Veronica POV

Veronica happily sat down at the table to enjoy the lunch that she and (Y/N) made.

Veronica: Did I do good?

(Y/N) tasted some of the food that Veronica helped him cook as he sat there for a few seconds, thinking about how to answer that before giving a smile and a thumbs up.

Veronica was happy that he enjoyed it.

(Y/N): You're definitely getting the hang of it. Soon enough you'll be able to even cook your own meals whenever you want.

Veronica was a little shocked at the sound of that, which (Y/N) recognized before chuckling a bit.

(Y/N): Don't worry, I'll still cook for you whenever you want.

Veronica calmed down after he reassured her. She enjoyed the meals he would make for her.

Veronica: I still can only do smaller things, so I still can not do everything.

(Y/N): That's fine. I don't mind cooking, but you'll get there one day anyway. That way you can cook right beside me too without me needing to tell you what to do.

Veronica nodded, liking the sound of doing it alongside him more.

Veronica opened her mouth to say something but was quickly cut off by loud banging on the front door, catching (Y/N) and Veronica both off guard.

(Y/N) told her to hang on for a minute before going over and opening the door, to which the moment it was unlocked he was immediately pushed back by the barging in of the three individuals.

Frye: We in dis place!

Shiver: You left us standing out there for fourteen whole seconds.

Big Man: Ay. (Sorry to intrude.)

Veronica was happy to see the funny three suddenly show up unannounced, while (Y/N) was picking himself back up.

Just as he was nearly fully up, he was cut off guard by the three finally noticing him after looking around.

Shiver: Ah! There he is.

Suddenly, Frye had picked (Y/N) up and put him over her shoulder.

Frye: Okay! We're going now!

Shiver: We might return him later. Only slightly damaged.

As the three turned around to leave with (Y/N) in tow, (Y/N) was reaching out toward Veronica's direction for help while Veronica still sat in place at the table as she waved goodbye to (Y/N). (Y/N) was left with a defeated face as the door shut behind the four, leaving Veronica alone in her home.

Veronica just shrugged before sliding (Y/N)'s plate of food over to herself happily before she went back to eating the lunch.

~~~

(Y/N) POV

(Y/N): It's been a while since I've been carried like this.

He said with his arms crossed while still thrown over Frye's shoulders.

Frye: Don't complain. Ya know you love it.

Shiver: I think he's just embarrassed that all those people on the train were staring at him being manhandled so effortlessly.

She said with a giggle.

(Y/N): Yeah, that's why they were staring. Definitely not because three of the most popular idols were on the train with them. Especially after you announced the Grand Festival.

Big Man: Ay ayy. (Honestly, there's a good chance they were looking because of both of those reasons.)

(Y/N): Anyway, where are you three even taking me?

Big Man: Ay- (Oh, well-)

Shiver: We had the great idea to take some time to relax and enjoy some time together before the Grand Festival!

Frye: Yeah! They're planning on having us three do updates and reports leading up to the Grand Festival too. So, soon enough we'll be dressed all fancy for those and not have too much free time for a little while.

Big Man: Ay! (So, we'll have fun together now!)

(Y/N): That actually doesn't sound that bad. Now what fun and exciting things do you have planned then?

Shiver: Not so much exciting, but we're going to be enjoying ourselves at a popular place up in these mountains.

Big Man: Ay. (We should be there soon.)

(Y/N): Can I be put down yet then?

Frye: Nope!

(Y/N): Why not?

Frye: Because this is more fun, and it keeps you facing the other way to keep the surprise until we get there.

After another minute of walking and talking to their destination, they finally arrived and set (Y/N) back down on his feet.

When (Y/N) looked in front of him, he looked intrigued and finally understood where they were.

(Y/N): Brinewater Springs?

Frye: Yep!

Big Man: Ay! (We get to enjoy it all and relax.)

(Y/N): How much did it cost?

Frye: Is that all you care about?

(Y/N): I've seen how much money you waste, so a little bit.

Shiver: We're fine. This didn't hurt our money one bit.

(Y/N): I'm going to pretend I believe you for now.

He looked back over at Brinewater Springs.

(Y/N): So, you three had the idea to do this all on your own?

Veronica POV

Veronica was happily going about her day at home since (Y/N) was taken away before she heard a knock on the door.

Veronica happily strode over to the door and opened it to reveal Callie, Marie, Pearl, and Marina at the door.

Veronica: Hello! What are you four doing here?

Callie: We're here to pick you two up for a surprise!

Veronica looked excited.

Veronica: A surprise?

Pearl: Yo, you know it! Go get (Y/N) so we can get rollin'.

Veronica: (Y/N) is not here.

The four looked at Veronica.

Marina: Where is he?

Veronica: Shiver, Frye, and Big Man showed up early today, picked him up, and left with him.

Marie: Ugh. Those three...

Marie looked annoyed.

Marie: Let's just go. We'll pick up the others and then meet those four there.

Veronica: Yay! Let me go get my shoes on.

(Y/N) POV

Big Man: Ay ay- (Well, actually it was-)

Frye nudged Big Man with her elbow, cutting him off.

Shiver: Yup. All on our own. Feel free to praise us.

(Y/N) smiled.

(Y/N): What're we waiting for? Let's get to relaxing.

Shiver: See? I knew you'd enjoy this.

Frye: We're even staying at the big hotel right alongside the hot springs!

(Y/N): I'm feeling relaxed already just imagining it.

He said happily with his eyes closed as the four walked along the path they were on.

~~~

The three first stopped at the inn they were staying in to get some food since they were all hungry, especially (Y/N) who was interrupted in the middle of a meal earlier.

(Y/N): So, what's the plan after this? Soaking in the hot spring?

Shiver: Do you have no class? No, we save that for later. It's the best way to end the day.

While Shiver was schooling (Y/N) on the best way to enjoy an onsen, Frye tapped (Y/N) and handed him a sweet bun which made his mouth water before he sank his teeth into it, mesmerized by its deliciousness.

(Y/N): Okay. Then what do we do next?

Shiver tapped her fan on her chin as she thought about it for a moment before smiling.

~~~

Shiver: Oh yeeaaah, now that really hits the spot.

(Y/N): This is supposed to feel good? I feel like my body is being tortured. Eek!

He said as the masseuse hit a part that caused him pain.

Shiver: If that hurts that badly, you clearly need to relax more.

Shiver said, relaxing to the massage.

Frye: I'ᵐ wᶦtʰ Sʰiᵛeʳ, tʰiˢ fᵉeˡs ᵍrᵉeᵉaᵃaᵗ.

Frye said with a rumbling voice as the masseuse was using a tapotement technique on her back that looked like they were repeatedly karate chopping her back.

Shiver: How's it going for you, Big Man?

Big Man was so big that there were two masseuses walking across his back.

Big Man: Ay~. (It's relaxing~.)

Big Man said with a relaxed smile and his eyes closed.

(Y/N) thought about making a joke about how Big Man was probably used to having two women walk all over him but decided against it before the masseuse hit another rough point for him, causing him to flinch again.

(Y/N) did however chuckle at the thought that Big Man looked like a tablecloth when he was lying down on the massage table.

After letting the massage finish, the four walked out of the massage room, (Y/N) rubbing his back. He did feel better after the massage was done, but it sure hurt during it.

(Y/N): Can we do something a bit less... painful next? I could use something to relax after that.

Frye happily jumped at the question.

Frye: Ooh! Ooh! I know what we can do!

Frye whispered into Shiver's ear, causing a light-hearted smile to form on Shiver's face.

Shiver: Of course, we can do that. That sounds relaxing.

~~~

Big Man was cowering behind (Y/N) as the two pitifully held up their table tennis paddles in fear.

Frye was opposite the table from them as she had a malicious smirk on her face as she bounced the ping pong ball on the table before a glint of light shined in her eye and she went full force on it, smacking it across to them, causing (Y/N) and Big Man to duck down for cover.

Shiver: Woohoo. Another point for us.

Shiver said with a cheerful smile, looking over at the game from the private cabana she was enjoying.

(Y/N): I thought you said this would be relaxing!

Shiver: It is. For moi.

Shiver said, gesturing her hand to herself, cheekily.

Shiver: Doing great, Frye! Show them who's boss!

Shiver said as she relaxed back into her chair once again.

Frye: Will do!

Frye said, happily waving with the hand holding her paddle before turning back to the two boys.

Big Man: Ay! (You're not even playing over there!)

Shiver: Whaaat? Of course I am. I've got my paddle right here.

Shiver said as she lifted up her paddle half-heartedly as she gave it a light wave to show it.

Shiver: I'm playing backline for Frye is all.

(Y/N): From all the way back there?!

Shiver: I don't want to get in Frye's way is all. We're so coordinated.

She said with a smirk before taking a sip of the drink she ordered.

Frye: YO! It's your two's serve. Now come at me!

Frye said with an innocent-looking smile as she stood there, completely unguarded.

(Y/N) and Big Man huddled.

(Y/N): She looks like she's underestimating us, Big Man. I think this is our chance to get one point.

Big Man: A-Ay? (A-Are you sure?)

(Y/N): Big Man..? No. But this might be our best chance. I have a plan too.

Big Man gulped and nodded.

(Y/N): We pretend like I have the ball and will start the game, but then you quickly start while she's focusing on me. Do that and maybe, maybe, we can get one point on her.

(Y/N) said, handing the ball to Big Man.

Big Man: A-Ay. (I-I'll try.)

The two turned back to Frye who was still just standing there, unprepared with a smile.

(Y/N) held his hand as if he had the ball.

(Y/N): Okay. Let's do this thing...

He lifted his hand up to pretend like he was going to hit a ball, which was Big Man's queue to actually hit the ball.

When he did, it crossed the table, made it across the net, and was going right to the side of Frye.

The two boys looked happily on as they thought it might've worked on the easily distractable squid.

Unfortunately, in the blink of an eye, Frye moved and hit it with such force that the ball came bouncing back over to their side, hitting Big Man right in the forehead before bouncing off it and hitting (Y/N)'s forehead as well, causing the two to fall to the ground with the ball bouncing on the ground right past them.

Shiver: HOHOHO!

Shiver laughed hard at the incident.

Shiver: Bravo, Frye! Encore! Encore!

Shiver said while clapping as the two groaned on the ground.

Frye: Nice try, guys, but you're going to need to try harder than that if you want this to end without a shutout.

~~~

The four were now enjoying the sauna, wrapped in towels, as the heat helped them actually relax this time, especially as Big Man and (Y/N)'s foreheads still stung a bit from the ping pong ball's hit.

Shiver: Is this more like what you wanted now?

(Y/N) happily smiled as his head was leaning back as he basked in the heat of the sauna.

(Y/N): Yeah, feels like I'm just sweating off all the worries in here.

Big Man: Ay, ay. (It's a bit steamy, but it's helping my mind relax.)

Big Man said with a relaxed smile.

Shiver: How about you, Frye?

Frye was asleep with her head rolled back, and drooling a bit before letting out a bit of a snore.

Shiver: Frye.

Shiver smacked Frye with her fan, waking her up, and confusing Frye.

Frye: Huh? Wha? Wha's goin' on?

She said while wiping away the drool.

Shiver sighed.

Shiver: I guess we have been in here for a while now. We should probably get out before we all pass out in here.

Big Man: Ay? Ay. Ayy. (Do we have to? I'm a lot bigger. I've got more stress I need to sweat out.)

(Y/N): I am getting a little baked in here with this heat. Maybe it would be a good idea to step out now.

Shiver stood up and tried to open the door to leave with (Y/N) and Frye behind her, but the door didn't seem to want to open.

Shiver was getting frustrated with the door.

(Y/N): What's the holdup?

Shiver: This... door! It won't open.

Shiver said, letting go out of frustration.

(Y/N): Let me try.

(Y/N) walked past Shiver to try, but it still didn't work. Even when he propped his one leg up on the wall to push against, the door remained locked, unable to open.

(Y/N) let go and backed away from the door.

(Y/N): What's wrong with it?

Shiver: How am I supposed to know? It worked just fine when we got in here.

(Y/N): Something must be-

Frye: Just move it already!

Frye pushed past the two, too hot to keep sitting around waiting for them to get the door open.

Frye grabbed the doorknob and leaned back as hard as she could to open the door.

Shiver: Frye! Don't be a barbarian!

(Y/N): Careful, Frye, you might-

There was a -CACHINK- noise before Frye fell backward onto the floor.

(Y/N): Frye! Are you okay?!

Frye sat up, rubbing her head.

Frye: Yeah...

Frye then lifted up the detached door handle.

Frye: The door ain't though.

Shiver, Frye, and Big Man's eyes all widened at the sight of the broken-off door handle. All four's eyes then quickly shot over to the door.

The four of them all started banging on the door.

Shiver: GET US OUT OF HERE!

Big Man: AY! (IT'S GETTING TOO WARM!)

Frye: I DON'T WANNA BE STEAMED SQUID! I DON'T TASTE GOOD!

(Y/N): Actually-

The four's loud banging on the door got softer and more infrequent as the heat caused the four to all collapse on the floor of the sauna.

Shiver: So... this is how it ends, huh? Never thought I'd go out like this...

Frye: I expected basically the same thing but in a room with barred doors...

Shiver and Frye were both laid out next to each other as the heat dried them out more and more.

Frye: One last time, Shiver..?

Shiver: Sure... why not..?

The two began to try their best to sing "Daybreaker Anthem" as the heat overwhelmed them.

The four were so overwhelmed by the heat, they hadn't even heard the sound of the door opening to the sauna. They were caught off guard completely by the four of them all suddenly being doused by a bucket of cold water.

The four all shot up off the ground.

Shiver, Frye, & (Y/N): COLD!!!
Big Man: AY! (COLD!!!)

The four couldn't see who had done it due to the steam of smoke coming off of them due to throwing cold water onto their hot bodies that had been cooking in the sauna.

Shiver: Thank you! How can we ever repay you?

Frye: Don't mean ta brag, but we're pretty famous! We can hook you up with whatever you need!

Big Man: Ay. (As long as it's not money.)

Marie: How about we start with an explanation?

The three members of Deep Cut's eyes all widened as the four recognized the voice of the woman who was there.

The steam finally dissipated to reveal Marie standing right in the doorway in front of them, along with some of the others behind her.

Marie: We were looking for you four.

Shiver: Boss Marie! How great that it was you who showed up to save us!

Shiver tried acting innocent and grateful.

Frye: We nearly dried out in there, haha!

Big Man: AY! (IT WAS THEIR IDEA!)

Shiver & Frye: BIG MAN!

Marie just kept her glare on the three with her arms crossed, not saying a word.

(Y/N): What're you all even doing here?

Marie: What do you think we're doing here? We came to enjoy the group trip to Brinewater Springs that we all planned together.

Shiver, Frye, and Big Man all bowed down to the floor in front of Marie.

Shiver & Frye: We're sorry...
Big Man: Ay... (We're sorry...)

~~~

Marie POV

All the girls were relaxing in the girls' hot spring.

Shiver: This feels a lot better than that sauna.

Shiver said happily.

Frye: We might have to get some more food after we get out. I still smell delicious after getting steamed in there.

Shiver: Do you ever think of anything other than food?

Callie: Now I'm getting hungry. Great.

Callie jumped into the conversation, her mouth watering at the thought of food.

Marie: Don't encourage them, Callie.

Marina: We should be able to order some food to our room later too.

Pearl: As long as they didn't eat everything in the inn already.

Marie: Can we get to what's really at hand now? Why did you three decide to grab (Y/N) and ditch all the rest of us to get here early?

Shiver: I had to make sure it was the place was up to our boss's standards of course. We did it for you!

Shiver tried to sound convincing.

Marie: And you needed (Y/N) why?

Shiver: Of the people we had on call, he was the one who'd know best, of course.

Marie: Okay, let's pretend for a second that I believe that. You three were supposed to pick up Eva and bring her here.

Eva: They were? I thought you three just left the getting here to myself.

Marina spoke up from the other side of Eva.

Marina: No, we thought we'd leave that to those three since they live in the Splatlands with you.

Eva: Is this because of what happened the other day? Are you all still upset about that?

Shiver: Of course it's not! What do you take us for? Jealous high school brats?

Frye: It was a little bit that. But we honestly just forgot.

Shiver: Not helping, Frye.

Eva grumbled to herself.

Eva: Why can't you all be more calm and mature about this situation like the Captain is over there? She's just chillin' out and relaxing in the spring.

Veronica lightly nudged Liz, getting a grumbled response out of her before Veronica turned back to Eva.

Veronica: She's asleep right now.

Eva: Oh...

Marie sighed.

Marie: Someone wake her up.

Pearl: I'm on it!

Pearl shuffled through the hot spring over toward Liz and kicked her feet out from the position that was keeping her above the water. Liz slowly started drifting lower into the water until she submerged beneath the water for a few seconds before quickly jumping back up out the water.

Liz: What? What's going on?

Liz remembered where she was, covered herself with her hands, then quickly sat back down.

Pearl: You fell asleep. I was just helping you out.

Liz: Very helpful.

Liz said sarcastically.

Pearl: Yo, I'm serious, I was trying to help.

Liz: And why is that?

Pearl: Because you're better than most of the others at least.

Liz: What are you talking about, Pearl?

Pearl's head was right above the hot spring's water level with how much she was lowered into it.

Pearl: Can't you tell?

Pearl asked while looking out at the others, jealously.

Liz looked out at the rest, trying to figure out what Pearl was talking about when she noticed right along the water line. Liz's face blushed a bit upon the realization of what Pearl was getting at.

Veronica: Is everything all right, Liz?

Liz noticed Veronica was also guilty of it, causing Liz to lower herself into the water more to match Pearl as well.

Liz: Yeah... Just fine.

Marina also was shifting over toward them now.

Marina: Aren't you enjoying the hot spring, Pearlie?

Pearl glared at the size of Marina.

Pearl: Yeah. The water's great, yo.

She said simply.

Marina: I thought you were enjoying it! You're almost fully under the water.

Marina said cheerfully ignorant to the jealousy Pearl was feeling as Marina sat alongside Pearl who was trying to hide just how different she and Marina truly were next to each other.

Pearl and Liz lamented about how unfair life could be at times while the others were continuing the previous conversation, still.

Marie: Could you really not help yourself to run off with him just to get private times with yourselves here?

Shiver: It's not my fault that we're usually too busy to be able to experience the hot springs when they're free during Splatfests, it's just-

Shiver cut herself off.

Marie: Just what?

Shiver annoyedly laid back in the water once again.

Shiver: Nothing. I just couldn't stand watching all that valuable time we had booked here go to waste.

Frye spoke up, laying in the water beside Shiver in the same way, without getting up.

Frye: Shiver was just upset that we've got more work to do for the Grand Festival that you four don't, so we'll be too busy to spend time with (Y/N) for a while.

Shiver was shocked by dragging Shiver out in front of them (verbally, although she is entirely capable of doing it physically), which caused Shiver to fall back into the water a bit before angrily sitting up and looking at Frye.

Shiver: Frye!

Frye: What? It's the truth. We've gotta handle the updates and news reports for how the Grand Festival is going, while all of the others are free to spend time together before it goes down.

Shiver and Frye were going back and forth a bit over Frye revealing Shiver's cards like that, distracted, as Callie and Marie were just watching on.

Callie: Aw, come on, Marie. Just forgive them. I don't blame them for that. We just had to design our outfits and now we're free to do whatever we want until the Grand Festival. Besides practicing, obvi.

Marie softened her mood as she agreed with Callie on their actions. She really couldn't blame them for that.

Marie: All right.

Shiver and Frye stopped and looked at Marie.

Shiver: All right, what?

Marie: You're off the hook... Well, they're Off the Hook, but you know what I mean.

She excused the two before clearing up the word choice by pointing to the to over away from them.

Shiver and Frye just blinked a couple of times while staring at Marie.

Marie: Uh... are you two okay?

The two then rushed Marie as they hugged her.

Shiver & Frye: You're the best, boss!

Callie also happily joined in on the hug.

Marie: Ngh, will you all just get off of me? Especially when we're still in the hot springs!

(Y/N) POV

(Y/N) heard the sounds of Marie yelling from the girls' hot spring area.

(Y/N): Sounds like they're having fun.

Big Man: Ay? Ay. (How could they not? These have to be the best hot springs in the whole Splatlands.)

Big Man said while soaking his big body in the hot spring.

(Y/N) turned to his other side.

(Y/N): I've got to say though, I was expecting you to show up, Gramps.

Cuttlefish: Are you kiddin' me? I'm still all dried up like this. A good soak is perfect for me.

(Y/N): It doesn't hurt that it's a hot spring you're soaking in either, does it?

Cuttlefish: That it does not.

Cuttlefish said, happily enjoying the relaxation of the spring on his old, dried-up skin.

(Y/N): But where were you at earlier? You didn't show up with all of the girls?

Cuttlefish: I did. I just saw something that caught my attention that I had to check out first.

(Y/N): What was it?

Cuttlefish: Ah, nothin'. Just something that took me back. Places like this have so many old things lyin' about. Like me!

(Y/N) chuckled.

The door to the boys' hot spring opened up to reveal a familiar face.

(Y/N): Hiro?

Hiro: Huh? Hey! You two are here too?

Hiro got in the water.

Hiro: You guys come here because of the ads too?

(Y/N): Sort of.

Big Man: Ayy. (We came because the place isn't as busy thanks to the Grand Festival announcement.)

Hiro: Big Man with the big brain! I've been saving up to come here and take a break from work for a while now. But I guess it helps to have a lot of money to do this whenever, doesn't it?

Big Man: Ay. (I wouldn't know.)

Hiro: Aren't you rich from your music?

Big Man: Ayy... (Not as rich thanks to the other two wasting so much money...)

(Y/N): They never learn...

Hiro: Then how did you two get here?

(Y/N): A friend paid for the trip.

Hiro: Must be one rich friend, huh?

(Y/N): Richer than she knows what to do with it all.

Hiro: Whoa. Better not let Frye find out about her then, lest she get jealous then, huh?

Hiro said, nudging (Y/N) slyly.

Big Man: Ay. (Frye and him broke up actually.)

Hiro: Whaaaat? You broke up with her- Actually, thinking about the whole Crableg Capital incident, can't say I blame you too much.

(Y/N): Yeeeaaah, it was a whole misunderstanding. We're still friends though.

Hiro: Really? She seems like the type to hold a grudge.

Big Man: Ay. (She is.)

Big Man said with a fearful look in his eyes as he remembered many past events of his life.

Big Man: Ayy. (She's still upset Eva kissed (Y/N) on TV the other day.)

Hiro: You what?!

(Y/N): It was a kiss cam thing at Goby Arena, that's all.

Hiro: Wow, I'm sorry you had to go through that.

(Y/N): I wouldn't joke about that too loudly.

Hiro: I'm not joking, but why?

(Y/N): Because she and the others are right on the other side of that wall.

Hiro looked at the wall with a worried look.

Hiro: Wait, others?

Big Man: Ay. Ay ay ay. (Yeah. Eva, Shiver, Frye, Off the Hook, the Squid Sisters, and a few other friends.)

Hiro blushed.

Hiro: Wait, like, they're all over there? In the hot spring?

(Y/N): Yep.

Hiro was excited.

Hiro: Whoa, could you imagine how lucky it would be to be over there instead of over here?

(Y/N): Ehh.

(Y/N) nervously scratched his head at the statement.

Hiro: Like, not to sound like a weirdo, but come on. You could die happy at that point.

(Y/N): Hiro?

Hiro: Yeah?

(Y/N): Did we forget to introduce you to the person here in the hot spring with us?

Hiro looked over and saw the old, dried-up squid relaxing in the water.

Hiro: Who is he?

(Y/N): That would be the Squid Sisters' grandfather.

Hiro: I am so sorry...

Hiro immediately walked back on his previous statements out of embarrassment.

~~~

(Y/N) and Big Man had joined back up with the girls in the inn's room. Hiro had left after soaking in the hot springs back to where he was staying, and Cuttlefish had gone off somewhere else on his own.

The group were all enjoying their meal together that they had ordered back to the room. Frye, Callie, and (Y/N) were all feasting on the food in front of them, while the others ate at a normal speed.

Pearl: Yo, so are we really going to all sleep in this one big room?

Frye: Pfft. Of course not.

Frye said trying to act high and mighty with her knowledge that Pearl didn't know.

Shiver: The walls can slide open to other rooms.

Frye: I was gonna say that.

Frye pouted at how Shiver stole her thunder.

Pearl: What? Really?

Pearl got up and saw a spot in the wall that she could hold onto as she tried to slide it on way to no success before sliding it the other way, and it actually opened up to another room.

Pearl: Yo, no way! It's real! Secret spy rooms!

Marina: It's not meant to be a secret, Pearlie.

Pearl: Did you know about this stuff, Marina?!

Marina: Well, yeah.

Pearl: You've stayed at a place like this before?

Marina: No, I... saw it in manga...

Marina said embarrassedly.

Shiver: Looks like we're the experts here then!

Shiver said, referring to herself, Frye, and Big Man.

Callie: We grew up around places like this too, actually!

Shiver: Huh?

Marie: Sure did.

(Y/N): It was nice.

Shiver: But I thought Pearl grew up in the same place, and she didn't know.

(Y/N): Pearl was super rich too. She looked like a lost tourist the first time she walked into a normal house.

Pearl: It's amazing just what the commoners can achieve with such little space. So claustrophobic.

Frye: Huh. I didn't think you had a problem with small spaces.

Pearl: Why's that?

Frye: No reason.

Frye said while looking away from Pearl and giggling.

Liz: I do just fine with a one-room apartment.

Frye: Again, not surprising.

Liz shot a look over toward Frye at the sound of that before Veronica and Eva grabbed her attention again.

Pearl: I guess we do have enough room for all of us then.

Big Man: Ay. (I guess that just leaves who sleeps where.)

Big Man said happily, but at the sound of that, everyone else got quiet and looked at one another like it was a standoff.

(Y/N): Now you've done it.

~~~

??? POV

The person sat, enjoying the view of the area. The pristine, traditional-style buildings were reminiscent of an age long past, while the newer buildings of the mountain village reminded them more of what came after such a time.

They sighed as they thought about how directionless life had felt for a while now.

Cuttlefish: It really takes you back, huh?

Octavio: Yeah... Wait, WHAT?!

Octavio quickly looked over to notice the dried-up, old fool suddenly beside him.

Cuttlefish chuckled.

Cuttlefish: I thought I'd seen you earlier.

Octavio's shock quickly subsided as he just stopped caring as he turned back forward to the view he was looking at, resting his head on his arm.

Octavio: What are you even doing here?

Cuttlefish: Enjoying a nice visit to the hot springs with my grandkids.

Octavio: And yet, you're here bothering me instead of them.

Cuttlefish: I can bother them whenever I want, that's my job as their grampa. But they've got their friends to hang with. Meanwhile, how often do I get to bother you?

Octavio grunted at how he was stuck here talking with Cuttlefish now of all people.

Octavio: Every time we see each other.

Cuttlefish: You didn't really give me much of a choice though, did you?

Octavio: I never had much of a choice either, if you'll recall, you old coot.

Cuttlefish let out a small laugh.

Cuttlefish: Yeah, I supposed we were all just dealt a bad hand of cards... I really love places like this, don't you?

Octavio didn't bother answering such a pointless question.

Cuttlefish: They remind me a lot of back before the Great Turf War.

Octavio: Don't remind me...

Cuttlefish: Why not? Before then, we were all happy together. A lot like it is right now. Except you were a lot nicer back then.

Octavio: I didn't have to worry about my entire people back then. Meanwhile, you're just as much of a fool now as you were back then.

Cuttlefish: That may be so. But you don't really have to worry about your people now either though, do ya?

Octavio was going to angrily retort that comment, but he didn't bother. As much as it pained him to admit it, Cuttlefish was right about that. His people were thriving once again. And on the surface too. So, why did he still hold such a grudge after all this time? It was never personal to Octavio, he only ever did what he thought was right for his Octarians... or did that change at some point? When did it stop being about how much he cared for the Octarians and did it start being about how much he resented the Inklings for beating them?

Cuttlefish: This place... and the rest of the Splatlands... they do make me a bit sad though.

Octavio raised an eyebrow as he confusedly looked over at him.

Octavio: That nostalgiac for the past, are you, old man?

Cuttlefish: No... I just wish I knew that it was possible for both Octolings and Inklings to have survived up on the surface together when the water levels were rising... how did they do it?

Octavio thought about it. How much was lost in the war for the surface between the Octarians and the Inklings? Meanwhile, just across the bay, both species survived the flood together.

Cuttlefish: Maybe we focused too much on each other as different people to fight over what was left, and we stopped seeing each other as the same people trying to survive for us to be able to work together.

Octavio: My people...

Octavio started, catching Cuttlefish's attention.

Octavio: The Octolings. They really are a lot happier now than I've seen them in... I'm not really sure how long.

Cuttlefish: They are.

Octavio: I've been... lost ever since that incident in Alterna. I accepted how things were, but I didn't know what to do anymore. Without being the leader of the Octarians, what was there left for me to do? I'm an amazingly talented DJ, but I still felt directionless.

Cuttlefish: I'm not the leader of the New Squidbeak Splatoon either anymore. I've honestly been a little confused as to what to do myself since retirement. I couldn't help myself and tried going back during that incident in the crater as well, but that's just not my life anymore. I've got to let the youngins handle things now. I'll only get in the way.

Octavio: And what have you done since then? Other than bother all the people around you?

Cuttlefish: Not much else, honestly.

Cuttlefish chuckled.

Cuttlefish: I guess I feel just as directionless as you at the end of the day.

Octavio raised his eyebrows at the statement. He can't say he was too surprised. Cuttlefish had always been a reactive person more than he was someone who ever planned anything out.

Cuttlefish: Why don't we talk about what there is left for two ol' cephalopods to do in this world together?

Octavio failed to respond for a few moments. Part of him was still that proud ruler of the Octarians on the inside, but he also felt that he knew it was time for him to accept that maybe that was just the mask he wore to justify his vendetta against Cuttlefish and the Inklings. He hated to admit it, but the Inklings could make some catchy tunes. Together, with the Octolings' genius understanding of music, they could be even greater.

Octavio: I guess there are worse things I could do.

Cuttlefish smiled from under his beard as the two talked on together, reminiscent of a time long ago, one that the two were probably nearly too old and senile to even remember, but shined in their hearts all the same.

5620 Words

October 15, 2024 - 12:10 A.M.