[as far as stupid jokes go, that was a pretty good one. it at least gets a morbid smirk out of him. and the rest is listened to with easy curiosity, while he lets Tonic observe the world around them and he pays more attention to his immediate space. enjoying the companionable closeness where they're bumped up next to each other, stealing glances of his friend now that they're out in stark daylight. checking in with himself now that they've left the previous vulnerabilities behind.

when he adds his own idle thoughts to the conversation, he keeps his voice pleasant and as far from serious or wistful as he can. he's sure they can talk about the past without falling into melancholy--at least for a little while.]

I wouldn't know. But there was a little village near where I grew up... and I was always shocked at how quickly it managed to grow when I wasn't looking.