Both Belias and Nisha start at the hiss of steam, momentarily alike in how they expressed their surprise with round eyes and stiff spines. Some people said owners were often reflected in their pets, and that was certainly true of the king and his dog. If he had dog ears, they'd probably perk up just like Nisha's, too. He tamped down his surprise and smoothed a hand over Nisha's fur, coaxing the mastiff to calm down.
But to that end... "You seem to be quite at ease with it all even so," he said, his voice idle but purposeful. "May I ask - how long have you had... should I call it 'armor'? I wouldn't want to be crude or disrespectful to you, Sir Shimada."
"Armor works, but it is more than armor. I lost my legs and left arm many years ago, and this was created to replace them. That was ten years ago. This particular version of it, I have had for five years."
He seems amused by Belias and Nisha's reaction. Ramen, for her part, chatters in amusement, climbing to Genji's other shoulder and pushing at the green until he retracts it.
"Technically, I am what we call a cyborg. Part machine, part man."
Belias's eyes followed Ramen, and while Nisha got to his feet, he just pressed down on the dog's head, silently instructing him to sit again. He didn't think there was any danger in that little thing.
"'Cyborg', is it...? Whatever you went through, I'm sorry you had to experience such a harrowing experience," he said, voice having a tinge of understanding. Even though he still had his legs, it didn't mean that he had the use of them. "Though I never thought that having parts of your body replaced by such things would change who you 'are'. Perhaps it's just my poor old mind trying to catch up to all of this technology." He led off with a chuckle, bowing his head with humility (old mind? Really?) "May I ask - who's your friend?"
"It is fine. It is far in the past and those at fault have been forgiven," Genji says with peace in his voice.
At the question to Ramen, she looks up at Belias and chatters. Genji reaches up to rub behind her ears.
"She is my spirit dragon, Ramen. It is a family tradition that heirs to my clan have their own. She has her own personality, but she is also a part of me and has kept me safe for many years. Normally she's quite large," he says with a little, impish smile.
"I am guessing they do not have such mechanical beings or hybrids such as I where you are from?"
A dragon? Those really existed? He just thought those were a myth!
He looked to Ramen with a bit of interest and awe, though he returned his gaze to Genji attentively. "You would be right - it's only been recently that a chair has been put together so I might move around... I've been bedridden for months, now. If we had the sort of technology you had, I wager I would've had a much easier time." Even so, he doesn't sound bitter or jealous - he's certainly amazed and maybe a little wistful at the idea, but...
"Truth be told, the idea is a little scary to me. Not so much that you are, but the procedure..."
In Genji's world, they are considered a bit of a myth as well. He and his brother, Hanzo, as well as their father and grandfather, were the proof that that myth was not so. He listens to Belias explain the recent creation of his chair, and gives a little nod.
"I understand. The particular procedure for me was necessary - I had physically lost three limbs. I am not sure if I would recommend it for someone who still has their limbs attached." For lack of a better way to describe it, at the very least.
"But, the doctor who performed the procedure is also here. If you would like, I could always ask to see if there is something we could fashion for you that does not require the same design."
Belias gave a light start at the idea, his eyes a bit wide before he seemed to sober, lapsing into thought.
That was...
"That's very kind of you to offer to a stranger," he said, feeling his shame start to creep up on him. Everything told him to not accept such an offer; he didn't need help. A doctor? He was tired of being hovered over. Wasn't this fine? The months after the battle had been fierce and full of being scolded even if people had been thankful for what he did - and he wasn't sure he had the strength to go through all of that again, especially without others around him.
After a moment, he raised his eyes to Genji's, earnest. "How long did it take for you to get... used to it all?"
AS I HEADS UP i mentioned this to the dr player! but like, no pressure about it <3
"It took me a long time. But, I was not happy about what had happened to me," Genji notes softly. "I did not want to be put in a body like this - part of me wished I had simply died."
It's.. difficult to admit, normally. But he thinks that Belias might understand, at least a fraction of that feeling.
"Eventually, when I was in a better place, I was grateful for what had been done for me." Genji reaches out, resting a hand on one of Belias' knees.
"It is not something you must consider right away, or ever. I don't know if something could be done, either. But there is an offer to talk, regardless."
Going by the way Belias's brows knit and his gaze fell for a moment - he did understand. He'd meant to sacrifice his life for his country and the people he loved twice and yet had walked away broken twice - and the last time, it was in a way he'd been ashamed of. He would never be upset at his sacrifice, only that it left him helpless for such a long time before he'd been able to move about and feel like even a fraction of himself again.
Belias let out a breath, bowing his head and then raking his messy bangs back. "It's only been a few months..." was all he could get out at first, before he settled somewhat, still sheepish and feeling vulnerable. He didn't like showing this side of himself to others. He was a king, after all - he had to be strong.
But, he supposed... a king was no king without subjects, and without his people here, he could live as an ordinary man. Perhaps. Perhaps that was all he was right now. There was comfort in that.
Genji's cause of hurt was not so noble - his brother had been ordered to 'deal with him' on behalf of their clan. Genji had fought back, and the battle had turned.. violent. It was only due to his clan's criminal activities that he'd even been saved, since the peacekeeping organization that saved him had an eye on them.
Without that, he would have died in his family's shrine, by his brother's hand. That is not something he can disclose just yet.
Still, he gives a squeeze to Belias' knee when he says it's been a few months, and that there's no harm in talking.
"I will mention it to her, and you may talk with her in time. My name is Genji, also. It is nice to meet you, Belias." He had been focused so much on the dog he'd failed to return the name when it was given!
"Would you like to help me plant some more of these seeds?" A subject change seems to be in order, since he doesn't want to press Belias or make him uncomfortable.
"Genji, then," he murmurs, voice soft - still a bit affected by their conversation. It'd been so soon after his injury (if he could even call it that) that the mere idea still threw him off his balance.
It wasn't even an option at home, but he was fairly sure that was because he still hadn't done the fae ceremony that would allow his adopted daughter to become a part of his house. No one wanted to jeopardize the king's health when he was the only heir left, and especially not now that his people had grown respect for his deeds.
He did, however, manage to smile, banishing away morose thoughts. "Ah - yes. I would, thank you. I'm not sure what I can do seated like this, unless you were to help me onto the ground..."
"Ah, well - I don't have any feeling in my lower legs so I wouldn't be able to stand up... Nisha tends to help me in that, if you would just give me an arm. You could pick me up if you'd rather..."
To be fair to Genji, his closest guard tended to subscribe to the 'pick up' school of thought, so Belias just accepted it (even if he was often mortified. Granted, he'd probably react better to Genji picking him up than an old childhood friend.)
Genji offers his arm with a little smile, letting Belias use it and Nisha do what he needs to in order to move the king. He'd rather Belias do what he'd prefer, not what might be 'easier' for those helping him. Angela, his doctor, had done the same for him during his recovery.
Once they have Belias settled in front of a fresh patch of dirt, Genji sits down next to him. "Nisha seems to be quite helpful. How long have you had him?"
Belias shifts his body closer to the edge of the seat as best as he can, and when Nisha sees this he gets up, nudging him along and carrying some of his owner's weight in smoothly bringing him down to the ground. He noses at Belias's arm and makes his free hand braced over his doggy shoulders, and the young king just smiles down at his companion.
"Ah, just a few years. My old guard dog had... met her end a handful of years ago," Belias affectionately scratched his ears. "It's quite difficult when they pass. Though perhaps you won't have that problem with Ramen? From where I'm from, dragons are quite long-lived, if not immortal."
"I had a cat when I was young. It is hard, to lose them, no matter what," Genji agrees. At the comment to Ramen, he looks at her, where she sits on his shoulder, looking for all the world like a cat herself with her eyes nearly closed.
"For her... I am not sure. I know when clan members with dragons have passed, I don't remember seeing them again. Some members believed they passed on to the next generation, however."
He reaches up to scratch under her chin. "If she was someone else's before mine, she is not talking to me about it."
He looked to Ramen and smiled curiously, even if Nisha huffed and perched his muzzle on Belias's thigh.
"Would it be rude of me to ask to pet her? I'm not even sure if it's possible or if she'll hurt me in turn - but perhaps the world works differently here." A wry smile came to his lips. "Though I have a feeling even if she was someone else's before you, she might not want to reveal it. Dragons are as wise as they are playful, or so she seems."
"Please. She's quite friendly; she likes girls more than boys, admittedly, but the only boy she dislikes is my brother."
Genji reaches out a hand to Belias, resting it on his knee. Ramen perks up and, after a glance to Genji, trots down his arm to sniff at Belias's hand. She doesn't seem to have a problem with Nisha, just with Nisha having bitten Genji.
Indeed, when Belias tries to pet her, she'll rub her whiskers against his palm affectionately.
"And you say they're wise, but she once got stuck in a ramen cup, so I doubt that."
He smiles wide, his dark eyes bright as Ramen scampers up to his hand. "Hello," he murmurs, chuckling fondly and petting her with heartfelt fondness. "We're opposites, if you truly like girls more than boys. Ah, well - it's nice to meet you nonetheless."
"Did you really catch her like that?" he asked, glancing down to Ramen and then to Genji. "What is a 'ramen cup'? Not hers, I imagine. She's a bit too small to use something to drink."
Genji gives a bigger smile when Belias says that. "Well, she does not speak
for my tastes - I like both men and women." It's not as if Ramen is the one
generating his chroma, thankfully! Ramen, for her part, gives a noise that
might be a laugh, pushing her head and shoulders into Belias's hand for
more patting.
Of course, she's shooting a dirty look to Genji as he gestures about the
size and shape of an instant ramen cup with his hand as he speaks to
Belias. "There's a type of food where I come from called instant ramen.
It's in a disposable cup filled with dried noodles and seasonings, and you
add hot water to create a hot meal. I was fond of it as a teenager, and I
once found her in her bigger form with an empty one stuck on her head. She
could have just disappeared out of it, but she stayed there instead."
Belias gives a light quirk of his head. "Well, doesn't everyone?" Or at least, that was his experience. He knew most people in Estelya were expected to like both men and women, which had always made his preferring one to be an oddity - especially as a king who needed heirs.
Though he starts a second after - "My apologies. I meant to compare myself and her, but that is curious - there are stories of those dragonborn..."
He trails off, and then shakes his head, listening more attentively to Genji's story and stifling a laugh when Ramen shoots her dirty look at him. "What a fascinating object," he ended up laughing after all, "But how big can she get, then?"
"Not from my world. Some prefer only men or women, and are men or women themselves. Then some do not fall into such clear alignments of one gender, the other or both."
But he doesn't move to explain it too much more, more fascinated with talking about his dragon. Ramen flops her whole (small) body over one of Belias' thighs.
"She has been limited in size here, for some reason. But she's been at least fifteen feet long, before. Usually, she is only in battle when she needs to be that big." And last time she had been, it had been to counter her brothers when he and Hanzo fought.
"She is not restricted by physical limits." He reaches out to her, scratching under her chin. "But here, it seems they want her to be small."
"Ah, yes, I'm quite familiar with gender being a bit of a murky area. That sounds like quite an interesting world... I'm an oddity in liking only men, or am considered to be. It might be a bit refreshing to have something different."
Belias brushes his fingertips across Ramen's back, just smiling as he listens. "It's certainly endearing to have her be so small, though I wouldn't know how she'd feel about that. It must make checking in on you a bit easier, without having to be - fifteen feet? Gods, I can't imagine." He laughs, shaking his head. "I think that's larger than most of my chariots at home."
"Sure, she is sneakier. But I think she misses being able to dwarf me."
Ramen rolls a little, inviting a belly rub from Belias. Come on, you know you want to. Meanwhile, Genji reaches out to Nisha, offering a hand for him to smell again.
"I imagine you will find no lack of offers for partners, however. Myself included," he tells him with a little wink, but he doesn't push it. "Only if you were interested, of course."
He's so busy indulging Ramen with belly rubs (to which, Nisha happily inched forwards to nudge Genji's hand with his nose) that Genji's words genuinely make him give pause, dark skin turning just a bit rosy. Ah. That.
That was new. Besides the harem back home, he didn't know many (any) who would willingly lay with him - king he may be, but he wasn't exactly beloved. Not until recently, and... well... "My being like this doesn't... deter you?" he hesitated. Genji was not afflicted as he was; he could move about, despite his past injuries. Belias still found it difficult, and really, it was a wonder he was able to move himself at all, or so the healers had said.
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But to that end... "You seem to be quite at ease with it all even so," he said, his voice idle but purposeful. "May I ask - how long have you had... should I call it 'armor'? I wouldn't want to be crude or disrespectful to you, Sir Shimada."
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He seems amused by Belias and Nisha's reaction. Ramen, for her part, chatters in amusement, climbing to Genji's other shoulder and pushing at the green until he retracts it.
"Technically, I am what we call a cyborg. Part machine, part man."
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"'Cyborg', is it...? Whatever you went through, I'm sorry you had to experience such a harrowing experience," he said, voice having a tinge of understanding. Even though he still had his legs, it didn't mean that he had the use of them. "Though I never thought that having parts of your body replaced by such things would change who you 'are'. Perhaps it's just my poor old mind trying to catch up to all of this technology." He led off with a chuckle, bowing his head with humility (old mind? Really?) "May I ask - who's your friend?"
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At the question to Ramen, she looks up at Belias and chatters. Genji reaches up to rub behind her ears.
"She is my spirit dragon, Ramen. It is a family tradition that heirs to my clan have their own. She has her own personality, but she is also a part of me and has kept me safe for many years. Normally she's quite large," he says with a little, impish smile.
"I am guessing they do not have such mechanical beings or hybrids such as I where you are from?"
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He looked to Ramen with a bit of interest and awe, though he returned his gaze to Genji attentively. "You would be right - it's only been recently that a chair has been put together so I might move around... I've been bedridden for months, now. If we had the sort of technology you had, I wager I would've had a much easier time." Even so, he doesn't sound bitter or jealous - he's certainly amazed and maybe a little wistful at the idea, but...
"Truth be told, the idea is a little scary to me. Not so much that you are, but the procedure..."
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"I understand. The particular procedure for me was necessary - I had physically lost three limbs. I am not sure if I would recommend it for someone who still has their limbs attached." For lack of a better way to describe it, at the very least.
"But, the doctor who performed the procedure is also here. If you would like, I could always ask to see if there is something we could fashion for you that does not require the same design."
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That was...
"That's very kind of you to offer to a stranger," he said, feeling his shame start to creep up on him. Everything told him to not accept such an offer; he didn't need help. A doctor? He was tired of being hovered over. Wasn't this fine? The months after the battle had been fierce and full of being scolded even if people had been thankful for what he did - and he wasn't sure he had the strength to go through all of that again, especially without others around him.
After a moment, he raised his eyes to Genji's, earnest. "How long did it take for you to get... used to it all?"
AS I HEADS UP i mentioned this to the dr player! but like, no pressure about it <3
It's.. difficult to admit, normally. But he thinks that Belias might understand, at least a fraction of that feeling.
"Eventually, when I was in a better place, I was grateful for what had been done for me." Genji reaches out, resting a hand on one of Belias' knees.
"It is not something you must consider right away, or ever. I don't know if something could be done, either. But there is an offer to talk, regardless."
oh!! thank you <3 definitely would be interested!
Belias let out a breath, bowing his head and then raking his messy bangs back. "It's only been a few months..." was all he could get out at first, before he settled somewhat, still sheepish and feeling vulnerable. He didn't like showing this side of himself to others. He was a king, after all - he had to be strong.
But, he supposed... a king was no king without subjects, and without his people here, he could live as an ordinary man. Perhaps. Perhaps that was all he was right now. There was comfort in that.
"I... suppose there's no harm in talking."
also belias is cute *A*
Without that, he would have died in his family's shrine, by his brother's hand. That is not something he can disclose just yet.
Still, he gives a squeeze to Belias' knee when he says it's been a few months, and that there's no harm in talking.
"I will mention it to her, and you may talk with her in time. My name is Genji, also. It is nice to meet you, Belias." He had been focused so much on the dog he'd failed to return the name when it was given!
"Would you like to help me plant some more of these seeds?" A subject change seems to be in order, since he doesn't want to press Belias or make him uncomfortable.
ahh thank you, so is genji!!
It wasn't even an option at home, but he was fairly sure that was because he still hadn't done the fae ceremony that would allow his adopted daughter to become a part of his house. No one wanted to jeopardize the king's health when he was the only heir left, and especially not now that his people had grown respect for his deeds.
He did, however, manage to smile, banishing away morose thoughts. "Ah - yes. I would, thank you. I'm not sure what I can do seated like this, unless you were to help me onto the ground..."
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"I am quite a bit stronger than I seem. What would be the best way to help you down?"
He could pick Belias up and place him down, but he may not need such an extreme move and only need the aid of an arm.
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To be fair to Genji, his closest guard tended to subscribe to the 'pick up' school of thought, so Belias just accepted it (even if he was often mortified. Granted, he'd probably react better to Genji picking him up than an old childhood friend.)
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Once they have Belias settled in front of a fresh patch of dirt, Genji sits down next to him. "Nisha seems to be quite helpful. How long have you had him?"
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"Ah, just a few years. My old guard dog had... met her end a handful of years ago," Belias affectionately scratched his ears. "It's quite difficult when they pass. Though perhaps you won't have that problem with Ramen? From where I'm from, dragons are quite long-lived, if not immortal."
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"For her... I am not sure. I know when clan members with dragons have passed, I don't remember seeing them again. Some members believed they passed on to the next generation, however."
He reaches up to scratch under her chin. "If she was someone else's before mine, she is not talking to me about it."
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"Would it be rude of me to ask to pet her? I'm not even sure if it's possible or if she'll hurt me in turn - but perhaps the world works differently here." A wry smile came to his lips. "Though I have a feeling even if she was someone else's before you, she might not want to reveal it. Dragons are as wise as they are playful, or so she seems."
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Genji reaches out a hand to Belias, resting it on his knee. Ramen perks up and, after a glance to Genji, trots down his arm to sniff at Belias's hand. She doesn't seem to have a problem with Nisha, just with Nisha having bitten Genji.
Indeed, when Belias tries to pet her, she'll rub her whiskers against his palm affectionately.
"And you say they're wise, but she once got stuck in a ramen cup, so I doubt that."
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"Did you really catch her like that?" he asked, glancing down to Ramen and then to Genji. "What is a 'ramen cup'? Not hers, I imagine. She's a bit too small to use something to drink."
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Genji gives a bigger smile when Belias says that. "Well, she does not speak for my tastes - I like both men and women." It's not as if Ramen is the one generating his chroma, thankfully! Ramen, for her part, gives a noise that might be a laugh, pushing her head and shoulders into Belias's hand for more patting.
Of course, she's shooting a dirty look to Genji as he gestures about the size and shape of an instant ramen cup with his hand as he speaks to Belias. "There's a type of food where I come from called instant ramen. It's in a disposable cup filled with dried noodles and seasonings, and you add hot water to create a hot meal. I was fond of it as a teenager, and I once found her in her bigger form with an empty one stuck on her head. She could have just disappeared out of it, but she stayed there instead."
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Though he starts a second after - "My apologies. I meant to compare myself and her, but that is curious - there are stories of those dragonborn..."
He trails off, and then shakes his head, listening more attentively to Genji's story and stifling a laugh when Ramen shoots her dirty look at him. "What a fascinating object," he ended up laughing after all, "But how big can she get, then?"
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But he doesn't move to explain it too much more, more fascinated with talking about his dragon. Ramen flops her whole (small) body over one of Belias' thighs.
"She has been limited in size here, for some reason. But she's been at least fifteen feet long, before. Usually, she is only in battle when she needs to be that big." And last time she had been, it had been to counter her brothers when he and Hanzo fought.
"She is not restricted by physical limits." He reaches out to her, scratching under her chin. "But here, it seems they want her to be small."
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Belias brushes his fingertips across Ramen's back, just smiling as he listens. "It's certainly endearing to have her be so small, though I wouldn't know how she'd feel about that. It must make checking in on you a bit easier, without having to be - fifteen feet? Gods, I can't imagine." He laughs, shaking his head. "I think that's larger than most of my chariots at home."
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Ramen rolls a little, inviting a belly rub from Belias. Come on, you know you want to. Meanwhile, Genji reaches out to Nisha, offering a hand for him to smell again.
"I imagine you will find no lack of offers for partners, however. Myself included," he tells him with a little wink, but he doesn't push it. "Only if you were interested, of course."
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That was new. Besides the harem back home, he didn't know many (any) who would willingly lay with him - king he may be, but he wasn't exactly beloved. Not until recently, and... well... "My being like this doesn't... deter you?" he hesitated. Genji was not afflicted as he was; he could move about, despite his past injuries. Belias still found it difficult, and really, it was a wonder he was able to move himself at all, or so the healers had said.
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wrap soon? so they can have a daaate
yesss! we can end it here