Great Turf War

Day 8

After the subsequent Octoling defeat, everyone was in a good mood. Due to the news of their success, the Inklings were sent to the cafeteria. They were met by the leader of the whole Inkling army, Cap'n Cuttlefish, standing proudly before them. Although he looked dead serious, he still retained his silly tone.

"Hey everyone! I just heard that you fended off an Octoling invasion! Now that's epic!" Cuttlefish praised. He then had a word of advice. "However, don't this get to your heads! A real battleground is still much different! But for now, enjoy the gourmet selection we got and have a nice night!"

The mood in the room became extremely joyful, as it was an honor for the actual general to come and congratulate them. The noise in the cafeteria was a lot more pleasant than the two times before.

"Shwaffles again, Sairento?" Shio inquired.

"Sea Star Soup again, Shio?" Sairento challenged.

"Yes," answered Shio stubbornly.

"Really?" Sairento was genuinely concerned.

Shio got Sea Star Soup with a side of bread. Sairento got a Galactic Seanwich with a side of tater tots. Marie got baked halibut with a side of salad. Callie got spicy glazed salmon with a side of fries. Before Shio returned to his table though, he decided to get some fries. It was a staple joke among his friends, after all.

Before long, the four had jumped into steady conversation. This time, Sairento was a lot more laid back and silent; strange, as he was usually the one to lighten the mood. Maybe he just ran out of lines, or the presence of a different person having fries was too much. Even Marie was more talkative.

"Hey Sairento, you're being quieter than usual," Shio remarked.

"Oh," was all Sairento had to say.

There's no way Shio will offer his fries now, so I gotta figure out a way to steal them, Sairento thought. He racked his brain for ideas, even more so than in the Octoling Invasion and in the fort battle. Then, an idea popped into Sairento's head.

"Hey, Shio," Sairento greeted.

"What is it?" Shio asked.

"The reason for my inactivity regarding these conversations is due to me thinking about trying the sea star soup," Sairento explained.

Although this sounded very stupid to the average Inkling, it was an average reason considering that the man talking was none other than Sairento.

"Well uh... the sea star soup's over there," Shio pointed somewhere behind him. Of course, Sairento wasn't paying attention to that.

"Where?" Sairento inquired. Shio turned around this time, wondering if he had actually directed Sairento over to the Shwaffles section. Just as Sairento was about to steal some fries, Marie tapped Shio's shoulder.

"Huh?" Shio pondered. Marie pointed over to a distant table to Shio's left. As he turned, Marie snatched a handful of fries from Shio's plate. Sairento smiled.

"Marie, you're quite the astute charg-"
"Yeah, yeah, have some fries," Marie said.

"Wait, what?" Shio questioned.

"It is a shame my liege cannot comprehend some simple tomfoolery," Sairento criticized.

"I agree," Marie added.

"Even as a servant, I must concur," Callie agreed.

Was I the only one who actually looked away? Shio thought. He glimpsed at his dwindling fry supply.

Due to this wretched tomfoolery, Shio swore revenge against the three. He would abandon them and become more powerful than they could imagine. Due to this clowning on Shio's part, the three were able to enjoy a quick laugh. He would become the jester sooner than he could imagine.

After some time, dinnertime concluded and the four went their separate ways to their dorms. Shio looked at the empty picture frame on the table.

What is that thing even doing there? Shio thought. Who'd remind themselves of home, a memory long gone, so they can suffer every night?

He thought about home. Home was wherever he was with friends and family. Shio didn't want that to change. He wouldn't be able to bear it.