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Chapter Three: The Party Part One
The cobblestone pavement was really not meant for carriages, Mabel decided. It was a rough and bumpy ride, always going over the tiniest of cracks and causing Dipper and Mabel to hit their heads against the ceiling of the carriage. Mabel wouldn't normally mind, but she had spent a large amount of time organizing her hair perfectly, and every time the carriage rocked it would ruin her hard work. Any other night it would have been fine, but now she was heading to Pacifica's party.
Mabel tutted and asked the coachman to slow down, even though they were barely going faster than a snail's pace already. Dipper groaned softly and tugged at his gloves, brushing his free hand through his bangs to make sure that his birthmark was covered. The pair was quite a state, one hoping to meet new connections for a marriage, and another nervous about finally declaring the intentions he had with the Northwest's daughter. It was only a matter of time before he had talked to the the head of the Northwest household, and even now it was only at Mabel's insistence.
"Are you sure I should be doing this?" Dipper asked when they saw the mansion. Mabel's small gift for Pacifica was tucked into his lap. "She probably has a hundred suitors coming after her already."
"She does. Even without the money she has a prestigious title that they all want." Mabel wasn't going to comfort her brother too much, he needed to be pushed on this matter. Mabel considered herself an expert in marriage at this point in her life. "She can't put it off any longer waiting for you to work up the nerve, Dipper. If you want to marry her, this is your last chance. She's been waiting for you."
They didn't talk about Mabel's own marriage, or the way she rejected suitors left and right. It wouldn't be long before Stanford had to take the reins and make a call for her, since Stanley was too close to Mabel to force her into marriage. At least Dipper had some choice of love, Mabel knew she would be settling, and more than likely to the highest bidder. At least they all agreed that the Gleeful offer would be ignored, even if he didn't seem to get the message. The gifts he gave were always returned.
"This is ridiculous. Are we there yet?" Dipper asked, tapping his fingers on the edge of the small box. Mabel had picked out a more romantic gift, just because Dipper would get credit for giving it to her. Though no doubt Mabel would be asked later about the gift itself.
Mabel didn't reply, brushing out the ends of her own hair in a last ditch attempt to look presentable. She had no idea what else to say, since the matter was out of her hands at this point. Dipper would either throw his hat into the ring of Pacifica's marriage, or he would sit on the sidelines and let the opportunity pass him by.
The carriage hit a final bump in the Northwest's driveway, before coming to a stop. Dipper managed to look relieved and agitated at the same time. Mabel didn't hesitate before accepting the help of the coachman. Their family wasn't nearly as wealthy as to have a footman at their disposal, though almost no one was rich enough to have such a thing except the royals. Mabel never really cared, not even sure she would need such a luxury.
"Dipper, please, this is your last chance. I know you do love her." Mabel tucked her arm into his so her brother could escort them inside. "I don't want to watch you be unhappy for the rest of your life."
Dipper sighed, not commenting but not brushing his sister off. Mabel didn't have time to whisper anything else to her brother before they were inside the Northwest Manor, being formally announced as well. Pacifica had not wasted anything, the whole party screaming wealth and status.
"Presenting Earl and Countess Dipper and Mabel Pines." The announced decreed, which caused a few heads to turn towards them. Mabel paid it no mind, still not used to the title and attention. When people talked about her family having new money, they meant it.
Pacifica was the center of attention, all smiles and bright personality. She waved at the twins, unable to break away from the current conversation she was having with a man who didn't seem to understand that wine should be sipped and not gulped down. Mabel couldn't do much for her friend at the moment, but she could subtly nudge her brother in the direction of Pacifica's father. Dipper gave her a glare for it, but he still sucked in his gut and went over to talk to the man.
They had arrived early, early enough to be fashionable and make the small statement that they had been looking forward to coming. The music was just starting, and most guests hadn't even gotten tea or a refreshment. Mabel always stayed away from alcohol, not only disliking the taste but also disliking the effect it had on her.
At this point though, Pacifica's unwelcomed company was starting to get a bit unruly, and Mabel didn't need an excuse to talk to her friend. As the hostess of the party, Pacifica was expected to entertain all. Mabel on the other hand, not so much.
"Pacifica, happy birthday dear!" Mabel said happily, going forward and hugging her friend tightly. Pacifica breathed a soft sigh of relief as Mabel excused them from the conversation, leaving the man alone to his wine. "The party is wonderful, though I expected nothing less from your family."
Pacifica gave a grateful smile, not even noticing as Mabel gently steered them away from where Dipper and Preston Northwest were talking. If Pacifica saw them talking, she would absolutely insist on going over there to find out what they were saying.
"It's only good now because he hasn't shown up yet." Pacifica spoke in a hushed whisper, and spat out the words with venom. Mabel had to resist the urge to roll her eyes.
"He's probably just going to make an appearance and then leave. Don't let him ruin your special day." Mabel wound her arm through her friends, giving Pacifica's hand a gentle pat.
"You don't understand. He ruins everything for me!" Mabel had to shush her when she was too loud. "My apologies. It's just… I think he has a vendetta against my family. Though I don't get why, it was my family that took him in when he lost his parents."
Mabel held back her surprise, though it was a bit hard. Pacifica had been keeping that a secret for a long time then, since Mabel had never heard that before. Pacifica didn't comment on it more, huffing a sigh and shaking her head.
"You're right though, I won't let him ruin this for me." Pacifica managed to stand up straighter, her resolve showing. "He always ruins things, but not this time."
"Presenting Marquess William Cipher." The loud voice of the announcer cut through any conversation that they might have had next, and everyone's attention turned towards the entrance of the room.
Mabel had never met him before, but for all of the rumors that flew around she was expecting...something else. She wasn't expecting a man who barely looked older than them, with blond hair and a well tailored suit. She wasn't expecting the constant smirk on his face, and she wasn't expecting the way he seemed to immediately zeroed in on her and Pacifica, his cane tapping against the ground with a small click that echoed through the ballroom. Once the other guests realized that the most important person wasn't paying attention to them, they turned back to their own conversations.
"Lady Northwest, it's an honor to see you again." His voice was smooth, almost like something she could have heard in a dream. Pacifica was as stiff as a board next to Mabel, but still offered her hand to Bill as a proper woman should. "I don't believe we've met though."
He said the last statement to Mabel, even as he took Pacifica's hand and pressed a proper kiss to the back of her hand. Mabel still couldn't believe that this was the man that all of the rumors were talking about. There was something so charming about him, though it was the same kind of charm that came with a snake. Bill Cipher was dangerous.
"Mabel Pines, my Lord." She was only one rank below him, but Mabel still gave a small curtsy and offered her hand to him. He gave it the same kiss that just barely brushed across her knuckles before he was standing straight again, though a bit of surprise was in his eyes.
"Pines? As in related to Stanley and Stanford Pines?" He asked curiously. Mabel unwound her arm from Pacifica's, standing on her own now.
"They're my uncles. Do you do business with them? They've never mentioned the Cipher name before." Mabel let a small smile grace her face, even at the backhanded comment. She knew her family didn't do business with the man standing in front of her, but she didn't have to point it out.
"No, we don't do business. I just find it curious that I never knew they had such a lovely young woman hiding in their home." His words were as smooth as the velvet of her dress, not even a second of hesitation. Mabel only kept the smile on her face, though his words almost made a shiver go down her spine.
Pacifica seemed perfectly okay with letting Mabel take the lead on the conversation. Bill hadn't taken his eyes off her once since he had decided to give her his attention, and Mabel found it simply strange. They had never even met before, but the way he was looking at her was almost inappropriate.
"I find it strange that we've never met before, Miss Pines." He spoke smoothly, making it seem as though Pacifica didn't exist from how he ignored her. Pacifica did take the chance to slip away, leaving Mabel alone.
"Do you now?" Mabel at least found comfort that they weren't alone somewhere. She kept her hands in front of her, noticing how her dress matched the color of his suit almost perfectly.
"Very strange indeed. Do you have many suitors vying for your attention now?" Bill asked, taking a glass of wine when it was offered to him. Mabel declined softly.
She didn't get a chance to answer, not that she really would have, the question was much too personal from someone she had just met, when the music finally started at a louder volume. Couples were already taking the floor before the first notes of the waltz finished hanging in the air, going into a sweeping waltz. The elegance was nothing short of amazing, Mabel had always loved dancing.
"Would you honor me with this dance?" Bill asked, voice a little loud to be heard over the music. He held out his hand in a silent invitation, making Mabel glance down at it.
She couldn't very well refuse him. There was no one else that had offered to dance with her, and there was no excuse she could think of. Refusing a dance would simply come back on her, and even though Pacifica wouldn't mind it, others would whisper about her rejecting him.
"Of course." She murmured before giving a small curtsy once more, slipping her hand into his.
Then they were already with the other couples, with his hand firm on her waist and the music washing over them. Bill was a wonderful dancer, but that was to be expected from someone of his status, anything else would be unjustified. Mabel had learned dancing just for the fun of it, a skill that had come in handy on more than one occasion.
By the time the waltz was over, Mabel's cheeks were stained with the lightest of pinks and Bill seemed quite proud of the dancing they had done. Other couples were glancing at them, between the pair that had never met before but was already sharing a dance. Mabel was important enough to even be asked for a date from Bill Cipher, and it had only helped her reputation.
"Thank you, for the honor of letting me have that dance." Bill said, offering her a bow before straightening, just in time to see Mabel give another curtsy and a smile just as expected.
Mabel already knew this was going to be the topic of gossip as Bill took his leave and left her just where they had started, though this time with no friend by her side. This time, when a servant walked by and offered a glass of champagne, she took it.