ticktock-broken-clock

[ticktock-broken-clock]

*tricia stares at ford with a deadpan expression and just shakes her head with disappointment and sighs*

I've... seen her around. Curly brown hair, yes? Kinda nervous and a little jumpy? I've never actually... talked to her, but... well, I know who she is. I know everyone in this town.

*she pauses, a shadow crossing her face*

Now, whether or not they know who I am or even know that I'm human and not a vampire or something is a different story. I don't... I don't get out much anymore. Not since...

*she trails off, a pained look of grief clouding her eyes. she shakes it off and tries to smile lightly*

Sorry. I know you're not the greatest with emotions. I didn't mean to dump that on you.

*a green scarf falls to the ground in front of ford. theres a vaguely familiar symbol of a clock with a crooked minute hand on both ends of it*

-@ticktock-broken-clock

[Ford picks it up, examining the symbol closer. He turns it around in his hands to see if he can find who it belongs to]

[ticktock-broken-clock]

*tricia rolls her eyes*

Well, I wouldn't actually know if the zodiac works or not. Thanks to a certain someone and his twin brother, Bill interrupted and shut it down before it could even do anything.

*theres a little bitterness in her words, but she sounds mostly teasing. she frowns*

I always did wonder what would have happened if it had worked.

*she pauses, thinking*

...but a new zodiac? Can't say I've heard of anything like that. And you said it was-

*she stops, something clearly dawning on her*

Rebecca. You said it was "Rebecca's Zodiac," right?

*a green scarf falls to the ground in front of ford. theres a vaguely familiar symbol of a clock with a crooked minute hand on both ends of it*

-@ticktock-broken-clock

[Ford picks it up, examining the symbol closer. He turns it around in his hands to see if he can find who it belongs to]

[ticktock-broken-clock]

For me? Time is nothing but a curse. If someone ever offers you immortality or an extended life in exchange for something, punch them in the face and run. That's my first hand advice.

*she pauses, a small, reminiscent smile brightening her expression*

To be honest, neither did I. You two were my only friends for my whole elementary, middle, and high school careers. People called us the "troublemakers of Glass Shard Beach," that's how often we hung out, just the three of us.

*she sighs, her smile fading a bit. then it vanishes entirely when she registers what hed said*

Zodiac? Like- the one you tried to use in Weirdmaggeddon? Er, my you. The you from this dimension. The one who-

*she stops, trying to keep herself from spiraling*

You mean that zodiac? I don't remember a broken clock on that one.

*a green scarf falls to the ground in front of ford. theres a vaguely familiar symbol of a clock with a crooked minute hand on both ends of it*

-@ticktock-broken-clock

[Ford picks it up, examining the symbol closer. He turns it around in his hands to see if he can find who it belongs to]

[ticktock-broken-clock]

*tricia sighs softly*

That would make my situation so much easier to handle, but unfortunately, yes. Born and raised human, despite my... issue.

*she pauses, then shrugs*

The truth of the matter is, I'm cursed. My whole family line is, all the way back to when Gravity Falls was first founded. I can't age normally. Haven't since I was fifteen.

*a green scarf falls to the ground in front of ford. theres a vaguely familiar symbol of a clock with a crooked minute hand on both ends of it*

-@ticktock-broken-clock

[Ford picks it up, examining the symbol closer. He turns it around in his hands to see if he can find who it belongs to]

[ticktock-broken-clock]

*tricia scoffs bitterly*

Sure looks like it, doesn't it? Flip it the other way around and you've got your answer.

*a green scarf falls to the ground in front of ford. theres a vaguely familiar symbol of a clock with a crooked minute hand on both ends of it*

-@ticktock-broken-clock

[Ford picks it up, examining the symbol closer. He turns it around in his hands to see if he can find who it belongs to]

[ticktock-broken-clock]

*tricia doesnt budge at all despite the regret on her face. she meets his eyes directly, clearly not intimidated*

Just because you're a little taller than me doesn't mean you're intimidating. But-

*she pauses, a flicker of grief passing through her eyes*

-But I guess it's only fair for me to tell you why I know your name, if you can bear with me and my emotions for a moment. It's not anything devious or dangerous, since I know that's what you're thinking. I'm not a shapeshifter or a demon or anything like that. I just-

*she finally breaks eye contact, looking down at her scarf*

I knew you. In my dimension. We were—that is, your brother, you, and I—were really good friends. That's all. I... probably should have led with that, but it's... it was just a shock to see you again after so many years. It took me a moment to really register that... that you aren't my Ford, just a... another version of him.

*a green scarf falls to the ground in front of ford. theres a vaguely familiar symbol of a clock with a crooked minute hand on both ends of it*

-@ticktock-broken-clock

[Ford picks it up, examining the symbol closer. He turns it around in his hands to see if he can find who it belongs to]

[ticktock-broken-clock]

*tricia takes the scarf, clearly avoiding touching his hand. as she moves to put it on, her hands tremble*

Er, yeah, you too, Ford-

*she stops, realizing her mistake a bit too late in referring to him by name*

I mean- that is- I- Goddammit-

*a green scarf falls to the ground in front of ford. theres a vaguely familiar symbol of a clock with a crooked minute hand on both ends of it*

-@ticktock-broken-clock

[Ford picks it up, examining the symbol closer. He turns it around in his hands to see if he can find who it belongs to]

[ticktock-broken-clock]

*tricia hesitates for a moment*

Tricia. You can call me Tricia. As for the scarf...

*she pauses, trying to think of a good way to put this*

...I used to have a sweater with that symbol on it. I wore it all the time. My... friend made that scarf for me when I lost the sweater one day. She was very proud of herself for it.

*a green scarf falls to the ground in front of ford. theres a vaguely familiar symbol of a clock with a crooked minute hand on both ends of it*

-@ticktock-broken-clock

[Ford picks it up, examining the symbol closer. He turns it around in his hands to see if he can find who it belongs to]

[ticktock-broken-clock]

It's none of-

*she stops, staring at him for a moment. the hostility and defensiveness in her eyes melts away, replaced with something much more distant and hazy, and she sighs*

...it was a gift from a very old friend of mine. Someone I haven't seen in years. I'd appreciate it if you gave it back.

*a green scarf falls to the ground in front of ford. theres a vaguely familiar symbol of a clock with a crooked minute hand on both ends of it*

-@ticktock-broken-clock

[Ford picks it up, examining the symbol closer. He turns it around in his hands to see if he can find who it belongs to]

[ticktock-broken-clock]

*she stares at him a moment longer, her eyes taking in each little detail. then she shuts her eyes tightly and shakes her head, standing up on her own*

Trust me, I've been through worse. A little fall is nothing.

*she reaches up towards her neck as if to straighten her sweater and freezes. she glances towards the ground, trying to hide the panic in her eyes*

*a green scarf falls to the ground in front of ford. theres a vaguely familiar symbol of a clock with a crooked minute hand on both ends of it*

-@ticktock-broken-clock

[Ford picks it up, examining the symbol closer. He turns it around in his hands to see if he can find who it belongs to]

[ticktock-broken-clock]

*tricia struggles to her feet, too disoriented to recognize fords voice for the moment*

Fine, fine, I'm fine. I'll- ow- I'll be fine. This old body of mine can still handle a few scrapes and bumps here and the-

*she freezes, finally looking up and meeting fords eyes. her jaw drops, and she looks like shes just seen a ghost*

*a green scarf falls to the ground in front of ford. theres a vaguely familiar symbol of a clock with a crooked minute hand on both ends of it*

-@ticktock-broken-clock

[Ford picks it up, examining the symbol closer. He turns it around in his hands to see if he can find who it belongs to]

[ticktock-broken-clock]

*theres a yelp and a crash behind him, then a low, pained groan*

Goddammit, of course it dropped me... gonna have to recalibrate it when I get home...

*a green scarf falls to the ground in front of ford. theres a vaguely familiar symbol of a clock with a crooked minute hand on both ends of it*

-@ticktock-broken-clock

[Ford picks it up, examining the symbol closer. He turns it around in his hands to see if he can find who it belongs to]

[ticktock-broken-clock]

That's... surprising and also kind of relieving.

*she falls silent for a moment, then sighs*

You said something about a hospital? I'm assuming you got hurt somehow, so I suppose you should probably rest. Right? Or did I guess wrong?

*She receives a call from an unknown number*

… hiiiiiiiiii sibling … ‘ve gotten to the hospital … i wanna get outta here …

*tricia nearly drops the phone when she hears his voice. old, painful memories burst into her mind of a summer many years ago, nearly forgotten by the town. her voice was hardened and strained, and mixed with confusion*

How are you even alive? I saw you die years ago! Why are you calling me?!

[ticktock-broken-clock]

*she writes it down and sighs*

Well, thanks, I guess? I'm honestly surprised you haven't tried to curse my dimension yet or something.

*She receives a call from an unknown number*

… hiiiiiiiiii sibling … ‘ve gotten to the hospital … i wanna get outta here …

*tricia nearly drops the phone when she hears his voice. old, painful memories burst into her mind of a summer many years ago, nearly forgotten by the town. her voice was hardened and strained, and mixed with confusion*

How are you even alive? I saw you die years ago! Why are you calling me?!

[ticktock-broken-clock]

*tricia thinks about it for a moment. her hesitation is almost palpable*

I... really shouldn't. I really, really shouldn't. I...

*she sighs*

...guess it wouldn't hurt though. Gods, I can't believe I'm talking to you so cordially...

*She receives a call from an unknown number*

… hiiiiiiiiii sibling … ‘ve gotten to the hospital … i wanna get outta here …

*tricia nearly drops the phone when she hears his voice. old, painful memories burst into her mind of a summer many years ago, nearly forgotten by the town. her voice was hardened and strained, and mixed with confusion*

How are you even alive? I saw you die years ago! Why are you calling me?!

[ticktock-broken-clock]

*tricia frowns a little*

I mean, maybe they do. I've never had any numbers from outside of my dimension, so I guess I haven't been able to test it before.

*She receives a call from an unknown number*

… hiiiiiiiiii sibling … ‘ve gotten to the hospital … i wanna get outta here …

*tricia nearly drops the phone when she hears his voice. old, painful memories burst into her mind of a summer many years ago, nearly forgotten by the town. her voice was hardened and strained, and mixed with confusion*

How are you even alive? I saw you die years ago! Why are you calling me?!

[ticktock-broken-clock]

I'd... really rather not have that happen. If... if I ever chose to contact someone outside of my dimension, I'd rather do it myself.

*She receives a call from an unknown number*

… hiiiiiiiiii sibling … ‘ve gotten to the hospital … i wanna get outta here …

*tricia nearly drops the phone when she hears his voice. old, painful memories burst into her mind of a summer many years ago, nearly forgotten by the town. her voice was hardened and strained, and mixed with confusion*

How are you even alive? I saw you die years ago! Why are you calling me?!