A week later on the day of the field trip, the students were still worried about it. Would they be attacked? Robbed? Burglarized? Turned into sashimi squid--or octopus--and served on a silver platter to some slovenly Octarian? Probably everything but that last one was likely.
A few buses were parked out front of Zapfish, likely predicting the low number of participating students in the field trip. All of them probably worried about being lynched by vengeful Octarians.
Coach Forge was out there, standing with a clipboard as he scratched a checkmark for each student that stepped onto the buses, making a headcount for each person. Mr. Porta stood beside him, blurbling discontentedly as he looked at the students. Most looked worried, or had a nervous energy to them as if they were ready to run at a moment’s notice.
Chaperones were in the parking lot, waiting for when the buses left to Port Mackerel. Some of the more overprotective ones were talking to their kids, telling them to be careful there and the like.
“You think they’re gonna be alright there?” Mr. Porta asked, “I’m not certain about this trip anymore…”
Forge replied to the Jellyfish without taking his eyes off of the clipboard. “They’ll be fine, just as long as they don’t do anything stupid…” His tone seemed to say the answer for him, that they were certain to get into trouble. “Hopefully this tour guide of ours isn’t an absolute wuss either…” he trailed, not paying full-attention to his conversation.
“Hmm… yes, I hope so too.” Mr. Porta agreed, getting into the bus. Forge stayed outside to count the last few students boarding the buses, before getting in one himself.
The buses drove off, heading to Port Mackerel. The ride was rife with nervous murmurs and had a worried energy to it that seemed to irk everyone.
After a somewhat silent ride, the bus arrived at its destination of Port Mackerel. The students filing out of the buses quickly. Forge doing a rapid headcount in his head as they went, boarding the ferry.
The ferry, which had a somewhat homely feel to the passenger compartment. Not to mention it was quite spacious with more than enough room for all of them. It seems the boat was made to accommodate them and make their journey to Octo Valley less worrisome, and more comfortable.
Coach Forge went to the bow of the ship and simply stood there, watching the sea ahead of him. While Mr. Porta went inside and sat down in one of the many passenger seats in the center of the room.
The chaperones quickly boarded shortly after the students settled into their spots on the ferry, finding their kids and talking with them, most of them reassuring their nervous kids that the trip will be alright. While others simply talked with them, trying to take their mind off of the trip’s potential outcomes.
And with that, the boat began its voyage to Octo Valley. Quickly passing beneath Hammerhead Bridge, and soon passed Bluefin Depot.
Soon after
that, the boat went into the open sea between Octo Valley and Inkopolis. The city far behind them as the mountain looming ahead on the horizon growing larger as they approached it. As they got closer, they could see a giant rock formation shaped like an Octopus.
The boat gave it a wide berth, heading instead to a small bay beneath it. A lighthouse and some floating bouys, the bells within them chiming ever once in a while when the waves pushed into them. The lighthouse guided the ferry into the bay.
The boat came into view of a coastal fishery. The town itself was small, having only just a couple of houses. The harbor was connected to a large entrance into the mountain. No doubt leading down into Octo Valley itself. At the dock, a small group of maroon-tentacle'd Octolings were lined up being spoken to by an Octoling with a kelp wreath around her oily black tenta-hair.
When the boat got closer, the lights of the homes in the village turned on. Figures shifting behind the curtained windows as people peeked past them. The boat docked at the harbor, the students disembarking from the boat and grouped up on the docks. A nervous murmur rising up as they looked at the Octolings who were very clearly
not tour guides but instead soldiers, likely there to defend them should they need it.
The students quieted once the Octoling captain spoke up. "Students of Zapfish Academy!" She shouted, gathering the attention of all of them. "Welcome to Octo Valley," she wasted no time getting to the point, "these are your assigned tour guides."
The captain pointed at the first Octoling, a stout, short one of the group. "He's Peyton, the guide for that group." She pointed at a large Jellyfish teacher, accompanied by half a dozen chaperones and their kids.
The Octoling continued to assign them to their designated groups, the Octolings ushering them into the entrance to Octo Valley. Until it came to the last group and the last soldier-guide. Mr. Porta's and Forge's.
"She is Aria," she said, introducing the tall, built soldier. Aria bowed her head slightly to the remaining students, approaching them. The captain approached the group, "have a pleasant stay in Octo Valley." It was clear she wasn't pleased about their arrival, giving a slight nod to the two teachers before leaving them with Aria.
Her face was stony and unwavering, at least until the captain disappeared into the cavernous entrance leading underground to Octo Valley. "Hi, all of you," she waved a greeting to them, "don't mind my captain. She's just a little... er... sore about letting Inklings into Octo Valley after 100 years." Aria realized that wasn't really the best start to a chat with her group, looking down slightly. "
Well, let's get going then. If you guys have any questions about our next destination, I'll do my best to answer them."
"Yes, well, let's go then. It's getting dark anyway," Mr. Porta said, pointing out the sunset skies above and following their guide into the darkened entrance. Forge followed after him.
@Zerul @MacSmitty @Coerulus @ayyumeme @Zawlt @TACarbuncle @⭐️Zapfish⭐️
