{Vocaloid} Where the Odd Ones Lie

Second Showing

The Flowers sat daintily in the dressing room, drowned in soft, dying ring lights. They stopped preparing themselves for a moment, holding each other for a little, looking into the mirror.

"Are you nervous?" V whispered to her little sister.
Flower smiled. "No. Not yet."

After Mayu's accident, it was very hard for Flower to continue practicing. The sight of her friend like that greatly pained her. For Mayu to have completely healed, for her physical state to be as if nothing happened was too familiar. It bothered her, but not too deeply. She was only grateful that Mayu was still alive.

"I'm very proud of you. You've done very good in your performances, Flower."
Flower smiled softly. Praise from her sister meant everything. She knew that she'd be able to carry on as long as she was there with her.

"V...do you think things will be okay?"
So much had happened, the weight of that was shared by every member. Luka was still in a resting state, becoming more and more visibly pregnant as the days went on.

V gripped her sister's shoulder.
"If not, than we can handle it. We're tough."
Flower smiled deeper, resting her head onto V's shoulder. A soft feeling of hope buzzed in her head, drowning out whatever sorrowful atmosphere had been there before.

                                ☻︎☹︎☻︎☹︎☻︎

Mayu put her costume on gently, still cautious of her body. It took a lot of convincing on her and the Flower's part to get permission to alter the show. Instead of a slight replica of the last show, this time she'd only climb her pedestal and swing with Flower, falling as Fukase caught her.
Fukase....
She knew not how she felt about him how. The fact that he'd kissed her was the least of her concern. She knew that it was done in the moment, and tried not to think about it further than that.
What really bothered her was where she was now. She'd been injured only a few days prior. For her to be doing her second show; she had to admit, was truly more exhilarating than scary. Still, she felt she needed to be feeling more anxious. It'd be normal for me to be very scared right now.
But she wasn't. No matter how hard she tried to convince herself, no matter how many "what" ifs and mistakes she thought up to scare herself, her body and mind remained calm.
Like they knew something that she did not.
She sighed, brushing her fluffy hair, and exiting the room, trying her hardest  not to think about Luka's absence.

                 ꨄꨄꨄ

This show was just as exciting for Mayu as the last. She was grateful to be able to feel the same wonder and joy she had their first show. The crowd was even larger this time, waiting in the itch of patience as the show had gone on a small hiatus. She tried to spot Gakupo in the crowd, but before she could, the show began.

Miku sang, with no one to come by her side. She sang gracefully, but Mayu knew her enough that she was struggling. Her voice was shakier and lower in pitch. She heard Miku choke back sobs earlier as they were preparing, but chose it was best to leave her be.

Still, even in Miku's pained state, she found so much beauty in this strange, complex exhibition of emotion. It filled her to the brim with a whimsical, foreign feeling. Is this the beauty of bitter-sweet? She'd never forget the way she felt watching Miku that night. It was like meeting her for the first time again.

Then, the dancers arrived. Piko danced with a look of relief on his face. He looked much more content than the last time she'd seen him. She had a strong respect for him now, after what they'd been through. Oliver danced happily beside him, feeling content whenever he could be around other people.

It wasn't long before it was her time. With the light shining primarily on the dancers & Miku, it was easy for her to climb her platform unseen. There Flower was, with a big smile on her face. Her chest heaved with each breath;she was as excited as Mayu was. There were no words exchanged between them. Mayu gripped Flower with enthusiasm, squeezing into her. It was almost time.
Then, there was their cue. Al struck his staff into the ground, a waft of soft sand forming around him. Flower lifted off with Mayu, V waiting on the side. She was thrown into V's arms, V laughing to herself as she dropped her.
Mayu plummeted with closed eyes, her stomach concaving as she awaited the fall. Strong hands clasped onto her. She looked up, Fukase softly smiling. The lights shone on them, making them squint. Mayu felt fuzzy and light. She was a completely different person than when she'd first arrived. This was something she knew to be true. She couldn't convince herself otherwise, even if she tried.

                                     ☾☾     ❣︎    ☽☽

That night, outside of the after party tent, Mayu sat with Fukase, the Flowers, and Piko. They'd taken small portions with them, leaving the rest for Oliver and the little girl to fight over.
They all sat and laughed in content. There wasn't an anxious bone in anyone of them.
Mayu looked up at the stars, just as she did when she first arrived. She was underneath a different sky. She looked around her, at the joy she had the privilege to share. She made the decision right then and there.

She'd do whatever it takes to get those people out of there.