The Cephalo Diaries 2017

It’s been sent all over the net. Squitter, Freshbook, turtl.. anywhere the space enthusiast could post about the lunar eclipse. The perfect setting for it being at the park where the uh.. inkling sporting a knitted hat and constellation dress was setting up some hot cocoa and her telescope. BOY she was excited.

If one is deprived of such views for most of their lives, they would likely hold an interest in lunar eclipses. That definitely wasn't the case for Shiro, though, no, obviously not. Who's an Octoling? Nah, she's an Octopus Inkling, you're in Cephalo City, silly. Not that she'd actually tell you, considering her shyness. But despite everything, she managed to somehow drag herself outside of the store. Holding a small telescope, a blanket.. an inktank and an N-ZAP '89. Anyone giving her trouble would respawn near the park's fountain, that was for sure. She'd run into trouble soon enough, in the form of.. someone else already being at the park. Well, trouble for her, but even she knew it'd be unreasonable to splat someone just because they were there first. She sighed, put the blanket down and sat down on it, setting up her telescope while sitting. The blanket was already slowly turning more purple by the moment, courtesy of her nervousness having her release slightly more ink from her body than average.

She doesn't have a telescope, but do we honestly trust her with one? Of course not! Luanne Delavine traverses through the park on her skateboard, searching far and wide for the perfect spot to take her rest alongside her cool cat of a friend. "A nice little change from karaoke, huh?" She says, turning over to the anemone as she hops off to step on the grass.

“S’pose yeah.” Abigail followed along her cyan friend, hands folded behind her back and a pink clownfish peeking out of her tentacles every now and then.. “we shouldn’t stay out too late...”
“Chillax, Mezz.. it’s part of the night!” 

Seeing the new arrivals, the constellation-clad squid looked away from her set up, jumping to her feet, “oh! Good evening everyone! I’m so happy there’s already a little crowd! Ah— hot cocoa anyone??” Even without an answer, Celeste had turned to her dispenser to get a cup.

Kuro kept a hand on Ankoku as they made their way to the park. His other hand holding the bag for their telescope... And then Allen insisting to at least bring the blanket and some snacks that the kid had picked out. Times like these made him wonder how things would have been if it weren't... ... Never mind that. He was snapped out of his thoughts as Anko started pulling on his arm even more so than before and he looked down at him. "What is it?" 

"She said 'hot cocoa'!! Can we get some??" 

"Oh- uh, sure, sure... Al, over here looks good." The older squid went pointing at a spot and let the octoling set up while the two of them went over to Celeste. "Hey there- can we have some?" 

"For threeee!!" 

Meanwhile, Allen went looking over at Shiro, slightly curious. Couldn't help but notice the slowly changing color of the blanket too... "Uh, hey- hey there? You..you came out for the lunar eclipse too...?" He tried starting some small talk. I mean, it seemed like she was all on her own right then so why not try?

“Of course, of course!” Celeste had one cup filled already, so she passed it along. Then began filling up two more for the request. “Here we go!” She passed them along with a bright smile, “I hope you guys get a good seat for the phenomenon!”

Shiro had mostly been ignoring the new arrivals. Her interest mostly aimed towards the sky. Even the normal nightsky looked so beautiful to her. She wondered why she didn't look up more often.. She snapped out of her thoughts with a loud "Eep!" and immediately sunk into the inkstained towel. N-Zap for her personal defense still laying on the ground, next to her telescope. Bravo, little octopus. That'll show him. It took her a moment to realize there was no threat, just an inkling asking her something. "Uhhh, I mean, yes, maybe, perhaps, sure.." She slowly rose out of the ink, back into view. ".. Wuh-what was the question again..?"

Luanne perked up instantly. Hot chocolate and constellations in the sky? Oh, hell yeah! This is the best way to spend a night. The inkling turns over to Abigail, dipping a hand in her pocket. "Can you really say no to hot choco, Mezz?"   Chuckling lightly, she turned her attention over towards Celeste. "Just one cup for me, please."

"Make that two, if ya could." Abigail followed behind the cyan squid, holding up two fingers as if to make it clearer for the inktoling. 

Celeste had turned around upon the question, seemingly about to drink out of the cup she was holding.. but with that request, how could she say no? Untouched, she handed the cup over with a smile, "here lemme get another one for you. There's plenty! .. until it runs out!"

"Thank you miss!!" Ankoku went saying happily, kinda wanting to move more in glee but didn't want to accidentally drop the cups. Actually at this point, Kuro seemed to just be holding his shoulder as the guy held one cup and the kid was holding two, saying he can do it and give one to Allen. He sighed a bit, but momentarily looked over at Luanne and Abigail, giving them a wave.
This made Ankoku look over too and suddenly seemed to have another reason to be a bit happier or so as he kind of speed walked over to Allen- 

Speaking of, the octoling actually went leaning back in worry with her reaction there, though confused as well with that. Kept quiet until she was visible again and he weakly smiled, sitting up kind of straight again. "Just uh- you, you probably came out here for the lunar eclipse too, huh-?" 

"AL!! Here's some hot cocoa, ok, and hi!!" The kid suddenly got closer to the guy, surprising him and almost dropping the cup but luckily didn't spill, waved at Shiro and then went speed walking away, greeting Luanne and Abigail. 

"......... I'm... I'm sorry for him, k-kids...hahah..." Kuro just kinda sighs while going over to Ankoku and making sure he won't spill any of the drink while taking a few sips from his own.

"Er, well, yes. I did,." Shiro said, sighing almost immediately afterwards. She looked around before finally un-submerging back into her regular octopus inkling form. It was then she realized the guy talking to her was an octopus. Well, they were more common in Cephalo City, so she shouldn't be surprised.. It's why she herself posed as.. Er. Well. "I.. I just love the sky. I haven't had much of a chance to look at it, and now there's a special thing going on, of course I had to go and see." She finally noted. She also noted there were more people getting closer to her- well, likely to the guy, but he was near her, so close enough. At this point, her towel no longer had it's original colors, having been inked completely purple now.

Aida didn't really want to leave her house, especially at night, but her mother had pushed her to go and see the lunar eclipse. Walking alone made her a little more anxious than she usually was, so she kept her phone's light on and would check Squitter to see if people were enjoying themselves on this special night, but also just to give her a sense of security. As she got closer to the nearest park, she noticed a bunch of people talking in a group, and quickly hid behind a bush to observe but not be seen, though she tripped on her untied shoelaces and let out a weird sound as she dived into the bush.

“Here you are!” Celeste handed over the new cup of cocoa to Abigail, and sent a smile over to the returning Ankoku, “oh did you want some more?” 

Meanwhile Abigail took a sip out of the chocolate drink... almost spilling it when the pink clownfish shot out of her hair, “WHAT WAS THAT?!” 

“Chiiiill, Mezz.. What was what?” Mezzie only returned to hide in the anemone’s tentacles, peeking out of them, “that weird sound that came from over there..” 

“..over.. where?” 

“OVER THERE. THEREEE.” The fish was practically pulling the other’s hair. Pulling and pointing at the bushes.

Luanne sipped on the hot chocolate, exhaling with a satisfied expression on her face. Nothing beats a cup of hot cocoa. "Not a bad batch, dude!" The inkling gave a thumbs up, swigging another sip of the hot delicacy, and waving over to the kid! Good to see he's still chill. Though, she jolted a bit, dropping her skateboard to the ground from the sudden, startling sound. "I'm with Mezz on this one!"  She shouted, not being subtle at all as she starts moving over to the bushes. "Hey, hey...you all good? That is if you're a person, I don't really know."  Luanne grinned sheepishly, slowing her movements as she approached the bushes. "You could be some bird, and that's all ok too! Just uh...no fears, dude!"

The sound of the clownfish's loud voice and the sound of someone approaching slowly made her heart beat terribly fast and the stress made her feel like crying. She bit her lip, thinking about how this outing was not worth it and that she would much rather be at home in the comfort of the room than almost in tears thinking about how to interact with people outside of on Squitter where you can just spam emojis instead of using words. "N-n-no- I mean yes, I'm.." She gulped, staring at the kid as she tried to get up and wipe the dirt of her face. "I'm... not a bird... see? No feathers. Oh, wait, you said fears, not feath- err." She tried to laugh, though it was a very nervous attempt at it. "Hi. I'm not a bird, pplease don't catch me."

Luanne gave a warm, welcoming grin over to the kid as she reached for the cloth in her back pocket. She isn't a threat at all, just an idiot curious about what was in the bushes. "No fears or feathers here!" She chuckled, holding out the cloth to her. "Don't worry at all, dude! I'm not gonna catch ya at all. Name's Luanne!"

With a shaking hand, Aida slowly took the cloth. She stared at the girl in front of her, still a little scared by the energy she presented, but also intrigued. "I'm name is Aida. I mean, my name is." She sighed. "I don't mean to bother. I'll leave you guys alone i-if you want me to."

"Ahh...yeah, of course, hahah... That makes sense- the sky is kinda pretty... ...meanwhile, I'm just kinda here, tagging along with my...brothers, hahh..." He seemed a bit mixed in saying that word, 'brothers' as he looked over to Kuro and Ankoku. He looked back at her and kind of stared at the purple towel now uh. "...is- is that normal...?" Probably a rude thing to ask and that's why he said it so quietly. 

"What? No- I still haven't finished miss! I just wanted to maybe- oh- hello theree??" Ankoku quickly went drinking some more from his cup and went going over to Aida and Luanne.
"What- leave? Why? We're gonna see a lunar eclisp! Join us!" The little squiddo said brightly even if he wasn't even apart of this interaction until now. Kuro just kinda stares and sighs, sipping from his cup and going over to kind of at least slightly pull Ankoku away to not become an annoyance of any kind.

Mezzie swam back into the mess of tentacles as soon as Aida revealed herself. 

Abigail simply patted the part down and gave a calm smile to the inkling, “yeah.. cop a chair, Claire. It’s gonna be a pretty sight~” 

Celeste, hearing the commotion, piped in, nodding her head quickly, “yeah! Yes! Stay, please do!” She turned to her cocoa dispenser again, aiming to get another cup for the newcomer. Though first she had to take off her hat and wipe her forehead some, it was a little chilly for her but this movement was getting her warmer by the second, “whew, who knew I’d get my twists in today!”

"..Y..yes, that's why I brought the towel. It's.. it's a condition I was born with.. I kinda overproduce ink and i-in.." Shiro kinda turned away, and in an definitely decreased in volume, yet sped-up voice, she continued "..insituationsofgreatstressitkindabecomesworsewhichmightbeweirdanditsnotafactidliketosharealotbutSleaksaidIshouldtrytomeetmorepeopleand-" She cut herself off.. and back in her normal volume and normal speed: "AHH, never mind all that.." She noted the two this octokid had came with. "Brothers? Ah.. I.. guess .. one of you had a different parent.. or.. adoption maybe.. ahImsorrythatsnonofmybusiness!" She finally ended, in the same sped-up volume-down tone as before. Socializing was hard for this octokiddo. Somehow, it was easier to sell someone a weapon than actually talk to someone.

"Yeah, dude! Just like everyone else said. You're more than welcome to join us." Luanne did try to keep up the welcoming grin on her face, even gesturing towards the open area. She's at least trying not to scare off the girl.

Seeing them invite her made her blush a little, and she nodded, though feeling a little stressed at the fact that she'd have to interact for at least an hour with people. But hey, what was there to lose? It's always worth trying to make friends outside of Squitter. If it goes badly, she'll just not try it again. "All right, I'll join you."

Allen kind of blinked and stared, left trying to make sense of what she was saying until she went kind of brushing it off. Okaay. Well, it's something she was born in and that's what he got there. So there's that. "I-it's okay, it's okay, really, hahahah..." He sighed a bit and looked over back to his squid brothers and had a weak smile. "A-actually, yeah um... They...kinda adopted me as their brother...? I don't know how- Kuro even got Anko as an adopted brother and we're all just brothers now apparently..." It was still something that the guy even let him stay around and was okay with it, hahh... "..do uh... Do you have any...siblings or so...?" 

Ankoku seemed pretty happy by this and went drinking some more hot cocoa before handing the cup over to Kuro and going over to gleefully hug Aida while saying "Yaayy!! Nice to meet you!!"  At this point, Kuro just kind of went placing his own still filled cup into Anko's empty cup to still have a free hand as he went apologizing to Aida for a while for his little bro's sudden hugging if that surprised her in anyway.

"..N-no.. I don't have any siblings.. as far as I know of." Shiro looked away for a second, an awkward moment of shyness that seemed unlike how she normally was. This, however, led to her realizing some people had moved away slightly. "...Did something happen over there?" She hadn't realized anything at all in her momentary focus on Allen. She sighed. Despite her attempts to keep her guard up, it was not only broken but also useless as she forgot to actually notice the environment. In one way, that made her slightly happy. In another, very, VERY concerned. "Oh nooo..." She exclaimed, to no one in particular, and seemingly for no real reason.

Setting her hat aside, Celeste poured yet another cup of cocoa, raising it up some so the newcomer could spot it, “here’s one waiting for you if you’d like!” And then she poured a cup for herself finally, settling down on her spot to sip from it.

Luanne placed her hands behind her head, happy to see the little squiddo managed tog et a warm welcome amongst everyone. She wandered back towards Abigail, getting her hot cocoa once more. "I think this is one of those nights you'd say is meant for the cool cats, eh?"

Aida slowly approached the rest and looked at the cup of cocoa. She gulped. She was still weary of everyone, but they seemed nice. "C-can I drink........?"

"mmmhmmm," Abigail hummed, taking a sip from the warm drink finally, "stayin out in the shade of day, this is definitely one of those kind a nights." The inktoling looked up to the newcomer, "yes, of course! I poured that one for you, silly!" Celeste giggled

"Oh, uh... Just another person arrived I think uh-" This time, Allen was prepared as he heard the sounds of a little kid that he went holding up and putting away the cup of chocolate that he didn't even taking a drink of yet before being tackled down to the ground by Ankoku. The octoling went groaning as the kid giggled a lot before looking up and looking over at Shiro. 

"You okay, miss?" He seemed to question. 

Kuro just stared and sighed, going over to Celeste. "Hey uh... Got anywhere to leave these in or so..." He kind of lifts the now empty cups with him, glancing over to Allen and Ankoku as he did.

“Hm?” Celeste looks up to the speaker and seems to jolt when she understood the question, “oh! You can just toss them in the recycling~” she smiled, “I hope it was good!”

"Y-yeah.. Maybe.." Or, considering the fact she was on the edge of a nervous breakdown, 'maybe not' would have been closer. But Shiro couldn't exactly say that to a kid. She did freeze up after the guy got tackled, being taken once more off guard.. Yes, Shiro was definitely regretting being here, among so many others. Even if only two had interacted with her.. Her eyes shot open as she noticed something. His hair had hidden it before, but.. "Hey.. Uh.. Y-your ears.." Shiro's heart was pounding. Surely, this.. guy.. Couldn't be?

Luanne kicks back, laying beside Abigail as she takes a sip of her hot cocoa. "I think this also serves as a good  break from jammin tonight."

Aida looked at the inktoling, and with a shaky hand, picked up the cup of cocoa. "T-Thank you." She took a sip of it, and already felt a lot more comfortable around these people, the warmth of it making her smile and the taste being divine. "It's delicious."

Kuro nodded. "Oh yeah, definitely good. Thanks for bringing it here, hahah." The guy gave a thumbs up and started to walk away, but then eyes his brothers. 

"Okay, that's good!" Ankoku beamed a smile at her and then tilted his head a bit at the mention of ears. Ears, ears- oh, was she talking about Allen's ears?? "Al's ears? Yeah they're kinda differen-" Allen immediately went covering the little one's mouth while also carefully holding him as he got back up to a sit. Once sitting properly, he let go of Anko and went patting down his hair. Well then. "What was that for-" 

"Koku- please, don't." He sighed and went fixing his glasses as he looked back over to Shiro. "U-uh... What were you saying...?"

Although on the outside Shiro looked as calm, or rather as nervous and panicky as normal, on the inside her nerves had reached critical levels. That kid had pretty much confirmed what she thought she saw, and the fact he was covering it up.. She clutched her N-Zap. "You're.. Are you after White?" She asked him straight. If the next answer was a yes, she'd splat him and get out of there. But she had to know first.

He seemed honestly confused and couldn't help but sort of start to put Ankoku behind him as if to shield him as he glanced at her N-Zap. "I-I'm sorry, what are you talking about...?" Allen furrowed his brows but sort of braced himself for what could happen.

"You.. you don't know..?" Shiro looked straight at him, reluctantly loosening her grip on her N-Zap. "..You.. actually, honestly have no idea what I'm talking about?" She began shaking right then and there, her nerves now well and done shot. Her breathing got erratic, she fell to her knees and the weapon landed next to her towel with a thud.

"I... Yes...? Should I know what that means-- Wh-whoa- hey wh- are you okay- I- calm down, please, take slower breaths, please...!" The octoling went moving a bit closer to her, still confused about whatever she saying about being 'after white' but pushing that away in his mind as he didn't like how she reacted. 

Kuro then went over and started holding Ankoku back. "What- Roku- is that lady okay...?" "Everything will be fine, let Al handle it- I'll help if needed so go watch the stars and don't worry." The older squid went pointing at their telescope while Anko hesitantly nodded and moved away and over to the telescope to look at the night sky and if the eclipse was going to happen any time sooner.

"I'm glad you think so!" Celeste beamed, "It's actually home brewed. My sister helped me with, the... recipe. um.." Her eyes couldn't help but look over at what was happening a little ways from them. Someone suddenly dropping like that didn't seem very good. With a weapon no less. "uh! Is.. Is everything okay over there?" she called as she began getting up from her spot.

Aida finished her drink and looked up, and saw the event that Celeste was being distracted by. She didn't really know what to do about it, but with that many people around, she probably wouldn't need to step in.

Luanne got up, moving over to Anko  by the telescope. Her gaze was fixed on the poor  gal befallen to her knees. "Hey, kid? See anything  cool up there?" She tried to keep her voice cheery, hoping to keep him distracted from the situation at hand. She even gestured for Aida to come closer to the the scope. The stars will keep people safe...maybe.

Shiro was trying to calm her own panicked breathing down, but as Allen moved closer, she fell backwards, seeming trying to stay away. Realizing that everyone was out of earshot, even if they could see her.. she had to ask. "You.. you're an octoling.. but you don't.." She allowed herself a moment to catch up on breathing. "...you don't know about White.. probably don't know about other squads.." She gave Allen an intense stare. "..Do you know what happened.. at Octo Valley.. Anything?" She kept looking at him, though trying to keep her distance.. albeit a relatively small distance.

Allen went biting his lips as he noticed that she was trying to stay away, but then froze when she started talking about him being an octoling- something about squads...? And Octo Valley a bit... At least she seemed to be alright now, but she... No, could she? She didn't look like... "...how do you... I... Octo Valley..." He went back to biting his lips again, not exactly feeling like he could just go and tell a person he just met about all of that, but... "...I'm unsure, but... I guess... After years of...being...controlled or..something... A fight... And music happened..." He started up, though it was clear he was forcing himself to even talk about it, looing uncomfortable as he tried. Kuro looked over at Celeste and raised a hand, waving it in a dismissive fashion. "Everything's fine, it's okay." He went saying, even turning to face the others more though still went glancing over at the two octos. Couldn't exactly hear all they were talking about, but he didn't want things to escalate or so if this had to do with Al's species... 

Ankoku perked up, looked over at Luanne and went nodding a bit, putting on a smile. "The sky's always cool at night- especially with no clouds- the best time to see the stars...!" He really likes the night lights in the sky. "You can- you can look too if you wanna!" The kid went suggesting, moving a bit away from the telescope to let her see through it.

Celeste stood in her place with the response, taking a second to let it sink in before a pout would grow on her face. “That’s probably a lie and a half but okay..” So instead of walking over like she had been debating on, the lilac inktoling stepped over to her telescope. She used a hand to move her longer tentacle from her face while the other adjusted the instrument. “The moon should be at its peak soon but would you like to see a planet, Aida? I thought I spotted Venus somewhere...” 

Meanwhile Abigail is doing Abigail things like chillaxing on a stargazing spot.

"I haven't been back to Octo Valley in years." Shiro still stared at Allen, though it became harder for her to do as her vision became steadily obscured with tears. "You're the first Octoling I've seen since.." Her breathing was still erratic, but her attempt at calming it down seemed to work.. "I... I left in a panic, the day my.. squad.." She wiped away the tears with her arm, but even as she did so, more tears already obscured her vision. She looked downward, her tears seemingly dissolving her own purple ink.. "...when.. I got to Cephalo first.. Octopus Inklings made me panic so much.. but I realized they weren't Octolings.. they weren't after me.. they didn't know what happened.." Her gaze returned to Allen, a defiant look had appeared on her face. "You.. you can't tell anyone... I can't risk it.. I've.. been through so much.. It's been so long you can't even see the scars.." As she trailed off, so did her eyes, no longer looking at Allen at the end of her sentence..

Aida felt more and more confused about the whole situation, but decided to approach Luanne, and Celeste, deciding that perhaps going back to the main focus of the event being the starry sky was better for everyone, hoping that the conversation that she couldn't help wouldn't go into too much of a bad direction- but though she knew she couldn't help and would rather leave it to others to help, these people seem like they were being torn by something. "Venus? Huh.."

“Yeah! Yeah! Um...” Celeste grew more excited seeing that the other was vaguely interested. She only continued to tinker with the knobs of the instrument for a few more moments before pausing, “ahaaaah.. here it is!” Celeste stepped back carefully, as if even a breath would ruin the current setup. And then she gestured for Aida to come over and see through the hole.

Allen stared and listened to her, brows furrowing as he kept listening to her words and just... Well- maybe it was because of the whole mind control thing that he didn't feel that bad about the past other than all the possible discrimination stuff but- heck... She was really... He gulped and went nodding. He still didn't get what the squad thing was about, but it seemed that she may have... Left before getting controlled like him...? Something like that... "O-okay... I won't, I swear... Promise..." The octoling stated. So there was at least one other octo in this city. There was at least that... "I'm...I'm sorry you had to go through all of that..." 

Kuro sighed a bit, but was grateful that she didn't come over. Things seemed to be alright with the two on their own already, didn't seem good to intrude or anything.

Luanne placed her hands behind her head, smiling calmly as the kids get a look at the stars, A few times she would turn her gaze over to the hubbaloo to make sure things go well....they probably won't, but what does she know? Not many things.

Aida nodded at Celeste briefly to signal an 'ok' and moved even closer to the telescope, scared to death that she might damage it. After taking a big breath, she stared through the hole, not expecting to see much at all. ... "It....." She gulped "It's beautiful..!"

Shiro looked downward, not facing Allen even though he was facing her. "..Thank you.. just.." Her words once more trailed off, but it seemed to be more incoherent mumbling than anything. Something she didn't want to share but still felt like sharing, that's all one could make out.. "...Your ears.. you should probably keep them hidden.. I have.." She was wary of just pulling her knitted cap off, but she pulled it back just far enough to show that her ears were.. just like any Inkling. Considering the ears of an Octoling were more rounded, more distinct... the fact she had the same pointy ears as Inklings.. "...your hair isn't enough cover.. just some wind .. and honestly neither is headwear.. People don't judge octopus hair in this city, but your ears might stand out regardless..." Her voice sounded dull and lifeless as she stated that. Giving advice to someone else, yet.. hollow. As if it were words she didn't want to say, but felt obligated to. Her tears had largely stopped, but the way Shiro's gaze was averted from Allen.. It was almost as if she was looking at something else. Something clearly not there.

Celeste clasped her hands, obviously happy with Aida's reaction. "Isn't it?? It's the second brightest in the solar system and she doesn't have any moons or rings. So you can see her in all its beauty!" lmao nerd.

Luanne couldn't help but smile at Aida's reaction. The universe IS beautiful!  "Ain't space somethin awesome?" She tried keeping up some conversation, swigging that hot cocoa  quickly.

Allen was accepting and taking mental notes of what Shiro was saying, and thinking if he knew of anywhere with a surgeon that he could maybe trust in doing that though there really weren't any at all, but... ... This wasn't what he came here to do. Neither was it Shiro's plan. They didn't come here tonight to go saying all of these things to each other- her voice just felt bad by a bit with how dull and lifeless it was. He bit his lips a bit before gently placing a hand on her arm, just to maybe snap her mind back to right here, right now. "Hey- hey, uh... Thank you for that advice...but, uhm... You know, we can, we can stop talking about that now... We...we came here for the eclipse, didn't we...? You don't... You don't have to keep talking about this if you don't want to..." He gulped a bit at the end, hoping this could help in anyway.  

Kuro kept on glancing over at the two octolings, but now seemed to focus on Ankoku as he made his way to the other girls around since they were talking about space now over there. Hahah. 

"Space is REEAALLYY AMAZING, right!?!" The little squiddo said excitingly, even if he literally just jumped into the conversation on the spot.

The octoling snapped out of her stupor as Allen continued to talk to her. "I.." Slowly, Shiro turned to look at Allen. "..You're right. I'm sorry." She wiped her own face, even though no tears had ran across them for a bit now. "You.. You're the first Octoling since.. The only other Octoling I've met so far. You know of our past.. I just.." She paused. "..I just want to live a normal life.. not having to worry about orders or whether or not..." Shiro shook her head. "...N..never mind. You.. you wanted to stop talking about this, and here I just.. continue.." "You're right.. we're.. we're here for the eclipse. I've never seen anything like this.. before.." She pulled her knitted cap back in place.. rubbed her eyes.. And carefully, slowly.. just ever so slightly reluctantly held out her hand. "..I'm.. My name is Shiro Hachi. N..nice to meet you.."

Allen made a little smile before sort of hesitantly taking her hand for a handshake. "It's okay, it's...it's understandable...it must have been hard for you...but I, uh... I believe it'll get better. Honestly though- it's... It's been a while since I have met another Octoling since as well. So I just- I get it, it's okay... I'm... I'm Allen. ... Allen Sanchez." He went nodding at that, as if to just reaffirm it to himself even that yes, that's his name. That's his name now, he's a Sanchez. And then went looking up at the sky for a bit. "I wonder if it's close to happening any time now...? Mm..."

“It is! It is! I’m glad you agree!” Celeste clasped her hands in excitement. “Ah let’s see hum...” ye inktoling turned to her bag on the ground, fishing out for a phone and turning on the screen, the night was well into the AMs, and upon seeing the time, she turned quickly to the sky. Yes the moon was reddening, already in an orange hue as it seemed to grow larger in the sky. “Hah! It’s getting there!” She returned to her pack to pull out a small notebook and pen, already opening it and scribbling notes.

Luanne looked up at the moon, taking slow sips if her sweet delicacy. What a cool glow. Science is awesome! The inkling kept a cool smile on her face, sliding back to her trusty anemone friend. "Ain't this a beaut, eh?" She said, nudging Abigail with her elbow.

“Mmmmhm. Lotsa pretty things out tonight.” Abigail kept her cool gaze to the sky. Though the pink clownfish couldn’t help but peek out of her tentacles to see Luanne’s reaction.

Luanne covered her face, darting her eyes to the side as she  just....stared. was that....a flirt? There needs to be a come back here. Wouldn't that reveal? This can't happen now! The inkling lightly patted the grass in an attempt to regain some composure. "Yeah the uh...the stars and stuff! They mesh with moon PERFECTLY!" she sighed out, cheeks still tinted lightly. Was it a good save? Probably not!

She had to bite the inside of her lip to keep from laughing. Poor girl, she wasn’t ready yet it seems. “Yeah they do stuff like that.” Abigail played along. “Looks like the color’s getting brighter, too.” She’s purely talking about the moon, not the other’s face.

Luanne nodded, sipping her cocoa til it finished. That was a close one.   "Kinda glad this doesn't happen everyday. That would kill the charm of this beauty." She was finally composed, smiling warmly towards the pretty, floating astronomical thing that orbits the planet.

Shiro opted to just inhale and exhale for a bit. Steady her breathing. Shake her nervousness. A futile exercise, but one necessary for her to maintain the illusion of control over her emotions. "Right, I.. Am not really sure. I only know it's tonight.." She looked up. "I think the sky is already slowly changing more red, but I could be imagining it.."

“1:45 in the morning, the moon has reached its starting peak.” Celeste looks up to the now Blood Moon, smiling softly and returned to her notes; merely scribbling a little more before setting it down. “We’ve got maybe two hours to enjoy the view, everyone! Feel free to stick around!” She settled in her spot. Of course this inktoling wasn’t going to move from there until the very end.

"...yeah- I think it is, huh... So this is how it looks..." Allen mumbled, looking up at the sky even more and then over to the inklings for a bit. "So that's why they call it a blood moon...? Hm..." He went saying quietly, as if just thinking out loud at that point. 

Kuro seemed to have taken out his phone, taking a try to picturing the moon before tapping away and putting it against his ear- huh, seems to be calling someone now.  

"Oh wooow, it looks so cool...!! Roku, Roku, it turned red!!" The small squidling went back to his older brother and Kuro gave him a smile before ruffling his hair and nodding. 

"Yeah I know...mhm...you sure you're okay over there, Val..." The older squid continued to talk to through the phone.

Lu got herself up, giving Abigail a quick nudge. "Ay, Abs. I think it's a good time to start headin home." She said, stretching herself out as she faced the trail. "Don't wanna get lost in the dark....again." Lu laughed sheepishly, recalling an embarrassing moment..

“Awh but we just got here..” Abigail only sat up, surely sounding a little disappointed that their date outing was cut suddenly. 

“Abigaaaail....” the clownfish swam enough out of the forest of hair to be seen, “we can’t get lost again....” 

sigh “alright alright.” The anemone got herself up and brought her shoulders back in a small stretch, “long walk in the dark it is. lead the way, Gate.”

"...don't worry, hey, I'll be right over. Just a bit, promise. C'ya, Erie." Kuro soon hanged up on his phone call and went tapping away a bit before looking around. "Allen." The octoling suddenly perked up, turning to face him. "...can you help gather the stuff- we're gonna visit Val." 

"Oh uh..." Allen bit his lips a bit and glanced over at Shiro for a while... "...sure, will do." He nodded and stood up, taking one more look at Shiro. "I uh... See you, I need to go now..." Al left it at that and went off to fix up the blanket, telescope and all with Kuro and Ankoku.  

"Thank you for the chocolate, miss!!" Ankoku thanked and went waving goodbye at everyone, soon leaving with his older brothers.

Though Shiro had been mostly fixated on the sky, amazed by the changing sights... she snapped out of it once she heard Allen speak again. "..A-ah.. yes.. Of course..." She looked away for a moment.. "..V-visit the turf war weapon store in the mall.. the good store, I mean.." She hastily spoke, hoping Allen would've heard her.. But her gaze was soon upwards again. With most of them leaving, she felt awkwardly more relaxed..

Celeste has been so focused on the sight that she didn’t even realize people leaving. That is, until Ankoku called out. The inktoling blinked and looked about her, spotting the kid and the others leaving, she rose her arm for a great wave, “oh of course! No problem! Thank you all for joining me!”

Lu gave a  thumbs up, turning on her heel to take the lead. "See ya, everyone!" She shouted, exiting the park along with her date friend.

Allen perked up again, turning to Shiro for a bit and giving her a small smile before going back after Kuro and Ankoku. He'll definitely try to keep that in mind...maybe, maybe he could even get a new weapon, hah, finally replace the old one...  Kuro glanced over at the others and went waving slightly while Ankoku happily waved a lot as they walked away from the park and off to Valerie's place.