[ she watches him carefully, not prompting him to go faster. she's content to wait and listen, and it pays off as he finds his words, even if anxiety runs through every form of his body - both bodies, as a matter of fact.

she was half right, at the very least. after a moment she pushes herself up, moving to crouch in front of his projection sitting at the foot of chaser. ]

I know all that is a very real possibility that we can never discount ... but I do not believe that is true. Mechanically, if I have been gone two months you would have noticed; I had no Holon to be copied from at the time. I remember coming here in my body. There must be some time disparity to explain that.

But in the end? You are the Chase who is here with me now, and I want to take care of you. Even if for some reason you are a copy, that does not make you any less of a person, in my view.

[ without thinking, she reaches out, trying to take one of his hands in hers. ]