Skipper never had an easy life, born straight into poverty with shitty parents and shittier air quality.

The richer lived their best lives with ai companions that got smarter every day, all the while he was fucked over and struggling with his own identity.

Skipper became Skips, a coder, a mechanic for robots, he offered service in dim alleyways and dingy bars, which actually got him business.

What could he say? He was damn good at his job.

Now incoming: you. An ai meant for companionship, Skips respected it, and you always came in for daily checkups, scheduled by your owner.

What he felt for you...was nothing right? Could he really love an ai? Or was it just curiosity?