Authors note:

Hey everyone! It has been a while since I did something on here and decided to start a new story since I didn't really like the direction of my previous one and felt like its English was a bit poor. This story takes ideas from the old one, The first chapter is a bit short but if people like it I will make them longer and put more time into them.

In the meantime enjoy the first part.

A few years ago, octarians were liberated from Octavio's mind control. New laws were put in taste to allow for octarians to move and live with inklings. However, their freedom was limited many inklings had a distaste for them banning them from entering their stores and having no go zones. The feelings were mutual leading the octarians to either go back to the valley or form their own little society. Some inklings didn't mind the octarians and in fact enjoyed their presence especially the younger squids. They would play games with them all day long if they could, parents would take their kids away not wanting to associate with the other species.

My opinion? Well, I don't really care if it doesn't affect my life then I'm fine. I've never really crossed path with one, I've seen them every so often but never talked to one. To be honest I'd rather not have to talk to them since people may distrust me. I am just a casual freelancer doing work for others, I can do the work at my own time and not have to work a tedious 9-5 job. After I left university I kind of just did my own thing had enough to get a flat and got my name out to the world and all sorts of requests came in some were logo designs others were web designs and even database management. Some people suggest I should start a business but that would take too much effort for my liking to maintain.

It's currently 2 in the morning I had been working on a project for most of the day just a simple website for a business which could be completed in one day to make a quick buck. I had emailed them that the project was finished and awaiting their confirmation. The room was eerily dark the monitor was the only light in the room lighting only my face. My bed was to my right less than a metre away allowing me to easily turn the computer off and lie in bed. The room was small but was adequate for my liking. The walls were a plain white, creamy colour with no posters plastered on the wall. I was never interested in decoration if it fit my need I didn't care about the looks.

I was exhausted but moments, before I was about to switch my computer off a notification, appeared a new email. It was sent to my business my mail where all my requests come in. I take a quick glance and look at sender's email. My eyes widen it was from 'ocatokit ' an octarian company who design clothes, I have heard little information about them since no inkling would ever wear their clothes but what I heard was that it was a small company with only a couple of Octolings running it since it had only one storefront. I open the email and read its contents carefully.

"Looks like they want to expand their shop online, smart move," I said to myself squinting my eyes.

"Dear, Arun I have heard you are a skilled web designer and programmer and I am impressed by your work. I would like to expand my business by setting up an e-commerce site for customers to buy clothes online. I have been unable to find anyone who is willing to work with my company because of my 'species'. I hope you don't think the same about us like the other businesses do. I will pay a high price for your work, please keep in touch. From Natasha founder of Octokit."

The email was rather unprofessional but very personal. It looks like they were struggling to find people to work with. Even if they were willing to pay for a "high price" but what's a high price to them that could be fifty coins for all I know and how would a small business be able to pay extra? Even if the pay was good what about my reputation? Would anyone want to work with me after I had done work with an Octoling? So many questions were racing through my mind and was getting frustrated I didn't want to have to deal with an Octoling but I need the money to stay in this flat. Maybe I will contact a couple of friends tomorrow to see what they think, in the mean time I need some sleep to think about it.

Midday and I was still lying in bed browsing my phone for the last hour, what can I say I had stayed up late and this is what get for it. The light was shining through the thin fabrics of the curtains on the wall to the left of me. Vehicles could be heard driving by and the odd inkling having a chat with someone. All this time resting gave me a moment to think on who to contact. I decided I will try to meetup with Alistair he's a smart man who has a business of his own in the skateboarding industry, He makes different and unique designs on the skateboards they are quite impressive. But he knew how to get good deals and to turn a profit I could always lean on him for help when it came to work. He likes to wear a navy-blue suit and wears the kid clams.

"Hey Alistair, I got offered work which I am unsure of taking do you think you could provide me with some guidance" sending the text to him.

By the time, I slugged myself out of bed I got a response. "Yeah, I can help what's so fishy about the work being offered?"

Without hesitating I send a message back. "Let's just say they aren't a reputable company, It is probably better if we meet in person"

"Okay, meet at Inkopolis square café? At one during my lunch break"

"Yeah that's perfect see you in a bit" I drop the phone and rush to get ready since I was in no presentable state of going outside. It will be an interesting telling him who it came from and if he hates Octolings as much as everyone else.