And here is another lovely chapter for any lovely readers out there. Leave a comment if you liked it or leave a specific one sentence critique. Alternatively, you can read and not leave a comment. I'll just go off into a corner and eat a cheese sandwich with bits of caviar in it.
-munch-munch-
Forgot to mention, the first part of the story is entitled Rise of the Humoncoli by Mon Cri. I highly recommend reading those chapters to get a good comprehension on what is happening in the coming chapters. It's gonna be gewd!
Jane had to admit, lying to Pacifica about her plans for the evening left a sour taste in her mouth. True, she was staying late into the night with Dipper. It was also true that she was going to meet him in the gym to receive some on-on-one teaching. However, the kind of learning Jane was about to receive would most certainly not include martial arts.
Suddenly, a flashback –
"Eh? Does she need that much extra training? She didn't do much better than me the last time we sparred." Pacifica pouted.
"Yes. But Jane was particularly adamant about receiving training tonight. It seems she took my comment about her weak punches to heart."
Dipper would've continued talking if it wasn't for the kick he received to the shins.
"I just think that Dipper teaching me the proper technique for punching and adapting it for someone with an injured hand would give me added confidence for the next time."
Jane smiled. Dipper thought it looked like a shit eating grin.
"But you didn't even need bandage wrappings. In fact, it looks like it healed quite nicely."
Dipper and Jane shared quick questioning glance.
"Oh, it's fully healed alright. It just feels like the decreased range of motion on some of my fingers has made it difficult to make a fist or do delicate work like hold spoons."
"On that note, have you been having trouble eating? Do you need assistance with your silverware?"
Another quick kick to the shins silenced Dipper.
"Oh, no. That won't be necessary." Jane said in a sing-song fashion.
'Her leg work is much better than her punches,' Dipper thought, not showing the least bit of discomfort.
"You guys smile way too much when you're together. You know that?" Pacifica said.
Present –
After narrowly avoiding the detection of some nightly cleanup staff and gossiping butlers, Jane finally made it to the training room. She opened the double doors and was greeted by the site of Dipper standing at attention, like a soldier in a military.
"There you are Jane. I was beginning to think you wouldn't show up." Dipper said between dodging Jane's raging fists. "Oh dear, did I say something offensive?" He back flipped away from the next flurry of attacks.
"That was one of the most anxiety laden dinners I've ever had in my life Dipper!"
"Why whatever do you mean Jane?"
By the time Dipper had finished the sentence Jane had charged right up to him and began a barrage of side kicks.
"Lying to Pacifica like that and that constant teasing. This is what you do to Pacifica everyday isn't it?"
Her arms were snatched from her. She was twirled around. Jane didn't know how but suddenly her left arm was wrapped around her chest while her other arm was stuck sticking up into the air.
"That's right." A husky and irritated male voice whispered into her ear. "I am the biggest liar in this mansion. I've done this kind of work for years and it doesn't bother me one bit." The training mat they were standing on burst into black flames that barely illuminated their faces. Jane could feel the flames licking and lashing at her legs from beneath her sweatpants. Oddly enough, they didn't burn.
'It's all a magic trick, it's all one big magic trick,' Jane repeated the sentence like a mantra. She had hoped it would calm her heaving chest.
"What I'm about to tell you Jane could very well endanger your life as well as everyone around you. Or what little friends and family you hold dear."
Jane struggled to free herself from Dipper's grasp, but to no avail.
"You see Jane, it works like this." The flames grew much brighter at that. "I was tasked by someone, a very powerful someone, to recover an item from the Northwest mansion."
By now the cackling flames had made their way to the wooden floor.
"You spoke with him once and he's left his mark on you."
Jane switched her gaze to her hand pointing up into the air. It was lit up like a blinker on a car.
"By having that mark, Jane, he can find you wherever you may be."
Beads of sweat were now dripping from Jane's forehead.
"He could tear your entire life apart, and he will…unless…"
Jane gasped and shut her eyes.
"You don't breath a word of this to anyone you meet. Ever."
Her body went slack and she sighed.
"I understand. And I still want to know."
"As you wish."
A fierce wind blew all around them and whipped at their hairs. It screamed and howled for what seemed like hours until it stopped just as suddenly as it came. There was no sound of otherworldly black flames, just dripping water on old stone.
"You can open your eyes now."
She did as suggested and found that they were no longer in the gym but the dungeons.
In one corner of the room was a festering corpse. So badly was it decomposing that its legs had literally melted away.
"And him, it, technically has no sex." He said, pointing to the assembly of painted symbols and mysterious objects.
"I don't see anyone there. Is this supposed to be a shrine to the god you worship?" Jane asked. She never pegged Dipper to be the religious type. Then again, she's been learning a lot of new and surprising facts about Dipper.
Dipper freed Jane of his embrace. "Step into the circle and then you'll see."
She did as she was told and saw what he meant. As soon as she stepped in the circle a fat man with long hair riding atop an alligator appeared before her. It was one of the strangest sites she had seen in real life and not on a Zootube video.
"Dipper. What is this creature you have brought me? Is she to be an offering or part of this new information you spoke of?" The fat man demanded. Dipper also entered the circle and placed his hand on Jane's shoulder.
"This is not part of the deal. Ignore her. She is simply another interested part who wishes to know more about Bill Cipher.
"Hey, just who ar-" The grip on Jane's shoulders suddenly tightened.
"Agares, is this circle strong enough to repel Bill Cipher's influence and presence?"
Jane shot a glare at Dipper. She had half a mind to punch him right then and there. But something told her that this was not the time. Especially with the alligator eyeing her like some piece of fresh meat.
"Now it should." A sudden increase in pressure behind the eyes seized Jane. "Apologies if this feels a little uncomfortable. The energies released should counter any and all traces of Bill Cipher, including the power within your bodies. Now tell me of this new information Cipher wants kept private."
"Agares," Dipper bellowed. "Bill Cipher is attempting to steal an artifact from the Northwest family which has the power to free his kin from their unearthly prison. He has tasked me with recovering it due to the extenuating circumstances surrounding his presence in the physical realm and in this mansion."
"A demon wishing to free his brethren from a prison? This is most interesting news. Interesting, but nothing more. If this is all, then I shall take my leave."
Sparkles shimmered and cascaded from Agares' greasy hair like dandruff flakes. Soon, his body and his pet began fading before Dipper and Jane.
"Agares, I have one more deal to offer you!" Dipper pleaded.
By now, Dipper was on his hands and feet.
"Very well then. But be quick about it. What is your offer this time, puppet of Cipher?"
"A chance to banish Cipher from existence once and for all."
Belch
Well that sandwich was tasty. The caviar has that saltiness that complements well with a very rich cheese like Mozarella or Butterkase.
Seeya next week.
