It was her moment to shine.
She peeked her head out the room and scanned both hallways. It was peaceful.
'No one's in sight. Perfect.'
She closed the doors quietly and quickly went over everything to make sure she was ready.
Favorite headpiece? Check.
Appropriate outfit? Check.
No one to catch her? Double check.
Best song in the whole darn world ready to be played? Triple check.
Her stage was ready.
She went to the center of the room. In her mind, she could hear the roar of the crowd cheering her name as she got ready.
She couldn't hold herself back any longer.
Her body needed relief. It wanted to be released.
She craved the allure of the dance floor.
She could feel the music entering her body, and she started to move. The rhythm was in her blood, and she started to feel alive. The beat was calling to her, and she started to feel like she was in a trance.
The music thumped through her body, through her veins, electrifying her. It was all she could think about. The desire to let go, to be free, to be wild was all-consuming.
She started to move, to sway her hips to the beat, to feel the music move through her.
The yellow green tentacled captain banished herself from the cruelest dream and entered the realm of fantasy as she discarded her current garments and changed into more… appropriate.
In her mind's realm, she was the center of attention, the diva that everyone wanted to see. The captain forwent that title. She was not a captain now.
She was a queen, and her adoring subjects were begging to see her exquisiteness. She desired to give them what they wanted. She wanted to show them her true form. The form that they all secretly wanted.
The moment the final piece of clothing hit the floor, the captain adopted her queen persona. She was magnificent. She was everything they could have ever wanted and more.
She let out a sensual laugh as she blew a kiss to the crowd.
"Clora! Clora! Clora!" they chanted.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, everyone! How are we doing tonight?"
They went wild, and Clora was highly pleased to hear them shout her name.
"I'm glad everyone is here to see me. I promise to make this extra special."
Clora signaled the band to play and started to dance. She moved her hips in a way that was both alluring and hypnotizing. She was in control, and she knew it. She was the master of her soul and its destiny.
The crowd was entranced by her, enthralled by her luscious movements, and she loved it. She loved the attention, the desire, the want that they all had for her, but most of all, she loved being on the dance floor. It contrasted with her professional persona that came with being a captain, but secretly, she loved to dance.
Captain Clora, the new leader of the New Squidbeak Splatoon, had faced the Octarian onslaught, defeated DJ Octavio, blindly navigated through the Deepsea Metro to save her old captain and newest recruit, and helped the newest Agent 3 investigate the underground world of Alterna and tackle a giant grizzly bear bent on turning the world into a hairy abomination.
She deserved a break.
It was no secret that she loved her squad. They were loyal, reliable, fantastic friends, and true allies. Clora could count on them for anything, and in turn, they could count on her.
She trusted her squad with her life. They held some of her most guarded secrets.
… Except for one. Her love of dance.
The music continued to play, and Clora struck another pose. She leaned forward with a hand on her hourglass hips and sent a sultry wink to the audience that made some of the boys and girls swoon.
The crowd was eating it up. They were on their feet, cheering and clapping along with the beat.
"Time for the grand finale!" she announced as the music started winding down.
Clora pointed to the audience with a hand behind her head, her pointy teeth showing in her large smile. With her right fist in the air after a quick hop, she spread her legs wide, and then flashed a victory wink with a smile adorning her beautiful face.
The song ended, and the crowd showered Clora in their rousing applause. Drenched in sweat, she was glowing from her dance routine, feeling divine, on top of the world, and nothing could bring her down.
It was strange though. For some reason, she could still hear people clapping for her. That shouldn't be the case though.
'… wait a second.'
Clora opened her eyes. She believed she was just imagining it. There was no way someone found out about her secret hobby. She made sure no one was around before she started.
Right?
"Woo! Looking good, Cap'n!"
Clora stopped everything. Her body was frozen in place.
Three of her teammates, Neo Agent 3, Agent 4, and Agent 8, were present. They were clapping for her, praising her, but they walked in on her dancing. They practically walked in on her changing.
They saw her.
They saw her dancing like no one was watching.
They saw her true self.
Clora put her hand down.
"How long have you three been standing there?" she inquired, but her voice was low, and her eyes were frightening, which only Agent 4 noticed.
Neo Agent 3, also named Luke, was a dark-skinned male Octoling with yellow octolocks native to the Splatlands and purple accents at the bottom tips that framed his face. He possessed piercing yet mysterious crimson red irises with black pupils and a scar over the left. A native of the Splatlands, Neo Agent 3 proved his skills and tenacity immediately after he fell into Alterna. He wore light clothing with a shawl around his neck due to his side occupation of being a "Remnant Chaser," a scrap collector that braves the desert and its scorching sands. He was quiet but attentive, and Clora would never admit it, but he reminded her of herself when she held his title. He was the youngest of the group, and Clora took to him like an overprotective sister would. Also, his pet, Little Buddy was the cutest thing she ever laid eyes on.
Agent 4 was a male Inkling with orange, slicked-back hair, and matching eyes. He wore a basic tee, shorts, and some sandals to beat the scorching heat of Splatsville. Known for always wearing a soft smile, Agent 4 was the soldier his fellow teammate, Marie recruited during the captain's absence. He was cheerful and upbeat, much like Callie, a hard worker, a great shot, and a better friend, and Clora couldn't have asked for a better soldier to help the Squidbeak Splatoon in her absence at that time. She knew why Marie had a thing for him.
Lastly, Agent 8 was another male Octoling with magenta-colored hair styled in a buzzcut with a single tentacle in the middle. He wore a similar outfit to Clora's current getup, a black leather crop top with one long sleeve, leather pants, and boots. A matching black scarf was wrapped around his neck. He was the tallest of the agents and just as hard a worker. He had a small build but was very toned. He was always collected, both he and Neo Agent 3. It was scary how calm both could be in various situations sometimes. He and the newbie took to another like brothers, most likely from both being Octolings.
"Uhh, a few minutes," Agent 4, formally named Jack, answered. He slowly stepped back, not a fan of the captain's cold tone of voice.
"A few minutes," Clora repeated as she walked towards them. "So, you saw everything."
"W-well, y-yeah, I guess we did," Jack said, unable to look his captain dead in the eye.
"That's very rude, you know," she chided them. "Did no one teach you to knock?"
"We did," Luke countered. "We heard the Calamari Inkantation, but you didn't answer so we helped ourselves and stumbled across your performance."
"You're an amazing dancer," 8 complimented. He raised a brow. "I didn't know you could dance."
"Because you weren't meant to," Clora growled under her breath, but the boys still heard it.
Eight also took a precautionary step back. He wanted to warn his fellow Octoling to do the same, but Luke held his position.
"Captain, it's not a big deal," Luke said, trying to reason with his captain.
"What?" Clora asked, her voice laced with anger and betrayal. "Not a big deal? My privacy has been invaded. You guys saw me at my weakest."
"No, we saw you at your strongest," Luke countered. "When was the last time you smiled like that? That was the happiest I've ever seen you, way more than when we stopped Mr. Grizz."
"Doesn't mean you were supposed to see me like this," she replied. "There's a difference between a proud smile and a happy one."
Agent 4 decided to speak up.
"With all due respect, captain, I think you're overreacting. You do remember who is on our team, right?"
Of course, Clora knew. Aside from her and the boys, the squad was comprised of idols. To them, dancing was an everyday occurrence, but to Clora, it was a time where she could be someone other than captain. She could be herself, one who loved the energy of the dance floor.
"He does have a point," 8 agreed. "You have nothing to be ashamed of, captain. I'm fact, I would say you're the best dancer I've ever seen."
Clora felt her three hearts accelerate again, and it wasn't from the adrenaline. This was why the boys were a dangerous triple threat. They were brutally honest.
"I wish I could get down like that," Jack added. "I've known you for a long time and never knew you could bust a move like that."
Clora's face softened. Her anger slowly dissipated as the boys complimented her. It wasn't fair. The girls talked about this, but Clora waved it off as simple matters of the heart. Now she knew.
"You guys know I care about every one of you," she said. "Maybe I am making a big deal out of nothing, but as captain, I do have to maintain a certain air to keep everyone in check. This is the only time I can be myself."
She couldn't show weakness. Her squad relied on her to be strong. Even if they were accepting and understanding of her hobby, it didn't change the fact they saw her at a vulnerable moment.
"And we understand that," Jack offered the captain a gentle smile. "But that doesn't mean you need to hide your hobbies. We're your friends. We won't judge you."
Agent 8 walked up to the captain and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"We couldn't have asked for a better leader," he stated. "If anyone deserves time to themselves, it's you, but don't overwhelm yourself for our sake. We are here to lessen your burden."
The three boys had her bedazzled with their smiles.
Clora calmed down and returned the gesture.
"You guys really know how to make a girl feel special, you know. It's a good thing you're all handsome," she shook her head. "Thank you, though. I do appreciate the kind words. Now, if you don't mind, get out so I can change."
"Wait," Luke interjected. "Let me make it up to you."
Clora raised an eyebrow.
"You don't need to do that, Luke," she told him.
"Trust me, you will love this. Get her a chair, guys. I'm going up next."
"You're going to dance?" Agent 8 inquired.
"Since when can you dance?" Jack added.
"Oh, I can do a whole lot more than that," Luke smirked and went to get changed.
Jack got them a chair, and all three took a seat.
"This is going to be good."
"I wish I could dance," Eight commented. "Pearl and Marina want to teach me."
"I'm trash at it. I'll leave that to you guys and stick with covert operations."
"It's great exercise," Clora stated, giving Jack a side look. "You might stand to try it sometimes."
"Hey!" Jack glowered back. "I am plenty fit, thank you very much, captain. I don't have engineer strength like the newbie, but I can still lift."
"Mhmm, like I said, you're lucky you're all handsome," she retorted with a small smile.
It wasn't long until they heard a rhythmic arrangement of footsteps clapping on stage.
The trio saw Agent 3 and felt their jaws drop. Clora blinked a couple of times while Jack and Eight looked on in awe.
Luke changed out of his Chaser suit and into a black top hat, a white dress shirt with long-tiered sleeves, yellow high-waisted pants with three buttons, and black high-heeled boots with orange laces and fire graphics.
"Welcome, lady and gentlemen," greeted them with a bow. "I am Neo Agent 3, but you may call me, Luke."
"Uhh, okay," Jack was at a loss for words. "Someone's way too into this."
"Wow," Agent 8 was in awe. "You look good."
"Thank you, kind sir," Luke tipped his hat and looked at Clora. "What about you, miss?"
The captain couldn't believe this was happening. There was no way this was the fiercely calm "Remnant Chaser" that braved the depths of Alterna and vanquished a giant bear bent on fuzzy domination.
'Oh my gosh, he looks so cute!' she couldn't say that though.
"You look great," she said instead.
"Ahh, the lovely lady approves," Luke mimicked an arrow piercing through his chest. "I'll dedicate this one to her."
Luke flipped through the list of songs until he came across one more appropriate.
"Behold my bolero of fire!" he snapped his fingers, and the song began to fill the room.
As the music played, so did Luke's feet, which tapped the floor in quick succession. His hips swayed to the beat, and his arms flowed with the rhythm. His movements were both gentle and fierce as he flowed across the stage like water. His feet seemed to glide across the floor, and his body told a story with every dip and twirl.
Luke stayed noticeably quiet, but his facial expressions told Clora everything.
The way his eyes closed when he dipped low and how he looked at her when he twirled spoke volumes.
He didn't need a voice when his exaggerated movements and countenances said it all, with the quickness of his feet narrating a story only she could decipher.
The music came to an end, and Luke was rewarded with well-deserved applause from his teammates.
"Woo!"
"Amazing!"
"Unbelievable."
"Thank you, thank you," Luke bowed and left the stage.
When he came back, he was still dressed up.
"Dude, when did you learn to dance like that?" Jack inquired immediately upon seeing him.
"I have a specific set of skills. I can't sing worth carp, but I can shake it. Remnant Chasing made me agile. I've been trying to dethrone Frye from her dancing throne since she issued the challenge during Splatsville's first Splatfest."
"It shows," Clora clapped for Luke again. "That was very entertaining. I'm impressed."
"Yeah, how nice of you to show off for your big sister," Jack smirked at the captain, who went wide-eyed.
"My what?" Luke tilted his head.
"Jack!" Clora squeaked, her tone reaching a high pitch.
"I had to captain. You know I like messing with you. Bye!" Jack hurried and left the dance hall, laughing all the way through the hall.
"You're siblings?" Agent 8 asked, his face full of curiosity.
Clora was eerily silent.
"No, I'm sure it's just Agent 4 being funny," Luke answered.
"Oh, but I can see why. You two do look alike. Callie and Marie have made comments."
'I'm going to commit treason.'
Clora took a couple of deep breaths. She had to calm down. It wasn't worth it. Yes, she saw Neo Agent 3 as a younger sibling, but that was only meant to be between girls.
"Okay," she clapped her hands together. "I'm going to get changed and find a nice relaxing spot to occupy. If you don't want your guts for garters, leave me alone, understand?"
Her smile was sinister, and everyone knew that the captain didn't make idle threats.
"Yes, ma'am!" 3 and 8 saluted and scurried out of the room without a second thought.
After the door closed, Clora collapsed to her knees, a loud groan filling the air.
"Stupid Agent 4. Stupid Squid Sisters. That's the last time I share a secret."
Her cheeks were hot with embarrassment, and her three hearts wouldn't calm down.
'Talk about eventful evenings.'
She absolutely wanted a vacation after that whole fiasco. Although, she did admit that it was heartwarming to hear her boys encourage her. She never bothered because part of her felt outclassed by actual idols, but maybe she did have a shot. There was only one way to find out.
As queen, she had to protect her throne.