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Chapter 12: In This Dream, There is No Room for Spite
The date had been going so well. Didi was explaining the French Revolution to him, a war he had no idea existed and that seemed almost seemed as interesting as the World Wars. Sure, they did not have his dearest Teddy Bear, but he would be looking into more about this for a future man-fiction.
It had been around fifteen minutes since Kirby had burst in spewing insults and rage. Radio had no idea why he was so mad. He was always grumpy and irritated, but he never yelled like that. He did not know if it was something he said or did, or if he had a problem with Didi, but whatever it was, he did not feel like dealing with it at the moment.
"Look, I am so sorry for how my 'friend' has been behaving. I swear, this wasn't supposed to-"
Didi smiled. "It's fine, okay? I understand. Things didn't go to plan, and that always gets people worked up. I just hope I haven't been a burden to you friendly people."
"No, of course not, dear!" He tried to sound sweet and caring, like a shoulder she could cry on. Yet, she only tensed up when he said that.
"Would you please not call me dear?" Her voice shook. "I promise, you're great… but I just… I don't know how I feel about you."
Radio was silent for a good thirty seconds, other than a couple of short and quiet squeaks. It felt as if his antenna and speakers had broken all of a sudden, giving him nothing to respond to or say. He felt nothing in his transformers except a heavy sadness he could not describe.
"Please, I promise it's not because of this… I promise I'm just weird… I promise you're a wonderful guy and all…"
He had thought for sure this was going to work out. They would visit whenever her master was out of town. They could go see movies, or hide in an arcade until after dark, or sit around playing chess and talking on a rainy day. He was going to have someone new to spend time with and talk to.
"Look, Radio, I've... changed a lot since the last time I went on a date. No matter how hard I tried, I never managed to feel anything for him besides friendship. I was hoping I'd be able to make things work with you. I was hoping I would love you like a… like a crush or a boyfriend, but nothing's happening." She had turned her dial down as low as it could go so only they could hear. Her voice came out as little more than a whisper.
What did I do wrong? Were my stories not interesting enough?... Is lying really that big of a deal?
"Didi, I'm sorry," he muttered, finally managing to choke out the words, a volume matching hers. "The only reason I told so many lies was to impress you."
She looked down. "It's not your fault! And I never minded that; your stories were so interesting, real or not. It's me. I guess I'll never be able to feel the sort of love I hear about on the Pop stations." It all sounds so… wonderful, and I just wanted to… see if I could take part. Is this a radio thing? Or an appliance thing? Can any of us feel romance?"
Her antenna curled around her. "I hate this! I hate being this! I hear about 'love' and 'romance' and 'broken hearts' all the time, but I've never understood, and I guess now I'll never have the chance to learn!"
Now it was her turn to 'cry.' With speakers for eyes, no sound would ever come out, but Radio recognized the shrill sputters and static from when he got so upset he would. He believed it to be the radio equivalent, as others back in the Radioshack made similar noises when a friend got purchased.
"I - don't - understand! Why did - this - have - to happen - to us?" Every word sounded like a channel was changed between us.
"Didi, calm down! You're breaking up on me!"
…
Not the best choice of words.
"No! The - first date - is - not real romance!" Her volume raised up a notch. "Muse told - me it's a - trial period - at best."
"I mean you need to calm down so I can understand. The reality of the situation is that even with incredible radio hearing, it's hard to know what you're saying over the static."
"I'll try," she mumbled. Already a small bit of static cleared, the buzzing with it. "And I'm sorry for wasting your time."
"Didi, here's a news flash you need to hear: I do not care if you want to date me or not." He could feel a smile come from within him. "No radio I've ever met has been able to join all those dumb humans rambling on about romance. I joined that dating site as a joke, and when I saw you on it, I was only interested in meeting someone so educated on human history. I figured I could learn something from you."
"But then why did you call it a date? Or tell your friends I may be your girlfriend?"
He shrugged. "I was hoping?"
"Ditto," she nodded, leaning in for a hug. "I wanted to learn more about being… this. But, it's pretty ironic, isn't it. We hear so much about love, yet…"
Radio laughed. "Never understand? I know how you feel. But I guess it's something all appliances have. Humans are so complex."
"Trust me, I know," her laugh was low. "I've sat through so many documentaries, and nothing humans do make sense."
"If it weren't for our dependence on batteries and outlets, appliances would have most likely taken over the world by now. At least a few of us are rational."
"Isn't that a good thought." The two turned to look out the window, where the rain was still falling, its pitter-patter blocking some of the static that rung through in all their thoughts. "We can still be friends, right?"
"Of course!" He jumped up, antenna held high. "You have the bravery to come miles for no reason but to see me, and just held the best conversation I've ever had. If I had a medal around here I'd be sure to give it to you."
Didi yawned, eyes meeting Radio. "Thanks, bud. Do you know what time is it?"
He tuned in, searching for a station announcing the time. All he got was weather reports and… Eight o'clock news with Sam Smith, coming at you!
He turned the broadcast off. "It's eight o'clock, apparently."
"Well, we still have plenty of time before bed, right? It's never fun to go to bed right after crying. Or making those ugly static sounds, I guess," she sighed.
He nodded. "Certainly."
The two sat there for a moment, staring out the window and watching the rain fall. Radio could not tell what Didi thought of it, even with her much more expressive face. "Do you like the sound?" It sounded so dumb, and yet, he wanted to make more conversation about something other than their failed three-hour attempt at romance.
"Well, I used to. Now it gives me the chills, honestly," she shrugged. "I sure hope I'm waterproof after all."
Radio thought for a second. "What's your brand? Maybe I can tell you."
Didi laughed, not holding back. "I have no idea."
"Me neither," he added, joining in.
"I guess next time I get taken to the repair shop, I'll listen in for that," she said. With another yawn, she added, "I hope there isn't any thunder and lightning."
"I'm sure we'll make it through." Radio added.
"Yeah. It's nothing but fairies dancing. Just fairies dancing." The silver girl stared off into the window.
"Just… fairies? What does that mean?" he asked.
She giggled. "Do you know what fairies are? I sure hope so."
"Well, I know that," he pouted, afraid his blush was showing through his crimson color. "But what do you mean by fairies dancing?"
"Ooh, it was an old story… my master always told the kids. You want to hear?"
Radio nodded. "You're one step ahead of me."
She thought for a moment. "Well, before I lived in the mansion, I was living in a farmhouse. The family there was kind of like yours, with two older masters, but we had two girls instead of one boy. The younger one kept me in her room. She called me 'Macaroni' of all things!"
"Anyway, she was very afraid of lightning. The thunder was even worse. Whenever there was a storm, she would cry herself to sleep, my music being the only comfort. That is until her mom found out."
"She told her this cute little story. All rain was water coming loose from clouds when fairies danced on them. Thunder was when they got a little too rambunctious in their dance. Lightning came from the crystal balls at the party. It was such a simple little thing, but it calmed the poor girl down, and she got to sleep without needing me. I didn't mind, though. I needed the sleep."
Radio thought back to the time when he held a similar role. He would serenade the little boy whose dreams of superheroes saving helpless animals were disrupted by the thunder. Only difference was that it was his Dad who told him it was the angels in heaven cheering on God's game of baseball.
While he hated to admit it, he kind of preferred the fairy story.
"What does that make hurricanes?" he asked, laughing.
Didi paused. "I never thought of that. I guess a huge fancy ball or something? The kind with hundreds of guests dancing in unison, not counting the musicians, hosts… servants…"
"And tornados would be the fairies in a rush to reach the party," he decided, her nodding in agreement. "This could be a book or something. Or a radio drama! I could see it now!"
"Eh, it's nothing more than a simple story Mom told me."
"Mom?"
"Oh, right, she was the girl's mom, not mine," Didi sighed, turning away. "I admired her just as much as her child did, I kind of called her my mom too. I hope that isn't too creepy."
"I won't judge," he assured her. "Once I was talking with Air Conditioner, and I accidentally called the master a forecaster. I don't know why, but it became the subject of some hilarious drawings on the refrigerator courtesy of Lampy eavesdropping."
He expected a laugh from Didi, but she was still. Her eyes were fixed to the window, her antenna drooping low. "Hey, is everything alright?"
She didn't respond. Already, he felt a rush of energy jolt through him. "Didi, please, are you okay? Do you need CPR?"
She shook her head. "No." He couldn't tell what emotion she was feeling from her lowered voice.
"Good, because it would not work if I tried." His chuckle at the end did not serve to make her laugh as well.
"Radio, can I tell you something? It's… kind of a secret and I doubt you'll believe me, but… I think… I think you need to know."
"My volume is off," he muttered, leaning in for something to be whispered.
Didi looked to the carpeted ground, around the blue wallpapered room, anywhere but him. "I'm… not actually a radio."
He laughed. "Oh boy, what are you then? I sure hope you aren't a lie detector, cause I'd be in trouble."
"No!" She finally looked him in the dial, antenna shooting straight up to the ceiling. "This isn't a joke or a story, I promise."
The tone in her voice was too strong to be a lie. Radio settled down, trying to keep both of them as calm as possible.
"What are you, then?"
