Fleance

From his earliest memory Fleance doesn't remember any parental figures, just lots of other octo children and hard work. He grew up in an orphanage and had a few friends but as everyone aged he was further left behind. With the coming of age came training and military knowledge, something Fleance tried his best to avoid. It was clear that Fleance didn't excel in his training which only pushed the others farther and farther from his presence. Instead he took to tinkering and building machinery and eventually he created friends for himself. His first robot was a very basic light companion with all sorts of lighting options named Firefly. This little guy kept Fleece company for a number of years. When he reached his teenage years training became much more strict and he rarely had time for his hobbies. His progress began to improve { not willingly} and he became quite the stealthy lad. Every few days Fleance would join a unit of other octos for military missions which involved lots of ink fire, explosives and loud noises. During one mission Fleance got separated from his crew when explosives started to go off. They didn't find him until hours later huddled within a crate, to which he was met with no sympathy and harsh criticisms. From that day forth minor bombs would make Fleece flinch and much bigger missles drove him to the deepest crevices and farthest corners. His last strike revolved around a mission where he panicked away, unaware, to the surface of octovalley. He found the nearest crate, slipped inside and sobbed for a few minutes. Then some light came from the lid. His panicked returned for a brief moment but subsided when he was met with a different pair of eyes! "Hey ...are you okay?" Came from outside. A pink squid-girl lifted up the lid to unveil the form of a scrunch up octopus with a little eye peering from his tentacles. Immediately, Fleance flinched further into the wood of the crate. That was a squid, his species primary enemy! But she didn't look like a soldier? Quite the complete opposite! Her clothes seemed unusual and she was eating some sort of orb from a stick, not a weapon in sight! Maybe that stick was the weapon? Upon seeing his discomfort Peony inched back and sealed the lid of the crate. " I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable! I kinda just invited myself in without knocking... If you'd like I can wait for you out here! Oh wait! I'm going to open the lid again for a quick moment!" Fleance heard some rummaging from outside and just as she promised the lid creaked open but this time very tiny." Here's some candy!" Fleece uncoiled his tense body to look closer at the object in front of him, {"Candy?"}. He outstretched a tentacle and felt a wrapped item. He thought back to the orb he saw earlier in the squids possession and wrapped his arm around it. Peony slid the lid back closed and settled nearby. There came a very sweet scent from the candy he was given and for a few minutes he fiddled with it, trying to figure out what to do with it. For about half an hour he continued to examined it and pondered on the squid outdoors. She was for sure still outside, she often started talking to herself and he heard a lot of footsteps now and again. An hour later and she was still there! If she would of hurt him she would of done it by now? Fleance opened a sliver of the lid and peeked beyond, seeing the squid upside-down on her arms?? He slowly slithered out and quietly came up to her, facing the opposite direction. "Uhm.. what are you doing?" The sudden voice seemed to scared the squid and she wobbled a bit on her hands until she fell down! "Ah! You came out! How are you feeling? Did you like the lollipop?" She regained her posture quickly and as she splattered all of these questions she kneeled down to get closer to his level. Fleance assumed that the thing he still held onto was the lollipop in question. Upon further view her squid features were more prominent! She had a mask over her face that curved by her eyes like little hearts. Her ears were much longer and sharper than his, kinda cute even! Her tentacles were inverted as well, she showed all the signs of a squid. Growing up squids were talked about in disgust, as having beast like features but their similarities were striking! " Oh, um, yes I liked it! It smells nice.." Fleece held up the candy and gave it a little shake. Peony tilted her head, her ears wobbling to the side and said, " Oh! It's suppose to be eaten actually but that works too! I'm Peony by the way! What's your name stranger?" She gave a wide smile and an outstretched tentacle towards him. _"Are squids usually this handy with their tentacles??!!"_ At first Fleance thought that she was going to take the candy back and he tightened his grip on it. He then noticed that she wanted him to hold it! Fleece slowly inched further and placed his tiny army into her tentacles that cupped his. "...You can call me Fleance..." She then shook his hand gleefully and exclaimed, " Nice to meet you Fleance! " At first he was taken aback especially considering he was still in his octopus form. "It had been a long time since someones been nice to me" Fleance thought. "Would you like to see some tricks? I've been practicing super hard I'm sure you would like them!" Fleance nodded and climbed a step to get a better view. As he watched Peony flip in and out of form, and run about he unwrapped the lollipop that unveiled a pinkish-red sphere. He gave it a taste and immediately loved it! He never had such a snack before, he never tasted anything this sweet! For the rest of the afternoon he enjoyed the tireless show that Peony put on and the gift that she gave him. Peony smiled when she noticed that he took a liking to the candy {" He finished that really quick, haha!"} As the sun began to set Fleance explained how he had to depart soon and thanked her for the afternoon. "I can't wait to see you again Fleance!" Peony said cheerfully. _" Wait again? She would want to see him again? "_ He paused for a moment and without second thought said " Me too!" He realized the error in his desire but figured that he would do whatever it takes to return to the surface and see Peony again. "Yay!" Peony once again lifted up her tentacle in a gesture for him to accept. He outstretched his tentacle and then paused _"Hold on.."_. Peony wondered if he was still uncomfortable and slowly retreated her invite. He then shifted into kid form, and offered his hand! She happily took the invitation and gave him a hearty high-five! Fleance was confused by this action but learned quickly that this must be another friendly gesture. He gave a short chuckle and said, " Goodbye Peony!" Fleece took one last look at the waving squid, with both tentacles and arms. He smile, gave a short wave and transitioned back to octopus form in order to swim back to base, far below. In his hand he still held onto the wrapper as a reminder.