riverviewlogs | (semi-closed)

Entry tags:

(semi-closed)

who: genji and you!
what: river festival shenanigans, friendship hang outs!
when: during river festival and after
where: all around the quarantine
warnings: none yet! will add if needed

i — beach borg

[ Genji hasn't been to the beach proper in quite a long time. And between helping clear it out and trying to distract himself from the fact that his brother had vanished, it seemed like a good decision as any to head on down.

He's sitting under an umbrella, probably the most of his cybernetic prosthesis removed as he possibly can manage. His face is fully uncovered, as well as his neck (the extent of his jaw replacement is obvious now, jutting down into his throat) and his left shoulder and arm up to his elbow is noticeably still flesh. Scars are scattered on his still organic parts, and the cybernetic forearm and hand looks as if it was surgically added later instead of a result of his previous physical trauma. He's also got swim trunks and a black sleeveless shirt on, with three streaks of sunscreen on his cheeks reminiscent of a certain somebody.

Genji is taking the time to spray sunscreen on his still fleshy parts, because rubbing lotion when you've got metal and silicone hands and joints that can easily get gunked up his not enjoyable. Oh, he's also sitting in front of a curiously large and pink mecha of sorts.

If someone approaches him, he smiles. ] It is keeping an eye on me. [ A pause. ] And I am instructed to tell you 'Do Not Touch.'

ii — fireworks

[ Now fireworks are always fun! But only if you get a great view. And thankfully Genji has an uncanny ability to scale just about anything, so those pesky cliffs you might be thinking would be a great vantage point are no problem at all.

He easily climbs it, limbs lighting up green in the ever darkening sky, and reaches a metal hand down to you. ] Here, I will pull you up!

iii — date! (closed to shigeru)

[ Once the festivities for the time seem to have died down, he figures it's a good time to invite Shigeru out on his promised 'date.' It may have been a 'date' in the eyes of the auction, but Genji was just thinking of it as a reason to see someone he was starting to think of as a good friend.

Especially after that... interesting text conversation he'd had with that person. What did they say their name was, Dodger? Roger? Something? Hm. He definitely wants to bring it up... he worries that there might be people trying to take advantage of Shigeru's kind demeanor.

Genji decided to bring him to one of his favorite meditation spots, a beautiful serene place by the river. Just far enough from the main parts of the city that it wasn't loud, but not far enough to be dangerous. He's brought a little thermos of tea and some snacks and he figures they can just have a nice chat.

He gestures to it when they arrive. ] Is this all right?

ii — tea bros (closed to eichi)

[ Since seeing each other at the parade, Genji and Eichi had run into each other a few times to have tea at a local little cafe.

Genji is waiting for him at the table they have apparently claimed for their chats, but his expression is just slightly more melancholy than usual. He has come to the realization that his elder brother is absolutely gone, vanished without a word and a trace. Back through the portal, it seems.

Genji is... Genji doesn't quite know what to do or how to feel right then. But he doesn't plan on letting it sour his or his companion's mood. He smiles whenever Eichi approaches. ] Greetings.

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[ Hana has a blanket laid out on top of the mech, just beneath the umbrella's spread, and is lounging on her stomach with a cold one cracked open (soda, of course) and a magazine. ]

That's right! Look, but don't touch please!

[ That said, she moved to peer down at Genji from her perch, pulling her heart-shaped sunglasses down to do so. ]

Did you forget to spread the sunscreen on your face? UV is really bad for your skin!

I'm in the middle of it, actually. [ He just got done spraying down his arm and shoulder and moves to spray some on his face. After coating his scar riddled face, he rubs at it only with the silicone pads of his fingers to avoid any Clogging Issues. (Having to take apart and re-articulate his hands was irritating and time consuming.) ] How are you doing up there?

[He can politely avoid the elephant in the room for the start of this conversation, but Eichi is no stranger to people leaving. Some of his closest friends from the Eluvio, his roommate, and now he hasn't seen Hanzo in some time, either. He has a feeling it's what he thinks it is.

Still, he bows his head politely as he takes a seat.]

I hope I didn't keep you waiting long, Genji-san. I've been practicing for my next performance, so it took me some time to rest before coming here. [He has to be careful not to push himself, after all.] Are you doing well?

[ Genji had already lost McCree to the portal as well, which had been it's own brand of disappointing but this was.... well. It was his brother. Finally, after a decade, he could share space with him and try to re-learn to be a family and now he was just— gone. As if it none of it happened.

He doesn't like feeling directionless.

Genji shakes his head. ] I only just arrived myself, do not worry. [ He would never want Eichi to push himself on his account anyway. ] And I am all right, all things considered. Have you been feeling well as of late?

[ She flashes a peace sign at him from up top. She likes going to the beach, especially one with an ocean that doesn't have a colossal omnic rising up from its depth every few years. She does, however, take precautions to make sure her skin doesn't get any sort of damage from being exposed in the sun. Hence her SPF 95 sun screen, or its equivalent here. ]

I'm just peachy! I don't think I've been to the beach like this in forever, though. I'm glad we came.

[ After their brief communication Genji takes a deep breath and exhales it slowly. He's been up on the roof, where he usually meditates since it's the quietest spot, and he slowly stands up. It needs to be done; he can't avoid his former Commander any longer. Steadying his shoulders, he silently and swiftly slides down the side of the building before reaching Floor 8's balcony.

He stands on the rail easily before stepping down onto it proper, leaning against it and crossing his arms. ] Hello.

[ There was always a risk when Genji exposed some of his skin like this; his body's natural immune system had been entirely shot with the process of giving him his augmentations. So he had much the same SPF going, as one could never be too careful. (Also, sunburn under his armor would be incredibly irritating.)

He wipes off the tips of his fingers on the hem of his shirt. ] I haven't in a long time myself. I used to get too much sand in my joints before I had this upgrade. [ He taps the green light on his shoulder. Also far too many open ports near his spine, in his early Blackwatch days. ] Is there anything you would like to do? Or is sunbathing enough for the moment?

[ Hana can't even imagine what it must be like to live like Genji does, with a body that's almost entirely not even his anymore. She takes in the sight of it all with curious eyes, although they do hold amazement, too. They've only known each other briefly here, but that lingering admiration from home has only really gotten stronger, plus she's found that he's kind of a dweeb, which is great. Most of all— he's the only person she's found from home that hasn't tried to belittle her in some way.

She shifts a bit on her perch atop the mecha, propped on an elbow and resting her cheek against her hand as she looks down contemplatively. ]

I wanted to talk to you about something, actually. It's a super not-fun and not beach-related, but it's been bothering me.

[ Gladio accepts the cool, hard grip of the other's cybernetic hand that helps him up onto the lush grass growing high on the top of that cliff, a comfortable perch with space that easily fits them both with room to spare. He scrambles up after him, his fingers and legs aching from the effort of climbing. It's a good ache, the kind he knows will calm and cool in the night air and leave him with that comfortable buzz from working up a sweat. ]

Genji, you couldn't have picked a better spot. [ Gladio exclaims, catching his breath. He throws his weight over the edge and sits on the grass, then throws himself down on it, face up. ] This view is incredible! How'd you even find this place?

[ It's out of the way, so it's a wonder how Genji ran across it to begin with. But then again... The grass is blessedly cool on his back, and he breathes out in satisfaction. Maybe this is the kind of place he meditates in. Now that would make sense and... Ugh, now more than ever he's aware of how his skin on his back feels hot and burnt. He may have got himself a sunburn, so he hisses and hoists himself upright again. ]

Ouch, hah... guess I got a bit too much sun.

[ That gets a gravelly chuckle out of Genji. He's glad he's no longer feeling awkward around Gladio, despite the fact his friend still hasn't seemed to act like he has any idea. ] I was taught to always find the best vantage point. I noticed it when we were clearing the beach before.

[ They haven't quite started yet, but they'll get a great view. And not have to get sore necks or have to peer over the top of people's heads.

When Gladio hisses and sits up again he frowns. ] Not surprising. [ He has noticed the man seems to have a phobia of shirts. ] Your tattoo isn't recent, right? It shouldn't bother it much. [ Just thinking of sunburn makes him think his skin itches, so he scratches at a scar on his face he tends to fiddle with. ] Just put some aloe on it later.

For the most part.

[He waves off that part largely, not feeling like Genji should have to sit through any of his unrelated adventures.] What have you been occupying yourself with since our last meeting? It's been a little while, hasn't it?

[Oh so we're all allergic to using doors. That's fine, he guesses, and he casts his once-ally an almost tired look.

One he'll actually see. While Genji may not have noticed due to the shadowing of his hood while Reaper was sitting with his head down--when he raises it to cast the ninja a glance...

His mask is off. His face isn't quite as rotted and falling apart as it had been the first time he'd shown the ninja, however. It was far more stitched together, even if the skin was still pallid and greying. Even if his eyes were still dark and glowing red.]

...Didn't take half as long as I thought.

In a hurry to get this over with?

[ It had taken a lot of hard work, but he finally felt whole again. He was no longer a stranger in his own body; his metal parts were as much himself as his flesh ones.

And getting to know Hana has been a delight, honestly. Especially with the losses of McCree and his brother, it's been nice to have someone else from his world. (And yes, Genji is very much a dweeb.)

He puts down the sunscreen spray when she speaks and turns to her, raising a haggard looking brow. ] Of course. What's on your mind?

[ Genji climbs things and is fast, Reaper turns to smoke, everybody has their shtick.

He does silently suck in a breath when he sees his face. Something about seeing him look more like he was is harder than the grotesque disfiguration of before. Far too many memories with that face, good and bad.

Genji scoffs. Since Reaper is maskless, he might as well do the same; show that he's at least attempting to speak to him on an even playing field. He reaches behind and undoes the airlock, air shooting out from the slides, and he slowly removes the helmet. It's strange to be the only one who looks a little older, so to speak. ] Lena was the only one faster than I was, if you remember.

[ A pause. ] I was around. [ Genji stands there, holding his helmet, and then puts it on a nearby table. He looks visibly pensive for a while, the beginnings of crows feet around his eyes pulling tightly. ] I suppose there is a lot to be said.

[He's used to what Genji looks like under that mask. However, what he isn't used to seeing is how the other has clearly aged under his metal shell.

Of course he's aged, is all Gabe can think to himself. Genji was still part human under all that wiring and metal, not a ghost who'd stopped aging and only started to rot under the confines of a mask and hood.

He brushes the feeling off, and opts to continue his conversation.]

I haven't forgotten anything like that. My memories from back then are still my own.

[As if needing to emphasize that becoming... whatever he was. Didn't change who he was. Just his views.]

I'm shit at icebreakers. And dancing around hot-button topics. [Obviously. He HAD been the leader of Blackwatch, and was often chastised for saying what needed to be said, but noone wanted to hear.] I tore your brother a new one while he was here. I'm sure he came back to tell you how cruel 'The Reaper' was to him.

[ That causes an angry look to flicker across Genji's face, his scars pulling tightly as he frowns. ] I know you did. And it wasn't your place to tell him those things.

[ His anger leaves him quickly though and he sighs. His brother isn't even here any longer, so that protective urge has nowhere to go. Perhaps that's why he feels it's 'safe' to speak with him now: less risk of collateral damage. ] But that isn't why I agreed to speak with you.

I— [ He frowns, closes his eyes, shakes his head. And opens them again. ] I was furious but I can't say I wasn't surprised that you did. You— [ He says it, intentionally acknowledging that Reyes and Reaper and indeed one and the same. ] —did know me in the aftermath of that. When I was at my worst.

[ She usually didn't like getting attached to people so quickly, but having Genji around after being thrown into this strange new... world, reality, whatever, has been such a huge help. If nothing else for her ego, because at least there was one other person who respected her, but his company has been genuinely appreciated. Not that she would ever say it— not like that, at least.

As for what's actually on her mind, though, she gives a sigh, and her free hand took to picking at a spot on the metal of her mech. Was that spot always there? ]

I'm guessing you already know that there's other people here from the same place as us, right? Except they all suck. We have to stick together, Genji.

[ Genji nods to that. ] It has. I have been picking up extra shifts with the guard. Mostly as a distraction of sorts.

[ He frowns again and sighs at himself. ] It seems my brother went back through the portal at some point. It was— surprising.

[ Then he makes a face at himself at shakes his head, pulling a smile. ] But we're not here to listen to me mope, are we? What tea would you like today?

Makes me wonder why you agreed to speak with me, then. [He turns his head, almost lazily--glow-red eyes locking with Genji to give him a very pointed look.]

We both know you have every reason to blow me off. [Tearing his brother apart, working as a terrorist, not telling everyone he was alive--and of course, their last meeting before he'd 'died'... they'd had an argument that should have ended things between them.]

Guess old habits die hard, for both of us. You're not someone who knows me anymore. And I'm not someone who should be protective of a kid who clearly doesn't need it anymore. You're not at your worst anymore.

Not with how carefree you've seem to have become.

[ The bluntness with which she says it surprises him and he can't stop a soft little snort in response. ] That they do, you aren't wrong about that.

[ He gets serious right after though, frown pulling at his face and brows knitting together. ] I think that is the most wise thing to do. I cannot trust that they will 'behave' themselves in this place, I feel it is just a matter of time before something is attempted.

[ A pause. Genji speaks a little quieter. ] Reaper has been here as long as I have. We have had... interactions. [ It's sufficiently vague while also implying there's a much bigger story behind it. ]

[ Hana can feel her blood starting to boil just thinking on the interactions she's had with the others that she knows came from their world. Apart from Genji, all of them had annoyed her one way or another. Possibly the blue-skinned woman, most of all. Reaper— he was annoying, but at least she could make fun of his aesthetic.

On that note... ]

What kind of interactions? He didn't call your body a piece of garbage, did he? Because that's what he called my mech.

[ Her free hand starts to rub at the pink armor plating, like she her mech was a living thing and doing that would have been a soothing gesture. ]

There's Sombra, too. And this blue-skinned woman I ran into who was... ugh.

[ Somehow that's not surprising and Genji has to fight the urge to roll his eyes. ] No it's... more complicated than that, unfortunately.

[ There isn't any real reason he can think of not to tell her. They were both stuck here, after all, and apparently the only people from their world left who were not of any dubious morality. And Hana is a soldier as much as he was, which is a realization he's still sort of coming to terms with for himself. ] I know who Reaper is— was. We have... history.

[ It won't be hard to miss the slight sadness to his voice when he says it, like he's bittersweetly recalling his own memories. ]

[ As luck would have it, Gladio remains entirely oblivious. If it's an act, it's a truly convincing one. During the long trek to the shoreline, he was at ease in the wilderness and ruin. He fought alongside him, set up and tore down camp, hauled off debris along with the rest of them without avoiding Genji or giving any other sign - if anything, he was perfectly comfortable with the cyborg.

Because he was. Genji is a cool dude in Gladio's eyes. ]

Not really. [ He got it the day he was made Shield to the future king, just like his father had for the current - and now deceased King Regis. But that's a story he keeps close to his chest. ]

Yeah, good call.

[ Settling down again, he carefully lets his body adjust to the chill of the lush grass and tolerates the burn on his back. ]

So... what kind of job requires someone to find places like this? Lemme guess - landscaping?

[ Said with the expression of a man who knows that's not the right answer. ]

[ Genji is glad he's found people here he can fight side by side with. They seemed to make a good team and Gladio is extremely skilled and knowledgeable; he idly thinks he would have made a great addition to Blackwatch.

He huffs. ] I went to the beach only a week or so after getting work on mine done and didn't bother to put on any sunscreen. My father was incredibly cross about it. [ Because the dragon tattoos were symbols of the heirs, of the family. (Brands to keep you forever, Genji things mirthlessly.)

He grins a little at Gladio's next question. ] It's true, I use my swords to tend to bushes and trees. It's a very lucrative business. [ He shakes his head and runs a hand through his sandy hair. ] I was in the military, essentially. Part of a covert operations unit. It's just second nature to me now.

[ He puts his hands behind him on the grass and leans on them. ] You are quite skilled yourself, I was impressed.

[ Gladio's brow furrows as he gives the cyborg another scrutinizing look. Welp, whatever tattoo his father was upset about, it's long gone now, probably along with most of his body. If it wasn't so dark and he'd had a good enough look at Genji's back, however...

Well, that's a story for another time, isn't it? ]

Haha, I bet it is. [ He stretches out his arms and folds them behind his head, crossing his legs at his ankles. The weather is clear, with a nice breeze coming off the ocean. They're far enough away from civilization that the stars are clearly in view, along with the planet that would be open to them after the 5 years are up. ] Covert unit, huh? Sounds badass.

Thanks, you're not so bad yourself. You know, we should spar sometime. It'd be a hell of a workout going against someone with your skill and enhancements.

Edited 2017-08-13 18:15 (UTC)

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closed to reaper;;

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'a phobia of shirts' excuse you

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