[ Genji hopes that one day Cisco can meet Zenyatta, because for a moment he gets very nostalgic. He knows the two would get along quite well, his master always eager to speak with the curious and inventive. He let's out a faint little self deprecating chuckle. ]
You are right, my friend. Sometimes I do not take my own advice.
[ And although he was sheepish a moment ago, the color fades from his cheekbones and he can't help feeling amused. Another laugh bursts out of him, a crinkle forming at the corner of his eyes for the first time in a few weeks. ]
The things we must do for science, right? Don't worry, I'm not offended. But you'll understand if I don't go into details for everyone's sake.
[ Genji's delight made the plant seem to flourish a moment, leaves growing more. But at Cisco's request he nods and takes in a deep breath.
He's found if he tries to be calm, think of stillness and the chill of the night air in Nepal it can... calm it. After a moment, the little plant stops growing and shimmering under Genji's touch.
A small sprig of a plant has popped up in the crevices of his hand however. ]
[ Cisco isn't a prude - far from it - but he looks up to Genji. He is not just a friend, but a mentor as well, and definitely not someone whose sex life Cisco wants to know anything about.
He watches with interest as Genji stalls the growth of the little seedling, but then a ping from his computer alerts him to a change. Seconds later he notices that sprig and sucks in a short breath, brow furrowing. But he keeps his voice calm as he says: ]
You've got a bit of an intruder on your hand there. See if you can... pull the energy back from it, go in reverse, and put that energy into.... that plant.
[ Cisco points to a different one of the little potted plants. It might be asking too much, too early, but it will be useful if only for the readings of what's happening in Genji's body while he's trying to direct his powers. ]
[ Genji is making a face, a look of slightly perplexed pensiveness. ]
This has happened a number of times. Thankfully not to the point I'd have to disarticulate and clean all of my joints, but it's still curious.
[ At Cisco's suggestion, Genji's expression perks up. ]
I hadn't thought of attempting that. [ He looks serious again, although there's an air of playfulness to it. Genji loves a challenge. ]
I need to stop thinking of this as a new skill and instead perhaps just similar to ones I already have. I already understand the concept of redirecting energy from summoning the dragon spirit.
[ He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, something deep within his chest whirring for a moment. The little sprig seems to twitch and it gets... shorter, but it does not entirely vanish.
Genji exhales. ]
I suppose it would be too easy for it to work the first time.
[ And there's something Cisco had never quite thought of - does Genji have to occasionally disarticulate and clean his joints, just as a part of regular self-maintenance? Surely he would need to, every now and then? But, as unfamiliar as it sounds at first, is it really all that different from, say, going to a dentist for a cleaning? All bodies needed to be maintained, one way or another.
He watches as Genji concentrates, sees that sprig reduce in size. It doesn't entirely vanish, but Genji definitely shrank it. ]
Hell, I call that 'working'. Might not be gone, but now you know you can get there, with practice. You've taken the first step. That's the hardest bit, trust me. Now you've got a feeling for that specific energy.
[ Cisco is trying to teach not by giving specific instructions - because how could he, not having the same powers Genji has? Rather, he's trying to help the way he'd always seen Wells doing when training Barry. Giving suggestions, letting Genji try stuff and figure out on his own what he needs to do and think in order to master his powers. ]
Does it feel any different? Than the energy you channel for the dragon spirit?
[ He had to do it more often when he was traveling and did not have proper access to medical and mechanical care. It's still something he does at least once a month whether he needs it or not.
But what Cisco says is helpful guidance, and appreciated. Genji rubs at an eye with the heel of his palm, a little tired suddenly. ]
Indeed, the first step is always the hardest.
[ He leans back and pulls away from the plant, the shine of it diminishing now that Genji's hand isn't close to it. ]
It feels like a different 'kind,' if that makes sense. The difference between creation and power. It's hard to describe because it's something that's always been a part of me, like breathing.
[ He can't help being a little jealous of that; part of the reason why his own powers have given him so much trouble was that they didn't start off feeling natural to him. They were just there, one day, unexplained, unwieldy, uncooperative. ]
Do you... for the readings, could you do something with the dragon spirit. So I can see if any of the levels change? And even if they don't, it might help solidify the difference between the two. How they feel compared to one another.
[ Cisco has only seen Genji do this in a combat situation, in that dream. Had that been accurate to the reality? He's a little bit curious if the strange beauty of it had been a byproduct of the dream, or if it really does look like that...
(He also thinks it might be a good idea, after Genji has been suppressing his powers, and dampening his connection to the dragon spirit, for him to flex those proverbial muscles a little.) ]
Is it safe for you to call on it? When you're not fighting, I mean?
Ah, yes, of course. [ He sits up straighter and rolls his neck, a whir coming from one of his cervical joints. ] That is a good idea. And it is completely safe, do not worry.
[ A look crosses his face that's a little hard to decipher. ]
You know, I never let Overwatch attempt to study this. For all the good I knew they were at least intending to do... [ He tilts his head. ] Even in the disarray I was in at the time, I knew an international organization such as that should not have any data on this power my family holds. [ Then he looks very serious for a second. ] Someone I worked with, I can only imagine the things she would try to do.
[ But he shakes his head, expression getting casual again. ] I talk too much. What I mean to say is, I trust you Cisco.
[ He straightenss up again and closes his eyes. After a moment, flecks of green light start to gather around him and congregate around his back. The vents on his shoulders start puffing out more steam, and the face of a dragon seems to overlap his own after a moment.
Genji opens his glowing green eyes, seeming otherworldly now. ]
Listen, as a proud and certified member of the talks-too-much team, you definitely don't, dude.
[ There is something soft around the edges of his smile, as he turns to check that the various machines are hooked up and taking readings properly. It means the world, that Genji trusts him with this. After all, being skeptical of letting Overwatch know too much about this power was a good call, apparently. And Cisco could see how Genji might think letting any scientist know about it would be too dangerous. So the fact that Genji is letting him see this, study this, even a little...
Cisco watches, rapt but silent and unmoving, as the spectral face of a dragon overlaps Genji's just for an instant. Seeing Genji opening his eyes to reveal a solid green glow is a little unsettling, at first. It reminds Cisco, unpleasantly, of the Reverse Flash. But he quickly shoves that thought aside; focuses instead on the richness of the green, the way the foggy light seems to shift constantly, never still. ]
I don't know if it's weird to say, but... it's really beautiful.
[ Which Genji probably knows, of course. This is a part of him - something passed down in his family, something he'd grown up being aware of, and probably proud of. ]
[ He chuckles a little, it not entirely sounding 'right' anymore. Not threatening or powerful, just not entirely 100% Genji anymore. This was a meditative state that had been drilled into him since his dragon manifested; it was as easy as breathing now. ]
That eases my mind. Sometimes I feel like I have too many words pent up from the past decade.
[ He rolls a shoulder and exhales through his nose, the green light and energy making it look not unlike a dragon huffing steam. Genji smiles at his compliment, all toothy. Are his teeth pointer? Probably just an illusion of the light. ]
Thank you. It's not a sight most people get to see and talk about it later.
[ Cisco says it simply, without explanation; there had been a period in his life where he'd tried to curtail his own chattiness. It had been just one of the many things he did to try to be the son he thought his parents wanted. He'd tried not to talk so much, had dressed how they wanted, had pretended to care about the things they wanted him to. In the end, it hadn't changed anything; that had been right before he'd given up trying to please his family, entirely. After that, he'd swung in the opposite direction. ]
You never gotta worry about talking too much to me. The sky's the limit.
[ Then Cisco himself goes silent, watching the shifting energy. He isn't looking at the monitors; he can examine the readings later on. For now, he just wants to watch this, to see Genji do his thing up close. When Genji says few have seen it and lived, Cisco huffs a small laugh. It's the sort of comment that might have elicited a little thrill of fear, if someone else had said it. But Cisco trusts Genji, knows that it's the truth, rather than any kind of threat. ]
Could you always... did someone have to teach you to do this?
I will keep that in mind then. I am glad to have found such a kindred spirit.
[ It's said lightly, but he genuinely means it. Cisco is one of the few people he has met in his life that he has felt a near instant connection with. Genji is quite glad to consider him a friend.
He rolls a shoulder. ]
There is some sort of innate understanding, but there is training involved. It usually starts around twelve years of age.
[ Genji closes his eyes and exhales, and the green glow slowly vanishes like steam dissipating in the air. Any longer and he would start to get exhausted, or wear down on his systems.
He wipes at his forehead with the collar of his shirt. ]
I doubt it's a coincidence it happens around the time puberty starts, mind you. [ He explains a little more about what he knows of the dragons, how he was trained and how they manifest. The legends their father would tell them, and how he wonders now if those stories were meant to control more than to inspire.
'Real life is not like the stories our father told us' his brother said. He's not wrong. But Genji takes a different meaning from them now. ]
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no subject
You are right, my friend. Sometimes I do not take my own advice.
[ And although he was sheepish a moment ago, the color fades from his cheekbones and he can't help feeling amused. Another laugh bursts out of him, a crinkle forming at the corner of his eyes for the first time in a few weeks. ]
The things we must do for science, right? Don't worry, I'm not offended. But you'll understand if I don't go into details for everyone's sake.
[ Genji's delight made the plant seem to flourish a moment, leaves growing more. But at Cisco's request he nods and takes in a deep breath.
He's found if he tries to be calm, think of stillness and the chill of the night air in Nepal it can... calm it. After a moment, the little plant stops growing and shimmering under Genji's touch.
A small sprig of a plant has popped up in the crevices of his hand however. ]
whoops hit enter too soon
[ Cisco isn't a prude - far from it - but he looks up to Genji. He is not just a friend, but a mentor as well, and definitely not someone whose sex life Cisco wants to know anything about.
He watches with interest as Genji stalls the growth of the little seedling, but then a ping from his computer alerts him to a change. Seconds later he notices that sprig and sucks in a short breath, brow furrowing. But he keeps his voice calm as he says: ]
You've got a bit of an intruder on your hand there. See if you can... pull the energy back from it, go in reverse, and put that energy into.... that plant.
[ Cisco points to a different one of the little potted plants. It might be asking too much, too early, but it will be useful if only for the readings of what's happening in Genji's body while he's trying to direct his powers. ]
no subject
This has happened a number of times. Thankfully not to the point I'd have to disarticulate and clean all of my joints, but it's still curious.
[ At Cisco's suggestion, Genji's expression perks up. ]
I hadn't thought of attempting that. [ He looks serious again, although there's an air of playfulness to it. Genji loves a challenge. ]
I need to stop thinking of this as a new skill and instead perhaps just similar to ones I already have. I already understand the concept of redirecting energy from summoning the dragon spirit.
[ He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, something deep within his chest whirring for a moment. The little sprig seems to twitch and it gets... shorter, but it does not entirely vanish.
Genji exhales. ]
I suppose it would be too easy for it to work the first time.
no subject
He watches as Genji concentrates, sees that sprig reduce in size. It doesn't entirely vanish, but Genji definitely shrank it. ]
Hell, I call that 'working'. Might not be gone, but now you know you can get there, with practice. You've taken the first step. That's the hardest bit, trust me. Now you've got a feeling for that specific energy.
[ Cisco is trying to teach not by giving specific instructions - because how could he, not having the same powers Genji has? Rather, he's trying to help the way he'd always seen Wells doing when training Barry. Giving suggestions, letting Genji try stuff and figure out on his own what he needs to do and think in order to master his powers. ]
Does it feel any different? Than the energy you channel for the dragon spirit?
no subject
But what Cisco says is helpful guidance, and appreciated. Genji rubs at an eye with the heel of his palm, a little tired suddenly. ]
Indeed, the first step is always the hardest.
[ He leans back and pulls away from the plant, the shine of it diminishing now that Genji's hand isn't close to it. ]
It feels like a different 'kind,' if that makes sense. The difference between creation and power. It's hard to describe because it's something that's always been a part of me, like breathing.
no subject
Do you... for the readings, could you do something with the dragon spirit. So I can see if any of the levels change? And even if they don't, it might help solidify the difference between the two. How they feel compared to one another.
[ Cisco has only seen Genji do this in a combat situation, in that dream. Had that been accurate to the reality? He's a little bit curious if the strange beauty of it had been a byproduct of the dream, or if it really does look like that...
(He also thinks it might be a good idea, after Genji has been suppressing his powers, and dampening his connection to the dragon spirit, for him to flex those proverbial muscles a little.) ]
Is it safe for you to call on it? When you're not fighting, I mean?
no subject
[ A look crosses his face that's a little hard to decipher. ]
You know, I never let Overwatch attempt to study this. For all the good I knew they were at least intending to do... [ He tilts his head. ] Even in the disarray I was in at the time, I knew an international organization such as that should not have any data on this power my family holds. [ Then he looks very serious for a second. ] Someone I worked with, I can only imagine the things she would try to do.
[ But he shakes his head, expression getting casual again. ] I talk too much. What I mean to say is, I trust you Cisco.
[ He straightenss up again and closes his eyes. After a moment, flecks of green light start to gather around him and congregate around his back. The vents on his shoulders start puffing out more steam, and the face of a dragon seems to overlap his own after a moment.
Genji opens his glowing green eyes, seeming otherworldly now. ]
no subject
[ There is something soft around the edges of his smile, as he turns to check that the various machines are hooked up and taking readings properly. It means the world, that Genji trusts him with this. After all, being skeptical of letting Overwatch know too much about this power was a good call, apparently. And Cisco could see how Genji might think letting any scientist know about it would be too dangerous. So the fact that Genji is letting him see this, study this, even a little...
Cisco watches, rapt but silent and unmoving, as the spectral face of a dragon overlaps Genji's just for an instant. Seeing Genji opening his eyes to reveal a solid green glow is a little unsettling, at first. It reminds Cisco, unpleasantly, of the Reverse Flash. But he quickly shoves that thought aside; focuses instead on the richness of the green, the way the foggy light seems to shift constantly, never still. ]
I don't know if it's weird to say, but... it's really beautiful.
[ Which Genji probably knows, of course. This is a part of him - something passed down in his family, something he'd grown up being aware of, and probably proud of. ]
no subject
That eases my mind. Sometimes I feel like I have too many words pent up from the past decade.
[ He rolls a shoulder and exhales through his nose, the green light and energy making it look not unlike a dragon huffing steam. Genji smiles at his compliment, all toothy. Are his teeth pointer? Probably just an illusion of the light. ]
Thank you. It's not a sight most people get to see and talk about it later.
no subject
[ Cisco says it simply, without explanation; there had been a period in his life where he'd tried to curtail his own chattiness. It had been just one of the many things he did to try to be the son he thought his parents wanted. He'd tried not to talk so much, had dressed how they wanted, had pretended to care about the things they wanted him to. In the end, it hadn't changed anything; that had been right before he'd given up trying to please his family, entirely. After that, he'd swung in the opposite direction. ]
You never gotta worry about talking too much to me. The sky's the limit.
[ Then Cisco himself goes silent, watching the shifting energy. He isn't looking at the monitors; he can examine the readings later on. For now, he just wants to watch this, to see Genji do his thing up close. When Genji says few have seen it and lived, Cisco huffs a small laugh. It's the sort of comment that might have elicited a little thrill of fear, if someone else had said it. But Cisco trusts Genji, knows that it's the truth, rather than any kind of threat. ]
Could you always... did someone have to teach you to do this?
no subject
I will keep that in mind then. I am glad to have found such a kindred spirit.
[ It's said lightly, but he genuinely means it. Cisco is one of the few people he has met in his life that he has felt a near instant connection with. Genji is quite glad to consider him a friend.
He rolls a shoulder. ]
There is some sort of innate understanding, but there is training involved. It usually starts around twelve years of age.
[ Genji closes his eyes and exhales, and the green glow slowly vanishes like steam dissipating in the air. Any longer and he would start to get exhausted, or wear down on his systems.
He wipes at his forehead with the collar of his shirt. ]
I doubt it's a coincidence it happens around the time puberty starts, mind you. [ He explains a little more about what he knows of the dragons, how he was trained and how they manifest. The legends their father would tell them, and how he wonders now if those stories were meant to control more than to inspire.
'Real life is not like the stories our father told us' his brother said. He's not wrong. But Genji takes a different meaning from them now. ]