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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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.]

[The answer to that is... well. She's not even sure most days.]

... Anything suspicious out there in the wild village?

Tch. Almost everything about this place is suspicious, most days.

[Ingredients laid out, he starts looking for a pot to boil the noodles in.]

...Do you remember anything about Uchiha Sasuke being here?

[She's silent for a moment, both sifting through opposing sets of memories and balking at admitting anything that could be a weakness.]

Some. [She shrugs one shoulder, then turns to making tea. Look, multitasking.] I know he's here. I know that in some reality somewhere he's caused problems.

[Understatement: she does it. Here, have a mug of tea.]

'Some problems'. [There's a snicker and a smirk, but the amusement doesn't touch anywhere else.

Shikamaru takes the mug with a muttered 'thanks, then sets it aside in favor of filling the pot with water. He's silent as he does so, waiting until he's done before turning around to lean against the counter with his arms folded over his chest.]

There's a chance he might not be here anymore.

[She takes her own tea in hand and props a hip against the counter.]

Doesn't sound like a bad thing. [She takes a sip of the tea, which, by the way, tastes infinitely better than his.] How'd you find this out?

It's not, if it's true. Hell, as far as I'm concerned it's cause to celebrate.

But the source is questionable. I don't have much reason to trust him, but far as I know he doesn't have any reason to lie over something like this.

Who's your source?

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