outdistanced | turbo heaven 🌼 chrono

[ she was not with the awa-odori dancers, but with the leading procession, though her excitable movements did match with the pace of the music. she belonged there, once. hope she's doing well in europe.

the stalls are much of the same the way through, one of the disadvantages of a smaller festival. he wishes at least something could be tangible, so they could take a lantern or a mask or a kerchief of starry fabric with them, but... visuals are all he can provide. ]

To Sensou-ji. It's a famous temple around here. There'll be a bit more to look at, and I can show you Kaminarimon - the Thunder Gate. Not really festival-specific, but since it's where we are...

[ his home. he wants laurence to see the interesting and important parts, lit up their best with the mood of festival season. ]

And then, the river? We can eat, and I'll show you something cool.

[ ah. so she's the one in france. she might have faded out already, but his eyes linger where she was for just a moment longer.

continuing may not show a ton of variety, but it's plenty for laurence. he's still brimming with questions, about the masks, the story, and everything around them - his own latent sense of curiosity awakening for a the new experience. it's even brought a faint, awed smile to his face, like the days when he wasn't so painfully aware of the rules and expectations in the tower. ]

It doesn't have to be part of the festival if it's what you want to show me. [ what's so special about a gate, though? ] A temple's like a church, right?

You mean the fireworks? [ he hasn't forgotten that part, but he nods. ] Okay.

It's a bit of both. The temple... well, you'll see.

[ the end of the street as it opens up to a crossing is absolutely crowded with wish-laden bamboo branches. they make it past the intangible crush of people, the lighting of the sky dimming slightly faster than natural. where the lanterns and stalls thin out, the city feels quieter. more like a place to live than visit.

it's a lull, as they cross the streets. asakusa station is off to one side, a few small staircases signed to indicate the stairs to the subway. lanterns still hang from eaves, evidence of the time even as they're away from the thick of it. ]

Did you like the sights so far? [ he bumps laurence lightly with a shoulder. ] You look like you've got a lot of things to ask. Now's a good time.

[ still not really sure what a subway is... he just thinks that's a different part of the festival, for now. the quiet out here almost reminds him of the tower at night, though - where there's always some ambient noise, but quiet enough to let you relax at night. ]

It's... a lot. We don't have anything like it at all back home. It's so colorful. [ it's still a little overwhelming, but here, at least, the sensory overload is starting to wane. ] But I think I like it. It's just... livelier, than home. Even though you said it's a small one.

What are all the masks for?

Mhmm. Lively and loud. I can only stand it in the crowds for a little bit, as well.

[ it's not a long walk from here to kaminarimon, but chrono lets them slow. the road ahead has a crosswalk, but he stalls them at it and lets his imagination create a few cars to wait for. the detail at the far edges of the illusion swirls with fog, but directly around them it's clear and sharp. ]

The masks? I don't really know, actually. [ laughs. even he's still not totally knowledgeable. ] There's probably some traditional explanation, but the plastic ones are mostly for kids to run around and play with. Pretend to be heroes and stuff.

I can handle crowds, I've just never seen something like that. Is that what a parade is? Just a big performance like that?

[ what is a crosswalk. he looks at it with blatant confusion, jumping slightly when the first car appears. a little image of the van at the beach appears above his head. they really do move wow... it's his first time seeing that, too. ]

Oh, okay. So it's not that different from having stuff like toy swords. Is that what all those games and stuff are for, too?

Pretty much, yeah. Music, dancing. Sometimes there'll be something flashier or fancy costumes.

[ it's a zebra crossing with the little indicators - red for don't walk, right now. chrono squeezes his hand again when laurence startles, amused at the association with the beach van. these ones are cars. ]

You got it. Festival games get played by all ages, but they're more popular with kids. Probably the strangest thing you can win is... like, live goldfish?

[ the crossing indicator flashes to green, and a car slows at the edge of the crosswalk as chrono guides them across. ]

They get even flashier than that? [ all the lights, the music, the movements... what do you mean More?

watches the cars go by in fascination. so that's a car. huh. do they still have those, in his world? any daphne could just teleport somewhere, but not everyone would know one. he has no idea how rare they might actually be. ]

A live fish? Is that like... okay?

[ CANNOT IMAGINE JUST. WINNING A LIVING CREATURE THIS IS SO WEIRD. ]

Oh, absolutely. There's some that go for ages, with hundreds of people. Confetti everywhere.

[ he's not so into those. they're always a loud mess and made it difficult to navigate the city. but they're impressive, for sure.

in a world with teleportation, mundane transport does seem a bit redundant. but surely humans without demiflora powers have to get around somehow? and certain idiots have to fall asleep in back seats and make things difficult somehow?? anyway ]

I think so? I never did it when I was a kid, since the orphanage would've had trouble keepin' tabs on us all in crowds like that. Or let us look after fish.

[ shrugs. they're nearly there. the vaguely-established crowd seems to gather here, as well, as they turn to see the lit gate of kaminarimon. chrono glances at him, keen on this reaction. ]

That's a little hard to imagine...

[ this is already so much for laurence? he'd probably agree with chrono that the small functions are better tbh. not too much to get lost in. ]

I don't think the Tower would've let us have fish, either... [ they don't even have cats or dogs. none pets, unless penny counts.

ahhh, but there's the gate, and it's... huge? and intricate, truly nothing he's ever seen before, so used to modern architecture as he is. but he's a little impressed, and slows his step a bit to soak in the details, head canting to the side just a bit. ]

That's... a lantern, right? Why is it so huge? [ too curious, he doesn't wait for an answer before adding, ] And what are the statues?

I don't know why it's so big. Just to be impressive, probably?

[ with a grin, chrono releases their handhold to go and stand under the lantern, hands on his hips. kaminarimon wasn't his favourite place in reality, usually too full of people, but the gate itself was always such a sight even as a local.

another figure does swim into clarity for a moment, amidst the indistinct crowd - nearer to laurence, a tall young man with an excitable expression, seemingly also taking in the details of the gate. but after a moment he blends back in, too, as chrono beckons laurence over. ]

The statues are Fuujin and Raijin, the gods of wind and thunder. And, look-- [ he points up to the base of the lantern, where there's a dragon carved into it. ] Cool detail.

Hah. Maybe. It definitely accomplishes that.

[ watches chrono with a small smile as the lantern absolutely dwarfs him. the new figure distracts him momentarily - laurence doesn't know that one, another friend of his? - but they're gone too quickly for him to linger on it.

he takes another look at the statue before following over. ]

Is the whole temple for them, then? [ it's like a church, right?

this dragon, though? holy shit. ]

...It is pretty cool. [ looks like something iris would make. ] You seriously see things like this every day?

Nope. The temple itself's for Kannon, a goddess of compassion. These guys are guarding it, maybe. [ he's not entirely familiar with the mythologies surrounding the various gods represented here. ] But this is where I live, so... yeah. [ ... ] Sounds like Iris and I might've got along, huh?

[ he turns so they're looking through the other side of the gate, where the temple's even larger inner gate and pagoda are visible past the green roofs of nakamise-doori. the shop stalls here, while permanent fixtures, are also decked in festival lanterns.

and after a considering glance, because this is a date and they're standing in an interesting spot right under the lantern, chrono will pull laurence down by the shoulder and press a light kiss to his cheek. that's what people do on dates, right? ]

We'll head through here down to the river, okay?

Edited 2025-03-27 16:53 (UTC)

A goddess of compassion, guarded by gods of wind and thunder? How do those things go together? [ he's mostly joking, these things never make sense so whatever! ] I'm almost a little jealous. The Tower's so boring in comparison.

[ at least by his own standards. it's beautiful in its own way, ornate and made to impress in the community areas, but otherwise, he's too used to it to care. this is different, fascinating and new.

but at that, he snorts. ] You two would get along. Too well, maybe. He'd probably ask you a million questions about Dran and Cray and everything, too.

[ and that would be so bad for laurence he doesn't want to think about it. thankfully he doesn't have to, because the kiss is unexpected and makes his thoughts static out for a second, a light dusting of pink coloring his cheeks. technically they may be alone, but it doesn't necessarily feel that way with the crowd weaving around them, however indistinct. ]

O-Okay. [ get it together, laurence, they aren't even real. no one is here to perceive. anyway! looks at the stalls! ] Is this all stuff for the temple?

You're just used to it. I'd really like to see the Sky Dome, if you'll show me sometime.

[ maybe, if everything works out, we really could meet some day. it's a thought he's had before, one truly not impossible if their determination meant anything. he gives laurence an amused look, taps his arm, and starts them along the hazy-edged illusion of nakamise-doori. ]

Nah, this place draws in tourists like nothin' else. It's nearly all traditional souvenirs and craft stuff, so visitors from other places can see it all... and spend money.

[ they'll take a slow stroll down the connecting street. despite his cynicism, there's the usual detail to the illusion, a path tread many times. there's snacks - taiyaki and monaka. there's stalls with samurai costumes and fake swords, as well as more traditional yukata. there's a place making wax replicas of vegetables, and notably, chrono lingers by a stall making amezaiku, the candy sculptures lined up on the counter. there's one there that's much less pretty than the rest.

at the other end, the second gate and pagoda. houzoumon is a larger gate than kaminarimon, but chrono doesn't come past it as often - some of the details are fuzzy, if focused on too long. ]

The river's not far, but! [ a smile, inviting. ] Question time, again, if you've got any burning ones.

I guess. If you really want to see it, then I don't mind showing you.

...I hope so. [ just a murmured thought as chrono starts leading him down the street. is the main part of seattle similar to this, he wonders?

as a teenage boy, it's mostly the food that catches his eyes, but the swords also pique his interest, even if they are fake. he's only ever used fake ones, anyway, but those look a little like mizu and uruha's? ]

So it's mostly trinkets. [ except for whatever that is chrono's looking at...? more sculptures? ] But people like all that stuff.

[ the other gate is just as imposing, even for the lack of detail. laurence stares up at it for a moment, unsure where to even start with questions this time. ]

Why a river, anyway?

[ he's never seen one outside of heaven and has no clue what the appeal could be. it is just water. ]

[ chrono's making a mental checklist of things that seem to interest him, from thr snacks (probably doable here) to the swords (less so). it might swim into the thoughtshare every now and then, very briefly, but chrono doesn't seem to notice.

the amezaiku glint prettily, a few intricate koi, one a crane with wings spread... and the last one, which might be some kind of bird also. it's pretty formless. ]

They're sculptures made of sugar. Super fancy candy. [ one more thing for the list, though perhaps more for his own peace of mind. ] Wish this place worked a little differently.

[ the gate is definitely imposing, lit from below with its night lights, as the sky has gone totally dark by now. a few stars glint above, but the light from the city drowns most out.

the question -- ah, unexpected. chrono's cheeks go a little pink. ]

Well... it's a nice river anyway, and it's quieter if we want to sit and eat. [ a beat. ] And I wanna show you somethin' that isn't totally accurate to bein' here, but you'll like it, I think. It just needs to be by the water.

[ to be fair laurence is not paying the least bit of attention to thoughtshare because he's too busy looking at everything else. ]

They can do all that with candy? [ well! color him impressed! except for that last one, which he stares at briefly in baffled amusement. ] This one doesn't really match the rest, though.

[ also. tilts head. why are you blushing. ] Okay. Something besides the fireworks...?

...that one's mine. From, like, three years ago. I guided a foreign fighter around here one morning for a quest. He became a good friend, eventually.

[ he seems resigned to the fact that it's there, regarding it with a sort of exasperated fondness before moving on. ]

Besides the fireworks. Maybe instead of? Dunno yet, but you'll see. It's a surprise. [ taps the top of his bag. ] Let's go eat, first.

[ the river is literally like a street away, a walkway lined in trees, flowers and other greenery raised along the side. there are several bridges crossing the water, which have vague shapes of crossing cars going along the illusion. over the other side, the skytree stands, and downriver the blurry horizon shows many, many tall buildings rising up from where tokyo central would be. ]

Oh. So your cooking talents don't apply to candy.

[ teasing, but his expression turns curious. surprise?? ]

Alright, whatever you say.

[ to the river!! and once again laurence finds himself staring a little too long at the skytree, utterly fascinated. is that what the seattle tower looks like from outside? it's so weird to see. the tokyo skyline fascinating too, in a way - he's seen parts of seattle at night, but never from this angle. ]

You're not allowed to judge if my food's bad, though, got it? I'm still new to this whole cooking thing.

It was three years ago! I'd be better at it now.

[ probably! his sculpting talents have improved too!! nyeh.

he'll let laurence take in the sight of everything - it's a lot different to the locations they've seen in heaven, after all. a river's a river, but this one hemmed in by modern architecture as well as specks of traditional structures - a bridge a little along the way, the shape of the fenceline, and the temple behind them. and the skytree, of course. we can visit, one day.

there's a staircase leading closer to the water, and a bench along the pathway. at this time of the evening, there would usually be people walking, but... no one will bother them here. ]

Not gonna judge. Lookin' forward to trying it. [ sincere! he'll unpack his own bag between them. ] Yakisoba and takoyaki. Made sure nothing was spicy for you, too.

Would you? Have you tried?

[ half genuinely, half ribbing. at the thought of visiting the skytree, though, he looks a little... conflicted. it's definitely not the same as his tower, but it's hard to break the association, still, even if he is pretty curious.

this little spot is nice, though? it's quiet. peaceful, if a bit dark at night. he doesn't mind that, so much. ]

Hah. Thanks. [ pulling out his own stuff, a little nervous for some stupid reason. chrono is a cook what if it's bad ): ] I just brought the rice balls and dango, like I said. I'm still figuring out other things.

...The... takoyaki? What is it? It was at one of the stalls, right?

...no, but I've made more desserts, and did some sculpting...

[ embarrassed. hmph

it is a nice spot, though. they're not directly under the bridge, as that would be disadvantageous for Plans, but there's one nearby to offset the lights a little bit. the water moves slowly, night mild and peaceful - if they could feel that. i should clarify the bench is for aesthetics and they're on a fake grassy patch for this bc none of this is real.

except the food! his eyes light up at the items laurence brought. it's really fitting for festival food, like they had been able to take some from these illusory stalls after all. ]

Oh-- yeah. I had to order a machine for it, and Mr. Basilio put 'em on the tavern menu this week. It's basically just batter and fillings, but these ones are traditional. Octopus. [ he'll pass over a two-sided box, one half with the yakisoba and one with six takoyaki covered in sauce and mayo, along with chopsticks, a fork and a toothpick. Prepared. ] If you don't like 'em, that's fine. I'll eat 'em.

[ a light laugh. ]

So maybe it's time for you to try again soon?

[ he's a little curious how it would come out, too. it'd be funny if it was still a mess. anyway, ]

...You can eat octopus? [ pictures the tentacles wiggling. eugh. kind of a bad visual for keeping your appetite, huh? hm. ] Well, it doesn't hurt to try, I guess.

[ he will. go for the fork. i didn't realize until this moment that he probably has never touched chopsticks in his life, but he's gonna go right for the takoyaki and get this mystery out of the way. ]

Maybe I will! [ i've got no idea how to get sugar that hot.

yeah chrono kind of. figured that might be the case. something about the combination of "american teenager" and "lived in a tower" might have clued him in to chopsticks maybe not being viable. but the option was there! ]

Yup, it's tasty. Just gotta cook it right.

[ get that imagery outta here. he'll go for a rice ball first, and watch on with. his own slight nervousness. it'd be best if he did like them, but... ]

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