endgames | 034 -- [Video

[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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Shikamaru leans back, palms flat against the counter, and pushes himself up to sit on it in one fluid movement.]

Yeah. As of two months ago. It's kinda superfluous, but it's worked out all right.

It can't be so bad if you can sit here relaxing and drinking this stuff, yeah?

[Sluuuuuurp. You may come to regret introducing him to this stuff, one day soon. He can be bad enough when not on a sugar rush, after all.]

[Come on, bro, we were supposed to have outgrown the sugar terror phase when we were in ninja kindergarten.]

Tch. If it were that, it'd be perfect. Small reward for all the work I go to.

[But owner's perks are nice, yes. As is abusing them.]

[He will never grow out of it :| Then again, he doesn't even need sugar to act like a hyperactive dumbass.]

So what is it you do in this place then? You like it?

[Touche.]

I didn't mention it? [Nope. Sure didn't. Oh well.] I'm the owner.

[Delivered in the tone of "the sky is blue".]

Woah, really? You never said that! [Dammit Shikamaru.] How come you never mentioned it before?

I guess it never seemed important, with other things going on. I only opened up officially in the middle of that mess where everyone grew bigger wings, anyways.

Oh, that stuff. Wish they'd stayed bigger, it was so much cooler being able to fly around with them instead of these things. [Which don't do much other than become a pain when combined with fitted clothing, apparently.]

So if you're the boss, that means you've got people working for you, right?

[...Naruto. We had big wings because we were possessed, bro. He just stares for a second, as if the stupidity well settle if he leaves Naruto to stew in it a little longer.

BUT LIKE THAT'S EVER WORKED. Fine, moving on.]

Just Masaomi and Korra so far.

[Yeah-- good luck waiting on that realisation to drop, it's not going to happen any time soon.]

Korra? [He knows Masaomi already, never heard of this Korra dude though.] They don't get like, paid, right? 'Cause of the no money thing.

Yeah, they're working out of the kindness of their hearts, I guess.

[HE FEELS LUCKY. SORTA. His employees are Masaomi and Korra.]

You'll probably see Korra around. She's about our age, sometimes goes around with a polar-bear dog.

Polar bear dog? Like Akamaru? And hey! Maybe I can come work with you.

[He's thinking more along the lines of "working" here with Shikamaru and being able to have lots of slurpees, though.]

[Only Naga's even bigger, if you want your mind blown. But focusing on that last bit--]

If you want. But you realize you're gonna actually have to work, right?

[They also apparently have a ping pong table on the roof. Or something. This is a very productive establishment, though.]

...What sorta work are we talking about?

[What do you even do here Shikamaru?]

There's stocking product [he nods to the gondolas, stocked with all kinds of food]. We haul most of that in ourselves from the grocery store. Then there's general maintenance. Keeping the floors clean, wiping down counters... Stuff like that.

[okay stocking.. looking at the... food...and stuff.. stocking, yes. Fetching things from grocery, okay... cleaning floors and counters.... boring....

Really though, he thinks it would be nice to have something to do once in a while. plus he would (hopefully?) get to hang out with Shikamaru some more.]

That's it? Sounds easy to me!

[He also might force him into making bento lunches if he can't find another way to get ready-to-eat foods in here.

Buuuut no sense saying that now. He hasn't even told Korra and Masaomi yet. 8D]

All right. I'll give it some thought and work you into the schedule, but you can probably consider yourself hired.

YATTA~!! [And there's a cheer from Naruto.]

You won't regret it! [Probably not.]

[So loud. Shikamaru sticks a finger in his ear, used to the energy.]

Jeez, you'd think I'd given you the keys to the place...

[But he rarely has regretted anything he's been involved with with Naruto. Working with him probably would be fun.]