His client had just finished filling his stomach, and they were already squirming around in either displeasure or panic. "Easy, easy..." He patted at the squirming bulge in his stomach in an effort to soothe them. "I'm here to keep you safe, remember? You'll be escorted just as I promised, sorry about swallowing you so suddenly like that...but nobody should bother you if you're hidden. Just sit tight and relax, alright bud?"
Although his methods were a little...unorthodox, he enjoyed getting escort jobs. In general he loved working as a sort of bodyguard, protecting people made him feel happy and fulfilled. Though eating his clients wasn't exactly a part of the job...their motto was "Your Shield," and what better way to do that than to shield someone with your whole body? Anything that wanted to hurt them would literally have to go through him, and he wasn't about to make it easy for anyone.
Resting his hand on his stomach, he felt his charge finally start to settle down. Good, now he could start moving. The other good thing about this is that he didn't have to worry about eating on the job like this...though he might take a few breaks along the way. Working on a full stomach did feel pretty nice.
Having just gotten off the train to the Splatlands, Seirche busied himself with taking in the sights. He had heard plenty about this place and came out as soon as he could, but he wasn't expecting it to be as chaotic as it was now. The streets were busy with inkfolk and jellyfish alike, chattering and buying food and simply hanging out. It was all kind of overwhelming for the inkling, who had a more relaxed and slower-paced lifestyle. He had to wonder how anyone found time to relax like this...the city lived up to its name. Maybe he'd get used to it after a day or two.
All the bustling was starting to stress him out, so Sierche opted to find someplace a bit...quieter, to sightsee. His plans to try some battles out could come later, he felt. Wandering towards a quieter part of town, he followed the scent of food through a side street. Seems like street food must be pretty popular...a bite to eat sounded good right about now. Devon would probably like some local cuisine to try, too! If he likes something here enough, he'll bring it back home to him.
He wasn't counting on the relative silence around him to be broken, though.
Hurried and heavy footsteps were quickly approaching him, and thankfully his days as an agent made him quick to turn around. All he could make out was a long case of some kind, and a head of curly coral colored tentacles before he was slammed into full force.
"OUGH- oh shit, dude, are you alright?! I'm sorry, I..."
From how fast they were running and their size, Sierche was knocked over from the force of the blow. Dazed and forced into squid form, the pink Inkling opens his eyes to see a worried octoling hovering over him. The first thing Sierche noted was the obnoxious-looking pompadour and his thin frame, but the octoling seemed pretty genuine enough as he carefully prodding at him. "Okay, didn't knock you out...uh, m' sorry about slamming into you like that. I just got out of some turf and I'm running late to my food stand, and you were just...hey, are you listening?"
He wasn't. Getting practically body checked knocked the wind out of him and he sort of wanted to just...close his eyes again. He could feel the tall octoling lifting him up, and he thought for a moment he heard....growling.
"Yeesh, I hit you hard....uh, I don't want to just leave you here out on the street, so...mm..."
He tilted his head, debating on something.
"Uh...don't freak out about this, alright? I've got work n' all, but...you'll be safe, okay? And I haven't eaten at all today..."
That last comment was said pretty quietly, but judging by the squid's lack of a protest it should be fine...as Sierche closed his eyes, he felt some of his surroundings grow more warm and...wet. It was a familiar feeling- Devon made sure of that with how often he enjoyed doing it, so he felt relaxed even as the telltale sounds of thick swallows rang out around him. Maybe he should've felt more concerned being swallowed by a stranger, but that was a problem for a more conscious Sierche.
It was slow despite the hungry gulps- even in squid form he was a bit larger than what the octoling was used to. He got him down all the same, and Sierche could dimly feel his alleged captor walking once more, albiet much slower. The warmth and attention from his clearly eager stomach was nice enough to get him to doze off.
When he did come to he still seemed to be inside, with the darker orange walls burbling and churning around him. Vaguely he could hear the sounds of the busy street outside over the steady heartbeat...where were they?
"Oh, you're up! Bet you're feeling better after some rest, huh?"
There was that octoling's voice, accompanied by a few pats to his stomach. "Gotta say, you're really filling....almost couldn't tie my apron over you, heh! Uh, is that a weird compliment...? Either way, the name's Yaki and I'll let you go when I close up shop here, alright? Hey, I'll even make it up to you by making you something to eat! Perks of running a food truck, heheh!"
He seemed nice enough despite clearly having a taste for more...lively seafood. Sierche decided against giving him any trouble, as local food was what he came here for originally...it was just a matter of letting the time pass now.
