The fire crackled in the Swiss cheese of a can. “We’re lucky there’s no wind,” the pilot said plainly.
“Yeah.” Alpha agreed as she sat down on the makeshift tire with plywood seat.
“Here,” the pilot offered Alpha a steaming cup, “It’s dokudami tea.”
It was as hot as it looked, “Ah, thank you.”
A light breeze crossed the field as the two sipped the tea. The receptionist had returned to the hanger with the plane, leaving the two robots to get acquainted. The night was clear, save for a few small clouds in the distance. The fire was warm and soothing, calming Alpha’s nerves. It was time for proper introductions.
“Um…” Alpha’s worded it in her head before saying it, “I still haven’t heard your name yet.”
“Ah, that’s…”
“I’m Alpha,” she answered well before the pilot had a chance to think of answering.
“Hmm…” He gave some thought to the name, “Alpha, as in ‘Alpha type?’ You really are straight forward.”
Alpha laughed weakly, “And you are?”
“Nai,” the pilot answered flatly.
“Eh?” ‘Nai,’ as in none, nothing. Why doesn’t he have a name?
“I said: Nai. My name.” If Alpha was listening properly, she would have heard the slight inflection he used to indicate his name.
If she was listening, “EH?” Strange man, “Ah, I see. That’s, um, some kind of policy?” Still pushing for a name, Alpha tried asking again, “Anyway, what to call you…”
“That’s not it.” The pilot was holding back his frustration, “I’m called ‘Nai.’”
“I understand… But I need to call you something…” Then came the gradual realization as is quite common for her. He did say his name, many times to be exact. Gasping, then falling into embarrassment, Alpha exclaimed, “Nai-san!”
“Yep,” Nai nodded, feeling like he’d lost something in the mix.
“Somehow, I think I know where that name came from.” Alpha said quietly over the snapping fire.
“Really?” Nai gave her a questioning look before staring back out at the horizon.
Silence mixed in with the cool breeze. Alpha stared into her half full cup, doing her best to get over the embarrassment of her previous blunders. These things happened. Getting too worried over them would be overkill, but still... “Ah, that’s right,” Alpha broke the silence, “I’m sorry for making such a fuss earlier.”
“Earlier.” Nai couldn’t help but wonder what Alpha was thinking.
“Somehow,” Alpha spoke with a timid voice, “I thought that robots are always women. I was surprised.”
“Ah. Don’t worry, I’m used to it.” Nai’s voice held much the same feeling as his words.
Alpha cocked her head in confusion.
“I know a number of robots too, but I still haven’t met another man.” It sounded as though he didn’t much like that fact, “It seems to be the same for everyone. I’m unusual where ever I go.”
“Hmmm,” Alpha pondered the information before replying, “Then I guess I’m really lucky.”
Nai shrugged, smiling slightly, “I guess you are.”
A thought came to Alpha. One that she really wanted an answer to, but didn’t have the courage to ask it. So, instead, she just sat and stared at Nai trying to determine the answer herself. It wasn’t an intense stare, but it was strong enough to draw Nai’s attention. After a moment’s confusion, he seemed to understand what the question was. “You’re wondering, aren’t you?”
Alpha let out a nervous laugh, “I’m sorry!” Her face was flush, “To tell the truth, just a little.”
“I’m as much a ‘man’ as you are a ‘woman.’” Nai shrugged, “I look normal, I think.”
Alpha’s face was a deep red as she tried to wave away the awkwardness she felt, “Ah…Okay… I see.”
“It seems that male robots are weak.” Nai continued on, “From what I hear, they all died young. I don’t know why I’m different.”
Alpha felt her chest tighten at the information, “I see.”
“Yeah.” Nai seemed to share the feeling.
The fire popped loudly, ending the current line of conversation. No one knows, really, the truth behind the existence of robots. What was their purpose? Why do all of them act so differently? These and many more questions have gone through the minds of the residence of this current time. But, they were all used to the lack of answers, so they rarely asked the questions. It could be said that this journey was Alpha’s way of understanding not her origins, but instead the world she was created in.
“You guys really saved me,” She said as she curled up slightly, “I was sure I was going to be camping out tonight.”
“You’ll have to share a bed with the two of us.” Nai answered Alpha’s gratitude plainly.
“Thank you, There really aren’t any inns around here.”
“The closest one is way off that way.” Nai pointed into the night, “At the eel restaurant.”
Alpha felt drained, “I came from there today.” She leaned closer to Nai, “Say… I’d love it if you could show me more of the airplane later, if you don’t mind.”
“Ah, that’s right.” Nai’s realization was far removed from Alpha’s, “I have a delivery tomorrow. It’s just a quick run with a small package. Want to come with me?”
“WHAT!?” Alpha could hardly contain her excitement, “REALLY? I’LL GO!!!”
Nai was speechless at her enthusiasm.
“Yes!!” Alpha looked as though she’d won the world itself, “You really don’t mind? Yaay!” She was so innocent and happy with it all.
The excitement slowly faded as the two sat in silence. She was lucky, really lucky. She could hardly wait, and one might think that the feelings may hinder her sleep. But, between the days travel and all the other thrills of the day, her eyes were feeling a bit heavy.
“Getting sleepy?” Nai asked, the fire light dancing on his face.
“Hm?” Alpha drew herself out of her thoughts, “I’m still okay.” She looked at him with droopy eyes, “Nai?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you have any work available?”
“I don’t think so.”
