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

voice

[floralogy]

[Still with a frown, she huffs to the side. Shikamaru's right, she will always be the same Ino he knew back in their Academy days deep down. But unlike before, she doesn't complain or nag without very good reason, not like she'll admit her nagging and complaining before wasn't of good reason, though. Yes, she's just more mature about it now.]

I think doing some flower arrangements later will help more. [It's her zen.] But if you want to bring by something, I don't have room to complain.

voice

[endgames]

Bubble wrap?

voice 1/2

[floralogy]

[A snort.] Good enough.

voice

[floralogy]

--But anyway. [Her voice turns softer and more serious.] Where did you last... [This is the part where Ino's tone turns even more mellow, fully knowing she's treading on sensitive grounds.] see sensei's lighter?

I'll help you look.

voice

[endgames]

[He rubs his hand over his face, humming a little. Reminding himself to get a roll of bubble wrap later.]

Out the window. Didn't think much about it, just tossed it.

voice

[floralogy]

[The things you do for her, huh? Ino tries a smile for him. At least, he didn't toss it out in the forest.]

Well, it couldn't be that far off, then?

voice

[endgames]

[But the forest is out the window...]

Rikumaru hasn't had luck. [What. Deer are the best lighter finders, from his experience so far.] I was thinking maybe it got picked up, you know? So I've checked in town too.

voice

[floralogy]

[Well, at least, it shouldn't be that far in.]

Do you think so? If it got picked up, then it should be easier to find, right? [Since it should be in one of these shops. Or with one of the Luceti folk.]

voice

[endgames]

[He huffs.] You'd think.

voice

[floralogy]

If two of us are searching, I'm sure we'll cover more ground. Have you asked Neji or Hinata to help?

voice

[endgames]

Nah.

[It's dumb, but it felt kind of personal.]

voice

[floralogy]

And why not?

[Though she has an idea why.]

voice

[endgames]

It's personal. Not life or death.

voice

[floralogy]

[A smile.]

Then, I guess it's just the two of us that'll do the search.