The New Kid is a Robot?! [Seren]

The android knew, from the moment he stepped off the boat and onto the island, that this place would be unlike anything he'd experienced before. He tried to walk quietly, not an easy feat for someone made of metal. His footsteps left soft, echoing, metallic thuds. In his left hand he carried his single bag of luggage. He extended his right, feeling an invisible force flow through his fingertips. It took him a moment to realize that it was called 'wind.' He slowly rotated his head, taking in the magnificent scenery around him. It had been over a decade since he had last seen the outside world. It was beautiful.

He walked slowly, deliberately, unwilling to return to the cold that was the inside. He spun around in a 360-degree angle as he wandered. There were benches here and there, and the trees budded with the first promises of spring. If he were human, Rafael might have wept from joy. Another sensation came to his processor, one he did not remember ever feeling: freedom.

No sooner had that thought entered his CPU than he clamped it shut. He was not supposed to feel, he was not able to feel. He was a computer, only a computer. Feelings were for humans, and he would never, ever be anywhere near remotely human. To think such a thing was disobedience. Disobedient computers were of no use to the company.

SynuTech's orders repeated themselves in his processor until Rafael was sure he would be sick. Another human concept, he realized dismally. I cannot get sick. Well, there are such things as computer viruses, but--he shook his head. It really was such a bother, having all these rogue thoughts.

As he walked, Raf hoped to encounter someone who might help him find his way around, or introduce him to the school at least. But there was no one, human or machine, in sight. He grew uneasy, but strode onward hopefully. The soft humming of his resplandor de vida comforted him. His life source, always working, never failing, always consistent in its light. The one constant in his life of unpredictable data.

Delia was lucky she didn't have classes today, as well she was even happier that it was nice outside. With her bow and arrows hanging form her back, Delia made her way into the court yard - taking a deep breath of the fresh air all around her. Clad in a white bohemian style strappy dress, Delia wore a necklace that would remind most people of the wood off a tree. As for shoes, the young girl wore brown sandals that seemed to cling onto her feet desperately as she walked.

Excited to be outside for once, which was a drastic change from her usual somber attitude as of recent - Delia started her slow pace, wondering where she should try and go first. As she thought this though, the young woman stopped harshly as her nose connected with a hard surface. Stumbling back a bit, Delia brought her hand up to her nose as water started to gather around her eyes. "O-Ow," she murmured - turning her head up to realize that she had run into another student.

"O-Oh, e-e-excuse m-me!" Delia announced then, rubbing her nose in an attempt to get rid of the pain radiating in her face. A few seconds passed as the pain seemed to recede, which allowed Delia to fully look up at the person that she had run into. She realized that despite most of the males she's run across Foresta, this one in particular was not that much taller than her. The surprise at this fact showed quite clearly on her face as her eyes connected with his mechanical seeing orbs.

Raf wore a simple black polo shirt and tan trousers. His power source made its presence clear as it glowed through his shirt; a fact that comforted and troubled him at the same time. Most humans did not respond well to such a strange anatomical feature. He remembered how his technicians at SynuTech would make a game out of threatening to tear his vida out, laughing as he panicked. But of course, they meant well. They would--they would never do such a thing. Right?

So lost in his thoughts was the android that he nearly did not notice a human female approaching him. She had blonde-brown hair and greenish eyes that were currently not focused on him. She apparently did not notice him, as she walked right into him before he could have a chance to react. But react he did when she smashed her face into his chest. He leapt back immediately, apologies whirling through his processor. Her hazel gaze flashed up to meet his, surprise clear in her eyes. Though whether this shock was at their collision or his not being human, he did not know. His own crimson eyes were startled and contrite.

"Sorry! I did not--I...are you alright?" he asked in concern, still bewildered at the whole situation. He felt a twinge of guilt as the female--presumably a student--rubbed her nose in pain, eyes watering. His chest was not the softest of surfaces.

Rafael expressed his concern for her injured nose (or for her) and Delia raised her eyebrows - clearly surprise still remaining in her expression. "Y-Yes, I-I'll b-b-be o-o-o-okay." The young woman stammered out with intense difficulty. Looking back up at Rafael, Delia's eyes passed over the red glow that was coming from his chest. Confusion entered into the mix of emotions showed on her face then as the young girl took a few steps back to put some distance between her and the person she just ran into.

"W-W-Why i-is your c-chest glowing?" Delia asked the young man machine then, only silently chastising herself for her blunt question after everything was said and done. Despite having such a speech problem due to shyness among other things, Delia found it difficult not to ask about any particular thing she noticed about a person - a slight side effect of her power allowing her to have such strong observation skills.

[ooc; I'm sorry this took me so long! Just started a new job and got stuck on a video game. xD]

Raf tilted his head, as was his habit when intrigued or confused. Good, she was not injured. But she seemed to have difficulty speaking. He decided not to ask about it, as he didn't wish to offend her. She was still staring at him, and actually backed away a few steps. It was then that he realized that she was staring at his vida. Self-conscious, he glanced down at his chest and crossed his arms to block it from her view.

"Oh--um...sorry. It does that." He didn't know why he was apologizing, but it had been a habit of his ever since SynuTech drilled it into him. "It's my--" He almost said its true name, but for simplicity's sake opted to say instead, "--power source."

[ooc: it's okay! XD]

After her question Rafael took a few steps back and Delia's sudden regret was quite obvious as it spread across her face. Remembering the last interaction she had with someone where she asked them blatant and honest questions had the girls expression turning stormy. "I-I'm s-s-sorry, I s-s-shouldn't h-have asked t-that." Delia finally managed, looking up toward Rafael trying desperately to keep her curiosity about this so called power source to herself.

A few seconds passed and Delia intertwined her fingers together in front of her, almost in a praying position but her palms still being spread apart. The action itself suggested mostly anxiety and as her mind raced to try and find something safe to say to the boy the light bulb suddenly clicked on in her head - her mouth gaping in response to her thoughts. "A-Are y-y-you n-new?" Delia asked the strange boy then, realizing that she hadn't even introduced herself.

"M-My name i-i-is Delia, b-by t-t-the w-way." The teenager said then, offering up a meek and nervous smile. Ever since she purposely used her power on someone, Delia found herself growing even more nervous around people then she usually was. The young girl felt trapped and helpless, feeling as though she couldn't possibly reach out to her brother much less any of the teachers at Foresta.

Rafael shook his head, remembering how the interns at the company would often ask him such questions. Of course, they would poke and prod him as well, but he sincerely doubted that this girl was going to do that. "It's alright." He gave her a smile, hoping it would lessen her anxiety. His crimson eyes glowed softly, as they always did, the minute gears whirring about as they worked.

The android uncrossed his arms, trying to keep his body language from seeming so guarded. "Yes, I am new. Brand new, in fact. I just arrived." He turned to look at the sea; the boat that brought him here had since departed. Looking back at the girl--now identified as Delia--he realized that he should introduce himself as well. "My name is Rafael. And, um...would you be able to show me around a bit? I have no idea where to go--that is, if it's not a bother. You don't have to," he added quickly. He shut his vocalizer before he could ramble on any further.

Slowly realizing that this new person was a lot nicer than the last student she had interacted with, Delia gradually started to relax - looking momentarily surprised as Rafael stated that he just arrived at the school. "Oh!" Delia exclaimed in surprise, nodding as Rafael asked if she could show him around. She was happy that the boy bot didn't seem to mind her stammering, allowing herself to trust that maybe, just maybe he wouldn't tease her like the last person did.

"I-I'd b-b-be h-happy too." Delia said then. "W-Where w-w-would you like t-t-to go f-first?" she asked, her face contorting in a brief flash of frustration at her own speech impediment. Delia often found herself wondering when she was by herself when she would finally be able to conquer her stuttering, hoping with all her might that maybe just maybe it would get easier when she got older.

Rafael smiled in relief when Delia said that she would show him around. Heaven knows he would only get himself lost if he were to attempt to wander through the school himself. However, his smile faded slightly as she asked where he would like to go first. His eyes scanned the surrounding area--he would later learn that it was called a courtyard. Everything was foreign to him. "I don't really know, I--this is my first time outside in a very long time, I don't know much--about...anything..." he explained lamely, voice growing softer as he all but muttered the last bit. His systems whirled into overdrive as shame filled his processor. He winced inwardly, giving Delia a silent look of apology, feeling guilty that he was as clueless as he was.

Face still burning, he averted his gaze, and found his small suitcase sitting on the ground. Right. He had dropped it when Delia had bumped into him. He hastily bent to pick it up, holding it with both hands in front of him, gripping it tighter than what was probably necessary.

(ooc; I forget, have I told you that my sister has a speech impediment? She stutters less in my presence, though. But yeah, it's one of the reasons why I like Delia so much. I can relate to her. ^-^)

Delia watched Rafael as he spoke the seconds passing as her expression slowly changing from being blank to actually understanding the situation that he was in. With hopes of helping Rafael feel more relaxed, Delia turned slightly to look toward the large doors that led into the school.

"W-Well..." Delia took a deep breath, looking back at Rafael one more time before looking toward the doors. It was a slow process, but the young girl was attempting to come up with some sort of plan for showing the android around the school. Her arms tensed slightly as anxiety spread throughout her body, "W-W-We c-c-could st-start with the e-en-entrance hall?" Delia finally offered. "T-Th-That's where t-those doors go." As she spoke, the teen signaled toward the doors that she had been looking at so that Rafael could get a good idea of where they were going.

[ooc; Really? ~ Thank you! I saw a movie once about a ruler of England having a stutter, King George or something of the sort and it was called the King's Speech and seeing his struggle with it sort of inspired me to write a character like that. Also, we can end the thread here and just make another thread in the entrance hall or you can post for them walking over there, it's completely up to you let me know what you think.]

(ooc; I'll just post them walking over right here, and then I'll make a thread in the actual entrance hall. Do you want to make the first post in the entrance hall, like Delia explaining "these are the doors to the school yay how interesting"?)

Raf nodded, not having any better ideas himself. He followed meekly behind Delia as they walked toward the massive doors, still clutching his suitcase like it was his lifeline.

(to the entrance hall! AWAY!)