The Distance Between (A Relativity Falls Story)

1925

tw: mention of alcoholism

The woman's long, long red hair, down almost to her waist, swished around her as she moved around her garden. Her shirtwaist was short-sleeved, revealing arms muscled and freckled, marking her as a hardworking farmer's daughter. Her dark green plaid skirt matched her eyes, which glinted with determination, as she tugged out a particularly stubborn weed. She was unusually tall for a woman, and her long un-bobbed hair, her unapologetically freckled countenance, and the frequency with which some rather unladylike language escaped her mouth all marked her as unique, but beautiful, unlike any woman—

"So, is she an elf?" Candy's cheeky voice was suddenly in Dipper's ear, "A witch? Is there an infestation of pixies in her bushes?"

"No," Dipper said, shaking his head.

"Well, if memory serves, we are here to observe the paranormal. So, what is it? What is so interesting about this woman that you're in her bushes?" Dipper sighed, knowing he was blushing violently. At the sound of Candy's voice, however, the woman turned her head towards them.

"Who's in my bushes? Come on out and show yeselves?" Dipper wanted to shrivel up of embarrassment but her tone wasn't angry, and even a slight bit entertained.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," He apologised, "I'm a researcher, and I've been–"

"Aye, I know," she answered, "Everyone knows about the two of ye. Mysterious, a wee bit odd, and always chasin' things up in the woods, and rarely in town. Can I invite ye in for a cup of tea?"

"We'd love that," Candy answered.

"Well, come on in," she waved her hand.

"Thank you, ma'am," Dipper said, but she cut him off.

"Wendy will do," she laughed, "Now, do ye have a name, or must I call you 'Sir'?"

"Oh, no, you can call me Dipper, Dipper Pines." he said quickly. Too quickly. "I mean, that's not my...but I guess you can–"

"You ramble a lot, aye?" Wendy said, with another chuckle as she lead them into the house, "And you must be Mrs Pines?" she turned to Candy.

"Oh, no, no," Both Dipper and Candy shook their heads violently and decisively, "We're not–no, no."

"Oh, sorry," Wendy was laughing quietly, "So, you're definitely not married then?"

"No," Candy said, with a cheeky glance at Dipper, "My friend is a very eligible bachelor. He's wealthy, too." Dipper glared at Candy, knowing what she was doing. Candy looked delighted to have provoked this reaction.

"So, I know you're not married to him, but I still don't have a name for ye, Not-Mrs-Pines?"

"Candy Chiu," she replied, "Research assistant and engineer."

"Nice to meet you, Candy," Wendy smiled, "So, what is it the two of ye are here to research? I can't see there being much out here besides trees."

"Well, I don't know if you've noticed, but there are some...odd things around here. Supernatural things."

"Now that you mention, my father and brothers have brought back many tales about mysterious creatures in these woods, but I just figured they were lumberjack legends."

"Don't discount lumberjack legends." Dipper said, "They're what brought us here. From what I could discover it sounds rather like this is the strangest place in the country, so where better for a pair of paranormal investigators to set up."

"He loves the sound of the words 'Paranormal Investigator' and will refer to himself as such as frequently as he can" Candy announced, seemingly determined to embarrass Dipper.