The day where freedom came, or rather the day where David was allowed out came sooner than what he thought. The thought of being in different surroundings caused David to look up from his book with a curious look. At first thought he believed Weyland was joking; no comments or conversations of venturing out had been bought up. Rather, from the reaction the man had from seeing David and Minerva out, signalled to David that being outside was a massive no, no.

"The occasion?" David had asked as he slowly shut his book. He placed a hand on the worn cover and looked up at Weyland. The burgundy colour of the cover felt rough under his hand, it was an old book, well weathered and yellowed paged, yet between those crisp feeling pages were a small collection of Jules Verne stories; Minerva had been quite excited to find the book on the packed shelf, she had handed it over with an excited smile on her face. She seemed to highly enjoy having a fellow who loved to read, or rather someone to introduce the novels and stories she loved so much to. She had grasped onto his hand and pulled him gently back to her room, seated at the window she placed the book in his lap, David had looked at the cover, the author's name vaguely being seen, the engraving having faded with age.

He had wasted no time in saying known facts about Jules Verne, "French, nineteenth century." What he said was so to the point he looked perplexed when Minerva laughed by his side.

She reached across and opened the book, the front pages were a map of the world, the colours still vivid despite the battered appearance of the outside. "He was intrigued, fascinated even by adventure and exploring, David. A Journey to the Centre of the Earth was always my favourite, but then again...Twenty-Thousand Leagues Under the Sea is brilliant. They're all so good, David. There's seven stories in here, all unique and special in their own way." She explained while turning the page, David looked to her as she had spoken so fondly. She even looked at the content page with a small fond smile, David found himself smiling too...though he was uncertain as to why. She looked up, smile still in place, "Development of technology and invention, wrapped up in marvellous, brilliant fiction. They're quite interesting ideals for the time which they were written in."

"Thank you." David had said while turning the page, Minerva leaned her head against his shoulder and tucked her legs up beside herself. This had become a usual thing over the small amount of time in which they were left together. David had found himself being the one reading to her, instead of the other way around. Though, there were times where he quite liked to just sit somewhere on his own and read. And it was at one of these times where Weyland had found him.

"Need there be one?" Had been the reply to his earlier query. David frowned, surely people went out with a purpose? They didn't just leave their homes, houses and apartments for no apparent reason; the thought of just aimlessly walking about seemed ridiculous to David. By the fact that David's expression had yet to change from blank curiosity, Weyland sighed heavily. "You're coming to work." That caused David's eyes to widen, he placed the book to one side and stood. "It is needed, you are needed to run diagnostics on. Compare and contrast to what is already around, prove that you are improved; better, more efficient and able to replace the current model." Weyland explained, all very to the point and blunt. It caused David to frown lightly, he made it all sound so simple, as if he was speaking about the weather, not the initial decommissioning and replacing of an already existing synthetic model.

David couldn't help but minutely ponder over what was to become of those models. Would they get shut down and recycled? Parts used in other pieces of technology? Would they actually just be rewired and used to create more like himself? Surely they didn't differ that much? It might just be a quick rerouted job and then low and behold, more models like himself. "Will we be long?"

That question caused Weyland to look at him strangely. He quirked a smirk and laughed quietly. He looked around the near empty room. "Because you are doing so much here?" He asked, somewhat rhetorically, somewhat not. He half wanted to know the reason as to why David would ask such a thing.

David tucked his hands behind his back and just looked to the grey haired man in front of him. Weyland was standing in a similar manner, hands tucked under his suit jacket and against his back, legs slightly spaced apart as he looked up at David patiently. "I am returning here?"

"Ah...are you to stay at the Weyland Corp building, that is what you wanted to know? Then no, you're not. We are merely going, allow the pencil pushers to do their job, and then we shall leave. You are too important to leave there, David."

Something about the latter part of what he said caused David to frown again. "Am I?"

"Important? Yes, you are." Weyland said frankly with a sigh, he looked around before running a hand through his hair. "There are others who would like you, David. You are unique in what you are, and what you can do and probably capable of doing. As far as other synthetics go, you are way out there. You are head and shoulders above them all, David. You shall see...in comparison, you are special to those already around. And it is because of this, that others would like to get their hands on you, find out what makes you tick, use whatever information they can glean from you for their own purposes." Weyland explained, a deep set frown and a grim expression appearing on his face.

Something told David that maybe he had already had to cross paths with these mysterious people already. "But it isn't just me." Weyland blinked slowly and turned his face back to David. "Minerva."

Weyland's expression turned blank, eyes flashing seriously as he stared up at David. "None know of her existence." He said lowly, David just nodded. None knew her, so none knew that David and herself ran on similar programs and that. If they did, David was certain that if they failed to get him they'd try and get her. And really, when he thought about it, she was much more of an easy target seems Weyland had a tight grip over what she was actually allowed to do. As yet, David was unaware to her being allowed out. None had seen her out. He was certain if she had been, there would have been a publicity storm, the allusive Peter Weyland's supposedly ill daughter back amongst the living? For all everyone knew, Minerva could've been put into hypersleep until machinery and medical procedures improved to rid her of the disease which had been plaguing her.

None knew that in actuality, the real Minerva died and a synthetic Minerva now was supposedly created to take her place. It was warped when truly dwelt on; the fact that Weyland was too clingy to his youngest that he made a version of her which could live forever, that it, she, was meant to pick up a life which wasn't hers, with implanted memories and other falsehoods in her head. David pitied Minerva, he really did. His lot in this life might've been subsequently rather bleak, being made to serve and all that, but being made to replace a human...if expectations weren't met, David had no idea how Weyland would take that.

"May I say goodbye to her?" David broke the somewhat awkward silence.

"By all means," Weyland gestured to the side, David picked up the book and padded out of the room silently. He turned in the silent corridor and looked back, Weyland had taken to looking out of the large window. The sun was shining brightly, the still lake looking blue in the lighting almost blending in with the sky; the tree line was the only thing which broke the two up.

Inhaling deeply he took the stairs two at a time and walked to her room. David peeked in through the open door and watched as Minerva sat at her desk sewing. He had come to realise most clothes she had altered to fit her, some she had even made herself. She seemed to take great pleasure in making clothes, David guessed it passed the time, and something Minerva had plenty of was time.

Sweeping the dress off of the desk she caught sight of him and smiled. "Surely you haven't finished it already?" Minerva asked with a smile while turning in her seat. David looked to the book and then her, he shook his head and entered the room. She didn't mind him just breezing in without knocking, it wasn't like there was much to be modest about when both were more or less in the same position, and in the same prison with the same guard. She also didn't mind if he borrowed books without her knowing, she was all the more curious over his choices when left to his own devices, sometimes borrowing poetry which piqued her interest there; she wasn't much of a poetry fan, fiction was much more fun.

"No, no. I may be fast at reading, but I am not that fast." David said while placing the book on the desk. Minerva looked up at him, dress still in her lap. He reached down and picked the skirt up, feeling the soft material against his hands. She was clever, whether she realised it or not, but she was. He hadn't the first clue or idea about doing this sort of costume making thing. Not that she made costumes, he didn't mean it like that.

"What is it?" Minerva clearly sensed something was wrong. David had moments of silence, she had grown used to that. But this was something on a whole new level.

"I am to go to work." David said slowly, it seemed weird to him even saying that. He looked from the dress skirt to Minerva, her expression was probably mimicking his own. Confused, slightly shocked, his tone matched the look completely.

"You...you're leaving."

"But I will be coming back." David wasted no time in saying as he crouched down. Minerva looked down at him with a small frown. "Mr Weyland has said so. And I do not believe he was lying, so we will be gone for a few hours."

"Can I come?" Minerva asked quietly, seemingly already knowing the answer.

David shook his head, "I do not believe so."

"I'm going to ask." Minerva stood suddenly, David almost lost his balance but if it wasn't for cat like reflexes he would've. Instead he leaped up and out of her way as she walked to the door. "Father?" She called out from the corridor, David sighed and hung his head. Maybe saying bye wasn't wise? Maybe they just should've gone and dealt with Minerva when they returned?

Regardless, David walked quickly after her, both the book and dress on the desk forgotten now. He ran down the stairs and heard raised voices even before he got to the ground floor. Mainly it was Weyland, by the time David entered the room Minerva was standing hands clenched and frowning at him darkly. Weyland had a similar look on his face, and it was strangely at this time that David recognised and registered the similarities between them. He had put so much of himself in Minerva, whether the real woman was truly so similar to her father, David didn't know. But the synthetic version was a mirror image, personality trait ways it seems. Minerva was much more appealing to the eye, pretty even, not saying Weyland probably wasn't handsome when young.

"David is allowed out, but I am not? How long am I expected to stay in this building? Until you are on your deathbed, unable to keep me under control? Or until the sun burns the planet up? Would I be allowed to finally go out and enjoy the last day on Earth?!"

"You are being dramatic, Minerva. David has a purpose outside of these walls." Weyland said while looking briefly in his direction before looking back at his synthetic daughter. Her face turned serious, deadly serious by hearing his words and Weyland couldn't help but sigh. "Minerva-"

"David has a purpose...I do not, is that it? Outside of this place, I have no purpose. There is nothing for me out there, is that it? Yet David has the world at his fingertips? I have been here years prior to David even appearing, yet after hardly a year, a few months, he is allowed to explore outside? While I am kept locked away like some prisoner...how is that fair?! It isn't fair!" Minerva shouted and shook her head while her eyes stared unblinkingly at Weyland.

He looked at her with hard eyes, not liking her being so vocal. "Yes." He said simply, Minerva jolted as if she had been shocked. "He has a purpose, and there is nothing for you. I didn't make you to go gallivanting about, Minerva."

"I am here as a replacement daughter. But surely even your daughter wouldn't get shut away like a princess in a tower." Minerva said hollowly, it seemed whatever fight she had was slowly leaving her. David felt bad for her, he watched the light in her eyes dim, bright blue eyes now simmering to a dark navy as she stared at Weyland. "This existence is hell. Why am I here? Just to remind you of what you have lost? To sit silently and not question you? Be the obedient daughter because the other is so taken over by work, and will not visit you unless you go to her." Minerva turned and looked at Weyland with sidelong slitted eyes. "Minerva died, and this Minerva isn't who you think she is. I am miserable with what is my life. Most female synthetics are used in the pleasure industry, not to whittle away the days shut indoors trying to pander to a memory of an old man." She turned slowly on her heels and looked darkly at David, he went to say something only for her eyes to narrow. "Have fun, I hope the world isn't a let down, favourite child." She said while passing and pushing past him as she made her way back to her room.

David watched her go with a frown, before looking back at Weyland. He sighed and shook his head, "Her emotional chip might need some tweaking." David's eyes widened, he couldn't quite believe that Weyland was pinning Minerva's emotional breakdown to something in her hardware. Even David could sense and see where she was coming from, and it certainly didn't stem from malfunctioning. "Oh well, I'll look later. Are you ready?" Weyland continued on, casual as anything as he buttoned up his jacket and looked to David with a simple look. David nodded slowly, Weyland just nodded in return and gestured a hand, David walked out and followed him.

He seemed so unaffected by the moment with Minerva, whereas David felt awkward, and saddened by the fact that no doubt, by the time they returned back, she will be different; and Weyland either chose not to register this, or found it easier to just push that little likelihood from his mind for the moment, David sighed as he finally stepped foot out into the sun. He shut his eyes for a moment before opening and looking at the gravel path in front of him, he glanced at Weyland as he just inhaled the warm air, David couldn't help but find it bittersweet.

He looked back up and saw Minerva in her window, she looked dully down at them and he went to wave, only to lower his hand when she drew the curtain, shutting herself in; Weyland patted David on the shoulder and led the way to the garage where a small collection of expensive cars sat. David frowned, ignorance was bliss, that's what he decided. Weyland just chose to ignore what had happened with Minerva, because it was probably one of many moments which had happened between them. Easier to ignore, than to register she was right. The day Weyland, out of all people, conceded that a synthetic was right, David believed the world might implode.

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Edited: 11/June/2021