Сделай это для них.

[INDIE OC, SHITLOADS OF VERSES, SEE BLOG FOR MORE DETAILS]

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(how long ago was left shark anyway)

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[Text - From: Sheldon] [I got your next modded weapon delivery ready! Will you come pick it up or should I send them to somewhere?]

A shipment of stuff for the Strongarm-sponsored squiddos in the Turf War leagues... gives poorer kids with no way in otherwise a shot.

[I’ll send a courier for pickup. Thank you, Sheldon. The payment should be in your account by the end of the day.]

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fireflym:

..Oh. Her zoning out actually got her caught this time. Big surprise, except not really. She freezes hearing the voice behind her, it’s unlike one she’s ever heard before. Was it Octavio? That was her first guess before she spun around and saw this towering threatening man who questioned her whereabouts. Ah.. shoot. She just wanted to get home.

Being told to put what she had taken back to where she found it only made her feel like the other was speaking to her as if she were a child. Marie could only be slightly offended by the comment, as a some fear replaced almost all her other emotions.

“I’m not.. a regular Inkling,” she begins to explain, unsure how to go about this introduction. “My Gr- Cap’n, did. Of the Squidbeak Splatoon of coruse,” Considering she was approached in the first place, she was sure that the other knew who she was. Whether as Agent 2 or Marie or both. She left a mark on both turfs, which was undeniable. The tightened her grip around the two ‘collectibles’ she had with her. “and I can handle myself just fine, thank you very much.”

Ugh. She sounds proud of what’s she’s doing. Like it isn’t a nuisance -- hell, a danger -- to surface dwellers and undergrounders alike. But what would be expected from a grown-up child star other than expecting glory to fall into her lap wherever she goes?

“Fame does not make you different, just publicized. Regardless, your splatoon is acting in direct violation of agreed upon law by the valley and city alike. Because you are acting under orders and presumably coerced into following, no penalty will fall upon you if no irreversible damages have been committed.” Yep, he definitely knows who she is. And what he said was basically a very official way of saying ‘knock it off.’

“Given your... position, it would probably not reflect well on either of us for me to carry you out, so I suggest you comply quietly without making a fuss. After that, you can be brought home. I hope you don’t have any objections to that.”

But he’s unarmed... given his size, maybe that’s not a problem for him.

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kaijin-inkusa

“Suuuuure.” Red smirks, amused by Zhenya trying to sound smart. “It’ll cost you though. I don’t give out advice to guys for free.”

“I think I will save my money. And patience.” He’s just... tired. Red always loves these debates, but they’re a massive drain on Zhenya’s patience and time. “In fact, I would be quite happy if you didn’t say anything at all.

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"Giving out stupid advice again, my sharky friend?"

"I suppose you would be well-versed in making extremely poor decisions. Come to give me pointers?”

[fireflym-deactivated20201216]

@steelfists-softheart

Octo Valley.

She wasn’t sure why she kept coming back here. Her Idol life kept her satisfied enough. Yet, orders were orders and she came to retrieve yet another zapfish. She grew tired of this place. Yet the agency and her own fears of their kind rising up once more kept her returning time and time again. 

For an agent carrying back a zapfish– and object of power no less– she certainly wasn’t acting like one. With her splatter shot loosely gripped in her hand, and the little electric cat fish held onto like a stuffed toy a young child would dangle to her side. She just wanted to get home. Agent 2 made quite an easy target for the night. Not that she’d care, she could easily handle what would come her way in a flash.

..Or could she? It seemed the Agent didn’t even pick up on the fact she caught the attention of a certain leader on her way back to Inkopolis.

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If there was a single word to describe today, it would be productive. The Strongarm Peacekeeping Splatoon would be able to make their presence in Octo Valley official, serving as a substitute police force where necessary and a relief effort for the underground state’s resource woes. Electric power, food, clean water, repair supplies and infrastructure... it’d all be coming down the proverbial pipeline.

And, rather importantly, it’d be stopping more crap like this from happening. The conflict is over, the ceasefire’s been called, and yet still these Squidbeak remnants insist on making these pointless raids.

At least they weren’t hard to halt.

The voice-modulator built into his helmet is enough to obscure the Commander’s voice, but the accent still bleeds through a little. 

“Pardon me, but I don’t think that belongs to you. You should put it back.”

Always try to resolve things without violence first... that’s rule #1.

“Who put you up to this? It’s dangerous down here for an inkling.”

As if he can’t see through right through the disguise. But no need to get so confrontational about it immediately, that’d just escalate things.

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WHEN ARE WE GONNA WRESTLE

“NOW.”

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[mega man verse] hey what was it like building nova? or did u just do the eyes. either way good job

“Many thanks.”

The question earns a nostalgic chuckle.“Advised on much of the project, but insisted Orion handle actual construction aside from my ocular systems. It was his first real major robotics contract and I did not wish to rob any of his thunder. He wouldn’t let my contribution be anonymous, though... I just gave my share of royalties back to him.”

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Diplomacy

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octokiing:

He was suspicious, of course. But the origin of rum wasn’t exactly the most pressing of concerns here.

He bit his lip, yeah. He guessed the other had a point. But it’s not like he could take any risks right now. The other wouldn’t have to know about one or two guard coming with him.. He’d keep that a secret, at least. The commander’s words were almost convincing to him. Almost.

“Hmph.” He huffed, not exactly sounding the most impressed. Though maybe it was the alcohol making him more grumpy than normal. “I can accept those terms. You’re certainly a brave one to want to come unarmed. Or stupid, ” Insulting people trying to help him wasn’t the best solution, but the remarks just came out anyway. He’d apologize for that properly later if he had to. Or not.

“Of course we have a deal, you better not be tryin’ to get my hopes up here, ‘Commander’.”

“If I had a coin for every time someone has said I’m either a lionheart or a fool... ho ho ho. You certainly bring me some nostalgia, ‘your highness.’ I think you’ll find my proposals to be more than false promises.”

The commander embellishes the king’s title with less disdain than Octavio does to his rank... it almost seems friendly.

“I suppose you would be more comfortable on home turf, no? We can even have it be an old-fashioned throne room parley like the knights of old, give or take a few horses and jesters.”

He’s offering to walk right into the heart of Octavio’s kingdom -- a place that’s obviously going to be meticulously well-guarded. Just how confident is this man?

“Would tomorrow at noon work? I don’t have a lot of time in my schedule but obviously this takes priority.”

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Diplomacy

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He didn’t even have time to process what was going on. As soon as he was going say something, he was cut off by the beep. Oh. Well. Okay then. He blinked in surprised and waited. Then .. the other voice. Came on.

The distortion threw his senses off for a moment, until he adjusted again.

“Mhm.” He mumbled at first. “Gift baskets and liquor are quite the show.”

This groups intentions, while.. much appreciated, still left him conflicted. The Commander on the other end would probably expect a lot of grumpiness rather than welcoming. “Ya’ll are quite the interesting.. group.”

And in usual Octavio fashion, he jumped right to his concerns.

“Why the hell are you doing this. If I didn’t know, meeting up with you will just be me walking into my assassination.”

“I knew you’d like that brand.”

Gotta wonder how, though.

“Mr. Octavio, please don’t take this the wrong way, but if I was interested in killing off what I find myself opposed to, you would not be the first person on my list. My people and I are trying to reduce the number of warzones out there, not spread more of them.”

The Commander sighs, and sounds rather tired.

“My intentions with the Valley are purely charitable. Our goal is to improve quality of life for everyone, regardless of their origin and location. I anticipated you’d have some suspicions involving my motives, which is why I offer you this -- wherever we shall meet will be determined by you, and I will come alone, unarmed, and off the records. The media won’t know, nor will I have anything resembling backup, should you choose to use this as an opportunity to attack me. I’d like to prove my good faith, eh?”

That’s awfully bold for someone who presumably spends their time sitting behind a desk all day.

‘Presumably’ being the operative word.

“We can discuss things further from there. Do we have a deal?”

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Diplomacy

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octokiing:

It took him a while to actually find the letter. Focusing more on the gifts that came with it. It was a much needed relief for him. He was a gentleman, though, and he’d take his pace and enjoy the rum. Drinking ridiculously was for friends. Alone simply wasn’t.

He dug his hand into the basket, as if looking for. Disappointed, yet intrigued to find the letter laying at the bottom. He opened it, and squinted. Trying hard to concentrate on its contents while feeling a little buzzed.

He grumbled. Calling people.. bah. People called him. Though he’d make the exception on this one, for the sake of his curiosity. Curious as to why they’d want to help him, someone who hadn’t been making the best reputation for himself. Who became a joke after his defeat, then forgotten about. Him. He dug his hands into the pockets of his outfit, trying to find the cellphone he so hardly used. Found it. It took it him a minute to punch in the number properly.

Finally.

And now was the waiting game. He really hoped this wasn’t some joke. He really, truly did. Each ring came a silent prayer for him. Now let’s hope he can remain composed enough for a conversation.

[Thank you for calling the Strongarm Peacekeeping Splatoon. You have dialed the high command hotline and your call will be treated as highest priority. Please note that this conversation may be recorded and archived.]

“Only one call to this line expected today. This is King Octavio, correct?”

The voice on the other end of the line sounds a bit disinterested, but that’s typical of secretary types. At least they’re straight to the point.

“Let me get you on the Commander’s line, okay?”

They don’t even bother waiting for an answer. Following that is a beep and a short dial tone, and finally...

“Good afternoon, your highness. It’s good to hear from you so promptly.”

This must be the Commander... his voice is deep, and thickly accented, but a vocoder hides its true tone. His identity isn’t public, after all.

“I take it you have some thoughts on my offer, since you called.”

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Diplomacy

 @octokiing​

Beneath the food and the liquor, there’s a sealed envelope at the bottom of the gift basket. Looks important.

To His Honorable Kingship, Octavio Kanen.

As you are no doubt aware of, our organization has been intruding on your affairs for a fair number of months now. While we know this was done without permission, it was doubted you would grant it directly, and under international law our actions within your domain are strictly within legal limits and restrictions. 

We believe our efforts have granted some relief and much-needed support to your people and your state. We would like to escalate our presence in Octo Valley, to serve as a bolster to your law enforcement and to further our supply efforts to deeper sections of the domes. Of course, this will not be carried out without your explicit written permission and a regular strategic council set up between you, our Commander, our officers and your chosen representatives.

When you receive this letter, please call the attached number to speak with the Commander’s secretary. He will patch you through to our leader and from there negotiation over time and place of meeting can begin.

-From the desk of Jian Hua, chief of public relations.-

Following that, there’s a number, an address if snail mail is preferred, and a business card from the liquor company that supplied the bottle... the brand might be familiar, depending on how good Octavio’s memory is.