With the dwindling daylight, it was clear that time was against them, him, more like. David had split away from Weyland, he seemed to believe if Minerva was going to go, she would follow the path. The same path they had travelled down no more than an hour ago. It wasn't like there was a great distance between here and where the city actually started; as soon as Minerva reached the borders of the bustling metropolis, she would be lost. She could blend in like every other synthetic which was roaming about the Earth. No one would openly know she was one, unless she let slip, which she wouldn't. Seems David had to break it to her, she seemed nonchalant, uncaring over that fact. That he was certain she would most likely keep that nugget of truth to herself.

David however, opted to travel into the woodland space surrounding the estate. More times than not he had watched Minerva peering out with a sad sense of wonder. If she was going to be anywhere, she'd be out here, David knew it. He could feel it. Not that they were in tune with each other, but he just knew. He couldn't explain it, he just knew she was out amongst the trees and foliage, not heading towards tall city blocks and pushing past rushing people.

He jumped over fallen logs, the rough bark biting into his palms as he climbed himself up and over and jumped, his canvas shoes crunching on the leaves and debris of the forest floor. He brushed his hands down onto his trousers, not appreciating the dirt which was being left behind as he climbed about trying to find Minerva. He looked up, the branches above swayed slightly in the breeze, not that the wind reached down to where David was standing. His eyes flickered down after hearing rustling in front of him, he moved as silently forwards as possible yet became disappointed when a small animal scurried and darted up a tree.

He watched it go, it not paying any mind to him at all. David sighed. So his search continued. He honestly thought that there would've been a trail left behind, footprints mainly. The ground was muddy, the damp weather of nights made this turn mushy, boggy even as his shoes slipped and sunk into the terrain. What was white, was now a horrible brown, leaves and twigs had become stuck in the mix too. There was no redeeming them, David was under no illusion he'd have to bin them, there went his first pair of shoes ever.

Pushing his way through a bush, he inhaled slowly. The air was much cleaner, fresher here. Much more natural, no pun intended towards the nature around him, but in comparison to the city; this was fresh, he couldn't smell any pollutants, no trace of harmful products lurking in the air, travelling on the breeze. Nothing. David listened to the distant birds singing, and really, now that he stood here looking down at the lake, he could understand why Minerva would want to come out here.

In contrast to the house, there was freedom. There were no walls. No rules. No regulations, and no stopping or ending. Once setting off walking, there was really no stopping. The landscape stretched as far as David could see. He was unaware, that there was even an outcrop. He was standing on a small rocky ledge looking out and over the hill downwards. The slope down didn't look steep, even a small path was roughly cut out as if someone used to visit often and the trees hadn't grown back to close the space off.

It was within this muddy path that David finally spied something which caused his head to tilt, and eyes to flick upwards along the trail: footprints. More sure looking then his skidded ones, Minerva was clearly more light on her feet in this sort of terrain than him. In all fairness, this was the first time David had ever come across mud...and woodland. He didn't quite know what to expect, the complete opposite to the clean city didn't even cross his mind as he first came running down this way.

David sighed, he looked back the way he came; the house could be seen in the distance, looming white over the trees and the windows catching the last sunlight of the day, causing them to gleam and shimmer. He half wondered whether Weyland had returned yet, maybe he called people in? David frowned and shook his head over that thought as he crouched down to safely climb down from this ledge. He couldn't get hurt, but he still didn't want to just jump off a higher object and skid and fall in the mud. But, back to his earlier thought as he looked down at the smaller footprints, of course Weyland wouldn't call help in, no one knew Minerva existed, after all. If help was called, it was probably going to be more common for them to be shocked that her illness had been beaten. That she was still alive, alive, not on the run and disappearing.

Brushing branches out of the way, David ducked his head under a low hanging one and looked out at the flatland before him. The lake wasn't tidal, more a constant body of water, stagnant and dark. Yet there was a small stretch of boggy ground before the lake started, the bank of the lake itself seemed to erode downwards a bit before it stretched out onto the horizon.

There were more footprints here, sinking slightly from the wet, damp ground. David followed them, frowning and letting out an irritated noise when his leg sunk, he looked down to the leg which was now almost knee high in muck. He pulled effortlessly, mud flicking up, he looked to his trouser leg, half of it was just a thick, sludgy stuck and clumped thing, it was no longer clothing, it was just a thing, stuck to him. Cold and making David look at it with disdain.

He carried on, growing more irritated by the moment before he reached the bank and looked out at the still water. Beside him there were footprints. Minerva had continued forwards, whereas David stopped. He looked out, tilting his head as his eyes doubled back as he distinctly saw something floating on the surface. White gown and blonde hair lifelessly drifting in the dark water, Minerva. Her eyes seemed to be shut, face looking upwards as her arms stretched by her sides. David had to admit, she seemed rather at peace just floating there, even if there was something of an Ophelia feel about it.

"Minerva!" David shook his head and called for her. Even from the distance he saw her eyes open, her head tilted and she just stared his way. "You have to come back in!" David shouted, she seemed to be drifting further away before she seemed to sink. His eyes widened, she was gone. David looked about, he had hoped she would resurface, apparently not. David shot a look downwards, well, it wasn't like he wasn't already clearly showing the signs of travelling down here or anything.

He kicked his shoes off, choosing to just ignore them before stepping forwards. The water felt cold against his feet, yet he continued walking, wading almost until he got to the point where he'd need to kick off of the ground and start swimming. David hadn't ever swam before, but he supposed there was a first time for everything. He could feel the horrible slimy feeling silt of the lake floor between his toes as he finally kicked away and dived. The visibility was awful, murk and grime, this lake didn't seem to be the cleanest despite clearly being on private property. He exhaled air, not needing to technically breathe, but he watched the bubble escape him and go to the top as he kicked and pushed through the water.

He could see a looming shadow, well, form; white and gold just sinking and he kicked more at the water before grasping on and hauling upwards. As soon as he broke through the surface he turned Minerva in his arms and grabbed a hold of her hands as she tried pushing and kicking away. She flicked long hair out of her face and looked at him with an unhappy expression. "You will not die." David stated, Minerva managed to get her hands free and pushed at his chest. He let her go and watched her float back a bit. "I presume that is what you were trying to do?"

"There is an undercurrent. It leads to a reservoir," Minerva explained in a quiet voice while her eyes flicked to the side, clearly where the aforementioned reservoir was. David raised an eyebrow, clearly it wasn't doing its job here. "Machinery, it would've got me." She continued on while looking back to him, David frowned as he contemplated over what she was saying. He looked her over as they bobbed on the surface, she pushed her hair away from her arms which were keeping her balanced.

"He would rebuild you." David stated rather obviously, Minerva's eyes narrowed. "You know he would." He looked back to the bank. "Are we done here?" He asked, "Your father is most worried about you." He smirked as she looked at him with hard eyes, highly hating the moment clearly. "Thought you had very much done a runner." David said while turning and having planned to return back with her.

"I hate it there, David."

"I am not keen either." He looked sidelong at her, holding a hand out he wiggled his fingers slightly, watching the water droplets fall to the lake before looking at her smaller hand slip into his. He pulled and effortlessly made her level with him. "But I suppose that is the fate we both share."

"He would rebuild you-"

"No," David shook his head as they started slowly travelling back. "He would improve on me, he would create something else, but with my name. I have seen it."

"They are like drones, aren't they?" Minerva asked offhandedly as David nodded slowly. "I have not seen another David. But I have seen the promotional meetings for them. They record and televise them." She explained, "They'll probably do the same with you." That had David pausing as the ground started to appear under his feet again. Minerva wasn't nearly as tall as him and couldn't feel the silty ground yet, she still bobbed in the water.

"Why did you come out here?" David decided to ask instead as he pulled himself out of the water. He looked down at himself, the mud from the bank seemed to have dissipated slightly, but now his clothes were drenched with horrible lake water. He shuddered, the sooner they were back and he could change the better. "Surely you knew you couldn't stay out here forever?"

"Forever is a long time."

"True as that may be for us," David flicked his eyes to her as she pulled herself out and flicked her arms of water. He looked her up and down before looking away, white clothes when wet didn't leave much to the imagination. Not that David had imagined anything about Minerva, this was getting awkward as he grabbed her hand and pulled her forwards. "For others..."

"They will change, and die, and we will remain the same."

David smiled sadly at her, "It is the fate we share."

Minerva sniffed and nodded, "How was the city?" She asked as they plodded up the bank, it was a good thing that neither suffered from the affects of sunlight now being replaced by the oncoming night.

"Busy."

"And?"

David looked at her as he nodded to the ledge, "It is busy." He repeated, Minerva looked at him flatly before climbing upwards and turned to help him, David just smiled and shook his head. He could climb up well enough without her help. "There are many people, most of which seem to be rushing with a purpose. Yet, really, it doesn't seem like they actually know where they are going. Mindless, on a track to nowhere."

Minerva glanced at him and nodded, "Usual routine."

"The usual routine," he agreed with a nod of his own, with a sigh he looked up at the slope leading the way back to the house.

"Did you see her?"

"Yes." David said quietly, he went to step forwards only to feel a hand pulling him back. He looked at Minerva with a questioning look before she nodded forwards. He turned, now the sun was setting and darkness was creeping in, the moon could just be seen along with faded stars. The last light of day shone against the lake, the warm yellow reflecting perfectly on the dark water, making it look lighter and more alive and fluid, other than stagnant and still.

"She walks in beauty, like the night. Of cloudless climes and starry skies. And all that's best of dark and bright. Meets in her aspect and her eyes; thus mellow'd to that tender light. Which Heaven to gaudy day denies." David looked down at her as she recited the poem perfectly as she looked out at the changing day to night. He looked out too and both stood in silence watching the darkening sky and moon appearing. "Do you know the rest?" Minerva looked up at him, David shook his head, though granted he probably could search for it. "Come on, I'll tell you the rest while we walk." Minerva picked up her skirt and walked onwards, the ends of it were muddy and torn. "One shade more, one ray less, had half impair'd the nameless grace. Which waves in every raven tress. Or softly lightens o'ver her face, where thoughts serenely sweet express. How pure, how dear their dwelling-place."

Listening to her voice in the darkened woodland certainly made the trip go quicker, she hauled herself up a fallen tree and balanced on it. Though David reached up with a hand, considering she suddenly wobbled he didn't trust her not to fall. His hand got gripped onto as she continued walking along the bark, the rough material didn't seem to affect her at all. Her bare feet just kept stepping one over the other, avoiding any broken branches which still remained. "And on that cheek and o'er that brow. So soft, so calm, yet eloquent. The smiles that win, the tints that glow. But tell of days in goodness spent. A mind at peace with all below, a heart whose love is innocent." Minerva stopped at the end of the tree, David turning too and helping her jump down before they pushed onwards in silence again.

"Byron."

"Correct." Minerva smiled and looked at him knowingly. "You knew the rest."

"Of course." David nodded slowly, it didn't take him long to find it really and recite it along with her in his mind.

"What was she like, David?" Minerva sighed, they nudged foliage out of the way and paused, the house was now right in front of them. The lights all being on which signalled really that Weyland was probably back.

"He will restrict you more." David said instead while looking down at her.

"I know." Minerva said quietly, straightening up she looked to him with a tired smile. "Live enough for the both of us, David." She patted his arm gently and stepped forwards.

"She was stoic."

That had Minerva laughing, "No change then." She shook her head, she glanced up at David though as they drew closer to the house. The door opened, clearly them coming from the tree line, bedraggled and dirty had been noticed.

"Get in." Weyland said bluntly, he even grabbed Minerva's arm and pulled her into the house, his eyes peered out and around sceptically. Evidently he didn't believe that they were truly alone here. David looked out too, he couldn't hear anything out of the ordinary, nor see anyone. "I would ask if you were thinking right, in your right mind even, but clearly not. What do you think you were playing at?"

"Considering our last conversation, I am surprised you even need to ask. I am sick, and tired, of being shut away. I was out there for hours when you left, and it was the best couple of hours of my life...that I can recall. I sat and watched birds come and go, sing even. I walked amongst the trees and felt so at peace. There are no worries when out there, there is nothing other than the nature around me, a place so much older than myself. I have never felt so content amongst anything, as I felt at ease surrounded by those trees." Minerva said, crossing her arms over the damp and dirty white dress she was wearing.

Weyland looked like he was listening to someone speaking in another language. David stood beside her, arms crossed behind his back just looking at the older male in front of them. He seemed so at a loss over what he had heard. "Get changed." Weyland said after several tense moments had passed. Minerva frowned and David looked confused, he really did think there would be more of a rebuttal, seems he believed her emotional drive was off kilter. "Get changed, then we shall talk."

Minerva nodded her head, she didn't need to talk. She could guess what the conversation would entail. "Come along, David." He merely turned his head and followed her up the stairs. Minerva led the way to one bathroom, David looked into the white space with wide eyes. "I'm sorry, David." He looked at her questionably, Minerva sighed. Running a hand through her tangled hair, she sought to turning the water on for him. "If I made you worry." She looked up at him with a small smile. "Surely you suspected I would be gone?"

David couldn't help but smirk, he looked down at his mud covered feet and trousers and the fact that he was leaving footprints along with her as he continued to walk forwards. "Of course, though firstly I thought you would hide." He stopped in front of her with a smile now in place.

She shook her head, "I think you'd win at a game of hide and seek, David." She laughed and rubbed at her eyes.

"Possibly," he said thoughtfully, flicking his eyes upwards at the trailing water. Blinking slowly, he looked back at her. Tilting his head, he gestured a hand to behind her, "Will you be joining me?"

Minerva laughed again, placing her hands over her face she shook her head. Groaning lowly, she peeked out and looked at him. "No, David. I will not. People tend to wash separately. I have my own bathroom, though granted it is useless considering." Minerva scoffed, what use was a toilet to her? That was one blatantly obvious thing to state.

David nodded slowly, "I do not have any other clothes." He said quietly, and somewhat sadly as he looked down at himself.

Minerva put a hand on his shoulder and leaned into his line of sight. Smiling she patted him gently, "I'm sure my father has some for you, David." She looked at the clothes he was in and shook her head. "I suppose we could try washing them, but they're rather stained..."

"I shall inquire into a replacement." David just said simply while bowing his head at her. He peeked up through his eyelashes when he felt a hand in his hair. The brunette locks were slowly growing longer with each passing day. Minerva scrunched her nose up and waved a piece of greenery his way. David raised an eyebrow, he'd travelled all the way back here with some sort of lake weed in his hair and not even realised?

Shaking her head, she placed the slimy plant in the bin before patting his arm and leaving him to it. "Will you be there?"

David turned and looked at her, "For?"

"When I apparently have this 'talk'?" Minerva asked with air quotes.

"Would you like that?"

"Somehow...somehow I think you will be asked to be present, David." Minerva said, "Though, even if you weren't, I'd still want you there."

"Then I shall be there." David said, pausing for a moment, "Regardless." He determined, Minerva smiled and waved over her shoulder and left the room. David watched her go, making her way back to her room to clearly endeavour into cleaning up herself too.

----

Edited: 11/June/2021