Starfall

Chapter 14 - Summerween

Dipper observed Pacifica as she gazed at the gold jewelry lining the display case. He grinned in amusement. In the wake of the awkward and turbulent years of adolescence leading into adulthood, it was nice to see that some things from his early teen years hadn't changed. He stepped closer to her and spoke so only she could hear him. "Are you admiring the jewelry or getting ideas for Christmas shopping?"

Pacifica, not prying her eyes away from the jewelry smirked. "Who says it can't be both?" Dipper chuckled softly with a smile knowing she was probably only half teasing. He had missed Pacifica's snarky sense of aristocratic humor. The blonde heiress glanced over at Mabel who was gazing at the jewelry. "It's not just a rich girl thing Dipper," she said. "Most girls love jewelry." She turned her eyes back to the case. "Especially when the craftmanship is so skilled and tasteful."

A subtle smirk teased its way across her lips now. "At least this solved one dilemma." Dipper now looked away from Mabel to face Pacifica's reflection in the jewelry case glass. "Oh yeah? And uh...what dilemma was that?" Pacifica now turned to face him, her modest smirk now broadened as her perfectly straight white teeth began to show. "Now you know what to get more for my birthday," She said matter-of-factly. Dipper snorted with amusement. "Is that with or without a servant to fan you with palm branches in the sun?"

Pacifica's smile stretched even more expansively. "Why Dipper, that was very thoughtful of you to volunteer like that. I promise I will remember to feed you and let you sleep at the foot of my bed." Dipper bumped her hips with his. "Sure thing princess. I have nothing else going on," Dipper deadpanned shaking his head. "Dipper now smirked slyly. "Do you really think your dad would let me sleep in your room?" Pacifica pushed Dipper playfully now. "Your incorrigible Dipper Pines," she said rolling her eyes. Dipper chuckled placing his hands in his pockets casually.

He then turned to look back at Mabel. She was still near the display case for Meratities, but she now had something in her hands she was looking at. Dipper had to squint to try and make out what she was holding. To Dipper's shock, he realized she was holding the large stoned necklace from the display case. Mabel then held the necklace up to the light to get a closer look at the large magenta topaz facet. Dipper was about to rush over to her and scold her for touching the delicate and ancient artifact when the light hitting the gemstone suddenly did something strange.

A myriad of Egyptian symbols rapidly displayed as they flashed over Mabel's forehead. A look of fear rose in her eyes. She looked over at him as her eyes grew wide with terror. Dipper felt fear clutch his chest like barbed wire and icy knives. Then Mabel fainted. Dipper rushed to her side. Pacifica must have been right behind him as he felt her hand rest on his shoulder as he leaned over Mabel's fallen figure. She lay on her side with her hair over her face and her hand still clutching the necklace in a vice grip. Her legs were curled up close to her elbows.

Dipper pushed back the hair from her face and put a hand on her shoulder giving her a shake to try and rouse her. Mabel scrunched up her eyes as she made faces with her eyes closed. She seemed all right at least. Dipper gave her another shake and leaned in closer. He said her name close to her ear. Her eyes snapped open instantly. Dipper jumped slightly with a start. She stood to her feet bolt upright instantly her eyes trained on his.

Dipper getting up more slowly said, "You gave me a scare there Mabel. For a second I thought that you..." Dipper trailed off as his sister watched him with piercing eyes. There was a cold commanding air of composure about her that Mabel had never possessed. Her eyes radiated authority and power. She then spoke...but it was unintelligible to Dipper. It was a strange foreign language he had never heard. What was going on?!? Mabel frowned. Then a look of realization crossed her face. She spoke again in an incomprehensible language but this time something happened. The lights in the museum dimmed and the air seemed to grow cold as she spoke. Dipper's ears began to ring softly before the sensation subsided quickly.