Little Dipper

Negotiation

"So...what did Gideon mean by 'bell'?" Mabel asked. She had chosen to stay with Pacifica while Bill, Gideon and Dipper went to find Preston.

"My father...uses a small bell to keep me in line. He rings it, and..." Pacifica curled in herself. "I've been...trained to obey it."

"Isn't that child abuse?!" Mabel gasped.

"You don't understand, the wealthy have...different ways." Pacifica said glumly.

"No, no. Child abuse is child abuse no matter HOW rich you are. Has he hit you?" Mabel asked.

"No, he's just taken things from me if I didn't obey the bell." Pacifica said nervously.

"Again, child abuse. Someone needs to teach him a lesson!" Mabel said firmly.

–

"OOF!" Preston groaned in pain as he hit the ground. "Gideon, please, let's talk about this!"

"You would risk the life of EVERYONE here for PRIDE?! You KNEW the ghost was coming, you KNEW about the curse, and you tried to get around it by asking for Bill and I to help you!" Gideon said angrily, his amulet and eyes glowing. Preston was surrounded in an aura in the same color glow.

"Well, you know, if you have other options!" Preston said nervously.

"I'll ask you again." Bill said firmly. "Open the gates to the people of the town and let the lumberjack have his peace."

"Never! They're filthy! I have priceless artifacts here, they'll be stolen!" Preston insisted.

"Preston, either you open the gates to the mansion, or I will hand you over to the ghost and let him kill you." Gideon growled. "Better yet, I'll kill you for him!"

"Uh, Gid." Bill looked at him.

"Once you're gone, then it'll be up to Pacifica whether those gates open or not! And you won't ever be able to hurt her again!" Gideon said, a manic expression in his eyes.

"S-Stop!" Preston pleaded as he was lifted into the air, his tie constricting his throat. "P-Please!"

"You'll never use that bell to force her to obey you again..." Gideon growled. "I should've done this much soo--"

"Stop!" Bill held out his hand and Preston was surrounded in a yellow aura before he was safely set on the ground. "This is NOT the right way! You said you would never kill again!"

"I..." Gideon looked at his hand, moving it away from the amulet. "...I'm sorry, Bill. I just...the things he's done to Pacifica...and now he's willing to put her and everyone else in harm's way just for the sake of pride..."

"I get it, he's a bad person. But you don't have to sink to his level." Bill walked over and pulled Preston up by the arm, loosening his tie so he could breathe. "Preston, you can't take it with you. You will be dying for nothing if you do not open those gates. I refuse to fight the ghost for you, when I would be doing the exact same thing were I in his position. Your family made a promise, now prove you're better than a poop-smith and fulfill it."

Preston looked up at him. "Why are you...helping him? You said you'd help me..."

"I already said." Bill said firmly. "You want to know why I'm here to have this conversation with you? Because a human as selfish and greedy as you are summoned me, made a deal with me, took everything he could from me, then sealed me in a fucking closet without fulfilling his part of the deal."

"You swore." Dipper said off to the side.

"Yes, I did. Sorry." Bill glanced at him then looked back at Preston. "Honestly, if I hadn't spent so much time with these kids, I probably would kill that human if I saw him again. But, I've changed. I'm not a killer. And you can change and let this ghost rest finally by doing as your family promised. Prove you are worth anything close to what your family claims."

"But, the wealthy that are coming...the guests..." Preston said nervously. "They'll be upset."

"Not as upset as they'd be if they found out you sealed their fates by refusing to open the gates for one freakin' night." Bill said firmly. "If you don't, I will announce it to everyone why they're going to die tonight. Anyone that might survive will spread the word, your social status will fall, your family will suffer and, on the off-chance that you survive, no one will ever trust you again."

Preston seemed to consider this. "...Alright. I-I'll open the gates. It's just one night, right? Next year, we can keep it shut, right? It is invite-only..."

"Yeah, okay. Ghost should be at rest after this night, so you shouldn't have to worry about it. Just, you know, maybe do a raffle or something or for people to get tickets in if they spend enough money or whatever." Bill shrugged, then walked over to Gideon. "You okay?"

"I feel dizzy." Gideon held his head. "I think it's because I got so worked-up when I haven't had much sleep."

"Well, yeah." Bill patted his shoulder. "Let's get you some water. Preston, go open that gate."

Preston nodded and walked out of the room. Dipper watched him go and then looked at Bill. "Should we follow him?"

"Sure, why not. Water's that way anyway." Bill nodded and walked with Gideon out of the room. "You're gonna be okay, Gid."

They followed Preston to the gate control, where he reluctantly placed his hand on it. "Isn't there another way?" He asked, looking at Bill.

"Do you want to live?" Bill asked.

Preston sighed. "I'll...wait until the party is actually starting. The guests aren't even here yet! And it'll give them time to get properly dressed, yes!"

"Oh, I'm not properly dressed." Dipper looked at himself.

"We still have a half-hour, let's fix that." Gideon smiled at him.

"I'll...make the announcement." Preston said reluctantly. "Tell them it's formal dress, and they still have time to change." He made a face at the clothes of some of the people lining up outside.

"I'll offer to help them with formal clothes if they have none." Gideon suggested. "I'll be alright, Bill. I feel less dizzy now. Why don't you go tell Mabel and Pacifica?"

"You sure you'll be okay?" Bill asked.

Gideon nodded and went out with Preston to talk to the people lined up.

–

"He's really going to do it?" Pacifica asked.

"He says so. He's telling the people to get formal clothes on, and Gideon is offering to help them get some if they don't have any." Bill shrugged. "Guess we'll find out in a half-hour, huh?"

"Oh, I'm not dressed for a party." Mabel looked at herself.

"Well...I do have some dresses you could wear." Pacifica suggested.

"Oh!" Mabel hopped up from her chair. "That sounds great!"

"Uhm...can I get up now? Is that okay?" Pacifica looked at Bill.

"Probably. The ghost won't manifest again until the party starts, so I think you're safe." Bill nodded.

"Good." Pacifica got up and left the room. "Come on, Mabel. I'll show you all my dresses."

"Ohh, how about that one you wore for Summerween?" Mabel asked.

"Oh, Mabel, I have so many other beautiful ones. Let's not reuse one so soon after it's been worn." Pacifica said as they walked away. "Besides, your fake wedding dress was MUCH lovelier."

"Those two are gonna be good in-laws." Bill remarked, watching them go.

"I know I like having Pacifica for another sister." Dipper smiled.