Chapter Text
Marina stepped off the Manta Maria; they had just docked at Inkopolis, the cultural hub of the Inkling World and the trading world.
Pearl had instructed Marina to do some translating between the vendors. While Inkopolis was an inkling dominated nation it was still very diverse with many Octolings emigrating from Octo Valley due to her father’s dictatorship. It was a safe bet to have an Octarian translator in case they met an emigrant who wasn’t fluent.
Marina walked through the market at a steady pace behind Pearl. The shops lined up in the narrow stone streets almost resembled Octo Valley. Even each shop was adorned with similar wooden shingles to the ones from back home.
It was Marina’s first time in Inkopolis and she was mesmerized by the city. She had read about it in her studies but seeing it in person was all the more stunning. The plaza tower was especially an amazing sight, its stature looming over the city standing proud. Marina had read that it used to serve as a lighthouse but had long since fallen out of order and now served as a tourist attraction.
Pearl stopped at one of the shops; “The Prawn Shop”, According to the wooden sign above the door. Marina followed her inside the door ringing as she stepped in.
The shop smelled of seafood and waiters were running around. It looked mostly like a restaurant but with a small counter in the back that was scattered with all kinds of jewelry from pearls to shimmering emeralds.
The captain made her way through the waiters running around the place and stepped up to the back counter.
Pearl faced the old scruffy Octoling woman manning the booth and asked “You speak Inklish?”
The woman shrugged “A little. Octarian better.”
Pearl looked up at Marina and said “I’m gonna say something and you’ll translate it in Octarian aight’?” She nodded in agreement.
Marina said in Octarian; “I’m the Inklish translator.” The woman nodded, arms crossed as she chewed on a toothpick.
Pearl nudged Marina before speaking; “I’ve got 4 crates worth of gold back on my ship, what can I get for that?” Marina translated and the woman seemed fairly shocked.
“I can do bout’ 80,000 G.” The woman shrugged and Marina translated into Inklish.
Pearl slammed her fists on the table “Bullshit!” Almost the whole restaurant whipped their heads around at them. Marina whispered the Octarian translation softly and the woman seemed mildly annoyed at the most.
“I can raise to 90,000 G at the most, take it or leave it.” The woman slammed down a pouch of G and slid it towards Pearl.
Pearl was practically fuming after Marina translated “I can’t even get a shellout with that pocket change!” Marina had some trouble translating but got a somewhat coherent message to the woman who seemed unimpressed.
“We’re leaving.” Pearl grabbed Marina by the wrist and dragged her out of the restaurant. “I think I got a better place we can try, hopefully they won't try and scam the shit out of me.” Pearl said, leading Marina along to who knows where.
(Perspective change cuz I said so, LOSER)
Pearl stopped in front of a different shop and the sign said, “Stylish Squids” She opened the door for Marina and the two went in. The store was partially a boutique but they were more well known amongst the pirate business to also deal in trade no questions asked. Pearl had never personally been but they were reputable enough.
The insides were an organized chaos just as you’d expect from Inkopolis. The trendiest clothing in all colors and styles littered the walls. There were hats and jewelry stuck anywhere else there was space. ‘Who even had the money to run a shop like this?’ Pearl thought to herself.
Pearl stepped up to the counter where a tired looking yellow haired inkling was working. “Yo I got 4 crates of gold, what you pay for that?” Pearl asked the worker.
The yellow haired inkling pulled out a sheet of paper detailing the current rates of gold in Inkopolis and pointed to the appropriate price.
Pearl smirked, “Perfect, we’ll bring it later this afternoon.”
Later that afternoon Pearl and Marina stopped by the shop yet again and the Inkling was still there but there were two girls shouting at each other in the middle of the shop. Pearl almost immediately realized the two as Callie and Marie due to their unique hairstyles not well concealed by their hats. She soon after realized the worker at the counter was in fact Three, their captain.
The reason she recognized the three was that they used to be the most notorious pirates but recently mysteriously vanished, Pearl was pretty well acquainted with them and they were relatively non violent with one-another. Who knew that the Squid Sisters were really just hiding out in Inkopolis and running such a quaint store. It was honestly a miracle no one realized it was them with their flimsy disguises.
Pearl didn’t really want to bug them as it was obvious they were trying to stay on the down low. It wasn’t truly a surprise they weren't recognized as pirates weren’t known to be the smartest, simply the strongest.
The two set down the crates near the entrance and Pearl stepped up to the counter; “Yo we got the goods pay up.”
Captain Three nodded and started counting G from the cash register but before she could receive the cash someone called out from behind her “Waiiiiiiit I remember you!”
Pearl turned around and saw Callie waving to her. “Long time no see. Who would’a thought y’all just hanging out in Inkopolis like this.” Pearl laughed. Marina gave Pearl a confused look and she explained “They’re some pirate friends who retired. They used to be the big shots before we came in.”
Marina looked intrigued and soon enough Callie came bouncing over, her usual peppy self with Marie dragging behind her. “Oh my cod! I love your hair!” Callie said fawning over Marina who not knowing how to react just timidly nodded and smiled along.
“I see Callie's usual self.” Pearl remarked to Marie.
“Yeah.” Marie shrugged, a smile tugging on her lips. “Who’s your little friend anyways? I don’t really remember her.”
“Oh she’s new. Met her over at Octo Valley a while ago.”
Marie nodded and asked“Why are you guys here anyways?”
“Business.” Pearl shrugged, both of them knew what that meant.
Marie scoffed “Can’t believe you still do that crap.”
“Please, business is the reason you’re rich now. Plus you’re practically as greedy as me, if you’re so opposed to pirate business then why you still purchase from them?” Pearl glared at the shopkeeper with a scowl.
Marie put a hand to her chest “Excuse me? You are the scum of the earth. Taking money from people who earned it. At least I’m doing real business.”
The two were at each other's necks ready to break out into a brawl while Marina and Callie were talking about fashion. “I guess you don’t want our 4 crates of gold. I’m sure someone else would take it no questions asked.” Pearl said nonchalantly as she picked up a crate.
Marie jabbed a finger to Pearl’s chest “You get out of my shop I don’t give a fuck about your fake stolen gold.”
Pearl slapped her hand away “Your loss whore.” The captain grabbed Marina’s hand and stormed out of the shop. The two went to another store and eventually secured the deal after some bartering.
Pearl stepped onto the upper deck and Marina followed suit. “What happened back at the squid sister’s shop? I thought you were good friends with them?” Marina asked as Pearl lurched over the ship. Marina put a hand on Pearl's shoulder in condolence.
“I’m an asshole Rin’a. I’m a fucking criminal who lies and steals. I’ve even ruined your life too. I’m quite frankly the scum of the earth. I mean it’s not like I’m any worse than those two but at least they stopped already.” Pearl slumped, leaning her head on her hand as she stared into the sunset. The octoling stayed silent, unsure of what to say. She just stood beside Pearl also staring off.
“Why did you become a pirate?” Marina asked in a soft voice as she looked down sympathetically at the inkling.
“I was young and my village got pillaged by some pirates and my two brothers and I were taken as prisoners. I did what I had to do and I committed mutiny and became this thing's captain.” Pearl patted the side of the boat.
Marina rested her head on top of Pearl’s “You did what you had to though?”
Pearl chuckled, “I guess.”
“We’re still alive and that’s really all that matters.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” Pearl smiled and instinctively took Marina’s hand in hers.