026 -- [Voice || Written || Action]

[endgames]

If I see another mountain again, it'll be too soon. Did any of you know that sirry means "ridiculous"? [He snorts.] Explains a lot. Avalanches. Yetis. More freaking snow. Man, that mission was a pain...

[/whine and complain]

Anyways. I'm back. [Technically has been for two days albeit not in town, so he'll make it official.] Anything interesting hap- [His disinterested tone gives way to irritation as he turns his attention to something off-screen.] Oi that's not for you-

[The journal snaps shut with a sigh. He never finishes speaking, but about an hour later the post is transcribed... minus the interruption, and now with complete sentences.

If you're out today now that the heavy rain of the few days is finally letting up, you might spot Shikamaru coming back into the village from the North... closely followed by a deer much larger than Luceti's usual fare ((think five feet at the shoulders, six at the head, and eight feet with antlers)). The stag seems pretty content to follow him around - even into town or just standing around when he sits - despite sticking to the tree-lined paths when he can. Shikamaru talks to him sometimes.

Yes, talks, shut up.]

Comments

[markofthewise]

I think I'd prefer real money. Even if it's useless here.

[endgames]

Funny how that never shows up, huh?

[Shikamaru begins putting the new weapon stock away, having long since stopped bothering to inspect the wares like he used to.]

[markofthewise]

I've made some, though. Not that it was much use. But it made a great present.

[endgames]

So you want to be paid in gifts, is what you're saying.

[markofthewise]

Generally I work for favors. [He leans back.] Though I never get to really call them in. Though presumably I have enough owed to me now that I could raise my own private army if I needed to.

[endgames]

I'd put that to use so fast. Never run my own errands again. At least not the tedious ones.

[markofthewise]

You would. Except it would mean having this job.

[endgames]

Point. If it was something I liked, it'd be different though. And something better than clowning around.

[markofthewise]

Too soon, Shikamaru. Too soon. Let the wounds heal first.

[endgames]

My bad, my bad.

[Even if he can't help but get a laugh at it.]

I dunno if it was better or worse that Ino was chucking out costumes for that.

[markofthewise]

She got the easy job. She wasn't on stage. Seriously, stage fright? Pretty justified when the Count has a habit of killing people who disappoint him.

[He rubs his neck as he recalls the talk of servants and the Count's penchant for beheadings.]

[endgames]

[-well that sobers him pretty quick.]

That happen?

[markofthewise]

No. We all came back with our heads attached. I guess that means we were just that good. Or he was just in a good mood.

[endgames]

Can't look a gift horse in the mouth, I guess.

[markofthewise]

Why can't you? I mean, obviously I know why you wouldn't want to. But it seems like there'd be nothing wrong with it besides bad horse breath.

[endgames]

They don't have that saying in your world? Or a variant or whatever? Don't look a... ostrich-horse in the mouth.

[markofthewise]

Well you wouldn't do that because they'd just peck your eye out.

[endgames]

Not the same principle, but close enough.

[markofthewise]

Anyway, they kind of rushed us out of there after the play was over. Which was uh. Pretty heavy handed at the end.

[endgames]

Mind sharing the details?

[markofthewise]

The play was about the three founders of the Malnosso. And the General. At the end, the message was about how people with full sized wings are more susceptible to becoming cultists. So we uhh... have to suggest they get psychological exams if they start acting weird.

[endgames]

[Snort. Oh joy.]

That mean the General started out as a member of the Organization, or what?

[markofthewise]

I don't think he was. Just that he was... around when it started. I'm not sure it was entirely reliable. I mean, the hero? He acted a lot like Luffy does sometimes.

[endgames]

-who was the hero?

[markofthewise]

They never gave names to anyone. It sort of made the story hard to follow.