Discord: /C7CaQzCfKQ
"Finally!" Riptide cheered as tears of joy streamed down his face. After months of labor, the room is complete. All the drones that were previously piled on the floor are now aligned beside one another on the wall.
"Well, would you look at that, you managed to put it together. I'm impressed." Shiver stood beside him, looking up at the room with a smirk.
"No thanks to you guys," Riptide grumbled under his breath.
"Ay (I would have helped but these fins aren't so useful.)" Big Man chimed in.
"You're the exception, these two on the other hand..." He glares at the Inkling and Octoling who shrug at him.
"It was your job, not ours. I don't understand what you could possibly be complaining about."
Riptide sighs, "It still would be nice for some kind of help..."
"Well, it's too late now," Shiver pats her stomach before stretching. "Anyways, I'm feeling quite hungry right now, what do you say we all grab a bite to eat?"
Frye's head perked up at the mention of food. "I call dibs!"
"No!" The three all shouted at once as Frye's ears drooped slightly.
"You're no fun..." she pouted, looking at the ground.
Shiver placed a hand on her head, "Frye, I would let you pick something if it wasn't always deep-fried."
"Like you're any better, Ms. I love spicy food" she sulked. "Actually, why don't we have Riptide do it since he's been out-"
Riptide coughed to interrupt her, she looked at him in confusion before finally realizing what she said.
"Uh, I mean... Since he never has chosen before!" her mouth curled up into an awkward and unconvincing grin; something Shiver clearly didn't buy given her unamused face.
"Yeah, nice try... now, what were you about to say?" she grinned darkly, slowly pulling out her fan in a threatening manner. He attempted to swallow the lump in his throat, looking over to where Frye sat, she wasn't doing too hot as well.
"I was-"
"Ay! (guys!)" Thankfully, The savior rushed into the room, almost stumbling over the chairs as they clattered to the ground. The group jumped in surprise with Riptide stumbling over Shiver, causing her to glare in return.
"W-When did you leave?" Riptide asked.
"Ay (Dosen't matter!)" he lifted his fin, revealing a poster with an Inkling and an Octoling standing back to back as they pose. The shorter one of the two wore a crown. "AY! (Damp Socks are touring WITH Off the Hook! And they're coming here!)"
"What!?" Shiver and Frye shrieked, leaving Riptide to stare at them in confusion.
"When!?" Shiver hissed.
"A-Ay! (N-Next week!)" Big Man stammers, backing away slightly as Shiver stomps toward him, ripping the poster from his fins.
"Gimmie that!" her eyes narrow, glaring at the picture as if she were trying to burn it with her eyes alone. "You gotta be squidding me!"
"U-Um, who's Off the Hook?" Riptide raised his hands causing Shiver to snap her head toward him with a baffled expression. "You don't know who Off the Hook is? Have you been living under a rock!?"
He stared at her with a blank look before Shiver slapped her head, "Actually, don't answer that."
"They're punks who think they have the authority to mess with our town!" Frye explained.
"Ay... (Actually, they are a band from Inkopolis. Shiver and Frye just think of them as rivals, especially when it comes to Pearl. She's just scared they'll steal the show.)" Big Man whispered.
Riptide stared at Shiver, who continued to rant. "Is it really a big deal?" he muttered. Suddenly, the whole room became quiet; everyone stood stiff and Riptide felt a looming presence of dread fill his body.
Shiver's heady slowly creaked around to face him, her eyes lacking any light. "Not... a big... deal?"
It didn't take a genius to know that he set her off. Slowly everyone backed off as Shiver drew forward. "Um- Because you're already better than them?"
Shiver's head snapped to the side, "I'm better than them?" Frantically, Riptide nodded his head. Everyone waited anxiously to see what she would do. "Of course, of course! I'm better than them, you had me for a moment!" she began to cackle madly.
Everyone let out a sigh of relief before Frye turned around, "Still though, we need to do something and fast! No way can we allow them to outshine us!"
"Well, you'll think of something. Anyways, I'm gonna go to bed," he yawns, sluggishly moving down the hall before a hand fiercely grips his shoulder.
"Wait." Shiver said bluntly. Riptide shuttered at her voice.
"Y-Yeah?" he asked with a forced smile, beads of sweat laced his face.
"You're part of the group. You're also included in this discussion."
"Oh no, I could never intrude on this, I don't have any experience on this subject!" Waved her off.
"Ohohoh! I do insist!" her grip grew tighter.
"Oh, but it sounds super important and I'm exhausted, I should go to bed!" Riptide nervously chuckles, trying to lightly let her down. He was already exhausted from finishing the room, the last thing he needs is to deal with an upset Shiver.
000
"So, what about if you do a sing-off or something?" Riptide asked while yawning. He lay on the couch on his side, trying to keep his eyes from closing.
"No, we can't do that!" Shiver shouted, her eyes widened in bafflement.
"What, why not?" he asked, slightly ticked that she shot down his idea when she was the one who dragged him into this mess.
"Well..." Frye glanced at Shiver, "We'd look like jerks. It's clear that they already have everything planned. If we suddenly announce that we're also doing a concert or challenge them to a sing-off, it'll probably come across as rude."
"Ay... (Not to mention how awkward it would be if they declined...)" Big Man added. Riptide couldn't help but be surprised at Frye and Shiver's generosity. He felt slightly amused at Shiver sagely nodding her head as they explained, though it was clear she still felt some displeasure.
"Then what those tuff things?" he asked.
"Tuff things?" Shiver mouthed.
"You know, those things where you shoot each other?"
"Oh, turf wars!" Frye's eyes sparkled at the mention of turf battles.
"Ay? (What about them?)" Big Man asked.
"Nothing just, what if you challenge them to a turf battle?"
"O-Of couse! Why didn't I think of that, the answer is so obvious now!" Shiver rushed past him before shouting, "Do you know how to hack people's screens?"
"Nope!" Riptide shouted back, partially lying between his teeth.
"Well, get ready to learn!" Shiver cackled.
Riptide groaned.
000
It was a peaceful day in Inkopolis Square as Marina tinkered on a workbench. The TV down the hallway provided some much-needed background noise. She kept remembering not to bite her tongue when she was in focus. Things have been relatively calm as of recently, ever since the chaos that ensued back in the metro at least. Agent Eight or Lemna as Pearl started calling her after growing tired of calling her Eight.
But, that calmness can't last forever. The door burst open as Pearl stumbled over herself scaring Marina as her soldering iron flew up into the air.
"What the- Oh, Pealie, don't scare me like that! I almost burnt myself!"
"Uh, sorry about that 'Rina..." she rubbed her head sheepishly before shaking it. "N-Nevermind that! Have you checked the TV!? It's been hacked!"
"What!?"
"Not only that, they got their faces on almost every screen, everyone on SplatNet has been going crazy about it!" Pearl shoved her phone in her face. Sure enough, multiple pictures of not only their TVs but also the electronic billboards had the same spinning 3.
"Thats..." Marina's eyes widened in recognition. "Deep Cut."
"Deep cut? Yo, isn't that idol group in Splatsville?" she asked to which Marina nodded.
She got up from her swivel chair and began to bolt down the hall "I'm gonna check on the TV, I gotta find out what this is about!"
"Yo, wait up!" Pearl shouted, chasing after her.
000
Marina's eyes were glued to the TV before jumping slightly at the change of the screen.
"Is this thing on?" the blue-haired girl asked, tapping the microphone. A distorted muffled voice responded in the distance. Marina instantly recognized the trio standing in front, but something caught her off guard: a shadow. Maybe it was nothing or perhaps it was paranoia from being in the Octarian army, but she swears it looked like a figure.
"Good," the blue-haired girl, who she assumed was Shiver smirked behind her fan. "Now I know that you all from Inkopolis are freaking out, but we heard that a certain group is coming to OUR city."
"You can do your little concert, but we want to welcome you our way. That's right," the yellow-haired girl who she presumed was Frye grinned with challenge. "We challenge you, Off the Hook to a turf battle!"
"Ay! (Yeah, b-but you can refuse of course!)" Big Man chimed in.
"Only if you're scared." Shiver scoffed.
"We'll show you why Deep Cut is the best!"
The TV shut off leaving the two stunned silence and with tons of questions. It wasn't until Pearl shot up, that Marina's brain started to work again. "Yo, they think they can scare us off like that? Let's show 'em what Off the Hook really is about! You with me!?"
"Uh, y-yeah!" she feigned a smile. Deep down inside, she knew it was just enough to get Pearl riled up, and she knew once Pearl is set on something, there is no going back.
"We need to respond, and quick!" Pearl grabbed her hand and yanked her toward her room.
"H-Hey wait!" she stuttered as she felt a massive headache. Today was going to be a long day.
000
"Yo what's up Splatsville!" An enthusiastic Pearl shouted, almost blowing the speakers.
"Ahhgh! Someone turn her down!" Shiver shouted over, covering her ears while gritting her teeth. The others tolerated her voice just as well.
"I think my ears are bleeding," Riptide whined, hardly hearing himself over the ringing in her ears.
"Now, We've seen that challenge sent to your girl Pearl and 'Rina to a good old turf battle, and I'm here to say that we accept! We tolerate a lotta things, but no one calls us afraid, especially not 'Rina!" Pearl said with a slight edge in her voice, jabbing a finger at the camera. In the corner, Marina appeared slightly flushed in the face, shifting nervously.
"3000 G they're a secret couple," Frye snickered.
"Really, who would have guessed it?" Riptide rolled his eyes playfully.
"Shut up and lemme' have my fun!" grinning, she popped another chip into her mouth.
Turning his attention away from the group and back on the other two, he sharpened his gaze. "So this is Off the Hook?" he muttered.
Interesting...
000
"Riptide! Have ya looked at the news!? The Queen of Chaos has been challenged by Deep Cut! It's all over th' news!" Charys ran over to him, her long black 'hair' trailing behind her. She skidded to a halt, shoving the phone in front of his face.
"Yeah. Yeah, I saw it," he sighed, gently pushing the phone away from his face. "Wait, Queen of Chaos?"
She paused her mouth a gape like he said that he could see ghosts or something. "Yer kiddin' right!? Ya don't don't know the Queen of Chaos? She's the one who influenced this city in the first place!"
"I mean, it's not that crazy of a statement. I'm not from around here, I told you that!"
"Huh? No, ya didn't! Ya said you was from 'ere!"
"When did I-" his body stiffened at the memory. Before the raid on the human base, he met Charys a few times prior. Though it was less intentional and more so stumbling across each other. "So I officially graduated from 'Mystery Dude?'"
"Well, ya gained my respect. After the hell hole- wait! Don' think yer gettin' outa this, 'specially if you try goin' all mysterious on me righ' now!" she hissed.
"Alright. Alright! I'll tell you!. I can't say where- But!" He quickly adds, noticing her hand shoot toward her splatana. She hesitates but lowers her hand, her eyes sharpening as to say 'Go on.'
"I will say I'm not from here, right now I'm living with a group of people. Not for free though!" he stares at her who returns before she relents, letting her muscles relax.
"Okay, fine. I can tell a good guy from a bad guy anyway, I've seen enough of 'em in my life."
"Good guys or bad guys?" he questioned.
"Both," she says simply, leaving it at that. "'Nyways, I'm lookin' for some food, what 'bout you?"
"Yeah, that sounds about good," he sighed.
It wasn't long before they made it a small restaurant off in some obscure alleyway that Riptide didn't even know existed. It was a small restaurant similar to a Hole-in-the-wall restaurant with dim lighting and few customers. It was clear that the people here were tight-knit, setting a more relaxing and welcoming environment.
"Yo, what up Charys!" The owner waved at us. He was relatively tall, towering over Riptide with white appendages that seemed to work as arms and hair. Anyone would be put off by his appearance, but anyone who's seen a talking fish would be used to it. "Who's your friend?"
"Ritchie, this is Riptide," she said as she took a seat nearby, as Riptide followed suit.
"Woah, killer mask man! I betcha you're the 'Mystery Dude' Charys has been going on about," he chuckled, ruffling Charys's head to her dismay.
"Not now mate," she groaned much to his amusement.
Riptide turned his head, "You talk about me?"
"It's a bit hard not considering what we did last week," she said. "What was I supposed to do? Not tell them how we practically barged our way into some mysterious facility and fought our way back to the surface?"
"She's got a point there, people would pay a lot of G for that info," he chuckled. "By the way, you want anything? I got some new drinks."
"New ones? Not the Strawberry-apple blend you somehow call a soda," she perked her eyebrow.
"Hey, it's in a can so-"
"It's not even carbonated!" she rubs her forehead in frustration. "So, what do ya have exactly?"
"Well, got something called Spontaneuton, it's like an energy drink. There is also TentaCool, a recently popular drink-"
"Ya know, I'll just get some wa'er," she says while leaning against that table.
"Wa'er?" Riptide grins behind his mask. "Did you say wa'er?"
"I mean water!" she shot up with flushed cheeks.
Ritchie laughs, "Ah man, that brings back the day when we first met. I couldn't even understand you under that heavy accent!"
"I've heard it before, why are you getting nervous now?" Riptide asks. Charys doesn't respond, choosing to face her head down and away from his face.
"She typically doesn't but she tries to keep it a minimum. Certain words are more obvious," he explains. "Meet someone she doesn't like, and trust me, bro. She won't hesitate to start speaking in tongue."
"Come on, can we stop talkin' 'bout my accent?" she whined reaching for the invisible cup that Ritchie hasn't placed yet. Now that Riptide thought about it, her accent reminded him of a mix between a Cockney accent and something else: at least, that's what his translator presented it as.
Deciding to show mercy, Ritchie changed the subject. "So, I hear you dominated the battle field today."
Charys perked up with a prideful grin spreading across her face. "Oh, did-ya now?"
"You do turf wars?" Riptide asks.
"'N you don't?"
"Uh n-no..." he muttered. Ritchie froze, Riptide could swear that through all of his hair, he saw his jaw drop. Charys groaned, sipping water while grumbling, "Of course you don't..."
"D-Did I say something offensive?"
"No, it's just... Turf wars are a cultural thing, even I do 'em where I'm from. It's unheard of anyone not doing a turf war," Charys explained, scratching her cheek.
"Oh right, you guys kill others to decide laws and all that... N-Not that I have a say in it... it's just..."
"I'm sorry, did-ya just say kill? We ain't no animals!" she almost stood up to glare at her through the glasses.
Riptide paused, "You don't?"
"Of course not you dumb-bass!"
"Dumb-ba- Wait, where do all the people go when they die?"
"They... respawn?" Charys raised her eyebrow quizzically.
"Wait. Wait. Wait one sec- you don't know about respawning!?" Ritchie asked, baffled.
"Like a video game?" he tilts his head.
Ritchie turns his head to Charys expectantly to which she shrugs. "Like I said, under a rock."
"No kidding..." he muttered.
"So, you guys don't kill each other?" Riptide continues to question.
"No! Anytime we splat the respawn machine pulls us back. At least when there is one, if there isn't one like outside of here, well; yer cooked."
"But Shiv- my friend said that-"
"Are you that gullible?"
"I... AH SHIVER YOU DICK!" Riptide cursed.
"Sorry, I think I miss heard ya over tha' screamin'... Shiver?"
"Uh- no! I mean yes, a different Shiver... not the one one you're thinking about."
"Uh-huh. Never once had I heard someone else named Shiver, it ain't common at all," her eyes narrowed dangerously. "Yer hidin' somethin'?"
Riptide looked over at Ritchie, only getting a shrug in return.
"And you're not?" he countered.
"No, 'course not!"
"I don't know about that, you seem pretty keen on-" Ritchie began only to be silenced.
"We ain't talkin' 'bout tha'!" she shouted over Ritchie.
"Y-Yo cool it, you're disturbing the others, and I don't really feel like kicking you guys out."
The two looked around, the air growing thick as every face turned to look at them. Charys looked down in shame with Riptide thankful for his mask covering his face.
"Yer righ' sorry..." she muttered.
"Me too," Riptide sighed.
"Good, now. They're broadcasting a match right now, so I figured you two would wanna watch," Ritchie pointed at the television with his tentacle.
"Shell yes!" Charys pumped her fist up. Riptide sighed in relief as he felt the air grow lighter.
The TV flashed to life showing the two sides. "So, this will be your first match you watch, ya?"
"Y-Yeah, only seen clips and short videos." I didn't mention that half the clips were of Shiver 'splatting' someone.
"Well, this will be awsome, trust me bro."
Riptide looked at the TV, showing a group of four vs four of various Octolings and Inklings. The match seemed to occur in a theme park called 'Wahoo World.' Despite being a theme park it was barebones, with seemingly no big rides besides a roller coaster.
"This doesn't really look like a theme park," he commented.
"It's not really, the battlefield is actually a sectioned-off part of Wahoo World, specifically for battle. The actual park is behind it and most of the stores there are completely fake," Ritchie explained.
Riptide continued watching the match, though one one caught his attention. A green inkling girl bobbed and weaved through bombs similar to the ones Charys used at the base before returning with ones of her own. "There she goes again," Charys sighed.
"Who's that?"
"Slash is what they call 'er. She's quickly made a name for herself despite playing for only a few months, she's risen high on the leaderboard. Lotta people admire 'er," she explained, her focus never straying from the screen.
"So she's a big deal?"
"We're rivals."
"Rivals?" he asks, now curious to what she will say. The only 'rivalry' he's seen was Deep Cut and Off the Hook, and that was a friendly one; but, given her subtle scowl, it was something more serious.
"Yeah, she's a quiet one, ain't too much of a talker... She likes goin' 'lone, keeps to herself, y'know?"
"Don't you do the same thing?" I ask.
She gives a short glare causing Riptile to recoil but she lets up, "It may look like that, but she's not really into the whole ethics type of thing, she'll pick whatever side pays the most outside of battles. Had the misfortune of runnin' into her once with Weeder and his gang of flubbers."
He snorted, "Sorry who?"
"Cetus," she growled.
"Oh..." suddenly the name-calling wasn't as funny. "S-So... is that why you don't like her?"
"Nah, I'd be a hypocrite then. Outside of the city, people are unruly, hard to trust anyone. Eventually one way or another, yer gonna hafta work with them." She leans back in the chair, resting the back of her neck on her shoulders.
Riptide didn't respond, giving a nod. He didn't want to pressure her further, but he felt even more curious.
"Look, all I'll say is that she don't take this thing seriously. To her, fightin' people is a breeze, sure turf is meant to be fun but... it don't matter if you an experienced player or a newbie, she'll kick ya down and turn around acting like it was nothing. Sometimes... I just wonder what is goin' on in her head," she sighed. "Lotta newbies left after her. I just... I don't think she enjoys turf, treats it more of a job then a game. It bugs me."
Riptide hums in acknowledgment, glancing at Slash who had a blank look on her face, no trace of a smile or frown, just neutral. The round was over after three minutes and naturally, Slash's team won with her being labeled the best.
"Hey Riptide you-" Charys turned to Riptide only to stop as he intensely stared at the screen.
"Holy shit... Judd?" Riptide gasped.
"Uh, ya okay?"
"Uh.. y-yeah... just wow. Is he like... famous or something?"
"Pfft, 'course he is! He's the one who's always judgin' matches!"
"Huh," Riptide mumbles in disbelief.
"Oh, it's done!" Charys jumps up while looking at her phone. "I gotta go!"
"Huh, now?" Riptide questions.
"Yup, 'n yer comin' to!" She said, grasping his hand.
"Woah, wait a- Ack!"
000
"Where are we going?" Riptide asked for the one-hundredth time, breathlessly. The two have been running for a while, Riptide trying and failing to catch his breath.
"Will ya shut up?" she snapped.
"Woah, calm down, you haven't told me what's happening?"
"We're gonna get ya some weapons."
"Weapons? I don't have any money!" he almost shouted if not for this lack of breath.
"That's why I bought ya somethin' a little custom... think yer gonna like it."
She continued to drag me forward until we got to a smaller stone labeled 'Ammo Knights.'
"Hello, Hello! Let me guess- looking for some- Oh Charys!" a young nerdy-looking guy enthusiastically pops his head over the counter before approaching them. "I'm guessing you're here for your weapon?"
"Nah, its for this newbie," she grins while patting his back causing him to stumble.
"Oh, now that's a fresh mask, reminds me of Deep Cut!" he chuckled.
Riptide grimaced as he adjusted his mask, "Name's Riptide, nice to meet you."
"Riptide huh? Interesting name, well hold on to your tentacles, cuz I spent a lot of time on this one!" He held out his index finger, signaling for them to rate as he scrambled behind the counter. "Bam!" grinning, he slammed a pair of pistol-shaped guns, red flames painted over the black surface.
Riptide grabbed the two guns and spun them around his fingers before crossing his weapons as a grin slowly formed.
"Awww, look Atcha! Ya look all proper 'n stuff," Charys placed a hand on her hip while shooting me a toothy grin.
"Now these Douser Dualies FF are specially modified as per request, these bad boys can switch between the two modes automatically. Unfortunately, this mod makes the weapon too powerful, so it cannot be used in turf wars," the young horseshoe crab glanced at him. Though considering your height, I'd reckon that you're not exactly an Inkling or Octoling, uh- err... no offense of course!"
"Yeah, it's fine. But you're right, I'm neither."
"I knew it, that's why ya look so weird!" Charys pointed at his face.
"It's not like I was hiding that, you never asked," he replied.
"So, how are you gonna shoot, it's not like you can produce ink."
"Couldn't I just use water?"
"Are ya tryna kill us!?" Charays yelled.
"Huh? Oh- right, sorry I forgot," he rubbed his head apologetically.
"'Course you have," she sighed. "See what I hafta deal with?"
"Hey, I'm not that bad!" he fought back.
"Oh, yes ya are!"
"Will the two of you calm down? Look, no matter how bad you are, there's still the problem of a lack of ink," Sheldon sighs.
"You're right, I'm sure I can figure things out," Riptide explained.
"You can?" he tilts his head.
"I'm an engineer, solving problems is part of the job," he smirks under his mask. He thought for a moment, glancing at the weapons mounted to the wall. "You make these, right?" Riptide asked, pointing the guns.
"Yeah?"
"Would you mind if I could see how you made them sometime?" he asks.
Like a kid on Christmas, the crab jumped up for joy, "Of course Of course I would!"
000
The door to Deep Cut's secret base squeaked open as Riptide carefully entered. There were no voices besides the occasional hum of machinery. Riptide sat down on the couch, eyeing the notebook he left on the coffee table.
Picking it up, he turned to a picture of a gun based on what he'd seen in video clips. Grabbing a pencil, he scribbled it out before turning to a new page, drawing a rough sketch of the gun Charys gave him with a smile.
"What are you doing?" Frye's voice made him jump, the notebook flying out of his hands. She turned her attention to the notebook before pointing at him, an actually that has become normal to him. "You were outside again, weren't you!?"
"Oops," Riptide shrugged nonchalantly, picking it back on his lap.
"I don't think you understand how dangerous it is to reveal yourself to the public," her eyes narrowed. A shiver ran down his spine, he had never seen Frye of all people so serious.
"W-What do you mean?"
"I- look we weren't gonna tell you this but... there was an incident a few years back and since then, humans weren't viewed as kindly," Frye looked down as she clenched her fist.
"Shouldn't I know if it has anything to do with my kind?" he asks.
Frye looked back up softly, "Can we talk about this later, just... now doesn't seem right."
"But- I..." he opened his mouth but sighed in defeat. "Okay..."
She smiled gently as she plopped on the couch next to him, touching his shoulder. "I promise we'll tell you someday, trust us."
He nodded with Frye responding in kind. "So... what's the Dualies?"
"Oh... a friend gave them to me," he sighed, picking one off the table and spinning it in his hand.
Frye's eyes sparkled, "Well look at that, you're making friends!" she elbowed his shoulder much to his annoyance. "So that's what you've been up to!"
"Yeah, we seem to stumble into each other."
She hummed, crossing her arms, "Must be a pretty important person, huh?"
"Yeah," he muttered before he caught her implication, "Not like that! She's just a friend!"
"Sure. Sure, that's what they all say," she grinned impishly.
"Who's friend?" Shiver stood in front of the two of them.
"Oh Riptide, she gave him this... cool... gun... I mean- What gun, I don't see a gun... haha!" Frye's eyes shot straight to the ceiling while rubbing her back.
"Frye!" Riptide hissed between his teeth.
"I have been suspicious recently, I found it weird that we kept getting stuff that I do not recall buying. So SPILL!"
"L-Look, Frye's the one who bought it for me! I was talking about who she's a really good friend! Right Frye?" he shot her a look that sent shivers down her body.
"R-Right!" she nodded eagerly.
"Frye." Shiver said, "you won't have to eat any more spicy food if you confess."
"He's been going out every day for a while now!"
If you looked closer, you could see a vein pop on Shiver's forehead, "And how long?"
Frye glanced at Riptide who was frantically shaking his head while saying 'no' repeatedly. Unfortunately for him, she turned her back, "F-For two months..."
Shiver grits her teeth, "Two months... You've been doing this for two months?"
"Nonono! She's lying, throwing me under the bus!"
"Really, funny. Because I happened to look at our security system that YOU installed only to see you walking out the door."
"Looks like someone forgot to shut down the cameras," Frye chuckled smugly, covering her mouth.
"You're not entirely off the hook either!" Shiver glared at Frye. Her frow shifted into an intimidating one. "You're both gonna eat one week of only spicy food, this time I'll be watching very closely."
"What, that's unfair! I told you the truth... just two months later..." Frye's pleas gradually morphed into mumbles.
"Well that's enough about that, that's this about a friend?" she smirked playfully.
Riptide sighed.
AN:
I'm back, now I'm sure you have been wondering where I have been, let's just say I have been busy learning 3D modeling and lazing back. But that's not what you're here for. The first thing I want to address is the retcon of Riptide's relationship with Charys. At first, I wanted to make chapter 3 the first time he and Charys met since the end of Chapter 2, but as someone pointed out, they felt a little too familiar with each other. Re-reading it, I figured that they were completely right. So I (unfortunately) decided to retcon their relationship as being just another meeting between the two. I'm not going to go back and rewrite chapter 3 as it felt too much for something I want to write for fun and better improve myself, and may cause more contradictions in later chapters. So I just wanted to address that for a moment rather than pretending I am some writing mastermind who has the entirety of the story planned from the beginning. The final thing I want to address is that updates will continue at the pace it has been, I'll try and upload more frequently, but there are other things I want to do, plus the next semester of college is gonna be hell. Thank you!