Milla has spent her entire life asking questions. Why do her hands and her mama's hands look different? Why don't they have the same last name? Why doesn't she have a papa, like all of her classmates? (As it stands, all she has of him is a giant, worn out cargo jacket, which her mother once mentioned had been his. Milla hasn't gone anywhere without it since.) Her mama never seemed to know, and she'd snap if Milla asked too many times, so eventually, she stopped asking at all. But Milla kept holding onto all of those questions, up until the day Stan Pines arrived on their doorstep with all the answers.
At her core, Milla is a remarkably sweet girl. With a gentle heart and even gentler hands, she's already proven herself to have a soul much too old for her young body. Her dark eyes peer at the world with more understanding than a girl her age should even be capable of, and sometimes, with how quiet and aware she is, it's easy to mistake her for older than she is. Still, hardy and conscientious as she may be, Milla is a child. She possesses an imagination as large and bottomless as the ocean itself, and never fails to light up at the prospect of a game. While she's learned not to be too outwardly sensitive, Milla does take things harder than she lets on, almost always culminating in a complete breakdown over a minor inconvenience. She also has a remarkably large soft spot for animals of all types, as well as a talent with them that's definitely abnormal. No matter the size, breed, or degree of viciousness, all animals seem to just adore her! In addition, she's proven herself to be an eerily good judge of character, though that may have something to do with the circumstances of her upbringing.
Though it can never be said that her mother, Marilyn, didn't try, the truth of the matter is that Milla's always had to be rather self-sufficient. At only six years old, she's taught herself how to pull the stool over to the stove, operate the can opener, and make herself soup. She knows how to lock the door, and pull out the futon, and how to tuck herself in. She can keep herself entertained with her one stuffed bunny, and she knows to tell Mrs. Sprout from the apartment across the hall that her mama's in the shower, if she tries to check in while Marilyn's at work. Milla likes to think it makes her mama proud, having her be able to take care of herself so well.
But unbeknownst to Milla, Marilyn's found herself in a bit of a tight spot. She's found a new boyfriend, a wealthy one, who's willing to marry her. But he doesn't know she has any children, and he's made it quite clear what he thinks of women who have children outside of wedlock. For months, Marilyn's been turning her options around in her head, trying to come up with a solution that'll keep everyone happy. But there isn't one. So, a sour taste in her mouth and a strange ache in her chest, Marilyn sat down, and wrote a letter to Stanley Pines.
Sparrow was born a nymph in the Gravity Falls forest, where she was raised among the trees and other magic creatures. She spent her childhood swimming in glittering streams and dancing with fairies, and didn't have her contact with humanity until she was about twelve years old—at which point she witnessed, with horror, lumberjacks cutting down an ancient oak tree.
At first, this less than positive first impression led to Sparrow holding a lot of spite towards humans, and she initially began spying them on with plans to get revenge on them for interfering with the life in her forest. However, as time passed, Sparrow's ire turned to intrigue, and she found herself becoming quite invested in the lives of these bizarre creatures living on the outskirts of their forest. How did they survive, so removed from nature? How could they be happy, without living a life like hers? Always a curious girl and longing to understand, Sparrow began to plot.
The first time Sparrow snuck into Gravity Falls, she was fifteen and filled with anxious butterflies. What if she was found out? What if she accidentally exposed all of the nymphs? But, to both her relief and bafflement, none of her very obvious quirks seemed to call any attention. It would appear that the citizens of Gravity Falls were just as odd as she was. Through the years that followed, Sparrow became endeared by the unique and occasionally stupid townsfolk, and began sneaking out to spend time among them more and more often. She came to the conclusion that, instead of getting revenge on humans for harming nature, she could educate them. With that thought in mind, she first became a CIT, then a camp counselor, spending her days teaching children about the beauties of nature and her nights frolicking in the woods with her nymph sisters. Then, when she was eighteen, Stanford Pines moved to town.
He was twenty-one, fresh out of college and with a sizable grant clenched in his fist. To be honest, Sparrow wasn't quite sure what to make of him. They'd never met in town, but Sparrow heard plenty about him from the woodland creatures. He hungered for knowledge in the same way she did, and for that, she respected him. Until, of course, the woodland creatures began to complain about the way he treated them while researching. Well, Sparrow couldn't have that—what sort of protector of the forest would she be if she let mistreatment of its creatures stand? So, Sparrow went knocking.
After some thorough berating, Stanford agreed to let her help him adjust his containment units and, curiously, asked her how she'd known, in such detail, how he was containing his research specimens. As her intimate knowledge of the magical creatures that lived within the forest became known, Stanford found himself becoming fascinated by this odd young woman, fierce but clearly with so much love for all that was alive. She became yet another mystery he wanted to unravel, and so, although it went against his introverted nature, he asked her if she'd be his research partner.
Years went by. Along with being Stanford's research partner, Sparrow moved from being a camp counselor to being a park ranger as soon as she turned twenty-one. Along with this change came a shift in her relationship with Stanford. Understandably, spending so much time together for the sake of research led to them forming a close friendship, and gradually, they began spending time together outside of their investigations.
When Sparrow was twenty-three—Stanford twenty-six—she finally revealed the truth of her heritage to him. Seeing her there, magic radiating off her very being, flowers sprouting where her feet touched the soil, Stanford's heart stalled in his chest, and he asked her on a date on the spot. They got married three years later, and were entirely happy and devoted to each other.
That is, until Bill Cipher came into their lives. Although Stanford kept his existence a secret from Fiddleford, there was nothing he kept secret from Sparrow. She was wary of the supposed muse—anything too powerful, she'd learned from experience, was a being it was unwise to trust—but Stanford was so excited over his progress, she didn't have the heart to discourage him from associating with Bill.
Insidiously, Bill weaseled his way in between them, turning Stanford into someone aloof and paranoid that Sparrow didn't recognize, until finally, Stanford realized he was being manipulated. Though Sparrow tried to soothe him, Stanford nearly snapped, and called his brother out to help rid him of the journals.
Chaos ensued. Sparrow's worst fear was realized, and she lost Stanford to the portal. In the thirty years that followed, Sparrow moved back into the woods, continuing her work as a park ranger and, eventually, forming a close friendship with both Stanley and the twins. She had only just begun to make peace with the loss, to accept that she may go the rest of her life without ever seeing Stanford again...
...when she found him standing in the kitchen of the Mystery Shack, as though no time had passed at all. But with thirty years spent grieving and growing and changing without each other, will they be able to pick up where they left off?
Wren was always destined to be a little odd. The only child of a fierce nymph in the Gravity Falls woods and a particularly sensitive lumberjack, he was raised in the forest, among the trees and other magic creatures. He spent her childhood swimming in glittering streams and dancing with fairies, and didn't have contact with any humans other than his father until he was about twelve years old—at which point he witnessed, with horror, some of his father's old lumberjack friends cutting down an ancient oak tree.
At first, this less than positive first impression led to Wren holding a lot of spite towards humans as a whole, and he initially began spying them on with plans to get revenge on them for interfering with the life in his forest. However, as time passed, Wren's ire turned to intrigue, and he found herself becoming quite invested in the lives of these bizarre creatures living on the outskirts of their forest. How did they survive, so removed from nature? How could they be happy, without living a life like his? Always a curious boy and longing to understand, Wren began to plot.
The first time Wren snuck into Gravity Falls, he was fifteen and filled with anxious butterflies. What if he was found out? What if he accidentally exposed all of the nymphs? But, to both his relief and bafflement, none of his very obvious quirks seemed to call any attention. It would appear that the citizens of Gravity Falls were just as odd as she was. Through the years that followed, Wren became endeared by the unique and occasionally stupid townsfolk, and fascinated with human ideas of science and logic. He began sneaking out to spend time among them more and more often, studying all he could and talking to anyone who would listen. He came to the conclusion that, instead of getting revenge on humans for harming nature, he could educate them. With that thought in mind, he first became a CIT, then a camp counselor, spending his days teaching children about the beauties of nature and his nights roaming in the woods with his magical family. Then, when he was eighteen, Stanford Pines moved to town.
He was twenty-one, fresh out of college and with a sizable grant clenched in his fist. To be honest, Wren wasn't quite sure what to make of him. They'd never met in town, but Wren heard plenty about him from the woodland creatures. Stanford hungered for knowledge in the same way Wren did, and for that, Wren respected him. Until, of course, the woodland creatures began to complain about the way he treated them while researching. Well, Wren couldn't have that—what sort of protector of the forest would he be if she let mistreatment of its creatures stand? So, Wren went knocking.
After some thorough berating, Stanford agreed to let Wren help him adjust his containment units and, curiously, asked Wren how he'd known, in such detail, how he was containing his research specimens. As Wren's intimate knowledge of the magical creatures that lived within the forest became known, Stanford found himself becoming fascinated by this odd young man, fierce but clearly with so much love for all that was alive. Wren became yet another mystery he wanted to unravel, and so, although it went against his introverted nature, Stanford asked him if he'd be his research partner.
Years went by. Along with being Stanford's research partner, Wren moved from being a camp counselor to being a park ranger as soon as he turned twenty-one. Along with this change came a shift in his relationship with Stanford. Understandably, spending so much time together for the sake of research led to them forming a close friendship, and gradually, they began spending time together outside of their investigations.
When Wren was twenty-three—Stanford twenty-six—he finally revealed the truth of his heritage to him. Seeing Wren there, magic radiating off his very being, flowers sprouting where his feet touched the soil, Stanford's heart stalled in his chest, and he asked Wren on a date on the spot. Though they weren't legally allowed to marry, they considered themselves wedded in all but name, and were entirely happy and devoted to each other.
That is, until Bill Cipher came into their lives. Although Stanford kept his existence a secret from Fiddleford, there was nothing he kept secret from Wren. He was wary of the supposed muse—anything too powerful, he'd learned from experience, was a being it was unwise to trust—but Stanford was so excited over his progress, Wren didn't have the heart to discourage him from associating with Bill.
Insidiously, Bill weaseled his way in between them, turning Stanford into someone aloof and paranoid that Wren didn't recognize, until finally, Stanford realized he was being manipulated. Though Wren tried to soothe him, Stanford nearly snapped, and called his brother out to help rid him of the journals.
Chaos ensued. Wren's worst fear was realized, and he lost Stanford to the portal. In the thirty years that followed, Wren moved back into the woods, continuing his work as a park ranger and, eventually, forming a close friendship with both Stanley and the twins. He had only just begun to make peace with the loss, to accept that he may go the rest of her life without ever seeing Stanford again...
...when he found him standing in the kitchen of the Mystery Shack, as though no time had passed at all. But with thirty years spent grieving and growing and changing without each other, will they be able to pick up where they left off?
personality
At her core, Milla is a remarkably sweet girl. With a gentle heart and even gentler hands, she's already proven herself to have a soul much too old for her young body. Her dark eyes peer at the world with more understanding than a girl her age should even be capable of, and sometimes, with how quiet and aware she is, it's easy to mistake her for older than she is. Still, hardy and conscientious as she may be, Milla is a child.
She possesses an imagination as large and bottomless as the ocean itself, and never fails to light up at the prospect of a game. While she's learned not to be too outwardly sensitive, Milla does take things harder than she lets on, almost always culminating in a complete breakdown over a minor inconvenience.
She also has a remarkably large soft spot for animals of all types, as well as a talent with them that's definitely abnormal. No matter the size, breed, or degree of viciousness, all animals seem to just adore her! In addition, she's proven herself to be an eerily good judge of character, though that may have something to do with the circumstances of her upbringing.
silence
loneliness
loud noises
hot weather
feeling stupid
aspirations
getting a pet
becoming a ballerina
fears
deep water
small spaces
being abandoned
Conning the Conman
Stanley and Marilyn met in Vegas, nearly seven years ago. More of a hopeless romantic than he'd ever admit, Stanley was quite taken with the pretty, sharp-tongued waitress, and Marilyn was quite taken with Stanley's cherry red El Diablo. They spent a very passionate two days together, at the end of the which they married in a typical Vegas wedding...and then promptly divorced six hours later, when Marilyn failed to steal Stanley's car. They parted on anything but good terms, and it was only three months later that Marilyn learned she was pregnant with his child.
with marilyn
Though it can never be said that her mother, Marilyn, didn't try, the truth of the matter is that Milla's always had to be rather self-sufficient. With all the time Marilyn has to spend at work, it's unsurprising that Milla often finds herself alone.
At only six years old, she's taught herself how to pull the stool over to the stove, operate the can opener, and make herself soup. She knows how to lock the door, pull out the futon, tuck herself in. She can keep herself entertained with her one Barbie, and never complains that she doesn't have more toys.
Milla likes to think it makes her mama proud, having her be able to take care of herself so well. But unbeknownst to Milla, Marilyn's found herself in a bit of a tight spot.
She's found a new boyfriend, a wealthy one, who's willing to marry her. But he doesn't know she has any children, and he's made it quite clear what he thinks of women who have children outside of wedlock.
For months, Marilyn's been turning her options around in her head, trying to come up with a solution that'll keep everyone happy. But there isn't one. So, a sour taste in her mouth and a strange ache in her chest, Marilyn sat down, and wrote a letter to Stanley Pines.
the transition
Now, Stanley wasn't exactly equipped to take care of a kid. He was living out of his car, and constantly on the run from some of his more unsavory associates. Besides, even if the timelines matched up, they couldn't prove that Milla was his...
...at least, that's what he thought, until he caught sight of her tiny, six-fingered hands. Well, shit. Functional polydactyly was incredibly rare, and it ran in families. The odds of Marilyn having dated someone else with it in their genes were almost zero.
Now, Stanley wasn't heartless. Marilyn made it quite clear that the other option was to turn Milla over to the state, and though he'd never admit it, Stanley was actually a little excited by the knowledge that he had a kid. He had always wanted a family.
So, unequipped as he may have been, Stanley took her in. He took her little backpack, with all its Scooby Doo and Sesame Street pins, and her even littler hand, and helped her into the backseat of the Stanley Mobile. Just like that, they drove off into the night, both of their lives changing forever.
with stanley
It didn't take long at all for Milla to completely steal Stan's heart. She was such a sweet little thing, telling him about her dreams and asking about his favorite color and animal and season. She made the long, lonely weeks spent on the road easier to bear.
Still, Stanley knew this wasn't the life Milla deserved: always on the move, living out of the backseat of his car. She wasn't getting an education, and Stanley knew full well that she was intelligent, that she would thrive if given the proper circumstances.
But what was he meant to do? He couldn't work, because he had to watch her, and he couldn't find someone to watch her because no work meant no money. (Besides, who did he have that he could ask to babysit?) As such, they continued to live that way, with Stanley's illegal work barely keeping them afloat.
Finally, though, Stanley knows he has to swallow his pride to give Milla the life he deserves. So he grits his teeth, steels himself, and calls his brother for the first time in almost a decade, to ask if he can come stay with him for a while.
family
Stanley Pines | 28 | Father
Though he had a late arrival to her life and she doesn't always understand him, Stanley quickly becomes Milla's favorite person. She can always depend on him to carry him on his shoulders, wrap her in his jackets when it's cold, and listen to her ramble. However, despite Stan's attempts to shield her, Milla is more perceptive than he realizes. She knows Stan's struggling, knows he's in over his head, and it brings her more stress than he knows.
Marilyn Crawford | 26 | Mother
N/A
Stanford Pines | 28 | Uncle
N/A
other bonds
Tanner Ridgeway | 30 | Stepfather-To-Be
As it stands, Tanner doesn't know Camilla exists, and if Marilyn has her way, he never will. Regardless, if they had ever met, Tanner would've undoubtedly treated her with disdain. He hated children, and especially children born out of wedlock.
Ingrid Losndahl | 18 | Friend
N/A
Cupcake | ??? | Friend
Milla met Cupcake shortly after her and Stan moved to Gravity Falls, when she wandered off into the woods and happened across him. Understandably, Stan was more than a little concerned about the "pet" that Milla brought home, but Cupcake proved to be an exceptionally affectionate and gentle pet, and he could shrink to the much more convenient size of a small dog, so Stan decided he could stick around. He wouldn't complain about Milla having another protector.
aesthetic
"kindness...what a simple way to tell another struggling soul that there is love to be found"
personality
At her core, Milla is a remarkably sweet girl. With a gentle heart and even gentler hands, she's already proven herself to have a soul much too old for her young body. Her dark eyes peer at the world with more understanding than a girl her age should even be capable of, and sometimes, with how quiet and aware she is, it's easy to mistake her for older than she is. Still, hardy and conscientious as she may be, Milla is a child.
She possesses an imagination as large and bottomless as the ocean itself, and never fails to light up at the prospect of a game. While she's learned not to be too outwardly sensitive, Milla does take things harder than she lets on, almost always culminating in a complete breakdown over a minor inconvenience.
She also has a remarkably large soft spot for animals of all types, as well as a talent with them that's definitely abnormal. No matter the size, breed, or degree of viciousness, all animals seem to just adore her! In addition, she's proven herself to be an eerily good judge of character, though that may have something to do with the circumstances of her upbringing.
silence
loneliness
loud noises
hot weather
feeling stupid
aspirations
getting a pet
becoming a ballerina
fears
deep water
small spaces
being abandoned
Conning the Conman
Stanley and Marilyn met in Vegas, nearly seven years ago. More of a hopeless romantic than he'd ever admit, Stanley was quite taken with the pretty, sharp-tongued waitress, and Marilyn was quite taken with Stanley's cherry red El Diablo. They spent a very passionate two days together, at the end of the which they married in a typical Vegas wedding...and then promptly divorced six hours later, when Marilyn failed to steal Stanley's car. They parted on anything but good terms, and it was only three months later that Marilyn learned she was pregnant with his child.
with marilyn
Though it can never be said that her mother, Marilyn, didn't try, the truth of the matter is that Milla's always had to be rather self-sufficient. With all the time Marilyn has to spend at work, it's unsurprising that Milla often finds herself alone.
At only six years old, she's taught herself how to pull the stool over to the stove, operate the can opener, and make herself soup. She knows how to lock the door, pull out the futon, tuck herself in. She can keep herself entertained with her one Barbie, and never complains that she doesn't have more toys.
Milla likes to think it makes her mama proud, having her be able to take care of herself so well. But unbeknownst to Milla, Marilyn's found herself in a bit of a tight spot.
She's found a new boyfriend, a wealthy one, who's willing to marry her. But he doesn't know she has any children, and he's made it quite clear what he thinks of women who have children outside of wedlock.
For months, Marilyn's been turning her options around in her head, trying to come up with a solution that'll keep everyone happy. But there isn't one. So, a sour taste in her mouth and a strange ache in her chest, Marilyn sat down, and wrote a letter to Stanley Pines.
the transition
Now, Stanley wasn't exactly equipped to take care of a kid. He was living out of his car, and constantly on the run from some of his more unsavory associates. Besides, even if the timelines matched up, they couldn't prove that Milla was his...
...at least, that's what he thought, until he caught sight of her tiny, six-fingered hands. Well, shit. Functional polydactyly was incredibly rare, and it ran in families. The odds of Marilyn having dated someone else with it in their genes were almost zero.
Now, Stanley wasn't heartless. Marilyn made it quite clear that the other option was to turn Milla over to the state, and though he'd never admit it, Stanley was actually a little excited by the knowledge that he had a kid. He had always wanted a family.
So, unequipped as he may have been, Stanley took her in. He took her little backpack, with all its Scooby Doo and Sesame Street pins, and her even littler hand, and helped her into the backseat of the Stanley Mobile. Just like that, they drove off into the night, both of their lives changing forever.
with stanley
It didn't take long at all for Milla to completely steal Stan's heart. She was such a sweet little thing, telling him about her dreams and asking about his favorite color and animal and season. She made the long, lonely weeks spent on the road easier to bear.
Still, Stanley knew this wasn't the life Milla deserved: always on the move, living out of the backseat of his car. She wasn't getting an education, and Stanley knew full well that she was intelligent, that she would thrive if given the proper circumstances.
But what was he meant to do? He couldn't work, because he had to watch her, and he couldn't find someone to watch her because no work meant no money. (Besides, who did he have that he could ask to babysit?) As such, they continued to live that way, with Stanley's illegal work barely keeping them afloat.
Finally, though, Stanley knows he has to swallow his pride to give Milla the life he deserves. So he grits his teeth, steels himself, and calls his brother for the first time in almost a decade, to ask if he can come stay with him for a while.
family
Stanley Pines | 28 | Father
Though he had a late arrival to her life and she doesn't always understand him, Stanley quickly becomes Milla's favorite person. She can always depend on him to carry him on his shoulders, wrap her in his jackets when it's cold, and listen to her ramble. However, despite Stan's attempts to shield her, Milla is more perceptive than he realizes. She knows Stan's struggling, knows he's in over his head, and it brings her more stress than he knows.
Marilyn Seo-Jun | 26 | Mother
Marilyn tried her hardest to do right by Milla, and Milla truly did love her very much, but at the end of the day, Marilyn just wasn't fit to be a mother. Try as she might to unlearn her selfish ways and be the parent Milla needed, Marilyn was always going to end up putting herself first. Perhaps it's no surprise, then, that she gave Milla away the moment that doing so offered her a tangible benefit.
Tanner Crawford | 30 | Stepfather-To-Be
Tanner and Milla have never met, and if Marilyn has her way, that isn't going to change. Tanner looks down on women who have children outside of marriage, and has often voiced his feelings about how emasculating it would be to take responsibility for another man's child. Suffice to say, if he knew that Milla existed, he wouldn't be all that fond of her.
other bonds
Conri Greene | 5 | Best Friend
Only a day or two after settling in Gravity Falls, Milla meets Conri while exploring the forest, where he lives. Though Conri is shy and aloof, he soon warms up to Milla, and they become fast friends. In her free time, Milla can almost always be found running around the woods with Conri, climbing trees and skipping over streams. As far as Milla's concerned, Conri is the little brother she never had.
Adelaide Northwest | 14 | Friend
The elder sister of Preston Northwest, Adelaide chafes under the strict rules and high expectations that her family holds, and is planning to run for the hills the moment she turns eighteen. She's been secretly earning her own money by babysitting, and Milla becomes her favorite kid to babysit once she moves to Gravity Falls.
Cupcake | ??? | Friend
Another strange inhabitant of the Gravity Falls woods, Cupcake is a fierce predator and carnivore with a mouth full of jagged fangs...who becomes inexplicably attached to sweet little Milla. Cupcake takes to following Milla like a guard dog, fully ready to pounce at anyone who threatens her, and has been caught trying to groom her more than once.
aesthetic
"kindness...what a simple way to tell another struggling soul that there is love to be found"
personality
At her core, Milla is a remarkably sweet girl. With a gentle heart and even gentler hands, she's already proven herself to have a soul much too old for her young body. Her dark eyes peer at the world with more understanding than a girl her age should even be capable of, and sometimes, with how quiet and aware she is, it's easy to mistake her for older than she is. Still, hardy and conscientious as she may be, Milla is a child.
She possesses an imagination as large and bottomless as the ocean itself, and never fails to light up at the prospect of a game. While she's learned not to be too outwardly sensitive, Milla does take things harder than she lets on, almost always culminating in a complete breakdown over a minor inconvenience.
She also has a remarkably large soft spot for animals of all types, as well as a talent with them that's definitely abnormal. No matter the size, breed, or degree of viciousness, all animals seem to just adore her! In addition, she's proven herself to be an eerily good judge of character, though that may have something to do with the circumstances of her upbringing.
silence
loneliness
loud noises
hot weather
feeling stupid
aspirations
getting a pet
becoming a ballerina
fears
deep water
small spaces
being abandoned
Conning the Conman
Stanley and Marilyn met in Vegas, nearly seven years ago. More of a hopeless romantic than he'd ever admit, Stanley was quite taken with the pretty, sharp-tongued waitress, and Marilyn was quite taken with Stanley's cherry red El Diablo. They spent a very passionate two days together, at the end of the which they married in a typical Vegas wedding...and then promptly divorced six hours later, when Marilyn failed to steal Stanley's car. They parted on anything but good terms, and it was only three months later that Marilyn learned she was pregnant with his child.
with marilyn
Though it can never be said that her mother, Marilyn, didn't try, the truth of the matter is that Milla's always had to be rather self-sufficient. With all the time Marilyn has to spend at work, it's unsurprising that Milla often finds herself alone.
At only six years old, she's taught herself how to pull the stool over to the stove, operate the can opener, and make herself soup. She knows how to lock the door, pull out the futon, tuck herself in. She can keep herself entertained with her one Barbie, and never complains that she doesn't have more toys.
Milla likes to think it makes her mama proud, having her be able to take care of herself so well. But unbeknownst to Milla, Marilyn's found herself in a bit of a tight spot.
She's found a new boyfriend, a wealthy one, who's willing to marry her. But he doesn't know she has any children, and he's made it quite clear what he thinks of women who have children outside of wedlock.
For months, Marilyn's been turning her options around in her head, trying to come up with a solution that'll keep everyone happy. But there isn't one. So, a sour taste in her mouth and a strange ache in her chest, Marilyn sat down, and wrote a letter to Stanley Pines.
the transition
Now, Stanley wasn't exactly equipped to take care of a kid. He was living out of his car, and constantly on the run from some of his more unsavory associates. Besides, even if the timelines matched up, they couldn't prove that Milla was his...
...at least, that's what he thought, until he caught sight of her tiny, six-fingered hands. Well, shit. Functional polydactyly was incredibly rare, and it ran in families. The odds of Marilyn having dated someone else with it in their genes were almost zero.
Now, Stanley wasn't heartless. Marilyn made it quite clear that the other option was to turn Milla over to the state, and though he'd never admit it, Stanley was actually a little excited by the knowledge that he had a kid. He had always wanted a family.
So, unequipped as he may have been, Stanley took her in. He took her little backpack, with all its Scooby Doo and Sesame Street pins, and her even littler hand, and helped her into the backseat of the Stanley Mobile. Just like that, they drove off into the night, both of their lives changing forever.
with stanley
It didn't take long at all for Milla to completely steal Stan's heart. She was such a sweet little thing, telling him about her dreams and asking about his favorite color and animal and season. She made the long, lonely weeks spent on the road easier to bear.
Still, Stanley knew this wasn't the life Milla deserved: always on the move, living out of the backseat of his car. She wasn't getting an education, and Stanley knew full well that she was intelligent, that she would thrive if given the proper circumstances.
But what was he meant to do? He couldn't work, because he had to watch her, and he couldn't find someone to watch her because no work meant no money. (Besides, who did he have that he could ask to babysit?) As such, they continued to live that way, with Stanley's illegal work barely keeping them afloat.
Finally, though, Stanley knows he has to swallow his pride to give Milla the life he deserves. So he grits his teeth, steels himself, and calls his brother for the first time in almost a decade, to ask if he can come stay with him for a while.
family
Stanley Pines | 28 | Father
Though he had a late arrival to her life and she doesn't always understand him, Stanley quickly becomes Milla's favorite person. She can always depend on him to carry him on his shoulders, wrap her in his jackets when it's cold, and listen to her ramble. However, despite Stan's attempts to shield her, Milla is more perceptive than he realizes. She knows Stan's struggling, knows he's in over his head, and it brings her more stress than he knows.
Marilyn Seo-Jun | 26 | Mother
Marilyn tried her hardest to do right by Milla, and Milla truly did love her very much, but at the end of the day, Marilyn just wasn't fit to be a mother. Try as she might to unlearn her selfish ways and be the parent Milla needed, Marilyn was always going to end up putting herself first. Perhaps it's no surprise, then, that she gave Milla away the moment that doing so offered her a tangible benefit.
Tanner Crawford | 30 | Stepfather-To-Be
Tanner and Milla have never met, and if Marilyn has her way, that isn't going to change. Tanner looks down on women who have children outside of marriage, and has often voiced his feelings about how emasculating it would be to take responsibility for another man's child. Suffice to say, if he knew that Milla existed, he wouldn't be all that fond of her.
other bonds
Conri Greene | 5 | Best Friend
Only a day or two after settling in Gravity Falls, Milla meets Conri while exploring the forest, where he lives. Though Conri is shy and aloof, he soon warms up to Milla, and they become fast friends. In her free time, Milla can almost always be found running around the woods with Conri, climbing trees and skipping over streams. As far as Milla's concerned, Conri is the little brother she never had.
Adelaide Northwest | 14 | Friend
The elder sister of Preston Northwest, Adelaide chafes under the strict rules and high expectations that her family holds, and is planning to run for the hills the moment she turns eighteen. She's been secretly earning her own money by babysitting, and Milla becomes her favorite kid to babysit once she moves to Gravity Falls.
Cupcake | ??? | Friend
Another strange inhabitant of the Gravity Falls woods, Cupcake is a fierce predator and carnivore with a mouth full of jagged fangs...who becomes inexplicably attached to sweet little Milla. Cupcake takes to following Milla like a guard dog, fully ready to pounce at anyone who threatens her, and has been caught trying to groom her more than once.
aesthetic
"kindness...what a simple way to tell another struggling soul that there is love to be found"
personality
Jules is, despite common belief, a very intelligent child. She's already reached a college reading level, and while her mathematical abilities aren't quite as strong, she's still a solid few levels ahead of others her age. She's fairly good at problem solving, is more mature than most of her peers, and has a very extensive vocabulary. Unfortunately, she prefers to make problems rather than solve them, take advantage of her maturity to manipulate those whose "brains haven't developed as much," and use her vocabulary to viciously curse out anyone who ticks her off. As you could probably tell, she's a little troubled.
Already jaded at only thirteen years old, Jules holds a very cynical outlook on life, believing all humans to be apathetic monsters and the world to be rapidly devolving into a complete garbage pile. Subsequently, she doesn't see much of a point in pleasantries. Every moment of Jule's life is about survival—she doesn't have time to chatter and goof off. She's always thinking of what she has to do next, of how she's going to get by, where her food's going to come from. Unfortunately, this means that Jules can be a little cutthroat, since she's learned to look out for herself before anyone else. However, she's also learned to be resourceful, quick-thinking, and fiercely independent, so she supposes it's not all negatives.
Though she's outwardly snarky and defensive, and can certainly come across as a little selfish, Jules really isn't a bad person. It takes a lot to earn her affection, but she's fiercely loyal once someone does, and will jump to their defense at the slightest provocation. She has a notoriously big soft spot for animals and young children, and is capable of incredible gentleness and kindness, even if she's often too wary to show it. She can be pretty funny when she wants to be, even if her sense of humor is pretty dark, and does secretly love to make people laugh. At her core, Jules is more lonely than anything, and desperately longs to connect to someone.
ruthless
virtues
brave
cunning
ambitious
resourceful
independent
vices
aloof
anxious
stubborn
defensive
confrontational
likes
space
ballet
storms
animals
witchcraft
dislikes
silence
loneliness
hot weather
feeling stupid
having to sit still
aspirations
learning magic
becoming a ballerina
fears
drowning
deep water
being abandoned
Conning the Conman
Stan and Marilyn met in Vegas, a little over a decade ago. Stressed out of his mind from trying to figure out how to reactivate the strange machine that had stolen his brother, Stan had allowed himself a tiny break, and found himself quite taken with the pretty, sly waitress. Marilyn, meanwhile, was quite taken with Stan's cherry red El Diablo.
They spent a very passionate two days together, at the end of the which they married in a typical Vegas wedding...and then promptly divorced six hours later, when Marilyn failed to steal Stan's car. They parted on anything but good terms, and only three months later, Marilyn learned she was pregnant with his child.
with marilyn
Though it can never be said that her mother didn't try, the truth of the matter is that Jule's always had to be rather self-sufficient. With all the time Marilyn had to spend at work, it's unsurprising that Jules spent most of her childhood alone.
By the age of six, she had taught herself how to pull the stool over to the stove, operate the can opener, and make herself soup. She knew how to lock the door, pull out the futon, tuck herself in. She could keep herself entertained with her one Barbie, and never complained that she didn't have more toys.
Then Marilyn had Helena, and oh, Jules had never felt love like she felt when she first laid eyes on her little sister. It was in that moment, gazing down at the snoozing infant, feeling dread pool in her stomach while her heart fluttered, that Jules had to confront the truth: Marilyn wasn't ever going to be a proper parent, and especially not to that little baby.
So, Jules took it upon herself. Though only a child herself, Jules dedicated every moment of her time to caring for Helena. As much as she loved her sister, the experience made her cynical. It convinced her that there was no one in the world that would care about or provide for them. The only people in the world they had were each other.
the transition
Unbeknownst to Jules, Marilyn was about to validate her fears. See, Marily had found a new boyfriend, a wealthy one, who was willing to marry her. But he didn't know she had children, and he'd made it quite clear what he thought of women who had children outside of wedlock.
For months, Marilyn turned her options around in her head, trying to come up with a solution that would keep everyone happy. But there wasn't one. So, a sour taste in her mouth and a strange ache in her chest, Marilyn drove out to Gravity Falls. She handed Jules her bag and a letter, and sent her and Helena into town to find the Mystery Shack. As soon as they were out of view, she drove away.
Soon enough, they found it, and Stan just about had a heart attack when he read the letter Jules handed him. Sure, he may have had a more stable setup than before, but still, he was hardly equipped to care for a kid, let alone two. Besides, Helena wasn't his, and even if the timelines matched up, they couldn't definitively prove that Jules was...
with stanley
...at least, that's what he thought, until he caught sight of her small, six-fingered hands. Well, shit. Functional polydactyly was incredibly rare, and it ran in families. The odds of Marilyn having dated someone else with it in their genes were almost zero.
Now, Stan wasn't heartless. Marilyn was gone, and the girls had nowhere to go. Besides, though he'd never admit it, Stan was actually a little excited by the knowledge that he had a kid. He had always wanted a family.
So, unequipped as he may have been, Stan took the two of them in. He took the little backpack, with all its Scooby Doo and Sesame Street pins, and hung up their worn out jackets. He made them food, and tucked them in, entirely unaware of just how much those girls were going to change his life.
primary bonds
Stanley Pines | 36 | Father
Though he had a late arrival to her life and certainly isn't the best influence, Stan quickly becomes one of Jule's favorite people. She can always depend on him to tell her jokes, wrap her in his jackets when it's cold, and listen to her ramble about whatever's interesting her that day. Despite Stan's attempts to keep Jules at arm's length, he can't help but grow fond of his sharp-tongued daughter.
Marilyn Crawford | 35 | Mother
Jule's relationship with her mother is...complicated, to say the least. Once upon a time, Jules really did idolize her mother, who was pretty and sharp and imposing. These days, however, Jules is entirely disillusioned with Marilyn. Still, she can't seem to stop loving her, no matter how hard she tries or how many times Marilyn fails her.
Helena Crawford | 6 | Half-sister
There is no one in the entire world more important to Jules than Nellie. She's been more or less serving as Nellie's mother since she was born, considering that Marilyn was less than equipped to be a proper parent, and Jules considers Nellie's well-being and happiness to be her utmost priority. The two of them are never apart—where Jules goes, Nellie goes.
secondary bonds
Cupcake | ??? | Friend
Jules met Cupcake shortly after she moved to Gravity Falls, when she wandered off into the woods and happened across him. Stan was more than a little concerned about the "pet" that Jules brought home, but Cupcake proved to be an affectionate and gentle creature, and he could shrink to a much more convenient size, so Stan decided he could stick around. He wouldn't complain about the girls having a protector.
Becca Gingham | 15 | Friend
The moment Jules saw Becca, she was star-struck by her. She was convinced Becca was the coolest person in the world, and only became more sure when Becca took her under her wing. Though she has yet to admit it to herself, Jules has a massive crush on Becca, but unfortunately, Becca only seems to have eyes for Boyish Dan Corduroy. Ugh.
Atticus Ridgeway | 39 | Stepfather-to-be
As it stands, Atticus doesn't know Jules (or Nellie) exists, and if Marilyn has her way, he never will. There's a reason she dumped them on Stan around the time he invited her to move in. Regardless, if they had ever met, Atticus would've undoubtedly treated Jules with disdain. He hated children, and especially children born out of wedlock.
aesthetic
"For you to insult me, I'd first have to value your opinion."