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]

[endgames]

Troublesome bird...

[Mutter mutter. He's going to take that as a yes, and stop worrying.

-but hey. Silver said he wouldn't give up until he found that... is that why he's here. Shikamaru stills some, face contemplative as he looks down at Murkrow.]

[Action]

[tsuntrader]

[Murkrow stands up as tall as he can, but he's still just short of reaching Shikamaru's hand. Gimme your hand, dude.]

[Action]

[endgames]

[He gets the idea, and extends his fingers.]

[Action]

[tsuntrader]

[And just like that, he gently hands a lighter over to him.

He looks a little worked up from anticipation. Please be the one, please be the one...]

[Action] 1/2

[endgames]

[Shikamaru knows from the moment he touches it; the exact weight in his hand.

Still, he turns it over. Examines his reflection in the metal, and flips the lid. The flame catches; that absence so strong it feels like a presence too, beyond his sight and behind him. Still here.

He closes it.

...he had really started to feel he wouldn't be able to do this again. Had been trying to convince himself even as he looked. Even if he couldn't forgive himself for soing such a stupid thing (you forgot and that really is the worst thing) he could accept it.

Yet here it is. Stupid, stupid, stupid.]

[Action]

[endgames]

[Wordlessly, he pockets the lighter and crouches down. There's no awkwardness for this awkward thing when he hugs the bird in front of him, or attempts to.]

Thank you.

[Action]

[tsuntrader]

[Murkrow is surprised at first- he really doesn't expect it. Not from Shikamaru. But after the moment has passed, he leans his head into him. You're welcome, man. He's just glad he could help you out.]