Taking in a stranger
by Gamebot is a Splatoon 2 fic about how Off the Hook came to be. The story began early in the game's run and isn't consistent with post-Octo Expansion canon.
While out looking for a job, Pearl comes across an Octoling in an alley. Against her better judgement, she takes the Octoling, a young woman named Marina, to her home. Pearl had planned on sending back underground the following morning, however she changed her mind after hearing Marina's singing voice. Marina's voice, combined with her own rapping skills, could make a potent musical duo. And thus, that's how Off the Hook started.
This fanfic provides examples of:
- Concert Kiss: Pearl and Marina kiss for the first time during a concert when Marina's tentacles start moving under her hoodie.
- Cooldown Hug: Pearl gives Marina a cooldown kiss. During their first performance, Marina's tentacles start moving under her hoodie. To distract both Marina and the audience, Pearl kisses her. This leads to a Love Confession afterwards.
- Dumpster Dive: Pearl finds Marina dumpster diving. Marina came to Inkpolis to be a singer but she didn't know how aggressive Inklings could be towards Octolings. She soon learned to keep her distance. To get food, she'd have to look for it.
- Fantastic Racism: Octolings and Inklings have been segregated for the past century. As a result, there's a lot of speciesism between the two. Casual misconceptions and bias are also common, such as when Pearl questions whether an Octoling can even sing.
- Lemon: The story does have two explicit scenes, but they're tagged and are skippable.
- Love Confession: Pearl and Marina confess to one another after Pearl kisses Marina during a performance.
- Origins Episode: The story revolves around how Pearl and Marina became music icons.
- Slash Fic: The story ships together Pearl and Marina. The two become bandmates and then become a couple.
