[ He feels a pang of worry, when Genji says that they might find he's not the one suited to helping Cisco. The rational part of his brain understands that that is a possibility, but on the other hand, it had been hard enough, reaching out for help like this to someone he knew, someone he trusted to a certain degree. The idea that he might someday need to try with someone else, maybe even a stranger - it makes his stomach clench with fear.
And, well, if that isn't a demonstration of why he needs to be here in the first place, he's not sure what is. ]
Yeah.
[ Cisco hands over his bowl with a nod of thanks, smiling when Genji tells him they're not starting with the big stuff. Which is good, since Cisco wouldn't even know where to begin, when it comes to his own existence. Answering some targeted questions is a much easier jumping off point. ]
Yes. Right. Okay. So... the basics, first. I was working at a place called S.T.A.R. Labs, and there was an accident... only it really wasn't an accident, but that's not really relevant to the story. Anyway, the particle accelerator exploded, and it tore a rift between the dimensions and all kinds of exotic energy and dark matter leaked out, and through the city, and for about 1% of the population, it mutated their DNA and made them into what we call metahumans. Turns out, I was one of those people.
[ He rattles off all of that with ease - he's had to explain about the particle accelerator any number of times, to any number of people. None of it is really personal... which means, of course, that he's stalling. ]
Basically, I... can manipulate multidimensional energy. Which means a lot of different stuff. Somebody from my world told me that, in theory, I could open breaches between universes. Like the portal that brought us all here. But I've never actually done that, so, probably not super relevant. I can uh, sort of blast things, with my hands? Like a vibrational shock wave? I'm building myself some gauntlets to help harness that, 'cause I've only done it a couple times, when people I cared about were in a lot of danger.
[ He's getting closer to it, now, but still stalling, talking about powers he's never used, or barely used. Cisco lets out a short sigh, feeling guilty for wasting Genji's time. Hadn't he just promised he would do whatever it took, no matter how hard? ]
The main thing, though, is the visions. It's, um. Something to do with the levels of dopamine and adrenaline in my brain, but when I get... really scared, I see stuff. Sometimes it's where somebody is and what they're doing right at that moment, like if I'm touching something that belongs to them especially. Doesn't really matter what universe they're in, I'll see them. Uh, sometimes it's the past, like, stuff that's happened in the place where I am, or... happened to me. A few times it's been the future, which is a real mindfuck lemme tell you. But whatever it is, when I get these vibes, I- just sort of freeze, and I can't hear anything or see anything around me.
[ He laughs, a little brittleness in it. ] I've really freaked some people out like that. 'Cause I can't really stop them. If I'm frightened, there's no stopping it.
no subject
And, well, if that isn't a demonstration of why he needs to be here in the first place, he's not sure what is. ]
Yeah.
[ Cisco hands over his bowl with a nod of thanks, smiling when Genji tells him they're not starting with the big stuff. Which is good, since Cisco wouldn't even know where to begin, when it comes to his own existence. Answering some targeted questions is a much easier jumping off point. ]
Yes. Right. Okay. So... the basics, first. I was working at a place called S.T.A.R. Labs, and there was an accident... only it really wasn't an accident, but that's not really relevant to the story. Anyway, the particle accelerator exploded, and it tore a rift between the dimensions and all kinds of exotic energy and dark matter leaked out, and through the city, and for about 1% of the population, it mutated their DNA and made them into what we call metahumans. Turns out, I was one of those people.
[ He rattles off all of that with ease - he's had to explain about the particle accelerator any number of times, to any number of people. None of it is really personal... which means, of course, that he's stalling. ]
Basically, I... can manipulate multidimensional energy. Which means a lot of different stuff. Somebody from my world told me that, in theory, I could open breaches between universes. Like the portal that brought us all here. But I've never actually done that, so, probably not super relevant. I can uh, sort of blast things, with my hands? Like a vibrational shock wave? I'm building myself some gauntlets to help harness that, 'cause I've only done it a couple times, when people I cared about were in a lot of danger.
[ He's getting closer to it, now, but still stalling, talking about powers he's never used, or barely used. Cisco lets out a short sigh, feeling guilty for wasting Genji's time. Hadn't he just promised he would do whatever it took, no matter how hard? ]
The main thing, though, is the visions. It's, um. Something to do with the levels of dopamine and adrenaline in my brain, but when I get... really scared, I see stuff. Sometimes it's where somebody is and what they're doing right at that moment, like if I'm touching something that belongs to them especially. Doesn't really matter what universe they're in, I'll see them. Uh, sometimes it's the past, like, stuff that's happened in the place where I am, or... happened to me. A few times it's been the future, which is a real mindfuck lemme tell you. But whatever it is, when I get these vibes, I- just sort of freeze, and I can't hear anything or see anything around me.
[ He laughs, a little brittleness in it. ] I've really freaked some people out like that. 'Cause I can't really stop them. If I'm frightened, there's no stopping it.