redshiftrp | @Sparrow

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@Sparrow | Video

[The video feed opens on part of the kitchen where there's a big stockpot sitting on the counter on a towel, and a few small bowls filled with soup are standing ready nearby. If anyone has known Genji for more than five minutes it's a shock that the rest of the kitchen isn't stacked to the ceiling with dirty dishes and there isn't food literally everywhere.

He cleans up nice sometimes.

While he's not visible at any point in the video, his slightly mechanical voice is pretty recognizable, so he doesn't think to introduce himself.]

Many of us have been sick, and the weather has become increasingly colder. I made butajiru, except without miso and without dashi because we do not have such things. So I suppose it is simply pork broth and vegetables.

In any case I made a lot, please help yourself, it is in the kitchen.

[Genji is capable of making exactly four items of food: porridge, tamagoyaki, waffles, and this. It's actually good too! Spoiled rich boy has learned himself some new skills.]

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[ Ben has been more or less looking for an excuse to see Genji again, after the incident with (what he later found out was) truth gas. Things had gotten... really intense between them, but not in a bad way. Their interaction that day had made it really clear to him that Genji's a deep guy who has been through some really horrific shit, and that he hasn't had a whole lot of people there for him to help him through it. Which sucks, a lot. And so Ben can't help wanting to sort of check in, see how he is.

Besides, there is the fact that Ben just really thinks Genji is cool, still really wants to be friends with him. So when he sees the video about soup, he seizes the opportunity and heads straight to the kitchen. He's not sure that Genji meant the invitation to imply he would be there to share the soup, but there's a chance Ben will pass him on the way, or just leaving...?

And he does, in fact, walk in on Genji still in the kitchen. Which perhaps isn't a surprise since he gets that about two minutes after the video is posted... ]

Edited 2019-12-24 19:26 (UTC)

[Genji hadn't really expected anyone to take him up on this immediately, he was still standing in the kitchen making himself a cup of tea to calm his nerves because he's weirdly awkward about doing things for other people.

This isn't Blackwatch, this is a community, and he's trying to help out.

Fortunately the person who enters first is Ben, which is good because he likes Ben and maybe that will make the whole showing his face thing a little easier. His helmet is on the counter within arms reach, some security should he lose his nerve.

Beneath the mask his face is scarred, several deep cuts across his nose and cheeks that are abruptly cut off by the black carbon fiber making up his jaw and attached to his temples with silver screws. Bright green hair is a little messed up from being in his helmet and not spiked up like it normally is. A few strands almost reach his eyes, he probably needs to cut it.]

Greetings.

[He manages a small smile before looking down into his cup of tea.]

Help yourself.

[Poison, too, tends towards making soup as a comfort food. Mushroom, in her case, and Peter seems to enjoy it thoroughly though she's never made much effort to offer it to anyone else.

Though she's out of the medibay now, being ill has left her shaky and with little appetite. It isn't the video that draws her but rather the smell coming out of the kitchen as she passes by. She pokes her head inside, finding the room more or less empty save for Genji himself.

She hesitates briefly, then walks in with her shoulders straight and head held high.]

That smells good.

[Genji is sitting on one of the metal counters, a bowl of soup cradled between his hands that he's slowly sipping. His helmet is at his side, bright green hair exposed along with this scarred face. Most notably the carbon fiber that makes up his jaw, attached at his temples to join the bits of him that are still human.]

Thank you. I made more than I intended, I was .. distracted.

[Depressed is more like it, but he's not going to say that to a stranger. His eyes drop to the bowl he's holding, still unused to showing his face for any length of time.]

[ It's not as if Ben ever had a chance of not recognizing Genji. Even with his mask off, the rest of his body has enough metal and lights that he is literally unmistakable. But still, it surprises him, when he walks in and Genji is there at the counter, without his mask. Ben's shock is obvious, from how abruptly his footsteps stop. He takes it all in very rapidly: green hair, handsome face, deep scars. Old cuts, which would make sense, since Genji told Ben he had had limbs cut off.

And Ben remembers, of course, Genji saying how people either are afraid of him, or treat him like an experiment. How no one had told him that he was still a person, before. That last conversation had sure gotten pretty intense.

Ben starts moving again, going over and taking one of those bowls of soup, cradling it in his hands as he moves not to one of the tables, but towards where Genji is making his tea. ]

Hey, Genji. What kinda soup did you say this was, again?

[ This time, neither of them is being compelled to tell the truth, and Ben's gonna seize that opportunity to not ask invasive questions. But he remembers what Genji said, about always eating alone because people thought he was a monster, because he didn't want anyone to see him. So he knows... this is big. Genji would have had time to put the mask on before Ben came in, if he'd wanted to. He's a freaking ninja. And he hadn't, so that means, he'd made that choice. ]

Did you already eat or - would you join me?

[She looks at him for a moment or two, but it's the curious expression of one examining a stranger rather than an open stare. Poison smiles quickly, glancing over to the soup and indicating one of the bowl laid out.]

Can I have some?

[It does smell very good. Enough to make her stomach growl quietly in complaint that she's even asking the question.]

I make soup too, sometimes. It's hard to make it for just one person.

Butajiru. Well it would have been but there is no miso. It is pork stew and vegetables. I went and collected them from the agriculture level, the Deputy said it was okay.

[He's obviously a little nervous as he's explaining things he really doesn't need to. But he's determined that the first big step in being a person is to .. well... Look like a person. Not a faceless entity with a sword.]

I already had some to make sure it was good, but I will join you.

[He raises his tea in a small salute, heading to one of the tables. Actually, he brings his helmet with him just in case. Small steps.]

Have you been well?

It smells really good. I- haven't heard of butajiru before, so I won't be able to tell the difference, anyway.

[ Ben is a little bit self-conscious about his lack of knowledge about various kinds of foods, but Cho had said she would help him with that. And she had offered to help him learn to cook. Right now, by Ben's standards, Genji seems like a completely accomplished chef. He'd made something, from scratch!

He settles himself across from Genji at that table, not commenting on him bringing the helmet. For all Ben knows, it's important for him to keep it close, for reasons not just psychological. It's clear from the extensive scarring and from how much of his face is now metal that he'd been hurt extremely badly. Maybe the helmet could be medically necessary if he starts having trouble breathing or who knows what.

Stirring the soup while it steams to let it cool a little, Ben opens his mouth to answer Genji's question with an automatic bland response - that he's good, that he's fine, that he's doing okay. But he stops before he gets any sound out, really considering. Then, with some surprise in his voice, he says, earnestly. ]

I've actually been... really really great.

[Wait til he makes waffles!!! They are so fluffy.]

That is good!

[He smiles, genuinely happy for him. Just because Genji is in a depressive funk doesn't mean he wants anyone else to be. If it was possible he'd take this feeling from everyone else forever so no one would have to experience misery again.]

The snow has been nice, and the little dragons. I hope they stay.

I have been bringing them frozen fruit.

Of course! Please do, I cannot eat it all.

[Well he probably could, he seems to have a never ending stomach. But that's not the point.]

It is, and I thought perhaps it would be nice to do for others since it's so cold. And many have been ill. Soup when you are sick seems to transcend all cultures.

omg that soup looks amazing
thank you for making it!
i will be right over to partake :)

[ And she is! She arrives within a few minutes, bundled up in several layers of sweaters and a thick puffy coat, such that the only part of her left exposed is a pair of yellow eyes between a heavy brown scarf and a green knit cap topped with a pompom. This is clearly an outfit chosen for function over fashion. ]

My mother used to make soup when I was sick. [She says, picking up a bowl and finding a spot to sit to eat it. There's a small hesitation after the first mouthful, as if she's trying to decide how she feels about it, then she dips the spoon in again.]

This is good.

[Though Poison doesn't eat that much meat, she doesn't object to it.]

I've seen you around here. What's your name?

[ Oh - Genji has a lovely smile, it turns out. Ben can't help smiling back - small and tentative at first, and then wider when Genji mentions the little dragons. ]

Oh my god, right?! I mean, I know things are crazy here all the time, but I still couldn't believe it when I first saw them. Dragons! Real dragons!

[ He doesn't KNOW.

Ben takes a bite of the soup, grins his approval at Genji, and eats a little more of it before he decides, tentatively, to broach the subject on his mind... ]

So obviously just tell me to shut up if you don't wanna talk about it but... can't help noticing you've got your mask off.

[ There is warmth, and approval in Ben's voice, as well as some curiosity. When they'd last spoken, Genji had seemed so adamant about not wanting anyone to see his face. Had something changed - externally, or internally? Is it something he is willing to discuss? ]

[Genji is one of those people who smiles with his whole face. It may be a big part of why wearing a mask isn't so bad some of the time. It's hard to come off as a badass ninja when you're grinning after doing some sweet ninja tricks.]

So many little ones. But they do not seem to be able to fly which is unfortunate, especially since they have wings.

[That grin gets bigger. Just like no one has told him he's a person, no one has ever appreciated his cooking before either. Zenyatta couldn't eat it, the members of Overwatch were never around, and back home he had people who cooked for him. It took a lot of dedication and practice to be able to make the few simple things that he could, but he feels pretty accomplished about it.]

Most that I've met here thought that I was a robot to begin with. If I am going to pretend to be human, I should appear it as well.

[He frowns realizing how he'd said that. It hadn't even been a conscious decision.]

It is hard to remember that I am, when even I do not see myself.

Genji.

For me it was my brother. Well he did not make it, but he brought it to me. I suppose it is the thought that counts?

[This is great. Everyone is eating soup, he helped in some small way that doesn't involve swords, and he's being social.

This was a good idea.]

Hello. I take it you are cold?

[He gives a small smile at the fully bundled up entity ahead of him. Genji is sitting on one of the counters with a cup of tea cradled in his hands. His helmet next to him, exposing the bright green hair and scarred face that's normally hidden from view.

His jaw is metal, black carbon fiber bolted into place against his temples, with more pieces of metal descending down his throat.

So far he hasn't recognized that this is his Mario Kart buddy.]

[ Ben gives a shrug, at Genji's comment about the little dragons not knowing how to fly, and says: ]

Doesn't seem to slow them down, though, does it? Maybe they're like penguins. Maybe it's an evolution thing and they don't even have any idea they could be doing something different. It would be pretty cool to see them zooming around in the air, don't get me wrong, but I'm just saying they seem pretty happy just running and rolling and stuff.

[ He is speaking quickly, cheerfully, in between bites of soup. There's no mistaking that Ben is, well, happy. He'd said that he was doing really well, but this is the evidence to back that up. He's talking so easily and freely, without worrying so much about it or even being conscious that he's chattier than usual.

That brightness remains, though he is a little more somber once Genji explains his reasons, says pretend. ]

Well, for what it's worth, it was always pretty clear to me that you weren't a robot. But also, my mom was a robot, so maybe I'm a little better than most at telling the difference.

[ That tidbit sure hadn't been in the comics! But Ben just keeps going: ]

Can I ask... what would you like to call yourself, if you weren't pretending for anyone?

[ To Ben, there's no question that Genji is still human, through and through. But Genji might not like thinking of himself as human. It might hurt, in ways Ben can't know or anticipate. Maybe he's found a better word for himself. Certainly, he's not a robot. But there are many other options. ]

Penguin dragons. So long as they are happy, that is what matters. Also they're very cute.

[He laughs a little. Oh it's been a long time since he laughed, something about the idea of waddly penguins being transposed into graceful dragons is pretty hysterical to him. And he definitely has a soft spot for cute things. He may or may not have derailed missions to pet kittens or win pachimari plushes.]

Your mom was a robot? Oh yes, Allison told me that. She said she was great.

[He'd almost forgotten about that, and he hadn't really pressed further on the issue, not wanting to pry.]

I'm not sure. Cyborg I suppose. Since that's what I am - not truly human, not really a robot.

They are so, so, so cute.

[ Ben has that very same soft spot as Genji - though it has been considerably complicated by his past experiences. There are a lot of small animals Ben has to work hard to make himself tolerate being around. Others, he's just accepted are a lost cause. But dragons? They never had dragons in his world. There are no possible bad associations, there.

And, well. He's a nerd. He just loves them. ]

Oh, you met Allison? Awesome. And yeah. She isn't like the robots here -

[ Oh. He catches it just a moment too late. That warm smile falters, when his memory catches up to his mouth, and he amends quickly, voice suddenly quiet: ]

Wasn't.

[ Ben spends a couple seconds after that stirring the soup with his spoon, staring down at the liquid in the bowl, the furrow between his brows deep. His grief for a mother is a thing he has not really dealt with, yet. And he isn't about to, now. He packages it up neatly inside himself, sets it aside, for another time. It's not a trick that will work indefinitely, but it works for now. ]

She's the only reason any of us came out even close to sane.

[ It's more complicated than that, of course. Very complicated. So Ben just... redirects back to Genji instead. ]

Kind of sucks defining yourself based on two nots, though, right? Who cares what you aren't. What you are is... a cyborg. Human and robot. Not neither, but both.

Oh. I am sorry.

[Losing a parent is rough, and he's been there. It's something that's difficult to ever get over, especially when Ben is using the same technique as Genji which is: bottle it up forever until he dies so he doesn't have to deal with it. Ever.

He brightens up a bit at Ben's suggestion.]

Best of both worlds? I like it. More shiny and lit up than a human, but able to eat delicious food unlike a robot. Perhaps it's not so bad.

For being trapped here, it has been... nice. Nearly everyone is very pleasant, it's full of good people. I need that. It reminds me what I was fighting for, makes things worthwhile.

[Poison hums, quietly amused.]

I'm Poison.

[By name, not by nature (though her stepmother might have said otherwise).] Who would have made it, before your brother brought it to you?

[He figures that's a code name. Like Mercy or Reaper or Soldier 76. Not too unusual.]

My family had cooks, servants, people who tended to such things. That's why this is one of the only things I know how to cook on my own. I never had to before.

[ Ben... doesn't really know what to say to that. He appreciates it, but thanks is all wrong. Words are so stupid and insufficient. He gives a little awkward shrug and then just sort of lets it drop, even though it makes the silence in the room strained for a moment or two. ]

Not so bad? Sounds pretty awesome if you ask me.

[ It's not all awesome. Ben knows that. How could he not be reminded of that when Genji's face is right there, with all those reminders of violence strewn across it. But still... ]

I have... a, um. friend. [ A long pause, then Ben grins, face flushed, ducking his head as he admits: ] Um. A- boyfriend, actually. Anyway, that's not the important part. He's been helping me to sort of... like myself more than I used to. And one of the things that's been working really well is catching myself when I start saying or thinking negative stuff about myself, even when it's a joke. Like, recontextualizing how I look at myself. I think maybe... owning the whole cyborg thing might do that for you, maybe?

[ Ben looks up again, then. There is an earnestness in his face. He wants so badly to be able to give Genji a little bit of help in this area. To support him and be there for him. Even if he's still something of a mess, himself. ]

Is - there anything else you need, I mean... to make thing worthwhile? How are you doing? You asked about me, earlier, but I didn't ask back?

[Oh no that is adorable.]

Congratulations.

[Look at Ben blushing, this is very cute. At least someone in this place has found happiness.]

I can see where that would be beneficial. Negative thoughts can permeate everything and it spreads quicker than expected until all is miserable.

[He thinks about what he's just said, that negative thoughts make everything miserable. He'd been sulking after the confrontation with Hanzo and the meeting with Cole. But it hadn't really been either of them. The one he was annoyed with was himself and he was making it worse.

There were plenty of people here who had been genuinely kind and helpful to him, and he should be focused on that rather than the negatives.]

Perhaps it would be worthwhile for me to try. Optimism has never been my strong point, I used to be cheerful though. A lot more than I am now. But I also lived next to a ramen place and a big arcade so I had many more things to be happy about.

[How can anyone be happy without ramen???]

I have been better. And I will be in the future. Two of the dragons followed me home and will not leave so I have some company. They have stolen my sweatshirt from me and I can't find it in myself to take it back.

[This is someone who would die of starvation instead of moving a cat sleeping on his lap.]

Oh, you were rich.

[It comes out like a statement of fact, not a judgement. Gull, where Poison grew up, did not have a concept of 'rich'. No one was really more well-off than anyone else, and there was no sense of resentment towards those who might be... because they were so far away that it didn't matter.]

The only people I've met who had servants were lords and ladies.

[Oh, but she's met queens, too, but when you're torn away from your home your titles cease to matter.]

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@Sparrow | Video

--> straight to ACTION, babey

Aww yiss

action :>

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text from @aa but then action as well

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