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

[video]

[hisapprentice]

Er...what is it?

[video]

[endgames]

[Man, of course he's getting all the people who don't know. Not that he can blame them - he didn't either until two months ago.]

It's a machine. It dispenses a frozen drink called a slurpee.

[video]

[hisapprentice]

Slurpee. Hmm. [This is obviously puzzling.] A frozen drink, eh? What sort of drink?

[video]

[endgames]

Flavored. These four, here.

[He points the journal back at the machine again, in case he didn't catch a look the first time. Four flavors: Mountain Dew, Blue Raspberry, Orange, and Dr. Pepper.]

[video]

[hisapprentice]

[Of them, he's got blue raspberry and orange down.]

Do people really want to drink something that tastes of peppers?

[video]

[endgames]

Ha! [Okay he has to laugh. He wondered if that's what it was at first too, when he saw it.] I wouldn't put it past them,, but luckily for me this one isn't that kind of spicy.

[video]

[hisapprentice]

Spicy? It's more of a vegetable-garden flavor, I should think. ...Unless it's like medicine, either way I don't think I'd want that one.

[video]

[endgames]

If you're trying one, the others turn your tongue colors. [He says it like a selling point.] You like blue, orange, or green?

[video]

[hisapprentice]

[For a moment Luke sticks out his tongue and goes cross-eyed, like he's trying to look at it.]

Blue, then. I'll be there straight away.

[You'd never know he's a young puzzle-loving gentleman would you?]

[action]

[endgames]

[But he has proven he is definitely a kid. Gentleman or not, you fail the kid exam if you don't leap at a chance like that.

IN ANY CASE, Shikamaru is still at the store however many minutes later, wiping down the counter. YO.]

[action]

[hisapprentice]

[The blue hat comes in with the boy underneath it ready to investigate. Slurpees. Turning the tongue blue. A very worthy goal for a beginner gentleman. There he is, in front of the machine, looking...puzzled.

Not because he doesn't know what to do, though. It just reminds him of something.]

[action]

[endgames]

[Shikamaru finished up with a customer and the counter wiping before looking back over at him. He walks over, hands in his pockets and grinning.]

Man, I thought you would've picked something by now.

[action]

[hisapprentice]

Oh. I just take one, then? I thought I needed to wait for, er, permission.

[action]

[endgames]

Nope! Knock yourself out. It's self-service.

[action]

[hisapprentice]

[Well. No puzzle machine for drinks will defeat him! After a bit more figuring, Luke chooses blue slurpee and takes a very large drink.

This is a bad idea.]

Wah- ow! [He squints his eyes shut and makes a face.]

[action]

[endgames]

[Snerk. Well, Shikamaru would've warned him sooner, but the deed is done.]

Yeah, you don't want to go that fast unless you're itching for brain freeze.

[action]

[hisapprentice]

[Luke rubs the bridge of his nose and groans until the feeling goes away. Ugh. That was awful. The next sip is much slower.]

It's good, though. For coming from dessert machinery or whatever this is.

[action]

[endgames]

It's a slurpee machine. [Shikamaru gives it a pat over the top. It's his baby.] And if you wanna get rid of that brain freeze, try sticking your tongue to the roof of your mouth.

[action]

[hisapprentice]

[Tongue to the roof of your mouth. Luke makes a face.]

Lnn thkk? [Yeah, he's doing it.]

[action]

[endgames]

Yup. And keep your mouth closed, until it feels better. The heat helps it out, see? It's like thawing out your brain.

[action]

[hisapprentice]

[That's a frown.]

That's not just a way to get me to stop talking, is it?

[action]

[endgames]

[Oh please. He rolls his eyes and sticks his own thumb on the roof of his mouth.]

'ow w'll do you shink you kan tock do-wing this?

[action]

[hisapprentice]

That's what I mean! If I do that for long enough I won't be able to say anything at all until I'm through.

[Slurpees as a shutting-up tactic. Luke files that information away for later.]

This is good though. Thanks.

[action]

[endgames]

[He takes his thumb out, wiping the saliva absent-mindedly on the side of his shirt.]

Hey, no problem. I'm here to spread the joy, and whatnot.

[And give brain freeze advice that kids may or not take. It's no big deal though, and if the kid doesn't take it it's not like it won't wear off on its own.]

[action]

[hisapprentice]

[That didn't sound very joyful.]

I'll come back another time, and I'll probably bring Flora. I think she'd like this thing.