Dearest Alice,

I hope this letter finds you well. I can't even begin to express how much I miss you. The journey this far has been an adventure, to say the least, but I can't help but miss your company.

I find myself thinking about you constantly, your smile, the way your nose wrinkles when you laugh. Every day we sail further away, the distance between us grows. Sometimes, I catch myself staring at the horizon, imagining the miles that separate us. It almost feels like an eternity since I last saw you. But I hold onto the memory of our time together. I like to imagine you deep in your studies, drawing out the cranes in your journals.

The ship's crew is interesting, to say the least. Stanley is as chaotic as ever, but I must admit he's keeping me entertained. We've encountered a few storms in our journey, which Stanley, of course, found amusing. Me, not so much. I had nearly forgotten what seasickness feels like. Every night, we gather in the cabin to play cards. Stanley cheats, of course, but I find it humorous, especially since he's so bad at it. I think he's just trying to make me pay more attention to him.

I know you are probably eager to know what I've been up to besides staring at the ocean, so I'll get to it. I've been keeping busy studying the stars, analyzing water samples, and documenting different whale songs... And perhaps sketching a certain bird lady from memory.

Speaking of, I hope you are staying safe and continuing your research. I can almost see you, notebook and camera in hand. I wish I could be there with you, exploring the wilderness and sharing in your passion.

I miss you, Alice. Every night, I count the days until we can be together again. Write back soon, won't you?

With love,
Ford.

.    .    .

My dearest Ford,

I was caught unaware when I read your letter, I was not convinced that I was not reading the writing of a poet.

Gravity Falls has been quiet without the Pines Family and I cannot say I enjoy the silence. It is glaring and painful without you or the twins here, and I have taken to finding other ways to occupy my mind.

After our previous encounter with them, I have continued my study of the Luminiferous Cranes. The cranes are curious creatures; when I made myself known to them, they did not attempt to flee. Much like the previous encounter, they seemed to be curious about me as much as I was them. I have spent many of the past few days familiarizing myself with the cranes, and they seem to have taken to me.

They seem to form monogamous bonds, with three or four pairs in each flock, whilst the collective raise the fledglings. I consider myself lucky enough to have gotten close to a nest with a roost of fledglings. While the male watching the nest did not allow me to interact with them, I have a rather spectacular sketch of them in my journals.

I cannot wait to show you when you return for the Christmas holiday, despite how far that is. I miss you terribly and could hardly bring myself to wait to write you when your letter arrived.

I miss your smile, Ford, you have the most spectacular smile when you let people see it.

I hope that you and Stan are enjoying your stay on the Stan 'O War, despite the storms and dangers out there. It sends a shiver down my spine thinking about it, so I won't dwell on it. Be sure to send me sketches of the strange things you find on the open ocean, and for goodness sake, don't fall in.

I eagerly await your next letter.

Yours,

Alice.

.    .    .

My dearest Alice,

Your letter was a welcome respite from the monotony of sailing, a breath of fresh air in the vast expanse of the ocean. I felt your presence in every word.

Let me say that your passion for ornithology is as infectious as your smile. I must confess that I am envious of your encounter with the Luminiferous Cranes, they are beautiful and fascinating creatures, and I can see them through your words. I anticipate the day when I get the chance to see your sketches of the nests, perhaps even sight a fledgling.

Stanley and I are continuing our journey and we've encountered many wonders and dangers at sea. The weather has been increasingly unpredictable, with massive storms and raging currents. It has made navigation quite a challenge, but we've managed to stay afloat thus far.

We spotted a colossal squid the other day, lurking in the depths. It was a sight to behold, the size of a small car with tentacles like a giant serpentine creature. It was both eerie and majestic at once. We also encountered a shoal of bioluminescent fish. In the darkness of the night, they glow like underwater fae, lighting up the ocean around us. The sight was incredible, almost magical.

Despite the beauty of it all, I still find myself missing you terribly. I miss your laughter, your company, and your intelligent conversation. The days and nights have begun to blur together into one continuous journey.

The sea can be quite isolating at times. It is vast, endless, and at times, scary. I long for the comfort of your presence and the safety of our home in Gravity Falls.

I can hear Stanley calling me now. I must end this letter here, but I shall write again as soon as I can. Until then, please take care and know my thoughts are always with you.

With love,
Ford.

.    .    .

My Dearest Ford,

I find myself almost jealous of the sights you have written of, if not for my fear of drowning, I would be at sea with you.

Despite the longing ache for your company, I find solace in knowing that Gravity Falls is a welcoming town. While none can compare to you, I find myself amicable with a few of the townsfolk at the dinner. Despite being slow to learn names, I seem to have made quite an impression on the folks at Greasy's Diner.

I even have a regular seat.

But that is nothing compared to the experience I had with the cranes this week. I've taken the liberty of dressing to swim when I go visit them, seeing as I am either dragged in the water by the adults or the fledglings spray me as they learn to swim. I came across a sample of feathers and have enclosed a few in this letter, in hopes that they remind you of me when you are weary and longing.

Dipper and Mabel have been kind enough to call and message me when they are out of school. I have been told by Mabel that you and Stan are forgetting to send them pictures, I relay this message on behalf of them and their demands that you pay more attention to them than myself.

I am terribly fond of the twins. Mabel is a ray of sunshine that I would happily give up all my research for, and Dipper is such a clever boy, asking about my research and discoveries whenever he calls. It brings me such joy to know them and I am glad they want to contact me while they are home.

I hope that the cranes' feathers bring you some comfort on your trip to sea. I am painfully aware of how much I miss you when I see them, knowing that you are the one who introduced me to the flock.

Continue to be safe and learn, as we both know how reckless you can be when you put your mind to something.

With all my love,
Alice.

.    .    .

My dearest Alice,

Thank you for the feathers. They are beautiful, much like yourself. I find that they serve as a lovely reminder of you and it is a comfort to know we are on the others' minds, even when we are so far apart.

It is good to hear that you have taken a liking to the community. Although I am not surprised, your nature makes you quite the charmer. I do not doubt that you have the attention of many in town.

The mention of the twins has brought a smile to my face. I am glad they have been such good company to you and I will take their criticism into consideration. I have indeed been quite lax in keeping them updated on our trips.

We are still moving forward, the sea continues to offer up its surprises. Just the other day, we witnessed a flock of sea birds dive for a school of fish in one of the most spectacular aerobatic displays I have ever seen. The sight was breathtaking, the birds diving and twisting in perfect harmony to corral the fish into a tight mass. It was as if they were performing an elaborate dance, each bird knowing its part.

I wish you could have seen, the grace and power of the birds. It's a sight I will never forget, and I know it would have mesmerized you too. Although I relish these experiences, I find myself missing the simple moments we shared in Gravity Falls. The long walks through the forests, the quiet evenings at home, the warmth of your smile, and the sound of your voice.

As much as I enjoy the adventure, I look forward to returning home and embracing you once more. I shall write as soon as I can. Until then, please take care, my dearest Alice.

With love,
Ford.

.    .    .

My dearest Ford,

The behavior you describe in the hunting patterns is outstanding. One of the most impressive adaptations of sea birds is their ability to dive to great depths to catch prey. The body structure of some species, such as cormorants and pelicans, is streamlined and agile to facilitate underwater movement.

The patterns you describe remind me of the Wandering Albatross, forming flocks in order to hunt en mass. They are well known for their large size and far-traveling ranges across the southern expanse of the ocean, due to their globally accepted wide wingspan. You should consider yourself lucky if they are the bird I suspect because they tend to be solitary birds.

But enough about birds, I have shocking news.

During a small venture into town, I found myself face-to-face with a very interesting family, I'm not sure if the name Northwest rings a bell. They paraded around town as if they had the fines plumage, pardon the expression, and were quite captivated when I had the chance to introduce myself.

It seems they are far too interested in my ex-husband's family, claiming to know my ex-father-in-law very well. I managed to shut down their bolstering with a simple claim that I had never heard of them. One would expect class from people who claim to have it, but I am endlessly shocked to find it lacking in the new generation of wealth.

Seemingly to spite me, Priscilla Northwest had invited me to their annual Christmas party, an event I dread. I hope to drag you with me when you return. I do not think I could manage an affair so grand without a familiar and loving face to keep me there.

I miss you terribly. Gravity Falls is not the same without the Pines here, it urges longing for your company and all that comes with it. I eagerly await the day I receive a letter claiming to be the last because that will be the day I know you will return to me.

It is with the most love and longing that I send this letter. I do hope to hear from you soon.

All of my love,
Alice.

.    .    .

My dearest Alice,

Your knowledge about sea birds never ceases to impress me. The fact that the bird I described sounds similar to the Wandering Albatross is fascinating, and I shall have to see if I can confirm this, if only for you.

I must say, the news of your encounter with the Northwest family comes as a surprise. It does not surprise me that they are as insufferable as ever, I have no fond memories of them and I doubt I ever will. I must admit, I find it quite amusing that you managed to shut down their boasting with your claim of ignorance. Good on you, my dear, I would have loved to see the looks on their faces as they were humbled.

Although I am no fan of social gatherings, I will gladly accompany you to their Christmas party, if for no other reason than to avoid you having to endure it alone. While I am less than eager about the event, there is one question that nags at me. How did the Northwest family know your name? 

The name 'Dupont' is unique and I cannot fathom how they could have recognized you in Gravity Falls without knowledge of your identity. I cannot help but feel it is no coincidence that they knew who you were, my dear. This makes me worry about the state of your safety.

I only wish that I could be with you to protect you from any potential danger. Know that I am concerned for your safety, and I hope these letters can lessen the distance between us until I return to you.

Until then, please be cautious, and know my thoughts are with you always.

With love,
Ford.

.    .    .

My dearest Ford,

While there is much we do know about each other, there is also much we have yet to learn. Such as the circumstances around my previous marriage and subsequent divorce, for you see, my ex-husband was born into money, his father being a tycoon in the cigar industry. 

My married name, Dupont, is a symbol of status in high society, so it was no shock to me that the Northwest family knew it. While I am no longer a Dupont, my father and mother-in-law still treat me as such, and are endlessly wonderful to me despite my cutting ties with their son. The Northwest will likely expect a boost in status through my attending their party, and due to the strict societal pressures of the upper class, it would be rude of me not to attend.

I do not wish for this to place distance between us, the overwhelming knowledge of the power of society shall not be the thing to tear me from you, for I would gladly give it up rather than suffer without you. I do not crave the life of high society, nor would I ever wish that curse on anyone, except perhaps my ex-husband, he relished that life and they deserve each other.

However, on a lighter note, I wish to express how chilly it grows as the winter months draw nearer. The chill in the air brings the preparations for Christmas and the entire town glows with the spirit. I am glad to wake up to the sounds of people preparing for the holiday, and the few friends I have made in town have been rather overwhelming with their early gift-giving.

In their words, I am the lone mistress with nothing but her books to occupy her time. Perhaps I embellished the wording, but it is a challenge to keep up with your graceful penmanship, one that I relish with my own.

It is agonizing to be without you, honeybee. I long for your hand in mine and your touch, it is like desperate hunger that I cannot dream of satisfying. Nor would I dare do so, because indulgence will be all the more fruitful when I do see you again.

Be sure to send my affection to Stanley when you get this letter. And know that I send my love to you.

With love,
Alice.

.    .    .

My dearest Alice,

As always, your words are like a balm to my weary soul on this lonely journey. To hear your perspective on your previous relationship and the ties that bind you to high society helps me to understand your life a little bit better. Though I must admit, the world of the wealthy is completely foreign to me.

The thought of you enduring the pressures and expectations of the upper class fills me with admiration for your resilience. The strength you have displayed in maintaining your identity and values in the face of societal norms is a testament to your indomitable spirit. I only wish I could shelter you from the judgmental stares and whispers that come with high society gatherings.

I find myself wishing I could be there to hold your hand and provide you with reassurance. It breaks my heart to think of you braving the world of the elites alone, surrounded by shallow individuals who value status over genuine connection. But you, my dear, are worth a thousand of them. You are are rare gen, cherished and treasured, who stands firmly rooted when faced with the storms of superficiality.

As the holiday season approaches, I can only imagine the hustle and bustle in Gravity Falls. The thoughts of the townsfolk preparing for Christmas in their unique way warms my heart and reminds me of how lucky I am to have found such a wonderful place to call home. It makes me all the more eager to return to you. Despite the challenges and pressures you face in such an environment, I take solace in knowing that you have found it in the town and the people in it.

The warmth and kindness they show you, including their earl gift-giving is a testament to your own kind heart. Even if they see you as a 'lone mistress', your spirit shines like a beacon of authenticity in a world that often lacks it. I envy those who get to experience your company firsthand. 

As the winter months approach and the air grows gold, I cannot help but long for the warmth of your embrace. The thought of holding your hand and feeling your touch once more fills me with anticipation. But for now, I shall content myself with the knowledge that you are strong, resilient, and the very embodiment of genuine grace and beauty.

I love you, my dearest Alice. Your letters are the lifeline that keeps me afloat in this vast sea of loneliness. Please take care and know that I am counting the days until I return to your side.

All my love,
Ford.

.    .    .

My dearest Ford,

It is with great joy that I write this final letter because you return to me in fourteen days.

There is no greater joy than knowing that I will have you in my arms once again during the Christmas holiday and that I will be able to bring you as much comfort and love in person as I have in letters.

I must say, flattery becomes you, with the mind of a scientist and the words of a poet. I find myself rereading letters in an attempt to understand the brilliance behind your spectacles and the overwhelming wealth of pleasantries in your heart. I crave to hear more when I next see you, perhaps in the privacy of my apartment with nothing more than your mind and mine.

Mabel and Dipper are excited to make the trip up for the holidays, but I know they are more excited to see you and Stanely once again. As am I, but I will leave the flowery references for when you return. 

Gravity Falls has been rather quiet of late, I formally received my invitation to the Northwest Christmas ball in the mail and have sent my reservation to two seats. I anticipate being able to see you in a suit once more, hopefully the circumstances will be better than the Certified Mabel Date of Dreams, but less than that of the incredulity of the Northwest manor.

I hope you do not have many plans for when you return because I intend to occupy as much of your time as you will allow me. Excluding exertion to continue our studies with the Luminiferous Cranes, I hope to spend all of my time in your company. Be sure that when you receive this letter, there will be less than two weeks until the day I hold you again, and you can tell me the stories of your journey in person.

Perhaps over a home-cooked dinner at my apartment? Candles and all.

I can't wait to see you again, Ford.

With all my love,
Alice.

.    .    .

My dearest Alice,

This, as I am sure you've gathered, will be the final letter you will receive while I am away. The time has never seemed so long, yet each passing day brings me closer to your side. The thought of being able to hold you in my arms once more and spending the Christmas holiday with you fills me with a warmth that no amount of writing could replicate.

As I prepare to return, I find myself reflecting on the words I've written to you over these months. Your unwavering companionship through these letters has been a lifeline, a source of comfort and joy in a sea of lonely nights and countless stars. The thought of seeing your face again, hearing your voice, and feeling the touch of your hands sends a frisson of anticipation through me.

I look forward to discussing our studies with the cranes in person and delving deeper into the natural world with your insightful mind by my side. And I must admit, the thought of seeing you fitted has not escaped my notice, nor do I doubt your ability to surpass the opulence of the Northwest ball.

But more than anything, I crave the moments when we can simply be together. Sharing a home-cooked meal in your apartment, with candles and all, sounds like a dream come true. The chance to talk not through paper and ink but in presence and words, well, it outshines anything else on this expedition.

My time here may have been long and fraught with solitude, but the thought of being reunited with you has provided enough warmth and hope to see me through. The days until I return to your arms seem to crawl by, yet I hold onto the thought of a Christmas spent together as a beacon of hope.

And so, my dearest Alice, I bid you farewell until we are reunited in person. Count the days, as I will do the same, and know my thoughts and heart remain steadfastly in your hands.

All of my love,
Ford