033 -- [Action]

[endgames]

[In anticipation of a witch hunt, Shikamaru left the village a solid week or more ago for a spot he could wait things out and do as he liked. After John's report to the village, he trained with Twila's powers some and checked out the barrier. He never forgot that looming detail - that a deadline was approaching - but it wasn't the loudest though to linger in his mind.

"I've let your new attitude and wings slide, because we're friends. But it's starting to make you do things you wouldn't normally in a bad way. You should get it together."

It's troublesome but not untrue, which means that comes before anything else. Control is the name of the game here. Twila catered to his apathy, and while there's something nice about not feeling sad or anxious anymore, until they split ways he's going to be the one calling the shots. And after that week... he is for the most part, and ready to take care of things.]

[Since it's hard telling over the journals how much things settled in the village, so on June 9th he makes his way back on his very best behavior. Best. Maybe. PROVOKE HIM AND FIND OUT. He's still possessed by the start of the day, but in general, Shikamaru can be found attempting to mind himself while doing any of the following:

1. Observing people from high up places and making weirdly realistic shadow puppets to pass the time
2. Exploring the new parts of the tunnels
3. Searching out anyone he might have been an ass to, because he should make up for that 8|

One way or another he's back to normal by the end of the day, so people might find him in CH1 too after the fact.]

Comments

[endgames]

[He shrugs after a second, and walks toward the fridge.]

The gomae's fine. The way things disappear into the fridge, might as well finish it now before it returns with furry things growing on it and a vengeance.

[And it might not be kelp, but he likes his greens in general. Spinach is good.]

[twinlionfists]

[She smiled at his behaviour, put the last of the rice into the cooker and moved on to sauteing the beef for her food.]

I cleaned the refrigerator yesterday, Shikamaru-kun, so that should not be a problem. However, if you would like some of this as well, there will be plenty left over.

[endgames]

[Sure enough, the fridge is spotless when he opens it up. He blinks at it before looking back at her over his shoulder, remembering when he saw Sakura cleaning out the fridge a month ago too. He snorts to himself after another moment, amused.]

All you girls moving in here... There's more good than bad that can be said for that.

[twinlionfists]

[After so many years, she is aware of Shikamaru's opinion on women, mainly that they are "troublesome", so that's a compliment indeed.]

I am glad that you finding us useful then.

[If he bothered to look, he would see a small, teasing smile on her lips.]

[endgames]

[He turns around and nudges the fridge door behind him shut with his foot.]

Oi oi, I know I was bad about it back in the day, but I always knew women are worthwhile.

[twinlionfists]

[Her smile turns soft as she looks at the boy she considers a friend.]

I know that, Shikamaru-kun. I brought chocolate chip cookies to Kida-kun and Chouji-kun when I visited, but I cannot remember what you prefer to eat.

[endgames]

Aa. That's kind of you. [Food for Neji and Lee, cookies for Chouji and Masaomi? Hm...] This is more then enough, even if it's leftovers.

[He points to the bowl of gomae as he says this, walking back towards her by the table.]

[twinlionfists]

Leftovers are not what I would have suggested for you to eat if you were truly hungry. It is no bother for me to make you a bowl when it is done.

[She checks the rice and quickly turns it off as the beef has finished frying as well before pouring a cup of tea from the warming pot she had on the stove and putting it before him.]

[endgames]

Have you been doing things like this to adjust to Luceti?

[twinlionfists]

[She blinks as she sits across from him.]

Some, but I have been spending a lot of time helping at the clinic in the mornings and training in the afternoons. Sometimes, Sakura-san and I train together. However, I do walk around the village for a bit as well.

[You don't have to worry about her slaving away for the other shinobi, Shikamaru. She's been taking some time for herself as well.]

[endgames]

[Well she did just come from the war.]

How are you finding it here?

[twinlionfists]

[She thinks things over as she pours herself a cup of tea.]

For all intents and purposes, it is very strange. Luceti is fairly peaceful from what I can tell, but everyone who has been here for a while is more than willing to tell me about the things that happen to random citizens that seem like bizarre and inhumane experiments that would never be allowed in the Elemental Nations.

However, it is...different from what I am used to.

[endgames]

Tch. It sucks, but don't worry about it. People here have never heard of Orochimaru.

[But no, go on. That's an interjected opinion as he waits for her to finish.]

[twinlionfists]

[She is forced to think about what she feels comfortable about telling the other shinobi and finds that Shikamaru would probably not look down on her for her opinions and thoughts the way she fears that everyone would sometimes in her weakest moments.]

There are many different ways to do the same thing. I spent an entire morning speaking to Luke Skywalker-san at the clinic about the nature of how chakra works versus his usage of something he calls the Force. It is like Nature chakra and regular chakra together, from the way he explained it.

It was very informative.

However, things happen here that would not be permissible in Konoha...At least not in my clan's complex...and I am being forced to adjust to that suddenly. [She gives him a small smile.] It is not that horrible.

[endgames]

Yeah, I get what you mean. [Here and there, anyways.] Sometimes it's nice... Sometimes you just gotta stick with what you're used to anyways.

[twinlionfists]

[Hinata is enjoying the conversation, but having the proverbial spotlight on her for so long is a little nerve-wrecking.]

A-and yourself, Shikamaru-kun? From what I understand, you have been her for a while now, yes?

[endgames]

Mm. Getting close to three years now.

[twinlionfists]

Is there anything that you would suggest that I keep in mind as I find my bearings around here?

[endgames]

I have enough things to say I could write a book, if it weren't so troublesome.

[twinlionfists]

[Hinata can only smile at his response.]

Then I will not trouble you about it. I can always ask someone else.

[endgames]

[He waves a hand.]

You're from home. Who else am I going to tell these things to? [Everyone else they meet is bound to learn them before he gets to know them well enough to care to.] What in particular do you want to know?

[twinlionfists]

[She thinks about what she'd like to know for a moment. Finally, she finds things that she thinks that Shikamaru would know and might answer.] Is there anyone in particular that I should watch out for? Any particular parts of the village it would be wise to avoid?

[endgames]

[It used to the answer to that question was simple. How many times over the years did he warn his friends to tread carefully in the forest; that there was a wolf god who guarded it?

He helped kill her himself, but it's hard remembering Moro isn't around anymore.

Shikamaru drums his fingers on the table twice, thoughtful, before shaking his head.]

Nowhere you should avoid, exactly. It would pay to be cautious about any activity in the Battle Dome, but that place is relatively harmless too.

[He'll expand on that if she asks, but hm. People now.]

[twinlionfists]

[She can tell that there is more to what he was saying, but she trusts his judgment as much as she trusts that of her teammates and cousin.]

I will keep that in mind then. Are there any people worth noting?

[endgames]

[She can probably intuit for herself what he means if she's been/when she goes anyways. The Battle Dome monitors sessions, and possibly other things. Not the best place to practice the more secret ninjutsu techniques they all have.]

There always seems to be... They come and go, so it can be difficult to keep track. You'll find some suspicious figures at the bar. And there's that Loki guy-- aa. The older one, that is to say.