Distance Travelled for Arched Projectiles (Lightning Rod + Projectile Proximity Specialisation)

Hi!

I have a question about the Projectile Proximity Specialisation node of the Deadeye Ascendancy. The two alternatives, Far Shot/Point Blank modify the damage of Projectiles based on their distance travelled since firing. This seems to work mostly the same as Passives like Stand and Deliver and Death from Afar for most Projectiles, but what about Projectiels shot in an arch, like Lightning Rod? Does it ALWAYS travel more than 3.5 m, even when I shoot them directly at my feet, because they first travel upwards and then fall down? Or does the system only calculate the distance between the source (me) and the target?

Bonus question: when I trigger the Lightning Rods that are already in the ground with Lightning Arrow, to release their Lightning Bursts, are those Bursts considered Projectiles? (Does +X% increased Projectiles Damage affect the Burst damage of Lightning Rod, or only the initial impact when it hits the ground?)

Thanks to anyone who can clarify these!