voiceless

Looking toward the other, sky blue hues blink before she opens her mouth to speak, “Weird? It wouldn’t be, why do you ask?” She’s mostly curious as to why he wants to learn the piano.. Along with why he’d think it’s weird, as well.

Of course if he asked her to teach him, then she’d say yes. Teaching others to play the piano is pretty much her passion at the moment.

He isn't sure how to explain it, an insurmountable ball of nerves blocking up his throat even as he struggles to type a response.『well i just wanted to learn of course! i mean, its a really pretty instrument and』He stops typing, pausing, unsure if he ought to continue. Were certain allusions out of bounds, or was he merely too scared of drawing attention to his own weakness? As if Ring wouldn't know already. Ring was the only one who could ever have a chance of knowing 'everything', and he still hoped she could be at least partially blind.

He types the name as if it will help him understand how he feels about it, but no clear emotion pops up and the name remains mysterious, untouchable, something that makes his circuits tremble without him knowing why.

Did a tribute mean they were loved and remembered? Or only that they were preparing to forget them, put them guiltlessly away and never have to worry again?

Ring doesn't need to be replaced, says some part of him, instincts and fears taking over--it isn't the intention and he knows it but fear reigns and fear is the truth, has proved itself to be the truth time and time again. He closes his eyes, afraid. He would greet her warmly and with thanks if she proved to be like Ring, graceful and kind and perfect, earnest, but perhaps he would feel bitter if she grew more successful. Perhaps he would. Perhaps he couldn't accept that, when Ring remained...

And if Jewel was successful, if they decided they could tribute him after all, then--

What then?

Against a newly made machine reminiscent of him aside from a reworked appearance and a name and a voice, a voice a voice a voice, that could dance as he could and do all he was meant to besides... well, how long would it be until he really ceased existing?

☇♪⊱~—; Huh. This kid has strange taste in clothing.

Actually it almost looks familiar. Not the outfit itself, but the style of ‘no sane human wears that unless they’re cosplaying’. Lots of Vocaloids are designed with that style for outfits. One from a different company?

Could just be a cosplayer though.

          「Hey.」Get the kid’s attention first.

          「That your normal outfit?」

Stops, blinking--confusion, slight apprehension, what did he do wrong? But attention altogether is not a bad thing, not at all, not even slightly, and when no cruel words come out, he gives the guy a quick smile. Even if he would've anyway, no matter what he said.

『yes! thats right, mm m』, he types, holding up his phone so Mikuo can see the message. That was this person, right? He was a little unsure, but he thinks he's right.『uuuu. ... sorry, guess its a little weird, www!! but, i was given this, and i like it a lot. weird too, ww w....』

Lui

「Hibiki… ain’t it?」He arched his eyebrows. The reason why he’d come to talk to him was a mystery though. Not that he minded. He looked like a pretty interesting kid.

「What’s up?」

Ah! Recognition brings a wide smile to his face and an energised nod so large it's almost a bow--and half is, since it wasn't as if he expected anyone to know. Pulling his phone out of his pocket and typing a response, he holds up the screen so the UTAU can read the message--『yes!! thats me!』

                                                              its too quiet in here.                                                               hello? is anybody there?                                                               aa, right, no one can hear me.                                                               not even me.                                                               i guess thats how its meant to be.

it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hURTS WHY DOES IT HURT WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME IS IT A GLITCH DID I PRESS SOMETHING right i pressed something. must have. you didnt do anything wrong. sorry.

                             i wish it wasnt so dark.                                                               ring-nee?                              not here. it must be over.                              i knew it was coming for a while.                              since i went out in the rain that time                              and no one wants me anyway.

                                                              except ring-nee, but                                                               she would want anyone                                                               and is too nice to                                                               let me go.

                                                              its time for me to go,

isnt it? ...ill show myself out. dont trouble yourself. i know what i have to do.

                             『      

                                        sorry, ring-nee.                                         you deserved a better counterpart                                         right from the beginning, huh?                                         thank you.                                         you made me really happy.                                         even though im just a failure                                         you still treated me like your brother.                                         called me talented, and                                         well, truth was, i never thought it was true                                         but i didn't want to upset you.                                         sorry.                                         you were the same in some ways, right?                                         sorry if i ever upset you.                                         i love you, ring-nee.                                         you're perfect. i hope you know that.

                                        im sure someday                                         everyone will hear                                         your beautiful voice.

                                                                                                                         』

Being unable to consume food and drink like most VOCALOIDs and cold, hard skin in areas are not the only ways that Lui's mechanics fall short due to his unfinished state.

As breath samples are included in a voicebank, Lui makes no sound when 'breathing', despite his chest automatically moving up and down to simulate it.

He lacks extensive senses--while his hearing and vision are impeccable, his sense of smell is weak and often simply off. He frequently doesn't notice scents unless they're overpowering, or can wrongly identify them. Naturally, he has no sense of taste whatsoever. Touch is fine, but he is unable to feel differences in outside temperature. With this said, he still prefers cold weather. He knows when it's hot because of the effect excessive heat has on his system, and the idea of overheating scares him. He also does not feel pain, though a situation that would normally induce pain in a human would undoubtedly trigger an intense fear response (and plenty of error and warning messages, depending on the extent of the damage).