"Well, it's official," Grunkle Stan said as he walked into the house, arms filled with groceries, "The whole town knows about Bill."
Dipper glanced up from his book whereas Mabel muted the TV. Bill groaned, hitting his head back against the latter's leg in protest. There wasn't enough space for all of them on the sofa so the demon had opted to sit at Mabel's feet while they watched an MMA fight. She nudged him back gently and ignored his silent request to turn on the sound.
"You wouldn't believe how many people are chatting about him." Stan commented as he went to the kitchen.
"It's been…what? Three days?" Dipper asked, surprised.
"And everyone's buzzing about the mysterious blond stranger." Ford grumbled. He seemed bitter and Dipper thought that was strange. It had been his idea to spread rumours of Bill's presence around town. Why was it bothering him?
"What do they say about me?" Bill asked.
Ford simply frowned and left, but Stan had come back in time to catch the question and provide an answer. "Word on the street is that you're a drop dead gorgeous and charming man." Stan said, "A lot of women claim to know you and make up insane stories about you."
"Wow. He sounds like a real lady-killer." Mabel commented with a smile.
"Ha! That's hilarious!" Bill snorted and threw his head back as he guffawed. "How many dates do you think I can score?"
"None." Dipper said, "This isn't the time to get reckless, Bill. The Warlock's still looking for you."
"God, what a party pooper." The demon grumbled and pouted, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Did anyone mention anything about the Warlock?" Dipper asked.
"Not from what we heard." Stan confessed. "Granted, we didn't go talking to people directly. We just eavesdropped on conversations here and there."
"So we'll still be waiting." Dipper sighed.
"Seems like it." Stan said and made his way to grab more groceries.
Dipper pushed himself from the sofa as his sister unmuted the TV. He left to go help unpack the car whereas Mabel and Bill continued watching women beat the living shit out of each other, the latter taking his spot. He walked to the car in his bare feet, wincing when he walked the gravel but toughing it out to snatch a few bags. He carried as many bags as he could carry, leaving Ford to grab the few ones that were left and locking the car.
"You seemed upset." Dipper commented to Ford as they walked into the kitchen. He placed the bags on the counter for Stan to unpack. "About what people were saying about Bill, I mean."
"I-I did?" Ford stuttered and he seemed nervous.
"Yeah." Dipper said, "Is something else going on?"
"H-hun?" Ford uttered dumbly, suddenly more nervous.
"Are they saying other things that are worrying you?" Dipper specified and his great uncle calmed down.
"Oh, uh…no." he admitted sheepishly and helped Stan sort the things in the cupboards and refrigerator.
Dipper frowned at the answer. It didn't make sense. Why had the man been upset before if he had had nothing to be upset about? Unless there was something Ford wasn't telling him. It wouldn't have been the first time. However, the brunet hadn't had much of a change to conjure theories on what his great uncle could have been hiding again when Stan stepped in, promptly changing the subject. It annoyed Dipper a little but he let it happen all the same. If Ford didn't want to tell him something, there was no way he could pry it from him.
"So the shop's opening in a few minutes." Stan explained, "I'm going to need a helping hand."
"I was planning on continuing my research." Ford said.
Dipper wondered if he was any closer to finding who Bill's body used to belong to.
"I wasn't expecting you to offer your help." Stan stated.
Dipper rolled his eyes, "It's not like I was going to do anything today." He said, accepting the indirect demand.
"Good." Stan grinned, "I heard from a contact that a few tourists buses were making their way through town again. That means I need you to be on your A game."
Dipper nodded and left the kitchen. He went to his room in the attic to change into more appropriate work clothes. On his way down, he noticed how easily Mabel and Bill chatted on the sofa. He stared at them for a moment in utter awe. Four years ago, Bill had attempted to bring about Armageddon and to destroy them. He had quite possibly been the most terrifying thing Dipper had had to face. Now the demon in question was no longer an actual demon, had lost the power that had once made him so threatening, and mingled idly with someone he had once intended to kill.
Life was strange.
The sixteen year old shook his head and crossed the living room into the shop. He jumped behind the counter and opened the cash register, counting the money already in place. Stan walked in a few moments later with his signature eye patch and cane, ready to host a show for the people dumb enough to wander into such a flagrant tourist trap. He seemed particularly excited about the batch of visitors they were expecting and it told Dipper that they likely knew hardly any English. As frustrating as it was to explain things to someone who couldn't make sense of what you tried telling them, the language barrier made it easier to con them.
The old man glanced at the watch on his wrist and grinned. He pranced to the sign in the window and promptly flipped it. He was about to walk away when something stilled him. His eyes widened and his mouth fell open and Dipper was suddenly very concerned.
"Grunkle Stan?" He called and when the former didn't so much as acknowledge him, he jumped over the counter to find what he was staring at.
A crack of lightning blinded Dipper just as he got to the window. When he was able to see again, he saw thick black clouds twirl above the way they always did when a tornado was about to form. What made the meteorological event so strange was that it had been so nice out seconds before. The sky had been a bright blue, the clouds had been scarce but white and fluffy all the same, and the air had been delightfully warm. The sudden sour turn made absolutely no sense and could only mean one thing.
"The Warlock…" he mumbled.
"Get Ford." Stan said, eyes still glued to the sky.
Dipper nodded and backed away from the awe-inspiring sight slowly. Then he ran through the house, dashing across the living room, and perched himself at the top of the basement stairs. He yelled for his Great Uncle to come back as quickly as he could. The ruckus he had made had drawn Mabel and Bill from their position on the sofa. They hovered by curiously, a hint of worry in Mabel as she waited for an explanation.
"Look." Dipper said, gesturing the window once Ford was up.
They returned to the living room, moving the curtains aside and beheld the storm that had inexplicably and unexpectedly started. Ford and Mabel gasped whereas Bill had suddenly become very quiet. Dipper noticed how he trembled ever so subtly and clenched his hands into fists. He was nervous and he had every right to be. The Warlock knew he was near, he had heard the rumours, and he was looking for Bill again.
"It's the Warlock, isn't it?" Mabel asked, though she already knew the answer. "He's the one changing the weather."
"There's no other explanation." Ford nodded sharply and tore himself away from the terrifying sight, "I had honestly hoped the storm had been nothing more than a coincidence. To think he's already strong enough to bend nature like that…"
Dipper glanced at Bill again. He seemed paler and his lips were pinched together tightly. "Bill…?" he mumbled.
"Don't let him kill me…" Bill said when Ford and Mabel's eyes fell upon him. His voice trembled with evident fear, "Don't let him get me, Sixer."
Ford's mouth fell open and for a moment the only thing he could do was stare at the blond. "I won't." he promised.
"We're going to protect you." Mabel affirmed, "All of us."
Bill said nothing, but Dipper knew he wasn't convinced. He didn't believe they could keep him from someone so dauntingly powerful. Who could blame him?