#pedaltothemegalodon

[moraypower]

@pedaltothemegalodon

The cool rush of saltwater against sizzling summer heat drenched Frye's senses as dark skin hit shimmering water in a massive cannonball, quick burst of laughter soon regretted when the burning, briny taste accompanying it flooded her tongue. Even so, it was nothing but a bright smile painting her face as distinct yellow tentacles broke past the surface once more, purple-tipped fingers pushing the equally vibrant purple snorkel goggles up to rest atop her forehead.

As soon as she'd realized that this dream was free to do with as she pleased, giddy energy had carried her straight to Golden's beach, intent on crossing off one of the highest items from her bucket list. It wasn't everyday that she got to enjoy the waves like this without risk of her ink falling apart, and with the lively warmth of the scorching sun beating overhead, she wasn't about to leave anytime soon. Especially with all of her wishes brought forth so easily, too! Case in point, a clear cup full of frosty strawberry smoothie was snatched from atop the tides as it drifted by, brought to her lips to drown salt with sweet without hesitation.

Golden eyes landed upon a familiar silhouette standing by the edge of her confetti-littered sand, and the water quickly churned into a mess of fervent bubbles beneath excitedly thrashing legs, waving both arms above her head in a wide arc with a booming, enthused shout.

"YO, SHIVER! CHECK THIS OUT!"

Was the tide drawing closer? It sure looked like it, almost too conveniently. After all, a nearer proximity made it easier for a rushed grab towards the octoling's shoulder!

Who needed an attempt at explanation when she could just forcibly pull her in for the party like this instead?

[isolaradiale]

URL change for Shiver! pedal2themegalodon -> pedaltothemegalodon ! Always nice when you just have to ask the person holding onto a URL via an empty sideblog and they’re cool about just giving it to you ^^

Noted for you!

⋆ Aspidiske

[spiralesplatcast]

Preferred Name: Shiver Age: 22 Housing: Fibonacci Ward- House 123 Desired Position: Show Host Experience (if applicable): I have literally hosted this show before. Why do you want to work with us?: Because I want to host the show I worked on with my friends again. (and it's kind of a mess without me ;>) Icon for the Staff Page:

Anything else: I know where you live. Just putting that out there. :>

"I dunno, I might need someone with a bit more experience..."

"Nah, I'm just kidding. Glad to have you back, Shiv! You wanna come hang out at my place later?"

@pedaltothemegalodon

[kleinstar]

location: DINNER IN THE DRAGON COURT

@pedaltothemegalodon

" Whoaa.... "

The place is huuuge to say the least. It's hard to miss when you're walking about the estate like this. All Eiden did was go find toilets and somehow he's lost the direction.

" Are you kidding me right now? Did I take a wrong turn somewhere... "

[wingherc]

｢𓆄｣ "No reason! Not one at all!!!!!!!!" Though, he shimmies closer to Shiver, shielding his face with his hand to whisper something her way.

"I'm the guy who kept chasing her: for stealing!"

"So misplacing people's trust isn't in my best interest, chickadee!"

"Oh, you know Frye? Yes, she and I are friends, as well as bandmates. For what sort of "no reason in particular" do you ask?"

[moraypower]

"SHIVER! Stop cheating!"

@pedaltothemegalodon

[moraypower]

@pedaltothemegalodon

One moment, the world was dark, all the lights around her snuffed out into empty blackness.

And the next, Frye was staggering backwards in wide-eyed surprise as the world roared to life, her surroundings suddenly filled with nothing but color.

Buildings crowded close together, often built on top of each other, decorated with neon signs that were not yet lit in the arid heat of the day; an airplane droned heavy in her ears as it flew low overhead; shop doors swung open and shut in a bustling frenzy as crowds of inklings and octolings alike rushed by, chattering playfully among themselves and swinging their freshly bought weapons in mock battle through the air; the familiar, sizzling scent of an okonomiyaki stall hit her nose, making her mouth water.

From atop one specific shop, a gigantic statue of a snake stared back down at her as if in greeting, a crown perched atop it's head.

Home.

Splatsville.

It was like an eruption had been set off as Frye abruptly exploded into motion without enough time to think, her feet barely touching the ground in her hurry as she shot straight up the steep steps to her left. Had the Stars finally realized that they couldn't keep her trapped forever? About time! She still needed to give them a lesson or two or three hundred, after keeping her away from her turf for so long. And a million other things, really, but that wasn't the point right now!

She could figure that part out later. So long as she had her crew here, they could figure anything out, especially if the Stars had made the mistake of underestimating them enough to put them on their own turf like this.

Purple-tipped fingers grabbed at the heavy metal door of the Anarchy Splatcast studio, ripping it open and slamming her way inside. Startled members of the jellyfish camera crew scattered every which way at the sudden, bombastic entrance.

There was no subtlety, no planning what she'd actually say; only pure, frenzied energy, her hearts beating a mile a minute as a shout tore at her throat, excitement and hope carrying her volume even further than usual.

"SHIVER! BIG MAN! You guys in here?!"

[schleckermaul]

   recognizing a retreat when he sees one, break makes a small mental note, perhaps of regard, to keep an eye out for this one. clever enough with words, they can probably be trusted to be clever with their fingers, as well. he'll have to make sure to be especially mindful of where he keeps his candy.

   ' of course, of course, how silly of me to level tale with reality ... wouldn't want to accuse you needlessly! ' a little sharp, that grin of his. ' either way, you should perhaps team up with that candy bandit of yours. seems as though you could learn something from them. '

Realizing the trepidation they'd shown, Shiver was quick to try and save face, laughing along with the other. "Now now, I was just regaling the tale of the wicked candy bandits, not making any threats! If I did happen to wind up with some of your candy, that was probably just a hasty mistake on their part- a very delicious mistake, but a mistake regardless."

Smooth as silk. Hopefully she'd get her chance later.

[moraypower]

"Hey, I'm not THAT bad 'bout it..."

Yes she was.

"Anyways, you been up to the top levels of Fibonacci yet, Shiv? You think they'd use all that dough on better security, but it's real easy to push past!"

At least, it sure was when she had her pair of eels to help with brute forcing her way in. Still, she was probably pushing her luck up there by now, given how frequent of a hit the area had become on her list; whether she believed it or not, having a name made for yourself wasn't always a good thing.

"Well, if you're going to keep letting word of our exploits get out there, it won't hurt to have some help giving them the slip, hmm?"

Whatever trouble Frye would get into, Shiver would make sure they're with her.

[requiemforthefallengodsbow]

"Oh, okay! I'd be glad to. Not that I have anything on hand to donate though..." They trailed off, before looking up and cocking their head. Then, they approached, and jumped up to reach behind Shiver's ear.

"Ah, what do we have here! You had a coin behind your ear this whole time!"

"I hope everybody out there is having a fin-tastic Shiver Day! Please remember to appease the apex predators of the sea by making as large a monetary donation as you can comfortably give to your favorite blue octoling. And if there's another blue octoling that's your favorite besides me, you're doing it wrong."

[dj-iida]

Marina fiddles with the equipment they were so graciously allowed to use during the performance. Since she did not own anything here she had to be careful with her adjustments( and sadly, held back from making any modifications). The key-tar sat against her hip, it wasn't the exact same model as the one she had but it would do it's job just fine.

Checking once, twice, up until the 12th or so testing when she finally felt everything was ready to go. Marina wanted to give her best, partially to give this new world a taste of off the hook, and because well.. She owed her best to Deep cut. And Pearl- who was absent currently, who she hopes is safe and okay, who she was truly afraid to perform without-

“Hm? Oh, that’s right. ” Marina releases one of the turning pins from between her index and thumb, then returns the smile with one of her own. Despite her overall calm demeanor, the tips of her tentacles twitch with worry. “I'll follow your lead; the crowd won't even know what hit them.”

The show must go on, that's how the saying goes, right? Marina couldn't let her mind wander off right before the show.

@moraypower > pedaltothemegalodon

SPIRALE GAMES EVENT: RANK IT TO THE TOP

Despite unfortunate circumstances that came about recently, the Games would not yet come to an end. There were still prizes to be won and talent to be put out on display, and Shiver found that opportunity with their team in one of the performing studios they'd seen on TV monitors around the city. Instruments and other musical equipment were present and prepared for use, with the camera aimed right at center-stage to put their first show in the city out there.

Even without a complete band between them, this new alliance could prove fruitful yet!

"Marina! At that concert we played together, you said you've memorized every Deep Cut song ever written, right?" Their fingers rap against the folded-up fan they hold, a smile cropping up as they worked up their own anticipation. "I think we can put together something special to send out on the Spirale airwaves, don't you agree?"

@dj-iida > moraypower

[amerhauser]

It was a close call to be slammed accidentally from a door as her survival instincts kicked in to evade it. Beatrix had never seen a being like that as... she had no clue what kind of race she was but at least she's not a shambling corpse which is better. Got to admit, this ward is almost like Germany... well almost but not exact.

Seems that she's talking to the manager while the German is just looking at her. Just minding her business, there is a question that asked towards her.

Is she a band member? Well, the answer is revealed right there, no sugarcoating.

"Eigentlich…" It took her a little time to continue her words but she is now after a she scratches her head behind.

"Nein, ich bin nicht in der Band. Ich bin nur ein Mädchen, das die japanische Kultur und so liebt." Beatrix admitted herself that she's no band member that just a German who loves Japanese culture. Knowing she never met different races, this one is new to her eyes as she asked.

"So etwas wie Sie habe ich hier noch nie gesehen. Was für ein Wesen bist du?" Wondering for a response from the other.

@amerhauser liked x for a starter!

Even as summer was dwindling, Sunset Circuit was still a fairly bustling branch for those who sought to partake in a certain environmental aesthetic, those who enjoyed seeing the sun stretch across the horizon, shimmering off the rolling tides. Its stores were never so packed as those in Golden often would turn out to be but still got quite a lively flow of customers. RE:CORE in particular always seemed to have some people perusing its selections, seeking out tunes and bops from beyond the city's pocket of the multiverse to entice the eardrums and keep them satisfied.

Of course, there was no pleasing everybody, as would be evident by a particular Octoling storming out the door, nearly hitting the person unlucky enough to be right outside.

"-the nerve of them, thinking they- ah!" A quick stumbling step back keeps them from running into the blonde woman, who they blink a couple of times at. Perhaps an apology for the near-collision was running through their head... "Oh! Well, that was almost unfortunate, but it seems you perfect timing!" Or not. At least they were smiling now. "I've got something like a social experiment I'm running, and I'd like you to help! If you were- HEY!" A hand holding a folded-up paper fan jabs back to point at the store manager, who'd been trying to talk over them. "I'm trying to prove a point here! Just stay there, zip your lips, and ready your apology, okay?" Their attention turned right back to the woman they'd nearly collided with. "Sorry...anyway! If you were part of a really famous band, it'd be ridiculous and insulting for some ill-informed shop owner-" A venomous glare back toward the desk. "-to try and make you pay for music you helped make, right?"

[indomitableblackdragon]

Out of anything NJ thought could happen when she left her home being splattered by some kind of goop was not something she ever considered. Not that there wasn't a possibility, given how strange everyone in Spirale was but it was just pretty low on the totem pole. Someone throwing a water balloon, a person sleeping on her doorstep, and finding a lost animal were all things higher than that, and neither of the three managed to happen just yet.

Of course she didn't have much time to contemplate the idea more, with a question being brought to the BB's attention, only getting a scratch from her head even thinking about how to answer it.

"I have never heard of an "ink weapon" before in my entire life. You mean like a cannon or something that could shoot ink? A spray can? Both attached to each other? I mean I didn't have my guns back when I got here but neither of them shot ink."

@indomitableblackdragon liked x for a starter!

..oooOOOoooo-TIK-tk-t. Such was the faint whistling of a toy arrow flying through the air and clattering at the foot of someone who'd just exited their house in Fibonacci, the ground beneath it lightly spattered with the goop that tipped the end of it. Just a moment later, a cry of "Hey, that's mine! Hold on a second- I'll get it!" heralded the arrival of the one who fired the arrow, lightly panting for a moment before they leaned down to pick it up. Judging by their face, they were none too pleased with some aspect of the current state of affairs.

"Gwuh. This thing hardly even leaves a dapple of whatever this stuff on it is, much less the ink trail I need it to! I'm sure Sheldon would laugh if he saw me having to use this thing..." It was only after this musing that they remembered the strange person who'd nearly been pelted by the pitiful projectile they'd propelled, to whom their attention turned. "Excuse me! Do you know where I might be able to buy ink weapons that are actually worth something? Whoever dropped me off here, what they gave me isn't cutting it." She figured that was on purpose and there wouldn't be such possibilities open to her, but better to try their luck and receive a negative response than to let an opportunity slip by, right?

[moraypower]

Shiver's statement, small semblance of an attempt to diffuse the situation as it might have been, served in practice as little more than additional fuel poured atop an already out of control wildfire. The indifferent, detached tone in each of her words rang in Frye's ears far more prominently than the message did itself, poking and stinging like an urchin against already heightened nerves.

"You want me to-- GWAH!"

Pain lanced through her gut like the shock of an electric eel as Shiver's knee shot up into it, gasping out a forceful, heavy wheeze through her beak. Seemed that this time, the air being knocked out of her lungs with shock wasn't merely a metaphor.

But pained wincing lasted only for a split second. The shot of racing adrenaline bursting through her ink had her instinctively trying to wrench her shoulder back away from Shiver's unnervingly steady grip, vision of the world blurring together with the shimmering heat of an ever mounting fury. A rumbling growl accompanied by a bright flash of yellow signified an abrupt shift into squid form, taking quick advantage of suddenly smaller size and slippery body in order to push herself free to the pavement below.

The momentum behind the movement was much too fast, concrete stinging and scraping at her body as she tumbled over it without a single thought of caution given to her landing. Not that such a thing was anywhere near the front of her mind right now; already was she surging back up into the fray, hands barely having enough time to shift back into place as she threw her whole body weight forward, the action punctuated by a venomous, tumultuous shriek that ripped out from the back of her throat.

"Whaddaya mean, until YOU succeed?!"

Anywhere that she could manage to find hold against pale skin in the midst of the reckless tackle, purple-tipped fingers dug deep without a second thought, tightening into a harsh squeeze as her fiery verbal assault continued to erupt forth.

"I'M the only one doing ACTUAL WORK! If you were a real leader, you'd ACT. But you're just sitting around like a COWARD! All you ever do is hold us BACK!"

Any onlooker would've felt the tension stretched near to its breaking point in the seconds following Shiver's words. Ironically enough, the sensation was lost on the colder performer. They'd just continued to do nothing but spit facts, and any retort that Frye could manage wouldn't compare. The truth couldn't really be refuted, right? They didn't dislike Frye, of course, but they knew where each of their strengths lay. Getting Big Man back would require scheming, gathering info to form a plan and keeping to it- things they were more proficient at, qualities that had helped them run the Anarchy Splatcast for so long. If she thought for a moment, surely Frye would see the point they were-

"Gah-!"

A stinging pain lingered in red-tipped fingers, eyes drawn to the sidewalk below. That was their long-beloved fan- a valuable instrument of performance and rather stylish accessorizing, emblazoned with none other than the Hohojiro clan emblem- qualities Frye was well aware of, yet she'd attack to risk damaging it so carelessly?! How...

How...typical. Shiver had long known that her reactions frequently lay squarely on the side of emotion rather than reason, and that they themselves were the more level-headed one. They couldn't even be upset about the fan, because why stop to deal with that right now? The drawstring bag of dark chocolates dropped on the ground now was equally inconsequential. Their attention drew up to Frye's display of intimidation, just in time to throw their left arm up to block her right swing. The impact left their joints groaning in protest- she'd always been better at fighting, especially when it came to overwhelming attacks. But that just made every moment more valuable.

An annoyed click of their tongue preceded their response. "I prefer my efforts to actually work." That left arm threw itself over Frye's extended right one and hold it tight, the other hand going to press hard against her left shoulder to attempt to keep it at bay as well. "This isn't an easy problem to think of a solution for, but you'll thank me when I try and succeed in getting Big Man back. Until then, maybe simmer down a bit."

Though their words invoked the idea of defusing the violent situation, they kept their hold on Frye's upper half firm as they brought a knee up to try and drive it into her gut.

[moraypower]

Staring down at the blaring sound of the familiar, cheerful ringtone, Frye didn't even notice the way that her body had went rigid, nor how her lip curled back to bare her beak at the face on the screen. The name and icon should have been a comfort, a tether of familiarity to her beloved home, to their band and everything else that they had created together.

But right now, the sight just tasted like a well of anger and bitter regret on the back of her tongue, reminding her all too keenly of the bruises across her body-- and of the ones she was sure she had dealt out to Shiver herself.

A moment of hesitance, a single beat passing in time, before she slammed her thumb down on the decline button with a low growl. It was hard to push away the twisting pang of guilt that immediately followed the action, but push it away she did, shoving her phone back into her pocket and storming off to grab some of the chocolates sitting on display for herself.

If Shiver wanted to talk to her, she knew the way a real Splatlandian would do it was still with their fists; Frye wasn't about to back down on that idea now.

Suddenly Frye's phone began to ring. Amidst the upbeat ringtone she definitely had chosen, a glance down at the screen showed the caller ID.

Shiver

🔴 🟢 Decline  Accept

[moraypower]

Frye almost hadn't noticed that there was someone else hanging around this area of the kingdom at all, and would have walked straight by if they hadn't spoken up when they did. She was passing through the far outskirts of town, a place where very few members of Opalaria's populace liked to visit unless they were specifically looking for trouble, especially this late at night. It was a fact that only went doubly so as of late; those creepy Mist Reapers that had started to show up whenever the sun fell made sure of that.

However, the idea of running into one of them herself hardly phased the siren. Weird and disturbing as they were, she was more than used to getting into a few scraps, and knew how to get herself out of trouble just as easily as she got herself into it! Besides, so far, they'd been leaving her and the rest of the townsfolk alone anyways.

But the general air of fear they had placed in everyone meant that she had still been expecting to be alone out here, and the sound of her name being called as she made her way past one of the many shady alleyways out here made her jump, spinning on her heels to face the person responsible with a jolt.

A few things became obvious to her immediately as she looked at them, blinking. For one, this was definitely another siren. Even through the human disguise, she knew another of her kind when she saw one, especially with the late hour betraying mutual bioluminescent freckling upon them both. They looked winded, exhausted even as they were pulling themself back onto their feet, as if they had just been running from something; but the next realization was much stranger and made Frye take pause, brow furrowing before she could open her mouth to ask if they were okay.

They were staring at her, which wouldn't have been super unusual in of itself, what with the reputation she had built for herself over the years; she had figured that was why they knew her name already, too. But for some reason, their tone was filled to the brim with shock and incomprehensible relief, speaking to her as if something about her being here was out of the ordinary.

Her lips pulled down into a puzzled frown as she tilted her head to one side, fixing the stranger with a quizzical look.

"Uh... 'course I'm here. I live here!"

"You already got my name, so how 'bout you give me yours now, yeah?"

@moraypower

Shiver hadn't felt so unsafe in a long time. First the entire weird world they'd been spirited off to had completely warped into something different, as well as they themselves having changed into some sort of weird ocean monster person. Somehow they innately knew how to change between that form and one that looked more like a human, which seemed to be less suspicious to the people around here, good for laying low while they figured out the whole deal of how to get out of here. They just wanted to wake up from this weird, bad dream and not be alone anymore.

And thus the sea monkey's paw curled a finger in, as within a week's time a very familiar face showed up: their own, trying to fight them and...merge? It's what it looked like, but they weren't going to allow it! Using some of the new weird magic gifts they'd discovered, Shiver managed to beat back their Mist Reaper and escape its clutches. But even as safety was assured, they kept running and running and running like hell. As if somehow it would help them escape.

But they couldn't run forever, certainly not in this human form. Their legs turned to jelly, their breath tore at their throat, and a very uncomfortable wall was their only support as they fell over, sliding down to their knees. Tears began to prick up at the corners of their eyes, blinked back furiously on instinct. As if there was anyone here to see them cry in the first place. But they couldn't help it. It was how they'd cultivated their own behavior. They only ever cried when they were alone, or when the only ones around were Big Man and-

"...Frye?"

They'd brought their attention upward, looking around to make sure there was nobody to see them come so close to shedding tears. Only one other person- a Siren, like themselves, only she wasn't disguised. It was absolutely a form they hadn't seen before, but...the long ears, the way the tentacles atop her head fell...the way she carried herself...as Shiver brought themselves to their feet, the life they'd lived for many years with that fiery Inkling flashed in their mind, focused on cutting right through every skin-deep change. They could see this Siren for who they really were.

"Frye, that...that's you, isn't it? You're really here!!"