[He knows that Genji is trying to be encouraging, though he's not convinced that telling her is the best idea when they have so much else to worry about.]
She'll just think we're both crazy.
[Though that part is said as a joke. It would certainly give her a moment of pause, if the two of them sat her down and told the same story, though he's not sure if she'd ever fully believe it. If it hadn't happened to him, he's not sure he would believe it either.]
[ It is meant to be a joke, or at least Genji is fairly certain that's the case (with Jack it can be difficult to tell), but he wonders. Surely if both of them told the same story it would make Ana at least consider the possibility, but it's ultimately a moot point for now. He'll keep the secret if that's what Jack wants. ]
If that's what you wish, then I will abide by that.
[ Genji lets out a long sigh and then stretches his arms up into the air, working the kinks out of both his organic and synthetic parts. The work on his sword is done, so he sheathes it. ]
Do you wonder sometimes? What those people we met through COST are doing now.
[ It's a strange thing, knowing that there's very little chance they'll see any of them again. ]
[Perhaps in earlier years, he might not be so confident in Genji’s ability to keep something secret, especially from Ana, but he hopes their shared experience means they have a particularly unique bond. Jack feels silly for thinking of it as a bond, but that’s what it is, isn’t it? He takes a long moment to look Genji up and down, as if assessing their newfound friendship (???) for the first time.
He catches himself staring and turns away again, finding a particularly interesting spot on the floor.]
Sometimes.
[He does his best not to focus on it, because he’s back to his own mission.]
[ With the way that Jack's looking at him, Genji has to fight the urge to look himself over to see if there might be something out of place. He's used to being stared at, honestly, but he wouldn't expect it from someone like Jack who's used to his cyborg form.
He frowns to himself, not sure what that just was, but the conversation moves on before he can decide whether or not it would be wise to comment on it.
At the question he lets out a long sigh. While he would like to be hopeful, he realizes there's no point in giving Jack anything other than the honest truth. He leans back on his hands and crosses his legs before answering. ]
Only if COST were to recruit all of us again. It seems unlikely that anyone would be able to find their way to this world at the correct time. Or that we could do the same.
[ The entire experience will fade away into some odd chapter of their respective histories, an excursion that would be almost impossible to describe to anyone who hadn't experienced it themselves. ]
[Jack's thoughts are very similar--that with no way of even communicating with COST, they're never going to see or hear from any of them again. That's for the best, he thinks, though it's going to be difficult to get it out of his head. Perhaps Genji feels the same.]
Not much point in dwelling on it.
[Though of course that's easier said than done, given the fact that COST itself expanded his worldview to include entire universes and infinite timelines. Not something he can shake off very easily.]
[ Not much point in dwelling on it, perhaps, but they are only human and Genji doesn't think that he can set the experience aside so easily. Nor does he want to, necessarily. ]
I don't believe that forgetting it ever happened is the correct path. It happened to us and affected us, and there's nothing wrong with thinking of those people we met and befriended during that time.
[ Genji glances up from his lap to watch Jack once he finishes speaking. He suspects that Jack will claim he didn't befriend anyone, that it had all been professional, but that seems doubtful. Even just using the two of them as an example, that time with COST forged a closer bond between them, didn't it? Genji feels that it did, and the sheer fact that Jack has let him stay here says a lot. ]
[He's not going to admit that anyone there was a friend, and of course he isn't going to just forget everything that happened, but he knows that he easily gets bogged down in the past. Perhaps this is just his way of resolving to move forward.]
It's just tough getting back to business here, while all that's on my mind.
[ Genji nods, as he feels much the same way, and it's part of why he sought Jack out in the first place. Having someone else that he can talk about COST with who also went through it and can relate to it helps a great deal, but they also can't get too caught up in what happened there. ]
Worry not, my friend. I will keep you on track.
[ There's a warm, cheerful hint to his tone as he stands from his cross-legged stance on the floor and then stretches his arms up above his head. ]
And if you feel that you're getting soft, I will never say no to a spar.
[And Jack doesn't thank easily, so that's saying something. He tries to offer a smile, and for once it seems to be genuine. Jack knows this is a bit of an admission that he's not going to ask Genji to leave anytime soon, and he's surprised at how comfortable the thought feels.
Jack is pretty much always in the mood for a spar (except for this exactly moment), so he laughs a little at the suggestion.]
[ The thanks is mildly surprising, but it's the smile that truly throws Genji off for a moment. It's nothing like the bright, white-teethed grins that Jack had once thrown out during interviews and press releases, a smile tailored to his role as strike commander. This is something else entirely. It's smaller, but also softer; truer. And it hits Genji right in the chest.
Then Jack follows it with that question, and Genji has to admit that it's true. They're both getting to know each other better without Overwatch getting in the way (to say nothing of Genji's horrible mental state back then). More than that, Genji gets to know this man as Jack, not as his Overwatch's commander.
After a perhaps too-long pause, he breaks out into an easy laugh. ]
Don't act like that's something so terrible.
[ It's nearly impossible to survive alone in this world. Humans (even cyborgs) are not wired that way. That's what Genji believes. ]
[Jack has spent a very long time closing himself off to a world and the people in it that gave up on him. Even during Overwatch, he'd always been the consummate professional, to the point where he imagines few ever really got to know him as something other than the Commander. That thought should be freeing, now that he's not beholden to the military structure of an organization that no longer exists, but Jack can't exactly take advantage of it.
Now, he has a whole new problem. Letting someone in--letting them get to know him just puts everyone in danger, given the nature of his mission.
Still, Genji knows all that. He's just going around in circles, at this point.]
Could all be a big mistake.
how many times do we have to teach you this lesson, old man
[ While Genji might sound exasperated, there's something fond in his tone too. This is simply how Jack is now, and he has to accept that. He doesn't mind being stubborn as he makes attempt after attempt to break down those walls. If he can maintain even an ounce of Master Zenyatta's patience, then Jack won't stand a chance.
Apparently now isn't the time for a spar, yet Genji closes the distance between them anyway. Once he and Jack are face-to-face, he boldly reaches out to grab for Jack's hand, which he holds gently. As if handling something fragile. ]
Whatever you might say, you are my friend, Jack. And I'd enjoy any chance to get to know you better.
[ Perhaps if he's extremely blunt and straight-forward, the message will finally sink in. ]
[He tries to offer an apologetic smile. Genji doesn't sound angry--in fact, he sound the opposite, even a little fond. He's not quite sure how to feel about that. Though he should be angry about being treated delicately, he finds it a nice change of pace.
And maybe it's nice having someone want to be his friend who isn't Ana. It's not going to fill the void Gabriel left, but it helps.]
[ Nor would Genji ever attempt to take a place that Gabriel had once occupied. That would be impossible.
It's a good sign that Jack does finally concede, that he doesn't pull away and that he agrees to Genji's insistence that they're friends. It draws an unburdened smile out of him, something relieved and grateful. He gives Jack's hand a tight squeeze (though not too tight; he knows how metal can pinch) and then draws back. ]
That's more like it. [ He nods firmly. ] Now, what do you say we put some kind of dinner together? All this work convincing you has made me hungry.
[ In truth, Genji doesn't eat that much these days, but he is starting to feel some stirring in his stomach that hints he needs to get his energy stores back up. ]
[Jack thinks he can keep his reservations to himself, though he’s never been a particularly good liar. He supposes, on some level, that he wouldn’t have said this to Genji if he didn’t mean it. He’ll try and process that himself, later. For now, it does sound good to eat something. Cooking something is not a thing he does very often, not when it’s more expedient just to scarf down whatever’s available, but he thinks he can muster the will, if Genji is looking at this like some kind of bonding experience.]
He gets up from the couch, grunting a little at the effort.]
I’ll see what we’ve got.
[But truth be told, there isn’t much, and he’s even more uncertain about what Genji is still able to eat.]
Are you certain of that? I seem to recall hearing stories...
[ Stories of a younger Jack Morrison who had some tried and true family recipes. Overwatch may not have been the place for such things, but that hadn't stopped Gabriel from mentioning it to McCree a time or two. While Genji often hadn't been included in those conversations, he'd always been listening.
Either way, he follows Jack into the kitchen, making himself at home as he goes looking through the cabinets for anything promising. ]
I could make a quick trip down to the market if we're missing any ingredients.
[ Domestic as it might all seem, they do need to eat, so Genji sees no issue with it. ]
[To Jack, being able to feed oneself (via old family recipes or not) is not necessarily indicative of any real culinary talent--just part of being an adult. He starts poking through the cupboards, to see if he missed anything Ana left for him, perhaps anticipating this.]
Can you eat pancakes?
[He's pretty sure he could whip up some with what Ana has here. They might not be the greatest pancakes he's ever made, but they'll suffice.]
That's possible. Though I suspect you're also being humble.
[ If anything, Genji would imagine that Commander Reyes might have underrepresented Jack's skills, seeing how he'd often jumped on the chance to poke fun at him back then. Usually in good fun, though some of his comments had become sharper and meaner as the years trudged on.
Genji ends up behind Jack near his shoulder (though with a safe amount of distance between them, as he doesn't want to crowd him). He's peering into the cupboard as well to see what options they have. Jack lands on pancakes, and Genji gives a quick shrug. ]
I should be able to. But don't make too many for me, as I can't eat large quantities at once. I wouldn't want your food to go to waste.
[So, don't get too excited, Genji. Pancakes are hardly rocket science--and it's an easy recipe to memorize, to boot. He hopes that it doesn't come off as too impressive, but he imagines Genji would needle him about it anyway.
Jack starts pulling things out of the cupboards, taking stock and then checking the fridge. Yes. There is enough here for pancakes.]
I think there's a pan down there somewhere.
[He gestures to the cabinet under the sink. Perhaps Genji can make himself useful.]
[ Knowing that much is likely for the best, and Genji can't honestly claim the same for himself. When he was younger there had always been someone at the Shimada compound who would cook for him, or he could go into the town of Hanamura to buy something. There had been mess halls within Overwatch that provided for him as well, and since then he hasn't needed food enough to bother learning much. He'd been forced to make simple meals for himself in Nepal, if only because he was the only being there who needed any food at all.
Perhaps he can return the favor someday and make something for Jack, though he won't claim it will be anything that special.
Eager to make himself useful, Genji goes searching through the indicated cabinet and fishes out a skillet, handing it up to Jack. ]
What else do you need? I can be your assistant, at least!
[He's arranging ingredients on the table top, giving the milk and butter a cursory sniff to make sure he won't inadvertently poison them both. Not that he thinks it will happen, given his constitution and Genji's mostly-roboticness, but better safe than sorry. When he finds everything satisfactory, he starts to measure things out.]
You do any cooking before Overwatch?
[Jack kind of doubts it, given Genji's upbringing, but it's a fairly innocuous conversation to have while he's making pancake batter.]
[ Almost immediately, Genji locates a bowl that he thinks should be an appropriate size and reaches up to place it on the counter. He hops to his feet then, not wanting to crowd Jack as he works, but still wanting to be on-hand for anything else he might need. So he takes a few steps back. ]
Not much, I have to admit. There was always someone to do the cooking for us.
[ Genji's mainly just glad that Jack is actually asking these sorts of questions. It feels more and more like they're becoming friends, rather than just allies. ]
I learned a bit more when I was in Nepal, out of necessity, but I can't claim to be any good at it.
[There’s a little laugh in the back of his throat as he imagines Genji’s adolescence, something that’s otherwise more-or-less consigned to old dossiers. Jack shakes his head as he starts dumping things into the bowl, less measuring and more guessing based on his best recollection. Luckily, pancakes are a skill he took with him into his adult life, making them for Ana some mornings, so it all comes back to him fairly quickly.
Genji might not have much cooking talent, but Jack isn’t about to let him get away without doing some work. He pours the milk into the dry ingredients, then hands Genji the bowl and the whisk.]
[ The fact that Jack can measure out the ingredients by eye rather than having to turn to a recipe and then make use of measuring cups or spoons is truly impressive to someone like Genji, who only picked up some basic cooking skills as an adult. Still, praising Jack for something that should actually be quite simple is likely only going to reinforce just how useless Genji is in the kitchen, so he remains quiet.
Up until a bowl and a whisk are shoved at him, anyway. Genji takes both items almost on autopilot, then glances down at the bowl of ingredients. Mixing something together shouldn't be much of an ask, and as Jack says, it would be almost impossible for him to get it wrong at this stage. ]
... Of course.
[ He moves to set the bowl on the open space on the countertop and then gets whisking away. In fact, he's so eager and invested in what he's doing that small chunks of the batter end up flying out of the bowl.
Ah. A bit slower, then. He adjusts his stirring pace. ]
[He makes no promises about the quality of the pancakes, of course—but he is fairly certain they will be edible. While Genji stirs, Jack starts heating a pan and pulls a plate out of the cabinet, somewhere to set aside the finished pancakes while he makes them. The splatter, however, does not go unnoticed.]
It’s not a race.
[The next thing Jack does is toss a dish towel in Genji’s general direction, a clear indication that he should wipe up the mess before he goes any further.]
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She'll just think we're both crazy.
[Though that part is said as a joke. It would certainly give her a moment of pause, if the two of them sat her down and told the same story, though he's not sure if she'd ever fully believe it. If it hadn't happened to him, he's not sure he would believe it either.]
Better to focus on the mission here.
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If that's what you wish, then I will abide by that.
[ Genji lets out a long sigh and then stretches his arms up into the air, working the kinks out of both his organic and synthetic parts. The work on his sword is done, so he sheathes it. ]
Do you wonder sometimes? What those people we met through COST are doing now.
[ It's a strange thing, knowing that there's very little chance they'll see any of them again. ]
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[Perhaps in earlier years, he might not be so confident in Genji’s ability to keep something secret, especially from Ana, but he hopes their shared experience means they have a particularly unique bond. Jack feels silly for thinking of it as a bond, but that’s what it is, isn’t it? He takes a long moment to look Genji up and down, as if assessing their newfound friendship (???) for the first time.
He catches himself staring and turns away again, finding a particularly interesting spot on the floor.]
Sometimes.
[He does his best not to focus on it, because he’s back to his own mission.]
You wonder if we’ll ever see any of them again?
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He frowns to himself, not sure what that just was, but the conversation moves on before he can decide whether or not it would be wise to comment on it.
At the question he lets out a long sigh. While he would like to be hopeful, he realizes there's no point in giving Jack anything other than the honest truth. He leans back on his hands and crosses his legs before answering. ]
Only if COST were to recruit all of us again. It seems unlikely that anyone would be able to find their way to this world at the correct time. Or that we could do the same.
[ The entire experience will fade away into some odd chapter of their respective histories, an excursion that would be almost impossible to describe to anyone who hadn't experienced it themselves. ]
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[Jack's thoughts are very similar--that with no way of even communicating with COST, they're never going to see or hear from any of them again. That's for the best, he thinks, though it's going to be difficult to get it out of his head. Perhaps Genji feels the same.]
Not much point in dwelling on it.
[Though of course that's easier said than done, given the fact that COST itself expanded his worldview to include entire universes and infinite timelines. Not something he can shake off very easily.]
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I don't believe that forgetting it ever happened is the correct path. It happened to us and affected us, and there's nothing wrong with thinking of those people we met and befriended during that time.
[ Genji glances up from his lap to watch Jack once he finishes speaking. He suspects that Jack will claim he didn't befriend anyone, that it had all been professional, but that seems doubtful. Even just using the two of them as an example, that time with COST forged a closer bond between them, didn't it? Genji feels that it did, and the sheer fact that Jack has let him stay here says a lot. ]
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[He's not going to admit that anyone there was a friend, and of course he isn't going to just forget everything that happened, but he knows that he easily gets bogged down in the past. Perhaps this is just his way of resolving to move forward.]
It's just tough getting back to business here, while all that's on my mind.
[He's sure Ana has noticed.
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Worry not, my friend. I will keep you on track.
[ There's a warm, cheerful hint to his tone as he stands from his cross-legged stance on the floor and then stretches his arms up above his head. ]
And if you feel that you're getting soft, I will never say no to a spar.
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[And Jack doesn't thank easily, so that's saying something. He tries to offer a smile, and for once it seems to be genuine. Jack knows this is a bit of an admission that he's not going to ask Genji to leave anytime soon, and he's surprised at how comfortable the thought feels.
Jack is pretty much always in the mood for a spar (except for this exactly moment), so he laughs a little at the suggestion.]
You're getting to know me pretty well, huh?
[Despite, perhaps, his best efforts.]
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Then Jack follows it with that question, and Genji has to admit that it's true. They're both getting to know each other better without Overwatch getting in the way (to say nothing of Genji's horrible mental state back then). More than that, Genji gets to know this man as Jack, not as his Overwatch's commander.
After a perhaps too-long pause, he breaks out into an easy laugh. ]
Don't act like that's something so terrible.
[ It's nearly impossible to survive alone in this world. Humans (even cyborgs) are not wired that way. That's what Genji believes. ]
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[Jack has spent a very long time closing himself off to a world and the people in it that gave up on him. Even during Overwatch, he'd always been the consummate professional, to the point where he imagines few ever really got to know him as something other than the Commander. That thought should be freeing, now that he's not beholden to the military structure of an organization that no longer exists, but Jack can't exactly take advantage of it.
Now, he has a whole new problem. Letting someone in--letting them get to know him just puts everyone in danger, given the nature of his mission.
Still, Genji knows all that. He's just going around in circles, at this point.]
Could all be a big mistake.
how many times do we have to teach you this lesson, old man
[ While Genji might sound exasperated, there's something fond in his tone too. This is simply how Jack is now, and he has to accept that. He doesn't mind being stubborn as he makes attempt after attempt to break down those walls. If he can maintain even an ounce of Master Zenyatta's patience, then Jack won't stand a chance.
Apparently now isn't the time for a spar, yet Genji closes the distance between them anyway. Once he and Jack are face-to-face, he boldly reaches out to grab for Jack's hand, which he holds gently. As if handling something fragile. ]
Whatever you might say, you are my friend, Jack. And I'd enjoy any chance to get to know you better.
[ Perhaps if he's extremely blunt and straight-forward, the message will finally sink in. ]
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[He tries to offer an apologetic smile. Genji doesn't sound angry--in fact, he sound the opposite, even a little fond. He's not quite sure how to feel about that. Though he should be angry about being treated delicately, he finds it a nice change of pace.
And maybe it's nice having someone want to be his friend who isn't Ana. It's not going to fill the void Gabriel left, but it helps.]
All right. Friends.
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It's a good sign that Jack does finally concede, that he doesn't pull away and that he agrees to Genji's insistence that they're friends. It draws an unburdened smile out of him, something relieved and grateful. He gives Jack's hand a tight squeeze (though not too tight; he knows how metal can pinch) and then draws back. ]
That's more like it. [ He nods firmly. ] Now, what do you say we put some kind of dinner together? All this work convincing you has made me hungry.
[ In truth, Genji doesn't eat that much these days, but he is starting to feel some stirring in his stomach that hints he needs to get his energy stores back up. ]
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He gets up from the couch, grunting a little at the effort.]
I’ll see what we’ve got.
[But truth be told, there isn’t much, and he’s even more uncertain about what Genji is still able to eat.]
I’m not much of a chef.
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[ Stories of a younger Jack Morrison who had some tried and true family recipes. Overwatch may not have been the place for such things, but that hadn't stopped Gabriel from mentioning it to McCree a time or two. While Genji often hadn't been included in those conversations, he'd always been listening.
Either way, he follows Jack into the kitchen, making himself at home as he goes looking through the cabinets for anything promising. ]
I could make a quick trip down to the market if we're missing any ingredients.
[ Domestic as it might all seem, they do need to eat, so Genji sees no issue with it. ]
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[To Jack, being able to feed oneself (via old family recipes or not) is not necessarily indicative of any real culinary talent--just part of being an adult. He starts poking through the cupboards, to see if he missed anything Ana left for him, perhaps anticipating this.]
Can you eat pancakes?
[He's pretty sure he could whip up some with what Ana has here. They might not be the greatest pancakes he's ever made, but they'll suffice.]
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[ If anything, Genji would imagine that Commander Reyes might have underrepresented Jack's skills, seeing how he'd often jumped on the chance to poke fun at him back then. Usually in good fun, though some of his comments had become sharper and meaner as the years trudged on.
Genji ends up behind Jack near his shoulder (though with a safe amount of distance between them, as he doesn't want to crowd him). He's peering into the cupboard as well to see what options they have. Jack lands on pancakes, and Genji gives a quick shrug. ]
I should be able to. But don't make too many for me, as I can't eat large quantities at once. I wouldn't want your food to go to waste.
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[So, don't get too excited, Genji. Pancakes are hardly rocket science--and it's an easy recipe to memorize, to boot. He hopes that it doesn't come off as too impressive, but he imagines Genji would needle him about it anyway.
Jack starts pulling things out of the cupboards, taking stock and then checking the fridge. Yes. There is enough here for pancakes.]
I think there's a pan down there somewhere.
[He gestures to the cabinet under the sink. Perhaps Genji can make himself useful.]
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Perhaps he can return the favor someday and make something for Jack, though he won't claim it will be anything that special.
Eager to make himself useful, Genji goes searching through the indicated cabinet and fishes out a skillet, handing it up to Jack. ]
What else do you need? I can be your assistant, at least!
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[He's arranging ingredients on the table top, giving the milk and butter a cursory sniff to make sure he won't inadvertently poison them both. Not that he thinks it will happen, given his constitution and Genji's mostly-roboticness, but better safe than sorry. When he finds everything satisfactory, he starts to measure things out.]
You do any cooking before Overwatch?
[Jack kind of doubts it, given Genji's upbringing, but it's a fairly innocuous conversation to have while he's making pancake batter.]
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Not much, I have to admit. There was always someone to do the cooking for us.
[ Genji's mainly just glad that Jack is actually asking these sorts of questions. It feels more and more like they're becoming friends, rather than just allies. ]
I learned a bit more when I was in Nepal, out of necessity, but I can't claim to be any good at it.
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Genji might not have much cooking talent, but Jack isn’t about to let him get away without doing some work. He pours the milk into the dry ingredients, then hands Genji the bowl and the whisk.]
Thankfully, pancakes are pretty hard to mess up.
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Up until a bowl and a whisk are shoved at him, anyway. Genji takes both items almost on autopilot, then glances down at the bowl of ingredients. Mixing something together shouldn't be much of an ask, and as Jack says, it would be almost impossible for him to get it wrong at this stage. ]
... Of course.
[ He moves to set the bowl on the open space on the countertop and then gets whisking away. In fact, he's so eager and invested in what he's doing that small chunks of the batter end up flying out of the bowl.
Ah. A bit slower, then. He adjusts his stirring pace. ]
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It’s not a race.
[The next thing Jack does is toss a dish towel in Genji’s general direction, a clear indication that he should wipe up the mess before he goes any further.]
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