[IC] [Old Radio/Waiting in Earth Crossover]

[futureforbirds]

(( Continued from here. ))

**So, Kaito, KAITO and Mekaito have been traveling for a short while now. Mekaito is still playing the radio because I guess it has an infinite life cheat or something and trailing behind the others, waiting for commands and giving the occasional input. Kaito is roaming about, staring at all of the pretty flowers and random wildlife with amazement. It's overwhelming compared to the bleakness of his hometown.** 

Comments

2/2

[abovethewall]

**Mekaito stares a bit, looks at KAITO, and looks at the rest of the city**

... How do you kick back?

[deteriorated]

[Now he blinks at the little robot.]

Kick back?

[abovethewall]

He said... Kick back, and take a break.

**Mekaito might have thought 'take a break' on its own to mean sleeping, but kicking back could be a different matter entirely**

[deteriorated]

[KAITO has to process this for a little while, before smiling. Not quite laughing, but almost there.]

He means 'relax'. It's another way to say it.

[abovethewall]

Oh.

Master has a lot of words for the same things. I don't know them all yet.

[deteriorated]

If you're confused, you can ask me. Humans have a lot of ways to say one thing.

Do you want to do anything, while we're waiting for [the master] him?

[abovethewall]

Thank you!

**he thinks about the question for a moment, before suddenly a flicker of realization shows on his face**

... I forgot the radio. We should get it back.

**It seemed that all three members of the Kaito squad were too preoccupied to notice... the sad song that continued to play when Len had shut down, and got further as they walked away. They had all grown too accustomed to that thing.

But that would mean returning to that scene already. Mekaito was already a little aware of the significance**

I'm sorry I did that. It's the first time I ever forgot.

[deteriorated]

[The radio... he hadn't even noticed. None of it really crossed his mind, either, since he was so preoccupied. The thought of it erased the smile from his face. He wasn't really sure about going back.

But the radio was important to the human. If they had to, they had to.]

It's okay, [he says softly.] You're right. We should go now, before we forget again.

[abovethewall]

Master would be sad if we left it. Let's go.

**Mekaito pointed himself toward the decrepit house, and began to run, not walk. Once he reached the door, he turned and looked over his shoulder to make sure that KAITO had kept up with him.**

[deteriorated]

[He actually hadn't expected the run, so he's a little behind. It's fine, though, it's not like he needs to stretch before running or anything. He manages to jog up to where Mekaito was waiting.]

[abovethewall]

**the miniature robot nodded when KAITO caught up, and peeked inside the house. Len was exactly where they'd left him. Mekaito quickly glanced away. The radio was in the corner. He went straight there to pick it up.**

Got it.

[deteriorated]

[While it was still a little hard to see Len like that, KAITO couldn't help but notice Mekaito looking away. He couldn't help but be overwhelmed with his own feelings about the matter, but did Mekaito understand what had happened?

Better to save the thinking for later. He felt disrespectful enough just leaving his little 'brother' here.]

Okay. [His voice was pitched down, like a whisper.] Good job.

[abovethewall]

**Mekaito nodded and held the radio to his chest, closing his eyes for a moment to process its sound. But after that was done, he found himself looking again at the 'body'.**

...

[deteriorated]

[KAITO watches Mekaito for a moment before stepping inside the home, his concern for the young robot overriding his own feelings. He puts a hand on Mekaito's shoulder and asks:]

Are you okay?

[abovethewall]

KAITO...

... Being broken is scary.

**he said this in his usual decisive tone, and then turned to look up at him. He was remembering how KAITO's arm had froze up earlier, and making the connection of age. They were the same age, so it was concerning. But also, he knew that he was made of the same stuff as them...**

[deteriorated]

[It was just like talking to a little kid. He hadn't even really thought of how much Mekaito could process. The little robot looked so outdated compared to the other Vocaloids that KAITO didn't think much of what it could or couldn't understand.

Well, not anymore. He wasn't going to underestimate the little one anymore.]

It seems that way, doesn't it? [He couldn't disagree there. Even he was skirting on the edge of breaking down completely.] Sometimes I'm scared too.

But... don't let it scare you too much, Kaito. You'll be scared all your life.

[abovethewall]

I won't. [his voice is steadfast. After a moment, though, he becomes thoughtful.]

... but ...

Master was scared too. I think.

[In fact, this was he first time he'd even tried to guess what his Master was feeling - No. Guessing Master's feelings was simply the result of another question that had sprung to mind. He was beating around the bush. When did he learn to do that?]

... ....

Do humans break?

[deteriorated]

[...should he lie? KAITO frowned in thought, not sure how to answer. If Mekaito was like a child, wouldn't the thought of his master dying be frightening? Then again, it might be better to tell the truth. Leaving Mekaito to guess on his own was just as bad as lying.]

Yes, [he answered. His voice was firm, like he forced himself to say it.] Yes, they can. If they get very hurt or... or if they get old.

[abovethewall]

Oh.

Is that what you mean by "die?"

**he'd heard the word used by both parties, but at the time, he neither understood what it meant, nor particularly cared**

[deteriorated]

[He nods.] That's what it's called.

[abovethewall]

**he nods back, and thinks about that for a moment. After a moment, he makes a face.**

You were right. It's not fair.

**of course, he's not invoking this with years of loneliness and abandonment, the way KAITO had. Although he is deducing things, those complexities still elude him. He merely thinks it's unfair that he has to die. Or anyone, for that matter.**

[deteriorated]

It isn't, but it happens.

["We just have to keep living," his master once said. And KAITO tried to continue onward with that in mind.]

It can be hard sometimes, but... that's how things are. [He tries to offer a smile.] So, all we can do is make sure we're happy. The master, too.

[abovethewall]

Happiness?

**he stares as though trying to comprehend. What does happiness have to do with anything we've been talking about?
After a moment though, he thinks he gets what KAITO is trying to say. Or at least, he can pretend he gets it.**

Okay. I'll make sure of it.

**he looks back down at the radio. How can he be happy? Mekaito remembers the time he used the radio to imitate KAITO, after he seemed to be moved while singing. He wondered if KAITO's singing was a key to understanding emotions the way that he did.**

Hey, KAITO.

Umm.

How is music formed? You know?

[deteriorated]

[He can only explain so much, being the fail!brother that he is. Well, maybe Mekaito will understand someday. He was still new, after all.

At the question, he tilts his head curiously.]

Music? It's sound that we produce. [He pauses awkwardly. Maybe this is why the humans study.] I don't know exactly how the sound is made... but humans use the different kinds of sound to make music. As a Vocaloid, I can sing whatever they want me to. All they have to do is give me the data.

[abovethewall]

**Oh. So music was something that only humans could understand. Mekaito looks slightly disappointed.**

Okay. I got it.

**his fingers absently rest on the dials of the radio, although in the end he doesn't fiddle with them. He doesn't understand the machine, and wouldn't want to disappoint Master by changing something important.**

We have the radio. What should we do now?