riverviewlogs | There's a cold red light

Entry tags:

There's a cold red light

who: Reaper (Gabriel Reyes) - [Open]
what: Memoryshare + Halloween Stuff
when: Throughout October
where: In Reaper's apartment for one, In Dreams for the others.
warnings:

side a - Spooky Scary

[It's not as if Reaper had expected an alien planet to celebrate a holiday such as Halloween. Back where he was from, it was a big enough holiday with plenty of reasons to look forward to it--but as this month began on the shitty little planet far from home... He was pretty irate to learn that the 'Celebration' this time around was circled around Dying. As if he needed another dozen reminders that he still existed on a plane where his body couldn't decide if it wanted to be living or dead--but to have fucking ghosts floating around the place like it was common...

He needed something to clear his head.
So even if Halloween didn't exist in Riverview? Who said he couldn't celebrate it on his own anyhow. Anyone sharing an apartment complex with the undead man would find his own corner of the room scattered with textiles and rough sketches--a table set up in the corner with a sewing machine and everything to go along with it.

Hell, if you're lucky enough--roommate or even just one of his very few acquaintances--to pay him a visit during odd hours in the day, you'll find the mask-wearing man... putting something together. And for a guy who looks like he's dressed for Halloween every day of the year, this outfit he's sewing together seems to be even more over the top than usual.]

side b - Too Edgy for Halloween (Memoryshare 1)

[It's a pretty odd perspective, seeing from the eyes of someone else when you should be dreaming things from your own life. Even odder when said eyes seem to be looking out from the oddest kind of mask--the inside of what SEEMS to be a ...Pumpkin. Yeah, seriously. Bear with it for a moment, however, as a pair of hands are raised easily to pull it off--apparently only to continue what seemed to be some sort of argument.
One of the voices may be easy to recognise, what with its tinny, almost robotic tinge. An accent--Japanese--is easy to pick out as well, but the tone... is far divorced from what you might recognise it as.

"I do not want to go to any such party with you, Commander."

The title of respect is said with nearly a hint of sarcasm--a direct line of disobedience with someone higher authority than him. And that's when he'll come into the picture. Red-eyed, dark haired; this man is clearly a Cyborg, Genji Shimada, to be exact, but something is more than a little off about him.

"McCree's going to be there. Ana and Jack, too. Ain't no reason to go avoiding it just because you're in a foul mood for the sixth time this week, Shimada."

The reply is in a voice that's recogniseable Enough as the man who calls himself 'Reaper', but the tone is less rasped, far less tired, and almost... amicable in how it sounds.

"It is not a 'bad mood' choosing my actions. Do not accuse me of something so childish."

A laugh rumbles out of Reyes' throat. "Hard not to accuse when you're the one actin' like a kid with no friends."

Apparently that response was enough to make the Shimada brother growl with an irate sound of frustration, and slam the door to his quarters in his 'Commander's' face.

Well.

Can't say he didn't try, right.]

side 3 - Shrug Emoji.png (Memoryshare 2)

[The first thing greeting you in this particular dream is more than a dozen computer screens. Each lit up with a different angle of what one MIGHT recognise as London on Earth--except it's being absolutely lit up. Machines of varying sizes bare over the town as the rattle of guns and explosions sound over the speakers, and it'll become clear that this isn't some sort of well-CGI'd movie.

Especially not when someone to the apparent dreamer's left speaks up.

"What's McCree doing in London, Gabriel?"

A woman's voice, stern, to the point. One might expect a clear and concise reply, but instead, an almost sly remark is given in response.

"Looks like He's investigating the situation from the ground."

Once again, you find yourself in the dream belonging to the man who calls himself 'Reaper' in Riverview... apparently at a time before he'd met his apparent end. The conversation between Reaper, the stern-looking woman and a greying, tired looking man continues. It contains a bit of war jargon that one might not fully understand, but it all comes to an end when the tired looking blonde gets some sort of message. A grim statement that is apparently all Gabriel needs to hear.

"Prime Minister's not Budging. We're still not authorized to operate in England."

There's an exasperated sigh from the woman, and that's when Gabriel rises from his seat, an almost uncharacteristic laugh escaping his throat.

"Sounds like the Prime Minister has it alllllll under control."

As he's heading for the door, a snide remark is easily heard just before he exits: "Ever the Hero, Gabriel."

An easy turn, a wide smile, and an even wider shrug is given from the man who now calls himself Reaper.

"I'm not the one with the statue."]

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[ Ah. He recognizes Genji immediately, even if his appearance is different from how he is now, but there's no way he'd ever not recognize his voice. Shigeru watches with a small smile as the dream plays out. But he'll walk up to Reaper afterwards. ]

You really were his commander. [ It's not said as a question but more of a statement. ] And you really do like Halloween a lot! [ In the dreamscape Shigeru can talk and laugh just anyone else so he does. ]

You seemed really happy back then. [ There's an obvious pause as if he wants to ask 'what happened' but he doesn't, at least not yet. Instead he looks back at the two varying Reyes' now. The change so drastic it's a bit...saddening to see. ]

Genji told me you were his commander. But now I can see why he looked up to you and really missed you.

[It's... Jarring, to have another voice in his own dream. Reaper doesn't often sleep, but when he does, it's very often plagued by dreams. Likely due to his brain activity being constantly abuzz with those nanomachines that are keeping him alive.

Either way, when he recognises the voice as Shigeru's, he takes a moment to try to figure out if it's just... part of the dream, or if it's really the other. Hearing him actually speak was a bit strange after all. But when the other doesn't continue speaking, he'll at least acknowledge that the other is there.

....Making statements about things he'd rather the other hadn't seen. So of course, he's going to cross his arms over his chest, like the human pretzel he was once accused of being.]

...Had a lot more to be happy about back then.

[He'll admit this much, even if it's delivered with a degree of hostility, sharp, and to the point.]

Even back then, I wasn't someone to look up to. I told him that, more than once.

[ The hostility does not go unnoticed and Shigeru might wince a little at that. He does give Reaper a small smile as he looks back at the dream and then the real Reaper. ]

But he still did and...even here he's glad that he's gotten a chance to talk to you again.

[ Though the reunion was probably rough, from what Shigeru can gather. ]

I know it's...not my place to say but, you could be happy here too. At least that's what I think.

[What a strange thing to be told by someone. That he could be happy.

That someone like him could actually have a life here that didn't revolve around getting his revenge, of killing those who had wronged him, but...

He takes a moment to stare at Shigeru as if he'd just suggested something like "Squirrels are actually small dogs" or something.]

...Lost my chance at any real happiness the day I died, kid.

Doesn't matter where I am, here or back where we're from.

Could finish dying any day now. Trying to build a new life ...

Hah.

As if someone like me could.

[ Shigeru huffs and puts his hands on his hips as he shakes his head. ]

Why shouldn't you be allowed to be happy? You were a nice person and something terrible happened to you...it's really not fair, you know? And that doesn't mean that you shouldn't get to be happy.

[ He has a lot of feelings about this, sorry Gabe. ]

If you really wanted I could try to help heal you too. My powers might be able to reverse whatever it is that's happened to you...but only if you want to try. I...I don't like forcing people into treatment, but I will offer it to you if you wanted to try someday.

[ As far as he's concerned Reaper isn't a bad person and therefore he will do whatever he can to help him. ]

[He's got a lot of feelings about this too, man. Mostly negative ones that stem directly into him feeling like he's already had his chance at life. And you don't just GET second chances, that's not how life worked.

He was lucky to have been (forced) given new life after the explosion in Switzerland, if one would even call this kind of constantly burning un-life lucky.

He doesn't particularly feel like responding to Shigeru's attempts at telling him that he deserves a chance at being content because he'd once lived a good life, but...

It's that second bit that makes him hesitate, most of all.
When Eichi was in the city...
Eichi, the kid who was closest to 'death' and the most supportive of the idea that 'Reaper can be happy too'...
A clawed hand moves up to touch the edges of his mask, idle in remembering how the kid put all his energy into trying to heal Reaper, too. And it had almost worked.
And then he...]

It's a lot of damage.

[His tone is tired, but to the point.]

Doubt you can fix 'Death'.

[ Shigeru watches him with a small, sad, expression on his face. He might take a step forward but he stops with Reaper's words. The one thing different about Eichi and Shigeru's healing is that Shigeru's is a potent version of any normal healing spell. ]

I can't heal death, no, but I can remake limbs, nervous systems, skin anything that's organic or inorganic. I can purge your body of whatever might be plaguing you. It'll hurt, I can't lie and say it won't, because it does. But if you give me a chance maybe we can find a way to help you together.

[ His smile is sad as he stares back at Gabriel. ] Do you...mind? Showing me that is. I can get a better understanding of the damage done if I actually see it.

[ But if the subject is far too touchy then he won't pursue it and just leave it at that. Something for Gabriel to think about, if he ever wanted help. ]

[If he had information, he'd be able to give it to Shigeru. But even he has no idea what it is plaguing him. He's spent years trying to figure it out, from supernatural to scientific reasoning. All he understood is that it was related to nanobiology, and a likely chemical mixup with his body due to odd substances left in his body due to his SEP training.

He shakes his head.]

I'm not afraid of pain. [Which isn't a lie, at all. Remembering the stupid painsharing 'soul mate' potion he'd unfortunately had to deal with, remembering how crippled it had left a certain Matsuno...] It always hurts. Even now. Burning, like there's fire under my skin. Fire that hasn't stopped burning since the day I 'died'.

[A hollow laugh echoes out from under his mask, a little tinge of madness to it. And finally he lifts his head to look straight at Shigeru.]

[A clawed hand moves up--hesitating for only a moment before they slide along the edges of his mask. Slow, as if he's about to change his mind about this--careful, as if even the action of removing his mask is one that causes him pain.

Finally, his other hand comes up, and with one fluid movement, he removes it.

What looks out at Shigeru from underneath it isn't the face of a man, but rather, the face of a corpse.

His skin is dark--pallid, like something that's been left out for a few days. Patches of his skin are hollowed out, leaving open wounds in his face. Scars that are so deep they're more like lacerations, glowing in the centre with an almost orange glow.

As if he truly is still on fire down to his core.

Teeth exposed from cheeks that are hollowed out, and eyes...

Eyes that are more like dark pits with a glowing red centre, and eye that's more like a glowing ball of fire than any sort of iris one might recognise.

Hard to believe a man with a face like that was really a man at all.]

[ Shigeru has seen some horrors in his life but Reaper's was completely different than anything he's ever seen before. He doesn't react though, because that's unprofessional and completely rude?! But his eyes do widen a little before he takes a few steps forward, closer to Reaper, as he looks him over. Not that he's thinking or would ever call Reaper a horror, but the man's condition is very worrisome to him.

He might stare for a few seconds, hand on his chin as he examines the other. Of course in the dream it's really hard to get a good gauge on his vitals, but they could do that outside when they both woke up. ]

I think my powers will be able to help. Remaking eyes is a bit tricky, but I remade Dodger's so that he could see from it and everything. My powers are a bit weaker here...but it's definitely possible. [ The fire and burning sensation is what's got him worried. ]

The only real way to figure it out is if I meet you in person though. So I don't want to give a definitive yes or no answer. But I don't...think anything should go wrong if I use my powers.

[He had wondered who it was who fixed Dodger's eye. So that explained one thing to him. But fixing someone's eye and fixing a body that couldn't make up its mind between being alive or dead was a ... lot more complicated.

A lot.

Asking to meet in person and then actually getting the gall up to let the other examine him...
He really hated doctors. He'd seen so many in Talon's own base, and not a damn one had ever been able to help, so...]

It doesn't matter much even if you can't do anything.

Whatever's keeping this body from going...

It won't last forever.

With that logic... [He rumbles out a low, dry laugh. Letting his shoulders rise with it.] ...If something goes wrong, it'd hardly change anything in the end.

Don't say things like that! [ Shigeru please. Don't scold Reaper. ]

A lot of people will miss you... [ but he doesn't finish it with 'if you died.' ]

Besides, nothing will go wrong. I'll make sure to do everything I can so that it doesn't. [ He'll give Reaper a warm smile as he turns to look back at the dreamscape. ]

[He doesn't look back on the scene, what with how it's starting to come apart at the edges. Genji gone back to brooding in his quarters, Reyes fixing the pumpkin back over his head as he goes to show up formally late to the Overwatch Halloween party.

Those were better times, with people who were better than what they would later become.

He looks down at the mask that's still in his hand, the inside of the metal skull that had become his face for so long. He could feel the smoke curling around the open holes in the side of his face and all he could feel was disgust when Shigeru mentions that he would be missed.

A disgust that he shows by starting a slow, almost manic laugh. One that echoes out of his lungs with a tired hiss to the end of it.]

You're far too optimistic.

Wonder if it'll end up being the death of you one day, kid.

[Noone missed me when I died the first time. This time wouldn't be any different.]

[ Being optimistic is all he has sometimes, Reaper. It's just how he rolls, really. ]

It might be, but it hasn't gotten me killed yet. I think it's actually saved me a few times... [ Back when he was getting tortured by Jern, it definitely had saved him. His expression turns somber for a minute before it flickers back to being happy again. ]

Maybe you're just too pessimistic! [ Shigeru please. ]

But...whenever you want to meet, you know where my house is, and we can do it privately so no one know will know. At least for now, once your figure changes I'm sure everyone will notice.

[Too pessimistic...

Sounds about right. Eichi had said the same thing when he was in this place, and while the guy was now long gone from this place...
To hear another person tell him that he was being far to pessimistic was probably just more telling than he wanted to think about.

He gives a little snort before looking out into the dreamscape, turning his back to the other. A hand raising up in the air as the smoke that drifts off his body swirls around him.]

I'll think on it a few days. Tired of having people poke and prod at me without being able to find a solution.

But some brat once told me that if I don't seek help I won't find it waiting for me in a convenient place.

I'll be in touch.

[ Shigeru all smiles at that. At least Reaper is willing to give it a shot. That's a win in his book. ]

That sounds fine. Take all the time you need to think about it! You know where to find me when you're ready. And...thank you, for letting me help. I promise I won't let you down.

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