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It had been three days since Marie hired the newest Agent, Agent Four. Callie was still missing, the Zapfish was still missing, Gramps and Agent Three we're still missing. Marie had a lot on her plate, and on top of that, having to teach a new Agent. It was a lot, and Marie felt overwhelmed.
Luckily for her, Agent Four seemed nice enough. He was down-for-anything, and energetic. He was surprisingly compliant, as well.
(and smelled EONS better than Agent Three, but Marie wouldn’t tell that to Agent Three’s face directly, wherever she was.
…Maybe.)
But there was one thing that irked her about the newest Agent.
Marie hadn’t heard him speak, ever.
It wasn’t that unusual to not speak at the first meeting, that happened with Agent Three (according to Gramps).
But, even Agent Three let up with the silent thing after a day. Shell, a few hours.
But not Agent Four! Marie couldn’t comprehend it!
Dead silent.
It was starting to freak her out. So, on the third day, when Agent Four came back with the last Zapfish of Sector Three, under his right arm, Marie looked pensive, as she sat on the bench outside of Cuttlefish Cabin.
Agent Four quirked a brow.
“Oh, Agent Four. I didn’t hear you come.” Marie said. Agent Four smiled awkwardly, holding out the zapfish to Marie.
“Oh, uh…thanks.”
Marie took the Zapfish, and set it down. Hopefully it won't get anywhere.
“Agent Four, sit with me for a moment.” Marie sighed, patting the spot next to her.
Agent Four shrugged, and sat next to Marie, expecting bad news.
“Okay, Agent Four.” Marie said. “I have a very important question to ask you.”
Agent Four nodded, giving Marie a “go on” motion.
Marie inhaled, before blurting out a single sentence.
“Do you speak?”
Silence for a minute.
Agent Four began to chuckle, before shaking his head.
“O…kay. Are you mute?”
Agent Four nodded his head. He moved his hands, before grinning.
“I’m sorry, what?”
Agent Four quirked a brow, and Marie could swear she saw gears turning in his head. Agent Four settled on something, and reached into his pockets, and pulled out a small post-it pack, along with a pen.
“What are you doing?”
Agent Four began to scribble on them, before handing it to Marie.
‘i can talk, i just prefer not to. does that make sense?’
“Um…Yeah, I guess so.” Marie answered.
Agent Four scribbled down another note.
‘i usually speak through sign language. i just assumed you knew it, because you’re a secret agent and all…’
“No, I can’t say I do.”
‘so you’re telling me you can roughly understand octarians but not me?’
Marie paused, before giving an answer.
“...Yes.”
‘i’m going to use this to my advantage, i hope you know this.’
Marie takes everything back that she said about Agent Four. Agent Four was a little shit.
“I demand you teach me.”
‘what!?’
“It's for…communication, and stuff. Yeah. A rookie Squidbeak Agent has to be able to talk with their teacher.”
‘since when are you my teacher! >:0’
“Since forever. I demand you teach me this instant, Agent Four.”
‘this is unjust! i don’t have to do anything! you’re not my mom!’
“Yeah, but I am you're higher agent, and what I say goes.”
Agent Four crossed his arms in a huff, before writing again.
‘are you sure it's for communication stuff, or is it because you don’t want me talking shit behind your back without you understanding it?’
Marie went silent.
‘Gotcha’
“Just, teach me, you little shit!”
Agent Four laughed again, before writing again.
‘Fine, fine. Let's start with a simple phrase.’
Agent Four stuck a post-it note to his forehead.
‘ this means hello.’
Agent Four moved his hands in a saluting motion. Marie copied, and Agent Four nodded and smiled.
‘good, good!!!!!’
Agent Four continued smiling, as he held the note up.
Agent Four had a nice smile. He had dimples, along with a gap right in the middle of his teeth.
It was adorable.
Marie didn’t notice herself staring, until Agent Four held up another note.
‘you okay?’
“Oh! Yes, of course. Keep going.”
The lessons continued. It became a slight routine, after Agent Four was done with his patrols, he’d come back, and teach Marie a few phrases before going back on hiscc merry way.
It was going to take around three months, but neither did Agent Four or Marie care. They enjoyed spending time together.
Things changed, as they we're going to. Callie was saved, Agent Three and Gramps came back (with a new Agent to boot), but the lessons continued. Marie was eager to learn, somewhat surprisingly to Agent Four.
Marie had started taking notes, in a way. She was looking over them, when Agent Four signed out a single phrase.
‘Cute…’
“Oh? What was that?”
Agent Four flushed, before signing again.
‘Nothing.’
“No..Nothing, you say? Oh, just you wait until I figure it out, I’m gonna get you.” Marie threatened. Agent Four chuckled.
Agent Four would tell her eventually, she had to.
But, for now, he was happy to sit with her.