Chapter Text
It was Summer day in Florida. Tourist poured in and out of the shop. Kids on summer vacation with their families peaked in every now and then. A few local couples here and there.
And Dave could not be more miserable. He was in the over heated backroom trying to fix the AC that had broken about 3 hours ago. He had told Karkat that it wasn't that big of a deal, and that they could just use a few fans for a day. But of course mister shouty pants needed his damn AC like the princess he was.
So here Dave was, watching a 'How To' YouTube video to try and fix it. He was very good at this technology shit. His little brother on the other hand, total beast when it came to it. He had almost considered calling him to come over to help, but the psychological battle he would lose would live to be told for weeks on end, no way he could be doing that. He went on watching the video, all be it, not very closely. He was hoping to just go back out to Karkat later and say he had no luck, without really trying to do anything.
After the video was over, plus another ten minuets, Dave thought he might actually die from sweat loss. He walked out of the backroom and into the front where Karkat was ringing someone up.
"Did you fix that AC like I told you to?" Karkat spat at him, handing the person their bag. "Because I can't feel it if you did."
"Nah, thing totally busted. I'll just call someone later. Plus, this stuff ain't even my job." Dave shrugged, pulling out his bandana and using it to somewhat dry himself off.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Go back to your weird bones." Karkat waved him off.
"Don't gotta tell me twice." Dave turned with a smirk and walked off. He did hope his friend didn't total melt from not having his precious AC. Dave walked out the back door from the gift shop to the actual dig site. His pride and joy. There were a few families who were having a tour around some of their old finds, but Dave couldn't care about those right now. Dave was bee lining it to there current dig site. They had to put a pause on the dig for about 3 weeks. A few yards away he got into one of the sites golf carts and drove down about 3 miles, until he saw a big white and an area tied off next to it. He parked the golf cart just a few feet away before walking over.
"How's it hanging?" He said, nudging Aradia with his elbow.
"Just wonderful!" She said with a big smile. Dave and her had been close friends in college since they had been in most of the same classes.
"Any progress on getting those bones?" Dave asked peaking around her to where a few of their co workers where crouched down in a fairly large but shallow hole had been dug.
"Not just yet, but we have uncovered a lot!" She said, opening up her water bottle and taking a swig.
"Ah, I see." He nodded, walking over to the site. The first thing they had gotten was a skull. Then some neck bones and a collar bone, and so on. It looked like maybe a shark, but they were very good when it came to naming aquatic animals.
But when Dave looked at it now, It had almost an eel like body with a whale tail, like nothing they had ever seen before. Dave crossed his arms and he looked down at it, trying to rack his mind for anything it had on something like this, but came up blank.
"Aradia, really, no one know what this is?" He asked, pointing at the thing that laid in ruins before them.
She came up next to him, hands on her hips. "Nope. But it's a weird lookin' thing, don't cha think?"
"Mhm.." Dave was starting to lose himself in thought about it before Aradia spoke again.
"Although, John will be here soon so we have hope."
"Oh yes, how long will he leave us waiting?" Dave looked up from where he was looking.
"Soon, now that I think about it!" She looked down at her watch and tapped it. "He's supposed to be here at 3. Its about 2:45 now."
"Right." Dave noted that and went back to the tent to get some gloves on.
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John was very excited to be potentially looking at a new species of... Well, whatever it was. They didn't know if it was a whale, or a shark, or just a weird fish. But that couldn't stop him from identifying it. As a kid he memorized 100 different species of fish just for fun! Or utter boredom, but hey, whats the difference really?
His father, who insisted to never leave his side, was driving him down to the dig site. They happened to be a few minuets late due to them fighting a cake. John sighed, chinking his phone and opening up his e-mails with Aradia.
Hello,
This is Aradia with Bone Fossil Farm!
We are currently running a dig on our site here in Florida and have come across something you might find interesting. We personally don't have much expirance with fish from the past, so if you were interested in coming down to have a look, were willing to pay you upwards of $6,095 if you are willing to work with us.
Thank you,
Aradia Megido.
Hello,
I'm very interested in helping out! It's always been my dream to work on a dig like this and I could not be more thankful that you all want me on the team. I've been a little busy with school, but it ends in a few weeks. Are you all willing to wait for me then? I will also need to coordinate with my father.
Truly,
John Egbert.
My team and I have talked and we are willing to put a short pause on our dig to work with you. Our ideal dates for you to come are the 14th and 16th of June if you can make it then. If not, we can talk to our director Dave Strider to see what we can do.
And if you would like to contact him, here is his e-mail. [email protected].
Thank you,
Aradia Megido.
Hello,
I would like you to know that I can officially say I can make it on the 16th of June! I appritiate you waiting for me and can not wait to be at this dig site with you.
Truly,
John Egbert.
This is amazing! We can't wait to finally get to see you! We will be expecting you on the 16th of June You and your father are free to stay in the loft above the gift shop, which is also where the owner lives. We can't wait to have you on the team!
Thank you,
Aradia Megido.
John sighed, putting his phone down and looking out the window. He was a little nervous to meet everyone and study the bones, but as his Dad's baking podcast droned off in the background he couldn't help but feel content.
They pulled into the parking lot and took their belongings inside. John only had a backpack and carry on while his father had packed quite a lot more. They stepped in and it didn't feel any cooler than outside. They stepped up to the front to a short crabby looking ginger boy behind the counter.
"Welcome to the Fossil Farm." He said with an obviously forced smile. "How can I help you today?"
"Oh, well, I'm John Egbert, I was brought here for a job?" *He said, pulling out his ID from his wallet and sliding it across the counter. The clerk (Kar...kat? the name tag read?) took it and did a quick look through before sliding it back.
"You'll want Dave Strider, he's the owner and director her at the Fossil Farm." Karkat stepped out from behind the counter and put up a small sign that said 'be back in 15'. "Follow me."
John left his dad for him to set up at the loft while he followed Karkat out the back door. They got in one of the golf carts and drove down to the dig site.
John got out and thanked Karkat before he drove off. There were about 3 other golf karts here, and 5 people around the shallow hole in the ground, on of them waving at him with a big pony tail and smiling at him. He waved back and quickly rushed over.
"John is here!" The woman said, nudging another tall bond man next to her who was on his knees next to what John noticed as a flipper.
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Dave stood up to brush himself off and turned around. He made eye contact with the smiling bright blue eyed boy and for a second he felt his heart stop. He felt his jaw drop and the air around him heat up half a degree.
"Hi! I'm so excited to be working with you all!" The boy, John, said. Coming a little closer with his hand out.
'Right, just be normal Be cool. Be professional.' Dave thought to himself closing his mouth and holding his hand out to shake John's. "Nice to meet you man, welcome to the team. You'll love it here. Trust."
"Yes! We have so much fun!" Aradia said clapping her hands together.
"Well, can I get a look at this sea critter?" John said, brushing some hair out of his face and adjusting his glasses. Dave swallowed and nodded. Why was he feeling like this? It was just some boy he had just met. And it's not like he was gay or something. He must be having a heat stroke.
"Yeah, come see this big fish." Dave waved him over and held his hand out to help John down the step to the hole.
"Oh, Dave this... Isn't a fish." John smiled, it looked like he might start giggling. Dave wouldn't mind seeing him giggle. Dave shook his head.
"What do you mean it's not a fish?"
˖°𓇼𓂃 𓈒𓏸 . . .