Strange Sightings
A couple days after the Summerween incident, Melody hummed as she walked into the Mystery Shack. She had been expecting to hang out with the twins or Mabel at the very least. "Melody, " Stan called as she walked in, "I need you to help Wendy with the register today. " The bluenette arched a light brown eyebrow (probably the only normally colored hair visible) and looked at Wendy. The ginger shrugged and explained, "Something about today being busy. " The younger female scoffed, joking, "Sure, and I have powers of sound. " "I heard that! " their boss yelled from the back of the store. The girls laughed a little before the girl in blue joined the older teen behind the counter.
As it turned out, the man was right. By the time that Stan started his tours, it seemed the whole town had shown up. "What's with all the customers today? " Melody asked once the tourists with the former Man of Mystery. Wendy laughed slightly and replied, "If I knew, I'd tell you. " "Hey dudes, " Soos greeted as he walked in, "Man, was that a crowd or what? " The two girls nodded in agreement.
Around that time, Dipper walked into the shop. "Hey, Dipper, " Melody greeted cheerfully. The brown-hair boy sighed, seeming tired as he answered, "Hey guys. " The two females in the room glanced at each other with a mix of surprise and concern before Wendy asked, "What's up? " "Yeah, you seem a little down on your luck, " Soos noted. The Pines boy shook his head and answered, "It's nothing. " "If it was nothing, it wouldn't be bothering you, " the younger female pointed out. The young male sighed in resignation and admitted, "It's just that Mabel wants me to go with her to see Jeff, but she won't let me being the journal. Said something about not wanting me to raise the dead again. " "I remember that party, " the ginger in the room reminisced with a laugh, "that had been epic! " The small-statured boy looked at her with a small smile as he agreed, "Yeah, it was. "
Melody looked between the two for a moment then at Soos before returning her attention to Dipper and asked, "Why don't you have someone keep an eye it until you get back? " "I would but Ford's busy, and Stan's already out of the question for obvious reasons. The only people that leaves are you three but it has to be someone that will be here when I get back, " the keeper of the third journal explained. "That rules me out, " the confident teen commented, "I told Tambry and Robbie I'd hang out with them later today. " "And me and Melody are going out later too, " the older male added. Upon the questioning look given by the brown-haired male, the short bluenette stated, "He means his girlfriend, not me. "
"Guess that rules everyone out then, " Dipper noted before looking at Melody and adding, "unless you'll be here later. " The female dressed in blue thought for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, I should be. " The young male smiled, reassured the journal would be in safe hands, before handing it to the bluenette, cautioning in an almost automatic manner, "Take good care of it, okay? " The girl took the book in her hands, careful not to drop it, and reassured him by saying, "Don't worry. I will. "
After the Pines twins left for their usual visit to the gnomes, the souvenir shop was packed once again as tourist flooded in. The girls assisted the customers while Soos enthusiastically advertised any merchandise he was asked about. After Stan lured out the crowd with the promise of another tour, Wendy leaned back in her stool and joked, "Looks like you've got sound powers after all. " "Guess so, " Melody replied with a smile then looked at the hat the ginger was wearing and asked, "By the way, since when did you start buying the merchandise here? " The sixteen year old looked confused before realizing the question was referring to the blue and white cap. "Oh, this? " she answered, touching the brim of the hat for a moment as she did so, "I got it from Dipper. Gave him my old one in exchange. " The younger teen's eyes widened in realization as she exclaimed, "That's why the hat he wears seemed so familiar! "
The two chatted cheerfully for a bit before Wendy commented, "You know, I missed this. " Melody looked at her in confusion to which the older teen explained, "This. Us hanging out. " Then, with a playful shove directed to her young colleague, she added, "You always seem to be hanging out with Dipper and Mabel nowadays. " The bluenette blushed and rubbed the back of her neck in embarrassment. "Yeah, I guess I have been, haven't I? I never even noticed! Sorry 'bout that. " The chill teen waved it off. "It's fine, " she replied, "I can't really blame you anyways. They are pretty cool. "
Melody sighed and smiled before looking at the Journal. She'd hidden it under the counter to prevent any misplacement among the sea of merchandise. Now holding it in her hands, she could feel the slight heft of the book. The weight was unsurprising; the book was thick as it was and was constantly being added to by both the author and his great-nephew. The temptation to flip though those notes was overwhelming. The girl in blue was well aware that this would most likely be the only chance to read the contents as Ford hardly trusted her inside the house around his family let alone with a collection of some of Gravity Falls' greatest secrets and mysteries. Without warning or reason, the bluenette's expression turned to one of worry.
Wendy's voice dragged her out of her thoughts though she only heard "-abel are up to? " Melody chuckled nervously and said, "Sorry. Didn't quite catch that last part. " The ginger raised an eyebrow but nonetheless repeated the question. "What do you think Dipper and Mabel are actually up to? "
This made the young female curious and confused. "What do you mean? " she asked, "Dipper said Mabel wanted him to visit Jeff with her. " "Maybe Mabel told him that so he wouldn't have to lie. He's terrible at it, " the flannel-wearing teen contemplated. When that was heard was thoughtful silence, she continued, "When I asked Mabel about it earlier, she just gave me the mischievous look like she was up to something and said it was a surprise. " "Hm... That's strange... "
Saying this seemed to spark a memory as Melody's face lit up with revelation as she asked, "Oh yeah! How's Tad Strange been lately? " Wendy shrugged and answered, "He's still an accountant. " "Shame he didn't become a doctor or get a doctorate degree, " the bluenette mused with a smile, "Then I could call him Dr. Strange instead of Mr. Strange. " The ginger laughed. "Yeah, talk about missed opportunities there! "
After some time, the female cup grew bored. "Wanna go to the lake? " Wendy suggested. Melody shrugged. "Sure. Should we tell Soos? " "Nah. We won't be gone long, " the older teen reassured confidently. The two headed out without a word to anyone, the younger of the two remembering to bring the Journal to prevent its theft.
The lake Wendy was referring to was actually just a big pond. It was close to the Shack but far enough that Stan wouldn't see any workers slacking off. There was even a waterfall which, while it was nowhere near Niagra Falls, it certainly would take a few minutes to climb. The waterfall was actually created by the 'real' lake which ran towards the mountains. The pond itself was perfect to swim in, and the water sparkled in the sunlight. Anyone who'd seen it often said it was the actually Gravity Falls.
"Today would be a good day for a swim. Surprised Stan didn't make you play 'siren' again, " Wendy commented casually. "Speaking of, how come not once since I've known you have I seen you tan or burn? " "Uh... Good sunscreen? " Melody guessed as the two removed their footwear and sat with their feet in the cool water. This answer seemed to suffice because the conversation dropped, leaving the small girl to read from the red-covered book as the older female followed along over her shoulder.
Minutes later, Melody looked up to a very odd sight. "Wendy? " she asked, closing the Journal slowly. "What's that? " Said Ginger looked up to see what was being referred to and frowned when she saw what it was. This concerned her going friend and she inquired out in concern, "Wendy? What is it? " The again mentioned teen shook her thoughts away and replied in a teasing tone, "Geez, Mel, even a five year old knows the answer to that! " The embarrassed girl's face flushed as she defended, "I was just asking! You know things around here aren't as they seem. " The cool and collected teen chuckled but answered the originally posed question nonetheless. "Well, I can tell you that it's exactly what it looks like. It's a unicorn. "
Indeed it was a unicorn. The horse-like creature, which was completely blue, was grazing across the lake. If it knew of the two teens' presence, it gave no acknowledgement. It appeared content and relaxed.
Melody grew excited as she said, her voice now a whisper, "Let's check it out! " "What if the twins come back? And don't forget that Stan'll freak if he finds out we're gone, " Wendy pointed out. The young girl appeared disappointed but admitted that her friend was right. Quietly, the girls pit on their shoes and returned to the Shack, arriving just before Stan returned with the gullible tourists.
Later, after the tours were done, Melody was once again flipping through the book she'd been guarding all day. She sat in the attic and saw the sun was setting so she knew the twins were to return soon. It was quiet in the house as Wendy and Soos were gone by now. Bored and curious, the young girl flipped to the last page of the Journal only to discover that it was blank. Remembering that Dipper said at one point that some of the writing was in invisible ink, she decided to check to see of that was the case though she highly doubted he'd write an entire page in the stuff. Finding a black light under the usual keeper of the third journal's bed, she flicked it on and held it over the page. Ford's handwriting appeared as the page was illuminated by the violet light. She skimmed through the entry, growing increasingly alarmed as she read.
"Grunkle Stan! We're home! " Mabel's voice could be heard announcing from downstairs which was followed by a few sentences that could not be distinctly heard from where Melody was. She did, however, hear the unmistakable creak of the stairs as someone climbed them to the room that she currently occupied. Frantic, she tore the page she had been reading from the Journal before folding the paper and storing it in a pocket of her skirt. She slammed the hefty book closed and returned the again turned off black light to its original spot under Dipper's bed which she was currently sitting on.
The girl had barely managed to regulate her breathing before Dipper opened the door. "Hey, Melody, " he greeted with a smile. Said female forced a smile and returned the greeting. "Hey, Dipper. How'd the visit go? " "It was... Surprising, "the boy admitted, obviously choosing his words carefully. Melody arched an eyebrow in a questioning manner, but it went unanswered. Deciding not to push the matter, the bluenette shrugged it off and handed her friend the Journal that he had entrusted into her care. He smiled again, glad to see it still safe in good condition, and took it back from her. "Thanks, Mel, " he added, remembering his manners. She simply nodded with another forced smile. Then she stood up with a sigh. "I'd better start heading home. Don't want Symphony worrying again. " The brown haired boy boy frowned, asking, "What's with her anyways? Does she have trust issues or something? " The bluenette shrugged and answered, "She just wants me safe. All older sibling are like that from my experience. " "I guess you're right, " the mystery-loving boy reasoned, "I wouldn't know since my only sibling is Mabel. "
Melody smiled genuinely this time. "Well, I've gotta go. " Dipper nodded. "Right. See ya tomorrow? " The girl smiled and nodded, answering, "You know it! "The male smiled as well and bid her farewell which she returned in a curt but polite wave before leaving the room and heading down the stairs.
Sighing in relief, Dipper plopped down on his bed just before his twin burst into the room. "Dipper! You didn't tell her, didja? "Mabel interrogated, making her way to her brother. "No, I didn't, " he answered, by now used to his sister's crazy shenanigans. "Good, " the brunette praised with a nod of approval.
Dipper laid in his bed while his twin made her way to her side of the room. He flipped open the Journal in a bored manner, deciding to look near the back of the book. Flipping all the way to the back by accident, he noticed something strange. "Hey, Mabel, " he called to his sister, "you haven't taken the Journal without asking anytime this summer, have you? " The female looked at him with confusion and answered slowly, "No. Why? " As an answer, the boy showed her that a page was missing. This only caused more confusion, resulting in the two discussing it for as long as they could possibly think of what could have happened.
10-15-21-19 4-6-25 11-3-5-15-21 10-9-4-19 22-3-4 20-9 10-9-4 4-16-15-10-13 25-9-3 23-6-19 15-10 4-16-18 21-12-19-23-7. 8-15-10-19 4-6-19-19 1-15-12-12 12-19-23-6-10 9-18 25-9-3-6 5-19-21-6-4-5 23-10-20 1-16-19-10 25-9-3 23-6-19 23-4 25-9-3-6 1-19-23-13-19-5-4 15 1-15-12-12 22-18 4-16-19-6-19 4-9 4-23-13-19 25-9-3 20-9-1-10. 6-19-20 6-9-5-19
Don't you just love it when writer's block decides to be an * because I do! I also like hard codes! Anyways, I know this was mostly filler but one of my friends recommended doing it. I thought I'd throw something important in there at the end. Oh yeah! Due to school having started where I live, updates may be even less than what they are now. Or more. I seem to update more during school oddly enough. Anyways, that's all for now. Bye! ~shadowpixie01