*steps awkwardly onstage* Hey guys, I know it's been nearly two years, and it's because I honestly forgot I had written this story. Usually the stories when I scroll through them, the ones near the bottom are ones I've completed so I don't need to touch them. But this one managed to get in there, so I forgot about it 😅

It's also because I'm trying to focus on a few other stories to finish them first so my brain isn't super scattered when it comes to updates. I've never been great at sticking to one specific story for a long period of time. I did that for awhile with Always and it helped me to finish it faster.

That being said, this update is just to let you guys know where my head's at with this story, as well as a brief update because it's been so long! Back to the story!

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Pacifica was only slightly terrified by her current circumstances. The vampire —Dipper— was only standing a foot and a half away from her. She had no reason to trust him not to pull some stunt to get her guard down.

Unfortunately, Pacifica was also a curious person by nature. His offer had enticed her, and piqued her curiosity in a way that couldn't be quelled.

Not to say she didn't take precautions. Pacifica had donned every single piece of silver jewelry to protect herself; necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings. She had even put a clip in her hair as an extra precaution. Just to make sure he couldn't come close enough to harm her.

Perhaps it was a tad bit excessive, but there was nothing wrong with being over prepared. She'd just keep telling herself that.

"You mentioned doing this to save your kind?" Pacifica finally spoke up. The two of them had been walking on the outskirts of town for a generous amount of time, she had hoped to have the conversation finished soon, but she couldn't bring herself to start it until now.

"It's a grave oversimplification of events, but yes." Dipper stated lightly, eyes closed. "Allegedly, I'm the one who will bring salvation to the vampire race, or great destruction, whichever comes first."

Pacifica chewed on her lip for a moment, considering every word he had just said. This boy was supposed to be in charge of saving an entire race of monsters? That was ridiculous! He looked like he was just a kid! "And you think talking to me will help?"

"My destiny isn't laid out for me, I'm afraid nothing in my life has ever been that simple." Dipper continued. "Nothing about it is set in stone, my actions have bigger consequences."

"That's not exactly the question I asked." Pacifica grumbled, although now she wanted to press him more on his destiny.

"Do I believe talking to you will help?" Dipper cocked a brow and turned to face her, taking a step back, probably because he got too close. "Despite my oh-so intimidating appearance, I believe most things can be solved with words. We can settle this diplomatically. Violence doesn't solve anything."

Okay, scratch that about him being a kid. Pacifica shook herself out of that thought. He was too wise to be so young, but his words rang true. Kind of. "That's not exactly true!" She stated.

"Oh? Care to explain what you're thinking, Blondie?" Dipper's face had an interesting look on it. Pacifica couldn't quite tell if he was amused or annoyed.

"When monsters attack innocent people, monsters hunters have to resort to violence." Pacifica explained, pacing back and forth, not realizing that her pacing would cause Dipper to take a generous step back. "That way more people aren't caught in the crossfire."

"How has that solved anything?" Dipper demanded, getting as close to in her face as he could. "It only makes the so-called monsters more angry because you attacked their loved ones unprovoked. They retaliate against you solely because of that. It begs the question who are the real monsters?"

Pacifica bit her lip, "then why do you come back against us?!"

Dipper leveled her with a single look. Getting as close as he possibly could get to her face, he stated, "because we attacked you provoked."

Pacifica took a step back, both figuratively and literally. The boy was making a bit of sense, but, how was the possible? She grew up hearing horrid stories about a variety of monsters, so was this vampire trying to play the victim card?

Damn. Pacifica wished she took that psychology course last year.

Clearing his throat, Dipper shot Pacifica a thoughtful glance. "Now, as I said, I do believe that our kinds can settle this peacefully."

"Why me?" Pacifica demanded, ignoring the way his eyes reflected the moonlight. Pale skin, like a deadman's —which to be fair made sense, considering he probably was the living dead?— eyes bluer than the clearest skies. Wait, why was she romanticizing the vampire?!

"My relatives aren't the most reasonable of people." Dipper explained, unaware of Pacifica's lingering gaze. "They believe they have no faults, and after centuries of studying, I believe monster hunters think in the exact same way."

Pacifica nodded. "Why would that make me any different?"

"It was a risk I had to take." Dipper shrugged. "Nothing cliché like 'I sensed something was different with you' no, I'm afraid you're nothing special—"

Pacifica frowned at his phrasing.

"—however I have to act soon." Dipper finished lamely. "Your family is notorious for killing our kind more than anyone I've ever known. Over thousands and thousands of years of bloodshed and endless violence. It has to stop. And now that they're back, things could only get worse." He ran a hand through his hair, sighing as he did.

When he said it like that, Pacifica felt a guilt flow through her veins. "Not all monsters are like you, Dipper." She said, trudging a little closer to him, only for him to take three steps back. "I've seen several who'd rather cause harm rather than live peacefully. It doesn't matter what you do; only the person can change if they want to."

"Where's the harm in trying?" Dipper shot back. "I'm sorry, Pacifica, but your destiny isn't as difficult as mine! I have to do something! You wouldn't know what that's like!"

With his swift change in demeanor, Pacifica flinched and jolted away from him. Her heart was racing as fast as the words raced through her head.

I'm sorry. I wish I could help. Maybe people will change! Don't give up on them. Listen to me, please.

What could she say? Nothing would help. Everything she had said thus far, he had something to quip back with. Her every claim, he had a rebuttal. How was she supposed to do anything?

Dipper sighed once more and turned his head away from her, obscuring his face from view.

Pacifica had always been rather good with facial expressions, she wondered what his would show now.

"Goodnight, Pacifica Southeast." Dipper muttered. And that was that. In an instant, he had vanished from her sight, she had nothing.

Taking in her surroundings, making sure she was truly alone, Pacifica sank down onto her knees, with a gasp of air.

Everything the boy had talked about was too much. It was too much for one person to handle, regardless of living status or not.

Steeling her nerves, Pacifica rose from the ground, a grimace escaping her. She would help that boy and fix the problems their kinds had created.

And that was a promise.