Love & Responsibility (Pearlina)

Oops

Chapter 9: Oops

Note: this has nothing to do with the short stories in the Pearlina book.

"So how's it going up on the surface?" Vic asked the young Octoling as she cut slices of cheese.

Marina laid out the plates and placed two bread pieces on each one. "Going great! There's so much you can do up there mom! It's been the greatest 2 and a half years of my life!"

"I'm really glad you're having a better life up there. I just wish Octivian and I weren't so far from you. Even if it only takes you maybe 10-15 minutes to get here, I want to be as close to you as I can. "

"Mom... If you want to come up to the surface with me, then Pearl and I can arrange that for you!" Marina said,  placing a hand in Vic's shoulder.

"I'll... Think about it. Speaking of Pearl, you never told me how you two met."

"It's a really long story..." Marina chuckled.

"Well we got plenty of time. Besides I'd love to know more about "your precious Pearlie!" Vic teased.

"W-Where did you hear that?!" Marina exclaimed.

"That game your brother plays, showed me some things."

Now that makes me worry about that game...Is someone stalking us or something...

"O-Oh that... A-Anyway about Pearl and I, we met on a mountain called Mount Nantai. It was when I first made it to the surface.
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2 1/2 years ago

(To make things more easier for me, I started the flashback when Marina visits her mother before heading up to the surface)

So go on your way.

With your hope, you can do anything.

And now we must be strong and together we will sing this song and you can sing along!

These words rang through Marina's head as she proceeds down Octo Valley.

So sing in harmony, and together we shall see, where we belong!

The very last verse is what allowed Marina to come to a conclusion that she indeed did not belong where she was now.

She remembers the very last thing she said out loud before running off.

"This changes everything..."

She no longer wanted to serve for DJ Octavio, hurt the innocent and design splatting machines. She wanted a new life, and she knew just where she could start.

But before she heads down that road, she wanted to say her goodbyes. She hasn't seen her mother since she joined the Octarian Army. 

She began walking to where she last remembers her old house is.
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It wasn't too far from where the entrance to the surface was, which was good for Marina since she wanted to quickly head out as soon as she said her goodbyes.

The house looked just like it was years ago. The only thing that was different was that there were small flowers planted in the front yard.

The engineer was only a couple steps away from the door but she couldn't move any closer.

She was having mixed feelings about doing this. Nervous, because she hasn't seen nor spoken to her mother in years. Ashamed, because back then, she didn't even think to visit or call her mother. And lastly, scared. What if she hates her for not visiting?