This is a comfy place and I'm glad it's my home. Sometimes there is screaming, but Rusty says it’s usually happy screaming. That’s how friends like the mollusc communicate how they feel. Rusty says it’s important for us to be able to communicate how we feel so that they can make sure we are happy and cared for. And I feel good! I’m not always sure how to make words happen, but I think my family usually understands how I feel when I sing for them.

Today, Rusty asked me and some of the other guests if we’d like to help make a surprise present for Biccy. I said yes, of course! Well, I actually sang this, but Rusty understood how excited I was. We went into the yard where there were loads of pots of paint and a big board. Rusty said we were going to paint a new picture for Biccy! There’s always been lots of pictures of all of Biccy and Rusty’s friends and family at the Retreat, but Rusty told us that it would be nice to make one REALLY big one to put on the wall, including all the bots who have lived here before. And that includes me now!

Rusty poured out a tray of paint for me to dip my feet into, and then I started running around on my section of the board to draw out the shape of my chassis. It was sooooooo fun! Rusty went to go and feed the mollusc while we got to work, and before long everyone was painting all kinds of pretty patterns onto the board. I tried really hard to stick to the right shapes but… well, I got sort of distracted. Me and ShredEx got into a paint battle, and paint started flying everywhere, and…

Well, when Rusty came back, the board was a bit of a mess. I felt so guilty! Rusty had trusted us to make something lovely for Biccy, but I got carried away and got paint everywhere! I told them how sorry I was, but… Rusty wasn’t mad at all. They seemed really happy actually! They said it was perfect the way it was, and that they could see how much fun we’d all had painting it. They said Biccy would love it because it was something we’d done together.

…I really love my family. I know they love me too. It’s hard to tell them that sometimes, but I know they’ll always understand.

It's not easy to get some time away from the retreat, screaming molluscs and dinging toasters tirelessly need your attention, but with some careful planning you find that Holegrane would be happy to bot-sit for a few weeks while you and Biccy take some time for yourselves. Leaving the little ones with the dependable fortune telling, snow plowing rice cooker racecar seemed like a shaky idea at first, but Holegrane is patient, full of great stories and loves taking care of other bots, it couldn't have been a better fit.

You make your way slowly, since Biccy can't move very fast, back to the oil baths, where Maude is etastic to see you. She gets her sister to lower the bridge at once and you bask in all the pools they have to offer. The petrol ones does wonders for your energy, while Biccy enjoys some of the more specialised engine oil and lubricant oil baths; your actuators haven't run this smooth in decades. The oil baths also provide custom deep cleaning and de-rusting services - though of course, you always be Rusty! Biccy insists you two get a couples package and enjoy a peaceful time as robots built into the oil rig bristle and burst away all the grime. They even take the time to realign some of your gears to allow for smoother movement in the future and resistance from breakdown.

On your way back, you take a romantic walk through the forest together. You stop to let a bird perch on your claw and when it flies away, you follow it upwards with your visual sensors until they land on… yes! There it is! The crumbling wooden support beams and the metal which you took such pride in polishing to a shine! The welcome sign written in wonky handwriting! It's all just as you remember it!

You miss your chirping former Guests so very much and it's hard to say goodbye to them, but you know you have bots that need you back at the Retreat. Plus, with Biccy at your side to keep you from getting lost, maybe you could come back and visit?