, well he called you a name, Mr. Ford that I really don't want to repeat," Soos said. The handyman blushed at the thought of said insult.
Ford sharply inhaled and put his hands on the armrests, readying himself to stand. Before he could move his brother was already on his feet.
The others watched Stan stride over to Bill's room and pound the door. Bill ordered him away. Stan threw open the door and stomped inside. There was some muffled shouting followed by the angry screams of a blond demon. Stan emerged from Bill's room carrying its occupant over his shoulder. Bill thrashed in Stan's hold and screamed obscenities.
Stan dropped Bill on the floor none too gently. The demon crossed his arms and pouted. He sent a glare in Ford's direction then let his eye meet the visitor. Her eyes widened when she got a good look at his face.
"Oh, you're the other one," Handrina said.
"The other what?" Bill spat.
"In my vision I saw Stanford holding hands with a man who's face I didn't recognize," the handwitch explained. She grinned. "Now that I see your face I see it's you." She leaned forward and beckoned Bill to come closer.
For some reason Bill felt compelled to comply with the woman's request. He crawled over and sat on his knees before the handwitch. Handrina grabbed Bill's left hand earning a loud protest from him. She pulled the demon's arm causing him to fall forward, catching his balance on his right hand. Meanwhile Handrina studied Bill's left.
Handrina's index finger traced the weaved tattoo on Bill's pinky finger. Bill looked up through golden curls to see her staring at his hand.
"Yes, these are the same markings," Handrina exclaimed.
She then waved for Ford to move towards her. Ford stood and stopped just short of the chair. Knowing immediately what she wanted he handed her his left hand. On his left pinky she saw the exact same inked weave. Bill sat up on his knees.
"I can feel the power in these rings," said Handrina. "Clearly you two are bound by them."
"Against my will," Bill snapped and pulled his hand from the witch.
"In my vision I saw you two standing against those creatures," Handrina revealed. "Your hands were linked and these markings glowed."
"What does that mean?" Stan asked.
"I don't know," Handrina replied. Stan huffed and Bill rolled his eyes. Handrina glared at the two then continued, "But I do know it was sent to me telepathically. But I don't know from who."
"Do you know any spells we can use?" Ford asked. "They won't fall for the same trick a second time."
"I don't," Handrina replied. "I'm not a spellcaster, I can only do divination and reanimate hands." Handrina pressed her finger against Ford's bond mark. "But the vision made it clear whatever you two must do is connected to this bond."
"You're not giving us much to go on," Ford said.
"I wish I knew more," the handwitch said. "All I can advise is strengthen the bond." She took hold of Bill's hand and connected it with Ford's.
Bill snarled at Ford and yanked his hand away, looking at Ford as though the human had struck him.
Handrina frowned when she turned towards Bill. "But there's some dissonance now."
"Yeah, 'cause Sixer proved he's nothing but a traitor and a coward," Bill spat.
Ford advanced on Bill just as the latter moved to his feet.
"What are you going to do, Sixer, kick my ass, go right ahead?" Bill shouted and lifted his arms. "I'm powerless against you just like I was against them. Go ahead and finish what those agents started."
"Bill, please stop," Mabel cried.
"I'll at least get satisfaction knowing I'm right," Bill finished.
"I already told you I never meant for that to happen," Ford retorted. "How many more times am I going to have to apologize?"
"Boys, stop," Mabel pleaded.
"Ugh, this crap again," Stan said holding the side of his head.
"Apologize all you want, it won't change you left me for dead!" Bill snarled.
"Bill, there was nothing I could do!" Ford yelled.
"Guys, that's enough," Soos said as he inched himself closer. "We have company."
Ford never heard Soos' words. "Even if I had told them do you really think they would've stopped? Do you think they would've just let something like you go?"
"We'll never know, Stanford," Bill growled. "And the only reason they had access to me was because you were careless with that damn journal!"
Ford wanted to rebut, but knew he couldn't. It be a guilt he'd carry with him until death, maybe even after.
"Stop it!" Dipper shouted. "I gave her the journal!"
All eyes landed on Dipper.
"I didn't know it was her, okay, she told me she was a publisher, and I believed her," Dipper continued. He looked at the shocked Ford. "I'm so sorry, Grunkle Ford. She said she was interested in your work and I just wanted you to be happy." Dipper grabbed at his arm.
Ford could only stare at his nephew dumbfounded.
"I tried to tell you before," Dipper said in a shaky soft voice. "I'm sorry." Dipper gripped tighter at his arm. "I know it's stupid, I can't believe I was so stupid." The area around his fingertips glowed white.
"Stop that," Ford scolded and tapped Dipper's right hand.
Dipper gasped and released his hold on himself. He looked down to see the white steadily turn into red fingertip-shaped marks.
"We'll discuss this later," Ford finally said. "One thing at a time." He looked over at Handrina who stared on in a mixture of startle and amusement.
"Ford is right, now you two attic now, and get some sleep like I told you," Stan ordered. As soon as the twins left the living room Stan turned on Ford and Bill. "Do you two think you can stop fighting in front of the kids?" he barked.
Ford sighed, suddenly ashamed of his recent actions. He looked over at Bill who answered with his middle finger.
A sudden knock at the door interrupted another possible fight. Ford took a deep breath to calm the anger coursing through him and strode towards the front door where he was greeted by an unexpected friend.
"Hey, Stanford, I came to see how you and the family's doin'," Fiddleford said. He then noticed the scowl on his friend's face. "Is this a bad time?"
Ford contemplated sending him away, but ultimately decided against it.
"Until everything is settled with the government and Kryptos there won't be a good time," Ford said. He managed a smile for Fiddleford's sake. "But I appreciate you checking in on me."
"I thought after all that mess of almost gettin' arrested, or act'lly arrested for you, we could just take a night off," Fiddleford offered. "Maybe just play some music like last time."
"Stanley forced the kids to nap, but maybe after they wake we can," Ford decided. "We'll be ordering pizza for dinner." He extended his arm and Fiddleford made his way inside. "Watch your step, we haven't had a chance to do much tidying up."
The shorter man chuckled. "You should see my lab, this ain't nothin'."
Ford laughed and suddenly remembered their early years of research.
Ford and Fiddleford entered into the living room just as Handrina was readying to leave.
"Oh, I didn't realize you a'ready had comp'ny," Fiddleford said. "And here I am just a showin' up uninvited."
Handrina stared at the new man and her lips curved into a smile. She fluffed her hair then made her way over to the two.
"Stanford, who's your friend?" Handrina asked.
Fiddleford removed his hat. "Name's Fiddleford McGucket, nice ta meet ya, ma'am." He extended his empty hand.
Handrina giggled as she shook his hand with both of hers. "I'm Handrina the Handwitch."
"Ya got a strong grip, Mrs. Handwitch," Fiddleford said when she finally let go.
"No, it's Miss," Handrina said and tapped her bare ring finger.
"Oh, I'll def'nitely remem'er that," McGucket said with a huge grin.
"I think I overstayed my welcome, but I'd like to see you again sometime," Handrina said.
"Let me escort you to the door," Fiddleford offered. Handrina squealed and locked her arm with McGucket's. "Maybe when ya have time you can come over sometime an' hear me play the banjo."
The handwitch lit up. "You play an instrument?" She pressed her hands against her face. "I'll have to take you up on that."
She requested the staff by the door that Fiddleford retrieved for her. He waved as she left down the pathway, tempted to offer her a ride. Fiddleford shut the door and turned around to see the Stan twins and Soos staring.
"She seems nice," Fiddleford said.
"What's your definition of nice?" Stan asked.
"While the kids are asleep, I'll try to get most of this cleaned up," Soos said.
"I can help if ya want," Fiddleford offered.
"You're a guest, I can't let you do that," Soos argued.
"I don't mind," Fiddleford pushed.
"It's an extra pair of hands," Stan said. He pointed a finger at the bearded man. "But I ain't payin' you."
Kryptos scrutinized the scroll library for any hopes of finding something on traveling through dimensions. He snapped his fingers and the two hundred and seventh scroll opened. He nodded to Pacifier who smacked the elf servant on the back of his head.
The tiny creature let out a pained cry. Already both cheeks were bruised and a chunk of his cotton candy pink hair pulled out, although Krytpos made it clear the elf's vision was not to be damaged. His large pink tearfilled eyes stared up at Kryptos then landed on the folded parchment. Tias wiped away leaking mucus from his nose then translated his dimension's language.
Kryptos listened to hear the scroll's contents consisted of an intermediate level of training for how to read your opponent's energy. Before Tias could finish the final paragraph Krytpos incinerated the document just as he had the many before it. The small creature wailed at the loss of another valuable piece of history and literature.
"You know if you just tell me which one of these has the information I want the rest will be spared," Kryptos said.
"I...I don't know, sir," Tias replied. "I've never read them before today."
"Well, perhaps if your mistress would tell me, I wouldn't have to burn anymore scrolls," Kryptos said.
"She...she'd never do that," Tias replied.
"We'll see about that," said Kryptos. He granted Pacifier a break until his return.
Pacifier sat down in the corner, stretched out his legs, and foled his arms behind his head. His eyes however never strayed from Tias. The elf stared at what remained of the grand library. Nearly half of its documents were destroyed and he doubted Kryptos would keep his end of the deal to save the rest once he got what he wanted.
Endure a little longer, Tias, Jheselbraum's thoughts spoke into his brain. We can always regather the knowledge. What you remember we can rerecord. The lives of innocents are not to be sacrificed.
Just as she finished her transmission the door to the grand room opened. Kryptos floated through with a huge smile on his face. He stopped short of the cage made of his own energy.
"Half of your scrolls are vanqished," Kryptos boasted. "If you wish to save what's left I suggest you give me the information I desire."
"You're wasting your time," said Jheselbraum.
Kryptos scratched at his chin. "Hmm, perhaps I should just burn your servant instead."
"Tias has done you no harm," Jheselbraum replied. "And I promise you he's never looked at the scrolls before."
"Well when we're done with him, I'll have no more use for him and he'll be properly disposed of," Kryptos threatened. "But maybe if you speed things up, I'll reconsider."
"Even if you do find it, you'll have no knowledge on how to use it, so I wouldn't throw him away so readily," Jheselbraum warned.
The door slammed open. Kryptos turned to demand the reason for such an intrusion when he saw his girlfriend's enraged face. The tall demon stomped up the stairs, the white flames from her boots licking at each step. She stopped in front of Kryptos her fists clenched.
"The mission was a disaster!" Pyronica yelled before Kryptos could even ask. "That handwitch is more powerful than we thought."
"Then we'll try again," Kryptos decided.
"No, my bond with the human is severed!" Pyronica screamed. "She broke off the contract and now I have no way to control her body!"
"What?" Kryptos shouted. He grasped Pyronica's shoulders. "How did that happen?"
"I don't know," Pyronica seethed. "The dumb bitch wasn't as dumb as I thought. But she broke it off and that's that. Now that she knows what I can do, there's nothing she'd be willing to make another deal about."
Kryptos slapped her across the face.
"Dammit, Pyronica, I asked you to do one thing!" the demon yelled. "You're as incompetent as Amorphous Shape and you know what I did to her." He pressed his face against hers.
Seeing the flicker of fear in Pyronica's eye and his heart softened. He wrapped his arms around the other demon and kissed her on the very cheek he struck.
"It's been a long day, Pyra," Kryptos said. The pink demon shuddered at the nickname Bill once used for her. "And I'm tired of failures." He let go of Pyronica and turned around to face Jheselbraum. "So your message got delivered, it's not the end of the world." He grinned. "I'll be the end of that world."
Jheselbraum frowned. Her message had been vague, but she hoped Handrina was clever enough to figure it out, if not Ford would.
"I'm tired of waiting and I think it's time we upped the stakes," Kryptos said. He smirked at the oracle behind the energy bars yet called 8-Ball's name. The mentioned stepped forward. "I will give you thirty seconds to tell me what I want to know, and if you don't..." He looked at 8-Ball. "Chop off that servant's legs."
Jheselbraum lowered her face.
"Wait, Kryptos," Pyronica said. Both the mentioned and 8-Ball turned to the female demon. Pyronica held up a finger. "How about at the knee." She grinned. "And in three chops instead of one."
Kryptos chuckled. "Oh, Pyra, dear, I knew there was a reason I loved you."
Kryptos floated back to the cage. He circled it twice, not once did Jheselbraum acknowledge him.
"It's your choice, oracle," Kryptos cheered as he finished his third round. "Time starts...now." He waved an arm at 8-Ball and the creature headed for the library.
"Twenty seconds left," Krytpos said and held up a pocketwatch. "Fifteen. Twelve." Pyronica joined in with the chanting. "Ten. Seven. Five. Two." Kryptos snapped the pocketwatch shut. "Time's up." He reached in through the cage and pulled down Jheselbraum's hood. "Now listen."
An agonizing scream echoed through the building. Ten seconds later came an even louder scream followed by Pacifier's chanting. And finally a hoarse scream quickly drowned out by cheers from the demons inside the library.
"And that's just round one," Kryptos taunted. He tapped his chin. "And I forgot to tell him to wrap the wound."
Jheselbraum kept her head down. Endure, Tias, she thought. Please endure.
It didn't take long for Mabel and Dipper to fall asleep. Their sleep was uninterrupted until a firm shake woke them wishing they didn't have to rise so soon. Stan announced that dinner was ready whenever they were. Mabel sat up and stretched her arms above her head. She then rubbed the sleep out of her eye. Waddles shifted from beside her then laid his head on her lap.
Dipper initially felt much better having confessed such a heavy secret, but now he realized he revealed it differently than how he wanted. However Ford hadn't seemed too upset, yet the nerves in his stomach contorted.
The twins nearly bumped into each other on their way out the door. Stan stood alone in the trashed room. A part of him wondered if he should follow the agents' advice to send them home. Last time they had no warning on Bill's arrival, but now at the very least he could ensure the kids were a state away when the new threat arrived.
The teens were surprised to see Fiddleford McGucket in the living room with a slice of pizza in hand. Soos stayed over for dinner as well. A moment later Stan appeared, yet one member of their party seemed to be missing.
"Where's Bill?" Mabel asked.
"He doesn't want to come out, fine, let him starve," Stan said then shoved the pizza in his mouth.
The twins tore into the pizza, unaware of just how hungry they both were. Stan encouraged them to eat as much as they wanted as they had ordered two boxes.
Conversation was short, but for the most part pleasant. The six did their best to ignore the past two days, but it was too difficult to keep up merriment with one sour moment behind and a second on the way.
Once they finished Fiddleford stood and wiped his hands on his pants. "I got a su'prise for ya, Stanford," he said then headed outside to his car.
"He offered to play music for us, so he probably went to get his instrument," Ford said to the group.
Fiddleford returned with his banjo in one hand and a large case strapped over his shoulder. It was too large to be the one meant for his favorite instrument, especially since Fiddleford never locked it away.
"I didn't see it 'til after yer birthday, so I was gonna give it to ya for Christmas, but thought now's a good time as any," McGucket explained. He slid the case off his body then handed it over to his old friend.
Ford accepted the gift already aware of what rested inside the case.
"Fiddleford, I can't," Ford said. He pushed it back. "It's too much."
"Nonsense, I got it fer ya," Fiddleford retorted. "You said if ever ya got one, you'd play." He then pushed it back into Ford's hands.
"I did, didn't I?" Ford said.
He laid the case down on the floor and unclasped it to reveal the shiny instrument inside. Stan whistled when he saw its fine design. The brand stitched inside the case and on the side of the wood was one of the best.
Ford picked up the cello by the neck. Its fresh scent reached his nostrils.
"It's beautiful," Stan said. He elbowed his brother in the ribs. "I remember when Dad gave you one."
"I remember how much you teased me," Ford said with a playful glare.
"Still remember how to play it, nerd?" Stan asked.
"One way to find out," Ford replied.
He sat down in his folding chair then positioned the cello in front of him. With his right hand he held the bow against the strings. Ford looked up at Fiddleford who smiled back at him.
Ford gently pressed the strings and gracefully moved the bow across the instrument. At first the notes sounded a bit sour to which he apologized to his small audience. It reminded him of when he first learned to play and how Stan threw a pillow at him to silence all the squeaking. He glanced over at his brother who watched with a smile, although a slight twinkle in his eye clued Ford in that his twin also recalled that moment from their childhood.
After a few minutes of warming up Ford decided to play one of the first pieces he ever learned: "Carnival of the Animals: The Swan" by Camille Saint-Saëns. His arm moved gracefully and the sweet notes filled up the living room. He played as he had during his youth, as if he hadn't touched the instrument for over forty years. For a moment it lifted the sorrow and pain brought on over the past day and a half. Fiddleford smiled at his friend hoping at least for now he'd be taken back to happier, simpler days before the burden of the world was presented to him more than once.
A few missed notes here and there, but the author never faltered. If there was something he learned from his thirty years trapped in other dimensions it was he had to push on despite the setback. He played with more passion.
Hidden in the shadows Bill watched his ex gently caress the strings, bearing his soul into the song. Bill gripped the doorway. How he wished he still contained the strength to crumble the structure. How he desired for rubble to bury that instrument undeserving of Ford's touch. The blond pushed those thoughts from his mind, and he laughed in his head for being so ridiculous. Ford was a decent musician, but that was it. The desire for Ford's touch wasn't enough to heal the wound.
He headed back to his room. One last glimpse in Ford's direction. However he made the mistake of looking too long just in time for Ford to glance up and meet eyes with him. Bill sneered at his ex then hurried inside the confines of his room, shutting the door behind.
"Why'd you stop?" Stan asked.
"Grunkle Ford, that was beautiful!" Mabel cheered.
Dipper nodded, too stunned to speak.
Ford looked over at his long-time friend. "Fiddleford, this is a thoughtful gift." Fiddleford gave a dismissive wave. Ford stood up and placed it back in its protective case.
"You're not going to play anymore?" Mabel asked.
"I'm sorry, sweetie, but I'm exhausted," Ford replied. "I think I may have slept a total of four hours the last three nights."
Mabel lowered her head and let out a disappointed whine.
"Alright, that's enough," Stan scolded. "Maybe Fiddleford will be kind enough to entertain us."
"Yeah, I don't mind at all," the visitor cheered and picked up his banjo. The twins and Soos settled back in their seats.
McGucket barely got a few strums in when they saw headlights poke in from the kitchen window.
"Who's that?" Dipper asked.
"Wendy maybe?" Mabel suggested.
"She doesn't have a car," Soos reminded them.
"Does she even have a license?" Stan asked.
"You're her employer, don't you have that paperwork?" Fiddleford inquired.
"Uh...no comment," Stan replied.
Both car doors shut. They watched as the two made their way up the stairs. The larger of the two knocked on the door.
Stan ordered the others to stay back. He opened the door to reveal his nephew and niece-in-law.
"Daniel...Madison...what are you doing here?" Stan asked.
"Uncle Stan, what is going on?" Daniel asked as he pushed his way inside.
Madison rushed ahead of her husband and snatched both Mabel and Dipper into her arms.
"I'm so happy you kids are okay," Madison cried.
"Mom, what are you doing?" Mabel gasped.
"We got a call from social services last night telling us Mason and Mabel were in their custody and you all were in police custody," Daniel explained.
Mabel and Dipper gasped both having forgotten the head of the department contacted their parents.
He looked over at his kids in his wife's embrace. "But the police said you were all released, saying it was all a mistake."
"Yeah, a mistake," Stan said. "That's all it was."
"The FBI was out here?" Daniel replied. "That's one hell of a mistake."
"Daniel, your language," Madison scolded then motioned the twins with her eyes.
"Look, it was all a big misunderstanding," Stan said. "It shook us all up a bit, but we're all fine now."
Daniel and Madison exchanged glances.
"Uncle Stan, thank you so much for taking care of them this summer," Daniel said. "But I really think they've been away long enough."
"What?" Mabel exclaimed and yanked herself free from her mother's hold.
"We're taking you back," Madison simplified.
And end chapter. Looks like the twins are going back to California...or are they?
So the reason Mabel and Dipper forgot about their parents being called is because I also did. I went back and reread chapters 30 through 32 remembering that detail along with Mabel already knowing about Dipper handing over the journal, so that changed some things.
Credit for Dipper confessing about the journal in the middle of Ford and Bill's argument goes to Energy witch. Thank you for the suggestion.
So there still isn't any BillFord fluff, but there was a bit of family bonding there before the next big dramatic moment. Ford playing the cello is one of my favorite head canons.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Thanks for reading. :)