[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

[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 The little robot looked so outdated compared to the other Vocaloids that KAITO didn't think much of what it could or couldn't understand.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?

[deteriorated]

[KAITO felt bad. BaKAITO strikes again. And how could something with such basic facial features seem so emotive? He pats the robot's should in comfort and stands up straight.]

We should leave here, first. Then maybe we'll walk. I can sing for you, too, if you want? We can both try to sing together.

[abovethewall]

**Mekaito can't help but recall failing to sing earlier, but nevertheless, he seems to like the idea. He looks up again**

Do you think it will work?

[deteriorated]

It could. You can talk, right? That's already close.

[He adds:] And if you're not limited by your programming, you can sing anything you want. Since someone else created you, maybe you can sing your own songs.

[abovethewall]

**he can't think of any arguments for that, so**

I'll try it.

[deteriorated]

Okay. [KAITO steps back and holds his hand out.] Let's go out, first.

[abovethewall]

**Mekaito watches KAITO's movements, then nods in affirmation as he reaches for the Vocaloid's extended hand.**

Let's go.

[deteriorated]

[Taking Mekaito's hands, he leads them out of the home and into the outside air. It wasn't that he needed the fresh air or anything, but the environment was a welcome change. He looked down at the little 'bot as they walked.]

Is there a type of song you like to listen to?

[abovethewall]

**he wouldn't really know how to describe the difference, but he doesn't have a preference anyway**

I don't know.

[deteriorated]

[Hmmm. In that case, it was probably better to go by difficulty. KAITO tried to think. Did he know something that was a good 'starter' song? Maybe like a children's song?]

How about... [He thought for a moment more, before he began to sing his half of a duet.]

[abovethewall]

... [he nods and tries to copy the sounds - he repeats the lyrics but the rest he sort of mixes up and it sounds chaotic. Might need to introduce the concept of notes to him.]

[deteriorated]

[P-pfffft, KAITO hadn't actually meant for the little 'bot to copy him already. But it's an adorable attempt, really. Especially the Chinese half - if Mekaito attempted to sing it.]

Singing is like talking, [he explains,] but with different pitches and counts. When we talk, we just 'say' the words. But when we sing, the words are drawn out and have a different sound.

Like this: [He tries again, this time saying the lyrics to the song. Then, he sings it.] Do you hear the difference? You can start with just one sound, if you want. Try to say "Ah" and sing "Ah".