Aquila is ordered to prevent harm to humans, but in reality, no one expects it fulfil that duty aside from obeying its owner.

Rini & Butler primarily explores the unlikely friendship between Rini, a kid who lives in the bowel of a tree, and Butler, an android renamed as such for his uniform and accent. But more than that, it explores the illusion of law equalling justice. With the service-droids core laws prioritising the protection of humanity, the reality of how they are expected to obey such a law is in stark contrast to the intention. Sometimes, what is right … begs for disobedience.

‘Then why’re you helpin’ me? It’s not ‘cause you want to?’

Butler’s fingers stop moving and he looks across at her, the same expression from earlier when she asked about her hair only more apparent. Her eyes are focused on their hands together, looking as if she’s preparing for a blow, cowering from his answer. His mouth opens, an answer poised on his tongue, but he finds himself unable to give it. He looks back down at her fingers, his brows creased so slightly that she can’t tell for sure if he’s frowning or not when she peeks up at him. ‘I do not know,’ he finally tells her.

An off-beat laugh follows from her and she raises an eyebrow with a sigh. ‘Don’t know?’ A grin stretches across her face as she looks over the bank, drawing the riverside into her. A smile of similar sorts appears on Butler’s face in response. ‘Okay, that’s good enough, I guess …’