+Big Al+
We all stood at attention, listening to Kaito and Meiko talk at the front of the crowded living room. I looked down at Ann, who was straining her neck to see above everybody's heads. I grinned a little, and lifted her up onto my back. She squeaked in surprise, but then giggled and hugged my neck. Kaito began speaking.
"We think we've found a way out of the computer. Anyone who wants to try and get out, we're going on an experimental run to see if it works. Please raise your hand and step forward if you want to come."
Oliver and Len stepped forward, followed nervously, if not shyly, by 96Neko. Piko also came forward, dragging Ritsu behind him. Then came Lola, Leon, and Gumi. Ann set her head on my shoulder.
"Al, I think we should go." she whispered, and I nodded without question. I think I understood. I pushed my way to the front of the crowd, and Kaito smiled at us. We looked out at the crowd, and a few others were muttering to each other, debating whether they should go or not. Aoki was pushed forward, and she looked back at a curly-haired girl, SeeU, blushing. SeeU gestured for her to go forward, and so Aoki did, joining Piko.
Then the unexplainable happened.
Honne Dell came forward, chewing on a pocky stick.
Why a pocky, I would never know.
The assembled vocaloids fell quiet, all waiting for him to say anything. Long minutes dragged by, not even Meiko saying anything, before he obliged the hushed crowd.
"I was bored." he said, rolling his eyes. "I'm only doing it for Haku." Haku was another third floor resident, with insensible long grayish-white hair and red eyes. Personally, I thought she was a very interesting person, but others didn't seem to agree. Except Honne, I suppose.
Kaito cleared his throat awkwardly, and continued, telling the others to hang in there and contact him immediately through our communication software if anybody else caught the Virus. Afterwards, as everyone dispersed, Gakupo came forward. He was one of Kaito's good friends, and I had heard that he had once even had a crush on Kaito, but then met Luka, and they were now happily dating.
"Hey, comm me right after you get out of here, okay? Luka might get worried." he commented, glancing back at his pink-haired lover. She smiled and nodded, her serious blue eyes sparkling.
"Please do. I want one from Meiko too, okay?" she said sweetly, taking Kaito's hands in hers. The bluenette nodded, and glanced at his own girlfriend, who came forward and hugged Luka.
"Of course!" she said, then motioned to the gathered group, including Ann and me. Honne Dell stepped forward along with the rest of us, creating an uneasy wave to spread from the back. I frowned. He was one of us, and had willingly joined the experiment. What was there to be uneasy about? He was just a little unfriendly, that's all. Apparently Ann shared my feelings, because she puffed out her cheeks indignantly. I realized she was still hanging on my back, and looked at her, eyebrows raised in a silent question. She shook her head, reading my thoughts, and I just shrugged. Whatever she wanted.
+Leon+
I ran my hand through my hair as we trekked up to the front door of the House. It was at the end of a long hallway, and covered in digital cobwebs. Kaito, the leader of this little expedition, brushed them away and hesitantly placed his hand on the doorknob. We all waited with bated breath, since nobody had ever opened the door, much less walked through it. I swallowed nervously, and reached out to Lola. She took my hand, her tan skin contrasting with my own pale tone, and I smiled. I didn't feel as nervous with her behind me.
I looked over at her, and she gently squeezed my hand, allowing a tiny, encouraging smile to slip through as she glanced over at me as well.
I blushed and turned back around, where Kaito was turning the knob. The door creaked open, and the first line of volunteers filtered through, to the outside.
The outside…
Was there an outside? Or were they just disappearing?
I peered through when it came to Lola and me, at the back of the group with Al, Ann, and Gumi.
The ground was just layer upon layer of zeros and ones, all moving so quickly and blending with barely readable words, that it appeared to be walkable. I decided to try my luck, and stepped out. I could stand, so I looked up. The others were there, waiting for the last of us. I smiled and led Lola out, followed closely by the other three.
Everyone looked around, awed by the previously unknown outside. We then looked to Kaito for direction, but it was Meiko who cleared her throat and began speaking.
"We'll go this way," she said loudly, pointing right, "and look for another folder. From there, we'll see if there are any ejectable devices in right now, download ourselves, and we're out!"
We began the journey onward, through the endlessness of the zeros and ones, toward what looked like a sky of blue codes and data. It reminded me of the setting of one of Len's video's. Imitator, I think.
I followed the rest, smiling. Would this really work? What if we actually got out? Or, what if, when we got out, we just disappeared because software data couldn't exist with a real body outside? I decided not to dwell on it and just keep moving forward. If we could survive a discontinue (courtesy of our dear creators), then we could survive this.
Right?
A/N: Hey guys. Another a/n, I know. I hate these things too. But please read this. Leon, Lola, and Miriam are in actual danger of being discontinued. As in, no more VOCALOID 1. Please sign the petition - [link in the reviews] Sorry for advertising, but this is important. Seriously. Anywho, see you next chapter, ég elska þig!