The moment she turns her back to the fading crowd, a large sense of relief washes over Pacifica. Her heart is still pounding, her throat dry and her breathing coming in fast. But it is over, the worst of it is over. She did her speech, she praised the Northwest family. Surely, this will be enough to satisfy her father, right? Pacifica walks up to her parents, meeting their gaze and hoping to find some approval from them.
"You did well for your first time, sweetheart," Mrs. Northwest says with a loving smile. "You need to improve your posture and find a way to stop stuttering, but that will come with practice. It was a great start."
"Yes... You did better than expected."
Mr. Northwest's reply is stiff and awkward, as if he does not know what exactly to say. Nor does Pacifica, not sure if her parents are criticizing or praising her. Their words are kinder than normal, but yet she can hear the longing for her to improve. Still, at least she is gaining something positive from them.
"Now that your speech is done, Pacifica," Mr. Northwest finally says as he and his family walks off stage. "I want you to go around the festival and make sure everyone is having a good time. Help the children play games, answer questions about the town's history, anything you can do to help."
"And remember to have fun yourself," Mrs. Northwest adds. "Don't spend the entire day worrying over others. Take time to yourself when you feel you need it."
She give a slight stern look at her husband, where they both make very firm eye contact. Pacifica glances between both of her parents, before finally clearing her throat and saying, "I will do my best. Call me if you need anything."
She quickly distances herself from them and speeds walks to the back of a building, where she lets out a heavy sigh. She sits down on a concrete step, careful not to get her light green dress muddy and takes a moment to compose herself. Pacifica longs to have her journal with her, having it to study while she calms down. But she shouldn't complain, since this may be the only alone time she may get today...
Suddenly, she feels something tug at her sleeve, and when she sees that no one is beside her, she looks down at the ground and spots Bill's shadow. She gives a faint smile.
"How did my speech go?" Pacifica quietly asks. "Were you able to hear me okay?"
Bill's shadow energetically dances around, indicating that he thinks she did well.
"I'm glad you liked it," she continues. "I also saw you point out Gideon in the crowd for me. I...appreciate it."
Pacifica has a feeling that Bill already knows how much seeing her friend's face helped get her through her dreaded speech, but a part of her is too embarrass to admit it fully. While also not wanting to inflate Bill's ego at the same time, as he is already overly confident.
Regardless, the spirit takes the compliment. She sees his shadow hug her head, and very faintly, Pacifica can feel his cold embrace.
"Pacifica! Pacifica!"
Her eyes grow wide at the sound of her name, recognizing the terrified tone in Gideon's voice. She swiftly stands up, seeing Gideon coming from the side of the building. She is shocked to see that his clothes are all dirty, as he is always good at presenting himself. His face is as pale as his hair obviously spooked by some unknown force.
What...what has happened to him since she had done her speech?
Looking wildly in all directions, Gideon soon spots Pacifica and his eyes grow wide.
"Pacifica! I'm glad that you are alone!"
He runs up to her, panting heavily.
"Gideon, what's wrong?" Pacifica asks alarmed. "You look like you've just seen a ghost!"
"That's because I sorta did!"
He takes a moment to compose himself.
"Pacifica, I saw them! Those Pines Twins you told me about last week! They're here, at the festival!"
Pacifica's eyes grow wide.
"Are you sure, Gideon?! What happened, what are they up to!?"
While she should be just as scared as Gideon is, she cannot help but feel excitement being built up. The mysterious Pines Twins are here...her curiosity is at its peak.
"One of them ran into me after your opening speech. Literally," Gideon explains with heavy breaths of air. "They were trying to find the library, saying that they were staying here for the summer with their grunkle."
"'...Grunkle?'" Pacifica raises an eyebrow. "What is that?"
Gideon shrugs.
"I have no idea. Maybe it stands for their grumpy uncle or something?"
"Actually, it's 'great uncle.' But that's close enough."
Making them go into a dream like state, Bill becomes fully visible to them.
"Pine Tree and Shooting Star originally came here because of some personal issues they have," he explains. "Little did their neglectful parents know that their issues will be pressed to the max this summer~"
He says it so cheerfully it is almost scary. However, Pacifica does not question it too much, at least not at the moment.
"What can you tell me about them?" she quickly asks. "What are they like? What do you mean by 'personal issues?' Do they have-"
"Whoa, relax Paz!"
Bill cuts her off before she can overload him with questions.
"I know you want answers, but you'll make me forget even faster if you over do it on the questioning!"
Pacifica's mouth hangs open, a faint blush coming to her face as she retreats within herself. She crosses her arms and avoids eye contact from either Bill or Gideon.
"Anyways," Bill continues, as if he never was interrupted. "The twins do have a journal, though the information it contains is slightly different from yours, Paz. They are dangerous with it, both being a bit too power happy. Shooting Star is wild and unpredictable, and she will do whatever it takes to shock and surprise ya. Though she is the least one to worry about, all bark but barely any bite. Pine Tree, while not as physically as fit as his sister, can really hold a grudge. He is very smart, smarter than most humans, and very calculating in his moves. Do not make this guy mad!"
He unexpectedly pauses, seemingly confused.
"...Though I could have sworn you guys would meet them at Paz's mansion. Weird."
Pacifica raises an eyebrow.
"Why would they be at my mansion? Only people with permission are allowed in, and my family doesn't know them personally."
"I...don't know," Bill replies, his mind clearly somewhere else. "I just know that you and Pine Tree are at your mansion. And I'm really against it, for some reason..."
There is a short silence, Pacifica and Gideon turning to face each other while Bill mumbles to himself.
"...So, why do you keep calling Dipper and Mabel 'Pine Tree' and 'Shooting Star?'" Gideon finally asks. "And do you know why they are going to the library?"
It takes a moment for Bill to reply.
"Err...honestly, I forgot what their names were so I just said what first came to mind to describe them. As to why they are at the library..."
There is another long pause.
"Hmm...something about there being a conspiracy? That there was a cover up about the real founder of Gravity Falls and that the Northwests have actually nothing to do with it."
"What?!"
It looks like Pacifica is about to explode. She goes up to Bill, almost cornering him with a look of fury in her gaze.
"What do you mean the Northwests didn't find Gravity Falls?!" she demands aggressively. "Answer me, Bill, or so help me I will make you remember this conspiracy!"
Her rage, shock, and fear is intense, like all of her self control has been taken from her. She has been taught all her life that the Northwests have been the everything of Gravity Falls. Without her family, the town would no longer exist, everything is dependent on them. So to hear some kind of conspiracy, something that Bill would not just make up for no reason...
It is hard for her not to react, to have her emotions take over.
"Pacifica, calm down!"
Gideon attempts to comfort her, but Pacifica pushes him away. She keeps her gaze firmly on the spirit, her blue gaze hard and demanding. Bill seems taken aback from Pacifica's outburst, his single eye wide and his blue tint becoming paler.
"I..."
He hesitates.
"...I c-can't remember. I almost had the answer but..."
He levitates back slightly, a lost look in his gaze. He mutters to himself, where Pacifica slowly realizes what she has done.
"I-I... Bill...I didn't mean to..."
She takes in heavy breaths of air, her whole body shaking. Gideon clears his throat, in hopes to break the rising tension.
"Well...whatever this 'conspiracy' is, we will find the truth."
He turns to face Pacifica.
"Let's head to the library and see what we can find. Hopefully the twins are still there and we can see what they do. We'll find the truth, I promise."
He puts his hand on her shoulder. Pacifica nods her head, taking a deep breath of air. She remains silent, avoiding any eye contact with either of them.
"...Thanks for the help, Bill," Gideon finally says to break the awkward silence. "We'll take it from here."
Bill nods.
"Okay, kid. I'll be watching over you two in case anything happens."
He turns his attention to Pacifica.
"And if I remember anything, I will tell you as soon as it comes to me. I won't let you down."
He then disappears in a faint blue light, Gideon and Pacifica waking up from their 'dream.' There is a short silence, Pacifica gaining some space between her and Gideon.
"Pacifica..."
"Let's go, Gideon," she says quickly enough to cut him off. "The sooner we find the Pines Twins, the better."
She starts to run towards the direction of the library, with Gideon closely following from behind.