oracle | bill cipher

part i. | summertime

It's the beginning of summer. The local high had ended classes about a week ago. The temperatures are finally starting to warm up, the sun coming out to play. People are out and about on the streets, taking advantage of the new season. You, however, are not roaming the streets of Gravity Falls like most are this time of year. Instead, you find yourself indoors, at the library.

Well, at least they have air conditioning.

You don't mind working at the library. It's not a terribly hard job for you anyways - not when there's hardly any patrons. In all honesty, the people of Gravity Falls aren't that literate. They don't tend to visit this place, especially not during the summer. Classes are out - there's no point in coming here to study.

Today, you find yourself shelving books. Later today, you'll probably end up reading aloud a book to some of the younger children who may have been dropped off here for the day. It's not a bad place to stay, actually. Plenty of books to read, plenty of air conditioning. The childrens' parents don't need to worry that much. Besides, there are few kids anyways, and the staff makes sure they're all taken care of.

You hum to yourself, putting away some books in the young adult section. Fantasy tales are held within your hands only to placed back onto the shelf, likely to not be read in quite some time.

Some of the older ladies that tend to hang around the library are to your right. They sit at a table, most likely having their book club like they do every week. You know a few of their names, but some of those ladies aren't the nicest, so you don't tend to try and make conversation with them. They're a little loud, but they're practically the only ones in here, so you let them be.

However, you can't help but eavesdrop on their conversation - not when they're the only ones speaking. It seems the topic of their book has long passed, and they're now gossiping.

"Why, I heard that Stan Pines is expecting some relatives in town today," one of them says, leaning closer to the others at the table.

Another woman with tight grey curls nods, ringlets bobbing up and down with the movement. "Mhm. Grandnephew and niece, I believe? I don't think I've ever seen any relatives of his around here. Have you, (y/n)?"

You turn your head, seeing all the ladies staring at you. You shake your head, slowly coming down from the ladder you were using to reach the higher shelves. You lean against the wood railing, crossing your arms. "Can't say I have, ma'am. And I've lived here a long time. Not as long as you all, of course. You've got me beat by a long shot."

They all laugh good-naturedly at that. You smile to yourself, pushing the cart with the books down a little bit closer to them. You grin, shaking your head in amusement. "Nah, I thought old Mr. Pines was some sort of a hermit. Didn't think a guy like him still had family around somewhere."

One of the old women shrugs. "Ah, he didn't always used to live here. Bet he's got family back home, wherever he came from."

"Anywho, I think those kids are supposed to stay for the whole summer. Hopefully that old man can actually take care of them."

"If he doesn't make them displays in his gift shop first," comes a mutter, then the ladies are roaring in laughing once more.

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"Thank you for the book!"

"Yeah! Thanks for reading to us!"

"Aw, it's no problem guys." You smile to yourself, affectionately ruffling some of the childrens' hair. They smile and giggle at the action. "Make sure that you get home safe, alright? Have a good night!"