Chapter 7- Curiosity Killed the Zapfish
Chips hangs around Cuttlefish Cabin a ton now. It's pretty comfy- he can't have his Little Buddy here with him, so it's not perfect- but it's comfy!
The only other thing that irks him, though, is the guy in a snowglobe over there. He doesn't know too much about the war, or Inkopolis' past with the Great Zapfish, so it seems a little rude to keep him there… It's probably lonely, too. Maybe he could use some company-?
The guy in the snowglobe however, had gotten used to it. He's become pretty chill (and bored) and was now just leaning with his back to the cabin, to the Agents, to the world. Staring at the sky. It was pretty, and this was exactly what he wanted for all Octarians… to see the sky at the top of the pit they'd been banished to. But being bitter, or hopeful, he didn't know which, would drive him crazy in here.
He'd overheard that their Captain was missing. Good. And a new Octoling joined their little team. Not good.
Just like that, here's the said new Octoling, very softly tapping on the glass to try to get his attention- not aggressively, or even mockingly, as he'd heard Agent 4 would do. Just a couple small, polite taps. He'd heard enough to be cautious of Octavio, but equally enough to want to talk to him.
Octavio grumbled. He stayed turned around, eyes closed and tentacles crossed. Why did they have to bother him, wasn't this enough?
"What do you want?!"
Chips flinches, shrinking back a little. "I just wanted to see if you'd want to talk, I'm sorry-" He didn't mean to make him mad…
So it was the new kid. What a disgrace of an Octarian. But… he is a little envious of the kid. To not share the same fate just from having 8 limbs instead of 10. He even opens one eye to sneak a glance at the boy.
"I have nothing to talk about with you."
"Nothing..? Not even anything interesting you thought about recently?" There's likely not much to do in a snowglobe, and therefore not much to talk about, but nothing? Not even just a little conversation?
"Let's not talk about me. Let's talk about you. Where ya from." He could guess, because… but if he said Octo Valley he would shatter the snowglobe just to punish this traitor. Well, if he could.
"Oh, um… okay! I'm from this place called Splatsville!" He brightens up upon getting actual conversation out of him.
Octavio had heard about there. It was mostly desert and wasteland, really. Of course, the water rising and flooding happened worldwide, they just didn't have a war over it- probably because most of the land wasn't fertile or populated in the first place.
"And you- Octolings- they're happy there?"
"Mhm! I and most others I think, really like it there- I've heard our games are a little less… balanced and safe than here, but it's still a lot of fun!"
"Sounds fun. Inkopolis is run by nothing but cowards these days." He sighs, and sinks into a more comfortable sidelean on the glass.
"Really? I haven't been here too much yet, but whatever they're doing sounds safer than using specials that were recalled because of hazards- not that we use them! ...All the time..." Chips wears a funny smile, and a blush.
Octavio raised an eyebrow. Chips has successfully captured his attention, he'll give him that.
"What's your name, kid?"
"Chips!" Is Chips his real name or just a nickname? The world may never know. Because neither does he, honestly.
"…Huh. Weird name." Hey, he couldn't help it. He knew a lot of people with far worse names, but it was fun to make fun sometimes. At least for him. Stuck in this snowglobe.
"Hey-!" He giggles in mock offense, but calms back down after a moment. "And you are?" Chips already knew, but, it was nice to have a proper introduction.
"General Octavio. And don't forget the General part!" But really, this Octoling didn't have to. He wasn't in his army. And there was no way he could make him.
"It's nice to meet you then, General!"
He'd still call him that anyway, at least when the others weren't around to tell him not to. And Octavio relaxed a little bit at being called that, again. It's… nice.
"So Chips, why're you here." Maybe he could tolerate an Octoling Agent. Maybe.
"Mostly 'cause I got uh… transferred? Here, from the agency in Splatsville! So I've just been trying to get used to Inkopolis-"
"Mm… do you know the history?" It was pretty important. Or at least should be, it sounds like it was one of those boring subjects in school now that people maybe remembered one or two things about. …Everyone he saw fall, didn't deserve that.
"I know some of it! At least the most important parts, I think..."
"Better check your library. And be careful up there. Squids can be ruthless."
And of course right then, Ado came through the sewer grate. She sends a thin, disappointed glare to both of them, before proceeding on her way to the cabin.
Chips goes silent and averts his gaze, he made someone else upset now-
"I, um… I will-" He mumbles, getting back up- even though he wanted to keep talking, he didn't wanna upset her further, and he was getting hungry anyway..
Octavio sent the glare right back. However, he doesn't want this actually fairly nice kid getting in trouble either. Best to send him back. He goes back to brooding, ignoring, and staring at the sky.
"I'll see ya round, kid."
"See you later-!" He gives a little wave that he probably can't see anymore, then goes to get something to munch on. He liked Octavio, he's decided- even if he was apparently a bad guy! It didn't seem that way though, and after all, everyone deserves a second chance~