" You. You need to explain this."
The robot spoke somehow even more deadpan than usual, as if attempting to stare his his creator down. There was a moment of stunted silence before he got his response.
" I don't see what you need me to explain, really. Everything here is quite self explanatory!" The response was either sarcastic, or just naively dumb, the robot was not sure which.
Speaking in an even lower, dryer tone, he looked his creator in what could probably be considered his eye. " Crygor. You said you would be visiting family. You said you would be gone for a few weeks. You come back a month and a half later, and you have a CHILD with you." He gestured to the young girl somewhat timidly holding the scientist's hand.
" I did indeed visit family, Mike. A month and a half is six weeks, and to some people that can be considered a few. And yes she is indeed a child, and you are upsetting her!" Was the smug response. The doctor tugged the young girl protectively closer, as if to try and get her to calm slightly.
Mike knelt, so he was eye level with the child. " Where did she come from? Do I even want to know? Why is she so... small?" He gestured to the young girl, who flinched slightly, and seemed to tense.
" She is my granddaughter, and human children are naturally small. You are large and metal and intimidating, Mike, and you need to be gentle..." Crygor spoke softer now " I am her caretaker now, and getting that settled was why I was gone for so long. Her name is Penny and she is very kind. "
There was a few moments of silence as the child and robot stared at each other, about equally as confused. " I will not hurt you, small human. You are very welcome." The robot finally uttered, before holding his arms open.
Penny was silent, before suddenly rushing into the open hug, and allowing herself to be held. Somewhat awkwardly, Mike picked her up, holding her in an unusually tender way. " You are very small, and you fit the definition of cute." He spoke softly to the child.
The scientist seemed very pleased. " Look, Mike, she already likes you! " He gestured to how the young girl had practically nestled into his metallic grip, seeming surprisingly comfortable. He seemed proud, and almost was beaming.
" I am not sure why she likes me. But she
is quiet, is there a reason for this?" Mike tenderly ran two metal fingers down the child's back as he spoke, holding her closely. " It seems ... perhaps she is sleeping..."
After a few moments of silence, Crygor just gently touched Mike's shoulder. " Yes. I think you two will get along well. " he spoke, voice soft.
The robot was silent now, just examining the sleeping child. She seemed so at peace, despite being precariously dangled in his arms. He held her tighter, firmly yet not enough to crush her. Why was she so trusting? To let a mechanical being such as him hold her so tight? It was endearing.
He continued with the silence before speaking again. " She is..." he was not sure how to express what he wanted to say, not sure even what he wanted to say, " She is very nice. I will be good to her." He held the girl as close as he could.
And all his creator did was smile, putting a hand on his mechanical shoulder, and spoke kindly. " I know you will, you know I trust you."