An Old Flame (A Gravity Falls Fanfiction)

Chapter 10: Burning Time

Two Weeks Later

Nera's P.O.V:

I was fixing the stand for the face painting and smiling before I heard Stan say, "I printed up a bunch of fake safety inspection certificates. Go slap one on anything that looks like a lawsuit." I turned to see Stan giving the fake certificates to Dipper and Mabel before I rolled my eyes at his plan and looked away.

"Nera, is what Grunkle Stan is doing legal?" I heard Mabel ask me, making me laugh softly.

"Only if there are no cops around," I answered before I finished the stand and smiled. "There we go. Shooting Star! What do you think of the stand?" I turned to her, and she smiled before giving a thumbs-up, and I smiled.

"Soos! How's that dunk tank coming along?" I heard Stan ask before I looked up to see him talking to Soos, and I sighed, seeing how excited he was when Soos tightened the dunk tank to the point that it couldn't work unless I hit it. I just have to not pay attention to Brawler.

It's fine. I'm fine... It's not like we're having this silent treatment over the fact that I left because I had to go the fucking Theraprism! And then there's Pine Tree. Who has yet to tell anyone about what I am.

Oh no, it's worse. He has been spying on me. It's so creepy. Why...why can't he act like a normal 12-year-old? Look at bugs or...eat leaves. Okay, I don't know anything about humans and their biology. Sue me!

"Nera, can we talk?" I heard Dipper ask before I sighed and turned around to look at him, who looked nervous. Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. At least, that is what Brawler would say.

"What about Pine Tree? Oh, I bet you want to ask me about my home and not spy on me like a creep." I answered, being a little sassy before I sighed and rubbed my head.

"I...um...yes?" Dipper said, holding the papers more before I sighed and took them from him. "You are not very subtle, Dipper. Note to the wise: Being subtle helps. Now, I'll tell you more...if you let me paint your face for practice." I said, smirking before putting the papers down and grabbing a paintbrush.

"uhhh...Maybenexttime!" Dipper said, running away before I laughed loudly and smiled.

"Heh. It works like a charm...Maybe Mabel can help me practice," I mumbled before looking for Mabel and smiling, seeing her put the papers on every tram cart. "That's Shooting Star for you. Hey, Mabel! I need your help with face painting!"

The next day

Nera's P.O.V:

"Okay...Here you go, kiddo." I said, painting a tiger on a kid's face before their mom gave me five dollars, and they walked off. I smiled and fixed my shirt a bit. I wore a collared shirt with dark-head hawk moths, crescent moons, and wheat all over it, tied around my stomach that showed a little bit of my four-pack of muscles, and matching shorts with the same patterns while having some black sneakers.

I smile and turn to do the next person, only to see Wendy making me chuckle before she sits down, and I ask, "And what do you think you're doing, Red? This is a line for kids... and you're the only one." I turn to see Wendy, which is my last one of the day, and get the paints ready before my eyes flash for a second to see Wendy is a Vigro. Huh...I never thought she would be one. She's too laid back. Then again, I better not think about it.

"Yeah, well, I wanted to see the amazing Nera paint my zodiac sign on my face. I bet you can't guess it right." Wendy answered, smirking before I laughed and started to paint her face gently.

"Most people think that. Now, hold still," I said, starting to paint a deer on Wendy's face before I hummed softly and smiled. I was lucky that Mabel let me practice on her face. I made sure to put different symbols of the Vigros and smile before I put the paintbrush down and handed Wendy a mirror. "Here you go, Vigro. Check it out."