49
Dipper

I wasn't expecting much the following morning. Pazzie was still out cold in my bed and it brought back fleeting memories of the night prior.

Pacifica, my sister, and I were having the best night ever, it was especially needed after the horrible reunion with my mother.

My father had yet to show up and for that, I was grateful. He would absolutely take my mother's side in my whole relationship with Pacifica.

I found myself sitting at the table at seven in the morning (hangover or not, I was not one to break from routine, or what you will), a killer headache a cup of coffee, and a jet-lagged mother chewing me out.

"I mean what were you thinking?!" She exclaimed. "Drinking all night?! Although, I have to say I'm impressed that you managed to play the piano so well in your state."

The misguided compliment threw me for a loop but I couldn't think too much about that now. I had many other things to ponder upon.

"Glad to know my talents are still appreciated." I took a long sip of coffee and tried to keep the room from spinning.

Mabel, who sat across from me, snorted into her coffee.

"And you. I'm so disappointed in you!" She whirled on Mabel.

"Relax, Mother." Mabel rolled her eyes. "There's nothing wrong with having a little bit of fun. I mean, you must've had fun! After all, Dipper and I are here."

I tried my hardest to keep my composure, but my efforts were all in vain.

She glared at Mabel and me in turn. "The ball is tonight! I will not allow my children to show up hungover and disheveled!"

"Relax," I found myself saying. My head was pounding louder than a bass drum and it was getting even more difficult to focus on anything other than that factor. "The ball itself doesn't begin until seven, this evening. Considering that, I have about twelve hours until that time to get over this 'hangover', as you so delicately put it."

Mother made a sound of disgust. "If your father were here--"

"Alas, he's not." I interrupted. "I must say, this is the only time I appreciate his need to be fashionably late."

"Mother, honestly," Mabel rolled her eyes. "We've been planning this since the beginning of summer. There is absolutely nothing that could possibly go wrong. Unless, you and Father decide to make a scene."

Mother bristled at Mabel's comment but said nothing afterward. Instead, she walked out of the room saying that she needed to call our father. With a quick glance at Mabel, I knew that the two of us were quite relieved that she chose not to say another word.

"Anyways," Mabel looked in my direction. "How was your nuit de passion?"

"Nuit de passi--oh." In my state, it took me a little bit longer to understand (and comprehend) that my sister was speaking French. But then it hit me a little harder. "Excuse me? Nuit de passion? There was no 'nuit de passion'! The fact that you would even insinuate --better yet, state-- that there was such a thing is-- oh my head hurts." I dropped my head onto the table and let out a low groan.

Beside me, Mabel snickered. "You need to get rid of that hangover, Dipshit."

"You're telling me that you aren't hungover?" I raised my head just enough to glare at her.

"Of course I am." She shook her head and downed another long sip of her coffee, finishing it off with a flourish. "But I just have a better way of hiding it."

* * *

We had two hours until the ball itself started, and my father still had yet to arrive. Mabel had roused Pacifica only twenty minutes ago and pushed her into Mabel's room so the two of them could get ready, and forbade me from entering.

It was quite annoying, but I understood. So, I opted to finish getting ready myself. Which would have been easier to complete with magic--

Right, magic. I thought bitterly. That was a tricky thought. I had broken my amulet to save my life and the lives of the people I've grown fond of, however an incident occurred the previous day that still made my skin crawl with unease and uncertainty.

The glass. I had broken my mother's glass when she had the nerve to insult Pacifica. After I dismissed everyone from my presence, I had spent quite some time pondering that factor in the confines of my bedroom.

Even now, as I slipped my suit jacket over my shoulders, I wanted nothing more than to dismiss it as nothing. But this was Reverse Falls; dismissing odd occurrences was never the best option to take.

A knock sounded at my door, although it hardly registered in my head. "Enter."

The door swung open and from the reflection in the mirror, I could see the person who came to bother me. My lips formed a thin line before I spoke, "Father."

"Mason." He said in lieu of a greeting.

"You're late." I said offhandedly. "You were set to arrive with Mother yesterday. Wasn't it you who always pushed schedules? Even arriving on time was classified as 'late'."

"Business." He nodded and strode into my room without breaking eye contact. "I must say, the Manor looks wonderful."

   "Yes, quite." I muttered, fixing my hair.

   "Your mother told me about the girl."

   I bristled. The only person who could get under my skin in less than ten words was my father. "And?"

   "There's something about her that's bothering me." He continued, only speaking in short and curt sentences.

   "It's bothering you?" I turned to stare at him. Enough was enough. "And what, pray tell, is bothering you? I've chosen the most wonderful girl in the world who loves me just as much as I love her. I plan to stay with her despite what Mother thinks. What about all that bothers you?"

He looked at me, frowning. "Her social status, Mason, isn't on tier with yours. Not to mention the fact that her family isn't of regal status."

"And?" I found myself snapping back. "Personally I don't see any issue. Neither you or Mother has taken the time to actually converse with Pacifica. You're judging her without knowing her. I can honestly say that there are no words in any language to express my disappointment."

"Watch your tongue, boy." He growled. "I see you've grown more flippant with your lifestyle while we were away."

"What can I say," I rolled my eyes, "with such outstanding role models as the pair of you were I'm surprised I didn't turn out worse. Oh, but I did. And you know it." I could feel the effervescence of resentment flow through my veins. "What's that phrase again? Immagine perfetta? Well, that's the thing, Father, it's only a picture. You've fooled everyone for years, it's about time someone was able to best you in your best ability."

It happened so quickly, I could barely register the pain that was inflicted upon the side of my face, the snap of my neck as it jerked to the side. The motions were so jagged, careless, it felt as though the action itself didn't even belong to me.

I'd been slapped before, usually though it came from girls after I broke up with them, or told them that I wasn't interested in a relationship. And yes, my father had done that sort of infliction of violence to me before.

I was hardly fazed by the action. In fact, I simply became more rooted in my defiance. I stared up at him, he was just barely taller than I, brows furrowed. "Resorting to violence? Tsk tsk, you've lost this verbal battle, I'm afraid. Now, if you'll excuse me," I sidestepped him swiftly, "I'm certain I have guests to entertain."

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Oof, that was a hefty chapter.

Look!

I mentioned on my message board not too long ago that I had an idea for another RevDipcifica book and I'm excited to say that I'm so so so excited to share it with y'all soon!

She's in the works and everything! Anyways, I'll probably have the next chapter of Always published tomorrow or late Tuesday :)

-Kaori Miyazono <3