Part Fourteen
Journey
Yes, the next chapter of Greener has finally been posted. No, this is not a dream. Yes, I do realize how long it's been since I've updated... and yes, I'm very sorry. ;
Unfortunately, that seems to be how I introduce all these chapters... But thank you to those who have stuck with this story and continue to encourage me to finish. It is very much appreciated. Right now, my muse has me chained to my desk to finish up a few things, so I should get another chapter up in a bit...
By the way, are these chapters getting too long? Should I try shortening them up a bit? Lemme know what you think! 'Til next time, Enjoy!
All the usual disclaimers apply.
The sound of traffic and the smell of exhaust enveloped them as they stepped outside, yet the breeze was refreshing, still cool from the morning rain. Relena folded her arms against the chill, looking to Wufei to make the next move.
The bike was parked at the curb, ready to escort them around the city. Wufei swung his leg over the seat, steadying the bike so Relena could do the same. She stood next to him, looking at him with wary eyes.
"Don't tell me you're backing out now," he teased.
"I'm not backing out," she said firmly, practically yelling over the hum of rush hour traffic. "I'm just not used to the idea of riding something without seatbelts."
Wufei said nothing. He simply gazed at her with those beautiful dark eyes.
Relena hesitated, unable to get past the thought that she would be so close to Wufei, so very close, just as she had earlier imagined…
"What's wrong?"
"Uh… nothing. I… my helmet…" Relena blushed at her stammering, looking down at the helmet she held.
"You want help?"
"Huh?"
Wufei sighed, beckoning her like a child. "Come here, I'll help you with the straps." She felt her face heating, but she could do nothing about it. Donning her helmet, she set to the task of fastening it. "I can do it myself, Wufei."
Wufei rolled his eyes, crossing his arms as he waited. And waited.
"Wufei?"
"Hm?"
Relena stepped toward him, her chin strap still undone. "I lied."
He shook his head, but helped her nonetheless. "Where did you get this thing?" he asked, making a face.
"From Steve."
"Figures. Looks like something for a moped. But at least you've got one," he said, finishing up. "I would have brought you Sally's, but she's out. Too tight?" he asked as she fidgeted with her helmet.
"No, just… awkward. What's this?" she asked, pointing to the design on his helmet's shiny black surface. "A double headed dragon?"
Wufei nodded. "That's Altron, the symbol of the Dragon Clan."
"Like your gundam…"
Wufei paused. "He brings good luck and protection."
Relena smiled. "I could use a little of both."
For a moment, the traffic went by unheeded, the sounds and the smells disappeared. It was only a moment, though, before they each broke the spell.
"Ready?" "How do I—"
They stopped, then started again.
"It's easy. Hang onto my shoulders and swing your leg over," Wufei began, again steadying the bike.
"Okay." Relena did as she was told, tentatively reaching up to grip his shoulder as she swung her leg over. The seat was as high as her waist, though, forcing her to lean forward against Wufei for leverage.
It's spicy, she thought, now that she was close enough to inhale his scent. And earthy… like pine trees.
"Good," he said once she was on. "Now put your feet on those silver bars."
"Here?"
Wufei nodded, halfway turned as he spoke to her.
Relena sat back trying to adjust to the sensation of having someone sitting between her legs.
"Nervous?" he asked, noticing her flushed expression.
"No," she said, shaking her head. "Just don't let me fall off."
"Then you'll have to hold on."
Relena reached forward, gripping the belt loops at his waist, the way she'd seen it done in a movie once. "How's that?"
Wufei shook his head. "Not for your first time. Here—" He plucked her hand from his side, drawing it farther around him. "Like this," he said, holding her hand in place.
Relena thought she felt a caress before he let go. But she could easily have imagined it. She hoped he couldn't feel her heart pounding, but the way she was pressed against him, he must have. It took all of her nerve to remain nonchalant, calmly reaching her other hand around him to comply with his instructions.
"Ready?"
She nodded, pulling her long braid over her shoulder.
"Then hang on tight." Donning his helmet, he lifted the brake and swung into traffic. He couldn't help but grin as he felt her arms tighten about his middle when they took off. He was glad she couldn't see his face.
"Just how far are you taking me?" Sally asked, shifting in her seat. Heero's initial journey south had led her to believe he might be taking her to the next town, a place called Spring which Lady Une had described as "a quiet place that lets you forget your troubles." But then he turned eastward, away from Spring, and away from the river they had visited previously.
"I told you it would take a while to get there," Heero quipped, his eyes never leaving the road.
"Always true to your word," Sally sighed.
He glanced at her, smiling. "Not too much longer," he said finally. "Maybe twenty minutes."
They shared a few moments of silence together, Sally taking in the scenery beyond her window. The road they were traveling was shrouded in trees – in fact, it was probably a forest or national park. She could see no houses through the thick brush, and except for passing the occasional car traveling in the opposite direction, they were the only ones on the road.
"I spoke with Relena earlier," Heero mentioned. He said it lightly, but Sally could feel the weight in those words.
"I was wondering about that," Sally admitted. Despite what she had said to Wufei, she was still worried she might somehow be trampling on the girl's feelings. "What did you tell her?"
"The truth."
"About us?"
"No, about herself."
Sally looked at him with questioning eyes, waiting for him to continue.
"I think she might be in love with someone, but I don't know who. I just know it isn't me."
"What? How can you be sure? What did she say?"
Heero shook his head. "She didn't say anything – but she didn't deny it when I asked her."
Sally crooked a finger at her lips, thinking. Her gossip sessions with Relena were few and far between, but surely she would have mentioned something…
"Whoever it is, I think it happened recently. Maybe the last three days."
Something clicked in Sally's mind. It couldn't be… "Why do you say that?"
"I can read Relena pretty well. When I saw her this weekend, she was fine. But this morning… she seemed anxious to get rid of me. Like she was expecting someone else."
Her finger returned to her lips, her teeth unconsciously gnawing at her thumbnail. Three days it had been since her pact with Relena. Three days she would have spent with Wufei. But she just couldn't believe it. Not Wufei!
"Is something wrong?" Heero asked, eyeing her as she bit at her nail.
"Hm? Oh, I was just thinking…"
She could tell he was waiting for an explanation.
She exhaled, setting her hands in her lap. "Alright, Heero. I might as well get this out of the way."
He waited, silent – his automatic "I'm listening" mode.
"I had lunch with Relena Sunday. She didn't mention anything about a love interest – really, all she talked about was you."
Heero nodded. He wasn't making this easy.
"Anyway, we got to talking… about you and Wufei… and how it would be nice if we could see what the other goes through to put up with you two. You know, kind of a… 'let's see who has the bigger problem' type of thing."
Heero's gaze was curious. "Problem?"
"Well, you know, neither of us were truly happy the way things were, so we'd get together to gripe about it."
Heero chuckled. "Misery loves company, I guess."
"Exactly. But then she got this crazy idea that we should, well, switch partners for a while, to see—"
"To see which of you had the better deal," Heero finished.
Sally nodded. "It started when I took you to the bike shop," Sally murmured. "But honestly, Heero, everything from that point on has been my own decision. I've really enjoyed spending time with you. And if it weren't for Relena…"
Heero reached over, enfolding Sally's hand in his own. She smiled at the touch, wrapping her other hand over his. It was a simple gesture, she mused, but it held more warmth than a millennium full of sunshine.
"So if I understand this correctly," Heero continued, picking up their conversation, "Relena's been spending the last few days with… Wufei?"
Sally nodded.
"You don't think—"
"I do think, but I don't understand how, or even if it's possible. Wufei's temperament can be so… volatile at times."
"Perhaps. But has everything Relena said about me been proven true?"
Sally's smile was chiding. "Of course not. But the idea that those two might actually hook up is… well, incredible."
"Then we'll just have to wait and see for ourselves."
"I suppose. I guess it's not so strange, considering our own… situation."
Heero gave her fingers a squeeze before letting go to maneuver around a sharp turn. "Don't look now," he said as the trees suddenly ended, opening a view of sunlit cliffs and white stone buildings before them, "but I think we're here."
"It feels like I'm falling," Relena said once they had reached a stoplight.
"What?" Wufei asked, turning his head to hear her.
"I said it feels like I'm falling! When the bike leans!"
"You don't have to scream, woman!"
"Sorry. I guess I just have to get used to this."
Wufei paused. His voice was warmer when he spoke again. "Try not to think about it. It's not as bad if you just let your body sway with the movement of the bike."
She nodded, giving him a small smile. "Alright. Thanks, Wufei."
With the change of the light they were off again, traveling streets and directions at random. He cut away from the main avenues, heading toward the areas with less traffic so she could simply enjoy the ride. Eventually, he could feel her relaxing against him, no longer squeezing at his waist, but merely resting there, her body a comfortable weight at his back. He watched her through his rearview mirrors as she gazed around at the places they passed, smiling when she caught another's eye. She seemed so carefree – it was a far cry from the way she'd looked that afternoon.
It was a chance decision that brought them to a gas station for bottled water and a stretch of their legs. "How do you like it?" Wufei asked, speaking of the motorcycle.
"It's wonderful!" Relena said after a sip of her water. "I love the wind and the sun… I can understand why you and Heero love those things so much."
Relena paused, mentally flinching at the mention of Heero's name. She hated that it still hurt. It wasn't like she was his jilted lover or anything. Yet she was undeniably on the rebound, and now she was out with Wufei trying to forget her troubles. Just don't let yourself get involved, she told herself.
"So, what did you do today?" she asked, needing to get out of her own thoughts for a while.
Wufei shrugged. "Drove around, mostly."
"Where to?"
Wufei gave her a look that bordered on a glare as if to say, "Why do you care?"
"What? I'm just making conversation."
The look didn't go away.
"Come on. Is it some big secret that no one can know about?"
"You're persistent, aren't you?"
"Thank you for noticing."
Wufei sighed. "Alright, woman. I went to the hills south of the city."
"I've heard about that place. There's a town there, called 'Spring,' right?"
Wufei nodded. "Ready to go home yet?"
"No! Are you trying to get rid of me?"
"I just asked in case you were tired, or—"
"Or what? Bored with your company?"
Wufei huffed, lips pressing to a thin line. A few days ago, she might have thought he looked angry this way, but now, she could see it in his eyes – she was right. She smiled at the thought, deciding not to further wound his pride by calling him on it.
Leaning against the bike upon which he sat, she took another sip of water. "I'm not, you know."
He gave her a cursory glance over his shoulder. "So… where do you want to go?"
Relena thought a moment. After the day she'd had, she didn't feel up to the crowds of shops or any busy places. She wanted some peace and quiet. "I think I would like to see the hills as well."
"The hills? Are you sure? It's quite a ways out there."
"Why, you don't have time?"
"It's not that. Are you sure you'll be okay back there? Are you cold?"
Surprisingly, despite the thinness of her sweater, she wasn't. She shook her head. "I'm fine."
"Alright then. We'll head for the hills."
Relena laughed. "You make it sound like we're running away." Upon making the statement, Relena realized that for no matter how short a time it would be, that was exactly what she wanted to do.
Sally smiled as the wind rustled her hair, squinting against the sun's fiery light. The area that Heero had wanted to show her was once again closed to traffic, so they had spent the last hour wandering the narrow streets of the village, every bit of it looking like a fairy tale setting with its tall white buildings packed so close together between a maze of cobblestone streets. They had followed the stairs and hills ever upward, taking their time until they at last reached the summit – the same sunlit cliff she had first seen on their way here.
Now she stood at the stone railing at the edge of the cliff, the town and its array of shops behind her, the setting sun fading before her. "It's beautiful, Heero," she said, her eyes exploring the shadows of the valley below. The sound of bird calls echoed in the distance, carried to her on the pine scented breeze. "I could live in that city for years and never know this place existed."
"Actually, this one I can't take credit for. Marcel – one of the violin players from the café – told me about this place."
"That doesn't matter. You showed it to me."
Heero said nothing, his stormy eyes struggling with the emotions he could not put into words.
Sally smiled, taking a step closer to him. "It's alright, Heero," she said, lifting his arms and pulling them around her. "I understand. Words fail where feelings thrive." Heero hesitated, unsure of just how to respond to her actions. But she stopped him from backing out, threading her arms through his and pulling him closer. Heero relaxed into the embrace, his hesitation fading as he folded his arms around her, inhaling the scent of the wind and the sun that clung to her. "I know there are many things you aren't used to," Sally murmured against his chest, "but if you'll let me, I can show you… I can show you beautiful things, just as you've shown me."
This was the second hug she'd given him, and it was no less gratifying than the first. This was something he could definitely get used to. "Sally…"
"Look, Vincenzo! Don't they make a beautiful couple?"
Sally and Heero turned wide eyes upon an elderly couple walking behind them, the woman favoring them with a kind smile. Heero pulled back, feeling awkward at the sudden attention, but Sally kept him close with an arm around his waist.
"Now Stella, you've gone and ruined their moment."
"Nonsense, Vincenzo. They can suffer an old woman's meddling."
Sally laughed. Heero smiled, as well.
"It's our anniversary today," the woman chimed, her smile bright enough to momentarily banish her age. "Forty-two years we've been together now. Vincenzo gave me my first kiss right where you're standing."
Vincenzo reddened. "No, it wasn't. It was over there, somewhere…"
"You're head's gone soft, old man. I remember it exactly. Look here –" Stella approached the pair, her gaze intent. "See? This tile's cracked in two."
All looked down at Sally and Heero's feet, where sure enough, one of the stone tiles was cracked in two, molded and well worn from years of age.
"Most of these tiles are cracked in two, Stella. The renovation plans won't cover this area for another two –"
"It was the only tile cracked forty-two years ago! I remember it exactly. Right in the middle of the stone railing, three tiles from the edge was a cracked one. And that's where you kissed me! He gave me a flower that day, too," she whispered to Sally, her voice instantly softening. "A bright yellow rose, because he remembered I like yellow flowers. He said it looked pretty in my hair," she confided, smiling as she patted her waves of gray loosely pulled into a bun at her nape. She sighed. "It was darker then, though."
"They still look pretty in your hair, my dear. Just as the day I met you."
Stella's features melted into a smile as she shuffled back to her husband, rewarding him with a brief kiss. "You're a dyed in the wool romantic, Vincenzo. You always have been."
"Only for you, my dear."
Stella laughed, blushing at the comment. Sally and Heero couldn't hide their chuckles, either.
"Come now," Vincenzo coaxed. "Let's leave these two alone before we're late for our dinner."
Stella nodded. "That's a lucky spot!" she called, being escorted away on her husband's arm. "I'm sure it will bring you years of happiness!"
Sally waved goodbye at the two, watching a moment longer as they laughed and joked with one another. "It's nice to see people like that," she sighed, leaning her head against Heero's shoulder. "I hope I'm still like that when I'm that old."
"A 'dyed in the wool romantic,'" Heero repeated, thinking.
"Hm? You mean Vincenzo?" Sally smiled as she hugged him tighter. "You're a romantic too, Heero."
"You think so? But I don't have any flowers."
"You don't need flowers to be a romantic," she said, pulling back to look him in the eye. "All it takes is a sentimental heart… and an appreciation for beauty."
Heero gazed at her. "You think I have these things?"
She nodded. "I've always thought so. Relena told me about the bear you gave her."
Heero smiled, remembering.
Sally turned her attention to the setting sun. "I used to hate red sunsets," she stated, regarding the crimson horizon. "I remember a time when it seemed like blood was being spilled every day. I used to think that maybe it would never end, maybe we would all just keep spilling each other's blood until it filled up the sky." Sally sighed. "At least, that's what I thought… until I met a certain gundam pilot." She looked up at him, watching his tangles of hair swirling in the breeze. "I'm glad you came back, Heero. I missed you. I didn't realize how much… but I missed you."
Heero was shocked to see tears shimmering in her blue eyes. He didn't know what to say – but then again, maybe no words were needed. He reached up to touch her gentle face, his hand caressing her cheek, moving over her neck to graze the softness of her hair. He didn't realize he was closing the gap between them until their noses nearly met. He hesitated only a moment though, before lowering his head to taste of her rose petal lips.
By the time they hit the southern road, the sunlight was already turning golden. Relena gasped as they cleared the first of the upward sloping stretches of road, its crest revealing a breathtaking view into the deep valley below. "It's beautiful," she whispered, forgetting Wufei couldn't hear her above the engine. She thought about repeating it, but really there was no need. The silence they shared was comfortable enough.
The sun dipped lower in the sky, filling the day with dusky orange light. The sun itself was a molten ball of copper, flirting through the canopy of trees to cast dense shadows across the road ahead of them, enclosing them in a preternatural twilight as though they were suddenly in a world apart from the rest, isolating them from all that troubled them in the city. A chorus of cicadas had already begun, and the air was alive with yellow-green flashes of lightning. Suddenly Relena didn't care if she never stopped riding, never stopped traveling south on this road with Wufei. Not if everything could always be like this. Yet soon the trees gave way to lodges, then businesses and tourist attractions, a large sign announcing their arrival in the town of Spring, population 2,037.
Wufei headed in the direction he had earlier that day, remembering a place with a good view. (Actually, he had thought at the time that Relena might like it. He only hoped that no one else had claimed it.) The crowd he'd encountered that morning was nearly double now, as throngs of people swarmed over the tables and booths displaying various crafts and artworks, or tempting the stomach with aromas that made the mouth water. Away from these attractions, groups huddled under newly glowing streetlights chatting about the highlights of the day and what to do next; others were taking advantage of the last remaining daylight to snap pictures.
By the time Wufei guided his bike away from the activity, the fire of the western horizon was already cooling. Wufei followed the main road into the woods as far as he could, then turned off to follow the narrower dirt paths as he had previously. It took many twists and turns, but eventually lead them to precisely the place he'd had in mind.
"We're here," Wufei breathed, cutting the engine.
Relena straightened, stretching her tired muscles. Her neck felt stiff from the helmet, and she couldn't wait to get it off. Sliding off the seat, she reached her arms toward the sky only to pause a moment later as her eyes caught the view. "Oh," she whispered, momentarily unable to say more. The frenzied mass of activity they had passed through just a short time ago was now laid before her, some 500 feet below. On the horizon, the dark outlines of the distant hills blended with the ever growing dark, watching over the brightly lit town like sentinels. "It's amazing," she said at last, glancing back at Wufei. He was smiling at her. She looked away, suddenly nervous. He was so handsome when he smiled…
Wufei regarded her a moment longer before getting up to retrieve the blanket from the bike's rear compartment. His eyes returned to her as he unfolded it. She was beautiful, simply standing there at the edge of the cliff – somehow other worldly, wearing the pink light of the setting sun like a second skin. "Why don't you take off your helmet?" he asked, spreading the blanket over the ground.
She turned, seemingly pulled out of her thoughts. "Hm? Oh… I guess I… forgot." Wufei rose as she fiddled with the straps, moving to join her by the cliff. Her fingers were unfamiliar with the clasp, however, so when Wufei's hands brushed hers away, she willingly complied. Again, she had the feeling of a child being catered to, but Wufei's manner was far from condescending. In fact, he was being more gentle and kind than she had ever though him capable of being.
She pulled her helmet free when the task was done, running her fingers through her bangs. Wufei was staring at her. She froze, caught up in the seriousness of his gaze. He said nothing, his hand moving to her jaw line, his fingers delicately tracing the mark left there by her helmet straps. Relena could scarcely breathe, her heart pounding so hard she feared it might break through her chest and fly away.
"Are you sure it wasn't too tight?"
Relena barely managed a nod, the lingering feel of his fingertips like electricity to her senses.
Something flashed out of the corner of her eye. She turned just in time to see a small brown blur dart across the blanket Wufei had spread, immediately followed by a much larger, far more reckless endangerment which seemed to be heading straight for her before lurching after the smaller creature. She took a step back to avoid the rushing menace, but faltered, her foot slipping over the looser soil toward the cliff's edge. She barely had time to register that she was falling before Wufei was there, catching her, holding her against him with a sudden movement of grace.
"You alright?"
Relena blinked, unable to think, unable to react against the onslaught of her beating heart. "Just… stunned," she managed, feeling the rush of blood that must have turned her face crimson.
"Can you stand?" he asked, gingerly setting her upright, his arms still close about her waist in case she slipped again.
Relena merely nodded. "I-I think I'm… okay now." Truth was, she felt dizzy, but it had nothing to do with her falling over. He was so close… She couldn't bear to look up, instead keeping her eyes lowered to his chest – though that wasn't helping much, either. She shut her eyes, desperate to calm herself. Let go of me, Wufei. Just let go, before I…
"Are you sure? You seem a little—"
"Barkley! Barkley, come back here!"
The pair looked up wide eyed as a girl – maybe 18 – came barging through the very same bushes as the last intruders.
"Oh, I'm sorry," she said, giving a short bow. "I didn't mean to interrupt—"
She was cut off by the nearing sound of barking, followed by the vigorous entrance of a dog that was more than half the size of the girl. Wufei let his arms slip from Relena, suddenly painfully aware of the position they had been in and how it must have looked.
"Barkley! Come here!"
The dog, however, was too full of energy, and instead of returning to the girl, bounded toward Relena. She braced herself, but was unprepared as the beast stood upon his hind legs, planting its paws upon her shoulders and unabashedly slurping at her cheek.
"Barkley! Heel!"
The dog whined, but obeyed, leaving Relena to slink back toward its master.
"I'm so sorry about all this. We were just about to leave when a rabbit hopped across our campsite, and… Well, you know dogs." The girl let out a nervous chuckle as she took a firm hold of Barkley's collar.
"No harm done," Relena said, the note of calm reassurance unmistakable in her voice. "Though he did give me quite a scare, running through here like that." The girls laughed together, and Wufei couldn't help but smile. Relena had such a way about her, she made everyone feel at ease.
The girl said her goodbye, keeping a tight hold on Barkley as she left. Wufei watched her leave, letting out a sigh when she was out of sight. Relena noted this, but said nothing as he stepped forward to straighten out the blanket, then fairly collapsing upon it as he laid back to rest his head on his hands, gazing up at the newly twinkling stars. Shaking off thoughts of the way he had held her in those arms, Relena moved to join him.
She sat down, resting her head upon her knees, staring off at the western horizon. The sun was completely gone now, the red fires of the sky rapidly cooling to shades of blue.
"You're not too cold, are you?"
She was startled by his voice. "No, I'm fine."
Moments passed in silence. Relena tilted her head up, letting her eyes wander the sky.
"Do you miss your colony?" Relena cringed. Sally had warned her that was a sensitive subject. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have—"
"It's alright."
Relena peered down at him, surprised by the tenderness of his tone.
"I can't keep blocking it out just because it's painful."
Relena nodded, turning away to look at her feet. "You're so strong, Wufei."
Wufei huffed. "That's what everyone keeps telling me. But what is strength, anyway?" He sat up now, his voice suddenly intent. "Am I strong because others are weak? or is it my past that makes me strong? My heritage?" He shook his head. "Or maybe, it's because I was once a gundam pilot…"
"No, you were a gundam pilot because you are strong, not the other way around." Relena surprised herself with the force of her words, but it did not stop her from speaking. "When I first met Heero, I knew he was different somehow, but it wasn't because he was a gundam pilot, it was his strength! It was like a force of its own… some power that could swoop down and banish all the pain and suffering in the world. I truly believed he was capable of that, and I wanted to be just like him. I wanted to have that power to change the world, to make everything better…"
"And that's what you did. You—"
"No, I was just cheating myself."
"Relena…"
"It was just an excuse to deal with the pain. I had just lost my father… inherited some kingdom I never knew existed… And suddenly I was 'Queen of the World.' What else could I do?"
Wufei bowed his head in thought. "Well, I guess we're not so different afterall."
She looked at him, unsure what to make of his statement. "What do you mean?"
Wufei looked up, focusing his gaze on a bright spot that had to be a colony. "One day I'm minding my own business, reading my book on a hill covered in flowers; the next I'm strapped inside a mobile suit, fighting to save the lives of those I care about." He leveled his gaze at her, those ebony depths for the first time revealing his soul to her. "It seems fate dealt each of us a hand bigger that we thought we could deal with."
"But…"
"Relena, you are strong. Four years ago, you taught everyone how to stand up for themselves, how to change the world. That was a feat that none of the gundam pilots could do, together or alone."
Relena was speechless. She rested her chin upon her knees and let out a breath that seemed to come from deep within the center of her despair, taking all of her energy with it. "Thank you, Wufei." She thought a moment. "But what about you? If it weren't for you – for all of you – I never would've known—"
"I can simply live my life each day as it happens, and learn to accept the bad things along with the good. If doing just that is what others call strength…"
"Then you're as strong as everyone says you are."
Their eyes met, each wanting to say more, but neither able to formulate the words. Above the town, a loud screech rent the air, followed immediately by a loud explosion above them. As they looked up, the newly darkened world was set alight by flowers of flame that bloomed in the sky. Relena smiled. Wufei, leaned back, setting conversation aside, forgetting his troubles as he simply enjoyed the fireworks display.