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It had already begun to get dark out before Mirage started leading V2 through the city. Its optic was shut off at Mirage's request. Even blinded V2 could perfectly determine the distance and direction they had walked, as well as memorize any and all turns. That didn't help it in guessing where they were going, however, as it quickly realized it was being led to an area of the city it had never been. A place only Mirage knew of.
"May I have a hint, at the least?" V2 asked, hand-in-hand being pulled along by Mirage.
"Hmm..." The lens of her monocular eye closed in a sort of squint as she looked at nothing in the distance. She wasn't even sure she wanted to give one at all. What's the fun in spoiling the surprise, after all? "It's not something you'll expect." Her shit-eating grin was audible in her tone even if her face couldn't show it.
"That is easily one of the least helpful things you could have said."
"I know." V2 couldn't see as the lower lid of her eye raised, mimicking the eyes during a smile. Between the less-than-helpful hint (for which 'hint' may be a strong word) and the suit Mirage was wearing which V2 barely got a look at before having to shut off its optic, V2 was left well and truly in the dark just as Mirage had intended. They continued to walk, slowly and quietly. Both enjoyed walks like this. Somehow, despite everything, it felt... normal. It made the emptiness of their world feel natural, even if just for a moment. The sounds of insects filled the air, accompanied by the intermittent calls of various frogs. It felt so alive, despite the fact neither of them was even sure if there were real bugs and frogs to be making the noises. But it didn't matter to them. It was relaxing just to listen and not think about anything for a while. A few minutes passed before Mirage finally stopped.
"Is everything okay?" V2 squeezed Mirage's hand.
"Absolutely. You can turn your optic back on." The yellow light flickered to life. Its vision was unfocused for a moment as it processed what was in front of them: a great stone building. A massive stained-glass window with two smaller ones on either side. Wooden double doors sat directly in the middle ahead of them, one slightly ajar as quiet music could barely be heard coming from inside the building.
"What is this?" V2 looked at Mirage, head tilted. She said nothing but started quickly walking forward, dragging it toward the building. The inside confirmed V2's suspicion of the building being a church. Wide pews lined the length of the room, all the way up to a small front stage. No longer was it decorated with any instruments or a lectern, but rather multiple candles surrounded a small circular area of the stage highlighted by a lone spotlight. A folding plastic table sat to the side of the stage holding a decently sized phonograph, which V2 instantly identified as the source of the music. No crosses showing the Tree of Life adorned the wall, instead, they were lined with ornate stained glass windows and beautifully detailed paintings. As V2 stood taking the massive and high-ceilinged room in, Mirage already made it to the stage and was adjusting the phonograph.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Mirage gestured all around her at the building without looking away from the record player. "I guess it used to be a church. Doesn't matter though cus now it's got a new purpose." Mirage moved the needle on the record and a new song started. V2 recognized it instantly. "Know the song?"
"Schwanengesang D.957. No. 4, Ständchen in D Minor. Created by Franz Schubert. It was published posthumously."
"But have you ever just... listened to it?"
"I have not."
"Come here..." Mirage waved V2 up onto the stage-like platform. V2 did as asked, hopping up onto the stage and following Mirage the few steps over to where the spotlight illuminated. "Hand on my shoulder." Its arm was straight and rigid as she finished her sentence. She giggled quietly as she placed one hand on its arm and gently guided its arms into a comfortable position. She then moved both hands to hold its waist, gently guiding it into a slow dance.
"I have never danced before." Mirage laughed at V2's redundant statement. The weight on her metal feet told her exactly that.
"I can tell." V2 stumbled over its own feet and tripped over Mirages. It clumsily tried to mimic Mirage's steps with little success. She stopped, but didn't let go as V2 did the same. "Try this..." Step by step she tried to teach it basic movements so that perhaps she could leave with unscratched and uncrushed feet. "1... 2... 3... 4... Keep time with the music. It's a little fast I know." V2 learned quickly. Between Mirage's instructions and simply staring down trying to mimic her, they were able to dance together. V2 was able to look up into Mirage's yellow optic, the lenses squinted in a sort of happy expression best as she was able to mimic. V2's was the same. As the pair danced, they did not speak. The song played, and they listened. For four minutes--four beautiful minutes--they danced and they listened. It was V2 that eventually broke the silence.
"The song... it's beautiful."
"I'm glad you liked it."
"You are as well. The suit looks good on you, now that I have a chance to see it fully." Mirage looks down at the compliment as if flustered.
"Thank you... Hey, maybe we can find you some clothes at some point if you'd like that."
"I very much would." A few moments of silence as the two danced until the end of the song. When it ended and the record stopped, they didn't let go. Instead, they hugged, both unwilling to let go of the other. All was quiet save for the sounds of the pair's internal fans and other mechanical operations.
"Mirage..."
"Hm?"
"Thank you." It was unspoken what the thanks were for but both knew exactly what it was. Details needn't be stated nor were elaborations required as the two simply continued to hold each other. V2's ever-tense shoulders loosened and dropped. In a rare event, it relaxed. It fully and truly relaxed. Something it only found possible within Mirage's arms. It finally knew what safety truly was. "And I love you."
"I love you too."