Little Dipper

Priorities

"So, tell me about Pyronica." Gideon said after they'd all gotten their ice-cream.

"That's a bit of a sudden question." Tad commented, glancing around. "And in a somewhat public place."

"No one's listening." Gideon assured him. "They're all talking about the election. I want to focus on something a bit more, you know, dire."

"Okay, okay." Tad nodded. "Well, let's see...Pyronica is...I'm trying to think of how to describe her. She's...charismatic. She's been a criminal since long before Bill and I left Flatland, and she loves violence and fire. Chaos is her game, and I think her oldest partners are Pacifier and Keyhole."

"Who are they?" Dipper asked, looking up from his ice-cream.

"Criminals, just like her. Violent ones. You can tell them on sight, generally." Tad said, reaching in his pocket for a pen and grabbing a napkin. "Here, let me...attempt to draw them. I can't promise it'll look good."

"Hehe, stick figures." Dipper giggled.

"Well, you're certainly no police artist. What DO you do out there?" Gideon asked.

"I'm a special agent. Above Time Cop but below Time Baby and not exactly in his employ but I help him out. Especially when it comes to Bill Cipher." Tad explained. "You'll know them on sight, anyway." He crumbled up the napkin and shoved it to the side.

"If you describe them, I can draw them." Mabel offered.

"I don't...know how to describe them." Tad admitted.

"How did Bill get involved with them?" Gideon asked.

"Gideon, your ice-cream is melting." Agatha said gently.

"Oh, right." He went back to his ice-cream.

Tad sighed. "Prison. They met in prison."

"I think Bill mentioned that." Dipper commented.

They heard a couple tables arguing over the election and Gideon hung his head. Tad reached over and gently patted his shoulder. "It's alright, Gideon. Let's just finish our ice-cream and then go somewhere else."

Gideon nodded, sighing.

"Mrs. Gleeful, what do you think of this whole thing?" Tad asked her.

"I think Bud is not a fit man to be mayor. I don't really know Dr. Pines much, but I know Bud is a swindler and a criminal." Agatha said firmly.

"Wow, strong words." Tad nodded. "But, I think he deserves them."

Agatha sighed. "He can't honestly expect me to stand by him after all he's put me through."

"Are you going to tell people?" Gideon asked.

"No. It's none of their business. And I think we'll leave out his connection to that cult as well." Agatha said firmly. "After all, he wasn't the only one."

"No...he wasn't." Gideon said quietly, glancing over at McGucket sitting nearby with his family.

–

"Okay, everyone, thanks for helping out." Bill said as Wendy, Soos, Candy, and Grenda looked up from the campaign signs and buttons they were making. "Wish Shooting Star and Pine Tree were here too, but I can understand why Shooting Star would be reluctant. Anyways, here's what was in that packet." Bill unrolled an old parchment. "Wow, this thing is dusty. Okay, Gravity Falls elections are based on two events. The Wednesday Stump Speech, which takes place at an actual particular stump, and then the Friday Debate, where the townsfolk throw birdseed at the candidate they like most. I dunno, Quinten Trembly came up with this nonsense, but we gotta do it."

The others chuckled and giggled in response and Bill went on. "At the end of the debate, they will release a Freedom Eagle, who will fly to the candidate covered in the most birdseed and bestow a Birdly Kiss upon him, anointing him mayor. Again, weird, but that's Quinten for ya."

"Sounds easy enough." Stan shrugged.

"So, our biggest concern is getting the townsfolk to decide to like you more than Bud." Bill rolled up the parchment. "Let's start with getting out in the town, helping people, maybe having a sale at the Shack. Or just discounts if you pick up a campaign button. Stan, people are going to be calling you to interview you about the election. Be smart, use your head, don't say or do anything stupid."

"Like what?" Stan asked, grinning.

"Oh, I dunno, maybe making lock-picking a mandatory skill to learn in school?" Bill shrugged.

"Hey, lock-picking skills can be the difference between life and death. You ask me, everyone should know how to pick a lock." Stan said firmly. "I wouldn't make it mandatory, but I'd happily teach a class!"

"Okay, I guess if you want to sell it that way they might not see it as a bad thing. Maybe talk about times people have been locked out of their house and lock-picking might've helped or something. Anyways, it was just an example." Bill waved it off. "Naturally, your phone number is made public for people to contact you."

"Hey, am I interrupting?" Pacifica came in. "Sorry, the door was unlocked and no one was answering it. I thought I'd bring the family photographer to help you make campaign posters."

"Is your dad endorsing him?" Bill asked.

"My dad is against Bud Gleeful being mayor, that's for sure. Yes, he's endorsing him. He's also offered his assistance if you need any, and plans to speak up on Bud Gleeful's unsavory methods. Uh, not about the cult, just things like sneaking in, stealing away his sister, stuff like that."

"Let's try not to involve Gideon, okay?" Bill said firmly. "He's got enough stress right now."

"I told him not to talk about exploiting his son for profit." Pacifica assured him. "He's going to have you look over the speech before he says it."

"He trusts my judgment?" Bill asked.

"...Did you not see that tapestry? He worships you." Pacifica sighed heavily.

"Oh, what a burden on you." Bill said teasingly.

"Anyways, pictures." Pacifica nodded firmly. "Let's get you started."

Stan stood up. "Well, any help is great! Thanks, Pacifica."

Pacifica nodded. "My photographer wants to do this in the lounge, in front of your fireplace. Is that okay?"

"That's fine." Stan nodded, following her out of the room.

Bill sighed happily and turned to the others. "While they do that, let's get back to planning!"

–

"What do you think it'll be?" Mabel asked Agatha as they walked to Tad's house. "And is all this walking good for the baby?"

"Yes, walking is fine." Agatha chuckled a bit. "Mm, I'm hoping for a girl, honestly."

"We don't have an extra room, will we have to move?" Gideon asked. "I could put up a divider in my room, if you need me to."

"Not until the baby needs its own room." Agatha shook her head. "And Preston has already suggested we move into the manor. He suggested it as soon as he found out." She looked to the side. "I...haven't talked to your father about it yet."

"I can't imagine that this whole election thing is going to make your brother like your husband any more. He'll possibly like him even less." Tad commented as he walked up to his door and opened it. "Come on in and sit down. I imagine both your places will be busy for a while. Mabel, I have drawing paper in here if you want me to try to describe them."

"Thank you." Agatha walked over and took a seat on the couch. "Do you always have the curtains drawn here?"

"Oh, I can open them if you want." Tad said, walking over to open one. "I just like...being myself at home, and people might freak out if they saw the real me. I mean, they seem to like Bill well enough, but...blue skin stands out quite a bit more. Plus, I've been posing as a human for years."

"I'm still adjusting to the idea that you're an alien." Agatha admitted.

"Mother, do you want some water?" Gideon asked.

"Yes, dear, that sounds nice." Agatha nodded. "You don't need to dote over me yet, you know. I can get my own water." She chuckled as Gideon went to get it anyway.

"Ah, let him dote. It's a good distraction from impending doom." Tad said jovially. "Bread?"

"Yes, please." Agatha nodded, taking the offered drink from Gideon when he returned with it. "Thank you, Gideon."

"You know, maybe we should just hold off on this election." Mabel said, sighing. "I mean, shouldn't we be focused on making sure we have emergency supplies?"

"People need a leader, someone to turn to." Tad said matter-of-factly.

"So, why are we wasting time with this election? The apocalypse could start at any moment!" Dipper said, walking over to Tad. "What about that rift you mentioned to Bill?"

"Stanf--ley said he hasn't found anything." Tad shrugged.

"And you believe him?" Dipper asked. "What if he lied to Bill?"

Tad paused to consider that thought. "...That...could be. I'd have to check for myself. And with Ford out at the Gleeful residence, and Bill distracted, now is the perfect time to go into the basement and check!" He grinned and knelt down to rub Dipper's head. "Well, aren't you a smart boy?"

Dipper giggled.

"Gideon, are you in?" Tad looked at Gideon.

"Mother?" Gideon looked at her.

"Go on and prevent the apocalypse, dear. I'm only a few weeks in." Agatha said, chuckling a bit. "I won't need so much help for a little while yet."

"Okay." Gideon smiled. "Do you want us to take you home?"

"I think I'll spend some long-overdue time with my sister-in-law. Now that I'm no longer under Bud's control." Agatha stood up. "But, I wouldn't mind a ride. Perhaps your ring?"

"Sure, we can go through the...wait." Gideon looked at Dipper. "It's a sub-dimension. I don't know if we can take you in there without Bill."

"He left Propabilitor's realm before Bill did. I think they'll be alright." Tad assured him.

"You think so?" Gideon frowned.

"Bill has grown much stronger since the portal opened, and it's our biggest evidence that there's a rift." Tad explained.

"Don't you want to meet the dragon?" Mabel asked Dipper.

"Not without Bill. He wanted to meet her, too!" Dipper shook his head. "Next time, okay?"

"Let's just take my car." Tad shrugged. "I don't usually use it, but it makes sense with a group." He walked outside.

"He's so gentle." Agatha smiled, watching him go. "Is he really the same as Bill Cipher? He's much more polite."

"Bill's crass, but he's a nice guy." Mabel shrugged.

"Which is more than we can say for his cousin." Gideon frowned.

Dipper gasped. "We can ask Kryptos!"

"Ask him what?" Mabel looked at him.

"About Pyronica!" Dipper said excitedly.

"Oh yeah, we could do that. He came to Gravity Falls after Bill did, so he'd know what changes happened since Bill was trapped here!" Mabel nodded. "Maybe we can get some warning of what's to come!"

"If Tad beats it out of him." Gideon remarked.

–

"Are you sure you want to talk to Kryptos?" Tad asked as Gideon saw his mother to the Northwest's door.

"Yes." Mabel nodded.

"Very well." Tad sighed. "I will call him down. Let's go to the playhouse."