Forest Covered Application
Nov. 4th, 2015 07:35 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
anotherlink( PLAYER INFORMATION )
Name: Erin
Contact: Gloomychan @plurk
Are you over 17?: I’m 19!
Characters in Forest Covered: Nope.
( CHARACTER INFORMATION )
Name/Work Name: Pacifica Elise Northwest/ "Heather"
Canon: Gravity Falls
Canon Point: End of Northwest Mansion Mystery (2x11)
AU/CRAU: No, Canon
Age: 12
History: http://gravityfalls.wikia.com/wiki/Pacifica_Northwest
The wiki has a pretty good summary of Pacifica’s roles in the episodes that she’s in, though I do not believe that it touches upon some of the implications that the canon gives us regarding Pacifica’s personal history. She is terrified by her parents, particularly her father, who rings a bell whenever he is displeased with her—which yields a Pavlovian fear reaction from Pacifica, usually quickly followed by compliance. Her family seem to neglect her at best (leaving her to play against Mabel on her own in favor of going to a party and forgetting to pick her up in The Golf War). The root cause of the majority of her fears and actions seems to stem from her terror of disappointing her parents—and the punishments that may result. Though she is extremely well-socialized in most aspects, she is completely clueless in others, not having heard of “sharing” before Mabel introduced the concept. Being aware of Pacifica’s home life and what it is heavily implied to entail is extremely important when it comes to roleplaying Pacifica and understanding her character accurately.
Personality: Pacifica Northwest is a Northwest above all, and she’ll make sure that you know it. The heiress to the richest family in Gravity Falls, Pacifica seems to have a charmed life. She’s exceptionally skilled at mini-golf, she’s won the title of Miss Gravity Falls at least once, and she was responsible for giving a speech at the Pioneer Day festivities—where she posed with her family, laughing and remarking, “We’re perfect.”
Indeed, Pacifica places a lot of importance on her family name. As I’ve established, she is a fairly accomplished twelve year old; and as her family is the closest thing that Gravity Falls has to local celebrities, she is extremely influential among her own peer group (who, in Double Dipper, seem to find her extremely intimidating) and with the adults of Gravity Falls (who throw tomatoes at Grunkle Stan simply because Pacifica indicates that they should). She is used to being in the limelight, and seems to thrive there—she is charismatic and very able to project confidence. She also reviles things that she considers “silly,” which comes into play during the beginning of her rivalry with Mabel Pines—something born out of Mabel’s refusal to step down and give into Pacifica’s demands, which is likely something that Pacifica has never experienced before.
She acts like—as Mabel put it—a “walking one-dimensional beach blonde valley girl stereotype.” Throughout the first season, Pacifica is simply mean for the sake of being mean. Early on, winning is established as her major motivation—and she isn’t above using dirty tactics to get her way. In Pacifica’s first appearance, during Double Dipper, she bribes Old Man McGucket to clap, snagging her the party crown. She is willing and able to use her family name and wealth to accomplish her goals, which generally involve winning.
After all, as her father said, “Whatever happens, just remember one thing. You’re a Northwest. Don’t lose.”
However, there is more to Pacifica than just the arrogant, superficial persona that she projects most of the time. Though she is proud to be a Northwest, and has cheated on at least one occasion, she is—for the most part—unaware of the majority of the lies that justify her family’s so-called greatness. In Irrational Treasure, she is extremely surprised to learn that her ancestor—Nathaniel Northwest—was, in fact, not the town founder. She is able to shrug off this particular lie (“That’s the thing about money! It makes your problems go away!”) and continues to antagonize Mabel throughout the first half of The Golf War, but by the end of the episode, she is able to attempt to work together with Mabel, even trying to compliment her (“You know, you’re not half-bad!”) and admit that she had fun playing mini-golf with her. Though this might seem kind of trite, especially compared with how mean Pacifica was to Mabel prior, it is still proof that she can—and is trying to—change for the better.
For the most part, Pacifica’s ability to change and become a better person than her parents is solidified in Northwest Mansion Mystery. She is subject to her parents’ whims at the start, which leads to her doing the (for Pacifica) unthinkable: approaching Dipper Pines for help. While in pursuit of a ghost, she objects to Dipper stepping onto her parents’ favorite rug with muddy feet—something that is relatively minor when the two are quite literally running for their lives. This demonstrates exactly how terrified Pacifica is of her parents, and what she is willing to risk to avoid angering them.
The evolution of Pacifica’s relationship with Dipper is particularly telling. They begin the episode hating each other, with Pacifica reluctant to even be seen in the vicinity of the Pines House. However, as they hunt a ghost together, she becomes fonder and fonder of Dipper, even giving him a quick hug when they believe that they have succeeded—and inviting him to stay for the rest of the party, which is probably going directly against what her parents would prefer. The speed with which Pacifica becomes attached to Dipper is fairly quickly suggests that she is, in actuality, quite a lonely child—and when Dipper accuses her of being “just another link in the world’s worse chain,” she falls apart, her protests only silenced by the ringing of the bell.
Above all, Pacifica Northwest is brave. During The Golf War, she fights the same creatures that were formerly threatening her life by Mabel’s side; after she and the Pines twins reach safely, she goes back to shout at the Lilliputtians, threatening to “sue…and own” them. When Mabel offers an apology for cheating during the match and presents Pacifica with an “I A-paw-logize” sticker, she accepts it, despite having openly reviled Mabel’s sillier qualities in Irrational Treasure. Her bravery becomes clearer during Northwest Mansion Mystery, when she openly defies her parents—despite the ringing of the bell which seems to cause her immense psychological distress. Because Dipper told her that she doesn’t have to be like her family, she is able to muster up the strength to defy them, and breaks the curse, letting the regular citizens of Gravity Falls in to enjoy the party.
The fact that Pacifica was so touched that Dipper believed in her and was able to channel that into an overt act of defiance also shows how truly insecure she is. She’s a Northwest, and she believed wholeheartedly that she is as awful as her parents are. The façade presented throughout Season One and early Season Two is who she thought she should be, instead of who she actually is. Dipper’s assertion that she can choose her own path was part of what empowered her to defy her parents and work past her insecurities.
Right before she pulls the lever, her eyes flicker to Dipper, a boy who had (only hours before) described her as simply “the worst.” The brother of her former arch-nemesis; someone who had expressed his distaste for her over and over again, often to her face. But people can change—Pacifica can change—and Dipper recognized that.
So, she pulls the lever, ignoring the orders of her father and the ringing of the bell. And she makes a promise:
“Our family name is broken—and I’m gonna fix it!”
Debt: Pacifica believes that she is the person responsible for reforming her family name and making it into something respectable. That, coupled with her newfound knowledge of all of the sins of the Northwest family (discovered during the events of Northwest Mansion Mystery) makes Pacifica quite determined to prove that she is not like her parents, and is someone who can lift the weight of the Northwest family’s sins.
Of course, if someone implied that she could easily do such a thing and atone for the sins of her ancestors…she’d probably do it.
Previous Game Info: N/A
Inventory:
♦ One (1) pair of platinum hoop earrings, reportedly more expensive than the homes of half of the citizens of Gravity Falls.
♦ One (1) designer cardigan, purple, for those days when it’s a bit chilly but you still want to look like a million bucks.
♦ One (1) lilac designer mini-dress, perfect for layering, formal occasions, and/or laughing at peasants.
♦ One (1) pair of perfectly soft leggings. They look like any other pair of black leggings, but I’m sure they’re couture in some way, shape, or form.
♦ One (1) pair of ankle-height brown Ugg boots. Probably limited edition. Seriously, Pacifica, it’s summer. What the heck.
♦ One (1) cell phone.
♦ One (1) rhinestone-studded comb.
♦ One (1) tube of mascara.
♦ One (1) palette of sparkly purple eyeshadow.
♦ One (1) tube of lip gloss.
♦ One (1) tub of foundation, for those just in case moments.
♦ One (1) eyeliner brush and one (1) tub of black liquid eyeliner.
♦ A small, travel sized bottle of expensive blonde hair dye. You know. Just in case. I’m not saying she’s not a natural blonde, just. If something were to happen….
Abilities:
♦ Globally ranked junior mini-golf player.
♦ Able to use her family’s wealth and prestige to her advantage.
♦ “Pacifica’s rich, Mabel. She’s cheating at life.”
♦ Is capable of fighting small creatures with a golf club.
♦ Fairly charismatic, considering that she’s twelve.
♦ Has won at least one local beauty pageant.
♦ She will sue you, and she will own you.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Strengths:
♦ Pacifica is determined. Growing up a Northwest, there was no room for losing or failure, and Pacifica has internalized this to the point where there is only one option—and that option is winning. Though she has resorted to duplicitous means in the past, she is also someone who has worked hard to achieve her goals—having worked with a minigolf tutor, for example, to hone her skills to the point of global recognition. When Pacifica Northwest needs to win, she’ll do whatever it takes—and has only canonically used bribery as a last resort.
♦ Pacifica is a socialite. She was raised not only to inherit the Northwest name, but to carry on its traditions within Gravity Falls. It was Pacifica who gave the Pioneer Day speech easily to the townspeople, most of whom seem to adore her; she is more than used to socializing with people as important as sultans or European royalty at her family’s events, and likely makes use of her charisma at those parties, as well. She is fairly adept, to this end, of masking her true thoughts and emotions, and has no problem at all staying within the persona that she has carefully constructed over the years—after all, she has a role to play.
♦ Pacifica is brave. Although she at first reacts to her parents—and the bell—with intense fear, she is able to overcome this out of a desire to be better, and pulls the lever anyway, even though she is visibly terrified. She is as competent as Mabel or Dipper when dealing with the Lilliputtians, dealing major damage with her mini-golf club, and proceeds to threaten them rather loudly after they’ve gotten to safety. She accompanies Dipper to fight and get rid of the ghost, even though there is no real need to; even more, she’s able to keep up with Dipper, for the most part, despite being considerably less experienced.
♦ Pacifica is trying to better herself. She may come across as kind of snooty, spoiled, and mean sometimes—and that’s because she is. But she also wants so very badly to become a better person—a good enough person to redeem her family name, and to not live the lie that the Northwest family has lived for so long. So—at least for certain people—she’s trying to be less condescending and almost nice, even if it’s hard. But that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t slip up every now and then—after all, old habits die hard.
♦ Pacifica is a Northwest. Her family dates back in Gravity Falls for generations. Her family is all about having connections and using them, and it's a lesson that Pacifica has learned time and time again. Northwests are powerful. Northwests are winners. Northwests are attractive. Northwests are strong. By extension, Pacifica is all of these things. Her name itself lends her its strength. It sure would be a shame to lose it.
Weaknesses:
♦ Pacifica is stubborn. She wants to atone for her family’s mistakes, but has a hard time acknowledging her own; she’s never formally apologized to the Pines twins, especially Mabel, for the taunting that she’s put them through—even though she accepts apologies from Mabel in The Golf War and Dipper in Northwest Mansion Mystery, respectively. It’s important to note that she did apologize as soon as Dipper caught her and her parents in a lie in NMM; however, she also quickly shifted the responsibility to her parents. If she wants to continue moving forward, she needs to learn not just how to take responsibility for the actions of her forebears—but also for the mistakes that she has made.
♦ Pacifica is insecure. She’s incredibly sensitive about certain factors of her appearance—particularly her hair, which is often accused of being dyed. Her parents expect absolutely the best out of her, and this has taken its toll. They have hammered it into her psyche that the only things that are important in life are winning, and looks—and this shapes her behavior throughout the series.
♦ Pacifica is not physically strong. She’s a twelve year old girl whose major athletic activity lies in minigolf—and while she’s pretty decent at using her minigolf club to beat up tiny golf ball creatures, she likely lacks the strength to be of any use in a real fight. She’s feisty and would try to put up a fight, but she’s still skinnier than the average girl her age.
♦ Bells. Just don’t.
( SAMPLE )
Characterization Sample:
When she had been younger, Pacifica loved the fact that Northwest Mansion was on a hill. It seemed royal, almost, as though they looked down upon the other citizens of Gravity Falls from the turrets of an elegant and imposing castle. The fantasy was only partially right; after all, Oregon isn’t a monarchical state. But as far as Pacifica had been concerned, it might as well be true; people in Gravity Falls treated them like they were royalty.
Now, it just leaves a bad taste in her mouth.
“Pacifica!” Her mother’s voice is shrill, and carries an air of extreme disappointment. As usual. “Get your things! We can’t be late for practice, and you need to get fitted for your new gown. In the correct color, this time.”
She flinches a bit, scrambling up off of her bed, and away from her window. Of course. Her family name is more important than anything else, even when she knows it’s all a lie. Appearances are everything, and she has to keep up—even if she knows that it’s all fake. As long as it looks believable—as long as it looks true—nothing else matters.
So she hurries along and grabs her purse, sliding into the backseat of the car. Some people live close enough to walk, but not the Northwests—no, from their hilltop, they’d need to be driven (in a limo, of course. They weren’t savages.) Yet another barrier between the Northwests and the townsfolk, a barrier that signal their privilege. Pacifica watches the people out the window; kids her age playing stupid, childish games, games that she’s never allowed to play even when her parents aren’t around. It’s not like she could disobey them—they’d know.
It’s maddening. She’s Pacifica Northwest. Next in line to be the most powerful person in Gravity Falls, on track to be as successful as her predecessor. So what if her parents pick her clothes and micromanage her meals, right? She’s part of a perfect family. And she can prove that she belongs there.
She has to.
So she sits for the dress fitting and lets her mother pick the colors, only commenting when directly asked, because children are seen and not heard, Pacifica. She tries it on and gives a twirl for her mother and the stylist, though she finds the material stifling. The color is just lame. Pacifica’s always liked pink, but her parents like her in purple. It’s the color of royalty, they tell her.
She smiles and thanks the dressmaker, polite as always, and eventually they start their ride back up to the mansion.
The gates close behind them, and this time, Pacifica does not think of the walls of a castle.
She thinks of the gates of a prison.
*****
Additional Sample:
http://fortanon.dreamwidth.org/25376.html?thread=23341088#cmt23341088
Name: Erin
Contact: Gloomychan @plurk
Are you over 17?: I’m 19!
Characters in Forest Covered: Nope.
( CHARACTER INFORMATION )
Name/Work Name: Pacifica Elise Northwest/ "Heather"
Canon: Gravity Falls
Canon Point: End of Northwest Mansion Mystery (2x11)
AU/CRAU: No, Canon
Age: 12
History: http://gravityfalls.wikia.com/wiki/Pacifica_Northwest
The wiki has a pretty good summary of Pacifica’s roles in the episodes that she’s in, though I do not believe that it touches upon some of the implications that the canon gives us regarding Pacifica’s personal history. She is terrified by her parents, particularly her father, who rings a bell whenever he is displeased with her—which yields a Pavlovian fear reaction from Pacifica, usually quickly followed by compliance. Her family seem to neglect her at best (leaving her to play against Mabel on her own in favor of going to a party and forgetting to pick her up in The Golf War). The root cause of the majority of her fears and actions seems to stem from her terror of disappointing her parents—and the punishments that may result. Though she is extremely well-socialized in most aspects, she is completely clueless in others, not having heard of “sharing” before Mabel introduced the concept. Being aware of Pacifica’s home life and what it is heavily implied to entail is extremely important when it comes to roleplaying Pacifica and understanding her character accurately.
Personality: Pacifica Northwest is a Northwest above all, and she’ll make sure that you know it. The heiress to the richest family in Gravity Falls, Pacifica seems to have a charmed life. She’s exceptionally skilled at mini-golf, she’s won the title of Miss Gravity Falls at least once, and she was responsible for giving a speech at the Pioneer Day festivities—where she posed with her family, laughing and remarking, “We’re perfect.”
Indeed, Pacifica places a lot of importance on her family name. As I’ve established, she is a fairly accomplished twelve year old; and as her family is the closest thing that Gravity Falls has to local celebrities, she is extremely influential among her own peer group (who, in Double Dipper, seem to find her extremely intimidating) and with the adults of Gravity Falls (who throw tomatoes at Grunkle Stan simply because Pacifica indicates that they should). She is used to being in the limelight, and seems to thrive there—she is charismatic and very able to project confidence. She also reviles things that she considers “silly,” which comes into play during the beginning of her rivalry with Mabel Pines—something born out of Mabel’s refusal to step down and give into Pacifica’s demands, which is likely something that Pacifica has never experienced before.
She acts like—as Mabel put it—a “walking one-dimensional beach blonde valley girl stereotype.” Throughout the first season, Pacifica is simply mean for the sake of being mean. Early on, winning is established as her major motivation—and she isn’t above using dirty tactics to get her way. In Pacifica’s first appearance, during Double Dipper, she bribes Old Man McGucket to clap, snagging her the party crown. She is willing and able to use her family name and wealth to accomplish her goals, which generally involve winning.
After all, as her father said, “Whatever happens, just remember one thing. You’re a Northwest. Don’t lose.”
However, there is more to Pacifica than just the arrogant, superficial persona that she projects most of the time. Though she is proud to be a Northwest, and has cheated on at least one occasion, she is—for the most part—unaware of the majority of the lies that justify her family’s so-called greatness. In Irrational Treasure, she is extremely surprised to learn that her ancestor—Nathaniel Northwest—was, in fact, not the town founder. She is able to shrug off this particular lie (“That’s the thing about money! It makes your problems go away!”) and continues to antagonize Mabel throughout the first half of The Golf War, but by the end of the episode, she is able to attempt to work together with Mabel, even trying to compliment her (“You know, you’re not half-bad!”) and admit that she had fun playing mini-golf with her. Though this might seem kind of trite, especially compared with how mean Pacifica was to Mabel prior, it is still proof that she can—and is trying to—change for the better.
For the most part, Pacifica’s ability to change and become a better person than her parents is solidified in Northwest Mansion Mystery. She is subject to her parents’ whims at the start, which leads to her doing the (for Pacifica) unthinkable: approaching Dipper Pines for help. While in pursuit of a ghost, she objects to Dipper stepping onto her parents’ favorite rug with muddy feet—something that is relatively minor when the two are quite literally running for their lives. This demonstrates exactly how terrified Pacifica is of her parents, and what she is willing to risk to avoid angering them.
The evolution of Pacifica’s relationship with Dipper is particularly telling. They begin the episode hating each other, with Pacifica reluctant to even be seen in the vicinity of the Pines House. However, as they hunt a ghost together, she becomes fonder and fonder of Dipper, even giving him a quick hug when they believe that they have succeeded—and inviting him to stay for the rest of the party, which is probably going directly against what her parents would prefer. The speed with which Pacifica becomes attached to Dipper is fairly quickly suggests that she is, in actuality, quite a lonely child—and when Dipper accuses her of being “just another link in the world’s worse chain,” she falls apart, her protests only silenced by the ringing of the bell.
Above all, Pacifica Northwest is brave. During The Golf War, she fights the same creatures that were formerly threatening her life by Mabel’s side; after she and the Pines twins reach safely, she goes back to shout at the Lilliputtians, threatening to “sue…and own” them. When Mabel offers an apology for cheating during the match and presents Pacifica with an “I A-paw-logize” sticker, she accepts it, despite having openly reviled Mabel’s sillier qualities in Irrational Treasure. Her bravery becomes clearer during Northwest Mansion Mystery, when she openly defies her parents—despite the ringing of the bell which seems to cause her immense psychological distress. Because Dipper told her that she doesn’t have to be like her family, she is able to muster up the strength to defy them, and breaks the curse, letting the regular citizens of Gravity Falls in to enjoy the party.
The fact that Pacifica was so touched that Dipper believed in her and was able to channel that into an overt act of defiance also shows how truly insecure she is. She’s a Northwest, and she believed wholeheartedly that she is as awful as her parents are. The façade presented throughout Season One and early Season Two is who she thought she should be, instead of who she actually is. Dipper’s assertion that she can choose her own path was part of what empowered her to defy her parents and work past her insecurities.
Right before she pulls the lever, her eyes flicker to Dipper, a boy who had (only hours before) described her as simply “the worst.” The brother of her former arch-nemesis; someone who had expressed his distaste for her over and over again, often to her face. But people can change—Pacifica can change—and Dipper recognized that.
So, she pulls the lever, ignoring the orders of her father and the ringing of the bell. And she makes a promise:
“Our family name is broken—and I’m gonna fix it!”
Debt: Pacifica believes that she is the person responsible for reforming her family name and making it into something respectable. That, coupled with her newfound knowledge of all of the sins of the Northwest family (discovered during the events of Northwest Mansion Mystery) makes Pacifica quite determined to prove that she is not like her parents, and is someone who can lift the weight of the Northwest family’s sins.
Of course, if someone implied that she could easily do such a thing and atone for the sins of her ancestors…she’d probably do it.
Previous Game Info: N/A
Inventory:
♦ One (1) pair of platinum hoop earrings, reportedly more expensive than the homes of half of the citizens of Gravity Falls.
♦ One (1) designer cardigan, purple, for those days when it’s a bit chilly but you still want to look like a million bucks.
♦ One (1) lilac designer mini-dress, perfect for layering, formal occasions, and/or laughing at peasants.
♦ One (1) pair of perfectly soft leggings. They look like any other pair of black leggings, but I’m sure they’re couture in some way, shape, or form.
♦ One (1) pair of ankle-height brown Ugg boots. Probably limited edition. Seriously, Pacifica, it’s summer. What the heck.
♦ One (1) cell phone.
♦ One (1) rhinestone-studded comb.
♦ One (1) tube of mascara.
♦ One (1) palette of sparkly purple eyeshadow.
♦ One (1) tube of lip gloss.
♦ One (1) tub of foundation, for those just in case moments.
♦ One (1) eyeliner brush and one (1) tub of black liquid eyeliner.
♦ A small, travel sized bottle of expensive blonde hair dye. You know. Just in case. I’m not saying she’s not a natural blonde, just. If something were to happen….
Abilities:
♦ Globally ranked junior mini-golf player.
♦ Able to use her family’s wealth and prestige to her advantage.
♦ “Pacifica’s rich, Mabel. She’s cheating at life.”
♦ Is capable of fighting small creatures with a golf club.
♦ Fairly charismatic, considering that she’s twelve.
♦ Has won at least one local beauty pageant.
♦ She will sue you, and she will own you.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Strengths:
♦ Pacifica is determined. Growing up a Northwest, there was no room for losing or failure, and Pacifica has internalized this to the point where there is only one option—and that option is winning. Though she has resorted to duplicitous means in the past, she is also someone who has worked hard to achieve her goals—having worked with a minigolf tutor, for example, to hone her skills to the point of global recognition. When Pacifica Northwest needs to win, she’ll do whatever it takes—and has only canonically used bribery as a last resort.
♦ Pacifica is a socialite. She was raised not only to inherit the Northwest name, but to carry on its traditions within Gravity Falls. It was Pacifica who gave the Pioneer Day speech easily to the townspeople, most of whom seem to adore her; she is more than used to socializing with people as important as sultans or European royalty at her family’s events, and likely makes use of her charisma at those parties, as well. She is fairly adept, to this end, of masking her true thoughts and emotions, and has no problem at all staying within the persona that she has carefully constructed over the years—after all, she has a role to play.
♦ Pacifica is brave. Although she at first reacts to her parents—and the bell—with intense fear, she is able to overcome this out of a desire to be better, and pulls the lever anyway, even though she is visibly terrified. She is as competent as Mabel or Dipper when dealing with the Lilliputtians, dealing major damage with her mini-golf club, and proceeds to threaten them rather loudly after they’ve gotten to safety. She accompanies Dipper to fight and get rid of the ghost, even though there is no real need to; even more, she’s able to keep up with Dipper, for the most part, despite being considerably less experienced.
♦ Pacifica is trying to better herself. She may come across as kind of snooty, spoiled, and mean sometimes—and that’s because she is. But she also wants so very badly to become a better person—a good enough person to redeem her family name, and to not live the lie that the Northwest family has lived for so long. So—at least for certain people—she’s trying to be less condescending and almost nice, even if it’s hard. But that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t slip up every now and then—after all, old habits die hard.
♦ Pacifica is a Northwest. Her family dates back in Gravity Falls for generations. Her family is all about having connections and using them, and it's a lesson that Pacifica has learned time and time again. Northwests are powerful. Northwests are winners. Northwests are attractive. Northwests are strong. By extension, Pacifica is all of these things. Her name itself lends her its strength. It sure would be a shame to lose it.
Weaknesses:
♦ Pacifica is stubborn. She wants to atone for her family’s mistakes, but has a hard time acknowledging her own; she’s never formally apologized to the Pines twins, especially Mabel, for the taunting that she’s put them through—even though she accepts apologies from Mabel in The Golf War and Dipper in Northwest Mansion Mystery, respectively. It’s important to note that she did apologize as soon as Dipper caught her and her parents in a lie in NMM; however, she also quickly shifted the responsibility to her parents. If she wants to continue moving forward, she needs to learn not just how to take responsibility for the actions of her forebears—but also for the mistakes that she has made.
♦ Pacifica is insecure. She’s incredibly sensitive about certain factors of her appearance—particularly her hair, which is often accused of being dyed. Her parents expect absolutely the best out of her, and this has taken its toll. They have hammered it into her psyche that the only things that are important in life are winning, and looks—and this shapes her behavior throughout the series.
♦ Pacifica is not physically strong. She’s a twelve year old girl whose major athletic activity lies in minigolf—and while she’s pretty decent at using her minigolf club to beat up tiny golf ball creatures, she likely lacks the strength to be of any use in a real fight. She’s feisty and would try to put up a fight, but she’s still skinnier than the average girl her age.
♦ Bells. Just don’t.
( SAMPLE )
Characterization Sample:
When she had been younger, Pacifica loved the fact that Northwest Mansion was on a hill. It seemed royal, almost, as though they looked down upon the other citizens of Gravity Falls from the turrets of an elegant and imposing castle. The fantasy was only partially right; after all, Oregon isn’t a monarchical state. But as far as Pacifica had been concerned, it might as well be true; people in Gravity Falls treated them like they were royalty.
Now, it just leaves a bad taste in her mouth.
“Pacifica!” Her mother’s voice is shrill, and carries an air of extreme disappointment. As usual. “Get your things! We can’t be late for practice, and you need to get fitted for your new gown. In the correct color, this time.”
She flinches a bit, scrambling up off of her bed, and away from her window. Of course. Her family name is more important than anything else, even when she knows it’s all a lie. Appearances are everything, and she has to keep up—even if she knows that it’s all fake. As long as it looks believable—as long as it looks true—nothing else matters.
So she hurries along and grabs her purse, sliding into the backseat of the car. Some people live close enough to walk, but not the Northwests—no, from their hilltop, they’d need to be driven (in a limo, of course. They weren’t savages.) Yet another barrier between the Northwests and the townsfolk, a barrier that signal their privilege. Pacifica watches the people out the window; kids her age playing stupid, childish games, games that she’s never allowed to play even when her parents aren’t around. It’s not like she could disobey them—they’d know.
It’s maddening. She’s Pacifica Northwest. Next in line to be the most powerful person in Gravity Falls, on track to be as successful as her predecessor. So what if her parents pick her clothes and micromanage her meals, right? She’s part of a perfect family. And she can prove that she belongs there.
She has to.
So she sits for the dress fitting and lets her mother pick the colors, only commenting when directly asked, because children are seen and not heard, Pacifica. She tries it on and gives a twirl for her mother and the stylist, though she finds the material stifling. The color is just lame. Pacifica’s always liked pink, but her parents like her in purple. It’s the color of royalty, they tell her.
She smiles and thanks the dressmaker, polite as always, and eventually they start their ride back up to the mansion.
The gates close behind them, and this time, Pacifica does not think of the walls of a castle.
She thinks of the gates of a prison.
*****
Additional Sample:
http://fortanon.dreamwidth.org/25376.html?thread=23341088#cmt23341088
