#【💎】✦✧✦【ＲＵＢＹ】

[orbitaldeathwoomy]

@heroesxdemons said:

Happy Holidays! Beebz got Koa some of the latest games and manga, Zas got everyone the latest and freshest clothes on the market and Symphony baked everyone cookies! (Oh no.) Don't worry, this time it was a lucky batch and they tasted great, if you ignored how weird they looked.

"I'm just. Not gonna ask how that kid afforded all that..."

"Neither am I, but it's cool regardless. And look, Zas even got stuff for you."

[Dion is quiet (for once) as he opens his gift from Zas.]

"...Ha! No way! I've been eying this stuff since I saw it in the shops! How'd you know??"

[Cerrin has already torn into the wrapping paper that was wrapped around his gift, and is wearing the hoodie Zas had gifted him.]

"You actually found this in my size?? Thank you so much!"

"........."

[Ursula is silent as she looks at her new clothes.]

"...Sis? Is everything okay?"

"Do I really deserve this...?

[At that moment, Ruby bursts into the room, wearing the outfit Zas gave her and holding the plate of cookies Symphony made.]

"Of course you do! And you should try these cookies! If you can get past... uh... how they look, they're actually really good!!"

"I... don't think I will..."

[orbitaldeathwoomy]

"Right? It's been over a week, you'd think someone would've fixed it by now!"

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE SQUIDBEATZ MACHINE IS BROKEN!? I TRAVELLED HOURS TO GET HERE!!!'

[orbitaldeathwoomy]

Cerrin discovers the face of "Parallel Canon"

(based on this headcanon)

[orbitaldeathwoomy]

[The next day, the squad is hanging out at Ruby's place as usual, and...]

"WHAT??"

[Cerrin flinches a little when Ruby shouts.]

"Your dad blackmailed Ursula's and my parents??"

"What was he thinking?! They could have really hurt him????"

"I mean, it seemed to get them to back off--??"

"Did they say anything as they left?"

"I don't know, I was kind of in shock half the time--"

"Dude, it sounds like they knew they lost... That's good, right??"

[Cerrin stops to take a breath, trying to keep himself and everyone everyone else calm as he searches for a way to answer all their questions.]

"Look, I'm not sure what he was thinking or how he came out of it unscathed, but I do know that the dirt he had on them was huge."

[Everyone else falls silent in anticipation of what else he has to say.]

"Apparently, those files Koa dug up had to do with a scandal they covered up."

"What kind of scandal? C'mon, spill it!"

"Uh..."

[Koa looks over to Cerrin, noticing the unsure look in his eyes.]

"...Maybe we should drop it for now."

"Y-Yeah! What matters is that my dad is safe and those jerks are gone. We should be happy!"

"I guess you're right.... Still wanna know what they did, though..."

[As things settle down a bit and everyone starts to go back to doing their own thing, Ursula moves to sit next to her brother on the couch. Her voice is soft when she speaks.]

「If you want to talk about anything later, you know I'm always here for you.」

「Yeah... I might have to take you up on that...」

[orbitaldeathwoomy]

happy pride month, have the squad™️ but with the colors of their pride flags

[orbitaldeathwoomy]

[A few weeks later, everyone is hanging out at Ruby's home once more. Cerrin's wounds have healed enough to that he can move his arm a bit more... But, another problem has begun to plague him.]

"Ugh, really?"

[His phone is sending him alerts nonstop, to the point where he can barely scroll through his Squidder feed for five seconds without one popping up. He groans and dismisses the alerts, before blocking the number they're coming from.]

"Let me guess: It's our parents again."

"Yeah. I don't know how they even got either of our numbers, or the cash to keep buying burner phones to harass us with, but they just won't stop..."

"I get the feeling..."

"...Well, maybe not the exact feeling, but I know what it's like to be constantly bothered by parents you want nothing to do with."

"With how relentless they've been, I'm worried they'll come here or to my apartment again and try something..."

"What could they possibly have to say that they haven't already?"

"Oh, you know, just threats, telling me what a disgrace and failure I am, ultimatums..."

"...Lying about how ""proud"" they were of me before I left, making demands, more threats..."

"Talk about the works..."

"Cod... What makes them think any of that's okay?"

"My bet's on the fact that they just don't care."

[Ruby, who has been silent this whole time, finally decides to speak, putting her phone down on the arm of the couch before she looks toward the others.]

"Y'know... My dad said he found some dirt on them in the files Koa sent over."

"...What kind of dirt?"

"He didn't say, but from what I can gather it's something big. I think he's planning something."

"That's... concerning..."

"I hope he doesn't intend to confront them... I don't want him to put himself in danger for us."

"I don't know what he’s gonna do. But he seems confident in whatever he has up his sleeve..."

[orbitaldeathwoomy]

the squad™️

picrew here (i had to mirror the one for Koa bc her eye was on the wrong side lmao)

[orbitaldeathwoomy]

@tfsroleplay said: 🌸 for ruby! || Muses & mothers

🌸: My muse talks about their mother.

"Oh, I never really knew my mom."

"But, it's not a super big deal! She just... died when I was really young, so I don't really have any idea of my own about what she was like."

"But my dad... He always said that she was a kind, creative, and beautiful person. She was a little clumsy, and wasn't the best cook, but her heart was always in the right place and she always did her best to help whoever needed it. She was talented too, and a lot of the designs she came up with for her and dad's gear brand are some of Annaki's most popular!"

[Ruby laughs a little.]

"They were so in love, from what he's told me and what I can see from the photos he's shown me of them together. She looked so happy with him, and even though I never really knew her I'm glad I had a mom as great as her."

[orbitaldeathwoomy]

Saying she was dumbfounded was an understatement. Ruby had no idea what was going on, from the bouncing purse to the girl who somehow popped out of it like some sort of magician... She couldn't believe it!

Watching as the other girl flitted from place to place in the city square, the ruby-red Inktoling couldn't help but wear a somewhat concerned look. Clearly, this person wasn't from here -- She didn't look like any sort of inkfish or other sea life that lived in Inkopolis or Splatsville... But, they spoke the same language funnily enough, so at least she could make sense of what the other was saying.

When she finally introduced herself, Ruby gave her a nod. She was still confused, but that wasn't any reason to be impolite, right?

"Okay... Zas." An interesting name, to say the least. "I'm Ruby. Would you... mind telling me what's going on?"

While Ruby was having a crisis trying to figure Zas's whole deal...the mystery girl herself was zooming left to right, trying to get a good look at her surroundings as her mouth gaped in awe. "Whooooa, I don't know where the heck I am but this place is amazin'! So many lights, so many colors, so many...*sniff sniff* food!" Before Ruby could stop her, Zas went over to an innocent squid aaaaand swiped a french fry from his burger platter and ate it.

"Hmm....Yup that's potato alright! Tasty too, wherever this is at least I can eat stuff~" Leaving the befuddled squid behind, Zas wandered back over to Ruby.

"Oh right, silly me, guess I should introduce myself right? You can call me Zas. Or if you wanna be funny, you can call me Zazzy or maybe Zasafras." Yeah those aren't even nicknames, she's just making it up for laughs.

"Anyhow, i'm just your friendly neighborhood adventurer~ Although now it's just...friendly but totally lost adventurer. Oopsie."

[orbitaldeathwoomy]

Anonymous said: every single one of them deserves a forehead smooch they deserve nice things

"Exactly! They all deserve nothing but the best, and I'm here to give it to them!"

"Ruby, I think they mean all of us, including you."

"What? But I already have all the nice things I could want, so it's only fair that I give you guys the nice things that you deserve."

"Okay but, since when?"

"Since always!"

"...You're way too good for this world, Ruby."

"So generous..."

[orbitaldeathwoomy]

[A few days later, Koa drops off the laptop containing the stolen Octarian files with Ruby, along with a message for Akihiko. When he gets home Ruby is in the living room, laying on the couch and playing on her phone while she waits for him. When she hears him enter the room, she sits up and smiles at him.]

"Koa's laptop is over there."

[She points to a plain-looking laptop sitting on the end table next to the couch. Akihiko nods and takes the laptop, before sitting down next to her.]

"She told me to tell you that she practically gutted it, and that besides running the OS and viewing the files you asked for it can't do much of anything."

[Ruby then hands him a scrap of paper with what appears to be a long string of random numbers, letters, and symbols written on it.]

"And here's the password to log in!"

"Thank you, Ruby."

[Akihiko takes the slip of paper and turns the laptop on. After logging in, he quickly finds the files he asked Koa to give him and starts looking through them. He's largely silent, until Ruby leans over to see what's on the screen.]

"So what are you looking for?"

"Anything I might be able to use against Cerrin's parents..."

[He continues to search through the files Koa gave him, with Ruby occasionally reading over his shoulder. After what felt like hours, he stumbles upon something...]

「...Interesting.」

[Ruby looks up from her phone and over to him.]

「Did you find something?」

[Akihiko reads through the documents he found buried deep in the file for Cerrin's father, his expression slowly changing into an almost devious one.]

「I think I've struck gold.」

[orbitaldeathwoomy]

[A few hours later, Ruby is outside a hospital room, anxiously waiting to see Cerrin. Her father is there as well, trying to keep her calm as she paces back and forth.]

"Ruby, I know you're concerned, but you need to relax. Cerrin will be alright."

"You didn't see what his father did to him! There was—He was bleeding so much, dad, and I could see the venom just... oozing out! It was horrible!"

[Soon enough, a nurse comes out of the room, and tells Ruby that as long as she's quiet, she can go in and see Cerrin. The Inktoling thanks her profusely before rushing into the room, her father deciding to stay out in the hall for the time being. Cerrin is sitting in the bed next to the window, his entire left shoulder and part of his neck and arm wrapped in bandages. When he hears Ruby enter he turns and gives her a smile.]

"Hey, Ruby."

"I'm so glad you're okay!! How're you feeling?"

"Well, the doctors told me that if my father's claws had gotten any closer to my throat, I probably would have died, and my entire arm hurts like hell... But other than that, I actually feel pretty good all things consid—"

[His thought is interrupted by the rest of the squad entering the room just as quickly as Ruby had, Koa and Dion wearing concerned expressions while Ursula's is ridden with guilt as she focuses on the floor.]

"We got here as fast as we could..."

"You alright?"

"I, uh, can't really move my arm much, but I'm fine, I swear!"

"Cerrin, you do realize how serious that sounds...?"

[Cerrin laughs a little.]

"Yeah, I guess..."

"Dude... How're you so chill about all this? I mean, it's crazy that you've had to go through your father trying to kill you twice."

[It's at this point that Ursula manages to push through her guilt enough to speak to Cerrin. She approaches him slowly, her normally calm blue eyes beginning to well up with tears.]

"I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you."

"Ursula, it was out of your control..."

"But I'm your sister... What's the point of me if I can't keep you safe from people like them?"

[Cerrin pauses, then smiles a little.]

"Hey, c'mon, I lived didn't I? Sure, I'm gonna be a little messed up for a while, but that's no one's fault but our father's."

"I... I suppose..."

[orbitaldeathwoomy]

[Ruby leads Cerrin back to the front door. After a few seconds of silence, she looks over to him.]

"You ready?"

"As I'll ever be..."

[She sighs, before opening the door and gesturing for Tsukuyo and Susano to enter.]

「Please, come in.」

[The two soldiers do so, their gazes focused on Cerrin as they turn to him.]

「You've grown, Cyren.」

「Yeah. No thanks to you.」

[Susano glares at Cerrin, anger beginning to burn in his deep blue eyes.]

「I see living on the surface has taught you nothing but disrespect.」

[Cerrin falls silent. This only pisses his father off further, but before he can lash out Tsukuyo puts her arm in front of him to stop him. She then closes the space between her and Cerrin a bit and moves to touch him, but he immediately takes a step back.]

「Keep your hands off of me.」

[Tsukuyo slaps Cerrin hard across the face.]

「Hey, there's no need for—」

「You've forgotten when to hold your tongue, Cyren.」

[Cerrin glares at her, but remains silent.]

「Now, to the matter at hand... Why did you never return? We thought you were dead.」

「Don't act like you care.」

「You disgrace our family, disgrace the army, then have the nerve to speak to us like that? Your treachery knows no bounds.」

[Cerrin sighs softly.]

「Just tell me why you came here, or leave.」

「Then I'll make this simple, for your sake – Leave this frivolous life and come back underground, or face the consequences of your actions.」

「Like I'd ever let that happen.」

[Tsukuyo and Susano shift their gazes to Ruby.]

「What makes you think you have any say in this, Inktoling?」

[Ruby folds her arms.]

「Oh, I don't know. Maybe it's the fact that you tried to kill him when he decided to get away from your abuse, assumed he was dead when he never came back, and didn't bother to confirm that "death" until now?」

「Cyren is our son. You have no right to dictate—」

「And you have no right to make him leave! He may have been a kid when he came to the surface, but now he's over eighteen and you have no legal control over him anymore! I won't let you take him away!」

[A cruel smile then covers Tsukuyo's face as she moves aside, just enough for Susano to lunge toward Ruby.]

「Know your place, insolent half-breed!」

[Ruby flinches, bracing herself for the inevitable pain of the blue-ringed Octoling's assault... But it never comes. When she opens her eyes, she sees Cerrin standing between them, his father's claws deep in his left shoulder.]

"CERRIN—!"

[Susano rips his fingers out of Cerrin, causing him to stumble back. He's already bleeding badly, blue venom oozing out of his wounds.]

「We look forward to bringing you home, Cyren... So don't die, alright?」

[The two soldiers take their leave, satisfied with the conversation and the damage they'd done. Ruby immediately begins to panic, standing next to him and letting him use her as a crutch.]

"Oh cod, Cerrin, your shoulder...!"

[Cerrin's breathing is labored, his vision blurred slightly as he looks to her.]

"Ruby, you..." [Cue a strained breath.] 「...Are you okay...?」

"Why are you worried about me?? I’m—Oh, never mind, we have to get you to a hospital!"

[She quickly leads him outside to her car, being careful as she helps him into the front passenger seat before hurriedly taking the driver's seat. After a few panicked turns of the key in the ignition the car starts, and she doesn't even acknowledge his parents walking up the street as she speeds past them.]

[orbitaldeathwoomy]

[Ruby remains silent for a moment, with Tsukuyo and Susano looking at her expectantly.]

「Um... Give me a moment.」

[The Inktoling quickly closes the door again, before feigning calmness as she walks away. Once she's sure they can't see her from the house's front windows, she makes a mad dash toward the living room. When she arrives a little out of breath, Cerrin gives her a concerned look.]

"Are you alright?"

"Cerrin, your parents are here and they know you are too."

"WHAT."

"D-Don't panic! All we have to do is keep you out of their sight, and once I convince them that you're not here--"

"Wait, you're planning to deal with them alone??"

"Of course! I can't have them seeing you and trying to... Do whatever the hell they plan to do! So just--"

"No! I'm not letting you put yourself in danger like that! Both of them are dangerous -- my father especially -- and if you don't do what they want, they'll do whatever it takes to make you cooperate!"

"And I'm not letting you put yourself in danger!"

"Ruby, he's a blue-ringed! If he poisons you, you could die!"

"But what about you? You aren't immune to his venom either??"

[Cue a pause, before Cerrin sighs heavily.]

"Look. I already survived it once. And if worse comes to worst, I can again."

"Cerrin..."

"I'm coming with you... So let's just get this over with."

[orbitaldeathwoomy]

[After a few subway train rides and a short walk, Ruby and Cerrin arrive at her home. She unlocks the door and quickly ushers him inside, then hastily re-locks it behind them. She sighs heavily.]

"Okay... We should be good for now."

[Cerrin goes to the kitchen to put all the cake he bought away, with Ruby following close behind. When he's finished, he takes a cupcake out of the box he left on the counter and turns to her.]

"So... I guess you saw my parents while we were out?"

"Yeah, I did! Ursula sounded so worried when she called, too, so I had to get you out of there before they saw you!"

[Cerrin takes a bite out of his cupcake, one brow arched at her.]

"How are you so unconcerned about this??"

"I'm not, but I doubt they'd do something to me out in broad daylight. Too many potential witnesses, y'know?"

"I mean, I guess??"

"And besides, they didn't see me or where we went, right? That means I'm pretty much safe, and we don't have to worry too much."

"Somehow, I'm not so sure about that..."

[Meanwhile, in the shadows a decent distance up the private street Ruby's home is at the end of...]

「Hm. To think he's been hiding somewhere like this... It's almost impressive.」

「Living in the lap of luxury... How unfitting for a traitor. I should go in there right now and--」

「Calm yourself. Acting rashly will only draw attention, and we don't want that.」

「We just need some time to prepare...」

「Tch... Fine.」

[orbitaldeathwoomy]

[A few hours later, in Inkopolis...]

"Cerrin, do you really need all that cake?"

[Cerrin follows Ruby down the street, carrying a short stack of cupcake boxes and a whole cake with one arm.]

"Of course! I'm not the only one in the house who eats them, and if I want them to last longer then a day or two I have to get a lot!"

"Haha, I guess you're right."

[Cerrin moves to fish his phone out of his pocket, turning it off "Do Not Disturb" mode... Only to be bombarded my "missed call" alerts from his sister.]

"...Guess I should have left my phone on..."

[He quickly dials Ursula's number, laughing a little when she picks up.]

"Hey, Ursula! What's--"

"Where are you right now?"

"Uh... Ruby and I just left Sweetfish Bakery, why--"

"Our parents are here on the surface, and you need to get somewhere safe. Now."

"Wait, what? Are you su--"

[Ruby, having heard Ursula, suddenly takes Cerrin by his shoulders and starts leading him away. When he looks to her, confused, she takes his phone and starts talking.]

"Ursula, its Ruby. Your father is a blue-ringed with dark purple tentacles, and your mom has the same color as Cerrin with two pieces of kelp tied up in her bun, right?"

"Yes."

[Ruby takes a breath.]

"Okay. I promise I'll get Cerrin somewhere safe. Talk to you later."

[Ruby ends the call and shoves Cerrin's phone into her jacket pocket, before quickly guiding him up the sidewalk.]

"Uh... Ruby? What're you doing? What's going on??"

"I'll explain later, okay? Right now, we have to get on a train and go home."

"But, isn't your car parked down the other way??"

[Meanwhile, a certain pair of soldiers are standing outside the train station in the opposite direction.]

「Tsukuyo, I can't make sense of this damned map.」

「.........」

「Are you even listening to me?」

[Tsukuyo continues looking up the street, her gaze focused on Ruby... But, before the Inktoling can disappear into the crowds, Tsukuyo notices something vaguely familiar about the person she seems to be leading away from them.]

「It wouldn’t be so difficult if you could actually read Inklish, Susano. Not that we need that thing.」

「What exactly are you saying?」

「I'm saying forget the map, follow me, and keep quiet.」