another link in the world's worst chain

[selfcenter]

                      meet  pacifica northwest  !

                                            22 — STUDENT

favorite song? looking at me by sabrina carpenter sexuality? bisexual (closeted)  pronouns? she/her  big three? aries sun / aries moon / leo rising

being a northwest is not an easy job but it’s not like pacifica ever had a choice in participating. from a young age she was told how to speak, how to act, how to be a northwest. their family name had been in the zeitgeist for ages, they were some of the first settlers and had been participating in politics for generations now. it also helped that they were tied to old money. while there might be some conspiracies (mainly said by dipper pines) that her family is actually a bunch of cheats, the northwests deny any allegations and ask for proof before saying such things. 

everything was actually perfect before the pines twins started showing up, everyone listened to what pacifica had to say and did whatever she wanted. but ever since their arrival, others have had the audacity to question her and talk back. she knew it would take a lot more work to get everyone to praise her again so every time she could feel her audience leaving, the more money she spent. everything suddenly became an event and money was being blown like it was nothing, it helped that she had enough resources to do all this. all that work kept her popular and that was enough, she couldn’t be bothered to think about the pines twins anymore. their names were as valuable to her as the gum on the bottom of her disposable pair of louboutins.

after high school, it was expected of pacifica to go into college to study politics and get her into the political race as soon as possible. but that wasn’t what she wanted, her dreams actually involved getting into the fashion industry. she tried convincing her parents that she really wasn’t interested in government but she didn’t have much say in that matter, she was going to study politics whether she wanted to or not. so she brought up the idea of a double major, studying both politics and fashion was going to be hard work but she promised her parents she’d work super hard to make it happen. thankfully, her parents agreed but promises are hard to keep. she couldn’t as easily convince her university professors to give her a better grade like she could with her high school teachers and a $100 dollar bill. for now, she’s stuck with the double major that she put herself in but at least she gets to do study fashion like she's always wanted to.

HC’s:

pacifica happens to be attracted to girls as well as guys. she’d realized that a long time ago, she’s just never mentioned it or done anything about it. she internalizes those feelings hard because there is fear in letting it affect her life, being honest about it would mean being vulnerable. she also fears it could ruin the perfect image she’s cultivated all these years and would lead to upsetting her parents.

as a kid, her mom took her to the salon to dye her brown hair into the perfect shade of blonde that was fit for a northwest. at first, it was a thing her mom forced her to do but now was something she took care of herself very often to make sure not a single brown root would show.

at the end of the day, it’s all about making sure her parents are proud. she craves their validation and will do anything to make them happy, even if it means sacrificing things she wants. she can’t recall if there’s ever been a time where she disobeyed them or didn’t make a big decision without consulting them first.

even if her parents asked her to do something she didn’t want, they had a tricky way of getting her to change her mind. the sharp trilling of the bell her father rang had this effect on her, at the sight of the bell she knew the conversation was over and she’d have to relinquish her wants but the sound was worse, it pounds in her ears and she can hear it for days after. one too many dings meant she'd be looking at covering up bruises for the next couple of weeks.

she practically throws away money at every inconvenience, mostly because she can but also she knows it’s the only way to get people to pay attention to her. there’s power in money, pacifica is well aware of that. she’s just not quite sure on how to make long lasting relationships that didn’t stem one way or another without it.

the weight of studying politics AND fashion is starting to take a toll but in paz’s own words, she could “handle it”. while studying fashion took a bit of begging but once she was in class, she was a natural and fit right in. if she could be honest, it would be obvious that researching government and laws were stressing her out but her parents expect her to juggle everything with poise and silence.

paz is very quick to judge others, with a simple glance she can tell if someone’s meant to be praised or mocked. she praises those that carry themselves well, dress with high end clothing, and are blessed with attractive features. anyone else, she probably won’t give the time of day to unless they put her on a pedestal (as they should).

most of her childhood was dedicated to doing pageants. her mom made sure she had to obtain the best appearance, mannerisms, and talent she could. yet even through all the money spent on these competitions, none of it helped at getting first place. that spot seemed to be reserved only for angelica pickles. pacifica's mother had no problem detailing her own daughters flaws and mistakes throughout her competing years and the years that followed. it was just another reminder that pacifica's parents viewed her as nothing else but a prop that they thought they could mold for their benefit.

her guiltiest pleasure that no one knows about is that she loves video games. she has the major gaming consoles and buys nearly every game upon release. knows all the ins and outs, tips and tricks, and cheat codes to her favorites. she's a borderline geek when it comes to this kind of media which is why she keeps it a secret from everyone, it doesn't align with her image

knows how to handle a rifle, her dad used to take her fox hunting when she was young. he still tries to get her to go on hunting trips but she usually makes up an excuse as to why she can't go

[mysteriespines]

Eyes glancing down at her feet to see the said shoes in question, Dipper wants to call out what feels like an obvious excuse rather than a valid reasoning but for once holds his tongue. If only because he has no real clue whatsoever if those really are new shoes or a pair she might have owned for years. Plus, it wasn’t like he understood how long it would have even taken to break a pair in for preparation for a night like this. So instead he simply hums and nods once, not saying a word yet still making his disbelief obvious, or at least, clear enough that someone like Pacifica would pick up on it right away.

“A busy man,” he echoes back, eyebrows raising as he makes a dramatic move of looking around as much of the ballroom as he can see from where they stood by the bar. “So busy indeed that it doesn’t… even seem like he’s here… Weird.” He shakes his head and makes a small tusking noise as he turns his attention back to the blonde. It would be easy to just leave it at that, to simply comment on the lack of presence from the supposed love of her life, but Dipper’s never been one to easily back down. Especially not from an opportunity to bother or annoy one Pacifica Northwest. And that was even more true now than ever, with his gut screaming at him that something was wrong with this entire engagement. Of course, he told himself that it was just his nosy nature at work, nothing more. He certainly wasn’t worried or bothered, not by any means. “And you know, I’ve never been engaged - but I would think, you know, if I were… I’d want more than just one dance with my fiance. And I really wouldn’t be leaving her alone all night. Unless, of course… I didn’t actually want to be engaged to her. Then, I suppose it’d make sense, wouldn’t it? Him being literally anywhere else but next to you?” It was pushing, maybe harder than he should be - but the alcohol in his system kept him from caring or taking any of it back, instead his eyes twinkled as he waited for whatever response she might come up with. He was almost certain it would just be a deflection, an attempt to turn the conversation back on him and his own lacking love life instead.

[selfcenter]

Had he believed her small lie, she would gladly move on from it but instead what she found was a disagreeing tone coming from his gaze. He didn't say a single thing but she knew exactly what he was thinking. "Why do you have that look on your face? I'm telling the truth." This was what she hated about him, from the very beginning he questioned everything she'd ever stated as fact. No matter how insistent she could have been, he was always doubting, and it frustrated her even more that for most of the time he was actually on the nose about certain things. It seemed like she had a handle on fooling everyone else but Dipper Pines.

She joined him as he took looks about the room in search of her fiancé. One could hope Eric would be good for one single thing but of course he was useless and nowhere to be found. "Well he was here and I'm sure he'll be back any minute now." She disguised the stress she was now under with a sip of her drink. "No shock there," the comment snuck under the radar towards his unsurprising news that he was never, in fact, engaged. Except she was, and for that alone, she felt some sort of pride, like she was winning a race despite the deceit that held up her future marriage. It was barely anything to be pleased about but it was at least something to have over him, especially when he was getting dangerously close to a truth she's spent so much time hoping no one would catch onto. "What are you implying—that I'm forcing Eric to marry me? I couldn't force anyone to do a single thing. If I could, I'd use that gift more wisely like making you mind your own business for once in your life." She poked a finger at his chest, hoping her point came across. Despite the terrible time she had talking to him, she couldn't find it in her to walk away. It was too easy of an option especially when there was more to say. "I feel so bad for your imaginary fiancée, it sounds like she doesn't get any time away from you at all. You know, I bet it's so hard for you to find someone who wants to be around you. I mean that's probably why you're here all alone. From the looks of it... doesn't seem like you're gonna be kissing anyone at midnight." She returned the tsk he gave towards her and even felt a smirk forming on her lips.

[howromantic]

who: @selfcenter where: lottie's nye

This was the first moment she'd gotten to herself, allowing John to talk to his friends and in turn, the girl who accused her of homewrecking. The blonde took to the courtyard in an attempt to escape the noise that she normally enjoyed hearing during a good evening though it wasn't the same when she wasn't performing on a stage and only to other attendees. Tonight Marie knew eyes were on her differently, her actions being dissected by one person in particular and every move she made scrutinized. Air that had been trapped in her lungs was finally released upon realizing she was free from anyone's gaze for a moment or at least she thought so. It seemed someone else had the same idea, catching her off guard and letting a small gasp escape her lips. "Putain tu m'as fait peur," the girl said with a hand on her chest. "I thought I was alone, my apologies. I wanted to sneak a quick smoke." A horrible habit she promised she would stop but sometimes nothing eased her stress like a cigarette, it being a part of her cultural for as long as she could recall and it was that she blamed for her continued use.

[selfcenter]

For someone who always had something to say about anything—usually it came in form of a complaint—Pacifica actually found herself without any words for what had just transpired. Maybe her thoughts were taking up all the remarks she wanted to say but didn't plan on being said aloud for anyone to hear. Lately she would vent her problems away to Maximus but in this specific case, that was a terrible idea. She was sure he would ask about it anyway, wanting to find a way into her feelings on the matter but the more she thought about it, if she were truly honest about her kiss at midnight, he might find some things disappointing.

In times of crisis, it really did help Pacifica to seclude herself. Sometimes a girl just had to hide away from everyone, even her bodyguard. She was pretty sure she'd found a good spot but that seemed to be short lived as she was sure Maximus had discovered her whereabouts. When a head of blonde hair had appeared instead, it caught her by surprise. "Je suis désolé," an apology raced out of her as quick as the difference in language had processed in her mind. "I didn't mean to scare you, I just thought you were going to be someone else." She held up her hands to show she wasn't any threat, not that she felt like she could look like it in her gown but, on this island, one could never be quite sure. "Go right ahead with your smoke break though, fais comme si je n'étais pas là."

[mysteriespines]

Like at any event where the alcohol was free and available to everyone, Dipper found himself truly loosening up and enjoying himself without any care in the world as to who was watching or what they may be thinking. Typically that just meant he stopped sulking in corners and actually talked and mingled with people - but tonight, with the open dance floor just calling his name, he had given it his all as he put on a bit of a solo show for everyone. It had been silly and ridiculous, but so fucking fun. He was awarded with quite a loud cheer when he was done, so it couldn’t have been too bad or embarrassing - or at least that’s what he told himself after he bowed and ran off the dance floor, heading back towards the open bar to replenish himself with more of the liquid courage.

The night was starting to come to a close, midnight just a few minutes away, but he was completely unaware of that fact. He was going stag tonight, here with just his sister, so it wasn’t like he needed to worry about getting back to a certain someone before the clock struck twelve for a kiss or anything. A tradition Dipper liked to say was stupid anyway - though whether that was because he genuinely didn’t believe in it or simply because he’d never had anyone to kiss at midnight was up for debate. Finally having his next drink placed in front of him, all he could get was one sip in before his peace was interrupted. “Maybe,” he answers with a shrug, not letting her obvious judgment get to him. He’d had fun and so had everyone around him, there was no reason to be embarrassed. Or at least, that’s what the overly confident drunk version of himself thought. “Not that you’d know anything about it. You know, I don’t think I’ve seen you dance once tonight. Does your fiance have two left feet or something?” He almost asks if maybe Finnick just didn’t want to be seen with her so obviously in public, but holds back on account of finding that to be a bit too mean right out the gate.

[selfcenter]

The immediate eyeroll already taking its place in the conversation laid the groundwork for however much longer Pacifica could handle talking to Dipper. It's not like she could back out now, she was the one to approach him and she was hoping that was the thing that would help her win the inevitable argument that would soon reveal itself. She actually thought his snide comment about Eric was funny but she wasn't going to let him have any satisfaction in knowing that she was unhappy in her engagement. Instead, she focused on her anger and the way his observant ways were correct, that she wasn't having as much fun as as she really wanted to. The only thing that seemed to bring her joy at parties anymore was knowing she would be accompanied by Maximus but even that brought on a host of complications that ultimately left alone and without many others to turn to that could take her mind away from stress like any sane person would do at a party. Maybe that's what had her approaching Dipper in the first place. Here was someone that knew her, and as much as Paz hated it, there was a strange dependence on knowing exactly where the interaction would go: He would annoy her and she'd annoy him right back.

"I've danced, okay? Maybe not as wild as you but I was on the dance floor a couple of times. My feet just hurt now because I didn't have much time to break in these shoes with how much wedding planning I've been doing." It was all a complete lie that he could possibly see through but Pacifica was set in believing the reality she should have been in. She took a quick sip from her drink to help calm her nerves before she having to make up more excuses. "And, Eric is a busy man, he doesn't have time to whip up extremely intricate dance routines. He did promise me the last dance of the night so if you're that eager to see us dance then you'll just have to wait."

[horsearound]

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Max was fighting the urge to look over at her, the road becoming less important than it should be when driving a vehicle. He let out a groan to himself as he came to acceptance that this couldn't be a conversation had when his attention was needed elsewhere. As she continued to speak he realized all the more so that the decision to pull to the curb was justified. He pulled the shifter into park and released the air held within his lungs, worrying it was inevitable at this point. "I don't know how a guy like me could ever deserve a girl like you," Max confessed into the silence that sat between them. "I know you're not like that. You're not like anyone else I've ever met and that's why I just... didn't want lose you." The truth had festered in his chest, he almost choked on the words until they were finally in the open. At least now she would see a glimpse behind his own curtain into the way he'd felt by her side in silence.

His attention had shifted now, the searing wheel having been left behind so he could turn to face her as much as his seatbelt would allow. "You're right." Max's hands were up in defense, realizing his mistake moments after he spoke as if he didn't remember the girl he was talking to. "What do you want?" A long overdue question but he only hoped it wasn't too late. It was her word that he'd respect and the questions from her lips alone that would be answered. "That's all I ever wanted to give to you." Max had known the way she had him all along but since making her aware he sat in wait for some direction of where they might go. "Because as much as I wish I could've met you before, I didn't." These were the cards they'd been dealt and he wanted to know how she would play them.

[selfcenter]

Pacifica had an answer for him, one she knew Max would want to hear but she couldn't bring herself to say it. Everything would be different if she did and she didn't know if she could handle that. There was an expectation on her to figure out what to do from here and she simply wasn't equipped to make plans for herself, practically everything she'd done from childhood was decided for her whether she liked it or not. Maybe that was why she couldn't bring herself to say she wanted him more than her fiancé, she didn't know what would happen if she did. It only made her that much more guilty for asking him to share his truth when she couldn't do the same.

It all came down to the fact that what she wanted probably wasn't even a choice for her, not really. Since there was no way her parents would do anything to stop her wedding, what was the point of asking her what she wanted? This reality sobered her up and reminded her of the disappointment in knowing nothing could change her fate. "Doesn't matter," she resigned with a sigh as she turned away from him. "It's useless, you and I both know we can't do a single thing about it.

[mysteriespines]

As her middle finger raises in his direction, a smirk grows on Dipper’s face. The lack of rebuttal feels like a win, which always feels good in general but especially against Pacifica. She’d made his and Mabel’s life hell for so much of their childhood that getting even the smallest victory over her or pissing her off even the tiniest amount almost came with like an adrenaline rush of sorts. Though he tries his best not to show it, rolling his eyes at the way she pretended to have no clue who he was talking about. Which, potentially she didn’t, considering how self-centered she was there was a good chance she genuinely didn’t remember the girl he had brought as a plus one to her engagement party. “There really aren’t,” he refutes, refusing to give her an actual answer of where Kim was right now, mostly because he wasn’t entirely sure. Which potentially said a lot, that he had found Pacifica almost right away when she had showed up but wasn’t bothering to keep tabs on the girl he was maybe here with on a date. But he wasn’t going to think on that. “You know Kim. I brought her to your last party.”

His eyes roll again, a common occurrence around the Northwest girl, and he was quick to try to deny any even fleeting thought she may have that he actually cared even the slightest about her sketchy ass engagement. “Hey, I never said it mattered to me,” he argued, holding his hands up as if to further prove his innocence. “I was just saying - it didn’t work out for Romeo and Juliet and since you seem to love them so much, maybe you should take a pointer or two. Whether you actually go through with whatever this all is, that’s on you. Not me. I could not care less at all.” Or at least, that’s what he liked to tell himself and anyone who ever questioned him on his standing with the blonde. Because that’s what Dipper wanted to believe, how he wanted to feel. He didn’t want to acknowledge or investigate on the twisting in his gut that occurred whenever he thought of Pacifica walking down the aisle to marry some man she potentially barely knew. There was once a time where their relationship was completely set, black and white - they hated each other. Those times were easy, everything made sense. But ever since… Well, ever since college there’s been a lot of bleeding tones of gray getting mixed into it all, and Dipper was not a fan. And as always, he refused to allow himself to think on it now - knowing this was not the time nor place to even consider any other type of feeling he may have for the blonde. Certainly not when she seems to think he’d been watching her for the past ten minutes. “You’ve been standing in one spot and I was facing this direction, you just so happened to be in my line of sight. That’s hardly the same as staring at you.”

[selfcenter]

-timeskip to New Year’s Eve-

The crux of the night was soon to come and Pacifica was craving something other than a simple glass of champagne. If she was going to ring in the new year, it was going to be with something different. The bar wasn't as jammed as she thought it would be, which made it very easy for her to put her order in. Her eyes followed the movement of partygoers as they left to join the big crowd, that was until a familiar silhouette caught her attention. A compulsory scoff and eye roll had happened making it quite clear who she'd come across. Was there any other way to greet this Pines twin? Pacifica wasn't sure, it was just the blonde's natural reaction to seeing him. It was just habitual at this point that her mood soured so easily, perhaps it was just her body's way of preparing for what was to come.

This was not the first time that night that her eyes beheld Dipper Pines, he'd actually caught the attention of a couple of people as he took to dance floor. It was something she could only imagine took the help of a whole fleet of drinks in him that got him to be so bold with his dance moves. And it only made sense that he returned to the scene of the crime that offered him such courage, Pacifica didn't even question it. What she did want to question was if he was as alone as he looked, he'd seemed to be so preoccupied with her moments of loneliness at parties that she could only think to do the same. Plus, any chance to tell him he looked like an idiot was going to be taken enthusiastically. With a hair toss and herself as confident as she could be, she worked her way closer to him. "Looks like you finally tired yourself out. Are you taking a break before you get back out there?"

[horsearound]

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His eyes stayed on the asphalt ahead of them, that being easier than trying to say it all to her face. What had been unsaid between them was unraveling in the front seat of his car. Max's hand tightened on the wheel when she spoke, the words catching in his throat. It was the closest he'd gotten to a confirmation that the tension between them hadn't been entirely in his head. Pacifica Northwest was a mystery to him sometimes but when he saw through the mask she put on for the world he understood her like his favorite poem. "No, you don't. I wouldn't be able to give you the life he can anyway," Max assured her of the truth he already knew. No matter what he did in life, the boy knew he wouldn't be able to provide her with the luxuries she was used to and a girl like that deserved a lot more than iron pyrite. "I'm just a security guard." And at the end of the day that was all he would be. "You deserve a guy like him who can give you the lifestyle you're used to."

[selfcenter]

Almost as soon as the words leave her mouth, Pacifica wanted to put them back in. She couldn't believe how easily those words fell out of her, the only thing she could instantly blame were the drinks she had at the party but deep down there was something telling her they would've come out one way or another. The only thing worst than admitting that was hearing the rejection coming from him. It didn't matter that he was taking into consideration the future she was always destined to have, he knew more than her that she would end up with someone wealthy as long as her parents had any say in it. Maybe what stung most was hearing 'no', it just felt like a complete build up to nowhere that it felt rather useless that she'd said anything at all.

"No?" She repeated, still a bit shocked that her feelings had been left out in the open and was only met with dismissal. The slight view of him she had was pushed aside, she didn't want to face him nor the rejection he'd made on her behalf. But with as much of her regret turning into irritation, she couldn't just stay silent. "I'm getting tired of people thinking they know what's best for me. I already get it enough from my mom, I don't need it from you." Paz was set on keeping quiet from them on, but that promise was extremely short lived seeing as how her next question came out as she was still processing her emotions. "Do I really come across as that shallow that you think that's all I care about?"

[horsearound]

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Max hadn't exactly expected her to reply, a breathed laugh even escaping at the comment she made. He didn't mean to offend but found humor in the truth of her statement. Pacifica was many things and being afraid of a compliment certainly wasn't one of them. "It isn't your fault," he reiterated to make sure she understood his sincerity. "I crossed a line. You are my boss and I am your security, I shouldn't say things like that." By now Max wondered if he was someone who should even be opening his mouth at all. If he wanted to keep this job and make sure she was safe, he'd need to separate his feelings from his work. "You're engaged, I shouldn't be saying it, I know," the boy exhaled unsure if he was saying it to her or himself. What she wanted would be honored by him and that was that. Instead, Max chose to focus on the road in front of them but that might've also had to do with the fact he knew it would've been hard to listen to himself if he looked at her.

[selfcenter]

Even after Pacifica had taken the blame, Max insisted on taking full fault in the scenario. Which she thought to be extremely kind, albeit, a bit stupid since she'd rarely ever taken responsibility like this. "Yeah, but—" She had to stop herself, it wasn't wise to finish her sentence that would permit him to speak freely as he wished. Paz hid her face in her hands, exhausted by her issues. For months now she would mention to anyone that she was engaged, she took pride in it and once found it to be exciting. But hearing it come out of Max's mouth turned the word 'engagement' into something she was dreading. There was no interest in being reminded of her soon-to-be future that only solidified how much of her affections would go suppressed. But frankly, she getting tired of interpretive silences and having to ignore the glances he passed her way. It would ruin her to know everything and it would ruin everything to let anything be said but in a matter of seconds, she said a truth that had been held for months now: "I just kinda wish I knew you before I got engaged."

[horsearound]

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Her warning caused him to recoil, hoping he hadn't overstepped their boundaries. While Max knew they were professional it wasn't the first time he'd slipped in a glimpse of his true feelings. He continued to remind himself that she was engaged, soon to be walking down the aisle to someone else, and he would have to be alright with that. The boy averted his gaze to give her privacy after her stern tone but was quick to his feet upon the request to leave. "Of course, as you wish," Max said bowing his head similarly to the character he dawned for the night. Once he was to his feet he held out a hand for her to take as she got up if she so chose, not wanting to be unprofessional while still doing his job. He gave her time to gather belongings and say her goodbyes before they were out the door which he held open for her. It wasn't until they were sitting in his car that he felt comfortable saying anything, having held himself back from words that their peers didn't need to hear. "I'm sorry if I said something I shouldn't have." Max exhaled heavily, turning the key in the ignition to begin their journey back to the Northwest Estate. "I know I'm just here for your security," and not give her compliments that should've come from the lips of her fiance.

[selfcenter]

The fact that Max was still sweet even after she'd yelled at him did nothing to ease the feelings Pacifica had for him. In some way she'd expected him to somehow snap into reality and figure out she wasn't worth risk losing a job for. It would've been easier if that were the case but he was as considerate as the character he'd dressed up as. And she was starting to catch onto the idea that there was very little she could do that could sway his affection. "That's not—" A light groan let out at his apology. She wanted to say that wasn't the problem here but it really was. There were feelings between the two that could only go so far unsaid until they dared to be said aloud. It would be one thing if his feelings towards her stopped there but the fact that it went both ways was entirely different. She could've broken his heart and maybe even feel some satisfaction in knowing she'd captured his attention in the first place; It was the reciprocated feelings that made things all the more complicated. "This is my fault," She sighed as she slunk further into her seat. "It's not like I was doing much to stop the compliments. I think I even encouraged it at one point."

[mysteriespines]

“Oh, others are thinking it, I’m sure. I’m just the only one brave enough to come over and poke the beast by pointing it out,” he argues, despite the fact that he’s not as positive he’s correct as he makes himself sound. Maybe her missing other half wasn’t as obvious to everyone as it was to Dipper, but he finds it hard to believe that not a single other person at this party wouldn’t have noticed. And it’s not like her fiance was here, wearing the matching knight costume, and they’d already been seen together - if that were the case, Pacifica would have been fast to point it out the moment he made his first comment. No, the lack of insistence that Finnick was around here somewhere made it clear to him that she was indeed alone. “Who says I don’t have a date? I’m here with Kim, actually.” Not that it was an official date by any means, or at least Dipper didn’t think it was. But he wasn’t going to point out that technicality.

There wasn’t an argument he could make over the fact that Romeo and Juliet were indeed fictional characters, but that didn’t mean that there wasn’t a warning that could be taken from them. “Maybe not, but ya know the message still stands. Rushing into a marriage rather than taking the time to think it all through might not be the smartest move for anyone to make,” he points out, no longer really talking about the star crossed lovers. Why he cared so much about Pacifica and her potentially fake relationship, Dipper didn’t really know and it wasn’t something he wanted to think too deeply on to find out why it bothered him so much. “Oh really? Then how come you’ve been standing over here, by yourself, for the last like ten minutes?” It was a genuine question but one that showed a part of his hand of cards he hadn’t really wanted to admit - that he had been watching her, even just from his peripheral vision.

[selfcenter]

If Pacifica Northwest could kill Dipper Pines, she would. Without hesitation. He enjoyed her misery too much, he made that very clear and he knew exactly what to say to make it happen. But since murder was out of the question, the only thing she could do now was flip him off. “Kim?” The name rung too familiar in connection to him, the only one that came to mind was the same one he'd brought to her engagement party. “Mind pointing her out, Obi-Wan? There’s like a million Kim’s here.” While there wasn't much doubt that it was the same Kim from before, the thought of Dipper pulling someone that pretty was just confusing. How did she not want to pull her hair out at a conversation with him? How could she stand to be around a know-it-all for so long? How was it possible to ignore all of his flaws and focus on his surface looks? Pacifica demanded a confirmation on the girl before asking him these very questions.

Had the advice been given from anyone else she would have seen it as someone caring for her, maybe even as a sign that perhaps her engagement was a bad idea. But since it came from Dipshit Pines, all Paz could hear were personal attacks towards something she was looking forward to. “Better call off the whole thing then since you don’t approve.” Why people like Dipper and Lilah were against her marriage was something she just didn't understand. Sure it was a bit rushed but it's not like she didn't sign up for it. Well - in a way, she hadn't but that just came with being a Northwest. An engagement wasn't dropped on her all of a sudden, she was told beforehand that it could happen. And it just so happened that she got a really nice fiancé out of it. “What does it matter to you that this marriage happens? You should save your worries for someone who’s actually in distress.” Maybe a point of contention could be raised that he should have been busy with his supposed date but instead her focus was brought to something else. “You’ve been staring at me for ten minutes?” Her eyebrows raised. There was an inexplicable smirk on her lips at just the thought of that being true, that she could be at the core of his attention span for that long.

[horsearound]

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He just couldn't stop looking at her. She took his breath away from time to time and he'd force himself to avert his gaze to return to duty. Maybe he was insane for thinking that the blonde felt it too, the words unsaid, the glances caught between words; it couldn't have been just nothing. Nonetheless, the boy knew his place and why he maintained his side of the universe in admiration of a girl who hadn't a clue about her own worth. "Of course, I'd do anything to make sure no one hurt you," the boy paused. "And not just anyone. You." While Max knew he'd previously shown his hero complex and left her before, that wouldn't be a mistake he ever made again. Then her comment caused him to backpedal. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to overstep," he spoke quickly in case he'd stepped over a boundary she understandably set. "But I mean it."

[selfcenter]

"Max," Paz voiced in a tone so firm it almost surprised her. It was one thing to catch onto hints of his affection when they were alone, but hearing it out loud like this was actually something to worry about. In her mind, as long as it was said in public, that meant one person could have heard it and if one person had heard it then everyone had as well. The last thing she needed on top of her engagement were romantic ties to someone other than Finnick. The worst part about raising her voice towards Maximus was that she couldn't even indulge in his words, her own worries got in the way of it. Pacifica's despair had hit its limit, not even the last of the punch could save her. That didn't mean she didn't try, but she'd certainly made up her mind about one thing while she downed the rest of it. "I want to go home now."

[mysteriespines]

A snort escapes his lips at the thought of Pacifica Northwest of all people stating that anything was just clothes. Even he wasn’t dumb or naive enough to believe for even a second that she actually believed that to be true. “Yeah, right. ‘Cause you’ve never cared about your outfit or what other people think about it before,” he points out, shaking his head. “Don’t tell me I’m really the first person to notice you’re missing the other half of what’s very obviously a couple’s costume.” He could ask where her so-called fiance was, if he was out there somewhere else in the house dressed like her star-crossed knight, but for some reason he doesn’t want to know the answer to that question. Just thinking about Finnick was enough to start ruining the good mood he was in, though he doesn’t think too hard on why that might be, instead simply shaking off all thoughts of the boy.

“Hey. What’d I say?” he questions, genuinely offended and confused when she reaches out and shoves at his chest. Though it’s not enough to make him actually take a step away or even leave, primarily because he truly wants to know how he managed to piss her off so quickly when he genuinely hadn’t really even been trying. It takes a moment, but Dipper finally pieces together she must be upset about the whole stabbing comment, which just causes him to roll his eyes ever so slightly. “I’m just saying - without Romeo coming into the picture, Juliet probably would have lived a very long and happy life. You’re better off without him.” The sentiment went both for the imaginary other half of her costume as well as the actual person who should be wearing it. “Jeez. Sorry I thought you might want some company. You know, you need to learn how to loosen up some.” A wild thing to be said by Dipper Pines of all people, but the alcohol he’d already consumed was enough to have him in a far cheerier mood than he normally ever would be sober.

[selfcenter]

Paz's lips pursed in irritation, Dipper knew her too well that getting under her skin came quite easily. She knew better than to let him annoy her and yet, walking away never felt like an actual option. Maybe it was because she knew that she could get on his nerves as well that she let the conversations last longer than they should. "You seem to be the only person bothered by it, yeah. But I guess I'd be worried about other people's dates if I didn't have one either." It was pretty much a bold assumption to make now since Dipper had been known to miraculously find people that would agree to date him but for the sake of annoying him, it was imperative to ignore all of that, and possibly even treat it as one of those anomalies he liked to read about if he proved her to be wrong.

If physical assault wasn't enough to turn him away then she wasn't really sure what she could do. At this point, Pacifica resigned to waiting out the next three miserable minutes. It clearly hadn't taken too long for her temper to rise but his pointed dissection into her relationship was something he actually could find a fault in, it only made her that much more nervous. "It's a good thing they're not real then," she replied back a bit too hastily. It was an oddly apt thing to say about both couples at issue but it seems like her mind hadn't caught onto such resemblance. Paz did take it as a personal low that Dipper Pines was telling her to loosen up, she seemed to be doing fine until he approached her. So clearly he was the issue here. "I usually do like having company around me, it's only yours that I have a problem with."

[horsearound]

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It hadn't been the clearest-cut career path but he'd come to care more about his new job than his last, maybe even a little too much. Whenever he looked at her too long Max would avert his gaze so as to not give away his admiration of the girl he was trusted to protect. The same one who was engaged and knew he could never court properly like she deserved. While it wasn't what she intended it was a small knife to his side hearing about what would be the inevitable end. "No one needs to pay me for me to follow you around and make sure you're safe," he admitted hoping to not dwell on what could happen to his job in the future. What she said next made his expression shift downward as if he'd finally heard what he knew to be true all along. "I do," Max added scooting a little closer to her, offering the support if she needed it. "I know that doesn't make up for it but..." His voice teetered off and was replaced with a shrug. "You're a lot more than just that." There was a line the boy had been sure not to cross but at times like this, he couldn't help to show her how he really felt. "Yes ma'am, you're the boss here and I am just your humble servant." A small bow was provided from his seated position, a laugh falling out as he did so.

[selfcenter]

The thought of Pacifica going back to her absent life without him was enough to have her finding shelter in the drink in her cup. There was so much error in such sentiment, like why she felt alone in the first place or why her immediate source of company was Max and not her future husband. But that was so much to contemplate and she definitely wasn't up for doing all this introspection at Phil's party of all places. Maximus' offer to work for free didn't help though, it left the blonde with too many hints leading to the idea of him having feelings for her, which anyone with eyes could see and maybe even she was already aware of but if that were the case then that would make everything a million times more complicated so moving past it was always key. She had to change the narrative before the one she built in her head started to sound like it made sense, "No surprise there, you're, like, built to protect people. You'd probably kill for anyone at this party if it meant saving them from danger." And there Max went again, saying something so nice that it couldn't derail her feelings towards him. "You're sweet," the smile on her face couldn't stick to its intended satisfaction, a disappointing sigh escaped her. "Like, too sweet sometimes."

[mysteriespines]

~ timeskip to deville halloween party ~

Parties like this weren’t exactly a part of Dipper’s usual comfort zone, but between his sister’s instance that he had to leave the house on such a major holiday and the fact that he knew he had to dress up anyway for his followers sake there wasn’t really any point in fighting it all. The original game plan had been to stay for a drink, maybe two at most, take some pictures for his social media accounts to prove he does indeed have a life, and leave. But like most of his plans that have any involvement from Mabel, it all went to shit about an hour and a couple of shots in. Though he wasn’t going to complain, feeling better than normal thanks to the alcohol coursing through his system. He’d spent the majority of the night so far just floating, stopping to talk with anyone that pulled him aside for a few minutes or so before moving on to the next room. No one had really fully caught his attention yet. Or at least, that was the case until he saw a familiar head of blonde hair standing off on her own.

Without fully thinking of what he was doing, his feet were already moving him over towards the Northwest girl. It wasn’t until he was standing right beside her that he even fully realized what was happening, but he was quick to recover. “A Juliet without her Romeo?” he questions, glancing around for a moment just to see if there was actually someone in the matching knight costume he had just missed. When it was clear there wasn’t anyone, Dipper’s head shook ever so slightly and he let out a tsk noise. “That’s kinda pathetic, isn’t it? But then again, you know, maybe you’ll get a better ending without him. No need for stabbing yourself in the heart in solidarity with him if you don’t have a star crossed lover to begin with.” It was a bit harsh, but not really anything new or surprising for the way they typically talked to each other.

[selfcenter]

A friend's invitation to a party was exactly the excuse Pacifica needed to get out of the formal event she was supposed to go to tonight. She was actually having a decent time at the Deville house, it wasn't a surprise at all that Dipper had been the one to sour her mood. Paz finished the rest of her drink just to get through the conversation, "Do you usually put ten levels of overthinking into other people's costumes? It's literally just clothes..." A blasé attitude was something she needed to prove him wrong, she didn't exactly believe in her statement considering every single outfit she wore went through much consideration but Pacifica wasn't going to let him think he was right. Her shallow thoughts could agree with her in the moment, believing it was just a fun little costume to a movie she liked, but the deep recesses of her overthinking mind knew better than to pick it out simply for that. And Dipper had gone too close to some truth that it genuinely frustrated her without knowing exactly why.

It was like Dipper had a pinpoint aim on exactly what had bothered her, frankly she was tired of it. Hearing him spout on about her missing half was what did the trick. "Jesus, what the fuck is your problem?" A shove to his chest should've been enough to keep him away but when he remained close, she'd only gotten further frustrated. "Do you just enjoy making me mad? Is it some sort of weird game you play to see how quickly you can make my blood boil?" She wished she hadn't drunk the last of her punch, it would've gone straight to Dipper's face by now. "You're not, like, forced to talk to me, y'know. So what's your deal, Pines?"

[horsearound]

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While he was technically working, Max was having more fun than he'd ever had at the Snuggly Duckling. His solo cup was filled with apple cider, giving enough of an illusion that no one asked. From his time at the bar, he learned quickly that drunk people loved nothing more than getting those who weren't drinking to join in. No matter what one might do to explain the reasoning they were adamant so Max found it easier having a cup filled with something inconspicuous. He had one thing to worry about that night: the visage in front of him. Whatever she needed he would be there and that included a safe ride home. It was nice to see her so free for once, not having to worry about the image the Northwest family expected from her. "That was no way to spend your Halloween, I bet none of them would've even dressed up cool," he commented taking a sip from the plastic cup. "That's why you have me around to make sure they don't hang around." It was partially true but Max had come to learn his job was a lot more than what was written in his contract. "Everyone here seems pretty harmless, the biggest threat tonight is whatever they put in that punch."

[selfcenter]

"Definitely not," Pacifica didn't even really want to dwell on the party she was supposed to be in, she just knew for certain that she wouldn't have had as much fun as she was having now. She shook her head, having her own theories for why Max was hired at all. "I dunno about that, I think once I'm married they're not gonna ask you to be around so much. I mean, that's probably why you're here, just to keep me safe to make it to the wedding and make sure that it actually happens." Talk of her wedding, one that should be seen in a great light, was something that she was starting to slightly dread. "I don't think my parents really care about what happens to me after that." The truth escaped her, and she didn't even realize how sad of a sentence it was. She simply moved on because that's what the Northwest attitude was, ignore the problems you can't fix with money. She took another sip of her drink, "Well, this punch is now my best friend so I say that you can't do a thing to it even if it was putting me in danger."

[mysteriespines]

Anyone else may have taken the comment to be a joke, but Dipper knew all too well how snobbish and stand-offish the Northwests could be. The fact that the heads of the family refused to be seen anywhere that seemed actually fun wasn’t shocking. In fact, what was almost a surprise instead was that Pacifica herself had even bothered to attend the festival. Though he supposed she had made appearances at plenty of other events like this in the past, it still always felt weird whenever she was around. “Right, right,” he agreed with a snort, shaking his head as he did so. “I forgot, you’re all too good to hang out with mere mortals.” Perhaps his remark could have also been viewed as simple teasing, but he also meant every word.

Of all the reasons she may have been at the hospital, visiting her bodyguard was hardly one that Dipper would have thought of to be a possibility. Purely because he hadn’t realized she even had someone employed for such a job. “Your bodyguard?” he questions before he can really stop himself, eyebrows raising as if expecting it to be some kind of a trick. But he knows better than to think Pacifica would just lie or joke about something like that. “You really have a bodyguard? Since when do you need a bodyguard? People really out here threatening you left and right?” It’s once again partially a joke, but he’s also genuinely curious as to how dangerous her life could potentially be that she needed to hire a man to follow her around and protect her.

[selfcenter]

"Oh my god, you finally get it. That's what I've been trying to get you to understand for years." In previous years, such a statement would have been something she genuinely believed in but now she just sort of treated it like the joke it was. It was laced in the irony they both understood, maybe making too light of a subject they hadn't approached in years but it was pointless in trying to convince him that was true when they both knew the truth.

"They're not threatening me specifically, but haven't you heard of girls going missing around the island?" With how much he looked into weird cases, she figured he would've been caught up to disappearances but maybe his focus was only on supernatural vanishes. "They get kidnapped or whatever, and if they're lucky they come back but my parents don't want to risk it. Especially not with the wedding," She added, possibly a mistake to admit that as it gave a clear view on what she thought her parents prioritized but it was hardly a concern of hers to protect the Northwest image right now. "So, yeah, a bodyguard seemed like the best preventative measure they could take. It's worked so far, at least."

[selfcenter]

closed starter for @horsearound location: deville halloween house party

"I'm so glad we came here instead of that party my parents were going to," Pacifica rolled her eyes at the thought of going to yet another high class party where she had to be on her best behavior for her future wedding guests, none of which she personally knew but had to invite on her parent's behalf. "If I had to say hi to any of their weird, old friends tonight, I think I would've died." She took in another big gulp out of whatever drink she'd had in her cup, she couldn't really tell what it was anymore. "Like, I would have literally died. Because they hang out with, like, the sketchiest people in the world." Any other circumstance and she wouldn't have been as freely dissing her parents in public around so many people but with a good amount of drinks in her already she couldn't really care. It's almost like all the care she claimed to not have had finally left her body and she was just able to be herself unabashedly.