Chapter X: Casual Talks

I barely step out of the auto door into the hallway when a hand slaps me across the face hard, leaving a hand print as Scurry quickly exclaims, "Hey! What's the deal, Clementine?!"

"Stay outta this! You! What the hell do you think your doing!? You can't just share ink with every girl you come across! How can you-" she rants but I keep walking while rubbing my face, Scurry and Drosyn following behind me with Sheldon carried in Drosyn's arms. Clementine keeps shouting down the hallway as we walk away. "HEY! I'm not done talking to you! Get back here!" she shouts and I'm grateful when I hear Callie and Marie trying to calm her down even as I rub my face from the sting. Team Splat Jam is sitting on the living room couches, Marian turning to regard me with a similar degree of anger before seeing the hand print on my face. Her anger cools slightly but not by much, Vadelma holding a hand to her mouth while Logan and Whinter give me grins of surprise. "You, Kosh, are in deep ink right about now," Whinter starts with palms upward, my face face grimacing as we head for the penthouse door. "Tell me about it..." I glumly say but quickly hold up a hand when I hear Whinter about to answer. "Tell me about it later. We have somewhere to be," I elaborate with a chuckle as I keep walking, the other team getting up to join us with the clank of gear.

"Look at you, Mr. Confident," Scurry says with amusement from my right, my shoulders shrugging even as I tap the elevator button to call it to our floor. Her fingers start to walk their way up my neck as we wait, my head tilting to the right theatrically to let her until the elevator arrives. Although I'm the first in, the space quickly becomes cramped when eight squids in battle gear pile into it. My body is scrunched up against the far wall with Scurry still on my right and Drosyn's on my left, Sheldon able to sit on her head to avoid the crush. Whinter is the last one in and presses the button to the ground floor, the doors closing and the elevator jerking as it descends. Vadelma giggles from my left and I crane my neck to see her looking at a Drosyn's squidphone, both of them noticing me as Drosyn gives me a smile. "You need to read this," Drosyn says, already reversing her squidphone so I can see. Scurry peers over my shoulder and I can imagine the wide grin on her face when she reads enough of the text. I don't share the look, mine one of surprise and a little outrage. "What am I reading, Dros?"

"It appears that you, Scurry, Callie, and Marie are scheduled to appear on Inkopolis News to discuss your new...relationship...with the Squid Sisters," she says calmly, some of the squids giggling in the elevator as I groan loudly in frustration. My guess is Callie since she does love her social media. My frustration boils over as I blurt, "Oh, C'mon! Really!? I thought this was supposed to be a private affair!" Scurry shakes my left shoulder immediately to get my attention, my head turning to her and seeing her face neutral. "You're freaking out again. You need to quit doing that," she states but Whinter butts in as well from the front of the elevator. "I mean, you did share ink with them both and Callie does love posting on Squidgram and Squider," he says with a smile colouring his words and I growl in Whinter's direction. "Not helping, Whinter..."

"It isn't so bad, Kosh," another voice butts in and I find ire bleed away at an uncommon interruption. Logan doesn't usually join our banter... "Plenty of squids would give up their own ink to be in your position and you aren't doing them a service by regretting or bemoaning this opportunity. If not for yourself, do it for who would want to be here." My face changes into a smile of resignation as his words hit home. It's a fair point but I was railed into the situation. "You're right, Logan. Of course your right-"

"I know, Kosh. You just need someone to tell you what you need to hear sometimes." he says from across the elevator as he adjusts his hat out of habit. I chuckle to myself and push through the teams to remove his hat and rub his hair tentacles. "You little rascal. We'll make a deadly turf war fighter out of you yet-"

"I already am, Kosh, but thanks anyway," he says embarrassed but with confidence, my hand quickly readjusting his hair and putting his hat back on. Arms wrap around my neck from behind and pull me back towards the rear wall of the elevator. "Remember that part about too much fame to your head?" Scurry whispers while nibbling on my ear and I sigh happily when she does, putting my hands on her hands and holding them. "I think it's too late for that now thanks to Callie," I retort as Whinter turns around and gives me a grin and a frustrated groan. "Of all the people that I'd think would get with the Squid Sisters, you are the last person I'd guess," he says in mock annoyance, my face smiling as I chuckle. You and me both, Whinter...you and me both...

The elevator doors open behind him and everyone piles out of the cramped space in a hurry except Scurry and I. My hands move to grab Scurry's legs as she rides on my back again. "If it makes you feel better, I didn't really think of sharing ink either. They chose me more than I chose them," I say to Whinter as Scurry lightly bites me on the neck, her teeth indenting the skin but not breaking it. "And?"

"And I'll make sure that I give each of you the attention you need and be there for you through time now and forever," I say sarcastically, eliciting a real bite from Scurry that bites the same mark as she always does. "You make it sound like we made you do this. You have a choice-" she states but a sigh escapes me as I shake my head. "It was either say yes and make them comfortable or say no and leave them emotionally devastated. I really didn't have a choice, Scurry-"

"You love being dominated by girls," she gloats in response, her chin rubbing against my hair tentacles as I shrug at her comment instead of bemoaning it. "Maybe...life seems a little easier when I don't have to choose as much...and I'd say that maybe...maybe it isn't so bad..." I say but Scurry slaps my chest in embarrassment. There's just no winning! "I told you not to do that in front of others! Jeez!"

"We live under the same roof now, Scurry. You'll have to get over it," I state but her response is to pinch me on the shoulder, causing me to wince slightly before I continue. "And seriously, why is it okay that you can show affection in public and I cant?"

"Because I'm the one dominating you, remember?" she states as if I didn't know, a snort of amusement coming from me. "And here I thought this was a mutual relationship," I comment mostly to myself, her arms squeezing my neck to slightly choking me. "You belong to the three of us now...I guess you'll just have to learn how to multitask and how to handle three girls vying for your every waking moment without hurting any of us...good luck with that," she whispers seductively, patting me a few times on the head. The comments get a chuckle out of Vadelma as we arrive at the Battle Lobby, Marian leading the way to the main spawn point with the rest of us in tow.

New eyes now stare in my direction, some of them with jealously and rage. "I really hope that news report gets rid of some of this but I doubt it," I muss to Scurry who leans in close to me to whisper. "Yeah, I wasn't expecting squids to be this upset about this." I shrug to myself, already content with moving into the main spawn point as Marian presses the button for us to start.

I mean...I did share ink with the Squid Sisters...what did I expect?

The matches go by in a blur, four back to back turf wars between Cyan Kraken and Splat Jam occurring in quick succession. We lose every match by a slim margin, my mind not up to speed even though I'm trying my best to remain focused and team Splat Jam outmanoeuvring us every time. I'm glad my team doesn't hold it against me and I'm almost grateful for the defeats.

Marian was still mad that we hadn't won a single match since it meant that one of the other teams was cooking dinner instead of us. I offered to make an exception and cook instead if they won but she refused, saying that she doesn't do pity wins.

Well, I tried...

My hand shoves a super seanwich into my mouth in an attempt to calm my nerves with food. The news broadcast was in half an hour and I'm nervous enough to sweat a decent amount. Sheldon sits across from me, nibbling on his super seanwhich quietly and it occurs to me that I'm not sure whats going on and that Sheldon and I are sitting at one table while Drosyn and Scurry are sitting at another. Sheldon eventually breaks the silence after finishing his food. "Hey, Kosh...I need...some advice..."

"What kind of advice?" I ask in confusion, already assuming what's about to be asked but waiting to hear it from him. He fidgets a little with his hands before continuing. "How do you...how did you...tell Scurry that you like her...?" he states timidly and I chuckle to myself before I can stop, a grim smile on my face even as Sheldon starts to get irritated. Since when am I the one to give out romantic advice? I take a sip of the juice in front of me before answering, inhaling and exhaling to collect my thoughts. "It was the opposite for me. She came onto me first and I didn't push her away. That's how it's been up to this point," I state before shrugging and taking another sip of juice. "Everyone I've shared ink with came onto me strongly and I didn't resist...I don't exactly know how to help..."

I take another sip of juice before continuing, groaning to myself as Scurry's usual phrase plays through my head. At least try, Kosh. At least try. "Now, telling someone you like them?...I don't have much experience with that...but all I can give you is...just tell them, no matter how embarrassing and even if you have the chance of being shot down...it's better being honest with them than letting it eat away at your conscious..." I sigh to myself, finishing off my juice before saying more. "I made that mistake already, Sheldon...I tried to bottle up my feelings and keep it sealed away so it wouldn't get in the way...but what are the feelings getting in the way of?" Sheldon is still just listening, his eyes watching me intently and beckoning me to continue. "All that bottling up did for me is give it room to gnaw when I should've used it to love those I care about...don't make that mistake, Sheldon."

I smile to myself when I see Sheldon blush, my head nodding to him. "And if you don't mind me asking-"

"Who am I saying this to?" he blurts, my head nodding in response as he turns his head briefly to look at Drosyn sitting at a table with Scurry, both of them supposedly out of earshot. "She's just...I mean..." he tries to say as I laugh slightly at myself, Sheldon becoming irritated again before I respond. "I'd say just do what I said. Tell her what you feel and why and let everything you're holding inside out for her to see. I don't think Drosyn is the type to shoot you down and to be honest, I think she's waiting for you to try and court her."

I don't get to continue because Drosyn rises from her seat mid-conversation with Scurry and comes over to pick Sheldon up, carrying him away as I give Sheldon a smile and a nod, his face blushing and nervous. As they leave, Callie and Marie waltz over dressed in kimonos and sit at the table, Scurry leaving her table to join ours as all three of them stare at me. "You guys look...nice..." I say timidly, blushing at them but Callie frowns at the compliment. "That's it? Just 'it looks nice' is what you have to say? You're a real charmer..." Marie taking her side with a nod and calmly adds her input. "A bit more praise is ideal, Kosh." Scurry even chimes in with her usual bluntness and gloating. "He always does this! Why can't you be more enthusiastic about anything!?"

I sigh to myself, shaking my head as I try to resolve the situation. "You three look fantastic," I eventually say with as much confidence as I can, Callie giving me a wide grin and a nod. "See? Now that's something a girl can swoon over!" she exclaims as Marie blushes. "It was...a nice compliment..." she says calmly but Scurry is less excited and crosses her arms. "Maybe if you gave out more compliments like that, you'd actually have a choice," she gloats and I groan in response, rising out of my seat and gesturing for the others to follow. "We better get over to the studio. They're expecting us," I state, my face pointing at Callie in particular but she just grins back at me. "Oh, like you didn't want this to happen! I don't like hiding things from the fans!"

"At least tell us beforehand next time, Callie. Please?" I ask gently but her grin keeps its place on her face. "And if I tell you no?" she gloats at me, her tone similar to Scurry as I bring my hand to my face. "Well, I tried," I say glumly while taking off my headset to look presentable in Replica gear. It's a good thinks the spawn points keep the outfits clean.

Logan's words haunt me as Callie takes my left arm, Marie takes my right arm and Scurry jumps on my back. How can anyone be grateful for this situation when I'm being pulled apart by three girls? Scurry pats me on the chest a few times with a hand as I walk the streets, the eyes of squids following our progress. "Lighten up, Kosh. You look like this is some kind of execution march."

"Callie's crushing my arm," I whisper aloud, Callie immediately loosening her grip in embarrassment as she whispers a quick sorry. I grunt to myself as I move the arm, the limb now sore but intact. "Why didn't you say anything?" Scurry whispers quickly, my response only coming after I can feel the arm again. "I tried to but it kinda...hurt..." I whisper and Callie makes a show of rubbing her face against the arm, trying to sooth the soreness but only succeeding in making me smile. I remove my arm from her grip to rub her hair tentacles before allowing her to grabs onto it again. "So...about the crowds..." I whisper while trying to ignore the flocks of squids shadowing our progress and taking the occasional picture. Marie chimes in from my right. "You better get accustomed to this lifestyle, Kosh. You're with us now and it's all part of the career." Still smiling but now forcing myself to smile, I remove my arm from Marie's grip and rub her hair tentacles as well, moving the hand to rub Scurry's hair tentacles above my shoulder. I'm surprised she doesn't get angry at public affection but I think it's due to Callie and Marie's presence.

"Yeah...I'll get over it...eventually..."

It's becoming easier to ignore the crowds once I realize how it's done, my focus now on the three squids I'm with and not the crowds. It must be strange for Callie and Marie to step into another Inkopolis Studio...specially with Off The Hook... There's a roped off pathway that we're meant to follow but we ignore it, heading right for the glass window of the studio room through the crowds of squids. We're already running close to time so we don't have time to stop, Callie and Marie moving in front of me and swiftly asking the crowd to clear a path. My hands reach back to grab Scurry's legs as I rush to keep up, Scurry holding on as the Sisters dash. They're in kimonos and wooden sandals! How can they move so fast!?

Callie and Marie rush to the glass of the studio, Pearl and Marina looking out of the window in surprise as Callie touches her squid phone to the glass. The glass opens smoothly to one side as we pile in, Callie waving to the cheering crowd as the glass seals behind us. We pile onto the couch pulled out for us and try our best to relax even as each squid around me gets comfortable. Callie's sits on my left, casually splaying out on the couch. Marie is on my right, refined and neutral with a gentle smile. Scurry is sitting on my lap since the couch didn't have enough room for all of us, grinning and flirtatious while wearing similar gear to mine.

"Well...that was...quite the entrance..." Marina states after we settle down, Callie responding quickly with a grin. "I still remember my old studio tricks. Those glass doors are standard on all studios...though I may have...kept...my old codes when I wasn't supposed to." Everyone in the studio looks over at Callie, Marie saying in with a stern tone, "You weren't supposed to keep those codes..." Callie giggles to herself as I turn back towards Marina and Pearl, Pearl grinning and exclaiming to Callie, "Someone's still just as deviant as ever. Nice one, Callie!"

Pearl raises her right hand forward and Callie springs out of her seat and rapidly rushes forward, slapping the hand with a broad smile before sitting back down. Marina coughs to interrupt us. "We should...get on with the news report," she states timidly as she presses a few buttons on her turn tables to start the show, the signature music and intro playing as we get ready to broadcast.

The two hosts immediately get into character, which surprisingly isn't much of a variation from how they normally are. Pearl starts off the show enthusiastically. "Y'all know what time it is!?" she asks Marina who immediately answers the question with her line. "It's Off The Hook, coming at you LIVE from Inkopolis Square!" Pearl smiles brightly before continuing the broadcast, Marina moving the camera with her controls to encompass the four of us sitting on the couch. "And what news it is! The beloved Callie and Marie of the Squid Sisters have finally found a squid to share their lives with! And we know who he is too! Kosh, the Lone Inkling, now known as the Cyan Kraken, leader of the team that bears the same name!"

She points at me and I cringe while smiling at the titles, the four of us waving at the camera gently. I don't feel like I'm that special... "Glad to be here," I say with conviction, Pearl immediately continuing as soon as I'm done speaking. "You brought Scurry, the Wild Fury, too! One of your teammates! And judging by your closeness, there's a little something else going on, right!?" she exclaims, Scurry blushing at the title as I answer for her. "Yeah, we're a couple already."

Both Pearl and Marina gasp, Marina scratches the turntable twice to emphasize the change in tone. "We thought...that was just rumours. So you really are a couple?" she asks curiously and I nod my head once, moving a hand to rub Scurry's hair tentacles as she giggles slightly at the move. "For about a year now."

Marina scratches the turntables again as Pearl exclaims a response. "Wait, so you've been in a relationship for over a year!? So what's this about the Sisters then!?" My left and right hands move to brush Callie and Marie's hair tentacles, Callie giggling playfully and Marie sighing happily as I respond. "We just...started dating yesterday actually..."

Marina does a great job keeping her cool but Pearl less so. "Oh, wow! How did you even pull this off!? I mean, you went from the Lone Inkling to having three girls wrapped around your tentacles!" We all laugh at her comment and Marie is the one who responds. "I wouldn't say wrapped around. It's a mutual exchange," she states as she rubs my hair tentacles, my eyes closing at the sensation as I grin. Marina scratches her turntable again before stating, "Well, to clear things up, let's start from the beginning, Kosh. Tell us how all this happened." I open my eyes and flash my teeth in a smile, not comfortable telling the story but forced to anyway.

"Of course, Marina."

A years worth of events are summed up in about an hours time. Scurry is really your sister?! Yeah, she is. You've shared ink with all three of them already?! It was a mutual exchange but yes, I have. Aren't you worried about the demands of three girls?! I'm not doing this all by myself. We all contribute to the relationship. Are you worried that other squids might take them away from you?! They choose for themselves. Other squids don't choose for them. On and on the questions went, personal question after personal question with my answers as honest as I can make them.

"Rumor has it that you had a love interest before all of this. Do you have any comments on that?" Pearl asks with a smile, my face smiling but a sigh escaping me as everyone on the couch looks at me with concern. They all know the story but now it's about to go public. "About two years ago..." I say simply but Pearl is stunned, Marina scratching her turntable before she comments. "What happened to this love interest?" she asks curiously and I struggle to find the right words. "We said our goodbyes and moved on because we both started to drift away from each other over time." My mood darkens for a second before I can bring it back, smiling at the hosts as I say more. "That's all in the past now. I have enough to worry about in the present."

"Thank you for your honesty but let's change topics now," Pearl states while moving some papers on the desk in front of her. "Many squids are still curious about the Octarian Liberation Splatoon's current operations in Octaria despite numerous statements by Marie. Is there any information you haven't yet released or plan to release?" Pearl states to Marie who thinks about it, the rest of us leaning over to look at her. "No announcements come to mind that I haven't already talked about. The most I can say is that this new leader of Octaria is being slowly weakened and her forces are spreading thinner. Hopefully, we can put an end to the conflict sooner rather then later." Marina scratches her turntable twice and comments. "Its a brave thing your doing, fighting oppression on hostile territories with no chance of respawn. How come you wont allow more squids to join the fight?"

It's my turn to answer, clearing my throat to speak clearly and looking to Marie who gives me a nod. "It's a terrible thing taking a life for keeps. It's something each of us has already done and all of us agree that future generations don't need to go through the same trauma. I know that volunteers are brave and strong but even the strongest soul can be eroded with enough horror. Better for our team who has experience with traumatic encounters to handle the conflict." I smile a little as I continue. "It doesn't mean they can't do their part. In the off chance these new octarians invade Inkopolis, we need squids who can help us fight in the cities defense. We hope it wont come to that but we can't rule out the possibility." That was a mouthful...Scurry is right, fame is getting to my head...

"Thank you, Kosh. But we have one more question before we can let you go," Marina says playfully as she scratches her turntable twice. "What do you plan to do now? You can't be the Lone Inkling anymore and you seem to dislike the name Cyan Kraken," she states and I laugh to myself before answering. "I'll get over it. I may not like the name but people look up to it. I guess I have to be an example for other teams, showing what they can be if they try hard enough." Marina asks another question immediately after despite her proclamation that her last one was the one I answered. "I said one more question but we might as well ask while you're all here. Scurry, what is your plans for the future?"

"Oh, I don't know. Probably stick with team Cyan Kraken for now and help out with the O.L.S. Nothing fancy," Scurry states with a grin at me, making me uncomfortable as Marina turns to look at Callie and Marie. "Callie? Marie? What about you? Is anything going to change now that you both have a boyfriend?" Callie responds first with a grin. "Of course not! Now we just have another reason to perform well!" Marie calmly adds her thoughts as well. "Nothing will change. We only add something to our lives with this, not subtract from it."

Pearl speaks up to finish off the show. "Thank you all for coming in on short notice! We learned a lot today and hope you have a happy time together! Thanks for watching everyone! Until next time..." Oh great... Everyone rises out of their seats as the props roll away on their own, all of us mirroring Pearl and Marina as they take their signature pose. "Don't get cooked! Stay off the hook!" we shout in unison, the camera light turning off as the broadcast ends and everyone in the room relaxing when it does. The props return so we can take our seats but Pearl quickly ask further questions as soon as the camera is off. "So now that we're off the air, how was it!? Sharing ink, I mean!" she blurts and I cringe slightly at the bluntness of her question. Marie blushes before answering shyly. "It was...different...unexpected...and enjoyable..." Callie laughs from my left with another explanation. "Shocking at first but so worth it." Scurry grins at me while brushing my chin with her hand. "What Callie said." All eyes lock on me as it becomes my turn to speak, expectant faces waiting for my answer as I sigh to myself. "Um...where do I begin..."

"Just be honest, Kosh," Marie comforts me with, holding my right hand with her left and making me feel more confident. I can't say no when she does that and she knows it... "Honestly? It was frightening at first...confusing...I guess I'm scared of hurting someones feelings..." I state as I sigh again before continuing. "I'm still scared of hurting feelings...but...I'm glad you forgive me when I mess up..." Was that really an answer? The click of a squidphone catches my attention, my head rotating to Callie who's snickering. "You recorded that, didn't you?" I ask in resignation, her snicker continuing as she shows me her phone. "Recorded and uploaded." A sad sigh escapes me at the violation of privacy, Marie holding my hand and Scurry hugging me in response. "It's OK...I meant what I said...and I guess the public can now argue if I meant it..." I say with resignation and surprisingly, Callie shuts off her phone and holds my other hand. "I didn't...I didn't mean to make you sad..." I move my hand to bring Callie closer, placing my head against hers in a gesture of forgiveness. "I said it's OK...just...do better about that..."

"Maybe you guy's should go home now," Marina interjects, my head jerking around to see Marina blushing lightly and Pearl smiling widely at our antics. My head rotates to my right and I realize that there are still squids outside, some of them crying at the touching scene they just saw. I nod my head as we get ready to depart.

I forgot that we're in an open glass studio with everyone in Inkopolis Plaza watching us.