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Stanley's gone back to the sea. I don't think he'll be returning any time soon.

The Murder Hut will be closed until further notice. If you pre-purchased tickets you can take a raincheck, but there's no refunds.

[ It's kind of a joke, see, because if Stan comes back and finds out his family gave money away he'll be so offended he'll probably walk right back into the ocean. ]

If you had any other unfinished business with him, let me know. I'll do what I can to settle it.

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[He's surprised how bothered he is about this. He and Stand have rubbed each other the wrong way since Day One- but...he was a decent guy who loved his family even if he made Varian want to scream and throw things out of windows on the regular.

He knows he's going to have to do some serious damage control with Fern over this one, but:]

I'm sorry.

[Because Ford lost his twin here. You could see from SPACE how close the Pines all were to each other. ]

Do YOU need anything?

[Oh... That's awful. Ruby had lost a lot of family since she got here so she was aware of what that could do to a person. But imagining any of the Pines having to make do without the whole family felt like a special kind of awful.]

I'm so sorry, Ford.

If there's anything I can do for you, Dipper or Mabel just let me know.

It's not much but Ford taught me a little about how to get around the scammers at the fair.

Do you want to pull off one last con in his honor?

He's what?!

[Have one completely stunned Fern. How? What?? Why???]

Did he fall into the ocean or something?! What the flip, man??

[Because that seems more reasonable than 'Stan Pines willingly left his family and walked back into the ocean to be a gross squid.']

[ Oh.

It's not like Ford was expecting Varian to gloat or anything, but he's aware of the fact that he and Stan had a relationship that could very charitably be described as 'acrimonious'. He would have been unsurprised and unhurt if Varian had opted for total silence.

But he didn't, and Ford has no idea how to grapple with that on an emotional level. For now, he'll just have to settle for feeling so grateful it's overwhelming. ]

Thank you, but there's nothing I need right now. I'm more concerned about Dipper and Mabel for the moment.

[ He's pretty sure he doesn't have to ask Varian to keep an eye on them, however. ]

[ But then something occurs to him. ]

Actually.

This might be a long shot, but would you or Fern happen to have any photographs of Stan, or of any events he may have been present for?

[ Ford is prepared for and expecting the condolences. But the more childish, and more personal, offer to go down to the boardwalk and cause chaos in Stan's honor is enough to force Ford to set aside his Omni and take a moment to compose himself.

He does, however, respond. ]

I can't think of any better way to send him off.

You'll have to give me some pointers, though. I'm afraid I'm out of practice.

[Break's first impulse, when he sees this post, is to ignore it in favor of checking on Dipper immediately. Though both the younger Pines twins show up in his house periodically, Dipper is the one he's fostered a real relationship with, and he knows just enough about the traits they share to know the boy will be taking the disappearance of one of his beloved "grunkles" very hard indeed. And, given that Break's house seems to have become Dipper's playground, it won't surprise him even a little if he turns up there in rough shape later. It would be good to make sure he knows he's welcome, even if he'd rather sulk around in the kitchen than play with the ghosts as he usually does.

He pauses because it crosses his mind that this guy is now the sole guardian to a pair of rampaging chaos twins who manage to get into far more trouble than even his own kids do, and, well. When Break himself had another uncle he barely knew show up and promise to watch out for his kids if it came to it, it mattered. So.]

My sympathies for your loss.

You and I have not met, I think, but I am acquainted with your young ones and they have been welcome in my home. If there is anything I can do to ease things for you all, I am available. My name is Xerxes Break.

[ Ah, this is the conversation Ford is expecting will be the most difficult. He switches to voice. ]

I'm not sure what caused it, but I know that something did. Stan wouldn't have left on his own.

[ In any other situation that might be something he says to convince himself as much as anyone else, but right now he both sounds and feels sincerely confident in his own words. ]

He-He went back?

[Luz had liked Stan. He was gruff and wily and a con artist, but she felt the same warmth from him that Eda gave off, because they were sorta similar that way. She had also seen memories of the Pine family that reminded her how great family was, and let her know how much he loved them.

It hurt knowing how badly this would wreck Dipper and Mabel, and she couldn't help feel an ache knowing he wouldn't be around anymore].

I'm sorry, Mr. Stanford. He...ran a great shop.

'Course he didn't! He wouldn't leave you guys. He wouldn't leave - .... [His voice falters there, and he finds himself not wanting to finish that thought. He also needs a second to choke his feelings down before he continues.]

So are you gonna go get him?? He's gotta still be in the ocean somewhere!

[Yeah, this is basically like looking for a needle in a haystack, but this is Stan they're talking about.]

[Sometimes victory was in a simple soul.

Look Ruby had gotten really good at offering kind words and condolonces but sometimes actions meant a little more than words.]

You're in luck. He was giving me some pointers the other week.
Between what he knows and what my uncle taught me. We should be able to make him proud.

Are you free today or we can pick another day this week?

[This was sobering news for Oscar, who had been thinking recently that he wanted to take time to get to know both of the Grunkles a little better since he was spending a not insignificant amount of time in their home with Dipper. He had gotten on quickly with Mabel, but it was a little harder to break through to the adults by merit of both his youth and his associations.

Quickly, Oscar sent a message:]

I'm sorry to hear this, Mr. Ford. For you, and for Dipper and Mabel.

I know how close you all are.

What do you need? Where do you need me at?

[ Aw shit. Of course. Trench had to suck a little bit more now didn't it? Stan had been a pretty good guy...well...

despite the constant need to con people but hey.

It's not a trait Glitch would condemn him for. He'd even encourage it because who doesn't like a little bit of chaos? Still, he can only imagine how Ford's taking this and the twins.

There's a small pause before he answers when he finally texts; ]

If he's turned back into a squid we could go catch him.

Stick him in a jar, with his hat on top. It'll be like he never left.

We could even make the Stan voice.

[ Who needs to talk honestly about their feelings when you can make jokes? Him. ]

Your brother is an interesting fellow. I hope that he's safe and sound where he is, and that you aren't apart for long. Don't worry much. I don't have any unfinished business, other than the occasional conversation. I will miss him though.

Are you alright in the meantime?

Oh, Ford. I'm so sorry about Stan. He'll be missed a lot by just about everyone. How are you, Dipper and Mabel holding up?

Edited 2022-03-25 06:00 (UTC)

[ With most people Ford isn't willing to admit to much, but he likes, trusts, and respects Willow enough to give her a little more. ]

Only as well as you could expect. Dipper and Mabel are resilient, but they're closer to him than they are to me. They're taking it hard.

Stan has always loved the sea. I'm sure he's crawling along the ocean floor and hoarding all the coins he can fine.

[ Stan is fine out there because he's always managed to get by, even when he's not fine - and because Ford has to believe that he is. ]

I'll be alright. It's just going to be an adjustment.

[ They certainly haven't met, but Break's name is familiar to him. ]

I believe Dipper has mentioned you before. You live with Alice, yes?

[ He doesn't address his offer for assistance just yet. ]

Just so. Young Dipper was so kind as to help us oust a nasty ghost from our basement last year, and I understand that Miss Alice and Miss Mabel have become friends since that time as well.

[There are two Alices. They are twins. Break does not bother to complicate matters by mentioning this, for a variety of reasons.]

[Varian is so much okay with not getting too much Into This at the moment. His feelings about Stan were...complicated at best and he doesn't want to try and sort through those. Not when he can focus on looking after the people who are hurting from the man's absence.]

Yeah, I can see why they'd take that hard.

[Oh! And here's something he can help with!]

Definitely. I mean, I don't- but Fern does. He took a whole bunch of pictures with Stan in them.

[There's a long pause. He doesn't know everything, but he's picked up enough to understand this is important, even if he doesn't completely know why. ]

Photos are important to you guys, huh? I know Dipper took a lot when the dream was dying. To help him remember us.

Maybe he'll come back. I'm sure if anyone can find a way back out of the ocean again, it's Stan. Is there anything any of you need at all? That I can help with, anyway.

[A good plan, in terms of what to believe in, if you asked her.]

I have little doubt of that. It's always an adjustment, but you were together through most of the last years, on top of everything you went through at home. If I can help, I'm around.

I swear, if we see him again in the near future, he'll re-emerge with some sunken treasure to show us and a half-baked story about it. Let's just hope it's not cursed.

He did. And... he did.

[ Ford sound equal parts fond and grateful. ]

I don't know much that would make him happier than knowing everyone enjoyed his work.

[ Oscar... is someone that Ford still feels a little awkward about approaching. He's long since calmed down enough to not longer reflexively distrust him for his association with Ozpin, but it's awkward remembering how vehemently he had distrusted he and Qrow.

Especially now that Oscar is reaching out. ]

I need you with Dipper. You're important to him, and there's not many people he can confide.

Stanley would love it if was cursed, so long as the curse didn't prevent him from selling it. Tourists love it if you tell them there's a chance their chintzy giftshop purchases might kill them, apparently.

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