The Cephalo Diaries 2017

"Aaaand.. sent. Really hope she won't find this intrusive." Sleak sighed, and sat up. The work on the warehouse was going smoothly, most of it was calibrating, wiring and stuff like that.. Of course, calibrating angles to be JUUUST right with objects like CONTAINERS could take an entire day rather than 'a few minutes'. But it had to be tournament ready. Most of the underground turf war groups wanted it to be just right, and if he was going to open the place up for public, it definitely needed to be regulation approved. But for now.. The mail he had sent invited a friend to get some fast food. He was hungry, and by all means, he assumed she'd be too.

Well. That was the end of her shift. at least until her next one anyways. So this was more like a break if anything. Victoria wandered along the sidewalk, seemingly on autopilot as she was making her way to the bus stop. Might as well take advantage of the time and do things at home.. At least that's what she intended before her phone pinged. She stopped in her tracks after reading the message and drew a long breath in, quickly exhaling. They've been over this. Ignore the people trying to pair them, they're just friends. And with that quick pep talk to herself, she replied, agreeing to meet up, and turned away from the bus stop going home. There had to be a BurgerSquid somewhere near, right? ...time to whip out that app..

If Cephalo City was one thing, it was tourist friendly. Which meant a local, kept-up-to-date application showed every single museum, school, point of interest, store.. and even restaurants. Of course, it wasn't as if the BurgerSquid was a proper restaurant, but surprisingly they HAD included fast food joints in a recent update. Generally, Sleak had lived in Cephalo long enough to know all the spots in and around the warehouse district, which is where he spent most of his time. Where Torch worked.. well, it wasn't exactly his locale, so once he had found himself a seat in the bus, he opened up that fancy tourism app, and found one relatively nearby her workplace. Did mean she was probably going to arrive there before him... Wait, he never specified which BurgerSquid he was going for.. Ah well, she knew he knew where she worked, so worst case he'd have to travel a bit more.

Oh, duh. There was one around the corner. Of where she worked anyways, so she did have to take some time in getting back. She found herself glaring at the sign for a bit, silently asking herself why didn't she know before. Upon entering, Torch peered around the area for a familiar green squid. Though.. no such luck. So she opted to take her order anyways. If she was here, she might as well eat the cheap food, not like she had anything else that day.. While waiting to be called up, she found an empty booth and sat with her fountain drink.

Meanwhile, Sleak arrived at the nearest bus stop. It didn't take him long to pop into fast food place and look around if Torch was already there. As luck would have it, she was in fact there. "Whew, almost worried I had the wrong place." He said, to no one in particular, though he figured Torch'd hear as he approached the booth. "Hope I didn't take too long? I kinda sent that mail while I was still in the warehouse."

Victoria jumped slightly, hearing the voice. Really she was just lost in thought while sipping her drink until then. She turned to Sleak as he came over, shaking her head to his question, "Nah, I kind of just got here myself," She glanced over at the counter before returning her attention again, "So uh.. what's up? Didn't really send that just to make sure I eat, did you?" she teased.

Sleak glanced at Torch. Pausing just long enough to make Torch know the answer without a reply. "Allow me to ask when you properly ate last, though." He eyed the counter for a moment. "You uh, ordered yet? I know it's not exactly a fancy diner, but.. y'know. Sometimes easier is.. easier."

The orange squid went back to sipping her drink for that first question. He doesn’t have to know... though he probably had a good guess already. “mm, mhm!” She nodded and gulped down whatever sip she had, “I’m not complaining,” she chuckled, “it’s cheap food I can actually get for myself this time!” Torch peered over again, just as they called her number. She muttered a “‘scuse me” going to get her meal, and plopping it and herself back once she returned.

"Aha." Torch's muttered phrase was followed up by Sleak walking over to the counter to order a meal for himself. Thus, he returned to the booth with a drink in hand, quite a bit after Torch had. "Well, perhaps next time I should invite you to a fine-dining restaurant.." He sat down. "...You know, and then steer us to a cheap diner nearby cause I'm not crazy nor rich enough to pay for that level of luxury."

"sounds like a good pattern of splurging and saving," She joked while putting fries in her burger,, again. "So... how're things progressin'?" She took a bite out of her sandwich, looking up at him curiously. Chit chat's normal, right? right.

"Well, y'know.. poorly." Sleak shrugged. "The warehouse arena is just about done, as you know from your testing with Tad, but there's some guys from the circuit that've come around and pointed out a bunch of flaws, so I've been fixing that, also had to do a bit of rewiring, the spawn platforms weren't up to tournament specs.. It was a minor issue, but.. well, if four people had been splat at the same time, one or two would've come back at the district's spawner instead of the arena's. It's kinda rare to have such close timing, but for proper tournaments, you don't want to have to pause everything so they can get back to the arena." He shrugged again. "Just a big hassle."

She idly scratched her cheek with a finger, “ah, well if it weren’t for the technical stuff I would have offered my help again ahah..” she leaned on her hand some, looking at her sandwich, “I have to admit the thought of that situation is kinda funny..” if you look carefully enough, you’d see some mischievous look in her eye.

"Right now it's a mish-mash between getting technical stuff done and the waiting game. City officials are still being a hassle, supplies are getting moved here slowly.." He sighed. "I shouldn't complain to you, honestly.. But, it is a pain.. That said though.." Sleak looked at Torch. "..If I did think you could help, I would probably still ask someone else, what with your.. what was it.." He snapped his fingers. "Right, with your working yourself to death, forgetting to eat.. and if I'm remembering correctly didn't you say something about having more than one job? Or more than one shift a day...?"

Torch pinched her lips together, her eyes widening a bit.. basically the look of a child being caught red handed. Trying to brush it off she let out a chuckle, "ahah, fsheh.. it's more than one shift a day.." she looked away and finished with a mumble. "I mean.. I would probably work less shifts if there were another way of income..." Torch looked to the other side, idly stirring her straw, "That's uh, that's where I was hoping to continue the turf career here but I guess I just have to be more patient," she shrugged with a smile, like what can ya do?

Sleak looked away for a moment. That last part there was commentary on HIS efforts, even if Torch likely didn't mean it like that. "W-well, you could still go to one of the underground tournaments. The payoff is pretty high, but.. well, there is an entry fee, since it's not regulated by the city..." He coughed. "If.. if anything, we're still talking with city officials. It's not over until that stops. Doing our best, y'know." He wasn't sure what to say next. Noting his number getting called, Sleak got up and went for the counter. "Er, be right back."

She continued to listen as she ate, being somewhat aware of the underground tourneys but alas, fees. If she were more stable she’d go for it without a second thought. Though with the second half, with the city officials and all, she seemed to duck her head, bit by bit, especially by the last sentence. Great. You’ve done it again, Victoria. On that beat of silence, she wanted to say something. And opened her mouth too late as his order was called. She closed that real quick, gnawing on her thumb. She waited until Sleak was seated again, bringing that hand to her arm. “I’m sorry,” she blurted, “I.. guess sharing that was probably out of line aheh.. um..” here she stopped meeting eye contact, “I know you’re doing your best.. Er, all of you are. Uh.” She shrugged, and embarrassed sort of smile on her face now, “I guess I’m just too anxious to get back out there. And until then I’ve got to take up on these shifts..” Now in attempt to lighten up that mood she turned back to the green inkling with a more cheerful tone, “but hey, I’m still kicking. I can wait! I’m not that thin yet.” Just to prove it she released her arm and was going to raise it, probably flex it in jest. Except she accidentally smacked her fist under the table and was now practically curled into herself, clutching it with her other hand. She managed to squeak out an “I’m fine”

Sleak wasn't exactly sure what to say to that. He wanted to point out she didn't have to apologize, but.. he did kinda drop that on her. Just as he wanted to point out she should REALLY start eating more.. he cringed as he heard the smack, followed by Torch's subsequent pained movement. "...You.. don't sound fine." A sigh followed, with Sleak shaking his head. "I hope you haven't hurt your arm too much, that's going to complicate matters with your job, won't it..?" He didn't add the other part he wanted to say, considering the earlier subject. Instead, he took a bite of his hamburger.

Torch squeezed her hand a bit before shaking it out, letting out an awkward chuckle, "ahah. heh. I'm fine, really. I think I've been through worse to let a table get a dent on me," once she's felt better, she went back to her own meal..

"..." Sleak sighed. "Honestly, this is not how I expected things to go, ahaha..." He put down his burger and looked at Torch. "Y'know, I just randomly got the idea to invite you to burgers, felt like hanging out. Shiro, Mio, Kapena.. they're constantly busy. They all got stores, well, Mio got his radio show and all.. And I can't exactly ask Jes or the ol' shrimp to join me. They're decent people in their own right, but I'd feel weird hanging out with them, since they're older and all.. Besides, they'd probably not want to get burgers, thinking about it." Sleak sighed again, and looked away. "..So y'know. I invite the one person I know is from Inkopolis. The one person who likely knows how weird Cephalo is compared to Inkopolis. But all I seem to be able to do is complain about how I can't bring a piece of home here."

She continued to eat as Sleak spoke, evidently finishing her own burger before he finished. Torch stood silent for a moment, wiping her mouth in the meantime as she thought. "well.. we did kind of agree that we could talk about this stuff with each other." she shrugged, "I'd think it's.. well, not unexpected either eheh."
"Maybe I should try to lead a more interesting life and distract that kind of thought with more conversation, huh?" She laughed, rubbing her neck from the half joke. Only because She knew she didn't have much of any life aside from work work work since she came here.. "er.. sorry.." Torch began fumbling with the edges of the napkin, keeping her eyes focused there.

"I don't think you can fit it in your busy schedule.. If anything, I guess we're all kinda struggling to get things done.." He shook his head. "You don't have to apologize for thigns out of your hands. But perhaps we should actually talk about.. happier.. things." Sleak paused.. "Like uh.." He paused again. "..y'know....." He took a bite of his hamburger. "...stuff." ... "..Yeah." He looked away.. "..You uh... " He sighed and looked at Torch. "...Cephalo is an awful city, isn't it."

"I wouldn't say it's awful" She looked up again, "Maybe not as colorful as home it's just.." She leaned on a hand, looking to the side, "...bland. Nothing really happens here. But um.. I could blame how much we're used to getting out on the field for that? I dunno.." The orange inkling eventually slid down from her hand, resting her chin on her arm, "I mean, this place is kinda a new start for me so. Gotta make the best of it, right? Aside from the drama, playing over at the warehouse adds some fun to it!" she shrugs with a smile, "For me, anyways."

"Eh. I say it's awful. There's no real opportunities for younger inklings. Stay in school, be bored as hell, move away." Sleak grabbed his phone. "You heard if Grizzco? It's this company hiring inklings part time to hunt for eggs or something. They're always hiring, age and skill don't matter. Some time ago they wanted to branch out to Cephalo." He turned his phone to Torch, showing an article on the company.. "They opted not to because it was too dangerous for the local inklings. Not enough experience in turf war." Sleak tapped the table next to his phone. "If we can convince them to open up here, they would provide local inklings with extra coins, which we could perhaps persuade them to invest in the organization, whether by buying gear at our stores or donations. Everything pays forward. But Grizzco has no interest if we can't get turf war big in Cephalo, and that's not happening with these idiots in power. They are too concerned with 'safety' and 'economics', 'tourism' and 'friendliness'. Not realizing that turf war would actually improve all that."

“Grizzco?” Torch peered at the article, and made a face when he said they wouldn’t come here because of lack of experience. She had a feeling she knew where this was going.. Sitting back whilst sipping her drink, she listened to the rest. Yep. As expected. “Can’t get a job without experience, can’t get experience without a job.” She commented. “Yeah.. I don’t think we can do anything about the people in power.. not unless you run for mayor” she joked. Torch leaned forward again, against her arm and sipping her drink. “What if we do it anyways?” The question almost came out so innocently, “make up games of twin squads rather than full squads so you won’t have to completely worry about that wiring technical stuff for some time and get some squiddo’s interest? Make it public, break the rules!” She said the last bit with a smirk, can’t be sure if she’s only half joking or serious. “Or maybe I’m just thinking things could be that easy.” She shrugged.

"I'm not local, I couldn't run for mayor." Sleak replied, not noting it being a joke in the moment. Her next suggestion, though.. "..Twin squads, hm.. It's not very common to just have 2 vs 2, but I suppose it could be a good call.. The spawners can easily handle 2 respawns at the same time, it's 3 and 4 where it gets iffy.." He sat back, letting his burger and fries pretty much cool down as he thought it through. "...We're in range of a city spawner, so accidents are easily handled, there's room for spectators, might just need some cleaning.." Sleak looked at Torch. "...I suppose twins could work. Garner interest, show Grizzco there are plenty of inklings here with experience, get them to branch out here... It could work. The only issue is that we'd have to entice squids to actually come play." ..he hastily, but softly added "and octopuses and what not I keep forgetting there's more than just squids"... "I'd have to run the course for free for a few days, open it up for the underground to get some funds back. Inklings are gonna have to play for keeps, rather than reward, but it's the experience that matters.. You know, we WERE in the middle of setting up a local league with specialized rules, but the lack of city backing makes things difficult."

She smiled at the more positive thinking, “And that’s where this plan would take place. If more people want it, the city’s gonna have to do something, right? Maybe you’ll see that local league sooner than ya think!” Torch took a sip of her drink again, only to hear the empty sound of the straw sucking up what little drops were left. Darn. She went as far as opening the top to look into the cup, seeing if there really was nothing left, “though if that really does go underway, I’m gonna have to look for a partner...” Putting that down, she began balling up the wrappers, “And then I can stop working so much in my personal hell. You don’t know how much I want their cupcakes, hah”

Sleak looks at Torch and nods. "Anyway.." He gives Torch his hamburger. Before Torch can react, she notes she is holding a raccoon. Sleak no longer really exists. A picture of a hamburger lays on the table. Torch takes a bite of the hamburger, but she realizes she has become the hamburger. The Cuil Theory has once more given birth to an April Fool's joke.
Sleak snaps back to reality as Torch finished speaking. Not that he missed what she said, but his mind was somewhere else for a moment. He looks at half the hamburger he had left, and shakes his head. "A..anyway.. Hm.. I don't know how much local inklings you know, it might be hard to go twins right now.. Especially since you have Inkopolis training." He paused.. "..I mean.. If you're suggesting me, I can't exactly fight in the same league I set up.. I think?.. I'm actually not sure, maybe I can. I would probably have to put my Krak-on roller aside for a basic one, though. It'd probably give me a bit of an unfair advantage." He paused again.. "...I actually have no idea if this is gonna work out. I'm right now just.. well, I think we can consider it. It might be an option, I guess."

Torch had an expression of slight amusement. Perhaps it was a thought to be teaming up for twins, but she didn’t exactly expect him to really think of the little things about it. It was just an idea. Though with that thought.. the thought of why he’s even explaining all of this..  “you could also just say no.” She ended up blurting, with the sudden slip up though, she avoided eye contact again. “If it’s too much to worry about or if you’re not comfortable, ‘no’ is in the options. I uh..” she scratched her cheek idly, “sure I had the idea. That uh.. us being partners for this but.” She looked up again with a shrug, “it was just a thought. If it’s out of the question, I’ll deal.” The amused look returned, “don’t break your head over it. Just.. focus on what has to be done first?”

"Well, you forget that I don't exactly want to be dealing with the technical stuff all the time either. If I don't get some practice in myself, the local inklings might out perform me. That wouldn't do." Sleak joked.. "I gotta get back into the swing of things, roll around the stage. I'm doing plenty of testing, but it's just different from actually running through people's ink and covering turf, y'know?" He shook his head. "If anything, it's a good idea, and I'm likely just over thinking it right now. I will get some thoughts on paper, talk it over with the circuit guys, and the rest of the group. We will need funds, but when don't we. If it all works out, I'll gladly run some twins. I'm good at covering turf, you're good at taking out the opposition.. Sounds like a good combo to me."

She watched him speak, at least she had a better understanding now- even to chuckle a bit at the jest. Torch made a small smile from last couple lines. Though the modest grin somehow turned more confident, matching her tone as she got up to throw away her trash. “I’ll kill em before they even get to you.”

"Whew, sounds like your lack of turf war upped your murderous intent, huh." Sleak whistled in jest. He finally decides to finish his burger properly, causing a moment of silence from the green inkling.

“You have no idea,” she continued the joking tone, making her way back. “Though if I’m honest, it would be a great stress reliever from all.. this.” She pointed, making a ’woopie’ kind of motion to indicate everything. “But uh.. I should get out of murder mode and make my way back for the next shift,” she jabbed a thumb toward the door, “I think customers want to see a better face than the one I would have thinking about the ink of my enemies eheh,” Torch grabbed for her bag, “anyways. Thank you for reminding me to eat,”  she said rolling her eyes and a smirk. Kinda with that tone of thaaaanks mooom

"....Hoboy. I feel bad for your future opponents already." Sleak joked. "Anyway, good luck with work, and remember to eat tonight as well." He mentioned, with an emphasis on tonight, followed by sticking his tongue out at her in the maturest of ways possible. (In other words: Not mature at all.)

“Yeah, yeah,” she replied in a mocking tone, out of jest still, all the while heading for the exit. Torch turned before actually leaving, giving a small wave and a friendly smile, “see ya, Sleak,” and out she gooooooo

"Hehe.. Later, Torch." He, too, gave a small wave.. After she left, he stared at his fries. "...Do have to admit I kinda admire that work ethic. Just hope she doesn't overdo it." Sleak shoved all the fries in his mouth and left the restaurant.. He had a stage to finish.