Starfall

Chapter 8 - Aquarium

From the moment Dipper walked through the front doors the smell of saltwater and the creatures that inhabited it hit him like a wave. It was a distinctly fishy smell. Dipper was surprised when they arrived at the location. From everything Mabel had been telling him he had been expecting something much bigger. The entire property, land and all was barely the size of two acres. The building itself was only twelve thousand square feet. Which sounded like a lot, but in reality, it comes out to less than five hundred by five hundred feet. Given that the exhibits spanned all around the property from inside to outside, and manmade lakes and underwater tunnels to the natural bay estuary Dipper had just pictured something more extensive in his mind. Still, it was quite a sight to behold.

Mabel was practically vibrating with excitement. Meanwhile, Stan paid for the tickets, grumbling all the while about the price. Dipper offered to pay for his, but Stanley just shrugged and said, "It's too late now I already bought the ticket." Wendy leaned over and whispered to Dipper and Pacifica. "That's just his way of showing he cares." Dipper and Pacifica grinned and tried not to laugh. Grunkle Stan said, "I heard that, notice I'm not paying for your ticket Courderoy." Wendy laughed, "Yeah only because I already bought my ticket online." Grunke Stan huffed indignantly and turned back to the counter. Mabel smiled, "Thank you, Grunkle Stan. You're the best Grunkle ever!"

Grunkle Stan handed great uncle Ford his ticket. "You hear that Stanford, I'm the best." Great Uncle Ford grinned. "Yeah, I heard you just paid for all our tickets. It's nice to see you let your family come before your wallet for once." Grunkle Stan massaged his temples while closing his eyes. "Don't remind me."

They wandered into the exhibit. Dipper noticed the public was moving through the aquarium in a mostly one-way direction. Dipper pulled out the pamphlet he had snatched up while grunkle Stan had been trying to haggle ticket prices with the ticket clerk. It appeared the traffic moved through the aquarium in a circuit after they passed the waterfront of the Yaquina Bay estuary. Dipper, watched Mabel dash from display to display checking things out with pert enthusiasm.

As they reached the bay Mabel ran off to one of the paths that overlooked it. Grunkle Stan faithfully trodded behind her at a far more realistic pace. Pacifica stayed next to Wendy. Dipper stepped closer to the two to join their conversation. Wendy was talking casually with Pacifica while the blonde heiress listened closely.

Wendy brushed her hair back excitedly, "I've never seen my dad so nervous! He actually asked me if I thought his outfit looked all right. He was wearing a lime green and tan Hawaiian shirt with khaki cut-offs." Pacifica cringed at that but stayed silent. Wendy smirked then replied, "Yeah, I told him to burn it." I found some nice-fitting dark skinny jeans and a comfortable but stylish button-up teal dress shirt." Pacifica nodded in approval, apparently visualizing the outfit in her mind. The two girls leaned on the railing as they overlooked the path and the bay. Mabel in the background was leaning out to better look at the wildlife around her.

Dipper stepped up next to Pacifica. She looked at him and Dipper said, "Don't let me interrupt you two." Wendy shrugged casually, "I was just about to find the bathroom. That quad shot mocha espresso is back for revenge." Dipper and Pacifica grinned as Wendy made a hasty exit in search of the restroom.

Dipper stood there awkwardly as the bay breeze blew through the evergreens around him. Somewhere in the background, a strange bird made several weird birdcalls that Dipper was unfamiliar with. Finally, curiosity got the better of him. Dipper cleared his throat. "So what's on your mind?" He felt silly asking, but he decided it was best to be straightforward. Pacifica turned to face him slowly, her mind still moving with whatever thoughts she was currently mulling over. She looked at Dipper for a long moment as if sizing him up. Dipper almost shrunk under the scrutiny of her gaze. Her eyes were algid but then, in a moment of perceptive clarity, Dipper realized they obscured a plunging sadness behind them. Her gaze was like the depths of the ocean, deep blues bleeding into aquamarine as the waves crashed upon the shores. Dipper couldn't help but admire her strength and composure.