lucetilogs | (no subject)

WHO: Any and all friends of Masaomi/anyone who happens to be on the beach! Invitations would’ve gone out via a (handwaved) secret entry or word of mouth.
WHAT: Masaomi’s birthday party, planned by Shikamaru-Gold-Ikki.
WHEN: Wednesday, June 19th.
WHERE: The beach!
SUMMARY: BEACH BIRTHDAY BASH. It’s pretty simple.
RATING: B FOR BIRTHDAY.

So after being reminded about Masaomi’s birthday, Gold came up with a much better idea than Shikamaru’s (lame) sit-down dinner! Therefore welcome to an all-dayish surprise beach birthday party! There are tables for presents and food, there is music (chosen by the boys, not by Ikki), and there is a sand castle city, complete with sandscrapers, which is what Gold put Ikki in charge of. The sand castle city has gotten a little out of hand because of this.

So stop by, wish Masaomi a happy birthday, and HAVE FUN. While there are three topic threads, FEEL FREE AND ENCOURAGED to just throw up your character at the party below that/anywhere, as per always.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hey, Shikamaru. [ She shrugs while Naga trots over to sniff Shikamaru. ] I just kind of tagged along. Besides, who says no to the beach?

[He thinks about offering his hand to it, then thinks again. It is a polar bear too, after all... He waits to see if he's met with approval first.]

I wasn't expecting you, for some reason. Oh well. [He doesn't look bothered in the slightest, and reclines a little more to make himself comfortable.] I guess the store is self-serve today.

[ The more doggish part of Naga wins out, and she pants amicably as she sits near Shikamaru. ]

I could've left Naga here in charge. But she doesn't have the best service. [ An appraising look. ] She seems to like you well enough, though.

[...would Naga even fit through the door. He hopes no one gets the bright idea to test this.]

Yeah? [Either way, he reaches out hesitantly to poke one of Naga's paws, then pet her foreleg. A girl, huh?] I've never had much luck with animals that aren't deer...

[ It's only a matter of time.

She shrugs as Naga sniffs at Shikamaru. ] She has a good nose. She knows you spend time around me. And if I haven't kicked your butt yet, she doesn't need to.

Ha. [He should've known, having grown up around Kiba and Akamaru.] All right, that makes sense. Let's hope it stays that way too.

We'll see. I haven't settled my opinion of you as a boss yet.

I'm not making you leave the beach to go work at the shop, am I?

[IF THAT DOESN'T GET HIM BROWNIE POINTS, HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT WILL.]

[ She sticks out her tongue. ]

I wouldn't say you have much pull in a job I'm not getting paid for, but sure, that's nice.

[He smirks back in turn then, after petting Naga one more time, ends up leaning forward with arms draped over his knees.]

More seriously, thanks for coming.

[ She looks a bit puzzled. ]

Why? I didn't do it for you.

I know.

[And he's truly happy for that. Maybe it was a whim, or maybe it was Ikki's pestering. Maybe it's because they're co-workers? Any of those could have been motivators, but he doesn't think that's it.]

It was last minute. I'm glad Masaomi could have friends show up.

Whatever. Just don't let it go to his head. The last thing that guy needs is more self-confidence.

[IRONY.]

Believe it or not, what he needs is more.

[Mm. His smile grows smaller as he looks across the beach to see what Masaomi is up to. But he's not the type of guy to air out his friend's issues - especially at his own birthday party, no less. He ducks his head down.]

Maybe if we beat his id over the head with it. Two birds with one stone.

[ That...surprises her. Masaomi rarely seemed more than a cocky flirt when she talked to him, and even if she had come to tolerate that, she didn't think he was lacking in confidence at all. ]

...Could'a fooled me. [ She glances back at Shikamaru. ] I'll go easy on him. It is his birthday, after all.

[He snaps his fingers.]

Should've thought of that myself! [UGH. He looks mock disappointed in himself, bending forward to lean on his knees.] I could've saved myself from getting him presents.

[ She snorts. ] Nah, it'd be dumb if we got him the same thing. It'll be better this way.

Ha. Better for you.

I won't argue with that.