Octopussy

H-hey, it’s not that weird!

(She leans back just slightly while he’s staring at her. Focusing.)

(A familiar, huh? She’s never actually seen someone’s familiar before.)

I would, but I can barely see in front of me in all this fog. And it’s pretty late, you’d be better off waiting a few hours until they open again in the early morning. 

(She feels bad just leaving him to the fog. And who knows what’s got all the animals so spooked.)

…I can try to bring you back to my house and we can wait until the fog lifts, or at least from there I remember my way around pretty clear? Unless you’re alright in it… 

I see... under the ocean, fish is available 24/7, so I thought coming up here any time would be good. Ah, well... I’ll try elsewhere.

Thank you anyway. I’ll be fine navigating back home. 

-Whatever is out there, he’s not afraid of it, anyway.-

-Maybe he’s the one that has all the animals so spooked.-

Jelly…fish?

(The fuck, he’s got tentacles just hangin’ out. A jellyfish princess, huh? Sounds familiar, for some reason.)

Nah, I’m human. You’re an octopus, then? What’s your name? I’m Hanabi. 

Oh...that’s unusual hair for a human. I think?

-He stares at her a little more. Maybe he’s misinterpreting the color. It just is so...bright.-

I am indeed an octopus, if you could not tell.

I am Fukami, one of Wadanohara’s familiars.

“Not as far as I know but who the hell’s really to say what Gilles might have thrown in there. Wouldn’t be shocked, honestly.”

“Also, I hope that name doesn’t ring a bell. If so, then man, I’m sorry.”

“Gills?” I know a lot of people that have them, but I don’t know anyone named that...

Yandere might be the servant locked on her legs, if there is indeed one there at the moment. She sort of, tunes Bryn-chan out here and there…. The relationship’s a little weird.

You’re right about the spicy part, but she does just wave back. 

She might have been on Gilles’ wild hentai ride, but she’s not speciesist or anything. More, Gilliesist.

-Were he to observe a certain yandere attaching herself to Jeanne’s lower half, he would probably presume he walked in on some kind of apex predator attempting to take down its prey. Which wouldn’t be too far off the mark.-

-Although, the more he looks at her...it may only be a passing resemblance, but...-

-This woman seems extremely spicy. Is she also a yandere?-

-Looks down at herself.  She’s just in a loose jacket, strap top, skirt, and no shoes or socks.  Looks up at him.-

Yeah… 

Honestly, I can see where you make that leap.  But it’s an off day and even bosses get to relax.  I do have formal outfits, though…

But that’s nice?  They sound good if they allow for a lively home.  I mean, that’s my own rule?  I guess, with my own “familiars.”

That’s true...forgive me for bothering you on your off day, then. I feel like I’m imposing, seeing you in such casual dress despite not being in your retinue...

-As opposed to imposing by just showing up at her house and going on in to demand fish from everyone??-

Fukami! A good octopus name.

Ah… I’m a weapon made by the gods. I was made from clay! I can shift and shape myself easily like the flow of water. Maybe that’s what you sense?

Thank you. So, you’re a clay-person...that makes sense, with what I feel from you. You must be quite the celebrity, to have come from the gods, themselves.

I’m Dankuri Memeko, saniwa and Master of this citadel.  I’ll lead the way out to the kitchen?

You’ve got a nice family back home?

Oh. Oh, you’re...the master. 

I am so sorry. I--assumed you would be wearing more regal clothes, so I...

Please forgive me.

...To answer your question, yes -- I live with my Master and her other familiars. It gets very lively most days... We usually don’t have any problem getting food, but someone forgot to do her shopping, so now I am obtaining dinner to make up for her mistake.

A… sea urchin…

[Well, he’s not exactly wrong, when he thinks about it. Which he only does for about a few seconds.]

I-Indeed, yes. Aside from us servants, there are also sword warriors, among others…

! So this is, indeed, the castle of some lord or lady? It’s quite grand. Very different architecture than the palaces of the Blue Sea...

-Wadanohara probably has no concept of money on land, so like, it’s cool.-

-But the line about feeding his family, she starts to pout a little before nodding.-

No need for self-mutilation–we should have something good enough for you to take back….?

Thank you. Maybe the takoyaki will only be a side dish... 

What–no, I.

I was talkin’ about you. I thought you were asking me what…

[Give him a second.]

………

Anyway, wanna spar, octo-guy?

-He gives him a second. It’s okay. This guy clearly isn’t an octopus, so Fukami doesn’t expect him to be very smart.-

...

No, I do not. You would die. From how many scars you wear, it looks like you’re often the loser in battle, anyway.

[Don’t mind them. They’re taking out the trash– literally throwing Merlin out the nearest window. This is normal.]

You’re a very big one, aren’t you?

I’m Enkidu. What’s your name, octopus friend?

-Just watches that ?axolotl? man go flying. Well. Farewell, mystery fellow? Other than that sudden gratuitous act of violence, this person seems nice enough. A fellow yandere, it seems?-

...I am Fukami. A pleasure to meet you, Enkidu.