028 -- [Voice || Action]

[endgames]

Hi. [The journal feed starts unceremoniously.] Noticed the village is getting back into the swing of things. Either that or those who are sulking are doing so more quietly. Good luck with that, whichever.

But hey. I'm looking for a lighter that I misplaced. Anyone comes across it, lemme know. Thanks.

[/end voice]

[Through the afternoon and evening, Shikamaru can be found in various places around the village: digging through things in shops, searching through grass and shrubs and so on. He hasn't been around the village much in the last two days, busy elsewhere with his deer.

Now it almost seems like he's making up for it. One minute you might walk past him digging through the trash behind a building, only to go in to find he's inside already (probably asking if the place has a lost and found). Someone's busy.]

Comments

action;

[metalbends]

[She nods.]

What makes you think it's in the garbage?

action;

[endgames]

Nothing. [She can't see the smile, but there's an odd tone in his voice.] But I'm running out of places to look.

action;

[metalbends]

What's so important about it, anyway? Couldn't you just find a new one at the store?

action;

[endgames]

It's a memento.

action;

[metalbends]

[Ah. Okay. Well, she knows how things like that work.]

Where's the last place you saw it?

action;

[endgames]

[...haha.]

Out my window.

action;

[metalbends]

...You threw it out your window?

[Dumb move, bro.]

action;

[endgames]

[He makes an irritated sound, but continues.] I didn't know what it was at the time.

action;

[metalbends]

[Oh. Uh.] Right. Amnesia. Did you ask about it on the journal?

[She doesn't check hers too frequently, so if he had, she missed it.]

action;

[endgames]

Yeah. Before coming this way.

[He goes back to sorting. He figures Toph will say something if she sees it, but he did make a mess here.]

action;

[metalbends]

[Well, she can at least offer what help she can.]

I don't see it here.

action;

[endgames]

[He dumps what he picked up back in the trash can, somewhat suddenly and haphazardly. The metal pieces clang loudly against the dumpster. Posture slouched, relaxed, he scratches at a spot under his ear before turning back to Toph.]

Thanks.

action;

[metalbends]

Don't mention it.

[She pauses. Well, what else was she up to today?]

Want to keep looking?

action;

[endgames]

That was the plan for me. [He wipes his hands off on his pants, glancing back to her after a moment. Kind of hesitant.] No kingdoms to conquer today?

action;

[metalbends]

[She shrugs.]

Nah. I think I can take some time out of my busy schedule to give you a hand.

action;

[endgames]

All right. [So. Next shop's back alley then?] ...thanks.

action;

[metalbends]

Yeah, yeah. Don't just get all sappy on me.

action;

[endgames]

Whatever you say.

[He'll just start walking now. But seriously, it does mean a lot to him.]