video } entry 2

[krmvgivv]

[Dipper looks even more frazzled than usual. The stress lines that always surround his eyes are more pronounced than usual.]

So, you might have noticed a really strange transmission that went through? That... that's from my world. His name's Bill Cipher. He looks like a surprisingly well dressed triangle, and he's... some kind of demon, I guess. He can get into your head and mess with your dreams and just be creepy.

[He leans in closer to the camera.]

Whatever you do, don't trust him. Really, it's probably best to run as far away as you can if you see him. And let me know if he somehow gets into your head. I've gotten him out before, I can do it again.

[He sits back a bit.]

...that's about it. Any questions?

Comments

[holdthephones]

[Neku doesn't react to the thought in the slightest. because he's not actively scanning right now. HA POINT ONE FOR NEKU. and he certainly doesn't try to eat Dipper, so that must be a good sign, right?

instead, he frowns thoughtfully] I dunno if you could find that many. You're right, we need to do our best to protect everyone. But you're the guy who knows the most about the demonic onigiri. You and your team should be priority. We can work on mass producing magic pins later.

[krmvgivv]

Don't suppose you've got a spare on you, right? [That would be too convenient. But it's still good to know. If he can score one for him and one for Mabel, well, that's about all he really needs. Everyone else can wait until they figure out how to do it on a bigger scale.]

[holdthephones]

No, I . . . Wait a minute. [Neku digs around in his shorts pocket, then raises his eyebrows, pleasantly surprised. he frowns, removing his hand with . . . nothing]

That's funny, I remembered I had an extra, but-- [he checks his other pocket] I still would've kept it for my Partner, my . . . friend, he's my priority. But-- No, it's not here!

[Neku removes both hands from his pockets and looks down to Dipper. his tone is urgent]

Someone took my pin. [He knows]

[krmvgivv]

[The fact that he wouldn't have given it to Dipper anyway makes it a lot less Dipper's problem, so he just shrugs.]

Try retracing your footsteps?

[holdthephones]

Dude, you're not listening. [he gestures at the Player Pin on his shirt, touching the tips of his fingers to it. which is really so he can focus and start scanning Dipper] No one else knew about it. I didn't know about it. And I just happened to screw with your demon earlier today.

Can he do something like this?

[krmvgivv]

Well, he's intagible, so probably not. Unless he made a deal with someone to get it or something.

[holdthephones]

It's still weird . . . Everything else is here.

[he shakes his head. he can't do anything about it now] Whatever. I shared my notes. What're yours? Anything else about Private Eye or that head-hopping ritual? [and here, he's listening to Dipper's surface thoughts]

[krmvgivv]

Still on a need to know basis. [It's not even like Dipper's got it memorized, so he won't get anything besides general suspicion and a lot of worries. And general discontent because he doesn't feel like Neku's notes didn't help much besides revealing that there's something that could block Bill out. But he'll probably have to go to the vendors for it, and from what he's heard, the prices they charge are bad.]

[holdthephones]

[goddammit. Neku stops scanning, then, deeming this kid useless until Bill fucks them all over, and then it'll be too late. mostly, he's frustrated he put himself out there, especially with the "I'm dead and can read minds!" thing, and it seems like Dipper isn't even trying]

Wow, great. Good luck getting Player Pins for your secret club, man, because when it comes down to it? When this demon pulls the rug out from under us because you won't share helpful information? Everyone will turn to you. And they'll be pissed.

[he turns to go] Tell me when it all goes to hell, because despite your paranoid bull? Me and Joshua will still help. Because there are people on the line here.

[krmvgivv]

What, you mean you won't just read my mind to figure it out? [He sure hasn't forgotten that Neku hasn't confirmed or denied that, and the dead thing was... inconclusive in the way deflective sarcasm often is. For obvious reasons, Dipper's a little tetchy about the idea right now. He's got enough problems keeping his thoughts private right now.]

[holdthephones]

[he's started to go before Dipper's even finished his sentence, but then he stops, which is telling. Neku says over his shoulder:] I'm not your demon, Dipper. [then he turns a quarter of the way] And neither is anyone else in Wonderland in your same position. I get this place breeds paranoia, but take it from a guy who's starting to get it: you can't block everyone out. It'll screw you over.

[krmvgivv]

Pretty okay blocking out anyone who wants to get in my mind.

[And it's not paranoia if they really are out to get you. He scowls and turns to leave, heading in the opposite direction. He knows the caves well enough that he can find his way out the other exit without too much trouble.]