february catch all

[flowlikewater]

who: genji shimada + you!
what: a little bit of everything; tdm prompts, player plots, etc
when: tail end of january/all throughout february
where: all about the quarantine and various dreamscapes
warnings: potential discussion of ptsd, disassociation, dysphoria due to cybernetic body. will add more if needed!

[ feel free to plot with me for the month! hit me up on pm or at bonethief! ]

Comments

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco becomes aware of his surroundings at the same moment Genji does. Thanks to his powers, he's getting pretty accustomed to blinking and suddenly finding himself someplace he's never been before. The disorientation is something he takes in stride, by now. But there is no characteristic tint of blue, no overexposure and strange distortions of sound. And aside from those surface details, it doesn't feel like a vibe. There's some sense in him, unnamed, that can just tell this is something else.

He takes it in - the cacophony, gunshots and shouts, the crackle and glow of flaming trash cans, the distant sirens. Wherever he is, shit's going down. Cisco takes a couple of long breaths, trying to center himself, when a movement in the corner of his eye makes him look, and he sees... ]

G...enji?

[ While he might be quicker to get used to the strange situation, Cisco is decidedly slower on the uptake when it comes to noticing his own ludicrous attire He notices that his chest and stomach are weirdly cold for some reason, but that is so far down on his list of priorities right now. ]

[flowlikewater]

[ That is definitely a bold outfit choice there, friend. Although it looks like Genji's in the same boat, and he doesn't even know what his helmet could possibly look like. ]

Yes, it's me. [ Is that 'transform' on his breastplate? Oh no. ] Do you have any idea where we are?

[ There's a rumble of an explosion. The fiery garbage can tips over with a clang. ]

Or what's going on?

[franciscoramon]

You look like a Power Ranger, dude.

[ It's definitely Genji's voice, though, unmistakable and familiar. And it helps, hearing it again and confirming there is at least one familiar thing in this whole mess. Cisco carefully lifts his head enough to peer over the concrete traffic barrier they are using for cover. He gets a quick glimpse of their foes before he is ducking quickly, the pair of laser blasts sizzling through the air just above his head. ]

It looks sort of...

[ He'd been about to say it looked like Central City, but trailed off. Because he knows Central City well, particularly downtown. These aren't the right skyscrapers. They're strangely generic. Cisco glances up at the shops near them, to look at their signs and see if he recognizes anything. But the letters don't seem to want to arrange themselves into words. He can't read the signs, and it's confusing for a second before it clicks. ]

We're dreaming.

[ Cisco says it aloud at the same instant that he thinks it, a hushed whisper only just audible over the the commotion. He looks over at Genji, waiting for him to agree, to say that must be it. It explained how he couldn't remember getting here, how some details are so vivid and others make his mind feel like it's blurred.

He notices the fingerless gloves on his arms, then, traces them up to the absurd shoulders of his outfit and looks down. ]

What the fuck?

[ Cisco tries to yank his shirt shut, thinking it's just lost a button... or two... but no, it is apparently supposed to look like this. He holds his arms in front of him, voice growing more definite and sharper as he asks: ]

Okay, if I find out this is somebody's idea of a prank, man have they got it comin'.

[flowlikewater]

[ Ah, well, that probably makes the most sense... wait— ] It's sentai.

[ —okay, not really the time or place for a nerd discussion. He watches Cisco peek over the concrete, reaching a hand out and almost touching his shoulder as he ducks. When he speaks Genji's almost confused before it all clicks in place, finally making sense. ]

You're right, that must be it. I had one of these a few days ago, where it felt so— real.

[ And then Cisco realizes what he's wearing and Genji can't help a faint little chuckle at his expense. He looks down at himself, noting the odd belt buckle he's wearing as well as the light up soles on his boots. ]

We're both making quite the fashion statement. Typical for a dream, I suppose. [ A pause. ] At least it didn't end up being a 'in your underwear at school' dream...?

[ There's another explosion behind them, and there's a distance but familiar sound of Omnic guns firing. ]

Should we play along, then? Since we're dressed for it and all.

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco continues fussing over his outfit, seemingly more distressed by its décolletage than he is by the lasers and gunshots whizzing past them. After all, he's died in so many dreams and visions before. It's practically mundane to him, at this point. But this is the real Genji he's talking to. He's sure of that. And this outfit is neither modest nor particularly flattering.

Face hot with embarrassment, Cisco does what he always does when flustered, and talks. A lot. ]

Pretty sure this is worse than underwear. Totally not fair. You look dope as hell, and I look like some kind of refugee from a shitty 80s space movie. I'm straight up Masters of the Universe over here.

[ He listens to what Genji says, about how he'd had another dream like this before, and that helps explain it a little bit. ]

Gotcha. So it's just another one of those things that's probably happening to a lot of folks because we live on a ridiculous moon full of ridiculous situations. At least it's only a dream. Doesn't feel all that real. I mean, I hear you, it's more real than a normal dream, but it's not, like, when I vibe. This is sorta the Goldilocks in between the two.

[ Cisco's grateful for that - it means that he's just lucid enough to feel in control of the situation, but without the feeling of urgency, the heightened emotional susceptibility and bleedover that he gets from his visions. He turns at the same time Genji does, towards the explosion. And while rushing into danger isn't his first impulse, even in a dream... well, what harm could it do? ]

We should check it out, at least.

[ He pokes his head up just a tiny bit, as a test, and another volley of lasers comes in their direction. But this time, Cisco at least saw the direction they were coming from. And if it is a dream... maybe this will be easier than when he's awake. He doesn't straighten up, again, just reaches a hand over the barrier and sends off a vibe blast in that direction, which results in, comically, a pitch-perfect Wilhelm scream. Tentatively, Cisco peers over the barrier. No one fires at him. He looks at Genji, and beams. Okay, maybe this is awesome after all. ]

[flowlikewater]

[ Genji is really trying to not laugh at your expense here, Cisco, beause he is absolutely full of sympathy but... he isn't making it any easier. ]

It could be worse. There could be sequins. Or far too many belts.

[ Genji nods. ] It seems to be some kind of dream sharing phenomena. It would be naive to be surprised such a thing could happen here at this point. [ And Cisco's powers continue to make Genji's heart hurt a little for him. This wasn't even exactly how it felt? He couldn't imagine.

He watches Cisco, now not too worried about what might happen, and raises his brows from beneath his helmet as he shoots out an energy beam. (Was that a Wilhelm scream?) ]

I take it that's one of your abilities and not something fabricated by the dream then? [ He reaches back and unsheathes his blade, a flurry of green lights starting to form seemingly from Genji's back. ]

Yes, I agree. Hopefully it will make for an interesting story later on. Or comic book.

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco gives a nod that seems to say you're right when Genji says things could be worse, and more sequin-y. Cisco is still going to grab the first jacket he finds and zip it all the way up, even if he has to steal it. He's not normally inclined towards criminality, but he's also not normally inclined towards showing off that much skin, thanks very much.

Genji's calm acceptance of the situation has quite an impact on Cisco's acceptance of it. He shoots off that blast, and it works, and Genji responds by taking out his own blade. So it doesn't feel like a crisis. It feels like... one of the programs in Beverly's holosuite. It feels like they're playing pretend. ]

Sure is. And I figure... they're probably not real people, right? They're just... phantasms, or projections, or whatever.

[ He doesn't let off another blast, just yet, but that same blue energy starts to gather and pool around one of his hands, shifting and vaguely hypnotic, a bright blue that tints everything around it. It makes Cisco's face look strange, and a little eerie, as he suggests: ]

On the count of three?

[ Then, he counts: ]

One... two... three!

[ The both of them stand (Genji with considerably more grace). And while the gunshots don't start up once more, there is a group of men rushing towards them, looking very much ready to fight. Cisco takes a tiny step closer to Genji, the energy around his hand thrumming audibly as he asks: ]

We doing this?

[flowlikewater]

If my previous dream was any indication, this doesn't seem to have any impact on the 'real' word. Purely woven from our mutual subconscious. [ Which is certainly an interesting thing to even happen and he knows a good many people who would be fascinated by the mere thought. Genji, however, is just not that smart.

But there is one thing he's definitely very good at and it's this. Especially since it can be fun. The sparks of green forming around Genji's shoulders and helmet start to take some kind of shape. It's a nice contrast to the blue glow of Cisco's energy and Genji makes a note to ask him more about it later when they're, well, actually awake. ]

By all means. [ Genji nods and he does indeed stand up in a fluid motion, holding his blade down by his hip. The green swirling around his head intensifies and Genji brings his blade up at the ready, a green streak following the movement of the metal. It's definitely not a trick of the light.

The green light forms around his head and there's a visceral hum, almost a roar, and the image of a dragon can be seen almost engulfing Genji's helmet. The visor of his helmet bursts with the green light and he seems to crackle with energy. ]

Absolutely. You take the left half, I will take the right.

[ With that, Genji leaps over the concrete median and into the air. He swipes at the group of goons and it's as if his blade is twice as long, the streak of energy from it sending them flying backwards. ]

[franciscoramon]

[ There is a moment, just before he follows Genji over that median, when Cisco's is afraid. But then he's moving, and that brief flash of fear is gone. He's whooping and laughing, watching Genji cut through the faceless dudes who (helpfully, because it keeps the whole thing from seeming too real, too authentically violent) erupt into a tiny shower of blinking coins, as if they were in some kind of old style video game.

For a few moments, Cisco just watches Genji, the way he moves, how fast he is. There are times when he's a blur, and it reminds Cisco of the Flash. He can only seem to do it in bursts, but even so... it's impressive. That green light is strange and entrancing; it shifts strangely, leaving a trail behind where Genji's blade and body have been.

But then Cisco doesn't have a chance to just observe, because there are dudes headed for him, and he reacts instinctively, raising both hands and blasting them back. Genji's movements are quick, fluid, and eerily silent. Cisco's powers, however, make a strange, juddering, percussive sound. For a moment, listening to it, it really strikes him why his doppelganger chose the name Reverb for himself. No time to think about him, though. He settles into the fight, clearly unpracticed, but enthusiastic. Once or twice, Genji swoops in, cutting down someone coming at him from behind that he didn't see. But there is once, too, when Cisco sends off a well-timed blast and keeps a group of dudes from bearing down on Genji.

He doesn't know how long it is, but eventually the mob is all gone, and Cisco is breathing a little heavy, but also beaming. He holds up a hand for Genji to high-five, triumphant. ]

Damn, my man! We crushed it! Booyah!

[ There's the sound of clapping, then, from some distance away, and before they have a moment of celebration, Cisco turns to see two figures standing a long way off up the street, one taller, one shorter. Something about their builds is... familiar. But he can't quite place it... ]

[flowlikewater]

[ This isn't the most seriously Genji has ever fought, being a dream and all, and the bad guys bursting into coins certainly doesn't help. It may not be Blackwatch Level but he's still doing his best. His reaction time was already heightened due to his cybernetics and allowing himself to be possessed by the dragon spirit just amplifies it.

He keeps an eye on Cisco, impressed by what he's already learned to do with his powers. He swoops in to assist a few times; he's clearly not professionally trained, but that doesn't matter much as long as the job gets done. Perhaps he could have him some pointers in that area...

Once the hoard of goons is finished, Genji let's out a sigh as steam shoots from his shoulders. The green light haloing him vanishes into specks of green and he shakes his shoulders.

Then chuckles, high fiving Cisco. ]

We make quite the team, it seems! We will have to recreate this when we are awake and without the silly outfits.

[ But the clapping cuts off his teasing and he's back on the defensive, hand going back to the hilt of his blade on his back. ]

Who's there? Didn't want to fight with the rest of them?

[ The figures start to saunter dramatically out of the shadows, eventually revealing themselves. And it... definitely makes Genji realize that one's subconscious is a strange, strange beast.

He almost falters, especially at the sight of the taller one. It's obviously... him. But a 'him' that was never a cyborg, and clearly never left the family. Tacky shirt open way too far, even more tattoos, green hair with showing roots and a cigarette in his mouth.

Dully, he looks to Cisco. ]

This has gotten less fun and infinitely more irritating.

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco points at the two man who are dramatically sauntering their way closer. It's him and Genji - that much of obvious. But different versions of themselves. He's seen enough movies and played enough video games to know how this sort of thing goes: that these will be their evil counterparts that they must vanquish. But they're not just some generically evil copies of them. No, that version of himself is... ]

Reverb.

[ He says it softly, with recognition, and even though he hasn't told Genji his doppelganger's name, Cisco's confident he'll be able to put the pieces together. There he is, with his stupid hair, and stupid overdramatic eye makeup, and his tiny, menacing smirk. Cisco glances at Genji, sees his eyes fixed on his own doppelganger. Cisco takes a moment to examine him, too. It's... strange. Seeing what Genji's face would look like without the cyborg parts. What it would look like if he were unscarred, and the light in his eyes were cruel.

Cisco squares his shoulders, bracing himself for this whole situation with his usual mix of determination and sarcasm. He addresses the air, as if there were some governing force listening in from the heavens that would be able to pick up his complaint: ]

Yo, for real, subconscious? My man? Are we really gonna do the 'Ooohhh~, your real worst enemy was yourself all along' crap? Like seriously? Ain't that shit a bit 90s? I mean...

[ He makes a tsch sound and blows out a puff of air, shaking his head in condescension and disapproval, which don't quite manage to cover up the undercurrent of genuine discomfort. It's still just a dream, still safe (probably), but... this is a little too close to home. Reverb, for his part, cocks and eyebrow, turning to look at the other Genji, who lazily flicks some ash off his cigarette.

Softly, so that only Genji will hear him, Cisco mutters: ]

Think we can take 'em?