[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.]
[ That admonishing tone is enough to make Genji laugh, even as the dish towel hits him in the chest and then ends up draped over one metal arm. He sets down the whisk for a moment and grabs for the towel, wiping up the mess. ]
You're right. I only wanted to make certain it was mixed well enough.
[ Now that he has a better idea of what rate to stir at, the rest of the whisking goes much more smoothly. It isn't long before he speaks up again, and there's a hint of nostalgic yearning in his voice when he does. ]
Are you an only child? Having a sibling, growing up it felt like everything had to be a competition.
[ Had they ever been allowed in the kitchen, Genji and Hanzo would have absolutely fought over who could mix batter fastest. ]
[He leans over to inspect the contents of the bowl—make sure there are no dry pockets of flour, and nods in approval. Your task is completed, Genji. Please set it on the counter. Jack still has to wait a few minutes for the pan to heat up, so he folds his arms and leans back against the cabinets, one eye on the stove.]
No siblings.
[Perhaps surprising, given the fact that he’d grown up on a farm and his parents might have wanted extra help, but he is, in fact, an only child, and the list of his living relatives is increasingly short. Jack thinks he prefers it that way, given how famous he’d become and how hard he’d fallen—that his parents weren’t around for that and he didn’t have any brothers or sisters to witness it either.
That said, he knows what friendly competition is like.]
[ When Jack indicates that Genji's done enough, he reaches forward to set down the bowl and then takes a step back. That cloth is used to wipe any splatters of batter or powder from his arms. If anything dried on the metal, it could end up being a pain to get it off, so best to take care of it now.
It isn't that surprising to hear that Jack is an only child, if only because he'd at one point been so much in the public eye. If he'd had any siblings, surely the media would have reported on them or interviewed them at some point, during Overwatch's glory days. ]
Ah... as much as I'd like to say that they're more trouble than they're worth, I would likely be a very different person if it weren't for Hanzo's influence in my life.
[ They'd each shaped each other, hardening and softening edges in turn. As turbulent as their relationship might be, Genji can't imagine a life without Hanzo.
It's not the easiest thing to talk about, but Zenyatta has taught him that it's much better to get these things off your chest. ]
[He has an eyebrow raised, because Hanzo’s “influence” on Genji should be obvious. Jack is surprised that Genji even brings him up, given how painful it must be to remember that particular betrayal. Perhaps they had a happy enough childhood that Genji is able to look back on things fondly, but Jack has read the dossiers. He can’t imagine that it was easy, to grow up within the Shimada family.
Jack swirls butter around in the pan, making sure it’s foaming a little before he spoons in the first pancake.]
[ That hadn't actually been what Genji was referring to, though he can see how Jack would have misinterpreted. It's true that Genji was irrevocably changed by Hanzo's attempt to murder him; it's impossible to ignore, especially for the man who'd chosen to recruit him.
But there had been years and years of interaction with each other which led up to that. There had been plenty of exchanges which had nothing to do with Hanzo's ultimate decision.
Genji watches as the batter sizzles in the pan, almost seeming mesmerized by it, but in truth he's thinking back to that fateful night. ]
I found him. Not that he made it particularly difficult. Every night on the anniversary of my "death," he would return to Shimada Castle.
[Jack waits patiently for the batter to bubble before he flips the pancake—his eyes are on the skillet, but he doesn’t need to look at Genji to listen to him. Somehow none of this is surprising.]
Sounds sentimental.
[He can understand it--that particular regret. He hasn't been back to the site of HQ since it went up in flames, but he has visited his own grave. There's not much more sentimental than that.]
Have you been back since? Independent of your brother.
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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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You're right. I only wanted to make certain it was mixed well enough.
[ Now that he has a better idea of what rate to stir at, the rest of the whisking goes much more smoothly. It isn't long before he speaks up again, and there's a hint of nostalgic yearning in his voice when he does. ]
Are you an only child? Having a sibling, growing up it felt like everything had to be a competition.
[ Had they ever been allowed in the kitchen, Genji and Hanzo would have absolutely fought over who could mix batter fastest. ]
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[He leans over to inspect the contents of the bowl—make sure there are no dry pockets of flour, and nods in approval. Your task is completed, Genji. Please set it on the counter. Jack still has to wait a few minutes for the pan to heat up, so he folds his arms and leans back against the cabinets, one eye on the stove.]
No siblings.
[Perhaps surprising, given the fact that he’d grown up on a farm and his parents might have wanted extra help, but he is, in fact, an only child, and the list of his living relatives is increasingly short. Jack thinks he prefers it that way, given how famous he’d become and how hard he’d fallen—that his parents weren’t around for that and he didn’t have any brothers or sisters to witness it either.
That said, he knows what friendly competition is like.]
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It isn't that surprising to hear that Jack is an only child, if only because he'd at one point been so much in the public eye. If he'd had any siblings, surely the media would have reported on them or interviewed them at some point, during Overwatch's glory days. ]
Ah... as much as I'd like to say that they're more trouble than they're worth, I would likely be a very different person if it weren't for Hanzo's influence in my life.
[ They'd each shaped each other, hardening and softening edges in turn. As turbulent as their relationship might be, Genji can't imagine a life without Hanzo.
It's not the easiest thing to talk about, but Zenyatta has taught him that it's much better to get these things off your chest. ]
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[He has an eyebrow raised, because Hanzo’s “influence” on Genji should be obvious. Jack is surprised that Genji even brings him up, given how painful it must be to remember that particular betrayal. Perhaps they had a happy enough childhood that Genji is able to look back on things fondly, but Jack has read the dossiers. He can’t imagine that it was easy, to grow up within the Shimada family.
Jack swirls butter around in the pan, making sure it’s foaming a little before he spoons in the first pancake.]
You ever get in touch with him?
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But there had been years and years of interaction with each other which led up to that. There had been plenty of exchanges which had nothing to do with Hanzo's ultimate decision.
Genji watches as the batter sizzles in the pan, almost seeming mesmerized by it, but in truth he's thinking back to that fateful night. ]
I found him. Not that he made it particularly difficult. Every night on the anniversary of my "death," he would return to Shimada Castle.
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Sounds sentimental.
[He can understand it--that particular regret. He hasn't been back to the site of HQ since it went up in flames, but he has visited his own grave. There's not much more sentimental than that.]
Have you been back since? Independent of your brother.
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