Stan's New Business Partner
SUMMARY: When a new demand for merchandise is on the rise, Stan turns to Dipper's new Grimm kitten, Orion.
MAIN CHARACTERS: Stanley Pines and Orion
"Doo dee doo, counting money, thinking there is a God because we are all not dead, doo dee doo."
Stan was singing to himself as he counted the till of the register to get ready to open the Mystery Shack. It was a Tuesday autumn morning, so he knew business was going to be extremely show. The cash register chimes open as he hit the button and he puts the bills in their respective spots and made sure he had enough coin change as well.
The rest of the family was at the school, Ford teaching and the twins learning whatever they needed to. Dipper's new kitten, Orion, tried to follow Dipper to school but the kitten had to stay home, it had giving a sad mew. Now Orion was curled up on the counter, sleeping away.
"Doo dee doo, waiting for customers so I can formally rob them, doo dee doo…" Stan kept singing to himself as he absently petted Orion's soft head, the kitten purring gently in a calm rhythm.
There was a high sounding chime from the door opening, a small group of middle aged women coming through. Stan suppressed a groan of annoyance, him already knowing why they were here. Early Christmas shopping to send gifts to the other side of the country but the package would still arrive three days after the holiday.
"Welcome to the Mystery Shack!" Stan greets, him walking around the counter, him nearly tripping over a sleeping Waddles. He grunts as he tried to get his footing together, him thinking darkly how he could really go for some bacon for dinner… "So, what brings you lovely ladies in today?" Stan tried to sound smooth and charming.
"Oh, hello," one of the women greeted. "We are just browsing…"
"Do you have things that are creepy, but still kid friendly?" another asked. "Like… for a twelve-year-old?"
Stan gives a laugh, "Of course I do! My nephew lived here when he was twelve and he loves everything in this shop!" His mind began filling with potential merchandise that he could sell.
Orion looks up from the counter and yawns. He does a small mew, causing everyone to look at him, the kitten licking his paw. The women gasp and rush to the counter to get a better look at Orion.
"Oh my goodness!" one exclaims. "He looks so cute!"
"And look at his fur!" another says. "It looks like the star constellation!"
Stan looked at the cat, his eyes narrowing slightly. He knew he encouraged Ford to let Dipper keep the cat, but now the cat was distracting his customers. The women were petting the small creature, it purring happily, its yellow eyes practically glowing.
"Do you have anything with this cute kitty?" the original woman asks. "My niece absolutely loves cats!"
"My daughter's boyfriend's daughter love cats too!" a woman exclaimed.
A slow smile crept onto Stan's face, him having an idea. "Actually… I have merchandise with this cat coming in tomorrow…" he lies smoothly. "The cat is named Orion, he is my nephew's kitten. What's funny is that the kid is named 'Dipper'."
"Aw, that's adorable!" "Oh, we should stop by tomorrow, we aren't leaving until later in the day!"
The group leaves the Shack and immediately Stan goes and flips the sign to close and locks the door. He runs over to the cat and picks him up, making Orion meow in surprise. "Oh, you little flea bag!" Stan cheers. "You're cuteness is going to make me money!" Orion cocks his head to the side. "And you know what that means…? You can get a kitty treat!"
Orion narrows his yellow eyes and gives a yawn. Without warning Stan walks to the door that lead to the main part of the house, the cat draped over his arm. "Waddles, don't eat the merchandise!"
Stan sets Orion on the chair and gets one of Mabel's cameras that was lying about and started taking a few pictures of him. Good thing Mabel had one of those Polaroid cameras, printing up the pictures instantly. He goes through them, seeing the kitten with wide eyes. There was then a picture of Orion in mid-meow, his yellow eyes as big as the moon, it almost looked like the cat was smiling.
"The Mystery Kitten!" Stan chuckles. "Are you a shadow? Are you a Grimm that enjoys others pain and misery? Or are you just a cute kitten?" he laughs again at his taglines for Orion. He gives the kitten a little pet on its head, whom rubbed affectionately on his hand. "A Kitten of Grimm! Ha, I crack myself up!"
Orion gives a small meow, him curling up on the chair. Just as he was about to lay down Stan picks him up again and heads out of the house. Stan gets to the car and puts the small animal on the passenger seat and begins to drive into town. "I gotta get a rush on that order… I'll get a bit today then next week I'll a lot more!" Stan was saying to Orion, the cat looking at him blankly.
Stan went to the building where he goes all his custom ordering in downtown Gravity Falls. As soon as he stopped the car he snagged the kitten and the photo reference and gets inside.
"Ah, hello again, Mr. Pines," a man greeted him a thick Spanish accent. "What can I do for you today?"
"Hey there, Luis, I need to put a rush on some order to be here by tomorrow morning." Stan greets and quickly explains. He then shows Luis the kitten and the picture. "I don't know, a few shirts, a couple mugs, notebooks, you know, little cheap things until I get more for later."
Luis looks at the kitten. "Why the sudden interest in the cat, Mr. Pines?" he asks the old conman.
"He's Dipper's new kitten, and people at the shop thought he was adorable." Stan replies.
"Ah, sucker them out of their money because the cat is cute." Luis muses. "Very wise, Mr. Pines."
"Damn right!" Stan agrees. "Just name the price and have it made and shipped." They go through the transaction, and with the high and fast shipping cost the items should arrive by morning. Stan didn't like the price, he never did for any of his merchandise, but that's why he overcharges on everything to pay for the stuff and make a profit.
Once he got back to the Shack, he noticed that the kids were back from school, George and Pacifica joining in to do homework. As soon as Orion saw Dipper he mewed excitedly and jumped out of Stan's arms to make its way to the young brunette.
"Orion!" Dipper exclaims. "Where have you been, little guy?" Waddles snorts and goes to sniff Orion, making sure it was the same cat, Orion's eyes glowing a yellow. He gave a satisfied squeal and went to Mabel's feet to lay by her.
"Him and I went to go get some merchandise made." Stan tells Dipper as he goes into the fridge and grabs a pit cola. He pops the tab and takes a long swig.
"'He and I'," Ford corrects as he made his way into the kitchen, carrying a bunch of books. "Grammar, Stanley."
Stan's automatic response was just knocking down all the books the Ford had been carrying. "Keeping a grip on your nerd books, Stanford." Stan then tells his twin with the same corrective tone that Ford had given him.
"Merchandise?" Mabel questions.
"Mr. Pines, what do you need more merchandise of?" George asks, his stony grey eyes wide with curiosity.
Stan shrugs. "You all will see tomorrow when you get back from school," he says nonchalantly as he goes to take another swig of his drink. Ford this time tilts the can, causing excess liquid to spill all over Stan's face, causing him to cough, and getting all over his white dress shirt he wore underneath the suit. "DAMN IT, FORD!" he coughs, him red to the face with anger and soda.
Everyone begins laughing, especially Ford with a huge smile on his face. Stan stood there dripping with his soda, but he then couldn't help but laugh and smile as well. It was something that he had missed, seeing his brother laughing and smiling. Even seeing Dipper laughing made Stan's chest tighten with emotion.
Worth it.
The next morning a box arrived with the new merchandise.
Stan was unloading the box while Orion kept jumping in the box to play with the packing peanuts. With sighs of annoyance Stan would take the kitten out just for it to jump back in. On the counter there was folded shirts of the cat's face the phrase "Mystery Shack's Kitten of Grimm" in big letters on it. There was also some mugs, notebooks, and even bumper stickers.
If these sell I'll get some more and put them with the other stuff I got. Stan thought to himself as he stocked the shelves with the new merchandise.
Right on time he opened the shop and the same group of women came in. Once again they crowed Orion, stating how the cat was still adorable. Stan then showed his new merchandise, the women gasping and getting the shirts, mugs, and notebooks for their family members.
"Aw, he looks like he's smiling!"
"Kitten of Grimm! That's so cute, a little black kitten thinking it's a tough monster!"
You have no idea lady…
They paid for their items, grabbing the few business cards that Stan did have, and they left. As the door chimed closed Stan counted the sale, and despite him paying a rush order he still made a decent profit. He scratches behind Orion's ears.
"Look at ya, ya little Creature of Profits!" Stan tells Orion. "Dipper's right, you're a good cat."
Later that day, after school got out, the kids and Wendy walked into the Shack, seeing the few leftover products of Orion. Mabel cheered happily and goes and grabs a shirt, taking George with her while he was surprised.
"Grunkle Stan?" Dipper gasps. "Are you making money off my cat!?"
"Yep!" the old conman laughs. "And who knows, maybe Waddles will help too!" Stan then picks up Orion and cradles the kitten. "Yeah, he's a good cat." He then gives a smile as he booped Orion on his small black nose. Orion purrs happily as he playfully swats at Stan's finger.
That night the entire family, and it included Pacifica and George, sat at dinner discussing other products for Orion. Mabel was drawing up new designs while George gave some advice. Pacifica was saying how there should be a variation of colors for the shirt and mugs, and Dipper suggested a couple of backpacks and maybe hats.
As they were talking, Orion was curled up on Stan's lap, the old man petting him absently. Between Orion's paws was a large cat treat that he nibbled on, him purring like an engine.
A/N: Here is some more fluff! Stan making money of Orion, classic Stan.
Thanks for reading as always!
~Skye Hendersen~