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

[ action ]

[herotypical]

A pirate once stole my shoes. True story.

[ action ]

[endgames]

At a bar?

[ action ]

[herotypical]

I might've been at the bar when he stole them. Not off my feet. But...out of my closet.

[ action ]

[endgames]

...well, you count what standards you can.

[ action ]

[herotypical]

I got them back. In case you're worried.

[ action ]

[endgames]

Deeply concerned. Was it without a scuff?

[ action ]

[herotypical]

Polished. Just like new. That's what happens when you put the fear of a smackdown into someone.

[ action ]

[endgames]

I'll let you handle them, in that case. Seems you got your method down pat.

[ action ]

[herotypical]

I'm not just the bartender; I'm also the bouncer.

[ action ]

[endgames]

Scale 1 to 10, 1 being "sucks ass" and 10 being "cooler than cucumbers": job-wise, how's it stack in comparison to everything else you've done?

[ action ]

[herotypical]

I'd give it about a seven. Better than flipping burgers but not quite as satisfying as counselling troubled youth. And it's better or worse than Slaying depending on the day.

Cucumbers, though. Not sure they're actually all that cool.

[ action ]

[endgames]

It was short notice. Ice cubes didn't have the same ring.

[ action ]

[herotypical]

I guess they're kinda cool in tzatziki.

[ action ]

[endgames]

That a drink here?

[Hey there are some weird names okay.]

[ action ]

[herotypical]

A dip, actually. And not here -- just in general. It's kinda delicious.

[ action ]

[endgames]

Bartender, bounce, slayer, and food connoisseur. If there was a talent competition, I'm thinking you'd win it.

[ action ]

[herotypical]

You forgot cheerleader, figure-skater, and first mate.

[ action ]

[endgames]

And burger flipper.

[ action ]

[herotypical]

Mmhm. School guidance counsellor. And I worked for a day on a construction site. Jacks-of-all-trades got nothing on me.

[ action ]

[endgames]

"Variety is the spice of life", she says. Can't believe you had to stoop down to me for company.

[Juuust about done with his glass here.]

[ action ]

[herotypical]

What can I say? I'm a stooper.

[ she eyes his drink; waiting to see if she should refill it or if they were done for the day. ]

[ action ]

[endgames]

[Nah, he thinks he'll leave it be. He's taking his time with it, enjoying it, but he's not after another refill like he was the last time.

Still, there's something contemplative. It's been brewing.]

...what is it that you think of me?

[ action ]

[herotypical]

[ buffy has no issue slipping from casual jokes to just-as-casual observations. only the slightest addition of a steely edge suggests that she's approaching business: ] You have more than enough charisma to hide the fact that you're probably very dangerous. I'm not sure I buy the whole lazy shtick -- you go on too many missions and make way too many secret little posts for that.

As uncomfortable as all that makes me? There's gotta be something trustworthy somewhere amongst all the deceit. Katara trusts you, after all.

[ and evidently that kind of a character witness speaks a lot to the slayer. ]

[ action ]

[endgames]

[So noted. He likes to think Katara is a good judge of character herself, even with people like him. His voice is a little flat when he talks again.]

So you've been trying to feel out what kind of person I am for yourself. For some reason. Can't just be because her and I are friends, because I think you trust her more that that.

[Some goal then, maybe. Or a question that's a long ways off from being asked.]

[ action ]

[herotypical]

[ buffy pushes off the counter and stands straight on her own merit. short? yes. but there is that undeniable steel rod of slayerdom struck straight through her spine. a pride and a capability. it's not threatening nor is it even filled with particular presence.

she just looks...strong. of character, if not of body. ]

And here I thought the reason should be somewhat obvious. [ despite this posture, her voice remains light. almost insouciant. but don't mistake her tone to mean she's not incredibly serious right now. ] But if you'd like some deduction-help...