Chapter 4: Twinkle Lullaby

Dipper's POV

I then followed the butler to the piano lounge with Edgar Thompson at my side. And everyone that was invited to the party close behind. Dammit! Why was everyone coming? I thought the worst would be a few people, but all of them!

Everyone quietly followed. But now and then I could hear mumbling about who the pianist could be.

The butler finally came to a big door and opened it. There I saw 15 kids running around and Pacifica holding her violin but trying to calm them down. Her hair was a little messy and for some reason I thought she looked really cute all of a sudden. She was shocked when I came in with everyone close behind.

After greeting everybody she pulled me over.

"Why did you bring everyone here? I look like a mess!" She whispered

"Your make-up and dress are as perfect and beautiful as always, your hair is just a little messy." I said with a smile.

This shut Pacifica up quick with the sudden compliment. I could tell she liked it with how flush her face got. Trying to hide her embarrassment she snapped her fingers having a maid bring a brush.

She turned around waiting for the maid and said, "Flattery will get you nowhere you know!"

But before the maid started brushing Pacifica's blonde hair, I had her give it to me.

"Hurry up with my hair!" she yelled

As I started brushing with slow, smooth, soft strokes, I whispered softly in her ear, "Right away your highness…"

The shock on Pacifica's face was priceless. But the more I combed, the calmer she felt. I had years of practice of combing Mabel's hair, so much practice that it was like an art form for me. With every deep, soft stroke, Pacifica became more relaxed. And when I was finished, she acted like she didn't want it to end, but she opened her eyes to a surprise.

Fifteen rowdy children were now calmly sitting in front of her with widened eyes and shocked faces.

"What?" Pacifica asked

"Your true beauty shows when you're calm… It surprised them so much they couldn't take their eyes off you." I chuckled

With yet another compliment Pacifica blushed and tried to hide it. But she couldn't with me so close to her and all the kids and guests watching.

"Now that we've managed to get all of your attention, would you like to hear a lullaby played with this princess?" I asked the children.

The children laughed and nodded with excitement.

As Pacifica went to grab her violin she set down, one of the little girls came up to me.

"Does that make you the prince?" the little girl asked. Her enthusiasm reminded me of Mabel.

I don't know what exactly Pacifica was thinking but that question made her blush even more.

"Well, the prince is who will be playing the piano with the princess!" I told her

I could feel everyone in the room start to focus on me. Nobody knew who the piano player was including Pacifica who looked at me worried. I gave her a smile to tell her everything was going according to plan.

"I want you to be the prince!" the little girl stated.

"And why is that?" I asked

"Because you look like one!" the little girl cheerfully said.

I chuckled to myself. This girl's flattery reminded me of the comments I made when I had that crush on Wendy. In fact, the age difference back then for me and Wendy was about the same for me and this little girl.

"What's your name?" I asked

"Elsia!" she said

"Well Elsia, I think you've earned a front row seat. Would you like to sit next to me and watch me become the prince you want me to be?" I whispered

She gleefully nodded. And as I walked her towards the piano, I confirmed that she definitely reminded me of Mabel. And with this lullaby, I was going to put her to sleep just like I used to with Mabel.

I set the girl on the bench in front of the piano, and as soon as I sat next to her, everyone took notice. Including the Northwest family. The guests were surprised but not as much as Pacifica and her parents. It never occurred to them that I would even have the skills to play.

I looked towards Pacifica who was still a little shocked.

"Ready?" I asked

"Of course I am, a simple lullaby is easy to play." Pacifica stated

"I gave a stern look to Pacifica. Seeing how serious I suddenly was she began to get more serious too."

"You ready?" I asked Elsia

She gave me a nod. I then looked at the keys of the piano. It's been a while since I played these keys "knowing" I was in front of an audience. At first I started to get nervous but as I looked at the little girl who reminded me of Mabel, my nerves settled.

"Just play so Mabel can go to sleep"

Writer Notes: I recommend, to get the most out of the story, to listen to the song I mention before, during, and/or after the reading. It makes it easier to understand the emotions that the characters have using the emotions of the song. The numbers say at what point in the song the actions are happening.

(Song played by Dipper in the story is: Twinkle Lullaby- The Piano Guys; "The Piano Guys 2" Album)

0:00 With that thought, I closed my eyes, softly placed my hands on the keyboard and began to play the beautiful song.

0:53 Finally, feeling the soft rhythm, Pacifica came in with her violin and made smooth soft tones that filled the room.

1:45 We were finally done playing the whole song. But seeing how short the lullaby was, Pacifica and I decided to play through it two more times.

And when we were finally done. I opened my eyes to see the room filled with children fast asleep where they first sat. I looked beside me to find Elsia leaning against me, also asleep.

The parents admired the cute sight of all the sleeping children, but was then quietly rushed out by Mr. Edgar who tried to keep the promise they made with me. And the doors were closed with genuine care.

I slowly picked up Elsia's little body and held her in my arms. I carefully carried her around all the sleeping children to an empty spot on the couch were I softly laid her. I then took a nearby blanket and pulled it over here. Satisfied with my care, I turned around to see Pacifica staring at me.

I gave her a smile and motioned her towards the door that I carefully opened for her then closed behind the two of us.

"Well, I learned a lot of new things about you today. That you are good with kids, can play the piano, and are the best hair brusher I've ever had." She whispered as we walked down the hall to the main lounge.

"I learned some new things too. That your looks are just as beautiful as when you play the violin, that you struggle with children, and that kids believe that you are a princess and I'm a prince… your prince…" I teased

Pacifica blushed and started to get flustered.

"T-Those are just the opinions of children." She said

"That's too bad… I kinda liked the idea…" I said

Pacifica stopped to look at me blushed but I kept walking with a big smile on my face.

"Oh great… I can't believe I now have a thing for Pacifica. Talk about high standards. First the girl that was too old for me and now the girl who is too rich for me. I sure know how to pick them. Love is so cruel." I thought to myself.

A few moments later, Pacifica ran to catch up with me and surprised me by holding arms as we walked.

I didn't know if it was for the guests we were about to see again or if she genuinely wanted to hold my arm. But I decided not to read into it too much. I already learned my lesson from doing that with Wendy.

It was a few more moments of silently walking together. Pacifica didn't say anything and just kept looking at the carpet underneath our feet as we walked.

But the moment we entered the main lounge, we were bombarded with the guests surrounding us and telling us how beautiful our performance was. They were especially interested in me, since most of them had said they have never heard such fantastic piano playing. That I did so well that it almost put the parents asleep including the children.

"How long have you been playing?"

"Can you play any other instruments?"

"Who are your favorite composers?"

I started to feel claustrophobic as the people became more energetic. Thankfully I was saved.

"I believe I can answer all your questions!"

Mr. Edgar Thompson stepped forward and the crowd moved away giving us both room to breathe.

"Mr. Pines… You might not remember me, but I remember you. For I was at your last and greatest performance all those years ago!" Mr. Edgar stated.

As he said that I flashed back to a memory of my last performance. The night where I performed in front of five judges, and the night my parents and dear sister got into the accident. My hands began to tremble.

"You… You were one of the judges!" I said hoping that it wasn't true. That my mind was playing tricks on me.

"You remember!" Said Edgar.

I looked over to Pacifically who was looking at me worried. As my hands shook nervously, I remembered that I was holding her hand. So she knew something was wrong.

"Pacifically I enjoyed helping you this evening but I think its time for me to go." I said as I kissed her hand and then made my way to the door.

"Stop him!" screamed Mr. Edgar