Part 2 of marking designs on the cephs: Sol n Ami :)))
as written, Sol is based on a longfin inshore squid and Ami is a day octopus! They are portrayed as their current ages :)
Sol used to be an ex competitive player even while she joined the Squidbeak Splatoon because at the time, that's how she was lowkey making income. After the battle with Octavio, she was able to score a job/apprenticeship under Sheldon and has been learning about weaponry, even helps out in the shop with him. Sol sometimes dreads when there's a new weapon because she knows Sheldon is going to talk about it for maybe.. hours. But she tries to fight the urge to almost pass out and hear him cause she admires his passion about it, also to just keep notes in the future too.
Ami is still going strong on Grizzco, but she has been taking some classes towards horticulture. She likes plants :)) Sol always insists on Ami to take a breather from Salmon Run to focus on her classes so she sometimes take a whole week break for it, Sol makes sure on it hehe.
Her brother (which I must write/draw out soon within what I see in my head on how this story goes- gosh im a mess @-@ ), Suke, is just exploring what the overworld land has to offer after he had been stuck in the Metro. He's been going to different cities and what seems like months, comes back to see Ami and Sol at their apartment. He's rather nomadic and draws a lot within his small wanderings, its like when he's done filling out his sketchbooks he comes back. He'll always be overjoyed to see how happy his sister is, but still feels rather awkward around Riley. Suke leaves after maybe a month or more (depending on how he felt on his trips) when hanging around with his sister, since he's heard that Ami took a liking to plants, he sends some seed packets stapled to a postcard from places he went :))
here are some overviews
they play turf/anarchy together for fun ^^ Sol likes supporting Ami if she's trying to be a slayer in the match, and protects her if Ami's anchoring.
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My Ocs and Francis. I wanted to give them more diverse body types. I'm still struggling to get frank to look right. He's ment to me more buff and have a military man vibe.
In this drawing they're all young adults and everyone has given up on getting Fojan to follow dress code and he has influenced the others into breaking it in little ways. Fojan isn't even trying to hide it. He's such a good agent he gets away with it.
I also wanted to show off their personalities a bit more.
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Summary: “Callie always liked to revisit her past- it was a simpler time, and reminded her of times were she wasn’t busy 24/7 between her job making music alongside her cousin, and working with the Squidbeak as Agent 1. One night, she chooses to revisit them once more, in Octo Canyon- a place she hasn’t been to in a long time.”
This is my first time posting writing to Tumblr, so I hope the tagging and formatting is fine. Also, for peace of mind- any romance oriented scenes between Callie and 3/Violet is when both are over 18, and both characters are the same age.
Callie always liked the quiet of the Squidbeak's outpost located in Octo Canyon. Sure, it wasn't the most recent one established, but it was in better condition than the one in Octo Valley. Additionally, it wasn’t in a desert that was as hostile to inkfish as possible, like Splastivlle’s.
It had been what, 5 years since 4 had finally brought her back to the surface she missed so much? Though she doesn’t have many memories of that time. Even with Marie and 4’s (Abigail? That’s what her name was, right?) help, everything was foggy.
She picks up an old scrapbook in the outpost's cabin. She’s been working on it for a while. It’s filled to the brim with photos, alongside glitter glue, stickers, and paper cutouts.
As she flips through the pages, she thinks about the days long gone. The memories she’s held onto over the years.
—————
Callie and Marie were 10 when they entered Calamari County's Folk Singing Contest. Quite young to be entering, but both were prodigies. Or perhaps early bloomers, being able to reliably switch forms at a younger age than most inkfish.
Callie flips through a book of sheet music, singing to herself as her cousin sits on a chair, fidgeting. This is their last practice session before the big day, something the reef squid was worried about but didn't say so. Marie was the more vocal one when it came to complaints, after all.
“Do you think we can even win? I know we've been practicing for months, but they always have hundreds of entries. And a lot of people aren’t even from Inkadia.” Marie says, her voice barely a whisper.
Callie grins. “I know we can do it! Gramps says we've got the best singing voices he's ever heard!”
“He hasn't heard anyone sing outside of us for years.”
The two young squids didn't know at the time that they would win. Nor that they would get a standing ovation. It was the most exciting day of their childhood. Proof that they had talent that could be honed into something amazing.
—————
It was 5 years later when the agent approached them. If there was one thing that was common knowledge, it was that most idols started off young. Sure, exceptions existed, but most got their first deal before they were even 18.
“You just need to sign the contract.” the Inkling says. She had introduced herself as Shy-Ho-Shy, and had taken an interest in the two recently. “I assume you've talked with your parents about this, yes?”
Callie nods firmly, while Marie gives a quiet thumbs-up. Callie bounces from foot to foot, but Marie shows no expression.
“Good. Now, here's a pen. Please know that this is binding and...”
Callie has signed the paper before Shy-Ho-Shy has even finished her legal jargon. Marie follows soon after, a bit apprehensive.
The idea of being recognized was something that Callie somewhat yearned for. She despised her job at Walleye Warehouse. After all, inkfish were not known for their physical strength, and the job paid only a few thousand G above minimum wage. It was hard labor that she only did since it paid the bills.
Perhaps now things could take a turn for the better. At least- that’s what Callie hoped for.
—————
The first day of hosting the news was a nerve-wracking one. Callie had performed for an audience before, it was a constant for what, 2 years now? Time was something that was hard for her to get a grasp on. But this was something that was a big deal- the two would go live to all of Inkadia.
The back of Callie's outfit is laced up, and she fidgets with one of her head-tentacles. She had been growing them out for a while, and perhaps one pro was that she had something to grab onto when she was nervous. She flashes a thumbs-up to Marie, who is finishing her makeup.
“You two will be on air in 10 minutes.” a lobster says as the two walk to the recording studio. Callie holds her head up in faux confidence, hoping that maybe, just maybe, her fear can be cloaked. She is so excited for this, but there’s so much that could go wrong.
The two go to their places, having memorized the script given to them over many days and rehearsals. The dynamic they two were marketed with was the bubbly airhead and the snide straightwoman.
Luckily, Callie could play her role well.
“Action!”
Callie is the first to speak.
“Hold onto your tentacles!”
Marie follows up after.
“It's time for Inkopolis News!”
—————
Callie and Marie had been hosting the news for the year when Shy-Ho-Shy approached them with a proposal.
“We were thinking, since your contract for the news is ending soon, that perhaps we may host a more special Splatfest.” she says. “An idol showdown, where Inklings fight to see who comes out on top- Callie, or Marie. It also dovetails well with your endeavors in solo performances.
”Are you sure?“ Marie asks. ”If I were you, I'd do a double take.”
Marie wasn't wrong, all things considered. Splatfests were a heated debate, often ending in drama and discourse. Many times Callie got death threats as well, usually when her team won. Something like this could easily tear the internet to shreds.
“It's more a publicity thing.” Shy insists. “I'm sure this would get plenty of coverage.“
”I'm aware. But, well. This is a disaster waiting to happen-“ Callie starts.
By then, it's too late. The papers have been signed, and the theme of the final Splatfest has been set in stone.
—————
The publicity stunt worked. Perhaps too well. The Squid Sisters were one of the most popular bands in Inkadia, yes. But the fallout of the Splatfest had been nuclear. Even weeks later, Callie got heavy amounts of drama in her Squidder feed. Sure, it was a small amount compared to the praise. But it refused to go away, no matter how many users and tags Callie blocked.
Perhaps that's why she found herself drawing in hedonistic pleasures and vices. Using it to suppress her feelings.
Perhaps that's why she found herself in Octo Valley. It had been a few months since her grandfather established his ”Squidbeak“, one she found both herself and Marie dragged into unwillingly. An attempt to settle old grudges, but covered her hands with blood instead,
Perhaps that's why she talked with Octavio. She felt alone, alienated. Drowning in drama she could never escape. Wanting something more in life.
Perhaps that's why she picked up a crowbar on the ground, and struck it down on Octavio's prison. Even if her mind told her not to.
Perhaps that's why she blacked out shortly after hearing the glass shatter and crash to the ground.
—————
The view from Callie's room is beautiful. It's located high above Dome 1, the richest of the various underground bunkers retrofitted into living space for the Octarian Empire. Every night, she can see light shining from the city, bathing the apartment in a pale glow.
She reaches a hand to her fin, where a pair of glasses sit. Octavio gave them to her when she woke up, in a recovery unit underground. Callie was also told to never take them off. Ever.
She didn't. Cuttlefish told her many stories of what Octavio was like a long time ago, and the Octarian leader was one that rarely abandoned his old ways. And at the same time, she didn’t want to take them off. They looked fresh, after all.
Callie got used to it eventually. The music softly playing through the shades, soothing her and making her be more willing to do what Octavio told her. The strict routine she was held to. The way she would sometimes wake up somewhere without knowing where she was, or how she got there.
She hears the door open, and then the footsteps of an Octoling woman around her age. Callie had seen her many times before, and the two even talked. Her name was Crystal, and she was the granddaughter of Octavio.
”Oh, hello, Crystal.“ Callie says. The way the words sound to her are foreign. Not of inkling origin. But she’s gotten used to her voice sounding off. It’s been like that since she woke up in recovery.
Crystal nods her head. ”Hello, Callie. My grandfather wanted me to tell you the latest news.“
”About the new Agent?“
Crystal nods. ”That's the case. She's been draining our power supply. She seems to be quite clever. She can evade our forces, and take out most she can’t outrun.“
”That's how every Agent is, Crys. I was just as cunning as her before I arrived here.“
”I'm aware, but well. She was able to shut down one of Octavio's superweapons. The Octo Oven. Even with all of his failsafes, it got destroyed.”
Callie presses her hand to the bridge of the shades. ”You're joking.“
”I'm not. I’m worried, in all honesty. The other weapons seem to be fine, including the General’s mech, but who knows how long it’ll be until they’ve been destroyed? Or our power supply runs out?”
Crystal sighs.
“I’m scared. I really am.”
“I know how you feel, Crys. To have everything taken from you.”
Crystal smiles, before looking at Callie, as if she remembered something.
“By the way, Octavio wants you to go down to the studio tonight for a recording session. I have no idea what for, but well. I’m sure whatever it is for is going to be special.”
Crystal then turns around, getting ready to leave the room before Callie holds out a hand.
”Wait.“
Crystal turns around. ”What is it?“
”I was just hoping for some company. It gets lonely up here.“
”I understand. I'd love to stay, but well. My grandfather is waiting. He’s an impatient man.”
Crystal closes the door, leaving Callie alone once again. It's like she can never escape the alienation.
She can hear the music again. It melts her feelings away, and soon, she is getting ready to go to the studio. Callie knows that the people here love her.
Perhaps soon, she will feel like she belongs even more.
—————
”My name is Abigail Torres. It's nice to finally meet you formally.“
It's been a day since Callie was freed from the underground. Her left eye hurts, from the piercing shot of Marie's Hero Charger. Her head hurts, from the aftershocks of being snapped out of mind control. In fact? Every part of her hurts. Even with painkillers.
She's still groggy when the new girl introduces herself. Callie slowly lifts her head, and smiles- but it’s hard to do so.
“It’s nice to meet you, Abigail. I. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for what I did. I, I didn’t think he’d keep me under his control. That I was his pawn.” Callie chokes out, each word having force behind it.
Abigail puts a hand on Callie’s shoulder, and looks the squid in the eyes.
“Don’t worry about it- I forgive you. Callie, you were played for a fool. So was I. It sucks so much. I don’t know how I feel.”
“That’s what being an Agent is like.” Callie responds, long pauses between the words. “It’s tough. Emotional. You get used to it.”
An awkward thumbs up accompanies her statement.
“I see…”
But Callie is lying. She has never gotten used to it. Even after 2 years of service, Callie feels great regret in her Agent work. And she knows it’s the same for Marie.
But that’s too much for her brain to process; she falls asleep once again.
—————
Callie never liked going to hospitals. The smell of antiseptic, chemicals, and sickness always was revolting to her. But 3, or no, Violet, was here, and Callie had yet to visit the inkling. She had taken a shine to the Agent since the two first properly met. Callie still remembered xir coming out of the domes, crying and saying over and over that xe was a monster.
But that was years ago.
Callie knocks on a door, labeled with “Toyama, Violet”.
“Come in.”
Callie pushes the door open, in the middle sits Violet. Bandages cover her right eye and left arm. An IV drips painkillers into the Inkling's body. Under Violet’s eyes are dark circles, from little sleep.
“Violet, you're okay.”
“Okay. That's one way to put it, considering I've been here for a week, and still am going to be here for another all things considered. It’s been hard to sleep. Hard to move. Hard to not think about the Metro.”
“But you're alive, isn't that what matters.”
“Sure.”
Callie walks closer to Violet, lightly holding the Inkling's left hand. Violet weakly smiles.
“I heard about what happened from Abigail.” Violet weakly says. “I. I know what it feels like. To be controlled by an outside force, to be commanded to kill, despite every little part of you trying to hold it back. To hurt somebody you care for, and pay the price.”
Callie feels a burning on her side. Where her stylists in the underground tattooed an octopus onto her body. It never came off, no matter how hard she scrubbed and tried to wash it away. An ever-present sign of what had happened to her that refused to go away.
“I don't like to think about it.”
“I know.”
Violet rubs her finger on Callie's hand.
“I missed you. I wish I was there. I wish I could've stopped it before it was too late.”
“You couldn't. By the time it happened, you and Gramps were gone.”
“A woman can dream.”
Violet lightly presses her other hand on a button to her right, releasing painkillers.
“I'm glad to be back.” is the last thing Violet says before xe falls asleep, and Callie leaves the room.
—————
Cuttlefish rarely calls meetings for the Squidbeak. His mind and body have been withering away, causing him to forget things constantly. After all, most inkfish don’t live for over 130 years- even with medical advancements.
“Well, girls, it's been an honor.”
Callie, Marie, Violet, Abigail, and Samantha all sit together in the outpost cabin, squeezed in tight. Cuttlefish stands at the door, leaning on his cane, hand shaking.
“But I'm getting too old for this. I'm not as spry as I used to be.”
He laughs, but that laugh evolves into coughing.
“Because of that, 3, I think it's about time I pass the role of captain onto you. Out of the lot, you have gone through the most, and been a shining example of what the Squidbeak is all about.”
Violet looks at Cuttlefish, eyes glassy. Like an angelfish caught in headlights.
”Me? Why me?“ Xe says. ”I don't deserve it. All I did was be Tartar's pawn, go through the Octarian underground and leave a trail of blood behind, and just. Be a monster! I don't deserve it, I think Marie does more, she was the one who helped with the Callie situation.“
The Inkling chokes back a sob. Marie squeezes her hand.
”Well, Mx, you can't make crab cakes without breaking eggs...“
”That's easy for you to fucking say-“ Violet yells through a gritted beak. She leans forwards, wanting to tackle the old man, but Callie holds her back.
”He's already old and senile enough.“ the reef squid whispers. “A strong wind could knock him down.”
But with all their pleading, Violet's claims land on deaf ears. They are given the Captain's hat, and a box with their new uniform.
The first thing Callie sees as soon as xe receives it is xem pushing the box under a bench and swapping the hat out with xir military beret.
—————
It's a clear night when Callie and Violet meet for the first time in weeks. Both had been very busy, life beginning to take over. It was a given, as Callie was starting to record new music alongside her cousin, while Violet checked out the new inksports scene.
The two squids sit on the rooftop of Callie and Marie's apartment, located in Inkopolis' central district.
“It's a nice night, isn't it?” Callie asks.
“Yeah.” Violet responds. “But why did you ask to meet here, of all places?”
“Because I wanted to talk. In person.” Callie responds, fidgeting with a tentacle. “I thought this would be a nice place to do it.”
“There's more to it.” Violet responds, curious. They were the type who knew how to read Callie- albeit not as well as Marie.
“There is.” Callie responds, her face covered in a bright pink blush. “Violet. For the longest time, I've taken a shine to you. You've been one of my best friends through this whole Squidbeak thing, and well. One of the few people I really could relate to.”
Violet looks at her with confusion.
“I think it's because. I love you.”
Violet is startled. Her jaw drops open.
“You're lying, right?”
Callie shakes her head, and Violet begins speaking.
“Because. I've loved you too. I thought it was just a silly celebrity crush. But now we are in the same boat. That we've gone through so much. It's obvious it was more than that.”
Violet smiles.
“I love you, Callie. I really do. It isn’t a lie or something I’ve repressed for years.”
Callie pulls Violet in for a hug, and Violet gently wraps her head-tentacles around the idol’s. Kissing, of course, isn't exactly practical when you have a beak that can tear flesh and a tongue lined with hundreds of small teeth meant to tear up food.
And that night, under the stars. Callie feels accomplished. That there is nowhere for life to go but up.
—————
Callie can see a look of both fear and pity cross Violet’s face when an Octoling in his early 20s comes knocking on the door of the organization's outpost in the Splatsville Desert. He holds a notepad in his hands, and a bandage is wrapped around his left eye.
“Who are you? Usually we don't get visitors!“ Callie says, grinning.
”Probably a straggler. Thought Octavio's rule was all but demolished, however.“ Marie flatly responds.
The Octoling gives the two idols an annoyed glance, and he begins to write on his notepad. As he does, a Smallfry jumps out of his bag, and starts sniffing around the area.
He then holds it up, revealing that it has writing in messy, but readable, Oceanic.
”Cuttlefish sent me after some Octoling shot me in the head. Fishfry found him, he told me to find you guys after patching me up.“
Callie hears Violet cursing under her breath.
Callie cocks her head, curious. ”Cuttlefish sent you? I thought he was retired!“
”Old man didn't tell me he was. Crazy guy, called me a slur on accident. But that's not important. My name is Mike.“
Callie shakes her head. She knew about how Cuttlefish got heated around Octolings. It was something he could never fully shake off.
”If you cross paths with that idiot, tell him to go jump in a pond.“ Violet says through a gritted beak. ”Did he tell you anything about a Squidbeak? Or ask you if you wanted to be an Agent?“
”Yes. He called me Neo 3, I declined but he insisted that I join this operation, and come to see you guys.“
Violet unleashes a string of every swear word she knows. Half of them aren't even in Oceanic or Inkling.
”Gramps is a crazy old man these days. Don’t take anything he says at face value, hell, he isn’t allowed to recruit people.“ Callie tries to reassure, holding out a hand. Mike looks at her with a look of familiarity on his face.
”I think I know you. In the underground. I lived there, I was a courier for the military. You. You're Callie, right? And the other woman. Marie?“
Callie is confused, while Marie nods.
”Ah, yes. You gain a reputation when you've become a scourge upon the domes.“ Marie responds. ”But that's not important, is it?“
Violet takes a breath, and feeling more calm, xe speaks.
”Anyways. I guess you may or may not be one of us. Don't worry- these days, all we do is sometimes deal with small investigations. No fighting or anything. There’s nobody really to fight, in all honesty.”
Mike then tears a page off of his pad of paper.
”Huh. Though, I think that might change. Cuttlefish sent me here after I explained how I ended up in this mess. Was carrying a package to GrizzCo HQ, then an Octoling, Inkling, and Ray tied me up, and stole my things. The Octoling shot me in the head, to make sure I wouldn’t go after it.“
A look of concern crosses Violet's face, and Callie puts a hand on the Inkling's shoulder.
“Okay, but what makes the package important?”
“I don’t know. But I was getting paid a ton to deliver it, and it seems to be that it’s of high importance. 1,000,000 G is a very high sum.”
“Okay.” the inkling says. “Well, I’ll take your offer. Not like there’s much to do these days.”
The Octoling nods, and tears off the paper, writing on the new sheet and showing it to the group.
“Thank you.”
—————
”We're thinking about renewing your contract after the stunt you, Marie, and those other inkfish pulled at the Castaway's Dream. It's obvious the Squid Sisters are relevant again, and a full album would most likely sell well. Additionally, we're thinking about a proper reunion tour and-”
By now, Callie has tuned out. They have a new agent, as Shy-Ho-Shy had retired years back. Now it's a jellyfish, whose name she didn't ask for.
“So, what do you think?” the agent asks the two inklings. Callie puts on the fake smile she has become so used to wearing, while Marie is more apathetic than anything. Though Callie knows that there's more to it. Unlike her, Marie was more upfront with hiding her feelings.
Callie looks at Marie. Marie looks back at Callie. There's tension in the air, that there isn't much of an option but to take the contract.
”We'll sign off on it.“ Marie states. Her voice is strained, she was forced to say it, wasn't she?
Both women sign the contract. The next few days are a blur, talking about songs, a possible collab with Deep Cut, and a trial reunion concert to see if the various denizens of the area would be interested in the duo performing again.
Callie feels happy, she'll be able to do something. But inside, she feels hollow. That this will go over well.
Yet the reef squid will dislike each moment of it.
—————
Callie closes the scrapbook. Her life has been one of ups and downs. More of the latter, than the former. But she's been able to push through, hasn't she? Violet mentioned that she had a strong spirit.
That's something she knew was true, the fact that she had gone through so much and endured was proof.
She quietly sings to herself as she puts the book away. A moment of calm in an ever-churning storm of emotion. Callie knows there is a bright future ahead of her. All that’s left is to create it.
