endgames | 033 -- [Action]

[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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He can see she gets it now - gives her a nod after a moment.]

Yeah. [Sigh. His postures loosens, tension going out of his back and shoulders.] Here's hoping it actually works out now.

[For better or worse though, he's glad.]

...Would it help if I shine a flashlight in your eyes?

[RECORD SCRATCH.]

Oi, oi. Don't turn my metaphors against me.

[SHE DOESN'T HAVE A LITERAL FLASHLIGHT ON HER, RIGHT...]

Hey, your idea, not mine. [ She shrugs. ] All I've got is firebending, anyway.

That's worse than what I had in mind.

What did you have in mind?

A flashlight is much tamer than firebending. Taking it literally.

[Realistically... with this whole problem, he really doesn't know. For him that's an oddity - a situation he isn't in often. So instead of dwelling on it, he keeps this banter going a little longer.]

Maybe you don't need something tame. I mean, these spirits are holding onto some people pretty tight.

[Humming lowly, in the back of his throat, he begins to tap his foot lightly against the ground.]

I don't think you can beat them out. [With a half-snort, he scratches one side of his head.] I'm not that eager to try.

[ She chuckles. ] Shoot, and I was just about to volunteer my services.

Har har. I'd sooner hire you on at my store than sign up for that treatment.

[ ...And then she frowns. ]

Hey, now. You'd be lucky to have me working in your store.

It's not exactly the glamorous job you were looking for. What's to say you'd even be there for a week?

I could make it a week! Your customers would be begging you to bring me back on, too.

[He folds his arms over his chest.]

Fine. Let's test that.

[ She looks at him blankly for a moment. ]

...Wait, you're serious? You want me working in your store?

I need somebody there. Masaomi's my only worker, and it's troublesome running it with just him and me. And since I've been gone for over a week, just him now.

[ ... ]

What do I get out of it?

You wanted a job a couple weeks ago. This, I'd like to say, is a job.

[ Well, she was still dealing with crippling boredom, and if she didn't, he would just hold it over her head, more than likely... ]

Alright, alright, fine. I'll try it out.

[A grin.] Just see if you like it after a week, and if you don't you're off the hook. Unless I die before the week's up, then I might have to keep you for two.

Gee, knock on wood. But if I don't like it and quit, you're not allowed to give me a hard time about it. Got it?

Hey, give me some credit.

[Got it.]

Also, if you die? I get to give you a hard time.

I think you'd have to get in line.

[Mock casual in posture, but he speaks the words soberly.]

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