Notes and Encounters

[16autumnroad]

Appointment Post
Call, leave a message, slide a note under the door, or stop by to find Chouji.

Please use the subject line to mention method of contact and the date of the interaction.
(i.e. "Voice, 3/9")

Comments

[April 2, Action]

[endgames]

[It's weird. After drafts he used to be exhausted. He's tired coming back into Luceti, for sure, but not so much that he could fall into bed and sleep through to tomorrow.

He tells his roommates he'll meet up with them later on, splitting to go do his own thing (and probably meeting updated Lee in the process). When he gets back to the apartment it's late. With a bag under his arm, he only stops by both his roommate's doors for a second before making a beeline to his own room.]

G'night, Chouji.

[April 2, Action]

[16autumnroad]

[Chouji spent the day distracting himself but left a note for Shikamaru saying where he'd gone. His arrival home finds the note sitting untouched, and he crumples it to throw away.

He's on his feet as soon as the apartment door opens, but Chouji lets Shikamaru come to him.]

Welcome home, Shikamaru.

[In other words, go to your own room if you have to, but Chouji isn't going to close the metaphorical door on the conversation by wishing you good night.]

[April 2, Action]

[endgames]

[At first it seems like he's going to do just that. He spends a good five minutes in his room before the door opens again; slowly, as if trying to quiet squeaky hinges. It's followed by hesitant padding of feet back down the hall, stopping outside Chouji's door. He pushes the door open, just a little.]

[April 2, Action]

[16autumnroad]

[Shikamaru is a ninja. If Chouji can hear him moving, he isn't trying as hard as he could to be stealthy. Chouji takes this as a sign he ought to notice his friend's approach.

This time, he doesn't stand up. Chouji stays seated, and he speaks softly once his own door moves.]

Come on in.

[April 2, Action]

[endgames]

[Invitation made, he lets himself in and shuts the door behind him. He's not really sure what to open with, so standing there awkwardly, he just goes with the first thing that falls out of his mouth.]

...my stuff's gone.

[April 2, Action]

[16autumnroad]

[Chouji will go along with whatever Shikamaru uses as an opener. Any starting point is better than nothing at all.]

I'll help you find as much of it as we can in the morning. A lot of it would've gone to the shops, right?

[And he gestures for Shikamaru to sit down.]

Luceti Valley 2.0, 8/2-8/11

[16autumnroad]

[16autumnroad]

((continued from here))

Then you'd have to spin thread and weave it, too. It's a whole other level of the process, but it does cut out your dependence on the factory. Do you have the space for silk worms?

[Chouji doesn't bother asking whether Tenten can actually do it. She's determined enough that she can probably manage whatever she tries. He takes a sip of the tea and a bite of cake.] This is very good. Thanks.

[weaponry]

I wouldn't need a lot. I could practically place them anywhere in the house without question. [ Oop. ] I mean, the worst I'll have to deal with is Ikki thinking they're pets. And silk is a commodity, you know. [ Her life would be in very interesting places. ]

You're welcome. I'm glad I could add something sweet to your day. It seems a lot of the food is starting to lose flavor, but I assume it's because of the rough conditions. Spices aren't exactly cheap.

[16autumnroad]

[He laughs at that, and the mental image it conjures.] Make sure Naruto doesn't go stumbling into any of their threads. And Ikki would probably enjoy pet silkworms.

Tell me about it. [Grimacing, Chouji can sympathize all too well.] I do enough cooking that I've noticed, and I know Trish isn't happy about having to raise prices in the store.

[16autumnroad]

((continued from here))

Chouji doesn't have anything productive to say other than reiterating, "Like I said, watch out for yourself. I'm sure you can, but that seems like the kind of thing that could get you in trouble with everyone from other gangs to the police."

Concern for friends trumps everything else.

[precipitous]

She waved a hand dismissively. "I know, I know. We're careful, don't worry."

[16autumnroad]

He only half believes her, but Chouji nods anyway. "Good. I'd better get back to practice before the coaches and captain get annoyed, though." Grinning, he adds, "Especially since I'm taking Coach Rogers' daughter to that dance. Wouldn't want him forbidding her to go with me on the grounds of slacking."

[16autumnroad]

((continued from here))

Yeah, yeah, should've trusted you all along, I know.

It's still strange, thinking about you married, me with a girlfriend. A good kind of strange, though.

[endgames]

And then there's Naruto, a wife and two kids!

[16autumnroad]

I think the only reason that doesn't seem as strange is because I get distracted by how cute Ikki and Chien are.

[endgames]

Heh. They're good kids.

[16autumnroad]

((continued from here))

I'll certainly do my best. The past month has been... really good. [Financial worries, as much on his friends' behalf as his own, and Makie's health are the only things that have marred it, actually. Personally, Chouji is very satisfied with his life right now.]

Pepsi's great, thanks. Sit down and eat dinner with me. [Leading by example, Chouji sits down and starts in on his own food.]

[therewerefifty]

Sitting, sitting. [She pours herself a glass of water, sliding into the chair opposite.] Thank you, Chouji. This... does make things easier tonight. Gives me more time to relax.

[16autumnroad]

You're welcome! You should take the time, and it's no trouble. It was my turn to cook anyway. [Because he declares it his turn to cook at his brother's house as often as possible without offending anyone, but that's beside the point. Chouji's desire to thank his family for looking after him isn't going to change.

Makie's just been adopted. Family of a friend close enough to be family, she becomes family herself.]

Rest is good, but have you been getting bored spending most of your time at home? [Shikamaru's been working a lot lately, so she might not have had much company. And Chouji knows Makie enjoyed her job.]

[therewerefifty]

Mm, it can get dull. I'm looking up new hobbies to try. So far, nooot having much luck. [She grins.] Though this week I've had quite a few visitors. It's been fun.

[16autumnroad]

((continued from here))

I'll make sure to say hello next time. I see so much of Coach at school and after school that I admit I don't always head his direction when it's not time for practice. Is he the one who sent you out for groceries?

[tsunderebunny]

[Barnaby laughed softly, a little embarrassed.]

Yes, he is. I'm afraid I'm not that much of a cook, but at least we have a system. I clean up the dishes when we're done.

[16autumnroad]

[Hey, nothing to be embarrassed about there.]

I'd rather cook than wash dishes any day, so I think you're doing at least your share of the work.

Were there any other requests for this particular meal?

[tsunderebunny]

No...I can't think of anything, but I'm open to any suggestions you have.