Author's Note

Hello There! Welcome again everyone, I hope you enjoyed the last chapter, and I would like to apologize if this, or the last one are overly long or short, just a habit of mine, if it's an issue, I can fix it (or try my hardest to ;-P) by the next chapter. And on that note, Woomy and Veemo! (Once again,i do not own Splatoon, the characters or anything of the sort, though if I did, that wouldn't be too bad ;-3)

And because i want to avoid confusion (Agent 8: 16, Agent 3: 16 at least they're 16 for now ;-D)

Chapter 2: Finding a Good Start

The platform was let down on the landing pad, as the helicopters flew off to the tarmac they had came from. As strange as it was to think, the day had ended after such a thrilling, last minute save of the city, and even the world. As they walked toward the city Pearl was talking about how they clearly had the story of the millenium for Inkopolis News. Marina wasn't as excited. "I think it's better for everyone that we just leave this as just a Squidbeak Splatoon kinda thing" the trendy Octoling concluded. "Ugghh! Fine!" Pearl responded, "but I'm sure it would've been the most known story of the century, squiddos all over would be talking about us for years." "Pearl…" Marina said warningly as they started to finish the conversation. Agent 8 saw both points of the argument, and decided to not butt in, choosing to relish every moment of feeling any fresh breeze and seeing the city. Agent 3 felt the same, both on his view on the popstars' argument, and enjoying the city, as it had been a while since he had been back in Inkopolis. They were walking towards Pearl and Marina's studio as they had some things to finish up, and it was on the way to Cap'n Cuttlefish's home and Agent 3's apartment. The street was barren as all the shops offices had closed for the night. The group then reached the studio, and as both girls of Off the Hook started for the door, Pearl realized something, "Wait a sec, where's 8 gonna stay?"

The pink tentacled octoling simultaneously nervously shifted her stance, and breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't think of that until a few moments ago, and didn't want to bring it up and seem rude. Nonetheless the question still awkwardly hung in the air. "Um, Well, Pearl and I would love to have you, but it's been really hectic at our place and I don't know if that would be the best place for you, especially since we've been so busy lately and you'd probably be left alone all the time." 8 looked at the two singers, "Thanks guys, it's alright. I appreciate the honesty." That left Cap'n Cuttlefish and Agent 3. Agent 3 was still a little unsure about Agent 8, and wasn't sure if he would be the best guide for her new life. However, 3 knew about the Cap'n's living style and personality, and felt that if Agent 8 went to stay with him well, someone was going to end up losing it. So before the elderly inkling could say anything, 3 spoke up, having made up his mind, for better or worse. "Well," he started awkwardly, trying not to sound nervous and make the sentence as normal as possible, "8 can stay with me at my place."

This quickly got a response, as 8 looked at the blue tentacled inkling with curious eyes, and everyone else with, slightly concerned looks. "Are you sure my boy? You may have Agent 8 here as a guest for a rather long time, I can have her with me if you'd prefer." The young adult looked at his elderly friend and leader. In all honesty, 3 might've preferred that Cap'n take the octoling agent, he was usually very confident about most things, but in this case was unsure about having someone in his personal life and space, for what could be a long time, especially a girl he just met. He considered letting Cuttlefish take her, when he saw 8 's gaze on him, curiosity, mixed with a little hope. He sighed, his decision cemented. However, there were other reasons he felt he should have her stay with him, one being the Splatoon leader. No offense to the Cap'n, but he was unsure how 8 would handle his… eccentricity. The other reason was more personal in nature, aside from her amber gaze. " It's fine, don't worry about it. I mean, after today and how she saved me, twice, I kinda owe her one, so she can stay with me. That is, if you're ok with that 8." all eyes fell on 8 now, as she was thinking about how far she came, apparently fighting Agent 3 by herself not that long ago, to having actual friends trying to help her in her new home, with even the agent she had fought offering his place. She nodded, "I'd love to stay at your place, thank you," 3 silently nodded in response, " Thanks, all of you." 8 smiled brightly, successfully stopping a tear that was threatening to show. "Well, young lady, we also have you to thank, if it wasn't for you, we wouldn't have, well, anywhere to go right now." Cuttlefish and the others all smiled back at 8. Pearl, having always been easily excitable, could barely contain her excitement. "Group Huuggg!" she yelled as she jumped on 8, followed by Marina, Agent 3, and even Cap'n Cuttlefish (who suddenly seemed surprisingly agile for his age). As they all fell over in a large pile they burst into a fit of laughter, that lasted a good long while. They were a sight that would've looked quite odd to look at if there were any others out that night to see them.

As the laughter died down, Marina quickly got up, grabbing 8's CQ-80 and ran inside, "Hold on a moment guys!" As everyone else slowly got up, still softly chuckling to themselves, Marina came back with a small device. She handed it to 8, "Here," she started, "This is a Shellphone, you can use it to call any of us, or talk to us via chat room. I also uploaded all the data from your old CQ-80 on it, so you can still access any info from your time underground, as well as get updates from the Squidbeak Splatoon… or watch Inkopolis News, and download the latest beats," she added with a wink. 8 tried quite hard not to just analyze this new tech in her hands, and simply thanked Marina. Pearl walked over, and positioned herself next to Marina, "Well, guys," she started,"We got to go, so stay fresh guys!" ending with their signature and movements. Cuttlefish, 3, and 8 waved goodbye to the duo, and walked a little more before the leader of the two Squidbeak agents bid them adieu, and headed off toward his home, leaving the two alone. "Thanks again for offering to have me over, " 8 said again. He smiled a little tiredly, "No problem, now let's go home, it's been a LONG day.".

Agent 8 thought those words over in her mind, after all this, she felt like she was home, despite never having been to the surface before, it just felt right, like the puzzle piece needed in order for everything to tie together. The pair walked through the streets until they got to an apartment complex, where they started for one one of the buildings. The building wasn't very tall, but had a formal, organized feel to it. They went up to the third floor, and entered 3's apartment. It was pretty organized and everything looked just like it had when he left it, even if that didn't mean much since he didn't really live in it, constantly off on missions. He had a small kitchen, a round table that could sit four, next to an decently sized living room with a couch and TV, with a gaming console. A bathroom, and a decently sized bedroom with single sized bed with blue sheets. "Welcome to my home," 3 said as he went over to his closet to put away their stuff, leaving 8 at the doorway, eyes curiously examining the apartment thoroughly, unsure of what to focus on first. She recognized some of the items in 3's home from magazines in the Deepsea Metro,but seeing it first hand, her curiosity was starting to eat at her. 3 came back, and took of his shoes by the entrance, prompting 8 to do the same. The inkling then led Agent 8 to his bedroom,"I figured it would be best if you didn't sleep on the couch, since we don't know when we'll figure out your living situation, (sigh) but I think I have something that should work." he then pulled out an air mattress and started inflating it next to his bed. 8 watched him at first, following his movements carefully, when she realized he was going to be doing this for a while. So, the octoling just wandered around his apartment, examining everything. After going through his entire apartment, she was satisfied with her quick examination Underground she never had a home she could come back to, or a place to sleep like this (unless she counted the Deepsea Metro, which still didn't really constitute as a home), and she especially hadn't ever thought of one that, to her, seemed so lavish. She eventually came back in the bedroom, sitting down on the bed while he finished inflating her mattress. The moment she sat on the bed, her body suddenly felt heavy and sluggish, 8 hadn't really rested since she started her underground journey (aside from a few uncomfortable naps between stations), and the bed felt like some otherworldly cloud that had been waiting for her. 3 quickly reached for a blanket and laid it on the completely inflated mattress, which was about a foot or so lower than the bed, "Well, it's ready 8...8?" He quickly looked around the room, and saw Agent 8 comfortably on his bed, her black eyelids closed. He sighed, and proceeded to chuckle to himself. He pulled a blanket over 8, and with a smile on his face layed down on the air mattress and got comfortable. "Good night 8." There was no response, at least, until 3 had almost completely drifted to sleep. The reply was groggy, but genuine, petering out to a whisper by the end. "Good night 3. Thanks, for everything." and with that, both inkling and octoling silently fell asleep happily, with 3 in particular drifting away with stubborn smile that just refuse to fade from his face. Definitely a good start to their journeys in Inkopolis.

(Another quick note) Here comes the hard part, I touched on it a little this, and the last chapter, but with 8's arrival to Inkopolis, I want to "Balance out her experience. Basically, I don't want her to be CONSTANTLY in awe, or unknowing of EVERYTHING like she was born yesterday, but also not able to just come in, blend in and just act like her arrival to the surface is just another day at the office. Once again, if you have any helpful criticism, let me know. and I'll catch you later, Adiós!