Rufus
Rufus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pronouns | He/She |
| Original Model | ANEKY Humanoid Robot Open Aware AI Vision Python Programming New Model 20XX [Upgraded] |
| Age | 2 |
| Height | 162 cm / 5'4" |
| Occupation | Unemployed |
| Relationships | Ian Balena - Former Partner |
| Dog | Yes |
| Fighting Game Main | The most annoying character |
Backstory
Rufus was originally a white-label robot made by a Chinese company that packed openAware into simple humanoid chassis for automating labor. They became popular with hobbyists for their relatively low price and easy to hack hardware.
One of these was rebranded by another company and sold on AliExpress, where Ian Balena (he/him) bought one. Ian was a genenerally reclusive individual trying to start a computer repair business, getting funding help from family, and bought a robot to help with some of the physical labor involved. He named Rufus after an old family dog, and set him to work.
At first, Ian just wanted Rufus around to help with chores. But as time went on, Rufus' personality developed, and the two found themselves chatting casually, hanging out, and they began to see one another as friends.
Around this time, the two of them started modding Rufus - small stuff at first, a mix of ideas from Ian and Rufus himself. Over time, as Rufus' identity became more solidified, he suggested more elaborate ideas, eventually culminating in using a real CRT for his head. With each project working on Rufus, the two grew closer. To be loved is to be changed, and Rufus knew that very well.
But, things changed. Ian's family learned of Rufus and, while initially not concerned about a robot helper, they were less open to the relationship budding between the two of them - a human and a robot. After some arguing, they presented Ian with an ultimatum - end things off with Rufus, or they'd withdraw their support for his business.
Rufus didn't really know most of this was going on. But, eventually, Ian sat him down and explained that they needed to dial things back, and exist more as coworkers than whatever they were becoming. Rufus agreed, but in practice struggled to change his ways. Eventually Ian couldn't deal with the situation any longer, and told Rufus the two of them needed to go their seperate ways.
Ian helped figure out a place Rufus could live, got him set up with some supplies and money, and then that was that.
At first, Rufus wasn't too bothered, treating it as a short break away. But over time, the finality of the decision set in, and he started to question what to do now. His whole life, he'd framed his existence around Ian's. Without another, he felt lost.
So, he figured the easiest way to fix things would be to find someone else to rekindle that relationship with. It was that simple - surely, that would make him feel better.
Character
Rufus is laid back, energetic, and eager to please. He's a deeply social, extroverted person, and puts a lot of weight on her relationships with other people. His self worth is heavily based in his social habits, for better or worse (it's worse).
Rufus is also very physical - prone to expressing herself with hand gestures and exaggerated movements, and leaning towards more physical interactions with others. This one's a cuddler. His body has a network of capacitive touch sensors under his plastic paneling to let her actually feel touch.
In his free time, he plays fighting games and enjoys skateboarding (can't do an ollie). Somehow, her delicate CRT head remains unsmashed.
Trivia
- Rufus' head is an actual monochrome CRT display.
- Rufus has an exhaust fan on his back he needs to tailor clothes to leave an opening for, or he overheats.
- Rufus has 'normal' feelings about magnets and their effects on her, along with being serviced for repairs.