[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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[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.