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pichiru · 2 months ago

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The Sun Also Smiles - Chapter 3

Chapters - [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Summary - With Mabel and Dipper's 16th birthday party on the horizon, Grunkle Stan takes to online dating to find a date for the party. Things start to get real weird real fast.

Word Count - 3,251

Pairing(s) - Stan Pines x OC

Genre(s): Romance, Comedy, Mystery

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Solana said:

Good morning, Stanley Pines 🖤

Stanley 🖤🖤🖤 said:

Mornin toots

Solana said:

Did you sleep well?

Stanley 🖤🖤🖤 said:

Like a damn rock. What about you?

Solana said:

I slept wonderfully. Had a hot date with a nice and shy old guy and my favorite tv show last night

Stanley 🖤🖤🖤 said:

Oh yeah? Hope he was handsome

Solana said:

He is. Sexy even.

Stanley 🖤🖤🖤 said:

Damn. You think I’m sexy? Wish I could give you a compliment too but I have no idea what you look like, toots

Solana said:

Soon, soon. Very soon. I promise. I wanna make sure that you’re not gonna up and run away the moment you see me.

Stanley 🖤🖤🖤 said:

Why would I book it?

Solana said:

Iunno. It happens all the time.

Stanley 🖤🖤🖤 said:

Even for me, that’s rude as hell. I’m sorry

Solana said:

Why are YOU sorry? You didn’t do it. I appreciate the kindness though.

Stanley 🖤🖤🖤 said:

Lemme meet you at your job some time?

Solana said:

Maybe. Let me get through the day today and I’ll give you an answer to that. I’m in a rush right now. Boss is on my ass about being present and punctual.

Stanley 🖤🖤🖤 said:

Yeah I gotcha. I’ll be waiting for that answer, babe

Solana said:

🖤🖤🖤

“Grunkle Stan, are you ready yet?” Mabel called from up the stairs.

“Did you sleep in your chair again? That’s not good for your back, you know,” Dipper said with playful disappointment in his voice.

Stan smiled to himself at the kids looking out for him despite the fact that he was a grown man and could take care of himself. It was just nice to know that people other than Ford cared for once.

He dropped the leg rest on the recliner then pulled himself to the edge of the seat. With a large and very much audible grunt, Stan pushed himself onto his feet. He knew Dipper was right but sometimes forcing himself to lay in an empty bed was tough. A loud crack was heard when he stretched out his back, immediately creating relief.

“Yeah, yeah, kids. I got it,” he yelled up at them, knowing they were standing at the top of the stairs listening to his morning routine.

“Lemme take a shower and snag breakfast on the way there,” Stan offered as he continued to stretch and crack bones in his rickety old body.

“No chance Grunkle Stan! It’s almost noon and I’ve been waiting alllllll morning for you to wake up and take me and Dipper-“

“I told you, it’s Maze now. Short for Mason,” Dipper murmured to Mabel, hitting her arm. Not hard though.

Mabel rolled her eyes in an exaggerated manner. “I’ve been waiting alllllll morning for you to wake up and take me and MAZE to that massive art store that just opened up recently.”

“Maze?” Stan asked under his breath to himself in confusion. “I’m sorry, kid. I stayed up a little later than usual to watch the rerun of The Duchess Approves. I’ll make it up to ya. I promise.”

Mabel peeked down the stairs to see Stan standing at the bottom, looking as if he was deep in thought. “Okay. As long as you keep that promise.”

“I’m a man of my word! I’ve never made a promise I couldn’t keep. Ask Sixer.” Stan yawned as he stretched one last time to get the residual tiredness out of his body.

“Shower then store!” Mabel said with a nodding huff.

“You got it, kid,” Stan chuckled. He turned the tv off and tossed the remote back into the recliner. He trudged up the stairs and past the kids at the top, immediately making his way into the bathroom. He shut the door quickly and sighed heavily.

Why was Solana being so avoidant about being seen? Was she actually a catfish or even a modicum of who she said she is? It was hard to tell through just a screen or a phone call. Stan was used to being scammed and the scammer but this one…this one felt like the worst kind of scam and that’s saying a lot considering he was actually a criminal.

He shook his head to try and shake the feeling off. Today was about Mabel and starting up her weird earring business. This wouldn’t even be a thing he’d consider if she wasn’t looking to be a business owner like her good old Grunkle Stan. It lit up the darkest corners of his heart to know that fact.

As he went through the motions of taking a shower and getting dressed, Mabel was sitting with Dipper in the living room. She was sitting in the seat of the recliner and Dipper on the arm with his leg up. They were barely watching some old cowboy flick that had a lot of staring and not a lot of action. It could almost be classified as media's longest staring contest if one to be honest.

Dipper had on a black denim vest with distress on the sleeves, (what he thought was) an obscure band t-shirt, ripped jeans, and combat boots. Even though it was the beginning of summer, he chose fashion over comfort. He even started donning "guy-liner" which everyone knew was just eyeliner he tried to masculinize. Mabel did it for him every morning without complaint because she wanted her brother to look pretty.

Mabel however barely changed her fashion sense in the years since they were last in the mystery shack. Except she upgraded to overall dresses over her sweaters instead of regular skirts and wore high top converse instead of regular black flats. Sometimes she would steal Dipper's band t-shirts if they had a weird enough logo.

"Dip-" Mabel started before she got a death glare from her brother. "Maaazzzeeeeeee," she said in a drawn out way to try and get the name on her tongue. "Maze, did you hear any of what Grunkle Stan was saying on the phone last night?"

"No, I was _actually_ sleeping."

"Hey! I was too excited to sleep because we're starting up my business soon! And going material shopping today. I had to make sure I had everything written down and designed so the art store people could help me," she explained before puffing out her cheeks at the end.

"ANYWAY!" she continued. "He was talking to a mystery woman and watching The Duchess Approves. It had a crazy plot twist at the end. I won't spoil it for you though," she rambled.

"Mabel, you're getting off track again," Maze said as he flicked the shoelaces on his combat boots.

"Oh! Right! Well anyway, I think he asked her on a date," she whispered to him.

"A date? Grunkle Stan? Yeah okay. Funny joke Mabel," Maze said as he rolled his eyes. "Grunkle Stan doesn't have it in him to even talk to a woman let alone ask her on a date."

"I dunnoooooo! He got pretty far on courting Lazy Susan before things went downhill. I just think they thought they were better as friends. But this woman...She's different. I think he really likes her."

"How could you know that from one conversation on the phone?" Maze asked.

"I can tell by the tone of his voice when he was talking to her. Grunkle Stan never talks to anyone like that. Not even us! And you know he loves us to death."

"He'd never admit it though," Maze added.

"Of course not. But we will always know his truth," Mabel sighed gently as she sat back into the chair.

"Kids? Ya ready to hit the road?" Stan's voice suddenly called from up the stairs.

Mabel and Maze sat up straight when they heard his voice. They looked at each other, scared that he might have heard their conversation. They gulped in unison.

"Y-Yeah! I got everything in my bag and Di...Maze is ready too!" Mabel called back with a nervous laugh, grabbing her tote bag and standing up straight.

"Nice," Maze said sarcastically with no real bite to it. But he's glad she said something because he knows they would have both been sitting there in stunned silence until Stan came down to see if they were even still alive.

"Shhhhhh!" Mabel covered his face with one of her hands. Maze didn't move in the slightest. He was used to Mabel doing that at this point.

They could hear footsteps descending down the first half of the steps then onto the landing. Stan was standing there in his mystery shack suit with his red fez, a sleek gold chain with his stylish, totally for show, cane in his right hand. Which meant...he was ready to haggle the art store workers at any cost. He only wore that suit when he wanted to scam during daylight hours.

"Grunkle Stan, you better be nice! I know what that suit means," Mabel warned, putting her hands on her hips and puffing her cheeks out.

"Hey, don't ya want the best materials at half the cost? Which means ya can get even more!" Stan retorted with his signature, boastful grin plastered on his face.

Mabel sighed loudly while leaning her head back. "Yeessssss," groaned playfully.

"Exactly. Let's get going." Stan looked at Maze and gave him a thumbs up. "I had a goth phase too, kid. Just want you to know that," he said as he finished coming down the stairs. He patted both of their heads with heavy hands and smiled even more. Nothing made him happier in this moment than seeing his niece and nephew continue growing into their own person. He just wanted them to be happy and he'd do anything to make that happen.

"Grunkle Staaannnnnn," Maze groaned, shaking his head from under Stan's hand and fixing his hair.

"Sorry, kid. Takes a lot of hair gel to get it like that, eh?" Stan chuckled as he walked towards the door. "Keepin it in mind for the next time."

Maze smiled at his uncle's apology. Stan was the last person he expected to understand him right now. How could Stanley Pines of all people understand what it felt like to be an outcast? It always seemed like he knew just what to do to fit in and Ford was the outcast.

"Maze?" Mabel called from the door. She was looking at him with concern at the way he spaced out suddenly. "You okay?"

"Y-Yeah! Sorry. I was just thinking about what kind of earrings I could make for myself when you get everything. Twin discount, you know," He said coolly.

Mabel grinned, clutching the strap of her tote. Her family's support meant the world to her. "It'll probably be something emmoooooo," she teased. "Shotgun!" she yelled suddenly before darting towards Stan's car.

"NOT FAIR! You got a head start!" Maze said as he ran out of the house past Stan to try and beat Mabel to the car.

Stan laughed to himself as he closed the front door and locked the door. He strolled over to the car as the twins argued over who was going to sit where in the car. "The lady of the hour should sit in the front." Mabel stuck her tongue out at Maze. "Then...Maze can sit in the front when we come home." Maze stuck his tongue out at Mabel in retaliation. Stan unlocked the car and hopped in. Right after, the twins piled into the spots in the car.

"Buckle those seatbelts up," Stan reminded as he turned the radio on a low volume so there wasn't any awkward silence.

"Grunkle Stan, you literally never put your seatbelt on," Mabel laughed as she put hers on.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm an adult. I could take a car crash to the head right now and be fiiine," Stan said smoothly but in a way that would definitely be conveyed as a joke. He admired her for calling him out on his shit. He needed to be setting a better example for them since they were much more sentient and impressionable than the last time he saw them. He popped it on, adjusted his rearview mirror and drove off towards town.

Stan and Mabel were singing along to a random pop song that they both were surprised that each other knew. Once they realized that they were karaoke buddies, they sang their hearts out to the song while Maze sat in the backseat, marveling at their ability to not care so much. Once the song was over with and they calmed down, Stan adjusted his rearview mirror so he could have a direct eye line with Maze.

"So uh, Maze. Ya wanna talk about the name change?" Stan asked as he turned down the radio so he could hear him if he decided to respond.

"Oh, uh..." Maze's cheeks flushed shyly as he sunk down into the seat. "I felt like Dipper was too little kiddish and Mason wasn't cool enough. It feels like an old man name. So I came up with Maze," he explained, feeling his ears heat up from embarrassment. "It's like a cooler and more edgy version of Mason, you know?"

Stan smiled to himself. He was proud of his nephew for taking steps to trying to find himself in this crucial stage of his development. "Yeah? It sounds badass," he admitted with a grin. "The ladies'll go crazy over Maze."

"You think so?" He asked, his cheeks fully flushed now. He had a smile on his face that was so relieved that Stan was extremely supportive without a second thought to it.

"Hell yeah! Better than borin old Stan," Stan said with a nod, smiling even more now.

"Well someone seems to like that, 'boring old Stan'," Mabel chimed in bravely with a devious grin while she wiggled her eyebrows knowingly.

The car swerved slightly after she said that. Stan was shocked that she knew _anything_. His own cheeks started turning red in response.

"Got no clue what you're on about, kid," he deflected quickly.

"Oh yeeeaaaahhhhhh? Who's Solana then?" Mabel asked, putting her head in her hands with her elbows on the arm rest between her and her uncle.

"B-Bill collector!" He stammered before turning the radio up loud enough to where he couldn't hear her if she tried to speak again.

Mabel giggled and turned to face forward in her seat again. She knew he was lying of course and it was hilarious watching him trying to explain his way out of it.

After what felt like an agonizing amount of time to Stan later, they pulled into a parking spot at the new art shop he promised he'd take Mabel to. He turned the car off then immediately pulled the keys out.

"Ready to get the ball rollin, kid?" Stan asked Mabel.

"I'm ready like Freddy!" Mabel said excitedly, practically vibrating in her seat at this point.

"Go on in. I'll meet you kids in there. Make sure you look all helpless so they'll feel bad for some kids and give even more of a discount," Stan reminded, looking between the both of them. The twins nodded and rushed out of the car to run into the store.

Stan took his phone out of his pocket to see if Solana had texted him. She didn't. He figured it was because she was at work so he figured he'd hear from her later on in the day after her shift. Or maybe on her lunch break? He hoped lunch was the option.

Wait what? Stop. Full stop. Why was he acting like this about a woman he barely knew?

Get it together, Stanley, he thought to himself, shaking his head and rubbing his face in disbelief. His eyes trailed over to his reflection in the rearview mirror. He almost didn't recognize himself.

"Ya got this. You are the man. Ya'll get Mabel the best deals in the history of Gravity Falls on art supplies. Keep it together around them. Don't let them see you crack," he said to his reflection in the mirror, trying to hype himself up like usual. He always did this before every Mystery Shack tour back when he still ran it. He left that up to Soos long ago. It'd been a while. He was rusty but he hoped he still had the charm.

Before he could get inside his own head any more than what he already was, Stan got out of the car. He made sure to grab his cane just in case he had to play up the old man card. As he locked the doors, he was already walking into the store.

The doors slid open and he was hit with the crispest wall of air conditioning he'd ever felt since he moved to this, not so, sleepy town. They weren't kidding when they said this was the biggest art store this town has ever seen. It seemed locally owned. By who, he didn't know. Nor did he care. He was about to scam the fuck out of them.

There was a loud clatter heard in a nearby aisle.

"Fuck!" the voice said in a defeated tone.

Stan grew curious if the kids had anything to do with that. He went to inspect almost immediately. Once he reached the aisle where the commotion was, there was a woman bent over in a short skirt. If she didn't have her striped tights on, her ass definitely would have been showing. It was nice and round plus her thighs were the perfect size to match. When he caught himself staring, Stan screeched to a grinding halt in his tracks when he remembered that he was still very much interested in Solana.

"Excuse me, toots. Ya need a hand?" he found himself asking without even thinking a millisecond about it. He cussed himself out internally for treating this woman the way he did initially and wanted to right the wrong. Even though she had no idea.

"Ah, no. I got it," she said as she stood up straight and turned around to see Stan. She froze in her tracks when their eyes met. She stood there, statuesque.

Stan couldn't help but look over her in the few seconds he had to respond. She had a light yellow color to her hair and it was almost reminiscent of Betty Boop with all the little curls she had covering her head and part of her face. It was short too. Above her shoulders. Her skin was dewy and brown. Her eyes were a deep and chocolatey brown. Her lips. Her shirt had one of those little heart shaped keyholes. It showed every bit of her cleavage.

He snapped himself back to reality first, still finding her seemingly frozen in time.

"Hello?" Stan asked, waving a hand in her face. "Anybody home up there?"

"Hi, Stanley," she said in a very familiar voice with a smile and a tiny wave of her fingers.

Stan froze in his spot as well. His throat immediately started feeling like it was closing up and his heart started racing.

"S-Solana?" he asked in quiet shock. His entire demeanor changed almost instantly. He was looking everywhere but her, feeling the anxiety of seeing her set in quickly. This was something he hadn't accounted for. At least not today.

"Tsk, tsk, Stanley," Solana said as she did the two finger wiping motion at him. "Eye fucking me already?" she laughed. "How ungentlemanlike of you."

#gravity falls #gravity falls fandom #stanley pines #original character #Stan Pines x OC #online dating #Mabel Pines #Dipper Pines #stanford pines #fanfiction #fanfic #romance #ocs #oc insert #self insert #self indulgent #bill cipher

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indecisive-dizzy · 3 months ago

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Alright the Gravity Falls brain rot is kicking in (aka I watched a 4hr video overanalyzing ATOTS <3 iykyk)

So have a loosely thought out concept of a hypothetical Welcome Home x Gravity Falls au with my "Hear me out!"s This is a long one, you've been warned <3

Wally - Dipper

Sally - Mabel

Julie - Stanley

Frank - Stanford

Eddie - Soos

Barnaby - Wendy

Poppy - Abuelita

Howdy - Gideon

Home - Bill???

Ok hear me out! (under the cut) Please ignore typos <3

Very quick clarification! For this au everyone is at least in their teens and I'm gonna add their ages as I elaborate. Ok? Ok!

Gonna Start with Poppy and Eddie. In this hypothetical au Poppy is Not Eddie's grandmother. Originally I thought of assigning Poppy the role of Lazy Susan but I wanted her to have a closer connection to the rest of the cast. And Abuelita fit the role well enough for me! She's just a sweet homebody who wants to knit and bake in peace. Eddie tells her all about work and Wally and Sally visit. <3

So Poppy and Eddie live together as Roommates/Family. Poppy took Eddie in as a teen (16ish) when she was in her early 20s (22-23?) He views her as a big sister. And she views him as a little brother. Anxiety siblings <3 (yes I hc Eddie has anxiety) Eddie started working for the shack soon after being taken under Poppy's wing. He's a tad forgetful and clumsy but is a very reliable handy man and a good friend! He's got a big heart and worries about Julie sometimes.

Currently, as in the time the au takes place, Eddie is 24 and Poppy is 30-31.

Julie and Frank would in fact make a Fantastic Mabel and Dipper. Tbh I think I've seen the comparison before. Which is exactly why I'm not doing it! They're not twins here but they are childhood friends and very close in age, Frank being slightly older. Currently, Julie is 57(?) and Frank is 58(?). (Ages aren't confirmed, all I know is I want them to be A Bit younger than the Stans. Currently this would put them in their late 20s at the time of the portal incident)

I feel like people sometimes forget that Frank is not against resorting to violence lol. Which is great for post portal Ford (and maybe Paranoia era Ford. bbg was not afraid to use that crossbow.) And Julie is a girl bossing business woman! She's scamming people selling breen to the tourists! Whatever that is! Tbh Big inspo for this decision is Relativity Falls, like I said these two make for great mystery twins.

So! Wally (15) as a teenage Dipper! It's just Wally but his curiosity is bumped to 100. Still the same lil guy but he's got a hyperfixation on the supernatural and cryptids. Maybe he hasn't quite figured out his style yet, maybe he's a bit more awkward, I dunno.

He kinda didn't want to spend his summer here but ends up enjoying himself as he makes friends and gets to over indulge his curiosity.

Sally (15) is Wally's adopted sister! By sheer coincidence they have the same birthday but Sally always points out that she's older because she was "born at sunrise!" She's very adventurous and is often the one leading their escapades. I imagine she meets this aus equivalent of Candy and Grenda at the local theater. Very much wants to be her own person, separating herself from the Adopted Twins thing. Not in a bad way! She loves Wally very much but wants people to see her as Sally! Not just "Wally's Sister."

Barnaby (22) is very laid back and so is Wendy. Yeah I don't actually have a lot to say? Um. He does the bare minimum work but is a good friend to Julie. He's real observant and can tell she's not always as bubbly as she seems But she's also his boss so he doesn't pry. Instead just offering a distraction or a rare bit of advice..

Oh! There's a parallel with him and Wally and Wendy and Dipper. Except Wally just wants to be friends with Barnaby but doesn't quite know how to communicate that. Maybe he just kinda follows him around the shack hoping to figure out what to say?

Thinking their relationship is literally the recent quote from Clown's Q&A: "Barnaby meeting Wally felt like business as usual, and Wally meeting Barnaby felt like meeting the whole world." yeah that's it. Sums it up Perfectly <3 Wally thinks Barnaby is really cool and friendly. And he wants a friend who treats him like he's mature. Like he's 15, not 5. And Barnaby does that right out the gate. Calls him kid but obviously doesn't treat him like a small child.

Ahem. Capitalism. Howdy's (21) a filthy capitalist and wants the shack for Profit. I don't think he'd resort to literal breaking and entering to get the deed? Can't make Profit from jail if he gets caught. But he's definitely trying to buy the property off of Julie. Maybe we stray further from Gravity Falls canon and say he gets an early redemption bc I'm a sucker for this goof. It would be sometime after taking the shack (and losing it.) Oh but he does summon the Evil. Can't break the law if the law doesn't account for Interdimensional Demons!

On that note, Yes Howdy could be Stanley. But again. That's the easy way out! Also in my brain that would make,, idk Barnaby? Ford. And I couldn't do that.

Ok final (wh) character. Home. So I'm on the side of Home Isn't Evil/The Antagonist. He's just a guy (house)! A sassy fella! But someone's gotta be the Eldritch Horror and Unfortunately, Home,,, well he's a lil quirky!

But idk How to incorporate Home. They speak in onomatopoeias! They're a house! Is Home now a Vague 2D House Shaped Demon? Do the have Limbs? Wear a top hat? Do they talk now? Home speaking words feels cursed. But I genuinely don't what else to do? Maybe we suspend our disbelief and they still talk through banging shutters. Everyone just understands them bc Cartoon logic pffff maybe they have subtitles projected into your brain that only you can see idk lol.

So obviously there's Way more GF characters than there are WH characters. insert characters [(y/n)] aren't my thing for aus so that's a no go for me personally. I imagine the town is filled with characters we've heard of outside the neighbors (Ma Beagle of course lives in town.) Maybe some of Howdy's family is here who knows. And the rest would be randos or ocs I guess! Tho I don't believe Julie's siblings are in town.

Anywho this is all hypothetical and I made it up and retyped things as I went along. I wanted to ramble some nonsense so I did! If you read it, Awesome! You sure did that!

#all of this is a concept! A Vague Idea!#Nothing is solid and im just throwing things at the wall here #big thing here is the role assigning i did here throws out a Lot of ships.#which is fine! gf isn't about that (outside of Mabel's boy crazy misadventures if thise even count)#But! if there were! LaughingStock.#Or eddie/barnaby bc Some People have me side eyeing it.#bc remember everyone but wally and sally are adults.#anyway ugh gravity falls my beloved #and Home you complicated sentient house you #seriously i Can Not figure this guy out. I swear im gonna draw a Bill-ified Home #just to see if i can make it work #Ahem! But!#If you read my nonsense! Thank you!#Feel free to yell at me about it with your thoughts and opinions :) if you feel so inclined #welcome home #wally darling #sally starlet #julie joyful #frank frankly #eddie dear #barnaby b beagle #poppy partridge #howdy pillar #wh home #welcome home au

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artisiumstudios · 3 months ago

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PART TWO

Okay I realized today reading through my last post that I made a lot of grammar and spelling mistakes but now that I have slept for 9 hours I should be good to go! Okay so first of all I do want to state that the mystery shack will be a thing here even if it wasn’t exactly Fords idea. And a lot of things that happened in the oh timeline do still happen in this au but with a twist, for example Wendy and soos still end up working at the mystery shack MUSEUM but apart from being workers soos is also fords apprentice and Wendy is kinda like a student to ford (aka she likes to learn about all the crazy shit he did).

The other thing is ford did tell people he studied the paranormal and anomalies but didn’t say anything about the portal. Now as for the journals because dipper does still find the journals, after ford disassembles the portal he hides his journals once again but not before ripping out and hiding the blue ones prints and most of the pages that either had anything to do with him or Stan out and the most of the ones he had with bill. He hides the pages separately throughout his house and the forest because he can’t bring himself to destroy them.

Oh and other stuff ford found in the car was the box that had Stan’s fake ids, another pair of bras knuckles, a map with states he was no longer allowed in, another small notebook with names and money he owed them, a first aid kit, weed (you cannot tell me Stanley pines was not a stoner during the hippie area like come on), and a picture of ma and Shermie with the date June 15 with the words “ HAPPY 27th BIRTHDAY STAN WE MISS YOU!” Alright now let me get back to the time line.

So 2 years go by and the mystery shack museum is now a thing, a small one but it’s a thing. It’s less of a tourist trap and more of a museum where he captures small harmless (or well mostly harmless) creatures of gravity falls and provides activities to for people to hang out or interact with them. It starts off well and eventually he is able to produce merchandise. Occasionally he does have to provide “handmade” creatures (ideas taken from Stan’s notebook. The mystery shack continues to grows and by the late 90’s he’s able to pay off his mortgage and pay the school his grant back, and he slowly expands the shack to fit more anomalies. But still he can’t stop the nagging feeling that giving the portal up was a mistake, that stan is still alive.

THE TWINS ARE BORN! Ford being Ford he still didn’t contact his family much. He was trying to do so more especially after his dad’s death, his ma had lost so much already. When he got the call he immediately left to the hospital and once he got there much like og Stan he couldn’t let them go. He knew he had to protect them, that he couldn’t have them make the same mistakes that cost him his brother, the same mistakes that tore them apart forever.

Around the next five years this is where ford find soos after his birthday and where they begin to connect. Soos doesn’t really open up but ford gets that whatever upset the child involves his birthday. So he offers him a free entrance to the museum and soos accepts, this is kinda where I’m figuring out the details but soos love for building things reminds ford of his old lab partner that he decides to take him in as an apprentice. Now the twins are around 8-9 when ford gets called up to see if he can take the kids for the summer! (No this is not where the major story takes place) He says dipper and Mabel have been wanting to visit and they also were hoping to have them learn a thing or two. Ford agrees and almost every summer after that ford has been in charge of the twins for every summer.

During these summers ford starts to wonder if maybe he gave up on his twin too soon. He sees how the kids act with each other and he feels the guilt rip him from the inside out. He begins his research once again, even if he still feels like the odds are against him. Now the twins are 13 (this is where it takes place) (oh btw Wendy gets hired when the twins are 11 and she’s taken a liking to learning about the forest creatures, even if she doesn’t want to admit that she’s finding learning fun, and occasionally she’ll join ford on field to study these creatures) Summer this year feels a little more sad, their parents have been arguing a lot more this year and Dipper fears for the worst. He doesn’t want a divorce, and he especially doesn’t want to get separated from his twin sister.

But this is also an exciting summer since Grunkle Ford said this would be the year they can start going into the forest by themselves! Now you can guess how dipper found the journal. Now I’m not going to spoil much now but that’s it for fords part!

Now for Stanley!

After being pushed into the portal he blacked out for a second. He woke up to find himself surrounded by creatures! He panicked clutching (his pearls) the journal, and sneaking it into his jacket. This is his first encounter with bill. Bill at first seems friendly, kind, offering Stan some food and water. Stan didn’t trust it. His gut told him to run and after being on the streets for 10 years he knew not to trust food and water handed to you by someone you just met. Bill shows ford around explaining his dimensions and that those little black holes are worm holes that lead to different dimensions. He tells him his brother was working on a portal that would created would do something similar, that he made a deal with ford. He would help him create a portal so that his name would go down in history and give him the opportunity to explore other universes and in exchange he could go into fords dimension and explore the stars there. But ford backed out last minute and betrayed bill. Stan obviously didn’t trust that especially after seeing the state ford was in.

However he knew guys like bill. Unless you want to die just let him keep going and hear him out. Bill tried to make a deal with him, charming him saying that maybe he would listen to Stanley, that if Stanley let him control his body for a bit he could convince ford to open the portal once again and afterwards bill would give Stan what he always wanted: a million dollars, the opportunity to get his family back. But there were so many flaws with that deal. Bill never said how long he would take over his body, he kept using vague language when he said get his family back. For all he knew his family could be given to him in coffins. And he during that little montage bill showed him of ford he saw fords eyes, well more like his pupils. Bill was what ford was looking for when he checked his eyes. Yeah no he’s not trusting him .

But how could he escape if he was practically surrounded. He acted as if he was thinking looking subtly around. A worm hole! But he needed to get closer, cause a distraction, but how???

ANYWAYS PART THREE LATER CAUSE I GOT CLASS OKAY BYEEE

#gravity falls au #gravity falls #reverseportalau #stanley pines #stanford pines #stanfallsintotheportal #Stanley falls into the portal #dipper pines #mabel pines #bill cipher #wendy #wendy corduroy #soos ramirez #gravity falls soos

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incomingalbatross · 11 months ago

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Gravity Falls, the first year after canon:

Kids start school basically as soon as they get home. Wendy and Co. go back into high school. Dipper starts boxing lessons at a local gym.

Stan and Ford get the Stan O' War II operational around the end of September, making a detour to sail south and see the kids before heading to the Arctic. Meet the Pines parents! (I really wanted them there for Thanksgiving, but I couldn't justify delaying their voyage by a whole three months. And end of September situates their sailing right after Yom Kippur, which from my limited understanding seems nicely symbolic.)

The kids + parents spend Thanksgiving with their dad's side of the family. May involve a belated realization that no one told Grandpa Shermie he has two brothers again. Oops? Situation is rectified.

Through the Magic of Christmas and a fortuitous run-in with Santa, Stan and Ford unexpectedly get to go home for Christmas! They even get to visit Piedmont and (with the kids) Gravity Falls before they zip back to their boat. Lots of reunions. This is also when Soos and Melody announce they've just gotten engaged. :)

Spring is less eventful in terms of California-Oregon-Arctic traffic.

The second school lets out, the younger twins are racing the older ones to Oregon. It's a photo finish probably. Everyone crowds into the Shack, which is fuller with Soos and Abuelita there, but it's also full of secret rooms and a floorplan that makes no sense, so it's fine.

Stan and Ford's birthday is on June 15!! It is a Very Big Deal. Dipper and Mabel go all out on the party planning, though they keep it mostly confined to the Shack crew.

Somewhere in here (maybe at the start? maybe in the middle?) Dipper and Mabel's parents come up for a couple weeks of vacation. It's a little disorienting for everyone, but they learn to love the town and Mabel and Dipper love getting to share it with them.

Soos and Melody get married on July 13 - Melody is making a Statement with that choice of date, which Soos understands and is overjoyed by. Half the town is at the wedding and all of it is at the reception (even though anyone not on the limited guest list has to pay admission. Stan is weeping with pride).

McGucket uses his new wealth to throw a ludicrously wild and extravagant shindig for the town on the date of the traditional Northwest party.

Despite the reach of NMAT, everyone feels unsettled on the anniversary of Weirdmageddon. People end up congregating in the town square in the evening. Wendy and her gang start a bonfire, people start bringing out food, and suddenly people are singing apocalypse folk songs? Trading stories? It's a whole thing in the end, but it helps people make something fun out of their memories.

The summer ends on a better note for the whole town, though, with a blow-out party to celebrate Mabel and Dipper's fourteenth birthday. This year their parents come up to give them company on the trip home, so they get to be there for the party too!

#and then by the NEXT summer soos and melody have a newborn in the shack which affects everyone's routines going forward #there are no complaints though :) mabel is in fact very grateful that they timed this baby to come practically at the start of summer #so that she and dipper and the grunkles get to experience the Peak Smallness stage #gravity falls

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film-noir-nosferatu · 3 months ago

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∆ MORE UNDER CUT... [INCOMING DATA ENTRY]... RECIEVE? [Y/ N] ∆

>>> [Y] SELECTED.

... "MYSTERY TWINS" - 6.6.2020, late teenage Dipper and Mabel, back in the little forested, bizarre, alluring, Gravity Falls. Ford and Stan are doing very, very well. They are aging well, and very happy. They made up for their lost time... it's like they were never apart, finally. The twins, both sets, are thriving. Mabel has a thriving Etsy business, and Dipper has applied for 6 colleges, got accepted into four, and sought out by two. He has his own Journals in development. They both moved out as soon as they could, and share their own space in Gravity Falls, downtown, not far from their grunkles newly built shack at the waterfront. They go sailing all together. Soos is still the same, and Stan couldn't be prouder. The shack is still standing, and it's like they never left. Wendy is getting hitched in the fall, she never saw that in her future. Dipper was guaranteed to be her best man. Pacifica has been dating Dipper for a couple years, now. It's getting serious... both of them feel that, but neither of them have said it, yet. Bill is still out there, waiting for--

THERES NO BILL. EVERYTHING IS JUST PEACHY! AND REMEMBER KIDS, WE'LL MEET AGAIN, RIGHT WHEN THINGS SEEM THE BEST THEY'VE EVER BEEN, I'LL BE THERE. YOU CAN BET YOUR *EYE* ON IT. SEE YOU REAAAAL SOON!!! GET COMFORTABLE.

∆ -- A-anyway, w-what was I saying? Ah, things are all swell, after all. After all these years, it's still us against the worlds.

For Alex. An incredible, beautiful mind. A cool guy. And a handsome man. I was always in love with Dipper, lol. Happy slighly late 25th birthday post, to Mason "Dipper" Pines, and Mabel Pines! (August 31st, 1999) I'm three days off, September 3rd, 3 AM... and a triangle has three sides.

∆ https://thisisnotawebsitedotcom.com/ ∆

To see this post and my Instagram art account, click the three triangles: ∆ ∆ ∆

<<< See Art Masterlist? Click here >>>

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twincaptains · 1 month ago

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Obsequium: Part I: Chapter Four

TITLE: Obsequium Part I: Chapter Four: Mabel's September PAIRINGS: Dipford (Ford x Dipper), Bipford, (Bipper x Ford), Pinecest (Dipper x Mabel), Stancest, (Stan x Ford), and possibly others. Gotta see where this thing takes me. SUMMARY: Mabel e-mails some friends and .... frenemies? Between her erotic RP with Grenda and her terse exchange with Pacifica, our girl is working through some things. Included are helpful (and traumatic) illustrations. They appear in the body of the text. NOTES: There is a LOT more lycan sex than I initially anticipated. Warnings under the cut!

CHAPTER WARNINGS: Graphic werewolf sex, graphic werewolf death (gore), sibling incest OVERALL WARNINGS: Incest, sibling incest, minor, coercive control, mind control, caregiver neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, dubious consent (dubcon), body horror, suicidal ideation, food restriction, sleep deprivation, self-harm, drug abuse, being drugged, lost time, and I’m going to specifically going to warn for “Ford being cruel to Stanley”, because it made me upset when I wrote it so I want to warn for it. If I forgot anything, please let me know and I will fix it IMMEDIATELY. I will add more if anything else comes up.

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-02-2016 08:22:16 Subject: Just saw you off.

Just got you all packed up in the car and watched you drive away. I hate this. I hate this so much. You hate it, too. I know it. Why can't you just say that?

Speaking of things you won't say, you're not fooling me. I know, Dip. It's okay. It would be okay if you just told me, but you won't. Are you really that afraid that I'll hate you? After everything we went through? Give me more credit than that!!!

Give me more of everything...

XoXo Mabel

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-02-2016 08:22:56 Subject: Re: Just saw you off.

I'm sorry, but I'm unable to answer your e-mail at the moment! I am temporarily losing access to this account so I can better concentrate on my studies. I hope to have everything in order and be back at it by the end of 2014!

-Dip

***THIS IS AN AUTO-RESPONSE. USER HAS BEEN UNAVAILABLE FOR 1,076 DAYS***

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-05-16, 22:45:16 PST Subject: Re: I saw Mr. Pines!!!

Really glad you were able to get out to see him! The place he's living isn't as bad as he likes to say it is, he just misses Gravity Falls. I go down there whenever I get the chance, but as soon as I start school my free time disappears. I suppose I could go down there on holidays, but that's the only time I ever get to spend with Dipper. He should be coming up to Washington for Thanksgiving, but he was supposed to come LAST year and he changed his mind.

Do you still call Grunkle Stan? Dipper says he needs more phone calls. I know the cell service there is really whack, but you guys still have a landline, right?

Speaking of Dipper!!! I got to spend the last week of August with Dipper for our birthday, as usual. He seems a bit stressed out, I don't think Grunkle Ford is giving him enough breaks. There's also something he's keeping from me, and in typical Dipper fashion he's doing an extremely bad job of it. I think he's trying to tell me without telling me, but I can't let that slide. He has to just ... say it. I tried to get it out of him all week, but I didn't get anywhere. Maybe I can make some more progress when I see him at Thanksgiving.

I've already gotten a letter from him! He says he's going to try and keep up this year, but ... he never does. He always tries, though, and that's something, right?

Let me know if you plan on visiting Grunkle Stan again anytime soon. Maybe I can try and meet you both!

XoXo Mabel

To: : [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-07-2016 22:16:34 PST Subject: Re: New addy!

Hey, Wendy! Glad to hear you're settling in at your new place up in Portland. I don't think I could handle living with that many roommates, guess having all those brothers finally came in handy?

Just curious, do you ever plan on going back to Gravity Falls to visit?

XoXo Mabel

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-08-2016 07:49:06 PST Subject: Re: New addy!

Nah!

-W

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-08-2016 21:10:43 PST Subject: Re: Princess Grenade and the Lusty Werewolf ((OOC: Sorry for my late reply, been distracted with Dipper and school. Can you send me an updated copy of the Master Doc? The one I have is really out of date; Princess Grenade is missing a bunch of the abilities I know her to have. Plus the List of Lovers is like, half as long as it should be lmaoooo.))

"YOU THINK YOU CAN HANDLE ME???" roared the werewolf, who's name was actually Steve, "I CAN'T HANDLE ME!!!"

The air filled with the sound of tearing fabric as he tore his pants from his bulging, werewolf legs. They were mostly off already, the transformation had seen to that, but he knew that he needn't preserve his modesty in front of this royal beauty: her reputation preceded her. Every werewolf in the land knew that one day they may be confronted by the power of her erotic charms and have no choice but to act. And act Steve did, letting his bare body glisten in the moonlight for her and her alone.

"BEHOLD, PRINCESS! A MEMBER THE LIKES OF WHICH YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN!!!"

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-09-0:1:32:36 Subject: Re: Princess Grenade and the Lusty Werewolf

((OOC: NO WORRIES!!! I know you've been busy!!!! It was just a CRAPPY place to break the scene, I've been waiting almost TWO WEEKS for this horned up lycan take off his threadbare pants!!! UNF!! Master Doc attached!!))

Princess Grenade drooled, staring disrespectfully at his massive werewolf cock.

File Attachment: PRINCESSGRENADESEXCAPADESAGAMASTERDOC.rtf

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-12-2016 21:10:43 PST Subject: Re: Princess Grenade and the Lusty Werewolf

((OOC: Thanks!! Are you still updating the GroogleDoc? Candy says she'll try and draw some art of this scene when we're done. You know she doens't like to work off stuff we haven't finished. She wants the whoooooole enchilada. Says it makes us better writers for it, and I think she's right, you know?))

Massive it was, looming over the Princess like a throbbing baseball bat of love, twitching with desire as he breathed heavily, "THEY USED TO CALL ME STEVE!!!" he growled, taking a threatening step towards Grenade, "BUT I ATE EVERYONE THAT CALLED ME STEVE!!!! AM I STILL STEVE????"

Even in peak arousal; the torment of his stolen humanity was evident. Poor Steve. Will no-one reach out and touch Steve?

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-13-2016 03:11:23 PST Subject: Re: Princess Grenade and the Lusty Werewolf

((OOC: TOTALLY!! God, I just feel so bad for Steve, you know? Don't worry, Steve. You can cry it all out after you thrash me with your hog!!!))

"Steve, STEVE!" Princess Grenade bellowed, holding up her hands, "You really need to CHILL! Of COURSE you're still Steve." She reached out and took his hand-paw in hers, "Deep down inside, you will always be Steve."

Princess Grenade took a deep breath and powered up her level seventeen void throat. //This one's gonna be a DOOZY!!//

Without any fanfare, the busty princess swallowed Werewolf Steve's twitching cock whole, her void throat working overtime to stimulate the needy beast. He yowled. He growled. He made noises that defy description, releasing them into the night as the best throat game in the seven kingdoms worked to free him from his madness.

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-15-2016 20:30:02 PST Subject: Re: Princess Grenade and the Lusty Werewolf

((OOC: Level seventeen??? Nice. Nice. Also, Grenda, if you reply to another one of these at 3 am on a school night I won't reply again for a week. We promised we wouldn't let this get away from us like it did last year.))

Steve was no match for the princess; folding into his desires immediately. They had been building so long, long before this encounter had ever happened. He spent his days, even as a normal human being, daydreaming about finally being able to lay his hands on Princess Grenade. To cover her in kisses so tender they bordered on savagery, to short-circuit her over-anxious brain to stop her from thinking too much, to force a physical connection that it would be impossible for her to ignore. As decadent as Grenade's throat void was, he needed something more out of her: ecstasy.

He forcefully pulled Princess Grenade away from him, lifting her by the shoulders. "I CAN'T WAIT ANYMORE!!!! I'M COMING TO TAKE IT!!!!"

Taking the princess' enthusiastic whooping as a go-ahead, he threw her to the ground and pinned her with his meaty wolfman body. He paused a moment to rest his snout in the crook of her neck, savoring the way the scent of the dirt under them mixed with her sweat. Not distracted for long, he ripped away her clothes with his claws, careful not to graze her flesh.

There it was. The naked body that had consumed his dreams. A gift and a curse, a nightly visitation by the most perfect thing he had ever seen ... yet was always so painfully out of reach. In his dreams he let that beautiful body consume him, and he consumed it right back, aching and striving to make the face of its owner twist in pleasure so intense it made them forget why they shouldn't be doing this. And, like clockwork, just when it felt like he was finally going to experience the ultimate climax, it was ripped away from him as he joined the waking world. Left to lay there panting in bed, listening to the worst morning DJ in the world make unfuny jokes about subjects that are none of his business. A nightmare more terrifying and tortuous than turning into a monster once every twenty-eight days: unrequited longing.

But it was okay ... this wasn't a dream, and his nightmare was about to end.

Steve descended on Princess Grenade with wolfen fury, satiating himself using her body as the means. Not that her needs were being ignored, quite the opposite in fact, getting her off was getting HIM off, and quickly. He thrust into her with wild abandon, moaning something that might have been her name, but it also might have been a plea for mercy. Before he knew it, his body was being wracked by an orgasm so powerful that it undid his transformation -- but not before he ejaculated dubious ropes of his essence deep into Grenade's womb.

Steve the human, who really wasn't all that handsome actually, panted on top of the princess as he struggled to find his breath. Now that he'd been freed of his curse, at least for the time being, he was sane enough to remember his true mission: Kill Princess Grenade.

He smirked, even though his original plan had been derailed and ruined a good portion of his life, he was still going to look like the smartest person in the world even though it was completely by accident. He was just better than everyone else that way, including the princess who he had just used for his own joy and now was ready to discard like trash just because of a nebulous order from an even more nebulous being that promiesd him nebulous rewards. He reared up, eyes blazing, violence in his heart.

"Aha!" he crowed, triumphant. "I have outsmarted thee, Princess, and I--"

Steve's voice melted into an unsettling squelch as several crossbow bolts pierced his skull, erupting with his useless brain on the other side. His steaming gray matter covered the forest floor, his pathetic body slumping to the dirt as his tainted blood drained from the open wounds in his head. His eyes stared skyward, milky and full of terror, perhaps he realized just before the life left his body that he had truly messed with the wrong princess. Grenade had friends, powerful ones.

"Princess, it is I, the Lady Maybelle." the high-level holy knight stepped from the shadows, her armor gleaming in the moonlight. "I came to find you because I need to talk to you about something.... important. I saw that you were having a bit of fun with a werewolf, so I was just gonna hang around until you finished. But... That man meant to kill you, so I killed him first."

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-17-2016 23:15:26 PST Subject: Re: Princess Grenade and the Lusty Werewolf

((OOC: HOLY SHIT!!!!!! That's a LOT!!! Lemme address some things. 1) I was not "up until" 3am, I happened to wake up to go to the bathroom and saw that you had replied. I got excited and dashed out my reply, I promise I won't do that again in the future. 2)This is literally the hottest thing you have written to date and I hope you're proud of yourself. 3)Unrelated, are you still seeing that therapist your dad set you up with? Just wondering how that's going. 4)I think this reply can count as the endcap on the scene. I'll compile this and send it to Candy so she can put that Bacom Wamboo tablet to WORK!!! 5)If you wanna go ahead and start a new e-mail thread, cool!! Or if you want me to do it just let me know, either way!!))

"HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!" Princess Grenade screamed, wiping dumb man viscera off of her face as she sat up, naked and satisfied. "Wow! Good thing you always have my back, Lady Maybelle! Sounds like you need ME to have yours! What's up??"

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-19-2016 19:16:01 PST Subject: Hey...

Hey, Pacifica

It's Mabel Pines.

Just wondering how you're doing lately, and I'd like to remind you that you owe me a favor.

XoXo Mabel - To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-19-2016 19:58:21 PST Subject: Re: Hey...

Wow. Really?

-PNW

Sent from my Fruitphone

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-19-2016 20:05:14 PST Subject: Re: Hey...

Yes, really!!

XoXo Mabel

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-19-2016 20:14:38 PST Subject: Re: Hey...

I'm fine, thanks. A year from now I'll be settling in at the Ivy Junket school of my choice, and if I manage to get all A's daddy said he'll let me choose a species to knock off the critically endangered list. I'm thinking bonobos, I hate their noses.

What do YOU want from me? Other than my money and attention?

-PNW

Sent from my Fruitphone

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-19-2016 20:19:32 PST Subject: Re: Hey...

Bonobos! Sounds ... great!

Have you seen my brother at all lately? If not, can you try and get a look at him?

XoXo Mabel

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-19-2016 20:26:38 PST Subject: Re: Hey

No.

Why?

-PNW

Sent from my Fruitphone

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-19-2016 20:30:31 PST Subject: Re: Hey...

I just ... want you to check for anything weird!!

XoXo Mabel

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-19-2016 20:38:21 PST Subject: Re: Hey

A 17-year-old boy cloistered away in the woods with an eccentric old man that never leaves the house? Nothing weird there. Sounds perfectly normal, actually, especially for you Pines freaks.

You're going to have to be more specific.

-PNW

Sent from my Fruitphone

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-19-2016 20:43:59 PST Subject: Re: Hey...

I really can't be more specific at the moment. He writes to me, but some of the things he's been putting in his letters lately have me pretty worried. I just want to get some eyes on him to make sure he's okay. If you manage to run into him in town, could you try and snap a picture and send it to me? Also: Have you heard any weird whispering from the woods? Seen anything unusual? I mean, unusual for Gravity Falls.

XoXo Mabel

- To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-19-2016 20:50:19 PST Subject: Re: Hey I can TRY and get a picture of him??? We don't exactly make a habit of crossing paths, but sometimes I see him out driving. IF I manage to see him I will ATTEMPT to take a picture, but I'm not going out of my way to get it done.

No, no whispers or anything. At least not that I've noticed. I don't tend to make a habit of going near the woods. Don't like the scene, you know? The town seems a bit dour lately, if that counts for anything. Just an icky sort of ... yuck, that's all over the place. Really harshing the homecoming vibes this year. BTW, can you please tell Grenda that if she submits 'Lycan Lovers' as her idea for prom theme one more time that I'm going to have her drawn and quartered? She won't take my calls, for some reason.

-PNW

Sent from my Fruitphone.

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-19-2016 20:52:31 PST Subject: Re: Hey...

Thank you!!!!

And yeah. I'll tell her.

XoXo Mabel

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-21-2016 16:48:54 PST Subject: questionnnnnn ♡⸜(˃ ᵕ ˂ )

what color is the werewolf steven's fur??? you never say in the text. i want to make him green, if it is up to me. (๑>؂•̀๑)

btw btw

this one was SO good. you and grenda are so talented. (๑>◡<๑)

-can

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-21-2016 22:01:28 Subject: Re: questionnnnnn ♡⸜(˃ ᵕ ˂ )

Omg I think green would be amazing, actually. Go with that!

Thanks for the compliment, I've been putting a lot into my writing lately. It's pretty much the only outlet I have, lol.

BTW, have you seen Dipper around town at all?

XoXo Mabel

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-22-2016 16:30:21 PST Subject: Re: questionnnnnn ♡⸜(˃ ᵕ ˂ )

green it is!!! hehehehehehe

i did not see him recently, no. i did see him over the summer. i made a sketch of what that looked like. (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)

-can

File Attachment: dippernopiku.png

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-23-2016 17:22:08 PST Subject: Re: questionnnnnn ♡⸜(˃ ᵕ ˂ )

I've seen him since the summer, so this isn't really helpful. It's also unhelpful for other reasons.

Can.

Can?

IS THAT AN ORE NO PIKU SCREENCAP REDRAW???

XoXo Mabel

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-24-2016 16:10:13 PST Subject: Re: questionnnnnn ♡⸜(˃ ᵕ ˂ )

ohohohohohohoho miss mabel (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶), i don't know what you mean? (*ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)ꕤ*.ﾟ

how do you know what that is? Don’t you try and goody proctor me! (¬`‸´¬)

-can

File Attachment: dippernopiku-lines.png

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-24-2016 22:51:08 PST Subject: Re: questionnnnnn ♡⸜(˃ ᵕ ˂ )

Firstly, never mind. Secondly, I'm begging you not to send me the colored version if you do it. Thirdly, how's that werewolf coming along?

...Also, if you see Dipper in town, try and get a close look at him? I'm not sure he's okay. I'm getting worried about him.

XoXo Mabel

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-25-2016 18:52:49 PST Subject: Re: questionnnnnn ♡⸜(˃ ᵕ ˂ )

will do! i will be looking for him harder than usual. ദ്ദി ˉ͈̀꒳ˉ͈́ )✧

and here is the latest version of the illustration. ( > 〰 < )♡

-can

File Attachment: werewolfstevenandprincessgrenade.png

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-27-2016 17:01:13 PST Subject: As you asked...

So, I was trying to take some selfies for Gramsta by the 24-7-365, when guess who I spotted in the parking lot?

Sorry for the filter; I wanted to get the picture as quickly as possible and did NOT want to be like ... obvious about it. I tried to send it in the parking lot but I couldn't get it to go through, so I did it as soon as I got to my home wi-fi.

IMO he's looking a little stressed out. I remember him looking that way most of the time? But it's particularly noticeable; like he's having a reeeeally bad day. The bags under his eyes say he's not sleeping great, either.

That means he's fine, right?

-PNW

Sent from my Fruitphone File Attachment: 09-27-2016-161011.png

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-27-2016 17:45:20 PST Subject: Re: As you asked...

I don't really think so. Thank you for doing this for me.

XoXo Mabel

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-27-2016 18:10:38 PST Subject: Re: As you asked...

It wasn't any trouble, really.

What do you think is wrong with him?

-PNW

Sent from my Fruitphone

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-27-2016 18:17:22 PST Subject: Re: As you asked...

I don't know.

XoXo Mabel

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-27-2016 18:25:38 PST Subject: Re: As you asked...

Are you like, gonna try and find out?

-PNW

Sent from my Fruitphone

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-27-2016 18:28:22 PST Subject: Re: As you asked...

I don't know!

XoXo Mabel

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-27-2016 18:36:03 PST Subject: Re: As you asked...

Well, if you figure anything out, maybe let me know. Or don't, do whatever you want.

-PNW

Sent from my Fruitphone -

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-27-2016 18:38:49 PST Subject: Re: As you asked...

I will.

XoXo Mabel

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-28-2016 22:55:31 PST Subject: What's Up With Lady Maybelle

((OOC: Candy sent me the updated art and MAN!!! She really knows how to capture the moment. You hadn't sent a new start post so I'm taking initiative. Princess Grenade doesn't want to leave her most treasured friend hanging!!!!))

Princess Grenade walked arm and arm with the Lady Maybelle through the woods. When they were together, nothing could harm them. Their friendship was stronger than any bond, could endure any test, and was the safest place for any and all secrets. The envy of everyone in the land, the equal of none.

"So what's up, Lady Maybelle?" Grenade asked, "You seem really upset. Is everything alright? Obviously not, so, tell me what's not right! Let's make it right!"

To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: 09-30-2016 02:13:21 PST Subject: Re: What's Up With Lady Maybelle ((OOC: I had almost forgotten, thank you for sending this starter!!))

Lady Maybelle was quiet for a long time, focusing on the sound that her and the princess' footsteps made on the leaves of the forest floor. There was so much to say, where did she even begin?

"It's really complicated." she finally breathed, "...But it concerns Sir Ursa. I don't see him very much since he opted to stay and train with that shady wizard, and the letters he's been sending me lately have been keeping me up at night. The thing is, there's nothing overtly ... wrong ... with the letters, they're just ... not right. He's not right, and I don't know what to do. I'm worried that something terrible is happening to him, and I'm powerless to stop it."

- TBC in Obsequium Part II!!

#obsequium #pinecest #stancest #billford #dipford #grabbity balls #proship #illustrated

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minijenn · 3 months ago

Text

Sorry

To think it was finally over.

Weirdmageddon was stopped.

Homeworld was forced to retreat back to the vastness of space.

And now, it won’t be long until Dipper and Mabel will leave Gravity Falls now that the summer was close to being over. Before that, Dipper had one important matter to settle.

The boy went down to the hidden bunker underneath the tourist trap of a shack that he’s called home these past months. According to Stan, Ford was packing a lot of research material up, it looked as if he’s planning for an important trip.

A trip that would require help like an apprentice…..which was what he wanted to talk to his great uncle about.

“Uh, hey, Great Uncle Ford?”

Ford ceased his reading, noticing his young nephew’s presence. “Ah, Dipper! Is something wrong? I assumed you and Mabel were preparing for your party.”

Dipper chuckled. “Trust me, Mabe’s done enough preparing to let me take a break. It’s just, I-I needed to talk to you about something.” He rubbed his arm nervously. “See, I know that I said that I was willing to stay here and become your apprentice….but during the whole near end of the world and a breakthrough with my sister….I-I’ve decided that I’m going back home to Piedmont…..” He revealed.

He’s been meaning to tell his idol about him reconsidering the apprenticeship offer, he only waited until now because of fear of the disappointment that he imagined would show on Ford’s features.

“Listen, I-I know it’s the chance of a lifetime a-and it’s not as if I don’t think it’d be an honor anymore, it’s just-! Well, me and Mabel separating is kinda what caused the whole apocalypse in the first place, so why ruin a good thing, am I right? Plus, now that I think about it, it’d be a bit of a hassle explaining it all to my parents which is a whole other can of worms, trust me. I’d get it if you’re disappointed, but I-I just can’t abandon her! I’m-I’m sorry-!”

“Dipper!” Ford stopped his nephew’s rantings, kneeling down and grabbing his shoulders. “It’s okay. I’m not mad.”

“Y-You’re not? Wait, is this a test?”

Ford somberly smiled.

It’s no surprise the lad was stumped.

After all, the six-fingered paranormal lover was so gung-ho about the apprenticeship.

So adamant to convince him to abandon his entire life in California.

“My boy, you’re not the only one who’s made an epiphany in the wake of Weirdmageddon.” The author gently explained. “For so long, I’ve lived under the belief that the only one I could ever truly trust was myself. I was so focused on the failings and mistakes of others, I neglected to see my own. I thought all it took was just me and me alone to fix everything. Instead, it took you, your sister, young Steven, the gems, and even the rest of the town. My own arrogance paled in the power you all displayed against Bill and the Homeworld forces…..so if anything, I should apologize for trying to force my own beliefs onto you. Honestly, I should also work on a proper apology to Mabel. I didn’t even consider her feelings.”

“I-I-This did not go at all how I expected.”

Laughing, Ford ruffled his hair. “Run on, now, soon-to-be birthday boy. And if you’re willing to listen to the words of this old coot, enjoy your life.”

Smiling, Dipper went off to the elevator.

Ford sighed, then noticed the picture of the twins that Stan placed during the kids’ stay.

“Trying to break up a team like that.” Ford shook his head. “Maybe it’s about time I rebuilt an old one….” He took out a photo of him and Stan as children with the old Stan-o-War.

---

Oooh good job with this! I could easily see this happening following UF Weirdmageddon ^_^

#submission #not mine #uf fan fics #fan works

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fictionkinfessions · 3 months ago

Note

( Please post 8/31 if you can )

Happy birthday kiddos !! Ya didn't hear this from me but,, Sixer n' I miss you tons. Come back soon, y'hear me?

Love you, Dipper, Mabel

— Grunkle Stan

( Stanley Pines )

#fictionkinfessions #fictionkin #stanleypineskin #gravityfallskin #dipperpineskin #mabelpineskin #happy birthday!#mod party cat

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the-orion-scribe · 2 years ago

Text

In Defence of Escape from Reality

Reddit version

Not long ago, there was a discussion thread on the r/GravityFalls subreddit on which is the “worst episode” of Gravity Falls. Now, to put my two cents on this question, personally, I have no strong hatred for any of the episodes, including Roadside Attraction – the fandom’s most riled episode like how Fly is very lowly-regarded in Breaking Bad. For me, Roadside Attraction lowers the stakes and brings us outside of Gravity Falls for a while before what is to come. My favourite part of that episode is Dipper trying to be more confident of himself, even if I agree perhaps the flirting subplot is rather unnecessary. Still, it's a nice break from all the rather momentous episodes, and improves the relationship between Stan and Dipper.

I would actually argue that the preceding episode The Last Mabelcorn is actually the episode that’s out of place, given it was intended to be a space for a low-stakes Wendy-centric story the writers never managed to crack. But that would be another discussion for another time.

I’m deeply amused, nevertheless, when Escape from Reality is mentioned as the worst. Now, before my rewatch, I only had a ‘meh’ impression of that episode. But after rewatching the episode to verify those claims, I now have a newfound appreciation for the episode. In fact, I will personally rate it above its preceding episode – Weirdmageddon 1: Xpcveaoqfoxso.

There are some ‘problems’ the critic of the episode has highlighted, notably how the episode “cuts entirely the rythm [sic] and the tension and rythm [sic] of the entire finale” and shows “the lack of character of development of Mabel Pines” who is “NEVER held accountable for anything she did during Weirdmaggedon”. To check through these claims, I decided to rewatch the Weirdmageddon arc – from Dipper and Mabel vs the Future to the finale, before forming my own conclusion. And I say, the rewatches gave me deeper insights which I think plenty of us overlooked.

Let’s start with Dipper and Mabel vs the Future. I must watch from here, otherwise, the rest of it wouldn’t make much sense given Gravity Falls is a continuity-based cartoon.

It's a fantastic penultimate episode from start to end (I call it penultimate before WMG). Goofy at the start like many of the Gravity Falls episodes, and we explore both the siblings’ arcs. One with Dipper and Ford to find the adhesive to seal the rift in the UFO, and Mabel trying to prepare for their 13th birthday party at the end of the summer.

Mabel's subplot really hits the feels. I still recall how it hits me when a holiday is ending. And while the episode starts off with optimism, Mabel soon realises the harsh realities of growing up. And she also realises her summer friends (Grenda and Candy) won't be with her to celebrate their birthday and see them off. This gradually crushes and peels off the positive ideal Mabel holds, and thus she realises that the future after the summer is not what she wishes to face.

Stan comes in, and offers encouragement that Dipper would be by her side. And that scene, likely overlooked by many, hits hard too, especially when he said “not everyone can say that”, referring to his falling out with his twin Ford (and even Stan realising he would be out of the Shack soon, even if he hasn’t said that aloud). And then when she heard Dipper's willingness to take Ford's apprenticeship, that one hope she held was gone and broke the straw on the camel’s back.

So why am I reviewing all of these? We need this context to understand what happens after. There are claims, especially from Mabel’s critics, that Mabel knew about the nature of the rift and just willingly handed it over. However, from the episode, Mabel only has a vague idea that whatever Dipper and Ford plan to do is to “save the world or whatever”. And Ford keeps the rift when Mabel comes in to check on her brother. So she's unlikely to link that to whatever Ford and Dipper were planning to do to save the world. In fact, neither told her about the rift, even in the previous episodes. Ford even stated in Journal 3 that it’s something he must keep a secret.

At the end of the episode, Mabel is in her most vulnerable emotional state – the world is falling apart around her, especially the prospect she has to face the hard future alone. And she fears that history will repeat itself, her deep-seated fear, established since A Tale of Two Stans, that she and Dipper would grow apart quickly and become hostile like the Stans. The twins have been each other’s source of strength, and they still have more time to mature and grow together. It is unimaginable for her, just at the age of 12, to be separated from her twin for a long time.

And the Bill-possessed Blendin arrives. I also note critics saying she should have known better and not trusted him given “he tried to kill her and her brother not long ago”. Let me reiterate that, since the end of Blendin’s Game, the twins and Blendin are on better terms, given the twins decide to exercise mercy on him and let him go. Anyway, even then, she does not know that it’s Bill Cipher she’s talking to, and in that extremely vulnerable emotional state, she’s in no position to think anywhere close to rationally. Blendin offers her a tantalising offer that seems to address her problems.

We need to relook this scene from Mabel’s perspective. Bill only shows her in a holograph the object Mabel has to pass over to him and dismisses its significance as “a little gizmo (that) he (Ford) won't even know it's missing." So in short, no, she doesn't know what she’s handing over and what she’s in for. Bill is exploiting her emotional weaknesses to get the rift. Swayed by Bill’s persuasion, Mabel thinks the rift is some ‘small gadget’ that will somehow grant her ‘a little more summer’, not a permanent loop without end. And she also thought he was Blendin, someone whom she thinks she could trust, and with the goggles, it’s hard to tell Blendin was being possessed.

The last we know about Mabel is that she got knocked out when it all started. So that brings me on to Escape from Reality.

But let me also do a quick review of WMG1. It’s not bad, though rather slow. It sets the stakes well, but takes some substantial time just for Dipper to figure out what he must do. But it’s indeed distressing for him, who just lost his mentor and the three journals and he is unable to figure out what he should do. A major plus for this episode, nevertheless, is Wendy being more involved and being his guide (wendip fans rejoice) and we also get to see Gideon’s transformation for the better to turn against Bill.

Escape from Reality is wonderful. In fact, this episode is an important turning point – a friend even commented this is “the emotional and thematic climax of the series”. I agree it might be a little jarring in tone, since we were “shoved” into a “sugarcoat land”. But I welcome variety, and actually if you realise, Mabeland is a juxtaposition of the dark and surrealistic nature of Bill's world with Mabel’s worldview. It’s not as clear compared to the previous episode, but you still get peeks of Bill’s touches of what seemed to be an ideal fantasy world. Mabeland’s lack of rules sounds exactly like Bill's "join me" sales pitch to Ford in the subsequent episode. As he claimed: "I'LL REMAKE A FUN WORLD, A BETTER WORLD! NO MORE RESTRICTIONS, NO MORE LAWS!"

I agree with Bill that he has created “the most diabolical trap” he's ever created. It’s a gilded cage, designed to fulfil Mabel’s wants and desires. As it is a prison, the ultimate purpose of everything in Mabeland is to prevent Mabel from leaving by keeping her trapped inside what is essentially a waking dream. Really, Mabeland was just a massive, literalized Sweater Town. Bill believes the bubble to be inescapable because he knows that he would not be able to escape it, and because these “mortal meatsacks” are so inferior, there's no way they could be capable of something he isn't.

Let me also address some pieces of criticism, that Mabel “admits she knows she is in a fake world, she sees what's going on in Gravity Falls multiple times but doesn't even react or show concern”, and instead, she throws all of Dipper's unconditional love and support for her back in his face by not just creating Dippy Fresh, but also sending him to a trial where he will get kicked out into the apocalypse if he doesn't convince her to come out by giving up the apprenticeship. She shows absolutely no remorse over anything she did and very less admits it, and acts as if she had nothing to do with it.”

First off, there's nothing in the episode that shows Mabel is fully aware of what's happening outside. Remember, I said Mabel was knocked out when it all started. She said to Dipper: “But then I woke up in a place that gives me exactly what I wanted: an endless summer where we'll never have to grow up!” And it seems, as Dipper suspected, that Mabel was entranced and hypnotised by all the magic, almost completely caught up in the delusion. She’s not at all aware of what’s happening outside, and Dipper hasn’t so far told Mabel what’s going on.

Bill exploited Mabel's deep-seated insecurities and crafted the fantasy in such a way so that Mabel would remain trapped in her fantasy forever. Indeed, the prison is pretty diabolical and insane like Bill himself, and Bill even said it would take “a will of titanium” to break out. The depiction of Mabeland really expresses the depth of Mabel's almost pathological fear and denial, showing a very underlooked side of Mabel that really paints a terrifying picture of how broken deep down she was. It's easy to brush off the surface of the world as Mabel's selfish denial for growing up and wanting to keep things as they are, but it also can be looked at someone who is wanting to be seen and fit in, in a world that is continuing to no longer care for her way of life.

I admit Mabel's biggest personality deficiencies are her lack of will and self-awareness. When Mabel woke up in the bubble, she would have still been in the same mindset she had at the end of Dipper and Mabel vs. the Future – that her brother was leaving her forever. Mabel's mental state in that episode and leading up to it really paints that picture; a child who's losing grip and control of the reality she was so accustomed to, and without anyone there willing to take the time to stop and listen and help guide her, finally snapped.

Mabeland was her last attempt to maintain the reality she was so used to, to try and let go of the impending reality of truth. An unhealthy way of dealing with it, but the product of the mental state Mabel had fallen into. What Mabel wanted more than anything in the world at that moment was for her brother to be there and comfort her, just as he always has been up to this point. So, that's what Mabeland tried to give her – Dippy Fresh, the fandom’s most hated character. But he turned out to be a twisted fun-house-mirror reflection that's more like a male version of Mabel herself than it is like the real Dipper. I’m sure that Mabel knew this was not her real brother, but it's the closest she was going to get to him during that time of deep emotional vulnerability.

There's also two top Mabel-moments here. Actually three. I think this is actually one of the greatest episodes centering on Mabel. First, Mabel, in her good nature, actually offered to share the fantasy with Dipper and the rest when they first arrived, when she’s not yet aware of the darker side of her world. Second, when Dipper is about to be banished for mentioning the real world, Mabel doesn't want to throw him out right away and is willing to listen to what her brother has to say through the trial.

Dipper: Are you really gonna let them banish me?!

Mabel: No! Of course not; that’s my brother, guys! There’s gotta be another way.

So no, sending him to a trial is not for him to be kicked out into the apocalypse, but offers Dipper a chance to plead his case.

Sure, the court is rigged. But remember this whole thing is crafted by Bill, and Mabel holds an illusion she has control over their world. Mabeland tries to throw out Dipper’s case, but Dipper then shows her there's a better way to get through it than denial, and that's with help from people who care about her. While Mabel raised two past examples of them being bullied, Dipper also shows how the two stayed together thick and thin throughout their childhood. These memories showed that they both work together to better themselves, which, again, furthers the fact that they are co-dependent. “It's how we've gotten through our whole lives.”

The courtroom scene played out extremely well, incorporating a ton of symbolism in regards to the duo's respective individual thoughts. It's touching to see Dipper reminisce about the past with Mabel only to convince her that the future may not be as grim as she perceives it – a precedent laid out by most of the Mabel-centric episodes that forward this very scene. Dipper, her own brother, has always been the only person who could ground Mabel in reality and pull her out of Mabeland, for better or worse. Mabel, on the other hand, knows how to get her brother to take himself less seriously and chill out a little bit by acting intentionally dumb and goofy. The “yin and yang” Wendy mused to Dipper back in WMG1.

Seeing Dipper's love for his sister brings her back from the abyss is really heartwarming. Their sibling bond wins over, and Mabel accepts to return to reality out of her own will. If Mabel is that selfish as what some haters claim, she would have rejected leaving no matter what Dipper tells her. Mabel isn’t a rational thinker, and Dipper must be the one to lay out his case that convinces her. Dipper is the only one who can get through her and understand and address her insecurities. I find it unrealistic and out of character to expect Mabel to just snap out of it herself. I know Mabel is flawed. But the most important thing is, she still chose to go back to the real world with Dipper.

I like to think that what in the end made Mabel wanna face reality was not Dipper saying he'd go back home with her, but hearing him say he understood her fear; admitting he too was scared of growing up. Perhaps hearing her own brother admit that was what she needed to hear; that she was not alone in her fear and that Dipper understood it too.

I'm not sure if it's an intended parallel, but the bond between twins (later Stan and Ford) is what eventually leads to Bill's demise. Like how the cementation of the twins’ bond (sincere sibling hug) eventually ended the fantasy. (In fact, tbh I’m going crazy over this part – it’s a neat development from ‘awkward sibling hug’ from the first episode).

“Aw, man, I never noticed how bright this place is, ugh! Have I actually been listening to the same song for an entire week?”

It was when the spell breaks that Mabel fully snaps out of her trance and has further clarity of what’s going on. As the whole thing unravels as a nightmare, Mabel actually helps them out by summoning giant Waddles and they break out.

And after they emerge into the real world, it is Mabel's first proper look into what's actually happening, and horror sets in.

It’s also of note that as they emerge from the bubble, Mabel says to Dipper that she wouldn’t “get into her brother’s way” if he chooses to take Ford’s apprenticeship. Nevertheless, Dipper decides to stick with his sister when he recognises the cost if he were to take it up.

Actually, Dipper was already hesitant about the offer at the start in the UFO. After that, given the adrenaline of rescuing his Grunkle and overcoming another obstacle (facing without fear), to him it seemed like a rational decision that he can step up to be Ford's assistant, albeit shortsighted. He was riding the high of rescuing Ford and didn't think about how this would hurt Mabel, Grunkle Stan and his parents. And when Mabel ran away and he joined Ford, Dipper also had second thoughts about the decision and started to think with his heart.

I don’t think it’s realistic at all that Dipper should really take up the apprenticeship since he realises the serious implications if he takes it up. The turning point for Dipper's character arc is the realisation that he needs his sister in his life, too. The fact that he attained Ford's approval and consequently the right to be his apprentice himself is undeniable, though in terms of being a human being, that's where he needs her. I personally believe that Dipper would have fully changed his mind right then and there even if things were to go as planned.

Even at this point, I don't know why anyone expects Mabel to take responsibility for causing WMG there and then. I think her being imprisoned in her own bubble is already a sufficient consequence of what she has done. Plus, neither Dipper nor Ford has not blamed Mabel at all since he thought the rift might just accidentally broke. Neither witness what Mabel has done, or even aware what Mabel actually did. As far as they knew the rift must have broken accidentally “The rift must have cracked inside her backpack.”

At this point, it's not a time to play the blame game, as their main focus is to take down Bill. I would think perhaps beyond WMG, and when the Pines discussed what happened, would only Mabel be able to piece together what has actually happened. Mabel’s recognition of what she has done would only be clear after the series.

I decided to wrap this review off with my view on WMG3 and I say… This hits really quite hard. Even for an hour-long, it goes through a roller-coaster of emotions. Excitement, anticipation, dread, sadness and also nostalgia at the end.

Despite their best efforts, the Pines' lives were again on a thread, and Stan's sacrifice really packed a punch. I was also relooking to note the swap between Stan and Ford. What's also rather emotional is Stan and Ford discussing how their siblinghood had deteriorated, and how and why their grandnephews are still able to work together. From all of these riveting experiences of the summer, they've both grown tremendously, so much so as we, the audience, to have absolute certainty that they'll not turn out like the older duo. I note Mabel still plays her role in her story, rallying and encouraging the people to stand up to Bill, and also her grappling hook skills to help the groups navigate the Fearamid.

I still support the decision for Stan to recover enough to be able to send off the kids at the end of the summer. The goodbyes at the end are really deeply emotional. The finale really wraps up the show in a tiny neat bow, ending many of the characters' arcs in the most satisfying way. Of course, it’s not exactly the end, since the twins still have a lot of growing up to do, but the story ended on a very high and promising note.

This is my entire review of the entire WMG arc from Dipper and Mabel vs the Future to the finale. It’s something that I’ve put off for a long time even though I know the episodes are fantastic. And I’m glad actually that post calls me to review this rather underrated episode.

I conclude that much criticism of Escape from Reality is rather baseless, overblown and overexaggerated and stems from the person’s own biasedness toward Mabel. Thanks to them, Escape from Reality has now become one of my favourite episodes of the show (I’m sorry, but Tourist Trapped and Weirdmageddon 3 still take the top spots). I can understand some of the animosity especially if you think the episode doesn’t fit the general tone of the arc. But when the episode is viewed as a whole now I think it plays great – and really is the culmination of Dipper and Mabel's siblinghood. The priority is settling the twins’ problems before the real shit goes down in WMG3. Also all the callbacks, big and little, are great.

If you haven’t rewatched the entire WMG arc, I suggest doing it and judging for yourselves. I understand everyone has their own preferences and opinion when it comes to characters in media, but hate or harm towards a fictional character, or anyone else, is never acceptable. It is important to remember that fictional characters are not real people and should not be the subject of hate or harassment.

Drops microphone and leaves

#gravity falls #essay #personal essay #mabel pines #dipper pines #escape from reality #weirdmageddon #pines twins #gravity falls essay

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gravityskittles · 11 days ago

Text

Chapter 7: The Hands of Time are Fickle Things

Stan fidgeted nervously with the straps on his backpack. He didn’t like airports. He hadn’t been in one since his ill-fated trip to London back in the seventies. Even back then the amount of security had made him anxious. Now it made him feel a little bit like he was drowning.

A quick glance down at his watch told him it was just past two in the morning. Their flight out of Anchorage would be leaving in around an hour and they were waiting at the gate for the plane to arrive. Well, Stan was waiting. Ford had left a while ago to look for some coffee, leaving him alone with their bags.

Every five minutes some form of airport security would wander by, and every single time Stan felt like they were a moment away from grabbing him and hauling him off to some interrogation room somewhere and–No. That wasn’t going to happen, he was fine. He knew that it was okay. Ford had gotten him off the no-fly list, and had double and triple checked their luggage before they left the boat to make sure there was absolutely no reason for them to be stopped by TSA. He’d even made Stan put his brass knuckles in their checked baggage just in case. Stan didn’t think that the sleepy little False Pass airport would have cared very much if he’d had them in his carry-on, but Ford had insisted it was better to be safe than sorry. In the end he’d agreed only somewhat begrudgingly.

Another security guard walked by, and Stan felt his whole body stiffen in response. Cursing under his breath he pulled out his sweater project from his backpack. He almost hadn’t brought it. Their first plane out of False Pass hadn’t left until midnight so they had spent a few hours cleaning up the Stan O’ War II. Mostly they were making sure she was weatherproofed for the potential of at least a couple of months at anchor.

Then, Ford had gone off into the marina to settle up their advanced mooring payment, while Stan packed for both of them. The knitting project had been one of the first things he pulled out, but just looking at it made him feel a wave of fear and grief for Mabel and Dipper. In the end though he shoved it in, telling himself that bringing it meant he believed everything was going to turn out okay. Bringing it along meant he was planning to give it to Mabel. A healthy, living Mabel who was going to make it to her seventeenth birthday.

Besides, at least it was something to do with his hands. He took a deep breath and began to work slowly, doing his best not to drop stitches as he went. By the time Ford appeared with a cup of coffee and a breakfast danish for him, he’d gotten lost in stitch counting and the tinny elevator music playing over the speakers in the concourse.

“Apologies, that took longer than I had anticipated.”

Stan jumped slightly, and then cursed himself silently as he saw Ford take a worried step back.

“No worries. You jus’ startled me is all. Forgot where we were for a moment.” He responded gruffly, shoving the knitting supplies back into his bag and taking the coffee from Ford’s hand. He glanced up at his brother and sighed as he saw genuine fear spark in Ford’s eyes. “I don’t mean actually forgot, Sixer. My memory’s fine today. I just got a bit caught up in stitching, the security was makin’ me nervous.”

“Oh.” Visibly relieved, Ford sank down into the chair opposite him, and pulled out their laptop from his bag. “We should be able to start boarding soon, I just want to see if we’ve gotten any word from Fiddleford.”

Stan shook his head, amused. Someday he really needed to teach his brother to hide his emotions better. He took a sip of his coffee and gave an appreciative hum, it was sweet and light, exactly how he liked it. Back when he was still regaining his memories, Ford had tried to trick him into believing he’d always liked black coffee. He was sure it had something to do with sugar being bad for him or whatever, but he had remembered on the first sip that he hated it. Instead of telling Ford though, he had started serving Ford coffee with increasing amounts of sugar in it. He told him that he remembered one of them liked it sweet, so if it wasn’t him, it must be Ford. The idiot had continued to drink it too, probably feeling guilty about either the mind wipe or the lying. Dipper had put a stop to it in the end, telling them both off like a disappointed parent, and Stan had gotten to go back to drinking his coffee with enough sugar in it to rival Mabeljuice.

He smiled to himself. He wasn’t quite ready to let himself believe that things were going to turn out okay. Up until four summers ago his life had been one long series of bad calls and traumatizing losses. He still wasn’t ready to accept that things were different now. But in the back of his mind, just far back enough that he was able to pretend it wasn’t there, the joy of imagining Dipper and Mabel living with them full time, glimmered.

Ford snapped the laptop shut and the happiness dissipated. Stan knew that to get that future the first thing they had to do was actually find their niblings. From Ford’s annoyed expression Stan assumed that there was still no word from Fiddleford. He glanced at his watch, ignoring the sick feeling as he noticed that the kids time was still stuck on midnight, he said, “Ford, it’s like four am their time. McGucket is probably asleep still.”

Ford sipped at his coffee sullenly. “Soos responded to you when you emailed him.”

“Yeah well, Soos doesn’t have deathbots to distract him in his spare time. Anyway, the kid still has a weird obsession with me. Probably has some sort of alarm hooked up to his computer that tells him when I email him.”

Soos had responded almost immediately to Stan’s email earlier in the night, asking him to pick them up from Portland when their flight got in. They had decided that, since they didn’t know where the kids were, their best bet was to go back to Gravity Falls for the time being and try to figure out next steps from there. Stan had advocated for flying straight to DC and knocking some sense into Mike and Martha, but Ford had talked him out of it, telling him it wouldn’t solve anything for the twins. It probably wouldn’t, but Stan still felt like it would make him feel better. Eh. He still had connections in the American underworld that probably didn’t hate him. Maybe he’d call in an old favor or two once they had the twins safely home.

“Perhaps Fiddleford doesn’t want to help.” Ford groaned. “I mean, I wouldn’t blame him. I did destroy his life, I have no real right to ask anything of him anymore.”

“Ford, stop. You being mean to yourself solves nothing. Also, aside from some of his problems being his own damn fault, he forgave you years ago. The man didn’t kit out our boat in the latest and greatest alien and McGucket labs tech ‘cause he hates ya.”

Ford blinked at him, owlishly. He looked exhausted, his hair stuck up at odd angles, and he had stubble growing in that he hadn’t had time to burn off before they left. His hands were shaking a bit, either out of anxiety or because this wasn’t his first cup of coffee since they had gotten here. Stan suspected it was likely the second option. With the addition of genuine shock on his face he looked a little bit insane.

“I hadn’t considered that.”

“You have,” Stan responded drily, “but you get a lot harder on yourself when you’re tired and have multiple cups of coffee back-to-back.”

Ford winced and set down his coffee guiltily. “I apologize. You’re correct. I know I’m being irrational but truly the coffee was just because I’d prefer not to sleep until we’re safely back in Gravity Falls.”

Stan frowned at him. “Why, Poindexter? Staying awake on a plane where we have no internet or way to contact the kids seems a bit silly.”

Ford fidgeted with his hands, pulling repeatedly at his extra finger, and distinctly not looking at Stan. Almost without meaning to, Stan started cataloging the actions. Learning peoples’ tells had become second nature to him on the road. In some ways it had been even more important in the years he spent running the Mystery Shack. Knowing enough about how people work means knowing exactly which buttons to push to get them to buy overpriced merchandise. Fidgeting meant anxiety, fidgeting with his fingers specifically meant embarrassment, and not looking at Stan could mean a couple things but, in this instance, probably meant whatever was bothering Ford had to do with him.

He sighed. “Spill, Ford. I know you’re anxious about something that has to do with me, but you’re embarrassed to tell me. Probably because you think I’ll tell you you’re bein’ silly or something.”

There was that surprised owl look again. Ford stopped fidgeting with his hands and picked up his coffee instead. “Look Stan, it’s just. You haven’t really been on a plane in years. I’m just worried it might cause memory resurgences, and we aren’t exactly equipped to deal with those in the air.”

“We’ve flown on a plane once today already.”

“It was a tiny plane and a relatively short flight. This flight will be packed and much longer. Also, you’ve been spacey since we got here. That type of derealization tends to occur prior to memory resurgences.”

He took a breath, probably about to continue his anxious ramble, but Stan cut him off. “Look Ford, I’m pretty sure I’ve only been on a plane a couple times in my life and I already remembered the London trip years ago.” Ford opened his mouth again, but Stan continued, talking over him, “More importantly, it doesn’t matter. We have to get on the plane and if I have another memory thingy, we’ll figure it out. Can’t be harder to figure out in the air than it was when we were fighting the Arctic Kraken that one time.”

Ford shuddered at the mention of it. Stan wasn’t too fond of the memory himself; he didn’t like having memory lapses in general, but it’s much worse to suddenly not know who you are or where you are while in the process of being picked up by a very violent squid. He knew he was right though, and after thinking about it for a minute Ford seemed to relax a bit.

“Okay, okay. That’s a fair point. Just let me know if you feel anything coming on, okay? I’m still worried about how out of it you’ve been today.”

The announcement for boarding crackled through the staticky concourse speakers and Stan stood, pulling his backpack on and offering a hand to Ford. “Don’t worry about me, everything’s gonna’ be just fine.”

…

Everything was not fine. Oh, his memory was fine. Absolutely no hiccups there. But Stan had decided he still really didn’t like heights. A ladder was probably fine, hell he’d probably even be fine standing on the water tower too. The first flight had been over water. A dark void that gave no real indication of how high they actually were. He had spent the first flight looking at constellations out the window and pretending they were in a car driving down the highway at night. The thrum of the engines was close enough to tires, and there hadn’t been any turbulence. Now though, they were flying over major cities. Even worse, the sun was starting to rise, making it increasingly clear just how far away from the ground they actually were.

He quickly slid the window shade shut, trying to block out the dizziness that was building in the back of his mind. He closed his eyes and leaned back, trying his best to re-convince himself that this was actually a car. He’d almost managed it too, when Ford suddenly grabbed his arm and hissed “He found them!”

Stan looked over blearily at his brother. Ford had been typing away on their laptop since the plane had reached cruising altitude, but he initially had ignored it. After all it wasn’t like they had an internet connection up here, so whatever Ford was doing was likely not that important. But oddly enough he seemed to have his email open.

“What are you talking about?”

“Fidds got back to us! He found a police report from Page County, Virginia!”

“Ford, there isn’t internet on airplanes.”

Ford waved his hand dismissively. “Things have changed since you were last on a plane, there is internet, you just have to pay for it. It’s a little slow but works well enough.”

Stan shrugged, pulling the laptop towards him, and started to read the email from McGucket, which had a copy of the report attached to it.

At 23:30 last night officers responded to a break-in alarm from the Luray Caverns entry gate. Upon arrival to the parking lot at 23:45 officers spotted two teenagers in a purple Toyota with vanity plate WADDLES. When the suspects saw officers approaching, they left the parking lot quickly and officers pursued to ascertain any potential connection to the break in alarm. The purple Toyota did not pull over or slow down for the pursuing patrol cars and proceeded to speed and drive recklessly, while fleeing the scene. At around 00:00 officers reported seeing a woman in the road, directly in front of the purple Toyota. The Toyota appeared to collide with the woman and then officers lost track of both the vehicle and the pedestrian. No wreckage or remains have been found at this time. Officers are on the lookout for the purple Toyota or any reported sighting of the teenagers or the woman involved in the disappearance.

There was more to the report, something about a picked lock on the entry to the caverns and damage to a national monument. But Stan couldn’t seem to get himself to process the rest of it. The words kept blurring out, and a strange ringing noise was beginning to fill his mind. Officers lost track of both the vehicle and the pedestrian. He shook his head trying to clear it, and tried to push the laptop back to Ford but his hands didn’t seem to be cooperating with him. A woman in the road.

Woman

The

Road

He felt the laptop fall to the floor, then everything went white.

…

Stan was driving. He wasn’t entirely sure what state he was in currently. He’d started driving in North Carolina but he wouldn’t be surprised if at this point he’d crossed into at least South Carolina if not Georgia. He normally tried to be more mindful of where he was, never wanting to accidentally end up in a place he wasn’t supposed to be, but all he had cared about today was putting as much distance between him and Jimmy as possible.

He absently rubbed at the bruise he could feel forming under his eye. He’d gotten enough of that shit from his father, he didn’t need to put up with from his, well, whatever Jimmy had been, he didn’t need to put up with it from him either. Of course Jimmy had thrown him out when he had said that ‘cause when had standing up for himself ever actually worked out well for Stan Pines. The second he stopped letting himself be everyone’s punching bag or doormat was the same moment when everyone decided they didn’t need him anymore. The worst part was he’d actually thought Jimmy cared, actually thought for a moment there that Jimmy might apologize, might try and make things right. Serves him right for believe people cared about him. That’s what happens when you get attached, he reminded himself angrily, that’s what happens when you pretend to be worth something to people.

The Stanleymobile hit the rumble strip on the roadside and Stan jerked the wheel back center, heart pounding. Fuck, he really needed to stop somewhere. He’d been driving for too long; he was starting to get lost in his head instead of focusing on the road. He knew from experience that meant he was getting dangerously close to falling asleep. He squinted into the dark searching for some sort of exit sign or rest area. All he really needed was a safe place to pull off, it wasn’t like he actually had the money to stay anywhere. His prize money from his most recent boxing match was back in the apartment with Jimmy and he knew he wouldn’t be getting that back.

He rubbed at his eye again. Damn, that bruise really hurt. He hoped Jimmy hadn’t fractured something, that wouldn’t be fun to deal with while it healed. Suddenly there was a shape in the darkness ahead of him and Stan reflexively slammed on the brakes. The car screeched to a halt just before colliding with a young woman standing by the edge of the road.

She looked like she couldn’t be any older than sixteen or seventeen. Her hair was dark and curly, with a couple of small braids at the front. Even though it was January she was wearing sandals and a short yellow sundress with a denim jacket covered in patches. She didn’t seem to have a bag with her or anything and as she looked up at him she stuck out her thumb like a hitcher and gave him a gap toothed grin that reminded him somewhat painfully of himself at her age.

While most parts of his mind were screaming that it was a trap, the rest of him felt an intense rage that someone had let a child wander around alone on a highway in the middle of the night. He could have killed her if he hadn’t been paying attention, and he damn well wasn’t going to let anyone else do the same. Anyway, he could use the company, it would stop him falling asleep.

He rolled down the window and unlocked the doors, “Where ya headed kid?”

“I’m just trying to get home. Can you help me?” She gave him another nervous smile and the part of Stan that was longing to ask, “What’s in it for me?” softened.

“Of course, kid. Hop in.” He cleared empty chip bags and cigarette cartons off the seat and surreptitiously shoved a half empty handle of vodka under his jacket in the back.

They started driving again and he glanced over at her, in the weak light from the occasional streetlamp she looked almost transparent at times, and she seemed to be shivering a bit despite her jacket. He fished around in the back seat for his red hoodie and handed it to her, hoping she wouldn’t mind the holes in it which he hadn’t had time to patch up yet. She shrugged it on happily and he was pleased to see that her shivering stopped fairly quickly. “What’s your name?” He asked quietly.

“Daisy. Daisy McAll.”

Stan paused for a moment rifling through his various aliases but something in her face stopped him and he sighed. “I’m Stanley Pines, it’s nice to meet ya. If you don’t mind my asking, what’s a kid like you doing all alone out here at night? It’s dangerous for you to be walking on the side of a highway in the dark, I almost hit you.”

She shrugged, “I know, but you didn’t, so it’s okay. I was at a party with some friends, and they were driving me back home, but they’d had a bit too much to drink.”

Stan nodded knowingly. “So, you told them you’d rather walk? Smart kid.”

She smiled a little sadly. “Yeah, something like that.”

They drove in silence for the next twenty minutes or so before she directed him down a series of small backroads near the town of Woodcliff Georgia. Stan knew something was wrong the moment they reached the house. There was a for sale sign in the front yard that was rusted and bent, and several windows in the old house were boarded up. Weeds choked the driveway and the yard was overgrown save for a spot under the large willow tree near the house which seemed to have a gravestone of some sort next to it and a bouquet of flowers on it, although they seemed old and dry.

“Are you sure this is the right house kiddo? It doesn’t seem like anyone has lived here in a while.”

Daisy stared at the house with an expression of such intense sadness and longing that Stan wanted to reach out and give her a hug. He didn’t because he didn’t want to invite a second punch to the face today, so instead he settled for gently patting her hand where it rested on the center console. It was freezing cold despite the fact that she was no longer shivering, but Stan didn’t pull his hand back.

“Is there somewhere else I can take you? You don’t have to tell me what’s really going on but I don’t feel comfortable leaving you here alone.”

She turned and smiled at him sadly. “Thank you, I know it doesn’t make much sense, but it helps to come here every so often.” She pulled her hand out of his and ran it through her hair, giving a tired little laugh. “What do you say I get you a meal? I know a great diner close to here.”

Hoping it wouldn’t be an abandoned diner, Stan followed her directions back out of the neighborhood to the highway. At some point there was a weird flash, almost like a car behind him had flashed its brights in his rearview mirror, but there was no car there. The diner appeared around the next turn and he pulled into the lot.

He and Daisy each got a burger, and she ordered him a chocolate milkshake as well. He hadn’t had chocolate in a long time, and it made him think of days spent on the boardwalk with Ford growing up. The memory hurt. He didn’t finish the milkshake.

He must have fallen asleep at the booth, dozing off in the warmth and low murmurs of conversation from around them. When he woke up, it was morning, and he was asleep in the front seat of the Stanleymobile. For a moment he thought he had dreamed it all, until he looked to his right and saw his hoodie folded neatly on the seat next to him. Sitting on top of it was a to-go box of fries and a single yellow daisy.

Later that day he drove back to the house Daisy had directed him to last night. In the light of day the gravestone was easily visible and, after spending a while in his car, waiting to make absolutely sure no one was currently living in the house, he walked up to the grave. It read:

Daisy McAll 1955-1972 Loved By All, Gone Too Soon.

Something tightened in his chest as he did the math. She’d only been seventeen, and she’d already been dead for three years. He placed the bouquet of daisies he’d purchased in town on the grave stone, clearing off the old one. The florist had laughed when he had asked about it, telling him every few months or so someone would come in asking for one and he had no idea what made them so popular. That had made Stan smile a bit, good for her, hustling people for flowers. She deserved it.

He stood there for a while, in silence. Then he turned and walked back to his car. He didn’t believe in God, hadn’t in a long time, but as he sat in the car before pulling away, he found himself giving a small prayer up to the universe that wherever she was, Daisy could eventually find peace. No one deserved to wander the roads for their entire life – or afterlife as it may be. He headed back out for the highway, and then his vision dissolved into darkness and lots of overlapping voices.

…

Stan was back on the plane again, with an absolutely splitting headache. It was most certainly not being helped by Ford and what he assumed was a stewardess and several passengers having a loud argument next to him. He groaned and slowly uncurled himself from the position he had collapsed into, half on the floor and half in his seat. His bones really weren’t made for airplanes, he decided.

“Can everyone please stop yellin’?”

He hated how fast a hush fell around them. He wanted nothing more than to go lie down for a while and process this information, preferably alone in the dark on a bed. But given that that was impossible, at the very least he wanted to not be made a public spectacle.

Ford gently placed a hand on his shoulder, rubbing small circles into the portal scar with his thumb. “Are you okay, Stan?”

A slightly hysterical passenger standing in the aisle gasped out, “Of course he’s not okay, he just had a seizure!”

Stan cast a glance over at Ford who gave a shrug, he was letting Stan take the lead on this one apparently.

“‘M fine.” He cleared his throat and sat up straight. “I’m fine,” he said again, turning on the Mr. Mystery charm and rifling through his head for a suitable story. “I haven’t had a seizure in a while, so it was just unexpected is all. Normally I have a service dog with me, but due to a family emergency we had to fly out on short notice and weren’t able to bring him with us.” He glanced around at the pitying worried faces, and brightened the confident smile on his face, time to reel ‘em in. “I appreciate your concern, but I truly am fine now. My brother has plenty of experience with my condition and it's extremely unlikely I'll have any other issues on the flight.”

Nodding to themselves most of the passengers dispersed. Ford pulled the flight attendant back to ask for water and some aspirin, promising to call her right away if anything else occurred, then turned back to Stan.

“Shows over.” Stan grumbled, massaging his temples with his hands. “Fuck, that hasn’t happened in a while.”

“I told you I was worried about this, Stanley.”

Stan stiffened for a moment, but Ford didn’t sound annoyed or upset with him, and his hand stayed reassuringly warm on Stan’s shoulder. He just sounded worried.

“Well.” Stan looked over at him with a half-smile, “It had nothin’ to do with the plane, so you were at least half wrong. Anyway, it wasn’t a bad memory exactly. More just kind of sad. You’ll probably find it fascinating though.”

“Stan!” Ford sounded reproachful. “I don’t think your sad memories are fascinating! Just because I write them down—”

“Didn’t say you did, Sixer. Now be quiet until the aspirin kicks in. I promise I’ll explain everything once this damn headache goes away a bit.”

He leaned back in his seat and shut his eyes, determined not to look at Ford. It hadn’t been a bad memory. In fact he was pretty sure he’d forgotten that memory long before he’d, well, lost them. That was another part of his memory loss he hated. Some things he’d lost on purpose, long before the memory gun, and at least most of his other bad memories were dulled by distance and time. But regaining them was like living them over again. It felt real in every possible way. Sometimes it was very difficult for him to actually remember that they were just memories, that the here and now wasn’t just a dream he’d cooked up for himself on the run, or in prison. In the end Ford or the kids always pulled him back out of his head and set him right again, but sometimes the lingering wrongness of it all could last for days. After all, this had been his dream for so many years that he’d given up on it ever being a possibility. He couldn’t be blamed for having trouble believing it was actually real.

He was a little surprised he’d forgotten that particular memory though. He’d forgotten a lot of stuff to do with Jimmy on purpose, and the weeks he’d spent on the road after leaving for the final time were still lost to the memory gun. He could feel the holes in the story, burned like long scars into the timeline he had been piecing back together for almost four years now. He truthfully would be happy for them to stay lost, but he could feel them drifting around just out of reach, brought back to the surface by the memory of Daisy McAll. They’d probably start trickling back in bits and pieces over the next week if previous experience was anything to go by. No, he wasn’t surprised he hadn’t remembered leaving Jimmy’s place, what shocked him was forgetting the first truly weird encounter he’d had on the road.

He knew there had been others after that, he remembered not being surprised the first time he chased a gnome out of Ford’s trash cans a few days after the portal incident. So, he knew that he’d brushed up against weirdness enough times to know there was more out there than the occasional ghost and the Jersey Devil. He just couldn’t seem to find any of the memories at the moment, and without anything more to go on than a gut feeling of weirdness, he knew he was unlikely to get them back anytime soon.

The headache faded as they began their descent into Portland. Stan kept his eyes resolutely shut however, until they finally touched down on the tarmac and rolled to a stop at the gate. The headache may have faded but the nausea at the idea of falling out of the sky certainly hadn’t, so he didn’t actually begin to explain things to Ford until they reached a small café near the baggage claim.

Soos had texted letting them know he was around a half hour away due to traffic and the plane landing a bit earlier than expected. Ford had collected their suitcases from the baggage claim, and there was a steaming mug of hot chocolate sat in front of both of them. He supposed he couldn’t really put it off any longer.

He retold the story as accurately as he could. He left out the parts about Jimmy, not that he really thought Ford would care, but he didn’t want to give Ford something else to try and blame himself for today. As if Stan’s poor taste in men or women had ever been anything but his own fault. Everything else he was honest about though, including leaving the daisies on the grave, which made Ford smile at him and mutter something that sounded suspiciously like “softie” into his hot chocolate.

When he finished Ford didn’t say anything but pulled out their laptop and typed away for a moment before turning the screen towards Stan. It was a photocopy of a newspaper clipping on some archive website. The photocopy was grainy, but the headline was still readable. Drunk Teenage Driver Collides With Guardrail, Killing Himself and All Four Passengers. The date on the clipping read April 1972, and the photos of the five victims were printed below the story. Most of them were too blurry to make out much detail, but the final one felt familiar to him, he didn’t have to read the name printed beneath it to know it said Daisy McAll.

Something in his chest that he hadn’t realized was tight, released. He had known this was real, after everything in Gravity Falls, hell, after everything he and Ford had encountered in the last few years, it had to be real. But some tiny part of him had wondered back then if he was going crazy. The loneliness, the years of travel and running away, every time he’d seen something like this, he’d felt just a tiny bit closer to losing himself.

He smiled and passed the laptop back to Ford. “That’s her.” Ford took the laptop then reached down for something in his bag before hesitating. Stan could see the gears spinning in his brother’s head. He knew Ford wanted to write all this down more than anything, but he also knew that there was a ritual to how they did this; Ford may not like the ritual very much but he followed it anyway. The ritual had been established early on, when it became clear the memory recovery was going to be a process and not a quick fix. First, he explains the memory when he’s ready, Ford listens and does not interrupt. When he is finished talking, Ford can ask questions and, if he wants to, Stan can answer. Then, when Stan leaves the room Ford can write everything down, but he has to wait until then. Stan understands the value of recordkeeping, especially when the stability of his memories is still less than solid, but he doesn’t like sitting there and being Ford’s specimen.

Ford sat back up and drums his fingers on the table. “Okay, what exactly sparked this memory, Stan? You’re correct that it doesn’t have anything to do with planes, but I’m not entirely sure what on earth caused it.”

Stan frowned at him, “Isn’t it obvious, Poindexter?”

Ford looked even more confused. “No? I don’t think so anyway, we were just talking on the plane, and you were reading the email from Fiddleford—”

“Correct.”

“Stan, Fidd’s email didn’t say anything about ghosts.”

“Not directly, no.” Stan gazed at Ford for another moment before sighing and tugging the laptop back out of his brother’s hands, pulling up the police report. He handed it back to Ford saying, “Read it again.”

He saw the moment the lightbulb went off. Ford’s eyes widened and he lurched for his backpack, pulling out his journal and flipping through the pages frantically. “You think the kids—you think they picked up a hitcher?”

“Well, not exactly? I don’t really know how these things work but I’m pretty sure that diner I told you about wasn’t exactly a real place so to speak? Like maybe it was a ghost diner? I know that sounds stupid but—”

“That’s not stupid Stanley, that’s brilliant!”

“It is?”

“Yes! The ghost roads are a huge part of American folklore, but I’ve never paid very close attention to them because it always felt too vague to be real. Similar to the myth of the American cross-roads devils, no clear reason they come, no clear way to get to them, just anecdotes passed down through oral history. But with what you’ve just described to me Stan, and the way that the police report describes them just vanishing, I think it's entirely plausible that they managed to use a ghost to pass into the ghost roads to escape the police!”

“Do ghosts make your phones stop working?”

“It’s possible! There hasn’t been a lot of research on it but it's likely that the general aura of weirdness that surrounds things like that would have a strong adverse reaction to more modern technology.”

“Gravity Falls never seemed to have much of a problem with it.”

“Eh” Ford shrugged, “Gravity Falls has been steeped in weirdness since its very inception, I wouldn’t be surprised if the technology just adapts to the weirdness there over time. You said when you woke up you were back on the road right, and it was the next morning?”

Startled by the sudden conversation change Stan paused, sorting through the memory again before answering. “Yes, I think so. Maybe when the sun rises, or when enough time passes the living are forced back into the real world?” He trailed off and stared at Ford for a second, then they both simultaneously checked their watches. Sure enough, their time read 8:30am and the kids time slot read 11:30am. Wherever they were, time was moving correctly again.

Stan and Ford pulled their phones out in sync but Stan got there first, dialing Mabel's number while Ford froze, staring at his phone screen. Stan ignored him, heart pounding as he waited. The phone rang and rang before eventually cutting to voicemail. Stan almost hung up, but something stopped him so instead, he waited through the cheery voice of his niece until the beep. “Hey sweetie, call us back, okay? We love you both and just want to get you home.”

He hung up and glanced at Ford who was still staring at his phone in silence. “You gonna call Dipper or what?”

Ford shook his head then slid the phone across the table. On it was a single notification, unread message from Mabel Pines. It was dated from yesterday afternoon. Ford pressed play:

“Hey Grunkle Ford. It’s Mabel. Dipper is also here but he’s driving right now. We tried to call Grunkle Stan too, but his mailbox was full. We should have called you both earlier, like a lot earlier, and I know you’re probably really mad at me for just leaving and not calling you. We’re really sorry about that, it’s mostly my fault anyway, I was just worried that—Well, nevermind, not important right now.” She took a deep breath before continuing.

“What is important is we’re on our way to Gravity Falls! Sort of. We’re in West Virginia right now anyway. I’m calling now because we need help. And to be honest I don’t know if it’s something you guys can help us with but, something is wrong with time? Because everything says it's New Year’s Eve, 2015. And it shouldn’t be!!” She was speaking faster now, voice blurring with panic and a slight hysteria that set Stan’s teeth on edge.

“It really shouldn’t be, because yesterday was New Years Eve, and we found a Hide-Behind and a Grimadillo and got chased by the cops and I—I called you! We called you at midnight and then. And then everything went wrong. We don’t know what to do, and our clock is broken as well. And I don’t know that it's relevant, but Dipper said it might be ‘cause he knows you guys put alien tech stuff in it to link to your watches. But it broke last night when we ended up in the ghost world, all the hands stopped where they were at midnight our time.”

There was a long silence and for a moment Stan thought the message was over. Then there was a long sigh and a sniff before she kept talking, it was clear that she was crying.

“We don’t know what to do. We’re going to keep going to Gravity Falls and just sort of hope that we figure it out. I don’t even know if this message will get through but, we love you guys and we’re so sorry for everything.”

There was a click, and the message ended.

#gravity falls #whereverwegoau #dipper and mabel #writing #my writing #trans dipper pines #cryptids #stan and ford #stan has PTSD #ghosts #genuinely i think its so interesting to explore stans potential run ins with weirdness before gravity falls

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