endgames | 031 -- [Action

[Today is an understated awesome day, ladies and gentleman. To everyone? Okay, maybe not. But Shikamaru sure is pleased as punch. After a month's stay in the Battle Dome clinic recoveries from the injuries he got in his fight with Hidan, Shikamaru's finally cleared to check out today.

Before he gets the all-clear, he can be found in - brace yourselves - one of the Dome's simulation rooms. He's actually been using them for the past week for his physical therapy. If he's going to be doing a lot of walking, might as well change up the scenery.

Namely, he's replicated parts of the Nara Clan's forest. At its opening, the sky is more open, but the further in you go the thicker the trees grow together. Wandering will reveal easter eggs - old statues, broken and ruined, or a path of moss-covered stone lanterns. Maybe a young deer if you're lucky.

Other parts of the forest seem to be swallowed by shadow completely, offering nothing but pitch black that no amount of light will ease and the sense you're being watched if you step into them.

He'll try and clear up some stuff with Law before he goes, but after that he hits the journal.]

[Voice]

For those of you who saw that Vaskoth place... I figure it's been long enough. Name something you liked about it, if you can recall.

[Filtered to Molly (NPC) || 100% Unhackable]

You must be made of sterner stuff than I.

[/end voice]

[Feels like forever since he's been back in the swing of things. Shikamaru can be found at CH1 of course, in or around his apartment. Throughout the days following, he'll also be at the place formerly known as Azzip's, getting back to turning it into a convenience store.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Since this isn't a true Nara deer - only one in shape and size, really - the stag walks forward (bit smaller than Rikumaru, but only by so much).

In the trees behind Aang, though, Shikamaru takes that comment as meant for him and thus it's his voice that breaks the still quiet.]

Yo.

[He jumps slightly but then puts on a smile. A familiar face - especially one that's still himself and looking healthier than the last they met - is definitely welcome.]

Oh - Shikamaru! Hey! You scared me a little.

Heh. Be more alert next time.

[Closer to Shikamaru, the stag bows his head. He also makes a snorting sound closer to Aang, as if trying to smell him. Shikamaru has to admit to being impressed by the Battle Dome's programming.]

Did you need the room, or something?

[Aang giggles at the stag before addressing Shikamaru.]

Oh - no, it's not like that at all! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bother you! I just... It didn't look like there was anyone here, and this forest looked so nice...

[Shikamaru interrupts him by waving a hand. Don't worry about it, dude.]

I figured people would come in anyways.

[He doesn't know if that's a norm or not, but every time he's used the Dome, few as that may be, someone's let themselves in. He expects it... and has thus inherited the bad etiquette of doing the same himself. Whoops.]

It is pretty cool.

[He relaxes his posture somewhat at Shikamaru's approval and glances around, curiously.]

Did you make it yourself?

Mm. but the Battle Dome already has a sizable database. I could probably make a scene from your world by fumbling around long enough, if I wanted.

[Reasons why he was always hesitant before!!]

That's really neat! I think I was able to get to one of the air temples once. It... could be kinda nice to see some familiar places. But does that mean this is from your world? [And then he remembers something as he looks at the stag.] Is that your ninja deer? Do you ever wonder if he'd be good at Pai Sho?

[He gives Aang an odd look, but has to snicker at that.]

They have better things to do. Especially here. This land is their home; the Nara Clan protect it.

[Aang will still daydream about Rikumaru's hidden Pai Sho skills. Although it will hurt a little, since he originally made that joke while hanging around with Katara.]

Wow, really? That's your clan, isn't it? I didn't know that you and the ninja deer protect a whole forest. ...Ninja forest.

[He hums, and nods. Yup, he's pretty proud of his clan, even if he doesn't outwardly make a show of it.]

It goes both ways. Back home, no one is allowed on our land without our express permission.

Is it sacred? [He looks down at the ground as if expecting some sort of holy phenomena. And if Shikamaru hadn't already been telling him his presence here was fine, he'd be wondering if he was allowed to be even in this version of it.]

Clan secret. [With a wry smirk.] But it's also to protect the deer from being hunted.

[You found his vegetarian heart.]

Wow. I've gotta say... That's real admirable, Shikamaru. I'm glad that your family knows to treat the deer so well. And they have lots of space to be safe and free.

No kidding.

[Shikamaru looks over at the deer here. He knows he's not real, but nostalgia pulls at his heart anyways. He places his palm between the stag's eyes, adding a little pressure. It doesn't even move the beast.]

We consider them to be part of our family, so... You take care of your family, if you love them enough.

[He smiles warmly at the scene in front of him. A boy and his deer.]

That reminds me a lot of how I feel about Appa. We love each other like a family, too.

[And it makes him feel horrible sometimes, since his guilt about letting down the air nomads extends to all of the sky bison as well.]

Ha. I figured you would get it.

[The stag butts his own head towards the hand now, with considerable more effect. Shikamaru removes it to pat him roughly on the side with a grin, and the animal trots back lazily towards the trees.]

You're free to explore more. I'm just here for a walk.

Thanks, Shikamaru. Does that mean you're feeling better?

Mm. I get outta here today.

That's great! I'm real glad you're feeling better, Shikamaru. [Without Katara, he didn't talk to Mia as often, so any news he received on medical happenings was fairly limited.] Is this your way of celebrating?

Physical therapy. Walking's supposed to do me good.

Oh. That makes sense, too! [Or so Aang would be more familiar with, were there more realism within the aftermath of his being frozen in an iceberg or recovering from a death coma.] I bet it is doing you good. And having a familiar place must make it more comfortable.

[Nod, nod.] Mostly it's because I thought if I used some forest I'm not used to I'd trip.

That's really smart. You must know these woods really well! [Aang goes on with a knowing smile.] But I bet it was also because you missed your deer friends. [Not to be confused with his dear friends.] Since you only got one of your deer here, right?

Stop making me sound deep, man.

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