I'm drawing robots that've influenced my life! Since we're starting in chronological order, here's the first three, mostly from my earlier childhood. Each are named, with their background and timeframes added! Ramble under the cut.
[PART 1] <> [PART 2 [TBA]] <>
HOOO boy! So! This started because I started reminiscing on just how many robotic/synthesite characters I love. It's been a lifelong theme with me. So why not do art of every single major one?
Tiny is where it started for me. Little Robots was something me and my siblings all grew up on. There were so many reruns of that show, lol. Tiny is so joyous and whimsical, it's hard not to enjoy drawing him. And I really did enjoy drawing him! Precious baby boy who's done no wrong.
As for Zane, I specifically picked his S4-S7 era design, because it's the most nostalgic to me. It's what I really remember making me appreciate "chrome-faced" styled robots. And that was when I watched Ninjago the most! I've sort of fallen out of touch with the series, but no matter what, Zane will have a space in my heart.
Technically, NIMROD isn't a robot. He's a sentient supercomputer from the Cold War and he's a maths teacher. But shh. Let us just appreciate this sassy old man. Ever seen a fridge give you diabolical side-eye? He was the most difficult to draw, and far too large to fit fully in the frame, so you're getting the perspective of a Strange Hill student who fucked their maths class.
Today's prompt "Rainy Day", brought me back to the cyberpunk au featuring Elias Dawn and their little android buddy. Fifty is coming right along with learning how to be a good friend, and Elias is coming to really appreciate having him around.
Previous stories:
Error 50 | Personal Assistant
~~~
The rain used to mean so much. El used to feel it, used to be able to follow the progress of every drop from the cloud to the ground. From gentle drizzles to raucous storms, they had once had a grasp on it all. Storms, weather, the balance of energies between the sky and the earth, that had been theirs.
And somewhere deep inside, they supposed, it still was. But ever since their hands had been numbed, so many of their other senses had fallen dim too.
“I anticipate this rain will let up within the hour,” came the small, somewhat tinny voice from their shoulder. Fifty was a slight weight there, originally made of sturdy but lightweight metals and wiring for the easiest portability. El imagined his original specs had seemed quite luxurious for whoever had paid for the little assistant droid. He’d still ended up down in the scrapyards, though. El doubted he even realized he’d been rescued.
El smiled and turned away from the grimy window, the one view from the attic level of the small shack they’d broken into for shelter. “Oh yeah? You manage to connect to the weather network, Fifty?” they asked, trying to catch sight of the small droid standing on their shoulder.
The small droid, only six inches or so tall, had a surprising sense of balance where he stood. He barely wavered from El’s normal movements; his little gyroscopes must be in top shape despite his consignment to the scraps. He had his hands clasped politely behind his back. He shook his head. “I have not attempted to connect to the forecast network,” he admitted matter-of-factly. “I am equipped with predictive algorithms in case of offline needs. As you have expressed reluctance to connect to the government-sanctioned networks, I have refrained. This is friendly behavior, correct?”
El grinned. They reached up to gently brush a fingertip over the small swoop of metal meant to mimic a tidy hairstyle atop Fifty’s head. “Good man, Fifty. Only independent education networks, just to be safe.”
As Fifty lifted a hand to thoughtfully touch his head, El found themself drawn back to the window, staring out from where they sat leaning against the wall. They’d used a lot of energy climbing the service ladder out of the scrap level, and it was a wonder they hadn’t dozed off. The rain, an unexpected little reprieve from the harsh sun glancing off all the glass and metal of the city above, had invigorated them in some small, distant way that they almost forgot existed.
“El,” Fifty spoke up again, his little voice quieter than before, but using that almost programmed friendliness that probably came with his artificial voice. “I have some questions. They are not related, and I do not anticipate I will find them in the educational databases. May we discuss them?”
El smirked faintly. “Sure, Fifty. Come here.” They offered a palm at their shoulder, and once the small droid stepped onto it, ferried him around to face him better. “I’ll do my best to answer.”
Fifty nodded and placed his little hands over his chest where his heart would be if he were organic. Instead, El imagined the small power crystal somewhere beneath the layers of doll clothes and metal plating. “I am grateful, El. My first question: I do not see you without your gloves often. Why is this? My second question: Are you … saddened … by the rain?”
El stared at him thoughtfully. Sometimes, depending on the dim lighting the odd pair found themselves in, a faint blue reflection shone on Fifty’s metal plating, indicating El’s constantly-glowing eye. It was a constant reminder that they were truly an unlikely pair, and yet there they were together. El had suggested that Fifty could be their friend; asking casual questions about someone fell into that category.
“Saddened,” El repeated, intrigued by the little droid’s choice of get-to-know-you questions.
Fifty held up a hand with one finger extended to aid their prompt explanation. “A state of having been made unhappy by something.”
El snickered. “I gotcha, buddy. I was echoing you while I thought about it.” They didn’t mind explaining the nuances of conversation to the little droid, even if something like that might seem obvious. If nothing else, they wanted to see how much of it would stick in the little guy’s understanding of socializing.
“Understood!” Fifty said, his little green eye lights flickering in acknowledgement. “I await the response.”
And he did seem content to wait for however long it took. El only took a short moment to figure out how much he wanted to say. It wasn’t like the little droid had any loyalty to someone else. “Your questions are actually related, Fifty. Even if they don’t seem like they are. But before I give you the answer, I need you to promise you’ll keep it a secret.”
Fifty straightened, if it was even possible from his already prim and proper posture. “Of course, El. To reveal information given in confidence would be unfitting behavior for a friend.”
El nodded. “Exactly.” Then, they brought their free hand to their mouth to grip the glove with their teeth. Tugging it free, they revealed their hand and arm, where their brown skin was shiny and warped with layered burn scars. After spitting their glove to the side, they brought their hand close to their still-covered hand, palm up to mirror it. “My hands don’t have much feeling left in them. The gloves and bracers are to protect them from getting hurt without me noticing the damage.”
Fifty stared at El’s scarred hand for a moment before cautiously stepping across the gap between their hands, alighting on the bare palm. As they’d said, El barely felt the little footsteps. Fifty looked up from his small metal feet, and though he couldn’t make expressions on his face, El imagined an expectant look. “And the rain? How is its effect on your emotions related to these scars?”
El’s next smile was a little less beaming than usual. “I used to be able to feel the rain. Not like someone feels it falling on them, getting them soaked. It used to be a connection I had to different weather stuff. And the same people that caused my hands to be burned and numbed also numbed my connection to the rain. It’s still there, but it’s harder to reach. That’s why the rain makes me a little sad. But I still love it.”
Fifty took that in for several quiet, still seconds. The patter of the rain on the window made the backdrop of his processing. Finally, he held out his hands placatingly. “I am sorry about these things, El. I am also sorry for asking such sensitive questions. That was not friendly.”
“Oh, that’s okay,” El laughed. “You didn’t know, and I don’t mind you learning these things about me. You’ve been a good friend.”
Fifty paused again, and then turned his attention up to the window. “I am glad I’ve been a good friend. May I stand near the window? I would like to watch the rain with you, and understand the way it makes you feel. If you are willing to tell me more.”
El shifted where they sat, but something like gratitude crossed their face. “Sure, buddy. Let’s watch the rain together.”
