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]

[IT WAS A TRAP.]

--well, if you're gonna put it like that. [All the backpedaling, so as to not dig himself any deeper.]

[herotypical]

...I mean it. What have you been up to, lately? Beside the big store endeavour?

[endgames]

Oh, you heard about that? [He feels kind of tickled, that more people are noticing.] Guess it can't be helped, with the announcement made today. To tell you the truth, that's more of a hobby for me than anything. I've been picking up more missions lately, and working with the others on that keycard Vash found in the tunnels.

[herotypical]

...A hobby. You opened a store as a hobby.

[endgames]

Ehh... [He scratches the back of his head.] It started with some grander purpose, but I decided I didn't like that. By then I'd already rehauled most of the building, and it seemed like a waste, you know?

After I got back from home, it was just something good to do while I readjusted.

[herotypical]

You...oh.

I didn't know that you -- y'know. That that happened.

[endgames]

[There's not too many clues for it. He's a couple inches shorter; his face a little younger, because of it. But having shounen aging syndrome, none of it's pronounced.]

It was a while ago. [He shrugs like it's nothing, in an attempt to downplay the meaning of the event.] I wasn't even gone long enough for my roommates to notice.

[herotypical]

Was it...[ good? ] What was it like?

[ because -- over four years here, and she's never been back. not once. it sets an envy in her bones. ]

[endgames]

[...he smiles, like his words mean nothing to him. They're words he speaks casually, without hesitation. A truth as simple as the air they breathe and the sky that's blue.]

It's the most horrific thing I've ever lived through, and when I think about it I'm afraid. But if I could go back I would, to see it get better.

[herotypical]

...What happened?

[ bold and brash as ever -- she doesn't shy away from asking. ]

[endgames]

We're at war.

[...he was going to leave it at that, but Luceti herself isn't stranger to such things, and many have been terrible battles in themselves. Or at least most people would define them like that. He used to, at one point.]

...three days of combat have seen approximately 60,000 soldiers killed. Our army was 80,000 strong at the start.

[herotypical]

With stats like that -- [ she answers grimly ] -- it doesn't sound like you'll be at war for much longer.

[endgames]

No. [He's equally frank, in his agreement with her.] Whatever happens when I go back, it will be the final day. Neither side of the war can afford to let it draw out longer than that.

[herotypical]

Does your side have any chance...?

[endgames]

I won't hold faith that all of us will survive, but we won't die without accomplishing nothing. If Naruto can't defeat them, I'll find another way to throw off their plans.

[herotypical]

...Amazing optimism.

[endgames]

It's not, it's just the only thing worth doing. And optimism is better for keeping up their moral.

[herotypical]

Even seeing that something's worth doing is a kind of optimism.

[endgames]

Heh. It's genocide if we don't win, so...

[It'd be hard not to find it worth it.]

[herotypical]

...Who are they?

[endgames]

Would you believe me if I said it's just two men?

[herotypical]

...I would. It's horrendous what just a few bad eggs can get done.

[endgames]

[He shrugs, and begins to tap his right foot absentmindedly on the floor. Yeah, that sums it up right.]

They're insane.

[herotypical]

But what do they want, really?

[endgames]

[The masked man had gone on about his plan enough that Shikamaru supposes he could quote it verbatim. As he drums his fingers on the counter, playing it back in his head just makes him sick to his stomach, he finds.]

I don't know about the one, but the other. The guy who's calling the shots? According to him, as long as humans exist the world will never know peace. He wants to wipe us out, shinobi and civilian alike, and start the world over from scratch.