#zenweek2021

Chandra, to her credit, only titters with amusement, sending the armored man scrambling to apologize.

“Oh shit, no, that’s not, ah, I’m sorry! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to insult you.”

“That is quite alright, my friend. Raccoons are hardly universal creatures,” Zenyatta soothes, delighting in the aborted squawk of protest that elicits. “Oh, I shouldn’t tease without at least making introductions. I am Zenyatta, and this is Chandra.”

“Ah, Genji. And...?” The man hesitates, seemingly glancing at the large bird of prey perched on his shoulder. She cuts in.

“Suzume.”

That’s right, Genji is a Nipponese name, and daemons in Nippon usually don’t interact with other humans. Or omnics, presumably. But the falcon had made tentative eye contact when introducing herself. Had Zenyatta been outfitted with a mouth he would have been smiling. His forehead array glows warmly instead, being a naturally affable person regardless of whether this Genji understands the intent there or not.

“I’m sorry for presuming, but are you by any chance Shambali, then? It’s just, I’ve never actually met an omnic with a daemon before. I mean no offense.” The shifts in Genji’s body betray his nerves, but his voice speaks of intrigue.

“A curious mind is a boon,” Zenyatta reassures, Chandra grinning in her own way at the two.

“I know some people who would say differently,” Genji laughs, with some discomfort coloring his words. He has been chastised for being curious? How unfortunate.

“We are indeed part of the Shambali. Have you come to do a pilgrimage?”

“I…” He casts a glance at the unblinking bird of prey on his shoulder, having to crane his head awkwardly to do so. “We are just wandering.”

“Then, would you accompany us on our return? The mountains can be perilous, and I would feel much safer in your company.”

Genji may see through the excuse, but still, he accepts it.

Zenyatta finds him a quiet companion, and yet, his very being seems to be crying out. By the time they reach the village at the foot of the temple, Zenyatta is convinced. This man is in an immense amount of pain, and Zenyatta will do whatever it takes to heal him.

The children run out to greet them, having just been let out of school for lunch by the looks of it. They chatter delightedly at Zenyatta, him being a favourite among them, Genji standing stoically silent a little ways back. A sister of the order sticks her head out of the school building to greet them both, her meerkat daemon at attention on her shoulder.

Zenyatta continues on along the road, the children dispersing into their homes along the way until only Genji still follows. Up the winding switchback path they go, until the temple greets them. Zenyatta hears Genji let out a wondrous breath, and he supposes the repurposed structure does inspire a fair amount of awe. They owe the village below much, and do their best to provide education and healing, along with anything else they can do to aid them.

Not only omnics come seeking guidance from the Shambali, and indeed many different individuals from all walks of life spend time here at the roof of the world, but never before has Zenyatta met one such as this man. Genji.

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