endgames | 028 -- [Voice || Action]

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028 -- [Voice || Action]

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.]

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You were trying to catch it?

[But he got the impression she'd set it off in the first place. Why would she-- oh wait. It clicks now.]

For future reference, there wasn't a person in that smoke cloud.

Really? Huh...

[But she saw you man. You went up in smoke. And then you were outside all okay as if you didn't go up in smoke.]

So I'm guessing by makin' more smoke I couldn't have made a new you anyway. Man, that was a waste. Next time I'll just go find the real you, don't worry!

Take a shortcut. I usually have my journal on me.

But what if one of those lame smokey-yous answers? Nah, I'll just sniff you out myself!

Oi, oi. They're not lame.

[--that is giving him a really cool idea though. When Naruto clones himself, he clones his weapons too. So theoretically if he were holding a journal...]

Okay, un-lame. But they're kinda bleh when you're looking for the real you and nt the smokey-you. It's like one great, big let down. I said hey and gave you a friendly pat on the back and everything!

[... She'll just give the real Shikamaru a pat on the back now. To make up for before.]

There we go!

[He starts to chuckle, until the realization dawns on him. That's what took him out? A pat on the back from a girl.

WOW, THAT'S DEPRESSING.]

Yeah. Let down.

[Don't look too happy about that pat on the back man, seriously.]

Aww c'mon, do you want another or something?

[She'll pat him again, a little harder this time. CHEER UP.]

Owww. [He straightens his back, almost as if to get away from a third one.] It's fine, it's fine.

[HE'S GOOD, REALLY.]

[Man up you wuss.]

Y'okay! [A third would have been silly! Two is fine though.] You still don't look too good. Maaaybe you've been in the smoke too long.

Ha. [Smoke jokes.] I've been running around a lot today. Kinda like having two of me around.

Well yeah, there were two of ya', until that other one went poof. Whatcha running around so much for anyway? Hey, maybe I can help you!

[Help you with whatever it is you're doing.]

[Kooky as she is, she is clever.]

We should focus on this mess first, don't you think?

We can focus on two things at once! Come on Shikamaru, multitask!

[Still holding the fans, Pascal picks up as much junk that she threw on the floor as she can and starts moving it off the floor. Not putting it away, just moving the mess elsewhere. It;s fiiine.]

So come on, you gonna let me lend a hand?

[Siiiigh.] All right.

[Wow, you'd think she wasn't helping - only that's exactly what she's trying. He's been stressing over this. Show some gratitude, even if she is spunky.

After a moment, he smiles.]

We're looking for a lighter. 'bout so big. [He uses his hand to indicate the size.]

Got it, and when didja last see it? Were you trying to light a firework and you got so excited that you lost track of where you put it?

[... It could happen. She deposits another junk pile somewhere else. That floor is so clean now you could eat off of it.]

[Just not even questioning things anymore. Her idea would've been better, fireworks are awesome.]

Nothing so impressive. I was looking through shit in my room when I couldn't remember anything, actually. I tossed it and a few other things out the window.

[And wow, you clean up fast.]

[Oh no, it's clean enough that Pascal could eat off of it. By normal standards its still a complete tip.]

Ooh, you had your memory messed with too. So if it flew out the window then shouldn't you be looking outside your window?

[This is Shikamaru, past king of "I would pick up that pencil but it's too much effort". This is still satisfactory.]

Been there, done that.

Huh. Maybe your memory got so screwy you ended up throwing it back in the window later and you just forgot.

[Anything is possible!]

[Except:] Checked there too, to be safe.

[Dang.] I guess if you checked all those places then coming here was the next thing to do. Why didn'tcha come here yourself instead of one of your smokey guys?

[He holds up two fingers together, then splits them apart.] Cover more ground. I was checking the welcome center while my clone was here.

Wow, I didn't know the welcome place had a lost 'n found. I would've just gone right to the item shop if I threw something out the window and didn't throw it back in later. [And if she had already checked outside the window in the first place. That too.]

I think other places might have them too. I haven't checked yet.

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