She rose up from the bed, told me she needed to take a piss, verbatim, as she walked into the bathroom.

I realized I needed to do the same and followed suit. She used the toilet, so I just squatted down above the bathroom drain. She doesn't think it's that weird anymore. Saves more water than flushing, anyway. She started to speak.

"Stayed up all night?"

"Yes, I was waxing poetic about why I was wasting my time and waning poetic on getting anything done."

"Alright, I kinda understand what that meant."

"Thanks."

"You don't need to-

well, alright. You're welcome. Today's one of those days?"

"I feel like I know nothing and that I am constantly slipping despite being on some rather stable ground."

"Took your meds?"

"Ah. Before I slept?"

"Well, nothing to be done now then, I suppose. Took out a day from work because I felt a bit taxed, too. They actually let me go, which was nice."

"Great. Is it okay if I stay with you for a while? Like, just be your shadow for today and never leave?"

"Are you sure? You tend to regret doing that and say that feel like you’ve wasted the entire day after."

"I've resigned the thought. You're familiar. You're understanding. I like you. Also, you smell really nice today."

"I just woke up. Didn't even shower or do anything yet."

"Yes."

"Well, I-” “…you pervert." She said, giggling again with a slight grin, on the side of her that I could see.

I finished doing my business and changed into set of cleaner clothes, and promptly crawled back to her side, debating if I should offer my clothes to her or not.

[ | | | | ] “Hey, aren’t you still working on that one connectome scan for a client?” She asked, sliding on a loose shirt and a pair of sweatpants. “Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me. Well, I’ve already processed each major section of the brain, so the bulk of the work’s done. I could send it now, most people are usually satisfied with that. It’s not like they ever choose to clone themselves using a copy they feel is a bit too old, or that much of them would even want a copy in the first place. I’d tell them the statistics of them having someone else who exists who’s pretty much like them, but that’s already lost me too many clients.” We’re walking to the kitchen. Breakfast for dinner. “Wait, how many other for-hire Cognitians are there?” I help her gather up the ingredients. “I dunno. Maybe people just don’t want to preserve themselves digitally forever after dwelling on it for a bit. Do people normally feel scared when they think they’re being replaced?” She handles the knives, I handle the drinks. “We both know I can’t give an answer you’d like for that, I am a fake, after all.” Grapes and kiwi sound delicious. Blended. “Don’t say that, you’re human just like anyone else. You think and breathe and act like most people do, and where you come from doesn’t matter.” Accidentally squeezed a kiwi in my hand too hard and it went everywhere. “I know I do, just let me use the word for now.”

[ | | | | ] Dinner is served. Bacon and eggs with a side of vegetables.

[ | | | | ] I can trust that they’ll still be Bacon and eggs with a side of vegetables. when I’ve long since cleared them from my mind. That’s a comforting thought.

[ | | | | ] “Going outside would do you some good, you know. Just for a bit more. Treadmills are great and all, but staying inside all the time worries me. I want you to take care of yourself.” She said, with more affect than she says most things. She means it. “Look, if it helps, we could probably just walk to someplace quiet and sit and stare at things for an hour. You’d like that, right?” She says, looking out for me. “Wanna go to the penthouse and stare at the scenery first before we actually leave the building?” I say. Maybe I should leave more than once a week. The outside world is beautiful, to be sure. I hope. Maybe it’s changed for the better since I went out last week. Maybe the ice cream aisle would actually stock Mint Chocolate Chip.