Day 10: Rainy Day

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"Before I forget- what are your pronouns again?"

"You have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that!"

The Octoling teen strolling alongside Dia was practically skipping as the two strolled through a rainy Inkopolis. The streets were flooded with both puddles and drowsy cephalopods on their way to work.

"I go by they slash them!" They chirped, twirling their umbrella gleefully.

"No problem, Makani!" Dia giggled. "I'm by no means an expert on all of this, so I appreciate you teaching me and stuff!" She twirled her umbrella as she spoke, mimicking her friend.

"Thanks for listening to me!" Makani squealed before bursting out into fake tears dramatically. "I've never met anybody who's been so accepting right away!"

The older Inkling raised her eyebrows with concern. "Like, never?"

"Well, that's not completely true, I guess?" Makani replied. "Back in São Paraíso, the island that I'm from, my mom and a ton of my friends were really supportive. It's just my dad who was a huge jerk about it. But that's all behind me now!"

"Speaking of friends," Dia began. "Have you tried making any since the last time we talked?"

Their expression quickly went from one of glee to one of guilt. The Octoling teen ran ahead of her and jumped in an especially large puddle, getting muddy water all over their floral rain boots.

"I love doing that!" Makani squealed. "Rainy days are the best~!"

Dia sighed heavily and walked past her hopeless friend. "Oh, so you've been hiding in your apartment all week watching tv, haven't you?"

"N-no!" They stammered. The azure Octoling speedwalked a little to catch up with Dia again. "I've actually been writing lyrics all week for work! Aren't you proud of me?"

"Yes and no." Dia snickered. "Work is good, but work-life balance is even better. Don't worry- I'll introduce you to some of my friends when we're all free. They're your age-"

"Seriously?" Makani exclaimed.

"Yeah, are you excited?" The older Inkling grinned.

"Do you have pics of them?" They replied, their voice tinged with concern. Dia pulled out her phone and showed Makani a few group photos of Maya, Elise, Kai, Hiroko, Glaucon and herself. The Octoling flipped through the pictures a couple times before letting out a string of profanity under their breath.

"You good?" Dia raised an eyebrow with even more concern than before.

"Why are they all so pretty? I'm nervous now!!" Makani whined, stomping their feet like a grumpy child.

"Pretty people make you nervous?"

"Yes!"

"But you're talking to me just fine!"

"But-" Makani began. They cut themselves off suddenly after processing Dia's comment, and punched her lightly on the shoulder. "Shove off!"

"Oh, so now you're censoring yourself?" She jeered. "Also, why? You brought it up, so I'm curious now."

"Because..... I have too many bad memories of pretty rich girls making fun of me back home." Makani's expression darkened, and their voice became quiet and dejected.

"Makani, darling - " Dia's voice softened. "I know where you're coming from. But, that's all in the past now. You've come so far since then, and there's nothing but happy memories in store for you!"

Just as she finished her thought, the clouds cleared, making way for the sun to make its grand return. Makani's eyes shimmered with admiration as they looked up at their friend, ruminating on Dia's encouragement.

The two friends shared a look of mutual contentment just as they arrived at Jellypop Studio's doorstep. Makani closed their umbrella and gave Dia once last wave before walking into their workplace. They smiled a tiny bit and mumbled to themsleves as they stepped into the elevator.

"I guess the real paradise is right here in Inkopolis!"

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