(no subject)

[thezerothlaw]

Who: Daneel and Hal
What: Cleaning interruptus
Where: House 20
When: Day 77


Daneel has been out, patrolling -- perhaps a useless gesture, but something he periodically does, as it's reassuring to make certain that there's nothing terribly amiss going on. When he returns to the house, though, that there's someone else there is immediately obvious to him.

As is the fact that this isn't someone who should be there.

He follows sound into the kitchen, more curious than alarmed, silent and slightly perplexed.

Comments

[unsanguine]

Considering how he's a centuries old predator and all, maybe Hal should be better at sensing when there are other beings on his periphery--he's aware, for instance, of the heartbeats and pulsing blood of any humans in the house. But Annie had been able to sneak up on him, and in a bizarre commonality Daneel manages this as well.

At this moment he's in the kitchen, up to his elbows in warm soapy water (and trusty marigolds, of course), attacking a plate with something terrifying crusted on it and singing to himself. He may be doing a little shimmy in place, as well.

When he does eventually notice Daneel on his periphery - which he will do as soon as the robot makes any kind of sound - he starts, sending a few suds flying out of the sink and onto the floor, distracting Hal long enough to pull a face at them and note they'll have to be scrubbed up later. While he is doing the rest of the uh, slightly sticky floor. "My apologies. I didn't realize anyone was here."

Because it's not like ...weird that he's on a cleaning mission otherwise. Riley said he could!

[thezerothlaw]

"I apologise as well. I did not mean to startle you."

Because it makes perfect sense to apologise to someone who's broken into your home, although Daneel himself has little in the way of a sense of ownership about it. If anything... well, this should be his task. If he's here, surely he should make some sort of effort at proving he's worth keeping around.

"May I ask who you are? You needn't trouble yourself with these chores. I will gladly take over for you."

[unsanguine]

Come now, Hal didn't break into anywhere, that would just be rude. He was invited! He wiped his feet on the ....uh. If there had been a mat he would have wiped his feet and everything!

"It's no trouble." He means the startling, but it may as well stand in for everything else as well. "Hal Yorke, at your service."

Your cleaning service, get it, Daneel? Ah. Humor, tried and tested. (No one ever gets Hal's jokes.) Meanwhile, he waggles a marigold at eye level. "I'd offer to shake, but as you can see..."

Marigolds, and he is therefore no longer obligated to touch strangers or let them anywhere near him. Even if they are strangers who appear to have no. Heartbeat? Huh. He flickers a glance at Daneel, just shy of curious. Mostly, if he's honest, he's relieved. "Please, that won't be necessary. As you can see I have them well in hand."

[thezerothlaw]

"My name is Daneel Olivaw. I am currently a resident of this household."

Did he... bring his own rubber gloves? A peculiar habit, but not unthinkable. Odd, eccentric, but nothing wrong with that. Daneel would shake his hand anyway, but he wouldn't press where he's not wanted, either.

If nothing else, Hal is a guest -- the best option, as the others are not so benign. If he's a guest, then he shouldn't be doing this sort of task. It's just basic courtesy, basic rules of hospitality.

"Are you certain I cannot help?" He's a little anxious, honestly. "I intended on cleaning when I returned."