[Ch 02, Hit With A Rock]

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I stare up at the ceiling of the Shack numbly, my feet hanging over the side of the tacky yellow armchair. I count the number of lines that separate the planks of the ceiling. One, two, three, four... With Mabel out with Candy and Grenda, I don't have much to do. Seven, eight, nine, ten... Great Uncle Ford is experimenting right now, trying to get his portal to run on something other than hazardous waste. He's trying electricity generated from water movement right now. I wish I could help. Thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixt-

"Hey Dipper!" I sit upright immediately, looking towards Grunkle Stan, clad in his blue shorts and red-ish housecoat.

"What's up Grunkle Stan? Got something for me? A mystery to solve, a monster to capture, a puzzle to crack?" I ask excitedly, standing up from the chair that was likely older than I am.

"No, no. Nothing like that. I got some people coming over to finish up the.. repairs." He says, raising an eyebrow and chuckling. I look away and rub the back of my neck as a blush lights my cheeks. I recently may or may not have run an experiment a while back that both my Grunkles said not to do, and kinda broke part of the Shack.

"Hey, I was just trying to help! If the blast was contained better, that kinda energy could definitely power the portal." I say defensively, looking down at the carpet. "I just didn't contain it well enough this time."

I know his teasing is all in good nature, and it's how he shows he cares, so I don't try hard to stop him. "Yeah yeah, whatever floats your boat kid. Thing is, I can't have kids in the house while they make the repairs, why don't you go exploring for a bit, note down the different kinds of mosses in that dork book of yours or something." He gives me a crooked smile, patting my shoulder with an open hand. "Just be back before supper, okay?"

I chuckle slightly at his jab towards my Journal, rolling my eyes and grabbing my bag off the floor. I check my watch to see how long I have to be out. "Alright then, Grunkle Stan, I'll see you in four hours or so?" I sling my bag over my shoulder and head to the door. When I open it, I look back at the ex-and-still-kinda-current convict, but he just crosses his arms.

"Yeah, see you then nerd. What are you waiting for, a kiss on the cheek?" He jokes while I roll my eyes and close the door behind me.

"Love you too, Grunkle Stan!" I called out before making my way into the dense trees that surrounded the rundown tourist attraction. Despite what he might think, I don't plan on exploring, I've seen every inch of this forest. I don't plan on documenting moss either. I'll save that for another day, maybe one has the properties Ford is looking for. But I'm not doing any of that right now. Right now, I'm headed to the one place I feel I can think most, besides my nose being wedged in a book.

With nothing better to do with my excessive time, I make my way to the dock pier at Lake Gravity Falls. Leaving the trees behind me, I let my eyes wander over the crystal and rippling water of the vast lake. There are no boats on it right now, it must not be the right weather for fishing. It wasn't the warmest day, but if the lake was empty, it was perfect. As I walk along the pier to the end, I let my mind wander a bit. I think back to the things we've done together at this location alone. We fought a robot sea monster called a Gobblewonker, went fishing, and even helped a Merman escape from the confines of a public swimming pool. That was not the most comfortable day. Did not care for Mermando. I shudder at the thought of those days with the fish man, one of Mabel's summer crushes. He was the better of a bunch of bad options.

I have been coming to the dock pier at the lake when I wanted to get away. I never understood my odd pull to the water, but it helps me think. I listen to the soft caws of seagulls from the island in the centre of the lake, the ripple of small waves hitting each other and the pier posts. Maybe it's the white noise of the place that's appealing. Whatever it was, it made this place absolutely perfect for writing and daydreaming. I sit at the edge of the pier, swinging my dangling legs back and forth a bit, and look at one of the pier posts. Someone left a decently sized rock on the wooden cylinder. Probably some kid who was told they could take the rock home, I thought to myself. Gently picking up the rock, it was odd how well it fit in my hand. I was almost the same size as my palm.

I wondered how big the splash would be if I threw it. I looked out into the lake again. No boats, no birds, no swimming kids. Perfect. I raise the rock and throw it as hard as I can, hoping it gets far into the lake and splashes loudly. Instead when my ears are met with something else. Someone else.

"Ow!" I hear an unfamiliar voice cry out, followed by a sharp wince. I feel my blood run cold. I hit someone with a rock! And it was a pretty big rock!

"I-I'm sorry! I didn't see you, are you okay??" I stand up on the edge of the pier, looking for the person I accidentally hit. I see their head peek out of the water. When I do, I come to a small realization. The person I hit wasn't human!

I first took note of the dorsal fin, then my eyes met those of pure pupils. No iris, no white, just pupils. They did have a shine to them, but I couldn't read their expression from a distance. It was probably pain, that was a rock they got hit with.

I watch as the head dips under the water again, and a shadow moves closer to me through the water. I carefully sit back down as the creature swims up to me. I catch a glimpse of them under the water when they get close enough. Fins along their arms, webbed hands, legs as well as a large tail. Being an adventurer, you learn to take in details quickly. I think to myself out loud. "What kind of creature has legs and a fish tail?"

"One that is very upset right now." I hear that unfamiliar voice say pointedly. I look over to see them at the pierside, clinging to the post slightly. When my eyes connect to their pure, solidly black ones, their eyes widen slightly, and they look away. I couldn't get the time to properly read their expressions. I do catch as they clench their jaws, like to keep it from dropping. I had to do that a lot last year when around a certain redhead. I'm pulled from my observations, when I notice them rub the side of their head a bit.

I clear my throat a bit, not wanting my voice to crack at this crucial moment. I try not to seem intimidating, so I don't scare them off. 'Not like I can look intimidating anyways', I belittle myself while straightening out my sweater. "I'm sorry about that. I-I didn't see you out there... When I, you know," I carefully let out. I weakly smile at the creature as they nod slowly. I have too many pressing questions, but I wait for a moment. I can tell the creature is going to do something. Another skill you gain from being an adventurer.

"It's fine, I guess. I'll heal." The creature clears their throat lightly. "So... What are you doing at Lake Gravity Falls, Mystery Twin?" They say softly, still not looking up at me yet. I noticed them move their dorsal fin out of their face, it looked like hair almost. Like a side part.

"H-How do you know who I am?" I shrink back slightly. I didn't mean to, but it didn't end well the last time someone knew who I was without me telling them. I watch as the creature flinches slightly at me fleeing even the slightest bit. Almost like she was scared of me being scared.

"A-After the sky turned red and the Eye came, he called your name relentlessly, as well as calling for the other twin. You... You are Pine Tree. You and Shooting Star saved this place, and from what I can gather from listening to the fishermen, you saved the whole world with your sister." The creature finally looks up at me again, and I am lost in the pure darkness while I ponder what they said.

'The Eye? Red sky?' I thought to myself, holding my chin. This creature is talking about Bill! And Weirdmageddon! They're calling me by my symbol name though... I guess Bill never said our real names. My heart races as I anxiously answer. "My real name isn't Pine Tree, that's just what he called me. My nAme is Dipper PInes." I blush at the voice crack, turning away for a moment and clearing my throat. "M-My name is Dipper Pines." I say to them, half hoping the creature replies.

I see the creature's eyes widen again. Their eyes seem to shine with some kind of joy. "You're... telling me your name." They mumble. They blink a few times, vertically and not horizontally, oddly enough. After a moment, they smile brightly, the many sharp and pointy teeth they have become visible. They did a cute little doughnut in the water as they turned to face me again. "I can't believe it! A Mystery Twin is talking to me! I-It's nice to meet you, Mr. Dipper Pines Sir! I go by the name (Y/N)."

I can't stop the light chuckle that rises in my throat, nor can I stop from smiling. 'They must be some kind of fan... I suppose anyone would be if their world was saved by someone. Mabel should really meet them, this creature seems nice enough. I didn't think we would be known amongst the creatures of Gravity Falls as heroes. That could explain why some have been easier to deal with.' "You can just call me Dipper, if you want" I smile softly and look down at the creature, who immediately becomes tinted with blue across their cheeks. "If you don't mind me asking (Y/N), what exactly are you? I have never met a creature like you before." I tilt my head to the side.

"I'm a S-..." They pause for a moment, looking out at the water, almost in a panic. "A... uh, seriously.. introverted Mermaid!" They say after a moment, gathering confidence as her sentence continues. "Yeah, I'm seriously introverted, no social skills!" They smile brightly, pointed teeth visible.

I've never seen someone so excited to admit they can't talk to people.

"A Mermaid?" I asked softly, growing more curious than I already was. The Mermaid nods quickly. "I've met a Merman before, and you look..." I started, but after seeing (Y/N) shrink back slightly, I paused. The way her eyes fogged over for a minute reminded me of when people belittle my appearance. (Y/N) wasn't ugly by any means, she actually seemed really delicately built and incredible. It was just- "Different. You look a bit different in comparison to Mermando." I finish after my momentary epiphany of their self-conscious nature.

(Y/N) thought for a moment. I couldn't even begin to guess what was going on behind those mysterious voids that were her eyes. I have seen interesting eyes on creatures before, but these were new. New and different. Different and beautiful. Hearing (Y/N)'s voice again gently pulls me from my thoughts.

"I look different..." She started. "I look different because of two things. One, Mermen look a bit different than Mermaids. Two, Mermando was royalty. Royal merpeople more closely resemble humans. ...Heh.." She looked uncomfortable. "Weird evolutionary adaptation, eh?" The logic seemed solid enough, so I nodded.

"Okay, so you're a commonfolk Mermaid then, (Y/N)?" I asked her slowly, trying to make sure my information was in order. The Mermaid nods quickly, she still seems a bit uneasy to me. Then again, it takes an extra step to read her.

"Y-Yup. That's me..." She said gently, looking around a bit.

"How old are you?" I ask, scratching my neck awkwardly.

"Fifteen." She says matter-of-factly

'She's around my age, this is amazing! If only I brought my Jornal with me. This is the perfect research opportunity!' I thought to myself, chewing the inside of my cheek as I did. "Okay then." I start carefully. "Can you meet me here again tomorrow? I have these Journals, and I would love to document more about your kind." I try to be extra careful with my tone, I don't want to scare this kind-looking Mermaid off.

At first she opened her mouth to reply enthusiastically it seemed, but then she froze. I paused as the Mermaid looked down at the water. I couldn't see because of the dock, but I heard the water swish. I assume (Y/N) flicked her tail or kicked her feet. "I don't know. I shouldn't be talking to you right now." She says quietly. When she looked up at me, even though deciphering her pure black eyes is hard, I was sure I saw the pain in them. "But I want to. I want to come see you again, but I don't know if I can..."

"Do you think you could try?" I asked desperately. This summer is finally going to get interesting. I hadn't seen many new creatures so far. I need this chance to learn. "Is there anything from the human world you would want? I could try and bring it with me when I come back?" I offer (Y/N) weakly.

Her interest seemed to have peaked, that was easily noticeable. She ponders for a moment. "Sketchbooks, graphene, rubber, and literature." She listed off carefully. I think about these things for a minute. 'Drawing materials and books? Was (Y/N) literate? Y'know what? That doesn't matter. She's almost on board Dipper, stay focused! It is none of your business what a Mermaid's hobbies are anyway.'

"If I bring those, will you come tomorrow?" I ask with a bright smile.

(Y/N) looked down for a moment, before nodding. I could tell her face was blue again. "I'll try. When the sun is highest in the sky." Was all she said before diving and disappearing into the water. I leaned over the side to catch another glimpse of her, but she was gone.

"Highest in the sky? ...Noon." I rest my weight on my hands behind me, letting myself go over everything I just heard. I met a Mermaid, and she was so kind, and awkward, and her eyes... Even if the thought may not be conventional, she was.. "Beautiful."

[Word Count: 2682]

Few things really quick, my lovely Little Cannolis, I drew an idea of what you could look like, as well as a more inclusive one you can colour in yourself if you want. I would love to see what you guys do with it!

Top Half (Ignore the hands, I can't with hands dkjwewnbc)

Bottom half. (Ignore how I just cut you in two, m'kay?) (You're under the water, that's why the skirt is all flowy, m'kay? M'kay.)

You make you yourself, okay? I don't know what you look like. The one up top took me ages, so you do it by your own self. Hmmp! ):<

Just kidding, I love ya, my Little Cannolis! Mamma Out! :b