TERRACE Draft - Day 1

[lucetimods]

Who: All Draftees
What: Arrival at TERRACE
When: The first day, from 8AM to the wee hours of the night
Where: TERRACE!
Summary: Information post here
Rating: Varies on thread, please mark explicit material.

This post covers the first day, before the attack. Remember, characters here are not expecting an attack and are under the impression they will be going to Region 1 to fight. During this day, draftees will be restricted to T6 and T7 and not permitted access to other areas.

Be sure to tag this post appropriately: [canon] character name

Comments

[endgames]

[It helps, he thinks, that Itachi keeps his masks metaphorical.

Shikamaru nods, pensive, and turns his head not to stare. Instead he reasons with himself, trying to flip back his Luceti memories like searched through a card catalog. What was it Itachi said then...]

It was the cost of undoing the Edo Tensei.

[yourhatred]

[More or less.

He nods again. That's a good enough answer for the time being.]

I really do admire your perceptiveness.

[endgames]

[He puts his hands in his pockets and considers walking off. He's not gotten used to how surreal this feels.]

They were grateful to you for it.

[yourhatred]

I was not alone. And it was just something that had to be done.

[He doesn't go on to say who was with him.]

Would you care to join me for a bite to eat?

[endgames]

[Shikamaru nods.] That's doable.

[And he doesn't know about Itachi, but he hasn't gotten his meal yet. Time to get it while the line's still short, and he heads over there without another word.]

[yourhatred]

[Itachi has his food already waiting for him at a nearby table, and he returns to it to wait on his fellow ninja, touching little of it in the meanwhile.]

[endgames]

[Shikamaru took whatever food was handed to him, not paying it much attention until it was already in hand and he'd gone back to seat himself across from Itachi.

Bread. Some gray substance that might be meat. Eggs.

He wrinkles his nose and starts with the latter first. Not bothering to cover his mouth, he speaks with a lowered voice when he catches sight of an odd figure across the room.]

Blue guy been here long?

[yourhatred]

[Itachi has procured himself a bowl of oatmeal. Many of the other greasy breakfast items just didn't appeal to him.]

If by "blue guy" you mean the speaker for the Malnosso, then I believe he's been here for some time, yes.

Aside from the new outward appearance, he seems much the same as always.

[endgames]

[Something had seemed importantly familiar about him, but with his brain playing catch-up Shikamaru hadn't made the final connection as to the man's identity.

That was what he needed. He nods along for appearances and continues to eat mechanically.]

Thought he was s'posed to be in hiding.

[yourhatred]

Perhaps he's done all the hiding he cares to do.

[The workings of the Malnosso are, unfortunately, beyond most of them. There could be any number of reasons the strange man chose to show himself now.]

It's worth keeping an eye on, in any case.

[endgames]

Mm. [He used to care about these things. He should at least stick to it.] Yeah. Probably.

[yourhatred]

[Itachi tilts his head, response reminiscent of the one he'd had in their previous conversation at Shikamaru's dismissive tone.

Well. Perhaps there is something he can do to make the sharing of worries easier.]

...I've been thinking, Shikamaru. About... personal matters. And about the amount of faith I'm willing to put in you.

[endgames]

[Typical (typical?) vague Itachi response. Shikamaru's attention slides back over, lingering once again on the single red eye.

"You are a worthy opponent."

If we'd stopped him then... Prevented him from taking the pot...

What ifs are useless. This man across from him would know that, had learned it younger, and moved on with his life. In a way, at least.

(is it real?)

Shikamaru nods for Itachi to go on. He's listening.]

[yourhatred]

[The man stirs the remains of his oatmeal a couple times with his spoon, expression thoughtful.]

I believe I trust your judgment in people.

[Stir, stir.]

In who should be privy to certain information, and who will be least likely to share what they shouldn't.

[endgames]

[He wasn't expecting that.]

Wait.. [Shikamaru's face has been a blank slate up until now, but when the meaning of that clicks it's obvious. He blinks, his surprise evident.] Seriously?

[yourhatred]

I don't want a village wide proclamation, you understand.

It will be more believable coming from you than me.

[Yes, he's serious. Those that are returned will forget it, and those fighting here may deserve to know.

If they manage to escape with their memories in tact, well... they'll deal with that then.]

[endgames]

[He snorts at the idea that he of all people would make it a village wide announcement. He didn't even bother with anything like that when Konan showed up, or Hidan.

Like a blow to the back of the head, memories continue to dislodge themselves like skull fragments.]

I'd only considered telling them you were a double agent. Even done afterwards, your word would be needed to give credence to that.

[yourhatred]

[Itachi never believed he'd announce it so publicly, but he felt the need to reiterate that all the same. This is a difficult thing to bring up with others, and he's not entirely sure he's handling it like he should.]

If necessary, I will affirm what I must.

However, you may say whatever you believe you should.

[endgames]

Mm. [He finishes a large bite of bread before continuing.] I'll think it over.

[If this isn't reality, he'll be back home on the battlefield before it becomes an issue. But it's an easy enough thing, distanced enough from the war, to consider for now.

As always (has it been that long) he wonders what happened to make Itachi change his mind, but this time he doesn't voice it. It's been something building up, steady even if slow... And he doesn't think he's done enough recently for it to be just a matter of trust, like Itachi opened with.

His eyes narrow at what's left of the food, but not really seeing it. Sometimes people surprise you.]

[yourhatred]

[Itachi nods, still a little bothered by Shikamaru's mood.

He supposes he can attempt to address it again.]

...Something has been weighing heavily on your mind.

[endgames]

Yeah... [An almost smile.] It's that Captain Obvious hat. Wanna take it from me?

[yourhatred]

[Itachi smiles just the slightest bit at that, a low "hmm" in the back of his throat.

He says nothing, however, watching Shikamaru instead with his head leaning on one hand, leaving the floor open for the other ninja to say more.]

[endgames]

[Shikamaru doesn't say anything until he's finished his food. He eats quickly. Refueled, he pushes his plate to the side when done.]

We're about to fight in a war.

[yourhatred]

We are, yes.

[His expression shifts to something more neutral.]

My apologies if I've taken your worry to mean something more than what it is. There is much to be concerned about in this situation.

[endgames]

Yeah. [He sighs and stretches.] Too bad I can't find it in me to care.