I just want to thank everyone for their reviews, knowing that you enjoy this story really helps to keep me motivated. I know that there are a few spelling mistakes scattered here and there, and I just want you to know that I am trying to minimise this. I appreciate any pointers and tips that can improve my writing. Thanks again!

Chapter 5 – Kelp Ramen with a side of Crazy

Fifteen minutes to midnight found Tela dashing through Octo Valley in her Inkling disguise.

"I can't believe I'm doing this… I must be crazy…" Tela muttered. The idea that she was going BACK to Inkopolis to celebrate Splatfest… when the whole city would be ram-packed with Inklings and the chance of her being discovered to be a fake were higher, was laughable… and completely stupid.

Despite the feelings of fear that spiked her heart, happiness and excited coursed through her and almost overpowered everything else. Tela had to admit that, ever since listening to Crazy Old Janjan she had found herself more and more curious about the Inklings and their lifestyles.

As Tela approached the kettle needed to get where to wanted to go, she noticed Cap'n Scuttlefish in his chair snoring. She slowed down to a walk as she neared the old Inkling.

To think that Octavio and he use to be best friends… to have the one you trust the most turn on you like that… poor Scuttlefish.

Tela went to dive in the kettle when Cap'n Scuttlefish gave a start and opened his eyes.

"Agent 3? Is zat you lad?" Cap'n Scuttlefish sat up straight in his chair, until his dark eyes meet the Octoling and they widened with surprise.

"Well scrub me deck… it's you from before! I thought those Octarians had gotten yah!"

Tela rubbed the back of her neck as she turned to face the old Inkling fully while feeling slightly uncomfortable.

"H-Hi…" she responded feebly. It's hard to believe while looking at him, that this old shrivelled up Inkling took down the whole of the Octarian forces with just a platoon. Tela couldn't help but feel shivers up her spine at the thought.

"No need ta be nervous lass! The names Cap'n Scuttlefish, and just who you be yeh?" Cap'n Scuttlefish peered at her with one eye while standing up and leaning on his walking stick.

"Tela." Said Tela without thinking. "TERRY! I-I mean Terry. My names Terry."

Despite the slip-up, she couldn't help but feel some respect for this Inkling.

Then a thought suddenly came to her, Scuttlefish was referring to her as a lass… he knew she was a female? Then why weren't he demanding answers to questions like the fact her tentacles looked nothing like an Inkgirls?

"Terry eh? Well then Terry, you must be pretty skilled if yeh survived hanging around the Octarians."

Tela blushed and quickly looked to the side, away from the eager and impressed stare of Cap'n Scuttlefish. Would he still say that if he knew the truth? Skilled? Psst… yeah right. All the times she failed to splatter agent 3 proved she had no skill at all.

Scuttlefish mistook her look of guilt with embarrassment. "Don't be embarrassed lass! In fact, I'll like ta offer yeh a job."

A job? Why would Cap'n Scuttlefish offer her a job? What could she… oh…. Doesn't Agent 3 work for him? Then… that means, oh…

Tela began to splutter in dismay and panic as she tried to find the words to respond to the old Inklings request, thankfully the old squid himself saved her.

"I'll discuss the details with yeh next time lass, best you be going or you'll miss the opening ceremony for the Splatfest!"

The Splatfest? THE SPLATFEST!

"It was nice to meet you Cap'n Scuttlefish! Bye!" shouted Tela as she turned and ran towards the grate, then dived into it in Octopus form. Scuttlefish smiled and turned away, stroking his beard with a thoughtful expression.

"So that be the Octoling lass… Agent 3 sure knows how to pick them."

Tela landed face first on the ground as she popped out of the grate.

"Dammit! Why am I so terrible at traveling!?" her voice was laced with indignation and pain as she gingerly stood up and brushed herself down.

"TEN!"

Tela looked up and gasped in amazement at the sheer number of Inklings, all whom had shouted at the same time. Look of utter and sheer excitement on their faces added to the Octolings own.

"NINE!"

Tela rushed forwards to be a part of the crowd, never had she seen anything like this back home.

"EIGHT!"

Tela joined in with the countdown to what must be the opening ceremony. Her amber eyes sparkling with delight and child-like wonderment.

"SEVEN!"

The familiar sensation of warmth on the back of her neck made the Octoling freeze, her heart rate speeding up as she swung around to see who was behind her.

"SIX!"

"Hey Terry, ready for the big celebration?" grinned Sora, his emerald eyes shining in a way that made Tela swallow with unease as a strange sensation came across her.

"FIVE!"

Tela closed her mouth when she realised she had it hanging open, looking away in embarrass she couldn't help but smile. Why did everything seem so much better now?

"FOUR!"

"Yeah…" Tela muttered, refusing to meet those alluring green eyes of his. Sora smirked and moved to stand beside her, his shoulder which were slightly taller pressed into the Octoling's own.

"THREE!"

The excitement grew so much that Tela swore she could taste it in the air. She looked at Sora and nudged him gently, she smiled as his eyes meet hers again. She didn't know why she loved seeing them so much.

"TWO!"

Sora laughed and nudged her back, Tela smirked and pushed against him harder.

"ONE!"

The whole of Inkopolis erupted into cheers as every Inkling including Tela began to jump, their arms waving in the air. Music began to belt from every building as confetti sprayed from the rooftops and floated down in a swirling storm of colour.

"Welcome to the Splatfest Festival Terry." Smiled Sora in a goofy kind of way as he began to dance to the music with the other Inklings.He suddenly grabbed Tela's hand and pulled her along.

"Come on Terry! You can't start off the Splatfest without the opening dance!"

Tela laughed as she joined in, truly enjoying herself as she moved to the beat of the music. To think there was a world like this above their heads all this time, a world she had been missing.

"Someone seems to be loosening up a bit." Smirked Sora as he watched Tela twirl around with her hands in the air, her legs going everywhere. The Octolings dancing was awful and even drew a few raised eyebrows from a couple of Inklings, but hey… what did you expect when she was new to the whole dancing thing.

After what felt like half an hour, Sora grabbed hold of Tela's hand again. The Octoling stopped dancing and glanced at the Inkling, her amber eyes wide in surprise.

"I don't know about you but I'm beat. Fancy grabbing a Kelp burger with me?"

Tela's mouth instantly started to water and she nodded her head vigorously. Then she frowned as a thought popped into her head, how was she going to buy a Kelp burger if she didn't have any money?

"Why don't you go ahead, I'll stay here." Tela pulled her hand out of the Inklings grip and stepped back smiling. "I'll see you later dude."

She went to walk away but was stopped when a hand gripped her shoulder, pulling her around so she was face to face with a disappointed looking Inkboy.

Why does he keep touching me? It makes me feel all weird and strange… it's… uncomfortable but at the same time… feels good?

"Aww come on man!" Sora pouted, looking slightly on edge. "If it's about money than just tell me, I don't mind buying. That's what friends are for right? To help each other out."

Tela's eyes grew twice their size as she stared at Sora dumbfounded who simply grabbed her hand again and began to pull her through the crowds of dancing Inklings.

He… he considers me a friend? I wonder how long that'll last if he ever finds out the truth about me. No Inkling in their right minds will want to be friends with a Octoling. Not after all the trouble we caused for them.

After retrieving the kelp burgers and sitting down at one of the few tables not crowded around the restaurant, both Tela and Sora started to dig in with feverish delight.

"So…" started Sora after a few moments. Tela looked up from her meal and stared at him, waiting for him to continue with raised eyebrows.

"Which part of Inkopolis are you from?" the Inkboy smirked as Tela choked on her burger, her eyes wide with sudden horror. How the Octo hell was she going to get out of this one?

Tela pounded her chest trying to get the mouthful of burger to go down, her eyes streaming.

"W-well er… (cough) I l-live umm… you know! Over there… s-somewhere!" Tela waved her hand rapidly in a completely random direction. Sora's grin widened even more at her feeble answer, his emerald eyes narrowed slyly.

"Uh huh? Interesting… What's your favourite colour?"

"Huh!?" Tela stared at Sora nonplussed, taken back by his random change of subject. Then she sighed and looked up to the pitch-black sky, a small smile creeping on her face.

"I like a lot of colours, but my favourite would be… blue. The shade of blue you see when it's midday and you look up to the sky. Every time I see that sky blue I just feel… a sense of freedom."

Silence fell between the two, then Tela looked down and was startled to see the look on Sora's face. Namely… the slight red blush that dusted his cheeks. The Octoling frowned slightly, why was looking at her like that?

Sora quickly casted his eyes away and coughed, the blush now fading away.

"Heh… then I guess you must really like me then huh?" the inkling waved a hand at his tentacles, causing Tela to suddenly blush herself as realization dawned on her. Sora's tentacle colour was the exact shade she loved, no wonder he was looking at her so strangely.

"Yeah… I actually do." Replied the Octoling, her voice no more than a whisper. Sora stared at her with that same strange expression. It was true. At first, she found Sora somewhat annoying but now… now it was something different, something new and Tela wasn't quite sure why her feelings towards the Inkling was changing so much.

Tela turned to watch a couple of Inklings walk by while taking another bite of her burger, it seems the opening party was still going strong.

"What's your favourite pastime?"

Tela looked at Sora when he asked the question. Was… was he trying to get to know her better? A smile made its way across her face at this thought, no one had ever taken an interest in Tela's life before. It felt… nice.

And so, the questions continued with Tela also asking her own. After half an hour, the Octoling discovered that Sora liked the colour cyan, he loves to play Turf Wars and even had a team consisting of his childhood friends. He loves eating kelp and anything spicy but despise sweet foods, and he was 18 years-old soon to be 19 in less than a month. Oh, and he has a phobia of heights.

Through questions, Sora discovered that Tela loves to practise her hand-to-hand combat, obviously she didn't tell him she used to do this in the Octarian forces. She loves any type of food except for pickles, she likes to act tough but can be a cry baby sometimes, has a little sister Levi whom she adores and lastly has a phobia of spiders.

Tela and Sora were still deep in conversation long after finishing their burgers when the music suddenly dimmed, everyone including Sora turned with excitement towards the large TV screen.

The familiar figures of the Squid Sisters (Which Tela had learned more about from Sora.) appeared on the screen. Both stood in front of another Tv screen of their own.

"Hold on to your tentacles…" grinned the one known as Callie.

"It's time for the announcement of the Turf War Team names for this year's Splatfest!" smiled the one known as Marie.

Both Inkgirls moved their hands towards the screen behind them.

"Team Apple and Team Pear!"

Pictures of the mentioned fruits popped up as all the Inklings began to cheer, Apart from Tela who simply stared at the screen in confusion. Just what was going on?

Tela turned back towards Sora and gave a fake cough to gain his attention, her heart skipped a beat when those mesmerising emerald eyes moved to focus on her.

"This is going to sound really weird but… what are the turf wars?"

Tela expected to see shock and horror on the Inkboy's face, what she did NOT expect was for Sora to smirk as if her question was no surprise. He glanced around before pushing his chair back and getting up, he walked around to Tela and held his hand out to her.

"This isn't the best place to explain about Turf Wars, especially in those clothes."

Her clothes? Why? What was wrong with them? Tela glanced at said items before looking at Sora again, a frown forming on her face.

"Those clothes are only available to players with a high level in Turf Wars. See the problem now Terry?"

Tela blushed as the complications became obvious, what would the other Inklings think if they heard her asking about Turf Wars? It would be obvious she's never played the game before, yet she wore the clothes to those who were high levelled in it. Inklings were bound to question whenever she stole them or not.

Which bought up a question, why was Sora acting so casual about it? It was like he already knew the clothes were stolen, like he almost expected it.

Tela nodded her head and moved her hand to grasp Sora's, the Inkling wrapped his fingers tightly around her small hand and pulled her gently out of her seat and along down the street.

"Umm… You can let go now…" muttered Tela as she blushed heavily, she noticed that they were getting a few surprised looks from passing Inklings. An Inkboy walking hand in hand with another seemly Inkboy must be an uncommon sight.

Sora blushed and instantly let go. Tela rolled her eyes as she sped up, so that she is walking side by side with him. She was beginning to suspect that Sora was into Inkboys with the way he kept touching her.

For some reason this thought made her stomach twist, why was she feeling upset all of a sudden? So, an Inkboy that she finds very attractive for some reason may or may not like females, nothing to get sad over right? ... … …. Octo damn...

"Are you going to tell me where we're going? Or do I need to start getting worried?" Tela said waspishly, her last thoughts still floating around her head.

Sora raised an eyebrow at the Octolings sudden change of tone.

"My apartment, I'm going to give you more appropriate clothes to wear. Then I'll explain the Turf Wars to you."

It didn't take long before Tela was sitting on the same sofa she had woken up on a few days ago. Since she wasn't in a rush this time, she was able to take in more of the room. It was quite nice despite the fact there was clutter here and there.

The room was a combined living room and kitchen space with doors leading to what Tela assumed was two bedrooms and a bathroom.

"Here Terry, catch!"

Tela looked up and saw a bundle of clothes come flying at her, she managed to catch them and scowled at Sora who laughed.

"I'll make us some kelp ramen while you get changed. I knew keeping those old clothes of mine will come in handy one day."

Tela nodded as she stood up and made her way to the bathroom after asking Sora which door it was. The bathroom was small but nice, it's colour scheme forest green.

"Ok… getting naked in a guy's bathroom, nothing wrong with that." Muttered Tela has she pulled each piece of clothing off, then began to put on the clothes given to her. As she went to pull the basic tee over her head, she stopped and began to sniff as a familiar scent hit her nose.

Oh Octo… when was the last time Sora had washed these!? They smell just like him… they smell… so nice…

Without realising what she was doing, Tela held the basic tee to her face and took deep inhales of the amazing scent of the Inkling.

What is wrong with me!? I'm an Octoling! I shouldn't be having these weird feelings or acting like a complete weirdo over some Inkboy!

Tela quickly pulled on the clothes, then came to a little snag, her hat. The hat that Sora had given her had no top, which meant her tentacles were going to be exposed.

She folded her old clothes and left them on the ledge of the bathtub, then left the bathroom. A delicious smell hit her nose and grew stronger when she approached Sora at the kitchen counter, stirring a pot of noodles and kelp.

"Sora?" the Inkling turned towards her at the sound of her voice. "Do you have any other hats I can wear?"

"Why? Is there something wrong Terry?"

Tela was surprised to see the Inkling smirking at her.

"N-nothing! I just… (sigh) I d-don't like my tentacles showing… ok?"

Sora chuckled as he moved the pot to the wash board. "Hmmmm… I guess I can give you one of my old bandanas." He said as he began to pour the kelp ramen into two large bowls.

Sora moved towards the sofa and sat down, he then offered one of the bowls to Tela who settled beside him and took the bowl with thanks.

"Well then… Guess I'll start explaining."

Tela sat and listened for nearly an hour as Sora explained everything there is to know about Turf Wars, she was actually amazed and truth be told completely fascinated by what she was told.

Turf Wars was a game almost every Inkling played as soon as they turned 14, the age where Inklings can control their forms. The game consist of two teams made up of four players, and the goal is to cover the area known as the Turf Area in their team's ink. Whichever team covers the most surface wins.

Each Inkling, upon becoming a player gains an ID card stating what level they are at. Each match gives them points which in return raises their level. The shops stationed around the Turf War Lobby only sold certain merchandise to players at certain levels.

There were two facts that took Tela by complete surprise. One, the Inklings could freely change their tentacles and ink colour by simply being submerged or exposed to the colour they wanted. Octarians were only able to produce purple ink, so this little bit of information was astounding to her.

Second fact, in a Turf War match the teams can splatter their opponents, this had shocked Tela at first who stared at Sora in horror. Until it was explained that they didn't really die, they simply 'respawned' thanks to their amazing device which Tela like to refer to as a 'Respawning point.'

All this information was hard for the Octoling to wrap her tentacles around, but even she couldn't deny how fun it sounded. Tela almost wished she could take part, but the games weren't design for Octarians like herself.

"All that leaves now is the Splatfest Turf Wars…" said Sora as he slouched on his sofa, on hand holding up his head while the other waved around the air lazily.

"All teams that take part today are assigned to a side to win points for, then at the end of the Splatfest, whatever Team has the most points is the overall winner. Each year's Splatfest teams are always different, last year it was Team Chocolate vs Team White Chocolate."

Tela leaned back against the sofa as she tried to recall what the Squid Sisters had said on the big TV screen.

"And this year is Team Apple and Team Pear?"

"Yup! Me and my friends are going to enter like we do every year."

Sora sat up straight and grinned at Tela. "Let me get you that bandana, then I'll take you to meet them! They can be a little weird sometimes, but they're the best friends any Inkling could ask for."

Tela nodded her head as Sora got up and left. His friends huh? The Octoling couldn't help but feel a sense of nervousness at the idea of meeting the other Inklings. Would they like her? Or would they be able to discover her secret easily and expose her, she didn't think she could cope if Sora suddenly looked at her in disgust and hatred.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Tela lagged slightly behind Sora as they walked down the street, Inklings were still partying hard and a few Inkboys were even wrestling to the loud cheers of their friends. Sora clicked his tongue as he shook his head at the sight.

Soon they arrived at the Turf War Lobby, the entrance squid-packed with Inklings as they chatted away in excited voices. Tela noticed most of them seem to be in groups of four, all clutching weapons of different descriptions. Sora himself was carrying a Scattershot Pro, with a sudden drop of her stomach Tela noted it was the same gun design that Agent 3 used. Coincidence or what?

"There they are!" yelled Sora as he began to jump up and down on the balls of his feet, waving his arms in the air. "Ryu! Maya! Naya! Over here guys!"

Tela watched with fascination and trepidation as a green tentacled Inkboy dressed in brown shorts, white shirt with a blue tie and black boots approached them. He peered through his metal framed glasses as he smiled warmly at Sora.

"Sora! You reached your destination in a non-timely manner as per normal my friend." Said Ryu as he hoisted up what seem to be an Aerospray MG weapon.

Two identical Inkgirls popped up from behind Ryu and giggled loudly at the same time, Tela noted that they were the most unusual set of twins she had ever met. They both wore identical pink glittery thigh length sleeveless dresses, pink glittery high heels and what seem to be puffy flowery pink bracelets on both their wrists. Both their pink coloured tentacles seem to curl around as they fell to the ground in the normal Inkgirl fashion, even their weapons were identical as both clutched in their hands Carbon Roller weapons.

"Sora! Sora! Let's beat some Inklings up ok!" both Inkgirls said at the same time.

Ryu turned his gaze towards Tela who swallow at the intense stare from those purple eyes of his, it was like they were trying to calculate what or who she is.

"From my previous memories, I don't recognise your facial features… who are you?"

Tela blinked at the strangeness of this Inkling. "My names Terry, nice to meet you?"

Ryu narrowed his eyes before suddenly staring at Sora who smirked and shook his head slightly, it almost felt as if the two Inkboys were having a silent conversation. Finally Ryu turned his gaze back and Tela felt herself relax when it seemed more friendly this time.

"Very well… It's a pleasure to meet you Terry." Smiled Ryu.

Sora wrapped an arm around Tela shoulders and laughed.

"Terry, this is my best friend Ryu, He's our teams Strategy Expert."

Ryu pushed the glasses back up his face as he sniffed. "Well… someone has to be the brains on this team."

"The freaky twins back there are Maya and Naya. They may not look it, but no other Inklings can come close to them when it comes to melee combat."

The twins simultaneously blushed and giggled, both waving their free hands in Sora's direction as their chocolate brown eyes seem to sparkle.

"Oh Sora! If we didn't consider you our friend we would have to beat you up to an inky pulp for that 'Freaky twins' comment!" they both said at the same time.

"You'll have to excuse Maya and Naya." Muttered Ryu when he noticed the slightly scared look on Tela's face.

"Guys… this is Terry. He's a friend so please be gentle with him ok?" said Sora as Tela gave a timid smile and wave.

The twins pushed forwards and each grabbed one of the Octolings hands, their feet seem to have springs attached as they giggled with glee.

"Terry! Terry! Let's beat some Inklings up ok? We're totally gonna win this Splatfest war!"

Holy Octo! These guys are borderline creepy and aggressive despite their looks, yet… I kinda like that about them. They're not afraid to be themselves, unlike me.

"Woah Maya, Naya calm down!" said Sora as pulled Tela away from the grasp of the over-the-top pink glittery squid twins.

"Terry isn't taking part in the Turf Wars. He's just going to watch, so we need to put on a good show for him ok?"

Tela blinked at Sora's words. He just assumed I wasn't taking part...

"Then I shall use my intelligents to their highest capacity and formulate the most well-formed strategy that will 100% leave our new friend speechless and impressed." Smirked Ryu as he pushed up his glasses.

"And we're beat up the Inklings extra hard with our Carbon Rollers! Just for you Terry!" giggled the twins as the twirled their weapons and posed with them. Tela felt a bead of sweat at their enthusiasm for violence.

"Come on Terry! I can't impress you with my amazing Turf War skills standing here!" shouted Sora, his emerald eyes gleaming with excitement as he removed his arm from Tela's shoulder and grabbed her hand to haul her into the Turf Wars Lobby, followed closely by a smirking Ryu and a giggling Maya and Naya.