endgames | Appointment's Post II

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Appointment's Post II

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[Action, January 3rd]
[Voice, March 8th]
[Written, June 11th]

Old appointment's post can be found here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Korra didn't show up for work on Monday, and when she shows up today, she offers no excuse for her absence, instead striding in as usual and dropping into a chair behind the counter. By first appearance, she seems fine. But she isn't. Her knuckles are red, even scabbing slightly, and she has a back habit of scratch at them. There are circles under her eyes, too, telling of her difficulty sleeping in recent weeks. ]

Hey, Shikamaru. [ She regards him coolly. ] Anything new?

[Hyper aware as he is, he takes this in and processes it all very quickly. Not counting Ikki's party, this is probably the first he's run into Korra since he's been back, and he's wondering how the last two weeks went.]

Well, I had to pick up a bag's worth of crushed cans I found under the counter, if that qualifies.

[ She chuckles at that, actually genuine. ] I had to find some way to test your new recruit. He passed.

[All right, he has to smirk.]

Knew you two would get along too well, if I introduced you.

Technically he introduced himself, so I'm not sure you can really take credit for it.

I gave him the job, didn't I?

Fair enough. I still had to test his worthiness.

You should clean up after your tests, next time. [But whatever whatever.] Did things go all right here? I know I was gone longer than I said I would be.

[ And now it was time to time to start pretending. ]

Here? Oh yeah, it was fine. Pretty dull, actually. [ She wasn't worried when he didn't come back, or anything. ]

Can't have been too boring. [He turns his body away from her, seemingly regarding the rest of the store. His attention still remains on her, however, curious to see how she acts when she doesn't think anyone's watching her.] There's not enough collateral damage for that.

[ When he turns around, she starts to pick at her knuckles again, glancing out at the store anxiously. ]

Thought about trying to mix new flavors for the Slurpee machine, but I figured you'd kill me if I broke it.

[WATCH HIS SHOULDERS SHRUG UP LIKE AN IRRITATED CAT'S. With quick, even steps, he strides over to the slurpee machine as if to inspect it himself.]

Oi, oi, oi. Don't even joke about that.

[He can see her reflection in the window, from over here.]

[ She chuckles, even if her usual chutzpah isn't behind it. ]

Sorry, sorry. If I ever did, I know better than to tell you.

Ouch, right to the bone. You trust me that little?

[He says it in a joking manner, but there's a definite double meaning there.]

[ It gives her pause, but she tries to cover her pause with a shallow laugh. ]

I know how much you love the slurpee machine, actually.

That's fair enough. I'm more proud of it than I should be...

[Not laughing himself, he still trails off in a pleasant tone. He puts his hand on the top of the machine, looking it over by sense of touch. Korra's reflection is what he's watching still, through the window.]

You been sleeping okay, lately?

[ She straightens, surprised, but tries to cover it. ]

Me? Sure. I mean, when Naga isn't whining outside my window to get me up or Aang's waking me for airbending practice.

Jeez, how early is he getting you up? [He turns now, leaning against the slurpee machine. He drags two fingertips under his eyes, indicating the bags he sees beneath Korra's.]

[ She continues the bluff, even as her heartbeat picks up. Crap. ] Crack of dawn. It's an airbender thing.

Huh. [He seems to mull that over.] You didn't look as ragged last I saw you, a few weeks ago.

[ Crap crap crap. ] It's been a gradual thing?

[He frowns, giving her a glance. Somehow, he manages to sound both casual and blunt when he speaks again.]

I'm not going to force you to talk about anything, but I don't like being lied to. If you really don't trust me with how you're feeling, it's fine to say so.

[ Her expression turns pointed, smile fading. ]

I do trust you. There's just nothing wrong with me, okay?

If you say so. But there's nothing wrong about feeling upset either, after a thing like that.

[It might have been weeks ago, but he doesn't feel he really has to explain. Zompano. Anyone in the village would get what he means.]

I'd say most people in this village still are bothered by it.

[ But Korra plays dumb, for her pride's sake. ]

By what?

[ action; september third ]

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