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]

[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.

[twinlionfists]

[He can rest safely. She has no desire to go to the Battle Dome to train. She prefers the forest. She only goes to the hospital there to see what kind of healing happens there as opposed to the smaller clinic that she prefers.]

Otou-sama once told me that most suspicious characters can be found frequenting bars. Of course, I think he was referring to Jiraiya-sama at the time.

[endgames]

[Pfft. Or my dad, is his first thought, but he keeps that one to himself and snickers once instead.]

Neji wasn't kidding when he said Hyuuga don't indulge in displays of drunkeness.

[twinlionfists]

[Hinata shakes her head sadly.]

Can you imagine a Hyuuga engaging in something so...undignified?

[endgames]

No. [Very solemn. He is the picture of it.] I suppose not.

[Except for that time he got Neji drunk two months ago. Best pokerface: Shikamaru has it.]

[twinlionfists]

[Okay, so, she has no clue about that. Probably best not to tell her either. However, she was thinking more like her father and grandfather.]

I will take your advice to heart, Shikamaru-kun. [She gestured briefly to his bowl.] Are you still hungry?

[endgames]

[He breaks the grave look easily, raising a hand with a grateful nod.]

More tired than that. This was fine, Hinata, really. Thank you.

[twinlionfists]

Then I wish your rest is an easy one. [She stands from the table and goes to pour the rest of the tea into a thermos and to make a bento out of the rice and meat that would be enough for anyone easily before placing the rest—enough for four or five people at least—into the fridge.]

If you will excuse me, I have a lunch to deliver to a stubborn cousin.

[endgames]

Aa. Sure thing. Say... [Man he feels weird. With Twila gone less than hours ago, this is the most himself he's been in weeks. He covers it up with a grin, and a two-fingered salute.] Say hi to him for me.

[twinlionfists]

[She smiles at him softly.]

Of course.