Wealth

Never let anyone tell you they're better than you.
You're smart, brave, honest, and loyal.
Money can't buy any of that.
But never think you're better than others.
You'll find those things in the most unlikely of places,
And that's worth more than all the money in the world.

Pearl's parents house isn't technically in the suburbs of Inkopolis, but it feels like it. As Marie drives, the houses get further and further apart, the lawns sweeping and immaculate. Callie points to one without a fence and comments, "We could fit the whole neighborhood on that, back home."

"You could fit four Makomart's on that one," Marie says, indicating another. She shakes her head as the Sea Positioning System chirps for her to turn down a ridiculously long driveway. "Do you think her family owns part of Mount Nantai?"

"It's possible," Callie mutters, looking around; she wishes she had some shades on, those new ones were calling to her, but if she wants to be disguised that way she can't be seen wearing them too often. She has to squint against the sunlight to see. They pass two tennis courts, what seems to be a minigolf course, and something Callie's never seen before but must be an outdoor movie theater before reaching the door. "I don't think I'm dressed for this."

"We're not in our news outfits, but we're still dressed better than Pearl is on the average day," says Marie, parking the car. "We're fine. I just hope we don't have to talk to her parents."

Callie locks the car behind them. "It'll probably be a butler or something. Pearl is rich rich; answering the door is beneath them."

Sure enough, when Marie lifts the antique squid-shaped knocker and bangs it down twice, the gentleman who opens the door is not part of the Houzuki family. Callie steps forward, smiling her best. "Are Pearl and Marina here?" she asks, though she knows full well they are, they still have trackers on their phones from when Marina was being investigated. "We're from Inkopolis News with an opportunity for them."

"They're in Miss Pearl's practice area," the butler says. "Do either of you have cameras or recording paraphernalia? The Houzuki's like their privacy."

Marie reaches in a pocket. "Only our phones, and unless Judd is nearby, I don't know anything I'd want to record."

The butler chuckles. "All right, then. I'll ring Miss Pearl and tell her she has visitors." Then he gives them instructions more complex than the last set of shelves they got from Squidkea, and Callie's jaw drops.

Marie laughs. "On second thought, maybe I need to record the directions. I'll erase them in front of you on the way out, and that way you'll know I haven't taken any pictures."

That means Callie's on picture duty, if they need any. She's got this.

With the recorded instructions, the two of them get through the house without a problem. The recording studio is clearly labeled, with its own doorbell and a light over the door showing it's in use. Marie looks at Callie and shrugs. "Guess we're ready."

"Stage personalities or real?" Callie asks, ringing the bell. "I need to know how bouncy to be."

"Don't show we're overwhelmed by wealth, but real, I guess," Marie says. "If they're auditioning, they'll see us behind the scenes soon enough."

There's no time for more conversation as the door swings inward. "Good afternoon," says Marina, before it's even fully open. "How can we—C-Callie?!"

Go time. "Hi, Marina! Hi, Pearl! Gosh, you've got a nice place here." Marina looks like at least one of her hearts is having an attack; Callie sweeps by before she can recover. Fangirl.

Pearl is bouncing on her toes, beaming, and Callie holds out a hand. Pearl slaps it. "Yoooo! My girl Callie! What's up?"

Callie laughs, looking around. Guitars and drums and other instruments line the edges of the room, several hanging from the walls, with music stands and microphones and everything else she'd expect, but not far from the door there's two couches, a loveseat, a few comfy armchairs and a mini fridge around a low glass coffee table. Callie flops onto one of the couches and bounces; nice couch. "Just swinging by to see what the best up-and-coming group in Inkopolis is up to. I didn't see you at the Final Fest."

Marie takes a gentle seat in one of the armchairs, though she does relax into it. Pearl flops on her stomach into the other chair, arms crossed. "We weren't there. You versus Marie? Making you two go up against each other, not just some opinion... it stank." Cod, does Callie agree with that. "Rina refused to choose, and I agreed with her. We went hiking up Mount Nantai instead"

"That's practically in your backyard," Callie teases. Marina's still standing, hovering awkwardly a few feet away; Callie fixes her with a winning smile. "Come on over, Marina!"

Marina walks over, nerves written clear in the strained motions of her tentacles. "It-It's nice to see you two. Thank you for c-coming over" She stops right by Callie.

Of course, Callie can't just leave her standing there, so she grabs one of Marina's arms and pulls Marina down beside her. "You don't have to be nervous. We're all musicians. And I'm touched you couldn't choose." Marina's almost hyperventilating, her eyes wide with star-struck shock, and Callie releases her arm so she can calm down. Squids, teasing Marina is fun. "I didn't think hiking was your scene, Pearl."

Marie leans forward to continue the small talk. "Callie and I haven't been since we were squidlings. It's difficult to find the time, certainly." That's enough; Pearl'll make a comment about nature and they can get to the point.

Instead, Pearl shrugs. "It's Marina's turf."

One of Callie's hearts leaps to her mouth. Marina, the octoling's turf? The normal part of Mount Nantai? She stares at Marina, waiting for her to elaborate.

"My family hiked it, when I was little." Marina fiddles with her headphones, her whole head dark with a blush. "It's—one of the good memories. I'm trying to find the trail we were on."

That means Marina came from an area away from Octo Valley. If they find that trail, they'll have a lead on where the Octarians may be moving. Or, even if the goggles do a lot more than Marie thinks they can, they'd need to have access to those trails to make a simulation. Right?

A glance at Marie tells Callie she's thinking the same thing. But Marie props a chin on her hand and feigns only polite interest. "What are you looking for? It's been ages since Cal and I went hiking."

Marina looks at her lap. "I'll know it when I see it."

"We've been taking pictures of every hike." Pearl sits up and kicks her feet on the table. "I've got them lining the hall by my room, labelled and everything. It's the best way to get Rina to take selfies."

"Pearl!" Marina cries, and starts to get up.

Oh, no you don't. "This I have to see," Callie says, throwing an arm around Marina, keeping her on the couch... and keeping the starstruck girl from protesting more. Marina's breathing comes fast as she leans into Callie's hug. "Can you show us? Or do you have a rehearsal to finish first?" Almost better if they do; it'll be easier for Callie to snap pics that way. Less paths for Gramps and Three to investigate.

Marina's voice is choked as she says, "We, um, we were just about finished..."

"Callie, wait a minute, we came here to tell them something, remember?" Marie fixes Callie with a look that almost turns into a glare as Callie hangs on. "Let go of Marina before the poor o—girl faints from excitement."

"But we've gotta work on that," protests Callie, fixing Marina with an equal glare and hugging Marina tighter to make up for Marie's slip.

"Aw, let 'em hug." Pearl takes her feet off the table. "What'd you wanna talk to us about? Got some juicy gossip"

Not exactly, Pearl. But it's Marie who answers: "Hardly. No, with final fest over we're nearing the end of our contract with Inkopolis News."

Marina sits up straight, though she's still pressed against Callie. "You're leaving?"

"Starting in a month, they'll give us an extra day off each week." Callie releases Marina and lays one of her hands flat on the coffee table. They'll only have to pre-record things for one day a week, not two, as the other bands take mornings and afternoons Fridays and Saturdays. "I've got a movie audition lined up; Marie's received an invitation to host a radio show. By Squidmas, we'll only be half-time."

Marie lays her hand over Callie's. "That extra day will be another band. They're looking for the news' next hosts. They were looking at Wet Floor, Chirpy Chips, High Tide Era, and Squid Squad." She gives Cal's fingers a squeeze. "Each of them will cover once a month, then the most popular two will do one day a week each, until they choose the next host and we split the duties, then do once a week, and we'll be gone by late spring. They'll bring back splatfests that summer."

Pearl whistles. "That's intense. I can't imagine the news without you two."

Marina nods, her tentacles swaying. "Why do you need to tell us, though?"

They don't see it. Oh, this is going to be good. But Callie can't remember the name of their group, so she lets Marie tell them. "Squid Squad's breaking up. They need a fourth group. They want us to recommend someone.

For a moment, there's silence as Pearl and Marina stare at Marie, their eyes bugging out. Then Pearl screeches and leaps across the table to tackle Marina in a hug; Callie barely gets out of the way in time. "We're doing it! Rina! We are TOTALLY doing this!"

"P-pearlie! Calm down!" Marina flails, on her back with her legs kicking even as she laughs. "We—we still have—"

Perfect. "I told you so." Callie grins at Marie, who rolls her eyes back. She knew Pearl'd react strongly. "Should I pry Pearl off?"

"Give them a minute." Marie's eyes dance as she eyes the knot of inkling and octoling on the couch beside Callie. "Then Pearl can take you to see those pictures—I'm betting it involves stairs, she can work off some energy—and I can go over details with Marina. She seems the more detail-oriented of the two."

Callie snorts. That's for sure. But it'll also get Marie alone to try and get more intel out of the Octoling... and have Callie with Pearl, who isn't observant enough to notice Callie snapping pictures of their pictures.

A good day on every account.