I don't see what ya mean.

“Freshness is a great concept in theory, but it rejects people who aren’t cool. It forces people to spend a lot of money to remain fresh” 

“It shouldn’t be the core thing in society - we should strive to be here for each other, no matter what we look like. This is way too competitive at times, and people can feel overwhelmed!”

“But we can agree to disagree - I’m not here to force my opinions on you. You’re allowed to like things I don’t like, and that’s a wonderful thing”

“Well, yes...” She wasn’t sure if she liked this octoling very much, but she was glad that they could agree to disagree at least- that was something a lot of people struggled with. Even really good people- or what she considered good people.

That might vary, of course. Time to change the subject.

“You’re a hero to me. Just being here is a big deal, Kim, and I’m glad you made it.”

Red wasn’t against Inklings themselves - unless they were known douchebags, contributing to the system - it was their hedonistic society that she despised

“Lots of people just think I’m…a screeching harpy who hates Inklings. I don’t hate Inklings - I hate everything about freshness, I hate how temporary everything is, that you have to buy a bunch of things to be considered cool, I hate how much emphasis is put on competition.”

“But I like Inklings, I like them a lot and I want to help them understand that societies should be something we collaborate to work on! Octarians and Inklings, the rich and the poor, the young and the old.”

“I mean... I...” Seems like now she is just confused somehow. “I think freshness is nice. I like buying things and wearing nice clothes, and it’s kind of...” Pause. “I like it. I like the way everyone seems to be part of things here. They are all happy, and getting the cash to get clothes is not that hard.”

At least if you could see, anyway. She wasn’t able to get anything herself, but her girlfriend was easily able to support them both- just doing Ranked and Turf.

“Your existence alone is a sign of rebellion - you stood up to a system that wanted you gone, you overcame the odds and you’re here. You already fought a lot - you’re allowed to rest, my sister”

“It doesn’t have to be you - you don’t have to be a rebel if you don’t want to, especially if you just want to survive.”

Blind? Oh, well she wasn’t too far off the mark there.

“It’s fine. Most people think I’m some kind of lunatic, so they avoid looking at me anyway.”

“Hmm... I mean... that might be true...” She had better not tell this Octoling the story of how she met her inkling girlfriend, since she seemed to be so very much against them... “Iwon’t argue with you.”

“The world will not change on its own - it’s up to us to make it better.”

From Kim’s words, Red could have guessed that she was deemed a defect, in a way, but couldn’t pinpoint how. Her first guess was most likely “mutant”, but judging how much she was playing with her goggles, a visual handicap was also possible.

“If I’m not saying these things, someone else will, you know. I’m not the only one around - we’re an entire organization of people here to support the unliked, the handicapped, the poor, the unfortunate and unfresh.”

“My name is Withered, but most people just call me Red.” 

“But why does it have to be us.” Her grip on her goggles slackened, and she sighed. “I don’t thin I want to be the one to change things... I’ve fought too much just to live. So...”

“Of course, individual Inklings are going to be nice to you. Not all squids are horrible and mean - a big majority of them suffer as much as we do and listen to what I have to say! Some of them are even bold enough to admit that I have some good points!.”

“But, society isn’t so kind - you have to be fresh, or you get scraps. All eyes are on people who are good at sports, or are talented singers, or fashion designers. People value whatever has a nice facade, what is pretty, over what is inside.”

“Changing the world to make a society based on cooperation, rather than on competition is a big endeavor!”

“Octarian territory has a lot of things to improve, including the entire eugenics culture. Don’t worry - we are also fanning the flames of the revolution down there. I have irons in more than one fire, my sister .”

“...do you think they’ll ever change?” She plays with the goggles around her neck- she hasn’t really been looking at the other at all, and it’s unclear if Red knows she can’t actually see her. “I would have been dead if I didn’t escape, so I really... I am very tired of fighting.”

“An actually fair society where no one suffers discrimination because they are, and I quote, “not fresh”, being a bad idea?” 

“Where the majority isn’t subjugated  and bound to the will of a couple powerful corportations? Where people can actually be free to be whoever they want to be - not just what the fashion industry wants you to be”

“Not in my book, sunshine! I can understand it’s not for you - but being a rebel is how I live!”

“These people have been nothing but nice to me. so I .. .really don’t get your point.” Pause. She’d say ‘see your point’ but... well. Not really going to happen. “Much better than the society that tried to kill me as soon as they figured out  I wasn’t up to their standards.”

defectoor:

“I’m going to go out and bring someone over.”

Holly pauses, glancing at her girlfriend with a hint of anxiety in her eyes. Not like Kim could see that, though.

“…w-who?”

defectoor:

ALRIGHTY Hey so-

@azureumvoix hi?

“W-What is i-it, K-Kim?”

Me???

Oh um!!! You know the entrance to Inkopolis Plaza from the Valley? I’m kinda near that!! I can head through to the Plaza if you’d prefer!!

And that’s not good!! Are you blind or?? Is it something else??

Uh, yeah, head on up there. I’ll get ya there.

I get you!! Thing is, they sort of tried to murder me first, so I GUESS I’m on your side???

Uh!! My name is Brooke!! I can run pretty fast yeah!! Climbing is a little difficult but I can climb through ink!!

And I uh. I haven’t really seen any other Octolings until just recently?? I think making an account here might have gotten me caught…

Well that’s yer problem. I was fine for ages, until I uh -