"Thanks for the ride, Mrs. Gleeful," Pacifica says as she steps out of the car.
Mrs. Gleeful nods, rolling down the car window so that she could talk.
"It is nothing, dear."
Her smile quickly fades into a frown.
"Though I would feel more comfortable dropping you off at your home. Are you sure you don't want me to make the extra drive? It will be no trouble."
Pacifica shakes her head in reply.
"No. Trust me when I say that it is better this way..."
In her arms, she has the journal that Gideon bought for her, hugging it tightly to her chest as if it is a pillow. Mrs. Gleeful's worried look still lingers, opening her mouth to object when Gideon interrupts her.
"You won't change her mind, Momma. I've tried and tried, but nothing will convince her."
He rolls down his window to say goodbye to Pacifica.
"If you need anything from us, just call the house and we will be there for you. Don't hesitate to reach us!"
There is a pleading look in gaze, looking just as worried as his mother. Pacifica only smiles, really appreciating the Gleefuls' support for the dark time in her life. It is sad, though, that she cannot rely on it in full. She has to face her family's prison eventually.
"I will," she says with a partial lie. "And...thanks again, Gideon. Especially for the book."
Gideon smiles. "What are friends for?"
Reaching out to her through the window, Pacifica leans in and gives him one last hug. She then takes a step back, watching Gideon and his mother drive away, leaving her at the small mall. Once she sees them fade off into the sunset, she lets out a heavy sigh, reaching out for her cell phone and calling her mansion. She waits a few minutes before one of the butlers picks it up.
"Miss Northwest."
It is hard for Pacifica to get the words out.
"I...need a ride home, Wadsworth. I'll be waiting at the front of the Gravity Falls Mall."
"...All right. We shall send someone to get you soon."
He hangs up and she puts her phone away. Pacifica walks over to one of the benches in front of the mall and sits down, setting the journal in her lap and studying the cover. She wonders how in the world she is going to explain her possession of this journal to her parents or one of the servants, having no possible way to hide it. It is a very old book, the maroon/red cover torn up and rotten with age. There is a golden six finger hand with a large number two in the center of it, indicating it is part of a series. She opens the book, being careful not to tear the delicate pages.
From skimming the pages, the journal seems to contain the profiles about various of monsters, ancient artifacts, and magical items. All of it is handwritten and personalized, many shorthand notes and codes that Pacifica could not understand, but nevertheless finds intriguing. She reads that all the entries are sightings or findings that were all located around Gravity Falls. This makes her heart skip a beat.
By growing up in the town all her life, she knows that there has been something lurking around, and not just the gnomes. Throughout her childhood, Pacifica has seen sightings human like creatures, animals that did not look quite normal, and large footprints in the woods that could only belong to a monster. Of course, every time she has told anyone about these sightings, including Gideon, no one believes her and seems to be oblivious to it. But here, this author, whose name is not said, seems to have seen similar things that she has.
"...What's this?"
Pacifica stops her place at a page that immediately catches her interest. It is a two page spread about a creature, a being with a pyramid like shape wearing a bowtie and top hat while having a large, singular eye. It is surrounded by what looks like a summoning circle, having various of symbols around it with some significant meaning to it.
"'...Unknown spirit found in dreams,'" Pacifica reads softly to herself, "'an odd, triangular being that I have found lost in the mindscape.'"
She isn't sure exactly what the author is talking about, but she can tell right away that this 'spirit' is important. His appearance, throughout town, can be constantly seen. Whether it is in the architect, a random drawing done by some kid, or on a piece of artwork, it is always there. That eye, watching...
Pacifica looks over to the second page, her inquisitive nature taking over her as she sees a paragraph to summon this creature. With a gathering of eight candles all lit up in a circle, there is a spell which one chants to summon the spirit.
And...that's it.
It seems like some kind of demon ritual, but from what Pacifica can tell, the thing looks harmless. Curiosity flares up inside of her. What would happen, she thinks, if she were able to summon this creature? Could she finally find some answers as to why those gnomes kidnapped her last summer, or why there is an unnatural atmosphere to Gravity Falls?
"Miss Northwest!"
Pacifica is thrown out of her thoughts as she sees that a limo has come to pick her up. The driver lowers the window, giving her a concerned look.
"...I'm coming."
Folding one of the page corners to keep it marked, Pacifica gets up and goes into it. Surprisingly, neither her father or mother are there to scold her, but instead the butler who had answered her phone call, Wadsworth. Pacifica gives a sheepish smile, sitting right in front of the butler as she waits for the inevitable.
"Miss Northwest," Wadsworth begins. "You have really done it this time. Your parents are furious with you, you scaring them half to death by running away like that."
Pacifica hugs the journal to her chest, feeling the movement of the limo. She partly fears that the butler, even though he has not acknowledged its presence, will take away Gideon's gift.
"I just had to get away," she explains in the most submitting way she could. "I'm sorry for what I have done and I promise I won't do it again."
"Unlikely."
Wadsworth checks his watch.
"I've known you all your life, Pacifica. This will not be the last time rebel against your parents like this."
He sighs.
"You are no longer a child, my dear. You need to start learning to take up responsibility that comes from being part of a wealthy family. With no siblings to split the it with, I'm afraid it is all your burden when the time comes to hold up your father's legacy."
Pacifica avoids eye contact, wishing he would just end the speech she has heard many times before.
"...So," she asks. "Why did they just send you here to get me, Wadsworth? If they're as worried as you say they are, why didn't they come get me themselves?"
It takes a moment for the elderly butler to reply.
"...Your father is overloaded with stress and your mother had to leave town for an important out of town meeting. I was ordered by your father to retrieve and escort you to your room, where you will remain for the rest of the evening."
...That's it?
No grounding, no cell phone taken, computer and TV banding, nothing? This...surprises Pacifica, showing just how much strain she has caused her father. Or how much he does not care, and just wants her locked up to not cause more embarrassment. Pacifica looks down at her journal.
"...All right," she finally says, "but can I have one request? For dinner, I mean."
"...If you insist. However, remember that you are being punished for your earlier actions, Miss Northwest."
There is a small pause, as Pacifica takes the time to make sure she words her request correctly. For unlike the other servants, Wadsworth will not blindly follow her orders just because of her name. In most situations, she liked him for that, however, this is the one time where she wishes he was one of the easier servants.
"...I would like to have some candlelight for my dinner tonight. It's going to be dark by the time I eat and I would like to admire the stars."
Wadsworth studies her for a long moment, his hazel gaze filled with uncertainty. At first, Pacifica believes he will not do it, but he eventually lets out a heavy sigh.
"I will do as you say, so long as you do not plan to run away again," he says tiredly. "Your parents are not the only ones who worry, Miss Northwest."
Pacifica blinks, but slowly, she gives a small smile.
"Thanks, Wadsworth."
A warm feeling grows inside her, only increasing to fill her excitement for the ritual that she is about to perform.
Around ten o'clock, Pacifica places all the candles from her dinner in a small circle in her room. At this time of night, she knows that most, if not all, the servants will be asleep, where she can perform the summoning without any disturbance. She lays the journal in front of the candles, her heart pounding in her chest as she stares at the drawing of the spirit.
The closer it becomes for her to summon the creature, a feeling of nervousness grows inside of her. By all common sense, this was an extremely bad idea. A million things can go wrong if she isn't careful, and while the description of the creature seems nonthreatening...
This isn't something that she can simply fix with a bit of cash.
But if she can summon this spirit, perhaps she can finally get some explanation to all these strange things she has seen since she was a kid. To study this book and the secrets it contains...it will give her something more to do than get swallowed up by her own loneliness. She has no idea who the author is, and by looking through the rest of the journal's contents, this spirit is the only person, or thing, that can give her answers.
Pacifica takes a deep breath of air, lighting up a match she had stolen from one of the maids' closets and lights every single candle. Turning off the electric lights, she then places herself in front of the book and finds her place to begin reading the spell.
"'Tri-an-gu-lum...entan-gu-lum...'"
The words are hard for her to get off her tongue, them being part of some strange language. It becomes easier to say as she continues to speak, her uneasiness fading as she grows more and more confident.
"'Mete-foris dominus...ventium. Meteforis venetisarium!'"
Suddenly, Pacifica's vision becomes blurry and unfocused. The stars from her open window begin to glow with an unearthly aura, any emotion she previously felt gone from her being.
"Asetnoheptus, asetnoheptus, asetnoheptus, asetnoheptus, asetnoheptus!"
The blue light is gone and Pacifica feels a great force knock her back. She grunts, quickly looking up to see a large black pyramid like portal floating in her bedroom. A unnatural wind blows in her room, delighting all the candles and making the air cold. Paralyzed by shock and fear, the only thing Pacifica can do is stare, as the portal becomes more solid.
There is a scream, a scream that did not sound quite human, like it is in an overwhelming amount of pain. As the form becomes more and more solid, all the color in her room becomes monochrome gray, where Pacifica feels as if she has entered some kind of dream. Finally, the portal closes and the screaming ceases, along with the wind. Floating in the portal's place, the same triangular creature stands. Its eye is wide, however she can tell it is not fully awake, it blinking its golden gaze multiple times.
Pacifica takes the time to study the creature, and while its appearance is very accurate to the journal's drawings, she is surprised to see that the creature is glowing blue. She did not know what to expect, but a blue, glowing pyramid is not it.
"...Where...?"
The spirit mutters to itself, some focus appearing in its expression. Though it is easy to tell that it is still confused. The pyramid scans the area around it, seemingly hesitant if it wants to move from its current spot or not. Pacifica blinks, eventually having her gaze meeting the pyramid's.
Upon eye contact, like something shocked it with electricity, the pyramid's eye grew wide and it cries out in terror. Before she can even respond, it dashes towards her bed and hides behind it, crying and muttering words that did not make sense. Pacifica stiffens, startled by the pyramid's actions, but it does not take her long to realize how terrified it is.
A spirit. Scared of her.
"...It's all right," Pacifica says, standing up. "I'm not gonna hurt you..."
She slowly makes her way to the bed, taking a hold of her journal and stepping around the fallen candles. Eventually, she sees the pyramid trying to shelter itself in the corner, shivering with its eye wide with fear.
"Are you okay...?"
Pacifica makes an attempt to get closer, however the moment she did the pyramid freaks out again.
"Stay back!"
It floats high up into the air, glaring at her like she has tortured it for months and has now finally broke.
"No, I won't let you use me again!" it exclaims. "You will destroy this dimension with the power you have stolen from me! Madman! Liar! Betrayer!"
It continues to shout all these accusations at her, making the littlest of sense. Pacifica tries to not take these words to heart, her mind spinning as she tries to figure out what to do to calm the triangle down.
Just as sporadic as its panic, the pyramid unexpectedly stops screaming, staring down at her for a long moment.
"...Wait, you're not him... You are not even close to being him!"
It levitates down to Pacifica's level, studying her carefully. Admittedly, Pacifica flinches on how close it gets, trying her best to stand her ground.
"...You're Pacifica Northwest, aren't you?" the spirit says in almost a matter-of-fact way. "I've seen you before. Many times. I'm surprised that it is you that summoned me."
"Y-you know my name?"
She can't help the stutter. The pyramid nods.
"I know lots of things!"
It gives some space between them, its stare still remaining intense.
"I know and see lots of things! Especially in Gravity Falls. I know lots about Gravity Falls!"
"Oh...kay..."
What an incredible mood swing this thing has. Like the journal describes, the creature appears very harmless. And while she confirmed it can be communicated with, the author clearly did not see its unstable personality. Pacifica knows she has to be careful in her approach, choosing her words carefully.
"Well, if you know lots of things, can you tell me who and what you are?"
She clutches onto the journal tightly. The pyramid takes a moment for the spirit to reply, as once again, its expression becomes confused.
"My name...?"
It pauses.
"Do I...even have a name?"
Pacifica blinks.
"You claim you know a lot of things, yet you do not know your own name?"
"I do know a lot of things!" the spirit replies, "it's just that I know so many things that I forget sometimes. Everything merges together. Past, present, and future..."
Its eye suddenly lights up.
"Oh, I remember! My name is Bill! Bill Cipher! I'm a dream demon that...that..."
It loses its train of thought.
"That...I don't remember. Must not be important."
It begins to mumble, sounding so lost and puzzled.
"So..." Pacifica interrupts, hoping that she can keep it focused again. "You're a 'dream demon' whose also a guy?"
Who knew pyramids have genders? Though it would explain the bow tie and hat...
Bill blinks.
"I guess so... The last human who summoned me assumed I was male. He..."
His eye grew wide.
"No! Not again!"
He shakes uncontrollably, as if he is having a bad dream. Pacifica places the journal to the side and gets up on her bed, hoping to get closer to the...'demon.'
"Who is this 'he and him' you keep talking about?" she asks, trying to sound as gentle as possible. "Were you summoned here once before?"
Bill freezes, blinking a couple of times before he makes eye contact with her.
"...Who are you talking about?"
"'Him.' This guy you keep freaking out about."
"...What guy? When did I 'freak out?'"
He seems genuinely confused, all the fear vanished from his expression, like it was never there. Pacifica stares at him.
This 'Bill Cipher' takes being bipolar to a new level, terrified one second and then calm the next. She can see that there is more to him than what she is witnessing, sensing a powerful aura around him that she can barely comprehend. But there is something preventing that power from being fully realized, though it is hard to tell if it is because of the power itself or if something happened in the past. From what she can tell...it is most likely the latter.
"Bill," Pacifica finally says, "I mean you no harm, but I need your-"
"Help? Sure, I can give it!"
Bill let out a small laugh as she stares blankly at him.
"You're interested in Gravity Falls's secrets, aren't you? After getting kidnapped by gnomes, it is understandable to be a little curious. Or weary, but mostly curious."
It takes a moment for Pacifica to reply.
"Uh...okay. Thanks for noticing."
Bill gives a happy look, and if he had a mouth, she could imagine that he is smiling.
"Happy to help! I wouldn't want anything to happen to you! Not after we just met."
"'Happen to me?'"
She raises an eyebrow, where Bill just simply nods.
"Yep! So long as you have that journal, danger and possible death will be all around you! The Pines Twins will want you dead for sure once they know what power you'll possess!"
'Pines Twins?' What is that suppose to mean? She didn't know any twins that live in Gravity Falls, much less anyone with the last name 'Pines.'
...Wait, isn't there this one-
"You better get some sleep, Pacifica."
Bill floats up to her, seeing the tired look in her eyes while she tries to repress a yawn.
"You'll need all of your energy if you are going to introduce me to Gideon tomorrow night! It will be a long night for both of you since..."
He stops himself, forgetting what he is going to say. Pacifica yawns again, thinking that the spirit has a point.
She assumes that Gideon had no idea what he actually gave her. He would be scared at first, but Pacifica needs to tell him the truth, or the truth she will soon discover. That...and she is worried about what Bill had said. The Pines Twins will want her dead...
Something tells her that these 'Pines Twins,' whoever they are, are not people to take lightly.
"Well, I'll see you later!"
Heading towards her opened window, Bill flies out. Eyes wide, Pacifica jumps off her bed and chases him down.
"Wait, where are you going!?"
Bill stops and turns to face her.
"I'm going to see Gravity Falls," he explains simply. "It has been a long time since I've seen this town. I want to see how much has changed."
Seeing the distraught look on her face, he goes up to her and pats her head.
"Don't worry, Pacifica. I'll be watching over you and you'll see me again tomorrow night. At..."
His voice trails off, his stare becoming distant for a second.
"...Well, I forget the time, but the point it is, I'll still be around!"
He floats high up into the sky, his figure glowing brightly.
"Remember reality is an illusion, the universe is a hologram, buy gold, bye~"
He vanishes into thin air, color once again reentering the room.
Questions race through Pacifica's mind, her eyelids suddenly becoming heavy as if time is just now catching up to her. Barely able to keep herself awake, she falls backwards right onto her bed, strange dreams taking over her mind as she falls into a deep sleep.