endgames | 034 -- [Video

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[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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh, lucky. That's one of the other flavors I got talked into for the slurpee machine.

I know! I saw when you flashed it on the video. [If he's paying attention to the background, it looks like she's in the square now.] That's why I decided to get off my lazy butt and come to the store.

Heh. It's look like you weren't far off to begin with.

It's really not too far of a walk. I cheated and cut through the trees, though. Normally I'd enjoy the walk over but there's Dr. Pepper on the line. I'd have to put it under the category of pressing matters. [She might be visible through the window of the store now, holding her journal up in front of her like a vlogger. That's how it's done, right? Like those YouTube people?

She wonders if she looks funny while doing that in public.]

[He's not positive if it's her - people look a lot different from far off then they do in a picture - but he does catch sight of someone coming closer.]

I think I see you now. [Waving out the window. If he's wrong, oh well, he'll just look dumb for a moment.]

[She looks up from her journal to see this guy waving out the window of the store- which makes her laugh, and waves back. The journal is closed as she trots over to the door, entering and giving the place a nice glance over.]

Hi! So this is it, huh? [There it is, she sees the prize; frozen treats of amazing right over there. But, manners first.]

Oh, I never even bothered to introduce myself. I'm Yuuna. [She walks over to him to stick her hand out for a handshake.]

Shikamaru. [Handshaking's a thing you gotta get used to in Luceti. He offers his back and takes hers.] Don't let me hold you up. I know what you're here for.

[He steps off to the right. Slurpee machine's all yours. 8|b]

[Well, he's certainly a to the point kind of guy. But that was, after all, what she'd come for.] Don't mind if I do then.

[She heads over, and helps herself- returning happily with the largest cup available full of Dr. Pepper slurpee awesome.] Thanks. I...really don't have to pay for this do I? It's still way too weird not paying for anything around here.

[She feels sort of bad for not having money. She might never get used to it.]

Not a ryo. [aka money in Naruto land] Or yen or cent. Whatever you use.

[Which was great when he got here, but keeps him holding back a wince now. Makes him feel like all the time he spent was worthless sometimes. This place is superfluous already, at least on the surface.]

Yen, that's right. [She takes a sip out of her slurpee. Yum.] Then, why do you run this store? Do you enjoy it despite not getting paid?

[Yuuna would never work unless she was getting paid for it. Or unless she really loved what she was doing.]

Oddly... Yeah.

[The store started out as nothing. Just a front for his real plan - a base for an intelligence agency. Since going home and coming back, he realized what a waste that idea was. Came up with something he liked better, even if he's yet to start.

But it was something comforting to come back to. Something to both focus on and distract himself with as he worked through his issues from the war. He sums it up without the baggage.]

It took a long time putting it together, and it's not even that successful. But it makes me feel like I've done something.

[She smiles lightly and her eyes soften.] That's all that matters isn't it? With that attitude it might end up being really popular. I'm not sure how long you've had the store but if you keep up what you're doing now you'll have more than you know what do with.

Taking pride in something that you don't receive much out of is really rare. It's good to hear there are still people like that.

[At the praise, he rubs the back of his head awkwardly. Almost as if he's unsure what to do with it.]

Most people are like that, is what I thought.

I guess it depends on what it is. And in modern times now, I've found people take pride in their work less and less. I don't know anyone who would run a business for free. I think that's saying a lot of someone; management isn't exactly an easy job. I've never done it myself, but I can imagine the nightmares that it is.

[That sounds like something that'd be a thing in Masaomi's world. In his... he can't imagine it. Money makes the world go round, but you don't progress through life as a shinobi if you don't have pride in something.]

What is it that you do?

[She looks down, smiling and reflecting on her past profession.] I'm a nurse. I worked in a hospital for quite a few years. [Uh, corner backed into, how to find a way out of it that wasn't outright lying-] Until I met my partner, and after that we had made enough on our own that we could, well, retire early I suppose. I miss the hospital sometimes, I'll admit. If I had to work again I'd gladly go back there. Helping people is nice, you know?

[He nods, agreeing with that. And fret not - to his eyes there's nothing immediately odd about her response. She doesn't meet his eyes, but that doesn't send off any alarms.]

I get that. I'd rather take that route in life, to tell you the truth.

034 -- [Video | Action]

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video; i legit had headcanon for the soda before this thread lol

video; LOL That's great!

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sorry i'm forever late jeez

It's cool, I'm slow myself right now. 8|b

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