[Video]

[maybeitsmabelline]

[The video coming on is somewhat accidental. Whoever is fumbling with it was clearly trying to get it out of wherever it was--a pocket? A bag?--and they must have flipped it on in the process. After a few seconds they manage to get it out of wherever it was stuck and the video goes a bit crazy as the ‘gear clatters to the ground.

A soft glow illuminates the room briefly as a Minior comes into view, the red little star Pokemon smiling dumbly at the screen before it’s suddenly grabbed--well, more like hugged, actually, as a little girl comes into view.]

Did it break, Little Dipper? Oh, hey, I think it’s recording--hi everyone that can see this!!

[Mabel grins and picks her ‘gear up with her free hand, her Minior currently tucked underneath her other arm and looking rather pleased about it.]

I’m Mabel and this is Little Dipper! Oh and this is my brother Dipper!

[Cue her turning the camera on her brother.]

Dipper say hi!

[There’s a boy in the background, with a Phantump floating next to him. They seem to be studying where they are. At least they were, before Dipper turns to see the gear pointed at him.]

Mabel! What are you doing? No one needs to see this!

Don’t be such a spoilsport, Dipper! It’s just a new adventure!

[Under her arm, Little Dipper thrummed though whether it was in agreement or just because he could was hard to say.]

Plus we can’t be the first people to end up here…

[By now it should be clear that they are in a jail cell. Dipper folds his arms]

For trying to steal an old ladies kittens? Or should I say, accessory to SOMEONE trying to make off with a bunch of kittens?

If you had helped we totally could have gotten away but noooo!

You shouldn’t have been doing it in the first place! Now we have to break out of jail! ...uh...ignore that last part people ….. I meant serve our time….

[Whispers to Mabel.]

I really think you should stop broadcasting this now….

[Insert a snort from Mabel as she turns the ‘gear back on herself properly and playfully rolls her eyes.]

Don’t mind him! He’s just nervous because the Jenny ladies said we have to stay here for a few days. Anyway, maybe someone out there watching knows how we can get out of here, Dipper! Did you ever think of that??

[Cue her sticking her tongue out as Little Dipper thrums again.]

Yeah and their advice is probably going to be, you got arrested, do your time.

[Meanwhile his own pokemon is examining the bars and lock. Dipper is just going to move to hide the pokemon from the view of the gear.]

Maybe, maybe not! Only one way to find out! [A pause as she looks over at them and narrows her eyes, slowly grinning.] What’s Crafty doing?

Uh...nothing...nothing...just um looking around! Right Crafty?

[The Phantump looks over and nods...very normal]

...You two are trying to break out aren’t you??

Mabel turn the gear off!

Oh you are so going to break us out of here! Go Crafty go! You can do it!

Mabel!

[There is a sudden child scramble for the gear and in the chaos it gets turned off.]



[ooc: replies will be from both Dipper and Mabel. Threadjacking is a possibility.]

Comments

Action

[starry_forehead]

[He's saving any questions till they're out of police range.]

Hey, wait for me!

[Running after her, after grabbing Crafty so she doesn't have to fly as fast as they run.]

Action

[gobblewonked]

[The Pidgeytron is flying with its head low, making sweeps of the area around the prison. When the kids run out into thr open, McGucket spots them. He pulls a series of levers and pushes a series of buttons, and the majestic robot pigeon descends into a clearing, its jet engine wings giving it VTOL capabilities. It lands heavily on its clawed feet, and though the fires under its wings go out, it still hums: it hasn't been powered down.

The head pops back on a hinge like a trapdoor or pothole. It's a little unsettling to see the Pidgey's blank eyes staring at the sky from what looks like a broken neck. McGucket pops out of the open neck in all his filthy bearded glory and waves at them wildly.]

Hoooo-ee!! Dipper! Mabel! Over here! I got your getaway bot!

[His arms disappear for a second, and then he throws a rope ladder out. It unfurls with a rattle against the Pidgey's side. It looks plenty sturdy enough to climb, and its bottom rung is within reach. McGucket beckons the children up wildly.]

Get in, get in! Quick -- before the Jennies catch up with us!

Action

[maybeitsmabelline]

[Mabel skids to a halt as the robot comes in for a landing, squinting slightly against the glare of the sun gleaming off the metal of the robot.

But have no doubts. She is beyond impressed.]

McGucket! Dipper look at that thing! It's amazing!

[She didn't hesitate to head over towards the rope ladder, tucking her Skitty away into her sweater and coaxing Hambone the Espurr to hold onto the back of her sweater so she could climb up. Little Dipper was bopping along like normal, drifting up after his trainer with a happy little thrum.]

Come on, Dipper!

Action

[starry_forehead]

That's.....so cool! McGucket you're a genius!

[Yeah just behind you, going to climb up as soon as you do. Crafty is holding onto his hood.]

Action

[gobblewonked]

[McGucket flaps his hand modestly.]

Heh heh heh! Aw, shucks, it was nothing!

[You good kids, you're too kind. McGucket shades his eyes with a hand, looking out for signs of approaching law enforcement with a serious scowl as the twins and their Pokemon climb in. It's gonna be a touch crowded, and it smells like motor oil and beans and unwashed hillbilly, but the cockpit will hold them all.

McGucket settles back into the rocking-chair pilot seat and flips a switch. With a hydraulic hiss, the Pidgey's head snaps back into place, latching securely to the body. He presses more buttons, and the rocket turbines roar to life. He winds his beard around the gearshift and hoots a warning.]

Hold on tight! This robomajig goes real fast!

[He scratches the side of his face, thoughtfully.]

I...probably shoulda installed some seatbelts in this thing.

[Brightly:]

...oh well!

[With a wild, raucous laugh, McGucket pulls the joystick up. They have liftoff, fellers! The Pidgeytron's claws curl into fists, the wings extend, and the contraption rises in the air. When they clear the treeline, McGucket pulls a lever, and whoosh! Away they go!

The Pidgey's mouth opens to reveal a windshield, giving them a view of where they're going. McGucket flips another switch, and panels slide away from the Pidgey's eyes, turning them into windows out, too. Normally, those panels make the eyes glow red, but McGucket figures the kids will appreciate the view more than intimidating laser Pidgey-eyes.]

Action

[maybeitsmabelline]

[Cramped though it may be Mabel was instantly in love with everything about it. It was absolutely amazing and as soon as one of those eye windows became see through she was pressed up against it peering out at the world below.]

This is SO COOL! Look at everything down there! We're so high up!

[She's bouncing on her toes even while pressed to the window and the Espurr clinging to her back manages to slowly pull himself up to peek over her shoulder, blinking after a moment of staring.

Where...?]

Where are we going anyway? Do you live somewhere close to here, McGucket?

[Mabel peeled her face away from the window to turn towards the old man in his rocking chair pilot seat, beaming at him.]

Man, it's too bad Grunkle Stan isn't here to see this!

Action

[starry_forehead]

[Dipper is also looking around in fascination. Mostly looking at the machinery but he's soon at the window as well. Crafty floating next to him.]

Oh man, I wish. Can you imagine his face if we told him we broke out of jail?

[They've been with Stan too long.]

Action

[gobblewonked]

We're skedoodlin' back to Goldenrod City! Sure, it's where I live, but that ain't the reason we're goin'.

[He sobers, turning serious. They're a couple hundred feet in the air in a tin can, one he's swept for listening devices personally. It should be safe to talk here.]

There's somethin' there I need to show you. Somethin' real important.

Action

[starry_forehead]

[Okay this is familiar and the last time McGucket had tried to warn him of something, Dipper had brushed him off saying just have fun at a party. Not making that mistake again. He leans in after looking at Mabel.]

What do you need to show us?

Re: Action

[maybeitsmabelline]

[That sure was a change. Mabel shares a look with her brother before moving close to to their captain slash pilot, pulling Little Dipper into her arms.]

Is something going on? [A gasp.] Is someone trying to wipe memories again?? Did you make something that can stop that from happening?

Action

[gobblewonked]

[He shuts his eyes and shakes his head.]

Uh-uh. Nothing to do with that.

[Then he rethinks.]

....well, that's not right. A little to do with that actually, I guess.

[Bring it back, Fiddleford. Don't get distracted. Keep it together.]

The point is -- y'know that researcher you were lookin' for? The one I was workin' with but just couldn't remember?

Well, I remember him now, and he's here. I found the author of the journals.

[Came to his birthday party and everything.]

Action

[starry_forehead]

[And there it is. Dipper isn't sure what to say. If he hadn't known who the author was he'd be ecstatic after all. .....Well so far he's learnt lying never works out so.]

I ....actually know who you're talking about....his name's Ford isn't it.

....are....you guys getting along ...alright? You were ...friends before right?

[Please don't be like Stan and Ford were.]

Action

[maybeitsmabelline]

The Author?

[Her eyes are wide when McGucket mentions it but the surprise, the wonder, is gone when Dipper speaks up. Of course he knows. That's just another difference between them right now isn't it?

Mabel can't help the way her expression falls a bit, something almost unnerved on her face as she toys with the ends of her sleeves and looks between her brother and their friend.]

Wait, you..that guy you said was Grunkle Stan's twin is the author?

Action

[gobblewonked]

[Blink. Blink, blink.

That's...not the reaction he was expecting. He had been hoping, a little bit, for over-the-moon joy, but now it's just kind of an awkward atmosphere.]

Now hold on a minute. You kids already know? Or you know about Ford, but you don't know he's the Author?

[He winces, and he winds his beard around the joystick so that his hands are free to rub his temples.]

Oooh, all this knowin' and not-knowin' is mixing me up real bad. Somethin' musta happened in the three months I been gone! You prob'ly found out on your own somehow while I was off buildin' robomajigs and brewin' apricorn cider!

Action

[starry_forehead]

No....you were there too. Or at least afterwards.

I think...whatever this place is. It can take us from certain points in time without causing any affect to the timeline. Mabel and I....we're not from the same time point.

[And it's just as clear that it makes him as uncomfortable as Mabel because ...that's wrong.]

...It's about the end of the summer for me at home....you were both there though....I saw both of you yesterday...I talked to both of you yesterday.... and that's not possible if Mabel was taken from when the portal opened and you were here for three months.

Action

[maybeitsmabelline]

[Mabel reaches out to sympathetically pat McGucket's knee because she remembers how tough all the memory stuff was for him back home so adding this in can't be easy. Anything she may want to say though is muted when Dipper speaks and she can't bring herself to look directly at her twin.

Everywhere else? Sure.]

Yeah we..we remember different things and different people.

[It was really messing with her, McGucket.]

Wait--the end of the summer? [That gets her to look at Dipper.] But that would mean..has our birthday happened already?

Action

[starry_forehead]

No! No it hasn't. I'm still twelve.

[And he's really glad about that.]

Action

[gobblewonked]

[Oh no, they're sad. McGucket can puzzle out the timeline stuff later. It's time for a jovial outburst.]

Mine has! Came six months early! I'm eleventy-ten now!

[Because that makes perfect sense.]

Anyway, you kids still want a lift to Goldenrod? I dunno where Ford is exactly, but I do know a way to reach him!

Action

[starry_forehead]

Oh, happy belated birthday then.

[Oh McGucket, you try. Dipper looks over at Mabel.]

Um....Mabel what do you think?

[maybeitsmabelline]

[Mabel let's out a breath of relief when Dipper reassures her he's still the same age as her and quickly giggles at McGucket's interjection.]

Happy Birthday, McGucket! Did you have a cake? If not I can make you one when we get to Goldenrod!

[Wherever that was.]

Let's do it! [Staying with someone she was familiar with then contacting their other GRunkle sounded like a good idea to her.] I want to find more Pokemon!

[starry_forehead]

Alright. I'm in then.

[gobblewonked]

That sure would be kind of you, missy! I had a lot of stuff at my birthday hootenanny, but I didn't have a proper cake!

[He explains this as he fiddles with some levers. The Pidgeytron picks up speed again, and McGucket gives a whoop.]

Yeeeeeehaw! We're goin' to Goldenrod!

[He holds up a hand and makes a beckoning motion.]

Can one of you kids hand me my Pokeygear? It's in the bindle back there.

[There is indeed a bindle hanging from the back wall of the cockpit. It's made from a rather nice green scarf, and it's got the PokeGear, some PokePuffs, a can of beans, and a handful of bottlecaps and bolts in it.]

[starry_forehead]

I'll get it!

[And he'll run over to go through the bindle and come back with the pokegear.]

Here you go.

[maybeitsmabelline]

You didn't have a proper cake? I definitely have to make you one now! As soon as I can I'll make you the best birthday cake ever!

[And that's a promise!

She watches Dipper go get the Pokegear, feeling better now. Things were going to be okay. Everything was going to be okay!]

Do you have Pokemon of your own, McGucket? I've got three so far!

action + video, paging dr. pines

[gobblewonked]

[A homemade birthday cake. Be still his wiry old heart. He flashes Mabel a grin.]

I sure do! I'll introduce you to 'em once we land!

[Dipper holds out the Gear, and McGucket checks the altimeter. Okay, good, they've hit cruising altitude, so he locks a few more switches into place and takes the PokeGear with one hand. Feel free to move about the cabin and use your electronic devices, kids.

One hand stays on the lateral controls. The other pulls up Ford's number.

Ring, ring. McGucket mutters with no real malice:]

Pick up yer dang phone, Stanford.

[The second Ford's face appears on the screen, McGucket....McGucket's gonna holler at it. His face is a little too close to it for the twins to be visible.]

STANFORD PIIIIINES!