Hi there! This is my first story I've ever written/published on this site. Feel free to message me with any concerns or tips regarding formatting, writing, etc. I appreciate the constructive criticism!

I want to be clear that Gideon is 14, Pacifica is 16, and the Pine's twins are both 17. I know Pacifica and Gideon are referred to as children, but I used that as a very open term for anyone under 18. Pacifica and Gideon are strictly best friends, nothing else.

~~Warning~~

Story will contain: Blood, violence, 'torture', 'kidnapping' (in quotes because I'm debating plot lines at the moment). If you feel I should add another warning while I'm writing, feel free to tell me.

~Pacifica Northwest's p.o.v.~

"Slapjack!" I screeched and enthusiastically claimed the jack of spades with a loud thump. Gideon jerked his hand back and narrowly missed my fingertips colliding with his. An older woman a few seats back loudly hushed us and my cheeks started burning in response.

"Do you think we can play a different card game? All this jack-slapping is making my hand go red." He complains while rubbing his raw fingertips, which in all fairness could have been quicker. The train is chugging by at a fast pace, evergreens and glimpses of mountains speed by in a headache inducing blur. Even stuck in this metal box I can't help but notice how much fresher the air is.

"I think I'm done kicking your butt for now, let's just talk. I'm really nervous about meeting your Great-Uncle for the first time. You are 6200% positive he is okay having you and me for the whole summer?" I must have asked this 5 times already but I can't help being anxious. He rolls his eyes and scoffs at me.

"Pacifica, if you weren't welcome at the Mystery Shack, you wouldn't be on this train torturing me with card games." He tries to stare me down but breaks into a huge grin.

"Next stop, Gravity Falls Station. Please gather all belongings and wait for the train to come to a complete stop before exiting. Thank you." A gruff voice interjects over the intercom. I bounce happily in my seat and pull out my disposable camera. Gideon pulls me into a side-hug and we stick our tongues out playfully, the camera clicks and we are officially beginning the best summer vacation of all time.

"Welcome to Gravity Fall's kiddos! Nice to meet'cha Parcheesi, but I bet it's even nicer getting to meet the Ol' Mr. Mystery!"

"Um... it's Pacifica actually. Like the ocean just west of here?" He is grinning creepily and I can't help but stare. His graying hair sticks out of his fez messily, he's wearing a wrinkled suit that looks anything but professional.

"Hey Gideon, what's shaking? Still haven't dyed your snow white hair yet I see. I'm telling you, blue will get you noticed by all the ladies! Maybe a specific blonde one with braces and a glittery sweater..." He trails off and winks. Gideon pulls his hat down over his eyes in embarrassment and Stan starts hooting with laughter. Sure he's a bit eccentric but so am I, and I can't help but feel so at home surrounded by so many trees so I brush off his odd welcome.

"Thanks for having us for the summer Mr. Gleeful, I'm really glad I could get out of the city. Gideon was really excited to show me his favorite campsite and fishing spots!" Smiling so big I show every bracket of my braces, he puts one hand on both of our shoulders and leads us to his beat up car.

"No problem kid! Call me Grunkle Stan, free labor is free labor after all- I mean, I'm glad to have you guys keep me company." He catches himself and tries playing it off. My rolling suitcases kicks up gravel every step we take a step and makes dirt cling to my sweaty ankles.

"How about I give you a quick tour of the town. It's small and obnoxious, but you guys can explore wherever you want." I barely have a chance to buckle my seat belt before Stan drives off recklessly. I give Gideon a look of terror and hold tightly onto my seatbelt while the car swerves. He slows down at the absolute last second before entering town, probably to avoid the cops pulling him over.

"Hey Paz, there's city hall! The library, bowling alley, and Greasy's Diner! I can't wait to get you a Lazy Susan's coffee omelet!" Gideon practically has his face out the window, his excitement is contagious and I can't wait to explore a whole new world with Gideon by my side. Friendly faces walk around town, it is perfect weather to be outside and we are the only car on the road. A huge blue tent catches my eye.

"What's that tent for?" I ask. It is blue and white with a colorful wooden pentagram with an eye in its center on top.

"Stay away from that no good 'Tent of Telepathy', it's a freak show. Literally." Stan grunts and hunches grouchily over the steering wheel. Well that was weird. Gideon gives me a confused look and before we have time to ask any more questions, the town begins to fall away into trees again. Said trees are covered in an obnoxious amount of posters advertising the Mystery Shack.

"Here we are! Con, sweet, con!"

After spending a few hours unpacking, chatting excitedly, and checking out Grunkle Stan's tourist trap, Gideon and I decide to go walking out in the woods. The sun is finally setting, casting shadows through the trees and over our figures. A woodpecker catches my eye, I point my camera at it and try to get it perfectly in frame before it flies off.

"Isn't it so nice here? I wish it was like this back home, the coast is overrated." Gideon whispers as to not startle the bird, I end up with a great shot and I nod in agreement.

"I get what you mean, lake over sea any day!" I pause for a second to think. "Do you know why Grunkle Stan was so weird about that tent earlier?"

"That wasn't here last summer, so I have no clue. It sounds intriguing though." We both are quiet after that, not in an awkward way, but in a pleasant and relaxing way. I'm the one who breaks the silence.

"Let's go back for now. The train left me really tired, we can explore tomorrow." The sun slowly dipped behind the horizon, leaving purple and blue streaks through the sky. I started to yawn and Gideon caught it too, we both trek back to the Shack. Stan's converted attic was an awesome bedroom, or it will be once I'm done decorating it. After a quick dinner, lazy teeth brushing, and sliding into a pair of pajamas, we were done for. Falling asleep the second the Big Dipper shone brightly in the sky.

~Dipper Pines's p.o.v.~

"I came across two children in the woods yesterday evening, and I've never seen them before. Maybe we will have two new faces in the audience, children are always the ones to open their minds the fastest." I say without looking up from my tea. A few moments go by before I realize she didn't hear me.

"Sister?" I prod, and she breaks her gaze from the journal. She straightens up and gives me her full attention. "Yes, Brother?" She responds.

"There are two new children in town." I repeat. I can hear a faint murmur of sound from through the walls and I know that our show will soon begin. I begin to pull my heavy cloak over my suit and readjust my hanging amulet, Mabel smooths out her dark, shiny tights and straightened her headband adorned with the same gem.

"Tourist season is finally upon us, dear Dipper."

Since our manager/legal guardian Bud Pines brought our show to Gravity Falls last September, we've been eagerly been waiting for the summer vacation tourists to boost business. Until now we've done weekly shows and spent our free time in Pine's Manor. The mansion on the tallest hill overlooking the forest and town.

"It's surprising how dumb this town is, you would think they would have grown tired of our show. It pays being the town darlings, doesn't it?" She continues and smirks. A light knock on the door is our cue to begin, we both stand up and prepare as normal. We hold hands in a crisscross, right in right and left in left. Our eyes close and I can feel our energy begin flowing through my veins to hers, and hers to mine, hands feeling so cold it's burning and our eyes flash open at the same instant. Eyes, hands, and amulets glow a striking cyan and in an instant it dissipates.

"Ready to begin?" I ask and hold out my hand. She accepts and we begin our waltz out onto the stage.

"Always, Brother." She replies, the curtain glides open and the lights are blinding. The audience cheers loudly at our sudden appearance. We both bow dramatically and begin our act which turns out to be no different than every other performance. Hypnotic "spells", feats of telepathy, mind reading, magic tricks, mystery, drama, intrigue, the same damn acts embellished differently each time. By the time we are finished a thin layer of sweat covered my forehead, I wipe it dry with my handkerchief and glance at Mabel. She too looked exhausted, and happy for it to be over. Using our powers for over an hour straight takes its toll but the practice is good in the long run.

"Ready to return home? She asks me from across the stage while switching from high heels to flats. The short drive through the dark is nothing exciting. Every day is the same boring act, over and over again I realized suddenly. I barely register leaving the car and dragging myself alongside Mabel to our bedroom, I kiss her forehead goodnight and fall asleep within seconds. Thankful the night is over.