(y/n) raised an eyebrow.
"Pines?"
"Private Isolation Non-threatening Escutcheon System, or P.I.N.E.S for short. Figured it would only be fair to credit the inventor" he said, smiling at her. "This security measure will make sure our slippery little friend won't get away so easily."
"Yeah, but you've also trapped a potential murderer inside with us, you moron!" (y/n) yelled.
"Not unless we find out who the imposter is" Nathaniel said, as they started walking out of Preston's room.
(y/n) seemed to see where he was going with this.
"Are you saying we should figure out the intruder's identity, track him down, and fight him to the death in an epic battle without doing the clearly reasonable thing of calling the police?"
"More or less."
"Then I'm in."
Nathaniel grinned.
"I knew you would be" he said. "Now, let's find my uncle."
(y/n) snapped her fingers.
"Are there any security cameras around here?"
"None, unfortunately" Nathaniel replied. "My uncle didn't want anyone monitoring his... activities."
"Man, this place is just begging to be robbed. Heck, I would have robbed this mansion dry by now if I was the imposter!"
"Back to the matter at hand" Nathaniel said through gritted teeth. "If the intruder has been posing as one of the staff, then maybe we can talk to the head of staff and ask if anyone's been missing from their post during the last few hours."
"Great! And with you here, I don't even need to worry about breaking in and interrogating anybody at gunpoint! This is way faster!"
Nathaniel rung his hands in an uncomfortable manner.
"How many times have you had to resort to that?"
(y/n) thought about that question for a while.
"Well, how many days have I been in Gravity Falls?"
After hearing that answer, Nathaniel suddenly hurried forward, a disturbed expression frozen on his face.
"I'm just kidding!" (y/n) said, hurrying after her friend. "I know exactly how many times I've done it!"
Meanwhile...
Unbeknownst to them, there was someone watching them from a higher floor through a pair of binoculars, his dark figure half emerged in the shadows. He could hear everything the two children were saying.
"Do you wanna know how many times? The answer might surprise you!" (y/n) said, as the man watched her through red tinted lenses.
He only smirked, before backing up and fully immersing himself in the darkness, vanishing just as quickly as he appeared.
Moments Later
"Of all the eight stories of this stupid mansion, the staff room just had to be the one at the very bottom" (y/n) complained, as they finally reached their destination.
They were standing in a rather dark room that smelled like mildew. In front of them was an ordinary wooden door, leading straight into the servants hall.
"Well, it's not like the staff are going to get the very top floor" Nathaniel said, as they finally opened the door.
The floor was not surprisingly spacious, with several rows of tables and chairs, a fireplace, and a line of shelves, pots, and pans along one of the walls.
But it was the people bustling all around who truly brought life to the place. There were some chatting with each other about the latest gossip, and others who were carrying around plates of food or baskets of clothing.
However, all the activity suddenly stopped when they saw Nathaniel, and it wasn't long before all their eyes were trained on him.
All those stares were giving (y/n) second thoughts, but Nathaniel didn't seem to have much a problem.
He stood up straight and cleared his throat.
"I'm looking for Mr. Geoffery Greene" he said assertively.
A redheaded man with a curly mustache approached them.
"I will escort you to him, Master Nathaniel V."
"Thank you, Mr. Willoughby."
Mr. Willoughby turned and started to walk slowly, with Nathaniel and (y/n) trailing behind him.
Staff members were whispering rather loudly amongst themselves as they passed by them. (y/n) could have sworn one of them glanced at her before whispering something to her friend.
"What are you looking at, huh?" she exclaimed angrily. "Go find your own meaningless story to gossip about, creep!"
Nathaniel pulled (y/n) through the door Mr. Willoughby had gone through, and closed it behind him.
As they continued to follow him, Nathaniel chuckled amusedly.
"What?" (y/n) said, knowing this somehow was about her.
"Nothing, it's just that... I never would have pegged you as someone with social anxiety."
(y/n) looked at him with a look of outrage on her face.
"You're clearly delusional, Northwest. Where would you get a stupid idea like that?"
A small smile formed in the corners of Nathaniel's mouth as they continued to walk.
"You snapped at those people when you thought they were talking about you."
(y/n) scoffed.
"Yeah, I snapped. I didn't get anxious. I wasn't all nervous and stammery like Dipper, who actually has social anxiety."
"People have different reactions to uncomfortable social situations, including outbursts" Nathaniel explained. "If you didn't feel awkward, then you wouldn't have cared if those people were talking about you."
(y/n) huffed and crossed her arms over her chest stubbornly.
"So? What's it to you? Why don't you mind your own business, Northwest?"
For a moment, there was silence between them as they continued to follow Mr. Willoughby through what seemed to be endless hallways. Mr. Willoughby had gone rather conveniently silent.
Nathaniel let (y/n) cool off before finally speaking again.
"The trick is to stop caring about what they think" he said softly. "Look at me. I've accepted myself completely, faults and all, which would be many. That was difficult for me to do, because I'm nothing truly remarkable.
But look at you! You're clever, innovative, and undaunted. And I've barely even scratched the surface. There's just so much about you that's so easy to accept, and even more so to treasure.
So let those people talk. They're probably talking about how amazing you truly are, and if they're gossiping about you, it's likely that they're just envious."
He put his hand on her shoulder, and (y/n) finally turned to look at him.
"You truly are someone special, (y/n), and I'm just happy that I get to be your friend."
For a moment, (y/n) just walked in silence, processing all that information.
After what seemed like an eternity, (y/n) sniffed and leaned close to him, finally closing the distance between them.
"You know, you're getting really good at these pep talks" she said. "Have you ever thought about being a sports coach?"
"Well, in order to do that, I'd actually have to be good at sports. Or you know, actually play them" Nathaniel replied.
The two of them laughed, forgetting blissfully for a moment why they were even there.
Mr. Willoughby finally spoke up.
"We're here."
He gestured towards a polished wooden door.
"Thank you again, Mr. Willoughby" Nathaniel said, as he and (y/n) walked inside. "Send Olivia my best regards."
Mr. Willoughby smiled affectionately before walking back down the hall, disappearing in the distance.
(y/n) smirked.
"Olivia is his sweetheart?"
"His dog" Nathaniel replied, before opening the door.
Inside was an office, which seemed to be made entirely out of grand dark wood. It had a chandelier hanging from the ceiling, bookshelves lining the walls, and an oil portrait hanging above the lit fireplace.
In the center of the room was a glossy desk, where someone was sitting behind.
The man looked to be in his mid thirties, his light brown hair fluffed back in an unnatural style.
His sapphire eyes looked up from the newspaper he had been reading, and he seemed a little caught off guard to see them.
"Ah, Master Nathaniel V, what a pleasant surprise" he said mannerly, before turning towards (y/n).
The civil expression melting into one of disgust.
"And... who might you be, exactly?"
"(y/n). (y/n) Pines" she said, as she started to make her way towards him.
He suddenly shot up from his chair and started backing away from her.
"Ah, (y/n) Pines, yes I think I remember you now" Greene said rather quickly, as if trying to speak so that she would stop walking towards him.
He eyed her filthy hands warily.
"The girl whose has caused countless damage to the town, and is suspected for being behind the recent damage to the town powerlines.
Forgive me for not recognizing you underneath your mangy appearance. Shall I have the servants run a bath for you? I doubt it will do much, so might I suggest we have the dog washers work on you? They're professionally trained to clean filthy mutts."
Before (y/n) could react, Nathaniel suddenly pushed his way forward.
"Mr. Greene, we came here under dire circumstances, and we require your exclusive expertise" he said quickly.
Greene narrowed his eyes at (y/n) one last time before turning back towards Nathaniel.
His pleasant smile was back.
"Of course, Master Nathaniel V. Please, have a seat" he said, gesturing towards the lone, white velvet chair in the room. "I'm afraid I only have one chair, though..."
"That's alright, Mr. Greene, we only need one" Nathaniel said, walking towards the chair and pushing it towards (y/n).
He then brushed the seat off and gestured for her to sit down.
(y/n) happily obliged.
Greene had a pained smile plastered across his face as he shoved his hands behind his back.
"So, what can I do for you, sir?" He said through gritted teeth.
Nathaniel looked at him politely.
"As you might have heard, my uncle was abducted a few hours ago" he said.
Greene nodded, though there seemed to be the faintest hint of a smile.
"My condolences, sir."
"Thank you, Mr. Greene" Nathaniel replied, putting his hands mannerly behind his back. "(y/n) and I hurried as soon as we could, but by the time we arrived, he had vanished. All that was left was a note, demanding the entire family ransom in exchange for my uncle's safe return."
"Many apologies again for your loss, sir, but how exactly are my services required?"
Nathaniel walked closer to him.
"We suspect that the abductor was an imposter impersonating one of the staff. As the head of staff, surely you can tell us if there have been any staff members missing from their posts during the last four hours?"
Greene's eyes widened with outrage.
"Master Nathaniel V, that is private information!" he exclaimed. "With all do respect, I'm afraid that I will have to decline your request."
Nathaniel straightened his posture.
"Might I remind you that I am your master?" He said calmly, still as polite as he had been before. "And as such, I do not believe you have the right to withhold such information from me."
That statement seemed to enrage Greene, whose entire body was starting to tremble with fury.
"I was not aware of how ignorant you were" he seethed, leaning over Nathaniel.
"Do you have any idea how many enemies you have contained within your own walls?
Ha! There are dozens of people here who loathe the Northwest family for decades of deceit and manipulation. I'm not surprised in the least bit that one of them decided to turn on you.
Your imposter is a needle in a haystack, 'master,' and I for one can't wait to watch you and your family burn as you all finally get what you've had coming for you for centuries."
Greene was now standing over him with almost a savage expression on his red face and a sinister sneer all over his features.
However, despite that, Nathaniel still looked as collected as he had always been, not the least bit intimidated by the threat.
"Shall I have the rest of the staff know that you'll be turning in your resignation slip this evening?" He asked calmly.
Greene was taken back with surprise.
"What?"
"For disrespecting, threatening, and insulting your superior?" Nathaniel said composedly, finally taking his hands out from behind his back.
In his hand was a tape recorder, and he pressed the playback button on the side:
"...Your imposter is a needle in a haystack, 'master,' and I for one can't wait to watch you and your family burn as you all finally get what you've had coming for you for centuries."
He pressed the pause button.
"We may not have any security cameras in this mansion, but I would say that this little recording serves as just enough evidence to not only evict you from Northwest Manor, but also ensure that you do not find another job in this line of work so easily.
So unless you are ready to pack your bags by this morning, I'd say that informing us of any missing staff members seems like a good idea right about now, don't you?"
For a moment, Greene looked like he was on the verge of hitting Nathaniel. His sapphire eyes were wide with fury, and his entire body was trembling in rage.
But Nathaniel only had the same polite demeanor that he had kept the entire time.
Greene closed his eyes, took in a rather long deep breath, and then finally let it go.
He folded his hands together as he looked back at Nathaniel.
"Very well, Master Nathaniel V. I will share with you the very information you requested" he said much more collectively, albeit he had an unnaturally large grin plastered across his face.
Nathaniel smiled at him politely, as if they were having a pleasant conversation over dinner.
"Thank you, Mr. Greene" he said. "But before we begin, I must say that my legs are quite sore from standing up. Is that empty chair I see behind your desk that you are not currently using?"
Greene growled silently as he reached behind his desk, lifted his nice chair, and placed it next to the chair (y/n) was sitting in.
Nathaniel sat down with proper posture, and crossed his ankles politely.
"That's much better" he said mannerly.
Greene sighed for a long time, as if trying to try and get rid of any remaining rage, before finally looking back at them.
"As far as my knowledge goes, all staff have been present and accounted for except for Gavin Clavis, who was reported missing by his superior."
Nathaniel processed that new information.
"Gavin Clavis? The new valet?"
Greene reached into his desk, and pulled out a file labelled, 'Gavin Clavis.'
Nathaniel opened the file to reveal a photograph of a man, with slick tar black hair, and a patch over one eye. He had a muscular olive complexion, and a square face complete with a cleft chin.
He was grinning at the camera with a single emerald eye.
"You will find details about Master Preston's observations of Mr. Clavis here" Greene stated, sliding the photograph aside to show them a piece of lined paper containing several notes handwritten by Preston, which had been taken during his job interview.
(y/n) took the paper, and started skimming over it.
"Mr. Clavis tells me he lost that eye in the war. His military experience makes him an excellent candidate, especially considering what happened to our last valet... Yes, this one seems very durable!"
"Clavis left this morning to pick up Mrs. Northwest and her daughter, but he never returned" Greene said.
(y/n) leaned forward.
"What time did he leave the mansion, exactly?" she asked.
Greene opened his mouth to respond, but suddenly...
Zing!
A tranquilizer dart buried itself in his neck. His eyes were frozen with alarm and he was making wordless sounds before he collapsed forward, unconscious before he even hit the floor.
(y/n) and Nathaniel both whipped around to find a man, who was wearing a black trenchcoat, black gloves, and black boots. The only thing he was wearing that wasn't black was a bright yellow mask with green eyes.
In the intruder's hand was a small tranquilizer gun, and it was aimed directly at them.
Instinctively, (y/n) held up her chair, using it as a makeshift shield, and pulled Nathaniel behind it with her as well.
They waited for the shots to come, but they never did.
Click. Click. Click.
They peered out from behind the chair to find that the intruder was trying to shoot, but there were no more darts left in the gun.
So instead he looked at them, pocketed the weapon, and bolted off.
"He's getting away!" (y/n) shouted, before pursuing the intruder with Nathaniel trailing behind, after he snatched Clavis's file off the desk.
The intruder took a quick glance behind him before using his arms to knock over various items as he passed them in the hall, chairs, tables, even a portrait hanging on the wall.
While (y/n) wove through the obstacles with ease, ducking under tables, diving aside the vases, and leaping over chairs; none of the obstacles slowed her down.
She then vaulted over the next table he threw aside, landing her hands on the table surface before launching herself off of it.
Her body was propelled feet first into the air, heading directly towards the intruder.
She flew right him, sending them both spinning forward in a tangle of various limbs.
Nathaniel stopped and watch the struggle.
(y/n) and the intruder were wrestling each other on the ground, practically rolling around trying to pin the other person down.
Smash!
Suddenly, (y/n) was hit in the back by a flower pot.
She yelped in pain.
"Sorry!" Nathaniel called, as he continued to throw various other objects from the hall, trying to hit the intruder.
Vases, portraits, and figurines flew through the air.
(y/n) was hit by all of them.
Smash! Smash! Smash! Smash!
She screamed in pain as she was hit by a chair.
"Are you trying to hit me?" she yelled through gritted teeth, as she struggled to hold the intruder down.
The imposter managed to roll them both over so that he was now pinning her down to the ground.
Thump!
He was hit in the back of the head by a pillow.
(y/n) looked at Nathaniel, who looked rather sheepish.
"Seriously? The one time you actually manage to hit him?"
She then turned back towards the intruder, folded her legs up into her chest, then kicked forward as hard as she could.
The imposter gasped as her feet dove right into his stomach and threw him backwards, knocking a piece of paper out of his trench coat.
He reeled backwards, bending over and clutching his gut before finally taking off, leaving (y/n) and Nathaniel behind.
Nathaniel hurried over to (y/n).
"You alright?"
"Yeah, no thanks to you" she said rather grumpily, before pointing towards the paper that the imposter had dropped.
"Looks like our little friend left something behind."
Nathaniel picked up the piece of paper, and examined it with squinted eyes.
"It's just a piece of graph paper with some boxes colored in" he said.
He held it up to show her a small, 3 x 4, piece of graph paper with a ripped edge. It looked rather ordinary, except for the five random boxes that had been colored in with a pen.
You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net