The Cephalo Diaries 2017

DAY OFF. And using it to check out this spankin new weapon— assuming it’s a weapon considering he mentioned Shiro and having to pry stuff from- ANYWAYS OFF TO THE WAREHOUSE.
With her slug bounding ahead, just pulling the leash forward and sniffing everywhere because it was a new place for the little guy! Eventually Torch got to the warehouse and made the leash shorter for her slug to stay closer and not run off like a wild dog- especially with hearing shots being fired. Torch quietly made her way more into the arena, though before she could say anything upon seeing her friend, the blue slug let out garbled barks instead, trying to lunge at the green inkling. “GRAR GRAR GRARR” He only made it so far because of the leash rip.

Sleak had, after sending Torch the email.. been using the new Splat Dualies all day. Shiro would probably murder him if she knew he had taken them out for a spin.. and then kill him again because Cephalo City was focused on keeping people alive with those pesky respawners everywhere. But yeah, obviously he would be running the AI program and is firing at moving targets and all that jazz. Or he would still be, if he didn't suddenly get distracted by a lil' sluggo making noise.
He turned around to see what's what, noticed Torch standing there, and consequently got fired at by four AI enemies. Though he didn't feel a single drop of ink hitting him, the program still counted it, so he unceremoniously got splat after standing still for a sec, leaving behind the only blue ink stain in an almost entirely green inked arena. He respawned, laughing as he reappeared from the spawner.

when he turned Torch only raised her hand to wave with a toothy smile, while her other hand has holding the slug back -who was now on his hind "legs" but not pulling anymore. Of course that only lasted for a moment as Sleak was splatted before her eyes. From what? she didn't know but she was left dumbfounded for a second or two while the blue slug sat back down, looking at the blue spot. her attention snapped back once she heard the laughter, giving an awkward chuckle herself, "ahah... sorry I didn't mean to interrupt ya there!" Before she would do anything else, Torch opted to pick up her pet and walked further in, as far as the green ink would let her anyways. "those're it?" she pointed at the guns, looking curiously at them despite the wriggling slug in her arms

"Yeah, these are it. The Splat Dualies." Sleak responded, as he recovered from his little laughter outburst. He took out his phone to stop the training match.. A good idea, as one of the AI enemies had made it's way to the spawner and began uselessly firing at the shield. "I am betting you want a go at these." He held up the dualies, which entered Torch's line of sight as the enemy disappeared. "I'll be in the back in a moment. Why not get comfortable, ink's gonna take a few min to dissipate, after all."

“You betch- uh..” Torch only watched as the enemy walked up and disappeared.. then went back to her prior focus, “...Yes.” Even the slug was caught dumbfounded in the prior event. So much that when Victoria turned to make her way back to the back room, he flew out of her arms to investigate the spot. “Ghfl- get. Back here.!” She reaches for his leash to drag the slug from the spot, which succeeded, though not without licking up some ink first. “Goh.. cod you’re gross sometimes..” she began walking back again, dragging the blue slug behind her. He was spitting out the ink. Finally getting to the room she immediately grabbed a soda and popped a squat. Just before opening the can Torch pauses.. looked at her pet (who was attempting to find whatever edible things may be in the room). Then back up. “I uh.. apologize in advanced for any slime trails you slip on.” She opened the can and drank looking oh so innocently.

After a minute or so, Sleak entered the backroom, in the middle of taking off the ink container on his back. "I'm guessing that lil' bugger is the infamous Goober, then." He dropped the container on the table, putting the Dualies next to them. "Just a note, there are also new versions of the Splattershot, Splat Roller and Splat Charger. Shiro ordered one of each to test. Last I heard she was disappointed that the Splattershot is near identical to the original, just has a different look. But the Roller and Charger, whew."

Goober was attentive to his name, peeking up his head and looking around.. eventually going over to Sleak and sniffing at his feet and then probably started gnawing on his shoe. “Yyyyyup.” Torch brought her attention back to the topic, I mean. The snail wasn’t gonna destroy the shoe. He’ll be fine. “I wouldn’t be surprised!” She releases the leash and reaches over to take one of the guns, observing it and even twirling it in her hand as she spoke, “there’s no fun in a recolor er..” her eyes move about the room finally taking my the other spoken weapons haven’t been nabbed, oh well. “What about specials? I’ve already been getting word my bubble’s being taken away so what does this have?”

Sleak stared at the slug gnawing at his "brand new", (only two years old) green boots. And didn't give it any thought, except trying not to kick the bugger by accident. "It's meant to come with Burst Bombs and something new called Tenta Missiles. Some lock-on kinda thing. Hard to test it out, since it won't lock onto the holograms. And it apparantly doesn't fire if there's no lock.. Don't know if that's cause of the lack of real opponents or not. The launchers are massive, though." Sleak tapped on his phone.. "..You know, you could technically already go out there and give them a test fire. The only reason why you'd wait for the ink to dissipate is if you dislike being green for a bit. I haven't reset the special meter yet, so you can probably get those massive launchers out in only a few bursts..." He paused.. "I guess that's a second reason to wait.. It kinda hard to fill up the meter when nearly the entire arena is already green, heh." Sleak's finger trailed something on his phone, before swiping it away. "..Also, the other weapons also have new sets. It seems all the Special weapons are gone, and the subweapons are on a roulette. Apparantly there is a complete overhaul. So far, the Burst Bombs and Splat Bomb are back, but I haven't seen the Suction Bomb. Roller's got a thing called.. Curling bomb? Supposedly works like Seekers, but.. without the seeking." He paused. "..Listen, you know how awkward Sheldon can be, but Shiro? Half the time I can't understand what she's saying when she goes off about new weapons, haha.. Just rants on and on and on.."

“And this is why I prefer hearing it from you than from her. Or him. If I ever see him again.” Torch leaned back, plopping either arm on her sides, “an hour... to get an inkbrush.. I’m not sure if I’m ready to go through that again..” She sat back up on that note, taking a glance at the still gnawing slug -he was wagging his tail along with his gills now. Very content- and got up to throw away her can. “What I’m hearing is that we’re starting barebone again with the subs and that I can’t make Kraken jokes anymore.” Crossing her arms, she peered at the arena, seeing if the ink’s disappeared yet. “But tenta missiles... homing missiles. That sounds pretty fun.”

"I also heard that this likely means that we might lose our rank." Sleak deadpanned. "I've heard word that we might keep a 'legacy rank', so to speak, so if we're ever in an old-style competition, using old specials and subs, we'll be our rank, but if we're playing with the new sets, be prepared to be C- again. Though.." He snapped his fingers.. "Apparantly ranks might also be seperate for each type of competition? Not sure if I like that, heh.. I'm admittedly not as good in Tower Control than Splat Zones." Sleak looked at Torch. "...But it's just rumor at this point. Not enough information yet. And most news out of Inkopolis seems to be focus on this new duo replacing Callie and Marie. I guess Inkopolis got tired of the Squid Sisters.. Kinda sad, but that's what happens with every fad, right, heh.."

we might lose our rank
Torch blinked at that, bringing her gaze back to the green inkling to hear more. Well. Least she technically keeps her S rank..  “I’d probably only have issues in rainmaker in that case.. maybe I should start carrying that thing instead..” she looked to the side, more making the note to herself than actually having it be a part of the conversation. Then the big one. Callie and Marie being replaced. “What? Shut up. No way. What??” Yep she looked hurt. “But... Squid Sisters! How do you get tired of the Squid Sisters?? I- hm.” She pouted, “true but.. well I hope they’re good at least..”

"Some duo called 'Off the Hook' apparantly. I've been trying to get some songs, but it's not that easy... There was something about them tho.. uh.. What is it, they're Pearl and Marina.." He looked up for a moment, obviously trying to recollect something.. "Gah, can't remember. But I remember there was something.." He grabbed his phone, intending to find out, but blinked as he looked at the screen. And then looked at the arena. "Hey, the green ink's pretty much gone... Ah, but.. well, whatever.. I liked Callie and Marie but I'm personally not too attached, heh.. I just hope changing to Pearl and Marina won't cause changes to any of the splatfest traditions."

Her bit of pout slowly went away, more to just study what he was saying. “Guess I’m just not a big fan of change.” Torch rubbed her neck for a moment, before shaking her head from the topic. “Anyways. I’m gearing up. You.. heh, you can pet sit, right?” She pointed at the blue slug with a smile. Seems goober has fallen asleep on said shoe.

"I think Goober has to move at some point, though. I'm not going to sit still this entire time." He eyed Torch. "Preferably BEFORE you go into the arena?"

Slowly she reached over to snatch the other gun, and tank, “but he looks so comfy! You can’t just move him..” yep she got what she needed and began moving out to the arena, “you’ll be fiiiiiiiine.”

Sleak sighed, took off his boots, revealing that he does, in fact, wear socks- just short ones.. leaving the slug asleep on one of the boots.. and the second flying towards Torch.. Missing her by a long shot because throwing his boot was meant to be a joke, not painful. "Just get out there already, I'll set up the arena for orange ink.. You want enemy AIs or just shoot around for fun?"

Even if it obviously wasn’t going to hit her, she ducked anyways. Sticking her tongue out and jogging out to the arena with audible snickers. “Enemies would be nice!” She called back, getting herself situated. She even pulled the trigger at the ground letting out a low oooo as if amazed.

"Aight." Sleak enabled the system, making the spawn glow bright orange, and four inky individuals appeared on the other side spawn, still blue. "Remember, sink into the ink for registration, and then I'll hit start."

Standing on the pad, she did as told, then got back up from the point to start gunning at the go- heading right to the middle of the arena to scope out the AIs. Ultimately finding one and using her burst bombs to create a path right to it, splatting it immediately. Though after the splat, she paused and looked at the orange splat. “...it. It just went right through it! How- wh-?” Catching sight of another one, she turned her aim directly at it, the ink going right through the hologram again, causing a splat. “Maaaan.. this isn’t as satisfying as I thought it’d be,” she complained before hopping back in her ink, continuing her hunt.

"They're just light, what do you expect.." Sleak had walked up to the arena and put his hand through the 'wall' surrounding it. "Even the side of the arena, even though it looks like a see-through wall, it's.. just light. Ofcourse, if YOU pass through the light, you get auto-splat from the sensor in your ink canister.." He looked at the higher audience seats.. "Why do you think there's clear triplex up there, we don't want the audience to get splat accidentally... It's also why nobody is supposed to be at the arena when it's in use.." Sleak shrugged. "There are many things I can do because I know the right people, but there are many more things I can't without proper funding. So some things are barebones, obviously. If you want that 'satisfying' feeling, find a way to pay for proper dummies or maybe hard-light... or actual players, that might be the best really." He shook his head and stood back from the arena. "...But that's still awhile. Rewiring is complete, but.. turned out there's other flaws. The fun never ends, so it seems.."

"fun..." She eventually swam up a wall to sit atop of it, watching the AIs come for her but she sort of showered the ink over them like a huge sprinkler. Nope she didn't seem amused. "I guess maybe if there were some kind of vibration to the splat it'd feel more like you're shooting something I guess. Like um... Like in laser tag." She thought aloud, looking up as she leaned back, back, back and- plopped into her ink to swim further away from her 'enemies', only to emerge back up- walking backwards to a stop. "Well, I guess they're better than those buoys... you could actually- oh wait." She looked to Sleak's direction, "wasn't there some kinda trick to this one? some kind of dodge roll thing?" Oop. one has caught her and was gunning at her. To which Torch threw several bombs to splat it, "eeaaaaahhh shaddup."

"Haaa.." Sleak's most infamous action returned to the fray as he sighed once again. He pushed a button on his phone, causing the AI enemies to freeze in their tracks. "There's a dodge roll thing, yeah. I'm not 100% how it works yet, but it sprays out ink to the side, the force of which pushes you out of the way.." Sleak shrugs. "And I guess it's somewhat easier to aim for a bit once you're back on your feet, since you're more than likely in a crouch.. Just try messing around with it for a bit, then I'll unpause those guys."

"You could make it easier and spar with me instead of those things," she joked, jabbing a thumb over to the holograms. "anyways uh..." she looked at the guns, thinking of the explanation, "trippy.." Without giving much thought she just pointed one of teh guns to shoot at the side. And, well, nothing happened. Prooobably not what she was supposed to do. Her mouth twitched to the side and she looked over to her green friend again, "Just unpause em. I'll learn as I go!" she shrugs with a smile.

"And get splat repeatedly in the process? I'm an inker, not a splatter..." He shook his head. "..Maybe later. If anything it's.. instinctively I guess? I haven't really paid attention to what I've been doing, maybe there's a button I hadn't noticed. If anything, they're fun to goof around with, but I think I prefer the ol' roller." Sleak shrugged, and held up his phone. "A-ny-way, if you're sure, theeeen.. unpause!"

Right at the word she dashed into the action again, hunting down the AIs and hoping something would connect.. Eventually something did, considering the AI was catching up to her speed, Torch had to find other means than just walking backwards or splatterhopping to fight. So odd that jumping into one of her stray shots while shooting would trigger the dodge roll. Though she wouldn’t realize that until one of them shot splat right before her. She only paused in her crouch state.. then went after the others nearby, triggering it again. And again. You could probably hear the giggles. ...aaand then she flipped off the stage. Giggles still being heard as she respawned

"Discovered what triggered it or just having fun?" Sleak smirked at the orange inkling still giggling as she respawned. "Seems you're over your disappointment with the ink not hitting. Now try to build up some special and test those launchers."

"ahah-haha-hey." She pointed, "I'm still disappointed! but that trick is really fun." She took a breath in, recollecting herself before spraying the area around her with ink. Thanks to her playstyle.. there was a lot to cover at her base and quickly build up the special. (Of course she couldn't help but still get a splat or two) Eventually she got it up, pressing the button to activate the special and the guns were transformed into the huge missile launchers. And though she could see the AIs, her triggering the launcher didn't do anything. Guess it does heat seek.. still Torch took the opportunity to look them over.. though not much to note, they were still pretty cool looking. Eventually they transformed back into the dualies, she couldn't help call out, "see you shoulda fought me to see how these missiles work!"

"Hm, to be honest, having seen you do it now.. I am starting to think it might have a sensor that tries to predict when you're trying to jump.." Sleak noted. "Silly, how I didn't realize it when I was trying it out myself.. I guess the excitement of doing it.. What do you think?" He laughed at her comment about the missile launchers. "Yeah, sorry, but I don't feel like being a practice dummy. Speaking of, I could probably get some of those. They're expensive as they pop and then reinflate themselves.. But I know some guys who've been anxious to test the new weapons, I can probably convince them to lend us the dummies if they can get a few shots with the guns. The issue is Shiro..."

She snapped her fingers when he said he didn’t want to be a practice dummy. Well darn. So close. From there Torch decided to sit on the pad, literally just out stretched her legs and leaned on one arm while the other hand was twirling a gun, probably just a breather, “Teeeell her it’s good for getting more data about the weapons?”

"She would rather have brand new weapons than weapon data. Pro collecting, but not a fan of shooting them. Perhaps a little backwards, but she got her reasons." Sleak shrugged. He knew those reasons, but he promised not to share.. Wasn't his place. "By all means, even I'm not sure why she opened the weapon shop. Probably in the hopes of finding someone else who wants to collect, but her only customers so far use the weapons for turf war." The green inkling shook his head.. That girl had definitely made some poor decisions, but at least her life was better now. "Anyway, won't be long before the weapons get sold seperately. Testing specials and subs is easier when you can just change the setting on your canister."

Torch tilted her head in confusion. Yeah that was pretty backwards but.. she couldn’t argue with she got her reasons. It’d be super hypocritical if she did. So instead she shook her head a bit, just never minding the subject. “Yeah I guess... still fun to get your hands on it early though~”

"Anyway, you look like you still want to get going in a moment, so I'll hit pause for now.. shouldn't you like.. I dunno, take care of Goober or something...? Like, doesn't he need like.. water?" Sleak paused.. "..other than feetwear, what DO sea slugs eat...?"

“OH my gosh you’re right. Lemme go check on him cod how did I...” she had a palm to her forehead, waiting for the coast to be clear and safely rush back to the room. Bursting the door open, there was slime everywhere, but Goober was happily sitting on the chair, awake and gnawing on the boot again. He was even wagging his tail enough to shake his gills. Torch gave a sigh of relief. Not that she expected anything bad to happen but still, to see he was fine made her feel better. She stepped over to the chair -careful not to step in so much goo- to pat the snail’s head, “sorry buddy..” And suddenly she remembered the question, hope he was in earshot, “oh, right uh. Herbivore and insectivore. But Goob’ll eat near anything that appeals to him ahah..”

Upon seeing the mess in the backroom, Sleak facepalmed. "..Hey, remember where I kept that equipment last time?" He stared at torch. "There's also a mop in there."

Torch glanced around the room, “uh.... it’s locked so I can’t open it?” She shrugged with a smile. She only has a slither of hope she could get out of cleaning.

Sleak's stare slowly changed into a glare. "Door's unlocked cause nobody was around and I took the ink canister from there. You can definitely open it."

Torch sighed, "fiiine.." She patted her snail once more, audibly whispering, "you slobber up that boot good." and scurried off.