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]

[...]

All right, fair point. But what about the other guy?

[twodragons]

...She'd probably laugh at them if they slipped off and bend them to safety.

[endgames]

Tch. I'd be annoyed just to be dragged out in the rain.

[twodragons]

Do you play with her up there at all?

[endgames]

I've gone up there once or twice, but I prefer watching the clouds to be honest.

[twodragons]

[That gets Zuko to raise an eyebrow.]

...Watching the clouds?

[That sounds incredibly dull. And totally something his uncle would do.]

[endgames]

Yeah. You know... Those fluffy things in the sky? Usually white. Sometimes stringy.

[twodragons]

I know what clouds are!

It's just surprising that you'd want to sit and watch them all the time.

[endgames]

[He smirks to himself.]

I like hobbies that don't take a lot of energy.

[...though it's been a long time, come to think of it.]

[twodragons]

...When you say it that way, it just sounds like you're lazy.

[endgames]

[It's just nostalgic, when you put it like that.]

People confuse rest with idleness.

[twodragons]

That sounds like something my uncle would say.

[endgames]

[Having met Zuko a couple of times, and his uncle to boot, he can actually picture that man.]

...older guy, right? Liked a game called Pai Sho.

[twodragons]

...Yeah! That's him. Have you met him?

[Sometimes he forgets that his uncle was actually in the village at one point.]

[endgames]

Yeah, a long time ago. He was one of the people I met in the first month I showed up. Seemed like a good guy.

[twodragons]

He did more to raise me than my father did.

It's... weird, hearing that people have met him here.

[endgames]

[Oh, one of those types? Iroh had mentioned his nephew, but he hadn't known him long enough to tell how deep that bond might have run.]

Weirder than hearing people have met you?

[twodragons]

...Yeah, actually. I mean that's strange too, but my uncle isn't here now.

...Does that make any sense?

[endgames]

Sorta. [He scratches his cheek.] Same thing happens all the time in reality, like meeting people your parents knew long before you were born. The familiarity can be surprising.

[Strange, in seeing that life beyond you.]

[twodragons]

You have a point.

I think it just seems so different because you aren't even a part of the same world. I'll need to get used to it.

[The way he has to get used to most things in this place.]

[endgames]

To be honest, that's the first time I've thought of him in a while. I didn't know him for long...

[twodragons]

[Zuko shrugs.]

Not everyone gets close to everyone they run into. Even here.

[endgames]

[Pretty much.]

Less to get used to, when you think about it like that.