[open] On the surface of the waters

[mviw]

Who: Ford & YOU! / Closed prompts for the GF cast, Alphys & Elizabeth
Where: Ford's room on the third floor. / A WALK WITH A DOG. Throughout the mansion grounds!!
When: After the event.
Rating: PG/PG-13 for mentions of death, language. Will update if needed.
Summary: After a few days, Ford revives from his second death.
The Story:

A) A PRIVATE MESSAGE TO THE PINES FAMILY, WENDY, FIDDLEFORD, ALPHYS, ELIZABETH

Hello everyone. I regret to inform you that I died during the event. Stanley found me. This is my second mansion death. I will be telling the good folks in the library but right now I'd really like to rest before I do anything else exciting. Haha, weird for me to say that, right? I still have a surprise or two up my sleeve.

I'll be fine, but if any of you want to see me, you know where to find me.

Hope the rest of you fared better in that bathhouse than I.

- Stanford



B) FORD'S ROOM, WITH HIS GENTLE MENAGERIE OF 3 ANIMALS (CLOSED TO STANLEY)

[Coming back to life is painful, and doing it in a bed is a vastly different experience from reviving in a cold pile of leaves in a winter forest.

Stanford's old bones and muscles strain and his lugs painfully suck in a gulp of air. His chest heaves and he coughs, splutters and grunts before he can actually sit upright in his bed, clutching his chest.

He's greeted by a happy (though alarmed) bark from Newton.

The last thing he can remember is trying to fend off his Shadow--a great horrifying transformed thing, robotic and demonic, all kinds of abominable and very inhuman. Difficult to beat, apparently, judging by the six laser cannons that were able to easily finish the real Stanford off.

He hadn't gone without a fight, but if you die while fighting, does it really matter how well you did it as you still lost?

Ford runs a hand through his hair and gropes around for his glasses.]



C) A MAN & HIS DOG.

[From anywhere between the third floor to the library to the dining hall to the beach, even, can be seen an old man walking his dog--a big silver sable German Shepherd trotting along.

You might catch the dog getting excited and breaking away from Ford to chase after a squirrel

or perhaps you'll see Ford break into a jog with his dog in tow.

If you're lucky and down by the beach, you'll notice that the small research vessel docked there named Stan O' War II belongs to Stanford, who's decided to go up on deck and make sure everything there is fine.]

Comments

[uncaging]

[ She slams into him when he appears in the doorway, hugging him tightly. ]

Are you all right? Please don't die again!

[mviw]

Oh--! [He's certainly taken by surprise and after a split second he hugs Elizabeth tightly. Familial fondness flutters lightly in his chest and he smiles brightly.]

Yeah, I'm alright, kiddo. I'll certainly do my best not to. You're welcome to come on in if you can stand the sight of a messy room. [Oh please Ford, it's just sweaters and paper everywhere.]

[uncaging]

Oh, I don't mind. [ She finally lets go of him, stepping into the room and tucking her hair behind her ear. ] Though if you'd like some help in organising it... [ That's one of the many things she doesn't realise might be seen as rude, growing up alone and only now learning to socialise. ]

[mviw]

Eh. [Ford shrugs.] I'll manage. [Fortunately, Ford never learned good social graces, not really, so he's not bothered. He knows Elizabeth wouldn't start cleaning anyway if he'd just refused her offer, and that kind of trust goes a long way with his mood.

He gestures toward his couch though, which is clear for the sake of company and for the cat and dog (it helps that he has more desk space than back in Gravity Falls and an adjoining bedroom here in Wonderland).]

Sit, sit! You want anything to drink?

[On cue, Newton jumps up onto the couch and settles on one end, watching Elizabeth expectantly.]

[uncaging]

[ She perches on the edge of the couch, looking delighted to see the dog even though she holds her hand out for him to sniff a little tentatively. She knows he won't hurt her, but a lifetime of no interaction with animals always makes her a little worried she'll do something wrong. ]

Yes please, but only if you're getting something for yourself.

[mviw]

[Newton licks her hand excitedly and nuzzles into it. He sees no problem with this guest, and Ford appears to be in a good mood which further proves to this dog that everything is fine and dandy.

Ford chuckles and fetches two glass bottled root beers from the closet. They're frosty and he opens hers before he offers it to her.]

I forget, have you had root beer? It's not actually beer, but it is delicious.

[uncaging]

[ She looks a little nervous for a second, then reassured as he says it's not actually beer. ]

I don't think so. The name sounds quite exciting.

[mviw]

It's just another carbonated beverage, but it has a little kick to it. Brings back memories of roaming the boardwalk with Stanley when we were kids. [He pops open his bottle and takes a swig. Ahh.]

Go on! Try it.

[Newton, meanwhile, has decided to settle down at Elizabeth's feet. Noticing that there's no danger, Archimedes the polydactyly kitten slinks out from his hiding spot and approaches Newt on his little tiny cat feet.]

[uncaging]

[ Elizabeth takes a tentative sip, the bubbles tickling her nose, then a larger swig as she realises she quite likes it. ]

It's very interesting! It tastes almost medicinal.

[mviw]

Ha! I knew you'd like it! [Ford takes another sip of his bottle and steps over Newton so he can lean on the couch. He's so glad to see Elizabeth in relatively good spirits...]

How've you been? I apologize for not being around so much. I... guess it's hard, still, getting into the habit of actually being social.

[uncaging]

I'm doing all right. [ It's not quite true, and that's probably evident, but between being trapped on the Mirror side and chopping her best friend's arm off, she doesn't want to worry him. ] I'll be sure to come and bother you more, if you're having trouble being social. I can't stand to be on my own too long here.