Fish and Coffee

Exhausted

A loud groan reverberated in the distance. It sounded like another section of the Hadal site was flooding. This place was really falling apart quickly. It had only been a couple days since he broke all the experiments out.

Sebastian rubbed his eyes as the constant wave of exhaustion ate at his mind. He really needed a nap, but. He couldn't, apart from researching he had to run his shop. It was the main way of him getting research now.

He looked back down at the notepad. Carefully flipping the pages with his large fingers as he sped read. A skill he had trained for the last 7 months before this.

He stifled a yawn before setting the notepad down. It didn't hold anything useful to him anyway. 'Maybe a nap would be a good idea'. Sebastian curled his tail which was starting to fall asleep. Stretching his arms he yawned again. His spine popped in several places before he began to position himself to climb up the large maintenance duct.

That plan was thrown out the window when he heard the door in the hallway next door open.

He couldn't help but growl in annoyance as he settled back into his usual stance. He toyed with the thought of just blocking the air duct, but he squashed it quickly. He needed the data, he couldn't afford to waste a few hours on a nap. The expendables were getting closer to the crystal with each hour.

'If this asshole flashes me even once. I'm just shooting him'. Sebastian didn't move to open the vent for them this time. 'They can do it themselves this time'.

It was safe to say that Sebastion's patience was almost nonexistent.

He heard the vent being pulled back and someone climbing through the vent. A quick tug on his esca and the room was lit up. "Got a selection of good things on sale friend"! Sebastian mentally sighed in relief that it was one of the bearable ones. He'd even dare this one was one of the few he'd considered pleasant to do business with.

While he didn't bother learning or remembering names when the expendables told them anyway. He did give them nicknames if they had an interesting personality or he saw them often. This was all mentally of course. He had a professional standard to uphold. Though most were just called asshole, jackass or some other colorful name. A lot of expendables found it funny flashing him. Dying multiple times made them act as if there were no real consequences. 'Morons'.

This one was 'Scowler' since he always had a scowl on his face. That being said a lot of expendables had a scowl on their faces or were generally not in good moods. Scowler was different from most. He was one of the few to not be afraid of him. Not even the first time he crawled into his shop. Frankly Sebastian doubted Scowler was ever scared down here. He just had that energy around him. He was also polite and had manners.

"Good morning Sir". His gravelly voice creaked out. He was an older gentleman, probably early 50s. Despite his age he had been able to keep up with the younger expendables. Even surpass them in some regards "Is it morning now? Huh, anyway could you make it quick? My head hurts and I'd like it to be dark in here again". Not completely wrong, and Scowler would be one of the few to actually listen.

The old man made a gruff hum, taking a look at his tail. He opened his various pouches and began to pull out thumb drives, folders, and other various forms of research. He slid the pile over and grabbed a medkit and flash beacon. Normally he hated selling these blasted things. But Scowler was thankfully, not an asshat. Even punched a fellow Expendable one time when they flashed him. Of course that wasn't a good enough punishment and the bastard was sent flying across the room anyway. Still, he was grateful.

Not that he would ever give out a discount. But he'd keep his more sarcastic comments to himself, most of the time.

Sebastian finished counting the data, seeing the exact required as always. Scowler grabbed the keycard but didn't leave. Sebastian arched a brow as Scowler opened another pouch. He pulled out two colorful small cans. He gestured he was about to toss them before tossing them up to him. Sebastian was quick to grab them. He looked down at the rainbow colored cans before his eyes bugged out. Boss coffee rainbow mountain blend. 'A bribe? A rather good one, but I'm not budging on my prices for this old guy'. He looked back down and opened his mouth. Scowler beat him to it.

"Before you go and start accusing me of something nefarious. Don't, it's a gift, nothing more". Sebastian looked down at the cans of coffee before grumbling. "I thought ubanshade didn't give you expendables anything for your runs? I definitely don't remember dropping this off at the drop box. If I had this stuff in the first place no one would have it but me". Scowler stretched his back before giving Sebastion a frown.

"If ya haven't noticed boy. I'm old, yet I bring back plenta of research. They give me some caffeine since I don't got the endurance like the youngins do. Though you look like you could use it more than me. You may have three eyes, but they're human enough where I could read em. And ya know what they're saying"?

Sebastion arched a brow, both at the question and boy comment. "They say I'm damn near dead tired. What's wrong with ya? Can't find a comfy crack in the wall"? Sebastian's fins flared up in annoyance. "I don't need to tell you my reasons old man".

Scowler snorted as he lifted his flash beacon to inspect it. It was an ugly disgusting snort that only an old man could make. "Don't care to know anyway". The old man just stood there for a minute. Moving his tongue in his mouth. Sebastian shuddered at the sound his better hearing picked up. "Anyway, I've taken up enough of yur time. Don't expect coffee every time we be seeing one another in the future. I need it too. These old joints need the juice to keep up with that damn blitz fish".

Scowler grunted as he went on his knees and began to crawl out of the vent. "Oh, and enjoy the joe. But preferably take a damn nap. Next jackass won't be so kind when they can nab something from your shop. Until next time Sir".

Sebastian looked around with widened eyes to see if anything was missing. He quickly saw three DNA containers roll away from Scowler as the old man crawled away. Sebastian quickly grabbed the DNA containers and looked around. After a few minutes of looking around Sebastian found that Scowler had indeed only taken the DNA. Somehow, despite that they glowed. 'Damn, I really am dead tired'.

He couldn't help but growl in frustration. As much as he wanted to deny the old man. He knew he needed to sleep for a few hours at least right now. The small cans just wouldn't cut it. Though they still would be a rare treat for when he woke up. He couldn't even remember the last time he got coffee that wasn't the sludge that Urbanshade had in their break rooms.

With great reluctance, he secured this shop location and began to pack it up. He'd listen to the old man this time. But it'd be a cold day in hell before he admitted to him being right. Sebastian wasn't sure where Scowler sat on his list now, but it was a decent spot at least.