The troubles of knowing yourself

Reading material

Eight and Three sat together outside Grizzco, Eight holding the Training Manual in her hands while they conversed.

"So, what do you think? Changed your mind about Salmon Run or no?" Three inquired.

Eight looked up from the pamphlet and smiled. "W-well the Salmonids still freak me out a bit, but I think I'm handling it now better than I was earlier." Her eyes crinkled with affection. "Having you there makes everything easier."

Three laughed quietly, blushing a bit herself. "Happy to help." Her gaze drifted to the paper in her girlfriend's hands and she gave a light smirk. "Never took you for a studious employee."

She looked down at the manual and then back up at Three. She chuckled sheepishly. "E-eh, just curious what it says I suppose. I want to do well." She closed the pamphlet and pulled out the other bit of reading material from Grizzco; the Salmonid Field Guide. "That...and I found something weird in here earlier."

Three raised an eyebrow. "Weird in what way, exactly?"

Eight flipped to the page about Scrappers and pointed at the illustration. "I was too busy trying not to die to notice this earlier, but look. That's an Octotrooper shield. I'd recognize it anywhere."

Three's eyes widened slightly. "...you're right. How would..."

"I was wondering about that too, but then I found the answer in...this section." She flipped to the Goldie Seeking page and read the supplementary information aloud. "It says 'Salmonids obtained the technology to create Gushers through trade with Octarians.' I'd be willing to bet they get hand-me-down shields from that same agreement."

The Inkling squinted. "Octarians and Salmonids have trade agreements?"

Eight nodded. "I believe so. I must've forgotten. I should've guessed, honestly; I have a bunch of Mem Cakes that look like Boss Salmonids."

Three was still squinting. "Ok, better question; why would Mr. Grizz know about it? Most Inklings don't even realize Octarians are real, never mind active in this weird terrorism economy."

Eight frowned. "Can it really be called that? What does that even mean?"

"I read the scrolls Four found and there were a couple that said many ancient cities fell to the Salmonid tides. Those things are dangerous and if Octavio felt like supporting that then it is definitely some kind of terrorism." Three explained with a slight frown. "But that doesn't explain why Grizz would know about the Octarian involvement."

The Octoling gave a thoughtful hum, resting her cheek in her palm. "Do you think...he's an Octarian? It would explain why he knows."

Three narrowed her eyes. "Maybe, but that wouldn't explain why he hates them so much. You heard how agitated he got."

She shuddered. "Y-yeah, don't remind me."

There was a pause. "Hmm." Three turned to Eight and squinted at the pamphlet. "Do you mind if I look at this real quick?"

"Oh, go ahead." Eight replied, handing it to her.

Three skimmed over the pages, looking intently for something, and then she stopped. She turned to Eight with a perplexed look on her face before showing her the Cohock Charge page. She pointed at an excerpt from the bottom.

'Apparently there are special rooms in the Salmonid barracks set aside for large numbers of Cohocks to gather and practice.'

Eight squinted in turn. "Hmmm. Can't imagine why an Octarian would know that."

"Honestly I can't imagine why anyone other than a Salmonid would know that." Three said in return. "Man, this is gonna bug me now."

"Me too..." She frowned. "Honestly though, I think the more relevant information here is still the fact that Octarians and Salmonids do trade with each other." She looked like she was deep in thought. "That...seems like something worth looking into, don't you think? Maybe?"