Chapter 7

Inkopolis streets…

Wow…seeing this place during the day makes it look even bigger. Octo, I wish we had the surface instead.

"Here's Inkopolis Center." He told me. "It's currently the place to be."

"Currently?" I was confused.

"Yeah, the Great Zapfish moves from tower to tower every few years." He explained. "That usually marks where the new place to be is."

Great Zapfish?

I looked up and just noticed the Great Zapfish was right there, hugging the tower. This could be my chance…

"Wow, that is so cool!" I squealed. "Can I get a closer look? It is so adorable!"

"Sure." He agreed. "You can get a closer look at its face from the eighth story."

We went in an elevator to the eighth story. I ran over to get a look at its face. It…honestly looked kind of goofy up close.

I opened the window and pet its whisker…then Scott's phone buzzed.

"Oh, I gotta take this." He said as he left, leaving me alone in the room.

"Okay, he's gone…" I turned to the Zapfish. "Now how do I steal you?"

After a few seconds of looking at its goofy face and its humongous size, it became apparent pretty quickly that I would never be able to steal this.

"Okay fish, you'll get off easy for now," I warned it. "But that doesn't mean your tiny friends are safe. Mark my words, we Octarians will have you in our hands."

It said nothing. I then realized the futility of talking to a Zapfish.

"Okay, I'm back." Scott came back. "You done here?"

"Yes, I am." There wasn't anything to accomplish here, so yeah.

"You must really like the big guy, huh?" He noticed.

"I mean, it is so cute!" I girlishly squealed. "I wish he was smaller so I could hug it!"

"Well, he's too big to hug, but you may be able to hug one of the smaller ones if you get lucky." He remarked.

"Can I?" I asked, giving him 'puppy dog' eyes.

"Yeah, they won't just let you near the little ones." He told me. "I mean, the power plants are fenced off."

"Why?" I tilted my head. "Are they worried someone might steal one?"

"Maybe." He shrugged. "Not sure who would though. Maybe someone who doesn't want to pay for electricity."

"I hope I can see them." I told him. "I-I just want a little creature to hug once in a while."

"Like I said, you might get lucky." He told me. "Just calm down."

"R-right…" Gotta control the cutesy girl act. Could make him more suspicious.

"I think I may know people who can help you get accustomed." He said. "Come on."

We walked down the street until we got to another apartment complex. Scott knocked on the door. About a minute later, he knocked again. Eventually, we heard someone unlocking the door. It was a green-haired Inkling in what I assumed were his undergarments.

"Dude, Greg!" Scott shielded his eyes. "Why are you in your boxers?!"

"You know my AC's broken." Greg told Scott.

"Oh, right…" Scott then looked at me, then back to him. "You couldn't put a shirt on at least? I mean, my new friend here is staring at you."

"I am not staring." I lied.

"Yes you are." He knew.

"Hey, I do not control my eyes when a half-naked squid opens the door." I told him.

"You said that weirdly," Greg remarked. "But like I said, AC's broken. I mean, why else would I be-"

"Greg, where'd you go?" A female voice in the apartment called out. "I'm getting lonely."

We looked over Greg to see an orange-haired Inkling girl peering her head out of one of the rooms.

"Is that Liz?" Scott asked. "What's she…"

His eyes then widened at his realization.

"How long has this been going on?!" He seemed shocked by the news.

Greg's face turned a deep shade of red.

"Wait in the guest room, we'll be out in a minute!" He speed-walked to the room the squid girl was in.

About a minute later, they both came out. Greg wearing more clothes now and I assume Liz is too.

"So yeah, we're together now." Greg told Scott. "Since the other day."

"Uuuhhh…who are you?" I asked.

"Oh, I'm Greg and this is Lizzie." He introduced himself and her. "And you are?"

"I'm Cass." I told him. "I'm new here."

"I can tell by your accent." He said. "So how're you liking Inkopolis?"

"I actually just arrived here." I told him. "I don't know my way around yet."

"Well, Scott did right to bring you here." He told me. "We know this place like the back of our tentacles."

"Thanks!" I said, excitedly.

"So is your guest room still open?" Scott asked. "My apartment's pretty small and I can't really keep her on the inflatable mattress."

"Already getting rid of me, huh?" I groaned. "I should have figured."

"It's not like that." He assured me. "I just thought you'd like your own room rather than crash in my living room."

My own room…?

"O…Okay…" I agreed.

"Well sure you can stay in my guest room." Greg said. "I was going to give it to Liz after she couldn't pay her rent, buuuuut…"

"I think I'm gonna share Greg's room." Liz smirked at Greg.

"I'll get you some earplugs." Scott told me.

"Well, lucky I bring my bag where I go." I told them.

"Is that all you have?" Liz looked at me, wide eyed. "You run away from home or something?"

"Um…yeah…" I admitted.

"Nope, that just won't do!" She stood up. "You and me are gett'n you some new clothes. Those clothes look fresh, but they'll get stale if it's all you wear!"

"Uh…okay…" Is she really going to do this for someone she just met?

Wow, Inklings are idiots.

"Come on!" She grabbed my hand and led me to the door.

"Uh, guys?" I looked at them.

"Sorry, but when she gets her mind on something, no one can stop her." Scott told me. "Have fun!"

I was immediately taken by the hand to a nearby mall. Liz had me try on several outfits to see if they looked "fresh" on me. Some I thought looked neat, some not so much. I made sure to keep my hat on.

"That swimsuit looks so fresh on you!" She complimented.

"Swim suit?" I looked at it. "But we can't swim."

"We here in the city have hot tubs." She told me. "We're also allowed in the shallow ends of pools with lifeguards around."

People go in water in these? I was led to believe Inklings were prudish but this showed off more than my military gear. Inklings are weird.

Whatever, I'll play along for now.