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Octonauts - A new Generation

Chapter 8

The father- I mean founder

Inkling’s pov

Missing humuhumunukunukuapua'a part 3

The trio have been gone for hours once again. Inkling hated when missions took this long. He would always get concerned about the effect it would have on the others. He cared about them deeply, they were like his children to him. He had watched how they helped him make his dream come true, his dream of making the oceans a better and safer place, despite knowing the dangers in doing so. He will never be able to express his undying gratitude towards each team member for everything that they have done. And now the captain, the lieutenant and the medic are out searching for a creature in need of help for several hours once again. If this continues, it will most certainly have a negative effect on their sleeping schedules.

“What’s wrong Inky?”, Min's concerned tone can be heard through the Octo-tablet.

Inkling would often call Min whenever he was troubled.

“Ah, nothing much. I’m just worried about the trio”, He says with a sigh.

“Have they been gone for a long time again?”, Min asks in a soft tone.

“I’m afraid so”, Inkling replies.

The two of them share a moment of silence. Inkling can already tell that Min is waiting for him to further unpack his troubles, but sadly he isn’t good at doing that.

“So…how has your week been?”, he awkwardly says in an attempt to change the subject.

“Inkling…”, Min’s calm and patient, yet clearly concerned tone pierces through Inklings heart. Min usually refers to him as ‘Inky’. She doesn’t call him ‘Inkling’ unless it’s a serious matter. Which just makes the sting worse.

“I’m sorry, you know that I’m not good at this sort of thing”, Inkling confesses, “I just…they’re like my children, you know? And what kind of father would let their child go through all of this?”

“So you feel guilty?”, Min asks.

“I…I guess so. I just want what’s best for them”, Inkling slumps into his chair in defeat.

“They all knew the risks they were taking when they applied for the job. They made the choice to go out there and risk their lives”, Min’s voice was gentle, but Inkling could hear how it was shaking.

“I know. You’re right. Despite that, I still feel guilty for some reason”, Inkling says, deciding not to confront Min for now.

“As you already said, it’s natural for a father to be worried about their children. Just trust them with the choices they make. They are old enough to take care of themselves”, Min’s voice was like a gentle breez, bringing comfort to the professor.

“I suppose you do make a good point”, he says. After sighing, he proceeds to show her his gratitude for always being there for him and for comforting him. They talk for about an hour after that before ending the call. With a smile on his face, Inkling turns towards a bookshelf and picks up whichever book is in his reach.

Inkling had just finished going around the Octopod to make sure that everyone was in bed, when the trio finally came back. They came back earlier than they did yesterday, which made the professor happy.

“Welcome back you three. How did it go? Did you find the missing humuhumunukunukuapa'a?”, Inkling asks in a joyful tone. There is a sudden shift in the atmosphere as Inkling realizes the sorrowful expression on all three of the trio’s faces, especially Peso’s. In fact, by the way the cat and the polar bear are handling the penguin, it seems like they’re trying to comfort him.

“Wh-What happened?”, Inkling stutters, the fear of a concerned father rising up.

“We sadly had no success finding the fish, professor”, the captain replies in a calming but firm tone.

“Are you alright Peso?”, Inkling asks.

“Yes professor, I’m just a little worried about the lost fish, that’s all”, Peso answers more quietly and shy than ever.

“Are you sure that’s it? You know that you can tell me anything”, the professor proceeds, desperate to find out what’s bothering the medic.

“It’s nothing, really”, Peso answers, this time in a more persuasive way.

“Alright. Well, the three of you better head to bed now”, Inkling says, despite still not being convinced by Peso’s words.

“You’re right”, Barnacles agrees while yawning, “After all, we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”

And with that, the four of them go their separate ways.

Cornin should have been here by now. Every evening, at about this time, Cornin would always come by and give the professor his bed-time-tea. Inkling is starting to get worried for the wellbeing of the Vegimal, and decides to go looking for him.

“Cornin? What happened?”, Inkling asks with concern.

“Oh, I’m sorry about that professor. While I was on my way to deliver your tea to you, I heard some strange noises coming from Peso’s bedroom. I went inside to investigate and found him fumbling around with something. When I had asked him why he’s still awake, he said that he couldn’t sleep. I gave him your tea, since I know that it helps you sleep. I’m preparing another cup right now”, Cornin explains in Vegimalese.

“Alright. I’m glad you gave him the tea. I wonder what’s been bothering him lately”, Inkling says while slowly drifting deep in thought.

“Perhaps you should go talk to him while you wait for your tea to be finished”, Tunip suggestes.

“What a wonderful idea Tunip! Just make sure that you all go to bed on time as well, okay?”, Inkling asks, while eying Barrot.

“Yes sir!”, Barrot says while saluting.

“I’ll come check on you later just in case”, Inkling mentions before he goes to Peso’s room using the electric chair that Tweak had made for him.

“What are you doing awake at this late hour Peso?”, Inkling asks with the patience and concern of a loving father.

“I’m just struggling to sleep, it’s nothing severe”, Peso replies.

“Peso, please be honest with me”, Inkling pleads.

Peso looks him into his eyes for a few seconds before looking down at the floor. Peso was sitting on his bed, with the tea cup in his flippers. The room was dark, with nothing but Peso’s bedside lamp providing some light. Inkling got out of his chair and made his way over to Peso to sit next to him, while the penguin puts his cup aside.

“Please tell me what’s wrong Peso. I want to help you”, Inkling gives one more desperate attempt to finding out the truth.

Peso remains quiet and continues staring at the floor. They stay seated that way for a while, until Peso abruptly turns towards the professor, catching the octopus by surprise.

“My older brother Pedro. He had gone missing for a long time. When he was found… He was badly injured… Months had gone by… It was way too late… I just…I just don’t want the same thing to happen again”, Peso stutters and stumbles over his words, but he finally manages to tell the professor what has been bothering him. They share a moment of silence, until Inkling pulls Peso into a hug. They stay like that for a while. Not a word is needed to be said. The comfort of the hug is more than enough. Peso’s shoulders violently shake as he starts crying, as Inkling tries his best to further comfort the penguin.

Despite everything that Peso has said, Inkling can’t help but feel like Peso’s still hiding something.

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