[The only ghosts, back where he's from, are of the human sort: shells that SERN can use, shells that SERN has made. This - this is unbelievable, some kind of scientific anomaly, literally unbelievable were it not happening before him. He hadn't expected to adjust his entire worldview that drastically, that quickly. Dimension hopping? Whatever. Ghosts? God, he'd never thought. But so it is.]
[He'll never forget the feeling of its arm through his chest, the grip it had on his heart, cold and tight. And then it was gone, taking all of his bravery with it. The only bravery he has is in that vacuum on his back, the tight set of his fingers around the hose.]
[When he reaches the storefront, covered in wards (does that actually work? he'll try anything) and rope, he's sweating. The past few nights have been riddled with nightmares; he looks disheveled and weary, like he has not slept. And ah, it's Dipper - Crypto Soldier, he'd nicknamed the young man. He can spare a smile for a familiar face.]
Hahaa, of course; how would you keep out interlopers without it? [He presents his hand.] Teach me, young one.
bonus: b!!
[The only ghosts, back where he's from, are of the human sort: shells that SERN can use, shells that SERN has made. This - this is unbelievable, some kind of scientific anomaly, literally unbelievable were it not happening before him. He hadn't expected to adjust his entire worldview that drastically, that quickly. Dimension hopping? Whatever. Ghosts? God, he'd never thought. But so it is.]
[He'll never forget the feeling of its arm through his chest, the grip it had on his heart, cold and tight. And then it was gone, taking all of his bravery with it. The only bravery he has is in that vacuum on his back, the tight set of his fingers around the hose.]
[When he reaches the storefront, covered in wards (does that actually work? he'll try anything) and rope, he's sweating. The past few nights have been riddled with nightmares; he looks disheveled and weary, like he has not slept. And ah, it's Dipper - Crypto Soldier, he'd nicknamed the young man. He can spare a smile for a familiar face.]
Hahaa, of course; how would you keep out interlopers without it? [He presents his hand.] Teach me, young one.