diff --git a/src/scripts/orb.js b/src/scripts/orb.js
index b006f44..2e3aad8 100644
--- a/src/scripts/orb.js
+++ b/src/scripts/orb.js
@@ -799,7 +799,7 @@ export function startOrb(canvas, { onReady } = {}) {
   document.documentElement.addEventListener('mouseleave', onLeave);
 
   // fluid tuning
-  const FORCE = 1500;
+  const FORCE = 1950;
   const RADIUS = 0.008;
   const VEL_DISSIPATION = 1.5;
   const DYE_DISSIPATION = 1.1;
@@ -891,6 +891,7 @@ export function startOrb(canvas, { onReady } = {}) {
     into(dye.write); tri(); dye.swap();
   }
 
+  const SPEED = 1.5;
   let simT = reduced ? 8 : 0;
   let last = performance.now();
   let ready = false;
@@ -902,13 +903,14 @@ export function startOrb(canvas, { onReady } = {}) {
   }
 
   function frame(now) {
-    const dt = Math.min((now - last) / 1000, 1 / 30) || 1 / 60;
+    // everything (currents, spin, lifecycles, the cursor fluid) runs on one sped-up simulation clock
+    const dt = (Math.min((now - last) / 1000, 1 / 30) || 1 / 60) * SPEED;
     last = now;
     // simulation clock: advances by clamped steps, so a backgrounded tab resumes without a jump
     if (!reduced) simT += dt;
     const t = simT;
-    par.cx += (par.x - par.cx) * 0.04;
-    par.cy += (par.y - par.cy) * 0.04;
+    par.cx += (par.x - par.cx) * 0.04 * SPEED;
+    par.cy += (par.y - par.cy) * 0.04 * SPEED;
     const ox = par.cx * 10, oy = par.cy * 6;
 
     if (interactive) {