Alma arrived at the shack, finding it nearly untouched. That unicorn hair was doing its job Ford had asked Mabel and her friends to get. It was used as a part of a protective barrier for the place, which prevented Bill from getting in. She was expecting a mess inside and a stir crazed Stan when she entered. But instead, she found the most unusual bunch of people and creatures alike – together – in the same room.
Pacifica, McGucket, Mabel's two friends, the gnomes, multi-bear as Dipper dubbed him – and more. They all were on their toes when she entered, their makeshift weapons at the ready. Stan was with them in a 'chief' stash. He would lower his bat, realizing who it was. Once they saw him do so, they did also slowly.
"Relax. It's just my nerdy brother's girl." Stan told them as a confirmation.
Alma cocked a brow. "Uh, Stan? What are all these people doing here?"
Stan looked over at them and then back at her. "Cause apparently its safe? None of those weird waves have gotten in here. What you want me to do with them?"
She leaned down to pick up someone's sock. The stench coming off of it was horrible. "Well "Chief". You could at least ask them to clean up." She threw it off to the side.
Stan just shrugged. "Look princess. I didn't ask for the stupid end of the world. Gotta learn to deal with it." He let out a sigh before pinching his eyes together with his fingers.
"Doesn't seem to me, your taking your role very well." Alma commented.
"I don't need your crap, Alma." Could tell he was trying to avoid the conversation all together. And this was the moment, he realized no one was with her. "Wait, where's Ford? That brainiac never leaves your side."
Alma turned away from his gaze. "I'm afraid Bill has taken him."
"What? How?" He asked, pressing a hand in her shoulder. He then forced her to look at him. "And the kids? Please tell me the kids are alright at least."
She met his fearful eyes. "Last I saw Dipper, he was going to go save Mabel."
"And you let him go alone?! Are you crazy?!" Stan snapped with rage. He wanted to kill her, but something was stopping him. Was it Ford? At this point, Stan didn't know. All he knew was what was happening now. As much as he hated to admit it, they'll need her. But this wasn't him hating her – it was him showing he was starting to care.
Alma was reading him like a book the moment his hands stopped. He hesitated before he dropped them back at his side. "God damnit. This – this is just too much." He finally admitted to her. It was quite a surprise to hear him be sincere for a change.
"I know its hard. I've been there before." She added.
Stan met her gaze. "I just can't lose anyone again." He sunk down into the closest chair. "Especially Ford." She heard him mumble under his hands now uneasily covering his face.
Alma knew Stan cared, but this was the first time he honestly had shown it to her. Even if he was the brother of the man she was here for, half of her still felt she needed to help the whole Pines gang.
She pulled out another chair and took a seat beside him. "I'm gonna have to be honest with you, Stan." She started, his face reappearing from his hands. "I care a lot about your brother. And now that I've been around Dipper and Mabel – I feel the same about them." She watched the others chat among each other. "You though, I'm starting to see why the way you are and how Ford describes you. You may be stubborn and rough on the outside, but I'm seeing how truly soft you really are." She put a firm hand on his shoulder. "You got one of the biggest hearts I've ever seen. Just got to learn to use it."
Stan didn't seem very taken by what she said until he gave a nod. "Yeah, well. Wouldn't call myself a great caregiver either."
"That's not true." Alma replied. "From what the twins have told me, they'd been enjoying their summer with you. And sure, you have lied to them about Ford and whatnot. But they still love you."
"I did want to tell them." Stan just shook his head. "Then it just went to shit and I lost their trust at the heat of the moment."
"This is what I mean." She commented. "You need to stop listening to this, and listen to what matters." She pointed to her head then to her heart.
Stan understood what she was trying to say. It was still difficult for him though. He was stubborn like she said, he knew that. His stubbornness was the reason Ford punched him when he came back. He deserved it. He knows that now. But it was the fact that Alma reminded him so much of Ford, he couldn't seem to get past it. She was freaken smart and motivated by the same thing it seemed. Stan didn't blame his brother for taking a liking to her.
"Just so you know, I don't hate you." Stan admitted after their awkward silence. Alma glanced over a him a bit surprised but it morphed into a smirk.
She pushed him playfully, Stan letting out a chuckle. "Glad you don't hate me, man. That means a lot. Even though I already knew." She said smug.
Alma rose, only for Stan to do the same after there was a commotion outside. On instinct, he grabbed his bat he had dropped earlier and went to one of the windows. Alma took her own, trying to get a glimpse of what it was, but her breath kept fogging up the window. Stan gestured to the side door as it started rattling. They all took their positions again, Alma joining them this time as the door flew open.
