Chance encounters / Private

Click, click, whirr.

Ah, it was a good thing he had decided to come indoors. As much as he had wanted to stay outside, to wander down towards the lake and observe the winter festivities...Too much cold began to mess with him after a while, and he had been spending a lot of time outside lately. Once chilled to a certain point, the oil and other fluids that kept his inner workings lubricated became affected with a certain sluggishness. That imparted him with an almost languid nature, and every time it happened Kinsley wondered vaguely if this was what it was like to be tired. Humans like his creator, and other organic beings often had a need for the process known as sleep. The only thing that came close for him was winding down whenever his spring had ran its course and to him, the experience wasn't very pleasant. Yet people seemed to enjoy going to bed so there must have been something he was missing.

Winter did make him sympathize with their nature of wanting to sit still when they were fatigued, though. As when the oil within him began to chug slightly from the cold he too had the desire to simply find some place and sit still for a while. Subconsciously he had made his way to the library, as it was one of his other favorite places besides the gardens. Books were a great insight into the things that he had never experience due to the nature of his creation. But currently, the automaton wasn't there to read. He simply wanted somewhere to rest.

His boots clicked softly against the floor as he walked, his steps careful and measured, even more hyper-aware of his presence in a room such as this. He had learned quickly that quietness was preferred in the library, and being someone to strictly adhere to rules, Kinsley did his utmost to obey that unspoken law. So he gave any loitering groups a wide berth, not wishing to disturb any possible studying, and made his way to a small reading nook that seemed to be unoccupied. Sidling up to one of the large chairs, he moved to nestle upon the soft cushion. His weight sunk into the seat slightly as he got adjusted, his posture straightening instinctively as he crossed one leg over the other.

Here he could sit for a while and warm up, and possibly mull over the concept of 'rest' - comparing the definition he was familiar with, with the vague sense of contentment he currently felt.

There was movement, of that much he was aware of. Having attentiveness so ingrained into his very being thanks to his programming, it was only logical that he was quite in tune to his surroundings. So as faint footsteps approached, he turned his head slightly and inclined it in the direction of the sound. His emerald gaze settled on what appeared to be a young lady of sorts. Her gait was rather hesitant, almost as if she were...frightened? Kinsley was unsure, sometimes people could be hard to read. Especially since nothing was as black and white as they seemed to be. Watching organics go about their day to day life had him convinced that emotions were very difficult to handle. He barely had a grasp on them himself beyond the deep mourning his creator's absence instilled in him.

So, just in case, Kinsley adjusted his posture slightly and tried to project a non-threatening air. He truly did not wish to be intimidated or anything of the sort. Rising slowly, as his programmed decorum required, he gave her as much of a friendly smile as his carved features could support — a slight, gradual upward curve of his pale lips. Chin dipping forward for a brief moment, he bowed his head before straightening up once more. "Salutations," Greeted the automaton with a soft lilt. "If you wish to sit, do not let me keep you from relaxing," He flourished one hand towards the surrounding chairs, jointed fingers lightly splayed.

Her commentary caused him to pause though, his mind whirring as he tried to figure out the best way to parse that question. After a few moments, he finally continued, "I believe that is a correct assessment, yes. I am not quite like the others that populate this school." He hesitated for a beat and then amended: "I do hope the quality of my being is not offensive."

After he had finished speaking, he had simply stood, his hand coming to rest at his side, his head tilted lightly in the woman's direction. He was the picture of attentiveness, all his focus rooted on the individual in front of him. The rest of the library could have ceased to exist and it was unlikely he would have minded much, it was in his programming to tend to organics and this one currently held his attention. Their conversation thus ranked much higher in importance than anything else. Keenly invested in her words, he nodded once as he listened, a few long crimson bangs swaying lightly with the movement. Since she deigned not to sit, he too would stand. That was only polite. "As you wish," stated the automaton, content to respect her decision. He considered, for a moment, apologizing that he had interrupted her work, but she continued on and so he let the subject drop. She did not appear to be bothered, so he would endeavor to maintain the same attitude.

"Curiosity? I see. If there is anything I might do to help satiate said curiosity, please let me know. I am at your service." He drew up one arm and placed the palm of his hand flat to his chest before giving a small bow. Kinsley lingered like that for a moment before straightening up, blinking once as his mind whirred and a realization hit him. "It occurs to me I have yet to introduce myself. Please forgive me for that rudeness. I am Kinsley," He flourished in another bow, this one a little deeper than the first, before he again straightened.

Markers? He supposed it made sense he was missing something, as he was well aware he was not like other beings, having been made by his creator. Yet he was not quite sure in what ways she was measuring him, nor how he could improve on what he appeared to lack. Kinsley made a note to inquire upon it further, but held the thought for the time being as answering a question with a question of his own wasn't very gentlemanly. "I was trying, I believe the term is, to 'rest'..." He trailed off for a beat or two — click, whirr. "However, I do not believe it is inaccurate to state that I was also waiting. As I exist to serve, when I am not currently working, I am just waiting to continue service."

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Aurora." This he offered almost immediately after she had introduced herself, only hesitating long enough for her name to be processed through his memory. Watching her bow, he blinked once and let that slight smile settle onto his carved features once more. It was rare indeed for him to be afforded the same courtesies he gave other people. Not that he considered everyone else rude, but he was cognizant of the fact that he was a little "outdated" in his programming style. Or so he had been told once or twice. He trusted others to know more about that than he himself could. Head inclined towards her as she continued to speak, he idly let his hands settle in a fold against the small of his back. If it weren't for the fact that he blinked every now and then, he could have seemed much like some art project.

"I do not mind at all. I will strive to answer any question you may have to the best of my ability, Miss Aurora. I was created to serve my maker, Mister Phillip Holloway. However," He gave a long blink, the vague smile fading from his features. His lips quirked, and likely he would have frowned if it his face wasn't so rigid. The sensation of loss he felt at dredging up recollections of his creator still baffled him. It was like...Something had gotten caught in his gears, or a spring had snapped, or something of the sort. Yet he was quite certain that besides the mild sluggishness from the cold he was currently functioning optimally. The unpleasant feeling lingered still, and he didn't know what to do with it. "However...I have not seen him for quite some time."

Kinsley paused. His inner workings turned. He tried to parse the emotion and send it away, as it wasn't conducive to this conversation at all, and he didn't want to seem rude. After a moment, he went to focus on the rest of her statements and questions.

"I do appreciate the thought. As of late I have been tending the school grounds but with the weather as it is...It can cause my systems to get sluggish after too much exposure."

Blinking once, he tilted his head to the opposite side as he took in her words and mulled them over. She wanted to help? That...Hmm. He registered something akin to warmth on the edges of his senses, and was quick to notate it as something new. The thought of seeing his creator again filled him with a feeling he wasn't sure how to articulate. Kinsley was certain, however, that it was a much more enjoyable sensation than the one of emptiness that arose every time he dwelled too deeply on the man's disappearance. His stare was intent, and soon came another blink after he realized he was in fact peering at her perhaps a little too intensively. "You would do that? I would be in your debt, Miss Aurora. Anything I might be able to do or offer in return as thanks, do let me know. Anything at all." His tone didn't carry desperation very well, given the fact that he wasn't even sure what this feeling was, this sense of aimlessness without his creator--...but he was, at the very least, quite earnest.

As he was thanked, his lips pursed gently and he tipped his chin downwards once more, head bowed for a beat. "I am glad you approve. I do my best, it is nice to be of use again." For someone with such a need for a firm sense of purpose, tending the grounds at least helped partially fill the hole left by his maker. It was certainly better than idling around with absolutely nothing to do, as had been the case before he came to the academy.

"I was very much an inside companion before Mister Holloway left. Had it been in the original plans for me to be outside so much I do not doubt he would have added something of the sort to counteract the cold. As it stands though, no, they are not quite enough for prolonged exposure."