Reverse Falls: Welcome to the Show

3] Secrets In the Dressing Room

"What's going on?" Dipper asked his sister, who sat while slowly and carefully combing her curly, shoulder-length hair in front of her vanity.

"What do you mean?"

"Tell me why you needed to see that kid-"

-"you mean Pine Tree?"

Dipper bit back an bitter reply. "Yes, and why did you use that dream trick on him? That wasn't part of the plan. I thought we were just going to talk to the kid."

Mabel put down the comb and picked up some powdered makeup. She took a dainty brush from inside the compact and began dusting the powder on her nose.

"It's part of the plan now."

Dipper angrily slammed a hand down on his sister's makeup table, causing an old bottle of dusty perfume to fall and shatter on contact with the floor. The thick scent of the old perfume filled the room, making his eyes water. He was too angry with his sister to care.

"Why aren't you telling me anything useful," Dipper growled. "I know there's much more that you're specifically not telling me."

Mabel calmly set down the compact and adjusted her headband, the blue amulet fashioned on the side glinted under the lights of the vanity.

"And none of what you've told me makes any since."

"Now's not the time for me to explain," she said with a grin. "It's time to put on a show."

Mabel stood and walked toward her costume rack. She proceeded to pick through the many outfits she owned. Everything ranged in the same color pallet, from baby blue to black. No other colors could possibly match better with her amulet.

After much unnecessary deliberation, she finally chose a classic black blazer paired with a plaid skirt.

"But we haven't actually put on a show since-" Dipper stopped himself and glanced at his sister. Mabel had paused when she heard him say this, carefully listening for how he chose to finish his sentence. Dipper gulped and carefully continued.

"I'm just saying, it's been a long time. Are you sure you're ready to display your abilities to the public? As in. . . you know. . ."

Mabel pushed open a curtain that closed off an area to get dressed. She closed the veil and began undressing. She carefully pulled on the blazer and turned to examine her reflection in the mirror.

"What are you trying to say?" Dipper heard her question from behind the curtain.

Dipper sighed. "As in. . . no more slip ups."

Mabel flung open the curtain and glared at her brother. Her eyes flashed.

"Define slip ups. . ."

"Mabel, admit it to yourself! You're not ready!"

"You don't understand the situation. This is our chance to strike. With Pine Tree's arrival, the prophecy has finally been set in motion."

Dipper curled his hands into fists. His fingernails dug into his palm almost tightly enough to draw blood.

"What prophecy? There is no prophecy! I don't understand!" he exclaimed. "What are you planning?"

Mabel stoically walked across the room toward a framed picture of her and Dipper when they were just toddlers. She removed the photo from the wall. Before Dipper could interject, Mabel had opened a panel from the wall to reveal a rectangular hole. Inside sat a crimson book, a golden six-fingered hand plastered on the cover along with the number 2.

"How long has that been there?" Dipper whispered hollowly.

Mabel ignored his question and shoved the book into his arms.

"Read."