Although coexisting and spending time together was something which Weyland was all for; because like people, being around others bought comfort, belonging and friendship, it was the same here. Being together meant that both David and Minerva could learn together, and from each other. She had been awake and aware longer than him, but David had much more experience programmed into him than she ever did. Together they could teach and learn, like children going to school, what was right, wrong, how to solve a problem and how to properly communicate with others.

But there was also a problem, Weyland found, with Minerva now having freedom from her room, and that problem was them being inseparable. It was a little disconcerting, walking into a room and both of them suddenly turning and staring up at him. It wasn't like being looked at by another human, their eyes stared, blue and unblinking, as if they knew something he was none the wiser to. Weyland had no idea what they did when he didn't need either, specifically David for work purposes. Most times he heard Minerva reading to David, other times he would catch David playing the piano to Minerva. They found enjoyment in the little things, it seems. But over the few days that David had been awake, and she had got released from the machinery in her room, they were definitely sticking close together.

Friendship wasn't something Weyland was ignorant to, rather it was something which was a rarity in his life and he didn't presume to even think that either of his creations would dabble in this. A small part of him did think that they would stay clear, he didn't know why. Only because they were similar, didn't necessarily mean they would get along. He was still sceptical about it, but what more harm could be done? David had already told Minerva of what she truly was. Weyland was just thankful that neither had chased up for more answers on that.

Little did he actually know that they had done their own investigating. The truth to the matter didn't exactly sit well with Minerva, David seemed to disagree with why he existed, but at least he had a purpose. To live? How was that a purpose? Was Minerva meant to live a lie of a life which wasn't even hers? When she truly thought about it, any thoughts and memories which were programmed in, and they were that, they weren't hers. They were Weyland's memories of the daughter he lost, memories of moments which involved the pair of them. Minerva had no memories where it was just her and someone else, her and Meredith, nothing. She was to live a lie of a life and be the daughter which he had lost. It seemed sick, really. And sad, she pitied Weyland, the inability to let go. Everything died, everything expired and passed on, that was life for all things mortal.

"Woe, destruction, ruin and decay; The worst is death, and death will have his day."

"Richard II," David said, he watched as Minerva turned from the window. It was raining, and she had never seen the rain before really, the weather always seemed so sunny. She watched it come down from dark grey clouds, the drops landed heavily against the window and she watched as they made tracks down the pane of glass. "Act III, scene two, line one hundred and two." David moved silently into the room. "What has you thinking of death?"

"I was thinking...it's sad, that father has made me to pick up a life that I do not know. It is sad that he will die, and I will continue, with you. What are we to do? Are we to stay here, David? Or are we to help with the company?"

"I am to be reproduced." David explained, Minerva looked at him oddly. He raised an eyebrow with a smirk, "There are others already."

"More than one David?"

"Indeed."

"But...there's only one like you, at the moment?"

"That is correct."

"So what are the others like?" Minerva asked curiously, David looked out at the bleak landscape and shrugged. He honestly didn't know, he hadn't left this house, he hadn't met anyone else other than Weyland and Minerva. He hadn't crossed paths with another synthetic, not like himself; in the sense of being a male and sharing his mannerisms and appearance. "You're not one of a kind then." Minerva's statement caused him to frown and look at her. "Just saying...you're a production line."

"Unlike you? If it wasn't for a man unable to mourn like a normal person, you wouldn't be here. You are not one of a kind either. You're wearing the face of a dead girl." David retorted heavily while turning on her.

"I'm not going to make an already rich man, richer."

"I'm not the sole reason why the other daughter won't visit."

Minerva straightened up and glared at him, David smiled slowly. "We were both made to replace something that already existed." Minerva said, David's smile slipped. She had a point there, "We are...improved?"

"You cannot die again. And I am better than the other models already existing in the world; faster, smarter, capable of understanding emotions of humankind." David blinked and looked back outside when lightning flashed across the sky. "I do not know what his plan is. Especially not for you." David said after a few moments of silence, Minerva looked at him sadly. David frowned lightly and looked down at the ground, "I'm the first, you're the second, or technically maybe the third?" Minerva shoved him on the arm for that, Meredith being first, the original Minerva being second, and her being third.

"You're not the first! If there's already ones before you, then you aren't a first either, David!" Minerva exclaimed obviously. "Don't you try and have the upper hand, or a power trip. We're in the same boat."

David sighed shortly, his lips pressed into a thin line as he stared outside. "Your ability to argue back makes winning difficult."

"You're annoying too." Minerva had no trouble in stating. The weather and the gloom it created just caused both of their moods to rock bottom. Weyland was shut away working, both being told not to bother him, which left them to each other's company again. It just so happened that at the moment both were rubbing each other up the wrong way. She glanced at him and frowned, David narrowed his eyes at her when she just stood looking him up and down.

"What?" David asked shortly, soon having enough of her looks. There was nothing wrong with him, why was she looking at him like that?

"Are you attached to those clothes?"

"Sorry?" He turned and looked at her with a confused face. Minerva rolled her eyes, she knew full well he heard her fine enough. David looked down at himself, the white suit he was in was still as white as it was when he first woke up in it.

"Come with me, David." Minerva walked past him. David turned and watched her go before seeing her pause at the door, she waved a hand at him. David stepped forwards and followed after her, Minerva walked silently back up the stairs and towards her room. David tucked his hands behind himself and watched as she pottered about her room. She pulled out trunks, opened the lids and rummaged about inside. She threw a few things to the side before jumping up and rummaging on the rails, he looked over certain things she had kept out and to the side before David got suddenly pulled. Minerva grasped his arm and pulled him to one side, she ran over to the door and kicked it shut before running back to him.

"What are you doing?" David asked, Minerva had stopped in front of him and had a hand under her chin and was nodding. She was looking him over again, and though David wasn't one for being self conscious, it was making him a little uncomfortable.

"Thinking," she replied before pulling him over to the window, the light was grey and subtle, David hadn't really explored her room. But he realised there was a floor length mirror nearby. She nudged David so he was in front of her before peeking over his shoulder. She had to tip toe to do so, her hands balanced on his shoulders and her chin barely resting near one of her hands. Looking suddenly to the side she disappeared and reappeared back with something in her hands. David got a shirt suddenly held in front of him, he looked down at it and then at Minerva's reflection.

"Why do you have male clothing?" Seemed like a valid question.

"Oh! Oh...well, I edit them. Make them more fitted. I get bored, David, and I have nothing else to do. But, you're needing clothes, David. So, you can have them!" Minerva said lightly while diving away from his side, she left him holding the shirt to himself. He tilted his head, he supposed he couldn't live in his white suit forever. And the clothes she was supplying would make him look more like everyone else, he guessed. The suit signalled that he wasn't quite what he appeared, regardless of any behavioural traits. He glanced at Minerva as she held an armful of clothes out to him. "You can have them all."

"Thank you." He said quietly, taking the bundle from her arms and placing them down on the window seat. He looked through what was there, shirts, t-shirts, trousers, he looked to her, "Are you sure?"

"Yes! I don't need them," Minerva waved a hand and sat down next to the pile of clothes.

David nodded slowly, "Thank you," he repeated again in a quiet voice. Minerva tilted her head and placed her hands against her knees to lean into his line of sight. "It is the first gift I have received."

She smiled, "Father would disagree, he would think your first gift was that of life."

David scoffed, he held up a dark blue shirt, he narrowed his eyes at the little logo which was on it. He thought it a little ironic, considering it was a Weyland Corp logo, the slogan underneath caused David's eyes to narrow. "'Building better worlds,'" he read it with a cynical tone. He couldn't help it, he glanced at Minerva. She just looked at him curiously, were they part of the plan of building a better world? David folded the shirt and placed it to one side. Maybe there was a shirt present which wasn't work related? David thought at one point in his life though, he probably would end up being stuck in something like that. Just he was deciding not yet. Finding a similar coloured shirt, minus the logo, David kept it out. Black trousers seemed like the next best option, seems there wasn't anything else to match the shirt.

"David!" Minerva exclaimed and shot up, "Not here!" She shouted and pushed him to one side. He seemed to have no trouble with reaching behind himself and unzipping his suit, Minerva had other ideas. "You don't just get undressed in front of other people. It's not right." She gave him one last shove towards a little curtained area and frowned at him before turning away and stomping back over to the window seat.

David raised an eyebrow, well, he learned that lesson as he pulled his arms free of the suit. He slipped his arms into the shirt and did the buttons up before pulling the rest of the suit down. By the time he changed and walked back out, folding his white suit over his arms, David glanced around the room before seeing Minerva. David tilted his head, she had changed. In the time it took him to change, she had done the same. Standing in a burgundy jumper and black leggings, she looked pretty casual while braiding her hair up. She smiled when she saw him, David looked down at himself, he frowned though when his eyes paused on his bare feet.

"I don't have shoes for you," Minerva stated, male shoes would be useless to her. "We'll have to get you some elsewhere."

"You mean we shall have to ask your father."

Minerva raised an eyebrow, "Unless you just steal some?" David double took, Minerva smiled and walked over to him. She took his suit from his grasp and threw it into one of the trunks. She put the lid back on and looked at him, "You look good, David. You don't look like you've just escaped a hospital."

"Is that a compliment?" David questioned, he actually wasn't too certain.

Minerva nodded, "Blue suits you," she stated with a nod, she walked past him and David turned and walked after her. He watched as she hesitantly peeked into a room, she pushed the door open and he looked into the lavishly furnished room; Weyland's bedroom. He stepped inside and looked around, there wasn't much furniture in here, like most spaces he occupied, but what was in here was expensive looking, well aged and old. "Behold!" David looked forwards when Minerva reappeared with shoes, David took them from her hands. Leaning, he placed them down, slipping one foot in and then the other. Minerva knelt in front of him, David looked at her as she reached forwards and looped the laces. She tied them and smiled at him, "There, come on," she stood, grasping his hands as she went and tugged him upwards. She stepped back and tilted her head, "Much better." Minerva decided with a sure nod, David smiled slowly. "Much, much better, David!" She clapped her hands, David looked down at himself and still found himself smiling. "Let's go," Minerva moved around him and left the room, David shut the door behind them and looked down at her, she looked confused. "I don't know what else to say to do, David."

"If it was better weather, I would suggest we go out."

"That's if we were allowed out." Minerva stated while glancing up at him.

"We don't suffer from the cold," David pointed out with a slow growing grin, Minerva's eyes widened. She grabbed a hold of his hand and pulled him along as she ran down the corridor. She disappeared into her room and reappeared moments later with something in her hands. David didn't get a chance to look whatever it was over before he was being pulled along again.

Sneaking outside was easy, Weyland was elsewhere and didn't seem to bother with what they were doing with their spare time. He probably should've known that they would eventually want to go outside. Minerva pushed the door open and inhaled, the rain felt cold, the air was chilled, and the wind was pushing the drops to one side. She lifted her arms out and felt the drops land against her hands. She laughed, it felt cold too. She looked to David, he smiled, and looked back out at the wet and gloomy landscape around them. Hearing the click of something, David was soon having an umbrella lifted up to his height. He ducked down a little and even took to holding it seems she had to strain an arm to allow him under.

There was a path which ran around the perimeter of the building. They took off walking along the wet grey paving slabs, silent and enjoying the steady drumming of raindrops on the umbrella. This was the first time either of them had been outside, it was a shame that it was such awful weather, but both seemed content with being out. The house got stuffy after a while.

Hearing a rapid knocking sound they jumped, peering out they looked to the window. Weyland stood frowning deeply at them. He was in his workshop still, the phone pressed to his chest where he was evidently shielding whoever was on the other end. He walked to the side and pushed open one of the windows, he frowned when drops of rain flew in. "What are you two doing?" He questioned, sounding truly annoyed about seeing them just enjoying a stroll outside.

"Walking." Minerva stated blatantly.

Weyland's eyes narrowed, he looked them both over, "Get back inside." And with that he slammed the window shut and returned back to his phone call. Though he did stand and watch them as they walked back the way they had come, he appeared in the corridor when they entered the building again. He glanced them both over, noting the change of clothes, especially on David's behalf, and the water splashes against them. "You can't just go out, not without me knowing. Do you understand?" It was like lecturing children. Weyland wasn't surprised, he should've known where one was, the other was probably not going to be too far behind.

"But it's boring in here."

"You've never been bored before, so why start now?" He asked Minerva with a narrow eyed look, she shrugged and looked down at the floor with a small pout. "Can you not encourage each other?" Weyland asked, they both just looked at him blankly, yet David had the sense to nod, humour the man so he didn't keep on. "Please don't treat David as your personal dress up doll either, Minerva, only because you're bored." And with that he returned to his workshop and slammed the door.

David's eyes widened, Minerva looked at him awkwardly, "Well, that was rude." She said lightly with a huff. David's eyes slowly narrowed and he walked off quickly. Minerva followed after him, "You know I didn't opt to give you new clothes because I was bored, right? I thought you would've liked to be out of that suit." She rubbed her neck awkwardly, "Nor do I see you as...a dress up...doll..." She said awkwardly to match her body language, David shot a look over his shoulder. "I don't!" She pouted, "It was either this or living in gear that looked like it'd come straight from the local hospital." She defended while he rolled his eyes and moved into the spacious room he seemed to always find himself dwelling in. He sat at the piano and sighed, he found comfort in music, a peaceful state of mind which only came from concentrating on playing.

"He will stop us having any form of freedom, Minerva." David said after a moment of silence. His eyes opened, he had been sitting close eyed and still. He was thinking through the options of what to play, only to just state what was on his mind. Minerva sat down beside him and looked at him with a worried look. David smiled sympathetically, "What...you thought because he detached you from those machines, that he was going to allow you to do what you pleased? No, Minerva...sorry, but no." David shook his head and looked at the keys in front of him. "We are to stay, housed away, until the day where he sees fit to let us accompany him outside." He pressed a key and listened to the monotone sound, Minerva lifted a hand up and responded. "Dolls in a dollhouse."

Minerva laughed, "We aren't dolls!"

"Playthings sounded wrong. Dolls was my only other option." David shrugged loosely and pressed another key, only to have her respond in kind.

"I did enjoy our slight moment of freedom though."

"Me too."

"You know...he isn't awake all the time..."

David raised an eyebrow, he smirked and looked at her from the corner of his eyes. "To get freedom when he is asleep, what a sneaky idea."

"How else are we to know what it is like out there?" Minerva asked while turning on the bench and looking to him. David placed his hands in his lap and looked at her plainly. "If we stay and we listen to him, I am certain we would never leave. I mean you, you have to go sometime...as you said, there's to be more of you. So surely, certainly, you are needed to be tested and placed in front of a board of people to talk about, for them to figure out if you are worth investing in, worth reproducing...and then what? Will you be kept with them? Or will you come back to me?"

David smiled, "Just you?" He asked quietly while turning and looking at her fully.

Minerva sighed, "You only spend time with me, David. I will be lonely without you."

"And I believe I would share that loneliness," David replied while she nodded slowly and sadly. "He bought us together, he surely can't keep us apart." Minerva looked at him blatantly, he hated to admit that he knew he was wrong. If there was anyone who could keep them separated for no reason, it was Peter Weyland. "Come, let me teach you." David turned back to the keys, Minerva did the same. "This way, maybe I can sit and enjoy listening to you play for once, and not always the other way around."

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Edited: 11/June/2021