( stargazing )

[absurdities]

the stargazing meme

oo1. comment with your characters
make sure to put names, series, & preferences somewhere!
you can use < ! > sans the spaces to make the comment "blank"
oo2. reply to others in character
oo3. use the rng and enter 1-10
oo4. play out what happens—anything goes!
oo5. profit? oh yeah!

prompts

one → meteor shower you just saw a falling star! and another! make a wish!
two → aliens what was that? was that really? omg no way a ufo!
three → lunar eclipse you've been sitting out for hours, waiting for this. it's so cool!
four → comet does it move fast or slow? either way, it's amazing.
five → full moon the moon is so huge! just don't look too long, it's really bright too.
six → star dust anything can happen in space. make up your own plot!
seven → solar eclipse this might be happening in the middle of the day!
eight → planet sighting is that a new star? nope, just a neighbor in the solar system!
nine → constellations do you know the stories behind these odd patterns?

Comments

[kuramaless]

[He follows her lead and sets the cup down on the other side of bottle of sake, lips pressing into a pout.

Another sigh and he reaches up to rub at his neck.]

T'get drunk I guess.

[Lemonade would be good right now though to be honest.]

[cosmosic]

[Ino doesn't say anything for a moment but she looks confused, blinking at him a few times.]

Any particular reason you wanted to get drunk? I know I said we were celebrating to the bartender, but that was just a cover.

[He had been staring at the moon, hanging out along on the Hokage roof too. Ino's voice is a bit softer and she places a hand on his shoulder.]

... Do you want to talk about it?

[kuramaless]

[His gaze shifts up to hers slowly, listening to her and hoping that she didn't actually want to talk about it.

He wants to, that's the thing - but it always sounded stupid in his head the morning after he had these moments, and it will probably make her laugh.

Her hand on his shoulder feels warm though, and it's Ino. They've grown closer over time, and he's talked to her before. Just never about something like this.]

It's just--

You know, when something reminds you of something.

[Yep.]

[cosmosic]

[Ino doesn't laugh. She smiles in understanding. The good thing about being a Yamanaka (besides everything) is Ino picks upon feelings easier than others. Maybe it was because of her connection to the mind.]

Sure. It happens to me all the time.

So what reminds you of something?

[kuramaless]

[He'd expected at least a chuckle. Even he knew when he wasn't making much sense these days, and if it weren't such a sensitive subject for him, he might have laughed it off.

But Ino's not like that when it matters. Sometimes he wonders if she already knows what he's thinking.

Even so, his next words sound ridiculous to him.]

It's the moon, ain't it?

I mean-- you know, there's the whole... war thing and whatever. I wanna be strong enough. You know, so it doesn't happen again. Any of it.

[cosmosic]

[Actually, it's not that ridiculous at all. As he mentions it, she turns and looks up at the full moon.]

I'd say you're pretty strong, Naruto. I mean, you were the guy that defeated Pein all by yourself. Plus, you also beat that Kakuzu guy when we couldn't. Sakura's talked about all the other stuff you've done and I was there when you beat Neji and Kiba during the Chuunin exams.

But, you know, strength isn't really measured by how many cool jutsu you have. Though that's definitely a plus.

I think it depends on if you have the courage to keep smiling and being yourself.

Or, you know... [She pours herself another cup of sake.]

Whether or not you're man enough to have another cup of sake with me.

[kuramaless]

[His face felt hot.

The more Ino spoke, the more colour seemed to fill his cheeks and he was sure it would be obvious, especially when the moon gave off this much light.

He wants to argue. It wasn't just him who had defeated Pein, and if she knew the truth about how close he'd come to letting Kurama out back then, and just how much damage that would have cause and how many more lives they would have lost--

She's right about some things though, and despite the truth in her words, he can't help but frown. There's the briefest flicker of resentment, toward himself really. Letting his thoughts drag him down like this is so... out of character and even he knows it.

Sulking wouldn't change things, it would protect Konoha, wouldn't keep his friends alive, it wouldn't make him Hokage.]

I guess there's just-- somethin' about it.

[He means the moon, but it could relate to anything, and he knows that too.

The start of her suggestion is enough to whip his attention away from the sour thoughts, but what comes out only makes him chuckle.]

You really wanna drink more of this stuff?

'Course I'm man enough!

M'Uzumaki Naruto.

[cosmosic]

[But he didn't let Kurama out completely. And they were all saved. And he was a hero.]

Yeah... well, I won't deny that.

[There was something about the moon. It was full when her dad died too. But she doesn't think he would want her sulking about him all the time when she saw it.

It was too pretty to think of sad things. She would remember the full moon and how it would make the moon flowers bloom and the first time she saw them with her dad.

That's a much better thing to be reminded of. Naruto had to have a memory like that too, right?

Maybe now when he sees the full moon, he'll think of this night and the fun they had having their first bottle of sake.]

Well, yeah! I mean you bought it, not like we can let it go to waste. Maybe we'll get used to it if we drink it more or something.

[She shrugs and pours him his cup, handing it over.]

Alright, Manly Uzumaki Naruto. What should we toast to this time?

[kuramaless]

[It was close though...

He should be pleased his Father had thought so far ahead to be able to care for him after so long... It should be a good memory, so why did it always make him feel worse?]

Eh. Oh--

[The sake.

His eyes are fixed to the bottle whilst she pours, and the idea that he'll get used to it sort of takes a while to sink in. There are better things to think about, right?]

I dunno, it tastes gross.

[Even so, it's said with a smile - and he even takes the cup, thinking of something to say.]

To--

Friends.

Important ones.

[cosmosic]

[She grins.]

Sounds like something worthy to drink to.

[Couldn't think of a better toast, actually. Ino gives her glass one more uncertain look.]

To important friends. Bottoms up.

[AND DRINKS THE WHOLE THING, SWALLOWS QUICKLY

... Okay, that time it wasn't THAT bad.]

I think I'm getting the hang of this drinking.

[kuramaless]

[Did she have to mention bottoms?

It's weird-- but he shrugs, watches her begin to down her glass and groans before doing the same to his.

It's difficult to swallow it, and he's still frowning even after he looks back up at her again.]

... How much until we get drunk?

[cosmosic]

[BUTTS]

[She's already pouring more in his and then in hers.]

If we finish this bottle, I'm sure we'll find out.

[kuramaless]

[Oh crap. He's not going to be able to stand up straight after this, never mind anything else.]

I dunno - stuff's already kinda wobbly.

[cosmosic]

[If she has anything to say about it nope ;)]

... Wobbly?

[kuramaless]

Yeah like-- you know.

[Naruto lifts his hand, waving it in front of him.]

Wobbly.

[cosmosic]

[Her cup pauses at her mouth and she snorts into it a little before drinking it quickly and swallowing. Yeah, it's getting easier.

Also she's pretty sure they're drinking it wrong because she sees people sipping but they're lightweights and haven't had alcohol before THEY ARE TRYING.]

You're going to be wobbly I bet. And then I'm carrying you home, just like I thought I would.

[kuramaless]

[Her laughter has him pouting, and just before he can throw an accusatory finger her way, he's unbalancing himself in the very gesture, staggering forward and reaching out to grab the top of her hand.]

You ain't carryin' me anywhere!

Kurama'll help anyway, right?

[cosmosic]

[Naruto's friendship with the tailed beast sealed inside him was always sort of... strange but intriguing to Ino. As someone who was a master of the mind, she had to wonder what it was like to always have that voice with you. Another conscious.

Probably like Inner Sakura had been during the Chuunin exams.]

Why are you asking me?

Drink your sake. [NUDGE NUDGE get drunk with her]

[kuramaless]

I wasn't askin' you.

[A thumb against his stomach is all the direction she needs to be aware of just who he was talking to, but Kurama might just find some pleasure in making Naruto's symptoms worse this time around.

With difficulty, Naruto presses a hand to the table their sake is on, grabbing his cup and downing it in much the same fashion as Ino.]

Euch.

How much is left?

I FIND IT FUNNY you had your username even BEFORE NARUTO WAS KURAMALESS

[cosmosic]

[SO WEIRD. Talking outloud to her when he's talking to Kurama. She just shrugs, uncaring, and focuses on the sake. It's affecting her by now, cheeks a little more red.

LIGHTWEIGHT.]

Hmmm, less than before!

[Pours both of them another cup.]

So how come you don't have a girlfriend yet or anything? You're a big hero, aren't you? And I guess you're kind of attractive...

Lol. It was 'cause I played him in a place where he didn't have him!! =P

[kuramaless]

[They're both pretty lightweight when it comes down to it. They're certainly getting a fair amount of attention. Why wouldn't they. The future Hokage, hero of the people is out drinking when he clearly shouldn't be - and with a girl no less. That girl whose parents own the flower shop? Yeah that's the one.]

Well, yeah.

[He watches her fill up his cup again, finding it hard not to grumble, but he picks up the cup - coming to stop as she continues, cheeks flushing from not only the alcohol... but the comment.]

Er. I-- It's not.. I... I dunno do I? Shut up. I'm busy!

yeah but NOW ITS CANON HAHA

[cosmosic]

Talk about rude! You're supposed to say 'thank you'! I just called you cute, didn't I?

[Basically. His blushing is pretty funny though and even cuter. And that's definitely the alcohol talking... in her brain. The answer to that is to drink more.

So she does.]

What about me? Am I cute? [the answer is yes]

rofl. yes. ;; SO SAD.

[kuramaless]

Huh? What-- oh. I... You didn't say--

[She's drinking more though, and maybe that's something he ought to be doing too.

In fact, he's downing the next cup whilst she speaks, and as he brings it down his eyes fix on hers, swallowing is suddenly difficult, but he manages it - waving his cup around for a moment, unable to catch her eye suddenly.]

I-- well, you know you're...

really pretty.

WEEPS BROKENLY

[cosmosic]

[It's definitely something he ought to be doing. He's going to be out-alcohol'd by Ino. In fact, she waits for him while he drinks looking curious and grinning with anticipation. He probably won't say it though.

She asked if she was cute not really pretty. But this is more than she expected.

Enough that she blinks at him a few times, blushes, and averts her gaze too -- suddenly bashful.]

Um, thank you.

[doki doki]

ALL THE SOBBING

[kuramaless]

[Oh crap.

Well, he'd gone and blown it hadn't he? That shyness is so unlike Ino, and he's known her a while now, seen her with boys and girls, and good friends alike. Really, if the alcohol wasn't putting a spanner in the works he might have been able to work out what was going on here, but without the alcohol it was very unlikely that they would be in this position.

Ino had always seemed like someone that was way out his league anyway... and well, he didn't need a girlfriend right?]

Ah-- I should er-- I mean, after this I... it's late. Sleep.