034 -- [Video | Action]

[endgames]

[Video]

[The feed kicks on to a counter in the convenience store, height adjusting a split second after as if the person holding the journal realized he needs to hold it higher if anyone is going to see what's on the counter.

Correction made, the journal reveals a SLURPEE MACHINE, clean and ready to go with cups stacked to the side. The labels of the four flavors it offers are clearly displayed, from left to right: Mountain Dew, Blue Raspberry, Orange, and Dr. Pepper.

After holding it there for a good thirty seconds, Shikamaru turns his journal back to himself, straight-faced as he checks to make sure he got all the important bits shown. When it's confirmed, he focuses back on the feed itself with a grin.]

You're welcome.

[/end video]

[Shikamaru spends most of his day in the convenience store, prideful over the new working addition. Less so over what to do about the fresh-to-go items the store should be offering. At least he was able to get a Shift so the refrigerated items in the store self-replenish, and one for the slurpee machine too. The rest he'll have to figure out.

When evening comes along, Shikamaru goes into the tunnels to work more on the computer in there. After that, he detours for the bar instead of going home. Both of his roommates/two of his best friends are gone on a mission, so it's not like anyone will miss him. The least tidy out of the three of them, the apartment will be a mess when they get back so might as well take one day off from dirtying it up further. Besides, he has some items to drop off for Buffy anyways.

He'll just have a couple drinks after (no repeat of that other time) and go home.]

Comments

[endgames]

[Yo. Shikamaru plants his hands on the counter, leaning against.]

Thanks, man.

[stilldontgotit]

No problem.

[He takes a moment to look over the flavors.]

So, what exactly are Slurpees, anyway? Some kind of soft drink?

[He can't really object either way. He's got time to burn, and his curiosity's leading him along for better or worse.]

[endgames]

Frozen ones, yeah. Wanna try one?

[stilldontgotit]

Got nothing better to do. Besides, it's summer. What better time to grab a cold drink?

[He takes a little bit longer to peruse the flavors. Some of the names are a bit foreign to him... Dr. Pepper? Not the most descriptive name, but before long, he settles on a flavor.]

Think I'll go for orange.

[endgames]

[Shikamaru knocks a cup out of the ones he was pulling out to stock; gives it a spin in his hand before catching it and holding it out.]

Help yourself.

[stilldontgotit]

Heh, thanks.

[Just give him a second, and he'll slip the cup under the device and let the icy goodness flow. In the mean time...]

Where'd you get the idea for this, anyway? A slushie machine's awfully specific.

[endgames]

Heard about it from a guy I know when I first opened the store. He said they have them in all of the convenience stores in his world, and it sounded like it could be a good investment.

[stilldontgotit]

In this heat? Of course it's a good investment; I'm surprised nobody thought of it sooner.

[Now to plop a straw in and give it a good, hard slurp.]

[endgames]

It helps having somewhere to put it. [He waits until Riku's taken a taste, then cocks his head.] Verdict?

[stilldontgotit]

[He makes a contented sound before flashing Shikamaru a thumbs-up.]

Not bad. Not bad at all, though it helps that you've got one of my favorite flavors.

[endgames]

Orange? Really?

[stilldontgotit]

[He shrugs, taking another sip.]

Hey, when you grow up on an island, you learn to like citrus.

[endgames]

Yeah, real citrus. Orange flavored stuff always tastes sticky to me.

[But he shrugs, because it all comes down to taste anyways.]

[stilldontgotit]

See, I always thought grape flavor had more of a sticky flavor. That and strawberry soda... That stuff just doesn't do it for me.

[It tastes too much like corn syrup and not enough like fruit. Blegh.]

[endgames]

[He points a finger. Bingo, man.]

Those too. Grape's the worst.

[stilldontgotit]

Lemon lime's not so bad, though. It doesn't taste as... thick, I guess.

[He's not sure how else to describe it. White pop in general tends to be a lot lighter, really.]

[endgames]

Probably uses less syrup.