outdistanced | turbo heaven 🌼 chrono

I never knew you were into that stuff. No wonder you guys get along. [ that is not why

he's giving chrono a quizzical look as he just shrugs that off and then seems to rethink it within seconds?? what?? ]

I just said I don't mind. And this place is big enough that we may not see anyone at all even if we do stay here.

[ sense of shame is slowly returning so he hesitates just a smidge before retaking his spot behind chrono. ]

...Are you feeling okay? You've been acting a little weird.

It's not like I'm into it. I like how ruins and old buildings look, that kind of thing, so I just read about it a bit when I was younger.

[ it's part of the goth addition to the jock/nerd assessment

chrono just kind of. hums, tilting his head to both sides as if he's cracking his neck, waiting for laurence to settle as the turns the engine back on. ]

Sure, but I don't wanna risk you bein' here if there's even any more chance of somethin' happening. [ hmm. ] I guess I feel a little weird? Can't put my finger on it. Probably nothing major.

I don't get it. What's so special about how they look? They're ruins.

[ just a buncha old rocks? ]

That's what you're worried about? Nothing's going to happen if we're just sleeping. Are you sure you weren't cursed?

I dunno, man. I just think they're cool. Quiet, y'know? And you kind of see echoes, of how people used to live.

[ alright let's get back on the road. more up. there's more vineyards, eventually giving way to an area more dense with trees. ]

Of course I'm worried. I don't want anything to happen to you. [ ... ] I don't feel cursed. D'you even know, if it's not a big one?

You really are starting to sound like Taair. He said something pretty similar. [ hmmm. ] I guess it isn't that bad, here.

[ the nature and quiet are surprisingly okay, for someone who's never even considered it before heaven.

well he's not going to bring the mood back down by reminding them about sleeping through murders. ]

Right... I'll be fine, though, really. [ he is staying out of trouble! ] Well, I haven't been cursed, but I think they only realize it after it wears off?

Worse people to start soundin' like, that's for sure. But if I start to get too wordy you can just hit me. Taair's got that part covered.

[ it's not like he's forgotten about sleeping through murders but the key part about now is sleeping through them and not getting murdered. well, not getting laurence murdered. he's not too concerned about himself right now. ]

Guess I'll find out later, then. I don't think it's that bad, though. Just kinda weird, like... lighter? A bit.

[ the cover of trees casts dappled light on the road, and ahead there's a low fence that might have held a gate at one point. through it, they're on a flat plateau, with an unmaintained garden of mostly dry grass and thriving flowers that are probably weeds. there's a bench, and a clear view out over the ocean and back to the coastal town. ]

Edited 2025-03-19 02:34 (UTC)

You don't have to worry about that.

[ getting too wordy or laurence hitting him? who's to say. be a little more concerned about yourself also what the hell man. ]

Then... maybe it's okay? It better be. [ or else

looks at this new place. it's a far cry from the big garden in oz, but it has the view. that isn't a bad thing. still, ]

Maybe they do need more people here. This place is kind of a mess.

[ considering events that have yet to occur where he gets deservedly pelted with snacks it's probably the first one. which is sweet, but we don't have to acknowledge it.

also <3 no <3 we're not worrying about ourselves right now <3 ]

Yeah, yeah. If I start feelin' cursed, you'll be first to know.

[ he'll slow them down and kill the engine again, but doesn't move to get up right away. even the view from here is a little arresting. ]

Maybe they'd just keep gettin' distracted, trying to clean this place up. Because, well, damn.

You better.

[ the way he would use the mirror for chrono right now if he'd thought to bring it, just in case. oh well. once they've rolled to a stop, laurence does let go of him to get up and take everything in.

sure, it's not a beach resort where people do stuff like surfing, whatever that is, but... it feels more real, somehow. ]

Do places like this really exist outside of heaven?

[ it's a little hard to believe. seattle, even what little he's seen both from the tower and in the alleys, is nothing like this. ]

[ cute. you should mention that outside of metatext

eventually he'll stretch his arms out and follow once the scooter is secured, drawing alongside with a sort of. concerned sideeye glance at him before he steps a bit ahead to see even more, wide-eyed with amazement. ]

...yeah. It's rare, like I said, but they're out there. I think the ocean's one of the best, but there's places hidden everywhere that just catch you offguard. Take your breath away. That kind of reaction.

[ he turns back slightly, a little proud smile on his face. ]

Maybe when I show you the festival you'll feel that way, too. It's a different kind of impressive, but it's still on the same kind of level.

[ no

hmm. he follows with a pensive expression. ]

I did really like the beach, when we first got it. I didn't expect it to be so relaxing. [ no wonder people always talk about it in books and things. ] I think I like it more from up here, though.

[ despite all the horrible things in the tower, it still feels a little closer to home. a little safer. and it is a stunning view, but he'll look the look of wonder do the talking as far as that goes. ]

If there's as interesting as you say, maybe I will. [ nudges him with an elbow, teasing. ] Might be hard to top the first time I saw fireworks, though.

The motion of the waves is really soothing. I liked it there, too, but... have to agree. It's nicer up here.

[ bigger. more free. a little less like an unattainable horizon holding them in.

...ah. he laughs out of the little reverie, shoulder-checking him gently in automatic response. ]

Ah, man, that was gonna be part of it! I'll have to make sure they're even more impressive to really keep it up to scratch, huh?

[ his teasing smile goes a little softer, curious. it's one of the first times laurence has mentioned being excited about something. ]

Tell me about it? The first time you saw them.

Mm. I liked the sound of it, too. Hearing the waves and the wind.

[ too bad it's murder ground zero now. this is why we can't have nice things.

he doesn't laugh outright when chrono pushes back but he does give an amused look. heh. ]

Festivals have fireworks, too? [ with fascination... ]

I saw them with Firefly, when we first got that place that changes holidays. They kind of scared me at first. [ with a sheepish laugh. ] I wasn't expecting it. And it still sounds kind of crazy, using explosions to make something like that... but I can see why people would like them.

You can probably still hear it from here, if you listen in.

[ it's faint, but there's not many other sounds aside from the plants rustling around them and their own yapping. so he'll shut up for a moment and just close his eyes to listen in.

especially... ah, firefly. something unpleasant tugs at his thoughts at the mention of her name. not her own fault -- well, perhaps a bit, and he misses her, too -- but... they're having such a nice day so far. is it worth ruining it with his own paranoia? it's probably his paranoia, right?

the hesitance remains very slightly in his expression as he responds, quietly. ]

I'm glad you got to see them with her. It's an experience better with others. [ a small, slightly drawn smile. ] 'Course you got spooked, they're a little surprising even when you know they're coming. Loud, bright. But really beautiful.

[ comes back here now that i finally did my letters

considers this... and closes his eyes for a moment as if that will help him hear better. and somehow it does? it brings a faint smile to his face, hearing it even from this distance. peaceful.

laurence is trying not to think about firefly's crimes or her death for a little bit, and just enjoy the memory. he didn't really understand half of what she'd told him about how fireworks... well. work. but it was interesting to hear, anyway. ]

Yeah, I'm not sure I would've been able to enjoy as much on my own? I might've just been confused, but at least now I know they're a good thing. [ ... ] But yeah. Beautiful's a good word for it. I don't really go back to Whoville often, but I wouldn't mind seeing the fireworks again.

[ ...ah. that's a good expression, one that not a day ago it wouldn't have been unreasonable to think might have been torn out of him. he's glad to see it, even just for a moment.

now is really not the time to ruin it with hypothetical talk. ]

Definitely a good thing. [ contemplative, for a moment. ] Well, I was serious about workin' in some into the festival viewing, they're kinda important. I don't need to top that memory - don't think I even could, and don't want to. But I'll make 'em pretty, at least.

[ rattles you what hypothetical talk ]

Why important...? Are festivals for celebrating something? That's what she said fireworks are usually for.

[ it's fine. we'll get to it. ]

Yeah, usually they're for special dates in the year. New Years is a major one, of course. But there's Obon and Tanabata, too. [ and, before he asks ; ] Obon is a celebration of ancestors and the passing of spirits, in August. Tanabata is a star festival celebrating a tale of reuniting long-lost lovers, in July. Fireworks at night's an important sendoff. And there's even little fireworks you can hold in your hand.

[ he's a little nostalgic, recalling the next part. ]

Where I'm from, the Vanguard Association splits the region into six districts for events. I live in the Dragon Empire area, which is known for celebrations. Sometimes hosting a festival just to have fun is nice, too.

[ literally opening his mouth to ask but chrono jumps right to it. closes mouth. ]

Sparklers, right? Zhongli and Firefly showed us, that week - it's a little weird just holding something like that, but it's cool, too.

...I guess some of the balls they had in the Tower were probably just for fun, too.

[ he's got ya covered buddy.

he's pleased at the recognition of sparklers, and nods. trust those two to have made sure it was a good experience. ]

Yeah, exactly. Japanese festivals have a kind called senko-hanabi -- uh, incense fireworks, I think? -- that drop down and scatter wide. They're made so you can swing 'em around a bit, too.

[ hm. he nods at that, as well. ]

Probably. I guess a ball is kind of like a little festival, too. [ ... ] The one here had a purpose, but it had the same kind of feeling. Lifting spirits.

Drop down? [ swing around, too?? ] That isn't dangerous? She said they were like concentrated explosions.

[ why would you just throw something like that around... ]

Well, the one here was a lot different from the ones I'm used to. Less... formal and stuffy. More fun. If a festival's more like that, I think I'll like it just fine.

They are, but... super tiny ones? The sparks don't even hurt if they hit you. They're made to be safe so anyone can play with 'em.

[ he'll pull a pilfered grape out of his pocket and offer one to laurence as well, thinking for a moment. ]

There's etiquette, of course, but definitely not formality. Havin' fun's the most important part. Spend time with friends, family, partners. Go eat food, play some games, watch a parade. See the fireworks. I like Tanabata, where the weather's cool and there's star patterns on everything. Tokoha always got really serious about New Years.

They can make explosions safe. [ sounds fake but okay. he'll take chrono's word for until he can see it for himself.

shakes his head he doesn't want pocket grapes thanks. ]

It sounds so different from everything I know. [ he's struggling to picture it all. what are parades like? he knows in principle, maybe, but he's never actually seen one. where would they even have parades in the tower, anyway, the sky dome? ] Well, whatever you end up showing me, I'm looking forward to it. You would like something like that, though, wouldn't you?

[ wow you reject his pocket grapes. suit yourself. nom. wonder if they could order senko-hanabi from the store... ]

It's not gonna be complete. Stupid cave only shows stuff, even with how I do it. No food or games - maybe I could make some yakisoba to bring, actually? Huh. [ packed lunch for the festival...

makes a face. ] Whassat supposed to mean. Yeah, I like star stuff! So what!

So what? You can still show me some stuff. That's better than nothing.

[ no clue what yakisoba's supposed to be, either, but he'll let chrono surprise him on that one. ]

It just fits because of your whole astronaut thing. [ laughs. ] Chill out. I like them, too.

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