it had been atleast 4 months since octolings were let free. it was hard to adjust to seeing them docile and on the surface but it wasn’t a bad change at all. it was nice the two species had found peace. you had accidentally bumped into a pink-haired octoling on the way to your apartment, the octoling went stiff for a second, their face heating up from the sudden rush of adrenaline as their guard went up in the blink of an eye. they suddenly noticed it was nothing but a civilian, as they heaved out a relieved sigh. the anxiety lingered in the back of their mind yet it felt nice to know they weren’t in immediate danger at the moment. it was a.. stark contrast to what they were used to.