Chapter Text
You looked outside the window of the fast moving train, trying to process everything that had been going on with your friends these past few days. Could you even consider them friends? You guys barely talked. All you knew is that there was some weird-ass cyber attack or something on the television and the world stopped for a moment.
You took a deep breath and opened up your phone, mindlessly scrolling until the train stopped suddenly. You almost threw your phone which caused you to fumble to catch it. You let out an embarrassed chuckle as you quickly stood up, looking around at the strangers and began to make your way to the exit of the carriage you were on.
You looked around at the new surroundings, taking a deep breath in and processing your surroundings. The tall buildings with a slightly unfamiliar language surrounded the area. The air was filled with excited chatter and faint music as you slowly began to walk around, your bags in your hands. Luckily for you, Meggy knew some of the language and was willing to teach you what she knew (which was shockingly a fair amount.)
You looked around at the crowds and realised that you were being stared at by a group (Probably for your weird appearance). You should've expected this, you weren't an Inkling OR Octoling, You were like some exotic creature in a zoo to them. You gave them a shy wave and moved along, feeling slightly on edge. You've been here for 5 minutes and you're already feeling like this, great..
You sat at a nearby bench and grabbed a snack out of your bag, knowing that the food around here wasn't the safest for you. You went to put your bags to the spot next to you until someone sat next to you. Unknowingly, you put your bags on them. You would've looked at them and apologised, but you felt like you were paralysed. You've been here for only 10 minutes and this type of shit has already happened.
"Excuse me?" The stranger spoke, looking down at you with her eyebrows furrowed.
This is what snapped you out of your trance. You moved your bags and looked up, your face bright red.
"Sorry Ma'am! I didn't know you were sat there, honest!-" You could feel the sweat on your forehead as you apologise over and over again. "It won't happen again-" You continued, you really should've stopped by now.
You eventually shut up when a finger was placed over your lips, which was...weirdly comforting but strange for a stranger to do. The finger was quickly removed from your face when you shut up
"It's chill." The stranger said "Worse happens than just placing your bags down on someone, y'know?" She laughed, leaning back with her arms laid on the back of the bench.
"Tourist?" She asked, knowing the obvious answer "Why'd you come here?"
How do you explain that...How do you explain that your friends were terrorised by a TV man without sounding completely insane. You simply nodded at her question, trying to come up with a convincing lie.
"Just...felt like going somewhere new! Home life has been...something-" You tapped your index finger on your knee as you spoke, still sweating. "A friend recommended here-"
"Would I know them?" The stranger questioned, tilting her head slightly. Its not often outsiders know of Inkopolis, especially humans. She was messing with the collar on her shirt whilst she waited for an answer from you, confused on why you were so nervous.
You looked at her, calming down slightly. "Well...Maybe? She's from here...I think-"
You shrugged as you said that last bit, you didn't really know much about Meggy's past and you didn't bother to ask. You were admittedly curious, of course, but it would be awkward if it ended up making her awkward or upset.
You noticed the stranger holding out her hand, ready for you to shake. You wiped your hand on your shirt and shook her hand
"Desti." She smiled, shaking your hand somewhat firmly. You just replied with your name in the same fashion
"Reader."
"Nice to meet you-" She let go of your hand and looked away, putting some gum in her mouth and chewing on it, blowing a small bubble shortly after. You nodded in reply to this, smiling back. You looked up at the sky, thinking to yourself. 'At least SOMEONE seems nice enough here..' You thought to yourself before realising...
You never booked a hotel room!