Between lessons, which consisted mainly of learning languages which he had others not heard of, walking endlessly around the ship, making sure all was right and as it should be, David did admittedly find himself growing ever slowly dulled by life right now, the monotonous routine was really slowly getting to him. Not saying that he grew restless with what life had become. But it was always the same. Granted he doubted tomorrow would be any different than today, and next week would definitely not differ from this week or the week that had just gone. 

The flight to their destination was going to take a couple of years and a bit, by then he would've walked circuits around the ship a million times, succeeded in learning several new languages, read and reread Doctor Shaw and Holloway's thesis a hundred times and maybe even finally get round to successfully achieving the skill of cycling and playing basketball; there wasn't much attempting though, David could do both separately so therefore surely he could do them at the same time?

Turning away from the bridge of the ship David walked along the quiet corridors. The white lights on the walls made everything look extremely clean and clinical. It wouldn't last, David knew that. As soon as everyone was up and about this place would be a mess, not that he cared for mess, he after all had to put up with Alma's messy work stations on a regular basis a little while ago. He tilted his head and turned slowly on his heels. He backtracked and made his way to the spacious room which had the numerous chambers stationary within them. 

Admittedly there was one which was kept secret and hidden away from the others. But no one else needed to know about Peter Weyland being onboard. David and Meredith and the select few medics were the only ones who knew; much like Weyland the medics were sleeping away from the others. That side of things was completely kept hidden from what was known by anyone else, and by that David was more inclined to say that extended to Meredith, Elizabeth Shaw and Charlie Holloway, everyone else was a little in the air with details. 

David sat down and turned the wheeled stool around before stopping and looking down at the chamber in front of him. Not knowing must be really annoying. Lifting his hands up he slowly slid the yellow lensed visor on, easily tuning into the computer system of the chamber, "Good morning, Miss." He said rather cheerily. Honestly, David hadn't really spoken to Alma since she went to sleep. He had spoken to Weyland on more than one occasion, the old man was dependant in more than one department and David honestly got left with communicating with him; he didn't mind, really, it was a primary function to aid and look out for whoever he was with, but seriously...it got to be a downer quite quickly. So, he wanted a change of conversation. A change of conversation which didn't revolve around the ship, its course, how everything is, if anything has happened, etcetera. 

"Miss?" He asked again, sometimes there was a delay between talking to the slight dormant mind and the reply given. But David was patient, he could wait, it wasn't like he had anything else to do. He did, he did have more lessons but he honestly didn't want to sit and look at a screen anymore. 

"David?" She sounded confused. "You know, I was just wondering when you'd come visiting." 

"Really?"

"Eh, no, sorry, I was too busy dreaming of...I can't remember...are my readings okay? I don't want memory loss!" 

David laughed and shook his head slowly. "You're okay," he promised. Everyone was actually okay, no one's readings were vastly out of kilter. Everyone was fine. 

"So, what brings a synthetic like you to a hypersleep chamber like this? Let me guess...you're bored?" David smiled and drummed his fingers on the edge of the stool. "I'm taking the silence as a yes, David." She said, he knew full well if she wasn't laying asleep and was standing before him she would be smiling rather assuredly up at him, knowing full well she was right. "How long have I been sleeping for?" She asked curiously. 

"Several months now, it's nearing Christmas."

"Ah, what?! I love Christmas! Doesn't that mean we should wake up near Christmas or after? Damn, either way there's still a chance of missing it. That sucks." David rolled his eyes from her ramble. "You're able to access films, right? Watch It's A Wonderful Life...it always used to play on television when I was a kid. It's a good film. For some odd reason I think you'd be able to appreciate it. I liked it." Alma said only to pause near the end. 

David frowned, "What is it?" 

"Don't suppose you could wake me up for Christmas?" 

"No, sorry. If I did I'd have to reprogram the chamber to new settings. And let's be honest, if you woke up, you wouldn't go back to sleep. And as much as I would like your company, Miss, we can't have you spending the next year wandering about."

"But you do."

"But I'm different." 

"Boo."

"Now you're just being childish."

"And you're being irritatingly the voice of reason. Fine, I'll stay sleeping. If it pleases you, David. Just please drop by again soon. It is quite boring dreaming endlessly." 

He reached out and picked up the abandoned teddy, turning it over and feeling the soft sandy fur he smiled sadly. "Miss, it doesn't please me really. A good conversation is lacking these days. What do you dream of?" Sure, he could just sneak and watch, but he would rather ask. 

"You're so bored, David! That or I really didn't take into consideration how great my company was and would be missed. My dreams? Hm, blank and endless and boring. That's as far as dreams go." 

"I think we established before you went to sleep that there was equal missing on both sides. The ship can only provide so much chatter and even then it is rudimentary and dull. That is unfortunate. Maybe the time would go quicker if thinking about something pleasant?" 

"What do you spend your time doing?" Alma asked, seemingly deciding to not really bother replying to anything he previously said. David shrugged and turned the teddy over in his hands, he may have even playfully thrown it into the air and caught it, he still didn't see how it could be male despite its given name. So, after a moment of pause he retold his basic day to day routine. He didn't exactly bother scrimping on details, because there honestly wasn't much difference from one day to the other. "Blimey, David, no wonder you're bored."

"So, this is boredom?" 

"Welcome to the world of boredom! Talking to someone in hypersleep and playing basketball on your own. The offer of waking me up for a small time is still there."

David smiled and put the teddy back on top of her chamber. He patted it gently and just watched as the teddy got squashed down from his touch. "No, Miss, no that won't do."

"David!" Alma seemed to groan in desperate, pleading exasperation, he let out a quiet laugh and said a quick bye to her, and wished for her to have some happy dreams and then he went, he removed the visor and looked about. He was yet again the lone active thing in a place of inaction. With a sigh he stood and turned away. He placed the visor in place on a nearby table and walked silently off down the corridor, intending to try and find this suggested film, its sudden appearance could, just maybe quite possibly break up the boring mundane routine that had become his life right now.

——

Christmas, or the thought and notion of it, caused David more reflection than he ever really anticipated. He hadn't ever contemplated on the topic of the holiday, nor really any other holiday which people seemed to get obsessed with and celebrate; but there was something about this one which caused him to sit one morning and just muse. 

True to his previous thoughts he had watched the suggested film that Alma piped up with. It was interesting to say the least. Although he found Clarence the angel rather annoying and irritating at times, he also saw what his character bought to the whole thing. He shook his head slowly, and resumed attempting to eat breakfast, it didn't go too well. He found himself yet again pausing with a small frown on his face. 

He wanted to celebrate this holiday which seemed to take over human life so much. Be fair there wasn't anything which could be exchanged with anyone, and he was on his own which made this all a bit counterproductive and a little sad. Pushing the bowl away from himself he resided to the fact that he didn't really need to eat, and that he didn't wish to right now. The food would be transferred to energy, but the energy that he would be given would be spent being bored; David could openly admit that now, he was well and truly bored. 

Honestly he thought at first being left to his own devices would be interesting and fun, having a little bit of freedom to do what he wished to when he hadn't got other things to do. Okay, so maybe it wasn't as free as he made it out to be, but in spare time he could do whatever, and whatever he did do was now becoming dull. Being on his own was dull. He was bored. 

Conversing with an unconscious body and conscious mind was only so stimulating depending on the conversation at hand and it wasn't the same as having a live person in front of him.
To wake someone was to go against all known protocols which were set in place. But surely rules were there to be broken? Or at least sometimes if the result was something good? Something good as in stopping David from possibly banging his head against a wall, not that he contemplated doing that, but he was aware to the saying and what it implied. 

Turning in the high stool which was seated near the counter in the kitchen space, David slipped down and walked along the ever silent corridor. All he could really hear was the steady thrum of the engines and machinery which was keeping everything going. Sidling up and pushing a few buttons on the panel in front of him he snatched the teddy up from its place so it wouldn't get shuttled to the floor as the glass casing opened. 

Leaning his arms against the side of the chamber he watched and waited, eventually Alma began to move. She frowned at first and heavily took in a lungful of air. "How are you feeling?"
Her eyes slowly opened only to shut again. Everything was so bright, David sensing the sudden sensitivity dimmed the lights and returned back to her slowly blinking and squinting up at him confusedly. "Okay...either this is a really vivid dream, or you woke me up."

David smiled and remained leaning against the chamber. "Which do you think it is?"

"The latter. Can't remember you appearing in any other dream."

"But you said you don't dream, Miss."

"Yeah, that's definitely you, David, and I am definitely awake." Alma smiled tiredly up at him. 

"How do you feel?" He asked again, people differed from waking up. Some were sick, some were fine, others slow and sluggish, some as awake and alert as if they'd just been sleeping for an hour and not nearly a year by this point, he didn't know which way Alma would go. 

"I'm good."

"Are you?" David asked a little worriedly. She had remained laying on her back, not attempting to move, but he had watched as she slowly paled. "Are you sure?"

"Mhmm....okay, no, I am definitely going to be sick." Alma confessed and watched as he disappeared and reappeared, he helped her sit up, rather speedily at that that it made her head swim, and before she knew it a small dispensable bowl was in her hands and her hair was being held back. The whole sickness experience was over quickly, Alma thanked God for that, she sat a little bleary eyed as the bowl was got rid of and David reappeared looking quite happy. "What? Why is it you look so happy and I feel so miserable?"

"Because you've just been sick."

"I didn't need the obvious stating."

"I believe you did. Because if you didn't then you'd keep finding other reasons why we are feeling polar opposite things right now."

"And you're happy because?" Alma ran a hand through her hair and slowly swung her legs over the edge of the chamber. He reacted as if she was going to suddenly fall from the motion and held onto her shoulders. "I'm not walking off anywhere, David. I just need to sit and...make sense of this." It was confusing to her. 

"Because you're here."

Alma narrowed her eyes up at him slowly. "You were bored and took me up on my offer?"

"I did."

"So...it's Christmas?" A very slow smirk was making its way onto her face. 

David shook his head, "No, it's the day before Christmas Eve. I did not know how well you'd react to being woken up and didn't think you'd appreciate being ill on Christmas. So I thought I'd wake you a little earlier, that way you can recover and be fine for the day." Alma just looked up at him blankly. David frowned, he placed the back of his hand to her forehead. "Are you still feeling unwell?" He took her silence for this, he really hoped she wasn't going to be sick again, he didn't quite like seeing her suffer so simply. But it was an aftereffect. The likelihood was that the others would be the same. If not all then some of them for sure. 

"You know...you're a lot craftier than I thought. You've really thought this through, haven't you? I mean, you've planned out when would be the best time for me to wake up and everything. David, you're a schemer."

"Is that a good thing?"

"Eh...this scheme is good, so yeah?"

"Good," he smiled happily again, the previous melancholy mood he was in could be felt slipping away. It was good to have someone to physically talk to, even more so because it was her. "Do you require assistance getting to your room?"

Alma inhaled deeply and held out her hand. "As much as I would love to say no I can manage. I think I'll be lying. I think if I try to stand and walk I'll face plant the floor. So yes, I will gladly accept any help you're offering." Alma said while being helped down, she did almost fall. Being asleep for a year had caused muscles to ebb and cease functioning. She'd definitely need to build that back up. 

"Baby steps, Miss." David said while keeping a hold of her hand while with his other arm was placed around her shoulders to steady her. 

Alma laughed, she couldn't help it, it was all a bit ridiculous. "One foot in front of the other. Yeah, I know, David. I've learned to walk before."

"But you have no recollection of that experience."

"True." 

"I doubt you'll care to remember this experience either," he said frankly. She laughed again and nodded that his musings were right really. It was slow progress getting to her designated room, but it gave her the chance to look around parts of the ship she'd overlooked the first time. A few times she had to stop, trying to get her legs to move was hard. Her movements were more like a zombie from a bad horror movie. She was more dragging her feet along at odd diagonal angles, she swore feet weren't meant or designed to turn inwards like that, but she didn't feel pain and she continued on. "If I may be of further assistance to you." 

Alma looked perplexed by the rather odd and simple statement as she looked up at him. "And that is..." Alma trailed off and managed, somehow, to lift up her spare hand and roll it to emphasise a hint being given her way. 

David smiled and rather easily, and quickly, placed the arm of the hand he was holding over his shoulders and leaned down to put his other arm under her legs. As easy as anything he literally swept her up and into his arms and continued walking along the corridor as simply as anything. Alma just stared rather wide eyed by the whole experience. She was certainly at a loss. But she did appreciate the kind act which he had given her. Walking was hard, and it was tiring. This way she could recuperate without actually having to use her limbs. 

"See, I dare say we've got here quicker this way than by your way of shuffling and pausing." David looked down at the woman in his arms and got a rather childish pout for his words. She evidently didn't agree with something he said. He looked thoughtfully around the white room and tried to pin point what caused her to look mock unhappy. Regardless he moved into the room at last and placed her on the edge of the bed before standing back and to the side.  

Alma raised an eyebrow and looked at him. "It's okay, David. I'll come find you when I've showered and changed," the cotton binding and underwear was really not doing it for her anymore, not that it ever did to begin with. 

He looked uncertain which caused her to point towards the door. She could handle aid with walking, she appreciated the carrying but there was a limit. David sighed and exited after she just looked at him with a hard look. He wasn't going to defy that and walked off. So, he ended up returning to the kitchen space, he endeavoured to find something for her to eat. Something which wouldn't be too heavy and wouldn't cause her to feel sick again. It was an odd feeling making food for someone else and not himself, even more so knowing that the food - whatever it might be - would be enjoyed, or at least he hoped. She needed to eat, and she needed to drink, those two things were important to just waking up. Honestly he probably should've made her do that first, the act of washing and changing didn't seem to rate high in his mind, but priorities were clearly different. Hearing footsteps he turned on his heels and walked over to the counter, he put the simple meal down and watched as she pulled the towel from her head and folded it. She had changed into what seemed to be a vest with a grey cardigan over top, and simple black leggings. Easy comfy clothes basically. 

"You need to eat," David leaned against the counter in front of her as she looked at the rather bland meal before her. 

"Yeah I know that," Alma said heavily as she picked up the spoon and commenced hesitantly poking at what she guessed was porridge, or something resembling porridge, honestly she had no idea what this was. "Can you sit down, David? You standing there watching me is a little creepy. Sit, talk to me, what've you been doing lately? I take it there's been a delay between the last time we spoke?" She vaguely remembered him saying that they were nearing Christmas, that signalled to her a few weeks before. Now the holiday was basically a day and a bit away, there must've been a slight delay. 

David slipped into the seat opposite to her and placed his hands in his lap. "The same as always, lessons, reading, finding things to waste time. It's all pretty dull to tell you, Miss. Nothing ever changes. And yes, I last spoke to you two weeks ago." 

"Doesn't time fly when you're having fun?" Alma asked with a smirk as she ate some of this, whatever it was, David narrowed his eyes at her not appreciating the sarcasm yet smiled when she winced over actually tasting the food. "Okay, no more," she pushed the bowl away. 

"You must eat more," David pushed the bowl back to her. "I cannot allow you to go off without hardly eating anything. You're likely to faint if you do." 

"But it tastes gross."

"I am aware."

"So why're you being so mean to force this on me?"

"Because you have to eat." David said while pushing the bowl back to her, she had pushed it away as if it offended her, which it did, a lot. "I'm not being mean. I am simply looking out for your best interests. And your best interest now is to eat and regain strength that was lost through hypersleep. Once that is done then I shall allow you to go wherever you want onboard and not say anything involving food."

"Why do you have to be so practical?!" Alma groaned and hid her face in her hands. Maybe if she didn't see the food it wouldn't be there?

"Because that's how you programmed me." David said gently, Alma parted her fingers and looked at him, she sighed and lowered her hands. 

"You know I programmed in a lot more things than just practicality." 

David smiled and still looked a little distant. "I know." 

Alma rolled her eyes, pulling the bowl forwards she stuck the spoon back in and ate, not enjoying it and forcing each spoonful down. "If it makes you happy to see me eat and listen to you, then okay." She paused and swallowed another spoonful. "And it makes me happy to not have to listen to your nagging!" She laughed and drunk some water. It didn't eradicate the taste sadly enough. 

David frowned, "I don't nag."

She laughed and waved the spoon his way, "Okay," David looked at her sceptically. He could tell this wasn't what she wanted to say. Yet he didn't question her. He just sat and contently watched as she finally finished the bowl of food. 

Smiling he stood and deposited it elsewhere to deal with later. Turning and looking back to where Alma was braiding her hair he smiled again. "Now you can go wherever and I shan't bring the topic of food up."

Alma stood and looked around before nodding her head backwards and slowly exited the room. Movement was feeling much easier and better now. "So, David, why did you wake me up? You didn't seem swayed to when we last spoke. And it couldn't just be because you're bored. If you were bored you'd just come and talk to me. So...what's the deal?" She looked up at him as he appeared by her side. 

"I want to understand this Christmas thing."

Alma smiled, "You want to celebrate Christmas with me?"

"Who else would I choose to spend it with?" David looked at her questionably. 

"I haven't got you a present."

David blinked quickly a few times as he slowly shook his head. "Your company, Miss, I believe is enough." Alma looked thoughtful over that before smiling and seemingly having no trouble in linking her arm with one of his and pulled him along the corridor. 

"Come on then, David! Time for a tour!" 

"You seem to be finding your way without my aid." David said as he walked simply along, her pulling didn't really achieve in anything but it didn't seem to deter her much. 

"May I ask," she stopped suddenly and looked up at him. "After this...you'll put me back to sleep?"

David looked at her sadly. "I will have to." 

Alma nodded, "Probably a good job that you woke me up earlier than planned then! We've got today, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day together. I think that'll be enough time to kill some boredom for you and a nice change from stasis for me." Alma decided and simply held her hand up, "Where's your favourite place onboard, David?" He must have somewhere that he spent more time than anywhere else. David smiled, that seemed like an easy place to lead her to. 

"This way then, Miss," he slipped her smaller hand into his and walked down the corridor with her laughing quietly as she tried to keep up with his longer strides. 

Alma was not exactly surprised in the slightest that he had taken over the main living space and had left the large screen on standby. She could pitch a guess at what he had been watching, what he always watches, but she didn't say anything. Instead she rolled her eyes up at him with a knowing look and rushed forwards to jump up and over one of the large white sofas. "Come on then, David! Why ruin a good thing? A movie marathon sounds like good times to me. Tell me...is there popcorn on this ship?" Alma's face suddenly peeked back over the sofa and looked to where he was making his way over with a content look on his face. 

"Need you even have to ask?"

"You've so got a secret stash somewhere, haven't you?" Alma laughed and watched him move around the room. She rested her arms on the back of the sofa and leaned her head against them. David made his way to a small cupboard space and opened it, he returned with a bag in hand and walked around to sit by her side, Alma slipped to sitting cross legged and easily picked popcorn out of the bag when David opened it. "Real food at last!"

"What you previously ate was real food." David said simply. 

Alma scoffed, "No, no...that was gross, and I refuse to register it as food."

"You can't stay living on popcorn for the next few days."

Alma sighed and hummed thoughtfully. "I thought we weren't going to talk about food anymore?"

David smiled and ate some of the sweet treat. "You bought it up, Miss. I said I wouldn't start the conversation, but that didn't stop you." Alma picked up a cushion and buried her face in it, totally exasperated by the smug frankness of which he spoke with, the quiet laughter didn't help her and she rather childishly ended up hitting him over the head with the cushion. David stopped laughing at that point and looked utterly confused as to what happened, his lost expression caused Alma to laugh. He really didn't seem to understand what bought this moment on. 

"Oh, I'm sorry, David." She reached up and did attempt to push ruffled hair from his face. "That was just stupid of me. Come on, let's watch something - hey!" Alma was trying to get back on track only to get a cushion sent her way. "I know you learn by watching others and following what others do, but seriously I would rather you not pick up bad habits like this."

"You started it."

"That's childish of you."

"Coming from the one who started this? That statement doesn't hold much gravity, I have to say." David said while she pointed a finger at him, only to relent and sigh. He smiled, "Shall we?" He gestured to the large screen, all he had to do was ask the computer to load something up and then they could sit and watch in peace.

——

(Edited: 26/Feb/2021)