Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Downtime Chat: 09/17/56, 8:45 PM

Agent 2: Well today has been a day.

MC.Princess: Not having fun in the Splatlands?

Captain Cireen: Well we discovered an ancient city and got a new agent

Captain Cireen: But Gramps got kidnapped

Gender-404: What?!

Dahlie_V: Oh no!

Roller_Scroller: Yah it’s definitely been a day

Roller_Scroller: but we’ve heard from him so he’s alive

Roller_Scroller: So let’s focus on the positives. New Agent!

Captain Cireen: It’s still weird hearing someone else being referred to as agent 3 :/

Gender-404: gasp

Gender-404: 3 used an emoticon!

Captain Cireen: You act like I’m 40

Captain Cireen: I’m only like a year and a half older than you 

Gender-404: Old

Gender-404: Anyway

Gender-404: We addin the new agent or what? I need someone new to bully

Agent 2: Working on it. Just waiting on them to send me their username 

Dahlie_V: I am not being the newest member anymore!

Dahlie_V: What is their name?

Agent 2: …

Roller_Scroller: …

Captain Cireen: … 

Gender-404: Did none of you ask their name?!

Agent 2: In our defense, they spent most of their time outside of kettles talking with their smallfry.

Gender-404: Their WHAT

Agent 2: Hang on, you can ask them yourself.

TieDye Has Joined the Chat

TieDye: Oh god I forgot that’s what my username is

Dahlie_V: New friend!

TieDye: Yello

TieDye: Oh dang that’s a lot of people

Agent 2: Told yah

TieDye: Ok so Agent 2 and the captain are obvious

TieDye: Who’s everyone else

Roller_Scroller: Yah Intros!

Roller_Scroller: I’m agent 1, but you can call me Callie on here

Agent 2: You can also call me Marie in this chat.

Gender-404: Heeeeey! Names Diolla, i’m agent 4!

Dahlie_V: Hello! I am Agent 8, my name is Vivia. Pronouns It/Its!

Gender-404: Oh right pronouns! She/Him for me!

Captain Cireen: You obviously know who I am, but you can call me Dani here and here alone. They/Them

MC.Princess: Yo! Names Pearl, I go by she/her. I’m agent 5

DJ_Hyperfresh: My Name’s Marina, I’m one of the engineers and I’m also agent 6, She/They!

TieDye: Nice to meet all of you! Names Avi, I use She/They/It

TieDye: Little Buddy also says hello!

Dahlie_V: Fellow It user!

Dahlie_V: Also who ???

TieDye: Little Buddy!

TieDye: Their a smallfry who hangs around with me

Dahlie_V: What are Little Buddies pronouns?

TieDye: Hang on, let me try and translate

Gender-404: You speak salmonish?!

TieDye: They said “Noisy and Chaotic”

TieDye: also yah? Is it that uncommon???

MC.Princess: YES?????

MC.Princess: I don’t know anyone who speaks Salmonish

Roller_Scroller: Same here

Dahlie_V: There were a few among the metro who could speaking it, but none knew many words

TieDye: Ah

TieDye: Truth be told I don’t know much of it

TieDye: Most of what I know I picked up from my old job

TieDye: Honestly I’m pretty sure I asked them what their adjectives were

TieDye: They responded to pretty much any pronouns so far so let’s go with that for now

Agent 2: Inklish, Octarian, and Salmonish. You’re quite the linguist.

Roller_Scroller: Don’t forget Mantonish!

Agent 2: Gramps choice in agents, as always, is impeccable

Captain Cireen: I concur 

Gender-404: Agreed

Roller_Scroller: Full of ourselves, aren't we?

MC.Princess: Didn’t he pick you and Marie too?

Agent 2: I don’t know what you're talking about.

Agent 2: In any case, it’s great to have you on the team agent 3.

Captain Cireen: Welcome to the squad.

Gender-404: ONE OF US!!!

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Agent 2: Agent 3?

TieDye: Sorry! I got a call I had to take.

TieDye: I look forward to working with all of you, whatever that means in this case

Gender-404: lol, it’s fine 

Agent 2: You should get some rest, we’ll need you back in Alterna bright and early in the morning

TieDye: …

TieDye: How early are we talking?

Captain Cireen: We’re heading back down at sunrise at the latest

TieDye: Squit, what have I gotten myself into…

Chapter Text

Downtime Chat: 09/18/56, 7:45 PM

Captain Cireen: @TieDye where in the shell are you? The sun’s been up for nearly an hour!

Gender-404: Why are you tagging them in this chat?

Agent 2: We haven't added them to the official one yet because their information is still being sent to base.

Dahlie_V: Why not just calling them?

Agent 2: We tried, they didn’t answer

Gender-404: The one day of the week I get to sleep in and I get woken up by this :[

Captain Cireen: @TieDye still waiting on an answer.

TieDye: Sorry captain! One of my roommates shut off my alarm as a prank.

Agent 2: Roommates?

TieDye: Ok it was Little Buddy, he’s even less of a morning person than I am

Gender-404: Mood

TieDye: I’m making my way towards the drain now. 

Captain Cireen: Make sure no one sees you go in. We don’t need civilians randomly falling into Alterna

Gender-404: Can’t be worse than when those bandits followed me into Octo Valley

Agent 2: I almost felt bad when I threatened them with my charger.

Captain Cireen: Speaking of bandits

Captain Cireen: @Agent 2 Were you able to learn anything about Deep Cut?

Gender-404: Who?

Roller_Scroller: A group of meanies who tried to ambush us in alterna

Agent 2: They also do the local news, splatfests, etc.

Gender-404: Ahhh

Agent 2: But as for info, I wasn’t able to dig too deep given the time constraint, but I did find a few things.

Agent 2: Only one seems to be native to Splatsville, being the Inkling named Frye. They seemed to have been born and raised, though I couldn’t pin down any family members. The other two were more enigmatic, but I can safely say both have been in the Splatlands for at least the last few years.

Gender-404: Shouldn’t this all be in the official chat?????

Captain Cireen: Until we can add Agent 3, we’ll have to move information relating to this mission to this chat.

Gender-404: Joy :/

TieDye: Almost there captain, descending the crater now

Captain Cireen: Since it’s technically your first day I’ll let this slide, but try to be on time from tomorrow forward

TieDye: Yes Captain

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Operation: Fuzzball: 09/18/56 9:00 Am

Agent 2: I’m not the only one getting Deja Vu from the way these “tests” are going right?

Captain Cireen: No, this is definitely similar to the Deep Sea metro .

Captain Cireen: Which makes me all the more paranoid about this ORCA AI.

Roller_Scroller: You don’t think it’s got the same plans as TarTar do you?

Captain Cireen: Too soon to say, but between the acidic ink in the tests and the fuzzy ooze, odds are it’s not up to anything good.

Agent 2: Should we add Agent 3 to this chat and inform them?

Captain Cireen: …

Captain Cireen: For the moment, I believe we should hold off.

Roller_Scroller: ! ! !

Captain Cireen: They have to use their phone to access the tests. I don’t want ORCA gaining access to all our chats.

Captain Cireen: As information becomes needed we can inform them vocally outside of Alterna, but for now we should allow them to continue as they have been

Agent 2: Very well, captain 

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Downtime Chat: 09/18/56, 7:45 PM 

Gender-404: How’s the mission going?

TieDye: Pretty good! Only been completely melted 17 times!

Captain Cireen: Complete hyperbole

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Private Message: Captain Cireen and TieDye: 7:46 PM

Captain Cireen: It would be best to avoid mentioning the… unsettling parts of Alterna

Captain Cireen: It’s not my place to discuss it, but the situation is… remarkably similar to a past experience of one of the agents

TieDye: Oh shit

TieDye: Sorry, I’ll try not to mention it

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Downtime Chat: 09/18/56, 7:46 PM

TieDye: Yah, I just couldn’t get through one of the tests

TieDye: Not the best with a charger ya know

Gender-404: Yah i know the feeling

Gender-404: When I was working to get the Great Zapfish from Octavio, Sheldon kept insisting I use the Hero Charger

Gender-404: I’m more of a Dualie main

Dahlie_V: I hope the tests aren’t too difficult Avi.

Dahlie_V: @Captain Cireen Don’t work them into the ground.

Captain Cireen: Don’t worry, I’m not. If anything, they’re trying to push themselves too far.

TieDye: Believe me, I know my own limits. I wasn’t an elite soldier for nothing

Gender-404: You were a WHAT

Dahlie_V:  !!!

TieDye: Sorry, did I not mention that I’m an octoling?

TieDye: I assumed either the Captain or agent 1 or 2 would have mentioned it before I joined

Dahlie_V: How long ago did you defect?

Gender-404: 8!

TieDye: No it’s fine

TieDye: I first left about 3 years ago

TieDye: I had wanted to leave for about 2 years before then though, but high rank made it difficult to slip away

Gender-404: If you don’t mind me asking, who was in charge?

TieDye: DJ Octavio??? Weren’t you one of the ones that fought him???

Gender-404: No i mean like after we beat him

TieDye: Still him??? It’s not like you captured him

Captain Cireen: …

Gender-404: …

Dahlie_V: …

TieDye: … Wait, you actually captured him?

Gender-404: Yep! We had him trapped in a snowglobe for like 3 years

TieDye: …

TieDye: Well

TieDye: That certainly raises a few questions then

Gender-404: Maybe it was just another high ranking Octoling pretending to be him?

TieDye: Maybe…

Captain Cireen: You ok 8? You’ve been quiet

Dahlie_V: I am ok

Dahlie_V: I only had gotten my hope’s up

TieDye: ?

Dahlie_V: I am guessing I should mention I am also an Octoling

Dahlie_V: I do not have my memories of my time in Octo Canyon, but we believe I defected around 6 years ago.

Dahlie_V: I had hopes that you may have known me, but the time does not match up

TieDye: Shit

TieDye: I worked with a lot of other Octolings over the years

TieDye: If we met in person I could try and see if I remembered you, but I couldn’t make any promises. Sorry 

Dahlie_V: It is fine, I have changed a lot since waking up, I doubt I am recognizable 

Dahlie_V: Though I suppose we both owe some level of gratitude to Agent 1 and Agent 2

Gender-404: Speaking of, where are Callie and Marie?

Captain Cireen: They’re trying to dig up more on Deep Cut. Those three coincidentally showing up right after Gramps gets captured doesn’t sit right with me.

Captain Cireen: Speaking of, I’m afraid your job isn’t over for today 3.

TieDye: Oh cod

TieDye: What do I need to do?

Captain Cireen: Marie managed to dig up an address last night, so me and you are going to be doing some snooping

TieDye: …

TieDye: Are we breaking into Deep Cut’s house?

Captain Cireen: It’s more of an apartment, but yes

TieDye: Isn’t that, ya know, illegal?

Captain Cireen: Normally yes, but drastic times call for drastic measures

TieDye: …

TieDye: I’m gonna get arrested before the night’s done

Chapter Text

Private Chat: Captain Cireen and TieDye: 09/18/56 8:15 PM

TieDye: Ok so where exactly are we meeting?

Captain Cireen: Wait for me by Grizzco, I need to pick up a few things from another agent 

TieDye: I would rather not wait by the place where people might try to kill little buddy 

TieDye: Isn’t there somewhere better to meet?

Captain Cireen: The path we have goes through the alley beside it, it’s the easiest place to meet

Captain Cireen: I’ll just be a few minutes

TieDye: Fine

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Captain Cireen: Where are you?

TieDye: Waiting by Grizzco like you said

Captain Cireen: Hide

TieDye: What why?

Captain Cireen: One of deep cut’s members just left the studio and is heading your way hide now

TieDye: I’m in the middle of the square, there's nowhere to hide!

Captain Cireen: Go into Grizzco!

TieDye: If i end up with another new job today I am going to quit

Captain Cireen: Quit overreacting!

Captain Cireen: Ok they’re gone, I’m coming over

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Captain Cireen: How long have you been in Splitsville?

TieDye: Why are you messaging me, we’re like 2 feet apart???

Captain Cireen: We need to keep quiet. Don’t want to draw attention to ourselves

TieDye: This is the city of chaos, being quiet will make us stick out more

Captain Cireen: …

Captain Cireen: You didn’t answer the question

TieDye: …

TieDye: About 2 and a half years, why?

Captain Cireen: Callie and Marie aren’t having any luck learning anything from locals about Deep Cut that we don’t already know 

Captain Cireen: Just wondering if you know anything

TieDye: I mean, I know some about them, but if it was anything important I’d have shared it by now

Captain Cireen: Anything is better than nothing 

TieDye: …

TieDye: Alright

TieDye: Like I said, I don’t know much. I worked with Shiver a few times before defecting, surprised you don’t recognize me or them since we fought against you quite a few times

TieDye: I think they defected around the same time I did, but I’m not sure. They definitely got to Splatsville before I did, them, Frye, and Big Man jumped me out in the crater when I first arrived

TieDye: I think Shiver thought I was here to bring bring them back, but after I explained things they offered to escort me to Splatsville

TieDye: I didn’t see much of them for awhile after they led me to a motel with someone who understood Octarian, but I'm pretty sure they kept tabs on me for awhile…

TIeDye: Or maybe they still do, idk. But that’s basically all I know

Captain Cireen: … basically?

TieDye: I mean they’re basically Splatsville’s only celebrities, I hear random stuff about them on the street all the time. No idea if any of it’s true

Captain Cireen: …

TieDye: We almost there? I can’t imagine they’ll be at the Studio very late

Captain Cireen: We’ve been circling the building for the last 5 minutes. Needed to make sure you weren’t hiding anything 

TieDye: By asking me how long I've been here????

Captain Cireen: It’s a trick I learned from gramps. He used it on me when I first joined, same as when he first met 4 and 8

TieDye: …

TieDye: Yah that sounds like the kind of bull he’d pull

Captain Cireen: Yah I don’t really believe it

Captain Cireen: Come on, I spotted a way in

TieDye: Right behind yah cap

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TieDye: Seems kinda small for 3 people to be living here

Captain Cireen: 4 actually. They apparently have a live-in bodyguard. Not that they need it apparently, Frye gave you a run for your money today

TieDye: Don’t remind me

TieDye: Even after respawning I can feel the teeth of those eels

Captain Cireen: Can you have LB keep watch while we search?

TieDye: He’s on it. If you hear him squeaking, that means someone’s coming 

Captain Cireen: Roger

Captain Cireen: Keep your eyes peeled for anything resembling the fuzzy ooze

TieDye: You really think these guys are behind that stuff?

Captain Cireen: I think it’s to much of a coincidence that they happened to show up right after gramps got captured

TieDye: Idk. No offense, but I think that old coot needs new glasses. He kept going on about “the octarian menace” to me

TieDye: Not to mention he thought I had no idea who Octavio was

Captain Cireen: I’ll admit he’s a bit out of touch

Captain Cireen: Heck you should have been there we he realized he was the only cis member of the Splatoon

Captain Cireen: but he means well. Just trying to protect people

TieDye: By recruiting random kids off the street to join the military?

Captain Cireen: I never said he wasn’t without flaw

Captain Cireen: Wait I think I found something 

TieDye: What’d you find?

Captain Cireen: I think it’s a safe

Captain Cireen: Get in here and help me open it

TieDye: On my way 

TieDye: Weird looking safe

Captain Cireen: I think it takes 2 keys. Look around, see if you can find something that fits

Captain Cireen: Wait do you hear that?

TieDye: Shit that’s LBs signal

TieDye: We need to go NOW

Captain Cireen: You go on ahead. I’ll put things back how they were then I’ll be right behind you

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TieDye: That was too close

Captain Cireen: Agreed. Left too much evidence behind 

Captain Cireen: We can’t risk being split up tonight. Your coming back to camp with me

TieDye: Cap I am not sleeping in Alterna. I’m already paranoid about ORCA watching me, adding nighttime onto that will not help.

Captain Cireen: Well then we’re gonna have to group up at your place then

TieDye: …

TieDye: Fine

TieDye: But I only have enough money for one bed unless you guys are gonna contribute

Captain Cireen: What?

TieDye: You think I can afford a place of my own? I “live” at whatever motel is cheapest and has  open spots

Captain Cireen: Oh

Captain Cireen: Alright I’ll pitch in then. Any motels you can think of that might have a double bed open?

TieDye: I might know a place

Captain Cireen: Lead the way then. I’ll send Callie and Marie the address when we get there

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Downtime Chat: 09/19/56, 12:46 AM

Gender-404: Anyone still up?

Dahlie_V: I am 

TieDye: Sup

Agent 2: Shouldn’t you all be asleep?

Gender-404: Your awake too sweetie

Agent 2: For your information I am doing important work

Gender-404: Hey I’m doing something important too

Agent 2: And what might that be?

Gender-404: Talking to you <3 

TieDye: Gay

TieDye: WAIT SHIT SORRY

TieDye: THAT WAS A REFLEX

Agent 2: skdljsdfl

Dahlie_V: I do not think I have ever seen Marie keysmash before

Gender-404: I mean it’s true

Gender-404: We ARE gay

TieDye: Still, sorry

TieDye: That was just REALLY similar to something my partner would say

TieDye: I typed on instinct 

Gender-404: lol it’s fine 3

Gender-404: Ur one of us now, welcome to the New Gaybeak Splatoon

Agent 2: FOUR

Dahlie_V: and on that note I am going to bed. Good night everyone

Gender-404: Night 8

Agent 2: Goodnight 

TieDye: Night V

Gender-404: So 3

TieDye: Yes?

Gender-404: I’ve been meaning to ask about your username

TieDye: What about it?

Gender-404: Why’d you pick it?

Agent 2: FOUR

TieDye: What do you mean?

TieDye: Oh, right. You haven't seen me in person

TieDye: Give me a sec

Gender-404: ???

TieDye has sent an attachment

Gender-404: ?!?!?

TieDye: One of Octavio’s “experiments” to try to help keep the zapfish

TieDye: He used some sort of chemical his scientists had made to essentially dye part of my tentacles. It was supposed to make it impossible to be hurt by ink of either color

TieDye: Didn’t work out though, so now I just have two toned tentacles that shift without my control 

Gender-404: Holy squit

Agent 2: Four what have we said about thinking before we type?

Gender-404: Squit sorry

TieDye: I’m mostly used to it at this point. Only time it’s an issue anymore is if they turn into opposite colors

Gender-404: WAIT HOLY SQUIT THAT CANNOT BE GOOD FOR YOU

TieDye: It’s fine. It burns a bit, but I've had nearly 6 years to get used to it

Gender-404: Still! 

TieDye: …

TieDye: I think I’m gonna message my partner then log off for tonight. Talk to you guys tomorrow

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Deep Cut Group Chat: 09/19/56 1:06 AM

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Did either of you notice anything missing when we got back today?

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: I don’t think so. My door was a bit open, but I probably just forgot to close it this morning. Why?

MegelaGONE: Someone has definitely been in my room. I don’t see anything missing, but I know I made my bed this morning and now it’s a mess.

TieDye: Did none of you get my message earlier????

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: We have our phones off during recording. Did something happen?

TieDye: The agent guys figured out where we live and I had to break in with the captain :/

MegelaGONE: You did WHAT

TieDye: Hey I had to keep my cover. This job was YOUR idea

MegelaGONE: I didn’t think they’d break into our house!

Deep-Fryed-Eel: I tried to warn you

MegelaGONE: NOT THE TIME FRYE

TieDye: I don’t think they took anything, but I couldn’t keep an eye on them the whole time without seeming suspicious

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: How did they find out where we live anyway?

TieDye: Apparently they asked around town, which worries me for completely different reasons

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Ugh, starting to think this job might be more trouble than it’s worth

TieDye: Last I checked I’m the one doing all the hard work. Did you have to go all out today Frye?

MegelaGONE: Guys

Deep-Fryed-Eel: I had to make it look believable!

TieDye: Could you have at least told your eels to not chew?

MegelaGONE: Guys!

Deep-Fryed-Eel: You're the one who made them mad!

MegelaGONE: GUYS!

TieDye: Yes?

MegelaGONE: Give it a rest tonight. We can sort this out in the morning

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: Agreed. We can discuss where to go from here over breakfast in the morning

MegelaGONE: Cod now my anxiety is high. 

MegelaGONE: @TieDye you coming home tonight? I need cuddles

TieDye: Unfortunately I can’t. The Captain got paranoid about leaving to much evidence there

TieDye: I’m stuck at the Shell Shack with the three of them for the night

MegelaGONE: Alright we’re pressing abort I need my cuddles

TieDye: As much as I wish I could just abort, I’m afraid this has gone to far for me to just drop out

MegelaGONE: Cod I hate it when your right

TieDye: I should be able to slip away after tomorrow's Alterna missions. Until then, you have Frye and Big Man for cuddles 

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Did I hear cuddles?

MegelaGONE: When this job is done, you are not leaving my sight for a month

Deep-Fryed-Eel: We do this job right, we may not have to do another job for ages

TieDye: Cod I hope your right

Chapter Text

Downtime Chat: 09/19/56, 8:46 AM

Captain Cireen: What the shell happened last night?

Gender-404: I got nosey and started asking personal questions I shouldn’t have

TieDye: No 4 you're fine. I overreacted because I was tired

Gender-404: Still, I’m sorry 

TieDye: Apology accepted. Still, I prefer if we didn’t discuss it further

Captain Cireen: Glad things are settled.

TieDye: BTW Captain, I meant to mention this yesterday but I need tomorrow off

Captain Cireen: What 

Captain Cireen: Why?

TieDye: It’s my partners birthday, and with all honesty I’m not even sure if I can even make it through today without collapsing

Agent 2: I understand the tests have been tiring, but you do understand the urgency of the situation right?

Captain Cireen: I’ll allow it

Agent 2: Captain with all due respect, we can’t afford to lose a day. Gramps has already been gone for 2 days and we still have no idea what Alterna even is

Captain Cireen:  We won’t be losing a day. Agent 3 has earned a break, I’m sure between the three of us we can clear a few kettles

TieDye: I can also try to make extra progress today and when I get back to make up for it

Captain Cireen: Your fine kid, I was gonna tag in soon anyway. Let’s get through today and then you can rest.

TieDye: …

Gender-404: Yo cap you good? You seem… nicer than usual

TieDye: Yah you were basically interrogating me yesterday

Captain Cireen: Call it first week perks

Gender-404: Lame

Agent 2: Well now that that's settled, we should make for Alterna while things are still quiet

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Operation: Fuzzball: 09/19/56 11:06 Am

Captain Cireen: Ok now that I can type without 3 watching, they are definitely hiding something

Roller_Scroller: ?!?!?

Agent 2: What makes you say that?

Captain Cireen: Gramps taught me a trick that he apparently used on all of us (besides you 2 probably)

Captain Cireen: I decided to test it on 3 yesterday while on the way to Deep Cut’s place

Captain Cireen: If it holds any merit at all, they’re hiding things

Roller_Scroller: …

Agent 2: …

Captain Cireen: What?

Agent 2: Dani we’ve known them for 2 days, of course they’re not telling us everything about them

Agent 2: I mean you saw what happened last night, they were an elite soldier for cod sake

Captain Cireen: I’m aware of that Marie, despite what you may think I’m not an idiot

Agent 2: That’s not what I mean and you know it

Captain Cireen: I wouldn’t bring it up if I thought it was just that. I also asked them if they knew anything about Deep Cut and they dodged the question entirely

Agent 2: Then why didn’t you lead with that?

Captain Cireen: Because I think the two are related. I kept an eye on them the whole time we were in Deep Cut’s apartment, and they didn’t do any actual looking around. Almost like they knew the place

Roller_Scroller: Can I weigh in on this cap?

Captain Cireen: By all means

Roller_Scroller: I still have high doubts Deep Cut has anything to do with Alterna. They may be an issue we deal with later, but right now we should be focused on finding gramps.

Captain Cireen: That’s what I’m trying to do

Roller_Scroller: Yes, but think for a second about what we know about Deep Cut

Roller_Scroller: They’re bandits, clearly trying to make money off of the situation

Captain Cireen: All the more reason for them to kidnap gramps!

Roller_Scroller: But wouldn’t they tell us they have him then? Try and get a ransom?

Captain Cireen: …

Captain Cireen: That’s a valid point

Captain Cireen: Cod why didn’t I think of that

Agent 2: That was remarkably smart of you Callie. 

Roller_Scroller: As for 3, I’ve been the one out in the field with them. If they are in cahoots with Deep Cut, it’s not interfering with them helping us

Roller_Scroller: If anything, I think it explains why they're throwing themselves thought this, to scope out the place

Captain Cireen: What do you suggest we do then?

Roller_Scroller: Let them be. We don’t care about the “treasure” down here, and one of us is bound to find Gramps eventually

Agent 2: I agree with Callie, but I don’t think we should let 3 know that we’ve figured them out. So long as they’re still pretending to be on our side, we’ll be the first to know when the find Gramps

Captain Cireen: Why was I the one given the promotion again?

Roller_Scroller: Because you're much better at field work than us

Agent 2: Because neither of us had time for it

Roller_Scroller: Marie!

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Captain Cireen: What the shell was that?

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Downtime Chat: 09/19/56, 11:32 PM

Roller_Scroller: 3 are you ok?!

Gender-404: Did something happen????

Agent 2: We just heard a scream from somewhere in Alterna

Roller_Scroller: I’m heading in to see if I can find them. Message me if either of you see them 

Captain Cireen: I’m coming with you

Dahlie_V: Tell us as soon as you find them!

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Roller_Scroller: Found them I think! Opposite end from where we came in 

TieDye: Stay back!

Agent 2: 3 thank cod your ok! What happened?!

TieDye: I

TieDye: I touched the ooze

Roller_Scroller: ?!?!

TieDye: I was low on power eggs and was just trying to see if I could creep past it!

TieDye: but I must of stepped to close, I felt it creeping up my leg

TieDye: Next thing I know I’m plummeting into the water

Captain Cireen: Are you alright?

TieDye: I don’t know

TieDye: I think I hit the water before it took over, but I can still feel it on me

Agent 2: We should get them back to base, I can look them over and make sure there's no permanent damage

Roller_Scroller: I’m going to pick you up, ok?

TieDye: ...

TieDye: Alright 

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Gender-404: I’m on my way to Splatsville, train leaves in half an hour

Captain Cireen: 4 you shouldn’t leave Inkopolis unguarded

DJ_Hyperfresh: Pearl and I are on our way back now, we should be there by the end of the day

Dahlie_V: I am also making my way back

TieDye: Guys… 

Agent 2: Agent 3 you should be resting

TieDye: I’ll survive. As upsetting as that was, I need to get back to work

Agent 2: No can do. Your resting till 4 gets here, then your going home

TieDye: Weren’t you the one saying we didn’t have time to waste??

Captain Cireen: Agent 3, we have no idea what that ooze may have done to you

TieDye: Captain I’m fine

Captain Cireen: You said it yourself that you were on the verge of collapse even before this

Captain Cireen: After plummeting into the water, I'm not sure how your even able to move

TieDye: …

TieDye: Fine

TieDye: I’m gonna message my partner, if anyone needs me just @ me

Agent 2: At least try and rest

TieDye: No promises

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Deep Cut Group Chat: 09/19/56, 12:01 PM

TieDye: Well today has been a day

MegalaGONE: Oh cod, what happened now

TieDye: Let’s say I got some time off and leave it at that

Deep-Fryed-Eel: How much time off we talking???

TieDye: Could probably get away with a while, but should probably restrict it to a day or two

TieDye: The longer this job takes, the riskier It’ll get

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: Think you can slip away and come home for it?

TieDye: Another agent is coming in to work while I’m out, once they get here I should be good to go

MegalaGONE: Ugh, someone else after our treasure

TieDye: Nah, 4 seems chill. If anything they’ll probably pay less attention to the treasure than the other nerds

MegalaGONE: Making friends are we?

TieDye: I doubt it. Once they realize we essentially robbed the place, pretty sure I’ll be at the top of their list

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Idk, from what you’ve said about them at least a few should understand 

TieDye: Yah, but the one’s in charge won’t

TieDye: Well one of them might, but the other two definitely won’t

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: Starting to have regrets?

TieDye: No. If we don't do this, people are going to starve

TieDye: I just wish it didn’t have to happen to such nice people

Deep-Fryed-Eel: It’s unfortunate, but it’s necessary :/

TieDye: Well on a better note, I’m on my way home now

TieDye: I’ll take the long way to make sure I’m not followed

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: We have one more filming today then we’ll be joining you. Mind starting work on lunch when you get there?

TieDye: I’ll see what I can do

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Operation: Fuzzball: 09/19/56 1:26 PM

Gender-404 Has Joined the Chat

Gender-404: Wait I thought you didn’t have a chat for the mission???

Captain Cireen: Yah we have a few things to fill you in on

Gender-404: …

Gender-404: Why isn’t 3 in this chat

Roller_Scroller: We’re pretty sure 3 is working with Deep Cut

Agent 2: Callie

Roller_Scroller: It’s true!

Gender-404: Your lying

Captain Cireen: Unfortunately not

Captain Cireen: We still aren’t 100%, but to many things are pointing towards it for it to be coincidental

Gender-404: Then why would you keep them as an agent?!

Agent 2: We think Deep Cut is just after treasure, with 3 working essentially as a scouting party

Agent 2: So for now the plan is to feign ignorance until they either make their move or we find gramps

Captain Cireen: At least that WAS the plan, until today's situation happened

Gender-404: … I guess I kinda screwed that up huh?

Roller_Scroller: We couldn’t exactly stop you once you put the message in chat

Gender-404: Damn

Gender-404: What do we do now?

Captain Cireen: We do what you planned to do. You’ll take over while 3 recovers, then they tag back in. Until then, it’s business as usual.

Agent 2: We should also mention we’ll have to remove you from most chats while your doing the tests

Gender-404: What?! Why?!

Captain Cireen: There's an AI in charge of the tests named ORCA. In order to actually do any of the tests, you have to scan in with your phone.

Captain Cireen: We don’t want to risk it gaining access to our chats in case it turns out like the last AI we dealt with

Agent 2: Downtime is fine to stay in though, but clear any private chats that may have any important info

Gender-404: Oh cod ok. Anything else I need to know before I purge my chats?

Captain Cireen: Obviously don’t bring any of this up in Downtime. Try to keep up appearances as best you can

Gender-404: Alright. Purging now, see you guys in a minute

Gender-404 Has Left the Chat

Chapter Text

Downtime Chat: 09/20/56, 8:17 AM

Gender-404: Cod I did not miss the early mornings 

Roller_Scroller: You were still supposed to be waking up early in Inkopolis????

Gender-404: Yah, but time difference is still a bitch

Agent 2: Sweetie please don’t start cursing already, we haven't even started work yet

Gender-404: For you I can try <3

Captain Cireen: Wow, cheating on me with your partner

Captain Cireen: I’m heartbroken

Gender-404: Oh hush, I gave you both equal cuddles last night

Dahlie_V: :(

Gender-404: You’ll get your cuddles as soon as I get back 8

Dahlie_V: :)

Roller_Scroller: @TieDye I can see your online. If your not gonna rest, at least get in here and talk

Agent 2: Let them be Callie

TieDye: Avi’s actually still asleep, this is it’s partner

TieDye: Your kinda blowing up it’s phone

Gender-404: Oh shit sorry

Gender-404: SHIT I MEAN CARP

Gender-404: FUCK

DJ_Hyperfresh: I think your digging yourself deeper 4

TieDye: I’m sorry to barge into the chat. I was only getting on turn off notifications, but you mentioned Avi so I felt the need to message

Captain Cireen: You're all good. So long as Avi is fine with you being on their phone

TieDye: They’ve done the same to me before, plus their the one who told me to see what was going on

TieDye: Granted they then immediately went back to clinging to me so I’m not sure if they understand what I said

Gender-404: Cod and I thought we were gay

Agent 2: 4!!!!!!

TieDye: Weren’t you arguing about cuddles before I messaged?

Gender-404: Touche

MC.Princess: Imagine being gay

MC.Princess: Could never be me

DJ_Hyperfresh: Oh, well I guess I’ll just go then

MC.Princess: RENA WAIT I’M SORRY COME BACK IT’S COLD

TieDye: I rest my case

Roller_Scroller: If you don’t mind me asking, how did you and Avi meet?

Roller_Scroller: They gush about you a lot, but I don't think they ever mentioned how you 2 started dating

Agent 2: Callie!

TieDye: It’s not really my story to tell. I don’t know any of you

Agent 2: That’s completely fair 

Agent 2: Sorry about my cousin, she doesn’t understand the concept of strangers

Roller_Scroller: Rude

TieDye: It’s completely fine. I’m more than happy to answer questions about myself, I just don’t wish to share anything about Avi that it doesn’t want shared

Captain Cireen: That’s awfully… open of you

TieDye: I’ve been told I enjoy talking about myself

Agent 2: May we ask your name? Avi’s always just referred to you as their partner

TieDye: That sounds like them

TieDye: My name is Morigan, but you can call me Mori

Agent 2: That’s a lovely name 

TieDye: Thank you

Gender-404: Pronouns???

TieDye: Oh thank cod your people of culture

TieDye: She/Her and They/Them are fine

TieDye: Star/Stars as well

Roller_Scroller has deleted a message

Gender-404: sksljdl yes we’re very cultured

Gender-404: I don’t think any of us are cis

TieDye: Oh dang

TieDye: What I wouldn’t give for my work to be like that

Captain Cireen: …

Captain Cireen: What has Avi told you about what we’re doing

TieDye: Not a lot, they said they couldn’t really talk about it much till the job was done

TieDye: They mentioned they’re doing a lot of fighting, so I just ask that you don’t push them to hard

TieDye: They know their limits

TieDye: But they’re more than willing to push them if they think they need to

Captain Cireen: …

Captain Cireen: I’ll do my best

Captain Cireen: Happy Birthday by the way

TieDye: Thank you!

TieDye: I should probably get off. I can hear my other partners making breakfast in the other room

TieDye: It was nice to meet all of you!

Gender-404: Nice to meet you!!!

DJ_Hyperfresh: …

DJ_Hyperfresh: Wasn’t that a breach of security…?

Agent 2: Most definitely

Agent 2: We’ll have to reprimand 3 when they get back

Dahlie_V: Mori seemed nice though!

Dahlie_V: I wish we could have talked to them more

DJ_Hyperfresh: Didn’t we talk about making a separate chat we could add our non-agent partners to?

Gender-404: WAIT WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT

Agent 2: You did…?

Agent 2: I’m pretty sure you’re the one of originally suggested it

Gender-404: Nah, sounds to smart for me

TieDye: Good morning 

MC.Princess: Finally rejoining the land of the living huh?

TieDye: My pillow left for stars birthday breakfast

DJ_Hyperfresh: Shouldn’t you go join them then?

TieDye: I will in a sec. They mentioned they got on here, and I just wanted to make sure that wasn’t an issue

Captain Cireen: So long as star didn’t scroll back we should be fine

Captain Cireen: But you should be more careful

TieDye: Sorry

Captain Cireen: You’re fine kid

TieDye: I’m almost certain I’m older than you

Gender-404: How old are you???

TieDye: 20

Captain Cireen: I’m 21

TieDye: Wait what?!

TieDye: I thought you were like 16!

Captain Cireen: …

Gender-404: HAHAHAHA

Captain Cireen: Not 

Captain Cireen: Another

Captain Cireen: Word

TieDye: I’M SORRY YOUR JUST SO SHORT

Captain Cireen: …

TieDye: SHIT I’M SORRY PLEASE I’M TIRED I’M NOT THINKING

Captain Cireen: Start running

TieDye: …

TieDye: You don’t know where I am

Captain Cireen: Do you wanna bet

TieDye: No i’d rather not get blacklisted from this hotel

TieDye: Give me a few hours and you can kick my ass at base

Captain Cireen: Deal

Dahlie_V: Dani!

Captain Cireen: Joking!

Captain Cireen: Mostly

Gender-404: If you actually wanna come by base and give me some pointers I’d appreciate it

Gender-404: But I also know it’s Mori’s birthday so no pressure!

TieDye Is Typing…

Gender-404: You good? You’ve been typing awhile?

TieDye: I don’t think I can make it today. Mori’s other partners and I have planned out most of the day. I may be able to swing by this afternoon, but I’m not 100% sure. If not I can try and swing by tomorrow morning, unless I’m back to work tomorrow.

Gender-404: You’re all good 

Gender-404: I can handle things here, I was just offering incase you get bored

TieDye: …

TieDye: Yah

TieDye: Yah I’ll probably be down sometime tomorrow 

Agent 2: Just make sure your resting when you can

TieDye: I will. Talk to you all later

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Private Chat: Agent 2 and Roller_Scroller: 9/20/56 9:15 AM

Agent 2: You ok?

Roller_Scroller: What do you mean?

Agent 2: I don’t think I’ve ever seen you delete a message.

Agent 2: Especially not that quickly.

Roller_Scroller: I’m fine, don’t worry about it

Agent 2: Callie

Agent 2: We promised we’d be honest with each other

Agent 2: I can’t help if I don’t know what’s going on

Roller_Scroller: Well maybe I don’t want your help!

Roller_Scroller: Did you ever consider that?!

Agent 2 is Typing…

Agent 2: I’m sorry 

Agent 2: I know you’re more than capable of handling yourself

Agent 2: I just

Agent 2: …

Agent 2: I don’t want to lose you again

Roller_Scroller: No i’m sorry, I shouldn’t have just exploded like that

Roller_Scroller: It’s just… 

Roller_Scroller: I’ve been trying to distract myself from everything going on so I don’t worry

Roller_Scroller: But I ended up thinking about myself and I’m starting to think I caused a second gender crisis

Roller_Scroller: I’ve been debating using neopronouns, because she/her just doesn’t seem right anymore

Roller_Scroller: But with everything going on It didn’t feel like the right time to come out again

Roller_Scroller: I was worried everyone would think I was just trying to get attention

Roller_Scroller: Not to mention I don’t even know what to come out as

Roller_Scroller: …

Roller_Scroller: Marie?

Agent 2: I’m here

Agent 2: Cod this is taking me back

Roller_Scroller: That’s not helping!

Agent 2: I know I know

Agent 2: I’m not going to act like I know how you feel

Agent 2: But I can guarantee that no one will think you’re faking anything

Agent 2: I’m obviously not gonna force you to come out, but know that I can guarantee they’ll all accept you as whatever you are

Roller_Scroller: ... And if they don’t?

Agent 2: I’ll splat them myself

Roller_Scroller: Thank you Marie

Roller_Scroller: I’m gonna put some more thought into it, but I’ll try and come out soon

Agent 2: Don’t force yourself

Agent 2: But whenever you’re ready, I’ll help in anyway I can

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Private Chat: Gender-404 and Captain Cireen: 9/20/56 8:16 PM

Gender-404: I’m heading up to pick up some snacks. You want anything?

Captain Cireen: I thought you were asleep???

Gender-404: Felt like I was being watched, need snacks

Gender-404: and before you say anything, I factory reset my phone after I finished the last test today

Captain Cireen: Good

Captain Cireen: To the reset, not to the being watched

Captain Cireen: As for the snacks, surprise me. You know what I like

Gender-404: lit

Captain Cireen: Keep an eye out, make sure no one sees you enter or leave the grate

Gender-404: I will

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Captain Cireen: You good? You’ve been gone a bit

Gender-404: There’s a group hanging out near the grate, so I’m just roaming the shops for a bit

Captain Cireen: Don’t spend to much money, you’ll need enough for the train back

Gender-404: I’m not a child, I know how to manage my money

Gender-404: Holy shit

Captain Cireen: What happened?!

Gender-404 sent an Attachment

Gender-404: That’s Frye right???

Captain Cireen: That’s definitely them. Are they with anyone

Gender-404: Not at the moment

Captain Cireen: …

Captain Cireen: Follow them

Gender-404: Are you sure?

Captain Cireen: I’m not happy about it, but we need to know what they’re up to

Captain Cireen: Make sure you’re not seen

Gender-404: On it

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Gender-404: They’re just waiting outside one of the shops

Captain Cireen: Which one?

Gender-404: I think it’s called Hotlantis? The lights are off and I can’t make out much of the sign

Gender-404: Wait hold on someone just came outside

Gender-404: Their talking. I’m gonna try and get closer and hear what they’re saying

Captain Cireen: No to risky

Captain Cireen: Keep your distance

Gender-404: They just handed Frye something

Gender-404: I can’t make out what it is, but it looks heavy

Gender-404: Wait hang on, it’s moving

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Captain Cireen: Agent 4?

Gender-404: HOLY SHIT I DON’T THINK I’VE RAN THAT FAST IN MY LIFE

Captain Cireen: What happened?

Gender-404: I tried to get closer to see what they had, but the stranger must have seen me

Gender-404: The pulled out a weapon and aimed it at me, but I ran before they could fire

Captain Cireen: Are you ok?

Gender-404: I tripped while running and skinned my knee, but otherwise I think I’m fine

Captain Cireen: As soon as the coast is clear get back to base

Gender-404: Oh cod, Marie is gonna kill me when she wakes up

Captain Cireen: There’s no hiding this, we’ll have to fill them in

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Deep Cut Group Chat: 9/20/56 10:43 PM

Deep-Fryed-Eel: And one last time HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHIVER

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHIVER

TieDye: HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHIVER

MegelaGONE: SKDLJDJS THANK YOU ALL

MegelaGONE: Today was an amazing day

MegelaGONE: Now to start planning for someone else’s birthday

TieDye: I don’t know what you’re talking about

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: I hope you enjoyed your gifts Shiver!!

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Did you have a favorite?

MegelaGONE: I enjoyed them all equally Frye

MegelaGONE: Big Man’s cooking, as always, was amazing

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: I’m glad you enjoyed it!

MegelaGONE: The fact that Avi managed to somehow get me a copy of the Calamari Inkantation signed by BOTH squid sisters is amazing

TieDye: They were surprisingly chill about it when I asked them for it

MegelaGONE: I’m not even gonna ask how you tracked them down for it

TieDye: …

MegelaGONE: And yes Frye, I absolutely love the Squee-G

MegelaGONE: It’s currently curled up in my lap sleeping

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Harmony can really work wonders

Deep_Fryed_eel: Yah thought of a name yet?

MegelaGONE: Not yet. 

MegelaGONE: I’m considering naming it after one of my siblings, but I’m still not sure

MegelaGONE: I just hope they get along with Master Mega

TieDye: Speaking of Master Mega, you ready for our “fight” soon?

MegelaGONE: You know how much I hate to lose

TieDye: Is it really a loss if it’s more of a performance than a fight?

MegelaGONE: We could always make it a real fight >:)

TieDye: I would rather not get eaten by a shark

MegelaGone: Fine, but only because your birthday’s next week

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Still plan on heading back tomorrow?

TieDye: Probably

TieDye: We’re around halfway through Alterna, not to mention whatever might be on the center island

TieDye: The longer this takes, the higher chance they’ll figure out somethings up

TieDye: The captain’s already trying to figure out if i’m hiding things from them

MegelaGONE: If that’s the case, I have one last birthday request

MegelaGONE: Cuddle Pile

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Shell yah!

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: I’m finishing up dishes, then I’ll be in there

TieDye: Little Buddy said it’s gonna explore the city tonight so I’m good to cuddle

MegelaGONE: Let’s enjoy the rest of tonight, then tomorrow we put the next stage of the plan into action

TieDye: … you’re gonna go all out aren't you?

MegelaGone: >:)

TieDye: You terrify me sometimes

MegelaGONE: That’s why you love me

TieDye: I hate it when your right

Chapter Text

Operation: Fuzzball: 9/21/56 6:32 AM

Agent 2: Did any of you hear that?

Roller_Scroller: I can’t hear anything over 4 snoring

Agent 2: Cal I’m serious 

Agent 2: I swear I can hear something walking around outside

Roller_Scroller: Oh shit

Roller_Scroller: You don’t think it’s one of the fuzzy octarians do you???

Agent 2: Can never be to careful

Agent 2: You wake of 4 and the captain, I’ll try and see if I can see whatever it is

Roller_Scroller: Be careful

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Roller_Scroller: Marie are you ok?!

Agent 2: I’m fine, but I think I gave Agent 3 a heart attack

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Downtime Chat: 9/21/56 6:45 AM

TieDye: I knew I should have messaged before coming down

Gender-404: WHY ARE YOU DOWN HERE SO EARLY?!?!?

TieDye: I wanted to get back to work????

TieDye: I told you yesterday that I’d be up this morning

Gender-404: YAH BUT DANI WASN’T EVEN UP YET

TieDye: Sorry I guess???

TieDye: In my defense I wasn’t trying to wake anyone up

TieDye: I was just gonna grab my gear and do some training until you all woke up

Roller_Scroller: Oh cod, you and Dani are to much alike

Captain Cireen: I resent that

TieDye: Rude

Roller_Scroller: I stand by my claim

MC.Princess: Cod why didn’t I turn off notifications last night…

Gender-404: You must suffer with us

MC.Princess: Screw that

MC.Princess: We had to fill the week with impromptu concerts in order to get our agents off our back 

MC.Princess: So I’m gonna mute this chat on both mine and Rena’s phone’s till we head back out

MC.Princess: @Captain Cireen you know how to get in contact with us incase shit hits the fan

Captain Cireen: Ten four, just keep an eye out 

MC.Princess: Will do

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Gender-404: So how are we gonna do the tests today?

TieDye: We’re literally all standing together, why are you messaging???

Gender-404: Idk, this just feels easier

Captain Cireen: There’s two ways we can go about this

Captain Cireen: You two can either split up and try and take on separate kettles, or you can tag team one kettle at a time to conserve energy

Gender-404: Oh dang options

TieDye: Wouldn’t we burn through resources faster if we did them seperate???

Agent 2: It’d be more risky, but it would expedite the process as a whole

Roller_Scroller: We’d only be able to keep an eye on one of you at a time

Gender-404: Don’t the tests have respawn limits though?

TieDye: Yah, can only try each so many times a day

TieDye: ORCA said it’s something about power reserves

Agent 2: …

Agent 2: Does ORCA say anything say?

TieDye: Nothing to important

Gender-404: Reminds you to take breaks every so often, offers food and drink (granted it’s nutrient cubes and water substitutes), that kinda stuff

TieDye: It also sometimes starts talking in a language I’ve never heard? Which is weird for me, it was literally my job to know every language for a good few years

Gender-404: Oh dang

Gender-404: Is that why your Inklish is so good?

TieDye: Yep!

Captain Cireen: Back on topic, why didn’t you tell us ORCA spoke to you?

TieDye: I did

TieDye: I think

Agent 2: It’s not in the chat logs.

TieDye: No i mean verbally

TieDye: When I was carting that big treasure thing back after fighting Frye I mentioned it

TieDye: Then again I was really out of breath because you guys made me carry it ALONE

Roller_Scroller: Hey I offered to help!

TieDye: Not till it was already back near base

TieDye: By that point I’d accepted my fate

Gender-404: Newbie does most of the grunt work, you get used to it after a bit

Roller_Scroller: That’s not true at all???

Roller_Scroller: Also weren’t you only the newest member for like a week before Eight showed up???

Gender-404: Hush

TieDye: Are we gonna, yah know, actually work any today

Captain Cireen: You two still need to decide how you want to do this

TieDye: Shit right

Gender-404: I think we should try tag team for a bit

Gender-404: There aren’t many kettles left in this area, so we should be fine taking it slow to start at least

TieDye: Sounds good to me

TieDye: Try to keep up!

Gender-404: Oh you’re on!

Agent 2: Oh cod, there they go

Roller_Scroller: At least they should finish the area today I guess?

Captain Cireen: Keep an eye on them Cal

Captain Cireen: I recognized that look in 4’s eyes, he’s going all in

Roller_Scroller: On it!

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Gender-404: I definitely cleared more Kettles, I WIN

TieDye: Nah nah nah nah

TieDye: I got more power eggs, I won

Agent 2: Do I need to remind you two that lives may be at risk?

Gender-404: Yah yah, just trying to take the edge off

TieDye: I think there’s an easy way to settle this

TieDye: FIRST PERSON TO CLEAR THE LAST KETTLE WINS

Gender-404: WAIT THERES ANOTHER ONE!?

TieDye: AT THE HIGHEST POINT 

TieDye: THERES A KETTLE BIGGER THAN THE REST

Roller_Scroller: 3 wait thats a boss kettle!

Captain Cireen: 4 after them!

Gender-404: On it!

Agent 2: This kid is gonna get itself killed at this rate

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Gender-404: Never thought I’d prefer to fight the Octoweapons…

TieDye: So many teeth …

Agent 2: Are either of you hurt?

Gender-404: A few scrapes and bruises, but I think I made it out ok

TieDye: I think most of my injuries went away when I got splat

TieDye: But I think Master Mega used Little Buddy as a chew toy

Roller_Scroller: Master who???

Gender-404: Shiver’s shark 

Gender-404: At least that’s what they called it in the fight 

Agent 2: Bring LB over to my tent

Agent 2: I don’t know much about Salmonid biology, but I’ll see what I can do

TieDye: Thank you

TieDye: I’m gonna go for a walk, clear my head

Captain Cireen: …

Captain Cireen: Alright, but keep an eye out

Captain Cireen: Shiver could still be lurking nearby, not to mention the other two

TieDye: I will. Message me when we start the next batch of Kettles

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Private Chat: Gender-404 and Captain Cireen: 9/21/56 9:18 AM

Captain Cireen: Follow them

Gender-404: Are you sure??

Gender-404: They seemed …

Gender-404: Unstable

Captain Cireen: I don’t trust this

Captain Cireen: Shiver could have easily splatted you in there, but instead they went for Avi

Captain Cireen: They’re planning something

Gender-404: Cap I’ve been with you so far, but we still don’t have ANY proof Avi’s in cahoots with Deep Cut

Captain Cireen: Even if they’re not, do you want to risk leaving them alone when Deep Cut might still be lurking around?

Gender-404: …

Gender-404: Fine, but only to prove to you that they’re fine

Captain Cireen: Whatever you say

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Gender-404 sent an Attachment

Gender-404: Proof enough for you?

Captain Cireen: Are they just … sitting there?

Gender-404: Yep

Gender-404: Just sitting there, staring out at the water

Captain Cireen: …

Captain Cireen: Shit

Gender-404: ?

Captain Cireen: If they're not working with Deep Cut, we have no idea what it is they’re after 

Captain Cireen: For all we know, they could be working for ORCA

Gender-404: Why are you so set that they’re working for someone else?

Captain Cireen: They’re hiding something

Captain Cireen: I’m certain of it

Gender-404: With all due respect captain, you’re a fucking idiot

Captain Cireen: Excuse me?

Gender-404: Do you expect every new recruit to just spill their guts to you? Give you their life story days after meeting you?

Gender-404: Cap, I still haven’t even told you where I’m from, haven't told you how I got to inkopolis, hell I haven't even told you my last name

Gender-404: And we’ve known each other for nearly 5 years now, and are dating

Captain Cireen: …

Captain Cireen: You’re right 

Captain Cireen: Cod you’re right

Captain Cireen: Come back to base

Captain Cireen: I’ll talk to them when they get back 

Gender-404: …

Gender-404: I’m gonna go talk to them

Captain Cireen: …

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Private Chat: TieDye and Gender-404: 9/21/56 10:02

TieDye: Cap send you?

Gender-404: Nah, came to check up on you

Gender-404: You seemed upset after we got out of the kettle

TieDye: I’m fine

TieDye: It’s far from my first time being splat

Gender-404: That’s not what I mean

Gender-404: …

Gender-404: You knew Shiver, didn’t you?

TieDye: Does the Captain really not tell anyone anything?

Gender-404: ???

TieDye: I assumed it was just because they didn’t trust me

TieDye: yah I’ve met shiver a few times

TieDye: This has nothing to do with that though

Gender-404: Then what’s going on?

TieDye: The dye in my tentacles changed after I got splat

TieDye: and lucky me, it’s pink

TieDye: So now I’ve got a splitting headache, just wanted to get some quiet 

Gender-404: Ah, that’s why you wanted to message instead of talk

TieDye: Yah

TieDye: I’m debating asking Cap if I can just go home today, but we’ve already lost enough time

Gender-404: …

Gender-404: If you want to, go home

Gender-404: I can smooth things over with the Captain and handle things for the rest of the day

TieDye: Nah I’m good

TieDye: I’ll end up getting splat in one of the tests, that should change the dye color 

TieDye: Beside’s, don’t wanna give them any more reason to hate me

Gender-404: …

TieDye: We should probably get back, we’ve still got 2 more sites to search

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Downtime Chat:  9/21/56 12:32 PM

Dahlie_V: Is everything ok over there???

Roller_Scroller: A member of deep cut tried to ambush 3 and 4, but we’re good now

Captain Cireen: I wouldn’t exactly call “screaming as they ride a shark around” an ambush

Dahlie_V: …

Dahlie_V: Should I… coming over?

Agent 2: We have things under control now, they fled after being beaten 

Agent 2: It’s best you keep an eye on Inkopolis for now, especially with Off the Hook preoccupied with concerts

Dahlie_V: Ok, letting me know if help is needed

Captain Cireen: We will 8

Gender-404: You @TieDye any chance Little Buddy can help me with a test?

Roller_Scroller: They’re still in a test, been at it for a bit

Captain Cireen: Are they ok?

TieDye: I’m good, just resting inside before taking another shot at this test

TieDye: @Gender-404 they said they’re good to help, on his way up now

Gender-404: Wait… how do I talk to them?

TieDye: You can’t

Gender-404: Ah

Gender-404: How’s this gonna work then?

TieDye: I’m assuming you need them to ink something you can’t reach?

Gender-404: Something like that

TieDye: Just throw her at it

TieDye: She’ll know what to do

Gender-404: That’s … slightly concerning?

TieDye: It’s a long story, but they seem to enjoy being thrown

TieDye: I think it was in training to be a… Flipper?

TieDye: Some Salmonid war machine

Agent 2: That’s somehow more concerning

TieDye: Like I said, long story

TieDye: But on the bright side, they’re on our side now

Captain Cireen: Do you know much about Salmonid society?

TieDye: I don’t know much, they weren’t exactly chatty on the trade runs

Agent 2: … Trade runs?

TieDye: They offered their technology, power eggs, etc, in exchange for whatever it was Octavio offered them

Captain Cireen: You don’t know what it was?

TieDye: I was hypnotized for half the time I was on that job, didn’t think to question “his royal majesty”

TieDye: The other half I had to pretend I was still under control, so I couldn’t ask

TieDye: but… the boxes were heavy, it would take four of us to carry one

TieDye: I think one of the generals mentioned something about being careful with the “material”

Captain Cireen: I thought one of the main reasons for Octavio’s war was the lack of resources?

TieDye: It was, that was one of the things we were given 

TieDye: …

Gender-404: I FINALLY BEAT THIS TEST HOLY SHIT

Gender-404: Wait fuck, what’s going on?

Captain Cireen: I think I may know our next mission once we’re done here.

TieDye: How exactly do you plan to investigate Salmanid’s under the fucking ocean?

Captain Cireen: We have our ways

Agent 2: On that ominous note, I believe we should call it a day

Agent 2: We’ve made generous progress making up for lost time, and I believe some form of celebration is in order

Roller_Scroller: FOOOD

TieDye: Isn’t it a bit early to celebrate?

Captain Cireen: It’s tradition for us to celebrate the halfway point of a mission

Captain Cireen: We were going to do this yesterday, but given it was your partner’s birthday we didn’t want pull you away from that

TieDye: Weird, but ok

TieDye: Have any place in mind?

Agent 2: We were hoping you would have a suggestion, you’ve been here longer. Any nice restaurants in town?

TieDye: Define nice

TieDye: This is the city of chaos, the majority of the “restaurants” we have here are food stalls

Agent 2: Ok, any place we can actually sit down and eat?

TieDye: I think I may know a place, but it’s far from cheap

Captain Cireen: My treat then, we can mark it as a business expense

Captain Cireen: You can invite Mori if you want as well

TieDye: I think they might be working, but let me check

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Deep Cut Group Chat: 9/21/56 12:47 PM

TieDye: @Deep-Fryed-Eel you think Harmony would enjoy early dinner at Clam-ery?

Deep-Fryed-Eel: I mean duh we all would?

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Why you askin?

TieDye: Captain is apparently taking me and the other agents there as a “half-way there celebration” or something, and said I could invite my partner

Deep-Fryed-Eel: But you're not dating Paruko???

TieDye: Well yah, but I can’t exactly invite my ACTUAL partner, so I figured i’d extend the offer to someone who actually could go

MegelaGONE: Cod these rich people and their parties…

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: Why don’t we just add Harmony to the chat?

TieDye: Weren’t we paranoid of their boss figuring out about our deal???

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Yah, but Barry hasn’t actually been in contact with Paruko in months, so we should be fine

TieDye: Oh, sweet

TieDye: Give ma a sec

Discord has joined the chat

Discord: Ello 

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Hello my love <3

Discord: How are you darling

TieDye: Hiiii Harmony

Discord: Avi

TieDye: Would you like a dinner at Clam-ery in the next like 20 minutes?

Discord: That sounds expensive

TieDye: My temporary boss is paying for it

Discord: Oh

Discord: Sure I guess

TieDye: There is one condition though

Discord: I can’t get you the super sea snail

TieDye: Not that, unfortunately 

TieDye: Said boss is on the other end of the job we’re currently running

TieDye: I’m assuming Frye has filled you in on that

Discord: They have

TieDye: Well the dinner offer was given for my partner

TieDye: But I can’t bring Shiver since they think we’re enemies

Discord: …

Discord: Are you saying I’d have to pretend to be your partner?

TieDye: Yes

Discord: Ok

Discord: Give me about 10 minutes to close up shop, then I’ll be there

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Wow Avi, can’t believe you’re stealing my partner </3

TieDye: Guess they just like me better

Discord: Stop being dramatic 

Discord: I just want food

Chapter Text

Downtime Chat: 9/21/56 12:56 PM

TieDye: Mori has to close up shop, but they’ll meet us there

Gender-404: Mori owns a shop?

TieDye: Not technically, but they basically do everything for it

TieDye: The actual owner is always off finding stuff to sell

Roller_Scroller: Do they at least get paid decently?

TieDye: “decently” is hard to come by here

TieDye: But they get paid enough to have their own place, which ain’t cheap

TieDye: but with how good the store does… it’s pocket change to the owner

Gender-404: Out of curiosity, which store is it?

TieDye: It’s one of the one’s on the main strip called Hotlantis

TieDye: It’s essentially a second hand shop, selling whatever the owner feels like sending 

Roller_Scroller: Oh! Marie and I went there the other day!

Agent 2: The clerk didn’t even realize we were there for about half an hour

TieDye: Yah that sounds like her

Roller_Scroller: WAIT HARMONY IS MORI?!

TieDye: Yah, they act very different IRL

TieDye: Anyway, everyone ready to head out? 

Roller_Scroller: I’m good!

Agent 2: I believe I have everything

Gender-404: You guys go on ahead, I left my wallet somewhere around here and need to find it

Roller_Scroller: But the captain’s paying???

Gender-404: Yah, but I wanted to do a bit of shopping afterwards

Gender-404: Also “business expenses” doesn’t cover the tip

Gender-404: I’ll catch up once I find it

Captain Cireen: Alright, but keep an eye out. You never know what could be down here

Gender-404: Will do captain

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Private Chat: TieDye and Discord 9/21/56 1:05 PM

Discord: Just locked up, on my way now

TieDye: We’re waiting in line. Tell me once you get here and I’ll come out and meet you

Discord: Ok

TieDye: Should probably warn you, apparently a few of them came into Hotlantis the other day and know you

Discord: … 

Discord: I’m backing out

TieDye: What?!

Discord: I know exactly who your talking about, one talks a lot and the other has that stare that makes you feel like you can’t hide anything from them

Discord: There’s no way I can get through a dinner without spilling every secret I have

TieDye: Yeah, that sounds like them…

TieDye: But trust me, those two aren’t anywhere near as observant as you think

TieDye: If you really want to back out I can try and come up with a cover story

TieDye: But they don’t suspect a thing right now, it should just be a fun diner

Discord: …

Discord: You’re too much like Frye, I hate you

Discord: I’m a few minutes away, don’t make me walk in alone

TieDye: Wow, don’t which part I’m more insulted by

TieDye: Walking out now. Yellow and light blue tentacles right now

Discord: Sounds painful

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Private Chat: Gender-404 and Captain Cireen 9/21/56 1:08 PM

Captain Cireen: I thought you were a better liar than that?

Gender-404: I was put on the spot, I’m sorry

Gender-404: Anyway, are you thinking what I’m thinking?

Captain Cireen: Are you sure Hotlantis is the place you saw last night?

Gender-404: No doubt about it, I’m watching from the grate. Not sure if Mori is the one I saw, but this is definitely the place. 

Captain Cireen: Alright, they just got here. Get in there and see if you can find anything

Captain Cireen: And be careful, we don’t know if it’s trapped

Gender-404: 10-4

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Gender-404: They weren’t kidding about this place, they’ve got everything here

Gender-404: There’s a respawn point in the corner, I’m like 90% sure this stuff is stolen

Captain Cireen: Would explain why Deep Cut wants everything in Alterna

Gender-404: You think Deep Cut owns this place???

Captain Cireen: Maybe? Would explain last night

Gender-404: Wait I think I found something 

Gender-404 sent an attachment 

Captain Cireen: A door?

Gender-404: It was hidden behind a display case, I think it’s code locked

Captain Cireen: Shit

Captain Cireen: Alright, pull out. We’ll try and do some digging, see if we can find anything the code might be

Captain Cireen: 4?

Captain Cireen: 4 I swear to cod I will go Kraken on you if you try anything

Captain Cireen: OK HARMONY JUST LEFT SAYING SOMETHING HAPPENED WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO?!

Gender-404: I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING, I WAS PUTTING THE DISPLAY BACK AND AN ALARM STARTED GOING OFF

Captain Cireen: FUCK

Gender-404: CAN WE STOP YELLING MY ANXIETY IS ALREADY HIGH ENOUGH

Captain Cireen: Retreat back to base, we’re wrapping up diner and should be back soon

Gender-404: But I wanted food :(

Captain Cireen: I ordered extra to go, you can have some of it

Gender-404: What is it?

Captain Cireen: Coconut Curry

Gender-404: Oh god, now I want to go there even more

Captain Cireen: Maybe once we finish this mission we can go back

Captain Cireen: As long as you don’t get arrested 

Gender-404: Don’t joke like that please

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Private Chat: Gender-404 and ???????: 9/21/56 1:15 PM

???????: Hello, I am trying to get in contact with Agent 4. Is this the correct number?

Gender-404: Sorry pal, I think you’ve got the wrong number

???????: I believe not, this is the number you provided when you were employed

Gender-404: Look pal, I don’t know what you’re talking about

???????: Unfortunate

???????: I was hoping your promotion would be swift and painless

Gender-404: Bro you’ve got the wrong person, idk what I need to say to get that through your membrane

???????: Your driver will be there to get you momentarily to pick you up

Gender-404: Who the hell are you?

???????: Your shift is about to start, best not be late

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Downtime Chat: 9/21/56 1:43 PM

TieDye: I hate this city sometimes

Dahlie_V: Did something happening?

TieDye: Mori’s shop got broken in to while we were eating

Dahlie_V: Oh no!

Roller_Scroller: We had to cut dinner short, but it’s whatever

Roller_Scroller: I just hope Harmony doesn’t get blamed for it 

TieDye: She shouldn’t, this kinda stuff happens all the time here

TieDye: “City of Chaos” at its finest…

Agent 2: Do you think Deep Cut is behind this?

Captain Cireen: I doubt it, they seem to act mostly outside of the city from what we’ve seen

Agent 2: @Gender-404 we’re back with your food

Roller_Scroller: Any idea how much more we have in Alterna?

Captain Cireen: Thanks to the effort 3 and 4 put in today, we now have 4 sites cleared, with the 5th roughly half done. Assuming we don’t need to deal with the middle island, we should finish up the brunt of the mission tomorrow.

TieDye: … and if we have to deal with the middle island?

Captain Cireen: …

Captain Cireen: Depending on how fast Little Buddy can eat, probably around a week

Roller_Scroller: Ugh, I really hope we don’t have to deal with it then

Agent 2: There's one more signal coming from the last site, so assuming that it’s gramps, we shouldn’t need to

Agent 2: @Gender-404 did you fall asleep downhere or something?

Captain Cireen: Guys

Captain Cireen: We have a problem

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Private Chat:  Captain Cireen and ???????: 9/21/56 1:51 PM

??????? has sent an attachment

???????: I have your agent. Unless you wish harm to come to them, vacate Alterna 

???????: You have one (1) hour

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Downtime Chat: 9/21/56 1:52 PM

Captain Cireen sent an attachment

Agent 2: Oh my cod

Roller_Scroller: What do we do?!

Captain Cireen: For now we have to do what they say. Start packing up camp, we can plan once we have room to breath

Dahlie_V: Do you think it’s deep cut?

Captain Cireen: Has to be. No one else knows about Alterna

Agent 2: We can’t just leave Ola down here!

Captain Cireen: Marie we don’t have a choice right now. We need to plan before we launch a counterattack, and every second we spend down here puts them at more risk

Captain Cireen: Believe me, I don’t want to leave them down here anymore than you do, but we need to think about this rationally

Captain Cireen: @TieDye You and Harmony need to meet up with us. We need to bunk down in a motel again, can’t risk them grabbing anyone else

TieDye: Fuck, alright. Same motel as last time?

Captain Cireen: Affirmative. Callie, Marie, let’s move

Roller_Scroller: On it

Agent 2: Yes Captain …

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Deep Cut Group Chat: 9/21/56 1:58 PM

TieDye: WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU GUYS DO?!

Deep-Fryed-Eel: What do you mean?! They were trying to rob Hotlantis!

TieDye: SO YOU KIDNAP THEM AND THREATEN THEIR LIFE?!

Discord: Wait you did what now?

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: We didn’t kidnap anyone though???

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: We set off the alarm to send them running, but we let them go

TieDye: Wait hang on

TieDye: You guys aren’t the ones who kidnapped 4?

MegelaGONE: We would never do something so drastic without discussing it first

MegelaGONE: You know that’s how we operate

TieDye: …

TieDye: Fuck, that makes things complicated

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Wait, are you telling us one of them ACTUALLY got kidnapped?!

TieDye: YES

TieDye: The captain got messaged a picture of 4 tied up and hanging over some of the fuzzy ooze

TieDye: Whoever sent it said they had an hour to get out of Alterna or they’d hurt him

MegelaGONE: And you automatically assumed WE did this?

TieDye: You literally admitted you would if we discussed it first

TieDye: I also wasn’t exactly thinking rationally because now I have to stay at the fucking motel with them again

TieDye: And they said to bring Harmony because they think whoever it is will try and nab someone else

Discord: They want me to do what?

TieDye: Camp out in a 2 bedroom motel with me and the 3 of them

TieDye: As much as I hate it, they may actually have a point

Deep-Fryed-Eel: You don’t think someone will actually try and kidnap either of you do you?

TieDye: IDK, maybe??? There’s clearly someone else trying to keep Alterna to themselves

MegelaGONE: Then we need to act tonight

MegelaGONE: Get in there, get the treasure, and bounce

TieDye: Are you crazy?! 

TieDye: That could kill 4!

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Shiv’s got a point. It’s too risky to prolong this much longer, especially if these military people think we kidnapped one of their own

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: Shall we put it to a vote then?

MegelaGONE: It’s the only way to decide

MegelaGONE: All in favor of going in tonight say ay

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Ay

MegelaGONE: Ay

MegelaGONE: All opposed?

TieDye: Ay

BIIIIIG_MAAAAN: Ay

MegelaGONE: @Discord You’re as much a part of this now as the rest of us, you’re the tie breaker

Discord: Wait what am I tie breaking? I was busy hyperventilating

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Whether we end this tonight or not

Discord: Shit

Discord: If it gets me out of that hotel room faster, my vote is to end it

MegelaGONE: It’s decided then

TieDye: Fine, but I’m looking for 4 while we’re down there

TieDye: I’m not leaving her to die

MegelaGONE: Of course we’ll try and find them

MegelaGONE: We’re not monsters

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: Avi, you and Harmony go maintain your cover. Once night falls, the two of you sneak out and meet us at the grate. The rest of us will start gathering supplies for the job

TieDye: Alright. @Discord I’ll be by Hotlantis in a few minutes to bring you to the motel

Discord: I should never have accepted the dinner …

Chapter Text

NSS Extended Relations Chat: 10/31/56 12:01 AM

TieDye: HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Captain Cireen: It’s fucking 12 in the morning, why are you awake?

TieDye: Because it’s Halloween! Didn’t you read the message?

Captain Cireen: …

Captain Cireen: I hate you so much

Roller_Scroller: HALLOWEEN!!!!

MegelaGONE: HALLOWEEN!!!

TieDye: FINALLY PEOPLE OF CULTURE

Roller_Scroller: What’s everyone dressing up as?

Deep-Fryed-Eel: I managed to convince everyone to do polycule costumes :) 

Deep-Fryed-Eel sent an attachment

TieDye: We’re the emotions from Inside Trout!

TieDye: Fuck you beat me to it

Roller_Scroller: Oh my god you all look so cute!

Deep-Fryed-Eel: It took a lot of convincing, and I’m stuck with dish duty for the rest of the year, but it was worth it!

Discord: I regret everything

Gender-404: Come on Harmony, you make an amazing Fear! The terror in your eyes is really convincing!

Discord: That’s because it's real

Gender-404: …

MegelaGONE: MOVING ON

MegelaGone: @TieDye you look amazing in that skirt

TieDye: I know, you’ve told me in every conversation since we got the costumes

MegelaGONE: And I will continue to do so, your beautiful

Roller_Scroller: Gay

DedF1sh: I’m sorry, who was a blushing mess when I complimented their Eda costume last night?

Roller_Scroller: YOU SAID YOU WOULDN’T TELL ANYONE

Roller_Scroller: THE BETRAYAL

DedF1sh: :) 

Gender-404: You dressing up Ded???

DedF1sh: Technically?

DedF1sh: I’m just wearing old clothes and going as a zombie, I already look the part

Roller_Scroller: I tried to get them to dress up as Raine, but we didn’t have time to make the costume

Roller_Scroller: You’re a handsome zombie tho

DedF1sh: <3

Gender-404: I tried to pitch a polycule costume, but Dani refused to dress up and Viv already had other ideas

Dahlie_V: I am sorry! Mom’s wanted to do a family costume!

Gender-404: You’re fine 8

Agent 2: We could have done a couples costume Oli

Gender-404: Yah, but you said you were doing a group costume with Callie so I didn’t wanna just jump in

Gender-404: It’s all good, I got a killer costume anyway

TieDye: Wait hang on

TieDye: @Captain Cireen you're not dressing up???

Captain Cireen: Why would I?

TieDye: Oh my cod, how are you so young and so old at the same time?

TieDye: Even cuttlefish is dressing up, and he’s ancient!

Captain Cireen: …

DJ_Hyperfresh: What time is the party again? Me and Pearlie have a concert later today and I don’t wanna be late

Agent 2: We said at 6, but you can show up at any time really. It’s not like we have much actually planned besides just chilling and watching some movies

Roller_Scroller: Nobody else telling me what they're dressing up as??

Gender-404: Nope, guess you’ll just have to wait till tonight and see :) 

Roller_Scroller: That’s just cruel

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Deep Cut Group Chat: 10/31/56 2:46 PM

TieDye: You guys almost done???

TieDye: We’ve been waiting out here for 20 minutes

Deep-Fried-Eel: Hold your seahorses! We just finished up the last shoot, just waiting on the producer to stop nitpicking so we can go change into costume

TieDye: Please hurry, Harmony’s already tried to run off twice

Discord: I still don’t understand why I have to go

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Because you made me promise to force you, remember?

Deep-Fryed-Eel: I asked you if you wanted to go, and you said you did but didn’t think you’d want to when it was time, so you told me, and I quote

Deep-Fryed-Eel: “No matter what I say or do, I want you to drag me to this party, even if it’s in chains”

Discord: …

Discord: I hate past me so much

MegelaGONE: Thank cod that good for nothing producer finally stopped bitching 

TieDye: What was he complaining about this time???

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: Something about one us using Shiver’s neopronouns

Deep-Fryed-Eel: He said something about the shareholders being worried about us “pushing an agenda”

TieDye: But your all non-binary, none of you even have a genda

MegelaGONE: Avi I love you, but never make that joke again

TieDye: Sorry :P 

TieDye: But seriously, dude needs to piss off

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: Agreed

MegelaGONE: We’re almost dressed, be out in a sec

Discord: Wait, you were messaging while getting dressed?

MegelaGONE: All I had to do was put on a sweater, It’s not hard

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: The only one with a complicated costume is Frye, I’ve just got a wig and a tie

Discord: oh

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And they were roommates: 10/31/56 3:56 PM

Gender-404: What time do you guys plan on heading to the party?

Dahlie_V: I am going to ride with moms there, so I may be a bit late

Gender-404: It’s all good

Gender-404: @Captain Cireen I saw you online, don’t try and act all mysterious

Captain Cireen: I already told Marie, but I’m gonna be late

Captain Cireen: Something came up that I have to deal with 

Gender-404: Dani you pull this every time we have a party

Gender-404: If you don’t wanna go just tell us

Captain Cireen: I know I have a tendency to avoid these sorts of things, but this isn’t one of those times

Captain Cireen is typing…

Captain Cireen: It’s a family situation 

Gender-404: Oh shit

Gender-404: I mean sorry

Dahlie_V: Do you want us to helping you?

Captain Cireen: I can handle things

Captain Cireen: You guys go enjoy the party, I’ll be there later

Dahlie_V: If you are sure

Gender-404: Message us if you need help though, got it?

Captain Cireen: I will…

Captain Cireen: I love you guys

Gender-404: We love you to Dani

Dahlie_V: Be careful

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No Idols Allowed!: 10/31/56 6:05 PM

Gender-404: Yooo @TieDye what’s taking you guys so long???

TieDye: We’re 5 minutes late, calm down

TieDye: We had to wait for the next train because the one we were gonna go on was already full

TieDye: We should be there in about 20 minutes 

Dahlie_V: Are there really that many people traveling from Splatsville?

TieDye: No Splatoween over here this year so I think they’re heading to Inkopolis to enjoy the last bit of y’alls

TieDye: Also Splatsville is really not the best place to trick or treat

Gender-404: Y’alls???

TieDye: Hush

TieDye: Anyway, what’d you dress up as?

Gender-404: You’ll just have to wait till you get here to see

TieDye: Callie’s been posting pictures on her private Inkstagram

TieDye: I’ve seen your costume, I just can’t figure out what you are

Gender-404: I’m shocked, your the one who got the best look at him

Gender-404: Maybe I got some of the details wrong

TieDye: … you didn’t

Gender-404: :) 

TieDye: YOU DID NOT DRESS UP AS MR. GRIZZ

Gender-404: Business business

Gender-404: EGGS

TieDye: …

TieDye: You better start running, I’m gonna kill you

Gender-404: WAIT WAIT PLEASE IT’S A JOKE

TieDye: To late, train is about to stop

TieDye: I’m going bear hunting

Dahlie_V: I tried to warning you

Gender-404: NOT THE TIME 8

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IDOLS RULE: 10/31/56 6:21 PM

MC.Princess sent an attachment

MC.Princess: Look at my wife and kid

MC.Princess: They’re amazing

DJ_Hyperfresh: SKKHSDHK PEARLIE

Roller_Scroller: Oh my cod you all look so cute!

Roller_Scroller: I’m surprised Pearl managed to convince you to go with a Vampire theme Marina

DJ_Hyperfresh: I’ll admit I was hesitant

DJ_Hyperfresh: but Splatsvania was such a good show, I just couldn’t refuse

Agent 2: How long did that Dracula costume take? It looks so detailed

MC.Princess: I’ve been working on it since March

MC.Princess: Pretty sure that fact alone is the only reason Rena agreed

MegelaGONE: Holy shit

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Our costumes were thrown together like 2 days ago, we need to step it up

Roller_Scroler: Noooo, your costumes are adorable

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: Frye is really the only one putting in much effort

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: The rest of us just wearing clothes

Agent 2: It’s still a costume, so wear it with pride

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Well said boss lady!

Roller_Scroller: @MC.Princess I’m guessing the picture means you guys are on your way???

MC.Princess: Yep! Just boarded the chopper

Agent 2: … you remember we don’t live in a mansion right? We don’t have a helipad

MC.Princess: I know! Jeez

MC.Princess: We’re gonna be crashing at my parents after the party, so I’m bringing it there since they don’t live to far from you guys

Deep-Fryed-Eel deleted a message

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: FRYE!

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Fuck I’m sorry! I typed before my brain actually registered what I was asking!

MC.Princess: It’s all good

MC.Princess: My parents aren’t exactly the most… understanding of everything, but they’re trying, which is more than a lot of people can say

MC.Princess: We don’t talk much, but I do my best to visit for holidays and stuff

MC.Princess: Plus they spoil 8 rotten since it’s their only grandkid

MegelaGONE: It deserves it, Viv is a lovely person and deserves good things

Roller_Scroller: You and 8 have talked???

MegelaGONE: It explained it’s situation with it’s memories, so I’ve been talking with the Octarians in Splatsville to try and help it find someone who knew it

DJ_Hyperfresh: That's… remarkably sweet of you

MegelaGONE: I’m not heartless, despite what my public persona may give off

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Yah! Shiv’s the one who started us on the whole taking from the rich thing

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Before star came along, I was just robbing whoever I could to make ends meet

Agent 2: Maybe you four aren’t hopeless after all

MC.Princess: Yo we’re about to land, talk you lot in a bit

MC.Princess: Also @MegelaGONE don’t be making moves on our kid

MegelaGONE: WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?!

Agent 2: You are a bit of a charmer

MegelaGONE: …

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NSS Extended Relations Chat: 10/31/56 7:46 PM

Roller_Scroller: TRUTH OR DARE!!!

Captain Cireen: Wait what's going on?

Agent 2: We overestimated several people's capacity for horror movies

Agent 2: So Callie suggested we play some truth or dare to lighten to mood

Captain Cireen: But why are you doing it in chat and not in person?

MC.Princess: Because this way, we have a record of what happens

Gender-404: Also so you could be included if you want, but you don’t have to

Captain Cireen: …

Captain Cireen: Screw it, I need a distraction right now

Gender-404: YEEEES

Captain Cireen: Who’s all playing?

Agent 2: I think everyone?

Agent 2: Except maybe Avi, I think they’re asleep

TieDYe: Nah I’m here, just buried in the cuddle pile

Captain Cireen: Cuddle pile?

MegelaGONE: Big man got scared when we watched Splatoween, so we formed a cuddle pile to cheer him up

Captain Cireen: oook then

Roller_Scroller: Everyone know the rules?

Dahlie_V: I do not

Agent 2: Ok then, for 8, and if anyone else needs a refresher, here's how we’ll do it

Agent 2: Whoever is chosen will pick a person and ask them truth or dare.

Agent 2: If you pick truth, you answer the question they ask you as truthfully as possible

Agent 2: If you pick dare, you do whatever they dare you to do. Simple as that

Agent 2: If the question is too personal, you can ask for a different one or pass and chose dare instead

Agent 2: and please, no dangerous dares. We just got everyone back in good condition

Roller_Scroller: Wait how are we gonna pick who goes first???

Captain Cireen: It was your idea right? You go first

Roller_Scroller: oh

Roller_Scroller: Ok carp, let me think

Roller_Scroller: Everyone ready?

Several People are typing…

Roller_Scroller: I’ll take that as a yes!

Roller_Scroller: @DJ_Hyperfrsh truth or dare?

DJ_Hyperfresh: Let’s start off slow with a truth

MC.Princess: Lame!

Roller_Scroller: Who made the first move, you or pearl?

DJ_Hyperfresh: I’m pretty sure I’m the one who asked Pearl out first

MC.Princess: Nuh uh, I asked first

DJ_Hyperfresh: Nope, I asked you out for Valentine's Day the year we first met

MC.Princess: WAIT THAT WAS A DATE?!

MC.Princess: I THOUGHT WE WERE JUST GETTING CHEAP CANDY

DJ_Hyperfresh: Dear if that candy was cheap, then we’ve been shopping at the wrong place since then

MC.Princess: You know what I mean!

DJ_Hyperfresh: Wait when did you think our first date was?

MC.Princess: I dunno, when we went out to celebrate getting to gig with Inkopolis news?

DJ_Hyperfresh: … Pearlie that was like 2 years after we met

MC.Princess: IDK YOUR MY FIRST PARTNER, I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON. WHY DIDN’T YOU SAY ANYTHING?!

DJ_Hyperfresh: I THOUGHT YOU JUST WANTED TO TAKE THINGS SLOW

DJ_Hyperfresh: WE HAD KISSED BY THAT POINT THOUGH

MC.Princess: IT’S NOT GAY TO KISS THE HOMIES GOODNIGHT

DJ_Hyperfresh: BUT PEARL WE ARE GAY

MC.Princess:  WELL YEAH I KNOW THAT NOW

Roller_Scroller: You guys done?

DJ_Hyperfresh: I think so

MC.Princess: Love you Rena, thanks for putting up with my idiotic self

DJ_Hyperfresh: Love you too Pearlie, and thank you for putting up with me too

Roller_Scroller: Gay

Roller_Scroller: Also Marina it’s your turn

DJ_Hyperfresh: Oh, right.

DJ_Hyperfresh: @Gender-404 Truth or Dare?

Gender-404: Dare me!

DJ_Hyperfresh: Hmmmm…

DJ_Hyperfresh: Let’s start off small

DJ_Hyperfresh: I dare you to eat an entire tub of popcorn as fast as you can!

Gender-404: That’s it? Easy!

Agent 2: 4 please don’t make yourself sick

Gender-404: No promises!

Captain Cireen: Don’t let him put to much butter on it

Gender-404: It was one time!

Agent 2: It was one time to many, it took weeks to get the stains out of the carpet

Gender-404: You butter it then!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Captain Cireen: Everything ok over there?

TieDye: Marie used to much butter

Gender-404: My stomach is currently strangling itself

Gender-404: But on the upside, I managed to hold it down

Captain Cireen: You good to keep going?

Gender-404: Yah, but no more food dares

Gender-404: please

TieDye: Your the one who goes next

Gender-404: Fuck right

Gender-404: @MegelaGONE Truth or dare?

MegelaGONE: After seeing that trainwreck? Truth

Gender-404: Alright hotshot, how about this

Gender-404: You ever slept with anyone?

Agent 2: OLI

MC.Princess: HECK YAH, THINGS ARE STARTING TO GET INTERESTING

Captain Cireen: Don’t encourage her!

MegelaGONE: I mean we all share a bed so yes

MegelaGONE: You’ve been to our apartment, you know this

TieDye: …

Deep-Fryed-Eel: …

Gender-404: …

MegelaGONE: Is that not what you meant?

MegelaGONE: Why is everyone looking at me?

TieDye: You had to use the one expression for it I hadn’t taught them

MegelaGONE: Wait, it's an expression?

MegelaGONE: Cod, why is your language so confusing…

MC.Princess: She asked if you’ve ever fucked anyone!

Captain Cireen: There it is

MegelaGONE: …

Deep-Fryed-Eel: I don’t think I’ve ever seen Shiver this red before

MC.Princess: eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Captain Cireen: Wait what happened?

MC.Princess: Avi started chasing Pearl and she dropped his phone

MC.Princess: This is Marina BTW

Captain Cireen: Is Shiver ok?

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: They're fine! Just embarrassed

MegelaGONE: More surprised than anything

MegelaGONE: I thought I had a decent grasp on Inklish, but the sheer amount of expressions you have is just…

MegelaGONE: Tedious

Agent 2: It really is an annoying language

MegelaGONE: To answer your question though 4, no

MegelaGONE: I have not “slept with anyone”

MegelaGONE: I’m asexual and sex repulsed

Roller_Scroller: Ace queens represent!

TieDye: Here here!

DJ_Hyperfresh: You didn’t kill my wife did you

TieDye: Unfortunately not

TieDye: She’s hiding in the bathroom

MC.Princess: AND I AIN’T COMING OUT TILL YOU CALM YOUR TITS

MegelaGONE: Come back in here Avi, your mammal is showing

TieDye: …

MegelaGONE: I guess it’s my turn now

MegelaGONE: @Captain Cireen Truth or Dare? 

Captain Cireen: Don’t think I could really do a dare here, so I’ll go with truth 

MegelaGONE: Why’d you decide to join the Splatoon?

MC.Princess: Ugh, back to boring questions…

MegelaGONE: Don’t make me sick Avi on you again

TieDye: >:)

MC.Princess: I’LL BE GOOD 

MegelaGONE: Alright Dani, you have the floor

Captain Cireen: I don’t think it’s really much of a story 

Captain Cireen: I had just arrived in Inkopolis and was struggling to find a place to stay

Captain Cireen: Then I see a creepy old guy poking his head out of the sewer near the plaza

TieDye: Sounds familiar…

Captain Cireen: I ended up following him down into Octo Valley, where he offered me a job to help combat “The Octarian Menace”

TieDye: …

Dahlie_V: …

DJ_Hyperfresh: …

MegelaGONE: …

Captain Cireen: I know, he’s gotten better since

Captain Cireen: Anyway, I accepted cause I needed money, and started staying at Cuttlefish Cabin

Captain Cireen: I had originally planned on leaving to head back home after we got the zapfish back, but…

Captain Cireen: Home didn’t feel like home anymore, Cuttlefish Cabin did. So I stuck around, and now here I am

Roller_Scroller: Your welcome in our home anytime Dani <3

Agent 2: Exactly. Glad to call you Captain

Captain Cireen: Guys please I can’t cry right now

Captain Cireen: That’s enough sappy stuff though, @Agent 2 truth or dare? 

Agent 2: Truth of course

Captain Cireen: Do you have a crush on anyone here? Besides 4 obviously

Gender-404: THAT’S MY PARTNER EVERYONE, AGENT OF CHAOS

Agent 2: Dani I trusted you 

Captain Cireen: Things are getting too chummy around here >:)

Agent 2: I hate you

Roller_Scroller: Answer the question Marie!

Agent 2 is typing…

TieDye: Oh dang she’s really thinking

Agent 2: Yes

Roller_Scroller: ?!?!?

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Oh dang

Captain Cireen: And who might it be?

Agent 2: You already asked your question

Captain Cireen: Touche

Captain Cireen: Your turn then

Agent 2: Let’s see…

Agent 2: @Dahlie_V truth or dare?

Dahlie_V: Truth!

MC.Princess: Come on! We’ve only had one dare so far!

DJ_Hyperfresh: Calm down Pearlie

Agent 2: Carp give me a sec…

Agent 2: What’s the most embarrassing thing you can remember doing?

Dahlie_V: Letting me think…

Dahlie_V: It would probably being the first time I called moms my moms

Roller_Scroller: OMC that’s actually adorable

Dahlie_V: I did it without thinking a few weeks after kamabo, i don’t thinking I was that embarrassed even when asking Dani or Oli to date

Gender-404: You sure? Pretty sure I remember you being a blushing mess when you “accidentally” asked me out

MC.Princess: Nah it’s right, it looked like it was about to pass out the first time it called me mom. 

MC.Princess: And that was after the fact, it called Rena mom first

MC.Princess: I only got called mom cause I’m married to its mother

Dahlie_V: That is not true!

Dahlie_V: You are both the best moms!

MC.Princess: 8 please I can’t cry around the new people, they need to think I’m cold as stone

TieDye: You screamed bloody murder when I stood up a few minutes ago, I think that illusion has faded

MC.Princess: I can’t help being scared of tall people!

TieDye: I’m not even tall! You're just short!

MC.Princess: OI

DJ_Hyperfresh: ANYWAYS

DJ_Hyperfresh: It;s your turn to pick someone Viv

Dahlie_V: Hmmmm…

Dahlie_V: @DedF1sh truthing or dare?

DedF1sh: Uhh…

DedF1sh: Let’s go with dare?

MC.Princess: FINALLY

MC.Princess: Make em do something really embarrassing 8!

Dahlie_V: Ok ok ok

Dahlie_V: I dare you to kissing Callie!

MC.Princess: NOOOO 8 

Dahlie_V: Is that not how this working?

DedF1sh: Oh know, kissing my girlfriend

DedF1sh: So embarrassing

MC.Princess: HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME 8!!

Dahlie_V: I AM SORRY

DedF1sh: Alright kid, I’ll give you a truth to since it’s your first time playing

Dahlie_V: Wait you have playing before?

DedF1sh: There's your truth

DedF1sh: But yes, on one of our first dates Callie wanted to play it.

DedF1sh: Granted we only picked truth, and I didn’t have a lot to share at that point

MC.Princess: BAHAHAHH

Roller_Scroller: What! It’s a good way to get to know people!

Agent 2: It’s such a Callie way to do it though

Roller_Scroller: Oh yah? Wanna talk about your and 4’s first date?

Agent 2: Mizuta I believe it’s your turn

Roller_Scroller: That’s what I thought

DedF1sh: …

DedF1sh: @Discord truth or dare?

Discord: ?!?!

DedF1sh: You're playing right?

Discord: I mean, yah I guess

DedF1sh: Then pick

Discord: …

Discord: Dare

DedF1sh: I dare you to sing one of your songs for the rest of us

Discord: ?!?!?!?

Gender-404: Wait what?

Agent 2: I thought you looked familiar 

Agent 2: You were part of Chirpy Chirps right?

Discord: I waas, but I haven't performed in years

Discord: I don’t even remember any of the lyrics

Roller_Scroller: We can pull up a karaoke version on the TV! There's bound to be a bunch on SquidTube

Discord: A

Discord: Alright

Gender-404: @Captain Cireen want me to record it so you can see

Discord: Please don’t…

Deep-Fryed-Eel: You sure you're up to this Paru? You don’t look so good

Discord: I’m fine… I can do this…

(Author Note: There’s really no way to convey this in a group chat format, so imagine Harmony manages to sing along to one of her songs pretty well.)

Deep-Fryed-Eel: AHHH PARU YOU DID SO GOOD

Discord: Thank you…

Discord: Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go pass out

DedF1sh: You did great

Discord: …

Discord: @Deep-Fryed-Eel truth or dare?

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Dare I guess?

Discord: Let me use you as a pillow

Deep-Fryed-Eel: You didn’t have to dare me for that, get over here

MC.Princess: GAY

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Ok then Pearl, truth or dare?

MC.Princess: … truth

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Really? After trying to get everyone else to pick dare?

MC.Princess: Ugh fine, dare

Deep-Fryed-Eel: I dare you to try and do a push up

MC.Princess: Pff, that’s it? Piece of cake

Deep-Fryed-Eel: With Marina on your back 

MC.Princess: …

MC.Princess: Dancing classes don’t fail me now

Dahlie_V: You have got this mom!

TieDye: GAHAHAHHAHAH

Captain Cireen: wait what happened???

TieDye sent an attachment

TieDye: PEARL FELL FLAT ON HER FACE

MC.Princess: Look I took dancing classes, never said I have any upper body strength!

MC.Princess: That’s why I got a hot buff wife!

DJ_Hyperfresh: SSJKSSJGSJ PEARLIE

MC.Princess: Now…

MC.Princess: @TieDye truth or dare?

TieDye: We just had 3 dares in a row, I’m going truth

MC.Princess: Coward!

MC.Princess: Fine! How did you and little buddy meet?

TieDye: That is a very long story

MC.Princess: Give us the short version then!

TieDye: Alright then

TieDye: It wasn’t long before my defection, and I was heading back from trade meeting with the salmonids 

TieDye: I had been freed about 2 years prior so I was just trying to keep my head down till I had a chance to escape

TieDye: Then out of nowhere, I get attacked by a Goldie and hoard of smallfry

Gender-404: Wait, I thought Octavio had an alliance with the Salmonid’s???

TieDye: He did. Thinking back now, I think there might have been glow flies around, but the visor made it hard to tell

TieDye: Anyway, me and my team managed to fend them off long enough fo rhythm to lose interest and they charged back into the sea

TieDye: Only one stopped a few feet from the shore, falling over with pained grunt

TieDye: I’m by no means a medic, but it definitely looked hurt. I used what little Salmonish I could to ask if it needed help

TieDye: The captain tried to step in and splat him, but I managed to stop him long enough to communicate

TieDye: I was able to convince them to take him back to camp with us to tend his wounds as a good will offer to the salmon, and I managed to talk to the smallfry a bit more

TieDye: That night I finally got my chance to escape, and I took it. 4 hours and about 12 miles later, I stopped to set up camp and rest, but instead of food in my bag, I found the smallfry

TieDye: I’m sure you can figure out that the smallfry was Little Buddy. What happened from there doesn’t matter much, but I wouldn’t be alive without him

MegelaGONE: At this point, none of us would

MC.Princess: Dang, guess we really do owe the little guy a lot

TieDye: On that note…

TieDye: @Roller_Scroller TRUTH OR DARE!

Roller_Scroller: TRUTH

TieDye: Ok this is a question that’s been on my mind for a while now

TieDye: How in the shell are you so strong?!

TieDye: Like don’t get me wrong you look tough, but your roller must weigh like 200 pounds at least!

Roller_Scroller: It’s a fun little leftover from the Hypno Shades. I’ve got the strength of an ant, and it takes a lot for something to hurt me!

TieDye: Wait for real?

Agent 2: Yeah. We thought it would wear off after a bit, but nearly 4 years since we got rid of them for good and it’s still here

Roller_Scroller: It definitely comes in handy for agent work! And rearranging my room

Agent 2: And the living room, especially when I ask you not to

Roller_Scroller: Look SOMEONE’S gotta keep the feng shui around her 

Agent 2: Cal do you even know what feng shui means?

Roller_Scroller: I don’t need to! Spyke said our apartment has it, and I’m the one doing the decorating!

Agent 2: Where is Spyke by the way?

DedF1sh: One of his clients had a concert tonight so he couldn’t make it, he said to tell you guys he’ll “try to make it to the next one”

Roller_Scroller: Lame

Roller_Scroller: Anywho, we got one person left who hasn’t gone.

Roller_Scroller: @BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN TRUTH OR DARE

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: DARE ME

MC.Princess: HECK YAH

Roller_Scroller: I dare you to give me a hug! Everyone looks so comfy over there just huddled in your lap!

 MC.Princess: Ugh, lame

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: Then get over here and join the pile! Same to the rest of you if you want to!

Gender-404: I’ll never turn down a chance to join a cuddle pile

Dahlie_V: I shall join as well!

MC.Princess: But what about the game!

DJ_Hyperfresh: We can take a break and get back to it later pearlie

Captain Cireen: I’m finally on my way there, so we won’t have to do it over phone either

Agent 2: Finished dealing with everything?

Captain Cireen: I hope so, but I doubt it

Captain Cireen: She always has a habit of making things more difficult…

Gender-404: Well no more of that tonight! Get over here so we can cuddle and do more dumb shit together

Captain Cireen: I’m a few minutes away, don’t burn the place down before I get there

Agent 2: Or how about we don’t burn the place down at all?

Gender-404: You know we can’t make any promises

Agent 2: I know, but please try

Captain Cireen: Would anyone be opposed to me picking up a few drinks before I got there?

Captain Cireen: I really need a drink after tonight

Agent 2: As long as you drink in moderation

MC.Princess: Pick me up some too! I’ll pay you back

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Some for us too!

Captain Cireen: Guys I only have two hands

Roller_Scroller: Get what you can, I’ll provide for everyone else

Agent 2: … I’m gonna regret this aren’t I

Gender-404: Oh absolutely

Chapter Text

Downtime chat 9/21/56 4:32 PM

Dahlie_V: Boarding train now, will be there in hours

MC.Princess: Rena is explaining things to our Agent, they we’ll be in the air

Roller_Scroller: I’ve got Marie bundled up trying to calm her down. 

Roller_Scroller: Cod this is so stressful

Captain Cireen: We’ll get through this, we do every time

TieDye: Do all of your missions end up with someone kidnapped???

Agent 2: It’s in unfortunately common occurrence

Roller_Scroller: Marie you need to rest

Agent 2: I can’t just sit here and do nothing Cal

Agent 2: If I spend any more time in my own head, I don’t think I could stop myself from going back down there

Captain Cireen: Believe me, you’re not the only one

Captain Cireen: @TieDye What’s taking you two so long?

TieDye: Harmony’s trying to find someone to cover the rest of her shift, but no one’s picking up

TieDye: I’m helping out here till she can get someone down here, plus I can keep an eye on the grate to see if anyone or anything comes through

Captain Cireen: It’s too dangerous for you to be on your own right now. I’m heading over

TieDye: I have things handled here Captain. If whoever took Four wanted to grab me, they would have had plenty of chances over the week to do so

TieDye: And believe me, Harmony is a lot tougher than she looks

TieDye: We need a plan to sort this shit show out, and you three are the only ones who can do it

Roller_Scroller: She’s got a point cap

Agent 2: I doubt Deep Cut would just up and grab two people in the middle of the plaza, even if they’re getting desperate

Captain Cireen: …

Captain Cireen: Fine

Captain Cireen: You have until 6 PM

Captain Cireen: If your not here by then, I’m coming to get you

Captain Cireen: Am I understood?

TieDye: Yees Captain

TieDye: Yes*

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Operation: Fuzzball: 9/21/56 6:52 PM

Captain Cireen added 3 users to the chat

Roller_Scroller: ???

Agent 2: Captain?

MC.Princess: Yo what the hell is this??

Captain Cireen: It’s time we fill you guys in on all the shit that’s been going on

Agent 2: Captain we’ve been over this

Captain Cireen: I’m more sure than ever now that Avi is working with Deep Cut, and I have proof

Dahlie_V: What do you meaning?

Roller_Scroller: Cap read to deep into 3’s anxiety 

Roller_Scroller: and I THOUGHT we were past it since this morning, but apparently their doubling down

DJ_Hyperfresh: I’m afraid Dani’s right

Roller_Scroller: ?!?!?

DJ_Hyperfresh: They messaged me awhile back and asked me to try and figure out the identity of Deep Cut’s bodyguard

Captain Cireen: Did you finally find something?

DJ_Hyperfresh: I was doing some last minute research while waiting for the helicopter to take off, and I found an article about Deep Cut’s Splatfest this past weekend 

DJ_Hyperfresh sent an attachment

DJ_Hyperfresh: The last section in particular is relevant here

Roller_Scroller: “Star Idol Scandal: Shiver’s secret boyfriend???”

Agent 2: We can all read Callie

Agent 2: But that’s definitely Avi, the stains in their tentacles prove that much

Dahlie_V: So that meanings that they are the ones who took 4?

Captain Cireen: No one else knows about Alterna, it has to be them

Roller_Scroller: Have you tried to track the number that contacted Dani?

DJ_Hyperfresh: I have, but haven't made much progress

DJ_Hyperfresh: Whoever it is, their using some device to obscure their location

DJ_Hyperfresh: Everytime I try to ping off their device, it comes from a different location entirely

Captain Cireen: Is there any correlation between the locations?

DJ_Hyperfresh: Kind of?

DJ_Hyperfresh: All the locations have been off of the mainland, but I’ve yet to link them in anyway beyond that 

Captain Cireen: Keep at it, it’s the only clue we have as to where 4 may be

Roller_Scroller: Wait

Roller_Scroller: You said you had proof even before you knew Marina found the site

Captain Cireen: I do, though it’s less concrete than that

Captain Cireen: Last night, 4 came up to the surface to do a snack run

Agent 2: I assume this has to do with the scrapes he had me patch up this morning?

Captain Cireen: Unfortunately

Captain Cireen: She saw one of Deep Cut’s members making their way through the city and I told him to follow them

Captain Cireen: They ended up at Hotlantis

Dahlie_V: That is Mori’s shop correct?

Agent 2: It is

Agent 2: Why didn’t you tell us this sooner?

Captain Cireen: I planned to this morning, but it was one thing after another today

Captain Cireen: Any chance I had to talk, Avi was there

Captain Cireen: But I’m afraid things don’t end there

Agent 2: What did you do?

Captain Cireen: The reason 4 stayed behind today was because they were going to scope out Hotlantis, see if he could find anything

Roller_Scroller: And?

Captain Cireen: She found a hidden door, but the alarm went off before he could open it

Captain Cireen is typing…

Captain Cireen: That was the last time I heard from them

Agent 2: Then why aren’t we tying up Avi and Harmony right now?! 

Agent 2: They’re clearly working with Deep Cut!

Captain Cireen: Because they’re our best lead to find Oli

Captain Cireen: Deep Cut is clearly getting desperate, they’ve had plenty of chances to try and take a hostage, but they haven't until now

Captain Cireen: Odds are, they’ll be acting tonight to try and finish their mission, whatever it is

DJ_Hyperfresh: From what you’ve said, Avi is clearly a powerful person. I highly doubt they’d risk doing much without them 

Captain Cireen: Bingo. That’s where you come in

Captain Cireen: Once they head out, we’ll need you to start tracking their phone

Captain Cireen: The rest of us here will follow a ways behind to make sure we’re not seen

Dahlie_V: I am not sure I will being there in time

Dahlie_V: The train has been delayed thrice already, it will be at least 4 to 5 hours until I arrive

Captain Cireen: Just find Sheldon when you arrive, I’ll fill him in on where we end up

Captain Cireen: That way he can send any supplies we need with you as well

MC.Princess: And what am I supposed to do???

MC.Princess: We’re still a few hours out, and there's no way in hell i can help Rena with hacking or whatever 

Roller_Scroller: Keep Marina safe. We have no idea who else Deep Cut may have working for them. If they figure out their being tracked, they may send someone after you guys

Captain Cireen: Exactly. Everyone clear on the plan?

Roller_Scroller: Yep!

Agent 2: Yes Captain.

Dahlie_V: Crystal

MC.Princess: Got it

DJ_Hyperfresh: Starting now

Captain Cireen: Alright gang, we got squids to save

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Deep Cut Group Chat: 9/21/56 7:58 PM

MegelaGONE: You guys good to go?

TieDye: We’re holding a little longer to make sure they’re asleep

TieDye: Some of them are unfortunately light sleepers

Deep-Fryed-Eel:  Sounds like they and Big Man would get along

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: I’m not that light of a sleeper! You just move too much in your sleep!

Deep-Fryed-Eel: What can I say? My beat doesn’t stop, even in my sleep

Discord: You don’t have a beat sweetie

Deep-Fryed-Eel: </3

MegelaGONE: When you two get out, head straight for the grate

MegelaGONE: We’re waiting near Hotlantis with everything we need,

TieDye: Just a few more minutes, don’t wanna risk any of them faking it

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: Why would they be faking it?

TieDye: Considering two of them are dating 4, I’d be shocked if they actually went to sleep this easily

TieDye: Plus Agent 2 was giving me weird looks earlier

TieDye: Don’t know if she’s figured something out or if it’s just me being paranoid though

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Be careful

Deep-Fryed-Eel: You get Harmony hurt, I’ll kidnap you myself

TieDye: Believe me, I’m doing everything I can to make sure no one gets hurt

TieDye: We’re about to head out, get everything ready to move

MegelaGONE: We will

MegelaGONE: Be careful, please

TieDye: We will

TieDye: See you guys soon

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Operation: Fuzzball: 9/21/56 8:12 PM

Captain Cireen: Avi and Harmony just left

Captain Cireen: @DJ_Hyperfresh You good to start tracking them?

DJ_Hyperfresh: Already in. Looks like they’re heading towards Splatsville’s plaza right now  

Agent 2: Already back to Alterna it seems. 

Captain Cireen: We’ll be heading out once we’re all geared up. Keep us posted on their location

DJ_Hyperfresh: Understood

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Roller_Scroller: Something just crossed my mind

Roller_Scroller: If Avi and Shiver are dating, does that mean Mori was actually Shiver?

Agent 2: Focus Cal

Roller_Scroller: We’re just walking toward the plaza, there's nothing to focus on right now!

Roller_Scroller: Just trying to lighten the mood a little before the mission fully starts

DJ_Hyperfresh: Mori definitely matches up with Shiver’s personality, but it could easily have been any member of Deep Cut

DJ_Hyperfresh: Assuming the rumors about the trio dating are true, Avi could very well be dating them all as well

DJ_Hyperfresh: The article seemed to think so

Roller_Scroller: Yah, but that article also misgendered both Avi and Shiver

Roller_Scroller: I’d believe a random person on the street over them

Captain Cireen: Need I remind you that these people are the ones who kidnapped and threatened both 4 and Gramps?

Roller_Scroller: 4 maybe, but I still doubt they’re the ones who have gramps

Agent 2: And why not?

Roller_Scroller: If Deep Cut has him, why would they need to kidnap 4 to threaten us?

Dahlie_V: Perhaps to show that they are serious? Cuttlefish is not weak, but he is not hard to capture

Roller_Scroller: Then why not show that they have him when they threatened 4?

Captain Cireen: …

Captain Cireen: Either way, we’ll more than likely be fighting them before the nights over

Captain Cireen: It’d be best to stop questioning the intricacies of their lives

Roller_Scroller: I disagree, but i’ll keep it to myself for now

Captain Cireen: Whatever makes you happy

Captain Cireen: We’re about to head down into Alterna. Signal may get patchy on the way down

DJ_Hyperfresh: Roger that captain. I’ll update you if anything comes up

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Deep Cut Group Chat: 9/21/56 9:38 PM

MegelaGONE: Jeez, you weren’t kidding about these tests

MegelaGONE: Some of these are hard as hell

TieDye: We should only need to do a few more. I don’t see too much ooze blocking the treasure vault

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Didn’t you have more power eggs from the tests in the other areas???

TieDye: They were locked up with the rest of my agent gear, no way to get em without waking anyone up

Discord: Isn’t it illegal to own more than like, a few hundred power eggs?

MegelaGONE: Oh cod yah

BIIIIIG_MAAAAAN: If powered by enough power eggs, weapons can leave permanent damage, even after being splat

MegelaGONE: It’s what those fucks out in the badlands use for their fighting rings, powering up the weapons to the point they can kill someone outright

TieDye: Speaking of which, any word from on a location Frye?

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Unfortunately not. My sources has been tied up in other matters recently, so they haven't been able to do much research

MegelaGONE: Darling, we all know your sisters. You can say their names

Deep-Fryed-Eel: Hush

TieDye: Back to the matter at hand, I think we should have enough power eggs to clear the ooze

TieDye: Let’s meet back up near the central tower

TieDye: DO NOT TOUCH THE OOZE FRYE

Deep-Fryed-Eel: I wasn’t!

TieDye: I am literally ten feet above you right now

TieDye: Trust me, it’s not a fun time

MegelaGONE: We need to get a move on. Once they realize you guys are gone, they’ll more than likely come down here

TieDye: This should be the last treasure vault, then we just need to get everyone out

TieDye: Let’s do this

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Operation: Fuzzball: 9/21/56 9:42 PM

MC.Princess: You guys have been quiet for a while, any progress?

Agent 2: They’re just… doing the tests

Roller_Scroller: Which is weird I might add

Roller_Scroller: Orca wouldn’t let me register, and it took ages for it to let 4 start doing them

Captain Cireen: Whatever the case, their stockpiling power eggs for something

Dahlie_V: Are they not used to clear the fuzzy ooze you mentioned?

Agent 2: They are, but they can also be used to supercharge weapons

Captain Cireen: They’re about to head down into the last boss kettle, though I doubt there's much down there 

Agent 2: Should we follow them?

Captain Cireen: No, let’s set up outside the kettle. Ambush them when they come out

DJ_Hyperfresh: Captain, if you have a moment 

Captain Cireen: Yes?

DJ_Hyperfresh: I managed to place a connection between the locations I got from 4’s kidnapper

Captain Cireen: ?

DJ_Hyperfresh: At first I thought they were just random locations, but…

DJ_Hyperfresh: They’re all Salmon Run locations, every single one

Roller_Scroller: ?!?!?

Agent 2: Is there any significance to that? I thought the signals were just pinging random locations

DJ_Hyperfresh: I assumed so as well, but for everything to line like this seems… odd

DJ_Hyperfresh: And it’s not just the general area of the locations

DJ_Hyperfresh: Spawning ground, Lost Outpost, Smokeyard, even Barnacle Bay

Roller_Scroller: Barnacle Bay? Don’t think I’ve ever heard of that one

MC.Princess: Ain’t that the one with the weird thing? 

Agent 2: Everything about Grizzco is weird Pearl

MC.Princess: You know what I mean!

MC.Princess: The place with the big metal thing! I think it’s called Polarin or something

DJ_Hyperfresh: Ruins of Ark Polaris

DJ_Hyperfresh: At least that’s what Grizzco calls it, no one else has been able to get close to the site since it’s in an active Salmonid zone

Captain Cireen: Grizzco’s involvement would certainly explain where all the Power Eggs down here came from

Captain Cireen: I’ve had them on my radar for some time now, I think it’s about time we pay this “Mr. Grizz” a visit after we’re done here

MC.Princess: Wait, do you guys think Deep Cut works for Mr. Grizz??? 

Agent 2: I doubt it

Agent 2: With the amount of power eggs Grizzco pulls in, I highly doubt Deep would need to do any tests to clear the Fuzzy Ooze

Agent 2: Though I suppose it would explain why Grizzco is a perpetual sponsor for Deep Cut’s Splatcast

Roller_Scroller: Wasn’t Off the Hook sponsored by Grizzco for a while though?

MC.Princess: Not by choice

MC.Princess: He sponsored Inkopolis News, so we had to keep up appearances to keep the gig

DJ_Hyperfresh: If it had been up to us, we’d have dropped them after we worked the first shift there

Roller_Scroller: Oh cod, they made you work for him?

DJ_Hyperfresh: Only a few times, something about it being part of their contract with him

MC.Princess: He stopped asking for us when I “accidentally” blew a hole in his boat

MC.Princess: Honestly I’m surprised he wasn’t on your guys radar from the start, that place is sketchy as fuck

Roller_Scroller: Cod they’re taking forever down there

Captain Cireen: Any movement from Avi, Marina?

DJ_Hyperfresh: Nothing major. It looks like they’re… moving around in circles?

Agent 2: Could there actually be something down there to fight?

Roller_Scroller: There wasn’t anything in either of the other Boss Kettles, why would there be one here?

Agent 2: They beat us to the other two, maybe ORCA had security in place and they just dealt with them beforehand

DJ_Hyperfresh: They just started ascending at remarkable speed! Get ready!

Roller_Scroller: Holy squit they super jumped out!

Roller_Scroller: Wait they’re fighting someone

Agent 2: That’s 4! We need to help her

Captain Cireen: We’re going in. Marina, Pearl, if you don’t hear from us in half an hour, get Sheldon to shut down the lift

DJ_Hyperfresh: Got it

MC.Princess: Good luck you 3!

Chapter Text

Hello Everyone, it’s been a bit. Afraid to say I don’t have a chapter ready today, I just felt like I needed to update you all on what's been going on.

As I mentioned a while back, I took a small break to focus on my finals at University, which luckily ended early last week. I also took part in Pearlina week, which took up a lot of my free time outside of those finals (Despite only getting about half of them done.) I still plan on finishing those prompts, but that's not the main thing I’m here to talk about.

Truth be told, I’ve been running myself into the ground trying to update as much as I promised I would. When I started uploading Downtime, I had a few chapters written in advance, so I felt like I could handle keeping up with that upload schedule. Then I started uploading Long Con and decided I wanted to keep up the same Downtime upload and just add in a Long Con chapter. As anyone who’s done this longer than a week will tell you, I got burnt out extremely quickly. 

So what now? Well, I’m not gonna stop uploading. Despite the burn out, the story and characters I’ve written were probably the only thing that kept me sane at university. That being said, uploads are going to slow down exponentially. I plan to try and upload once every other week to start, but I want to make sure I’m proud of what I upload so I can’t make any promises.

For the time being, I’ll be putting Downtime on a temporary hiatus. This is mostly because the Long Con is within 4-5 chapters of its ending, and anyone who's played Splatoon 3’s story mode should understand that I won’t make much sense for the characters to be on their phones for a bit. Once Long Con is over though, Downtime will come back, but odds are it’ll shift over to just being the NSS messing around over text rather than just being a retelling of the same story.

Speaking of story though, I will say I already have a sequel planned for Long con, but I don’t wanna say much more on it for now. I plan to take a short break from any major fics between Long Con and its sequel, which is when I plan to finish up the prompts from Pearlina week, as well as a few other one-shots or 2-3 chapter fics to fill the void.

I think that’s all I really have to talk about for now though, sorry again for the silence over the last few weeks, but more will be coming soon I promise. Until then, I hope you all have a good day/night.