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

[endgames]

Dunno.

[tsuntrader]

You don't?

[endgames]

Numbers don't go that high on the chart.

[tsuntrader]

[...Wait, what...? He knew Shikamaru was smart, but- he broke the chart?]

[endgames]

[DON'T JUST AUTOMATICALLY ACCEPT IT WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU.]

[tsuntrader]

[Shikamaru, you're not exactly the type to play up your intelligence. There's no need to not immediately accept it.]

You can't do some weird thing where you flip through a book and memorize every word on every page in five seconds, right? [Or some other weird chart breaking intelligence things?]

[endgames]

That's different.

[tsuntrader]

[Ugh. Stupid genius.

...But wait-] So that's the half that's true? [Shikamaru did go on about half-truths after he brought it up, so...]

[endgames]

I sure as hell wasn't the top of my class.

[tsuntrader]

Too busy calling everything troublesome and staring at clouds?

[endgames]

And skipping class. Sleeping.

[tsuntrader]

Sounds about right. [Not that he'd do much better in school, but...]

[endgames]

I was a Dead Last, regardless.

[tsuntrader]

A Dead Last, huh?

[endgames]

Bottom of the class, ranked.

[tsuntrader]

What were your classes even like, anyway? [He says this not only as a person that can't comprehend ninja school, but also as a kid that's never gone to school to begin with. Talk about your schooling adventures, Shikamaru.]

[endgames]

Uh. Basics, I guess. Reading and writing, math, history, how to mold chakra. Some early weapon and taijutsu classes. That's covered mostly in the lower years.

Every time you advance a year there'd be a shift in curriculum. More ninja studies, less book work.

[tsuntrader]

[...Well now he's genuinely curious.] How did they teach you? [How do actual teachers work, Shikamaru? Do tell.]

[endgames]

What- the ninja stuff?

[tsuntrader]

All of it.

[endgames]

[He sighs.] That's troublesome. Every subject has a different teaching method. That's too much to explain.

[tsuntrader]

Then pick one. [Or something. Come on, man.]

[endgames]

Nosy.

[Siiigh. Again.]

Some of it is straightforward, like history or mathematics. Teachers present information, then find creatives ways to help make sure the students retain it.

[tsuntrader]

[But does it involve fighting over breakfast.

No seriously Shikamaru, that explains very little to him.]

Clouds always treat him right, okay 8|

[endgames]

[Well gosh, it's the simplest explanation he has.]

Some kids learn more readily than others, and don't need much help. They get praise. Other students have a harder time, so teachers have to work one on one with them on certain things to help them.

Books, papers, worksheets. Everyone gets these.