Chapter Text
"I was skilled with many weapons before I took up the Tri Stringer," Momo was continuing to tell 4 about her past life before and now during her time in the Splatlands. "It is an interesting weapon, to say the least, and native to the Splatlands along with another. Much more complicated than a charger, so I had quite a bit of trouble at first on how to wield it. Even Hyousuke had difficulty."
"Hah. I bet. When I saw you hold it when we first met, I had no idea it existed. You think you can teach me how? I love trying new things!" Her question, surprisingly, gets Momo all embarrassed. "I mean, if you want to, that is. I know you still don't like me and all that, heheh," Who am I kidding? She hates me. Probably still blames me for-
"No, no. It is quite alright. I, ehm, I will teach you." Momo clears their throat before continuing, seeming a bit more nervous now. "I… I'm sorry that I hurt you. My actions were not right, and-"
"Woah, woah, woah. Excuse me? You did what?" Marie chimes in, obviously upset at what she just heard. "What did you do to Faye?" Her grip on Momo's shoulder tightens, but the octoling does not flinch or wince in pain.
"Ma-Marie, wait. She didn't actually hurt me. She just-" 4 was trying to find the right words to de-escalate the tension. "They got mad that I lost Shiver, and I don't blame them for it. It was kinda my fault anyway…"
"No, it was not," Momo stops walking, 4 does the same. "It was not a wise decision on my part. You were not in charge of her, I was. And I took it out on you because I don't trust inklings."
"And what exactly did you do?" Marie was glaring at Momo, who was still unfazed by her grip. "If you did hurt her, so help me Cod-"
"I grabbed her by the collar and lifted her. I wanted answers for questions that I already knew would not be answered. It was wrong of me, and I am sorry for my behavior," with her head lowered in shame, Momo continued walking, almost leaving 4 behind as the agent was shocked to hear that from.
4 never thought Momo would apologize to her, and it made her feel happy. "You do have a soft side, hahah!" And runs up to Momo to give them a hug, which shocks the octoling.
"Wh-Wha- You inkling! Don't touch me all of a sudden!" But it doesn't stop her blushing and feel embarrassed by the sudden hug.
"Hmm. Well, if Faye accepts your apology, then so will I," Marie goes and pinches Momo's cheek. "Who knew a softy was behind that rough demeanor?"
"I won't hesitate in dropping you."
"I can speak a little Octarian, you know."
~~~~~~
Soooo tiiiired…. Was all 4 could think about, but she wasn't going to rest until they were at the Outpost. Maybe even get away with not sleeping on the job, as she believes even though Marie wants her to rest. They were almost there. Almost. She can see the entrance/exit of Tentakeel, and it gives her more energy to stay awake, even starting to speed walk to get closer. "Hey! We're back!" 4 shouts in hopes that Hyousuke and Shiver were still there and could possibly greet them halfway. "Hope you didn't have to wait too long!" 4 sees Shiver's head pop from behind the rocky arch with a smile beaming across her face.
"Father! They're back!" Shiver runs to the trio, but mostly to 4, and gives her a tight hug. "Thank goodness you're back. I was so worried about you guys!" She hugs closer into the agent, and in the corner of her eye sees Momo carrying Marie. "What happened?"
"Oh, don't worry about me. Just a sprained ankle. I'll be fine after I rest it up," Marie then looks at the back of 4, "Speaking of resting-"
Ah man.
"4 needs to do some. Into the Hut, young lady."
"Wha-" 4 lets go of Shiver and spins to Marie, her cheeks blue and embarrassed with how her boss acted like some parent. "I may be your employee, but I still have work to do, you know. I can't be resting just yet until the mission is do-" she feels a hand on hers and it stops her.
"She's right, 4. You've already done so much. Don't you think you deserve a break, even a short one?" Shiver looked at her, concerned that her friend was pushing herself too much. "Why don't I stay with you in the Hut? That way you won't be alone."
Momo was about to say something, but shuts their mouth once they see Hyousuke shake his head 'no'. Now wasn't the time for that.
"O-Okay," and 4 lets the octoling guide her to the rundown shack, an awkward smile on her face and a hint of blue on both the girl's faces. Once out of site and into the Hut. The adults get to talking.
"How are you feeling, Ms. Marie?" Hyousuke was the first to speak. "I apologize for any trouble I have caused you. Had I stopped Shiver from running away, this wouldn't have happened to you."
"Nah. Don't blame yourself. Kids have a hard time with emotions," Well aren't I the pot calling the kettle black. "Momo, do you think you can't set me down by the couch?" Momo nods and brings her over to the couch, good thing it was away from the shack which will give them more room to talk. Once on the couch, she thanks them and props her injured ankle on the cushion. "Momo told me what she did to 4. Do they always act irrational like that?"
Momo looked away, ashamed of her actions.
"I can assure you, Ms. Marie, that Momo is a well mannered and trained soldier. Today was just a lapse in judgment because there was too much going on. Momo and I will make sure nothing else like this will happen again as long as we're here."
"That's good to know. How long do you plan to stay here for? From what I've been told, only three octolings decided to seek refuge. I'll help however I can, but how long do you think it will take?"
That was a good question. Despite coming in with low expectations, Hyousuke thought at least five would leave the Canyon, and prepared for at least two weeks depending on if any changed their minds or were anxious about leaving. "The numbers were smaller than I anticipated, but I will say about five days maximum. Just to give them enough time to cement their decision and to say their goodbyes to friends and loved ones."
"Alright. Sounds good to me. I'll contact Benny and let him know-"
"Trust me. I already know," Benny and the three octolings from before make their appearance. He tells the three to wait there as he goes to the others. "Five days, huh? Perfect! You, me, and Momo got some catching up to do anyways," he laughs and pats Hyousuke on the armed shoulder. "Now. Where's 4 and Shiver?"
"They're resting, Benny," Marie points to the Hut behind him, "Whatever it is, do you think it can wait?"
"Oh, absolutely. Poor girls deserve it for the day they've had, heh."
" U-Uhm. Mr. Hyousuke? " One of the female octolings comes up to the quad and stares up at Hyousuke. " I… We, would like to apologize to you and your daughter for our behavior back at Moray, " she looks down, preparing for any punishment she thinks she'll receive. " I-If you do not wish to take us in anymore, we understand! " The other two octolings nod in agreement furiously, and it makes Hyousuke chuckle, leaving the girl confused until he pats her on the head.
" No need to worry, young lady. You were just curious, and I understand that. Apology accepted! " He gives her a warm smile that makes her blush, and she runs back to her friends, tripping and almost falling in the process.
"Hah! You still got it, Mr Ladies-man," Benny pokes fun at him.
~~~Inside the Hut~~~
"How are you feeling, 4?" The two were sitting down on the futon mattress, feeling kind of awkward now that it was just the two of them. Well, they were alone in the pipe, but that was different. They were escaping, and right now, it was hard for 4 to relax. "Come on, just lay down, please? Do what Marie says," Shiver pouts that the inkling is being difficult.
"Shiver I already told you, I don't need to rest," the agent didn't want to sit still, she still wanted to help out, and those three octolings that they met need her help probably. She couldn't speak Octarian, but she could ask for Hyousuke or Momo's assistance in that. "Besides, it my mission to help you guys, and it's almost done. Why do I need to be cooped up in here?"
"Because you need to rest," Shiver gets close to her face. "And you're not leaving until you go to sleep and wake up feeling refreshed."
"Sleep? I don't need to sleep to be-" 4 gets a bonk to the head. "Ow! What was that for?"
"You don't get it, do you?" Shiver was very annoyed now, her frown was evidence enough but her red eye was glaring daggers at the agent. "Rest is rest. And the best way is to sleep. How long have you been awake for?"
"Uhm-"
"Answer truthfully."
"Ugh, fine. I've been up since 7:30 this morning."
"So you've been awake for almost twelve hours? Have you taken any breaks? Any naps?"
"N-Not really? I mean, when we first met, I was sitting down and looking out into the Canyon. That counts, right?"
"4…" Shiver frown lightens up and now she's a bit disappointed in her.
"But hey. I'm supposed to be your hero, right? What good is a hero who can't help others for long periods of time, heheh," A nervous smile creeps on to her face. She didn't want to use this as an excuse, but she felt like she was letting Shiver down. It didn't help that the octoling looked at her sad when 4 said that, and the inkling's weird smile was gone.
"You're still my hero," Shiver gets closer to 4 again, "but now you're also my friend," and gives her a hug. "And I don't want my friend doing this to themselves..."
4… hugs back, and feels heavy. Seems like all her adrenaline is gone thanks to the gentle embrace from the octoling. The tiredness came back like a wrecking ball destroying a house. "Okay, fine. I'll… *yaaaawwn* … I'll sleep…" and lies down, closing her heavy eyelids, but before they fully closed, she saw Shiver smiling down at her.
"Told you so, dummy," she gets up, but not to leave, just to try and hear the conversation from outside.
"...but I will say about five days maximum…"
Five days?
They're going to stay in Inkopolis for five days? She had to whisper to 4 the good news. "4. You're not gonna believe-" a soft snore cuts her off, and she can't help but giggle. She goes back over and sits down next to the sleeping figure, gently rubbing her goldish-yellow tentacle. "I'll tell you when you wake up."