endgames | 008 -- [Voice || Action]

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008 -- [Voice || Action]

[Voice]

Oi. What's easy to make for dinner, besides sandwiches and microwave dinners?

[Let's face it - Shikamaru can cook for himself if need be, but Chouji's the food lover. Unfortunately there comes a point where one gets bored of the dishes they know how to make - particularly when those dishes are sandwiches and instant food.

Speaking of instant food - he'll just beat Naruto to the punch on this one. 8|] ...Or ramen.

[/end voice]

[Fortunately he has some time to take suggestions. Once he's finished his regular daily regimen of training for the day (something he's been keeping up on since Chouji was taken), he can be found in a clearing not too far from the path to town, next to the river. There's a shogi board with him, set on a turn table, and it likely looks like he's playing himself.

Of course, if you're more familiar with Tsinku, or just paying closer attention to the rumble of thunder in the background that rolls when Shikamaru switches to playing the opposite side, you might guess differently. Apparently, as he learned the other day in a conversation with Law, the filial spirits have some interest in games. And surprisingly when it comes to shogi, Tsinku's turning out to a challenging opponent.

He hasn't known the spirit long enough to learn from him just yet, but he pays attention to him all the same. The sooner he can build up a relationship with Tsinku, the faster he can learn from him. And any skill he can pick up is a useful one. Especially here.

...This past week has been a rough one. Aside from Shino, Luceti's officially screwed with everyone he cares about now - and there's next to nothing he can do about it. It may prove to be futile, but he's going to be prepared for when it happens again.

In any case, it's the reason he's out here on a day like today. And he'll be out here until it starts to snow again or gets dark, whichever comes first.]

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[While he may have entertained the unlikely possibility of that happening, that she didn't would not be a surprise.

As it is, he's more or less forgotten about the exchange. He heads back into his apartment... and notes the light dusting of powder on the doorknob from the inside is disturbed. So she's been in here again.

He's tempted to set a mouse trap on the other side of the door next time, honestly. Just to be an ass.

But there's more important things to think about. Running into Itachi brought other problems he'd forgotten back to his attention. Have we mentioned that Luceti is troublesome lately? Because it is.

After half an hour spent in his room, he decides brooding really isn't going to get him anywhere. Chouji would agree with that, most likely - and probably suggest eating something, while he's at it. Turns out it's hard to deny your best friend even when he isn't present and accounted for.

Dinner it is then. Shikamaru heads out of his apartment for the kitchen, then pauses. He takes a few steps back to Temari's apartment, and knocks on the door.]

Edited 2011-01-01 15:38 (UTC)

[The knock on the door isn't exactly surprising; there's only one person who would, but that doesn't mean it's him. It's likely, but not guaranteed. Temari only answers the door after she's armed herself.

No, it's not the fan, but Shikamaru may notice her tucking a knife into her belt after she sees it's him.]

What?

[Best greeting ever.]

[That she put it away is practically a compliment.]

You eaten yet?

[He knows her so well.]

Why? You trying to crash my home-cooked meal?

I wanted to know how much I needed to bother with making.

[She almost feels like an ass.]

What are you planning on making? [Because if it's tea, she has to save you from yourself.]

Macaroni. Or maybe oatmeal - I haven't decided yet.

[Too late to try out the pork chops tonight.]

Let's just not put the oatmeal in the macaroni.

I think I can manage that, believe it or not.

[He scratches at his head, then rolls his shoulders and turns to head back towards the kitchen.] Come if you're hungry, or whatever it is you want.

[Temari follows, but only after locking her door and making sure that knife is still tucked into her belt.]

I'm making the tea.

Fine with me. I'm not a masochist.

[He slips into the kitchen and starts going through the bag he dropped off before heading to his room - just a few groceries, macaroni noodles and a carton of oats in particular.]

[Temari picks up the carton of oats, giving it a somewhat wary glance. So bland.]

I hope it wasn't the same person that suggested oats and macaroni.

[She puts the carton down and starts for the teapot. She was serious about that; you are not touching her tea.]

I wouldn't be trying it if they had. I figured I'd try one tonight and the other tomorrow, is all. It'd be troublesome to have to make more than one trip to the grocery store, though.

[He and the teapot may as well be mortal enemies for the next month, so you have nothing to fear. But if you have a preference as to what you want to eat, you should probably speak now or forever hold your peace.]

[You know, she actually agrees with him: why make more than one trip to the store when you can plan a little and save some time? Instead of saying so, she snorts.]

Unless you're putting something worth tasting in that oatmeal, I'm not eating it.

You could have something else then, troublesome woman.

[Nevermind that he volunteered to make dinner for you as well. Or that he was planning on throwing apples in it if he made it. He's about as cranky as a toddler right now, and speaking just to be contrary.]

...oatmeal's more of a breakfast thing anyways. [So macaroni it is.]

[Excuse her while she snorts in his general direction again and puts the teapot on the stove.]

The day I see you get up early to cook...

There's no law against having breakfast at noon.

Some would call that lunch.

[A shrug.] I'm not some. Breakfast is the first meal of the day to me.

[Insert eye-roll here. Temari shakes her head and makes her way toward the pantry and cabinets. Tea needs more than just hot water, after all.]

So hunger does eventually drive you from bed?

Same as it does everyone.

[Lazy people have needs too. Bodily functions are troublesome like that.]

Some people- [She cuts herself off.] But you're not some people. Right.

Aha. Now you're catching on.

[He steps over to the fridge, rooting around in it for their cheese.]

[Temari lets that go while she fusses over the tea. It's not like she has much to do but wait for the water to boil.]

Anything out there I need to know about?

As far as...?

[He's not entirely sure how much Temari remembers of Luceti. He can tell more of it has been coming back to her over the days... but he never really did explain everything that happened here before she arrived in the first place.]

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