voice + action || backdated to father's day

[fervidity]

[At first, not much registers on the journal other than a long bout of nothing but the clatter of someone working on something, It's only after it stops does Kushina’s voice finally pipe up.]

--Here, what about this?

[She sounds a bit nervous and when nothing is said for too long (it’s really like ten seconds) she prompts with an impatient;]

Well? How is it?

Hmmm.... [Naruto’s voice can now be heard, humming to himself as he contemplates something.]

Yup! It’s good!

... Really?

Yeah, of course it is! There’s no way he’s not gonna like it, and even if he doesn’t for whatever reason it’d be his loss, ‘cause we’d get to keep it for ourselves y’know?

[Kushina’s laugh is softer than usual, warmer. There’s a ruffle as she pats down blond hair teasingly.]

Well then, I”ll make extra.

Yosh! [There’s a soft thump and suddenly his voice sounds louder- because now he’s leaning over the journal.] So what d’ya want me to do now?

Do you think you can preoccupy your dad and make sure he doesn’t come in here?

[There’s challenge and humor and something ELSE in her voice as she asks this, it’s always there when she’s talking to or about Naruto, in any case.]

Unless you want to stay and keep helping me... [The sentence trails off and it's obvious she's distracted with something now.]

It’ll spoil the surprise if he comes in now right? Maybe I can get him to go train with me or something.

[There’s a shuffling sound as Naruto chuckles to himself, shortly followed by the opening of a door as he calls back..]

See you later, Mom!

Wh- Hey! Just don’t forget about tonight, ya know?!

[It’s completely silent now with only one person in the house; no laughter or excited chattering over what they were doing to do today or predicting how surprised Minato was going to be later. So she turns to the journal to maybe find someone to talk to and notices it’s recording.

There’s more silence, awkward, until finally a she blurts in a fluster.]

Ah, er! Whatever you heard... you didn’t hear it, okay?

[OFF IT GOES.]

--

[1. Earlier, Kushina is seen rushing around a store, having too much in her arms and dropping a whole lot of it sometimes in her haste. She grumbles to herself and tries picking it back up, but ends up spilling more and making a whole lot of noise. This happens quite a few times throughout the store and as she's shopping--

Until she decides to use her new blue apron as a basket because who uses shopping carts?

2. Even earlier than that, she's a flash of bright red hair running through Luceti at top speed. And since she's had plenty of practice, the wings give her a higher velocity as they beat against her back.]

Comments

[action + naruto]

[derpivity]

[Since he's one to have his journal with him at all times, Minato didn't miss that accidental recording. He knows his family is up to something and while he wants to know what it is, he respects their effort of keeping this a surprise to him, so much that he'll try and pretend he didn't see that post just now. With a sigh, Minato gives a lopsided smile. Trust his Uzumakis to be bad at keeping secrets.

He's currently in their living room and about to head outside so they can work properly with his ~surprise~ whenever Naruto comes to "distract" him. Though, really, he'll just about distract himself if needed. Not that Naruto knows this, of course. Isn't he such a good Dad?]

[action + dad]

[believeit]

[Naruto, not realising yet that anything was broadcasted from the journal, is none the wiser as he strolls into the living room, looking for Minato.]

Dad! What're you doing? [Hmm, how is he actually going to accomplish this?] I was thinking we could maybe hang out or something.

[action + dad]

[derpivity]

[The moment Naruto calls for him, Minato turns to smile at his son. He keeps his smile, albeit not lopsided anymore, as he answers, effectively masking the fact that he knows Naruto's here to distract him.]

Nothing, really, so I'm free to hang out with you, Naruto. [He gestures for their main door.] How about we stroll the village then train right after? [He hasn't had the chance to be alone with Naruto since their arrival, so he's thankful for this. Never mind the fact that this is to distract him lol.]

[believeit]

Yeah! I was just gonna suggest that, actually.

[Wow, distracting Dad was gonna be easier than he thought! plus they'd get to train a bit too- training with his Dad was something he really wanted to be able to do. It'd be like when Kakashi-sensei trained him, only ten times better.]

C'mon let's go then! Mom doesn't wanna come she's er- busy looking at something. [Yeah. Don't ask Dad.]

[derpivity]

Ah, yes. [Minato nods, only stealing a glance at the direction of the kitchen where Kushina's busy preparing his "surprise" before turning back to Naruto.] She does seem very busy about something.

[Approaching their main door, Minato opens it.] This means we're going to have our father and son bonding. [Aaaa Minato's so excited! Even if he doesn't outwardly show it.]

[believeit]

[Yosh! There's a huge grin on his face as he practically bounces out of the front door, spinning around on his heels to face his Dad again.]

So where d'ya wanna go exactly? I mean we've got all day so let's make it good y'know?

[derpivity]

[A chuckle resonates from Minato at seeing his son so thrilled about this. It warms something within him that his own chuckle seems like music to his ears.]

We can probably visit the different stores here. [He and Kushina had already visited them many times but this is the only time he and Naruto will do this. Not that they don't want to, but they can't seem to find the time. His son is a busy bee among his friends!] Grab a quick bite and then head to the Battle Dome. How about it?

[action for kushinaaaa]

[floralogy]

[The sound of metal hitting the ground surprises Ino who's just in the other aisle. Since it's father's day, she thought maybe she can cook something special that'd remind her of home, of her father, and of days gone. Although, she's not in a sad mood since she reminded herself time and again that it won't do her any good to wallow in misery and in things she can't control.

Turning to the other aisle with her own basket of goods, Ino sees Kushina picking some cans on the floor. With a lopsided smile, she crouches down to help.]

Are you alright? Here, let me help.

[inooooooo]

[fervidity]

[Looking up in surprise at the helpful stranger, a blush appears on her face at being caught struggling and being clumsy and generally just making a mess of things. She smiles nervously as she stands, wanting to rub the back of her neck bashfully but not having the free hands to do so.]

Erm, thanks...

Sorry. I wish I thought of bringing a basket like you.

[kushinaaaaa]

[floralogy]

[She only continues to smile at her.]

Then, why didn't you? [Her gaze travels to her grocery items.] When you seem to be planning a feast. [Ino gives a little giggle before her eyes light up in recognition.]

Oh, wait-- You're Naruto's mom, right? I'm Yamanaka Ino, it's nice to finally meet you. [She'd extend a hand for Kushina to shake if the other even has a free hand to spare right now.]

[fervidity]

[There's some incoherent grumbling and murmurs as her flush deepens. None of it is decipherable.

Then she looks at Ino, stupefied at being noticed as Naruto's MOM rather than Kushina or the Red Hot-Blooded Habanero. It's new. It's kind of sweet so she smiles a little with a jerky nod.]

...How did you know that?

[floralogy]

[Her smile falls a little as she reminisces.]

Well, I saw you guys over the network when you arrived months ago. Just never had the chance to actually meet you in person. [Their other comrades seemed to have given them good enough instructions that she didn't bother reply with her own, thinking it's best to just meet them in person. But with certain things happening, it became delayed until now.]

[fervidity]

Oh, that. I guess a lot of people saw us, yeah. [And forgetting she had some things in her arms, lifts her hand to rub her neck. A can of pink frosting drops on the ground this time while she catches the rest.

She glares down at it and considers leaving it there to go find a basket and then come back for it. ]

Yamanaka, huh? I guess you could have just read my mind to know who I was, too.

[voice]

[paladinlost]

[Normally Cecil wouldn't dare listen to what is obviously a private conversation, but once he figured out what was the exact topic...]

Don't worry. I cannot promise for anyone else, but your secret is safe with me.

[fervidity]

[Relief is there in her voice.]

Thanks.

I guess it's fine as long as one person in particular doesn't hear about this. You don't know a Minato, do you?

[paladinlost]

I don't, but I'll still be careful. Family celebrations deserve better than to be spoiled, even accidentally.

[fervidity]

He's got spikey blond hair, blue eyes, and he looks pretty girly so if you see someone like that...

Ah, well, it'd probably be my own fault for not noticing this thing was recording in the first place. I don't even remember turning it on.

[So, so sheepish.]

[paladinlost]

A girly-looking blond with blue eyes must not find out about any sort of home cooking being prepared for him. That's simple enough to remember.

[Even if Cecil's girliness standards might not be Kushina's.]

It might have turned itself on. I'd swear those books have a will of their own, sometimes. Especially when we have something to hide.

[fervidity]

You got it.

[Phew. That's one down.]

...It can do that? It's just a dumb journal.

[Obvious suspicion in her voice as she eyes the innocent-looking enough journal.

And then there's a bit of tapping as she prods it curiously as if expecting it to jump away. It just sits there though and she sighs.]

I don't want to carry this thing around if it's going to turn on at random times.

action; 1

[entreats]

[ Ange actually recognizes the woman - it's been a while since she talked to her, but she's.. well, fairly recognizable with that bright hair. Not to mention she sort of stands out with the way she uses her apron as a basket, so much that Ange can't help but offer a tiny smile as she walks over. ]

That's a pretty creative idea.

perma-action!

[fervidity]

[In her surprise, she drops the box of cake mix she had been holding and turns to look at--]

Oh!

[...Crap, she forgot her name. Did she even get one before? But she bends over again to put the box back in her makeshift basket.]

I don't know about that. I'm sure a lot of people have done a cake with pink frosting and rainbow sprinkles.

[entreats]

.. That wasn't the creative part. [ But she doesn't mind the misunderstanding, since she still seems in enough of a good mood as she puts some of her hair behind her ear. ]

I meant the way you're carrying it around. Although maybe next time it'd be easier to bring an actual basket.

[fervidity]

Oh.

[This time she says it with less surprise and more plaintive.

She looks down at her makeshift basket/apron and since she has one hand free, she rubs her neck.]

Right, yeah, I'll remember that. [The need to explain herself is hard to resist.]

I was just in a bit of a rush and I really only came here for some cake mix and frosting. And sprinkles. I got a bit caught up in all the food around here though. There's a few recipes I've been wanting to try out.

[entreats]

Watch out that you won't take the entire store home with you. [ Not like she's too far from it yet at this rate.. ] I guess I can help you out if you need a few more hands to carry stuff. I wasn't getting a particular lot from here myself, just some sugar since we ran out just now.

[ Not that she'd normally be this open, but Luceti changed her a little. And Kushina's been nice enough so far. ]

[fervidity]

[BLUSHING.]

I...I wasn't, ya know. I just needed a few things for a cake and I saw some other things that I needed too. And there was these snacks that looked really good and Naruto keeps telling me he needs more ramen in the house. I don't blame him, but it's better to eat other things too. Plus, homemade ramen should be a lot more healthy than those instant packets they have, right? So I got a bit distracted picking up all the ingredients for ramen until I ran out of room.

[Her little apron basket is working so far though. Her grip tightens on her apron, just in case things decide to go spilling everywhere again.]

Ah, well, I'm okay now. I think I got everything I need. If you need a sugar carrier though, I can be your girl. I think I have some here...

[She goes shuffling through her things.]