Ballad of Flowers

Chapter 34

                The sun shines bright in the sky, getting in Apple's eyes as he walks to one of the newer stores that had popped up in town. They seem to specialize in Synth matters, selling all kinds of parts and models of them. There were so many that the walk seems rather short from the apartment. Apple figured he'd just kill two birds with one stone and pick up his stuff from his old home with Orchid. He never wanted to see her again.

He walks into the freshly built shop, tables and displays smooth and sleek in design. Various touchscreen stations allowed customers to discreetly order and purchase different kinds of Synth. Instead of living, breathing employees, the store was monitored, maintained, and managed entirely by Synthetic Lifeforms. It was strange, seeing them act so human-like from their movements to their expressions.

The cherry colored parakeet keeps his head down, ignoring an attendant that attempts to approach him. He just wanted to be in and out. Speed-walking to one of the tablets, he avoids eye contact or conversation. When he reached one, he just decided to pick a featured model and make a few minor changes. In store pickup- he didn't want to wait for it to arrive. He finishes the order, placing it and finding a suitcase-like container at his feet in seconds.

As he opens the familiar hatch, he grumbles and drops down to the cement floor. The lights seem to flicker, being left on for quite a long time now. He snatches his hammock, a picture of mom and dad, and a small birdcage. They used to have a pet parakeet, but it got out one day. It was the only thing that brought relief to Apple's mind, a downwards spiral leading from that moment. Not wanting to reminisce on the sour memory, he shoves all he grabbed into a duffel bag and leaves. He doesn't bother locking the hatch behind him. Orchid could get shot to death for all he cared.

Practically running up the stairs, Apple ends up winded as he reaches the more familiar apartment door. He steps inside after unlocking it with a swift movement of his hand, setting everything down on the couch. Sorting through everything, he puts the hammock and birdcage in the closet, leaving the framed picture on the kitchen counter. That left the Synth. He grumbles quietly, opening up the case to find a mostly assembled android inside. Shit, I must've left that on default... He sighs, finding a bright pink and red female model. She had intricate parts and mechanical pieces; visor devoid of life. He starts to snap on disconnected limbs and parts, preparing for its first startup.

Crossing his fingers, he switches the bare form of the android on and steps back as it boots up. Status lights flicker on, a soft hum coming from the back of her head. Eyes fade onto her visor as her limp body becomes a bit stiffer, eyes focusing. Apple didn't realize he was holding his breath, watching closely as life flows into her. Strawberry. That's what her name should be. The parakeet ponders this as she looks up at him silently. "... Hello...?" She tests her voice, fixing a small tremor in her voice briefly. She sits silent for a moment, thinking about her sudden existence. "Who... Who am I? Who... Who are you?" She asks, voice laced with fear. "What's my name?"

"Strawberry. Your name is Strawberry..." She pauses, registering this information. "What am I? Why am I here?" He shrugs. "Y'know, a lot of people ask the same question. I couldn't really give you a straight answer." She thinks for a moment. "... What's your name?" Strawberry asks quietly, eyes a bit panicked. "It's Apple. I just got you from one of those new Synth stores, so I definitely wasn't expecting you to be so... Talkative."

"... A-Apple... I'm... Afraid..." She whimpers, curled up near a recliner. He pauses, giving her a suspicious look. "Why? What's wrong?" She squirms slightly. "I don't understand... A-Am I not real? I'm not... Alive?" She tears up, tone full of tremors. "Not really. I guess you're sorta just a robot." She pauses, curling up a bit tighter as she starts to cry. He watches her do this, slightly regretting his words.

A few minutes later she had calmed down. "C-Can I... go outsid- ""No." He nearly shouts, Strawberry flinching back from the blunt answer. "W-Why not?" She queries with a shake in her voice. "Because I said so. You need to listen to me, alright?" His tone is sharp and harsh, scaring the Synth further.

She had gotten up, nervously standing and exploring the house. Apple followed behind her, not wanting her to get into any trouble. She enters the bedroom first, looking around the bed and nightstand. She notices small wrinkles and tears in the bed sheets, a few stains of blood, and a framed photo of an otter. He looks nervous, smile forced. After a few seconds of processing, she came to a conclusion.

"A-Apple... Did you hurt someone in here?" He perks up, anger flaring in his heart. "Don't. We do not talk of him." He snaps, glaring at her. She flinches back, taking a few steps away from him as she backs into a corner. "A-Are you... Are you going to hurt me?" She whimpers, trembling. He pauses, glare fading and fists loosening. "No, never dear... I would never hurt you... I'm sorry..." He takes a few deep breaths, sitting down on the side of the bed. She stops shaking, slightly lowering her guard. "I lost someone recently. I... I don't know where he went. I loved him, but he's gone now... I don't want to talk about him..." Apple tears up, resting his face in his palms.

She hugs him lightly, eyes drifting shut as Apple tenses up slightly. It was the first hug someone had given him in... So long... He leans into it, tears escaping onto his cheeks as he silently cries in her arms. She felt a bit warmer than Apple remembered, the coaxing warmth drawing him in closer. He just wanted to sit in her embrace forever. He finally understood now...