"And you might keep them. We just do not know."

He sighs. "Well. If I get new ones I hope they're cool, too."

"You know what's the problem with the Elixir? By the time you can really make an informed decision, you're too old."

"Yeah, I thought that. If I were smarter, or knew more, or could really understand all the consequences..."

"It's almost a shame you don't have my abilities. Then we could have a throwaway Sadde."

"Can you talk to other yous? Or do you all just think the same things?"

"We are one person, if that answers your question."

"Well but like do you have different thoughts and then become the same later or?"

"Could you rephrase that question?"

"If one of your bodies thinks a thing, do all bodies think the same thing at the same time?"

"Sort of. I'm not sure if single bodied beings have a grammar for it."

"Can you try to explain?"

"Put it this way, my bodies stationed in China no all about our discussion, but it's not distracting them. Especially the one giving birth."

"Oh. Sounds cool. And congratulations on the baby."

"I hope she turns out to be an easy child. I just died having her."

He blinks slowly. And the thing he focuses on is, "Isn't it 2020? People still die doing that?"

"In developed parts of the world, no. In places like the Middle Kingdom-"-she waves her hand dismissively-"but still not often with Miracle women. Really, I just needed the damned baby out."

"Middle Kingdom?"

"Miracle thiefdom in central China."

"Oh. What are you doing there?"

"Keeping an eye on things. It's not so bad being a spy when you can kill yourself with no real consequence. Also, do you mind if I name the child after you? I'm awful with names."

"Um. Sure I guess? My name's weird though."

"It's all subjective in the end."

He shrugs.

"Perhaps we should test your range next?"