Chapter Text
Craig scratched his back where the annoyingly itchy tag of his tux sat, he wanted to go into a coat closet and cut it off, but he needed to return the tux, and the rest of the suit, or else he might not be able to pay his bills this month. But he also needed the suit for this mandatory ball he had to go to, so he could pay the bills this month.
He was standing at the drinks table. It was in the back of the ball room, so no one would talk to him ha take that “mandatory social interactions” he thought while taking a sip of his drink with a smirk on his face.
“What's with the smirk Craig?” Ammoses Shellendorf said, he was wearing a uniform, one that made him look like a mechanic, he does work with that sort of thing but also –if it wasn't Ammoses– he would’ve had a superior to talk his ear off about it, but Ammoses talked way more than any of the commanding officers, and they couldn’t fire him, so they begrudgingly apologize if anyone asks.
“Oh it's nothing, just thought of some–” Craig was cut off by the sound of one of those long trumpet things –he couldn't remember the name– going off in the distance.
On the other side of the ball room was a staircase where people entered, after the trumpet thing went off the person began to talk “dear party goers please excuse the interruption, for The King and Prince –out for the first time– have arrived, so please welcome King Octoru (with to many names for craig to keep count) and his son, Prince Octavio (with what felt like more names then The King)” then the other trumpeter began to talk in gibberish but later Craig realised was octarian.
“I heard the king is reaaaallll mean” Craig whispered to Ammoses
“Yeah but be careful, it's said if you talk bad about him your never seen again” Ammoses almost sounded excited by that concept
Craig began sipping his drink more as The King finished walking down the stairs, then a boy came out. Craig stopped drinking, and just kind of stared at him. He had dark pink tentacles tied into a bun, he had a long flowy “gown” . It wasn't exactly a gown, it was sort of one square piece that seemed to be tied in the back, it was white at the top, and a starry purple pattern on the bottom, with bell sleeves and dress shoes. He seemed about the same height as Craig, maybe taller but Craig couldn't tell from here. The dress-gown-thing, also made it so he couldn't tell if he was scrawny or buff or really anything, but Craig didn't care, the thing that really caught his eye was the boy's eyes. They were a bright neon green, and they were beautiful. Craig felt like he could get lost in them. BUT HE WOULDN'T… why would he.
Craigs trance was broken by The King saying “thank you all for having us, my son will go around and greet everyone, but do not worry he is 21 he’ll be on his best behavior. Please go back to enjoying the ball” the moment people started talking it looked as though The King's smile was washed away, but Craig couldn't see that well, he did notice the Prince whispered something to his father, sighed and then started walking.. Wait.. did The King say greet everyone? Craig started internally screaming.
Craig was soon jolted out of his screams by Ammoses “I can't wait to meet The Prince, I want to talk about all the weapons they have. It seems really interesting, did you know…” ugg, you know I love him but he really does talk a lot! Craig thought, taking another couple sips of his drink. Before he knew it Ammoses talked so much that The Prince made it over but Craig didn't notice until
“Hello,” Craig jumped a bit at the sudden other than Ammoses voice.
“Uh hi” Craig said trying to recollect his thoughts, holy shit those eyes, wait he is definitely an inch taller. Dammit!
“Oh I'm so sorry if I startled you! It was not my intent, I'm sure.” his voice sounded forced like it wasn't him, a customer service voice.. But royal. “I’m Octavio, nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you.. Your– majesty? Highness? I forgot sorry”
“Oh it's alright, and it's our highness by the way, but please just call me Octavio. I’m so sorry but I didn't ketch either of your names”
“I’m Ammoses head of the weapons division, and this is lieutenant Craig Cuttlefish –soon to be captain–”
“Well it is lovely to meet you both!” Octavio said, clapping his hands together, then he lost his customer service voice (just a bit) “now.. Since you two are the last I must talk to, and the drinks are right here, mind if I join you and have a chat?”
“Uh…” Craig didn't know how to respond, but Ammoses sure did, he grabbed Octavios hand and pulled him to his side, probably to talk weapons or something, Octavio looked a little flustered almost scared at the grab, and once he was where Ammoses wanted him to be he quickly pulled away and grabbed a drink.
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The ball room was almost empty, just Ammoses, Octavio, Craig, The King, Orchestra, and a few guards. Craig looked around and saw The King walking over, and Craig froze.
“Hello there” The King spoke in a deep voice, he looked a lot like Octavio, but uglier. That was the best way Craig could describe him. “Octavio..” that was the only thing he understood, huh must be octarian, “well I’ll be off, good night” and he walked away.
“Oh it's getting late I should go home, bye Craig, nice to meet you your highness” then Ammoses walked off it was just him, and Octavio. And some guard is walking over now. He said something to Octavio, Octavio responded and the guard walked off.
“Are you heading home or do you wish to stay and speak more? I barely got to talk to you so it would be nice”
Craig thought for a moment “yeah Ammoses never learns to shut up” he thought he would get a chuckle but no nothing. “And uh yeah I would love to talk”
“Great! Uhh except I don't have any topics of conversation, my apologies” he looked away, slightly sad.
“Here's a topic, why do you talk so fancy, I mean I know your a prince but no ones around, ya don't need to”
“Yes, I suppose your right, I'm just not used to speaking any other way, even in octarian Ispeak “fancy” I'm just used to it”
“Huh… ok well uhhhh, who was your friend or was that just a guard?”
“Oh that was Felix, he’s my friend, and main guard.”
“Oh cool”
They talked for what felt like forever, until his guard– Felix walked over and apparently said they had to go.
Octavio was nice, he hoped that they could be good friends one day.