[ Cisco has been working flat-out for the last week, getting ready for the tech expo at the beginning of the month. He'd opted not to man an entire stall, just for himself, but he did sign up for a brief time slot to demonstrate some of his new inventions, near to the end of the event. So he's been in his workshop near constantly, the last few days, and the place is a bit more of a mess than usual. It's a large, mostly unadorned room, with several tables covered in works-in-progress. There are shelves and cabinets set up all around the walls of the room, stacked neatly with old schematics, neatly-labeled and organized containers of spare parts and materials. All of the stuff for building costumes is tucked away; any repairs or alterations to Perimeter Guard uniforms were going to have to wait a little while.
There are a few concessions made for comfort, however. A couch pushed up against the only patch of wall not being used for storage. A minifridge, plugged in next to that couch, stuffed full of tupperwares of salads and healthy snacks Eddie had insisted on him keeping in the workshop so he doesn't live on nothing but candy while he's busy. There's a coffee pot perched on top of that, which has been getting even more use than usual in the past few days.
When he hears a brief knock at the door to his workshop, Cisco is pouring himself another cup of that coffee. He isn't expecting anyone, and a lot of the people who would swing by normally are either helping with the setup of the festival, or busy prepping for the tech expo like him. So he doesn't know what to expect when he comes to the door; he recognizes Zelda at once, however, and grins. ]
[Normally, Zelda would call ahead for visits like this. Especially for someone she doesn't know very well. But she had been in the neighbourhood of Cisco's workshop, and thought to herself that it wouldn't hurt to drop in and say hello. She might get a better idea of what to expect for the lessons this way.
She offers a smile when Cisco opens the door, knowing she's likely unexpected.]
Hello, Cisco. I was in the area and thought I would come and see your workshop, if that's all right?
[ There's a touch of humor in the way he says that; it's not much of a tour, considering the place is contained all in one big room, where everything is immediately visible upon stepping inside. But that doesn't mean Cisco is lacking in enthusiasm as he gestures at the cluttered tables and shelves declares: ]
This is it! I was just making myself some coffee, would you like some?
[ She might not be from a world that even has coffee, but it's polite to offer, anyways. He strolls over towards the pot to finish fixing his - far too much sugar, and a spray of whipped cream because that's how he chooses to live his life. As he's doing that, he nods to a nearby set of shelves and says: ]
That's where I keep all the mystery cases I told you about last time. The stuff I find in the ruins that I've got absolutely no clue what it's for or made of or any of that. You can take a look, if you'd like.
[Stepping inside, Zelda peers about with undisguised interest. It's truly a large space for a workshop, and left to her own devices she could easily flit around to half a dozen things to see what they were. But that would be unseemly.]
Wow. --oh, coffee would be nice, thank you. I've had it a few times in Riverview now.
[She likes the taste, and the way it wakes her up more. It's a useful beverage that she's likely to buy more of in the weeks ahead. At Cisco's nod, Zelda turns to the shelving with keen eyes.]
You have a lot here. You must have been out there quite a bit, to collect so much.
Is that enough times to know how you take it? Cream, sugar? I've got a can of whipped cream somewhere around here... And how do people stay awake where you're from, if there's no coffee? Genuine question. Like I physically cannot imagine living a coffee-less life. I'd be a shell of a man.
[ He's exaggerating some, it's true, but it's a good excuse to ask a little bit more about Zelda's world. She hadn't told him all that much, the first time they'd met. Just that there was a lot of ancient technology, that magic was common, that some kind of apocalyptic crisis had happened and she'd been involved... but all of that is fairly abstract, doesn't give him any sort of clear picture. ]
I have, yeah. Never would've thought about myself as the exploring type, before I came here, but see the trouble with this moon is, there's not a really reliable way to get my hands on some of the rarer materials that I really need in my designs. So a lot of the time, I end up digging through the ruins, looking for old bits of tech I can break apart and get at certain elements. You know, palladium, or lanthanum, or even stuff like gold.
[ Even if she doesn't know those precise names, the details don't much matter; the point is that, for a lot of the components he needs, he simply has to go out and find the materials himself. With Rey's help, of course. ]
[ Cisco had promised to go drinking with Ragnar, and Cisco is a man that keeps his promises. It just takes him a little while to follow up on that promise, for a few reasons. Well, one reason: he didn't remember making it for a while. He'd said a lot of shit, on his birthday, when he was drunk out of his mind, and forgotten many of them. It wasn't until he was bored waiting for the sky train one day, that he looked through the old messages from that night and remembered.
After that, he'd contacted Ragnar, and they'd agreed on a time and a place. It's a bar that Cisco knows fairly well - not too rowdy, not too empty, and with a decent selection of cocktails that didn't cost an arm and a leg. He'd showed up early, and ordered two margaritas, just so there would be no confusion what they were starting off with. If Ragnar didn't enjoy it, well, there was no accounting for taste.
So he sits at the bar, looking to the door and waiting for his friend to show up. ]
[If Cisco hadn't found their messages, Ragnar would've reminded him eventually, but he'd had a bit of a whirlwind of a week after chatting with a very drunk Cisco that night. And after a week like that, he'd jumped at the opportunity to get out of the house and drink.
The Viking flashed Cisco a grin when he entered the bar and spotted him, making his way over to him, clapping him on the back in a friendly greeting before taking the seat next to him.]
How have you been, my friend? [He caught sight of the margarita, brow furrowing as he tilted his head to inspect the strange looking drink.] And what is this? The drink you told me of?
[ Cisco couldn't help but smile at that back slap - it was so macho and yet so undeniably friendly, much like Ragnar himself. It puzzles Cisco, a little, why a man like him seems to enjoy spending time with someone like Cisco. They are such different people, from such different places. But then, it isn't as if Ragnar is some unsophisticated former frat bro. Cisco has seen that there are complexities to him - surprising cunning, a hunger for knowledge, a dedication to his family.
All that flashes through his mind in a moment, along with the hope that perhaps getting drunk with Ragnar will give him a bit more insight into the man. ]
I've been great. Year 25's off to a great start. Well. Except for the whole making-a-fool-of-myself-drunk-on-the-network thing. This time I locked my phone, so I can't make any posts until tomorrow morning. I don't trust myself, know what I mean.
[ When Ragnar asks about the drink, Cisco lifts his own, as if for a toast. ]
Yep. A margarita. It's tequila, which is a kind of alcohol made from agave, and cointreau, which is a different kinda alcohol made from oranges, and lime juice. Give it a try, see what you think. If you hate it, I'll take the rest of yours and we can try somethin' else. But I bet you're not gonna hate it.
Good! That is very good to hear. From your- [he waved his hand a bit, forgetting the word for 'video' and letting Cisco fill in the blank]- it certainly seemed like it was off to a good start.
Did I ask you? Did you have the candles and make wishes? [He was way too fascinated with that tradition now that someone had shown him it.]
Mm. Probably a very wise thing to do. Can you lock mine? Last time I made a friend a... one of those friendr things. She was not very happy with what I came up with while drunk. [He smirked, definitely not remorseful in the least bit. Though he certainly hadn't meant to anger her.
He picked up the glass, eyebrows raising a little in surprise regarding how cold the drink felt, which presented a slight problem as he attempted to drink it in nearly one go. He set the glass back down, only a mouthful or so left and tried to decipher the flavor.] It is... good... I think. Like fruit? Lime! I have had one of those. I know what that is. It is sweeter than a lime though.
[ It's been a week or so, since Genji had posted that video to the network about the sudden blossoming - quite literally - of his powers. Cisco has been doing as much damage control as he can, since then. He'd known that the power-dampening handcuffs were a very temporary measure, and highly inconvenient (not to mention, potentially not great, psychologically). He'd spent the remainder of that same day modifying the prototype so that, by the next morning, he'd given Genji a power dampener that fit within a single, slim metal cuff he could wear around one wrist. That gave him greater mobility, but it didn't address the larger issue.
Still, the time he'd spent making that cuff had put him behind in his regular work, so he'd spent the next few days playing catch up. During that time, however, he always found some excuse to message Genji at least once every day, ostensibly to share some joke or ask a question, but really just because he wanted to check in. He's sure that, despite his attempts at subtlety, it must be clear what he's doing. And Genji knows enough of his own story to probably at least guess why. Cisco had alluded to the fact that a lot of bad stuff had happened to him, right around the same time he'd gotten his powers. It had messed him up a lot, and he'd felt completely alone. He doesn't want Genji to feel that way. Not if he can help it.
So after a week or so, Cisco invites Genji around to his workshop, saying there's something he wants to check, about the cuff. But, when Genji comes in, he'll probably be able to guess it's a little more than that, based on the fact that Cisco's got around a dozen small plants sitting on one of the work tables, as well as some equipment that looks vaguely medical in nature. ]
[ Genji has appreciated it greatly. It's not that he expected people to suddenly start avoiding him or anything, but the normalcy is appreciated. Throughout the week, he replies casually and sends a picture every once in a while. There hasn't been anything as... jungle like as before, but he still starts to grow little plants out of the crevices in his body if he isn't careful.
He accepts Cisco's invitation and heads over, dressed down casually like always, and heads over. The new cuff had been greatly appreciated but he can tell it's starting wear on him a bit... he feels tired and he knows the dragon spirit isn't happy with being subdued like this.
He smiles brightly when he enters. ]
Greeting my friend. [ He notices the various little plants and things. ] Time for some much needed testing, for sure.
[ It's good, to see Genji smiling, and that he doesn't seem ambushed or alarmed by Cisco's clear intentions. Maybe the invitation had been more transparent than he'd thought. Still, Cisco goes out of his way to make sure Genji's comfortable. He gestures to the extra chair, and then gets up himself, announcing: ]
I promise I'm not gonna keep you here too long, but! While you're here, I did make tea.
[ Not just the kind of tea Cisco will have at night when he's curling up with Eddie for a movie, either. This is fancy, loose-leaf tea that Cisco had bought at a store that only sold tea, and has made in a teapot, and everything. (It's not actually that fancy, and the truth is he'd probably scalded it a little, but it's the thought that counts, right?). He pours a little cup, for Genji, and one for himself. ]
I was thinking... if it's okay with you, I was thinking maybe we could talk a little bit more about how your powers showed up, and maybe take some readings while you're using 'em? Nothing invasive. Just, you know, heart-rate, some neural readings. The basics.
[ Cisco is a man of science and Genji has spent enough time around them to know when someone was curious. It isn't something he minds at all; he wants to understand just as much as him, if not more. ]
Time is of no concern, don't worry. Thank you for the tea.
[ Genji slides into the seat by one of the tables and accepts the cup, taking a sip right away since his mouth is pretty immune to high temperatures at this point. ]
I think that's a very good idea, and not anything I'm not used to either. [ He smiles a little. ] At least I'm in a much better place for it this time around, unlike a few years ago.
[ He put the cup down and crosses his arms, the one with the cuff sitting on top. ]
I have been trying to make a timeline of events myself ever since it started to become a problem. I had noticed little things that were happening but I hadn't really... addressed it yet. Until that happened. The only real physical symptom I can remember was that I had a very mild fever for a couple days a few weeks ago, but that in and of itself isn't terrible strange. My life support fights off things for me rather consistently.
[ It isn't all that unusual, that Cisco will go through almost an entire day without Eddie texting him. In general, he is the chattier of the two of them - the one most likely to send random messages and memes and selfies and little missives of love throughout the day. Eddie usually responds promptly, when he can - but that isn't always the case. He's a busy guy, with a job that doesn't allow for multitasking in the same way Cisco's does.
So when his texts received no reply today, except for one very basic 'ok' to his proposal that he bring home takeout that night for dinner, Cisco didn't think much of it. He walks into the apartment with the bag of Chinese food hanging from his wrist, and doesn't bother calling out a hello. All the lights are off, after all, and it's well past sunset, so he just assumes Eddie hasn't arrived yet. He hangs up his keys, kicks off his shoes, and then startles when he sees movement, in the kitchen.
Eddie is there, sitting at the table with his head in his hands, shoulders slumped, unmoving. Cisco doesn't yelp - small mercies - but he does jump, heart hammering from the surprise. He huffs a soft laugh at his own expense, setting the food down on the kitchen counter. Heading over to flip on the light, he murmurs: ]
Hey, baby. You're home. What are you doin' sitting in the dark?
[It's been a long day. A very long day. Every minute has felt like hours, every hour like days. Eddie feels about a thousand years old as he sits in the kitchen of the apartment, his face in his hands, too exhausted to even stand up and turn on the light. He knows he should've responded to Cisco more throughout the day, knows that he should've been talking to his boyfriend to make his day less terrible, less long, but he hadn't had the emotional energy to match Cisco's.
It catches him off-guard when Cisco comes in with food, startles and talks to him. Blinking blearily into the light, he licks his lips and swallows hard, forces a little smile.]
Rough day at work. Sorry I was so quiet, I'm just really wiped.
[The smile doesn't reach his eyes, but it's the best he can do.]
Ah, you brought the food. I'm starving.
[It's as much a lie as his smile, and he knows Cisco will be able to tell, but he's hoping he doesn't ask. Not just yet.]
Cisco knows Eddie well enough to guess that his hollow, fake smile is a very bad sign. If it were just a question of a merely rough day - coworkers being aggravating, a mountain of paperwork, a broken coffee machine - Eddie would be complaining, rather than trying to cover it up. But for Eddie to be working this hard to pretend it's just a matter of annoyance... something really terrible must have happened.
But Cisco doesn't push - not at first, at least. He pulls the cartons from the bag, setting his hand on Eddie's shoulder to signal he should stay sitting while Cisco gets down the plates, utensils, and the rest of it.
During the meal, Cisco keeps up a steady stream of conversation, but he can tell that Eddie is only pretending to listen. Which doesn't offend him, or make him let up. But it does twist the knot of worry in his chest a little tighter. Eddie is merely picking at his food, moving it around on his plate and barely eating a bite.
So Cisco pauses in his prattle, the false brightness of his voice falling away as he asks: ]
[He does his best - really, it's just a matter of putting Cisco off long enough that he can formulate words for what happened to him today, what he'd seen, so that he can talk about it without feeling like he's going to throw up. He knows, without even really thinking about it, that Cisco will know something is wrong with him, that he'll eventually call him out on it, bring it up, ask him to share. He knows, too, that it will be good for him to share it, good for him to talk about it.
But right now, he just can't bring himself to.
So when Cisco dishes up the food, he tries to eat, manages to get down a couple bites before he's just moving it around trying to make it look like less. And when Cisco talks, he nods and listens and tries to lose himself in it, tries to just let Cisco's chatter gently wash away the pain and anger he's feeling. But eventually it all falls apart and Cisco goes quiet, his voice serious, as he asks if Eddie isn't hungry after all.
Eddie feels sick.]
Not really, I guess. Or more like...you know the flesh is willing but the heart is weak. Some cliché like that.
[ Cisco is in an unusual position, in his friendships with both John and Clarice. When he'd first gotten his powers, he'd been terrified and hidden them from absolutely everyone - had been in denial for as long as he could. Then, after he came here, a few people very close to him had found out, through accidents and emergencies that stressful enough on their own. Gradually, very gradually, he'd started telling the truth to close friends who he knew well.
But this is the first time he's had people in his life who aren't really friends - not yet, anyway - but who know that he's a metahuman. Strange, to have that be one of the first things someone knows about him: along with his love of dogs and making effusive network videos when he is drunk off his ass.
Thoughts about all this are swirling through Cisco's head as he walks to Clarice's new place. He had babysat Zingo for her, as promised, and waited a good week and a half after she'd gotten moved in to text her and ask if she wanted to hang out sometime, and if he could see the new place. So here he is, feeling a little more nervous and fraught than he otherwise would for a simple hangout. When he gets to the right door, Cisco knocks, calling out as he does: ]
Clarice? It's me, Cisco.
[ Couldn't hurt to announce himself, even though she knew he was coming. ]
( There's a sound like footsteps from behind the apartment door, two normal human feet and the click clack of doggy nails as Clarice gets a hold of Zingo's collar just in case she decides to make a run for it. Usually she's a pretty good dog, but she's been making a whole bunch of friends and keeps trying to seek them out. There's a woof, and a laugh, and then the sound of locks being turned. ) Hi.
( Her smile is friendly and open when she greets him, because they might not know each other but Cisco is definitely someone she'd like to be friends with. She feels comfortable around him, which is alarming but she's not going to poke at the feeling too much in case it shrivels up. Emotions are weird like that.
Shuffling back, trying to stop Zingo from rushing him, Clarice moves enough to let him in. )
Sorry, she's been overly excited since John left. ( Letting her go once the door's locked, the dog rushes over to press against her friend's legs. ) You want coffee?
[ All his nervousness melts away, and Cisco is beaming by the time Clarice gets the door open. How could he not feel at ease, with the whole audible drama he's treated to as he's waiting for the door? It's all too clear that Zingo had heard someone was visiting and gotten excited. After their little playdate while Clarice was moving in, Cisco has developed quite a fondness for the pup. ]
Hey!
[ He laughs faintly at how much Zingo is struggling, trying to get free and greet him, wagging her tail and the whole back half of her body with it. Cisco steps politely out of the way while Clarice shuts the door, and then crouches to say hello to Zingo, closing his eyes and wrinkling his nose when she licks at his face. ]
Well- in her defense- I'm the fun auntie. Everybody loves the fun auntie.
[ Cisco stands up once more, sticks his hands in his pockets as he admires the apartment, taking it in with a small smile of approval. ]
( It's pretty much open plan, so Clarice doesn't feel weird about wandering to the kitchen to wrestle with the coffee machine. It's a clunky little thing, but she likes it anyway because it's theirs. Rising on her tiptoes to get mugs down, Clarice sets them carefully. They have mugs. She's still not over that. )
Do you take it with milk? Sugar?
( John has some kind of milk, she thinks. Actually, now she's realising she has no idea how to be a host to people. This is the first time she's had a place she can invite people to. Not a foster house, or a prison cell, or a bank-slash-bunker. Is it weird to feel weird about it? )
I think we have both. ( Machine burbling away, she rests her hands on her hips and surveys the counters like inspiration will strike. ) Or maybe not ...
You can totally tell I'm an adult who has her shit together, right? ( Flashing a grin, because she won't get over the nervousness unless she jokes about it. )
[ It's a few weeks after the whole Shigeru-goes-all-Jekyll-and-Hyde incident, and Cisco hasn't been... avoiding him, exactly. It's not that the two of them saw each other all that regularly. But there had been a few times, when Cisco had seen him here and there, where before he would have called out to get his attention, say hello, when it just... seemed easier not to say anything.
He'd justified it to himself, said that the both of them would be grateful for a little space, that he is taking precautions to let the awkwardness pass. But he knew, even as he thought that, that it wasn't entirely the truth. He was nervous, now at the thought of being around Shigeru, and he didn't want to admit it to himself, much less to let the other man see. Cisco remembers how much it had seemed to relieve Shigeru, when he first mentioned his powers, that Cisco wasn't all that scared by him. Now, well. It's a different story.
But that can only go on for so long, especially when Cisco has been following up on his offer to make Shigeru a device that will block his powers. He's done as much work as he possibly can without actually testing the prototype, however. So one day, out of the blue, he texts: ]
hey, shigeru think you could drop by my workshop sometime tomorrow or the day after? i've got a prototype power dampener and i wanna test it out, see how well it holds up
[ Honestly Shigeru wasn't expecting Cisco to contact him much after what he'd seen. Shigeru is really just glad that he didn't completely ruin his friendship with Cisco because the other was just so...supportive towards him. There's some relief that comes with the text knowing Cisco hasn't given up on him and knowing that he's trying to find a way to make sure Shigeru doesn't lose control again. ]
Yes that's fine! I can stop by tomorrow! Or I can stop there now. I just finished my shift at the hospital.But only if you're alright with that...
[ He doesn't want to make Cisco uncomfortable after all. He's done enough of that as is. ]
[ Cisco is surprised by Shigeru's offer to swing by right then. Truth be told, he'd anticipated having an extra day or two to prepare. Not that there is more work to do on the tech itself - it was just his courage that needed screwing up. He hesitates before texting back, wanting to delay the meeting, but not knowing of any good excuse for it that he could give.
And besides, perhaps this is the best way. He doesn't have that extra time to dread and overthink. No, better to just go for it. ]
sure, now works too! just come in when you get here, the door is open! see you then!
[ He's overcompensating with cheerful exclamation points, a little. Cisco starts tidying his workspace, partly because it's a bit of a disaster at the moment, and partly because it's a good distraction. ]
[ Shigeru will arrive shortly after Cisco sends that text. He's...really unsure of himself and lately has just been feeling absolutely horrible about everything that's happened. Shigeru didn't have good self esteem to begin with but this wasn't helping either.
When he arrives at Cisco's shop he'll give a little knock on the door before entering. ]
Cisco? It's me, Shigeru. [ He sounds and looks hesitant as he steps inside fully and closes the door. He also has in his hand a bag of what can be assumed are donuts. ] I-I didn't know what you liked and I passed by this pastry shop on the way here so II just thought you might want something to eat?
[ It's a sort of thank you too, for not running away and never speaking to him again. ]
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🐙 zelda
There are a few concessions made for comfort, however. A couch pushed up against the only patch of wall not being used for storage. A minifridge, plugged in next to that couch, stuffed full of tupperwares of salads and healthy snacks Eddie had insisted on him keeping in the workshop so he doesn't live on nothing but candy while he's busy. There's a coffee pot perched on top of that, which has been getting even more use than usual in the past few days.
When he hears a brief knock at the door to his workshop, Cisco is pouring himself another cup of that coffee. He isn't expecting anyone, and a lot of the people who would swing by normally are either helping with the setup of the festival, or busy prepping for the tech expo like him. So he doesn't know what to expect when he comes to the door; he recognizes Zelda at once, however, and grins. ]
Hey! Zelda! Sup?
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She offers a smile when Cisco opens the door, knowing she's likely unexpected.]
Hello, Cisco. I was in the area and thought I would come and see your workshop, if that's all right?
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[ There's a touch of humor in the way he says that; it's not much of a tour, considering the place is contained all in one big room, where everything is immediately visible upon stepping inside. But that doesn't mean Cisco is lacking in enthusiasm as he gestures at the cluttered tables and shelves declares: ]
This is it! I was just making myself some coffee, would you like some?
[ She might not be from a world that even has coffee, but it's polite to offer, anyways. He strolls over towards the pot to finish fixing his - far too much sugar, and a spray of whipped cream because that's how he chooses to live his life. As he's doing that, he nods to a nearby set of shelves and says: ]
That's where I keep all the mystery cases I told you about last time. The stuff I find in the ruins that I've got absolutely no clue what it's for or made of or any of that. You can take a look, if you'd like.
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Wow. --oh, coffee would be nice, thank you. I've had it a few times in Riverview now.
[She likes the taste, and the way it wakes her up more. It's a useful beverage that she's likely to buy more of in the weeks ahead. At Cisco's nod, Zelda turns to the shelving with keen eyes.]
You have a lot here. You must have been out there quite a bit, to collect so much.
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[ He's exaggerating some, it's true, but it's a good excuse to ask a little bit more about Zelda's world. She hadn't told him all that much, the first time they'd met. Just that there was a lot of ancient technology, that magic was common, that some kind of apocalyptic crisis had happened and she'd been involved... but all of that is fairly abstract, doesn't give him any sort of clear picture. ]
I have, yeah. Never would've thought about myself as the exploring type, before I came here, but see the trouble with this moon is, there's not a really reliable way to get my hands on some of the rarer materials that I really need in my designs. So a lot of the time, I end up digging through the ruins, looking for old bits of tech I can break apart and get at certain elements. You know, palladium, or lanthanum, or even stuff like gold.
[ Even if she doesn't know those precise names, the details don't much matter; the point is that, for a lot of the components he needs, he simply has to go out and find the materials himself. With Rey's help, of course. ]
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🐙 ragnar
After that, he'd contacted Ragnar, and they'd agreed on a time and a place. It's a bar that Cisco knows fairly well - not too rowdy, not too empty, and with a decent selection of cocktails that didn't cost an arm and a leg. He'd showed up early, and ordered two margaritas, just so there would be no confusion what they were starting off with. If Ragnar didn't enjoy it, well, there was no accounting for taste.
So he sits at the bar, looking to the door and waiting for his friend to show up. ]
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The Viking flashed Cisco a grin when he entered the bar and spotted him, making his way over to him, clapping him on the back in a friendly greeting before taking the seat next to him.]
How have you been, my friend? [He caught sight of the margarita, brow furrowing as he tilted his head to inspect the strange looking drink.] And what is this? The drink you told me of?
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All that flashes through his mind in a moment, along with the hope that perhaps getting drunk with Ragnar will give him a bit more insight into the man. ]
I've been great. Year 25's off to a great start. Well. Except for the whole making-a-fool-of-myself-drunk-on-the-network thing. This time I locked my phone, so I can't make any posts until tomorrow morning. I don't trust myself, know what I mean.
[ When Ragnar asks about the drink, Cisco lifts his own, as if for a toast. ]
Yep. A margarita. It's tequila, which is a kind of alcohol made from agave, and cointreau, which is a different kinda alcohol made from oranges, and lime juice. Give it a try, see what you think. If you hate it, I'll take the rest of yours and we can try somethin' else. But I bet you're not gonna hate it.
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Did I ask you? Did you have the candles and make wishes? [He was way too fascinated with that tradition now that someone had shown him it.]
Mm. Probably a very wise thing to do. Can you lock mine? Last time I made a friend a... one of those friendr things. She was not very happy with what I came up with while drunk. [He smirked, definitely not remorseful in the least bit. Though he certainly hadn't meant to anger her.
He picked up the glass, eyebrows raising a little in surprise regarding how cold the drink felt, which presented a slight problem as he attempted to drink it in nearly one go. He set the glass back down, only a mouthful or so left and tried to decipher the flavor.] It is... good... I think. Like fruit? Lime! I have had one of those. I know what that is. It is sweeter than a lime though.
... You are sure it is alcohol?
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🐙 genji
Still, the time he'd spent making that cuff had put him behind in his regular work, so he'd spent the next few days playing catch up. During that time, however, he always found some excuse to message Genji at least once every day, ostensibly to share some joke or ask a question, but really just because he wanted to check in. He's sure that, despite his attempts at subtlety, it must be clear what he's doing. And Genji knows enough of his own story to probably at least guess why. Cisco had alluded to the fact that a lot of bad stuff had happened to him, right around the same time he'd gotten his powers. It had messed him up a lot, and he'd felt completely alone. He doesn't want Genji to feel that way. Not if he can help it.
So after a week or so, Cisco invites Genji around to his workshop, saying there's something he wants to check, about the cuff. But, when Genji comes in, he'll probably be able to guess it's a little more than that, based on the fact that Cisco's got around a dozen small plants sitting on one of the work tables, as well as some equipment that looks vaguely medical in nature. ]
Genji! Hey, c'mon in.
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He accepts Cisco's invitation and heads over, dressed down casually like always, and heads over. The new cuff had been greatly appreciated but he can tell it's starting wear on him a bit... he feels tired and he knows the dragon spirit isn't happy with being subdued like this.
He smiles brightly when he enters. ]
Greeting my friend. [ He notices the various little plants and things. ] Time for some much needed testing, for sure.
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[ It's good, to see Genji smiling, and that he doesn't seem ambushed or alarmed by Cisco's clear intentions. Maybe the invitation had been more transparent than he'd thought. Still, Cisco goes out of his way to make sure Genji's comfortable. He gestures to the extra chair, and then gets up himself, announcing: ]
I promise I'm not gonna keep you here too long, but! While you're here, I did make tea.
[ Not just the kind of tea Cisco will have at night when he's curling up with Eddie for a movie, either. This is fancy, loose-leaf tea that Cisco had bought at a store that only sold tea, and has made in a teapot, and everything. (It's not actually that fancy, and the truth is he'd probably scalded it a little, but it's the thought that counts, right?). He pours a little cup, for Genji, and one for himself. ]
I was thinking... if it's okay with you, I was thinking maybe we could talk a little bit more about how your powers showed up, and maybe take some readings while you're using 'em? Nothing invasive. Just, you know, heart-rate, some neural readings. The basics.
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Time is of no concern, don't worry. Thank you for the tea.
[ Genji slides into the seat by one of the tables and accepts the cup, taking a sip right away since his mouth is pretty immune to high temperatures at this point. ]
I think that's a very good idea, and not anything I'm not used to either. [ He smiles a little. ] At least I'm in a much better place for it this time around, unlike a few years ago.
[ He put the cup down and crosses his arms, the one with the cuff sitting on top. ]
I have been trying to make a timeline of events myself ever since it started to become a problem. I had noticed little things that were happening but I hadn't really... addressed it yet. Until that happened. The only real physical symptom I can remember was that I had a very mild fever for a couple days a few weeks ago, but that in and of itself isn't terrible strange. My life support fights off things for me rather consistently.
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whoops hit enter too soon
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🐙 eddie
So when his texts received no reply today, except for one very basic 'ok' to his proposal that he bring home takeout that night for dinner, Cisco didn't think much of it. He walks into the apartment with the bag of Chinese food hanging from his wrist, and doesn't bother calling out a hello. All the lights are off, after all, and it's well past sunset, so he just assumes Eddie hasn't arrived yet. He hangs up his keys, kicks off his shoes, and then startles when he sees movement, in the kitchen.
Eddie is there, sitting at the table with his head in his hands, shoulders slumped, unmoving. Cisco doesn't yelp - small mercies - but he does jump, heart hammering from the surprise. He huffs a soft laugh at his own expense, setting the food down on the kitchen counter. Heading over to flip on the light, he murmurs: ]
Hey, baby. You're home. What are you doin' sitting in the dark?
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It catches him off-guard when Cisco comes in with food, startles and talks to him. Blinking blearily into the light, he licks his lips and swallows hard, forces a little smile.]
Rough day at work. Sorry I was so quiet, I'm just really wiped.
[The smile doesn't reach his eyes, but it's the best he can do.]
Ah, you brought the food. I'm starving.
[It's as much a lie as his smile, and he knows Cisco will be able to tell, but he's hoping he doesn't ask. Not just yet.]
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Cisco knows Eddie well enough to guess that his hollow, fake smile is a very bad sign. If it were just a question of a merely rough day - coworkers being aggravating, a mountain of paperwork, a broken coffee machine - Eddie would be complaining, rather than trying to cover it up. But for Eddie to be working this hard to pretend it's just a matter of annoyance... something really terrible must have happened.
But Cisco doesn't push - not at first, at least. He pulls the cartons from the bag, setting his hand on Eddie's shoulder to signal he should stay sitting while Cisco gets down the plates, utensils, and the rest of it.
During the meal, Cisco keeps up a steady stream of conversation, but he can tell that Eddie is only pretending to listen. Which doesn't offend him, or make him let up. But it does twist the knot of worry in his chest a little tighter. Eddie is merely picking at his food, moving it around on his plate and barely eating a bite.
So Cisco pauses in his prattle, the false brightness of his voice falling away as he asks: ]
Not so hungry after all?
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But right now, he just can't bring himself to.
So when Cisco dishes up the food, he tries to eat, manages to get down a couple bites before he's just moving it around trying to make it look like less. And when Cisco talks, he nods and listens and tries to lose himself in it, tries to just let Cisco's chatter gently wash away the pain and anger he's feeling. But eventually it all falls apart and Cisco goes quiet, his voice serious, as he asks if Eddie isn't hungry after all.
Eddie feels sick.]
Not really, I guess. Or more like...you know the flesh is willing but the heart is weak. Some cliché like that.
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cw: vague talk of crimes involving children
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🐙 clarice
But this is the first time he's had people in his life who aren't really friends - not yet, anyway - but who know that he's a metahuman. Strange, to have that be one of the first things someone knows about him: along with his love of dogs and making effusive network videos when he is drunk off his ass.
Thoughts about all this are swirling through Cisco's head as he walks to Clarice's new place. He had babysat Zingo for her, as promised, and waited a good week and a half after she'd gotten moved in to text her and ask if she wanted to hang out sometime, and if he could see the new place. So here he is, feeling a little more nervous and fraught than he otherwise would for a simple hangout. When he gets to the right door, Cisco knocks, calling out as he does: ]
Clarice? It's me, Cisco.
[ Couldn't hurt to announce himself, even though she knew he was coming. ]
goddamn hitting enter wrong.
( There's a sound like footsteps from behind the apartment door, two normal human feet and the click clack of doggy nails as Clarice gets a hold of Zingo's collar just in case she decides to make a run for it. Usually she's a pretty good dog, but she's been making a whole bunch of friends and keeps trying to seek them out. There's a woof, and a laugh, and then the sound of locks being turned. ) Hi.
( Her smile is friendly and open when she greets him, because they might not know each other but Cisco is definitely someone she'd like to be friends with. She feels comfortable around him, which is alarming but she's not going to poke at the feeling too much in case it shrivels up. Emotions are weird like that.
Shuffling back, trying to stop Zingo from rushing him, Clarice moves enough to let him in. )
Sorry, she's been overly excited since John left. ( Letting her go once the door's locked, the dog rushes over to press against her friend's legs. ) You want coffee?
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Hey!
[ He laughs faintly at how much Zingo is struggling, trying to get free and greet him, wagging her tail and the whole back half of her body with it. Cisco steps politely out of the way while Clarice shuts the door, and then crouches to say hello to Zingo, closing his eyes and wrinkling his nose when she licks at his face. ]
Well- in her defense- I'm the fun auntie. Everybody loves the fun auntie.
[ Cisco stands up once more, sticks his hands in his pockets as he admires the apartment, taking it in with a small smile of approval. ]
Coffee would be awesome, thanks.
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Do you take it with milk? Sugar?
( John has some kind of milk, she thinks. Actually, now she's realising she has no idea how to be a host to people. This is the first time she's had a place she can invite people to. Not a foster house, or a prison cell, or a bank-slash-bunker. Is it weird to feel weird about it? )
I think we have both. ( Machine burbling away, she rests her hands on her hips and surveys the counters like inspiration will strike. ) Or maybe not ...
You can totally tell I'm an adult who has her shit together, right? ( Flashing a grin, because she won't get over the nervousness unless she jokes about it. )
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🐙 shigeru
He'd justified it to himself, said that the both of them would be grateful for a little space, that he is taking precautions to let the awkwardness pass. But he knew, even as he thought that, that it wasn't entirely the truth. He was nervous, now at the thought of being around Shigeru, and he didn't want to admit it to himself, much less to let the other man see. Cisco remembers how much it had seemed to relieve Shigeru, when he first mentioned his powers, that Cisco wasn't all that scared by him. Now, well. It's a different story.
But that can only go on for so long, especially when Cisco has been following up on his offer to make Shigeru a device that will block his powers. He's done as much work as he possibly can without actually testing the prototype, however. So one day, out of the blue, he texts: ]
hey, shigeru
think you could drop by my workshop sometime tomorrow or the day after?
i've got a prototype power dampener and i wanna test it out, see how well it holds up
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Yes that's fine! I can stop by tomorrow! Or I can stop there now. I just finished my shift at the hospital.But only if you're alright with that...
[ He doesn't want to make Cisco uncomfortable after all. He's done enough of that as is. ]
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And besides, perhaps this is the best way. He doesn't have that extra time to dread and overthink. No, better to just go for it. ]
sure, now works too!
just come in when you get here, the door is open!
see you then!
[ He's overcompensating with cheerful exclamation points, a little. Cisco starts tidying his workspace, partly because it's a bit of a disaster at the moment, and partly because it's a good distraction. ]
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When he arrives at Cisco's shop he'll give a little knock on the door before entering. ]
Cisco? It's me, Shigeru. [ He sounds and looks hesitant as he steps inside fully and closes the door. He also has in his hand a bag of what can be assumed are donuts. ] I-I didn't know what you liked and I passed by this pastry shop on the way here so II just thought you might want something to eat?
[ It's a sort of thank you too, for not running away and never speaking to him again. ]
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pretend this is science
"science"
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