029 -- [Action || Video]

[endgames]

[The afternoon finds Shikamaru bundled up against the cold and out and about in parts of the village he won't normally be in. Wandering, it might look like; he drifts in and out of high-traffic areas like the bar and the item shop to places less visited. The coffee shop he'll be at for sure, and his final stop will be the building that was once Azzip's Pizza.

This will do.]

[Video]

[Later in the afternoon, with dark still far off, the journal feed will click on to see Shikamaru surrounded by various colorful boxes among other things. He folds his hands over a table.]

It's come to my attention over the last few months that some of you have never heard of boardgames, or have otherwise never played. As a reasonable guy, I can let a lot of things go, but that... just seems sad.

[He shakes his head here. With woe, even. And then he gestures to the board games from various worlds strewn in the background. Close inspection will find a shogi set, a chess board, Go, Pai Sho, Plateau, Candy Land, Mouse Trap, Jumanji and so on. You can pretty much make up any family-friendly board game you want here and he will have it somehow. Go for it, actually. He hasn't played all of them.]

I'm here to tell you why they're awesome. [...] And possibly to petition for a partner. It's troublesome, but you'd be surprised how hard that is to accomplish here...

Katara. [Hint, hint.] Kotomi-chan. [Who he can't tease as well, so he'd best clarify:] If you're still up for that.

[He shakes himself with a grin, saluting at the journal with his left hand. He picks up the nearest game.] Anyways, let's get started. It goes like this...

[And from here he'll be giving the abridged rules of the games he knows to start. Feel free to interrupt him, or call him out on any games he skips.]

[/end Voice]

[Action || Locked to Konan]

[Much later in the night, after he's seen to everything he needs to, Shikamaru takes a box out of a drawer and goes outside. From it, he withdraws an origami hummingbird, and contemplates it slowly for a few quiet minutes.

When he's done, he holds it up at eye level and speaks seriously.]

It's about time we spoke again. Don't you think?

Comments

[spohkh]

I must admit not being familiar with these forms of recreational activity. What do you suggest?

[endgames]

Depends on the person. What are your usual interests?

[spohkh]

....I am rather fond of Chess.

[endgames]

Ha. Okay, that narrows it.

You'll want things like logic puzzles or strategy games. If you just want a twist to what you already like, there's dozens of chess alternatives.

[spohkh]

I see... I am only aware of two versions of chess... do you know how to play?

[endgames]

I thought myself not long after I got here. It's similar to shogi.

[spohkh]

Ah yes... a traditional Japanese game that utilizes eighty-one squares... A fellow shipmate of mine is rather fond of that game...

[endgames]

Aa? So it made it to that world too.

[He smiles wide, happy to hear this even if it's just a game. Finding commonalities between worlds is kind of refreshing.]

There are some differences in gameplay as well, but otherwise shogi and chess have several similarities. A lot of the pieces have the same names, and similar movements.

[Though some have more limitations in those movesets. That, the practice of dropping, and the type of arrangement are the differences that makes it recognized by many as being the more complex out of the two games, generally.]

[spohkh]

I see. My thanks for the information. If you are ever amenable to having a game, please let me know.

[endgames]

[Ha, that was a quick sell.]

Sure. Pretty much anytime is good for me. Like I said at the start, finding partners is like pulling teeth.

[spohkh]

Very well. Were would you be amenable to meeting?

[endgames]

There's a restaurant that might do the trick. So long as it's indoors, I don't much mind.

[spohkh]

Do you speak of the restaurant below the 'good spirits bar'?

[endgames]

The Seventh Heaven's next door to the bar. On the left if you're coming from the square.

Play or handwave?

[spohkh]

Very well, shall I meet you there this evening?

We can handwave gameplay, skip to conversation? Or whichever you like.

[endgames]

I'll be there. See ya.

[Seventh Heaven, get.]

Sounds good~

[spohkh]

[Spock is seated at a table in Seventh Heaven, waiting for his gaming companion.]

[endgames]

[And Shikamaru shows up soon after, board in tow.

He forgot to ask for a name on the journal, so he just looks for the guy with the pointy ears.]

Yo. Didn't keep you long, did I?

[spohkh]

Not at all.

I believe we had not made proper introductions. I am Spock. It is well to meet you in person.

[endgames]

Shikamaru. Same to you.

[He sets the board down, and gets to putting the pieces in order.]

[spohkh]

[Spock watches the set-up in curiosity....then he looks up at his companion...]

May I inquire as to your occupation?

[endgames]

Mm. I'm a shinobi.

[He used to keep that hidden, but there's not much point here anymore.]

[spohkh]

[Spock quirks and eyebrow....]

...A ninja?

[endgames]

Ha. You got it.

[Now he'll be impressed if he can associate there's a different meaning to it than most people's ideas of ninja.]

[spohkh]

This is a most interesting opportunity. The knowledge I have of this class of fighters is limited to literature.

From what I understand of the language... does it not mean 'Walker of Shadows'?