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

[...tentatively moving for the chairs.]

I'm not used to you being so nice, is all.

Then stand still and I can sucker punch you.

That's more like it.

[AND IS ODDLY MORE ASSURING. He takes a seat.]

[She only rolls her eyes and shakes her head. Idiot. If you wanted to be punched, all you had to do was say so.]

[Of course he didn't. It's the sarcasm that assures him she won't.

But aah. These aren't too uncomfortable, though it will take some time to get used to the awkward shape. Either way, he tilts his foot up to point to one of the other chairs with his toe. Have a seat yourself, Temari.]

[Yeah, yeah, she'll sit.

But she kick his foot - sorta gently - on her way by.]

[He makes a tisking sound - gosh was that necessary 8| - and pulls his foot back in. Then he tilts his chin at the rest of the store.]

What do you think?

[Of course it was necessary. Unless he wants punched?]

You're making progress. [Temari speak for "Hey, looks good."]

[No he's good. 8|]

The others have done most of the work. It's troublesome, but I guess I'll have to pull my own weight later.

You? Pull your own weight?

Oi, oi.

[Come on. He's still a slacker, but he's not as bad of a slacker as he was back in the day.]

What? [Maybe so, but she can still tease you.]

[Siiigh.

He supposes it's something he'll never live down. It doesn't bother him too much; he figures his friends know they can count on him in a real bind.]

And what about you?