Arapaima
A trio of inkling boys decide to take a job for the black market- and suffer the consequences.
Bluefin
Over and a way aways from Inkopolis, was the now-abandoned Bluefin Depot. Rusted from the salty sea breeze and ocean's constant crashing, it became a popular spot for turf war for some time. Now that the crowds have moved on to the other side of Inkopolis, it was often a lonely place. A perfect place for suspicious dealings.
"So what's happening is, we just take a few bags of ability chunks and get money in return for them?"
"That's exactly what's up."
Sitting at the seaside end of mid Bluefin Depot, Band looked out to the endless sea with a smile on his face. His friend, Aviator, was just about done giving him the rundown for their first job. Aviator's older cousin had been in the business of reselling ability chunks, and his efforts proved themselves worthy with how lavishly he lived. Inklings down in Inkopolis Plaza had no idea how chunks worked, and didn't have a service to get them, so they were willing to pay quite a bit to get their hands on them to help modify their gear for the better. When Aviator told them about all this, Band and Plaid wanted to get in on it too.
"Why haven't you told Plaid about the plan yet?"
"I'm going to be scouting for someone to sell to, so I'd rather you two discuss the details and make something work between you guys. Plaid's gonna be our runner for this gig since he's quicker than either of us, and you'll be there in case anything goes wrong. Got that?"
"Sure I do," Band heard footsteps behind him, and stood up from where he sat. "Think he just got here, so I'll call if anything's up, alright?"
"Good luck, after you get the chunks remember to go to the pickup spot. Let him go on his own so nobody's suspicious."
"Gotcha, talk to you later Aviator." Band closed his phone shut and put it into his pocket as he turned to face Plaid, and spread his arms to his friend. "Plaid!"
Plaid pulled down the bandana from his face and smiled. He was a gangly inkling, but despite appearances- including what was apparently his favorite pair of shoes, caramal-colored and pointed-toed -he was incredibly fast. Perfect for making a quick getaway. "Were you talking to Aviator just now about the plan?"
"Yeah, which is why I told you to come here. Aviator's off doing his side of the deal, so he's having me tell you what's gonna go down so we can work something out."
"I'm the runner, right? I mean, all I gotta do is run in there and grab the stuff and do a little disappearing magic. Nothing crazy."
"That's right," Band came closer to Plaid, and pinching the top of the other's bandana, pulled it up above their nose, "and don't get caught. Just grab and go. I'll be waiting a few stops down, you hand it to me and you can go on your way til things settle down."
Plaid pulled his arms into the air and stretched, shutting his eyes. "Piece of cake! Long as neither of you get caught, either. Sunny keeps questioning me about all this, kinda feel bad to have her so worried, but it's not like anything could happen to her." He opened one eye, "She'd be pretty upset if anything actually happened. Looking forward to the next tournament coming up."
Band turned to the railing behind him, and looked to Plaid as the other inkling walked to his side. "Is that why she's been playing so much with Navy? I thought she was just helping her babysit her little brother." Sighing, he put an elbow on the rail and a hand to his face, resting his head onto it. The sea glittered on under the midday sun. "Let's just hope those three don't try to get involved in the plan. Girls can get so annoying." Looking to his peer, he puts a hand on his shoulder and gives him a little shake. "Things will be fine. Let's look forward to once it's done, alright? Imagine..."
Plaid gave a small laugh. "Yeah, all that money... say, why can't they just come on over to our side of the city? Could probably cost a lot less than what we'll be selling."
"People are dumb Plaid," Band laughed in response, "Can't make any money if you don't step on anybody!"
Carp
The late afternoon sun beamed down on Inkopolis Square. Inklings returning from their lunches were starting to repopulate the area, hanging around in seating areas or loitering by buildings. Up the steep walkway to the left of Deca Tower, a squad of inklings walk out of Grizzco Industries, having finished a hefty shift.
Panel, Studio, Noise, and Hockey were slowly gaining fame for their hard, arduous work at Grizzco. Finding joy in fending off the salmonid hordes, they've reaped a treasure of rewards from their countless hours on the job, and today had been like any other day as they made their way to the pay machine.
"Pretty lax day today, huh?" Panel jokingly nudged Noise as he grabbed a bag from the machine. The latter stepped in to take his spot, and Panel whistled as he wandered towards the walkway. He took his backpacked off and deposited his rewards inside, taking a gander at the various chunks he'd gotten. "Not a bad day either, plenty of main power for the shirt I have coming in."
By the entrance of Grizzco Industries, an inkling loitered. Noise felt a bit uneasy seeing him, as he'd never seen him around this time of day; Grizzco had a consistent stream of regulars, and as Noise's team came often, he started recognizing the faces around there. It wasn't like somebody to venture to the salmon run alone, either. The stranger looked up from their phone right as Panel had taken off his backpack, and started walking down to the ramp.
"Er, Panel..." it was a bit too late, for when Panel looked up from his goodies, the stranger aggressively tore the bag away from him and began to sprint.
"Hey, that isn't yours! All my stuff's in there!" Panel yelled out as he started to chase after his assailant, his companion Studio following behind. Blinking away the shock, Noise followed after them with Hockey in tow. Inklings looked on in bewilderment as Paisley sped across the square, pulling the straps of the backpack over his shoulders, and jumped over the fence to the construction site. Panel grabbed onto the ledge of the fence, but before he could hoist himself up and over it, he was grabbed by Noise.
Confused, and slightly upset by the situation, Panel looked to Noise, pulling away his hold on him. "We can't just let him get away! My phone, my splattershot, it's all in there-!"
"Calm down, Panel. Look, don't you remember? You let Hockey track your phone after you lost it last time."
Hockey handed Panel his phone, and indeed, it was tracking. Panel watched as it moved farther and farther away, irritated yet relieved. "Well, that's great. Looks like we can catch up with him soon enough."
It was particularly bright, now. Yet nobody seemed to be coming after Paisley after he'd made a bit of a scene at the square. Hanging off his shoulder was the backpack he'd stolen- having checked its contents, he decided to only hand Aviator the bags of chunks inside, and put the backpack where someone'd find it. Maybe back at the square. It wasn't important, anyways.
"Paisley!" A car with an open window drove up to him, and Paisley saw as Aviator's sunglasses glinted in the sunlight. Smiling, Paisley took the bags from inside the backpack. "How're you doin', Aviator? Got it like you asked, with no problem at all."
"Great to hear. I'll take that, thank you very much," Aviator took hold of two pouches from the other's hands, pulling them into the car, "and that too," he stashed the last three.
"I'll have this all taken care of, you go phone in Band about it, we can meet up later, alright?" Paisley zipped up the backpack and nodded. "Yeah, I'll go do that in a moment. See you later."
The two waved their goodbyes as the car drove off, and Paisley walked down the corner.
Today, Blackbelly Skatepark had been closed off and emptied for maintenance before the next shift. However, the construction crew were staying late at lunch, so it was quiet and lonely. Paisley sat atop the central tower of the park, phone in hand, merrily looking out to the city beyond with its tall palm trees and even taller buildings. Everything seemed to be going like a dream.
"You did it? No problems?"
"Of course, I'm the fastest guy around, aren't I? Nobody'd be able to catch up to me. Though I did feel kinda nervous being so close to that guy's group. Imagine if they'd dogpiled me?" Paisley smiled, feigning shock out of amusement. He heard Band laughing on the other side. "Well, that wouldn't be any good. So let's be happy it all worked out. Once Aviator's able to sell it all off, we'll be rolling in it. I'm sure Sunny'll be less peeved by then, eh?"
"Mmm. When she sees it, I'm sure. Though I did promise her this would be a one-time thing. Should I have eaten those words then or now...?"
"Whatever works, I guess. Don't worry. This could last us a while."
Paisley shrugged to himself. Band was the type of inkling to make promises, water them down, then break them when they had come to be meaningless. Sunny would be upset if he tried another run like this, so she made him swear never to do it again. If that girl wasn't the loveliest thing in his life, Paisley would probably agree to do it again.
Suddenly, as Paisley looked down from the scenic skyline, he spotted inklings walking towards him. Scrutinizing their faces, Paisley had the startling realization of who those faces belonged to. "Band," Paisley held his voice in an attempt to sound calm, "I'm gonna go. See you at the usual place."
Paisley hardly heard Band's goodbye as the phone was pushed into his pant pocket, and he stood up. The inklings grew closer. Backpack still on his shoulder, he turned tail and began to flee.
"Hey, you! Get back here!"
Jumping down the tower and up the platform, Paisley was met with the sudden swing of a dynamo blocking his way. Stopping for a moment was his fall, for a bottle of toxic mist crashed by his feet and he began to feel the effects. Pushing through it to run off to the side, he was knocked onto the ground by a burst bomb. Paisley threw the backpack aside and turned onto his back to face his assailants.
"Your stuff's in there, no need to get physical with me. Take it."
Panel looks over to his backpack, and picks it up. Rummaging through it he retrieves his splattershot. He investigates it for a moment, and finding it perfect, points it towards Paisley's face.
"You think everything's gonna be fine now just 'cause you returned some of my things? You're dead."
Arowana
It was a wonderful summer afternoon at Arowana Mall. A small, red zeppelin made its way overhead, briefly obscuring the sun as it floated towards the scenic beach beyond. Inklings walked between shops, some sitting at benches, others relishing the ocean breeze against railings. Southward of the mall's center, Navy, Visor, and Band hung around a bench in wait of some friends.
Visor, Navy's younger sibling, looked around anxiously for the two they were expecting. His face visor glinted in the sun, shading his wandering eyes as they repeatedly scanned the area. Navy was beside him, listening to Band as he made small talk with her. The two were on good terms, but it was a little awkward considering just who was coming along.
"They're here!" Visor excitedly tugged at his sister's wrist before bolting towards Aviator. Guided by his arm was Paisley.
"Aviator! It's nice to see you today!" the smaller inkling gave a lively smile, and looked to Paisley. Paisley was wearing his favorite clothes, down to the caramel-colored winklepickers. His hair was neatly tied, a bang contouring his face. Visor saw the distant look in his eyes, but it was usual for Paisley at this point.
"Hi Paisley."
No reaction.
Visor moved back to his sister's side, excited to hang out with his friends again. It'd been some time since they could all be together, though on of their group was missing. It didn't matter to Visor since he saw her plenty.
"Well hello there Visor, Navy. Band." Aviator moved Paisley down onto the bench, situating himself closely so the other kept in physical contact. "How have you all been lately? Got anything in mind for today?"
"We've been doing fine. Visor wants to check a new store that opened. We could go to the pier after." Navy kept her sentences short and to the point. That was what she was like. She looked to Band, who wasn't looking at any of them. Visor moved between the two, pointing to the place of interest.
"Ya! I hear they've got all the latest in gear! I saw in Navy's magazine they'll even have Firefin's newest stuff! It looks amazing!" Visor's excitement was practically eminating in the air around him, his voice an attempt at piquing the interests of those present. Band kept his laidback stance against the large stone planter, keeping his eyes away from where Aviator and Paisley sat. Inside, however, Band was growing increasingly bothered by Paisley's presence.
"We can go now, if you want. No point standing around here like a sitting duck." Visor laughed, despite Band's less-than-friendly expression. Turning from the bench, he nodded to Navy. "I can take him if you want. Little guy like him's no bother."
"I'll follow, maybe."
"I'll stay here with Paisley. I don't know how he'll do with crowds yet." Band leered at Aviator, slightly irritated at the notion. Paisley kept looking off towards the floor, as if in thought, but not a hint of emotion was shown. Band put a hand on Visor. "We'll be back to get you two."
Navy and Aviator watched as they walked ahead, Visor excitedly telling Band the wonders of this magical new store, Band, relaxing his stature, responding.
"Least he didn't make much of a fuss this time. Hate to see that happen between you both."
Aviator pushed his shades up, nodding. "Yeah. I guess he's improved a little now. I wish he'd try to be more understanding. It wasn't entirely his fault, after all..."
"No, it wasn't. I'm going to meet up with them. I have Visor's wallet."
Aviator peered to the ground as Navy headed off. Looking up to Paisley, he put an arm around him on the bench and drew him closer. No reaction.
"What am I to do with you, then?" was all Aviator could wonder.
The sun was beginning to hang low in the sky, turning it into a myriad of reds, oranges, and yellows. Lights around Arowana were slowly speckling the stores and walkways, spreading close by the beach beyond its walls. Being the weekend, the amount of inklings roaming the area didn't dwindle a bit. It was a beautiful evening to be out.
The group had done their hanging around all that afternoon, checking out stores, visiting the pier, and enjoying some time close by the beach. Visor held onto his treasures against his chest with one hand, as he walked close by his sister, holding her hand in the other. He was surely too old by now to be clinging onto her, but having tired from running about the mall, this anchor was what kept him from setting down wherever he pleased and napping.
Next to his sister was Band, who was looking at something on his phone. It was simply an excuse not to interact with anybody, but he was also in thought. He wanted to talk to Aviator. Glimpsing up, he saw Aviator with his arm around Paisley, continuing to guide him along.
They made their way to the street, and said their goodbyes to Navy and Visor, the two taking the bus home. Band followed Aviator to were the latter had parked. Now was a good time to talk to him.
Carefully, Aviator held onto Paisley as he opened the car's side door, and helped Paisley in. Band passed time with his phone, looking up once the car door had closed.
"Aviator," he started, a bit quietly, "Why did you think it'd be a good idea to bring him along? He can't even talk to us."
Aviater crossed his arms. "I'm sorry if he was a bother to you, but I figured having him come out would help with his... condition. Staying alone all the time, it's not right. That's not what he likes, either. Navy wanted him to come, anyways- she knows he needs to be around people."
"And how would you know that? Does he talk to you?"
"Band, don't act like you don't know who he is. Just because of what happened, doesn't mean he stopped being himself."
Band frustratingly combed through his hair with his fingers, rubbing his forehead as he did so. "You know it makes me uncomfortable to be around him. You know, too, that he's a completely different person. That's not Paisley. At least, not the one we knew."
"Be more considerate. If you were in his position, I'd have the same amount of compassion as I do now and I'm sure Paisley would feel just as guilty as you do. But knowing him, he'd care for you. Why can't you care? I recognize my involvement with what happened and I'm doing my hardest to keep the weight from falling on you guys. Why can't you not make this more difficult than it has to be?"
Band, suddenly relaxed, turned around and began to walk away. Aviator, who had furrowed his brows, slowly let his face slacken. He didn't want to be upset, and he didn't mean to sound like he was, but he too was frustrated. The only help he really had was from his friend, Ginger, and his older brother, who stayed out of the house in order to keep the silence. Walking around the back of the car, he opened the door and let himself in.
"Alright, let's get you inside."
It was dark now. Parked atop a hill, the lights of Inkopolis spread far and wide. Because of this far-away and lonely location, Aviator had bought his current car. Though a bit of an older model, it worked well, and was incredibily convenient. Holding onto Paisley's arm, he helped the other inkling stand up, and closed the door.
The house they lived in sat on the outskirts of the city, and was originally a vacation home for the family. Due to the situations that transpired in the last six months, Aviator decided to move in here with his older brother. It was quiet, with a tree in the yard and plenty of greenery. He hoped the calm would help Paisley.
Turning the key, Aviator opened the door, and ushered Paisley in. Aviator guided Paisley to his room, set him down on the bed, crouched down and began to take his shoes off for him. Paisley really was unable to do anything for himself, except go to the restroom- but even that, he would need assistance from Aviator time to time. But Aviator did it without question.
Hesitantly, Aviator decided to try some small talk to break the silence.
"How're you feeling, Paisley? Long day today."
Paisley tugged his feet up onto the bed once the other shoe was taken off. He sat himself sideways, pulling his knees up to his chest. The tire of the day's outing finally began to show on his usually unexpressive face. Safe in his room, Aviator knew, was when Paisley allowed himself to let his guard down. But only slightly.
"I'm... okay."
"Did you like going out?"
"Yeah."
"Enjoy your time with friends?"
"..."
Slowly, Paisley pulled the string tying his hair. The tentacles, a dusty pink in color, flopped down onto his back. He gave the string to Aviator, who put it away. Paisley was closing up again.
Surprisingly, Paisley continued. "Navy, Visor... they looked nice."
Aviator stood and picked up the covers. It didn't seem like Paisley would be making much more conversation. Paisley stretched his legs, laying down while Aviator put the dark purple comforter over him. He looked, however, as Aviator walked to the door.
"Aviator..."
Surprised again, Aviator peered back.
"Yeah?"
Breaking his gaze once more, Paisley visibly clutched the blanket, sitting upright.
"He's mad at me..." he held his forehead in his hand, "Band's still upset, isn't he?"
Aviator thought he heard a hint of laughter in Paisley's tone. He mulled over his words. There was little point in upsetting Paisley now.
"No... he's, well, he's managing himself. He's not doing the best job, but he's trying... don't worry about it. Band's just being who he is."
Paisley laid himself down. It didn't appear there would be any more to it now. Aviator silently stepped out of the room, and quietly closed the door, leaving it slightly ajar.
Aviator took off his shades, rubbed his eyes, and sighed.
Sweetfish
Paisley's heart quickened as he stared into the tip of the splattershot. Fight still within him and adrenaline coursing through his body, he tried to pull his arms out of the ink, his breath heavy with the toxic mist lingering around him. Noise, Studio, and Hockey grew near to him, Hockey dragging his dynamo along as it emitted a harrowing scraping sound. Panel pointed the splattershot closer.
Studio cocked his head. "What'll we do with him?"
Panel held his form, but his voice was tinged with uncertainty. "Something he won't forget. He deserves that much, don't you all agree?"
Curiously, Noise crouched down next to Paisley. He grabbed a vial of toxic mist from his pack, opened it, and poured it onto Paisley's arm, which was nearly free. It grew heavy, and Paisley staggered onto his elbow. Even more curiously, Noise put a hand to Paisley's face, caressing from his cheek to his chin. Paisley, taken aback by the sudden action, pulled from Noise's grasp.
Panel followed on what his teammate was onto. "Noise, you damn sicko... that's pretty genius." Panel squatted down, and turned to Studio, the latter's face contorted in disgust at the realization of what they were about to do. "Studio, go play lookout. We'll handle this guy." He turned back to Paisley, whose expression was beginning to fill with an uncomfortable uncertainty and horror, listening as Studio sauntered away.
Panel pushed the splattershot against Paisley's crotch, jeering as he got an instant reaction. Paisley was angered, and attempted to kick at Panel. The ink stuck strongly onto his leg, and it faltered. Noise on the other hand grabbed at Paisley's bandana, taking it off before pulling it tightly around his captive's mouth, effectively gagging him.
Paisley began to scream, though muffled, and wrestled against Noise as he was pushed back down into the ink. Hockey, who had been watching from behind, walked to Paisley's side and stomped onto his arm. Paisley screamed, this time in pain rather than anger. Amused by this development, Hockey ground his heel into it further.
A sickening curiosity overwhelmed Panel, the excitement of their immoral deed making him place his weapon down and moving his hands over to Paisley's crotch. His thumb rubbed against the warm lump between his legs, and his fingers crawled to the edges of his prey's spats. Noise, on the other hand, began to unbutton Paisley's shirt, a knee resting on the arm not being abused by Hockey. Spreading the cloth apart, hands found themselves invading pale, sweating skin. Each touch gained a pleasant reaction.
Tucking the tips of his fingers into Paisley's leggings, Panel pulled them down. Paisley's body jerked as he felt a desperation overcome him. Humiliated, infuriated, and confused, he kept fighting, but his body began to give up as it tired from the abuse. Tears started to well in Paisley's eyes, his spirit beginning to break and his mind racing against his own attempts at orderly thought. The once cool, sporty, social butterfly, his wings were being torn off, one by one.
Turned on by Paisley's predicament, Panel's breathing grew heavy. He rubbed himself against his palm, exploring Paisley's legs with his free hand. The skin felt hot, beaded with sweat. Hockey had settled down, satisfied with his work on Paisley's arm, and began to jerk himself off as well. Noise touched at Paisley more aggressively now, working his hands all over his chest.
Panel gripped at Paisley's underwear, and slowly took it off. Despite his energy dying, Paisley made one last attempt at fighting, and forced his body upwards. Noise forced him down as he screamed, his arm surging in pain. Panel grabbed onto his legs, and pulled them over his shoulders. Pulling his own pants and underwear down, he positioned himself, pressed against Paisley's entrance, and forced it in.
A searing hot pain washed over Paisley as he choked on his cries, shaking himself in an attempt to tear away from the ink that held him prisoner. He grew weaker as Panel kept pushing in, his mind overrun with questions- why did this happen, what will come next, when will it be over? A sob escaped him, his legs spreading against his will as his assailant forced himself all the way in. He saw the faces of the others, watching, pitiless, and stopped fighting.
Aviator hurriedly ran towards Paisley's room, following the sound of screaming. He swung open the door and turned on the light, glancing over at Paisley's cowering form, his hands gripping tightly onto himself. Moving quickly to Paisley's side, the latter suddenly attacked in confusion. Aviator held Paisley so his arms were tight against his sides, and began to soothe him.
"It's me, Paisley, it's me, Aviator. I'm not gonna hurt you. I'm not gonna hurt you."
Paisley continued to struggle, but it slowly came to a halt as his emotions began to run. His face scrunched up as he let out a sob.
"Paisley- you're safe. I'm here. It's safe."
Paisley leaned into Aviator's chest, crying. Aviator gently rubbed his arm, looking towards the wall as he went through with the motions. Eventually, Paisley's cries calmed, and as Aviator looked down, he had readopted the far-away look he regularly wore.
This used to be a much more regular occurance. Though Paisley often seemed cold and distant throughout the day, his night terrors turned him into a nearly inconsolable mess. Aviator used to have to sleep with him- it happened so often, back then. But over time, it happened less and less, and so Paisley was able to sleep comfortabley on his own. Most of the time.
Despite such a frequency, Aviator has never been able to get a single word out of Paisley on the subject of his nightmares. It frustrated him a bit, as he felt, were he to know, he'd be able to help better. His friend Ginger, however, definitely knew more than she let on.
Ginger, a student at the local university, was training to become a nurse. She was plenty bright, nearly a prodigy in her own right. Because Paisley was taken from the scene with no police involvement, he couldn't go to a hospital, especially not unexplained with his condition. Aviator got into contact with Ginger, having known her from their school days together, and was able to enlist her help.
She was to visit today, to check on Paisley's condition. Much of his pains were gone thanks to her. Although, as she put it, she couldn't fix his mental state. Ginger took pride in her work, but even she recognized what she could or couldn't do. It wasn't her place to do that.
"When he's all fixed up," Aviator remembered, "I think it'll be safe to take him to a psychologist. I could refer you to someone once the time comes for that."
Paisley nudged his head onto Aviator's chest. His body was relaxed. Aviator decided to stay a bit longer. He wondered if Paisley took any enjoyment from being held like this. He could never know.
For Aviator, it was a strange feeling. He knew in his heart it was out of necessity, for the wellbeing of his friend, but in reality, he'd never been physical like this with anybody beforehand. It was almost an uncomfortable feeling. He tried not to linger on such thoughts for long, but still, he wondered, if Paisley would be the only person he'd hold in this way.
Aviator gently rubbed Paisley's arm. He gained no reaction.
Blackbelly
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