maskormenacelogs | Open your eyes, let me show you the light

[Things are far from "back to normal" but things are slowly getting there after the kidnapped imPorts have returned to America. Eobard chose, rightfully he decided, to give space before he went and did his checks. The only person he made a more immediate observation of safety on was Eddie, for necessary precautions. Aside from that, he allowed people their space.

That same courtesy was extended to Cisco, until now.

First he waits for a moment where no one else but Cisco is in the house. No Barry or Eddie or Garrick. He needs to keep things at a proper distance and getting any of those three involved would be a headache he doesn't want right now. Eddie would especially throw a dramatic fit, he's certain of that, and there's only so much of his ancestor he can tolerate. Once he's certain they're all out and about, he approaches the garage door. Cisco is often there and he bets on the chance of that being true.

Yes he could phase into the garage effortlessly, but like the courtesy he extended by keeping space, he will also grant courtesy by banging on the door of the garage instead of vibrating through it. If Cisco doesn't open it up...well, he did knock and that should be enough warning that he's here.]

[ Sure enough, Cisco's in the garage, hard at work on studying the intricacies of M's asset tech with the gear he'd borrowed from work before his progress was so rudely interrupted by Mother Russia. Unfortunately, he has headphones on and he's jamming out way too hard with his music up way too loud to hear the rattle of the garage door when Eobard bangs on it. ]

[...Well he tried. Nobody can say he didn't and therefore no one should criticize him.

He even waits for a few seconds just to be sure, before taking a few steps back and doing and quick sprint and vibration through the door and into the garage. And...Cisco is there, on his headphones. Bless the boy's heart, but he'll be as deaf as Hartley with the music so loud in his ears.

With a huff he walks up behind Cisco and quickly clutches Cisco's shoulder.]

Cisco!

[ Cisco drops his tools and sits bolt upright in his seat, screeching as he whips around. ]

Oh my god not cool! Are you trying to kill me?

[That shrill screech is the only thing that makes him flinch in the slightest, his hand immediately going off the boy's shoulder. He...did not realize Cisco had that kind of scream in his vocal chords.]

You shouldn't listen to your music so loud that you can't hear a knock on the door.

It helps me concentrate.

[ The music is still blaring out his headphones from where they've fallen around his neck, though, and he grudgingly turns them down, then pauses it and takes them off entirely. ]

[Concentrate on what? He can understand music being soothing, but so loud that you can't hear yourself think? Maybe it's just a 21st century thing.]

I won't be long here. Only came to check on you.

[ Mostly it's an obnoxious nerdy Cisco thing. ]

Awww.

[His face scrunches, not sure what even warranted that sound.]

What?

You came all the way over to check up on me?

You make it sound like it was a far away trip for me.

[Even if he didn't already live in Heropa, he can literally run here in less than a minute.]

I know you were among the kidnapped. I wanted to check on your recovery from the ordeal.

Hey, if you're still being cagey about where you moved to, I can dramatically overstate the distance.

[ He shrugs, but is noticeably more serious when actually pressed to talk about it. ]

It sucked, like, a lot. But I slept for like a day straight after. Or, well, I went over to my—uh. Friend's place. For movies and cheeseburgers, and then slept for a day. Now I'm just, yknow, trying not to think about it?

[The pause before "friend place" makes him think Cisco is hiding a specific name from him, but he lets it go without drawing attention to it for the time being.]

Glad to know you're well. And safe. [He is, sincerely. It was hard not to be concerned for Cisco and Eddie, although the reasons for why with both are vastly different.] What are you working on now that requires so much...concentration?

Yeah, well, I'm making it my belated New Year's resolution to not get kidnapped anymore.

[ He hesitates noticeably when Eobard asks about his project. M had specifically asked him to keep it at home instead of at work to keep it away from scientists he didn't trust, and Eobard Thawne would almost absolutely make that list. But if he tries to hide it, that's only going to make it more interesting. And he's officially hesitated too long for a normal person to let it go, let alone a speedster. Shit. ]

Oh, uh. Just some really small circuitry. Delicate stuff, and if I break it, I probably can't get another one.

[The hesitation is very noticeable and he's sure Cisco is not telling him the whole truth. This time he isn't quite willing to let it slip.]

Sounds important. Where did you get your hands on something so limited?

[ Dammit. ]

From another imPort. He only had so many on him when the Porter pulled him in, and I told him I'd take a look and see if I could replicate them for him.

[ None of this is a lie, at least. ]

[He nods, accepting the explanation. It feels more than just that though.]

He must trust you a great deal then, if it's something so few in number and he's letting you tinker with it. [He pauses for a moment and then smiles, turning around and stepping away from Cisco while he glances around the garage.] I'm sure you won't disappoint. You never do.

[ He can't help a grin at the praise. Truth is, he's been a little stuck for how to recreate the asset tech, but that's a nice confidence boost, regardless. ]

So, uh, what have you been up to? Classes started back up yet?

Yes. Though this debacle followed almost immediately after, so I had to call in substitutes. [Cancelling classes right away is surely in bad taste, even if the students would wish for it.] Have you been enjoying your new roommates?

[He doesn't want to keep the subject on himself.]

You didn't cancel classes? Harsh.

[ He shrugs, casual as he can make it. He's acutely aware that he needs to be careful talking about Eddie with Eobard, and he's determined not to slip up. ]

It's nice having more people around the house. Though, okay, I say that, but we had an extra housemate for a week and it was a nightmare. James wouldn't peel his ass off the couch for anything.

James? [He gives Cisco an incredulous look.] Am I supposed to know who that is?

James Jesse? The Trickster? I've seen him bother you on the network, I know you've met.

Oh. Right, him. [If it sounds like he forgot Trickster's actual name, it's because that is exactly what happened.] You should have kicked him out.

I made Hartley come peel him off the couch eventually. Though I had to argue him into doing it, jeez. Obstinance is apparently a trans-dimensional Hartley Rathaway trait.

I repeat: kick him out next time. [He shakes his head and makes a small laugh.] I pity Hartley honestly - something I thought I never say in my life, but here we are.

Open your eyes, let me show you the light

action; couple days after the return of the kidnapped

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