Song: Dark Paradise by Lana Del Rel
(Is it just me or have the songs gotten darker the farther into the story we go?)

I don't know if you guys are going to hate me or love me for this chapter.
That's all I have to say.

Oh yeah, and I'm pretty sure you all have an unbridled hate for Ford as of right now. I didn't mean to do that but oh well.

Here:
(Still Mabel's POV)

Mabel had always been worried about her brother from the moment everything had happened. Even before the whole issue with the rift. It had started after that stupid Sock Opera, but she'd never worried about him like this.

If there was one thing she'd learned about him so far, it was that he was not used to being a dream demon yet. That meant sometimes he couldn't control himself. Mabel had unfortunately learned that the hard way, first by learning about her home and parents, again when she'd been dragged with Dipper to a summoning, then when the Fear had attacked the town, and now she was scared that something might happen again. It certainly wouldn't surprise anyone at this point.

Which was why she was following after Ford in hopes of finding Dipper before anything could happen. They were currently walking through the forest at a slightly brisk pace, even though Mabel kept trying to walk faster. However, Ford was the one who could track Dipper, she was just tagging along.

At least, that was how she felt. She knew that if they found her brother, Ford probably wouldn't be too keen on helping him, so maybe it was best that she was also there.

"Don't you think we should hurry?" She asked, unable to mask the slight quiver of worry in her voice.

"If something bad is going to happen, then we won't find him in time anyways. We're here to minimize any damage at this point."

She didn't like that. Was that really what Ford thought? Why wasn't he acting at least a little more caring of Dipper? They might not have gotten along for a while, but that was a sick reason to not at least try. Especially if other people would suffer or be hurt from it.

Mabel tried to push any worried or scared thoughts back, they weren't helping her. If she'd ever though that she was a mess before, she wished that she could have seen herself now. Everything was wrong and nothing was right and she couldn't pull herself together to even help her brother.

She wiped a few tears from her cheeks, hoping that Ford wouldn't notice. Leaves crunched under her feet as she hurried to catch up, she must have slowed down while she was thinking. Pathetic.

"Do you think-"

"I'm sure that Dipper will be fine, Mabel, stop worrying." Was it her imagination or did Ford's voice seemed strained?

"But what if it's the same-"

"Mabel!" Ford stopped walking. "Please stop worrying. I know you want to help him, okay? I'm trying to help you out here, but first we have to find him."

She nodded quietly. Ford turned around and started walking back in the direction that the light on the machine flashed. Maybe they would make it on time.

Maybe they wouldn't.

Why was everything so confusing anymore? Couldn't she be sure of something, just once? That would make everything much easier.

There was a fallen, old tree blocking the way ahead. Ford simply climbed over it, but Mabel had to hurry around it and run to catch back up. She took a breath, glad to see that Ford had paused at the edge of the trees.

She walked over, finding it weird that Ford didn't even acknowledge her walking up. In fact, he seemed completely frozen. Mabel stepped beside him, trying to see what was going on, sure she could hear voices. She pulled up short.

What?

There was Dipper, looking perfectly peaceful. Black suit, black top hat, same changed features, a pair of wings on his back. But he was sitting there on the ground, in the middle of a summoning circle, and there was a girl, probably no older than seven, sitting just across from him.

Had the girl really summoned him to have a tea party? Who would actually do that? And why summon a demon to do that with and not just find some friends?

Mabel blinked, she had to be seeing this wrong. Nope. Dipper actually had a little pink teacup in his hand, as did the girl, and they were talking like nothing was wrong at all. The girl even giggled at something that Dipper said.

"I don't understand." Ford said. "Why is he here?"

Even Mabel was finding herself too shocked to answer. Not even the Dipper that she had grown up with would have enjoyed this, he would have just stuttered something and found a way to get away. But there he was all the same.

Neither Mabel nor Ford stepped forward to intrude. For the first time since Dipper had returned, they both seemed perfectly content to just watch and see how things turned out. It wasn't everyday that someone got to watch a demon and a little girl having a tea party after all.

"You're so nice, I can't believe you actually showed up!" The girl chirped.

"Why wouldn't I?" Dipper said. "You looked like you needed some help."

Wait, help? Help with what?

The girls face seemed to drain of any joy momentarily. "Yeah. Those people weren't very nice. Mommy and Daddy weren't here either."

So the girl hadn't summoned Dipper. Someone else, maybe even a cult, must have. Was the little girl supposed to have been a sacrifice? Mabel shuddered at the thought.

Dipper smiled at her gently. "Hey, I helped you out! You don't have anything to worry about, Lily."

"Wait, how do you know my name?" The girl, Lily, practically squeaked. "I never told you!"

"Oh, I know lots of things." Dipper winked. "And I know you want to go home too, don't you?"

"I'm sorry!" She said. "I like talking to you... But I miss my family. I wanna go home, but I don't know where it is."

Dipper sat the pink teacup down. "I'm sorry they took you. They shouldn't have."

"I'm lost I wanna go back!" Lily's eyes were bright. Tears threatened to spill.

Dipper reached out as if to comfort her, but then he pulled back. "No it's okay! I can give you directions, don't worry!"

"You can?" Lily smiled, a few brown strands of hair falling in front of her face, her eyes sparkled, not with tears. "Thank you so much Mr.Demon! You're so nice! I knew it!"

"Okay, let's make a deal then."

Mabel was sure her heart skipped a beat. Beside her, Ford stiffened. What was Dipper doing? He wouldn't pull something and make a deal just to get the poor girl back home would he?

Mabel wished that Ford wasn't here, now he just had another reason for which to judge her brother. There was already enough of that.

"A deal?" Lily said, head tilted.

"You know, a little trade off is all." Dipper explained. "An exchange. Nothing confusing."

"Oh, okay! That's makes sense!" The girl bounced up, leaving only Dipper sitting.

"So, it's a deal?" Dipper held out a hand, it flickered almost gently in blue flames.

"Yeah!" She said, after a moment of hesitating, eyeing the flames almost distrustfully.

"It's okay, it won't burn you, the flames only tickle a little."

She smiled as if that was all she needed to hear, then reached out a little hand and shook it with Dipper's already outstretched one. The blue fire disappeared. Mabel watched with a sour taste in her mouth.

Ford looked as if he was ready to run forward at any moment, but he stayed rooted to the ground. Mabel was still too shocked and worried to even move her mouth. This would end well or end terribly.

"Okay, see those footprints over there?" Dipper said, motioning to some that led away on the other side of the clearing and into the forest. "Those lead right back to your house, and you shouldn't get lost anymore."

Lily smiled even wider if that was even possible. Her hair whiled about as she spun around to chase the footprints back home. Dipper coughed from behind her.

"A deal, remember? I get something you get something."

"Oh yeah!" Lily said. "Well, Mommy always says that saying 'thank you' is the best, but I'll also give you a hug!"

With that, she ran and practically tackled the still sitting Dipper, wrapping her arms tight around him. Mabel's brother seemed glued to the spot. Slowly though, he brought his arms up and hugged Lily back.

After what felt like an hour, Lily finally untangled her arms from around him and stepped back. "Aw, don't cry, Mr.Demon! I didn't mean to make you sad! Here!"

She tore off a little pink bracelet she was wearing and gave it to Dipper before smiling again and rugging off, waving goodbye enthusiastically. Soon she disappeared in the forest.

Dipper sat there for a while, holding the bracelet close to his chest. Mabel wasn't even aware of her own tears she had been watching the exchange so closely. A quick glance at Ford showed that he was completely conflicted.

Mabel was overjoyed, her brother wasn't everything that Ford had thought, and now he was beginning to see that. She couldn't be more happy. There was still a pit of worry in her stomach, but for now she could finally ignore some of it.

Then, her brother stood up, wiped his eyes, and turned to where the two where standing, hidden just in the forest. He hadn't seemed to notice them before, maybe he was just now seeing them, though he didn't look to surprised to see them there.

All too quickly he coughed and said; "So I'll see you guys at the Shack." Then he was gone with a crack, only leaving a summoning circle where he had stood.

This was not a filler chapter I swear it. Even if you think it was.

Also for some reason I'm really sad to see Lily go. Expect to see her again somehow, that Cinnamon Role deserves more. Or I would accidentally bring feels into her life and end up--
Let's not go there.

So tell me if you are enjoying!
And because this story has been going on for so long(REALLY LONG OMG) I've decided to put a lot more attention into this thing!
Expect updates much more often.
Or at least hope for them.

Toodles!
~Aza