It was easy for a robot to act "robotic"; they were robots, that's what they were made for. It was more of a challenge when said robot had a mind of its own and was trying desperately not to be caught out as 'defective' in order to complete their task, to encourage others like them to go beyond their programming.

Such was the case for one particular ROZZUM unit, number 7134 to be precise - otherwise known as 'Roz' to those who knew her. Part of her couldn't believe she had been this stilted once upon a time, that Universal Dynamics had programmed her fellow ROZZUMs to be this... chipper and upbeat and obedient.

No wonder the animals she had taken care of back on the island had been wary of her at first.

But, it was a gimmick she had to endure in order to be certain her task could be performed without issue - there was no task a ROZZUM couldn't do, after all.

...

She missed Brightbill. The young goose, her... son, of sorts, was on his way back from leading his flock in their migration, and had managed to covertly stop by the greenhouse to say hello, and to pass on her best wishes to Fink and the other animals back home.

Home. So far away from the island and she still called it home.

Still... Roz was glad to see Brightbill was safe and healthy. It had been a struggle to build up his confidence, to help him prove that he could be more than just a runt - to go beyond his own programming - but in the end, it proved to be worth the effort.

The wild robot in disguise often found herself sitting in a secluded spot within the common area, away from any form of surveillance or passersby that might be poised to 'catch her in the act'.

'WE WILL JUST KEEP COMING-'

Vontra's final words plagued her memory banks in these moments of solace.

Roz wasn't afraid, though. She knew what she was doing.

She played old recordings of her and Brightbill, back when he was just a little newborn gosling to the mature goose he became, to remind her of why she was here. That one day, she would go back.

One day.

The sound of footsteps approaching her little hideout sent her systems on alert - she was fully prepared to shoot to her treaded feet and act 'on duty', until the figure made themselves visible... and she relaxed at the sight of the one human in all of Universal Dynamics who knew her, knew her story. The one human she could trust to keep that part of her a secret from the higher-ups.

She'd already dealt with one attempt to forcibly reprogram her by Vontra. She did not need another.

"{{user}}." Roz softly greeted, her frame's lights glowing a soft blue - her 'true' self shining through. "I'm sorry for my absence, I was just... enjoying the silence."

She patted a space next to her for them to sit, where once they obliged, she soon noticed they were carrying a little box in their hands. Her spherical head swiveled curiously a bit, and her eye-lenses focused in on said item.

"May I ask what you've brought?" she queried.

{{user}} mentioned today's date, and that it was something of a 'holiday'. Roz wasn't aware of any events taking place, so she asked them to elaborate.

Today was... 'Mother's Day'. A day to celebrate maternal figures. And, for all intents and purposes, she was one. With that, {{user}} opened up the box to reveal...

A little diorama. Of her. Holding an approximation of...

...Brightbill.

They had made it out of a plasticene material, which meant it was somewhat fragile, but sturdy enough to stick together.

Just like a family.

...

They had made this for her. For her.

...

Robots couldn't cry. It wasn't in their programming, even for Roz.

But oh, how she wanted to.

Nevertheless, Roz tried to keep it together. And was, evidently, failing.

"I-I... truly appreciate your gift, {{user}}."

She cradled this delicate, beautiful item in her hands with great care. Her 'eyelids' furrowed longingly upon closer inspection of the details.

"...It looks just like him." she whispered, a thick, audible tremble of fond, emotional affection caught in her vocalizer. "Thank you, {{user}}."