outdistanced | turbo heaven 🌼 chrono

All I can think of is that message they put together. Something about influencing more than one.

[ it feels like something wanted to prove a point.

he takes a deep breath. ] Yeah. Me, too. Even if we figure everything out tomorrow... it's going to be bad, no matter what.

[ either they live to murder again, or six could die this week. ]

I think... what we talked about, yesterday. We really need to keep that in mind.

[ it seems less hard to fathom, in the aftermath. suspicion comes more easily. he still deeply hates it.

he reaches into his pocket and unfolds a pair of glasses. ]

I don't have anything left that could help, aside maybe from these. I'm supposed to be able to see a private conversation if I use them.

...Right. We'll keep an eye on him. See how things play out tomorrow.

I have one more use on my whistle, and Zhongli left us something else for lie detection, too. It looked kind of like that stuff they added to the tavern menu this week. What'd they call it... mochi, or something?

[ nods at the glasses. ]

Yves and I found some like that, too, earlier this week. Do you think it would help tonight, or...?

Yeah. Tomorrow's going to be... ugh.

[ he doesn't want to think about what happens if they're right about these suspicions. what could have been done, beforehand. but the thought comes anyway, and he falls tense. ]

Okay, that's good to know. As for these... not sure. They seem kind of risky, but. Maybe? It couldn't hurt any more than everything already does, right?

If you aren't sure, then you can always hold onto them a little while. See how tomorrow works out. If there's anyone we miss, you can maybe try to narrow things down a little.

[ nudges him gently with an elbow. ]

Or you can use it for gossip like Yves probably did.

Either way, don't put too much pressure on yourself when we'll all be right there with you trying to find the answers.

With three in that amount of time, and so few of us... it's a pretty big chance to miss stuff. Especially with Till - dude's gonna have no clue what's happening.

[ still, breathes a short laugh and shoves back lightly. ]

Yeah, yeah. That's me, heaven's biggest gossip. Maybe someone has to take that mantle. [ sighs. ] I know, I'm not. The pressure's on all of us.

Yeah... I tried to warn him, but there's really no preparing yourself for this shit. Even when we know what to expect, it's still bad.

[ gives him a sidelong glance. are you sure you're not, buddy. you always do.

instead of pressing it, he leans back against chrono with a heavy sigh. ]

We'll figure it out, one way or another. We have to.

This was unexpected even for us. Three...? It's like trying to outdo last weekend. A quota. It's fucked.

[ he is. but he's trying not to. especially with this week.

he'll hesitate, again, before reaching for his hand and linking their fingers. grounding. ]

Everyone's doing their best. [ ... ] Glad you're still with me.

Really hating the idea of it being some kind of quota. [ fucked up is right. oof. ] There's only so many of us left. Three feels like way too much.

[ but so did two. so did one, when it first started.

he gives chrono's hand a squeeze almost on reflex. ]

I'm glad you're still here, too.

...even with the new guy. If there's three, this weekend, we'll be seventeen total. Less than half. But... maybe it means whatever's doing this is getting desperate, too.

[ he'll settle in and just kind of. melt against laurence's side with a shaky sigh. ]

Weekends are the worst. Can't believe it'll be feelin' like this even if I make it back.

[ less than half. he hadn't really tallied up the numbers, but that is a horrifying thought, isn't it. ]

We don't even know what it wants out of this. What's the point in killing us, if it's not just some twisted game?

...How do you go back to normal after losing someone every Friday for two months, anyway? I feel like I'm just going to be on edge forever.

Not knowing's what's gettin' to me the most. It's hard to make a plan against somethin' you can't even understand.

[ he sighs. well, returning to normalcy is something he does have a lot of experience with. so ]

You find good things. [ runs a thumb over laurence's knuckles, pointedly. ] Hobbies, friends, plans. It never goes away, but it's possible to move on. Especially... if we get them back. Make the most of it, when we do.

For real. I don't know, though... maybe I'll get a message this weekend like the others did. Maybe that'll help somehow.

[ he doesn't sound like he believes it. the last few were just taunting them... this entity holding its power over their heads. he's kind of dreading seeing what they'll have to say this week.

but he falls silent, mulling those things over. good things... ]

It'll be harder once we go back. [ at least it will be for laurence, and he isn't the only one. he doesn't really want to leave the good things here behind just yet. nothing at home really compares. ] But I am looking forward to seeing them again. I wish it would happen earlier so we'd get more time.

Maybe. Anything helps. It's exhausting playing the waiting game, as well, huh.

[ he's so tired. the more he learns, the more familiar it feels. caught like an insect between two gods waging war.

he just nods, and continues to run his thumb in soothing circles. there's not a lot he can say - he knows how lucky he is, to have come from the life he'd been living beforehand. ]

Me too. Yesterday doesn't count for you. Need a total redo.

[ sighs. ] Just more of the same no matter where we are, I guess.

[ at least before he had the option of practicing with his powers. what do they have here? just each other? ...maybe that's not so bad, but he does worry about that part when it comes to going home, too.

still. he huffs out a soft, surprised laugh. ]

It wasn't all bad. I could do with a redo, mostly, but... [ glances at the ribbon he's still wearing. ] ...some of it was okay.

[ when it comes to going home... well, chrono might not believe in everything happening around them, in whatever god keeps sending reassurances that lead very short distances. but he trusts, at least, that they'd find each other again. his free hand opens and closes where it's resting over his knees.

he glances at the ribbon, too. that old dragon... looking forward to seeing him. then, with a little bit of a forced note in his tone; ]

Could take or leave the outfit though, huh? The makeup's nice, at least.

[ forced ot not, it is an instant distraction. blushing furiously, laurence closes his eyes. ]

Why are you still on that? I didn't choose it.

[ he says, but suddenly looks unsure. hm. ]

[ hehe. it pulls a laugh from him, low and shaky, but with a relieved edge. catching that expression makes his own flicker slightly concerned through the amusement, though. ]

...you don't know? I mean, I meant it when I said it wasn't a bad look on you, but didn't really think you were the type.

All the skirts and makeup were from that other life. I don't know what you're talking about.

[ they probably don't have meido content in the Tower can you imagine. at least not where the kids can find it. ]

Besides, you said that when I looked like an absolute disaster.

[ he nods, and is fine dropping it there. weird vibes about that whole thing, still.

but... he looks a little embarrassed at that being pointed out. ]

I did, didn't I? But it's still true. [ well anyway ] Kind of says a lot about what I think of you normally, I guess.

Edited 2025-03-22 05:47 (UTC)

You...

[ my god. ]

Well, I'm not wearing the skirts and ruffles again, so I hope you enjoyed it while it lasted.

[ god he's so embarrassed. turns his head away and mumbles. ]

But thanks I guess I tried really hard to get the makeup right.

[ stupid ]

[ he's also!! embarrassed!!! how functional. stupid

but, in the spirit of teasing, and the fact that after this morning's emotional exodus the distraction is fulfilling that space better than more despair would, he'll lean over with a laugh. ]

Hm? What's that? It looked really nice last night, y'know. And it was really sweet watchin' you get all excited about the stars.

[ fhdjdgs what if he pretends chrono never said that about the makeup,, ]

Well, excuse me for never having seen them like that before!

[ cute

and totally not off the hook sorry ]

No, no, it was good. Your face lit up so much. Though maybe it was the glitter? You did have somethin' sparkly on, right?

Oh my god. It was just a little eyeshadow. I didn't even put that much on!

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