#tftdchumblr

[tales-from-the-domes]

Hey yall! Devon here. I’m excited to release my podcast: Tales From The Domes! It’s to shed light on the Octarians. While prejudice towards Octos has decreased, I still see people who are bitter. I was raised in the domes and I believe my stories would help!

OOC: New character hehe.

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[tales-from-the-domes]

[transcript of TFTD EP 1. This has been edited to be clearer for the audience]

Hello, Devon here. On this episode of Tales From The Domes I’ll be diving in to the mindsets many Octarians had, along with the desperate scramble that led to the Great Zapfish of inkopolis plaza being stolen a decade ago.

It is no secret that the octarian army lost the Great Turf War. This loss was heavy on them as they believed they had the stronger machinery, and that they were more trained and prepared for a struggle. However, at the final battle where Judd raised the flag a final time, the Octarians had to accept their losses to the Inklings and went underground. Octarian’s have always had strong pride, and despite their losses they held on to it.

Due to a mixture of old mindsets and passed down propaganda against Inklings, we were viewed as lazy and materialistic. A general distaste continued to be held towards them. This only grew and grew as information as the underground domes were very secluded from the outside world. The domes were strong and impressive structures, but as time went on the power eggs we traded to run them could only do so much.

Domes were the underground structures Octarians lived in. While life was strict, the technology was unique and rather advanced. To get from different Domes you transported through Kettles.

Over time, it became much more difficult to maintain power as the reserves went lower and lower. Times became desperate as the Octarians knew their lives were on the line if they didn’t find a new way to get idea. The leader, DJ Octavio, saw that his people were rapidly losing hope. That’s when he decided he needed a change. He would save his people no matter the cost.

Stealing the Great Zapfish wasn’t going to be an easy task, but it was their best bet. Led by Octavio’s morale boosting beats, the Octarians began to make a move as finally their future seemed brighter.

That’s it for today! On my next episode I’ll talk about the taking of the Zapfish and the events that led up to the first Calimari Inkantation performance.

[tales-from-the-domes]

I decided to spend the day in Inkopolis square and right as I was about to head home, I saw some guy in full octarian armor run by. He had a splatana. He looked very familiar. Think he helped me get an H-3 Nozzlenose?

Issue is he ran into the metro. I hope he knows what he’s doing. He did have a splatana on his back so hopefully he can defend himself. I… couldn’t make myself chase after him.

Anyway I got back into splatsville, and next thing I know I see a faint glow go past me. Ok- a glow fly here and there happens. But then I saw a few more flying in the same direction.

A few salmonids and… Novel. Because of course she was there. All were chasing this guy, and more salmonids were all joining. At first I thought I saw a Goldie but… the scales aren’t glowing. They were more reflective. Once the guy got splatted, they mentioned something about him seeming like someone from the plaza. The crazy part was the salmonids all being confused as to why glowflies appeared. Especially the one I mistook for a Goldie.

I couldn’t be bothered to go by. Besides I wore my swim reaper mask out and it glows. I knew I should have worn the gas mask.

So that’s how my day went.

[tales-from-the-domes]

[Transscript TFTD: The Truth of the Deepsea Metro]

This is a topic I’ve been holding back on for a long time, but I think it’s appropriate for current events. I’ve also slowly become more comfortable with myself, and I wish to share my experiences as an inkling who was in the deep sea metro.

[sounds of someone moving around and adjusting their mic]

As I’ve stated before, I spent most of my life in the domes. My moms took care of me and we all tried to leave together, but we ended up separated and captured.

My original name is something I have lost all attachment to. My applicant number was 7312, however I was sometimes called Seven as there were so few inklings down there. My time as a test subject completing stations was short. I was too anxious and overly stressed. After some discussion I was given over to a top scientist who was known as 2222. I quickly became her personal experiment, with her testing her more risky stuff on me. One of the main tests was seeing if it was possible to sanitize someone repeatedly. This is why my scars are the color they are. Even with ink flushes, I can’t change the color of my ink. I uh…well my ink has been made safe with these methods! But I can’t participate in normal turf wars, if that makes sense.

Oh and. As many of you contacted me before, I’m aware of her name and the fact she has since been back in the metro. I do not consider Anura and 2222 to be the same person in my mind. One is my friend and made attempts to protect me, even if misguided. The other tortured me and saw me as nothing more than her servant. When I say her number, I mean who she had been forced to be. She is a victim like anyone else who was down there, and I’d like that to be remembered.

In my time down there I often was close to her and even required to assist her. This ranged from administering medications to helping her restrain someone to writing down what she said when she was verbalizing her findings. Her behaviors could range from weirdly maternal to completely cruel and brutal. It was unpredictable. She was able to track my every movement because I was forced to wear a shock collar that had some sort of gps. I was watched like a hawk.

As for the others down there? I was very much looked down on, with a few exceptions. Being referred to by my number was treated as a privilege, as often I’d just be referred to as “inkling” and nothing else. If I got in the way I’d be subject to being shoved around or beaten. Punishments in the metro were brutal. Splatted repeatedly, force fed sanitized ink, forced to do stations that were draining physically and mentally, and hard labor are just the ones I can think of. I

[silence, followed by the sounds of shifting around]

I uh. It was a lot. Yeah. Haha.

These were all things many test subjects went through. Most who got trapped would eventually die in some way or another, with others going to what Commander Tartar called “the promised land.” This was a blender he used to create the sludge used to sanitize other inkfish, and what he was going to blast Inkopolis with.

As cruel as many were, I can’t even bring myself to hate them. We’re all still victims. Even the most loyal soldiers had occasional conflicts, but many had consistently learned to shut it down. It was an echo chamber of everyone convincing eachother and themselves of the same lies, over and over again.

A major example of this was an Octoleet known as 1337. Whenever 2222 ever had any doubts, she’d go to 1337. Their talks would always seem to just… reinforce how the other thought. Many of them functioned like that.

The metro is a cruel place, with many, many victims. I know full well they are still going, too. They are weakened though, and despite everything I know I’ll get to watch the remains crumble. I’m certain of it.

Wow ive- talked a lot. I think thats enough for this one. Thank you for listening in. This one means a ton to me, and it’s more important than ever I share my experiences.

[tales-from-the-domes]

[Transscript TFTD Chapter 4]

Hi guys. Welcome back to Tales From The Domes. Today I’m focusing on what happened after the second singing of the Calimari Inkantation.

Octavio was monitored more closely. Callie did attempt to put the hypnoshades back on due to some after effects and would free him. Other than that, he was unable to reach his troops.

As most of the troops no longer felt the need to serve, they slowly tried to reach the surface.

Over time, Octolings did move into Inkopolis. As travel between Inkopolis and Splatsville became easier, it eased relations between Inklings and Octolings when they began to realize they had lived in chaotic harmony.

While some reached towns just fine, many others didn’t, and some still remained loyal to Octavio, helping him return to what he had left.

What happened to them? W-well.

[silence]

Sssorry got sidetracked. Um. Deepsea metro! Right!

How do I even describe it… it’s a haze. I was treated differently for being an inkling there… inferior being… always an inferior- [clears throat] I was looked down on. However I was kept alive and I observed many things.

Anyone unfortunate to be a test subject would first have their memories removed via a process called Sanitization. However, this was only a very mild version of it. The full version was far more extreme

The motivation for completing tests was to be taken to a “promised land.” Many wouldn’t be able to complete the tests and would be sanitized fully. From then on they would be either put in the tests or given another job. Those who could make it would then be tricked into stepping inside a blender. From then…

[mumbling]

Y-you get the picture. The blended would be used to sanitize more victims and then be stored in what would be used in a mass attack. Thankfully that was stopped.

I think I’ll stop here for now…

[some mumbling before a cut off. The episode ends abruptly]

[tales-from-the-domes]

[Transscript TFTD]

Hi guys! Welcome back to Tales From the Domes! I decided I’d make a special episode explaining differences in various Octopia regions. I did careful research to make sure I word all of this respectfully.

Due to where I was found, I was raised really close to the surface and often getting to visit areas. I was specifically raised in Octo Canyon. I was taken care of by two Octolings I considered my moms. While relationships like that were taboo in the domes, it was more common in the ones closer to the surface. We had the privilege of more outside food and clothes, and having access to contraband music. While rules are still strict with restricted media, it’s very much mild compared to other regions.

Before I explain more about Octo canyon, I’d like to acknowledge Octo Valley, which is all but deserted these days. However, the valley didn’t go as deep underground, so the differences are less noticeable.

In Octo canyon, the people close to the surface are either soldiers stationed to work above or wealthier families. It’s the area least affected by the energy crisis.

As you go further down, technology becomes more outdated. Each dome has individual rules and censorship varies. The deeper underground you go, the worse the power crisis is. They often got the lower quality rations as well.

Often, the censorship is more extreme in these domes they tend to have higher security to avoid changing the way they live. Other struggles they have are risks for gas leaks and corruption, however it’s unknown just how bad this is.

Rumor has it that there are domes so far removed from octarian society that they aren’t connected to the rest. These ones are completely isolated and don’t have any contact with octarian military.

While Octolings tend to not be too different at first glance, there are various cultural differences. People from the lower domes tend to have harsher consonants when speaking, remaining extremely formal and sometimes militaristic. Octolings closer to the surface are still fairly formal, but are often more relaxed in comparison.

It is unknown how many are left in the lower domes, however the population of those left in octopia continues to decrease as Octolings continue to integrate into society. However, it should be noted that the higher domes have the noticeable decrease. The lower domes mainly have remained the same, with exceptions of people relocating.

Last anyone has heard, there are new efforts to attempt to unite the Octolings and fix things underground so those that wish to stay can have an ok life style. It could take years before this goal is completed.

That’s all for today. I’d love to answer more on the topic.

[tales-from-the-domes]

[Transcript of TFTD Chapter 3]

Hey guys! Welcome back to Tales From The Domes. Today I’ll be discussing the second theft of The Great Zapfish and everything that happened with it!

After Octavio was defeated, he quickly began to lose morale as some of his soldiers began to disappear. One of the most well known being Marina Ida, an elite who would join the surface and end up one day forming a band with Pearl Houzuki who had formally been with Sashimori. This would go on to become Off The Hook, which has become one of the most famous duos today.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s go back to the final fest of the Squid Sisters, where they both released singles from around that time. Marie won that splatfest, and the two began to have solo careers.

Callie became anxious and her mental health declined during her solo projects. Not much is known about her state during this time as she avoids discussion on it in interviews.

Octavio had been briefly imprisoned in a snow globe but was able to escape as he wasn’t monitored. According to him, his troops spotted Callie going out into Octo Canyon alone. From observing she had no interest in fighting and seemed to always be alone. Eventually a troop of Octolings confronted her and interrogated her, and once it was shown that she had no interest in fighting, it was agreed she would be left alone as long as she acknowledged it was still Octarian Turf and that she wouldn’t bring a fight. She agreed and was allowed to visit.

Originally Octavio was going to leave it at that, but eventually elites suggested a plan: see if Callie would help the Octarians. He laughed at the thought of an Inkling willingly joining, but then they suggested it wouldn’t have to be willingly. The Octarian leader listened carefully to the concept of the hypnoshades. He gave approval and they were made as he started working on spicy new beats. Meanwhile some troops were tasked on talking to Callie and allowing her to explore more so she wouldn’t suspect anything. With support rising, he announced a plan to take the Zapfish of Inkopolis Square when Callie had the hypnoshades.

Kidnapping Callie was done by only two Octolings. They had visited her repeatedly. One has been interviewed and admits to feeling some guilt to tricking Callie, as they had given her gifts before and had heard her vent. She said she told herself she was giving Callie a new outlet. The inkling was gifted the shades, and told to try them on to see if they fit. At this point there was enough trust where this wasn’t an issue. Callie put them on and they immediately activated, meaning there wasn’t really any fight.

The Zapfish was stolen right around this time. The Octarians celebrated as they not only got a potential source of energy back, they had a new star.

Though victory was short lived. Marie, determined to save Callie, recruited someone else to help her. In a musical and emotional battle, Marie knocked the hypnoshades off her cousin. In a turn of events the Inkantation was performed a second time.

I wasn’t there for the second performance, so forgive me for less firsthand knowledge on this episode. The next episode will focus on the aftermath and… a-and [intelligible] -what hap-pened there… yeah!

[tales-from-the-domes]

Now that everyone is freaked out over the octogon I like how it’s quiet on the streets because everything is closed… it feels nice… safe. I saw a salmonid in splatsville today… hope they are ok. I gave them some food I found. Apparently people are blaming it on the fish… the fish are nice. Fish are very nice haha…

[tales-from-the-domes]

[Transcript of TFTD Chapter 2]

Hey guys! Welcome back to Tales From the Dones. Today we are discussing the stealing of the great Zapfish and what that meant for Octarians.

Only the most trained and sophisticated of the Octoleet were chosen for the trip. Failure wasn’t an option, as the plan could not risk exposure. Using their machinery, the Octarians flew into Inkopolis at night, carefully securing the Great Zapfish and bringing it into Octo Valley, along with acquiring several other small Zapfish. For the first time in a long time, the future seemed brighter than ever. The great octo weapons worked brilliantly and DJ Octavio was able to work diligently on making his OctoBot King. The Octarians felt unstoppable.

Then, rumors began. Sightings of an inkling began, one who would eventually be known as an agent for the so called “New Squidbeak Splatoon.”

After the defeat of the Octonozzle, DJ Octavio made an effort to reach out to his enemy. The inkling fighting the troops was nicknamed Agent 3. It was learned that the inkling was trained by none other than Craig Cuttlefish, the inkling who was a leader in The Great Turf War and helped defeat the Octarians.

Octavio was furious to see who it was intervening with his plans. It is known that he and Craig Cuttlefish had some diplomatic relations pre turf war, but that changed quickly as they both were at the front lines together. It’s rumored that it was Captain Cuttlefish himself who gave Octavio his scars.

After the defeat of the Octowhirl, Octavio knew he couldn’t sit around. He took matters into his own hands and squidnapped Captain Cuttlefish. Desperate times called for desperate measures, and he had to do whatever he could for his people. He had to keep their energy sources alive, or else he could lose them. Even if some of his tactics were extreme or desperate, he did whatever it took to try and secure the needs of his people.

It wasn’t long until the other agents went in to support Agent 3. The other octoweapons would eventually fall as they made their way to Octavio himself. He dropped the spiciest beats he had and the fight began as an a strong attempt for the great Zapfish was held. Though, at one point the broadcast for Octavio’s music ended, leading to a song many can only describe as a heavenly melody. Even Octavio continued to DJ as it played. The eyes of the Octarians opened that day. There was more than what they could know. While many either didn’t hear it or remained loyal to Octavio, others longed for it again.

My adoptive family saw it as an opportunity to reintroduce me to inklings. Octavio eventually was defeated by Agent 3 and forced to give back the Zapfish. The defeat was bitter, with not only energy shortages happening again, but now he had to find something quickly. The New Squidbeak Splatoon left, and Octavio began to scheme. He couldn’t let the hope of his people go. He’d save them, whatever it took.

That’s it for today! My next episode will be about the second attempt at stealing it along with some other events trom that time.

[tales-from-the-domes]

A friend got me to go outside without covering my ears. I feel self conscious enough going outside without covering my face, but normally a snaxolotl hood helps enough. First time having my tentacles fully down in awhile. Normally I tie them back.

I think I’m going to try and recover some old information about me. Even if I find what I use to look like or my old name… I probably won’t ever feel like the same inkling I did.

My moms are in the metro somewhere, if they are alive… I doubt any good memories of me remain in them.

Then I have no interest in finding my birth parents. Maybe one day I might try to see if any other relatives are out there, but for now? They left me to die, and I don’t really remember anything before I was taken in.

[tales-from-the-domes]

Something feels… off. I don’t like this.

Wonder why the salmonids seem upset these days. Wish I could go see them, but I don’t wanna get a boat ride to their waters

[tales-from-the-domes]

The inkling walked through the streets of Splatsville. He had taken a taxi to get to where he needed to be faster. That and so he could walk back and process whatever he found.

Eventually he made it to where he was looking for: a small apartment on the edge of town. One of Anura’s coworkers had reached out and said she had left something for him before she went missing, and a bunch of comments on how she understood if he didn’t want to check.

This lady didn’t even know the full story.

Devon still accepted though, traveling over. He pulled out an envelope he had picked up on the way to the apartment. Inside was only a key and a note for where to find what he needed.

He sighed, unlocking the door and stepping in. Inside it was a mess. Boxes were scattered in disarray, with a knocked over coffee mug still on a counter. He looked around for one with a label with his name. Almost immediately, he found it. Slowly he moved the flaps of the box, making sure there were no traps.

It was not only safe, but at the top there was an accurate sized plushie of a octotrooper. All he could do was give it a hug, reminding him of where he we was taken in.

As he dug deeper, he found a letter saying Anura had searched for all the information she could. There was also some rambles about how Kamabo was definitely the place for her to return, and some clear attempts to defend them. He sighed, recognizing how far she had fallen. She really slipped back into her old self. Towards the end of it, there seemed to be lucidity.

“I know they will hate me for this. That’s ok. I just hope you understand you deserved better, Inkling. You all stay safe out there, and don’t come back down here. I’d rather that place fade in silence, and I’m going to fade with it.”

With a few more sentences she closed the letter by saying there were some more items she wanted him to have.

Devon gasped when he saw copies for some files of two Octolings. 7317 and 7318, along with photos. “Mom… Ma…” he muttered, quickly digging further.

As he read through, he learned one of his adoptive mothers actually successfully made it through the tests, and was sent to the promised land. He shuttered to think he had to help inject people with sludge potentially made from her.

The other was terminated after she started having “emotional outbursts” when she regained some memcakes. He thought about the number, and how the only memory he had associated with it was loud crying.

At least he knew the truth of what happened to them.

Underneath, was a photo that caught him off guard. He pulled reached inside his ears, feeling where the tips had been cut.

It was a fair skinned inkling wearing a worn out beanie. He had orange, messily cut tentacles and bright green eyes. If it didn’t have his number written on the corner, he wouldn’t have believed it was him.

He carefully put the papers and photos in the box. Taking a few moments just hugging the plushie.

[tales-from-the-domes]

Guys… please stop telling me I’ve been spotted in some of those leaked security footage videos from the deepsea metro.

Don’t bring it up to anyone who happens to be seen. Especially those under the control of the metro.

The footage is just to show. It’s very likely been intentionally edited and doctored to show us in a monstrous way.

[tales-from-the-domes]

The inkling had played some rounds of tableturf to take his mind off things. It was one of the days he felt particularly self conscious, so he wore the swim reaper hood and mask. People didn’t seem to mind though. It was splatsville after all.

Though in the alleyway, he spotted a familiar face. What was worse was who she was talking to

Anura was talking to a sanitized octocopter. The two were hidden from sight. He could tell that Anura looked comfortable, but she still spoke

“I’ve already told you everything you needed. Why do you insist on meeting me?”

“Your help would be appreciated. You know you’re welcome back down at any time. Kamabo Co misses you and your services greatly.”

“I… I can’t take that offer. I’d be glad to offer what I can from up here.”

Devon tried to sneak away, but the octocopter happened to spot him. Anura looked panicked, grabbing him.

“Why are you here?” She whispered, getting cut off by the octocopter

“… hmm. If you let us have him, he would be useful. You never told us you had your old servant. Perhaps you still care useful up here after all.”

Devon was frozen in terror as Anura slowly nodded. Out of habit, he allowed himself to be dragged by Anura, immediately being shoved into a manhole. The copter dived down after him. Almost immediately it was covered back up by Anura, who sealed herself on the surface.

“Move it 7312. We got a lot of work to do”

[tales-from-the-domes]

Met a dude from the square today in Inkopolis. Well. More like bumped into him. Almost knocked my hood off. At first he was rude but quickly helped me up, though he still seemed,.. annoyed? Almost as if he was bothered to be in splatsville, though apparently he was making “deliveries.” Whatever that means.

I spoke to him briefly and big run came up. I commented on how I was anxious from the news and he glanced around, and asked me if I wanted something to defend myself with. I don’t want a weapon that is too damaging so I declined his offer on grizzco weapons. I didn’t even think it was legal for me to have anything due to my condition.

After some talk he agreed to get me something. Met back with him later and I gave him the money

Anyway I now have an H-3 Nozzlenose. Picked that one because I don’t wanna cover much ground. He thought it was a strange choice but he went along with it.

After showing me a range that was safe for me to try, I can’t help but wish I could play inksports.

Eh… I’d probably be too scared to do much. I-I don’t want anyone hurt.

[tales-from-the-domes]

[Transscript TFTD Chapter 5]

Hi welcome back to Tales From The Domes!

Forgive my hiatus, I took a mental break as the last one was… [speaker takes a deep breath]

Anyway. Over time, more and more Octolings reached the surface. With connections to Splatsville building, it became easier and easier for everyone to grow and feel at ease.

Some loyalists opted to stay with the Octarians even if there’s no longer a need for the army. Some of the more isolated groups may not be fully aware of the exodus or may even stop people from leaving.

A sect of Octarians stayed close to the crater near splatsville, however many went missing. Those found would have different ink and would be completely covered in something unlike anyone had seen. This later was discovered to be fur from fuzzy ooze or fooze for short.

Octavio quickly began to worry as he saw his army vanish. When he sought out answers, he was falsely accused of stealing the splatsville great Zapfish.

It was later revealed that Mr Grizz of Grizzco was behind this. Nobody could have expected that a mammal was alive.

The fooze is a substance very little is known about even now. Due to advancements many are able to live fairly normal lives, even if they are in a later stage or are completely fuzzified.

Oddly enough, small amounts of sanitized ink can flush some of it out. For example, a solution with it is places when someone gets surface contact. It will kill the mutated cells before the fooze spreads. This is often done with a very diluted version of the ink to prevent scarring.

Due to the ethics, the proper use of sanitized ink and ways to mimic it are being studied. Sometimes they even allow ink donations.

That’s concluded my original plans for this. However, I have enjoyed this. G-gives me a sense of connection.

[end transcript]