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Today has been fun! Very, very fun!
Well, it was Yatta’s birthday, so none of it came as a surprise. Even so, she could already tell it’d be ranked high on her "greatest days" list! Right alongside her previous celebrations! (This one was especially going to the top fiv– no, three!)
Looey, an awesome buddy of hers, had organized a five-station running man resort challenge, and before they began, they’d split into pairs: Looey with Poppy, Blot with Boxten, and Yatta with her newest bestest friend, Glisten! Their initial meeting had been a little embarrassing, sure, but that's in the past! Besides, how could she stay embarrassed when Glisten was super, duper amazing?!
So far, she and Glisten had cleared four stations, with the first three being easy (mostly): snapping a photo of a bird, playing charades, and traversing an obstacle course on the water. The fourth was the hardest, like, a bombardment of riddles? Her mind can't process this! Fortunately, Glisten was there to help her. Together, they settled on an answer and walked towards their final task.
Reaching the spot, Yatta let out a sigh of relief upon discovering they’d gotten it correct. Woohoo! It was the Vehicle Station! A chuckle left her mouth as an employee in black approached, announcing that they’d be driving buggies. He left to collect their equipment, and while he was gone, Looey and Poppy finally caught up with them.
They fell into a casual conversation, the kind that might’ve carried on without interruption. Of course, it was disrupted by Poppy revealing a piece of information that made her cover her mouth. “Oh– oof– erm– uh,” she waved her hand. “Y’all heard nothing.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, you heard nothing,” Looey copied the bubble’s movements, his balloon ears drooping.
Glisten, who had heard it, crossed his arms. “You literally just admitted to following us.” He told them. “Have you two been doing that the entire time?”
“Heh-heh, I, uh, wouldn't call it ‘following’,” Poppy shrugged. “I would…I would term it as a coincidence instead! We didn't know you were on the same path!”
“Yeah!” Looey made a thumbs-up with both hands. “We didn't follow you,” he pointed to themselves. “We followed our gut!”
The mirror slowly nodded. “Right…”
“I THINK THEY’RE telling the truth, Glist,” Yatta cocked her head, her tails curving into question marks. “I DIDN'T see them BEHIND US.”
“...I suppose I didn't either, regardless,” Glisten refocused on Looey and Poppy. “That doesn't explain how you two got here so fast. It should've taken you ten minutes, unless you were, you know.”
The easily-popped duo exchanged glances.
“We sped-walked.” Poppy blurted.
Glisten scoffed. “Sure you did–”
Chi-chi-chic– BRRRRRRRR.
Immediately, the group whipped their heads to the source of the disturbance. There, located at a short distance, was Blot and Boxten sitting inside a buggy. To Yatta’s surprise, Boxten was behind the wheel, and after a moment’s thought, the reason for that clicked. Blot’s ink! He’d drip everywhere and make it difficult to drive! Boxten as the driver was nevertheless intriguing! Perhaps he has a hidden knack for driving I don't know about!
They stared at one another for what felt like an eternity, the silence stretching for ages that Yatta half-expected it to become tangible and wrap around them. At last (and luckily, having the quietness hug them would've been befuddling!) Boxten mumbled something to Blot, pressed his foot on the pedal, and rolled away.
The ink blob and music box hadn't even taken a turn when the worker dressed in black came back, arms full of safety gear and keys (he saw Looey and Poppy earlier, so he brought theirs too). Retrieving their items, Looey and Poppy rushed towards the nearest automobile, donning their protective wear as they went. Meanwhile, Yatta and Glisten geared up first, strolling to a vehicle half-a-minute later.
By the time they arrived, the balloon and bubble had already driven off, their automobile pulling away with a low hum. Yatta lingered on them, and once the pair had turned onto the next road, she gazed at Glisten. “CAN I DRIVE, please?”
Glisten raised a brow. “Hm? Well, alright, do you know how to?”
Yatta’s tails wagged. “THANK YOU! And nope, I’ve got ZERO EXPERIENCE in driving.”
His expression became deadpan.
“You ONLY NEED TO STEP ON the gas and brakes, right?”
“...Yes?”
“THEN LET’S GOO!” She slid into the driver's seat, strapped the seatbelt over herself, and grasped the wheel. “Come on, come on, COME ON!”
Glisten stood with his jaw agape before he sighed, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he circled to the other side.
Once he buckled himself in, he inserted the key into the ignition and gave it a twist. In an instant, the car rumbled to life, causing Yatta’s tails to swish while she took everything in: the revving of the engine, enough to vibrate the frame of the buggy, the key that had started it, and something between her and Glisten.
Wait, something between her and Glisten?
Yatta leaned towards the strange object jutting out. “...OH! The lever!” She pointed at it. “YOU USE THIS TO shift gears, right?!”
“Yep,” Glisten replied. “The lever’s light I believe.”
She gasped. “REALLY?! DOES THAT MEAN I CAN DO THIS?!” The piñata curled a ribbon tail around the stick and pulled it to a position labelled "F" — "Forward", she presumed. “WOAH, THAT IS LIGHT! It felt like stirring a bowl!”
Glisten giggled. “Changing it should be easy, then.”
“VERY EASY.” Yatta agreed. “ANYHOW, WE’RE FAR behind! We need to HURRY.”
“Mhm,” Glisten nodded. “Remember to be careful, Yatts. It’s your first time driving.”
“Hehe! I KNOW, I KNOW, DON’T WORRY, careful’s my middle name!” Yatta tucked her tails in. “MAKE SURE TO HOLD ON TIGHT, we’ll be ahead in a jiffy!”
“Oka–”
She thumped on the gas.
Although the sudden surge threw them back, Yatta’s grip remained on the steering wheel. At the edge of her vision, she caught Glisten’s demeanor flipping from calm to pure shock. It’s fine! He’s holding on! Like he sai– almost said! When they reached the bend, she did a sharp left and wheeled onto the open road.
Cool! It’s like a video game! Yatta beamed as she glanced at Glisten, who was clutching on for dear life.
“Yatts,” he grabbed his seatbelt tighter. “Isn’t this a bit too quick?”
“NAH, IT’S PERFECT.” She stepped further onto the pedal. “We’re gonna WIN THIS!”
“But–”
The engine roared, cutting Glisten off as they shot forward at maximum acceleration.
Everything streaked by them in a blur; one moment they trailed the other teams, the next they were darting in front of them. Yatta didn't spare a look in her friends’ direction, paying attention while driving was important, after all! If she was distracted, she would've crashed! (Whatever reactions they were making back there must’ve been priceless, that’s for certain!)
From what Yatta recalled, the staff member had mentioned about the route they were supposed to take. What were his words? She stroked her chin with a tail. …Ah-ha! We have to head down this path, she looked to the right. Then find a route in the tall grass!
As Yatta scanned the area, Glisten straightened himself, a hand now gripping the seat as the other remained on the belt.
“You're…” he inhaled a deep breath. “You’re searching for a gap in the grass, right?”
“YUP.” Yatta chirped.
“Okay, in that case,” Glisten gestured towards the overgrown greenery. “Is that it? It seems big enough for a buggy.”
She examined where he had indicated. “Hmmm, YES! YES, IT IS! Good eye, Glist!” She swerved towards the opening.
They leaned into the turn, and once they were upright, the grassy track revealed itself. Ooh, nice! We’re directly in the middle! She brightened. I deserve a pat on the back for this impeccable alignment!
“Hey, Yatts, you should slow down here, it’s pretty narrow…!” Glisten suggested, planting his feet into the vehicle’s flooring to balance. himself.
“SURE.”
The moment she said that, the car jolted as it rolled down a gentle slope, returning to its stable state a second later. Before they could hit the blades, Yatta eased onto the brakes (putting her foot on the gas afterwards) and moved to the right, setting the automobile to a moderate speed.
The further they drove, the more the grass pressed in, sweeping the sides of the car as others flicked against them. Gradually, the slender plants grew closer, until at last, it filled a majority of their view. Eh, it’s fine! I can still see!
Glisten had finally relaxed in his seat; every so often, though, he would tilt his head to avoid a thick cluster or nudge a stray grass aside. The tips Yatta too, but she ignored them, fixed solely on the path.
If Yatta had to be truthful, the whole calm-driving thing’s beginning to bore her. It was safe, which was exactly the issue. It was her birthday, for goodness sake! She should do something memorable, not drive at a snail-like pace. What can I do to make this more interesting?
…
Got it!
“GLIST, hold on tight again!”
“‘Hold on tight’? What do you–” Glisten's eyes widened. “Wait, no, don't tell me you’re–”
“I AM.” Her foot slammed down on the gas, sending the buggy zipping forward.
From an outsider’s perspective, it might've been considered reckless, but Yatta begged to differ! It was dangerous, yes — she even worried about getting Glisten and herself hurt. However, the area ahead was clear, meaning there was nobody to bump into! Ah, and the grass? It wasn't a brick wall at least! Also, the speed was much, much better! She’ll choose the wind over the heat any day of the week!
Next to her, Glisten scrunched an eye shut, the other partially open as the stalks whipped past him at the speed of probably what felt like mach 10.
“GLIST, ARE–” Yatta furrowed her brows. “Are you good?” I should've given my idea longer thought, honestly…
“I’m– ow, fine, Yatts.” He mustered a smile. “Just keep watching the path, alright?”
“...Okay.”
Yatta kept the buggy steady as it followed the track, the path bending endlessly to the right. Glisten had shifted as far to the left as he could, angling himself away from most of the blades; a couple managed to brush past him, still, he paid them no mind.
The curve stretched on and on, showing no hint of turning another way. Was it like some huge semi-circle? She studied the route and pictured it from above. Well, it makes sense! And if it was shaped like that… “I’M INCREASING MY SPEED.”
Glisten frowned. “You sure you want to? It’s still narr–”
ZOOOOOMMMMMMM!
She pushed the gas pedal all the way down, bringing the acceleration to the max. The abrupt burst of momentum shifted Glisten back to the center of his seat, leading him to yelp as he blocked the blades of grass from striking him.
“AS SOON AS WE’RE OUT OF HERE, I PROMISE TO GO SLOW or medium!” Yatta exclaimed. “Fast is off-limits if unnecessary!”
Glisten’s response was a simple nod and hum.
As the buggy carried them down the trail, Glisten, at some point, decided to merely leave a hand over his face to shield him. After a few more seconds had passed, the track veered off-course — it wasn't by a landslide by any means, but if she stayed driving in the same direction, they would smash straight into the grass. I can't have that now! She moved the steering wheel to the–
Oh no.
“Um, Glist,” she faced him, grinning blankly. “The wheel is stuck.”
…
“The wheel is what–?”
KRRRRSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Yatta glimpsed Glisten throwing arms up before lowering her head and lurching forward. As fast as the crash, the vehicle came to a complete halt (most likely due to her foot slipping off the gas). For a heartbeat, she remained frozen, then shook her it off with a heavy exhale. “Oh…oh my gosh,” a chuckle escaped from her. “That was– THAT WAS SURPRISINGLY QUITE FUN–”
She paused.
Her expression, along with her ribbon tails, sank upon realizing Glisten had slumped against his seat, spirals practically spinning in his eyes. From where she sat, the smudged makeup was impossible to miss, and not only that, the tall grass protruded around him, a few even jabbing at his side. Right, he’s closer to it. “Erm, Glist? You alright?”
…
“Yes…yes, I am,” he rubbed his head and straightened himself. “Were you hurt?”
“No, I wasn’t, and– and are you sure you’re fine?” Yatta grimaced. “I saw you bracing for impact, and look,” she motioned at the green plants. “It’s all over you.”
Glisten huffed, amused. “It’s not a problem, Yatta. I can just brush them out the way.”
Yatta blinked. “Really?”
“Really,” Glisten confirmed. “Before I try, though, are you able to reverse?”
She shifted the gears and pressed on the gas — the wheels moved, however, the buggy stayed stationary. “Nope.”
“We have to push it from the outside then,” Glisten declared, unbuckling his seatbelt and stepping into the slender green–
“Actually, on second thought, I’ll exit from your side.”
Despite herself, a giggle slipped from her. “Alright!”
She unfastened her belt and left the automobile, Glisten following suit a second later. Now on their feet, Glisten led Yatta to the front of the car. “We’ll push on the count of three, okay?”
“OKAY.” Yatta’s tails wagged. “LET’S DO THIS!”
Glisten laughed. “Mhm,” he grabbed onto the buggy’s hood, prompting Yatta to do the same, she was ready, Glisten cleared his throat.
“One, two…three!”