all that glitters is gold [AFTERPARTY]

[sixfingeredstan]

[It's been a very long, and very upsetting morning, and honestly, Ford is feeling goddamn drained. All the events of the day have hit him like a ton of bricks. And as much as he wants nothing more than to sleep for about a week...well. There's work to do.

After talking it over with Fiddleford, his first mission is hitting the kitchen and scraping together all the eggs, potatoes, and onions he can find. It takes him a good few hours, but eventually he's got five big casserole dishes full of kugel, steaming hot, fresh out of the oven. He stacks up a big pile of plates, forks, and serving utensils and carries it all into the lounge in trips.

Next is the business of the still. Between the two of them, the two Fords manage to get it into the lounge and set it up on a table where it's easy to access. Ford also pilfers a big glass jug of apple juice for the kids and puts it nearby. All the adults are free to partake of a cup of Fiddleford's sugar shine. They'll be needing it, tonight.

Lastly, are the notes. Ford writes them all out in his neat, block lettering, and slips one under each door—pausing at the doors of the deceased with a sad frown each time.

The lounge is quiet while they wait for everyone to arrive, save for the sounds of banjo music....

Comments

[sixfingeredstan]

[Ford's dog tired, and it shows. He's propped up in a chair with a large cup of moonshine, sipping at it pensively and staring into the middle distance. Later in the evening, he begins sketching out portraits of each of their lost friends from memory; Sylvia and Wander, Anna, Sophie, Karolina, Mulan...Even Tadashi. Tarzan is missing from the series, because Ford wants to hope that he isn't gone...the thought of where he might be is a very disturbing one of the vein he is trying to avoid at the moment.

Still, as quiet as he is, Ford will still spare the energy to talk to any of his friends. Especially if it's about Sylvia and Wander. They all need to heal from this, and the best way to do it is to talk it out. Even Ford, terrible as he is at interpersonal relationships, knows that.]

[nobodyperfect]

[Lea... probably shouldn't have been drinking, but he's got a lot on his mind and he just wants it to all shut up.

The booze has helped, but he's got no tolerance to speak of, being a skinny teenager, and he's a little bit drunk from less than half a shot of the moonshine. Though it's stemmed the intrusive thoughts, his state has not hindered his natural curiosity, and he hovers, watching Ford draw.]

You're pretty good at this.

[sixfingeredstan]

[Ford's not going to begrudge anyone a drink right now, even if it's not strictly legal. Neither is kidnapping 25 people and killing them off one by one. He glances up at the young man watching him, and gives a casual little shrug of one broad shoulder.]

I've had a very long time to practice.

[nobodyperfect]

[Hey you don't know the Radiant Garden laws! Or the local ones for that matter. They might very well not be on Earth.]

So you've drawn a lot of stuff, huh? What's your favorite thing to draw?

[sixfingeredstan]

Ah, yes. Plenty of 'stuff.' But my favorite thing to draw is all the paranormal discoveries I've made over the years. Legendary creatures, ghosts, ghouls...

[Et cetera.]

[nobodyperfect]

... Those are real where you're from? I mean, they're real here, but not really where I'm from, I don't think.

[sixfingeredstan]

Just as real as they are here, yes. Though it's not common knowledge. Most people refuse to believe, or at least choose not to.

[nobodyperfect]

Huh.

I've gone into a lot of old places and seen some weird things, but this place is the weirdest. What'sa weirdest thing you've ever seen?

[aboyandhiscar]

[Mike steadily peeks over Ford's shoulder as he works on the sketches, and eventually lets out a whistle.]

You're a genius and an artist? Jack of all trades, dude.

[sixfingeredstan]

Wha—

[Ford has to stifle the impulse to cover his work with his hands, something he would have done back in school, the kind of thing you never really stop wanting to do. Instead, he glances up over his shoulder at Mike and gives him a lopsided grin.]

Oh. Thank you, Michael. I've always been a doodler, I suppose.

[aboyandhiscar]

. . .

[uh

that may or may not be his real name but for some reason he still feels weird and little off?? He's just gonna assume he is drunk.]

. . .just Mike, heh.

Looks like it paid off, those are real legit. Gonna put them up somewhere?

[sixfingeredstan]

...Sorry. Moonshine. Hitting me a little hard.

[Ford chuckles, and then sobers a little.]

Yes, I...was thinking of hanging them. On their doors. As a memorial.

[aboyandhiscar]

Pace yourself, dude. You've got the whole night ahead of you.[what the hell do they do in oregon to even create this kind of moonshine...]

You should! S'your own special way of remembering them, it's sweet.

[sixfingeredstan]

've only had one glass!

[He really has. Ford Pines, despite the overall burliness of his physique, is a damn lightweight.

He gives a half-cocked grin.]

Think so? I haven't much been known to be....sweet.

[aboyandhiscar]

. . .pace yourself even more! With water. [note to self: keep a freaking eye on ford and drinking. Even Mike's not that bad. Probably maybe..]

Dude, seriously? You go around world hopping and saving folks, and you've been looking out for folks since you got here. You're a gruff, bad dude, sure, but you're also as fluffy as a flamethrower wielding teddy bear.

[sixfingeredstan]

[Aw, come on, Mike, you're gonna make him blush.

He shoves at one of Mike's shoulders.]

Just—don't go telling everyone. They might think I'm....soft.

[aboyandhiscar]

[he gives him a little salute!]

Your secret's safe with me, don't worry. I'll let everyone keep thinking you're totally stone cold, really!

[kindaruledatit]

[Wendy knows that Ford will probably be on her case for drinking, but then again, they both knew that there were more pressing matters to attend to... right? She hoped so.

Not that she didn't know that Ford would be looking out for her, that was apparent to the lanky lumberjill since the end of this trial. So, in a sense, she had to at least find him, slightly drunk or not. Which she does, catching him in the middle of his drawing process.]

...You know, I've seen some of the pictures and stuff in your journal? It's really good.

[sixfingeredstan]

Seems like everyone and their brother has seen my journal by now.

[He's not mad, of course, and he gives Wendy a wry little smile as he glances up at her.]

But thank you. They're my life's work. Or—an essential part of it.

[kindaruledatit]

Well, when you got your nephew waving it around you see some things. [Plus she was skimming it with Mcgucket like a few weeks ago. It's fine.

She gives him a little salute with the cup, her cup that is half empty and almost definitely smells of alcohol.]

Hey man, whatever floats your boat. [Of course now, she's looking a bit close at these sketches.] So....

[sixfingeredstan]

True. Dipper certainly did take a shine to that journal, didn't he?

[Ford sighs, looking a little wistful. He misses his family something fierce. He glances up, though, and arches an eyebrow at her.]

Did you have a question, Wendy?

[kindaruledatit]

Oh yeah, the guy carried it everywhere. I think he probably even slept with it. [Tmi? Maybe.]

Oh, well... [She pauses, rubbing her arm with her free hand.] Hey, I wanted to thank you. Y'know, for telling me to get out of there. And making sure we didn't all die, I guess. It was pretty cool how you dove for that detonator.

[sixfingeredstan]

He nearly hyperventilated the first time we met, he was so excited.

[Ford's expectant expression fades into an even, mellow look as Wendy explains. He waves a six-fingered hand.]

It was nothing of the sort. [I'm not a hero. Just a hero's brother.] I thought it would be prudent to get it out of the way. As for you, well...[Ford shrugs.] I feel somewhat responsible for your well-being here. I knew your father, after all, and that summer...you became an honorary Pines, in my book.

[kindaruledatit]

[Her generally worn expression softened a little at ford's remarks. Now she looks... still rather tired, but at least she's smiling more?]

Dude, that's ridiculously sweet. I'd totally start crying if I was the kind of person that did that. [She's a little drunk. Give her time.] And, hey... you knew my dad? You never told me that.

[sixfingeredstan]

Please don't. [Ford looks like he bolt if he catches sight of tears. But hey, yes, let's absolutely talk about your dad!]

I didn't? Huh. Well, when I first moved to Gravity Falls, your father was the one who helped me build my house. You worked there for how long and never knew that?