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

[twodragons]

...I must be missing something.

[Is this some great future treat he's unaware of?]

Is that flavored ice?

[endgames]

Got it in one. They call it a slurpee.

[twodragons]

[Zuko raises a brow.]

...Did Sokka come up with that?

[endgames]

[Pfft.] Nah. It's something from that world a lot of other people in this village are from. I guess another name for them is Icee?

[twodragons]

[That sounds like a Sokka-ish name too, really.]

What sort of flavors are there?

[endgames]

There's blue raspberry, and orange. The other two are soda flavors. Ever hear of Mountain Dew, or Dr. Pepper?

[He knows Katara loves root beer, but he's less sure the others would've made it to the Avatar house.]

[twodragons]

I've heard of soda. Mountain dew is a little musty for my taste and I have no idea who Doctor Pepper is.

[endgames]

[BLASPHEMY. Okay no, he didn't dig Mountain Dew at first either.]

Heh. [He raises an eyebrow.] Dr. Pepper's the name of the second soda. It's nowhere near as sweet.

[twodragons]

I've never found dew to be all that sweet...

[Because unfortunately he's referring to the sort that gathers on leaves in the morning before the sun's properly risen. He's had to rough it pretty hard before.]

Is it really that great?

[endgames]

[What.]

Mountain Dew's my favorite of the lot. Have you really tried it?

[twodragons]

Not the kind on ice. And not the soda kind either.

[endgames]

Thought so. If you had, you couldn't miss the sugar even if you had a cold.

[twodragons]

What is it with everyone here and really sweet drinks? I thought there were already a lot of fruit mixes.

[endgames]

You've got me there. This one took a while growing on me because of that, actually, but it had enough of a citrus kick to win me over. [He shrugs.] I think drinks like that must be more common in other worlds.

[twodragons]

They seem really popular here.

...How do you get stuff like that, anyway? The machine the ice comes from. Did you build it?

[endgames]

[The journal's camera captures him shaking his head.]

I'm not that good. Mission points paid for it.

[twodragons]

Oh right.

I haven't been sure about those, but I was thinking maybe I should give one a try.

[Even if it feels a lot like working for the enemy.]

[endgames]

Make sure you read the fine print.

[twodragons]

There are contracts involved?

[endgames]

Ehh, sort of. You'll see the mission descriptions in the back of your journal if they think there's one you're qualified for. You sign up, it might as well be a contract.

[twodragons]

Is there really fine print, or were you just saying that too?

[Because he really does need to read that if so.]

[endgames]

No. That's legit.

[Or at least the mun has always assumed as such for mission descriptors]

[twodragons]

Guess I'll have to look for it.

[He's always hated long documents. Thankfully he hadn't had to sign many as a prince.]

[endgames]

Normally I'd advertise the hell out of that. It's more worthwhile than people give it credit, anyway. But...

[He shakes a slurpee cup just a little, that he filled off screen while they were talking.]

These taste better.

[twodragons]

What does that have to do with...

[Zuko frowns, then shakes his head. Shikamaru is kind of weird.]

Do you want me to come see that machine or what?