{Vocaloid} Where the Odd Ones Lie

Preparations

The day began like any other. They set up the equipment, occasionally practiced, and sat around just chatting. Once most of the things were set up, Mayu sat alone under an oak tree, thinking about her family.
Even though they weren't very good to her, she couldn't help but miss them. Her sister wrote to her often; how will her sister react now that she no longer gets any responses? And her parents, what were they doing in the midst of the chaos?
Mayu began to weep silently. Maybe if she'd endured the pain of her life at home a little longer, then maybe she wouldn't be in this situation. She had made friends ; at least, she thought of them as her friends, but still she couldn't help but think about her family. She felt so lonesome in the world. She curled up into a ball on the ground. She felt cold and empty, and the autumn breeze was only a reminder of it.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

"Mayu, help me over here, would you?" Oliver called her over from her hiding spot. She rolled her eyes and went to him. "My, my. Miss Mayu, you look awful. What happened to you?" Oliver laughed. She sighed.
"What is it you want help with?"
Oliver scratched his head.
"Actually, I'm not the one in particular that needs your help. The Flowers and the Dancers need it. They're in the tent right now."

     Mayu nod and headed for the tent. The ground was covered in leaves and a light layer of sleet. She shivered and came to the unsettling realization that it was about to get very cold very soon. The leaves made a noisy sound under the feet, and the crisp breeze seemed to suck the air out of her lungs. Mayu wasn't very fond if this time of year.

      She went into the tent and the Flower sisters immediately ran up to her.
"We need you here because there's been a slight change of plans." V4 said, in a worried and tired tone. Mayu didn't have the energy to get worked up, so she simply nod and went along with what they were doing.
       When they practiced this time, the dancers and contortionists were instead under the trapeze in the center instead circling it. Mayu's heart pounded as she looked down from the first pedestal. V help onto her waist and dug her finger deep within her side. She got very close to Mayu's ear, which made her tense  and shiver.

"Listen, I know it seems like a life-or-death situation, and, on technical terms, it is. But don't see it as that. See it as gliding across the sky on a cloud. And, even if you were to fall, you wouldn't hurt anyone below you."
    It didn't make Mayu feel any better, but she nod her head anyway. She saw Miku holding the microphone and looking up at her with a very worried and pained expression. She knew that every step Miku took in her costume was paralyzing agony, but still she managed to show Mayu some sympathy. This is what gave Mayu courage.
      She took a deep breath and signaled to V that she was ready. V swung off, and Mayu shut her eyes tight. Before she knew it, she was on the other pedestal with V4, with the spotlight directly on her. The performers from below clapped for her. She saw that even Fukase smiled. She hugged Flower tight and swung off of the pedestal. She hadn't felt this good in a while.

For the rest of the night, Mayu stayed with Luka and Miku. She mainly just listened to them talk. They laughed and chattered like little girls.
"Oh, Mayu! Has she ever told you about her marvelous husband?" Miku laughed. Luka nudged her playfully and laughed.
"I do remember when he was here. They just couldn't keep their hands off of each Other! Well, I mean, it's obvious now. Hehe."
Luka blushed a bright red and she pushed Miku. Mayu chuckled.
"What does your husband look like?"

Luka sighed and smiled. "He is the most beautiful color of-"

•••"MAYU!"•••

She froze. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She slowly turned around to see "master" running up towards her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Miku and Luka cowardly shuffle away.

"What is it?" Mayu whispered.
He laughed and smiled down at her. "Please dear, call me Kei. I just wanted to let you know how proud I am of you!" He spoke with much enthusiasm, and it left Mayu very confused.

"What do you mean...Kei?" It felt almost out of place to her to call him that.
He smiled again. Yet, this time, it was different, and it made Mayu shiver from all over.
"I look forward. To seeing you perform tomorrow. Don't let me down."
He walked past her and into the darkness.
Her mood slowly deteriorated and she slept alone under the old, oak tree, and wept again.