-Wheeler's Pov-
The evening sky has a red hue to it, reminding me of a certain someone's eyes." I'm getting worried about Painter." I mumble to myself quietly, shifting in my chair.
It's been way past the stupid two hours and we've all called his phone. What is the reason he didn't answer? " Ughhh what are we gonna do guys!?" I cry to my friends, Helmet and Dice.
We are sitting in Inkopolis Square drinking some boosts from Crusty Sean's Crust Bucket. The crew and I earned them from doing Salmon Run shifts, we aren't profreshionals for nothing!
We all are level 30 or higher making us be able to buy every weapon from ammo knights. Which reminds me about Sheldon, the owner of Ammo Knights. Like the name sounds, that shop sells weapons for turf war and ranked battles.
Dice and Sheldon are both mega nerds, Lucky is a calculation nerd of some sorts. That Sheldon is a weapons nerd. Boys can be so weird, especially Painter if he is even is one. I'm tapped on the shoulder by Helmet, snapping me away from my thoughts.
"It has been eight hours Wheeler, we have agreed we shall go look for Painter now." The older girl said panic laced in her voice. I've been realizing she has some sort of accent but I can't tell what, I think Dicy is the only one without one. Maybe his first language was English, I know mine wasn't.
We all get up from our table, Helmet throwing away her drink since she had finished it before the rest of us. I take my phone out of jacket pocket, staring at it's digital blue light screen. 3 missed calls, from some friends of ours. One from Mask, another from Hunter and last from Pilot. Those three are other friends of ours, who make up the ten member clan; Blue Ink Rapids .
Could use two more members or so, the more the merrier. But those guys are not important right now, we have a mission."Pack our bags and go save Painter." Dice reminds us as we board the metro home. Helmet tells us to bring changes of clothes and food, simply because we don't know how long it will take to get him back home.
Jeez what a tackle. I should have thought able that.
We take our main weapons and somehow get them to become compact travel sized. Nah who am I squidding? A Krak-On Roller, Slosher and Heavy Splatling Deco are not travel sized.
"But I insist we should take them just encase there is danger down in that man hole!" Complained Dice, lugging his weapon in his bag. I'm not sure the metro will allow us to take these on but whatever.
Some folks on the way there give us strange looks confusing me.What? You've never seen a roller before? What a boring life you must have lived, old chum.
The metro stops and the doors open. We set out for Inkopolis Square once again, my heart racing at the thought of saving Painter.
My face turns blue at the thought of seeing my 'sempai' as he says, so helpless and in need of my saving. Crying out for help and in such a battered outfit and position revealing his-
I'm tapped on the shoulder by Helmet, shame spreading to my face. "Do you want a snack before we go in, Wheeler?" The older girl had a packet of sandwich cookies in her hand, above my right hand.
The way she glances at me makes me feel like she can see right through me, everytime I think of something lewd. "Um, sure I'll take them. Thank you." I simply reply back, wishing I was the one with all the foodstuffs and snacks in a duffel bag.
"Shut up!" Is the response I got when asking to switch bags with Helmet." We are giving the medical kit and clothes because it's something you can't break or eat!" I'm upset, highly upset. She doesn't have to be so mean all the time!
Anyway putting that aside, we walk up to the area near the grate and suddenly we can see a figure with a green umbrella standing there. Before getting any closer Dice grabs my backpack to keep me still.
"What is it-" I begin to say, Helmet putting her index finger very close to mouth to silence me. The figure in the distance is whispering something to herself and Helmet could somehow hear it, her ears wiggling slightly.
Dice stared at the girl for a few seconds before letting go of my bag, Helmet putting her hand down as well. "I think that inkling could have some info on Painter's whereabouts, let's go girls." The boy declares basically chasing after the umbrella chick into the grate.
That looks fun! I bolt into the hole, transforming into back into my dark blue squid state to avoid my face meeting the steel. In the darkness I can see Lucky is falling faster than me due to him being much-
A large object hits me in the side of the head. In fear and rage I swing my fist at the target, hoping to get a hit. "That frickin hurt you jerk!" I cry, my left arm gripping on the backpack strap.
Instead of hitting something my fist is grabbed and I'm yanked up. Helmet is staring at me, with a smug look on her face." Woah my bad squiddo, I didn't mean to crash into you." She apologizes, letting go of my knuckle.
The light from my eyes is reflected back onto her face screen from her paintball mask and I feel slightly envious. Well only for a few more seconds. With a loud startling thud we land on some light thin grass.
I reel forward in pain falling to the ground, clutching my feet which took much of the force. "OW! Junking shell, I did not see that coming!" I shouted, I don't think I've ever hurt my feet this bad.
In my pain I can Dice rolling on his back holding his ass. Must of landed sitting down, I eel bad for em. Once I can stand up I see Helmet face down on the pavement. In the midst of our confusion a voice rings out.
"Are y'all alright? You didn't land as smoothly as that other squid did." the female said, from only about 1 meter away. It was the green umbrella girl from earlier, standing next to a small little nicely decorated orange and brown shack.
From her spot, Helmet lifted her head off the ground, her paintball mask broken. There was blood from a cut on her face and now only one eye was covered by the plastic screen. "Yeah, I'm fine Miss." she coldly said after a sigh walking up to Dice. She looked so rawesome like that, half a mask missing. Now if only Mask did something like that.
I can't believe it that mysterious inkling had gray hair which is very rare and reminded me of someone. Her sandals made a clocking sound when she trudged over to us. Oh no we look like a bunch of schoolagins. I close my eyes and prepare for the worst as the girl walks past me.
Instead she grabs Dice by the hand and lifting him back on his feet. "You probably don't know this but I'm-" Before she could finish her sentence, the boy glomped her into a hug. We all looked at him dumbfounded as they crashed to the floor.
Oh carp, I wasn't expecting him to do that.
"I know who you are!" Lucky literally screamed his face blue and pupils dilated. "You're Marie from the Squid Sisters!" Under him the poor girl, Marie held his body away from her nice kimono, panic laced in her smile.
Suddenly Dice looked down at Marie and freaked out. " Oh Cod what am I doing on top of Marie!? In the flesh and ink!" He hollered jumping backwards into Helmet. The girl shoved him into the ground, brushing off her shoulder.
I stand there in shock,"Squid Sisters?" I ask to the much older looking girl while helping her up. Helmet looks at me in disbelief, tilting her head. It's not my fault I don't know who this chick is!
The strange haired girl frowned dusting off her Japanese style clothes, parsol on the floor. "Wait for eel? The only one of you who even knew me was this boy!?" she said.
Helmet wipes her blood stained cheek and shakes her head, her eyes as green as part of Maries kimono. It looks like her glare is about to bore a hole into Dice's back. But I don't blame him, if I saw a famous person, who I loved I'd probably jump on them as well.
Dice gets up again, looking more composed this time, albeit his hair is a bit messed up. He looks at Marie and blushes covering his face. "I am truly sorry for the way I just acted Miss Marie." He says regaining his composure. Somebody's got little big crush.
"I am a fan of yours Marie but unlike him I know how to control my emotions." Declared Helmet pointing at the boy younger than her. Marie rubs the back of her head, closing her golden eyes.
The older girl yawned pointing over to a shack." Hmmm. excuse me." She covered her mouth smirking. "Come over here to my little house, don't worry you won't disturb Callie."
I almost freaked the shell out when Lucky jumped. Is Callie another squid sister or something?
Why is there such a strong breeze and what is his problem today? I shiver to myself, rubbing my arms and legs. Marie gave me a glance of sympathy, for some reason.
Dice's eyes were wide and his face was flushed. " Oh my Cod Callie is here too?! Wait why are we going to your tiny house!" He nearly fainted whispering. Suddenly Marie put a finger up to her lips and made a shushing sound. The boy obeyed, thankfully.
The shack had an orange roof and the door was on the side, instead of the front."Wow, so what are we going get in here Marie?" I ask as the Squid Sister opened the door. Looking back I can see poor Helmet holding her bleeding head.
"I need to get some gauze for your friend… What are your names?" Marie told, her bright eyes scanning around her drawers. I just stood there, well actually sat there on the floor with my bag in my lap. I was zoned out completely cause I'm hungry.
Meanwhile Marie was telling my friends her plan. "Anyway guys I have some uniforms for you guys to wear to help you go find your friend." But of course Dice had a question.
" Why do I get the newer looking one? Wouldn't it be better if you saved it for somesquid else?" He asked holding the suit out, the bright yellow jacket glowing. Marie tugged abit at her kimino and laughed.
She waved her hand towards Helmet, telling her to stay. "I want you to have it cause your such a big fan. That's all, is that alright with you?" The gray/green inked girl put, loosining the tie that holds her clothes together." Oh and you can change in the bathroom if you want."
Dice hurried away using the uniform to cover his face. " His name is Dice by the way, mine is Helmet." Helmet said from behind Marie slightly startling her. The older inking grabbed a white box and came close to the hurt girl.
She pulled out a bandage and some gauze and kneeled down." Hmm Helmet doesn't sound like your real name….. Ya want to put on this bandage yourself?" Marie asks holding out the small cloth.
Helmet took a tissue and wiped the remained blood from her face then applied the bandage. Then she started taking off her shoes in the silence, while Marie was struggling to pull off her kimono. The injured girl tilted her head making sure to not get dizzy from the flow pooling onto one side of her face.
"Well my real name happens to be Adrien, but I'm not a fan of removing my helmet or covering hats, so that's why everyone calls me that in my closed ." She closed her eyes and the popstar left the room.
Mmmmm, I want a nice fudge cake with some lemonade and a nice juicy-
Somebody rapped me on the shoulder, gaining my full attention. It was a Marie who was holding a suit of some kind with a pair of shoes and an headset."Hey what's your name squiddo? I would ask your friends but they are changing." I took the clothes in my hands and stood up.
I took off my patched hat, placing it down on a large book resting on the wood." My name is Charleigh but you can call me Wheeler or Wheels if you want." Wow I haven't told too many squids my real name, but I feel like I'm going to have to give her this information just to be safe.
After all she is being very nice to us now. I change into my clothes loosely, since they are kind of tight. "I know you'll be glad that the hero suits are thick, Agent Charl. Anyone would be able to see you shivering with those clothes on." Marie suddenly put, making me blush as she mocked me.
As I turned back to ask her what she's talking about but her sleeves are above her head. She's changing right in front of me?! But she just met me and don't inklings usually not wear anything underneath! Is this pop idol trying to seduce me?!
"Charliegh,Charliegh. Hey stop looking at me like that!" Marie put, placing her kimono down. She had a black shirt on with a bright neon vest on, black shorts having reflective stripe and black boots with bright colored spotted soles. I stared at her, confusion raked in my head.
Marie took out some headphones and placed them over her ears, the blue light glowing in the dim room. "Oh my bad, I bet your not used to hearing Charleigh instead of Wheeler." She said holding out another pair of the decorated type headphones. Her golden eyes seemed like they shined with honesty, so I nodded my head.
After tying my new slick shoes I smiled. "Okay so when are we going to save Painter?!" I say lifting my arm into the air. The moment I said that Dice exited the washroom, holding his clothes in between his arms. Marie looked at him and smiled for a second then back to me.
Marie walked over to a long and narrow bag and pulled at a black and neon yellow/ blue sparked charger. The way she held it in her arms was majestic and rawesome, then she pushed the tip onto the floor. "We can go in a few, if you all are ready." She says, placing her charger down and slugging a medium sized bag onto her shoulders.
Dice stuffed his clothes into his bag and picked it up, so Helmet and I did the same. We shouldn't keep Miss Marie waiting. Soon Helmet nodded and took out a granola bar. "Ok, let's get going if your fine with that Marie." she put, opening the bar and starting to munch on it.
The pop-star, grabbed her charger and put it in her shoulder. Then she walked up to the little cot, where her cousin Callie was sleeping. "Later Callie, I've got some work to do. Hit me up on my shell phone, kay?" Marie whispered, making the other girl rise.
Her jet black tentacles looked beautiful even though she just woke up, Callie's golden eyes matched Marie's. I gazed at her and simply waved my hand, while smiling. "Hmm, Marie who are they and why are they here?" she asked, stepping out of her futon like cot.
Dice was clenching his fist and shuddering in delight. Must be the luckiest squid in the bay.
Marie sheepishly looked at us, "This is Charliegh, Adrien and…" she started having a puzzled look on her face when she didn't have Dice's real name. "Hey Dice." The older inkling put, holding her shoulder strap away from her and dropping it.
"Yes, w-what is it Marie?" The boy responded, rubbing his hands together and then running it through his hair. I can tell Lucky just wants to leave but also wants to savor the moment as long as he can. Callie peered at us ,curiosity etched on her round face.
Marie brushed some lint off her sleeve."What's your real name, oh and Callie these squids are trying to find their friend Painter who went down the grate earlier." She suddenly smirked as if she was proud she remembered our story.
Dice looked startled for and moment and closed his eyes." Well it's Nathan. Why do you wanna know?" My older friend said, holding his Heavy Splatling Deco. We dropped our weapons when we crash landed but they are ok. But instead of Marie delivering the answer it was her cousin.
Callie smiled as she walked up to me and leaned on my shoulder. "It's cause when dealing with foes like the Octarians, Marie wants know the true identity of her allies." Then the girl pointed to my roller, ask if she was asking to pick it up.
"I see you're a squid of passion as well." The squid sister said when I nodded my head yes. She held my roller with such care it was breathtaking, do all pop stars have such awesome auras? But everyone else in the room looked at her like she was growing a second head.
Dice coughed, adjusting the earphones on his head. Marie held her old sandals in her hands and threw them at Callie."Ok, ok we are ready get on with it! Let go of her roller, Callie!" The girl demanded opening the door of the shack. I smiled as the black haired squid gave me my weapon back. Don't you have a roller of your own Miss Callie?
We lugged our bags and held our weapons, but Callie held onto her cousin's arm, still wearing her nightgown. "No don't leave me again Marie! How will I talk to you?" We all rolled our eyes in frustration. Marie on the other hand, fished in her duffel bag for something. Helmet peered inside, but I'm not that adventurous.
Soon the grey inked squid pulled out a pair of headphones. "Here, now you can talk to all of us if you want." She said shoving them into her cousin's hands and slamming the door in her face. Dice, Helmet and I just stared back in shock.
Marie looked forward at us, throwing her hands up. "What? It's the only way to get her outta my face sometimes." Her charger was pointed at the sky, but it had smacked Dice in the face.
Helmet chuckled lightly making me burst into laughter as well. "Hey! That's not funny you jerks!" Dice roared chasing after me, whilst charging his splatling. Oh carp! He's gonna shoot me! But instead we were heard a small blast of green ink hit the floor. It was from Marie.
"Listen up guys, it's time to get serious. No time for games, ya hear?" The older girl said as we calmed down. But she was right, we need to save Painter, wherever he is.
-Back to Painter's POV-
Warmth is all I feel, like I'm cuddled in some blankets. My forehead feels like there is a cloth wrapped along it and so do my limbs. I can hear a faint humming sound in front of me. I open my eyes to see a dimly lit room. Something in my gut tells me I am safe here so I take a deep breath.
At the foot of the bed was a black silhouette, it seemed familiar so I called out."Um where am I and who are you?" The wrap on my body made me afraid to move my arms but when I did I was just fine. The person at the foot my bed was Blackelp, and there was a smile on her face.
She put down her book and walked over to me, holding my bag gently in her arms. "Glad to see you're awake, don't worry we are in a secret room far away from everyone else." Blackelp, ran her hand through her long black strands. "Oh and my name is Tober Ozentiberg, what's your's?"
Tober sure is an odd name, but then again so is Painter. I rub my hands together and bare a weak grin. "My name is Painter Calligraphy and wait Ozentiberg?!" I say causing Blackelp, no Tober to frown.
The way she looked at me caused a such a strange feeling in heart I just had to look away. My eyes gazed down under my covers see what I was dressed in since the room was kind of chilly.
To my surprise it was nothing but my tank top and boxers. But how could a girl be so comfortable around me, knowing I'm wearing boxers for a good reason. Briefly annoyed I lifted my head back up.
"Well yes, I am the son of Ochiento Ozentiberg so I would take his last name." The octoling said getting up off my bed. Wait, Tober is a boy?! But the clothes he's wearing would be fresh for a girl but you would never see a guy wear that carp. Showing the midriff is something the ladies would do bud.
My shocked facial expression must have made him curious. "What is it Painter, oh you didn't know I was a dude?" Tober asked, taking my dualies out my bag. They were filled with ink, unlike me and I automatically reached out for them. But the boy held them out of my reach.
"Not till you answer my question inkling." I pushed the covers away from my body and almost fell onto to the floor. Tober caught my arm and looked down on me, with concern is his eyes.
I shook my head and climbed back up." Yes, yes at first glance I thought you were a girl, mainly because of your unique clothes." Tober looked so offended when I said that, but he let me take back my dualies.
My grip was so weak I couldn't even hold them in both my palms. Now I understood why I had bandages along my arms and legs. "Do, do you want me to transfer the ink to you?" The Octarian asks me, holding the weapon in his hands. I peer at him realizing that kid was holding the dualies completely wrong!
Nodding my head yes, he helps me up onto my feet. I feel I slight pain on the soles of feet from climbing. Tober noticed my wincing and suddenly became upset. "What did my father do to you, Painter!?" I could see tears in his eyes, like he was hurt.
"Well he made my climb up a really tall blunt pointed structure, with no gear for like an hour and then back down. I was forced race almost nonstop with some random octoling. Finally the part where I passed out I was pulling heavy crates, and I wasn't able to eat or drink" I recalled as he lead me down a bright hallway. Tober didn't need to hear the painful details yet.
I told him he couldn't give me his ink because it was a different color and he was surprised. "Wait what!? No one ever told me that?" The octoling boy gasped.
I frowned and faced him," Have you never been outside to the surface before? " My voice poured concern into the air. What has this kid ever seen? "Do your parents ever tell you anything about the outside world?"
Tober stop walking and turned around. "I'll tell you about that later, Painter but first we need to get you to the shower in the restroom so we don't get ink on anything important." He turned the knob on the door and opened it. Hold up did he just walk past it simply because he was distracted?
Wait I didn't tell him I wanted him to take me here. "Hey Tober I need you to fire my dualies at me, somewhere my ink can hit me." I say, so covering my mouth to avoid coughing all over him.
I climb into the shower-tub and cover then drain, to make sure the ink doesn't get down. Tober is able to hold them and point it at me, but for some reason he is shaking. "B-but what about your clothes Painter? Won't they get ruined?" He cries, his dark orange eyes filled with dread.
Why can't he just shoot me already? I'm getting tired. "No my clothes will be fine, unlike me if you don't hurry up." I groan, as a spell of lightheadedness hits me and I'm forced to stagger against the tile.
Tober takes a breath and walks closer to me. I can't figure out why he doesn't just point and shoot. Has he never fired an ink based weapon before? Suddenly he croaks out " I'm sorry i've i've never d-done something like before!" I just glare at him, such a naive boy almost like Wheeler but more pitiful and innocent.
"Just pull the trigger! Hold down that Cod-damn trigger Tober!" I yell, being fed up. Suddenly I'm hit with my ink and I transform into a squid to take it all in. Color returns to my body and I feel great, besides being hungry. Pure bliss is probably the signal going through my nerves and brain right about now.
The strength in my muscles and tendons starts to be in full force and I am able get out the tub and walk over to Tober. Once good ink hits the skin it can be absorbed automatically as I have ink pores all over.
He has a proud look on his face and I'm glad he could follow instructions. That kid isn't useless after all. Out of nowhere he just up and hugs me." I'm so glad I could help you recover Painter!"
Breaking away from his embrace, I suddenly felt a heat from below and in my face. Junk, I can't believe this is happening. Tober probably thinks I'm strange from turning my back on him and curling into a ball. I am so glad Tober is a guy or this would twice as awkward.
Before he could say anything, I flopped into a squid. " I'm really sorry but hold on for a moment, my body has not spread all my ink properly." Carp, if I don't stand up it won't go back to normal!
Tober understood that was code for: the ink is pooling in my face and in my dick. It's called the sand timer effect, when you get way too much good ink forced into your body when you were low on ink.
I stood up and quickly Tober jumped on my back. " Oh ho ho! So you are a boy Painter! Cause I think a girl wouldn't hide the side effects of Sand Timer!" I threw him to the floor in confusion, which was easy since he was smaller than me. Luckily my top and bottom went back to normal so the octoboy didn't see anything.
Shaking my head, I pulled my shirt down and my boxers up, so they don't fall down. "Well actually I'm half." Tober put a hand on his chest and turned his head.
"Half of what? Wait you only have one nut-sack? I am so worried about your body Painter!" The younger looking boy panicked, grabbing my arms. My stomach growled, but I have a feeling we would not leaving anything right away. But who am I squidding, this boy isn't stronger than me. "Do you, do you? Answer me!"
It was easy to get him to let go of my arms, to ease the pressure. The bandages are still on for a reason kid! " No Tober, I have two junking ball-sacks, but I also have girl parts. I'm an intersex inkling." The silence after I said that filled the air and I fear I broke Tober.
The facial expression he sported was cute though, but my stomach grumbled again. " What's intersex Painter? And by girl parts, you mean like a vag-" The sheltered boy started but I cut him off. Me and my big mouth.
"Yes, well not exactly I have it and that, but I'll tell you more if I can get something to eat. Cause I'm starving, bud." Satisfied with my response Tober opened the door and took me down the left hallway. We arrived in a small kitchen with 3 stools and a coffee table. The steel floor was cold on my feet but I didn't really mind. Man what temp to they keep it down here? 18C?
Tober walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out a carton of eggs. They were standard orange power eggs but huge. Deciding to help him I looked for a frying pan. The boy pulled out some fish sausages and some fruit cocktail juice then closed the door. Now that I think about it, how old is he?
He took out a pot and some oil along with some slices of bread. "Um, Tober how old are you? Cause I'm sixteen and didn't learn how to cook until like two years ago." I ask putting water on to boil the fish. The Octarian put down the fork he was using to stir the eggs and gazed out the window.
Did I ask a bad question?
"I'm 14, the one of the few things my mother taught me before for she left was to cook breakfast items." The boy says spraying the pan with oil and pouring the egg yolks into the heat. Wait, his mother? Where'd she go and why?
I grabbed some sea salt and pepper and put it into the meat before placing them into the scalding water. Tober poured the egg yolks into the pan, so we both had no active tasks. There was a radio on the coffee table and the octoling turned it on to break the silence. It was some tune I've never heard on some station I've never heard as well.
"So where did your mother go and why, Tober. If you are willing to tell me of course." I blurt fiddling with my dualies. Tober gazed at me and sighed, probably tired from yesterday. He ran his fingers through the black long hair atop his head.
Suddenly there was a bright smile on his face like he thought of a happy memory or something. "Well my mother is a researcher of ancient ruins and peoples. Her staff found a new undiscovered site and really needed her help so she had to leave. But around that time, dad was acting weird, I don't know the full details she wanted to take a break." Tober told me running back into the kitchen to make sure the food is okay.
Realizing my food is almost ready, I race back. Luckily the food wasn't anywhere close to burning. "Looks like the food is ready, Tober ! Now where are the plates and utensils?." I say turning off the stove eye and grabbing the pot handle. The Octarian in response opened a box of plastic cutlery and moved it to the dining table.
Soon we both have fixed our plates and start enjoying the meal. During a pause Tober waits for me to finish my cup of blend fruit juices. The taste is pretty unique so I sport a wincing facial expression. "Anyway, Painter you said you were going to tell me what intersex is. Just so you know, my father doesn't tell me too many obscure topics and I'm curious. " The boy demands, surprising me.
I look down to avoid his prying glare. and rest my elbow on the table. "Well intersex is quite a few things," I sigh standing up to throw away my plate. For some reason Tober decided to follow me , but without a plate in his hands. "To me and a few other inklings it's actual based from birth."
He giggled and grabbed my waist, pulling close to my body. I looked down at him and sighed, lifting my arms out of his grasp. " The few of us were born with both sexes parts on the inside and outside. But for many of us they are blank or don't produce sex cells." I continue lowering my guard.
Of course Tober takes advantage of that." Oh, outside like the far away world you call home!" Then he pants me and I realized this kid was absolutely crazy. It was only for a few seconds but fully he exposed me. The octoling lept back on to the couch, right afterwards as I pulled up my boxers. The rage brewing within kept me silent as he giggled behind me, making me wish I had my shorts back.
"Hmmm, I don't know Painter, you seem to be more male than female. Actually I need to see a fully male and a fully female inkling before I can judge that." The boy says, grinning wildly. I roll my eyes and rush over to him, trying to land a hit . Damn Tober's quicker than he looks and wait how is he going about this need to see a full male or female inkling?
But I'm able to jump on him and hold him down, but he turns back into a octopus form and tries to swim away. Doing the same I chase him back to the room, which is easy since he is totally out of shape compared to me. I slam the door shut and we both start laughing. Too bad my body is sore.
Walking over to my bag, I look for the clothes I had on yesterday. Looking back at Tober a thought strikes my head, " So, what's the plan, ? Also, why do you want to come to Inkopolis with me?" I ask grabbing my jacket and slipping it on. The boy turns around holding a giant notebook.
Why the hell does he have that? What is he gonna use it for anyway? I stare back in disgust as my new friend starts to have a look of lust in his eyes. "Since my father is not too good at communication, I can just ask the other workers to get us down to the broken area and go near the building off in the distance. "
I nod my head and pull on my socks and shoes, then look back at him again. "Wait, why do you want to come to Inkopolis?! Y-you didn't answer my question Tober." I say, beginning to shake in anticipation.
The air in the room had a sudden heat to it, almost sickening to be in as the boy folded his hands together after tossing his hair to the side. "Oh hohoho, why I wish to study the Inkling culture and way of life. Is there something wrong with getting a calm, up and personal view of Inkopolis?" The Octoling stated boldly, giving me some erky vibes.
Staring back at him I cross my arms in dread. Tober, is just sitting there writing down some stuff in the huge ol notebook of his. Just what he jotting down? Peering over his shoulder I see foreign dashes and letters. "Wow so you also speak multiple languages, or atleast write them." my voice catches his ear.
The boy smiles and stands, up closing his writings. His dark orange orbs invading my body with every glance, which keeps going down to my lowers areas. Finally he met my gaze after picking up the book."Yeah, it seems we speak the same basic lingua franca but I can write and read Octarian but not speak it. Say, what else do you speak Painter?" He replies back, walking to the door.
" Well I understand the lingua franca, Inkanese or as some call it Inkarian and then two archaic languages Japanese and English. " I tell him walking over to my bag and putting on my shorts just in case.
Like a flash how tired I am sets back on, and I stumble. Tober being a good friend holds me and guides me down to the bed. I pull off my shoes and out of nowhere I fall onto the bed since he pushed me. "I can get into bed on my own dude!" I cry out climbing into the covers away from the perverted Octoling. I turn into a squid and hide in the blankets.
Poking my head out the covers, my vision is whirling around. Tober wasn't in the room with me at all? What I had experienced was mild vertigo for dropping to the bed so quickly.
After trying to rise out of the grasp of slumber my body yields and my face falls onto the pillow. "Guess there's no point in fighting it." My whisper is muffled through the layers of cloth.
I'm having a dream where school is back in session. The whole crew besides Mosaka, Bailey and Aaron attend North Inkopolis Academy which is the new school opening. It's a 6-12 school that specializes in innovation and design. Sea Breeze High the old school near our part of town didn't specialize in anything so this is a fresh new start. The rich squid school Coral Academy does happen to specialize in Aquatic Cultures, but it's also downtown.
"Wake up Painter! It's time to get outta here!" My dream has been ruined by Tober's shout as the boy slams into the bed with his body. I quickly open my eyes and stare at him in shock, heart pounding in my chest. He's wearing the same outfit from and in the corner of my eye I spy a suitcase by the bedside.
The heavy bounce of the bed, gave attention to my attention one of my three fluid bladders. I need to find time release a little from at least two of them or it'll empty out completely and that will hurt. Can't have Tober seeing me make a mess all over myself if I'm supposed to be the oldest.
Pushing off Tober and out of the bed I hoist on my shoes. Lying there on the covers was a large black hooded cloak. "Hmm, what's this Tober?" I sling my bag onto my shoulders after putting on my jacket. The octoboy smiles running a hand through my hair, startling me.
Then his face falls down at my hands."Okay so ya know how everyone is an Octoling or Octarian here?" I nod my yes while zipping up my jacket as I felt a reminder. " No one would guess that your an Inkling if you put on the cloak, so that's how were going to get outta here." Tober finished pointing his arm into the air.
Suddenly something sinister comes onto my mind. "Hey, Tober you got a plastic jar I can use?" The younger kid responds with a yes but looks at me quizzly. We walk down to the kitchen and I reach up to get into the cabinet. Now that chum will have a little treat. After placing the bin on the counter I pull out my dualies.
Tober smiles as he sees my holding the weapon in hands for some reason. " So what are you planning on leaving in that container Painter? Is it something for my father?" He asks as soon I lift up the dualie.
You'll see in a second, he'll see in a while. I fire for a few second while holding down the bin, to have it half way. Some ink is on the counter and Tober reaches out to touch it.
The second he does he reels back in pain. "Ouch! I never knew touching someone else's ink would hurt me!" I look back at him in disbelief and the tips of his index, middle and middle finger is covered in a red mark.
I stared back at him in disbelief and flashed him a grin. The humiliation of yesterday is still fresh in my mind and want some sweet revenge Mosaka style. Picking up the jar and turning away from Tober is easy, now for the hard part.
I press the container's opening to my shorts fly and press it towards my junk. Well fitting the whole thing cause the boy a few meters away would notice me putting the jar into my pants..
The feeling of being naughty makes my face fill with blue ink. For some reason inklings are able to control the amount of fluid that exits the body, be it sweat, ink or urine.
So I piss for about 8 seconds and quickly close everything back up. By the time Tober looks back at me from doing whatever, I'm shaking the jar. "Okay I'm ready now, ling." I say, smirking brightly. What is wrong with me?
Soon I'm carrying my backpack on my well back and dualies in hands I walk towards one of the exits with Tober guiding me. We quickly reach an area that looks like a port but there are no ships. If Tober didn't make me put on that black cloak we would been stopped by now.
Speaking of Tober, he's talking to another Octoling right now. He carefully holds his right hand as there is a full bandage over it. Turns out the boy has a high sensitivity to foreign ink and his fingers started throbbing badly. " I told him to give the jar to my dad after he drops us off." Tober grins, tapping his suitcase, which I was sitting on.
"He's gonna bring a ride for us!? We're good?" I ask hopping off and excitement fills my mind. I can't wait to tell the gang about my little adventure. After about a few minutes the guy from before is back with the card key to the lift gate.
Tober and I step into the platform and it slowly descends."Yep Painter. We're good from now on and then some, maybe even forever." My friend confirms the question I had a moment ago.
Thinking back out it now I never noticed how high up we were earlier. But the ding of the bell says we have reached our destination and after thanking the Octoling we step out. I throw my cloak into my back and run my hand up through my hair.
"When we get to the surface, you need a haircut." Tober looks up at his wild strands of black while keeping the grip on his suitcase.
Wait a minute! I might have shellphone service out here! I quickly reach into my pocket for my phone. The screen flashes on, its at only 30 percent which is enough for plenty of calls or chat. My Octopus companion peers over and I realize something else.
"You've never seen modern technology in this sense, for personal use type devices." I state as we start walking up a bend, towards the light. Tober watches as I scroll through all my messages from folks. Better try calling them now or never. I stop walking in anticipation for the signal to go to Dice.
Tober stares at me confused, grabbing my arm to see my screen. "Why are you calling this person rather than the other contacts?" the boy ponders, figuring it out. I simply smile, twirling the dualie in my left hand.
Patting the shorter boy's head I laugh openly. "Why? Its cause I know he'll answer the quickest. That's how Dice, er Nathan likes to roll." Finally the number has dialed and the inkling himself answers. But I guess I left Tober confused again, probably cause he doesn't know who Nathan is yet.
"Hey Nathan it's me-" I started, my heartbeat growing in pace
"Oh my cosh Painter! You're alive!" The voice on the other end shouts back.
Suddenly we are interrupted. "Hey don't leave me out of the reunion!" That was Charliegh but I didn't set up a group call so how did she-
"Hey Paint, it's Adrien. Just wanted to let you know that when you call one of us it'll connect everyone with these headphones on." Helmet explains while tears begin to form in my eyes. Why am I crying now?I should be happy.
Due to the comotion Tober is all up in my grill listening in. Thank Cod I'm protected by this jacket.
I scratch my head in bewilderment. "But, how are you guys doing that?" Why don't we have this stuff back home and who gave them this stuff?
But of course another voice rings from my phone. "Um, hello Painter you may not actually know me personally, but I'm Marie from the Squid Sisters. Before you freak out, I gave them wireless radio type headphones."
Marie from the Squid Sisters, hmm yeah I've heard of her. The Octarian is silent, taking it all in but then I look up.
"Hold on where are you guys anyway? Did you guys come down the man hole too?" My question floats in air as Tober and I approach some sort of broken wall. We stop to survey the area, since this place is new to both of us.
On the the line with, Nathan, Adrien, Charleigh and Marie were not talking for a moment, probably doing something. Without warning Nathan answers back. "S-sorry Painter we are dealing with some enemies who caught us off guard."
"They were maroonish purple colored people who said things I couldn't understand." Adrien adds on painting another picture in my mind.
Charleigh wanted to put in her two cents as well. "But those guys were easy to splat, except for the ones with humanoid forms. It seems like we shouldn't be down here."
Tober, himself figured out who they were talking about. "Umm, you guys came from the 'manhole' to get Painter right? Well those people who encountered were Octarians. I'm an Octoling myself."
Of course my friends have never meet one of them before so questions are sure to fly. The only way they would have met one is if they found a chance to hang out Marina from Off the Hook, I doubt that.
I smile at Tober with the face of 'look at this can of eels you opened up'. It took the crew about 10 seconds to figure it out. "Wait Painter, put that Octoling back on the phone! Did he rescue you?!" Dice shouted, his curiosity taking hold of his sanity.
The 14 year old took the shell phone from me allowing me to take the other dualie out of my right pocket. My stomach growled and I wished I brought some snacks with us. I don't think we have time to just be sitting here. We need to meet up with the others.
Tober spoke into the phone again as we started walking.." Hello everyone my name is Tober Ozentiberg, an Octoling."
"Did you rescue Painter from the underground? Cause I bet they were starving or something, fits being lost like a little drop, I mean kid" asks Adrien who took that chance to make a jab at me and my situation.
Thankfully the other inklings were much nicer." Hey! Helmet, that's not cool. What if he got hurt?! Did you?" scolds Charleigh. I can only imagine what's going on on the other side.
The bandages are still on my body, arms covered up by the jacket and legs not. My ink sacs are full of healthy ink now, but I still feel mild pain when I walk or extend my arms.
"Hmm well Painter did get hurt after the awful things my dad made him do. He's got his arms and legs bandaged all up, but otherwise is okay. " Tober spoke up causing Dice and Wheeler to gasp.
The group was silent for a while probably walking to somewhere as well. "Hmmm, well I'd ask more about it but we are planning on coming to get you." Marie chimes in catching me off guard once again. "Wait, but do you know where you are at the moment? Try to get to higher ground if you can boys."
Luckily there is large pillar of some sorts that I can shoot up with ink. My octoboy friend still has my phone is his hand so he can stay down here. "Hey, Tober I'm going to climb up here and scout up ahead!" I say so the others can hear as well. He nods his head and looks up.
I pull the trigger on the dualies and a path of ink is dropped in seconds. I swim up to the pillar and then point the weapons as high as possible. Up on the top of pillar is a very nice view.
I can see the whole bunch off platforms with bridges and grates in between. The farthest I can see is 8 dim blue lights. Meanwhile Tober is having a chat with my friends.
"So you think Painter should identify as a male?" asks Dice, weary that his crush is not completely female.
"Well duh, Nathan." The Octoling replies happly. "I mean, have you not seen the size of his-" Wow the statment made my female parts cringe or something cause that felt weird. Guess I'm going to have to punish Tober.
Helmet cut him off quickly "Let's talk about something else guys. What has Painter seen up there?" Thank you very much, I did not need an in detail explanation of how my male jems look compared to my female jewels.
The shorter boy catches my attention by waving for me to come down. "Yes, what is it?" I groan, kneeling down to face him.
Tober lifted the phone to be closer to my face, then spoke. "What did ya see up there? Your friends are asking." I tell them my findings and help the younger boy up.
"Up on the pillar, I saw more platforms and 8 dim blue lights-" In the corner of my eye I can see a red line pointing straight at us. That's from a charger weapon!
Quickly I jump and push my friend to the side right as a loud bang is heard. "Get down!" my shout rings out through the whole area.
My friends on the phone have no idea what is going on. "Are you guys okay?!"