Somewhere in Vulture County, Oregon, lay a small, wooded town known as Gravity Ascends. No one knew how long it had been standing, but it had always seemed like yet another constant in the boring surroundings.

Just outside the main street a bright cerulean tent stood, awaiting visitors. This was the only interesting thing that ever happened Gravity Ascend's residents, which made the tent's show an instant success, and with it, the show's performers. Most people knew that the magic they were seeing wasn't real, but it was nice to believe that it was, just for an instant. Little did they know, the twin performers knew a little bit more than your average card tricks.

"Make sure you get the necklace with real pearls this time. I wouldn't want to be caught dead wearing costume jewelry." Mabel was seventeen years old, but she was in her twenties in her own mind. Her voluminous chocolate hair floated down to her waist in messy waves no matter how many times she tried to tame them, and the only thing keeping it in place was a headband embellished with a glowing blue gemstone. Her crystal blue eyes could puncture skin quicker than her high heels, and it eerily resembled the headband she adorned. A cerulean blazer rested on top of a black blouse with an elaborate blue bow. A twirling ebony skirt hugged her hips, while see-through black tights hugged her calves.

"Mabel, to you, everything is costume jewelry." Dipper was seventeen as well, but he prided himself on being the younger twin so he wouldn't have to grow up as fast. His chocolate hair was always ruggishly done on purpose, and was parted to proudly display the strange birthmark on his forehead mimicking the big dipper. His crystal blue eyes were always alight with fun, but there was a sharp tactfulness to them that you didn't want to mess with. His bow tie was decorated with a gemstone glistening with the same light, but so did most of his outfit. His cerulean outer coat mimicked his eyes, adding contrast to his black button-up. His midnight black trousers waere cut slightly short to display his obnoxiously blue socks, and his smart dress shoes were always glossed to perfection.

"Well, it isn't my fault they can't tell a real pearl from a ball of plastic. Honestly, you'd think they'd never seen real diamonds by the way they ogle at my jewelry," Mabel deadpanned, tediously applying mascara at her makeup counter.

Dipper chuckled. "They probably haven't. I know this might seem strange to you, but most teenagers don't walk around with a thousand dollars in cash in their purses."

Mabel snorted. "Only an idiot would do such a thing. I'm surprised it wasn't on your to-do list for today, actually."

Dipper glared at his sister. "Well, this idiot has been carrying this entire show on his back, so I would like to see a little bit of gratitude. Everyone knows you have no stage presence."

The female twin fumed with rage. "Gratitude? For what?! This whole show garbage has been nothing but a distraction for us!" Mabelsuddenly took a deep breath, attempting to calm herself down. "What I'm trying to say, my dear brother, is that I don't exactly see the point of parading around town like a couple of circus freaks."

Dipper gritted his teeth. His sister could be so...impossible. "The point is that not only do we go unnoticed, we've become town celebrities. Everyone adores us, so no one would ever dream of accusing of wrong-doings, no matter how much evidence there is. If it were up to you, we would've just gone about kidnapping half the town to find that stupid journal. So what I believe what you're trying to say is 'thank you.'"

Mabel sputtered for only a second before arching her eyebrows in frustration. "I'd rather you tell the truth than lie to me, Dipstick. Face it-this was never about the mission, it was only to grasp the attention you so desperately crave. I, on the other hand, have other things to do than making myself look like a fool. I'll go along with it for now, but I know for a fact that Grunkle Ford isn't happy with your decision."

He sighed, spinning around his chair, scrolling through his enormous messaging history. "You know I don't care what Grunkle Ford thinks, or anyone else for that matter." He refused to meet her eyes.

"Oh, but you do. Why else are you with me instead of throwing another one of your little plays for Grunkle Stan-sie?" She asked mockingly. She sniggered and turned away, believing she'd won this battle. Little did she notice Dipper clutching his bow tie in fury.

Mabel's back slammed against the wall, blue energy surrounding her limbs. She let out an embarassing squeak as Dipper wrapped his hand around her neck. "Y'know, I do have a servicable knife in here for special occasions, but I should save that for my first kill, huh?" he sneered, his eyes and bow tie glowing with menace.

She bit her lip in fury, then grabbed his wrist as tight as she could. In an instant, her palm lit up with mystic blue fire, scorching his arm. "Auugh!" he cried, letting go of her immediately.

"You might act like the big man on campus, but too often you forget who the prodigy around here is," she spat, then promptly sashayed out of the dressing room.

Dipper seethed, from both anger and pain. The burn she'd left on his arm looked pretty nasty, but he could easily cover it up with his sleeve. He poured a nearby bottle of water on it, and then called it a day. Hopefully there wouldn't be a scar; his skin was too perfect for blemishes.

He straightened his collar and brushed past the cyan curtain, waiting for the audience's rousing applause. "Welcome, Gravity Ascends!"

"Let's get this show started, shall we?"