Little Dipper

We Need To Talk

"Okay...just hold it steady..." Gideon said softly as he stirred the pot. "Easy, easy...don't let it go in too fast. Thank you, Wendy. I haven't been able to use my powers much lately with all this stress, so you've been a big help."

"Hey, if it'll help the town, I'm all for helping you. By the way, this is a sweet place you got here." Wendy looked around the cabin.

"Thank you." Gideon switched the direction he was stirring.

"So, after this, what do we have to do?" Wendy asked.

"Let it sit for three hours and then test it." Gideon nodded. "That's enough, you can lower the sand now."

Wendy closed the container and set it down. "Man, the things I've seen you put in this thing, and you expect people to drink this?" She laughed.

"Just don't tell anyone and they don't care." Gideon chuckled.

"Oh, you're baaaad." Wendy grinned.

"Anyways, who should be a guinea pig?" Gideon asked. "I don't think we've zapped you, so not you."

"How about Mr. Founder?" Wendy suggested.

"Good idea." Gideon nodded. "I'll give him a call while it's sitting."

–

Dipper glanced around the room nervously, holding onto Mabel's hand. Bill, Stan and Ford were all in chairs around Tad, with Tad tapping his crossed leg impatiently. They had been like this for an hour now, ever since they got back. Gideon had rushed off without pressing the matter, but Stan and Bill had both insisted on talking to Ford and Tad was being a mediator.

And so far, all they'd done is stare at each other in tense silence. Tad was growing tired of it.

He finally stood up and walked over to the window, closing the curtains to block sight from outside. "I've had enough of this." He turned to them, his form changing into his demonic human form as he started walking back to his chair.

"Oh, shit." Ford breathed. "You really ARE Tad Strange..."

"Oh, so you are some big-shot?" Stan asked, looking at Tad. "I thought Bill was just exaggerating."

"I have gained a favorable reputation, yes." Tad stood at the chair, tapping his gloved fingers on the back of it. "Enough games, all of you. YOU want an apology that's not going to come." He pointed at Bill. "And YOU want gratitude that you know your brother will not give." He pointed to Stan.

"Hey!" Ford stood up angrily.

"Then prove me wrong." Tad turned to Ford. "Ever since the topic was breached, you have been avoiding looking them in the eye and otherwise been silent."

"We have more important things to worry about. Like that vision!" Ford said, trying to change the subject.

"Great. Uncle. Lee." Mabel said in an irritated tone.

"Ugh, fine! No, I will not apologize to Bill! He deceived me! He lied to me! What do I have to apologize for? He deserved what he got!" Ford crossed his arms over his chest.

"You wanna talk lies and deceit? YOU didn't uphold your end of the deal! You took everything you could get from me and then sealed me away when I tried to make you do as you PROMISED!" Bill stood up, glaring at him.

Ford continued on. "And as for gratitude? For what? Getting me out of the multiverse? Well, I wouldn't even be IN there in Stan hadn't fought with me! If he'd only done as I asked--"

"Which was to take your stupid book and get out of your life." Stan cut in.

"--then it all would have been just fine!" Ford finished.