-Back to Painter's POV-
"Tober you can't just examine people's body without their permission! Especially when they are sleeping!" I growl before slamming my door shut from the three of my other friends, making the Octoling in front of me jump in his flip flops.
Gimme a break! These last few weeks have been crazy. If he does something broken bone one more time I am going to send him to the corrections office! I'm glad we helped him study for his citizenship test to I don't know where this sucker would be right now.
So this all started when Wheeler and I made room for him in our bedroom giving Tober his own room, that isn't the sofa. Me, Dice and Wheeler had to go downtown to put up some posters for promoting BIR. Which actually worked since we have people joining our public Chaos server.
I'd think leaving Tober home alone with Helmet wouldn't be too bad since she wouldn't put up with his octo shenanigans but no I was wrong. Ya see the problem was Helmet was sleeping the time we left, but it wasn't in her room. Being in her room would probably prevent this all from happening, well hopefully.
"We need to leave without you ya sleepy sea slug, have fun with Tober!" I remember saying before heading out the door into the early autumn air. Yup, that hot busy and brutal summer is now over. Time for school to start so we better play as much as we can around Inkopolis Square.
But when she was sleeping, Tober was trying to get more data for his creepy research journal. Of course on the Inkling biology topics of all things, that pervert. I knew it was biology because he wrote that in the lingua franca, like a moron.
Let's just say he started to 'unscrew' Helmet's 'bottle cap' and then her bottle 'spilled' but he closed the 'cap' back up. I'm being different with my word choice, less Tober pick up on it.
Our green eyed friend woke up with her clothing on correctly but noticed something on the sofa. Now it wasn't the pastel ink we inklings sometimes drip during our sleep, for a certain scientific reason our spawning parts require little to no stimulation to achieve 'release'. Everyone knows this so there is no cause for alarm if it happens, well I'm sure too many Octos know of this yet.
Some researchers say it's because of the fact that ancient squids usually die after they mate which translates to you can't 'mate' for too long our you actually die. Unfortunately this is actually true, many squids have accidents or death because of this. This is the reason many of us inklings only live with our older and younger siblings.
The reason I could guess it was an 'accidental release' is simply she was cleaning the same sofa by the time we came home. We never have had to clean that old thing before. Well except that one time we dropped a whole liter of juice on the left armrest.
I knew some was off with Tober from the get go, he seemed nervous and made sure he kept his distance from the deep brown squid. "What did you do this time?" I shot placing a hand on his skinny shoulder. His orange eyes widened tightly and he attempting to open his beak.
"Don't even bother telling me right now, the others might hear." My voice harshly put in his round ear. I love making this jit realize his place, he doesn't have my trust back yet. It'll take a lot of hard work to gain it back.
The Octoling nodded and I closed the door to our room after quickly entering it. Wheeler won't mind she's busy with Helmet and Dice, writing out a weekly schedule. Just before I sit down on my bed my squid phone buzzes in my shorts pocket.
Who could it be this time? Tober sighes from his futon in his impatience, mumbling a little banter. The message that woke up my phone was from 1 of our 7 new members. Brian and his new house mate Vanessa, who was asking about their interview. Well it's less of an interview but more a test.
I put my phone away and glare back at my own roommate. "Okay Tobey, I know what happened but I need to make myself very clear. Maybe even transparent to get this into your thick mantle of a brain. Do. Not. Touch. ANYONE. Without their permission." The frustration is heavy in my voice which makes the octokid flinch.
The youngest boy nodded but then started to speak. "What if they say 'you can do anything you want, just don't go too far'? Can you define too far for me?" Okay who the shell told him this?
"Too far is, too far is below the navel for everyone and above the ribs for ladies." Suddenly the first mishap with Dice comes to mind and I stand up. " Also just don't pants anyone, you know how embarrassing that is first hand."
The octoling looks at my feet, trying to get away from my piercing gaze. His orange hair is just begging to be petted so I take the liberty to do so. "Oh, I'm sorry Painter will you or the other squids ever forgive me?" The boy cries, grabbing hold of my wrist. When, his moods swings like this its hard to tell if he's serious.
'You or the other squids'; Wow guess he doesn't know any other octos. Yet. After looking at this kid's face I know we have to forgive him, Tober is too cute. "You baka, of course we'll forgive you. Just get ready, put on business casual." He has to look for a research assistant's position today.
With that I exit the room, going back to help my other friends. But left Tober to play the guessing game. "Ready for what?! Painter?! Is it the Rainmaker match? Or the new clans members? Is it something else?"
I junking love this guy, he makes me feel so warm inside. A huge smile is practically, beaming on my face as I walk into the living room, my cream high tops loud on the tile floor. Dice looks at up me from the phone and calendar. "Oh, now you're back from talking to Record." The tan boy reminded me of Tober's new nickname.
The girls also looked over at me, Helmet was munching on some small cookies and Wheeler was searching up something our desktop. Probably something about the company Tobey applied for. It was a science research lab around Museum d'Alfonsino.
"So Painter, ya ready for today's Rainmaker test with Gift and Wrap? Oh sorry I meant Vanessa and Brian. But still, ya good to go?" The dark skinned squid questioned, slightly muffled by the snack in her beak.
My body sinks into the chair beside Helmet as I nod my head. On the table Adrien's Oceanic Hard hat is reflecting the kitchen light's gleam. "Heh, once you put that thing on I'll be ready." The oldest girl gave me a coy smirk before placing the headgear atop her maroon/red hair.
Following suit, I reached over to the small coffee table and unfolded my Jellyvader cap. Before putting it over my own maroon seapony tail, Dice of all people stopped me. "There are two things you need to know; one what weapons are Gift and Wrap using, figuring out if are they ready and two the same thing for your foes."
Helmet leaned down and tightened her Iromaki 750s, while shifting in her LS Baseball tee. "Yeah, but we won't know till we contact them to see how they are. Plus since it's Rainmaker we can guess our enemies roll out based on previous sessions." I close my eyes trying to remember the foes; Floating Buoyant Ink.
The Rainmaker stages are Moray Towers and New Albacore Hotel, two big maps with multiple ways to the goal. On both of those stages chargers, splatlings and other long range weapons will most definitely be used. The F.B.I team members we will be facing are; Cruise, Ferry, Jet Ski and Kayak.
Their nicknames are all based on types of ships/boats, pretty creative. But don't those things only work in water, not ink? That'll go straight through their thin inkling/octoling skin and into their internal streams. Word of Nogami himself, our Cod in Heaven.
"Alright so their leader is Cruise, she tends to use a heavy long range weapon like the Heavy Splatling or .96 Gal. Stingray is helpful for a multilevel stage, especially on Rainmaker." I say starting to get up from my chair to locate all my other important belongings. Then again Inkjet is pretty good too.
Helmet grabbed her inktank from behind her chair and placed it on her back, her fluid reverses being showcased on the tank. " Ferry on the other hand, he'll try to push with a mid-support weapon like N-zap, Splash-o matic, Splattershot or Glooga Dualies. I can taste Splashdown or Baller with this guy. " Her light green eyes gazed up and to left, the body language of someone in thought.
I look at her and Dice's bedroom door then gaze at mine and Wheeler's. Let's see what Tober managed to put on this time. Instead of opening the door myself the youngest boy here did. "Do I look okay?" His meek voice asks, while shyly crossing his arms. All four of us squids stopped what were doing to take a peek.
Holy squit, Record is cute as a button! Covering his most of his bright inked hair is a Blowfish Newsie, which goes with his brown school shoes. We got those from a special giveaway last week. His shirt is an Orange Cardigan, since it actually is starting to get chilly. In our part of town we get reely bad wind and the high yesterday was 11 C.
Wheeler smiled at him, her crush from weeks ago long gone. Everyone's feelings of romance have changed since last month, from Gulfimbre to Chesapeake. Well Sailor and Pilot are still dating as well as Flag and Target.
"Wow, good job pal. I'm sure y'all land the job if you keep profreshional and follow the plan to a tee." Dice complements, patting the follow boy on the back. In addition to business and everyday life skills, Tober is much, much better at Turfwar and Salmon Run. It's mainly thanks to Caliber's training. Sure he's only level 15, but he plays mostly private matches or by himself.
My phone buzzes again, bringing my focus back to our Rainmaker test. It was a text from Brian or Wrap. 'Yo, yo Painter bro! Me and Vanessa will be here lesser than 20 or so. Wanted to let ya know!' I stare at my phone in awe, did he reely just do that? The actually junk is wrong with him?
The nimble fingers of mine start typing, while Helmet and Dice continue on about F. ' weapons and playstyle. "Let's see, Jet Ski tends to use weapons with a rapid firing rate or one shotting capabilities."
" I expect to see Carbon Roller, Dapple Dualies, Splat Charger oh and maybe Ranged or Normal Blaster." Dice reminded us, Jet Ski is actually a childhood friend of his. YMMV with this guy, so we have to expect everything.
As far as I'm concerned any member of F.B.I is still an ally of ours. 'Did you deadbass just send me a rap through text?' I ask Brian, worried that we might have picked a super crazy dude and an Octoling who lives with me as new team mates.
Vanessa told me she was gonna tell me what I wanted to hear about her past today, but we know she's an Octoling. She is the stoic type and never showed any emotion when we were talking, but she's aight.
'Oh sorry homie, that rap was pretty squitty. But for reel, the Cod-damn traffic around Walleye and Sturgeon is so junkin' crawful that the bus is stuck. ' The older squid replied back right away, before sending me a picture of the tightly packed cars outside the bus window. He was on point about it, there must have been an auto accident or an power outage.
Just when I placed down my phone, another message rang up. 'Just remembered something man! I'm gonna be using the Aerospray MG and Ness will using the Light Tetra Dualies. We have a special plan called the Bomb Rush Crush, I'll share the deets later bruh.'
Bomb Rush Crush? That name kinda sounds like one of Squid Sister Callie's solos.
All while this was happening Helmet and Dice were still going on about the other F.B.I team members. "Last we have Kayak, the Sharpshot. Well I mean she is the master at long reach krills, she is utter garbage with anything with shorter range than a Splattershot Pro." Wow, that's a pretty broad range of weapons, she doesn't have too many options.
"I've seen her handle well stuff like Tenta Brella, Rapid Blaster Pro, Slosher Deco, and umm." Helmet rubbed at her face. "Maybe Charger, I don't know, all these guys have such broad play-styles."
We all nodded our heads, then I picked up my ink tank. Wheeler's blue eyes suddenly sparked up and she grabbed my shoulder and shook them violently. "Spray paint, you gotta hear this! I just got a text from Wrap. He says traffic cleared up and him and Gift wanna hang out with you guys before the match." Guess I'm getting a new nickname again. Last week it was Paint can and the week before it was Watercolor.
Slightly off guard I take hold of her hands, and then reach down to check my own shell phone. "Ok ok, calm down Wheels! I'll hurry up and go get my new Explosher, Helm get whatever you were gonna use." Alternatively I could use the Tentatek Splattershot or whatever but, I've been wantin' ta try my luck at my slowly improving slosher skills.
Helmet, shook her head and reached over to grab something out of purple drawstring bag. "I thought I told you dumbass," Out came a Forge Splattershot Pro, the oldest girl's hand transferring to her current ink color. "I'm doing the double suction bomb rainmaker trap with this bad boy." Wheeler and Dice just rolled their eyes, grabbing the rolled up posters leaning on the wall.
"Honestly that sounds like too much of a mouth full. Shorten it to just the suction bomb part." Demanded the younger boy taking my roommates wrist in his own. From where I was standing I couldn't see the time on Wheel's watch, but Lucky could. "It's only 2:04, we are on track if the Metro traffic seems like 10 to 15 passing time or so."
Record sat on our couch ignoring the mention of time, work ready briefcase on his lap. Looking over at him I realized the tips of his hair were yellow, a bright yellow. Wheeler motions forward and backward with her band to get him to follow us. I stayed behind him to lock the door, the boy didn't have a key to our apartment yet despite his tenure.
Thinking back on it when I first saw his father, , the man he had maroon hair with yellow tips; while his higher uplackeys had redtips. Marina from Off the Hook has black hair, like Vinyl or Tober first did. "What makes her tips teal and Tobey's not?" My careless question slips out past my head and into my Octo friend's round beige ear.
Before jumping into the ink rail he looked at me and then bounced the bright tip of his single curl. I nodded my head and completed the trip down to the first floor. Unlike everyone else Dice's face had his wild golden eyes, seeming to have shrunk to the size to small candy. Looking down anyone can see he ran into Helmet and dropped the posters along the pavement.
'Stay clumsy my friend, stay clumsy.' I thought to myself as the younger boy apologizes. " So sorry Helmet, I know I promised last week would be the last time I would run into you but I'm a creature of habit" His roommate just took our squad marketing posters off the floor with a sigh, whispering something to herself in some romantic tongue. Doesn't she ever get tired of his constant excuses? Seems like everyday Dice does something wrong and just refuses to own up to it.
We all had to pass the above ground station for the Photosynthesis Metro, apparently its called that way because all the Metros are named after parts of the ocean. VL or visible light is a high rise that runs from Anchovy Games to Wahoo World or the Entertainment district.
"Well Painter, reason is to have color coordination. In our system of tasks there are 4 main sections: Military Commander/Head Nurse, Construction worker/Engineer, Scientist/Scholar and Mechanic/Problem Solver." Tober told me as we reached the gates to the Metro.
Unfortunately someone was listening in, and that someone was Helmet. Her green eyes gleamed in the day break, forcing us to pay attention. " I know this isn't my place but please let me guess the colors." Tober smiled back, reminding the older cephalopod it would be difficult without too much context.
The 'New' Metros have two ways of paying for service, before or after depending on where you want to go . I had to reach in my wallet and soon my unlimited train ride pass got me and my crush through the block for now. Well I'm doing this for him because he doesn't have his own account set up plus this is a prime time of an opportunity to show my love. It's not like I actually like that annoying boy or anything.
Tober is like the most clueless guy anyone I know has hanged out with, so Pilot said I might have to be super direct. Apparently he had to do with Sailor and look where it's got him, a strong and cute dependable girl. If I do it right I'll have myself a cute, shy, hardworking, nerdy pervert of a boy. More importantly we caught up with Dice and Wheeler discussing the time while standing by the track. Guess they are more worried about Record's job interview than he even is.
Helm put a hand on her chin and stared at our small group. "Painter, Record, this is about the colors used by the Octarian workforce division. So I think the Military Commanders get red to invoke fear and dominance. " I looked down at my phone to check the time, Expslosher hanging from my left hand.
The browned skinned girl paused to adjust the protective goggles that came with her hardhat, the numerous light creating a glare. "The Top Nurses use red to symbolize the heart and life blood everyone has." At her correct response Vinyl looked at the ground and then back up, his orange eyes with regret. Something in me told me Dice and Wheeler will have to deal with a forgotten mood.
"Yeah," Just then the overhead dull voices announced the arrival of the cart going to Inkopolis Square. "You were correct, but now, don't you guys have leave for the train?" Record put, turning his head left and right. Probably trying to see where Dice and Wheeler went.
A tan hand patted the Octoling on the shoulder. "Hey you know we can go with them on the train, did you Vinyl?" Up his arm was his black jacket, the Metro station was pretty brisk.
The girls across from us looked our way in confusion. Tober stared at me and blushed light orange before taking my hand, catching me off guard. "F-fine, sorry guys I wasn't paying attention to where we were going." The shy octoling whispered as we finally entered the car. Other passengers gave us warm stares, envying our budding romance.
"Honestly what is wrong with you? Museum d'Alfonsino is on the way to Inkopolis, you have all your resumes, paperwork and sources for the job in your briefcase. Stop forgetting all the crucial details. " Barked Helmet, her sharp teeth bared with every single word. My octoboy friend slumped back in his seat, this cart wasn't jam packed right now so we all were seated.
Vacant Metro carts seem to be our thing, well there are a couple of adults and younger folks on this side. Maybe people avoided us because of our ink weapons, they are dangerous after all. "Um excuse me. May I have a word with y'all?" A voice to the left of us said, my red eyes turning as quick as my head did.
It was an older gentle squid, his hair tips were faded cream and yellow. Dice looked up from his phone and so did the girls. Once we had his attention he pointed a shaky cold finger at Tober and I. "My heart is warm after seeing a friendly and loving relationship between Decas I mean Inklings with Octos, thank you young people. " Oh thank Cod! I was totally scared he'd act like my great grandparents; speciesist.
A smile was soon placed on our faces but when he he said Decas I was a bit confused. With the look on Helmet's face it seems she was confused as well. Is Deca an old person way to say Inkling? Wait this guy is old enough to remember the Great Turf War!?
"Ya see I had a fiance who was an Octoling but some of my neighbors hated me for that. They drove us out and sent me underground to Octo Valley level three. " the elderly man kept going, his dark brown eyes shimmering with sadness. That was probably 40 years ago, when it ended at least.
Just as he said it we arrived at the Research District or Shellendorf and d'Alfonsino area. Dice, Record and Wheeler stood up, along with some other people in the cart. The thick and gigantic trees outside had their leaves fading to lighter colors.
I leaned up and gave my roommates; both Wheels and Tober a hug. "Good luck with the interview Tobes. Oh and Wheeler have fun with recruiting. Dice, you know what to do mate."
Dice glared at us, his tennis shoe-clad foot tapping in annoyance. After turning around Wheeler gave an envious grin, "Yeah, yeah see ya lover boy. I'll keep an eye on that cutie for you, oh yeah work it!" she put happily, her hands shoved into her pockets. The youngest girl only cried out after Tober walked by. I swear to Cod, she was talking about his butt.
"Get the shell outta here." I simply spat, pushing the pale squidkid from the cart and onto the platform. She's trying to go after my darling, go find your own boyfriend! Still a bit frustrated I walked back over to Helmet, she was still in discussion with the old guy. Soon the Photosynthesis Metro started back up, the proud logo plastered on the walls and anywhere else that made sense.
The elderly gentle squid turned to me. "Young man, your friend, I've been wondering if that Tober fellow has any ties to POW experiments." Oh no, Prisoner of War experiments those sound like something I kinda went through down in Octo Canyon. I looked down uneasily trying not to relive the pain from torture his father gave me, before opening my beak.
"Um perhaps sir, my friend his last name is Ozentiberg, Tober Ozentiberg." I told the older man, Helmet leaning up to pay better attention, her hand still glued to her gun. The man placed a hand on his chin and then lowered his head.
His brown eyes widened with realization, hands trembling on the seat cushion. "Ozentiberg was the last name of an Octarian top sergeant and his wife was a Druggist. Oh the horrible things they did to captured Deca souls and Octo peacemakers, one time a close friend of mine, his son he got-
Before he could finish like earlier the Metro announced the next stop in an overpowering voice, Inkopolis Square. The old man shuffled through his trench coat pocket, looking for something. Helmet and I looked down ,worried for a quick second.
In his hand was a business card that read 'Edward Nestlefin, Specialty Shoe Cobbler 904-785-3446' and then gave it to me. "Take care youngins, and if you ever meet a another Nestlefin named Madison, tell her you met her old granpappi and that he's doing fine." The old man said as we exited the cart.
Adrien stared at the card and them rubbed the sides of her head. "Well that guy was very informative, plus I think I've heard of a squid named Madison Nestlefin. Let's get going Painter, I think Gift and Wrap are waiting for us in the Square." she told me, snapping my attention away from the business card.
As soon as we entered Inkopolis square we placed our weapons in the Ammo Knights side of the Gear Drop off. "Can't have the F.B.I know what weapons we'll be using, now where the sheck are Gift and that loser Wrap?" I ask stretching my arms above my head just as my stomach starts growling.
"I don't have the damndest clue, but I do know your stupid ass is hungry." groaned my friend in response, gesturing towards the Crust Bucket. "This is a good spot to hang out around, we might find our new teammates or whatever."
Getting angry I sling a half-force punch at her shoulder. "Man you are always going on about the dumbest squit. Just let me get in line for a Seanwich, if you aren't hungry just get a drink or something." My hands fall to my shorts pocket, reaching for my wallet.
Finally given up with arguing, Helmet nodded her head and then softly kicked the back of my knees. Annoyed I faced the front of the line; it was only just two people ahead of us.
The other squids in line turned around to face us, they seemed to be young semi noobs. "Wait a minute are you those Blue Ink Rapids guys?" The girl with twintails ask, her gold eyes layered with joy. Her friend in front of her had the same look of excitement. Helmet and I look back at each other. Are we becoming celebrities to the younger kids?
I put on a bright smile and held up my right fist. "Yeah, my name is Painter and this is a fellow squad mate called Helmet. Don't mind her, Helmet acts like she has a stick up her ass." The boy next to twintails gasped and placed his snow white hand to cover his mouth. Two can play that game Helm and you damn as well know that. My brown skinned friend waited patiently for the four of us to get our food, all the while giving me a predators glare. The second she put her hand on my shoulder to start something Brian and Vanessa showed up at our table.
"WHAT UP JUNKERS?!" Wrap shouted loudly, accidentally scaring away the smaller squidkids. With a look of panic in his squidja star pupils the boy apologized quickly. Brian's pink eyes betrayed his fierce and brash attitude, you'd never figure out.
"Wrap Cod dammit, we were doing pretty well until your extra loud ass showed up thank you very much." Helmet lashed out before taking a sip of her latte. It was a special saver one of something, I can't read the squitty small font. To the side Vanessa had a slightly neutral expression, then again I can't see with her Toni Kensa Ink Goggles covering most of her dark coffee brown face.
Brian arched his face up in anger, pink eyes showing his brash nature. "Is that some way to treat your new teammates before a junking match? Lemme tell you this, old Annaki ass squit squigga-" Then he started going on a rant about some crazy stuff that happened this morning.
With those two idiots going at it I can get a better glace at the Octoling. She's taller than me and Helmet but only by a few centimeters, but the strange part is her posture. "Hey Vanessa, is everything hanging alright?" I decide to break the ice between us, using her name as a way to gain more attention.
I tried my hardest to stare through her lenses at her banal face before she gave in and removed the head-wear, placing it on the top of her head. Under that were her crimson red orbs, like mine but in the middle of her two pink ink eyebrows was a tan scar. Oh carp those cuts must have been there for quite some time. How'd she get them, better yet why?
To answer my question from before Vanessa spoke a bit gloomier "It's hard to explain but since you wanted to know I'll tell you." Then she pointed a rough hand towards the table . "But first, have a seat."