While she definitely wasn't the most popular Barazushi Model, Waverly still had an obligation to show up to their bigger events. So when her company announced they were opening up a shop in Wahoo World, naturally…she was there, looking her sunday best. The crowds as ever were closer than she'd like, taking pictures, and asking questions. For today, she was actually…effectively a bodyguard for one of the executives that were there. Some chairmen, whatever. While she was told to pose if asked for a pic, the splatana she carried was a custom one–not quite her reliable GrizzCo, but one that meant business. Why she was a bodyguard…she didn't really know. The itinerary was to mingle a bit at the pre-event, snip a ribbon, shake some hands, and then ride the roller coaster. After that, she got back to corporate, got her paycheck, and went back out of the spotlight. So…what gives?
She looks around, as much good as that does her. Nothing seemed off. Wahoo World was open as usual to the public. She scanned the crowd, watery vision making more distant people appear as red-tinted silhouettes, with long stretching shadows. She sighed. Her vision'd always been like this, since the accident. Her ears made up for it though, hearing sharp as can be, even in the crowded amusement park. She closes her eyes, listening.
"Did you see that~? They gave me an autograph!"
"Yo, they look so fresh! Think they're gonna have that in the next catalog?"
"Oh my gosh, Barazushi is so good!"
Nothing too unusual. Until…
"Target's in sight. Maintaining distance until greenlit."
Her eyes snap open, and she looks around, the military speak taking her back to her days in the army. She scans the crowd, pulse quickening a bit, only seeing those damn shadows and blurred faces. She swears they all look like her former comrades–she knows it's just her eyes playing tricks on her though, she knows. Red was common in the Octarian military, after all. She shakes her head and makes her way closer to the VIP, listening in on his talk with the press.
"Yes yes, this line will be returning in the next catalog! Be sure to participate in the upcoming season, yeah? We've got big things in store for you Barazushi fans! And for those of you just wanting to look fresh without the fuss of getting inked, remember–our Splatsville location is opening this Winter, and will have everything you need to dress with the best!"
Right. The best. Waverly had a fondness for Barazushi, but she wasn't an idiot. As far as sales went, they were almost always dead last. But that didn't stop them from pushing onward each year to keep driving. It was that determination that kept her only doing small jobs for Toni Kensa, instead of outright signing a full contract with them. She sighed, unable to hear any more chatter, and carried about her day. It was almost time for them to open the store.
The ribbon cutting ceremony went off without a hitch. She and the VIP even split off with a couple other suits to get some concessions, and relax before hitting up the coaster. She was actually pretty excited for it. Even if she was working, she'd never been on one before. She nervously waited in line, and got on the cart as it pulled up. She usually wouldn't be allowed to bring her weapon with her, but in this case, she was all the way at the back, in a car full of 'Zushi employees. Nobody sat beside her, so her splatana would get nice and secured there. The cart goes in motion now, the clack clack clack… of the wheels going down the track and muttering between employees all they hear. It bends and curves, going over the park before a big turn and–
Boom!
The track in front of them is suddenly covered in some sort of sticky, glue-like substance, bringing the ride to a stop. Waverly tugs the emergency release for the safety harness and stands up, splatana in hand.
"Everyone, stay calm!" She says, "The ride operators will probably get us going in reverse back to safety shortly!"
She looks around more, and sees it–the telltale red line of a charger being aimed at the executive. She leaps to the edge of the cart and runs on the edge of the train "Get down!" She calls out just in time, blocking the hit with her blade.
A nasty looking green inky substance coats it, and she's greeted with the familiar stench of salmonid. They were definitely trying to take him out. She follows where she saw the trail coming from, and squints to see better, making out a figure dropping their weapon and sprinting off in the distance.
"Oh no you don't…" She mumbles, "Sir, I'm going after the assassin."
"Yes yes, whatever. Just look good while doing it." He waves dismissively.
She sends a small splash of ink down and leaps off the ride, landing safely in the puddle, before taking off at breakneck pace through the docks of Wahoo World. She listens to the crowds as she sprints, hoping to hear her target.
"What's her problem?!"
"Is she after someone?"
"The Octarians are attacking again?! Somebody get Agen–"
"Grandpa, no!"
"Mission failed! Requesting immediate extraction, I'm being pursued!"
"Gotcha!"
Following the noise, she makes her way behind a gift shop. There they were–a ratty looking inkling in common clothes, looking like a tourist, but with some hi-tech looking earbuds and shades, a modified set of dualies at his hips. He draws as Waverly enters and starts firing.
Ducking behind cover, she calls out to them; "The authorities are already on their way! So you can either give up peacefully, or–"
"Can it, you blind stooge! The only thing happening here is you getting splatted for good!"
"Huh?"
As soon as she asks, another inkling comes at her, swinging a splatana of her own. She catches their swing and yelps. Wait, no, this was an octoling. Something about her looked so familiar…
"What's wrong Seela, you were never a soldier, so what's with the look~?"
She disengages and has to do a double take. She was familiar! It was an old coworker of hers…er…what was her name again?
"When you left, all that work fell onto me!" The octoling snaps, "Fo you know how stressful that was?"
"I'm sorry?" Waverly swings out a blade of ink, and tries to close distance, going for a heavy swing. Her opponent barely manages to block it. "I don't remember who you are."
"You absolute bi–"
Waverly had enough. She sucker punches them as they try to rush in and retaliate. "You should talk less." She says, "You act like you were some kinda intern."
She heads back to the 'alley' and finds her target still there. He fires again, and she looks around for anything to help, and grins–a carnival game that used curling bombs. Sure, they wouldn't hurt…much. But
She rushes over and grabs three of them, takes a deep breath, and bounces them one after the other down the way. She hears a panicked yell, and shortly, the inkling tries to rush out and is quickly bonked by her splatana and knocked takes a deep breath and brushes some of the ink she got on herself off, a crowd starting to gather.
"Everything is under control. The police are on their way."
"Oh my gosh, she's so cool!"
"I thought I recognized her! She's big as a solo in turf wars!"
"Octariaaaa–"
"Old man, this is your last warning!"
The two were arrested. Waverly waited till they were well and gone before hunting down the executives, who were getting in their car to head back. She hopped in, and the rest of the day was easy peasy. She didn't get a thank you for saving their life. Just a coupon (that expired that day), and a whole bonus of twenty bucks. She didn't expect much. Oh well.
Heading home, she was surprised to see herself on TV. Apparently the press had smelled a story, and some of'em broke off from the event to see what was going on. She hadn't even noticed the chopper. She practically shrinks into her chair, glancing over at Pina who was busy doing his favorite pastime activity of trying to eat something way too big for his mouth. This time it was a whole watermelon.
"Little Buddy, I think we're not leaving the house any time soon."
"Aggllgllrl?" They look at her questioningly.
"Yeah, I'm on TV. And I'm no Big-Time Barazushi Model. The company's gonna be so mad."
"Aggrgrglll." They say matter of factly.
"Well I know I did good and I wish I could tell them to just shove it."
"Argrgll!"
"I wish I had your confidence."