Through the looking glass

Chapter 1

(Dipper pov)

Packing up my bag I walk off the ship and back onto the docks where my mother meets me and hugs me tightly. "It is so grand to see you once again my dear."

She starts leading me off the docs when a Will comes up to us. "Mr. Pines. We expected you and the Wonder back a year ago."

"Well that was the plan but I didn't exactly count on all the pirates trying to take my ship. Could you tell Lord Ascot that I need to see him at once?"

"Sadly, Lord Ascot died last year while you were at sea. His daughter is now leading the company."

"Pacifica?"

"She now chairs the Council."

"How very unfortunate."

My mom leads me home where she sits me at the table as she makes tea. I take my father's pocket watch out opening and closing it.

"Your letters were so rare, I barely ever knew where you were."

"China is so amazing mom. I will have to take you back there sometime. Dad would have loved it....I miss him."

"I do too. But the years pass very quickly for me nowdays. Time is a very cruel master."

"Time is a villian and a thief."

"The Ascot's are having a celebration to celebrate Pacifica's success tonight." My mother sets two cups of tea down and sits in the chair next to me.

"That's great. I have a proposal for her."

"She's married now, Mason. She has gotten over your public rejection a long time ago."

"It's a business, proposal mom."

"You're leaving already? You just got back. There are things here that might appreciate some attention of yours."

"After my next voyage, mom. I promise. Then you will not have to worry about another thing ever again."

..........................................

Stepping into the party I take off my coat and I catch everyone else in the party giving me a weird look and knowing exactly why. For one, I insisted on wearing my hat and favorite sneakers again. I also chose to wear an outfit from China instead of something my mother picked out.

"I dearly wish you had just worn the suit."

"If it was good enough for the Empress Dowager of China then it is good enough for Ascot."

"Do you always have to be so stubborn?"

"No but I have more fun this way."

"Dipper!" Walking through the crowd I find will. "I'm glad to see you here."

"Where is Pacifica at?"

"Right this way."

He leads me through the crowd where Pacifica is, her standing next to a man who looks like a total dick and is holding a crying baby.

"Mason. Welcome home. Was starting to wonder when you would get back with our ship."

"It's my ship. Nice to see you again Pacifica."

"Refer to my wife as Lady Ascot."

"It's alright dear." She says to her husband before looking at me. "This is Alexander, the new Lord Ascot."

"Nice to meet you. I came to give you my report, Ma'am."

"Of course. Right this way."

She leads me to a private room where there are other old bearded guys talking. "Everyone, this is Mason Pines. Mason, this is the Council."

"It's Dipper actually. Gentlemen, the world opens before us but we must move quickly." I take a map out of my pocket unfolding it. "In my opinion, if we send expeditions along the Wu River and-"

"I'm sorry, Mason but there will be no more expeditions."

"What? What do you mean no more expedition?"

"Now there is a vacancy in our offices as a clerk. You will start with filing but in due time-"

"This isn't about China is it? This is just because I rejected you!"

"I'm sorry Mason, but no one is hiring someone like you as a clerk. Much less a ship captain."

"You can't just fucking do this! Your father gave me 10% of that company."

"No he gave it to your mother who last year sold it back to me. Along with a note for your home."

"My mother's house? Are you fucking kidding me?"

"Which I will deliver once you sign over the ship."

"But it's my father's ship and that means it now belongs to me!"

"Just give me the ship and recover the house. Report to work early Monday and you will recieve a salary and a pension. "

"And give up the Wonder?"

"If not, then we can't help you. Or your mother."

Turning around I see my mother looking at me.

Clenching my fists tightly I walk out a different door as my mother chases after me. "Mason wait!"

I turn to her once we're in an empty hallway. "How could you sell my stocks!"

"Everything I do is for you, Dipper. To give you a decent start in life."

"I was the captain of a ship 5 minutes ago."

"Being captain is no job for.."

"Someone like me? Why the hell do people keep saying that? If you mean someone who thinks above his station then just fucking say it already!"

"Time is against you and you are being careless about it."

"I used to think he could do 6 impossibilities before breakfast...."

"It's just a ship."

"It is not just a ship! That is dad's ship! Everything he loved, everything I ever loved! He would have never let this happen!"

"He isn't here! You cannot do things to be just as you wanted. Everyone must face that in their life. I did a long time ago."

"I fucking hate you. The last thing I want in my life is to ever wind up like you."

Clenching my hands into tight fists I storm away from her, not stopping until I find myself in a small greenhouse. I sit on a bench with my head in my hands as I let out a frustrated sigh.

"To give those assholes Wonder, and give up the impossible.....who would I be then?"

"You, Dipper, of course."

Hearing a familiar voice I look up as a butterfly flutters and lands on my nose. I recognize the vibrant blue of its wings. "Absolem?"

It flies away and I get up following it. "Wait!"

I follow it up a few flights of stairs and into an office that I recognize as belonging to the former Lord Ascot.

Shutting the door quietly behind me I watch Absolem fly right through the mirror on the mantle, it rippling like water.

Going over to it I gently tap it and it ripples once more. I jump hearing banging and voices on the other side of the door.

Without thinking I climb up on the mantle and go through the mirror.