Chapter 14: Interesting Developments

As Callie's eyes slowly fluttered open the next morning she let out a yawn and smiled seeing Adstrum's sleeping face. She kissed his forehead before trying to get up, feeling his arms around her tighten slightly. She rolled her eyes and laughed a bit. "Are you awake, Addie?"

"...Maybe."


Jack stood in the kitchen making some eggs as he set up some plates at the table. He looked over at Cici's pile of cloth and clothes, seeing it slowly move. He sighed in relief as he put a fried egg on a plate, getting another one started in the pan.

Cici came out with a black and magenta kimono. She swam around with it over her body.

"What's that for, Cici?" He looked down at the crawling kimono.

"Addie wanted to order it" She muttered, still barely awake.

"He ordered it? What for?" He held the pan up a bit. "Want a fried egg or something?"

"...No…"

"Okay." He flipped the egg in the pan just as he heard a yawn behind him. "Morning, Marie."

"Morning Jack... Cici."

"Want any eggs?" Jack looked at the tired Squid Sister with a smile.

"Oh, that's very nice of you. Thank you"

Cici swam under Callie's door and onto their bed.

Callie was giggling as Adstrum refused to get off her back. "Addie...come on…"

Cici stayed quiet and covered her eyes "Walked in at an awkward time… Retreating…" She quietly swam away, leaving the kimono by the door. Cici blushed as she hid back in her cloth pile.

"You see something, Cici?" Jack asked.

"...No…." It was a tiny and very unsure squeak.

At that moment Callie walked out with Adstrum on her back. "Addie, get off of me."

"No. Callie, love me." He smiled.

"No." Callie giggled.

"Love me." He said again, a bit more serious but still holding back a laugh.

"No!"

"They are even doing it here… must retreat…" Cici swam away with her pile of clothes.

"What are they doing?" Jack looked at them.

"I will not get off until you give me your love." Adstrum laughed.

"NO!" Callie laughed loudly.

"Heh… oh Cici. They aren't doing that…" Marie quietly snickered.

"GIVE ME YOUR LOVE!" Adstrum yelled.

"NOOOOOO!" Callie laughed, trying to shake him off.

Cici came back, "Too lazy to move…."

"Man, Callie. You are strong." Jack placed a couple of fried eggs on Marie's plate.

"I use rollers, Jack. What do you expect?" She smiled as she successfully tossed Adstrum off. "Aha!"

He landed on his back and smiled. "Come here!" He got up and chased her.

"I don't fight… not allowed to." Cici muttered, " Clothes too OP they said."

"That rag is OP?"

"5 shields and fast recover."

Marie's eyes nearly popped out of her sockets.

"You cheating little shit." Adstrum laughed as he passed by Cici, being surprised by Callie turning around and tackling him. "Oof!"

"No, I don't wear these in turf. I haven't wore anything after I stopped playing."

"But people would take pity on you, thinking you are homeless." Callie joked as she picked up Adstrum and sat him in a chair. "Eat, Addie."

"Then I throw my cash at them. Shuts them up everytime" Cici snickered.

"Well, if you find that fun." Callie giggled as well.

"You'd think you'd wear something a bit more...normal with the cash you have." Adstrum shrugged as a plate of eggs was put in front of him. "But you do you, Cici."

"I could make it… but I just rather not I guess…" she replied shrugging, "but..."

Cici moved a bit and a needle nearly hit Jack's head. It barely grazed his cheek as it stabbed into the wall.

"Woah!" Jack looked at where the needle landed. "What the-?"

"... can guess why." Cici finished glaring at him.

He looked at her and smiled nervously, placing a finger on his wrist and breathing slightly faster.

"Cici… be nice." Marie petted her.

"..."

A knock on the door interrupted the tense moment.

Jack walked over and opened it up. "Hello?"

The person nearly ran off, but she calmed down.

"H-Hi, you were kinda late so I got worried." The hooded figure replied.

"Oh, we arrived?" He looked over at Callie and Marie. "We made it to Mont Maroon, guys!"

"Arisara, hey!" Marie walked to her.

"Lady…" Cici swam up her and into her hood. Arisara shuddered.

"Oh, Marie's therapist?" Adstrum asked Callie.

"Let's not get involved yet. Let her and Marie catch up." Callie smiled, taking another bite of her eggs.

"Cici get out of there. You know she doesn't like that." Marie sighed.

"Cozy… a bit like Marina..." Cici popped out of her hood.

"... Heh, it's a nice shampoo… Marina suggested it to me..." She seemed nervous.

"No, I was talking about-" Cici yelped as Arisara moved her tentacles under her hood, "No…"

Arisara sighed a bit as Cici nibbled her tentacle.

"So what brings you to the bus?" Jack asked, stepping aside to invite her on board.

"I just wanted to check that you guys were okay. I mean you guys were kinda late and Marie wasn't answering my text." Arisara didn't move from her spot.

"Oh that's right. Sorry."

"Oh, we're fine." Jack smiled. "Just...had a bit of trouble with Callie and Cici getting sick and needing to stop in Crayon Canyon to get them a doctor."

"I see. I'm glad everyone is alright."

"Well...Cici seems okay. Just...um…" He rubbed the back of his head. "But Callie seems 100% now. Seeing how she has Adstrum on her back again."

"Addie, get off!" Callie laughed as she tried to shake him off.

"LOVE ME!" He yelled, hugging her tightly.

"Hmm." Arisara carefully pulled Cici from her head, "She does seem smaller… and more pale."

"Yeah… it's a long story." Marie petted Cici.

"I'm sorry…" Jack rubbed his arm while clutching his chest.

"Huh, I never thought I'd see you like this…" Arisara muttered to herself.

"I'm the reason Cici is...well, peeved. And why... she ran out in the rain." A tear rolled down his cheek as he breathed heavily.

"Wow." Arisara seemed surprised and a bit confused, "He actually seems to have empathy…"

"That's speci-" Arisara poked Cici's mantle, "Owie…"

"Hey, don't hurt her." Jack looked at the therapist.

Arisara got scared and back up a bit.

"Please…" He looked away.

"Y-yeah.. of course…" She petted Cici.

Cici hugged her hand.

Jack smiled as he looked at the tiny squid.

Arisara smiled a bit, "Not as much of a monster as I thought…"

"So...you want to come in and talk to Marie?" He asked.

"Oh sure. If that's not a bother."

"You are never a bother." Marie took her by her hand, "Come on. I forgot to tell you about how gramps was in a chatroom"

"Heh, believe me… I know all about it…." Arisara muttered as she followed her into her room.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

As they passed by Callie she had Adstrum pinned against the wall.

"I told you to get off." She smirked, her back pressing him against the wall.

"And I told you to love me." He tugged on her tentacles and kissed her cheek.

Arisara smiled at the two and went into Marie's room.

Cici left the bus and started wandering around the new city.

"Hey, Cici!" Jack ran after her. "Don't leave without telling us where you are going."

"None of your concern, Trench..." She seemed annoyed.

"Woah, calling me by my last name? Who told you that?"

"Sewing isn't my only profession… Apparently taking your ID isn't very hard."

"Okay…" He rubbed his arm and went back onto the bus. "Just please be safe." He ran out and grabbed his ID from her. "And give that back." He walked back onto the bus.

Cici puffed her cheeks and continued wandering around the city.

"Well, she hates me…" Jack sat down and placed his face into his hands.

"You are kidding. How do you know him?" Marie asked.

"Um… ran into him at the…." Arisara thought about it, "The market… He told me that he was your grandfather. Then talked about you and Callie… a lot. Then broke out into rapping…. I like his picture of you two on his phone… It's cute."

"Oh you saw that? Yeah, he was so proud."

"Yep… Just had it opened next to him on the train"

"Train?"

"Oh yeah! We were, uh, just going back into Inkopolis."

"Oh, that must be new. I wasn't aware gramps uses the train."

"It's pretty convenient… I guess"

"Hey… Arisara. Don't you get hot wearing a hoodie all day? I'm a bit curious what's under your hood."

"...They are just tentacles like yours… Nothing special…" She got super nervous.

"But I can barely see your face, though…. I can't help but to be curious." Marie shrugged.

"You remind me of Adstrum, Arisara." Callie smiled as she passed by the doorway, peeking over her shoulder. "He refused to remove his hood when I met him."

"Oh, really? That's interesting." Arisara looked at Callie.

"Yeah, but he removed it for me when he trusted me enough. Well, more like when I found out his ink color."

"You think maybe you can show me someday?" Marie asked her therapist.

"Maybe."

A hand came up and poked Callie's forehead. "You're it."

"Oh, hello Addie." Callie smiled as he walked past her toward their room.

"Hi Callie. Hello, Salt Queen." Adstrum waved as he passed by.

"..." Marie sighed.

"That's pretty mean."

"Sorry, he just gets cocky. Just stand up to him, Marie. What's the worst he can do? I won't let him hurt you." Callie smiled as she ran up and gave her cousin a quick hug.

"The worse is to kill me, the worst is you disappearing again."

"He won't kill you." She patted Marie's back. "And I promise I won't leave again no matter what. Just tell Adstrum to back off." She hugged her tighter. "Nothing will separate the Squid Sisters again. I promise."

"If there is, that's that. It happened once it can happen again. Maybe not you, but maybe me."

"Marie…" Callie looked her in the eyes. "Just...please just stand up to him." She stood up and left Marie's room, walking toward the kitchen.

"Marie… I can't let the Squid Sisters end either… It saved me. OH! I mean it in a way." Arisara patted her back, "You guys are special. Don't let it go to waste."

"Okay… You still have my back?"

"Of course. That won't change."

"And you will show me what's under that hood?"

"Uhhh…."

"I'm just messing. You are a good kid."

Cici came back with kimonos. She threw one into Jack's face and hung Adstrum's on his doorknob.

"Um...thanks Cici." Jack pulled it off his face and looked at it. It matched his orange tentacles.

"It's a uniform. They won't let us in without it."

"...Shoot, really?" Arisara bit her lip.

"YAY! KIMONO KOUSINS!" Callie ran toward the bathroom with her kimono in her hands.

"Yes, all performers and guests must wear one."

"I don't have one…." Arisara rubbed the back of her head.

"I can make one…. for you…" Cici replied, "But you know hoods are not allowed."

Arisara gulped.

"Why keep it a secret?"

"I have my reasons…"

"Come with me then… We can just wait here, together" Cici pulled her sleeve.

"Heh, I guess that saves money for flowers…for next time." Arisara petted her.

"I have to wear this?" Adstrum appeared in the doorway, wearing the kimono that was hung on his door. It was it was a sharp black and white patterned kimono.

"Yes, otherwise you wait here at the bus too." Cici jumped on to Adstrum's head.

"Okay, Sleepy." Adstrum picked her up and held her up to his face. "You need to eat more. You shrunk."

Cici looked away, slightly puffing herself up.

"Puffing up doesn't make you look intimidating. If anything, you look more adorable." He placed her on Marie's head before walking down the hall.

"He has a point…" Marie petted Cici, " But puffing up is just your way of pouting, isn't it? It's pretty cute."

Cici just sighed.

Jack put on his orange and red kimono. "So cute!" He nodded.

He narrowly dodged a needle.

"Yikes… Cici don't do that. You can hurt someone…."

"She's trying to hurt me. And I deserve it…" Jack rubbed his arm.

"Cici listen to me. You are going to need to make up with him. Put on your kimono and stay with him." Marie put her down.

"Please, Marie... I don't want her to be more angry…" He clutched his chest.

"I can handle her." Arisara suggested.

"Then she can stay with you... Just promise to keep a close... eye on her. I don't want anything.. . bad to happen." He took a few breaths before composing himself.

"Of course, I'll do my best. You take care of yourself, too."

"Thanks. I'll try." Jack smiled.

"You guys ready?" Callie's voice came from the doorway. She was wearing her magenta and black kimono.

"How about we get some ramen?" Arisara asked Cici.

Cici swam into her hood as Arisara walked out of the bus.

"C'mon Adstrum." Callie took his hand. "You look handsome in that."

"Thanks?" He shrugged. "You look adorable in your kimono."

She blushed and hugged him as they walked off the bus.

"GAH! Fuck, it's cold out here!" Adstrum yelped.

Marie smiled and walked on ahead.


The concert was a totally different than the others. Everything was old instruments that remixed the song nicely. Everyone cheered and clapped at the finale.

Callie and Marie smiled at the applause as the curtains lowered. They both walked backstage and walked over to the band.

The instrumentalists bowed and shook their hands, "It was a pleasure…"

"Thanks for joining us." Callie smiled brightly.

"I trust Lady Cecilia is well?" The elderly shamisen player asked, "A shame I didn't not see her here. I told them she alone may enter wearing whatever she pleases…"

"She's back with a...friend of our's. Wait, really? She got to wear whatever she wanted?" Callie pouted.

"Ah yes. She is my young master. It is the least I can do."

As the Squid Sisters kept shaking hands with the instrumentalists, Adstrum walked up with his arms folded. "Why is it cold?"

"Huh? Well, we are up in the mountains." Callie replied.

"C-can we go back to the bus a-already. I hate the cold." He shivered.

"Yes, it is said to snow soon." Cici's elderly friend replied.

Adstrum hissed when he heard that. "I want to leave before that. Now."

"What's the rush?" Marie asked, "I hear snow is pretty"

"I can't st-stand the cold. I like warmth. I w-want warmth. N-now."

"Geez, you can't be serious? Stop being a little whiny hatchling."

Both Callie and Adstrum looked at Marie with curious expressions. Callie smiled a bit while Adstrum just looked a bit peeved. His anger seemed to dissipate when Callie hugged him.

"Did she just-?" Callie whispered in his ear.

"Is her bark coming back? Good. That's a step in the right direction, I guess." Adstrum shrugged.

"Well, you guys can go back first. I'm gonna get Arisara a thank you present for watching Cici." Marie walked

"Alright, see ya, Salt…" Adstrum stopped himself. "See ya, Marie."

Marie stopped for a bit, but then continued walking.

"I shall see my young master soon. Your travels shall bring you back to her homeland. Eleedee Valley soon." The elderly squid walked away.

Callie's smiled widened as she took Adstrum's hand and dragged him back to the bus. Jack quickly ran behind them, having been distracted by the fans asking him for Squid Sisters autographs.

Cici was napping on Arisara's head. She was a bit pink and slightly bigger than before.

"Hey, welcome back." Arisara smiled at Callie and Adstrum as she swept the floor.

"What are you sweeping for, Arisara?" Callie asked as she hugged Adstrum.

"Oh… well I had nothing to do after talking to Cici… So I cleaned the bus for you."

"Maybe you and I can talk. Um...would addiction be something you deal with? Or is that for someone else?" Callie asked as Adstrum walked over to the fridge.

"Addiction can be quite a hard thing to deal with, why?"

"Because Adstrum has a thing for soda apparently. He drinks too much of the stuff." They both heard a 'ppsh' sound at that moment. "Adstrum, put it back."

"Too late!" He crushed the now empty can and threw it away. "Woohoo!"

"Oh… wow. I see…" She picked the can up and put it into the recycling bin.

"Yeah, I mean having only one a day would be a good start, I tell him. Then maybe only drink it on days he needs help waking up. But he has a problem. I think that's his...what, first today?" Callie looked over at him.

"First of many." Adstrum smirked as he chugged a fifth can, four more empty ones on the counter.

Callie just facepalmed.

"Well, I guess that is kinda a start?" Arisara asked.

"He's got many problems. He's hyperactive at times, which I don't mind. But…"

"LOVE ME!"

Callie quickly ducked down as an Ink Black squid slammed into the area of the booth where she was sitting, slowly sliding down the back of it. She just giggled and picked him up, holding him.

"See what I mean? He's fun, but I'd like him to calm down a bit more. At least at reasonable times."

Arisara put Cici on Jack's head, "She's knocked out from over eating so it's safe."

Said orange inkling nervously smiled and sat down.

"Have you tried maybe exercising? Playing turf war helps" Arisara asked Callie, "Like until he's completely exhausted."

"He hasn't done that in a while. And neither have I. Good idea, Arisara. Thanks." She smiled as she felt Adstrum start moving in her hands.

"Second wind!" He started wiggling in her arms.

"Heh, I guess I should get going now" Arisara smiled and started walking out of the bus.

"Wait, at least take these!" Marie ran up to her and handed her a bag.

"Oh thank you, but-"

"It's the least I can do. Thanks. See you later, okay?" Marie hugged her.

Arisara was surprised and slowly hugged her back. She smiled and got back on her motorcycle and drove off.

"What did you get her?" Callie asked as she struggled to hold the squirming Adstrum in her hands.

"A box of chocolates… I know she has a sweet tooth." Marie turned around, "Uhh, what happened?"

"He's just energetic and hyper right now." Callie laughed before Adstrum flew out of her hands and landed on her head before sliding down her back. She shivered and grabbed him with her tentacles. "Calm down, Addie!"

"Give me your love! I want it!" He kissed her head.

"...Mmm?" Cici woke up, she looked down at Jack. She was too full to move so she stayed on his head.

Jack felt Cici move a bit and carefully walked upstairs. When he entered their room he opened her chest and gently put her down in it before closing it again. "Good night, Cici." He went to the bathroom to get ready for sleep.

"...Night…"

Author's Note: And we are back with another chapter! Thanks for sticking around and reading, guys!

Okay, thank you The Bowser Monster, Nintendo 46, Fuzzy Hedge 48, Ashanti, Agent 8 (AKA Agent 7), and QwertyMcThirty for leaving reviews. I greatly appreciate them.

Oh, Anita was even worse in the prequel to this fic, Nintendo 46. She deserves more than a kick.

That's her character, Fuzzy Hedge 48. Anita was worse in the prequel. And yes, Adstrum is trying to prepare Marie for living in Carti Ridge.

I'm glad you love the fic, Ashanti. Thanks for reviewing. And is this soon enough?

Glad you love the fic, Qwerty. Hope you enjoy this chapter.

Remember, go ahead and leave a review if you wish. But if you want to criticize how I write then please say something you like about the fic first. Alright, thank you all for reading and I will see you in the next chapter next week!