Little Dipper

Shopping Trip

Ford eyed Bill cautiously as he unpacked his bag and put things away. The alien (he'd insisted he call him that now and not a demon) was distracted with writing something at his desk and Ford's luggage seemed to be the last thing on his mind right now. Nodding, Ford turned back to his work and pulled out a large ring-box, setting it on the shelf.

"Red cloth...red cloth..." He heard Bill mutter to himself. "It could be...I hope not, but everything else checks out...X in the sky...red cloth...fuck, I hope it's not her..."

"What are you muttering about?" Ford asked, looking up from what he was doing.

"The night before you showed up, Gideon had a vision. I'm trying to figure out what it was, how we can prepare for it, and what to expect if it is what I think. If it is, I hope it isn't, we're in big trouble." Bill sat back in his seat. "Anyways, never mind me. Go back to your luggage, Sixer."

"Oh, so you hope it isn't your endgame? Why, because you supposedly care for this world now? I heard you destroyed your own, why is this one any different?" Ford asked snidely.

Bill stood up and glared at him. "I destroyed my world because I had to make a change and nothing else was working! It was a last resort!"

"Oh, sure, says the school shooter." Ford said sarcastically.

"You don't know my world, you don't know my life, you don't know what I went through, you don't know SHIT about me! All you know is the stuff talked about among the nobles about us criminals that make us out to be nothing but, well, mindless, murdering criminals! I had ONE CRIME when I went to prison, and you know what it was? I LEFT MY FUCKING WORLD! I SAW THE DAMN COLORS!" Bill roared, stepping closer and closer to Ford until he was standing over him, his eyes a bright, red color. "And do you know why I wanted to see them so badly? Because someone very close to me was KILLED BY THE GOVERNMENT before he could achieve his dream of seeing them! And his crime that was punishable by death? NOT. BEING. FUCKING. PERFECT!"

"Bill!" He heard Stan outside the door and looked over. "You're scaring Dipper with your yelling, stop fighting in there."

"Come on out, Cipher." Tad said gently. "You sound like you need a break."

Bill sighed and nodded firmly, walking over to his desk and grabbing his notes before walking out, leaving Ford in a stunned daze. Tad met him at the door and led him away, whispering comforting words Ford couldn't hear.

Stan sighed and looked in at Ford. "Everyone deserves a chance, Ford. I've been in three prisons, but I'm not a murderous monster. Maybe you just don't know all the details." He walked away, down the hall.

Ford sighed and went back to emptying his bag. "I don't need to know them to know him." He muttered.

–

"No way...They're still making this game?" Ford asked in amazement.

"Hm?" Dipper looked over from the toys he was examining. "What?"

They had taken a trip to the mall, on Mabel's suggestion, to relieve stress. Tad had gone home and Stan had met up with Susan and left the kids with Bill and Ford. Gideon had said he was busy making the potion and couldn't come but to have fun anyway. At this moment, they were checking out a game store.

"This game, Dungeons, Dungeons and More Dungeons!" Ford held it up. "They're still making it? I haven't seen this in 30 years!"

"Oh, a nerd game." Mabel commented, looking at it. "That elf's hot, though."

"Can I play?" Dipper asked, talking over to him.

"Hmm, it might be a bit complex for you...but I'm a great DM!" Ford grinned. "I'll teach you!"

"Yay!" Dipper cheered.

"It's a bit expensive, though..." Ford looked at the price. "I haven't gotten my pay from Stan yet this week."

He heard a heavy sigh and the box was swiped out of his hands before Bill walked by. "I'll buy it, Sixer. Shooting Star, find anything you like?"

"Not yet." She admitted.

"Well, there's some more games over there. There's one that has a time-limit and jumps out at you at the end of it that you might like." Bill gestured with his free hand. "Pine Tree, see anything you like?"

"No, not yet. I'm still deciding." Dipper admitted.

Ford walked over to Bill. "...I'll pay you back later."

"Don't worry about it. It might be fun to play." Bill shrugged.

"You would...play DDMD with me?" Ford asked, surprised. "Knowing I might put your character into peril intentionally?"

"It's not real, Sixer. It's just a game." Bill raised his brow at him before walking over to help Dipper free a game he was interested in. "Alright, LIFE! The game that is supposed to simulate real life but actually does the opposite!"

Dipper laughed.

Mabel came back with a "Guess Who" game. "I guess we'll get this one, it's always fun."

"Alright, let's go pay." Bill nodded and the group went up to the group.

"Bill, you're not getting anything?" Mabel asked.

"Sure am." Bill set down a pack of playing cards that had his image on them. "You can ONLY get these in Gravity Falls, apparently. I got a kick out of them."

"Mm, now I'm getting hungry." Dipper rubbed at his stomach.

"Okay, let's go get some food." Mabel suggested.

They headed out of the store and headed for the food court. Mabel spotted Grenda standing in front of an alcove and waved excitedly before running over.

"Heeey, it's Grendo." Bill said, following her over.

"Grenda, we were going to get some food. Join us?" Mabel asked.

"Oh, uh, I'm...waiting...for something." Grenda said, glancing to the side.

"Something? Not someone?" Mabel asked.

Grenda nodded. Then she felt a tap on her back and looked behind her. "It's okay now?"

"Yes, thank you." Pacifica said quietly.

Grenda nodded and looked around before stepping back. Candy and Pacifica came out of the alcove, their cheeks a bit flushed.

"Don't tell anyone you saw me here." Pacifica said, her cheeks pink. "My parents would be furious."

"I'm willing to risk that." Candy said, taking off her fogged-up glasses and cleaning them.

"Oh? Ohhhh. How long has this been a thing?" Bill asked as Mabel let out an excited squeal.

"...Since the party." Pacifica blushed pinker and then wiped at her face before cleared her throat. "So, uh, you're Mr. Pines' brother?" She looked at Ford.

"This is Lee." Bill introduced. "Lee, this is Pacifica Northwest. Preston Northwest's daughter."

"I remember Preston when he was about your age." Ford said in awe. "Wow, I feel old."

"Anyways, let's go get some food!" Mabel reminded them. "Dipper's huuuuuuuungrrryyyyy!" She started to play with her stomach.

"Huuuuungrrrrryyyy!" Dipper copied her.

"Okay, okay." Bill laughed. "Girls, are you coming?"

"Well, since you asked." Pacifica brushed her hair behind her ear. "Yes."