The barge is made out of something really strong. It's hard for me to break it, even, and that's...I mean, it's good, but it's weird. Maintenance should know how to put stuff up, if anybody does.
[The invitation is a little awkward, but so is the way she accepts. At least there's only a brief pause.]
Yeah. I can help. I've finished in the kitchen, and I don't have to take Kuro out again for a while. --Um, that's...I mean, I brought some stuff for you. That's why I came. [A gesture towards the pack on the couch.]
Some supplies. In case it takes us a while to get going again. We don't have to ration or anything, but--I just think it's good. To be ready. In case.
[Maybe an understanding of exchange is something the Pines brothers
have in common. Stan always understood that Shiro wasn't comfortable with
the idea of something for nothing. At least not when she was getting the
something. Gifts are still a strange idea, no matter how long she's on the
barge. But she's learned it's better to accept, to be nice, and so she
waits and watches.]
[The mask is...confusing, but her expression clears when he explains.]
Oh! That's...thank you. I don't really...[know if I can die from no oxygen, she doesn't say, instead opting for something a little less weird.] Do you think we'll need that? That the barge is that broken right now?
I don't know, [He says, honestly.] But if Iris is worried enough to pass out oxygen masks and bring out her paradoxical public transit, then I'm willing to take the precaution.
Besides, even if we do make it without incident, you never know when something like this will come in handy! Air is great, Shiro, really great. You don't appreciate a healthy, well-balanced air supply until it's gone.
[He is speaking from so much personal experience.]
You're right. Better to be safe. I don't...um, my body is--different, from most people, so I don't know if I need to breathe like that all the time, but--I don't think I wanna find out, so...thanks.
Do you...think something like this would work for a dog, maybe?
[She does have Kuro to worry about, definitely more than she worries about herself.]
[Ford stares. He didn't expect his last mask to go to a dog, but...sure. He supposes he understands. If the cabin lost pressure, Mabel would put a mask on Waddles first.]
It still takes me by surprise just how many people here have pets. But it's yours now. Use it however you think is best.
It's...I don't like the word pet. [She looks a little uncomfortable,
whether it's with the word or with disagreeing with him.] Pet--I
guess, it's sort of like they belong to someone. Kuro belongs to himself.
But I take care of him. Keep him safe. I didn't...I mean, the barge is
dangerous a lot of the time. Not safe for people and not safe for animals.
I know. But if my warden hadn't gotten him for me to take care of, I dunno
if I would be here. It--helps, sometimes. And some people. You know?
[It's not really something she's heard of, animals only being used
in studies in one context in her mind, but if it's something that helps him
understand, she feels satisfied with that.]
Anyway--I'll take care of him. And there's people who'll look out for Kuro
if something happens to me. Mr. Scamander, or Cold. Iris can get him
somewhere safe, too, if something happens. But this might help, so--thanks.
[She bites her lip for a moment, uncertain, but pushes on
anyway.]
Um--I know you don't really know me, and I didn't really know the you that
was here before, but--Stan was--is--important to me. And you're
important to him, so--if you need anything, I want to help.
Ah, that's probably for the best. I was...difficult, back then. I've had a devil of a time making apologies to the people who did know me that it's a relief to hear you didn't.
[But, ow, yes, the reminder of how he's important to Stan hits Ford hard in the homesickness. He misses Stan every day, and Ford doesn't know when he's going to be able to go back. He feels a deep, sharp pang of guilt and loneliness.]
He's important to me, too. And I think he'd want me to do the same. If you're ever in trouble, just ask, and I'll do everything I can.
[The shrug she offers is small, but not dismissive.]
I don't--the people who show up here might have the same face as someone else who was here before, or the same name, but--I think it's always better to treat them like they're someone new. It's not fair to blame you for stuff the other Ford said or did, you know? And even if you were the same--you're still family, now. I didn't have any of that before the barge, and maybe I'm still not very good at it, but--you take care of family. I know that much. Even if you don't always get along. And Stan--the one I knew, he hadn't found you again, but he never stopped looking. So--maybe we can both go back to Gravity Falls, I guess. When everything's over. I think he'd--like that.
[Ford feels it's a little bit fair. He was a tool, and he's trying to do better. And oooh boy there's that pang of guilt again: you take care of family, even if you don't always get along. Ford's got a spotty record there, and that's putting it generously. And then there's his worries about Bill, and his quiet resolution to make sure Bill isn't a threat to the multiverse before he comes home.
She makes him want to go home. She makes him want to do better. This is a Good Kid, she's family now, and Ford puts a hand on her shoulder, if she doesn't stop him.]
[Well, it might be fair if you'd have said the same things, too, but honestly this Ford seems to be trying much harder to be nicer. She doesn't know if she can say better yet, but it's something. She's not much of one for touch, but she doesn't pull away from the hand on her shoulder, instead offering a small smile of her own and placing one of her hands briefly over his.]
Things here might--get a little dangerous sometimes, and a little confusing, but--it's never impossible to get through. Especially if you have people to help you. It's always easier than doing things alone.
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[The invitation is a little awkward, but so is the way she accepts. At least there's only a brief pause.]
Yeah. I can help. I've finished in the kitchen, and I don't have to take Kuro out again for a while. --Um, that's...I mean, I brought some stuff for you. That's why I came. [A gesture towards the pack on the couch.]
Some supplies. In case it takes us a while to get going again. We don't have to ration or anything, but--I just think it's good. To be ready. In case.
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[Then, it hits him: a look of surprise crosses his face, and then the smile from a moment before is back, broader.]
I didn't think I'd be able to return the favor so soon, but I've just thought of something I can give you. Just a minute.
[He starts digging through the pile of parts and tools and mechanical scrap on the couch.]
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Oh--I mean, you don't have to...?
[Maybe an understanding of exchange is something the Pines brothers have in common. Stan always understood that Shiro wasn't comfortable with the idea of something for nothing. At least not when she was getting the something. Gifts are still a strange idea, no matter how long she's on the barge. But she's learned it's better to accept, to be nice, and so she waits and watches.]
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[He straightens up, a good-sized mask in his hand. It's an air filter with goggles attached. It looks like something out of a pulp novel.]
Here! This device will allow you to breathe even if out air supply runs out! It'll recycle the air already in your lungs and turn it back into oxygen.
[Neat, huh?]
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[The mask is...confusing, but her expression clears when he explains.]
Oh! That's...thank you. I don't really...[know if I can die from no oxygen, she doesn't say, instead opting for something a little less weird.] Do you think we'll need that? That the barge is that broken right now?
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Besides, even if we do make it without incident, you never know when something like this will come in handy! Air is great, Shiro, really great. You don't appreciate a healthy, well-balanced air supply until it's gone.
[He is speaking from so much personal experience.]
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Do you...think something like this would work for a dog, maybe?
[She does have Kuro to worry about, definitely more than she worries about herself.]
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[She nods.]
Have to see if I can get Kuro to wear it, maybe. I'm...I mean, he can't take care of things like that, you know? I have to take care of him.
[The fluffy black dog is almost always at her heels. He's hard to miss, especially given his tendency to herd people into groups.]
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It still takes me by surprise just how many people here have pets. But it's yours now. Use it however you think is best.
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It's...I don't like the word pet. [She looks a little uncomfortable, whether it's with the word or with disagreeing with him.] Pet--I guess, it's sort of like they belong to someone. Kuro belongs to himself. But I take care of him. Keep him safe. I didn't...I mean, the barge is dangerous a lot of the time. Not safe for people and not safe for animals. I know. But if my warden hadn't gotten him for me to take care of, I dunno if I would be here. It--helps, sometimes. And some people. You know?
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The benefits of animal-assisted therapy have been studied in the past. Yes, I understand.
[It might not be for him, but he can't argue with science.]
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Mm.
[It's not really something she's heard of, animals only being used in studies in one context in her mind, but if it's something that helps him understand, she feels satisfied with that.]
Anyway--I'll take care of him. And there's people who'll look out for Kuro if something happens to me. Mr. Scamander, or Cold. Iris can get him somewhere safe, too, if something happens. But this might help, so--thanks.
[She bites her lip for a moment, uncertain, but pushes on anyway.]
Um--I know you don't really know me, and I didn't really know the you that was here before, but--Stan was--is--important to me. And you're important to him, so--if you need anything, I want to help.
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[But, ow, yes, the reminder of how he's important to Stan hits Ford hard in the homesickness. He misses Stan every day, and Ford doesn't know when he's going to be able to go back. He feels a deep, sharp pang of guilt and loneliness.]
He's important to me, too. And I think he'd want me to do the same. If you're ever in trouble, just ask, and I'll do everything I can.
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I don't--the people who show up here might have the same face as someone else who was here before, or the same name, but--I think it's always better to treat them like they're someone new. It's not fair to blame you for stuff the other Ford said or did, you know? And even if you were the same--you're still family, now. I didn't have any of that before the barge, and maybe I'm still not very good at it, but--you take care of family. I know that much. Even if you don't always get along. And Stan--the one I knew, he hadn't found you again, but he never stopped looking. So--maybe we can both go back to Gravity Falls, I guess. When everything's over. I think he'd--like that.
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She makes him want to go home. She makes him want to do better. This is a Good Kid, she's family now, and Ford puts a hand on her shoulder, if she doesn't stop him.]
I'd like that, too.
[The smile is a touch sad but real.]
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Things here might--get a little dangerous sometimes, and a little confusing, but--it's never impossible to get through. Especially if you have people to help you. It's always easier than doing things alone.
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That at least is one lesson I don't have to learn on the Barge.