Someone finally tries to handle Imi's pron!trauma...

[justanimitator]

[Soooo, this one time, Imitator!Len actually did make it to the library [though he doesn't know who the 'librarian' is yet...] ...mostly because it was a combination of rainy and snowy out, and he didn't like what it did to his clothing or running back to the bus to change (again).

As he is standing by the shelves, trying to figure out how everything is sorted and what to look for, he notices a familiar face...]

Comments

[defender]

[When Miku looks up from her choice of reading for the day - a history textbook from a world she had never heard of, which is not unusual in the dressing room library -- it is with the firm conviction that someone is nearby.]

[She isn't disappointed. When she turns around, there is a Len by the bookshelves, sopping wet, the vaguely lost expression on his face decidedly familiar.]

[Raises a brow.] Haven't you figured out how to use an umbrella yet, Len?

[justanimitator]

[startled at first, then gives a friendly-- though slightly shy-- wave]

Miku-san!

...Um, those are?

[defender]

Protection from the rain. [Makes a gesture to her own umbrella, which is dripping silently inside a container placed at the entrance -- probably placed there by Gakupriest, but she hadn't considered it that far.]

You can look at it if you'd like. I'm not leaving anytime soon.

[justanimitator]

Like... those things people hold over their, um, heads? [goes over to look at it]

...It's similar. But-- ah-- those are round and this is a stick. [gives the umbrella a poke]

[defender]

[Bluntly:] Undo the strap and press the button by the handle.

That will probably look more familiar.

[justanimitator]

[does so-- then almost jumps back about 5 feet when it unfurls]

Oh! These are umbrellas?! I didn't know they could do this...

..........

...................

Aaaah, this is why I am um-- here.

[defender]

What's why you're here?

[justanimitator]

All, um... It's kinda like... I know the word, but not what it is, or I know what it is, but not the word....

Sometimes, though, I um-- know both, but then everyone tells me... different things about it!

[defender]

I imagine that might happen given your - ah, circumstances. Even the best of us occasionally suffer from similar problems.

[Turns a page of her book.] What do you mean, 'different things'?

[justanimitator]

R-- really? I'm glad...

Um! At first it was because of 'Valentine's Day'. Another Miku-san said to uh, help make hearts out of paper... Which was interesting... and 'liking' people and it being fun.

Then another Len-san said 'Valentines' was a trick to um, sell things and that it was really a day a lot of people died and really bad...

Then another another Len-san said it was a good day to 'play cards right' and then it got really, um, weird...

[defender]

Ah. Valentine's. [Allows herself a low chuckle.]

Yes, different people will have different opinions on that holiday. Would you like a complete and unbiased explanation?

[justanimitator]

...Um, yes! Actually...

[defender]

Very well, then.

[Closes her book, immediately launching into a highly factual explanation of Valentine's Day.] The first Len is correct. Valentine's Day began as a commemoration of a religious figure named Saint Valentine. As there are several Saint Valentines, it is debated as to which the day is supposed to celebrate; nevertheless, it is supposed to be the day on which this Saint Valentine was martyred. Essentially, executed.

Over the years, however, it eventually evolved into a celebration of romance due to an entirely fictional account of this Saint Valentine writing a romantic letter to his beloved before his death, hence your Miku's explanation that Valentine's is a day to have fun and celebrate the one you like. [Sets her book on a side table, apparently no longer interested in reading it.]

The first Len's bias probably comes from the fact that in modern times it has become a consumer-based holiday in which those in love are encouraged to express their feelings and present the object of their affections with gifts. Many will argue that true love does not require gifts and that the celebration of the holiday is merely a scam to con people out of their money.

...and as for the last, well... Valentine's is also a day for, ah, expressing one's love. Often physically. 'Playing cards right' is an euphemism for manipulating a situation into receiving what one desires, and so... he, ah, probably wants... romantic attention on Valentine's.

[Summing up:] I personally avoid the conflict entirely and do not participate in any form of celebration.

[defender]

Have you decided that you want to play anything in particular?

[justanimitator]

Thinking about it. Um, I know 'drums' are easiest... but I think, I mean, from PVs... most 'Lens' play guitar or uh... that keyboard-guitar thing. What is it called?

...So those might be more fun. Or easy.

[defender]

A keytar?

[smiles] You should try it.

[justanimitator]

Yes, that's it! And um, I will...

[searching now for the word 'keytar' on the spines. maybe 'keyboard' will work better?]

[defender]

Do you suppose they're any different from pianos or other keyboards?

[justanimitator]

They look um, similar... but wouldn't you hold them differently?

Er. Wait, you don't really 'hold' a piano at all.

[defender]

[With more than a hint of curiosity.] I might be able to.

[justanimitator]

...I kind of, um... want to see that.

Haven't tried it myself. Um, Rin said I probably can hold more than a 'human', but pianos are pretty big and heavy.

[defender]

Unfortunately, I haven't seen any grand pianos around, and I don't think anyone owns one.

The Queen, perhaps, but I would be reluctant to visit the castle.

[justanimitator]

Awww. [maybe a little disappoint, he really wanted to see Miku-san pick up a grand piano]

Oh, a Queen lives in that castle?

I'm... going to try the keyboard books, I guess. Um, I'll have to figure out the 'holding' part somehow... I don't have a 'keytar' anyway, so it'll take a while. Plus I'm learning other things too.

[defender]

Perhaps you should borrow one from the other Vocaloids. I'm sure they have spares.

Quuen Rin. I haven't met her personally, but I'm on good terms with her servant.

[justanimitator]

Eeeeh, but asking a favor is a little...

...


[Len quickly spins around, shocked]

Queen Rin? Her servant?!