(Their heart is hammering in their ribcage, so small, feeble and weak. Scape flinches when a giant finger pokes them, sending a rattling feeling through their body. Ow ow ow ow. They open their mouth to say something else but suddenly they're falling down

down

down

until they crash onto a surface, letting out a quiet 'oof!' as all the air is sucked out of their lungs from the impact. Scape gasps for air pathetically, their breathing unsteady. They want to curl up and die, render themselves unusable out of spite, but they don't have the energy, they used all of it for... Dipper.

stars, they all must be worried sick! right? They miss Scape, right? They're going to be rescued this time, RIGHT?

Maybe they just need to wait things out.)

'SHOW OFF'? I'm not a TOY!

(They know what he'll say to that, probably something along the lines of 'oh but you are my toy pinetree!' Or whatever.

Wait what did he mean by that last bit. Protective???? They can protect themselves!!! ... Right now doesn't count though, this is different!!)

I NEVER CALLED YOU A TOY! THAT WAS ALLLLLL YOU PINETREE!! IF YOU ASKED ME I WOULD SAY YOU'RE [Bill taps under his eye] A PET!! YOU ARE TOO INTRESTING OFF THE STRINGS TO BE A PUPPET ANDDDD [he smiles with his eye] TOO USELESS TO BE A TOOL

I NEED TO SHOW YOU OFF TO MY SON WHEN HE STOPS HAVING MOOD SWINGS!

(Ugh. Way off. They need to get back on their game, they've become rusty and complacent, hanging out with the- OW. Scape winces at a sudden burst of pain. What was that. ... Huh. ..Weird, that they'd get a toothache now. Guess they forgot to brush their teeth or something.

They shudder at the word 'pet', then again at the term.. Puppet. Thank the stars for their.. interestingness, they suppose. They don't want to live through that again.)

..... you have a son? I thought you fumbled every entity you ever dated.

...... [Bill closes his palm. He squeezes it shut. stopping before he can squash them] HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA YOU ARE A MOUTHY ONE!!! BOLD!! I LIKE IT!!

I WONDER HOW MUCH PRESSURE IT WOULD TAKE TO CRUSH YOU LITTLE THINGS!! DO YOU THINK IT WOULD MAKE A NEAT SOUND???

MAYBE I WILL SNATCH YOUR SOUL INTO THE MINDSCAPE RIGHT BEFORE YOU KICK THE BUCKET. WE CAN WATCH THE FESTIVITIES THAT WILL COME AFTER YOU DIE!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA DO YOU THINK SHOOTING STAR WOULD CRY SEEING YOUR MANGELED CORPSE?? SHE HAS A QUICK REPLACEMENT FOR YOU SHE SHOULD STOP BEING GREEDY

(Scape freezes when Bill's palm starts to close in on them, temporarily pausing in their efforts to try and rub the toothache away. They slam both hands out, as if they could stop Bill from squishing them completely somehow. ... They can't die like that, but.. They don't like the idea of losing this body.

They crinkle their nose at the crushing comment (they've heard plenty of sounds like that and while they get easier to hear they wouldn't call it NEAT. Then again, it's Bill.) before going back to attempting to make the toothache go away by rubbing their face. .... ugh, it's not working. It's just getting worse.

But then they're completely distracted as Bill starts spewing threats. They're trying their best to not laugh. MINDSCAPE? HA. Sure, they don't really feel like being stuck back there but it's not the hell it used to be anymore. They don't like the idea of Mabel being upset, but.. She won't be, they're not sure they can die. At least, normally, anyway. And why would she have a replacement?- No, how would she have a replacement? There's not another Scape running around!

They don't say anything, just smile at Bill, unbothered. This feels great, actually. They're kinda having fun pissing him off- Ow. Ow ow ow ow. There's that stupid toothache flaring up again. It's actually starting to really irritate them, especially with Bill's yapping.)

THIS IS USUALLY THE PART PEOPLE START BAWLING AND BEGGING FOR MERCY! [Bill opens his hand. He jabs Scape with a finger again] ITS NO FUN IF YOU DONT PLAY YOUR PART

[Bill rolls his eye. He throws Scape into the air. Below them is too dark to see anything besides the shadows of various monsters and glowing red eyes.] YOU DO NOT WANT ME TO GET BORED OF YOU PINETREE. MY FRIENDS OVER THERE ARE A LOT LESS FRIENDLY!! [Scape remains suspended in the air]

(Their heart is hammering in their ribcage, so small, feeble and weak. Scape flinches when a giant finger pokes them, sending a rattling feeling through their body. Ow ow ow ow. They open their mouth to say something else but suddenly they're falling down

down

down

until they crash onto a surface, letting out a quiet 'oof!' as all the air is sucked out of their lungs from the impact. Scape gasps for air pathetically, their breathing unsteady. They want to curl up and die, render themselves unusable out of spite, but they don't have the energy, they used all of it for... Dipper.

stars, they all must be worried sick! right? They miss Scape, right? They're going to be rescued this time, RIGHT?

Maybe they just need to wait things out.)

'SHOW OFF'? I'm not a TOY!

(They know what he'll say to that, probably something along the lines of 'oh but you are my toy pinetree!' Or whatever.

Wait what did he mean by that last bit. Protective???? They can protect themselves!!! ... Right now doesn't count though, this is different!!)

I NEVER CALLED YOU A TOY! THAT WAS ALLLLLL YOU PINETREE!! IF YOU ASKED ME I WOULD SAY YOU'RE [Bill taps under his eye] A PET!! YOU ARE TOO INTRESTING OFF THE STRINGS TO BE A PUPPET ANDDDD [he smiles with his eye] TOO USELESS TO BE A TOOL

I NEED TO SHOW YOU OFF TO MY SON WHEN HE STOPS HAVING MOOD SWINGS!

(Ugh. Way off. They need to get back on their game, they've become rusty and complacent, hanging out with the- OW. Scape winces at a sudden burst of pain. What was that. ... Huh. ..Weird, that they'd get a toothache now. Guess they forgot to brush their teeth or something.

They shudder at the word 'pet', then again at the term.. Puppet. Thank the stars for their.. interestingness, they suppose. They don't want to live through that again.)

..... you have a son? I thought you fumbled every entity you ever dated.

...... [Bill closes his palm. He squeezes it shut. stopping before he can squash them] HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA YOU ARE A MOUTHY ONE!!! BOLD!! I LIKE IT!!

I WONDER HOW MUCH PRESSURE IT WOULD TAKE TO CRUSH YOU LITTLE THINGS!! DO YOU THINK IT WOULD MAKE A NEAT SOUND???

MAYBE I WILL SNATCH YOUR SOUL INTO THE MINDSCAPE RIGHT BEFORE YOU KICK THE BUCKET. WE CAN WATCH THE FESTIVITIES THAT WILL COME AFTER YOU DIE!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA DO YOU THINK SHOOTING STAR WOULD CRY SEEING YOUR MANGELED CORPSE?? SHE HAS A QUICK REPLACEMENT FOR YOU SHE SHOULD STOP BEING GREEDY

(Their heart is hammering in their ribcage, so small, feeble and weak. Scape flinches when a giant finger pokes them, sending a rattling feeling through their body. Ow ow ow ow. They open their mouth to say something else but suddenly they're falling down

down

down

until they crash onto a surface, letting out a quiet 'oof!' as all the air is sucked out of their lungs from the impact. Scape gasps for air pathetically, their breathing unsteady. They want to curl up and die, render themselves unusable out of spite, but they don't have the energy, they used all of it for... Dipper.

stars, they all must be worried sick! right? They miss Scape, right? They're going to be rescued this time, RIGHT?

Maybe they just need to wait things out.)

'SHOW OFF'? I'm not a TOY!

(They know what he'll say to that, probably something along the lines of 'oh but you are my toy pinetree!' Or whatever.

Wait what did he mean by that last bit. Protective???? They can protect themselves!!! ... Right now doesn't count though, this is different!!)

I NEVER CALLED YOU A TOY! THAT WAS ALLLLLL YOU PINETREE!! IF YOU ASKED ME I WOULD SAY YOU'RE [Bill taps under his eye] A PET!! YOU ARE TOO INTRESTING OFF THE STRINGS TO BE A PUPPET ANDDDD [he smiles with his eye] TOO USELESS TO BE A TOOL

I NEED TO SHOW YOU OFF TO MY SON WHEN HE STOPS HAVING MOOD SWINGS!

nuh uh

NUH UH!?

correct. nuh uh.

i am the god damn EMBODIMENT of radical awesomeness!

I WILL EAT YOU TO OBTAIN YOUR AWESOMENESS

nuh uh

NUH UH!?

(They finally notice Stan, and blink a few times in confusion. What.. What is Sailor doing here? Same reason as them, possibly?

Cautiously, they step towards him. Still so curious.. Scape supposes it's a part of their nature. Maybe one day, if they're lucky, it'll kill them.)

.. What are you doing?

(It's cold, and harsh. Almost detatched- But Stan might know better. After all, if they're asking, they probably care.)

(For a moment, they consider repeating their question. Maybe Sailor didn't hear.)

.. Just staring at the water, then? What were you thinking about?

(Clean and concise. Waste no time nor feeling on him. Leave no opening.)

(The small, empty frown on Scape's face deepened into something etched with.. Concern?

What was with Sailor? He's been odd lately, and they haven't paid much attention to it, too busy hiding from everyone. Too busy in their own little world. ... Stars, having a body hasn't helped them at all. It hasn't fixed anything. )

What's up with you?

It's nothing? Then you won't mind if i just rip it out of you.

(They barely had to think to speak those words. It came to them fully formed, charged with venom despite their cold, flat tone.

It was cruel of them to say it. They know this. But the words had crawled up their throat unbidden, driven by the anger curled up in their heart.

Despite the threat, they don't move. Somehow, that makes it worse. Maybe they don't even need to.)

(Scape tilts their head, as if gauging his reaction, searching for an inch of emotion, while barely reflecting any in their own expression.

Actually, no. On a closer look, they seem.. Tired. ..Apathetic might be a closer word.)

What? Suprised?

(They can't even muster a grin to complete the look. Oh, well. This might be convincing enough anyway.)

.. I thought you knew I was a monster, and was just taking the risk anyway.

(Their eyes widen a little, a glimmer of emotion on their face. Great nibling? .. Is that them? Are they family? ... Something in their expression breaks, and their eyes water against their will. Family, they're family!

But they freeze at the touch, snapping them out of it. Scape tries to shrug off Sailor's hand with a sweep of their own, frowning.)

Why not? (They hate how their voice breaks. It makes Scape feel so small. Like they're tweleve again.) It's the truth. I'm a horrible person, and I could hurt you, if I wanted.

(Scape shudders. No, no, no! This is too vunerable. Too much. They need to talk about something, anything else.)

..Why'd you react like that, when I said I could force information out of you? You seem so unfazed whenever I say anything else.

(.. But they aren't. .... Stars DAMN IT! They really do care, don't they? Even if Scape is so angry at them, even if it feels unfair... They care. They.. Love them? He thinks so.

...And it's not going away, either, despite all of their attempts. They just won't leave. And of course Scape doesn't want to run away- They haven't been cared for like this in years!! ...They hoped it'd be easier if they were hated.)

... I'm going to, eventually. I always ruin everything. (They have to eventually. It's their only hope of getting out of this alive.)

Oh. Right- The.. Bill getting into your memories thing. I'd.. Forgotten. (They're frowning, but this time it's not defensive, just.. Sad?) It's been so long. Ha.. I remember helping Stardust prepare the ritual he needed to do almost every time so he doesn't mess it up on the first try.

.. You're excused, (They answer, smiling weakly. It seems as though they're on the verge of tears. If they're going to stay, there's no point in wallowing in their own misery. Might as well joke. Have fun while they can. Because they know this is going to end one way or another.)

Oh. I.. I don't know. (Scape can always find out. They just have the think about it. But when their mind latches onto it, something makes their focus slide away, like a part of them doesn't want to hear the answer. ..They're tired.)

I should know, surely I kept count..? .... No, I can't remember. I guess you could ask Author, he might know. He.. He revived my body after all, he probably knows how.. old.. it was.

(The fact that they couldn't remember how long it's been probably doesn't mean anything.)

I don't know, (Scape answers. This isn't exactly the truth, but it's not a lie. They just.. Don't know how to put it into words?) .. I'm hungry, I guess.

(Hungry sums it up quite nicely, actually! Hungry for safety. Hungry for affection. Hungry for what could have been. So hungry that they want to steal from others, taint their foodsource so someone else knows their hurt. Their starvation, their deprivation of what they deserved.

Scape suffered just as any Dipper did- More so, even! And yet! Hahaahahaaa, oh, cruel Universe be, to snatch it all away, and LOCK THEM IN A COLD BLAND HALL BETWEEN REALMS!

And now Scape is stretched thin. They don't belong in this body anymore. Too human, too weak! This disgusting putrid form that bleeds itself sick, organs doomed to failure, already rotting themselves down to a carcass. This vessel has a set expiration date and the clock can only keep ticking-

.. A pang, but not an audible growl. Ah. They really are hungry.)

..Both as a metaphor and for real. I need to eat something. Guess I forgot. (Again. But they certainly won't admit that to Stan. Speaking of, they should probably come up with an excuse.) I- I mean, it's pretty easy to! Considering I have to eat twice. (... Horrible save.)

Yeah,, sure. Sounds fine.

(Not what they had meant, but... They'll take it. Scape doesn't know how any of them would react. Maybe it's better this way. The less they tell, the better.)

What about you, though?

(But, hypocrite that they are, they're still curious.)

'Yearning' makes it sound like the sea's your love affair.

(Scape manages to joke, though it falls a little flat with the strained undertone. They suppose the nickname Sailor is rather fitting with an outlook like that.)

.... You're just as bad about telling people things as I am. Worse, arguably.

(Not too far off? What does that even mean-? NEVERMIND, THEY DON'T WANT TO KNOW.

They follow after Sailor like a duckling, matching his steps almost musically, as if it's a game.)

You're weird, old man.

(They almost say 'My Stan wasn't like this', but choose to bite their tongue instead. Talking about their family feels like sticking a bunch of burning needles in their mouth.)

(Despite their best efforts, they crack a small, genuine smile at the response that followed his laughter.

To be honest, they'd thought they'd kinda hate being around him. The memories they have of Stan are.. Well-meaning, but not always pleasant.

Ah. Right. The car. They hadn't really thought about how Sailor got out here. It'd probably just be easier to let him drive. Portals and teleporting are easy, but Stan has to get the car back to the Shack anyway.

.. Maybe they'll mention it later.

always stalling

Scape quietly opens the passenger door, and sits down. They struggle to get their seatbelt on—Stupid human machines—But after a few seconds it's on and they're hugging their knees.)

(Sailor being smug is annoying as ever, though. At least that hasn't changed.

The rocking of the car is familar, even if discordant. Scape has to fight back a yawn, squirming a little in their seat so they don't get comfortable enough to start drifting off.

Scape glances out the window, gazing out onto the town. They'd been in the outskirts, causing mischief to fill their stomach, but never this close to the centre of town. Mainly to avoid being spotted. They're scared, scared of being recongized as Other. ....And at being seen at the scene of a crime, but what Pines hasn't done a little arson?)

YES. FOCUS ON THE ROAD. (Scape snaps back, seeming shocked awake by the sudden swerve and rather panicked by the idea of Stan crashing. They hate cars- practically a death wish. A shame they're so necessary to daily life and travel.) My vessel can snap like a twig if you crash this thing!

(Scape tries their best to keep their head low. They quietly tuck themselves into the booth after Stan, wide eyes locked on the table, half not there. ... This feels sickeningly familar. It's like they're Dipper again, like they're Stardust again. Same as it ever was, nothing's changed! They don't know how to feel about it but panic!!

They blink a few times. Their head is swimming, and their gaze darts around the room, looking for something ground them. Something different, something different..

... Is that Pacifica?

Surely their mind is playing tricks. They rub their eyes, and blink a few times. ... Still there. Huh. Okay. Sure. Maybe this is what always happens? They never stick around after Stardust leaves.)

(Scape hopes it's the first option. Those two rich pricks were nothing but a waste of space in their opinion.

Sailor's voice snaps them out of their thoughts.)

... Yeah! I just... I can't choose.

Yeah, sure. Pancakes are fine.

(Stars, this is awkward!! Haha... Just.. Talk about something. Is- Is Stan's phone buzzing?)

Um.. Your phone?

(Scape doesn't seem to notice whoever's approaching, and instead they glance down at the phone, wrinkling their nose at it distastefully.)

Stars- It probably means someone texted you or is trying to call you. If you're not going to answer it, could you at least shut it up?

(Scape full-on glares at Stan, their eyes wide with indescribable fury. HE DOESN'T BLINDING KNOW?!!

They grit their teeth, hissing-) Give me that! (As they snatch the phone out of Stan's grasp.

They answer the call, finger quickly tapping the button. And like a switch has been flipped, they're wearing a fake, placating smile.)

Hello~?

Yes, Author~! Why?

(The way they address Ford is.. different to how they've responded to Stan. It's almost musical, how they speak.

And despite their clear answers, their sing-song tone gives the impression they're dancing around the point, contrasting their bluntness from earlier.)

If you want to speak to him, I can give him the phone! ... I really think you should have some other form of communication, though. He couldn't even figure out how to answer this call~!

(At first, Scape looks a little (albeit childishly) annoyed—or maybe hurt?—by Ford's response, but when they hear the panic in Stan's voice and the screaming emitting from the phone's speaker, it evaporates, replaced by a strange fear.

They blinding hate how much they care. It feels like their chest is collapsing, like their heart is being slowly crushed!!

.. Keep it together, Scape.

They carefully fix their expression. Eyes stern, give nothing away. Mouth thin. Relax, release the tension in their body. Breathe in, breathe out.

Fake it 'till you make it~!)

Where are they, at the moment?

(.. Okay. They're at the Shack, not actively in danger. Stardust is in pain.... ..Okay. Noted. This is managable.

Scape doesn't get up. In fact, they motion for Stan to sit back down.)

Sit down, Sailor. Take a breath. We don't need to rush to the car. We can take the pancakes to go, but we're not wasting food.

.. Stardust will be fine, if you just remain calm.

(Scape breathes in contentedly- Ah, that aroma! It's better than the pancakes on the way, that smell of worry and fear and outrage, boiling in the air.

It swirls around Stan, and their mouth nearly waters. .. They don't want to feed from Stan, but.. It's right there, and they'll need the energy if they're planning to heal Stardust.

It crackles in the air as they slide out of their vessel, freeing an arm from it and poking into the cold of the Mindscape to twirl the emotion into something tangible. It sticks to them like sugar, and they coax it away from Stan, slowly absorbing the energy of the emotion, stealing it from him entirely. Once it's gone, their arm slips back into their vessel.

Stan might feel a little dazed or confused- But they feel much better now.)

Don't worry, (They hum, the energy settling in their stomach, leaving them feeling a lot more genuinely calm.) I can heal Stardust. Just be patient, Sailor.

If he's injured, yes! I'm a bit rusty, though. Haven't had to heal Stardust since... hm.

(When was the last time they did that anyway? Back when they still guided him, surely?)

Magic is something you need to fine-tune regularly, so I can't guarantee anything when i haven't practiced in a while.. But I should be able to help a little.

(Scape snickers.)

Oh, no, absolutely not! I have to be in the same room as him. Asking me to apply healing magic from a distance is like asking a person off the street to do surgery. But we'll take a portal to the Shack after I get my pancakes.

(Stars, Sailor needs to be quiet. Maybe, if.. If they feed from him again, he'll be calmer...? Even if they haven't fed from someone twice in such quick sucession, it's worth a try.....

Scape starts eating their pancakes with one hand, while letting the other limply hang at their side so they can reach into the Mindscape again. Feeding their body and their soul at once, ha!

This time, they rip Stan's panic from him instead of letting it come to them, and crush it in their fist to absorb it faster. As they do so, they pause slightly in eating to watch Stan's reaction.

Then, when their hand returns to their vessel, they go back to eating the pancakes.)

(Uh oh. Scape breathes in and out quietly, careful to not let their mouth pinch or their eyes widen. They look up fully from their pancakes, mimicking Stan's confused expression.)

Is everything alright, Sailor?

(Their mouth doesn't twitch when they speak, but they do seem tense.

Ah.. their acting has become so rusty. They suppose they don't usually do serious acting, more the overdramatic kind.)

(...Yeah, they really need to brush up on their acting.)

I did say I needed to eat twice, did I not~?

(Scape replies somewhat smoothly, aside from the small tremor of fear in their voice.

They finish with their pancakes, and leave their plate there as they get up to leave, doing their best not to look the part of the cornered animal as much as they feel the part.)

I never said what I meant. But yes.

(Scape rushes out the door, beginning to explain a bit more as they walk.)

Magic comes at a price- Energy. Most of the time magic takes that energy through what you've eaten. But since I started practicing in the Mindscape, I had no way of getting that energy. It slowly tore me apart, and left me with a constant feeling of being.. Hungry. Eventually I realised I could absorb someone's emotions through the Mindscape, and it just.. Became like second nature. It was as easy as floating. Or, breathing, for you.

(Now they were in the parking lot of Greasy's Diner, and they were beginning to weave a portal to the Shack livingroom.)

You'll be fine. Just a bit dazed. .. I may have took a little too much, but in theory, it's impossible for me to hurt you permanently this way. ... I.. I didn't want to feed from you, but I needed it. And you were making a scene.

(The portal snaps open, like someone's tugging on the thread of the fabric of reality.)

I didn't want to tell you for this reason! You're freaking out! It's. Fine.

(Scape doesn’t want to talk about it at all, but.. Whatever.)

Fine. ..Yes, living room. Go on, then, don’t keep Stardust waiting~!

(They gesture to the portal, as if to go ‘you first’, a blatantly false smile pinched into their features.)

(Scape steps in through the portal after him, and with a snap of their fingers the portal sinches itself shut.

They let out an exhausted sigh at the sound emitting from upstairs. Do they really want to do this? Work themselves to the brink for people who will one day leave them behind too?

They’re too involved now, it’d be weird for them to back out. And it’d probably lead to another… Conversation. One they don’t want to have or think about.

Get up there, Scape.

They stand up straight, and bee-line for the stairs. Stars, there’s probably blood everywhere in the attic. They’re going to hate that smell.)

(Oh stars. What the fuck happened? Scape's never seen anything like this before. They glance over to Stan, eyes wide, worried yet questioning. WHAT'S GOING ON?! First Sailor's acting weird, now something's happened to Stardust.. What the fuck has Scape gotten themselves into? They've seen weird things, horrible things, and yet nothing quite like this. It shocks them, but not enough. This is so blinding off-script.

But there's no 'script' they can follow anymore. This isn't the same. The thought is comforting and disturbing all at once- To think, there is more to another dimension's Gravity Falls than one single summer! Once the thought was too much for them to bear.

It's okay. They can work with this. They need to clear out the room—too crowded—it's practically begging for things to esclate this way, and there's no way Stardust wants to see his (their?) family panicking around him.

But first, is Comet injured? She also seems.. Wrong, somehow, but they can't really put a finger on it. They tug on her sweater sleeve to get her attention.)

are you hurt as well?

(Stars, they sound so.. small.)

What do you mean, 'some changes'? This- This is- (Scape feels their face scrunch up as they struggle to finish their sentence. They settle for not finishing it at all as they reach up to rub their face with both hands, expressing their.. Well, exasperation is really the only way to describe it, but something about it is more tense than frustrated.

...Okay. It's good, that no one else is hurt. This is managable. They're just going to have to ignore.. The... Everything about this situation for now. Even though they REALLY want to STRANGLE Author for not mentioning anything before.

They shrug off Stan, beelining for Soos and straight up ignoring Author. Scape's gaze flicks across the mini pill bottle collection, and within a few seconds they point out a bottle that works and hold out their hand, as if to say "give them to me, I'll handle it".

It's when they're doing this that they shudder, a wave of discomfort settling over them. A tinge of something familiar and burnt reaches their nose, and they find themselves nervously glancing behind them. ...What was that?

..Don't think about it right now, Scape. You have a job to do.)

Hours? stars, what happened to communication? Couldn't Author call sooner? (Scape snaps back as they fuss over the bottle, forcing the cap off.) ... Do you have some water so he can swallow these better?

(It's fine. They don't really need Stardust to be calm, they need him to be still. Scape'll hold him down, if they have to. It won't be pretty, though.)

And while you're at it, can you clear the room? I need to be able to focus.

(Stars, they kind of sound like a doctor, now that they think about it. ...They suppose, there's a kind of shared experience of irritation in the act of trying to heal someone.)

(WHAT. WHAT. WHAT. WHAT. WHAT. HE WHAT. WHAT? Scape stares at the door where Soos and Mabel exited, clutching a glass of water in one hand and the pills in the other. It took all of their strength not to shatter the glass in their hand in shock.

.... Huh! They didn't know Stardust was capable of something like that! Well, of course he's capable of it, they've probably done something similar- It's just a bit jarring to hear.

Praying to the Universe that he's not mad at them right now, Scape takes a step forward, smiling, albeit slightly uneasily. Their gaze is mostly on the parts of his skin that look like they're going to split open. ....They feel cold(steel against flesh, a sickening slice and snap as blood and sinew pours forth. A body slumps listlessly to the floor).)

... Hey, Stardust~! You're in quite a pickle, hm?

(As they get closer, their gaze zeros in on his expression, trying to disern how he feels. ...... Though, in spite of themselves, they let out a little snerk. ...... Why does he Look Like That. It's ridiculous up close.)

Well, at least your head hasn't gotten any bigger, (They tease, fighting the urge to smile as they hover awkwardly around his head.) ... I've um. Never given someone severely injured pills before. Are you good enough to take them on your own or do I have to put them in myself?

(For a moment, their expression deepens into a frown as Stardust struggles to speak. Stars, he sounds wrong, and they hate it. But they quickly fix their expression into a placid smile, and leave the pills and the glass on the ground.)

Good. Just swallow these, and I can get to work.

(Scape pauses for a moment at the flash of sharp teeth as Stardust coughs. ...Hm. .....Fascinating. They wonder how much of his anatomy has been changed that isn't visible at a first glance. How are his organs looking? ....Is it bad they kind of want to see his insides now?)

(Okay. Everything is going well. ….Too well? Scape honestly thought they’d have to hold him down. This is.. weird. They’ll worry about it later, for now they’re just glad they don’t have to waste any energy holding Stardust in place.

After the pills have been swallowed, Scape searches for a vein by pressing gently along Stardust’s neck until they feel the pulse. Ah- there it is. Sending a small speck of magic through the skin, they begin to map Stardust’s circulatory system, keeping their eyes closed as they imagine it as a constellation of distant glittering stars, connected by strings of light. They desperately want to map the organs as well, to see if there are any new ones or ones that have been altered, but.. They should probably refrain from keeping a string of magic inside Stardust’s body for too long- They have no idea if it could hurt him in this state.

Humming quietly, they lure the speck of magic back out, and merge that string of energy into a bigger spell. They can’t force Stardust’s body to change back, but they can repair this new form, and help it grow properly.

With the shape of Stardust’s circulatory system in their mind, they begin to feed energy into his bloodstream, redirecting that energy into the muscle and skin cells around where Stardust’s form has been stretched thin, almost ready to burst.)

Is there anywhere it hurts the most? (They mumble through their work, fingers conducting invisible movements.)

.. Yes, that’s probably the most worrying-looking part. I should definitely hope it hurts.

(After they’ve tended to the rest of the body, they focus on the head. They shudder to think of how Stardust’s skull is looking right now. In fact, how about they fix that first? They directly ping the bone of Stardust’s skull, signaling it to start producing slightly more calcium to adjust for the size. Then, they once again work on the flesh and the skin around the head, evening it out.

After that, they let a good chunk of their magic dissolve, feeling their strength slowly drain as they wilt, almost stumbling before steeling themselves, sitting up straight. They use their remaining magic to switch on the part of Stardust’s brain that releases pain-numbing hormones. That’s the best they can do besides just cutting off Stardust’s pain receptors temporarily, which could be risky.

That’s all they can do. Nothing’s really fixed, Stardust’s still stuck in this distorted form. And even now they don’t feel half as refreshed as they did anymore. Stars. They’ve done so little and already they feel so drained.

it’s almost like they’re helpless

he’s helpless. He watched quietly as a body slams to the floor, no longer hovering in the air. It’s split in two, and the top half is highly delirious and bleeding out but still somewhat alive.

“Stardust, Stardust it’s going to be okay i can fix this i can fix this i can fix you you’ll be okay just talk to me!”

The body tries to respond and instead coughs up blood, bubbling up out of the mouth as it leaks from everywhere, staining damp workhouse floors. He only made it worse!! Fast he needs to be fast

His spectral hand quietly slips into the body’s, giving him an anchor. He’s already drained and starving but it doesn’t stop him from using his anchor in the real world to try and stitch the body together. Blue glowing strings messily tie the top half to the bottom. He pushes further, trying to meld them together again, but instead flesh starts to bloom and grow out of the thin space between the two halves.

muffled, gargling screams fill his ears. What is he doing wrong? WHY CAN’T HE FIX IT?-

….Scape’s shaking. They need to calm down.)

(Scape, almost all of their energy having been put into giving Dipper- Stardust's body the energy and material it needs to start mending itself, collapses onto the floor, sitting down in a slumped position.

They notice him clench his jaw. He's still in pain, it wasnt enough, wasn't enough- Scape feels the instinct to try harder, to force it to stop hurting, but.. They know that never goes well. Stardust'll have to heal on his own.

Scape breathes in and out harshly, and a little too quickly. It's not perfect but it's fine so why are they freaking out? MAYBE ITS THAT FLASHBACK YOU HAD JUST NOW GENIUS

...they're tired. A part of them wants to seek warmth and curl up beneath Dipper like a small freezing animal.

But they dread making anything worse, so they settle for laying down near him, gently clawing at the wooden planks.

They stir at the sound of someone opening the door and Mabel- Comet's voice.)

.. I'm done, it's okay to come in now. ,,We just have to wait for the rest of his body to heal itself.

(Scape sounds exhausted, and they don't bother covering it up with a cheerful tone. They've used up far too much of their energy, and now for some reason they're panicking? Ugh.)

(Scape bobs their head, before realising that's probably not enough of an answer.)

Yeah. Stardust.. just needs time to heal, and.. i'm just .... tired..

(Scape rolls over so they're on their back, so they can look up at her and Dipper.)

..yeah. ... it took too much.. i need to eat. ..stars, im starving.

(They stare at Mabel for a moment in silence. .. would her emotion be enough to keep them going?)

... could you do something for me?

(Oh stars how do they explain this..?)

um.. so, my soul and my body aren't really... connected.. anymore and i create magic by using energy from my soul. since my soul and my body don't.. share energy anymore.. i have to 'eat' to give energy to my soul, as well... normally, you can't directly give energy to the soul, but in the Mindscape i discovered i could eat using emotions as a food source...! ..... i didnt tell anyone because i thought youd hate me..??

(They scrunch up their face a little, like they're afraid to see her reaction.)

so im asking for food, i guess?

(A pair of wide cat-like eyes stare up at her, pupils almost completely circular.)

really? you mean it? (despite themselves, they smile, and pull themselves up and hug Mabel tight, clamping around her.) thank you, sis.

(They don't seem to realise what they've said, because in their slightly delirious state they skip right to processing the nickname 'dipstick', qnd feel themselves stiffen, and they pull away.)

... thank you. um.. no, you won't be emotionless. just a little dazed for a bit. it gets worse the more i eat, though, so i dont wanna eat too much from one person in a single sitting.

(Scape just blinks at Mabel's shocked expression. What, did they say something...?? Whatever, they can barely think right now.)

Mhm! ..thank you, again. i'll try and be quick.

(Newly confident with permission, Scape reaches into the Mindscape and picks around at Mabel's emotions.. Why is she so happy right now? .....Maybe it's because they were honest with her. They'll have to think about that later.

They yank harshly on the emotions swirling around her, not caring for what they get as they hungrily absorb it like water to a sponge.

Ah.. That feels a lot better. Their mind is even starting to clear.)

[Laugher leaks into the room and from a rift torn from air a long slender hand pokes through. A eye is visible in the mess of colors. The expression on it is pure glee.] I KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING STRANGE LURKING!!

[The hand curls around Scapes arm. An iorn grip. Strength it should not hold. It jerks them through the rift]

THEY ARE GOOD TO ME, AND PROVIDE PLEASANT COMPANY.

I HAVE NEVER KISSED THEM.

..... I NEVER SAID YOU DID WOWWWWWWWW THAT SOUNDS LIKE AN ADMISSON OF GUILT

WHO KNEW THE AXOLOTL WOULD STOOP SOOOO LOW!!! I SHOULD TELL EVERYONE

Damn they were all about the glitter 30 years ago huh?

30?

Idk 32 or something I stopped counting

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I KNOW YOU ARE JUST DYING TO SPEND THE HOLIDAYS WITH YOUR FAMILY ♡

"my family are the people i call my friends" [Bill mocks them] STANFORD WOULD HAVE A MELT DOWN IF YOU SAID THAT TO HIM!!! REPLACE THE "ARE" WITH "IS" SUGAR PIE HAHAHAHA

YOUR FAMILY IS ME AND THE GANG BUT YOU ARE TOO BLIND TO SEE THAT!!! FRIENDSHIP IS ANOTHER FORM OF MANIPULATION. MUTUAL MANIPULATION!!! WOOOO!!! YOU GO INTO IT LOOKING FOR SOMETHING. Maybe you are looking to stop the overwhelming sense of loneliness that eats at you even when you are in a room filled with people ORRR SOMETHING LAME LIKE THAT AHAHHAHAHAHA

[Bill laughs. He boops their hand to give it googly eyes]

WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO REALIZE YOU WANT TO SPEND CHRISTMAS WITH ME

[Bill stares at them silently.] If you pet me into your head I can fix it kid THATS MY ENTIRE SCHICK

SO YOU ADMIT YOU WANT TO SPEND CHRISTMAS WITH ME YOU ARE JUST STUBBORN

Your funeral

How badly do you want it back kid?

[Bill pops into existence on their shoulder] lead the way!!

RUDE

[Bill floats outside]

YOU ARE A HORRIBLE SALES MAN IF YOU THINK THATS BAD BUISNESS

IT IS ALL ABOUT SUPPLY AND DEMAND!! IF IT'S ONE OF A KIND OR HOLDS A SPECIAL PLACE IN THE HEART THERE IS A HIGH CHANCE THE OWNER WILL PAY A PRETTY PENNY!!! What I have is ONE OF A KIND!!

If you don't want to buy it back I can keep it nice and safe for you!! Ah, but safety comes at a price too HOPE YOU ARE NOT A CHEAP SKATE

.....

HAHAHAHAHA YOU!

You are really funny. THIS IS SERIOUS KID! Do you think I care if you die??? IF IT IS NOT BY MY SIDE THERE IS NO REASON FOR YOU TO EXIST!!!

[Bill looks at them. Then the hand. His color begins to fade into a blue. He tears his hand from theirs]

I ONLY CARE ABOUT MYSELF

SORRY IF YOU WERE HOPING FOR MORE KID HAHAHAHAHA

.... YOU ACT LIKE THAT HAS CHANGED! THE ONLY THING DIFFERENT NOW IS YOU KNOW MY REAL MOTIVATIONS AND I FINALLY HAVE LEVERAGE

[He did. He does. Everytime he looks at them he sees a piece of himself. A piece of his lost home.] You lost your family it was an easy tactic!!! I worked to fill that void YOU WANT ME TO CARE ABOUT YOU SO BAD THIS IS PATHETIC!! I CAN GIVE YOU ANYTHING YOU WANT IF YOU JOIN ME WHY ARE YOU SO STUBBORN???

I BET YOU WANT BRAGGING RIGHTS!!! WANT TO BE THE LITTLE HERO WHO HELPS THE VILLAIN SEE THE ERROR OF THEIR WAYS AND START CARING AGAIN. SORRY HONEY BUT I KILLED OFF THAT PATHETIC PART OF MYSELF AGESSS AGO!!! I LIKE CAUSING PAIN AND MISERY

And you! YOU ARE NOT A EXCEPTION!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I WILL HURT YOU TOO WITHOUT A SECOND THOUGHT