At this age and time they could say that they have seen it all. Yet here they were, their eyes almost falling out in their surprise. Dipper and Mabel Pines sat in a pristine little office room. In comfy seats, Mabel holding her steaming teacup a breath away from her lips. The porcelain under her fingers felt too cold despite their contents.
The old mahogany table that was their shield between them and the cause of their surprise .
The Pines were famous for their thorough investigation in the paranormal industry. Their skill widely known. The fact that they were hired to hunt down an entity that should have only existed in tales and legends, wasn't the one that caused their turmoil. No. They have long left those little details behind. Like it shouldn't be possible to have witches this age or that gnomes were all kind.
No. They didn't believe in fairy tales. They believed their eyes.
Said eyes were now darting between the customer and the creature standing right next to him.
The office became it's opposite as both Pines jumped from their seat tossing the furniture back. Mabel holding her teacup, the golden liquid almost spilling from her sudden movement. Her other hand safely over the trusty weapon she had under her leather jacket.
Dipper on the other hand, stood with his hands stretched out before him. A silver blade gleaming between them and their customer.
On the other side, cold almost grey eyes, looked back at the pair with a bored glance. Not giving in to the aggressive atmosphere directed right at her. Her posture rigid, the same when she stepped out of the shadows to toss the room's calm out the window.
"What's the meaning of this?" Dipper hissed, his muscles flexing under his long sleeves. His gaze never leaving the neckline of the creature before them.
The client's eyebrow rose, while a smirk formed on his lips. "Kids there is no need to fret."
"Tell us right now!" The cold sweat that started its way down Dipper's temple made him jumpy. His brain was spinning at the speed of light. Calculating the way down to the parking lot where they left their car. Taking in account all the possible scenarios within the office.
"Calm down." the client repeated himself. His left hand lifted, and the creature obediently lowered herself to kneel next to his chair. "She is harmless." his caressing the skin next to him.
Mabel sipped from her tea, her eyes crinkling with mischief. "Does your kitty have a name?"
The grey eyes snapped to her. Pale skin holding a perfect mask until now cracked for a mere second to show off teeth hidden behind lips.
"She does have fangs," Mabel gave it to her while she finished her hot drink. Licking her lips afterwards, getting the last taste from the sweet beverage.
"Mabel we are going." Dipper sunk his blade back to its sheath. His eyes never leaving the creature's form.
The older Pines twin lowered her now empty cup to the table, a smile playing on her full lips. Unlike her brother her eyes danced on the female's face. Looking for another crack on the clean mask of hers.
"I told you not to fret." their customer leaned forward a dirty smirk painting over his features. "Against her looks she is not a vampire yet."
"That doesn't concern us." Dipper cut in, already mid turn to leave.
This wasn't in the info that they got from their Grunkles. If something bothered Dipper it was mistakes. Their briefing was about livestock for a creature, which seemed rather pricey and valuable to their customer.
Stan Pines wouldn't have accepted the offer otherwise.
"Hm," Mabel leaned to her right, almost comically balancing on one heel before the pair. Her lower lip was pushed out as she contemplated the new info. " a dhampir then?" her body swung to the other side. The curve of her movement fluid yet calculated.
"Dipper! She is a real dhampir!" almost screeching, her voice bounced back from the gaudy tapestry all around them.
"Still," the boy's gaze finally lifted and he himself gave up and examined the creature before them.
At second glance she seemed more human. Her features almost too beautiful to be true. Well it was one of the 'side effects' of being a dhampir. At least that's what they read all those years ago, when they were still apprentices.
The creature's eyes drilled into his, and made Dipper realize that the investigation wasn't one sided.
"Still," he repeated "this wasn't in your letter."
His sister peeked at him, her smile still in place. Then her body shifted slightly, closer to him.
"I have a name."
Both of them twitched when the voice carried to them, like it was riding on the wind. The flow of it felt like the honey drop from a spoon. If Mabel hadn't known better she would have sworn that the girl stood between her and Dipper. Involuntary her eyes jump up for a split second before landing back on the pale mask before them.
And she knew she would never forget that half smile for the rest of her life.